Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, during an evening series of votes on July 30, 2013 on amendments to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2014, (H.R. 2610), I intended to vote ``no'' on the McClintock Amendment, but inadvertently voted ``yes''. This amendment would zero out the appropriation for the Essential Air Service account (a cut of $100 million).

Mr. Speaker, during an evening series of votes on July 24, 2013, on amendments to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act FY2014 (H.R. 2397), I intended to vote ``yes'' on the Amash/Conyers Amendment (rollcall No. 412), but inadvertently voted ``no''. This amendment would require the government to limit its collection of the records to those that actually pertain to the subject of a duly authorized investigation. The National Security Agency and other agencies would still retain their authority to collect specific records under Section 215, however, blanket collection of telephone records would end. I strongly support both protecting our country and preserving our civil liberties.

Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York. It is really an honor and a privilege to stand here with him as one of the freshmen Members in the 113th Congress to discuss an issue that has plagued this Nation for centuries.

I am here tonight to talk to you about an issue that has interested me for most of my life, and it is the issue around people having respect for one another, irrespective of their racial makeup.

I grew up in Newark, New Jersey, which is a town, the largest city in the State of New Jersey, with many suburbs surrounding that metropolis, and our travels in and out of those communities were fraught at some times with peril for young men. So that was 40 years ago.

But fast-forward to the past 18 months, and what do we have? We have the same situation still before us. A young boy armed with a bag of candy and a drink is profiled and followed. The car follows him, and then the individual gets out of the car and follows the young man on foot.

Now, at 17, I wonder how I would have felt if a car had followed me, a grown man gets out of the car and continues to follow me. It is a situation that I have thought about over the past 18 months because of my triplet children. Two are boys who just turned 15, so they're right around Trayvon Martin's age. And I wonder: Have I taught them enough to be safe? Will they find themselves in this position?

And on hearing the outcome of the verdict that Saturday evening, one of my young sons texted his mother to say what had happened and why had that happened, because we taught them in this Nation that justice prevails. And how the victim becomes the guilty party in a situation like this I still cannot understand, because it became about who and what this young man was and what he had done and what he had been doing rather than the perpetrator following him.

I was fortunate to be in New York during the time of the 100 rallies across the Nation in finding justice for Trayvon Martin. I proudly stood with Trayvon Martin's mother on Saturday, a dignified woman.

In all of this crisis and sorrow there must be in her heart, she's remained a dignified individual and only asked for justice for her son; not that people should act out in a manner in which

the masses thought that they would, but to have a peaceful demonstration about the injustices that came out of that case.

Stand your ground. Did Trayvon Martin have the right to stand his ground? He was the one that was being followed. He was the one being profiled. When did he lose the right to defend himself?

We are in a difficult time here in this country, but it seems like we always get to this point at some time and we start the conversation, but we never finish it. We need to have an open discussion about the conditions that we find ourselves in as Americans, all of us. We need to understand both sides of the issue, all sides of the issue so we can move forward with this great experiment called the United States of America.

It is the greatest Nation in the world, it is true, and many come here to live the American Dream. Many nations emulate the United States. But we have a long way to go in this Nation as well. The injustices that we're facing are widespread and threaten some of the most fundamental rights of this country.

So I ask my colleagues, let's have that discussion. I ask the citizens of the United States, let's have that discussion so we can form that more perfect Union.

I have had situations in my life where I've found myself not in the exact situation of Trayvon Martin, but issues of racism that were perpetrated on me. But I'm not bitter towards an entire population. Those were individuals. We have to come to grips with prejudging people in this country.

And I'd just like to end with something Dr. King said:

In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies,

but the silence of our friends.

And my father, the late Congressman Donald Payne, who was a great teacher, humanitarian, and felt all people deserved the right to freedom, justice, and equality, taught me a poem very early on in my life, and I will end with that. It said:

Whether you have blonde fleecy locks or black complexion,

It cannot forfeit nature's claim;

Skin may differ in black and white,

But it is all just the same.

Were I so tall as to reach the poles,

Or span the oceans with my hands;

I must be measured by my soul,

The mind is the standard of a man.

Mr. Speaker, today, I want to wish a happy 95th birthday to President Nelson Mandela and ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the fifth annual Mandela International Day.

It is a day on which we celebrate the incredible dedication of President Mandela and his gifts of leadership to South Africa and to the world. In fact, in the face of extreme adversity, he relentlessly fought for democracy and peace in South Africa, and has become a model of leadership for me and for millions around the globe.

