Robin Kelly

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we are here tonight to have an important conversation, a conversation that is long overdue, a conversation that is crucial to healing America's deep racial wounds, our topic being the Confederate battle flag and why racial symbols matter. The Charleston 9 killings focused many of our attention on the significant appropriateness and bigoted history of this flag. In 2015, why do so many still revere a flag that tolerated the shackling of people because of their skin, a flag that allowed human beings to be counted as three-fifths of a person, a flag that was flown during lynchings, the holding of children, and one that symbolized a movement to deny education and equal treatment under our laws? Fifty years since Selma, we think of the Freedom Riders, marchers, boycotters, protesters, and policymakers who pointed our Nation in a more positive direction. They knew it was time to reject the traditions of the past. The civil rights movement symbolized the quest of equality and a change in mood for America. Thousands from all backgrounds had the courage to join in peaceful protests, lunch counter sit-ins, and boycotts at the expense of being jailed, beaten, or killed. They did this for one Nation and one flag. And in the way of these Americans stood those who believed in the perseverance of inequality, who believed in an America of White and colored, an America of two flags, and the Confederate battle flag represented their America. Jim Crow America saw States that seceded from the Union, reacting to the growth of the civil rights movement, with the use of the Confederate battle flag as the representation of their resistant movement. In 1956, the State of Georgia incorporated the battle flag into its official State flag design. The movement continued into the sixties, where it met renewed and intensified opposition, opposition that waved the Confederate battle flag in the name of continued racial oppression. In 1961, just 2 months after the sentencing of nine students arrested for a lunch counter sit-in in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the Confederate battle flag was raised over South Carolina's State house during a centennial celebration of the Civil War's opening. That same year, in neighboring Georgia, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes were the first two African American students to be admitted to the University of Georgia. Their admission only came after a court order sent from Federal court. Eleven days after arriving on campus, Hunter and Holmes were attacked by a mob of White rioters who threw rocks and bottles at them while waving the rebel flag. The attacks were so fierce that the dean of students suspended both Hunter and Holmes for their own safety. Now, even with me highlighting this violence, we are told that the stars and bars are about heritage. That heritage, Mr. Speaker, is not so subtle a reminder to African Americans that they are less than-- maybe not three-fifths of a person, but still not equal. This is a reminder that there are two classes of citizens. And despite our Declaration of Independence clearly stating that all men are created equal, this is a reminder that there is a lesser class and will never be equal. But why are we honoring the heritage and flag of the hooded night riders of the Klan at our State houses and in this Congress instead of the flag of the Freedom Riders who died for a single, fair, and equal America? Two years after Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his ``I have dream'' speech before 600 civil rights marchers, including our friend and colleague from Georgia, Congressman John Lewis, a different group of civil rights heroes were greeted by police officers in Selma, Alabama, proudly displaying the Confederate flag on the side of their helmets. These officers brutally beat the marchers, and their actions were a reminder that Dr. King's speech had not yet resonated in the hearts of those who needed to hear it most. But it was the undeterred resilience of the protesters who refused to back down and refused to resort to violence that persevered. It was the love, the respect, and the mutual understanding that displayed what was the strongest symbol of strength, honor, and heritage than the Confederate battle flag. Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way since 1965, but we still have a ways to go. We must move forward. The needed progress, however, will not come if the Federal Government continues to provide American citizens with reminders of our hateful and oppressive past in a manner that legitimizes such hate. I am glad to host this important Special Order hour with my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) to talk about where we go from here and why we continue to give energy to symbols of hate and division. I yield to the kind gentleman from Newark, New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 days to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you, Congressman Butterfield, for those fine words. Many questions, many questions: Why are they still holding on? Is it just heritage and tradition? Or is it something more? At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you, Congresswoman Holmes. I am so glad that you and Congressman Payne brought up the issue of the gun because we cannot forget that either. I look at Charleston as when racism and hate found the gun. At this time, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge), our former head of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Fudge for her eloquent words and the truth of what happened in Congress last week and what we need to do to go forward. At this time, I yield to the gentlewoman from Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you, Congressman Payne, for those words. Right now, it is my pleasure to introduce the Congressman from North Carolina and the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Butterfield.