Floor Statements

We are at a crossroad in America where we must decide if we're going to continue building economic recovery on the backs of middle- and low-income families, or whether we're going to ask wealthy Americans to join in the sacrifice by paying their fair share.

Too many Americans have already made sacrifices to aid our slow moving economy and reduce the deficit. The military had to scale back, Federal workers had to take a pay freeze, health care providers had to take a pay cut, but we have not required those who can actually afford it to share in the sacrifice.

Changing our Nation's tax policies is not about redistribution of wealth; it's about fairness, doing what's best for the American people. If those who can afford it don't make the sacrifice, the survival of America will be affected.

The President's budget will ensure that those who have been blessed with a portfolio that has multiplied under the Bush tax cuts will no longer be the primary beneficiaries of tax cuts and policies.

I urge my colleagues to insist that all Americans, including the rich, share the pain of this recovery.

Today, family and friends will gather to celebrate the 100th birthday of Lottie Harris Rollins Dunston, a wonderful human being who has lived in Wake County, North Carolina, her entire life.

``Grandlottie,'' as she is affectionately called, is the second eldest of 13 siblings, 7 of whom are still living and advanced in age. After working her way through historic Fayetteville State College, she went on to become an elementary teacher, where she shaped young minds for 41 long years.

Today, Grandlottie is a lover of Shakespeare and politics and, most of all, cherishes her independence. So often she can be seen driving her white pickup truck as she shops for her needs with her 5-year-old chocolate lab, Diva.

Madam Speaker, Grandlottie loves her supportive family that includes granddaughter Jacquelyn Rollins Wynn, whose husband serves on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

We pray that Grandlottie continues to enjoy health and happiness for many more years. Happy birthday to you. And most of all, thank you for making North Carolina a better place to live and work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in complete disgust of the Republican conferees' attempt to include an education requirement as a condition of receiving unemployment benefits.

To require people who would otherwise be eligible for benefits to now either have a high school diploma or be enrolled in a GED program is discriminatory. It is despicable.

Adding conditions to receiving compensation does nothing to create jobs or address the real causes of unemployment. It is a difficult time, Mr. Speaker, to be unemployed in America, but Republicans seem determined to make it even more difficult by kicking the unemployed while they're down.

With less than a month to craft a long-term tax measure, I urge Republican conferees to stop obstructing the process by insisting on distracting proposals that are only meant to score political points.

I am opposed to any education requirement to receive unemployment benefits. I implore my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern that Republicans are attempting to penalize unemployed American citizens who do not have a high school diploma. Last month, House Republicans included a provision in the payroll tax cut bill, which is presently in conference, to establish an educational requirement for recipients of benefits.

The provision, Mr. Speaker, would require recipients of unemployment benefits to have at least a high school diploma or a GED or be enrolled in classes to obtain such a degree. This requirement, Mr. Speaker, would affect an estimated 248,000 workers in the first 3 months of enactment, and disproportionately affect older workers, forcing certain unemployment recipients to either enroll in adult education programs or forego the benefits they need to support their families. This is a disgrace.

In 2010, half a million workers age 50 or over who received unemployment insurance lacked a high school diploma. For most of these individuals who have worked more than 30 long years, returning to high school makes very little sense. They are the bricklayers and the carpenters and sanitation workers and housekeepers in our communities.

In the case of workers under the age of 50, adult education might be useful, but is largely unattainable. Currently, State and local adult education programs do not have the capacity--we know that--do not have the capacity to meet this demand. Waiting lists for these programs are proliferating and certain to worsen due to a 20 percent decline over the past decade in Federal funding for adult education programs and $1 billion in cuts to job-training programs in fiscal year 2011.

Creating an educational mandate as a condition of eligibility to receive unemployment insurance benefits, Mr. Speaker, is punitive. It's misguided. It's egregious, even by current Republican standards.