Last night, I had the pleasure of meeting youngsters from all over South Africa at the South Africa-Washington International Program Forum. Because of President Mandela, these youngsters and many others have dedicated themselves to public service and to carrying on his vision of spreading peace, democracy and diversity.

Presidential Mandela has proven that one person can change the tide of oppression, that one person can change the course of an entire country and, in turn, of the entire world. People all around the globe who are suffering from oppression, hatred, and discrimination will forever be grateful for the incredible leadership of Nelson Mandela.

Happy birthday, Madiba.

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

Mr. Speaker, today we honor someone who truly embodied what it means to be a ``public servant,'' former Congressman Bill Gray. Whether it was during his time as a professor, as a Member of Congress, or as President of the United Negro College Fund, Congressman Gray spent his entire life selflessly serving others.

He exemplified the characteristics of a true leader and was a model for all of us here in this chamber. More than anything, Congressman Gray loved Philadelphia, he loved the people he served, and every day he dedicated himself to making the lives of those less fortunate just a little bit better.

Congressman Gray's affinity for education began long before he became President of the United Negro College Fund, when he was teaching in my home State of New Jersey. As a professor of history and religion at St. Peter's College, Jersey City State College, and Montclair State College, he helped change the lives of hundreds of young men and women throughout my district.

This passion for education continued throughout his life as Congressman Gray became a leading advocate in changing the American educational system.

To Congressman Gray, adversity was a welcome challenge. He broke down racial barriers as the first African-American Majority Whip Leader and Chairman of the House Budget Committee. He also led the charge to help end apartheid.

These remarkable achievements paved the way for me and other African American leaders to follow.

Despite his incredible accomplishments in Congress, Congressman Gray never stopped serving and always believed he could do more.

Returning to his true passion--education--Congressman Gray became President of the United Negro College Fund. There, he remarkably helped raise more than half of UNFC's $1.6 billion in funds to help open the door for thousands of African-American students who merely had a dream and the drive to go to college. With Congressman Gray's help, those dreams have been turned into reality.

I am incredibly grateful for Congressman Gray's tireless years of civil service and for being a model of true leadership. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and the people of Philadelphia during this difficult time. Congressman Gray will certainly be missed, but has left a mark on this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, a vote at the ballot box transcends gender, race, religion, and socioeconomic status. Knowing that an 80-year-old veteran, a single mom, or an 18-year-old high school senior voting for the first time has an equal vote and, thus, an equal voice as does a millionaire or billionaire, this is what has separated us and made our Nation great.

Unfortunately, the recent Supreme Court decision to strike down section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is not only a major setback for civil rights and voting rights, but it is a major blow to basic fundamental democracy in this country.

Now is the time for Congress to rise above partisanship and create free and unfettered access to the ballot. Access to the ballot on election day may be one of the only times that the most disadvantaged in our communities have an equal voice, regardless of what they look like or where they come from.

And as a Member who represents some of the most disadvantaged, I am undeterred and will continue to fight so my constituents can have an equal access to the ballot box, from the wealthiest towns to the poorest cities; and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on entrepreneurship in the Black community.

Since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation designating a week in which the country applauds the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. Annually, we recognize the fact that, though they are called ``small businesses,'' there is nothing small about the impact they have on the Nation's economy. Last year, small businesses created nearly 700,000 jobs, accounting for 40 percent of employment gains across companies of all sizes nationwide. So it is fair to say that small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy and that entrepreneurship is still a primary pathway to realizing the American Dream.

This is particularly true in the Black community. The heart of entrepreneurship is opportunity, and, historically, Black entrepreneurship has meant opportunities for equality, equity and a vehicle out of poverty. Throughout the years, Black entrepreneurs have harnessed economic power to strengthen the Black community, create jobs and develop a voice to advocate for the well-being of Blacks in America.

After the Civil War, though employment prospects were slim for former enslaved men, Isaac Myers organized 1,000 black ship caulkers who had lost their jobs in Baltimore. He created a union, bought a shipyard and won a government contract to provide employment for these men.

In 1903, Maggie Lena Walker pooled her community's money to charter the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. This bank was for the community, by the community, and it provided a safe and courteous place to conduct business away from the racism and harsh treatment often encountered in White-owned businesses.

In 1906, a young entrepreneur by the name of Dr. O.W. Gurley bought 40 acres of land in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He created and supported the creation of several businesses which attracted African Americans fleeing the oppression in Mississippi. The area became known as ``Black Wall Street,'' and it was home to several prominent Black businessmen who created jobs and provided a safe haven for African Americans who were banned from other sections of the town.