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding as we continue this important conversation. Every day in America, we navigate the threat of gun violence. From metal detectors in public buildings to shooting safety drills at schools and movie theaters, guns affect how we live and whether we live at all; yet, when gun violence intruded into the most sacred of places, piercing the peace of prayer at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, it stirred a sickening sadness within us. It was a searing reminder that there is no corner of our country that offers a haven for us when guns end up in the wrong hands. We are here today because of Charleston, to remember the lives of the nine souls who were lost. It is a ritual we have on automatic repeat, again and again, massacre after massacre, as an end run around real gun reform. We have the conviction covered. What we have lacked in Congress is the courage to do the right thing. The Charleston 9 are victims of this lack of courage, as are the 30,000 Americans who die each year from gun violence. For the first time in history, this year, gun deaths are on pace to be the leading cause of death of Americans aged 15-24. We are losing a generation of young Americans to guns. The future of our Nation is, quite literally, at stake. All across America, children are growing up in fear. Kids play tag indoors. Mothers second-guess on letting their children walk to school. Some studies suggest that repeated exposure to shootings in some communities is akin to the trauma suffered by soldiers in war zones. We as a nation have accepted gun violence as a fact of life. But we are better than this. In the Kelly Report on Gun Violence in America, I outlined a number of effective strategies to stop the bloodshed, which includes expanding gun background checks. I implore my colleagues to listen to your conscience and the conscience of the country you represent and work with me to chart a new course for a safer America. There is overwhelming public support for commonsense gun reform. Responsible gun owners support responsible gun laws. We can strike a sensible balance on gun reform that protects our Second Amendment rights while also ensuring the basic human right of all Americans to live free from gun violence. How many more massacres must we endure? How many more innocent people will we allow to be murdered on our watch? The time has come for Congress to have the courage of our convictions, to honor through action by expanding background checks to keep these depraved killers from getting their hands on guns, and the other gun safety laws that we have talked about in the past. We have the power to stop the next Charleston, Newtown, and Aurora so that no other American city becomes synonymous with gun tragedy. We have the moral imperative to stop an epidemic that claims more casualties than war and disease, combined. Congress must put saving American lives at the top of our agenda. We owe it to the Charleston 9 and to all who have fallen before them, as we owe it to a generation of young people at risk of meeting a similar fate. I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the three individuals killed and 32 injured by gun violence last weekend in Chicago. They included a 17-year-old boy shot in the head, a 27-year-old man shot to death in his car, and a man who died shielding his mother from bullets fired outside of their home. In recent days, our media has been gripped by tragic displays of violence. Charleston is what happens when racism and hate find a gun. Charleston is yet another gut-wrenching reminder that, as leaders, we can't stay silent on gun violence or racism. How many more deadly weekends will we allow on our watch? What will you do to stop the next Newtown or Charleston? We can pass background checks and other commonsense gun safety measures; but in addition and most importantly, we need meaningful conversations and actions around racism, both individual and systemic, to truly have a safe and secure Nation with equal treatment and opportunity for all.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding as we continue our conversation about the challenges facing black males today. As Chairwoman of the CBC Health Braintrust, I want to discuss the health challenges and health outcomes for black men. There are a wide range of dangers and health threats that disproportionately affect black men. Some of these, we've known about for decades, and can be mitigated with the right treatments. While others are emerging issues that require more research, more debate, and more innovation. The end result is that black men have the lowest life expectancy, highest death rate, and have some of the worst health outcomes across demographics. Black men suffer disproportionately from chronic illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death for African American men. Heart disease is the number one killer for all American men. But today, African American men remain disproportionately at risk for heart disease. 