While there are certainly benefits to receiving at least a high school education, establishing a blanket policy that denies unemployment benefits to low-skill workers who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own, without ensuring they have unrestricted access to educational opportunities, sets up hundreds of thousands of Americans to fail.

It seems incredibly cynical to require participation in adult education and job training as a condition of receiving unemployment benefits while simultaneously eliminating meaningful Federal support for these programs.

Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable to put additional strings on this crucial relief that do nothing, nothing to address the real causes of the current unemployment crisis. It is a difficult time to be unemployed in America. It is a difficult time to be unemployed in America, but House Republicans seem determined to make it even more difficult.

I urge my colleagues to join me and stand up against this education mandate and fight for policies that can actually help bring the unemployment crisis to resolve.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Ms. Linda Moody for her lifetime commitment to public service. For the past 47 years, Ms. Moody has worked tirelessly with the Northampton County Department of Social Services, most recently as an Administrative Officer. In her role, she facilitated in helping those in need and advocated for the proper care of children and citizens who are blind and visually impaired.

Linda Moody helped grow the organization during its infant stages by providing counseling and instruction to hundreds of employees. She successfully trained and mentored an army of social workers, who now follow in her footsteps. Ms. Moody has been recognized by her peers on several occasions for her outstanding contribution to the social services unit of Northampton County. And, Ms. Moody is even a charter member of the North Carolina Social Services Association, an outlet that allows her to continue advocacy on behalf of disadvantaged families and raise funds for their well-being.

However, in her nearly five decades-long career, Ms. Moody credits her primary achievement as helping to ensure the welfare of children and parents.

In addition to her outstanding professional achievements, Ms. Moody is an active member of many civic organizations including her church, Seaboard United Methodist Church, where she is the Music Director and Sunday School Superintendent.

Mr. Speaker, Linda Moody is a living illustration of the kindheartedness and selfless spirit that makes North Carolinians great. On behalf of the people of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, I thank Ms. Linda Moody for her invaluable contribution to her community and state.

Mr. Speaker, the book of Matthew describes a well- known scene where the highest deity separates men based on their capacity to sympathize with those who are most in need in their community. In the Bible verse, Jesus admonished a group of men who refused to help him when he was hungry, poor, and sick. These same men asked in response, Jesus when were you hungry, poor, and sick for we would have helped in your time of need.

Jesus response, ``Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.''

Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the unyielding service of Dr. David Wentzy, a man who has spent his entire life working for the least of those in our beloved community. Dr. Wentzy has amassed 42 years of service as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and as the Director of Northampton County Department of Social Services, where he helped to care for the county's disadvantaged citizens.

Throughout his professional career, Dr. Wentzy has served on three North Carolina General Assembly Study Commissions and Councils, was active in the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, and represented the state through the National Association of Counties, just to name a few. In addition, Dr. Wentzy was an active member of many fraternal, professional, military, and civic organizations. All of these demonstrate his exemplary leadership and commitment to the interests of Northampton County citizens.

Mr. Speaker, On December 31, 2011, Dr. Wentzy will retire as Director of the Northampton County Department of Social Services, opening the door for someone else to aspire to his impressive track record. But, although Dr. Wentzy is retiring from Social Services, I am certain he will continue to be a blessing to his community in an equally rewarding and selfless endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, I thank Dr. David Wentzy for 42 years of public service to our state and country. It is greatly appreciated.

Let me thank the gentleman for yielding this brief time for me to respond.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join my friend from Georgia, Mr. David Scott, in trying to expose some of the hypocrisy that we are seeing playing out here on the House floor today. I'm just so terribly disappointed that House Republicans want to ignore the overwhelming bipartisan Senate vote a few days ago, and you are failing to realize the devastation that millions of Americans will experience. They are going to lose their unemployment benefits. The average family is going to realize a $1,000 tax increase on January 1.

And let's not forget our doctors. There are some medical doctors sitting on that side of the Chamber. Medical doctors in this country who treat Medicare patients will see a 27.3 percent decrease in their reimbursement rates.

