Hank Johnson

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Stronghold Christian Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our district for the past twenty years; and Whereas, Pastors Benjamin and Sherry Gaither and the members of the Stronghold Christian Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our district; and Whereas, the Stronghold Christian Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our district; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past twenty (20) years; and Whereas, this Church has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with DeKalb County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Stronghold Christian Church family for their leadership and service to our District on this the 20th Anniversary of their founding; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim November 10, 2013 as Stronghold Christian Church Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 10th day of November, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, Turner Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our district for the past one hundred fourteen years; and Whereas, Pastor Jai S. Haithco, Sr., and the members of the Turner Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our district; and Whereas, the Turner Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our district; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past one hundred fourteen (114) years; and Whereas, this Church has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with DeKalb County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Turner Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church family for their leadership and service to our District on this the 114th Anniversary of their founding; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim October 13, 2013 as Turner Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church Day In the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 13th day of October, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, over thirteen years ago, Mr. Bob Thiele accepted a calling to serve others by becoming a consultant with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC); and Whereas, he has served small business clients with great care, concern and professionalism, by inspiring, educating and motivating; giving a much needed boost to the economic backbone of America; and Whereas, he has shared his time and talents, giving the citizens of our District a friend, a community leader and an inspiring servant, ensuring that economic opportunity is available to all; and Whereas, Mr. Thiele is a cornerstone in our community enhancing the lives of thousands for the betterment of our District and our Nation; and Whereas, on his retirement from the University of Georgia SBDC, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mr. Bob Thiele and to wish him well in his new endeavors; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim November 21, 2013 as Bob Thiele Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 21st day of November, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, one hundred years ago a virtuous woman of God, Edna Louise Flint House was born in Decatur, Georgia on December 7, 1913 to John and Louise Flint; and Whereas, she was raised up in DeKalb County, Georgia and married Mr. Jesse House and their union has blessed our district and nation ever since; and Whereas, this phenomenal Proverbs 31 woman has shared her time and talents as a wife, mother and motivator, becoming a Georgia citizen of great worth, a fearless leader and a servant to all by always advancing the lives of others; and Whereas, Mrs. House has been blessed with a long, happy life, devoted to God and credits it all to the Will of God; she serves as a Mother at New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia; and Whereas, Mrs. House along with her pastor, Bishop James H. Morton, her family and friends are celebrating a remarkable milestone, her 100th Birthday, we pause to acknowledge a woman who is a cornerstone in Decatur, DeKalb County, Georgia; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mrs. House on her birthday and to wish her well and recognize her for an exemplary life which is an inspiration to all; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim December 7, 2013 as Mrs. Edna Louise Flint House Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 7th day of December, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Over eighteen years ago a virtuous woman of God accepted her calling to serve in the Healthcare Profession as a Registered Nurse; and Whereas, Ms. Audrey Wright began her career providing health and wellness service to citizens from all walks of life; She has educated and mentored through the Saint Joseph's Mercy Care Services Recuperative Care Program and today retires as a Registered Nurse after years of dedicated service to our community; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents, giving the citizens of our District a friend to help those in need, a fearless leader and a servant to all who want to ensure that the system works for everyone; and Whereas, Ms. Audrey Wright is a cornerstone in our community who has enhanced the lives of thousands for the betterment of our District and Nation; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Ms. Audrey Wright on her retirement and to wish her well in her new endeavors; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim November 30, 2013 as Ms. Audrey Wright Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 30th day of November, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in marking the 50th anniversary of President Johnson's