G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of First Baptist Church, located in my congressional district in Weldon, North Carolina. First Baptist Church takes pride in being one of the first Black Baptist churches in North Carolina. Founded in 1866, a year after the U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery, Reverend Joseph Baysmore and several faith leaders devoted to spreading the word of God organized the Church. In the Church's early days, Reverend Baysmore and his small congregation gathered to worship under a bush arbor, which was later replaced by a wooden structure lacking ceilings and heat. Mr. Speaker, much of First Baptist Church's growth over the years can be attributed to its dedicated leadership and congregation. In 1909, the Church moved into its current site under the leadership of Reverend John W. Faulk, Sr. During this time, the Church went from offering only second and fourth Sunday service to offering services every Sunday. Even early on, the Church was active in civic engagement and served as the first meeting site for the Halifax County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the early 1940s. In the 1990s, the Church added a radio ministry to broadcast the Sunday morning worship on the local radio station. Since 2002, First Baptist Church has been pastored by Reverend Quientrell L. Burrell, II. Under Rev. Burrell's leadership, the Church continues to prosper and serve its community. First Baptist Church has expanded its service to the community through health seminars, single parent clinics, and healthy relationship sessions. Today, First Baptist Church remains a pillar of the Weldon community and in the state of North Carolina. With the theme ``Rooted in Faith, Racing Toward the Future,'' this 150th anniversary observes the labor and sacrifices made over 150 years as well as the Church's promise for the future. Through its outstanding leadership and a devoted congregation, I am confident that First Baptist will continue to withstand the test of time for generations to come. By the grace of God, First Baptist Church has survived the test of time with its strong faith and belief and it is still going strong today. Over the years, the Church has realized many notable accomplishments including significant growth in membership and ministry and continued outreach in the community. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the rich legacy of First Baptist Church in Weldon, North Carolina and I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Rev. Burrell, the congregation, and the residents of Weldon on this historic milestone.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Mr. Julian Abele, the African American architect of Duke University's original campus, located in Durham, North Carolina. In recognition of Julian Abele's role at Duke University, a ceremony will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 to celebrate the naming of the main quadrangle on West Campus as Abele Quad. In 2015, Duke students presented the need to recognize Abele and the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the naming of Abele Quad. Mr. Speaker, Julian Abele is the youngest of eight children raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where he became the first African American to graduate from the University's Graduate School of Fine Arts. Following graduation in 1906, Abele was hired as an architect at the firm of American architect Horace Trumbauer. There, Abele became chief designer in 1909. Abele was admitted into the American Institute of Architects in 1942. Records indicate that Julian Abele provided the guiding vision for Duke's West Campus between 1924 and 1935. He is credited for the design of several well-known buildings on Duke's campus, including Duke Chapel, Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the West Campus quads. In 1988, a portrait of Abele was hung in the lobby of the Allen Building, which was Abele's last creation prior to his death in 1950. Abele Quad will span the area from the steps leading to the Clock Tower Quad, Davison Quad, and the Chapel Quad--an area that is home to more than thirty buildings and spaces designed by Julian Abele. A marker will be placed at the center of the Quad to inform visitors that every surrounding building is the work of Abele's hand. It is with great pride that I acknowledge the contributions of Mr. Julian Abele and the naming of Abele Quad on the campus of Duke University. Abele Quad will let everyone who studies, lives, works, and visits Duke's campus be reminded of Mr. Julian Abele, a talented Black architect who played a significant role in the University's creation during the country's darkest days of racial segregation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, let me begin this evening by thanking Mr. Carson for yielding time, and thanking him for his extraordinary leadership not only on his committee, but for the great work that he does here in Congress. He is a leader of leaders, and I thank him so very much. I also thank Mr. Barletta for his work. I feel a sense of bipartisanship on this committee, and I want to congratulate both of them for their fine work. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3937, which seeks to honor a great American jurist, a great public servant, and a great American, Judge Randy D. Doub of Greenville, North Carolina. Randy was an outstanding jurist and a lifelong North Carolinian who is fondly remembered by many who appeared before his court, and by those in the Pitt County, North Carolina, community he loved so much. Last November, I introduced this legislation, a bill that seeks to name the U.S. courthouse at 150 Reade Circle in Greenville, North Carolina, as the Judge Randy D. Doub United States Courthouse. My good friend and colleague of many, many years, Congressman Walter Jones, as he mentioned just a moment ago, has joined me in spearheading this effort. We have worked on it for a long time. I thank Walter for his tireless work on this bill. We were joined by the entire North Carolina delegation, who signed on as original cosponsors. I want to express my sincere appreciation to my colleagues--all of them, Democrat and Republican--from North Carolina for the strong bipartisan support for this bill. I would also like to thank the majority leader, Mr. McCarthy, for working with me to put this bill on the floor. I asked Leader McCarthy if he would put it on the floor this week and he agreed. Mr. Speaker, Randy Doub was born in Forsyth County, North Carolina, a little community outside of Winston-Salem called Pfafftown. In 1977, he graduated at the top of his class, magna cum laude, from East Carolina University, which is in Greenville, my congressional district. He then earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1980. That is when I met Randy Doub. I passed the bar and graduated from law school in 1974; Randy did so in 1980, and after 1980 we became very good friends. After law school, Judge Doub went into private practice, where he spent 26 years providing expert counsel to his clients and devotedly represented their interests in court. After more than a quarter of a century in private practice, Randy was appointed as the United States bankruptcy judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina. As he ascended to the bench, Judge Doub's reputation as a hardworking, fair, and compassionate jurist did not go unnoticed. In 2007, he was named chief judge, a position he held until last year. Sadly, on January 24, 2015, Judge Doub passed away at the young age of 59 from a sudden heart attack. He left behind a wonderful family and community who loved and respected him so very much. He was well respected. Judge Doub put his family and faith above all else. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of 29 long years, Toni, and a wonderful father to their two sons, Alexander and Jameson. A man of strong conviction and faith, Judge Doub was a member of Unity Free Will Baptist Church in Greenville and was a dedicated and long-serving member of the church choir. Mr. Speaker, while Judge Randy Doub is deserving of far more accolades than I have given him this evening, I am sure they will come with time. It is my great pleasure to offer this legislation that seeks in some very small way to honor the life and work of Judge Randy Doub. In closing, there is no more fitting way to honor this legacy and the contributions of Judge Randy Doub than to name this courthouse the Randy D. Doub Courthouse in Greenville, North Carolina, where Randy served with such distinction and honor. I thank my colleagues for their strong support. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize five individuals from my home state of North Carolina who are being honored as Champions of Justice by the North Carolina Justice Center: Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, President of the NC State AFL-CIO James Andrews, North Carolina State Representative Henry ``Mickey'' Michaux Jr., former University of North Carolina System President Tom Ross, and former North Carolina State Senator Leslie Winner. I also applaud Former Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. on being presented with the Center's Executive Director Award for Service. Mr. Speaker, these individuals will be honored by the North Carolina Justice Center at its 20th Annual Champion of Justice Gala on September 10, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since its founding in 1996, the North Carolina Justice Center has been a leader in progressive research and advocacy for economic and social justice in North Carolina. The Center focuses on issues of concern to low- and middle-income North Carolinians by ensuring access to resources, services, and fair treatment for all. Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt is a native of my hometown, Wilson, North Carolina. He will be presented with the Champion of Justice Award for his work on behalf of North Carolina's students, families, and communities in the areas of education and equal rights during his record four terms as governor. Mr. James Andrews is the current President of the North Carolina state AFL-CIO, and the first full-time elected African-American state federation president in the country's history. A Vietnam Veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart, Mr. Andrews has been a lifelong and passionate activist for civil rights and social justice in North Carolina and has also served on the AFL-CIO's Executive Council. The Honorable Henry ``Mickey'' Michaux, Jr. is the longest-serving member of the North Carolina General Assembly. A lifelong resident of Durham, North Carolina, Representative Michaux has dedicated his life and career to voting rights advocacy in North Carolina. He is a founding member and was the first chairman of the North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus. Mr. Thomas W. Ross, Sr. is the former president of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System. Prior to becoming President of the UNC System, Mr. Ross had a long career in education, where he served as President of Davidson College, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and as a Superior Court judge. Ms. Leslie Winner is a three-term State Senator and a former Senate majority whip. She currently serves as the executive director of the Winston-Salem based Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, where she has led the foundation's statewide influence in civic, educational, and philanthropic initiatives through grants to small nonprofits, and by supporting the creation of BEST NC, a group of business leaders who present elected officials with a business rationale and recommendations for supporting public education. The Honorable I. Beverly Lake, Jr. is a former Chief Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and the driving force behind North Carolina's nationally recognized Actual Innocence Commission. He has devoted his career to public service. He will be presented with the Executive Director Award for Service to North Carolina for his work on criminal justice reform. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing these outstanding North Carolinians, who have selflessly sought justice and equality for their fellow citizens.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 114th Congress to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of Mount Zion Baptist Church, located in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Mount Zion Baptist Church has been blessed to serve as the spiritual home and faith community for thousands of people over the last 150 years. Founded in 1866, a year after the U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery; Mount Zion Baptist Church was organized under the leadership of Reverend Joseph Matthews. In 1914, Reverend James E. Green was elected pastor after many years of service. The Church relocated twice during Reverend Green's pastorate with property being purchased at 19th and Lowell Streets in 1944. In 1956, Doctor Oswald G. Smith had the vision to establish a Deacon's Fund to assist the community in meeting emergency costs for medicine, shelter, and other necessities. Finally, in March 1992, Bishop Leonard N. Smith was installed as Mount Zion's ninth senior minister. Today, under Bishop Smith's leadership, the Church remains a place of worship and fellowship for its community and surrounding communities. With a mission focused on preserving the precepts of its rich heritage, Mount Zion continues to experience blessings in ways that were once thought to be unimaginable. Recent accomplishments of Mount Zion include significant growth in membership, rededication of a refurbished and modernized facility in 2012, purchase of 22 acres of land in Woodbridge, VA in order to further the mission, and wide community outreach that spans from radio to social media. I am confident that Mount Zion will continue to serve its congregants and community for generations to come. By the grace of God, Mount Zion Baptist Church has survived the test of time and is still going strong today. While the frame of Mount Zion has undergone many renovations, its faith remains the same--firmly rooted in Christ. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the rich history and accomplishments of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Bishop Smith, the congregation, and the residents of Arlington on this truly momentous occasion.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my hope that the House of Representatives will reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Priority Review Voucher (PRV) Program before its expiration deadline of September 30, 2016. I urge my colleagues to consider and pass H.R. 1537, the Advancing Hope Act of 2015 which I introduced with Representative Michael McCaul (TX-10) and would permanently reauthorize the Rare Pediatric PRV Program. The Creating Hope Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2012 as part of the PDUFA reauthorization, expanded the cost-neutral Food and Drug Administration (FDA) priority review voucher (PRV) program, allowing pharmaceutical companies to expedite FDA review of more profitable drugs in return for developing treatments for rare diseases. The Creating Hope Act was reauthorized for Fiscal Year 2016 through the budget agreement passed at the end of last year, but is scheduled to expire soon. The Butterfield-McCaul bill would reauthorize the program, clear the way for more treatments to reach the people that need them most, and clarify the scope of the program to include diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia. There are many pediatric disease spaces where treatments are woefully inadequate or nonexistent, and the Advancing Hope Act of 2015 would help encourage the private sector to help find solutions. An example of a condition that could benefit from the reauthorization of the Rare Pediatric PRV Program is Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood, known as AHC, which leads to life-threatening temporary paralysis in approximately three hundred children nationwide. Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center, located in North Carolina's First Congressional District, assists North Carolinian children Matthew Wuchich, Madison Pino, and Marley Pino, manage their conditions. However, they often have to travel long distances for care or be pulled out of school, and there is no cure in sight. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reauthorize the Rare Pediatric PRV Program before the program expires in September. Congress must do all it can to encourage the development of cures for children like Matthew, Madison, and Marley.