Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend, Mr. Smith, for allowing me to share this time with him.

Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the tradition of the First Amendment--a law deeply ingrained in the core of American values--I would like to put into the Congressional Record the poem ``One River, One Boat.''

This poem was written by South Carolina's poet laureate, Marjory Wentworth, in anticipation of reading it at today's gubernatorial inauguration. It illustrates the history of my home State and ponders a look at the path the State seems to be embarking upon going forward.

Ms. Wentworth has recited a poem at the last three gubernatorial inaugurations, but she will not be reciting a poem at today's. She was told that her participation would make the program too lengthy.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I have attended several inaugurations of South Carolina's Governors. Some were shorter than others. None were allotted a specific amount of time. South Carolinians are proud of their poet laureates, but all have not always agreed

with the import of their writings. I believe it is wrong to not include this prolific, artistic expression in this year's ceremony.

Recently, individuals across the globe are living in fear of censorship when free speech and expression should be a fundamental right. We have even seen cowardly individuals use their own beliefs to badger, batter, and even murder those whose views and expressions they have found discomforting.

We have seen many instances of arbitrary actions against the powerless by the powerful when words and actions threaten their comfort levels. Such actions should not be.

I applaud Ms. Wentworth for her touching words, and I am reading her poem today in hopes that the people of South Carolina, across the country, and peoples around the world are as touched by her words as I have been.

One River, One Boat

(By Marjory Wentworth, poet laureate of South Carolina)

Because our history is a knot

we try to unravel, while others

try to tighten it, we tire easily

and fray the cords that bind us.

The cord is a slow moving river,

spiraling across the land

in a succession of S's,

splintering near the sea.

Picture us all, crowded onto a boat

at the last bend in the river:

watch children stepping off the school bus,

parents late for work, grandparents

fishing for favorite memories,

teachers tapping their desks

with red pens, firemen suiting up

to save us, nurses making rounds,

baristas grinding coffee beans,

dockworkers unloading apartment size

containers of computers and toys

from factories across the sea.

Every morning a different veteran

stands at the base of the bridge

holding a cardboard sign

with misspelled words and an empty cup.

In fields at daybreak, rows of migrant

farm workers standing on ladders, break open

iced peach blossoms; their breath rising

and resting above the frozen fields like clouds.

A jonboat drifts down the river.

Inside, a small boy lies on his back;

hand laced behind his head, he watches

stars fade from the sky and dreams.

Consider the prophet John, calling us

from the edge of the wilderness to name

the harm that has been done, to make it

plain, and enter the river and rise.

It is not about asking for forgiveness.

It is not about bowing our heads in shame;

because it all begins and ends here:

while workers unearth trenches

at Gadsden's Wharf, where 100,000

Africans were imprisoned within brick walls

awaiting auction, death, or worse.

Where the dead were thrown into the water,

and the river clogged with corpses

has kept centuries of silence.

It is time to gather at the water's edge,

and toss wreaths into this watery grave.

And it is time to praise the judge

who cleared George Stinney's name,

seventy years after the fact,

we honor him; we pray.

Here, where the Confederate flag still flies

beside the Statehouse, haunted by our past,

conflicted about the future; at the heart

of it, we are at war with ourselves

huddled together on this boat

handed down to us--stuck

at the last bend of a wide river

splintering near the sea.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to the Columbia Chapter of Moles as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The Moles is a national organization of professional women that strives to promote the civic and social welfare of its members. The Columbia Moles was sponsored for membership in the national body by the Charlotte, North Carolina Chapter and was chartered on January 16, 1965 as the 19th of what are currently 30 chapters.

Incorporated in 1950, The Moles seeks to distinguish itself from similar social and civic organizations by supporting its national and local projects without public solicitation or fundraising. The Moles' 30 chapters are located in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Each chapter meets monthly, and a National Conclave is held annually.

As energetic, talented, and productive women who meet regularly to engage in organized social activities and sisterly exchanges of ideas, they have demonstrated great vision and leadership for five decades. However, the true foundation of The Moles' success is its enduring sisterhood which has been indelibly forged in mutual love and respect.

Their motto, ``enjoy yourself, it's later than you think,'' reflects the primary purposes of The Moles: to individually and collectively enhance the social graces while pursuing educational opportunities and to enhance the civic welfare of its members.

