G.K. Butterfield

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Let me thank you, Mr. Jeffries, for yielding me this time, and thank you for your leadership here in the House of Representatives. Since you have arrived here in the House, you have just done extraordinary work. You've taken the time to come to this floor and to educate and inform the masses of our people about the great, important issues facing our Nation. So I want to thank you for all of your work. I also thank Mr. Horsford, the other gentleman who has taken the time to convene this special hour of presentations. I want to thank you for all of the work that you do. You are both freshmen, but you have the personalities and the abilities of someone who has been in this body for many years, so thank you very much. The Congressional Black Caucus this evening has chosen to talk about the important subject of education. I am a strong supporter--a proponent--of strong public education. Mr. Speaker, there is no investment that we can make as a country that is more important than investing in children and investing in their education and in their higher education. Regrettably, there are some people in this body who think otherwise. They may say that they don't think otherwise, but their actions demonstrate every day that they do not have a strong commitment to supporting our educational system in this country. There are even some Members of this Chamber who, regrettably, have said from time to time that they want to defund and eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. They feel that the educational responsibility of government belongs to the States and not to the Federal Government. That is so unfortunate, but I want to encourage all of us who serve in this body to work together and stay together and to try to promote public education in every way that we can. Now, Mr. Jeffries, I cannot speak about the State of New York with any authority or about the borough of Brooklyn--I know you do that very well in that you've been there for many years--but I can speak to my home State of North Carolina. We have a demonstrated record of commitment and excellence in public education, both at the elementary and high school levels, as well as at the college level. We started way back in 1868 when our constitution was enacted. In the State constitution, we made sure that there was a provision that guaranteed a public education for every child in our State. Ensuring that our students have access to quality education has long been a principle of my State and of those that I associate with. So I have firsthand knowledge of our educational system. I know about the dedicated educators that we have in North Carolina, and I want to just encourage them and thank them for their service, and I urge them to keep on doing what they're doing. Mr. Speaker, I came from a family of educators. My mother was a classroom teacher. She taught school for 48 long years. Many people want to know how a single person could be in the classroom for that long, but my response is that, during those days, you did not need a college degree in order to be a classroom teacher--only a passionate commitment and a high school diploma. I understand the importance of education, but even the most devoted and capable educators must have the resources to provide our children with quality education. We now face a defining moment for future generations of Americans in which some Republicans want to fix this budget by cutting funding for our students in schools. At the same time, we continue to be outpaced by other countries that continue to increase their educational investments. In this country, the world's most prosperous Nation, 25 percent of our children do not graduate from high school. More than 90 million adults have inadequate literacy skills. The numbers are even more startling for low-income children and African American children, many of whom live in my district. Less than 8 percent of students in advanced placement math or science courses are African American. Fewer than half of African American students graduate from high school on time, and that must change. Despite these statistics, data show that investments in educational programs like Title I and IDEA and Race to the Top and Head Start and TRIO are instrumental in preparing our students to compete globally, but draconian cuts through sequestration have rolled back discretionary Education Department funding below the 2004 level and have gutted many of those programs. My State will lose $25 million in funding for primary and secondary education this year; 38,000 fewer students will be served in my State; and 350 education jobs will be in danger. The Ronald McNair TRIO program for doctoral students from disadvantaged backgrounds, which was cut at Elizabeth City State University, is just one example. Many State legislatures, including that of my State, are cutting State education budgets at the same time. We must find ways to address our fiscal challenges without placing the burden on our children and our teachers. While our goal must be to ultimately reauthorize the ESEA and the Higher Education Act, there are many ways we can help right now. We must preserve the maximum Pell Grant and keep interest rates on student loans low to enable low-income students to attend college. We must sustain funding for Race to the Top grants. In North Carolina, those grants have developed stronger curriculum in math and science, and they are working. They have strengthened teacher training and improved early childhood education. Finally--and I will close--we must also protect other STEM funding streams through funding for NSF and NIH, which support innovative research in my district at Duke University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, and at my alma mater of North Carolina Central University. We must also support bills like H.R. 595, the Veterans Education Equity Act, which I introduced to resolve an inequity in existing law that unintentionally allots more education funds to veterans who are enrolled in private colleges than those in public institutions. The bottom line, Mr. Speaker, is that education must be a priority. We must seize every opportunity to increase support for public education and not decrease it. Public education should be off-limits to budget cuts.