Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of civil rights activist Mrs. Myrna Carter Jackson of Birmingham, Alabama, who passed away on May 31, 2024, at the age of 82.

A community leader, community activist, civil rights and voting rights activist, teacher, and cosmetologist, Mrs. Jackson wore many hats, but the common thread was public service.

Mrs. Jackson was jailed twice for her involvement in the civil rights movement in Birmingham. She served as the first vice president of the Metro Birmingham Branch of the NAACP and eventually commissioner of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham district.

Whether she was providing job training for the youth, supporting victims of Hurricane Katrina, or substitute teaching, Mrs. Myrna Jackson never missed an opportunity to give back. Her life stands as a testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the inspiring life and legacy of civil rights activist Mrs. Myrna Carter Jackson of Birmingham, Alabama. She will be sorely missed.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Myrna Carter Jackson, a civil rights activist and community leader in Birmingham, Alabama, who passed away on May 31, 2024, at the age of 82.

Mrs. Jackson was born on July 9, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama as one of eight children to the late Willie George Carter and Willie Lee Ledger. After graduating from A.H. Parker High School at the age of sixteen, she attended Barbara Durr Beauty College in 1965 and obtained a license in cosmetology. Later in life, she continued her educational journey at Lawson State Community College and Miles College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in social work in 2000.

Mrs. Jackson became involved in the Civil Rights Movement at an early age, serving as the First Vice President of the Metro Birmingham Branch of NAACP. After the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, she participated in the Children's March and Monday Masses, organized by the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth. In response to her peaceful demonstration, Mrs. Jackson was jailed twice and spent more than three weeks in the Birmingham Jail. She experienced violence and troubling conditions during her incarceration but drew strength from the support and comradery that she received from other members of the Movement.

A dedicated community leader, Mrs. Jackson's commitment to service was the throughline of her career. She served as a certified substitute teacher for several Birmingham schools, provided social services and workforce development to survivors of Hurricane Katrina, facilitated job training for students through the Birmingham Works for Youth, and served as Commissioner of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District. As a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction, she worked with Top Teens of America to provide scholarships and funding for students.

Even later in life, Mrs. Jackson's commitment to the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement never wavered. In 2009, she organized a conference with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the FBI to promote healthy dialogue between youth and law enforcement. In 2017, she helped commemorate the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and went on to serve as the Interim President for the Metro Birmingham Branch of the NAACP.

Mrs. Jackson received much recognition for her remarkable leadership and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. She was honored by the Metro Birmingham Branch of the NAACP in 2013 for the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. In 2017, she was selected by The HistoryMakers for an oral history interview of her incredible life story.

Mrs. Jackson is preceded in death by her husband, Issic Jackson; parents Willie George Carter and Willie Lee Ledger; and three brothers, Gilbert Carter, Alfred Lee Carter, and John Carter. She is survived by two sons Jeffery Jackson and Michael Jackson; one granddaughter Denitra Streeter; one grandson Kieron Jackson; one brother Willie Carter Jr.; four sisters Sylvia Weatherspoon, Lee Edna Boone, Iris Elom, and Wanda Morton, and a host of cousins, friends, and church members.

On a personal note, Mrs. Jackson was a source of great inspiration for me and so many young Black women. A trailblazer and pioneer, she was devoted to her community, her family, and the power of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movement. It is because of the courage, bravery, and strength of Foot Soldiers like Myrna Carter Jackson that we enjoy the freedoms we have today. Her life is a testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change. May we find comfort in knowing that she lived a full and blessed life, and that her legacy will live on in the lives she touched.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Myrna Carter Jackson and her many contributions to the City of Birmingham, the State of Alabama, and our Nation. May she Rest in Peace and Power.

Madam Speaker, as we prepare to observe the 80th anniversary of D-day, I rise to honor the late Captain Malcolm Smith of Birmingham, Alabama, who selflessly gave his life defending our Nation during World War II in Normandy, France.

