Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

I am a proud member of this sisterhood--a sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black-college educated women with some 900 chapters across the United States.

This week, tens of thousands of my sorors will travel to Washington, DC, to honor our sisterhood, which was founded at Howard University on January 13, 1913.

We will trace our journey from the halls of Howard where twenty-two visionary undergraduate students created an organization committed to fostering a spirit of sisterhood, scholarship, and service among women.

We come together to honor the memory of all our sorors who came before us and contributed to our great Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. legacy.

We stand on the shoulders of greatness and in the midst of greatness.

And, I am certain our legacy of leadership, service, and friendship will endure for another one hundred years and beyond.

I stand here today in dismay and in disgust. I stand here on this same floor where we have the words, ``In God we trust,'' where we say the Pledge of Allegiance, where my Republican colleagues dare come to this podium and use words like ``train wreck'' and ``work in a bipartisan fashion'' in the same minute, and then today we are confronted with removing SNAP dollars from the farm bill.

I came here to work on a compromise. Members of this great Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic Caucus stand together because we want America to know that we stand for poor families: Black, White, urban, suburban, and, yes, rural.

We ask you to take note today, Mr. Speaker, that Republicans dare come to this floor and tell us that we want to serve the people. Aren't our children, our mothers, and families part of the people? Yes.

We stand for SNAP.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in strong opposition to the farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it increases hunger in America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, H.R. 2642.

Mr. Speaker, I refuse to vote for a FARM Bill that omits SNAP.

SNAP is America's first line of defense against hunger.

Its benefits improve nutrition, health, and increases the food- purchasing power of low-income households.

To move forward with a FARM bill that does not include this funding is a shameful abandonment of the most vulnerable people who live in our country.

The program has wide-reaching effects for the individuals participating in the program, their communities, and the entire nation.

My constituents have been clear.

Mothers have told me that without SNAP they cannot feed their children.

Many seniors, disabled individuals and veterans have told me that without SNAP, they will not eat.

How can we allow our children and those in need to starve?

How can we allow our seniors to go hungry?

I cannot and will not vote to harm our nation's most vulnerable.

I will not turn my back on low-income families, children, seniors and the disabled.

I will not vote for a FARM bill that omits SNAP and threatens the lives of American families, children and seniors.

I rise today to address the recent doubling of interest rates on federally backed, needs-based student loans. Students deserve access, not obstacles, to higher education. These rate hikes will make college less affordable at a time when we should be encouraging, not discouraging, people to seek higher education opportunities to grow our economy and to create jobs. But due to House Republicans' failure to act, the interest rate on college loans has doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent for some 7.4 million students.

In these tough economic times, Democrats understand we should be making every effort possible to increase access to higher education for all Americans. There is no time left. We need to act now to reverse the rate hike and keep student loan interest rates low so more Americans can have a fair shot at a college education.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my colleague, Mr. Fattah, for leading the CBC's celebration of Congressman William H. Gray, III's life and legacy. Our nation has lost a strong community leader and devoted public servant.

Elected to the House of Representatives in 1978, Congressman Bill Gray proudly served the citizens of Pennsylvania's Second Congressional District for over ten remarkable

years. As a Member of Congress, he was a tireless advocate for the people of Philadelphia and a pioneer for a new generation of African- American elected officials.

He was a trailblazer who fought to protect the most vulnerable individuals in his community, in our country, and around the world.

During his tenure in Congress, Congressman Gray later became Chairman of the Democratic Caucus and Majority Whip for the party. With these Leadership positions, he became the highest-ranking African American ever to serve in Congress. His congressional record and service continues to inspire us all. During the four years he served as Chair of the House Budget Committee, Congressman Gray was the chief point man in budget negotiations between the Democratic Congress and the Reagan Administration. He was no stranger to reaching across the aisle to build consensus and work in a bipartisan manner.

He wielded his Budget Committee gavel for the good of the international community pressing for more economic aid for Africa and leading the critique of South African apartheid.

As a staunch supporter of education, he was a key advocate for strengthening and improving our nation's schools.

Upon his retirement from Congress, Representative Gray became president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund from 1991 to 2004, where he led the Fund to new fund-raising records while cutting costs and expanding programs and services.

Congressman Gray was truly transformative for our communities and especially for our young people.

In 1994, President Clinton appointed Congressman Gray as a special advisor to Haiti and in that role he assisted President Clinton in developing and carrying out policy to restore democracy to Haiti. Due to his service, in 1995, the Congressman received the Medal of Honor from the Haitian government.

