Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call for an end to the discriminatory Hyde amendment, which has harmed too many women for far too long. This week marks 40 years since the Hyde amendment was first passed. For 40 years, politicians have denied the full range of comprehensive health services, including abortion coverage, to women just because of their income, employer, or ZIP Code. This must stop. This bill was passed in 1976 to prevent low-income Medicaid recipients from exercising their constitutional rights. I was here working as a staffer for my predecessor, Ron Dellums, when this amendment first passed. We fought tooth and nail against it then. We knew that this harmful rider would help pave the way for decades of harsh, unfair restrictions. Now, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, each year I have fought the fight against Republican efforts to double down and to expand the Hyde amendment. In fact, in 2016, the Hyde amendment now affects more than just Medicaid recipients, to include: Federal employees and their dependents, military servicemembers, Native Americans, Peace Corps volunteers, immigrants, Federal prisoners, and the residents of Washington, D.C. The discriminatory Hyde amendment also disproportionately impacts low-income women and women of color. More than half of the women subject to the Hyde amendment are women of color. We also know that when those who seek abortion care are denied, they are much more likely to fall into poverty than a woman who is able to access care. The Hyde amendment is just wrong. It is not only the Hyde amendment. Since 2010, State legislatures have adopted 334 abortion restrictions, further expanding the hardship of abortion coverage like the Hyde amendment; again, politicians making decisions for women that they have no business even thinking about. Women deserve the right to privacy and the right to make their own healthcare decisions. From shutting down clinics to creating longer wait lines, these restrictions impose the greatest burden on low-income women, immigrants, women of color, and young people. Now, it is not our job, as elected officials, to make family planning decisions for women. Politicians need to get out of personal healthcare decisions for women. Let me be clear. A woman's access to abortion should never depend on her ZIP Code, her employer, or her income. Whether you agree with women having abortions, that is not the issue. The issue is we should not discriminate against women who are denied the full range of comprehensive health services. Secondly, politicians need to stop interfering with women's personal decisions about their body. That is why I, along with Congresswoman Schakowsky, Congresswoman DeGette, and 70 of our colleagues, offered and introduced the EACH Woman Act, H.R. 2972. This legislation would end the discriminatory Hyde amendment and ensure that all women can exercise their fundamental right to privacy and their fundamental right to choose. Specifically, this bill ensures that, first, if a woman gets her care or insurance through the Federal Government, she will be covered for all pregnancy-related care. Secondly, it means that Federal, State, and local legislators will not be able to interfere with the private insurance market to prevent insurance companies from providing a full range of healthcare services, including abortion coverage. Right now, we have over 120 cosponsors working to stop politicians from interfering with a woman's reproductive rights, and we are building a coalition of elected officials, grassroots organizers, faith communities, and women who are ready to see this discriminatory and dangerous law taken off of the books. So, as we mark 40 years of this terrible policy, I urge my colleagues to be bold and to support the EACH Woman Act. Together, we will end the Hyde amendment to ensure equal access to all healthcare services, including abortions for all women, not just for some who have the resources to ensure that their right continues as they make their own personal healthcare decisions. These are their own constitutional rights. We should not interfere with any woman's right to make these decisions. So let's move forward. Support the EACH Woman Act. I want to commend all of the young women and men across the country who are really working to turn back the tide of this terrible amendment and who are working to pass the EACH Woman Act.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus in strong opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. When it comes to trade deals and American jobs, Congress should NEVER be a rubber stamp. As the representative from California's beautiful 13th Congressional district, I have the honor and privilege of representing the Port of Oakland, one of our nation's busiest sea and airport facilities. I support trade because it is critical to the economy of my district and our nation. But trade is only good when it's fair, open, transparent and creates good-paying American jobs. The TPP fails to meet even one of these standards. Quite simply, TPP is a bad deal that would ship American jobs overseas and help the 1 percent reap even greater profits. The American people aren't fooled by TPP. The vast majority of Americans--including people from both parties--oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In particular, I'd like to highlight how previous bad trade deals have hurt American workers, families and businesses, especially in communities of color. Since 1994, one in four manufacturing jobs in my home state of California has been lost because of NAFTA and other WTO agreements. But this didn't just happen in California. From 1998 through 2012, under NAFTA: 79,000 manufacturing jobs, nearly half of manufacturing jobs, were lost in St. Louis, 82,000 manufacturing jobs, also nearly half of manufacturing jobs, were lost in Cleveland, and 25,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in Baltimore. Given the large number of people of color in these cities, these jobs lost took a particular toll on these communities. In fact--nationwide, thirty-five percent of jobs lost because of our trade deficit with China came from communities of color. For those that lost their jobs, the situation went from bad to worse--when they finally found a new job, not an easy task in many communities of color, their paychecks were cut by nearly 30 percent. This is outrageous. These lost jobs and wages cost these communities of color more than 10 million dollars each and every year. As Members of Congress, we simply cannot allow another, even worse trade deal to drive these communities deeper into poverty. But it isn't just jobs and paychecks that will suffer under the TPP; critical labor standards, environmental protections and human rights would be eroded as well. It would also restrict access to lifesaving drugs and artificially inflate drug prices. As co-chair of the bipartisan HIV/AIDS Caucus, I want to highlight that in July 2015, UNAIDS warned against the TPP's TRIPS-plus (Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) measures because of negative impact on developing countries. This is why my colleagues and I are here saying NO to the TPP. It was negotiated in secret back rooms by special interests and multinational corporations. Nothing in this deal is good for the American people. Far from being the most progressive trade deal ever--this deal will ship American jobs overseas and create a race to the bottom for wages, environmental protections, labor standards and human rights. Let me be clear, the American people deserve better. We need a fair deal that creates U.S. jobs and grows our economy. We will continue to fight against this bad deal.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, thank you to my friend, Congresswoman Sewell, for leading this special order and for all her work to empower underrepresented voices in our country. I also want to thank my good friend and colleague, Assistant Democratic Leader James Clyburn, for his tireless leadership of the Democratic Outreach and Engagement Task Force. I also want to thank him for coming to my district for the town hall meeting I hosted about voting rights. Under his guidance, the taskforce held forums across the country and heard from thousands of constituents. Mr. Speaker, it is clear--we need to urgently protect voting rights. That is why I rise today as a member of the Democratic Outreach and Engagement Task Force to challenge this House to do the right thing and protect the sacred right of Americans to vote. Last summer, the Voting Rights Act celebrated its 50th anniversary. Tragically, five decades after this monumental legislation was passed, the voting rights of Americans are under unprecedented attack. After the Supreme Court callously and carelessly gutted the Voting Rights Act in its Shelby v. Holder decision, Republicans in state legislators have fallen over themselves to institute a wave of voting restrictions across the country. Make no mistake, these restrictions amount to nothing more than a modern day poll tax. We shouldn't be erecting unnecessary and dangerous barriers to the ballot box. We should empower Americans to participate in our democracy. Yet, time and time again--this Congress and the Judiciary Committee have refused to take action. Instead of protecting our sacred right to vote, this Congress is allowing that right to be eroded. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve better. It's past time for us to do our job. Right now, there is bipartisan legislation waiting for action. The Voting Rights Amendment Act (H.R. 885) would reinstate the much needed preclearance statute to ensure that infringements on voting rights are addressed long before Election Day. Long before an American is denied their right to vote, a right that millions have fought and died for-- from the Revolution to Neshoba County. Likewise, the Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 2867) also re- establishes the preclearance system and our discharge petition has 181 signatories--I encourage all of my colleagues to sign it and help us protect the voting rights of all Americans. However, it's past time that we do more. We must empower voters, every day Americans, to have a stronger, more powerful voice in our democracy. That's why I am so proud to have co-sponsored the Voter Empowerment Act (H.R. 12) offered by the great Civil Rights champion, Congressman John Lewis. This legislation would empower voters by modernizing voter registration and utilizing new technologies at the ballot box. Mr. Speaker, it's past time to pass these bills. It's past time to do our jobs. As our great drum major for peace and justice, Dr. King, once said: ``Give us the ballot, and we will fill our legislative halls with men of goodwill.'' Mr. Speaker, let's show the American people some goodwill and allow them to vote, unobstructed.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a crisis in our communities and our country. I have watched in horror, day after day, as people of color are shot by the police officers sworn to protect them. Now, we all know that the vast majority of law enforcement officers are committed to serving their communities, and many do incredible work despite dangerous and sometimes life-threatening conditions. I commend all of those speaking out and working against the injustices of some. Tragically, as we have witnessed in Dallas and Baton Rouge, innocent police officers have been the victims of violence as well. However, these tragedies do not change the underlying reality that our criminal justice system is broken. Since Michael Brown was shot in Ferguson 2 years ago, 2,195 people have been killed by police in our Nation. As a mother of two Black men and the grandmother of five Black grandchildren, I worry that someone I love could become number 2,196. Each time we lose a precious life to fear, distrust, and prejudice, the list of things that will get you killed as a Black person in America gets a little longer. Today I want to spend a little time going through that list. Now you can get killed for going to buy a bag of Skittles, like Trayvon Martin; or even get killed for riding on New Year's Day, for instance, in the subway in the Bay Area like Oscar Grant. This is a subway card. Or maybe you can get killed for selling cigarettes, like Eric Garner. Or you can get killed for selling CDs, like Alton Sterling. This is a CD. You can also be killed reaching for your wallet, like Philando Castile. It doesn't matter if you are a child. If you are a Black boy, you can be killed playing with a toy gun. That is a toy gun. Now, that was what happened to Tamir Rice; he was 12. That is what happened to Tyre King last week; he was 13. Or you can be killed for a missing front license plate like Samuel DuBose. Heaven help you if you are driving a car. You can be killed for not signaling a lane change, like Sandra Bland, or for having a broken brake light, like Walter Scott, or for breaking down on a highway, like Terrence Crutcher. Now, should any of this warrant a death sentence? Is this the America you want to live in? In 2016, when you are Black, too often you are seen as a threat first and a person second. When my boys were young, I had some tough conversations with them about how to interact with police. I taught them that Black boys don't get the benefit of the doubt. I told them, to some, it doesn't matter who you are--it just matters what you look like. I shouldn't have had to have these conversations with them. This is America. Parents shouldn't have to live in fear that one day they will have the same call that Michael Brown's mother got, that Sandra Bland's mother got, that Dontre Hamilton's mother got, or that Oscar Grant's mother got. We need action here on the floor of Congress and in communities across the country. Enough is enough. We cannot stay silent while these murders continue unchecked. We must act now. That is why, today, members of the Congressional Black Caucus will march to the Department of Justice to demand action--because Black lives do matter.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Lakeith Hurd, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of action on the House floor.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on the Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action to highlight the voices of my district's young people. Nearly one-third of my constituents are millennials. These young people are smart, they are active, and they are very optimistic about their future. This summer I asked them a simple question: What is the most important issue Congress should be working on? Despite all of the challenges facing young people, from mounting student debt to growing income inequality, their answer was clear: Do something about gun violence. For young people, gun violence is a harsh reality. They have seen it, they have lived it, and they have lost friends and family to it. Since 2013, there have been 192 school shootings, including one at Hillside Elementary School in my district. Schools are supposed to be places of learning, not war zones. More than 80 percent of young people, including 83 percent of young Republicans, support commonsense background checks for all gun sales. This one commonsense solution to help prevent gun violence is what we need to do. We need to do our job and pass this legislation today. Mr. Speaker, it is time that we start listening to these young people. Let's ensure a background check for every gun sale and help stop this senseless violence.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues who are demanding action for the families in Flint, Michigan. First, I want to acknowledge many Members of the Michigan delegation, led by Flint's Representative, Congressman Dan Kildee, who are fighting every day to bring justice to these families. Their work is essential to ensuring the people of Flint have the resources that they need to recover. Mr. Speaker, the situation in Flint is nothing short of a tragedy, and a tragedy that could have been prevented. Michigan State officials sacrificed the health and futures of Flint's children in order to save a few dollars in water costs. This really is a shame and a disgrace. Mr. Speaker, I have to ask, would this have happened in a city where the residents had the advantage of wealth? Or do these gross breaches of public trust only happen in cities where politicians believe the residents are expendable? Sadly, I think we all know the answer to that question. After the incredible harm that has already been done to these families, our elected officials are, once again, turning their backs on the people of Flint. These families deserve better. The people of Flint were already hurting before the water crisis. The average family income in the city is just $24,834 a year. No one can raise a family on that. Many of these courageous and resilient families struggle to find high-quality child care, access healthcare services, and afford healthy food. And now the costs of this crisis are mounting for families, the schools, and the entire community. We can, and we must, do more for our fellow Americans in their time of need. Two years since this tragedy began, families are still relying on bottled water for daily life. Imagine using bottled water for everything from brushing your teeth to making a bottle for a hungry baby. We can do better by these families. They need support, including health care, nutrition, specialized education, and developmental care. And we need to fix the root of the problem: the degraded, dangerous pipes, and infrastructure that caused this tragedy. The shortsighted, dangerous actions of Michigan officials have already caused unimaginable pain for these families. We cannot allow Congress to betray these families as well. Let me just say that I was part of a congressional delegation that traveled to Flint, Michigan, to listen to the residents regarding the horrendous impact of these government decisions that led to the poisoning of those children and families. The environmental injustice in Flint is an example of how many low-income communities of color throughout our country, not just in Flint, throughout the United States, an example of how they are treated differently than affluent communities. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Dan Kildee and members of the Michigan delegation have introduced legislation that would help these families rebuild their lives and get the care they need for their children. The Families of Flint Act, H.R. 4479, is a comprehensive plan to address their most urgent needs. It would provide for critical investment in Flint's water system to replace the lead pipes that poisoned these families. This legislation would also provide essential support services to the families of Flint to help these children mitigate and overcome lead exposure. These are simple, commonsense measures for the people of Flint. Addressing this tragedy really shouldn't be a partisan issue. Every Member of this Chamber should understand the need for urgent action. It could happen in any of our communities. Yet, congressional Republicans have not held one single vote, or even a hearing, on this bill. That is just simply outrageous. And let me just say that Flint is not the only public health crisis that congressional Republicans have ignored. There are 17,000 Americans--including almost 1,600 pregnant women--who have contracted the Zika virus. The President submitted an emergency request of $1.9 billion for Zika funding more than 6 months ago, and the Republicans have failed to act on it. Now, if we don't act soon, the CDC will be out of money to combat Zika in a matter of weeks. Congressional Republicans also failed to do their job on gun violence. Every day, more than 90 million people die from gun violence. This, too, is a public health crisis; but congressional Republicans, once again, have refused to take up any commonsense gun legislation, even though 91 percent of Americans support background checks to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists and criminals. It is clear that the American people need Congress to do its job. The women in Florida who can't leave their homes for fear of a mosquito bite need Congress to do its job. The families who fear gun violence on their block need Congress to do its job.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to really challenge my colleagues to restore Congress' constitutional oversight on matters of war and peace. Next Wednesday, September 14, will mark the 15th year since Congress passed an open-ended blank check for endless war. This authorization surrendered our constitutional authority to the executive branch. We continue to mourn the loss and cherish the memories of those killed in these attacks and continue to support and help those who were injured and whose lives were changed forever. Now, just 3 days after the horrific terrorist attacks on 9/11, this House rushed to pass a 60-word authorization, with little debate, that has been used to wage endless war around the globe. In the 15 years since its passage, this authorization, designed to punish the perpetrators of the brutal and deadly attacks on September 11, has allowed endless war to rage out of control. A recent report from the Congressional Research Service shows that this authorization has been used more than 37 times in 14 countries to justify military action, and this report only looked at unclassified military actions. How many others have been authorized that the American people don't know about? The American people and Congress deserve to know what is being done in their name. Sadly, Congress has been missing in action. It is unacceptable that our brave servicemen and -women are facing snipers and mortar rounds, but Congress can't even muster the courage to debate the war that we are asking them to now continue to fight. It is just plain wrong. Mr. Speaker, we have a constitutional and moral duty to debate on this war and any war. So why have you not scheduled a debate on this vital issue that affects our national security? I have asked, the President has asked, members of your own caucus, Mr. Speaker, have asked, even members of our military forces have asked, and still you have not scheduled a debate or vote. What is the hold up? During the amendment debate surrounding this year's National Defense Authorization Act, we got a few moments to discuss this issue. We were allotted 10 minutes, the same amount of time allotted to debate what brand of sneakers should be available to our servicemembers. If these issues get 10 minutes of debate, one would think that our national security and the Constitution deserve more than a rushed amendment debate allotted. Now, my colleagues and I might disagree on what specifics of an authorization should look like; and that is why we need this debate, so Members understand all of the options, the costs, and the consequences and we can advance policies that protect the Constitution and ensure our national security. The American people deserve more than a Congress that is missing in action. In February of last year, President Obama sent a draft authorization to Congress. Mr. Speaker, it has sat on your desk ever since, with no action, no hearings, no formal debate, and not one vote. While Congress has been missing in action, more bombs have fallen, more American servicemembers have been put in harm's way, and, yes, we have poured more than $1.7 trillion into war-making. Right now, any President can unilaterally wage war under the outdated 2001 authorization. The last four Presidents have bombed the Middle East. Will this Congress allow a fifth President the same unlimited power to wage unchecked war? We can't and we shouldn't. It is past time for this debate. Now, in 2001, when I opposed this authorization, I challenged my colleagues with the words of the Reverend Nathan Baxter, the dean of the National Cathedral. He said: Let us hope that we may not, through our actions, become the evil that we deplore. Fifteen years later, we, this Congress, have attacked our Constitution, the balance of power, and the voice of the American people on matters of war and peace. We, yes, have surrendered the Constitution and the voice of the American people. We have ignored the advice of our Founders and have divested our Nation's war-making power from Congress, which, yes, is the voice of the American people. So it is past time to stop this lawlessness. It is past time to restore the Constitution. It is past time for us, as Members of Congress, to live up to our responsibility we were elected to fulfill. It is past time that we do our job and repeal the blank check for endless war and have a debate and a vote on a new authorization for this new war footing that this country has embarked upon.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located in Berkeley, California upon its 70th Anniversary as a strong religious pillar in the East Bay community. Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1946 by Reverend Neal Lee Peterson, Deacon Fred Williams, Brother Harrison Williams, and Sisters Mattie Mae Peterson, Lula Williams, Ethel Mae Posey, Nora Sargent, Morrell Posey, Maxine Lyons, and Thelma A.J. Upchurch, who met at the home of Sister Maxine Lyons to fulfill the vision of Reverend Peterson. During its early years, Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church met in the homes of various members, and held services at the Codornices Village Recreation Center. In 1949, Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was able to purchase its property on Camelia Street and establish its first permanent position. Services were held there for 12 years. As time passed, the church outgrew the small space, and in January 1961, the church moved into its newly-completed home on Eighth Street. In 1966, Reverend Doctor M.T. Thompson answered the Lord's call to Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he led the congregation for nearly 40 years. Under his leadership, the ministries of Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church expanded and grew. One of the most notable newly-established ministries of Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church was established in March 1993, under the direction of Pastor Thompson. The Helping Hands of Zion Outreach Ministries seeks to reclaim and redirect the lives of families and individuals who have fallen through the cracks in our society by providing them with food, clothing, education, and employment assistance. Pastor Thompson retired from Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in November 2005, after nearly 40 years of faithful service. In November 2006, Reverend Brian D. Hunter was elected Senior Pastor of Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and he currently serves as pastor. Throughout the years, Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church has been steadfast and faithful in her efforts to fulfill the mission of the church: evangelism, discipleship, and mission. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I extend my sincerest congratulations to Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on the special occasion of its 70th anniversary. I wish Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church many more years of faithful and compassionate service.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and CAPAC Chairwoman Judy Chu for their leadership in organizing today's tribute to the late Congressman Mark Takai. I rise with my colleagues to honor the memory of a great man and a wonderful colleague. I also want to express my deepest condolences to his wife and two children--thank you for sharing Mark with all of us. Mark was everything a public servant should be. He was a steward of our planet, and a fierce advocate for service members, as well as the people of Hawaii. He served his country in the Hawaii Army National Guard, where he obtained the rank of lieutenant colonel. Mark also served 20 years in the Hawaii House of Representatives before his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. While we didn't serve together long enough, it was truly an honor to work with him. I saw how much Mark loved his community by how tirelessly he worked every day--particularly as he advocated for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Thank you, Mark, for your service. You will be missed. Mahalo.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career of Mr. Junious Williams, who is retiring from the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Strategies Council after more than twenty years of service. Mr. Williams has an impressive education background, holding a Juris Doctorate in Law, and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, from the University of Michigan. He began his legal career primarily as a champion of equal educational opportunity for minorities and inner city youth. In addition to private law practice, he has been an expert consultant in numerous school desegregation cases around the country. He founded the Saginaw (Michigan) Student Rights Center and was cofounder of the Ann Arbor Student Advocacy Center. Mr. Williams worked closely with a number of metropolitan school districts and parent groups on school desegregation issues, education equity and the administration of fair student discipline for minority and underprivileged students. Most notably, Mr. Williams served as Associate Director of the Programs for Educational Opportunity at the University of Michigan's School of Education. After moving to California, he served as an ally to resident-led base-building organizations on issues from developing small schools, to increasing site-based decision-making in Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), to negotiation and implementation of community benefits agreements so that benefits of development are equitably distributed. Further, Mr. Williams played a key role in transforming Oakland's public schools into hubs that address the needs of students and their families, beginning with his leadership of the movement for Village Centers and culminating in his efforts to help OUSD become one of the first Full-Service Community School districts in the nation. Mr. Williams has worked on numerous community building and community development efforts in Oakland, the Bay Area and other cities across the country. He currently serves as a founder and Board Chair for the Oakland Community Land Trust, which is working to acquire and rehabilitate vacant, foreclosed properties in Oakland and make these housing units available to low income buyers. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for the Oakland Emerald Cities Collaborative, a national nonprofit network of organizations working together to advance a sustainable environment while creating a high-road, clean-energy economy with opportunities for all. Other current board service includes the Union Bank Community Advisory Board, the Center for Law and Education, and the National Trust for the Development of African American Men. Furthermore, Mr. Williams joined the Urban Strategies Council in 1992 and was appointed CEO in 1998. He led the Council's creation of, and participation in, many cross-sector collaborations, making positive impact in areas from afterschool programs to violence prevention, from asset building to reentry. He also oversaw multiple Urban Strategies Council reports on African American male students that played a key role in Oakland Unified School District's Voluntary Resolution Plan with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors a great friend of the Bay Area and a true champion for equity, Mr. Junious Williams. His work with the Urban Strategies Council has had a tremendously positive impact on California's 13th District, and we are lucky to have him remain active in our community in all of his future endeavors.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mills Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) located in Oakland, California upon its 41st Anniversary as a strong religious pillar in the East Bay community. Mills Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ ) is a product of a merger between two Bay Area Disciples of Christ Congregations: Mills Terrace Christian Church in Oakland, a predominantly Angelo-American congregation and Grove Street Christian Church in Berkeley, whose membership was largely African-American. Mills Terrace Christian Church was formed in the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Wixon in 1926. The congregation soon outgrew the home, and with 26 Sunday school students and four teachers, the church moved into a tent on MacArthur Boulevard. The tent was later moved to Kingsland & Madera Streets and with 34 members, the church was officially organized. In 1927, the church purchased a building on Brann & Morcom Streets for $8,000.00. In the 1940's the building was moved on rollers to the current location at 5410 Fleming Avenue. Grove Street Christian Church, under the leadership of Rev. Willie D. Elder and Mr. Norman Harper, was started in 1947 to serve persons of color and others who desired to worship in the Disciples of Christ denomination. Initially, the group organized as Second Christian Church, which quickly gained momentum. In September of 1949, the congregation invited Reverend Dr. Peter C. Washington, former President of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas, to serve as their minister. The church quickly grew to 103 active members and the search began for a more permanent church home. On May 2, 1954 the church moved to a new location on Grove & Parker Streets in Berkeley, thus renaming the church, Grove Street Christian Church. In 1970, Mills Terrace was becoming an aging Congregation, with the median age of the 22 members hovering at 60. After conversations about a creative solution to this dilemma, Mills Terrace reached out to its sister congregation, Grove Street Christian Church, to being discussions of merging. Ultimately, the DOC congregations became one within the Body of Christ and on Pentecost Sunday, May 18, 1975, the merger was completed as the new name, Mills Grove Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Since 2007, the church has been pastored by its committed, brilliant and spirit filled pastor, Rev. Clarence Johnson, who leads with humility and love. Mills Grove Christian Church continues to serve the community today with four major ministry goals: Evangelism & Outreach, Youth Emphasis, Stewardship & Finance, and Worship & Praise. The congregation worships under the motto ``Live Rejoicing . . . Everyday!'' based on Psalm 118:24; St. John 10:10b; and, Philippians 4:4. