Kwanza Hall

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. I rise today to express a bit of gratitude. I have been a member of this chamber for a while now and while there are several committees and members of this body that keep its functioning ongoing, I would also like to recognize another indispensable group. I want to thank the cafeteria workers, janitors, members of the Capitol Police, Sergeant at Arms, Clerk's Office, Attending Physician, Congressional, House and other support staff throughout the Longworth, Rayburn and Cannon House office buildings. They have been so welcoming and helpful during my time in this critical moment in our country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their service has been laudable. Their sacrifice has been commendable. And, when I leave here, I will remember their smiles and their generosity in spirit as they help the Representatives serve those who sent us here. I know that I will never miss an opportunity to tell all in Georgia's Fifth Congressional District of all the wonderful people who make this Capitol Complex function for the people of our Nation,

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address a most pernicious side effect of the pandemic. Indeed, Madam Speaker, one of the most troubling parts of this pandemic is that our seniors are the most vulnerable. They are uniquely susceptible to the harmful parts of this pandemic. Often times, our senior citizens, who have worked many decades making our country great, are on fixed incomes, sometimes many miles from other loved ones. It is sad and regrettable that this pandemic has created so much pain and death and uncertainty to this community. But sadly, as happens from time to time in moments of suffering, there is also an insidious group of people who seek to profit off of this pain. Madam Speaker, if we are serious about protecting our senior citizens during this pandemic, then our help must not stop at COVID tests, vaccinations or hospital care. We must also ensure that individuals purporting to be fiduciaries and financial advisors do not take advantage of our seniors. But unfortunately, this is not just limited to financial advisors. There are many probate attorneys preying on the elderly and the sick and those shut-in and in poor communities in Georgia's Fifth Congressional District and all over the country. We must work with organizations and Bar Associations to prevent this abuse. Our seniors deserve to live their golden years in peace of mind. Our body recognizes that, which is why we have never wavered to pass legislation designed to ensure this reality. We have passed social security and passed age discrimination laws. We must do more to ensure that they are protected from some of the darker elements of society.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. I rise today to address the issue of the African Diaspora. The African Union defines the African Diaspora very broadly as people of African Descent living outside Africa. The UN estimates that there are about 200 million people of African descent outside Africa in various constituencies. In Atlanta, we are blessed to have so many members of the Diaspora in our community and that community is anchored by incredible institutions like the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta. And I am heartened to see that our youth are also engaged in this conversation, such as the Young African Diaspora Initiative. The last dozen years have been a source of whiplash. From 2009 to 2017, we had a president whose father was from Kenya, and who used the opportunity of his administration to strengthen ties between Africa and our Nation. For the last four years, however, we have had a president who pays no heed to the richness and vitality of the African Diaspora. This was encapsulated by his vulgar epithet about some of the countries on the African continent. But, in November, Americans decided to turn the page far away from this hate. The election of President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris provides an opportunity. We need to use the occasion of the Biden Administration to strengthen the ties with Africa while emphasizing the importance of the Global Diaspora. There are so many opportunities where we can work together, most notably with our support public projects, such as schools and health facilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to form strategic alliances are self-evident--we all have a need to work together to end this scourge. We must encourage the Diaspora to leave commanding footprints on capital, creativity and know-how. But there are additional opportunities, such as eradicating malaria, ensuring clean water is available in all pockets of the continent, and to ensure programs like PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, are funded and supported. PEPFAR has saved the lives of millions of people. But we can do more and we must do more. We must strengthen the ties of diplomacy and of commerce, particularly through direct private investment and improved utilization of transit corridors. There are advantages of encouraging African governments to implement fiscal incentives and policies that foster common commercial development and works to eradicate economic deprivation. After all, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most prolific servants of nondiscrimination and of racial reconciliation in our nation, who advanced just causes through nonviolent protest. We must turn to this example once more to achieve further greatness for members of African Diaspora as our nation begins this new presidential administration. We cannot let this opportunity go to waste by disregarding Africa's potential. We must seize the moment.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address this make-or-break moment for the American people. For many months, House Democrats have been urging for a stimulus package that is commensurate to the problem that Americans face. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 315,000 Americans have died, as a result of the Administration's mismanagement of the federal response to COVID-19. It has especially impacted the African-American community and other communities of color. Millions of jobs have been lost, countless small businesses have closed, and many others hospitalized. For the sake of controlling the virus we have all quarantined, as we eagerly await a vaccine. But this administration, aided by Congressional Republicans, have failed to deliver. In the closing days of this 116th Congress and in the midst of a once-in-a-century pandemic, leaders from both parties were able to forge a compromise. It was not ideal--but it was something. I was proud to support this legislation. I was proud to support the agreement because it provided another round of $600 in economic stimulus checks and another $300 per-week in unemployment benefits, and it supports small businesses, which are the engines of our economy. It also provided funds to support local school districts and provides much- needed funds for coronavirus testing and vaccine distribution. I was also proud to help secure this legislation because it provides tens of billions in rent relief and an extension of the eviction moratorium. Which is why the posturing coming from the current occupant of the White House on Tuesday night is so disconcerting. On Tuesday night, after many months of sitting on the sidelines, and being completely absent from the negotiations that forged this compromise, the White House cast severe doubt on the deal we reached. Now, the White House is proposing $2,000 payments. But make no mistake and as I said on Sunday night, mere moments after the deal was announced, the $600 payments were not enough and must only be a down- payment. The $1200 stimulus checks in the CARES Act from earlier this year was an important factor in controlling the economic fallout from the initial onset of the coronavirus, and I am disappointed that tonight that this Congress will not now act as we did in the Spring. The situation is more dire now and calls for more--not less--economic stimulus. I fully support $2000 payments for our people and for Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. I've thought deeply about this and heard from so many resilient Georgians. Our people are so resilient but many of them are on their last leg. We cannot fail them in this critical hour. To delay, or worse, to risk doing nothing would be a grave mistake. We must ensure that this recent posturing from the White House does not jeopardize the deal we secured on Sunday and which we passed on Monday. I fully support the Unanimous Consent request from the Speaker today and I urge colleagues in the Congress--on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of the Capitol--to support the $2000 payment but ensure that the support does not jeopardize that which we secured on Monday. Under no circumstance should the President exercise his veto power on the funding and prevent many desperate Georgians the relief they so desperately need. Now is not the time to split hairs. Now is not the time to insist on legislative perfection if there even is a such thing. We have so much to do to prepare the future but first I we must be able to get to the future.