G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and work of Attorney Earl Thomas Brown of Greenville, North Carolina, who this past Saturday tragically died in a one-car collision at the age of 64. Attorney Brown was a native of Edgecombe County, though he lived and worked in the city of Greenville. He was an extraordinary lawyer. During my years as a Superior Court judge, Earl appeared before my court on many occasions. He treated each case as unique, exceptional in his scholarship, compassionate for his clients. At the time of his passing, Attorney Brown was a candidate for District Court judge, a position he wanted to achieve so very much. Not only was Earl an exceptional lawyer, but a man of faith and a strong patriarch for his family. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Hazel J. Brown; a son, Attorney Derek Brown; a daughter-in-law, Joni Marie; and grandchildren, Austin, Alanna, and Myles. He is also survived by his beloved mother, Mrs. Anna Brown, and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating the life and work of a great American, Attorney Earl Thomas Brown.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) and the 1976 Class of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Established in 1976, this non-profit, non-partisan education and research institution was founded by Nira Hardon Long, Albert L. Nellum and Congresswoman Yvonne B. Burke (CA). The CBCF's commitment to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public has not wavered and will remain steadfast for many years to come. One of the CBCF's innovative initiatives is its virtual library project called `Avoice.' Avoice: African American Voices in Congress launched in 2006 and has received over 27 million hits to date. Through this virtual portal people from around the world log onto the Avoice website to find out about the legislative work done by African American members of Congress. The CBCF and the CBC have collaborated for many years on policy issues that would uplift the African American community in the United States including major laws like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and legislation that created the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Even before the CBCF or CBC were created, African American members of Congress, black civil rights leaders, and others have been on the forefront advocating for criminal justice reform, environmental justice, voting rights protection, and economic empowerment for African Americans. Mr. Speaker, when CBCF was founded in 1976, there were 17 members of the Congressional Black Caucus Congress who stood together to empower America's neglected citizens and to address their legislative concerns. These members are--former Representatives Yvonne B. Burke (CA), Shirley A. Chisholm (NY), William Clay, Sr. (MO), Cardiss W. Collins (IL), Charles C. Diggs, Jr. (MI), Ron Dellums (CA), Harold Ford, Sr. (TN), Augustus F. Hawkins (CA), Barbara C. Jordan (TX), Ralph H. Metcalfe (IL), Parren J. Mitchell (MD), Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. (PA), Louis Stokes (OH), Andrew Young (GA), and our two distinguished members still serving this institution--Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (MI) and Charles B. Rangel (NY). Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 40th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the 1976 Class of the Congressional Black Caucus and recognizing their tremendous contributions to our nation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Let me first thank Mr. Takano for yielding, and I thank all of you for your advocacy on this bill. This is a very, very important piece of legislation for our veterans. Mr. Speaker, we are running out of time to finally recognize the critical contributions of a forgotten but critical segment of brave men and women who served our country during World War II. Because we are running out of time, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 677, which contains provisions from my bill, H.R. 1288, that would create a pathway for these forgotten individuals to finally be recognized for their service to our country. I am referring to an overlooked segment of the World War II Merchant Marine, known as Coastwise Merchant Seamen. These men and women, Mr. Speaker, served the vital role of transporting raw materials and supplies between our domestic military installations and production facilities during the war. Their jobs were absolutely essential to the war effort. To this day, many of these mariners have never been recognized for their service, largely at no fault of their own, but rather because of decisions made by the Federal Government. It has been virtually impossible for many of these mariners to obtain the required documents needed to prove their World War II service due to government orders that either had these documents destroyed or never kept at all. Even today, government inaction and delay on transferring the surviving documents to the National Archives and Records Administration makes searching for and obtaining the required documents practically impossible. As each day passes, this issue grows more acute due to the advanced age of these mariners. We must make it possible for these great Americans to receive their due recognition while we still have the chance. More importantly, we have to do this now, while these mariners still have the chance to know that their sacrifices were not in vain, and their Nation and government are appreciative of their service. Mr. Speaker, these mariners are national treasures, and we are here today because of their sacrifices. They deserve, each of them, to be recognized for their service, and I ask my colleagues to join me in this effort by voting ``yes'' on this bill. I want to thank Chairman Miller, Ranking Member Brown, subcommittee Chairman Abraham, and Ranking Member Titus for working with me and my staff on this issue, and including provisions of my bill in the base text. I want to thank the committee staff for all of their hard work. I am appreciative of their efforts. This has been a true team effort, and we are now one step closer to finally doing the right thing.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my condolences on the passing of a giant in the Durham, North Carolina, community, a trailblazer, one who dedicated her life to improving health outcomes for disadvantaged citizens, including veterans. This trailblazer, Mr. Speaker, was my friend, Dr. Sharon Elliott- Bynum. Sharon passed away on Sunday, January 3, at the young age of 58, 2 days before her 59th birthday. We lost this giant far too soon, but not before she revolutionized the delivery of care for those in need through the founding of Durham's first free-standing, comprehensive healthcare clinic, called Healing with CAARE. My first visit as Durham's Congressman was an enlightening visit to CAARE. I saw Sharon at work, I saw paid staff, and I saw dozens of community volunteers. We mourn this tremendous loss, but we also celebrate Sharon's remarkable life, which was replete with the success that many can only hope to achieve. Born in Durham, Sharon Elliott-Bynum was a graduate of Northern High School, Durham Technical Institute, the Watts School of Nursing, and my alma mater, North Carolina Central University. She also received a master's degree and a Ph.D. from Victory International College. Sharon was a dedicated member of a great sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. As a member of the Durham Alumnae Chapter, founded in 1931, she led by example. Sharon was also a member of the National Council of Negro Women, of Sigma Theta Tau International, of the Top Ladies of Distinction, and of many more service organizations. Finally, she was a faithful member of the Faith Assembly Christian Center in Durham. Dr. Elliott-Bynum was attracted to the field of nursing when she, at the age of 16, began volunteering at the historic Lincoln Community Health Center. Sharon's volunteerism motivated her to pursue a nursing career. So, in 1995, Dr. Elliott-Bynum and her late sister, Patricia-- ``Pat'' she called her--founded Healing with CAARE, Inc. What began as a nonprofit, community-based provider of services for individuals who were living with HIV expanded to being the primary healthcare home for more than 1,000 individuals who live with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. CAARE also provides free dental care, substance abuse counseling, a food pantry, and free housing for homeless veterans. Her remarkable work has been honored over the years through many awards and recognitions. They include The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest civilian honor presented by the Governor; the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Veterans Braintrust Award; the NCCU Distinguished Alumni Award; and the Durham Chamber of Commerce Women's Leadership Award. Dr. Elliott-Bynum's lifetime of tireless work and service to thousands of disadvantaged individuals had an immeasurable impact on the Durham community, a grateful community that joins me today in celebrating this life. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our recognition to Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum's two children, Ebony Elliott-Covington and Damien Elliott-Bynum; to her beloved brother, Joe Elliott, Jr.; to her sisters, Carolyn Hinton and Addie Mann; to her grandson, Ahmad; to the entire CAARE family; and to all of those who have been impacted by her extraordinary work. Some of her family members are with us today. Mr. Speaker, in closing, on tomorrow, I will say just a few words at the Celebration of Life service in Durham by making a very plain, but profound, point. It goes like this: Durham, North Carolina, is a better place to live and work because of the unselfish service of Dr. Sharon Elliott-Bynum. May she rest in peace, a life well lived.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Kinston, North Carolina City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, The Honorable Joseph Tyson who is retiring from public service after 17 years. The City of Kinston, located in my congressional district, has been fortunate to have a remarkable leader in Mr. Joseph Tyson. Through his words and actions as a City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem, he has demonstrated time and time again that he is one of our state's finest and most effective leaders. Mr. Tyson spent his formative years in my district in Beaufort, North Carolina until 1964 when he left to attend North Carolina A&T University in Winston-Salem. It was there that he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He would spend more than two decades in uniform as an infantry and chemical officer. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. When Hurricane Floyd devastated much of eastern North Carolina in 1999, Mr. Tyson played a pivotal role in guiding the city through myriad issues resulting from the effects of the historic storm. From having to replace a wastewater treatment plant, to navigating the relocation of a large number of the city's residents, Mr. Tyson worked with other leaders to resolve problems for the benefit of the community. Mr. Tyson has always looked for ways to give back, even after dedicating so much of himself to his city and his country. Following his retirement from the Army in 1993, Mr. Tyson began working as the senior Army instructor for the JROTC program at Kingston High School. He taught cadets important leadership skills and equipped them with the tools they needed to succeed. He motivated and encouraged those under his command to be the best version of themselves. Mr. Tyson has been a strong and steady leader for his community and has succeeded in making Kinston a better place for current and future generations. He has earned the respect and trust of his fellow councilmen, and has the admiration of a grateful community, whom he has diligently served. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize this man of conviction, principle, and exceptional character as he retires after nearly two decades on the Kinston City Council. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing The Honorable Joseph Tyson the best of luck as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise and ask my Colleagues to join me in paying tribute to R. Kelly Bryant, Jr., a friend and constituent who passed away on December 6, 2015 at the blessed age of 98 years old. It is worth noting that his date of death was the 150th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution which legally abolished slavery in America. Mr. Speaker, Kelly Bryant enjoyed a full life. He graduated from Hampton University, with a concentration in accounting. Following graduation, Mr. Bryant worked for historic North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company from the 1940's until his retirement in 1981. His true passion, however, was documenting the history of African American citizens in the City and County of Durham. Mr. Bryant's contribution to the Durham Community is boundless. He worked tirelessly in many endeavors, including obtaining a historic marker at the site of the Royal Ice Cream sit-in in 1957, saving Geer Cemetery (one of Durham's oldest African American burial grounds) and the completion of a pedestrian bridge over the Durham Freeway, in order to connect black neighborhoods that were separated by the highway. The bridge was later named in honor of R. Kelly Bryant, Jr. Mr. Bryant believed strongly in preserving Durham's African American history. He collected over 2,500 funeral programs, obituaries, and birth announcements. His archive is so valuable that the Durham County Library currently hosts the R. Kelly Bryant, Jr. Collection as an online exhibit. In addition to his work as the local historian, Kelly Bryant was a leader in his community, serving the Durham Business and Professional Chain for 49 years; charter member of the Durham Human Relations Commission, served 37 years as a scoutmaster, and was a member of the Durham chapter of the NAACP. One of his greatest passions was his membership and active participation with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdictions, Inc. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kelly Bryant also devoted his life to historic White Rock Baptist Church (founded in 1866) in Durham, North Carolina. He was very spiritual in all of his endeavors and embraced the teachings of our Heavenly Father. He served as a Church Trustee for 55 long years. Mr. Bryant's work did not go unnoticed, he was recognized with many awards and honors, including certificate of acknowledgment and congratulations for his many activities from the North Carolina House of Representatives, NAACP ``Freedom Fund Dinner Award'', Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America for ``Distinguished Service to Boyhood'', the first African American recipient of the Bartlett Durham Award, and an appointment as the honorary grand master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdiction. Finally R. Kelly Bryant, Jr. is survived by his son, R. Kelly Bryant, III; his daughter, Sandra Artelia Bryant-Yubwannie, of Durham, North Carolina; a sister Maggie Bryant (age 100) and five wonderful grandchildren, Keith Bryant, Korey Bryant, Mykel Bryant Moore, Yohanna Yubwannie and Raevin Bryant. Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by his spouse of 69 years, Artelia Melba Tennessee Bryant, who was his co- worker at North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company and was the matriarch of their family. Mrs. Artelia Bryant was the descendant of the legendary Darden family of Wilson, North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to pay tribute to such an outstanding American legend. His legacy will live on for generations.