We well know that Madam C.J. Walker revolutionized black hair care and that she was America's first Black female millionaire. However, she also used her financial power to contribute to anti-lynching campaigns and other efforts to equalize rights for Blacks in America.

These are a few of the countless examples of Black entrepreneurs who, through their businesses and their philanthropic efforts, have empowered the Black community. These efforts, as well as their relevance, continue today.

It is estimated that by the year 2015 Black buying power will be $1.1 trillion. In this economy where the Black unemployment rate is double that of the Whites and where the income and wealth gap persistently intersects with the race gap, Black entrepreneurship is more important than ever in helping the community at large. More than 60 cents out of every dollar spent at local businesses is recirculated into the local economy. So local Black-owned businesses are a true asset to the community.

As a member of the Committee on Small Business, I have worked to strengthen the SBA's lending programs and have increased access to capital for all populations but especially for minorities and women. I will also be introducing two key pieces of legislation to assist small businesses as well. Recognizing the Nation's energy boom and green energy potential, this legislation will ensure that ``green'' small businesses have the resources to grow their businesses and hire more workers, especially in low-income communities. This effort will help Black businesses and other marginalized populations remain competitive in the small business arena.

Small businesses and entrepreneurship fuel the engine for economic growth and opportunity. For the Black community, that means lower unemployment, higher college attendance and completion, and strong outcomes for the present and the future. Consequently, there is no time to waste in getting our small businesses up and running. I will continue to be an outspoken advocate in empowering entrepreneurs to take risks, to pursue their dreams and to continue being an integral part of growing this Nation's economy.

Mr. Speaker, before I take my seat, I would just like to talk a minute about my entrepreneurial experiences back in the mid-seventies, when my uncle, William Payne, a former assemblyman for

the State of New Jersey, created a business in 1969 that manufactured computer forms--the old printed sheets that we used to use that had the holes down the side. I'm sure some of us remember that who are old enough. We were the only African American firm in the Nation in Newark, New Jersey, that manufactured computer forms, and the challenges that my uncle faced in business were great.

He would have to pay for his raw materials ahead of time and was not given the normal net 30 days or 60 days in order to manufacture the product and sell it. He had to come with a certified check, and there was no other reason than the color of his skin. So I understand what it is to have your back against the wall in terms of trying to make it in this Nation. But he persevered, and we were in business for 20 years. I am very proud of that legacy that he left behind. He was hiring people with handicaps back in those days. Our forklift driver was actually hearing impaired--deaf--but he worked. He was a great worker, and he did not let that get in the way of his being a useful person in society and earning his way. We also in the seventies were ahead of the curve in terms of hiring young men who were coming back from prison, far before ``reentry'' was the word of the day.

I am very proud of that legacy and heritage there in Newark, New Jersey, with Urban Data Systems, and that is why I feel so strongly about continuing to support small businesses throughout this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representative to join me as I rise to recognize and honor a dedicated public servant, Trish Morris-Yamba who is retiring from the Newark Day Center after 32 years of service. Mrs. Morris-Yamba's journey to this post encompassed many levels including launching the Livingston College Day Care Center, classroom teacher, principal at the Chen School in Newark, overseeing the Newark Fresh Air fund and Executive Director at the Newark Day Center. As a result of these experiences, Mrs. Morris- Yamba was definitely in a position to make a difference in the lives of our most precious resources, our children.

Mrs. Morris-Yamba attended Rutgers University where she received both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in education. Mrs. Morris-Yamba sought to ensure that Newark's pre-school children received both quality daycare and education. Her influence can be seen in the many programs she spearheaded, like the Fresh Air Fund that sends hundreds of children every year to summer camp and the programs that help seniors, single parents and people out of work or returning to work. Fortunately, for those who had the opportunity to work with her, Mrs. Morris-Yamba was generous with sharing her knowledge and her significant leadership skills.

As Mrs. Morris-Yamba retires, she will be remembered for her belief in fulfilling the needs of the total child. She has a love of learning and is an excellent role model as well as the consummate professional. Mrs. Morris-Yamba has touched the lives of countless children, parents and Newark's senior citizens. Mrs. Morris-Yamba has received many awards during her tenure at the Newark Day Center. I am truly grateful that she chose Newark. I know that to be in an educational environment is to serve with one's heart. Mrs. Morris-Yamba has served the Newark Day Center with her heart and in the process has created a memorable legacy.

Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues agree that Mrs. Trish Morris- Yamba deserves to be recognized for a job well done and for her many years of dedicated service to the Newark community. I am proud to have such a dedicated person in my Congressional district and wish her much success in her future endeavors.

Thank you. I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Smith, for hosting this Special Order today.

Madam Speaker, I come before you today saddened by the passing of a fellow New Jerseyan. He was a dear friend and colleague, the honorable and venerated Senator from New Jersey, Senator Frank Lautenberg.

If anyone could embody the actual definition of the American Dream, it would be Frank Lautenberg. Born the son of Russian and Polish immigrants in Paterson, New Jersey, he grew up during the Great Depression.

When war hit our shores, he bravely served the country he loved in World War II, and he was the last of our Senators to do so.

When he returned home from war, Senator Lautenberg earned his degree on the GI Bill, which he later staunchly advocated for the extension of for our current men and women in uniform.

And never taking for granted the opportunities that lay before him, after his graduation, he and three of his friends, with just an idea and an entrepreneurial spirit, began an extremely successful company, ADP. If you get a payroll check these days, it is likely ADP printed your check. I guess you could say Senator Lautenberg was the proof that anything is possible if you firmly believe in what you're doing and what you put your mind to.

Later, he seamlessly transitioned from CEO of ADP to public servant, often demonstrating determination, grit, and leadership throughout his time in office that came to define Frank Lautenberg.

Throughout his five terms in office, Senator Lautenberg never forgot his roots. He was a committed advocate for the working middle class that he was the product of. As Senator Lautenberg knew best, We've got to open doors and not slam them shut. And he always practiced this outlook, no matter what he set out to achieve.

He tirelessly worked to make health care and higher education more affordable for working and middle class families. Even into his later years, Senator Lautenberg was one of the leading progressives on social issues. Thanks to Senator Lautenberg and his tremendous environmental work, we have cleaner water to drink and cleaner air to breathe.

He also recognized early on the proliferation of gun violence in our communities and the damage it was doing to our children and families. As a champion of gun-safety legislation, he made our neighborhoods a safer place to work and live.

And nothing was going to keep Senator Lautenberg from casting a critical vote on background checks on gun purchases this past spring. Though the late Senator did not get to witness the successful passage of this legislation, the fight in Washington will continue as we carry out the work of Senator Lautenberg's vision to keep our families and our children safer.

In closing, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Bonnie, his daughter who I was able to meet last week, and his grandchildren. I had the honor of attending Senator Lautenberg's final tribute last week, and it was clear from that beautiful ceremony the incredible impact Senator Lautenberg has had on so many lives.

Senator Frank Lautenberg had a love of life and a commitment to the people in New Jersey that will be deeply missed in the Halls of Congress and in New Jersey. He was a great mentor to me, especially as the newest member of the New Jersey delegation. I will forever be grateful for his guidance and for all his tremendous work he did for New Jersey and our great Nation. We owe him an immense debt of gratitude for making New Jersey a better place to live. There is no doubt Senator Lautenberg will certainly be missed.

Thank you to my colleagues from New Jersey and in the House of Representatives.

Once again, I stand here in almost over a year with sorrow in my heart. The New Jersey delegation has lost another great member.

Senator Lautenberg had been an example to me over the course of his career. I'd seen him in many instances in Newark and in other settings, and he always had a common message to young people. It was that there was nothing special about me that you could not do this yourself. If you applied yourself in school, worked hard, honored your country, and did the things that were right, one day you could be in this position as well.

Frank Lautenberg embodies what a New Jerseyan is. So look at his career. Look at his life. He is a true New Jerseyan. He will sorely be missed in this delegation, in this House, in this Congress, and in this country. My condolences to his family on this sad occasion.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on student loans and thank Congressman Jeffries for that kind observation.

Access to quality education is the basis the American Dream. In 1965, the Higher Education Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, a former rural schoolhouse teacher, who fully understood that education is the greatest equalizer.

Since then, student aid in this country has been a springboard that gives hardworking students with low- to moderate-income the opportunity to realize their goals and transcend economic status. The Federal Pell Grant program helps more than 9 million students get to and through college. Unfortunately, while Pell Grants cover a significant portion of tuition, currently it pays for less than one-third of a student's tuition at most 4-year public colleges.

