Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Bishop Gordon Arlester Humphrey, Jr. Bishop Humphrey was a beloved pastor, husband, father, and friend. With his passing on Sunday, December 14, we look to Bishop Humphrey's personal legacy of leadership, service, and the outstanding quality of his life's work.

Born to Gordon Humphrey, Sr. and Helen Humphrey, in Ohio, Bishop Humphrey was educated in the public schools of Chicago and graduated from Hirsch High School. He went on to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, and then went on to follow in his father's footsteps, entering the ministry with his wife, First Lady Diane and their two children, Gordon III and Cha'Rena.

Bishop Humphrey was noted for establishing ``Sunday Night Live,'' a service where all are welcome to attend without any condemnation or judgment, aimed at those who otherwise may not have attended a church service. This model proved so successful that it was replicated across the nation. He was also a powerful singer and a talented musician, using his gifts to minister through music and song. He was the executive producer of an acclaimed album entitled, ``Olivet Oakland, Sunday Night Live! You're in the Right Place at the Right Time.'' The album was nationally and internationally recognized for its inspirational message.

After the passing of his father, Bishop Humphrey moved to Chicago, away from his 30-year ministry at Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. Upon his return to Chicago, Bishop Humphrey assumed the position of senior pastor at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, the church his father once led for more than 40 years.

Eventually, Bishop Humphrey would become the Senior Pastor at three churches: Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Olivet Institutional Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, and Olivet's sister church of the same name in Stockton, California.

Bishop Humphrey was known as a bridge-builder, and he opened the doors of Olivet to the community for the Oscar Grant Forums, which took place weekly for more than three years. He was noted for his prolific urban message and was in great demand as an evangelist, preaching the Gospel across the nation. For years, he was known to walk the streets and meet with drug addicts and gang members, and was able to bring them together and begin the healing process.

Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual, Bishop Gordon Arlester Humphrey, Jr. His dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives throughout the state of California and the nation. I join all of Bishop Humphrey's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed, but his life, legacy, and spirit will live in our hearts and our community forever.

Mr. Speaker, when jobs are shipped overseas because of bad trade deals, communities of color bear the huge brunt of the loss of those jobs. Of the 2.7 million jobs lost to China as a result of past trade deals, nearly 1 million of those jobs lost belong to people of color--one million jobs.

Even after they lost their jobs, bad trade deals continued to harm them. When they found another job, it was on average for a nearly 30 percent lower wage. Trade deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is being negotiated in secret, wreak havoc on communities of color. We cannot allow more bad trade deals to be enacted, especially when unemployment rates and poverty rates in these communities are much too high already.

Congress must consider the consequences of these trade deals on communities of color and all workers in our country given the terrible impacts of past trade deals. We must demand transparency, ensure that environmental and labor standards and food safety standards are protected, and insist that Congress exercise its constitutional responsibility in ensuring fair and free trade. TPP is certainly not fair and must be defeated.

I want to thank the ranking member for yielding, for his leadership, and for really making it clear exactly what we are dealing with today and why many of us strongly oppose this rule and this bill.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Over 40 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that a woman could make her own personal health care decisions without interference from politicians. Yet here we are again, in 2015, debating this constitutionally protected right.

H.R. 36 would ban all abortions at 20 weeks, with extremely limited exceptions. A ban on an abortion after 20 weeks makes it harder for women who are already facing difficult circumstances. This is so bad. This is so wrong.

Every woman has a right to a safe medical procedure. And this decision, while difficult, is hers to make, not yours and not mine. This is her decision.

This bill is part of a broader effort to chip away at abortion access, a right that has already been decided by the Supreme Court and is the law of the land. Yet Republicans once again are focused on dictating what women can do with their bodies, denying their rights and endangering their health.

Mr. Speaker, this radical GOP bill undermines women's constitutional rights under Roe v. Wade. This is a dangerous assault on women's health freedoms. Women should not have to justify their personal medical decisions.

Abortions later in a pregnancy can involve rare, severe fetal abnormalities or pose serious risks to the health of women, but these procedures may be medically necessary to save the woman's life.

