Floor Statements

Offered By: Ms. Wilson of Florida

Amendment No. 41: At the end of the bill (before the short

title), insert the following:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mr. Alvin Aureliano Davis, who was recently named the 2012 Macy's Florida Department of Education State Teacher of the Year. With this honor, Mr. Davis will serve as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for education, touring Florida as an education advocate. Mr. Davis is the band teacher at Miramar High School and has been a music educator for the past 11 years. By actively encouraging his students and keeping them engaged on obtainable goals, his students find success both in and out of the classroom. For the past three years, every student who was a regular participating member of the Miramar High band program has gone on to college under his guidance and leadership.

Alvin Davis graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in, Music Education. He began his professional career as the band instructor at Crystal Lake Middle School, teaching the fundamentals of band to 6th thru 8th graders. As the director of the Miramar High School band, Mr. Davis has continuously constructed his music program and performances with the philosophy of developing an award winning, academic-focused music program on the cutting edge of creativity and band pageantry.

Mr. Davis has a genuine and vested interest in his students. Passing on the legacy of music appreciation is only part of his greater mission of instilling academics and discipline. He requires his students to receive one-on-one counseling with a member of the band staff, and he personally reviews students' report cards and interim reports. Every school band rehearsal includes a one-hour study hall where students are tutored. He has implemented guidelines that high school seniors can perform only if they have registered to take the ACT or SAT college entrance exams, and must prove they have applied for admission to a college or university.

Over the years he has developed a reputation as an educator with a heart as big as the moon as he is wholeheartedly dedicated to the entire educational welfare of students.

Alvin Davis is the husband of Tiffani Davis and the proud father of his daughter, Caitlyn. I proudly acknowledge his achievement as the 2012 Macy's Florida Department of Education State Teacher of the Year and appreciate his commitment to the many students whose lives he has positively impacted.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a proven and respected leader and my Soror, Marsha Lewis Brown, the 17th Director of the South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has honored Alpha Kappa Alpha with her sterling commitment for the last 38 years.

Marsha Lewis Brown has served as President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Parliamentarian in her home chapter, Gamma Theta Omega, located in Tampa, Florida. In all of these positions she has served with dignity, grace and fortitude. Soror Brown has been the recipient of many Alpha Kappa Alpha accolades including, Soror of the Year, Soror in the Spotlight, President Meritorious, and most notably the Chapter Leadership Award.

Marsha Lewis Brown has had an impressive tenure with Alpha Kappa Alpha. She was awarded the 2004 Margaret Davis Bowen Outstanding Alumna Soror of the South Atlantic Regional Conference award. She has been at the helm of many committees including, Chairman of the South Atlantic Regional Heritage Committee from 2006 to 2010, a four-year chairmanship of the South Atlantic Regional Standards Committee, a four-year chairmanship of the South Atlantic Regional Leadership Development Committee, and 1999 General Conference Chairman for the South Atlantic Regional Conference in Orlando, Florida. She also served four years as a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha International Standards Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud that such an energetic, gifted and dedicated Soror is following in my footsteps and joins the ranks of so many other distinguished Regional Directors from the great State of Florida. Soror Marsha Lewis Brown is an exemplary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. I honor her today for her leadership as she continues to inspire and motivate the women of the South Atlantic Regional Conference.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with pride and exuberance to mark my return to Greenville, SC, home to my very first regional conference as the 11th South Atlantic Regional Director in 1987.

In March of 1987, more than 1,300 sorors from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina convened in Greenville, South Carolina for the South Atlantic Regional Conference. We captured the attention of both State and local dignitaries, including Lt. Governor of South Carolina, the Mayor of Laurens, South Carolina, and were presented ``Keys to the City'' by the Mayor of Greenville William Workman. Former Supreme Basileus Janet Ballard and many members of the Directorate were in attendance. The conference theme was ``Service with a Global Perspective'' and it was planned and coordinated by Soror Charlotte Walker and Soror Xanthene Norris, Cluster VIII coordinator. When the conference concluded on March 22, 1987, we returned to our respective homes renewed in our bonds of sisterhood.

