Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I appreciate the gentleman for asking. Madam Speaker, would you advise both of us how much time each has.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I have more speakers than I have time; but I know that during that period of time, I'm going to have at least two more speakers and possibly three.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to my good friend, the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Richardson).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend for the debate and the time that he's allowed us. I thank all of our colleagues who came here. This H.R. 5 is going to be devastating to medical malpractice victims. Patients shouldn't have to pay the price for excessive malpractice insurance. If we want to reform the medical liability system, let us start with addressing insurance costs and physicians' premiums. Let us start with finding strategies to reduce and prevent mistakes and crack down on repeat offenders. Today, 5 percent of all doctors are responsible for 54 percent of malpractice claims paid. Let's not start with penalizing patients for injuries due to no fault of their own. Let's not give the American people another reason to believe that Congress is out of touch. Thousands of people die each and every year due to medical malpractice. This is not frivolous. We had 16 of our Members come forward yesterday to offer amendments. We're going to have 6 hours of debate on six, ostensibly, because we, in the Rules Committee who have the power, refused to waive the power to allow those amendments to come in, some that included things such as not being able to allow a child 3 years old who may have a matter that doesn't manifest itself until he or she is 8 be barred because of time constraints, measures that deal with, like the pediatrician in Delaware who raped 100 or more children, babies, and that position would not be allowed for. I know that one would argue that some lawsuits are frivolous, and they are. I am a lawyer. I am a trial lawyer, and so I clearly support the trial lawyers, so as how that's understood with my bona fides. But when people are dying, that's not frivolous; and, as I said, people want the best lawyer that they can find. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' and to defeat the previous question. I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule, and I do so for the reason that this measure does nothing, is going nowhere, will go to the Senate and will not pass, and everybody in this House knows it. We have to stop doing nothing and do something for the American people and jobs. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to preface my remarks by indicating, at the close of my remarks and when the debate is concluded on this amendment, I do not intend to call for a vote, largely for the reason that I believe that the ranking member, Mr. Grijalva's amendment covers much of what I have offered in this amendment; and second, out of respect for my colleague from Accomack, Mr. Rigell, who I believe has brought this matter, as many of us may be wont to do in the future, regarding the economic concerns that exist in his community. I would only add, he cited to 16 percent unemployment earlier today in his presentation on the floor. I could take him to some places in the congressional district that I'm privileged to serve and show him 40 percent unemployment in a rural area that happens to be in the same contiguous area as the Everglades National Park. And I'm sure that I could come back here and offer some measures that would allow for Belle Glade and Clewiston and South Bay and Canal Point to have an opportunity to convert land that is in a national park that was given for that purpose, to leave the reversionary restriction aside and to go about the business of allowing for those counties, Hendry and Palm Beach County and Broward, to be able to utilize the land as they see fit. Land has a market value at some point. As I understand it--and I stand to be corrected certainly by my good friend and colleague from Washington--the original deed in this property allowed that if the parcel was no longer used for recreational purposes that it would revert to the Federal Government. Well, clearly, that reversionary clause is what we are seeking in this particular measure, in this specific one, to overturn. I believe it's wholly unnecessary but, more importantly, I think it sets a bad precedent of involving Congress in consensually entered agreements. As I've explained, the county was granted the land on the condition that it be used as a park. And I understand, and understood further, from my good friend Mr. Hastings' comments yesterday at the Rules Committee, that the land can't even be accessed--if it were not Mr. Hastings, then it was Mr. Bishop--and, therefore, it is important that they make this change. Congress shouldn't grant special treatment of something as erratic as market value because the market value of land is always changing. And all I have to do is look at my mortgage and look at how the prices have gone down, as they have all over this country. I heard the statement yesterday in the Rules Committee that the land is useless. I don't think any land is useless. Mark Twain said that we ain't going to have much more land, just to paraphrase him. They're not manufacturing it; although, I think Singapore may very well take issue with that comment. It's a park, and it is important that the Federal Government conditioned the transfer of the land to the county in the first place on the promise that it would be used as a park. The