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I extend my sincerest congratulations to Mills Grove Christian Church (DOC) on the special occasion of its 41st anniversary. I wish Mills Grove Christian Church many more years of faithful, compassionate, and visionary service.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career and lifetime of leadership of Mr. William Patterson as he receives a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boys Scouts of America--San Francisco Bay Area Council. Mr. Patterson's dedication and contributions to the San Francisco Bay Area have aided in the success and advancement of thousands of people and he is widely recognized as one of Oakland's civic champions due to his involvement in many political campaigns and community organizations in the last four decades. Mr. Patterson first learned to help others at all times when he became a Boy Scout in 1948. As a Scout, Mr. Patterson learned the values of Scout Law that would ultimately guide his life of service. Further, Mr. Patterson received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from San Francisco State University. Mr. Patterson went on to serve as the President of The East Bay Municipal Utility District's (EBMUD) Board of Directors and left a lasting impact. Mr. Patterson was able to significantly expand the retirement fund assets. He is also a retired Oakland Parks and Recreation Manager, who has been credited widely by many established athletes who have gone on to gain Hall of Fame Recognition, including the likes of basketball's Bill Russell an baseball's Joe Morgan. In addition, Mr. Patterson was a close confidant and advisor to the late Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson and worked for the Oakland Parks and Recreation Commission for thirty seven years until his retirement. He is the only former employee to serve as a member of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Commission, displaying his exceptional dedication to the greater Oakland community. Mr. Patterson has an extensive and impressive background of involvement in the community. Mr. Patterson was a three-term president of the Oakland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a seven-year past chair for the NAACP Life Membership Committee and eight year member of the NAACP National Life Membership Committee. He served as Chair of The Alameda County Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Committee and Chair of its Public Ethics and Parks and Recreation Commission, the Workforce Investment Board, and Pardee Museum Board. In addition to his impressive and extensive career, he has received countless awards in recognition of his accomplishments from government, community and political organizations. Some of the most honorable awards includes: California Attorney General's Award of Excellence in Civil Rights, City of Oakland Living Legends Award, the naming of Bill Patterson Park, African American Water Leadership Coalition (AAWLC) Legacy Award, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School Legacy Award, McClymonds High School Legacy Award, and Shiloh Church of Oakland Living Legacy Award. Mr. Patterson currently lives in Oakland, California with his wife and son; he remains active in numerous community activities. Currently, he serves as a Board Member of The Joe Morgan Youth, Oakland Urban Strategies Council, Oakland NAACP Executive Committee, the Oakland East Bay Black Elected Officials Council and as an advisor to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. Mr. Patterson is a member of Oakland's Rotary Club #3, Golden Heritage Life Member of NAACP, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. On a personal note, Bill has been a supporter and colleague for many years. I value his expertise, his brilliance, and most importantly, his friendship. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors a great friend of the Bay Area and a true champion of civil service, Mr. William Patterson. His work with the NAACP, EBMUD, Oakland's Parks and Recreation and embodiment of Scout Law has had a tremendously positive impact on California's 13th District, and we are lucky to have him remain active in our community in all of his future endeavors.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Mrs. Imogene Burris. With her passing May 27, 2016, we honor her brilliant social justice work. Much of Mrs. Burris' life was spent improving the lives of those less fortunate both in her personal and professional life. Mrs. Burris, for many years, was a business woman where she operated Summerside Homes, Vallejo, facilities for the developmentally disabled. She treated the clients as her own children and insisted that all employees treat the clients in the same manner. In addition to her impressive and important career with Summerside Homes, she was active in many community and business organizations including the National Council of Negro Women, Delta Sigma Theta, the Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club of Vallejo. In her personal life, she had a tremendous wit and enjoyed dialogue on all kinds of subjects especially those involving current events and the status of the African American community. She instilled in everyone around her the desire to lead a life that makes a difference by improving the lives of those less fortunate than you. Mrs. Burris loved to travel to learn more about the world and interact with all sorts of experiences. Mrs. Burris is well remembered by her family and community as a stylish dresser and a hallmark was her grand and colorful hats. For many years she got a new hat for every Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day and her birthday. She had a hat for all occasions with matching purse, gloves and shoes. Mrs. Burris' community will also miss the delectable soul food she cooked, especially her well regarded peach cobbler. Mrs. Burris was married for 67 years to the late DeWitt Burris and they had 6 children, two of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by a daughter Faye Anderson, a retired Middle School principal with San Francisco Unified School District, and two sons: Rev. Dr. Ronald Burris, an Associate Professor of church history at the American Baptist Seminary of the West and Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Richmond, and John Burris, a law professor at North Carolina Central University School of Law. Mrs. Burris has a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and several generations of nieces and nephews all whom adored her and are mourning her passing. She was the ``grand dame'' and Matriarch who took great pride in family, friends and the community at large. All who met her could feel her kindness and sincerity. Her motto was ``If I can be helpful, I will''. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes the legacy of Mrs. Imogene Burris. Her contributions have truly impacted countless lives through the Bay Area. I join all of Mrs. Burris' loved ones in celebrating her incredible life and offer my most sincere condolences.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of an outstanding member of the East Bay community Mr. John Arthur Ivey. With his passing on June 21, 2016, we recognize his dedication and celebrate his commitment to our community. Mr. Ivey's life is an example of a journey well traveled and a life well lived. He was born on March 10, 1950, in the heart of my congressional district, at Highland Hospital in Oakland. Mr. Ivey used his education as a gateway to the world. During his formative years he attended Skyline High School where his love of literature and art began to emerge. He began his journey in higher education at The University of San Francisco where he pursued his interest in English and served as president of the Black Student Union. He later transferred to Rutgers University, where he refined his writing skills under the guide of renowned playwrights and authors Nikki Giovanni and Sonya Sanchez. