Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Metra Commuter Railroad as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Over the last four decades, Mara has provided hundreds of millions of rides to its passengers while gaining a reputation for timeliness, reliability, and safety. At its inception in 1984. Metra faced multiple challenges. It inherited an underinvested rail system and was immediately tasked with addressing a history of unstandardized fares and services in addition to stabilizing struggling private rail lines. Through acquisitions, subsidizations. and streamlining of services, Metra delivered on unifying commuter rail across the Chicago region.

Though Metra still faces steep funding challenges for its capital and operational needs, it remains a steady, reliable source of transportation for its riders. It continues to rebuild and replace downtown stations, outlying stations, track and signals, and other infrastructure. Metra has purchased new locomotives and railcars, modernized and expanded service, and has survived through underground floods, polar vortexes, and a global pandemic.

I commend Metra's workers for continuing to provide rides every day to my constituents, and I thank Metra's leadership for continuing to push innovation in Chicago's commuter rail system. I congratulate Metra on its 40th anniversary and look forward to many more years of reliable commuter rail service.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I thank Dr. Burgess for his tremendous advocacy on this and other legislative initiatives designed to improve the quality of health and healthcare in America.

Mr. Speaker, the consequences and complications of sickle cell disease are extreme. According to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, they have studied and reported that common complications with this disease include early childhood death from infection; stroke in young children and adults; lung problems similar to pneumonia; chronic damage to organs, including the kidney, leading to kidney failure, and to the lungs, causing pulmonary hypertension; and severe painful episodes. In fact, pain episodes are a hallmark of sickle cell disease.

More than 2.5 million Americans have the sickle cell trait. The sickle cell trait is found in 1 in 12 African Americans. There is a one in four chance that a child born to parents who both have the sickle cell trait will develop the sickle cell disease. The average lifespan for an adult with sickle cell disease is 45 years. The sickle cell disease affects an estimated 100,000 Americans, primarily African Americans, Hispanics, and other ethnic groups.

Mr. Speaker, I would also note that the devastation of this disease on those who are affected by it is, indeed, tremendous. I have had firsthand experience with it by virtue of having run a sickle cell community education project for the University of Illinois in Chicago and encountered many of the patients and their families. I saw the pain and suffering firsthand.

In 2004, Senator James Talent and I, along with our colleagues in Congress, introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Act, a bill designed to do more to improve the treatment and prevention of sickle cell disease. Specifically, as part of the American Jobs Creation Act, this bill was enacted.

In the 115th Congress, Senators Tim Scott and Cory Booker, Representative Michael Burgess, Representative G.K. Butterfield, and I sponsored the House companion bill to the Senate and supported a bipartisan and bicameral bill, S. 2465-enacted, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2018. This reauthorized law had continued to improve the treatment and preventive measures to reduce the risk

factors of sickle cell disease, especially for the data collection part, which is the heart of the surveillance program in the law. This law expired in late 2023.

H.R. 3884, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023, is a bipartisan bill by Representatives Dr. Michael Burgess; myself, Danny Davis; Representative Buddy Carter; and Barbara Lee. It is a companion bill to the Senate version S. 1852 by Senators Tim Scott, Cory Booker, and Raphael Warnock.

H.R. 3884 would extend the reauthorization of the sickle cell disease treatment demonstration program through FY 2028 that supports efforts to improve treatment, reduce risk and complications, and cure this disease.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary philanthropist and humanitarian.

A few weeks ago, Chicago lost one of our city's most esteemed benefactors, Ann Lurie. Originally from Florida, Ann chose Chicago, and specifically the Seventh Congressional District, as her home in 1973.

For over 27 years, I have had the honor of representing the nearly 800,000 people in the Seventh District, one of the Nation's largest and most diverse.

Throughout this time, Ann Lurie and her husband, Robert, were steadfast supporters and catalysts for change within our community.

Chicago is a city where people are inclined to do things their way, and Ann was no exception. Her way meant making a profound difference, leaving nearly everything she touched better than she found it.

