John Lewis

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2831, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007. The recent Supreme Court ruling in the Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire case turns the clock back on decades of progress. As a result of this ruling it is now even more difficult for employees to exercise their rights for equal pay and equal treatment as determined under the law. This decision was based on a questionable technicality, not on the fact that Ms. Ledbetter was paid 20 percent less than even the least qualified of her male counterparts. Ms. Ledbetter did nothing wrong throughout the process. She toiled for 19 years and deserved equal pay and treatment by her employers. For centuries, women, minorities, and many others have fought for equal rights and consideration under the law. Congress is being forced to invoke its constitutional powers to restore balance and justice for the sake of equality. Today we send a strong message that discrimination and injustice on the basis of gender is intolerable. Simply said Madam Speaker, H.R. 2831 is not about turning back the clock on civil rights law; this legislation protects these hard-fought and hard-earned guarantees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women who work full time, earn, on average, only 77 cents for every dollar men earn. The figures are even worse for women of color. Clearly, discrimination is not a relic of the past. I know that many, many Members of Congress recognize the importance of this legislation. I ask all of my colleagues to vote yes. I hope that the President will stand for equality and justice by signing this important bill.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. On behalf of all of the Members of the delegation, I want to welcome Dr. Paul Broun from the 10th Congressional District of Georgia to the United States House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, I yield to Congressman Jack Kingston, from the First Congressional District of Georgia.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, as dean of the Georgia delegation, I rise to welcome a new Member to the United States House of Representatives, Dr. Paul Broun. Dr. Broun is one of four men of medicine in the Georgia delegation. He succeeds our friend and late colleague, Dr. Charlie Norwood, who also was a physician. Dr. Broun is a graduate of the University of Georgia in Athens and the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He served his country as a United States Marine and as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy. He is married to Niki Bronson Broun. They have two children and two grandchildren. Dr. Broun comes from a well-known political family in Georgia. His father was a well-respected State senator from Athens for 38 years. I could say, I can say, and I must say, he was a Democrat. Mr. Broun of Georgia. A conservative one, at that.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I thank the chairman for yielding. While the legislation has done a reasonably good job of protecting most passengers with disabilities, it has had limited success in influencing air carriers to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals who require supplemental oxygen. Currently, as an example, air carriers have the authority to allow or disallow the use of portable oxygen systems aboard their planes even when the Department of Transportation and the FAA find that the systems are safe. This leaves the use of oxygen systems supplied by the carrier. Potential layovers and delays between flights are an additional health risk and barrier to access to air flight. In September 2005, the Department of Transportation recognized this problem and issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify this situation to assist the flying public who are in need of assisted breathing devices. Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor to commend the Department of Transportation for recognizing the problem and for issuing this proposed rule. The final rule will provide uniform standards that will allow passengers to carry their FAA-approved devices onboard. I ask the chairman to work with me to encourage the FAA to issue a rule expeditiously.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I thank the chairman.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor to compliment the chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Mr. Olver, on preparing an excellent and well-balanced appropriation bill. The large number of important priorities included in this bill create difficult choices, and the chairman has done an excellent job balancing the competing interests and preparing a good bill for consideration in the full House. As the co-Chair of the House COPD Caucus, I want to speak about one item that falls under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee, and that is the implementation of the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act. This act was intended to protect individuals with disabilities who fly on commercial air carriers from discriminating practices. The legislation has done a reasonably good job of protecting most passengers.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to engage in a colloquy with the chairman of the subcommittee. The chairman has been a long-time advocate in improving safety standards in our Nation's transportation system. I appreciate his willingness to include report language regarding occupant ejection and motor coach and school bus standards in this legislation. In March, a horrific accident occurred in my district when a bus carrying the Bluffton University men's baseball team crashed on Interstate 75 in Atlanta, Georgia, en route to a tournament in Florida. Six people were killed and 29 others were injured. That week, Dr. Jeffrey Solomone from Grady Hospital's trauma center, where most of the victims were treated in Atlanta, called my office outraged. He knew that their deaths could have been prevented if they were simply wearing seat belts. Imagine working to save young lives when you knew their injuries were caused not from impact but from being thrown from the vehicle. Last year, two teenage girls were killed in a similar accident in Beaumont, Texas. Advocates and family members accurately highlighted that the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration develop a safety standard in 1999. In 2005, the SAFETEA-LU legislation reiterated this request and called for a national standard to be developed no later than October 1, 2009. I applaud the committee for demanding a status report on these standards. Simply said, it should not take 10 years to figure out a way to save lives. How much longer must we wait until a simple regulation is developed?

