Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Tommy Pappas. Tommy's story is an American Dream. Born in a small village in Greece, he taught himself to cook as a child. For the last 35 years in Columbus, he owned and opened Tommy's Diner.

Tommy's wasn't just a restaurant. It was a community hub. From neighbors, Governors, mayors, to construction workers and judges, everyone was welcome. If your photo made it to Tommy's wall, you had made it.

Tommy didn't just celebrate the famous. He remembered every customer's name and treated everyone the same. Tommy's was one of my favorite places for breakfast. I held interviews there, and I even held my Presidential inauguration ticket lottery there.

Tommy's Diner was featured on the Food Network show's ``Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.'' His legacy will live on.

Rest in peace, Tommy. I was lucky to call him my friend.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise with a heart full of pride to celebrate a little magic from my district in Columbus, Ohio, a place where innovation, creativity, and community come together.

Today, that magic has an exciting connection to the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. What is the magic? The magic is the bright young mind of Kambridge Elder and the incredible work of COSI, the Center of Science and Industry.

While I am here, I also want to encourage my colleagues to support the bipartisan National STEM Week Act because brighter futures don't happen by chance. They happen by choice.

Let's start with the tree. This year's Capitol Christmas tree traveled over 4,000 miles from the breathtaking forests of Alaska to Washington, D.C., making 14 stops along the way. One of those special stops was in my congressional district, where the tree picked up an ornament designed by Kambridge Elder, a seventh grader in my district at the Arts IMPACT Middle School.

Through a partnership with the Ohio Arts Council, COSI invited students from all 611 Ohio school districts to design ornaments inspired by the theme ``Building STEAM in Ohio.''

STEAM--science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics-- isn't just a buzzword, Mr. Speaker. It is a foundation for progress.

Kambridge's ornament, a train with four carts representing each of the STEAM elements, was inspired by a train at her school that she loves. Her ornament isn't just a decoration. It is a vision. It is a symbol of what happens when we invest in our children and give them the tools to dream big.

Kambridge's story reminds us of the vital role institutions like COSI play in sparking curiosity, discovery, and innovation.

Under the bold leadership of Dr. Frederic Bertley, COSI has become a powerhouse of education and inspiration, earning its title as the Nation's number one science museum 4 years in a row with USA Today Readers' Choice Awards. Forbes calls COSI ``a beacon of scientific engagement,'' and that is exactly what it is.

From the COSI Science Festival to the wildly successful STEM Kit Program, COSI is making science accessible and exciting for families and kids--not just in Columbus, Mr. Speaker, but across the Nation.

Kambridge's creativity, fueled by COSI's mission, is proof of what is possible when we nurture curiosity and celebrate imagination.

That is why I am here to urge my colleagues to support the National STEM Week Act. This bipartisan bill, which I am a cosponsor of, will dedicate a week each year to highlighting the importance of STEM and STEAM education.

It is about bringing together Federal, State, and local governments with schools, families, and organizations like COSI to close the knowledge gap holding too many of our children back.

It is about giving every child, no matter their ZIP Code, a shot at a better future.

It is about ensuring America remains a global leader by fostering creativity and problem-solving skills that drive innovation.

It is about young people like Kambridge, who I hope is watching today, showing us what is possible when we invest in their potential.

Mr. Speaker, when we look at the Capitol Christmas tree, let us remember that every ornament tells a story. Kambridge's ornament isn't just her story. It is ours.

Let us commit to building a future where every child can dream, create, and achieve, securing their future and the future of this Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Kambridge Elder and her principal, her teachers, and her family for being a big support to her.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my CBC colleagues and anchors for tonight's Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as many of my colleagues have done, to celebrate the 100th birthday of a titan of American democracy, Shirley Anita Chisholm.

Born 100 years ago, as we have heard, Shirley Chisholm shattered barriers as the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black woman to serve on the House Rules Committee.

She was fearless, fighting for equity, early childhood education, labor protections, domestic workers, and programs like SNAP and WIC, Mr. Speaker, that we are still fighting for today. During this very Congress, we are debating something that she has left us a legacy with. Maybe we should go back in time and revisit what she did for our farm bill.

Her advocacy also inspired Title IX, the Equal Rights Amendment, and generations of women to lead in boardrooms, classrooms, and right here in these Chambers.

She did not stop there. In 1972, she stood before America and declared her candidacy for President, not for the glory of winning, but to make room at the table for those silenced too long.

