G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank you, Congresswoman Kelly and Congressman Payne, for your leadership. Your leadership is very much appreciated, and your constituents in your respective districts should be very proud of each one of you. I know the Congressional Black Caucus is proud of you. For the past several weeks, Mr. Speaker, the Nation has been focused on the Confederate battle flag. Most fair-minded Americans have been asking the question: Why is this flag continuing to fly on State grounds and Federal lands? And why are policymakers refusing to squarely address this issue? The Confederate battle flag, Mr. Speaker, represents an era of American history that ended--or at least it should have ended--150 years ago. This flag represents the years following President Lincoln's election. Those years starting in December of 1860 saw 11 Southern States leave the Union. The fancy name for their leaving the Union, Mr. Speaker, was called secession, but the reality was that these Southern States were rebelling. They were in rebellion against the Union. They organized a so-called government called the Confederate States of America. They took up arms, Mr. Speaker, and they fought against the Union for 4 long years until they surrendered. They then returned to the Union. The Confederate flag represents that era where Southern States were resisting freedom for 4 million slaves. There continues to be elements today in our society who subscribe to separation of the races--how unfortunate. There continues to be elements in our society who believe in White supremacy. The question now, Mr. Speaker, is: Do we constructively address the question of hate groups in America? Do we continue to insist that other States remove symbols of White supremacy as South Carolina has done? Or do we continue to simply ignore racism? Other States continue to display Confederate flags, and even in this Capitol--even in this Capitol--you will find eight statues of Confederate soldiers who fought against the Stars and Stripes. Mr. Speaker, I call upon every American to bury for good the dark history of slavery and bigotry. We are a great nation, and we will be even greater when we can judge our neighbor on the content of their character and not on the color of their skin. Let's remove these symbols from our view. I thank each one of the floor managers.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express the utter outrage of the Congressional Black Caucus regarding the Calvert amendment, scheduled for later this afternoon, which is an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill. That amendment would allow Confederate imagery to remain on graves on Federal lands. Don't Republicans understand that the Confederate battle flag is an insult to 40 million African Americans and to many other fair-minded Americans? The Confederate battle flag, Mr. Speaker, is intended to defend a dark period of American history, a period when 4 million Blacks were held as slaves, held as property, as chattel, not as human beings. The slaves were bought and sold and mortgaged and gifted as chattel. Mr. Speaker, this period of enslavement continued for more than 200 years and did not legally end until December 6, 1865. Here is the history, Mr. Speaker. Following President Lincoln's election in November 1860, 12 Southern States ceded from the Union in response to their belief that President Lincoln would free the 4 million slaves. South Carolina was the first State to cede from the Union, on December 20, right after Lincoln's election. These Southern States formed the Confederate States of America. They empowered a military, elected a President, adopted a constitution, and adopted a currency. They engaged in a brutal, brutal civil war with the Union. Thousands of lives were lost on both sides of the battle. The Confederate flag, Mr. Speaker, was their symbol; it was their flag. The Southern States lost the war. The States then rejoined the Union. President Lincoln then proposed the 13th Amendment, legally ending slavery. That amendment, Mr. Speaker, passed this Congress on January 31, 1865, and finally was ratified by Georgia on December 6, 1865. During the period of ratification, President Lincoln was assassinated. For the next 50-plus years, every Black person living in the South faced the possibility of lynching. More than 4,000 Blacks were lynched between 1890 and 1950, and 136 Black people were lynched in South Carolina. There are some now who want to continue to honor slavery and to honor bigotry, and this House, Mr. Speaker, must not be complicit. The horrific shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, was an example of a 21st century lynching. The manifesto left by the Charleston killer stated: I have no choice. I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is the most historic city in my State, and at one time had the highest ratio of Blacks to Whites in the country. He was right, 57 percent. We have no skinheads, we have no real KKK, no one doing anything but talking on the Internet. Well, someone has to have the bravery to take it to the real world, and I guess that has to be me. Mr. Speaker, bigotry continues to exist in this country. This Congress should not pass any legislation, today or any other day, that would embolden those who continue to hold racist beliefs. The Calvert amendment--the Calvert amendment--is misguided, and it emboldens bigotry. I ask my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, respectfully, let's defeat the Calvert amendment this afternoon, and even if the gentleman would consider to withdraw his amendment and not put this House through this turmoil today.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, prostate cancer is a national epidemic, the most common cancer in men. One in seven men will be diagnosed, with more than 220,000 new cases each year, and 28,000 men will die from prostate cancer this year. Prostate cancer, Mr. Speaker, disproportionately impacts African American men, who have the highest prostate cancer rates of any racial or ethnic group. Black men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, nearly 2\1/2\ times as likely to die from that disease. Last week, I introduced the National Prostate Cancer Plan Act along with Congressmen Mike McCaul, Elijah Cummings, and Walter Jones. The bill would establish the National Prostate Cancer Council and direct them to develop and implement a national strategic plan to accelerate the innovation of diagnostic tools to improve early detection and reduce unnecessary treatment. Prostate cancer can strike anyone. Many of us have either been personally affected by this disease or have lost a loved one. Enactment of this bill would be a giant step forward in our battle to combat this treatable disease so that men can live longer and healthier. My bill, Mr. Speaker, has been endorsed by the American Urological Association, American Medical Association, Prostate Cancer Foundation, ZERO, and PCRI. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in this effort by cosponsoring H.R. 2730.