Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Peggy Williams Ruffin who dedicated her career to public service. Mrs. Ruffin is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Ruffin has dedicated herself to the pursuit of social justice and the well-being of those less fortunate and is most deserving of this recognition.

Mrs. Ruffin, who is married to Jessie Ray Ruffin, was born on September 18, 1942, in Wilson, North Carolina to James Williams and the former Ida Pearl. Mrs. Ruffin graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelor's degree and received her Master's degree from Howard University in Washington, DC. Following her education, Mrs. Ruffin worked as a medical social worker and hospital supervisor. Upon retiring from the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, she was presented the state's highest honor--the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In keeping with her selfless contributions to others, Mrs. Ruffin currently serves as a mentor and tutor as well as a Board Member of the Odelle W. Whitehead Center.

Mrs. Ruffin is a Golden Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and was initiated in 1963 while attending Shaw University as a member of the Beta Rho chapter. She joined the Gamma Beta Omega chapter in 1969 and has served in many leadership positions since then.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Ruffin's contributions to our great nation are many. She is dedicated to the service of others and her passion to improve the quality of life and the well-being of her community is self-evident. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Peggy Ruffin on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Addie Scipio Hagans, a dedicated educator and civil servant. Mrs. Hagans is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Hagans has dedicated her life to the service of others and is most deserving of this recognition.

Mrs. Addie Hagans was born May 24, 1928, in Chadbourn, North Carolina, to Alfred Dancy Scipio and the former-Novella Wallace. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from North Carolina Central University, then North Carolina College, where she excelled in English, Speech, and Drama. After college, Mrs. Hagans began her career in education. Mrs. Hagans spent 35 years in education and during that time earned numerous awards and accolades. In addition to being recognized as Wilson County Teacher of the Year for 1978, Mrs. Hagans received the Distinguished Service Award and Most Spirited Teacher Award from the Wilson City Schools.

Mrs. Hagans is a Golden Member and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. and has served as Basileus, Epistoleus, Anti-Basileus, Ivy Leaf Reporter, and Hodegos. In keeping with her selfless contributions to others, Mrs. Hagans currently serves as a member of the Gamma Beta Omega Chapter's Tutoring Committee. Mrs. Hagans is married to John Hubert Hagans and they are proud parents of two adult children, Reginald Orrin Hagans and Pamela Joi Hagans.

Mr. Speaker, Addie Hagans' contributions to my home state of North Carolina and our great nation are many. Her passion for education and dedication to the service of others is self-evident. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Addie Scipio Hagans on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Marian Sewell Farmer who is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Farmer is a dedicated educator and public servant who has committed her life's work to the service of others and is most deserving of this recognition.

Mrs. Farmer was born March 7, 1935, in Wilson, North Carolina to James and Katie Sewell. Mrs. Farmer attended public schools in Wilson and graduated from Darden High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Livingston College, in Salisbury, North Carolina and was inducted into the esteemed National Science Honor Society while there. Following her education, Mrs. Farmer began her career in education.

Mrs. Farmer was an educator for 36 years and remains an active member of her community. For her contributions to others in support of her community, she was awarded the Phenomenal Woman Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Alumni Chapter at Bennett College. Mrs. Farmer serves as co-chair of the North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition and is a board member of the Arts Council of Wilson.

Mrs. Farmer is a Golden Member and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and has served as Grammateus, Tamiouchos, and Basileus, and has also chaired a number of committees. She was first initiated into the Alpha Xi chapter while attending Livingston College and joined the Gamma Beta Omega chapter in 1957. Mrs. Farmer is married to James Edward Farmer, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, James Edward Farmer, III and Allegro Farmer.

Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Farmer has consistently served her community while remaining a dedicated educator. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mrs. Marian Sewell Farmer on her work and on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill.

This vote today marks the 56th attempt by House Republicans to dismantle the ACA. If enacted, more than 19 million people who were previously uninsured would lose tax credits and subsidies that make insurance affordable.

Members who voted for this bill are telling the American people that access to affordable, quality health care should be reserved for only those who have the means to afford it. Let me just tell you a very brief story about a man named Carlton Stevens, Jr., from my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina.

Last year was a very challenging year for the Stevens family of five as they found themselves uninsured. As Mr. Stevens and his wife found themselves between jobs and in a new town, they prioritized finding health coverage for their family.

