Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, first of all, I thank our chair for yielding, for her tireless leadership, and for reminding us very clearly that we need to open up the government right away. As a Representative from northern California, let me just say that I remember vividly the Oakland Hills fire in 1991 that killed 25 people and destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and the 1989 earthquake that killed many people and devastated many parts of my city. I represent Oakland and Berkeley, California. Just as many helped us then, we will help our neighbors now. Disasters can impact any district. Just this morning, a small earthquake hit my district again. Thankfully, there are no reported injuries. Let me also say that I am deeply grateful to our firefighters and first responders who work around the clock to help save lives in disasters that have ravaged our country, especially this past year. Madam Chair, I am in strong support of this emergency supplemental, which provides $12.1 billion in disaster relief to people who have been impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. Our neighbors in Paradise, California; Puerto Rico; Guam; Florida; southern California; the Virgin Islands; and the territories all need our help, and they need it now. Northern California's most recent wildfire known as the Camp fire is the most destructive in California's history. Eighty-five people lost their lives, and 13,000 homes were destroyed. These families have lost everything, and they deserve our support now more than ever. Many of these communities in California ravaged by wildfires are only just beginning to recover, yet just last week, President Trump threatened to withhold disaster assistance to California. Does this President have no shame, bullying scared families with no homes and communities to return to? Real leaders help families recover.

Ms. LEE of California. Real leaders help families recover and rebuild. They don't use suffering families as political pawns. Madam Chair, that is why we need to pass this bill. With the $12 billion provided in this bill, our communities will be able to recover and rebuild, and families will finally get some peace of mind knowing that we are with them. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the bill and yes to helping our communities get back on their feet.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for yielding, and I also want to thank Majority Whip Clyburn for his leadership in putting this resolution together. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, which sends a clear message that we will not accept hate or bigotry within this House. Let me be clear: While Congressman King's comments condoning white supremacy were abhorrent, they were not a surprise to many of us. In years past, Congressman King has implied that Dreamers are drug dealers; he has endorsed far right, authoritarian, and neo-Nazis sympathizers; and he has repeatedly reiterated the belief that multicultural communities are a threat to our society. These racist beliefs should not be espoused by anyone, let alone a United States Congressman. I grew up in the Jim Crow South, Madam Speaker. I know that racism and discrimination don't just cause pain. When these beliefs become policies, which Congressman King votes on and writes, they institutionalize a vicious system that people of color have to deal with as it relates to being denied equal rights and equal respect. These are the consequences of white supremacy.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues in both parties to vote today, on what would have been Dr. King's 90th birthday, to condemn white nationalism and white supremacy. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this resolution.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me thank Chairwoman McCollum for her leadership on this issue as we try to get the government open. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the fiscal year 2019 Interior appropriations bill, which provides $35 billion to partially reopen the government. Now, this bill would also reopen our beautiful national parks and the Smithsonian museums. The situation in our parks right now, it is just not acceptable. Sixteen thousand Park Service employees are not working. Let me repeat that: 16,000 employees. The National Park Service is losing $400,000 a day from this shutdown, while uncollected garbage is piling up. Madam Speaker, this is horrible. It is ridiculous. We need this bill to reopen our parks, our museums, and our visitors' centers right away, and we need to pass this bill to keep visitors safe and end the furlough of law enforcement personnel in our national parks. Madam Speaker, these closings are impacting every district in our Nation. Near my own district, for example, in the beautiful bay area, Muir Woods had to close this week. In addition to wreaking havoc on Federal workers' lives, their families, their children, and their livelihoods, this Trump shutdown is also having an effect on tourism and the economy. So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill and ``yes'' to reopening the government. The public deserves this. The Federal workers deserve this. Contractors deserve this. The parks and our museums should be open for visitors to visit, and we need to get this government working again. Madam Speaker, I thank, again, Chairwoman Betty McCollum for yielding me time.