I had the privilege of knowing and working with Ann for over 40 years. I witnessed firsthand her unwavering dedication to healthcare, education, and social justice. Her impact extended far beyond Chicago, reaching communities around the world.

Ann funded countless initiatives in the Seventh District. Her philanthropic journey began with her roots as a pediatric nurse, which laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to improving healthcare.

Her transformative $100 million donation to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago made an indelible mark on our city, creating a beacon of hope and healing for countless children and families and establishing Chicago as a national center of medical innovation and excellence.

Ann profoundly impacted education through her support for institutions like the University of Michigan and Northwestern University by funding scholarships and research programs.

She opened doors for countless students, fostering the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

Ann's philanthropy was characterized by personal engagement. She was not a passive donor but a hands-on advocate, often traveling to see the projects she funded firsthand to ensure her contributions were making the intended impact.

The level of involvement spoke volumes about her character and the sincerity of her mission, making her a truly inspiring figure.

Through the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation, Ann championed global health initiatives from building rural schools in Ethiopia to supporting healthcare infrastructure in Kenya.

Her efforts in Human Rights Watch in the Horn of Africa underscored her commitment to advocating for the often voiceless, ensuring that fundamental human rights and dignities are upheld, even in the most challenging circumstances. Her compassion and humanitarianism were immense, and many of her local contributions had a global impact.

Mr. Speaker, Ann Lurie's philanthropy is a shining example of the profound difference one individual can make in the world.

Her work is a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and unwavering belief in the potential for positive change.

Her passing is a tremendous loss, not just for the causes she championed but for the lives she touched. She showed us that authentic leadership is about more than what one achieves for oneself. It is also about what one does for others.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones as we honor her life, her legacy, and her work.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding nurse practitioner who is a dear friend of mine, who passed away a few days ago. Her name is Margaret Davis, and people would often ask if she was a relative, and I would always say: No, but I wish that she was.

She was, indeed, one of the most effective nurses I have ever known during my lifetime. She was also one of the most intellectual persons I have ever known.

So we simply express condolences to her family and friends and cite her work as president of the Black Nurses Association in the city of Chicago.

Margaret, you have done well. Rest in peace.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5861, the BRIDGE for Workers Act. I am glad to see that the House is moving forward to ensure that State reemployment service programs serve the workers who can benefit from most of them, as we intended in our original bipartisan legislation.

The Ways and Means Committee reported out this bill nearly a year ago, and I hope we can work together to finally enact it this year. As you know, this important technical clarification first passed our committee, and then the full House on an overwhelming, bipartisan vote in 2019, and Senate Republicans prevented it from becoming law.

Our economic recovery has been historically strong, both in comparison to past recessions and compared to our peer countries. The right policies in the Biden-Harris American Rescue Plan Act resulted in strong GDP growth. Americans are back at work and earning higher wages than they were before. Inflation, which was always lower than in our peer countries, appears to be leveling off.

American workers are the heart of our strong economy, and the best way to preserve and grow it is to ensure that they can get and keep good jobs while also caring for their families. Research shows one way we can help people go back to work faster is to ensure that they get simple services like job market information or resume help.

This bipartisan legislation, which I was proud to work with the gentleman

from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) to introduce and move ahead, is key to ensuring that the right workers get these job-finding supports. Even a week or two of getting a paycheck instead of an unemployment benefit makes a difference for a household budget.

I hope this bill is just the first effort to provide commonsense help so that Americans can work and support their families. A good next step would be to enact universal paid family and medical leave and guaranteed childcare. It is an embarrassment that some continue to block enactment of these essential supports that all other developed countries provide.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues to support workers and enact this bipartisan bill before the end of the year. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1146, the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act, as amended.

This bill builds on existing HHS guidance to ensure that States understand their grave responsibilities when youth go missing from foster care. It would require HHS to determine whether States are in full compliance with the law and guidance and also to identify best practices and provide technical support to States so that they can do better by our youth.

Our committee worked closely with HHS to update the original guidance and then advanced, last year, the bipartisan House companion bill, H.R. 2426.

