Shontel Brown

Ms. BROWN

Ms. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my wonderful colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for organizing this session tonight. I join them today in recognizing the significant contributions of Black women to the advancement of the equal rights amendment. Of the more than 12,000 Americans who have served in Congress, only 58 have been Black women. Remarkably, despite our historic and continuous small number among the Members of the House, Black women have often been the driving force behind significant policy shifts that have paved the way for change. Among those achievements are landmark bills like the equal rights amendment, championed by Black women since its inception. A hero of many Americans inside and outside Capitol Grounds, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was a relentless advocate for equal rights in America. Nicknamed ``Fighting Shirley,'' she stood on this very floor in her first term and decreed that the ERA was destined to become the law of the land. Today, we honor her legacy by advocating for the long-overdue ratification of the ERA. Congresswoman Chisholm did not stand alone in her fight for equal rights. From educator and activist Mary Church Terrell in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in the 1970s, Black advocates for women's suffrage helped drive the ERA forward. In recent years, we have seen leaders fight for State ratification of the ERA, including our newest colleague, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, who along with two Black female colleagues--State Representative Jennifer Carroll Foy and fellow State Senator Mamie Locke--led the final charge that resulted in Virginia being the 38th State to ratify the amendment in 2020. That legacy lives on, as my colleagues in the 118th Congress maintain and build on the work of our predecessors. With Representative Pressley's efforts to remove the constitutional deadline for ratification and Representative Bush's leadership of the first-ever Congressional ERA Caucus, we are closer to ratification than ever before. I stand in awe of the power, strength, and contributions of these trailblazers and icons, both past and present. As we continue the fight today, it is an honor to walk alongside my Democratic Women's Caucus colleagues to enshrine the ERA in the Constitution, continuing the legacy work started by the Black women who came before me. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm envisioned the ERA as the law of the land in 1969. She once said she wanted to be remembered as a woman who dared to be a catalyst of change, and she will always be known as just that. Like our ancestors Terrell, Chisholm, Jordan, and more, Black women will continue to help lead the charge, but we cannot do it alone. To my colleagues who have yet to join us in championing equal rights, I say to you: Dare to become a catalyst of change with us.

Ms. BROWN

Ms. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today ahead of National Entrepreneurship Week and during Black History Month to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable contributions of Black business owners. Entrepreneurship drives economic growth and creates jobs, yet too few Black businesses have the capital and connections to start and scale successful companies, contributing to the racial wealth gap through entrepreneurial inequity. Here are the facts. Of the 6 million employer businesses in the U.S., just 130,000 are Black owned, barely more than 2 percent. My district's entrepreneurs are helping drive our region and Nation's economy forward, and I will share their stories as we celebrate Black Americans' past and present achievements. That includes people like Kanisha Harwell, owner of Balance Cheer and Gymnastics in my hometown of Warrensville Heights. Kanisha started her gym after experiencing the lack of support for diversity in gymnastics, taking on multiple jobs to fund the creation of an inclusive environment for Black athletes. Minority entrepreneurs are a vital asset to our economy, and I urge my colleagues to work with me to build a more equitable economy for all.

Ms. BROWN

Ms. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to emphasize the importance of closing the disposable e-cigarette loophole to continue our progress in reducing youth e-cigarette use. The danger disposable e-cigarettes pose to our young people cannot be underestimated. Currently, it is estimated that more than 700,000 middle and high school students vape on a daily basis--more than 700,000. Use of disposable e-cigarettes by our youth has increased by more than 2,000 percent since 2019. Although disguised with flavors like apple and strawberry, the truth is that a single e-cigarette can have the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. A loophole left by the previous administration excludes e-cigarettes and disposable e-cigarette products from the tobacco flavoring guidelines, which are at the heart of this epidemic. Closing the Trump-era loophole will ensure the flavor ban applies to disposable e-cigarettes. Keeping America's youth safe and healthy depends on it.