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I look forward to continuing to work with the gentleman to make sure that we do not have to wait until the last possible moment in 2009 for changes to be made. I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts and his staff for working so hard on this legislation and making a commitment to safety and security on America's roads.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, 269 Members of this body are on record in their support of this bipartisan amendment. It is simply wrong to punish the hospital before they have done anything wrong. So I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleagues and friends, Peter Welch of Vermont and Jerry Weller from Illinois, for joining me in offering this important amendment. Mr. Chairman, hospitals need more than just 2 months to change their coding system. It's too much too soon. CMS needs to give them the time they need. In addition, we must not allow CMS to implement this behavior offset. I've talked to hospitals in my district. They're doing everything right when it comes to coding and charging Medicare. This cut will punish the hospital before they've done anything wrong. 269 Members of the House feel the same way. Mr. Weller and I sent a letter to CMS on June 12, along with 267 of our colleagues and 63 Senators urging CMS not to make this $24 billion cut. Hospitals do not deserve a $24 billion cut. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment and help our hospitals. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I am going to thank my friend, my colleague, Chairman Lantos, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. This resolution is not a panacea. It will not get us out of Iraq tomorrow, next week or next month, but it is a step that will bring an end to this madness. Our President, the commander in chief, told us a few days ago, that the surge is just beginning when he deployed more troops 6 months ago. He asked Members of Congress to wait. He is telling the American people to be patient. We cannot wait. We cannot be patient. The American people want an end to this war and end it now. How many more of our young people must die before we realize enough is enough? One more day of involvement is too many. One more death is one too many. This war is not worthy of another drop of human blood. It is leaving a stain on the moral fabric of this Nation and destroying our credibility in the community of nations. We will never find the answer to Iraq down the barrel of a gun or in the warhead of a missile. Vote for this resolution and bring this war to an end and bring it to an end now.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to others who are calling for an end to the war in Iraq. We must end this war and we must end it now. We cannot wait, and we must not wait. Every month, every week, every day, every hour, every minute, every second, every moment that another young man OR another young woman is killed, their innocent blood is on all of our hands. We have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate to bring this madness to an end. Nothing, but nothing good can come out of this war. It is destroying Iraq and destroying the very soul of our Nation. As Members of Congress, we must find a way to stop it and stop it now.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am sorry to announce to the body that a former Member of this body, John J. Flynt, Jr., better known as Jack Flynt, of Georgia, passed on Sunday at his home in Griffin, Georgia. Congressman Jack Flynt was 92 years old. He served in the Congress from 1954 until his retirement in 1979, and he was a member of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, and at one time, he was also the Chair of the Ethics Committee. Congressman Flynt had many varied professional experiences. He was a prosecutor and the founder of a bank. During World War II, he joined the Army Reserve and was aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Robert W. Grow in France. For his service he was awarded the Bronze Star. Now, Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield to my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I would like to yield now to my colleague from Georgia, Congressman Phil Gingrey.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Chairman, I ask that the House now join in a moment of silence in memory of John J. Flynt.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to others who are calling for an end to the war in Iraq. We must end this war, and we must end it now. We cannot wait and we must not wait. Every month, every week, every hour, every minute, every second, every moment another young man is killed, another young woman is killed, another young American is killed, their innocent blood is on all of our hands. We have a moral obligation to bring this madness to an end. Nothing, but nothing good can come out of this war. It is destroying Iraq, and it is destroying the very soul of our Nation. As Members of Congress, we must find a way to stop it and stop it now.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to others who are calling for an end to the war in Iraq. We must end this war, and we must end it now. We cannot wait, and we must not wait. Every month, every week, every hour, every minute, every second, every moment that another young American is killed, their innocent blood is on all of our hands. We have a moral obligation to bring this madness to an end. Nothing but nothing good can come out of this war. It is destroying Iraq and destroying the very soul of our Nation. As Members of Congress, we must find a way to stop it and stop it now.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 445, had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize an important event for the city of Atlanta--the upcoming grand opening of the New World of Coca-Cola adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Seventeen years ago in 1990, the World of Coca-Cola opened its doors to the public and has since delighted over 13 million visitors at its Underground Atlanta location. This new and expanded facility opening May 24 is twice the size of the current World of Coca-Cola. It will be a much more interactive and dynamic version of its predecessor. The New World of Coca-Cola will house exhibits that draw upon Coca- Cola's history and timeless values of optimism and refreshment. It is a physical manifestation of the company's vision and values and commitment to the city of Atlanta. It will introduce visitors to the Coca-Cola Company of the 21st century: a company that is committed to offering people more than 400 ways to be refreshed and to having a meaningful impact in the communities in which it operates. I would like to congratulate the Coca-Cola Company on a premier destination for Georgia residents and visitors from around the world.