Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I submit the following resolution honoring the life and career of University of Illinois Associate Head Basketball Coach Wayne McClain.

Whereas, Over a 37 year career as a teacher, school administrator, and basketball coach at the high school and college level Wayne McClain touched the lives of countless players, students, and families; and

Whereas, Wayne McClain led the Peoria Manual High School Rams to four straight AA State Championships from 1994 to 1997. with his 1997 squad being named National High School Champions; and

Whereas, Wayne McClain was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996, and 1997, and the National High School Coach of the Year in 1997; and

Whereas, Wayne McClain coached for 11 years at the University of Illinois, first as an assistant coach, and then as associate head coach; and

Whereas, Following a successful collegiate career, Wayne McClain returned to coach High School basketball last season at Champaign Central High School, seeing it as an opportunity to make a more meaningful and direct impact across his entire community; and

Whereas, Wayne McClain passed away this Fall, and is survived by his wife Robin, his son and former player Sergio, a member of the state champion Rams and four year letterman for the Illini, his daughter Brindeshie, his grandson Sergio Jr., and his granddaughter Brindisi;

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the United States of America, That the life and career of Wayne McClain be honored and remembered, and that he be recognized for his nearly four decades of service to student athletes across the state of Illinois.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take note of the historic gains our economy made last month. With the recent addition of 314,000 new jobs, unemployment under 6 percent, and the best single- year job creation since the 1990s, our economic future looks bright, but we still have work to create a better economic future for American families.

I recently held my second annual hiring event where 400 jobseekers met with 75 employers looking to hire. I also hosted five job search boot camps where we taught jobseekers interview skills, how to prepare a resume, and strategies to successfully navigate hiring events.

My district is home to many innovative centers that will serve as engines in driving America's economy. I recently visited job training facilities like the Kankakee Area Career Center and the Canadian National job training center which are preparing people for careers in trades and transportation.

With centers like these and workers like the ones we have in Illinois, I am optimistic about America's continued economic recovery. I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue growing jobs here at home.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge two women. The first we have heard about already, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge), the great leader of the CBC. Marcia has taken the CBC to another level. Also, Marcia has taken a special election freshman like me and helped me make it through my first session.

Marcia, I want to thank you for the faith you have in me for asking me to become the next CBC Health Care Brain Trust chair. I thank you and I salute you. The CBC is not only fortunate to have you, the Deltas are, the Links are, Congress is, and the great State of Ohio. Thank you so much.

Lastly, like my colleague Representative Rodney Davis, I want to acknowledge the passing of Illinois' comptroller, Judy Baar Topinka. Judy was a true public servant who combined service and fun. She definitely made her mark in Illinois serving as the first female treasurer, the head of the Republican Party, and then as comptroller. Judy had a special way of relating with all people. My thoughts and prayers are with Judy's family, friends, and staff.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 554 I was detained at a Press Conference. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

I thank Congressman Jeffries for his leadership and my colleague from Texas for his generosity.

As we reflect on the events in Ferguson, let me begin by offering my prayers to the family of Michael Brown and the entire Ferguson community. Tonight, we stand before the House as Representatives of our communities and as concerned citizens.

We stand here to say we, too, mourn Michael Brown. We mourn his loss and what it represents--the very real fear and frustration of Black and brown families across the Nation who worry for their sons. We are here to speak for those who are weary after another incident of a young Black man being killed by police.

Ferguson speaks to the broader challenges we face as a Nation--race relations--but particularly the fraught relationship between the Black community and the police. Members of my family have and do serve in law enforcement, and I am fortunate that, for most of my life, I have been able to have many positive personal experiences with that community. My grandparents' grocery store in Harlem always had police officers checking in.

On the whole, I believe those who put their lives on the line for our communities are good, but that doesn't negate the fact that, in America today, we still have too many in the Black community who fear the police or feel disrespected by the police, including my son and his friends, and we still have too many police officers who fear the Black community. This is a dynamic that colors every encounter and paves the way for tragic outcomes.

Regardless of your perspectives on the events in Ferguson, we can all agree that no community should live in fear of the institutions that are charged with protecting it. We must hold our law enforcement officials to the highest professional standards and provide them with the training they need to effectively police diverse communities.

This training must address the biases and stereotypes that influence decisions in the field and that creates obstacles to mutual understanding, and in working to achieve that understanding, we can and must strive toward a justice system that treats all Americans fairly and values all American lives equally.

I am encouraged by the many peaceful, productive protests across the country from everyday citizens of all colors calling for change in the way our country views and values young Black men, but this is just the beginning and not enough. As a mother, a wife, and a Member of Congress, I believe that this change must begin today.

I encourage everyone who is outraged by Ferguson to look for ways that they can prevent a similar tragedy from happening in your community. Don't let this issue fade until the next tragedy. Get involved with your local government.

