Alma Adams

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Raskin is exactly right. Hunger is not a partisan issue.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of my dear friend, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. I didn't know her as long as many of my colleagues, but our brief association was profound and meaningful. When I came to Congress 4 years ago, Louise Slaughter was one of the first to welcome me. She was always genuine, kind, and personally supportive, always pleasant, and she always made you feel really good. As a history-making, trailblazing champion of women's rights and the only microbiologist, as you have heard, in Congress, Louise Slaughter fought for opportunity for all people. The impact of her years of advocacy and mentorship and friendship can be seen here today in the many colleagues who are standing together to honor her life. Louise was a champion for the people from the great State of New York, but I like to think of her with Kentucky roots and a Southern accent, as a fellow Southerner at heart. She left big shoes to fill, but I know she would be proud to welcome in the next generation of leaders. So I join my colleagues this evening in expressing my deepest sympathies for the family, for the friends, for the staff, and for the constituents that she leaves behind. She may no longer be with us on Earth, but her spirit and her passion for life will live on for generations to come. She clearly made our world much better than she found it.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, every day, over 162,000 people in my county of Mecklenburg are considered food insecure. Worse, 47,000 of those are children who risk going to bed hungry every night. No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. In 2015, I founded the Adams Hunger Initiative to bring together a coalition of advocates in Mecklenburg to end hunger in our community. For over 3 years, we fought to protect important anti-hunger programs like SNAP, expand public-private partnerships, and find creative ways to the systemic issues that leave families hungry. The coalition will visit Capitol Hill to continue advocating for our priorities. During National Nutrition Month, we sent a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee urging protection for SNAP benefits in the upcoming farm bill. Thirty-five thousand households in Mecklenburg and 20.3 million nationwide rely on SNAP to put food on their family's table. As Congress considers the next farm bill, we must protect nutrition programs for those who need them most and ensure that no one in Mecklenburg or in America goes hungry.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I was absent 01/08/18 through 01/11/18 due to my recovery from surgery. Had I been present, I would have voted: Roll Call No. 1, Present; Roll Call No. 2, YEA; Roll Call No. 3, YEA; Roll Call No. 4, YEA; Roll Call No. 5, YEA; Roll Call No. 6, YEA; Roll Call No. 7, YEA; Roll Call No. 8, NO; Roll Call No. 9, NO; Roll Call No. 10, NO; Roll Call No. 11, NO; Roll Call No. 12, YES; Roll Call No. 13, YES; Roll Call No. 14, YES; Roll Call No. 15, YES; Roll Call No. 16, NO; and Roll Call No. 17, YES.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Calvin Irvin, a native of New Jersey and a resident of Greensboro, North Carolina, who passed away November 25, 2017. Cal, as he was fondly called, was an honorable man, dedicated to his community and to mentoring young student athletes. Over his career, he served as coach of Johnson C. Smith University's basketball team, and later as professor and head coach of North Carolina A&T's basketball team for 18 years. Cal always emphasized the importance of education, ensuring the dedication and perseverance that his athletes learned on the court was also exhibited in the classroom. A devoted citizen of the Greensboro community, he served in countless civic roles, including treasurer of the Convention and Tourism Bureau and a lifelong member of the NAACP. He brought his generous spirit and his heart home with him, too. He was a loving husband to his beloved wife, Kathryn, and to his nephew who was like a brother. As my longtime dear friend and supporter, Cal's golden heart shined a bright spot in my life, too. He will be sorely missed. His loss will be felt throughout our entire State and beyond. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with his wife, Kathryn, his family, his friends, and his community.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Vi Lyles, who recently made history as the first African-American woman elected mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. A selfless and devoted public servant, Lyles' journey began in a deeply segregated South, requiring her to overcome numerous obstacles. After more than three decades in public service, she retired from the city of Charlotte and was then elected to serve two consecutive terms as a member of the Charlotte City Council, rising to mayor pro tem. Her leadership helped mold our city into one of the fastest growing cities in America and a beacon of the South. Mayor Lyles, mother and grandmother, is one of my sheroes and a role model to many. Like strong African-American leaders who came before her, like Shirley Chisholm and Fannie Lou Hamer, Lyles' election shattered yet another glass ceiling. As the 59th mayor of Charlotte, the story of Vi Lyles will be an inspiration to young girls and boys and women throughout North Carolina and the Nation for generations to come. Join me in welcoming and congratulating our new mayor, Mayor Vi Lyles. I look forward to our continued partnership to move Charlotte forward.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty) for her participation and for all of the work that she continues to do, and we are so very proud of her acknowledgment tonight of our HBCUs. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the 14th District in Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for her contribution tonight and for her support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the Third District of Virginia (Mr. Scott), who is the ranking member on the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for his comments and for his work in education. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the Second District of Pennsylvania (Mr. Evans).