We can do better than this, Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to reconsider their position. Let's go ahead and vote for the 2-month fix, and let's get on into February and let's have this debate that you've been talking about over the last 2 hours.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Command Sergeant Major Patricia Griffin Cardwell. CSM Cardwell passed away last week on December 7. She was a veteran of the North Carolina Army National Guard (NCANG) and is survived by her mother, two brothers, and her niece and nephew.

CSM Cardwell was the daughter of Betty Nowarah Griffin and the late Reginald Griffin. She was a native of Martin County, a graduate of Williamston High School, and a member of the First Christian Church.

CSM Cardwell began her distinguished 28-year career with the NCANG on December 5, 1979, as a Specialist, and became a full-time member of the Guard in 1984. From 2001-2002, she attended the United States Army Sergeants Major Course at the USA Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas. CSM Cardwell made history on April 1, 2004, when she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major, becoming the first woman to rise to this rank in the NCANG. She was later laterally appointed as a Command Sergeant Major of the 217th Human Resources Battalion Headquarters, and served in a dual status in both this post and as the Chief, Personnel Services of the Human Resources Section at Joint Forces Headquarters in Raleigh until her retirement on December 31, 2007.

CSM Cardwell served our country for three decades with tremendous character and devotion. She deserves the highest appreciation and commendation. I pray that her family is able to find peace in this difficult time. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring her today.

Mr. Speaker, I want to bring attention to a silent epidemic growing in our midst. Right alongside long-term unemployment, the increases in poverty and food prices, homelessness and the steep decline in household incomes is now the shocking rate of food insecurity and hunger.

According to the USDA, there are 46 million Americans surviving on food stamps. While Congress considers reductions to food stamp funding, the USDA predicts that the number of people requiring food assistance will substantially increase.

Last week, in my district in North Carolina, which ranks second in the country for food insecurity, I greeted thousands of people lined up outside of the Wilson OIC and the food bank of the Albemarle food distribution centers to collect bags of food for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Mr. Speaker, to help remedy the challenges to food security, I introduced H.R. 3437, the Eva Clayton Fellows Program Act. This legislation would enable the development of solutions to world hunger and confront food insecurity head on.

Food insecurity is not a partisan issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in this fight.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the accomplishments of a truly great soldier and North Carolinian, Lieutenant General William E. Ingram, Jr. In a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on November 10th, 2011, Lieutenant General Ingram was confirmed as Director of the Army National Guard and on Monday, November 28th, 2011 he officially assumed the duties of the position. Also on November 28th, 2011, Lieutenant General Ingram received his new star from Army General Ray Odierno, chief of staff of the Army, and Air Force General Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau.

For nearly four decades Lieutenant General Ingram has served our nation as an officer in the Army National Guard. He has commanded at all levels from platoon to battalion, overseas, and was especially effective as the Adjutant General of North Carolina for over nine years. I have no doubt in his ability to accomplish the wide-ranging requirements placed on the shoulders of the Director of the Army National Guard. He will perform his duties well, with honor and enthusiasm.

Lieutenant General Ingram was born and raised in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and was a longtime resident of Williamston, North Carolina. I am proud to say both are located in the First Congressional District, which I have the honor of representing. His wife, Lil, has also been a tremendous asset to National Guard families and the citizens of North Carolina. She has worked tirelessly as an advocate for North Carolina National Guard families to help them cope with the deployment of family

members through several children's programs, the Family Readiness Program, and even as a co-author of a book for children of Wounded Warriors.

Lieutenant General Ingram is a source of great pride for eastern North Carolina. I have witnessed the progression of his career over the years and I am very proud to see his dedication, sacrifices, and contributions recognized with this appointment and promotion. I offer my sincere appreciation for his service to the United States of America and the great state of North Carolina. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Lieutenant General William E. Ingram, Jr. on receiving his recent promotion to the rank of lieutenant general and his appointment as Director of the Army National Guard.

