Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of dedicated U.S. Capitol Police Officer, Sean Patrick Flynn. Officer Flynn retired from the force this past December after 22 years of service with the Capitol Police.

The brave men and women of the USCP stand guard over our Capitol each day they come to work. They spend their careers prepared to risk their lives to protect our Capitol. Every member of this body is thankful for their service and sacrifice. Among their finest is Officer Flynn.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Officer Flynn moved to Washington D.C. to join the Capitol Police force in March of 2003. After graduating from the police academy, he was assigned to the first responders' unit of the USCP where he worked for 15 years until transferring to the House Division in August of 2017, which he retired from this past December.

Officer Flynn tells me he has too many good memories from his time in the USCP to share but that one of his earliest assignments was working the funeral for President Ronald Reagan in 2004. He was proud to be a part of this somber and historic moment as our Nation mourned a revered former President.

As he begins his retirement, Officer Flynn will miss his friends on the force the most. Throughout his long career, he has spent many hours working in our hallowed halls forming friendships with his fellow officers, Members of Congress, and congressional staffers. Officer Flynn is known for his kindness and friendly demeanor and his presence around our Capitol will be missed.

In his retirement he plans to spend much needed time with his wife, Beth, and their daughter Meghan. As he turns the page into a new chapter of life, I wish him and his family all the best.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues in Congress, I want to thank Officer Flynn for his outstanding service, kindness, and professionalism. I thank him for giving us his best and for providing a safe, secure workplace every day. It has been an honor to serve with him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a legendary American educator, Dean Emeritus Quiester Craig, who passed away on December 12th at the age of 88 He touched the lives of many students, including myself.

Dean Craig was a proud graduate of Morehouse College for his bachelor's, Atlanta University for his MBA, and the University of Missouri-Columbia for his doctoral degree in accounting. When he graduated, he was the 10th African American in the United States to hold a Ph.D. in accounting.

Dean Craig lived a full life dedicated to expanding quality education within his community. His commitment to excellence will be missed terribly, but his legacy serves as an example not to be forgotten.

In July of 1972 he was appointed Professor of Accounting and Dean of the School of Business and Economics at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T).

Dean Craig was a man of many accomplishments. Under his leadership, NC A&T became the Nation's first Historically Black College to earn accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the international standard for business schools. This made NC A&T the country's number one HBCU graduate business school.

Due to this accomplishment, in 1992, Dean Craig served as President of AACSB International. He was the first African American elected President of Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society for qualified students in AACSB International accredited business programs, from 2000 to 2002. In June 1985, he received the Distinguished Service Award of the National Association of Black Accountants. He was also the Administrator of the Year Award recipient for the May 1986 NC A&T Commencement.

In April 1987, he was honored as the Business and Public Citation Merit Awardee of the University of Missouri Columbia. In 1988, Miller Brewing Company selected Dr. Craig for its ``Gallery of Greats, 12 Black Educators Building the Foundation.'' In 1991, he was honored as Clark-Atlanta University's Outstanding Graduate Alumnus of the Year. In April 2004, NC A&T named the School of Business and Economics classroom building as ``Quiester Craig Hall.'' In June 2005, he received The Milton Wilson Dean's Excellence Award from the HBCU Dean's Roundtable.

In November 2011, Dr Craig was one of the inaugural inductees into the Ph.D. Project Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was honored with the AACSB International Distinguished Leadership Award.

Dean Quiester Craig was a humble man who was passionate about uplifting the next generation of business leaders, and he did just that. As a former student of Dean Craig, it was under his leadership that I became a successful entrepreneur. Today, I stand as a Member of Congress, advocating for the protection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiatives, and never forgetting the many lessons he taught me while at North Carolina A&T.

Our Nation was made better because of the leadership, kindness, and mentorship of Dean Craig. While he is no longer with us today, we will never forget the many lessons he taught us, and his memory will live on through the lives of all those he taught.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in offering our condolences to his family during this trying time, and in honoring the legacy of Dean Quiester Craig.

Mr. Speaker, Dr. Ron Daniels is the President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Founder of the Haiti Support Project. Dr. Daniels is a longtime advocate for the African diaspora in the U.S. and a leading figure in the field of Africana studies.