42.6 percent of black men suffer from high blood pressure, compared to 33.4 percent of white men. And nearly 44 percent of African American men suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease that can lead to strokes and heart attacks. As for cancer, black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as white men and have a higher incidence and death rate from colorectal cancer. A study published this April in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that African Americans were 58 percent more likely than white people to develop prostate cancer. The same study also found that obese black men had a 103 percent increased prostate cancer risk compared to obese white men. Obesity has also been connected with heart disease and other chronic illnesses. And today almost 40 percent of African American men are obese, 69 percent are obese or overweight. These are serious issues that pose serious health dangers to black men. We may not know exactly why black men are so much more at risk for these ailments. But we DO know what we can do to reduce the health risks and take action to prevent disease. That's why as we celebrate National Men's Health Week this week, I want to encourage all men to take action--exercise, eat right, and get a check up. As Chairwoman of the CBC Health Braintrust, I'll be pushing the conversation forward and working to pass legislation to fund more research and promote health education so that all Americans can continue living healthy lives. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to discuss two issues that are plaguing the next generation of black Americans. These being issues related to violence--gun violence and suicide. Starting with gun violence. In underserved communities around America, children are growing up in fear. Kids are playing tag indoors, instead of out on their front lawn. Mothers worry about their child walking home from school. Gun violence in America disproportionately affects African Americans and more specifically African American males. Today, 50 percent of all deaths for black males aged 15-24 are homicides, usually involving a gun. And this year, we are on track for gun violence to become the leading cause of death for young black males. In the first six months of this year, the Redeye Chicago, a local publication, tracked 157 gun related homicides in the city. Nearly 130 of them involved black males. This isn't an isolated problem. An analysis of the FBI's national database of supplementary homicide reports revealed that across the country 17,422 black males ages 13 to 30 have been killed by firearms since 2008. It's time we change this. Through common-sense legislation, we can ensure that fear of gun violence is no longer the status quo in our communities. That's one of the reasons I released the Kelly Report on Gun Violence last summer. This was the first comprehensive Congressional report on the gun violence problem in America, and included effective policy strategies to reduce gun violence in America. I ask that my colleagues consider some of the ideas in that report online. And continuing to speak of violence, I want to bring attention to the alarming increase in suicide among young black boys. In 1982, the New York Times wrote an article entitled, ``Why Are Blacks Less Suicide Prone than Whites?'' I stand here now asking ``Why are black boys becoming more suicide prone?'' According to a recently published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, while the overall suicide rate has remained stagnant over the past 20 years, tragically the suicide rate among black boys as young as ten years old has nearly doubled. Almost 20 percent of these suicides are attributed to gun-related wounds. This shocking and tragic issue is receiving very little attention in our national media and it's being overlooked in our national discussion on mental health. Just last month, our colleague, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver wrote President Barack Obama calling for a task force to examine this issue. In his letter, Congressman Cleaver noted that this was the first time that any national survey found a higher suicide rate for blacks than for individuals of other ethnicities. Whether you're black, white, Latino, or a veteran, Congress can do more to take necessary health care measures to address suicides. This Congress must work to end the horrific epidemic that is preventing young black boys from growing up and reaching their full potential.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate national Men's Health Week, I urge all Americans to take action to reduce health risks and prevent disease. It can be as simple as exercising, eating right, or setting up an appointment for a checkup. I also rise as the CBC Health Braintrust chair to bring awareness to the critical state of Black men's health and the need to expand educational opportunities and treatment options to reduce incidence of disease in communities of color. Black men suffer disproportionately from many chronic and infectious diseases, many of which are preventible. Today, almost 40 percent of Black men are obese, which contributes to stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. In 2015, Black men were found to be twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as White men and have a higher incidence and death rate from colorectal cancer. Your skin color and ZIP Code shouldn't determine your health outcomes. Together, through legislation and community engagement, we can reduce health inequities and provide a healthier and more prosperous life for all Americans.