Chaka Fattah

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady. I've seen this act before, but most Americans don't recall the shutdown under the Clinton administration. What they recall is the 25 million jobs moving our economy forward, having peace and prosperity. And I would bet 20 years from now, this fleeting moment is not going to be recalled by many people in our country. They're going to think about the 42 months of straight employment gains, the return of the housing market, the auto industry, and bringing our young people home from Iraq. This majority has managed this brilliantly. Now the ObamaCare affordable health care exchanges are open all across the land, but they've managed to shut the national parks and to do a lot of other damage to our reputation even by this meaningless shutdown. Senator Mikulski has said she'd be glad to go to conference once we pass a CR so that the government stays open. What the majority comes to the floor with is, Well, we don't want the government to stay open; we want to go to conference. This is not going to work. The Obama record, from eliminating Don't Ask, Don't Tell, to Wall Street reform, to the stimulus, and, most importantly, for opening the door to health care for tens of millions of Americans who have never had the access to be able to go to a marketplace--those marketplaces are open. They're going to stay open no matter what this majority does. Never again is health care going to be denied to people who are American citizens here in the greatest country on the face of the Earth.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentlelady. Mr. Speaker, I've been here for 10 terms, and I've seen a lot. I was here when most of the Members of my party voted against the prescription drug program offered by the other team. President Bush pushed it through, and it created a $7 trillion hole in the budget. It wasn't paid for. But after we won the majority, we won the Presidency, we didn't go back to try to undo it. We actually worked to fix it a little bit--we got rid of the doughnut hole--and we embraced it and moved forward. There seems to be a problem on the other side. They don't seem to want to come to grips with the fact that the game is over, that the teams have left the field, and that this question about the affordable health care bill is settled law; that is to say, that this consistency would be admirable except it's somewhat of a kind of foolish consistency to come 40-plus times, attempting to delay or to repeal the ObamaCare Act, as they refer to it. It doesn't make any sense. We're not in negotiations with the President. We're trying to pass a bill that the Senate will pass, and the Senate has made it clear that they have no intention of retreating or equivocating one inch on this matter. So all we're doing is spinning our wheels. So to delay health care, I would say this: health care delayed is health care denied. And our country, after some 90-plus years, multiple Presidents, has come to the conclusion that when there are Americans who need access to health care, that there's going to be a way for them to get it. Those changes are going to open on October 1 no matter what we do. The majority needs to speak a little hard truth in the mirror to itself on this matter. The sooner the better.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Chairman, I come to address the House, the Congress of the United States. We are the wealthiest country in the world. We are the most powerful country in the world. We have one program that focuses on improving the lives and life chances of people in our lower-income communities across our country. It's called the Community Development Block Grant. It was created under Republican President Richard Nixon in 1974. Since its inception, we have invested about $132 billion in some 1,209 communities across our country. Over the life of this program, we have invested about the same amount as we took to build the International Space Station. In 1 year, we spent approximately the same amount in Afghanistan. This year, we are spending $3.3 billion on the Community Development Block Grant, which is the lowest amount in the history of our Nation. What the majority, my friends on the other side, are proposing in this appropriations bill is to spend the least amount ever on this effort. They want to slash it from $3.3 billion to $1.6 billion. Now, it's not that they are mean-spirited. It is because the allocation for this bill is fatally deficient. It is too low to meet the needs of the greatest country on Earth in so many respects that we could be here all day in pointing out the deficiencies, but I want to focus on just this one program. Because it was created by a Republican President, it operates in the most, I think, approving way for those on the other team. That is to say that these are grants for which all of the decisions are made at the local level by Republican and Democratic Governors, by Republican and Democratic local officials. They decide what the priorities are going to be to help uplift these communities. So it's unfortunate that they would single out this particular program--the only program that we have to help the neediest communities across our country. I've seen it. It has worked in local business districts, encouraging small business development. I've seen its work in helping seniors put in major systems repair and heating and windows or roofing so that they can be protected in the winter. This is a great program, even though it was developed by a President of the other party. It operates through local decisionmaking. It's already at the lowest level ever, and if you added up what we've invested in it in all of these years, it wouldn't add up to what we've spent in building the International Space Station. If we added up all that we've spent on it in all of these years, it barely gets to the number we spend in 1 year in Afghanistan, but we still think somehow we should cut it in half. It's a wrongheaded decision. I would ask that we reconsider it. I know the allocation is tough, but it's going to be a lot tougher on so many more Americans who live in communities, in being reminded of what Jay-Z said, that have their shades on and are just waiting on the Sun to shine their way. I would ask my colleagues to think about that as we go forward. Think about the wrongheadedness of this and how unworthy it is for the greatest country on Earth to say to its citizens who need our help that somehow we can spend money in Afghanistan--in some far off place--or that we can build a great International Space Station, which I support, but that we can't do anything about the challenges in these neighborhoods. I ask the entire House to live up to our responsibilities in a much different way than we are doing now. I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment Offered by Mr. Griffin of Arkansas

