Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to thank my good colleague from the great State of North Carolina for her leadership on this very important issue.

I am proud to stand here with so many of my friends and colleagues tonight for a topic near and dear to my heart: the continued viability and success and importance of HBCUs.

Our HBCUs play an incredible critical role in the stability and strength in our Nation. I truly believe, in order to build stronger neighborhoods, better schools, and other community-sustainable institutions, we must go block by block, we must celebrate the diversity, and we must salute the rich history of the HBCUs and the phenomenal contributions that they have made and will continue to make to our communities nationwide.

I am so proud to say that, for years, our HBCUs have produced amazing leaders who not only contribute to their respective fields, but who also pride themselves on making sure the next generation of African Americans succeed.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the proud home of two exceptional HBCUs: Cheyney University and Lincoln University. They share the distinction of being the first two HBCUs founded in America, a point of great pride to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Many of my fellow members of the CBC have HBCUs in their States, but they started in Pennsylvania.

Many students and residents in the Second Congressional District call Lincoln and Cheyney their alma mater. Cheyney was founded on February 25, 1837, three decades before the Emancipation Proclamation. This year, Cheyney is celebrating its 180th anniversary.

Cheyney is located outside of Pennsylvania's Second Congressional District and is the oldest HBCU in the country. For years, Cheyney was known as a teachers college and has played an incredibly viable role within the Commonwealth, ensuring the elementary, secondary, middle school, and high school teachers at schools in the city of Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are prepared and have the necessary skills in order to train our students for success in the classroom and beyond.

That brings us to Lincoln University. Lincoln was established as our Nation's

first degree-granting HBCU. Lincoln was designated as the first institution in the world to provide higher education in the arts and sciences for young African-American males and is famous for two of the lions of Black American history: Langston Hughes, and the Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Today, Lincoln is one of the largest employers in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Our HBCUs nationwide are critical to the strength and stability of our Nation. Just like our cities, our schools compete for people. We have the power to continue to define the rich history and the legacies of our HBCUs.

I am proud to stand here today with our friends and colleagues to send a strong message that it is on us. It is our job to ensure that we protect these institutions that are true treasures and recognize their significant societal contributions by continuing to ensure their success.

I salute the Lincoln Lions and the Cheyney Wolves. Both of these institutions are very proud, and I am proud that they are institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise again in strong opposition to H.R. 1, the so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This bill is an example of what happens when the wealthy exert their rule over hardworking Americans. Their bill should be called the ``Job-Killing Tax Cut Act.''

A leading organization fighting to combat hunger, Feeding America, has said that H.R. 1 would undermine efforts to assist those struggling with adequate food access.

In addition, the GOP leadership has yet to take up the CHIP bill.

This is wrong. Let's stop the games and get something done. We shouldn't have to sacrifice the health and wellness of one population for another, and that is exactly what this divisive GOP bill does. It puts the healthcare of our children, our families, and our seniors at risk by pitting their needs against one another.

Healthcare is not a choice, it is a right. The kids in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who rely on CHIP for their basic healthcare needs, deserve more than this foolish game of politics. We need to come together, roll up our sleeves, do the right thing for our kids, and not engage in the sham version of this tax scam.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to engage in truth in advertising, calling the bill a true tax scam.

I oppose this bill because it is unnecessary, grows the national debt, is a giveaway to big corporations and the wealthy, and takes our attention away from the real problems facing the American people--like jobs.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an inspirational man from North Philadelphia, Hazim Hardeman, a winner of the prestigious Rhodes scholarship.

Hardeman, 23, was born in North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and grew up blocks away from Temple University. In 2015, Hardeman graduated with High Honors from the Community College of Philadelphia with a degree in Communications. During his time at the Community College of Philadelphia, he served as a vice president of the Student Government Association. After his time at the Community College of Philadelphia, he transferred to Temple University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Strategic Communications and Public Advocacy and graduated magna cum laude in 2017. In addition to his many achievements he has written on the prison abolition movement, gun-violence, and hip-hop music and is a substitute teacher in the School District of Philadelphia.

Prestigiously, Hardeman is the first Community College of Philadelphia and Temple University graduate to become a Rhodes Scholar. The Rhodes scholarship is one of the oldest and most distinguished international scholarships in the world. Hardeman was chosen not only for his outstanding scholarly achievements, but for his character, commitment to others and to the common good. Next fall, Hardeman will enroll at Oxford University in England. While there, he will pursue his master's degree in sociology or political theory.