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me thank Chairman Bishop for bringing forth this bill and for his tremendous leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the fiscal 2019 Agriculture appropriations bill, which provides more than $23 billion to partially reopen the government. This critical bill would ensure that struggling families do not go hungry. Madam Speaker, there are 38 million families who rely on SNAP food stamps to help put food on the table. And while USDA has said they will pay for SNAP and WIC in February, there is no guarantee for families in March. Let's be clear. We are talking about 38 million Americans going hungry. Already, SNAP benefits are woefully insufficient to feed a family. No one can make a meal off of $1.40 a meal, and now families may be left with nothing. Madam Speaker, contrary to what President Trump says, food banks and charities cannot make up the difference. They are already struggling with the volume of need in our communities throughout the country. This is simply immoral. I am reminded of a very difficult period when I was a young, single mother raising two little boys and had to rely on food stamps to get my family through some very difficult, tough times. It was a bridge over troubled water. That lifeline should be there for all families all of the time. Our billionaire President may not know what it is like to choose between putting food on the table or gas in the car, but I tell you, I do. And forcing the choice on families because of a manufactured showdown is unconscionable. So let's pass the bill to reopen the government. Let's get Federal employees back to work, and get them the paychecks they need. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and ``yes'' to reopen the government. The American people deserve no less.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank Chairman Price for his leadership on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the FY 2019 Transportation and Housing Appropriations Bill, which provides more than $71 billion to partially re-open the government. Families living in housing supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) deserve to know they will have a roof over their heads. This bill will ensure that struggling families are not evicted from their homes because of the Trump Administration's incompetence and cruelty. There was a report this week that thousands of families could be evicted because HUD officials forgot about Section 8 contracts that expired last month. Let me reiterate: families could become homeless--in the middle of winter--because these Trump officials couldn't keep track of this program. Mr. Speaker, this is just downright unacceptable. And it's hurting people across the country. Im my home district, renovations on an affordable housing project have been put on hold because of this shutdown. There is an affordable housing crisis in this country, Mr. Speaker. A delay in projects like this will mean fewer people have a place to rest their heads at night. These families deserve better. Mr. Speaker, the Trump shutdown is hurting real families and it's hurting our economy. Let's pass this bill to reopen the government, and make sure families can stay in their homes. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, first, I want to thank Chairman Quigley for his leadership in putting this bill together so that federal workers can get back to work. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the FY 2019 Financial Services Appropriations Bill, which provides more than $23 billion to partially re-open the government. This important bill would reopen the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-- ensuring hardworking families receive their tax returns on time. It would also help to restart the taxpayer assistance centers, which serve approximately 2.5 million citizens monthly. This shutdown is affecting real lives, Mr. Speaker. Real people. According to the Washington Post, IRS furloughed employee Krystle Kirkpatrick, said she and her family of four can scrape along on her partner's machinist salary for a while, but she's already thinking about signing up to be a plasma donor to earn extra cash. That's only an extra $200. Let me reiterate. A federal employee is considering becoming a plasma donor--because her paycheck, from her federal government job, won't be coming in the mail. This is no way to run a country. Mr. Speaker, the Trump shutdown is hurting real families and it's hurting our economy. Let's pass this bill. Let's get the government back open and get workers their paychecks. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the Financial Services Bill.