Donna Edwards

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 837, a bill to designate the U.S. Mission to the United Nations Building located at 799 United Nations Plaza, New York City, New York, as the Ronald H. Brown United States Mission to the United Nations Building. We all acknowledge Ron Brown as an extraordinary man. He wore many hats--lawyer, pragmatic bridge builder, statesman, mentor and trusted and true friend. As we are all aware, he was the first African American Secretary of Commerce. In that position he became a powerful and influential voice for promoting American products and trade abroad. He left the National Urban League in 1979 to work for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who sought the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination. In 1981, Brown began a career as a lawyer and lobbyist. In 1988, he was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. From 1989 to 1992, he served as chairman and used his skills as a negotiator and pragmatic bridge builder to help reunite the Democratic Party after its defeat in the 1988 Presidential election. In 1993, President William J. Clinton appointed Ron Brown as Secretary of Commerce. During his tenure, Secretary Brown effectively utilized and expanded the role of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Secretary Brown was known for his amiable political style and his deft skill in negotiations. As secretary, he used these qualities effectively to promote U.S. trade, expand foreign markets for American businesses and spur domestic job growth and economic development. Secretary Brown's life was tragically ended in April 1996 when he was killed in a plane crash while in service to his country. It is fitting and proper we honor his civic contributions by this designation, and I urge passage of H.R. 837. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 842) to designate the United States Courthouse to be constructed in Jackson, Mississippi, as the ``R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse''.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 842.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 842, a bill to designate the courthouse to be built in Jackson, Mississippi, as the R. Jess Brown United States Courthouse. Attorney Brown was a towering figure in the history of the civil rights movement in the South and especially in Mississippi. He was a native son of Kansas, born in Coffeyville, Kansas, and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He received his law degree from Texas Southern University and practiced law in Mississippi in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. As Associate Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Brown filed the first civil rights suit in Mississippi in the 1950s in Jefferson Davis County seeking the enforcement of the right of black citizens to become registered voters. In 1961, Brown represented James H. Meredith in his suit to be allowed to enter the University of Mississippi. His victory in this case opened the doors of that university to all of Mississippi's citizens. While with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, he played a major role in fighting discrimination in the areas of transportation and other public accommodations working alongside Thurgood Marshall, who had later become Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. During his lifetime, he received numerous awards and honors, including the NAACP's Lawyer of the Year award, National Bar Association C. Francis Stradford Award, which is their highest award, and Mississippi Teachers Association award for extraordinary service to education in Mississippi. I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me to pass H.R. 842. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), the sponsor of the bill.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. I have no further speakers at this time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 869.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 869, a bill to designate the Federal building and United States Courthouse located at 101 Barr Street, Lexington, Kentucky, as the Scott Reed Federal Building and United States Courthouse. From 1964 until 1969, Judge Reed was a member of the First Division of the Fayette Circuit Court when he was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals, then the highest court in the State, and was chosen by his colleagues on the Court of Appeals as Chief Justice. He became the first Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. His opinions from the Supreme Court of Kentucky were highly regarded and often cited by other jurisdictions. Judge Reed was a member of the American, Kentucky, and Fayette County Bar Associations. On November 2, 1979, President Jimmy Carter appointed him as a United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky. He became a Senior Judge August 1, 1988, and retired April 1, 1990. He was a frequent lecturer to the National College of Trial Judges and was named to the Hall of Distinguished Alumni of the University of Kentucky on April 11, 1980. Judge Reed was an exemplary lawyer and outstanding jurist. His public career serving the citizens of Kentucky spanned over 30 years. He served with great distinction at both the State and Federal judicial levels. It is both fitting and proper to honor his civic contributions with this designation, and I urge support for passage of H.R. 869. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel). (Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 887.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 887, a bill to designate the federal building in Davenport, Iowa, as the James A. Leach United States Courthouse. Former Representative Leach began his public service career in 1965 as a staff person to then-Congressman Donald Rumsfeld. In 1968, Jim Leach joined the United States Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer and subsequently served as a special assistant to director at the Office of Economic Opportunity. In the 1970s, Representative Leach served in various capacities with the United Nations, the United States Advisory Commission on International Education and Cultural Affairs, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Our former colleague, Jim Leach was elected to the Congress in 1977 from Iowa and served for 14 consecutive Congresses. His contributions to, and interests in the House of Representatives, are numerous, including his longstanding support for use of HOPE VI HUD funds to help smaller cities develop affordable housing. Jim Leach was hardworking, highly respected on both sides of the aisle, and dedicated to the welfare of his constituents. It is fitting and proper to honor his public service with this designation. I support H.R. 887, and urge the passage of the bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 37) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 37.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 37 authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the annual Soapbox Derby. As Members are aware, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure authorizes use of the Capitol grounds each year for this worthwhile event. The 2009 Greater Washington Soapbox Derby will take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Second Street Northwest on June 22, 2009. The Greater Washington Soapbox Derby has been held on the U.S. Capitol grounds since 1991. It has attracted more than 60 youth participants in each of those years. The D.C. metropolitan race winners from each of the stock, super stock, and master's division soapbox derby races throughout the world will compete in Akron, Ohio for scholarships and other prizes in the All-American Soapbox Derby. The All-American Soapbox Derby Youth Program is administered by International Soapbox Derby, Incorporated, an Akron-based nonprofit corporation. Activities planned for this event will be coordinated with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and, like all events on Capitol Hill grounds, will be free and open to the public. I extend my thanks to Majority Leader Hoyer, who is and has been such a steadfast supporter of this event, and I urge passage of the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 38) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 38, which authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 28th National Peace Officers' Memorial Service. According to the National Law Enforcement Fund, 140 Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2008. These officers will be honored at this memorial service. During 2008, 15 women officers were killed; the average age of all officers killed was 40 years; and the average years of service was 12 years. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, there are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This first official memorial service took place on May 15, 1982, at which 91 law enforcement officers were honored. Over the past 28 years, the memorial service has honored over 3,000 law enforcement officers from around our Nation. This event has become one in a series of well-attended events during Police Week. I urge support for this resolution. Activities on the Capitol grounds conducted under House Concurrent Resolution 38 will be coordinated with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and will be free and open to the public. I support this resolution and urge its passage. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. The President has presented his budget, and it really is a blueprint for the future. It's time to end the responsibility that's been created over the last decade and return us back to some honest accounting principles; to making certain that we put everything in the pot, examine line by line the budget, and make the kind of investments in the future that will strengthen our economy and grow our economy for our children. And what does that mean? Investments in clean energy, so that we're no longer dependent on fossil fuels and foreign oil; investments in renewable energy, wind and solar, and biofuels. We'll make sure that we have a health care system that really works for every American, making sure that we have quality affordable access to health care. This is an investment that the President has put before us in his budget, and it's an investment whose time is overdue. Investments in education that make certain that from pre-Kindergarten through high school and then on-going learning we are preparing a workforce for the future, a workforce for the 21st century economy. And then, of course, making sure that we invest in our infrastructure, in water and sewer and transportation and broadband, in an electrical grid for the future, being certain that we've made the kinds of investments. The President has presented a budget that makes the kind of investments that will restore us to a strengthened economy in the 21st century.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the suffering felt throughout our Nation as Americans lose homes, businesses, jobs and opportunity. The job loss is proceeding at an alarming pace, one that hasn't been seen in decades. In January alone, 598,000 jobs were lost, the largest 1-month loss in 35 years. And it marked the 13th straight month that more workers were laid off than were hired. And just this morning, the Department of Labor announced that 623,000 initial jobless claims were filed last week. It is a sober reminder that it is time to get this country back on track. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create 3 to 4 million new jobs over the next years, 66,000 in my home State of Maryland, 8,000 in the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland. And our actions are necessary to stop the free fall and to get this country back on track. Madam Speaker, what we do in this crisis will affect our Nation for generations. And I will vote for the recovery package because it will create jobs. It will create hope, opportunity and confidence for the American people. It is time to restore that hope and opportunity.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Thank you. But it isn't simply about that substance, but it's also about what it means to serve the people. And sometimes that service comes in small ways, and other times it comes in big ways. And so, already, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dingell has demonstrated to me that we are here for the public service, and that means to our constituents in Michigan, in Maryland, and across this country. But we can't forget that. And so I thank Mr. Dingell for his longevity and for his knowledge and the breadth and also for teaching me a lesson as a junior Member of this institution about what it means to serve.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. As I am a junior Member of the House of Representatives, I am very pleased to join you, Mr. Speaker, in this recognition. I know that there are a lot of old friends in the House of Representatives. But, Mr. Speaker, I hope that Mr. Dingell will count me as one of his new friends. 19,420 days. I can't even imagine, having only served in this House for a mere 7\1/2\ months. And, today I think, Mr. Speaker, we value more than just the longevity of the service, but we value its character, its quality, its substance, and its leadership. And so I am really pleased to be here today, Mr. Speaker, in celebration of a wonderful time of public service in this institution. And I want to share with you that when I arrived in this Congress, Mr. Speaker, there was one gentleman who pulled me aside in the Members' Cloakroom and he said to me something that I won't forget, and I believe will carry many of our junior Members through our time in service. Mr. Dingell said, ``You are my peer, and don't you ever forget that, because it will serve you well in this institution.'' And already that has been true. Now we talk a lot about the substance of the legislation that Mr. Dingell has ushered through for all of us--for my parents, my grandparents, for me. But I'd like to talk to about what it means to be a Member because very recently Mr. Dingell approached me about a situation with a group of high school students from Wyandotte High School in Michigan, who were staying in Hershey, Pennsylvania, but had to play in the inauguration. And it would have been impossible for them to get to the inauguration on time. And so we found a high school out in the Fourth Congressional District in Maryland for these students from Wyandotte. And what that demonstrated to me again, Mr. Speaker, is that Mr. Dingell isn't simply about the substance and about the time, but the service.

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland

Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. You know, you raise a really interesting point, because with the job loss at just at 2.6 million jobs just in 2008, what we have seen here is 8 years of a history of providing tax cuts for the very top and nothing for everybody below; and that's really played out in the worst way in this economy. And, you know, what's really shocking is that even today, even in the face of this economy, there were still those who are arguing that we should give more tax cuts to the wealthiest, even in this environment. So the American people actually came out on top today because we created jobs, we provided tax cuts for working people. We made sure, for example, there are people in my district who are asking for food stamps and energy assistance who have never asked the government for anything ever before, but they have to in this economy. And so we have made sure that we take care of those folks, too, even extending health care coverage. When you lose a job, you lose your health care coverage and you really do worry about your families. So we have been able to create jobs in every sector where we have lost jobs, and we have made sure that we keep that bottom line for family that is really in need.