Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, The For the People Act.

In November, Americans took to the polls to make their voices heard-- and this Democratic Congress has heard them, loud and clear.

H.R. 1 will implement common-sense measures to give Congress and our elections more transparency.

It's long been said that sunshine is the greatest disinfectant.

We need to limit the influence of money in our politics and make critical updates to our campaign finance laws.

We need to make sure that voters elect their representatives and not the other way around.

We need to give every American a seat at the table, so we can drive progress for every family in every community.

H.R. 1 does all these things and more.

It expands access at the ballot box by addressing systemic and institutional barriers to voting.

It prohibits voter roll purges and ends partisan gerrymandering.

It expands early and absentee voting.

It also protects our elections systems from attack.

I am also proud that H.R. 1 lays the groundwork for H.R. 4, The Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will restore the VRA's preclearance provision.

Madam Speaker, voting is the very cornerstone of our democracy. And THIS is what Democracy looks like.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Ms. Bettie Mae Fikes, the ''Voice of Selma.''

At the age of 16, Ms. Fikes was one of the singers of the Civil Rights Movement and a member of the Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was the only national civil rights organization led by young people during the Movement. Ms. Fikes bravely led marches with songs, registered voters, boycotted buses, sat in at lunch- counters and led walkouts at R.B. Hudson High School to support the desegregation of the school.

From an early age, Ms. Fikes began singing with her parents, both of whom were from families of gospel singers and preachers. Ms. Fikes was exposed to classic hymns and songs and was encouraged to use her voice to sing with her parents. At the tender age of four, Ms. Fikes had her first big performance: her first church solo. With that success, she began to travel throughout the country with her parents' groups, the SB Gospel Singers and the Pilgrim Four. However, when Ms. Fikes's mother passed away when she was 10 years old, she moved around from Michigan, California, and finally to Selma, Alabama.

Ms. Fikes continued to be involved in singing in the church when she moved to Selma. She used every opportunity she could to let her voice be heard. It is no surprise, given her background that she proved to be an emerging music leader when she joined SNCC at age 16. The more she became involved with SNCC, the more it became apparent that she would go to jail.

The foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement prepared themselves for the eventuality that they would be arrested. If an officer announced that they were under arrest, they knew to fall to their knees and to force the officers to carry them to the bus. However, when the time came, Ms. Fikes and her friend Evelyn Manns realized the police were using cattle prods on the young men and women. Hoping to avoid this pain, both women stood up and loaded the bus to go to jail.

Ms. Fikes bounced between the county and city jail, Camp Selma and Camp Camden. She was brought before Judge Reynolds where she was repeatedly asked who organized the march. Judge Reynolds and others hoped that the students would implicate Martin Luther King, Jr. in hopes of building a case against Dr. King for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Instead, Ms. Fikes loudly declared: ``Jesus lead me, and my mama feed me.'' This frustrated the judge and led to Ms. Fikes being jailed for nearly three weeks.

Instead of being defeated, Ms. Fikes used this time to organize other young people who were also sent to jail.

``I had been there so long I felt like a trustee there,'' she once said. With this new Trustee status and the assistance of Reverend F.D. Reese of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Selma, Ms. Fikes was able to help others.

Ms. Fikes also bore witness to Bloody Sunday. That morning Ms. Fikes was a messenger, carrying messages from Brown Chapel AME to the head of the line at the base of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. She described the experience later, saying, ''You know how it feels just before a storm-- there was nobody walking on the streets . . . it was such a stillness that you can't explain.''

As tensions rose, Ms. Fikes continued delivering messages back and forth, when, finally, a half block from the church, she heard the rumbling of Bloody Sunday: ``Out of this stillness, this earthquake [sound], the ground it just shifted . . . and when I looked up . . . people were running everywhere.'' Despite the hate and the violence, Ms. Fikes saw the true spirit of the foot soldiers of Selma.

After her time in Selma, Ms. Fikes went on to become a very successful singer who has

graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the Library of Congress, as well as the 2004 Democratic National Convention where she was introduced by Maya Angelou. She has had the opportunity to perform with Joe Turner, Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert King, James Brown, Bob Dylan, and Mavis Staples, among others. She continues to travel throughout the United States and Canada to speak about diversity and civil rights, because although we have come a long way, there is always work to be done to advance justice and equality.

On a personal note, I grew up in Selma hearing the voice of Bettie Mae Fikes. Her beautiful voice was the soundtrack of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. I am so grateful that she faithfully returns on the pilgrimage to Selma each year with Congressman John Lewis and the Faith and Politics Institute to commemorate Bloody Sunday. Her beautiful music continues to move us all as we rededicate ourselves to the ideals of equality and justice for all. I know that I would not be Alabama's first black Congresswoman today had it not been for the bravery and sacrifice of freedom fighters like Bettie Mae Fikes.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the activism and lasting contributions of Ms. Bettie Mae Fikes. Through song, her melodious voice was an inspiration for the Civil Rights Movement that changed a nation. Her work as an educator, her incredible voice and her story will be remembered in Alabama for many years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. James (Jim) Leon Stallings of Selma, Alabama.

Mr. Stallings was beloved by his community and went out of his way to improve the lives of others. Sadly, Mr. Stallings passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019 at the age of 83.

As a child, Mr. Stallings attended Nash County Training School in Nashville, North Carolina where he stood out as an excellent basketball player and athlete.

After graduating from high school, he attended Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, where he met the love of his life, Bettye Bonner.

Mr. Stallings was drawn to a life of service from a young age. He was involved early in life at his church, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist and, upon graduating from college, enrolled in the United States Army.

Later, Mr. Stallings continued to give back to his community by helping develop the next generation of Alabamians, working as a teacher in the Wilcox County School System at W. J. Jones High School, in Pine Apple, Alabama, and a teacher and basketball coach in the Dallas County Schools System at Tipton High School, in Selma, Alabama.