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Thank you, Ms. Kelly. Let me begin this evening by first thanking Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., from the Tenth District of New Jersey for his friendship and for his tireless work on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and on behalf of the people that he represents back home in the great State of New Jersey. Thank you, Mr. Payne, for your work, and thank you for the kind words that you had to say about me this evening. And to my other colleague, Congresswoman Robin Kelly from the Second District of Illinois, not only do you manage the floor on Monday nights, Ms. Kelly, on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus, but you also are the chair of our CBC Health Braintrust that does so much for so many. You also have carved out a niche. You have begun to focus the attention of the Nation on the issue of gun violence in our country. So I want to begin this presentation this evening by thanking both of you for your work. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues here this evening, especially the newer ones to this body, may not fully understand what the CBC is. The Congressional Black Caucus is an organization. It is a caucus of African American Members of Congress. We were founded in 1971. But, Mr. Speaker, that does not mean that 1971 was the first year that this body had African American Members of Congress. Actually, the first African American was elected to Congress in 1870. There were some 21 African Americans who served in this body during Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction. The CBC formally organized, Mr. Speaker, in 1971 with 13 Members. Over the years, those 13 members have now grown into 46 members. I might say that two of the founding members of the CBC continue to belong to this body. They are Congressman John Conyers from Michigan, who is actually the dean of the House, as well as Congressman Charles Rangel from the State of New York. They were two of our founding members. The CBC, as I said, now consists of 46 members. Of the 46 members, one is from the other body, from the United States Senate, and 45 serve here in the House of Representatives. I might say that one of our 45 members is a Republican Member of this body, our dear friend from Utah (Mrs. Love). And so it is absolutely correct for us to say that we are bicameral and we are bipartisan. Collectively, we represent 23 States in addition to the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. Collectively, Mr. Speaker, we represent more than 30 million people. I might say, of the 21 standing committees that we have here in this House, 7 of those 21 committees have a CBC member as the top Democrat on the committee. We call that the ranking member. The gentleman who will speak in just a moment, Mr. Scott of Virginia, is one of those ranking members on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Mr. Speaker, this past year has been very demanding on CBC members. We have been busy. We have consistently fought back every day and every week against Republican attempts to balance the budget on the backs of hardworking Americans--not just African Americans, but hardworking Americans, Black, White, and Brown. The struggle continues. We, as the CBC, have been focused on many different things. I will mention just a few. In the interest of time, we have been focusing on criminal justice reform because that is so important to the African American community. We have been protecting--or trying to protect--the social safety net that many of our vulnerable communities depend on. We have been trying to enhance educational opportunities for African American students and strengthening and preserving HBCUs, that is, Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Mr. Speaker, we have spent considerable energy this year trying to have full enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. As many of my colleagues may know, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in a decision some years ago, 4 years ago--actually, in 2013 it was--that the Voting Rights Act, at least a part of it--that part that deals with preclearance of voting changes--that that section could not be enforced until this Congress redefined the formula for determining which States or which counties should be subject to that part of the Voting Rights Act, and this Congress has not acted. This Congress continues to not fully enforce the Voting Rights Act. We have exposed that and we continue to fight. We are talking about diversity in corporate America, and we are going to hear more about that in the years to come. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we have talked about investments in underserved communities. Mr. Speaker, we have attempted to carry out these priorities. This year the CBC launched the CBC TECH 2020. This initiative brings together the best minds in technology in nonprofit education in the public sector to increase African American inclusion at all levels of the technology industry. In addition to outlining best practices for diversity principles, CBC TECH 2020 has empowered our members to provide resources for African American students and entrepreneurs through the introduction of legislation focused on increasing STEM education. I would hope that every American would embrace that concept, the concept of STEM education--science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--and workforce development, cybersecurity, and copyright and patent reform. In August, we traveled to Silicon Valley, talked to the technology giants like Apple, Google, Bloomberg, and Intel about their diversity efforts. We were pleased with their response and their willingness to improve the diversity within their companies. This year, Mr. Speaker, we revamped the biweekly CBC message to America. We now broadcast across several digital platforms. The messages to America have been highly received. They have been widely watched with some of our most popular messages focusing on criminal justice reform, police violence, poverty, education, the importance of HBCUs, and ending the stigma of racism in America. Finally, on August 6, the CBC recognized the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. In the 2 years following the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn section 4 in the Shelby County v. Holder case, voting rights have come under assault, Mr. Speaker. They have come under renewed assault. Since 2010, new voting restrictions have been put in place in 22 States, making it harder for millions of eligible Americans to exercise their right to vote. The CBC has been very vocal on these efforts, including outreach in Wisconsin. We filed an amicus brief in the States of Wisconsin, in North Carolina, and in Alabama. The CBC has asserted for years that Black Americans are unfairly treated and disproportionately exposed to the criminal justice system. Police bias and excessive use of force are real in the African American community. We see it every day. We must restore the American people's trust in our criminal justice system. Finally, we have worked to expand the economic opportunities for African Americans. The CBC, in coordination with the Joint Economic Committee Democrats, have held two public forums in Baltimore and Harlem, I might say, entitled ``The American Dream on Hold: Economic Challenges in the African American Community,'' where we discussed with those communities the impact of economic challenges and persistent inequities facing African American communities across the country. Mr. Speaker, there are so many more things that I could say about the work of the Congressional Black Caucus. We are busy. We are engaged every day not only representing African Americans, but representing every American who is affected by some of the policies that have been enacted by this Congress. Thank you for the time this evening.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Ms. Kelly, I believe you mentioned to Mr. Payne that he was your partner in crime. I want those who may be watching this on television to know that was really a joke.