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the passage of the Equal Pay Act, I rise today to reflect on our commitment to equality and the work ahead to turn this commitment into a reality. In 1963, our Nation declared that women deserved equal pay for equal work; yet, more than half a century later, we still have much work ahead to end pay discrimination against women. Today, women make just 77 cents for every dollar men earn, amounting to an $11,000 gap per year between full-time men and women. That is almost $1,000 each month to help with groceries, rent, and student loans. The workforce disparities have disastrous effects on our Nation. According to the Census Bureau, 1 in 3 women lives 200 percent below the Federal poverty line compared to 1 in 4 men, and of the more than 100 million Americans who live paycheck to paycheck, almost 70 percent of them are women and their children. Meanwhile, of the S&P 500 companies, women make up just 14.2 percent of their leadership positions, and only 24 companies have female CEOs. Women deserve a fair shot at the American Dream. I urge my colleagues to work with me to address these issues. Together, let's eliminate gender disparities in our workforce.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I am wearing orange in recognition of the first annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Orange is the safety color hunters wear to alert others of their presence, and this is the perfect color to represent safety with respect to firearms and the value of human life. Last week, as we honored our troops and celebrated Memorial Day weekend, a wave of gun violence ripped through the city of Chicago, wounding more than 50 people and killing 12. Among the victims were a 17-year-old boy, a 15-year-old girl, and a 4-year-old child. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to act now. We can't equip every American with an orange hunting vest, but we can surely take sensible approaches to reduce the threat of gun violence in our communities. This Congress, I have introduced H.R. 224, which would require the Surgeon General to compile a report on the public health impact of gun violence. This commonsense gun bill can help us understand the public health impact of gun violence and prevent future shootings. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with me and support commonsense legislation to curb the violence that plagues our Nation. And I want to say happy birthday, Hadiya, and happy birthday, Blair Holt.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you, Congresswoman Lee. Thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and all of your insight. You are so right about ZIP Codes that determine so much, unfortunately. And we have to give every young child, every family, a fair chance, and hopefully we will see the day when some of the bills that we have put forward actually are brought to the floor and voted on in a positive way. So thank you so very much. It is now my pleasure and honor to call to the floor and introduce Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, from the great State of New York and the borough of Brooklyn. Thank you Hakeem.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 days to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. It is my pleasure and delight to yield to the gentlewoman from Oakland, California (Ms. Lee), who always has great things to share with us.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you very much, Congressman Jeffries. You always have great words, well thought out and so meaningful. I really appreciate your comments. With that, I would like to turn it over to the woman from the great State of Ohio, my colleague, my freshman colleague and now sophomore colleague, Congressman Joyce Beatty.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you, Congressman Payne. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to thank my colleagues for giving the Congressional Black Caucus and this Congress the opportunity to put the important economic concerns of this Nation's in the spotlight this evening. Millions of Americans are living on the brink. These aren't merely concerns for these individuals and their families; they are national concerns. I have always believed that what makes our Nation great is our recognition that everyone should have the ability to live and rise to their full potential. Economic parity is one of the most fundamental issues facing us as a nation right now. I hope, in this hour, we have appropriately shed some light on some of the concerns of the Congressional Black Caucus when it comes to the economy and to job opportunities in our communities--or the lack of them. Again, I want to thank my coanchor, the Honorable Donald Payne, Jr., who himself is a strong defender of the economic possibilities of Newark, of Orange, and of communities across New Jersey's 10th Congressional District. I will close as I began this evening in saying that the time to act is now. The necessity in responding to the economic crises of Black employment and underemployment should be an American imperative. The time is now to support a bold and inclusive economy that propels us into a sustainable future. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege to once again have the opportunity to stand on the House floor and to anchor the Congressional Black Caucus' Special Order hour with the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey. Today, we will discuss the many economic challenges facing so many everyday Americans; and, specifically, tonight, we want to examine some of the economic barriers, some of the policy possibilities, and the outlook on job prospects for African Americans in districts that we represent across the country. It is worth beginning with the fact that we are now about 6 years removed from the end of what historians and economists deem the Great Recession. America's economy has rallied. We have inched our way closer and closer to full recovery. In fact, the beginning of 2015 saw the most sustained period of job creation in this century. The fact remains that, in spite of the steady stream of progress and even in the midst of our positive job numbers, there are still too many people being left behind. Many of these people live in communities like the ones I represent in Cook County and Kankakee. Many of these people can be found in urban, central, or rural America. I guarantee that we all know someone out there who is still in the midst of their own personal economic recovery. The fact remains that many communities of color are struggling mightily in their recovery. In many Black and Brown neighborhoods, unemployment remains at a crisis level--this, even as our economy continues to rebound. I am reminded of a quote by a former National Urban League president and civil rights hero that the hardest work in the world is being out of work. That is something that I personally believe. So often, I will hear folks say that America's unemployed have made a choice to not work, that vulnerable Americans looking for work are doing so because they have made poor decisions. We hear this time and time again, especially in this Chamber, about folks need to go pull themselves up by their bootstraps. I can tell you that I have seen people tug in vain on their bootstraps to no avail. Many families still need help in their recovery. As Representatives, we need to hear their cry and do more. Marc Morial, who has followed in the footsteps of Whitney Young and taken the helm of the National Urban League, was recently quoted as saying: ``It is clear that for too many Blacks and Latinos, our Nation's economic recovery is only something they read or hear about.'' America's comeback is bypassing large swaths of people in Black and Brown neighborhoods, and that is dangerous not only to those communities, but to our Nation. A recovery that leaves millions of its citizens behind will ultimately threaten America's sustained growth. Even before the Great Recession, Black unemployment has consistently been twice as high as White unemployment. I think Congressman Payne and my colleagues gathered here this evening would agree that we have to address this problem now. To again quote Mr. Morial, of the National Urban League, ``For Blacks and Latinos in America, the economic devastation of the Great Recession is as real today as it was when it began in 2007.'' Consider these statistics on the economic reality of many Africans Americans, according to a Brandeis University study. A typical Black household has accumulated less than one-tenth of the wealth of a typical White one, and that number is getting worse. Over the past 25 years, the wealth gap between Blacks and Whites has nearly tripled. Now, this is largely because homeownership among Blacks is so much lower. Housing is often America's greatest asset and a major component of their overall wealth. African Americans typically have lower incomes than Whites, which also makes it harder for them to save and build wealth. The median income for Black households is less than 60 percent of that of White ones. Finally, the jobless rate for Black Americans is twice that of Whites. Mr. Speaker, the time to act is now. The necessity in responding to this economic crisis should be an American imperative. We cannot be limited by narrowly focusing on a pre-Recession economy. The Members of this House should be strategizing to support a bold and inclusive economy that propels us into a sustainable future. More can be done by us, and this administration has proven to have been willing to take the positive steps necessary to put us on a more prosperous path. Regardless of where some of our colleagues are when it comes to the President, I think we are all in agreement that more Americans in the workforce and more economic stimulation benefits all of us. The question is still relevant: How do we create a stronger economy and a more perfect union? Where do we go from here? I am very pleased again to be joined tonight by my distinguished colleague from the Congressional Black Caucus as we discuss this important analysis of the economy and job opportunity in our communities. The insight and policy prescriptions are critical and valuable in our continuing march toward a more perfect union. Let me first yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), my dynamic coanchor.