Joyce Beatty

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and chair of this Special Order hour (Mr. Veasey) and the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (Mr. Richmond). It is indeed an honor, Mr. Speaker, for me to stand here with these colleagues tonight. We come tonight with a strong message. We are here to speak out against President-elect Trump's Cabinet nominations who, based on their records, are, in my opinion, too divisive, too extreme, too out of touch, and unable to protect the interests and the safety of all Americans--individuals like Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos. Trust me, Mr. Speaker, these nominees need to be vetted. The American people deserve to know who will be in charge of these critically important Federal agencies. We are extremely concerned with Senator Jeff Sessions' nomination to be the U.S. Attorney General. Sessions, as you have heard tonight and you will continue to hear, has continuously obstructed the progress we have made with the enactment of the historic civil rights legislation of the 1960s. He has consistently, Mr. Speaker, fought to block legislative efforts to ensure racial equality, including his staunch opposition to full enforcement of the Voting Rights Act--the very bill, Mr. Speaker, if confirmed, he would be in charge of enforcing and protecting. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues. We cannot allow that to happen. Next up in Trump's Cabinet of cronies is his nominee for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos, who has pushed to expand taxpayer-funded vouchers for private and religious schools and has absolutely zero experience as an educator or an educational leader. She has, however, Mr. Speaker, spent millions of dollars lobbying for school choice proposals which harm disadvantaged and at-risk communities. Now, I am from the great State of Ohio, and to have someone owe our Ohio Elections Commission $5.3 million, we cannot allow that to happen. We have to be the voice for the people. Especially those people who are voiceless. Mr. Speaker, let me end by saying that as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I stand here tonight wanting the public to know that we are concerned and we are exercising our right and our voice.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate Rosa Parks, ``the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement.'' On December 1st, we marked the 61st anniversary of Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery City Bus. Her defiance sparked the peaceful 381-day Montgomery bus boycott, leading to the desegregation of our Nation's public transportation system. Rosa Parks, though small in stature, embodies the enormous impact one person can make. In recognition, 50 years later in 2005, as a member of the Ohio General Assembly, I spearheaded a bill to designate December 1st Rosa Parks Day, making Ohio the first State in the Nation to do so. This year marks the 12th annual tribute to Rosa Parks and I look forward to joining all Ohioans in celebration tomorrow on December 8th. In that spirit, today and every day, let us be inspired by Rosa Parks and never forget that one person can ignite change.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Ohio State University Buckeye community for its strength and resilience in response to the tragic incident when an Ohio State University student rammed his car into a crowd of students on the campus and then stabbed several of them in an attack that ended when a police officer shot and killed him. I applaud the university president, Michael Drake, university leadership, and its incredible student alert system, along with multiagency police officials for working together to enhance the safety and security of the university. These first responders acted quickly and selflessly, including an Ohio State University police officer who, within seconds, responded to the violence, containing injuries and diffusing the situation. I thank the medical team and staff at the Wexner Medical Center and surrounding hospitals for treating 11 patients to ensure full recovery. As the former senior vice president of outreach and engagement at the university, I was never prouder of how we came together quickly in the face of terror. I thank all at the university for continuing to exemplify the Buckeye spirit and remaining united, even in the face of adversity. Go Bucks.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and Congressional Black Caucus colleague, Congressman Al Green of Texas, for leading tonight's Special Order Hour to honor and in memorial to beloved Congressional staffer, Jacqueline A. Ellis, known to most of us as Jacqui. On September 21, 2016, the world lost Jacqueline Ellis, a beloved mentor, friend, colleague, and sister, and we, here in the halls of Congress, lost a legend. Through her nearly 30 years of service in the people's House, Jacqui helped to expand diversity on the Hill and inspired countless young people to dedicate their lives to public service. She served as a mentor for many young African-American staffers who came to Capitol Hill looking to make a difference in our nation. When Jacqui became a House staffer in 1988, there were few people of color in the corridors of the Congress, but that did not dissuade Jacqui. Instead, it inspired her to assist and help numerous Black staffers thrive. Upon her passing, hundreds of former and current Congressional staffers took to social media to share their stories and memories of Jacqui. Words like ``good listener''--``wonderful woman''--``especially there to help young people''--and ``enormously respected'' were used. As one of the first Black women to serve as a Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill, she was a trailblazer who opened the door so other that women of color could follow in her footsteps. She founded the Organization of African-American Administrative Assistants for Chiefs of Staff in the House. And, she worked quietly behind the scenes to expand equality of opportunity and to strengthen our democracy. Jacqui was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and one of my sorors. She was instrumental in planning and executing the annual ``Delta Days'' on the Hill. She was also a proud member of The LINKS Incorporated and coordinated its Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Issues Forum. Her charitable nature, her unbridled spirit, her selfless dedication to public service, and her strong faith will certainly be missed.