Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, let me thank Congresswoman Frankel for being such an exemplary chair, and also our vice chair, Brenda Lawrence. You have put together quite a team and really are raising the issues that really don't get raised oftentimes on behalf of our women.

Also, to Congresswoman Jackie Speier, who I believe is in a hearing right now dealing with this very, very important issue, I want to thank her and all of our women in the Democratic Women's Working Group for organizing this very important Special Order to address the nonconsensual sharing of sexual images in the United States military.

I just have to say a couple of things.

First of all, as a member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and as a woman, I am appalled by the sharing of these private photos. It is really disgraceful. It is disgraceful that our military continues to uphold a culture of sexual harassment and disrespect toward women servicemembers.

Now, let me be clear. The attitudes towards women exposed by websites like the Facebook group Marines United are troubling and dangerous. Not only do such actions threaten our mission, they strip our brave servicemembers who are women of their dignity. No woman should have her private photos exposed on the internet, especially not by her fellow servicemembers.

I was pleased to see the recent Navy and Marine Corps decisions to make the distribution of intimate photos a criminal offense. That is a good thing. We really must do more.

Now, when questioning members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines at a subcommittee hearing, it became clear to me, based on their responses, that the culture of the military must change.

Members of the Democratic Women's Working Group continue to try to help change this culture and are committed to ensuring that that type of activity is prohibited in all branches of our military. That is why I am pleased to cosponsor Congresswomen Speier's and McSally's bill, H.R. 2052, the PRIVATE Act, which is a bipartisan bill that would make it illegal within the Uniform Code of Military Justice to distribute intimate images of a person if that person had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Now, let me be clear. The Department of Defense must expand its efforts to foster a culture of dignity and respect that the military service demands. And, Congresswoman Frankel, I just have to mention a conversation I overheard.

I was on a plane flying from point A to point B, and there were two marines sitting next to me, and they were talking very loudly to each other.

That entire time that we were on the flight, their conversation was about degrading women who were serving with them in the military. It was quite shocking. This was just their conversation in the normal course of conversation on an airplane. I was, quite frankly, shocked and disgusted.

Today's report from the Pentagon shows promising progress, though. Sexual assaults are on the decline, and servicemembers are now more likely to report attacks. But the data also reveals that two-thirds of women who do report assaults face backlash in their unit. It comes as no surprise, then, that many victims choose to suffer in silence. That should not be.

We know that tech firms like Facebook have a role to play in helping address this kind of unacceptable behavior. Facebook's recent announcement to help prevent nonconsensual pornography is a huge advancement in combatting this epidemic--and that is what it is, an epidemic--and addressing these heinous acts.

While the new feature takes down images that are reported, this depends on users being vigilant and submitting reports. Too often people do not report such behavior. We must be clear that we do not condone this type of behavior and ensure that those with the courage to speak up do not face retaliation.

I want to make it clear. Exploiting sexual images of fellow servicemembers online is unacceptable, and it should be a crime. Rest assured, as a woman, as a mother, grandmother, daughter of a veteran, and a member of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work day and night to address the threats to our country and to our women servicemembers. Women in the military are critical to our national security. They should have a safe workplace free from sexual assault and harassment and intimidation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Frankel and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and also Congresswoman Speier for their leadership and for keeping this issue alive and for making sure the public understands that there are Members of Congress who have said: enough is enough.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay final tribute to Robert A.D. Schwartz. Mr. Schwartz died on February 18, 2017 in his Oakland, California home, at the age of 92. He was a businessman, philanthropist, patron of the arts, and jazz musician.

Mr. Schwartz was born in 1925 in Chicago, and received his B.S. in June 1944 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and was sent to the Pacific.

Bob moved to Oakland in 1951, where he founded Schwartz & Lindheim and later Keysource International, which develops and manufactures specialized keyboards for industry. He later earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Golden Gate University Law School, becoming a member of the California State Bar in 1974.

In 1979, Mr. Schwartz founded the Robert A.D. Schwartz Foundation. The foundation's mission is to develop vocational, musical and citizenship educational programs. His philanthropic work also led him to serve as chairman of Urban Strategies Council, a non-profit organization, which works to eliminate persistent poverty in the Bay Area.

He also founded Peer Tutoring Resources Center, which works to support the development of caring and collaborative citizens by enhancing the use, expansion and sustainability of peer tutoring--a model engaging students as instructors and leaders in classrooms and across schools.

In recognition of his contributions to the Oakland community, Bob was named Oakland Citizen of the Year in 1996, and December 14 2016 was proclaimed ``Robert Schwartz Day'' in Oakland.

An avid musician, Mr. Schwartz was instrumental in reviving the Oakland Symphony, and started his own jazz band which played for seniors at local retirement homes.

As chairman of the Northern California Democratic Party, Bob worked tirelessly on many campaigns, including my own campaigns for Congress.

On a personal note, Bob was a trusted confidant, a brilliant strategist, and most important, a loyal friend who I loved very much.

I invite my colleagues to join me as I offer condolences to his loving family, and his loving wife Debbra Wood Schwartz.

Robert A.D. Schwartz will be greatly missed but his legacy as a creative spirit and a trailblazer community activist will live on as a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a civil rights champion: Secretary William T. Coleman.

I had the privilege to know while working as a congressional staffer for another civil rights hero, Congressman Ron Dellums.

Secretary Coleman served this country with character and conviction.

He served in World War II and graduated first in his 1946 Harvard Law School Class.

He also broke through racial barriers to become the first African American Supreme Court Clerk and the second African-American in U.S. history to lead a Cabinet-level department.

Secretary Coleman believed deeply in the Constitution and fought to defend civil rights at all costs.

It was his commitment to that belief that led Thurgood Marshall to recruit Secretary Coleman to coauthor the legal brief in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

I was honored to work in a bipartisan fashion alongside Secretary Coleman's Special Assistant, Elaine Jones during his tenure as Secretary of Transportation in the Ford Administration.

Together we were able to include language on affirmative action in the Airport and Airway Development Act.

Secretary Coleman's determination in the face of discrimination has served as an inspiration for me throughout my career.

My thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife and family during this trying time.

I am confident that his legacy will live on through the lives of those he touched.

May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of a civil rights champion: Secretary William T. Coleman, who I had the privilege to know while working as a congressional staffer for another civil rights hero, Congressman Ron Dellums. Secretary Coleman served this country with character and conviction.

He served in World War II and graduated first in his 1946 Harvard Law School Class. He also broke through racial barriers to become the first African American Supreme Court Clerk and the second African-American in U.S. History to lead a Cabinet-level department.

