CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E880 HON
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E880 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 22, 2017 Amelia Boynton Robinson and our fellow Con- IN HONOR OF SPECIAL AGENTS Into The Darkest of Nights gressman JOHN LEWIS, who were both bludg- CRYSTAL GRINER AND DAVID ‘‘Not On My Watch’’ BAILEY AND THEIR COURA- Those Brave Hearts Who Evil Must Fight eoned for marching for their right to vote. You Bring The Light Their sacrifices and courage paved the path GEOUS ACTS OF VALOR IN SAV- f for Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of ING LIVES IN HONOR OF JOE ELLIS 1965 with overwhelming bipartisan support. HON. PETE SESSIONS As we reach the fourth anniversary of OF TEXAS Shelby v. Holder, the landmark case that over- HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES turned and gutted a vital part of the Voting OF OHIO Rights Act of 1965, it is clear that Americans’ Thursday, June 22, 2017 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES right to vote is under attack now more than Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Thursday, June 22, 2017 honor of the selfless acts of courage displayed ever. While people of color are no longer sub- Mr. TIBERI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- by Special Agents Crystal Griner and David ject to irrational literacy tests, arbitrary grand- ognize Joe Ellis for winning the high jump Bailey of The United States Capitol Police father clauses, or high poll taxes, the reversal event in the Ohio High School Division I State saving the lives of numerous members of of Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act once Track and Field Tournament. Congress and their staffs. Our thoughts and An achievement such as this certainly de- again subjugates minorities to voter discrimi- prayers go out to all of the wounded and Con- serves recognition. The Ohio High School Ath- nation tactics. This section provided gressman Steve Scalise and Matt Mika and letic Association has enabled talented teams preclearance measures for states where voter their families who are fighting for their lives. I and individuals to earn state titles since its discrimination has occurred. Section 4(b) re- include in the RECORD this poem penned by founding in 1907. Throughout this time, the quired any changes of voting laws to first be Albert Carey Caswell. champions of OHSAA state level competitions cleared by the court in the determined states. NOT ON MY WATCH have represented the highest achieving and Since Shelby v. Holder nullified this crucial They awake on each new day most talented athletes in Ohio. Each year With a hug and kiss part of the Voting Rights Act, 10 states have these elite competitors join the long ranks of passed laws requiring photo identification to saying goodbye to their loved ones out on their way those who embody Ohio’s proud history of vote, and several more states now require As to themselves ‘‘Not on My Watch’’ they athletic success. government issued identification in order to say Joe Ellis’ victory caps a tremendous season. cast a ballot. These identification laws have No one is going to hurt you this day This sort of achievement is earned only been proven to negatively affect minority and Putting on a bullet proof vest through many hours of practice, perspiration low-income voters disproportionately time and while strapping a holster and gun to their and hard work. You have set a new standard chest for future athletes to reach. Everyone at Mans- time again. To watch over all of us to bless moving out to serve and protect field Senior High School can be extremely Moreover, instead of working to enhance proud of your performance. the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and working to Not knowing what evil to expect Or if this will be their last day, yet On behalf of the citizens of Ohio’s 12th protect the voting rights of all Americans, the Who while all in the midst of hell Congressional District, I congratulate Joe Ellis Trump Administration is wasting valuable time must find the strength to make their souls on his state championship. I wish him contin- and resources creating a commission to inves- swell ued success in both his athletic and academic tigate the groundless claim that millions of Living by a noble code and creed endeavors. to watch over us . you and me people voted illegally in the last election. The It’s all in a Police Officer’s day f creation of this commission demonstrates a Saying, ‘‘Not on My Watch’’ all at speed TRUMPCARE WILL ABANDON To vanquish evil’s darkest of all needs clear disregard for the millions of AMERICANS SUFFERING FROM disenfranchised minorities across America. Ready to lay down their own lives if need be Standing on that thin blue line ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE My legislation, the Voting Rights Advance- where death lies so close