Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Ms. Paula Smith, a trail-blazing business woman and beloved member of the St. Louis community, who recently passed, on January 28, 2010, at 76. Ms. Smith devoted over 30 years of her life to public service and worked tirelessly to better the lives of those around her.

At the age of 16, Ms. Smith dropped out of high school, but she later earned a high school equivalency diploma and then went on to receive a degree in economics from Washington University. Ms. Smith's education did not end here; she earned a master's in business administration from St. Louis University and did graduate work at Harvard. Ms. Smith's dedication to her education was a testament

to her entrepreneurial spirit and allowed her to contribute to the St. Louis community, as well as to society as a whole.

Ms. Smith's career in public service began in 1981, when then Governor Christopher S. ``Kit'' Bond appointed her director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. At that time she was the only woman and the only African-American in the Governor's cabinet. Throughout her career Ms. Smith broke barriers and defied expectations, proving to those around her that she was capable of making an impact in the most profound way.

After serving the Governor for several years Ms. Smith was summoned to Washington by President Ronald Reagan to run the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. In 1990 Ms. Smith returned to St. Louis and started her own business: she opened a consulting company and used her years of experience in Washington and as an employee of Kit Bond to make a difference in St. Louis.

Throughout her life Ms. Smith demonstrated a commitment to improving life for those around her; she strove for social justice and fought to ensure equality for all. She was passionate about her civic and philanthropic work and determined to make a profound impact in her own community. Ms. Smith's powerful legacy lives on through her three children. Her daughter, Cheryl Walker of St. Louis, is now a lawyer and her two sons, Dwayne and Dwight Bosman, are both well-known jazz musicians.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Ms. Smith; a woman who always strove to make a difference and succeeded. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Paula Smith, an amazing woman whose legacy will forever be remembered. I extend my sincerest condolences to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true St. Louis legend and visionary, Mr. Earl Wilson, Jr. on the occasion of his retirement from the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation. Earl Wilson has devoted his life to serving the St. Louis community first as a trailblazing corporate executive and later as a dedicated community servant. His commitment led him to establish one of the most honored and respected community organizations in the Midwest, The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation.

Mr. Wilson has been blazing a path for inner-city residents, especially the youth of St. Louis, since graduating high school and becoming an ROTC captain at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was a successful 30 year executive with IBM. He also had the honor of serving as the Marketing Director for the U.S. Olympic Festival in St. Louis in 1994. He has been a wonderful husband and dedicated father of four.

Sixteen years ago, Mr. Wilson created the St. Louis Gateway Classic Foundation in an effort to elevate the status of African Americans in St. Louis. The Gateway Classic was originally organized as a football event hosting teams from historic black colleges and universities. The game eventually grew into his trademark St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation and has created an impressive list of community events and initiatives.

Through the foundation Mr. Wilson has raised millions of dollars for his scholarship fund leading to the education of more than 100 African- American students who otherwise might not have the means to attend college. Over sixty of the awardees graduated from historically black colleges or universities.

He also established the St. Louis Gateway Classic Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame highlights the sacrifices and achievements of area African Americans. It has honored the lives of prominent St. Louis citizens such as Dick Gregory, Jackie-Joyner Kersee, former Congressman William L. Clay, Sr., Ozzie Smith and the Fifth Dimension.

Mr. Wilson has exhibited a tireless dedication to his community throughout his life. That commitment has been an inspiration to his family, friends and all that have come to know him. His impact on young people's lives in the St. Louis community can be measured in his wonderful array of good works.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Wilson; a man who has made a difference in each life that he has touched. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Earl Wilson, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1880.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Austin Layne, a trail-blazing entrepreneur and valued member of the St. Louis community. For over 30 years Mr. Layne has served the residents of St. Louis with an admirable sense of compassion during their most difficult times.