Two decades laters, the South Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., continues to blaze trails and stands largest of the ten Alpha Kappa Alpha regions with more than 10,000 members strong. Our region is home to two former Basilei, Soror Mary Shy Scott, and Soror Norma Solomon White. Currently leading our esteemed sisterhood is our own, Soror Carolyn House Stewart, the 28th Supreme Basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

It is my pleasure to pay tribute to each of my Sorors of the South Atlantic Region as we gather for our 59th annual conference, under the leadership of our Regional Director, Soror Marsha Lewis Brown. There is no other place I would rather call home. My pride is showing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Women's History Month and to recognize the many contributions women have made to our community.

Specifically, I want to recognize these remarkable women from South Florida for their dedication and commitment: Annie Baker, Bishop Catherine P. Baskin, School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Mayor Daisy Black, Patricia Jennings Braynon, Baltena Brown, Rhea Brown, Queen Brown, Senator Larcenia Bullard, Vanessa Woodard Byers, Representative Daphne Campbell, Lillian Cooper, Emma Curry, Nancy Dawkins, Martha C. Day, Lucia Davis-Raiford, Patricia Daniels, Melodie Delancey, Barbara Dent, Earlene P. Dotson, Gail Ash Dotson, Dr. Barbara Edwards, Gussie J. Ervin, Commissioner Betty Ferguson, Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Susie W. Francis, Regina Jollivette Frazier, Kimberly Gaines, Patricia Garrett, Mayor Shirley Gibson, Emily Gunther, Elsie Hamler, Thomasina Hargrove, Alexis Harris, Debi Harris, Karen Hawkins, Bea Hines, Bertha Henry, Nicole Henry, Anne T. Herriott, Cheryl Holder, Janice Powell Hopton, Vikki Hoshing, Andrea Ivory, Sandra Jackson, Jeanne F. Jacobs, Juanita B. Johnson, Commissioner Barbara

Jordan, Yolanda Cash-Jackson, Pamela Jones, Renee S. Jones, Juliet King, Linda Kelly Kearson, Juanita A. Lane, Pamela Luckie Latimore, Betty Major, Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek, Sigilenda Miles, Yvette Miley, Tracey Mourning, Georgia McClean, Shirlyon McWhorter, Bobbie Mumford (Posthumously), Maud P. Newbold, Beverly E. Nixon, Adora Obi Nweze, Dr. Rozlyn Paschal, Enid C. Pinkney, Bernadette Poitier, Michele Paramore, Tammy Reed, Rachel Reeves, Zarifa Reynolds, Collette Hart Richardson, Donna Riley, Treska Rodgers, Akua Scott, Sherrilyn Scott, Claudia Slater, Rhoda Shirley, Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones, Representative Cynthia Stafford, Jessie A. Stinson, Kay M. Sullivan, Mayor Myra Taylor, Penelope Townsley, Dr. Andrea Trowers, Priscilla Thompson, Rosetta Vickers, Sandy Walker, Thelma Walker, Representative Barbara Watson, Dolores Washington, Eloise Washington, Patrenia Washington, Gwendolyn Welters, Rhonda Wimberley, Heather Woolery-Lloyd, Geneva Woodard, Jacquelyn White, Bobbie Jones Wilfork, Mattie Williams, Katrina Wilson-Davis, Ellen Wright, Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, Rhonda Vangates, Georgia Ayers, Kim McCray, Deborah Owens, Misty Brown, Vice-Mayor Felicia Brunson, Commissioner Barbara Sharief, Marlene Bastien, Renita Holmes, Debra Toomer, Lavern Ellie-Scott, Carline Paul, Lucy Tundra, Josie Portier, Dr. Mae Christian, Tangela Sears, Barbara Hardemon, Stephanie Bromfield, Retha Boone, Lottie Hines, Karen Cartwright, Jackie Bell, Elaine Black, Annie Neasman, Dr. Evalina Bestman, Roslyn Frazier, Chief Therese Homer, Thelma Gibson, Frankie Rolle, Corkie Dozier, Shemele Jenkins, Geraldine Washington, Thema Campbell, Kiani Nesbitt, Marjorie Spicer, Sonya Flowers, Rita Pierre, Velma Lawrence, Terri Rutherford, Julia Brown, Beatrice Louissaint, Woodie Lesesne, Dr. Brenda Snipes, Carmen Morris, Sandra St. Amand, Faye Davis, Cheryl Mizell, Penelopy Townsend, Bloneva Jones, Inez Johnson, Joanna Chestnut, Ann Foster, Sharon Anderson, Belinda Tucker, Mary Francisco, Sharette Hepburn, Virginia Hepburn, Lenora Miller, Catherine McFarland, Mamie Jenkins, Mary Robinson, Virla Barry, Mary McRae, Esther Roundtree-Johnson, Dr. Mary A. Tumpkin, Dr. Gloria Williams, Farrah Wilson, LaKesha Wilson-Rochelle, Prophetess Charlene HoIts, Karen Andre, Farah Juste, Romanita Ford, Opal Jones, Willowstine Lawson, Bernadette Morris, Aletha Player, Sharon Pritchett, Diana Ragbeer, Councilwoman Lisa Davis, Councilwoman Felicia Robinson, Commissioner Rose Tydus, Commissioner Dorothy Johnson and Jennifer Adger Grant.

