Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with the Congressional Black Caucus, to honor the extraordinary life and career of Randall Robinson, a legendary activist, lawyer, and a true fighter for racial justice. From reparations for Black Americans to ending apartheid in South Africa, Mr. Robinson dedicated his career to advocating for equity and human rights for all people of African descent. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Randall's family, his wife Hazel Ross-Robinson, and his three children, Anike, Jabari, and Khalea. They are in my prayers during this difficult time. Mr. Robinson's story is one of tremendous courage and is a testament to the goodness that exists in humanity, even in the face of racial injustice. Born in the Jim Crow South, Mr. Robinson's worldview was heavily influenced by the racial discrimination he faced from a young age, as he grew up in a society marked by institutional racism and attended segregated schools. From these experiences, Mr. Robinson found a deep passion for political activism and racial justice. He rose to become a leader in representing the African diaspora and African people in the United States. Randall was a proud graduate of Harvard Law School, a Ford Fellow, a Congressional staff member to Representatives Bill Clay & Charles Diggs, and founder of the TransAfrica Forum. Through TransAfrica, Mr. Robinson organized sit-ins and civil demonstrations, influenced US foreign policy to the Caribbean and throughout the African continent, and ultimately established the leading foreign-policy think-tank for African Americans. But perhaps, Mr. Robinson's most notable achievement was his contributions to the end of apartheid, as he forced the United States to confront the evils occurring in South Africa. His organizing efforts included leading daily sit-ins in the South African embassy calling for Nelson Mandela's release from prison. Randall's commitment to South African liberation earned him seven arrests for civil disobedience, but ultimately helped influence a congressional override of President Ronald Reagan's veto of economic sanctions against the South African government. Mr. Robinson's dedication to the African community never ceased, even after Nelson Mandela's successful release and the official end of apartheid. He famously missed President Mandela's inauguration, as by then he had already led a month long hunger strike to protest the treatment of Haitian refugees fleeing a military junta. Mr. Robinson ended his hunger strike only after President Clinton committed to granting those fleeing violence in Haiti asylum hearings. On a personal note, I had the privilege of working with Randall when he was a senior staffer to the late Congressman Diggs and myself with Congressman Ron Dellums. I vividly remember helping Randall organize TransAfrica and the hard work, brilliance and passion of this effort. He never lost his vision and purpose. Because of this, he changed the world. Randall Robinson was a shining example of public service and activism. He was the first to give voice to so many unheard and ignored African communities in the United States and throughout the world. May his incredible legacy serve as an example to us all, as the work for racial equity remains unfinished. While we mourn his loss, we celebrate a truly remarkable individual who served as a force for justice until the end. May he rest in Peace and Power.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, I was unavoidably detained and unable to cast my vote on two roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 165, and NO on Roll Call No. 166.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, March 27, 2023, I was unavoidably detained and unable to cast my vote on two roll call votes. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 163, and YEA on Roll Call No. 164.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained and unable to cast my vote on seven roll call votes, today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 167, ``no'' on rollcall No. 168, ``no'' on rollcall No. 169, ``no'' on rollcall No. 170, ``no'' on rollcall No. 171, ``no'' on rollcall No. 172, and ``no'' on rollcall No. 173.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Walter Yin Chinn. Mr. Chinn was a community leader in Chinatown and Little Saigon who worked tirelessly to provide opportunities to promote Asian community building. I proudly recognize Mr. Walter Yin Chinn for his lifelong dedication to the Oakland Community. Mr. Chinn's integrity, ability and devotion to his Country, its citizens and his family enabled him to make a substantial, valuable, and lasting contribution to the City of Oakland, State of California, and his Country. For many years as a leader in the State of California, Mr. Chinn distinguished himself for his character, and devotion to the interests and growth of the City of Oakland and its Asian community. He would go on to earn the respect and affection of all whom he interacted with, for his infectious personality and unwavering service to the community, not only as a private citizen but as a public servant in various positions. Due to his reputation for being a consistent resource, Mr. Chinn was recognized as the Oakland Police Department AACC Citizen of the Year, and was twice honored as a distinguished recipient, first in 1993 and again in 2013. Additionally, he was awarded the Oakland Police Department Honorary Gold Badge in 2013 and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy Reserves for his work on the China Clipper flying boat which connected the U.S. and Asia on Treasure Island during World War II. Today, I recognize and remember Mr. Walter Yin Chinn, for his lifetime of dedication to his community, and for his service to this country. While we mourn his loss, we celebrate his incredible life, which he lived fully. May he rest in peace and power.