Hardeman has faithfully devoted his academic career and life toward advocating and supporting his community. The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania is so proud of his wonderful accomplishments and extends gratitude to Hazim Hardeman for his dedicated support to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a hard-working and influential woman, Andrea Deutsch, a dedicated attorney, small business owner, former Narberth Councilwoman and now Mayor of Narberth, Pennsylvania.

Andrea Deutsch was born in Philadelphia on September 20, 1967 to Judy and Mike Deutsch and grew up in the local suburb of Wynnewood. She attended Friends' Central school for high school and then went to Franklin & Marshall College, where she graduated in 1989. Thereafter, she went to Temple University School of Law, where she received her JD in 1992. She practiced law for 10 years, the majority of which was at Deutsch, Larrimore, Farnish & Andersson, in Philadelphia. After 10 years of being an attorney, she decided to leave the practice of law to open small business in 2003, called Spot's--The Place for Paws in Narberth, where she sells healthy food, treats, toys and accessories for dogs and cats. She has always had a passion and love for dogs and helping people. Spot's has allowed her to combine these passions by helping customers keep the pets in their life happy and healthy.

She has led an interesting life, filled with great adventures and challenges. At the age of 15 months, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and has taken multiple injections of insulin a day to stay alive since that time. When she was younger, she was involved in advocacy work for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Later on, she became involved with the American Diabetes Association through its annual Tour de Cure Bike Ride, where she was the Volunteer Chair of the Event for the last 3 years. More recently, her experience as a Type 1 diabetic and small business owner has led her to be an outspoken advocate for expanded healthcare for as many people as possible. She has done so through her work with such organizations as the Pennsylvania Heath Access Network and the Small Business Majority.

She has had a longstanding and profound interest in politics and government, as it combined her love of helping people with her knowledge of the law. In 2012, she was appointed to fill the unexpired term of a councilman who had stepped down from his position. As a councilwoman, she served on multiple committees, including serving as the Chair of both the Finance and Economic Development Committees. She served on the Narberth Council through the end of 2013 when the term ended. In 2017, the current, longtime Mayor of Narberth announced his retirement, and she felt the time was right for her to run for the position. She believed with her legal and business background, combined with her love for Narberth that she would be the right person to lead. On November 7, 2017, she was officially elected to fulfill this role, and became the first woman and the first Jewish person to be Narberth's Mayor since its incorporation in 1895.

As evidenced through Andrea Deutsch's experience, she has dedicated her life and career towards advocating and improving the lives of others. The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to Andrea Deutsch for her dedicated support to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a devoted and inspirational church, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas (AECST), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This year AECST celebrates 225 years of dedicated ministry and service to the community of Philadelphia. AECST has provided 225 years of ``Legacy, Faith, and Hope''. AECST was founded in 1792, by Reverend Absalom Jones and stands as the first Black Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. It is also recognized as one of two oldest black churches in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Historically, AECST was founded to provide religious support, foster personal and religious freedoms, and self-determination for persons of African descent. The original African Church was an outgrowth of the Free African Society, a mutual aid organization established in 1787 by Absalom Jones, Richard Allen and others to assist the Black population in Philadelphia. The early religious services were held in private homes and in a school. Within the congregation were many who, because of growing racial tension and insults had followed the lay preachers, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, broke away from the St. George's Methodist Church. Affiliation with the Episcopal Church was ratified in 1794. The Reverend Absalom Jones became the first Episcopal priest of African American descent and the first rector of St. Thomas' Church.

AECST has been in the vanguard of action to sustain the legacy of humanitarianism and community outreach passed down from its founders. Admirably, AECST's clergy and parishioners have played key roles in the abolition, anti-slavery and Underground Railroad movements and the early equal rights movement of the 1800's. Over the past fifty years, AECST has figured prominently in the civil rights movement, The NAACP, Union of Black Episcopalians, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Philadelphia Interfaith Action and The Episcopal Church Women. Paramount, however, has been the movement to uphold the knowledge and value of the Black presence in the Episcopal Church. Today, that tradition continues with an ever-growing membership and through a host of ministries such as Christian Formation, the Chancel Choir, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Men's Fellowship, Young Adult and Youth Ministries, a Church School, Health Ministry, Caring Ministry, and a Shepherding Program.