Since 1965, The Columbia Chapter has fulfilled these purposes through its elegant social events for members and guests, including fellowship- filled monthly meetings and its renowned Labor Day Weekend retreats. The chapter also honors historic community leaders through the presentation of national Moles Resolutions and local recognition. The Columbia Chapter also makes annual contributions to numerous charitable and service organizations as part of the National Conclave.

The Moles currently sponsors two four-year scholarships to deserving students who are

competitively selected. The first scholarship was established in 1968 following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and is appropriately named the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship. In 2007, a second four-year scholarship was established and named The Moles Scholarship. It is a great honor that the Columbia Chapter's 2013 nominee, Mr. Lindsey Hallingquest, received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship. Lindsey, a Columbia, South Carolina native, is currently a sophomore at Duke University.

I am particular enamored with their creed, which was authored by Mole Madeline T. Peters: ``There is a destiny that makes us sisters, None goes her way alone; all that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own. Care not what our temples or our creeds; one thing holds firm and fast, that in our fateful heap of days and deeds, the soul of man is cast.''

Mr. Speaker, The Moles have enriched the lives of many and continue to make outstanding contributions to our society in a wide range of fields. I ask that you and my colleagues join me in congratulating them on this major milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, like most Americans, I spent the holidays with family and friends reflecting on the blessings of the past year. There were many.

Since 2009, the stock market has soared another 10,000 points. In 2009, our budget deficit stood at $1.4 trillion. Today, according to current projections, we have sliced that deficit to $514 billion, and we have created 10 million new jobs, the longest stretch of private sector job growth in American history.

When I left home yesterday, I left my wife with a full tank of gas, and I did so paying less than $2 per gallon. It was the first time I have been able to do that in 5 years. We have achieved much progress over the past several years. Now, we must get about the work of making sure that progress is shared by all.

Mr. Speaker, in a few moments, we will cast some substantive votes. These votes will literally set the rules of the game for the next 2 years. They will be a very clear reflection of our respective parties' priorities.

While Republicans' rules changes seem to rig the game in favor of the wealthy, Democrats will immediately force a vote on job creation, bigger paychecks for working families, and American competitiveness and economic growth.

Democrats want to put people to work building roads and bridges that will connect our economy in the 21st century. We will ensure that every American shares in our Nation's prosperity by taking away corporate tax deductions for millionaire executive compensation unless their employees get a raise as well.

It is simple, Mr. Speaker. House Republicans' first priority in the 114th Congress is stacking the deck for those with the highest incomes and for voodoo, trickle-down economics. House Democrats' first priority is to put Americans in a better place by creating jobs, standing up for working families, and growing the economy for all. The contrast could not be more stark.

Mr. Speaker, House Democrats' numbers may be smaller in the 114th, but we are stronger in our unity and resolve to grow and strengthen middle income Americans. Today, with our votes on the new rules, Mr. Speaker, we will be demonstrating our support for hardworking American families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to stand with my fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership of our outgoing chair, Marcia Fudge of Ohio.

Chair Fudge has done much more than occupy a position in her time as CBC chair. She has truly led this caucus at a time where it required active leadership.

It has often been said that Chair Fudge's work ethic, problem-solving approach, and coalition building has earned her the reputation as an insightful leader, and over the past year, that leadership has been on display to an impressive degree. Her legislative priorities have included job creation, protecting voting rights, health and nutrition, protecting Medicare and Social Security, education, and housing.

Chair Fudge's simple philosophy is reflected in her daily pledge, ``To do the people's work.'' That dedicated approach has enabled her to be an extraordinary chair of the Congressional

Black Caucus and keep faith with this historic role.

To some, they say we are the conscience of the Congress. But I say, under Chair Fudge, we have been much, much more because we have not relied just on our conscience. We have risen to levels of involvement not achieved very often in this body.

On a personal note, it has been my pleasure to witness the growth and maturity of a leader I am proud to call not only my chair but my close personal friend as well. And I do not mean that in the way that we often use that word on this floor. She is a close personal friend.

