Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous materials on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour, along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

As we commence this CBC Special Order hour, we will dedicate the next 60 minutes to National Reunification Month, focusing on a deeply concerning issue, the disproportionate separation of Black families by foster care and welfare services. This critical issue is not just of concern to the Congressional Black Caucus or Congress but a matter of significance for all Americans. Let us shed light on these unsettling realities and provide solutions and champion the reunification of families across our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick for her great words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Gwen Moore from Wisconsin, who so eloquently and passionately articulated the plight of reunification and the challenges that lie before us.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Donald Payne, Jr., from the State of New Jersey for those eloquent words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, June is National Reunification Month, an important designation that remains unknown to many, but one that warrants wider understanding and greater attention. In the grand tapestry of life, one universal truth weaves its thread throughout-- that none of us can journey far or aim high without some form of familial structure to ground us. Family, in its various forms and definitions, provides the anchors we all need.

As we turn our attention to the realities underscored by the data from fiscal year 2021, a stark and uncomfortable picture emerges that further emphasizes the urgency of the matter at hand.

Over the year, investigations of maltreatment involved a staggering 587,330 children in the United States.

Each of these represents a unique story, a child who has faced abuse or neglect severe enough that allegations of maltreatment were substantiated, and a life irrevocably scarred by these experiences.

Moreover, this vast number doesn't tell the complete story. Over 200,000 children were placed into the foster care system in that same year, a heartrending reflection of the urgency and complexity of the issues that we confront. While these numbers are staggering on their own, the statistics take on an even darker shade when viewed through the lens of racial disparities.

The overrepresentation of African-American children in the foster care system is a disturbing trend that we can no longer ignore.

Despite representing only 14 percent of the general population, African-American children accounted for 20 percent of the children entering the foster care system in fiscal year 2021. This disproportionate representation extends to multiracial children as well, revealing a systemic bias that must be addressed.

In certain States, this disproportionality is even more pronounced, spotlighting a deeply rooted racial bias that is pervasive and detrimental. The repercussions of these disparities stretch far beyond the immediate impact, creating a ripple effect that touches every aspect of these children's lives, from their education and

mental health to their future economic opportunities.

Taking a broader perspective, if we look back over the span from 2005 to 2021, the data paints an even more troubling picture. During this period, an alarming one out of every 125 children identifying as Black or African American found themselves in foster care at any given point in time. This points to a deep-seated systemic issue that transcends temporal and geographical boundaries, further underscoring the urgent need for reform.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today not just as an elected Representative, but as a living testament to this profound truth. I am an embodiment of the power of familial support and a witness to the transformative impact it can have on a child's life. It is within the secure confines of a loving family that a child can break free from the constraints of financial, existential, and emotional insecurity, daring to dream bigger, reach higher, and grow more fully.

A grim reality, however, casts a long shadow over our Nation--the practice of unnecessary family separations. This is not a side issue or a minor concern, but a grave matter that demands serious attention and conscious action from each of us.

The current system as it stands is marred by prejudice and arbitrariness, permitting the removal of children from their families without the absolute justification of immediate harm. This is a practice that we must challenge, question, and ultimately transform.

The era must come to an end when social workers and others were permitted to pass judgment on a family's worthiness based on race, economic status, or cultural and religious beliefs. A family's integrity should not be a matter for prejudiced scrutiny but respected as the bedrock of our society.

It is crucial to emphatically state that Black children, like all children, need the nurturing care of their parents. They need to experience life's joys and challenges within the safety net of their own families, enriching their identity and strengthening their roots.

There exists a blatant contradiction when some claim to champion the cause of families while simultaneously supporting policies that splinter their very familial structures.

How can one profess commitment to family values while advocating for policies that fundamentally undermine the very foundation of families?

Every family, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or geographical origin, has an undeniable right to raise their children in an environment free from undue governmental interference and unwarranted judgment from uninvested bureaucrats. Be they Black, Hispanic, indigenous, Asian, from the Appalachia, or from the South Side of Chicago, every family deserves this opportunity.

Perhaps it is time to look inward and address the root issues that plague our society. If we ensured a living wage for our workers, would we not see a reduction in the number of children entering the foster care system?

If we treated the root causes of addiction, would we not see fewer children that would need to be separated from their families?

Moreover, if we could cease making assumptions based on racial stereotypes about families different from our very own view, we might prevent the stigmatization of countless children. We might stop reducing them to mere cogs in the machinery of systemic racism and bigotry and instead acknowledge their individuality, their potential, and their dreams.

Today, I implore each and every one of us and you to present this to the House and to lend your ears to the voices that often go unheard. Listen to the stories of children and young people in the foster care system, their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams. Remember the dedicated caretakers who selflessly serve these children. Children who have been placed in the foster care system, for reasons reckless or legitimate, must never be rendered invisible or forgotten.

We must always remember that their lives matter. Their dreams are of critical importance to the tapestry of our future. Their spiritual, psychological, and emotional well-being is an essential cornerstone of the America we aspire to become.

A child living with criticism--we have heard--learns to condemn. A child exposed to hostility learns to fight. A child steeped in shame learns guilt. However, if we raise a child in an environment filled with encouragement, fairness, and approval, then they learn to be confident, just, and to love themselves.

Our government's paramount responsibility is to the welfare of our children. This responsibility outweighs any issues of national security or economic superiority. It is the heart and soul of representative government. Our constituents did not elect us to represent their vested interests but to defend and advance policies that secure a brighter and better future for their children.

Nobody sent us here to indulge in meaningless squabbles. We were not elected to be rulers of insignificant territories. We were chosen to represent their hopes and dreams and to make the task of raising and keeping families together easier.

As we recently celebrated Juneteenth, we remember what formerly enslaved Africans did after their emancipation. History bears witness that they walked great distances in search of family members who had been sold away and taken from them. They traversed the length and breadth of the South, driven by an indomitable spirit and an unwavering resolve to reunite their families. This is the spirit we should embody as we observe National Reunification Month.

The Congressional Black Caucus members will not stand by and watch families be torn apart in America again. No child should be thrust into a system unless they are in immediate danger. This is our pledge, and this is our solemn promise.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the life of my grandmother, Gertrude Brown, who was a foster child who was orphaned at the age of 14. I represent her indomitable spirit.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the honorable gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, you have heard from my distinguished colleagues about family reunification.

I thank the Congressional Black Caucus chairman, Mr. Steve Horsford. I thank the Honorable Gwen Moore. I thank the Honorable Donald Payne, Jr. I thank my honorable colleagues who joined us today on all issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, Congress, and all Americans tonight.

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 24 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

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

It is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special Order hour along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC will spotlight Caribbean American Heritage Month, a celebration of the significant impact Caribbean Americans have made in shaping our Nation.

