Elijah Cummings

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture Act of 2003, H.R. 3491. This important piece of legislation will establish a national African- American museum within the Smithsonian Institution, a preeminent position on our national mall. Since the arrival of the first Africans at Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, African-Americans have played an integral role in the overall development of this great nation. We have endured the cruelties and degradation of the Middle Passage, slavery, lynchings, Jim- Crowism, social injustice, segregation, and discrimination. However, our strong faith and belief in the promise of America has enabled us to persevere in the face of adversity. In all areas of life, African Americans have made an important contribution. In music, from jazz to hip-hop, African Americans continue to have a strong influence upon our nation's musical heritage. From Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, to Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison, African Americans have enriched this country's literary heritage. We have excelled in film, sports, and business and continue to sow into the life of this nation. African American scientists, inventors, educators, and physicians, such as Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Ben Carson to name a few, have and continue to enrich the daily lives of all Americans--from developing blood transfusion and blood bank procedures to learning the path of the mind to perform delicate brain surgery. Inventors, such as Garrett Morris and Granville T. Woods to name just a few, have developed everything from the stoplight and gas mask to critical railway switching technology. Additionally, we have proudly served our nation with distinction in every war--from the Revolutionary War to today in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The struggle for freedom, equality, and civil rights has always been a struggle for the full realization of true democracy in America. Our legacy is firmly ingrained in the very fabric of this democracy. However, in spite of our triumphs and accomplishments, there does not exist a national museum located in Washington D.C. on or near the National Mall dedicated to the documentation of African American history. This bill creates such a museum. The National Museum of African American History and Culture would properly collect, preserve, exhibit, and honor, on a national level, the period of slavery, Reconstruction, the Harlem Renaissance, and other periods associated with African American life, art, history, and culture. Not only will this national repository of the Black experience in America be viewed by millions of tourists who flock to the nation's capital each year, but will be accessible to students and scholars alike. It will also demonstrate to our youth that they can take pride in their rich cultural heritage. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to lend their support to this important piece of legislation. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank my distinguished colleague, Representative John Lewis, for his tireless dedication and leadership. Mr. Lewis has committed more than 10 years of his life to the vision of a national monument celebrating the legacy of African Americans on the national mall. We are now on the verge of making that dream a reality. Please support this bipartisan bill. I also extend my sincere appreciation to Representatives Jack Kingston and Roger Wicker, and Senators Sam Brownback and Christopher Dodd for their leadership.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. I want to thank the gentlewoman for her support. I really appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, as I conclude, I just want to go on and say that although the U.S. military has traditionally been, as my colleague has said, a diverse institution, it has not always been an integrated institution. From Crispus Attucks, who suffered the first shot during the Revolutionary War, to the Tuskegee Airmen, who never lost a single bomber under their escort during World War II, African Americans have answered the call to service whenever our country was in need. Yet these same soldiers have not always been treated fairly by their country. Even today, our veterans, all of our veterans, are not treated, as the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) has said, with dignity and the honor that they deserve. How else can we explain the things that the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) just talked about, cutting the veterans budget in this year's budget resolution? How else can we explain proposing to close veterans hospitals around the country when they are in dire need of care? We must change this course and honor our veterans in word and in deed. So, Mr. Speaker, I stand on the floor of the House tonight feeling a sense of pride; pride for the ultimate sacrifice that our men and women have made throughout our history, so that I and my colleagues might stand on this floor tonight. I want to just yield back to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) with regard to some issues that she wants to discuss.

Mr. CUMMINGS. So many people here hear the Congressional Black Caucus stand up over and over again and talk about the war and talk about our objections to the war; but one thing they always hear from us over and over again is that we support our troops, that we support our men and women who are out there fighting. But we have come here tonight to say not only do we support our troops, but we also support our veterans with everything we have got. I used to say we support them 100 percent. I change that to 1 million percent.