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. First, let me begin by thanking the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership and for his willingness to lead this hour, not only tonight, but for agreeing to do it throughout this year. I thank the gentleman so very much for his leadership and for all that he does not only for the people of the State of New Jersey, but for America. Mr. Speaker, statistic: for every 100 African American women, there are only 83 African American men. This gap equals 1.5 million Black men who are essentially missing from everyday life in America. These numbers are simply staggering. The fact that Black men have long been more likely to be locked up and more likely to die is a problem. Compounded with the deep disparities that continue to impact the opportunities afforded to African American males, the gender gap leaves, as reported, many households without enough men to be fathers and husbands within the community. The statistics show that most African Americans live in places with a significant shortage of African American men while most Whites live in places with rough parity between White men and White women. The two leading causes of this gap are incarceration and early deaths, with homicide being the leading cause of death for young African American males; but Black males also die from heart disease, respiratory disease, and accidents more often than other demographic groups, including African American women. This gender gap does not exist in childhood as there are roughly as many African American boys as there are African American girls; yet, as they grow up, an imbalance begins to appear during their teenage years, and it persists through adulthood. We now see an increasing number of suicides--yes, suicides--by young African American males while the rate for White children has declined. While any increase is problematic, we have to wonder: What is happening? What is happening with our African American youth that has led to this staggering increase? The CBC is committed to reducing the school to prison pipeline so that our kids aren't unfairly profiled and placed in the criminal justice system. We are committed to ensuring funding for summer jobs programs and job training programs so that our youth have opportunities to develop their skills instead of having idle time during the summer months. The CBC is committed to increasing resources for families and increasing family engagement. We must support programs and initiatives that will help us provide opportunities for young African American men. Again, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his leadership.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate and celebrate Head Start on its 50th year of service to children and families. Fifty years ago yesterday, President Lyndon Johnson stood in the White House Rose Garden and announced the creation of Head Start. This pioneering federal program became a foundation of his historic anti-poverty plan. Head Start was designed to ensure that children from low-income families had access to a quality early childhood education. This program has long served as a catalyst for long-term educational achievement and is considered the nation's premier school readiness program. Head Start recognizes that parents are the initial and most important educators in their child's life and works to inspire and support affirmative parental involvement with their children. In addition to building strong parent-child relationships, Head Start along with Early Head Start, provides extensive services to promote strong mental, social, and emotional development in children from birth to age five. Head Start also provides children and their families with health screenings and nutritional education, among other integral services. The services offered to our communities by Head Start are copious and invaluable. Evidence-based studies have shown Head Start to be tremendously effective at promoting academic success in school, avoiding crime, and fostering the development of productive, successful leaders. Head Start is one of the longest running programs in the United States whose mission is to address systemic poverty, and it has indeed yielded impressive results. In just 2014, Head Start served over 20,000 children and families in North Carolina alone, including nearly 5,000 in my congressional district. Since its creation 50 years ago, more than 32 million children and families have reaped the benefits of Head Start. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Head Start for 50 years of service and enrichment to our nation's children and their families. Its involvement in the lives of our young people is exceptionally significant and deserving of our sincere appreciation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus will present eight or nine speakers on the Democratic side in just a few minutes. I am the first of many who will be speaking. We come to the floor today to express our deepest sympathy and support to the family of Freddie Gray and to the citizens of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Speaker, the events in Baltimore are not just about police misconduct. It is about pervasive poverty. It is about unemployment, lack of opportunity, hopelessness, and despair. Since the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson nearly 9 months ago, more than 25 bills have been introduced by members of the CBC that address the need for law enforcement accountability. Today, I call on my House and Senate colleagues to put aside partisanship and take up some or all of these bills. This issue has an impact on all of us. We must address economic disparities that face Black communities all across the Nation. Baltimore, Mr. Speaker, is not unique. The economic climate in Black America and the divide that has persisted for generations is due largely to our country's history of disparate treatment of African Americans and lack of opportunity. While much of the country has experienced an economic recovery over the last 6 years, it has not reached the African American community. Recently, the CBC and the Joint Economic Committee released a report on the economic challenges facing African Americans. African Americans are struggling and continue to face high rates of persistent poverty, unemployment, long-term unemployment, as well as significantly lower incomes and slower wealth accumulation. More than 400 counties in the United States suffer poverty rates greater than 20 percent. These rates have persisted now for more than 30 years. The median income of African American households is $34,000, $24,000 less than the median income of households. The median net worth of White households is 13 times the level for Black households. Black Americans are almost three times more likely to live in poverty. At 10.1 percent, the current unemployment rate for Black Americans is double the rate for White Americans. Black Americans currently face an unemployment rate higher than the national unemployment rate reached during the recession. African Americans are less likely to obtain education beyond high school than White students. They are less likely to earn a college degree. Even among college graduates, Blacks face worse job prospects than Whites. The unemployment rate for Black workers with at least a bachelor's degree is 5.2 percent, compared to 2.9 percent