Today, AECST flourishes as an open, Christ-centered community of faith where the Gospel is taught, lived and spread. As evidenced through AECST's history, they have a longstanding dedication toward advocating and improving the lives of others.

The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas for its dedicated support to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity.

I am not on the Rules Committee or the Ways and Means Committee, but I am on the Agriculture Committee. I think it is extremely important to recognize what Feeding America has expressed about this package.

Feeding America has concluded that H.R. 1 will undermine efforts to assist those who struggle with adequate access to food. I strongly oppose that in a day and age where there is so much poverty and so much hunger across this country.

We need to face up to the fact that we should oppose this because it goes in the wrong direction.

But let's be clear. The people who this bill will affect, too often, do not have a voice. I am here to be their voice. Enough is enough. This horrible bill needs to be stopped, and it needs to be stopped now.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the great State of Texas. He has consistently done a very great job in leading these efforts for the Congressional Black Caucus, as well as our chairman, Cedric Richmond.

Mr. Speaker, this is an interesting time that we are in, obviously, in the country, and it is a rather challenging time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to let

you know, last year this time, on November 14, 2016, I was sworn in. So I have been here for 1 year, Mr. Speaker. In that 1 year, when I stood in this well of this House, I talked about the importance of putting country first and moving America forward.

I said at that particular time that I thought it was extremely important that we work together, and all my colleagues, at that time, from Pennsylvania, stood with me, Democrats and Republicans alike. I talked in this well of the House on November 14, 2016, about the need to concentrate on the people first; that I thought it was extremely essential that we understood that we should talk about the issues that are most important to people and not what is important to us; that we now are in a governance mode, not a political mode.

There will be time to have discussions about political next year, but this particular time we need to put people first.

Mr. Speaker, our country has not seen bipartisan tax reform since 1986, and that was when President Reagan was President of the United States, and Speaker Tip O'Neill was Speaker of this House.

I think it is safe to say, the U.S. Tax Code is in need of major facelifting. But let me make it very clear when I say the way the Republican Party and the Trump administration are going about tax reform is all wrong.

One of my main priorities in Congress is to help keep moving the city of Philadelphia forward. The Republican tax bill impedes our ability to move our city forward. At a time when older cities and suburbs are pressed for funding, this destructive tax plan is yet another way the Republican Party is taking resources from our cities.

What do I mean by this?

On Friday past, Mr. Speaker, I joined with the mayor of the city of Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney; the city council president, Darrell Clarke; Congressman Bob Brady; and HELP USA to hold a press conference to call attention to how our neighborhoods would be hard hit by this Republican tax plan.

We stood in front of what used to be a school building in Philadelphia, but has now been transformed into a supportive housing facility that will soon house 37 veterans and individuals aged 55 and older. It is these kinds of investments and transformations that will move our neighborhoods forward that are at stake under the GOP tax plan. We have a lot to lose under the Republican tax plan.

Mr. Speaker, you may recall that the President, at that time, Candidate Trump, went to the city of Philadelphia and asked, specifically targeted to the African-American community: ``What do you have to lose?'' That is what he said.

He talked about the schools. He talked about the neighborhoods. He talked about all of the challenges that we face in urban America and, particularly, to the African-American community.

So, Mr. President, we have a lot to lose under the Republican tax plan. The repeal of private activity bonds would be devastating for hospitals--I have a number of hospitals in my district. Temple University, Einstein, Lankenau, University of Penn, Saint Joseph's University--universities, and other nonprofit institutions in Philadelphia and Montgomery County who depend on these bonds and rely on public-private partnerships to address critical infrastructure needs, finance valued projects, and ensure affordable housing.

The list of harmful provisions in this bait-and-switch tax bill goes on and on.

I just received a letter from Chairwoman Val Arkoosh and Vice Chair Ken Lawrence of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. They wrote to me to tell me how residents in Montgomery County are alarmed by what is happening in this tax bill. They are extremely concerned about the fate of the State and local tax deductions. Without SALT, taxpayers are going to be feel an extreme tax hike. They are extremely concerned about the fate of the State and local tax deductions because this will have an extreme impact on local government.

That is just not right, Mr. Speaker.

