Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I don't think my colleagues on the other side are aware that it is Gun Violence Awareness Month, which should actually be every month.

We have already had over 290 mass shootings this year. That is more mass shootings than days in the year.

It is time for us to come together to try to address the horrific gun crisis. It is tearing our communities apart, Mr. Speaker, by our legislative inaction every single day.

So how do we start Gun Violence Awareness Month?

They are pushing a bill that would make mass shootings even more deadly. You heard that right, Mr. Speaker. The plan is for them to raise awareness around gun violence in our country, to make it more horrific and more deadly, and to ensure it impacts more American families than ever before by making it easier to access stabilizing braces that have been misused and that have been used for mass shootings.

It is not just mass shootings, Mr. Speaker. It is everyday violence that doesn't even make the news anymore.

It is a travesty that campaign cash from the NRA, gun manufacturers, and the pro-death lobby have blocked the major reforms we need to keep our communities safe.

Our communities need an assault weapons ban. We need reforms on handguns and bold initiatives to reduce the number of firearms in our communities. Most of all, Mr. Speaker, we need accountability for the people who are causing this violence because the gun violence crisis is enabling more people in power unwilling to do anything to stop the mass murder of countless Americans, especially our children.

I look forward to supporting future legislation that truly does fight the crisis with the urgency it deserves instead of pouring more fuel on the fire like this disgusting Republican bill.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, I was honored to join Rosa Parks' family, alongside Senator Gary Peters and local community advocates, to rename the Grand River Post Office near her home in Detroit the Rosa Louise McCauley Parks Post Office.

I am so proud to recognize the mother of the civil rights movement and a beloved resident of our community in Detroit, Mother Rosa Parks.

It was truly a personal honor to partner with Mother Parks' family to keep this freedom fighter's legacy alive in yet another powerful way.

I cannot wait for the child to walk in to see the name on the post office and ask: ``Who was that?''

It was a privilege to lead this effort in Congress, with the support of the Michigan delegation, to commemorate this incredible civil rights leader.

As we know, on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat on a Montgomery bus to a White passenger. Her refusal was not only an act of courage and a protest against racial segregation and oppression, Madam Speaker, it was an assertion that our Black neighbors deserved human dignity.

Her act of defiance ignited the Montgomery bus boycott, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

In 1957, Mother Parks left Montgomery, Alabama, to move to the most beautiful, Blackest city in the country, the city of Detroit. She lived there for nearly 50 years and served our community tirelessly as a congressional staff member for the late Congressman John Conyers.

Despite efforts that we are seeing today around the Nation of those who want to erase history leaders like Mother Rosa Parks, Dr. King, Malcolm X, and so many others, we will continue to uplift those who bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

Today and always, Madam Speaker, we stand on the shoulders of Mother Parks and the countless others who fought for equality and justice for all. I am inspired every single day by her bravery and strength. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder to every single one of us that, with courage and determination, there is power to change the course of our history.

May Mother Parks always remind us that we cannot remain silent when we encounter injustice, discrimination, or racism, but that we must always take a stand and speak out, even when our voice shakes, to continue to build on her most beautiful movement to build a more equitable, loving, and just world.

Madam Speaker, we know that our struggle against racism and white supremacy is a lifelong pursuit. As Mother Parks wrote: ``Freedom fighters never retire.'' As her memory continues to guide us, may her legacy never die.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to honor Mother Parks alongside the McCauley and Parks families and hope that the symbol of our appreciation is felt by those who loved her.

American Indian Health and Family Services

Madam Speaker, I was blessed to have grown up in southwest Detroit. This is where over 20 different ethnicities live, and every neighborhood has their own flavor in how they show up for each other.

This is why I am so grateful that I secured $1.5 million in funding for American Indian Health and Family Services as they expand their healthcare and mental health services to our families.

This healthcare center is tucked in a residential street between homes where people can walk to get the services that they need.

Expanding their efforts will change lives in a meaningful way, and I am so proud to have been part of that.

Auto Insurance Discrimination

Madam Speaker, auto insurance discrimination continues to keep our residents in a cycle of poverty. Your education level, your ZIP code, and marital status doesn't determine your driving ability and neither does your credit score. Yet our neighbors, especially in Detroit, regularly face higher insurance rates--up to $5,000 per month in some cases.