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, let me just end with these words. This may be my last time as the lead anchor, so I cannot leave this Chamber without saying thank you, thank you to President Barack Obama for giving us 8 years of changing this country; thank you to President Barack Obama, whose legacy 10 or 20 years from now will go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents for making change. Mr. Speaker, let me now say thank you to Congressman Jeffries for reminding me of where we are now. If we really are going to finish our unfinished business, the President-elect, who said, as I paraphrase, gangs roaming the streets, African American communities being decimated by crime, you walk down the streets and you get shot, well, Mr. Speaker, we could take care of that in the 114th if we really believed that. We could do a crime bill; we could do a voters' rights bill; we could do 10-20-30. Mr. Speaker, as my time comes to an end, I include in the Record statements from Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. BEATTY. I thank so much Congresswoman Robin Kelly. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman from New Jersey's 12th District. I am so honored to serve with her. She stands in this same space as the Special Order hour chair for our Progressive Caucus. Earlier today, I benefited from her wisdom as she said to me: I am used to being in charge and I like being in charge, so I am going to stay tonight and lend my voice to the Special Order hour on our unfinished business.

Mrs. BEATTY. I thank so much the gentleman--my classmate and colleague--from New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. Mr. Speaker, it is, indeed, my honor to yield to Congresswoman Robin Kelly from the Second District of Illinois. We have heard that common creed that says, ``I am my brother's keeper.'' She is my sister's keeper. When I think about her work, I am always so happy because I admire her. I remember the day that she sat down when we stood up. She reminds me of what Rosa Parks did in 1955 when she decided, if she sat down, it would start a movement. Robin Kelly sat down on the House floor because she said we should do more than just stand up when someone loses his life to gun violence. So it is, indeed, a great honor for me to yield to Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Greg Meeks for lending his voice to tonight's Special Order hour. It is now my honor to ask Congressman Donald Payne from New Jersey to come and lend his voice tonight. He is someone who brings a message to us. He is someone who advocates for our financial needs; he advocates for our children; he is a father; he is a husband; and he is someone who understands, in the time that we are having now, the value of quality education and the value of removing our children from poverty because he understands that all lives matter.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Mr. Speaker, it is now my honor to yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), from New York's Fifth Congressional District. There are so many things that I could say about him. I am honored that I serve with him on the Financial Services Committee. I am honored that he is a soldier in the battle. When I think of some of the words that President Barack Obama said, it reminds me of Congressman Meeks when President Obama said, ``Justice is not only the absence of oppression, it is the presence of opportunity.''

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Butterfield not only for his words but for his leadership as our chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), another member of the Congressional Black Caucus, who stands strong and sure- footed with us as we talk about our unfinished business, a member who has no problem coming to the mic and sharing her intellect and giving us a direction of where we should go. It is, indeed, my honor to yield to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a leader on criminal justice reform and judiciary issues, from Texas' 18th Congressional District.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening along with my coanchor of the Congressional Black Caucus' Special Order hour, with my classmate and my colleague, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries from the Eighth District of New York. It is an honor for me to stand here and be a coanchor with him. Tonight's topic, Mr. Speaker, is the Congressional Black Caucus' Special Order hour entitled ``Unfinished Business: Congressional Black Caucus to Our Republican Leadership--Do Your Job.'' As the Congressional Black Caucus comes to the House floor this evening as voices to be heard on unfinished congressional business, let me pause for a moment first to pay respect to Gwen Ifill, who passed away earlier today. Ms. Ifill, an award-winning television journalist for NBC and PBS, helped pave the way for both women and men and African Americans in the field of journalism. Her voice will be missed. Her voice was a voice that we listened to as members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Speaker, today, the House of Representatives returned for the first day of the lameduck session of the 114th Congress. As the conscience of the Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus is committed to advocating for change to policies that adversely impact African American communities. Yet, Mr. Speaker, over the past 2 years, the 114th Congress has been highly unproductive, passing one partisan bill after another, which then languishes with no chance of being passed by the Senate or being signed into law by President Obama. In fact, as of November 2 of this year, only 244 bills have been signed into law, and only 20 of those bills have been significant pieces of legislation. The American people really deserve more from their elected representatives. But the 114th Congress is not over, and we should use the remaining time wisely. The list of legislative items that this House should consider before going home for the year is robust-- legislation to fully fund the government's fiscal year 2017 for one. The American people deserve a fully funded government that invests resources in people, reduces poverty, and safeguards the social safety net programs. We are currently operating under a continuing resolution, Mr. Speaker, as you know, through December 9. While the current funding mechanism has been keeping the Federal Government doors open, it fails to fully recognize the importance of investment in programs which would benefit not just a few, but all Americans. In addition to the omnibus, we should bring to the floor legislation providing reform for the criminal justice system, voting rights, and gun violence prevention, just to name a few. You are going to hear from several members of the Congressional Black Caucus who have spent an inordinate amount of time crafting legislation, sitting in their committees, and going back home to their district and making promises that the