As a Distinguished Professor of history, political, science and Pan African studies, he has dedicated his career to preparing the next generation of leaders to lead in these vital fields.

As the Deputy Campaign Manager for my father, Reverend Jesse Jackson's 1988 Presidential campaign, Dr. Daniels worked tirelessly to advance the vital issues and causes my father has advocated for decades. Dr. Daniels ran as an independent candidate for President in 1992 as an extension of his commitment to fulfilling the vision and mission of the Rainbow/PUSH organization.

Dr. Daniels has been a leading figure in some of the most significant social and political movements over the last six decades, including Freedom Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio; the African Liberation Day Support Committee, which spawned the first African Liberation Day (ALD) USA; the National Black Political Assembly (NBPA); National Black Independent Political Party (NBIPP); and the African American Progressive Action Network (AAPAN). Dr. Daniels played a key role in the formation of the National African American Leadership Summit (NAALS), and he was a member of the Executive Council of the National Organizing Committee of the historic Million Man March and Day of Absence in 1995 and the Millions More Movement in 2005. He currently serves as Convener of the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC), which has emerged a driving force in the U.S. and global reparations movements.

Dr. Ron Daniel's work and career has advanced the interests of the African Diaspora in the U.S. and helped to enable Continental Africans, Afro-Caribbeans and Afro-Latinos to gain greater representation and recognition for their contributions in our Nation's history.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing his career and achievements.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a Chicago Police Department hero, Officer Dorelle C. Brandon. Officer Brandon was tragically killed in the line of duty 40 years ago, marking the first time in our city's history that a female officer laid down her life in the line of duty. As we reflect on her life and legacy, I want to pay tribute to her selfless service and commitment to our beloved Chicago.

Born in Chicago on December 27, 1948, to Charles and Dolores Brandon, Dorelle attended St. Joachim Grammar School and graduated from Harlan high school. After graduation, she was appointed to the Chicago Police Department on February 27, 1978, following in her father's footsteps. Throughout her tenure she earned three department commendations, a unit meritorious performance award, twenty honorable mentions and two complimentary letters.

Officer Brandon served our city and community with courage, dedication, and compassion for five years. She was tragically taken from us on the morning of January 24, 1984. While serving undercover, Officer Brandon and her partner attempted to arrest a drug dealer. The suspect resisted arrest and began to struggle with Officer Brandon attempting to grab her service weapon. Her partner then opened fire on the suspect and unfortunately struck Officer Brandon on accident.

Her story and sacrifice remind us of the danger law enforcement officers face every day. As the first female officer of the Chicago Police Department to lay down her life in the line of duty, she was a tragic trailblazer who will forever be remembered for her selflessness and bravery.

Officer Brandon is survived by her devoted husband, Matthew, who first saw Dorelle while standing in line at the Chicago Police Academy in January of 1978. While he was waiting in line with a fellow officer, Matthew said ``Do you see that girl over there? She's going to be my wife.'' After meeting, they became inseparable and shared a readily apparent love and devotion to one another that continues to this day.

Officer Brandon was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. She is remembered by her husband, Matthew, daughter, Barbara Sharee Cannon, stepsons: Marvin Edward Brandon and Sean Scot Brandon, parents Charles and Dolore, stepfather, Norman White and her three brothers and five sisters.

This Friday, my fellow Chicagoans will gather to immortalize her sacrifice by naming the community room of the Chicago Police Department 3rd precinct office after her. I hope that her memory will continue to inspire others to public service and remind us of the great feats of heroism our brave officers perform on our behalf every day. May God continue to watch over them and keep them safe.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Officer Dorelle C. Brandon's service and sacrifice.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because in light of the President's January 6 pardons, someone has to stand up for the people who defend this building, who defend the Representatives of the United States of America, and who defend this magnificent institution. I thank my esteemed colleague, Congressman Himes, for reserving this Special Order hour because it is time that truth speaks.

Just the other day at the beginning of this week, the members of the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police protected us once again as we engaged in inauguration ceremonies of the 47th President of the United States of America. The irony is that while they

were protecting us, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Government was preparing to undermine the spirit and the substance of that protection.

The very idea of pardoning people who violently attack police officers who were protecting the United States Capitol is anathema and should be offensive to every Member of this body. I simply cannot think of a more disgraceful act than to disrespect the life and blood and legacy of the men and women of the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police who in some cases literally gave their lives to protect this institution and us as Representatives.