Ms. BROWN

Ms. BROWN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge the extremists in this Chamber to stop playing political chess with the lives of working people and families. In 2021, 85 percent of Americans over the age of 50 opposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare to reduce the national debt. Clearly, the economic scheme proposed by the GOP is in direct opposition to the people's will: slashing Social Security and Medicare for the working class while giving tax breaks to the wealthy. The GOP scheme also proposes a ridiculous 30 percent--yes, 30 percent--national sales tax, a huge setback for working families, increasing the cost of everyday essentials and raising gas prices. As if that wasn't enough, this scheme is holding the reputation of our Nation hostage to extremist demands for cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Democrats stand with the people. Dismantling Medicare and Social Security will never be up for debate.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Grijalva for his leadership and for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7618, a bipartisan bill to recognize the Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial as a national memorial. H.R. 7618 was unanimously voted out of the House Natural Resources Committee on July 20, 2022, and its bipartisan Senate companion, S. 4121, led by Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, favorably passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on July 21, 2022. Mr. Speaker, this bill recognizes and honors a memorial in my district with a remarkable history. In 1961, surviving victims of the Holocaust erected the Kol Israel Memorial, dedicating it to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Nazi regime, its allies, and collaborators. From 1939 to 1945, the Holocaust touched all corners of Jewish life from east to west, from Africa to Northern Europe. Thriving Jewish life in mainland Europe was decimated. The genocide wiped out entire Jewish communities, villages, and towns in a campaign that Nazis carried out with ruthless precision. They did so with mass shootings, concentration camps, and death camps like none the world had ever seen. The trauma, pain, and suffering inflicted on the Jewish community were not confined to their side of the Atlantic. Many members of our American Jewish community were touched by profound loss, and survivors found refuge in many communities across the United States. One such group of survivors made its way to northeast Ohio, putting down roots in Bedford Heights, a thriving part of Ohio's 11th Congressional District. They never forgot the horrors of the past and began planning a memorial to the 6 million as early as 1959, only 14 years after the end of the Second World War. Since the memorial's dedication on May 28, 1961, survivors and their families have continuously cared for what is likely the oldest memorial of its kind in the United States. On the memorial's exterior walls, the survivors engraved the names of their family members and loved ones. At the foot of the monument, the survivors also buried firsthand artifacts and keepsakes and ashes of victims from three concentration camps. Given its historical significance, the Kol Israel Memorial deserves to be recognized by Congress. Designating the site as a national memorial ensures that future generations understand the true legacy of a very dark chapter in history. This legislation comes at no cost to taxpayers and does not establish the memorial as a unit of the National Park Service. The Kol Israel Foundation will retain oversight and responsibility for the memorial, as it has for six decades. Members of the Ohio community, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio General Assembly, and prominent local and national stakeholders, have all supported efforts to recognize the Kol Israel Memorial. The bill also enjoys wide support from a coalition of organizations such as the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, the Anti-Defamation League, and the American Jewish Committee. I thank all the cosponsors of this legislation, including our seven co-leads from both sides of the aisle: Representatives Kaptur, Ryan, Beatty, Joyce, Balderson, Gonzalez, and Carey. They, too, have a deep understanding of the importance of the Kol Israel Memorial and this legislation, particularly at a time of rising anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world. Let me take one moment, Mr. Speaker, to speak about the dangers of Holocaust denial and distortion. Last night on ``60 Minutes,'' we watched in shock and disgust as the President of Iran denied the existence of the Holocaust and pretended to seek more information on its veracity. Today, let us all speak in a loud and clear voice: The Holocaust happened. It was devastating. We must work every day to remember so that we may honestly say ``never again.'' I am honored to represent one of the country's most celebrated Jewish communities, which happens to reside in Ohio's 11th Congressional District. Now is our opportunity to honor the victims of the Holocaust who call this country home and remember their bravery, dedication, and everlasting legacy. Mr. Speaker, I thank my House colleagues for taking swift action on H.R. 7618 so we may send a strong signal of support for our Jewish community. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, House Democrats have been fighting to lower costs for hardworking American families every day. From the gas pump to the grocery store checkout lines, we have reclaimed our commitment to our mission of creating a fair and balanced economy where Americans can thrive, and our efforts are starting to pay off in some areas. For example, gas prices continue to drop across the Nation, which leaves a little more money in the pockets of American families, allowing them to spend more on necessities like putting food on the table. We have passed a series of bills to lower everyday costs for Americans, including the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act and the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act. However, we need more. We must continue to put people over politics and pass more comprehensive legislation to help Americans thrive.