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, we recently celebrated National Forest Products Week. Today, I rise to recognize the importance of the forest products industry to the United States, and in particular, my home state of North Carolina where the industry sustains over 40,000 jobs. Many of those stable and good-paying jobs are in rural communities including Roanoke Rapids, Plymouth, and New Bern, in North Carolina's First Congressional District which I represent. The economic and employment opportunities provided by the forest products industry are especially important to those communities and others I represent. The forest products industry is evolving. It is the largest producer and user of bioenergy. And further investments in and expansion of bioenergy--at these mills and bioenergy facilities like Craven County Wood Energy--are being made today. These efforts help reduce our country's greenhouse gas emissions and create innovative new markets to help conserve forestland for rural jobs, recreational activities, and wildlife protection. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing National Forest Products Week. The industry creates and sustains jobs, makes important economic contributions to our communities, and is innovating and developing new technologies supporting a healthier environment.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Let me first thank you, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, for yielding time to me tonight. Thank you for your willingness to stay on the floor tonight, even though this suspension bill was placed in front of us tonight. We certainly understand that has that happen from time to time. But thank you so very much for staying on the floor to manage the time this evening. I also want to thank you, Ms. Kelly, for your extraordinary leadership. Thank you for what you do for the Congressional Black Caucus. Thank you for what you do for your constituents in Illinois. Most importantly, thank you for what you do for our country. It is certainly appreciated. I will certainly join you, Ms. Kelly, in congratulating the Kansas City Royals on their well-deserved victory. I did not watch the entire World Series, but I watched enough of it to know that this team was much deserving of this victory. And so congratulations not only to Mr. Cleaver, who is so proud of Kansas City and talks about his hometown all of the time, but congratulations to all of those fans of that great team. Tonight we are talking about the urgent need to save our communities. What an appropriate topic, Ms. Kelly, because communities all across the country are in crisis. I travel quite a bit across the country and visit many different communities not only in my State, but in many other States. I can tell you firsthand that communities all across our country are facing crises. They are facing crises in so many different respects. They are facing the whole issue of pervasive poverty. Poverty in America is real. We have more than 400 counties in the United States of America that have poverty rates that exceed 20 percent, and all of these have had poverty rates for more than 30 years greater than 20 percent. So poverty is a critical issue in our country, and communities are feeling the effect of it in a significant way. Joblessness. Joblessness. I continue to say that the unemployment rate is unacceptably high. Even though we have made a great improvement in the unemployment rate since the recession, it is still too high. For African American workers, it is hovering somewhere around 10 percent. That is unacceptable. We all talk from time to time and we see it all over the news today about police misconduct. Police misconduct is continuing to be a pervasive problem in so many communities. I'm sure tonight Mr. Bobby Scott from Virginia, who is very passionate about the whole issue of criminal justice reform, is going to talk about mass incarceration in the United States of America. Certainly that is a real problem, and there are many Members in this body who are working every day to try to craft together legislation to try to address the whole question of mass incarceration. Also, we have crumbling schools and infrastructure and highways and tunnels and ports. Our whole infrastructure in this country needs to be addressed. Hopefully, we will be able to pass a transportation bill before the end of the year. Hopefully, my friends on the other side of the aisle will not try to load up the transportation bill with any Ex-Im Bank riders that will be a poison pill that would slow down or even defeat the transportation bill. So the point is, Ms. Kelly, that we do have an urgent need to save our communities. We need all hands on deck as we take on this challenge. We consistently see, Ms. Kelly, an over-criminalization of African Americans, specifically our youth. We see, for example, minor infractions that occur in the context of a classroom--yes, we have seen that on television over the last few days--a minor infraction in a classroom that escalates into an arrestable offense. Students, particularly those who are African American and Hispanic, are too frequently funneled into the justice system as a result of overly punitive school discipline policies and poorly defined roles for law enforcement in educational settings. Unfortunately, the school-to-prison pipeline is still a reality. When I first came to Congress 11 years ago, we were talking about the school-to-prison pipeline, and we continue to talk about it today. It is a reality. So we must work together to remedy this problem. We, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, do not at all endorse what some people over the last few days have started to call the ``Ferguson Effect.'' Let me just elaborate on that for a moment. We have heard some high-ranking officials in our country refer to the ``Ferguson Effect.'' They are suggesting in some way that an uptick in crime can be attributable to police inaction because of their fears of the ``Ferguson Effect.'' That is so erroneous. That is so disingenuous. I wish we would concentrate on the problem and not try to get sidetracked on the so- called ``Ferguson Effect.'' The deaths of so many unarmed Black men like Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Freddie Gray are all a result of a number of issues, including the overcriminalization of minorities and a lack of effective community policing practices. Let us seize this opportunity that we have before us to gain significant ground on several legislative areas which are not only CBC priorities, but are also in the strategic interests of our Nation. Criminal justice reform is one such area. Mr. Speaker and Ms. Kelly, any criminal justice reform, any legislation that we consider, must guarantee a substantial reduction in the prison population for Federal prisoners. We are, as a country, 5 percent of the world's population; yet, we incarcerate 25 percent of those who are incarcerated in the world. There is something is wrong with that, Mr. Speaker. We must make sure that our laws and our criminal laws in this country are fair and that they are not disproportionate and overburdensome in some areas. We have Members of this body on both sides of the aisle who acknowledge the inadequacies in our criminal justice system and see reform as a key priority. The political will--the political will--for criminal justice reform is here today. The President was in Newark, New Jersey, today talking about criminal justice reform. Some of my Republican colleagues are talking about it, and my Democratic colleagues are talking about it. The leadership on both sides of the aisle have had meaningful conversations on this issue. We believe that a bipartisan legislative accomplishment can be achieved in this session. I know that there are several bills that are pending, and I hope Mr. Scott will talk extensively about it when he makes his remarks in just a moment. But criminal justice reform can take place in the 114th Congress, and I believe we can reach a bipartisan compromise that can get this bill to the President's desk by the end of this term. Thank you, Ms. Kelly, for yielding time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Oak Grove Baptist Church located in my congressional district in Halifax County, North Carolina in the town of Littleton. The Church was founded in 1865 by Reverend Lovely Brown, Sr. and several faith leaders who devoted themselves to spreading the word of God. One hundred fifty years ago, Reverend Brown and his small congregation of parishioners gathered to worship under a ``bush arbor.'' Through steadfast faith and an unwavering dedication to its mission of faith and service, Oak Grove has grown from those humble beginnings to become a pillar of hope for its congregation and a cornerstone of the Littleton community. On April 2, 1966, the church was destroyed by a devastating fire. Pastor J.W. Wiley rallied the congregation and the community to rebuild. The following year, Oak Grove held its first service in the newly built ``Heritage Sanctuary.'' Oak Grove is pastored by Rev. Dr. Charles McCollum, Sr. where the church continues to prosper under his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Rev. Dr. McCollum, the parishioners of Oak Grove Baptist Church, and the residents of Littleton on this historic milestone.