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I rise today to honor the momentous accomplishments of the Niagara Movement Democratic Club. This organization's work has proven vital to our Oakland community, and it continues bearing its fruits more than 50 years after NMDC's inception. I proudly recognize NMDC's founding President, Virtual Murrell, and co-founders Leo Bazile, Wilson Riles, Jr., AC Taylor, and Johnnie Harrison for their tremendous work, ongoing support, and commitment to African American education and political representation in our community. I vividly remember sitting in Virtual Murrell's kitchen on a Sunday morning, with excitement during the discussions that led to the establishment of the Niagara Movement Democratic Club. In 1970, Oakland's population was more than 365,000, and 35 percent was Black. Yet, no Black community members had ever been elected to the Oakland City Council or the County of Alameda Board of Supervisors. The future founding members of NMDC knew this had to change--the Black community needed a voice. These founding members knew it was time for a shift in political power and embraced the challenges that stood before them to attain the representation they desperately needed. In the fall of 1973, the Niagara Movement Democratic Club was formed. A group of young, energized, and determined individuals came together to continue the dream of the Niagara Movement, a civil rights group founded in 1905 dedicated to obtaining civil rights for African Americans. Inspired by a founding member of the Niagara Movement, W.E.B DuBois, NMDC's guiding mission was the ideal of the ``Talented Tenth,'' which sought to cultivate strong Black leadership through prioritizing college education and championing social change. As a result, the Niagara Movement Democratic Club surpassed its educational goals and moved toward political advocacy and representation. Because of this, NMDC focused on recruiting young Black professionals and students to grow their club and fulfill their mission of Black representation in local politics. To challenge the status quo, NMDC worked relentlessly to coalesce other major Black organizations behind the common goal of increased representation in their community while challenging Republican efforts to maintain a conservative footprint in our district. Since its formation some fifty years ago, NMDC has consistently embodied this mission as reflected by its members, including student activists, educators, graduate students, accountants, law students, city planners, and healthcare professionals. In addition, the organization has maintained an acute focus on empowering and integrating Black students and working professionals in the political conversations impacting Oakland. Today, I recognize the organization's extraordinary members for their unyielding efforts to fight for representation and equity. These individuals challenged and changed the narrative, whether it be through fighting against the Republican establishment, organizing young students, or being elected to public office. NMDC created space for Black residents of Oakland, California to have a political voice. We thank them for the everlasting footprints of change they have made in our community. The founding members of the Niagara Movement Democratic Club are as follows: 1. Virtual T. Murrell 2. Leo Bazile 3. AC Taylor 4. Johnnie S. Harrison 5. Shirley Douglas 6. Edmund Atkins 7. Art Scott 8. Irene Scott-Murrell 9. Anita Williams 10. Al Rogers 11. Wilson Riles, Jr. 12. Edna Tidwell 13. Esther Tidwell 14. Walter Edwards 15. Sandra Simpson-Fontaine 16. Beverly Brown-Spelman 17. Joyce Wilkerson 18. Barbara Lee 19. Michael Penn 20. William ``Bill'' Riley 21. Geoffrey Carter 22. Elihu Harris 23. Walter Edwards Members Elected to Office 1. Wilson Riles, Jr., Oakland City Council 2. Leo Bazile, Oakland City Council 3. Elihu Harris, Mayor of Oakland and state legislator 4. Don White, Alameda County Treasurer, 32 years as county treasurer 5. Mary King, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, First African American woman 6. Keith Carson, Alameda County Board of Supervisors 7. Sylvester Hodges, Oakland School Board 8. Alfreda Abbott, Oakland School Board, second African American woman. 9. Barbara Lee, First African American woman elected to the state legislature (assembly & senate) from Northern California. Later replaced Representative Ronald V. Dellums in the United States House of Representatives, again the first African American woman from Northern California elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. 10. Sandre Swanson, California Assembly 11. Geoffrey Carter, Judge-Magistrate 12. Dezie Woods-Jones, Oakland City Council 13. Margaret Pryor, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) 14. Carol Tolbert, Oakland School Board 15. William ``Bill'' Riley, Peralta Community College Board of Trustees On behalf of the 12th Congressional District, congratulations to the Niagara Movement Democratic Club on their many incredible achievements.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Anita Williams, an incredible activist, a founding member of the Niagara Movement Democratic Club, a former member of my team, and a dear friend of mine. I would like to extend my condolences to Anita's family, her sisters Sandra Herbert and Paula Carter, and her beloved friends and Church community. They are in my prayers during this difficult time. Ms. Williams was born on December 5, 1945, in Memphis, Tennessee but relocated to California during her childhood. Anita attended Pacific Union College and went on to earn her nursing degree from Contra Costa Community College. Her passion for service eventually led her to politics and organizing, as Ms. Williams set out to uplift the underrepresented voices in Oakland, particularly the voices of African American women. Ms. Williams was a charter member of the non-profit, Black Women Organized for Political Action, which seeks to increase political engagement and participation amongst African American women through advocacy and education. Their organization successfully helped elect the late Congressman Dellums and raised over $75,000 for his campaign. Ms. Williams was also a founding member of the New Niagara Movement Democratic Club, an organization that is near to my heart. The Niagara Movement Democratic Club has been integral in increasing African American representation in Oakland and organizing the community. Ms. Williams