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, for the next 60 minutes, we have a chance to speak directly to the American people on issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congress, our constituents, and all Americans. I acknowledge all the members of the Congressional Black Caucus who are here, and most specifically, Congressman Richmond, who helped to organize this Special Order hour. As we convene tonight, we are going to recognize our HBCUs, and more specifically, the nine HBCUs under the caption of: 150 Years of Excellence. I rise today to honor our Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and in particular, the nine schools that are celebrating 150 years. As a member of the CBC's Task Force on HBCUs and as co-chair of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus, I have the distinct pleasure of honoring all of the following schools of the HBCU 9 for this remarkable achievement: Alabama State University; Barber-Scotia College; Fayetteville State University; Howard University, Morehouse College; Morgan State University; St. Augustine University; Talladega College; and from my very own 12th District in North Carolina, Johnson C. Smith University. The achievement of these schools across the past 150 years are beyond remarkable and their reputation as incubators of innovation and Black leadership is an incredible accomplishment in and of itself. From humble beginnings, these schools have been able to persevere, despite decades of discrimination and intentional neglect, in order to provide African Americans a first class education. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today as a living testament to the necessity and the importance of HBCUs. My mother, who raised me, was not an educated woman. She wasn't able to obtain a high school education. She didn't attend an HBCU, for that matter. But she understood how important education would be in my life. She did domestic work. She cleaned other folks' houses so I wouldn't have to because she understood how important it was for me to go to school. But like those visionaries who founded these schools after surviving the horrors of slavery, my mom dreamed of a better future for me, her daughter. When I could not fully recognize the potential in myself, it was an HBCU, North Carolina A&T State University, that saw something in me and made a committed investment toward my success. North Carolina A&T State University gave a poor Black girl from the ghetto of Newark, New Jersey, an opportunity because it believed in opportunity and the fundamental importance of education that W.E.B. Du Bois spoke about when he said: ``Of all the civil rights for which the world has struggled and fought for 5,000 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental.'' A&T took me where I was. They got me to where I needed to be. They shaped and molded me into what they knew I could become. Just as our HBCUs have done for many of our colleagues who join me in the people's House today, our HBCUs are responsible for educating 20 Members of this esteemed body and one Member of the U.S. Senate. But that is only a small part of the story that these schools are continuing to tell. HBCUs also contribute 50 percent of African- American professionals and public schoolteachers. They contribute 25 percent of all African-American STEM graduates, 40 percent of all African-American engineers, 50 percent of African-American lawyers, and 80 percent of African-American judges. Most plainly, HBCUs are responsible for building today's African- American middle class--this is a record to be proud of--and, of all of these accomplishments, without the assistance and support from the government and our private sector partners that they need and deserve. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here tonight, as the CBC, to honor HBCUs, we remain vigilant about the current dangers that they face. Many HBCUs still suffer from barriers for access for students, such as affordability, and the overall financial instability of both the students they serve and of the institutions themselves, due to a lack of access to funding. As many of you know, one of my first tasks when I entered Congress was to launch the bipartisan HBCU Caucus, with my co-chair Bradley Byrne from Alabama. Vice chairing our caucus is Terri Sewell and Bennie Thompson, and French Hill on the Republican side. Since its inception, we have witnessed fortunate growth to a total of 58 Representatives and 2 Senators. We came together to create a national dialogue around HBCUs for our Members and their staffs about the issues impacting our schools. We also came together to draft meaningful bipartisan legislation. In accomplishing the first aim, the willingness of Members to attend today illustrates that a national dialogue has begun. Before we leave here today, our Members and our staffs, who couldn't join us tonight, will, hopefully, learn and know the issues. To achieve the third legislative goal, it will take the collective effort of all of us who have been entrusted to work here in the people's House. Tomorrow, I and my colleagues on the Education and the Workforce Committee will debate a reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a flawed piece of legislation that, in many respects, will devastate HBCUs and their students. Consideration of this measure illustrates how we need that collective effort from both sides of the aisle to work together now, more than ever. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues tonight, dedicated to the achievement of HBCU students and graduates, to come together to work to increase access and career opportunities. I hope we can all, tonight, vow to take substantive action and recognize that the government cannot take on this aim and this challenge alone. Let's work with our private partners to create pathways of opportunity for our students, placing them in fields that will make the African-American middle class larger and stronger than ever. Let's vow to continue listening to our HBCUs and their able administrators, to ensure that they have the tools and the resources to make that happen, for only then can we ensure that these valuable institutions not only survive, but that they thrive. We have a number of universities in North Carolina for public HBCUs and six private HBCUs, and we are so very proud of all of our HBCUs throughout this Nation. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), my colleague.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Mississippi for not only that valuable information, but for the work that he has done over the years and for making an HBCU choice. I did the same thing for my daughter. I said: You go wherever you want, my money is going to an HBCU. But nothing could be finer than to be at an HBCU. It really does so much to get our students to where they need to be, especially those who come the way I did: not fully prepared. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), from the Second District.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the Morehouse man. I thank him very much for his contributions tonight and for all he has done. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time I have left.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio's Third District (Mrs. Beatty).

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for not only his support, but for his contributions to our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from the Sixth District of South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), our final speaker, the Democratic Assistant Leader.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina, and I can certainly associate myself with those remarks that you spoke about with Ron McNair. I, too, enrolled at North Carolina A&T not fully prepared, but they made a committed investment in me, and I was able to go on and receive my Ph.D. from the Ohio State University only because of North Carolina A&T, an HBCU which has done so much for all of our students. I want to acknowledge Elizabeth City State University; Fayetteville State University; North Carolina A&T, my alma mater twice; North Carolina Central University; Winston-Salem State University; Barber-Scotia College; Bennett College; Johnson C. Smith University, in my 12th district; Livingstone College; St. Augustine's University; and Shaw University. All of these colleges reside in North Carolina, and we are so very proud of the work that they are doing. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, let me just thank all of my colleagues for coming out tonight and to say that we are certainly very proud of our schools, and we celebrate them tonight and every day. We acknowledge the work that they have done. We acknowledge all of the corporate folks who have pledged to work with our HBCUs, our tech companies in connection with Howard University, and all of the other tech corporations that have stepped forward to help us and to help our schools and to continue to enable the young people who so ably deserve a college education are able to do that. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of my colleagues who came tonight and those who will join us as we continue to work on behalf of Historically Black Colleges and Universities so that they not only continue to survive, but that they thrive. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, ``Kill the bill, don't kill me''; ``Tax the rich, not the sick''; these are the chants of hundreds of protestors who have taken to the Halls of Congress. I have never seen anything like it. The American people know this GOP tax scam is one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation to come before this body. This legislation adds trillions to the deficit, cuts Medicaid, and increases healthcare premiums. It is an unpopular bill pushed by an unpopular President and an unpopular Congress. Mr. President, the American people don't want your bill. They want healthcare, Medicaid, and Medicare. They want CHIP and community health centers. Trump, Ryan, and McConnell are bankrupting America's priorities to give tax cuts to the wealthy. Their bill is welfare for Wall Street. In the past year, Republicans have attacked our healthcare, ignored our gun crisis, abandoned our DREAMers, failed to pass a long-term budget, and now this. Enough is enough. It is time for Republicans to start working for their constituents, not their donors.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the HBCU 9, the nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities who are celebrating 150 years of academic excellence. These schools hail from six States and count great African-American leaders such as Eva Clayton, John Lewis, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as members of their illustrious alumni. The nine include: Alabama State University, Barber-Scotia College, Fayetteville State University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, St. Augustine University, and Talladega College. Their achievements for the past 150 years are remarkable. They have cultivated a long history as incubators of innovation and continue to produce the next generation of leaders. Twenty-five percent of African-American STEM graduates, 40 percent of African-American lawyers, 50 percent of African-American teachers, and 21 current members of the Congressional Black Caucus are proud HBCU grads. These schools were born out of necessity and have endured the test of time to spark a movement and create the African-American middle class, fundamentally changing this country for the better. Please stand with me in recognizing the HBCU 9 for their years of leadership in African-American communities and their dedication to helping students realize their dreams.