Floor Statements

I thank Ranking Member Fudge for giving me this opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, I was sitting in the back and I heard one of the Republicans say that what Moses would want--and he was talking about some picture--and I just came up to say that I just talked with Moses, and he's not in support of this legislation. As a matter of fact, he referred me to other biblical things about how we treat the lesser of our brothers and sisters. He directed my attention to the disparity between the rich that we have in this country and the very poor.

I got the impression after reviewing Matthew that if we're going to refer to Moses, you can't ignore Jesus, who had some concern about the rich people that did not treat their brothers and sisters fairly. I don't know how it ends, but it seems as though they were trying to get into Heaven and he told them to go to hell.

I don't know how it spins out, but everything that seems to be happening in

this House strikes against us helping the kids and the vulnerable and helping the sick and the aged. So I would suggest that if we have to go to the Bible, everything we're trying to do to hurt the poor is not going to count for us when we need God the most.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2013 recipients of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Presented annually by the National Ethnic Coalition or Organizations (NECO), the Ellis Island Medal of Honor pays tribute to our Nation's immigrant heritage, as well as individual achievement. The medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. We honor these outstanding individuals because they create a better world for all of us in the future by the work they do today. Since the Medal's founding in 1986, more than 2,000 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor, including six American Presidents, several United States Senators, Congressmen, Nobel Laureates, outstanding athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders.

This medal is not about money, but about people who seized the opportunities this great country has to offer and who used those opportunities to not only better their own lives but make a difference in the lives of those around them. As we all know, citizens of the United States can trace their ancestry to many nations. The richness and diversity of American life makes us unique among the Nations of the world and is in many ways the key to why America is the most innovative country in the world. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor not only celebrate select individuals but also the pluralism and democracy that enabled our ancestors to celebrate their cultural identities while still embracing the American way of life.

Even in the midst of difficult financial times, this award serves to remind us all that with hard work and perseverance anyone can achieve the American dream. In addition, by honoring these remarkable Americans, we honor all who share their origins and we acknowledge the contributions they and other groups have made to America.

I commend NECO and its Board of Directors headed by my good friend, Nasser J. Kazeminy, for honoring these truly outstanding individuals for their tireless efforts to foster dialogue and build bridges between different ethnic groups, as well as promote unity and a sense of common purpose in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good works of NECO, and in congratulating all of the 2012 recipients of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor.

2013 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients

Mohamed Mike Ahmar, Varoujan Altebarmakian, MD, William C.

Anton, Bharat H. Barai, MD, Brian Boitano, Noreen Salah

Burpee, Hon. Woody Burton, Wendy Y. Chao, Melvin L. Cheatham,

MD, Alina Cho, Byung Chang Cho, Im Ja P. Choi, Jerry L.

Chong, Esq., Candice Chulee, Seamus Connolly, David C. Dauch,

Warren Will David, Vidyasagar Dharmapuri, MD, Alexander W.

Dreyfoos, Russell J. Ebeid, John David Eckstein, MD, Dr.

Jamshid Ehsani, Mia Farrow, Joseph Fiorentino, RADM Moira N.

Flanders, USN (Ret.), LTG Michael Flynn, USA, Jamshid Ghajar,

MD, PhD, Hossein Gharib, MD, MACP, MACE, Dore J. Gilbert, MD,

LTC USAR, Hubert Guerrand-Hermes, Xavier Guerrand-Hermes,

Yong Hwa Ha, Kenneth S. Hershon, MD, Victoria Shoghag

Hovanessian, Yousef Javadi, Hratch Kaprielian, Ara Kevork

Karajerjian, AIC, CPC, Patricia J. Kennedy, Rep. Peter T.

King, Michelle King Robson, Vahid Kooros, Kenneth Julius

Kovach, Jackson H. Kuan, MD, Christopher J. Kuelling, Esq.,

Arthur Bihua Liu, Captain Gordon A. Loebl, USCG, Dr. J.

Phillip London, RADM Brian Losey, USN, James Lu, Col. Robert

M. Lucania, USAF (Ret.), Christine Eliska Lynn, Fasha

(Farshad) Mahjoor, Dertad Manguikian, MD, Yvonne Marceau,

Danny Masterson, Gail J. McGovern, Hon. Gregory J. Melikian,

USAF (Ret.), Mark R. Melton, David Merage, Gary Mervis,

Robert S. Milligan, H.E. Albert Alexander Montague, MG

Patrick A. Murphy, USA, Kikanza Nuri-Robins, EdD, MDiv, 1st

Lt Steven Ortiz, MA ANG, Mahendra R. Patel, Ramesh J. Patel,

David Anthony Pope, John Psaras, Bruce Ramer, Alma Rangel,

Assistant Chief Joseph J. Reznick, Monsignor Robert J.

