Anthony Brown

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, again and again we hear a common refrain when a mass shooting happens, a young man, typically under the age of 21, legally purchases a semiautomatic rifle and murders innocent people. We saw this in Uvalde; we saw this in Buffalo; we saw this in Indianapolis in 2021; and we saw this in Parkland in 2019. In fact, six of the nine deadliest mass shootings since 2018 were by young men who should never have been allowed to purchase these weapons in the first place. Right now, you must be 21 in this country to buy a handgun but only need to be 18 years old to buy a semiautomatic rifle capable of committing unspeakable tragedies. I served in the military. I trained with these weapons. I know what they can do. These weapons of war have no place in our neighborhoods, let alone in the hands of an untrained 18-year-old boy. The answer is simple--raise the age needed to purchase these weapons to 21, in line with the age to purchase handguns. We have bipartisan support for this: Democrats, Republicans, gun safety advocates, law-abiding citizens and responsible gun owners, teachers, and veterans, because it is common sense. Shooting after shooting, we ask ourselves what more could we have done. We debate whether one action could have saved the lives of those children, those mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and neighbors. I am done with that. It is time for action. Raising the age to buy these weapons won't solve our Nation's gun violence epidemic overnight, but if we can make it just a little harder for someone to get their hands on these deadly weapons, if we can save just one life or one community from this carnage and grief, it will be worth it. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Raise the age to buy these deadly weapons. Enough is enough.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay final tribute to retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles E. McGee, who died peacefully in his sleep January 16, 2022 at his Bethesda, Maryland home at the age of 102 years old. McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 7, 1919. He was among eight remaining Tuskegee Airmen combat pilots out of the 355 that were assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group during WWII in Europe. In addition, he flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam accumulating a total of 6,308 flying hours and 409 fighter combat missions during his 30-year active-duty military career. He enlisted in the U.S. Army October 26, 1942, while studying engineering at the University of Illinois, and earned his pilot's wings June 30, 1943. By February 1944, he was stationed in Italy with the 302nd Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, flying his first mission on February 14. He flew the Bell P-39Q Airacobra, Republic P- 47D Thunderbolt and the North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft, escorting Consolidated B-24 Liberator and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers over Germany. Austria, and the Balkans. During missions, he also engaged in low level attacks over enemy airfields and rail yards. On August 24, 1944, McGee, while escorting B- 17s over Czechoslovakia, engaged a formation of Luftwaffe fighters and shot down a Focke Wulf 190. McGee flew a total of 137 combat missions. He was promoted to Captain and returned to the United States on December 1, 1944. He became an instructor pilot on the North American B-25 Mitchell bombers at Tuskegee Army Air Field that another unit of the Tuskegee Airmen was readying to deploy to the Pacific Theater. He remained there until 1946, when the base was closed. After World War II, McGee was sent to Lockbourne Air Field, Columbus, Ohio, to become the base operation and training officer. Later in 1948, he was posted to an Aircraft Maintenance Technical Course and was assigned to an air refueling unit. When the Korean War broke out, he flew North American P-51 Mustangs, later redesignated by the Air Force as F-51s, again in the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, completing 100 missions, and being promoted to Major. McGee continued to serve with the United States Air Force as it was reconstituted as a fighter pilot, flying the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star and the Northrop F-89 Scorpion aircraft. During the Vietnam War, as a Lieutenant Colonel, McGee flew 172 combat missions in a McDonnell RF-4 photo reconnaissance aircraft. His plane was hit by enemy fire twice--during the Korean conflict and again years later near Laos, both times on his right wing. After a series of other assignments, both in the United States as well as in Italy and Germany, and promotion to colonel, McGee retired on January 31, 1973. He ended his military career with 6,308 flying hours. McGee was recognized for his combat and military service with a number of awards including: Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Hellenic Republic World War II Commemorative Medal, along with related campaign and service ribbons. After his military service, McGee held many prestigious functional and honorary positions in the field of aviation. In 1978, at the age of 58, he completed the college degree at Columbia College in Kansas City, over thirty years after his initial enrollment at the University of lllinois. Though interrupted by World War II, attaining a college degree had been a lifelong goal. McGee served as the Director of the Kansas City airport and as a member of the Aviation Advisory Commission. For over 30 years, he was an ambassador of the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (TAI), a nonprofit, giving numerous public addresses. He received numerous accolades, including the National Aeronautical Association's ``Elder Statesman of Aviation.'' McGee served two terms as National President of Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 approved the honorary promotion of documented original Tuskegee Airman, United States Air Force Colonel (Retired) Charles E. McGee, to Brigadier General. McGee was a torchbearer, consistently emphasizing the significance and lasting legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen on the U.S. military and American society. It was the Tuskegee Airmen he said that ``right the wrong those that believed Blacks were not able to master sophisticated equipment, that Blacks lacked courage, and that Blacks did not have the wherewithal to fight a determined enemy. It was the Tuskegee Airmen that ended up with a stellar WWII aviation war record and thereby edged the military toward integration and America away from segregation.'' Brigadier General McGee and his late wife, the former Frances E. Nelson of Champaign, Illinois, raised three children, became grandparents of ten and great grandparents of many more. He will be greatly missed; however, his legacy will live on as a source of inspiration for generations to come. I wish retired Air Force Brigadier General Charles E. McGee `high flight.'