Before I start, Mr. Speaker, let me just take a moment to comment about one of the previous speakers this morning, my dear friend, Congresswoman Barbara Lee from the State of California.

Congresswoman Lee has been an advocate for low-income families for as long as I can remember; and especially since I first came to Congress some 7\1/2\ years ago, she has been tenacious on this issue. I just want to publicly thank her for her advocacy. I represent a low-income/ low-wealth district in eastern North Carolina. My district is the fourth poorest district in the Nation, so I understand full well the challenges that she has confronted, and I thank her so very much.

Mr. Speaker, I've come to the floor this morning to talk about voter suppression--yes, voter suppression--across the country. Republicans are tightening the restrictions on who can vote and on how Americans can vote. During next year's elections, there will be millions of Americans who will find that since 2008 there are now new barriers that could prevent them from voting.

The number of States with laws requiring voters to show government- issued photo identification has quadrupled. Mr. Speaker, it has quadrupled in the last 4 years. Actually, over the last year, it has quadrupled. In fact, at least 34 States have now introduced legislation that would require voters to show photo identification in order to vote. Seven States--Alabama, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin--have already signed photo identification bills into law. Before this legislative session, only two States had ever imposed strict photo identification. Under the guise of eliminating voter fraud, 21 million American citizens, or 11 percent of Americans, could be prevented from voting--all because they do not possess government-issued photo identification.

Republicans are also seeking to put an end to early voting--a hugely popular voting method that is used by millions of Americans. At least nine States have introduced bills to reduce their early voting periods. Four States have tried to reduce absentee voting opportunities, and two States have reversed early reforms. Once again, it has disenfranchised thousands of taxpaying citizens who have past criminal convictions while a number of other States have made it much more difficult for citizens to register to vote. These new restrictions will undoubtedly disenfranchise young voters, minority voters, low-income voters, and voters with disabilities--all of whom, as we know, traditionally vote with the Democratic Party.

In my home State of North Carolina, Republicans have mounted two strong efforts to suppress low-income and African American voters-- House bill 351, for example, a voter ID bill which passed our State House and Senate earlier this year. It was vetoed by Governor Beverly Perdue, and we thank her for being strong in vetoing that legislation.

Senate bill 47, which would reduce the early voting period by 1 week, eliminates Sunday voting, and eliminates same-day voter registration. This bill is currently pending now in our legislature.

The right to vote, Mr. Speaker, is protected. It is dearly protected by more constitutional amendments--the 1st Amendment and the 14th Amendment, 15th, 19th, 24th, and even the 26th Amendments--than any other right we enjoy as Americans. We must continue to inform our constituents that their fundamental right in this democracy is being infringed and urge them to fight back against this voter suppression epidemic.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, it is obvious to me that any objective observer who is looking at this will know the real motive of this effort. It is specifically intended to diminish voter participation of some in our society who support progressive movements and who support the Democratic Party.

Let me thank the Speaker for yielding time to me this morning.

As I begin my remarks, Mr. Speaker, I just want to make a brief remark about one of the preceding speakers, Congresswoman Barbara Lee from Oakland, California, who has been an advocate for poverty, food insecurity, human rights, and all of the global issues that we have talked about over the years. And I want to thank her for her leadership on this very important issue. Congresswoman Lee is the founder of the Out of Poverty Caucus here in the House of Representatives, and I am honored to serve as one of her cochairs.

But the Congresswoman is absolutely correct; on this Sunday, October 16, we will celebrate World Food Day, a day to increase awareness, understanding, and informed, year-round action to alleviate hunger across the globe and in our neighborhoods.

The statistical evidence of pervasive and persistent hunger is absolutely staggering, notwithstanding the human stories of working families in my communities of eastern North Carolina or families in eastern Africa who cannot get enough food to eat on a daily basis.

