Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, 41 million Americans and over 1 million North Carolinians' ability to put food on the table hangs in the balance this week, as House Republicans push to pass their farm bill with over $23 billion in cuts to the SNAP program. These cuts, Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, could mean food taken off of the table of hungry children--that is no exaggeration--seniors, and veterans.

Despite these benefits averaging only $1.40 per person per meal, this program is a lifeline for tens of millions of Americans. It serves as an effective tool for ensuring long-term health and well-being, especially for vulnerable children.

The farm bill, as it is currently written, includes detrimental changes to SNAP that would make it harder for many people to remain in the program. Over 400,000 households nationwide, and at least 133,000 individuals in North Carolina, would lose SNAP benefits if this legislation becomes law.

Even more disturbing is that my Republican colleagues understand what these cuts would do but remain unfazed in their assault on these families.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 2: too bad, too long for our children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great North Carolinian, a friend to many, and a man of God, Reverend James Hawley McKinnon, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, Jim passed away on Sunday, March 11, at the age of 77. Jim McKinnon preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in eastern North Carolina for decades. His ministry inspired and motivated so many individuals, both in his home of Wilson, North Carolina, and elsewhere.

Ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian church on September 22, 1968--shortly after the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy--Jim served congregations throughout North Carolina; first as an associate pastor in Fayetteville, and then as a senior pastor in Morehead City, Charlotte, and Wilson, where he retired after 26 years as senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Jim McKinnon was a strong, strong pillar in our community and he will be missed. Jim McKinnon is survived by his wife of 51 long years, Louise Cherry McKinnon; and their two sons, also Presbyterian ministers, James, III--we

call him Trip--and his wife, Angie, from Brunswick, Georgia; and John and his wife, Darci, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

His beloved four grandchildren are: John Brandon and Rebecca Louise from Brunswick, Georgia; Aidan Gayle and Ian McKay from Oklahoma City.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandson, James Hawley McKinnon, IV--Jamie.

Let it be said, Mr. Speaker, that Reverend Jim McKinnon made a difference in this world as he helped change lives for so many Americans.

Madam Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today to honor the life and work of a young 24-year-old deputy sheriff from Edgecombe County, North Carolina, who was tragically killed during a traffic stop in his community on Sunday, March 11, 2018.

Deputy David Lee'Sean Manning lost his life when his patrol vehicle crashed while engaged in the traffic stop.

The elected sheriff of Edgecombe County, my friend, Sheriff Clee Atkinson, informed me that this loss has resulted in tremendous sadness for the Manning family and the entire law enforcement community, an emotion that we all certainly understand.

On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the 750,000 citizens of North Carolina's First Congressional District, we honor the life and service of Deputy David Lee'Sean Manning.

May God continue to embrace David's biological family, embrace his law enforcement family in the weeks and months to come, and give them the solace that they need to continue with their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise with great pride to congratulate the North Carolina Central University men's basketball team for winning the 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament. NCCU, Mr. Speaker, is located in Durham, North Carolina. For the second successive year, the NCCU Eagles won the MEAC tournament, by defeating the Hampton University Pirates 71 to 63.

As a proud alumnus of NCCU, I was delighted to cheer the entire team, the players, the coaches, and staff during their outstanding performance in one of the Nation's most popular college athletic tournaments.

The basketball program has benefited from the exceptional leadership of Head Coach LeVelle Moton and Athletic Director Dr. Ingrid Wicker- McCree.

I want to reiterate, Mr. Speaker, how proud I am of the NCCU men's basketball team and the entire Eagle family on this historic win. The hard work of the team and the unwavering support of Eagle pride and Chancellor Dr. Johnson Akinleye, NCCU students, and the faculty and all of the staff have made this accomplishment possible.

I wish this great team much success as they embark upon the NCAA tournament.

Go Eagles.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the names of the players, the coaches, and the staff.

North Carolina Central University 2017-2018 Men's Basketball Roster

Larry McKnight, Jr.; C.J. Wiggins; Zacarry Douglas; Brandon

Goldsmith; Jordan Perkins; Reggie Gardner, Jr.; Rashann

London; Alston Jones; Alex Mills; Pablo Rivas; Raekwon

Harney; Marius McAllister; Dominique Reid; Raasean Davis;

John Guerra.