Romano, Ronald J. Ross, M.D., F.A.C.R., Pardis Sabeti, MD,

DPhil, Homa Sarshar, Kamala Saxena, MD, Jack G. Shaheen, PhD,

H. John Shammas, MD, Thomas Sherak, Deputy Chief Steven J.

Silks, Anthony Spavone, Stephen J. Squeri, Valavanur A.

Subramanian, MD, Aso O. Tavitian, Silvia Tchakmakjian, George

Solon Tsandikos, Russell Thayer Tutt, Jr., Col. Lee A. Van

Arsdale, USA, (Ret.), Argyris ``RJ'' Vassiliou, Richard A.

Vermeil, Frank A. Visco, Wyan Hua Wang, Dionne Warwick, Wim

Wiewel, PhD, Dar-yih David Wu, Vahe Stephan Yacoubian, MD,

Christopher G. Zizza.

Mr. Speaker, I was prepared to respond to the chairman and ranking member for their legislative courtesies they had extended to me. I appreciate the tribute being paid to me which, unusually, I was awkwardly unprepared for. But I do want to thank the gentleman for his friendship in more ways than just this resolution, as well as Tom Sheehy, who worked with your staff, and, of course, my friend from New York, J.J., on the committee staff. He guided to make certain that this almost-legislatively impossible resolution was so expediently brought up to be considered by this august House.

On Saturday last, the President of the United States, along with our congressional colleague, who is now the Secretary of the Department of Defense, and the Secretaries of all of the Armed Forces groups, got together to honor the veterans of the Korean War. It was a sight to see so many Korean veterans from so many different parts of the country.

They were reminded by the President that we had been labeled--those that participated--as what was referred to as ``the forgotten war.'' Because most all of the world knew about the importance of America being involved in saving democracy in World War II. And Vietnam, for good or bad, everyone knew people that went there. But somehow, in the middle of that, no one really missed us or knew where Korea was--or it didn't appear there was too much concern. When we did return, unlike the Vietnam veterans, who really had unfairly been treated, but fortunately for us, we were never missed, except by our families and friends. People never knew where we were. The Congress was not as kind to us as they had been to the veterans.

Having said all of that, it was a wonderful tribute. Veterans turned out from all over. Certainly, there were comrades that were part of the 20 countries that were part of the United Nations. And when the North Koreans invaded South Korea, those of us that were called to go to South Korea to defend them were going to a country that we never knew to fight for a people that we never met and for causes that were not well known.

And the war has never really been called a war. It's never been called a truce. It still is a division between these people. But as a result of the United States and the United Nations' efforts, millions of lives lost--54,000

Americans killed, 100,000 Americans wounded, and close to 9,000 either captured or missing in action--one would say, With all of the blood and money, what did we get out of this?

And that's what we discussed Saturday with the Korean War veterans. What we got out of this was the integrity of the United States of America. That any commitment that we had made to the United Nations not only would we be participating but we would lead, as we did under the direction of General MacArthur.

And today, as we look back and see that, out of the rubble of a country that had been reduced by war, and we take a look at what exists in the northern part, as this division still exists today, in Communist North Korea, we have seen a people that had no jobs, no homes, no resources, but they did have hope.

Out of the South Korean hope and dream came a nation, a new nation, a nation that demonstrated what democratic people can do; an economy was built, and a friendship and a partnership with the United States and freedom-loving people all over the world.

So today, we don't just say as Korean veterans that we know where Korea is. We say that no matter how little a part we played, that we can look back and be proud as Americans that we have, in a small part, been possible to see this small nation become a world power, not only in terms of its military, but its friendship in terms of America's national defense; not only in terms of friendship, but being one of our wonderful trading partners that provides jobs for Koreans and Americans.

So it only makes sense, as a great country of ours that still has the scars of the Civil War, that we should want Koreans, North and South, to find some way to seek unity, to find some way to understand the values of democracy, to find some way that the thing that democracies are willing to fight and die for exists in that peninsula.