county agreed to those terms when it initially received the land, and now, in all due respect, they want to back out. It's not unexpected to want to alter an agreement when conditions surrounding the deal change. In fact, if the county no longer wants to use the land as a park, there are remedies readily available within the Federal Lands to Parks program that it could choose from. Consequently, changing the agreement today because of a shift in market value sets a bad precedent. We don't know what the market value of the land will be a year from now; we don't know what it will be 5 years from now; and we certainly have no idea what it will be 200 years from now. Before you know it, every county and every State--and this is why I feel very strongly about this--will be here, asking Congress for the same special treatment as soon as the market shifts in their favor. My amendment requires appraisals of the land, and I believe that Mr. Grijalva's does as well. All I ask is that if we don't want it to be a park anymore, as the county doesn't, then the county should look to the remedies it already has available to them. I believe the market value will shift. I hope Mr. Rigell is successful. I believe the measure will pass. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, and it is preprinted.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to speak for just 15 seconds.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, my good friend, Doc Hastings-- that is, not Doc Brown--is mindful that we are going to have a future. I just want to comment that there is a future, and we tend to do it around here. As a matter of fact, we do it in budgetary matters; we do it all around. I appreciate very much my friend pointing out that creativity that I offered. At the very same time, I think Mr. Grijalva's amendment is deserving of serious consideration, and I support it. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Wynnebrook Elementary, a school in my district that exemplifies all that is right with America's public education system. Under the guidance of Principal Jeffrey Pegg and his talented faculty, Wynnebrook has been rated an ``A'' school by the State of Florida nine years in a row. I toured this fine school on March 15, 2012 and saw for myself everything that makes it great. I met wonderful teachers and spoke to classroom after classroom of happy children who were clearly excited to learn. Wynnebrook Elementary's students are overwhelmingly minority children, and most come from low-income families. Despite these challenges, writing scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) are in the 90th percentile, with reading scores close behind. Scores in nearly all core subjects are over 80 percent as well. There is no lack of enthusiasm at Wynnebrook. Several teachers were eager to tell me how pleased they are with the continued excellence of Wynnebrook. They are certainly a large part of its success, with several having taught at Wynnbrook for over 30 years. Additionally, the children were eager to ask me questions about my occupation and career. I was especially impressed with the number of students who told me they would like to become doctors or lawyers. Wynnebrook is proof that when schools get the funding they need, they will turn out intelligent, well-adjusted children who want to succeed in life. What I saw that day served as a reminder of the importance of Title I funding in ensuring that our nation's students receive the education they deserve, regardless of their financial background, and reinforced my determination to work for increased funding for public education as a whole. Mr. Speaker, I commend Principal Pegg, reading instructor Leslie Millar, and all the fine teachers and staff members I met at Wynnebrook Elementary, and I look forward to even greater success from its administrators, faculty, and students in the years to come.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lady Panthers girls' basketball team of Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on their recent state championship. Once again, under the inspiring leadership of Coach Marcia Pinder, the women's varsity basketball team won the Class 5A state title. The game was hard fought on both sides but even under intense pressure, the women of Dillard High persevered to defeat St. Johns Bartram Trail. With staunch defense and discipline, this team made history by clinching their third consecutive state title and seventh title overall. Capping off a 26 4 season, the title recently secured by the Dillard team is truly special. This third consecutive state title is a record for Dillard High, and makes their winning streak the second longest in Broward history and one title away from tying the County record of four consecutive titles. Furthermore, with their seventh state championship overall, the Lady Panthers hold the record for the most titles held by any girls' basketball program in Broward County, and makes them the second most winningest team in the State. Furthermore, they are just one championship behind the current record holders Jacksonville Ribault. It should also be noted that all seven championships have come under the leadership of Coach Marcia Pinder, whose 804 175 record makes her the all-time winningest basketball coach overall in Florida's history. Following this recent championship, Coach Pinder was named the 2012 Russell Athletic/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National High School Coach of the Year. She will be honored at the 2012 WBCA High School All-American Game that is played in conjunction with the NCAA Women's Final Four in