for White workers. Forty-four percent of Black Americans own a home, compared to 74 percent of Whites. In my home State of North Carolina, the unemployment rate for African Americans is 9.9 percent, based on an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent for Whites. The poverty rate for African Americans is 27.5 percent, while for Whites it is 12.6. Right here, Mr. Speaker, in the District of Columbia, the median household income for African Americans is $38,300 for Blacks and $115,900 for Whites, a gap of $77,000. The D.C. poverty rate is 27.4 percent for African Americans, compared to 7.6 percent for Whites. Colleagues, these statistics tell the story. These numbers are staggering, troubling, and problematic. It is time for a renewed focus on Blacks in America and a need for real solutions on issues that have persistently plagued our communities. I will end, Mr. Speaker, by quoting some excerpts from President Johnson's 1964 State of the Union Speech. And he said: ``Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope--some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, all too many because of both. Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity. ``This administration today,'' he said, ``here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort,'' he said. ``It will not be a short or easy struggle, no single weapon or strategy will suffice, but we shall not rest until that war is won.'' President Johnson said: ``The richest Nation on Earth can afford to win it. We cannot afford to lose it. One thousand dollars invested in salvaging an unemployable youth today can return $40,000 or more in his lifetime.'' President Johnson said: ``Poverty is a national problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must also be organized at the State and local level and must be supported and directed by State and local efforts.'' He said: ``For the war against poverty will not be won here in Washington. It must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House. ``The program I shall propose,'' he said, ``will emphasize this cooperative approach to help that one-fifth of all American families with incomes too small to even meet their basic needs.'' President Lyndon Baines Johnson, January 8, 1964, from this Chamber.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the unveiling of a very special memorial in my congressional district in Durham, North Carolina. On Sunday, April 26, 2015, a memorial forever marking the final resting place of ashes from victims who lost their lives during the Holocaust at the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany will be unveiled in the Durham Hebrew Cemetery. The amazing and unlikely journey that brought these hallowed ashes to their final resting place in Durham, North Carolina took over seventy years. David Walter Corsbie, Jr. served in the United States Army Air Corps with the 364th Fighter Squadron during World War II. In 1945, shortly after Dachau was liberated by American troops, Mr. Corsbie was sent there on assignment. It was there that a survivor who had been imprisoned at Dachau gave the ashes to Mr. Corsbie telling him to never forget the unspeakable horrors that occurred there. In late 2012, Mr. Corsbie's son Joseph made the existence of these ashes known after they had remained a secret since the end of World War II. Last year, those ashes were finally laid to rest in the Durham Hebrew Cemetery. The victims whose ashes were interred were finally given the honor and respect they were denied so long ago. A memorial to mark their final resting place will be unveiled this Sunday. This memorial will serve as an enduring reminder that will ensure the victims at Dachau and the millions of others that were lost during the Holocaust are never forgotten. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me both in commemorating the unveiling of this truly special memorial and in solemn remembrance of the millions of lives lost in the concentration camps of World War II.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Duke University and its Division I men's basketball team on winning the 2015 national championship. Duke's win against the University of Wisconsin at Madison marks their fifth national championship victory. At the team's helm is the winningest coach in Division I men's basketball history, legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. We refer to him as Coach K. This year's team, led by senior Quinn Cook, continued the tradition of excellence in my district in Durham, North Carolina, by earning the 88th schoolwide NCAA tournament victory. Even more impressive, Madam Speaker, is the fact that the Duke University Blue Devils had five All-ACC Academic players, which is the most in the school's history. Today I introduced a resolution, along with my colleagues, to recognize the team for its extraordinary achievement. I urge quick consideration of my resolution and encourage my colleagues to support it. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Duke University Blue Devils on their historic tournament win.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone). Mr. Speaker, this is a good day for medical providers and for our seniors. This is also a good day for the House of Representatives. This is bipartisanship at its best. With the passage of H.R. 2, seniors will no longer have to worry about losing their physicians. Providers will have the certainty to continue to serve their Medicare patients. But this bill, Mr. Speaker, is about more than fixing Medicare. It also includes a 2-year extension of the CHIP program, which is children's health insurance, and funding for community health centers that is set to expire this fall. Both programs are vital to the low- income vulnerable and rural communities that I represent in North Carolina. The CHIP program covers more than 8 million children across the country, including many in my State. It helps provide health coverage to children who are not eligible for Medicaid but cannot afford other insurance. The community health center program funds 1,300 health centers across the country. Without this extension, the program would expire, and care for 7.4 million patients would be jeopardized. Supporting this bill is about providing access to care for the most vulnerable Americans. I urge my colleagues in the House and the Senate to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and remember Mr. Willie R. Bradshaw, a friend and lifelong resident of his native Durham, North Carolina who was called to be with God on March 23, 2015 at the age of 86. Willie R. Bradshaw was born on September 17, 1928 in Durham, North Carolina and was educated in the Durham Public Schools. He became an outstanding athlete at Hillside High School where he played on the 1943 football team that was undefeated that season. He graduated in 1945 and went on to attend North Carolina College, now North Carolina Central University. After, Mr. Bradshaw played professional baseball as a pitcher for several Negro League teams. Mr. Bradshaw was a respected coach, having coached at I.E. Johnson in Laurinburg, Lincoln High in Chapel Hill, and Dudley High in Greensboro before returning to Hillside to coach in 1963. He served