Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to welcome today's guest chaplain, who is from my district. Father Shaw is the rector of the historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia. The church was founded in 1729 as the first black church in the Episcopal Church in the United States. It is also the oldest African American church in Philadelphia.

I have known Father Shaw for many, many years. More recently, I had the pleasure of working closely with him in the Together for West Philadelphia initiative, which recently celebrated its first year of working to improve health and reduce poverty for the residents of West Philadelphia. That is just one example from his long record of working for social justice.

I know Father Shaw has previously lived in Detroit and Chicago, but I am glad that he has chosen to live where America began, in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2157) making supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (S. 1693) to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman of this strong, powerful committee and the ranking member for leading this effort.

Madam Speaker, I rise to offer my support for the SECURE Act.

Making it easier for small businesses to offer retirement savings plans is vital. It is vital not only for the benefit of these small firms but also the people they employ, their families, and the communities they support.

In my home State of Pennsylvania, we have nearly 1 million small businesses, employing 2.5 million workers, accounting for 46.7 percent of the workforce for the entire State. Small firms account for 99.6 percent of my State's employers.

Small businesses are a vital part of saving our middle neighborhoods in Philadelphia and across the country. These are neighborhoods that are poised to tip either toward blight or growth. By helping small businesses and their employees, the SECURE Act would help to revitalize these middle neighborhoods and help our economy grow from the ground up.

Again, I thank the chairman and his leadership and the ranking member for this action.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their leadership and vision for leading this effort, under the leadership of Congresswoman Bass.

I think, as the gentleman from Nevada has demonstrated along with my other colleague from the great Virgin Islands, they both have shown the kind of leadership that is extremely essential.

The passing of a civil rights icon like Judge Damon Keith is also a time to focus on one of his priorities: helping future generations to succeed. This is also a priority of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Unfortunately, it has not been a priority of the occupant of the White House.

In August 2016, he asked African Americans: What the hell do you have to lose? It has been crystal clear in the last few years that African Americans of all ages have a lot to lose as long as Donald Trump is in the White House. The latest example of this is the Trump administration's plan to strip Medicare, food assistance, and other basics away from hundreds of thousands of working-class Americans.

They are trying to change how the Census measures poverty so they can count fewer people as poor. As costs go up each year, the fake Trump poverty line will take basic benefits away: SNAP, WIC, Head Start, school lunches, legal services, and even tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that help working people to get healthcare.

It is basically a backdoor tax increase for those who can afford it least. It is an outrageous sequel to the tax cut that Trump and the Republicans gave to millionaires and big corporations. It is classic Trump: Don't actually solve the problem; just pretend that it doesn't exist anymore.

I stand with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in opposing the Trump poverty line change. I stand with all of those who did not inherit millions of dollars from a parent like the President did.

Let us honor the work of Judge Keith and others like him by renewing our commitment to help lift our future generations. We can do this by making college affordable again, raising the minimum wage, and preserving the safety net. Each of these proposals will go a long way toward repairing the ladders of opportunity and making this a more just society.

This dedication today to Justice Damon Keith is our commitment as the Congressional Black Caucus to raise him up in his legacy that he has done for all of us in this country.

It is a real honor as one member of this body, the Congressional Black Caucus, that I stand here today to join my colleagues and show the kind of support for what Justice Keith demonstrated to all of us.

So I am here to lend my voice, to make it clear that this is not acceptable, retreating on the people, particularly African Americans.

Since the President made that statement in August of 2016--and he made it in the city of Philadelphia--it is clear to me that this is not acceptable. Mr. Speaker, we, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, will not stand for this.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, the new House Democratic majority has passed several important bills, including bills to protect Americans' healthcare. One of those important bills coming up is the Equality Act.

First as a State legislator and now as a Member of Congress, I have supported the equal rights for LGBTQ people for over 20-plus years.

Today, in much of America, LGBTQ people can get married on Sunday and fired on Monday. Our fellow Americans should not have to fear losing a job or an apartment simply because of who they are.

I am proud that this House will pass the Equality Act today. I urge the Senate to join us in passing this bill. Let fellow Americans be free to be themselves, free from discrimination; and from sea to shining sea, let freedom ring.