Someone with a perfect driving record and poor credit can pay up to two or three times more than those with a higher credit score, even with a driving under the influence violation.

We must stop these predatory and discriminatory practices by auto insurance companies.

I am so grateful to partner with Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Congressman Takano in introducing the Prohibiting Auto Insurance Discrimination Act. This is how we can push back against corporate greed and those that use proxies to discriminate.

Mr. Speaker, where are our Republican colleagues? They are in charge in this Chamber. They manufactured this crisis. If any of my neighbors left work before noon, they would be fired.

The country is on a deadline, and the Republicans that are in charge in this Chamber just simply left. The real mind-boggling part is that these same MAGA Republicans that manufactured this crisis voted not once, not twice, but three times under the previously forever-impeached President with no issues.

Republicans love to talk about fiscal this, spending that, but not when it comes to tax cuts to mega-billionaires or when it comes to funding bombs and wars that our country and our world doesn't need.

They are so completely disconnected with the American people and what the lives of the American people are like. A delay in Social Security checks would hurt our seniors. Creating instability of whether or not they are going to have healthcare coverage next week is just simply wrong.

A default on our debt for the first time in our history would be devastating for the American people, and they just left.

Mr. Speaker, our profit-driven healthcare system is killing us. It is outrageous that the wealthiest country in the history of the world cannot guarantee healthcare for its people.

Our for-profit healthcare system, fueled by corporate greed, has failed us while enriching Big Pharma at the direct expense of everyday Americans.

Currently, more than 30 million Americans don't have health insurance, and many live in constant fear of losing their jobs, and along with it, their healthcare.

Every human being--every single one--has a basic fundamental right to healthcare. That doesn't change if you are rich or if you are poor. Healthcare, again, is a human right, not a privilege.

In the richest country on Earth, no family should ever face financial ruin because they got sick. No one should be forced to choose between putting food on the table or receiving lifesaving treatment. No one should have to die because they are unable to afford care.

Congress must take bold action to transform our dysfunctional, broken healthcare system from one based on exploitation to one that prioritizes human dignity.

I am proud to join my colleagues in fighting to pass Medicare for All.

Mr. Speaker, I hope the American people are watching this shameful act to halt assistance on student debt for millions of Americans.

Mr. Speaker, 90 percent of people who will benefit from President Biden's student relief make less than $75,000. To

my good colleague from Texas, as he says, these folks making all of these difficult decisions, how about this: Why don't those folks who took out PPP loans over there, who got it completely forgiven, give that money back?

You are asking teachers, firefighters, all who are drowning in education debt, who will benefit from a public service loan forgiveness program, to pay it back while they are serving our country in all different forms, reverse it all, and pay the interest back as well. Let them struggle and suffer while, again, they are educating our children and protecting our communities.

This is all happening, Mr. Speaker, while the far-right Republicans have filed a sham lawsuit to take it before an unhinged, corrupt Supreme Court that has secretly accepted lavish trips and payments from billionaire Republican mega-donors while considering striking down student debt relief.

Now, our Republican colleagues, including many who took out over $20 million in PPP loans during the pandemic when everybody was suffering-- that were completely forgiven--want to hurt fellow Americans who aren't wealthy like they are. They want to repeal the President's student debt relief program that has changed the lives of 43 million Americans for the better.

Under President Biden's debt relief program alone, in Michigan over 1.3 million residents were helped with the burden of crushing student debt.

I don't know, Mr. Speaker. Maybe they are doing this because student relief is tied to racial justice. We know that more than 20 million borrowers will be completely debt free and one in four of them are Black borrowers.

Our communities have been denied the ability to build generational wealth for far too long, targeted by police violence, systemic racism, and an economic system that is fueled by corporate greed.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow the same Republicans who had millions of dollars in PPP loans forgiven to repeal student debt relief. The hypocrisy is disgusting.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for his incredibly important leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, every American, every single child and every single family, has the right to breathe clean air.

I rise in opposition to S.J. Res. 11, the latest effort from colleagues to put American lives in danger to boost the profits of their corporate, polluter donors.

