John Lewis

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.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Let me say to my friend from Georgia, I think it was a good and a necessary rule.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. I will no longer yield. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this is an historic day. This is a wonderful day for the people of the District of Columbia. I first came to Washington, Mr. Speaker, in May of 1961 to go on something called the Freedom Rides. It was impossible for blacks and whites to board a Greyhound bus or Trailways bus here in the District of Columbia, and travel together through Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, into Mississippi and to New Orleans. I came back here in 1963 at the age of 23 with Eleanor Holmes Norton, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, to participate in the March on Washington. To be here and see Jack Kemp, an old friend, former colleague, on this day is a great day. So, Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1906. And I want to make it plain and crystal clear that no one, but no one, will pay more taxes under this bill. It changes in a very minor way estimated tax payments made by wealthy individuals. This bill does not increase their taxes. It would affect only 4,000 multimillionaires. It is only a tiny change. Yes, I am going to say it again: I am pleased to have supported H.R. 1905. Today is the day for Washington, D.C. residents to realize the dream that so many take for granted. The 200-year wait is over. The 200-year wait is over. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' for H.R. 1906. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following for the Record: Rules From the 109th That Added Text of House-Passed Bills to Underlying Bill H. Res. 151 rule for H.R. 1268, 3/14/05, 7:30 p.m., Making Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for FY2005--a.k.a. Iraq/Afghanistan/Tsunami Relief. Open: waives all points of order against consideration; waives points of order against bill for clause 2, Rule XXI except two sections; provides for the text of H.R. 418 as passed the House to be added to the end of H.R. 1268. H. Res. 783 rule for H.R. 4975, 4/26/06, 11:20 p.m., Lobbying Accountability & Transparency Act of 2006--ethics reform. Restrictive: waives all points of order against consideration; 1 hour general debate controlled by Majority & Minority Leaders; makes in order Rules Committee 4/21/06 print in Part A of Rules' report and self-executes its adoption; allows only those amendments printed in Part B of the Rules' report as specified; waives all points of order against amendments; after final passage adds text of H.R. 513 as passed the House (527 Reform bill) to H.R. 4975; provides for consideration of Senate bill (S. 2349) and substitutes House passed text and calls for conference; waives all points of order against consideration of Senate bill and against motion to strike and insert. H. Res. 1100 & 1099 rules for H.R. 6406 and H.R. 6111, 12/ 7/06, 10:30 p.m., To modify temporarily certain rates of duty and make other technical amendments to the trade laws, to extend certain trade preference programs, and for other purposes. Closed: Consideration in the House; waives all points of order against consideration; provides that in the engrossment of H.R. 6111, the text of H.R. 6406 will be added at the end. (H. Res. 1099) Provides for a motion to concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment consisting of the text of H.R. 6408 for a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that the Tax Court may review claims for equitable innocent spouse relief and to suspend the running on the period of limitations while such claims are pending-- vehicle for tax extenders and more . . . .

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Yes, I will yield to my friend.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Indiana, Congressman Hill.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 317, I call up the bill, (H.R. 1906) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to adjust the estimated tax payment safe harbor based on income for the preceding year in the case of individuals with adjusted gross income greater than $5 million, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1906. No one, but no one will pay more taxes under the bill. It merely ensures that multi-millionaires don't add to our tax gap. The bill changes in a very minor way estimated tax payments made by wealthy individuals with incomes of more than $5 million a year. It makes a technical timing change to tax payments made by these individuals. They do not pay more taxes. H.R. 1906 is critical to the pay-as-you-go pledge of this Congress. I am pleased to have supported H.R. 1905, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. For 207 years, Washington, D.C. residents have paid Federal taxes, and for 207 years they have had not a voting representative in the United States Congress. The right to vote is precious. It is sacred. It is the cornerstone of our democracy. Americans sacrificed everything for this right. They were harassed, beaten, jailed and even killed for the right to vote. Not so long ago, many of my friends, many of my colleagues lost their lives. There are many more faceless, nameless heroes who suffered and sacrificed for this basic right. How can we preach this principle around the world and not practice it here in our Nation's Capital? It is the foundation of our democracy. So I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1906. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to give Members 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 1906.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I don't understand it, Mr. Speaker, how my colleague, my friend, my brother from Georgia can come here and state in an open way that this is the most oppressive Congress. We have only been in the majority for 4 months, 4 short months, not quite 4 months. You really don't believe that.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy), a member of the committee.

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

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I too, before I close this debate on this bill, join with my colleagues and others to mourn for the victims of this unspeakable, unbelievable, senseless act of violence at Virginia Tech. We mourn, we pray for the victims and for their families. I also want to thank my colleague, my friend, the ranking member, Mr. Ramstad, for all of his help in bringing this piece of legislation, as I stated before, before us today. Madam Speaker, I fully support H.R. 1677, the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007. We must do more for Americans. We must protect taxpayers from being victims of fraudulent tax schemes, misleading Web sites and predatory refund loans. H.R. 1677 does this. It provides higher penalties for deceptive Web sites and mass e-mails. It requires the IRS to notify you if your identity is stolen in a tax scam. It reduces predatory refund loans. H.R. 1677 expands IRS outreach programs to millions of taxpayers eligible for the earned income tax credit who have not claimed it. This credit lifts millions of working Americans out of poverty each year. Madam Speaker, this is a good bill. This is an important bill. This is a necessary bill. On this tax day we must do more for taxpayers. I urge my colleagues, all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' for H.R. 1677.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 1677 and am pleased to be a lead co- sponsor of this bill with Chairman Rangel. Today is the due date for Americans to file their tax returns. On this day, it is wise for the House to consider a bill to increase taxpayer protection and expand outreach efforts to millions of Americans. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill; this is a timely bill. The Taxpayer Protection Act is a result of a hearing held by the Oversight Subcommittee that I chair. H.R. 1677 is an important first step in standing up, really standing up for the American taxpayer. It is a shame that people use fraudulent tax schemes to steal Social Security numbers and financial information from Americans. This legislation protects taxpayers from misleading Web sites and identity theft. H.R. 1677 provides higher penalties for persons who use either Web site names that may be confused with the official IRS Web site or mass e-mails that appear to be from the IRS. This bill requires the IRS to notify you if your identity is stolen in a tax scam. You should not become more vulnerable for being a responsible citizen. The Taxpayer Protection Act prohibits the IRS from providing certain information to businesses that the IRS believes make predatory loans based on tax refunds. These short-term loans often charge interest rates sometimes above 100 percent that victimize low-income workers. H.R. 1677 will also assist with efforts to reach millions of working Americans who are eligible to claim the earned income tax credit. These taxpayers often do not take advantage of the EITC. They have a right to know of all benefits available to them. Under this bill, the IRS will expand its current outreach program to help more low-income Americans receive this tax credit, a credit which lifts millions of families out of poverty each year. This bipartisan legislation moves us in the right direction to make tax issues simpler and clearer for the average person. We must fight poverty, fight fraud, and provide these basic protections for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I fully support the Taxpayer Protection Act, and I urge all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``yes'' for H.R. 1677. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, my colleague, the ranking member, for all of his help and support in bringing this legislation before us today. General Leave

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. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1677) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to enhance taxpayer protections and outreach, as amended.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. That was my last speaker, Mr. Ranking Member.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney).

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Shuler).