This occasion isn't just important to the CBC, Congress, and our constituents. It resonates deeply with all Americans.

It is time to appreciate the enduring spirit of Caribbean Americans, whose influence spans across arts, sciences, politics, and entrepreneurship. We aim to heighten cultural awareness, honor the diverse Caribbean cultures, and acknowledge their ongoing contributions.

Ultimately, Caribbean American Heritage Month reflects a vital piece of the American narrative that deserves recognition and understanding for all citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the honorable gentlewoman from the State of New York (Ms. Clarke).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in recognizing and giving special commendation to Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

From Shirley Chisholm to Malcolm X, from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, to the great W.E.B. Du Bois, to CBC chair, Mr. Steven Horsford, and to Sheila Jackson Lee, from the founder of the city of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Du Sable, to the great general in Haiti, Toussaint Louverture, here we are.

People who come to this country from the Caribbean have helped to make America more vibrant and successful. This is because Caribbean Americans are some of the most creative and hardworking people in the world. This cannot be debated and most certainly cannot be denied.

However, it is really the power of the Caribbean egalitarian spirit that has really helped to make America a better place. People who come from the Caribbean are raised in cultures that believe in family and faith, and they believe that all men and women are truly created equal.

Because of the deep moral values at work in Caribbean culture, people who hail from this part of the world fundamentally believe that we are all God's children and that all of us deserve dignity and respect.

This drive for excellence and the commitment to human dignity has continually given rise to some of the most extraordinary individuals, each of them adding to the possibilities of America and all of them expanding the reach of freedom and democracy in this remarkable country.

This is why I am so glad that in 2005 this body passed legislation to officially make June Caribbean-American Heritage Month. When this body passed that legislation, it gave recognition to people who too long had been overlooked. However, today, we are righting that wrong. We are correcting the account, as it were. This is important because I believe that every community should be celebrated and that every heritage should be venerated and given the dignity that it deserves.

Perhaps somebody needs to remind the Governor of Florida that when we celebrate the heritage of other people we are, in fact, celebrating ourselves.

Somebody needs to remind the Governor of Florida that this country has relied on the diversity of its citizens in order to become the Nation we are today. Somebody needs to remind him that different does not mean deficient.

It took a Caribbean American to lead the U.S. military to victory in the Iraq war by the name of Colin Powell. It was a Caribbean American who created a national banking system in this country by creating the Federal Reserve. It was a Caribbean American who made his home in Harlem and preached with such intensity and integrity that he gave African Americans the courage to be themselves.

America is a garden comprised of many flowers. All of them are complicated, and all of them are beautiful in their own way. The texture, the colors, and the sizes may be different, but the radiance remains the same.

No matter what white supremacy may try to say, the brightness of America is the consequence of a multiplicity of colors. We may speak different languages, we may come from different places, and we may eat different food, but we are all mortal, we are all dependent upon the benefits clean air and clean water, we all deserve to be loved, and we all want the best for our children.

If we do not learn how to live together as brothers and sisters, then we shall surely perish together as fools.

When we celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage Month, it is a veneration of the important and ongoing contributions of these significant Americans. It is by no means a denigration of anyone else.

While it is true that we are all Americans, it is no less the case, however, that each of us brings something different to America. The capacity for difference is the thing that makes America successful and strong.

What would this country be without Earl Graves and the great Harry Belafonte?

What would this country be like without Beyonce or Eric Holder, Cicely Tyson, Alicia Keys, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Mr. Sidney Poitier? All of them are descendants of the people who came to this country from the Caribbean.

Caribbean Americans have shaped this Nation's culture and political direction since its founding, and thank God for it.

Let us never forget those who live in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We also honor the Honorable Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. These are citizens of the United States. Yes, those in the Virgin Islands are citizens of America. They are a part of our country, they are a part of who we are, and they are no less helping to shape what we hope to become.

They too sing America. They too desire to flourish. They too deserve the benefits of democracy. As much as anybody born in Boston or Atlanta, or as much as anyone living in Dallas or Little Rock, American citizens who live in the Virgin Islands are no less a part of who we are. They are a part of American story.

The notes they bring to this concert of opportunity make the music sweet and worthy of our listening ears. I would invite my colleagues and Americans, more generally, to spend time in conversation with Caribbean Americans.

When you do, you will discover that the love they have for this country, in

spite of its tortured history with the people from the Caribbean, is a remarkable manifestation of both courage and patriotism.

In spite of this country's morbid preoccupation with racism and white supremacy, Americans of Caribbean descent have time and time again took their place in the dark shadows of war in order to fight for our Nation's freedom, and today we remember them.

We speak well of their names. We give honor to those among them who died to make us free. How dare we not honor them? How dare we not sing their praises?

As the Bible says: These are they that have come through the great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

They are as important to the fabric of this country as those who came from Europe and other places around the world. Therefore, it is altogether fitting that we enshrine their greatness and celebrate their heritage without restraint.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to shine a light on an often-overlooked chapter of our great Nation's history. As we gather here in the heart of our Republic, it is important to announce that the very fabric of our Nation was woven not only with the thread of our own courage and determination, but also with the substantial contributions of our neighbors.

In this Special Order hour, I wish to recognize the invaluable contributions of the Caribbean, particularly Haiti, in shaping American history.

During the tumultuous years of the American Revolution, while our forefathers were drafting the blueprints of this great Nation, Haiti, known then as French Saint-Domingue, was one of the wealthiest colonies in the world. It was the jewel of the French empire, a beacon of economic prosperity in the region. Their wealth, however, was built on the grim reality of a brutal slave society.

This prosperous colony was our silent partner in the fight for independence. The French, in a bid to safeguard Saint-Domingue from British capture, provided considerable support to the American cause, to the tune of better than $9 billion in current U.S. dollars. This financial assistance was a decisive factor in our victory in the Revolutionary War.

But it wasn't just monetary aid that the Haitian community provided America and its founding. Over 500 Haitians, free men of color, fought shoulder to shoulder with American colonists and French troops in pivotal battles such as the battle of Savannah in 1779.

The colony also served as a vital transit point for arms, gunpowder, and supplies from France, a lifeline that often made the difference between victory and defeat.

The irony is palpable. The fight for freedom in our own land was bolstered by a colony built on the brutal enslavement of individuals. These individuals later led a successful revolution of their own, resulting in Haiti becoming the second American nation to declare independence in 1804.

Despite the early recognition and support from the United States, the Jefferson administration banned trade with the newly independent Haiti in 1806, a decision that greatly hindered Haiti's economic prospects.