impressively served as their second president and led the charge in fundraising efforts. Anita's commitment to advancing racial justice and equity throughout her life will ensure that her legacy lives on. The outcome of her years of hard work and advocacy is ever-present throughout our community, as the city of Oakland has been a leader in the national fight for racial justice. In remembrance of all the good that Ms. Williams extended to the world, let us continue in her footsteps. Anita was a kind, dedicated, and selfless woman whose life was spent serving her community and those around her. She was a political force in the Bay Area and an unbelievable field and casework staffer and was committed to progressive causes that improved the lives of the most vulnerable. Anita and my late mother had a special and loving relationship, as she did with my two sons. I've been fortunate enough to speak with her several times over the last few weeks before her passing, and it brings me comfort that she was able to spend her final days with her sister and family in Louisiana, surrounded by those who loved her. I know that because of her deep faith, she was ready to be called home to her maker. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones during this difficult time. She will be truly missed. Ms. Williams will be remembered as a fierce advocate and a true force for good. Today, I recognize and celebrate her beautiful life. May she rest in peace and power.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Barbara Staggers, a fierce advocate, civil servant, and a trailblazer in the medical community. I would like to extend my condolences to Dr. Staggers' husband, Chester Elmore, and their three children, William, Celeste, and Spencer, and her granddaughters, Allyson & Isabelle. They are in my prayers during this difficult time. Dr. Staggers was born on March 6, 1954, in New York but spent her first years in Japan, during her father's service with the Navy. Upon her family's return to the United States, Dr. Staggers was raised here in the Bay Area, the community she later spent the remainder of her life serving. Dr. Staggers boasted a brilliant academic record, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Public Health, and a Doctor of Medicine from the University of California, San Francisco. Improving medical services for young boys and girls was Dr. Staggers' guiding mission. She hoped to uplift and inspire young people, most especially at-risk teenagers. This noble pursuit led Dr. Staggers to become an adolescent health specialist, with an incredibly distinguished thirty-year career. During her tenure with the Children's Hospital, Oakland, she became the director of the Adolescent Health Clinic. She oversaw the implementation of groundbreaking care and mentorship programs that has inspired generations of health care providers. She also founded the Community Health and Adolescent Mentoring Program for Success, an award-winning, three-year program that seeks to support minority high school students to explore health professions. Dr. Staggers distinguished medical career served as a framework for her civil service to our community. She spent her career advocating for equitable healthcare for all low income and historically marginalized children, founding mentorship programs for at-risk youth, and fighting for a healthcare system that serves all Americans. I had the honor to work with Dr. Staggers on several issues and projects. Her enthusiasm, brilliance and commitment to our young people always inspired me. I am deeply grateful for her friendship and support. While I mourn her loss, I celebrate her incredible life, which she lived fully. May she rest in peace and power.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, last week, one of our colleagues from across the aisle made very ignorant comments and questioned Representative Judy Chu's loyalty and service to this country. These claims were baseless, discriminatory, and flat-out wrong. As one of his own Republican colleagues said, these types of troubling comments are out of bounds and, yes, beyond the pale. Questioning Congresswoman Judy Chu's loyalty to the United States purely based on her Chinese heritage is not only racist and xenophobic, it is very dangerous, and it is not new. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was subject to baseless accusations of being a communist by J. Edgar Hoover. These same harmful bouts of hateful misinformation have been cast on myself, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and other women of color in Congress. It is despicable. Madam Speaker, hate speech leads to hate violence. We must clearly and strongly denounce this kind of rhetoric, especially during a time when our AAPI community continues to be a target of hateful aggression against the country. Congresswoman Chu has been a steadfast warrior for constituents in her district, the AAPI community, and for all marginalized communities she has worked for across our country. She is a great patriot. To question her service and loyalty to the United States is shameful and unacceptable.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of my dear friend and first legislative director, Ying Lee, and her incredible contributions to her community and our country. I want to extend my deepest condolences to Ying's children, Sarah and Max, her grandchildren, Max Jr. Kelley, and Olivia, and Ying's entire extended family. They are all in my prayers during this difficult time. Ms. Lee's story is one of tremendous perseverance, resilience, and fortitude in the face of struggle. Born in China, Ms. Lee arrived in the United States as a refugee from Shanghai during World War II. Her life before immigrating was marked with hardship, as Ms. Lee faced firsthand the brutal realities that stem from war and militarization. By the young age of 13, Ms. Lee had survived more than most people do in a lifetime, witnessing poverty, famine, and sickness, all brought on by devasting warfare. Her experiences in childhood were fundamental in shaping Ms. Lee's identity as an activist, educator, city councilmember, and anti-war movement icon. Her family's escape