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the lives of those we lost in the largest tornado outbreak in the history of North Carolina. April 16th marks two years since those devastating natural disasters took 24 precious lives in my state and injured 133 others. Today is also for applauding the rebuilding efforts of the communities that were affected and the courageous storm survivors. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, 28 tornadoes swept across central and eastern North Carolina due to tornadoes that were part of the same thunderstorm system. Then-Governor Beverly Perdue declared a state of emergency due to the more than $20 million in damages sustained across 30 counties. This destructive force of nature ravaged thousands of homes and businesses and truly tested the strength of North Carolinians. The worse-hit county in the state, Bertie, located in the First Congressional District and home to 21,000 people accounted for 10 deaths and 50 people who were seriously injured. I applaud the heroism of those who risked their lives to help others find safety during the height of the storm. During tough times Americans have always banded together to assist one another. It is this patriotic spirit that we must always remember during times of peace as well. Whether natural disasters or acts of terrorism we must remember that what makes us strong as a nation is that above all else we are Americans, no matter our race, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the lives of the victims and the communities impacted in my district by this powerful storm. Let us never forget the communities that experienced the loss of loved ones and may we continue to support the rebuilding efforts.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day which occurred yesterday. This day is symbolic of communities, government leaders, schools and most importantly today's young people leading the effort to end the HIV and AIDS pandemic that is still rapidly spreading among our nation's teens and young adults more than 30 years after it was first discovered. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV and AIDS education and prevention information has made great strides in slowing infection and mortality rates, however young people between the ages of 13 and 24 account for 26 percent of new HIV infections each year, with nearly 60 percent unaware that they are infected. The Advocates for Youth organization in conjunction with 11 other founding partners are supporting young people in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This national day marks an important step toward recognizing the key role that future generations play in becoming leaders in disease prevention and education. Three years ago, the White House unveiled the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, our country's first-ever comprehensive plan with measurable goals to be achieved by 2015. This plan calls for a renewed commitment and increased public attention to meet three goals: reduce the number of people who become infected with HIV; increase access to care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV; and reduce HIV- related health disparities. In outlining these goals, President Obama challenged everyone to partner in supporting the implementation of the innovative strategy ``that provides a clear direction for moving forward together.'' North Carolina ranks in the top ten states for rates of new HIV infection. This alarming statistic is one of the reasons why medical professionals such as Dr. Michelle Collins-Ogle, of Northern Outreach Clinic in Henderson, North Carolina are so passionate about offering illness education, prevention, testing, and medical intervention. Even with few resources, Dr. Ogle, the clinic's director, fights not just the disease but the perceived stigma of the disease as well. As a former civil rights attorney I applaud the efforts of organizations who are advocating for the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS. Organizations such as the North Carolina AIDS Action Network, who mobilized support to persuade the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to reopen new enrollments for low-income people needing access to life-saving HIV medication. I want to also recognize Duke University's AIDS Legal Project, a pro bono program that trains law school students to serve the unmet need of providing legal counsel to highly stigmatized, low-income HIV-infected clients. Combating HIV and AIDS, as with any other illness plaguing this country, requires a partnership for success. That partnership must include action on behalf of our governing bodies, healthcare providers, and individual citizens to keep these issues at the forefront of the minds of all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing April 10th as National Youth HIV & Awareness Day as we salute the efforts of young people nationwide who are tirelessly and effectively working toward achieving the goal of an AIDS-free generation.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the city of Durham, North Carolina that was recently recognized as the ``Tastiest Town in the South,'' by Southern Living magazine. This year, from mid-January to February, ten Southern regions competed for the ultimate title of ``Tastiest Town in the South.'' During the voting period, over half a million votes were cast. The editors of Southern Living magazine highlighted Durham's unique ties to the land and its great prices--noting the burgeoning food scene has quietly made Durham one of the best food destinations in the South. In addition, many chef-owners, such as James Beard of Nana's Diner, have really helped to establish a diverse assortment of landmark restaurants--ranging from breweries and cafe's to comfort food. Southern Living magazine listed several other notable places to eat in Durham including: Fullsteam Brewery, Pizzeria Toro, Geer Street Garden, Mateo Tapas, Monuts Donuts, Cocoa Cinnamon, Counter Culture Coffee, and Scratch Bakery. Other great Durham restaurants include Blue Coffee Cafe, Beyu Caffe, and Bistro Vin Rouge, just to name a few. Mr. Speaker, when considering that Durham was competing against many more widely known Southern locales known for excellent cuisine, such as New Orleans, Atlanta, and Charleston, it's quite remarkable and impressive that Durham has created its own culinary niche. I share Durham County Commissioner Fred Foster's opinion that this award's impact will be felt for years to come. This award is truly a tribute to the pioneers and current residents of Durham and the region. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Durham for its recognition as the ``Tastiest Town in the South.''