Mr. Stevens visited the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace to search for coverage and was surprised and elated to know that he and his family qualified for a credit of approximately $800. He and his wife were able to purchase insurance for his entire family for less than $200.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would deprive families like the Stevens family of affordable health care in a time of need. I wonder why my Republican friends are doing this again.

Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to commemorate the contributions of Dr. C.T. Vivian, a public servant and passionate leader in the civil rights movement who has dedicated his life to the struggle for racial equality in America.

Dr. C.T. Vivian was born July 30, 1924 in Howard County, Missouri and attended Western Illinois University in Macomb and was recreation director for the Carver Community Center in Peoria, Illinois. It was there that Dr. Vivian participated in his first sit-in demonstrations which successfully integrated Barton's Cafeteria in 1947.

Dr. Vivian was a close friend and adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King appointed Dr. Vivian to the executive staff of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1963, naming him national director of affiliates and strategist for the organization.

After leaving Dr. King's Executive Staff, Dr. Vivian founded the Black Action Strategies and Information Center (BASIC), a workplace consultancy on race relations and multicultural training. He and his late wife, Octavia Vivian founded the C.T. & Octavia Vivian Archives and Museum in Fayetteville, GA, in 2014.

In March 2007 at the occasion of the anniversary of Selma to Montgomery marches, then-Senator Barack Obama recognized Dr. Vivian in his opening remarks as ``the greatest preacher to ever live.'' And, on August 8, 2013, President Obama honored Dr. Vivian at the White House by presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. C.T. Vivian remains a distinguished minister, author, and organizer. His historic contributions and achievements as a spiritual leader, champion of social justice, and strategist of the Civil Rights Movement have reserved his place in history. I ask my colleagues join me in expressing the appreciation of a grateful nation.

Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to commemorate the contributions of Dr. Alvin V. Blount, Jr., a decorated veteran, civil servant and pioneer. Dr. Blount is not only a decorated military surgeon; he is also recognized as an outstanding physician in the Greensboro medical community.

Dr. Blount was born February 24, 1922, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was the eldest of four children. He attended North Carolina A&T University in 1939 and graduated magna cum laude in 1943. After completing his undergraduate degree, he attended Howard University earning his Medical degree in 1947.

After, Dr. Blount entered the military as a member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He served two tours of military duty in Korea during the War and returned to Greensboro in 1952. In 1957, Dr. Blount, a surgeon by training, became the first African American in North Carolina to earn the American College of Abdominal Surgeons' certification.

In 1964, Dr. Blount championed the integration of Cone Hospital in Greensboro and would become the first African American to operate there. Dr. Blount's distinguished surgical career includes service as chief of surgery for L. Richardson Hospital; a position he held for 23 years. He was also responsible for establishing the hospital's first quality improvement committee.

On February 1, 2007, Dr. Alvin V. Blount, Jr., received the 2007 Human Rights Medal from his alma mater North Carolina A&T State University. The Human Rights Medal is one of the highest awards given by the University and it is presented to an individual for their extraordinary contributions to humanity.

Dr. Blount Jr. has been married to Gwendolyn Harris for over 40 years. They are the proud parents of seven children. They also have nine grandchildren.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Blount's contributions to our great nation are many. He bravely served his country during the Korean War and was time and time again a trailblazer in the field of medicine. I ask my colleagues join me in expressing the appreciation of a grateful nation.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise in recognition of the 130th Anniversary of the Town of Princeville, North Carolina--the oldest town in the United States incorporated by African Americans. Princeville is located in Edgecombe County in my Congressional District and was originally known as Freedom Hill when it was founded at the close of the Civil War in 1865 by newly-freed slaves who sought protection in the Union Army encampments there.

Following the departure of the Union soldiers, many of the former slaves stayed behind and formed a free community in Freedom Hill. The settlement grew and was incorporated on February 20, 1885, as Princeville in honor of Turner Prince, a former slave who used his carpentry skills to build many homes in the free community for his family and others who sought refuge there.

The Town of Princeville and its residents have endured much over its 130 year history. Whether it was racial prejudice, social and economic isolation, or Hurricane Floyd that nearly destroyed Princeville, the Town and its proud residents remain resilient and dedicated to building for the future. Today, the Town has well over 2,000 residents and continues to grow.