I want to specifically thank Hannah Kim of my office for doing what staff does for all of us in getting people even from the other body to understand how important this was to the President and to the Congress; and, of course, to the Speaker's staff, who worked closely with Chairman Royce--that's Mike Sommers and Dave Schnittger. And on the other side of the Capitol, Todd Womack, chief of staff of Senator Corker, and Mike Henry and his gang, as chief of staff of Senator Tim Kaine.

And on behalf of all of the veterans, I can tell you, as I yield my time back to the chairman, that we all have felt that America really did love us; they just needed an opportunity to express it.

So we thank you for this resolution. It's not just for me and Koreans, but it's also for Korean Americans. So many Asians, and especially Korean Americans, they love Korea, but they love our country best.

If the gentleman would yield, I thank you so much, my dear colleague from New York.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 17th Bombardment Wing, Light of the Far East Air Forces Fifth Air Force. The mission of the 17th Bomb Wing was to conduct night interdiction, reconnaissance of enemy supply and communications lines, seek enemy troops, and close air support of troops during the Korean War. The 17th Wing was composed of the 34th Bomb Squadron, the 37th Bomb Squadron, and the 95th Bomb Squadron.

With great conviction, courage, and perseverance, the 17th Bombardment Wing flew 960 sorties in June 1952. Additionally, the 17th Wing set a new record of flying 93 sorties in just one night. 17th Wing set another new record for B-26 type aircraft, flying an average of 102 hours per aircraft per month. By October 1952, astoundingly, the Wing set yet another record performing 1000 sorties in that month.

The 17th Wing acquired the nickname of the black knights because of their night missions. The 17th Wing was the first wing to conduct work in two theaters of operation, Asia and Europe. The motto of the 17th Wing is Toujours Au Danger, meaning Ever into Danger. Even in the face of danger, the 17th Wing successfully completed many operations including the notable Spring Thaw, Bottle Neck, and Little Switch operations. Working to the last hour, the 17th Wing executed its last mission just minutes before the 2200 effective time of the cease-fire.

The 17th Wing is a successor of one of the 15 original combat air groups formed before World War II. It was also the Wing that provided the crew and equipment for the famous Doolittle Raid, which grandiosely elevated and fermented American morale during World War II. The 17th Wing is now succeeded by the 17th Training Group.

I am pleased to announce that there are approximately 780 members still alive today. Just to mention a brave few, Ted Baker, gunner of aircraft, Antonio Fucci, gunner of aircraft, Robert Pruett, gunner of aircraft, Charles Tucker, pilot, Donald H. Eaton, flight engineer, and Arthur Haarmeyer, navigator bombardier.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me in commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Day which occurred on July 27, 1953 by honoring the vast achievements of the 17th Bombardment Wing, Light of the Far East Air Forces Fifth Air Force. We thank them for their extraordinary valor and strength during the Korean War.

Let me thank my friend and colleague from the great Borough of Brooklyn, city of New York, and my colleagues, for coming down to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, when we started the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971, I guess most people said: Why do you need a Black Caucus? Thirteen of you of color have been able to break the walls of racism and discrimination to reach the Halls of the United States Congress. Obviously, you don't have to say that you're Black.

What we tried to do then, and I guess we are still involved in that struggle, is to try to make certain that there's absolutely no need for any group of people to have to identify themselves for protection and for aggressiveness on programs because of their color.

I tell the gentleman from New York--I guess you were about born when we started the Caucus--I wish by the time you got here and you were looking for the Congressional Black Caucus, I would be able to say: Hakeem, that's all over. That's when we were not treated as full Americans. That's ancient times, the same way I had thought that poll taxes and things of that nature that the late--my predecessor--Adam Clayton Powell had been able to overcome.

So now comes the question where people feel so awkward to say race was a factor in the killing of young Mr. Martin. Why would they feel so awkward? It is so easy to understand if two people have a problem, one was minding his business, the other was stalking him, one had a gun and the other ended up dead, and he had already described to the police who he was following and it was a person of color. I don't think I've heard anyone challenge if the colors were reversed it wouldn't take all of the weeks, days and weeks that it took just to arrest somebody.

The reason that we are asking for the Justice Department to examine this is because the Justice Department has been successful in examining a whole lot of criminal activity where the local community somehow didn't see it. And George, as the family in Sanford calls him, obviously was a part of that family. I would think anybody would like somebody that's not a part of that family to go in and see what happened to Trayvon.