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you Congresswoman Beatty, and thank you for your words, and also thank you for your insight, as well as our other colleagues that have shared this evening with us tonight. We really, really appreciate it. And we hope that when we come back next year this time that we can see some improvements and not have to talk about the same things over and over and over. We have heard back from 1968 some of the same statistics, and here we are so many years later still having to talk about the same thing. So we hope to see progress toward this economic stability for the African American family. We have heard from my colleagues some staggering statistics. The story is even more disconcerting for our Nation's youth. Workers 19 years old and younger are finding it more difficult than ever to find quality afterschool and summer employment. The unemployment rate for White youth age 16 to 19 stands at 14.5 percent--again, roughly half that of their Black teenage counterparts, who have an unemployment rate of 27.5 percent. Over one in four Black teenagers who are looking for work are unable to find it. Over one in four. This is simply unacceptable. As a Nation, we must do more to invest in underserved communities and provide opportunities for self-empowerment and growth for our Nation's youth. Denying African American teens a summer job could cause them to miss out on a lifetime of opportunities and experiences. Many high school students use the summer months to work and put money aside for college. But if there are no jobs to be found, Mr. Speaker, many students will be denied the opportunity to attend college and will forever be shut out from many opportunities and will forever be shut out also from the many jobs that require a college degree. With college graduates earning an average of $45,000 per year, compared to those only with a high school diploma earning an average of $28,000 per year, lacking a college degree can set noncollege graduates up for a lifetime of economic difficulties and frustrations. That is almost $1 million in lost wages over the course of a lifetime. I have been working in my district to connect employers with eager young employees. In April, I hosted my second annual Youth Employment Summit, where local youth aged 15 to 24 could connect with area companies. Many were hired on the spot, and even more were scheduled interviews for jobs and internships this summer. But job fairs alone are not the answer, Mr. Speaker. As a Nation, we need increased investment in job training, infrastructure investment, and community development. In the long run, any economic growth that doesn't allow for full participation of all Americans, including those traditionally marginalized like minorities and young people, will not be sustainable. Our economy must work for everyone, not just a select few. Continuing to leave underserved communities behind will only perpetuate and expand the great disparities in wealth between American citizens and continue to breed a cycle of poverty, violence, and a sense of helplessness in those communities. Reinvesting in our Nation's youth and our Nation's minority communities is not only vital to our country's economic health but to its public health as well. Lack of economic opportunity leads to violence, and violence only perpetuates a lack of economic opportunity. The two go hand-in-hand, and, if not addressed, it will create a downward spiral, preventing any positive growth for our Nation's youth and disadvantaged communities. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow we will recognize the first annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Like many of my colleagues, I will wear orange. Orange is the color hunters wear to alert their companions of their presence, to avoid being shot. It is a warning color. Orange screams: ``Don't shoot.'' Too many of my constituents often feel like they have to wear orange while walking down their block on Chicago's South Side. In fact, tomorrow is Hadiya Pendleton's birthday. As we all know, she was shot while playing in a park or running away. Mr. Speaker, I often say that nothing stops a bullet like a job. The surest way to decrease violence and increase economic prosperity in underserved communities is to expand access to jobs and education.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, family income shouldn't dictate a child's educational outcome; but today, study after study shows that children from lower-income families face unique social, emotional, and financial challenges that lead them to start school already behind their peers. We began addressing this problem in 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson established the Head Start program. Fifty years later, over 30 million of our most vulnerable children have benefited from Head Start and a more level playing field. In Illinois today, there are 48 Head Start programs across the State. These programs not only provide opportunities for more than 40,000 Illinois children and their families each year, but they also give tens of thousands of passionate educators the chance to give our most needy children a shot at success. This week, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Head Start, I urge my colleagues to stand with me in support of this vital program. I look forward to ensuring that all children can have an equal opportunity to succeed. I want to salute our troops, our veterans, and those who gave their lives as we move into Memorial Day.