Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, repeatedly, Republicans have reprimanded Senate Democrats, claiming budget negotiations have stalled because the Senate has failed to pass a budget. Now, Senate Democrats have done their part. Republican leaders in the House must do the same by convening a conference committee to resolve our budget differences openly and honestly. That is a procedure that the Congress has always followed. That is regular order.

The best interests of the American people shouldn't have to sit on the back burner any longer. Unemployment remains too high, wages are stagnant, and sequestration is taking its toll. We need to address our country's challenges and create jobs, reduce the deficit, and strengthen our middle class while creating ladders of opportunity for those to climb into the middle class.

These are our top priorities. Sometimes these priorities get lost in the shuffle of partisan bickering. I urge Republican leadership to follow regular order and create a conference committee now.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Horsford of Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on improving access to quality education.

The recession, the economy, violence and gun control, the security of our Nation, these are the pressing issues being debated across this great Nation today. However, efforts to address the issues are being undermined by our Nation's educational deficit.

John F. Kennedy said that ``our progress as a Nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.''

True to this statement are struggles that we face as a Nation because of our divestment in our human mind and potential. In the past, the U.S. led the world in several categories, including college graduates and innovation. Unfortunately, there has been a rapid decline in our ranking in these areas that directly correlates to the strength of this Nation.

Among these things, the U.S. has dropped considerably in academic rankings, compared to other developed nations. About 33 percent of our Nation's fourth-grade students are proficient readers. Nearly 7,000 students drop out of high school daily, and about a third of first-year American college students are required to take at least one remedial course.

Globally, our rankings have fallen of our students in reading to 14th; in science, to 17th; and in mathematics, to 25th. Despite these daunting statistics, the U.S. continues to lead the world in competitiveness, patents, media, mobile and research universities. But imagine the leadership that we could hold in the world if we strengthened our investment in education.

Our Nation continues to be at a loss due to the untapped potential of our students, especially students of color and low income.

For this particular population, the statistics are even more daunting, but the potential is greater as well. Forty-two percent of Black students attend schools that are under-resourced and performing poorly. Twenty-eight percent of core academic teachers at high-minority schools lack the appropriate certification. Black children, especially boys, are more likely to be classified and placed in special education than their white counterparts. Black and Hispanic males constitute 82 percent of the youth in special education programs. Black boys are 2.5 times less likely to be enrolled in talented and gifted programs, even if their prior achievement reflects the ability to succeed.

Yet despite these demoralizing facts, despite the failure of the American education system to properly educate these students, nearly 3 million college students in America are African American. And only 13 percent of the U.S. population, Black students represent 15 percent of the college student population.

Currently, these are beating the odds; but imagine how we could develop and succeed as a Nation if we changed the odds for these students and closed the opportunity gap. What if we strengthened our education system and allowed all children to reach their full potential? What if we fostered an environment of innovation and leadership for this Nation's outcomes in all communities equally?

We have long held the solutions to address these issues, but they aren't coordinated or connected. We have the potential to reach new heights as a Nation, but it requires a stronger education system as well as effective solutions and resources to change the odds for our children in the most distressed communities.

I will be introducing the Promise Neighborhoods Act soon to do just that. The Promise Neighborhoods initiative represents an unprecedented effort to work across silos and develop a comprehensive cradle-to- career pipeline for children in distressed neighborhoods to holistically address barriers to success. The Promise Neighborhoods Act would foster continued collaboration on the local level to build similar pipelines in communities across this country.

The pipeline of tightly woven, comprehensive support for children emphasized in the Promise Neighborhoods Act would provide, among other things:

prenatal education and support for expecting parents;

high-quality early childhood education opportunities, including full- day, full-year kindergarten and prekindergarten;

high-quality schools that successfully leverage out-of-school time and community engagement;

support for the transition to elementary school, between elementary school and middle school, and from middle school to high school;

meaningful family engagement and capacity-building;

college and career readiness activities, including college counseling, subsidized employment opportunities, and early college programs;

neighborhood-based support for college-age students from the neighborhood.