Mr. CUMMINGS. It is very interesting, in my district we just had an opportunity for some African American students to talk to the superintendent of schools. This is one of the best school systems in the country, Howard County, outside of Baltimore. The African American students were talking to the school board, talking about the difference in the disparity between their achievement and those of white children. One of the things that they said that just was so profound is they said it is so important that we know our history. I chimed in and said, ``It is not just important that you know it. That is not enough. It is very important that all of your classmates know it too, because then I think the world can appreciate all that has been contributed, not only by African Americans, but by this whole melting pot in making this country what it is.'' I cannot forget as you were talking, Jessie Jackson, Sr., talking about when he came back from war. He had to sit in the back of the train, and a lot of the white German prisoners were allowed to sit in the front of the train. The reason I understand why you raised these issues is we want to make sure on the one hand that we honor our veterans, but we realize that honoring our veterans is giving the total story, or, as somebody used to say in one of the movies, ``giving the rest of the picture.''

Mr. CUMMINGS. As we conclude, I think when one looks at the stories that the gentlewoman told about when she was a little girl and would see what the veterans would return to, and the water fountain that said ``Whites Only,'' the fact is that so many of these soldiers, think about the Buffalo Soldiers and many others. Although they knew that this country was not necessarily treating them fairly, they still stood up. As a matter of fact, many of them were beating down the doors trying to stand up for this country. Not only do we pause here tonight to thank the living veterans, but we thank those and their spirits who may have gone on who were fighting for a country that they knew was not necessarily treating them right, but they were always fighting for their future. They were fighting for generations yet unborn. Let me say that when one thinks about somebody putting their life on the line and knowing that they would return to a situation in this country where they were not treated fairly, but puts their life on the line today so that, not only their offspring, but even the offspring of those that might not have treated them right could have freedom and could have opportunity and could have convenience, that is a powerful statement. It really is. So we come here not only to honor the veterans who can hear us tonight, but we come here also to honor those who have gone on and who dreamed a dream that the world would be better that they were fighting for.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise with fellow Members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other Members of Congress to salute this Nation's veterans in commemoration of Veterans' Day next Tuesday. Mr. Speaker, it is a very special day for so many of our men and women who have given their blood, their sweat, and their tears to defend the lives that we live in this country. Many of them have given their lives standing up for what America is all about. And so it gives me great honor to yield 20 minutes to my distinguished colleague from the great State of Missouri and the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Ike Skelton, for his remarks.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to thank the gentleman from Missouri for his service and the position that he holds. We in the Congress, of course, look up to him as our ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee for his advice on our veterans and on military matters, and I appreciate his service. Mr. Speaker, given that our country is currently engaged in a war in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus feel compelled to pay homage to our soldiers at home and abroad. Our brave men and women continue to risk their lives in order that others may enjoy freedom. In fact, we have come to the House floor on numerous occasions to express our appreciation for the dedication, courage, and sacrifice of our Armed Forces. Tonight Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Black Caucus again stands before this House to honor those currently serving in the over 100 nations around the globe where the United States military has operations, and we especially pause to remember those who laid the foundation for our freedom. Mr. Speaker, the United States military is among the most diverse institutions in our country; and it is this diversity in gender, ethnicity, skill, and talent that contributes most to our military's awesome strength. Throughout history, heroic citizens of our great Nation have transcended individual prejudice and intolerance to unite in the pursuit of liberty and in their valiant protection of our borders. However, many of these same individuals have too often been unrecognized and forgotten once the final shot has been fired and the last drop of blood has been shed. So as my favorite theologian Charles Swindoll, who has penned these words that are imbedded in the DNA of every cell of my brain, Swindoll says ``The greatest deeds often performed are those that are performed by those who are unknown, unseen, unappreciated, and unapplauded.'' And we want to make sure that our veterans do not fall