And so I want to take this opportunity to remind all the Members of this body that millions of Americans, millions of people suffer from hunger; and unless we commit to eliminating this scourge, these human beings will suffer persistent poverty, reduced rights, and even death. We must come together, Mr. Speaker, to make hunger and nutrition issues, these issues, a priority. It is a priority in my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. We have a food bank in my community. It is administered by the Wilson OIC, the Wilson Opportunity Industrialization Center.

On at least four occasions, on each occasion each year, this center is responsible for passing out food to those suffering from food insecurity. I have here to my right simply a picture of the last food program in which citizens of our community lined up all night long to receive food in this community. You will see this building. It is a former school. Actually, I went to elementary school there many years ago. This was my first-grade classroom, Congresswoman Lee. This is a former elementary school. It is now the Wilson OIC, and citizens lined up all night long in order to receive food from this program.

What a shame.

But thank you, OIC, for your effort.

Nine hundred twenty-five million people suffer from chronic hunger worldwide--one in seven people. That is an atrocious statistic. Shockingly, in 2011, there is still severe starvation. The worst drought in 60 years caused widespread hunger and starvation across the Horn of Africa, and we need to pay attention to the Horn of Africa. Globally, 12 million people are in danger of starving to death, and children are especially vulnerable.

In the United States--the richest country in the world, the richest country that we've ever known--in our beloved country, 48 million people live in food insecure households, and these are yet examples of that. That is one in six people in our country who suffer from food insecurity. The recession that we talk about on this floor every day has exacerbated the plight of many, but the problems with food insecurity began well before 2007. Since the year 2000, the number of people classified by USDA as having very low food security has doubled. My district has been recently classified as the second most insecure district in the country.

The Federal Government certainly needs to find ways to cut costs and reduce spending, but that burden should not fall heaviest on the people with the greatest needs. We need to continue our investments in agriculture research to empower scientists to develop more efficient and sustainable methods of production. We should maintain and improve our commitments to foreign aid programs through USAID, improving them to provide greater access to needed resources.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, my predecessor in this office, former Congresswoman Eva Clayton, was a strong, clear voice on behalf of the hungry of the country and those abroad. During her 10 years in Congress, she was staunchly committed to improving access and the quality of food stamps, WIC, and other programs. Following her retirement, she was appointed the assistant director of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

In this astounding legacy, we will be introducing legislation, probably tomorrow, to honor the work of Eva Clayton: The Eva Clayton Fellows Program Act of 2011. This is a wonderful

program. I urge my colleagues to pay attention to the introduction of this bill. It will be significant.

Mr. Speaker, it is very disappointing to me that the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) a few moments ago took North Carolina Governor Perdue's words completely out of context. Every day, Governor Perdue of North Carolina is urging this Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to create jobs by passing the American Jobs Act.

We need, Mr. Speaker, to help create jobs. We need to help job creators by offering new tax cuts that incent the hiring of workers and cut payroll taxes. The tax cuts in President Obama's American Jobs Act will save a business with 50 employees roughly $50,000 per year and give employees an additional $1,500 per year each in take-home pay. This is real money. It equates to real job growth in the near term.

But the American Jobs Act is more than just tax cuts. Investments in education and infrastructure will increase long-term growth.

I urge this body to take up the whole American Jobs Act--not cherry- pick its parts--without delay so that the small businesses of America can continue to grow and hire, leading us into prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to pay tribute to some great Americans. I want to join my colleague from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) in recognizing the extraordinary life and work of Senator Charles Percy. He will certainly be missed. Also, I want to extend condolences to the Mondale and Kennedy families, who also lost a daughter this weekend at the young age of 51.

But, Mr. Speaker, I have come to the well today to pay tribute to another great American, to a friend in North Carolina who has lost a long but courageous battle to breast cancer at the age of 51. Mrs. Cassandra Lloyd Ward was the daughter of Johnnie and Mary Lloyd of Williamston, North Carolina. She was also the wife of Mr. Everett B. Ward. For 29 long years, they were married. Everett is a well-respected public servant in North Carolina with our State Department of Transportation.

