Al Green

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of an exceptional individual whom I had the distinct pleasure to meet-- a great artist and compassionate intellectual, Dr. Maya Angelou. With extraordinary compassion, Dr. Angelou used her art to portray communities, conditions, and individuals that were often overlooked by mainstream society. Dr. Angelou's wisdom and eloquence inspired countless people around the world to better understand themselves and their neighbors. Dr. Angelou was also an influence and friend to many leaders throughout her life; an unyielding advocate for tolerance, equality, justice, and integrity in the face of intractable intolerance. Mr. Speaker, we bid farewell to a singular voice and world renowned poet. However, we can all find solace in the certainty that Dr. Angelou's timeless works and example will inspire generations to come. Her spirit will continue to animate her words and her life will remain a testament to the power of perseverance.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes: 1. Moran Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 2. Blackburn Amendment No. 14 to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 3. Blackburn Amendment No. 15 to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 4. Bonamici Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 5. Rohrabacher Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 6. Holding Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 7. Massie Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 8. Southerland Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 9. Ellison Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 10. Grayson Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 11. Duffy Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 12. Garrett Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 13. King (IA) Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 14. Meadows Amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 15. Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this measure. 16. Final Passage of H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I missed the following votes: 1. Pompeo amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 2. McNerney amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 3. Bridenstine amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 4. King (IA) amendment to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 5. Cohen amendment No. 1 to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 6. Cohen amendment No. 2 to H.R. 4660. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I missed the following votes: Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 4681. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this bill. H.R. 4681--Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, every Memorial Day, Americans come together to honor the brave individuals who have selflessly given their lives for our continued prosperity, founding ideals, and democracy. Every American is indebted to their service and should be inspired by these exemplars of courage. The month of May is also Military Appreciation month. As we honor our fallen veterans, we must not only speak to their accomplishments, but actively reaffirm our appreciation and commitment to the veterans among us. Throughout our nation's history, veterans have contributed to the strength and resilience of our great democracy like no other group. We must express our gratitude by ensuring that they as well as their families receive the benefits they need, deserve, and have earned. Therefore, we must continue to support, assist, and hold the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable. The assistance and medical treatment the agency provides to our veterans as well as their families must always be accessible and of the highest standard. Mr. Speaker, in closing, as we honor our veterans on this Memorial Day, I call on our entire nation to reaffirm its commitment and leave no veteran behind. This is the least a grateful nation can do.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on May 17, 2014, we marked the 60th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which overturned legalized racial segregation. The importance of this decision for our jurisprudence and overall society cannot be understated. It was no less than a full-throated affirmation of the Fourteenth Amendment, granting all Americans full and equal citizenship. Any account of the history and enduring legacy of Brown v. Board of Education would be incomplete without an acknowledgment of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense and Educational Fund under the leadership of their Executive Director, and future Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall. Marshall successfully argued that separate accommodations and treatment based on race necessarily leads to inequality. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I believe the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education is an opportunity for our nation to reaffirm our dedication to full and equal citizenship for all and to reexamine the enduring inequalities in our society. As a nation, we must never stop striving to better realize the ideals in and promise of our Constitution.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand in solidarity with the families of the approximately 300 young women kidnapped by a radical Nigerian Islamist group. I lend my voice to the chorus of outrage and condemnation directed at this extremist group, which has forcefully separated young women from their families and devastated an entire community. There is no place in our world community for a group that displays such disregard for the tenets of Islam, human dignity, and international law. All people and governments of good will should do all that is appropriate to assist Nigerian authorities in the safe recovery of these young women. I am heartened that Secretary Kerry has announced that a U.S. security team will be sent to Nigeria to assist in the efforts to bring these young women home to their families. As a Member of Congress, I will continue to monitor this situation and speak out against such atrocious acts. The outcry against this gross human rights violation must not fade before these young women are recovered and all guilty parties are brought to justice.