Extensions of Remarks E275 HON. ROBERT C. ''BOBBY'
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March 18, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E275 David (Jennifer) Kapper, Deborah (Kelly) contemporaneous. Therefore, having been We will continue the fight for equality and Dodson, Jon (Nancy) Kapper, and Christopher ratified by Virginia and a sufficient number of work towards a more inclusive and equitable (Collen) Kapper; grandchildren, Abbie, Alex, other states pursuant to Article V, the ERA, in society. Charlie, Hannah, Ben, Frances, Nicole, and my judgement, has become part of the Con- f Kevin; great grandchild Violet; and brothers stitution. HERMAN ROBERTS—BLACK BUSI- Dick, Tom, and Glenn. He was preceded in This resolution is unlikely to add to the argu- NESSMAN, CIVIC LEADER, CHI- death by his parents Raymond and Marcine, ment that the ERA has been ratified, and, be- CAGO ICON and his grandson, Andrew. cause it implies that the deadline needs to be I cannot thank Ray enough for his dedicated removed, it may strengthen arguments against service to the City of Akron and Summit Coun- because if the deadline is binding, then pas- HON. DANNY K. DAVIS ty. It is a great honor to represent the people sage of this resolution in the House, without OF ILLINOIS of Akron in this chamber, and Mr. Kapper passage in the Senate, certainly does not cure IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES deeply exemplified the spirit of the city. My that defect. And even with Senate concur- Thursday, March 18, 2021 deepest condolences go out to his family and rence, the effect of the resolution on state rati- to all whose lives were touched by Ray. fications between the deadline and the re- Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam f moval of the deadline is unclear. So the pas- Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of Chi- sage of the resolution in the House and Sen- cago’s brightest lights who recently passed REMOVING THE DEADLINE FOR ate will at best add confusion to the debate away at the age of 97, Mr. Herman Roberts. THE RATIFICATION OF THE and at worst will strengthen arguments against The Chicago Sun-Times wrote that Herman EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT the conclusion that the ERA has been ratified. Roberts came to Chicago with nothing during the ‘‘Great Migration and ended up a tycoon’’. SPEECH OF Nevertheless, forced with a vote, it makes more sense to vote in favor than to oppose At one time or another he owned 35 taxis, HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT the resolution. eight motels, a nightclub, which swung with some of the world’s greatest stars, a bowling OF VIRGINIA Regardless of the outcome of this resolution alley, a skating rink, and oil wells on a 2000- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on the ERA itself, the fight for equality must acre ranch in Oklahoma. Mr. Roberts grew up Wednesday, March 17, 2021 continue. Women still face hurdles in the path- as one of six children in Beggs, Oklahoma, ways to success. On average, women still Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. I rise in support of around his age of about 12 his family moved earn less than men for the same job functions. equality and the principle that our Constitution to Chicago where he went to Burke Elemen- Pregnant women often lack basic protections was designed, not to shore up the dominance tary and Englewood High School on the south- and reasonable accommodation in the work- of the historically powerful, but to ensure the side of the city. After high school he went into place. Perhaps most concerning of all, vio- rights of all and to foster a society in which the taxicab business and built a fleet in the lence against women is still widespread and each of us is free to shape our future based Black Community when and where white undermines the educational and social poten- on our abilities. The resolution today seeks to owned cabs usually would not transport Black tial of women and young children in this coun- remove the deadline Congress put in place for patrons. In the early 1950’s he opened his first try. the ratification of the Equal Rights Amend- lounge, the Lucky Spot and a few years later ment. While ratification of the Equal Rights I am proud to have worked with my Demo- The Roberts Show Lounge in a garage build- Amendment is imperative to enshrine equal cratic colleagues in the House to pass legisla- ing where he had once housed his taxicabs. rights for women, I do not believe it is nec- tion to remedy these inequalities. The House Mr. Roberts was a genius at booking and essary to strike the deadline for ratification. recently passed the Protect the Right to Orga- showmanship. Stars like Nina Simone, Dinah However, by voting on this legislation, we may nize Act (H.R. 842) which protects workers Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis imply that it is necessary for Congress to lift who are trying to form a union. While