Denver, Colorado on March 31, 2012. I would like to take the time to honor each player and coach who, along with Coach Pinder, made this record-setting win possible. The Championship Lady Panthers are: LaQuacious Adams, Alliyah Anderson, Shatorria Baker, Demetria Brown, Jo' Coretah Clayton, Brianna Green, Amber Hanna, Dominique Harris, Kareese Johnson, Jessica Jones, Macy Keen, Courtney Parson, Tiara Walker, and Kayla Wright. The Lady Panthers and Coach Pinder and their championship season were also supported by assistant coaches: George Adams, Brandon Adams, Tonia Adams, Tania Miller, Evelyn Powers, Enewetok Ramsey, and Chanell Washington. I would also like to recognize Dillard High Principal Casandra D. Robinson and Athletic Director Tracie Latimer, without whom the girls' basketball program would not be given the support it rightly deserves. Mr. Speaker, I am extremely proud of the Lady Panthers, Coach Pinder, and all of their supporters who every year continue to push the bounds for what is possible within their sport. I am truly honored to represent such gracious sportswomen, and look forward to next season where I hope to see the Lady Panthers tie both the Broward County's record for most consecutive championships and Florida's record for most titles overall.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Mrs. Sara Louise Jones Pettis. Mrs. Pettis was a respected community activist in the Fort Lauderdale area, and her commitment to civic service was admirable. She recently passed away at the age of 90, and I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathies to her family and all those who knew her. Mrs. Pettis was a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida for 64 years. She married Mr. Cyrus Pettis in 1941, and the couple lived in Fort Lauderdale since first moving to the area in 1947. They both understood the importance of giving back to the community. Mr. Pettis was a postal worker, and Mrs. Pettis served as a teacher's aide at multiple schools in Broward County. Mrs. Pettis was known for her desire to improve the community. She was a lifetime member of the Parent Teacher's Association, and she volunteered at local schools, churches, and other charitable organizations. Mrs. Pettis was ultimately credited for expediting the creation of the Dillard High School Gymnasium in 1959. Her dedication to improving the lives of the people of Broward County was truly remarkable. In 1985, the Pettis family received a very special recognition from then-First Lady Nancy Reagan. The First Lady recognized the Pettis family as a Great American Family. Over 25 members of the Pettis family were in attendance at a special White House ceremony. The award is given to families leading exemplary lives, and giving back to their communities. The Pettis family is one of only nine other families to ever receive this award. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Mrs. Pettis for her dedication to the people of Fort Lauderdale. I knew Mrs. Pettis personally, and I was saddened to hear of her passing. She had an extraordinary sense of civic duty, and I would like to extend my sympathies to not only her family and friends, but to the entire South Florida community, and all of those whose lives she touched. Mrs. Pettis will be truly missed.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate an outstanding human being and my dear friend, Ms. Cathy Hughes, on receiving this year's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, Chairman's Award, the highest honor the NAACP has to offer. Cathy is a true symbol of American entrepreneurship and success. From her humble beginnings growing up in an Omaha housing project to becoming a leader in the media industry, Cathy embodies the spirit of determination and hard work. Cathy's story is nothing short of remarkable. Born Catherine Elizabeth Woods in 1947, Cathy was the eldest of four children. By the age of 17, Cathy had dropped out of high school and become a single mother. Although she attended two universities in Nebraska, she did not have the opportunity to graduate. Despite these challenges, Cathy knew that she wanted a career in radio from a very young age and, in 1969 at the age of 22, began volunteering at KOWH, an African American owned radio station based out of Omaha, Nebraska. There, she excelled in the radio business and caught the attention of the Howard University School of Communications in Washington, D.C., where she was offered a position as a lecturer and assistant dean. By 1978, Cathy had become the vice- president and general manager of WYCB AM and, a year later, along with her former husband, founded Radio One and purchased her first radio station in Washington D.C., WOL 1450. Times were not easy at WOL 1450. Because of the lack of funding, Cathy had to give up her apartment and live with her son at the station. She also filled several roles as owner, producer, radio personality, and DJ, since she could not afford to pay personnel. But her perseverance and determination to see her dream succeed kept her going. Today Radio One is the largest African American owned and operated radio broadcast network, with over 65 radio stations in every major market in the United States and the seventh largest network in the nation. In 2004, Cathy launched TV One, a cable television channel dedicated to capturing the rich and diverse experience of African American life, history, and culture. On February 17, 2012, Ms. Hughes was honored at the 43rd NAACP Image Awards, the premier multicultural awards show that recognizes the achievements of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, film, and creative social justice. Cathy's name has been added to an illustrious list of past honorees, such as U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, Former Vice-President Al Gore, then Senator Barack Obama, and Aretha Franklin. And no one could be more deserving. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, it is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize a pioneer in the media industry, a leader in the African American community, and my dear friend, Ms. Cathy Hughes. I commend her for her tireless dedication to empowering the disenfranchised and for continuing to be a powerful voice for those who too often remain unheard. Cathy, I wish you all the best for many years to come.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating SFC Christine K. Tulloch for her retirement from the United States Army after 22 years of devoted service. She has also been nominated for the Legion of Merit Award to commemorate her faithful and courageous service. I am honored to recognize SFC Tulloch today for these accomplishments and also take a moment to acknowledge her birthday she recently celebrated on February 17th. During her distinguished career, SFC Tulloch displayed thrift and foresight in her position as a Movement Supervisor conducting rail, airport, and sea operations. This position required SFC Tulloch to oversee supply chains in order to facilitate the movement of goods and services across significant distances. This work is a vital component of any successful military operation. She performed this duty from 2001 to 2002 in Fort Eustis, Virginia; from 2002 to 2004 in Bamberg, Germany; and from 2004 2005 in Tallahassee, Florida, where she also served as Training NCO. Throughout her career, SFC Tulloch demonstrated an admiral commitment to the efficiency and effectiveness of military activities. For example, in December 2002 when her team was deployed as an advanced party in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, she administered the safe receipt and transit of more than 5,000 containers. In a conflict as hazardous as the war in Iraq, this was a logistical feat and one that she would repeat many times. In March 2003, her team would preside over the reception, staging and movement of over 40,000 combat and support troops. This would be an influential movement just prior to the second invasion. SFC Tulloch also served in the U.S. Army Human Resources department where she administered assignments for as many as 12,000 soldiers. It was also necessary to coordinate the Joint Domicile and Married Couple's Program in which SFC Tulloch demonstrated her compassion as well as a high level of competence in arranging over 1,300 personal assignments a year. From 2009 to 2010, SFC Tulloch was promoted to Chief Movement Supervisor for the U.S. Armed forces in CENTCOM in Doha, Qatar. Her performance was such that she meticulously managed the transfer of millions of dollars worth of resources without waste or inaccuracy. What made the work of SFC Tulloch exceptional was her ability to see opportunities to eliminate excessive bureaucracy in order to maximize the impact of expenditures. For instance, during her time in Iraq, SFC Tulloch was able to investigate some 2,000 overdue invoices and credit card purchases which meant that more than $3 million dollars was refunded to the U.S. Government. While being posted in Afghanistan, SFC Tulloch was placed in charge of equipment and vehicles valued above $24.6 million dollars. She was able to direct the movement of these resources in a timely manner, even when given limited notice in which to organize herself and her team. Mr. Speaker, on June 1, 2012 Sergeant First Class Christine K. Tulloch will retire from the United States Army. She should be proud of the fact that her record of accomplishments is truly commendable. Throughout her career, SFC Tulloch was able to execute the tasks assigned to her in a capable manner in spite of conditions that were often pressurized and hostile. It is my great honor to recognize SFC Tulloch and I wish her all the best in her retirement and hope that she may continue to use her talents to the betterment of those around her.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from South Carolina for yielding me time. Millions of Americans all across this country are struggling, and they need our help. What they don't need is more Republican gamesmanship at their expense. The Democrats have literally forced the Republicans to realize that they can't just make policy measures that help the rich while taking away from the poor. I may support this bill in light of the fact that it will give a payroll tax cut to 160 million Americans. It also extends unemployment insurance to those Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and it will allow seniors access to their physicians under Medicare. And, as a footnote there, we really should do the doc fix permanently and stop piecemealing and playing games with this particular measure. The bill is not perfect, the pay-for is nowhere near perfect, and the length of the extension is not perfect, but it does contain critical provisions that many Democrats negotiated to keep in the bill. While we were able to compromise today, I do not think that my Republican friends deserve too much credit. Since they regained the majority, the American people have seen firsthand their obstructionist policies in action. In fact, earlier this week, my friends on the right attempted to bring to the floor a transportation bill so flawed that my former colleague and Transportation Secretary and good friend of mine, Ray LaHood, stated: This is the most