Alma Adams

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus for coming out and speaking out. I rise today to express concern and strong opposition to President- elect Trump Cabinet nominations for Attorney General, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Health and Human Services. President-elect Trump chose not to practice what he preached, and he didn't drain the swamp. Instead, he nominated politically divisive individuals to serve in his administration. Throughout a public service career spanning more than 30 years, Senator Sessions used the power of the courts to discriminate against civil rights leaders. He allegedly used racially charged language to disparage minorities, expressed support for the KKK, and then tried to dismiss it as a joke. He celebrated the gutting of the Voting Rights Act and opposed same-sex marriage. He denied the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade and voted against greater access to health care for veterans. He blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act and voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. He does not respect the rights of minorities or women, and he has proven himself to be unfit to serve as United States Attorney General. Education is the great equalizer. One of the most important investments families make is in their children. The Secretary of Education must be committed to providing a free, world-class education to all students regardless of race, gender, ability, status, financial means, or geography. Unfortunately, Betsy DeVos has consistently fought for private school vouchers that divert funds from public schools, our communities, and our children who need these investments the most. She has even used her personal wealth to lobby against important transparency and accountability measures that would have provided necessary safeguards for Michigan students. DeVos' track record of undermining public education and her lack of commitment to defending the civil rights of students causes me great pause in her quest to become Secretary of Education. I can't support it. Betsy DeVos, absolutely no. Finally, Chairman Price. He has made it clear that his budget priorities are highly partisan. We can expect that if he is confirmed, he will strip 20 million people of affordable health care, women would be denied their right to contraception and reproductive health care, and devastating cuts would be levied against Medicaid funding. We can't go back to a time when being a woman is a preexisting condition for insurance coverage. Chairman Price's nomination offers just that. These folks will not unite the American people, and they cannot be trusted to advocate for our most vulnerable populations, so I urge my Senate colleagues to oppose the confirmations of Senator Jeff Sessions, Betsy DeVos, and Chairman Tom Price.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the late Dr. Debra Saunders-White, a dedicated public servant and chancellor of North Carolina Central University. A cherished friend and confidant, I have never met anyone who worked harder and who gave more. We often worked together on legislation related to HBCUs. I could always count on her to bring pertinent issues to my attention. She remained involved, even during her illness with cancer. Prior to joining the Eagle family, Dr. Saunders-White served as acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education and in university administrations of UNC Wilmington and Hampton University. As chancellor of North Carolina Central University, Dr. Saunders- White expanded NCCU's course curriculum, helped secure critical investments for the university, and increased graduation rates. During her first week on campus, a campus food bank was opened to serve the needs of students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Debra Saunders-White, educator-chancellor par excellence, will be sorely missed, but her legacy will live forever. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Saunders-White family, friends, and the NCC University campus.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, in my District--North Carolina's 12th Congressional District--many people in my community struggle to consistently put food on the table. According to Feeding America, Mecklenburg County has over 165,000 individuals that are considered food insecure, including over 49,000 children. Overall, the 12th district ranks 11th in the nation and 2nd in the state for the most food insecure congressional districts. Over the past year, the single biggest food insecurity issue that constituents share with my office is that SNAP benefits are not enough to help seniors and families in need put food on the table through the end of the month. For this reason, in May of this year, I introduced H.R. 5215, the Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2016. This legislation strengthens the SNAP program for seniors, families, and individuals looking for work. This legislation has been endorsed by Feeding American, FRAC, Mazon, and the National Council on Aging. As we observe Hunger Action Month, I would encourage all members to cosponsor this important piece of legislation to help those that are hungry in their community put food on the table each month.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Preserving the right to overtime pay is crucial at the time when lower- and middle-income family wages are stagnant. I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 6094 and support working families.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today in support of the Department of Labor's overtime rule that will go into effect on December 1, 2016. This rule will protect 4.2 million workers who are newly eligible for overtime pay and strengthen protections for 8.9 million workers nationwide. Such a change not only puts more money in workers' pockets, it also strengthens our economy by driving consumer spending. H.R. 6094 is an attempt to delay the implementation of the overtime rule, taking $600 million out of the pockets of 4.2 million American workers who would have gained overtime protection on December 1. In North Carolina, 425,000 workers will benefit from the new rule. I acknowledge the concerns of my colleagues regarding the impact this rule may have on small businesses, universities, and nonprofits. Only 3.4 percent of employees at colleges and universities and junior colleges will be affected by this rule. Of those groups, only one-half percent of employees will be both affected by the rule and regularly work overtime.