in most Jr., Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Red Foxx, a self-imposed deadline in order for the ratifi- of America, women earn less than men, Moms Mabley, Dick Gregory and others were cation to be effective. I do not prescribe to this women and men working under a union con- regular features. In 1960, he built his first view. tract receive equal pay for equal work. We motel on 63rd Street, then six more. In 1974, Congressional authority to propose Amend- have worked to fill the gaps in the patchwork he installed a removable stage in the parking ments to the Constitution and the mode of rati- of existing laws governing how and when lot and brought in stars like Count Basie, Billy fication is outlined in Article V of the Constitu- workers take time off to care for themselves Eckstine, Ramsey Lewis, Della Reese and tion. Article V requires two-thirds of the House and their families. Expanding the Family and Nipsey Russell to name a few. Mr. Roberts did and Senate to propose an amendment. Con- Medical Leave Act to cover more working par- not only spend time looking after his business gress can choose ratification through three- ents and low wage workers who are currently in Chicago; but also spent time at the ranch in fourths of the state legislatures or state ratify- excluded from leave policies is a top priority. Oklahoma. At its peak his ranch had several ing conventions. Once the amendment is pro- There are other initiatives being considered oil wells, 100 horses, pigs, French breed of posed to the states, there is no Constitu- to address inequities. Nearly two thirds of min- cattle and peacocks. In addition to everything tionally imposed time limit on the ratification imum wage workers in the United States are else that Mr. Roberts was and did, the Rob- process. Article V of the Constitution is silent women. The Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 603) erts Motel 500 Room was a major launching with regard to when a state must consider and will raise the income levels of the most eco- pad for the official kick off of The Harold ratify an amendment. In fact, the ratification nomically insecure households and would be a Washington Campaign for Mayor which process for the 27th Amendment took more step in the right direction towards pay equity. changed Chicago Politics forever. I say con- than two hundred years. The Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act (H.R. gratulations to Mr. Herman Roberts on all his Historically, Congress has ratified amend- 1065) is important legislation that will provide outstanding achievements and thanks to his ments without specific time limitations. The reasonable accommodations to pregnant children and grandchildren for keeping his leg- first amendment to contain a time limit was the women in the workforce. The Violence Against acy and spirit alive, especially to his daughter 18th Amendment, which established the prohi- Women Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1620) which Sharla Roberts, Director of Procurement Di- bition of alcohol. The text of the 18th, 20th, expands protections and provides critical fund- versity at the University of Illinois at Chicago. ing for victim services, law enforcement train- 21st, and 22nd Amendments each contained f language limiting the time frame for ratifica- ing, and data collection, is now pending in tion. In contrast, the text of the Equal Rights Congress. PERSONAL EXPLANATION Amendment ratified by the states does not However, even if all this legislation were to contain a time limit. It is the proposing clause become law, it would not be the same as HON. JOHN KATKO sent to the states for ratification of the Equal amending the Constitution to guarantee OF NEW YORK Rights Amendment which contains a seven- women equal rights. Discrimination in the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES year time limitation. Notwithstanding a lower workplace, violence in the home, and institu- district court ruling to the contrary, the lan- tional barriers require systemic legal and cul- Thursday, March 18, 2021 guage of a proposing clause is not legally tural change. Ratification of the Equal Rights Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I missed the binding. The ratification process of the Equal Amendment provides an additional legal tool vote on Roll Call No. 84 on March 17, 2021. Rights Amendment was properly before the for combatting discrimination on the basis of Had I been present, I would have voted YEA states and was reasonable and sufficiently sex. on Roll Call No. 84. VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:32 Mar 19, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A18MR8.028 E18MRPT1 SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS E276 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 18, 2021 PERSONAL EXPLANATION School boys’ basketball team for winning the subsidized Stafford Loans, which must be paid Division 2 state championship earlier this back with interest.