Jim Clyburn

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8015, the Delivering for America Act. This legislation is vital to protecting the United States Postal Service. I maintain that the post office is the thread that holds the fabric of our great country together. The Postal Service existed before our Nation's Constitution as the lifeline that connected far-flung communities. The Founders believed so strongly in the importance of the post office that they enshrined it in our Constitution. The post office provides a critical public service that we cannot allow to become a potential political pawn of a dysfunctional, destructive, and, I dare say, disastrous administration. This administration has demonstrated time and again why government should not be run like a business. Businesses exist to make profits. The post office and the whole of our government exist to provide services. That is why it is called a Postal Service, not the postal corporation. Today, we are acting to reinforce our Postal Service system, which provides vital services like delivering medications, Social Security benefits, income and tax payments, veterans benefits, Census forms, and absentee ballots to all American communities, however remote they may be. Americans' dependence on the Postal Service has dramatically increased during this pandemic as we have watched the on-time delivery of mail decrease significantly. This legislation provides the $25 billion in emergency COVID funding to the Postal Service that was unanimously requested by the bipartisan Board of Governors. It also prohibits and even rolls back changes made by the post office since January 1 of this year. That prohibition lasts through January 2021 or until the end of the pandemic, whichever is later. That means no post office can be closed, consolidated, or reduce hours; no prohibition or restriction of overtime pay; no changes that will delay mail delivery or increase the volume of undelivered mail; and no removal of post office infrastructure, like sorting machines or mailboxes. This legislation protects the integrity of our democracy by requiring that all election mail be treated as first class, which means ballots must be postmarked, processed, and cleared on the same day that they are received.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Let me begin by thanking my friends Mr. Smith, Mr. Davis, Mr. DeFazio, and Mr. Suozzi, for bringing forth this bipartisan bill. In March 2019 Samantha Josephson, a 21-year-old native of New Jersey, was finishing her senior year at the University of South Carolina in my congressional district. She was a great student and had earned a full scholarship to study at Drexel University School of Law to pursue her dream of practicing international law. Sami, as she was known to her family and friends, did not get a chance to fulfill those dreams. After an evening out with friends, she decided to order a rideshare home. Video captured her getting into a black car that she assumed was her ride. Instead of being her ride, the unmarked car was driven by a predator who kidnapped and killed her. Today, we will vote on Sami's Law to put protections in place to prevent similar tragedies. This legislation makes it illegal for anyone other than rideshare companies to sell rideshare vehicle signs so predators can't impersonate an authorized driver. It also institutes the additional safeguard of a new code system that will allow the passenger to verify that the vehicle is their ride before they get into the car. Finally, the bill sets up a new council at the Department of Transportation to develop performance standards for rideshare technologies to ensure that our safety protocols keep up with the pace of technology. I thank, once again, Congressman Chris Smith, my Republican colleague from Sami's New Jersey hometown, for his sponsorship of this bipartisan bill. I have met with Sami's parents, and I want to thank them for their strength and commitment to ensuring this legislation becomes law. I thank my colleagues in advance of their votes, hopefully, in favor of this legislation that will honor Sami's legacy and enacts important safeguards to protect rideshare users from predatory behavior.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a concurrent resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great leader, an exceptional officer, and a dear friend. Lieutenant General Stephen M. ``Steph'' Twitty, my fellow South Carolina State University (SCSU) alumnus and Omega Psi Phi fraternity brother, will soon retire after more than 36 years in the U.S. Army, and I commend him for his extraordinary service to our country. Lt. Gen. Twitty is a native of Chesnee, South Carolina and his hometown has honored him by naming State Highway 11 in his honor. The local American Legion Post 48 proudly displays signage proclaiming him as a native son. While growing up as a self-proclaimed ``country boy,'' Steph fell in love with the military. His grandfather, Spc. Carson Mackerson, served 11 years in the segregated U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. As a child, his grandfather ran him through infantry maneuvers in the yard and inspired him to join the National Guard as a junior in high school. He matriculated at SCSU and joined the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program, which had about 600 cadets at that time. Lt. Gen. Twitty graduated among the top of his ROTC class in 1985, and having a choice of any assignment, he chose to follow in his grandfather's footsteps and become an Army infantryman. He is part of a proud tradition at SCSU which boasts of 22 ROTC graduates who have attained the rank of general officer. Lt. Gen. Twitty is a shining example of a dedication to excellence and leadership that SCSU's ROTC program instills in its cadets. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 2004 and inducted into the SCSU ROTC Hall of Fame in 2009. He has given back by establishing a program in which senior Army officers provide mentorships and leadership development to ROTC cadets at SCSU. Lt. Gen. Twitty has earned a master's degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and a master's in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University. He has served five combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. His service has taken him to 174 countries and every continent except Antarctica, and he has held some of the most critical positions in defense of our nation. After his first assignment with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, he deployed with the 24 Infantry Division during Operation Desert Storm. He has commanded infantry units at the company, battalion, and brigade levels. Lt. Gen. Twitty's assignments as a general officer include deputy commander and commander of the 1st Armored Division, Deputy Chief of Staff of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and commander of the First United States Army. For the past two years, Lt. Gen. Twitty has been the deputy commander of United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. During this period of extraordinary change and challenge in Europe's security environment. He improved relationships with NATO allies and European partners and through his strategic vision, Lt. Gen. Twitty successfully led his command through some of the most complex national security issues facing the United States. The foundations he established will allow NATO and our Armed Forces to meet every mission requirement in Europe. According to Forces Command Commanding General Robert Abrams, ``Lt. Gen. Twitty has provided outstanding leadership, advice, and sound professional judgment.'' His numerous awards and decorations include the Silver Star Medal, the nation's third highest award for valor. He received the honor for his extraordinary combat leadership of the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment during the initial assault on Baghdad, Iraq in 2003. He was inducted in the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame in 2018. Lt. Gen. Twitty is married to the former Karen Wilson. They have two daughters, Ashley and Brooke. The family has served alongside him throughout his career, and their service is appreciated as well. Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in thanking Lt. Gen. Twitty for his commitment to service, sacrifices for, and contribution to this great nation and wishes of success in his future endeavors.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for yielding me the time, and for his leadership and his management of this significant piece of legislation. I want to thank Mr. Davis and the other Members on the other side for their tremendous cooperation in trying to help us move to a more perfect Union. Mr. Speaker, 7 years ago, I stood on this floor and I referred to this Chamber, this great Hall, as America's classroom. And it is in that spirit that I think of this building as America's schoolhouse. And what is taught in this building, what is experienced by the people who visit this building ought to be about the uplifting of this great Nation. What people see when they come here, who people see lauded, glorified, and honored when they visit this building ought to be people who are uplifting to history and the human spirit. It is in that light that I recall the writings of one great writer who wrote that if we fail to learn the lessons of history--I think it was George Santiano--we are bound to repeat them. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from history. I study it every day. Hardly a day goes by when I don't spend some time looking at some facet of American history. We did not come to this floor with this legislation to get rid of that history. A lot of it we don't like; a lot of it we do like. And I think that what we need to do is discern between what should be honored and what should be relegated to the museums and to other places to commemorate that history. That is not eradicating history. That is putting history in its proper place. And for those who did not do what I think they should have done, they have got a place in the history books, but it is not to be honored, and it is not to be glorified. It ought to be put in its proper perspective. So I don't have a problem with the fact that one of the statues in here, John C. Calhoun--he was a historical figure. He died in 1850, if my memory serves, 10 years before the war broke out. So we aren't talking about John C. Calhoun as a Confederate. We are talking about John C. Calhoun as one of the Nation's biggest proponents of slavery and the relegation of human beings. I want to thank my home State of South Carolina, because the people of Charleston, Mayor Tecklenburg and the city council in Charleston, decided several weeks ago, the John C. Calhoun statue should be taken down, and they did it. Clemson University--Calhoun, one of the great founders of that university--is one of the original land grant schools. Clemson University decided that they would take John C. Calhoun's name off of their honors college. So if the State of South Carolina, where he was from sees that, why is it that we are going to laud him in this building? I am asking my colleagues to do for John C. Calhoun what his home State is doing for him, putting him in his proper place, not a place of honor. They didn't tear down his statue; they very meticulously took it down to retire to his proper place. Mr. Speaker, you and I spoke last night about one other gentleman whose statue is in this building, Wade Hampton. Wade Hampton, he was not a Confederate, but he was a perseverer. There were three Wade Hamptons, senior, and the third.

Mr. CLYBURN. But Wade Hampton's history should not be glorified. I don't know what my State's going to do about him, but what I would like to see us do here is put him in his proper place. So those two statues that are here representing the State of South Carolina need to be removed from their places of honor and, at some point, I would hope the State would bring them back home and put them in their proper place. So, I would like to say here today that I am not for destroying any statue. I am not here for burning down any building. I am here to ask my colleagues to return these people very properly and lawfully to their proper place. Put them where they can be studied. Put them where people will know exactly who and what they were. But do not honor them. Do not glorify them. Take them out of this great schoolhouse so that the people who visit here can be uplifted by what this country is all about.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I cringe often when I hear people talk about the 1960s as the civil rights movement. I always put an ``S'' on that. The Stono Rebellion was in 1739. It was a civil rights movement. Denmark Vesey's insurrection was in 1822. It was a civil rights movement. The Niagara Movement that led to the creation of the NAACP more than 100 years ago was a civil rights movement. John Lewis and I met in October 1960 at a civil rights movement. For as long as there are people held in suppression, there will always be a movement for civil rights. However, in any movement there will be a few--sometimes only one--that rise head and shoulders above all others, and so it was with my good friend, John Robert Lewis. When we met the weekend of October 13, 14, 15, 1960, on the campus of Morehouse College, there was a little bit of an insurrection taking place. We, who were college students, felt that we knew how best to do things. We were not listening to Martin Luther King, Jr., and a few others, and so we asked King to meet with us. And he did. We went into the meeting around 10 o'clock in the evening. We did not walk out of that room until 4 o'clock the next morning. I came out of that room having had a Saul-to-Paul transformation. I have never been the same since. But listening to King's plea for nonviolence, I decided, along with most others, to accept nonviolence as a tactic. But not John Lewis. He internalized. It became his way of life. After going through a few issues of the 1960s, John got elected president of SNCC in 1963 and was summarily dethroned in 1966. But John then joined the effort, the Voter Education Project, where he directed. That was sponsored by the Southern Regional Council. And as he served as the director of the Voter Education Project in Atlanta, I became the chair of the Voter Education Project in Charleston, South Carolina, and we continued that relationship. He got married to a librarian, I got married to a librarian--though I did so before he did--and they became fast friends. Lillian and Emily became fast friends. I will never, ever get John Robert Lewis out of my system, because he succeeded where I failed. It was a tactic for me. It was a way of life for John Lewis. General Leave