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Dr. Paul L. Modrich, James B. Duke Professor of Biochemistry at Duke University, on winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. As a young man growing up in a small town in northern New Mexico, Dr. Modrich was instilled with a curiosity and love of the natural world. When he was a junior in high school, Dr. Modrich's father who taught high school biology, sparked his curiosity in science by suggesting that he learn more about DNA. Dr. Modrich went on to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he received his undergraduate degree in 1968. It was at MIT while working in a lab that studied the genetics of viruses that infect bacteria, that he became interested in molecular genetics. After MIT, Dr. Modrich matriculated at Stanford University where he obtained a Ph.D. in 1973. Since then, Dr. Modrich has spent his career studying how organisms prevent the occurrence of mutations in their genetic material. This research has led to discovering crucial insights into how a living cell functions, about the molecular causes of several hereditary diseases, and about mechanisms behind cancer development. This research has also contributed to better understanding exactly how DNA is damaged and has led to advancements in cancer treatments. The 114-year-old Nobel award, regarded as the most prestigious prize for chemistry research, is given to recipients whose discoveries have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind. In his current post as a Professor of Biochemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, Dr. Modrich continues a life of service through research that has improved the lives of individuals. Dr. Modrich believes in and is a testament to the importance of curiosity-based research. He has demonstrated time and again that basic research leads to unanticipated results which have value for saving and improving the quality of lives. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Modrich has spent his career on the forefront of groundbreaking research that will surely continue to benefit health outcomes for all people. I am so pleased that he is being recognized for his truly amazing work. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Paul L. Modrich for winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the cable industry's decades-long commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Last week, cable operators, program networks, and business career development experts gathered in New York City for ``Diversity Week'' to discuss ways to increase the representation of women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups at all levels of their organizations. At this annual meeting, leaders in the industry measure the industry's progress, share effective diversity strategies and best practices, honor the industry's diversity heroes, and raise substantial financial support for industry diversity initiatives like the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications and Women in Cable Telecommunications. A recent industry workforce diversity survey revealed that 39 percent of full-time cable employees are people of color, which is higher than the national average. The same survey found that thirty two percent of women are industry executives compared to just 20 percent in other industries. These promising results, among other encouraging metrics, demonstrate the cable industry's commitment to greater diversity. The cable industry fully understands that diversity spurs innovation. It is committed to promoting an inclusive culture that will lend itself to fully engaged and more productive workplaces across the country. Indeed, infusing diversity and inclusion into various layers of the industry will best reflect the customers and communities it serves. Mr. Speaker, the steps taken by this industry to promote and boost the contributions of women and multi-ethnic professionals are earnest and effective. These efforts not only outline a moral infrastructure for the manner in which companies should conduct business, but reaffirm the industry's commitment to producing meaningful and lasting change in employment diversity.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great American, Howard Curtis Jones, a constituent and dear friend who is the founder and president of the Wilson, North Carolina, Opportunities Industrialization Center. This past Monday, September 29, Mr. Jones was presented with the Outstanding Rural Leader of the Year award at an auspicious occasion in Raleigh, North Carolina, the highest award bestowed by the North Carolina Rural Center and the Rural Economic Development organization. This recognition could not be awarded to a more deserving individual. Mr. Jones has long been an inspiration to many with his compassion and work. I am honored to call Howard Jones my friend of more than 45 years. The Rural Leader award recognizes an individual who demonstrates remarkable commitment to improving the way of life in rural North Carolina by enhancing the community and positively impacting the quality of life for its residents. Mr. Jones has been helping people from Wilson and surrounding communities for more than 40 years. He has earned this recognition through decades of hard work and community involvement. Born in Sims, North Carolina, during the Depression in 1933 as one of 16 children, Howard has spent the majority of his life trying to empower disadvantaged populations in rural eastern North Carolina. He motivates them to reach their full potential by teaching vocational skills and helping them secure gainful employment. In 1972, after returning to his home community from employment in New York City, Mr. Jones started OIC of Wilson, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, with the goal of helping to empower individuals to find employment opportunities. Wilson OIC, as we call it, provides services to disadvantaged youth and adults, including prevocational training, employment readiness and referral services, health educational programs, and programs to help dislocated workers transition to new careers. Remarkably, Mr. Jones began OIC with little more than his faith in God and an unshakeable resolve and steadfast dedication that it could be done. He had no funding. He had no staff when he started except volunteers. Over the years, Wilson OIC has expanded to employ 35 workers and place more than 200 citizens per year in jobs. Importantly, Wilson OIC adapts the services and training they provide through our changing world and assists clients in acquiring the skills needed to compete in the 21st century economy. For 10 years, I had the honor of serving as board chair for Wilson OIC and was involved in helping to secure its present site, which was an abandoned elementary school in the city. In addition, Mr. Speaker, to Mr. Jones' work with OIC, he has been a leader among OICs nationally and internationally. He was a personal friend and confidant of the national founder, the Reverend Dr. Leon Howard Sullivan, who must be remembered as the first African American to serve on the board of directors for General Motors and the author of the Sullivan principles, which led to the dismantling of South Africa's system of apartheid. Mr. Speaker, Howard Jones has received more than 100 awards during his career: in 1987, he received the Governor's Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service; in 1987, he was recognized at the national level with the Thomas Jefferson Award; in 1997, President Clinton presented Mr. Jones with the Lifetime Achievement Jefferson Award; and in 2009, he received the First Community Stellar Award by Success Dynamics. The list goes on and on. Finally, Howard Jones and Wilson OIC, four times each year, distribute thousands of pounds of food to low-income families in the community. When they conduct their food distribution program, hundreds of citizens literally line up through the night to receive these commodities. Howard Jones, Mr. Speaker, is an icon in our community. Howard has been married to his wife, Sylvia Neal Jones, for many years. He is the father of five adult children and seven grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Howard Curtis Jones on being selected as Outstanding Rural Leader of the Year. He is most deserving of this honor. Mr. Jones is an example of how a single individual can make an immense positive impact in his community, in his State, and in his country.