into any of those categories. And it was the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), my good friend, the ranking Democrat on our House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, who penned these words, and they are just so brilliant, I just wanted to repeat the gentleman from Illinois' (Mr. Evans) words. He said, ``50 million have held the venerable title of veteran. More than 1 million have died while wearing the uniform. It is this generation's responsibility, and that of every subsequent generation, to make sure the numbers have faces, lives that connect to them. We are losing 1,500 veterans a day. Each death represents a life, another rich, colorful, dynamic, dramatic, brutal, or heartening story. The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) goes on to say: ``The only way this and future generations can hold dear to what our veterans have done, can understand the sacrifice, is to record and share their stories and to continue the traditions of honoring their service such as those observed on November 11. We must not lose their deeds to time or neglect. The greatest gift in return for what these extraordinary individuals have given us is to make certain their lives and experiences are perpetuated, to recount their sacrifices to every generation.'' Finally, he goes on to say: ``War may begin over real estate, mineral rights, religion, or boundaries, but ultimately it is about people and lives. It is about one man or woman seeking to make certain that the next one can live freely and have a say in his or her own destiny. It is about sacrifices to ensure our Nation and world in which the rights of the individual are acknowledged, respected, and cherished.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield to the wonderful gentlewoman from the great State of California (Ms. Lee), the daughter of a veteran.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman for her comments, and I just want to talk to her for just a moment. She said something that really touched me, and I think that many people who have moved throughout our neighborhoods know this, but there are so many veterans who are homeless, and it is so painful. When I go to our drug treatment centers, it is not unusual for me to just sit down and talk to the people there and just find out a little bit about their history. And I notice that it is interesting that when people who are a little bit older, I would say maybe one out of every six or seven that I talk to is a veteran, and a lot of them are, of course, complaining about various things, but the fact is a lot of them link a lot of their problems to their service. When a person serves, when they volunteer and they go in or they are drafted or whatever the case may have been, they go in to serve their country. But I also think our country, and I think this is what the gentlewoman was talking about too, has a duty to take care of them when they get back, because after all, I mean it is very nice for us to stand here and say all those wonderful things about our soldiers with the ongoing conflict we have certainly in Iraq, but the fact is there is that duty, and just as we lift them up and applaud them as they go off to war and just as we pray for them and we hold them in high esteem when they go off to fight our battles and defend our freedom, when they come back, they should come back to a situation that makes them whole. Just this evening, as a matter of fact, on one of the national news shows, there was a just a very painful story of a young man who just came back from Iraq, and I know he is not a veteran yet, but when he got back, his bills had amounted up to so much between him and his family. He was a National Guardsman, and they had some kind of a furniture repair business or something of that nature, but in the course of his being gone for the period he was gone, his income from the business went down 80 percent, and now he finds himself in a position where his wife and he have decided for whatever reasons to go their separate ways. But the thing that really touched me was he had apparently an opportunity to now get out of the military, but he said he wanted to stay. He said that he was an Honor Guard, one of the men who go to the funerals and fold up the flag and deliver it to the family. He said that he wanted to stay because he felt that that was so important. When I heard that, I said to myself, we really ought to make sure that we do right by our veterans. It is not enough for us to come and applaud them. It is not enough for us to come and thank them. We have really got to support them.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my Special Order tonight.

Mr. CUMMINGS. So, Mr. Speaker, again as I have said before, there are so many deeds that go unnoticed, and the ones who perform them are often unseen, unnoticed, unappreciated, and unapplauded. Tonight we in the Congressional Black Caucus take a moment to salute those who have given so much so that we might live the lives that we live.

Mr. CUMMINGS. When the gentlewoman talks about disabilities, I want her to go back a moment and talk about concurrent receipt. It seems to be just an unfair situation, when you are injured and you go leave the military on a disability and then your disability payments are then deducted from the funds that you are supposed to be getting. Can the gentlewoman explain that to us?

Mr. CUMMINGS. Basically what is happening is they are taking away money.