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th Anniversary of The Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department and pay tribute to Leroy and Lillian Gorham's first born children; Jean, Ruth and Leroy, Jr. On Saturday August 23, 1946 these children perished in a house fire at 1302 51st Street in the Prince George's County Community of Deanwood Park. The tragic loss of these three young lives was the cause for the establishment of The Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department; Maryland's First All-African American Fire Company. Jean had just celebrated her 5th birthday and was slated to attend kindergarten in the fall, Ruth was a typical 2-year-old toddler and Leroy, Jr. was 11-months old and had taken his first unassisted steps that day. The Gorham family lived in the middle unit of a 3-unit house, where the fire engulfed all 3 units of the house. Neighbor and good friend Roy Lee Jordan attempted to save the children, but was unsuccessful. The first fire department on the scene that day was from the District of Columbia. With the fire hydrant connections not being compatible, Engine Company 27 had to run their hoses across the busy thoroughfare of Eastern Ave. from the District of Columbia side to the Maryland side. According to those in the community, the nearby white fire stations in Maryland, which were minutes away from the Gorham's home, often responded slowly or not at all to emergencies in the surrounding African American communities. The loss of his three children in a house fire was the motivation behind Mr. Gorham and his friend Roy Lee Jordan's personal mission to form a fire department and spare others the pain he suffered firsthand. Mobilized by this tragedy and determined not to let another person perish because of the racial discord, before the end of the year without any formal knowledge, experience or equipment; Mr. Gorham and Mr. Jordan along with members of the Deanwood Park and Chapel Oaks Communities founded the Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department. They started out in the 5700 Block of Sheriff Road in a barn rented to them by Ms. Eleanor Dodson, where they operated a small used fire engine. By August of 1947 the next year, they had a fire engine and a fire truck on Sheriff Road. Just as they were starting to make headway, in September a fire started in their makeshift firehouse; causing major damage to the building and damaging their second fire engine that was under repair. Not to be discouraged, the men of this community worked evenings and weekends mixing mortar and laying bricks to build a cinder block building with their own hands to replace the old barn that was destroyed. This experience showed the men of this community that delivery of emergency services was not only a need, but a calling to fulfill. It was this innate spirit that they often had to lean on for strength to overcome the challenges and roadblocks they were faced with. They had to put up with blatant racial discrimination. They were called racial slurs and spat on. And orders given by Black fire officers being ignored by white fire fighters. Other fire companies supported Chapel Oaks privately, secretly leaving their old equipment at the firehouse when no one was around or selling their used fire engines. Chapel Oaks also had to deal with the fact that the county fire association only accepted white males and Chapel Oaks VFD did not receive official calls. Yet they responded to alerts by their neighbors and often arrived before the officially dispatched units. It was routine for these fire fighters to respond to calls in their area without being dispatched. This level of dedication was a commendable, but it came at a cost. There were attempts to run their engines off the road while responding to a call and other fire companies taking credit for rescues made by Chapel Oaks was commonplace. To meet the requirements to have two Class A fire service vehicles, this resilient group of men and grateful community put on bake sales, sold dinners, had carnival and held various fundraisers to raise money to buy a new fire engine. One volunteer was a businessman who put up his gas station as collateral, nine others took out second mortgages on their homes to support the effort to buy their first piece of new fire apparatus, a 1957 FWD. Property at 5312 Sheriff Rd. was purchased for the organization by Mr. Charles Lancaster and the members once again set out to build their new firehouse. Eleven years after being formed in December 1957 Chapel Oaks VFD had a brand-new engine, to move into their newly constructed firehouse that they owned and still own to this day. A decade and a half after being inspired to train and equip themselves, raising fund to buy their own vehicles, and building two firehouses. You would think that Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department would have done enough to have proven their commitment to the fire service and their value to the county. This was not the case as they entered the 1960's and they were still not members of the Prince Georges' County Fireman's Association. Membership in this organization was important not only because of the network of fire fighters to glean information from and the official training opportunities; but most important was the eligibility to share in the county fire tax that would pay for operating expenses. Chapel Oaks had to petition the state legislature for a share of the fire tax-receiving 7 percent to other stations 31 percent-and residents complained that their local company was not automatically dispatched. Almost 25 years since the tragic Deanwood Park fire, in March of 1971, Chapel Oaks was fed up with the obvious discrimination and filed suit against Prince George's County. The suit alleged noncompliance with the call system and the need for a new firehouse. At the time, equipment had broken down that impaired response times to its constituents and the station sought emergency funding from the county. Willie Rodney, Fire Station 38's chief at the time, summed up the frustration with the need for the lawsuit. ``We do the same job and come to the same standards as the other companies. But all we've been getting are promises, promises, promises.'' County Executive William W. Gallett threatened to withhold the request for emergency funding because of the pending lawsuit. The county council granted the funding. By 1980 a new station was built and Chapel Oaks Prince George's County Fire Department included them in their system by designating the Engine No. 38. They also became members of the volunteer association attending annual convention, winning many parade trophies and garnering much deserved respect for their accomplishments. Chapel Oaks has been a great asset to the community not only for delivery of emergency services, but the numerous lives that have been enhanced by their experience after serving with Chapel Oaks. Among them are Mr. Luther Cruchfeild who was the First African American to be hired by Prince George's County Fire Department and Retired Fire Inspector Lenard Lewis was hired later and became the first African American to be promoted. There also was a young teen named Johnathan Bolden who just hung around the firehouse giving him something productive to do. Now a local businessman he has served in many positions at Chapel Oaks, VFD including Chief. As one of the few African American instructors he has filled a vital role at the University of Maryland College Park Fire Rescue Institute, and is a Prince Georges' County Fire Commissioner. He credits Chapel Oaks and the fire fighters there for nurturing his interest in the fire service and setting the foundation for his work ethic. There are generations of fire fighters serving in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia fire departments that have been motivated, trained and mentored by The Chapel Oaks Fire VFD. They can always use good people and are excited about the opportunity to find new recruits, welcome them in the Chapel Oaks Family and train another generation of fire fighters. The tragic death of Jean, Ruth and Leroy, Jr. was the driving force for their parents to create a legacy for them. They were determined that their children's death would not be in vain. Mr. Gorham held numerous offices during his 54-year career at the Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department, including Chief, President and Chairman of the Board. He was a very active life member. His wife Lillian was also a member of the Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in the early years of its formation. With this year being the 75th Anniversary of the tragic fire which took these three young lives. I would like to pay tribute to Jean Gorham, Ruth Gorham and Leroy Gorham, Jr. They have done more in their death than many get to do in their lives. I would like to acknowledge the strength of their parents Leroy and Lillian Gorham. I would also like to recognize Mr. Roy Lee Jordan for his heroism and bravery, along with his determination to assist in the legacy of the three children that he was unable to save. I would be remiss not to commend the aforementioned communities and the countless numbers of people who have helped build, grow and maintain Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department. In addition, I want to thank the current leadership of Engine 38 ``The Oaks'' as they continue to provide services to Prince George's County. On this 75th Anniversary I wish all the best to future members of Engine 38 and their contributions to the fire service and Prince George's County.