Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the late Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson, a World War II Tuskegee Airman and one of Michigan's most decorated pilots as we honor his memory.

Jefferson's remarkable and heroic service figures prominently in our nation's history. He was considered to be one of the ``original'' Tuskegee Airmen, which drew heavily from Michigan and were the U.S. Army's first Black Air Corps. Jefferson served as a P-51 fighter pilot with the Red Tails, 332nd Fighter Group 301st Fighter Squadron in Ramitelli, Italy. His unit bravely escorted bombers into action, providing critical protection from enemy aircraft without losing a single plane.

Jefferson was captured as a prisoner of war on August 12, 1944, three days before the invasion of Southern France, after he was shot down while firing at German radar stations on the coast. Presumed dead, he was held for more than nine months. He was liberated by Patton's 3rd Army on April 29, 1945.

After the war, Jefferson served as an instrument instructor in advanced flight training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, continuing the storied Air Corps' legacy of excellence in flight. He was discharged from active duty in 1947 and retired from the reserves in 1969. In his civilian life, Jefferson worked as an elementary school science teacher in Detroit, where he would retire as an assistant principal in 1979. Jefferson served as a member of various church, educational, and alumni organizations, as well as being one of the founders of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. He was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Speaker Bureau, a life member of the Silver Falcon Association, and has served as an Admissions Counselor for the U.S. Air Force Academy.

He has received numerous awards and accolades for his bravery and his selfless service for our country, including the Purple Heart Award. He represented the best of Detroit. We have lost a great American patriot, a hero, and a Detroiter who should always be remembered for his service to freedom for our country. He may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. May his soul rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, today I want to recognize and celebrate Ms. Helen Prather, a long-time resident of Detroit in Michigan's 13th Congressional District as she celebrates a milestone, her one hundred fifth birthday.

Born in 1917, Ms. Prather was one of ten siblings in her close-knit family. She grew up in the heart of Detroit near Grand River. In her youth and throughout her life, Ms. Prather was a tireless fighter for advancement and protection of civil rights. She was also especially proud of her long career in social services, from which she retired at the age of eighty-eight.

Ms. Prather has always valued her family life. She raised her children in Detroit alongside her dear husband Joseph, to whom she was happily married for more than sixty years until his death in 2005. Ms. Prather has been an anchoring presence in her family, remaining steadfast in her love for her multigenerational family, which includes her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchild.

Ms. Helen Prather is truly cherished by her family, friends, and neighbors. Please join me in wishing her a very happy birthday, surrounded by love and light.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the outstanding work on behalf of the people of Wayne County and southeastern Michigan by Dr. Chad Audi in his more than two decades as president of Detroit Rescue Mission, an organization dedicated to providing food, shelter, and resources to those struggling to overcome homelessness or substance abuse issues.

Dr. Audi first joined Detroit Rescue Mission as a volunteer. He was struck by the transformative impact the organization had on the countless individuals who sought assistance. In 2004, he joined Detroit Rescue Mission as president and CEO, bringing his expertise in finance and management while continuing to serve those who seek help with dignity and humility. I commend Dr. Audi and the Detroit Rescue Mission staff and volunteers on their success in offering wrap-around assistance programming throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Please join me in recognizing Dr. Chad Audi's 20-plus years of service to the people of southeastern Michigan and Michigan's 13th District Strong.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Clara Brewer, a long-time resident of Southwest Detroit in Michigan's 13th District Strong, on the occasion of her 100th birthday.

For more than 70 years, Ms. Brewer has been a cornerstone of not only her family, but her neighborhood-family. She has lived in her home she and her husband bought as newlyweds since 1945. She and her family have grown with our community, and she has without question been a community anchor. Ms. Brewer has remained steadfast in her spiritual faith and in her love for her family, which includes multiple generations in southeastern Michigan. I pray that she continues to shine brightly in our community and be surrounded by the love of her family members near and far.

As the Brewer Family meets for their annual family reunion, please join me in wishing Clara Brewer a happy 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, today I want to acknowledge the exemplary leadership and commitment to service of Phyllis J. Edwards.