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of H.R. 4488. I would like to thank my colleague across the aisle for his support. I would also like to thank the Honorable John Lewis for being a sponsor of this legislation. This is important legislation, as it does embrace two Congressional Gold Medals that have already been awarded. As fate would have it, Mr. Lewis was the original sponsor of the bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Ms. Coretta Scott King and the Honorable Dr. Martin Luther King. Both of them are honorable people. I would also say that Mr. Lewis has been a champion for human rights and civil rights. It is very difficult to have him in your presence and not acknowledge all that he has done. So, today, I am honored to support the Gold Medical Technical Corrections Act of 2014. I am also honored to mention one other colleague, the Honorable Corrine Brown. She worked on the bill that accorded a Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines of the United States Marine Corps. She was an original sponsor of this legislation. These two giants have brought us this far. It will take this legislation to take us the final steps along the way. The legislation merely indicates where these Congressional Gold Medals may be displayed. It seems to do what we could have done earlier, but we have found that it is not too late to do now. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am honored to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia, the Honorable John Lewis, our civil rights icon right here in the United States House of Representatives.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am so honored to be a part of this, and I would thank, again, the Honorable John Lewis for his efforts to not only accord the Congressional Gold Medals to Dr. King and Mrs. King, but also his efforts to make sure that they are properly located, so that they can be displayed properly. I would also want to, again, reiterate the efforts of the Honorable Corrine Brown, with reference to the Montford Point Marines of the United States Marine Corps. I believe this bill is one that can be embraced by all of our colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the 100th birthday of a respected educator and community leader, Amos Charles Haston. Born in Denison, Texas on this day in 1914 to Tilmon and Mary Haston, Mr. Haston rose from humble beginnings to become a respected leader. Tragedy struck early in Mr. Haston's life when his father was murdered in his presence in 1919. He and his mother subsequently moved to Wewoka, Oklahoma. He excelled in school, graduating as the salutatorian of his high school and achieving the status of all-state half-back for his football team. Mr. Haston worked, played varsity football, and sang on the college's travelling a capella choir while putting himself through college at Langston University. In 1934, he became a member of his beloved Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Langston. In 1937, Mr. Haston graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Science and Mathematics. He later attended the University of Colorado for post-graduate work; Texas Southern University, where he received his Masters of Education in Secondary Administration degree; and the University of Oklahoma, where he did course work toward a doctorate. In 1937, Mr. Haston took his first job out of college as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, simultaneously teaching grades 1-8. He eventually resigned and moved to Hugo, Oklahoma to accept a position as a math teacher, as well as the head football and basketball coach. During the summers, Mr. Haston worked as a porter for the railroad, traveling from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington to earn extra income. He met his wife of 73 years, the former Doris E. Sampson in Hugo. They married Christmas day in 1941 and remain married to this day. In August 1942, Mr. Haston was called to the service of his country for a period of 46 months, 27 months of which were served in combat in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Though his service began as a Buck Private in the Army, he was separated from the service as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. Mr. Haston's wife looked after his mother who became ill during his absence in the war. In September 1946, Mr. Haston was hired as a teacher in Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he also served as the assistant coach of the football and basketball teams. In February 1952, Mr. Haston and his wife had their son William, who presently serves as Counsel in the Legal Division of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in Washington, D.C. In 1954, Mr. Haston accepted a job as Principal of Lincoln High School in Nowata, Oklahoma. He resigned in 1958 to establish a home in Houston, Texas in an effort to provide better opportunities for his son. In Houston, he worked for the Houston Independent School District as a math teacher at Kashmere Gardens Jr./Sr. High School. Mr. Haston would go on to teach biology, chemistry, and physics. He also obtained the distinction of F.O.A. Science Specialist and was later promoted to Assistant Principal. In 1961, Mr. Haston and his family joined St. James Episcopal Church, where he served as a member of the Vestry, Sunday School Superintendent, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and member of the Brothers of St. Andrew. Mr. Haston is a proud member of Kiwanis International and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was the inspiration for Dr. Ronald Peters to work to establish Alpha's Brother's Keeper Program. On July 23, 2010, at Alpha's 90th General Convention, the Brother's Keeper Program became international and was renamed the ``A. Charles Haston Brother's Keeper Program.'' Mr. Haston is also the only member of Alpha Phi Alpha to maintain a membership for 80 years. When recently asked what the most significant event that had occurred in his life, he unhesitatingly said, ``The election of a Black man, Barack Hussein Obama, II, as the President of the United States.'' Mr. Speaker, in closing, Amos Charles Haston, is a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, veteran, and servant of all mankind. He is an exemplar for all those who aspire to selflessly serve others.