Coaching Staff

LeVelle Moton, Head Coach, Men's Basketball; Luke

D'Alessio, Assistant Coach, Men's Basketball; Reggie Sharp,

Assistant Coach, Men's Basketball; Eric Wilson, Assistant

Coach, Men's Basketball; LaRon Parks, Director of Basketball

Operations.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2410, the Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act.

I want to commend my friends Representative Danny Davis and Representative Dr. Michael Burgess for their tireless work in this space. Both of these men have a lifetime of service in the delivery of healthcare, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess). I thank both of them for their incredible work.

I have been a lifetime advocate, Mr. Speaker, for addressing sickle cell disease, and I am proud to cosponsor this bill. I have done so in previous Congresses.

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder. It affects approximately 100,000 individuals, primarily African Americans, throughout the country.

Sickle cell disease awareness is significant to me for many reasons. One, because this disorder affects many of my constituents in North Carolina. It is significant, Mr. Speaker, because I had a dear cousin, whose name was Rubie Butterfield Mizell, who, in 1972, passed away from this disease in Opa-locka, Florida.

People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells with abnormal types of hemoglobin, often causing anemia, jaundice, and the formation of gallstones.

What is truly frightening is that sickle cell disease does not have a cure. The most widely used treatment for sickle cell disease was modern medicine 20 years ago that can reduce the number of episodes but does not eliminate them or their severity.

The health challenges facing people with sickle cell disease are enormous. The disease is widespread. The consequences can be dire, and that is why the Congressional Black Caucus and the Health Brain Trust of the Congressional Black Caucus have made these a priority in our agenda over the years under the leadership of the gentlewoman from Chicago, Illinois (Ms. Kelly).

People with sickle cell disease have a much shorter life expectancy, with median ages of death for males of only 33 years and for females of only 36 years. These patients are also more likely to have additional health complications, including stroke, blood clots, loss of vision, and lung and kidney failure.

There are approximately 4,400 people with sickle cell disease in North Carolina. I am sure that, Mr. Speaker, in the State of Texas, it may be even more. My hope is that someday there will be none.

That is why we must reauthorize the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program to enable the Secretary of HHS to support research to increase our understanding of the disease, and create a grant program to study the prevalence of sickle cell and identify ways to prevent and treat sickle cell disease effectively.

Sixty-five percent of individuals with this disease in North Carolina have at least one emergency room visit per year. That is no way to live. I am sure Dr. Burgess, when he practiced medicine in his home State, saw many, many patients who were similarly situated.

We should do all that we can to help improve patients' lives, advance treatment, and find a cure. I am grateful for the opportunity to move this bill through the House, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting it.

I thank Dr. Burgess, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Green for their work. All of these gentlemen have done a great job in this space.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to honor and recognize a great American, a visionary, a statesman, and a friend, Mayor William V. Bell, better known as Mayor Bill Bell. Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, my friend Bill Bell ended 16 years of distinguished service as mayor of the city of Durham, North Carolina, located in my congressional district.

Mr. Speaker, Durham has always been a progressive city, a city where I attended undergraduate school and law school at North Carolina Central University. Durham has always been a progressive city, above the average, but under Bill Bell's leadership, the city has become a thriving Southern city rivaling Charlotte and even Atlanta, Georgia.

Bill Bell's work as mayor is but part of a long tenure of service to Durham that spans more than four decades. This week, I join the entire Durham community in thanking Mayor Bill Bell for his many, many years of public service. With Mayor Bell's retirement last evening, December 4, 2017, he leaves his office having literally transformed the Durham community.

The city's leadership has now been passed to a new mayor, Steve Schewel, who is also a friend and a visionary leader. The city of Durham, North Carolina, is in good hands.

Born William V. Bell in 1941, Bill grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He received a degree in electrical engineering from Howard University here in Washington, D.C., and then went on to receive his master's degree in electrical engineering from New York University. After graduating, Bill returned to North Carolina, where he worked as a senior engineer at IBM Corporation in Durham.