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers University in 1972, he pursued a Master's Degree in Fine Arts at the University of California, Los Angeles. After graduation, his talent as a writer led him to compose two critically acclaimed plays ``Homer's Redemption'' and ``Resurgence,'' which ran at the Harding Theater in San Francisco for six months before touring college campuses. The University of San Francisco Black Alumni Association later awarded him an honorary degree in English and Theater Arts for his outstanding contributions. While his literary success is noteworthy, Mr. Ivey continued to evolve and use his talents to contribute to his community in new capacities. In 1976, he opened Ivey's Ribs and Spirits in Jack London Square with brothers Fred and James ``Jay'' Ivey. Ivey's was one of the first African American operated venues located in Jack London Square, and was the frequent gathering place for elected officials, community leaders, as well as local and national celebrities. Mr. Ivey's love of community, passion for art, and the amazing food he served gave way to the development of another Ivey's in Atlanta, Georgia. Those two restaurants soon grew to nine restaurants and lounges including Bluesville, Cherie's, Du Soleil's, and Clancy's. The environment he created welcomed artists from all mediums including the Commodores, Prince, Eartha Kitt, Jane Fonda, Phyllis Hyman, Stan Getz, Coretta Scott King, and James Baldwin. When Mr. Ivey retired from the restaurant business he began to partake in a new adventure. Mr. Ivey could be found cooking delicious meals, reading (and sharing his findings) voraciously, running Lake Merritt or traveling the globe. He combined passion for food, family, and writing, when he worked with his mother to publish Rosia Lee Ivey's Recipes For Life in 2008. In this book, he wittily incorporated her words of wisdom with her phenomenal culinary knowledge. He also worked with numerous community organizations to mentor inner- city youth. His goal was to support and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. At the time of his passing, Mr. Ivey was actively working with Oakland Youth First, a nonprofit organization committed to providing wraparound, career and educational services to at-risk youth. Mr. Ivey was also an avid traveler. He visited Fiji as one of fifteen Bay Area Black Community and Business Delegates, China as part of a trade mission, and Tunisia, Morocco, Casablanca and Malaga among countless other destinations. No matter where his journey took him he always came back to the place where it all began, always ready to serve the community he called home. On a personal note, to know John was to love John. His smile was infectious, his encouragement was inspiring and his creativity was magical. John was a renaissance man, a man ahead of his time. As a role model for young African American men and boys, he gave them hope and pride. We will miss this magnificent human being, but his legacy will live forever. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes the legacy of Mr. John Arthur Ivey. His contributions have truly impacted countless lives throughout the Bay Area and the country. I join all of Mr. Ivey's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life and offer my most sincere condolences

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County as they celebrate 100 years of solidarity and a commitment to a safe work environment for their members. On April 13, 1916, LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County was signed into existence with the founding mission of ``We, the undersigned wage workers, believing it to be well calculated to improve our intellectual and social condition, and to promote our industrial well-being and advancement, respectfully petition the International Hod Carriers', Building and Common Laborers' Union of North America to grant us a Charter as representatives of said International Union.'' LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County was born out of a petition to the International Hod Carriers', Building and Common Laborers' Union of North America to grant us a Charter as representatives of said International Union. They chartered by President Anderson, Vice President Walker, Recording Secretary Burke, Financial Secretary Hawley, Correspondence Secretary Van Deventer, Treasurer Cottingham, Sergeant-at-Arms Wilcox, Guard Norris and Executive Board members Evans, Canady, Jones, Cayne and Falk, LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County (as it is known today) was chartered on April 13, 1916 in Oakland, California, with a fierce commitment to those words and born out of the necessity and constant struggle of the disenfranchised community, knowing that tangible sacrifices would soon follow to ensure the working men and women of the East Bay would be protected by this promise. This chartering occurred during a time when the City of Oakland was growing by leaps and bounds due in part by the industrial explosion in the San Francisco Bay Area, LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County served the communities of not just Oakland, but the surrounding cities that make up Alameda County. Further, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 helped double Alameda County's population and industry overnight. During this time, Oakland became host to over 50 assembly and component plants with close to 300,000 residents many of whom became lifelong members of LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County. With construction of marvels such as Kaiser's Bay Bridge and Bechtel's Golden Gate Bridge, the Laborers served a real need to the construction industry not just as a work force but as a melting pot of sorts, bringing the majority of white male unionized workers together with both the immigrant Mexican and African American workers at the time. The early years of organizing were especially difficult due to the anti-union climate in Oakland and the Alameda County government. Throughout the decades in the face of adversity and antagonism, LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County has never forgotten that they exist because of loyalty to their members. Regardless of their successes and failures, their members, families and community will always be at the heart of their work and their commitment to the mission. Today, with more than 30,000 brothers and sisters in Northern California, of which 5,000 reside in Alameda County, they continue to do outstanding work. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I extend my sincerest congratulations to LiUNA Local 304-- Alameda County on the special occasion of its Centennial Anniversary. I thank LiUNA Local 304--Alameda County for providing critical unionization and protection for labor workers and their families in my district, and wish them many more years of success.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and work of Robert L. Harris, on the occasion of his induction into the California Association of Black Lawyers' Hall of Fame. Mr. Harris's contribution to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and to the body of law is testament to his service and dedication. A proud Oakland native, Mr. Harris graduated from Merritt College in 1963, and later pursued his law degree from the Boalt School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Harris was admitted to the California State Bar on December 13, 1973, and completed numerous education advancement programs throughout the remainder of his career, including the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard School of Business, and the Management Development Program at Duke University's School of Business. Mr. Harris began his career with PG&E in 1989, managing one of the major operating divisions in the East Bay Region. As the first lawyer appointed to such a position, Mr. Harris proved his excellent leadership and refined acumen for business as he faced the aftermath of the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989. Shortly afterwards, the Oakland Hills Firestorm tested PG&E's ability to react, and under Mr. Harris's leadership, they were able to restore service in record time to Bay Area homes, earning PG&E numerous accolades for their impeccable work. Within law, Mr. Harris has distinguished himself amongst his peers. He served in numerous leadership positions within influential organizations such as the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the U.S. EPA's National Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, the National Energy Policy Commission, and the California League of Conservation Voters. He has timelessly shown his dedication to furthering societal advancement and improving the lives of the Bay Area residents. In addition to his contributions to law, Mr. Harris has served the public interest over the length of his career. The NAACP honored Mr. Harris with the William Robert Ming Award, the highest legal honor they bestow, for his dedication to issues that plague the African-American community. He currently chairs the United Negro College Fund's Bay Area Advisor Board, helping to provide scholarship and financial assistance to African-American students in need, and has earned the Fredrick D. Patterson Award for his commitment to the mission of this organization. Mr. Harris's retirement from PG&E in 2007 left behind an outstanding company that serves the interests of the Bay Area, providing our constituents with access to affordable and reliable energy services. PG&E has prospered under the legacy of leadership that Mr. Harris instilled, and these contributions to our community do not go unnoticed. On a personal note, on behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, Robert L. Harris, I salute you. I thank you for your service to your nation and your community, and echo the praise you receive from the California Black Lawyers' Association through your esteemed induction into the Hall of Fame.