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the American Red Cross and the amazing work they do in my Congressional District, across North Carolina, and around the country and to highlight that the month of March is Red Cross Month. My Congressional District is served by eight local Red Cross chapters including the Greater Albemarle Chapter in Elizabeth City; Frederick E. Turnage Chapter in Rocky Mount; Wayne County Chapter in Goldsboro; Lenoir County Chapter in Kinston; Greater Pamlico Chapter in Washington; Pitt County Chapter in Greenville; Triangle Chapter in Raleigh; and the Central NC Chapter in Durham. At a moment's notice, these local chapters can deploy staff and volunteers to respond to a crisis situation. Many across North Carolina and the east coast remember the devastation of Hurricane Floyd in 1999 that killed nearly 60 people. When the destructive tornadoes in April 2011 leveled some 450 homes across Halifax, Northampton, and Wilson Counties; and most recently, when Super Storm Sandy ravaged the east coast and destroyed homes and businesses along the North Carolina coast and inland, the Red Cross responded in each instance. Mr. Speaker, the American Red Cross plays a vital role in disaster response and their contribution to helping Americans recover from life- changing events cannot be overstated. I ask my colleagues to join with me in thanking the American Red Cross for their tireless work on behalf of all Americans.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. There is no question the American people, Mr. Horsford, want a strong economy, they want jobs created, and they're expecting us in this House to do it on a bipartisan basis. We have failed to do it, and we must do it.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Let me thank you, Mr. Horsford, for your leadership and thank you for convening this opportunity tonight for us to come to the floor and talk about a subject that is so personal and so important to every American. I also thank the chairwoman of the CBC, Ms. Fudge, for her extraordinary and intelligent leadership. You have done so much for so many for so long, and we thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, just last week, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan--and I think most Americans recognize that name by now--Chairman Paul Ryan rolled out his 2014 budget that he and his Republican colleagues have called the Path to Prosperity. Well, Mr. Speaker, it's more like the path to American ruin. He says that he's going to balance the budget in 10 years; but he's going to balance that budget, if at all, on the backs of middle class Americans and poor people. They use good sounding terms like ``strengthening the safety net.'' What that really means is cutting programs that help the poor and disfranchised in our country, programs that good Americans depend on every day to survive. The Ryan budget talks about restoring fairness by ending barriers for job creation. What he doesn't talk about is that his budget proposal slashes funding for workforce development and job training and child care. How, Mr. Speaker, is a single mother of two small children expected to get and keep a job that pays more than the minimum wage-- which, by the way, Paul Ryan and his colleagues voted against raising-- when she has no access to affordable child care or training? Chairman Ryan and the Republicans don't care about that single mother or her children. They care about serving the interest of big business at the expense of ordinary Americans. So the Congressional Black Caucus has offered a budget alternative that I'm very proud of. It is sensible and balanced. We propose reforming the Tax Code. We propose ending special tax breaks and closing tax loopholes like the mortgage deduction for vacation homes and yachts, eliminating the deduction for derivative traders and eliminating incentives for sending American jobs overseas. We propose taxing capital gains and dividends as ordinary income, raising about $900 billion over 10 years. These changes, Mr. Speaker, would generate much needed revenue. The country has begun to recover. We see it every day in the news, and we're moving in the right direction. We're beginning to recover from near financial ruin, but our recovery is fragile and desperately needs a shot in the arm to accelerate our economic recovery. Instead, the Republican-controlled House thought it best to poison the economy and throw away the antidote. According to leading economists, once sequestration is fully implemented, Americans are going to lose 2.14 million jobs. Those are 2 million jobs that exist now, but won't exist later because of politics. The CBC and the majority of Americans believe that sequestration is damaging our fragile economy and that it must be reversed immediately. Our budget does just that. Our Nation's unemployment rate is 7.7 percent and has been on a gradual decline, but there are still far too many people out of work. To reinvigorate a willing and able workforce, the CBC proposes investing over $500 billion in a comprehensive jobs program, including $100 billion for a national direct job creation program, $50 billion for much needed school modernization, and $50 billion to support and maintain jobs in education and law enforcement. We would also dedicate $230 billion to repairing and replacing our crumbling infrastructure, including highways and bridges. In order for people to get jobs they so badly need, they need to possess the necessary skills. The CBC budget will work to support and enhance job-training programs through an injection of $13 billion and also help to put young people to work through a $7 billion summer jobs program. When hardworking Americans work their entire lives, they have been paying into a system that promised them income security. We must guarantee it. The Ryan budget seeks to eviscerate the Medicare program as we know it and turn it into a voucher system. That is wrong. They seek to block-grant the Medicaid program and give the discretion to the States. That is wrong, and it will devastate low-income families, and more than 35 percent will be cut from the Medicaid program over the next 10 years. Mr. Ryan proposes to make the change apply to individuals 55 years of age and younger. That's very interesting. What is particularly egregious, in closing, is that the Ryan budget cuts almost 18 percent from the SNAP program, amounting to $135 billion. Over 90 percent of SNAP money, as we all know, goes to paying for food assistance. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Democratic minority here in the House are serving notice here today that we will not tolerate the unbalanced approach of the Republican majority. You must work with us to create a stream of new revenue by closing loopholes that benefit the rich, and we must have a balanced approach to balancing the Federal budget. Thank you for the time, Mr. Horsford. Thank you for your leadership.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding time and thank him for his leadership on the committee and what he has done for education in this country. Madam Chair, never have job-training and educational opportunities been so crucial for so many people as they are during this challenging economic time. Our country's economic situation is getting better. Last month we added 236,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent, the lowest rate in 4 years. But the unemployment rate in my home State of North Carolina is 9.4 percent; and in my First District, one in four people is below the poverty level. The SKILLS Act, Madam Chair, will stall our delicate economic recovery at a time when we must invest in our workforce to ensure hardworking people are able to access the training they need to achieve the American Dream. The SKILLS Act kills workforce development as we know it. It would turn 35 important workforce development programs into a block-grant system and force effective programs targeted to help disadvantaged populations to compete against each other for funding. The bill would subject workforce development programs to partisan politics by putting funding in the hands of Governors and would remove seats reserved for community interest groups and community colleges on local workforce investment boards and, instead, leave the decision of where to invest the money in the hands of who? Big business. H.R. 803 would devastate the innovative partnerships the Workforce Investment Act has created in my district. The bill would jeopardize the partnership between Lenoir Community College and Spirit Aerosystems in Kinston, where students gain technical experience for careers in aerospace. It would endanger YouthBuild, which helps disadvantaged youth find employment in Goldsboro and Wilson and Elizabeth City, and a workforce development and training center run by Edgecombe Community College, which helps retrain dislocated workers in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. For these reasons, Madam Chair, and more, I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 803 and support the Democratic alternative.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and congratulate Sergeant Major Andrea Farmer, who will soon retire from the United States Army after 30 years of service. A native of North Carolina's First District, Sergeant Major Farmer's work ethic has allowed her to successfully hold a variety of positions, including Chief Career Management NCO. Sergeant Major Farmer's abilities resulted in her being awarded a master's degree in Human Relations and Interdisciplinary Studies and receiving the Army Women's Legacy Scholarship Award. Sergeant Major Farmer will retire as program manager for the 23rd Quartermaster, Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention Program, where she works very hard to aid victims of sexual assault. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate her upon her retirement, and also to recognize Andrea's parents, Bobby and Mildred Farmer of Nash County, North Carolina, who instilled high values in their daughter many years ago. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Sergeant Major Farmer for 30 years of service to our country.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Let me thank the gentleman for yielding time this morning. Let me associate myself with the last comments made by Mr. McGovern. He is absolutely correct; the American people are beginning to feel the impacts of sequestration. My friends on the other side of the aisle are always talking about: We don't have a revenue problem; we don't have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem in this country. Well, Mr. Speaker, we have a deficit problem in this country. There are two ways, at least, where we can address the deficit. We can address it with more revenue, which is what I strongly recommend, and we can also address it with very important cuts. We have got to have a balanced approach to deficit reduction. So I've come to the floor today to strongly oppose this rule. Mr. Speaker, I don't like the way H.R. 933 evolved. We read about it in the news media this weekend. We returned to Washington on Monday afternoon and there it was, posted. We were told that the rule would be taken up today and we would be voting on it tomorrow. But then a snowstorm came into this Capital City, and now we are voting on the rule and the CR today and we are leaving town. That is not the way to do it. The Republican majority has instead elected to move with a bill that provides new funding levels and flexibility to just the Department of Defense and military construction and veterans, while keeping the antiquated funding levels for the remaining 10 appropriations bills. Mr. Speaker, I believe that if we got serious about this and rolled up our sleeves, we could make it happen. I cannot help but to remember the days when I was a trial judge back in North Carolina. From time to time, Mr. Speaker, we would have difficult cases. But we would send the jury in the room, we would lock the door, and we would make them deliberate; and more times than not, they would come out with a verdict. That's the way we need to engage in this business. This is too serious, Mr. Speaker, to have a political dimension to this debate. We've got to have common sense. We've got to make it happen. So I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule, and I urge its defeat. We must get to the real work of governing in this country and stop the political theater.