Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I stand today to honor a dedicated worker and public servant who has committed herself to the service of others. Mrs. Katie Malone, of whom I speak has gone the extra mile for the constituents of Maryland's 7th Congressional District for 15 consecutive years.

From handling military service academy application requests to working to obtain passports for people who were in emergency predicaments, Mrs. Malone has given effort above and beyond what could be expected of someone working in her capacity for a congressional office. This is borne out through the many testimonials and kudos I have received from parents and high school counselors who have repeatedly applauded her extra caring for young people competitively attempting to be appointed to one of our nation's military academies.

Likewise, her empathy, care, and concern for new arrivals in America is exemplified by her excellent service to immigrants coming to Maryland. Whether refugee, asylum seeker or Special Immigration Visa applicant each person, every family and local communities were connected to a person in Katie who wanted to transition people smoothly and seamlessly into our great and welcoming State of Maryland.

As demonstrated by her care and affection for her husband, William Malone, and children Abigail, Jane, Jack, and Erin, it is obvious that Bill and Katie are giving parents who know and teach that all people matter regardless of their background or station in life.

Working to improve the mail delivery and postal service options for everyone in the district regardless of zip code is another effort Katie has undertaken. Seniors and service personnel who rely on the timely delivery of mail have particularly benefited from her efforts. She handled special projects with special care and always did it with a smile on her face. If you were to look up the term ``constituent service'' in the dictionary, Katie Malone's picture would be there.

Since June of 2006 when the late Elijah Cummings hired her to work in his congressional office Katie has toiled in the trenches. She has addressed constituent complaints in an effective and efficient yet friendly manner. Service to the public has been her hallmark. I have received numerous compliments about her work and the effort she gives to get things done for the people of my district. So, it is with heartfelt gratitude that I rise to recognize Mrs. Katie Malone for her dedication, hard work and public service to the benefit of all in the 7th District, throughout Maryland and indeed for our Nation.

May she continue to be a beacon of light in a sometimes-dark world of public engagement. We were fortunate to have worked with someone as enthusiastic, competent, and optimistic as Katie. May her future endeavors continue to touch people with the positivity that she has shown in her public service for both Elijah and myself in Maryland's 7th Congressional District

Madam Speaker, I was not recorded on H.R. 391, the vote that

occurred a little while ago. Had I been recorded, my vote would have been in the affirmative.

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to commemorate the life of a gentle

giant and a great theologian: Reverend Doctor Marcus Garvey Wood. His celebration of life and homegoing service is taking place in Baltimore's Providence Baptist Church tomorrow morning.

Reverend Wood, who I knew as ``my mother's favorite cousin,'' was one of seven children born to Frank Wood, a hardworking carpenter born into slavery, and Julia Wood, a dedicated and giving homemaker. They lived modestly on a family farm in Gloucester, Virginia. With nothing more than 25 cents and a commitment to serve, Reverend Wood entered adulthood at the age of 17. It did not take him long to begin his spiritual journey. He preached his first sermon as a senior in high school and shortly thereafter, became licensed by the church to preach in 1937. By the Grace of God, Dr. Wood was ordained as a Baptist minister only 3 years later.

Reverend Wood devoted most of his life to serving the community around him. An inspiring leader, he was pivotal in community service and played a key role in the 1960's Civil Rights Movement in Baltimore, marching alongside his noteworthy former classmate and lifelong friend, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.

Reverend Wood and I share the same undergraduate alma mater, Morgan State University. By the end of his academic journey, Reverend Wood had obtained two bachelor's degrees, a master's degree in divinity, and was bestowed the high honor of receiving a ``Distinguished Alumni Award'' from Crozer Theological Seminary. He was the last surviving member of his class at Crozer Theological Seminary--where he met Dr. King--to begin what was to be a personal connection to both Dr. King and his legacy.