The Town of Princeville serves as a symbol of the self-determination, endurance, and fearlessness of the African Americans who braved the unimaginable horrors of slavery to reclaim their lives and build a lasting community for future generations.

Today we celebrate Princeville's incredible survival and its unique place in African American culture and United States History. Princeville's story deserves recognition so that the historical and social significance of the

Town and the unwavering spirit of its people are widely known.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and congratulating the Town of Princeville, North Carolina for 130 years of perseverance and for being a symbol of African American strength and resilience.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

The Congressional Black Caucus is delighted to come to the floor this evening to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

At the end of slavery, Mr. Speaker, in 1865, which was 150 years ago, the State of North Carolina had a slave population of 331,000 slaves. After the passage of the 13th Amendment and ratification of it by 27 States, these slaves became free. They became American citizens, and males 21 years old or older would soon be entitled to vote.

Among those 331,000 slaves gaining freedom, 128,000 of them resided in my congressional district. In some of the counties, the Black population exceeded the White population.

In 1870, African American citizens gained the right to vote by the enactment of the 15th Amendment. For the next 30 years, Mr. Speaker, African American men voted in large numbers and became a political force in State politics.

Four African Americans were elected to Congress in North Carolina, eight in South Carolina, three in Alabama, and one each in Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Virginia, and Louisiana. Many more were elected to State and local office.

In 1900, after KKK violence and lynchings had not deterred Black political participation, most Southern States passed disfranchisement laws requiring a literacy test and the payment of a poll tax. These laws had the intent and effect of disenfranchising Black people from voting, and it worked. For the next half century, African Americans were effectively denied the right to vote with a few exceptions.

Following his 1964 acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., approached President Lyndon Johnson about advocating for a strong voting rights law that would enforce the 15th Amendment. President Johnson was uncomfortable in advancing the idea of a voting rights law, which greatly disappointed Dr. King. Dr. King was motivated to launch the Selma voting rights movement.

On March 7, 1965, under the leadership of Dr. King, John Lewis, and others, Black residents of Selma attempted to march from Brown Chapel Church to the Alabama State capital to demand a voting rights law.

As they approached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the marchers were brutalized, and they were terrorized by State police and forced to retreat. We now refer to this confrontation as ``Bloody Sunday.''

Two days later, the marchers again began their journey to Montgomery, but as they crossed the bridge and saw the strong police presence, they turned around and returned to the church. At this point, President Johnson was outraged with Governor George Wallace for preventing the march. Johnson telephoned Wallace to demand that the marchers walk to Montgomery without incident.

Three weeks later, on March 21, 1965, Dr. King persuaded thousands of Black and White to come to Selma to participate in the march. The march proceeded without incident. Fifty thousand participated.

Following the March, a White marcher, Mrs. Viola Liuzzo from Detroit, was murdered while transporting marchers back to Selma. Jimmie Lee Jackson was killed by police during a Selma protest in February 1965. Saddened by these murders, President Johnson reconsidered his unwillingness to promote voting rights legislation. He went on national television on March 15 and announced that he would support a voting rights bill.

Despite the Southern filibuster, the Voting Rights Act was enacted into law on August 6, 1965. This important law has changed the political landscape for African American communities. It bans the use of literacy tests. It gives minority communities the right to litigate discriminatory election schemes that dilute their vote.

The act provides for a section 5 that requires certain jurisdictions with discriminatory histories to preclear election law changes with the Attorney General. To our great dismay, on June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court made section 5 unenforceable because the data used to determine covered jurisdictions is outdated, according to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has now called on Congress to modify the formula.

To this day, Mr. Speaker, our Republican colleagues have refused to allow the bipartisan VRA amendment bill to be voted upon. In fact, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Goodlatte, announced that he has no intention to legislate a modification to the formula, and so the effect of not having section 5 is to allow jurisdictions to pass discriminatory election laws with impunity and without oversight.

The Voting Rights Act has enabled African American communities to elect hundreds of Black elected officials. We successfully litigated dozens and dozens of cases. Many of my colleagues were elected because enforcement of the Voting Rights Act forced--forced--States to draw congressional districts where Black communities are not submerged and their vote diluted.

Mr. Speaker, this story must be understood by every American citizen. The right to vote for African Americans was obtained by blood, sweat, and tears; and we are determined--the Congressional Black Caucus is determined--to continue this fight into 2016 and beyond.