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, the first wave of stimulus spending proved frustrating for a lot of small and medium sized business. Many mom and pop businesses ran in to loan processing problems because there were problems with their applications. Many applicants did not know that their applications needed to be cured from any defects or that there were defects with their application. Some other small businesses were rejected because their lender ran out of allocation because the lenders were focused on larger loans. That is why, Democrats were able to secure $325 billion in small business aid this time around. Democrats secured critical funding and policy changes to help small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, and nonprofits recover from the pandemic. This deal includes over $284 billion for first and second forgivable PPP loans, dedicated set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions, and expanded PPP eligibility for 501(c)(6) nonprofits, including destination marketing organizations, and local newspapers, TV and radio broadcasters. $20 billion is included for new EIDL Grants for businesses in low-income communities, $3.5 billion for continued SBA debt relief payments, and $2 billion for enhancements to SBA lending. This deal also includes $15 billion in dedicated funding for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions. Small businesses that took a PPP loan and saw their revenues fall by 25% will be eligible for a second loan. Congress will also allow PPP borrowers to take tax deductions for covered business expenses.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today during a critical time in the history of the nation. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 315,000 Americans have died, as a result of the Administration's mismanagement of the federal response to COVID-19. It has especially impacted the African American community and other communities of color. Millions of jobs have been lost, countless small businesses have closed, and many others hospitalized. For the sake of controlling the virus we have all quarantined, as we eagerly await a vaccine. It is against this backdrop that we fashion a relief bill. Scripture teaches that which you do for the least of these you do for Him. I am proud to fight for the least of these during these critical times and support this bipartisan solution for COVID and the budget. I want to commend all leaders who helped make this deal possible, especially Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Leader Steny Hoyer and Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. This bill is critical as it helps all those impacted by COVID, especially the black people and other communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. I am proud to support this bill, which provides $900 billion for COVID relief. This is important as the agreement outlined provides another round of $600 in economic stimulus checks and another $300 per-week in unemployment benefits, and it supports small businesses, which are the engines of our economy. It also provides funds to support local school districts and provides much-needed funds for coronavirus testing and vaccine distribution. I am also proud to help secure this legislation because it supports paid sick leave, provides 25 billion in rent relief and an extension of the eviction moratorium. This relief bill is going in the right direction but make no mistake, this is not enough and must only be a down-payment. The $1,200 stimulus checks in the CARES Act from earlier this year was an important factor in controlling the economic fallout from the initial onset of the coronavirus, and I am disappointed that tonight that this Congress will not now act as we did in the Spring. The situation is more dire now and calls for more--not less--economic stimulus. And, I am especially proud that the disbursements from this relief bill starts on the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26. And, critically, this legislation supports Community Development Financial Institutions and Minority Depository Institutions by as much as $12 billion: The agreement includes dedicated PPP set-asides for very small businesses and lending through community-based lenders like Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); $9 billion in emergency U.S. Treasury capital investments in CDFIs and MDIs to support lending in low-income and underserved communities, including persistent poverty counties, that may be disproportionately impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and $3 billion in emergency support for CDFIs through the CDFI Fund to respond to the economic impact of the pandemic on underserved low-income and minority communities. The legislation we will pass today also includes 4.2 billion for mental health and substance abuse help and another $7 billion for broadband. This bill includes SBA grants, not just loans so it is critical for all applicants that they complete paperwork accurately so that there is no delay in submitting paperwork. I encourage all constituents to reach out to my office if they need help. And the legislation we will pass today also allocates $1.4 trillion for the budget which is why we must consider the COVID relief bill today together with the budget bill. This bill also helps secure $10 billion for assistance in child-care to help get parents back to work so we can be ready to return to some semblance of normalcy. I am also proud to support this bill because this legislation supports paid sick leave, provides tens of billions in rent relief and an extension of the eviction moratorium, another $14 billion in SNAP benefits and $80 billion in funding for our colleges and universities.'' It is often said that our budget is a blueprint of our values and with the budget we pass today, Madam Speaker, is an affirmation of the Gospel of Matthew.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. I rise today to include in the Record a statement on behalf of my predecessor John Lewis and constituents of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. We have some unfinished business, and I call on Congress to: 1. expunge all records for nonviolent offenders impacted by the war on drugs; 2. permit those individuals who were previously incarcerated to vote and end the practice of disenfranchisement on these bases; 3. make it more difficult for police to escape accountability when the rights of law-abiding Americans are violated; 4. pass legislation that once and for all bans the box and prevents employment discrimination against those previously incarcerated individuals; 5. establish the John Lewis Institute with an allocation of money from Congress to support this endeavor; 6. support the Prince Hall Masons Building; 7. support the renovation and the restoration of Dr. King's office; and 8. support funding for the John Lewis TOD loop which can be a national Pilot and model similar to our esteemed Beltline, without displacing long-time residents. I challenge my colleagues in this body to pass these pieces of legislation and deliver on the unfinished business of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District. I would also like to take a moment to thank leadership in the House and their staff for welcoming me with open arms but more importantly for their leadership in these very challenging times. Their commitment to getting results on behalf of American people is laudable, and the work over the last few years to keep this giant ship on course and to get it back on normal course. We also need to adapt to the changing times. The post-World War II economy is not coming back. The gig economy is here to stay. The gig economy is upon us and to remain competitive we have to invest in and reinvest in strategies of empowering people at all stations in life to be their best selves and own their own futures. As more Americans choose independent and flexible work, this coverage gap will only get bigger, which is why our lawmakers need to update our safety net as soon as possible. That is why I am proud that today's Coronavirus relief bill delivers $900 billion in much-needed aid but this is not enough. We need to pass another round of stimulus checks and we need to ensure that state and local governments--which are at the forefront and bearing the impact of paying for this pandemic--are reimbursed. And, I would like to close on a point of personal privilege. I have a picture of a man who was a straight-A student at George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama who was pushed out of the educational system because he chose to stand up