This model engages the community to collaborate and end fragmented delivery of programs to develop a pipeline for programs with demonstrated success. This model aims to eliminate the opportunity gap for low-income children and children of color and set a new standard for education and success in this country.

Though not realized, our Nation holds a great deal of underdeveloped potential, and it lies within our human capital. Investing in education will strengthen our Nation as a whole and position us to once again lead the world. Education is the single investment that can unequivocally develop our economy and strengthen our future.

Mr. Speaker, creating an immigration process for new American immigrants is not just an issue that will shape the future for one group.

So much is at stake for 3 million African and Caribbean immigrants that live and work here. They're a vital part of our future as hardworking, upstanding individuals in search of freedom and a better life. They also deserve a fair system that works, and they are more than just a number on a page.

Last week, a young lady came to my office who was born in America to Haitian parents. Her name is Natalie. Natalie is a graduate student who has job offers lined up. She is ready to work and commits herself to this country. But Natalie can't do those things because of our broken immigration system. She is neither recognized as a citizen here nor in Haiti. While in tears, she said she has no home. She can't see her family. She's scared and feels alone. Natalie is one of those 11 million people that are looking for a pathway to citizenship.

It is time to pass commonsense legislation that fixes our immigration system once and for all, one that serves our interests and reflects our values for Natalie and the 11 million other Natalies who call America home.

Madam Speaker, the gun safety debate that we are having is not about politics or political means. It is about doing what's right by our families, protecting our children, and reducing the gun violence that persists in the streets of my district every single day. If Congress has the power to prevent some of this senseless violence, then we have a moral obligation to do so.

Background checks are an absolute must. Criminals and the mentally ill should not be able to go online or walk into a gun show and walk away with a gun.

My bill, the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act, provides a 25 percent markup on guns traded in, creating an incentive to get the most widely used guns in crimes off of our streets.

It's not complicated. These are commonsense reforms, and the victims of gun violence and their families deserve a vote.

So I urge my Republican colleagues to bring this legislation to the floor. We owe it to the American people, and New Jersey families should not have to wait any longer for commonsense reform.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friends and colleagues--Congressman Horsford from Nevada and Congressman Jeffries from New York, across the water from me--for once again anchoring this Special Order for the CBC on the impact of sequestration.

I came to Washington to work--to serve the hardworking families and individuals in my district who have been disproportionately impacted by this economy. I came to Washington to spur growth and development for the sake of this country's economic future. Unfortunately, my colleagues on the other side oppose any effort that would support this mission. Sadly, the only growth and development that the Republican leadership has spurred has been the development of lies and the growth of fear among the American people.

We now face the drastic cuts of sequestration because the Republican leadership in Congress refuses to adopt a balanced approach to our Nation's deficit and debt. Instead, they push drastic measures that would only further depress this economy. The fact is that it is impossible to reduce Federal debts without a healthy economy, and a healthy economy will not develop as a result of sporadic cuts but, rather, as a result of increased revenue, in part by an increased volume of working people who earn income and pay taxes. This is common sense; yet the sequester and everything the Republican leadership has proposed undermines the current and future workforce, and it disproportionately harms low-income families and individuals.

At a time of great need for a skilled workforce, the sequester would cut workforce development programs and assistance for college students. As it was stated, YouthBuild and Job Corps are key workforce development programs that provide pathways to employment for low-income youth. These programs already experienced a 37 percent cut in fiscal year 2011, but they will face additional cuts under sequestration. TRIO programs are key Federal supports for first-generation college students to prepare them to attend and complete college. These programs serve nearly 800,000 students, and they will face cuts of almost $43 million under sequestration.

In New Jersey, my home State, around 1,480 fewer low-income students will receive financial aid for college, and nearly 650 fewer students will receive work-study jobs. Approximately 15,000 students will be impacted by the cuts in education, and around 1,300 children will be removed from Head Start. Nationally, approximately 9 million students will be impacted due to cuts in education, and nearly 70,000 children will be removed from the Head Start program.

