Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, experts estimate that the Charleston loophole has allowed more than 75,000 guns to fall into the hands of prohibited gun owners.

The Enhanced Background Checks Act is a necessary and straightforward fix to close this loophole and allow the FBI to investigate potentially dangerous individuals.

This bill would simply increase the time Federal investigators have to complete background checks on gun sales from 3 to 10 days, 1 week's time. That is all we are asking for, an additional week for investigators to ensure that there is no reason the person who is buying a gun should not have one. Think of the lives that could be saved or could have been saved by allowing that extra 7 days.

Mr. Speaker, I think we can agree that gun ownership is a serious responsibility. There is no need to rush through a background check with so much at stake. This bill is an urgently needed tool in gun violence prevention.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to once again pass H.R. 1446 and close the Charleston loophole.

Mr. Speaker, on the heels of Black History Month, at the beginning of Women's History Month, and 1 year into a pandemic, I rise today to bring attention to an urgent task: achieving health equity for Black women and girls.

Over the past year, we have watched firsthand as centuries-long systemic health and economic disparities have translated into higher rates of coronavirus and fewer resources to fight it in Black communities.

COVID-19 did not create these disparities. It has just made them plain for all to see.

Inequality comes in many forms, but health inequalities are among the most glaring. As it stands, Black women's life expectancy is nearly 3 years less than our White counterparts.

Recently, the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls unveiled our first-ever report on this pressing issue and others facing Black women and girls in our country. More importantly, we have laid out solutions to these problems.

It is incumbent upon Congress to take on these initiatives because we cannot be satisfied until every American, including Black women and girls, can lead a long and healthy life.

Mr. Speaker, to help to accomplish these things, we must pass the American Rescue Plan.

Mr. Speaker, as Black History Month comes to an end, I rise today to honor the organizations that have served as the training ground for many of our Nation's most extraordinary leaders. These organizations have fostered and empowered generations of bold, brilliant, and humane leaders, and they continue their transformational work today.

Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the Divine Nine, the historically Black fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. This past year, they have played a pivotal role in helping communities deal with the COVID crisis, and they have also registered many people to vote and brought many people to the polls.

The Divine Nine organizations are:

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity founded in 1906 at Cornell University. Their brotherhood includes the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, and includes the president of the National Urban League, Marc Morial. Also, in Congress, we are honored to have Congressmen Emanuel Cleaver, Danny Davis, Al Green, Gregory Meeks, David Scott, Bobby Scott, Steven Horsford, and Senator Warnock. They are led by the honorable General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority founded in 1908 at Howard University. Their sisterhood proudly boasts having civil rights leaders, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King; and, of course, their sisterhood also includes our very own Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Members of Congress are: Sheila Jackson Lee, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Terri Sewell, Frederica Wilson, Alma Adams, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Lauren Underwood.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity founded in 1911 at Indiana University. Among their notable achievers are: Astronaut, Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr.; civil rights leader, the Reverend Ralph Abernathy; and former congressman, the late John Conyers.

Members of Congress include: Sanford Bishop, Alcee Hastings, Bennie Thompson, Hakeem Jeffries, Al Lawson, and Don McEachin. And they are led by the Grand Polemarch Reuben A. Shelton, and a former colleague, Lacy Clay.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity founded in 1911 at Howard University. They include in their ranks: Poet, playwright, and author, Langston Hughes, and civil rights activist and reverend, Jesse Jackson, Jr.

House Members are: House Democratic Whip, James Clyburn of South Carolina, Hank Johnson of Georgia, and Kweisi Mfume of Maryland. Their honorable Grand Basileus is Dr. David Marion.

Delta Sigma Theta founded in 1913 at Howard University. Deltas count as their sisters, the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, and Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women.