all the time ment Act, will effectively create a new cov- When, who lives and dies HON. TERRI A. SEWELL And see’s another sunrise erage formula and provide updated OF ALABAMA preclearance procedures for states that have So all depends on you relies IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES had 15 or more voting violations within the And on that fateful morning in June Thursday, June 22, 2017 past 25 years. With the addition of this new When two Capitol Police Officers went deep formula, 13 states including Alabama, Arkan- stood true Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, our sas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Lou- Who against all odds country is in the midst of a drug overdose epi- just like Gods kept their oath through and demic that’s devastating families and commu- isiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, through nities nationwide. Each day, 144 people die South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 9 of Out gunned from drug overdose. Opioids kill more people which have already passed discriminatory who from the face of death would not run than car accidents, and heroin kills more than All in their stride stood tall in the morning voter identification laws, would be subject to all gun-related homicides. federal oversight. The Voting Rights Advance- sun Until, they vanquished what this dark evil Recently, President Trump stated the opioid ment Act presents a clear solution to the prob- had begun crisis ‘‘is a crippling problem throughout the lem of voter discrimination and helps ensure Thank you United States’’ and vowed to ‘‘expand treat- Americans of all races and socioeconomic Officers Griner and Bailey as you have ment for those who have become so badly ad- statuses are able to exercise their constitu- blessed each and everyone dicted.’’ After promising the American people But, ‘‘hate is hard . and it makes me tionally protected right to vote. that he would take action to alleviate this suf- cry’’ fering, he endorsed a GOP health reform bill When, I see those tears in those wounded Just as in 1965, we remain at a pivotal that would decimate mental health and sub- crossroads—the choice to give every Amer- loved ones eyes But remember stance abuse treatment for those most in ican equal access to the ballot or to continue the darkness is no match for the light need. marginalizing and disenfranchising minorities The kind that which on this day Now, we all know about TrumpCare. We and low-income communities. I urge my col- burned in Griner’s and Bailey’s hearts so know the House version of the bill would cut leagues to take action and support the Voting bright more than $800 billion to Medicaid, cause 23 Rights Advancement Act and not to let the bi- Goodness million Americans to lose their health insur- Evil ance, and disproportionately hurt the same partisan effort of previous Congresses be in Darkness vain. Congress must pass the Voting Rights Light low- and middle-class voters in rural areas who helped elect him in order to give a mas- Advancement Act and restore the right to vote Those Brave Hearts Who Evil Must Fight sive tax cut to the wealthiest Americans. And to every American citizen. Who Bring The Light Together Enjoined the Senate version, released today, is ex- As We Battle On pected to have largely similar effects. VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:39 Jun 23, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K22JN8.022 E22JNPT1 rfrederick on DSK3GLQ082PROD with REMARKS June 22, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E881 Today, I want to focus on one particularly den on child welfare and foster care systems athletic accomplishments under the leadership harsh way TrumpCare harms Americans and already at capacity. of TJC President Dr. Michael Metke, Provost their families: It severely reduces access to We have made real progress in combatting and Vice President for Academic and Student critical mental health and substance abuse the opioid crisis in recent years, but our fight Affairs Dr. Juan Mejia, Assistant VP/Athletics services for victims of this public health crisis, is not over. Regardless of partisan affiliation, and Student Life Dr. Tim Drain, Assistant Di- especially the 62 million Americans living in we must ensure affordable and comprehen- rector of Intercollegiate Athletics Kelsi Weeks, rural areas. sive mental health and substance abuse serv- Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Folks living in rural areas, including many of ices for all Americans. Those who do not will Chuck Smith, and Administrative Assistant of my constituents in Alabama, are older and have to answer to the grief-stricken families Intercollegiate Athletics Sherry Harwood. sicker than the average American and have whose loved ones fall victim to this drug over- These exceptional student athletes have higher rates of premature death, which is dose epidemic.