André Carson

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, in the year of 1984, a young man 9 years old, myself with my grandmother, had the chance to tag along with Rev. Jackson as he visited Indianapolis multiple times, and I got a chance to go out to San Francisco. Rev. Jackson, we commend you and love you not only because you are a great civil rights leader, but you are an oratorical genius. ``Up with hope, down with dope,'' ``Keep hope alive,'' bringing multiple races together, but also breaking down racial, psychological barriers that existed at that time. You led the way for our beloved President. We owe you. Back then as a 9-year-old young man, he reminded me of the lyrical greats, the MellyMels, the Run-DMCs, the James Baldwins. He was a leader. He is a leader. We deserve to honor him, and we will continue to honor him.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 475.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 475) to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to guarantee the equity of spouses of military personnel with regard to matters of residency, and for other purposes.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina for introducing Senate bill 475, the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act. The House version of this legislation was introduced by Mr. Carter of Texas. As many of my colleagues know, the sacrifices that military children and spouses have to make in order to stay as one united family are difficult. This is especially true at a time when our country is fighting to protect freedom at home and abroad. Senate bill 475 seeks to provide military spouses with the option to keep the same voting rights and tax conditions as afforded in their home States or to allow them to change to the new States where they will be reunited with a servicemember. A military spouse who often accompanies a servicemember from one duty station to another is required to pay income and personal property taxes of the State in which they currently reside. On the other hand, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides our men and women in uniform the option of paying taxes to the States where they originated prior to military service or to pay taxes to the States in which they currently reside due to military service, lessening the need to hire accountants to review tax regulations of their home States, which can at times be multiple States. This will help keep their tax preparation simple and familiar, reducing the stress family members encounter when filing State taxes. Mr. Speaker, the intent of this legislation is very simple. We need to recognize that military families serve too. It is only fitting to provide military spouses with the ability to retain certain State residency benefits which are already afforded to our men and women in uniform under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Again, I would like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for working on this legislation so we may provide relief for our military families. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Parliamentary Inquiries