partisan transportation bill I've ever seen, and it is also antisafety. It hollows out our number one priority, which is safety. It's the worst transportation bill I've ever seen during 35 years of public service. The American people want a government that understands the challenges they face daily. Republicans want an economy that works great for the greediest and leaves the neediest out in the cold. Just ask a teacher in my constituency in Belle Glade or Margate or a firefighter in Fort Lauderdale or Pompano Beach and they'll tell you an extra $1,000 in their pockets makes a huge difference in putting food on the table, gas in the car, and being able to stay in their homes. We've been forced to strike this compromise because, for decades, Republicans have pushed policies that favor the wealthy. We should not forget that, while we are debating how to pay for this payroll tax cut, unemployment insurance, and payments to Medicare physicians, our Nation's massive deficits are due in large part to Republican tax cuts for the wealthiest in America. The fact of the matter is that the wealthy have continued to pay less and less taxes. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan started to lower tax rates, and then President George Bush slashed capital gains and income tax rates for the wealthy to their now historic lows. As I travel throughout the constituency that I'm privileged to represent, into areas where the unemployment rate in some places in the Glades is 40 percent, I ask myself: Who's actually benefitting from these tax cuts for the rich? It's certainly not the police officer living in Boynton or the nurse working at the VA hospital or the community health center in West Palm Beach. Madam Speaker, while I'm pleased that we've come to a compromise to extend unemployment insurance, I remain deeply concerned that this bill reduces benefits from 99 weeks to as little as 73 weeks through December. I hear daily from constituents who are approaching the end of their unemployment period and are at a loss as to where to turn next. Although the economy may be starting to recover, what are we supposed to tell those people who have been looking for a job for months and months on end? What kind of compromise are they supposed to strike with unemployment? The best way to reduce the deficit is to put money into the hands of people who spend it. This is how we support our communities. If we invest more money in Main Street, consumers will have more money in their pockets to spend on putting food on the table, gas in their cars, and, as I said, being able to stay in their homes. Every American should have the opportunity to succeed. Opportunity should not be limited by geography, race, gender, or the size of one's bank account. Yet thanks to massive gaps in the Tax Code, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The top 1 percent of earners are responsible for 20 percent of the Nation's annual income, up from 10 percent in 1981. The wealthiest CEOs are paid 400 times what the average worker earns. Only 30 years ago, it was 20 times as much. Americans in the highest tax bracket are supposed to pay 35 percent of their income in taxes. However, since President Bush slashed the capital gains rate to 15 percent, the top 400 wealthiest that we continue to identify, one of about the top 4,000, for example, pay only 15 percent in taxes on 80 percent of their income. As the law is currently written, any wealthy American paying the full 35 percent needs to get a new accountant. In addition to reducing the term of unemployment insurance coverage, this bill raises an additional $15 billion by requiring Federal employees to contribute a larger amount to their retirement accounts. My understanding is this is a grandfathered measure that will protect the ones that are Federal workers now; but I'm not sure that this is going to satisfy Members on either the right or left, or the Democrats or Republicans on this measure, since it's addressing Federal employees and there were other ways to get to that $15 billion. Federal employees are currently in their second year of a pay freeze, while my colleagues across the aisle only a few weeks ago voted to freeze Federal employees' pay for a third year. Republicans don't think twice about limiting Federal workers' ability to support their families but are more than willing to shut down the government when bankers are asked to pay their fair share of taxes on their bonuses. How much can we continue to pick on Federal workers? They are not fat cats. They are postal workers, receptionists, janitors, teachers, nurses, social workers, and police officers, to name a few. They are the fundamental underpinning of this Nation. How much can we continue to pile on their backs? We've already broken their bank accounts. How much weight should the wealthiest American, who can afford it, carry? Investing in America is how we are going to create jobs. Let's build the infrastructure for the coming era of green energy. Let's fix our aging highways and bridges. Please, let's adequately fund our schools so our children can get a good education and can compete on a global level. Doing these kinds of things today will create a brighter America for generations to come. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I'm very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my very good friend from California, the distinguished gentlewoman, Ms. Matsui, a former member of the Rules Committee.