Mr. CUMMINGS. I agree. I get letters all the time from our veterans on that issue of concurrent receipt. As a matter of fact, I just got something today where a gentleman from Oklahoma was just very upset. He said, ``I wish you all would address that, because it is just so unfair to me.'' He is extremely angry.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank my colleagues for their support of the ``Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site Land Exchange Act,'' H.R. 1616 and the bill to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., S. 470. These bills extend the authority for and make possible the construction of a national memorial commemorating the achievements of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his commitment to the struggle of civil rights for all Americans. Dr. King dedicated his life to the realization of full equal and civil rights for all Americans irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. He stood on the front lines in the struggle against social injustice, discrimination, and inequality, often at great risk to himself. Despite numerous death threats, Dr. King never wavered in that commitment. Madam Speaker, the Lewis and Sarbanes bills are a win-win situation for all parties involved. The National Park Service currently owns a vacant lot that does not have any significant historic value. The city of Atlanta would like to acquire this land for the sole purpose of encouraging commercial development within its city limits. In addition, the land on which the National Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum currently sits is land-locked and lacks adequate emergency access. Exchanging this land within the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site for property in which the National Park Service could establish easy access to the Visitor Center and Museum would be mutually beneficial to both parties. This would simultaneously resolve the National Park Service's access issue and give the city of Atlanta much needed commercial space. Madam Speaker, once again I am proud to support both bills--the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site Land Exchange Act and the bill to extend the authority for construction of the MLK Memorial. I would like to give a special thanks to my colleagues Mr. Lewis and Senator Sarbanes for their leadership in sponsoring these important pieces of legislation and in helping to keep the dream alive.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank my colleagues for their support of the ``Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site Land Exchange Act,'' H.R. 1616 and the bill to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., S. 470. These bills extend the authority for and make possible the construction of a national memorial commemorating the achievements of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to the struggle of civil rights for all Americans. Dr. King dedicated his life to the realization of full equal and civil rights for all Americans irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. He stood on the front lines in the struggle against social injustice, discrimination, and inequality, often at great risk to himself. Despite numerous death threats, Dr. King never wavered in that commitment. Madam Speaker, the Lewis and Sarbanes bills are a win-win situation for all parties involved. The National Park Service currently owns a vacant lot that does not have any significant historic value. The City of Atlanta would like to acquire this land for the sole purpose of encouraging commercial development within its city limits. In addition, the land on which the National Historic Site Visitor Center and Museum currently sits is land-locked and lacks adequate emergency access. Exchanging this land within the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site for property in which the National Park Service could establish easy access to the Visitor Center and Museum would be mutually beneficial to both parties. This would simultaneously resolve the National Park Service's access issue and give the City of Atlanta much needed commercial space. Madam Speaker, once again I am proud to support both bills the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site Land Exchange Act and the bill to extend the authority for construction of the MLK Memorial. I would like to give a special thanks to my colleagues Mr. Lewis and Senator Sarbanes for their leadership in sponsoring these important pieces of legislation and in helping to keep the dream alive.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about a great man, a man who died before his time, the late Senator Paul Wellstone. On October 25, 2002, the people of Minnesota, the Senate and our nation lost a beloved colleague and humanitarian. Paul Wellstone was a man of deep convictions who cared deeply for those around him. A champion of working families, the poor, the disenfranchised, the forgotten, the voiceless, and the disabled, Paul Wellstone was a liberal Democrat in the truest sense of the term during a time when liberalism was not politically fashionable. Mr. Speaker, Senator Wellstone took stands on issues of principle. He voted against the Resolution authorizing the use of military force in Iraq and the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. He was the only Democrat to vote against the Democratic version of the estate tax repeal; opposed the Administration's national missile defense program and was against permanent normal trade relations with China. Paul Wellstone was not ashamed of voting his conscience, even if this meant that he would often stand alone. For this, Senator Wellstone won the accolades of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Mr. Speaker, as the son of immigrant Russian Jews, Paul Wellstone believed in the promise of America. Prior to his entry into the United States Senate, this plain-spoken man was a devoted and beloved associate professor of political science at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he taught for 21 years. And although diagnosed with a mild case of multiple sclerosis, Paul did not let it incapacitate him. He continued to fight for those issues dear to his heart: affordable universal health care, mental health parity, family leave, veterans affairs, and environmental protection. Mr. Speaker, I am truly blessed to have known Paul Wellstone. On that fateful day 1 year ago on October 25, 2002, I lost a beloved friend and colleague and the world lost a fearless and selfless public servant and tireless advocate for justice. He has left a deep void in this institution and is truly missed. He is often remembered for a particular saying--that ``people yearn for a `politics of the center', not `the center' so widely discussed by politicians and pundits in Washington, but, rather, a politics that speaks to the center of people's lives.'' On this 1-year anniversary of the death of this courageous and principled man I urge my colleagues to commit themselves to his legacy and fight for the things to which Paul Wellstone dedicated his life. I know I will.