Bill Bell has been a community development trailblazer not only as mayor, but as vice president and chief operating officer of United Durham Incorporated since 1996, where he used the acronym UDI.

Even during his days as a young engineer, Bill Bell had a unique vision for his beloved community. This vision led to Bill's election to the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 1972. At the time, Bill was one of two African-American commissioners on the five-member board. Bill Bell served on the board of county commissioners until 1994, and again from 1996 to the year 2000, even serving as its chairman from 1982 to 1994.

In 2001, Mr. Speaker, Bill Bell was elected mayor of the city of Durham. He was then reelected seven--yes, that is seven--times, serving as Durham's longest serving mayor for 16 years.

Mayor Bill Bell will be remembered for leading the city of Durham toward great progress. His legacy includes heading up the transformation of downtown Durham from boarded-up windows to a city which is a top destination and is now home to a variety of thriving businesses and technology startups as well as major projects, such as the Durham Performing Arts Center and the American Tobacco Campus.

It is a thriving city, Mr. Speaker, and I encourage anyone to take a look at Durham and see how impressive this city is. From leading the transformation of downtown Durham to placing a renewed emphasis on even addressing gun violence in the community, Mayor Bell has always fought to improve the lives of his constituents.

It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Bell on behalf of the citizens of Durham in the first district. The Durham community is stronger thanks to Bill Bell's leadership. He is, without a doubt, a visionary trailblazer who will go down in history having left a positive mark on his city.

Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, Mayor Bill Bell turned over the office now to Mayor Steve Schewel. Mayor Schewel served on the Durham City Council since 2011, and I know he will continue to build on this legacy.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am told that Mayor Bell's daughters, Tiffany Bell, Anjanee Nicole Bell, and Kristen Vaughan Bell-Hughes, are all excited about their dad's decision to enjoy a life of retirement. I don't believe Bill Bell is going to actually retire. I am sure he is going to spend less time in public service, but I am sure he will continue his advocacy in some significant way.

While Bill Bell is deserving of far greater accolades than I have just recited over the last few minutes, I ask

my colleagues today to join me in recognizing this great American, Bill Bell. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives, the residents of Durham, North Carolina, and the people of the First Congressional District, I express my sincere appreciation for Mayor Bill Bell's elective service, his dedicated service, and I wish him nothing but my best wishes in the months and years to come.

I thank Bill Bell for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize Tolie Brodie Harrison who is an outstanding citizen in Nash County, North Carolina. Mrs. Harrison affectionately known as ``Ma Tolie'' will be 100 years young on December 12, 2017.

Born in 1917 during the height of World War I, Mrs. Harrison has devoted her entire life toward improving the quality of life for her community.

Mrs. Harrison and her husband, Frank Barnabas Harrison, were blessed with ten wonderful children. Education was important to the family. The Harrison's were adamant that their children would receive a proper education and encouraged them to attend college. Mrs. Harrison was also a provider and motivator by working countless hours on farms and in tobacco factories to keep her children enrolled in school. At age 45, she was employed by Abott's Pharmaceuticals; which ensured the necessary benefits to support her family.

Mr. Speaker, many in the Nash County community can testify to the hospitality and encouragement of Ma Tolie. As a strong advocate for education, she would welcome new teachers to her home until they could find a permanent residence. For the students; she fed them, housed them, and wisely counseled them. With her many years of selfless service, Mrs. Harrison has left an indelible impression on the lives she touched. Throughout her life she has received many awards, recognitions, and praises for her contributions.

It is my high honor to offer these remarks in recognition of a great American who is an example of the highest degree of service to humanity.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, also known as the ``Trick Trick Trick Act.''

This bill, Mr. Speaker, includes a $1.5 trillion cut to Medicare and Medicaid, raises taxes on middle-income families, and gives the biggest tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans.

This bill eliminates personal deductions for medical expenses, creating further hardship for people facing illnesses; eliminates deductions for State and local income taxes, resulting in higher taxes for people who can't afford it; and eliminates deductions for interest paid on student loans, making quality education less accessible.