declaration of a war on poverty. This war was being won for 16 years, but since President Reagan's election 34 years ago, the free-marketeers and their Republican Party proponents have pressed the war on the war on poverty. The results are heart-wrenching. The rich are getting richer, while millions of middle-income families have been thrown into poverty. In my State of Georgia alone, almost 17 percent of households are food insecure, according to the Half in Ten Education Fund. Eighteen percent of people in Georgia earn less than $23,492 for a family of four. Republicans blame the poor for being poor, and even worse, Mr. Speaker, they blame the 27.2 percent of children, Mr. Speaker, who are living below the poverty line in Georgia. Republicans who ignore the desperate pleas to extend SNAP and unemployment insurance programs are hurting the people I represent in Georgia and millions more throughout this great Nation. It is a shame.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I thank you, Mr. Fattah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my distinguished colleagues in a tribute to the life of President Nelson Mandela. I do so with a heavy heart. The people of South Africa and the world at large have lost a great human being and one of the finest leaders ever known. Although President Nelson Mandela has passed, his legacy and his vision remain vital, and they will remain with us. Madiba taught us how to live and also how to die. He inspired hope in the people of South Africa. He set an example of leadership we would all do well to follow. He showed the world that an impassioned pursuit of justice could win over complacency and corruption. I will always remember Nelson Mandela as a man and a movement. In 1990, not long after Mr. Mandela's release from jail, I attended a speech he gave at the Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Seeing this icon in the flesh and hearing his calm voice taught me something about the nature of true revolutionaries--that they are very real people. Nelson Mandela was a real person who personally faced oppression. Facing that reality made his legend all the more inspiring to me. True progress is not beyond our reach. It is not a product of wishful thinking or of serendipity. Radical change comes from determination and integrity. His peaceful presence underscored the intensity of his resolve. He bravely sought to change the seemingly unshakable status quo. The consequences of his actions were severe, but they did not break him. He showed the world that no amount of brutality could overpower the will of a people determined to be free. Nelson Mandela worked tirelessly to channel the righteous anger of the oppressed into a positive and revolutionary change. What impressed me the most about Nelson Mandela was his humble spirit of forgiveness and love towards those who persecuted him. Neither angry nor vindictive and with great courage and dignity, he endured 27 years in prison, sacrificing his liberty for the sake of all South Africans. Ultimately, he lived a life of triumph over evil and adversity, leaving the world a better place for his journey amongst us. On behalf of the people of Georgia's Fourth Congressional District, my wife and myself, I celebrate his life, and will work in pursuit of his vision. The spirit of his life will remain in my heart for so long as I shall live. General Leave

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Chairman, I think it is time this morning to reveal a little bit of truth. We have had reports of trolls just running through the marketplace of America. Trolls--you know those, the ones that hang out under bridges and scare you when you were a child. A troll is just something that is, oh boy, it is to be avoided. So all patent plaintiffs bringing actions to protect their patents, we are now calling them trolls. That is not true; that is not accurate. In fact, it is very inaccurate. Only 5 percent of the patent cases that are filed in the courts of this country could be considered done in bad faith. So you could call those plaintiffs, I suppose, patent trolls. But 5 percent of the litigation does not equate to ``we are being overrun by patent trolls.'' That is just not correct. There is a problem with abusive litigation. So how do you get at that? How do you--without closing the courthouse door on plaintiffs seeking to assert their rights to their patents, and those plaintiffs tend to be small entities, mom-and-pop inventors back in the garage or down in the basement, some 28-year-old ex-Harvard junior who dropped out and comes up with the next thing that explodes in the technology field--how do we protect those folks who are trying to honestly protect their patents? I submit that H.R. 3309 goes way beyond what is necessary. It also has some constitutional implications. The Rules Enabling Act was passed by Congress back in 1934. That Rules Enabling Act was a very wise and considered piece of legislation. It recognized the fact that Federal Courts would be better off, and the Federal body of law would be better off, if we leave it to the Federal Courts to determine their rules of procedure.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. So prior to 1934, there was something called the ``conformity principle,'' which held that Federal Court procedures should be in accordance with the States wherein those Federal Courts sat; but that proved to be unworkable, so the rules enabling clause went into effect. Since then, we have left it to the Federal judiciary, through the Judicial Conference, to promulgate rules of procedure in both civil and criminal cases, and it has worked well. Now we have section 6 of this ``patent troll act'' that imposes upon our judicial rules of procedure. These rules have not been recommended by the Judicial Conference. In fact, the Judicial Conference, led by Chief Justice Roberts, is opposed to this change. Therefore, I think on constitutional grounds this should be defeated.