Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5661) to extend flexible use of John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program funding to address pandemic- related challenges for older foster youth.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit all of our communities hard, but for vulnerable youth in foster care, it was terrifying, especially for those youth approaching the age of independence at which they lose access to the supports that foster care provides.

When my good friend Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and I teamed up last year to provide States with flexibility and funding to help these youth, we hoped and expected that the pandemic would be over by now and that these youth would be back on track, getting an education, starting jobs, finding a place to live, and establishing independent lives.

Unfortunately, the delta variant hit hard, creating a new wave of challenges for these youth. To the current and former foster youth who reached out to us and our colleagues to share their stories, we hear you, and we are committed to continuing to respect the lessons of your lived experience in foster care.

The legislation we are considering today, the Continued State Flexibility To Assist Older Foster Youth Act will restore and continue key program flexibilities that allow States to provide greater stability and certainty to current and former youth via the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.

The bill will give States the flexibility to continue providing the specific supports that older foster youth need to return to college, training programs, and work. It will extend flexibilities to secure housing, to gain independence through driving programs, and to allow youth who would otherwise age out of eligibility for services a little more support to weather the pandemic.

I firmly believe in the strong bipartisan partnership that Representative Walorski and I have built over the years to help vulnerable youth and families to improve our child welfare system.

We have a lot to do to help foster youth through this pandemic, and this legislation to allow States to make better use of the funding we provided is the first step.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

I will simply say that I am very pleased that we are considering this important legislation that would provide additional help to foster children and give States the flexibility that they need to provide all the assistance during this pandemic that foster children can make use of.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my ranking member tremendously for the bipartisanship we have been able to effect, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, Congress has a long- recognized and essential role in conducting oversight. The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol has the solemn responsibility to investigate and report upon the facts, circumstances, and causes related to the attack on January 6, 2021. This domestic terrorist attack sought to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power and undermine American representative democracy during the exercise of a constitutional process.

Mr. Bannon reportedly held multiple roles and had specific knowledge relevant to the investigation of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Mr. Bannon has defied a lawful Congressional subpoena. The investigation by the Select Committee is fundamental to our democracy, and I will vote today to hold Mr. Bannon in contempt of Congress for his failure to comply with a Congressional Subpoena. Mr. Bannon has a duty to cooperate with the Congressional investigation into the fundamental attack on our democracy on January 6th. Therefore, I will vote in support of finding Stephen K. Bannon in contempt of Congress for failure to comply with a Congressional subpoena.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation.

This is legislation that protects the full faith and credit of our Nation; that protects the well-being of millions of our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors receiving Social Security, veterans, servicemembers, small businesses, as well as physicians treating Medicare and Medicaid patients; and that protects our economic recovery and the global financial system.

The refusal of Republican leadership to extend the debt limit threatens catastrophic damage to America and Americans. Economists estimate that default could cost to United States' economy up to 6 million jobs; wipe out as much as $15 trillion in household wealth; cause the unemployment to surge to 9 percent; and send global financial markets into chaos.

Republicans must work and be real with Democrats to address the debt limit to ensure that hardworking Americans, businesses, and communities across the country do not pay the price.

Raising the debt limit is the only responsible thing to do.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on the Budget be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5085) to amend section 1113 of the Social Security Act to provide authority for increased payments for temporary assistance to United States citizens returned from foreign countries, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I wish to honor the 31st Anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The law prohibits discrimination by private and public institutions toward citizens with disabilities, mandating that any entity covered by the law take reasonable steps to make their property, lines of communication, and employment accessible to persons with disabilities. In the two decades since the law's passage, it has opened the door for million Americans to participate more fully in day-to-day activities and to pursue opportunities in society. One out of every five American households has a family member who has a physical or cognitive disability. This historic bill expanded access to physical buildings and countless activities, easing the ability of these citizens to go about their daily lives freely without concern that they will be denied access to a school, shopping center, business, or communication device. Access is a freedom that everyone should enjoy, and I am proud to celebrate two decades of a law designed to promote this freedom for so many. I am proud that many of the accommodations that resulted from this law are considered commonplace now.