In light of recent crises in Haiti, I urge you to remember this intertwined history. Our fight for independence was supported, in part, by Haiti's resources and its people and their courage. We have a historical debt to Haiti, a moral obligation to assist in Haiti's recovery and long-term prosperity.

Haiti does not come to us as a debtor. We are, in fact, a debtor to Haiti. Haiti is our creditor, having helped create our independence.

As we navigate the labyrinth of our complex relations with the Caribbean, let us not forget the sacrifices made and the solidarity demonstrated by our Haitian brethren. In acknowledging this, we do not merely pay tribute to our shared past, but also set the stage for a future defined by mutual respect and collaboration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, you have heard from our distinguished colleagues about our interest in celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month, all issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, Congress, and all Americans tonight.

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 7 o'clock and 56 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleagues, the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and the Honorable Gwen Moore for their comments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give special consideration to the contributions and bravery of Black soldiers and veterans.

Veterans in this country deserve far more than we have thus far been willing to give them and, certainly, Black veterans are more than eligible for the kind of dignity and respect too long denied to them, both in and out of the armed services.

Let us never forget that, in several instances, the enemies of America were treated better than Black soldiers fighting for America. I remember my grandfather today, Charles Henry Jackson, who was working three jobs for a man in South Carolina who, after having been disrespected, told the man he could keep his jobs; although our family needed the money, needed the work so that we could feed the family.

The young man then went on to turn my grandfather into the Army recruiting office and had him enlisted, drafted into World War II.

Having fought in World War II and being honorably discharged he recounted the story for me when he came back from New York City, down on the train in first class, down to Union Station, not far from here. By the time they were heading down south to the Jim Crow era of the south, he had to go to the second class coach cars in the back of the train so that Nazi POW prisoners could sit in first class, right here in Washington, D.C., right here in America.

Let us never forget the kind of bigotry and hatred the Black soldiers had to endure simply because of the color of their skin.

It would be a tragedy of the worst kind for us to no longer remember the intrinsic, systemic evils that prevented African Americans from receiving equity in healthcare and the distribution of benefits, once again, simply because of the color of their skin.

There have always been gross inequities in how Black veterans have been treated and, regrettably, this has always been the case.

A recent internal document from the Department of Veterans Affairs obtained by NPR revealed that Black veterans are less likely to get approved for benefits associated with conditions like PTSD.

According to NPR, an internal report developed by the Veterans Administration found that Black veterans who filed claims for PTSD were rejected, on average, 12 percent more often than their White counterparts. Thankfully, the VA's equity task force has been alerted to this problem and is dedicated to making improvements.

This is not the first time Black veterans have been treated with indifference and disrespect. Black soldiers were never allowed to have full and unfettered access to the benefits enshrined to them in the GI bill.

In some cases, Black veterans could not take advantage of the GI bill simply because they were not granted an honorable discharge. In other cases, even when Black veterans properly qualified for the full range of benefits, they were denied them because of segregation and anti- integration policies.

In fact, one Congressman I researched in particular, Congressman John Rankin, a southern Dixiecrat, did everything in his power to exclude Black veterans from receiving the unemployment benefits enshrined in the bill. We were thick on words and thin on deeds.

When those benefits could not be legally denied in the legislation itself, local postmasters conspired in an effort not to deliver the forms Black veterans needed to fill out in order to receive their unemployment benefits.

In 1947, only 2 of the more than 3,200 VA guaranteed home loans in 13 Mississippi counties went to Black veterans. This was not just a southern problem. In New York and in the northern New Jersey suburbs, fewer than 100 of the 67,000 mortgages insured by the GI Bill supported the home purchases of African-American veterans. That is 100 out of 67,000. It means that less than .15 percent of the loans in that area went to Black veterans.

The list goes on and on. The kind of inequalities, inequities and indignities that Black soldiers and Black veterans have had to endure amount to a cacophony of slights, the full list of which I do not have the time to fully mention.

Yet, Black people have fought in every major war that this country has ever had because we are a brave and an honorable people. And when we fought, nobody was doing us a favor.

I will call the roll: from the Revolutionary War, to the Battle of 1812, to the Civil War, to the Spanish American War, to World War I, World War II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the war in Iraq, and the war in Afghanistan, Black people have always been willing to serve.

Today, we honor Black veterans because of their bravery and what they had to endure, and because of what they accomplished in spite of it all. We honor their sacrifices and their service. We honor their dignity and determination.

Without Black veterans, there could be no Colin Powell. Without Black veterans, there could be no Lloyd Austin. Without a long history of brave Black veterans, there is no such thing as a Black Commander in Chief.

The Governor of Florida can act like Black history isn't important to America, but there would be no American history without Blacks in our history.

Our thoughts are with Black veterans today because history remembers the men and women who put their shoulders to the wheel of progress and push until one dies and another world is born.

We will never forget the contribution of Black veterans because they did what racism said could never be done. They proved to the world that Black people are as brave and innovative as anyone else. They proved to the world that when the game is fair, and the rules are public, and the playing field is even, Black people can do anything.

I must tell you, Mr. Speaker, that I am proud to be a part of a caucus and a party that does more than just send thoughts and prayers to our veterans.

During the last Congress, under the leadership of the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, and the Honorable Steny Hoyer, and the Honorable Jim Clyburn, and our current leader, the honorable Hakeem Jeffries, Democrats in the House of Representatives led the way to passing the Honoring our PACT Act. This important law expands VA healthcare benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

I am grateful to be a part of a party and an institution that continues to find ways to honor its commitments to our veterans. It should not have taken us this long to decide that if we expose the brave men and women of our armed services to toxic conditions, the least we could do is make sure they have access to all of the healthcare they need to recover.

From the Vietnam war to all of our post-9/11 conflicts, our soldiers have been exposed to all kinds of horrific substances and, yet we could not find the political will to dedicate specific resources to this particular aspect of modern war.

The devastating effects of dangerous toxins have been an albatross around the necks of our brave men and women for far too long.

But as the old saying goes, better late than never. Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who were part of the 117th Congress, were instrumental in the passing of this restorative law, and that is how I view the PACT Act.

This law widens the path that leads to greater restoration for the men and women we ask to risk their lives in defense of this country. This law deepens the validity of the promise we made as a country to these honorable soldiers. Call me a dreamer, but I just may happen to believe that when we ask people to do extraordinary things, it is altogether fitting that your response and our response collectively should be to

make sure that they are treated equally and in an extraordinary manner.

We can simply never do enough for our veterans. We love our soldiers, but we turn our backs far too often on our veterans. It is with the best of intentions that we call on the Veterans Administration to make sure that Black veterans are not excluded from the important care and restoration they need afforded to them in the PACT Act.