Phyllis has dedicated her work and time to protect and advocate for underrepresented communities within Michigan's 13th District, specifically senior citizens in Detroit. As executive director for Bridging Communities, a nonprofit that focuses on improving the quality of life of seasoned citizens and their families, she received numerous accolades for her leadership and consistent advocacy on behalf of seniors' needs in Detroit. Bridging Communities has been steadfast in providing unique services, such as its community time bank and other programs that help create meaningful connections among neighbors. Prior to her executive position, Phyllis served as Social Service Program Manager for more than 30 years with the Wayne County Department of Health and Human Services. She has become a pivotal member of the community through her extensive involvement as a board chair for Aging Services Consortium for Detroit, advisory board member for First Merchant Bank, national board member of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives, and co-chair for the Detroit National Community Reinvestment Coalition.

In short, Phyllis Edwards has made an immeasurable impact on the lives of countless residents through her work. Her efforts to improve the quality of life for senior citizens attests to her love and passion for community-based work. Please join me in recognizing her many outstanding contributions to Michigan's 13th District Strong as we wish her well on the next chapter in her life.

Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize the hard work and vision of Detroit's Grandmont Rosedale community and organizations who have made the dedication and grand opening of Grand Parklet possible.

Grand Parklet is the culmination of a transformative public roads project that created a community green space from what was once a vacant corner. But this park is not a typical beautification project. Grand Parklet creates a walkable route that connects residents to neighborhoods and local businesses, a welcome addition to this thriving neighborhood. Beyond connecting the community, Grand Parklet will serve as a space to gather for events and conversation for all to enjoy.

Please join me in thankful recognition of Grandmont Rosedale Community Development Corporation and the people of Rosedale Park, North Rosedale Park, Minock Park, Grandmont, and Grandmont 1 who made Grand Parklet possible.

Madam Speaker, today I want to honor Rosa Malone, long- time Detroit resident and community Mother. Rosa passed away in 2019, but the new Rosa cafe named in her honor will carry her legacy.

When Rosa and her husband Elijah moved to Detroit's Rosedale Park neighborhood in 1973, it was segregated and predominately white. Initially prohibited from purchasing the home, the Malones fought systemic racism to become one of the first African-American families to become homeowners in the neighborhood. The Malones' home was at the center of countless family gatherings, and beyond that a symbol of justice and change. Rosa believed in honoring the past while being in the present to build a community.

The 13th District and Grandmont Rosedale Communities are honored to celebrate and commemorate the memory of Rosa and the opening of this local neighborhood business. Spaces such as this are essential to our community's fabric and we look forward to seeing the success of Rosa.

Please join me in celebrating Rosa Malone's legacy and memory on this special day, on the opening of the Rosa coffee shop.

Mr. Speaker, I thank our incredible Chairwoman Waters and our committee staff for working with me on an amendment and, again, for their leadership on the bill as a whole.

I am proud to represent Michigan's 13th Congressional District, a community that is incredibly diverse. Our diversity, as we all know, is our strength.

We also know, though, that the way our government currently tracks race and ethnicity is outdated and definitely needs to change. Our government currently considers all people of Middle Eastern and North African descent to be ``White,'' a categorization that myself and many in our community consider to be very inaccurate. Our government currently has broad categories that lump together whole continents, ignoring the vast diversity of our people living here.

So my amendment simply builds on Congresswoman Jayapal's amendment to ensure that we are providing the maximum flexibility possible to Americans so that they can accurately reflect their race and ethnicity on government forms. This, in turn, will help us in Congress and our government at large to better identify issues affecting specific communities so that we can have programs that effectively serve our diverse communities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during Pride Month, to honor the phenomenal Ruth Ellis, a former Detroit resident who was the oldest surviving open lesbian and an LGBTQ rights activist.

Born in 1899, and living until the age of 101, she came out as a lesbian around 1915. She took in LGBTQ-plus youth experiencing homelessness and displacement, and her home became known as ``the gay spot.''

Not only did she give refuge to our youth, but she provided them books, food, and even assistance with their college tuition. She was an icon.