Secretary Coleman believed deeply in the Constitution and fought to defend civil rights at all costs. It was his commitment to that belief that led Thurgood Marshall to recruit Secretary Coleman to coauthor the legal brief in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. I was honored to work in a bipartisan fashion alongside Secretary Coleman's Special Assistant, Elaine Jones during his tenure as Secretary of Transportation in the Ford Administration.

Together we were able to include language on affirmative action in the Airport and Airway Development Act. Secretary Coleman's determination in the face of discrimination has served as an inspiration for me throughout my career.

My thoughts and prayers are with Bill's wife and family during this trying time. I am confident that his legacy will live on through the lives of those he touched.

May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, each year during Women's History Month, we pause to commemorate the contributions women have made to this country, but we should really commemorate women every day. So I am here today in April to amplify the contributions of women of color, particularly African-American women. Far too often, the blood, sweat, and tears sown by women of color goes unrecognized. So many are truly hidden figures.

Mr. Speaker, this morning, I want to honor the sacrifices African- American women made for this country during World War II. Sadly, to this day, their sacrifices have gone unacknowledged, and as the daughter of a World War II veteran and a Korean veteran, I am honored to shed light on a few of the tremendous contributions of African- American women during World War II. I want to rise to highlight the courageous efforts of more than 800 African-American women from the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, which was the first all- women, all-Black unit deployed in World War II.

The 6888th, its nickname ``Six Triple Eight'', was an all-women, all- Black unit that helped boost morale among Allied troops by working through major mail backlogs in Europe during World War II.

To sort through the major backlog of mail in Europe, the women were divided into three subunits that allowed them to run the postal service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, processing 65,000 pieces of mail per 8- hour shift.

The battalion endured the harsh winter of Europe, dimly lit rooms, and rat-infested headquarters to carry out their mission. Adding insult to injury, these courageous women also faced segregation and discrimination from the very country they were working to defend. The women were forced to run their own mess halls, hair salon, refreshment bar, and other facilities because of segregationist Department of Defense policies.

Yet despite the harsh conditions of war and unequal treatment, the women of the 6888th Battalion cleared a 6-month backlog of mail in just 3 months while posted in Britain. In France, they cleared a 3-year mail backlog in just 6 months. Thanks to their tireless efforts, United States soldiers were finally able to receive lost letters from loved ones during the war.

The courage exhibited by the 6888th proved once again that senseless acts of cruelty are no match for the will and determination of African- American women.

But in July 1945, tragedy struck Private First Class Mary J. Barlow, Private First Class Mary H. Bankston, and Sergeant Dolores M. Browne, who lost their lives in a Jeep accident. Recognizing their fellow comrades' sacrifices, the women of the 6888th pooled their personal resources to properly bury these women. These women who tragically lost their lives while serving in Europe are buried at the Normandy American Cemetery, which I was privileged to visit a couple of years ago.

Their contributions and sacrifices deserve to be celebrated. These Black women proudly sacrificed their lives for a country that did not value them due to racial discrimination and bigotry. So it is with great pride that I speak their names today, hoping that more people will come to acknowledge their sacrifice and the sacrifices of their fellow sisters during World War II.

I want to thank our Military Construction, Veteran Affairs Appropriations Chair Congressman Charlie Dent, then-Ranking Member Sanford Bishop, as well as our full committee Chair Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey for their support in the Appropriations Committee to help us uncover this great history, and also the American Battle Monuments Commission.

These great sheroes need to be brought to the attention of the American people so that they can properly be recognized for their sacrifices and their legacies.

It is my hope that the United States will no longer be shy about recognizing the value, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Black women in history. I am hopeful that we will come to know the many nameless sheroes of the Black community. These hidden figures have fought many battles, have sacrificed so much, and have paved the way for Black women to move forward in spite of the barriers which we are still trying to break.

On today, Equal Pay Day, I am reminded that African-American women earn 63 cents on the dollar. We are still at the bottom of the economic ladder. I urge my colleagues to fight for pay

equality and gender equality as we continue to honor the lives and legacies of so many African-American women who truly are hidden figures but who have done so much to make this a better country.

Mr. Speaker, first let me thank Congresswoman Jayapal and Congressman Raskin for their tireless work to protect our democracy.

I also want to thank the fearless leaders of the CPC, Congressman Keith Ellison and Congressman Raul Grijalva for organizing this Special Order Hour and for leading the fight for the integrity of our republic.

Mr. Speaker, we're here today to shine a light on the deceit and corruption taking place at the White House. For months, we've known that Russia meddled in our election to benefit Donald Trump's campaign.

In fact, even before the election, 17 intelligence agencies all concluded that the influence came from the highest levels of the Kremlin. The reality of this unprecedented interference is outrageous and appalling.

But even more disturbing than the fact of foreign actors meddling, has been the response of our Commander-in-Chief. President Trump stacked his campaign, and then his Administration, with officials who benefited both financially and personally from Russian ties.

Now, instead of calling for a bipartisan independent investigation into Russia's influence, President Trump has heaped praise on Vladimir Putin and undermined the ongoing investigations.

Amid all of the evidence pointing to Russian interference to benefit President Trump, one question remains.

Why has the President not taken this national security issue seriously? Over the past 60 days we have learned the answer to that question. A steady stream of revelations has shown what we've suspected all along. President Trump's cozy relationship with Russia warrants a bipartisan independent investigation. Nearly every week, the ties and lies that exist between President Trump and the Russians have led the news cycle.

Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort stepped down during the campaign after reports of his murky financial dealings with Russia became public. Michael Flynn was forced to resign after news reports confirmed he lied about contacts with the Russians during and after the campaign.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied under oath to conceal meetings he had with Russian officials while on the campaign. And, just this week, we learned that President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner had questionable financial links to Russia that warrant a Senate investigation.

The web of ties and lies gets murkier by the day. As these improprieties come to light, President Trump peddles increasingly desperate conspiracy theories in an attempt to distract from the truth.

Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. The American people are demanding that the truth about this Administration be exposed.

They deserve to know every last detail concerning Putin's involvement in our election; ties that exist between Trump allies and Putin officials; and exactly what knowledge President Trump had of Russian actions during the campaign.

Clearly, Republicans have proved that they are incapable of leading such an investigation. Just this week, we've watched the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee be caught up in this cloud of corruption. Congressman Devin Nunes, a former executive board member on Trump's transition team, is too compromised by the Trump Administration to lead this investigation. Congressman Nunes' conflicts of interest clearly demonstrate he cannot be trusted to conduct the investigation.