To pardon people who relished and participated in acts of political violence that led to the death of innocent people is something that cannot be and should not be overlooked. It cannot be explained away nor can it be facilitated by politics and regular parliamentary procedure.

What the 47th President of the United States has done in pardoning the people who attacked the police officers is simply wrong. I echo the words of my dear colleague, Congressman Costa. We have been taught right versus wrong. Every Member of my esteemed party and Members on the opposite aisle should join us in raising their voice. We are setting a precedent. We should know and we should call out when character counts.

It is offensive, to say nothing of the fact that it is a violation of the moral law that makes this country one of the finest flowers in the gardens of the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the members of law enforcement who protect this building and who protect our lives that the Members of the Democratic Party see them. We understand them, and we respect them. We respect their character.

We are ashamed at the behavior of this institution. We are ashamed at the behavior of the 47th President of the United States of America. We are ashamed that our officers have been disgraced and humiliated while they come here to protect us every day. We have not afforded them the same protection that they give us every day.

We honor them. We respect them with giving them this hour to tell them that we have not forgotten those that have given their full measure of their duty to this country to protect us and to ensure that this democracy goes forward, even as they have been betrayed.

We do not support the unsolicited and unwarranted disrespect extended to them by the President of the United States of America. There were quotes given by Reverend Martin Luther King the other day. There is one quote I would like to share:

``Expediency asks the question, `Is it politic?' Vanity asks the question, `Is it popular?' But conscience asks the question, `Is it right?' ''

There comes a time that we must take a position that is neither with politics nor does it have to be popular. We must ask the question that conscience raises: Is it right?

At some point, we have to stop functioning in this building as if political parties are the only thing that matters. At some point, we have to summon the courage to do what is right, even when it is not necessarily politically expedient. This is one of those times.

What happened on January 6 was violent. What happened on January 6 was a disgrace to the men and women who serve this institution honorably. Anybody who tries to make it out to be anything other than that, than actually what it was, is lying about what we saw with our very own eyes.

We shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us all free. How can we go forward if we cannot go forward in the truth? No lie can live forever.

The election of 2020 had been decided. The people who came here on January 6--that was not a day that most people in American history know what procedurally happens here. What happens here was supposed to be the transfer of power with the electoral college votes that we ceremoniously pass.

No, people were summoned. People were called. Who called them? What were they called to do? They came here and built a noose and gallows outside to hang the Vice President of the United States of America.

We sit here in silence? We act like it never happened?

What concerns me most now is that we are sowing the seeds for future anarchists. We are sowing the seeds for future insurrectionists. We are sowing the seeds for future levels of violence.

I would remind my colleagues that history is watching, the future is listening, and our children are observing everything that we do.

Before we get up and speak recklessly about a mob that violently attacked police officers, we would all be wise to consider how our words will age in years to come and whether future generations will condemn what we said or that we remained silent about this issue.

Mr. Speaker, the reality is no lie can, will, or shall live forever. Whether today or tomorrow or whether in days or decades to come, truth will have its day. We shall know the truth, and the truth shall set us free.

Let us work to do what is right, even when it is hard. Let us affirm what is good, even when it is politically dangerous.

Just yesterday, in this same Chamber where the officers were defending us, insurrectionists of January 6 came in here and sat up in the gallery.

Just this past week, there were 32 miles of fencing all around our beautiful Capitol.

If we had known then what we know now, police should have had the day off so these people could have roamed this building freely. That was their intent, to destroy and kill.

The constitutional ideals that make this Nation as good as its promise are what each of us should be in service to do. When history calls, we must be available to something greater than ourselves.

I pray that we will answer this call. I pray we will not dishonor what is right. I pray we will stand up for those who consistently stand up for us.

I take a point of privilege to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to those officers who came to work on that dreadful day to do what was right and normal and moral but who had been betrayed.

Reverend Martin Luther King also said there comes a time when silence is betrayal. I feel that many of our officers have been betrayed.