We call on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough, to personally commit his attention and time to making sure that none of the past injustices and disparities reveal themselves in the practical application of this law.

I must say to all my colleagues, my Democratic colleagues, and my fellow members of the Congressional Black Caucus who were members of the 117th Congress, on behalf of all of the veterans, and particularly of all the Black veterans, who make their home in the First Congressional District of the State of Illinois, I extend to you my most sincere gratitude for your hard work in making this law a reality.

Millions of people will be positively affected by what you have accomplished. Millions of people find relief and some measure of restoration because of what you have done in the 117th Congress. Millions of veterans will be able to sleep a little sounder at night from the care that they receive because of what you did in the passing of this law. Future veterans will owe much of the improvements we will make in taking care of them to all of you.

Well done, good and faithful servants. You have honored this country by caring about the people of this country and nothing is greater than that.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in the Chamber of this hallowed institution to raise my voice, echoing the deep concerns that reverberate from the hardworking, dedicated, and patriotic citizens of this great Nation.

Specifically, I stand before you to amplify the anxieties of Black Americans, who for far too long have been subjected to the harshest winds of economic hardship.

Today, we find ourselves on the precipice of a financial abyss. I must underscore the severe impact that the failure to lift the debt ceiling would have on the lives and livelihoods of Black Americans and their families across this country.

Our Nation stands on the brink of a financial crisis, our coffers threatening to run dry as soon as June 1. The hard truth, my colleagues, is that we have already reached our debt limit of $31.4 trillion, yet we have not reached an agreement to raise the ceiling. This failure to act is not just a legislative oversight. It threatens the very fabric of our economy, our society, and, most importantly, our people's lives.

The debt ceiling, for those unfamiliar, is the total amount the Federal Government can borrow to meet existing obligations, ranging from Medicare and Social Security to loan repayments. If we fail to raise this debt limit, we risk default on our national loans, leading to a catastrophic fallout for our credit rating and potentially triggering a deep recession. The ripple effect of such a financial debacle would not only be felt within our borders but would also potentially destabilize the global economy.

Now, you may ask, why should Black Americans be particularly concerned?

The answer lies in the cruel and persistent reality of our socioeconomic landscape. A deep recession does not impact all demographics equally. Black Americans are typically among the first to feel the brunt of economic downturns, often being laid off first and, tragically, the last to recover.

A default would strike an even harsher blow to the backbone of Black communities: our elderly. As of 2017, 35 percent of elderly married Black couples and 58 percent of unmarried Black older adults depend on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income. If the debt ceiling is not lifted, and we default on our obligations, the fallout would disproportionately harm the Black community and shred the already thin safety net many rely upon.

The current crisis we face extends beyond Social Security, Medicare, and essential Federal services. It reaches into the realm of higher education, ensnaring young Black Americans in the tightening grip of student loan debt.

The bill that my colleagues across the aisle have brought to the floor would effectively dismantle President Biden's student loan debt relief, a plan that promises to lift the yoke of debt from those earning less than $125,000 annually, forgiving up to $10,000 in student loan debt, and even more for lower-income borrowers. The Republican argument that this plan misuses taxpayer dollars to pardon the debts of some Americans is not just misguided, it is a grievous misrepresentation of the realities faced by our young citizens, particularly those of color.

Black college graduates bear the brunt of this student debt crisis. Over 80 percent of Black bachelor's degree recipients are shackled with an average debt of over $34,000, according to The Institute for College Access and Success. Not only are they borrowing more, but they are also defaulting at higher rates because they are not able to go into higher- paying jobs. These are not merely statistics, Madam Speaker. These are the dreams of our youth being crushed under the weight of financial obligations.

In the shadow of this impending catastrophe, we ask: Why has Congress not acted?

It is the same answer that has plagued institutions for centuries: politics.

While the Republican-controlled House has passed a bill to raise the debt limit, it is fraught with spending cuts and new work requirements for those receiving government benefits, making it an untenable solution.

Over 85 percent of those persons who are receiving these benefits now have an elderly person or child or are unable to find public or private transportation to meet these work requirements. We must think of the whole continuum in order to fix the problem and not lay blame on the backs of the poor.

During the Presidency of Donald Trump, Congress raised the debt limit three times--in 2017, 2018, and 2019--with bipartisan support, and no precondition on budget cuts. Since 1959, the debt ceiling has been raised 89 times. A financial crisis was averted because both sides of the aisle recognized the need to act swiftly and responsibly to protect the interests of the American people.

Now, as we face a similar situation, the Biden-Harris administration has drawn a clear line in the sand. They have rightly insisted that fiscal budgets and the debt ceiling should be separate issues. Again, fiscal budgets and the debt ceiling should be separate issues. The former is a debate about the future. The latter is a commitment to paying our bills for debts we have already incurred. Mixing these two distinct aspects would be akin to confusing our aspirations with our responsibilities.

A default would wreak havoc on Federal services that Black and Brown communities disproportionately rely upon, such as food assistance and Social Security. It would cause the government to prioritize debt payments over the well-being of its citizens, leading to a potential halt on these critical services. The impacts of a default are largely unknown and could be far-reaching, potentially exacerbating existing racial disparities in healthcare, veteran services, and the labor market.

A default would also have a chilling effect on consumer borrowing costs, with interest rates likely to skyrocket for home, auto, and personal loans. Furthermore, the increased credit risk of the Federal Government could significantly hinder credit access for communities of color, who are already more likely to have weaker credit profiles and also the history of redlining.

Our Nation is at a crossroads. We cannot allow political brinkmanship to lead us into an economic downturn that would disproportionately devastate our most vulnerable communities. A failure to lift the debt ceiling is not just an economic misstep, it is a failure of our collective moral responsibilities to all Americans, especially those who have historically been marginalized and disadvantaged.

Black unemployment has been decreasing, and we have made strides toward a stronger, more equitable economy. Yet, if a recession were to happen due to our failure to raise the debt limit, the unemployment rate for Black Americans would rise again, faster than for other demographics. This potential economic downturn threatens to wipe away the progress we have made and plunge us back into inequality and hardship.

We must not allow a crisis of our own making to unravel the hard- earned progress of our people. We must raise the debt ceiling, not just because it is economically prudent, but because it is morally right.

The dignity and welfare of our people, especially Black families who have far too long borne the brunt of economic hardship, hang in the balance. Let us act not out of fear but out of hope; not out of division but out of unity; and not out of despair but out of the belief in the promise of a more equitable and prosperous America for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the heartbreaking tragedy of a young and courageous public servant, Chicago Police Officer Areanah Preston, who was senselessly killed near her Avalon Park home this past weekend.