But having said that, if you want to know where do we go from here, we don't have to explain why Blacks are killing Blacks. If we say that's an epidemic, if we say that's a sickness, if we say that's a disaster, I ask my fellow Americans: What the heck do you do when you find a disaster? I think one of the things that you do is try to stop it from spreading and find out what do these areas have in common.

First of all, why is it that members of the Congressional Black Caucus have more of these than other Members in the Congress? We don't want to talk about color. Color is not an issue, right? Right.

But are we talking about the poorest communities that we have in the United States of America? Well, what's that got to do with it? Are we talking about communities that have the lousiest education system in the United States of America?

Rangel, I don't see why you are bringing that up. Are we talking about sick people physically, where they have mental problems they call them crazy instead of disoriented?

Rangel, you're going way off now. Are we talking about legislation that actually, in an investment of the United States, less money goes into these communities than communities of wealth?

Listen, you put all this together, Rangel, that doesn't explain why people shoot each other.

Well, I don't know why people shoot each other, but I know one thing: Who doesn't shoot each other? Our young kids that are inspired. They've got education. They've got families. They've got a country that's the wind behind their wings that want to make a contribution to this great country. They can walk anywhere, talk anywhere, and nobody is going to be following them talking about, ``You look like someone that may hurt somebody.''

Now, we can't solve the problem unless we talk about it. If you are talking about Hurricane Sandy, if you are talking about fires, if you are talking about disasters, why can't we talk about this? This is costing America human beings. It is costing lives. It is costing money. It is costing us embarrassment.

We are losing in terms of having stronger productivity. We are losing in terms of competition. It is not just the communities and their families that are losing. America is losing, the same way we would not hesitate to reach out to any village or any town or any State that has any type of an epidemic.

So don't just look at the color. Look at the economic circumstances that are in the community that has it. If you want, you might want to look up and see what Member of Congress represents this.

They say that sometimes we look to cut our districts. Well, take a look. We didn't look to cut our districts. Our districts looked for us to represent them. The day we become color blind is the day the Constitution should say we walked out of this body.

Our job here is to give this Congress sight. ``Color'' isn't a dirty word. It could be one of the most beautiful words that we have in the United States of America. Different colors, different cultures, different languages, different ways that we can enjoy being with each other, learning from each other.

So if we have a problem in Chicago, in Dallas, in Harlem, let's share that problem. Whenever there is a problem anyplace in these great United States, that all of us can come together and try to bring people up so that this country doesn't have to take a back seat to anybody when it comes to saying: This is the land of the free; this is the home of the brave. And when you shoot someone down, you don't have to look at the color of the victim or the perpetrator, justice shall rein and discrimination and color shall not be a cause for lack of justice.

Let me thank my gentleman from Brooklyn for giving us this opportunity. We've taken a death. I was with the family this weekend. The mother said she lost her son but will dedicate her life to make certain she does all that she can so that no mother and father would lose their son. She didn't say ``Black''; she didn't say ``White.'' The President said that you have to walk in his shoes. Anybody that's a father that loses a teenage son, the more that son looks like you, the more pain that you suffered.

I am about to take my seat, but I was just reminded when I went to Korea and we were going up the lines, we saw all kinds of dead people: South Koreans, communist Koreans, North Koreans, and our colleagues that were White soldiers that had died before we got there. But my colleague from Brooklyn, before we got up to the lines, two trucks, the catafalios flew off them because of the speed that they were driving, and in those cars were Black dead soldiers in our uniform cross-length, like they were logs on the way to grave registration. I don't have to tell you we felt a lot different in looking at those people who looked exactly like us.

Thank you so much for this opportunity.

I've been here over four decades, and I have never seen legislation just completely be ignored. I'm thoroughly convinced that the Republican majority are not the least bit concerned about health care, because if they were, they would have a health care plan.

The whole idea of talking about repealing ObamaCare and not having a substitute for it means that the President can talk about education, he can talk about jobs, he can talk about anything, but their plan, their legislative plan is just to say ``no,'' just to say ``no'' to the President no matter what he comes up with, even if it adversely affects the economy of our great country or even if it affects the security of our great country.

I am convinced, as I said this morning, that if the President actually walked on water, the first thing the Republicans would say is that President Obama can't swim.

So I think that we've had enough of this politics. Thirty, forty times we're talking about repealing it.

Are you against having preexisting conditions being accepted for health insurance?

Are you against kids being able to stay on the policy of their parents until they're 26?

Are you against having preventive care given to people? I hope you're not, because soon--and very soon--the American people are going to get fed up with this gridlock politics.