We can fix this. We can stand up. We can speak up. We cannot betray the legacy of those officers who have been slain, violently killed. They did not give their life. Their life was taken from them. They should be with their loved ones today. Let us not curse their memory by not erecting a statue and a monument to their brave souls.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say a very special thank-you to my colleague, Congressman Himes, for having the courage and the fortitude to stand up. Let the record reflect in years to come that we did our best to make sure we honored our commitment to this country.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 11, the Motion to Recommit for H.R. 28, I mistaken recorded my vote as NAY when I should have voted YEA.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Metra, the commuter railroad serving my constituents in Chicago, on its 40th anniversary.

Forty years ago, commuter rail operations largely relied on private railroads. However, due to inflation and the emergence of alternative transportation options, funding decreased significantly, and riders threatened to discontinue their use of commuter services. To address this issue, voters approved the creation of the Regional Transportation Authority, which established the Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation to directly operate the trains. When the Rock Island and Milwaukee Road railroads went bankrupt, a new rail division was created to provide subsidies that kept the trains running and passengers on board.

As Metra faced a fragmented system of commuter rail operations, it acquired the Metra Electric and Illinois Central Gulf in 1987, ultimately taking over the operations of the Heritage Corridor, SouthWest Service, and North Central Service--marking the first new commuter line in Chicago in 70 years.

Today, Metra continues to subsidize operations on four lines owned and operated by freight railroads. After 40 years, Metra has become the fourth-busiest commuter rail system in our country, consistently providing reliable and essential transportation services to my constituents.

Earlier this year, I was pleased to assist Metra in securing federal funding for the Morgan Street Bridge Replacement project. This funding will replace the current timber rail bridge, built in 1974 as a temporary solution, with a new steel bridge. This upgrade will reduce maintenance needs and enhance safety and reliability for nearly 7.34 million annual riders.

I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Metra on its 40th anniversary. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure Metra's success for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise because one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle has introduced legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal for heroism to Mr. Daniel Penny for choking a man to death on the New York City subway.

Just the other day, a New York City jury found Daniel Penny not guilty of the choke-hold death of Jordan Neely.

To think that Members of this body would consider the circumstances of this case to be anything other than a complete tragedy for everyone is cruel.

When a young man is suffering from a mental health breakdown and loses his life at the hands of a 24-year-old veteran, who is probably also suffering from a particular set of challenges, there is absolutely nothing to celebrate here.

I say this, Mr. Speaker, because even the prosecutor said that Mr. Penny went too far. Mr. Neely was not just a Michael Jackson impersonator who was crying out, both hungry and thirsty. Mr. Neely was not a distressed person on a train or some kind of public nuance, as was described. He was someone's son, he was somebody's friend, and he was no less a part of the fabric of this American mosaic as any one of us who rightfully stands here today.

Yes, no one could deny that Jordan Neely had challenges, but who among us does not have people in our districts who are suffering from all kinds of struggles and setbacks. Each and every one of us represent people who are wrestling with the vicissitudes of life each and every day.

Yes, like millions of Americans, Jordan Neely was homeless. He struggled from mental illness after his mother was murdered in 2007. In spite of all of his challenges, Mr. Neely was a human being. He was as much a person worthy of respect as anybody and no less deserving of compassion and de-escalation as any of us in this Chamber.

When he got on the train that day, he had no weapon, he had not touched anyone, and more importantly, he was asking for help. Instead of encountering kindness, he was choked to death.

Rather than being seen as a brother and a sister, we have become so heartless that we see each other as combatants in a war that none of us can win as long as we are committed to fighting each other.

I wonder today: Have we become so desensitized to cruelty that we would dare to celebrate savagery in this Chamber without regard for the tragic loss of life?

When a jury cannot determine that a man should not be executed for having a mental outburst, one wonders is this the future of justice in America for people who are not well, for people who are not rich, for people not living in a home with locked doors and carpeted hallways?

There are over 110 billionaires who live in New York City, but Jordan was not one of those persons. The greatest amalgamation of wealth in the history of the world congregates in the city of New York, but Jordan Neely was not a part of it. Yet, he was as American as any of the captains of industry who work on Wall Street, who fly off to the Hamptons in order to enjoy their weekend pursuits.

All over the city of Chicago, people are wondering: If the racial roles were reversed, would Mr. Penny have been allowed to walk away without any accountability?