American people are asking for. Mr. Speaker, we have the opportunity starting today to use the last few weeks of the 114th Congress in a productive way to stand up for the constituents and to pass bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, how many times have we been in this Chamber and someone in that chair has said that we are going to work together for the good of the country or our constituents? That is what our constituents expect us to do. So let me just briefly take a moment to remind you, Mr. Speaker, why it is so important that we have a fully funded Federal Government and provide funding for critical programs--critical programs--like those that address ethnic and racial health disparities by improving diversity in the healthcare workforce and increasing the number of health professions in underserved communities, for example. Mr. Speaker, we have my colleague and friend who has served as our Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust chair, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who is with us today and has fought tirelessly for health care. You are going to hear from her tonight. It is well known that poverty and social economic status and health disparities are closely linked and latched together. Many of these gaps are shaped by generations of cultural biases, injustices, and inequality. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.'' Mr. Speaker, for years, I have had the honor of serving on the American Heart Association Board where researchers have shared the alarming statistics of how African Americans are 30 percent more likely to die of heart disease and 60 percent more likely to be diabetic than white Americans. The cost of these types of health disparities is simply too high. Estimates indicate that health disparities cost our Nation as much as $300 billion a year, which results in too many Americans suffering unnecessarily because they do not have access to the care they need. Statistics such as these illustrate the increased need to address healthcare disparities by continued investment in Federal programs such as the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at NIH. We cannot shortchange these important Federal programs by putting them in neutral or on pause, Mr. Speaker. We must enact a fully funded omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2017 before leaving Washington--a real simple request of doing your job. This has to stop, Mr. Speaker. I am privileged to be joined this evening by so many members of the Congressional Black Caucus. I am joined by my coanchor, as I mentioned, and you will hear from him shortly. At this time, it gives me great pleasure to have the privilege of yielding to Congressman G.K. Butterfield. He is the Congressional Black Caucus chair from the First District of North Carolina. He is someone whose history and past leadership in fighting for justice and against disparities are far too long for me to appropriately say tonight. So, Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield to Congressman G.K. Butterfield.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials relevant to the subject matter of the discussion.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my honor to yield to my coanchor, my classmate, my friend, the Congressman from the Eighth Congressional District of New York. I wanted to pause for a moment and think about what I would say as he will come as the coanchor, an individual who serves in this Congress, one of Congress' best orators. When I think about him, I thought I would introduce him this way, Mr. Speaker: He is brave and brilliant. He is strong and strategic. He is always prepared and persistent. I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), my coanchor.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, on September 26, 2016, I missed roll call vote 557 and 558. On roll call vote 557, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on final passage of H.R. 3537, the Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2015. On roll call vote 558, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 5392, the No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act. On September 27, 2016, I missed roll call votes 559, 560, 561, and 562. On roll call vote 559, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on ordering the previous question. On roll call vote 560, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on agreeing to the resolution. On roll call vote 561, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on ordering the previous question. On roll call vote 562, had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on agreeing to the resolution.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Thank you, Congressman Jeffries, for mentioning 10-20- 30. You are absolutely right that it would benefit Republican districts and their constituents more than many of our constituents. But I think that is because, when we think of poverty, we think of children and families living in poverty, not Democrats, not Republicans. Our mission here, Mr. Speaker, is to make this place a better place through our legislation for everyone. So I think that is just one example. You mentioned a lot about our history and how far we have come and the roles of other Presidents. I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, for us to also share that we come here tonight almost with a proposition to say to you: We want to work with you on those issues that we have highlighted. So often when we come here, we will hear colleagues say ``We can't work together,'' ``We don't work together,'' or, ``Why don't you just come and work with us?'' I don't want us to leave tonight without leaving the message that we have a lot of work that still needs to be done. I can remember reading back in 1971, Congressman Jeffries, when Richard Nixon was giving his first inaugural address, he refused to meet with the members of the Congressional Black Caucus. They stood up for something. They left the floor and did not stay for his address to the Nation. I say that with mixed feelings, but I say that to make the point of how strongly we believe in what we do. You mentioned the 10-20-30 plan. We had Speaker Ryan come to the Congressional Black Caucus and hear the plan, to get a commitment from him. He represents all of us; and he gave us the nod, as you will remember, on that plan. So I say tonight, let us reflect on all the things that my colleague and the coanchor of this Special Order hour said, because that is what it is. It is our hour to address you, Mr. Speaker, and the Nation about so many of the issues that we want to make sure that, when we leave here, we are not leaving with just promises, but we are leaving with progress.