Upon graduating from Vashon High School, Layne entered the U.S. Army where he studied to become a computer specialist. Layne was motivated to pursue a career as a funeral director after a family friend, Gilbert Wade Granberry, offered him a position working at his mortuary. This rewarding experience inspired him to earn his associate's degree in applied science from the School of Mortuary Science at Forest Park Community College.

Mr. Layne opened his first business in 1979, the Austin A. Layne Mortuary. He has since opened the Layne Renaissance Chapel and most recently, the Austin Layne Normandy Chapel. Mr. Layne independently owns and operates all of his businesses.

Mr. Layne is committed to providing people with the highest quality care possible and has remained dedicated to being available to his clients, both physically and emotionally during their times of grief. He is acutely aware that every family has different needs and strives to accommodate each family that he serves.

Throughout his career, Mr. Layne has been a supportive and gentle person, determined to do more for families than simply conduct a funeral. What makes Mr. Layne so extraordinary is his ability to empathize with each family. He puts himself in their position and works to ensure that arranging funerals for their loved ones goes smoothly as possible.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Mr. Layne; a man who has made a difference in each life that he has touched. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Austin Layne.

I thank the distinguished chairman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support a monumental piece of legislation that will expand health care coverage and reduce cost.

Currently, 46 million Americans are uninsured, and by 2019 the number could reach over 65 million. Too many are denied access to care, often when they need it most. No one should be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition, and no one should have to fear losing their coverage after they get sick. Even individuals who have health insurance suffer. Millions of underinsured Americans pay exorbitant fees for procedures and treatments that their insurance plan should cover.

The status quo is not working for Americans. It is time to take action. Each Member in this body should ask themselves one question before they vote, and that is: Am I my brother's keeper? And my answer is: Yes, I am.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to salute the memory of Ben Ali, founder and owner of Ben's Chili Bowl, a local historical landmark. Dubbed ``King of the Half-Smoke'' by Washingtonians who flocked to Ben's daily, Mr. Ali died earlier this month at the age of 82.

Ben Ali exemplified the American Dream through his entrepreneurial spirit and endurance. An immigrant from Trinidad, Ben opened his namesake restaurant on August 22, 1958 with the help of his wife, Virginia. In the process, Mr. Ali shaped the city of Washington and its unique U-Street Corridor by serving his trademark chili dishes to generations of diners.

Opened during U Street's heyday as an African American Cultural Mecca, Ben's Chili Bowl has withstood major neighborhood construction projects, national economic shifts, and the notorious 1968 riots, which ravaged much of the city. During that dark night, Ben's Chili Bowl was one of only two establishments left unscathed.

In the early 1990s, Ben's Chili Bowl stood as an unyielding anchor of the neighborhood's rebirth, and continues to serve dignitaries, celebrities, and local guests alike. All are loyal customers of Ben's Half-Smokes and Chili Cheeseburgers, a personal favorite of mine since 1969.

Ben's Chili Bowl will persist as a Washington institution, a symbol of unity and strength in a city that has seen its share of hard times. Today, a tourist may dine next to an elected official, or a school boy next to his sports hero, as they all gather together for the incomparable experience of enjoying Ben's famous chili.

Madam Speaker, I ask that we honor Ben Ali for his exceptional contributions to our community. The vital role that both he and Ben's Chili Bowl will continue to play in Washington will be his lasting legacy. I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Mr. Ben Ali.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise before you today to recognize a star in St. Louis County's active small business community, Showroom Shine, for their 2009 Hoodie Award. The Hoodie Awards aim to recognize excellence in the lives of everyday Americans who contribute their leadership to urban communities. The 7th annual award ceremony honored co-owners Sylvester Chisom and Arthur Shivers with the award for Best Detail Shop. We in the Show Me State are proud that Showroom Shine, a standout in the field of auto detailing and vehicle restoration, is one of our very own.