Reverend Wood carried what he learned from his academic pursuits and his peers into a career of visionary leadership and public service. From launching innovative techniques like opening solar-heated and ADA accessible church facilities, to developing the Providence Adult Day Care Center, no stone could be left unturned. He spread his love around the world and traveled to countries like England, Scotland, Russia, and Ireland to attend religious conferences. He made room to dedicate time to developing food programs, an AIDS ministry, prison outreach, and a committee for the homeless. He maintained memberships to different organizations, boards, and agencies such as the Baltimore Urban League, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the NAACP, and many more.

Reverend Wood's wife of 69 years, the former Bessie Pendleton, died in 2017. He leaves to mourn his passing a brother, Dr. Garnett Wood; daughter, Jeanetta James; son, Marcus G. Wood; and grandchildren Kevin Brown, Darrell Brown-Bey, Monica G. Wood and Melissa G. Wood Bartholomew; as well as two great grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Madam Speaker, in closing, Reverend Wood disavowed any trappings or pretensions and lived his faith in God. He did not suffer fools lightly and was one of a kind. He was, as they say, ``the Real McCoy.'' Reverend Doctor Marcus Garvey Wood left a memory with every person he interacted with, including myself. May his soul forever rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act and to recognize and honor a day that symbolizes freedom for all African-ancestored Americans.

My thanks to my colleague, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, for taking the lead on this important legislation and for doing the hard work to put the imprimatur of the United States Congress on this day, a day that means so much to so many.

As an original cosponsor of the legislation, I am proud to say that, once again, we are at the doorstep of history, and to finally acknowledge that history in a new light.

Juneteenth is a reminder that we must continue to move forward in honor and in recognition of ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and the nameless and faceless generations of African Americans that we will never know. Their plight and this history are all captured in the words of the poet Langston Hughes when he wrote:

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen

when company comes, but I laugh, and eat well, and I grow

strong.

Tomorrow, I'll be at the table when company comes.

Nobody'll dare say to me, ``eat in the kitchen'' then.

Besides, they'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed.

I, too, am America.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this Juneteenth National Independence Act, and I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Chu, for bringing us to this point.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 275, condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16, 2021, and reaffirming this body's commitment to combating hate, combating bigotry, and combating violence against the Asian-American community and the Asia-Pacific Islander community.

It is consistent with this body's approach to racism that has affected African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans.

Madam Speaker, I am a bit lost at some of the comments that I have listened to because, on the other side of the House, someone mentioned that this has everything to do with the trial. This has nothing to do with the trial. This has to do with those innocent people who were murdered. The trial never came up.

This has nothing to do with trying to point fingers. This is about people who got up that day with families and all died because they happened to be in a certain place at a certain time.

Sometimes when I listen to that, I say to myself: Well, you really don't understand. You really don't understand. Maybe it is nice to be born male and White when no one has ever attacked you because of your skin color, because of your heritage, because you are male.

I just repudiate all of that. It sickens me to see the level of violence being perpetrated against Asian Americans who represent our friends. They are our neighbors. They are our fellow Americans, our coworkers.

Over 600 cases have dotted the news throughout this Nation in just the first few months of this year, with two-thirds of those cases being against Asian-American women, where they were kicked, and they were beaten, and they were stabbed, and they were hit with bricks.

Doesn't that sicken us to the point that we really want to just condemn this, as we should?

In an era of smaller vision, rampant apathy, and celebrated mediocrity, we desperately need those who will stand

up for that which is right and to fight like hell against that which is wrong. I urge passage of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to call attention to the passing of First Sergeant Boyd McDaniels III, a Fellow Brother Mason and friend to all that would come to know him. His funeral services are taking place as I speak.

First Sergeant McDaniels was a dedicated and highly accomplished soldier who served in several high-profile conflicts, including Desert Storm I and II, Operation Iraqi Freedom and several other classified missions. A skilled soldier, Boyd rose through the ranks of the Army and served in both the famed 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division and was also a trained marksman. He received his training in lithography at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he also served years later as a drill sergeant.