Madam Speaker, it is day 34 of the Trump shutdown.

Tomorrow will mark the second missed paycheck for 800,000 Federal workers and for many Federal contractors, as well.

I have spent parts of 2 days at the Philadelphia airport meeting with the workers and seeing the needs. These people in the groups are stepping up.

Everyone is looking to the Republicans and the President to step up. We must reopen this government.

Pay these workers now.

Pay these workers now.

Pay these workers now.

Pay these workers now.

Pay these workers now.

Pay these workers now.

Mr. Speaker, the government shutdown is hurting people in Philadelphia right now.

I met a HUD employee this week who is tired of being used as a pawn. She said: ``I'm ready to go back to work. I'm ready to serve the people.''

Instead, she has to worry about her mortgage and student loans.

She said: ``My American Dream is slipping through my fingers. It's really not fair.''

Mr. Speaker, she teared up. I understand why.

For the 800,000 Federal workers and Federal contractors, this is not some reality TV show. This is real life.

The workers and citizens served by the government need the President and the Senate to reopen the government first, and then we can have a debate about border security.

The Senate should join the Democratic House in passing the spending bills to reopen the government, bills

that they have already passed last year. And we all need to keep foremost in our minds that this debate about the wall--we should be talking about the real people and getting to work now, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an influential and dedicated man from Philadelphia, David Fattah, Sr., a devoted servant of the community and his family. Mr. Fattah passed away on December 5, 2018. I'd like to include in the Record the eulogy delivered by Ralph E. Blanks, Interim Pastor of Vine Memorial Baptist Church in West Philadelphia.

``David Fattah, Senior has written the autobiography of his

life. Today, we have read selected excerpts and pages from

his life story. What a life extraordinaire as he and his

beloved soulmate, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah made a

difference in the lives of countless boys and girls thru the

House of Umoja. Umoja, a Swahili word that means to strive

and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

The opposite of unity is division and division is one of the

weapons the devil has used for ages to divide us mentally,

physically, and spiritually. This is why a race divided

against itself cannot stand. The more united we are, the

stronger we become. The more divided we are, the weaker we

become. Today, David Fattah's life reminds us to do all

things necessary to unite and stay united. If we don't do it,

it won't get done!!! There are some things that only we can

do for us, by us, with us and to us!!!!

Hear the words of the Lord speaking to us for this time as

recorded in the book of the Prophet Isaiah chapter 58 verses

10,11,12:

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the

desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the

darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will

guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched

places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a

watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters do not

fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall

raise up the foundations of many generations, you shall be

called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the

streets to dwell in.

Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. tells of a time when two

street gangs were about to go to war and David drove up in a

banged up, beat up police cruiser. Jumped out and stood in

the gap between the two gangs and carried out shuttle

diplomacy in the ``hood''.

A husband, father, grandfather, patriarch, social engineer,

community activist and today we add ``restorer'' to describe

David.

Restore means to bring back into existence; to use or

reestablish; to bring back to a state of health, soundness or

vigor. The communities and neighborhoods are calling out for

someone like David to stand in the gap and restore civility,

bring back respect,

reestablish order and common sense which ain't very common

these days.

David was a restorer of life because his life pointed

people to the life of Jesus. That's what it means to be a

restorer of life. Your life points people to the ultimate

restorer of life, Jesus Christ.

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see

your good works and give glory to your Father who is in

heaven.

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the

soul of the oppressed, then shall your light rise in the

darkness and your night will become like the noonday.

Notice the Lord does not say, if you give the hungry some

food, but rather He says if you give yourself!!! It's easy to

give folk some food, but to give up your house, your

comforts, your privacy, your money, your clothes, your

space.........., your living room/dining room becomes the

meeting room, the gathering room, the prayer room filled with

desks, chairs, computers and other office equipment.

Jesus said, if you try to hang on to your life, you will

lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the

sake of the Good News, you will save it. Mark 8:35

Folks are just as hungry today as they were 45 years ago-

physically hungry, mentally hungry, spiritually hungry;

hungry for love, hungry for acceptance, hungry for family,

hungry for a sense of home and belonging.

