Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. McBath for her remarks. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ivey).

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black history, I rise today to recognize the cornerstone of Black achievement in America: historically Black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs. As a proud alumna of Howard University, proud wife of a Howard Law graduate, and proud mother of a Howard University student, I speak from personal experience when I say that HBCUs have the transformative power to shape the leaders of tomorrow. HBCUs have a long and illustrious history deeply intertwined with the struggle for civil rights and the fight for equality. From their inception during the era of segregation to the present day, these institutions have remained safe havens where Black scholars, in spite of systemic barriers, can flourish intellectually, academically, and culturally. My own journey to Congress, firmly rooted in the halls of Howard University, is a testament to the power of an HBCU education. It was at Howard University that I received not only a world-class education but also absorbed the values of community, service, and social justice. It was at Howard University that I witnessed how education can be a catalyst for change and help others realize the American Dream. HBCUs have generated half of the Black lawyers, 40 percent of Black engineers, 80 percent of Black judges, and 70 percent of Black doctors nationwide. They graduate 27 percent of Black Americans with bachelor's degrees in STEM subjects, putting them at the forefront of innovation. These figures demonstrate the undeniable impact of HBCUs in nurturing talent, fostering academic excellence, and empowering Black students to realize their fullest potential. However, HBCUs are significant for reasons far beyond academics. They are focal points for the preservation of culture, where a rich legacy and history of the Black community are honored. HBCUs serve as catalysts for economic empowerment, providing disenfranchised groups with upward mobility. As we reflect on the importance of HBCUs, let us not forget the ongoing challenges they face. Despite their contributions, HBCUs grapple with inadequate funding and crumbling infrastructures. It is incumbent upon us all, as advocates for equality and stewards of education, to ensure that HBCUs receive the support they need to continue shaping future leaders. I am grateful that the Biden-Harris administration has invested over $7 billion in HBCUs, unlocking opportunities for millions of Americans. HBCUs represent the very best of Black excellence. We can all draw inspiration from the unwavering resilience that underpins these institutions. Their steadfast commitment to equality and greatness inspires us all to tear down barriers and build a future where everyone may openly follow their ambition, regardless of the color of their skin. In closing, Mr. Speaker, we have heard from my distinguished colleagues about the evolution of Black excellence throughout history an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, our constituents, Congress, and all Americans tonight. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order hour.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special Order hour along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Jonathan Jackson. For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to speak directly to the evolution of Black excellence throughout history, an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents we represent, and all of America. As we celebrate the evolution of Black excellence, I rise today to pay homage to the significant events and trailblazers who played a central role in shaping south Florida's history. In Fort Lauderdale, you can find the historic Sistrunk neighborhood--what we have known to be the heart and soul of the city. Since the very beginning, this vibrant and beloved neighborhood has been the epicenter of Broward County's Black culture and heritage. Sistrunk's early days can be traced back to the individuals from Georgia, South Carolina, and the Bahamas who migrated to the region. Some of the neighborhood's earliest inhabitants were railroad workers who resided in shanties prior to the beginning of the 20th century. After the railroad tracks were finalized, some workers found other employment and became Fort Lauderdale residents once the city was officially incorporated in 1911. If you take a trip down to this neighborhood, you will find yourself on Sistrunk Boulevard, which is named after the trailblazer who changed the trajectory of our region for the better. Born in 1891, Dr. James Franklin Sistrunk is a pioneer to whom our community owes a debt of gratitude. He graduated from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Sistrunk later served his Nation in World War I before relocating to Dunnellon to practice medicine. He later moved to Fort Lauderdale. Despite being a qualified surgeon, the color of his skin prevented him from working in White hospitals. In 1938, he joined Dr. Von D. Mizell to establish Fort Lauderdale's first medical facility to treat Black patients, Provident Hospital. It opened after a farm truck carrying dozens of Black workers overturned near a Whites-only hospital. The workers were told that they could only receive treatment outside. Once again, let me repeat that. The Black workers could only receive treatment outside. During his 44 years of practice, Dr. Sistrunk delivered over 5,000 babies. Throughout Broward County, Dr. Sistrunk would tend to patients in their homes and assist those who were financially strained. After the desegregation of public hospitals, Dr. Sistrunk became an active member of Broward General Hospital. This summer, I visited the Holy Cross Health Center located at the L.A. Lee YMCA /Mizell Community Center. It sits on historic land where Provident Hospital once stood and is building on its legacy in providing accessible healthcare. As we celebrate Black excellence, I am honored to pay tribute to Dr. James Franklin Sistrunk, who transformed the health of Broward County in more ways than one. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honorable Donald Payne. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs. McBath).