After many years of service in the Alabama public schools, Mr. Stallings transitioned to a role with the City of Selma, dedicating 27 years as the first African American Director of General Services. In that role, Mr. Stallings opened doors of opportunity for many young men and women to prosper.

One of Mr. Stalling's passions was DJing at WHBB Radio in Selma where he was fondly known as ``Big Jim.'' He quickly became known for gracing the airwaves with a variety of musical genres, including spiritual, soft rock and R&B music on his shows, ``The Spiritual Hour'' and the ``Jim Stallings Show.'' Mr. Stallings' music selections helped heal community divisions in the 1960s and laid the pathway for other aspiring African American DJs to enter the local radio scene.

Mr. Stallings' hobbies did not stop at the radio station, though. He was an honorary member of the Twelve High Club; a member of the Alabama Elks Lodge No. 1170 where he served for several years as the Exalted Ruler; an original member of the Tuesday Night Group; Director of the local Beauty and Talent; and the Alabama State Association of Elks; lead singer for Terry and the Fantastics; and a football announcer for the City of Selma and the Dallas County School systems.

While Mr. Stallings has passed from this life to the next, his legacy lives on in his devoted children, Anthony and Bonnie, his five grandchildren and many grand nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional district and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Stallings' contributions to bettering the Selma community and our nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with over 800,000 Federal workers and contractors who are dramatically impacted by the shameful and irresponsible government shutdown. I rise today to share the stories of those Federal workers in my district, Alabama's Seventh Congressional District.

This shutdown is impacting everyone. I had the pleasure, recently, of going through the Montgomery airport and the Birmingham airport in my district. It was Martin Luther King Day, and everybody was trying to be upbeat, but, you know, it is really hard to be upbeat when you miss a paycheck. It is hard to be upbeat when you have bills to pay and you don't know how you are going to make ends meet.

We celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday on Monday, and it was Dr. King who said: ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.''

Well, Madam Speaker, it is a threat to justice that people work without pay in this country, in America. It is an injustice that they are about to miss the second paycheck.

It is unacceptable that we are not doing our job so that the people who are working without pay can get paid. We have to do better. We must reopen government. Enough is truly enough.

Today, my staff delivered food to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Aliceville, Alabama, in Pickens County, to the hundreds of workers who work there every day and who have not gotten paid in 35 days. They did so out of service.

But do you know what? We, out of obligation, must open up this government so that everyone who is working gets paid, all those who are furloughed can go back to work.

We know the importance of dignity of a job. These are hardworking Federal workers and contractors who deserve to get paid. Why are we holding them hostage? Why are their paychecks held hostage all for a wall?

I want to be clear, Madam Speaker: We Democrats believe in border security, but we want effective border security.

I do not believe in spending $5.7 billion for a wall when people in my district, babies in my district, go to bed hungry, when there are people in my district who need basic water and sewer in Lowndes County and Pickens County and in Perry County, Alabama.

I will stand up and fight for all those in my district, and I stand in solidarity with my Federal workers and contractors. They deserve to get paid.

I had an opportunity to talk with a young TSA worker from Birmingham, Alabama, just on Tuesday. I pass through that airport once a week going to and fro to D.C.

This young worker, with a smile on her face, said: How are you this morning? Can I help you?

I said: How can I help you? I want you to know that we are working hard every day to open up government.

She said: I know that. I know that you are. I also know that you know that a wall will not make the difference.

You know, the sad irony is that so many of these Federal workers don't have savings. She told me that she was just happy to have a job with the Federal Government, to have the security of having a Federal job is what she said.

She also told me that right now things are okay because she has her mother to take care of her child. She can no longer afford to send her child to daycare and put gas in her car to drive to the Birmingham airport to work at 4 a.m., that first shift, but she does it. She does it as long as she can.

We have to stand on this floor and demand that we reopen government as long as we can, as long as they have not gotten their paychecks. It is unfair. It is an injustice. It is an injustice.

So today, many of my congressional staff are with those correctional officers in Aliceville, Alabama.

We heard the story of Heather Bryant, who is struggling to pay for the gas she needs to drive the 30 minutes to work.

You see, in this small community of Aliceville, Alabama, the Federal women's correctional facility is the major employer. It is the major employer in that city, in that county.

I want you to know that because, in the 35 days that these corrections officers, parole officers, prison workers have gone without pay, we have seen restaurants close. We have seen convenience stores reduce hours in that community. Indeed, in order for us to provide meals today, we had to reopen that Meat and Three diner in order to feed these workers today.

This is unacceptable because it is not just the Federal workers who are impacted; it is the collateral damage that is done to the communities around this country. Store owners, restaurant owners who depend upon those workers for their livelihoods are affected.

We must do something now. It is unfair for us to ask those folks who are furloughed to come back to work and not get paid. It is unfair and unjust for us to ask Federal workers who are working hard every day in our airports, in our prison systems all across this Nation to work without pay.

But as Martin Luther King also said: ``The time is always right to do what is right.''

What is right, Madam Speaker, is to reopen government now. We must stand with these Federal workers. We must unabashedly demand that they get paid, and we must seek ways to work across the aisle to get government open.

But they have to also offer an olive branch. This President hasn't done that. Instead, he has put his interests over the American people's interests.

Enough is enough. We must reopen government and let our Federal workers, our contractors, know that we stand in solidarity with them.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Sergeant Wytasha Carter, a 16-year veteran of the Birmingham Police Department, who lost his life, tragically, in the line of duty on January 13, 2019.

Wyt, as his family and friends fondly called him, was a natural-born leader with whom others enjoyed working. Sergeant Carter was a Birmingham native who graduated from Phillips High School before attending Liberty University.