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably detained and missed the following votes: 1. Mulvaney Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this bill. 2. Moore Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this bill. 3. Grijalva Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this bill. 4. H.R. 4414--Expatriate Health Coverage Clarification Act of 2014. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is said that what you don't know won't hurt you. What you don't know won't hurt you. I disagree. What you don't know about health care can hurt you. What you don't know about a treatable condition that can harm you, possibly kill you, what you don't know about it can hurt you. I don't believe in the idiom, the adage, what you don't know won't hurt you. I believe you should know the truth because the truth can set you free. So let us take a moment now and look at just one aspect of what is called the Ryan budget. Let's look at health care. The Ryan budget repeals the Affordable Care Act. It repeals it without replacing it. What you don't know can hurt you. But if you know the truth, it can liberate you. We need to get the truth to the masses so that the masses can understand the impact of repealing without replacing. Let's reflect upon 2009, when we embarked upon the task of developing an Affordable Care Act. In 2009, we were spending $2.5 trillion per year on health care. $2.5 trillion is a very large number, and it is difficult to get your mind around it. However, $2.5 trillion is $79,000 a second. $79,000 a second is what we were spending. 17.6 percent of the GDP, $100 billion being spent on persons without insurance in various venues, emergency rooms, and other places. It was projected that by 2018 we would spend $4.4 trillion per year. Know the truth. It can liberate you. $4.4 trillion is $139,000 per second; estimated that it would be about 20.3 percent of GDP. In 2009 we had 40 to 50 million people uninsured, depending on who is counting and how you count. In 2009 we had 45,000 people per year dying because they didn't have insurance. This is per Harvard University. One person dying every 12 minutes. In 2009, in the State of Texas we had 6 million people uninsured, and 20 percent of the children in the State of Texas uninsured. We had to do something about health care if, for no other reason, to simply bend the cost curve. And the cost curve is bending. It is projected that, in the first 10 years, it would bend the cost curve about $100 billion, and in the next 10 years, $1 trillion. Know the truth, and the truth can liberate you, my dear friends. The truth is this: if the Ryan budget repeals the Affordable Care Act and it is not replaced--and there is no replacement provision in that budget--seniors who are on Medicare are going to see the doughnut hole expand rather than close. The doughnut hole is that point at which seniors have to pay more for prescription drugs, more than many can afford. What you don't know can hurt you, seniors, when the doughnut hole starts to expand. The budget would cause those who are 26 years of age, under 26 years of age, who are on policies of their parents, to come off. Young people are invincible until they have an accident and get hurt and need health care. They are invincible until they find out they have a condition that is curable and they need health care. Young people, what you don't know can hurt you. But the truth can liberate you so that you can do the right thing as it relates to this budget and let people know that you are opposed to what can happen to you. This budget will cause preexisting conditions to become an uninsurable circumstance in your life. There are people who are born with preexisting conditions. These people will not be insurable. The Affordable Care Act eliminates preexisting conditions as a reason not to ensure people. We would go back to people being born with preexisting conditions, many of whom would have to wait until they can afford or get to Medicare before they could get insurance. Medicare is a type of insurance. This budget would cause women to, again, have to go back to a circumstance wherein they, by virtue of their condition of being a woman, would have a preexisting condition. Mr. Speaker, I will put a ``to be continued'' in this message. But what you don't know can hurt you. The truth can set you free. God bless you.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my condolences to the victims and their families of the senseless shooting at the Fort Hood Army Base, which took place on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. To date, three soldiers have died and many others were wounded in the aftermath of this grievous violence. We must not let the untimely demises of those who have bravely served our country eclipse the noble sacrifices that they made in this life. We must commemorate and respect each of them for their many individual achievements and with hearts of love celebrate their lives. While we are devastated by this violence, faith will console and nurture our broken hearts where reason cannot. Fort Hood and the surrounding community have endured tragedy before, and will once again rebuild and learn from this incident. Our nation will honor the fallen and continue to support our armed forces.