Marcia Fudge

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am sick and tired of people talking about gun violence as if it is just another headline or topic of the day. While we tend to discuss gun violence because it occurs so frequently in our country, another debate is not enough. How many Americans do we have to bury before gun violence stops? What will it take for every Member of this House to consider gun safety laws? And, when will we stop talking about the lives lost and take real action to save our constituents before their names are called before a moment of silence? It is clear that there is a culture of violence pervading our society. It is crippling us at our core: tearing families apart and hurting communities. Perpetrators are cutting off generations at the head and ending lives way too soon. Gun violence is a crisis of murder. We need to call it what it is. We must figure out how to stop people from killing other people and get guns out of the hands of those that do not need them. Proponents of gun rights say that there is an absolute right to bear arms. I disagree. All rights are subject to reasonable restrictions. But what is absolute, is that Americans have the right to leave their homes without being shot. All Americans deserve to live free from fear. But, every day Congress does not act, we lose more innocent children, men and women. Every day we do nothing, we forfeit more lives. I call on my colleagues in Congress to pass comprehensive, national gun policies that eliminate loopholes, ban assault weapons, and place limits on high-capacity magazines. Several bills have been introduced in the House this year. I have co-sponsored many. Yet, none have made it to the House Floor. This is unacceptable. We have to protect the lives of our constituents. It saddens me that we are still just talking about gun safety. We did the same after Sandy Hook and Newtown. We reacted similarly following Aurora, Charleston, Oregon, and now San Bernardino. And, discussions continue after each tragic instance of gun violence in our districts. We are complicit in this violence if we fail to strengthen our gun laws and combat other reasons these murders continue. Comprehensive gun control may not be a panacea, but it is indeed a good start. It is time to take action. Let's make our streets safer for all Americans.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I just want to say that there is no one in this Congress who works harder and puts in more time trying to find a way to come back and eradicate poverty than Barbara Lee. It is my pleasure and my privilege to work with you every day. I have learned so much from you, and I just want you to continue to do the people's work, and I appreciate it. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address a topic that many of us know far too well, and that is poverty. I see its impact on the people of the 11th Congressional District every day. My district has some of the Nation's most impoverished cities. The overall poverty rate is 28 percent. Out of the 435 Congressional districts in the United States, my district is one of the top 20 poorest districts in America. Nearly 200,000 of my constituents live in poverty. I see and talk to poor people every day. Mothers and fathers without jobs, families with little to no access to healthy food or adequate housing, and children-- yes, Mr. Speaker, children--who are in overcrowded classrooms with outdated textbooks. Poverty is the source of our Nation's most persistent social and economic issues. It permeates our entire society and has victimized too many Americans for far too long. We don't need another committee hearing on hunger or poverty to tell us what we already know. We know what the problems are and how to address them. My colleagues and I have been proactive in finding solutions to eradicate poverty in this, the wealthiest country in the world. I have introduced bills supporting initiatives to feed children and families, fought to protect safety-net programs, and insisted Congress develop policies that create jobs that pay a living wage. The majority in this House has not been a willing participant. Some Members believe that if you don't work, you are lazy. Others believe that poor people are looking for handouts. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, none of that is true. The people I have spoken to are not looking for a handout. They simply need a hand up, a job to take care of their families and pay their bills. The dignity of work is what we all want. We must put aside politics and pass policies that give everyone a fair chance at the American Dream. When we do not work together, our constituents suffer. FDR said: ``The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.'' We must act now.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of my personal heroes, former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, who posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week. Congresswoman Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first woman (and African American) to run for a major party's presidential nomination. The Congresswoman was also one of the 12 founders of the Congressional Black Caucus. She was a catalyst for change. To quote Congresswoman Chisholm, ``You don't make progress by standing on the sidelines, whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.'' Let us remember her words during the remainder of our legislative session. The Members of this House have the opportunity to implement ideas that can transform this nation. Just yesterday, we approved the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and address some of our nation's most pressing public education issues. The bill protects Title I funding, ensures equitable allocation of resources to schools, recognizes the importance of after-school education, and maintains subgroup disaggregation of data for reporting. The ESSA also gives states and local school districts more flexibility, while preserving the federal role in education and ensuring that states and districts honor the civil rights legacy of ESEA. I am pleased my colleagues came together to pass this important bill. While not perfect, the ESSA is a step forward for public education in this country. As Congresswoman Chisholm also said, ``I don't measure America by its achievement but by its potential.'' Yesterday's actions showed the nation this Congress has great potential to put politics aside and serve the best interests of the American people. May we continue in this spirit, and let us honor Congresswoman Chisholm by working together to improve the lives of all Americans.