Mr. Speaker, the list is endless. He has withheld information from Members of the Intel Committee; shared critical information with the President, the subject of the investigation, without alerting his counterparts on the committee, including the Ranking Member, Adam Schiff. Mislead the American people with scant details of his sources. Not to mention, he helped develop President Trump's national security plan on the campaign.

Mr. Speaker, Congressman Devin Nunes has lost the confidence of the American people. He needs to step down immediately from Chair of the Intelligence Committee.

Mr. Speaker, the corruption shrouding this Administration undermines our national security and makes us less safe. So the only solution here is an independent investigation to reveal the extent of President Trump's personal, political and financial ties to Russia.

I urge my colleagues to support this commission. This has gone far beyond partisan politics. This is about the character of our nation and the independence of our democracy. The American people deserve to know the truth about the troubling links that exist between President Trump and Putin's Russia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1628, which is a bill to take away health care from 24 million Americans.

Whether you believe it or not, health care is a basic right. This shameful bill steals from those who can least afford it, including seniors, veterans, people living with HIV, children, and the disabled. It would, yes, rip away health care from 24 million people. It would reduce benefits, make families pay more for less, and transfer $600 billion in tax cuts to the very wealthy. This is outrageous.

Access to women's health is denied by defunding Planned Parenthood. Medicaid, as we know it, will end. Healthcare costs for working families and seniors will skyrocket. And now it eliminates essential health benefits like maternity, mental health, and emergency care.

This is not a health bill. It is a tax giveaway to the wealthy.

Let me tell you, as a woman of faith, I am appalled and I am saddened by the hypocrisy displayed in this bill by people who say they are religious. I want to remind you--in the Scriptures, the Book of Mark, chapter 12:31, we are reminded to love your neighbor as yourself.

This bill shows disdain for the most vulnerable and would lead to death and destruction and disease for millions of Americans.

I hope Republicans remember to love their neighbor as themselves today and vote ``no'' on this mean-spirited bill. Let's defeat this harmful and morally bankrupt bill. This is a matter of life and death, and the American people deserve better.

Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentleman from Colorado for yielding and for his tireless advocacy on behalf of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition, first, to this terrible rule, of course, which made no Democratic amendments in order, but also in strong support of Congressman Polis' amendment that requires the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to score the final bill, which is the bill to take away health care from 24 million people, to score it as amended by the Republican manager's amendment before the bill is on the House floor.

This clearly is nothing new for Republicans, though. In fact, just 2 weeks ago, Republicans shamefully pushed ahead with the markup of their terrible ACA repeal bill without a score from the Congressional Budget Office. And this week, on the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Republicans' terrible plan to repeal this lifesaving legislation will make it to the House floor.

One thing is clear. Republicans' proposals, of course written in secret back rooms, would be a disaster for struggling families, seniors, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, the poor, and the middle class.

It would, yes, rip away health care from 24 million people, reduce benefits, increase rates for those who can least afford this, and transfer $600 billion in tax cuts to the very wealthy. That is outrageous, but it gets even worse.

Late last night, in secret back rooms, Republicans introduced a dangerous manager's amendment that doubles down on the war on women's health and the poor, low-income, and struggling families.

Yes, once again, Republicans are attempting to move forward with a vote on the final GOP's take away health

care from 24 million Americans, a bill that includes a manager's amendment, without an updated Congressional Budget Office score.

The American people deserve to know the full damage of this disastrous bill. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question and support Congressman Polis' amendment to ensure that we have updated Congressional Budget Office scores before this bill is brought to the House floor.

I thank the gentleman for this amendment, and I thank him for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, first let me thank Congressman Veasey for his tireless work to protect healthcare for all people.

Also to Congresswoman Plaskett, I thank the gentlewoman for continuing to speak out, to organize us, and for her stellar representation of her district.

Let me also thank Congressman Richmond, Chair of the CBC, for his steadfast leadership on so many issues.

Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago Republicans unveiled their dangerous plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

A plan the CBO confirmed would rip healthcare away from 24 million Americans.

This week--on the 7th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act--their terrible plan will make it to the House Floor.

Mr. Speaker, one thing is clear: the proposal Republicans wrote in secret backrooms would be a disaster for struggling families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Their proposal would mean 24 million fewer people with health insurance and 2 million jobs lost.

Their plan defunds Planned Parenthood and rations healthcare for low- income Americans.

It would make working people sicker, in order to provide a $600 billion tax giveaway for billionaires.

We know who this plan will devastate the most: communities of color, especially African Americans.

By ending Medicaid as we know it, at least 1.5 million low-income African Americans could lose their coverage.

And millions more would lose access to high-quality healthcare with the elimination of the ACA's marketplace.

Mr. Speaker, this is outrageous.

We know that African Americans already suffer from shocking health disparities, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

And sadly, these disparities are all too often fatal.

Mr. Speaker, when we wrote the ACA, we worked hard to ensure that our healthcare bill would help end these disparities.

I was Chair of the CBC at the time and addressing harmful health disparities--especially for African Americans--was at the top of our priorities in drafting the ACA.

The final legislation was a huge step forward for underserved families--particularly communities of color.

Through the exchanges and Medicaid expansion, millions of African Americans gained the insurance that they needed and they deserved, including those living with pre-existing conditions.

Take the issue of HIV/AIDS for example. Although they represent only 12% of the population, African Americans disproportionately account for 44% of new HIV cases and 40% of those living with HIV in the U.S.

Before the ACA, many African Americans living with HIV didn't have any insurance at all.

Through the exchanges and Medicaid expansion, millions of African Americans gained the insurance that they needed and they deserved.

Let me be clear: For people living with HIV in this country-- repealing the ACA could mean a death sentence.

Without the Affordable Care Act, people living with HIV are at risk of losing access to the medicine and doctors that keep them healthy.

Clearly, health insurance is critical to keeping people healthy and reducing health disparities.

Mr. Speaker, we know that the ACA works.

It has provided healthcare for over 20 million Americans--7 8 million of whom are African American--since it was signed into law.

And because of this bill, young people, working class people, and people of color now have high-quality, affordable healthcare.

But Republicans don't seem to care.

They are on a rampage to make America sick again--and we must stand in their way.

Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans are making their voices heard in protests, in town halls and in the streets.

And their message is simple: ``Keep your hands off of our healthcare.''

I'm standing with the millions of Americans who are in opposition to this disastrous healthcare bill.

The fight to protect affordable healthcare is on.

We will not rest until Republicans and Trump end their cruel campaign to kick American families off their healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great religious, spiritual, and civic leader, Pastor Gillette James, of Beth Eden Baptist Church as he retires after more than 46 years of faithful service to his community.

Pastor James graduated from the University of San Francisco with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees, and completed additional studies at Oxford University in England.