Mr. FATTAH. I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letters regarding William Gray. District Attorney's Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 10, 2013. Congressman Chaka Fattah: I was deeply saddened upon learning of the untimely passing of Congressman William H. Gray, III, which occurred on July 1, 2013. Congressman Gray had a dynamic and overwhelming personality that touched the lives of thousands of people through his endless humanitarian efforts. My life was personally touched by Congressman Gray, when he appointed me to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. I also owe my military career in a large part to him. Our nation has loss one of its finest and distinguished senior statesmen. Congressman Gray was the epitome of a political, religious, and civic leader. He made an indelible impact on the hearts and minds of everyone whose lives he touched. He lived his life striving to improve the quality of life for all mankind. Let this be a living testament to his distinguished legacy. Congressman Gray was also blessed with a wonderful wife and fine sons. He had the support of the Bright Hope Baptist Church Family of Philadelphia, various political colleagues and brethren in the ministry, and many friends. I extend my deepest condolences to his family. My prayers and thoughts will continue to be with them. Sincerely, R. Seth Williams, District Attorney, City of Philadelphia.

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentlelady. I didn't get a chance to travel with Bill Gray as a Member because obviously he was here before I arrived, and by the time I got here, he was gone. But I do remember flying on Air Force One with President Clinton, and we flew into the heart of Africa, and we walked into a meeting with President Nelson Mandela. And in talking with the President, I explained that I represented Philadelphia. He said, Bill Gray's seat. That will resonate for all of time that Bill Gray had such an impact that this man was able to walk out of prison after 27 years and become President in part because of the leadership on this House floor to do away with constructive engagement and say, No, we need as a Nation to take the right moral position, along with Congressman Dellums and others. Rangel was in it. It was indispensable to helping South Africa make that transition. So I want to move from California now to another little, small, tiny State--I'm sorry, excuse me, Texas. Let me yield to the great gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman. It is true that Bill Gray traveled a great distance in his life--born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to his date of expiration in London--but he did so much in that period of time to make this world a better place. I want to yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) so she can talk about the life and legacy in service, the extraordinary public service, of our former colleague, Bill Gray.

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman and also would like to thank all who have assisted the family at this time, including the United States Department of State, which assisted in dealing with some of the issues around the death of Bill Gray in another country. And I want to thank them. I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee). We have about 20 minutes left. The gentlelady's going to have 2 minutes, the speaker that follows her is going to have 2 minutes, and then we're going to be going down towards 1\1/2\ minutes from that point forward in order to make sure that everyone has a chance to make comments. And I will reserve the last 4 minutes for myself.

Mr. FATTAH. Thank you. All of us have expressed our condolences to the Gray family, his lovely wife and three sons, but I want the Members to take note that we have with us this evening a number of Bill Gray's former staff members who are here and they are in the gallery, and I would just ask that we appropriately acknowledge their presence. I would like to yield to the gentleman from the great State of New York, Congressman Meeks.

Mr. FATTAH. Let me ask that we place into the Record a number of letters from local elected officials back home in Philadelphia: Councilwoman Marian Tasco, State Senator Vincent Hughes, State Senator Anthony Williams, City Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown and Cindy Bass, and State Representative Dwight Evans. Marian B. Tasco, City of Philadelphia, City Council. To the Members of the 113th Congress: Respectfully, I join with friends, family and my constituents to submit this letter for The Congressional Record memorializing a world- class citizen, with a keen sense of purpose, a man of God, a champion at the forefront of ending apartheid in South Africa, and a man who humbly served the least of these. Over the past 40 years, I have called The Honorable William H. Gray III many things: pastor, my candidate, a mentor, my congressman, and of greatest importance to me, my friend. Undoubtedly, Bill Gray lived a beautiful life. Having succeeded his father as pastor of Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia in 1972, I came to know Bill Gray very well. He knew best how to engage the people he was charged to lead. And, he knew how to help individuals identify their best qualities and develop and expand upon them. I credit Bill Gray for helping me to recognize my own ability to organize. Compelled to be his campaign manager when he ran for congress, and later his director of constituent services, he was a mentor to me and others locally and nationally who sought public office. He was instrumental in my run for office and election as Philadelphia's first African American City Commissioner, and strongly supported me in my bid to become council person for the Ninth District. I am forever indebted to him and grateful for his vision. Admired for his commitment to the city of Philadelphia, Bill Gray was a powerbroker who used his influence to provide federal resources and opportunities to often underserved communities. And though he walked amongst kings, queens and heads of nations, he was never too busy to meet with his constituents, return a phone call or help someone in need. The passing of this gentle giant is untimely, yet I hope all that mourn him will find comfort in knowing that Bill Gray leaves behind a legacy of goodness that surely withstands the test of time. God bless Bill Gray and God bless America! Marian B. Tasco, Ninth District Councilwoman.

Mr. FATTAH. I now yield to the gentleman from Georgia, Sanford Bishop.