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, Representatives Chris Smith, Carolyn Maloney, and Thelma Drake to introduce a very important piece of legislation, the Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modem-Day Slavery Act. The United States abolished slavery in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, however, slavery continues around the world and we must seek ways to end the suffering. This bill will establish a highly qualified and bi-partisan commission to make recommendations on what the United States can do to eradicate slavery in all corners of the Earth. According to the International Labor Organization, more than 12.3 million people are victims of forced labor worldwide. Free the Slaves, a non-governmental organization, estimates that upwards of 27 million people are slaves today. The U.S. Government says that there are more than 14,500 people trafficked into labor or sex exploitation in the United States each year; perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans are also trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation right here in their own country. Each of these individuals is a modern-day slave. Modern-day slavery takes many forms, most often different from the images found in our own history. Rather than owning their slaves outright as in years past, the 21st century slaveholders use threats, violence and psychological coercion to keep slaves in dangerous and degrading working conditions with little or no pay. In countries around the world, slaves can be found in many labor-intensive industries, including the agricultural, commercial sex, construction, garment, manufacturing and service industries, as well as in domestic service. To develop U.S. policy to end this man-made tragedy requires a thoughtful analysis of the factors contributing to slavery, a coordinated strategy among government agencies, and the political commitment of foreign governments to pursue an end to slavery and an end to the impunity of slave holders. The Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery would start this effort by examining best practices to prevent modern-day slavery, examining the effectiveness of U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of goods manufactured or produced through forced labor or child labor, examine U.S. policies and relations with countries that tolerate modern-day slavery, increase education and awareness about modern-day slavery, make recommendations to Congress on actions necessary to combat and eliminate modern-day slavery in all its forms, and more. It is time to end the exploitation of people around the world. The U.S. Congress has the responsibility to study ways the United States can end modem forms of slavery and this commission will be the first step. There is no place in our world for slavery. Let's work to end it now!

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, hate is too heavy a burden to bear. We have the opportunity, with this bill, to move this Nation one step forward toward laying down the burden, the burden of hate. With this legislation, we can send the strongest possible message that violence against our fellow citizens because of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or transgender will not be tolerated. It was the Great Teacher who said, ``As much as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.'' During the 1950s and the 1960s, as a participant in the Civil Rights Movement, I tasted the bitter fruits of hate, and I didn't like it. I saw some of my friends beaten, shot and killed because of hate. Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. It also was the Great Teacher who said, ``Love you one another.'' He didn't say hate you one another. We're one people. We're one family. We all live in the same house. It doesn't matter whether we're gay or straight. We're one people.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor one of our colleagues, Representative Juanita McDonald of the 37th District of California. Representative McDonald was an extraordinary woman. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama at a time of racial violence and overt displays of the most open and systematic forms of racism. But she did not let that hold her down or hold her back. She went to college in California, she became a teacher in the Los Angeles school system, and throughout her career she used education as an instrument for change. She was a great teacher, and she used the power of knowledge and her commitment to human understanding to break down institutional barriers and to reach across the aisle. I think that is why she made so many strides as a Member of Congress. She knew gaining mutual understanding was the only way to build coalitions and lay all differences aside. That's why her creativity and skillful leadership became legendary. She was the first Democrat to chair the Congressional Caucus For Women's Issues and she used that power to build a coalition between the women of the Supreme Court and the women of Congress. She knew the differences in their roles as public servants didn't matter. She believed all women in government shared a common bond. She took concerned women of Congress to meet delegates to the United Nations to unify the global struggle against the exploitation of women and girls. She developed the first National Teen Dating Violence Week as a platform for all women to speak out against a common problem--violence against teen girls. And she was the first Member to bring the head of the CIA to the city of Watts to address longstanding, widespread allegations of drug dumping in that community. And, of course, she was the first African American to chair a full committee, the Committee on House Administration. This committee oversees some of the great educational institutions of our Nation--the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the Government Printing Office, and the Capitol Fine Arts Board. We can only dream about what this great teacher would have done in this capacity. I know she would have used the power of knowledge and education as an instrument of change. But beyond that, Juanita McDonald was an elegant lady. She may have moved to California, but she never lost her southern charm. She was always a lady--as tough as steel but as sweet as honey. She was more than a colleague. She was our sister, our friend. Juanita was a sharp dresser, and sometimes she would dress to kill. She was beautiful on the outside and on the inside. She had a sweet, sweet spirit, and she will be deeply missed. Sometimes when she would see me, she would call me Mr. Civil Rights. And sometimes when she would see Sanford Bishop, David Scott and me together, she would say, ``What are you Georgia boys doing? What are you up to?'' And when she was planning programs in her district, she would stop by to see members of the Georgia delegation and tell us she needed a box of peanuts. And we would all ante up and make those peanuts available to her. It is so unreal. It is so unbelievable that we will not see her on the floor of this Chamber again. Life is short, too short. We are here today, and we're gone tomorrow, but her spirit and her memory will live on in all of us. With the passing of Congresswoman McDonald, it seems the world is a little darker. It seems that a light has gone out. Maybe here in this Chamber and on this Earth a light has gone out. But in another part of the universe Juanita is shining brighter than ever before.