from an invading Japanese army brought Ms. Lee to the Bay Area. Settling in Berkeley, Ms. Lee spent most of her fighting for progress, peace, and equity, as a councilmember and as my legislative director. Her journey in political activism began in the halls of UC Berkeley, where Ms. Lee studied political science, earning her bachelor's and master's degrees. There, she became involved in the civil rights movement, fighting for racial justice; and the anti-war movement, calling for an end to the Vietnam war. Ms. Lee's commitment to serving the greater good began with her career as a teacher at Berkeley High School, where she spent years educating young minds. In 1973, Ms. Lee made history as Berkeley's first Asian American council member and helped shape the city's ongoing legacy as a haven for progressive politics. She continued her journey in public service as a Congressional aide for Congressman Ron Dellums and, later, for myself, as my first Legislative Director when I came to Congress. Here in D.C., Ms. Lee spent years by my side advocating for equity, global peace, and legislative change. Together, we worked to advance global peace and security on many fronts, including our visit to Japan to discuss the consequences of war in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Ms. Lee's work to advance equity measures included her contributions to the Living Wage, Jobs For All Act, which sought to codify basic economic rights for all Americans and improve the quality of life. Ying Lee was a tireless warrior, as her activism never ceased. In 2020, Ms. Lee joined historic crowds of people to fight for Black Lives, marching in the streets of Berkeley with her ``Black Lives Matter'' sign. At 83, she protested the closure of Berkeley's post office, handing out pamphlets and participating in rallies. Ms. Lee exemplified a true public servant, an advocate, and fierce warrior for justice. I spoke with Ying two weeks before her passing. She sounded strong and energetic. As always, she encouraged me to keep fighting the good fight. While I will always remember our last conversation with a heavy heart, I will meet our challenges head on with Ying's fervor and passion, in her honor. While we mourn her loss, we celebrate her remarkable life, which will be remembered as one of love, passion, compassion, dedication, and brilliance. Her legacy will provide us guidance in rising to the occasion as we continue her fight for peace and justice. I loved Ying and will miss her tremendously. May she Rest in Peace and Power.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the musical legacy of Pete ``Pops'' Escovedo and his tremendous contributions as a truly remarkable artist here in the Bay Area. I want to congratulate Mr. Escovedo on his retirement and on fifty incredible years in the music industry. His passion for Afro-Caribbean music has left a lasting impact on the music culture in our community. Born in Pittsburg, California, Mr. Escovedo found his passion for music from a young age when he learned to play bongos in Junior High School. His dedication to honing his musical abilities was evident from the beginning, as Mr. Escovedo built his own bongo set out of coffee cans and tape. He went on to pursue a career in music as a percussionist, forming a jazz band, Escovedo Brothers Latin Sextet, with his brothers Coke and Phil Escovedo. The band's success led them to Carlos Santana, and his Latin band Santana, with whom Mr. Escovedo performed for three years. Santana went on to become one of the best- selling groups of all time. In 1972, Mr. Escovedo debuted his independent band Azteca, along with his brother, defying traditional norms for Latin music. Azteca was the first band to incorporate an orchestra, horns, woodwind instruments, keyboards, vocalists, and percussionists all under the genre of Latin rock. Mr. Escovedo's professional legacy includes being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Latin Grammys, performing with industry notables Herbie Hancock, Bill Summers, Tito Puente, and penning his own book. ``My Life in the Key of E.'' Mr. Escovedo's list of accomplishments extends beyond his professional pursuits, as a devoted husband to his wife, Juanita Gardere, and father to 4 kids, Sheila, Juan, Peter, and Zina. His children inherited Mr. Escovedo's love and talent for music, and together, they are lovingly accepted as the Bay Area's First Family of Latin and Contemporary Jazz. Furthermore, Mr. Escovedos legacy is carried on by his daughter Sheila, who has become an industry titan herself, earning the moniker the ``Queen of Percussion.'' It has been a fantastic journey watching Mr. Escovedo play and create beautiful music over the years. His passion and skill have inspired generations of musicians and will continue to do so. We thank you for your dedication and commitment to the music industry. As he embarks on his Retirement Tour, starting in Oakland, I want to wish Mr. Escovedo the best of luck. On behalf of the 12th Congressional District of California, I am proud to honor Peter Escovedo for his tremendous achievements. Congratulations again.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose H. Res. 76, the motion to remove Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Let's be frank. This is not about antisemitism. If we're going to have a conversation about antisemitism, let's start with Donald Trump inviting vile antisemites and neo-Nazis like Nick Fuentes to dine with him. This vote today is a partisan, baseless attack of political vengeance and nothing more. I want to make very clear what this country would lose without Congresswoman Omar's representation on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Ilhan, who I've had the pleasure of getting to know well over the years, is an experienced, dedicated, talented legislator and public servant. She is a survivor of war who knows first-hand the trauma of conflict and life in a refugee camp. And she would be the first African-born member to serve as a Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee. Republicans are taking this action at the same moment that we are working to rebuild relationships with the people of Africa--at the same time that China emerges as a powerful force on the continent. By treating Congresswoman Omar this way, we are silencing the voice of a woman who knows firsthand what is needed to repair our relationships on the African continent and allow it to thrive, as opposed to castigating African nations as ``S-hole'' countries like the former president and leader of the Republican party shamefully did. Stripping her from this committee is not only undemocratic. It is a shame, a disgrace, and a profound loss for the people of the United States. I urge my colleagues to do the right thing, to stand with Ilhan, and to vote against this bigoted resolution.