Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dr. Edward W. Wright. Known throughout the Bay Area as a physician, mentor, active community member, and devoted husband and father, Mr. Wright has left an indelible mark on our community. With his passing on May 29, 2014, we look to the outstanding quality of his life's work. Born on June 2, 1922 in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, Dr. Edward Wright was the fourth child born to William Marion Wright and Lunie K. Cameron. When Dr. Wright was five years old, he caught scarlet fever and was hospitalized for a long period of time. At this young age, Dr. Wright was inspired to become a doctor. He later moved to El Paso, Texas to live with his aunt and uncle after losing both of his parents in an unfortunate tragedy. In El Paso, he graduated Douglas High School with honors, and he then went on to attend Sam Houston College in Austin, Texas. In 1943, Dr. Wright graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Pre- Medical student with a Bachelor of Science Degree. In 1945, Dr. Edward Wright attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he partook in an accelerated program in Internal Medicine. At the age of 25, he graduated with honors and went on to complete his residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. He became Chief Resident and served as a full-time staff physician until 1955. Dr. Edward Wright and his family relocated to California in 1955, where Dr. Wright served as a Medical Officer for the Armed Forces at Ford Ord. After he completed his service, they relocated to Oakland, where Dr. Wright began a private practice in December 1958. Seven years later, he established and built a medical facility to serve families throughout Oakland. In addition to his prolific career, Dr. Wright was an active member in the community. He volunteered at the East Oakland Boys Club, providing physical exams, counseling and financial assistance for camperships and uniforms. For the next 40 years, Dr. Wright served as a physician, mentor and father-figure to more than 1,200 boys at the North and East Oakland Boys Clubs. Dr. Wright was also active with the Oakland Chapter of the Lions Club, providing countless hours of Loyal Lions Service. In 1969, he joined the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club and then served as President of the Board from 1980 to 1982. He was presented with the Man and Boy Trophy Award for his work with the Boys and Girls Clubs in 1964. Later, he received the Boys and Girls Clubs Service Award Medallion and then was honored during a formal tribute in 2000 at the First Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner. On a personal note, I have known Dr. Wright, or ``Piggy'' as my mother, Mildred Massey, called him, since I was a child. He and my mother attended school together and were very close. We loved ``Piggy'' and will miss him tremendously. He was one of my earliest supporters when I first ran for public office in 1989 and, for that, I am deeply grateful. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual, Dr. Edward W. Wright. As an Oakland resident, Dr. Wright's contributions have truly impacted so many lives throughout the Bay Area. I join all of Edward's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dr. Maya Angelou. Her vast body of work, which spans over six decades, as a dancer, actress, author and activist has stood the test of time. As a leader in the civil rights movement, a poet laureate, a college professor, Broadway actress and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelou was the spirit and conscience of generations. With her passing on May 28, 2014, we continue to be inspired by her life's work. Born on April 4, 1928, Dr. Maya Angelou was raised in Stamps, Arkansas and St. Louis, Missouri. At a young age, Dr. Angelou experienced the brutality of racial discrimination which drove her passion for justice and equality. In the early 1950s, Dr. Maya Angelou began her career as a performer. She toured with the production Porgy and Bess through Europe for two years. While living in Ghana, Dr. Angelou met with Malcolm X who encouraged her to move back to the United States to help him build the Organization of African American Unity. After the assassination of Malcolm X, Dr. Maya Angelou worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., serving as the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was nominated for a National Book Award in 1970 and remained on The New York Times paperback bestseller list for two years. In addition to Dr. Angelou's prolific career, she has been honored with many prestigious awards. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000 and received over 50 honorary degrees. President Bill Clinton asked her to compose a poem for his inauguration in 1993, making her the second poet to ever read a poem at a Presidential Inauguration. President Barack Obama bestowed Dr. Maya Angelou the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States of America. I will forever cherish the private moments I had the privilege to share with Dr. Maya Angelou. I was very moved when several years ago Maya called me and invited me to her beautiful home to talk. We spoke in her living room as sisters, about our lives, our struggles and our passion for improving the human condition. I confided in her about the many challenges I faced after voting against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force following the 9/11 attacks. I can never repay the encouragement and affirmation she gave me during that trying time as she reminded me that we all embody attributes of scripture's Proverbs 31, virtuous woman. And that our worth is far beyond rubies, we speak with wisdom and are clothed with strength and dignity. I was humbled that she insisted I write my autobiography. Once I finally garnered the courage to do so, she invited me to discuss it on her radio show and encouraged me to speed up the release of my paperback edition so that more people, especially young women, could have access to my story. Dr. Maya Angelou was passionate about helping young women achieve their fullest potential. Her example of grace, class and humility will continue to inspire young women to define themselves through a lens of self-love, humanitarianism and how they use their talents to change the world. She lived life to its fullest and shared with the world the essence of a purposeful life. I will hold her words, ``. . . be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity'' close to my heart, knowing that she was one of humanity's greatest gifts. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual and leader, Dr. Maya Angelou. While the world grieves in Dr. Maya Angelou's passing, we can take comfort in the fact that her words and her legacy live on in the generations of people who have been touched, challenged and inspired by her work. We will miss her tremendously, but Dr. Maya Angelou's legacy and spirit will live on forever.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member for yielding, and for your very hard work on this Department of Defense Appropriations bill. Mr. Chairman, as the daughter of a veteran, I know how important it is to fully fund and support our troops. I strongly support these provisions of this legislation. With that said, though, there are many provisions in this bill which I cannot support. These include nearly $500 billion in discretionary funding, with an increase of $4 billion above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level, which we have not seen for any other appropriations bill this year. This inflated level of spending fails to account, mind you, for the waste, fraud, and abuse that continue at the Pentagon. We must audit the Pentagon and reduce unnecessary Pentagon spending. This bill also includes nearly $80 billion for the overseas contingency operations slush fund, which is what it is, at a time when the President has not even made a specific request about how much is needed. This is outrageous, and this slush fund should be eliminated. Now I will be offering several amendments to this bill, one to limit operations in Afghanistan after 2014, as well as to repeal the 2001 blank check authorization. The farm bill, transportation bill, other bills, other authorizations have end dates. We need to end this. Come back to Congress, debate what we are going to do in Iraq, if anything, in terms of military strikes and, in fact, repeal the authorization on Afghanistan passed in 2001.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Mrs. Blanche Ione Jones, a loving and compassionate parent, sister, aunt and friend to many throughout the country, and particularly in Jackson and Detroit, Michigan. I am joined in this tribute by Representative John Conyers of Michigan. Mrs. Jones was a strong, kind and gentle woman who cared for others and deeply loved her family and community. With her passing on June 11, 2014, we look to her contributions to others, both big and small and remember her with great joy. Blanche Jones graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan in 1949. She continued her education at Jackson Junior College and received the Associate of Arts Degree from Mercy College in Detroit, Michigan. Following graduation she became a dental hygienist for her cousin, Dr. Archie Millben, Sr., then the first and only African American dentist in Jackson, Michigan. In 1958 she met and married Mr. George W. Jones, Jr. and moved to Detroit. Blanche Jones demonstrated on a daily basis, her compassion and devotion to her late husband of 34 years and their children. She admired and was especially proud that her cousin, Dr. Ethelene Jones-Crockett, Michigan's first female African-American obstetrician and gynecologist--who was also the wife of former Congressman George W. Crockett, Jr.--delivered her youngest three children. Mrs. Jones devoted her career at Detroit Public Schools as a para- professional teaching assistant to ensuring that all children have the opportunity to receive a quality education. She was raised in the Church of Christ and remained an active member throughout her life teaching Bible class and serving on numerous committees. Mrs. Blanche Jones was a close confidant to my mother, Mildred Massey and me. Regardless of her health condition, she was always positive and upbeat. There was no question about her love and she generously shared it with everyone. Blanche Jones was a ``woman of distinction and grace''. She loved clothes and I will always remember wearing a white wool coat and hat that she loved. I shopped all over the country looking for one to give her and regrettably could not find one. I did give her a white wool