I find the jury decision to be appalling on many levels and not the least of which because all life is sacred. As long as one of us is disposable, then all of us are in the candidacy to fall victim to the reaffirming silence that allows evil to flourish.

The denunciation of cruelty should not be a partisan issue. We should not be so eager to run to our partisan corners when it comes to mental illness and the tragic loss of life.

I say to my colleagues and to the American people: There should be no medals for this act. There should be no knee-jerk partisan celebration that degrades the life of a man suffering from mental illness by making a mockery of his death.

I hope in the days to come, all of us will do what we can to inspire our constituents to find a more excellent way.

I pray that in the weeks to come, we will resist the temptation to give in to the darker impulses that live in the shadows of our great democratic experiment. We will, in the best of our ability, work to ensure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all who make this country their home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and legacy of Robert Dumas. Mr. Dumas was a beloved father, brother, and friend, who passed away peacefully in his home on November 24, 2024.

Born on April 5, 1939, in Safford, Alabama to his parents, Andy and Queenie Dumas, Robert was known all his life for his warm heart, sense of humor, and deep love for his family.

Robert held many jobs throughout his life but was most proud of becoming an owner of a trucking company where he operated an 18-wheeler truck. In 1980, he founded the Dumas Trucking. His work brought him great joy, and he poured his heart into the work that he loved.

After a long day at work, Robert enjoyed the simple things in life and would often relax in his recliner while watching Westerns. He was an old-fashioned man who appreciated every moment of life. He was a friend to all. Robert was affectionately referred to as ``Joe'' by his brothers, sons, grandsons, close friends, and nephews because of his pleasant, easy to approach demeanor.

Throughout his life Robert was a devout Christian who lived a life of faith and service to his church, Messiah Temple Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a Deacon, a member of the Brotherhood, and a cherished member of the men's chorus until his health failed. His service and spiritual counsel as a beloved member of his church community will not be soon forgotten, nor will the sound of his voice with his chorus partners.

Robert was devoted to his family and his final message to us was ``In your hearts, always remember me as the gentle giant and love me as I always loved you. To me, and to all who knew me, `family is and will always be everything.' ''

He is survived by his children: Robert Dumas, Dorothy Wash, Donna Dumas, Tony Wash (Kim), Christopher Zorich, Cedric Dumas, and Tiffany Beard (Edward). He is also survived by his siblings, James Dumas (Lucy), Alice Allen, Maple Moppins, Quennie McEwen, Daisy Moore (Ezekiel), and Ann Cole. He will be lovingly remembered by all his family, including his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of friends.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in remembering the life and legacy of Mr. Robert Dumas and in sending our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate ATW Health Solutions on their 10th Anniversary of operation. ATW provides first class healthcare management and consulting services to the residents of the 1st Congressional District and Chicagoland communities.

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Knitasha Washington, DHA, MHA, FACHE, ATW Health Solutions provides unparalleled service and innovation in the healthcare industry. Dr. Washington has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field that has allowed her to lead ATW to become one of the top small businesses in our community.

In 2009, Dr. Washington tragically lost her father, Anthony T. Washington, Sr. to a preventable medical error. This event inspired her to found ATW, and to name it in his memory. His impact is still being felt through his daughter's work to this day.

Dr. Washington has served as a board member for the National Quality Forum, National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), MedStar System Patient and Family Council for Quality and Safety, and the Franciscan Health Missions and HR Committee. Through her service she has continued to advocate for equitable health solutions and work with key stakeholders to achieve these goals.

Over the last 10 years, ATW has earned national praise for transforming healthcare delivery systems as a small, minority owned business.

As unjust disparities persist in the healthcare industry, small businesses like ATW continue to strive for a better future for all Americans, no matter their background.

Over the next 10 years the incredible staff at ATW will continue their vital work to deliver healthcare systems and treatments throughout the industry in a more efficient and equitable manner. As their Congressman, I cannot wait to see what their future holds.

The incredible research team on staff have brought previously unheard voices in healthcare to the forefront of the conversation so that healthcare outcomes continue to become more equitable. Today, we celebrate their 10th anniversary with them and wish them another 10 years of similar success and achievement.

Mr. Speaker, in February 1967, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., wrote his famous book, ``Where Do We Go From Here.''