for justice and equality for all in the 1960s. He was a peaceful and law-abiding student who organized hundreds of other students to participate in the Selma to Montgomery March. It was only a few years ago that I found out who he was. I was reflecting with my mother on her photo collection from the civil rights movement one day, and to my astonishment she stated that the peaceful protestor being dragged on the ground by a police officer in 1965 was my father. His name was Leon Hall and he was the youngest staff member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, from 1963 to 1968. He was a foot soldier in the fight for justice along with Hosea Williams, who stood on the Edmund Pettus bridge next my predecessor John Lewis. All three of them were beaten, verbally abused, and illegally incarcerated countless times, just as we see today with Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others. This has been an unfortunate reality in the U.S. and around the world for millions of black and brown people for far too long--injustice and unlawful treatment by those responsible for upholding the law has to end and it has to end now. While I have seen this picture for my entire life, before that conversation with my mother I never realized that the individual in it was my father. The picture was taken in 1974 and showed my father. Leon Hall, a board member of the Southern Regional Council, testifying before this very body about the issues related to education and students being pushed out of education systems, much as he was. Our Majority Whip Representative Clyburn and Representative Bennie Thompson were also board members of the SRC at that time. The body of work they established at that time is the scholarship we now refer to as the school to prison pipeline. Some of America's greatest talents, our most brilliant minds--capable of creating inventions, innovations, or great companies that can employ thousands and provide cures to ailments--are languishing in prison due to an unjust legal system. Many of them were brutalized on a traffic stop or walking innocently down the street. I rise to bring attention to the need for justice reform and to explain the import of why I support justice ref arm projects, like the last prisoner project, the innocence project, banning the box for reentry to work. I support the overall evolution of the way we work, who works, and how we contribute and provide value to a future society that truly is just for all. Young people who fill prisons should be empowered to create and build our companies as knowledgebased workers with or without a college degree doing jobs that require new tech skills that they have, and those in jails for nonviolent offenses should be released and given training to do the same. That's why I support the MOREs act and SAFE act. But the critical component of this is the categorical expungement of records and wholesale investment in the creation of companies with, for, and by citizens reentering the economy--companies that will pay taxes and keep people off the streets. The SAFE Act should have minority- and women-led financial institutions at the center of the transition that we need to move our country forward in a uniformed fashion. We need a comprehensive solution to end these injustices. I believe in second chances and the power of redemption. People returning from incarceration should have opportunities and pathways to succeed and contribute to society in a meaningful way without stigma from the wrongs they've done in the past. This same principle is applicable to Congress too. I would end on the following observation. The country was built on the backs of African descendants of slaves, indigenous people and other immigrants including Chinese, Irish, Italians, Mexican and Central Americans, those from South Asia and people from all over the world. We need a country that functions without regard to where your ancestors come from. We need opportunity mindful of that. We need a justice system mindful of that. Only then can we begin to end the divisions of our country and begin to unite. Tough times bring out the worse or the best in people and we need to standup and ensure that we not let the COVID crisis continue to bring out the worse but rather take the next few weeks of this administration and first 100 days to 6 months to get something right in this country and get the country back on course.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the lives of four great Georgians important to Georgia's Fifth Congressional District and to greater metro Atlanta who have recently passed away. Mrs. Celestine Bray Bottoms was a pillar of the greater Atlanta community. As a longtime educator with the Atlanta Public Schools system, Mrs. Bottoms touched the lives of thousands of students, parents, and fellow educators throughout Atlanta. Celestine Bray Bottoms was a graduate of Atlanta's illustrious HBCU Spelman College, was the mother of Derrick and Darian Bottoms, the mother-in-law to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a beloved grandmother, a community activist, and a friend to many. Today, District Five honors the life of Mrs. Celestine Bray Bottoms. Mr. Speaker, Joseph Arrington, Sr., was a third-generation native of Atlanta, a graduate of the historic Booker T. Washington High School, and a graduate of Atlanta's Morehouse College. Attorney Arrington obtained his law degree from North Carolina Central University and a master's degree in public health from the University of Pittsburgh. A member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and president of Morehouse College National Alumni Association, Joseph Arrington, Sr., will forever be remembered as a man of honor. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Jane Smith was a beloved third-generation Atlantan. She attended Charles Harper High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where she held the distinction as the school's very first homecoming queen. Dr. Smith's commitment to bettering the lives of fellow Atlantans was unmatched. Dr. Jane Smith and the Smith and Browning families are some of the original native families that have strengthened and elevated Black communities in greater metro Atlanta and beyond. An unmatched beauty on the inside and out, Dr. Smith will never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, last and certainly not least, we remember Dilcie Sledge Ragsdale, who passed away 1 week ago today. Ms. Dilcie hailed from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was a graduate of Spelman and Atlanta University. As a lifelong educator, she dedicated her life to teaching and enriching the lives of others. She lived a full life. She was a gardener, an enthusiastic cook, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She is survived by her children, Valerie and Renard. I know I speak for the Fifth District of Georgia when I say she will be dearly missed. May the memories of all these departed souls be a blessing.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the Chamber's attention to legislation I introduced yesterday. I was honored to introduce legislation which would initiate the process to bring innovative mass transit options to the south side. It was an important first step to bringing the economic power of transit-oriented development to often neglected areas within the metro Atlanta region without displacement of longtime residents, the John Lewis TOD Loop. The report will be required to be produced to the Congress within 1 year. In addition to the study, this legislation launches the first transformative transit project. This project will spark improvement and bring economic justice to established neighborhoods and businesses in the areas where Representative John Lewis lived for decades. Innovative mass transit options in the corridor will link Oakland City and Fort McPherson to Greenbriar Mall and a future senior citizen- focused transit and mixed-use center named in honor of Representative John Lewis. Such forward progress will improve the lives of residents while reducing our CO2 emissions, helping to heal a warming planet. This project is yet another step toward revitalizing parts of Atlanta yet to realize their full potential. Once the overall program is established, it has the potential to spur $5 billion in economic development across thousands of acres in low- to middle-income communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to pass this legislation, launch this study, and bring this transit corridor one step closer to reality. Celebrating the Lives of Four Great Georgians