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, we are merely 5 days into the sequester, this totally engineered crisis that did not need to happen. We're already beginning to feel the impacts of sequestration. My home State of North Carolina hosts the third largest military population in the country. Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station are integral parts of their local communities and also help to form the backbone of our national defense. The sequester has already impacted the Coast Guard, with air operations being cut by 11 percent and maritime operations cut by 24 percent. These cuts have reduced maritime safety and security in the waters off of our coastline. Furlough notices have already gone out to thousands of civilian employees at Fleet Readiness Center, where maintenance is conducted on Navy and Marine Corps aircraft. The furlough amounts to a loss of $81 million. The 848 employees at Butner Federal Correctional Center, located in my district, received furlough notices and will lose up to 10 percent of their salaries because of sequestration. The impacts of the sequester are already being felt in Martin County, where the public school system has lost $400,000. This means that teachers are stretched even thinner and are forced to do more with significantly less. Madam Speaker, we need to rethink the sequester.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. The gentleman from Tennessee who just spoke said that sequestration is a game of scare tactics. Apparently, he hasn't looked at the statistics from his district in Tennessee. Let me tell you, sequestration is not only going to affect the people of my district, but it's going to affect the people of his district and his State as well. Sequestration is very troubling, Mr. Speaker. Sensible people all across America are beginning to see the impact that sequestration will have on their families. We are hearing from Governors every day, both Democrat and Republican. We cannot wait any longer. We have delayed this for far too long. The consequences of an unbalanced budget are very, very clear. My home State of North Carolina already has one of the highest rates of unemployment at 9 percent; and these cuts, Mr. Speaker, to education, health care, low-income families, and military readiness around my State and country will be disastrous to so many. Our children are our most valuable asset, and ensuring they earn a quality education is the best investment we can make in our future. Unfortunately, the sequester threatens many children's chances at obtaining a quality education. The impacts of sequester in my State of North Carolina are huge. Teachers and schools in North Carolina will lose more than $25 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting 350 teachers and teacher aide jobs at risk, resulting in 40,000 fewer students receiving services they need to help them do well in school. Programs like Head Start and Early Head Start--services that residents in my district so desperately need--will be eliminated for 1,500 children, reducing access to critical early education programs that teach the skills necessary to enter kindergarten on an equal footing. If America, Mr. Speaker, is to continue to be a global leader, we must out-compete other nations in the classroom by improving the caliber of teachers, promoting school grants, increasing education standards, and utilizing up-to-date technology to prepare students for the higher education and jobs of the future. However, educational advances will only result if our schools are properly funded. Don't cut education. The American people must know that the sequester's reach stretches to health care research and innovation. Hospitals around the country and those in my district, like Duke University Medical Center, serve an invaluable role in the community to not only care for those who are sick, but to research and find cures for critical diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease--curable diseases that kill people every day. Don't let this happen. The across-the-board cuts would sever funding for research from organizations like the National Institutes of Health. Scientists at universities across my district, like at Duke University and East Carolina University, would not have the chance to discover groundbreaking medical advancements such as the one that earned Duke University's Dr. Robert Leftkowitz the 2012 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Many citizens in my district are low-income families who are currently surviving with assistance from critical antipoverty programs like unemployment benefits, SNAP, and WIC. Low- and middle-income families will bear the brunt of the pain from this sequester. These people deserve programs that provide relief from financial hardships. However, if Congress does not work together to prevent sequestration this week, these programs will lose very significant portions of their budgets. North Carolina has an enormous military presence; the sequester will be felt especially hard by our men and women in uniform and the civilians that support military operations. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, among others, will not be ready to defend and serve our country at a moment's notice if we allow this to happen. In my State alone, cuts to the Department of Defense budget will result in 22,000 civilian DOD staff being furloughed, reducing the gross pay by $117 million. Base operation funding would be cut by $136 million, severely reducing military readiness, putting our country at peril. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I implore my colleagues to work together to prevent the impending sequestration so that we may prevent devastating cuts to our vital infrastructure. We are slowly but surely building on economic recovery, and our Nation can literally not afford to be knocked down again by an inability to compromise. Please, let's get it done.