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and recognize the month of March as Women's History Month. The contributions of women to our history and society are too often ignored in favor of narratives that honor men alone. We must highlight the work and accomplishments of our women pioneers such that the next generation aspires to emulate them. One such instance is the efforts of Lily Ledbetter and her fight against pay discrimination that culminated in President Barack Obama signing the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 into law on January 29, 2009. The law changed the 180-day statute of limitations for filing a pay discrimination lawsuit to reset with each new paycheck in which pay discrimination is alleged. The bill was ultimately passed after the Supreme Court sided with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Lily Ledbetter's pay discrimination suit against them. The act modified the law to clarify that pay discrimination occurs each time someone is subjected to pay discrimination, not just when the initial discriminatory decision is made. Lily Ledbetter's historic fight against pay discrimination ensured workers' would have a better chance to prove pay discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability. In closing, Mr. Speaker, as we honor and recognize the month of March as Women's History Month, let us recognize the progress women have made and their myriad accomplishments. We must also rededicate ourselves to preserving and expanding this progress, as well as honoring our past and present female pioneers.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 15 to demand a vote on the bipartisan immigration reform bill that provides an earned pathway to citizenship.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I was unable to vote in Washington, DC and missed the following votes: 1) Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 2641 and H.R. 2824. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this bill. 2) H. Res. 501--Rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 2641 and H.R. 2824. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this bill. 3) Smith (TX)/Schweikert Amendment to H.R. 3826--Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 4) Capps/McNerney Amendment to H.R. 3826--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 5) Schakowsky/Lowenthal Amendment to H.R. 3826--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 6) Waxman Amendment to H.R. 3826--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 7) Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 3826. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the motion to recommit. 8) Final Passage of H.R. 3826--Electricity Security and Affordability Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this bill. 9) Motion to Table the Fudge Privileged Resolution. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this motion to table. 10) Jackson Lee Amendment to H.R. 2641--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 11) McKinley Amendment to H.R. 2641--Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this amendment. 12) Nadler Amendment to H.R. 2641--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 13) Johnson (GA) Amendment to H.R. 2641--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this amendment. 14) Democratic Motion to Recommit H.R. 2641--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on the motion to recommit. 15) Final Passage of H.R. 2641--Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on this bill. 16) H.R. 4152--To Provide for the Cost of Loan Guarantees for Ukraine--Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on this bill.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the memory of a spiritual leader and an extraordinary musical artist from Houston, Texas, the Honorable Henry ``Hanq'' Neal. Mr. Neal was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 4, 1956. He had a lifelong love of music, especially gospel music, singing in his youth choir at church. Mr. Neal went on to become a legendary gospel singer, musical artist, and minister of music. Throughout his career, he performed with several different gospel acts and was nominated for a Grammy for his rendition of ``If You Move Yourself' with the legendary gospel group Donald Vails Choraleers in 1980. He also inspired his community with his work as a minister of music at Windsor Village United Methodist Church and then Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston. Both churches credit Mr. Neal with expanding and revolutionizing their choirs. Throughout Mr. Neal's career, he was consistently in demand for his musical talents, performing at mayoral inaugurations, for Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, and Congressman Mickey Leland's memorial service in 1989. As we bid farewell to an exceptional talent and man of God, we acknowledge that our community has lost a resounding voice for faith. Although this is a significant loss, we must find consolation in knowing that many of our lives have been forever changed by the God- given talent of the Honorable Henry ``Hanq'' Neal.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I would like to express my opposition to H.R. 3193, the Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2013. This legislation would strip essential mandates from an agency that was created to protect consumers from risky practices that caused the financial crisis. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has successfully refunded over $3 billion to consumers who were financially harmed by deceptive practices. The vital protections the CFPB provides must not be overlooked; without its oversight, consumers will be exposed to greater risk in financial markets. Since its creation in 2011, the CFPB has collected over $80 million in civil penalties from financial institutions that harmed consumers. They also have handled more than 269,900 complaints from consumers. Thirty million consumers would not be subject to federal protections from improper debt collections if the CFPB did not exist. Additionally, without the presence of the CFPB, twelve million consumers that use pay day lending would not be protected by federal supervision, and 200 million consumer credit reports would not be protected from unscrupulous behavior. The CFPB should be applauded for its efforts to end harmful practices in the marketplace. Rather than abrogate this successful agency, the CFPB should retain its current structure and mandate so that it can continue to be an exemplary model for other bank regulators.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I thank you for your excellent recitation, and you have already become a part of this Congress, of course, but also of the fight. You have really hit the ground running. I want to salute you and let your constituents know that they can be proud of what you have accomplished in a very short time in the Congress of the United States of America. Thank you for spending time with us this evening.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I yield back.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Grayson, I assure you, you will have ample time. I want to conclude with this: I believe that this is a great country. Notwithstanding all that I have explained about Black history, this is a great country, and I love my country. I believe that this is a country that has allowed me privileges and opportunities that I probably could not have enjoyed in another place. So let me share this brief vignette with you. I was not born into riches, obviously, based upon the stories that I have told, but from very poor parents. My father could neither read nor write. I remember going to work with my father one day. I have no idea as to why I was there. My father was a mechanic's helper. He was not a mechanic. He was a helper. He was the person who would clean up the wet spot on the floor. He was the person who would fetch the tools and do the things that were required that many people would not do. And I heard them address my father by a name that I was not familiar with. They called him ``Secretary.'' And as any child would, I suppose, I made an inquiry: Why do they call you Secretary? He explained to me that they were making fun of him, that they were aware that he could not read and that he could not write, and they were making fun of him. I said: Well, why would you do this? Why would you let them make fun of you like this? Why would you let them do this to you? It hurt as a young child to see your father being made fun of because he could not read and he could not write. By the way, it was not his choice. It wasn't his choice to be a person who could not read or write. But my father's answer is really what this story is all about. When I said to him: Why would you let them do this to you? He said to me, after having told me many more things, but he said to me: I do it, and I accept it because I want you to be able to read and write. And isn't it wonderful that the son of a secretary can now stand in the well of the House of Representatives in the United States of America and read and write laws for the United States of America? I thank you for the time, Mr. Speaker. I am grateful to all who made it possible for us to have this hour. And I believe that ours is the best country in the world. I believe that it really doesn't get much better than the United States of America. There are things that we need to do and things that we need to correct. But on a bad day, it is good to live in the USA. On a bad day, when your dog that you reared from a pup wants to bite you, on a bad day when your spouse wants to desert you, if you have to have your dog bite you and your spouse desert you, have it happen in the United States of America. God bless you, and I yield to Mr. Grayson.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I assure you, Mr. Grayson, that I will have time for you. I would like to now move forward to 1965--1965 and persons who assembled at a church near the Edmund Pettus Bridge. If you have not seen the Edmund Pettus Bridge, I would beg that you take an opportunity to see the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Remember now, we are talking about civil rights in the United States of America. We talked about the Voting Rights Act of 1964. I am moving forward to 1965. I have mentioned persons assembled at a church. I have mentioned the Edmund Pettus Bridge. These persons assembled at this church because they were going to march from Selma to Montgomery, a peaceful march. When they approached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they knew that on the other side of that bridge were men with clubs, some on horses. They knew that their fate was uncertain, but they marched on; and when they approached these men--I can remember the Honorable John Lewis, a Member of Congress from Georgia--he tells this story: He says that they were beating them, and he thought that he was going to die. They were beaten all the way back to the church where they started. This was in 1965, a year after the 1964 Voting Rights Act was signed. Well, Dr. King came to Montgomery, Alabama, to Selma, Alabama; and Dr. King proceeded with the march. This was after the time that we call ``Bloody Sunday.'' Dr. King came, and they marched from Selma to Montgomery. But now, this is where the story gets interesting because there is a person that I have labeled ``the greatest unsung hero of the civil rights movement,'' barring none, the greatest unsung hero of the civil rights movement, a person who is known to very few people, a person who made it possible for Dr. King and the marchers to move from Selma to Montgomery without having to confront the constabulary that engaged in a brutal act previously and may have done a similar thing. This man, the greatest unsung hero of the civil rights movement, was a Republican. This man was not of African ancestry. He was an Anglo. This man