as coach and athletic director at Hillside High for 15 years, and then as athletic director for the former-Durham City Schools system, becoming the first African American athletic director in both the City and County of Durham. Mr. Bradshaw devoted a lifetime of service to his city and his alma mater. After a successful athletic career, he joined the NCCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1995, Mr. Bradshaw was inducted into the North Carolina High School Hall of Fame and the National High School Hall of Fame in 2010. A former president of both the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors Association and the North Carolina Coaches Association, Mr. Bradshaw's career record as a head football coach was 96-43-6 and 215- 119 over his 14 seasons as a basketball coach. He was honored with a NCHSAA Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and was involved at the national level with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Association. Mr. Bradshaw grew up in the Walltown Community and was a dedicated member of First Calvary Baptist Church. He cared deeply about improving the lives of young people and was committed to advocating for children and making sure they had opportunities to reach their full potential. As a champion for equality during the Jim Crow era, he is remembered as a bridge builder who brought people together for common causes. Known for his strong leadership, and as a man of few words, Mr. Bradshaw made a difference in so many lives. The world was made a better place because of the life and work of Mr. Bradshaw. I ask my colleagues join me in expressing our deepest condolences to ``Coach'' Bradshaw's wife, Shirley M. Bradshaw; daughter, Natalyn Bradshaw-Haile Selassie; and granddaughter, Fana Ruth Haile Selassie, and his extended family and friends who mourn their loss but celebrate his incredible life.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an alternative budget on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Chairman, the Congressional Black Caucus has a long history of submitting fiscally sound and morally responsible budget alternatives that emphasize our commitment to eradicating poverty in America. The budget, which is endorsed by groups such as the National Education Association, SEIU, AFSCME, Planned Parenthood, and PolicyLink, focuses on a fairer Tax Code, ending the sequestration battle, creating jobs, and eliminating poverty and reducing the deficit. Mr. Chairman, the CBC budget is a plan that will work to protect and enhance the social safety net that continues to save millions from the ravages of poverty. Our goal is to increase economic opportunities for all Americans through significant and sustained investments in education and infrastructure, affordable housing, domestic manufacturing, small businesses, and job training. We propose, Mr. Chairman, significant investments to further accelerate our economic recovery and ensure no community in America is left behind. Additionally, no other budget on Capitol Hill prioritizes the plight of voting rights enforcement into the Federal fiscal map or contemplates $3 billion saved over 10 years by limiting mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders. Once again, the House Republican budget relies on partisan rhetoric and gimmicks instead of making the tough choices needed to invest in our Nation, grow our economy, and provide economic opportunities for hard-working Americans. House Republicans' unrealistic and unworkable budget continues the sequester for domestic spending this year and cuts that spending drastically in future years, disinvesting in our Nation and asking the most vulnerable Americans to carry the burden of deficit reduction. We cannot allow their budget to move forward on the backs of the American people. I request my colleagues to support the Congressional Black Caucus alternative budget, as it is a budget that reflects the priorities of our nation. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), who really did the heavy lifting, along with Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Gwen Moore, in crafting our budget. I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) be allowed to manage the time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Thank you very much, Congresswoman Kelly. Thank you for your leadership, and thank you for what you mean to the Congressional Black Caucus. The Congressional Black Caucus is now the largest caucus in our history. We are very proud to announce that we have 46 members now in CBC, representing more than 30 million people from 23 States, in addition to the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, so I am delighted that you have taken this responsibility each week, Ms. Kelly, to come to the floor and manage this time. Typically, Congressman Donald Payne would be joining Congresswoman Kelly tonight, but Mr. Payne is not able to come to the floor tonight to help with this Special Order due to, what I am told, is complications from foot surgery, so we wish Congressman Payne a very speedy recovery. Ms. Kelly, I wanted to particularly thank you for selecting this subject this evening. This is a very timely conversation that we must have in this Congress, and that is the whole subject of the Voting Rights Act. The topic that you have chosen, ``The Battle Wages On: Securing Equal Voting Rights in the United States,'' is so very appropriate; and, hopefully, in the next 2 or 3 minutes, I want to tell you why. Let me just start by explaining the whole voting rights story. Some of my colleagues may not fully appreciate it and understand that when we talk about voting rights, we just don't talk about 1965. In order to fully appreciate the voting rights history in this country, we must go back to the end of slavery when 4 million slaves became free. They did not have the right to vote. Once the 15th Amendment was added to the Constitution, then all of the former slave men got and obtained the right to vote. They got engaged. They got involved in the political process. From 1870 until 1900, a period of some 30 years, African American males, particularly in the South, were fully engaged in the political process. But do you know what? In 1900, Mr. Speaker, in 1900, that right to vote came to an end. It came to an end because of Southern States like South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and the like, all of these Southern States passed disfranchisement laws, particularly a literacy test. This literacy test had the practical effect of denying the former slaves and their descendants the right to vote. Not only did you have to read and write in order to be able to register to vote, you had to convince the registrar that you were literate. The practical effect of that was that the whole voting rights movement during those days came to an abrupt end in 1901 when Congressman George H. White, who was one of my predecessors in North Carolina, stood on this House floor on March 3, 1901, and made a very profound welfare speech to the Congress. Mr. Speaker, that is the first era of voting rights in this country. The next era, I would say, would be from 1901 to 1965, when African Americans, for the most part, were not allowed