Their membership in the House includes: Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, Yvette Clarke, Joyce Beatty, Val Demings, Stacey Plaskett, Lucy McBath, and Brenda Lawrence. Their honorable President is Beverly E. Smith.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity founded in 1914 at Howard University. Not only are the Sigmas the fraternity of my husband, Dr. Nathaniel Horn, they also include: The late, great Congressmen John Lewis and Elijah Cummings, civil rights pioneer and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Philip Randolph, and also record-setter, Jerry Rice, and a current congressman, Adriano Espaillat. Their honorable International President is Michael Cristal.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920, just finished celebrating their 100th year. Notable sisters include: inventor Annie Turnbo Malone; Zora Neale Hurston; the House also was honored to have the late Congresswoman Julia Carson and former Congresswoman Donna Edwards; and their honorable president, Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker.

Sigma Gamma Rho, my favorite sorority, was founded in 1922 at Butler University. The late Congresswoman Lindy Boggs and former Congresswoman Corrine Brown honored this House. Also, they join members who are the first African-American winner of an Academy Award, Hattie McDaniel; the first Black woman CPA, Mary T. Washington Wylie; and our esteemed grand basileus, Rasheeda S. Liberty.

Finally, Iota Phi Theta was founded in 1963 at Morgan State University. Members of their crew are Spencer Christian from ``Good Morning America''; Terrence C. Carson, known as ``Kyle'' from ``Living Single''; and also our fellow colleague, Congressman Bobby Rush. Their honorable grand polaris is Andre R. Mason.

From standing up for women's suffrage, civil rights, and ending Jim Crow to leading industries, medical advancements, and e-innovation, the Divine Nine has been at the forefront of progress, and I am so proud to be a member.

Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the LGBTQ-plus community throughout Chicagoland and Illinois in support of the Equality Act.

While we have come a long way in the fight for equality through the Supreme Court's decisions on recognizing the marriage of same-sex couples in Obergefell v. Hodges, and protecting workplace rights for the LGBTQ-plus community in Bostock v. Clayton County, it is time to codify protections into law.

The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and extend existing nondiscrimination laws to ensure that LGBTQ-plus individuals are treated equally in all facets of their life.

In 2021, it is unconscionable that LGBTQ-plus people continue to face harassment and outright discrimination while attempting to access healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities.

It is past time that Congress pass legislation so that all people, no matter your race, color, creed, or sexuality, are treated equally under the law in this country.

I rise as an ally in support of the Equality Act because no one should be discriminated against for who they love or who they are.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 72, to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committee post.

Congresswoman Greene is part of the cult conspiracy mindset that has infected segments of our American society and is ripping our Nation apart.

The wild conspiracy theories that QAnoners invent are, in essence, outrageous lies. Even more alarming, they are lies backed by the threat of violence.

Yes, Representative Greene and her QAnon adherents are ready to defend their deranged lies with violence. They have expressed a desire to assassinate Speaker Pelosi and to publicly execute those who disagree with their malignant lies. They have even expressed a passionate desire to overthrow our constitutional democracy.

Congresswoman Greene indicated before last year's election that, if Donald Trump lost, Americans may need to reclaim freedom with the price of blood.

Marjorie Greene has harassed a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, calling him a coward and proclaiming the massacre was staged as a plot to pass more gun laws.

Yet her Republican colleagues believe she has the proper credentials and principles to serve on the Education and Labor Committee. Some will play both sides, but that is a false equivalence.

I think it is clear that we need to draw the line at Jewish space lasers and calling for political assassinations, not policy differences. At least with one xenophobic racist, both sides were able to put country over party. The party of Honest Abe can no longer be honest with itself.

Marjorie Greene and her fellow conspiracy theorists have saturated our Nation with lies. It is time to turn the tables and start talking about truth for a change.

Gandhi liked to say: ``Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.''

Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to join in defending truth. Stand up for truth even if you are alone.

Madam Speaker, I rise today for Hadiya Pendleton, taken by gun violence on January 23, 2013. She was 15.

