Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on March 5, 2024, I was attending to matters in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted YES on H.R. 3391 (Roll Call No. 60), and YES on H.R. 3838 (Roll Call No. 61).

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 32 and YEA on Roll Call No. 33.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Fred Primm, who passed away on January 19, 2024, at the age of 57.

Dr. Primm was a true Renaissance man. He was an educator, Air Force Naval Reservist, pastor, teacher, coach, adjunct professor, consultant, a Kappa man, and the superintendent for Sumter County Schools and Bessemer City Schools.

Dr. Primm was truly a respected and beloved community leader. Educated at Alabama A&M, Auburn, and Nova Southeastern, Dr. Primm was a true servant leader, and he led in every aspect of his life. He made his commitment to serving others his life's top priority, and serve he did. Our community and the lives of his students are all the better because of him.

His life is a true testament to the transformational power of education.

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the exceptional life and legacy of Dr. Fred Primm.

May his family find comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on in the many lives that he touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of George Sallie, who at 94 years old, was among the oldest living Foot Soldiers from Bloody Sunday and passed away on January 18, 2024.

Mr. Sallie was born on March 15, 1929, in Fostoria, Alabama, as the youngest of five children to the late Monroe and Mamie Sallie. He received his education in the segregated school system of Lowndes and Dallas Counties. At a young age, he learned to value hard work. Mr. Sallie was the son of sharecroppers and dropped out of school early to support his family. Despite leaving school, he never abandoned his ``helmet of salvation.'' which was education.

Mr. Sallie married Minnie Walker on October 4, 1952, and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage. The Sallies built their union on biblical principles to nurture their love for God and desire for equality. George and Minnie were longtime members of the Freewill Christian Church in Selma, Alabama.

The United States Army drafted Mr. Sallie two days after his wedding. He completed basic training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and did his first tour in South Korea with the 8th Infantry on February 26, 1953. Mr. Sallie experienced segregation in the military, and while in Korea, he realized that he was fighting for a freedom he did not have himself.

After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Sallie returned home and fought for veterans to receive a fair and equal education. He and his wife, Minnie, championed educational cases for veterans and encouraged everyone in their community to pursue higher learning.

In 1955, the Sallies moved to Selma, Alabama. They quickly became involved in the Civil Rights Movement, helping to raise funds to support a committee to travel to Washington. D.C., to assist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the March on Washington.

In 1966, Mr. Sallie pursued a career in electoral politics, running for a seat on the Dallas County School Board and then again in 1970, vying for a seat on the Dallas County Commission. Though he was unsuccessful in these elections, Mr. Sallie's life inspired future generations of African American leaders to engage in community activism and pursue elected office.

Mr. Sallie was a distinguished community leader and a man of principles and high morale. He earned the title of a Foot Soldier on

Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. From that moment, he wore his ``Shoes of the Gospel of the Peace'' and never missed a commemorative march to return to the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Throughout his Life, Mr. Sallie received many awards and recognitions, including the distinguished member of the Civil Rights Foot Soldier's Hall of Fame at the National Voting Rights Museum; a plaque commemorating courage and bravery from the Dallas County Commission; and the Living Legend Award from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

Mr. Sallie is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of over 60 years, Minnie Walker; and his siblings: Mason Gatrey, Jessie Brown, Rosie Sallie, and Johnnie Sallie. He is survived by his son, Darren Sallie; nineteen nieces and nephews: Mamie Thomas, Adam Gatrey, Ronnie Gatrey, Lawrence Gatrey, Andrew Gatrey, Gloria Gandy, Carlyon Gatrey, Richard Gatrey, Jackalyn Smith, Leon Gatrey, Mamie Calhoun, Minnie Brown, Betty Jones, Rosie Edwards, Lola Sallie. Lyndon Sallie, John Sallie, Eddie Sallie, and Sony Sallie; and a host of other family and friends.

On a personal note, I got to know Mr. George Sallie because of his faithful participation in the annual Bridge Crossing Commemoration in Selma. Mr. Sallie never missed an opportunity to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge with his fellow Foot Soldiers leading the way. His steadfast belief in the power of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movement serves as an inspiration for future generations. It is because of the courage, bravery, and strength of Foot Soldiers like George Sallie that we enjoy the freedoms we have today. His life is a testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change. Last year, it was my great honor to walk with Mr. Sallie and President Biden on his final march across that bridge, and upon his passing, it was special to me to pay tribute to George Sallie on the floor of the House of Representatives. His legacy will live on with every vote cast. May he Rest in Power.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Mr. George Sallie for his contributions to generations of civil rights leaders and decades of exemplary service to our nation in our fight for liberty, equality, and justice for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mr. George Sallie who, at the age of 94, was among the oldest living Foot Soldiers from Bloody Sunday before his passing on January 18, 2024.