This is an agonizing decision that a woman should make with her doctor,

her family, or whomever, but not her congressional Representatives. We have seen what happens when politicians interfere in these deeply personal medical decisions and tie doctors' hands.

Let me just say that the AMA has stated very clearly that this bill compromises a doctor's ability to provide medical treatment in the best interest of the patient.

Members of Congress have no right to interfere in health care decisions of women. This is a private matter. And the last time I looked, I thought we do have a right to privacy in this country.

So we have got to continue to fight against these attacks on women's health, on our constitutional rights, and on the right to privacy. I hope you vote ``no'' on this rule and ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I was not present for roll call votes 17-19.

Had I been present, I would have voted yes on #17, yes on #18, no on #19.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck the nation of Haiti. Monday marked 5 years since a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck some 15 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's population center and the seat of its government.

Mr. Speaker, the aftermath of the quake was unimaginable. Estimates of as many as 316,000 people perished, and nearly 1.3 million were displaced. This tragedy struck in a nation already hobbled by grinding poverty, health disparities, and food insecurity. It crippled the infrastructure of government, destroyed the National Palace, ministry buildings, and tragically robbed the nation of some of its most talented civil servants.

In spite of the many challenges, once again, the Haitian people rose to the occasion, and our Nation, to date, has contributed billions to recovery efforts, along with donors around the world. The American people and the Haitian people deserve that this aid be delivered in the most effective way.

My bill, the Assessing Progress in Haiti Act, had bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Obama. This bill--now this law-- provides critical oversight and reporting. And this week, along with my colleague Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, we are asking our colleagues to join us to reintroduce a resolution commemorating this tragic earthquake.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and to the bill.

For over 500 days, Republican leadership refused to bring comprehensive

immigration reform for a vote, this despite ample support from both sides of the aisle to pass bipartisan legislation from the Senate.

In the face of Republican inaction, however, President Obama made the appropriate and the lawful move to expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and to create deferred action for parents. Now, Republicans have decided to hold our national security hostage in order to placate the anti-immigrant fringe.

Make no mistake, this rule and bill have nothing to do with our national security and have everything to do with tearing down the President's legal executive action on immigration.

It has been clear to me, though, that whatever this President puts forward, Republicans will oppose; but it is hard to believe, given the dangers we face, that Republicans won't work in a bipartisan manner to keep our country safe.

Thank you for the additional time.

This is cynical. It is anti-immigrant. We should defeat this rule, and we should defeat the underlying legislation if these poison pill amendments are adopted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Ms. Betty Berry. Ms. Berry was a beloved mother, daughter, and friend. With her passing on October 26, we look to Ms. Berry's personal legacy of leadership, service, and the outstanding quality of her life's work.

Born on December 21, 1932, Ms. Berry dedicated her life to community service and activism in the city of Oakland, California. She received numerous accolades for her leadership and service to the community.

A longtime friend of Ronald V. Dellums, she led fundraising efforts that helped him get elected to the United States House of Representatives numerous times and was a staunch supporter of him during his time as Mayor of Oakland.

For all of her work supporting organization dedicated to equality, Ms. Berry was known as the consummate fundraiser. She was famous for her annual ``100 Men Cooking for a Taste of Freedom'' event, which raised money for the National Association for the Advancement

of Colored People (NAACP) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Additionally, she was a staunch advocate for workers represented by the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

On a personal note, Betty was a dear friend for many years. She supported all of my efforts for elected office and constantly encouraged me. This community will miss Betty's physical presence but will always cherish wonderful memories and the results of her hard work.

Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual, Ms. Betty Berry. Her dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives throughout the state of California. I join all of Betty's loved ones in celebrating her incredible life. She will be deeply missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, Congressman Robert C. ``Bobby''

Scott and Congressman Charlie Rangel, to honor the extraordinary life of Mrs. Laura Ross Brown. Mrs. Laura Ross Brown was a beloved mother, daughter, wife and friend. With her passing on December 17, we look to Mrs. Brown's personal legacy of leadership, service, and the outstanding quality of her life's work.