Officer Preston, just 24 years old, had already devoted three years to protecting the citizens of Chicago, working tirelessly in West Roseland. She was also an exemplary student, on the cusp of graduating from Loyola University Chicago with a Master of Jurisprudence. Areanah's life was marked by her kindness, intellect, and unwavering commitment to service.

Her mother, Dionne Mhoon, affectionately described Areanah as a ``firecracker'' and a goal-setter, noting that her daughter wrote down everything she wanted to achieve and accomplished all of it.

Areanah's father, Allen Preston, described her as a ``beautiful soul'' who ``always saw the best in people'' and had long wanted to be a police officer. He said, ``she was trying to make a change on this earth.'' He recalled that she followed ``half' her family into the public safety profession.

Her aunt, Sonia Rawsk, described her niece as a ``wonderful'' person with a bright future and ``a definite role model with a career path that just didn't stop.'' Loyola University Chicago echoed these sentiments, expressing shock and sadness at her tragic passing, and remembering her for her kindness, intellect, and commitment to service.

Areanah's dedication to her community extended beyond her work as a police officer. She earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration from Illinois State University, where she met professor Charles Bell. He described her as a ``very engaged, very vocal student, very respectful of others' opinion, and just very passionate about making a difference and showing young people that policing is a profession that can make a difference in the community.'' He added that she was ``very aware of a lot of the problems, that in her opinion, had manifested in the Chicago community.'' Professor Bell said that Areanah was still working in patrol but ``was looking forward to moving up in the ranks.'' He referred to her as a ``reformer'' who saw a problem and was dedicated to making a difference.

Following a class trip to Holocaust sites in Germany and Poland in 2019, Areanah stated in an article published on her school's website that she was determined to enter the police academy to help build trust between underrepresented communities and law enforcement. ``I know a big thing for our trip was finding voices for those who didn't have a voice,'' Preston said. ``When I got back, I wanted to be an officer. I felt like I could be a person to fight for justice.''

Areanah was a beacon of hope and held all the promise in the world to reform public safety. Her determination to make a difference and build bridges between our communities and law enforcement was truly inspiring. It is a travesty that we have lost someone who had the potential to be a catalyst for change in the way we approach public safety. We must stand together in condemning unjust acts against public servants and work collectively to ensure the safety of those who put their lives on the line for us.

I would like to share the words of Areanah's mother: ``If you guys believe in the power of prayer, if you guys believe in God, keep us in your prayers. Don't stop praying for us, even when all of this is gone, don't stop praying for us.'' She said that at the end of the day, she knows her family will be all right, because ``God is good and joy comes in the morning.''

I ask my colleagues in Congress to hear her call, to keep the Preston family in our thoughts and prayers, and to work together to ensure that the sacrifices made by public servants like Areanah Preston are not in vain. Let us honor her life, legacy, and dedication to protecting and serving the entire City of Chicago, and strive to build a safer, more just society for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the heartbreaking tragedy of a young and courageous public servant, Chicago Police Officer Areanah Preston, who was senselessly killed near her Avalon Park home this past weekend.

Officer Preston, just 24 years of age, had already devoted 3 years to protecting the citizens of Chicago, working tirelessly in the West Roseland community. She was also an exemplary student on the cusp of graduating from Loyola University with a master's of jurisprudence in Chicago today. Areanah's life was marked by her kindness, intellect, and unwavering commitment to service.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in offering our shared condolences to Officer Preston's family, friends, and colleagues and to join me in honoring her life and unwavering dedication to protecting and serving the entire city of Chicago.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, from the 1st Congressional District of the great state of Illinois, to recognize the outstanding contributions and dedication of the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association with the following Proclamation:

Whereas, the nursing profession is a critical component of our healthcare system, ensuring the delivery of compassionate and quality care to patients in need, and;

Whereas, the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association serves as a powerful voice for Black Nurses, fostering collective action to investigate, define, and advocate for the healthcare needs of African Americans while striving to ensure access to healthcare that meets or exceeds the standards of the larger society, and;

Whereas, the National Black Nurses Association and their state affiliate, the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association, are committed to improving the quality of life of persons who share the African American heritage and other ethnic groups by:

Building consumer knowledge and understanding of health care issues.

Educating and mentoring registered nurses, licensed vocational/ practical nurses, nursing students, and retired nurses.

Facilitating the professional development, political advocacy, and career advancement of nurses in shaping emerging healthcare systems.

Promoting economic development of nurses through entrepreneurial and other business initiatives, and;

Whereas, the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association has tirelessly worked to reduce health disparities in the African American community and promote diversity within the nursing profession, striving to

create a healthcare system that is more equitable and accessible to all, and;

Whereas we recognize the extraordinary contributions of the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association, who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of our citizens, particularly in historically underserved communities, and;

Therefore, in honor of their work, dedication, and voice, I acknowledge the crucial role played by the Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association as a driving force for positive change in our community. In alignment with the National Nurses Week from May 6 through May 12, 2023, let us celebrate and appreciate the invaluable impact of all nurses in the Chicago Chapter and across the Nation during this celebratory Nurses Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, from the 1st Congressional District of the Great State of Illinois, to include in the Record a letter signed by over 650 faith leaders urging President Biden to declare Mother's Day as a National Day of Prayer, Mourning, Repentance, and Contemplation To End Gun Violence.

Over 650 Faith Leaders Call for Mother's Day To Be Declared a National

Day of Prayer, Mourning, Repentance, and Contemplation, To End Gun

Violence

Dear President Biden: The epidemic of gun violence has

become so dire that nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States

have lost a family member to a gun death. Mass shootings have

escalated so much in recent years (23% since the start of the

COVID-19 pandemic began) that as of April 12, there have

already been at least 147 mass shootings so far this year. It

is a war taking place in our schools, houses of worship,

supermarkets, movie theatres, homes, businesses nightclubs,

and more. While some may throw up their arms and say that

this is a battle too large to win, we, an interfaith

coalition, made up of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus,

Buddhists, and other faith traditions, remember the miracles

of ancient times and remain optimistic that this scourge can

be overcome.

Do we really believe as a nation that the second amendment

and the profits of those who manufacture AR-15-style assault

rifles, Hellfire missiles, and other instruments of death

should take primacy over our rights to life, liberty, and the

pursuit of happiness?

We thank you for having last year pushed through Congress

the first major gun violence protection legislation in 30

years, for highlighting the issue during this year's State of

the Union, and the executive order you issued last month.

Given the gravity and urgency of this issue, we ask for

more. We appeal to you to declare this Mother's Day, Sunday,

May 14, 2023, to be a national day of repentance, mourning,

prayer, and reflection to address the culture of gun violence

that is staining our collective soul.