was appointed to a Federal judgeship by President Eisenhower. This man signed the order for them to march from Selma to Montgomery. Now, you might say: Well, signing an order is no big deal. It was then. Remember the times. It was a big deal to sign that order. In fact, for more than a decade, he had to be protected by U.S. marshals, the Honorable Frank M. Johnson, a district court judge. But the story of Frank M. Johnson doesn't really start with the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It actually starts with Rosa Parks. When Rosa Parks took that seat and ignited the spark that started the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks went to jail that night. There is a White side to Black history. Rosa Parks' bail was posted by Ms. Virginia Durr and her husband. A White woman posted the bail to get Rosa Parks out of jail. There is a White side to Black history. But let's get back to Frank M. Johnson. They decided that they would not ride the bus; and for over a year, they provided alternative transportation; and they boycotted. And in so doing, in boycotting, they brought this to the attention of not only the United States, but also to the world. But here is the other side: The boycott was effective. It was an order from Frank M. Johnson, as a part of a three-judge panel, concluding that that segregation was unconstitutional based upon Brown v. Board of Education, which had been decided about a year earlier. Frank M. Johnson signed the order along with two other judges. Frank M. Johnson went on to sign orders integrating schools, voting rights--his history is replete with orders that he signed to change the face of the South. Paraphrasing Dr. King, Frank M. Johnson gave meaning to the word ``justice,'' a White Republican Federal judge. I mention these things tonight because I want people to know that Black history is American history and that it includes people of all hues and genders and persuasions; and it is a history that, quite frankly, we cannot forget. There are some aspects of it that we are not proud of, but it is a history that is ours, and we can never, ever ignore our history. Just as we cannot ignore what happened at Pearl Harbor, just as we cannot ignore what happened on 9/11, we cannot ignore many of the things that happened in the history of African Americans. So with Frank M. Johnson having allowed the marchers to move forward by signing this order, later on, the same President, Lyndon Johnson, signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I am probably in Congress because of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 because it provided a means by which districts could be drawn with consideration given to population, as opposed to geography. That Voting Rights Act, section 5, is what allowed a good many people who are right here in this Congress today to be here, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and section 5 of it. As you know, section 5 has been made impotent by the evisceration of section 4. Section 4 was declared unconstitutional. One of the things that I have learned in my years on the planet is that while I don't always agree with the judiciary, I do respect the judiciary. I didn't agree with the decision to declare section 4 unconstitutional, but I respect the opinion, and, as a result, I will do what I can to correct it here in the Halls of Congress. I think that we have a great opportunity here to do something to strengthen the Voting Rights Act, the same Voting Rights Act that Mr. John Lewis marched to bring into being and that people lost their lives to bring into being. That same Voting Rights Act can be strengthened and be made useful and viable for a good many people. So I will conclude with this. But I do want one more evidence of how much time I have remaining. Mr. Speaker, can you give me one more count on the time? And I will come to my conclusion.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, if I may, I would like to know how much time I have remaining because I would also like to yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Grayson) at the end of my commentary.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of those associated with leadership who have allowed us to have this time tonight to discuss Black History Month. As you are aware, Black History Month has not always been a month. It started out as a week. The father of Black History Week, which evolved into Black History Month, was Mr. Carter G. Woodson. In fact, he is renowned for not only his having started this time and made it a part of the annual events that we celebrate, but he is also known for his writings. I would like to read an excerpt from his book, ``The Mis-Education of the Negro.'' Dr. Woodson encapsulated a significant point with this passage that I shall read. He indicates: When you control a man's thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him to stand here or go yonder. He will find his proper place and he will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary. Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote this in 1933. In 1933, he was trying to call to the attention of our country the plight of the American Negro. The plight was one that involved the mentality of the American Negro. He was calling to our attention how education was appropriate for the American Negro to become the independent person that could do for himself and take care of himself and live a life that was based upon his fulfilling his role in the American Dream. This was in 1933. I am honored today that we have a resolution that we have filed with the House, H. Res. 481. This resolution recognizes the significance of Black History Month. This resolution has been signed onto by all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, as well as other Members of Congress. This resolution extols the virtues of Africans who were brought to the Americas, a people who, under harsh circumstances, were able to not only survive, but also thrive. It