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank both the chair and ranking member for their leadership. It has been a privilege to work on this with both of you. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my strong support for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It is long overdue. For years, our Nation's students, their parents, and teachers have implored Congress to address the flaws in No Child Left Behind. Today we finally have a bill that addresses many of the most difficult issues. Though not perfect, this bill is a significant improvement over No Child Left Behind. Education is our Nation's great equalizer. Education opens the doors of opportunity to all of our Nation's children. This year we commemorated the 50th anniversary of President Johnson signing the original ESEA. Fifty years ago, as part of the Great Society legislation, we passed ESEA as a civil rights law that affirmed the right of every child to a quality education. It further underscored the belief that poverty should not be an obstacle to student success. The bill before us protects title I funding, ensures equitable allocation of resources to schools. It recognizes the importance of afterschool education and maintains subgroup disaggregation of data for reporting. Further, the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants program is formula based and distributes dollars that fill resource and opportunity gaps based on the need and population. While ESSA does give States and local districts more flexibility, it does not absolve the Federal Government of its responsibility to protect the civil rights of underserved students. Make no mistake. The Department of Education maintains its authority to oversee implementation of the law and take action against States and districts that aren't honoring the civil rights legacy of the ESEA. It was my goal that the final bill provide equal educational opportunities for all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, language, or disability. I believe the Every Student Succeeds Act achieves this goal by striking a balance in the best interest of all of our Nation's students. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus because last week our nation was reminded, yet again, Black lives have no value. But this time, the reminder was different. It did not come from law enforcement in response to a shooting, traffic stop, or 911 call. Nor did it come from inside a jail cell or a court room. This time, the reminder came from the use of excessive force in a place where most of us would expect it never to happen: our schools. Schools should be safe havens for our nation's children. Unfortunately, actions of Spring Valley school resource officer, Ben Fields, caught on video have proven that they are not. Instead of preparing young minds across the country to tackle our nation's most complex issues, some of our schools are fostering fear and mistrust. And, this is what my young constituents have told me. On October 16, I held a listening session with more than 400 high school students from Northeast Ohio. I was surprised to hear that nearly all of them felt there was no one they could talk to--in their schools or communities--if they felt unsafe. Today, I am not so shocked. With incidents like the one captured in the Spring Valley video, who could blame them? What messages are acts like these sending our youth? Are they to think this behavior is acceptable and that they matter less, if at all? The over criminalization of African-American youth and young adults is already a growing issue in our communities. The number of African- American men in jail continues to rise. African-American and Latino boys and men tend to receive harsher sentences than their peers of other races. Further, the school-to-prison pipeline is as strong as ever, with our African-American students suspended at three times the rate of their White peers. In this case, criminal charges were even filed against the young Spring Valley female student after she was subjected to egregious force by a ``resource officer.'' As a nation, we must stop this vicious cycle. It is time to change the narrative and save our communities for generations to come. I call on my colleagues in Congress to work together to pass policies that tell our children their lives have value. We must pass criminal justice reform and support policies that create a safe, nurturing environment in our schools. The future of our communities depends on it.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with the Ohio delegation this evening to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your 24 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and for your lifetime of public service. You have served this Nation and the people of Ohio with distinction. For 24 years, you have honored and respected this institution. You have worked arduously to get things done. As Speaker, you have been a leader willing to listen to all sides and address the complex issues of our time. We applaud your commitment and dedication to the House and will be forever grateful for your statesmanship and courtesy. While we may not have always agreed, your door was always open. I could always come to you and discuss problems and issues. I respect your opinion and consider you a friend. I speak for everyone when I say you will be missed in this House. You are a gentleman and a scholar, and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to have served with you. I wish you well in your retirement.