My Congressional District has long supported the efforts to promote equal civil rights. Chicago has been a leader in the movement to improve the livelihood of Americans with disabilities.

The Affordable Care Act included legislative provisions from my bill H.R. 1670, the Community First Choice Option, which allows states to include within their Medicaid State Plans an option to receive community-based services for individuals with disabilities who are eligible for nursing homes and other institutional settings. The Community First Choice Option gives people the choice to leave facilities and institutions for their own homes and communities with appropriate, cost effective services and supports. We should build on the precedent set 3 decades ago with the enactment of the ADA by giving Americans with disabilities the freedom to choose where they live.

Equality is a founding principle of our country. It has been an arduous process for many groups of people--from the Emancipation Proclamation to the Nineteenth Amendment for women's suffrage to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was another milestone in equality for our Nation. Thousands of individuals worked in earnest to make this law possible, and thousands continue to champion this law's implementation. For these efforts, we honor the

31st Anniversary of the enactment of the revolutionary bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Rules and Appropriations Committee for bringing my amendment to the floor.

My amendment increases funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research and Education Activities account by $2 million by decreasing the Agriculture Building and Facilities account. I am pleased that my colleague, Bobby Rush, co-leads this amendment with me.

The goal of the amendment is to increase funding for the Multicultural Scholars Program designed to increase the diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce.

Currently, the Multicultural Scholars Program receives only about $945,000 a year. This level of funding is critically low, given the current racial/ethnicity gaps in food and agricultural sciences and given the fact that communities of color were disproportionately harmed by the dual economic and health crises in our country.

For example, even though people of color represent nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population, farmers of color comprise less than 4 percent of owner-operators.

Similarly, about 75 percent of registered dieticians and nutritionists are White. In contrast, only 4 percent of dieticians identify as Asian; 3.3 percent as Latinx; 2.5 percent identify as Black; 1 percent identify as Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islander; and 0.6 percent identify as American Indian or Native Alaskan.

My amendment is an important step to increasing grants to low-income minority students who attend colleges and universities that serve high percentages of individuals underrepresented in these fields.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the opportunity to present.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Reverend Dr. Ronald Myers, who was one of the real reasons that President

Biden was able to sign into law Juneteenth as a national holiday.

Reverend Myers was founder of numerous medical and cultural organizations and a committed physician, serving the poorest Americans through clinics in Tchula, Belzoni, Yazoo City, Indianola, Greenville, and Tupelo, Mississippi.

Doc was also a jazz musician, composer, and human rights activist. The New York Times stated: ``There aren't many doctors like Ronald Myers, a jazz-playing, Baptist-preaching, family practitioner whose dream has always been to practice medicine in the kind of place most other doctors wouldn't even stop for a tank of gas.''

In 1994, a group of community leaders from across the country gathered at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, to work for greater national recognition of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery. Dr. Myers was elected chairman of this advocacy effort, which led to the establishment of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and his recognition as the leader of the modern Juneteenth movement in America. Doc was instrumental in the passage of 45 of the 49 State and District of Columbia pieces of legislation naming Juneteenth as a day of observance in this country.

Working with the Congressional Black Caucus, which included Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Representative Danny Davis, he sought legislation to recognize Juneteenth independence, hosting the annual Juneteenth prayer breakfasts.

He established the Washington Juneteenth National Holiday Observance and the National Day of Reconciliation and Healing from the Legacy of Enslavement, which includes the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust ``Maafa'' Memorial Service.

Dr. Myers organized the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters and the Fellowship of Creative Christian Jazz Musicians. Under his leadership, the Washington Juneteenth congressional event was held by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Juneteenth America, Inc., and the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters.

An accomplished jazz pianist, trumpeter, and composer, Dr. Myers performed across the country promoting ``June is Black Music Month!''-- Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz--``Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!''

For over 20 years, he met with State politicians, local Juneteenth organizations, and community leaders.