I rise for Terrell Bosley, taken by gun violence on April 4, 2006. He was 18 and unloading musical instruments from a car.

I rise for Blair Holt, taken by gun violence on May 7, 2007. He was 16 and died shielding others from bullets.

Today I rise for Gregory Shondale, killed yesterday. He was 41.

Madam Speaker, I rise for them and for all those taken from us by senseless gun violence that continues unchecked in our Nation because of inaction on the part of the Senate Majority Leader and the President.

I rise today more than 100 days after this House, the people's House, sent bipartisan universal background check legislation, H.R. 8, to the Senate, which has failed to consider any legislation for more than 8 weeks.

I rise today for the 100 Americans who will lose their lives to gun violence today and Americans who will be shot, survive, and face a lifetime of recovery. That will be 210 Americans.

I rise because someone must--someone must--stand up to speak for those who have had their voices silenced by gun violence. Someone must speak for the mom of five who suffered domestic violence, found the courage to leave her abusive relationship, and ended up dead because her abuser had easy access to a gun.

Someone must speak up for the little girl playing in the park who was gunned down because guns are more common than schools in her neighborhood.

Someone must speak for the veteran and the farmer who face what seem like insurmountable odds with no way out, who tragically end their own life.

Someone must speak for those killed at Pulse and at supermarkets because of who they are and whom they love.

Someone must speak for the person, often a young Black man, who will be gunned down by a cop who shot first and asked questions later.

Someone must speak for the first responders who are taking their own

lives at alarming rates. Someone must speak for them.

Someone must tell the story of everyday gun violence that plagues our communities from Chicago to Key West.

Too often, this House focuses on the mass shooting tragedies in this Nation that have become more and more common since our Republican colleagues allowed the assault weapons ban to expire in 2004. We hold moments of silence. My colleagues run to their tweets with their thoughts and prayers to justify their continued and negligent inaction. But we forget gun violence happens every day in every community.

We cannot forget about those who died alone from gun violence in city parks, in road rage incidents, and in their own homes, entrapped by depression and despair. They, too, deserve to be remembered. Their lives and stories should also challenge us to actions so we can say ``not one more'' and then actually do something to prevent another death, another funeral, and another life forever altered.

Madam Speaker, I am proud that this House finally acted. After the American people sent a historic wave of new Members to Congress, Members who understand that commonsense gun safety reform saves lives, we voted to enact bipartisan universal background check legislation that is supported by more than 90 percent of Americans and 70 percent of NRA members.

We also voted to close the Charleston loophole, a clear gap in our laws that allowed a known white supremacist to legally purchase a weapon and use it to steal the lives of nine people seeking to better know their God.

We know this is a problem. We passed legislation to close this loophole, and yet the Senate, controlled by Republicans, have still done nothing. My good colleagues in the Senate continue to do nothing while people die every day in every State and in every community. Still they do nothing. They refuse to act. Still they offer hollow thoughts and prayers while rushing to the bank with pockets full of NRA donations.

Perhaps that is the problem, Madam Speaker. Perhaps it is the money.

The American people should know that the President got $30 million from the NRA in his 2016 campaign. What are they buying?

The American people deserve to know that the Senate majority leader has taken more than $1 million from the NRA over his career. What were they investing in?

The American people deserve to know that too many in the GOP are bought and sold by the NRA or too often afraid of them to grow a spine and stand up for their constituents.

It is a sad fact that just 8--that is right, just 8--of 198 Members, or a mere 4 percent of the House Republican Conference, had the courage to stand with gun violence victims and 90 percent of Americans. I thank those courageous eight Republicans for voting to save lives.

Madam Speaker, to my colleagues still too afraid or too owned by the NRA to act, I say good luck next year. They had their chance, and they failed miserably. They are on the wrong side of history.

Next year, the American people will not forget.

Madam Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life and legacy of a selfless community servant, Eddie Jones, II, who passed away last week at the much-too-soon age of 69.