Taking a child into foster care is a last resort, something that we should do only if a child cannot live safely at home even with services or support. Once a State takes custody of a child, they must keep that child safe and act in the child's best interest. There is no higher obligation than keeping a child safe in our care.

We know that children who run away from foster care are not safe. They are disproportionately likely to be homeless or to fall prey to sex traffickers and other predators. They often struggle with mental health challenges or substance abuse.

To our shame, many youth who run away from foster care also were not safe before they ran away. They ran away because they were placed in an unsafe home or separated from siblings and other family members.

This amended version of S. 1146 addresses that issue by requiring HHS to study and learn more about how to prevent the situation that causes youth to flee.

In crafting this bipartisan additional study requirement, I was fortunate to consult Bryan Samuels and the able team at Chapin Hall in my city of Chicago. Their deep expertise and prior work on this topic informed our thinking.

I take great pride in our committee's bipartisan work to strengthen families and protect vulnerable foster youth over the years, including the landmark Family First Prevention Services Act and the strong bill to reauthorize and invest in child welfare services that we are also considering today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act and continue to work together to advance thoughtful legislation to help our most vulnerable youth and families.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Brown).

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

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith and Chairman LaHood for their work and their assistance in moving this bill that would require HHS to determine whether States are in full compliance with the law when youth go missing from foster care, and also to identify best practices and provide technical support to States so that they can better serve these young people in our care and need our help.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Supporting America's Children and Families Act which now includes two bipartisan bills reported out of the Ways and Means Committee. The first bill would improve and invest in the child welfare services funded under title IV-B of the Social Security Act. The second bill would ensure that State and Tribal child support agencies can continue their work collecting child support obligations.

I thank Chairman LaHood and Chairman Smith for their hard work and willingness to work with all of us to reauthorize and improve title IV- B of the Social Security Act. I am delighted that today we advance this important bipartisan step forward for our most vulnerable children and families.

This bill would increase guaranteed funding for the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program for the first time since 2006, providing meaningful new resources to make sure that all children are in safe, loving, and permanent homes.

The bill includes good ideas from Members on both sides of the aisle and from the experts who work with us to prioritize child well-being in our work. Indeed, 228 national, State, and local organizations support this bill.

The bill provides modest but critical funding for services all along the child welfare continuum. In addition to providing essential new funding for both State and Tribal child welfare agencies to support families, this bill includes numerous, significant investments and policy updates that improve child safety and well-being.

For example, it invests in aiding kinship caregivers in finding needed resources and in evidence-based programs that successfully help parents

overcome substance abuse disorders to safely care for their children.

It increases funding for Tribal child welfare programs while respecting Tribal sovereignty and monitoring State engagement with the Indian Child Welfare Act. It updates our policies to help ensure that parents and children have access to independent legal representation in child welfare court proceedings, a key factor to address racial disparities in child welfare.

This bill also provides for a new demonstration project to promote meaningful relationships between foster youth and their incarcerated parents. I have personally witnessed the power of these relationships to change lives for both children and parents, and I thank Chairman LaHood and my colleagues for working with me to help these families.

In addition, the bill amends section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code to bring parity to Tribal and State child support services agencies and to ensure that State agencies can continue their work.

I recognize the leadership of Representatives Gwen Moore, Suzan DelBene, and Kevin Hern on these provisions. I know that agencies across the country and in my home State of Illinois are eager for us to enact this provision quickly to resolve a longstanding discrepancy in interpretation about the use and definition of contractors assisting child support agencies. The bill strengthens the ability of State, Tribal, and local child support agencies to serve families.

Both the substance of this bill and the true collaboration in both policy areas, child welfare and child support, represent a great step forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support its passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore), one of the most serious antipoverty advocates that I know.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman Smith and Chairman LaHood for their partnership on this important bill that would improve and invest in child welfare services under title IV- B and ensure that State and Tribal support agencies can continue their work. I think all of our committee can be seriously proud of this bipartisan work. It has been a pleasure working with the chair and Mr. LaHood.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this very important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1432, the VETT Act. Veterans service organizations provide vital and integral support to our servicemembers in their local communities.