Pastor James joined the Beth Eden community in 1970 as an Assistant Pastor. Then only a year later, he accepted the call to lead the congregation of Beth Eden Baptist Church after the retirement of Pastor A.C. Dones. Under his strong leadership, the church built fifty-four units of senior housing and purchased other rental housing units for the community. Beth Eden also built a new sanctuary and administrative wing, and hired an architect for a new Family Life Center that is under development, vastly increasing the resources offered to the community of West Oakland.

Pastor James is truly an inspiration to other aspiring clergy, helping forty two other members complete coursework at accredited seminaries during his tenure, and twelve of those received advanced degrees. His leadership has been invaluable to those who have worked under his guidance to achieve their dreams of becoming ministers themselves.

Pastor James has also been a strong advocate for the role of women in church leadership positions. At one point, he was ousted from the California State Baptist Convention for his strong stance for women's involvement in the ministry. He has since been restored in the Convention, and they heeded his direction to keep churches that fully recognize women clergy. Pastor James' commitment to the rights of women in leadership positions has never wavered, and I am sure owes much to the example of his wonderful wife, the late Dr. Rosa James.

Additionally, Pastor James has emphasized education as a key area of importance in his service to Beth Eden's community. Beth Eden's Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to high school graduates and college students to ensure that the youth of Oakland remain engaged and committed to their education.

On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I take great pride in joining the Beth Eden community to salute the extraordinary Gillette O. James as he retires as Pastor of Beth Eden Baptist Church, and wish him many years of joyful retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of International Women's Day, A Day Without a Woman strike. Today we are here and are joined by many of our sisters around the Nation to declare, once and for all, that women's rights are human rights. We are here to stand in solidarity with women across the country to send a clear message: We will not rest until we create a society where all women--all women-- have equal rights under the law.

We are resisting and letting President Trump and the Republicans know that we will not go back. We stand with the millions around the Nation who have walked out today, and today we are walking out for them. We are raising our voices for the millions of women who can't because they might get fired or because they can't afford to lose their meager wages.

I encourage all of my Democratic colleagues to join us, along with Leader Pelosi, the Democratic Women's Working Group, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, and so many others, for a walkout following these 1 minutes and attend the press conference on the House steps right outside in solidarity and in honor of all of the women in the world who are marching today and striking today for equal rights.

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Mr. Visclosky for yielding. I also thank him for his tremendous leadership as our ranking member, and giving us all an opportunity to really voice our opinions and put our points of view forward in a very fair way.

I rise in opposition to this bill, however.

I offered two amendments to this bill, the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill, and I am really disappointed to once again see that my amendments were not made in order. I want to explain these two amendments because this is the only chance that we will have to talk about this.

The first amendment, which I have offered several times on a bipartisan basis, would prohibit the funding for the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, the AUMF, beginning on September 30, 2017. And mind you, that 6-month window provides Congress ample opportunity to draft and debate a new AUMF and to vote it up or down.

Clearly, Congress is required to act. This amendment would require Congress to finally debate and vote on nearly a 3-year-long war that is raging in the Middle East, a war that has already claimed the lives of several brave servicemembers. The House simply cannot continue to abdicate its constitutional responsibility to give the American people a voice in matters of war and peace.

I offered another amendment, which would prohibit funding for United States combat troops in Syria.

Mr. Speaker, this amendment was really simple, but, once again, I am sad to say that it was not made in order. This amendment would use the power of the purse to prevent funding for combat operations in Syria, unless the purpose is to rescue or protect members of the Armed Forces from danger.

We can all agree that ISIL must be degraded and dismantled, but Congress continues to be missing in action from this debate.

We know that the 2001 authorization was specific to 9/11. And I voted against it because I knew it would be broadly interpreted, which it has been. Sadly, it is a blank check for war. Actually, the Congressional Research Service provided us a declassified report saying--and this was last year--it had been used over 35 times. Nothing related to 9/11. So this blank check needs to be repealed.

We also know that ISIL didn't even exist in 2001. Every day, more bombs fall and the battlefield expands. We have already spent billions of dollars against this unauthorized war.

Congress needs to show up for work, muster its courage, exercise its constitutional responsibility for debate, and vote on the ongoing war in Iraq and Syria. We owe nothing less to our brave men and women who are in harm's way. It is past time to force a debate and vote on this issue. Hopefully, one day we will make these amendments in order and, hopefully, we will have bipartisan support to just move forward and do our job as Members of Congress, which is what the Constitution requires.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Aileen Clarke Hernandez. With her passing on February 13, 2017 in Irvine, California, I look to recognize her passion for women's equality, and the invaluable influence it has had on our nation.

Aileen was born in Brooklyn on May 23, 1926, to Charles Henry Clarke, and Ethel Louise Hall. Ms. Hernandez excelled in school and graduated magna cum laude from Howard University, where she was drawn into politics and worked with the NAACP. In 1951, she took an organizing job with the West Coast division of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Her work with the Garment Workers Union brought her to California, and led to her involvement in California politics and government, where she eventually was appointed as

the assistant chief of the Fair Employment Practices Division for the State.

In 1964, Clarke was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and in 1966, she left the commission to form her own consulting firm, Hernandez and Associates. Her firm worked to end racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination, and to establish standards for equity in government and corporations.

In 1970 she was appointed the second President of the National Organization for Women (NOW) where she was instrumental in organizing the national Women's Strike for Equality on August 26, 1970.

In 1973, Ms. Clarke took initiative and founded Black Women Organized for Action in San Francisco. In addition, Ms. Clarke was the Co-Chair and Founder with Marilyn Fowler, of the California Women's Agenda, a network and action alliance of over 600 organizations in California, and was chairwoman of the committee that led to the founding of the National Women's Political Caucus that worked to increase political power for women.

Aileen Clarke Hernandez was a leader and fought against discrimination for more than seven decades. She took it as her mission to ensure a voice for women of color in the women's movement and civil rights movement, and worked on behalf of all people seeking social justice. Her monumental efforts have guided our nation on the right trajectory toward a more just society.

On a personal note, I met Aileen in 1972 during Shirley Chisholm's groundbreaking presidential campaign. She became a mentor and helped shape my political views and guided my growing political involvement. I was constantly amazed at how she could build bridges between activists in the feminist movement, people of color, and the civil rights movement, in order to work together for positive change. I was proud to call Aileen my friend; I know that her legacy will live on, and her spirit will continue to guide us through the many challenges that we continue to face.