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. All right. Then I'm in the position of having to go forward. I yield myself such time as I may consume. When the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance renewal came before the House just 2 months ago, my friends on the right refused to renew either provision, while Democrats tried to avert a tax hike on the middle class. I believe that Republicans would rather let the payroll tax cut expire and unemployment insurance run out than ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share. Madam Speaker, if it's at all possible, I'm midway, but I still have the time and, with your permission, I would like to yield 2 minutes to my colleague from New York (Mr. Engel).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I had hoped that Ms. Velazquez or Mr. Engel would be here, but I'll say to my friend from South Carolina: Do you have other speakers?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I voted against the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 3630, but within this legislation, there are provisions that I do support. I support giving a payroll tax cut to 160 million Americans, extending unemployment insurance to those Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and to allow seniors access to their doctors under Medicare. But there is a damaging aspect of this bill that will affect the pensions of future federal employees. This bill raises an additional $15 billion to extend unemployment insurance coverage by requiring federal employees to contribute a larger amount to their retirement accounts. Federal employees are currently in their second year of a pay freeze while my colleagues across the aisle only a few short weeks ago voted to freeze federal employees' pay for a third year. Republicans don't think twice about limiting federal workers' ability to support their families, but are more than willing to shut down the government when bankers are asked to pay their fair share of taxes on their bonuses. How much can we continue to pick on federal workers? They are not fat-cats. They are postal workers, janitors, teachers, nurses, social workers, and police officers. When did they become the bad guys? How much can we continue to pile on them before their backs break? How much weight should the wealthiest Americans, who can afford it, carry? I am also concerned that this compromise to extend unemployment insurance reduces benefits from 99 weeks to as little as 73 weeks through December. I hear daily from constituents who are approaching the end of their 99 weeks and are at a loss as to where to turn next. Although the economy may be starting to recover, what are we supposed to tell those people who have been looking for a job for months and months on end? What kind of compromise are they supposed to strike with unemployment? Furthermore, this legislation will blow a $100 billion hole in the deficit by not paying for the measure. It is a precursor from the Republicans for the beginning of the end of Social Security. Millions of Americans all across this nation are struggling and they need our help. The Republican majority would rather implement policies that unfairly favor the wealthy, while asking the least among us to make enormous sacrifices. I am sick and tired of Republican gamesmanship. I voted against this measure, because `enough is enough.'

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a true public servant, educator, community activist, spiritual leader, and my dear friend, William H. ``Bill'' Gray, III. For nearly five decades, Bill has served the Philadelphia community, African American community, and the American people as a whole in numerous capacities. From education and the ministry to government and the business world, his influential leadership continues to this day. Bill was born on August 20, 1941 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is the second child of the late Dr. William H. Gray, Jr. and Hazel Yates Gray, and has an older sister, Marion. Bill attended Franklin and Marshall College, where he earned a B.A. in 1963, and received a master's degree in divinity from Drew Theological Seminary in 1966 and a master's degree in theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1970. He has served as a faculty member and professor of history and religion at St. Peter's College, Jersey City State College, Montclair State College, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Temple University. The heir to a legacy of education leaders, his father served as the president of two Black colleges, Florida A&M University and Florida Memorial College. Furthermore, Bill's mother was a dean of Southern University and his grandfather a professor at another historically Black college. Hailing from a family of ministers as well as educators, Bill began his service in the ministry in 1964, when he pastored his first church, the Union Baptist Church of Montclair, New Jersey. For 35 years, he was pastor of the 5,000-member Bright Hope Baptist Church in Philadelphia, as were his father and grandfather before him since 1925. In 1970, Bill became a community activist while living in Montclair, after winning a housing discrimination suit against a landlord who denied him an apartment because of his race. He founded the non-profit Union Housing Corporation in Montclair to build affordable homes for low- and moderate-income tenants and co-founded the Philadelphia Mortgage Plan, an organization that helped people in low-income communities obtain mortgages. In 1971, he married Andrea Dash, a marketing consultant. They raised three sons: William IV, Justin, and Andrew. From 1979 to 1991, Bill served in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his 12 years in Congress, he remained a staunch supporter of