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and particularly thank the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for her leadership in convening this special hour tonight. As many of our colleagues know, before being elected to Congress 8 years ago, I was a trial judge and an appellate judge in my home State of North Carolina. But what many of you may not know is that, for some 6 years before becoming a judge, I spent considerable time litigating cases under the Voting Rights Act and presenting comments to the Department of Justice in section 5 cases. Mr. Speaker, so many people do not understand section 5. This preclearance provision does not apply in every jurisdiction in America. It only applies to selected counties where there was evidence of discriminatory voting practices when the Voting Rights Act was first enacted in 1965. These jurisdictions are required to submit to the Department of Justice any changes in election law or procedure for determination of whether the change could have a negative impact on the voting strength of minority groups. If the jurisdiction fails in their proof, the change is not allowed. And I will say for the Record today that, in the early days of section 5, many jurisdictions ignored the requirement. It has been proven, Mr. Speaker, time and time again in courtrooms across America that racially polarized voting has existed at the ballot box since the 15th Amendment was ratified--and it exists today. My congressional district in North Carolina, though it is improving, continues to have voting based on the race of the candidate. Many white voters choose not to vote for a candidate who is clearly the preferred candidate of the African American community. When this happens, the black community is handicapped. We call it vote dilution. And so section 5's preclearance provision simply is a backstop against jurisdictions devising election schemes that will make it more difficult for the African American community to elect a candidate of its choice, taking into consideration the existence of racially polarized voting. Mr. Speaker, I can cite dozens of instances in North Carolina where discriminatory changes were proposed to election systems and the Department of Justice stepped forward and denied the change. Had it not been for section 5, black electoral success in my congressional district would be considerably less. Many of the cities and counties in my district now have single-member election districts that were ordered by the courts. The courts have required that some of these districts had to be majority African American, which now enable the African American community to elect candidates of their choice. Elimination of section 5 could enable mischievous jurisdictions to eliminate this in favor of at-large elections, where concentrations of black voters would be submerged into at-large systems. Mr. Speaker, the time has not come when we should eliminate the protection of section 5. The evidence continues to suggest racially polarized voting that discriminates against the African American community. If this protection is struck down, some governing boards at the State and the local level will seize the opportunity to promulgate election rules that disadvantage minority voters, and the only remedy then will be to file an expensive Federal lawsuit and prove intentional discrimination in the district court. And so, Mr. Speaker, I urge the Supreme Court to carefully look at the legislative history that we have provided and decide to maintain the protection of section 5. Again, I thank the gentleman from Nevada for his friendship and his leadership and for working to make this hour happen tonight.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. In the early 19th century, 4 million slaves resided in the South, public opinion in the North began to oppose it, States resisted by ceding from the Union, and a brutal civil war ensued. In order to end slavery and the war, President Lincoln on September 22, 1862, issued a preliminary emancipation proclamation directing all rebelling States to free their slaves and return to the Union in 100 days. Lincoln made it clear: should they fail to do so, he would use his authority as Commander in Chief to end slavery. States failed to act, and Lincoln signed the proclamation January 1, 1863. More than 200,000 lives were lost in the war. Lincoln lost his own life with an assassin's bullet following reelection. This is American history that every individual must understand and appreciate. Today, Mr. Speaker, we commemorate 150 years of freedom for African American citizens.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important day in American history. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the 147th anniversary of the abolition of that regrettable institution of slavery. On 6 December 1865, the State of Georgia became the 27th State to ratify the 13th Amendment, marking the three-fourths supermajority necessary to amend the Constitution. The 13th Amendment accomplished something that the Emancipation Proclamation did not and perhaps could not do. It declared the nonexistence of slavery in the whole of the ``United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.'' The triumph the 13th Amendment represents not just for African Americans but for all Americans should be celebrated every December 6. [From the Raleigh News & Observer, Dec. 5, 2012]

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today to honor the life of Staff Sergeant Rayvon Battle, Jr. of the United States Army. Staff Sergeant Battle lost his life in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on November 13, 2012, while trying to stop an explosion. Staff Sergeant Battle was a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, which is in my Congressional District. In 2005, he graduated from Northern Nash High School and went on to enlist in the Army where he became a squad leader in the 38th Engineer Company, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2'' Infantry Division. Staff Sergeant Battle was a source of great pride in his hometown because he epitomized what it meant to serve with honor and distinction. This was demonstrated in the various awards and decorations Staff Sergeant Battle received during his career in the Army. Among them include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO Medal. In only 25 short years, Staff Sergeant Battle accomplished more than most people do in a full lifetime. Unfortunately, Staff Sergeant Battle perished while serving his country--prematurely ending a promising life and career. He is survived by his wife, Dorris Battle; his father, Rayvon Battle, Sr.; and his grandmother, Dora Harris. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering heartfelt condolences to Staff Sergeant Battle's family, and sincere appreciation for his selfless efforts in defense of our great nation. I pray that his life remains a source of inspiration to the Rocky Mount community and Americans nationwide. We are forever indebted to his family for the ultimate sacrifice he paid on our behalf.