Mr. Speaker, as you see here, we come from various backgrounds and experiences. I am from South Carolina; our chairlady is from Ohio. We have had a different set of experiences, which means that we will not always see things the same way. But what has made her an effective leader is the fact that she can look to the west, to Ms. Barbara Lee, look south to Ms. Jackson Lee, go down to Texas to Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson, over to Alabama, and bring all of these experiences together and form a cohesive approach.

I am proud to call her my leader and proud to call her my personal friend.

I yield to the gentleman from Detroit (Mr. Conyers), the dean of the Congressional Black Caucus who, come January 6, will be the dean of the entire United States Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Owls Whist Club, Inc., a historic organization founded 100 years ago in Charleston, SC. The club was founded on February 14, 1914 as something that was--in the words of their founding charter ``strictly social and for the entertainment of our friends.'' It was founded by a group of African American men and is one of the oldest social clubs of its kind in the United States.

On November 26, 2014, they will be hosting their Annual Thanksgiving Eve event to continue their 100th anniversary celebration, and I plan to be in attendance.

The earliest available records of the organization are the official minutes of their meetings and their constitution that was written in 1924. The original members numbered sixteen, and when Arthur Clement, Jr. wrote ``A Brief History--Owls' Whist Club'' in 1950, he stated that Frank W. Dawson, the first host, was a barber.

Each year the members hold a black tie affair. Many of these events were held at Dart Hall, which back then was the ``Negro Branch'' of the Charleston County Library. The members decided in 1939 that they would buy land and build their own place to hold events, and in 1945 they did just that. They purchased two

lots in Maryville, SC directly across the Ashley river from the Citadel, South Carolina's Military College.

During this time in Charleston's history, banks did not lend money to African Americans to construct buildings, consequently the membership created a building fund. Each member was assessed a proportionate share of the cost of constructing the building now known as the Owls' Roost.

The historical impact of this organization was proven throughout the 20th century as this group of African American men overcame the racial nature of South Carolina. During its founding and throughout its development, the Owls' Whist Club members experienced numerous indignities and adversities, including numerous lynchings by vigilantes and several legislative actions by the SC House of Representatives that relegated African American citizens to a second-class existence.

This club has given African American men of Charleston a place to socialize and strategize for 100 years. Its membership has always included a variety of occupations and when they meet on November 26 to celebrate this milestone they will do so with members and guests from every background and sets of experiences that is possible to gather under one roof, and holding fast to history and tradition, among their membership will be one barber.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in congratulating the Owls' Whist Club on the celebration of their 100th Anniversary. I commend its members for continuing a much-needed tradition. Their perseverance and tenacity are appreciated by a grateful community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a community- based health care association that has served my home state of South Carolina for 35 years. South Carolina Primary Health Care Association has provided extraordinary care and has earned the appreciation and admiration of a grateful community.

South Carolina Primary Health Care Association held its initial meeting on May 3, 1979 and became incorporated in August of the same year. Its mission is to provide a coordinating structure that assures access to community-based primary, behavioral, and other health care services to every community in the state.

Today South Carolina Primary Health Care Association operates under the expressed vision, ``Access to Quality Health Care for All South Carolina'' and has efficiently and effectively provided such services across our state. On December 5th, they will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary of assisting the citizens of South Carolina.

Since their establishment in 1979, they have been working to increase the availability of quality health care to low-income, uninsured, isolated, vulnerable and special needs populations. They are committed to meeting the unique health care needs of these clientele and work tirelessly to reduce health disparities across the state. They have also coordinated initiatives to strengthen the local community health centers across the state.

I would also like to personally thank their CEO, Lathran Woodard, and Board Chair, Carolyn Emanuel-McClain, for their continued dedication to breaking through the barriers that often prevent the offering of high quality preventive and primary health care services to those in need.

According to the America's Health Rankings, South Carolina is ranked 43rd in the country for overall health. The United Health Foundation attributes this ranking to numerous factors including high rates of diabetes, obesity and infectious diseases. Without organizations like the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association these numbers would in all probability be much higher. The people of my home state truly benefit from this organization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in congratulating the South Carolina Primary Health Care Association for its 35 years of compassionate health care services. As the Association continues to grow and expand much-needed services, I commend the staff and administration for its commitment to improving the quality and accessibility of health care to the people of South Carolina. I look forward to its continued service to my state.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a church that has been a beacon of hope and a helping people and helping hand to people in Charleston, South Carolina since the 1800's. In 1839, St. John's Chapel opened its doors to welcome people to a spiritual environment and I join them today in celebrating a monumental milestone.