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong opposition to the establishment of the panel to investigate Planned Parenthood. The panel's clear partisan aim is to take down Planned Parenthood, an organization providing quality, affordable health care to millions of Americans. Every person has the right to make informed, independent decisions about their health, sexual activity and family planning. Yet, women's reproductive rights continue to come under constant attack at both the state and local levels For all the rhetoric we have heard about how the government should not be in the business of providing health care, the Majority is all too eager to step in and regulate women's access to health services. It is unconscionable that the Majority continues funneling taxpayer dollars to support purely political agendas. Millions were spent defending DOMA after the Justice Department decided it was no longer prudent policy. Even more money is being spent suing President Obama over the Affordable Care Act, even after the Supreme Court upheld the ACA's constitutionality not once, but twice. Most recently, more than $4 million has been spent politicizing the terrorist attack in Benghazi. The Majority now demands we use even more tax payer dollars to attack an organization providing health care to those who need it most, ignoring Congressional committees that found no wrong-doing on the part of Planned Parenthood. Women's access to health care is challenged over and over again, despite America's high maternal death rate. Women in the United States face a one in 1,800 risk of maternal death, the highest risk of any developed country. In 2014, the overall U.S. health care system ranked last among industrialized nations for the fifth time and is still the most expensive system in the world. The health disparities among our nation's racial and ethnic groups are a disgrace. We should focus our attention on these issues. Let's call this exactly what it is, a partisan attack against a single, reputable organization. An attack based on highly edited, unsubstantiated statements and videos. This is a waste of time and taxpayer funded resources. We must get back to doing the people's work and put a stop to the constant attempts to roll back women's rights. I strongly oppose this Resolution.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring attention to Malnutrition Awareness Week. I salute those who fight against this underestimated but very important disease. While we often talk about hunger, obesity, food insecurity and other topics that deal with what and how we eat, we do not talk nearly enough about the common thread that links these issues together: malnutrition. Though not commonly viewed as a medical concern in the U.S., malnutrition is a serious disease that largely affects certain demographic groups, such as older adults, hospitalized patients and minorities. For example, older African Americans have a significantly higher risk of malnutrition compared to their white counterparts. A recent study estimated the economic burden of community-based diseases associated with malnutrition to be $157 billion per year. Studies have further shown that chronic disease is often linked with malnutrition, and 1 in 3 patients arrive at our hospitals malnourished. This translates into higher health care costs, increased readmission rates, and longer hospital stays. We need real, cost-effective solutions, particularly for those who need care the most. We also need more vigilance and action in the area of good nutrition. Malnutrition screening, assessment, and appropriate nutritional interventions for older adults could be vital to them leading healthier lives and saving on healthcare costs. We cannot afford to ignore such low-cost solutions. September 28 through October 2 has been designated as Malnutrition Awareness Week. Hopefully increased awareness about this problem will lead to healthier aging of citizens across all our communities.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor three civil rights legends: Ms. Amelia Boynton Robinson, Mr. Julian Bond, and my dear friend and mentor, Congressman Louis Stokes. Each a leader in his or her own right, these trailblazers laid the foundation we stand upon today. They paved the way for us and have inspired us to continue fighting for equality and justice. Because of them, we must do more. Ms. Boynton Robinson's legacy moves us to never stop fighting for voting rights. All Americans should have full access to the ballot box. The strength of our democracy rests upon the participation of every citizen. Mr. Bond's life's work commits us to striving for equality and full protection under the law for all Americans. Our country will never fulfill the promise of the land of the free and the home of the brave, if any citizen is denied justice and legal fairness. In honor of my dear friend Congressman Stokes, we will never stop advocating for our nation's most vulnerable. We must continue to give voice to the voiceless and work to ensure all Americans have access to the American Dream. It is our obligation to serve the best interests of the people of this country, whether a pauper or the populace. Mr. Speaker, we stand on the shoulders of giants. This great woman and these great men remind us why we stand here today and who we are here to represent. We thank them for their service and sacrifice, and pledge to continue to fight in honor of their legacies. In closing, I'd like to take a moment of personal privilege and thank my colleagues in the Ohio Delegation and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for signing on to H.R. 427, a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Congressman Stokes. We currently have 57 co-sponsors on the bill. It is so important that the world knows who Congressman Stokes was and what he did. Congressman Stokes is etched in Ohio's history, and with this resolution will be firmly woven into the fabric of this great nation forever.