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 21, which would prevent increased drilling on Federal lands under this act until the Secretary of Energy certifies that it would not perpetrate environmental injustice. Let me just thank, first of all, Ranking Member Pallone for his leadership and support in advancing this amendment. My amendment is very simple. It prohibits increases in the percentage of Federal lands leased for oil and gas production under this act, if that new drilling would perpetuate environmental injustice. Environmental justice is the right to a safe, healthy, productive, and sustainable environment for all, regardless of race, class, income, or background. For too long, we have overlooked the impact of environmental issues on underserved communities in this country. EPA data shows that people of color are much more likely to live near polluters and breathe polluted air. For instance, asthma, which is often caused by a particular pollution, impacts approximately 13.4 percent of African- American children, compared to only 7.3 percent of White children. But all low-income people and communities, and especially in poor communities, all communities deserve to be safe from environmental health impacts, and people of all races confront environmental injustice. Rural communities are also adversely impacted by mining pollution and contaminated air and groundwater. Environmental injustices impact all of us; from urban centers to rural regions. In my home State of California, we are experiencing the climate emergency firsthand. We know that these unprecedented fires are driven by climate change. Preventing harmful oil and gas drilling, especially when it harms those already most vulnerable, will help get us back on the path to justice. This amendment builds off of the A. Donald McEachin, our beloved late colleague, his Environmental Justice for All Act, that I am proud to co-lead with Ranking Member Grijalva, which sets the stage to begin addressing the long history of environmental racism and injustice in the United States. Mr. Chairman, this fight for environmental justice is also very personal for me. I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, under the shadow of the smokestacks of the Asarco copper smelter. Myself, my friends, my neighbors, we were constantly exposed to toxic chemicals. I watched so many people close to me, including family members, suffer with major health challenges because of lead that spewed from that plant. In the 1970s, the CDC found that 62 percent of children under 10 living near the plant where I lived had toxic levels of lead in their blood. Even after the smelter was shut down, I think it was, like, 2013, it took decades before any of the residents harmed saw any sort of justice. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record an article titled: ``Before Flint, Before East Chicago, There Was Smeltertown.'' [From NRDC, Nov. 29, 2016] Before Flint, Before East Chicago, There Was Smeltertown (By Lauren Villagran) After a 1970s CDC study showed that the mostly Mexican- American population of this Texas town had dangerously high blood lead levels, its buildings were demolished and its residents were booted. The Smelter Cemetery sits high atop a desert arroyo between Interstate 10 and the Mexican border in El Paso. Its wind- worn wooden crosses are almost all that remain of a community that sprang up more than a century ago next to an Asarco lead smelter on the banks of the Rio Grande. The stone-pile graves bear testament to the history of this place called Smeltertown. At one time it was a village of more than 2,500 people, most of them Mexican immigrants who built their lives on company land in the shadow of the smelter's smokestacks that would poison their air, their land, and their children. And almost as soon as the contamination became known in the 1970s, the community of Smeltertown was erased: its buildings demolished, its people forced out. Now, the men and women who lived and worked in Smeltertown, their children, and their children's children reunite each year. Many still live in El Paso, in neighborhoods that cropped up as Smeltertown was torn down. Others travel from California, the East Coast, and abroad. They come together to reweave the social fabric of Smeltertown by sharing memories and retelling stories they all know by heart. They celebrate their old hometown despite the dangers it posed to their families. Seminal research done on Smeltertown in the 1970s by the Centers for Disease Control found that 62 percent of children 10 and under living within one mile of the smelter had blood lead levels considered to be ``evidence of undue lead absorption.'' The residents of Smeltertown would be the first American community to face the grim prospect of lead exposure and its consequences--but they wouldn't be the last. The communities of Flint, Michigan, the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago, Indiana, and the schools in Newark, New Jersey, are just three of the most recent examples. But the CDC estimates that at least half a million children in the United States have elevated blood lead levels--and many of them may not even know it. A Company Town The American Smelting and Refining Company owned a smelter in El Paso that, starting in 1910, refined hundreds of thousands of tons of lead and copper harvested from its mines in Mexico. It did so with the help of ``an army of Mexican contract workers,'' according to University of Houston associate professor of history Monica