Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of outstanding Black media in the 18th Congressional District in the great city of Houston.

Houston is one of America's most diverse cities, and it has a large, vibrant African-American community.

Black media has always been a critical component in keeping us informed, speaking truth to power, honoring unsung heroes, and shedding light on racial injustice.

Associate Justice Felix Frankfurter once said: ``Without a free press there can be no free society.''

I recognize the important contributions of those who have blazed a path for us.

May 2, 1919, Clifton Frederick Richardson, Sr., founded and became publisher and editor of the African-American newspaper the Houston Informer, which published its first issue a few weeks later. It ran for 20 years and covered so many critical moments in Houston's history, and it continues today through a foundation.

In 1930, the Houston Defender was founded by Clifton F. Richardson, Sr., and he was born after the vestiges of slavery in 1897 in Marshall, Texas. He learned the basics of journalism and printing during his studies at Bishop College. Today, the proud tradition carries on through CEO Sonny Messiah-Jiles, who publishes it weekly and manages a vibrant online community.

The Houston Forward Times was founded in 1960 under the leadership of the late founder and publisher Julius P. Carter. Mr. Carter, no relation, founded the Forward Times as a means of uniting Black Houston to overcome the obstacles that were holding Blacks in the shackles of second-class citizenry. Now, his daughter, Karen Carter Richards, carries the torch as CEO and publisher.

The Houston Sun, founded in 1983, was published by Doris Ellis, who is still at the helm today. This community newspaper focuses on education and historical events in the African-American community.

Our legacy also continues with the more recently established journals, Houston Style magazine and Dee Morris magazine.

As Houston's Black community continues to grow, our media has grown with it, and Black radio became an undeniable influence.

I celebrate notable institutions, including KTSU, which is now 52 years old, having been established June 23, 1972, following approval from the FCC. KTSU 90.9 emerged as an educational FM radio station at Texas Southern University's campus. It is known for its ``Gospel Sundays'' that uplifts us all.

Former general manager of KTSU 90.9 FM for 18 years, George Wilson Thomas became a launching platform for ``The Tavis Smiley Show'' and other HBCU public radio stations that were soon to follow. It is now led by Ernest Walker as he takes it into the next generation of radio.

KMJQ 102.1, known as Majic 102, is a commercial radio station owned and operated by Urban One. Originally founded in 1961, it has had many disc jockeys who are now in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. It also partners and is coowned with our urban station, 97.9, KBXX, The Box.

I salute the legendary radio DJs ``Uncle Funky'' Larry Jones, who has had a 50-year career and is in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, as well as Kandi Eastman, who is ``the only Kandi mom wants you to have,'' who is a 43-year radio veteran.

In addition to those, I salute the legendary Don Patrick Samuel, Sr., affectionately known as Don Sam, or The Original DS. He began his professional career at KYOK Radio in Houston in 1973 and spent 32 years at KCOH Radio as director and a radio personality. He was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.

Last but not least, an important name and influence in my growing up in Black media is Benjamin Thompson. For over two decades, he has been the voice known as the Madd Hatta, a voice of inspiration, entertainment, and empowerment. He started in Houston in 1993 and ascended to new heights, taking over the morning show on 97.9, the ``Madd Hatta Morning Show.''

He is a mentor and an advocate and a community leader who, in 2014, was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. He continues to be on many stations, and you will often see him out and about throughout Houston.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to salute Houston's rich legacy of Black media. I commend those who continue to use their voice to express the pains, passion, needs, and wants of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I think one of the best ways to protect children is to protect their mothers, and so I rise to speak on H.R. 12, the Women's Health Protection Act, a critical piece of legislation that we should be considering during these increasingly dangerous and tumultuous times for women and their reproductive healthcare.

There has never been a more appropriate time to discuss a woman's right to choose than today. Simply, but most impactful for our generation, the Women's Health Protection Act will reestablish a nationwide right to abortion in the United States.

The WHPA would create a statutory right for healthcare providers to provide abortion care and a right for their patients to receive the care free from bans and restrictions that single out abortion and impede access. It will save lives.

Reproductive rights have been constantly at risk since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land almost 50 years ago, but never have they been in jeopardy as much as they are in these current times. In the wake of the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, State restrictions and new limits or bans on abortion fractured women's healthcare access and dramatically affected the ability of providers to treat pregnancy complications.

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has taken away the constitutional right to abortion, leaving millions without access to care due to restrictive and deadly State abortion bans.

In my home State of Texas, we have seen horrific cases of women being denied access to care. In fact, Texas is now ranked the second worst State in the Nation for women with health issues, according to research conducted by the Commonwealth Fund.