In that book, he pondered upon the question of whether or not America was prepared to choose community over chaos; whether this Nation, so long protected by the crosswinds of two oceans, was finally prepared to rid itself of the impediments of bitterness and hatred; or whether the malignant sicknesses of racism and sexism were so intrinsic and interwoven into the American fabric that we would never be able to rid ourselves of it.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I submit to all of my colleagues that this question is still before us. That is to say, some 60 years later, we are still trying to decide who we are as a country.

Sixty years after the historic Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we are still trying to figure out if everyone still should have a vote that counts. We are still trying to determine if we will choose progress over regression, tomorrow over yesterday, truth over falsehood. In spite of the gains of the civil rights movement, the answer to these questions remains profoundly unclear.

In the words of Charles Dickens, we are living in the best of times and the worst of times, the age of wisdom and the age of foolishness.

After the last Presidential election in November, there are millions of Americans wondering if this country will ever come to know the things that make for peace.

I rise today because I fear that this Nation is on the precipice of the greatest rollback of civil rights since the end of Reconstruction in 1890.

I rise today because there are too many of my colleagues, in addition to too many people in America, who have no problem with rolling back the rights of the weakest and most vulnerable among us.

Given the long and meandering history of this Republic, there ought to be unanimous consent when it comes to ensuring that the people who have been systematically excluded from the American Dream are continually included in the future of American progress and prosperity. Sadly, that is not the case.

Whole segments of this society have arbitrarily decided that they have the omnipotent right to determine when there are too many Black people in boardrooms, as we saw on June 29, 2023, with the elimination of the affirmative action programs.

As a consequence, there are fewer African Americans in dental school. There are fewer African Americans in law school. There are fewer African Americans attending some of the most prestigious universities.

Some people have arbitrarily determined that African Americans enrolled in these selective universities is too much, as determined by the actions of the Students for Fair Admissions authored by Mr. Blum, or too many Black businesses finally being included in the procurement of government contracts and management opportunities is too much.

It pains me to have to remind the leaders of this country that a nation suffering from the sickness of racism for 250 years cannot stop taking its medicine. It needs to make sure that the cancer does not return.

Fifty years of progress cannot erase 250 years of suffering, and the suffering of which I speak is not limited to the African-American community but rather is located in the very soul of America. I am talking about those that are without jobs in Appalachia. I am talking about the life expectancy of Caucasian women in rural America.

We need to enforce and strengthen civil rights. Civilian rights are key to the growth of America, but let us never forget that hatred destroys the host more than it devastates the object of its belligerent contempt.

I say to all of my colleagues today: America needs diversity, equity, and inclusion more than Black people do. I say that because, even if the prognosticators are right that the last election was about economics, then that simply means that millions of people in this country were willing to sublimate the moral authority of their conscience because of the price of chicken.

Mr. Speaker, that is just as terrifying a reality as is the prospect of racism and sexism being the driving cause.

I think sometimes we forget that the policies we enshrine have real effects on the lives of people. I know in my district, the First Congressional District of Illinois, the incoming administration's promised attack on affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion will mean that thousands of people on the south side of Chicago, the inner cities of America, and the suburban and rural parts of our country will not be able to provide for their families.

It won't matter to them what the price of chicken is because, no matter the price, everything is too expensive when your income disappears and your income is stagnant.

In spite of the differences between the two parties, let us never forget that there are still millions of people in this country who cannot afford to pay their rent, who cannot afford hospitalization, who cannot afford to pay their mortgages, who find rents out of control, whose wages have not changed, and who are struggling to give their children a better life, a better country, and a better future. By better, I mean a more ethical society in which to grow old.

Mr. Speaker, let us do whatever we must to build up what others are determined to tear down. Let us do whatever we can to hold up the light. Let us keep the dream alive.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 4261, a bill originally introduced by Representative Payne of New Jersey, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congresswoman from the great State of Florida for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, the Honorable John James of the great State of Michigan, it is my privilege and pleasure to stand before you today to speak on behalf of the Honorable Shirley Chisholm, a woman who has come from such depths to such heights that everyone should be reminded of her greatness and the trail that she had to blaze. She had no path to find. She had to, indeed, blaze a trail.

If you think about it, since 1789 to 1969, after 180 years, it was the first time an African-American woman was able to be called a Representative.