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as an elected representative, but also as a mother--a mother who is horrified and outraged by the actions taken by the Trump Administration to deliberately separate families. Like any mother, I love my children and cannot imagine being separated from them. But because of the Trump Administration's policies, some mothers have no choice. Just this week, I have been working to reunite two mothers in my community who were prevented from reuniting with their families. The first story I want to share is of Maria Mendoza-Sanchez. Maria has lived with her family in the East Bay for more than two decades. She and her husband Eusebio raised four beautiful children, worked hard, and purchased a home in Oakland. Maria went to school while raising small children and went on to become a nurse at Highland Hospital. She was beloved by her patients and her colleagues. Maria and Eusebio tried to do the right thing. They paid their taxes and came forward to legalize their immigration status. And for years, they were on a path to citizenship. But like many families, Maria and Eusebio's efforts did not matter to the Trump Administration. Under President Trump's misguided enforcement priorities, Maria and Eusebio were targeted for deportation. And last summer--after more than twenty years building a life in our community--Maria and Eusebio were torn from their children and deported to Mexico. But over the last sixteen months, we didn't give up. We kept working to reunite Maria with her family--to bring her home. Finally, after more than a year of work, we were able to secure an H1-B visa for Maria. And this past Sunday, I was honored and overjoyed to join Maria as she was reunited with her children. But Maria isn't the only mother torn from her children by President Trump's immigration policies. Also in the news this week was the story of Shaima, whose son Abdullah Hassan has been on life support at Children's Hospital Oakland, in my district. Abdullah is two years old and suffers from a genetic brain condition. His mother Shaima, who was born in Yemen, has been barred from travelling to the United States to be with her son because of the Trump Administration's un-American Muslim ban. Abdullah doesn't have much time left--and Shaima feared that she would not be able to say goodbye to her young son. Mr. Speaker--is this really who we are? A country that denies mothers safe passage to be with their dying children? No family should ever have to endure this. And in the face of such unimaginable cruelty, I am proud to say that our community stepped up. I want to thank everyone who showed up, who protested and organized and petitioned for this outcome. Because of your advocacy, the State Department granted a visa waiver to Shaima so she can be with her son. She will be able to be with her son, to hug him and to say goodbye. But we know that there are many other people like Maria and Shaima who remain separated from their families. When I went down to the border earlier this year, I saw the prison- like conditions that they were keeping children in. There were kids sleeping on concrete floor--with only thin emergency blankets to keep them warm. And to this very day, there are hundreds of children in HHS custody. And Secretary Nielson can't tell us when they will be reunited. Let's be clear: this isn't an immigration policy. This is a family separation policy. Children torn from their mothers, parents deported away from their kids. And it's up to Congress to stop it. It's past time for us to restore--justice, dignity and common sense to this immigration system. We need to ensure kids who have lived here their entire lives--like Maria's oldest daughter--can make a life in the only country they have ever known. We need to get this disgraceful, discriminatory travel ban off the books, so no loved one has to experience what Shaima went through. We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform so that people like Maria and Eusebio can come out of the shadows. Mr. Speaker--for every case like Maria's or Shaima's there are dozens more left unresolved. Countless families have been left in limbo, unsure if or when they will ever see their loved ones again. Not only do we owe it to these families to fix our broken immigration system--we owe it to the country and the constitution to live up to American values.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her leadership on so many issues. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening in opposition to this bill. It really is a hateful and un-American demand for $5 billion to build President Trump's border wall. Let's be clear: President Trump and congressional Republicans aren't negotiating. They are holding our government hostage and demanding this wasteful, expensive wall as their ransom. Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. Mr. Speaker, you would think that they could at least keep the government open. Instead of passing the Senate-passed, clean continuing resolution to prevent a shutdown, Republicans want to vote on this unnecessary border wall. Mr. Speaker, this is completely irresponsible. Federal workers rely on their paychecks, especially during the holidays. People have planned national park trips over the holidays. Is President Trump really going to shut down the American government in the midst of this holiday season during their vacation, during their time with their families? How sinister and mean-spirited can the President and our Republican colleagues be? But this wouldn't be the first time that the Republicans were manufacturing a crisis. The Republican-led shutdown in 2013 cost our economy $24 billion. If President Trump shuts down the government--for the third time this year, I might add--he will sabotage our economy. Instead of pushing forward with this bill, House Republicans should allow a vote on the Senate-passed continuing resolution to keep the government open. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this disastrous bill.