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 12, the Women's Health Protection Act of 2023. As a woman, a mother of two teenagers, and a Member of Congress, I was proud to cosponsor this legislation, and look forward to the day when we as a Congress enshrine a Federal law to reestablish a nationwide right to abortion. Abortion is healthcare, and access to healthcare saves many lives. In Texas, Kate Cox was forced to flee her home State to receive lifesaving care after the Texas Supreme Court decided she wasn't close enough to dying to receive an abortion, despite four emergency room visits, elevated vitals, and a risk of uterine rupture. In my home State of Florida, Deborah Dorbert was forced to give birth to her son, who died in her arms shortly after he was born, just as doctors predicted. For an agonizing 13 weeks, Deborah was forced to carry a baby she knew would die, which left her with severe anxiety and depression. In Ohio, Brittany Watts, a Black woman, was criminally charged after having a miscarriage at home, after doctors found that her water broke prematurely and the fetus she was carrying would not survive. In the wake of the Supreme Court overturning half a century of precedent, we have women nationwide who are at risk of losing their lives every single day. Women in States with abortion bans are nearly three times more likely to die from childbirth, and Black women have the highest maternal mortality rates in the U.S., three times higher than White women. Being forced to give birth means Black women will die, and if they don't die, they will be jailed for miscarrying an unviable fetus. This could be your wife, your daughter, your sister, or even me, whose life is at risk unless we receive an abortion. How can any doctor tell a woman that her life cannot be saved when we know it can. This is reprehensible. Congress must pass H.R. 12, the Women's Healthcare Protection Act of 2023. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Chu for sponsoring this legislation.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3058, the Recruiting Families Using Data Act, introduced by Representative Dan Kildee from the great State of Michigan. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation because we know all too well that protecting America's foster children starts by recruiting and retaining the best foster families to provide safe and loving homes. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong believer that we measure what we value. This bill takes a critical step to help States better meet the needs of the foster children in their care by replacing antiquated tactics with improved Family Partnership Plans to collect and utilize data to establish recruitment and retention goals while simultaneously tracking progress toward reaching these goals. Even with the limited data that currently exists, we know that there is a severe shortage of foster parents across our country due to a lack of retention. By measuring what we value, we can better understand the root causes of low retention and help those willing to open their homes to those who need it the most. We must never waver as a Congress and as a country to ensure America's foster families have what they need to keep our children safe and loved.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Mr. Bernie Singer, who just celebrated his 101st birthday. Bernie is a living testament to courage and resilience. He fought for democracy in World War II, embodying the values of the Greatest Generation. During the Battle of the Bulge, he was captured on his birthday and was later held in Stalag 9B in Germany. While in captivity, Bernie displayed unparalleled bravery and sacrifice in serving our Nation. After serving in the military, Bernie ran his own family business for over 70 years, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and the promise of the American Dream. He married his beloved wife, Marilyn, whom he has called his spouse for over 70 wonderful years. In addition to being a devoted husband, Bernie is known as a loving father, grandfather, father-in-law, and uncle. In all these roles, he has enriched the lives of those around him with kindness and wisdom. On behalf of Florida's 20th Congressional District, I am honored to recognize Bernie for his exceptional life marked by valor and an enduring love for others.