Charles Taylor, author of Juneteenth, said: ``Doc would give a copy of my Juneteenth book to every Governor who made Juneteenth a holiday or observance. He even gave Sarah Palin a copy when she was the Governor of Alaska after her State recognized Juneteenth.''

At an award ceremony at the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, founder Rabbi David Baron said: ``Reverend Dr. Ronald V. Myers is an outstanding living model of all the values for which Martin Luther King stood.''

Thanks to Steve Williams, who has carried on Dr. Myers' work; and my staffer, Dr. Caleb Gilchrist, who has worked closely with him.

Thank you, Dr. Myers, and may you rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday to celebrate the ending of the most horrific period and the most horrific policy and practices this Nation has ever known: slavery.

I heard one of my colleagues suggest a moment ago that perhaps the cost of Juneteenth is not known. I guarantee you, Madam Speaker, that whatever the cost, it will not come close to the cost of slavery.

Juneteenth is the recognition that darkness can come to light and that there is a celebration as my forefathers and -mothers struggled to endure the horror they experienced. So, celebrating Juneteenth as a national holiday is simply an idea whose time has come.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to vote for the resolution.

Madam Speaker, Rev. Ronald V. `Doc' Myers, Sr., M.D. (February 29, 1956--September 7, 2018), was the first ordained and commissioned medical missionary to America's poorest region, the Mississippi Delta, by the Wisconsin Baptist Pastors Conference and Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, in Milwaukee, in 1990.

Rev. Myers was the founder of numerous medical and cultural organizations and a committed physician serving the poorest Americans through clinics in Tchula, Belzoni, Yazoo City, Indianola, Greenville and Tupelo, Mississippi. `Doc' was also a jazz musician, composer and human rights activist. The New York Times stated, ``There aren't many doctors like Ronald Myers, a jazz-playing, Baptist-preaching, family practitioner whose dream has always been to practice medicine in the kind of place most other doctors wouldn't even stop for a tank of gas.''

In 1994 a group of community leaders from across the country gathered at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans, to work for greater national recognition of Juneteenth, a holiday celebrating the end of slavery. Myers was elected Chairman of this advocacy effort which lead to the establishment of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and his recognition as the leader of the ``Modern Juneteenth Movement'' in America. Doc was instrumental in the passage of 45 of the 49 state and District of Columbia's pieces of legislation naming Juneteenth as a Day of Observance in this country.

Working with the Black Congressional Caucus which included Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Representative Danny Davis, he sought legislation to recognize Juneteenth Independence, hosting the annual Juneteenth Prayer Breakfasts. He established the Washington Juneteenth National Holiday Observance and the National Day of Reconciliation & Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement, which includes the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust ``Maafa'' Memorial Service.

Dr. Myers organized the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters, and the Fellowship of Creative Christian Jazz Musicians. Under his leadership, the Washington Juneteenth Congressional Event was held by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Juneteenth America, Inc. & the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters.

An accomplished jazz pianist, trumpeter and composer, Myers performed across the country promoting ``June Is Black Music Month!''-- Celebrating Juneteenth Jazz--``Preserving Our African American Jazz Legacy!''

For over 20 years, Doc met with state politicians, local Juneteenth organizations and community leaders

Charles Taylor, author of Juneteenth said, ``Doc would give a copy of my Juneteenth book to every governor who made Juneteenth a holiday or observance. He even gave Sarah Palin a copy when she was the governor of Alaska after her state recognized Juneteenth.''

At an award ceremony of the Beverly Hills Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, founder Rabbi David Baron said, ``Reverend Dr. Ronald V. Myers is an outstanding living model of all the values for which Martin Luther King stood.''

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mrs. Charlotte Hodder on her retirement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, where she was hired as a nurse consultant on February 5, 1995.

Mrs. Hodder is a veteran of the United States Army, where she was a Specialist-E-4 from August 25, 1975 to January 22, 1980. Mrs. Hodder was in the Women's Army Corps, which in 1978 merged into the U..S. Army. They were the first female soldiers that had to qualify with a rifle. During basic training, she was assigned as a permanent Squad Leader. In this role, she was responsible for supervising, motivating and maintaining accountability and ensuring soldier readiness.