An Alabama native, Captain Smith graduated from Birmingham's own Ramsay High School before attending West Point and becoming a pilot for the United States Army Air Forces in 1942.

Captain Smith flew many combat missions in one of the most heavily engaged air groups in Normandy leading up to D-day. He was awarded five Air Medals for his heroic efforts.

Just 2 weeks before D-day, and at the age of 27, Captain Smith was killed in his P-47 Thunderbolt while completing a ground mission. He is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

As I will join the congressional delegation traveling to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-day, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Birmingham native Captain Malcolm Smith for his courageous service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7893, a bill to rename the Perry County Post Office in Marion, Alabama, after the late civil rights legend and former Perry County Commissioner, Albert Turner, Sr.

Widely known as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s point man in the Black belt, Albert Turner, Sr., played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement, helping to organize voter registration drives, protests, and work closely with civil rights leaders to advance voting rights and economic empowerment for African Americans.

Albert Turner, Sr., was one of the many foot soldiers who put his life on the line by marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday in my hometown of Selma, Alabama, to ensure that Black Americans were afforded equal access to the ballot box.

Albert Turner, Sr., was a true champion for racial equality and justice in the Perry County community. He cofounded the Perry County Civic League, which organized protests and boycotts for racial integration of schools and public facilities. His voter mobilization efforts inspired civil rights leaders and earned him the title of field secretary for the Alabama Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Even after the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Turner's commitment to the cause of Black advancement never wavered. He proudly led the southwest Alabama Farmers Cooperative association to improve Black farmers' access to government loans and address the rising costs of agricultural machinery and supplies. He also served as a Perry County Commissioner for four terms, initiating and championing education, healthcare initiatives, and economic development for the poor and working-class residents.

Currently, his son, Albert Turner, Jr., is serving as chairman of the Perry County Commission, carrying on his father's proud legacy of public service. The efforts of Albert Turner, Sr., paved the way for many freedoms that we as African Americans enjoy today.

It is my hope that by renaming the Marion post office after him, we can ensure that his legacy lives on forever. I ask my House colleagues to join me and the entire Alabama delegation in voting in favor of H.R. 7893, renaming the post office in Marion, Alabama, the Albert Turner, Sr. Post Office. May Albert Turner, Sr., rest in peace and power and his legacy of civil rights endure forever.

Madam Speaker, I rise to observe the 60th anniversary of Bloody Tuesday that occurred in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and to acknowledge and respect the SCLC and its Tuscaloosa chapter for their upcoming commemoration event.

On June 9, 1964, over 500 African Americans gathered at the First African Baptist Church to take a stand against racial segregation at the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse. Before they could march even 5 feet, their peaceful protest was met with violence at the hands of police and a mob of White citizens.

Protesters were tear-gassed, hosed, and beaten with billy clubs and baseball bats. Altogether, 33 marchers were hospitalized, and nearly 100 were arrested. It was the largest assault and invasion of a Black church by law enforcement during the civil rights movement.

Though lesser known, the events of Bloody Tuesday set the stage for Bloody Sunday and the eventual march from Selma to Montgomery.

I commend the Tuscaloosa SCLC for their work to keep the memory of Bloody Tuesday alive.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Tuesday. We must never, ever forget.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Selma's own Asher HaVon for winning season 25 of ``The Voice.'' A native of my hometown of Selma, Alabama, Asher got his start singing in the church and even performed for President Obama during his visit for the 50th anniversary of the Selma and Montgomery march.

Throughout this season on ``The Voice,'' Asher's outstanding vocal abilities have taken America by storm. His first-place win makes him not only the first Alabamian to win ``The Voice,'' but also the first openly LGBTQ person to earn such a title.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the one and only Asher HaVon of Selma, Alabama, for his first-place finish as the winner of ``The Voice.''

We in Selma are so proud of you, and we can't wait to see everything that you will continue to achieve.