So I hope the spiritual leaders who are concerned about health, kids, and the aged, and I hope the business community would see that, if you want to have economic growth, you've got to get the Congress and you've got to get government involved. It's not a question of laying on people. It's a question of economic growth, which means our infrastructure has to be reinvested in.

We have to be competitive and we have to do the right thing, not by Republicans and Democrats, but for all of our people. We can't afford to have a day when a person needs health care that someone's got to ask whether you're a Republican or whether you're a Democrat. And it's abundantly clear the President is for full health insurance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in strong opposition to the farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it hurts America's children.

Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Were the remarks of the gentleman from Missouri charged to the debate as it relates to the rule?

And how long was that?

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to join the rest of the country in observing National Women's Health Week during the week of May 12th through the 18th. As the well-being of all Americans is important, our women have been and will always be the backbone of this country. We must continue to protect and encourage women in their efforts to stay healthy.

National Women's Health Week was initiated by President Barack Obama in 2012 as a result of the Affordable Care Act, which I proudly sponsored. The President believes in honoring women by demanding gender equality in the health arena. Reportedly, women pay higher health insurance premiums than men. The Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination against women, including making it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage for women who have preexisting conditions such as cancer or pregnancy.

I encourage all women to make their health a priority this year and schedule professional, health care visits for regular check-ups and preventative screening. Many times, women are often caring for others that they pay less attention to their health--physically, mentally, and emotionally. I commend organizations that provide women with preventative services, such as New York's own Harlem Healthy Living and Community Healthy Network.

We must recommit ourselves to caring for the well-being of women everywhere. This year, I stand with my fellow colleagues in Congress to continue providing services that protect and secure women and their well-being.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor, recognize, and celebrate the MAMA Foundation's 30th Anniversary of the gospel musical ``Mama, I Want to Sing.'' On Saturday, March 23, 2013, The Dempsey Theater hosted the 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration for ``Mama, I Want To Sing,'' the longest running Black Off-Broadway show in American history, which debuted as a gospel musical in 1983. This Gala event, took place exactly 30 years to the day from when the original production opened in Harlem to great acclaim.

The Gala began with a very special performance that included musical highlights from ``Mama, I Want to Sing and Sing, Harlem, Sing!'', as well as a performance from the Gospel for Teens Choir. Lesley Stahl, who received an Emmy award for her ``60 Minutes'' profile on Gospel for Teens, was honored for her contributions to journalism and for her support of the Mama Foundation for the Arts. The 30th Anniversary celebration will include a gala featuring the best of Harlem's renowned restaurants including Sylvia's, Spoonbread, The Red Rooster, Corner Social, Chez Lucien, Jacob's Soul Food, Melba's and Make My Cake. The spiritually uplifting evening culminated in a spontaneous church- inspired closing with R&B divas Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick, Angie Stone, Valerie Simpson and Crystal Aiken individually joining the Gospel for Teens Choir in a rousing version of ``This Little Light of Mine'' that brought the sold-out crowd to its feet.

In 1979, Vy Higginsen and her husband, Ken Wydro wrote the book and lyrics for Mama. It was rejected by every major producer in New York. Not one producer believed that the story was worth telling or that an audience could be found for a gospel-based production. Vy and Ken pushed forward and produced the now internationally-acclaimed ``Mama, I Want to Sing'' gospel musical that tells the story of a talented young girl who dreams of leaving her church choir to pursue a life in popular music, despite strong objections from her mother. A tribute to the many African American artists with church choir roots who rose to fame in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, creator Higginsen based her musical on the life of her sister Doris Troy whose 1963 hit ``Just One Look'' launched her to international fame. The show, featured original music by Wesley Naylor opened at Harlem's Hecksher Theater (at El Museo del Barrio) in 1983 and since then has become the ``little red engine that could'' of Off-Off Broadway productions.

In 1998, Vy Higginsen created the Mama Foundation for the Arts to present, preserve, and promote Gospel, Jazz, and R&B as art forms for current and future generations. The Mama Foundation for the Arts (MFA) has been internationally acclaimed for rebuilding Harlem as an artistic cultural center featuring entertainment and arts education. The Mama Foundation has produced a dozen theater productions, which have been performed on several continents, including its best known musical, ``Mama, I Want To Sing.''