Heavy-duty vehicles make up just about 6 percent of trucks on the road but generate 59 percent of all nitrogen oxide pollution in our country.

Mr. Speaker, I grew up in southwest Detroit thinking those heavy trucks rumbling through our neighborhood, near my school, near where I lived, near the park I played in, was normal. It isn't normal.

In my district and surrounding areas, we see heavy trucks go through our neighborhoods up to 20 more times a day than any other community in Michigan. This is not the kind of life for any family or any resident of our country. It is no surprise that the rates of asthma, lung cancer, and COPD are dramatically higher in my region, in my district, than any other parts of the State.

We see heavy-duty trucks drive outside of our elementary schools, local health centers, and nursing homes every single day. We see premature deaths, heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and maternal complications. These are just some of the effects from pollution that these vehicles spew into our neighborhoods.

Mr. Speaker, we have a right to breathe clean air.

Part 1 of President Biden's Clean Trucks Plan is just a small step toward environmental justice for communities that have been left behind for far too long. Our communities, Mr. Speaker, cannot afford a setback like this that is being proposed today. They cannot afford to continue to have their health, safety, and futures put at risk for corporate profits. They don't have another day, another year, another month to live like this.

President Biden will rightfully veto this ridiculous attempt to make our communities even more unhealthy and more dangerous, but I call on the EPA to go even further to make progress in cleaning up our air and water in order to give our residents a real opportunity for a better quality of life.

I invite any of my colleagues to spend a day with me in my district to see for themselves what rampant, unchecked pollution does to a community, to a neighborhood. Talk to any of my seniors who grew up with it, who are literally on breathing machines before they go to bed. This is not the life we want for any American.

I invite you to meet the children born prematurely to parents with asthma and COPD who go to work every day with headaches and chronic respiratory problems. Maybe then you would understand not only the need for this rule to remain intact but to go even further to protect the health of those we are sent here to represent.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote against the CRA.

Mr. Speaker, one of my most important responsibilities as a Member of Congress is helping the residents of Michigan's 12th District get through everyday challenges and issues that their families are going through.

Creating Neighborhood Service Centers has been the most effective way to change the lives of our residents immediately. From the moment I took office, I made a commitment to be accessible and responsive to those everyday challenges and needs. The way I have done it is my team and I now operate what we call our Neighborhood Service Centers in both Wayne and Oakland Counties.

Through the Neighborhood Service Centers, we have returned over $5.2 million in constituent services directly back into the pockets of our neighbors.

Because of this incredible work of our casework team and Neighborhood Service Centers, a senior veteran in Detroit, for instance, was able to come into our office to apply for assistance to stop the garnishment of his Social Security payments and receive assistance to wipe out an outstanding debt of $8,161 that was being garnished.

Another family in Inkster was under a threat of losing their home, but due to the work of the Neighborhood Service Centers they were able to receive over $5,000 in property tax assistance to keep them in their home. Again, the Neighborhood Service Center was able to change their lives immediately.

Recently, my team and I also ran a constituent services fair in Wayne County and had the opportunity to help more than 50 residents directly with constituent casework.

We are humbled by the opportunity to serve each of our residents in the 12th Congressional District every single day. I will continue to fight for a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous community for all of us through the Neighborhood Service Centers. I will always have their back.

Recognizing Joseph Deichelbohrer

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Joe Deichelbohrer for his 25 years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Our captain began his career as a firefighter with the Dearborn Fire Department in 1998. Over the years, he rose steadily through the ranks from fire engineer to lieutenant, and ultimately, captain. Captain Joe has been steadfast in his service and commitment to the community.

Throughout his career he has earned many awards for his outstanding service. He has been recognized multiple times, Mr. Speaker, for his service, bravery, and working to truly change people's lives, and also save them.

Over the past nearly three decades, Captain Joe has put his life on the line for others to serve our community, and we commend him for his service and wish him a happy retirement.

Support for the Yemeni People

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the recent progress made toward peace in Yemen and highlight what we need to be doing right now to support the Yemeni people.

The recent progress and statements from those involved offer new hope that peace in Yemen is possible, but obstacles remain that require careful, thoughtful engagement from this Congress and our President.

This is why today, Congressman Ro Khanna and I are leading over 30 of our colleagues in a letter to the President and his Yemen team outlining how the U.S. should engage with the peace process to maximize the chance at success.