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Thank you, Congressman Payne. I did want to say to Madam Speaker, I appreciate you participating in the Diversity Dinners last week. I can't have Congressman Payne have a one-up on me, so thank you so much. I really appreciate it. As we continue our conversation on accountability, equality, and diversity, I would like to offer some statistics on our economy 50 years ago and today with respect to the African American community and women. In 1965, African American jobseekers could be denied employment based on the color of their skin; and, when they could find jobs, they were disproportionately paid less than White males in the same position. In fact, in 1965, the Black unemployment rate was 8.1 percent, almost twice the national unemployment rate which stood at 4.5 percent. Fifty years later, we have made great strides, and our Nation's workforce is more diverse than ever, but we have much more work to do. Today, at 10.4 percent, the Black unemployment rate is still almost double the national unemployment rate of 5.6 percent. While it is significantly smaller, there is still a racial wage gap. The median African American household has less than two-thirds the income of the average White median household. In the past year, we have seen the greatest economic growth in decades. More and more women have been able to enter the workforce, reducing the employment rate among women to a 6-year low. Unfortunately, Black women have yet to reap the benefits of the economic rebound. In fact, while the overall unemployment rate for women declined, the Black female unemployment rate has increased over the past 2 months. According to a recent analysis by the National Women's Law Center, the Black women's unemployment rate is more than twice the unemployment rate of White women. Despite having comparable levels of education, Black women have had the highest unemployment rate of any other group. A possible factor in the stubborn unemployment rate for Black women is that we are disproportionately employed in the public sector, which is experiencing a much slower recovery than the private sector. NWLC said the stagnant job situation for Black women is a ``red flag'' in the employment landscape and urged lawmakers to act to promote a stronger, more widely shared recovery. I couldn't agree more. We need to invest more in job training and retraining programs that help Black women adapt to the changing workforce and prepare for the careers of tomorrow. We must work to promote diversity in hiring and encourage employers to model their workforces on the communities in which they operate. As we look for ways to help increase diversity in the workplace and help women succeed, we must be mindful of the unique challenges Black women face and develop targeted policies that help level the playing field for all women. These facts I have just covered point to the systemic problems. We need to address them today. It should be our mission today to see to it that in 50 years, when lawmakers stand here, they will proudly be touting the progress our Nation has made because all Americans are paid equally and no is discriminated against in the workplace. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I am working to address our Nation's health equity gap by exploring legislative and policy initiatives to reduce minority health disparities and promote better health outcomes for all Americans. With respect to the African American community, the health disparity gap is particularly wide as Blacks have high rates of many adverse health conditions. Across the medical spectrum--from cancer to diabetes, from hypertension to stroke--Blacks are overrepresented and often undertreated. A major barrier to African Americans getting the medical care they need is the lack of African American doctors in their communities. Studies show that African Americans are more comfortable seeking treatment from doctors who look like them and are much more likely to adhere to courses of treatment prescribed by Black doctors; yet, while African Americans comprise 13 percent of the U.S. population, we represent only 4 percent of the physician workforce, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges' 2014 diversity in the physician workforce report. The infamous Tuskegee study fostered an enduring legacy of mistrust of the medical establishment in the African American community that makes diversity in medicine vital to closing the health disparities gap. In order to achieve health equity, we must work to create a physician workforce that reflects our Nation. One key way to do that is to encourage more African Americans to pursue education and training in science, technology, engineering, and math. Congress must do more to support investments in STEM education and to create avenues of access for African American students to enter the STEM fields. In my district, I launched the Second Congressional District STEM Academy to expose students to STEM fields in hopes of encouraging them to pursue STEM-related careers. Also, a STEM workforce made up of diverse ranks is crucial to future innovation. To help in that mission, folks across the country and in Silicon Valley have taken note. I know Facebook has sought to change the face of innovation through efforts like their Facebook Academy and Facebook University, which target high school and college students from underrepresented groups. Similar to my STEM Academy, it is good to see them making an effort to build a pipeline and introduce women and people of color to jobs in STEM--which, of course, could be IT, engineering--and hopefully, more young people decide to become doctors, and they can work in African American communities or underserved communities. A medical student population that reflects our country's population will create a pipeline of diverse doctors to our communities which will, in turn, put all Americans on track to live a healthier life. I turn back to my colleague from New Jersey, Congressman Donald Payne.