education. As the first African American to chair the House Budget Committee in 1985, Bill was a leading advocate for strengthening America's education system. He went on to break further barriers as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus in 1988 and as Majority Whip later that year, becoming the highest-ranking African American ever to serve in Congress. In May 1994, Bill served as the Special Advisor to the President on Haiti. In that role, he assisted the President in developing and carrying out policy to restore democracy to Haiti, and received the Medal of Honor from Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1995. In 1991, Bill became the president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), America's oldest and most successful Black higher education assistance organization. During his tenure, he led the UNCF to new fund-raising heights while increasing educational assistance to minority students and support of historically Black colleges and universities. In particular, Bill spearheaded a number of bold initiatives to relocate UNCF's headquarters to the Northern Virginia area; develop a new technology center to link UNCF offices and member colleges electronically and thereby facilitate the sharing of scholarship and donor information; and develop the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute to compile and analyze data on a host of issues affecting African American students from kindergarten through graduate school. After retiring in 2004, Bill's contributions to public policy were far from over. He went on to serve as Chairman of the Amani Group and, beginning in 2009, Co-Chairman of the consulting and advisory firm GrayLoeffler, LLC. Today, Bill chairs Gray Global Strategies, Inc., a global business consulting and government affairs strategies firm. He also sits on the board of directors for several companies, including Dell, Inc., JPMorgan Chase, Pfizer, and Prudential Financial. Bill's many years of public and community service have earned him numerous awards and distinctions, such as the prestigious Franklin Delano Roosevelt Freedom of Worship Medal. In December 2009, he was listed in Ebony magazine as one of the 100 ``Most Important Blacks in the World in the 20th Century.'' Additionally, Bill has also been awarded more than 65 honorary degrees from America's leading colleges and universities. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, it is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize one of our own, former Congressman Bill Gray, for his tireless dedication to advancing education and opportunity in this country. His pioneering efforts have paved the way for future generations of American government, business, and community leaders. Bill's leadership and strength of character are a true inspiration to us all. I am so pleased to pay tribute to my dear friend, and wish him great success for many years to come.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr Speaker, I rise today and ask my colleagues to join me in wishing a happy 112th birthday to Ms. Charlotte Hawkins Flowers. Ms. Flowers, or Gram as she is lovingly called by her family, was born on March 20, 1900 in Madison, Florida. Throughout her life, Gram has always taken care of others. Whether friends, families, neighbors or strangers, Gram always was ready to help others in any way she could. Her granddaughter, whom she has lived with in Riviera Beach since 2005, reflected that Gram lived her life in adherence to Ecclesiastes 9:10 which states that: ``Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.'' With a special place in her heart for helping children, Gram had a in-home day care center in the 60's and 70's and has been a foster grandparent. As the oldest of three daughters and four sons born to Date Hawkins, she left school in the third grade to help care for her siblings. However, she still learned how to read and write and provided her grandchildren with help with their homework. Gram also has a knack for cooking, working as a cook at Florida State University and also as a private home cook. Although she personally has a sweet tooth and loves Coca-Cola, sweet tea, and sweet potato pie, as a cook, one of her specialties was homemade biscuits. In addition to filling others up with delicious food, she also fills them with wisdom. One of her trademark sayings is ``Be careful how you treat people. Because you're up today doesn't mean you won't be down tomorrow.'' This sentiment was something my grandmother used to also share with me and are words we should all live by every day in caring for others. To that end, Gram always was active in her church, the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee. She believes that it is her walk with Jesus that keeps her going strong. This strength allowed her until a few years ago to visit the sick and shut-in members of her church. Although she learned to drive, Gram never got her drivers' license or owned a car so she would often walk to make these visits. Even at 111, Gram still tries to help out in any way she can. Mr. Speaker, on February 20, 2012, Ms. Charlotte Hawkins Flowers will be celebrating her 112th birthday with her son's family in Florida. Although she has survived her six siblings and nine children, she will be surrounded by a multitude of family: 5 grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, 16 great-great-great grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great-great grandchildren. It is my distinguished honor to wish her a very happy birthday and congratulate her on reaching this milestone and dedicating her life to caring for others.