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and praise the countless contributions of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). NOBLE was founded in 1976 during to address ways to reduce crime in low-income areas. NOBLE's mission of ensuring equity in the administration of justice in the provision of public service to all communities is aligned with the work that we undertake here in the Congress of the United States. NOBLE prides itself on being the conscience of law enforcement as they are committed to Justice by Action. The organization has nearly 60 chapters and represents over 3,000 members worldwide that represent chief executive officers and command-level law enforcement officials from federal, state, county, municipal law enforcement agencies and criminal justice practitioners. I applaud the work NOBLE undertakes. Of particular note is the specific focus on serving more than 60,000 youth through its major program components including Mentoring, Education, Leadership Development, and Safety. Law enforcement officers have a unique place and role in our society. Charged with keeping order and maintaining the peace, at times, the balance between personal rights and the duty of law enforcement officers is called into question. But, I cannot imagine a society without the presence of our esteemed law enforcement officers who protect and serve every day. Every day, our law enforcement officers place their lives at risk to protect others. As they celebrate 40 years of service, we honor them for their public service, a selfless commitment to our communities, their tireless efforts to ensure our safety, and their unique role in the maintenance of the rule of law in our nation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Mr. Tevin Eugene Crosby, who was a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on this House floor, unlike other victims in this country.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to recognize and congratulate the National Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) on its 38th Annual Technology Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. BDPA was founded in May 1975 by Earl Pace and the late David Wimberly out of concern that minorities were not adequately represented in the IT field. Today, BDPA is comprised of over 2,000 African American IT professionals and has over 40 active chapters nationwide, making it the oldest and largest organization for African American professionals in the information technology field. Since its founding over 40 years ago, BDPA has remained committed to its mission of advancing diverse talent `from the classroom to the boardroom.' Each year, BDPA trains over 800 high school students across the nation in computer programming and web development. The organization has trained more students to write code than any other non-profit in the country since 1986. The theme for the 2016 BDPA Technology Conference--``BDPA Connect''-- is especially fitting, as the conference is a time for professionals, employers, vendors, and all attendees alike to connect with one another in over 50 sessions on digital thought leadership preparedness for diverse students and professionals from across the country. In addition to the innovative contributions provided by this organization, I am proud that BDPA continues to fulfill its mission to promote inclusion and diversity at all levels within the field by providing career growth opportunities for its members. Last year, BDPA partnered with the Congressional Black Caucus to adopt an African American inclusion plan that outlines specific, measurable steps that the organization will take to increase the recruitment and retention of African Americans in the IT industry. BDPA fully understands that diversity spurs innovation. Infusing diversity and inclusion into various layers of the field will best reflect the communities it serves. The steps taken by BDPA to promote and boost the contributions of African American professionals are earnest and effective. I applaud BDPA's decades-long commitment to enhancing diversity and inclusion in the information technology field. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the National Black Data Processing Associates for its outstanding achievements and on the occasion of its 38th Annual Technology Conference.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Colonel Carolyn Closs-Walford, the Senior Strategic Advisor to the Director of the Army National Guard, on her retirement. Colonel Closs-Walford is a career Army officer who dedicated her life to protecting and supporting our great nation. As a young college student at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she discovered her passion for the Army and joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Upon graduation, she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Signal Corps and accepted a reserve commission in the Army Reserve. While in Washington, D.C., she also completed her graduate studies at National Louis University and later transferred to the Quartermaster Corps to fulfill the Army Reserve's mission of combat service support. Colonel Closs-Walford served as a ``Citizen Soldier'' and demonstrated continuous commitment throughout her deployment and service in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm. Her impressive leadership skills did not go unnoticed, and Colonel Closs-Walford became a fulltime active soldier serving as the Logistics Planner for the European Command with extensive travel to Germany, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Colonel Closs-Walford has devoted her life to public service. She has served in senior positions in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense and acted as an interagency liaison to the National Security Council, the United States Congress, and the Departments of Defense and State. She has also had the distinct honor of serving as the Director for Global Outreach in the White House for U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, fulfilling a variety of roles that provided support to the President, Deputy National Security Advisor, and the Counselor to the President. Additionally, Colonel Closs-Walford served members of the U.S. House of Representatives and their staffs in the Army's House Liaison Division where she tracked and influenced legislation that impacted the Army's budget and missions. Colonel Closs-Walford organized and led 16 congressional delegations to Iraq, more than any other Legislative Liaison during that time. Her most recent assignment was in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), where she served as a Military Fellow. Handpicked by the CSA, she was responsible for identifying and studying potential obstacles that the Army is projected to face in the year 2025 and beyond. Colonel Closs-Walford's extensive experience in defending and protecting our country demonstrates her true commitment to our great nation, a dedication that deserves the highest recognition and acknowledgement. Colonel Closs-Walford embodies the definition of a true patriot, steadfast in her devotion to answer no matter what the call. Mr. Speaker, Colonel Closs-Walford has spent her life advancing the mission of the United States of America, on both the domestic and international stage. She has solidified a legacy of patriotism that will live on through each person that has been fortunate enough to work with her. On behalf of a most grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Colonel Carolyn Closs-Walford on her retirement.