Further, under sequestration, the security of children and their families will also be impacted. Research shows that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children--WIC-- improves birth outcomes, reduces child anemia and improves the participants' nutrition and health. It is widely regarded as one of the most effective social programs; yet under sequestration this program will be forced to cut an estimated 600,000 to 775,000 women and children. This is devastating.

These cuts are unnecessary and counterproductive. Democrats have offered commonsense solutions time and time again to our deficit issue, including the latest alternative to sequestration--H.R. 699. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership prefers manufacturing problems and not offering real solutions. The Republican leadership claims that their actions are in the name of our Nation's future and austerity for our children; but our Nation's deficit peaked at $1.4 trillion in 2009, which was prior to their efforts to cut, and it has been falling ever since.

Our economy, though sluggish, is experiencing record growth. Now is not the time for arbitrary cuts. Now is the time to end the shameful attack on the middle class and the hardworking Americans. Pass a balanced approach. We are waiting for leadership in this area.

Madam Speaker, I stand here today in absolute disappointment with this body and the total lack of Republican leadership. I can't even begin to express the disappointment I have with the GOP leaders who choose to play a game of chicken rather than do something to save 2 million American jobs.

After more than 20 years of watching my father serve the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey, the district that he loved, I came here to Washington to do the same. I came down here to get to work, to dig in, to get my hands dirty, and to help resolve the pressing issues that will ruin this country if ignored.

As we speak, people are terrified; and if they aren't terrified, it's because they've stopped listening to the partisan bickering. But make no mistake, these cuts will be unimaginable to people across the country and to people across New Jersey's 10th Congressional District.

So I ask my colleagues: why are we here again? Why? We've played this game before, heard this tune, danced this oppressing musical number before. It's like I'm Bill Murray in the movie ``Groundhog Day,'' where every morning I wake up hoping it is a new day, and every morning I wake up to the same maddening song. It's the song of a failed Republican leadership doing absolutely nothing--nothing all over again.

Talk about a do-nothing Congress. The 112th Congress passed just 283 bills, and 22 percent of them were bills to name post offices, courthouses, and other projects. So when you break it down, Congress really only voted to pass two bills a week--two bills a week. We can do better than this, but we need to work together.

When I speak to my fellow Democrat Members, there is a frustration. They are frustrated because we've seen the pain and fear in the people we speak to back home. There's frustration because we are ready to work. That's why I was sent here. That's what I was sent here to do.

So let's stop the nonsense and let's get to work. The effects of sequestration are real. Maybe people don't understand what the word ``sequestration'' means, but when they start to lose vital services that they need to live, it is going to devastate working families, the middle class, and the vulnerable in my district.

In New Jersey alone, more than 40,000 people could lose their jobs. New Jersey will lose $17 million in funding for teachers, aids, and staff who help disabled children. Thirteen hundred children in New Jersey will be cut from Head Start. Eleven thousand civilian Department of Defense employees will be furloughed. Senior Meals on Wheels programs will lose nearly half a million in funding in New Jersey, possibly the only meal they have for the day. And funds will be slashed for victims of domestic violence, resulting in 700 victims not receiving the care that they need to survive.

Right now, Democrats have a plan on the table that will stop sequestration and start reducing the deficit in a balanced way. It's a plan that cuts spending responsibly, closes corporate tax loopholes, protects the most vulnerable, and ensures millionaires pay their fair share. And you know what? More than 76 percent of the American people support a balanced plan.

Including today, we have 3 days to go; and with $85 billion in automatic deep spending cuts on the chopping block, it's time for Washington to stop playing games, stop pointing fingers and do what's right by the American people. That's what the American people expect, and, quite frankly, that's what they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring H.R. 699, the Stop the Sequester Job Loss Now Act, to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I'm deeply saddened for the American people that we are unable to bring this bill to the floor and stop the loss of 2 million American jobs.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friends and colleagues, Congressman Horsford of Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on the Voting Rights Act.

Fair and equal access to the ballot box is an important topic and one of these that has not been fully resolved. One hundred-fifty years ago, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but it took another 100 years to pass the Civil Rights Act, and eventually the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Since then, our country has made progress in achieving justice and equality, but it is no secret this process has been painfully slow and noticeably deficient.