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 926, the ``Federal Employee Student Loan Assistance Act,'' which will increase the annual and aggregate limits on student loan repayments by Federal agencies. Many federal employees have undergraduate and graduate degrees, and due to the rising cost of higher education, most of these employees have incurred student loans with hefty payments. Many talented graduates are interested in federal employment, but due to loan repayment burdens, they are unable to seriously consider federal employment. In order to remain competitive with private agencies that offer higher salaries, the federal government must continue to offer additional incentives, such as loan repayment programs. As tuition costs continue to rise yearly, we must factor this into the existing loan repayment program for federal employees. This bill, which will cost less than $500,000 per year, will have a significant impact on both current and potential federal employees who are burdened with outstanding student loans. Increasing the yearly and total amounts of loan repayment allotted to individual federal employees helps the federal government to attract the best and the brightest employees, those who might otherwise opt out for higher salaries in the private sector. This is a good bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 926, the ``Federal Employee Student Loan Assistance Act,'' which will not only help to recruit quality federal employees, but will also encourage longevity and retention of these very same employees. These programs also serve as an excellent model for all employers, both public and private.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the supplemental and support the Obey amendment. This is a question of accountability. I continue to abide by the principles set forth by the Congressional Black Caucus last month to determine whether we, as Members of Congress, would support the President's request for more aid in Iraq. I believe that the President should provide the Congress with the full details of the information relied upon by him to go to war. He has not done that. I asked that the President provide full details about how the efforts will be paid for, including full accounting of how and to what extent Iraqi resources could be used to reduce the U.S. costs. He has not done that. He should provide us with full details about the future obligations of the United States and about how responsibility and authority for these obligations will be shared with the United Nations and other nations. He has not done that. Congress should ask for a detailed accounting from the administration as to all funds expended to date, including details about all contractors for work in or related to Iraq. Lastly, the President should set forth criteria he expects will be necessary to meet before we bring our troops home. In other words, what is considered victory? He has not done that. No more blank checks. People in my district want better schools. They want better health care. They care about the Iraqi people, but they ask are we spending our money effectively and efficiently. And what they have concluded is because this President will not tell us what has been done with the money we already spent, we question what will be done with this money.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1821, which awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Dorothy Height in recognition of her many outstanding and remarkable contributions to bettering this Nation. Born in 1912 in Richmond, Virginia Dr. Dorothy Irene Height distinguished herself at an early age as a dedicated student with exceptional oratorical skills. As a young girl she fearlessly and vehemently stood up to the racist and sexist climate of the times. At the age of 25 she heeded the call of her mentor, Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of the National Council of Negro Women, and joined the struggle for women's full and equal employment and educational advancement. She has and continues to dedicate her life to the struggle for equality, social justice, and human rights for all peoples. Mr. Speaker, throughout her illustrious career as a civil rights advocate, Dr. Height tirelessly worked to prevent lynching, encourage voter registration, desegregate the armed forces, reform the criminal justice system, and create equal access to public accommodations. Her public career spans nearly 65 years. She was a valued advisor to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and encouraged Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson to desegregate the Nation's public schools and to appoint African American women to sub-Cabinet positions. Since 1957 she has served as President of the National Council of Negro Women, an umbrella organization for 250 local groups and 38 national organizations dedicated to economic development and women's issues. Mr. Speaker, the numerous awards and accolades Dr. Height has received over the years is a testimony to her invaluable contributions to the progress of this nation. The NAACP has awarded her The Spingarn Award, its highest honor. She is also the proud recipient of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Award from the National Council of Jewish Women; the Ministerial Interfaith Association Award; the Lovejoy Award; and the Congressional Black Caucus' William L. Dawson Award for her decades of public service to people of color and particularly women. However, Dr. Height is not one to rest on her laurels. She continues to lead the fight against social injustice and inequality and her profound love for and dedication to our youth is unmatched. As a direct link to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Dr. Height continues to inspire future generations of civil rights activists. Mr. Speaker, what else is truly remarkable about this grand dame is that at age 90 she does not plan on slowing down. And although she spends much of her time in a wheelchair, she continues to stand up for equality and social justice. I only hope and pray I have the same vigor and fight in me at that age. Once again, I am proud to stand before this body in support of H.R. 1821. I want to thank my esteemed colleague from the state of California, the Honorable Diane Watson, for her leadership in sponsoring this important piece of legislation. I urge my colleagues to lend their support to this resolution and award Dr. Height our highest accolade.