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank Congresswoman Beatty for yielding to me this evening. This is such a sad evening for all of us because of the events in Orlando. I thank her so very much for having the strength to come to the floor tonight to manage the important topic that we are all so concerned about. I thank Congresswoman Robin Kelly for her incredible work chairing the CBC Health Braintrust and all the work she does related to health disparities in this country. I thank all of my colleagues for their tireless work. Before I begin my remarks, let me just say that I sat on the floor a moment ago and listened to Congresswoman Corrine Brown. It was an incredible 1-minute speech she gave. I want to share in her sentiments this evening and align myself with the pain that she and her constituents are facing in Orlando. The mass shootings were absolutely horrific and unthinkable, under any definition. They are just unthinkable. My prayers go out to the families in Orlando for their pain and for all that they are having to endure because of these mass shootings. As someone said a few moments ago, a moment of silence is not enough. It is time for this Congress to act. It is time for this body, Mr. Speaker, to have a serious debate about gun violence and to pass legislation that will deprive people the right to own a high-capacity assault weapon and high-caliber bullets and use them to kill innocent people. Now is the time. 136 mass shootings have taken place during the first 164 days of this year. It is a sad statistic that we must address. The United States is 5 percent of the world's population, yet we are 31 percent of the mass shootings in the world. It is time to act. Let me talk about the topic tonight, very briefly. The Congressional Black Caucus has been committed to advancing access to affordable health care for all Americans so that we can eliminate racially based health disparities. That has been our mission for many years. Eliminating health disparities means addressing inequities in environmental, social, and economic conditions in all of our communities. By all measurable statistics, from health outcomes to participation in health professions, African Americans lag so far behind. For example, more than 40 percent of African Americans have high blood pressure--a rate that is one of the highest in the world. African Americans are more likely to develop hypertension at a younger age and are at higher risk of stroke, heart failure, end-stage renal disease, and death from heart disease. Stroke, Mr. Speaker, is the third leading cause of death in the United States. African Americans are 50 percent more likely to experience a stroke than White Americans. That is a fact. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African American children are twice as likely to have asthma as White children, and Black children are 10 times more likely than White children to die of complications from asthma. African Americans were, on average, 6 years younger than Whites when they suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest incidence among African American men was 175 per 100,000; whereas, the incidence for White males was just 84 per 100,000. Cardiac arrest in African American women was 90 per 100,000, as opposed to 40 per 100,000 for Caucasian women. Another illness which disparately impacts the African American community is that of prostate cancer. In June of last year, I introduced the National Prostate Cancer Plan Act, a bipartisan bill which seeks to establish the National Prostate Cancer Council on Screening, Early Detection and Assessment and Monitoring of Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer impacts one in seven American men and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the U.S., with nearly 30,000 deaths anticipated just this year. African American men are particularly vulnerable, as they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease than their White counterparts. Just last week, House Republicans released their A Better Way agenda to address poverty, but that proposal, like others they have released, will not lift Americans out of poverty. In some cases, these types of proposals can actually push low-income Americans even deeper into poverty, further limiting their access to health care and exacerbating health disparities. So, Mr. Speaker, it is time for us to continue our efforts to address the health disparities and barriers. That is what the Congressional Black Caucus is advocating the evening. We are going to continue this work until every disparity is removed.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is utterly disappointing that Donald J. Trump chose to use the court of public opinion in his attempt to defend against a civil fraud claim involving Trump University. Last week, Donald Trump made disparaging statements about the trial judge. He suggested that the trial judge is incapable of objectively judging the case because of his Mexican heritage. He went on to say that the judge was a hater of Donald Trump's. The footage is being played over and over on television, and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to their credit, have found these statements to be unacceptable. In my humble opinion, Mr. Speaker, these statements rise to the level of contempt of court. They are racially based, and the litigant should be sanctioned. The Trump statements are perceived by millions of people to be race based and a discredit to the judiciary. It must be addressed. Based on my years as a lawyer and as a judge, it is clear that, if a litigant feels that the judge cannot be fair and impartial in a case, the litigant has a duty to inform his counsel. Counsel then has an obligation to file motions of recusal that set out, with particularity, the grounds for the motion. This was not done, and I suspect it was not done because no evidence of bias even exists. If the attorneys chose to make such a reckless claim, the attorneys would be subject to discipline. What would motivate a litigant in a class action civil fraud case to announce to millions of people that the judge is incapable of objectively judging his case because of his Mexican heritage? It is bizarre. It is suspicious behavior. One explanation is that the litigant, unable to convince his attorney to address these issues in court, wants to intimidate the judge and eventually force the judge off the case, which would slow the administration of justice and would postpone the trial for months, even years. The court system, Mr. Speaker, does not work that way. These statements have put the attorneys in an ethical dilemma of whether they should repudiate the statement or not. Codes of Professional Conduct require an attorney to address client misconduct, to address it with the bar, to address it with the court, and to seek guidance on further representation. Mr. Speaker, this is an egregious violation of litigant misconduct. The court and the attorneys bear responsibility for protecting the integrity of the judiciary and the judicial system. Donald Trump's lawyers must avow or disavow their client's misconduct. The integrity of an independent judiciary is clearly impacted by these inappropriate statements. Release Wildin Acosta from Detention

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina, held its graduation ceremony. Among the pomp and circumstance, one student who should have graduated with his class was, sadly, absent. Wildin Acosta is a Honduran national who fled his country after the violence and threats to his life became so great that he risked everything to embark on a harrowing 17-day journey to the United States, all at the tender age of 17. He was classified as an Unaccompanied Minor and was eventually reunited with his parents in Durham, where he planted deep roots in the community and thrived at Riverside High School. Instead of graduating yesterday with his classmates, he sits in an ICE detention facility in Georgia after being arrested by ICE agents while he was on his way to school. Led by his classmates, the Durham community has been unanimous in calling for the end of recent ICE raids that have spread fear throughout our community and schools. Mr. Speaker, I, too, stand in support of Wildin, and I continue to fight for his release. I encourage my colleagues to fight with me and to implore the ICE Director and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary to use their discretion to release Wildin and others like him from detention.