The Supreme Court will hear the case this week of Shelby v. Holder, which, if ruled in the favor of Shelby County, Alabama, would take us back 50 years and undo protections granted in the Voting Rights Act.

Some argue that we no longer need some of these protections provided in the Voting Rights Act. Some argue that we have achieved equality and justice for all. Some argue that section 5 is outdated because racism has been eviscerated. It is true we've come a long way and times have changed, but the unfortunate fact is that we have not changed enough.

Let's look at the facts. This past November, people across this Nation had to wait in line to vote for hours in places such as Miami, Tampa, Richmond, Charlotte, and Raleigh. Sometimes people waited 6, 7, or 8 hours to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

In the President's State of the Union Address, President Obama had a guest, a woman by the name of Desiline Victor, who waited 6 hours in Florida to vote. She was 102 years old. This is simply unacceptable. And unfortunately, long voting lines have become all too commonplace, particularly in urban and minority-rich areas.

So the big question I get asked from my constituents is: Why wouldn't we want everyone who is eligible to have the opportunity to vote? The answer is simple: When more Americans vote, they tend to vote for Democrats.

Regardless of someone's political persuasions, every eligible American should have the fair opportunity to cast their ballot--whether they be white, black, Asian, Latino, man, woman, gay, straight, Protestant, Catholic, atheist, or agnostic--because of the simple fact that we are all Americans and voting is a fundamental right in this country. This is about preserving democracy, and eliminating section 5 would undermine that right upon which this country was founded.

This past year, 37 State legislatures shamelessly passed laws that oftentimes targeted minorities and attempted to limit their access to the ballot. Strict photo ID laws, limitations on early voting, and stringent voter registration laws all had one purpose: It wasn't about reducing fraud; it was about preventing certain populations from voting.

It is astonishing--and it could not be more evident--that racism and the effort to suppress the right to vote is alive and well in this Nation. Luckily, section 5 rightly ensured that many of these laws never passed preclearance. So it cannot be plainer that now is the time to strengthen, not weaken, section 5, as it still serves as a very real and critical purpose in preserving our democracy and the right to vote for millions.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I introduced a resolution to designate March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I want to thank Senators Lautenberg, Menendez, and Enzi for introducing a similar resolution in the Senate. I also want to thank the entire New Jersey delegation and all those who signed on to this bipartisan resolution.

This issue is very personal to me, as I lost my father, the late Congressman Donald Payne, Sr., to colon cancer just last March. It became my mission to raise awareness of the importance of cancer screening.

While colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In New Jersey alone, 1,600 people will die of this disease this year.

African Americans and Hispanics are at increased risk. Too many people forego screenings because of the perceptions around testing. But I am here to tell you: be a man; get tested. You just might save your own life.

Let me first say ``thank you'' to the gentleman from New York, the gentleman from across the river with whom we are looking forward to having a great working relationship, as well as with the gentleman from Nevada, who has also distinguished himself very early in this Congress.

As we debate this issue, we must not forget that we are a Nation of immigrants, and it is our rich history of immigration that has strengthened this country generation after generation. Yes, we must secure our borders, but we must also recognize that there have been a record number of deportations and seizures over the last 4 years. This issue of border security cannot be used as a fear tactic to prevent progress. In my district, people migrate from all over the globe, not just from Latin America, but from the Caribbean and Africa and Asia as well, and they are all in search of the same thing--the American Dream.

Children who were brought here through no fault of their own and who think of themselves as Americans wait in limbo, so we have a moral obligation to fix our broken system. It is not only the right thing to do, but it is the practical thing to do. Over 11 million undocumented workers live in our communities. They go to our schools, and they work among us every day. It is time for Congress to provide these 11 million people their chance to come out of the shadows without the specter of deportation hanging over their heads.

It's also time to streamline the legal immigration process and to make it more efficient for high-skilled workers and those working in science fields to be able to stay and keep their talents here.