Eddie was truly remarkable and exemplified the best in us. He was a steady hand for anyone who needed it and a sturdy presence who dedicated himself to being a good steward of our Chicagoland community.

Born in Arkansas to Eddie and Rosie Jones, Eddie grew up in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, graduating from Wendell Phillips High School and Western Illinois University before embarking on a 30-year career with IBM and All Points Security.

Eddie was chairman of the Iota Delta Lambda Educational Foundation, the March of Dimes, and served as the president of the Chicago Urban League Metro Board. He was a proud brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and made sure we all knew it. He was even prouder to be a grandfather and a father.

I am thankful to have called Eddie my friend, and I am comforted and inspired by the fact that his life and legacy endure in the memory, smiles, and service of others.

On behalf of a thankful Second Congressional District I say: We will miss you, Eddie. Thank you for a life well lived.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from the great State of North Carolina and my colleague from the great State of Michigan.

I rise today because American moms are tragically dying. The majority of these deaths are entirely preventable, as we have heard.

This weekend is Mother's Day, the day when we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, stepmothers, and all the women who love and nurture us. There will be brunches and mimosas, cards and flowers, backyard barbecues and fancy dinners. Or it might just be a quick call saying: Hey, Mom, I love you.

But each year, more than 700 American kids begin their lives without moms. Nearly 100 of these deaths are in my State of Illinois. These kids will never know their moms or celebrate a Mother's Day with her because of America's embarrassing maternal mortality crisis.

Perhaps most shocking of all, a recent CDC report shows that 60 percent of these deaths are entirely preventable.

While hundreds die, thousands suffer severe health complications that can endanger their lives and limit the ability of mothers to care for their families.

Recently, Serena Williams and Beyonce have boldly spoken out about their personal experiences with these terrifying complications.

As the mother and stepmother of adult daughters, it worries me that it will be more dangerous for them to have a baby today than it was for me to have them 20 years ago.

On nearly every health issue, death rates have declined, except for pregnancy and birth-related deaths. In fact, America is the only developed Nation where the number of women dying continues to grow.

We can and must do better because all mommas deserve the chance to be mommas.

What can be done? Last year, Congress came together in a moment of bipartisanship to pass the Preventing

Maternal Deaths Act thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Herrera Beutler and Senator Heitkamp. This law will standardize data and reporting so we have a clearer picture of this crisis.

Building on this bipartisan progress, I have proposed a comprehensive, multipronged approach called the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act, or, simply, the MOMMA's Act.

It starts by expanding what is working. It builds on last year's work to further standardize data and reporting. It also takes the highly successful Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health program, called the AIM program, developed by our Nation's obstetricians and gynecologists and grows it.

AIM's emergency protocols and best shared practices are already saving lives in hundreds of U.S. hospitals. The MOMMA's Act would leverage Federal resources and publications to grow this proven program.

It also uses another proven strategy to prevent future deaths: mortality review committees. These committees examine every tragic death in great detail to prevent further ones.

When the city of Philadelphia established one, it cut the number of deaths by 75 percent in just 1 year. Imagine what we could do with a nationwide committee.

The MOMMA's Act also addresses a bizarre gap in current law that prevents many mothers from seeing their doctor. We know that one-third of deaths occur after giving birth. Right now, moms on Medicaid lose their coverage just 60 days after giving birth, but it takes a woman's body a full year to recover.

More than 70 percent of moms will have some complications within a year of giving birth. These mothers should be able to see their doctors and get the care they need.

While we are seeing approximately the same rate of maternal deaths regardless of a woman's income, education level, or other demographics, the recent CDC report shows that Black, American Indian, and Native Alaskan mothers are dying at more than three times the rate of White mothers. In my home State of Illinois, that disparity climbs to six times more likely to die for Black moms.