Mrs. BEATTY. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, to my colleague, I am so honored to be here tonight speaking in this Chamber and to the American people about the Congressional Black Caucus: 45 years of leadership, from promise to progress. You have heard my distinguished colleague and coanchor of our Special Order hour, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, tell and share with us the history of our beginning of the Congressional Black Caucus back on March 30, 1971. We have heard the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas share with us about our members who had the foresight and the vision. What she didn't tell you was that she was the first African American nurse to be elected and to serve in this Congress. Somewhere along the line, Mr. Speaker, I am sure in our rich history someone made the promise that, in the future, we would have a Shirley Chisholm, the promise that some little girl would be able to come to this Congress and serve, and that became a reality with Shirley Chisholm. I am sure some mother said the promise should be that a woman should lead us as a nurse, and then came Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. You see, Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus has been committed to advancing equity and access and equal protection under the law for Black Americans. And while we were established March 30, 1971, it was on that day that a Congressman by the name of Charles C. Diggs, Jr., a Democrat from the great State of Michigan, presented the statement to the President of the United States, which included more than 60 recommendations for executive action on issues for Black America and set the foundation for the promise and the progress of African Americans. We heard my distinguished colleague talk about the hopes and the needs and the dreams. Those were the promises. And that is why it is so important for us to come today and talk about the progress that we have made. Even though you will hear us say 1971, when the Congressional Black Caucus was established, we can trace our legislative history back further through the civil rights efforts of the 1960s, which included such landmark victories as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which we still champion today. Those legislative policy victories of the past demonstrate that when people speak with a singular, powerful voice, Mr. Speaker, we can have a government that works for us; we can fulfill our country's pledge and promise of liberty and justice for all. It was through that statement that the Congressional Black Caucus began its history of advocacy on behalf of the African American community. Since then, for the last 45 years, the Congressional Black Caucus has been the voice for people of color and at-risk communities in our different districts. We have been and remain committed to utilizing the full constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the government to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve the promise of the American Dream, Mr. Speaker. From promise to progress gave us the first African American to hold the distinction of dean of this House, the most senior Member of Congress; and the first African American to swear in the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was Congressional Black Caucus member Congressman John Conyers. From promise to progress has given us a motivating book, ``Blessed Experiences: Genuinely Southern, Proudly Black,'' a story of inspirational words on how an African American boy from the Jim Crow- era South was able to beat the odds, Mr. Speaker, to achieve great success and become, as President Barack Obama describes him, ``One of a handful of people who, when they speak, the entire Congress listens,'' assistant Democratic leader and the third highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, Congressman James E. Clyburn. The 21st president, national president of the largest African American female sorority serves here with us, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge from the 11th Congressional District of my State. From promise to progress, Mr. Speaker, has given us the first Black woman elected to Congress from Alabama and the only Democrat in Alabama's seven-member congressional delegation. That is Congresswoman Terri Sewell. Her first piece of successful legislation recognized the four little girls who tragically lost their lives during the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Mr. Speaker, I hope you can see why it is important for us to be here and to talk about the many promises and, more significantly and of greater importance, the progress that we have made. We are one of the largest Member organizations in the United States House of Representatives, making up 23 percent of the House Democratic Caucus and 10 percent of the entire United States House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, when I think of where the Congressional Black Caucus is today, I think of the shoulders that we stand on. Fifty-one years later, I think of Bloody Sunday where on March 7, 1965, some 600 peaceful participants in a voting rights march from Selma, Alabama, to the State capital in Montgomery were violently attacked by Alabama State Troopers with nightsticks, tear gas, whips, and dogs, as they attempted to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. These brave men and women, Mr. Speaker, were led by civil rights champion, Congressman John Lewis from the Fifth District of Georgia. What a great example of promise to progress. Last year, I had the distinct honor of joining nearly 300,000 others, including 90 bipartisan lawmakers, distinguished guests, civil rights activists, and former Presidents of these United States as we marched, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday over that Edmund Pettus Bridge, marching ourselves from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, from promises to progress. Let me say or remind you again--and I want America to know--there were 90 bipartisan Members. That means Democrats and Republicans. I could say bicameral--Democrat and Republican Senators and Members of this great body that we serve in. Certainly, as we marched and they joined us, they were making a commitment to the progress from those promises that were made 50-some years ago. We come here tonight, my