Go to your local town hall, city council, and community policing meetings. Know who represents you and who is policing your streets. Be a part of the change, and lend your voice to the discussion on the direction of your community; vote, exercise your rights, demand and expect accountability. That is how we work together toward the kind of change that makes our communities safer and honors the memory of Michael Brown.

Mr. Speaker, as we observe American Education Week, I would like to pay tribute to America's public schoolteachers and administrators for their leadership and service to our communities.

Teachers are proof that you really can change the world if you care enough. That is why so many, even when faced with diminishing resources and budget cuts, work tirelessly to ensure our students receive the education they deserve.

Our promise as a nation depends on our teachers. We all must do our part to support America's educators. That is why I oppose sequestration cuts that threaten school districts and teachers. That is why I worked to pass bipartisan legislation to provide food nutrition programs to schoolchildren during the summer months.

I have donated nearly 1,500 books to schools in my district and was proud to have launched the Robin's Readers program in my district, which is a literacy partnership between my office and Second District schools.

This week, I encourage you all to reach out and get to know your local schools. Offer to volunteer your time and energy to their efforts. But, most importantly, thank an educator.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho, which today proudly celebrates 92 years of service.

Established in 1922 at Butler University, Sigma Gamma Rho engrained in me and countless women the value of public service. Sisters include former Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, the first woman to represent Louisiana; my colleague, the Honorable Congresswoman Corrine Brown of Florida; Hattie McDaniel, the first African American woman to receive an Academy Award; and our Grand Basileus, Bonitta Herring.

Sigma Gamma Rho played an integral role in the civil rights movement, as members fought to overturn Jim Crow laws and advance women's equality.

Today Sigma Gamma Rho continues their service in promoting education and awareness in communities on issues like health equality and financial literacy.

For 92 years, Sigma Gamma Rho has been on the front lines of making our Nation better through scholarship, sisterhood, and service. I am honored to be a part of this legacy and wish many more years of success to my sisters in Sigma Gamma Rho.

Mr. Speaker, this August work period, I had the pleasure of meeting with businesses and workers across my district as part of my Second District Manufacturing Tour. I was fortunate to witness firsthand the creation of products made in Illinois and had the privilege of hearing from workers about what Congress could be doing to support America's workforce.

The Second District and our Nation is made better by the presence of manufacturers like Smedberg Machine Corporation. They build the parts used in locks and bridges, products we rely on every day.

The future of our economy is made brighter by members of the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce, whom I met with to discuss economic development, jump-starting the middle class, and the future of American business.

Speaking of America's future, I must acknowledge our national champion, Jackie Robinson West Little League team from the great State of Illinois. They are a shining example of how far hard work and teamwork can get you and what happens when you have the opportunity to pick up a ball, a pen, a book, or a skill.

As we return to business, I urge my colleagues to follow the example of these Little League and business heroes because hard work, teamwork, and innovation make us all better.

Lastly, I salute the heroes of 9/11.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 473, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Thank you, Congressman Jeffries, and I want to thank Congressman Horsford and the Congressional Black Caucus for this very, very important special hour.

It is absolutely ridiculous what Speaker Boehner and his party want to do. It is a waste of time, as many of us have said, a waste of time, a waste of taxpayers' money, and it looks like nothing but a sideshow.

There are so many things we should be working on, things like immigration reform, pay equality, helping to stop the gun violence in our urban areas, and unemployment insurance that people so desperately need.

Again, Speaker Boehner has shown that he does not pay attention to what the public wants and cares about. Ninety percent of the public thinks we should expand background checks.

Seventy-four percent of NRA members think we should expand background checks, but he is not bringing that bill to the floor, but he is going to bring this bill to the floor when there is not even the public appetite for a lawsuit.

Many Americans, quite frankly, don't feel the President has abused his power. Because we don't listen and we do things like this, it is no wonder only 8 percent of the public thinks that Congress is doing a good job.

From day one, there has been a great disrespect for this President like no other in history. Some of my colleagues are shocked that he won the first time and can't seem to get over that he won again the second time. Well, we need to get over it, and you need to get over it because there are so many issues we can be working on. We should be trying to improve the quality of life of our constituents, our country, and, frankly, of the world.

As a freshman, this is not what I came to Congress to vote on. I came to Congress, like I assume most of us did, to make a difference, to have a public agenda and not a personal agenda and not an attacking agenda, and an agenda where, even though we disagree, we still show respect for each other.

So I again applaud you, Congressman, for holding this Special Order. This is extremely important. I hope the public is truly paying attention because this is shameful and, as I said in the beginning, ridiculous.

Mr. Speaker, last week I stood with House Democrats to unveil the Middle Class Jumpstart Action Plan. This plan focuses on creating good jobs for the 21st century, empowering Americans to manage work and family, and making higher education affordable.

That same day, the majority showed where their priorities lie, by handing out unpaid-for, debt-raising tax breaks that will benefit the wealthiest Americans.