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Yarmuth) for yielding this evening. I am absolutely embarrassed to come after my friend, Congressman Greg Meeks. Why in the world would the gentleman put me on the schedule to come to the podium at this very moment? But I thank the gentleman, in any event, for his friendship, and I thank the gentleman for his extraordinary leadership. I was in the gentleman's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, a few weeks ago and absolutely enjoyed going to church with him and meeting many of his friends there in Louisville. The gentleman is a great Member of this body, and I thank the gentleman so very much. But, Mr. Speaker, I stand with Congressman Meeks and Congressman Cohen and all of my colleagues today to recognize and to remember a great American, a true American hero. We honor and we remember this extraordinary life and the accomplishments and the countless contributions of Muhammad Ali. Born just 5 years before me in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr., was born to Cassius Marcellus Clay and Mrs. Odessa Lee Grady Clay. Those were his parents. On March 6, 1964, when I was a junior in high school, after joining the Nation of Islam, Cassius Clay became known as Muhammad Ali. Mr. Cohen, I remember it like it was yesterday. His interest in boxing began at the age of 12 after he reported a stolen bicycle to a local police officer named Joe Martin, who was also a boxing trainer. In 1959, Muhammad Ali was the National Golden Gloves Light Heavyweight Champion and National Amateur Athletic Union champion. After winning his first 19 fights--and that was absolutely incredible, winning his first 19 fights--including 15 knockouts, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston on February 25, 1964, to become the World Heavyweight Champion. Muhammad Ali would then become the World Heavyweight Champion in 1964, 1974, and 1978, making him the first fighter to capture the heavyweight title on three separate occasions. In 1981, Muhammad Ali retired from professional boxing and dedicated his life to promoting world peace, fighting for civil rights, hunger relief, and just basic human values. His humanitarian work included helping secure the release of 15 U.S. hostages. Many of my colleagues may have forgotten about that, but Muhammad Ali helped to release 15 U.S. hostages held in Iraq during the first Gulf War, four hostages held in Lebanon, and conducted goodwill missions to Afghanistan and to Cuba. Muhammad Ali even had the distinct honor of traveling to South Africa to meet Nelson Mandela following President Mandela's release from prison. Ali received numerous awards in his life following his boxing career, including being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award by ESPN, the Essence Living Legend Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 by then- President George W. Bush. The footage of that ceremony has been all over the news for the last few days, and I would encourage all of my colleagues to look at it if you haven't. He was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 by President George W. Bush and the Otto Hahn Peace Medal for his work with the U.S. civil rights movement and the United Nations. Mr. Speaker, I have used enough time this evening. I will simply close. I cannot close like my friend, Congressman Greg Meeks, did a moment ago. That was a masterpiece, and I cannot wait to see the video of his closing on another day. It was extraordinary. But I will conclude by saying that Muhammad Ali, the greatest of all time, was not only a champion in the boxing ring, but a champion of human rights and civil rights, who, during a difficult time in our Nation's history, stood on principle to end racism and bigotry in this country. Muhammad Ali, we love you. May God bless you, and may God bless your family. To the fans of Muhammad Ali all across the world, I thank you for supporting this great American, and I thank you for allowing us to come into your homes and be a part of this tribute this evening.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the very important Supreme Court decision in Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine et al. v. Michaux et al. that was handed down on June 3, 1929. The Court's unanimous decision in this case affirmed the legal right of African Americans to participate in fraternal orders similar to those of Caucasian Americans. I also rise to celebrate the second annual Jubilee Day Celebration that will occur here in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 2016 to honor the 86th anniversary of this historic decision. The struggle for legal clarity on whether or not African Americans could continue to practice the tenants and principles of the Mystic Shrine began in 1914 after a lawsuit was filed in Georgia and a judge granted an injunction, barring African Americans from using the names, titles, emblems, and regalia that were also used by Caucasian Shriners in the state. Several more lawsuits and injunctions in other states further limited African Americans abilities to participate in Masonic fraternities until a case in 1918 expanded these restrictions nationwide. In 1926, the Texas Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's decision that barred African Americans from practicing Masonry in state and that decision was appealed to the United States Supreme Court. Finally, after 15 long years of fighting a costly legal battle for the right to exist and to legally practice, the United States Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision on June 3, 1929, granting African Americans the right to continue their participation in Masonic fraternities similar to those of Caucasian Americans. Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the tremendous contributions made by our local Prince Hall Shriners to make our communities better places. These selfless individuals give countless hours of service to our communities, provide generous college scholarships to economically disadvantaged youth, and contribute significant funds to hospitals and research institutions. All of these things would not be possible without the Supreme Court's decision in June 1929. Mr. Speaker, even after the Supreme Court's decision in 1929, the struggle for equality and recognition continued, and it continues in many places to this day. In my home state of North Carolina, it took until November 21, 2008 for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdictions, Inc. to gain the acceptance and official recognition of their white Masonic brothers of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 41st Imperial Potentate of Prince Hall Shriners, Rochelle J. Julian, in commemorating the 86th anniversary of the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine et al. v. Michaux et al, and in wishing a joyous celebration to everyone that will be in Washington, D.C. participating in the festivities for the National Jubilee Day Celebration.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank the gentleman for yielding time this evening, and I thank him for his incredible work not just in the Congressional Black Caucus, but on behalf of the people that he represents in that great borough of Brooklyn, New York. And I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty) for all the work that she does. She is an incredible leader in this Congress, and we appreciate her so very much. I want to thank my colleagues for selecting the topic for discussion tonight. It is certainly an appropriate topic. There are so many of us who have been working on enforcement and extension of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. They are too numerous to mention, but I will certainly single out Congressman John Lewis, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Congressman Mark Veasey, Congressman John Conyers, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and so many others, who have just worked tirelessly to enforce the right to vote not just for African Americans, but for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, on August 6, 1965--and I remember it so very well; it was a few days after I had graduated from high school--this Congress, this House of Representatives where we are seated tonight, and the Senate, which is just a few steps down the hall, together passed the Voting Rights Act. This act was signed by the President of the United States immediately, and it has had a profound impact on empowering African American communities all across the country to participate in the electoral process. Prior to the Voting Rights Act, it was a sad state of affairs, Mr. Jeffries, in North Carolina, in South Carolina, and in Alabama. It was a very sad state of affairs. In order to register to vote, one had to be able to read and to write. But not just that. They had to be able to satisfy a registrar. In all cases, it was a White registrar. African American citizens had to satisfy a registrar who, in many cases, discriminated that he or she was competent and able to be able to read and to write; and, in most instances, those would-be voters were denied the right to vote. In addition to that, laws were passed all