colleague and I, representing the Congressional Black Caucus because we want you, Mr. Speaker, and America to know that when we reflect on our history, it is our culture, it is our passion, and it is our reason and resolve for standing here and standing up for the issues and the legislation that we believe in, that we write and we support. We think it is important for you to have a better understanding why so often we come here and ask that we join together. Mr. Speaker, when I think of our history, I reflect on names like Frederick Douglass, a historic social reformer and statesman; Shirley Chisholm, as I mentioned earlier, the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress; and, yes, Rosa Parks, the mother of the modern civil rights movement. You see, Rosa Parks embodied courage, and she inspired me as a mentor when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a White passenger on December 1, 1955. Some would say she was tired, but I say to you that she was tired not from her day's work as a seamstress, but she was tired from the injustices. I have followed her whole career and was so inspired by her that I wrote the first legislation when I served in the Ohio House of Representatives in this country to honor her on that December 1. Every day since then, I go back to the district and we honor her. You see, she sat down against the odds for something she believed in. I have carried that with me over the years, realizing that there could be a day, but never dreaming that it would be here in this Congress that I, too, would be willing to sit down for something that I believed in. Mr. Speaker, there have been so many issues that I have done that because I want us to have the progress from the promises that I make to my district. The progress, whether it is gun safety, whether it is the progress of making sure that every child has enough food when they go to bed, whether it is making sure that there is an affordable college education for every child that is able to go, whether it is making sure that there is equal pay for equal work, those are just a few of the things that I wanted to make sure that we talked about. Mr. Speaker, it is so important for us to tell our story, our history, and our culture. Hopefully, tonight is more than us just talking. Hopefully, tonight will help Members and the public understand our history and our passion. This week, lastly, let me say how honored I am to be in Washington, D.C., when more than 10,000 people will come to our Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference where we will talk about the issues and we will educate emerging leaders and civil rights leaders, not just all individuals of color. There will be individuals of all backgrounds, races, and ethnicities that will join us in our commitment to fulfill those promises on the progress that we would like to have. We will open the National African American Museum. What an honor it will be to see the great achievements and contributions for those who have so courageously pushed the boundaries and moved our country forward in the name of justice and equality. When I think about moving forward, I cannot help but reflect on the 44th President of these United States. Like many of us--and, Mr. Speaker, maybe even like you--he worked his way through school with the help of scholarship money and a student loan. Yet, maybe it was the progress and the promise of progress that a Martin Luther King, Jr., wanted when he said that he hoped his four children would not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character. Maybe that is why a young Barack Obama pushed forward, went back to his community, and worked and gave service, which is the word that he likes to use so much. It was the service back to the movement and to his community in Chicago; that gave us the progress of having our first African American President, a scholar, someone who has had many firsts. So I say to you that it is indeed my honor that I can stand here on this floor with my colleague as we move forward, the progress as we move forward on the promises of our colleagues.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, let me just say thank you to Congressman Jeffries for that question. If I think of one of my favorite quotes by Shirley Chisholm, Mr. Speaker, she said: ``You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines . . . you make progress by implementing ideas.'' That is what the Congressional Black Caucus does. We don't just come here on the floor and talk about our rich history. We meet, and we strategize, and we go back home to our districts, and we come back, and we write legislation, so there is definitely a need. And I think it will be witnessed all across this country this week when the thousands of thousands of individuals come here because they will have an opportunity to see Congressman Charlie Rangel or Congresswoman Maxine Waters or Congresswoman Robin Kelly because of the issues and what they stand for, and that is why there is a need. When I think of our commitment and conviction, Mr. Speaker, I remember when Congresswoman Robin Kelly said: I won't stand up for moments of silence again until we do something about the shootings and the deaths. She had the courage to walk up to the well and say: I am not being disrespectful, but I want us to really stand for something. So, yes, I want us to have gun safety. I want us to have legislation because we have bipartisan legislation. I want us to bring that to the floor, so I can say in my district, I am standing up for families, I am standing up for safety. You mentioned prison reform. I want us to look at how we can come together as Democrats and Republicans, Mr. Speaker, and pass some bipartisan legislation. When I think of the Congressional Black Caucus and what we represent, when you add it all up together, we cover some 21 States, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands, and we represent some 31 million people. Over half of our Congressional Black Caucus membership are lawyers, people who have studied the laws and understand the procedures and the rules and the regulations. So, yes, there is a need for us to continue the journey. There is a need for us to listen to one another. You see, Mr. Speaker, we don't come here tonight to just talk about us as 46 members of the Congressional Black Caucus. We come here to