I am proud to stand and pay tribute to all of these dynamic women, and say thank you on behalf of all the constituents of Florida's 17th Congressional District.

Mr. Chair, I rise today to voice my opposition to the House Republican budget which ends Medicare guarantees while giving huge tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires. As they have done countless times over the past three decades, the House Republicans are siding with millionaires and billionaires, while making life more difficult for seniors, students, and working people and families. To fund an average tax cut of $400,000 per year for people making more than $1 million annually, they would take away the Medicare guarantee and the Affordable Care Act's provisions to close the donut hole and for free preventive care; destroy more than 4 million jobs through 2014; and cut funding for Pell Grants, K 12 education and Head Start. Instead of continuing with 30 years of failed trickle-down economic policy, we should be investing in our infrastructure, education and research--we need to pass the President's budget for our country's long-term economic health and to renew the American Dream for our children and grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I made a promise to Trayvon. I made a promise to his mother. I promised to stand up for Trayvon. I promised that I would rise every day and let the world know how long it has been since he was murdered. Today marks 33 days since Trayvon's death--33 days without justice.

I want to let Trayvon know that I'm going home this evening. I'm going home because votes have finished for the week, but I will be back. This vigil will not stop. It will continue every day. Every day the House is in recess, I will tweet the world and update on how many days have passed without justice; and this Sunday, I will personally host a rally back home--Trayvon's home--in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I want Trayvon to know that he is not forgotten. He is missed. He is loved. We will continue to stand up for justice for Trayvon.

Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, I rise to thank those Members and witnesses who joined together yesterday to discuss the tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin: Representatives Conyers, Jackson Lee, Brown, Barbara Lee, Richmond, Nadler, Johnson, Green, Quigley, Rush, Deutch, Yvette Clarke, Danny Davis, Carson, Meeks, Sewell, Richardson, Waters, Chu, and Cohen.

I cannot tell you how comforting it was, Mr. Speaker, to his parents and to everyone there to see such sharp, very strong support from this body. Together, we can continue to apply pressure in this case of Trayvon Martin, a little boy from my district, District 17, Miami-Dade County, Florida; and together we can make a difference. Thirty-two days and still no justice.

Twenty years ago, while serving as a school principal, I founded the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence project in Miami, Florida--a million dollar, nationally recognized and honored foundation that specifically addresses the trials and tribulations of young black boys and sends them to college. It serves almost 20,000 boys throughout Florida.

In spite of that, this sign stands outside the door of my congressional office, and I change the number every day. It speaks loudly. Trayvon Martin's murderer is still at large. Thirty-one days with no arrest. Trayvon died because of racial profiling 31 days ago.