On October 11th St. John's will begin celebrating their 175th anniversary of creating spiritual, social and economic opportunity and advancement for families residing on Charleston's eastside and communities across the peninsula. Their activities include the re- dedication of their historically significant building and its service to the honor and glory of God.

The Charleston community has always seen this Chapel as a place of religious refuge. Their mission is to seek and encourage members to be participants in society through collaboration and empowerment. They attempt to do this in a setting where diversity is cultivated and celebrated. They also try to create an environment and community that are conducive to peaceful interactions of its residents by strengthening ethics and morality, reducing poverty and injustice and promoting community involvement.

The Reverend Dr. Dallas H. Wilson, Jr., Vicar, has served St. John's Chapel and the Charleston community with grace and dignity. He and his staff have spent their tenure at St. John's continuing to grow its mission and pursue goals through scripture, Sacraments and service through uncomplicated worship and wholesome community activities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in congratulating St. John's Chapel for its 175 years of compassionate service to the Eastside and Charleston communities. As the church grows, I look forward to the services they will offer to the people of that area. I also hope they continue their mission furthering the cultivation of diversity. I offer best wishes and Godspeed on the occasion of this celebration, and hope they will continue their good work for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a bill to reauthorize the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Historic Preservation Program. I have always studied history, and taught it at the high school level. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have worked to support historic preservation efforts which preserve and protect our nation's treasured institutions. The bill I am introducing today would continue a tremendously successful program which has been widely supported by many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

HBCUs represent a unique and critical aspect of African American history in the United States. Many of these institutions are over 100 years old, but this history lives on today as these colleges and universities continue to thrive. In 1996, $29 million was originally provided in grants to preserve historic sites on HBCU campuses. In 1998, at the request of the Congressional Black Caucus, the GAO conducted a study to identify and project the cost of preserving and protecting threatened historic buildings and sites on the more that 100 HBCU campuses in the United States. The GAO identified 712 historic sites which would require $755 million to successfully preserve. Truly the costs of this project are challenging, but we have made progress. Responding to the GAO study, in 2002, Congress authorized an additional $60 million for six years.

I have seen the results firsthand. Several historic buildings at Allen, Claflin, and South Carolina State Universities, and Voorhees and Benedict Colleges in my district have been successfully restored. These structures are icons on their respective campuses and in their communities. They are living testaments to African American and South Carolina history. Arnett Hall at Allen University was designed by an African American architect and built by the students themselves in 1891. If this building were lost, that link to the past would be severed, never to be revived again. Through a grant from this program, it has been stabilized, restored and is being preserved. These results are not limited to South Carolina. Since its origin in 1996, 59 institutions have benefited in 20 different states.

While there are many success stories, the need is still great. Sites identified by the GAO are still threatened and are continuing to deteriorate. The authorization for this program has expired, and it has not received appropriations since the Recovery Act in 2009. Congress must not abandon the progress we have made. This bill would reauthorize the program for ten years at the same funding level. It will not by itself reach the total funding needed for every threatened site, but it will revive this initiative and continue to make progress preserving these historic campuses. I have been privileged to receive strong support from my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and many other members of both parties for these efforts, and I look forward to working with all of them to extend this vital program and preserve our Nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce the 10-20-30 Act of 2014.

It is no secret that there are major disagreements among the two political parties over the role that the federal government should play in fighting poverty and confronting many other national challenges. These disagreements, put simply, come down to a question of federal resources: I believe that we should target more resources to impoverished communities than the proposed Republican budgets allocate, and I believe we can do so efficiently and effectively.

I was privileged to have the opportunity to work through some of these disagreements last year as a member of the Budget Conference Committee, and the deal that resulted, while not 100 percent of what either side wanted, was a reasonable compromise on federal spending through the end of the next fiscal year that I was proud to support.