Sergeant Carter was drawn to service from a young age. After graduating from college, he served in the United

States Armed Forces, as a U.S. Air Force sergeant, before beginning his law enforcement career in 2002 as a correctional officer with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. Sergeant Carter served with the Birmingham Police Department for nearly 8 years and was recently promoted to sergeant last year.

But above all, Sergeant Carter was a husband, he was a father, and he was a beloved member of his community. He was so beloved that more than 2,000 people gathered to celebrate his life and his service at his funeral last Saturday.

Sergeant Carter was a passionate guardian of his Birmingham community: He was a fierce protector of his coworkers; he mentored children about the dangers of drugs and gangs; and he was someone who consistently worked above and beyond the call of duty, devoting his life to improving his community.

Sergeant Carter died from a gunshot wound while doing the job he loved so passionately. He and other police officers were working to make our community safer.

Sergeant Carter led by an example of excellence and of giving back to his community. The city of Birmingham is better because of his contributions.

His death is a stark reminder of the dangers that our brave policemen and -women face while working to secure our safety. They courageously put their lives on the line day after day to protect and to serve our neighborhoods while we sleep. Every time they put on their uniform--and even when their uniform comes off--they bravely put duty before self.

I ask my colleagues to join me in praying that God provides comfort to Sergeant Carter's family and friends, especially his wife of 21 years, Tiphanie, his daughter, and his young son. We pray for all of those who were affected by this senseless tragedy, as well as his fellow officer, who was critically injured in the shooting and who continues to rehab toward full recovery.

We must use this tragedy as a reminder that Congress must act to prevent this sort of senseless gun violence, gun violence that Sergeant Carter spoke out against. We honor the legacy of service of Sergeant Carter by making sure we in this body act. As President Obama said: ``Our tears are not enough. Our words and prayers are not enough.'' We must act.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Sergeant Carter's contribution to making the community of Birmingham better and this Nation. May we live out Sergeant Carter's legacy by working for a safer and more secure nation today and every day.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of late Mayor Larry Paul Langford. Mayor Langford was a beloved mayor of Birmingham and Fairfield, as well as serving Jefferson County as its first African American president of the Jefferson County Commission. He devoted much of his time to big ideas for the people whom he loved in the communities that he served.

Mayor Langford will be remembered as a larger-than-life personality who broke barriers as the first Black reporter for the region at WBRC; the first Black mayor of Fairfield, Alabama; the first Black president of the Jefferson County Commission; and as mayor of Birmingham. A Vietnam vet, Mayor Langford served in public office in multiple capacities for nearly 23 years, and he will be greatly missed by our community.

On March 17, 1946, Larry Langford was born to John Langford and to Lillian Nance Langford as the oldest of six children. He was a proud graduate of Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving for 5 years during the Vietnam war.

Langford returned home with a renewed sense of community and a renewed sense of service. He quickly completed his college degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and he became the first African American male to become a news reporter for WBRC 6 News in its region.

The importance of this role was never lost on Langford. He knew that, after the tumultuous decade before, to have an African American man reporting the news in this area was an important sign of progress in the city of Birmingham. Langford did well as a reporter, using his charisma and outgoing personality. He was able to speak with the people of Birmingham and tell their stories.

Langford decided to run for his first political office. He was elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1977, where he quickly became known as the liveliest and most outspoken of city council members, as well as the most media savvy.

During his time on the Birmingham City Council, he also worked as a radio news director and contributed to the Birmingham Times. After an unsuccessful run for mayor of the city of Birmingham against fellow Councilman Richard Arrington, Jr., in 1979, Langford temporarily retreated from public life. By 1982, Langford had moved to Fairfield, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, and married the love of his life, Miss Melva Ferguson. A few years later, he decided to return to public life and ran for mayor of Fairfield, handily defeating a crowded field of candidates.

Langford became the first African American mayor of the city of Fairfield in 1988, another first. After his election, he led an aggressive campaign to revitalize the city. Langford was granted more authority and helped to save the Fairfield City Schools from bankruptcy, and he pushed for regional cooperation in economic development that led to an agreement between 11 Jefferson County municipalities which joined forces in 1998 to finance and construct a $90 million project called Visionland, an amusement park that he brought to the city of Birmingham. It was actually in Bessemer, and it was part of a regional cooperation.

During his four terms as Fairfield mayor, Langford set his eyes on the Jefferson County Commission, where he hoped to continue to develop more regional cooperation in economic development. Langford was elected to the Jefferson County Commission in 2002, defeating the incumbent.

After becoming elected to the commission, he was quickly elected by his peers to be its president, another first. During his tenure as president of the Jefferson County Commission, he proposed a 1 percent sales tax that helped build 30 new schools and generated over $1 billion in revenue.

In 2006, Mayor Langford ran again for the mayor of Birmingham for a second run. This time, he was successful and won in a very crowded field without a runoff.

Mayor Langford was sworn into office on November 13, 2007, as mayor of Birmingham. He went on to strike an agreement with a foundation that provided computers to schoolchildren throughout the city of Birmingham. Nearly 17,000 elementary and middle school children received laptops that year.

While Mayor Langford's 23-year political career resulted in many successful public projects, his service was not without controversy. Mayor Langford's tenure as mayor of Birmingham was cut short when a jury found him guilty of public corruption on October 28, 2009, and he was sentenced to 15 years. After serving 8\1/2\ years, on December 28, 2018, due to his failing health, Mayor Langford's sentence was commuted by a Federal judge, giving him compassionate release. The next day, Mayor Langford was transferred from a Federal prison to Birmingham Hospital, where he remained until his death.