Mrs. Laura Ross Brown was born on April 28, 1932 and raised in Sacramento, CA. She was a mother of four, a former Air Force wife, a mentor and our friend. Mrs. Brown dedicated her life to community service and social activism and was known as a consummate fundraiser. She formerly served as the national fundraiser for Links, Inc., and dedicated much of her time to supporting political campaigns, serving as a member of the financial committees of the campaigns for former Congressman Ronald V. Dellums, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson's 1984 presidential race and Marion Barry's mayoral race.

In addition to her community service and political involvement, Mrs. Brown also led a successful and long career as a real estate agent in Alexandria, VA, where she assisted military officers and political officials relocating to the Washington Metro area. She later expanded her business ventures by starting a financial advisory and investment company, as well as offering political consulting and fundraising services. Her success was highlighted on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

We have many fond memories of Laura. As a former member of Congressman Ron Dellums' staff, I had the opportunity to work with Laura on many events. Her focus, diligence and commitment to completing any project demonstrated her ability to overcome any challenge in life. She always supported the men and women she believed in throughout her life, including myself. Even during her health challenges, she was upbeat and loved to be around family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, we are pleased to honor the life of Mrs. Laura Ross Brown. Her dedication and community service has had a great impact on my life and the lives of many others. For Laura's friendship and love, we are deeply grateful. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laura's wonderful family. We will deeply miss her, as she was a beautiful African American woman who lived an incredible life to the fullest.

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on the Rules Committee and on so many issues.

I rise today, Madam Speaker, in strong opposition to this rule and to H.R. 3, the Keystone XL Pipeline Act, and H.R. 30, the so-called Save American Workers Act of 2015.

Madam Speaker, both of these bills are damaging to the health of Americans, with one aimed at denying access to affordable health care and the other designed to strike a blow to our environment.

Madam Speaker, approval of Keystone XL would worsen climate change by expanding the extraction of the dirtiest oil on the planet. Emissions from extracting the dirty tar sands oil that would flow through the Keystone XL pipeline would be equal to the tailpipe emissions from 5.7 million cars. That is not the air that we want to breathe.

We must reject this assault on our environment, especially at a time when so many communities across our country are experiencing the impacts of climate change through severe weather, coastal storms, and crippling droughts.

Let me turn quickly to H.R. 30, the so-called ``Save Health Care for Working Families Act.''

Sadly, this bill is nothing more than the latest Republican attack on the Affordable Care Act and would result in an estimated 1 million people losing access to their health care coverage. This is unacceptable.

We should be in the business of providing hardworking Americans access to affordable health care, not taking it away.

I strongly urge a ``no'' vote on this rule and these damaging bills.

Thank you very much.

Let me thank you, Congressman Pocan, for yielding but also for your tireless leadership on behalf of the American people and for leading not only this Progressive Caucus special hour but each and every one of them for so many years. You have been our voice. I think the American people are hearing from us through you, so I just want to thank you again for really beating the drum across America, allowing the American people to know what the real deal is here in Washington, D.C.

Let me also thank all of my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus for rising tonight to talk about why we are strongly opposed to Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to trade deals and American jobs, Congress should never be a rubber stamp. As the Representative from California's 13th Congressional District, I have the honor and the privilege of representing the Port of Oakland--one of our Nation's busiest seaports--and also the airport. I support trade because it is critical to the economy of my district and our Nation. Trade is good when it is fair, when it is open, when it is transparent, and when it creates good-paying jobs here in America. Trade is bad, however, when it ships American jobs overseas so that the 1 percent can reap even greater profits. For this reason, I join the vast majority of Americans-- Americans from both parties--in opposing Fast Track for the TPP. Bad trade hurts all American workers--American families, American businesses, and also, especially, those individuals and businesses in communities of color.

Of the 2.7 million jobs lost because of the U.S.-China trade deal, a disproportionately high percentage--35 percent, mind you--came from communities of color. That is outrageous. Now, after these individuals lost their jobs, their situations got even worse. When they found a new job, it was, on average, for a 30 percent lower wage. The loss of these jobs and wages totals more than $10 billion in lost economic growth for these communities, not one time, but each and every year. Enacting another bad trade deal will continue to prevent communities of color from building wealth and moving into the middle class. In addition to the negative impact on communities of color, Fast Track for TPP will not provide an opportunity to add critical labor and environmental protections that are critical to respecting human rights and preserving our planet.