Boyd was a highly decorated veteran who served with great honor and distinction. During his service, he was the recipient of two Bronze Star Awards. Among his other military honors was a U.S. flag, Service Star, Office Star Professional Badge, Basic Marks, Quail Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Badge, Parachutist Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

The Army is also where Boyd met his future wife and the love of his life, Deborah, when they were both serving in Germany. He retired from the U.S. Military on June 1, 2003.

Boyd was also called to another type of service while serving in the military: becoming active in two fraternal organizations. While in Germany he joined the Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons of North America becoming the lodge's youngest ever ``Most Worshipful Grand Master.'' He would later rise to the rank of 33rd degree. He was also a member of Shriners International.

Boyd was a huge Dallas Cowboys and avid South Carolina Gamecocks football fan. He also loved his Lamar High School Silver Foxes, his alma mater (Class of 1984). Gregarious, outgoing and the life of the party, Boyd loved to have a good time and wanted others to enjoy themselves as well.

Family was the most important thing to him. He talked to his mom every day and adored his wife and two sons. They were the center of his universe.

First Sergeant McDaniels leaves to mourn his passing a wife, Deborah McDaniels of Columbia, S.C.; two sons Bryan McDaniels of Columbia, S.C. and Ryan McDaniels of Rock Hill, S.C.; his parents, Rev. Boyd McDaniel, Jr. and Mamie Lee McDaniels of Darlington, S.C.; three siblings, Tara (Michael) Bines of Columbia, S.C., Zachary (Andrea) McDaniels of Baltimore, MD, Connie (Troy) McDaniels Williams of Florence S.C.; and sister-in-law Charlene Swain (David) and two brothers-in-law, Troy (Linda) Cummings and Ronald Cummings of Eatonton, GA. He also has eight nieces and nephews--Marcus, Kyla, Kelsen, Chelsea, Kiera, Kevis, Emma and Troy Jr. Mr. McDaniels was preceded in death by two siblings, Robin Lee Williams and Phillip ``Ricky'' Rueben.

May Boyd's soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, there is an old African proverb that says: Until the lions tell their own story, the tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.

Who are the lions? They are the victims. They are Black and Brown and indigenous. They have suffered, endured, and survived 200 years of brutality, slavery, racism, Jim Crow, oppression, deprivation, degradation, denial, and disprivilege.

We have learned in this country one thing, that justice comes in small steps. And when we consider the enslavement of the Negro, the extermination of the Indian, the annexation of the Hispanic, our Nation that we love had an iniquitous conception.

So these small steps, no matter how painful they are, must be taken. This bill helps move us toward a more perfect Union. I urge passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 264) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Charlotte Street in Georgetown, South Carolina, as the ``Joseph Hayne Rainey Memorial Post Office Building''.

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

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues here in the House in consideration of H.R. 264 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1101 Charlotte Street in Georgetown, South Carolina, as the Joseph Hayne Rainey Memorial Post Office Building.

Joseph Rainey was the first African-American Member of the United States House of Representatives and one of 14 Black Representatives elected before the end of Reconstruction in 1877.

Joseph Rainey was born into slavery in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1832. His father was a barber and used his earnings to buy freedom for himself and his family and, yes, including Joseph. Later, during the Civil War, Joseph was drafted by the Confederacy, but he escaped to Bermuda and his wife and he there started a business.

In 1866, he returned to Georgetown where he became the county's Republican Party chairman. Just a few years later, in 1870, he was elected to the United States Congress where he served until 1879, making him the longest serving African-American Member of Congress in the 19th century.

Following his time in Congress, Rainey was appointed as a Federal agent of the U.S. Treasury Department. He returned to South Carolina in 1886 and, unfortunately, passed away the following year in Georgetown.

Representative Joe Rainey fought tirelessly for civil rights, education, and economic opportunity for all people. He left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. So, at the very least, naming a post office in his honor will continually help all of us to remember the contributions of this remarkable trailblazer.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 264.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), the distinguished whip of the House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I want to make sure that I mention my appreciation to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) for the way they succinctly captured a great swath of American history over the period of time that followed Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 all the way up to the beginning of the Black Codes and the failing of Reconstruction, an era that held great hope for this country but did not come to pass and really was not evidenced until many, many decades later, as Mr. Clyburn pointed out.