Mrs. Hodder was trained in several areas, including Quartermaster or Warehouse Specialist, Audio Visual Specialist and Office Management Specialist. As a Quartermaster Specialist, she was trained to track, pack, and ship items that others needed. As an Audio-Visual Specialist, she was trained to track, pack, ship, and prepare training material that military units needed to train their personnel. She also maintained the equipment needed to show the training material on. As an Office Management Specialist, she was assigned overseas for two years. During these two years, she handled the Official Government Mail and encrypted messages for her base. She wrote the Operations Manual for how to handle the classified mail, encrypted messages, and personnel management. During her time as an Office Management Specialist, she was assigned to work in the Base Commander's building for most of her tour of duty. In addition, she was assigned as the main company clerk for the Supply Company for a few weeks. This involved ensuring that the company correspondence and any personnel concerns were continually being processed. The opportunity to spend two years overseas, enhanced her ability to adapt to adverse situations, communicate with others in an effective manner, and to be continually aware of cultural differences. She received an Army Commendation Medal for her exceptional contribution to their Mission.

During her time in the Military, she was selected as Soldier of the Month in Fort Stewart, GA, and Camp Carroll, South Korea. This honor was received after stiff competition in front of Senior Military Enlisted soldiers. The competition involves presenting oneself in proper Military Uniform, answering several questions regarding the Military and current events. Her competition for Soldier of the Month at Ft. Stewart, GA consisted of Male Infantry Soldiers who had training for combat roles. The General, as the most senior management, of this base were quite impressed when she was selected.

``May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.''

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Sheila Jackson Lee for reminding us what a difference 100 years make. But, you know, 100 years or so ago, there was a race riot in Searcy, Arkansas. Thousands of African Americans were murdered.

A little more than 100 years ago, there was a riot in Chicago, Illinois, where hundreds of African Americans were injured. But then 100 years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Black Wall Street, a community where people had labored, worked hard, seriously put everything into it that they could, was destroyed. Yet in my town, there is a John Rogers, who is a descendant. His great grandfather owned the hotel.

John Hope Franklin, the great historian, his relatives were part of that massacre and the events surrounding it. So Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, thank you for reminding us that we can never forget and never go back.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. I also want to commend her for her outstanding leadership of her committee. I also want to take a moment to commend my colleague who has been championing D.C. statehood before I even came to Congress.

You know, I have listened intently to all of the arguments, and it always gets back to one: How are the people in D.C. more likely to vote? Are they are going to vote more likely Democratic? Are they going to vote for Democrats?

Well, let me tell you, I have got people in my district who vote Republican. Can you imagine that? They vote Republican. But we don't deny them the right to vote, and we don't deny them the right to representation.

All that we are seeking and all that we are asking for is simply the principle of no taxation without representation. I think we learned that in grammar school when we took U.S. history, when we first learned how great this country is and how great it can be.

I look forward to the people of Washington, D.C., having all rights of citizenship as a member of a State, voting in the greatest State in the country when it becomes one, Washington, D.C.

Madam Speaker, Bishop Charles E. Davis was born in Leland, Mississippi in 1923, he graduated from high school in 1940 and migrated to Chicago, Illinois. In 1940 at the age of 19, he joined the military and participated in World War II.

In the military, Charles Edward Davis spent time in France, Holland, and Germany. He was a good soldier and attained the rank of Sergeant. After the war, he returned to Chicago and with his friend James McDonald, they opened an upholstery business and through his friendship with the McDonald Family he was introduced to the Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church. He was welcomed into Indiana Avenue by Elder Charles Ellis and enjoyed going there and being with the people.

After the passing of Elder Ellis the new Pastor Elder Odee Akins recognized the leadership abilities of the young man and assigned him to leadership roles. He served as Sunday School Superintendent, Young Peoples Leader and President of the Senior Choir, all of the time growing in spirituality and experiencing the call to preach.