Now that we have determined how much the federal government will spend, we must determine how to spend it most effectively. It is on this latter question--how to allocate finite federal resources to get the most ``bang for the buck''--that I believe we may be able to find more common ground to make real strides in combating persistent poverty in America. The 10-20-30 Act is a bill that members of both parties should support.

Mr. Speaker, there are currently 488 persistent poverty counties in America--so defined because 20 percent of the population has lived below the poverty line for the past 30 years or more. They are diverse, including Appalachian communities in states like Kentucky and West Virginia, Native American communities in states like Alaska and South Dakota, Latino communities in states like Arizona and Texas, African American communities in states like South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama. They are urban communities in the Northeast, and rural in America's heartland. 139 of these counties are represented in this august body by Democrats, 331 by Republicans, and 18 are split between the two parties. Combating persistent poverty should matter to all of us, regardless of party, geography, or race.

In early 2009, when we were putting together the Recovery Act, I proposed language to require at least 10 percent of funds in the rural development account to be directed to projects in these persistent poverty counties. This requirement was enacted into law. In light of the definition of persistent poverty counties as having at least 20 percent poverty rates over 30 years, this provision became known as the 10-20-30 initiative.

This provision bore dividends, as economic development projects proliferated in persistent poverty counties across the country. The Recovery Act funded a total of 4,655 projects in persistent poverty counties, totaling nearly $1.7 billion. I saw firsthand the positive effects of these projects in South Carolina. Projects were undertaken and jobs created that would have otherwise gone lacking. Among these investments was a $5.8 million grant and $2 million loan to construct 51 miles of water lines in the Britton's Neck community in Marion County. In Lowndes County, Mississippi, $17.5 million was spent to install a water line, elevated tank, and two wastewater pump stations, providing potable water to Mississippians and creating badly needed construction jobs. The Wellborn Special Utility District in Brazos County, Texas, received a $538,000 loan to construct more than 9 miles of new water distribution lines and connect over 60 households to a new water source.

The legislation I am introducing today would expand 10-20-30 to other federal agencies. In 2011, I joined with our former Republican colleague, then-Representative Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri, to introduce an amendment to the Continuing Resolution that would have continued 10- 20-30 for rural development and expanded it to 11 additional accounts throughout the federal government affecting economic development, education, job training, health, justice, the environment, and more. This bill would apply 10-20-30 to these accounts for the next 10 years.

I want to make two things clear about the 10-20-30 Act. First: It would not--I repeat, would not--add one dime to the deficit. It would simply allocate resources from funds already authorized or appropriated. Second: it would be no remedy for an inadequate budget. If we cut spending on economic development programs as much as some advocate, allocating 10 percent of this reduced amount to persistent poverty counties would be wholly insufficient to addressing the great need in these areas.

Over the past 30 years, the national economy has risen and fallen multiple times. During each economic downturn, while we have been rightly focused on getting economy as a whole back on track, we have not given adequate attention to these communities that are suffering from chronic distress and Depression-era levels of joblessness. As a result, they have suffered even in good economic times. The 10-20-30 Act of 2014 would create a mechanism to address this deprivation in times of want and in times of plenty, in times of federal investment and in times of fiscal austerity.

I published an article on 10-20-30 in the most recent issue of the Harvard Journal on Legislation. I discuss the history of our nation's efforts to address chronic poverty and more fully lay out the case for broadly implementing 10-20-30 in a bipartisan fashion. I look forward to working together to pass the 10-20-30 Act to lessen the scourge of persistent poverty in these distressed communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the McKeon Amendment because I believe training and equipping moderate Syrian rebels to fight ISIL will increase the likelihood of success in our effort to rid the world of this threat.

We have seen that ISIL will ruthlessly slaughter anyone who does not adhere to their horrific ideology--including Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike. ISIL, with large numbers of Western fighters, is a threat not only to the Middle East but to Europe and America as well. We have seen their disgusting brutality with the beheadings of two brave American journalists, as well as others of diverse nationalities.

We must be clear about what this amendment is and what it isn't. It is not an authorization for the use of force against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. The Administration has stated that it believes it already has the authority to conduct a military campaign against ISIL, and they are proceeding pursuant to this authority. I would support a reexamination of the 2001 authorization by this Congress so we can fully debate its applicability to current threats. Thirteen years after its passage, it may be wise to refine it to empower the President to go after ISIL and other groups that pose a danger to America. This is our constitutional duty.