Just the other day, I spoke with local labor leaders who expressed their great concerns on this tax scam. Mr. Speaker, that is true, it is a tax scam. It is something where jobs will continue to go overseas, not to our communities.

In a district that has 27 percent poverty in the Second Congressional District, I am truly concerned about the loss of jobs. They are incredibly fearful of what this plan means to the lives of hardworking families across our Commonwealth. They know it is going to be too many of their families who are going to be among those hit the hardest.

Mr. Speaker, remember what I said when I got elected and sworn in. I said that we need to put people first. This tax scam does not put people first.

These are the stories, fears, and concerns of real people in our neighborhood. These are the people we should be concerned with. These are the people on the front line; people who have serious questions about the intentions of this tax plan.

What is the Republicans' response?

To push it through for a win. Let me repeat that. To push it through for a win. That is wrong and unacceptable.

We are in the business of building a stronger tomorrow for our students, our seniors, our veterans, hardworking families, and all who call our neighborhoods home.

Instead of taking away more resources from our cities and suburbs, we should be looking for ways to build, invest, and enhance the existing infrastructure our cities have to offer to make them what they are, to attract prospective home buyers and current homeowners. Let me repeat that. We should be looking for making ways more attractive to prospective home buyers and current homeowners.

Mr. Speaker, we have a real opportunity here to make a difference. Again, I am happy to be a part of the Congressional Black Caucus under Chairman Richmond's leadership, as well as Mr. Veasey, in leading this effort because this is the kind of effort that we have to raise the consciousness and convince people they must resist.

We must resist, no matter what they say the numbers are, and keep our voices loud so that they can hear that we are not accepting what is taking place here.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here with my colleagues expressing the concern and the outrage that I have about this tax scam. This is not about the people. This is about the interest groups. We have a chance to make a change, Mr. Speaker, and we need to work together.

I said almost 1 year ago on this day, in this well of this House, that the only way we can move America forward is when we work together. I don't say that just to be saying it. I say it because that is what I did when I was in the Pennsylvania Legislature, working together to make a difference. That is the only way we are going to move the needle, when people work together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an influential and dedicated woman from Philadelphia, Marian B. Tasco, a devoted public official, and former City Council representative for the Ninth District of the City of Philadelphia.

Marian Tasco has dedicated her life and career to improving the lives of others through public service. Prior to being elected to public office, Marian Tasco was a Campaign Manager for former Congressman William H. Gray, III, and served as Director of Constituent Services for Gray's Philadelphia office. She also served as an assistant to the late C. Delores Tucker, the former Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and earlier in her career, served as Task Force Coordinator for the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, under the leadership of Charles W. Bowser, Esq. Marian Tasco first went to work for the City of Philadelphia in 1959 as a clerk typist I, in the Philadelphia Police Department's Pawn Brokers Division. She was soon promoted to a clerk typist II position and was reassigned to the Registrar's Office of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Prestigiously, Marian Tasco stands out as the first African-American elected Philadelphia

City Commissioner (1983-1987). She also served as the Ward Leader for the renowned 50th Ward, where she was unanimously elected by the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee to represent Pennsylvania on the Democratic National Committee.

In 1988, Marian Tasco was elected as a Councilwoman for the Ninth District of the City of Philadelphia, a position she held until 2016. As a Councilwoman, she served as both City Council Majority Leader and Majority Whip. Her leadership was greatly valued by her council colleagues and the administrations she served alongside.

As a veteran legislator, she understood the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their productivity and was exceedingly effective in her commitment to obtain services that preserve and enhance the quality of life for her constituency. Impressively, she introduced and secured the passage of a multitude of bills and resolutions that directly relate to improving general city services, protecting and enhancing the health and welfare of women, children, and families, and making Philadelphia neighborhoods and commercial corridors safe havens for all citizens.

In addition to using her political influence to accomplish all of the above-outlined deeds, Marian Tasco chaired the City Council Public Health and Human Services Committee and the Council Committee on Finance. While Marian Tasco's board appointments are many, she is held in high esteem and recognized for her commitment as the chair of the Philadelphia Gas Commission, a lifetime appointment on the Board of Directors for the Board of City Trusts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board.