Perales in her book Smeltertown: Making and Remembering a Southwest Border Community. Mexican workers who labored in Asarco mines began migrating north, lured by that new operation on the U.S. side of the border. Many settled on company land below the foothills of Mt. Cristo Rey. In the early years of the 20th century, Smeltertown lay outside El Paso city limits, a few miles from the city's downtown. Divided into an upper section, El Alto, where the Anglo managers lived, and a lower section, El Bajo, where the Mexican workers lived, Smeltertown had its own post office, butcher shop, bakery, cantinas, a theater, San Jose Catholic parish, a YMCA, a public elementary school, and the Smelter Vocational School. Smeltertown was a quintessential company town, in which the company could be both benefactor and tyrant. Former residents say Asarco paid well, better than many other employers of the working class. And yet poverty in Smeltertown could be extreme. Residents built and invested in their homes, but the company owned the land; few families could afford cars; many relied on outhouses into the 1960s. ``As in other single- industry towns, Smeltertown's residents fashioned their own way of life in the world the company made, one marked by inequality, racial segregation, and corporate paternalism,'' Perales writes. The community would flourish for 70 years under the plumes of the smelter's twin smokestacks, ignorant of the pervasive danger. ``A Silent Poison'' In March 1971, a team of Epidemic Intelligence Service officers from the CDC arrived to investigate lead exposure connected to the Asarco smelter. Dr. Bernard Rosenblum, the El Paso City-County health commissioner, had called the CDC after his department discovered that Asarco was discharging large quantities of lead and other metallic wastes into the air. Between 1969 and 1971, the smelter's stacks had spewed more than 1,000 tons of lead, 560 tons of zinc, 12 tons of cadmium, and 1.2 tons of arsenic into the atmosphere. Soil studies showed the highest concentrations of lead and other metals in surface soil closest to the smelter--essentially, in Smeltertown. The city of El Paso was suing Asarco on the basis of those findings alone, but Rosenblum wanted to know more. He was worried about the health of the kids. (OnEarth made several attempts to reach Asarco and its parent company, Grupo Mexico, for comment without success.) The CDC team, led by a 29-year-old pediatrician named Philip Landrigan, began to explore a subject about which precious little was known: lead toxicity, especially its effects on children. Landrigan, now a pediatrician and epidemiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, says, ``The notion that lead could be toxic at lower levels was extremely new at that time. Up until 1970 and continuing for years, people believed you didn't have to worry about lead unless it was so high that it made a child seriously sick. The whole idea that lead in the body could be a silent poison was a new concept.'' Landrigan and the CDC team first looked at whether environmental contamination would be reflected in human blood lead levels over three months. The results were startling: Although they found no cases of overt lead poisoning, 43 percent of people in all age groups and 62 percent of children 10 and under living within one mile of the smelter had blood lead levels of at least 40 micrograms per deciliter. That's eight times the level at which the CDC recommends a full-fledged public health response today. Landrigan quickly followed up with a second study in Smeltertown in 1972, examining the health consequences of lead exposure in children. The CDC team administered IQ tests and a finger-tapping test of physical reflexes to the Smeltertown kids with elevated blood levels; a control group of children with blood lead levels below 40 micrograms per deciliter was also tested. The study found that children with elevated blood lead levels tested as many as seven points lower on the IQ test than the control group; they also showed much slower reaction times on the physical reflexes test.

Ms. LEE of California. I am not going to quit until all of my colleagues understand the human consequences of environmental discrimination. I ask my colleagues to consider the people, the families, who every day bear the unequal and unjust consequences of our addiction to fossil fuels. As President Biden has said, justice must be at the heart of our response, and my amendment does just that. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I rise in opposition to H. Con. Res. 3. Of course, we condemn all political violence, whether it is aimed at those we agree with or disagree with. These acts are all unacceptable, full stop. Hate speech quickly becomes hate violence. In a democracy, violence is particularly awful when it is designed to silence or intimidate. Where were my colleagues every single time a doctor, a patient, a nurse, or a security officer was threatened, assaulted, or murdered just for providing, accessing, and safeguarding reproductive healthcare? Congresswoman DeGette, Congresswoman Pressley, and I have drafted a resolution that condemns all attacks upon healthcare facilities, healthcare personnel, and patients. Every act of hate-fueled violence is worthy of condemnation, including those against Planned Parenthood clinics, abortion providers and patients, and other care providers. We stand with survivors of those attacks. We condemn all of them, and our GOP colleagues should do so, as well.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, after 4 days and 15 rounds of votes, the new Republican majority has finally chosen a Speaker. Their first order of business is to trample on the hopes of the people that elected them. The rules package that we see before us contains no less than three bills that strip people in this country of their reproductive freedom. These bills are a slap in the face to voters who proved time and time again at the polls last year that they believe in reproductive freedom and abortion access. From Kentucky to Kansas to my home State of California, our constituents believe that the right to make decisions about their life and their health, including about abortion, lies with them, not with you, not with me, not with any elected official. This rules package is meant to help this body govern, not restrict the personal autonomy of millions. As one who has had an abortion, I know how horrific this rules package is. It is our bodies. It is our choices. Mr. Speaker, this dysfunction and hypocrisy is shameful, and the people deserve better.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 23, which would gut the enforcement of our tax laws. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats fought hard last year to help the IRS crack down on wealthy tax cheats like Donald Trump. But House Republicans want to make sure the IRS remains underfunded, understaffed, and unable to catch the top one percent who hide over 20 percent of their income from the IRS each year. Meanwhile, the working people who pay their taxes will wait longer for tax refunds and assistance because of these cuts. Do not let Republican talking points about IRS funding mislead you. This bill will only help tax cheats avoid paying their fair share. House Republicans are only protecting their fat cat allies like Donald Trump. Instead of catering to their billionaire friends, I urge my Republican colleagues to prove they actually care about working people by voting no on this bill.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2023. As Chair of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, I thank Chair DeLauro, my fellow Cardinals and the Speaker for their tireless work to get this bill to the floor. I also want to thank my talented and hard-working subcommittee staff that put this bill together--Clelia Alvarado, Craig Higgins, Jean Kwon, Marin Stein, Jonathan Stivers, Jason Wheelock--and my Clerk, Erin Kolodjeski. This bill strengthens global partnerships, bolsters public health, fights the climate crisis, supports displaced and vulnerable people, promotes democracy, and brings us closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. These critical investments in the people and programs of our foreign affairs agencies deserve all of our support. In total, the bill provides $59.7 billion in funding for State Department, USAID, and related programs--an increase of $3.6 billion above fiscal year 2022. In addition, the legislation includes $16.6 billion in emergency humanitarian, economic, and security assistance for Ukraine, countries affected by the situation in Ukraine, and other assistance to vulnerable populations and communities. This bill also contains crucial investments to help the world confront the climate crisis. As a country responsible for a huge portion of global emissions, we have a moral obligation to support developing countries impacted by climate change and I will continue to fight for more resources for those feeling the greatest impacts. This bill funds the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, at its highest levels on record, including fulfilling the $2 billion pledge for the Global Fund. As we approach the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR, this investment gets us closer to the goal of an AIDS free generation by 2030. The funds included in this bill support the commitments made by the Biden-Harris Administration during June's Summit of the Americas and last week's Africa Leaders Summit, cementing these partnerships for the next decade. I am especially pleased that this bill provides unprecedented support to our closest neighbors in the Caribbean, including in the areas of security, economic growth, and climate resiliency. At a time when reproductive rights have been stripped from millions, supporting gender equity could not be more important. This bill advances gender equity and equality by increasing funding for programs that support women and girls. However, I am deeply disappointed that this bill does not provide the resources women around the world need to make decisions about their bodies and families. This is unjust and affects women, their families, and communities negatively. Overall, this bill represents a major step forward in diversity, equity, and justice across the globe. I thank my colleagues, and I urge us all to support this bill.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I first thank Bishop Barber for that very powerful prayer for our Nation. Today, the Poor People's Campaign's California Statewide Convening will uplift the launch of the California-led campaign for the Third Reconstruction resolution called Close the Wealth Gap, California. Extreme poverty affects over 20 million people in California. This is a moral disgrace. As written in House Resolution 438, the Third Reconstruction, we need the moral resolve to pass laws and policies that fully address interlocking injustices, which have only deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This country was founded on the moral commitment to ensure domestic tranquility, promote general welfare, and secure liberty and justice for all. It is time we realize a Third Reconstruction to build an equitable, thriving, and resilient economy from the bottom up. That is why I am calling on my colleagues to have the political will to make permanent the child tax credit. The most recent poverty data show that policy decisions like the temporary CTC, income support, and nutrition assistance cut the national child poverty rate nearly in half in 2021. This demonstrates that poverty is a policy choice and there is no excuse for poverty in America. Madam Speaker, everyone deserves to live a life free from socioeconomic policies that are punitive and destructive to their families.