An Alabama native and the son of sharecroppers, Mr. Sallie dedicated his life to the betterment of his community.

A Korean war veteran who served honorably, Mr. Sallie risked life and limb to protect our American ideals at a time when our Nation refused to address the injustice of segregation.

After his military service, he became involved in the civil rights movement, a path that led him on that fateful day, March 7, 1965, otherwise known as Bloody Sunday. It was on that fateful day that he and his fellow marchers like John Lewis were brutalized by State troopers for their peaceful pursuit of racial equality.

Mr. Sallie's life stands as a testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change. He never missed a bridge crossing commemoration, and I was honored to stand alongside him and President Biden last year as he marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge for one last time.

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the inspiring life and legacy of Mr. Sallie. May his sacrifices and those of the Foot Soldiers not be in vain.

Congress should take up the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and pass it now.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats today will make good on a promise to deliver tax relief for American families.

This bill expands the child tax credit for 16 million children, including 280,000 children in Alabama.

The tax credit is one of the most effective antipoverty programs in the country and will, again, provide much-needed assistance to families throughout Alabama.

This bill will also provide much-needed disaster tax relief to the families of the Black Belt, Dallas County, Hale County, Greene County, and Sumter County that fight to rebuild in the wake of last year's tornado.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, on January 12, I was unavoidably absent. Had I been present, I would have voted YES on passage of H. R. 839, Roll Call Vote No. 9 and I would have voted NO on passage of H.J. Res 98, Roll Call Vote No. 10.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe the 1-year anniversary of the devastating tornadoes of January 12, 2023, that struck Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, including my hometown of Selma, Alabama. In the year since the disaster, my team and I have been working diligently with our Federal, State, and local partners to coordinate an effort and a response to this disaster.

We are immensely grateful to President Biden for his expedited approval of Governor Ivey's disaster declaration and for granting my request to increase the Federal cost share for debris removal to 100 percent.

Following the storms, I hosted our first community conversation, so that our friends and neighbors could share their thoughts about our recovery. With that in mind, we were able to successfully secure a $500,000 Federal planning grant from EDA to support long-term recovery efforts in Selma and Dallas County.

Working together, we have delivered more than $22 million in FEMA and SBA, small business assistance, to Greene County, Hale County, Sumter County, and Dallas County. We also secured $2 million from the Delta Regional Authority to repave Selma roads, and a $500,000 CHOICE grant from HUD to build more affordable housing.

While there is so much more work to be done, Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the progress we have made, and I extend my sincere thanks to every individual, every agency that has helped us. We are on the road to recovery, and we will build back better because of your efforts.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on all of my colleagues to cosponsor H.R. 308, the Rosa Parks Day Act.

Today, December 1, Americans across the Nation are celebrating the legacy of Rosa Parks. It was on December 1, 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat on a city bus. This simple but bold act of resistance to Jim Crow segregation laws inspired the historic Montgomery bus boycott.

For 481 days, spurred by Rosa Parks' courage, thousands of African Americans peacefully protested the Montgomery City Bus System until the United States court ruled in Browder v. Gayle that the segregation ordinances were unconstitutional.

Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1966, the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999, and was the first woman to ever lie in state at the U.S. Capitol rotunda.

In addition, many States, including Ohio, California, Missouri, and Oregon already observe Rosa Parks Day at the State level. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of Americans to advance justice and equality.

Madam Speaker, now is the time to pass this legislation and to declare December 1 as a Federal holiday, as Rosa Parks Day.

Mr. Speaker, on November 3, 2023, I was unavoidably detained attending to matters in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted No on Roll Call vote 593, No on Roll Call vote 594, No on Roll Call vote 595, Yes on Roll Call vote 596, No on Roll Call vote 597, and Yes on Roll Call vote 598.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of a trailblazing engineer for the City of Chicago, my best friend's father, Mr. William Griffin, who passed away on his 100th birthday, on October 24, 2023.

Mr. Griffin was born on October 24, 1923, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Willie Griffin and Alma Daigre. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois, growing up in the Washington Park community. Mr. Griffin attended DuSable High School, where he excelled in classical literature and mathematics while making a name for himself as a tight end on the Black Panthers football team. Upon graduating in 1943, he continued his education at Wilson Junior College to pursue engineering.

Mr. Griffin was drafted into the United States Army as an Army Private in 1943, working his way up the ranks as a Basic Instructor, Airplane Handler, and Rifleman, until he found his niche as a Heavy Machine Gunner. Serving in the 365th Infantry, 92nd Division, Mr. Griffin operated heavy weaponry and supported infantry units to break through enemy defenses. He was honorably discharged as a well-decorated officer on February 15, 1946. His military awards and recognitions include the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, and a World War II Victory Medal.