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, today I honor a superb leader and Army liaison for her tireless commitment to the United States Army with over 14 years of service to the Nation serving in the Army Office of the Legislative Liaison, culminating as the Deputy Division Chief of the Army House Liaison Division. As Ms. Jodi Mitchell transitions to her next assignment as a Department of the Army Civilian, I believe it is fitting to recognize her dedication to fostering the relationship between the United States Army and this Chamber. Ms. Mitchell's commitment to service and leader development enabled her to excel in numerous leadership positions throughout her time serving as a Department of the Army Civilian. Over the course of 14 years, while serving in many key legislative liaison assignments, she has continued the tradition of strengthening the relationships between Members of Congress and their staffs with the United States Army. Ms. Mitchell's relentless commitment proved invaluable in providing support to the House of Representatives and our constituents. She has spent countless hours ensuring our Members were educated on Army combat systems, modernization programs and policy initiatives. She also managed and led multiple Congressional Delegations to various locations around the globe. Ms. Mitchell has become a trusted adviser and friend to many of us, distinguishing herself by continuously going above and beyond the call of duty to serve the needs of Congress. This Chamber will feel Ms. Mitchell's absence. I join many past and present Members of Congress in my gratitude and appreciation to Ms. Mitchell for her outstanding leadership and unwavering support. This nation is grateful for her commitment and the personal sacrifices she has made during her time in the Army Legislative Liaison Office. On behalf of the United States House of Representatives and the United States of America, I commend Ms. Jodi Mitchell for her tireless dedication in support of our Army, our Soldiers and this Nation. I congratulate her on an extremely successful career, dedicated to service, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, on his retirement in September 2021, we rise today to thank Mr. Calvin Ware for his over 22 years of outstanding service to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Logistics and Support Team. Calvin began his career in 1990 working at the Smithsonian Institution, in the housekeeping department. He left to pursue other job opportunities, until he secured a job on Capitol Hill. Calvin first began working as a temporary employee with the Logistics Department in the Labor Room for about two years. He left for a brief period to work at Home Depot, then received a phone call from George Simler, a former Manager, who implored him to apply for a full-time opening in the Logistics Department. He was immediately hired, thus began his 22-year career with the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). While he started in the Labor Room, Calvin was soon asked to work in the Rayburn Penthouse, where cages were stored with excess furniture, a position which required a level of responsibility and dependability. He moved around the organization, working for the Office Supply Store, reporting to John Hodges, Manager and Tom Coyne, Director. Calvin proved himself to be a reliable employee, and as such, was tasked to work in the Logistics equipment room for several years, providing check-out access to Audio/Visual equipment, and the use of the government fleet of vehicles. It was in this position that he had a lot of access to Members and their staff. When this function was reassigned, Calvin moved over to become a Receiving and Warehousing Specialist tasked with checking on excess furniture in the hallways of the Congressional Buildings. Ironically, he is again reporting to his former Director, Tom Coyne, now the Chief Logistics Officer for Logistics & Support (L&S). It is in this position that Calvin will retire his career. Calvin remembers back to the first CAO, Jay Eagen, who used to meet with the Logistics staff on a variety of issues. Jay developed a program for extended schooling for staff to complete their High School level education and to receive a diploma. While Calvin had previously attended Anacostia High School, he never completed his schooling. Through this opportunity, Calvin was able to complete and receive his diploma, and even considered going on to higher education, but instead elected to go to work full-time. Calvin remembers fondly, his favorite boss, Freddie Bowles, Manager, Logistics, who retired a few years back. He credits Freddie with mentoring him and showing him the ropes. Some other bosses who also had a great impact on him were Bobby Small, Manager, Allen King, Supervisor, and Kevin Chambers, former Supervisor. He built many fond memories with this staff and credits them with enhancing his enjoyment of his government job. One such memory that stands out is the time Mohamad Ali was scheduled to visit Capitol Hill. The entire campus was abuzz with excitement, and word was out that he was in the Cannon Caucus Room. He missed his first opportunity to see the legend but received a phone call later that day that he would be in the Capitol. When Calvin arrived for a shot of the fighter, there were mobs of people surrounding him. While on standby, he started talking to a coworker, who arranged for him to meet in a Member's office later that day, where he was able to meet the king in person had a special picture taken with Mohammed Ali and his daughter, Layla, who also became a boxer in her own right. He later met the famous singer, Glen Campbell, and ran into countless other singers and celebrities he could rarely get close to. In reflecting over his long career, Calvin recalls just where he was on 9/11. Since he had a late arrival to work, he was home and did not have the news on. When he finally turned on the news, he saw the President talking about the unfolding tragedy. Unsure of his next move, Calvin decided to try and make it into work, but when he drew nearer to the Capitol complex, he saw the black smoke emanating from the Pentagon, and immediately turned around and returned home. During the Anthrax scare, Calvin and his team went to the undisclosed location and were tasked with building cubicles for the Members and their staff. Each Member had to have a full PC/monitor set up and Calvin was instrumental in unpacking and delivering these items and other supplies, ensuring the Legislative work of the House could successfully continue. During the earthquake of 10 years ago, Calvin was on Capitol Hill. Once he saw the room sway, he began to evacuate the building remembers the former Chief, Jerry Bennet, standing in the hallways until everyone was evacuated. Calvin is a well-known lover of all types of music, and possesses a fine singing voice himself, honed by singing in the church choir. As a former football player, basketball player, and boxer, most people remember him as an ardent Washington Football Team fan. Calvin often came to work wearing remnants of the Washington gear and credits his love for football to his Dad, who used to play semi-Pro football, and engaged his young son into the sport. In retirement, Calvin would like to spend more time with his family, three sisters, and many children he helped to raise. On behalf of the entire House community, we extend congratulations to Calvin Ware for his many years of dedication and outstanding contributions to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish him many wonderful years in retirement and in pursuit of future endeavors.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Madam Speaker, today I honor a superb leader, liaison and soldier for her tireless commitment to the United States Army which include three years of service with the Army Office of the Legislative Liaison. During 2019, Major Brittany Weightman served in the Washington office of the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland and went on to serve as an Army Legislative Liaison in the Senate. As Major Brittany Weightman prepares to go to the Defense Programs Support Activity, in Elkridge, Maryland, I believe it is fitting to recognize her dedication to fostering the relationship between the U.S. Army and Congress. Major Weightman was essential to the office. She worked to solidify important legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act, proved invaluable in educating Members and staff on Army combat systems, modernization programs, and policy initiatives. Major Weightman has deployed three times: twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. She is the recipient of the multiple Bronze Star Medals, Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medals, and many other deserved awards. I am thankful for her commitment to America and this Chamber will feel Major Weightman's absence. I join many past and present Members of Congress in my gratitude and appreciation to Major Weightman for her outstanding leadership and unwavering support.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, due to a meeting with senior Department of Defense officials, I was late to arriving to the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 247. Stated against:

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Thaddeus C. Sheehy, Sr., upon his retirement from 25 years of coaching Maryland's youth through club lacrosse. Coach Sheehy served the community as a dedicated volunteer, coaching Maryland's sons by not only teaching them the game of lacrosse but also instilling in them life lessons along the way. This commitment to help build character in his players and ensure their growth as leaders also extended to his own family, as Mr. Sheehy coached his three sons, Thaddeus, Jr., Sean, and Liam. Coach Sheehy, a 1988 graduate of Saint Mary's Parish High School located in downtown Annapolis, learned the importance of servant leadership through Saint Mary's varsity lacrosse program. Coach Sheehy took this servant leadership philosophy into the Annapolis Lacrosse Club Bay Raiders, with the mission to help young men get better at the sport they love while giving back to their community and those who protect it. Francis McAndrews, who coached with Mr. Sheehy for 18 years including his last season as the Face-Off Coach of the Bay Raiders, commended his dedication and skills noting, ``Coach Sheehy placed the development of the entire player at the forefront of the team's priorities. For 18 years I worked alongside him to build leadership through the C-4: character, commitment, confidence, and courage in our young men, and I am proud to call Tad my friend. Tad had a successful style of building character through humor and was known to give each boy on the team a nickname--and very often those nicknames stuck well after their lacrosse careers!'' Coach Sheehy could often be heard asking his players--``what have you done for your academics, what have you done for your family, and what have you done for lacrosse today?'' Sheehy coached the Annapolis Lacrosse Club Bay Raiders to be Maryland State Champions in 2015 and helped to take four teams to Anne Arundel County Champions in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Coaching Award by the Annapolis Lacrosse Club Bay Raiders, while at his last lacrosse tournament on June 20, 2021. I am honored to recognize Coach Sheehy today for his 25-year commitment to help shape Maryland's young men and athletes into servant leaders, and for his leading by example through his service to the Annapolis community.