We are indeed Selma Strong.

Mr. Speaker, in the more than ten years since the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in the Shelby vs. Holder case, state legislatures have targeted voters and erected deliberate barriers to the ballot box in what amounts to the most coordinated effort to restrict voting access in generations. These new laws would: Close polling stations without advanced notice, purge voter rolls, curb early voting and voting by mail, impose strict ID requirements and limit multi-lingual voting materials.

If we are to gather here today and discuss solutions to rid this Nation of voter disenfranchisement, then I suggest that instead of the Republican misguided bill, the House finally take up H.R. 14, the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Named for our late great colleague and Civil Rights hero, the bill would establish a modern-day formula to prevent states with a recent history of voter discrimination from enacting restrictive voting laws.

Generations of Americans marched, fought and even died for the right to vote, many in my hometown of Selma, Alabama. We cannot let the continuation of unjust practices threaten their legacy and undermine our democracy.

The right to vote is the most fundamental right in our democracy. With the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, we're ensuring that every eligible American can make their voices heard in fair, accessible, and transparent elections.

I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will finally join me and fellow Democrats in this worthwhile endeavor.

It was John Lewis who said ``that the right to vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful non-violent tool in a democratic society. We must use it.''

I urge my colleagues to join me in defending this precious right so that H.R. 14 can finally be brought forward for a vote; and show once and for all to our constituents that we are united in defense of our democracy and our most sacred right to vote.

Mr. Speaker, we are now almost a year and a half removed from the devastating tornado that hit my district and one thing is clear; the people of Selma, Dallas County and Greene County are resilient.

From the very beginning, my biggest priority has been ensuring that those impacted by the tornado get the resources they need to recover AND ensuring that our recovery is equitable.

The legislation before us today is just another example of making a valuable resource within the tax code available to all those still rebuilding after the storm.

The road to recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The work undertaken by the Ways & Means Committee is transformative in nature and improves lives for the better.

H.R. 5863 will give my constituents and all Americans impacted by federal designated disasters yet another tool to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, on May 17, 2024, I was attending to matters outside of DC and could not be present. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 218.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career and achievements of Lieutenant General A.C. Roper, the first African-American, three-star general in the U.S. Army Reserve, as he celebrates his retirement from 41 years of service in the United States Army.

Lieutenant General Roper's extraordinary career began after he was commissioned in 1983 as a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has an extensive military education and received master's degrees from both the University of Alabama and the U.S. Army War College.

Throughout his exemplary career, Lieutenant General Roper moved quickly up the ranks and broke down barriers for African Americans serving in the Armed Forces.

On May 14, 2021, he made history as the first African American to become a three-star general in the U.S. Army Reserve.

Most recently, he served as deputy commander of the U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of the U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. He has received numerous awards and decorations.

Mr. Speaker, I got to know Lieutenant General Roper during his time as the chief of police for Birmingham Police Department. I was immediately impressed by his firm yet compassionate leadership style that commanded the respect of his fellow officers and endeared him to the Birmingham community.

Lieutenant General Roper's reputation has always been one of great purpose and great passion. He is an honorable man, guided by an abiding faith in God and a love of country.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the retirement of Lieutenant General A.C. Roper after 33 years in law enforcement and 41 years of military service.

Recognizing Small Business Winners in Alabama's Seventh District

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the award-winning small business owners in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District as we celebrate National Small Business Week.

Ms. Jackie Smith is the proud owner and operator of The Coffee Shoppe and Reflections in our hometown of Selma, Alabama. After leaving her job in 2011, Jackie bravely took on the risk of opening up her own small business, turning the site that once was a segregated diner into a beautiful coffee shop in the heart of downtown Selma. For 13 years, The Coffee Shoppe has provided a place for the community to come together, learn about Selma's history, and eat some great food.