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment. I am offering my amendment to H.R. 5961 to reaffirm what I hope should be a bipartisan principle: Our problem lies with the Iranian regime, not the Iranian people. Innocent Iranians have suffered at the hands of cruel authoritarian leaders who have zero regard for human rights. The Ayatollah and his regime have racked up a laundry list of gross abuses. Iranian security forces and prison personnel torture and sexually assault detainees. The country sees staggering levels of repression, without any room for peaceful dissent. Iranian authorities disable the internet during protests to mask their human rights violations. Women and girls are treated as second-class citizens and without any form of basic dignity. We must cut off any source of funding for the terrorist-supporting, human rights-violating Iranian regime, but not at the expense of basic humanitarian assistance. The Iranian people are suffering enough. Any attempt to restrain the flow of aid would exacerbate this pain. Let me also emphasize that there are robust safeguards on the funds currently in Qatar. First, the Biden administration has made it abundantly clear that the funds are going nowhere anytime soon. There are guardrails to ensure that food and medicine and similar goods alone can be purchased. No other transactions will be approved. Iran does not have access to this money currently, nor will they in the future. They can only contract with third-party suppliers to receive the goods. Those suppliers will work with financial institutions to process the payments. In other words, it is humanitarian aid or nothing at all. My amendment emphasizes that we should support humanitarian aid for the Iranian people. All of us can take issue with Iran's tyrannical leaders, but we cannot penalize Iranian citizens who have been forced to endure a harsh and repressive regime. A threat to the Iranian people is a threat to all of us. As Americans, we must uphold our responsibility as world leaders and stand with the Iranian people. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment and remember that the duality of our great leadership is in our strength and our compassion and not in further exacerbating any pain or oppression but in ensuring that we stand as world leaders and support humanitarian aid while continuing to fight the authoritarian regime. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York, Ranking Member Meeks.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I close by encouraging all of my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of National Diabetes Month. This month is important for all of us in the United States. More than 37 million Americans have diabetes and we need to double down on our efforts to find a cure for this disease. During this month, we cannot lose sight of the stark disparities when it comes to diabetes in the Black community. Black adults in the U.S. are 60 percent more likely than White adults to be diagnosed with this debilitating disease. This is a national health crisis that deserves our immediate attention. Black Americans with diabetes are 2.5 times more likely to be hospitalized and are twice as likely to die from this disease. As a healthcare executive, I saw this disparity firsthand and the impact it had on the communities that I serve in Congress. A study conducted at Emory University confirmed what many of us have long known to be true. Structural racism and geographic inequalities are exacerbating diabetic health disparities. Estimates indicate that rates of diabetes are 1.5 times higher among people of color, including Black Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Hispanics and Asians. Statistics emphasize just how serious this epidemic is in my home State. According to the Florida Diabetes Alliance, an estimated 579,000 Floridians have diabetes but don't know it, greatly increasing their health risk and dying. Yet despite inequalities, African Americans are 19 percent less likely to access newer diabetes treatment. That means that they are 19 percent less likely to access medication which could mean a healthier and longer life. Every American, no matter the color of their skin or their ZIP Code should be able to receive the best treatment options available with no questions asked. This month, let us recommit and address the social determinants of healthcare and recognize the impact they have in driving diabetes disparities. This encompasses everything from accessing green space and how long it takes to get to the grocery store. It comes down to whether patients live near a healthcare facility where they can speak to a provider and receive leading-edge diabetes care. It is a matter of whether our kids are eating nutritious lunches in the cafeteria. If we want to get serious about tackling the disproportionate rates of diabetes among Black Americans, this is where we need to start. By focusing on the social determinants of healthcare, we would lay the groundwork for a better and healthier future.