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight my new bill, the Ronald V. Dellums Memorial Fellowship for Women of Color in STEAM and National Security Act. I am thrilled to introduce this forward-looking bill which will create a pipeline for women of color working in the STEAM fields through new national security fellowships. This bill is named after a great statesman and former chair of the House Armed Services Committee, my mentor, my former boss, the late Congressman Ron Dellums. Congressman Dellums broke barriers as the first Black chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He was also an avid champion of diversity at all levels. In the 1970s, he hired me to work on his staff as one of the only women of color in a senior role on Capitol Hill. He was a pioneer and a visionary who understood the need for elevating women of color in every field. That is why my bill, which has the support of organizations like the Civic Engagement and Leadership Institute for Everyone is so important. It will help honor Ron's legacy, build greater diversity in national security, and create much more STEAM opportunities for women of color. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me by cosponsoring my bill, the Ronald Dellums Memorial Fellowship for Women of Color in STEAM and National Security Act.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his tremendous leadership on this bill and so many other issues. It is because of democratic leadership that this bill rejected all of the harmful changes to nutrition, so I thank him for that. I rise today in support of the Farm Bill conference report (H.R. 2). This bill reauthorizes SNAP--our nation's first line of defense against hunger. This bill also rejects the dangerous and immoral work requirements, which would have pushed 2 million people further into hunger and poverty. Mr. Speaker, nutrition assistance helps 40 million people put food on the table. And the vast majority of families who receive food stamps are working. In fact, more than 80 percent of SNAP households work the year before or after receiving aid. This program helps the working poor, children, the disabled and seniors. It's a necessary lifeline to our fellow Americans who otherwise would go hungry. And I know how important this program is, Mr. Speaker, when I was a young, single mom raising two little boys, I relied on food stamps to help my family during a very difficult time in my life. It was a bridge over troubled waters. And quite frankly I would not be where I am today without that assistance. All families should have this bridge over troubled waters when they need it. And Mr. Speaker, while this bill is a step in the right direction for our anti-poverty work, we must do more to ensure that all families have nutritious and regular meals every day. No one in the richest nation on earth should go hungry but unfortunately 40 million do. 40 million. So, I urge my colleagues support this bill and to redouble our efforts to end poverty and hunger in our nation.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observation of World AIDS Day which is celebrated tomorrow, actually, in the United States and around the world. Thanks to bipartisan investments in programs like PEPFAR, we have made significant strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In the 15 years since PEPFAR was passed, over 2.4 million babies have been born HIV free, and over 14.6 million people have been supported with antiretroviral treatment. But we cannot let these numbers lull us into complacency. The theme of this year's World AIDS Day is ``Know Your Status.'' More than 9.4 million people living with HIV around the world do not know their status. In the United States, more than 1.1 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV; 14 percent, mind you, of whom do not know their status. We know that tens of millions of people in the United States and around the world will require sustained access to treatment for decades to come. Without robust investments and a strong recommitment to programs like PEPFAR, Ryan White, and the Minority AIDS Initiative, we could see a backslide in the important gains that we have made in the fight against HIV. We can't afford to let that happen, so I invite you to join me in commemorating World AIDS Day and recommitting to achieving an AIDS-free generation.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank our ranking member, Mr. Engel, for yielding me time but also for his hard and diligent work and for being a real champion for our global health programs. I thank the gentleman very much for his kind words. Let me also thank House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Royce and the chair of the Africa Subcommittee, Chris Smith, for their dedication to strengthening PEPFAR. It has really been a pleasure working with them from day one on this lifesaving legislation. I cannot forget the late Chairman Henry Hyde and our ranking member, Tom Lantos, who worked so hard--Chris, you remember this--in making sure that this legislation stayed on track and that it was bipartisan. Also, to our current ranking member of the House Africa Subcommittee, Congresswoman Karen Bass, I have to acknowledge her and thank her for her tremendous leadership, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus because it was the Congressional Black Caucus that supported me in my work with President Bush and, thankfully, our leader, Nancy Pelosi, who helped with this transformational legislation. It was many