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, recent events have underscored the inequities that still exist in American society, and there is a cry for systemic change. We must reaffirm our commitment to leveling the playing field and doing what is fair to empower women- and minority-owned businesses to reach parity. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program at the Department of Transportation was established in 1980 under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race and gender. The intent of the program is to remedy past discrimination in federal transportation contracts by setting goals for awarding contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses. The long record of discrimination this program seeks to remedy is undeniable. During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt invested extraordinary resources in infrastructure projects as part of the Works Progress Administration. His federal investments came with a tag in the South that said, ``No Blacks allowed.'' The same was true for women, since the jobs were intended for men, who were assumed to be the primary family breadwinner. As a result, many white American households headed by men built themselves out of the depression, while most Blacks and women-led households remained in abject poverty without the means to recover. Today, if we were to dismiss equity and fairness in our federal transportation contracting, we would see the disparities in unemployment and income grow. There is indisputable and overwhelming evidence that discrimination still exists in the federal transportation marketplace against women- and minority-owned businesses. Data-driven disparity studies illustrate the need for the DBE program to continue. One study revealed that Black architecture and engineering businesses' receipts are 42 percent and 45 percent lower, respectively, than their white counterparts. Non- minority women-owned architecture and engineering businesses earned 39 and 38 percent less than businesses owned by white men. Underrepresented businesses achieve better outcomes on construction, architecture, engineering, and other service contracts when goal- oriented programs are implemented to encourage the participation of these business groups in government contracts. Without these goals and measures in place, many of these businesses report that they would be completely shut out of government contracting opportunities. In this time of reckoning over historic inequities in our country, we must reaffirm our commitment to essential programs like DBE to continue making progress toward a more perfect Union with liberty and justice for all.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, my friend, for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. My overarching mission in Congress is to make America's greatness accessible and affordable for all Americans, and the primary means by which we connect all Americans to our country's greatness is our infrastructure. The Moving Forward Act will do just that. For too long, many American communities have been left behind. As we invest in infrastructure, we must restructure our priorities to fulfill our Nation's vision of liberty and justice for all. My 10-20-30 initiative targets investment in these persistent poverty areas. I am pleased that this legislation includes several provisions to accomplish this goal, including prioritizing areas of persistent poverty in awarding funds for transportation projects of national and regional significance. These funds will help connect persistent poverty areas to economic opportunities. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio for including these important provisions. Federally qualified community health centers are essential for the success of rural and high-poverty communities, and I am pleased that H.R. 2 includes $10 billion for community health center capital project grants. H.R. 2 includes significant investments to make long-overdue repairs and upgrades to public housing. Mr. Speaker, I commend Chairwoman Maxine Waters for her determined advocacy for these measures. The bill also recognizes the essential link between housing and transportation. If you can't afford to live anywhere near economic opportunity, the best highways and transit systems in the world won't meet your needs. Recognizing this reality, this bill includes language from a bill that I introduced with Senator Booker, the HOME Act, directing State and local transportation planners to consider projects and strategies that will support inclusive zoning and land-use planning practices. H.R. 2 includes $100 billion for the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, legislation I introduced last week with the Rural Broadband Task Force and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee led by Chairman Pallone. Mr. Speaker, the Moving America Forward Act won't simply connect Americans to opportunities through the infrastructure it builds; it will connect Americans to opportunities through the jobs created to build it. I strongly support the extension of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program at the Department of Transportation. Our country is facing difficult circumstances. The burden is falling disproportionately on those for whom America's greatness has not always been accessible and affordable even in better times. I urge the passage of the Moving Forward Act.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. The motto of my home State of South Carolina is ``Dum spiro spero.'' That is a Latin phrase for: ``While I breathe, I hope.'' Today, as the House prepares to vote on the historic George Floyd Justice and Policing Act, those words take on a new meaning and a very special meaning for me. In this moment, the haunting words of this legislation's namesake, ``I can't breathe,'' echo in the streets daily. In Mr. Floyd's case, his breath was literally being snuffed out as he cried out for his dead mother. But for so many Blacks in our country today, ``I can't breathe'' is just another way of saying, ``I have no hope.'' Today, this august body is going to pass a piece of legislation that will begin the process of restoring hope, hope to many whose ancestors fought for centuries to be included in the Nation's vision of liberty and justice for all. This legislation gives us an opportunity to live up to what Alexis de Tocqueville observed about America's greatness. He wrote: America is not great because it is more enlightened than any other nation, but rather because it has always been able to repair its faults. Today, we are seeking to repair some faults in our policing system, a policing system whose foundation was built upon two pillars of experiences, one by a group of Americans who came to America of their own free will in search of freedom, the other by a group of Americans who came to America against their will and were enslaved for 244 years. Vestiges of that system are still evident in today's law enforcement culture. Chokeholds on Black arrestees, no-knock entries into Black residences, militarized police forces in Black communities, and qualified immunity are all intended to preserve rather than serve, intended to protect perpetrators of excessive use of force rather than improve conditions and communities. Today, House Democrats and, I hope, some of our Republican colleagues will say by their votes that enough is enough, that it is time to apply the greatness of America equitably and to all our citizens. But we cannot stop here. Recent occurrences have exposed and shone a spotlight on inequities in our healthcare system, inadequacies in our educational system, and inappropriateness in our electoral system. Liberty and justice for all remains a deferred dream for far too many. Job losses, challenges in healthcare, eviction threats--people are trying to catch their breath. If they can't breathe, they can't hope. As a proud South Carolinian, I believe in and try to live by that principle: ``While I breathe, I hope.'' With the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, we will all breathe a little freer and gain a little more hope.