Proponents of the bill, Mr. Speaker, will have you believe that these tax cuts will benefit working families, grow our economy, and decrease the Federal deficit. That is fake news. This bill does nothing more than destroy the hopes and dreams of middle Americans seeking a stable career, a fulfilled life, and a brighter future.

The American people deserve better. I remain willing and able to work across party lines to achieve responsible tax reform.

I say to my Republican colleagues: Do not pass this bill as a Republican bill. It must be bipartisan. If you do it, you will regret it.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate my constituent and friend, Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Walker, for 50 faithful years in ministry, and 47 years as pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church.

Dr. Walker, a native of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, was called to the ministry in 1970. At the age of 22, he and his wife Joyce, and their two children, Timothy and Teresa, began a ministry that would inspire and uplift the faithful for decades. Today, under his leadership, the church's community outreach includes TV and radio ministries, a daycare center, a tutorial program, and ministerial trainings.

The church also has a non-profit corporation called the EBC ``ATOM'' Project, Inc., whose objective is to improve the quality of life for low and middle-income citizens. Dr. Walker has committed his life to serving both his community and fellow man. One of Pastor Walker's many talents is his success as a gospel recording artist. Through song, his messages and voice have uplifted and inspired countless individuals. His signature, ``One Day at a Time,'' continues to inspire hearts across the nation.

In 1996, Dr. Walker received troubling news when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Yet, he would not sit idly by or be sidelined. His perseverance led him to write, ``Brother to Brother--You Don't Have to Die of Prostate Cancer.'' A thoughtful and informative book, Dr. Walker presents an honest account of his challenges and frustrations, with the goal of empowering men and their families. In April of 2014, First Lady Joyce Walker, having battled sickness for many years, was called home to be with the Lord. Dr. Walker remained steadfast and continues to stand as a pillar of strength, persistence, and a living testament of the Gospel.

Mr. Speaker, I celebrate this great North Carolinian and ask that my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives join me in expressing sincere appreciation for Dr. Walker's fortitude, faithfulness, and servant leadership on this historic milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. The story of this great Baptist convention is a testament to its founders, Reverends William Warrick, Edward Eagles, C. Johnson, L.W. Boone, B.B. Spicer, H. Grimes, John Washington, Charles Bryant, Sutton Davis, and R.H. Harper, the visionary men who founded the convention on October 18, 1867.

Since its founding, Mr. Speaker, great men and great women have maintained the convention's strength and viability. The General Baptist State Convention is the oldest convention of African-American Baptists in the United States of America. The General Baptist State Convention consists of more that 500,000 Baptist believers belonging to more than 1,400 churches, including my home church, the Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church of Wilson.

The convention is subdivided into 58 associations, each presided over by a moderator. Over the last 150 years, the convention has been led by well-trained and spirit-led theologians. The current president and executive board chair is my friend Dr. Nilous M. Avery, II, of Salisbury, North Carolina. He is the 32nd president of the convention.

Mr. Speaker, the current officers of the convention are: First Vice President At Large, Dr. Leonzo Lynch; First Vice President, Dr. Ricky Banks; Second Vice President, Dr. J. Vincent Terry, Sr.; Third Vice President, Reverend O.D. Sykes; Fourth Vice President, Reverend Prince R. Rivers; Recording Secretary, Reverend Curtis O. Donald; Assistant Recording Secretary, Reverend Matthew Rouse, III; Statistician, Dr. Nathan Scovens; Parliamentarian, Reverend Reginald Wells. The Historian is Dr. Harry L. White, and the hardworking Executive Secretary- Treasurer is Dr. Haywood T. Gray.

Mr. Speaker, the Black church in North Carolina did not begin at the end of slavery. It became more pronounced and more transparent at slavery's end, but it existed for many years. It existed for many years prior to the end of slavery.

In 1831, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law making it a crime for any free person of color or slave to preach or exhort in public, or in any manner officiate as a preacher or a teacher in any prayer meeting or other association for worship where slaves of different families were collected together.

Can you imagine?

The punishment for preaching the gospel--beginning in 1831, it was a crime. The punishment for violation was a whipping of up to 39 lashes on the bare back.