leave you with a message and to speak to America to say: Just think of what we could do if we worked together. Just think about when you go back home to your district and you say you want us to be safe and you want us to have equal and fair rights; you talk about wanting your children and families to be healthy and educated. So, you see, we have the same message, it seems, until we come to the floor. That is why we come here tonight with strong messages--because we want to make sure that you understand that we believe that we could work together. This week--again, I will say it repeatedly, because it is so important to us--we will have brain trust sessions, Mr. Jeffries, that will talk about how long we have been in this fight for progress for health care, how long we have been in this fight for criminal justice. We will also have workshops like financial literacy and financial services. If we don't come together to educate our communities and our people, if we don't come together to share with you, I believe that we won't be able to understand one another. So the answer is yes and yes: yes, there is a lot of work to continue to be done; and yes, we need to continue to have a Congressional Black Caucus.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of all of those individuals who died or were assaulted trying to register to vote and vote. I rise today in support of all of those individuals who are registering to vote and will vote. I also rise to condemn the assault on Americans' fundamental right to vote. Across the country, including in my home State of Ohio, we are seeing greater restrictions on voting rights following the Shelby County v. Holder decision. It is no secret these laws are designed to make it harder for Americans to vote, specifically, minorities. They are laws like the one passed by the Ohio Legislature taking away ``Golden Week,'' a week-long period allowing individuals, Mr. Speaker, to both register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time. Well, I say enough is enough. Our democracy is stronger when all Americans, not just a few select, are able to vote. As our chaplain said today, let us work together so freedoms flourish. Let us not give up, Mr. Speaker. Let us pass H.R. 885, the Voting Rights Amendment Act, to restore the full power of the Voting Rights Act and right the wrongs created.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I am shocked and devastated by the multiple, tragic deaths occurring across our country. The most recent senseless deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of police and the equally senseless killing of five Dallas police officers were all completely avoidable and intolerable. Words alone cannot describe my heartbreak--nor can words alone bring resolve. Mr. Speaker, our resolve should be real solutions to stop the bloodshed. Enough is enough--the American people are fed up, Congressional Democrats are fed up, the Congressional Black Caucus is fed up, and I am fed up. Republican Leadership should immediately bring to the floor: 1. The Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, H.R. 1217, which would expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales. 2. Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act, H.R. 1076, also known as ``No Fly, No Buy,'' which would allow the FBI to block gun sales to people on the terrorist watch list. 3. Background Check Completion Act, H.R. 3051, which would require that a background check be completed before any gun sale proceeds, and 4. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, H.R. 4603, which would ban the sale of firearms to those convicted of assaulting someone based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. Mr. Speaker, we continue to mourn the loss of lives in Newtown, Aurora, Charleston, Orlando, and so many others. Last month, House Democrats, led by our CBC colleague and iconic civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis from the 5th district of Georgia, held a 26-hour sit-in on the Floor of the House of Representatives to demand House Republican Leaders hold a vote on legislation to address gun violence. Mr. Speaker, after this sit-in, voters will not be silent. Americans across the country are coming together and organizing. In my district, I led a conference call with diverse leaders, activists, elected officials, religious and civic organizations, businesses and individuals in Central Ohio to discuss paving the way forward to curb gun violence and to unite our community. Mr. Speaker, we're not asking for a lot--we are simply asking to save lives. Mr. Speaker, what will it take? Our former colleague, U.S. House Representative Gabrielle Gifford, resigned due to being gun downed while trying to represent her constituents to the fullest. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., ``We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now.'' Mr. Speaker, it is time you heed those words. Our nation is in an urgent crisis, yet, we remain trapped in Congressional inaction.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, first let me thank my good friend and colleague from the First District of Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline) for leading tonight's Special Order hour on the Republicans' decision to leave for 52 days without taking any action to address the gun violence epidemic in this country. Mr. Speaker, as I sat here this evening, listening to my colleague on the other side of the aisle repeatedly talking about this administration and how this administration's work had brought great harm to this America that we live in, well, Mr. Speaker, tonight, as I sit here and listen to my colleagues and to the great history lesson that we just received from Congressman Clyburn in his reminding us of all the things that happened with the Charleston 9, I reflect on just the other day when four Black men went on national TV--not elected officials, not scholars in the world that we represent, but athletes who stood, dressed in black--who were there to honor another athlete, the great Muhammad Ali. Those four young Black men, with young minds, decided that they would take their time on national TV--unrehearsed, unscripted by folks like you and me, Mr. Speaker. I would like to share, just very briefly, what Carmelo Anthony said when he came to the podium. ``Tonight, we cannot ignore the reality of the current state of this America we live in. The events of the past week have put a spotlight on injustice and the distrust and anger that plagues so many of us.'' Mr. Speaker, he said: ``The system is broken. The problems are not new, and the racial divide is definitely not new, but the urgency to create change is at an all-time high.'' Then Chris Paul followed him and said: ``We stand here tonight, accepting our role in uniting communities to be the change we need to see.'' Now, think about that--to go from distrust, Mr. Speaker, to trust and have this young athlete speak like we should be speaking, as Democrats and Republicans, in talking about change. Do you know why they were saying this, Mr. Speaker? It is because innocent lives are being taken because we don't have simple gun laws, because we can't close the loop. Certainly we should have the intellect to understand that if you can't fly, you can't buy. When I listen to my colleagues say that we have not brought before this House laws that we can implement, that is not my responsibility as a Member of this Congress; it is our responsibility. It is not the Democrats' responsibility to do this. It is not the Black men's of the Congressional Black Caucus or the Hispanic men's of their caucus or the Democrats'. Mr. Speaker, we are better than this. It is our united responsibility. When we stand here and make a joke of Black Lives Matter, let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, Black lives do matter--but blue lives matter, and all lives matter. If that mother, like the mother that I am bringing from my Third Congressional District tonight, tells the story of her 13-year-old daughter who was sitting in her kitchen as her windows were riddled with gun bullets that killed that child, that matters to her. Do you think the wife of that murdered police officer doesn't value that blue White life as much? When these young folks come here tonight, many of them representing Black Lives Matter, they will come as these four athletes did on TV the other night. It is because they feel the pain, and they don't have an outlet, they don't have a place. They could march anywhere, but they are marching at the United States Capitol. Do you know why? They are coming here hoping for hope. They are coming here hoping for leadership. They are coming here hoping that we will unite one another and bring that trust. Let me now tell you what the next speaker, Dwayne Wade said. ``The racial profiling has to stop. The shoot-to-kill mentality has to stop. Not seeing the value of Black and Brown bodies has to stop.'' Then let me tell you, as he ended with ``enough is enough'' and, ``As athletes, we challenge you, America,'' then LeBron James, from my great State of Ohio, came to the microphone and said: ``We all feel helpless and frustrated by the violence, but that is not acceptable. It's time to look in the mirror and ask ourselves: What are we doing to create change?'' He knew that night that that was not what he was there to do, but he said it was his legacy that he wanted to talk about, and he wanted to use that moment in time for a call to action. Mr. Speaker, I come with that same call to action tonight. I come to say to you that you should be better than what we are doing. I am not pleased that it is empty on this side of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, I want America to know that I came here tonight willing to stand up and to talk to the thousands of folks who will come with that pain, with that anger. I want them to know that, as Democrats, we are here today because we know we can be so much better. We are not asking for a lot. We are asking for four simple bills. I won't walk you through them because you have heard them, Mr. Speaker. You have heard my colleagues repeatedly today through 1-minutes, through 5-minutes, through a Special Order hour, come and ask for help. I don't know what more we can do tonight, but as you go home, I ask you to think about those lives that were taken, whether it was an innocent, young boy, a Trayvon Martin, a Tamir Rice, a Jordan Davis, or a Sandra Bland, whether it were those children at Newtown, whether it was someone in a theater or on a football field or in a restaurant, whether it was in Minnesota or in Baton Rouge or, yes, whether it was the Emanuel nine in South Carolina, or whether it were those innocent police officers in Dallas. I will sleep well tonight, Mr. Speaker, and I want America to know that I will sleep well tonight because I came here to unite the communities, to unite Democrats and Republicans. I want America to know that I am talking to an empty audience of seats on the other side of the aisle because they went home. I say to you: America deserves better. The innocent families who lost their loved ones deserve better. Yet, we are trapped here with the inactivity of Congress. We deserve to do more for our communities.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, today, the House adjourns for a 7-week recess, and House Republicans are leaving town for 52 days without any action to address the many issues before our great Nation. Yet, we find ourselves trapped, trapped in congressional inaction, with Speaker Ryan telling the American people: See you in September. Trapped because Republicans have failed to bring legislation to the House floor that would address our Nation's gun violence epidemic. Trapped in the height of summer because House Republicans have failed to provide critical resources to respond to the Zika health crisis. Trapped, and the residents of Flint are still waiting for Congress to do something to help them. Mr. Speaker, we are trapped with do-nothing Republican leadership. We should not be leaving today for 52 days in the face of so many pressing needs. We should stay here. We should work together. We should move legislation that protects the American people. It is what our constituents expect and, most importantly, they deserve that. We should not be trapped.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately on July 11, 2016, I missed roll call vote 401. On roll call vote 401, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on final passage of H.R. 5602, ``To amend title 31, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to include all funds when issuing certain geographic targeting orders, and for other purposes.''