I want you to know, on a personal note, Mayor Langford was an outstanding mayor and his service will always be remembered and beloved by the community that loved him so much. I was honored to be a part of his funeral and to help him get his compassionate release. It is important that we remember the totality of his career.

I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Mayor Larry Langford.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Mayor Larry Paul Langford. Mayor Langford was a beloved member of the Birmingham, Fairfield and Jefferson County communities, who had bold dreams for the communities he loved and served He promoted economic development and made significant investments in the children and schools of Fairfield and Birmingham. Mayor Langford will be remembered as a larger than life personality who broke boundaries as the first black reporter for the region at WBRC; the first black Mayor of Fairfield, AL; the first black President of the Jefferson County Commission; and as a former Mayor of Birmingham. A Vietnam veteran, Mayor Langford served in public office in multiple capacities for nearly 23 years and will be greatly missed.

On March 17, 1946, Larry Langford was born to John Langford and Lillian Nance Langford, as the oldest of six children. He grew up understanding the importance of a good education and having a strong foundation of faith to guide him. His mother often stressed that a quality education was the key to improving one's lot in life and encouraged all of her children to strive for academic success. A proud graduate of A. H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Langford took his mother's advice to heart, but placed his dreams of attaining a college degree on hold when he chose to enlist into the United States Air Force shortly after finishing high school.

After serving for five years in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era, Langford returned home with a renewed sense of service to his community and quickly completed his college education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Langford attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and began working for a local news station. Langford became the first African American male to become a news reporter for WBRC 6 News in its region The importance of this role was never lost on Langford. He knew that after the tumultuous decade before, to have an African American man reporting the news in this area was just one of several signs that the City of Birmingham was changing. Langford did well as a reporter, using his charisma and outgoing personality, he was able to speak with the people of Birmingham every day and record their stories.

After several years working as a reporter, Langford decided to run for his first political office. He was elected to the Birmingham City Council in 1977 where he quickly became known as the ``liveliest and most outspoken'' of the council members, as well as the most media- savvy. He would frequently brief reporters before meetings and would then provide the most memorable or controversial quotes packaged in sound bites for television coverage. During his time on the Birmingham Council, he also worked as a radio news director and contributed to the Birmingham Times. After an unsuccessful run for Mayor of the City of Birmingham against fellow councilman Richard Arrington, Jr. in 1979, Langford temporarily retreated from public service.

By 1982, Langford had moved to Fairfield, AL and married the love of his life, Melva Ferguson A few years later, Langford decided to return to public service and help the City of Fairfield respond to the complaints of the community. Langford ran for Mayor and won handily, defeating a crowded field of several candidates. Langford became the first African American Mayor of the City of Fairfield in 1988, another first for the charismatic public servant. After his election, he began an aggressive campaign to revitalize the city that included a massive project that would fix the streets and sidewalks of Fairfield. After a successful lobbying attempt to the Alabama State Legislature, Langford was granted more power in his role as Mayor over the Fairfield City Council, that allowed him to increase the city's sales tax to save Fairfield City Schools which were facing bankruptcy and the possible threat of having to close all of the public schools in the City. It was there that Langford became an outspoken advocate for students and began to find ways to make sure students who attended Fairfield City Schools would be ready for the technological advancements they would be facing in the near future.

While the Mayor of Fairfield, Langford also distinguished himself by pushing for regional cooperation in economic development and he became the driving force behind an agreement of 11 Jefferson County municipalities to join forces in 1998 to finance the construction of Visionland Amusement Park in Bessemer, a $90 million project.

During his fourth term as Fairfield Mayor, Langford set his eye on the Jefferson County Commission where he hoped his connections in Jefferson County would allow for stronger regional partnership amongst the cities of Jefferson County. Langford was elected to the Jefferson County Commission in 2002, defeating incumbent Jeff Germany. After being elected to the Commission, he was then elected President of the Jefferson County Commission; becoming the first African American to do so. A strong believer in helping students succeed, he proposed a 1 percent sales tax that helped build 30 new schools and generated over $1 billion in revenue. These new resources were immediately put to use by the nearly 36,000 students who were a part of the Jefferson County School System at that time. This was one of Langford's most successful projects and the effects of these schools are still felt throughout the county today.

In 2006, Langford attempted a second run for Mayor of Birmingham This time, he was successful and won enough votes to avoid a run-off election. Mayor Langford was sworn in on November 13, 2007. Just like he had done in Fairfield and on the Jefferson County Commission, as Birmingham Mayor, he put students first. Langford wanted to make sure that these students were getting every opportunity possible. Mayor Langford struck an agreement with a foundation that provided computers to children from developing countries, and got them to expand their reach to Birmingham City School. Nearly 17,000 elementary and middle school students received laptops that year.

While Mayor Langford's 23-year political career resulted in many successful public projects, his service was not without its controversy. Mayor Langford's tenure as Birmingham mayor was cut short when a jury

found him guilty of public corruption on October 28, 2009 and was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. After serving eight and half years, on December 28, 2018, due to his failing health, Mayor Langford's sentence was commuted by a federal judge giving compassion release. The next day, Mayor Langford was transferred from a federal prison hospital in Lexington, Kentucky to Birmingham by ambulance where he was admitted to a Birmingham hospital and remained until his death on January 8, 2019.

Mayor Langford was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fairfield, AL and frequently held bible studies to help promote the Word of God. He wanted to help the young men and women in his community to be guided by the strength and lessons of the Bible and to help heal the community through faith. Mayor Langford is survived by his beloved wife, Melva; son, Ronald Strothers; brother, Oliver Nance; niece, Lena Powe McDonald; sister-in-law, Casi Ferguson; two grandchildren, Ronald and Jared Strothers; and a host of other nieces, nephews, friends and supporters.