The Commonwealth Fund developed the first-ever State scorecard to track trends in women's health over time and documents how policy choices and judicial decisions may impact women's access to timely healthcare.

The data came from sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and evaluated States on 32 metrics across 3 areas: health outcomes; healthcare quality and prevention; and coverage, access, and affordability.

Texas ranked last in the country on healthcare coverage, access, and affordability for women according to the fund. The number of Texans seeking an abortion out of State more than quadrupled between 2021 and 2023, after a State law went into effect that banned the procedure in almost all cases.

Data from our own Texas Health and Human Services Commission shows at least 7,844 Texas residents received an abortion in a different State in 2023, up from 4,718 in 2022, and over 1,700 in 2021.

Still, the total abortions for Texas residents dropped by 85 percent compared to 2021. In 2023, just 62 abortions were reported in Texas, all due to medical emergency and/or to preserve the health of the mother. Between January of this year and June of 2024, 38 abortions were performed in the State.

Every day without congressional action means more people are being denied their human right to abortion. We need a Federal legislative solution. WHPA is the solution.

We must all continue to work together toward a future where all of us are free to make the personal decisions that shape our lives, our futures, and our families without political interference.

As we know and have seen, those hurt the most by abortion restrictions are those who already face discriminatory barriers to accessing healthcare, particularly Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian- American, Pacific Islander, and other people of color; women; and those working to make ends meet, especially those in my district.

Ensuring access to abortion care is central to the pursuit of reproductive justice and the human rights to maintain bodily autonomy and live in safe and sustainable communities.

Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I ask my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can bring up this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters and Congresswoman Barbara Lee for their tremendous leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support S. 4243, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, in honor of the legendary Shirley Anita Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968.

Her historic election was not just a victory for New York's 12th District, but for all of us, affirming that these Halls belong to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or background. During her seven impactful terms, she championed equity in education, economic opportunity, and social justice, and she advocated for marginalized communities.

Her courage inspired generations, including my late mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who carried forward her fight for justice and equality. There was no place she would have rather been than supporting her sisters in voting on this medal, so I am honored to be able to vote in her honor and memory and support S. 4243, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to highlight the Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Freedmen's Town in the Fourth Ward of Houston, Texas, one of the most historic African-American communities in our Nation.

On June 19, 1865, the day now known as Juneteenth, when General Granger enforced the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, many formerly enslaved people made their way to Houston, where they built a thriving community against incredible odds.

The Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy, established in 2018, plays a crucial role in preserving this nationally registered historical site. I acknowledge its leadership, President Eileen Lawal, and Vice President Harry Johnson, who continue to protect this community's history.

I encourage Americans to visit the Freedmen's Town Museums Houston, founded in 1996, which continues to educate the public about the community's rich legacy, inspired by the vision of Olee Yates McCullough and her father, Rutherford B.H. Yates.

Thanks to these organizations, Freedmen's Town has been designated as Houston's first heritage district and has earned recognition in UNESCO's Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project.

Preserving Freedmen's Town is essential not just to honor the past, but to ensure that all generations understand the sacrifices and achievements of the formerly enslaved.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the incredible legacy of an iconic American trailblazer and a tireless advocate for justice, the Honorable Shirley Anita Chisholm.

I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, the gentleman from Illinois, and, of course, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus for hosting this Special Order hour in honor of this indelible and phenomenal woman, one of many firsts.

I am so proud of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who shattered barriers when she became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress in 1968. Her historic election wasn't just a victory for her district. It was a victory for all of us, and I stand here with humility, thinking that I am walking and standing in the same Chamber in which she stood.

It was a powerful affirmation that the Halls of the most powerful democracy should belong to everyone regardless of race, gender, or background. She forged new pathways for Black women like me, my daughter, and all those who came after her. She set a tone in politics demanding inclusivity and diversity by unapologetically challenging systemic racism, sexism, and corruption.

During her seven impactful terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, she championed causes often overlooked by standing up for marginalized communities, women, children, and the working class.

In 1972, when she broke yet another barrier, becoming the first Black woman to seek the Presidential nomination of a major political party, her bold and visionary candidacy challenged the status quo and redefined what leadership in America could look like.

She was an incredible inspiration to my late mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and she was one of her

most revered sheroes. She spoke of her often.

Much like Chisholm, Congresswoman Jackson Lee worked tirelessly for the people, advocating for her district's most pressing issues, from education to healthcare, affordable housing, and job creation.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud and look forward to supporting and voting for the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, which will honor her trailblazing career and outstanding contributions to our Nation and, might I say, our world.

When asked about her own legacy, Chisholm once stated, ``I want to be remembered as a woman . . . who dared to be a catalyst for change.''