There is something wrong when folks can fight so vigorously on the House floor to protect corporate persons, but fail to defend real unemployed Americans by passing an unemployment insurance bill and raising the national minimum wage.

Yesterday, I met with labor groups to discuss how Congress can grow manufacturing and promote job creation. We discussed the need to invest in American workers by providing quality training, the need to invest in infrastructure, and how fair wages and a skilled workforce will help restore the American Dream.

I urge my colleagues to stop legislating for the 1 percent of Americans, and help jump-start and grow the middle class.

Madam Speaker, this summer, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Passage of this law was the culmination of years of courageous work by a diverse group of men and women who banded together to fight against racism and inequality.

One group, the Freedom Riders, deserves our sincere applause. Starting with a handful of participants, they grew into a national movement, traversing the South, challenging segregation laws.

These brave young souls included many courageous students. Notable among them was our colleague, the Honorable John Lewis, as well as many brothers of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, of which he is a member.

As we honor the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer, as well as Phi Beta Sigma's centennial anniversary, we are reminded that the voices and actions of a few youth today can and will build a better future for all of us tomorrow.

I thank the Freedom Riders for the America they have made better for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, June saw nearly 300,000 new jobs added to the economy, lowering unemployment to the lowest level since 2008. Still, we must do more for America's economic security. This includes ensuring that Americans are able to earn a living wage and that vulnerable families can depend on unemployment insurance in tough times.

This week, I voted for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act because it will help individuals acquire the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and will help employers find the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

Monday, I had the honor of visiting Mussman's Back Acres in Grant Park, Illinois, which is a family-owned egg farm that is operated by brothers Keith, Craig, and Kevin Mussman and their dedicated employees. Mussman's has 400,000 organic-fed layers, and it distributes eggs in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

This is exactly the type of small business Congress should be promoting. That is why I will continue touring family farms and small businesses in Illinois--to bring their ideas and concerns back to Washington. Together, we can help our businesses thrive, and we can protect our workers. It is key to our recovery.

Mr. Speaker, as kids across the country celebrate the end of the school year, I want to take a moment to recognize the outstanding students and educators who make our communities better. When good teachers, involved parents, innovative curriculum, and motivated students come together, our communities shine.

Today I recognize Antwon Lamon of Washington High in Chicago, who was recently recognized by the President at the White House Maker Faire. This event celebrated students whose innovative technologies and techniques will transform America's way of life.

Along with a team of pioneering Washington students, Antwon created ``Baller's Life,'' a 3-D interactive game whose objective was to provide a nonviolent educational experience that stimulates the minds of adults and children alike. It is so good, that even the President noticed.

Antwon's achievements include placing in Chicago's academic decathlon, completing rigorous AP courses, maintaining an honor average, all while competing on Washington's football, wrestling, track, basketball, and volleyball teams.

As Antwon prepares for college at Northern Illinois University this fall, my alma mater, I am reminded that not only was the Second District made better by him, it has a brighter future because of students like him.

Madam Speaker, in the past 3 weeks, our Nation experienced three shootings in Isla Vista, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Troutdale, Oregon, for which we remembered the victims with a moment of silence. These shootings that resulted in 14 senseless deaths received national media coverage and sparked a national discussion on the need for better mental health policy. Mental health is a factor, but only one factor, in the gun violence epidemic.

In the same 3 weeks, 175 people were shot on the streets of Chicago, with a number of deaths. None of these shootings made national headlines, sparked a national debate, or received a congressional moment of silence. As a Nation, we have become unfazed by urban violence.

But I am not asking for more silence. We have been silent enough. We need action. I have introduced three bills that promote commonsense gun reform and that don't infringe on Second Amendment rights. These bills would highlight the public health risk associated with gun violence, help the Consumer Product Safety Commission set gun safety standards, and prohibit high-risk individuals from possessing guns.

I urge my colleagues to be a voice for American safety. Gun violence is more than mental, and Americans can no longer afford our silence. Lastly, I want to know just who and how many more must die or be shot before we take action?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the gentleman from

Tennessee and the gentlewoman from Nevada to offer a commonsense amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Act that would ensure that this summer, when students walk away from their classroom, they don't walk into homes and communities that allow them to go hungry.

Most of us can remember the excitement of the last day of school. But too many of us forget the fact that, for millions of children in rural, suburban, and urban communities, the summer months, when you no longer have lunchtime in the cafeteria, are often the hungriest time of the year.

Our amendment is a fiscally responsible effort to be there for our kids while providing funds for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program, which will help the USDA offer responsible solutions that respond to the food security needs of children across our Nation.

When children wake up in Illinois and feel the same exact hunger as kids in Memphis, Las Vegas, and the Speaker's district, we are doing something wrong. I urge my colleagues to work in a bipartisan manner and put kids first and pass this amendment.