years ago, so I just have to salute and thank them. I also thank my colleague Congresswoman Betty McCollum, because she never let us forget that we insisted on must-have efforts in this legislation on behalf of vulnerable children and orphans. As the coauthor of this critical legislation, I am very proud, as I said, to continue now with this legislation, which really is the legacy of bipartisan leadership and support for PEPFAR and the Global Fund. Mr. Speaker, this PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018 is extremely important. It would reauthorize PEPFAR and the Global Fund for 5 years. PEPFAR is, arguably, one of the most efficient and effective foreign assistance programs in history. At the time that PEPFAR was established in 2003, only 50,000 people were treated in sub-Saharan Africa. Thanks to strong bipartisan support for PEPFAR over the last 15 years, PEPFAR now supports lifesaving HIV treatment for more than 13.3 million people in more than 50 countries. Our investments in PEPFAR have also allowed 2.2 million babies to be born HIV-free, and more than 6.4 million orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers are provided with assistance under these programs. Now, I remember the very first individual--I believe his name was John Roberts--whom I met in Uganda. He was alive. He was so happy. He was raising a family. I believe he was a teacher. He had tears in his eyes when I met him, and he told me to make sure I thanked the United States of America for these lifesaving drugs and for the program. But we can't allow these successes to lull us into complacency. While we have made unprecedented strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS, the need for robust investments in these programs is more important.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, we have made unprecedented strides in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The need for robust investments, though, is more important than ever. A report released by The Lancet in July found that the HIV pandemic is not on track to end and that little progress has been made in reducing new infections over the past decade. Tens of millions of people will require access to sustained antiretroviral treatment for decades to come. According to PEPFAR, every week, 32,000 people are infected with HIV globally, including 6,900 young women and 3,000 children. Mr. Speaker, 19,000 people die of AIDS-related illnesses each week. Without a renewed global effort to address HIV, we really do risk the epidemic rebounding. We cannot allow that to happen. That is why we must reject any attempts--any attempts--by the Trump administration to cut any funding for PEPFAR and the Global Fund, and fight against the imposition of the global gag rule, which is already affecting access to critical healthcare services around the world. Support for PEPFAR and the Global Fund has never been a partisan issue. We cannot allow that to change now. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the bill, and I want to thank my colleagues so much for their support and for helping us work through these very tough negotiations this time. We will move forward and, hopefully, find solace in the fact that we can wipe AIDS from the face of this Earth by 2030.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, I thank our ranking member for yielding, but also for her tireless work, day and night, to really help shape this bill to be, in many ways, a bipartisan bill, but also, each and every day, looking out for the American people and making sure that the American Dream is real for everyone in this country. So I thank again Congresswoman Lowey. Also, to all of our ranking members and to Leader Pelosi, I want to just say that the input they have received from all of us on our staff--and I want to thank our staff and the phenomenal work that they have done--it has been just amazing. As a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding subcommittee, I am pleased to see many good provisions in this bill. This bill eliminates hundreds of poison pill riders ranging from efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, eliminate teen pregnancy and title X to dismantling of critical labor and consumer protections. The bill also includes $60 million for a competitive grant, which we have been working on for years, for computer science funding for young girls, young people living below the poverty line, and people of color. I thank Mr. Fleischmann and others for helping us work on this, because this truly is a bipartisan effort. We included robust increases in job training, education, and childcare, as well as for historically Black colleges and universities. Now, my State of California has the highest number of students coming to HBCUs, so I am very grateful for those increases. Even with these increases, Mr. Speaker, this conference report still falls short of what we need to just return to the funding levels before the sequester 8 years ago. Adjusted for inflation, we are still way below the 2010 levels for domestic spending. What is worse, while underfunding our needs here at home, the bill includes an increase in $19 billion in defense. This includes a $2 billion increase for the overseas contingency fund, which really I think should be part of our base budget for the Pentagon funding. We know that the Pentagon doesn't need this excessive increase in funding to ensure our national security. A Washington Post report in 2016 exposed a report detailing $125 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse, yet we are increasing this by $19 billion, not to mention that much of this funding is dedicated to continuing the endless wars that we are waging around the world, wars that, I might add, Congress has still not debated or voted on. Put simply, the defense spending will be the single largest increase for the Pentagon since the beginning of the Bush so-called war on terror. Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker. We need to really make sure that our defense spending ensures our troop readiness and our national security, but we also need to work on the American people and stop these outrageous increases to defense funding.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Ranking Member Lowey and all of the Ranking Members of these subcommittees for their leadership and negotiation skills. This bill is truly a testament to Democratic leadership. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I rise today to speak on H.R. 5895, the conference report that contains the Fiscal Year 2019 bills for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Energy and Water, and the Legislative Branch. While this is not a perfect bill, I support this bill, which provides $8.8 million in new funding for Members to pay interns. As someone who started as an intern in the office of the late Congressman Ron Dellums, I know how important interns are to ensure that Capitol Hill runs smoothly. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Military-Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, I am proud that this bill provides a total of $97.1 billion in spending--which is $5.15 billion more than the fiscal year 2018--for our veterans. The bill also includes important report language which ensures greater oversight of jointly managed projects between the VA and the Army Corps of Engineers, like the Alameda Point project in my district. Finally, while this is a good bill, I worry that this bill is short- sighted and will not address future funding needs for the VA Mission Act. As the daughter of a veteran, I know that our servicemembers and their families make enormous sacrifices to serve our nation. Their tireless service more than earns them our commitment to addressing this funding issue. So, I look forward to continuing to work on this and improve quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. But I am deeply concerned, Mr. Speaker, about the $65 million included in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill for a new low- yield nuclear weapon. I tried in Committee and on the Floor to cut this funding, but Republicans rejected my amendment. Mr. Speaker, the warhead funded in this bill would set a dangerous precedent--that of arming our submarines with a low-yield ballistic missile--something that has never been done in the many decades of our nuclear deterrence. What's worse--funding this warhead lowers the threshold for nuclear weapons use and could put us on a dangerous path to war. And frankly our nation shouldn't just rely on building more nuclear weapons. We must ensure that diplomacy is our nation's first pathway to address these global challenges. Mr. Speaker, we are making Americans less safe with this nuclear weapon. I am deeply disturbed with this inclusion and I hope my colleagues will join me in opposition to this funding of a nuclear weapon.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 17th year since Congress passed the 2001 AUMF, which has become a blank check for endless war. I would like to read part of the speech I delivered on September 14, 2001, because these words remain true and relevant today. I said: ``Mr. Speaker, I rise really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. ``September 11 changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. ``This resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war, even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Some of us must say, let us step back for a moment. Let us just pause for a minute and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control. ``I have agonized over this vote, but I came to grips with it today. I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, as we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore.'' Now, 17 years later, I am asking my colleagues to join me in repealing this overly-broad resolution by cosponsoring H.R. 1229.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remember the life and legacy of a great statesman and social justice warrior, Congressman Ron Dellums, who passed away on July 30. Mr. Speaker, the contributions that Ron made to our community, the Nation, and the world are endless. As a former marine and the first African American to serve on the House Armed Services Committee and later to become its chair, he was a true patriot and a hero. As cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Ron fought for the civil and human rights for everyone in America and around the world; also, he fought to end poverty. As a social worker, Congressman Dellums made it his life mission to fight for the most vulnerable. That was evident in his fight against the brutal apartheid regime leading to the passage of his South Africa Sanctions Bill after introducing it 11 times. President Reagan vetoed the bill and Congress overrode the veto. I am blessed to call Ron my dear friend, my predecessor, my mentor, and my former boss. I miss him tremendously, and I will hold him dear to my heart and the lessons that I learned from this great public servant. My condolences are with the Dellums family, friends, and loved ones. His legacy and his spirit will be with us forever. Now I ask my colleagues to join me, please, in a moment of silence for our great fallen hero.