Still today, LGBTQ-plus youth experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate. The Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park was created in the 13 District Strong and was named after and in honor of Ms. Ellis. They provide safe, affordable, identity-affirming housing for marginalized Black and Brown Detroiters, especially our LGBTQ-plus youth. Join me today in honoring and recognizing Ruth Ellis and the incredible advocacy of the Ruth Ellis Center and their incredible team.

Celebrating the Life of Greg Mudge

Mr. Speaker, today, I celebrate the memory of Greg Mudge, a longtime community advocate and businessowner in Detroit, who we tragically lost last year. Greg was a beloved member of our community, and his sudden death was a shock to us all.

When he first opened Mudgie's Deli back in 2008, Greg was already considered a member of our community. A food service veteran himself, he built and managed his own business with the heart and soul of family. His approach was ``all hands on deck,'' and he never shied away from any task and was always ready to give a helping hand.

Greg's commitment to serving homemade food, including incorporating family recipes, made Mudgie's Deli a neighborhood standout. More than that, Greg's enthusiasm and passion for his work shined through in all that he did. Greg Mudge embodied the spirit of our beautiful southwest Detroit community and our Corktown neighborhood. Please join me in honoring his memory.

Madam Speaker, it is inhumane, colleagues, to allow the killing of children. I do have one more question for so many that I have asked over and over again: Is doing nothing really going to save lives? Is it going to actually result in change? How many more of our children have to die?

How many more school children's little pink shoes will be left behind stained with blood before some of the electeds in this room put the lives of people ahead of the profits of their political donors?

In my district, in River Rouge, a 6-year-old girl was caught in a crossfire and shot by a high-powered assault rifle.

The measures in the Protecting Our Kids package that we are set to vote on today is essential and it does save lives. Let's just be very clear though: Our kids need way more than this. They need an assault weapon ban. They need far stricter regulations on handguns and bold initiatives to reduce the number of firearms in our communities.

Most of all, they need accountability from us--from all of us.

Madam Speaker, they need accountability from those of us who are enabling the mass murder of millions of Americans so they can profit from our pain, and that the people that enable their slaughter- for-profit scheme are here in our government.

Madam Speaker, I look forward to supporting this and so much more because our kids deserve it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Caribbean American Heritage Month to celebrate the contributions of Caribbean- Americans to Michigan's 13th Congressional District and all across our Nation.

National Caribbean American Heritage Month was first recognized in 2005. This was the culmination of many years of efforts by organizations around the world to spotlight the numerous contributions to our Nation. Caribbean Community Services, a nonprofit organization based in Detroit, Michigan, has proudly uplifted that history. They routinely host numerous events that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and its impact on our communities in southeastern Michigan. I am incredibly proud of the important work Caribbean Social Services undertakes to foster diverse and welcoming communities. I especially want to highlight their leadership in ensuring these contributions are recognized and valued as we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Please join me in recognizing National Caribbean American Heritage Month and the contributions of Caribbean Americans across our Nation and the 13th Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, today I want to celebrate the memory of Greg Mudge, a longtime community member and business owner in Detroit, Michigan, who we tragically lost last year.

Greg was a beloved member of our community, and his sudden death was a shock to us all. When he first opened Mudgie's Deli under his ownership back in 2008, Greg was already a member of the community. A food service veteran, he built and managed his own business with the heart and soul of family. His approach was ``all hands on deck,'' and he never shied away from any task and always gave a helping hand to any of his team.

Greg was a deli sandwich craftsman committed to serving high-quality food. Many of his menu offerings were made from scratch. He incorporated family recipes, like his grandmother's meatloaf, into his menu items. The homemade food made Mudgie's Deli a neighborhood standout. More than that, Greg's enthusiasm and passion for his work shined through in all that he did.

Always greeting guests with a warm smile, Greg Mudge embodied the spirit of our southwest Detroit neighborhoods. Please join me in honoring his memory.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the hard work of the southwest Detroit community and board members of Tri-City Community Development Corporation who made the groundbreaking at Eden Park possible.