With more than 50 years of combined service, Marian Tasco has received countless awards and honors from numerous community, civic and religious organizations. Those recognitions include: an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Lincoln University; the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition Dwight Evans Living Legacy Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign Fund; a Good Housekeeping Magazine Award for Women in Government, and a Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women's Elected Women of the Year Award. Most recently, she was ranked in the top 20 by Philadelphia Magazine for Most Influential people, was honored by WES Health System through the renaming of Lindley Court Apartments as the Marian B. Tasco Arms, and bestowed ``Best Kingmaker'' through the 2016 Best of Philly Awards for her support in electing James Kenney as mayor.

The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to Marian Tasco for her dedicated support and service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, today I had the wonderful opportunity to join with a group of civic, business, and community leaders to introduce a new program in the city of Philadelphia called Hub of Hope. The brainchild of SEPTA and Project HOME, Hub of Hope is a new initiative to address homelessness in our city.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 6,000 people are homeless in the city of Philadelphia, and 15,000 are homeless in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ending homelessness requires a team effort on the city, State, and Federal level. I am committed to doing my part to ensure that people do not have to sleep on the streets and that their personal, physical security, and mental health needs are addressed in a comprehensive manner. I look forward to working with the people of SEPTA and Project HOME on the new Hub of Hope program.

Hub of Hope is another tool in our toolbox to help move our middle neighborhoods forward. With tools like Hub of Hope in our toolbox, I know that, together, we can continue to work to build a stronger Philadelphia, block by block.

Mr. Speaker, this year my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have wasted months in often misguided debate over repealing the Affordable Care Act. While this debate has raged within one political party, the Children's Health Insurance Program has expired.

I received a letter last night from Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania. He wants us to act to protect the hundreds of thousands of children in our Commonwealth who depend on CHIP funding to meet their basic healthcare needs.

The GOP has failed to reauthorize CHIP over arguments of how to pay for it and the distractions of a failed effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. That puts us in a tough spot in Philadelphia and the Commonwealth.

I am convinced that something must be done because, as Governor Wolf points out, time is essential for our State and numerous others; yet 300,000 kids are enrolled in CHIP, which will soon run out of money to pay for their care.

The kids who rely on CHIP funding are some of the most vulnerable in our State, and, frankly, they need action now. The solution doesn't have to be partisan. Providing low-income kids and the hospitals that serve them isn't a Democratic or Republican issue; it is a commonsense issue. The failure to act is unacceptable, so I say now we need to do something.

I urge my colleagues in the GOP to get to work on a bipartisan solution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated and accomplished man from our City, former Pennsylvania State Representative, Peter D. Truman.

Peter was born in the City of Philadelphia on January 13, 1935. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Florida State Christian College and attended New York State University. From 1959 to 1967, he served as an officer on the Philadelphia Police Department and in 1968, he served as a constable to the 3rd Ward of Philadelphia. After, he worked as assistant to the chief clerk in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1968 to 1971). From 1970 to 1982, he served as president of the 3rd Ward Committeeman Association. From 1971 to 1972, he was the director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of General Services. From 1972 to 1973, he worked as the regional director to the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and was an administrative assistant to the Sheriff of Philadelphia (1973 to 1975).

Further, Peter served as director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of General Services (1971 to 1972) and regional director of the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce (1972 to 1973). After, he was an administrative assistant to the Sheriff of Philadelphia (1973 to 1975) and deputy chief clerk to the Philadelphia Traffic Court (1979 to 1982). Additionally, he was a leader of the 3rd Ward Democratic Committee (1982). Admirably, he was elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1983, 1985 and 1987 terms. He resigned from the House, January 4, 1988. He also served as Clerk of Quarter Sessions for the City of Philadelphia (1988 to 1992). In addition to his diverse career of public service, Peter is the founder of Dan-Silo Consultants.

The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to Peter Truman for his dedicated support to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated and courageous man from North Philadelphia, Alphonso ``Al'' Deal, a retired Philadelphia Police Officer and former Philadelphia State Representative.

Al was born in Watertown, Florida. From 1941 to 1945, he served in the U.S. Army for four years as a Military Policeman, where he actively led protests against segregation. As an honorable discharge, he settled in Philadelphia and secured employment at the Edward G. Budd Company. While there, he was appointed chairman of the union's first Fair Employment Anti-discrimination Committee and Chairman of the Education Committee.