This bill updates outdated rules in the tax code, and in doing so, ensures that Americans have the needed incentives to support these organizations that serve those who served our country.

By providing equal treatment to veterans that served in war and those who served in peacetime, we are ensuring that VSOs are able to grow and maintain their memberships without having to risk losing their ability to receive tax deductible charitable donations.

Mr. Speaker, if there is any group in our country, in our society that deserves all of the effort that we can put forth to make sure that they receive the fairest of treatment in terms of what they have done to serve our country, this is something I think we owe them all.

I support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues for their work on this legislation, especially Mr. Panetta and Dr. Wenstrup.

Again, if there is any group who could expect and should expect the greatest efforts to make sure that they are protected, it is our veterans.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act is sponsored by Dr. Wenstrup and Representative Earl Blumenauer. I thank my colleague Dr. Wenstrup and my friend Earl Blumenauer for their tireless work in healthcare and on healthcare issues.

As Earl prepares to retire, I recognize that he has long been a champion for improving care and services for those with chronic illnesses. I will miss his leadership on the Ways and Means Committee and in Congress.

While I voted against the bill in committee, I do understand the principle about trying to protect people from high out-of-pocket costs. This bill codifies the safe harbor for preventive services for high- deductible plans that offer additional preventive benefits predeductible.

Given that the bill codifies the regulation, it is not making a new policy or giving Americans any protections they don't currently enjoy.

While I understand the desire to help workers stuck in high- deductible plans, we really need to look at the impact high-deductible plans are having on patients and families and how they contribute to medical debt.

More than 100 million Americans are saddled with medical debt that can often be as a result of plans with high deductibles. We know out- of-pocket costs deter Americans from getting the care that they need, and we must change that.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Kelly. I am pleased to join with all my colleagues as we recall, remember, and reflect one of the most profound individuals who has ever served in the House of Representatives.

Can you imagine what it would be like to sit between Linda Sanchez and Bill Pascrell for 12 years or more? One side, the other side.

Bill had all of the attributes of a great teacher, and that is great teachers learn how to use theater, humor, and profound knowledge to hold the attention of whatever it is that they are trying to reach. You never had to worry about people listening to Bill Pascrell, and you never had to wonder where he stood or where he was going or where he had been. It was just great for me to sit there and drink from the fountain.

I would listen to Bill, and that would often give me a little bit of direction in terms of where I wanted to go. It was an honor, a pleasure, and a great joy to be his seat mate.

To his family, to his staff, I would see the staff come and bring him notes. He would look at the note and then ball it up, and hold it in his hand because he knew what he was going to say. He knew what he was going to do, and that is what he did.

Great guy. Great pal, Bill Pascrell.

Mr. Speaker, as we commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18th, I take this moment to honor the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid and civil rights activist. Mandela's lifetime commitment to fighting on behalf of marginalized groups in South Africa and the world is the reason for Nelson Mandela International Day. This day should reflect the values and integrity we should have in advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable.

Nelson Mandela International Day was first Declared by the United Nations in 2009. The day reminds us never to get complacent about today's injustices and to fight for tomorrow's freedoms. With its timeless message of equality and justice, Mandela's legacy should serve as a call to action for our youth to pursue equitable justice, especially when democracy is under attack. In the words of Mandela, ``To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.''

Mandela's tenacity and struggle against systemic injustice under South African apartheid are world-renowned. His influence transcends borders, inspiring a global civil rights and social justice movement. Despite Mandela's many accomplishments and distinguished honors, such as a Nobel Peace Prize, his journey to becoming a celebrated civil rights leader

was not achieved overnight. As a youth, Mandela developed his passion for organizing in school, leading movements against racial discrimination and cultivating relationships between White and Black activists. Mandela's unwavering commitment to justice and equality led to his 27-year imprisonment as well to being the first democratically- elected president in South Africa.