African-American women have been at the bedrock, the foundation, of this Nation and oftentimes had gone without recognition. Think about the indignities that women have experienced in the past and in the present.

We are still fighting the same fights for dignity, for a woman to have rights over her body.

Now, the corridors are filled with so many men who have had transgressions against women. I thought those fights were behind us, but we are still fighting for a woman to be believed in these same corridors.

Think about it. It wasn't until 1993 that female Senators actually had a place to give their bodies comfort because there was no restroom off of the Senate floor. We have come a long way, but we have so much further to go.

It was only in 2011, not that long ago, that they finally built restrooms off of this House floor on the second floor so that women could relieve their bodies.

We have a very long way to go to understanding the issues that they face, the believability that they should be given the assumption of, as now people are seeking nomination and are still being hurled with these accusations because they won't give women a fair voice.

Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for the lovely legacy of the Honorable Shirley Chisholm. If you can imagine, being born in 1924 at the height of lynching in the United States of America, but something did not put out that burning fire inside of her soul that she would have the audacity, the unmitigated gall, to want to be President of these United States, to know that she, indeed, could serve. From that was a spark that could not be quenched out, a flame that has lit so many other women. I say thank God for her.

As we commemorate, as we hold aside a special time to remember a woman who was a trailblazer, let's remember that she didn't follow a path. There was no path for her to follow. She has since laid a path so that so many others could matriculate and ascend to the height of their full potential.

It is at this time, Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Congressman John James, that I will turn this back over to my colleague, the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, from the great State of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week and celebrate the Workforce Innovation Network Consortium. This week is an opportunity to honor the incredible apprentices, graduates, employers, and workforce partners that make the American workforce the greatest and most skilled in the world.

In my home state of Illinois, there are over 400 Registered Apprentice programs and over 21,000 registered apprentices. I am proud of these members of our community and thankful for the opportunity they have available to them through Registered Apprentice programs.

As the Representative of Illinois's 1st Congressional District, I am proud to lend my voice and support to these life changing programs and to raise awareness throughout National Apprenticeship Week.

National Apprenticeship Week was established by the U.S. Department of Labor to showcase and promote high quality, inclusive, and in demand career pathway opportunities through Registered Apprentice programs.

This nationwide celebration allows employers, apprentices, graduates, workforce partners, educational institutions, and Federal, State, and Local governments to showcase the success and value of Registered Apprenticeships. These opportunities strengthen our economy, create pathways for career seekers to land good jobs while advancing racial equity.

Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing our workforce and creating opportunities for Americans from every walk of life. Over the last 10 years, apprentices and graduates of apprentice programs have played a key role in modernizing our country's infrastructure, building clean energy technology, and addressing cybersecurity threats. Their skills and expertise continue to move our country forward and they rise to meet the needs of our growing and evolving national needs.

As we look to the next 10 years of apprentice programs and beyond, we should continue to provide the support necessary to continue providing these vital opportunities.

As the American economy continues to be the envy of the world, Apprentice programs will continue preparing the next generation of American workers to face the challenges of tomorrow. This week is a reminder that there is no task too large that we cannot accomplish through diligence and hard work. I am proud to support Registered Apprentice programs that prepare our workforce to face these challenges together while building solidarity and unity among people of all backgrounds.

I ask that my colleagues join me in providing this support and recognizing and thanking all apprentices, graduates, and workforce partners who continue to move our country forward.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Congressman Huffman who also shares that lineage of being a fighter for the people. I thank him for convening us, bringing us together for this Project 2025 that we must discuss.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we cannot allow the agenda of MAGA Republicans to go unaddressed and quietly into the night.

On page 4 of Project 2025, it explicitly states that the goal is to get rid of terms like inclusion, equity, and diversity, so that no governmental policy can consider these things when determining who gets a contract, who gets hired, what management looks like, or who gets helped by a particular policy or administrative agency.

I find this to be as tragic as it is interesting because in a perfect world, we would not need diversity, equity, and inclusion, but that is not where we live.

We live in the United States of America, and we also live in a material universe where it is impossible to undo 300 years of legal exclusion with just 50 years of making this country do what is right.

For those who say America is different now, let me remind you that America didn't include Black people in the inherent opportunities that come along with being born into this great Nation because she magically wanted to.