across the South that disenfranchised minority groups. Redistricting schemes were drawn to disenfranchise, at-large elections and staggered terms and all of the rest. So there was a necessity--a necessity--Congressman, for the Voting Rights Act. It was just not a good idea; it was actually a necessity in order to enforce the right to vote. Congress enacted this tool, and it has been very effective. One of the most effective parts of the Voting Rights Act--there are many parts of the Voting Rights Act. Section 2 is that part that gives minority communities the right to bring lawsuits, and that applies to every county in the United States. It is a permanent law. It is on the books permanently. It also eliminated the literacy tests. But there is another provision that kind of goes unnoticed from time to time, and it is called section 5. Section 5 is an oversight provision. It gives the Federal Government the right to preclear election changes before they go into effect to determine whether or not these changes would have a discriminatory result in their community. Section 5, Mr. Speaker, does not apply to every county in America. Section 5 only applies to certain States that had a long history of voter discrimination. In my State, for example, North Carolina, the whole State was not included under section 5. Only 40 counties were included for preclearance. So it has been a good law, and it has worked quite well. As the previous speaker said, it has been extended from time to time. But, Mr. Speaker, on June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that section 5--first of all, the Supreme Court ruled that section 5 is a proper exercise of legislative authority. But the Supreme Court surprised us. It determined that the formula used to determine which counties or which States should be subject to section 5 is outdated. The Court suggested that it needed fixing. So the Court called on us here in this Congress to fix it, and the Congressional Black Caucus has been fighting every day since that Court decision to try to put together a bipartisan agreement to fix the formula. No one in this Congress has worked harder than Congresswoman Terri Sewell of Alabama. Her bill is now pending before this House, and we need to fix the formula, and we need to do it now. When you look at the 2013 discriminatory election law changes and the 2011 legislative and congressional redistricting, you must conclude-- anyone must conclude--that there is a concerted effort in many parts of the country to disenfranchise particular groups of voters from participating in the process. The absence of section 5 protection allows States--allows States, my State included--to pass discriminatory laws that disenfranchise African American voters and other groups. We have seen these laws enacted in State after State all across the country. On July 25, 2013, Mr. Jeffries, the North Carolina General Assembly passed--now, remember, the Supreme Court decision was June 25, 2013--30 days later. I don't know why they didn't do it 30 days earlier. Well, I do know why, and that is because there was a section 5. But after section 5 was suspended by the Supreme Court, 30 days later, the general assembly passed a sweeping voting law that discriminates not only against African Americans, but other minority groups. It discriminates against students and seniors. This law has also cut back on early voting. That is a big deal in our communities. It cut back on early voting by a week and barred same-day voter registration. The law went into effect upon passage, and there is no oversight in section 5 to protect us. This is disappointing. This law is regressive and absolutely disgusting. We have to let our State lawmakers know that our voices matter and that all citizens--all citizens--in this country should be able to participate in democracy through unfettered access to the ballot box. So, in closing, the Congressional Black Caucus, of which I am honored to chair, vows to continue our fight to restore section 5 of the Voting Rights Act to stop the assault on access to the ballot box because every citizen deserves the right to vote.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Beatty for yielding, thank her for her friendship, and thank her for all that she does not just for the Congressional Black Caucus, but for all that she does for the constituents that she represents back in Ohio and for what she does for all people in America. Let me also thank Congressman Jeffries for his great work and his willingness to participate in these Special Order hours. I know that the evening is late sometimes, but the two of them come to the floor and work very hard. I want to spend my few minutes, if I may, Mr. Speaker, talking about just an overview of the criminal justice system. There is no question that the criminal justice system is broken. All of us I think can agree on that. Those on the left and those on the right, all of us even, for different reasons, perhaps, come to one conclusion, that the criminal justice system is in need of serious, serious reform. I know that we are debating legislation here in the House regarding reforming the criminal justice system. Our colleagues over in the Senate are doing the same. But it is time for action. It is time for action on criminal justice reform in the 114th Congress. As many of my colleagues know, I spent 30 years, 30 long years, in a courtroom, half of those as a lawyer, the other half as a judge. Most of the 15 years as a judge I was a trial judge, which meant that I was on the front line in our criminal justice system and I saw it firsthand. I can tell you without question that the criminal justice system in America is in need of serious reform from the top to the bottom. We have all heard the statistics, and I am going to repeat them again tonight: 2.2 million Americans are in prison. Of that number, that number is disproportionately African American. That is 25 percent of the world's prison population right here in the United States of America. Just think about that, Mr. Speaker. We are 5 percent of the world's population, but 25 percent of those who are incarcerated are incarcerated in the United States of America. We have a serious problem of mass incarceration that must be reduced. But the point that I want to put in the Record tonight is that, of those who are incarcerated in this country, 90 percent of those are incarcerated at the State level and 10 percent incarcerated at the Federal level--90 percent incarcerated at the State level. When we discuss criminal justice reform--and Congressman Bobby Scott is going to be speaking in a few minutes, and he talks about this all of the time, as well as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee--we must not only talk about reform at the Federal level, but we must find ways to require States to reform their criminal justice systems at the local level. We should encourage States to take a serious look at their systems and to seek ways to reduce mass incarceration at the State level without posing any harm to the communities. Too many of those who are incarcerated at the State level are in prison for drug-related offenses and crimes that don't endanger the community whatsoever. We should encourage States to enact expungement laws. We get telephone calls all the time--and I am sure my colleagues get the same calls as well--from those who are seeking ways to expunge their records so that young men and women who have served in the criminal justice system can get some of those offenses removed from their records, particularly those offenses that deal with petty crimes and misdemeanors and drug-related offenses, because when you have these offenses on your criminal record, it prevents young people from getting the gainful employment that they so richly deserve. We also need to encourage States to look at ways to remove criminal charges from criminal records that did not result in convictions. I think most of my colleagues can relate to that. We know that, so often, police officers at the local level will charge a young offender with multiple offenses at the time of arrest, and some of the offenses are not even deserving of a charge. Sometimes police have a tendency to overcharge at the time of arrest. Then when the case finally goes to court, those 10 or 12 charges are reduced down to one charge or two charges; the defendant pleads guilty; and the case is disposed of while the other 8 or 10 charges that are dismissed continue to be on the young person's criminal record for a lifetime. So often, just the fact that the individual has been charged with a crime prevents that young person from getting a job. So often, it makes a difference. Finally, I thank Mrs. Beatty for talking about using the court system to punish students. That happens. It happens in every State in America. Our public school systems cannot, and should not, use the court system as a means of punishment for students who have behavioral problems in school. I thank all of my colleagues for all of their work. I thank them for their efforts. I thank them for their tremendous interest in this subject because it is real. We know it. We need criminal justice reform, and we need it now.