I am happy and honored to bring this measure forward. I want to thank the gentlewoman from South Carolina for all of her efforts and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice) for their work advancing this.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge the passage of H.R. 264. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 772) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 229 Minnetonka Avenue South

in Wayzata, Minnesota, as the ``Jim Ramstad Post Office''.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 772 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 229 Minnetonka Avenue South in Wayzata, Minnesota, and I hope I am pronouncing that correctly, as the Jim Ramstad Post Office.

Jim Ramstad was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on May 6, 1946. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the George Washington University Law School, as well as a member of the Army Reserve from 1968 until 1974.

Jim became a State senator in 1981. There, he began shaping his personal and political life around the principles of recovery, honesty, resilience, transparency, and accountability.

Jim Ramstad would then go on to serve in the Minnesota State Senate for 10 years before ultimately becoming a Member of this body, the United States House of Representatives, representing Minnesota's Third District.

In the Congress, he was a consensus builder, championing the bipartisan policies needed to reduce discrimination against those suffering from mental health and addiction problems.

His signature legislation, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Treatment Act, was enacted in 2008 just before Jim retired from Congress. After retiring, he served as a fellow at Harvard University and as an adviser to Minnesota's Hazelden treatment center.

Representative Ramstad lived the final 39 years of his life in absolute and complete sobriety. His story is the story of recovery, impacted in a way that many of us will not understand, but impacting the lives of Minnesotans and Americans. He died November 5, 2020, after battling Parkinson's disease for some time.

Naming a post office for Jim Ramstad is an entirely appropriate measure, given his distinguished political career and contributions to his State and to his country.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips).

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips) for his leadership on this effort, for his leadership in the House, and for reminding me, especially, that the post office will reside in Wayzata, appropriately.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers on this side. I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 813) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1050 Sunset Road Southwest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the ``Jose Hernandez Post Office Building''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on this measure.

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

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 813, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service at 1050 Sunset Road Southwest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the Jose Hernandez Post Office Building.

Jose Hernandez was born in 1971, in Arizona. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Arizona State University and was stationed in Germany. In 2003, he deployed to Iraq for 1 year. When he was discharged from the Army, Mr. Hernandez moved to New Mexico with his wife and continued his career in public service at the U.S. Postal Service.

New Mexicans on his mail route remember the days when they were in a rush and Mr. Hernandez would quickly go through his mailbag just to get them their mail before they had to rush on their way. And they remembered the slower days when he would join them for a short chat or simply sit for a moment to enjoy the weather.

In April of 2019, letter carrier Jose Hernandez was tragically killed while protecting a mother in an argument with her son. Mr. Hernandez intervened to try to peacefully end the dispute, but was, instead, shot and killed by the young man.

Mailboxes along his former route quickly became memorials, while his colleagues made their own memorial at his former post office.

So naming a post office after this distinguished public servant, who gave his life in the line of duty trying to protect an innocent woman, I think is the very least that this body can do.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland).

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers on this side. I thank the gentlewoman from New Mexico for being here as the Secretary- Designate of the Interior Department. This is a confirmation day. So to be at both places at the same time is very important, and I think it underscores her real heartfelt appreciation with respect to this legislation and its passage.

Having said that, I urge passage of H.R. 813, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 208) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 West Main Street, Suite 102 in Tupelo, Mississippi, as the ``Colonel Carlyle `Smitty' Harris Post Office''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on this measure.

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

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 208, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 500 West Main Street, Suite 102 in Tupelo, Mississippi, as the Colonel Carlyle ``Smitty'' Harris Post Office.

Smitty Harris entered the Air Force on January 2, 1951, and served through the rank of sergeant before being commissioned. He retired from the Air Force in 1979 as a colonel.