But this amendment is much more limited. It would simply authorize the training and equipping of Syrians to fight ISIL. Again, it does not authorize an American invasion of Iraq or Syria. If it did, I would not support it. In fact, I support this amendment precisely because I oppose an American ground war and believe we must eliminate the threat from ISIL without putting thousands of American troops in harm's way.

I oppose another American ground war not only because I believe that we have sacrificed enough already in two wars in the Middle East, although this is certainly my belief I oppose another American ground war primarily because for our campaign against ISIL to have sustained success, the combat troops driving out ISIL need to be Iraqi and Syrian, and in particular, they need to be Sunni. We actually defeated ISIL in their previous incarnation as Al Qaeda in Iraq. We were successful in doing so because we built political support among Iraqi Sunnis. Unfortunately, former Prime Minister Maliki's sectarianism alienated the Sunnis, and this, combined with Bashar al-Assad's brutality against Sunnis in Syria, allowed ISIL to emerge without really being challenged by the moderate majority of Sunnis, who saw them as the lesser of two evils.

Given this reality, the best way to eliminate the threat from ISIL is to empower moderate Sunnis in Iraq and Syria to drive them out of the areas they control. The development of a nonsectarian government in Iraq is a step in the right direction in that country, and this limited amendment is a step in the right direction in Syria. It cannot be the only step; we must continue to work with Sunni Arab countries so that the Sunnis of Iraq and Syria know that there is a much better future for them than the destructive brutality of ISIL.

The fight against ISIL will not be short, and it will not be easy. This should not, and will not, be the last time this body addresses this international challenge. Today we are asked to take a reasoned, sensible step on the path to ridding the world of ISIL's scourge. It is a step that we would be wise to take.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, we in this body are called upon to represent the wishes of the American people. The last national election, President Obama was reelected by the American people by an overwhelming majority. What we find today are the people who opposed his reelection, the people who for years now have been wishing upon him failure, are attempting to do with this lawsuit what they could not do at the polling places.

Rather than address the problems of the American people, repair our crumbling infrastructure, getting affordability for our young people to attend colleges and universities and other postsecondary education, here we are trying to find a way to discover some peg upon which to hang an impeachment resolution. That is what this is all about.

I would hope that we would hurry up and return dignity to this body and stop these charades that are inflaming the American people in a way that they are undeserving of.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to denounce the unprecedented political attack House Republicans are bringing to the floor of this House. This week, this body will consider a measure to bring a lawsuit against the President of the United States for doing the job that the people of this country elected him to do.

This highly partisan lawsuit is a subterfuge. It is a subterfuge by House Republicans aimed at achieving their political goals that they were not able to achieve at the ballot box. Make no mistake about it. This is not a frivolous matter. Nothing could be more serious than House Republicans attempting to get the taxpayers of this country to finance their misuse and abuse of the legal system. The ultimate goal of this exercise is to try to discover some peg upon which they can hang an impeachment resolution.

This is very simple. Republicans could not defeat this President in back-to-back elections, and now they are looking for other means to their ends. This wasteful Republican lawsuit is their prelude to impeachment. It is a vendetta, a direct attack on the heart of our democratic form of self-government launched by House Republicans who got over a million less votes from the American people in the last national elections than their Democratic counterparts. Nothing could be more serious.

This lawsuit is a measure by House Republicans to use taxpayer money to further their partisan attempts to besmirch and destroy a President they couldn't beat in the elections. It is unfair to the American people, it is undemocratic, it is un-American.

Mr. Speaker, the American people need to know what is going on here. Rather than focusing on creating jobs, fixing our broken immigration system, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, and other sensible measures that can help hardworking families struggling to make ends meet, House Republicans are obsessed with political gamesmanship on a historic scale. Nothing could be more serious.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a loyal South Carolinian, Dr. Fredrick M.G. Evans, who has dedicated his career to public service in South Carolina.