really goes into much of what we call the greatest story that has yet to be told, a story of people who came to the Americas involuntarily, and who have done exceedingly well in this country. We still have a long way to go, but, thank God, we have come as far as we have. This year, we are celebrating the civil rights in America as a theme for Black History Month, civil rights in America, and we would like to start by talking about the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, before you can really understand completely the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is important to get some sense what the times were like in 1964, to get some understanding of what it was like to live in the United States of America in 1964. This is not being done to shame anyone. It is not being done to cause persons to have some sort of guilty reflections. This is being done so as to help us commemorate some things and celebrate some others. It is important to understand the times that we lived in. I lived during these times, and I would like to start with April 12, 1963, and then I would like to walk us up through some events that will bring us to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was April 12, 1963, that Dr. King was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama. He was there to work with others to integrate a city that was deeply segregated. In so doing, he was informed by some members of the clergy and others that he was taking inappropriate action, he was acting too soon, that the time was not ripe for what he was doing in Birmingham, Alabama. As a result of being there and protesting, Dr. King was arrested. He was taken to jail, stayed in jail for 9 days, and while in jail, he wrote his famous ``Letter from Birmingham Jail'' in response to a statement that was published by some other members of the clergy. If you have not read the ``Letter from Birmingham Jail,'' I beg that you read it because it will help you better understand the times, and understand why Dr. King had to do what he was doing. The ``Letter from Birmingham Jail'' is one of the greatest pieces of American literature that I have been exposed to, and I beg you to please take the opportunity to read it. Let's move forward to June 11, 1963. This is when Governor George Wallace stood in the door at the University of Alabama to block the entry of Vivian Malone and James Hood. These were two students who were enrolling. In so doing, he caused the President, at that time, President Kennedy, to federalize the Alabama National Guard so that these two students could make their way into the University of Alabama. These were the times that I lived in. These were events that occurred leading up to the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, also the Public Accommodations Act of 1964. June 21, 1964. Three civil rights workers were in Mississippi-- Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney. They lost their lives in Mississippi registering people to vote. When they died, it caused the country to grieve, understanding that three people who but only tried to register people to vote had lost their lives at the hands of the KKK. These were the times that I lived in. August 28, 1963. Dr. King called for a march on Washington, and that march took place. That march was one of the greatest events in the history of the civil rights movement. 200,000 to 300,000 people assembled, and this is when Dr. King gave his famous ``I Have a Dream'' speech. They also had a list of demands, a list of demands that included a number 8 on a list of 10. Number eight was a minimum wage of $2 an hour. That minimum wage of $2 an hour, adjusted for inflation, would be more than $13 an hour today. The minimum wage was a part of the reason why we had the March on Washington, and I am so proud that Dr. King stood his ground, so as to help us develop that minimum wage that he wanted to have as a living wage. There is before the House now H.R. 1010, a bill that would produce a living wage because it indexes the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index. It would move the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour increments, not all at once. It would also help persons who are tip workers, who are making currently $2.13 an hour. It would raise their wages, and would also continue to index their wages, so that they would find themselves being able to, hopefully, live above the poverty line while working full time. In this, the richest country in the world, a country where 1 out of every 60 persons is a millionaire--and I don't begrudge anyone who is a millionaire, a country where 1 of every 11 households is worth $1 million, and I salute those who are worth millions of dollars, but in this country, where we have so much wealth, I don't believe we ought to have people who work full time and live below the poverty line, and find that employers are subsidized so that these workers can be paid a wage that is at or near a poverty level and receive other subsidies from the government to help them make it in America. So I am honored that Dr. King pushed for a wage of $2 an hour at that time, which would be more than $13 an hour today. Moving forward to September 15 of 1963, a tragic occurrence at the 16th Street Baptist Church. This is when four babies--I say they were babies--Addie was 14, Cynthia was 14, Carole was 14, and Denise was 11. They all lost their lives in church, in church, four babies, four young girls. These were the times that I lived in. These were the times that preceded the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1964 and 1965. November 22, 1963. A President of the United States of America decided to come to Texas, and while in Texas, the President was assassinated. The Honorable John F. Kennedy lost his life in my home State. I was born in Louisiana, but Texas is my home State at this time. When he lost his life, the country went into mourning. It was a sad day for this country to have a President