On a personal note, I am grateful for the kindness shown to me by Mayor and Mrs. Langford when I first moved to Birmingham. Mayor Langford was a man of big vision and a huge heart that has left our community better because of his many initiatives. It was out of respect for his many good deeds that I was honored to play a part in getting Mayor Langford's compassionate release due to his failing health so that he could spend his final days in Birmingham. Mayor Langford died as he lived--with dignity, distinction and as a free man with his family, friends and community who loved him deeply.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of Mayor Larry Paul Langford. May we celebrate the totality of his life today and honor his great works during his 23 years of service to Fairfield, Birmingham, and Jefferson County, Alabama.

Madam Speaker, on January 14, 2019, I regret I was unable to vote due to an important conflict in my congressional district. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 30, H.R. 116, the Investing in Main Street Act.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to honor the extraordinary life of Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton. Mr. Hinton was on death row for 30 years before being cleared of a crime he never committed. He has now written a memoir relaying his experiences and frequently speaks about the need for reform of our nation's criminal justice system. As we debate passage of legislation which would transform our criminal justice system, I believe it is important that Mr. Hinton's story is told and that his call for reform is heard in the halls of Congress.

The story that led to Mr. Hinton's wrongful incarceration began in 1985 after the murder of two men in two separate armed robbery incidents at Birmingham restaurants. Later that year, a third restaurant manager in Bessemer was shot and wounded. The manager then identified Mr. Hinton from a photo lineup, even though Hinton was working at a warehouse 15 miles away on the night of the shooting. Despite the lack of evidence against him, Mr. Hinton was soon arrested.

Police recovered six slugs from the crime scenes and the state forensics department matched them to a rusty .38 special that detectives took from Mr. Hinton's mother's home, where he lived. Mr. Hinton was charged with two counts of capital murder. He maintained his innocence and passed a lie detector test before his trial.

During his arrest, Mr. Hinton says police refused to explain the charges against him, but they assured him that he would be convicted simply because he was black. Mr. Hinton's court-appointed attorney believed that most black people would lie about committing a crime, so he failed to represent the case adequately. Despite limited evidence and a sworn testimony provided by Mr. Hinton's employer stating that he had been at work on the night of the robbery, the jury convicted Mr. Hinton and sentenced him to death.

To pass the days while serving his sentence, Mr. Hinton began to read and organized a book club for fellow prisoners. He made friends and says he never saw any of his fellow inmates as `monsters.' Instead, he learned to see the good in all people and believes it was his attitude that helped him survive.

After a decade on death row, the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery took on Mr. Hinton's case. During their appeal, evidence was introduced from three forensic experts. Still, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals refused to overturn his convictions or grant a new trial. For 16 years, the Equal Justice Initiative continued to push for a retrial. Finally, in 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Mr. Hinton's original defense lawyer was ``constitutionally deficient,'' and remanded his case to the lower court for retrial. After the Supreme Court ruling, the Jefferson County District Attorney moved to drop his case.

On April 3, 2015, Mr. Hinton was released from prison after three decades on death row. Mr. Hinton had 30 years of his life taken away from him. During this time his mother, a woman who never ceased to believe in her son's innocence, passed away. Mr. Hinton says it broke his heart to realize she would never have the opportunity to see her son as a free man again. Mr. Hinton was punished for another person's crimes. But if he were to live the rest of his life in anger, he would have even more of his life taken away. In his own words, ``The rest of my life is mine. Alabama took 30 years. That was enough.''

Mr. Hinton's wrongful conviction shines a light on the failures of our criminal justice system. He has written a memoir, The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row, and has travelled the country, giving readings and talks on his experiences. Today, Mr. Hinton continues to work with the Equal Justice Initiative, sharing his story nationwide. He even spoke at the Peace and Justice Summit, held by the Equal Justice Initiative, earlier this year. Mr. Hinton's work bringing awareness to the issue of criminal justice has encouraged advocates across the country to join the fight for prison reform.

Mr. Hinton is far from alone in his experience with our criminal justice system. Since 1973, a total of 158 people have been released from death row after evidence of their innocence was uncovered. As Congress debates passage of legislation to reform our criminal justice system, the lessons learned from Mr. Hinton's case, and from others who have wrongfully been sent to death row, must be remembered.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and the extraordinary sacrifices made by Mr. Anthony Ray Hinton in our pursuit of a more perfect Union. He is a symbol of hope and perseverance in our fight for reform. His legacy of resilience will lead the way for equality in our justice system.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and career of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C. Smith III, who served ably as Director of the Birmingham VA Medical Center during his distinguished career in the U.S. Army and with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Throughout his career, Mr. Smith worked tirelessly to provide care for our nation's Service Members and Veterans. Mr. Smith was a man of the highest character who loved his family and who dedicated himself to God and country.

Mr. Smith was born in Phenix City, Alabama, on July 6, 1953, to parents Thomas C. Smith II and Ganelle Putnam Smith. He grew up with three sisters, Kaye, Phyllis, and Deborah, who he loved and cherished greatly.

After graduating from Central High School, Mr. Smith attended Auburn University where he was well known for his acting talent and often graced the stage of Telfair Peet Theatre. Upon earning his degree at Auburn, Mr. Smith worked at the Ritz Theater in Gadsden, Alabama. It was there, as Director of the Ritz Theater, that Mr. Smith met the love of his life, and his future wife, JoDean.

Over the course of their marriage, JoDean and Mr. Smith had six beautiful children, including two sons, Justin and Drew, and four daughters, Adrienne, Emily, Laura, and Kathleen.

At the age of 29, Mr. Smith joined the U.S. Army, pursuing a career of service in the field of health care. As a Service Member, Mr. Smith studied at Baylor University, receiving his Masters in Healthcare Administration in 1992. Mr. Smith worked at U.S. Army hospitals around the globe, from the Army General Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, to the Army Health Center in Vicenza, Italy. His 22-year career in the U.S. Army culminated with Mr. Smith's work as Deputy Commander for Administration of the Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia.