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank this body for full support of, of course, H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act. I was so proud to support this bill. I thank my good friend and colleague Chairman Nadler for his leadership and David Cicilline and Speaker Pelosi for bringing this important bill to the floor. Today, I voted to protect marriage equality across the country. Following the Supreme Court's shameful decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, rightwing extremists, who have been visibly organizing for decades to curtail hard-won rights, have set their sights on other freedoms. We cannot let Justice Clarence Thomas even consider overturning the constitutional right to marriage equality. What is coming next? Today, the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act will enshrine marriage equality into Federal law. As one of the founding members of the Equality Caucus, along with my good friend Congressman Barney Frank, today, I am reminded of Martin Luther King's profound insight when he said that ``the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.'' I thank all those who voted for this. This is a historic day, and we did the right thing. Thank God we are moving forward in this country.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary work of George Holland, Sr., and his indispensable contributions as an advocate in the fight for equal rights and racial justice, as the President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Oakland. Mr. Holland was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in California, where he resided in segregated housing projects until his early adulthood, experiencing the impacts of institutional racism firsthand. In South San Francisco, Mr. Holland's family resided in the Lindenville Housing Project. The Lindenville Housing Project had a ``Colored Section,'' where he, his family, and 71 other Black families lived. Mr. Holland's experience living in segregated housing continued in 1955, when his family relocated to the Sunnydale Housing Project, which had only desegregated earlier that year. Mr. Holland was a trailblazer from a young age, he was the first member of his family to attend college, earning his Bachelor of Arts from San Francisco State College. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the Golden Gate University School of Law. Mr. Holland went on to serve as a board member for several legal associations, including the Bar Association of San Francisco and the Bar Association of Alameda County. Mr. Holland's legacy lies in his championship of civil rights throughout his academic and professional career. As a young community activist, Mr. Holland participated in civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s throughout San Francisco, Oakland, and the greater Bay Area to advocate for racial equity. As an attorney, he contributed to the founding of the California Association of Black Lawyers, California's first legal association dedicated to addressing the needs and struggles of Black lawyers and to eradicating racism imbedded in our legal system. Since 2005, Mr. Holland has continued his service to our community as the President of the NAACP chapter in Oakland. Throughout his exemplary tenure as President, Mr. Holland's efforts have distinguished the Oakland NAACP chapter for its engagement with the local community and for its leadership on national issues. Under his guidance, the organization collaborated with the Oakland Mayor and School Superintendent's ``Oakland Promise'' program, a community-based non-profit that aims to triple the number of college graduates from Oakland within the next decade. Further, under Mr. Holland's leadership, the Oakland NAACP chapter partnered with the Chapel of Chimes to construct the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Memorial at Skylawn Memorial Park. Mr. Holland also oversaw the creation of a police commission in Oakland to improve police accountability and community trust in law enforcement. George has been a dear friend and loyal supporter. Whenever I needed help, he was there for me and our community. If ever, I needed anyone to watch my back--there he was, generous and steady as always. For this, I am deeply grateful. On behalf of the 13th Congressional district, I would like to congratulate Mr. Holland on his incredible achievements throughout his career. He has been a wonderful activist, attorney, and a fierce advocate for racial justice and equity for all people. I thank him for all his hard work, and congratulations again. I wish him the very best in his journey ahead.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3372, the One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2021. I am proud to support this bill and thank my good friend and fellow Californian Congresswoman Bass for her leadership, and Chairman Nadler and the Speaker for bringing this important bill to the floor. There are currently about 2 million people living life behind bars in this country--and the devastating effects of mass incarceration go far beyond the length of a prison sentence. The average national recidivism rate is a staggering 49.3 percent over 8 years, which is largely driven by individuals experiencing barriers to essential resources after having served their time. This important legislation will help people get back on their feet as they reintegrate from incarceration into their communities--a step toward addressing the realities that drive mass incarceration, especially in communities of color. We must end the vicious cycle of mass incarceration. I urge my colleagues to vote `yes' on this bill.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6878, the Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women in Custody Act of 2022. I am proud to support this bill and thank my good friend and colleague Congresswoman Bass for her leadership. I also thank the Speaker and Chairman Nadler for bringing this bill to the floor. Our prison system was not designed with the medical needs of women and pregnant people in mind. This holds especially true for women and pregnant people of color, who are often subjected to harsher treatment at more frequent rates. This bill moves us in the right direction by establishing safeguards for incarcerated pregnant and postpartum individuals and their children by guaranteeing access to essential prenatal and post-delivery support. As a champion of reproductive and women's rights, I hope to continue joining my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to ensure incarcerated women and pregnant people have the right to access the quality health services they deserve. I urge my colleagues to vote `yes' on this bill.