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman for that recitation of God's prayer. Now you'll hear from someone who actually served with Bill Gray, who was his colleague in more ways than one, because Bill Gray was also a member of the greatest college fraternity. He was an Alpha. I now yield to the gentleman from New York, Congressman Rangel.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the House for setting aside this time to appropriately reflect on and to celebrate the life of service of William H. Gray--Bill Gray, as we know him--who represented my hometown of Philadelphia so very well in this Congress. But as we're going to have a number of speakers, I'll have ample opportunity to talk. So I want to move to a process in which we can acknowledge some others who want to say a few words. General Leave

Mr. FATTAH. I first ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material into the Record on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. FATTAH. I now yield to the gentlelady from Ohio (Ms. Fudge), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, for an opportunity to talk about Bill Gray and his service to our Nation.

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentlelady. Representing the city of Philadelphia was something that Bill Gray was born to do. He was just an extraordinary Member. We have one of my colleagues who knew Congressman Gray and worked with him from her earliest days in public service, so I yield to my colleague, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I will place in the Record a number of letters from local elected officials: State Senator LeAnna Washington, State Senator Stack, and a number of State legislators, including my own, Vanessa Brown, and J.P. Miranda. Senate of Pennsylvania, July 3, 2013. Dear Members of the United States House of Representatives: It was with sadness an shock that I received the news of the untimely passing of The Honorable William H. Gray, III. Former Congressman Gray was a leader to African-American elected officials throughout Pennsylvania, but he was first and foremost a native son of Philadelphia. There is no elected official in the city of Philadelphia that has not been mentored or inspired by Congressman Gray. His legacy-- that of serving his constituents through not only his Christian faith, but as an elected official--and his dedication to ensuring a brighter future for young African- American students through the United Negro College Fund--will not be one repeated in our lifetime. My condolences to all those who knew, respected, and loved Philadelphia's Bill Gray. He will truly be missed on many levels. Sincerely, LeAnna M. Washington, 4th Senatorial District, Philadelphia & Montgomery Counties.

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman. There are many who are honored to serve in this House. There are few who honor the House through their service. Bill Gray honored the House through his service. But I knew Bill Gray as a preacher from north Philadelphia. He constructed the Philadelphia Mortgage Plan, the Philadelphia Insurance Plan, the guard against red-lining neighborhoods and green-lining neighborhoods in north Philadelphia and northwest Philadelphia. I saw him deal with the challenges of bringing resources for transportation and infrastructure and job training into Philadelphia as a member of the Appropriations Committee--which no one actually normally talks about. They talk about his chairmanship of the Budget Committee, but as an appropriator, he did a great deal to move our country forward. So as I move to close, I want to thank his family for sharing Bill Gray with the rest of the world. Not just here in the Congress, but all around the world Bill Gray worked to make a difference. And I want to thank his church family. Because on this Saturday, when he's funeralized, there will be people flying in from all over. But the people who he married and baptized, the people who he consoled on their sick beds, to them, he was their pastor. For those who served with him in the House, they learned a great deal from Bill Gray's service here, which is that it's not the length or the number of terms, it's what we do when we have the power to make a difference. He was truly an impact player. As a tennis player, he had a great, aggressive net game. He played aggressively, and he always played to win. I thank the House and I thank my colleagues for taking out this time to recognize his service, his life, his legacy, and his leadership. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman. The Sunday after Bill Gray left Congress, he preached a sermon, where he said that he was chasing his mission. And his mission wasn't money. It wasn't being in Congress. It was serving people. And he was leaving the Congress to go lead this fine scholarship organization, the UNCF. He did an extraordinary thing in terms of convincing people of the likes of Bill Gates to write a billion-dollar check at one sitting. No one had ever gotten a check that large on behalf of young people in our country who seek an education. Bill Gray had the gift of being a Baptist preacher who was always optimistic. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota, Keith Ellison.

Mr. FATTAH. I thank the gentleman. It was said by Ben Hooks on one occasion that we're all passing one by one and we should not get caught with our work undone. So Bill got his work done. I yield to the gentlelady from the great State of New York, Yvette Clarke, who was born on the best day on the calendar. We share birthdays. But she is much more beautiful and brilliant than I.

Mr. FATTAH. Let me thank the gentlelady. I yield to my fraternity brother and colleague from the great Commonwealth of Virginia. November 21 is a great day. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. FATTAH. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. FATTAH

Mr. FATTAH. Thank you. I ask for the House to stand for a moment of silence.

Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, thousands and thousands of Members have served in this body. For almost each of them, it was an honor to serve; but for a very small portion of those who had the honor to serve in this House, they have literally honored this institution by their service. I rise today to reference one of them, William H. Gray, who served in the United States Congress. He was an extraordinary public servant, but this was not his only place where he served. I want to reference his leadership here in the House as a Member and then chair of the Budget Committee, rising all the way to majority whip, an accomplished lawmaker; but he also served as a senior pastor of the church where his father and grandfather had served back home in Philadelphia. He served when he left the House, providing opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people to go on to college as the head of the oldest nationwide scholarship fund, the UNCF. Bill Gray served in so many different capacities, but he did it extraordinarily well. So I rise today to ask for a moment of silence in the House to honor this life of service.

Mr. FATTAH. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.