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. I thank my friend from New Jersey for leading tonight's Special Order hour. Madam Speaker, once again, the Congressional Black Caucus has the opportunity to discuss some of the many important issues and challenges facing our Nation right now. I strongly believe that our conversation here tonight is a critical discussion for the record as we continue the work of making our communities and country better. The urgency of now, addressing reform, accountability, equality, and diversity, that is quite a title, but what does it all mean in the context of our full discussion? America is celebrated for being a melting pot, but I like to say a tossed salad or a stew, because in a stew or salad you don't lose your identity, but you learn to live together in the same gravy or the same salad dressing. This Congress is, without a doubt, a true testament to the diverse people, personalities, and communities that make this great Nation so great. But in these dynamic times, how can we ensure that our laws and policies are fully embracing our melting pot or our stew of a nation? How can we ensure that we make this great Union even more perfect? It starts with holding ourselves accountable in just a myriad of respects on the economic front, with respect to our justice system, in appreciating our diversity and inclusion for all Americans. I look forward to a fruitful conversation on this and thank my coanchor, Representative Payne. I did want to acknowledge the Diversity Dinner that we had last week. These days we hear so much about the toxic partisan atmosphere in Congress, titles like ``How Congress Became So Partisan'' in The Washington Post to Nick Gass at Politico's piece, ``This Graphic Shows How America's Partisan Divide Grew.'' The reports of Congress' hyperpartisanship are abundant. The reports point to the loss of camaraderie and friendship amongst colleagues across the aisle. This perception undoubtedly contributes to our dismal 15 percent approval rating. Since my time as a State legislator in the Illinois statehouse, I have been hosting Diversity Dinners to grow friendships and nurture collegial working relations among legislators who may not otherwise interact. Tonight as we discuss equality and diversity, I want to reflect on what I see as encouraging in bridging differences and understanding in different communities. Last week I hosted, along with other Members, my second annual congressional Diversity Dinner. Forty Members of Congress from both parties, including Members from both Republican and Democratic leadership, showed up and enjoyed a meal with their colleagues. During the dinner, we weren't Democrats or Republicans; we were colleagues with some great stories to share. At this year's dinner, I saw a microcosm of our Nation, a crowd made up of Members from coast to coast with truly diverse backgrounds coming together to enjoy each other's company. If we can put aside our partisan blinders to break bread together, I am confident we can find ways to work together. That is what America wants and needs, and that type of leadership is the kind of leadership we deserve. Today we have an opportunity to celebrate diversity and show that bipartisanship can thrive in Congress. In recent months we have seen the trust between political parties, law enforcement, and communities across the Nation spike. Now is the time for us to come together to address the reforms needed to rebuild this trust. Let's show the American people that we are a diverse body that won't let party lines divide us or define us.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it has been a year since 276 girls were abducted from Chibok Secondary School in northern Nigeria by the militant Islamic group Boko Haram. Since then, we have heard numerous tales of unspeakable atrocities committed by the group, the continued abductions of schoolgirls who have been trafficked and murdered, and the sickening discovery of a mass grave with beheaded remains in a formerly Boko Haram-held territory in northern Nigeria. Just when we thought that Boko Haram had reached its evil peak, the group swears an unholy alliance to ISIL. I would like to commend my House colleagues for unanimously passing a resolution I introduced condemning Boko Haram. It sent a strong message to the world that America will never tolerate terrorism, and this Congress will never abide terrorists. We must continue to stand together to fight Boko Haram's brutal victimization of innocent men, women, and children, and defend the basic human right of schoolgirls in Nigeria and around the world to receive an education. We can never forget our girls, and we can never forgive the cowardly crimes of Boko Haram.