We ask for our lawmakers and faith institutions to reflect

this Mother's Day on how we are allowing gun manufacturers,

the gun lobby, and a culture of gun worship to hold our

country hostage.

Mary, a role model for motherhood, stood at the foot of the

cross witnessing brutality, inhumanity, and death being

inflicted on her child. Today we are all parents looking on

as the brutality and death from another mass shooting is

inflicted on our children. At the same time, we are painfully

aware that gun violence is a racial justice issue. Black

Americans are twice as likely as white Americans to die from

gun violence.

Esther was counseled by her uncle Mordecai that she was

born for such a time as this. For her to go to the King and

expose the plots designed to steal the lives of young and old

alike. In that same vein, your administration has come into

office for such a time as this. Will you squander the demand

of this historical time, or go like Esther into the fury to

save lives and people?

The Holy Quran, Surah 5 verse 32, teaches: ``Whoever kills

one person, it is as if they killed all of humanity.'' The

various holy books teach us that ``to save a life is to save

the world entire.'' We are responsible to one another and

responsible to all life.

As faith leaders, we call on you, and on our communities,

to manifest our prayers and create a new covenant--a

reclaiming of the name of G-d--committed to honoring and

saving lives. We must pray together, not only with our words,

but with our feet, and take action, like Esther did, in such

a time as this!

In memory of the lives lost in Nashville--Evelyn Diekhaus

(9), William Kinney (9), Hallie Scruggs (9), Mike Hill (61),

Katherine Koonce (60), Cynthia Peak (61), the lives lost in

the Kentucky bank shooting on April 10, and the rest of the

nearly 50,000 people that die every year in the United States

from guns, we ask you to declare Mother's Day 2023 a national

day to end gun violence and heal our country.

Sincerely,

Over 650 faith leaders including Rev. Jesse Jackson; Bp.

Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President & General

Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ, USA; Dr.

Cornel West; Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Executive Director of

the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice;

Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, General Secretary Emeritus,

Reformed Church in America; Rabbi Jill Jacobs, C.E.O.,

T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; Rabbi Jonah

Pesner, Executive Director, Religious Action Center of Reform

Judaism; Dr. Shane Claiborne, Red Letter Christians; Rev.

Hope Christensen, Co-Chair of Faith Leaders for Ending Gun

Violence; Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President, Sojourners;

Rev. Jim Wallis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Chair, Center on

Faith & Justice, Georgetown University; Dr. Daisy Khan,

Executive Director, Women's Islamic Initiative in

Spirituality and

Equality (WISE); Dr. Tarunjit Singh Butalia, Executive

Director, Religions for Peace USA; Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer,

General Minister and President, United Church of Christ; Rev.

Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray, President, Unitarian Universalist

Association; Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson, President, Auburn

Seminary; Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President, Union Theological

Seminary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special Order hour along with the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick), my distinguished colleague.

For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have the opportunity to speak directly to the American people on the default on America act, Speaker McCarthy's draconian plan to default on our debt. The act proposes drastic cuts to vital government programs such as SNAP, Social Security, and housing programs, which serve as lifelines for our communities.

There is a group within the Republican Party that are holding these programs hostage in exchange for paying the debt we have already incurred. However, the CBC is here tonight to declare that this approach is a nonstarter, and we will not negotiate over paying the Nation's bills that we have incurred. We advocate for a clean debt limit, a bill that will protect the well-being of our citizens and our Nation's financial stability.

This issue holds great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, to our Congress, the constituents we represent, and all Americans.

I now yield to my coanchor, the Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) for her keen words and precise insight.

Mr. Speaker, fellow Americans, I come before you today with a heavy heart and a deep sense of concern for the future of our beloved Nation.

It appears we have reached a crucial juncture where our democracy's very essence is being challenged. The Republican proposed budget, also known as the default on America act, seeks to slash a minimum of 22 percent from nondefense discretionary programs as a condition for raising the debt ceiling.

Mr. Speaker, this money has already been spent. It has benefited the American public. This is a game of brinksmanship, but it has dire consequences even for us having the conversation.

The plan contains severe cuts to essential programs like SNAP. SNAP, the acronym meaning Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. I shall repeat: Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. This is for people that simply do not have enough to eat in our great country.

This plan also contains severe cuts for Social Security and housing assistance, which act as crucial lifelines for all of our communities.

This minority group within the Republican Party is callously using these indispensable programs as bargaining chips, bargaining on the backs of the most vulnerable. This strategy not only endangers our economy but undermines the foundation of our society.

For residents of my district in Illinois, the First Congressional District, the consequences of not raising the debt ceiling and defaulting on the debt would be dire.

I am compelled to share some startling statistics with you today. Mr. Speaker, 7,000 jobs would be lost alone in the First Congressional District in Illinois. Over 103,000 people in the First District nearing retirement would lose on average $20,000 out of their 401K. Mr. Speaker, 95,300 households in the First District would have their Social Security checks at risk.

These devastating impacts not only affect the families who are directly involved but would also disrupt the local economy.

In the First District alone, $151 million a month would be removed from Social Security income from families.

Moreover, the health benefits of over 305,000 residents in the First District on Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans coverage would be jeopardized.

It is clear that we must demand a clean debt limit that addresses the needs of our communities without threatening the livelihoods of the most vulnerable.

As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am particularly upset and appalled about the suggested cuts to our food and nutrition assistance programs.

We have been in committee for over 100 days now and have not had a single meeting on the largest portion of the ag bill, the SNAP food portion, which comprises 75 percent of our funding.

The bill, proposed by the House Agriculture Committee with over 20 Republicans, would dramatically expand the population of people subject to policies that take SNAP away from those not meeting onerous work and work reporting requirements.

I want some of my fellow colleagues to understand. Some people are in transit deserts where they do not have easy access to mass transit or private transportation.

Many people that are on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program are women and children. Eighty percent.

Some people have to care for aging parents and have to care for disabled children. I think it is more complicated than what is being shared.

This punitive and ineffective work will put SNAP's grocery benefits at risk for adults up to age 65 and many families with school-age children, in which parents or other adults are unable to work or cannot find jobs or cannot find enough hours.

In the last 2 weeks, in my district again, Mr. Speaker, Walmart, the Nation's largest employer, has pulled out of two stores directly in the district. We are now having a work crisis where we don't have enough employment, and new employment has to be created.

In Illinois' First Congressional District, over 54,000 households, about 20 percent of all of our residents, receive SNAP benefits. Of these recipients, a staggering 85 percent are African American.

The median income of households on SNAP is a mere $20,289. Mr. Speaker, that is $390 a week where people are having to pay their rent, their transportation, and trying to get food.