It was those persons, the abolitionists and the civil rights workers and Black Americans, who made America do it.

That is why the civil rights movement enacted laws and policies and protections because of the whimsical nature of America.

America's commitment to our own principles cannot always be trusted. It, indeed, can be thick on ideals and thin on deeds.

Let us not forget that during the Reconstruction in the late 1860s, Black people were given access to the mechanisms of power in this country.

Then in the 1890s, America took it all back with the imposition of Jim Crow and segregation. Some people in this institution need to know America's history.

Here again, in the 1960s, African Americans made significant political and economic gains. Yet, here we are in 2024, living under the tyranny of a Supreme Court determined to roll it all back.

Affirmative action on college campuses, gone.

A women's right to determine what can happen with her body, gone.

The tragedy of our current situation is we don't know what is coming next.

Laws and policies that require the inclusion of Black people are not there to give us an advantage. They are here to make sure that we are not once again excluded because of the color of our skin by American law.

Project 2025 was created by the same people who formed the so-called intellectual brain trust around the candidacy of Donald Trump. These are his advisers, and here is what we know.

We know that Project 2025 wants to impose a national ban on abortion, prosecute political enemies, and eliminate the Department of Education.

Just think about it. What would we do without a public education policy?

Project 2025 wants to continue to ban books about slavery and the civil rights movement and prosecute teachers and librarians for assigning them.

This is insanity. Just think about the insanity that we are living in.

MAGA Republicans believe that books are dangerous for children, but automatic rifles are not.

Project 2025 openly declares that it wants to get rid of school lunches and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for families and children.

Both of these are part of the social safety net that ensures that millions of people will continue to have dignity in old age and access to clean food and water. Project 2025 wants to get rid of it.

Now, if it is okay to spend billions of dollars on bombs but making sure millions of people don't starve to death is somehow completely out of the question, something is wrong.

Please note that Project 2025 doesn't say anything, nothing, about getting rid of poverty, but they have no problem with getting rid of the programs that help people deal with the fact that they are tragically poor in a country that has excessive wealth. They want to leave poverty alone, but they want to undermine how people survive it.

Project 2025 wants to allow employers to no longer pay overtime. If your employer can demand that you work overtime, but they don't have to pay you for the extra time you put in, to put additional money into their pockets and making them rich, something is tragically wrong.

Can you imagine being required to work extra hours without extra compensation? That too is in Project 2025.

Essentially, Project 2025 says that you should be happy to have a job and that whatever your employer asks you to do, you should be happy to do it.

We don't owe you anything beyond the minimum requirement of your basic paycheck. That is un-American. This is ridiculous, but this is what Donald Trump and the people around him want to do.

Project 2025 is a complete disavowal of workers' rights. If you think they are going to stop at eliminating overtime, then you are completely delusional and drastically out of touch with reality.

This is not the language in the document, but I bet you all the money in my pocket against all the money in your pocket that healthcare will be next.

They have been trying to get rid of the Affordable Care Act, also known as

ObamaCare, for the last 12 years. Project 2025 wants to give wealthy corporations another tax break.

It is not enough that multibillion dollar corporations got the biggest tax break in American history under Donald J. Trump. They want to give corporations more.

Notice how one-sided this is. They want to give corporations a big tax break, where Project 2025 says nothing about increasing wages.

Follow the wickedness of the logic. Corporations get bigger tax breaks so they can keep more of the money workers made for them, but the workers don't get to participate in the success of the corporation by having an increase in their wages.

Project 2025 calls for an end to Social Security, our great safety net program. Goal 3 of Project 2025 says that only a nuclear family should receive governmental support. This is a part of the ill-fated logic of J.D. Vance and Donald J. Trump.

If you are a single mother raising your children or a grandparent raising your grandchildren, Project 2025 says that the government should not make you a priority, and basically, you are not a family.

The policies and prescriptions of Project 2025 would lead to the greatest assault on Medicaid and Medicare in the history of this Nation.

This is what we are up against. This is why we are determined not to let it happen. We are determined to fight for what is right. We are determined to resist.

Once again, I thank the Honorable Congressman Huffman from the great State of California for championing this cause and for calling us out here tonight. I thank him for his undying commitment to our American democracy and his fight for what is right.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his outstanding leadership.