In his career, he flew fighter aircraft and was an instructor and operations officer and a faculty member at the Air War College.

On April 4, 1965, just a week before his 36th birthday, he was on a combat mission over North Vietnam to bomb the Thanh Hoa Bridge.

Smitty was successful in destroying the bridge, but his F-105 fighter plane was hit and Smitty was forced to bail out over North Vietnam. He was captured immediately and spent the next 8 years as a prisoner of war in various prisons, where he was confined, mistreated, and tortured.

He is credited with introducing the tap code to POWs so that they could communicate surreptitiously between their cell walls.

During his distinguished Air Force career, Smitty earned two Silver Medals, three Legion of Merits, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars for valor, two Purple Hearts, and two Air Medals as well.

Smitty retired from the Air Force in August of 1979, and entered directly into the University of Mississippi School of Law, joining the Mississippi bar in December of 1981. His post-Air Force employment included banking law and marketing. In October of 2012, Colonel Harris was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Air Force Association.

Tupelo, Mississippi, is the home to Smitty and to Louise, their two daughters, and a son who was born in Okinawa shortly after Smitty was shot down. Their spouses, as well as others in their family, reside in Tupelo.

Madam Speaker, we are urging today an extra honor for Smitty Harris, a true American, by naming this postal facility after him.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for his remarks, and I thank him for his service, as well. The distinguished gentleman also is a Major General of the Army National Guard Element, Joint Force in Mississippi. I don't take that lightly. I appreciate all he has done, and I appreciate him calling the name of Sam Johnson, who I served with previously in this body.

Madam Speaker, I went to the Hanoi Hilton as a tourist, and stood there in pain looking at what he and Senator McCain, and so many others went through in that facility. I mean, it just brings you back to Earth. And sometimes we take lightly the service. Sometimes, we take lightly the fact that some of our servicemen and women were captured. And sometimes, we take lightly the fact that war can happen at any time. And when it does happen, we hope that it will continue to always bring out the best in all of us.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to stand here and to give these remarks from our side of the aisle about Smitty. I talk about him as if I know him, but when I read about him, I feel like I do know him.

My thanks to the gentleman from Mississippi and the gentlewoman from South Carolina for leading this discussion on the other side.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Pelosi and our House Democratic colleagues who moved swiftly to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald J. Trump for his role in inciting the deadly January 6, 2021 attack on this United States Capitol.

This impeachment is not about politics. It is about the President's failed attempt to overturn a free and fair election, a violent insurrection, and the ongoing threat this President poses to our nation.

For months, President Trump knowingly spread falsehoods about a ``stolen election'' in

an effort to subvert the results and a peaceful transfer of power. Through an act of desperation, he called and threatened a government official demanding that he finds ``lost votes'' in Georgia or face criminal charges. As if this were not enough, the President went a step further, pressuring Vice President Michael Pence to unlawfully reject certification of Electoral College votes. Then, in a last-ditch effort to regain power, on the morning of January 6, 2021, President Trump urged his supporters to prevent Congress from certifying the election results.

The scenes from January 6th's deadly domestic terror attack will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of our families, neighbors, and colleagues. Mr. Trump has peddled vitriol, violent anger, and extremism for years. Since the day he was elected to serve this great nation as Commander in Chief, he has provided oxygen to the dangerous ideologies of white supremacy. That hate grew, festered, and eventually culminated into the chaos and siege of the U.S. Capitol. Five Americans died during this violent attack and more than 50 police officers were seriously injured.

President Trump, through his traitorous incitement of insurrection, broke his constitutional oath to preserve, protect, and defend our country. This offense warrants not only impeachment but immediate removal from office and permanent disqualification from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit in these United States.

While it is unfortunate that our nation has come to this place, it is incumbent upon Congress to act. I firmly believe history will judge the idle and the complicit. On the 13th day of January in the year 2021, I am standing with my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to perform my constitutional duty to protect American democracy and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

I will vote to impeach Donald J. Trump.