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Jackson of Illinois for co-anchoring, and I give a very special thank-you to our CBC chair, Representative Horsford, for his work, and also to Congresswoman Shontel Brown for hosting a press conference we held earlier. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of National Diabetes Month, I rise today to commend the Biden-Harris administration for their work to deliver lower insulin costs for the American people. Because of the administration's transformative Inflation Reduction Act, nearly 4 million seniors on Medicare with diabetes are seeing their insulin costs capped at $35. Because of this, pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have followed suit and also capped their insulin prices at $35 a month. This is a massive win for our seniors nationwide, including those in Florida's 20th Congressional District. The life-changing cap that has helped over 29,000 of my constituents pay $440 less each year in insulin is worth it. These savings are making a tremendous difference when it comes to health outcomes. Medication is not something that those living with diabetes can go without. Over 80 percent of adults with diabetes depend on medication to manage their conditions. While this cap is putting money back into our seniors' pockets, we still have more work to do. As President Biden has made clear, affordable insulin should be accessible to all Americans, not just Medicare beneficiaries. It is devastating that nearly a fifth of insulin users have to ration their insulin use. In a country like ours, how can this be the case? Stark healthcare disparities also underscore the need for us to do more and to act. Diabetes rates are skyrocketing within communities of color. Since 2001, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes for Black and Hispanic children has increased by a staggering 95 percent. Let me repeat that one more time: increased by 95 percent for our Black and Hispanic children. Nobody should be forced to choose between paying their rent and buying insulin. No one should die because they had to ration their insulin. No one should go blind or lose limbs because they could not afford medication. Your life shouldn't be put on hold because you were diagnosed with diabetes. As Americans, we can and must do better. Last Congress, I was proud to vote for the Affordable Insulin Now Act to clamp down on runaway insulin prices threatening Floridians' health and financial security. We need to get this bill across the finish line and make diabetes treatment more affordable. Americans all over, no matter their political affiliations, stand to benefit from low insulin costs. Every American, no matter the color of their skin or their ZIP Code, deserves a healthy and fulfilling life and a dignified existence. Every American deserves to grow old with dignity. Diabetes is both preventable and manageable. Let's act now. Those living with diabetes cannot wait.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 514.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Meeks for leading this and also Chairman McCaul. Mr. Speaker, as the only Haitian-American Member in Congress, I was proud to help introduce the Haitian Criminal Collusion Transparency Act. This bill would require the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress on the ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. It would also impose the necessary sanctions on parties involved in such criminal activities. Armed criminal gangs continue to wreak havoc across Haiti, fanning the flames of a worsening humanitarian crisis and leading many to fear for their own safety. We see numerous accounts of rape against children, infants, and women. The gangs have gained strength for years without any kind of accountability. The assassination of Moise in 2021 added fuel to the fire. By shining a light on the connection between these violent criminal enterprises and corrupt leaders, along with levying a series of crippling economic sanctions, we can better address the chaos that has engulfed Haiti for years now. The instability impacts us right here at home. Traveling to Haiti has become extremely unsafe. A few months ago, two of my constituents were kidnapped while visiting Haiti and held for ransom by dangerous gangs. No one should ever have to endure that by visiting Haiti. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to support solutions that address the country's political, economic, and health situations, and I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put an end to the reign of terror in Haiti. Once again, I thank our ranking member, Representative Meeks, and also Chairman McCaul for helping us push this forward.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Madam 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 the subject of this Special Order hour.