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career of Ms. Audrey Neal. After four decades of faithfully serving the Wilson community, Audrey Neal will retire next month. Ms. Neal began working at the Wilson County Register of Deeds in 1972 as a Deputy Register of Deeds. In her position she helped to oversee Wilson County's real property and vital records. In 2002, Ms. Neal was appointed to complete the unexpired term of then-Register of Deeds, Ms. Celia Brinson. Due to Audrey's leadership and experience, she was elected in 2004 to serve a full term as Register of Deeds, and has been reelected since. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Neal is retiring from Wilson County Register Deeds after a remarkable 40 years of service on December 3. As she enters this new chapter in her life, I ask my colleagues to join me in showing gratitude for Audrey's service, and in congratulating her on retiring. Congratulations Audrey, well done.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Howard Monroe Fitts, Jr. on his recognition as a Freedom Fund Honoree by the Durham Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. Dr. Fitts will receive this recognition next month in appreciation of his advocacy for civil rights and his diligent public service to the Durham community. Mr. Speaker, after completing a baccalaureate degree in biology at North Carolina Central University, NCCU, Dr. Fitts served as Teacher and Principal in Wilson County Public Schools. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and served faithfully for three years before being honorably discharged in 1945 at the close of World War II. After the war, Dr. Fitts returned to academia where he earned a master's degree in Public Health Education in 1946, and a doctorate degree in Health Education from Columbia University in 1961. His involvement with the NAACP is deeply rooted, stemming back to his childhood when he worked alongside his father to sell the organization's official magazine, Crisis. During that time, the young Dr. Howard Fitts was exposed to movements led by the church, health agencies, and other civil rights organizations. This exposure made an indelible impression on him, leading to his active participation and advocacy within the Durham community. As a result, Dr. Fitts quickly rose to leadership positions in the NAACP and the influential Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, DCABP. Among many of his most notable work include his key involvement in the desegregation of the Durham's public school system, where Dr. Fitts testified during court procedures, arranged transportation for Black students to desegregated schools, and enrolled his own son as one of the first African American students at Morehead Avenue Elementary School. In addition to his civil rights leadership, Dr. Fitts has served as a public health educator for Chapel Hill, N.C.'s District Health Department, professor and Chair of the Department of Health Education at NCCU, and as a consultant to the World Health Organization. His resume is filled with notable board positions, and his extensive work spans the tenure of every Executive Director of the NAACP from Walter White in the 1930s to Kwame Mfume in the 1990s. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Howard Monroe Fitts, Jr. on this unique honor of being recognized as a Freedom Fund Honoree by the Durham Chapter of the NAACP. His lifelong contribution to his community and country cannot be overstated.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with mixed emotions that I rise today to honor the life of Specialist Joshua N. Nelson of the United States Army. Specialist Nelson was a native of Greenville, North Carolina, which is in my Congressional District. Specialist Nelson was one of four soldiers that tragically lost their lives in Zabul Province, Afghanistan on September 16, 2012. Specialist Nelson graduated from North Pitt High School in 2008 and later enlisted in the Army where he became a signals intelligence analyst. Specialist Joshua Nelson was a source of great pride in his hometown of Greenville. He exemplified to the community what was possible with determination, and epitomized what it meant to serve with honor and distinction. These facts were demonstrated in the various awards and decorations Specialist Nelson received during his career in the Army. Specialist Nelson received the National Defense Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. In only 22 short years, Specialist Nelson accomplished more than most people do in a full lifetime. Unfortunately, earlier this month, Specialist Nelson perished while serving his country. He is survived by his wife, Quamisha Nelson; his mother, Kathy Glover; his father, Brian Nelson; and his stepmother, Valorie Nelson. I offer my sincere appreciation to his loved ones for his service in the United States Army and his selfless efforts in the defense of our great nation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in offering heartfelt condolences to Specialist Joshua Nelson's family. I pray that his life serves as a guiding force for the Greenville community and others around the country. We are forever indebted to his family for the ultimate sacrifice he paid on our behalf.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Bishop George Edward Battle, Jr. on his installment as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Livingstone College. Bishop Battle's lifelong leadership made to communities throughout North Carolina and to Livingstone College makes him uniquely qualified to serve in this capacity. A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Bishop Battle is himself a graduate of Livingstone College, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He holds a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary, and earned a Doctor of Ministry from Howard University in Washington, DC. By profession, Bishop Battle is a premier pastor within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Presently, he serves as Senior Bishop of the A.M.E. Zion Church and as Presiding Prelate of the Piedmont Episcopal District, which includes several North Carolina jurisdictions. In addition, Bishop Battle is herald as a community advocate and leader in the fields of education, business, and public activism. After more than 40 years of community service, Bishop Battle's accolades are too numerous to name. He has garnered dozens of awards for his tireless work with children, young people, and in grassroots political engagement. His management, educational leadership, and commitment to community will without question benefit the Livingstone College community. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons and more, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Bishop George Edward Battle, Jr. on his appointment as Chair of Livingstone Board of Trustees.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Jamesville Middle School in Jamesville, North Carolina for being honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. Since 1982, the Department of Education has recognized elementary, middle, and high schools whose students excelled or showed significant academic improvement on state or national assessments with the National Blue Ribbon School designation. This year, Jamesville Middle School is being recognized, along with 268 other schools nationwide, for its academic performance. During the last two school years, students from Jamesville Middle School demonstrated academic excellence--earning performance composites of 91 and 93 percent on the North Carolina End-of-Grade Tests. These scores have distinguished Jamesville Middle School as one of the top five schools within a six county region in eastern North Carolina. As a result, the North Carolina State Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction named Jamesville Middle School an Honor School of Excellence two years in a row. Mr. Speaker, I commend the students, faculty, and parents of Jamesville Middle School for their commitment to academic excellence. Quality primary and secondary education are essential for academic success and lifelong achievement. The Blue Ribbon School designation is a great testament to the Jamesville community's commitment to prepare their children for the future. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating Jamesville Middle School's recognition as a 2012 National Blue Ribbon school.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6131, a bill that will reauthorize certain powers granted to the Federal Trade Commission under the U.S. SAFE Web Act that are set to expire very soon. Congresswoman Bono Mack, the chair of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee of Energy and Commerce and I and our staffs worked together in a bipartisan manner to quickly get this very important reauthorization language out of the committee and onto the House floor. When the bill was first authored in the 109th Congress, it was overwhelmingly supported by both Republicans and Democrats and passed the House under suspension of the rules. So I am happy to see that this reauthorization is proceeding in much the same way. This law provides the Federal Trade Commission with expanded and enhanced authorities with the aim of combating crossborder spyware and spam attacks against the U.S., as well as helping protect consumers from phony Internet rip-offs and telemarketing scams. The enhanced authority has empowered the FTC to better protect American consumers through robust crossborder information sharing, investigative assistance, and coalition building with foreign consumer protection agencies. In a 2009 report to Congress, the FTC noted the significant role the act has played in facilitating crossborder cooperation in investigations and enforcement proceedings, along with the growing need for continued cooperation to combat new and existing global fraud. Simply put, Mr. Speaker, the expanded authorities are working to protect the American people, and Congress needs to make sure they remain in place so the Federal Trade Commission can effectively combat crossborder scams. The original SAFE Web Act passed in the 109th Congress included a sunset provision that will cause these enhanced authorities to expire in December of next year. H.R. 6131 will extend these authorities to September of the year 2020. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong supporter of granting the FTC the powers it needs to effectively protect consumers against fraud, whether originating here or abroad. So I joined my good friend, Congresswoman Bono Mack, in pushing the 7-year extension in this bill. It is important to highlight that each and every FTC Commissioner, all of them, of both political parties, have called for a permanent reauthorization. I joined with the FTC in calling for the sunset clause in the U.S. SAFE WEB Act to be completely repealed, and it is still, it is still my opinion and the opinion of several in our committee that this is a better approach. Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, both parties can agree, and the FTC's enforcement record shows, that this has been a successful law, so we should not delay. We should not delay or disrupt the FTC's ability to protect the American people from those who want to take advantage of them. I hope my colleagues will agree with us and will join with us in supporting this measure. Again, I want to thank the gentlelady from California for her friendship and her leadership on the committee. You have just been extraordinary. I also want to thank the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Upton, the gentleman from Michigan, as well as my ranking member, Mr. Waxman, from California. All of us, all of us have worked together so diligently to make this happen, and I thank you so very much. I will close by simply reiterating what I have said the last 3 or 4 minutes. This is a good bill. We have bipartisan support for this bill. It has been expedited to the House floor. I ask my colleagues to join with us and get it passed, and let's get it enacted into law. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 6 minutes to the author of this bill, Mr. Lipinski from the great State of Illinois, who has worked very hard on this bill not only in this Congress but in the previous bill as well.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I have no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker; therefore, I will ask my colleagues to join with us in passing this good legislation. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is also the minority whip of the House Democratic Caucus and is a great friend of the manufacturing sector.