While in the military, Mr. Smith was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit, an honorary organization which recognizes leadership and significant contributions to the Army Medical Department. He also earned the Expert Field Medical Badge and received the Army Legion of Merit for exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

After retiring from the military in 2005, Mr. Smith began serving as Assistant Director and thereafter Director of the Central Texas Veterans Affairs Hospital. After eight years there, Mr. Smith accepted the Directorship role at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. For those who had the opportunity to work with Mr. Smith he will always be remembered as a tireless servant leader who cared deeply for our Veterans, appreciated those who worked with him, and related to everyone with compassion and respect.

While Mr. Smith dedicated himself fully to caring for Service Members and Veterans, he was also a devoted father and husband. He was always happiest when he was surrounded by his loving wife, his children, and his grandchildren. Mr. Smith's Catholic faith was of the utmost importance to him, and he truly sought to live each day according to Christ's example.

On a personal note, I got to know Mr. Smith when he assumed the role of Director of the Birmingham VA Medical Center. Mr. Smith was a true patriot who led by example. His warm smile and engaging spirit greeted every Service Member and Veteran that sought care at the Birmingham VA Hospital. Mr. Smith made a positive and lasting impact on the Veteran community in Birmingham. His legacy will live on in the many people he touched through his long career providing quality health care to our military Service Members and Veterans.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, JoDean, son Justin and daughter- in-law Molly, son Drew and daughter-in-law Angie, daughter Adrienne and son-in-law Richard Stravitsch, daughter Emily and son-in-law Daniel Henson, daughter Laura, daughter Kathleen, and fourteen grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Kaye Latulippe, Phyllis Mann, and Deborah Smith. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Thomas C. Smith II and Ganelle Putnam Smith.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the career and incredible contributions of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C. Smith III. He served his

country well, and his contributions as a servant leader will be remembered in Alabama for many years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Rex Buffington, for his life's work as executive director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership since it was established 30 years ago.

I again thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time. I am joined here tonight by my fellow board members of the Stennis Center as we speak about the retirement of the executive director, Rex Buffington.

For more than 30 years, the Stennis Center has taught, inspired, and

trained our Nation's young people through programs such as debate, women's leadership initiatives, and Truman Scholars. Thanks to the leadership of Rex from the very beginning, their work has had a powerful impact on our Nation's leadership, mobilizing a generation of dedicated public servants and community leaders.

I am happy to share with Rex not only our southern roots--he is from Mississippi and I am from Alabama--but our mutual love for debate and our dear friend, my former high school debate coach, Coach Billy Tate. Coach Billy Tate, my high school debate coach at Selma High School, was instrumental in the creation of the John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate Tournament.

I know that my life's journey would not have been possible if it had not been for my high school debate experience. I know that the Stennis Center's debate program is just one of the many ways young leaders across this country are being equipped with the invaluable tools necessary for leadership.

Rex knows that it is the people behind our democracy that makes democracy work. He has been quoted as saying: ``No government, regardless of its history or structure, can be better than the people who make it work.''

I agree with Rex. When we have programs aimed at attracting thoughtful, committed, and honest leaders to public service, we get good policy in the end.

While I am disappointed to see Rex's time as executive director come to an end, I know that his leadership has set the groundwork for another 30 years of success in attracting young people of character to public service.

The impact that Rex has had has been enormous, and I thank him.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and amazing career of Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders, also known as The Rock.

For the past 35 years, State Senator Sanders has been a powerful voice in the Alabama Legislature, ably representing the 23rd District since 1983. He was the longest serving chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee from 1996 and served for four consecutive terms until Republicans took over the statehouse in 2010.

Senator Sanders is a lawyer; a statesman; a native of my hometown of Selma, Alabama; and a true Renaissance man. Along with his numerous legislative accomplishments, Senator Sanders has also penned more than 1,600 newspaper articles and columns known as Senate Sketches as a way of communicating directly with his constituents.

Senator Sanders' years of service to the State of Alabama and to the Alabama Legislature will be missed. For you see, Mr. Speaker, after 35 years, this lion of the Alabama Senate is retiring. Choosing not to run in 2018, he will be ably replaced by his daughter, who recently won that election.

Unlike many who found themselves in positions of power, Senator Sanders did not come from a privileged background. Senator Sanders came from humble beginnings, 1 of 13 children born to Sam and Ola Mae Sanders in Baldwin County, Alabama.

Growing up, Senator Sanders said what his family lacked in money, they more than made up for in love and support. The Sanders family provided constant encouragement for their children, pushing each of them to further their dreams through education.

At the age of 12, Senator Sanders was inspired to become a lawyer after reading an article about Thurgood Marshall. Following his graduation from Douglasville High School, Senator Sanders began pursuing his legal career, graduating near the top of his class at Talladega College.

After earning his bachelor's degree, Senator Sanders went on to enroll and graduate from Harvard Law School. He attended Harvard Law School in the 1970s on a Felix Frankfurter Scholarship, an award for underprivileged students who showed exceptional promise. During his time at Harvard Law School, he was president of the Harvard Black Law Students Association.

It was during law school that he found his life mate, his beloved wife, Faya Ora Rose Toure, formerly known as Rose M. Sanders. After graduating, Senator Sanders and his wife moved back to Selma, Alabama, my hometown.

Their decision to go to Selma was one that was made because they knew how important it was to do things in the Black Belt, saying they grew up to love and cherish the city, which provided an opportunity to build both of their careers and raise their family.

They started a very productive law firm by the name of Chestnut, Sanders, and Sanders.