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a faithful, civic-minded man and a dear friend, Romeo Watkins, the father of my long-time Chief of Staff Yelberton Watkins, transitioned from this life on April 30, 2020. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Romeo Watkins was a native of the Ridgewood community of Columbia, South Carolina. He was the third of eight children born to the late Deacon Leroy and Beatrice Harris Watkins. His was a close-knit family, with his maternal grandmother, Agnes Harris, living next door, She took Romeo and his siblings to her hometown of Bronson, Florida every summer, and played an important role in his upbringing. His maternal aunt, Mrs. Franklin Scott Harris, was very close to her nephew, and he spent many nights in her home across from the Governor's Mansion. Romeo attended Ridgeway Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia. At a young age, he learned the value of hard work. In the mid-1960s, he became a civilian employee at the Fort Jackson U.S. Army training base and continued to work there until his retirement in 1993. He began barbering as a 10-year old, practicing on his older brother Charles, and later owned and operated a barber shop on North Main Street in Columbia for over 40 years. Ever the entrepreneur, he was also a successful real estate agent. Known for his impeccable taste and style, he was always well dressed. Those fortunate to know Mr. Watkins knew of his deep Christian faith. He was a life-long member of Ridgewood Baptist Church, joining as a child. A third-generation member, he served for many years on the Church History Committee and was regarded as a historian of the Ridgewood community. While he served in many capacities, his greatest joy at church was his long tenure as Leader of the Jubilee Choir, a role which his father held before him. He was well known throughout the city for his expert knowledge of shape-note singing of common meter hymns. Mr. Watkins was also an avid golfer. It was on the golf course that we first met many years ago, and we bonded over our love of the sport. He learned to golf as a young caddy on Columbia's segregated golf courses, and he enjoyed playing in golf tournaments across Columbia and throughout the state. He was an annual attendee of my Rudolph Canzater Memorial Classic held each year in Santee, South Carolina, and he also served as a Commissioner of the Eau Claire Youth Baseball League. Family was always at the center of his life. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Annette Caughman Watkins, and their four children: Quintus (Verdell) Young, Brigitte Watkins Long, Yelberton Romeo Watkins; and Vancito Ethridge Watkins; nine grandchildren: Quintus, Justin, Velicia, Gabrielle, Danielle, Autumn, Alexi, Tori, and Ashlyn; three great-grandchildren: Jamari, Raleigh, and Solomon; and a host of relatives, nieces, nephews, MeadowLake neighbors, and close friends. Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of Romeo Watkins. He was a man grounded in faith and family, and no one can leave a greater legacy.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great man of faith and a true community servant. Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs, Sr. Dr. Diggs transitioned in Florence, South Carolina on April 25, 2020. Although he is no longer with us in person, his legacy lives on through his tremendous work. William Diggs, Sr. was born in Columbia, South Carolina and grew up in Rock Hill. He earned his bachelor's degree from Morehouse College and a Master's from Atlanta University. He found his calling in the ministry and earned a Master of Divinity from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He began his career in his hometown of Rock Hill, where he served as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Friendship Junior College. While there, he helped students organize a sit-in that launched the Jail No Bail movement in 1960. In 1962, Rev. Dr. Diggs joined Trinity Baptist Church in Florence, South Carolina, where he served as head pastor for 50 years before retiring in 2012. He left his imprint on the church through several initiatives. Under his supervision, the church parsonage was completed in 1964, the church property was expanded, and many additions and improvements were made to the complex over his tenure. He also added a fully accredited preschool and chartered a federal credit union. Beyond the church's physical plant, Rev. Dr. Diggs also oversaw the purchase of commercial property that provide business opportunities in the community like barber and beauty shops and a restaurant. During his time as a faith leader, he also served in many secular capacities. He taught at Benedict College in Columbia and Morris College in Sumter. Rev. Dr. Diggs also served as President of the Florence Branch of the NAACP and was a poweeful voice for social justice. He was a calming presence during the 1975 riots that erupted in Florence after a police officer shot a black man during a traffic stop. Rev. Dr. Diggs served as a board member of Friendship, Benedict and Morris colleges, Morehouse School of Religion, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Nannie Helen Burroughs School, the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity, and the Florence Mayor's Human Relations Committee. He was awarded the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto. In addition, he was named to the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame and was recognized in the South Carolina African American History Calendar. Rev. Dr. Diggs was married to the former, Clotilda Daniels, and the couple has two adult children, William, Jr. and Mary Lynn, who managed my campaign for South Carolina Secretary of State. They have one grandson, William, III. Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. William P. Diggs, Sr. I considered him both a political and religious mentor, who taught us all ``to do justly, be merciful and walk humbly'' as instructed in Micah 6:8. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the life and legacy of a great leader in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, Bishop Zedekiah LaZett (Z.L.) Grady who transitioned on Sunday, April 19th. Bishop Grady was one of my spiritual and political mentors and--like many others--I will always cherish his memory. Z.L. Grady was born the son of Walter and Sylvira Bynum Grady in Loughman, Florida. Education was extremely important to him, and he was a life-long learner. He was educated in Sanford, Florida public schools and graduated from Crooms Academy. He attended Florida's Edward Waters College and the B.F. Lee Theological Seminary, where he earned A.A. and B.Th. degrees before earning a B.A. degree from Allen University, in Columbia, South Carolina, and a M.Div. degree from Dickerson Theological Seminary. He continued his theological studies at the Union Theological Seminary in New York and the Urban Training Center in Chicago, Illinois. Bishop Grady was awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Kittrell College, Allen University and Edward Waters College. While Bishop Grady was a highly respected AME church leader, his influence spread far beyond the church walls. He was a pastor and an astute administrator who excelled and had many great successes in both roles. He also wore the mantle of civic organizer, social