Cassandra was a career educator in Wake County, North Carolina. Many of you will recognize that as our capital city of Raleigh. She worked for many years in the Wake County Public Schools. The epitome of educational excellence, Cassandra touched the lives of countless individuals who have now become productive citizens in our communities across America.

Cassandra was employed by the Wake County Public School System beginning with Youngsville Elementary, Henry Adams Elementary, Dillard Drive Elementary, and, finally, Forest Pines Elementary School. She was a lifelong member of the North Carolina Association of Educators.

Cassandra Ward, Mr. Speaker, was a graduate of Williamston High School in Martin County, North Carolina, also a graduate of historic St. Augustine's College in our capital city of Raleigh, which is an HBCU, a historically black college there in the Raleigh community.

As a member of Davie Street Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, Cassandra was a church leader, not only a member of the Presbyterian Church, but she was also a deacon in the church. She advocated that the church serve the least of these in our society. She was a member of a great sorority, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In that capacity, as a member of the Alpha Theta Omega Chapter, she served and chaired many committees, particularly the Black Family/Black Heritage; Health, Social and Sisterly Relations; Salvation Army; and Christmas Stocking Stuffing committees. Those were a lot of committees.

And, Mr. Speaker, she was a very active individual. She also found time to be associated with the Gamma Sigma Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. She

was what was referred to as an archousa. It took me a while, Mr. Speaker, to figure out how to pronounce that word, but she was an archousa of Gamma Sigma Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

Mr. Speaker, Cassandra Ward leaves a very, very loving family. In addition to her parents and her husband, she leaves three siblings, Johnnie Lloyd, Jr., Jarvis Lloyd, and one loving sister that she was extremely close to, Crystal Lloyd Williams, and her sister-in-law, Felecia Hardy, and her husband, Dr. James Hardy.

She is also survived by other relatives and friends, and especially her very special nieces and nephews: Johnnie Lloyd, III; Alecia Hardy, Jarvis Lloyd and Eboni, Jamie Hardy, Jamecia Hardy, Mary Noel Williams, and Gabrielle Williams. They all comprise the wonderful family of Cassandra Lloyd Ward.

I ask my colleagues today to join with me in honoring the life and work of this great American, Cassandra Lloyd Ward.

Let me first thank Congressman Doyle for yielding me time and certainly thank him for his leadership on this very important issue. Not only has he led on this issue, but he has led on the Energy and Commerce Committee for many years, and I just want to thank him publicly for his friendship and his leadership. Also let me thank Congressman Chris Smith for his bipartisan spirit and his willingness to work on this very important issue. These two men working together have really and truly made a difference. I join the chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Pitts, and all of the others, in thanking them for a job well done.

Mr. Speaker, later today the House is going to take up this legislation, the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011. Make no mistake about it, I intend to vote for this very important bill.

However, I have come to the floor today to make a very simple but important point that I had intended to raise had this bill been heard in regular order and had it been considered by our committee.

Although autism occurs in every racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic group, studies show clearly that, on average, a diagnosis of autism or autism spectrum disorder is actually delayed by almost 2 years for African American and Hispanic children as compared to their Caucasian counterparts. Many of my colleagues may not know this, but it is a clear fact, minority children are much more likely to be misdiagnosed with conduct-related or adjustment disorders.

Since research shows that early detection yields better, more effective results, it is imperative, Mr. Speaker, that we expand efforts to address disparities in awareness, diagnosis, treatment, and services. In carrying out the programs of the Reauthorization Act, I simply ask the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make every conceivable effort to address the well-documented needs of minority children who are diagnosed with this disease that we refer to as autism.

I want to thank you for listening and thank you for your advocacy, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2005.