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. We must ensure that all in this Nation have the promise of the American Dream free from discrimination. Mr. Speaker, I rise today mindful that I only have a few moments to address this body from the podium so I ask unanimous consent to place extended remarks and materials into the record on all these topics but I would like to briefly alert to this body the areas of concern that I seek placed into the Record. The first concerns housing. In Atlanta, we have a tremendous opportunity to expedite the redevelopment of vacant public housing sites including: Bowen Hornes, Bankhead Court, Hollywood court, Harris Hornes, Thomasville, and Jonesboro North and South. And I hope the days ahead achieve that end. All of these sites have the potential to not only incorporate affordable housing, but the addition of grocery stores in food desserts; healthcare facilities, improved access to public transportation; job and commercial centers, quality schools and parks and greenspace. And as we turn our attention next week to Christmas, many of us are sending and awaiting cards and packages. Let us not forget the Postal workers who deliver more than 155 billion pieces of mail per year, which this year included our ballots in an election that saw the largest turnout in 100 years. For their work and commitment this season and every holiday season, and for their extraordinary service to our country during a pandemic, I support overtime pay for these important civil servants. And another institution very old in our Republic, while not as old as the Postal Service, is Morris Brown College. Let us resolve to support Morris Brown College and contribute to the revitalization of the Atlanta University Center. As we seek to revitalize Morris Brown College, let us also consider ways to renew our urban centers. A way to do that is urban farming. It can deliver produce at a lower cost, leaving families to spend on other costs of living, like housing. It can also be good for the environment, as it can reduce CO2 emissions attendant with transporting food from faraway farms to urban centers. As we improve our nation's housing, and find ways to revitalize our colleges and seek new ways to grow our food, let us not forget our past. That is why it is important for this Chamber to try to preserve our past. This includes the task of establishing the former headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where Dr. King did his work, alongside Congressman Lewis, as national historic sites. And, while we do this, and we emerge from this pandemic, we must lift as we rise. That is why we must ensure minority and women owned businesses see increased rates in our society. One of the items I will be placing in the record is a news story about 27 former African American franchisees who are suing McDonalds, a legendary business, for discrimination against its own franchisees. We must ensure that all in this nation have the promise of the American dream, free from discrimination. We must also ensure that legacy banks and black-owned banks are sources of capital to support financing of projects for minority communities. And, finally, during my time in here in Capitol Hill, I have introduced many pieces of legislation designed at making our criminal justice system fairer. But during this pandemic, we must also not forget about our brothers and sisters that are incarcerated. A study I will place in the record, from The Marshall Project, makes clear that incarcerated individuals are 4 times more likely to contract COVID-19. As society begins the long process of distributing and administering the vaccine, we must not forget them. They are no less worthy or deserving of medical care and should protected, for we are all God's children.

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today mindful that I only have a few moments to address this body from the podium. As we turn our attention next week to Christmas, many of us are sending and awaiting cards and packages. Let us not forget the postal workers who deliver more than 155 billion pieces of mail per year, which this year included our ballots in an election that saw the largest turnout in 100 years. For their work and commitment this holiday season and every holiday season, and for their extraordinary service to our country during the pandemic, I support overtime pay for these important civil servants. Another institution very old in our Republic, while not as old as the Postal Service, is Morris Brown College. Let us resolve to support Morris Brown College and contribute to the revitalization of the Atlanta University Center. As we seek to revitalize Morris Brown College, let us also consider ways to renew our urban centers. A way to do that is urban farming. It can deliver produce at a lower cost, leaving families to spend on other costs of living, like housing. It can also be good for the environment, as it can reduce CO2 emissions attendant with transporting food from faraway farms to urban centers. While we do this and we emerge from this pandemic, we must lift as we rise. That is why we must ensure minority- and women-owned businesses see increased participation in our society. One of the items I will include in the Record is a news story about 27 former African-American franchisees who are suing McDonald's, a legendary business, for discrimination against its own franchisees. 27 More Black Ex-Franchisees Join Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against McDonald's Total number of plaintiffs approaching 80 Miami, Nov. 18, 2020--Twenty-seven new plaintiffs, all former Black McDonald's franchisees, joined an ongoing federal lawsuit against the fast-food chain claiming the company engaged in systemic discrimination and denied them the same opportunities as White franchisees. The new amended complaint now has 77 named plaintiffs in the lawsuit originally filed by 52 Black former franchisees on Sept. 1, 2020. The claims now include nearly 300 stores with compensatory damages that average between $4 million and $5 million per store, exclusive of punitive damages. The plaintiffs allege McDonald's sold itself as a recruiter and developer of Black talent, profited from its Black consumer base and maintained a two-tier system that pigeonholed unsuspecting Black owners and assigned them horrible locations guaranteed to fail. This suit comes on the heels of a federal class action lawsuit filed October 29 by current Black franchisees. ``McDonald's is now fighting a four-front legal war. They are being sued by current and former Black operators, Black employees and senior executives,'' said James L. Ferraro, the lead attorney for both the current and former franchisee lawsuits. ``As the pool of plaintiffs grow, there will be more pressure on the company to dispense with the public relations ploys and focus on how it can help its Black employees and franchisees.'' At the same time there are calls for state pension funds to drop McDonald's stock. States like New York, California, Ohio and Florida have massive investments in McDonald's. In Tennessee, Rep. Joe Towns has requested Treasurer David H. Lillard to divest the state's holdings and reallocate the money toward companies ``practicing good corporate citizenship.'' Ferraro said all these challenges are coming together because the company has turned a blind eye to obvious racial problems while promoting its public image. McDonald's once boasted a high of 377 Black franchisees in 1998. That number now stands at 186 even though McDonald's has increased its stores from 15,086 to 36,059. The cash flow gap for Black franchisees more than tripled from 2010 to 2019, per National Black McDonald's Operators Association (``NBMOA'') data. Plaintiffs' average annual sales of $2 million was more than $700,000 under McDonald's national average of $2.7 million between 2011 and 2016 and $900,000 under the national average of $2.9 million in 2019. The lawsuit claims McDonald's was ruthless in steering Black operators toward the oldest, most decrepit stores in the toughest neighborhoods routinely rejected by Whites franchisees. This severely limited opportunities for expansion and growth, and far too often set in place a chain of events--low cash flow, decreased equity, debt and bankruptcy--that led to financial ruin. The plaintiffs argue McDonald's violated federal civil rights laws by: Excluding Black franchisees from the same growth opportunities found at safer, higher-volume, lower-cost stores offered to Whites. Retaliating against Black franchisees for rejecting strong- arm offers to continue operations in crime-ridden neighborhoods. Denying Black franchisees meaningful assistance during financial hardships while White franchisees were routinely given such support. Failing to provide any legitimate business reasons for repeated denials of franchise opportunities over many years. Unfairly grading the operations of Black restaurants, which resulted in poor internal reviews, effectively pushing Black franchisees out of the McDonald's system by denying them the eligibility for growth and favorable franchise terms. Providing misleading projections which induced Black franchisees to purchase undesirable franchises. The amended complaint was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate several businesses and issues essential to