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4063, as amended, the Jason Simcakoski PROMISE Act. I would like to thank my friend from Florida, the vice chair of the committee, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, for introducing this bill and for his passionate leadership on this very important issue. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to take a moment to thank Chairman Miller for his extraordinary leadership on this bill and on issues that pertain to veterans generally. I thank the chairman so much for all of his work. In fact, the rumor among our colleagues is that he runs the most bipartisan committee on Capitol Hill. I thank him for his leadership. The epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose deaths is a national problem. It is a public health crisis, Mr. Speaker, that affects constituents living in all of our districts and all of our States. Opioid use disorder is a chronic relapsing disease of the brain. Yet, the stigma associated with opioid use disorder keeps people from seeking, accessing, or maintaining treatment. In 2014, according to The New York Times, over 47,000 people died from a drug overdose. That is 125 Americans each day who lost their lives due to addiction or abuse. Of these, more than 61 percent involved opioids. Across the country, Mr. Speaker, nearly 260 million prescriptions are written for opioids, enough, according to the Centers for Disease Control, for every American adult to have their own bottle of pills that can be highly, highly addictive. In my home State of North Carolina, fatal drug overdoses have jumped 75 percent since 2002. According to an article in February from The Charlotte Observer, nearly half of the accidental drug overdose deaths in 2010 were associated with prescriptions that had been filled within 60 days of death. It is estimated that North Carolina has spent over $582 million in healthcare costs stemming from opioid abuse. This is nearly $59 for each man, woman, and child in my home State of North Carolina. This is a healthcare problem, Mr. Speaker, that affects all levels of our society. One of the main drivers is the overprescription of opioids to manage pain. Veterans are at an even greater risk. The statistics on veterans experiencing chronic pain are absolutely staggering. Over 50 percent of all veterans enrolled and receiving care at VA medical facilities experience chronic pain, with over half a million veterans managing pain with prescribed opioids. Compared to the general population, veterans are prescribed opioids at a much, much higher rate. But there is a growing awareness that the long-term prescription of opioids to manage chronic pain can have severe and sometimes tragic-- yes, tragic--consequences. It has been reported that veterans, our beloved veterans, are twice as likely to die from accidental overdose compared to nonveterans. As a Member of Congress that represents the ``Nation's Most Military Friendly State''--and we like to say that all of the time--and as an Army veteran, as I am myself, I am alarmed and committed to bringing about a solution. But addressing this crisis will not be easy. The Veterans' Affairs Committee members know that so very well. It is not going to be easy. It will take the work of all of us working together. It will take education. It will take research into more effective and less addictive ways to treat chronic pain. It will take the combined work, Mr. Speaker, of our States and the Federal Government to address what the CDC has termed ``the worst drug addiction epidemic in the country's history,'' and the chief medical officer of my State's medical board has called it ``an unequivocal health crisis.'' This bill, Mr. Speaker, we are debating today marks a major step forward, and it will go a very long way in helping to lessen this public health emergency. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind), and I thank Mr. Kind for coming to the floor. There is not a Member of this body who works harder than him on issues that pertain to veterans. (Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is bipartisan legislation like this that makes me proud to be a Member of the United States Congress. I want to thank each one of my colleagues for his role in making this day happen. I thank Jason's family. I am not going to single them out except to make reference to them. I just want to thank Jason's family for making the journey to Washington today for this very important and momentous occasion. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Green for yielding time, and thank him for his extraordinary leadership not only on this bill, but on our committee as well. To my colleague Susan Brooks from Indiana, I thank the Congresswoman for all of her work. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of adding the Zika virus to the FDA Tropical Disease Product Priority Review Voucher program. The bill we are considering today is the Senate companion to my bill, H.R. 4400, which I introduced on February 1 of this year. Yesterday the White House and the CDC announced the dangers of the Zika virus are ``scarier than we initially thought.'' The CDC estimates that there are already hundreds of thousands of cases in the United States and that the number is expected to grow as the summer nears. The health consequences of the Zika virus infection are staggering. Zika infections in pregnant women can result in serious birth defects, including microcephaly and neurological disorders in newborns. The virus also has serious impacts on adults. This is a global public health emergency. We must act now to combat the spread of this deadly virus. My bipartisan legislation, cosponsored by 31 of our House colleagues, and the Senate companion cosponsored by 11 Senators, provides a pathway for expediting treatments for Zika. Supporting research and development in the U.S. to fight this will not only benefit us here at home, but will also help hundreds of millions of people around the world. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to support this legislation and other efforts, including authorizing additional emergency funding to combat this virus.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 100th birthday of Sallie Baldwin Howard, a friend and legendary citizen of Wilson, North Carolina. Tomorrow, Mr. Speaker, Sallie B. Howard will be honored at a grand birthday celebration at the charter school named in her honor, the Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts and Education. Sallie Howard has lived an extraordinary life. Her contribution to the arts and education is immeasurable. Mrs. Howard graduated as valedictorian from Charles H. Darden High School. She later graduated from Kittrell Junior College, the Anderson School of Dance, New York City's School of the American Negro, and received her master's degree in elementary education from Hunter College. As an academic, writer, playwright, avid traveler, and elementary school teacher, Sallie B. Howard has used her vast array of talents and expertise to make a lasting impact on our Nation's children. She is an active member of St. John AME Zion Church. Mr. Speaker, the founder and executive director of the Howard School, Dr. JoAnne Woodard, remarks of Mrs. Howard that she is a ``phenomenal woman who inspires us to be our best.'' I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating Sallie B. Howard's 100 years of life and recognizing her selfless service to humanity.