Notwithstanding this prohibition against preaching, the Black church existed as a secret association of slaves who worshipped privately. As the antebellum period proceeded, a few of the White churches, at the urging of the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, finally allowed people of color to hold church meetings under the supervision of a White person; and, at times, a member of the White race would conduct the service.

Now, Mr. Speaker, when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, and the 13th Amendment ratified on December 6, 1865, there were 4 million slaves who obtained their freedom; 300,000 of those lived in North Carolina. The former slaves, with assistance from White northerners and the Freedmen's Bureau, began the struggle toward freedom and equality. It was the Black church that led the way. This movement consisted of Black Baptist leaders and Black Methodist leaders and other religious leaders, both Black and White, who understood the importance of the former slaves having the ability to worship and serve their God without fear.

At the end of the Civil War, the former slaves built churches throughout North Carolina. Many were of the Baptist denomination, and they were erected with lightning speed.

In 1867, they came together, Mr. Speaker, at First African Baptist Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina. And I have a picture of it on display. They came together at the First African Baptist Church in Goldsboro to form the General Association of Colored Baptists of North Carolina, which was the original name for the convention. And I might say, Mr. Speaker, that my grandfather, Reverend Fred Davis, would, in 1916, become the fourth pastor of this church.

Not only did Black Baptists build churches, but one of their greatest achievements was the establishment and maintenance of historic Shaw University in Raleigh, which will be discussed by my colleagues, Congressman David Price and Congresswoman Alma Adams, in just a moment. Shaw University's contribution to African-American empowerment must be known and understood by all North Carolinians.

Those pioneers, who were trained at Shaw University, went into communities and established institutions and engaged in professions that empowered future generations. They went to all corners of our State. They went to eastern North Carolina; Piedmont, North Carolina; Triad; and the Federal area, which is where our esteemed sergeant at arms grew up in, Ms. Hamlett. Ms. Joyce Hamlett grew up in the Federal area. There were many other areas that were covered by graduates from Shaw University.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to include in the Record a list of names of African-American physicians, dentists, pharmacists, lawyers, ministers, and teachers who were also trained at Shaw University.

Presidents of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

(1867-2018)

William Warrick 1867-1869

A. B. Williams 1869-1872

E. Eagles 1872-1874

L. W. Boon 1874-1875

Joseph Baysmore 1875-1876

Caesar Johnson 1876-1882

Joshua Perry 1882-1884

Caesar Johnson 1884-1885

N. F. Roberts 1885-1889

A. W. Pegues 1889-1895

C. S. Brown 1895-1897

Augustus Shepard 1897-1911

B. D. Griffin 1911-1918

O. S. Bullock 1918-1924

J. S. Brown 1924-1928

R. R. Cartwright 1928-1932

J. T. Hairston 1932-1940

P. A. Bishop 1940-1958

W. H. Davidson 1958-1959

R. M. Pitts 1959-1964

John W. White 1964-1970

Chancy R. Edwards 1970-1974

Joy J. Johnson 1974-1978

John R. Manley 1978-1982

E. Burns Turner 1982-1986

J. B. Humphrey 1986-1990

Willie B. Lewis 1990-1994

Clifford A. Jones, Sr. 1994-1998

John D. Fuller, Sr. 1998-2002

Charles T. Bullock 2002-2006

Gregory K. Moss, Sr. 2006-2010

Howard W. Parker, Jr. 2010-2014

Nilous M. Avery, II 2014-2018

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), a former Bennett College professor.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Adams for those enlightening remarks and for her extraordinary leadership not only here in Congress, but for 40 years that she spent in the classroom at Bennett College. She has been a trailblazer for sure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price), who also is a former college professor, who represents the Fourth Congressional District. I thank him for joining us tonight.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Price very much for those words, I thank him for his leadership and his relationship with Shaw University, and I especially thank him for mentioning Estey Hall.

For many of us, who have grown up in North Carolina, we know the relevance and the importance of Shaw University. We know how Shaw University trained many hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals, who came into communities all across North Carolina and made a difference. They came into the classroom, and they taught at elementary schools and high schools all across our State. They went onto college campuses and became college professors. Many of them became lawyers because Shaw University had a law school during those days. Some became physicians and dentists. Some became pharmacists.