Indeed, she was what she dared so boldly to be, and we are grateful to her for that.

Today, I thank her for her courage, her strength, her resilience, and her steadfast commitment to justice and fairness.

As a mother, former educator, and now Congresswoman myself, standing in the very Halls she hailed, I give special thanks to her for always standing up and speaking up for the power that we all possess.

Let us celebrate and honor her legacy by recommitting ourselves to be catalysts for change, not only in our communities, but in this hallowed Chamber and across our Nation.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor an incredible milestone for a wonderful institution in the 18th Congressional District, The Community of Faith church, which was founded after the vestiges of slavery is celebrating 150 years of faith, service, and community impact.

Founded in 1873 by the Reverend Jack Henry Yates, a former slave, who defied the odds and went on to establish businesses, schools, and churches. This congregation has a rich history of perseverance and resilience.

From its humble beginnings as Mount Pillow Missionary Baptist Church to its relocation during tumultuous times, it is now under the leadership of Bishop James Dixon II and has become a beacon of hope and transformation in our community.

I honor its former leaders, including Reverend Charlie Daniel James Dixon who served 50 years, guiding it through racial adversity, and Reverend Clovis Emory Johnson who served for 2 years and helped transition the church into new era of growth.

We also remember the leadership of Reverend Dixon's own grandfather, Reverend Jack Henry Yates who served from 1873 to 1927.

This place continues to be a wonderful place of worship, a community hub for development, education, and social justice.

As we celebrate this monumental 150 anniversary, we honor the rich legacy, but also the bright future ahead that may continue to do greater works for the glory of God and the service of all people.

Madam Speaker, I salute Bishop James Dixon II for his tremendous leadership, and his three children, Mariah, Victoria, and James W.E. Dixon III.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak for so many of those unable to speak for themselves, our children.

Today, we commemorate the 70th anniversary of World Children's Day. The need for this day is even more poignant given the global challenges children face around our world.

As the daughter of the founding member of the Congressional Children's Congress, the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, I too am committed to protecting and uplifting children.

I know that many of my colleagues believe in supporting our children, and I urge you to restore the child tax credit. If the child tax credit was restored today, in 2025, roughly 2.6 million fewer children would live below the poverty line.

My mother believed deeply in protecting our children, and she worked vigorously to stop human trafficking and especially to protect our youngest, vulnerable Americans.

While protecting the lives of our children is understood, we must also stand

up for children everywhere. She also authored the Oleksander Ivanov Act of 2023, H.R. 5800, so that the children of Ukraine could be safe and protected and have access to freedom.

As we celebrate the 70th anniversary, we cannot forget the work that is still undone. There should be no child that goes to bed hungry. Unfortunately, hunger is responsible for the death of 3.1 million children a year.

I ask that we join in commemorating this anniversary and rededicate our drive to support all children as well as our own.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church's great leader, Dr. Marcus D. Cosby for 20 years of pastoral leadership. Wheeler Avenue Baptist is located in the 18th District of Texas.

The church, founded in 1962 by the late great Reverend Dr. William A. Lawson, has a rich history of faith and standing for social justice.

Dr. Cosby was the immediate selection of Dr. Lawson. In 2008, he was inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Under Dr. Cosby's leadership, the congregation has grown to over 15,000 dedicated members, many in the 18th Congressional District. Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church is dedicated to community service. They have a robust food pantry, meal distribution programs, and scholarships for students where they focus on closing the academic achievement gap. In 2024, to honor Dr. Lawson's legacy, Dr. Cosby and the church donated $1 million to five universities.

Dr. Cosby is married to the lovely first lady, Mrs. Audrey Marie Cosby. They have five children, including: daughters, Adrienne, Ashley, Aliyah; and two sons, Marcus D. Cosby, II, and Matthew D. Cosby. They also have one grandson.

I celebrate Marcus D. Cosby for 20 years of pastoral leadership. I ask that we join together in congratulating this remarkable leader and look forward to his good and faithful service for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I had the honor, in Houston, before I came back here, of opening a medical gas training lab in the heart of the 18th Congressional District, paid for by ARPA dollars supported strongly by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and this House.

These funds will provide training for apprentices with our local plumbers union, Local 68, our hardworking men and women, and they will help our large medical center that is an economic engine for Houston, Texas, and ensure that patients, nurses, and doctors are safe when these vital gases are put into their facilities.

I was grateful to be there, and I thank the Harris County Commissioners Court: Judge Hidalgo, Commissioner Ellis, Commissioner Garcia, Commissioner Briones, and Commissioner Ramsey for their partnership with our Federal dollars.

When we work together, there is nothing better we can do for America.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act. I thank Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott for their collaboration and efforts on this bill. I thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for working with the Department of Education and the great workers there to address the issues that occurred earlier.