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the late Mr. Rodney Noel Ellis, Sr., a dedicated public servant and immediate past president of the North Carolina Association of Educators. Throughout his entire career, Rodney was a talented teacher and a steadfast advocate for North Carolina's students and educators, who worked relentlessly to improve public schools and fought tirelessly for equal and quality education. A cherished friend and confidant, I never met anyone who worked harder or gave more than Rodney Ellis. He will not only be remembered as our champion for education and kids, but as a dedicated and devoted family man who loved his wife and five children. He was an inspiration. His loss will be felt throughout our entire State. Rodney was a titan with a gentile spirit and a heart of gold. North Carolina has lost one of her most extraordinary educators and one of her greatest leaders. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with Rodney's family, his friends, and our community.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, introduced in the spirit of bipartisanship, supports three core principles: education, safety, and prevention. This bill will enable today's young people to continue their education despite incarceration. Education is the great equalizer, and access to opportunities for a quality education should be available even for youth who, because of unfortunate circumstances, sometimes lose their way and stray down the wrong path. Voting ``yes'' for this bill will give States and localities clear guidance and direction about how to reduce racial and ethnic disparities found among incarcerated youth. Statistics show that African American youth are five times as likely to be placed in confinement as their White peers. Latino and American Indian youth are between two and three times as likely to be confined. Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act gives America's youth a needed second chance to drive their future towards their dreams and not towards detention.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I am proud to stand here today in support of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and it will strengthen our economy and put hardworking Americans back to work. As elected leaders promoting the welfare of the American people, it is our most sacred responsibility, and this is why we must continue to work together to ensure that American workers have the skills and the training needed to compete in this modern workforce. In August, I traveled throughout my district, meeting with local employers and workers, and they all shared one major concern: the desperate need to close the skills gap. There are good paying jobs right here at home, but our people aren't able to fill them, and that is unacceptable. The skills gap is weakening our national and local economies, and we can no longer afford the price of an underprepared workforce. That is why I call on my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to reauthorize CTE. Voting ``yes'' will not only strengthen our economy, but will help make the American Dream a reality for millions of Americans. Voting ``yes'' will absolutely make a difference in the lives of those you serve. Today we have an opportunity to get it right, an opportunity to level the playing field, and to put the needs of the American people first. Let's make America stronger by passing this commonsense, bipartisan legislation. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' I hope the Senate will move swiftly in also passing this crucial piece of legislation.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my Republican colleagues to do their jobs, pass legislation that moves our country forward. House Democrats have led sit-ins here on the floor. We have led vigils on the floor, and we have demanded action at press conferences right outside the House floor. But despite it all, no real legislation has been passed on the House floor. Speaker Ryan refuses to do the work that we were all elected to do. Ninety-seven percent of Americans have spoken. They want gun reform, not a 6-week vacation for their Representatives. For 52 days, the Republican-led Congress has done nothing. Instead of passing commonsense legislation for gun reform, House Republicans are going on summer vacation. Instead of providing adequate funding for the Zika health crisis, House Republicans are going on summer vacation. Instead of addressing the Flint water crisis, House Republicans are going on summer vacation. It is unacceptable. I am disappointed. It is irresponsible leadership. I call on Speaker Ryan and Congress to come back in session, finally do the work that we were elected to do. It is time, Mr. Speaker, to put the will of the people first.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank the gentleman from Alabama also for serving as co-chair of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus and cosponsoring this bill. I am here today to encourage all of my colleagues to support the HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation seeks to offset inequities faced by Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the private bond market by making improvements to the HBCU Capital Financing Program, a program that provides low-cost capital to finance infrastructure improvements at HBCUs. This bill also makes technical changes to the program, such as changing the name of an account to more adequately describe the purpose of the fund. The simple change in name may increase participation by public HBCUs which otherwise may have been discouraged from participating. The HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act also provides additional support to institutions interested in participating but unable to meet the program's financial requirements. This bill allows the Department of Education to offer financial counseling to interested HBCUs, in addition to the technical assistance already provided by the agency through the program. The HBCU Capital Financing Program provides integral investments to HBCUs, allowing them to provide students with enhanced learning and living environments, rebuild and restructure historic buildings, and provide jobs in communities. Without this important program, many HBCUs would be unable to maintain their campuses and make the improvements necessary to serve their student populations. Additionally, this financing program has been an effective tool, and it has exhibited very limited risk to the Federal Government and taxpayers. I hope these changes will encourage and help more HBCUs take advantage of the capital financing program, and I encourage all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to simply close by saying that I want to thank Congressman Byrne and all the committee for their support of this important legislation and to all of our bipartisan cosponsors as well because what we have here, this legislation will definitely make improvements to the HBCU capital financing program which ultimately supports our HBCUs. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, ``Teen killed in shooting that led to crash near ER in Charlotte.'' ``Man shot and killed in uptown Charlotte.'' ``Man found shot to death in Thomasville July 4th.'' ``Man shot in Freeman Mills Shopping Center.'' ``Shooting outside Florida Street Grocery Store in Greensboro.'' ``Winston-Salem woman caught in crossfire.'' The media and my Republican colleagues have focused attention on which words we have used instead of the need to define the terms. As a former educator, let me define the word ``epidemic.'' Webster defines it as something ``affecting a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, a community, or a region at the same time.'' The headlines I cited earlier define the term ``gun violence epidemic,'' an epidemic faced in my home State of North Carolina and across this country, an epidemic so vast that it took the life of Kevin Rodas, a 7-year old boy shot while playing in the front yard of his Charlotte home. Let's cure these epidemics. Pass sensible, bipartisan gun safety legislation to prevent future acts of gun violence like Orlando or the one that took little Kevin's life back in my district.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. I thank Congressman Byrne. I appreciate the gentleman's yielding to me and his work with this caucus. Mr. Speaker, today marks the first anniversary of the bipartisan Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, known by many as the HBCU Caucus. As a retired 40-year educator from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, I have always believed that every young person who desires a college education should get that opportunity. Like many of the young people I taught at Bennett College for those four decades of my academic career, my story is one of perseverance. I was a first-generation college student at North Carolina A&T. I came to school like so many students today--not fully prepared to do college work. A&T gave me a chance 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.'' That is why I advocate for HBCUs, for they advocated for me, and they invested in my success. There are more than 100 HBCUs in the United States that enroll more than 300,000 students per year. HBCUs are taking our students in-- students like me and like you--from diverse backgrounds and are giving them a chance, a chance that other schools might not have given them. Many HBCU students are often like I was--first generation from low- income families--so we must ensure that all students, including those from economically strained backgrounds, have access to a high-quality education and are equipped with the knowledge and the 21st century skills that they need to succeed. HBCUs do just that for so many students. HBCUs represent 3 percent of colleges and universities; yet we graduate 20 percent of African Americans with undergraduate degrees and 50 percent of African American educators. Despite these facts, HBCUs have historically been underfunded. There are many unique challenges that HBCUs and the students they serve face. Many students don't have the luxury of being supported through school. Some have to work their way through, taking breaks along the way. It is imperative then that we work together to ensure that these institutions not only have the resources that are necessary to encourage enrollment and increase the graduation rates among these students, but also that they are capable of preparing these young people for the workforce. That is why I launched the first bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus with my Republican co-chair and former Alabama Community College System Chancellor, Congressman Bradley Byrne from Alabama. Representative Byrne, I thank you for being my co-chair. It is a pleasure to serve our HBCUs alongside of you. The purpose of the caucus is to create a national dialogue so as to educate other Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues that impact HBCUs as well as to address the needs of HBCUs and to support the students and graduates of these institutions by increasing access and career opportunities. With the help of Representative Byrne, we have grown the caucus to 56 members now, from both sides of the aisle, over the course of this year. I am proud to announce that the caucus is now bicameral and has the support of my home State Senator, Richard Burr of North Carolina. Those of us in Congress have more to learn from our HBCU institutions and from the students who attend them. That is why, when we first launched the caucus, our first goal was to listen, and we did just that--we listened. We have held several staff briefings on various topics that impact HBCUs. I hosted a roundtable in my district with presidents and representatives from 10 HBCUs in the 12th District of North Carolina. I hosted a roundtable in my district, as well, with the former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as well as with presidents and representatives from HBCUs in the 12th District to make sure that their needs were heard. We hosted a diversity in the workforce event with Fortune 500 companies to discuss the role HBCUs play in graduating a skilled and diverse workforce while learning more about the programs that are currently available to improve diversity at these companies. We surveyed members of the caucus and Members of Congress to find out what their priorities are for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and we hosted conference calls with chancellors and presidents for their input. At the start of this year, we held a caucus meeting with the new Secretary of Education, Dr. John King, Jr., in order to share those priorities with him. Caucus members have been steadfast in crafting