In my district--the 10th district of New Jersey, and in every corner of America, immigrants are receiving degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. They are the business leaders and innovators of the future. But when they graduate, they are sent home.

If we want to remain the pre-eminent country in the world--If we want to continue to attract the best talent--If we want to continue to out- innovate the rest of the world--if we want to continue to be a just nation. Then we must act now.

Mr. Speaker, let me first begin by thanking my good friend and colleague, my chairwoman, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge from the State of Ohio, for anchoring this evening's Special Order on the culture of violence.

Coming together to address gun violence and bullying in America is long overdue. There must be something extraordinary done to truly curb these atrocities from occurring in our communities. Too many innocent men, women, and children have died because of the ease of access to illegal firearms. Fifteen of the 25 worst mass shootings in our history have occurred in America in the last 50 years.

Harvard Injury Control Research Center studies indicate that in homes, cities, States, and regions in the U.S. where there are guns, both men and women are at a higher risk for homicide, particularly from firearms. These statistics are tragic. We must do something, and we must do something now.

On the issue of bullying, bullying is also a major concern in our Nation. Who will be able to tell what will become of the next generation if statistics continue to rise with each national report on bullying? I'm very sensitive to this issue because I have three young children at home, and I perish the thought that they would be subjected to such actions.

We are losing our next generation of poets, musicians, doctors, lawyers, scientists, and athletes to senseless gun violence and aggressive bullying. One out of every four teenagers is bullied and, furthermore, deterred from their academic potential. 282,000 students are physically bullied in secondary schools each month. One out of 10 children drop out of school because of bullying.

We must take measures to protect our Nation's future generations. From the mass murder at the movie theater in Colorado, to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, to the schoolyard killings at Mount Vernon Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey--four youngsters with their whole futures ahead of them were violently murdered by a gang behind a school--I have seen what damage guns can do in the wrong hands. Let us be steadfast in making sure that events like these never happen again.

Gun violence and bullying in America are not just problems, they are national health issues.

What are the solutions? Well, Federal action is yielding some progress. The Brady law of 1994 has blocked the sale of firearms to over 1.6 million felons, fugitives, and other individuals. Still, more is needed. Proactive approaches include renewing the assault weapons ban, closing the gun show loophole, mandating installation of trigger locks, and eliminating influxes of cheaply made weapons. This does not infringe on anyone's right to bear arms in this Nation, but we have to do things that make common sense.

There are guns that have been outlawed in this Nation's history. You cannot get a submachine gun. You cannot get a sawed-off shotgun. Why shouldn't assault weapons be added to that group?

Also, gun buyback programs in my district and my State have removed hundreds of guns from the streets, and I am considering offering legislation to bring these programs to scale on the Federal level to help stem the tide of violence. These measures would undoubtedly save lives.

Enough is enough. It is time to take action.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.

I am very dismayed by what I have heard tonight. Citizens of this Nation--any of us--would think at a time of natural disaster they could depend on their Congress, their Nation, the people of this country. Many times, we have come to the aid of citizens throughout this Nation. Why not now? What is different now? New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and parts of Pennsylvania have been devastated. My district not as much, but we still have issues there that need to be addressed.

Just the other day, I was on vacation with my children, and I got a call. There was a leak in the roof of my house. I did not realize there was about a 10-foot patch in my roof missing--from Sandy. I had the wherewithal to take care of it, but there are hundreds of thousands of residents in those States who need our help.

I was told by a Member of this body, who was laid to rest this year, that this was a great body to serve in. Please let me know that he was telling the truth.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor my good friend and mentor, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Representative Emanuel Cleaver, the outgoing chairman of the CBC.

An accomplished and esteemed legislator, Congressman Cleaver was instrumental in orchestrating the CBC For the People Jobs Initiative, which brought together private and public sector entities across the Nation to help the unemployed Americans get jobs.

He also spearheaded voter protection events to bring attention to the State voter suppression policies designed to discourage and prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote.

Personally, it was my pleasure to get to know Congressman Cleaver through his relationship with my father, the late Congressman Donald Payne, Sr. However, I became more acquainted with Mr. Cleaver when I was a candidate for the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey.