Shaw University was a real educational engine not just in North Carolina, but throughout the country, during those very difficult days. And I say all that to say that it was the General Baptist State Convention and its predecessor that helped enable Shaw University to be born. Shaw University has done so much for so many.

I recall, as a child, my parents would tell me that they, too, attended Shaw University. My dad went to Shaw University from 1919 to 1923. My mother attended Shaw University for high school. During those days, African Americans did not have the benefit in most communities of a high school education and so many of the young teens would go to Shaw for high school. It was there at Shaw University that my parents met. My dad was in undergraduate school, my mother was in the high school, and they met right on the porch of Estey Hall back in 1919.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Price and Dr. Adams for raising up Shaw University and just telling the world what the General Baptist State Convention did by creating the environment where Shaw University could thrive.

Mr. Speaker, I thank both of them for coming to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams) for any concluding remarks.

Very well said, Congresswoman Adams.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Price) for any concluding remarks.

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. Speaker, as I was listening to Congressman Price a moment ago recite the names of those great men who have led the General Baptist State Convention, I could not help but to think that I, too, remember all of them. And then I glanced down at the list of presidents that I am going to enter into the Congressional Record in just a few moments from now, and there have been 32 men who have served as presidents of this great convention, and I have had the privilege of knowing 12 of them.

I did not realize that until I actually pulled out the list and started counting: C.R. Edwards, who Mr. Price recognized a moment ago; Joy Johnson; John Manley; E.B. Turner; J.B. Humphrey; W.B. Lewis; Clifford A. Jones, Sr.; John D. Fuller, Sr.; Charles T. Bullock; Gregory K. Moss, Sr.; Howard W. Parker, Jr.; and the current president, Dr. Nilous M. Avery, II.

I might say, Mr. Speaker, that of these names that I just mentioned, three of those passed away in this calendar year.

They have been great Baptists and they have been great North Carolinians and great Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues and I want to thank the General Baptist State Convention for 150 years of incredible work in North Carolina, and I thank the men and women of both clergy and laity who keep this convention alive and well.

Mr. Speaker, if I can close by simply using my dear, departed uncle as but one example of a Black preacher who gave his entire life to his ministry.

Reverend F.L. Bullock of Enfield, born 1896, pastored four churches that were one-Sunday-per-month churches. Married to my mother's sister who was a teacher, he was paid very little. Every day of his life, Reverend Bullock would visit the sick and minister to the needs of his community.

After serving as pastor for 64 long years, he was diagnosed with cancer. No health insurance, no life insurance, no pension from any of his churches, he died at age 84, several days after preaching his last sermon.

Mr. Speaker, thousands of pastors have devoted their entire life to the ministry. Many are remembered, but so many of them are not.

Today, the three of us pay tribute to all of them from the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

May God bless the memory of each of them for making our communities a better place to live, and may God continue to bless the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and its current leaders as they continue to serve God and his people of all races, creeds, and stations in life.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 8 o'clock and 33 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, October 26, 2017, at 9 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of the most innovative jazz musicians of all time, the legendary Thelonious Monk.

This legend, Mr. Speaker, was born in my congressional district in the State of North Carolina, and would have turned 100 years old today.

Thelonious Sphere Monk was the second of three children born to Thelonious, Sr., and Barbara Monk on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Though Monk and his family left Rocky Mount for New York City when Thelonious was a child, scholars and fellow musicians say Monk's North Carolina roots had an important influence on the man and his music.

Writer Sam Stephenson credited Thelonious Monk's Carolina roots in the ``Oxford American,'' writing that Rocky Mount's flourishing tobacco culture and rail yard was one of the largest in all of the South the year Monk was born. Stephenson speculated those railways may have inspired Monk's composition ``Little Rootie Tootie,'' which features train whistle sounds.

Mr. Speaker, incidentally, the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is divided between two counties, Nash County and Edgecombe County. The railroad in that community is the dividing line.

Every day, the CSX and Amtrak trains come through that community. They have been doing that for a very long time. Those train tracks were first established in 1855, even before the Civil War. It was established as the Wilmington to Weldon Railroad. It was the longest railroad in the entire world, consisting of more than 160 miles of track. It came through Mr. Monk's hometown.