Georgia's Fifth Congressional District and to greater metro Atlanta. As many in this Chamber likely know, my district is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As many also know, the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged air travel, an industry critical to my district. Which is why this morning I am proud to celebrate Delta Airlines and Hartsfield-Jackson for the inaugural quarantine-free, COVID-free flight from Atlanta to Rome, Italy. As former chair of the international committee in the Atlanta City Council, I challenge the House Foreign Affairs Committee to facilitate measures that encourage more of this. My responsibilities attendant to the Fifth Congressional District prevented me from joining this group on this delegation, but I hope to be on later flights. I also rise to raise attention to the need for renewed support of the former OPIC-like activities via the DFC, the Development Finance Corporation. Attention to developing nations in Africa, like Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia; the Caribbean; South and Latin American countries, such as Brazil and Colombia; Central Asia and Asia are in need of support. This morning, I also want to celebrate Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement store, with more than 2,200 stores, employing 400,000 individuals. Under the vision of Arthur Blank, the Home Depot supports countless lives and families and continues their unwavering support of veterans. We know that the COVID pandemic has affected many industries, including home improvement. Many employees in industries all across the country have been deeply affected by the economic toll caused by the pandemic, which is why the stimulus discussions occurring in the Capitol, if reports are to be believed, are still somewhat insufficient. We simply cannot be content with $600 payments. $600 per person is not enough. Frankly, my flights here are about $300. So I am sure we can do better. Mr. Speaker, as we enter the holiday season, I also want to spotlight other Atlanta organizations for their support of those in need. I want to celebrate Tyler Perry Studios for telling uplifting and inspiring stories and using their state-of-the-art facilities to support 5,000 families with food this past Thanksgiving. I also want to acknowledge two nonprofit organizations--Caring for Others and Hosea Feed the Hungry--that are both helping to fill the gaps during this pandemic. We, in Congress, also need to do our part. As I stated earlier, we can do better than the $600 being discussed in this stimulus proposal. It is a good start, but it is not enough. There are other Atlanta-based companies that are doing notable work that merit recognition: UPS, which has been critical in the disbursement of the COVID vaccine; and other companies, like Global Payments and Equifax. Later this week, I also plan to introduce legislation to advocate for the continuation of the John Lewis Loop and Campbellton Road. Also in need of inclusion is Old National Highway, Fulton Industrial Boulevard, Candler Road, Camp Creek, and Martin Luther King Drive. They all need relief now. They are critical to job creation in our community and need investment.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak a truth. And that truth is quite simple. I stand on the shoulders of giants. I hail from Atlanta which is the home of the King Center, a place dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of America's greatest citizens. We honor him with a federal holiday and a memorial on our national mall, just outside this great chamber. I am also the heir to the seat held by the late great John Lewis. Congressman Lewis was by Dr. King's side and Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to peaceful nonviolence. Congressman Lewis was a beacon in this Chamber for the dozens of years that he served. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to complete the term for which he was last elected, can take the baton and bring his service across the finish line. But I would be remiss if I did not use my opportunity to make sure their lessons are known for other generations to come. That is why it is critical to make sure that we preserve the buildings in Metro Atlanta that give life to their work. We must establish the former headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where Dr. King did his work, alongside Congressman Lewis, as a national historic site. If we do this, then we can do our small part to ensure that those that follow in our footsteps do so mindful of the example of these giants of the civil rights movement.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the importance of the United States Postal Service. The Postal Service is an integral institution--so integral that its presence in our nation is mandated in our founding charter. The United States Postal Service is so deeply ingrained in our nation's history, commerce, and quality of life, that we can often take it for granted. In fact, their role in our country's democracy was never more evident than in this last election. This year in addition to delivering our prescriptions and packages, they also delivered our ballots and made sure our voices were heard. They are the unsung heroes. During this holiday season, as we all await packages to give to our loved ones, let us not forget the Postal workers who deliver more than 155 billion pieces of mail per year. For their work and commitment this season, and every holiday season, I support overtime pay. It's time to revisit the idea of mandatory overtime and propose a measure that will provide automatic overtime to workers who extend their time beyond eight hours a day during the holiday season.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to the importance of Minority and Women owned businesses. During the Obama Administration, this body, together with our colleagues across the Capitol, passed Dodd-Frank--legendary financial reforms in the wake of the great recession. One of the key parts of this legislation was Section 342, the office of minority and Women inclusion. The law ensured the eventual development of standards for the following areas: Equal employment opportunity and the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the workforce and senior management of the agency; Increased participation of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in the programs and contracts of the agency, including standards for coordinating technical assistance to such businesses; and Assessment of the diversity policies and practices of entities regulated by the agency. But this cannot be enough. We must also ensure that legacy banks and black own banks are sources of capital to support financing of projects for minority communities. We must also ensure that we support the MBDA, the Minority Business Development Agency. The MBDA is the only federal agency tasked with promoting the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses. Madam Speaker, if we do this, we in this Chamber will ensure that the promise of the American Dream is within reach of all who seek it, especially those groups that have been historically marginalized.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, To God and Truth. That is the motto of Morris Brown College. This is a historic institution which was founded in 1881 as a private Methodist college in Atlanta to educate blacks, just 20 years after the start of the Civil War. Unfortunately, over the last 20 years, the state of this legendary institution has fallen on hard times. But true to its tradition and the abolitionist mantra to keep going, Morris Brown College has developed a plan to come back and be reborn. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge this body's support for this plan in two distinct ways. First, we should reallocate federal funding for this place of knowledge and of truth and of God. And, we should do what we can to reinvest in the revitalization of the Atlanta University Center. If we do this, then the College can repurpose itself to the proud tradition of teaching the next generation of black scholars the important lessons of business and entrepreneurship. In so doing, we can support this next generation to ensure that the black wealth gap begins to narrow and all can realize and take part in the American dream.