In 1970, Elder Charles E. Davis was elected Pastor of the Indiana Avenue Pentecostal Church after the death of Elder Atkins. He soon resigned from his job at Hart, Schaftner and Marx and became a full- time Pastor and the rest became history.

The church grew, new programs were established, community outreach took place, the church acquired property in the area as both Elder Davis and the church rose in religious, social, and political circles.

Elder Charles Davis and his wife of 43 years Geraldine Olivia Davis were actively involved in all aspects of community life and in 1986 he was elevated to Bishop.

After the death of his wife Geraldine he was blessed to wed again in 2004, to his second wife Dr. Jessie Bell Ray and they continued to provide great leadership until his death and being on earth for 98 years Bishop Charles Edwards Davis went home to meet his maker, May He Rest In Peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Mrs. Lottie Mae Smith, a lover of children, an outstanding resident, and a true Christian spirit. Mrs. Smith was born in Lake Village, Arkansas, a few miles from where I was born, raised and grew up. Mrs. Smith like many others who grew up in rural Southeast, Arkansas migrated to Chicago, Illinois seeking a better life. Mrs. Smith confessed Christ at an early age in Lake Village where she was a member of the Woodson Temple Church. Once in Chicago she united with True Vine Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend C.L. Cavers where she served on the Mother's Board and the Pastor's Aide Ministry. She initially worked as a Cashier at Market Basket Super Market but because of her love for children she switched careers and worked as a Nanny for the rest of her career until retirement. Lottie was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She married the love of her life Chuck Smith in 1972 and they were inseparable. She leaves to mourn her daughters Loretta K. Brady, Jovanda Schafrik and Charlene Markham and Godson Larry Young, a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of Chicago's brightest lights who recently passed away at the age of 97, Mr. Herman Roberts. The Chicago Sun-Times wrote that Herman Roberts came to Chicago with nothing during the ``Great Migration and ended up a tycoon''. At one time or another he owned 35 taxis, eight motels, a nightclub, which swung with some of the world's greatest stars, a bowling alley, a skating rink, and oil wells on a 2000-acre ranch in Oklahoma. Mr. Roberts grew up as one of six children in Beggs, Oklahoma, around his age of about 12 his family moved to Chicago where he went to Burke Elementary and Englewood High School on the southside of the city. After high school he went into the taxicab business and built a fleet in the Black Community when and where white owned cabs usually would not transport Black patrons. In the early 1950's he opened his first lounge, the Lucky Spot and a few years later The Roberts Show Lounge in a garage building where he had once housed his taxicabs. Mr. Roberts was a genius at booking and showmanship. Stars like Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis Jr., Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Red Foxx, Moms Mabley, Dick Gregory and others were regular features. In 1960, he built his first motel on 63rd Street, then six more. In 1974, he installed a removable stage in the parking lot and brought in stars like Count Basie, Billy Eckstine, Ramsey Lewis, Della Reese and Nipsey Russell to name a few. Mr. Roberts did not only spend time looking after his business in Chicago; but also spent time at the ranch in Oklahoma. At its peak his ranch had several oil wells, 100 horses, pigs, French breed of cattle and peacocks. In addition to everything else that Mr. Roberts was and did, the Roberts Motel 500 Room was a major launching pad for the official kick off of The Harold Washington Campaign for Mayor which changed Chicago Politics forever. I say congratulations to Mr. Herman Roberts on all his outstanding achievements and thanks to his children and grandchildren for keeping his legacy and spirit alive, especially to his daughter Sharla Roberts, Director of Procurement Diversity at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Mr. Speaker, this is the day that millions of Americans have been waiting for, and now it is here.

This is the day that we get serious about cutting child poverty in half, about putting millions of doses in the arms of people, vaccinations that they will get.

This is the day when individuals know that their unemployment check is coming. They have hope because now they can pay their rent, pay the mortgage, buy the baby milk, get the automobile repaired.

This is the day that the pastor at my church would say that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I say this is the day that we restore the economy of America and save our Nation.