Mr. Payne, thank you very much for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, Wednesday marked the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp on January 27, 1945. An estimated 1.1 million people, mostly of Jewish descent, lost their lives there between 1940-1945.

The seventieth anniversary occurs at a pivotal time. The recent terrorist attacks carried out in France demonstrated that anti-Semitism still exists as the world witnessed the senseless killing of people solely based on their religion. The senseless attacks in France remind us of the dark days of World War II when so many lost their lives because of their religion or ethnicity.

We must never forget the atrocities that occurred at Auschwitz and elsewhere during the Holocaust. The human race must never again let such unspeakable events take place. Racism, prejudice, and anti- Semitism must not be allowed in our societies and must be stopped wherever they occur.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembrance of the lives lost at Auschwitz. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the magnitude of this anniversary and the significance that it plays in our world today.

Madam Speaker, I rise with Congressman Price to recognize the head coach of Duke University men's basketball team on becoming the winningest Division I men's basketball coach in our Nation's history.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski's 1,000th career victory came Sunday afternoon in New York City at Madison Square Garden against the Red Storm of St. John's University, a thrilling second half game.

Over his 35 years as their head coach, he has led the Blue Devils to four NCAA Division I championships, 13 ACC tournament championships, and 12 ACC regular season championships. People like Grant Hill, Johnny Dawkins, Shane Battier, and even my son-in-law, Dahntay Jones, all honed their skills under the watchful eye of Coach K and went on to successful careers in the NBA.

Coach K is a four-time Olympic gold medal winner--in 1984 and 1992 as Team USA's assistant coach, and in 2008 and 2012 as its head coach. In his most recent book, entitled, ``The Gold Standard: Building a World- Class Team,'' Coach K has said leading Team USA to gold was one of the ``most gratifying experiences'' of his life.

Mike Krzyzewski's accomplishments are impressive by any measure. Perhaps most impressive, though, is his work off the basketball court. In addition to supporting countless charities over the years, he and his wife, Mickie, founded the Emily Krzyzewski Center, named in honor of his mother. The center mentors school-aged children to prepare them with the skills needed for college and beyond.

When asked what he would like to be remembered for, Coach K said: ``Just the fact that I'm an honest man, a truthful person, and somebody who cares about people, not just himself.''

Coach K serves as an inspiration to so many around the Nation and the world. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Coach Mike Krzyzewski on his historic 1,000 victories.

Mr. Speaker, today it is with a heavy heart that I rise to commemorate the life of Mr. Carl Russell Long, a passionate leader, public servant, and trailblazer who played baseball in the Negro League and later went on to become the first African American to integrate the Carolina League. Mr. Long will be greatly missed in his community of Kinston, throughout our great state of North Carolina, and by his fans across the country.

Carl Russell Long was born May 9, 1935 in Rock Hill, South Carolina to William Long and the former Ella Griffin. In 1952, he joined the Negro League and began playing in the outfield for the Birmingham Black Barons and a number of other teams until joining the Kinston Eagles in 1956 where he became the first African American to play in the Carolina League.

During his career, Mr. Long played for at least eight baseball teams and had more than 1,600 at bats. He had 57 home runs and a .275 batting average. In 1956, he was named the Carolina League's All-Star and was also recognized as the League's RBI leader.

After retiring from baseball, he returned to the City of Kinston where he continued to be a trailblazer. He became Lenoir County's first African American Deputy Sheriff and, in 1970, became the first African American detective to work for the county sheriff

Carl Long was a member of the Negro League Players Association and in 2003 was inducted into the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was one of only a dozen former Negro League players who were invited to the White House to meet President Barack Obama.

Mr. Long leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Ella Long, two children, Sotello and

Cynthia Long Hightower, two grandchildren, Latoyha Polk Washington and John Polk, and one great-grandson Breylan Polk.

Mr. Speaker, Carl Russell Long was a loving husband, father, and public servant. His untimely passing will surely be felt by all of those whose lives he touched. He will forever be missed but never forgotten in the City of Kinston, across North Carolina, and by baseball fans everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Welch for yielding time. Let me also thank Chairman Issa and Ranking Member Cummings for bringing my bill to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5142, a bill that I introduced that will designate the post office in Rich Square, North Carolina, as the Chief Joseph E. White, Jr. Post Office Building. Every Member of the North Carolina House delegation has cosponsored my bill, and I ask my colleagues to join me in passing it today.