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Akron Children's Hospital for 125 years of incredible service to the children, their families, and the communities of Northeast Ohio. Akron Children's has grown from a volunteer nursery begun by a handful of resourceful women into the largest pediatric healthcare system in Northeast Ohio, caring for almost 800,000 patients and families each year. Thank you to President Bill Considine for more than 35 years of service. President Considine has led Akron Children's through a period of great growth, expanding the hospital's service to twenty-seven Ohio counties. We live in an interesting and exciting time for health care. Millions of Americans gained access to affordable health insurance during the last year. Yet, although Northeast Ohio is home to some of the best health care systems in the country, if not the world, on this day of celebration we must renew our focus on the most vulnerable among us, our children. From its humble beginnings as Akron's Day Nursery to its newly constructed critical care tower, Akron Children's Hospital has served Northeast Ohio with the highest standards, earning the distinction of Best Children's Hospital in seven of ten specialties for 2015 by U.S. News and World Report. The Hospital is a pillar in the community, offering more than 100 advocacy, education and outreach programs to strengthen the health and well-being of our children. The recently completed Kay Jewelers Pavilion, which houses a new neonatal intensive care unit, emergency department, outpatient surgery center and special delivery area, increases Akron Children's capacity to provide world- class care and furthers its commitment to the City of Akron and the region. As Ohio continues to address the unacceptable growth in health disparities across ethnic and racial groups, including the unacceptable infant mortality rate, I look forward to working with Akron Children's Hospital in the years to come.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to my friend, mentor and predecessor, former Congressman Louis Stokes. Earlier this week the world learned of his cancer diagnosis. When the Congressman first told me about his condition, I didn't know quite what to say. He had still been out, attending events and doing things. He never stops. It is easy to think he is immortal. Because he is a fighter. For more than 30 years, he tirelessly fought for the people of Ohio, and he is still fighting today. The first African American elected to Congress from Ohio, Congressman Stokes is the epitome of a public servant. While in Washington, he was a trailblazer. He was the first African American to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and was a founder of the CBC Health Braintrust. He constantly fought to combat pervasive health disparities plaguing the African-American community and served as a voice for people of color and all of our nation's most vulnerable. Congressman Stokes once said, ``I'm going to keep on denouncing the inequities of this system, but I'm going to work within it. To go outside the system would be to deny myself--to deny my own existence.'' His work has affected thousands. There is no one in Washington that does not know the name Louis Stokes, and no one who was not touched in some way by his work and his kindness. He is always a gentleman, someone who made you feel good about being represented by him or just being in his company. When he speaks, people listen. Congressman Stokes exudes leadership, vision, and purpose. He's a giant of a man, an example for us all. It is a privilege to work with him and walk in his Congressional footsteps. Thank you, Congressman Louis Stokes for everything you have done. The nation is indebted to you. We are grateful for your service. As you continue to battle this diagnosis, my thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your doctors. Let us all continue to uplift and encourage the Stokes family.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, 730 days; 17,520 hours; 1,051,200 minutes; 2 full years since the Supreme Court ruled section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional; 2 full years without voter protections and full access to the ballot box. Since the ruling, many Americans in States like Ohio have been subjected to restrictive voter registration requirements, paying costly fees for State IDs or waiting in line for hours on election day. Legislation to restore the VRA and strengthen the right to vote have been offered, but the majority has refused to take them up. It is clear Congress has dropped the ball. Two years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act is too long. The clock is ticking. It is time to restore the VRA.