That is why my colleagues and I are here, saying ``no'' to Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trade negotiations should not be conducted in back rooms. The American people and Members of Congress deserve to know what is in these deals. That is why, again, Congress is so important. Otherwise, people have no say. They have no voice on trade policies that really affect their economic livelihoods--their ability to put food on the table and their ability to aspire into the middle class. Fast Track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership does not help the American people. It only allows special interests and corporations to craft trade deals that are bad for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, it is time to turn the lights on the TPP. If the United States is going to pursue a trade deal in the Pacific, Congress needs to fully debate it so we are certain that it creates jobs and all the protections that we all are standing for and know about and want right here in America.

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. has lost nearly 3.5 million jobs due to NAFTA and the United States-China trade deal. Many of these jobs were lost in California and in communities of color. Let's not make the same mistake again. Let's stand together in opposing Fast Track because it will sacrifice American jobs and environmental protections in the name of international corporate profits. Let's take Fast Track off of the table, and let's start talking about creating good-paying American jobs for American families.

Thank you, once again, for your tremendous leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 4 o'clock and 50 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, January 8, 2015, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, this evening I stand with my colleagues to discuss an issue that is very important to this country, and that is our country's relations with Cuba. It has been 50 years--five decades-- of a failed policy. Our wrongheaded policy toward Cuba, born of cold war tensions, has failed. Our policies have been in dire need of updating ever since. This island nation, which lies just 90 miles from our shores, one of our closest neighbors, should be a partner in our hemisphere, not an estranged country or enemy. Along with many of my congressional colleagues, many of whom are gathered here tonight, we have been fighting to make that a reality for decades.

I would now like to move toward and talk a little bit about some of the issues that many of us have been involved in, and then I will yield to my colleagues.

In the past, addressing our failed policies toward Cuba really had strong and clear bipartisan support in Congress. Recent polling shows it has bipartisan support amongst the American people. According to a 2014 survey commissioned by the Atlantic Council, more than 60 percent of Americans support lifting the travel and economic restrictions on Cuba, and 56 percent of Americans support changing overall United States policy towards Cuba. That includes 63 percent of Floridians, 62 percent of Latinos, and 52 percent of Republicans.

Thanks to recent, very bold actions from President Obama, we have finally made some headway in this fight. We have started down the long and hard road towards ending our failed policies and establishing policies that promote the freedoms of Americans and Cubans, encourage trade and job creation here in the United States, and support the open exchange of critical medical development and research to treat diseases that afflict many Americans.

In December, the President announced that the United States will reestablish diplomatic ties, facilitate travel, improve commercial exchanges and telecommunications and a variety of other policies. This is a welcomed and long-overdue response to our calls and the calls of many advocates both in this body and outside, from Cuba, the United States, and around the world.

Today we come to the floor first to thank President Obama for his leadership and to discuss the important changes he has brought about through his action; but at the same time, we are here to call on this Congress to act to end the outdated embargo while maintaining our Nation's unwavering commitment to human rights and democracy.

I personally began my efforts to end the embargo when I was a congressional staffer for my predecessor and mentor, Congressman Ron Dellums, in 1977. Since then, I have traveled to Cuba more than 20 times and have led several congressional delegations to that island. Quite frankly, each time I am there, I am struck by how much both of our nations would benefit from improved relations. Over the years, many Members have been proud of their young people who have received their medical education at the Latin American medical school, ELAM, which allows students from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds to study medicine in Cuba for free, returning to the United States to practice in underserved areas.

When I was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 112th Congress, I was honored to lead a delegation to talk with Cuban officials, including President Raul Castro, to determine their willingness to engage in dialogue with no preconditions in an effort to move toward normalization of relations.

Recently, we led a bipartisan delegation to examine a new treatment for diabetic foot ulcers that afflict millions of Americans every year. Tragically, this condition often ends in amputations and sometimes death for patients. This new treatment has been developed. It is highly effective. Hopefully Americans can benefit from this treatment if we end the embargo.