As we gather to break ground at the former site of Mark Twain School, we are reminded of the possibility of rebirth. This space holds the promise of a community green space that will serve the needs of our neighbors. It will be a place to gather, a central green space to enjoy the outdoors. As construction of the park commences, I look forward to seeing a space designed that will be embraced and enjoyed by people of all ages. It is my hope that Eden Park will exemplify what it means to be a place to commune. Its goals for hosting a playground, community garden, classes, and other recreational activities, will truly set it apart to become a jewel of the community.

Please join me in tribute to the communities of southwest Detroit and the Tri-City CDC as they break ground on Eden Park.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my greatest concern and the urgency to act now to address our Nation's opioid crisis and drug overdoses.

At the height of the pandemic in 2020 we saw record numbers of overdoses across the country, and in Michigan we saw even more alarming rates. In 2020, the opioid crisis claimed the loved ones of over 2,400 Michiganders and communities like Ecorse, Michigan, in the 13th District, has seen the highest overdose rates in our State.

The physical and mental health of our communities are under siege. We must do more and act with urgency to save lives. Accessibility to preventive treatments and resources for harm reduction is critical in keeping our communities safe.

Also, we must not forget the importance of holding for-profit Big Pharma companies accountable in fueling this epidemic through the sale of higher doses of opioids to our communities. We must make the bold action to remove the stigma as well of this crisis, create equitable treatment plans, and expand access to harm reduction tools for those who need help.

I applaud the administration for understanding the importance of this issue, but our communities can't wait another year for a grant or another study. We must hold the corporate profiteers accountable and get the boots on the ground to address this crisis.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance for their outstanding service on behalf of our communities across Michigan's 13th District. They are celebrating their 15-year anniversary.

The Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance was founded to serve the needs and goals of the neighborhood residents, businesses, and community-based organizations. They have worked so tirelessly to create pathways to greater community engagement, to build future leaders through its youth programming, and to create a better quality of life for all of our residents.

Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance has been able to successfully connect thousands of residents to critical resources, especially during this pandemic. We have super supported this organization and continue to welcome them as they continue to expand to do more.

The alliance, as many know, includes a multitude of instrumental churches and various faith leaders, as well as neighborhood organizations and associations.

Please join me in recognizing the numerous contributions of the Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance on behalf of Michigan's 13th District Strong.

Honoring Rosa Parks

Madam Speaker, I stand here today to celebrate the passage in this Chamber, the House of Representatives, of our bill, H.R. 6614, to honor the mother of the civil rights movement and the beloved resident of the 13th Congressional District, Rosa Parks.

I am proud to lead this effort, in partnership with her family, to rename a United States Post Office near her Detroit home after this incredible leader. This comes at a time when the radical love and beautiful strength embodied in leaders like Rosa Louise Parks and so many others whose footsteps we march in today, like Dr. King, Malcolm X, Fred Hampton, Congressmen Cummings and John Lewis, is really under extreme attack. We can't allow any of our beloved civil rights leaders to be erased.

We know our struggle against racism is a lifelong pursuit. As mother Rosa Parks would say, and she wrote: ``Freedom fighters never retire.'' As her memory continues to guide us, I will add that the spirit of freedom fighters never dies.

I urge my colleagues in the Senate to please pass this bill, H.R. 6614.

They Will Not Silence Us

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition of the simply draconian efforts to overturn the historic, landmark decision of Roe v. Wade and express disappointment in the failure of the Senate to codify Roe.

Without widespread access to abortion care, millions of women in our communities all across our country will be deprived of their human rights, especially those pertaining to privacy.

By no means is an abortion an easy choice, but it should be a guaranteed right within our healthcare system to prevent unnecessary trauma for our women across our country.

It is truly disappointing to see efforts of those that claim they are pro-life but do not pass the child tax credit expansion, or don't support the End Child Poverty Act, or don't address the infant mortality crisis in our country. If they truly cared, they would be working on those issues.

No matter how much others want to silence us, I remind women across the country that we will not be silent. We will continue to fight, from the streets of our communities in our districts, to keep voicing our opposition, to right here in the Halls of Congress.

We are with you. We are going to continue to fight. Again, they will not silence us.