In addition to his extensive career in education, he has served as a reserve law enforcement officer in Orangeburg County since 2008. Dr. Evans was recently awarded, on his 53rd birthday, the National Sheriffs' Association Certificate of Merit for his work with the Orangeburg County Police Department. During his time with the department, Dr. Evans has documented 5,500 hours of law enforcement duty ranging from direct patrol, to Reserve Investigator, and security detail.

Dr. Evans received his undergraduate degree from Clark Atlanta University and a Masters Degree from the University of South Carolina in secondary education. He continued his education and received an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota. Dr. Evans has been a positive and productive citizen of South Carolina for decades.

As a lifelong member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, a brotherhood that we share, Dr. Evans continues to work with students at South Carolina State University as Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

Dr. Evans was recognized in 2009 as the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy of the Year, and in March 2011, he was promoted to Lieutenant of the Reserve Deputy Sheriffs.

National Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Aaron Kennard said about Dr. Evans, ``we feel that his valuable contributions to his community and to the field of criminal justice and law enforcement should be commended.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Fredrick M.G. Evans upon this receipt of his outstanding award from the National Sheriffs' Association and for his years of distinguished service at South Carolina State University. His dedicated commitment to his community and his profession is exemplary, and his contributions are incalculable.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my support of H.R. 3375, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic that will be constructed at 3141 Centennial Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic.

Floyd Lindstrom was born on June 21, 1912. He was a truckdriver for the local store and frequently drove back and forth to California. He joined the Army from Colorado Springs in June 1942. By November 11, 1943, he was serving as a Private 1st Class in the 3rd Infantry Division. On that day, near Mignano, Italy, he singlehandedly charged and captured a German machine gun. PFC Lindstrom was killed in action 3 months later on February 3, 1944, at the age of 31. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

For his bravery and service, PFC Lindstrom was awarded two Italian military crosses, the Purple Heart, and a Silver Star. On April 20, 1944, he was posthumously awarded the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions near Mignano, Italy, during World War II.

PFC Lindstrom went above and beyond the call of duty. He made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. It is most appropriate that the VA community-based outpatient clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, be named in honor of this local hero.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time. I yield back the balance of my time, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3375.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the great heroes of World War II. H.R. 4199 would name the veterans medical center in Waco, Texas, after a decorated sailor who displayed tremendous courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Doris ``Dorie'' Miller was the first African American hero of World War II. After enlisting in the United States Navy at the Dallas recruiting station and attending basic training in Norfolk, Virginia, Dorie arrived on the USS West Virginia stationed in Pearl Harbor.

At the time, there were few options for Black sailors in the Navy. Dorie was assigned as a mess attendant. At 6 a.m. on December 7, Dorie was awake conducting his duties as room steward for the officers when the alarm for general quarters rang out. Throughout the fighting, Dorie assisted in transporting wounded to the first aid station, helped load ammunition, and manned an unattended antiaircraft deck gun. While under bombardment from the Japanese, Dorie continued firing at the attacking planes, possibly bringing down one of the aircraft.

For his extraordinary courage, Dorie was awarded the Navy Cross by Admiral Chester Nimitz. He was the first African American to receive that honor in the Pacific Fleet. Nearly 2 years after Pearl Harbor, Dorie gave the ultimate sacrifice, going down with the ship during the Battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific.

Dorie has been immortalized in movies as well as with commemoration on a United States postal stamp. He also had the honor of having a United States Navy frigate named after him in 1973.

Dorie was born in Waco and played fullback at Waco's A.J. Moore High School. He also worked as a cook in Waco, supplementing the family income during the Great Depression.

We have a proud tradition of honoring our heroes by dedicating our flagship VA facilities to those who epitomize the selfless service and sacrifice of all veterans. So it is fitting that the Waco medical center proudly takes the name of its famous son.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my thanks to Mr. Flores and the entire Texas delegation for bringing this legislation.

I grew up studying about Dorie Miller. He was one of those who we knew should be honored, but there were many on that day. Among them was Joseph Henry Washington, who was serving on the USS Arizona on December 7 at the time of this attack. He survived, and I recently wrote about him.

There were many great men and women serving during this time who have gone unattended to, and I thank you so much for recognizing this one. I hope, as we continue our service here, that we will continue to look into the backgrounds and experiences of those others who have not yet been recognized and do the appropriate recognition at the proper time.

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