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Conyers-Watt substitute amendment. I must say that this has been a very spirited debate here today, but I would be remiss not to come back to speak on the issue of an inventor such as Danny Ross, a venture capitalist and an example of the type of person that this bill should protect. Danny cofounded a tech company down in Atlanta that employed more than 100 people and reached more than half the Internet audience at its peak. He owns several patents based on great inventions and has got a start-up. He had the Patent Office review and affirm these patents. But not only were these strong patents, they were also sought after by several companies. Rather than pay Danny for his innovation and hard work, these companies refused to license his patent. This practice is common for large companies that would rather bully someone in court than license their patents. We are an innovation economy. The drive to create and tinker is what motivates Americans to innovate. Those innovations should be rewarded, and those innovators should be rewarded for their labor and contribution to society. That is the whole point of the patent system; but if this bill becomes law, patent owners and inventors will be unable to enforce their patents without risking personal bankruptcy. I have long supported reform and am a friend of the innovation economy, but today I call on my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in continued support of the Affordable Care Act and the promise of high quality, affordable health care for all. Republicans and right-wing media are obsessed with problems about healthcare.gov. This law is more than just a Web site. It is affordable, quality health insurance for everyone. The majority of Americans who purchase their insurance purchase it outside of the individual market plan. Those individuals who purchase through their employers' offerings will suffer a price increase if the Upton legislation, which will be coming before us shortly, passes. It is just a means to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, and I will not be in support of it. There are over 100,000 people who have now been able to obtain insurance under the Affordable Care Act. It is working. We need to work to improve it. I stand ready to do so.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. So the gentleman is incorrect.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 982, the so-called FACT Act. The FACT Act would require asbestos trusts to publicly disclose extensive amounts of private information about asbestos victims on a public Web site. These quarterly reports would have to describe each demand the trust received, including the name and exposure history of a claimant and the basis for any payment from the trust made to such claimant. Also required to be publicly disclosed by the trusts are a claimant's home address, work history, income, medical information, and even the last four digits of a claimant's Social Security number. Any person, including every crook in the world with Internet access, could use this information for any and all illicit purposes. That criminal or mischievous person could be your neighbor. He could be your daughter's ex-boyfriend--you know, the one you never liked and barred from coming to the house. He could be an employee on the job, somebody who is vying for your job. He could be anybody who wants to do harm to you or your family. It is a serious threat to asbestos victims' security and privacy, and it is an unfair and unnecessary advantage bestowed upon the asbestos manufacturers. The truth of the matter is that such information is available to the tortfeasors during the course of the litigation. Federal and/or State Rules of Civil Procedure allow a defendant to gain all relevant information during the discovery process about a claimant's exposure. Moreover, a defendant's discovery request should never justify the publication of a plaintiff's entire medical history. Yesterday, I offered an amendment that would have protected the privacy of asbestos victims and their families, but, unfortunately, the Republicans on the Rules Committee did not allow the House to consider my amendment today. It is disappointing that my Republican colleagues who pretend that they support Americans' rights to privacy are now willing to throw privacy rights under the bus while they stand with Big Asbestos and as they again victimize the victims by trampling on the privacy rights of those same victims and those families. Without adding important privacy safeguards, nothing would stop rampant identity theft or the misuse of a claimant victim's personal information, including that victim's entire medical history. Why is it necessary for a claimant to have to give up his right to privacy just because he seeks to recover damages arising from exposure to asbestos?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Thank you. Asbestos victims who seek compensation for their injuries should retain the same privacy protections as other patients, as well as other people who make claims for personal injury.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. How do you determine claimants individually with that level of information that you just described?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Okay. Thank you.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Part of your medical record goes into that public file; is that not correct?