Sylvester Chisom and Arthur Shivers truly exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to be the backbone of the American economy. Outfitted only with a water hose, bucket, and drain, Chisom and Shivers started Showroom Shine in 1999 as high school seniors. Showroom Shine has grown into a highly successful detailing company, winning their second Hoodie Award this year. Showroom Shine is known city-wide for their professionalism and personalized service, and hold contracts with numerous corporate and government entities, including the U.S. Postal Service, Enterprise Rental & Leasing, Clear Channel Radio, and Live Nation.

They take seriously their duty to pass along their success to the community and to future business leaders. The two pioneers have penned a book, ``The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Success,'' aimed at spreading the message of entrepreneurship to young people seeking advice and mentorship for their business ventures. Showroom Shine is a bright

example of ingenuity and diligence. I stand before you offering heartfelt congratulations for their recent accolades and applaud their entrepreneurial excellence.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Tibotec Therapeutics, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, for demonstrating continued innovation and corporate responsibility in the fight against HIV/AIDS by conducting the groundbreaking GRACE study. GRACE, which stands for Gender Race And Clinical Experience, is the largest study to date in treatment- experienced women with HIV to examine gender and race differences in response to an HIV therapy. In recent HIV studies of treatment- experienced patients, women accounted for less than 11 percent of the patients being studied, on average. GRACE was able to enroll nearly 70 percent women and 84 percent people of color.

In my home State of Missouri, there are almost 12,000 people living with AIDS, and African Americans represent over a third of these cases. Women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States, with African American and Latina women representing 79 percent of women living with the disease. People of color have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials in the United States, and HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts African Americans. In terms of new HIV infections, African American women are infected at a rate 15 times higher than white women.

The trial was designed to help overcome some of the barriers, identified by the advisors, which have historically deterred women and people of color from participating in clinical studies, including stigma, lack of child care, transportation and personal support systems. Based upon advisor and community input, study participants could obtain assistance to cover costs associated with their participation in the study, including funds for travel and childcare, as well as food vouchers. I am proud to say that one of the study sites in this historic clinical trial is located in my congressional district.

Results of the GRACE study showed that there were no statistical differences in the safety, tolerability or effectiveness of the HIV regimens used in the study between male and female participants, or for people of different ethnicities. Additionally, the GRACE study showed that with the appropriate commitment from the trial sponsor and input from affected communities and providers, clinical trials can enroll meaningful numbers of women and racial and ethnic minorities.

Madam Speaker, I commend Tibotec Therapeutics and Johnson & Johnson for their commitment to addressing the disproportionate impact of this epidemic on women and people of color.

First of all, I thank the chairwoman, Ms. Bordallo, as well as the ranking member, Mr. Wittman, for their assistance on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of this legislation, along with Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee, I am pleased to present H.R. 685 for consideration by

the House today. I also want to thank my good friend, chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, Raul Grijalva, for guiding this legislation through the committee process.

This legislation will fully recognize the remarkable American story of the struggle for civil rights. That ongoing journey stretches across three centuries through multiple generations and touches every American.

The United States Civil Rights Trail Special Resource Study Act of 2009 would recognize those brave souls who fought to make the promises enshrined in our Constitution ring true. In many places across this Nation and for far too long, that story is still incomplete and remains largely untold.

H.R. 685 would authorize a study by the Secretary of the Interior to determine the feasibility of establishing a national trail system marking the geographic location of historically significant events related to the fight for racial equality in the United States.

The American civil rights movement challenged the practice of racial segregation in the Nation and achieved equal rights for all American citizens. It is my hope that this bill and the resulting historic civil rights trails will tell the full and sometimes painful story of the struggle for civil rights. The knowledge and understanding gained from the trails will provide this generation and those who follow us with tremendous educational opportunities.

Let me close by urging all of my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I want to also thank the chairman and the ranking member as well as the House leadership for shepherding this bill to the floor.

This substitute amendment to H.R. 22 is sorely needed to partially relieve the U.S. Postal Service of an oversize payment of $5.4 billion to a Retiree Health Benefits Fund. The postal service under this legislation will pay $1.4 billion.