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, our Nation thrives because of the strength of our families, and when our families succeed, our economy succeeds. For this reason alone, Congress must continue to pass powerful bipartisan legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act. The act demonstrates our commitment to putting money back in the pockets of Americans. It addresses critical issues like inflation and strengthening domestic supply chains in ways that could impact our economy and national security for generations to come. The stresses of the last 2 years took a huge toll on our country. However, recent progress, including a growing job market, and declining costs of some critical goods and services prove that we are on the right track. Voting for the CHIPS and Science Act will help ensure we ease the financial burden carried by American families and boost our economy because a Nation's backbone is its family. When they thrive, America thrives.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, when President Biden took office, we wasted no time getting to work to rebuild a devastated economy. From the Build Back Better Act to the American Rescue Plan, we have taken bold steps to make possible the incredible economic progress we see today. Progress that made the United States the first major economy in the world to recover and exceed prepandemic levels of its GDP, and 2021 saw the most jobs created in American history, while keeping 3.7 million children out of poverty. Whether it is more good-paying jobs or the cost of groceries and gas, our goal remains the same, to create a balanced economy so that Americans can thrive. Together with President Biden, we are fighting every day to make it a reality.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, imagine waking up one morning to a sharp, debilitating pain ripping through your lower abdomen that is so excruciating it brings you to your knees, then going to your doctor seeking relief, only to be told that while the medicine exists, because of a new anti-contraception law, you will simply have to endure; endure the unbearable pain that is so all-consuming it limits your daily activities. By threatening access to contraception, this is the new reality extremists propose for tens of thousands of Americans. Americans who rely on contraceptives to manage health challenges like menstrual cramps, hormone imbalance, and even acne, are now grappling with the fear of no access as the far right continues its war on reproductive healthcare. Today, I proudly voted for the Right to Contraception Act because all Americans should have the right to access and use birth control, regardless of the reason why.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last month, I have been overwhelmed with powerful testimonies from my colleagues, family, and friends about their reproductive health journeys. They have shared their fears and concerns for their daughters, granddaughters, and nieces now living in a post-Roe America. They offered firsthand, intimate accounts detailing some of their personal and sometimes painful experiences, wanting me to know how critical it is for Congress to make Roe the law of the land. These moving, shared memories spoke of very private life situations, from sexual assault to personal family planning decisions. Yet, they still told me in hopes of uniting in our fight against attacks by far- right extremists, extremists who are determined to strip women of their reproductive rights and criminalize abortion care in all 50 States. To these women, I say thank you. Thank you for your bravery, your honesty, and your courage. Your stories were not told in vain and will serve as inspiration to continue our fight to protect, defend, and restore the right to decide. Madam Speaker, a woman's fundamental healthcare decisions are hers alone to make and should never be mandated by politicians. This week, I stand proudly with my fellow House Democrats to reaffirm my support, and I will vote for the Right to Contraception Act. Reproductive healthcare should be available to everyone regardless of where they live. This week, we are another step closer to restoring critical access for all.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These inalienable rights have served as a compass in guiding us as we strive to create a more perfect Union. Yet, recently, these rights have been the target of relentless political attacks by a Supreme Court that has seemingly abandoned the promises of our Constitution and by far-right extremists with a radical agenda to dismantle decades of progress to take us back, back to a time when people were ashamed and murdered because the person they chose to love didn't have a certain skin color or was of the same gender and back to a time when women could not access legal and safe reproductive healthcare measures. Today, I stand in solidarity with the millions of Americans who have been angered by these disgraceful acts to say that I refuse to be taken back because we have come much too far.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, it has been more than 3 weeks since the Supreme Court ignored the constitutional right to privacy that guaranteed women could make their own reproductive health decisions. Now, States are encouraged to restrict or ban abortion and birth control. We are now witnessing the horrifying consequences of an extreme agenda to criminalize women's reproductive health decisions, including the arrest of doctors. Americans overwhelmingly support protecting women's reproductive rights, and I stand here today to affirm their voices and carry out their will. Last week, House Democrats passed two strong bills to defend women's right to decide. This week, we will once again ensure progress, not regression, when we pass the Right to Contraception Act. Far-right extremists continue to wage an all-out war to control women's reproductive rights, but we will continue to put people over politics and ensure birth control access for all.