Now more than ever, Mr. Speaker, the U.S. must push hard to ensure that the blockade is completely lifted. While peace negotiations are ongoing, it is critical that the U.S. must not obstruct peace by offering further military assistance, weapons, or security guarantees to any country while trying to maintain its support for the U.N. arms embargo.

The message needs to be crystal clear, no aid of any kind will be considered while Yemen starves. If this diplomatic process breaks down, my colleagues and I are prepared to introduce new legislation to end this awful war.

As always, we cannot allow our hope for current peace talks to distract us from the massive humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Speaker, 14.8 million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation and cannot wait for lifesaving humanitarian aid from the international community. A month ago, I led two dozen of our colleagues in requesting at least $1.2 billion in U.S. humanitarian aid to Yemen in the upcoming budget. I repeat that call here today.

Mr. Speaker, this is our moment. Let's call for peace and stretch out a helping hand and be there for the Yemeni people when they need us most.

Mr. Speaker, our residents sent us to Congress to tackle the issues that are affecting every American's ability to thrive. They did not send us here to waste valuable time on messaging bills that are dead on arrival in the Senate and do nothing to improve the lives of working families.

We are weeks, possibly days, away from Republicans hurtling our economy toward a devastating default on our debt for the first time in our Nation's history, and Republicans are heartlessly using the crisis as an opportunity to try to force cruel cuts to the social safety nets for our communities, especially our veterans, who depend on healthcare.

Republicans are putting vital public programs like Social Security and Medicare at risk by playing petty political games to appease their billionaire donors and harm the lives and livelihoods of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, defaulting on our debt would be devastating, if not catastrophic, for all those relying on Social Security and Medicare, as you know, in all of our districts. Social Security recipients would no longer receive checks, risking their ability to pay for groceries, rent, and utilities.

This is exactly the type of chaos many of my Republican colleagues want to see happen, but Democrats are fully committed to protecting and expanding Social Security. Social Security is the bedrock of our social safety net and a pillar that all of our neighbors rely on, again, to be able to retire with dignity.

Unfortunately, as the cost of things like healthcare, caregiving, and prescription drugs has skyrocketed due to the unchecked corporate greed in our country, our seniors have come to rely even more on Social Security every single day.

Mr. Speaker, now more than ever before is the time to strengthen Social Security. If we defeat the previous question, we will bring to the House floor H. Res. 178, a resolution affirming the House's commitment to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare.

Republicans need to stop wasting our time and playing games with the lives of our people. I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can advance this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today as the daughter of immigrants to urge my colleagues to please vote ``no'' on an even more dehumanizing bill. It dehumanizes our immigrant neighbors. H.R. 2, which is known better as the child deportation act, is fueled with hateful rhetoric that I think is very dangerous for our country.

I am honestly not sure if the goal with this bill is to worsen our broken immigration system or to simply keep as many Black and Brown immigrants out of our country as they can. I know bringing back family and child deportation is immoral. Prohibiting funds to organizations providing lifesaving humanitarian aid to migrants is simply cruel.

This bill dehumanizes and is incredibly painful to see our colleagues pushing forward. Many have called it racist and inhumane, that it is fear-mongering, and that it is failed policies that will continue to worsen our broken immigration system.

We must in this Chamber protect all of our neighbors. We also must work toward protecting those who are fleeing horrific violence. We need to continue to be leaders in creating a safe haven for those who seek asylum.

We cannot and should not embrace hate rhetoric and policies that only seek to pit communities against each other, tear families apart, and put our immigrant neighbors in harm's way here in the United States, Madam Speaker, and also those from other countries.

No human being is illegal. I believe that in my heart. I will continue to fight to make sure that we pass some sort of comprehensive immigration reform that gives our immigrant neighbors the dignified, legal pathway to citizenship they deserve.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to voting against this horrible, racist bill and urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Engaging With the Mamas' Caucus

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize mothers of the Michigan 12th Congressional District and across our country. I wish them all Happy Mother's Day.

I am proud to be a mother of two incredible boys. That is why, last year, I joined Mothering Justice, a national organization made up of mothers to create the first-ever Congressional Mamas' Caucus.