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the importance of housing. Housing is a basic human necessity. Across our country, housing affordability is among the most difficult challenges facing cities today. The metropolitan Atlanta region is no exception. In 2017, Atlanta was the third fastest growing metropolitan region in the U.S. If we want to fulfill our most basic promise on achieving the American Dream, then we must make affordable housing opportunities a reality. A rule of personal bookkeeping is that you should spend no more than 30 percent of your income on housing. But in many places, that cost is too high. For many still, who cannot these rates, we must make public housing more affordable. In Atlanta, we have a tremendous opportunity to expedite the redevelopment of vacant public housing sites including: Bowen Homes, Bankhead Court, Hollywood court, Harris Homes, Thomasville, and Jonesboro North and South. All of these sites have the potential to not only incorporate affordable housing, but the addition of grocery stores in food desserts; healthcare facilities, improved access to public transportation; job and commercial centers, quality schools and parks and greenspace. We have seen this model created in other development projects including the Bedford Pines transformation into City Lights, Eastlake, Centennial Place and the newly renovated Wheat Street Towers. The activation of these vacant sites could create thousands of units of affordable housing--ensuring that one's zip code does not determine their economic mobility.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of urban farming. Urban Farming first had its start during World War II where it supplied over 40 percent of produce. But in recent days, it is making a comeback, and just in time. As our population grows, it is unrealistic to expect that urban farming will meet all of our food needs. But, it will most certainly make a dent. But it will also do other things. It will encourage healthier diets, which is a much-needed skill for many in urban areas, who often resort to fast food and other conveniences of big city life. It will also do must erode the large caloric diets that many in cities follow. Urban farming also bolsters local communities by bringing folks together, which itself foster greater collaboration and understanding of other people. It can deliver produce at a lower cost, leaving families to spend on other costs of living, like housing. It can also be good for the environment, as it can reduce CO2 emissions attendant with transporting food from faraway farms to urban centers. And, it can also be another source of minority entrepreneurship by encouraging ownership of these farming centers with those who live in the buildings where the food is grown. There are many benefits to this practice and I hope that we can take advantage of them in the days ahead.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to the problem with our prisons. Earlier today I included in the Record a hyperlink to an article from Reuters. The article draws attention to private prisons, the death penalty, and Covid. These are longstanding scourges in our criminal justice system. Also on that list of problems but not mentioned in that article are life sentences, the federal sentencing guidelines, and solitary confinement. I had supplemented to my earlier statement, and to the article, an appropriations proposal that, were I here during the appropriations process, I would have submitted so that it may be integrated into future appropriations vehicles. I submitted this article, along with troubling Georgia statistics. I would also note that I am submitting this statement and article on the same day that I introduced three pieces of legislation: The first will seek to eliminate qualified immunity in police misconduct cases. Often times, police officers, when confronted with allegations of official misconduct, will invoke qualified immunity as a shield to liability. It is very difficult for putative plaintiffs/ victims of police misconduct to surmount this privilege. This bill, if enacted into law, would end qualified immunity throughout the nation and make it easier to hold police accountable. The second piece of legislation is a constitutional amendment, and concerns forced labor. The Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery. Unfortunately, a vestige of this practice still remains in the form of forced labor as a function of prison sentences. This proposed constitutional amendment would end this practice. These pieces of legislation are fully drafted and ready for filing. The third piece of legislation is one which would expunge all records of nonviolent offenders impacted by the ``war on drugs'' and other various crime bills for any state and local government that is the recipient of federal crime dollars.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak to the importance and interrelationship of mobility, innovation and placemaking. In honor of my predecessor, the late Honorable John Lewis, I am happy to offer the John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop. The John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop envisions spurring over $5 billion of economic development in Georgia's Fifth District in honor of the legacy of Congressman John Lewis' sacrifice and commitment to equity, justice, and economic empowerment. Specifically, this project provides an opportunity to achieve justice in mobility and placemaking through strategic land use and transit- oriented development. Campbellton Road, a major artery of this project, is the area where both of Congressman Lewis' homes were located. This funding will ultimately create a snowball effect for signature catalytic projects, such as Fort McPherson TOD, Tyler Perry Studios, Greenbriar, and Westgate redevelopments. One of the first projects in the John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop is high-capacity transit in the Campbellton Road corridor. The project will introduce Light Rail Transit or Bus Rapid Transit to the area served by one the city's busiest bus routes. All told, this will create billions of dollars of economic revitalization, which will result in greater transportation options, better quality of life, and renewed civic engagement. I encourage my colleagues to support this project. I include in the Record an appropriations request in honor of John Lewis. Congressman Kwanza Hall, 5th District, Georgia, December 14, 2020. The John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop--Towards Justice in Mobility and Placemaking I am happy to submit this extraordinary appropriations request in honor of John Lewis. The John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop envisions spurring over $5 Billion of economic development in Georgia's Fifth District in honor of the legacy of Congressman John Lewis' sacrifice and commitment to equity, justice and economic empowerment. Specifically this project provides an opportunity to achieve justice in mobility (transportation) and placemaking through strategic land use and transit oriented development (TOD). Campbellton Road, a major artery of this project, is the area where both of Congressman Lewis' homes were located. Immediate 2020 Funding Request for the John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop 1. $5M for development of the conceptual plan. 2. $50M for Accelerated Campbellton Road Bus Rapid Transit project. This funding will ultimately create a snowball effect for signature catalytic projects listed below. Their estimated economic impacts are: Fort McPherson TOD / Tyler Perry Studios, $800M. Oakland City TOD, $200M. Campbellton Road or Bus Rapid Transit and future Light Rail, $50M/$250M. Greenbriar--Westgate Area, $1B. John Lewis Senior Transit Center @ Barge Rd, $500M. Camp Creek @ Campbellton Road, $200M. Campbellton @ Fulton Industrial, $200M. Fulton Industrial @ MLK Drive, $200M. Aerotropolis (Atlanta Airport Area), $1.7B. Total impact: $5.05 Billion. One of the first projects in the John Lewis TOD Innovation Loop is high-capacity transit in the Campbellton Road Corridor. This project will assist in transforming this corridor of established neighborhoods and businesses into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use community and could incentivize major redevelopment efforts at Greenbriar Mall and Fort McPherson. The project will introduce Light Rail Transit or Bus Rapid Transit to the area served by one of the city's busiest bus routes. The budget is $50 million and the project would be administered by Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority. For more information visit: https://www.itsmarta.com/ campbellton-corridor.aspx Problems in America's Prisons