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, extremists have waged an all-out war against reproductive health freedom, and American bodies are being used as political battlegrounds to advance their radical agenda. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Americans have overwhelmingly voiced their opposition, and we must not ignore them. I am determined to defend reproductive healthcare rights of millions of Americans from all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, and I implore my colleagues to join me in the fight. A post-Roe America sets our country's five decades of progress backward and threatens the health of marginalized communities who already face systemic barriers to accessing healthcare. Extremists have proven they will not stop until they have criminalized Americans for their right to take ownership of their reproductive health. It is time that we make Roe the law of the land. I urge our colleagues across the aisle to prioritize the will of the people and undo this grave injustice and protect it from being overturned in the future.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, while the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has impacted millions of Americans, we must also acknowledge its economic and racial implications. We live in a country plagued by generations of healthcare inequities and racial disparities. Black, Latino, indigenous, and other communities of color already face healthcare barriers and will only continue to suffer in the aftermath of a post-Roe America. State trigger bills that restrict or ban more than half of a country from reproductive healthcare access have already stripped millions of their fundamental right to decide their reproductive care. But our fight continues. I implore my colleagues in Congress to unite to pass legislation to protect every American's constitutional right to travel freely and voluntarily throughout the United States, including for reproductive healthcare.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, last week I was heartbroken when I learned a 10-year-old rape victim from my home State was forced to cross State lines for an abortion because of Ohio's 6-week ban, which became law when the Supreme Court overturned Roe. Grief quickly became anger because I know she will not be the last victim of an extreme agenda to criminalize abortion nationwide. The overturn of Roe was a direct attack on Americans' reproductive rights, and it is clear that too many support criminalizing contraceptive care, arresting doctors for offering reproductive care, and even charging women with murder because of their fundamental right to decide. We must make Roe the law of the land to restore women's fundamental rights and protect other victims from harboring the ramifications of rape.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have contributed to rising prices across America. These disruptions included considerable congestion at our ports last year. In this void, the Port of Cleveland in my district, increased its tonnage by nearly 70 percent, helping to keep goods moving across America and beyond. Yet, even as congestion has eased, international shipping companies have been charging extremely high fees to transport goods. This is driving up costs on store shelves and hurting our small businesses while leaving key products waiting on our docks. Last week, the House passed, and President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Ocean Shipping Reform Act. The law cracks down on these unfair shipping fees. This will help goods get in and out of docks like the Port of Cleveland quicker, it will reduce costs for families, and it will level the playing field for our businesses. I call that a win-win.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank my communications director, Conor Fryer, for his commitment to the 11th Congressional District of Ohio and his invaluable contributions to my team and that of my predecessor. Conor joined the office in 2019 under the leadership of then- Congresswoman and now Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and was pivotal in my transition in 2021. He consistently raised the bar and that of those around him. When we arrived in Congress, we had a skeleton crew of a staff. Conor always stepped in and stepped up, filling those gaps, from legislation to transportation and everything in between. His boundless energy, strategic creativity, and Ohio pride has served my constituents well. I wish Conor well as he moves closer to reaching his long-term professional goals. He will be missed.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, as President Biden pointed out last week, here is the cold, hard truth about gas prices: The last time oil was at its current price, the average price of gas at the pump was about $4.25 per gallon. Today, gas prices are nearly 75 cents higher. That difference, across just 3 months, is the result of historically high profit margins for refining oil into gasoline. Oil and gas companies are announcing record profits while Putin's war in Ukraine is driving up prices at the pump. These companies are prioritizing stock buybacks while families are struggling to pay higher prices at the pump. This is exactly why the House passed the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act last week. Yet not a single Republican voted with us to stop Big Oil from raking in record profits on the backs of hardworking Americans. Families are facing a crunch, and they deserve action.