My bill directly addresses this disparity by pushing for culturally competent care throughout the care continuum.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, I hope my colleagues will join me in working to ensure that everyone gets a chance to know a mother's warm love and affection.

We can prevent mothers from dying. We know how. The question is, do we have the will?

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to speak on my bill, H.R. 1503, the Orange Book Transparency Act, and the critical issue of transparency in the drug and medical device development space.

Should my colleagues vote in favor of this significant bill, the Orange Book Transparency Act will more efficiently achieve lowered costs and higher quality life-saving medicines for consumers. It will enhance market competition by getting generic drugs to market more rapidly. As much data show us, enhancing the market for generic drugs is one of the quickest ways to lower the costs that consumers pay at the pharmacy.

Two things matter to me with respect to healthcare costs. One, we must be proactive in enhancing transparency with regard to the information made available to generic drug developers. Most importantly, we must improve efficiency in the market for prescription drugs in order to ultimately lower costs to patients, their families, and their caregivers.

The Orange Book Transparency Act addresses both of these points by ensuring clarity in patent and exclusivity information maintained by FDA. It also requires that the Government Accountability Office study the effects of listing drug delivery patents in the Orange Book.

To be very clear, I support intellectual property protections for those researching and developing innovative treatments, but we have the responsibility to close loopholes that allow drugmakers to prevent timely access to information that would lead to new generic drug development, increasing patient access and affordability.

Today, I present a strong and straightforward piece of legislation in order to get lower-cost drugs to Americans in my district and across the country. I am ecstatic that this bill is not only straightforward but also bipartisan.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Kentucky, Mr. Guthrie, for his work on this bill and key stakeholders for their feedback throughout the process.

The Orange Book Transparency Act moves us in the right direction toward transparency and lower drug costs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 1503 today.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1449) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3033 203rd Street in Olympia Fields, Illinois, as the ``Captain Robert L. Martin 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. 1449, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3033 203rd Street in Olympia Fields, Illinois, as the Captain Robert L. Martin Post Office.

Captain Robert L. Martin was a true American hero dedicated to serving his country to ensure the continued safety of all Americans.

Robert L. Martin graduated from Iowa State University, where he completed a civilian pilot training program, and joined the Army Air Corps in January 1944. Captain Martin was one of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, serving as a combat pilot in the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group.

During his 64th mission, he was shot down over German-occupied territory and safely evaded capture for 5 weeks to return across Allied lines. He left the Army in 1945 with the rank of captain.

His war decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, and the Purple Heart. Martin was also awarded the Congressional Medal in 2007 by President George W. Bush at a ceremony honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.

Having lived in Olympia Fields, Illinois, it would be a tribute to his life's accomplishments to name the post office there as the Captain Robert L. Martin Post Office, bringing a source of pride to the community in honoring a great American hero.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1198) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 404 South Boulder Highway in Henderson, Nevada, as the ``Henderson Veterans Memorial Post Office Building''.

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. 1198, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 404 South Boulder Highway in Henderson, Nevada, as the Henderson Veterans Memorial Post Office Building.

Every day, Americans across this great country rely on more than 2 million brave men and women who have committed their lives to ensuring the comfort and safety of the rest of us by serving in the United States military.

Today, there are more than 18 million veterans who have served in the armed services. These brave Americans protect the very foundation of this great country. Naming a post office to honor the veterans who have served and sacrificed for us is but a small part of what these brave men and women deserve from the country to whom they have given so much.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 828) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 Route 111 in Smithtown, New York, as the ``Congressman Bill Carney 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. 828, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service, located at 25 Route 111 in Smithtown, New York, as the Congressman Bill Carney Post Office.

Representative Bill Carney was a man truly committed to public service. Before serving as a distinguished Member of this body, Bill not only served the people of Suffolk in their legislature, but also the United States of America as a member of the Army Medical Corps.

Bill Carney was born in Brooklyn, New York, and went on to serve the United States Army Medical Corps after graduating from high school.