In 2003, Higginsen created the School of Gospel, Jazz, and R&B Arts. Three years later, she formed the award-winning Gospel for Teens program to train youth and ``save the music.'' According to Lesley Stahl from CBS's ``60 Minutes,'' ``The Gospel for Teens program is not just teaching gospel, it is saving these kids.'' Mama Foundation members have performed at numerous special events including the TED2012 Full Spectrum conference, the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Legislative Conference, The Stellar Awards, and a reception for Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Madonna, Chaka Khan, opera singer Jessye Norman and gospel artist Shirley Caesar are among the many stars that have shared the stage with the Gospel for Teens Choir.

In 2006, she founded Gospel for Teens, a free educational program that offers a substitute for the arts programs removed from many inner city schools. For her outstanding contributions to gospel music, she was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award at the 2012 Stellar Gospel Music Awards. The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture proclaimed Vy a Harlem Hero in ``Harlem Is'' a public art and education project of Community Works.

Vocalist and Instructor Ahmaya Knoelle Higginsen, daughter of Vy Higginsen, is the current lead in ``Mama, I Want To Sing: The Next Generation.'' She began her professional career at seven years old starring in 'Sing! Mama 2' with Shirley Caesar at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and during its world tour in Japan. Ahmaya Knoelle has performed in Gospel Is . . .! and Sing, Harlem, Sing! Internationally, as well as recording on several albums. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music and the American Dramatic and Music Academy in New York. Ahmaya Knoelle also teaches private vocal instruction at the Mama Foundation for the Arts and trains young students in the Foundation's Gospel For Teens program.

The Mama Foundation's mission is to present, preserve, and promote the history and fundamentals of gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues music for current and future generations. The Foundation has established a cultural space in Harlem where youth and adults have access to quality training and employment as performing artists. The Foundation was inspired by the worldwide success of our award-winning musical, ``Mama, I Want to Sing.'' A combination of arts education, public workshops, and live events contribute to Harlem's resurgence as an artistic and cultural destination. I am so very appreciative for the many contributions of Vy Higginsen and the Mama Foundation. The dedication and devotion to the arts of our community is most- commendable and deserving of Congressional Recognition. I ask my colleagues and our Nation to join me in this special celebration of the 30th Anniversary of ``Mama, I Want to Sing.''

Let me first congratulate and thank my colleague, Congressman Fattah, for putting together this moment. I know this is going to be one of a series of tributes that we're going to have that reminds me how we all feel as we lose a dear friend, that we could have done more, we should have done more, we could have kept in touch a lot more.

My chief of staff, Patrick Swygert, was a good friend of Pastor Bill Gray, and he got me involved in a couple of campaigns for Congress. One was not too successful and very embarrassing, and the other one, of course, brought him to the House.

Bill Gray, even though he was known throughout the world, he had a personality that once you started talking with him, his charm, his wit would allow you to believe that you had known him all of his life.

He invited me a couple of times to visit Bright Hope, and I listened to one

of his sermons. It was the first time that I felt so utterly proud of being a Member of Congress, being a Democrat, and knowing Bill Gray. Because as he took this spiritual sermon and wrapped it around, he reminded me, and should remind so many others in public service, that there was hardly anything that was in that Bible, that no matter what your religion was, that you shouldn't have some compassion for: the children that are just a miracle of life that are born; the older people that have served and are now among the most vulnerable; the sick, the disabled; those that have emotional problems; being able to get a decent education so at least you have some of the tools that are necessary to negotiate what is sometimes called an ``unfair world.''

And among all of the Biblical things that he was talking about, how he tied that into the educational projects that you became a leader in, Congressman Fattah, which nobody in the country has done more for education than you have, and he spins right off with the United Negro College Fund organization, to make certain that education was such an important factor. When it came to Medicaid and Medicare, when it came to programs providing food for those people that were starving, all of this in that sermon, it made it sound like he was saying that these are the things that we've campaigned for, these are the things that we've fought for.

So I guess instead of just feeling guilty that we had not kept in touch on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, the work that he has really started, in Philadelphia, in the United States Congress, in South Africa and throughout the world, there is so much that has not been completed. And because such a great leader has succeeded him and comes out of that same family that brought people together in Philadelphia, and you try so hard to do it right here in this House of Representatives, this work is still not completed, the mission has not been accomplished. So those of us who knew and loved him so much, if we missed saying good-bye when he was well, we can pick up where he left off and make certain that his destination is reached by as many people as he brought over the line.

Thank you so much for having this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Congressman Green for yielding to me the opportunity to speak out of order and to remind this body that, in a recent conversation I had with John Lewis, our hero and colleague, I asked him the question: Just what drove you to place your body in harm's way and your life in jeopardy for the civil rights movement?