Mr. CUMMINGS

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the topic of my special order.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman for her statement. As you were talking, I could not help but think about the call that I got the other day from one of my constituents who has now been laid off from a factory that closed. She saw the same national news story that I saw where several Iraqi teachers were being paid, and we all welcome education and everything, but what they said in the newscast and what she was so upset about is the newscaster said they are now being paid six times what they were earning before the war. She said it just hurt her so badly to see those dollars being paid out, and yet she was about to be homeless. So there is just something that I think the Caucus has consistently emphasized. Along with being very supportive of our troops, we have also used the word ``balance'' over and over again. We must approach our family issues with balance, our lives with balance, the things we do with balance. Clearly, I think the gentlewoman will agree with me, what seems to be happening here is clearly out of balance. One of the things we want the American people to keep in mind is that we are not talking about just this $87 billion. We are also talking about close to $80 billion that we just gave in the spring, and one of the big questions that we put forth is when is the next request going to come and how much will that be for?

Mr. CUMMINGS. I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt) for his statement. I am glad that you have over and over again reminded all of us that these are just basic, logical, practical questions that people would ask in any serious matter. But I just wanted to emphasize one thing that you talked about when you talked about how there were countries that were a lot worse off that are not getting this kind of assistance. And I just reiterate something I said a little bit earlier. Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world, with 112 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and another probable 220 billion barrels. In the current world rate, the value of proven Iraqi reserves would be about $2.8 trillion together with another $5.5 trillion in probable oil reserves. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my colleague, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), who has been at the forefront of our outreach as a caucus and has pulled us together on this issue.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, the gentlewoman also spoke about the principles of the Congressional Black Caucus, and there were two sets of principles as the gentlewoman referenced. We had one set of principles that came prior to the war, and then we had another set of principles that we agreed upon with regard to this $87 billion in future spending. The man who really helped us pull all of that together, who has just spent a phenomenal amount of effort in trying to make sure that we put forth principles that made sense, that were common sense, that we believe the entire Nation should be asking, was our colleague, the gentleman from the great State of North Carolina (Mr. Watt), and I yield to him.

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek).

Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman. I so often, Mr. Speaker, after these special orders, we get calls and people say, Why do you keep standing? Will you win? Do you think you can win? As much as we like to win, I take the words of former Congressman Bill Gray, he said, Even if we do not win this battle, we will set the trend, and we will be the conscience no matter what. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?