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the oldest recreational club in Oakland, California, the Oakland Women's Rowing Club, upon its 100th Anniversary as an outstanding athletic and recreational club in the East Bay Community. Oakland Women's Rowing Club, the members of which are known as the ``Ladies of the Lake,'' was founded on February 2, 1916 when volleyball players from Bushrod Recreation Center, Lockwood School, and Mosswood School sought a greater athletic challenge. Five boats were donated to the Club by the United States Navy. All of these boats, and those since acquired, have been deeded to the City of Oakland, so they may be enjoyed by the public. From the beginning, the ``Ladies of the Lake'' have been rowing on Lake Merritt in Oakland, the first designated Wildlife Refuge in the United States. The members row weekly on Wednesday mornings all year round, no matter the weather. They come from many regions of the United States and from across the world. There are many active members, ranging in age from their fifties to their nineties. The women come from a variety of backgrounds and work an array of professions. The ``Ladies of the Lake'' value their time on the lake, and many locals wave at the women rowing in their old fashioned white and blue uniforms, with orange coats in the winter. Throughout the Oakland Women's Rowing Club's tenure as the longest scheduled activity on Lake Merritt and the oldest women's rowing club in the nation, the ``Ladies of the Lake'' have participated in civic activities for the City of Oakland, often representing the city in film appearances, photographs, parades, and press features. The Club also acts as a goodwill ambassador for the City of Oakland. Since 1916, the Club has held many successful fundraisers to purchase or commission more fiberglass whale boats, all of which are available for public use in Oakland. Beyond obtaining and caring for their boats, the women work hard to maintain the Club and add to Lake Merritt's unique ambience. For instance, the club was the first to donate toward the original lamps in the Necklace of Lights that encircles Lake Merritt, and has supported Lake Merritt beautification projects ever since. The Oakland Women's Rowing Club meets monthly for luncheons with all of the members and benefactors. The waitlist for membership is always long. This organization has certainly inspired commitment and athleticism in its members. On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional District, I extend my sincerest congratulations to Oakland Women's Rowing Club on the special occasion of its 100th Anniversary. I wish Oakland Women's Rowing Club many more years of success.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of an outstanding member of the East Bay community the Honorable William Byron Rumford. He was born in Courtland, Arizona in 1915. As a child, he shined shoes, sold newspapers, and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Phoenix in 1926. After finishing his studies at Sacramento Junior College in 1931, he earned his pharmacy degree at the University of California, San Francisco. After he graduated, he took a number of exams for employment and was discriminated against at every turn. He fought his way through by appealing his oral examination, ultimately becoming a member of the California Board of Pharmacy. Mr. Rumford worked in the Bay Area as an assistant pharmacist and as a venereal disease investigator for the state. In 1942, he co-invested in a pharmacy on Sacramento Street in Berkeley, which he later purchased and renamed Rumford's Pharmacy (now known as the Rumford Clinic). Later, served as the director of the Oakland chapter of the Red Cross, president of the East Bay Health Association, and was on the region's Democratic Central Committee. Mr. Rumford went on to lead an impactful and significant political career, and ultimately became the first African American legislator from Northern California. Inspired by the disparities he witnessed in his pharmaceutical career, he joined the Berkeley Emergency Housing Committee in 1942 and the Berkeley Rent Board in 1944. In addition, he worked with the unofficial Berkeley Interracial Committee which was intended to ease tensions between the Black community of Berkeley and White southerners who were moving in. He was also a member of the Appomattox Club, which was one of the first African American political organizations in the country; there was little hope for an African American candidate at that time, so the organization supported White candidates who they believed were right on political issues affecting the African American community. Mr. Rumford did not seek to become a professional politician; instead, he was a neighborhood pharmacist who was passionate about addressing the biggest issues impacting his community. Eventually, Mr. Rumford ran for election in the California Assembly and won in 1949. At first he represented mostly African American areas of Oakland and a portion of South Berkeley. In 1960, however, the district was enlarged to include more of Berkeley and Albany. As an Assembly member, Mr. Rumford produced several effective pieces of legislation. In 1949, he worked tirelessly to pass The Bill to End Discrimination in the National Guard, which lessoned racial discrimination in the National Guard. He also introduced legislation early in his Assembly tenure pertaining to fair trade, small businesses, child polio immunizations, atomic energy conversion, and environmental pollution. Today, Mr. Rumford is best remembered for three pieces of legislation: the California Fair Employment Practices Act of 1959, which lessoned the impact of race on hiring decisions; the Good Samaritan Act of 1959, which garnered national attention as the first law in the country to protect professionals in emergency situations; and the law that bore his name: the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963, which failed to survive a referendum challenge, but was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States. This act served as California's main enforcement authority against race-based housing discrimination, by way of housing covenants, until the passage of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1968. His tremendous legacy paved the way for civil rights legislation nationally, and has been beautifully honored by the William Byron Rumford Memorial Project. This project is led by a diverse group of community members who see the rapid changing of South Berkeley's demographics as a ripe time to honor his leadership, activism, and community, while preserving the neighborhood's history. On a personal note, William was a trailblazer. Had it not been for him, I never would have been elected to the CA legislature. I owe him a debt of gratitude and I will be forever grateful. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes the legacy of the Honorable William Byron Rumford. His contributions have truly impacted countless lives through the East Bay area and the country. I join all of Mr. Rumford's loved ones and the community members involved in the William Byron Rumford Memorial Project in celebrating his incredible life and legacy.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of an outstanding member of the Bay Area community, Mr. Don Jelinek. With his passing on March 23, 2016, we honor his commitment and service to our community. Mr. Don Jelinek was born Feb. 17, 1934 in Bronx, New York, the proud son of two Jewish immigrants. His heritage, culture, education, and experience played key roles in the man he became. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later New York University where he received both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate. In 1955, he moved to a tenement in Greenwich Village where he worked as a janitor in exchange for rent. He was often seen returning the building's garbage cans before walking to his law classes. In the Village, Mr. Jelinek was exposed to the beauty of diversity. He met people from different races, classes, creeds, cultures, religions, and sexual orientations. Their stories, experiences, and life lessons fueled his passion for politics, reading, and theatre until the day he died. After receiving his J.D., Mr. Jelinek took a job as an attorney on Wall Street. In 1965, he traveled to Mississippi to work with the American Civil Liberties Union for a three-week stint. At the end of that visit, he decided to stay behind and work with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Mr. Jelinek remained in the South for three years and focused on ending the overtly racist practices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In the process he shined a light on the shameful realities of rural malnutrition and starvation in America. Over the years he provided legal representation for individuals and organizations involved in civil rights including Martin Luther King, Jr., Stokely Carmichael, H. ``Rap'' Brown, black sharecroppers, SNCC, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the NAACP. He later defended 61 inmates who had been indicted for 1,400 felonies in connection with the Attica Prison uprising. Mr. Jelinek moved to Berkeley in 1969 and continued his civil rights efforts throughout the Bay Area. When a group of Native Americans seized Alcatraz in 1969 and lived there for 19 months, claiming the land under a 100-year-old treaty, Jelinek moved to the island to assist them. He later defended hundreds of flea market vendors, free of charge, after they were ousted from the Ashby BART parking lot. The vendors were later reinstated. Soon after his successful advocacy, Mr. Jelinek decided to run for Berkeley City Council where he proudly served from 1984 to 1990. After his tenure, he became a trusted advisor to the council. In addition to his legal and political career, Mr. Jelinek authored three books, ``Survivor of the Alamo,'' ``Attica Justice,'' and ``White Lawyer, Black Power.'' Both his life and legacy are testaments to what our country stands for and our continued fight for true and lasting equality. Mr. Jelinek is survived by his brother Roger, his wife Jane Scherr, his children Dove and Apollinaire, and his grandchildren Hanelle and Pascal. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes the legacy of Mr. Don Jelinek. His contributions have truly impacted countless lives. I join all of Mr. Don Jelinek's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life and offer my most sincere condolences.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to S. 304, the so-called ``Conscience Protection Act.'' This bill would open the door for employers and companies to discriminate against women based on their reproductive health choices. And it puts the personal beliefs of any employer or healthcare provider above the health and safety of women. Once again, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are using the pretext of religious liberty to violate the fundamental human rights of women. This bill is another in a long line of Republican attempts to limit women's access to safe, legal abortion--like the Weldon and Hyde amendments. Let me be clear: no employer or politician has the right to interfere with a woman's personal healthcare choices. These decisions belong to women--not politicians or bosses. Mr. Speaker, this bill is dangerous. Instead of addressing the serious issues facing American families-- like combatting Zika, addressing gun violence, or creating jobs--my colleagues have chosen to put partisan politics over healthcare access. This is just shameful. I urge my colleagues to vote no on this outrageous attack on women's health.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, while I am fully supportive of a national standard to label genetically modified (GMO) foods, I am unable to support S. 764, the GMO Food Labeling Requirements bill. Although this bill takes an important step toward federal preemption, it does so at the expense of consumer transparency and safety. For example, S. 764 falls short of providing a robust definition of ``bioengineering'', which will exempt the majority of GMO foods from being properly labeled. Additionally, this bill will hurt the most vulnerable among us. The provision to include ``digital labeling'' will withhold valuable information about GMO foods from rural, low-income and elderly Americans who are less likely to own a smart phone or have access to the internet. That's over 50 percent of rural and 65 percent of elderly people who will not be able to access the consumer information they need. Mr. Speaker, American consumers deserve the best information available when it comes to food choices that they make for themselves and their families. We must continue to address this vital issue because all consumers deserve the right to know what is in their food and how it's grown.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, the American people are demanding action to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. Instead, the people's House has been adjourned without a single vote on commonsense, lifesaving legislation. We need to be voting on legislation that expands background checks to keep dangerous people from getting these deadly weapons. Mr. Speaker, this commonsense, bipartisan legislation is supported by 80 percent of the American public. Give us a vote. It is past time for House Republicans to stop ignoring their voices. Instead of taking real action, Republicans are playing games with a toothless NRA bill that does nothing to keep our communities safe. Whether it is the Flint water crisis emergency, Zika threats, or gun safety, the American people deserve action, not just thoughts and prayers and moments of silence and 7 weeks out of session. The political gamesmanship won't stop the bloodshed, won't bring clean water to Flint, or prevent the Zika virus from spreading. Mr. Speaker, let's actually do something. Let's do something to secure our children, our families, our Nation. We should do our job, but, once again, Congress is missing in action.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chair, first, let me thank Ranking Member McCollum, for her tremendous leadership on this subcommittee and all environmental issues. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5538, the Fiscal Year 2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill. This bill dangerously cuts spending by $64 million cut from FY16 and is $1 billion less than the President's FY2017 request. And this is yet another spending bill filled with ideologically driven riders from House Republicans. While there are few positives in this bill, like restoration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grants under the Historic Preservation Fund and an increase in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and Water Infrastructure program, there are too many poison riders and cuts to critical programs. For instance, this bill still falls short of providing all of the necessary funding to address the Flint water crisis and fix our decaying water infrastructure. As I've mentioned before, I was part of a Congressional Delegation that recently traveled to Flint, Michigan to listen to the residents of Flint regarding the horrendous impact of these government decisions that lead to the poising of those of children and families. The environmental injustice in Flint is an example of how many low-income communities of color are treated differently than affluent communities around the country. That is why full funding for the EPA is more important than ever. Yet this bill cuts the EPA by $164 million from FY16 levels. That is downright wrong. This dramatic cut will harm our nation's ability to protect the health of our communities, our environment and to ensure clean water for our children. Mr. Chair, as I said before, the numerous dangerous and offensive policy riders included in this bill--just to name a few--would block the EPA's Clean Power Plan and the Office of Surface Mining's stream protection rule, both of which help curtail dirty and harmful U.S. coal mining. These appalling riders would roll back years of progress; undermine the Administration's ability to protect endangered species, and to keep our land, water, and air clean. I hope my colleagues will join me in opposition to this bill until Republican appropriators stop the political gamesmanship and get serious about funding our government to meet our Nation's vital needs.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation to honor the memory of Jamie Wilson, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the House floor.