Not only is it $20,289 annually, $390 a week, which comes out to simply $55 of income a day. These statistics paint a clear picture of the most vulnerable populations in our society; those who are struggling to make ends meet, those who are disproportionately affected by systemic inequalities, and those who desperately need our support to ensure their basic human rights to healthy supplemental food.

Our people need shelter and dignity, and they should not be used as bargaining chips to advance anyone's agenda.

In the face of these proposed cuts, we must acknowledge the catastrophic impact that they would have on our Nation's housing, a fundamental human right that is critical to the health, safety, and dignity of all of our citizens.

If these cuts were to be implemented, 640,000 families across the Nation would lose access to rental assistance if we go through with the draconian 22 percent proposed cut across the board.

We are talking about more than 430,000 low-income families facing eviction from Section 8 housing.

This would result in an unparalleled loss of affordable housing for older adults, families with disabilities, families with children, and our veterans--individuals who have already confronted adversity and who deserve our unwavering support and protection.

Yet, these threats to housing are not the only concern we must address. Amid these proposed budget cuts, we must also be vigilant of the detrimental effects on the central services provided by the Social Security Administration.

The cuts would necessitate the closure of field offices and limit access to persons having in-person visits, imposing undue burdens on those seeking assistance.

Furthermore, people applying for disability benefits would experience an additional 2-month delay in the processing of their claims, prolonging the struggle to access crucial financial support.

This is a moment that demands our outrage, our empathy, and our unwavering commitment to justice. It is a moment that calls upon each and every one of us to stand up and say, ``no more,'' not to negotiate with the debt ceiling.

The bills are already due, and our Nation has the character and the capacity. Now we must furnish the will. I hope Wall Street is watching tonight because the chasm and the gap between the proposals is stark, and the time is limited.

We will not allow policies that perpetuate inequality to widen the chasm between the haves and have nots.

We will not be complicit in the erosion of the very foundation upon which this great Nation was built. The belief that all people are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights; among them, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is our moral and ethical obligation to stand against these proposed budget cuts and call for a clean raising of the debt ceiling.

It has happened three times before in the previous administration. Close to

$5 trillion was added. These are America's bills. We can be responsible and meet our obligation.

The consequences of such actions would be dire and felt by those who are already struggling the most. Overall, a default on the U.S. debt obligation would trigger a loss of nearly 7 million jobs, push the unemployment rate north of 8 percent, eliminate $10 trillion in household wealth, and reduce real GDP by greater than 4 percent, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

This is not a path we can afford to take. Our future and the very fabric of our society depend on us defending the rights of the most vulnerable among us and protecting the essential programs that have sustained our communities for generations.

Together, let us stand strong against these cuts and fight for the betterment of all Americans. We must ensure that every person has a fair chance to thrive and that the promise of equality and justice remain at the heart of our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, may God bless these United States.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus- McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman form Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick) for her remarks.

Honoring Harry Belafonte

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man whose life, legacy, and unwavering commitment to justice and equality has left an indelible mark on our Nation.

I speak of none other than the incomparable Mr. Harry Belafonte who passed away today at the age of 96.

At a time when segregation was still deeply entrenched and Black faces were scarce on screens, both large and small, Mr. Belafonte's historic rise to the pinnacle of show business broke barriers and paved the way for future generations.

Mr. Belafonte's exceptional music career earned him numerous accolades and awards. A three-time Grammy Award winner, including the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, he was recognized for his enduring contributions to the world of music.

His exceptional talent transcended mediums, earning him an Emmy Award for his work on television and a Tony Award for his brilliance on stage.

In 1989, he received one of the highest honors bestowed upon artists in the United States: The Kennedy Center Honors. Our Nation continued to recognize his extraordinary contributions when, in 1994, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts for his significant impact on American culture.

In 2014, Mr. Belafonte received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's Sixth Annual Governors Awards. In 2022, the world of music paid homage to his influence by inducting him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early influence category.

As we celebrate Mr. Harry Belafonte's life and memory, let us also remember that he was much more than an extraordinary entertainer. I have had the privilege and honor of meeting and knowing Mr. Belafonte, and what attracted me to him the most is that he was a tireless advocate for civil rights, using his fame and fortune to further the cause of equality and uplift the lives of countless African Americans. He used his celebrity, his wealth, his power, and his influence to transcend the racial divisions of our day and time.

He contributed to Reverend Martin Luther King at the height of the civil rights challenges in America. That says something about where you stand in times of challenge.

Belafonte's close friendship and support of Reverend Martin Luther King exemplified the duality of his life's work. He stood beside Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Duke Ellington at the ``Salute to Montgomery'' in 1956, raising funds for the civil rights movement when it was not popular, but it was the right thing to do.

Part of the legacy he leaves behind is a call for our current generation to use their celebrity, their influence, and their access as they walk the corridors of power to give truth in high places.

During the tumultuous 1960s, Belafonte continued to provide much- needed financial assistance to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, most notably during the Birmingham, Alabama, campaign.

He opened his home and his heart, inviting prominent individuals for a meeting where Reverend King and Fred Shuttlesworth laid out their plans and appealed for support. Belafonte answered the call, not seeking a car, not wanting a bigger house, not wanting to boast about his earnings. He raised over $50,000 and donated it to the civil rights cause to keep Reverend Martin Luther King's movement and our movement alive to enable the campaign to proceed, even while Reverend Martin Luther King was in jail in Birmingham writing the ``Letter From a Birmingham Jail.'' Mr. Belafonte worked the outside, while Reverend Martin Luther King worked the inside.

In the aftermath of Reverend Martin Luther King's tragic assassination, it was Mr. Harry Belafonte, not the entertainer but the activist, who continued to fight for his dream, who gave the King family financial support after their father was slain with four young children at home, serving as the executor of King's estate and chairing the Martin Luther King Memorial Fund. His commitment to civil rights and humanitarian issues never wavered, and his voice rang out in support of those who sought justice and equality both at home and abroad.

My fellow Americans, as we honor the life and memory of Harry Belafonte, let us remember his unwavering dedication to the cause of justice,

and let us strive to carry on his legacy by standing tall in the face of challenge and controversy. Reverend Martin Luther King said it is not where you stand in moments of comfort and convenience but where you stand in moments of challenge and controversy.

Let us, like Harry Belafonte, be champions of equality guided by the principles of compassion, empathy, and love. It is said: ``Each and every one of us has the capacity to be an oppressor. I want to encourage everyone to interrogate how we might be an oppressor and how we might be able to become liberators for ourselves and for each other.''

In the spirit of these words, let us forge ahead harnessing the power of our collective talents and passions to drive change and create a more just and equitable world for all. Let us not only celebrate his achievements but also emulate his unwavering actions and dedication to the cause of justice. Let us strive to become liberators for ourselves and for each other, working tirelessly to ensure that the torch of equality and freedom continue to burn brightly for generations to come.