Although much of Mandela's work toward justice is in South Africa, his story parallels civil rights struggles in America, both past and present. For example, Chicago continues to experience the impact of deliberate racial redlining from the past. Housing discrimination, such as redlining, led to segregation in Chicago, lower property values in minority communities, lower-funded schools, and systemic inequalities.

We should remember Mandela for his revolutionary acts against systemic injustice and his ability to unite people to dismantle oppressive institutions. Challenging the status quo and pursuing freedom for all has never been easy; it wasn't easy for the Montogomery Bus Boycott protesters fighting segregation nor was it easy for Mandela. It isn't easy now as our country faces the choice between democracy or dictatorship. However, the desire to live in a more just and equal society spurs our fight despite the trials and tribulations we must face. Celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day inspires our collective effort to advance equality that will bring about the change we seek.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach National Black Women's Equal Pay Day on July 27th, I wish to take a moment to recognize the valuable work that Black and African American women in the United States have done to make this country what it is today and to reaffirm the importance of paying them--and everyone fairly regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or disability.

Black women are an essential part of our Nation's fabric and workforce--hard workers who spur our Nation's economic growth despite experiencing barriers to equity and discrimination, which are compounded by the color of their skin as well as their gender.

A primary goal of Black Women's Equal Pay Day is to raise awareness about the gender pay gap that limits the economic mobility of Black women. Goldman Sachs research as part of its Black Womenomics initiative makes clear the multiple ways Black women experience these economic gaps: the wage gap between Black and White women increased from

10 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2019; Black women are less likely to have a bank account or to work full-time, salaried jobs; and Black women report living paycheck to paycheck and being burdened by medical debt and student loans relative to their income. Further, these wealth disparities are associated with health and well-being disparities, with Black women being more likely to experience poorer health and live shorter lives.

The inequitable treatment of African American women in the workforce goes counter to the American values that make our country great. To continue pursuing equality for all, I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that addresses sex discrimination, limits hiring bias, and equips people--especially marginalized groups--with the tools to successfully negotiate their wages. I also am an original co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 97 that recognizes the importance of equal pay and sheds light on wage disparities between men and women.

All workers in the richest nation on Earth should be paid fairly, and Black women deserve to receive their fair share of economic growth. I will continue to fight to create equitable pay opportunities for Black women and all workers. We must reject policies that keep Black women and other workers in a state of economic subservience.

Together, we can commemorate Black Women's Equal Pay Day as evidence of our commitment to pursuing social justice that will one day lead to a more equal society.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on July 8th and 9th as I needed to attend the funeral services of a close friend.

Had I been present for the following roll call votes, I would have voted Aye on:

Roll Call No. 336, July 8, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 897, Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act;

Roll Call No. 337, July 8, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 5441, Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act;

Roll Call No. 340, July 9, 2024: On Motion to Recommit--H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and

Roll Call No. 342, July 9, 2024: On Motion to Recommit--H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act.

Had I been present for the following roll call votes, I would have voted No on:

Roll Call No. 338, July 9, 2024: On Ordering the Previous Question H. Res. 1341, Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 8281, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; H.R. 8772, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025; H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act; H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and the joint resolution H.J. Res. 165;

Roll Call No. 339, July 9, 2024: On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 1341, Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 8281, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; H.R. 8772, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025; H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act; H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and the joint resolution H.J. Res. 165;

Roll Call No. 341, July 9, 2024: On Passage--H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and

Roll Call No. 343, July 9, 2024: On Passage--H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act.

Mr. Speaker, as we end the 2024 session of the Supreme Court and prepare for students to return to school, I wish to reaffirm the need for race-conscious decisions in higher education to ensure that students of color receive fair consideration in admissions.

Affirmative action is an important equity tool to counteract the effects of discrimination and structural barriers to education facing students of color, a tool that emerged from the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy first established affirmative action to promote racial equality and prevent unfair labor practices through an executive order in 1961 that created the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 went further to prohibit discrimination and promote equal opportunity based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Subsequent executive orders, laws, and holdings by the Supreme Court supported race- and gender-conscious actions to address discrimination and enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The consideration of race in college admissions promotes equal treatment without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. The resulting campus diversity is a crucial element of quality higher education. Diversity curates higher learning opportunities and fosters a sense of belonging for traditionally-marginalized communities. Research shows that a strong sense of belonging has many positive outcomes for students, including improved persistence, retention, grades, and health. Diversity in higher education expands perspectives, promotes innovation, and prepares students to interact with our diverse citizenry.