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Chairman DeFazio, Chairwoman Norton, and Chairman Payne for their leadership. This bill will get our infrastructure working again; fund new, transformative projects; and create good-paying American jobs. We need 21st century infrastructure that meets the challenges facing the Nation, and that is exactly what the INVEST in America Act will do: With investments in our communities, including more than $6.2 billion to Maryland's highway and transit systems; With an emphasis on equity, including $3 billion to reconnect neighborhoods, particularly communities of color separated from local economic opportunities and divided by decades of bad infrastructure policy; And with a modern approach to growth and development, including $134 million to promote Transit Oriented Development needed to create thriving and inclusive communities around our transit hubs, and promote safe multimodal transits in communities like New Carrollton in my district. Mr. Speaker, this is a historic investment in America, and I urge its adoption.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first recognize the hard work and the leadership of Chairman Bobby Scott and the entire Education and Labor Committee on this outstanding underlying bill. When older workers lose their jobs, they are much more likely to join the ranks of the long-term unemployed. Unfortunately, discrimination seems to be a significant factor in this. Enforcement statistics from the EEOC show age discrimination complaints are climbing. In 2000, the EEOC received roughly 16,000 complaints of age discrimination, and 17 years later, the EEOC received 20,000 complaints that year, accounting for 23 percent of all discrimination charges filed. As Ms. Williams mentioned, a 2018 survey conducted by the AARP found that three in five workers age 45 and older have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act would restore legal protections for older Americans and hold employers accountable for age discrimination. My amendment would require the EEOC to submit annual reports to Congress on the number of age discrimination claims brought under this act. Congress needs this information in a timely and transparent way to ensure our older workers are being properly protected and heard. Discrimination is discrimination, whether it be age, race, gender, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and all should be treated fairly under the law. My amendment and the underlying bill are commonsense pieces of legislation that would restore fairness for all workers. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this amendments en bloc and the underlying legislation.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Lee for her leadership on repealing the 2002 AUMF. That was the authorization that sent me and hundreds of thousands of servicemen and -women to Iraq since the invasion in 2003. The justification for that war was fundamentally flawed. But to be certain, the purpose of the 2002 AUMF established a broad military mission in Iraq. Yet, I have no doubt that that mission that we were given has been completed. And, sadly, the Nation has lost more than 4,400 brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who were engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is time for us, for Congress and the American people, to formally recognize the end of America's 2002 mission in Iraq. This is an important first step. As Congress, once again, reasserts its responsibility in the use of our military forces by authorizing frameworks that address current threats to our Nation and that we authorize the use of military force only as the last resort.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, a year ago, this pandemic changed our country; and during this year, more than 525,000 Americans have died from the virus, including 7,800 Marylanders. Too many jobs have been lost, too many families are struggling, and too many businesses have shuttered. The American Rescue Plan provides a lifeline for our country. The average family of four in my district will receive approximately $10,000 of direct assistance. With another round of stimulus checks and the expansion of the child tax credit, we will get families back on their feet and cut child poverty in half. The American Recuse Plan will also aid our communities during this crisis, funding that will expand vaccinations, especially in Black and Brown communities; money to help safely open schools; and assistance to keep teachers, transit workers, and other public servants on the job. This unprecedented crisis calls on us to meet the moment with decisive action. Mr. Speaker, the American Rescue Plan is that decisive action.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the one-year anniversary of Chief Tiffany Green, Chief of Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. In November 2018, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks made history as the first African American woman elected to lead a county government in Maryland. Upon Prince George's County's Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale's announced retirement, County Executive Alsobrooks appointed Chief Green who became the First African American Woman to lead a fire department in the history of the State of Maryland and only the 9th African American Woman to hold the position of fire chief in the United States of America. She inherited a department with a call volume of 152,000, a total of 638 pieces of apparatus (including command and support vehicles) with 266 specifically outfitted for fire suppression, rescue, or emergency transport. Tiffany D. Green, a native Prince Georgian, began her career as a firefighter with the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department in March of 1999, after serving as a volunteer for the Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Department for four years. As an almost 26-year fire services veteran, Tiffany holds dual bachelor's degrees in Public Safety and Biology and a master's degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. Climbing up the ranks, she has served in the following capacities prior to her role as a Command Staff member: Firefighter, Paramedic, Station Commander, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety, Chief of Staff for the Director of Homeland Security, Special Events Coordinator and Stadium Commander for Fed Ex field. As Deputy Fire Chief she was responsible for Human Resources, Fiscal Affairs, Information Management, Risk Management and the Office of Service Excellence, Accreditation & Research. As Director of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Training and Leadership Academy, her primary responsibilities were training and professional development for over 900 sworn personnel and 1,200 volunteer members of the department. She also managed the High School Fire Science (Cadet) Program, a program for high school students who are interested in working in the Fire Services profession. On January 15, 2020, Chief Green's nomination was unanimously approved following a review of her exemplary over 20 years of service, her impressive record and support from many public safety and government officials. Chief Green made history as Prince George's County's first woman, first dual fire fighter/paramedic and youngest fire chief. County Executive Alsobrooks, in her nomination, made sure to emphasize Green's wealth of experience and high ranking on each and every promotional exam--the lieutenant's test, the captain's exam, and battalion chief's exam. According to County Executive Alsobrooks, Chief Green is far and away the most qualified person to lead the Prince George's County Fire/ EMS Department at this time. According to Chief Green, her decision to serve her community as a volunteer fire fighter ``changed the trajectory of [her] life.'' She recognizes the women whose shoulders she is standing on today. ``Pioneers'' like Maureen Hennessy, Angela Peden and the late Carla Blue who gave Chief Green their Keys to Success. And, Chief Green has vowed to ``lead this department forward, to continue to be accountable, professional and community-centered.'' Her leadership of the 1,062 Sworn and 1,500 volunteers has already proven to be a success on a national level. The Congressional Fire Services Institute and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation selected the Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department as the combination fire department recipient of the 2020 Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award, named in honor of the late former Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes. The award recognizes fire departments and organizations for leadership in advancing firefighter health and safety, who have developed important health and safety programs for their personnel that are based on the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives established at the 2004 Tampa Summit. Congratulations to Chief Green on this momentous occasion, and much appreciation to her husband Alfred, and daughter Talore, for sharing her with Prince Georges County.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, Lloyd Austin, as we have heard, would be our country's first African-American Secretary of Defense. His confirmation is more than a symbolic milestone towards genuine integration of the Department of Defense; it is a substantive answer to many of the challenges that the military faces. What are those challenges, Mr. Speaker? White supremacy and extremism. There is a dramatic rise in White supremacists and racist hate groups within our military. They actively recruit from our uniformed ranks. A Military Times survey found an alarming rise in White supremacist and racist ideology in the military. What are those challenges, Mr. Speaker? The lack of diversity inclusion at our highest ranks and in our coveted career fields. Racial and ethnic groups make up more than 40 percent of the Nation's military, but there is a significant lack of diversity in civilian and military leadership at the most senior levels, due in large part to systemic racial bias in promotion and assignment boards. This hurts the military, our readiness and our effectiveness. Who are those challenges, Mr. Speaker? The military isn't immune from the racial injustice that we see in the broader criminal justice system. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice today, a Black servicemember is two times more likely to be court-martialed or punished. These are real challenges that erode the effectiveness of our military. That is why we need a leader like Lloyd Austin. He understands the complexities of the military and the challenges our country faces. His lived experience and his professional record cry out for a waiver to lead the Department of Defense. President Biden is committed to civilian control of the military, protecting our men and women in uniform, and restoring American leadership. President Biden has confidence in Lloyd Austin, and so should we. He is the right man for this moment for our military. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the waiver of soon-to-be Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Department of Defense.