Joseph Edward White, Jr., was born on January 12, 1939, in Hertford County, North Carolina, in the town of Ahoskie to Joseph White, Sr., and the former Emma Jane Collins. In 1957, at the age of 18, Mr. White enlisted in the United States Navy and bravely served our country for the next 20 years. After he retired from the Navy, Mr. White and his wife, the former Joyce Risper, moved to Northampton County and settled in the town of Woodland, North Carolina, which would ultimately become home for them and for their three children: Cynthia, Cheryl, and Terrance.

Mr. White found his calling in law enforcement and began his career with the Woodland Police Department in 1980, where he served as an officer and ultimately as chief of police. He later

moved to the Northampton County Sheriff's Office and served as a deputy sheriff and also worked as a corrections officer at Odom Correctional Institution, located just outside Jackson, North Carolina.

In 1999, Mr. Speaker, Mr. White became the chief of police for a small town but a town rich in legacy, the town of Rich Square. Sadly, Chief White's stellar career in law enforcement that saw him ascend to the position of chief of police of two North Carolina police departments was tragically cut short.

After just a year of serving as police chief for the town of Rich Square, Chief White was savagely killed in the line of duty. On the afternoon of Sunday, July 16, 2000, Chief White was on duty and was alerted that a vehicle had filled up at a gas station but left the station without paying. Chief White spotted the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. It was during the stop that Chief White's .45-caliber service weapon was wrested away from him by the man that he had stopped. The man used Chief White's own weapon against him tragically, ending his life just 5 months before his retirement.

It took nearly 3 years, but the man that committed this atrocious crime was identified and he was arrested in Lafayette, Louisiana, on May 1, 2003. He was sentenced to life in prison on September 12, 2005.

Chief White, a brave veteran and dedicated public servant, a beloved husband, colleague, and friend, lost his life in the most tragic of ways, but his memory will live on forever. Naming the post office in Rich Square in Chief White's honor is but a small symbol by a grateful Nation for his life that was dedicated to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chief Joseph E. White, Jr., by voting ``aye'' on H.R. 5142.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of Mr. Luke P. Martin, Jr. who will be honored on Thursday, September 18, 2014 in New Bern, North Carolina for his rich and unique family history and his commitment to his community by having the day forever named in his honor.

Luke P. Martin, Jr. is 97 years old and the surviving son of an escaped slave who became one of the first men to enlist in the Union Army's First North Carolina Colored Volunteers during the Civil War. Mr. Martin's father, Private Luke Martin, Sr. escaped slavery in 1863 near Plymouth, North Carolina and found his way to New Bern where he joined what became the 35th Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops.

A statue of Private Martin, Sr. is currently displayed in the North Carolina Museum of History as an enduring reminder of the approximately 200,000 African Americans who fought during the Civil War. Private Martin's 1861 Springfield rifle and a Confederate Calvary sword acquired by Private Martin when he courageously fought and was wounded in the 1864 Battle of Olustee can also be found there. After fighting in the war, Private Martin settled in New Bern where he became the third pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church and was regarded as a well-respected civic leader. Private Martin died in 1917, the same year his son, Luke, Jr., was born.

Luke P. Martin, Jr. was born on July 11, 1917, making him one of Craven County's oldest living residents. He continues to live in the home built by his father in the 1890s. Mr. Martin was the lead Master Mason in the restoration of the historic Tryon Palace in the early 1950s, and supervised the construction and brickwork on more than fifty major buildings throughout the southeast. He taught vocational classes for over 20 years at Pamlico County High School putting his considerable talents into teaching others.

At 97 years old, Mr. Martin still works as a funeral assistant for Oscar's Mortuary, as he has since the business opened its doors in 1954. He and his late wife, Inez, reared seven children including their son Frederick, who was killed while serving our country in Vietnam on February 28, 1968. He is a lifelong member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where he holds the distinction of being the congregation's oldest and longest-serving trustee, having served in that capacity for more than sixty years.

Mr. Speaker, Luke Martin has spent his life as an active and engaging member of his community. He has built upon the courageous sacrifices his father made so long ago, and I am happy to participate in the celebration of Luke P. Martin, Jr. Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Luke P. Martin, Jr. and the Martin family for their contributions to the city of New Bern and our Union.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mrs. Henrietta Hatton Clark, a beloved and respected constituent from Vance County, North Carolina who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Sunday, September 14, 2014. Mrs. Clark is a pillar of her community and is highly respected by all those who know her because of her unwavering commitments to God, her family, her church and the community and state she has called home her entire life.