Today, California's 13th Congressional District honors Aileen Hernandez's memory and her lifetime of service working on behalf of social justice and equality. We join her loved ones in celebrating her incredible life with a promise to honor her tremendous legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary work of Donald R. White, who recently retired after 32 years of serving as Alameda County's Treasurer-Tax Collector. I recognize his exemplary work and the invaluable influence he had on our community in the County of Alameda.

Mr. White graduated from California State University, Hayward (now Cal State East Bay) where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the California Society of CPAs, and a member of the American Institute of CPAs. These qualifications helped him become the first African American auditor at Ernst and Young's San Francisco office and he later co- founded Adams, Grant, White & Co, a minority owned accounting firm that had offices in Washington, D.C., Oakland, and Fresno.

Donald began his work for Alameda County in 1985 when he made history as the first African American to be elected to the position of Treasurer-Tax Collector. As Alameda County's Treasurer, White oversaw billions of dollars in county funds, managed multiple departments, and supervised a staff of over 60 employees.

Mr. White is a trailblazer. He dedicated his career to serving and supporting his community, investing years with countless community service organizations. He has committed himself to numerous non-profit boards, including service on the Board of Trustees for the East Oakland Youth Development Center and on the Board of Directors and as chair of the Audit Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of California. He served as treasurer for the Alpha Gamma Boule Foundation and treasurer of the Black Elected Officials and Faith Based Leaders of the East Bay.

Over the years Mr. White has also committed his time and expertise to numerous professional organizations, including the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors, National Association of Securities Professionals, National Association of Black Accountants, and is an active member of the Oakland Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Mr. White is an exemplary model of a positive community activist, promoter of equality, and role model for all. He has worked tirelessly as a public servant and committed himself to expanding and promoting diversity in every aspect of professional services for the county.

On a personal note, I had the privilege to be involved in Don's first campaign, when I organized an event for him with Congressman Harold Ford. Don was also a member of a business delegation that I led to Africa, and the group benefitted tremendously from his expertise and insights. More than anything, Don always lived up to his role as an exemplary public servant, and I am proud to call him my friend.

Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I salute the long and successful career of Donald R. White. I offer my congratulations and acknowledge the positive impact that he had on the communities of Alameda County.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I include in the Record the names of the men and women who died in World War

II while posted in Normandy, specifically the African-American men and women whom I will speak about.

Names of African American Men Buried at Normandy American Cemetery

(NAC)

The 320th Battalion served with distinction during the D-

Day invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. That day,

the 320th lost two of their own, Corporals Brooks Stith and

Henry Harris.

CPL Brooks Stith was born in 1922. While he was originally

from North Carolina, he enlisted in the Army in Richmond, VA

in December 1942. Corporal Stith had a family and made a

living working with metal before the war. He was decorated

with the Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, and WWII

Victory Medal.

CPL Henry J. Harris was born in 1907. While he was

originally from Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the Army in

Boston, MA in April 1941. He was single and worked in

furniture manufacturing before the war. Corporal Harris was

decorated with the Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, and

WWII Victory Medal.

PFC James M. McLean was born in 1922 and enlisted in the

Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in December 1942. He was

single and worked as a farm laborer before the war. Private

First Class McLean was decorated with the American Campaign

Medal, and WWII Victory Medal. He was a member of the 320th

who died later on July 16, 1944.

Others buried at the NAC are listed below:

PFC Elihue E. Baltimore from Indiana of 963 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on April 28th,

1945. He was 27 years old. PFC Elihue E. Baltimore is buried

in plot B, row 3, grave number 20. He was decorated with a

Purple Heart.

PFC Howard Anderson from Virginia of 3878 QM GAS SUP CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

6th, 1944. He was 32 years old. PFC Howard Anderson is buried

in plot B, row 6, grave number 43. He was decorated with a

Purple Heart.

CPL Roy Bell from Pennsylvania of 237 QM SALV CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on July 29th, 1944. He

was 21 years old. CPL Roy Bell is buried in plot G, row 13,

grave number 12. He was decorated with a Purple Heart.

PVT James Blair from South Carolina of 4090 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on June 10th,

1944. He was 22 years old. PVT James Blair is buried in plot

A, row 1, grave number 37. He was decorated with a Purple

Heart.

PVT John S. Brannon, Jr. from Massachusetts of 502 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on June

7th, 1944. He was 29 years old. PVT John S. Brannon, Jr. is

buried in plot H, row 25, grave number 3. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

PVT Vernon F. Campbell from New York of 237 QM SALV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

29th, 1944. He was 24 years old. PVT Vernon F. Campbell is

buried in plot J, row 6, grave number 35. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

PVT Andrew Collins, Jr. from Wisconsin of 237 QM SALV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

29th, 1944. PVT Andrew Collins, Jr. is buried in plot J, row

12, grave number 35. He was decorated with a Purple Heart.

SGT Willie L. Collins from Georgia of 490 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on June 6th, 1944.

He was 22 years old. SGT Willie L. Collins is buried in plot

F, row 28, grave number 31. He was decorated with a Purple

Heart.

TEC 4 Oscar W. Davis from Texas of 815 TRK CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on June 10th, 1944.

TEC 4 Oscar W. Davis is buried in plot D, row 11, grave

number 25. He was decorated with a Purple Heart.

TEC 5 Howard F. Ellis from Virginia of 237 QM SALV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

29th, 1944. He was 38 years old. TEC 5 Howard F. Ellis is

buried in plot E, row 13, grave number 14. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

TEC 5 William Gray from Mississippi of 3393 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

28th, 1944. He was 20 years old. TEC 5 William Gray is buried

in plot C, row 9, grave number 16. He was decorated with a

Purple Heart.

M SGT Zylphus L. Greene from Pennsylvania of 237 QM SALV

COLL CO served his country honorably during WWII and died on

July 29th, 1944. He was 27 years old. M SGT Zylphus L. Greene

is buried in plot B, row 8, grave number 44. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

PVT Charlie G. Harvey from Illinois of 3275 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on June 27th,

1944. He was 22 years old. PVT Charlie G. Harvey is buried in

plot I, row 16, grave number 10. He was decorated with a

Purple Heart.

CPL Joseph N. Headd from New Jersey of 3912 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

16th, 1944. CPL Joseph N. Headd is buried in plot J, row 26,

grave number 28. He was decorated with a Purple Heart.

SGT Luther J. Irvin, Jr. from Indiana of 237 QM SALV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

29th, 1944. He was 29 years old. SGT Luther J. Irvin, Jr. is

buried in plot G, row 19, grave number 31. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

PVT Eugene Jones from Illinois of 3275 QM SV CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on June 30th, 1944. He

was 22 years old. PVT Eugene Jones is buried in plot G, row

24, grave number 17. He was decorated with a Purple Heart.