Given rising tuition costs and the decline in family incomes, the importance of financial aid has only increased with time. The cost of college tuition in the U.S. has increased by more than 1,000 percent-- yes, 1,000 percent--since the 1980s. This is more than the growth in the consumer price index. At the same time, the Federal Pell Grant is covering an even smaller percentage of the overall college cost.

As a result, the success of our graduates is being hampered by mounting debt. Two-thirds of college seniors who graduated in 2011 accumulated more than $26,000 in student loan debt. And I am increasingly concerned about New Jersey's graduates, who hold the 10th highest debt among college students in our Nation.

And while the cost of an education rises and the amount of the student debt skyrockets, young people struggle to find work. They've done everything we've asked them to do. They've worked hard, they've gotten an education, but unemployment for young college graduates remains at 8.8 percent.

So our graduates' dreams of making it on their own are stifled. They are forced to put their lives on hold, move back home with their parents, and pinch pennies to pay off their mounting debt. Not only does this debt negatively impact the quality of life for our young people, but it weakens our economy and our workforce as well. Financial constraints caused by student loan debt discourage recent graduates from pursuing public service jobs in medical fields that serve our seniors in low-income communities.

Yet knowing all of this, my Republican colleagues have been working overtime to exacerbate the problem and make college even less affordable.

The 2014 budget eliminates mandating funding for Pell Grants and freezes the maximum grant for 10 years while also cutting eligibility; and as of July 1, Federal student loan rates are set to double. Instead of adopting efforts to keep interest rates low for young people in a volatile economic environment, my Republican colleagues have introduced a bill--and are voting on it this week--that can increase rates far beyond this July increase. As I like to call it, it's the Making College More Expensive Act.

Mr. Speaker, I beg your patience as I go through a little rudimentary arithmetic.

Right now, student loan interest rates are fixed at 3.4 percent, meaning a student pays about $4,000 in interest payments on a 5-year loan. If we do nothing and let the interest rate expire this July, rates will double to 6.8 percent, and a student will pay nearly $9,000--more than the double--on the same 5-year loan. Now, if we do what the Republicans want us to do and pass their bill this week, student loan interest rates will skyrocket to an estimated 7.4 percent, and the same student would pay $10,000 in interest. In other words, if we do absolutely nothing--nothing at all--it would be better than if we pass the Republicans' proposed bill in the House.

Now, I'm not suggesting that we do nothing--this body must act--but it is a sad reality when doing nothing is better than going along with what the Republicans are pushing. Rather than invest in our future leaders and entrepreneurs of America, they propose to balance the budget on the backs of low- to moderate-income students. I fear that, by ignoring a generation buried under debt, we will cripple this country's future.

This great Nation is supposed to be a land of opportunity for all regardless of what you look like or where you come from. Throughout our history, the opportunities afforded to people of various backgrounds have built this Nation, creating a large and thriving middle class. Access to education has been the catalyst to this growth. As we look to our future, it is critical that we place education at the forefront of the plans for our success. We can start by stopping the doubling of student loan

interest rates and by once again making a college education affordable for all of those who want one.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the so- called Working Families Flexibility Act. Mr. Speaker, this is a wolf in sheep's clothing--a guise to pressure employees to work more and get paid less.

H.R. 1406, which I like to call ``Paying Working Families Less Act,'' cuts overtime pay and eliminates all flexibility. Rather than pay overtime when the work is performed, this bill provides that the employers have up to a year to pay an employee his overtime, essentially providing employers unauthorized, interest-free loans. This bill will hurt working class families and wage workers who depend on their overtime to pay their rent, their grocery bills, their heating and water bills. They can't afford to wait a year for pay that they have rightfully earned.

Mr. Speaker, this is not a worker or a family friendly bill, as some of my colleagues are leading this body to believe. Rather, it is a blatant attempt to dismantle the Fair Labor Standards Act and roll back workers' rights 100 years. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill. We should be strengthening the fair labor laws and standards for working men and women, not destroying them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to Alvin Keith Terry, posthumously, and the many contributions he has made as a dedicated citizen of Essex County and a committed professional to the improvement of healthcare for the people of Newark and the surrounding area.

Alvin spent more than 30 years at the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ), rising to the role of Business Manager at the medical center. A product of the Newark Public Schools and a graduate of East Orange High School, Alvin later attended both Kean and Rutgers University. As a student and later as a young professional, Alvin's work ethic and keen sensibility to financial management laid the foundation for a career in business and for a long and impressive career at UMDNJ, working his way up through the ranks to become a chief executive at UMDNJ.