After leaving the military, Bill began serving in the Suffolk County legislature before being elected to serve the people of New York's First Congressional District in 1978.

Representative Carney is remembered not only for his contributions to this body, but also for the lighthearted personality, humor, and humility that he brought with him each day he served.

Sadly, Bill Carney died in May of 2017, and he is sorely missed. Naming a post office in Bill's honor in Suffolk County is the least we should do to honor the great career and life of Bill Carney.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 828, as well as the other two postal-naming bills, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Mayor John Ostenburg of Park Forest, Illinois: son, husband, father, grandfather, mayor, trustee, legislator, leader, collaborator, author, teacher, speaker, editor, reporter, environmentalist, unionist, merchant, director, adviser, lecturer, painter, reader, traveler, neighbor, humanitarian, and ubiquitous friend.

``We do not exist for ourselves,'' his mentor once said.

When theologian Thomas Merton uttered those simple words, it likely tickled the eardrums and, certainly, the fancy of our friend, John Ostenburg.

To be clear, John enjoys his various vocations, but it just so happens that many endeavors share a common thread: to serve others for the greater good.

He makes sure everything he does, every role he plays, positively impacts others. That is who he is.

A perpetual student of mankind and relentless advocate of Chicago's Southland, John's omnipotence comes complete with the genuine chuckle of a friend, the wise grin of a mediator, the dignified humility of a monk.

With career highlights too long to list and colleagues too numerous to count, I commend and thank John Ostenburg for his longtime service to residents across the Second Congressional District of Illinois.

On their behalf and on behalf of the Congress of the United States, I wish Park Forest Mayor John Ostenburg Godspeed as he retires from elective office, if not from public service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Reginald T. Hardaway, Sr. as he celebrates his 74th birthday. He has enriched countless lives through his public service.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Hardaway dedicated his life to serving others and teaching students. He is a retired college professor, most recently teaching in the graduate schools of education and business at Concordia University in Chicago. During his distinguished career, Dr. Hardaway had writings such as The Keys to America's Kingdom: Business, Education and Politics published. Dr. Hardaway has received various awards and nominations throughout his life, including Who's Who in America's Education, Distinguished Leadership Award for Outstanding Contributions to Contemporary Society, Outstanding young Man of America and the Archbishop James P. Lyke African American Male Image Award.

In addition to his storied career, Dr. Hardaway is a devoted husband and father to his two sons. He is a lifelong fan of baseball, a sport that he played semi-professionally and continues to enjoy today. Dr. Hardaway is a valuable member of his community, and we are all grateful for his contributions to the next generation of business and educational leaders.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Dr. Reginald T. Hardaway, Sr. on his 74th birthday. His life has been dedicated to family, faith and serving others.

Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the late U.S. Army Captain Antoine Lewis of Matteson, IL in the Second Congressional District.

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Captain Lewis was among the 157 people killed in the tragic plane crash in Ethiopia on March 10th.

This incredible young man had so much more to give the world and constantly gave of himself to others. He possessed an irrepressible curiosity and a desire to make the world a better place.

Captain Lewis was a man of passionate commitment to his family, to the Matteson community, to our country, and to his faith.

An honorable man, he represented the very best of America whenever he served in uniform or wherever he traveled in the world.

Captain Lewis was a patriot who proudly served his country. He had been stationed in Afghanistan, South Korea and Canada. He had an adventuresome and free spirit and was filled with wonder and curiosity about other people and cultures.

While he was raised in Matteson, he belonged to the world.

He, like many others, went to Africa to offer hope and opportunity to others through mission work. As called to do by St. James, he put his faith into actions and deeds that uplifted others and worked to build a better world.

The entire Second District mourn this tremendous loss to our community.

As we grieve with his family and friends, we are comforted by the knowledge that he did fulfill his desire to make the world a better place--by the love he gave to every person and mission that he encountered.