CPL James A. Long from Mississippi of 4090 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on June 10th,

1944. He was 27 years old. CPL James A. Long is buried in

plot A, row 18, grave number 37. He was decorated with a

Purple Heart.

1 SGT Willis G. Peele from North Carolina of 4454 QM SV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on March

21st, 1945. He was 29 years old. 1 SGT Willis G. Peele is

buried in plot D, row 1, grave number 24. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

TEC 5 James G. Richardson from Texas of 237 QM SALV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

29th, 1944. He was 34 years old. TEC 5 James G. Richardson is

buried in plot H, row 5, grave number 19. He was decorated

with a Purple Heart.

TEC 5 Robert J. Self from Virginia of 237 QM SALV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 29th,

1944. He was 29 years old. TEC 5 Robert J. Self is buried in

plot E, row 9, grave number 14. He was decorated with a

Purple Heart.

TEC 5 Edward J. Thompson from Mississippi of 388 ENGR GEN

SV REGT served his country honorably during WWII and died on

March 6th, 1945. He was 28 years old. TEC 5 Edward J.

Thompson is buried in plot D, row 13, grave number 41. He was

decorated with a Purple Heart.

TEC 5 Lee H. Watson from Arkansas of 494 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on May 12th, 1945. TEC

5 Lee H. Watson is buried in plot B, row 19, grave number 11.

He was decorated with a Purple Heart.

PFC William D. Adams from Alabama of 1323 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 20th, 1944. He was 31 years old.

PFC Joseph Allen from Mississippi of 244 QM BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on February 3rd, 1945.

He was 26 years old.

TEC 4 Florzell Anderson from New Jersey of 3116 QM SV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on January

19th, 1945. He was 23 years old.

PVT Issac R. Anderson, Jr. from South Carolina of 4148 QM

SV CO served his country honorably during WWII and died on

December 31st, 1944. He was 20 years old.

PVT James R. Anderson from Indiana of 513 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on October 9th,

1944. He was 21 years old.

TEC 5 Alvin T. Austin from Texas of 549 ENGR L PON CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on December

9th, 1945.

TEC 5 Daniel Batts from Virginia of 485 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on April 20th, 1945.

He was 38 years old.

PVT William E. Beadle from Georgia of 511 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on March 29th,

1945. He was 21 years old.

PVT E. L. Bolton from Tennessee of 3453 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on March 15th,

1945. He was 25 years old.

PVT Dan Bouie, Jr. from Georgia of 821 AMPH TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on April 21st,

1945. He was 20 years old.

SGT Bennie Boyd from South Carolina of 516 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on May 31st, 1945.

He was 24 years old.

TEC 5 Rochester Boyd, Sr. from Florida of 3398 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

1st, 1944. He was 24 years old.

PVT Samuel S. Branson, Jr. from Pennsylvania of 4190 QM SV

CO served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

12th, 1944. He was 24 years old.

TEC 5 Clyde Bridges from Georgia of 3519 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on May 24th, 1945.

CPL Henry Brown from New Jersey of 999 FA BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on July 18th, 1944. He

was 27 years old.

PFC Otis Brown from Georgia of 388 ENGR GEN SV REGT served

his country honorably during WWII and died on October 12th,

1944. He was 24 years old.

PFC William Law Campbell from New York of 435 ENGR DUMP TRK

CO served his country honorably during WWII and died on

August 4th, 1945. He was 34 years old.

SGT Robert Carey from Lousiana of 3399 QM TRK CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on August 11th, 1944.

He was 20 years old.

PFC Earlie Carothers from Mississippi of 364 ENGR GEN SV

REGT served his country honorably during WWII and died on

July 7th, 1944. He was 25 years old.

PVT William Carter from Michigan of 3862 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on November 8th,

1944.

PVT Harold K. Chambers from Kansas of 452 AAA AW BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on August 6th,

1944.

PVT Len Cleveland from Georgia of 501 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on January 1st, 1945.

PFC Willie F. Cooper from Illinois of 399 QM LDRY CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on August 9th,

1944. He was 34 years old.

STM2C Clarence N. Copeland from New York of USNR served his

country honorably during WWII and died on June 8th, 1944.

TEC 5 Eddie B. Culpepper, Jr. from Georgia of 17 SP SV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

21st, 1945.

TEC 4 Hoyt N. Daniels, Jr. from Arkansas of 414 PORT CD

served his country honorably during WWII and died on June

19th, 1945.

PFC William E. Davis from Pennsylvania of 515 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on April

26th, 1945. He was 21 years old.

TEC 4 Dawson E. Dennis from Pennsylvania of 658 PORT CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 20th, 1945. He was 31 years old.

PVT Cecil Dorsett from New York of 815 TRK CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on August 24th, 1944.

He was 34 years old.

CPL Edward L. Drasdell from Kentucky of 4270 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on November

5th, 1944.

CPL Randolph Easter from New York of 3867 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on January 21st,

1945. He was 33 years old.

TEC 5 Cyrus S. Elliott from Arkansas of 514 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on November 5th,

1944. He was 23 years old.

PVT Leo A. Fair from South Carolina of 4083 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 12th,

1944. He was 21 years old.

PFC Harold G. Foster from New York of 818 TRK CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on August 12th, 1944.

He was 28 years old.

PVT Sidney B. Fountain from Mississippi of 3135 QM SV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on June

3rd, 1945. He was 22 years old.

MS Earlie J. Gabriel from North Carolina of USMM served his

country honorably during WWII and died on December 14th,

1944.

PVT Victor H. Gambles from Missouri of 365 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on April 4th,

1945. He was 32 years old.

TEC 5 Frank Glenn from Texas of 1310 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on May

22nd, 1945. He was 31 years old.

PVT Jessie Goode from North Carolina of 3556 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on November

7th, 1945. He was 22 years old.

PFC Levester Goodman from North Carolina of 3193 QM SV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 16th, 1944. He was 24 years old.

TEC 5 Ross Graham from South Carolina of 3138 QM SV CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

29th, 1944. He was 23 years old.

TEC 5 Tom Griggs from Ohio of 3682 QM TRK CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on September 24th,

1944.

TEC 5 Thomas Hammonds from North Carolina of 392 ENGR GEN

SV REGT served his country honorably during WWII and died on

November 30th, 1944. He was 31 years old.

SGT Alex Hansboro from Texas of 434 PORT CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on January 21st, 1945.

He was 22 years old.

PVT John H. Harris from the District of Columbia of 1323

ENGR GEN SV REGT served his country honorably during WWII and

died on August 20th, 1944. He was 30 years old.