to register to vote because of the literacy test and were not meaningfully involved. The next and final phase would be from 1965 until the present. In 1965, this Congress passed a historic 1965 Voting Rights Act, and it was a bipartisan bill. Democrats and Republicans promoted the bill all the way to the finish line with the help of then President Lyndon B. Johnson. The 1965 voting rights, Mr. Speaker, did many great things, but the three things that I will highlight tonight are: Number one, it eliminated the literacy test; number two, it gave a right of action, it gave to African American communities all across the United States the right to bring legal action to file civil lawsuits in Federal court to challenge discriminatory election laws or practices or procedures; the third part of the Voting Rights Act was what we now refer to as section 5. The Congress in 1965 set aside certain States in the country and certain subdivisions within a State to require them to get preclearance before election laws when new election laws went into effect. Many of our Southern States did not like section 5, but it was put on the books for a purpose because, if given the opportunity, these States were going to pass discriminatory election laws that made it very difficult for African Americans to vote. Section 5 has now been on the books since 1965. It has been strongly enforced by the Attorney General. Section 2 has been strongly enforced in courts all across the country. Now, we have 46 African Americans serving in Congress, we have thousands elected at State and local levels all across the country, and it was because of the Voting Rights Act in many respects. Well, Mr. Speaker, we received a great surprise on June 25 of 2013. The U.S. Supreme Court declared that section 5 could not be enforced because the formula that gives life to section 5, which is section 4, the court said that section 4 needed to be updated and called on this Congress to amend section 4 to make it more contemporary in its application. This Congress has failed to act. Now, this is the spring of 2015, and we have failed to act. Our voting rights are under continuous assault with more and more States and counties enacting voting laws that, on their face, appear to not be an impediment to voting. Many of these new laws are discriminatory, I want you to know. Some are intended to be. Others, though not intentional, will have a discriminatory result. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I am just unable to understand why my Republican colleagues refuse to support an amendment to section 5 to make this provision compliant with the Supreme Court decision. Through the years, this Congress has been called upon to extend section 5, and it has done so in a bipartisan way. In 2006, as section 5 was about to expire then, there was a bipartisan bill passed by this Congress, signed by President George W. Bush. There were 192 Republicans who voted for the bill. I want to say that to you again, my colleagues: 192 Republicans voted to extend section 5 just a few years ago. I saluted them then; I salute them now. Sixty-six of those Republicans continue to serve in the House today, including the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Goodlatte. Mr. Speaker, we must fix section 5 to comply with the Supreme Court's decision to update the formula. If we continue down this path and if we do nothing, the practical effect will be that jurisdictions will pass election laws or implement election practices or procedures that will discriminate, and we know it, and we must prevent it from happening. The only remedy African American communities have to obtain redress from discriminatory practices will be to file very expensive litigation. In the meantime, the law, the new law goes into effect. If section 5 was in place, there wouldn't be the need for expensive litigation. The jurisdiction would simply be required to make a showing to the Department of Justice, and the Attorney General would determine the effect of the change on minority voting strength. That is the way we have done it for the last 50 years. I call on my Republican colleagues to please join with us in a bipartisan, bicameral effort to fix the formula so that section 5 can be enforced in our country. Thank you, Ms. Kelly.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to commemorate the contributions of Sam Jones. Mr. Jones was a star Guard in college and went on to play professionally for the Boston Celtics. On March 5, 2015, Mr. Jones' alma mater of North Carolina Central University will retire his jersey inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Sam Jones was born June 24, 1933 in Wilmington, North Carolina and attended Laurinburg Institute located in Scotland County, North Carolina. After, Mr. Jones went to Durham where he attended what was then known as North Carolina College and quickly became a breakout star on the basketball court. Mr. Jones played at North Carolina College from 1951 until 1954 and again from 1956 until 1957. While there, he amassed 1,745 career points under head coaches John McLendon and Floyd Brown. Nearly 60 years after leaving North Carolina College, Mr. Jones is still the school's second-leading scorer. In 1957, Mr. Jones entered the NBA draft and was selected by the Boston Celtics in the first round as the eighth overall pick. During his remarkable 12 year career with the Celtics, Mr. Jones scored 15,411 points and averaged 17.7 points per game and also had 4,305 career rebounds and 2,209 career assists. Impressively, Mr. Jones led the Boston Celtics to 10 NBA championship wins--the second most of any NBA player--behind his then teammate--Bill Russell. He also played in five All Star games and is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Mr. Jones was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1969 and both the North Carolina Central University Hall of Fame and the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. In 1970, Mr. Jones was selected as part of the NBA 25th Anniversary All- Time Team and was later honored by being named among the top 50 players in the history of the NBA as a member of the 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Throughout his career, Sam Jones never lost sight of what was most important--his family. He is married to Gladys Jones and together they have five adult children--Aubrey, Phyllis, Michael, Terri, and Ashley and many grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, Sam Jones has served as inspiration to generations of young men and women both here and around the world who are drawn to the game of basketball. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. Sam Jones on the high honor bestowed upon him by our shared alma mater of North Carolina Central University.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Kelly for her leadership and for yielding me this time as a representative of the 46 men and women comprising the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Payne, I want to thank you for all you do for our caucus and what you mean to not only the State of New Jersey, but also what you mean to all of us. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we have set aside this hour to remark about the confirmation process for Loretta Lynch. President Obama should be commended for choosing an Attorney General nominee who is well qualified in every respect. Though she lives in New York City, she is a native of Greensboro and Durham, North Carolina. She is a North Carolinian for sure. Her father, the Reverend Leonzo Lynch, whom I have known for most of my life, is a native of Martin County, North Carolina, from the town of Oak City, which is right in the heart of my congressional district. The Lynch family has deep roots in eastern North Carolina. Ms. Lynch has a 30-year career, distinguished legal career. She is a well-respected lawyer and Federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, which serves 8 million people throughout Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island. Loretta Lynch is consistently recognized among her peers as a tough, fair and independent lawyer who has twice headed one of the most active and effective U.S. Attorney's Offices in the country. Ms. Lynch has a proven record of prosecuting hate crimes and cracking down on public corruption without regard to political party or affiliation. She has a reputation for being committed to protecting human rights and ensuring equal opportunity for all Americans. Ms. Lynch possesses high moral character and integrity. She has the perfect set of professional credentials to lead the U.S. Department of Justice. She remains steadfast and unflappable when facing the court of public opinion and upholds the letter of the law in all circumstances, even when it is unpopular. Throughout Ms. Lynch's confirmation process, Senators in both parties have lauded her qualifications and her sterling career. However, Ms. Lynch has waited longer for a confirmation vote than any U.S. Attorney General in modern history. Her nomination has been pending for more than 100 days. The politics that Republicans have played with Ms. Lynch's nomination are deplorable, and opposition to her nomination is nothing more than, in my opinion, a political ploy to once again use any means necessary to show their disdain for the President. I am deeply disappointed, as I am sure many other North Carolinians are, at Senator Thom Tillis' vote last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee against the nomination of one of North Carolina's own. Senator Tillis had an opportunity to be on the right side of history in supporting her nomination, but he did not. If confirmed, Ms. Lynch would make history as the first African American woman to serve in the role as United States Attorney General. She is an outstanding nominee and an excellent choice. The Senate should move swiftly to confirm Loretta Lynch as Attorney General for the United States of America.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Victoria Whitehead McCray, a dedicated educator and public servant. Mrs. McCray is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. McCray has dedicated her life to the service of others and is most deserving of this recognition. Mrs. McCray was born on October 22, 1927, in Wilson, North Carolina, to John Henry Whitehead and the former-Victoria Ennis. Mrs. McCray attended Darden High School in Wilson, and attended North Carolina Central University in Durham. Following her education at NCCU, Mrs. McCray taught business and typing courses and produced a booklet on Black History entitled ``A Proud Heritage'' that was widely distributed to students and others. Mrs. McCray is a Golden Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has held every office in the chapter including as Tamiouchos, Nominating Committee Chair, and Treasurer, where she has demonstrated her financial expertise. For her many contributions to her Sorority and community, Mrs. McCray was awarded the Phenomenal Woman Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Alumni Chapter at Bennett College. Mrs. McCray is married to Wilford McCray and they are proud parents of Ms. Paulette McCray. Mrs. McCray is a member of the historic Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson, where she serves as finance committee chair. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. McCray's contributions to our great nation are many. She is dedicated to the service of others and her passion for education and community is self-evident. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Victoria Whitehead McCray on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Bessie Marie Poole who will be honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Poole has dedicated her life to serving her community and she is most deserving of this recognition. Mrs. Poole was born August 23, 1946, in Wilson, North Carolina to parents Jessie and Edrena Ruffin. Mrs. Poole attended Elizabeth City State University and earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees there. Following her education, Mrs. Poole dedicated her life to educating future generations through a career as an English teacher. Her dedication to education was honored when Mrs. Poole was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1986 by Beddingfield High School in Wilson. Mrs. Poole was initiated as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1965 while attending Elizabeth City State University and joined the Gamma Beta Omega chapter in 1970. As a member, she has led several committees including the International Program Awards, Baccalaureate, Finance, and Scholarship committees. She also serves as a board member and assistant treasurer for the Odelle Barnes Center. Mrs. Poole is married to Willie Poole, and they are proud parents of two adult children, Keith and Brian Poole. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Poole's contributions to our great nation are many. She has committed her life to serving others through education. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Poole on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Peggy Williams Ruffin who dedicated her career to public service. Mrs. Ruffin is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Ruffin has dedicated herself to the pursuit of social justice and the well-being of those less fortunate and is most deserving of this recognition. Mrs. Ruffin, who is married to Jessie Ray Ruffin, was born on September 18, 1942, in Wilson, North Carolina to James Williams and the former Ida Pearl. Mrs. Ruffin graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelor's degree and received her Master's degree from Howard University in Washington, DC. Following her education, Mrs. Ruffin worked as a medical social worker and hospital supervisor. Upon retiring from the North Carolina Department of Human Resources, she was presented the state's highest honor--the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. In keeping with her selfless contributions to others, Mrs. Ruffin currently serves as a mentor and tutor as well as a Board Member of the Odelle W. Whitehead Center. Mrs. Ruffin is a Golden Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and was initiated in 1963 while attending Shaw University as a member of the Beta Rho chapter. She joined the Gamma Beta Omega chapter in 1969 and has served in many leadership positions since then. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Ruffin's contributions to our great nation are many. She is dedicated to the service of others and her passion to improve the quality of life and the well-being of her community is self-evident. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Peggy Ruffin on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Addie Scipio Hagans, a dedicated educator and civil servant. Mrs. Hagans is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Hagans has dedicated her life to the service of others and is most deserving of this recognition. Mrs. Addie Hagans was born May 24, 1928, in Chadbourn, North Carolina, to Alfred Dancy Scipio and the former-Novella Wallace. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from North Carolina Central University, then North Carolina College, where she excelled in English, Speech, and Drama. After college, Mrs. Hagans began her career in education. Mrs. Hagans spent 35 years in education and during that time earned numerous awards and accolades. In addition to being recognized as Wilson County Teacher of the Year for 1978, Mrs. Hagans received the Distinguished Service Award and Most Spirited Teacher Award from the Wilson City Schools. Mrs. Hagans is a Golden Member and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc. and has served as Basileus, Epistoleus, Anti-Basileus, Ivy Leaf Reporter, and Hodegos. In keeping with her selfless contributions to others, Mrs. Hagans currently serves as a member of the Gamma Beta Omega Chapter's Tutoring Committee. Mrs. Hagans is married to John Hubert Hagans and they are proud parents of two adult children, Reginald Orrin Hagans and Pamela Joi Hagans. Mr. Speaker, Addie Hagans' contributions to my home state of North Carolina and our great nation are many. Her passion for education and dedication to the service of others is self-evident. I ask my colleagues join me in congratulating Mrs. Addie Scipio Hagans on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the contributions of Mrs. Marian Sewell Farmer who is being honored by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at this year's Diamond Anniversary Banquet in Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Farmer is a dedicated educator and public servant who has committed her life's work to the service of others and is most deserving of this recognition. Mrs. Farmer was born March 7, 1935, in Wilson, North Carolina to James and Katie Sewell. Mrs. Farmer attended public schools in Wilson and graduated from Darden High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Livingston College, in Salisbury, North Carolina and was inducted into the esteemed National Science Honor Society while there. Following her education, Mrs. Farmer began her career in education. Mrs. Farmer was an educator for 36 years and remains an active member of her community. For her contributions to others in support of her community, she was awarded the Phenomenal Woman Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Alumni Chapter at Bennett College. Mrs. Farmer serves as co-chair of the North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition and is a board member of the Arts Council of Wilson. Mrs. Farmer is a Golden Member and Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and has served as Grammateus, Tamiouchos, and Basileus, and has also chaired a number of committees. She was first initiated into the Alpha Xi chapter while attending Livingston College and joined the Gamma Beta Omega chapter in 1957. Mrs. Farmer is married to James Edward Farmer, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, James Edward Farmer, III and Allegro Farmer. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Farmer has consistently served her community while remaining a dedicated educator. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mrs. Marian Sewell Farmer on her work and on the high honor of being recognized by the Gamma Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this bill. This vote today marks the 56th attempt by House Republicans to dismantle the ACA. If enacted, more than 19 million people who were previously uninsured would lose tax credits and subsidies that make insurance affordable. Members who voted for this bill are telling the American people that access to affordable, quality health care should be reserved for only those who have the means to afford it. Let me just tell you a very brief story about a man named Carlton Stevens, Jr., from my hometown of Wilson, North Carolina. Last year was a very challenging year for the Stevens family of five as they found themselves uninsured. As Mr. Stevens and his wife found themselves between jobs and in a new town, they prioritized finding health coverage for their family. Mr. Stevens visited the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace to search for coverage and was surprised and elated to know that he and his family qualified for a credit of approximately $800. He and his wife were able to purchase insurance for his entire family for less than $200. Mr. Speaker, this bill would deprive families like the Stevens family of affordable health care in a time of need. I wonder why my Republican friends are doing this again.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank the gentleman for yielding. The Congressional Black Caucus is delighted to come to the floor this evening to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. At the end of slavery, Mr. Speaker, in 1865, which was 150 years ago, the State of North Carolina had a slave population of 331,000 slaves. After the passage of the 13th Amendment and ratification of it by 27 States, these slaves became free. They became American citizens, and males 21 years old or older would soon be entitled to vote. Among those 331,000 slaves gaining freedom, 128,000 of them resided in my congressional district. In some of the counties, the Black population exceeded the White population. In 1870, African American citizens gained the right to vote by the enactment of the 15th Amendment. For the next 30 years, Mr. Speaker, African American men voted in large numbers and became a political force in State politics. Four African Americans were elected to Congress in North Carolina, eight in South Carolina, three in Alabama, and one each in Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Virginia, and Louisiana. Many more were elected to State and local office. In 1900, after KKK violence and lynchings had not deterred Black political participation, most Southern States passed disfranchisement laws requiring a literacy test and the payment of a poll tax. These laws had the intent and effect of disenfranchising Black people from voting, and it worked. For the next half century, African Americans were effectively denied the right to vote with a few exceptions. Following his 1964 acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., approached President Lyndon Johnson about advocating for a strong voting rights law that would enforce the 15th Amendment. President Johnson was uncomfortable in advancing the idea of a voting rights law, which greatly disappointed Dr. King. Dr. King was motivated to launch the Selma voting rights movement. On March 7, 