John Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1102, I call up the bill (H.R. 5719) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to conform return preparer penalty standards, delay implementation of withholding taxes on government contractors, enhance taxpayer protections, assist low-income taxpayers, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, no one on this side of the aisle is suggesting that we all shouldn't pay our fair share. Madam Speaker, I now yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Emanuel), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, we are ready to close.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York. I enjoyed working with him on this bill. There being no more speakers, I will close, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, H.R. 5719 is good. It is good. It is good for the taxpayers. And today, when so many people are filing their tax return, we should let them know that we are looking out for them, giving them protections they need and support that they deserve. This is a good bill. This is a necessary bill. The private debt collection program is an insult to the American taxpayers and our Federal tax system. It violates the public trust, and this bill will bring it to an end. It must end. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important bill.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada, my good friend, Congresswoman Berkley, a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional minute to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

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

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I object.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman another 30 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia, a member of the Financial Services Committee, my friend, Mr. Scott.

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

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I would like to note that the NFIB has endorsed and supported H.R. 5719. Passage of H.R. 5719 will be considered a key vote for the NFIB. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman), a member of the Appropriations Committee. (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, my good friend, Mr. Crowley.

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

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota, (Mr. Pomeroy), a member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I yield the gentlelady 15 seconds.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2008. This bill would allow home health agencies the flexibility to use the most appropriate skilled rehabilitation professionals to open cases and to conduct the initial assessment for Medicare home health beneficiaries who do not require skilled nursing care. Currently, occupational therapists cannot conduct the initial assessments for Medicare home health cases even when occupational therapy is included in the physician's order along with one of the other qualifying services, like speech therapy and physical therapy. Under current law, home health agencies are not able to fully utilize all of their professional staff for Medicare rehabilitation clients, which can cause delays in beginning medically necessary care. The Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act is actively supported by the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Association of Home Care and Hospice. I am proud to introduce this important legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this legislation so that home health agencies can better manage their staff and better meet the needs of Medicare patients.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and my colleague, Chairman Conyers, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I think it is fitting and appropriate that we pause, as a Nation and as a people, to remember the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who changed America forever. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. He had emerged as a leader, not just for a people, but for a Nation. His leadership and commitment to a truly interracial democracy played a key role in ending legal segregation in America. He led the first major nonviolent campaign in modern America when he emerged as the leader of the Montgomery bus boycott that lasted 381 days. He inspired thousands and thousands of people to follow the way of nonviolence. In doing so, he inspired other movements and had an effect on so many young people and some not so young. Just think, a few short years ago, in America, there were signs that said, ``White women, Colored women,'' ``White men, Colored men,'' ``White waiting, Colored waiting.'' There was segregation in public accommodations and transportation. Men and women of color could not even register to vote. Dr. King created a climate, created an environment that the power of the courts, the power of Congress, and the President of the United States couldn't look the other way; they couldn't say no. In his short life, he led the American people on a journey that is ongoing even today. Mr. Speaker, I will never forget coming to Washington with him in early June, 1963. We met with President Kennedy and other leaders in his administration. Dr. King informed the President that there was a crisis in our country and that he had to act. Later, Dr. King came back to Washington to speak and to march on Washington. This time he was able to bring 250,000 Americans, Black and White, and people of all faiths and backgrounds. On that day, he transformed the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to a modern-day pulpit. On that day, he shared his dream of the Beloved Community, a truly interracial democracy. I can still hear him saying, ``I have a dream today, a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.'' Mr. Speaker, today we encourage all citizens, especially our young people, to take time to reflect on the teachings and the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. Our Nation is a better place, and we are a better people because of him.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friends and my two colleagues for those kind words. I'm honored to stand here today as the chief sponsor of this legislation to recognize the brave and courageous men and women who paved the way for the historic, and necessary, set of laws we call the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We would not be standing here today with this bill being considered on the floor, with 313 cosponsors, without the help of my good friend and colleague, Representative Vic Snyder. Representative Snyder was a champion of this bill. I appreciate his support of this bill and the ideas behind it. I would also like to acknowledge Congresswoman Deborah Pryce for her willingness to cosponsor this bill with me. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks' brave act of defiance, refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, galvanized the modern-day civil rights movement. I remember as a young child, 15 years old, listening to the radio and hearing about Rosa Parks and the voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. Their work inspired me and so many others to take up the cause of equality and join the movement. We must never forget the sacrifices that so many made. I am proud, very proud, to be the lead sponsor of this legislation, which celebrates the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and to remember those who fought for its passage. In 2014, the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, commemorative coins will be minted with the images of the brave men and women who fought, and even died, for these laws. These coins will serve as educational tools for our children and their children, so that the struggle that so many took part in will never, ever be forgotten. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was necessary, and it was right to pass. It greatly expanded civil rights protections. It outlawed segregation and racial discrimination in public places, places of public accommodation, the workplace, and even in federally funded programs. It also pushed to end segregation in our Nation's schools. It is only right then that we are working with the United Negro College Fund to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic milestone. Discrimination in our education system was real. For many African Americans, their only hope for a college education was through a UNCF school. UNCF institutions were founded to provide an education for African Americans who were banned by law or by custom from seeking a college education in the all-white public and private universities of the South. Today, UNCF continues their important mission of opening the doors to a college education. Over 60 percent of UNCF-supported students are the first in their families to attend college. By helping to fund the UNCF, these coins will put in reach a college education for first-generation students while also helping to ensure these important institutions of higher education remain open for future and unborn generations. I'm proud to stand here today as we pay tribute to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and to remember those who made it possible. There is still much work to be done, and we must continue to fight today, tomorrow, and into the future. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Congressional Black Caucus Budget Substitute. I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick), and all our staff for their hard work on this effort. Our budget reflects the values and priorities of the American people. The CBC Members represent some of the most conservative and most progressive people in this country. Some of us are from big cities; others come from tiny, little towns and farm lands. And every year we find a way to come together. Every year, we find a way to provide funds for the most important priorities of all our constituents. If you care about health care; if you care about homelessness; if you care about education; then you will support this substitute. Our amendment includes an additional $20 billion investment in education. And we provide an additional $17 billion for health care. In Georgia, the mortgage foreclosure crisis is devastating our communities. This budget includes an additional $8 billion to assist with housing and services for families, this disabled, senior citizens, and children. Unlike the President's budget proposal, we increase services and security for our constituents. And we find a way to pay for it. Mr. Chairman, I urge all of my colleagues to really look at this legislation. Study our fact sheets; read the dear colleague letters. Then really think about your constituents, and think about how our budget will better all of their lives. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.