Thelonious Monk began studying classical piano at the age of 11 and showed an early aptitude for the instrument. By the time he was 13 years old, he had won the weekly amateur competition at the Apollo Theater so many times that management banned him from reentering the contest there in Harlem.

In 1941, Monk began working at Minton's Playhouse in Harlem, where he joined the house band and helped develop the school of jazz known as bebop.

Alongside fellow jazz greats Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Eubie Blake, and Ruble Blakey, Monk honed his fast and often improvised style that would later become synonymous with modern jazz.

Thelonious Monk's first known recording was made in 1944, when he worked as a member of the Coleman Hawkins Quartet. Monk did not record under his own name, however, until 1947, when he played as the leader of a sextet session for Blue Note.

In 1947, he married Nellie Smith, his longtime sweetheart. Two children were born to the marriage, whom they named after Monk's parents, Thelonious and Barbara.

In 1952, Monk signed a contract with Prestige Records, which produced pieces like ``Smoke Gets in Your Eyes'' and ``Bags' Groove,'' which he recorded with Miles Davis in 1954. In 1956, Mr. Speaker, Monk released his third album, ``Brilliant Corners,'' which is considered by many to be his first true masterpiece.

In 1957, the Thelonious Monk Quartet, which included John Coltrane, began performing regularly, with tours across the United States and Europe.

By 1964, Monk was popular with the mainstream audience and became one of the four jazz musicians ever to grace the cover of Time magazine.

The years that followed included several overseas tours, but by the early 1970s, Monk was ready to give it up. He was ready to retire from the limelight. After battling illnesses for several years, Monk passed away from a stroke in 1982.

Finally, Thelonious Monk, Mr. Speaker, has since been inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame, added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, awarded a Pulitzer Prize, and featured on a United States postage stamp.

Thelonious Monk left a legacy as one of the originators of modern jazz music. That is why the city of Rocky Mount is so proud of their native son. They celebrated this past weekend in various places throughout the city honoring and celebrating the life of this great musician.

I ask my colleagues to join me today in paying tribute to an outstanding artist, Thelonious Monk, as his family; the residents of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; and the country prepare to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great American, Dr. Virginia Kimbrough Newell, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday, October 7. Dr. Newell has spent her entire lifetime in service to others as a civil rights activist, elected official, mentor, and friend.

Dr. Newell was born in Advance, North Carolina, to William and Dinah Kimbrough. She graduated from historic Atkins High School in Winston- Salem and received a degree in mathematics from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. She received her master's degree from New York University and a doctorate in education from the University of Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida.

After receiving her doctorate, Dr. Newell returned to her beloved North Carolina and taught mathematics at Washington High School and J.W. Ligon High School in Raleigh. Dr. Newell later joined the faculty at Shaw University in Raleigh as an associate professor of mathematics.

In 1965, Mr. Speaker, Dr. Newell joined Winston-Salem State University as a mathematics professor. She taught at that institution for 20 long years and served as chair of the mathematics department. Acknowledging her tremendous contributions to the university, the computer science center bears her name.

A dedicated public servant, Dr. Newell served as Winston-Salem city alderman for 16 years, where she focused on the needs of her constituents and advocated for those who were often without a voice. In recognition of her selfless advocacy, the city of Winston-Salem has named a street and walking trail in her honor.

Virginia Kimbrough married George Fisher Newell, a distinguished science professor, a marriage that lasted 46 long years. Two daughters were born to the marriage, my friend, Dr. Glenda Newell-Harris, and Dr. Virginia D. Banks. She is blessed with six grandchildren: Brittany, Phillip, Mary, Matthew, Mark, and Todd.

Dr. Newell is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and is a platinum member of The Links, Incorporated. She is an Alpha Bette, which is a wife of an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity man, and an Archousa, which is a wife of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. She has been a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem for more than 50 years.