PVT Roberta Hawkins from Texas of 3869 QM TRK CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on April 9th, 1945. He

was 23 years old.

CPL Charlie L. Herndon from Kentucky of 4083 QM V CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 12th,

1944. He was 23 years old.

PVT William Hester from Arkansas of 306 RHD CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on September 10th,

1944.

CPL Jimmie Hicks from Georgia of 1323 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 6th, 1944. He was 22 years old.

TEC 5 Roy Hill from Oklahoma of 483 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on February 3rd, 1945.

PFC Horace Horton from North Carolina of 499 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on June 3rd, 1945.

He was 30 years old.

PVT Harrison Hubbard from Arkansas of 3867 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on September 4th,

1944.

PVT George Jackson from Ohio of 624 PORT CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on January 23rd, 1945.

He was 29 years old.

CPL Jinse C. Jackson from Kentucky of 549 ENGR L PON CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

8th, 1945. He was 27 years old.

PVT Pete L. Jarber from Kentucky of 74 CML GENERATOR CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on December

2nd, 1944. He was 21 years old.

1 SGT Gelain J. Jefferson from Pennsylvania of 4335 QM SV

CO served his country honorably during WWII and died on March

14th, 1945. He was 22 years old.

PFC Henry Jefferson from Louisiana of 988th QM Service Co

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 20th, 1944. He was 28 years old.

PVT James H. Jeffries from Pennsylvania of 509 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on April

23rd, 1945. He was 20 years old.

TEC 5 Albert Jenkins from New Jersey of 485 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on September 30th,

1944.

PVT William H. Johnson from Virginia of 306 RHD CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on September 7th,

1944. He was 22 years old.

TEC 5 John T. Jones from Virginia of 502 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on September 19th,

1944. He was 21 years old.

SGT Melvin Jones from Georgia of 364 ENGR REGT served his

country honorably during WWII and died on July 8th, 1944. He

was 22 years old.

PFC Leroy Kelly from North Carolina of 516 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on November 24th,

1945. He was 24 years old.

PVT Selmer Kendrick from Indiana of 4083 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 12th,

1944. He was 23 years old.

M SGTJames W. Kersh from Tennessee of 364 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

11th, 1944.

PVT Nollie J. Lewis from Texas of 317 QM SV CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on March 7th, 1945. He

was 34 years old.

PVT Edmon T. Littleton from Alabama of 131 QM BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on April 30th, 1945.

He was 23 years old.

PVT Lindsay Lyles from Alabama of 511 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on March 4th, 1945. He

was 21 years old.

CPL Lloyd A. Martin from Pennsylvania of 236 QM BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on November 5th,

1944. He was 32 years old.

2 LT Eddie L. May from Wisconsin of 1349 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on May

26th, 1945.

PFC Earl W. Mayes from Florida of 501 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on May 31st, 1945. He

was 23 years old.

PFC Vincent A. Mayo from New York of 4059 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on August 26th,

1945. He was 26 years old.

TEC 4 Oscar L. Middlebrook from Tennessee of 513 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on April

7th, 1945. He was 21 years old.

PFC Raymond T. Moore from Virginia of 1310 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 21st, 1944. He was 20 years old.

PVT James E. Myers from Virginia of 3692 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on December 16th,

1944. He was 26 years old.

PVT Chester Nash from Tennessee of 505 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on May 8th, 1945. He

was 26 years old.

TEC 5 Samuel G. Nathaniel from South Carolina of 3132 QM SV

CO served his country honorably during WWII and died on March

5th, 1945. He was 35 years old.

PFC George M. Parker from Pennsylvania of 1323 ENGR GEN SV

REGT served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 9th, 1944. He was 35 years old.

PVT Lawrence Payton from Lousiana of 388 ENGR REGT served

his country honorably during WWII and died on March 18th,

1945. He was 31 years old.

SSGT Hiawatha L. E. Perry from Tennessee of 652 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on October

19th, 1944. He was 34 years old.

PVT John D. Phillips from Pennsylvania of 502 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on May

29th, 1945. He was 21 years old.

PVT James H. Pickens from Pennsylvania of 511 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on April

19th, 1945.

PFC William A. Platt from North Carolina of 388 ENGR GEN SV

REGT served his country honorably during WWII and died on

February 7th, 1945. He was 30 years old.

TEC 5 Ernest R. Potts from Oklahoma of 3497 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on March

11th, 1945. He was 25 years old.

SGT Curry Purser from Georgia of 389 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

6th, 1944.

TEC 5 Mack Roby from Mississippi of 514 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on August 15th, 1944.

He was 22 years old.

PFC Jesse Rose from Illinois of 1432 Labor Sup Co served

his country honorably during WWII and died on May 20th, 1945.

He was 30 years old.

PFC Paul L. Russell from Illinois of 3219 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on April 11th,

1945.

PFC William L. Ryerson from New York of 364 ENGR REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

7th, 1944. He was 24 years old.

TEC 5 Booker T. Saddler from Mississippi of 516 PORT BN

served his country honorably during WWII and died on May

21st, 1945. He was 26 years old,

PFC Orin D. Saddler from New York of 485 PORT BN served his

country honorably during WWII and died on May 11th, 1945. He

was 39 years old.

PVT Logan S. Scott from Georgia of 951 QM SV CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on November 18th,

1944.

PVT John H. Showes from Ohio of 954 QM SV CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on November 19th,

1944. He was 39 years old.

CK3C Malcolm Slaughter from Mississippi of USNR served his

country honorably during WWII and died on June 9th, 1944.

PFC Charles C. Smith from Missouri of 4371 QM BAKERY CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on January

1st, 1945. He was 32 years old.

PFC Frank W. Smith from South Carolina of 1697 ENGR COMBAT

BN served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

16th, 1945. He was 25 years old.

PVT Albert Suber from Michigan of 1323 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on August

21st, 1944.

TEC 5 Rufus Sykes from Virginia of 549 ENGR L PON CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 16th,

1945. He was 25 years old.

PFC Luther J. Thompson from Michigan of 521 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on April 7th,

1945.

PVT Vandyke S. Toye from Virginia of 388 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on June

10th, 1945. He was 27 years old.

PVT Alexander Troop from Indiana of 165 CML GENERATOR CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on March

25th, 1945. He was 35 years old.

PVT James Tucker from North Carolina of 973 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 19th,

1945. He was 25 years old.

CPL Ernest J. Walker from Illinois of 4058 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on July 28th,

1944. He was 28 years old.

CPL General U. Walker from Florida of 364 ENGR GEN SV REGT

served his country honorably during WWII and died on July

7th, 1944. He was 25 years old.