assassinated, and this country found that it was necessary to move forward, however. Another person became President, and that, of course, was the Honorable Lyndon Johnson, who was from the State of Texas, and it was Lyndon Johnson who, on July 2, 1964, signed the Civil Rights Act. Now, this Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one that brought great benefits to persons of my generation because it dealt with public accommodation, and it integrated, or desegregated public accommodations, hotels, restaurants, places that we frequent now and we take for granted the opportunity to go into these places. In my lifetime, we could not enter the front door of places that we now take for granted, that these things have always been this way. Many do, not all, but those of us who are of my ilk, we remember what it was like. I can remember when we would travel across country, Mr. Speaker. We knew that there were certain places that we could stop, and we knew that there were certain places that we dare not stop under any circumstances at all, and we would make sure that we had enough fuel to make it from one stop to the next. We knew that there were certain places that we could eat, and there were places where we would have to go to the back door, and we would, when we arrived at these places, always be courteous and kind to the people that greeted us, and a good many of them were courteous and kind to us, but there were many who were not. I remember once, when we were traveling across country and we wanted some water, and we stopped at a service station, and the operator, I don't know that the person was the owner so I shall use the term operator, said, yes, you may have water, but you will have to drink it out of an oil can. You can take that can and you can clean it up as best you can and you can drink your water from that can. These were the times that I lived in, the times that the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Public Accommodations Act addressed. I can remember the ``Colored'' water fountain. Whenever we went out someplace near my home, and if we wanted water, we had to drink from a ``Colored'' water fountain. That ``Colored'' water fountain was usually not nearly as clean as the ``White'' water fountain. I can remember having to sit in the back of the bus. I traveled from Texas to California, and I remember sitting in the back of the bus, and when I got to someplace near California, they allowed me to sit near the front of the bus. It was the first time in my life that I had actually had an opportunity to sit near the front of the bus. I remember having to sit in the balcony of the movie. We were not allowed, in my lifetime, to sit at the first level. We always were required to go into the balcony of the movie. Back of the bus, balcony of the movie, and then arrested and placed in the bottom of a jail. This is the era that I grew up in that preceded the signing of the Public Accommodations Act, the Voting Rights Act of 1964. So, Mr. Speaker, I am sure you can understand that I have great appreciation for the Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act means more to me than a simple document with words on it. This document may have been written in ink, but it was signed in the blood of Schwerner, Goodman, and Chaney; signed in the blood of those babies that lost their lives at the 16th Street Baptist Church. Written in ink, but signed in blood, and it means something to people of my generation. So I am proud tonight, and I am honored that the leadership has allowed us to have this time to talk about the Civil Rights Act in this country, the means by which we have integrated ourselves. I am proud that my country has come a long way. Make no mistake about it: we have come a very long way in this country, and if anybody says we haven't come a long way, I would challenge them. I would challenge them because I lived through segregation. I know what segregation looked like. I saw it on signs that said ``Colored'' and ``White.'' I know what it smells like. I went to the back door and to bathrooms that were not clean. I know what it felt like because I was pushed and shoved and told where to go and what to do. These were the times that I lived in. But thank God, we have come a long way, and we no longer live in the times that preceded the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1964. Mr. Speaker, I am honored that I have another Member here who is going to say a few words about civil rights; and then I have another Member who has something special that he will call to our attention; and then I will return; and I am going to say a little bit tonight about the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But before I do this, I will yield to another Member from the great State of Texas, a district that includes the city of El Paso, Texas' 16th Congressional District, the Honorable Beto O'Rourke.

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas

Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the 60th wedding anniversary of two respected and revered individuals, Reverend Bill Lawson and Mrs. Audrey Lawson. Married January 28, 1954, while Reverend Lawson was attending Central Baptist Theological Seminary. The Lawsons are pillars of the Houston community, who have reared four successful children. In 1962, Reverend Lawson alongside his first-lady Mrs. Lawson founded the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church with just thirteen members. Reverend Lawson went on to serve as Senior Pastor at the church for 42 years before retiring to focus on his work in the community, through the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP). Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to have the opportunity to pay tribute to two individuals who have so selflessly and faithfully served their community. They are exemplars for all those who aspire to greatness through service and mentorship of others. I pray that God will grant them many more years of love and happiness.