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Payne and Congresswoman Kelly, for leading the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour tonight. Mr. Speaker, if you have not noticed, the people of this country are fed up. Quite frankly, so am I. We are at a point in our Nation's history when we can no longer give lip service to equality and opportunities to succeed. We must take action to show we mean what we say; otherwise, it is nothing more than empty rhetoric. Mr. Speaker, the Confederate flag is more than just a piece of fabric. It is more than just a visual representation of the Confederacy or part of the storied history of the South. If that were true, we would not be having this conversation today. We would not have buried nine Americans murdered because of the color of their skin, and the Confederate battle flag would still be flying in the State of South Carolina. Let's be honest about the history of the Confederate battle flag. While the majority of this House may want to ignore the facts and rewrite history, we will not be ignored. The Confederate battle flag and any adaptation of it is a painful reminder of intimidation, torture, and murder for all of us in the Black community. It is a flying symbol of hatred and injustice that tells Black and Brown people in this country: Your lives have no value, and you don't matter. It is an embarrassment to all Americans that the majority of this House introduced a spending amendment which included language allowing the battle flag on Federal properties. It is just plain shameful that they would go even further and use procedure to stifle a motion to openly discuss a ban of the Confederate battle flag imagery from the Capitol Grounds. How can the Members of the majority of this House continue to say that they represent all Americans when they refuse to have a real discussion about what is really happening in our country? Have we learned nothing from what has happened in the past few weeks? In a June Gallup poll, African Americans ranked race relations as the most important issue facing the United States. Will taking down the Confederate battle flag immediately change this perspective? Absolutely not--but it will certainly do more than letting it continue to fly. Mr. Speaker, it is time we do away with lip service. It is time we listen to our constituents and take real action toward healing the racial wounds of this country. It is time we move forward. The flag must come down.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 50th Anniversary of the National Negro Golf Association (NNGA) and to recognize the organization for its efforts to increase interest in the game, particularly among African American communities. Sports often reflect the racial and social trends in the larger American society; and perhaps no game illustrates the gradual progression in race relations quite as clearly as golf. Nearly 50 years ago, a small group of black students gathered in Lebanon, Pennsylvania to establish the NNGA. Its history would become part of the greater ongoing struggle to overcome a legacy of social exclusion. While NNGA's mission focuses on recreation, it has become an agent for social change. Today, NNGA has grown to over 200 members in seven chapters, including a chapter in the 11th Congressional District of Ohio, my home district. Its interest in diversity and inclusion has inspired the association to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the United Negro College Fund and has helped professional African American golfers further their careers in this once exclusive sport. Over the course of its history, the fraternal spirit of the NNGA membership has positively impacted the lives of its members and future generations of young golfers. Happy 50th Anniversary to the National Negro Golf Association.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, today we find ourselves on the House floor yet again debating H.R. 5. After several months of delay, the majority party has yet to realize that this bill is not in the best interest of America's children. We all agree that Congress must reauthorize a strong Elementary and Secondary Education Act. H.R. 5 does not meet the test. Any reauthorization must ensure that education is properly funded at the State and Federal level for all of America's children; that all students have access to a well-rounded education, which includes subjects like physical education, music, and the arts; and that students are annually assessed, which allows for parents and teachers to measure students' progress. H.R. 5 does none of these things. Instead, it fails our students, our teachers, and our families. The bill drastically reduces education funding, eliminates and weakens protections for disabled students, fails to provide a well-rounded education for all students, and generally makes it more difficult to educate those for whom the act was designed to protect. The bill turns title I funding into a block grant. The program would disproportionately harm disadvantaged and low-income students. Schools across the country, including some in my own congressional district, rely on these funds to help ensure children are given a fair chance to meet State academic standards. H.R. 5 also allows title I dollars to become portable, which would divert much-needed funds from the highest need poverty schools and districts. H.R. 5 removes requirements that States ensure students graduate from high school college and career ready. The bill focuses primarily on math and reading assessments, without providing any programmatic support for literacy, for STEM, and for other subjects that provide a well-rounded curriculum. It eliminates wraparound support services, which are very important to needy students. It eliminates afterschool, family engagement, physical, dental, and mental health programs. This year, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill, essentially a civil rights law, reaffirmed that every child has the right to an equal opportunity for a quality education. However, H.R. 5 undermines the law's original intent, turning back the clock on equity and accountability in American public education and ignores the needs of America's most vulnerable students. H.R. 5 is a step backward in our country's education system. This legislation fails our students and their families. America deserves better.