Mr. Speaker, it thrives in every Black person who refuses to wait their turn and every leader who prioritizes people over politics. I can tell you as chair emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus, the body that she cofounded with 12 other Black men, I stand on her shoulders. The Congressional Black Caucus stands on her shoulders. I might go as far as saying America stands on her shoulders.

Little girls come and tour the United States Capitol, and they see that painting, the same painting, Mr. Speaker, that, on the day I was sworn in on this floor, I went to and touched the frame and said the two most powerful words we can say: Thank you, Shirley Chisholm.

Now I stand here in this room, in this Chamber, where Shirley Chisholm stood. I am so proud, as we heard my colleague, Barbara Lee, say, yes, she was a proud member of our beloved sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Today, I serve with eight Black women who are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, many of them in this Chamber right now.

I leave us with her words, and whether this Nation acknowledges her words, they stand strong with not just us as Black women, but White and Brown women; stand with little girls who she told: If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.

The significance of that is so valuable because it is talking about how we have been denied to be at that table. If you are not in the room, you don't have a voice. Shirley Chisholm gave us that voice.

Mr. Speaker, today, I thank my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus for allowing us to be in her chambers, stand in her footsteps, and make a commitment and a pledge that we will always have a seat at the table because we will bring a chair.

I thank my colleagues for holding this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished service of the Honorable Algenon L. Marbley from my district, who has served the Southern District of Ohio since 1997, after his appointment by President Clinton and unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

In 2019, Judge Marbley became the first African American from the segregated South to serve as Chief District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Under his leadership, the Court remained one of the Nation's most productive, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the District was ranked in the top 15 most productive federal district courts, and his dedication to justice is unparalleled.

As Chief Judge Marbley celebrates his 70th birthday and concludes his tenure, I extend my deepest gratitude for his service and friendship and wish him continued success in his next chapter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the distinguished service of the Honorable Algenon L. Marbley from my district, who has served the Southern District of Ohio since 1997, after his appointment by President Clinton and unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

In 2019, the Judge became the first African American from the segregated South to serve as Chief District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. Under his leadership, the Court remained one of the Nation's most productive, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, the District was ranked in the top 15 most productive federal district courts. His dedication to justice is unparalleled.

As Chief Judge Marbley celebrates his 70th birthday and concludes his tenure, I extend my deepest gratitude for his service and friendship and wish him continued success in his next chapter.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the distinguished service of the Honorable Algenon L. Marbley from my district, who has served the Southern District of Ohio since 1997 after his appointment by President Clinton and unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate.

In 2019, Judge Marbley became the first Black American to serve as chief district judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

Under his leadership, the court remained one of the Nation's most productive, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the district was ranked in the top 15 most productive Federal district courts, and his dedication to justice is unparalleled.

As Chief Judge Marbley celebrates his 70th birthday and concludes his tenure, I extend my deepest gratitude and friendship for his service and wish him the best as he serves as a senior Federal judge.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise with passion and pride as an Ohioan to celebrate yesterday's Congressional Gold Medal recipients: Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dr. Christine Darden, and all of the brilliant women who powered NASA's success during the space race.

Katherine Johnson's calculation made the Moon landing possible. Dorothy Vaughan became NASA's first Black supervisor. Mary Jackson broke barriers as NASA's first Black female engineer, and Dr. Christine Darden revolutionized supersonic flight.

Known as hidden figures, they calculated rocket trajectories, Earth orbits, and solved complex problems. Their genius was hidden by the shadows of segregation. They were the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of Ohio astronaut and former U.S. Senator, John Glenn, into orbit.

Mr. Speaker, let us continue to honor their legacy in the days ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4790, a package of partisan, harmful financial services bills that would harm American investors and consumers.

Study after study has proven that diversity and racial equity in the workplace significantly improve company performance, leading to greater profits and enhanced levels of innovation. Failing to address these issues at a firm directly affects stock value and investment risk.

Therefore, investors should unquestionably have this data about the companies they are investing in. Shareholders ought to have a meaningful opportunity to bring these issues to the attention of management through the shareholder proposal and proxy statement process.

The bottom line is, diversity matters, diversity disclosures matter, and investors have the right to access the information they need to make informed investment decisions based on their own judgment of which factors indicate long-term value.