Like any businessowner, Jackie has had her fair share of hardships. After the tornado of January 12, 2023, we saw her resilience, and thanks to an investment by the SBA, she was able to open her doors and continue The Coffee Shoppe's great legacy; and, in fact, she opened up another business, Reflections.

This week, Jackie's extraordinary entrepreneurship earned her national recognition as the Small Business Administration's 2024 Phoenix Award winner for outstanding disaster recovery efforts. We congratulate her on her outstanding achievements.

Today, I also recognize SBA's 2024 Small Business Persons of the Year in Alabama: Shanna Ullmann, Timothy Ullmann, and Robert Prescott of Transformation Partners, LLC in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Beginning in the year 2000, as a statewide training provider, their firm has grown tremendously over the past two decades. Today, they serve numerous clients in the field of higher education, government, military, and corporate America, offering consulting services and employee development programming.

Transformation Partners was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but once again, thanks to the assistance of the SBA, the firm remained operational and weathered the storm. Now their efforts have earned them national recognition as SBA's 2024 National Small Business Persons of the Year for Alabama.

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the outstanding entrepreneurship in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District. Congratulations to all of our winners. I wish them much success in the years ahead.

Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., the people of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District have lost a great leader and devoted public servant, and we in Congress have lost a beloved colleague.

I join in sending my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Beatrice, and their three children: Donald III, Jack, and Yvonne during this difficult time.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Don was a fierce advocate for working families in New Jersey and all across the Nation. Drawing strength and determination from his own battle with Type 1 Diabetes, he worked tirelessly to make our communities healthier and stronger.

His work to increase access to critical cancer screenings remains an inspiration to me, and we are all indebted to him for his advocacy on that issue and many others. It was Don's father, the late Congressman Donald Payne, Sr., who first asked me to serve on the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Board of Directors.

Don worked tirelessly to keep his father's legacy alive, and I am so appreciative of his gracious support and commitment to the CBCF.

Don will be dearly missed here in the House of Representatives, and I join my colleagues in celebrating his extraordinary life and career. May his legacy live on the many lives he touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career and achievements of Lieutenant General A.C. Roper, the first African American three-star general in the U.S. Army Reserve, as he celebrates his retirement from the U.S. Army.

Lieutenant General Roper's exemplary service began after he was commissioned in 1983 as a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His military education is extensive, including Chemical Officer Basic and Advance Courses (Honor Graduate of both), Public Affairs Officers Course, Equal Opportunity Advisors Course (Commandant's Award), Inspector General Course, Combined Arms Staff Services School, Command and General Staff College (Commandant's List), the US Army War College, the Joint Senior Reserve Component Officer Course, the Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) Course, the National Defense University's CAPSTONE Course, the NORTHCOM Joint Task Force Commanders Course, and Harvard University's National & International Security Seminar. He earned a Master of Science from the University of Alabama and a Master in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He furthered his education at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy and the FBI National Executive Institute. He specialized in protecting critical infrastructure and served on the Executive Board of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

On May 14, 2021, Lieutenant General Roper broke a barrier within the armed services, becoming the first African American to become a three- star general in the U.S. Army Reserve, earning the rank of Lieutenant General.

Most recently, Lieutenant General A.C. Roper served as the Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, and Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. As Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Roper assisted the Combatant Commander in anticipating, preparing for, and responding to threats against North America and within Northern Command's assigned area of responsibility. Additionally, he provided oversight of the U.S. Northern Command's mission to provide Defense Support of Civil Authorities.

Throughout his decorated career, Lieutenant General Roper's reputation has always been one of purpose and passion. Prior to this current assignment, he commanded the 76th

Operational Response Command in Salt Lake City, UT, which was the USAR's all-hazard response command. He also served as Commanding General--80th Training Command (OPCON to TRADOC), Acting Deputy Commanding General--CBRN, 335th Signal Command, and Commander of the 415th CBRN Brigade, where he was dual-hatted as the Task Force Operations Commander, JTF-51, ARNORTH for the C2CRE-A homeland response mission. Lieutenant General Roper was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He also supported Joint Task Force Andrew relief operations in Southern Florida.