reformer, and teacher. These roles enabled him to make indelible marks on many communities. I met Bishop Grady when I was a young public-school teacher in Charleston, South Carolina. Although I was born and had grown up in a Church of God parsonage, and my wife, Emily, had been born and grew up in a United Methodist Church family, we were drawn to and often attended Morris Brown AME Church where Z.L. Grady was pastoring at the time. It was under his influence and tutelage that we became AMEs. He demonstrated to us what the Bible means by ``faith without works is dead.'' Not only did he preach the Word on Sundays, he often played instrumental roles in civic and community activities throughout the week. His role in the infamous 1969 Charleston Hospital Workers strike was pivotal. He joined with ministers at Emanuel and Ebenezer AME churches to build affordable housing on Johns Island, a sea island near Charleston. He instituted a daycare center and kindergarten at Morris Brown and our first-born began her formal education in that kindergarten. He began a radio broadcast of the church services. During his time in South Carolina, he served as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Juvenile Parole Board, Chairman of the Charleston Community Race Relations Committee, Member of the Charleston Housing Authority, and a Board Member of C&S National Bank and NationsBank. And he served as an advisor to elected officials on the municipal, state and federal levels. As he rose in church and civic leadership, Bishop Grady's work took him outside South Carolina to share his talents with the world. He was elected the 111th Bishop of the AME Church in 1992, and served in the 16th, 9th and 1st Episcopal Districts. One of my most memorable experiences was arriving at the AME University in Monrovia, Liberia with the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and us being greeted by Bishop Grady. He wanted it to be a surprise and it was. Bishop Grady retired from his official role at the AME General Conference. His civic memberships included being a life member of the Beta Mu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and a life member of the NAACP. Bishop Grady leaves to cherish his memory his wife Carrie Etta Robertson Grady, a native of Winnsboro, South Carolina, who served admirably at his side throughout their leadership journey with the AME Church. The two were parents of four children and five grandchildren, one of whom Carey has followed him into the ministry and was my first Congressional Intern. Madam Speaker, l ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of this religious and community leader and recognizing the tremendous positive impact Bishop Z.L. Grady made in South Carolina and around the world. Although he will be sorely missed, we are all better for his service among us.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Madam Speaker I rise today in support of this emergency spending package. I believe this legislation moves us a step closer to my vision of making America's greatness accessible and affordable for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the inequities in our healthcare system that are having dramatic negative impacts on health outcomes in minority communities. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed back in 1966: ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhuman because it often results in physical death.'' How prescient. To know the full extent of how this virus is ravaging communities of color, we must test, test, test. That is why I am pleased there is $25 billion in this package for testing, which allows for my advocacy of mobile testing. We must make testing accessible and affordable for rural and persistent-poverty communities facing obstacles due to a lack of transportation. This pandemic has also laid bare the inequities in our financial system. The first round of funding through the Paycheck Protection Program went to businesses with long-term banking relationships. Many small family and minority-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations were shut out. That is why Democrats insisted that $60 billion be reserved in this package for community-based lenders, such as community development, financial institutions, minority depository institutions, and credit unions. This legislation is not perfect, but it is a step towards making some much-needed relief accessible and affordable.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I just want to take a moment to thank all of my colleagues for responding to what is an unprecedented event in the history of this country. Many of us who have studied history know full well that the country has been here before, and we have always recovered. The problem is many times that recovery is uneven. What we have done to this legislation is created the opportunity to have a more equitable recovery taking place, and I thank you all for doing that. The fact of the matter is this is a great country which does not have to be made great again. What we have got to do is make this country's greatness accessible and affordable for all Americans. This legislation makes an attempt to do that. I would hope that, as we go forward, we will build upon it, and, when we come back, which we will, we will have an equitable society for all.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I was necessarily absent and unable to cast my votes on all or part of June 4 and June 25. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA Roll Call No. 235, YEA Roll Call No. 236; YEA Roll Call No. 237; YEA Roll Call No. 238; NAY Roll Call No. 239; YEA Roll Call No. 240; YEA Roll Call No. 403; YEA Roll Call No. 404; NAY Roll Call No. 405; YEA Roll Call No. 406; NAY Roll Call No. 407; YEA Roll Call No. 408; YEA Roll Call No. 409; YEA Roll Call No. 410; and NAY Roll Call No. 411.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great friend of America and a great leader of New Zealand. Former Prime Minister Michael ``Mike'' Moore has been called ``a force of nature'' and was a dedicated defender of working people. The Right Honorable Moore transitioned on February 2, 2020, but his legacy will live on. Prime Minister Moore was born in Whakatane, New Zealand. He was educated at Bay of Islands College and Dilworth School, but left school at the age of 14. While working as a laborer and a printer, he became very active in the trade union movement and was elected to the Auckland Trades Council at the age of 17. Through his union work, he became active in politics and became the first youth representative on the Labour Party executive. He also served as vice president of the International Union of Socialist Youth for two terms. In 1972, at the age of 23, he became the youngest person elected to the New Zealand Parliament. During his years of public service, he held various ministries in the Labour government, including Overseas Trade Minister, Minister of External Relations, and Deputy Minister of Finance. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1984 to 1990, when he won the post of Prime Minister after the resignation of Geoffrey Palmer. Yet his service as New Zealand's political leader lasted only eight weeks, ending when the Labour Party lost control of Parliament in the general election of 1990. He was defeated as the Labour Party leader three years later. From 1999 to 2002, Moore served as director-general of the World Trade Organization, where his service was marked by his efforts to help poor countries effectively participate in multilateral trade. He then served as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States from 2010 to 2015, where I was fortunate to get to know him. He was an avid supporter of my annual golf tournament and Scholarship Banquet in Santee, South Carolina, always sending a New Zealand team to participate. Although he didn't have much formal education, Moore claimed, ``the Labour Party has been my training college, Parliament my university.'' His keen intellect was well known and he was awarded honorary doctorates from Lincoln University, the Auckland University of Technology and the University of Canterbury, the People's University of China, and La Trobe University in Australia. He was also a prolific reader and wrote books on economics, politics and New Zealand history. Moore was married to Yvonne Dereany, a teacher and host of the children's television program Romper Room, for 45 years. Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in celebrating the life of New Zealand's Prime Minister Mike Moore. He was a distinguished public servant, who had a heart for the people and a love of history. He said in his final speech as a Member of Parliament that ``a nation is the sum total of its history, its memories, and experiences. A nation without history is like a man without a memory.'' May we all remember this sentiment and honor his legacy.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of a tenacious and proud South Carolinian, who worked tirelessly her entire life to ensure her family's story was not forgotten. Earlier this month, we lost Dr. Fostenia W. Baker, a lifelong educator, family historian, and determined advocate. She will be sorely missed. Fostenia Baker was a native of Florence, South Carolina, and she graduated from South Carolina State College (now University), which is also my alma mater. During her time as a student, I got to know Fostenia as my future wife Emily's roommate. There was always something different about Fostenia, but I didn't understand until much later the family history that made her demeanor stand out. Fostenia, like many of our classmates, left South Carolina after graduation and earned a master's degree from City College of New York and a doctorate from George Washington University. She began her teaching career in the New York City Public Schools in 1970. Five years later, she returned to South Carolina to teach health education at Voorhees College and later served as a research fellow in the School of Epidemiology at the University of South Carolina. She remained in South Carolina, teaching education at Allen University and serving as a science instructor in Colleton County Schools in Walterboro, South Carolina. In 1984, Dr. Baker was appointed instructor of education for the District of Columbia Department of Corrections in Washington, D.C. She went on to become an assistant professor of health education at Trinity College and later Howard University, both in Washington, D.C. Her final position from 1997 to 2005 was as instructor of science and health education in the Prince Georges County Public Schools in Hyattsville, Maryland. Dr. Baker won numerous teaching awards including an Excellence Award as Health Education Chairperson for Prince Georges County Public Schools and the Innovative Professor Award at Howard University. She also published numerous articles in scientific journals and a book entitled Women's Health, What Do You Know About It. In addition to her professional work, it was a personal family history that was her true passion. In 1897, her great uncle, Frazier B. Baker, was named the first Black Postmaster in Lake City, South Carolina. Immediately, he was threatened by the white community who didn't want him to serve in this important role. Postmaster Baker would not be deterred by their intimidation, and he performed his job with distinction despite constant torment. On February 22, 1898, the harassers make good on their promise to remove him from his post by firing upon the Baker family in their home. Frazier Baker and his infant daughter were killed in the attack, and the other five family members barely escaped. Dr. Baker was determined to ensure that her great uncle's lynching would not be forgotten. She spent her life pursuing recognition for Postmaster Baker--writing a book of his life story and appearing in the documentary An Outrage that told the story of lynching in the American South. She also contacted me to ask if Congress would name the Lake City Post Office in Postmaster Baker's honor. I decided to champion the effort and introduced legislation in 2018, that was co-sponsored by all members of the South Carolina delegation. It became law later that year. On February 22, 2019, the 121st anniversary of Frazier Baker's murder, Fostenia Baker joined me in Lake City as we officially dedicated the Postmaster Frazier B. Baker Post Office. It was one of the proudest days in her life, and I was pleased to be there to share it with her. Without her determination, Postmaster Baker's story may have continued to be lost to history. However, Fostenia's tremendous work has ensured that his story will endure. Her ``bulldog tenacity'' is a tribute to how one person can truly make a difference. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in celebrating the life of Dr. Fostenia Baker. She is an inspiring example of a life well lived. Her legacy lives on in the students she taught and the lessons she has left for future generations by sharing her family's history.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great humanitarian, a proud military veteran, and a woman some call ``a latter-day Harriett Tubman.'' Lisa C. Williams is a survivor, a fighter and a champion for all who have been sexually exploited. She is an inspiration and an example of how one person can make a tremendous change in the world. A U.S. Air Force and Army commissioned officer, Ms. Williams left the service with an honorable discharge and set her sights on helping women and children victimized by sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, and intimate partner violence. Drawing from her own experiences to find freedom from a life of trauma and sexual abuse, she founded Circle of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc., in 1999. She has worked for more than twenty years to help educate, equip, and empower women to live their best lives, free of violence. As the founder of Living Water Learning Resource Center, Ms. Williams has developed a program that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) calls ``one of the most comprehensive, rehabilitative programs for child victims of sex trafficking in the country.'' Over the years, she has helped hundreds of children and young women reclaim their lives from sexual abuse. Ms. Williams is an author, an orator, and a thought leader and has taken her message to the White House and the United Nations. She travels the world as a motivational Speaker for the Centre for H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel), and hosts the podcast Front Porch Conversations. I have grown to know Ms. Williams through her partnership and support of the annual National Health Disparities Conference, which I help coordinate with the Medical University of South Carolina and can attest to her powerful presence and message. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including: O Magazine, Essence, Ebony, Glamour, Black Enterprise, Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen. She has appeared in film and television on the award-winning CNN Special Report: Children for Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking, CNN International News, CNN Freedom Project, BBC Brazil, and C-SPAN. Ms. Williams has been honored by numerous organizations, including CNN, Ford Motor Company, Porsche USA, YWCA, Glamour, and L'Oreal Paris. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Campbell University, a Masters of Arts from Bowie State University and attended a doctoral program at Virginia Tech. Ms. Williams latest endeavor is establishing the Circle of Friends Impact and Circle of Friends Impact Legacy Scholarship Fund endowments at Boston University. To honor her contributions, the university will dedicate the Lisa C. Williams Listening Room in her honor at the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground. This room is a safe space for quiet meditation, introspection and contemplation, which is being dedicated on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year. The room dedication is part of a program spotlighting women who advocate for social justice. Madam Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in applauding the selfless work that Lisa C. Williams has done to end sexual exploitation and help those who have been victimized by this brutal crime to live their best lives. She is a true example of selfless service for country and community, and her work has changed so many lives, including her own. I offer Ms. Williams best wishes as she is honored in Boston, and I look forward to watching her ongoing efforts and their tremendous impacts.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding the time. Speaking out against the Vietnam War in 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. implored: ``We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.'' Dr. King's words are just as apropos today. President Trump, in ordering a significant military strike, without seeking authorization, or even consultation with Congress, has brought us to the brink of war. The Constitution of this great country gives the solemn power to declare war to the people's representatives in Congress, not one person in the White House, whoever that might be. With this resolution, Congress is acting to uphold our constitutional responsibility. If the President believes military action against Iran is warranted, this resolution, and the Constitution, require him to make the case to Congress and receive authorization. Mr. Speaker, I truly regret that we find ourselves in the position we are today. The Trump administration's policy toward Iran, abandoning the nuclear deal rather than building on it, while escalating tensions instead, is an unwise application of American power, might, and strength. The strike against General Soleimani, a bad man who no American mourns, drags us closer to another long, dark, and shameful corridor to an unnecessary war. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the resolution.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today feeling the full weight of my duty, as a Member of this august body, reflecting upon our oath of office to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It is my sincere belief that, under the circumstances that bring us here today, there is only one path for us to take to fulfill that oath. Thomas Paine, in the first of his series of pamphlets entitled ``The American Crisis,'' published 243 years ago tomorrow, intoned that ``these are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered.'' These words were written at a time when our Founders were rebelling against the tyrannical rule of the British monarchy. Today, we have a President who seems to believe he is a king or above the law. Paine warned us that ``so unlimited a power can belong only to God Almighty.'' My faith leads me to take very seriously the final words of our oath to faithfully discharge the duties of the office, ``so help me God.'' Madam Speaker, 3 days ago, I joined with a bipartisan delegation of our colleagues celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. We laid wreaths at the memorials of Generals George Patton and Anthony McAuliffe. We visited foxholes that were occupied by some brave soldiers who fought in some of the worst winter weather ever visited upon a battlefield, and we visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of them and General George Patton. They were not summer soldiers in their efforts 75 years ago to preserve the Republic, and we must not be sunshine patriots today in our efforts to protect the Constitution upon which this great Republic stands. While our fight is not in the trenches or battlefields but in the Hallowed Halls of this Congress, our duty is no less patriotic.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: ``Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.'' I believe my dear friend, Elijah Cummings, would agree that H.R. 3 is a giant step toward addressing injustice in healthcare. This landmark legislation gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies and extends those negotiated prices to Americans with private insurance, also. This is a huge win for the American consumer. In the United States, our drug prices are nearly four times higher than in similar countries. This legislation provides real price reductions that would put significant money back in consumers' pockets. A portion of those savings will be reinvested in researching new cures and treatments. These cost savings will also extend Medicare benefits to cover dental, vision, and hearing, and caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 for those on Medicare. In addition, these savings will allow $10 billion to fund provisions that are in my community health center's legislation to enhance those facilities that serve 28 million Americans, half of which are in rural communities. The bill includes a $5 billion funding boost for capital improvements and construction to expand the footprint of community health centers, and an additional $5 billion in funding over 5 years for community health center grants. Providing consistent funding for and building on the success of community health centers is critically important to making quality healthcare more accessible and affordable. In my district, where four rural hospitals recently closed, there are eight federally funded community health centers working to serve almost 190,000 patients. Mr. Chair, I urge strong bipartisan support for H.R. 3, a piece of legislation that will contribute to the ending of injustice in healthcare and help move us closer to making the greatness of America accessible and affordable for all.