And he said, because he had confidence in this country, the Congress, and he also had confidence in the Supreme Court.

Recently, he had to admit that the Court's action has really plunged a dagger in the heart of this legislation that so many Americans have depended on for fairness, which includes, of course, that basic constitutional right to vote. But that light was dimmed; it wasn't extinguished.

And as I recall the Voting Rights Act that we did pass overwhelmingly in both Chambers, it was the names of Jim Sensenbrenner and John Conyers that come to mind. They both are still in this House. They both love the country, love the Congress, and love the Constitution. And I'm confident that, once again, they would bring together that coalition of Republicans and Democrats, that may see things differently as it relates to the ideology, but together they can bring the same forces that we had in 2006 to make certain that we restore the rights that the Supreme Court has taken away from us.

Mr. Speaker, it took the Supreme Court to remind us that when our young people put their bodies in harm's way, or even offer their lives for this great country, that notwithstanding their background, they don't do it for their color, for their race, for their family and community alone; they do it for these great United States. People who have never met each other but do feel that under our Constitution we are all brought together to respect each other's rights, and we have an outline for that belief that is called our Constitution.

It seems to me that yesterday the Supreme Court said that we are making progress in making certain that all Americans have the right to vote and that Negroes, as they were called in 1965, have made great progress. But that was not what Lyndon Johnson said when he was advocating the 1965 Civil Rights Act. He said that no impediment should be put in the way of any person being denied the right to vote because of their race or color. I hope the Supreme Court will review this ruling.

Madam Speaker, I think all of us came to this august body with the mandate that we should try to improve the quality of life for our constituents and, therefore, the United States, the people that made our country so great. Education, health care, jobs, these are the things we want to do.

But it's reached a point that this is no longer just putting Democrats in a political advantage. What it is doing is embarrassing the entire Congress, and I dare say, people in the country recognize that there's something wrong going on in Congress.

Now, those of you that have taken Civics 101 know that there is no intention to repeal this act.

People are waiting to get jobs. They're waiting, really, to get health care. And we're on the move for that.

I've been here over 4 decades, and darn it the devil, we've been trying to get universal care. We're almost there.

Now, if you're talking about repeal, it takes a majority of both Houses to pass this bill. The President's going to veto it. And you have to have two-thirds of both Houses in order to repeal. That is not going to happen, and you know it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Harlem's Matriarch Ms. Fannie E. Pennington, who passed away on Wednesday, February 13 at the age of 99 years old.

On Friday, February 22, the village Harlem joined together at Abyssinian Baptist Church to celebrate the amazing and historic life of Fannie E. Pennington who was a faithful and dedicated servant to the Lord and to our Nation. Great women like our wonderful Fannie Pennington are precious gifts we temporarily have in this world, but their assistance, contributions and accomplishments are far remembered and everlasting.

Our beloved Fannie lived a full spiritual life--a life well spent and dedicated to the uplifting of African Americans and women. Daughter of Matthew Mark and Hattie Harris, and a descendant of the Balanta Fula Tribes of Guinea, Fannie and her late sister Amelia were baptized and christened into the family of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church by the Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.

At Abyssinian, Fannie Pennington became one of the most devoted members, serving on the Progressive Ladies Usher Board, the Welcome and Hospitality Committee, which was once known as the Adam Clayton Powell Overseas Club. Ms. Fannie Pennington greeted and hosted historic world figures and American Icons such as Haile Selassie, Mary McCloud Bethune, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

Many of our friends will remember Fannie as a vivacious and beautiful personality, who tended bar in several of Harlem's elite dining institutions and establishments. She was also an official representative of the Barmaid Charity Organization, which raised money to send inner city kids to summer camp. I will remember Fannie for her loyalty and support to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., her years of service to the New York City Board of Elections and the Frederick E. Samuel Community Democratic Club, where she spent her life's work registering young people to vote.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington and the 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks, let us also celebrate the 99 years of our beloved Fannie E. Pennington.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor, recognize, and celebrate the 90th Birthday of Mr. Dabney N. Montgomery, a member of the ground crew of the Tuskegee Airmen, who later served as a bodyguard for Martin Luther King during the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

Dabney N. Montgomery was born in Selma, Alabama on April 18, 1923, to Dred and Lula Anderson Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery was drafted into the Army Air Corps (now the United States Air Force), during World War II and served in the 1051st Quartermaster Company of the 96th Air Service Group, attached to the 332nd Air Fighter Group, as a ground crewman with the Tuskegee Airmen in Southern Italy, from 1943 to 1945. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Service Award, the Honorable Service Medal, and a Basic Driver and Mechanic Medal. In 1946, he enrolled into Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina, and received a B.A. degree in Religious Education, in May 1949. He served as a Charter Member of the Sphinx Club and was one of the first to be admitted into the Gamma Mu Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha [AFA] Fraternity.

