Valerie Foushee

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this bill that undermines our ability to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable for unlawful conduct. This bill will prevent Federal agencies from entering into settlements that set aside funds for third parties, such as legal aid, housing, or financial counseling groups, or community assistance, settlements that provide some relief for victims of corporate misconduct. For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. My amendment would have provided for exceptions in the case that a settlement agreement pertains to the abuse of opioids, and that includes allegations of false claims against the United States related to a healthcare benefit program. Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues join me in voting for this motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the motion to recommit.

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of two civil rights leaders and educators, Dr. Dock J. Jordan, and Carrie Thomas Jordan, who helped shape the education system in Durham and Alamance counties, leading the way for future generations in North Carolina. Dr. Jordan, the son of a former slave, persevered in a deeply segregated environment in rural Georgia. Despite attending just three months of school yearly, Dr. Jordan graduated high school, and later from Allen University in 1892. During his time at Allen University, Dr. Jordan would go on to receive his law degree, eventually passing the bar in South Carolina in 1892 and in Georgia in 1904. Following stints as the Professor of Literature at Morris Brown College, Dr. Jordan co-authored, ``An Appeal for the Colored Schools in the State of Georgia'' with W.E.B. Dubois in 1901 to appeal to the white Georgia legislators and defeat a bill that would close one-half to two-thirds of Black public schools in the state. This was an important step towards highlighting gaps in education, as only 15 percent of public-school property was owned by Black schools, despite 48 percent of the school population being represented by Black children. In 1917, Dr. Jordan was placed on the United States watchlist when the Raleigh Independent published his letter criticizing President Woodrow Wilson's administration. The letter explained the brutal treatment of African Americans during the 1917 East St. Louis Riots and accused President Wilson of disregarding the feelings and rights of African Americans and not valuing them as humans. This letter would resonate deeply within the African-American community and placed a further spotlight on the mistreatment of Black Americans at the time. Dr. Jordan's academic career would continue until 1939, serving as the President of Kittrell College in North Carolina from 1902 to 1912. From 1912 to 1920, he served as the director of the Teaching Training Department at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College in Greensboro. And from 1918 to 1939 Dr. Jordan was a professor and the chair of the history department at State Normal School in Durham, now known as North Carolina Central University. Dr. Jordan's wife, Carrie Thomas Jordan, was as equally dedicated towards advancing African-American education. Growing up in a family with deep ties to educators, Carrie Jordan uniquely emphasized spelling, geography, and nature study during her time as a school administrator. Mrs. Jordan served as the superintendent of colored public schools in Durham and is credited with the construction of twelve new schools, as well as hosting the first commencement exercises in Durham County for African American students. Mrs. Jordan's new commencement tradition for Durham County's African- American schools became a key pillar for the local community. The county commencements were a time that the Black community could gather and celebrate their achievements, academic or otherwise. Carrie Jordan would later note that these academic achievements were proof to both the Black and White communities of the strength, potential, and resilience of the Black community. The accomplishments, progress achieved, and contributions to African American students by Dr. Dock J. Jordan and Carrie Thomas Jordan should not go unnoticed. The Jordans were educational powerhouses, contributing immensely to the advancement of African American education in Durham County, Alamance County, and what is now North Carolina's 4th District, as a whole.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge Congress to confront and act on the deadly epidemic that plagues our communities each day: gun violence. This is a painful topic and one that is near to my heart. In this year alone, there has been an average of two mass shootings per day. Gun violence continues to be the leading cause of death for children and teens in this country. Earlier this month, a 5-year-old girl from my district was shot and killed by one of her family members after an argument, and the girl's 15-year-old babysitter was also shot--seven times. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. In Durham, which is located in my district, over 20 young people under the age of 17 have been victims of gun violence since the start of this year. Thoughts and prayers are not enough and will never be enough. Gun violence victims, gun violence survivors, their families, and their loved ones all deserve more. Congress must act urgently to save lives and keep our communities safe. The House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force has been pushing for action by signing discharge petitions for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the Assault Weapons Ban, and to block the Charleston loophole. This is a bipartisan issue that a majority of Americans support, but we need support from across the aisle. Addressing gun violence requires an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes increasing access to mental health services, investing in youth mentoring programs, decreasing firearm access through safe storage, and much more. My Republican colleagues claim to be working on this issue, but not one of them has joined our task force to help end gun violence nationwide. Instead, they have unilaterally worked against gun violence prevention action on this House floor. No one in America should have to fear for their lives in our schools, our stores, our places of worship, our streets, or anywhere in our communities. House Democrats and the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force stand united, and we will not waiver. I encourage our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to put their words into action and join us in these efforts to save lives.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleague from Florida for her leadership and this opportunity to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in condemning the Supreme Court's decision to roll back decades of judicial precedents and strike down race-conscious admissions efforts. Since 1978, the Supreme Court had consistently held that race-based admission policies in colleges and universities are in the best interest of educational institutions, but this recent radical decision will dismantle efforts to ensure higher education is accessible to all students, further questioning the legitimacy of this politicized Supreme Court, which seems more eager to protect legacy admissions than providing students who are historically disadvantaged with equal opportunity to a quality education. Diversity makes our Nation stronger, and the repercussions of this decision will be felt for generations. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus stand united in our fight for a more equitable society, and we will continue to push for equal opportunity admissions for students across this country.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on my Republican colleagues to stop playing ideological games and to do the job that they were sent here to do. As our country teeters on the brink of an economic catastrophe, they rushed out of town and abandoned their responsibilities just like they want the United States to abandon our fiscal responsibilities. House Republicans have made their message clear: Their needs come before the needs of hardworking families, seniors, children, students, and veterans. They are willing to hold our economy hostage and are willing to risk the livelihoods of millions of Americans with devastating cuts to vital programs that keep folks housed, fed, healthy, and secure. However, Democrats are united. We stand ready to pass a clean debt ceiling and to do what is best for our country and the American people.

Mrs. FOUSHEE

Mrs. FOUSHEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to formally recognize and commend North Carolina Central University's football team by introducing a resolution congratulating them for winning the Historically Black Colleges And Universities National Football Championship in the 2022 Celebration Bowl. NCCU is located in my district in Durham, North Carolina, and is known for its distinguished academic and athletic excellence. It is a prime example of the importance and great value of our Nation's HBCUs. Under the steadfast leadership of Chancellor Dr. Johnson Akinleye in the classroom and Head Coach Trei Oliver on the field, NCCU brought home the Black College Football National Title for the fourth time in the university's history with Eagle Pride and Eagle Promise. I am deeply honored to represent NCCU, and I extend my sincere congratulations to the entire team, the coaches, athletic staff, the students, and the faculty for this well-deserved victory. Go Eagles.