Lieutenant General Roper's other general officer level assignments include duties as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, NC, and Deputy Chief, Army Reserve, Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, headquartered at the Pentagon, Washington, DC. In 2018, Roper traveled to France during the World War I Centennial Commemorations and walked the same battlefield as his grandfather, Cpl. Roper who served in the 366th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division, and was a significant inspiration for Lieutenant General Roper's career.

Lieutenant General Roper's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Badge, and various other awards. He also served as a principal member of the Secretary of the Army's Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee and the Secretary of Defense's Reserve Forces Policy Board.

As a civilian, Lieutenant General Roper has over 33 years of law enforcement experience, serving as the Chief of Police of the Birmingham Police Department for a decade. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and on the Executive Board of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.

On a personal note, I got to know the Lieutenant General in his civilian capacity as the Police Chief for the City of Birmingham Police Department, for over 10 years. Chief Roper, as he was called, is a disciplined and principled servant leader who impressed me with his firm yet compassionate leadership style that commanded the respect of his fellow officers and endeared him to the Birmingham community. While serving as Police Chief, he continued to serve his country as a U.S. Army reservist whose deployment assignments were in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. Lieutenant General Roper is an honorable man, guided by his abiding faith in God and love of country shown in both his military and law enforcement service. On behalf of a grateful Nation, we honor Lieutenant General Roper for his 33 years in law enforcement and his 41 years of military service. We commend him for his dedication, commitment, and strong belief in God, family, and country. I thank him.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary career and exemplary service of Lieutenant General A.C. Roper for his contributions to our Nation and the enduring legacy of his service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the retirement of Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover as the 8th and first woman President of Tennessee State University. Dr. Glover is retiring after 11 exemplary years of service to her alma mater and the surrounding community.

Dr. Glover obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Tennessee State University and her Master of Business Administration in Accounting at Clark Atlanta University. She continued her education at George Washington University to obtain her doctorate in Philosophy in Economics and Business and she received her juris doctorate from Georgetown University. Due to her extensive educational achievement, Dr. Glover is one of two African American women to hold the combination of Ph.D.-CPA-JD nationwide.

Before taking the helm of Tennessee State University, Dr. Glover had already been successful in academia and business. At Howard University, she served as the Chairperson of the Department of Accounting and Assistant Professor in the School of Business from 1990 to 1994 before joining the faculty of Jackson State University. From 1994 to 2012, Dr. Glover led the JSU College of Business as the dean, spearheading the implementation of the first Ph.D. program in business at an HBCU. She has also held numerous high-profile positions in the business arena, including Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of an engineering firm, tax manager at a major public utility company, and accountant for a Big-Four CPA firm.

Dr. Glover made history as the first woman to serve as President of Tennessee State University on January 2, 2013. Her acclaimed five-point vision has served as the foundation of her tenure-focusing on academic progress and customer service; fundraising and partnerships; diversity and inclusion; shared governance; and community outreach.

Under her direction, Tennessee State University's academic offerings have increased to 45 bachelor degrees, 24 master degrees, and seven doctorate degrees. Most notably TSU added a Professional Science Master's Degree in Applied Geospatial Sciences and a Master of Computer Science degree. She proudly led the institution to receive its first accreditation and reaffirmation of public health. She is also proud of creating two new colleges: the College of Physical and Life Sciences and the Honors College. As a result of her leadership, research, sponsored programs, and alumni contributions have reached record highs, elevating the University to new heights. Her efforts received the recognition of President Joe Biden in 2022, earning her the appointment to serve as the Vice Chair of the President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs.

Dr. Glover's civic affiliations include serving as a board member of several companies, including The Student Loan Corporation--a publicly traded subsidiary of Citigroup; First Guaranty Bankshares; and The Lenox Group, Inc.