If you are generous, extravagant with the down and out,

your lives will began to glow in the darkness, your shadowed

lives will be bathed in the sunlight. Listen to what the Lord

says He will do in your life when you pour out, give

extravagantly to the last, the least, the lost, the

struggling.......

......I will always show you where to go, I'll give you a

full life in the emptiest of places, firm muscles, strong

bones. You'll be a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring

that never runs dry. You'll use the old rubble of past lives

to build to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of

your past, you'll be known as those who can fix anything,

restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community

livable again.

Who will stand in the gap? Who will be known as the

restorers of the streets, of the community? Will you make a

commitment today? Then sign off on the Imani Pledge that

Queen Mother and David developed:

Whereas over 44 years ago in 1974, the youth in the City of

Philadelphia took the bold step forward to ensure that

following generations would not have to experience the self-

destruction and agony of gang warfare. We honor them for this

and for keeping their word.

Whereas in as much as our ancestors, parents, teachers,

caregivers, elder community members and others that have shed

blood that we might acquire an education. We give our word to

refrain from fighting during school, after school and inside

school, and we encourage those that we know to do the same.

Whereas we too are a generation that is proud and want to

succeed. On this day, I sign this document to let it be known

wherever it needs to be known that I care deeply about our

community and will do all in my power to return us to our

traditional greatness. Let my word be my bond. In honor of

David Fattah, Sr., I pledge to stand in the gap as a restorer

of the streets and communities.

Some of you are asking right now: pastor, are you asking me

to sign up for another social justice movement. In Jesus'

church, there can be no separation between the cross and

social justice. There is no separation in Scripture between

the two--no pain no gain, no cross no crown!!!!

Jesus said in Matthew 25:

Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom

prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was

hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me

a drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked,

and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in

prison and you came to me.

There is no separation between the cross and social

justice. If we go into the neighborhood and live out the

gospel--two things will happen. People and places will

change. We are called to be restorers of life and of the

streets.

David Fattah, husband, father, community activist, restorer

of the streets was called from earthly labors to heavenly

reward the other day. The heart that gave so much to so many

just stopped!!! But the Creator said I've got a new heart for

you over in Gloryland!!!! David is done with the troubles of

this world, he has gone home to be with His God!!! No more

crying, weeping and wailing, no more sickness, heartache or

break. He's done with the troubles of the world.

Listen as David speaks parting words:

Do not stand at my grave and weep for me, I am not there. I

do not sleep!!! I am every boy and girl fighting for life. I

am every parent struggling with rebellious kids! I am every

teacher demanding your best. I am standing in the gap

connecting warring factions. Do not stand at my grave and

cry, I am not there, I did not die.

If I can do my duty as a good man ought

If I can bring back beauty to a world up wrought

If I can spread love's message as the Master taught

Then my living shall not be in vain

David Fattah, Sr., husband, father, grandfather, patriarch,

social engineer, restorer of the streets and community has

done his work, has sung his song, now he has gone home where

he belongs!!!! To God be The Glory!!!!!!!

The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to David Fattah, Sr. for his dedicated support and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank both chairmen for their leadership in this opportunity of bringing us all together.

I chose to be a member of the Agriculture Committee because this committee has jurisdiction over some of the most critical issues facing our community, that is food and nutrition.

Even back in Pennsylvania, one issue that has been central to my work is ensuring that people in every neighborhood in Philadelphia, between west Philadelphia and north Philadelphia, south Philadelphia, had access to safe, healthy, and reasonably priced food.

In Philadelphia, 20 percent of our population is food insecure, meaning one in five Philadelphians don't know where their next meal will come from.

I am pleased to see that this bill maintains SNAP and does not weigh down poor and hungry Pennsylvanians with onerous work rules.

But let's be clear: this is just a beginning. No child should go to bed hungry. No parent should have to make the choice between putting food on the table or keeping the lights on.

In times of peace and in times of war, our soldiers must always have a food source in order to provide the necessary safety and security our democracies depend on for survival.

As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I had the opportunity to meet with members of the ag community at all levels, from farmers to consumers. I have come to better understand the needs of Pennsylvania's hardworking farmers and others in the broad agriculture community through events such as the Pennsylvania Farm Show and the Ag Progress Days.