Alvin's career serves as a shining example to his children, his family and others, a myriad of ways to contribute to healthcare, aside from a career as a physician, nurse or clinical professional. Alvin's work and commitment contributed to UMDNJ, remaining not just in the community, but of the community. Alvin and my family, particularly my father, The Honorable Donald M. Payne, Sr., shared a love and commitment to healthcare and to UMDNJ. My father, and I at his side, hosted several Health and Wellness Expos at UMDNJ. My father's goal, my goal, and Alvin's goal was to ensure the very best in healthcare was available for the people of Newark and Essex County.

We salute Alvin and the Terry family, including his brother, Darrell K. Terry, Chief Operating Officer of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey and a former UMDNJ employee, who, along with many members of the Terry family, continue to make healthcare a career of choice and commitment. Under the tutelage of Alvin, the oldest Terry brother, the Terry family continues to have a pivotal role on healthcare in Essex County and in Newark. Alvin's imprint has left an indelible mark on healthcare in Newark and Essex County. On behalf of the people of Essex County and certainly the people of Newark, we are grateful. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I know my fellow members of the House of Representatives agree that Alvin Keith Terry, has been an integral part of the growth and development of UMDNJ, and healthcare in general, serving the people of Essex County and particularly, the people of Newark. This tribute recognizes his life's work, namely a stellar career and a personal commitment to improve the lives of others.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman.

Let me first thank my colleagues, Congressman Horsford from Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC's Special Order on eliminating health disparities.

I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge our leader on health issues in the Congressional Black Caucus, Dr. Christensen.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge a young person on the floor, the gentlelady from Nevada, the young Miss Horsford, who is here tonight. This is truly unique quality time to spend with your daughter.

There are numerous factors that contribute to the growing health disparities in New Jersey's 10th District--poverty, environmental threats, inadequate access to health care, and educational inequities. These issues are so interconnected that a piecemeal approach to fixing them just will not work. A comprehensive approach that focuses on providing access to quality care to all, creating good jobs that provide a decent living and increasing educational opportunities for low-income communities, is the only way to eliminate health disparities once and for all.

Even in the 21st century, health disparities are stark, especially in the African American community, in which life expectancies are lower and infant mortality rates are higher. Children of color who live at or below the poverty line are much more likely to have asthma, develop ADHD and contract diseases because they cannot afford vaccinations.

So we have a moral obligation to eliminate health disparities. Our children and our future generations are depending on us. But narrowing the health disparities that exist is not only good for our Nation's health, it's good for our Nation's pocketbook.

Research tells us that access to quality health care could eliminate or reduce the onset of many chronic illnesses and disproportionate health outcomes that add to astronomical health care costs every year. Yet many of my colleagues won't rest until they repeal ObamaCare. The fact is, the Affordable Care Act will now provide health care to 9 million African Americans who are uninsured or underinsured. ObamaCare ensures that everyone has access to lifesaving care such as preventative cancer screenings, as well as coverage for children with preexisting conditions.

We know that ObamaCare's preventative services will help save lives and save money. So why are my Republican colleagues so set on repealing it? We have to protect ObamaCare just like we have to protect Medicare and Medicaid.

Sequestration is a direct attack on these already limited health resources. Sequestration is an irresponsible, across-the-board cut approach that will only contribute to the widening health disparity gap. Because of sequestration, Medicare has been cut by $11 billion; cancer patients are being turned

away from clinics, and they cannot get access to the life-saving treatments they need to live; millions in funding have been cut from community health centers.

Furthermore, the effects are very real for the people in New Jersey. In my State, nearly 4,000 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and hepatitis B. There will be millions in cuts to grants that would help prevent and treat substance abuse. New Jersey will lose nearly $4.9 million in environmental funding that ensures clean air and clean water.

We live in a first world country, and you want me to go back home and tell my constituents that we cannot provide them with clean water and clean air? This is absolute insanity.

And to make matters worse, the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services will be forced to provide 19,000 fewer HIV tests to low-income communities. Sequestration is directly contributing to the spread of this fatal disease. In essence, it is providing a death sentence to those who are poor and who can't afford the testing.

So I say to my colleagues tonight: addressing health disparities in this country is both a moral obligation and a financial imperative. If we are going to truly eliminate disparities, we must start by eliminating sequestration, which does nothing but further the burden of our distressed citizens. Finally, we must maintain and strengthen our investments in health care access and resources for the disadvantaged populations that we serve.

In closing, just as Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security have become common threads and fibers of this great Nation, one day ObamaCare will be looked at in the same manner.