If you walk into any inner city high school in the African American community, Mr. Speaker, and ask the students, ``Have you ever been racially profiled,'' trust me, every one of them will raise their hands, boys and girls. You might say to me, ``Congresswoman, what does that mean? Who is profiled? And who is doing the profiling?'' I will tell you:

Boys by police officers.

Boys by vigilante wannabe-police officers.

Boys who get into an elevator and then everyone else gets off.

Boys who walk down the sidewalk and everyone crosses the street.

Boys who watch people lock their car doors when they approach a car.

Boys who see women clutch their purse as they walk towards them.

Boys who will try to catch a cab but not one who will stop.

Boys who are followed around in stores while they shop.

Boys who wear hoodies.

Boys who wear dreads.

Boys who wear gold teeth.

Boys who sag their pants.

And boys who are walking while black, talking while black, shopping while black, eating while black, studying while black, and playing while black, and just being black.

How would you feel if you were treated with such disdain and such isolation? How do you think these little boys feel? It is a sociological problem that dates back to the days of slavery. These boys begin to see themselves not as real men, but as caricatures of real men whom people fear and despise.

Racial profiling for black boys is real, Mr. Speaker. It is not perceived. It is real, and it is happening as I speak

all over America today. Boys and girls, whom some would call a menace to society, will one day grow up to be good men in society. Those very same boys cry themselves to sleep at night because they don't know how to deal with the pressures and with the pain. You have to walk in their shoes to understand.

I call upon this Congress today and upon this Nation today:

Don't profile them.

Don't fear them.

Don't despise them.

Don't fill our prisons with them.

And please don't hunt them down like dogs and kill them.

Love them and educate them. They could be your son. They are all somebody's son. And they, too, are God's children.

Thirty-one days and still no justice. Shame, shame, shame. And today, I again demand justice for Trayvon. I demand justice for all murdered children. Power to the people and power to the children.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 130, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to continue my calls for justice in the murder of Trayvon Martin.

It has been 30 days since his death, exactly 1 month since the Sanford police actually talked to the killer as he hunted and pursued young Trayvon with a loaded gun in his pocket. From every indication and every piece of evidence we have, George Zimmerman was the aggressor in this case.

This is a classic case of racial profiling. He pursued Trayvon as he walked down the sidewalk. The police dispatcher said, Stand down. Leave the boy alone. And Trayvon ended up dead, a small 17-year-old from Miami whom we all love.

This is not a victim we will forget. We will fight. We know who his killer is. We will not be quiet. I demand justice for Trayvon. I demand justice for Trayvon's family, and I demand justice for all of America's murdered children.

Mr. Speaker, this is Trayvon Martin.

Trayvon Martin's murderer is still at large. It's been 1 month, 30 days with no arrest. I want America to see this sweet, young boy, who was hunted down like a dog, shot in the street, and his killer is still at large.

Not one person has been arrested in Trayvon's murder. I want to make sure that America knows that in Sanford, Florida, there was a young boy murdered. He's buried in Miami, Florida, and not one person has been arrested even though we all know who the murderer is.

This was a standard case of racial profiling. No more, no more. We will stand for justice for Trayvon Martin.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I promised that every day I would come to the floor of this House and announce to America just how long justice for Trayvon Martin has been delayed. As of today, Trayvon Martin was murdered 26 days ago, and still there has been no arrest. There has been no arrest, and everyone is suffering. His parents are suffering, his classmates are suffering, and his whole Miami community is suffering.

A psychologist once described to me what it feels like to lose a child. She

says it is as if someone cuts your chest open, rips out your heart, throws it on the ground, stomps on it, picks it up, places it back in your chest, and then sews you back up. She said the parents carry that pain inside of their heart forever.