She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Thurgood Marshall College Fund Education Leadership Award as the 2018 HBCU President of the Year and Essence Magazine's 2019 ``Woke 100'' List of influential African American women change agents. She also had the honor to be named to the Diverse Issues in Higher Education's ``Top 25 Women in Higher Education'' list in 2013.

Dr. Glover serves as the immediate past International President and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) from 2018 to 2022. She Joined our beloved sorority in November of 1971 at Tennessee State University's Alpha Psi Chapter, where she served as Chapter President and Vice President. She also has served as President, Vice- President, and Treasurer of the Beta Delta Omega Chapter in Jackson, Mississippi.

Prior to serving as International President and CEO, Dr. Glover held a number of other national offices in AKA, including International Vice-President; Treasurer; and Treasurer to the Educational Advancement Foundation (EAF). Dr. Glover is a lifetime member of AKA and her leadership and service to the sorority has been impactful and will far outlast her tenure.

On a personal note, I know Dr. Glover as Soror Glenda, my beloved sorority sister. My mother, the late Nancy Gardner Sewell, was a proud mentor and advisor of Dr. Glover. She was so proud of her ascension to the highest office in our sorority in 2018, becoming the International President and CEO of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. My mother was also thrilled when she became the first woman to serve as the President of Tennessee State University. Soror Glenda has always been a trailblazer who lifts and elevates others as she climbs. Her service and life stand as an inspiration to young ladies and girls, irrespective of race. Her legacy at TSU and her leadership of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated will have a lasting impact on so many. We are grateful for her service and wish her well in her future endeavors.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary leadership and service of Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover and her contributions as President of Tennessee State University.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of a faithful servant leader, Reverend Dr. Tommie L. Lewis, as he celebrates his retirement as senior pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pratt City after 42 years of service to the Birmingham community.

Pastor T.L. Lewis answered the call to ministry on January 6, 1973, becoming licensed to preach at the Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and was ordained by incumbent Reverend G.W. Sloan on July 29, 1973.

Pastor Lewis is an accomplished biblical scholar. He attended the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Theology before earning a Master of Divinity degree at Universal Bible Institute in Brunswick, Georgia. Pastor Lewis received two honorary doctoral degrees from both his alma maters for his contributions to ministry through his public service.

Pastor Lewis accepted his first pastoral assignment at the First Baptist Church Carver in Bessemer, Alabama. He then served at the Antioch Baptist Church in Gadsden, Alabama. In 1982, Pastor Lewis was commissioned to his final home in Birmingham as head pastor of Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City, where he has remained for the past 42 years of his career.

During his tenure, Pastor Lewis has served ``Bethel Nation,'' well, expanding its congregation to thousands and positioning the church to its status as a beacon of hope in the Pratt City community. Pastor Lewis' legacy has been fueled by his servant's heart, commitment to community, and passion for improving the lives of others. His position as a powerful force for good extends far beyond the sanctuary walls.

Pastor Lewis has dedicated his life to building a coalition of community servants that will far outlast him. His tutelage led to fifty-three

others heeding the call to ministry that Pastor Lewis himself answered fifty-two years ago. In 1990, the Bethel Baptist Church erected a new Worship Center, including a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 1800, an office plaza, a conference room, a library, and a nursery. Pastor Lewis worked to expand Bethel's community service by commissioning a new Family Life Center. This building also became a permanent home for the Bethel Community Learning Center, which garnered thousands of state and federal dollars to support community development and education initiatives.

Tragically, in April of 2011, these buildings were destroyed by a devastating tornado. In the face of adversity, Pastor Lewis did not hesitate to spring into action, leaning on his faith to rally his community together and restore their church home. He then established the Bethel Emergency Management Agency, which led the restoration and revitalization efforts of Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City and the surrounding community. Pastor Lewis facilitated the construction of a new sanctuary beginning in April 2012, and the new home of Bethel Nation was completed and consecrated on August 24, 2014.