Mr. Speaker, dismissing certain disclosures as nonmaterial or irrelevant takes that decision out of the hands of the investor and impedes the asset managers' ability to mitigate risks to clients.

Lastly, instead of empowering investors and consumers, this majority has prioritized dismantling diversity and inclusion programs and a full-scale war on environmental, social, and governance policies that investors themselves are demanding.

Mr. Speaker, I implore my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my gratitude to the many volunteers from Ohio's Third Congressional District who are here this week representing the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

They are working tirelessly to help end cancer for everyone. There are over 750 volunteers, advocates, and patients from across the country here, representing almost every congressional district, including constituents from my Third Congressional District of Ohio. They are selflessly donating their time and energy to fight to end cancer.

Mr. Speaker, approximately 1,680 Americans die every day from cancer. In Ohio alone, there will be almost 24,000 cancer-related deaths this year, putting Ohio at the sixth highest mortality rate in the country. These numbers are staggering, and they serve as a sobering reminder that nearly all of us have had a friend or family member fight this disease.

Just 2 months ago, in this very Chamber, we grieved the loss of my dear friend, our colleague, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who sadly passed after her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

One of the biggest existing hurdles to beating cancer is our limited ability to detect it early. That is why the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteers from Ohio are here, advocating for increased funding for cancer prevention and research and for the passage of H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. This bill is led by my friend and our colleague, Congresswoman Terri Sewell. She would like to increase access to earlier and simpler cancer screening.

Early detection delivers hope, especially for Black Americans, who face the highest cancer death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.

We must do better to understand cancer and to serve our underserved communities. We must work together because working together will ensure that all Americans have equitable access to new cancer detection tools.

Mr. Speaker, we have had many spirited debates on this floor, but with the over 2 million new cancer cases expected in 2024, I think we can all agree on a shared goal to fight and beat cancer. One way of starting this would be for us to pass H.R. 2407.

That is why I thank the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society. They are the leading organization urging increased funding for cancer research and cancer prevention.

Also, I thank and commend ACS CAN's board of directors chair, Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard. Dr. Jeffries Leonard is a trailblazer with over 40 years of experience in applied health and behavioral medicine research. She made history in becoming ACS CAN's first Black chairwoman. I congratulate her.

This exemplary organization has made it possible for us to meet our constituents, to hear their stories, and to understand better how cancer burdens far too many families.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that it is important for us as Members of Congress to support investments in cancer research and innovation that will help prevent, detect, and treat the families and individuals with this disease.

Mr. Speaker, let me once again thank ACS CAN and their volunteers for their tireless dedication and diligence in the fight against cancer.

Madam Speaker, I rise today, I join my Congressional colleagues, the Nation, the city of Houston, and the loved ones of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in mourning her passing.

She began her journey to greatness by breaking barriers as a Yale University student, municipal judge, and Houston City Councilwoman before continuing her fight against injustice in the U.S. Congress. Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a pioneering advocate and a tireless champion for justice and civil rights, standing up for the most vulnerable and holding those in power accountable.

Her legacy includes creating the Juneteenth federal holiday and her relentless fight for reparations to address the painful history of Black Americans. It features innovations in reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act and a passionate persistence in reintroducing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in May 2024. My Congressional sister was tireless in her work for voting rights, healthcare, education, and labor.

As Chair Emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am especially grateful for her guidance, intellectual command of issues, and service as my legal advisor and parliamentarian. As a Black woman, I felt immense pride watching her on the U.S. House Floor, confidently addressing subject matter experts in any field and prevailing.

I will deeply miss our friendship, debates, laughs, and travels together, but I will always remember her as a ``national treasure.''

Rest in power to my friend. May her legacy and dedication strengthen and encourage us in the days ahead.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations and honor A Tribe for Jazz for receiving the Battelle Central Ohio STEM Grant for their innovative Jazz Lab Mobile Pilot Initiative in partnership with COSI, the PAST Foundation, and Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks.

Since its establishment in 2021, A Tribe for Jazz has not only been a beacon of cultural enrichment and social impact, but also a catalyst for change in our community. Through a multifaceted mission that includes visual storytelling, live and virtual performances, education, and community engagement, the organization has consistently championed the preservation and evolution of Jazz, leaving an indelible mark on our cultural landscape.