During their 41 years together, they produced six beautiful children and nine grandchildren.

In 1971, Senator Sanders founded the law firm of Chestnut, Sanders, Sanders, and Pettaway, which was one of the top African American-owned law firms in the State of Alabama, as well as one of the largest in the country.

Senator Sanders dedicated his life to making sure he pursued justice on behalf of the underserved. He gave a voice to the voiceless, and he still works tirelessly today.

In 1982, Senator Sanders decided to pursue his passion for helping others on a State-wide level, winning a seat in the Alabama State Senate for the 23rd District. During his 35 years representing the largest political region in Alabama, Senator Sanders won seven bids for reelection.

Senator Sanders has proudly championed issues such as childhood education and nutrition, healthcare, women's issues, and removing the sales tax for food. He served as chair of the Finance and Taxation Education Committee, and he was voted Outstanding Legislator by the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus.

Senator Sanders was voted a finalist for the Legislator of the Year Award by his fellow Senators. He has numerous awards to his credit.

On a personal note, Senator Sanders was my State senator for those 35 years representing my hometown of Selma. He is a legal and political giant in our community, and I join with our community this weekend in acknowledging his 35 years of service to the State of Alabama and to this Nation.

He is truly a renaissance man. He has a brilliant legal mind, and not only is he politically astute, but he is also a family man who begins every day with prayer and meditation. I think it is so important for those young folks who come behind us that we know and respect and honor Senator Sanders.

It is with great honor, Mr. Speaker, that I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the lion of the Alabama State Senate, a man who has left an indelible imprint on the lives of so many in the Black Belt of Alabama, a community that he has represented for more than 35 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the accomplishments of State Senator Hank Sanders. He has served his constituents well, and his contributions to the State of Alabama and to this Nation will shape the political and social landscape of this great Nation for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Mr. Gregory Calhoun, who passed away on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the age of 66. Calhoun was a pioneering businessman and the first black supermarket owner in the South. Through his entrepreneurial success and his contributions to Montgomery and communities across Alabama, Calhoun inspired those around him. His enterprising spirit and giving nature will not be forgotten.

Calhoun was born on September 10, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan. At an early age, his family moved to Montgomery, Alabama. There, Calhoun learned about the fundamentals of running a business from his father, Thomas Calhoun Sr., who was a business owner, and his mother, who was head of housekeeping at a local hotel.

From his parents, Calhoun also learned about the value of standing up for what you believe. In 1965, when Dr. King marched from Selma to Montgomery to highlight the injustice of voter suppression in the South, Calhoun's family joined the march. Calhoun was just 12, but he ran to the front of the march, where he met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It was this historic march which helped to expose the brutality of Jim Crow laws in the South and which built public support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Calhoun began work in the grocery business at a young age, starting as a bag boy at the local Southwest Super Foods. He was only 14 years old at the time, but he dreamed of someday owning the supermarket himself. Climbing the ladder of success was a slow process, but over the course of a decade Calhoun rose from stock boy to supermarket manager to an executive position with his supermarket's parent firm, Hudson-Thompson Co.

When Calhoun found out that Hudson-Thompson Co. was selling Southwest Super Foods, he jumped at the chance to buy the supermarket where he had gotten his start. Finding a loan to buy the store was not easy. Calhoun approached several Montgomery bankers, all of whom turned him down. Eventually, Calhoun found a willing financier in New York, but in order to secure funding, he had to put up his house and his life's savings as collateral for the loan.

With everything on line, Calhoun got to work managing his grocery business. He immediately began making improvements to the store, assuring store employees they would receive raises, buying new equipment and opening a deli, bakery and seafood shop, among other improvements. It was hard work, but he was not alone. Calhoun pointed to his faith in God and his family's support as keys to his success. As he was starting his supermarket business, Calhoun was able to work the long hours required to grow his stores because his wife, Verlyn, and his children were by his side. Over the course of his career, Calhoun built his supermarket business up to include 15 locations. Calhoun Foods would operate in west Montgomery for more than 20 years.

As a successful leader in the food industry, Calhoun became the first African American elected to the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Board of Directors. At FMI, Calhoun served three consecutive terms on the organization's Executive Committee and launched the popular FMI African American Share Group. Calhoun credited his family's help running the supermarket business for giving him the time necessary to dedicate to his board position at FMI.

After his success in the supermarket industry, Calhoun diversified his business ventures. In 1993, Calhoun and Associates was formed to assist Fortune 500 Companies with Minority and Diversity Affairs. Calhoun also founded other business ventures including Calhoun Communication and Superior Brokerage, both of which built on Calhoun's success as an entrepreneur.

In addition to running businesses and sitting on the board of FMI, Calhoun committed himself to uplifting his community and opening doors of opportunity for others. Through the establishment of the Greg Calhoun Foundation, Calhoun supported charities and community organizations that make a difference in the lives of young people, the elderly, the homeless, displaced Veterans and the medically inflicted. Calhoun also served on the boards of many charitable organizations including the United Way, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, and the Montgomery Area Food Bank. The Calhoun Celebrity Golf Tournament was Calhoun's major fundraiser to support donations to The Sickle Cell Foundation of Greater Montgomery, Macon and Dallas Counties, The Calhoun P.A.R.I.S Parenting Scholardome Program, and R.E.S.T.O.R. Shelter for the Homeless and Displaced Veterans. Icons including Smokey Robinson and Steve Harvey joined the golf tournament regularly and helped to make it a philanthropic success.