Mrs. Clark was born on a farm in Vance County, North Carolina on September 14, 1914. She was the youngest of six children and was adventurous at an early age. She attended elementary school in Vance County and went on to graduate from Henderson Institute which was operated by the Northern Presbyterian Church. Following Henderson Institute, Mrs. Clark attended what was then Winston-Salem State Teachers College, now Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Equipped with her teaching degree, Mrs. Clark set out to make the world a better place one child and one classroom at a time by inspiring children to dream big and work hard. She taught in Vance County, North Carolina Schools for several decades and shaped generations of young minds. She often told her students, ``You can achieve any position if you study, work hard, and believe in yourself.''

Mrs. Clark's passion and drive did not stop when the school day ended. She was incredibly active in her community. She led voter registration initiatives and was an inspirational leader during the Civil Rights Movement. She served on important committees that made recommendations for state judicial appointments which empowered her to help diversify the Bench. She also served as a Board Member for several community organizations and was a longtime member of the Vance- Granville Community College Board of Trustees.

Mrs. Clark remains a very active member of Cotton Memorial Presbyterian Church in Henderson, North Carolina. The church and its members have been a persistent source of joy, peace, and happiness throughout Mrs. Clark's truly remarkable life. Likewise, members of her Church and residents of the Henderson and Vance County community hold Mrs. Clark in high esteem and are honored to know her.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my House colleagues to join me in sending warm regards and in wishing Mrs. Henrietta Hatton Clark a very happy birthday.

Mr. Speaker, we only have 24 legislative days left in the 113th Congress, yet the Republican majority has failed to pass any meaningful legislation. The last 2 years have been wasted with partisan rhetoric and legislative initiatives that amount to nothing more than talking points. House Republicans have made this the least productive Congress in recent memory.

They have waged a sustained war against low-income citizens by blocking commonsense legislation that would raise the minimum wage and restore emergency unemployment insurance. They continue to oppose efforts to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work. For the first time in the history of our Nation, they are pursuing a frivolous lawsuit against the President at taxpayer expense, and I continue to fume about that lawsuit.

Republicans seem proud that this prestigious body has been labeled the Do-Nothing Congress.

For the past 2 years, Democrats have repeatedly called on the Republicans to tackle a pro-jobs, pro-middle class agenda. Democrats have consistently put forth proposals that would grow jobs, provide workers with a living wage, and fix our broken immigration system. Instead of working with Democrats to bring about the change supported by the majority of Americans, Republicans have refused to act.

Instead, the Republican majority has spent the 113th Congress appealing to the fringes of the Republican Party. They wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars trying to defend the Defense of Marriage Act. They held hearing after hearing after hearing to pursue conspiracy theories about Benghazi at the expense of our Nation's delicate work in a volatile region. And for the first time in the history of our Republic, the Republicans voted to sue the President of the United States for delaying a health care mandate that they themselves have long opposed.

My Republican colleagues, Mr. Speaker, routinely walk away from key discussions and negotiations, failing to lead, but worse, failing the American people. They have, however, succeeded in making this Republican-controlled House one of the least productive and most divided in our Nation's history.

In the Senate where 60 votes are needed to pass any bill, Republicans have also been successful in blocking important proposals that have the overwhelming support of the American people. As a result, Americans' confidence in Congress has fallen to less than 10 percent.

The American people desperately need their elected representatives to come together to advance policies that benefit our citizens. The American people don't care about Republicans or Democrats. They care about us working to improve their lives, but Republicans insist on driving us further apart.

Instead of doing the work we were elected to do, House Republicans have scheduled another 5-week break beginning in October. I guess obstruction must really be exhausting to all of them.

There is so much work that remains to be done. I pray my Republican colleagues hear me. Now is the time to work the will of the American people. That is what we were sent here to do.

I urge the majority to end this Congress on a high note. Cancel the 5-week break. I am serious. Cancel the 5-week break. I can handle it if you can handle it.

Let's raise the minimum wage, reform our immigration system, and ensure equal pay for equal work. It is what the American people expect and deserve.