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to draw the Chamber's attention to a second problem, a problem in America's prisons. I include in the Record the following hyperlink to an article from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/section/usa-jails. The article draws attention to the private prisons, the death penalty, and COVID. These are longstanding challenges in our criminal justice system. Also on the list of problems, but not mentioned in that article, are life sentences, the Federal sentencing guidelines, and solitary confinement. I am supplementing to this statement and to the article an appropriations proposal. Were it here during the appropriations process, I would submit this proposal so that it may be integrated into future appropriations vehicles. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of several pieces of legislation that I am proud to co-sponsor on behalf of the people of Georgia's 5th Congressional District. First, I will highlight several pieces of legislation critical to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. As a survivor of COVID-19, I know firsthand the pain and difficulty this terrible disease has caused too many Americans. Health care is a right, not a privilege. Ensuring that every American has high-quality health care is never more important than during a pandemic that has claimed nearly 300,000 American lives. That is why I support H.R. 6317, the Ensuring Coverage in Public Health Emergencies Act, introduced by the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Doggett, and hope to be added as a co-sponsor this week. This bill would create a special 30-day enrollment period during public health emergencies to allow employees to enroll in health plans. It also would require coverage of services like vaccines, diagnostic testing, and treatment and care. As we fight the pandemic, it is critical to address the racial and ethnic disparities in how COVID-19 affects Americans. Systemic health, economic, and social inequities mean that minority communities have borne the worst of this terrible disease--in cases, deaths, jobs lost, and pay cut. We are, sadly, not all in this together. H.R. 6585, the Equitable Data Collection and Disclosure on COVID-19 Act, and H.R. 6763, the COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act, were both introduced by the gentlewoman from Illinois, Ms. Kelly. These bills will provide critical information and attention to this problem and help to mitigate the effects that this disease has had on communities like the ones I represent, and I look forward to being added as a co-sponsor. Black women experience some of the worst systemic disparities in health, housing, employment, and education. I am proud to support two other bills co-sponsored by Congresswoman Kelly of Illinois and hope to be added as a co-sponsor. H.R. 8196, the Protect Black Women and Girls Act would establish an Interagency Task Force to examine the complex problems and make recommendations for policy changes to help increase opportunity for our mothers, sisters, and daughters. H.R. 1897, the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness (MOMMA's) Act, will direct federal resources to prevent maternal mortality and expand Medicaid to cover one year of postpartum needs. Georgia faces a crisis: My state has the worst maternal mortality rate in the country, and many women, particularly women of color, lack access to critical pre- and postpartum services and lack health insurance. We know that we all do better when we all do better, and as we rebuild our country from the ruin caused by the pandemic, we must leave no one behind. During a time in which we need people to stay home as much as possible, but people have lost jobs and income, it is more critical than ever to provide critical housing assistance. The CARES Act provided many homeowners with the right to have all mortgage payments completely paused for a period of time. Renters, however, face a patchwork of regulations across the country that leave them in more uncertain positions. That is why I co-sponsored H.R. 6820, the Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act, introduced by Mr. Heck of Washington. This bill would provide $100 million in emergency assistance to help prevent people at risk of homelessness from finding themselves on the street. Especially as coronavirus cases rise and as the weather gets colder, we must ensure that as many people as possible are able to safely find the protection and dignity of their own home. Our nation's experience with COVID-19 has highlighted this country's need for paid family and medical leave. H.R. 1185, the FAMILY Act, introduced by the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Ms. DeLauro, would create a new paid family and medical leave system run by the Social Security Administration. Under this system, workers and employers would split the very modest cost of the program. Paid leave benefits employers and employees alike--workers have time and flexibility to help themselves or their families through personal crises, while employers can afford to keep trained workers on the job. But the United States is the only rich nation without it. Paid leave would have helped save countless jobs and businesses during this difficult year. Sadly, COVID-19 is not the only epidemic facing the American people. This summer, the rest of the country was reminded of what my constituents in Metro Atlanta know all too well: that people of color, particularly African-Americans, face systemic racism every day. Sometimes, this discrimination manifests itself as unnecessary and brutal police violence, as we saw in the murders of George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, and, in my district, Rayshard Brooks. Black Lives Matter, and their Black Lives Mattered. I have co-sponsored legislation to ensure police treat citizens with dignity and respect and are accountable to the communities they serve. First, I am proud to introduce a bill aimed at abolishing qualified immunity, which helps shield police officers who break the law from accountability. H.R. 4408, the Eric Garner Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act, introduced by the chairman of our caucus, Mr. Jeffries of New York, would forbid the use of police chokeholds. I also support H.R. 7100, the George Floyd Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, introduced by the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee. This comprehensive legislation improves accountability by introducing new accreditation standards related to use of force, civilian review, and other provisions like training and data collection. We also must do all we can to erase the bitter legacy left by enslavement and forced bondage. H.R. 40, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Texas, Ms. Jackson Lee, would create a commission to study and develop reparations proposals for African-Americans. Black communities today still suffer from the wages, property, and rights stolen by slavery and Jim Crow. We must also work to end the forced labor that still exists due to mass incarceration, and I am proud to introduce a constitutional amendment to end that horrific practice that perpetuates human suffering. H.R. 7217, the Confederate Monument Removal Act, introduced by the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Lee, would remove all Confederate memorials from the United States Capitol, so that we do not risk perpetuating the myths of white supremacy to a new, more diverse, more inclusive generation of Americans. I strongly support efforts in the Georgia General Assembly to replace the state's statue of Alexander Stephens in Statuary Hall with one honoring my predecessor and friend, the late Honorable John Lewis. Congressman Lewis challenged the historical status quo in the South by championing civil and human rights through peaceful, dramatic, nonviolent action, dating from his tenure as president of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and including his 17 terms serving in this House. I am also proud to join two other bills important to my constituents. H.R. 2975, the Women's Health Protection Act, offered by the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Chu, prohibits states like Georgia from restricting access to abortion services. Georgia has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, but my constituents deserve to make their own choices regarding their health. Lastly, H.R. 5349, the Protect SNAP Act, was introduced by the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Ms. DeLauro. This bill prohibits the administration from limiting access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps. Last year, the administration announced a plan to make nearly 700,000 people ineligible for food assistance. We know SNAP is critical to making sure that children in the richest country in the world have food in their stomachs, and it would be doubly irresponsible to deny them help during a pandemic and recession. Congress must do all it can to ensure this vital program is strengthened and expanded, not cut. Madam Speaker, I am proud to represent the people of Georgia's 5th Congressional District. I believe these bills to be some of the critically important measures this body should be considering and passing to help the American people through this difficult time.