1965, under the leadership of Dr. King, John Lewis, and others, Black residents of Selma attempted to march from Brown Chapel Church to the Alabama State capital to demand a voting rights law. As they approached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the marchers were brutalized, and they were terrorized by State police and forced to retreat. We now refer to this confrontation as ``Bloody Sunday.'' Two days later, the marchers again began their journey to Montgomery, but as they crossed the bridge and saw the strong police presence, they turned around and returned to the church. At this point, President Johnson was outraged with Governor George Wallace for preventing the march. Johnson telephoned Wallace to demand that the marchers walk to Montgomery without incident. Three weeks later, on March 21, 1965, Dr. King persuaded thousands of Black and White to come to Selma to participate in the march. The march proceeded without incident. Fifty thousand participated. Following the March, a White marcher, Mrs. Viola Liuzzo from Detroit, was murdered while transporting marchers back to Selma. Jimmie Lee Jackson was killed by police during a Selma protest in February 1965. Saddened by these murders, President Johnson reconsidered his unwillingness to promote voting rights legislation. He went on national television on March 15 and announced that he would support a voting rights bill. Despite the Southern filibuster, the Voting Rights Act was enacted into law on August 6, 1965. This important law has changed the political landscape for African American communities. It bans the use of literacy tests. It gives minority communities the right to litigate discriminatory election schemes that dilute their vote. The act provides for a section 5 that requires certain jurisdictions with discriminatory histories to preclear election law changes with the Attorney General. To our great dismay, on June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court made section 5 unenforceable because the data used to determine covered jurisdictions is outdated, according to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has now called on Congress to modify the formula. To this day, Mr. Speaker, our Republican colleagues have refused to allow the bipartisan VRA amendment bill to be voted upon. In fact, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Goodlatte, announced that he has no intention to legislate a modification to the formula, and so the effect of not having section 5 is to allow jurisdictions to pass discriminatory election laws with impunity and without oversight. The Voting Rights Act has enabled African American communities to elect hundreds of Black elected officials. We successfully litigated dozens and dozens of cases. Many of my colleagues were elected because enforcement of the Voting Rights Act forced--forced--States to draw congressional districts where Black communities are not submerged and their vote diluted. Mr. Speaker, this story must be understood by every American citizen. The right to vote for African Americans was obtained by blood, sweat, and tears; and we are determined--the Congressional Black Caucus is determined--to continue this fight into 2016 and beyond. Mr. Payne, thank you very much for yielding time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to commemorate the contributions of Dr. C.T. Vivian, a public servant and passionate leader in the civil rights movement who has dedicated his life to the struggle for racial equality in America. Dr. C.T. Vivian was born July 30, 1924 in Howard County, Missouri and attended Western Illinois University in Macomb and was recreation director for the Carver Community Center in Peoria, Illinois. It was there that Dr. Vivian participated in his first sit-in demonstrations which successfully integrated Barton's Cafeteria in 1947. Dr. Vivian was a close friend and adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King appointed Dr. Vivian to the executive staff of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1963, naming him national director of affiliates and strategist for the organization. After leaving Dr. King's Executive Staff, Dr. Vivian founded the Black Action Strategies and Information Center (BASIC), a workplace consultancy on race relations and multicultural training. He and his late wife, Octavia Vivian founded the C.T. & Octavia Vivian Archives and Museum in Fayetteville, GA, in 2014. In March 2007 at the occasion of the anniversary of Selma to Montgomery marches, then-Senator Barack Obama recognized Dr. Vivian in his opening remarks as ``the greatest preacher to ever live.'' And, on August 8, 2013, President Obama honored Dr. Vivian at the White House by presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Mr. Speaker, Dr. C.T. Vivian remains a distinguished minister, author, and organizer. His historic contributions and achievements as a spiritual leader, champion of social justice, and strategist of the Civil Rights Movement have reserved his place in history. I ask my colleagues join me in expressing the appreciation of a grateful nation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today it is with great pleasure that I rise to commemorate the contributions of Dr. Alvin V. Blount, Jr., a decorated veteran, civil servant and pioneer. Dr. Blount is not only a decorated military surgeon; he is also recognized as an outstanding physician in the Greensboro medical community. Dr. Blount was born February 24, 1922, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and was the eldest of four children. He attended North Carolina A&T University in 1939 and graduated magna cum laude in 1943. After completing his undergraduate degree, he attended Howard University earning his Medical degree in 1947. After, Dr. Blount entered the military as a member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He served two tours of military duty in Korea during the War and returned to Greensboro in 1952. In 1957, Dr. Blount, a surgeon by training, became the first African American in North Carolina to earn the American College of Abdominal Surgeons' certification. In 1964, Dr. Blount championed the integration of Cone Hospital in Greensboro and would become the first African American to operate there. Dr. Blount's distinguished surgical career includes service as chief of surgery for L. Richardson Hospital; a position he held for 23 years. He was also responsible for establishing the hospital's first quality improvement committee. On February 1, 2007, Dr. Alvin V. Blount, Jr., received the 2007 Human Rights Medal from his alma mater North Carolina A&T State University. The Human Rights Medal is one of the highest awards given by the University and it is presented to an individual for their extraordinary contributions to humanity. Dr. Blount Jr. has been married to Gwendolyn Harris for over 40 years. They are the proud parents of seven children. They also have nine grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Blount's contributions to our great nation are many. He bravely served his country during the Korean War and was time and time again a trailblazer in the field of medicine. I ask my colleagues join me in expressing the appreciation of a grateful nation.