The postal service is suffering the same effects of this recession as the rest of the Nation. Without legislative relief, the postal service will default on a $5.4 billion payment due on September 30.

This bill is not a bailout, as no taxpayer funds will be provided to the postal service. The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act required the postal service to prefund the cost of health care benefits for future retirees. No other government agency or private company is required to prefund retiree benefits on such an aggressive or ambitious schedule.

The postal service operates on revenues from sales of its products and services. The postal service has already embarked on cost-cutting estimated to be $6 billion in fiscal year 2009, by cutting work hours, freezing hiring, and closing administrative offices.

The postal service has paid $10 billion into the trust fund over the past 2 years, although it's suffered combined losses of $7.9 billion during that 2-year period.

This bill is in line with the actions of many large businesses, including their competitors, which have temporarily reduced or suspended payments for retiree benefits or pensions during the recession.

Again, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise before you and recognize a new addition to St. Louis' Locust Business District, Smoking Joe's Bar-Be-Que. The Locust Business District, located in the heart of the city, is tasked with spawning a renewed sense of community morale and revitalization. As it sits in the historic Tudor Building on Washington Avenue, Smoking Joe's Bar-Be-Que fits in perfectly with this aim.

Owned and operated by Executive Chef Joel Rozelle, Smoking Joe's has helped bring new business and consumer interests to the Locust Business District. Smoking Joe's truly utilizes the culinary and performing arts to bring St. Louis culture and history alive. Each meal is a taste of St. Louis; from the succulent ribs and chicken dishes, to old-fashioned green beans and potato salad, the diners' already superb experience is enhanced by the soulful sounds of live jazz entertainers who hold steadfast to St. Louis' rich musical customs. This unique atmosphere has earned Smoking Joe's the UrbanSpoons' ``Talk of the Town'' distinction. Using self-developed dry rubs and staying true to St. Louis-style cooking, Chef Rozelle and his talented staff are to be applauded for their contribution to the neighborhood renewal and their respect of St. Louis culinary traditions.

Madam Speaker, I stand today to salute the memory of Margaret Bush Wilson, a civil rights pioneer. Ms. Wilson was 90 years old when she died quietly on August 11, 2009. She was an integral force in human rights advocacy, having been a tireless champion for equality and justice. The St. Louis community and our entire nation have lost a giant, and I have lost a dear friend.

After earning a law degree from Lincoln University, Ms. Wilson became the second woman of color licensed to practice law in the state of Missouri. Ms. Wilson would go on to serve as Missouri's Assistant Attorney General and the U.S. Attorney for the Rural Electrification Administration. After World War II, she and her husband, Robert E. Wilson Jr., started a law firm in St. Louis.

A civil rights lawyer who specialized in housing law, Ms. Wilson led the fight in St. Louis to upend restrictive neighborhood covenants in what eventually became the landmark 1948 U.S. Supreme Court ruling Shelley

vs. Kraemer. The outcome of this case ensured that states could not defend nor enforce restrictive covenants as a state action, effectively giving blacks the legal right to move into the neighborhood of their choice.

After presiding over both city and state branches of the NAACP, Ms. Wilson became the first African American woman to head the national NAACP board in 1975. After completing nine terms as Chairwoman, Ms. Wilson returned to St. Louis, where she continued to practice law, champion justice and equality, and mentor young law students and civic leaders until her death.

Madam Speaker, I ask that all Americans honor Margaret Bush Wilson for her exceptionally brave career as a legal advocate and human rights pioneer. Her life has brought honor to all of us and she will live forever in our memories. I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Margaret Bush Wilson.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 12) expressing support for designation of September 2009 as ``Gospel Music Heritage Month'' and honoring gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 513) supporting the goals and purpose of Gold Star Mothers Day, which is observed on the last Sunday in September of each year in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by mothers who lose a son or daughter serving in the Armed Forces, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measures just considered.