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to talk about the policy failures of this body. Mr. Speaker, when we look at Baltimore, let me tell you why it is not a shock to me. It is because when you disinvest in education, when you provide no places for kids to play and no summer jobs, Baltimore happens. When you refuse to provide resources for job training for decent housing and you have a lack of resources to the communities of highest need, Baltimore happens. The budget we are working on this week continues to prove that the majority of people in this House care little about the plight of the poor and underserved communities. There is a lack of concern for education. I sit on the Education Committee as we are talking about reauthorizing ESEA, and the majority passed out of committee the ability to block grant all title I funding. So now children who are poor, disabled, or minority will be at the mercy of their State to determine what kind of education they get. Ohio has one way to do it; Indiana has another way to do it. It all depends on what your ZIP Code is anymore as to what your educational attainment may be. They, further, have reduced Federal funding for education every year of their plan. I work in a body where the majority wants to block grant Medicaid. So State by State they will determine who qualifies, who is sick enough to qualify. I work in a body where there is no value placed on our greatest asset, which is our people. These are the people who want to reduce block grants and community funding and community policing. Our communities are crying out every day for our attention. Did what happened in Baltimore get our attention? It should have, and it did. Was it right? No. Violence is never right. But we have to hear the cries of the people in need. So today, I want to say to the Gray family and all of the people who are in the streets in Baltimore: I apologize. I apologize for a body that has failed you. I apologize for people who only give lip service to the poor. I apologize because we could do better to make your lives better. Mr. Speaker, it is our responsibility as the leaders of this Nation to take care of the people who need us the most. Miss Gray, I apologize.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Job Corps. For five decades, Job Corps has helped millions of disadvantaged youths complete their high school education and transition into successful careers or higher education. Since the 1960s, Job Corps has brought public agencies and private sector businesses together to help nearly 60,000 of our nation's poor and unemployed young people gain the skills necessary to build successful careers. More than 80 percent of Job Corps graduates obtain jobs, enroll in higher education or enter the military. In the 11th District, the Cleveland Job Corps Center has been an integral part of the community for over 40 years. The first Job Corps women's center opened in Cleveland on April 9, 1965. The center's new campus opened in 2007 and now serves nearly 400 students each year, providing them with a safe and secure environment in which to further their education and gain valuable technical career skills. Congratulations to Job Corps on 50 years of success. Its dedicated employees provide the continuity and quality training our students need to achieve their goals. The value of Job Corps is clear. Graduates are providing critical services for our economy and communities, and it is important to maintain our commitment to this exceptional program. I am excited to see the impact Job Corps will make in my district and our country in the years to come.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday April 11, our Nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Seven years have passed since No Child Left Behind was signed into law, which was the last reauthorization of the ESEA. A new reauthorization is long overdue. We need to make children our priority by providing equal opportunity for a quality education for all children. The partisan manner this House displayed for the ESEA's reauthorization is disheartening and leaves too many of our children behind. Democrats and Republicans should be working together to draft a bill that ensures that all students have access to a world class education, that ensures that States set high standards and goals to ensure all students graduate career or college ready, and that ensures that strong accountability measures are in place for children and families. Let us return to the table and draft a bill that will support an equitable 21st century education system.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues Congressmen Payne and Kelly for leading the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour. My Congressional district in Ohio includes much of Cuyahoga County. A few years ago, the county analyzed the relationship between a resident's life-expectancy and neighborhood, with incredible, but not surprising results. The study found that people who lived in Hough, a low-income and predominantly African-American neighborhood in Cleveland, could expect to live 24 years less than someone who resided in Lyndhurst, an affluent, predominantly white suburb of the city, less than 10 miles away. While Hough and Lyndhurst are extreme examples, they accurately represent national trends: African Americans live, on average, four years less than their white peers. It is unacceptable that the American health care system, which attracts students, physicians and patients from across the world, does not serve all the citizens of this country equally. Sadly, the consequences of health disparities have a major impact on our nation's children. Students who attend predominantly minority schools often do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, places to exercise, or many of the other resources we know are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. It is our responsibility as Members of Congress to ensure our constituents have the opportunity to be healthy, regardless of how much they make, where they live, or what they look like. I am committed to working with my colleagues in Congress, the Administration, local and state governments, and private partners to make good on that obligation.