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to unanimously support S. 475. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, over the last two days, we have considered and voted to pass legislation honoring all Department of Homeland Security employees for their service to the United States over the course of the War on Terror. As a former Homeland Security official, I have seen first hand the sacrifices that each of these employees makes in the service of our country. These dedicated men and women spend years developing specialized skills and becoming experts on the most effective methods to prevent violence. They devote long hours away from their families, in potentially life threatening situations. And they do all of this to keep us safe from threats around the world. These federal employees rarely make the news, but their success in the War on Terror is undeniable. Their unyielding efforts have saved lives and prevented billions in property damage. We may never hear of their successes, but they deserve our thanks just the same. So, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor these men and women across our country, whose ongoing fight to protect us from terrorism has allowed all of us to enjoy the freedoms that make the United States great.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin, Jr., Deacon Minister and Senior Pastor of the Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis. For the past 40 years, Bishop Benjamin has exhibited bold and charismatic leadership on behalf of his congregation and his community. His efforts on behalf of the World Christian Church have made his congregation one of the most active and well respected in the city. Through his dedicated service, Bishop Benjamin has earned a reputation as a formidable advocate on behalf of poor minorities, fighting unceasingly for racial justice across Indianapolis. At a time when committed and compassionate leadership is much too rare in public life, Bishop Benjamin's indomitable spirit continues to inspire generations to improve our communities and serve their neighbors through Christian ministry. Thousands of local residents have been touched by Bishop Benjamin and his congregation, a number that continues to grow daily. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop Benjamin for his 40 years of dedicated leadership and service as the esteemed Pastor of Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield to Mr. Honda, the sponsor of this resolution, as much time as he may consume.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 215, which congratulates the Minority Business Development Agency for its 40 years of commendable service to America's minority-owned businesses. The Minority Business Development Agency has had a large presence in Indiana and continues to promote growth and achievement in this economic crisis. Since its establishment, the Agency's mission has been to foster the creation of minority-owned businesses in the U.S. In fact, this organization has operated as the only Federal agency created specifically to serve minority-owned businesses through its network of over 40 centers nationwide. Since its inception in 1969, over 3.6 million minority-owned businesses have been opened, creating over 4.7 million jobs. This amazing growth has accounted for $661 billion in revenue. Over the last 40 years, these businesses have flourished as a result of consulting services provided by the Agency to over 625,000 firms. During this economic crisis, the Minority Business Development Agency's services are more critical than ever. As minority-owned businesses continue to struggle, this organization provides a lifeline to an essential component of our Nation's economy. In 2008, despite the ongoing recession, the Agency assisted more than 25,000 minority-owned businesses. As a result, thousands of Americans are now gainfully employed. Today, the Agency continues to work diligently to assist minority-owned businesses by identifying opportunities available through the Recovery Act. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Minority Business Development Agency for its four decades of admirable successes in fostering our Nation's minority-owned businesses. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of House Resolution 215. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 215) congratulating the Minority Business Development Agency on its 40th anniversary and commending its achievements in fostering the establishment and growth of minority businesses in the United States.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. A.D. Pinkney, former president of the Indianapolis National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He passed away this month, at the age of 85. Dr. Pinkney was an iconic civil rights leader who brought visionary changes that forever altered the racial landscape of Indianapolis, Indiana. Under his leadership, the NAACP brought two landmark cases before federal courts, which were instrumental in forcing the city to desegregate. The first ruling forced black students from the Indianapolis Public Schools area to be bused to township system schools. The second ruling by federal courts forced suburban townships to expand public housing options for people of color. Through great courage and dedication, Dr. Pinkney opened the doors for our generation to come forward and serve our community as proud and honorable citizens. He was instrumental in breaking down ethnic and racial barriers, so that people of color may live a prosperous life of liberty and equality. His passing is a great loss to the Indianapolis area community. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. A.D. Pinkney for his service.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today I've heard a number of interesting accusations about what this legislation would do if passed. I have heard that the government will sit in board rooms and set caps on pay. But of course my constituents are accustomed to hearing these kinds of false arguments from those who wish to maintain the status quo. My constituents sent me to Congress to move beyond the status quo of a broken financial regulatory structure. They sent me to enact commonsense reforms like those included in the legislation we're discussing today, Mr. Speaker. They know that average families have cut back, work longer hours, and have saved their money during this crisis. Meanwhile, Wall Street execs have acted irresponsibly and enjoy the lavish compensation packages that have allowed their companies to fail. So I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill that will bring about a new era of responsibility on Wall Street. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to the urgency of health care reform. I want to share the story of Holly, an Indianapolis woman who has courageously fought and won two bouts with breast cancer. Thankfully, Holly's medical costs were largely covered by insurance. While she praises the care and treatment she received, Holly is rightly worried about the future. Due to her history of recurring cancer, Holly will be uninsurable if she ever loses her job and, with it, her employer-based health insurance plan. Holly and thousands of people across my district know that the status quo will leave millions more uninsured, in some cases even fighting for their lives. We must push forward with overhauling our health care system, not only for the 47 million who are uninsured but for the millions more who will be added to these rolls unless we act. Now is not the time for fear-mongering. Now is not the time for political posturing or for narcissistic behavior. We must be Representatives in the true sense of the word and act on behalf of the American people.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, tomorrow, the international community will remember a tragic day in the genocide that ravaged Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995. For over three years, the town of Zepa, Bosnia re- mained under siege by the Republika Srpska, despite being named a safe haven for

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Chair, I respectfully oppose the Pence amendment to defund Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood plays a vital and important role in my home state of Indiana. In Indiana, Planned Parenthood serves over 94,000 patients a year. Of those, more than 25,000 women are served through Title X, that's over half of all the women served by the program in our state. In my district, Planned Parenthood is an integral part of the patchwork of safety net providers, which includes county health departments, free standing clinics, and women's health centers. The simple fact is that we are in the middle of a health care crisis and Planned Parenthood is part of the solution to this crisis. One out of three women, 1.7 million, who receives Title X family planning health care does so at a Planned Parenthood health center. Planned Parenthood affiliates serve a diverse range of women and men throughout their lifetimes, providing family planning and other reproductive health care. Planned Parenthood health centers are working daily to provide quality, preventive health services. Planned Parenthood runs over 880 non-profit health centers in communities where there are limited affordable, quality health care options. In fact seventy-five percent of Planned Parenthood's patients live under 150% of the federal poverty level. Planned Parenthood provides options counseling for patients facing unintended pregnancies, preventive services including birth control, screening for cervical and breast cancer screenings, immunizations to prevent cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, education and information. If it were not for Planned Parenthood, thousands of women in my state would not get basic health care at all. That's why I support Planned Parenthood, and oppose the Pence amendment.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor to discuss the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act, which I mentioned last week, to help community organizations provide better financial education to young adults. As our recession drags on, it is clear that many of the problems we now face could have been avoided by better educating people about the financial system. Today, across our country, thousands of young people are getting their first credit card, taking out loans for college, and renting their first apartments. Yet statistics show that many of these young adults never learn basic financial skills like budgeting, saving, and maintaining manageable debt. My bill will help young people receive the financial education they need before they take these critical steps. It will provide grants for the development and implementation of effective education programs, empowering a young generation of consumers at this critical economic time. So I encourage my House colleagues to cosponsor the Young Adults Financial Literacy Act.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Delores ``Sugar'' Poindexter for her phenomenal career in the gospel music industry and as a spiritual healer. Sugar's stunning soprano voice is and will always remain legendary within the gospel music industry. She sang with many of the great pioneers of gospel music such as the Roberta Martin Singers and the Beatrice Brown Singers. In addition to singing, she was the Chairperson of the Back Stage Committee for the Gospel Music Workshop of America Inc. Sugar served as the Vice Chairperson of the Gospel Announcers Guild of the Gospel Music Workshop of America Inc., and as a co-host on Black Entertainment Television's Bobby Jones Gospel show. Sugar is a remarkable woman who has achieved many firsts in her lifetime. She is a giant in the Indianapolis community whose vision of service has touched the lives of many less fortunate individuals. In the span of over three decades, Sugar was the first African American woman to host her own gospel program on the airwaves of WTLC, which was formerly known as 104.5 FM. She was the first African American licensed disc jokey on WTLC and again the first to host her show from the Marion County Jail on Thanksgiving Day, a tradition she continued for 20 years. Despite her many achievements, Sugar's greatest legacy is that of a healer. She ran her own prison ministry providing hope and spiritual fulfillment to the women at the Indiana State Prison. I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring Delores ``Sugar'' Poindexter, a woman who shared the gospel and its message of compassion, humanity and peace through music. Sugar firmly believed in the saying that, ``to whom much is given much is expected.''