Mr. BROWN

Mr. BROWN. Madam Speaker, a week ago, Americans and this Chamber lived through one of our darkest days. The Commander in Chief incited a mob of insurrectionists to overturn the results of a free and fair election through terror and intimidation. They failed, but this violence took its toll. People died; our country's temple of democracy was vandalized; and our image as the world's leading democracy was shaken. President Trump represents a real threat to our national security, our democratic institutions, and the people of this country. We cannot let Donald Trump, who actively orchestrated sedition, lead our Nation's government for another 7 days. We cannot wait until January 20. Donald Trump must be removed.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the exemplary service of my now former chief of staff, Maia Hunt Estes. Maia has been an indispensable adviser and confidante to me for more than a decade, including my first days in Congress and during my tenure as Maryland's Lieutenant Governor. It is fair to say that I wouldn't be here today without her extraordinary counsel. I could count on Maia day and night to get the job done. Maia brought an unmatched level of commitment to every issue, every challenge, every single fight, every constituent case, no matter how big or small. Throughout our time together, Maia has provided strategic advice and clear-eyed leadership on national security and defense, transportation and infrastructure. Maia served as my key liaison to the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic leadership on core issues to me and the people of Maryland. Her deep understanding of the issues, candid advice, insightful opinions, and passionate drive for serving others has helped me deliver for my State, my constituents, our servicemembers, and our country. Maia served as a mentor for my team, both in my district office and on Capitol Hill. She led my staff to always put the needs of our constituents first and work hard to enact real change. I look forward to seeing the great work that Maia will do as she takes on new challenges and, no doubt, excels. Maia, thank you very much for your years of service. You have made a difference in the lives of many, and I know you will continue to do so in the years ahead.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 1253 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 51) correcting the enrollment of S. 1869, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California, my good friend, Mr. Huffman, for yielding time. I also thank Chairman Grijalva and the staff on the Committee on Natural Resources for their work and partnership on H.R. 970, the Robert E. Lee Statue Removal Act. Mr. Speaker, my bill, which I first introduced last Congress, would remove the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland. Antietam was the site of immense bloodshed during the Civil War. After 12 hours of combat, 23,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing. It remains the bloodiest day in American history, and thousands come every year to learn about the war over slavery that almost divided our Union. On this Federal land stands a 24-foot statue of General Lee. It was commissioned with the explicit intent of honoring the Confederacy and glorifies the Confederacy, its leaders, the cause of slavery, and open rebellion against the United States of America. The Lee statue was built by a private citizen in 2003--as you heard, 138 years after the end of the Civil War--and later acquired by the National Park Service. It is also historically inaccurate. The monument depicts General Lee riding to the battlefield on horseback, but the evidence shows the General actually traveled to a different part of a battlefield in an ambulance due to a broken wrist. The monument claims that Lee was ``personally against secession and slavery.'' Yet Lee was a brutal slave owner. He fought for the Confederacy and defended the savage institution of slavery, and he led an army that kidnapped free African Americans and massacred surrendering Black Union soldiers. Instead of teaching us the dark lessons of our history, this statue sanitizes the actions of men who fought a war to keep Black Americans in chains. This is just one monument, among many. Throughout our history, monuments to the Confederacy have been used to rally white supremacists and intimidate Black Americans. The majority of these monuments were built post-Reconstruction by Confederate apologists, segregationists, and opponents of civil rights. We next saw a resurgence of statues honoring the Confederacy during the 1960s and 1970s, when white supremacists attempted to roll back the progress being made during the civil rights movement. As monuments went up, Black men, women, and children were being lynched. Confederate monuments served as a reminder of the power that white supremacists attempted to yield and assert over Black Americans. Earlier this week, the House voted to remove the names from military bases and property that honor the Confederacy. We should take the same steps for statues honoring the Confederacy in our national public spaces. Reckoning with our shared history and this country's past injustices doesn't dishonor the Nation; it makes it stronger. There are appropriate settings--museums, libraries, and classrooms--to teach future generations of the insidious effort to defend the violent institution of slavery. But there is no reason why any of our Nation's public spaces should have monuments that celebrate those who betrayed their country. There is only one side in the Civil War we should be honoring, and that is of the United States. And we should celebrate figures who fought to preserve our Union and those who helped rebuild our Nation after the Civil War--the men and women who marched and protested and died for this country to live up to our founding ideals. Removing the monument at Antietam and those across our country is not an insult to any State or region. It would simply be acknowledgment that the cause the Confederacy fought for--the cause of slavery--was wrong, that Jim Crow and violent resistance of civil rights for all people is wrong. It is long past time for the Robert E. Lee statue on Antietam Battlefield to come down, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, let me just start by saying, John, I always believed that you can tell a lot about a person by the children they raise. If I knew nothing else about your father than what I see in you, I know your father is a great man because you yourself are a great man. While you may think that you will never match your father's accomplishments, he believed and already knew that you have. I was in many public events in the presence of you and your father, and I would watch him as he was watching you. It was so clear and obvious the pride that he took in you, as I know he did in his other children, knowing that you were stepping in his footsteps, continuing his legacy and his work for the people of Maryland. So, John, you have more than matched the matchless efforts of your father. I want to recognize Leader Hoyer for hosting this Special Order hour this evening. I want to, again, thank my friend and colleague, Representative John Sarbanes, and his entire family, who have experienced a great loss. Over his extraordinary life, Paul Sarbanes held many titles: husband and father, Maryland delegate, Congressman, Senator, chairman. Throughout his decades on Capitol Hill, Paul Sarbanes never lost sight that he was a family man first. Second only to that, he was a true and dedicated public servant. Senator Sarbanes worked for Maryland. He was a tireless advocate for our State and the many families who call Maryland home. They knew Paul Sarbanes had their backs. Upon news of his death, so many of his constituents fondly remembered how he was there for him and provided a helping hand. Paul Sarbanes didn't approach service with bravado and bombast. He didn't crave the spotlight because he understood the people he served were in his spotlight because they were his priority. He was a master legislator and deft committee questioner. Senator Sarbanes actively shaped legislation that still affects Marylanders and Americans today. He championed the restoration of our beloved Chesapeake Bay. He put consumer protections front and center in his work, cracking down on corporate fraud. He held Presidents accountable during the Watergate hearings and throughout his career. His work and relationships on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee helped create a safer world. The example he set continues to inspire so many leaders and public servants in Maryland to put the work and the people first. I first met Paul Sarbanes when I moved to Maryland in 1992. I attended one of his townhalls he had at Prince George's Community College. I knew nothing of the Senator at the time, and I listened to him address the concerns and the issues of my neighbors, his constituents. While Paul Sarbanes was not necessarily known for or recognized among his many accomplishments for leading in the areas of national security and military issues--although he was on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and very effective--what I saw in him was a profound appreciation for the men and women who served in uniform. He had great respect for those men and women who took that uniform off and continued as veterans to make a contribution to our community. That was my first impression and the most lasting impression that I had of Paul Sarbanes. He loved the men and women who served this country, and he deeply respected their service, even when they took off the uniform. Senator Sarbanes was understated, and that was by design. But his work, life, and legacy speak for themselves. To John, Michael, Janet, and the entire Sarbanes family, I send my deepest condolences for your loss. My prayers are with you, as we remember your father, this remarkable man and public servant, Senator Paul Sarbanes.