The Jazz Lab is a mobile pop-up session uniting jazz music and science through immersive experiences that nurture curiosity, inclusivity, collaboration, and wonder. The pilot program for middle and elementary school students explores systems thinking in jazz through technology, engineering, and math, highlighting the intersection of jazz and STEM. With support from the Battelle Central Ohio STEM Grant, students in Central Ohio gain enriched access to jazz and STEM education.

The Jazz Lab Mobile Pilot Initiative is valuable for everyone in Central Ohio. It illustrates the possibilities for STEAM in all fields and everyday life. Congratulations to A Tribe for Jazz for bringing this extraordinary educational experience to our children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to address this House to salute Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse.

Today was a historic day as we sat on this very floor at 8 a.m. today for Kids Congress. Today, we had children from preschool to high school, and from California to New York to Columbus, Ohio.

My grandchildren were able to sit here and hear about this amazing gallery that we sit in, this Chamber. Leah, 10 years old, and Spencer, 9 years old, sat here with Congressman Joe Neguse's daughter, young Natalie.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi reminded us that the time has found us.

She talked about Abraham Lincoln and the jacket that he wore with that pin that she wears that was inscribed and monogrammed in his jacket: ``One Country, One Destiny.''

Madam Speaker, today, this House Chamber could learn a lot from what Kids Congress did today. They practiced civility, respect, and decorum for this Chamber. So let today be a day that we are proud of, and maybe we too could emulate Kids Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mark the solemn anniversary of George Floyd's untimely passing--a moment etched in history that shook our Nation to its core and reverberated across the globe, igniting a resounding call for justice. As we reflect on this time, we cannot overlook the profound pain and anguish endured by George Floyd's loved ones and the countless individuals whose lives have been unjustly cut short by police violence.

Yet, within this sorrow lies hope--a hope fueled by a resilient movement that refuses to relent until systemic change is realized. This movement, driven by tireless activists, organizers, and everyday citizens, rejects the status quo that devalues Black lives and perpetuates injustice.

As lawmakers, we bear a solemn responsibility to heed the impassioned cries for reform and to enact meaningful change. That is why I implore my esteemed colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate to swiftly pass the reintroduced George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This crucial legislation transcends mere policy; it serves as a beacon of hope for a more just and equitable future, holding accountable those who betray the trust bestowed upon them and empowering law enforcement with the necessary tools to serve communities with fairness and integrity.

Currently, with over 18,000 police departments operating under varying standards, our Nation faces a disjointed approach to policing that breeds inconsistency and erodes public trust. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act addresses this patchwork of pain, ushering in meaningful reforms to root out systemic racism and police brutality and prioritizing the sanctity of human life.

Though the passage of time may dull the immediacy of George Floyd's tragic death, the urgency for meaningful change remains undiminished. Let us honor his memory not with fleeting tributes, but with unwavering commitment to enact reform and forge a society where every individual is treated with dignity and respect under the law.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on the House floor today, because this vote series conflicted with a family-related emergency outside of Washington, D.C. that required my presence. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 227, NAY on Roll Call No. 228, NAY on Roll Call No. 229, NAY on Roll Call No. 230, YEA on Roll Call No. 231, and NAY on Roll Call No. 232.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my esteemed Congressional Black Caucus colleagues to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in the Brown vs. Board of Education case. This pivotal moment in our Nation's history marked the end of state-sanctioned segregation in public schools and affirmed the Constitutional principle of equal protection under the law.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education laid the foundation for subsequent civil rights legislation and legal battles aimed at dismantling segregation across various spheres of society. However, despite seven decades of progress, the shadow of segregation still looms large in American education and beyond.

Even today, non-white school districts receive $2,226 less per student on average, perpetuating an achievement gap that reduces the college attendance and lifetime earnings of Black students by 65 percent. The disparities extend to advanced education with African American women holding advanced degrees, such as a master's, earning $7 less per hour than white men with a bachelor's degree, and $17 less per hour than their white male peers.

Efforts to remedy these disparities by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in education have been met with relentless resistance from conservatives. They've rolled back affirmative action and continually seek to suppress instruction of Black history and literature. This concerted effort to perpetuate inequality and silence our voices cannot go unchallenged. We must raise our voices against these regressive measures and utilize every available avenue to resist discrimination and promote equity in education and beyond.

We must continue to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in education, in the workplace, and in the marketplace, to uphold Brown v. Board's legacy of desegregation and equity. By doing so, we honor the promise of a just America and ensure that every individual has access to the opportunities they need to thrive.