legislation to positively impact our HBCUs, which I am proud to support, from the America's College Promise Act, which would grant any first-time student access to community college for free and sets aside special funding for HBCUs and other institutions that serve many low-income, first- generation college students, to the HBCU Historic Preservation Program, which would reauthorize funds for the preservation and restoration of historic buildings on these campuses. Recently, I introduced the HBCU Innovation Fund Act, which would provide $250 million in competitive grants to these schools across the country in order to develop critical solutions to meet current and emerging needs, like student retention and improving graduation rates; but this is just the start, and it is, clearly, not the end of our work to support HBCUs. Many of the members of this bipartisan HBCU Caucus have long been champions for education and for our schools. This bipartisan caucus is just another step in the right direction as we join forces across the aisle so that we can truly make a difference and deliver for our HBCUs: from Assistant Democratic Leader Clyburn, who works to protect institutions like South Carolina State and who has helped start Centers of Excellence, which have had a tremendous impact on students in his State; to my ranking member on Education and the Workforce, Representative Bobby Scott, who has used his leadership position to be a national voice for all HBCUs and institutions of higher learning; to Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, a leader in STEM education and a steadfast voice for our students--and HBCUs in particular. To Congressional Black Caucus chair and my colleague from North Carolina, Representative G.K. Butterfield, I thank him for making HBCUs a priority for our Congressional Black Caucus and for Congress. To our Democrat vice chairs--Representative Bennie Thompson and Representative Terri Sewell--and our Republican vice chairs-- Representatives Bruce Westerman and Randy Forbes--who have all been fierce advocates for HBCUs in their districts, and to my colleagues-- Representatives Cedric Richmond and Corrine Brown-- who are co-chairs of the CBC's HBCUs task force, they have all put HBCUs first and have brought Members and the administration to the table to highlight the issues of concern. Thank you to all of these Members for doing this good work and for bringing their expertise to the HBCU Caucus, because we couldn't do it without strong leaders in our communities who represent these institutions. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an organization that supports the 47 publicly supported HBCUs, and the Thurgood Marshall Foundation played a critical role in the caucus' inception, and their very own president, Johnny Taylor, was the host for the caucus launch. Thank you as well to the United Negro College Fund, which works to support the 37-member private Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The UNCF has been instrumental in widening the caucus' reach and has helped provide more than $4.5 billion to help more than 400,000 students get college degrees. So we thank Dr. Lomax and all of those who work with him. To the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, NAFEO, which has also remained a key advocate for our HBCUs and our students, thank you to that organization and, also, to Lezli Baskerville. I also congratulate the 1890 land grant institutions on their 125th anniversary last year. I was honored to participate in the House Agriculture Committee's hearing, in July, with the presidents and leaders of those universities, and I look forward to continuing to work with these organizations. We have come a long way this year, but with this crisis still existing in education and with those facing our HBCUs, we still have a long road ahead of us; so I look forward to growing this partnership with Representative Byrne and with more Members from both Chambers and from both sides of the aisle. We can continue to collectively work together in a bipartisan fashion to make a difference for our HBCUs and to protect and advance the students they serve.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4326, the Small and Disadvantaged Business Enhancement Act. This bill will expand oversight over the government purchase card system by ensuring that all small businesses contracting programs are under the purview of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. This legislation follows a joint Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations and House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, where we discussed reports that cited irregularities at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This hearing uncovered numerous violations of Federal procurement laws with regard to government purchase cards. According to witness testimony, including individuals from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA's Office of Management issued government purchase cards that were being used illegally. This includes recipients using government purchase cards above the micro-purchase threshold in the same manner as micro-purchases. As ranking member of the Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations, I believe we must ensure that our small businesses have access to Federal contracts by guaranteeing that money associated with government purchase cards are not used for wasteful spending. The reckless misuse of government funding uncovered at the VA has prevented some small businesses from accessing the Federal dollars owed to them. This legislation would ensure that every agency properly monitors purchase card activity to better free up the funds allocated to small businesses, including disadvantaged businesses. We have a responsibility to our Nation's small businesses to guarantee that there is a level playing field for them to offer their products and services. We cannot provide that level playing field if there are inefficiencies and waste occurring within our Federal agencies. Before I close, I would like to thank Representative Hardy for his support and cosponsorship. I want to urge my colleagues to support the Small and Disadvantaged Business Enhancement Act because supporting small business is simply the right thing to do.