May the life and legacy of Mr. Harry Belafonte serve as the guiding light as we navigate the challenges that lie ahead. Together, let us work toward a life and a world where justice, equality, and love will prevail.

Mr. Speaker, God bless us all.

I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick).

Mr. Speaker, you have heard from our distinguished colleagues about the American debt cliff that we are facing. All of these issues are of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, the Congress, and all Americans tonight.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart in the aftermath of another mass shooting in Tennessee that claimed 6 lives, including 3 innocent children. I stand here as a representative of a district plagued by the epidemic of gun violence.

Chicago, our beloved city, suffers from a firearm homicide rate that overshadows other major U.S. cities. From 2018 to 2022, almost 14,000 shooting incidents have scarred our communities and shattered countless families.

As I speak on this matter, I must emphasize the disproportionate impact on our Black communities. In our state of Illinois, Black individuals are 32 times more likely to die by gun homicide than their White counterparts, a rate triple the national average. This is not just a statistic; it is a heart-wrenching reality and a gross injustice that we must confront and dismantle with unyielding determination.

Our children, the beacons of hope for our future, suffer most in the face of this violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in Illinois, claiming an average of 183 young lives each year. The stark truth is that in Illinois, Black children and teens are 13 times more likely to die from gun violence than their White peers. Around 60 percent of Chicago's youngest children live in communities where 91 percent of homicides took place.

Our children's mental health continues to deteriorate under the burden of fear and anxiety from exposure to gun violence. Over 1 in 4 parents report their children hearing gunshots at home, and 1 in 5 parents say their children's mental health has been negatively affected.

It is our responsibility as lawmakers and leaders to bring forth meaningful change. We must start by implementing comprehensive background checks, closing the gun show loophole, and investing in mental health services for those affected by gun violence. We must pass the assault weapons ban to remove military-style weapons from our streets, prohibit unlicensed firearm ownership, and mandate that firearms transfers occur only with a valid license.

Additionally, we must establish and maintain a federal record of sale system and conduct fingerprint-based nationwide criminal background checks. Had these measures been in place, the gunman who killed 5 people in Aurora, IL in 2019 might have been prevented from acquiring the firearm used in the shooting.

Our children, our communities, and our Nation deserve better. We must be relentless in our pursuit of a safer, brighter future. Let us be united in our resolve, with hearts full of passion and eyes set on the prize of a peaceful tomorrow. Together, we can turn the tide of gun violence and restore hope to our great Nation.

Mr. Speaker, let us join hands in this righteous fight.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special Order alongside the Honorable Cori Bush of Missouri, founder of the first Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment.

For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to speak directly to the American people on finally getting the equal rights across the finish line and recognized as the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, 100 years after it was first introduced in the House of Representatives, an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents we represent, and all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the incredible efforts of African-American women who have advocated for the equal rights amendment, ERA, throughout history. Their resilience, passion, and determination have driven the relentless pursuit of gender equality and justice for all.

In the 1970s, prominent Black women like Pauli Murray, Shirley Chisholm, Flo Kennedy, and Barbara Jordan were instrumental in advancing the cause of women's rights and the ERA.

When the 28th amendment is finally recognized as part of the United States Constitution, Black women deserve to have significant credit for its passage. Their legacy reminds us of the power of unity, conviction, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Let us not forgot the profound words of feminist lawyer and civil rights advocate, Pauli Murray, who testified for the ERA at a 1970

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. She said, ``As a constitutional lawyer, a woman, and a Black person, I can say with conviction that Black women as a group have the most to gain from the adoption of the equal rights amendment.''

Let us draw strength from these words of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who proclaimed in her speech in 1970, ``I am for the equal rights amendment.''

``This is what it comes down to: artificial distinctions between persons must be wiped out of the law. Legal discrimination between the sexes is, in almost every instance, founded on outmoded views of society and the prescientific beliefs about psychology and physiology. It is time to sweep away these relics of the past and set future generations free of them.''

Mr. Speaker, let us be inspired by the words of Representative Barbara Jordan, who said, ``The equal rights amendment is a mandate for change. It is a standard by which to measure our future legal and social constructs. . . . The equal rights amendment is for men and women. It is a constructive force for liberating the minds of men and the place of women. It is inclusive.''

As we pay tribute to these trailblazing Black women, it is crucial to recognize that the fight for gender and racial equality is still ongoing. The number of Black women in Congress remains disproportionately low compared to the diverse population they represent.

As of today, only 57 women of African-American ancestry out of 12,505 people who have served in this august body have ever served in this Congress, a mere fraction of the total number of Representatives and Senators who have shared and served throughout our Nation's history.

Only two African-American women have ever served in the Senate and none in the Governor's mansion. The Senator is Democrat Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, elected in 1992, and current Vice President, Mrs. Kamala Harris.

This underrepresentation is a call to action for all of us, a reminder that we must continue to strive for a government that is truly representative of the people it serves. We must also recognize that the fight for gender and racial equality is not limited to the Halls of Congress.

Across our Nation, countless Black women and women of color continue to face barriers in access to education and access to healthcare and access to employment opportunities and access to equal pay.

The struggle for justice and equality is a daily battle fought by millions of women who refuse to be silenced or sidelined in their pursuit of a more just and inclusive society. It is our responsibility as citizens and as leaders to ensure that the voices of Black women and women of color are heard, their concerns are addressed, and their contributions are acknowledged and celebrated.

We must work together to dismantle the systems of oppression and discrimination that continue to hold back so many of our sisters, daughters, and mothers from reaching their full potential. As we continue to push forward, let us remember the words of the great civil rights leader, Reverend Martin Luther King, who said, ``The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.''

Let us then bend that arc toward justice together and make the equal rights amendment a reality for all.

In the name of all those who have fought for justice, for equality, and for the rights of women, let us say amen.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. Bush).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman Cori Bush for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for those outstanding remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Ayanna Pressley for her advocacy. I appreciate her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty).

Mr. Speaker, I sincerely thank the Honorable Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of the State of Ohio for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentlewoman from the great State of New York (Ms. Clarke).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Yvette Clarke for her outstanding remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the great State of New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Donald Payne, Jr., for his remarks.

Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time is remaining.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman Alma Adams for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Brown).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman Shontel Brown for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker I now yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Kamlager-Dove), the Congresswoman from the city of Los Angeles.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Lee).

I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania, the Honorable Congresswoman Summer Lee, for her remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. McClellan).

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Jennifer McClellan, our newest Member, for her remarks.

You heard from our distinguished colleagues about our topic on the ERA, all issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus.

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 32 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10 a.m. for morning-hour debate.