Ms. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Ms. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor the CBC Special Order hour, along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Jackson. For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to speak directly to the American people on gun violence prevention and public safety, an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, constituents, and all Americans.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a voice for Floridians whose lives have been tragically cut short by the gun violence epidemic that is ravaging our communities. In 2020, an alarming statistic emerged. Guns became the leading cause of death among children and teenagers in the United States, claiming more lives than car accidents, cancer, or drug overdoses. This year alone, the United States has experienced over 400 mass shootings. My home State of Florida accounts for at least 20 of these. South Florida is no stranger to gun violence. Over what should have been a peaceful Memorial Day weekend this year, a total of nine people were shot on the Hollywood boardwalk. Four of them were kids. Yet, in the face of these incidents, we have witnessed a persistent denial among Republicans. In Florida, the extreme GOP State legislature is making it easier, not harder, for individuals to purchase guns. It is maddening to watch as lives are needlessly taken and families are torn apart. How have we let this become our new normal? How have we not curbed this epidemic? How have we not acted? We have a collective responsibility to build upon the landmark Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and implement commonsense measures to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a danger to others. The bipartisan law is essential in curbing the gun violence epidemic and safeguarding our loved ones, but we cannot stop there. Now is the time for us to unite across party lines and work collectively to find real solutions. We must prioritize the safety of our communities by implementing responsible gun control measures, providing mental health resources, and dismantling the cycle of violence. Let us seize the opportunity to create a safe America where all families can thrive without the looming shadow of gun violence. I ask all members of this caucus and all Members of the Florida delegation to stand with us to make sure that we can end this gun violence epidemic.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my coanchor, Representative Jonathan Jackson from the great State of Illinois. Last week, a colleague of mine on the other side of the aisle referred to Black servicemembers as ``colored people'' on the very floor we stand on today. I, like many of my esteemed Congressional Black Caucus colleagues, could not believe what I was hearing. As a person of color, it was jarring. Not only was the Congressman's comment beneath the office he was elected to serve, but it was a stinging reminder that racism is very much alive in today's day and age. We see it everywhere, from the highways we drive on to the neighborhoods plagued with disinvestment. As we have learned, we can see it even here on the congressional floor and in the Halls of Congress. Despite the progress we have made as a nation, a dark cloud of racism looms directly over our heads. We hear about it and see it every single day. Unfortunately, Congressman Crane is not alone. Republican Senator Tuberville has struggled to denounce white nationalism. Let me be clear. The term ``colored people'' is a racist and antiquated term and is simply beyond the pale. In no place should it be tolerated and certainly not on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. It was Maya Angelou who once said, ``When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.'' Last week, Congressman Crane showed the Republican Party's true colors and their agenda. It is plain as day to see that their roots and what they are trying to push us back to is a day and age when racism and white supremacy actually led the way. Their attacks on DEI are astonishing and are an attempt to roll us back to the dark and gloomy days of the United States when we did not embrace and see each other as equals. As we stand here today, not only should these words be stricken, but every Member of this body should stand in alliance with the Congressional Black Caucus to denounce these terms and vow to never return back to the day and age where we saw Black people or colored people as less then.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order hour.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to coanchor this CBC Special Order hour along with my distinguished colleague, Representative Jackson. For the next 60 minutes, members of the CBC have an opportunity to speak directly to the American people on affirmative action, an issue of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus, Congress, the constituents we represent, and all Americans. I rise today in the wake of the consequential U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, which will have devastating ripple effects and exacerbate inequities for years to come. I am a Congresswoman, but one of my other most important jobs is being a mother to two amazing college students. Supporting our children through their admissions process was a frank reminder of my own personal journey. I remembered the blanket of anxiety I experienced when pondering my options for higher education. Even with excellent grades, would the pronunciation of my last name work against me? Would someone see my volunteer work and judge keywords such as Urban League of Broward County or Black student union? Would I be accepted? Would I be enough? Last month, SCOTUS delivered a crushing and unnecessary setback to the promise of higher education and its ability to provide economic mobility to communities of color. I could not stop thinking about every high school senior who is now worried that they won't have a fair chance to go to college and who fears they won't have the same shot at the American Dream. As Americans, we are better than this. We must live up to the ideals of this Nation. We cannot ignore the invisible advantages embedded in our society. The alternative to so-called neutral indicators of merit, like standardized test scores and extracurricular activities, are far from neutral. They are often influenced by unfair and devastating disadvantages that fall along racial lines. Here is what I know for sure: the grit and grind ingrained in the heart of one who has to push twice as hard for many Black students and minorities who are trying to actually raise the bar for their families and for their communities and who don't have access to legacy networks or rich family members who are donors. We must fight so that every student, regardless of their race, has an equal opportunity for higher education. Let me be clear. We will not stand by silently as extremists attempt to turn back the clock on civil rights. We must live up to the ideals of equality in our country. We must have the congressional body and the Supreme Court think about this decision and how it will affect generations to come. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson), my coanchor.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), my colleague from Virginia's Third District.

Mrs. CHERFILUS-McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), my colleague.