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise for the people of North Carolina's 12th Congressional District, to stand up for the opportunities our community needs, and to reject the ``billionaires first'' Republican tax plan. This tax plan fails to hear the American people. It gives tax cuts to corporations on the backs of the middle class. Last week, I sent a letter to the Ways and Means chair and to Speaker Ryan outlining the 12th District's tax priorities and urging the inclusion of education-related deductions. Republicans refused to hear the call, so this week I announced my education tax package. This series of amendments includes reinstating the tax-exempt status of private-use bonds used to build infrastructure and affordable housing; reinstating the State and local tax deduction, protecting the funds used to pay for schools, community development, and public safety; reinstating the student loan interest tax deduction; repealing the tax on tuition waivers and student stipends; and incentivizing investments in STEM education. Communities across the Nation need the increased access to upward mobility, and education, the great equalizer, is the place to start. I urge my colleagues to support my amendments to make education accessible for all students.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, each November, communities across the country observe National Diabetes Awareness Month. We come together to educate our neighbors and to bring attention to the impact that diabetes has in the lives of millions of Americans. As a diabetic, I know the challenges faced by people with this condition. In 2015, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death for Americans, and diagnosis rates continue to grow each year. To live a long and prosperous life with this disease, it is imperative that people with diabetes receive proper nutrition and access to healthcare. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, preexisting conditions such as diabetes are covered by health insurance. Thanks to SNAP, the poorest in our communities have access to nutrition. ACA and SNAP are under attack, and as a member of the Diabetes Caucus and as your Representative in Congress, I will continue to vigorously protect the ACA and fight to increase SNAP benefits for those in need. My life is a living testament to the opportunities that exist when diabetes is properly treated. We must ensure these opportunities are available for the next generation.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 150th anniversary of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and join my colleagues, Congressman Butterfield and Congressman Price, in congratulating them on their achievements and the appointment of their 32nd president, Dr. Avery. In North Carolina, the convention partners with Shaw University, the oldest Historically Black University in the South and one of the oldest in the Nation. As a retired professor, as you heard, of 40 years from Bennett College in Greensboro, founder of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, and a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee here in the Congress, it gives me great pride to reflect on the general support that the convention gives to Shaw and its students. I feel a special attachment to Shaw, since that is what became my alma mater. North Carolina A&T State University was located on Shaw's campus during its first year. Its history of leadership, activism, and service is well-documented. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, founded on Shaw's campus in 1960, and the Center for Alternative Programs in Education--CAPE--had its beginnings there in 1980.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Butterfield for yielding. I just wanted to add that he was almost a Shaw Bear with his parents attending there. Just last year, I had the opportunity to address Founder's Day to all of the students there. Many firsts Shaw boasts: the first college in the Nation to offer a 4-year medical program, the first Historically Black College in the Nation to open its doors to women, and the first Historically Black College in North Carolina to be granted an ``A'' rating by the State Department of Public Instruction. Over the years, as Mr. Butterfield has said, many scholarships have been provided to those students. They have encouraged the students to not only attend their divinity school, but we find that many of them have become college presidents: the founder of North Carolina Central, the first President of Elizabeth City State, and North Carolina A&T State University were all Shaw Bears, and we are delighted. So the lives that the General Baptist State Convention has touched throughout its existence is beyond admirable and almost beyond comprehension. I want to close by saying that W.E.B. Du Bois reminded us that of all the civil rights of which the world has fought for for 500 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental. So I praise the General Baptist State Convention and its commitment to education, and Shaw University, as well, for their charitable giving and for their dedication to educating young people through these 150 years, a century and five decades.