Congressman Gray's lifelong commitment to his community, to public service, and to his family was truly admirable and inspirational. To his wife, Andrea, his three sons and his many grandchildren, know that you are in our hearts and our prayers. And, I say to you, celebrate Bill's life, because he lived a life that was full of honor and integrity. Not only did he inspire each one of us with his service, he inspired the Nation.

I am truly privileged to be able to stand here and honor Congressman Gray.

I rise today to remind us that, on Tuesday, the Supreme Court struck down a critical part of the Voting Rights Act--some would say the heart of that act.

I also remind us that it was almost 50 years ago that President Johnson echoed across this Congress and this Nation for us to open our polling places to all people, to allow all men and women regardless of their skin color to be able to vote, to extend the rights to vote to every citizen in this land, because, as he so eloquently stated, this was not a constitutional issue.

So I ask this Congress, this year, to express our discontentment with what has happened to the Voting Rights Act through the Supreme Court.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize one of my constituents in Ohio's Third Congressional District, Jingwen Zhang. Jingwen Zhang is a junior at Thomas Worthington High School in Westerville, Ohio, who recently demonstrated outstanding academic achievement by becoming the state of Ohio winner of the U.S. Institute of Peace 2013 National Peace Essay Contest.

The annual National Peace Essay contest sponsored by the U.S. Institute of Peace engages our nation's youth in an educational essay contest relating to the topics of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and international affairs. This year's topic was, ``Gender, War, and Peacebuilding,'' and Jingwen Zhang's essay, ``Gender Revolution: From Unjust Misogyny to Honorable Equality,'' earned her a place as one of the 50 high school students selected as the state-level contest winners.

The winners receive a $1,000 academic scholarship and are invited to Washington D.C. to participate in a five day educational program where they will engage with practitioners and elected officials regarding foreign affairs.

On behalf of Ohio's Third Congressional District, I am honored to commend Jingwen Zhang on her winning essay and I wish her much continued success in her future endeavors.

Mr. Chair, the proposed SNAP cuts in this bill will be devastating to our most vulnerable populations.

Many of the poorest Americans depend on SNAP as their only means of assistance to feed their families.

We should not turn our backs on low-income families, children, seniors and disabled.

Today, I was told a story about one of my constituents--a mother who receives a very small amount of food stamp assistance.

She said that if SNAP is cut, her kids will starve. Period.

This is the reality that so many families face, including the 2 million this bill would leave to face hunger if this amendment is not adopted.

In Franklin County, Ohio alone, there are an estimated 59,450 kids who live daily with the threat of hunger.

Without inclusion of this amendment, the current farm bill will destroy our efforts to relieve hunger within our districts and will dramatically increase the number of children, families, and older adults who are already struggling and push them to below the poverty level.

This is a commonsense amendment.

It will restore the $20.5 billion cuts in SNAP by offsetting the Farm Risk Management Election Program and the Supplemental Coverage Option.

We cannot leave our most vulnerable children and families without basic access to food.

If we do, I think we violate a core American value.

I urge my colleagues to vote to save SNAP by supporting the McGovern amendment.

I thank my colleague, Congressman Jeffries.

I rise this evening to discuss a very important topic to me, a topic that is important to me, to my district and to this Nation: why entrepreneurship matters to Black America.

This week, we celebrate National Small Business Week, which gives us a chance to collectively recognize small businesses and the impact they have and have had on our local communities and the Nation. Tonight you will hear a lot about African Americans who started from humble means; African Americans who had great ideas and decided that they wanted to open a beauty shop, a barbershop, maybe a bakery or like my husband's family, a family restaurant. We'll hear the stories about how they became millionaires and billionaires.

We've heard about Madam C.J. Walker who started with a small idea and became the first African American female millionaire. Then we all know about the young lady in the State next to mine that grew up and wanted to be a radio announcer, and probably 50 some years ago she had no idea that she'd be one of America's billionaires. And that's Oprah Winfrey. So today is so important to us not only as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, but it's important to us as a Nation that we recognize those who spur the economy.

So often we think that it is large industrial operations that make up the businesses in this wonderful country. But if you thought about where half of this Nation works, they work in small businesses, they own small businesses.

You see, small business in America has been the stabling force in the economy. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of creativity and production. Small business is what stimulates economic growth. With over 60 percent of all private sector nonfarm jobs coming from small businesses, it is a proven fact that small businesses are critical to the United States' economy.

Minority-owned businesses are also very important to the economy. The strong growth in owner income and decrease in the amount of companies going bankrupt is a great sign. Self-employment figures are also growing in this Nation.