Today we remember Calhoun as an advocate, not as a voice for the left or for the right, but as a voice for all people. During his life, Calhoun fought for jobs, he fought for our rights, and he fought to give underserved communities a shot at success. He would work with Republicans or Democrats if he thought they could make a positive difference. Calhoun worked side-by-side with freedom fighters like Rev. Jesse Jackson as a Rainbow PUSH board member. He also supported now- Congresswoman Martha Roby, a Republican, when she first ran for City Council. Calhoun did not see party affiliation, he saw opportunities to make a difference, and he seized on them. For his business success and community leadership, Calhoun was recognized with an award for the National Minority Retail Firm of the Year in 1990 by the United States Department of Commerce. Calhoun was also chosen to tour with President Clinton during the 1999 Economic Development Tour, and he was appointed to serve on the board of First Lady Michelle Obama's Healthy Food Initiative in 2011.

Calhoun leaves behind his loving and faithful wife Verlyn, his sons Malcolm and Gregory Renard, and one of his biggest cheerleaders, his daughter ShaKenya, and his grandchildren whom he adored, Jacquenya, Mackinzie, Kaylin, Morgan, Yorel, Kelsie, London, and Ari. For future generations, Calhoun had a few words of advice. ``Nothing worthwhile is free,'' he said. Calhoun's mantra of working hard, studying, and knowing what you do took him from bag boy to business leader, and for aspiring young leaders in our community today, his words are worth remembering. Calhoun taught us that success is not some series of shortcuts or lucky draws, what drives success is dedication, it is your expertise and your deliberate focus on your work. This was a message that Calhoun shared with students, entrepreneurs, and employees. As a new generation sets out to blaze their own trail, I believe that the advice Calhoun gave and the guidance he provided will have a lasting impact.

On a personal note, Greg Calhoun has always been an inspiration to me through my. work in the public and private sectors. I remember Calhoun as an optimist who saw the opportunity in every challenge he faced. His

achievements as an entrepreneur were a constant reminder that there is no secret ingredient to success--just our own hard work and dedication.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and contributions of Greg Calhoun. He was a community leader and a Montgomery treasure whose work to open doors for others has changed countless lives.

Mr. Speaker, less than a year after the first disastrous tax bill, here we are voting on another bill that will double down on this betrayal and put hardworking families who are working every day to make ends meet even further into debt.

As my constituents remember, the first tax law cost us $2.3 trillion. Those working to reach the middle class will see less investment in their communities; will see their Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid shrink; and will see the costs of healthcare insurance rise.

It is unconscionable that Republicans are trying to pass another batch of tax cuts that will add another $650 billion to the $2.3 trillion they have already spent through the Tax Code. This will end up costing us $5 trillion over the next 20 years.

Vote ``no'' on this reckless tax cut.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the 55th observance of the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and to commemorate the lives and legacy of four precious little girls--Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris Wesley--who were murdered during that devastating attack 55 years ago.

On September 15, 1963, at 10:22 a.m., the four little girls were getting dressed in the bathroom downstairs in the church, preparing to sing in the church choir. The morning of the bombing, some 200 church members were in the building getting ready for the 11 o'clock service.

When the bomb detonated on the church's east side, it caused the interior walls of the church to cave in and sent mortar and bricks flying from across the front of the church. Most of the parishioners were able to evacuate the building as it filled with smoke, but the bodies of four little girls were found beneath the rubble in the basement restroom.

The bombing was a racially motivated act of terrorism, Madam Speaker, orchestrated by four suspected members of the Ku Klux Klan. As part of the attack, the men planted 19 sticks of dynamite outside the basement of the church.

Along with the murder of the four little girls, a dozen other people were injured, including Sarah Collins Rudolph, the younger sister of Addie Mae Collins. Sarah had been in the basement with her sister and the other girls getting ready for church--yes, getting ready for church service.

The attack would later be described by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity.

As the day continued, thousands of African Americans protested, gathering in scenes across the State. Governor Wallace, at the time, soon called in the police to break up the protests. Dozens of people were arrested, and two young Black boys were also killed that day: Johnnie Robinson, 16, and Virgil Ware, 13. Robinson was shot by a police officer, and Ware was killed by two White youths within hours of the bomb detonating.

Following the attack, several people were suspected, but no one was immediately brought to justice. It wasn't until 14 years later, in 1977, when then-Alabama Attorney General Bob Baxley reopened the case and the investigation began to make headway. Eventually, Klan leader Robert Chambliss was finally brought to trial and convicted of the murders.

It would take another 20 years before the other Klansmen accomplices were brought to justice. It was then-U.S. Attorney Doug Jones who brought justice, leading to the convictions of Thomas Blanton and Bobby Cherry.

The events that took place in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 15, 1963, became a major catalyst for the civil rights movement. The loss of four young girls was not in vain for, you see, we got the passage of very important historic civil rights legislation because of their sacrifice: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Today, as we continue to seek justice and equality for all people, Madam Speaker, we must appreciate just how far we have come. Every gain in the battle for civil rights has come at a high cost, paid for by those who believed in a vision and a dream bigger

than themselves. In order to see results, we must continue to fight, further their legacy and their work each and every day.

On a personal note, it is never lost on me that I get to walk the Halls of Congress today because four little Black girls lost their lives, so they can't.

It is humbling and inspiring to know that my very presence in this institution was because of the personal sacrifice of others. I was honored that my first bill to pass Congress was to pay tribute to Addie Mae Collins, to Carole, to Cynthia, and to Denise posthumously, when the Congress of the United States gave a Congressional Gold Medal in 2013 on the 50th anniversary of their deaths.

I want to thank Pastor Price and the amazing congregation of 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, who tirelessly keep the flame and memory of this tragic incident alive and preserves this historic church for future generations.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Seventh Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the 55th observance of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and in honoring the life and legacy of four little girls, Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris Wesley.

The events 55 years ago shaped the future of our Nation and continues to have a lasting impact on our quest for equal justice and our pursuit for a more perfect union.