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for her friendship, for her leadership, and I certainly thank her for yielding time tonight. Let me also thank the other Members who are on the floor this evening to help in honoring the lives of Louis Stokes, Amelia Boynton Robinson, and Julian Bond. These three are icons, absolute icons, of the civil rights movement, who in their own way paved the way for so many. I had the high honor of calling Lou Stokes and Julian Bond personal friends. As the first African American to represent Ohio in Congress, Representative Lou Stokes was a pioneer in public service. He broke down numerous barriers for African Americans during his extraordinary career as an elected official on the local, State, and Federal levels. First elected to Congress in 1969 and serving for 30 long years in the U.S. House, he was a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to serve on the House Appropriations Committee. He was the founder of the CBC Health Braintrust, which remains active today in protecting health, equity, and reducing health disparities. Congressman Stokes was the embodiment of a public servant. He selflessly used his elected positions to increase opportunities for millions of African Americans. We will miss our dear friend Lou Stokes. But the impact of his legacy of service and commitment to his constituents and to the African American community will be remembered for generations. Often referred to as the matriarch of the movement, Amelia Boynton Robinson's role in Bloody Sunday, as you have already heard, and the march from Selma to Montgomery is immortalized in the Oscar-nominated film ``Selma.'' She also made history in 1964 by becoming the first African American woman from Alabama to run for Congress. In her congressional election that year, Mrs. Boynton Robinson garnered 10 percent of the vote despite the fact that African Americans only made up 1 percent of the voting population in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District. Forty-six years later the CBC's very own representative, Terri Sewell, whom we will hear from in just a few moments, now holds that seat here in Congress. This year, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we remember the selfless actions of individuals like Amelia Boynton Robinson who fought against systems of injustice so that future generations would have opportunities that were not possible to generations past. Tonight we honor Mrs. Boynton Robinson for her legacy which continues in each of us. Finally, Mr. Speaker, tonight we honor Julian Bond, a forefather of America's civil rights movement and one of our country's greatest advocates for freedom and equality and equitable treatment for all people. From his work as a student leader during the 1960s to his service in the Georgia House of Representatives and the State Senate, Julian Bond was a leader in the fight against racism and segregation. I first met Julian Bond at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968. As the founding president of the Southern Poverty Law Center and chairman of the board of the NAACP, Julian Bond continued his work educating citizens around the world of the struggles of African Americans and the history of civil rights here in America. Julian Bond spent his lifetime in public service, calling for equal civil and human rights not only for African Americans, but for every American. Until his untimely death, he was an advocate, activist, and dedicated champion who fought for the most vulnerable individuals and communities among us. We celebrate his life and his lasting legacy. I want to thank Ms. Jackson Lee for her leadership and thank her for yielding. I thank the Members for coming to the floor this evening.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation (DGDC) on the occasion of their Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony. The DGDC was established in 1979 as a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Downtown Goldsboro by creating and facilitating downtown development, promotion, and preservation activities. DGDC's employees and members of its board strive to work with local community members, downtown merchants, and other groups to enhance the appearance, desirability, and vitality of Downtown Goldsboro. DGDC's work that started some 36 years ago continues today under the capable leadership of its Executive Director, Ms. Julie M. Metz. I have had the pleasure of representing the City of Goldsboro since coming to Congress 11 years ago and have witnessed firsthand the renaissance of Downtown Goldsboro. The significant infrastructure improvements and beautification efforts have helped to draw new residents and businesses to the City and helped to create jobs and expand the tax base. I was proud to accompany U.S. Secretaries of Transportation Ray LaHood and Anthony Foxx to Goldsboro. They were equally impressed by the focused efforts of DGDC and the City in pursuing the Goldsboro Master Plan. Implementing that long term plan takes strategic partnerships between federal and local government and individuals and businesses. And it is DGDC's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony that recognizes and honors the dedicated work of those that have labored so hard to improve the City of Goldsboro and its vibrant downtown. Awardees are honored in a variety of categories, including awards for Best Curb Appeal, Best Promotional or Marketing Effort, Best New Business, Indicator of the Year, the ``Thank You'' Award, Historic Preservation, Volunteer of the Year, Design Improvement, Advocate of the Year, Board Member of the Year, Outstanding Investor, Most Valuable Supporter, and Outstanding Business of the Year. This year's award recipients are most deserving of DGDC's recognition. They have gone to great lengths on behalf of those who live, work, and visit Downtown Goldsboro. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating this year's award recipients and in extending best wishes as they continue to build upon the City's great successes.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember Mrs. Eva Marie Silver Johnson, a lifelong resident of North Carolina and my constituent, who passed away on September 16, 2015 at the age of 94. Mrs. Johnson was the matriarch of the Silver and Johnson families and is fondly remembered as a loving mother who was fully devoted to her family, church, and community. Mrs. Johnson was born on June 5, 1921, in Hollister, North Carolina to Mr. Ben Silver and the former-Minnie Burgess. She attended Tabron School and Hawkins High School in Halifax and Warren Counties. At the age of 24, she married Mr. Edward Leonard Johnson, Jr. and the two raised four children, Mable, Alice, Edward, and Delores. Mrs. Johnson worked at Eastman High School in Enfield, North Carolina for 20 years as part of the Halifax County school system's Food Services division. Mrs. Johnson also served on the Twin County Rural Health Association's board of directors and as a 30 year member of the American Legion Unit 425 Women's Auxiliary in Littleton, North Carolina. As the years past, Mrs. Johnson remained active by working at the Littleton Senior Center in Littleton where she dedicated more than a decade of service and fellowship to seniors in Halifax and Warren Counties. Faith was a cornerstone of Mrs. Johnson's life. She was a lifetime member of Lee's Chapel Baptist Church in Littleton where she served in many capacities including as President of the Missionary Circle for over 30 years, member of the Senior Choir, as well as a member of the Pastor's Aid Club. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues join me in honoring the life, work, and memory of Mrs. Eva Marie Silver Johnson.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Dingell for yielding time. I thank her for those kind words a moment ago and thank her for her leadership here in the Congress. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 1949, the National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015. I was joined by my colleague, Congressman Tom McClintock from California, who serves as chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands. I am grateful for Chairman McClintock's early and sustained support for this bill and appreciate his moving it expeditiously to the floor for consideration. The National Liberty Memorial, which I have long supported, seeks to honor the more than 5,000 slaves and free persons of color or, as historians sometimes refer to them, free Negroes who fought for independence during the American Revolution. The memorial will ultimately be constructed near the National Mall in what is known as area one, pursuant to H.J. Res. 120, my resolution that was signed into law by President Obama last year. The preferred site location for the memorial is at the Department of Agriculture's Whitten Building, where both the memorial's private sponsor and the USDA want it to be ultimately constructed. Under current law, governed by the Commemorative Works Act, the Government Services Administration is charged with, among other things, site and design proposals and their submission to the appropriate memorial planning commissions. However, because the preferred site is physically located on property occupied by the Department of Agriculture, my bill will simply transfer site and design responsibilities to the Secretary of Agriculture. The memorial sponsor and the USDA both believe that the Secretary of Agriculture is in the best position to expeditiously move this important memorial project forward. Doing so will allow the memorial sponsor and USDA to make progress on a design and construction plan. This simple change, Mr. Speaker, will eliminate duplication, better use scarce Federal resources, and avoid unnecessary delay. Seeing this important and culturally significant memorial to fruition is of great importance to me. It is of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus. It is important, certainly, to the constituents that I represent in North Carolina and descendants of the brave Revolutionary War soldiers who sacrificed so much on behalf of American independence. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to signal their support for H.R. 1949 simply by voting ``yes'' on final passage.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Dr. Rusty Stephens, my friend and an exemplary educator, as he retires as President of Wilson Community College located in my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. Before embarking on a life of service to a number of community colleges, Dr. Stephens himself attended Miami-Dade Community College in Miami, Florida. Furthering his education, Dr. Stephens later obtained a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Florida State University. He went on to earn an Education Doctorate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Dr. Stephens' experiences with his own community college education would later give him the unique perspective that allowed him to lead one of the premier community colleges in North Carolina. Prior to moving to Wilson, North Carolina, Dr. Stephens served numerous community colleges throughout the country beginning in 1971. He has held positions ranging from instructor to his current post as president and has educated young people from Ohio to Georgia and places in between. Dr. Stephens is truly the embodiment of the American success story. He now resides in Wilson, North Carolina, with his wife, Sandra. They have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Heather, son- in-law Alex, and two grandsons. As President of Wilson Community College, Dr. Stephens has overseen the completion of myriad advancements and improvements to the school. He worked with then-Wilson County Schools' Superintendent Larry Price to launch Wilson Early College Academy. That program is now in its seventh year and boasts an enrollment of nearly 300 students. In addition to his passion for education, Dr. Stevens has an immense interest in sustainable energy and sustainable environmental practices. He is a member of the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association and the Wilson Sustainable Community Council. He was the driving force behind the addition of the 70,000 square foot Student Center LEED Building to the campus of Wilson Community College. The College, the City and County of Wilson, and our state has greatly benefitted from his work and interest in environmental stewardship. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Rusty Stephens has impacted and positively influenced the lives of countless people over his nearly 44 years in education. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Dr. Stephens for his dedication to generations past and present and in offering him best wishes as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and remember my good friend and a cornerstone of eastern North Carolina, Bishop Randy Brown Royal, a resident of Greenville, North Carolina who was called to be with God on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at the age of 63. Bishop Royal was born on January 6, 1952, in Craven County in New Bern, North Carolina to George Emerson and Sarah Louise Royal. He spent his formative years being educated in the Craven County School system and later attended Shaw University in Raleigh where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Religion and a Master's degree in Divinity. Following his matriculation at Shaw, Bishop Royal attended my alma mater of North Carolina Central University in Durham and earned a Master's Degree in Psychology. He completed his education by attaining a Doctoral degree in Religion and Clinical Psychology from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse School of Religion in 1979. Bishop Royal served as pastor in many churches throughout his career, including New Greenleaf Church of Christ in Goldsboro from 1973 until 1978 and Philippi Church of Christ in Greenville, North Carolina beginning in 1982. Under Bishop Royal's leadership, Philippi Church of Christ has expanded several times to accommodate the growing number of parishioners which now tops 2,500. Just last year, Bishop Royal celebrated his 36th Pastoral anniversary. In addition to his service as a pastor, Bishop Royal was also a community activist and dedicated public servant in Pitt County, North Carolina. He served as a Pitt County Commissioner and on the board of many local organizations, including the Pitt County United Way, Pitt County Health Department and Pitt County Memorial Hospital. Bishop Royal also worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Bishop Royal is survived by his three adult children Bryan, Onica, and Stephanie; three brothers, Rev. Daniel Royal, Rev. George J. Royal, and Erroll Royal; four sisters, Rev. Barbara Davis, Brenda Middleton, Vonshelia Bacon, and Cathy Bacon Lyons; and six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, Bishop Randy Brown Royal meant so much to so many people. His lasting contributions to his church family as Bishop and to his community and its citizens as County Commissioner will always be remembered. His community, our state of North Carolina, and our great nation are better because of Bishop Randy Royal. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest condolences to the family of Bishop Randy Brown Royal, his congregation, and his community.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. Pompeo for yielding time and thank him for his leadership on this issue. I thank Mr. Welch for his very thoughtful debate. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 1599 and urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on final passage. This bipartisan bill, cosponsored by 106 of our colleagues, creates a science-based nationwide labeling standard for plant-based foods. It establishes a national GMO-free certification program administered by USDA that will provide a government-issued label to qualifying products which will provide a market advantage. It requires the FDA to conduct premarket safety reviews of all new GM plant varieties before they can be used to produce food, and it requires the FDA to define the term ``natural'' through a rulemaking process allowing for public input and discussion. Despite the downright false claims made by the opponents of what it will or won't do, H.R. 1599 is a measured approach. It gives consumers certainty, while taking into account the delicate balance and sheer size and complexity of the food supply chain that employs tens of millions of Americans and is responsible for feeding the country. My opinion is shared by the bill's 106 sponsors and by 475 agriculture, science, hunger, and nutrition organizations from all 50 States. The alternative to H.R. 1599, already beginning to play out in some States across the country, is a complex and unworkable patchwork of differing State laws that create an uneven playing field that only can cause confusion among consumers and do little to provide transparency. Depending on what State regulations require, farmers and manufacturers would be forced to set up separate supply chains in order to comply with as many as 50 different State laws. Wholesale changes to growing, packaging, and shipping foods would have to be made, beginning at the farm and all the way to the supermarket shelf, in order to comply. The new infrastructure requirements are as daunting as they are costly. You can bet that all of these costs will be passed on to our constituents, with a recent study showing the average cost topping $500 a year. For many of my constituents and others across the country, that will not work. Despite going in with knowledge of the consequences that would result from upending a highly integrated and interconnected system, several States have already moved forward with proposals that would require foods containing these ingredients to be labeled. This is in response to an unsubstantiated claim that foods containing GM ingredients are in some way dangerous; they are not. Foods containing GM ingredients are safe. Don't take my word for it. The science regarding the safety of bioengineered foods is not murky-- the opposite, in fact. There have been over 2,000 studies worldwide that shows foods grown from these plants are safe. The FDA, USDA, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the American Medical Association, National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the World Health Organization, and nearly every major scientific organization agrees that foods produced with bioengineered products are as safe as their non-GMO counterparts. Even opponents of GM foods admit they ``have failed to produce any untoward health effects,'' but the demonization of GM foods continue, despite objective science proving the contrary. Those opposed to these foods simply reject science. That is tremendously disappointing. Along with the bill's bipartisan cosponsors--again, 106--I stand with the science. That is why I have worked with my friend, Mr. Pompeo, and the bill's cosponsors, in advocating for a Federal framework, a Federal framework that puts the FDA and USDA--our Nation's foremost food safety authorities--in the driver's seat. H.R. 1599 is a balanced approach that reduces confusion by providing consumers with labeling uniformity across State lines. It also addresses the concerns of those opposed to GM foods by establishing a program at USDA that will provide a Federal certification for GMO-free foods, while not neglecting the fact that our Nation's farmers and manufacturers grow and produce foods that are sold far and wide. Without a Federal standard, those farmers and manufacturers will be forced to comply with uneven, costly, potentially misleading, onerous State-by-State mandates. Compliance will require a new, costly supply chain infrastructure that will disrupt our food supply. It will cause confusion, Mr. Chairman, and uncertainty among consumers and, ultimately, will result in the consumer shouldering the increased costs associated with production. In that regard, I thank Chairman Conaway for his commitment to work with livestock and meat producers, many of whom operate farms and processing facilities in North Carolina, to address concerns about the definition of those products in the bill. I share Mr. Conaway's commitment to getting the language right on those products and ensuring fair and accurate labeling, and I thank him for working so diligently with Mr. Peterson on these amendments. In conclusion, H.R. 1599 is reasonable and, Mr. Chairman, it is workable.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment that will ensure that vulnerable communities are protected from the unsafe storage of coal combustion residuals known as coal ash. My amendment is simple. It would prevent the coal ash regulation framework in this bill from going into effect if States fail to protect vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of haphazard coal ash storage. Vulnerable populations defined in the amendment include infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women, the elderly, racial or ethnic groups, and others identified by the EPA Administrator. Mr. Chairman, the EPA estimates that 70 percent of coal ash impoundments are located in low-income communities. Coal ash impoundments lacking proper safeguards can fail, resulting in the leaching of harmful chemicals into surface and groundwater. Coal ash stored in pools have caused water contamination in 37 States. In worst case scenarios, catastrophic failures cause coal ash slurry to flow directly into rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. The largest coal ash spill in U.S. history occurred in 2008 in Kingston, Tennessee, when 5.4 million cubic yards of toxic sludge spilled into a nearby river, causing a Superfund site which could cost $1.2 billion in remediation costs. In February of 2014, 82,000 tons of coal ash spilled into the Dan River in Eden, North Carolina, near the district of Ms. Adams, who just spoke a moment ago, after a pipe burst, causing a coal ash impoundment failure. Costs for that cleanup are $300 million in the short term and could potentially have a much greater long-term impact. Mr. Chairman, the majority of coal ash ponds are located in close proximity to vulnerable communities. It is important to protect those communities from being disproportionately affected by poor coal ash storage. This commonsense amendment ensures that--if this bill were to go into effect--vulnerable populations are protected from the potentially adverse effects of coal ash exposure. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. It is true that we did make a valiant effort yesterday to try to reach some common ground on this amendment, and regrettably, we were not able to get there. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for his courtesy and his willingness to have the conversation, and hopefully, we can continue to try to legislate in a way that will protect vulnerable communities from this type of activity. Mr. Chairman, at this time, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.