Throughout the many encounters with Congressman Cleaver, he has always shown tremendous leadership, intellect, kindness, and poise. These characteristics were on full display during the passing of my father. My family and I were honored to have Mr. Cleaver deliver a very emotional and uplifting speech that was felt throughout the church during my father's home-going service in March. His advice and words of comfort during those very challenging times were tremendous help, and I will always be grateful for his unwavering support.

During my transition to Capitol Hill, he offered a great deal of support, oftentimes stopping me in the hallways to ask me how am I doing and how can he help. His assistance has eased my transition considerably, and I am grateful for the profound impact that Congressman Cleaver has had on me.

In just a few months, I've come to know why my father considered him a great colleague and an outstanding leader. Today I cannot think of a better friend and mentor.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I rise first to offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims in the recent Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. In addition, I add my voice to the outcry of my colleagues, constituents, and Americans around the Nation to call for action against gun violence in this country. This Connecticut tragedy was the 30th mass murder in the U.S. since the 1999 Columbine incident, but mass murders only represent a small portion of the gun violence in America. In my hometown of Newark, New Jersey, 348 shootings and 93 deaths occurred last year as a result of gun violence.

Unfortunately, it is too late to save these victims, but it is not too late to prevent the next attack. With stricter gun laws and the ban on certain types of guns, specifically assault weapons, carnage clips, and armor-piercing bullets, it would undoubtedly help to save lives. Now is the time for action.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues today in recognizing World AIDS Day. While great progress has been achieved nationally and globally, our fight against HIV/AIDS should only grow stronger. Globally, 6.8 million people are eligible for HIV treatment but don't have access. In the U.S., accessibility of treatment has significantly increased, but the rate of new HIV infections has only stabilized.

So today, in recognition of World AIDS Day, I come first to remember the lives of the affected in my district, the country, and the world but also to reaffirm my commitment, on their behalf, to stand with those who have relentlessly forged progress, including my late predecessor and father, Donald M. Payne.

Today, I stand with the Nation and the world in international solidarity, committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS and ``Getting to Zero.''

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege to be a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives and to represent the people of the 10th Congressional District of the State of New Jersey.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my wife, Beatrice, for being here, my three children, who did not come, my triplet children, who were the apple of my father's eye, Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne, for always supporting me and encouraging me. I could not have done this without you.

I also want to thank my uncle, the former assemblyman William Payne, who gave my father his undying love, guidance, and strong support his entire life. Without his encouragement, I would not be standing here today.

Our Nation faces many challenges, both at home and abroad, but the most immediate concern for all of us is to help New Jersey recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy. You have my word that I will continue to work every day to ensure that the 10th Congressional District of the State of New Jersey and the entire State receives all the Federal support we need until we reach full recovery.

Nearly 2 years ago, my father was sworn into his 11th and final term in Congress. I look forward to continuing to build on his legacy and serving the people of the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey, the Nation, and the world. And finally, I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

For those of you that knew my father, I'd just like to end, and it'll probably be the last time I mention it. As I went through the campaign and was successful in my candidacy, after the campaign I had time to reflect on what all of this meant to me, and I realized that there were many parallels in our lives, and I'll just end with this.

When my father was 8 years old, his mother died. My mother died when I was 4. He was first elected an Essex County freeholder. That was my first elected office. He then went on to the Newark Municipal Council in the city of Newark. That was my next elected office.

He won his first time in Congress in the middle of his second term as a Newark municipal councilman. I'm in the middle of my second term as a Newark municipal councilman.

And when he was sworn into Congress he was 54 years old. When I'm sworn in for the 113th Congress I will be 54 years old. We will both be fortunate and privileged to serve in the 112th Congress, and we have both been privileged to serve with President Obama.

When his father died he was 77 years old, and he died on March 6. My father was 77 years old, and he died on March 6. So God has a plan for your life. And I think if I am half the man he was and the public servant, I'll consider myself a success.

Thank you very much.