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his exemplary leadership, Representative Thornberry for his career service to our men and women in uniform, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their hard work on this year's National Defense Authorization Act. This bill strengthens our military, makes our country safer, and provides for our servicemembers and their families. National security isn't simply defined by the planes and ships we buy, but in the values we promote within the military and for our Nation. This legislation is a significant step forward for diversity, inclusion, and justice in our Armed Forces, core American values that our military must promote. Today's military is the most diverse in our history, with people of color making up more than 40 percent of Active-Duty servicemembers. And as our country reckons with systemic racism, so, too, does our military. By affirming our founding values, this NDAA enhances military readiness and taps into the diverse talents and skills of our country. We elevate the chief diversity officer to report directly to the Secretary of Defense and service secretaries. We provide for better accountability, transparency, and reporting on our diversity efforts. We ensure equity in promotion boards by removing pictures and other identifying information that could bias these processes. Officers will instead be judged solely on what matters: their performance. We foster new leaders in our military to reflect the diversity of our country and support their career development, from Junior ROTC to service academies and historically Black colleges and universities, to our elite units. We correct racial inequities in our military justice system by appointing a deputy inspector general to investigate racial disparities. And after years of delay, we finally rename bases and property honoring the Confederacy. With support from Congress, barrier-breaking leaders in our military, and the American people, we will lead with our values. Mr. Speaker, for a more equitable country and military, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, on October 2, 2020, I was absent from the House of Representatives. Had I been present, I would have voted ``YEA'' on Roll Call No. 217, on Agreeing to the Resolution Condemning unwanted, unnecessary medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent. This resolution, which I am an original cosponsor of, rightfully condemns medical practices at the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC), in Ocilla, Georgia, which may have resulted in unwanted and unnecessary surgeries that, in some cases, are reported to have resulted in life altering injuries to the reproductive health of immigrant women held at that facility. Reproductive health is an essential component of women's health and the rights of women to control medical decisions about their bodies is invaluable. This resolution states in no unwavering terms that any decisions made regarding the health of immigrants held in ICE custody must include informed consent. These are violations of individuals' human rights and must be investigated fully.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I first want to recognize not just the hard work of my colleague from Ohio, Representative Marcia Fudge, but really a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of education for all of our children across this country, regardless of your background and experience, regardless of your ZIP Code, and that is what the Strength in Diversity Act does. I thank Representative Fudge for her leadership and for giving me an opportunity to present a portion of this en bloc amendment, the two amendments that I sponsored and that are part of the en bloc. Mr. Speaker, I rise, of course, in support of the Strength in Diversity Act and my amendments to this legislation, which will ensure that our reforms continue to have an impact well into the future. We still have work to do to address persistent racial and socioeconomic disparities that exist in our schools. According to the 2016 GAO report, 61 percent of all high-poverty schools were serving majority Black and Hispanic student populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exasperated the racial and socioeconomic isolation throughout our country and our school systems. Without proper support, the learning loss will be greatest among low- income Black and Hispanic students during the period of remote learning. The Strength in Diversity Act will help create a level playing field by authorizing grants to localities that have significant achievement gaps and segregation in their schools. These grants will allow school districts to recruit, hire, and train additional teachers, administrators, and other instructional and support staff, knowing that our educators are essential to creating the world-class education that our children deserve. My first amendment would allow education systems to use grant funds to also recruit, hire, and train school counselors. School counselors serve a vital role in maximizing students' success, working with students individually and collectively to create an exclusive school climate. Numerous studies have shown the value of school counseling for students in academic and social-emotional development, as well as college and career readiness. Having the additional support of a school counselor helps develop well-rounded and prepared students. But hiring our best talent cannot be the end of our efforts. We need accountability now and into the future. The underlying bill requires grantees to submit an annual report to the Department of Education on their efforts to increase diversity and meet certain performance measures. My second amendment requires the annual report to include a description of how grantees will continue this important work following the grant period to ensure schools are thinking ahead to the future and creating sustainable strategies and programs to continue fostering diversity, inclusion, and achievement. We cannot task our schools to only address diversity and inclusion for the duration of a grant. Longstanding issues require long-term, community-driven solutions. School systems must readjust their frameworks so that increasing diversity and inclusion is always part of the conversation and curriculum. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support the en bloc amendment and the underlying bill.

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record. the following testimony, per Mitch Landrieu, who testified in support of my bill, H.R. 970, the Robert E. Lee Statue Removal Act, at the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands legislative hearing on July 21, 2020. The testimony addresses Confederate statues and symbols on public lands. I want to thank Chair Haaland, Ranking Member Young, and the other Members of the Subcommittee for the opportunity to discuss the important matter of Confederate symbols. It is a pleasure to be with you this morning. My name is Mitch Landrieu I am the president and founder of a social impact organization called E Pluribus Unum, named after our nation's founding motto. Our goal is to help advance racial and economic equity in the South. I also served as mayor of the city of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018 and Louisiana's Lieutenant Governor from 2004 to 2010. As many of you know, as mayor of New Orleans, I removed four Confederate statues from public land, with a process that started in 2015 and ended in May of 2017, with the removal of a Robert E. Lee statue from the city's most prominent circle. That process helped reintroduce historical facts and a more proper telling of the history of how and why many of these statues or monuments were put up in the first place. The historic record is clear, most statues of Confederate leaders were erected not just to honor these men, but as part of the movement which became known as The Cult of the Lost Cause. The Lost Cause had one goal--through monuments and other means--rewrite history to hide the truth, which is that the Confederacy was on the wrong side of humanity. It sought to continue to oppress Black Americans. James W. Loewen, a retired University of Vermont professor, and the author of Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong, put it succinctly in a Washington Post oped: ``The Confederates won with the pen (and the noose) what they could not win on the battlefield: the cause of white supremacy and the dominant understanding of what the war was all about. We are still digging ourselves out from under the misinformation they spread, which has manifested in our public monuments and our history books. According to the work of the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are some 700 Confederate memorial monuments and statues erected well after the Civil War. There are over 1000 streets, buildings and other markers named after Confederate leaders. According to their research, ``two distinct periods saw a significant rise in the dedication of monuments and other symbols. The first began around 1900, amid the period in which states were enacting Jim Crow laws to disenfranchise the newly freed African Americans and re-segregate society. This spike lasted well into the 1920s, a period that saw a dramatic resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan, which had been born in the inunediate aftermath of the Civil War. The second spike began in the early 1950s and lasted through