As a matter of fact, in the last year alone, small businesses created nearly 700,000 jobs, accounting for 40 percent of employment gains across companies of all sizes. You see, I know firsthand the value of being a small business owner because for the past 20 years, I have been a small business owner. My husband is a small business owner, and we have been able to employ a diverse group of employees right in Columbus, Ohio, providing our employees with stable wages and the opportunity for professional development.

For minority communities, small businesses are often the primary economic drivers by employing those who are seniors, those who are unemployed, those who live right in the neighborhood or have had some financial or workforce development challenges.

This is why we are here today and why it is so important in minority communities for the Small Business Administration to continue to develop programs which help minority small business owners break through the many barriers that prevent them from entering into the business community. But more can be done and more should be done to help support minority businesses because in addition to the many economic benefits they provide, small businesses also foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity.

As a member of the Financial Services Committee, I was pleased to learn that tucked within that broad package of financial industry reforms contained in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform and the Consumer Protection Act law is a provision that mandates that each covered governmental agency establish an office of minority and women inclusion.

The Office of Minority and Women Inclusion directors must develop and implement standards and procedures to ensure to the maximum extent possible the fair and inclusion utilization of minorities, women and minority-and women-owned businesses in all business activities of all levels in the agencies, including procurement, insurance, and all other types of contracts.

So what I've decided to do is to host a roundtable discussion with small and minority women-owned businesses through the leadership of our ranking member on Financial Services, Congresswoman Maxine Waters. I'm also so pleased that so many organizations like Black Enterprise recently partnered with Nationwide Insurance to hold its 2013 entrepreneurs conference right in my district in Columbus, Ohio, this past May. This conference provided a great platform for African American entrepreneurs to share ideas, to be able to network, and to grow their businesses among some 1,200 participants. We also honored African American entrepreneurs who own some of the best small businesses in the country.

I think it's also important for us to know, as in my home State and many other States, small business owners can take advantage of SBA programs. In my district, too, the Ohio Mini-Loan Guarantee program provides guarantees or fixed assets for small businesses for projects of $100,000 or less. Also, there is a mini-direct loan program, which provides direct loans for businesses that are going to locate in Ohio or that want to expand their business to demonstrate that they can create new ideas and new jobs for Ohioans.

It is very clear to me that small businesses will continue to grow and they will grow our economy at a proven rate. While effective programs exist today to help minority-owned small businesses, I believe we can continue to do more. I believe that's why my colleagues are here today, allowing us the

opportunity to come and tell our stories, because it educates the public, it makes a difference, and that's why I am here.

I thank you so very much for allowing me the opportunity to come and talk about small businesses and more importantly to talk about small businesses that are owned by women and that are owned by African Americans, because we're making a difference.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Equal Pay Act and to call for the passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act.

On June 10, our nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act.

Yet, women still earn on average only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. In Columbus, Ohio women are paid only 81 cents for every dollar paid to men.

Equal pay is not simply a women's issue--it's a family issue.

Families increasingly rely on women's wages to make ends meet, and with less take-home pay women have less for the everyday needs of their families.

90,527 households in the Columbus metro area are headed by women. Eliminating the wage gap would provide much-needed income to women whose salaries are of critical importance to them and their families.

When women succeed, so does our economy.

Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank Mr. Horsford and Mr. Jeffries for leading this important effort for the CBC this evening--so that we can discuss a particularly important issue for me, my district, and this nation, and that is: ``Lifting Americans out of Poverty.''

As many of my constituents and colleagues already know, the great recession cost this country roughly 13 trillion dollars in household wealth, and pushed millions of Americans into poverty.

The poverty rate is at levels not seen in twenty years, and the most recent numbers show that more than 46 million Americans are currently living below the poverty line.

The most distressing fact is that the youngest Americans represent a disproportionate share of the poor in the U.S.

Though children make up less than a quarter of the population, they constitute more than one-third of Americans in poverty.

And, studies by the American Psychological Association have found correlations between poverty in children and higher rates of illness, abuse, neglect, developmental and educational delays, participation in risky behaviors such as smoking or sexual activities, and problems with self-esteem and depression.

And worse, growing up in poverty has a lasting negative impact on lifetime earning potential.

As a joint Princeton University--Brookings Institute study reported, the U.S. has decreasing income mobility, and increasing income inequality.

This means that more than ever, youths that grow up in poverty are more likely to remain in poverty for the duration of their lives.

But we have programs designed to buffer our youth from some of the harshest effects of situations for which they deserve no blame, and over which they have no control.

Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which provides nutritional support for the most vulnerable families, and which will face cuts in just a few months without intervening Congressional action.

Or programs like Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. The Housing Choice Vouchers provide subsidies to landlords directly by public housing agencies, to create housing options for very low-income families.

Though it varies from state to state, on average, a family earning $26,000 per year would be making too much to be eligible.

This program for the least fortunate among us will likely have to cut aid to 125,000 families immediately, due to cuts from sequestration.

Or programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit for low-to moderate-income couples, primarily those with qualifying children, not only provides a tax refund to the most deserving, but it dually functions to incent work even if the pay isn't great.

This is the type of progressive tax system that encourages self- sufficiency and in the long-run can reduce the need for government dependence.

Yet even this simple, long-standing beneficial tax credit is being offered up by some as ripe for elimination.

I can talk about the children and families who need these programs, in the abstract, as if they are some sort of different Americans-- people who didn't work hard, or didn't spend wisely.

But the reality is: this type of poverty can happen to anyone.

Anyone in this Chamber, or watching at home on Wall Street or Main Street--this can happen to you.

One unexpected illness, one lost job due to ``just a bad economy,'' or one elderly family member whose medical and caretaking bills continue to pile up, and anyone can find themselves unable to make it without a little help.

That's what these vital programs do. That's why these programs are so important.

We as legislators have the opportunity and obligation to make sure that we put safeguards in place to ensure that no one is left out from the chance to pursue the American dream.

It's not just about helping the poorest Americans. It's about doing the right thing to help our neighbors, knowing that at any time, the shoe could be on the other foot.

I thank you for the opportunity to speak on this most important issue.

Mr. Speaker, let me also join my colleagues in thanking Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Horsford for leading the Congressional Black Caucus' important discussion about rising burdens of student loans on our families and on our economy.

Higher education is a major part of the American Dream. I know as a college graduate and I know as a senior administrator at a university, access to higher education must continue to be an option for the American Dream to continue to be a reality.

The increasing financial burden higher education is placing on students, families, and the economy is unsustainable and threatens our country's economic progress. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, almost 13 percent of student loan borrowers of all ages owe more than $50,000, and nearly 4 percent owe more than $100,000. These debts are often beyond the students' ability to repay, which is demonstrated by the fact that delinquency and default rates are soaring.

This week, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act, H.R. 1911, will come to the floor. Unfortunately, it is partisan legislation and is not a sufficient solution to address our Nation's student loan crisis; and it is certainly worth repeating, as you have heard and you will repeatedly hear. In fact, it makes students worse off than if nothing is done to stop the increasing variable interest rates.

This bill actually would increase the cost of student loans for borrowers, discourage the use of Federal loans, and exacerbate the country's troubling student debt problem. Under this bill, interest rates for student loans will balloon over the next 10 years, costing students and their parents almost $4 billion in additional loan interest charges.

As a former college administrator with numerous colleges in my district, I believe pursuing higher education is one of the best personal and professional investments one can make in your future. With the tens of thousands of students within my district, the impact of the student loan crisis is monumental for my community.

That is why I have cosponsored several pieces of legislation that will work to decrease the fiscal strain higher education can place on students. I've cosponsored the Student Loan Fairness Act, sponsored by Representative Bass, which is legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loans. This legislation actually caps interest rates for Federal loans and improves and expands public service loan forgiveness and creates a 10-10 loan repayment plan.

We must--we must keep our education loan rates stable, responsible, and affordable. We must find a solution that will allow college students to benefit from the 3.4 percent interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans. We must advance legislation that includes student loan reform in a way that provides realistic opportunities for our students to secure good jobs and pay off their student loans without falling into financial crisis.

I will continue to advocate for better ways to lessen the financial burden of higher education for all students in this country. Our Nation's students and families deserve an affordable education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to denounce the proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, in the House farm bill.

Last week, I had the opportunity to witness a mother feeding her two children and giving them a jump-start because of SNAP, and then a young lawyer came and talked to us about being able to make an investment in this country because she was assisted.

I'm from Ohio, and in Ohio, SNAP reaches 16 percent of the State's population. Eighty-four percent of the households receiving SNAP have incomes below the poverty line. SNAP has helped to lift about 4.7 million Americans above the poverty line in 2011, including 2.1 million children.

For many of the poorest Americans, SNAP is the only form of income assistance they have. Mr. Speaker, we must protect our most at-risk children and families in this Nation. Let's save SNAP.

I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement in the Record opposing the GOP's appalling Mother's Day gift--more work and less pay for working moms. And that's a Happy Mother's Day?