In 1954, Al became a Philadelphia Police Officer where he dedicated his career and life to improving the lives of others. Specifically, he aimed to end unfair police tactics and brutality. To do so, he organized the Guardian Civic League to better relations and understanding between the police and community. Under his leadership the Guardian Civic sponsored various programs such as food baskets for the needy during Christmas and Thanksgiving, sending underprivileged children to Summer Camp, serving as chaperones to teenage programs, supporting revised Fair Housing Legislation and cooperating with other Civic groups to further their efforts in general service to the community. Further, Al served as the first Black man to be assigned to the Labor Squad.

In 1969, Al took a leave of absence train and raised $52,000 for the Fayette, Mississippi Police Department. The funds raised provided the Fayette Police Department with a much needed police car. Upon his return, in 1980, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and served from 1981 to 1987.

Al dedicated his life to improving the lives of African Americans and was an active member of the NAACP since 1948. He served on various committees, became vice-president, and finally President of the North Philadelphia ``Action'' branch. Approximately 200 awards from the National, State, and Community NAACP Branches have been presented to either Al individually or to the North Philadelphia ``Action'' Branch for outstanding achievement. Likewise, the National Black Police Association created a scholarship in honor of Al Deal. In addition to receiving numerous awards and honors, Al served on the Board of Trustees at Temple University.

Although Al faced adversity, it served as a stepping stone to carry on his work of improving the lives of others. The 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to Al ``The People's Champion'' for his dedicated support to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to anchor tonight's CBC Special Order hour.

I first want to thank the coanchors, Representative Veasey and Delegate Stacey Plaskett, for their work on coanchoring the Special Order hour for the caucus.

Our thoughts and our prayers are with those in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, as well as those in Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, and others who have been impacted by the devastating hurricanes. We also pray for our brothers and sisters in Mexico, who are recovering and rehabilitating after the devastating earthquake that rocked their country. We encourage all to do what they can do to help our brothers and our sisters.

Tonight, we are here to talk about how we must continue to root out racism. We are here to talk about how we should bring our neighborhoods, our Nation, together and not drive Americans apart.

What took place in Charlottesville, and the dialogue with the NFL players, the NBA players, President Trump continues to highlight how our President does not seem to understand what is at stake and how his actions are undermining the strength and the stability of our neighborhoods.

You have heard me say, as I have said it again and again two summers ago when speaking to members of an African-American community at a rally in Philadelphia, President Trump says: ``What do you have to lose?''

He actually said: ``What the hell do you have to lose?''

That is right. What do you have to lose? Everything, Mr. President. We have everything to lose: good schools for our children, safe neighborhoods, reliable healthcare, quality jobs, peace of mind, and that the next generation will be better off.

President Trump has been in office for almost 250 days, and all we have to show for it is division, division, division. He has divided our country in ways we didn't even think we wanted to acknowledge are still happening in 2017.

For the next 60 minutes, we have a chance to speak directly to the American people on issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congress, and the constituents we represent.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield to the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Honorable Cedric Richmond from the Second Congressional District of Louisiana.

Madam Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, who, under his leadership, has clearly demonstrated that he understands and gets it.

Look at the President's actions just this past week. He is involved in an incredible, misguided, thoughtless, careless Twitter fight with the NFL, the NBA, and other athletes, while people in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands need emergency housing, electricity, clean water, and other Federal aid.

When Americans think of big things, they think of the Office of the President of the United States. Let me repeat that. When Americans think of big things, they think of the Office of the President of the United States.

In these times, Americans--and the rest of the world, for that matter--think of the U.S. President as a person who takes time to think over the great ideas of the day, works to fix the biggest problems and find ways to make the world come together, no matter the party, no matter the person.

Madam Speaker, I want to yield to a gentleman whom I have known for a long period of time, and I knew his father, who was a real leader, and he has definitely come along and carried that. As a matter of fact, we are neighbors. He is from the great Garden State, the honorable Donald Payne, Jr., of the Tenth Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, the gentleman from New Jersey is spot on, as usual. He has a very quiet demeanor, but he is someone who, when he speaks, is very clear and concise with his thoughts and his comments. In the short period of time that I have been here, I have watched him in action; and I think when you just heard his comments, you heard that he really understands, as he said, that we all do believe in America, but we know there is an awful lot of work to do, and he has certainly expressed that.