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Harper J. Ransburg YMCA for 50 years of service to the Indianapolis community. The Ransburg YMCA facility, which seeks to strengthen the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of its members, is a cornerstone on the Indianapolis Eastside that has responded to the critical social needs of its residents for decades. The legacy of this community center is as diverse as its 9,500 members, touching the lives of individuals of every age and background. In addition to promoting better health and wellness, the Ransburg YMCA has provided an environment for families and for individuals to build strong bonds to become dynamic and engaged citizens. Through its child outreach programs, this YMCA has sought to reinforce positive values and foster the commitment for community service amongst children. It is important to mention that the Ransburg YMCA would not have reached this milestone without its dedicated staff, volunteers and community members. I would like to salute them for the hard work and support that made this milestone possible. I ask my colleagues to join me congratulating the Harper J. Ransburg YMCA as it celebrates its 50th anniversary and hope that the next 50 years bring this center, and the Indianapolis Eastside community, continued success.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a fallen hero who was laid to rest in my district earlier this month. Senior Airman Ashton Goodman was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on May 26. Her ultimate sacrifice is a stark reminder of the human cost of war. However, it is Ashton's life that should serve as a shining example of American achievement in Afghanistan. While tasked with protecting vital reconstruction teams, Ashton worked to win over the hearts and minds of the Afghan people. She regularly mentored Afghan women, providing them with the guidance and skills needed to stand up against oppression and violence. Because of Ashton, many women are now combating the economic and social conditions that breed extremism. Through her exceptional support of Afghan women and her sacrifice on behalf of her country, she has set a lasting example for our military and for all Americans.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I introduced the Recidivism Reduction Act, a bill that will quickly restore Federal disability and health benefits to eligible individuals after they are released from incarceration. As a former law enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand how critical these benefits can be to successful reentry into the community. Currently, however, these benefits are regularly suspended or terminated upon incarceration and take considerable time to be reinstated after an individual is released. Without the health coverage they so desperately need, many newly released individuals cannot fully focus on securing gainful employment and developing a supportive home life. My colleagues should rest assured that this legislation will not provide new benefits to recently released individuals. Rather, it ensures that individuals receive the timely benefits they need to begin breaking the cycle of recidivism. Join me, please, in supporting the Recidivism Reduction Act.

Mr. CARSON of Indiana

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, yesterday, I introduced a bill that will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali. Years ago many of my colleagues before my time watched Ali defeat Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title and saw him capture a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. His epic fights inspired a generation. But it was outside of the ring where Ali truly made his mark, fighting for civil rights and racial harmony and combating world hunger and disease. Under the shadow of 1960s discrimination, few could have imagined an African American and Muslim would transcend race, religion and culture to promote peace around the world. I believe that today, as so many around the world are struggling, it is more important than ever to pay tribute to those who selflessly devote their lives to others. I encourage all of my colleagues to recognize a great humanitarian who remains a role model for generations to come. Join me please in supporting H.R. 2648.