So, today, this is for Sybrina and Tracy, Trayvon's parents. As they fight for justice, I stand with them. We demand justice for Trayvon. We demand justice for all murdered children. Stay strong, Sybrina and Tracy, stay strong. I'll be with you at the rally this evening just as soon as votes here are done. Keep one hand in God's hand, and stay strong, my friends, stay strong.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Madam Speaker, Trayvon Martin was a 17-year- old young boy who lived in my district and attended school within walking distance of my home. I have known his family most of my life, and they are pleading, begging, crying for justice. The whole city of Miami is pleading for justice as they try to remain calm.

Every day, every day I will come to this floor and announce to America how long justice for Trayvon Martin has been delayed by using this charge.

Today marks the 25th day. Trayvon Martin was murdered 25 days ago, and still there has been no arrest. The evidence is overwhelming. Every single day new evidence emerges, and still there is no arrest.

To date, the FBI, the DOJ, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FDLE, and the State Attorney's Office are all involved in investigations surrounding his death. And still there has been no arrest.

What does it take? What more does it take?

The eyes of people pleading for justice in this Congress and everywhere I go are watching Sanford, Florida. The grand jury has been selected, and the grand jury is not reflective of Trayvon's family nor Trayvon. That must be corrected immediately.

I've heard from Trayvon's family. I've heard from his brother, his uncle, his classmates, his teachers, community leaders, the school superintendent. I even spoke to his mother again late last night. Everyone is calling for justice.

What happened to Trayvon was a classic example of racial profiling, quickly followed by murder of our dear, sweet Trayvon Martin.

Do you know that it took 3 days, 3 whole days, for the police to release Trayvon's body from the morgue to be shipped to Miami for burial and the funeral simply because the Police Department would not submit the necessary paperwork?

Sanford Police, do your duty. Arrest the murderer today. Twenty-five days is much too long.

We must stand up for justice. We must stand up for Trayvon. And we must stand up for our children.

Mr. Speaker, I am tired of burying young black boys. I am tired of watching them suffer at the hands of those who fear them and despise them. I'm tired of comforting mothers, fathers, grandparents, sisters, and brothers after such unnecessary, heinous crimes of violence.

In Florida, almost 3 years ago, as I served in the Florida Senate, a young black boy, Martin Lee Anderson, was beaten to death at a Florida boot camp. It was all captured on a State of Florida Corrections video and shown all over the world. Martin Lee Anderson was beaten and tortured until his lifeless body couldn't take any more, and then Martin Lee Anderson was dead at the hands of several boot camp guards-- a young boy who wanted to be somebody, a young boy who was trying to turn his life around.

After they beat him to death on international TV as the world watched, over and over again, not one guard was sent to prison. Not one was even reprimanded. In fact, after we closed down every boot camp in Florida, many of the accused received promotions.

Well, guess what? In Florida, we have another Martin, Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin was shot to death by a renegade wannabe policeman neighborhood watchman.

Trayvon Martin lived in Miami, Florida, in District 17, my congressional district.

Trayvon, a 140-pound young black boy, 17 years old, was just trying to live and reach 18. In spite of that, the accused killer, George Zimmerman, has not been charged and is using the term of self-defense.

The 911 audiotapes tell it all. They tell the story of the last moments of Trayvon Martin's life, just as the videotapes told so visibly the story of Martin Lee Anderson's last moments. Trayvon was running for his life. He was screaming for help, fighting for his life, and then he was murdered, shot dead.

Today I applaud the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the FBI, and the Federal Department of Justice for their intervention. I encourage the citizens of Florida and the citizens from around the world to continue to fight for justice for Trayvon Martin. Justice must be served. No more racial profiling. I'm tired of fighting when the evidence is so clear, so transparent.

Twenty years ago while serving as a school board member, I founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project. It is a million-dollar nationally recognized and honored foundation that specifically addresses the trials and tribulations of young black boys and sends them to college. It impacts almost 20,000 young men throughout Florida.

In spite of that, we still have to march and demonstrate and write letters and protest and fight and have prayer vigils and sue and sit in just to be heard. No more. No more, Florida. No more, America. No more hiding your criminal racial profiling by using self-defense to get away with murder.

Stand up for Trayvon Martin. Stand up for justice. Stand up for our children. I'm tired, tired, tired of burying young black boys.