the 1960s, as the civil rights movement led to a backlash among segregationists. These two periods also coincided with the 50th and 100th anniversaries of the Civil War.'' In summary, the South lost the war and a group of people got together and decided that they were going to adorn the country with monuments that revered those who fought on behalf of a cause that was lost, which they wanted to make seem noble. It was a propaganda campaign of epic proportions. You see, these statues are not just stone and metal. They are not just innocent remembrances of a benign history. These monuments purposefully celebrate and perpetuate a fictional, sanitized Confederacy; ignoring the death, the enslavement, and the terror that it actually stood for. The truth is they were fighting for the right to own and sell black human beings. History cannot be changed. It cannot be moved like a statue. What is done is done. The Civil War is over, and the Confederacy lost. We are all the better for it. But in this, the 20th year of the 21st century, we should not debate whether the United States of America should revere the Confederacy. It is self-evident that these men did not fight for the United States of America. They fought to destroy it. They may have been warriors, but they were not patriots. Ultimately, as a country, we must grapple with a simple notion--there is a difference between remembrance of history and reverence of it. To literally put the Confederacy on a pedestal is an inaccurate recitation of our full past, it is an affront to our present, and it is a bad prescription for our future. It ensures that all that our fellow brothers and sisters once fought to end will still continue. As President George W. Bush said at the dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History & Culture, ``A great nation does not hide its history. It faces its flaws and corrects them.'' Members, you now have an opportunity to do your part correct this past. This is an important first step. Let me close with a plea to your humanity. I noted in a speech upon removing the monuments that a friend asked me to consider these monuments from the perspective of an African American mother or father trying to explain to their fifth grade daughter who Robert E. Lee is and why he is revered with a statue. Can any of you look into her eyes and convince her that Robert E. Lee is there to encourage her? Do you think she will feel inspired and hopeful? Do these monuments help her see a future with limitless potential? Have you ever thought that if her potential is limited, yours is too? We all know the answer to these very simple questions. When you look into this child's eyes is the moment when the searing truth comes into focus. This is the moment when we know what is right and what we must do. We cannot continue to walk away from this truth. We must remove these Confederate symbols that dirty the soil of our beloved country. Once that is done, we can better confront the racist systems that have divided us by design for generations and get us closer to that more perfect union we all aspire to be. Thank you. Mitchell J. Landrieu Founder and President, E Pluribus Unum Former Mayor, City of New Orleans (2010-2018)

Mr. BROWN of Maryland

Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following speech, ``Truth: Remarks on the Removal of Confederate Monuments in New Orleans'' delivered by Mitch Landrieu at Gallier Hall in New Orleans, LA on May 19, 2017. Thank you for coming. The soul of our beloved City is deeply rooted in a history that has evolved over thousands of years; rooted in a diverse people who have been here together every step of the way--for both good and for ill. It is a history that holds in its heart the stories of Native Americans--the Choctaw, Houma Nation, the Chitimacha. Of Hernando de Soto, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the Acadians, the Islenos, the enslaved people from Senegambia, Free People of Color, the Haitians, the Germans, both the empires of France and Spain. The Italians, the Irish, the Cubans, the south and central Americans, the Vietnamese and so many more. You see--New Orleans is truly a city of many nations/a melting pot/a bubbling cauldron of many cultures. There is no other place quite like it in the world that so eloquently exemplifies the uniquely American motto: e pluribus unum--out of many we are one. But there are also other truths about our city that we must confront. New Orleans was America's largest slave market: a port where hundreds of thousands of souls were brought, sold and shipped up the Mississippi River to lives of forced labor of misery of rape, of torture. America was the place where nearly 4,000 of our fellow citizens were lynched, 540 alone in Louisiana; where the courts enshrined `separate but equal'; where Freedom riders coming to New Orleans were beaten to a bloody pulp. So when people say to me that the monuments in question are history, well what I just described is real history as well, and it is the searing truth. And it immediately begs the questions; why there are no slave ship monuments, no prominent markers on public land to remember the lynchings or the slave blocks; nothing to remember this long chapter of our lives; the pain, the sacrifice, the shame . . . all of it happening on the soil of New Orleans. So for those self-appointed defenders of history and the monuments, they are eerily silent on what amounts to this historical malfeasance, a lie by omission. There is a difference between remembrance of history and reverence of it. For America and New Orleans, it has been a long, winding road, marked by great tragedy and great triumph. But we cannot be afraid of our truth. As President George W. Bush said at the dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History & Culture, ``A great nation does not hide its history. It faces its flaws and corrects them.'' So today I want to speak about why we chose to remove these four monuments to the Lost Cause of the Confederacy, but also how and why this process can move us towards healing and understanding of each other. So, let's start with the facts. The historic record, is clear, the Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, and P.G.T. Beauregard statues were not erected just to honor these men, but as part of the movement which became known as The Cult of the Lost Cause. This `cult' had one goal--through monuments and through other means--to rewrite history to hide the truth, which is that the Confederacy was on the wrong side of humanity. First erected over 166 years after the founding of our city and 19 years after the end of the Civil War, the monuments that we took down were meant to rebrand the history of our city and the ideals of a defeated Confederacy. It is self-evident that these men did not fight for the United States of America, they fought against it. They may have been warriors, but in this cause they were not patriots. These statues are not just stone and metal. They are not just innocent remembrances of a benign history. These monuments purposefully celebrate a fictional, sanitized Confederacy; ignoring the death, ignoring the enslavement, and the terror that it actually stood for. After the Civil War, these statues were a part of that terrorism as much as a burning cross on someone's lawn; they were erected purposefully to send a strong message to all who walked in their shadows about who was still in charge in this city. Should you have further doubt about the true goals of the Confederacy, in the very weeks before the war broke out, the Vice President of the Confederacy/Alexander Stephens/made it clear that the Confederate cause was about maintaining slavery and white supremacy. He said in his now famous `corner-stone speech' that the Confederacy's ``cornerstone rests upon the great truth, that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery-- subordination to the superior race--is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.'' Now, with these shocking words still ringing in your ears . . . I want to try to gently peel from your hands the grip on a false narrative of our history that I think weakens us. And make straight a wrong turn we made many years ago--so we can more closely connect with integrity to the founding principles of our nation and forge a clearer and straighter path toward a better city and a more perfect union. Last year, President Barack Obama echoed these sentiments about the need to contextualize and remember all our history. He recalled a piece of stone, a slave auction block engraved with a marker commemorating a single moment in 1830 when Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay stood and spoke from it. President Obama said, ``Consider what this artifact tells us about history . . . on a stone where day after day for years, men and women . . . bound and bought and sold and bid like cattle on a stone worn down by the tragedy of over a thousand bare feet. For a long time the only thing we considered important, the singular thing we once chose to commemorate as history with a plaque were the unmemorable speeches of two powerful men.'' A piece of stone--one stone. Both stories were history. One story told. One story forgotten or maybe even purposefully ignored. As clear as it is for me today . . . for a long time, even though I grew up in one of New Orleans' most diverse neighborhoods, even with my family's long proud history of fighting for civil rights . . . I must have passed by those monuments a million times without giving them a second thought. So I am not judging anybody, I am not judging people. We all take our own journey on race. I just hope people listen like I did when my dear friend Wynton Marsalis helped me see the truth. He asked