We are fighting together for fair and equitable access to childcare, paid leave, and benefits for our care workers, and real economic justice for our families.

In the Mamas' Caucus, we are committed to advocating for all mamas. We must not only pass important policies about mothers to help mothers but with our mothers. That is why the Congressional Mamas' Caucus is so incredibly important.

We all know the cost of raising a family in our country is among the highest in the world and that our policies and social safety nets too often leave our families behind, especially communities of color. We also know that mamas are on the front lines of our fight for reproductive justice and more.

Again, we cannot leave them behind, and we cannot continue to talk about policies that directly impact them without them being there at the table to shape those policies so it can be transformative and meaningful.

If anything, Madam Speaker, the pandemic exposed just how broken our safety nets were, and the Mamas' Caucus remains committed to ending child poverty, to focus on those safety nets that continue to not serve our families currently.

I read a quote during the pandemic that I think resonates why the Mamas' Caucus is so important in this Chamber. It was a quote by a wonderful poet, Sonya Renee Taylor. In the midst and height of the pandemic, she said: ``We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate, and lack. We should not long to return, my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment, one that fits all of humanity and nature.''

Again, this was her expression, and it resonates for mothers like myself and across the country an understanding that the pandemic gave us an opportunity to recognize those broken systems and how we need to create a new garment. The way we can do it is by bringing mothers in the room as we develop these policies that directly impact all of our families.

Madam Speaker, I welcome my colleagues to be engaged with the Congressional Mamas' Caucus, to engage on the policies we are pushing forward. I appreciate this opportunity to uplift them in this Chamber every day--not only on Mother's Day, but every single day.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Lee Vernon Newby, Jr., a veteran of World War II and long-time resident of Detroit in Michigan's 12th District Strong, as he celebrates 100 years of life.

Mr. Newby is a United States Marine Corps Veteran who served from April 1, 1943 to January 8, 1946. He served and was wounded at Guadalcanal during World War II. Mr. Newby is one of the illustrious Montford Point Marines, the barrier-breaking first African Americans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps who fought prejudice and hostility while completing training and serving our country. The Montford Point Marines provided critical power to the victories won in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Mr. Newby proudly serves as a member of the Montford Point Marines of America, Detroit Chapter and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest civilian award in the Nation, under President Obama's administration.

Please join me in commending Mr. Lee Vernon Newby, Jr. for his outstanding service to our country as we celebrate his 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Melinda Graczyk, a long-time resident of Redford Township in Michigan's 12th District Strong, as we mourn their passing.

I first met Melinda through their advocacy work to end malaria with nonprofit organization, Nothing But Nets. More recently, Melinda embraced their passion to serve the underrepresented, chairing Redford's newly formed commission for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Melinda was also a sitting member of Redford's Downtown Development Authority, hoping to bring fresh ideas to breathe new life into the community.

Melinda was a long-standing member of the Redford Jaycees. Through the Jaycees they volunteered to build and maintain local community gardens, which provided thousands of pounds of fresh, organic vegetables to families in need across Redford. Through their love of nature and gardening, they also helped start a farmers market and worked as a master gardener for years, providing our residents with a local source for fresh, locally grown food at an affordable price.

As a volunteer and eventually president of Redford's festival committee, they helped plan and execute all of Redford's local festivals throughout the year. These festivals have been a great opportunity for residents to gather, creating a stronger sense of community. As a member of Redford's first Community Emergency Response Team, Melinda volunteered countless hours helping to search for missing persons and aiding the public during Redford community events.

Melinda's passion, hard work and love for Redford Township will be greatly missed. Please join me in recognition of their tremendous service, as we honor their memory.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud to renew our fight to designate Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status to prevent Lebanese nationals in the United States from being forced back to the dangerous crisis facing their home country.

Between the pandemic, the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion, economic devastation, and the ongoing political crisis, Lebanon is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, resulting in widespread lack of access to medical care, clean water, food, and electricity.

According to the United Nations, Mr. Speaker, over 3.5 million Lebanese people are estimated to live in poverty and 1.38 million people are experiencing extreme poverty. The Presidency has been vacant since last October and the parliament just extended the terms of local officials without elections to avoid a complete collapse at the local level.