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Madam Speaker, I rise to alert the Chamber to three legislative activities that I am pursuing on behalf of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District and a transportation and infrastructure bill that I will be introducing later this week. The first will seek to eliminate qualified immunity in police misconduct cases. The second piece of legislation is a constitutional amendment that concerns forced labor. The third piece of legislation is one that would expunge all records of nonviolent offenders impacted by the war on drugs and other various crime bills for any State and local government that is the recipient of Federal crime dollars. Later this week, I will be introducing legislation to commission a study on a vital transportation corridor in Georgia, which would connect Campbellton Road to the businesses that are right to make greater metro Atlanta their home. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support my pieces of legislation and this project.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak a truth, and that truth is quite simple. I stand on the shoulders of giants. I hail from Atlanta, which is the home of the King Center, a place dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of America's greatest citizens. We honor him with a Federal holiday and memorial on our National Mall, just outside of this Chamber. I am also the heir to the seat held by the late, great John Lewis. Congressman Lewis was by Dr. King's side, and Congressman Lewis dedicated his life to peaceful nonviolence. Congressman Lewis was a beacon in this Chamber for the dozens of years that he served. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to be able to complete the term for which he was last elected and take the baton and bring his service across the finish line. But I would be remiss if I did not use this opportunity to make sure their lessons are known for generations to come. That is why it is critical that we make sure we preserve the buildings in metro Atlanta that give life to their work. We must establish the former headquarters of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where Dr. King did his work alongside Congressman Lewis, as a National Historic Site. If we do this, we can do our small part to ensure that those who follow in our footsteps do so mindful of the example of these giants of the civil rights movement.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a couple of items of importance. I rise today to speak about wealth in Black homes and businesses. According to the Brookings Institution, the net worth of a typical White family is nearly 10 times that of a Black family. According to the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, the numbers in my home city of Atlanta and the other eight cities in the district, College Park, East Point, Decatur, Hapeville, Lake City, Forest Park, Morrow, and Brookhaven, are slightly better, but no less concerning. The median household income of a White family is $83,722, compared to $28,105 for a Black family. Sixty-nine percent of the Black families are liquid asset poor, compared to 22 percent of White families. The average African-American-owned business is valued at $58,085, while the average value of a White business is $658,264. There are many reasons for these disparities, starting foremost with America's original sin: slavery. And descendants of African slaves in District Five expect restorative financial justice in the form of reparations. We also know that a reason the problem persists well into the 21st century is the availability of capital to Black-owned businesses and the success of Black banks. The higher the circulation of dollars in the community, the greater the economic stability and opportunities for economic growth. According to the University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth, money circulates one time within the African-American community, compared to more than six times in the Latinx community, nine times in the Asian community, and an unlimited amount of times within the White community. A Black Star Project study on the racial wealth gap calculates that a dollar circulates 6 hours in the Black community, 20 days in the Jewish community, and 30 days in the Asian community. Black people have an estimated $1.3 trillion gross national income, but only 2 percent is recirculated in the Black community. Keeping Black dollars in the Black community is harder than it sounds. In her TEDx Talk about the impact of Black dollars being spent outside of the Black community, author and activist Maggie Anderson shares a story about an empowerment experiment during which her family attempted to purchase Black-made products from Black-owned businesses for 1 year. Anderson uncovered a discouraging picture of a vast economic divide. She discusses how L'Oreal owns one of the largest Black beauty brands in the world, SoftSheen-Carson, demonstrating a White-owned business profiting from a market of exclusively Black buyers. She estimates that up to 80 percent of the revenue of White-owned Hennessy cognac comes from Black consumers, but the company has no Black distributors or suppliers and does not advertise in Black-owned media. The Empowerment Experiment resulted in a landmark study conducted by Steven Rogers at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, which proved how supporting Black-owned businesses can benefit the Black community, as well as the American economy as a whole. In Anderson's book, ``Our Black Year: One Family's Quest to Buy Black in America's Racially Divided Economy,'' she notes that if Black spending with Black businesses rose from the current 3 percent to 10 percent it could create a million new jobs and provide economic security to countless Black households. Lack of access to financial services is not just a symptom of America's racial wealth gap; it is also a cause. Without the ability to efficiently save, invest, and ensure against risks, many Black families struggle to translate the income they earn to genuine generational wealth. Based on data from the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finance, the typical Black family has only 10 cents for every dollar held by the typical White family. This wealth gap dates back to the decades after emancipation and has remained stubbornly persistent. Redlining, a practice that designates Black communities as unfavorable for home loans and business investment, reduces property values and increases interest rates in many neighborhoods, trends that have impacted African Americans for a century. Largely excluded from the generous financial incentives of the New Deal, the Black community was boxed out of the country's post World War II boom that vastly expanded the American middle class. Despite laws prohibiting loan discrimination on the basis of race, the Congressional Black Caucus still calls on regulatory agencies to improve enforcement at a national level. Black and Latinx home buyers are significantly more likely than Whites to be turned down for a conventional mortgage loan. A recent analysis from Zillow shows that in 2016, nearly 21 percent of Black applicants were denied a conventional loan, while 15.5 of Latinx were. And in 2016, Asian applicants were denied a conventional loan in 10.4 percent of cases--slightly more than the national average--and Whites in only 8.1 percent of cases. According to a New America report, many banks also hinder Black wealth creation with discriminatory practices in service offerings. In communities of color, banks charge more for opening and maintaining basic, entry-level checking accounts. The minimum opening deposit is higher in majority Black neighborhoods, $80.60, and in neighborhoods without a racial majority, $97, than in White neighborhoods, $68.50. The solution is that there is a need to help support MDIs and CDFIs but not only with deposits. Mr. Speaker, this is an urgent issue. I urge my colleagues in this Chamber to consider the dictates of this statement and act to help all Americans realize their American Dream.

Mr. HALL

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the importance of historically Black colleges and universities. For over 150 years, HBCUs have played an important role in the education, cultivation, and upward mobility of African Americans. But as the Nation's economy changes and shifts firmly towards the information age, our Nation's HBCUs must be steadfast in following this trend. Software and technology startups are the largest creators of new jobs and wealth creation in this country in decades; however, there is an imbalance for minorities to have access to this opportunity. For example, less than 1 percent of all venture capital dollars go to Black founders. Software and technology startups are the chance to build something from nothing. Indeed, to do so is the American Dream. We need to make that dream, the tech startup dream, available to all minorities and overlooked communities. This program, Startup the HBCUs, can significantly increase the number of minorities that work in the high-tech field and increase the number of minorities that are founders of tech companies. If we follow these steps, we will be able to ensure that the American Dream in the information age is available to all, including our students at our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities.