John Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I yield the gentleman another 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I yield an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill H.R. 3357, as amended.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), the Chair of the Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.R. 3357. In the future, the Ways and Means Committee will need to look at different funding proposals and administrative changes to keep the Highway Trust Fund running for the long term. Today we need to make sure it doesn't run out of money. This very simple bill does not cost a single dollar, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I thank the gentleman from Michigan. Mr. Speaker, having one speaker remaining, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts, Congressman Olver from the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, may inquire about how much time I have left?

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon, Congressman DeFazio, the Chair of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the Transportation Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, transportation is one of the most important issues in our country, so I am proud to have served on both the Ways and Means Committee and on what was then the Public Works and Transportation Committee. I would like to thank Chairman Rangel and Chairman Oberstar for their leadership on this important issue. The bipartisan bill before the House today will provide the necessary funds to keep important transportation projects operating in States around the country. As we all know, the Highway Trust Fund will run out of funding by September. We must act, and we must act now. In 1998, Congress passed a highway bill that took more than $8 billion out of the trust fund and put it in the Treasury. In addition, Congress stopped the Highway Trust Fund from earning interest on its investment. If these steps had not been taken, the balance in the Highway Trust Fund would be nearly $20 billion more than it is now. Last year we transferred $8 billion back, and the legislation we are considering today would transfer $7 billion more. I want to be clear, Mr. Speaker. No new money is spent under this bill. This bill should keep the Highway Trust Fund fully funded until 2009. If we fail to act today, our people, our States, and our economy will be harmed. In Georgia, where unemployment is already above 10 percent, we cannot afford to lose another 8,500 jobs because of failure to act. Last year, all sides understood how critical highway funding is to our economy. I hope the legislation we are considering today will enjoy similar bipartisan support. I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I am pleased to yield to the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am now pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, who long has been active in highways, waterways and many environmental efforts.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington, the Chair of the Income Security Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman McDermott. (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota, the Chair of the Transportation Committee, Mr. Oberstar.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we cannot wait another moment to pass health reform. We need health care, and we need it now. The American people cannot wait. Health care delayed is health care denied. It is our moral obligation to lead the way. Every day that we wait, 14,000 Americans lose their health insurance. People losing their health, their homes or their very lives because our health system does not work for them. This is not right. It is not just. It is not fair. And we can do better. We can do much better. At the March on Washington 46 years ago, I said, ``They tell us to wait. They tell us to be patient.'' We cannot wait. We cannot be patient. I say, today, we want health care reform, and we want it now. We must answer the call of history and pass health care reform, and pass it now.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the Consumer Product and Food Safety Information Act. This very simple bill creates a comprehensive information process to notify American consumers about food and product recalls. It seems that practically every week there is another product or food recall, but there's no single, comprehensive, federal resource to relay this information to consumers. As a result, many Americans are rightfully concerned and confused about what products might endanger the lives of their loved ones. In the 110th Congress after a steady stream of countless food and product recalls, I co-chaired a Ways and Means joint Oversight and Trade subcommittee hearing on Import Safety. In that hearing, we learned that there is no collective federal public information process to inform Americans about food and product safety recalls. Instead there is an expectation that press releases and Internet announcements with moderate outreach efforts are sufficient communication tools. This legislation is not about creating a new bureaucracy; the sole purpose is to establish a process. We must provide consumers with single resources--through various media phone, print, Internet, and radio--to learn exactly what toys are safe for their children, what food is safe to eat, what beds are safe to sleep in, and what medicines won't compromise their health. The Consumer Product and Food Safety Information Act of 2009 presents a clear plan to relay accurate and timely information to all consumers--regardless of age, income or location. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this basic, common-sense legislation. I want to make sure that my constituents-- parents, senior citizens, those who have access to the Internet, those who prefer newspapers and libraries--are provided with universal, consistent information about what foods and products are harmful to themselves and their loved ones.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am proud to reintroduce the National Parents Corps Act of 2009. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to protect a family. Unfortunately today, American families in every corner of our country are working harder and longer hours to just make ends meet. They labor frantically to keep food on the table, gas in the tank, and a roof over their heads. As you can imagine the troubled economy makes it especially hard for parents to fully shepherd their children through those critical formative years. Study after study shows how vulnerable pre-teen and teenage young people are to developing life-long, harmful behaviors such as smoking and drug abuse. The National Parents Corps Act of 2009 helps address this problem, by providing parents with the resources necessary to organize and protect their children in unique but proven methods. This legislation will create a national network of parent leaders who will educate and mobilize other parents in their children's schools. These full-time, professional parents will serve as liaisons between teachers, parents, and administrators to build much-needed safety nets among police, social workers and community based organizations in schools across our country. The program has proven successful in both identifying and preventing dangerous behaviors and trends among their middle and high school children. Thousands of parents were recruited, and their collective efforts resulted in significant decreases in criminal activity, drop- outs, and disciplinary problems in their schools and communities. Madam Speaker, we must adapt our methods to better address the challenges facing American families. This legislation is a common- sense, modern way of building families and communities to support our most vital assets--our youth. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the National Parents Corps Act of 2009. It is an investment in the core of our society.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague and friend from Georgia for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to tell the full story of our Nation's Capitol Building. We must recognize all of the hands that helped to construct this temple of freedom. We must continue to teach the full history of this country, and to do that, we must recognize the role that African American slaves played in the construction of our Nation's Capitol. I would like to thank Chairman Brady and Ranking Member Lungren for all their efforts to bring this bill to the floor, and also the staff of the House Administration Committee, and Jesse Uman, of my own staff, for their work and perseverance to pass this bill. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to thank and recognize Senator Blanche Lincoln, who has championed the work of the Slave Labor Task Force in the Senate. Mr. Speaker, for too long, the use of slave labor in the construction of the United States Capitol has gone untold. We look back today, not to open old wounds, but to ensure that we tell the story, the whole story, the complete story of those slaves, so their toils are never forgotten. Slavery is part of our Nation's history of which we are not proud. However, we should not run or hide from it. The history of the Capitol, like the history of our Nation, should be complete. As thousands of visitors walk through our Nation's Capitol, they leave without knowing the full history of its construction. Today, there is nothing, not one thing, not one note, that tells the story of the African American slaves who helped build this magnificent building: no drawings, no murals, no statues, nothing but nothing. Mr. Speaker, with this resolution, this untold story will now be told. Thanks to the work of the Slave Labor Task Force, we will now honor those slaves who built our temple of freedom. We need something that visitors can see, that visitors can feel and which communicates the back-breaking labor that slaves completed to help construct our Capitol. Passage of this resolution will create a historic marker in the Capitol Visitor Center, made of stones quarried by the hands of slave laborers to stand testament to their sacrifices. This physical and permanent marker will pay tribute to the blood, sweat and toils of the African American slaves who helped build this magnificent building and ensure that their story is told and never forgotten. I urge all of my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on June 8, 2009, I underwent surgery and have been recuperating for the past 3 weeks. In my 24 years in Congress, I have missed very few votes and have taken pride in having a voting record of over 90%. This is the first time I've missed this many votes. Had I been here, I would have cast the following votes: On rollcall 311, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 312, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 313, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 314, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 315, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 316, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 317, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 318, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 319, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 320, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 321, I would have voted no. On rollcall 322, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 323, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 324, I would have voted no. On rollcall 325, I would have voted no. On rollcall 326, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 327, I would have voted no. On rollcall 328, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 329, I would have voted no. On rollcall 330, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 331, I would have voted no. On rollcall 332, I would have voted no. On rollcall 333, I would have voted no. On rollcall 334, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 335, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 336, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 337, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 338, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 339, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 340, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 341, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 342, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 343, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 344, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 345, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 346, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 347, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 348, I would have voted no. On rollcall 349, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 350, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 351, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 352, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 353, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 354, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 355, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 356, I would have voted no. On rollcall 357, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 358, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 359, I would have voted no. On rollcall 360, I would have voted no. On rollcall 361, I would have voted no. On rollcall 362, I would have voted no. On rollcall 363, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 364, I would have voted no. On rollcall 365, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 366, I would have voted no. On rollcall 367, I would have voted no. On rollcall 368, I would have voted no. On rollcall 369, I would have voted no. On rollcall 370, I would have voted no. On rollcall 371, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 372, I would have voted no. On rollcall 373, I would have voted no. On rollcall 374, I would have voted no. On rollcall 375, I would have voted no. On rollcall 376, I would have voted no. On rollcall 377, I would have voted no. On rollcall 378, I would have voted no. On rollcall 379, I would have voted no. On rollcall 380, I would have voted no. On rollcall 381, I would have voted no. On rollcall 382, I would have voted no. On rollcall 383, I would have voted no. On rollcall 384, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 385, I would have voted no. On rollcall 386, I would have voted no. On rollcall 387, I would have voted no. On rollcall 388, I would have voted no. On rollcall 389, I would have voted no. On rollcall 390, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 391, I would have voted no. On rollcall 392, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 393, I would have voted no. On rollcall 394, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 395, I would have voted no. On rollcall 396, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 397, I would have voted no. On rollcall 398, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 399, I would have voted no. On rollcall 400, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 401, I would have voted no. On rollcall 402, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 403, I would have voted no. On rollcall 404, I would have voted no. On rollcall 405, I would have voted no. On rollcall 406, I would have voted no. On rollcall 407, I would have voted no. On rollcall 408, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 409, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 410, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 411, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 412, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 413, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 414, I would have voted present. On rollcall 415, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 416, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 417, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 418, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 419, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 420, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 421, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 422, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 423, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 424, I would have voted no. On rollcall 425, I would have voted no. On rollcall 426, I would have voted no. On rollcall 427, I would have voted no. On rollcall 428, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 429, I would have voted no. On rollcall 430, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 431, I would have voted no. On rollcall 432, I would have voted no. On rollcall 433, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 434, I would have voted no. On rollcall 435, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 436, I would have voted no. On rollcall 437, I would have voted no. On rollcall 438, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 439, I would have voted no. On rollcall 440, I would have voted no. On rollcall 441, I would have voted no. On rollcall 442, I would have voted no. On rollcall 443, I would have voted no. On rollcall 444, I would have voted no. On rollcall 445, I would have voted no. On rollcall 446, I would have voted no. On rollcall 447, I would have voted no. On rollcall 448, I would have voted no. On rollcall 449, I would have voted no. On rollcall 450, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 451, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 452, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 453, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 454, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 455, I would have voted no. On rollcall 456, I would have voted no. On rollcall 457, I would have voted no. On rollcall 458, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 459, I would have voted no. On rollcall 460, I would have voted no. On rollcall 461, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 462, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 463, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 464, I would have voted yes. On rollcall 465, I would have voted yes.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I rise today as a cosponsor of this important amendment and urge of all of my colleagues to support it. I thank the Gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for his tireless advocacy on addressing human rights issues, and I would like to recognize Cindy Buhl on his staff and Jamila Thompson in my office for their hard work on this issue. The McGovern-Sestak-Bishop-Lewis amendment would allow public access to the names of graduates and instructors at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation formerly known as the School of the Americas. This military institution, based at Ft. Benning in Georgia, is known throughout the region for its questionable teachings and record of its graduates. This amendment is simply about transparency. By revealing the names of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation attendees, we can shine the light of accountability and truth on an institution that is unnecessarily shrouded in secrecy. We can show our regional neighbors that we seek to be their partners in peace, and not coconspirators of aggression. I urge all of my colleagues to support the McGovern-Sestak-Bishop- Lewis amendment. Mr. Chair, with this amendment we can show that the intentions of the United States reflect a more cooperative foreign policy and a renewed commitment to international human rights standards.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in proud support of H. Res. 931, a resolution recognizing National Foster Care Month. I thank my friend and colleague on the Ways and Means Committee, Chairman McDermott, for sponsoring this important resolution. During National Foster Care Month, we pay tribute to the half million children presently in the child welfare system and the many others in the network--mentors, volunteers, friends, extended families, and organizations who fill in the gaps in Federal and State coverage to help these young people find their way. In Georgia, there are thousands of children living in foster care. These young people--of all race, ages, and backgrounds--were victims of neglect and abuse. Madam Speaker, as parents we know that children require stability and permanency to thrive. Love and security help the development of healthy and confident young adults. Sadly, due to circumstances beyond their control, foster children are uprooted from their homes and represent the one of largest constituencies of displaced people in the United States. In fact, numerous studies show the increased difficulties foster children must overcome, especially the lack of support for foster care youth as they transition to adulthood and independence. Child welfare services have a shared goal to find safe, stable, and loving homes for these young people. Unfortunately, this dream is not always realized. Last year, Congress passed and the President signed the Fostering Connections to Success Act. This legislation was an important step in improving the nation's child welfare system, but more can be done. I look forward to continuing to work with my friends and colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support to improve the experiences of those young people living in and preparing to exit foster care. Madam Speaker, each and every young person has a right to a childhood. During National Foster Care Month, I hope that communities around the country really come together and think of ways to improve the lives of young people in the child welfare system.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Highway Trust Fund Fairness Act of 2009. I urge all of my colleagues to support this common-sense legislation. This year, Congress is tasked with the much larger mission of reauthorizing the country's surface transportation programs to meet the needs of a constantly-evolving highway and transit system. Later this year, we will have to really look at ways to make the Highway Trust Fund more solvent, but in the meantime, we can make smaller changes that would help ease the burden. The Highway Trust Fund Fairness Act does just that. It allows the Highway Trust Fund to be treated like other federal trust funds by allowing refunds and credits through the General Fund. The bill will also allow the Highway Trust Fund to accrue interest on its balance. These are very basic, common-sense changes that will save money in the long-run. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy created National Transportation Week. He recognized that transportation was fast becoming one of the most sensitive and important issues facing our nation. It affects every person, every day. How do you get to and from school and work safely and efficiently every day? How do you visit family, friends, and loved ones? When I was first elected to Congress, I served on what was then the Public Works and Transportation Committee. It is now the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chaired by my good friend and colleague Mr. Oberstar. I went on to eventually serve on the Ways and Means Committee where I chair the Oversight Subcommittee. Although we don't work directly on transportation issues in this Committee, we do have the opportunity to deal with how our nation's infrastructure is funded. The Highway Trust Fund was established in 1956 to provide a dedicated source of federal support for highways and transit programs across the country. Unfortunately, the Highway Trust Fund's balance continues to diminish every year. First and foremost, the Highway Trust Fund is financed primarily through fuel taxes. Combined with high gas prices last year and greener living, people are driving less. This means there is less money going into the Trust Fund. Second, the projects funded out of the Trust Fund are more costly. Consequently fewer initiatives can be funded from the Trust Fund. As you can see, Madam Speaker, since National Transportation Week was first created, our Nation's transportation and infrastructure has become much more complex--as has our economy. Jobs are created where there is good connectivity--roads, trains, bridges, public transit, walkable, bikable streets and communities. Before we tackle these larger issues, we can start with the basics. I urge all of my colleagues to support this very simple legislation.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, i rise to reintroduce my resolution urging the United States to ratify and implement certain fundamental international conventions. This resolution is supported by a variety of organizations including Free the Slaves, Human Rights Watch, AFL-CIO, Amnesty International USA, Global Rights, Citizens for Global Solutions, Oxfam America, the National Alliance of HUD Tenants, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Justice and Human Rights. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Universal Rights. It is the foundation of the current human rights movement. Americans, led by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, helped craft this historic convention, and next week, the United States will again seek a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. Last week, I joined my colleagues to protest the genocide in Darfur at the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. Three years ago, many of us were arrested doing the same thing; three years later, millions continue to suffer. Our case against this and other humanitarian crises would be so much stronger if the United States had ratified the U.N. Conventions that address the rights of women, children, and forced disappearance. How can we ask for our global trading partners to respect international labor standards, when we ourselves have not ratified ILO standards on the right to organize and bargain collectively, or against forced child labor, or age discrimination? How can we fight poverty and homelessness if we do not support UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights? How can we stand up for civil rights when we do not support hemispheric efforts to recognize historic struggles of marginalized communities? Our country was founded on the principles of civil and human rights. Many, many people--men, women, and even children--have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Madam Speaker, this is a time of war. This is a time when the global economy is struggling This is a time when access to food, water, shelter, and resources impacts every person on this planet. It is during periods like these when it is most important to protect our values and our commitment to universal human and civil rights. Simply said, this resolution is our recommitment to our own American principles and to our neighbors and friends around the world. We must always be vigilant. We must be vocal. But we must remember--actions speak louder than words.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, while it is an honor to be able to participate today's debate, I must say that it gives me feelings of both joy and sorrow. Sorrow, because in the year 2009, I would hope that we should not have a need for such a bill. I find it most ironic that some of the very same voices in the community who speak out against this bill are the very same voices that question whether racism and prejudice no longer exist simply because a person of color has been elected President. Racism, prejudice, and hate did not disappear on November 4th, 2008. Nor did they disappear on January 20th, 2009. Yet it gives me joy that we are able to do something about it. I grew up in the Deep South and faced vile hatred up close, and it gives me joy to vote ``yes'' on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Today we proclaim that our country will not stand for, and will not tolerate hate crimes. This bill is the right thing to do. It protects our citizens, our nation; our principles and our values. We are all Americans-- Black Americans, White Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native American, Christian Americans, Jewish Americans, Muslim Americans, Gay Americans, Straight Americans--all Americans. We are one people and one nation, the American nation. This bill will bring us one step closer to the Beloved Community, a nation at peace with itself. A constituent came by my office just yesterday and spoke about her son who fought in Iraq. Her son completed two tours in Iraq. Her son has said that he was indeed concerned about his safety. But her son said that he was even more concerned about the safety of his father--a transgender woman, walking the streets of the United States of America every day. President Obama has talked repeatedly about renewing America's promise. Today, I urge my fellow Members to vote ``yes,'' and keep America's promise.