And over time, through meetings with advocates, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, The Food Trust, the National Young Farmers Coalition, Philabundance, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, and National Farmers Union, I am happy to say that this bill does a lot of work for them.

In addition to SNAP, this bill addresses hunger by increasing funding for everyone.

This bill also provides greater flexibility in coverage and tools for Pennsylvania dairy farmers, investing in rural infrastructure, supports research of 1890 land-grant universities, and maintains fundamental conservation programs.

Food unites us. Food is medicine. Food is foreign policy. And I say this: this bill is a starting point. We have to work together, and I look forward to working on this bill to make it stronger.

Mr. Speaker, I thank both chairmen and I thank the staff for all their collective work together.

Yes, we should vote a resounding ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representative Robert Brady to honor an influential and dedicated man from Philadelphia, Charles W. Bowser, Esquire, a devoted public official, and former Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia. Mr. Bowser was born on October 9, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and dedicated his life and career to improving the lives of others through public service.

Mr. Bowser graduated from Temple University in 1952 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism. After graduation, Mr. Bowser joined the United States Armed Services and served as an Explosive Disposal Expert in Korea from 1952 to 1954, earning the rank of Sergeant. Upon returning from Korea, Mr. Bowser graduated from Temple University Law School in 1957 with a Juris Doctorate.

Mr. Bowser began his lengthy career in public service in the 1960's under the tutelage of former United States Representative, Rev. Dr. William H. Gray, II and Samuel Evans. In 1964, Mr. Bowser served as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Anti-Poverty Action Committee. He was later appointed as the first African-American Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia by Mayor James Tate.

In 1968, Mr. Bowser became the first Executive Director of the Philadelphia Urban Coalition, now known as the Urban Affairs Coalition. Under his leadership, the total value of programs at the Urban Affairs Coalition had grown from $3.9 million to $12 million. This growth was a result of Mr. Bowser's innovative means of leadership and vision for the organization.

Over the course of his outstanding career and lifetime, Mr. Bowser remained a staunch supporter and advocate of the community. He served on numerous boards and commissions, including but not limited to, the MOVE Commission, 1985 and the Pennsylvania Commission on Judicial Reform, 1987 through 1988 and as Special Counsel to the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, 1998 through 2000. Mr. Bowser received numerous awards over the span of his career. These countless honors serve as a testament to Mr. Bowser's service to the city of Philadelphia.

Charles W. Bowser, Esquire passed away on August 9, 2010. He will be remembered as a force in local, state and national politics. He was a treasured son of Philadelphia's African American community.

In recognition of his service we support the designation of, October 9, 2018 as ``Charles W. Bowser Day'' in the city of Philadelphia.

On behalf of the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia, we extend gratitude to the late Charles W. Bowser for his dedicated support and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their bipartisan leadership.

I am pleased to join with my colleague, Congressman John Curtis from Utah, in putting forth this important piece of legislation. I am pleased to join as the cosponsor of Congressman Curtis on H.R. 6348, the Small Business Access to Capital and Efficiency Act, which adjusts the real estate appraisal threshold under the section 504 program to bring them into line with thresholds used by the Federal banking regulator. This bill also passed out of the Small Business Committee in July.

The city of Philadelphia has a robust real estate industry which employs appraisers, lenders, construction workers, bankers, and numerous others. The point is the industry is responsible for jobs, jobs, and more jobs. Currently, the Small Business Act mandates this.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this particular bill. This is very important to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their support of this bill.

As I mentioned earlier, this bill is important for modernization and moving toward the future. In the city of Philadelphia, we have a lot of opportunities. It is most important that we rise in competitiveness from where we are today. As the ranking member has stated very clearly, this again just makes the opportunities more competitive.

I think it is most important in this environment today that we are sensitive to small businesses because they are the backbone of our future. It is important to understand that in a city like Philadelphia, which has 26 percent poverty--one of the largest major cities in this country--we need to add this to the toolbox. The importance of growing businesses, particularly small businesses, is extremely important to us all.

So I stand here today and join with my colleagues and ask that we support this legislation that will be very important in the toolbox of small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as a cosponsor of H.R. 6417.