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of our Special Order tonight.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to really celebrate the life and legacy of my mentor, my former boss, and my dear friend, Congressman Ronald V. Dellums. I had the privilege to serve as an intern in Ron's Washington office during the Watergate hearings of 1974 and as a senior member of his staff for 11 years. First, my deepest condolences to Ron's beloved family, friends, and our community, who he loved so deeply, as we continue to come to grips, quite frankly, with the grief in the passing of this tremendous voice, yet we honor and celebrate Ron's magnificent legacy. Mr. Speaker, let me thank Congressman Jamie Raskin for being a part of this Special Order tonight and for co-leading it. Congressman Raskin's father, Marcus Raskin, was a close and cherished friend of Ron's. They deeply loved and respected each other. Let me also thank all of my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus for holding this Special Order tonight to remember a truly historic figure, the late, great Congressman Ron Dellums. Congressman Dellums was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and I know this celebration of his life would mean so much to him. Ron will be remembered not only for his many accomplishments, but for his integrity and his brilliance. He was a courageous statesman, a warrior for world peace, a soldier for social justice, and a son of west Oakland. He served his country in both the Marines and in this Congress, with distinction, for 27 years and as mayor of Oakland for 4 years. He was beloved by his east bay constituents, regarded by his colleagues from both sides of the aisle, and respected as a global leader. Above all else, Congressman Dellums was a visionary, and his conscience guided him in the pursuit of peace and justice and equality in all forms. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), one of Ron's very close friends, a person whom he loved dearly, who is an icon in his own right, someone who led the fight for our voting rights.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Lewis for that very beautiful tribute to Ron. It was a loving tribute, and I know personally how much Ron loved him and, in many ways, looked up to him and respected him as a human being and for his tremendous leadership. So I thank the gentleman on behalf of Ron's family, friends, and our community. Now I would like to ask Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to come forward. Congresswoman Norton knew Ron very well, served with Ron, and Ron served as chair of the District of Columbia Committee when I was actually a staffer during that period. They had many, many struggles during that day. Ron and Eleanor remained friends, and he loved her dearly and always asked about her. I yield to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Ms. LEE. I thank Congressman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Let me say that Ron passed away in his home here in Washington, D.C., on July 30. She was his Representative. Ron loved the District of Columbia, as Ms. Norton said. His children went to Alice Deal Junior High School and Woodrow Wilson High School. He worked with Ms. Norton, as well as Hilda Mason, who was on the city council and was a strong activist for statehood. So I thank Ms. Norton for reminding us of Ron's wonderful history in the District of Columbia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson), my friend, a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but a prior member of the House Armed Services Committee. I thank Congressman Johnson for being with us tonight.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Johnson for that very beautiful tribute. I know one of Ron's greatest gifts was mentoring those who came after him, and I know he certainly appreciated Mr. Johnson's leadership on that Armed Services Committee and talked a lot about the great work that he was engaged in. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our leader, who knew Ron very well, even before Ron and Nancy served together in Congress. I thank her so much for being here and for paying tribute.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Leader Pelosi for those remarks. Let me just say one thing to Ms. Pelosi in terms of Ron's sensitivity and an example of his humanness. He was so happy she reached out to him during his last few days on this Earth. I was with him, and after he spoke with Ms. Pelosi, he had tears in his eyes. He talked about how much he missed her and how much he loved her. He was so grateful that she gave him that call, so I thank her very much. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay). Congressman Lacy Clay, of course, is the son of a great hero, Congressman Bill Clay, with whom Ron served. Also, he was so proud of Lacy, because he knew Congressman Clay as a teenager. He may want to share some of his stories about that period of time also.