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, more than five decades have passed since we signed the Equal Pay Act into law, but in 2016, women still make 79 cents to the dollar that their male counterparts make. And it is worse for women of color. African American women earn 60 cents and Latinas earn 55 for every dollar earned by men. The Joint Economic Committee, which I am proud to serve on, found that women lose out on more than $500,000 throughout their career. And this wage gap continues to hurt women when they retire. The median income for women 65 and older is 44 percent less than that of men in the same age group. Every Congress, for nearly 20 years, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act. I am thankful for her leadership, and I am proud to join her as a cosponsor of the bill, because I am not going to stand by while North Carolina women make just 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. Today on Equal Pay Day, I call on my colleagues to stop shortchanging women and our families. Let's pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, every school day, around 450,000 school buses transport more than 24 million children to and from schools and school- related activities, making school buses the largest mass transit program in the U.S. (National Wildlife Federation). I rise today to recognize Perley A. Thomas and his family who have aided in the transportation system for many generations. Thomas Built Buses started in 1916 in High Point, North Carolina and since then, the Thomas children and grandchildren have built a national reputation among the school bus business. In 2011, Thomas Built Buses became the first, and remains the only, school bus manufacturer to achieve Zero-Waste-to-Landfill operations, demonstrating its industry leadership as a driving force in facility waste management and environmental commitment. Today, a decade into the school bus occupation, Thomas Built Buses offers school, activity, green, childcare, specialty and commercial buses across the nation. As the United States Congresswoman for North Carolina's 12th Congressional District, I am proud to offer my congratulations for 100 years of service and best wishes to you. Thank you for making such a positive impact in this country and for many years to come.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize my colleague and friend, former North Carolina State Senator Earline Parmon, who departed this life last week on Super Tuesday. Earline was a true trailblazer, public servant, and humble leader. She was Forsyth County's first Black State senator. She also served more than a decade in the North Carolina House and on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners. Earline was instrumental in helping victims of North Carolina's eugenics program receive restitution, and she did so much more. She dedicated her life to fighting for justice and fighting for our communities. I was more than honored when Earline joined my staff as my outreach director, expanding her territory to serve North Carolina's 12the Congressional District. She was loving, kind, and respected. She broke barriers, and she was inspirational. Earline Parmon has left an indelible mark on North Carolinians across our State and Nation. I have known Earline for many decades, and I am proud to have called her my friend and one of my closest confidantes. Her legacy will continue to live on for generations to come. We salute her and her service to our State.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, my amendment is a critical improvement that would help protect American children in our most vulnerable communities. This unnecessary bill would weaken both the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards by allowing waste coal plants to emit more sulfur dioxide. Health risks from exposure to sulfur dioxide can cause breathing problems, reduced lung function, and asthma exacerbations. I think about the children in Mecklenburg County that I represent who are already suffering from high asthma rates. This bill would further put their health at risk as well as the communities both near waste coal plants and downwind. Communities with limited resources and political clout are often low- income communities and communities of color. We must ensure, together, that these communities and their unique needs have a voice when it comes to environmental health policy so that we bolster their resilience and reduce the impacts of future disasters. As representatives of the people, only negligence and apathy could lead us to ignore the risks that this bill poses to human health and the environment. If my amendment passes, it would make sure that an increase in emissions will not harm brain development or cause learning disabilities in infants or children and will protect our Nation's sources of public drinking water from mercury pollution. Research shows that babies and children who are exposed to mercury may suffer damage to their developing nervous systems, hurting their ability to think, to learn, and to speak. Have we not been paying attention? Just look at North Carolina. It took a disastrous spill of coal ash into the Dan River to make it clear that we were not doing a good enough job to protect our communities and our waterways. Look at the children and the families in Flint who will never be the same because we failed to protect their basic human right of access to clean water. How could this be a 21st century issue in America? And what has this body done to help? Not much. When will it stop? Republicans and Democrats, alike, voted in 1990 to strengthen the Clean Air Act to require dozens of industry sectors to install modern pollution controls on their facilities. Since then, EPA has set emissions standards that simply require facilities to use pollution controls that others in their industry are already using. But a few major industrial sources so far have escaped regulation, and the Republicans appear to be on a mission to help them continue to evade emissions limits on toxic air pollution. This bill is just another Republican handout: weakening the rule and allowing more toxic air pollution and more of these types of health hazards. It favors polluting industries at the expense of Americans and air quality. Moreover, the bill sets a very dangerous precedent that could open the floodgates to other special treatment bills, creating loopholes and lax treatment that may cause additional health hazards that the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards now prevent. This bill is toxic, and it will be the knife in our children's back. My amendment will improve the bill by putting the health and safety of our Nation's children first instead of allowing Republicans to continue their assault on the health of our Nation. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I am opposed to the bill in its current form.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to recognize former Charlotte City Councilman Malachi Greene, who departed this life on February 25. Although he was born in South Carolina, North Carolina was indeed his home. A graduate of Livingstone College, an HBCU in Salisbury, North Carolina, Malachi was a businessman, a teacher, public servant, and overall model citizen. I had known Malachi for many decades and had the pleasure of working with him on numerous occasions. I admired his steadfast dedication to improving the lives of others throughout his work at Bennett College and in the community. In later years, Malachi served two terms on the Charlotte City Council. Throughout his political endeavors, he maintained the ability to appeal to diverse audiences and work with both parties to ensure that good policies rose above politics. Malachi Greene put his all into public service and was a voice for the voiceless. He truly loved his community and his people, and we loved him. North Carolinians across our State will remember his life and his legacy for years to come and are grateful for his service.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. I thank my colleague for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise during a special month, Women's History Month, to urge the passage of H.R. 3735, which is legislation to honor the life of Dr. Maya Angelou, an African American woman who broke barriers and served as an inspiration for so many young and old throughout this Nation. My legislation, H.R. 3735, designates the Center City postal facility at 200 Town Run Lane in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the Maya Angelou Memorial Post Office. Dr. Angelou was a distinguished author, writer, poet, and activist, which earned her renowned success and over 80 honorary degrees. She became the first nonfiction bestselling African American female author for her 1969 memoir, ``I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.'' She was also the first African American woman to have a script filmed for the 1972 movie ``Georgia,'' which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. In addition to her literary successes, Dr. Angelou became a prolific academician. In 1981, she moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which I am proud to represent. She accepted the Lifetime William Neal Reynolds Professorship of American Studies at Wake Forest University, and she went on to serve there for more than 30 years. Dr. Angelou received many accolades throughout her lifetime, including three Grammies for spoken word albums and two NAACP Image Awards. Her work has become the crown of American literature and has been recognized by Presidents Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush. In 2010, President Barack Obama presented her with our Nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Winston-Salem was Dr. Maya Angelou's home and is her final resting place; so renaming this postal facility in her honor is a small, yet thoughtful, way to recognize her influence and to celebrate her life in the community she deeply loved. Dr. Angelou understood the importance of history. She was historic in her own right. She understood who she was, what her history was, and she understood her struggles. In her own words, she said, ``History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.'' Madam Speaker, it is my hope that my colleagues will join me in voting favorably for H.R. 3735 so as to rename the Center City postal facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after Dr. Maya Angelou, one of our country's greatest writers, inspirational thought leaders, and an overall phenomenal woman.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History Month to recognize a fellow North Carolina artist and living legend, Harry Davis. Originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, Harry Davis' natural talent was evident from his early drawings. After serving our Nation in the U.S. Army, an accidental shooting left him permanently confined to a wheelchair, which led him to turn to oil painting as a means of expression and therapy. Self-taught artist Harry Davis' attention to detail and the use of bold and brilliant hues and compositional precision have captivated audiences around the country. An award-winning artist who has gained national recognition, Davis' work is in private collections of more than a dozen actors, actresses, and public figures. He has received many honors throughout the country since the 1970s, including best of show in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and featured artist for the Greensboro African American Arts Festival. Harry Davis has also worked tirelessly to share his love for the arts and African culture with students throughout North Carolina. We applaud him on this day. We thank him for his service to this country and his service to the arts.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for her leadership. It frightens me that in 2016, we are still fighting the same politically motivated battles to roll back women's rights. It has been 43 years since the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade made abortion a constitutional right. Year after year, GOP lawmakers and anti-choice extremists have tried to tear it down. States like Texas have passed egregious laws to disenfranchise women and infringe on their ability to access safe and legal abortions. Their State law has cut the number of abortion providers in Texas in half, increasing delays and severely limiting access and, frankly, punishing women for exercising their civil liberties. This obvious war on women has got to stop. No law should control a woman's right to make decisions about her own body--no government, no legislature, no Congress. A woman's personal decision should be between her and her doctor and nobody else. Every woman deserves equal access to all forms of safe and affordable reproductive health. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear this case, I will continue to stand with women in North Carolina and women across the country in the fight to protect a woman's right to choose.