In June 1955, he joined Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (the oldest Black Church in the State of New York, organized in 1796), Harlem, New York. He immediately began to serve as Sunday School Teacher and, in early 1970, was appointed Director of Youth (serving until 1999). In July 1996, he authored a Resolution to the General Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church Denomination, proposing that `The Day of Pentecost' be incorporated in their Book of Discipline. It now stands as a day of celebration throughout all A.M.E. Zion Churches.

He served and presently serves in many capacities such as General Chairperson of Mother Zion's Bicentennial Anniversary in October 1996, charter member of the past organization at 159 West 136th Street Parsonage Building Fund of Mother Zion, the W.H. & O.M.S where he served as member/chaplain, Class no. 4 member, Board of Stewards, Board of Directors of James Varick Community Center, and the Lay Council. He is Mother Zion's Church Historian and conducts church tours. In 1999, the Church was featured in a PBS documentary entitled, ``A Walk through Harlem,'' hosted by Barry Lewis and David Hartman in which Mr. Montgomery cites the history of Mother Zion Church.

On Sunday, March 5, 2006, the men's committee bestowed upon him a double honor with the Paul Robeson Award of Excellence and with architectural plans for the future structure of the Church archives and museum to be named the Dabney N. Montgomery Art Gallery and Exhibition Hall. Mr. Montgomery was an activist in the course of the Civil Rights Movement and marched with the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the 50+ mile March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, March 21-25, 1965. He served as one of Dr. King's bodyguards. On April 11, 2006, President George W. Bush signed a bill into law to award all original Tuskegee Airmen the `United States Congressional Gold Medal of Honor;' it was awarded on Thursday, March 29, 2007, under the Capitol Dome here in Washington, D.C.

In December 2006, he was selected by the Livingstone College National Alumni Association to receive the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award. It was presented on February 2, 2007 by the National Alumni Council of the United Negro College Fund in Nashville, Tennessee. On February 4, 2010, he was inducted into the United Negro College Fund ``Share Your Love'' and Service in Celebration of Livingstone College Leaders Hall of Fame. These distinguished awards recognize Alumni who have made significant contributions to their alma mater, community, and the United Negro College Fund.

On August 7, 2007, he was asked to serve as a member of The HistoryMakers, a Chicago-based organization that has the largest archival collection of both well-known and unsung African American HistoryMakers. Their purpose is to capture the stories of accomplished African Americans across all walks of life and to use video and new technologies to create an accessible digital collection to serve as a resource for students, teachers, scholars, documentary producers and the media. The HistoryMakers' stories are stories of success against the odds, of achievement in the face of adversity, and of inspiration. They are America's missing stories.

On Saturday, June 27, 2009 the Livingstone College National Alumni Association, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island Chapter presented to

Dabney N. Montgomery the Joseph Charles Price Award, ``In Recognition of Outstanding Achievements That Serve as a Tribute to Our Beloved Founder.''

Mr. Montgomery is involved in the Harlem community and is a member of Manhattan Community Board No. 10, where he serves on two sub- committees: Parks and Recreation, and the Executive Committee. As a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, he wrote a base letter to the Parks Department of the City of New York, as a proposal to recognize Central Park West (at 85th and 86th Streets) as the historical site of African American settlers in the early 1820s, which was then Seneca Village. Mother Zion was, for a short time, located there. The settlers were evicted in 1857 under the City's `eminent domain' project. A permanent sign now stands marking the site. He is chaplain of the West 136th Street Block Association.

Words cannot express my gratitude to Dabney, whose devotion to our community is remarkable and his service and commitment to our Nation has known no bounds. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 150th Anniversary of the Union League Club, the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the 369th ``Harlem Hellfighters Regiment'' and the 100th Birthday of Rosa Parks, I ask my distinguished colleagues to join me in celebrating the 90th Birthday of Dabney N. Montgomery, an outstanding veteran, hero, civil rights activist and public servant.