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone for yielding, and I thank Congresswoman Eshoo for her leadership on this bill. I applaud President Biden for having the foresight to propose the creation of an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, also known as ARPA-H, an agency tasked with driving breakthroughs in cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and other difficult diseases. The new science moonshot agency is modeled on the successes of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, also known as DARPA. For decades DARPA has driven advances in technologies that have changed our lives for the better. Yet, there are so many things that we take for granted, things like the internet and flat-screen displays. I am confident the same will be true for ARPA-H as it seeks to accelerate advancements in health and medicine. Thanks to President Biden's leadership, my colleagues in Congress funded ARPA-H in March for the current fiscal year. Yet in order to successfully carry out its mission, ARPA-H needs long-term resources and authorities. That is exactly what this bill does. The ARPA-H legislation would authorize the agency for 5 years and create the structure it needs to successfully drive breakthroughs that would otherwise die in the commercial market. Yet ARPA-H not only needs long-term funding but also a long-term home. ARPA-H's mission is centered around high-risk, high-reward research, which is a charge that Cleveland has historically proven it is prepared to lead. With world-class healthcare systems, top-tier institutions of higher education, advanced biomedical companies, and a highly skilled manufacturing workforce, Cleveland has a long track record of bringing cutting-edge innovations from discovery all the way to production. This includes groundbreaking medical advancements like the first face transplant in America as well as the region's cutting- edge cancer research. Now, wherever the agency lands, it will have a meaningful impact on the lives of Americans nationwide for generations to come. Creating ARPA-H with 1 year of funding was a good first step, but it is time to put this new breakthrough agency on firm footing and in a firm location so we can truly start to revolutionize how we prevent, treat, and cure a range of diseases. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone again for his leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, last week, House Democrats took aggressive action to address rising food prices by passing the Lowering Food and Fuel Costs Act. The bill would lower costs by doing three things: First, it will reduce our dependence on overseas fertilizer production. Russia and Ukraine are major producers of fertilizer. Putin's war on Ukraine has driven up the cost of fertilizer for our farmers, and, therefore, for critical staples on our grocery store shelves. Second, the bill will also crack down on unfair, anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry sector, helping to drive down the prices of meat products. Third, and finally, it would expand access to cleaner ethanol blends that cost, on average, 40 cents less per gallon. This will help ease the pain at the pump. These provisions may sound technical, but they are sound and sensible solutions to lower prices for America's families in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, rising prices at the pump and at the supermarket are costing families more each month, and higher prices are falling hardest on low-income families, who spend a larger share of their budget on food and gas. Since the beginning of the year, gas prices have increased by nearly $2. No doubt, this is in part due to Putin's war in Ukraine, but it is also driven by oil and gas companies raising prices on consumers. Last month, the House passed the Gas Price Gouging Prevention Act to institute the first Federal law against profiteering by oil and gas companies. Today, the House considered and passed legislation to make cheaper and cleaner ethanol blends more available. These commonsense measures would get gas prices under control and put money back in families' pockets.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Green for yielding. I thank Chairwoman Waters for her leadership on this bill. For far too long, consumers and businesses in the underserved communities have been blocked from accessing safe and affordable capital and credit. These systemic barriers worsen racial and economic inequality and cut off opportunity for too many Americans. This critical bill recognizes these changes and supports efforts to eliminate racial disparities in lending. My amendment is simple. It requires the Federal Reserve's ``Monetary Policy Report'' to include demographic information on individuals with dependent children in its analysis of labor force trends. Why is it important? Because while the unemployment rate is near historic lows, women with children have been one of the slowest groups to return to work. Solutions like the child tax credit and affordable childcare would help working families better balance childcare responsibilities and their careers. This amendment would ensure we have the data to understand this problem and begin to address it. I thank Chairwoman Waters, again, for her leadership. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and the underlying bill.