In addition to his leadership in Birmingham, Pastor Lewis has also been the guiding force behind international missions, spreading his spiritual teachings across the globe. He has delivered sermons on different continents throughout the world. No matter how far his ministry has taken him, Pastor Lewis has always remained committed to home. He has displayed his commitment to public service through his leadership and religious affiliations, which include the Pratt City Ministerial Alliance, the Birmingham Metropolitan Baptist Ministerial Conference, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Beyond his work in the clergy, Pastor Lewis' civic affiliations include former Captain for the Bessemer Police and Fire Department Chaplaincy Corps, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Transit Authority, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Commission of Economic Opportunity, and State President for the National Rainbow Push Coalition. Pastor Lewis was honored by the Magic City in 1988 with his induction into the City of Birmingham's Gallery of Distinguished Citizens--a bust of him is displayed in the Birmingham City Hall to commemorate this achievement.

On a personal note, Pastor T.L. Lewis holds a special place in my heart as a dear friend and trusted spiritual advisor. I was honored to host Pastor Lewis at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., as one of the first pastors in our district to attend. I know I can always count on his wise words and counsel when I need inspiration. Pastor Lewis' mentorship has meant so much to me over the years and has positively impacted me as a public servant. After the devastating storms of 2011, Pastor Lewis' leadership and faith were a beacon of hope for me and so many others as we rebuilt. His deep love for his community renews my passion for public service and reminds me of why I am in Washington. I am proud to congratulate him for his 42 years of service to the Bethel Baptist Church Pratt City congregation and surrounding community. Though he is retiring, I know his service will not end here, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary leadership and exemplary service of Reverend Dr. T.L. Lewis and his contributions to the Birmingham community and the State of Alabama as the senior pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pratt City.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and tribute to the extraordinary career of a faithful servant leader, the Reverend Dr. Tommie L. Lewis, as we celebrate his retirement as the senior pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pratt City after 42 years of service.

Throughout his life, Pastor T.L. Lewis has poured into his community as both a faith leader and a public servant. After answering the call to ministry in 1973, he led several congregations before settling at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pratt City in 1982.

As Pastor, Dr. T.L. Lewis worked to expand Bethel's congregation and deepen its impact by establishing a new worship center in 1990, which included a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 1,800. He commissioned a family life center, which became the Bethel Community Learning Center that garnered thousands of State and Federal dollars to support community development and educational initiatives.

After a tornado destroyed these buildings in 2011, it was Pastor Lewis who rallied the community together and rebuilt a beautiful new sanctuary that was completed and consecrated on August 24, 2014.

On a personal note, I have been blessed to call Pastor Lewis a dear friend, a trusted spiritual leader, and a mentor. It is because of him that so much has changed in Pratt City and Birmingham, and we are eternally grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. T.L. Lewis on his retirement as senior pastor at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Pratt City after 42 years.

Celebrating the Retirement of Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover as President of

Tennessee State University

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a trailblazing leader, Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, as she retires after 11 years as president of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.

The first woman to ever hold this position, Dr. Glover has spent her career breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings. A native of Memphis, Dr. Glover has had an accomplished career both in academia and in business. She is one of two African-American women nationwide to hold the combination of Ph.D., CPA, and J.D.

As president of Tennessee State University, Dr. Glover oversaw significant growth and further solidified TSU's status as one of America's premier HBCUs. Her efforts have earned her the role of vice chair of President Biden's HBCU board of advisers.

On a personal note, I know Dr. Glover as my sorority sister and as my mentor. Among her many affiliations, she is a lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has served as immediate past international president. It was my mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, who mentored Dr. Glover in her ascension and was so proud of her when she became the international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the president of TSU.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the retirement of Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, the first woman president of Tennessee State University.

I know that her retirement does not mean the end of her commitment to community service. I know it will allow her some much-needed rest and time to spend with her family and friends. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.