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the extraordinary life of Mrs. Inez Powell Dade who was born in my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina on November 7, 1912. Sadly, Mrs. Dade passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the age of 103. Inez Powell was the fourth of seven children born to Mr. James Powell and Mrs. Martha Hageans Powell. Inez and her siblings grew up on a farm where they milked cows and picked cotton and tobacco. In 1937, following her husband John Battle, Inez moved to Washington, DC. She would remain in the Nation's Capital for more than 70 years. Later in life, Inez married World War II veteran and federal government employee Mr. James Dade. Inez would go on to work for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) where she would spend 23 years. Assigned to the United States Senate, Inez worked the overnight shift ensuring the Senate buildings and offices were ready for the next day's business. She retired from the AOC in 1970. After her retirement, Inez purchased the Tiny Tot Preschool and Nursery, Inc. in Washington, DC which went on to become a well-known child development center in the city. She understood the anxiety parents felt when they had to leave their children in someone's care so she made it her mission to provide the kind of environment where parents could feel that their children were safe. She committed herself to providing quality care at a reasonable cost for more than 40 years. In May of 2012, Mrs. Dade retired for a second time and ushered in the next generation of childcare providers. On November 7, 2012 Inez celebrated her 100th birthday. Her family and friends celebrated her life and accomplishments with a ``Centennial Celebration'' on November 4, 2012 at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC. The celebration featured remarks from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, then-DC Mayor Vincent Gray, and then-City Councilwoman Muriel Bowser. She also received commendation from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Sadly, Mrs. Inez Dade passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the age of 103. Mrs. Dade is survived by her four daughters, Helen, Peggy, Rose Marie, and Shirley; her youngest sister, Vanilla Beane; and grandchildren and great grandchildren too numerous to name. Her immediate family as well as her family from First Baptist Church of Annapolis where she was a member for 49 years will cherish her memory. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing condolences to Mrs. Dade's family, friends, and all those who were touched by her amazing life.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise in recognition of the 125th Anniversary of Elizabeth City State University--a public, historically black college in North Carolina's First Congressional District. On March 3, 1891, Representative Hugh Cale, an African American member of the North Carolina General Assembly from Pasquotank County sponsored House Bill 383, which established a normal school to train African Americans to become primary school teachers. Dr. Peter W. Moore, a former slave, served as the school's first Principal, and then President until his retirement in 1928. Dr. John Henry Bias became the school's second president in 1928 and was responsible for spearheading efforts to implement a baccalaureate program. In 1937, the school's name was officially changed to Elizabeth City State Teachers College after receiving approval from state officials to become a four year school. The first Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education were awarded in 1939. In 1963, the school's name was changed to Elizabeth City State College and was ultimately named Elizabeth City State University in 1969 when the school began awarding graduate degrees. When the University of North Carolina System was formed in 1972, Elizabeth City State University was one of the 16 public institutions to be granted membership. Nearly 2,500 students attend ECSU. The university now offers 28 undergraduate degrees and 4 graduate programs of study in fields like aviation, natural sciences, arts, mathematics, business, and economics. The ECSU Vikings compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Division II and have produced many star athletes over the years. Elizabeth City State University, like many other Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has played an important part in African American culture, the history of North Carolina, and has contributed to the overall success of American higher education. For well over a century, ECSU has lived up to its motto ``To Live is to Learn'' by producing lifelong learners and affording generations of North Carolinians with the tools necessary to be leaders in our global society. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and congratulating Elizabeth City State University for 125 years of serving and educating African Americans seeking higher education in my state.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, let me begin tonight by thanking the gentleman, Mr. Jeffries, for yielding to me this evening and to thank him for his extraordinary friendship and leadership in the Congressional Black Caucus. I want to publicly thank you for coming to my district this past weekend. You spoke--some would say you preached--at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina, and I thank you so very much for the message that you brought to my constituents in North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, moments after the death of Justice Scalia, the majority leader of the United States Senate announced to the country in a tone of defiance that the Senate will not consider any nomination--any nomination--of President Barack Obama to replace Justice Scalia. Mr. Speaker, the American people can see right through this. Though I represent a Democratic-leaning district in North Carolina, I represent many Republicans in North Carolina. Many of them have told me how disappointed they are with the Senate Republican leadership in making this announcement. Senator McConnell is reinforcing the Republican political agenda to disrupt--to disrupt--governmental functions when the circumstances do not line up with their conservative philosophy. It is imperative that we have nine members of the U.S. Supreme Court deciding constitutional issues that are important to the American people. The irony in all of this is that my Republican friends constantly on this floor talk about strict construction of the Constitution. A strict construction of the Constitution, as Mr. Hoyer said a moment ago, requires the President to nominate an individual once there is a vacancy on the Court. The Senate, the United States Senate, has the awesome responsibility of having a hearing, deciding, and confirming the nomination by an up-or-down vote. So it is absurd to suggest that President Obama should be denied the opportunity to nominate a qualified Justice to replace Justice Scalia. The American people should clearly understand that Senate Republicans have a political agenda to pack the Court with conservative Justices who would reverse years of commonsense progressive jurisprudence. So the Congressional Black Caucus tonight demands Senate Republicans to stop the complete blockade and the blatant disrespect of our President. Senate Republicans' outright refusal to hold a hearing on any individual nominated by the President to serve on the Court is an affront to our Constitution and the American people. Such divisive actions undermine our democracy and reduce our standing in the world. This blockade is an obstruction and runs afoul of the duties held by those who hold a seat in the august Chamber of the United States Senate. I have read that Senator Grassley, Senator McConnell, and others will meet with President Obama this week. I hope they meet. I hope they sit together and reconcile their differences because this issue needs to be put to rest. We call on Senate Republicans to hold hearings once President Obama submits his nomination and follow the procedures set forth in the Constitution. In short and in closing, the Congressional Black Caucus, the 45, 46 members of the Congressional Black Caucus--and, indeed, the American people--have one message--one message--for Senate Republicans: Do your job. Don't play partisanship. Don't play a partisan game with the Supreme Court of the United States of America. It is too serious. It is too important. Thank you very much, Mr. Jeffries.