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an everyday hero, a young constituent of mine who has set an example we would all do well to follow. Mary Patricia Hector, a 15-year-old from Lithonia, Georgia, refused to sit idly by while children across the Nation died in playgrounds, while funerals outnumbered graduation ceremonies, and where violence beget more violence. Mary Pat channeled her outrage into a campaign to combat youth gun violence aptly named Think Twice. Her campaign encourages youths to think twice before picking up a gun. Mary Pat's work earned her the Peace First Prize, a prestigious peace-making award. I am proud of her achievements, and I am glad to have the privilege of representing her. Like those before me, I also pray that my good friend from Missouri, former Chairman Ike Skelton, rest in peace.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Republicans have again recklessly threatened America's future by allowing the Nation, already in a Republican shutdown, to default on its debt unless the Congress votes to stop ObamaCare. The government has been shut down for 2 weeks, and the United States will default on its debt in 2 days. All respected economists say a default means devastating and definitely unnecessary damage to our economy and to the global marketplace. Yet Republicans radically and irresponsibly push us toward the precipice of default. Their disconnect from financial reality is certainly breathtaking. Their actions are reckless, radical, and irresponsible. Mr. Speaker, there is power in numbers. If reasonable Republicans would stand up to their radical right wing, we could end this shutdown and avoid a default today.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I deeply regret that the Republicans have shut down the government. They have shut the whole thing down. Their 2-year-old plan to shut down the government over the Affordable Care Act is as harmful as it is fruitless. However, all is not lost. The Republican shutdown can end today if the Speaker would simply disengage the ``Cruz control'' and hold a vote on a clean bill. This is day 8 of the government shutdown. With the debt ceiling vote looming, this is the time for action, not talk. You can't negotiate with a Republican Party stuck on ``Cruz control'' on something so basic as a clean bill to reopen our government. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues have determined that fealty to extreme Tea Party groups is more important than the needs of the people they represent. It's time to end the stubborn, unreasonable, and mean-spirited obsession with killing the Affordable Care Act. The Republican shutdown can end today if only the Speaker would allow a vote.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following Proclamation. Whereas, Greenforest Community Baptist Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our district for the past fifty-five years; and Whereas, Pastor Dennis Mitchell and the members of the Greenforest Community Baptist Church family today continue to uplift and inspire those in our district; and Whereas, the Greenforest Community Baptist Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our district; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past fifty-five (55) years; and Whereas, this Church has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with DeKalb County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Greenforest Community Baptist Church family for their leadership and service to our District on this the 55th Anniversary of their founding; now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 20, 2013 as Greenforest Community Baptist Church Day In the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 20th day of October, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, in the Fourth Congressional District of Georgia, there are many individuals who are called to contribute to the needs of our community through leadership and service; and Whereas, Mrs. Gladys Lattimore has answered that call by giving of herself as an educator at Salem Middle School, and as a beloved wife, mentor and friend; and Whereas, Mrs. Lattimore has been chosen as the 2013 Teacher of the Year, representing Salem Middle School; and Whereas, this phenomenal woman has shared her time and talents for the betterment of our community and our nation through her tireless works, motivational speeches and words of wisdom; and Whereas, Mrs. Lattimore is a virtuous woman, a courageous woman and a fearless leader who has shared her vision, talents and passion to help ensure that our children receive an education that is relevant not only for today, but well into the future, as she truly understands that our children are the future; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize Mrs. Gladys Lattimore for her leadership and service for our District and in recognition of this singular honor as 2013 Teacher of the Year at Salem Middle School; Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr., do hereby proclaim September 27, 2013 as Mrs. Gladys Lattimore Day in the 4th Congressional District. Proclaimed, this 27th day of September, 2013.

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia

Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following proclamation. Whereas, Springfield Missionary Baptist Church has been and continues to be a beacon of light to our district for the past one hundred forty- one years; and Whereas, Pastor Charles W. Levy and the members of the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church family today continues to uplift and inspire those in our district; and Whereas, the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church family has been and continues to be a place where citizens are touched spiritually, mentally and physically through outreach ministries and community partnership to aid in building up our district; and Whereas, this remarkable and tenacious Church of God has given hope to the hopeless, fed the needy and empowered our community for the past one hundred forty-one (141) years; and Whereas, this Church has produced many spiritual warriors, people of compassion, people of great courage, fearless leaders and servants to all, but most of all visionaries who have shared not only with their Church, but with Newton County their passion to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; and Whereas, the U.S. Representative of the Fourth District of Georgia has set aside this day to honor and recognize the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church family for their leadership and service to our District on this the 141st Anniversary of their founding: Now therefore, I, Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr. do hereby proclaim October 6, 2013 as Springfield Missionary Baptist Church Day in the 4th Congressional District of Georgia. Proclaimed, this 6th day of October, 2013.