me to think about all the people who have left New Orleans because of our exclusionary attitudes. Another friend asked me to consider these four monuments from the perspective of an African American mother or father trying to explain to their fifth grade daughter who Robert E. Lee is and why he stands atop of our beautiful city. Can you do it? Can you look into that young girl's eyes and convince her that Robert E. Lee is there to encourage her? Do you think she will feel inspired and hopeful by that story? Do these monuments help her see a future with limitless potential? Have you ever thought that if her potential is limited, yours and mine are too? We all know the answer to these very simple questions. When you look into this child's eyes is the moment when the searing truth comes into focus for us. This is the moment when we know what is right and what we must do. We can't walk away from this truth. And I knew that taking down the monuments was going to be tough, but you elected me to do the right thing, not the easy thing and this is what that looks like. So relocating these Confederate monuments is not about taking something away from someone else. This is not about politics, this is not about blame or retaliation. This is not a naive quest to solve all our problems at once. This is however about showing the whole world that we as a city and as a people are able to acknowledge, understand, reconcile and most importantly, choose a better future for ourselves making straight what has been crooked and making right what was wrong. Otherwise, we will continue to pay a price with discord, with division and yes with Violence. To literally put the Confederacy on a pedestal in our most prominent places of honor is an inaccurate recitation of our full past, it is an affront to our present, and it is a bad prescription for our future. History cannot be changed. It cannot be moved like a statue. What is done is done. The Civil War is over, and the Confederacy lost and we are better for it. Surely we are far enough removed from this dark time to acknowledge that the cause of the Confederacy was wrong. And in the second decade of the 21st century, asking African Americans--or anyone else--to drive by property that they own; occupied by reverential statues of men who fought to destroy the country and deny that person's humanity seems perverse and absurd. Centuries old wounds are still raw because they never healed right in the first place. Here is the essential truth/we are better together than we are apart. Indivisibility is our essence. Isn't this the gift that the people of New Orleans have given to the world? We radiate beauty and grace in our food, in our music, in our architecture, in our joy of life, in our celebration of death; in everything that we do. We gave the world this funky thing called jazz/the most uniquely American art form that is developed across the ages from different cultures. Think about second lines, think about Mardi Gras, think about muffaletta, think about the Saints, gumbo, red beans and rice. By God, just think. All we hold dear is created by throwing everything in the pot; creating, producing something better; everything a product of our historic diversity. We are proof that out of many we are one--and better for it! Out of many we are one--and we really do love it! And yet, we still seem to find so many excuses for not doing the right thing. Again, remember President Bush's words, ``A great nation does not hide its history. It faces its flaws and corrects them.'' We forget, we deny how much we really depend on each other, how much we need each other. We justify our silence and inaction by manufacturing noble causes that marinate in historical denial. We still find a way to say `wait'/not so fast, but like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ``wait has almost always meant never.'' We can't wait any longer. We need to change. And we need to change now. No more waiting. This is not just about statues, this is about our attitudes and behavior as well. If we take these statues down and don't change to become a more open and inclusive society this would have all been in vain. While some have driven by these monuments every day and either revered their beauty or failed to see them at all, many of our neighbors and fellow Americans see them very clearly. Many are painfully aware of the long shadows their presence casts; not only literally but figuratively. And they clearly receive the message that the Confederacy and the cult of the lost cause intended to deliver. Earlier this week, as the cult of the lost cause statue of P.G.T Beauregard came down, world renowned musician Terence Blanchard stood watch, his wife Robin and their two beautiful daughters at their side. Terence went to a high school on the edge of City Park named after one of America's greatest heroes and patriots, John F. Kennedy. But to get there he had to pass by this monument to a man who fought to deny him his humanity. He said, ``I've never looked at them as a source of pride . . . its always made me feel as if they were put there by people who don't respect us.'' ``This is something I never thought I'd see in my lifetime. It's a sign that the world is changing.'' Yes Terence it is and it is long overdue. Now is the time to send a new message to the next generation of New Orleanians who can follow in Terence and Robin's remarkable footsteps. A message about the future, about the next 300 years and beyond; let us not miss this opportunity New Orleans and let us help the rest of the country do the same. Because now is the time for choosing. Now is the time to actually make this the City we always should have been, had we gotten it right in the first place. We should stop for a moment and ask ourselves--at this point in our history--after Katrina, after Rita, after Ike, after Gustav, after the national recession, after the BP oil catastrophe and after the tornado--if presented with the opportunity to build monuments that told our story or to curate these particular spaces . . . would these monuments be what we want the world to see? Is this really our story? We have not erased history; we are becoming part of the city's history by righting the wrong image these monuments represent and crafting a better, more complete future for all our children and for future generations. And unlike when these Confederate monuments were first erected as symbols of white supremacy, we now have a chance to create not only new symbols, but to do it together, as one people. In our blessed land we all come to the table of democracy as equals. We have to reaffirm our commitment to a future where each citizen is guaranteed the uniquely American gifts of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is what really makes America great and today it is more important than ever to hold fast to these values and together say a self-evident truth that out of many we are one. That is why today we reclaim these spaces for the United States of America. Because we are one nation, not two; indivisible with liberty and justice for all . . . not some. We all are part of one nation, all pledging allegiance to one flag, the flag of the United States of America. And New Orleanians are in . . . all of the way. It is in this union and in this truth that real patriotism is rooted and flourishes. Instead of revering a 4-year brief historical aberration that was called the Confederacy we can celebrate all 300 years of our rich, diverse history as a place named New Orleans and set the tone for the next 300 years. After decades of public debate, of anger, of anxiety, of anticipation, of humiliation and of frustration. After public hearings and approvals from three separate community led commissions. After two robust public hearings and a 6-1 vote by the duly elected New Orleans City Council. After review by 13 different federal and state judges. The full weight of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government has been brought to bear and the monuments in accordance with the law have been removed. So now is the time to come together and heal and focus on our larger task. Not only building new symbols, but making this city a beautiful manifestation of what is possible and what we as a people can become. Let us remember what the once exiled, imprisoned and now universally loved Nelson Mandela and what he said after the fall of apartheid. ``If the pain has often been unbearable and the revelations shocking to all of us, it is because they indeed bring us the beginnings of a common understanding of what happened and a steady restoration of the nation's humanity.'' So before we part let us again state the truth clearly. The Confederacy was on the wrong side of history and humanity. It sought to tear apart our nation and subjugate our fellow Americans to slavery. This is the history we should never forget and one that we should never again put on a pedestal to be revered. As a community, we must recognize the significance of removing New Orleans' Confederate monuments. It is our acknowledgment that now is the time to take stock of, and then move past, a painful part of our history. Anything less would render generations of courageous struggle and soul-searching a truly lost cause. Anything less would fall short of the immortal words of our greatest President Abraham Lincoln, who with an open heart and clarity of purpose calls on us today to unite as one people when he said: ``With malice toward none, with charity for all/with firmness in the right/as God gives us to see the right/let us strive on to finish the work we are in/to bind up the nation's wounds . . ./to do all which may achieve and cherish--a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.'' Thank you.