So I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that this development and other areas of common interest to the American and Cuban people are pursued and developed, which I will review later in my closing statement.

Now I yield to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), who has visited Cuba and really understands the trade and business aspects and the job-creation aspects of why we need to move forward to end this failed policy.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), who represents Tampa and has certainly been a bold leader and understands clearly the economic benefits in her district as they relate to ending the embargo.

I thank the gentlewoman for laying out just really a glimpse of the possibilities, and again, thank you for your leadership.

Now I would like to yield to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas, who has been a longtime supporter and advocate for ending the embargo, who also, I was reminded earlier, in her role as the Immigration

Subcommittee ranking member, she was very instrumental in the Elian Gonzalez case and was able to really help forge a path forward to return Elian to Cuba.

Let me thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, for being with us here tonight and reminding us of much of the history that cannot be forgotten as we move toward normal relations with Cuba.

Also with regard to Alan Gross. Yesterday, Alan and his wife, Judy, they were with us, and we all were so thrilled to see Alan Gross, and we are pleased that the President's action actually resulted in the long overdue return of our friend Mr. Gross.

Every time that many of us went to Cuba we wanted to meet with Alan. It was important to learn more about his case, but more importantly to do what we could do to help with humanitarian relief and to encourage and lift his spirits.

One of those individuals who has been so key in this is Congressman Gregory Meeks from New York, who has consistently talked about the importance of normalized relations with Cuba in the context of Latin American policies, our policy role in the Western Hemisphere.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York for his very comprehensive statement and overview, but also for his tremendous leadership and key policy initiatives on the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; and as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, you are so critical in this overall movement for us, so thank you again for being here tonight.

I want to yield to Congresswoman Jackson Lee who wants to say something before I yield to Congressman Polis.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do we have remaining?

I now yield to someone who has been very interested in and a tremendous leader on this whole issue of trade and ending the embargo, the gentleman from Colorado, Congressman Jared Polis. Thank you again.

Thank you--muchas gracias. I thank the gentleman from Colorado for that very succinct and clear statement and for your continuing leadership for a policy that really is in the United States' best interest. So thank you again.

I now yield to my friend from California, Congressman Sam Farr, who has really forged a path toward where we are today for many, many years with the administration as it relates to establishing diplomatic relations, someone who has visited Cuba, who has the respect of the Cuban people, but also the respect of our own administration, and someone who continues to plug away each and every day for normal relations with Cuba and ending the embargo.

Let me thank you, Congressman Farr, for that really very positive, upbeat statement, also for your leadership on so many issues.

I just want to remind this body that Cuba still finds itself on the list of state-sponsored terror countries, and Congressman Farr along with other Members have really led in trying to get our administration to really understand, as William Cohen issued a white paper in 1998 saying that there is no conventional threat by the Cuban military--that has decreased; there is none--and this should be lifted very quickly.

So thank you, Congressman Farr.

I now yield to Congressman Cohen from Tennessee, who understands very clearly the importance of lifting the embargo not only for our foreign policy goals, but also in terms of his constituents and in terms of the benefits to American businesses and the efforts in our job creation and economic revitalization efforts.

Thank you again for being here with us.

I want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee for being with us this evening and really laying out many of the benefits to your constituents, to America, as they relate to ending the embargo against Cuba, but also

just for being here and kind of sharing your stories, because I think it is very important that we hear the stories of Americans who have had relationships with Cuban people who really don't and can't figure out why everyone can't have these normal relations with the people of Cuba as we do with people around the world. So thank you again very much.

I now yield to the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Congresswoman DeLauro, who has visited Cuba several times, who really has been very focused on the business aspects, the agricultural benefits to our own country and to Cuba as they relate to ending the embargo, also on women's issues and so many issues that really require us to normalize relations with Cuba. She has been in this fight a long time and still continues each and every day to move us forward.

I really thank you again for your leadership, for being here and for being with some of us when we have been in Cuba and really raising these issues to a level that really, I think the Cuban people understand that Americans are spirited and they really want to be there and to help move Cuba forward as well as our own country forward. So thank you again.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, December 15 will mark the 1-year anniversary of the conflict in South Sudan. Since fighting broke out last December, a humanitarian crisis has plagued this young nation. Almost 2 million people have been displaced, and an estimated 50,000 civilian deaths have occurred. And the situation is only likely to get worse in the coming months.