This crucial legislation would set a firm October 1 deadline for the Department of Education to roll out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form to ensure students' access to Federal student aid in a timely manner.

For many students, FAFSA is a gateway to realizing their dreams of higher education.

In 2022, financial aid through grants or loans provided vital support to over 700,000 undergraduates in Texas in my district.

At Lone Star College, 100 percent of students receive financial aid, while 97 percent receive it at Texas Southern University, 66 percent at the University of Houston, and 39 percent at Houston Community College benefited from these essential resources.

As the cost of college continues to rise, it is crucial that we provide students with every opportunity to apply for financial aid in a timely manner, ensuring their applications are processed without delay.

As a mother, and like many parents here today, I look forward to the implementation of this legislation, which represents more than a deadline. It is a commitment to ensuring that students and parents have access to the resources they need to pursue higher education.

Access to affordable education should not be hindered by delays, and setting this October 1 deadline is a crucial step to make the FAFSA process more predictable and accessible for millions of students and families across our country.

Let us help all students focus on their studies and pursue their academic goals leading to the American Dream today.

I urge and encourage all my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Doggett, my fellow colleagues in the Texas delegation, and Mr. Jeffries for welcoming me to the House.

I, Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter, rise on behalf of the 18th Congressional District of Texas to return their voice and their vote to this esteemed body, the United States House of Representatives, to finish the 118th Congress with dignity, honor, and service.

I thank God, the author and finisher of my faith, for this awesome privilege, which I do not take lightly.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my husband, Dr. Roy L. Carter, Jr., for his unwavering support and sense of humor that keeps me going. To my twin children, Roy Lee Carter, III, and Ellison Bennett Carter, I love you with all of my heart.

To my father, Dr. Elwyn C. Lee, your unconditional love and guidance has continued to lift me.

To my brother, Jason Lee, and cousin Whitney, thank you for being my biggest supporters.

To the Jacksons, Lees, Carters, Cannons, and other extended family, thank you for being with me throughout this enormously challenging time and serving as a source of strength and support.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be the fifth person to serve the 18th Congressional District of Texas, a line of service which began with the Honorable Barbara Jordan, who was the first Black woman from the South to be elected to Congress. She was followed by the Honorable Mickey Leland, a global humanitarian who brought attention to the suffering of many around the world, particularly on the continent of Africa.

After Mickey came the Honorable Craig Washington, who was an astute jurist. Then came my mother, the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, a prolific legislator who served as a bridge from the civil rights era till now, and a dedicated public servant who was committed to making America better for her children.

I rise in the memory of my mother, the late, great Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who served this Chamber for nearly three decades. Her legacy of fierce advocacy, a voice for the voiceless, her unwavering commitment to speak truth to power shaped the lives of countless Americans. Her eloquence and mastery in the art of legislation brought forth reforms that echoed from Houston to the entire Nation.

She was a social justice leader who advocated tirelessly for women, survivors of violence, and the wrongfully accused. As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, she always fought to ensure that the United States Constitution was a living, breathing document that lived up to its promise for all people. She held it close and knew it could create a more perfect Union that we all desire.

This is why she was proud to be the lead sponsor of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act to recognize when freedom reached all America's shores. As an early member of the Homeland Security Committee, she worked to keep Americans safe at home and abroad and supported creating the Transportation Security Administration.

She was known to work across the aisle through all Presidential administrations and congressional terms, doing what was necessary to make progress, bring resources back to Houston, and bend the moral arc of the universe toward justice.

On behalf of my family, friends, and the 18th Congressional District, I offer my heartfelt thanks to her colleagues, now mine, who offered their support during her illness and beyond. Your kindness was a great comfort to her, and it reassured her that her work would endure.

As for this moment tonight, while joyful, it is bittersweet because I wish she were standing at this podium to finish the 118th Congress on her own terms. Nevertheless, there is much work to do, and it is my honor to finish what she started alongside each of you.

Mr. Speaker, I will stand for justice, freedom, economic opportunity, and the dignity for all Americans. I am so proud to serve all the people of the 18th Congressional District of Texas that starts near the bottoms of Third Ward, travels through Freedmen's Town where the newly emancipated slaves

settled and began to celebrate Juneteenth, steps into the Fifth Ward, the birthplace of Barbara and Mickey, travels toward the resilient Independence Heights, moves to North Forest then Humble, and then west toward Acres Homes.

Mr. Speaker, I pledge every day to work hard for my constituents because every day they work hard to reach their American Dream. I am grateful for this moment in time to do this work and be a small part of my mother's tremendous legacy in this body. May God bless our work and may God bless the United States of America.