PVT David Webster from New Jersey of 3871 QM TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on June 15th,

1945. He was 39 years old.

TEC 5 Willie R. Weston from Pennsylvania of 663 QM TRK CO

served his country honorably during WWII and died on

September 18th, 1944. He was 20 years old.

TEC 5 Albert B. Williams from Georgia of 470 TRK CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on August 20th,

1944. He was 23 years old.

PVT J. S. Willis from Missouri of 450 GAS SUP CO served his

country honorably during WWII and died on December 27th,

1944. He was 22 years old.

PVT William A. Wilson from Illinois of 485 PORT BN served

his country honorably during WWII and died on March 31st,

1945.

PFC Clifford Woods from Tennessee of 4057 QM SV CO served

his country honorably during WWII and died on December 28th,

1944. He was 39 years old.

Names of African American Women Buried at Normandy American Cemetery

(NAC)

6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was an all-women,

all-black unit which processed mail in Europe during WWII.

While women were not allowed In combat, PFC Mary H. Bankston

and PFC Mary J. Barlow were killed in an auto vehicle

accident on July 8, 1945 and SGT Dolores M. Browne from

Connecticut died later from injuries on July 13, 1945.

African American Men Missing in Action

These men remain missing in action today. They are

memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Normandy

American Cemetery (NAC).

TEC 5 Resse G. Boone from North Carolina of the 514 PORT

Mr. Speaker, every year when we celebrate and reflect on Black History Month, we learn the stories of some of America's greatest scientists, actors, writers, entertainers, scholars, workers, and ordinary people who made major contributions to this great country.

As a member of the Military Construction, Veteran Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, I want to share the unsung stories of the valiant Black men and women who served their country dutifully during World War II even in the face of adversity.

We know about the brave Tuskegee Airmen--Red Tails--who flew fighter and bomber planes during World War II, but many do not know that the Red Tails were only a few of the nearly 1 million African Americans who served during the war. These courageous men and women fought bravely to protect the democratic ideals of freedom and equality.

Sadly, the country they served did not live up to those ideals. When they returned from victory in Europe and the Pacific, many did not receive a hero's welcome because of the color of their skin.

My dad, the late Lieutenant Colonel Garvin Tutt, was one of those heroes. He served in the 92nd Battalion in Italy supporting the Normandy invasion, was in World War II, the Korean war, and served in the Army for 25 years.

Only recently have the contributions of African-American men and women during World War II been recognized as our country has attempted to acknowledge its sad and dark past. That is why I am taking time on the floor today to honor the 138 African-American men and women buried in Normandy American Cemetery and the 5 men who remain missing. It is my hope that, by sharing these stories today and entering their names into the Record, more people will come to appreciate the sacrifices of these brave men and women who served this country with distinction during World War II.

Now, most people know that on June 6, 1944, approximately 2,000 soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy for what would be a major turning point in the war, but far fewer know that the all-Black 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion served with distinction during the D-day invasions. The 320th was the only Black unit to take part on D-day and the only balloon battalion dedicated to protecting troops from intense German aircraft attacks on Omaha and Utah beaches. This was unique because Black units were usually kept from combat and fulfilled essential support services instead.

As part of their mission to protect Allied troops, the men of the 320th implemented innovative ideas to ease transportation to shore of barrage balloons that weighed half a ton. In addition to defending American soldiers during D-day invasions, the battalion also secured its own successful offensive strikes. The battalion's ingenuity and service was later recognized as an important element of the air defense team by Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was Supreme Allied Commander General at the time.

Sadly, no sacrifice comes without the loss of human life. During the D-day invasion, the 320th suffered two casualties. Corporal Brooks Stith and Corporal Henry J. Harris from the 320th are both buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. Each of these men was decorated with the Purple Heart, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal for their valiant service. There is James M. McLean of the 320th, who died on July 16, 1944. He was also buried at the cemetery.

African Americans who were buried at the cemetery, the men from the 320th, were buried with their White peers. Even though units were segregated until President Harry Truman changed official Department of Defense policies in 1948, Black and White soldiers who died in Normandy were buried together. At the Normandy American Cemetery, 135 African- American men and 3 African-American women were laid to rest from 1944 to 1945.

Mr. Speaker, there are five Black men who remain missing in action while posted in Normandy. They are honored on the Walls of the Missing at Normandy with more than 1,700 others.

While women were not allowed in combat during World War II, three Black women from the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion of the Women's Army Corps are also buried at the cemetery. They were killed during an accident with a jeep.

Now, this was an all-women, all-Black unit that helped process mail in Europe during World War II. They were the first Black battalion deployed after First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights leader Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune advocated for Black women to join the Women's Army Corps, the WAC, for nearly a year and a half. The women received basic training and were trained in jujitsu because they were not allowed to carry firearms. They successfully helped clear massive mail backlogs in various cities across Europe.

While the women of the 6888th were celebrated for their work in Europe, some historians speculate that inspectors would sometimes give unsatisfactory reviews because of their prejudices.

Unit commander Major Charity Adams was court-martialed once for pushing back when a general threatened to send a ``white first lieutenant'' to show her how to command her unit.

We are indebted to these women for their exemplary work processing mail efficiently to

keep up the morale of our troops during WWII. But more importantly, we owe them the respect they never received.

Mr. Speaker, these men and women lost their lives too soon for a country that hasn't done a great job of remembering their bravery and their sacrifices.

An analysis conducted by the Army showed that the average age of African American service members buried at the NAC is 27 years--the prime age when a young person is starting their life.

That is why it is so important for us to remember and tell their stories during Black History Month.

As Black History Month continues, I hope my colleagues will consider joining me in honoring their memories by also speaking on the Floor about other all-Black battalions who fought during WWII.

As the daughter of a WWII and Korean Veteran, I am very honored to be on the Military-Veterans Appropriations Subcommittee to ensure our veterans receive the care and recognition they deserve.

Let me close by thanking our Military-Veterans Chair, Congressman Charlie Dent and then Ranking Member Sanford Bishop and then full Committee Chair Rogers and Ranking Member Lowey, for their support in the Appropriations Committee and the commission for helping bring these great heroes and sheros to the attention of the American people and by properly recognizing their sacrifices and their legacies.

Hopefully this effort will help us locate their descendants and families to and thank them and honor them as part of yes--Black History but of course this is American History that all Americans should recognize and learn from.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chair of our subcommittee, Mr. Dent, Ranking Member Lowey, Mr. Bishop, and you, Mr. Rogers, for your support in the Appropriations Committee and for the American Battle Monuments Commission's very dedicated work in helping us bring these great heroes and sheroes to the attention of the American people by properly recognizing their sacrifices and their legacies.