Mr. Griffin met his life partner, Esther Murphy, a beautiful southern belle, who moved to Chicago from Sheffield, Alabama, when she rented a room in his mother's boarding house. The couple wed on March 31, 1959, and from their union had three children.

Following his Army discharge, Mr. Griffin resumed his education at the Illinois Institute of Technology, earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1951. He became a licensed Civil Engineer by 1957 and would go on to obtain his Structural Engineer license in 1964. Mr. Griffin began his trailblazing career in engineering for the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. Mr. Griffin held numerous lead civil engineering and supervisory roles in the Bureau of Engineering, Bureau of Construction Services, and Operations Division, ultimately becoming the Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Works for the City of Chicago in the Harold Washington Mayoral Administration.

The engineering legacy of Mr. Griffin lives on in the infrastructure of Chicago. The inner workings of the engineering systems throughout the city have felt the impact of Mr. Griffin's creativity and dedication to his craft, which traces back to him riding the L train as a child.

From his childhood he developed a deep appreciation and curiosity for urban systems and architecture. His love for the City of Chicago is felt in every gear, beam, and buttress of the bridges and left an undeniable mark on the engineering system of one of the most visited cities in the United States.

Mr. Griffin was a community leader in the Jeffery-Yates Neighbors Community Organization. Mr. Griffin stayed active into his later years, nurturing his longtime loves such as debate, sports, classic literature, and music as a talented trumpet player.

Above all, Mr. Griffin was a committed family man. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife, Esther Murphy. He is survived by their three children, Ava, Tara, and Eric; his cousin, whom he considered a brother, Elliott Daigre; his furry, four-legged family members: Ebony, Chewbacca, and Milo, as well as Kavik, Prince, Hunter, Langston, Sade, Starlight, Puffy and Friskie; and a host of cousins, dear friends, and family who we know will miss him dearly.

On a personal note, I was honored to get to know Mr. Griffin as the beloved father of my law school best friend, Tara. Mr. Griffin was one of a kind. His quick wit, robust knowledge of all things, and warm and engaging demeanor were a part of his perpetual charm that made him a true Renaissance man. Mr. Griffin excelled in everything he did--as a trailblazing engineer for the City of Chicago, a devoted husband, a self-taught handyman, and a connoisseur of classical literature, jazz, sports, and life learning. I will cherish all the wonderful memories of being in his presence. I am so grateful to Tara, Ava, and Eric for sharing their father with me. I know the legacy of Mr. Griffin will live on through the many people he impacted. We are all blessed that he lived to be 100 years old.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of William Griffin for his contributions to the engineering profession and decades of service in transforming the City of Chicago.

Mr. Speaker, on the evening of November 2, 2023, I was unavoidably detained attending to matters in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted No on roll call vote 579, No on roll call vote 580, No on roll call vote 581, No on roll call vote 582, No on roll call vote 583, No on roll call vote 584, No on roll call vote 585, No on roll call vote 586, No on roll call vote 587, No on roll call vote 588, No on roll call vote 589, No on roll call vote 590, No on roll call vote 591, and No on roll call vote 592.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of a talented journalist, truth seeker, and man of great integrity, former Montgomery Advertiser reporter Alvin Stanley Benn, who passed away on October 10, 2023, at the age of 83.

Alvin Benn was born on April 25, 1940, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating from Manheim Township High School in 1958, Alvin Benn enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his six years of service, Alvin Benn traveled the world after being stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina, and Okinawa, Japan. While stationed in Japan, he pursued his passion for journalism, working for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. He continued his education in the United States at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, completing military journalism school.

In 1964, Alvin Benn began what would be a lifechanging career chronicling the history of Alabama. He made his mark on journalism as a minted correspondent for the United Press International, covering the sweeping Civil Rights Movement. Interviewing the leading voices on each side, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, his holistic approach to reporting exposed the true story of the Civil Rights Movement, bringing the reality of the fight for rights and liberties to homes nationwide. For over two years, Alvin Benn led the United Press International's Birmingham Bureau, taking on multiple roles that supported the publication, including bureau chief, writer, editor, photographer, and producer. He contributed to newspapers across the Southeast, including the Decatur Daily in Decatur, Alabama from 1967 through 1974; the Natchez Democrat in Natchez, Mississippi; the Selma Times Journal in Selma, Alabama; and publications in Alexander City, Alabama; and Lafayette, Georgia, before settling in Selma, where he lived for over 40 years.