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate John F. Wolfe, longtime owner of The Columbus Dispatch and Central Ohio philanthropist, who passed away on June 24, 2016. John was a prominent figure in the State of Ohio, and a champion for Columbus his entire life. He took up the family business, joining The Dispatch Printing Company after graduating from Washington and Lee University in 1965. He worked tirelessly, climbing the ranks of the business and being elected company President and CEO. In 1975, he was elected publisher of The Columbus Dispatch. His hard work and dedication resulted in his election to Chairman of the Board of The Dispatch Printing Company in 1994. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Mr. Wolfe led a long and prosperous life, brightening the lives of all of those who were fortunate enough to know him. A life-long champion of the City of Columbus, he was one of the city's greatest advocates. He was truly committed to improving the city, as he dedicated much of his time and resources to Columbus citizens, businesses, and organizations--aiding in any way possible. He contributed to countless nonprofits, initiatives, and organizations throughout the city, in addition to founding many organizations of his own. He was instrumental in establishing the Columbus Partnership amongst a host of other organizations, in addition to serving on the boards of over 20 businesses and civic, educational, and philanthropic organizations throughout Central Ohio. Throughout his prestigious career, Mr. Wolfe received numerous well- deserved honors and special recognitions, and awards, including public service awards from the FBI, the Ohio Newspaper Association, the Ohio Hospital Association, and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. He also was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Franklin University, Otterbein College and The Ohio State University. John is survived by his loving wife and three daughters. I offer them my prayers and hope that they find comfort in their wonderful memories and having been touched by such an outstanding person.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, today I join my colleagues to pay tribute to former Ohio Congressman Delbert Latta. While I did not have the opportunity to serve with ``Del''--as he was known--I am pleased to serve in the Ohio Delegation with his son, Congressman Bob Latta, who represents his father's former District-- Ohio's Fifth District. And I know that Del would be proud of his son's record here in the House of Representatives. While many Members here tonight have or will mention Del's achievements, given his tenure in the House, his accomplishments are certainly worth repeating. Del served our nation proudly as a member of the Ohio National Guard and the U.S. Army from 1938 to 1941 and in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1942 to 1943. However, his service to the great state of Ohio and our nation did not end with his military career. After serving in the Army and Marine Corps Reserve, Del received his undergraduate and law degrees from Ohio Northern University, and was elected to the Ohio Senate in 1952. Six years later, in 1958, he was elected to the House of Representatives and served in the people's House for 15 terms before retiring in 1988. During his tenure in the House, he served as the dean of the Ohio Congressional delegation as well as the top Republican on the House Budget Committee. During the Watergate hearings, he was appointed to the House Judiciary Committee. Outside of the Halls in Congress, Del was a devoted father and husband, and he is survived by his wife, Rose Mary, his two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. From his record, surely he will be missed by many at home, in Ohio, and in Washington.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, when will we have legislation to help stop the gun violence? Orlando, Charleston, San Bernardino, Newtown, Aurora, Fort Hood, Virginia Tech--and, yes, the list goes on. It seems like every few days we see yet another shooting and more scores of innocent lives cut short. I believe, like the majority of Americans, I am ready to wake up from this nightmare. I know many in this Chamber, Mr. Speaker, feel the same way, too. Well, it is time for Congress to act. We don't have to look for motivation. The outpouring of love and coming together following the Charleston 9 shooting, just 365 days ago tomorrow, brought down a symbol of racism and hate that hung for more than a century. Mr. Speaker, let our actions and collective resolve in the wake of Charleston serve as an example for long-overdue action on guns in the wake of Orlando. The American people need us to be united, to come together strong. I want to thank Columbus, Ohio, in my district, for being Columbus strong against hatred, discrimination, and the violence against our LGBT community and other communities. I am Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, and I am asking this House and Speaker Ryan to do the same.