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding South Carolinian, leader, public servant, and personal friend. Samuel Eugene Murray has ably served as Mayor of Port Royal, South Carolina for the past 24 years, and will be leaving office at the end of 2019. Mr. Murray is a native of Dorchester County and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from South Carolina State University. He continued his graduate studies at The Citadel, University of South Carolina, Appalachian State and Harvard University. Mr. Murray is an educator at heart and served 16 years as a teacher in the Beaufort Country School System. He rose to become an elementary school principal for another 20 years. During his tenure as principal, Mr. Murray was the recipient of a $50,000 Science Foundation Grant and was the only Principal from South Carolina chosen to attend that Summer's Principal Institute at Harvard University. He has always had a passion for public service. Mr. Murray served on the Port Royal Town Council for 17 years before becoming mayor. During his tenure as mayor, he worked to improve his city's infrastructure with a new town hall, police station, and fire station. He also oversaw the city's growth with the construction of new health care centers, several commercial buildings, numerous businesses, apartment complexes, single family homes, and fast food facilities. During his time in office, Port Royal's population increased from 1,500 to approximately 13,600. In addition, Mr. Murray has been a servant leader in his community by mentoring a young man with special needs for thirty years, serving as coach for the Neighborhood Youth Core Baseball Team, and volunteering as a homebuilder for Habitat for Humanity. He is involved in many organizations and has served in leadership roles in several of them. He is currently a board member of the Low Country Blood Alliance and a member of the South Carolina Black Mayors Association. He has served on the Beaufort County Board of Special Needs, the Board of the Municipal Association and the Reconstruction Era Committee that laid the foundation for what is now the Reconstruction Era National Park. Because of his tremendous service, Mr. Murray has received numerous awards and special recognitions. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement CIVITAS Award for Business excellence presented by the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, Congressman Joe Wilson Second Congressional District Minority Advisory Committee Award, and the Special President's Award by the Montford Point Marine Association. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in offering congratulations and sincere gratitude to Mayor Samuel Eugene Murray for his unwavering service to his community. His extraordinary work has made a great impact in the lives of the citizens of Port Royal and I honor him for his selfless deeds throughout his career.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and wish a happy birthday to a Centenarian and constituent who serves as an example for how we all might live to see 100 years of life. Mrs. Victoria Barnes Anderson is celebrating this remarkable milestone on December 23, 2019, an added blessing during our nation's most joyous season. The daughter of a foreman, Mrs. Anderson grew up on a sharecropper's farm in Pineville, South Carolina, and was the fifth of eight children born to parents, William and Mariah Barnes. She attended Barhill Elementary School and later Dubass in Bonneau. She was forced to quit school in the sixth grade when the bus service stopped. However, she later went back to school at night so she could help her children with their homework. She was married to the late James Anderson, and the couple was blessed with eight children. To support the family, she was a domestic worker earning just $5 to $10 per day. The family did not have much, but never went without. The Andersons were able to put three children through college, an accomplishment she attributes to the Grace of God. Since she was a young child, Mrs. Anderson has had a great faith. She attended Sunday School and church at the Good Shepherd Reformed Episcopal Church until her marriage, when she joined Bethel United Methodist Church. She has been a member there for 81 years, participating in many ministries: Junior and Senior Choir, Vice President and President of United Women, Women's Day Program Chairperson, Prayer Band Member, and Harvest Day Program Co-Founder. Mrs. Anderson frequently says, ``I've been serving the Lord a long, long time, and I'm not tired yet.'' During her more active days, Mrs. Anderson had a number of hobbies such as gardening, canning, and cooking. She still cooks from time to time with family assistance. Mrs. Anderson enjoys singing and her favorite song is ``Your Grace and Mercy.'' As a devout Christian, Mrs. Anderson's favorite book is the Bible, and her favorite scripture is Psalm 27, ``The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?'' Mrs. Anderson has lived through six wars and 18 presidents. She says the proudest moment in her life was witnessing the election of President Barack Obama. Mrs. Anderson never imagined she would see the election of the first African American President of the United States of America. Her response was simply, ``Look at God.'' In addition to her 8 children, she has 30 grandchildren, 68 great- grandchildren, and 49 great-great-grandchildren who love and cherish her. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in offering congratulations and a special happy 100th birthday to Victoria Barnes Anderson. Her longevity has set an example for all of us and inspires us to persevere no matter the circumstances. I am pleased to honor her for her lifelong devotion to faith and family.

Mr. CLYBURN

Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding leader Raymond Buxton, II, who is retiring after 40 years of service to the State of South Carolina. Mr. Buxton is a personal friend and his many contributions have not gone unnoticed. Mr. Buxton received his Bachelor of Science degree from Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. He went on to serve his country as a dental technician in the United States Army with the 87th Medical Detachment in Nuremberg, Germany and at Moncrief Army Hospital in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He furthered his education by taking graduate courses at the University of South Carolina and graduating from the South Carolina Executive Institute. In 1979, when I was South Carolina Human Affairs Commissioner, I hired Ray as a community relations consultant. While in this position, he consulted with community leaders around the state to build relationships among a diverse group of citizens to promote unity. He went on to work as an employment investigator, senior analyst for employment discrimination, division director of the private sector/ employment, and executive assistant for internal affairs before being tapped to run the agency in July 2012. As the agency director, Mr. Buxton has worked diligently to make positive changes within the agency. He was responsible for fully restoring the once underfunded budget for the agency and increased staff from 20 to 46 employees. Also, Mr. Buxton instituted a new initiative, the ``Quality of Life'' dialogue, within the Community Relations Department to promote better human relations among diverse populations in South Carolina. Professionally, he serves as vice president of the South Carolina Fair Housing Council, Inc. and as a South Carolina Human Affairs Representative for the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies. Mr. Buxton is also committed to serving the community. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He has served as the Fraternity's Chapter President and has been honored as its Man of the Year. He also volunteers at the Meals on Wheels Senior Resource Center and is an active board member on several committees including the Budget and Finance Committee and Board of Trustees at Saint John Baptist Church, the Columbia Housing Authority Development Board, and the Israel Brooks Foundation Board. Madam Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in offering congratulations and well wishes to Raymond Buxton, II, for his 40 years of service at the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission. His extraordinary work has made a great impact in the lives of South Carolinians. I wish him all the best as he transitions into retirement, but I know he will continue to be an active pa1ticipant in the community always striving to improve the quality of life for everyone.