During his time at the Natchez Democrat, Alvin Benn and the news staff received a nomination for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. In 1980, he joined the Montgomery Advertiser, where he would spend over 20 years. In his 50-plus-year career, Alvin Benn produced over three to four stories per day before retiring in 2003. Retirement did not curb his desire to continue writing, nor did it decrease his readership. ``Al Benn's Alabama'' continued to be a widely read column in the Montgomery Advertiser and served as the cherry on top of Alvin Benn's storied contributions to journalism. From interviewing United States presidents to writing a book titled ``Reporter: Covering the Civil Rights . . . . And Wrongs in Dixie,'' Alvin Benn is an Alabama gem whose

dedication to ``journalistic integrity'' continued to inspire us all.

Alvin Benn is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Press Association, the Communications Award from the Alabama Farmers Association, and the Distinguished Alabama Community Journalist award from the Auburn University Department of Journalism.

Alvin Benn was a proud member of the Mishkan Israel Congregation in our hometown of Selma, Alabama, and the Temple Beth Or in Montgomery, Alabama.

Alvin Benn is preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, Sharon Ann Boumel Benn. He is survived by their two children, Danielle Waters and Eric Benn; four grandchildren, Benjamin Waters, Scott Waters, Alexandria Benn, and Ilan Benn; son-in-law, Curtis Waters and daughter-in-law, Maria Benn; and a host of family and friends.

On a personal note, I grew up right down the street from the Benn family. In fact, his son, Eric, was my siblings' best friend and my third little brother. Everywhere Andrew and Anthony went, Eric went too. They are best friends and truly brothers. The Sewells are blessed to have grown up with the Benns, and we remain good friends and family for a lifetime.

Mr. Benn was an amazing journalist with a special talent for crafting his words into storytelling. He wrote the first article about my scholarship to Princeton University and subsequently, wrote about every major event in my life's journey, from joining the rowing crew at Oxford to getting elected Alabama's First Black Congresswoman. If anything happened in Selma or the Black Belt, Mr. Benn knew about it and reported on it. Spanning a career of decades, Mr. Benn told the history of Alabama's Black Belt--the events, the characters, and all the happenings. What a gift his writings will leave in the annuals of Alabama's history. His legacy will live on through the mini-stories and all the lives that he touched. Rest in peace and power.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Alvin Stanley Benn for his contributions to journalism and decades of exemplary service to the State of Alabama.

Mr. Speaker, on September 14, 2023, I was unavoidably detained in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on the Previous Question (Roll No. 388), NO on H. Res. 681 (Roll No. 389), YES on the Democratic Motion to Recommit on H.R. 1435 (Roll No. 390), and NO on passage of H.R. 1435 (Roll No. 391).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963, and to honor the lives and legacies of four little girls killed in this heinous attack.

Mr. Speaker, 60 years after parishioners of the 16th Street Baptist Church prepared for Sunday service, 19 sticks of dynamite placed by Ku Klux Klan members exploded. As the interiors of the walls of the church caved in, over 100 churchgoers rushed for safety.

Though most of the congregation escaped, under the debris lay the bodies of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris Wesley, as well as Sarah Collins Rudolph, who was injured but ultimately survived.

Tragically, the brutality did not stop after the bombing. When African-American communities across the State of Alabama took to the streets to demand justice, they were met with unspeakable violence at the hands of law enforcement. Within a few hours, Johnny Robertson and Virgil Ware, ages 16 and 13, were killed in a clash between protesters and the police.

Despite the horrific nature of this attack, it took over 34 years before the perpetrators faced justice.

In 2013, Mr. Speaker, I was honored that the very first bill I passed in this body awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor we can give, to the four little girls posthumously to ensure that their lives were never forgotten.

While we will never recover the lives lost or the injuries suffered, we know that their sacrifice was not in vain.

Indeed, the loss of the four little girls changed America forever, bringing into clarity our Nation's storied history of racially motivated violence, and galvanized the civil rights movement.

It was their memory that inspired generations of freedom fighters to build for a world where the color of your skin does not determine the value of your life.

It was their memory that burned in the minds of foot soldiers as they fought to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

It was their sacrifice that brought our Nation closer to realizing its highest ideals of equality and justice for all.

Without the influence of the four little girls, I not only question where America would be, but where I would be.

Mr. Speaker, 60 years after their passing, I get to walk the Halls of Congress as Alabama's as first Black Congresswoman, and I do so because of their sacrifice and because they cannot.

Their premature and senseless death serves as a constant reminder that every battle and every gain in the fight for civil rights has come at a high cost, paid for by the sacrifice of others.

Yet, despite their gains and our gains as a Nation, we know that our work is far from over. Today, as extremists seek to rewrite our history and roll back our progress, it has never been more crucial to ensure that the legacy of the four little girls lives on in American history.

After all, those who don't learn from their history are doomed to repeat it.

In the words of Coretta Scott King, struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. It is earned and won in every generation.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the lives of the four little girls and remembering them by name: Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris Wesley.