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues Congressmen Payne and Kelly for leading the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour. Mr. Speaker, fifty years ago 600 men and women began a peaceful march in Selma, Alabama to demand their full and equal right to participate in our democracy. Their quest for equal voting rights was met with physical violence and racial hatred on what has become known as ``Bloody Sunday.'' The marchers were turned back that day, but they remained steadfast. With unwavering determination, residents of Selma, civil rights activists, and inspired people from across the nation completed the march from Selma to Montgomery. Their heroism was instrumental in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; a watershed bipartisan action of the U.S. Congress. Fifty years later, on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, I stood with President Obama and my House and Senate colleagues to honor the legacy of those brave foot soldiers for justice. But unfortunately, the battle wages on. There is still much to be done to ensure the sacrifice of those marchers was not in vain. The Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder to strike down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act left many Americans more vulnerable to voting discrimination. In the absence of this historic safeguard, numerous states have attempted to suppress voting through restrictive voter ID laws and limits on early voting. My home state of Ohio is one of them. Congress must act to restore Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act and update critical voter protections. In 2015, no eligible citizen should be disenfranchised. No eligible citizen should be denied full participation in our democracy. Let us recommit to rejecting intolerance and injustice in all forms, and continue the fight for equal voting rights for all Americans.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend for yielding. I want to thank my colleagues, Payne and Kelly, for leading the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. You are our message team. You are the people who let all of the world, all of America know what the CBC is dealing with on a daily basis, and I thank you for your work. Last week, Loretta Lynch's nomination to serve as the next U.S. Attorney General was finally passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 12-8. I use the word ``finally'' because there has been a significant delay with her confirmation. Why her confirmation has taken so long confounds me. I mean, what exactly is the Senate majority waiting for? What is the delay? The fact that it took over 100 days to just get her to a committee vote is particularly troubling when one considers how long it took to actually confirm former Attorneys General: Janet Reno, 29 days; John Ashcroft, 42 days; Michael Mukasey, 53 days; and Alberto Gonzales, who had to resign as Attorney General, 86 days. Clearly, Attorney Lynch's confirmation has been singled out for delay. Ash Carter's confirmation moved expeditiously, and he is now the Secretary of Defense. His hearing took place on February 4. He was voted out of committee on February 11, and ultimately confirmed on the Senate floor on February 12. When testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney Lynch showed grace under pressure while enduring long hours of vigorous questioning. Later, she provided answers to hundreds of questions, all on the record, resulting in more than 200 pages of testimony. Her professionalism and responsiveness are well documented. Further, Senators in both parties have lauded Attorney Lynch's qualifications. Her record speaks for itself. Senator Hatch, one of the three Republicans--shamefully, three Republicans--who recently voted in favor of Attorney Lynch's nomination in committee, stated: I have concluded that Ms. Lynch's full record, including but hardly limited to her hearing testimony, shows that she is qualified to serve as Attorney General. That is all that they are trying to show to the American public. All they need to say is that she is qualified. If they had the President and the White House, they would pick who they want. But they don't have the President and the White House, so they have to deal with who he picks. And she is qualified. Further, Senators in both parties understand how important it is to fill the position of Attorney General. Yet she continues to be penalized by many members of the majority party for President Obama's immigration policies and a general disdain for Attorney General Holder. Here we are stopping the Attorney General nomination because of immigration, we won't fund the Department of Homeland Security because of immigration--there is a problem in the Congress of the United States. In fact, she is being judged for the actions of others, and we know that. This is nothing more than political gamesmanship. I call on my colleagues in the other Chamber to stop the charade and get on with the confirmation. I urge the Senate to put Attorney Lynch's nomination on the floor immediately. Judge Attorney Lynch on her record and her merit, and do it now.

Ms. FUDGE

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining?

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Chairman, it is certainly important that we restore MOE requirements to this bill. H.R. 5 must be amended to ensure every child in America has access to a quality education. Mr. Chairman, this bill is so flawed that even this amendment will not improve it significantly. Therefore, I respectfully withdraw my amendment. Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. DeSaulnier