Madam Speaker, professional sports is a system built on unity and bringing people together. As civic leaders, we should take our cue from them. Teams, coaches, players, spectators, football, basketball, ice hockey, tennis, they are all great unifiers in our country. It is disappointing to see players attacked in their effort to shed light on inequality in our neighborhoods.

We know division and inequality exists in our neighborhoods. We should be shining a light, as the gentleman from New Jersey just did, on how to change this and make it better.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the great State of Illinois (Ms. Kelly), someone who I have watched a great deal, and she just did a fantastic job over the weekend. I watched her in action.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois, who was very succinct, and added points that she needed to. She was very potent in what she just said.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman). She and I had the chance to travel together during the summer, and she has been a fantastic friend.

Mr. Speaker, as usual, I am speechless as the gentlewoman gives her comments because she definitely lets people know where she stands, and I thank her for her comments.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore), another person who also is what I consider a wordsmith.

Mr. Speaker, as usual, Congresswoman Moore really gets to the point, and I have watched in the short period of time and knew her on the State level as we dealt in the legislature.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson), someone who is very sharp and quick with his tongue.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman because he speaks truth to power. He does not bite his tongue.

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks, and to include any extraneous material in the Record on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, the next person is a rare blend of poise, grace, and elegance. In the short period of time I have had the pleasure working with her, she has been a gentlewoman, but she has been a very powerful voice.

Those who watched her in the last month, she has fought for Hurricane Harvey funding, but she has also done her job. She has been extremely sophisticated.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the great State of Texas and city of Houston (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 28 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, September 26, 2017, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the Virgin Islands for her leadership in terms of being provided this opportunity that she has demonstrated clearly that she has been leading these efforts for the Congressional Black Caucus. So I want to again compliment her for all that she has done not just through words, but through action. And then my neighboring legislator from New Jersey, he and I worked very close together and I have known him an awful long time. So I thank both of you.

I have always said there is a big difference between campaigning and governing. I will say that again. There is a big difference between campaigning and governing. President Trump, it is time to govern.

When I talk to people in my district, they are scared about what President Trump and the Republicans are doing when it comes to their healthcare. They know that the Republicans want to take away their healthcare, and they do not know where to turn. We know that the Republican healthcare bill does not protect our family members and friends from preexisting conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I want to tell you the story of a small businessowner in my district named Andrea. Andrea owns a small pet store, Spot's--The Place for Paws, in Narberth, Pennsylvania. Andrea left her Philadelphia law practice to pursue her dream of owning a small business. Andrea has type 1 diabetes, and without the ACA, she would not be able to get the well-priced coverage that covers her health expenses and medication and allows her to keep her shop open.

We are talking about passing a bill that will make life harder for those trying to get ahead. That is wrong, and that is a risk we cannot take.

Even though the President has yet to deliver on a single promise in 6 months, Pennsylvanians are still anxious and fearful of his plans for the future. President Trump has been in office for 6 months, and we have had 6 months of court cases, stalling, and tweets. Let me repeat that. We have had 6 months of court cases, stalling, and tweets.

The Trump administration is still clearly not ready for prime time. From healthcare to the Russians, to the budget, the Republican party has left the American people with nothing but broken promises.

Philadelphia and Montgomery County residents in my district deserve better. The American people deserve better. For 8 years, the ``Party of No'' constantly criticized President Obama. Yet, even with control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, they have yet to deliver on a jobs plan, healthcare, tax reform, and the list goes on.

Our Federal workers who help secure our Nation's borders, protect and monitor our food supply, and support businesses through agencies like the SBA should not have to wait for Republicans to continue to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the country.

Our neighborhoods have a lot to lose if we don't stand united and fight for what is right. It is time to roll up our sleeves and work across party lines to fight for sound economic policies that give our schools and students and our small businessowners and entrepreneurs, our seniors, and our veterans the resources they need to prosper and build stronger neighborhoods block by block,

It is time for a better deal. We deserve a better deal and a better opportunity. It is clear to me that we need to build on that opportunity for the future, and the only way we can do it is we have to stop campaigning, Mr. President, and we have to begin to govern.

The over 300 million Americans deserve all of us functioning together, and the Congressional Black Caucus, the conscience of this body, is prepared to lead.

My colleague, who has been leading this effort, she has been demonstrating over and over again a message of hope and optimism. She, too, knows that we can have a better deal, and that better deal is an optimism of people working together.

So I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your leadership and what you have demonstrated.