Dr. Newell is, without a doubt, a visionary trailblazer who has positively impacted the lives of so many. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the people of my congressional district, I wish Dr. Virginia Kimbrough Newell a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), who is from the 12th District of North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my friend Donald R. Oliver as he retires as Chief of the City of Wilson, North Carolina Fire/Rescue Service located in my congressional district where he has led the department since 1992.

Chief Oliver began his firefighting career in Wichita, Kansas 50 years ago with the Wichita Fire Department. It was there that he met his wife Linda who worked at the Department as a fire-dispatcher.

After serving the people of Wichita as a firefighter, the two moved to Thornton, Colorado where Chief Oliver served as a firefighter for nearly 20 years and moved up the ranks first as Lieutenant, then Training Officer, Assistant Chief and ultimately Chief.

Mr. Speaker, in 1992, Chief Oliver moved to my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina and began serving as Chief of the Wilson Fire/Rescue Service. He is the longest serving Chief of the Fire/Rescue Service in the history of our great City and I know I speak for residents of the City in thanking Chief Oliver for working day and night to keep us safe.

In addition to his duties as Chief of the City of Wilson's Fire/ Rescue Service, Chief Oliver represented his fellow firefighters on the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Prevention Committee where he served as Chair. The worldwide association represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders. Chief Oliver served as President of the National Fire Protection Association from 1996 until 2004 and was a charter member of the National Society of Executive Fire Officers. He also was a member of the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy from 1996 until 2009.

Mr. Speaker, for a quarter century, Chief Oliver has led the City of Wilson Fire/Rescue Service. He has been responsible not only for protecting the lives of the residents of our City, but also those who served under his capable leadership. I am grateful for his work.

So on behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the residents of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, I thank Chief Donald R. Oliver for his enormous sacrifices over his great career and wish him well as he retires from honorable service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Halifax Community College located in my congressional district in Halifax County, North Carolina in the Town of Weldon as the institution celebrates its 50th Founders' Day and installs its new president, Dr. Michael Elam. Since its inception 50 years ago, Halifax Community College has served as a cornerstone of the Roanoke Valley region and has been a source of pride for the community.

What would eventually become Halifax Community College was first called Halifax County Technical Institute and was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly on September 7, 1967. Originally located on US Highway 301 in Halifax, the school, led by its first president Dr. Phillip W. Taylor, first opened its doors to students in February 1968. The school remained in its original location until 1977 when it relocated to its present location on NC Highway 158 in the Town of Weldon.

Mr. Speaker, since its humble beginnings half a century ago, Halifax Community College has become known statewide for its innovative facilities and educational excellence in the Roanoke Valley. The institution serves more than 7,000 students each year and offers more than 40 academic programs that lead to certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. Halifax Community College offers basic literacy skills, workforce and human resources development, and continuing education programs. It is also home to the renowned 1,500-seat multipurpose theater called The Centre.

The staff of Halifax Community College work in earnest each day to achieve the school's mission ``to meet the diverse needs of [the] community by providing high-quality, accessible and affordable education and services for a rapidly changing and globally competitive marketplace.''

In recognition of its hard work and achievements, Halifax Community College has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including the 2015 Southern Region Equity Award by the Association of Community College Trustees; 2016 Advancing Diversity Award by the American Association of Community Colleges; 2016 Rural Community College Alliance Innovator Award; and 2017 American Association of Community Colleges Community College Safety, Planning, and Leadership Award.

Mr. Speaker, Halifax Community College is a vibrant, student-oriented institution that continues to embrace student learning and success as its top priorities. Under the visionary leadership of past presidents Dr. Phillip W. Taylor (1967-1988), Dr. Elton L. Newbern Jr. (1988- 1998), Dr. Theodore H. Gasper Jr. (1998-2006), and Dr. Ervin V. Griffin Sr. (2006-2017), Halifax Community College has prospered and has transformed educational opportunities and outcomes for the Roanoke Valley.

I have no doubt that Halifax Community College's new president, Dr. Michael Elam, will build on the work of those who came before him and will ably and skillfully lead the institution into the future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the staff and students of Halifax Community College, past and present, as they celebrate 50 years of excellence in education. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the people of the First Congressional District of North Carolina, I wish Halifax Community College great success for the next 50 years and beyond.