One year ago, the Supreme Court gutted 50 years of race-conscious admissions in higher education with its decision in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and the Fellows of Harvard. In a 6-3 decision, the extremist-dominated court ruled that affirmative action violated equal protection under the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment manifested new freedom and rights at the federal level by establishing ``equal protection under the laws'' for all American citizens regardless of race. Shockingly and offensively, the conservative- dominated court manipulated an amendment intended to cultivate racial equality to stifle programs that correct systemic racial discrimination. I firmly agree with Justices Jackson and Sotomayor who opposed the ruling. Justice Sotomayor warned that ``. . . racial inequality will persist in educational institutions so long as it is ignored.'' Justice Jackson noted the contradictory nature of the absence of race in admissions decisions but not in military academies, prioritizing racial inclusion for military benefit rather than educational enrichment.

The 7th District of Illinois, Chicago, and Illinois are home to millions of families whose children deserve the same access to higher education opportunities that privileged individuals enjoy. Extremists' attacks on race-conscious admissions jeopardizes the future educational opportunities of Black and Brown children. A colorblind approach to the college admissions process does not acknowledge the entrenched racial struggles that minorities face in America. When institutions fail to acknowledge race, they fail to recognize the barriers to education associated with race that can perpetuate racial inequality in higher education. The Supreme Court's promotion of a colorblind society serves to protect the wealthy and well-connected.

I vow to fight for equal opportunity and justice. We must protect the tools that are key to securing our civil rights--like race-conscious admissions, free and fair elections, and voter protections--to ensure that our nation's progress in civil rights does not reverse. Advancement toward racial equality cannot be made without consideration of race.

Mr. Speaker, to the immediate and extended family, staff, friends, supporters, constituents, colleagues, and well- wishers of my dear friend, colleague, comrade, political ally, and our senior representative on the Cook County Board, I rise to honor Dr. Dennis Deer.

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ and I am sure that he has already said to Dennis, welcome home my good and faithful servant. I have known the Deer Family for more than fifty years when I met and worked with his parents; father Herman, Mother Shirley and their neighbors who founded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center in North Lawndale on West Greenshaw Street, they lived on Greenshaw Street, it was one of the first of ten centers of its kind in the United States, now there are fourteen hundred and they are servicing more than 30 million low and moderate income individuals. Of course, that portion of Greenshaw Street is now Honorary Shirley Deer Way. I lived on West Greenshaw Street. Dennis grew up around community activism and politics. He took to it like a duck takes to water, attended George W. Collins High School where my wife taught, my friends were principals, teachers and administrators. He went off to college, returned home, earned additional college degrees, married his high school sweetheart, wonderful wife Barbara, settled in the community, they have three children and he became a leader, worked with President Bobbie Steele, Commissioner Bob Steele, the Turner Family, the Scott Family, Lawndale Christian and the Faith Community to help bring the North Lawndale Community back to a state of optimistic redevelopment and it is on a roll.

Dr. Deer's service has been simply outstanding, he was an effective legislator, helped promote and pass Second Chance, helped nationalize the idea that gun violence is a Public Health Crisis, he was an outstanding community leader, he was the most loyal, most trustworthy and most likeminded political ally I have ever had, he was my friend and a representative of the people. He was also an outstanding businessman before becoming a County Commissioner, I remember when we took a business delegation to the Arab Emirates and Dennis was meeting with Warren Buffett and other top businesspersons in our country. Yes, our friend and brother from West Grenshaw Street has moved on but he has left an indelible mark on the North Lawndale Community and on Government in Cook County that can and will never be erased or forgotten. Yes, Brother Dennis, he has been the best, he has done the best.

Now, yes, we will keep working to keep the candles lit and the fires burning. May he be at peace.