Mr. Speaker, 40 percent of the doctors there in Lebanon have left the country and we continue to see huge amounts of illnesses spreading throughout on top of the pandemic.

Our country must not retreat from its long tradition of providing a safe haven for those that need it the most. Temporary Protected Status for our Lebanese neighbors is critical to prevent more hardship. I call on my colleagues to support this legislation.

Celebrating Lee Vernon Newby, Jr.'s 100th Birthday

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lee Vernon Newby, Jr. He is a veteran of World War II, and a longtime resident of Detroit in Michigan's 12th District Strong. He is celebrating 100 years of life.

Mr. Newby is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served from April 1, 1943, until January 8, 1946. He served and was wounded during World War II, where Mr. Newby was one of our courageous Montford Point marines and one of the first barrier-breaking African Americans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.

He fought against prejudice and hostility while serving our country. Mr. Newby, Jr., proudly serves as a member of the Montford Point Marines of America, the Detroit chapter, and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest civilian award in the Nation, under President Obama's administration.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Mr. Lee Vernon Newby, Jr.,

for his outstanding service to our country as we celebrate his 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Melinda Graczyk, a lifelong volunteer in service to the people of Redford Township in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Melinda embraced her passion to serve the unrepresented, chairing Redford's newly formed commission for diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to create a more welcoming community for all.

Through her work with the Jaycees, Melinda volunteered to build local community gardens which provided thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to families in need. They also founded the Redford farmer's market, providing a local source of fresh, locally grown food at an affordable price.

As a volunteer and eventually president of Redford's festival committee, they helped plan and execute all of Redford's local festivals throughout the year, creating opportunities for residents to gather and foster a sense of community.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing Melinda Graczyk's unwavering service to our district and the Redford Township community as we honor her memory.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize De'Shante Ervin, in recognition of his appointment as pastor to Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church, a house of worship in Detroit in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Pastor Ervin brings a wealth of experience to his new position in leadership at Rock of Ages. Born May 23, 1980, to Eddie and Mary Ervin, he was raised alongside his older siblings in the city of Detroit. His upbringing instilled in him the importance of community and service to others. Pastor Ervin accepted his call to the ministry in 1997. He received his ministerial license in May of 2000 and was ordained in January of 2005.

In August of 2006 Pastor Ervin became the founder and CEO of Rhema Word Ministries, which is his personal teaching and outreach ministry. Through this ministry he has had the opportunity to start up many home- based faith studies throughout the Metro Detroit area and be a blessing to many needy and less fortunate families. Through Rhema Word Ministries, Pastor Ervin is most proud of the joy he was able to share to families in need through its Christmas program, providing families in need with toys and clothing for the holiday. In addition to his charitable work, Pastor Ervin has authored one book and served for many years as pastor at Living in Victory Everyday Ministries (L.I.V.E.) in Southfield, Michigan.

In 2019, Pastor Ervin joined Rock of Ages Christian Ministries, serving under Pastor Jerome McAfee. He continued his work in service to the community, spearheading Rock of

Ages' food distribution efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to his duties at Rock of Ages, Pastor Ervin serves as a Detroit Police chaplain at the seventh precinct.

Please join me in recognizing Pastor De'Shante Ervin's service to the communities of Michigan's 12th District as we wish him well in his new role as pastor of Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize Olavon Farmer- Griffin, a long-time resident of Detroit in Michigan's 12th District Strong, as we mourn her recent passing.

Born in 1939 in Oklahoma City, Olavon Farmer-Griffin knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in music. She got her start singing gospel music in Oklahoma City with an all-girls gospel group called The Holy Juniorettes. As a gifted singer known as Lady Olavon, she traveled from coast to coast and everywhere between, performing in clubs and venues such as the renowned Apollo Theatre. She worked with artists such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Etta James, and the Whispers. Lady Olavon's example inspired others to fulfill their artistic dreams. Above all, Olavon loved her family dearly. She was proud of her four sons James, Ardie, Clyde, and Ra. We thank Lady Olavon for her musical legacy and the impact she has had on our cultural history and district.

Please join me in recognizing Ms. Olavon Farmer-Griffin's numerous contributions to our community as we honor her memory.