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Alex Johnson, who will soon be retiring after nearly a decade of service as Cuyahoga Community College's President. Dr. Johnson retires a pillar of the Cleveland community. His deep commitment to Tri-C's students and forward-thinking leadership helped shape graduates who were prepared for a lifetime of success in Northeast Ohio. After becoming President of Tri-C in 2014, Dr. Johnson shared his vision for pushing Tri-C into the future by making degree programs, workforce training opportunities and personal enrichment classes more accessible to Northeast Ohioans. As a result, Tri-C continues to expand opportunity through high-quality education and skills training right here in the Greater Cleveland area. Under Dr. Johnson's leadership, Tri-C's Nursing, Creative Arts, Public Safety, Hospitality Management, Information Technology and Manufacturing programs were reorganized to provide training and pathways for students entering some of the most in-demand career fields. He also spearheaded new investments in workforce training, like the College's Transportation Innovation Center in Euclid, as well as new programs aimed at uplifting those in low-income and distressed areas across the region. During Dr. Johnson's tenure, Tri-C produced a record number of graduates and increased its graduation rates. It is hard to overstate the impact of this legacy. More students are graduating from Tri-C with the skills and information they need for a lifetime of success. Meanwhile, our workforce grows stronger thanks to the fact that around 85 percent of Tri-C graduates stay and work in the region. Even in the most trying moments, Dr. Johnson's leadership proved to be crucial. Throughout the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Johnson served as a steady hand at the helm, ensuring students' continued success. Tri-C successfully transitioned to an on line learning and working environment and scaled its technology capabilities to maintain the school's promise to its students. Dr. Johnson oversaw an era of growth, adaptation, and modernization at Tri-C, all while remaining committed to the school's core mission of delivering affordable higher education, providing equitable job opportunities, and ensuring successful degree completion. He helped to forge Tri-C into a vanguard of our local community and a model for community colleges nationwide. Dr. Johnson's legacy is one of true distinction. His tenure as Tri-C president represents the culmination ofa 40-year career in higher education. Beyond his contributions in the classroom, Dr. Johnson has also been an active and leading member of the Cleveland community. He has served on various boards, including the United Way of Greater Cleveland, Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Ideastream, Playhouse Square, MAGNET, Team NEO, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership. As a Tri-C graduate and the Representative for Ohio's Eleventh District, I deeply appreciate Dr. Johnson's extraordinary leadership, unparalleled vision, and lasting accomplishments. His legacy will only continue to grow through the countless students, teachers, and administrators he impacted. On behalf of the people of Ohio's Eleventh Congressional District, I would like to thank Dr. Alex Johnson for his years of service as Tri- C's President and congratulate him on his retirement.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Alex Johnson, who will soon be retiring after nearly a decade of service as Cuyahoga Community College's president. Dr. Johnson retires as a pillar of the Cleveland community. His deep commitment to Tri-C's students and forward-thinking leadership helped shape graduates, like myself, who were prepared for a lifetime of success in northeast Ohio. During Dr. Johnson's tenure, Tri-C produced a record number of graduates and increased its graduation rates, all while remaining committed to the school's core mission of delivering affordable higher education, providing equitable job opportunities, and ensuring successful degree completion. Meanwhile, throughout the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Johnson served as a steady hand at the helm, ensuring students' continued success. As a Tri-C graduate and the Representative for Ohio's 11th Congressional District, I deeply appreciate Dr. Johnson's extraordinary leadership, unparalleled vision, and lasting accomplishments. His legacy will only continue to grow through the countless students, teachers, and administrators he impacted.

Ms. BROWN of Ohio

Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, thank you for the kind introduction. I thank Chairwomen Beatty and all my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues for highlighting the significance of Juneteenth during today's Special Order hour. Madam Speaker, the date was Monday, June 19, 1865; the location, Galveston, Texas. It was 2\1/2\ years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and 2 months after the Civil War ended, 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas still did not know they were free. That was until--on that Texas summer day--Federal troops rode into town and a Union general read aloud an order announcing their freedom. Emancipation didn't happen all at once, and slavery wasn't formally abolished until the passage of the 13th Amendment later that year. That 19th day in June came to be known as Juneteenth, a day celebrating the end of slavery in America. The year following the 1865 declaration, freedman in Texas organized the first of what became the annual June 19 celebration. Slowly but surely, Juneteenth celebrations spread across the country. Last year, thanks to the hard work of my friend, my colleague, the dynamic incomparable Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, President Biden signed a bill into law recognizing Juneteenth as a Federal holiday. Juneteenth is a time to celebrate, and it is a time to take pride in the many contributions of African Americans to our society and our country across the generations. It is also a time of remembrance and action. On Juneteenth, we acknowledge a dark period in our history and its lasting legacy of inequality and injustice--a legacy that continues to influence our country today. We have made much progress as a Nation, yet we still have a long way to go. Progress is not possible without a full accounting of both our brightest days and our darkest nights. As we honor those enslaved Texans who finally learned of their freedom 157 years ago, let us recommit to fulfilling the promise of Juneteenth--and indeed of our Nation at large--by fighting for equality, liberty, and justice for all.