The United States has played a vital role in supporting an independent South Sudan, and we have a vital role moving forward to ensure that the conflict does not deteriorate.

As we have seen in protracted crises around the world, such as in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the longer that a conflict continues and tears at the social fabric of a country, the more difficult reconciliation becomes.

As cochairs of the bipartisan Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan, Mr. McCaul of Texas, Mr. Capuano of Massachusetts, and myself are urging Members to sign a letter with us to the administration requesting the President to increase his political and diplomatic efforts to help bring this conflict to an end and to prevent further bloodshed.

With 1.5 million people experiencing food insecurity in South Sudan, now is the time to ensure that we use diplomacy to bring this crisis to an end. So we are asking you to join us in this effort because we must continue to work in a bipartisan way with the administration to increase our political and diplomatic efforts.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady for yielding and for her tremendous hard work and support.

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule and this bill for many reasons, even though the bill contains many provisions I support, such as Ebola funding; a critical $5.67 billion for the President's emergency plan for AIDS relief; PEPFAR, which I helped write, and the Global Fund; programs I have worked on for many years and have supported.

But it also includes provisions I cannot support, such as an additional $3.4 billion to fund an unauthorized war against ISIS in Iraq. More than 3 months after this war began, this is 3 months later, Congress has yet to have the constitutionally required mandated debate and vote on an Authorization for the Use of Military Force. We are now involved in another open-ended war in the Middle East without congressional authority.

This omnibus also includes $73.7 billion for the overseas contingency operations fund which, quite frankly, is a slush fund.

Congress must get serious about transparency and oversight of our Nation's bloated Pentagon spending, and we can do that by auditing the Pentagon, an initiative that has bipartisan support. At the same time that this bill provides billions in war funding, my Republican colleagues included a section that will roll back key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform bill, putting taxpayers on the hook for Wall Street gambling.

I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule and a ``no'' vote on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of Ms. Sheila Jordan on the occasion of her retirement. Ms. Jordan is retiring after serving for fifteen years as the Alameda County Superintendent of Schools.

A proud native of the Bronx, Ms. Jordan graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in English. She went on to get her M.A. in Special Education from San Francisco State University, and is the holder of a lifetime teaching credential, a credential for teaching the learning handicapped, an Administrative Credential from California State University East Bay, and a Certificate in Executive Management from the Graduate School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley.

Prior to her service as Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Jordan served on the Oakland City Council and the Oakland Unified School District Board of Education, and was a teacher for 20 years.

During her time as Superintendent of Schools for Alameda County, Ms. Jordan has overseen the implementation of numerous programs designed to promote civic engagement and service, environmental education, arts and technology integration, math, language arts, and science. Her leadership has clarified and solidified the role of county offices of education and influenced new statewide policies. Her efforts to create a regional model have deepened the ties and accountability between school districts and county offices and inspired student success. For instance, she helped to forge a closer alliance with Chabot Space & Science Center's education department in order to provide county and regional schools with training and support of STEM and STEAM opportunities.

Ms. Jordan has also served in numerous community service positions, including the Executive Committee of the Economic Development Alliance for Business; and the boards of the Chabot Space & Science Center, the Workforce Investment Board, United Way, and the Interagency Children's Policy Council. She is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the East Bay Leadership Foundation, a past co-chair of the Alameda County Superior Court Children's Waiting Room Project, and a former Fellow of the Bay Area Writing Project.

Among other honors, Ms. Jordan has received the Outstanding Educator of the Year Award from the Peralta Presidential Council of the Alpha Delta Kappa educational sorority, the Educator of Excellence Award from Hispanos Saludos, the Programs of Excellence Award from the Association of Contra Costa County Administrators, and has been named Alumnus of the Year by California State University Hayward.

On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, Ms. Sheila Jordan, I salute you. I thank you for a lifetime of service and congratulate you on your many achievements. I wish you and your loved ones the very best as you transition to this exciting new chapter of life.