jacket--and my hat. The twinkle in her eyes and her words of gratitude were reminders of her thankfulness for the small things in life. Blanche was a brilliant woman. She read, kept up on current events and politics and had her own very strong opinions about issues which we discussed many times. Her family describes her as the Chairwoman on BNN: the Blanche News Network. There is a tremendous void in my life now and I will miss her deeply. She touched the lives of many and leaves a legacy with her work and compassion that will long endure. In her memory, let us live our lives as Mrs. Blanche Jones did and would want us to do--as loving and supportive human beings. Today, California's 13th Congressional District joins Michigan's 13th Congressional District to salute and honor a remarkable woman, Mrs. Blanche Ione Jones. We will miss her tremendously and know that her legacy and spirit will live on forever.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Mr. Odell H. Sylvester, former Chief of Police of Berkeley, California and devoted husband, father and friend. Known throughout the Bay Area for his firmness, fairness and compassion, Mr. Sylvester has left an indelible mark on our community. With his passing on January 25, 2014, we look to the outstanding quality of his life's work. Born on November 3, 1924 near Dallas, Texas, Mr. Odell Sylvester and his family later moved to Kansas City, Missouri. After his first year of undergraduate study at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, he enrolled in military service. For three years, he served as a military policeman in North Africa and Italy. After returning to the United States, Mr. Sylvester attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1948. Mr. Sylvester went on to complete a Master's Degree in Public Administration at the University of Southern California. Mr. Odell Sylvester began his long career in law enforcement by working with the Oakland Police Department in 1949. Progressing through the ranks by competitive examination, he became Sergeant in 1957, Lieutenant in 1961, moving up to Captain two years later and ended as Deputy Chief in 1971. After he left the Oakland Police Department in 1977, Mr. Sylvester accepted his appointment as Chief of Police in Berkeley. Breaking racial barriers, Mr. Sylvester became the first African American Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief in the Oakland Police Department, as well as the first African American Police Chief for the City of Berkeley. In addition to his prolific career, Mr. Sylvester was an active member in the community, including the Oakland Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Goodwill Industries, the YMCA, the NAACP and the Church by the Side of the Road. He was also a founding member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and was the Director of the Bay Area Minority Recruitment Project, involving the San Francisco, Berkeley, Richmond and Oakland Police Departments. Mr. Sylvester received numerous awards for community and professional service, as well as in recognition of his lifetime achievements. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual, Mr. Odell H. Sylvester. As an Oakland-resident, Mr. Sylvester's efforts have truly paved the way for minorities and impacted so many lives throughout the Bay Area. I join all of Odell's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Mayor Peggy Thomsen. Known throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as the Mayor of Albany, California, a consummate public servant, and as a dedicated wife and mother, Mayor Thomsen has left an indelible mark on our community. With her passing on June 8, 2014, we look to the outstanding quality of her life's work and the inspiring role she played in our community. Born on February 28, 1940 in St. Louis, Missouri, Mayor Peggy Thomsen and her family moved frequently around the United States, including to Denver, Colorado and Beaverton, Oregon, before settling in Fresno, California. Mayor Thomsen was passionate about education. After earning her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees at California State University, Fresno, she went on to earn a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. Meeting her husband, John, at California State University, Fresno, they moved to Albany where Mayor Thomsen began her career teaching in Albany and Richmond schools. She also was an instructor, curriculum planner and seminar presenter at Heald College in San Francisco. Mayor Peggy Thomsen was deeply committed to helping others. Prior to being elected as Mayor of Albany, her civic service and leadership manifested in various ways. She served on the Albany Unified School District School Board for 16 years and spent 14 years on the City Council. Additionally, she was President of the Parent Teacher Association Council, Albany Girl Scout Leader and a School Resource Volunteer Coordinator. Dedicated to leadership in her community, Mayor Peggy Thomsen served on the Social and Economic Justice Committee, Albany Waterfront Committee and the Albany Charter Review Committee. Mayor Thomsen also served on numerous regional committees, including the California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research and the California School Board Association Delegate Assembly. In addition to Ms. Thomsen's prolific career, she received numerous awards for her work in the community. She was the recipient of Service Awards from the Albany Unified School District, March of Dimes, California State Parent Teacher Association and Albany Jaycees. Furthermore, her commitment to her students was demonstrated in the Teacher Enrichment and the Teacher of the Year Awards she received from Heald College. Today California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual and community leader, Mayor Peggy Thomsen. As a 47 year resident of Albany, her dedication and efforts impacted so many lives throughout the Bay Area. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all of those whom she inspired. I join all of Peggy's loved ones in celebrating her incredible life. She will be deeply missed.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Since its passage on July 2, 1964, this landmark legislation ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. After the Civil War, three Constitutional Amendments were adopted to abolish slavery, grant former slaves citizenship and allow all men the right to vote regardless of race. Following a brief period of Reconstruction, Congress did not pass any civil rights legislation until 1957 when the Civil Rights Section of the Justice Department and a Commission on Civil Rights were established. Following the conclusion of the Birmingham Bus Boycott in May 1963, President John F. Kennedy proposed a comprehensive civil rights bill in June 1963. He stated then that the United States ``will not be fully free until all of its citizens are free.'' Passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 required the masterful legislative savvy of President Lyndon B. Johnson. In his first State of the Union address he urged, ``Let this session of Congress be known as the session which did more for civil rights that the last hundred sessions combined.'' The ban on employment discrimination against women was introduced as an amendment thought to be a mischievous attempt to kill the bill. The amendment passed. The bill was debated on the Senate floor and one of the longest filibusters in Senate history took place. Never before in history had the Senate been able to raise enough votes to end a filibuster on a civil rights bill. Once the votes had been secured to end this filibuster, Minority Leader Senator Everett Dirksen, an Illinois Republican noted that the cloture vote was occurring on the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's nomination to a second term. There was also ``street heat'' on Congress from ordinary citizens, civil rights organizations and churches. In June 1964 Senator Dirksen estimated that he had heard from at least 100,000 people about the bill. Telegrams, petitions and letters all urged passage and increased pressure on the Senate to pass the Civil Rights Bill. The NAACP, CORE, the National Urban League, SCLC and others represented organized African-American support for passage of the Bill. The 1964 Civil Rights Act debate continued for 83 days, slightly over 730 hours and had taken up almost 3000 pages in the Congressional Record. Finally, on July 2 within a few hours of the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, President Johnson signed it into law on national television, using more than 70 ceremonial pens. On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I would like to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as the most important civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. I join together with California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Black Elected Officials and Faith Based Leaders of the East Bay, the Equal Justice Society, NAACP, City of Oakland, Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Center, East Oakland Youth Development Center and labor organizations to celebrate this important milestone and continue the important work to ensure justice, equality and opportunity for all Americans.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is especially critical for low-income children, many of whom who have not had a nutritious meal since the previous day of school, so I really appreciate your support. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. I yield to the gentleman from Alabama.

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

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, first, let me thank our chair and our ranking member for working with me on this amendment. I appreciate the bipartisan cooperation. Also, I want to thank our staff for helping us with this. This amendment would provide a badly needed increase to the school breakfast grant program of approximately $8.1 million. The offset for this amendment is the Secretary's administrative account and the administrative and expenses account. These competitive grants allow States, schools, and local educational agencies to purchase important equipment for their school breakfast program. The school breakfast program is a critical tool in the fight to keep our students fed with a nutritious meal at the start of the day. Oftentimes, this is the meal that children rely on to help them get through the day, especially toward the end of the day, when they are about ready to go home and they have not been fully fed at the beginning of the day. The bottom line is breakfast is very, very important to the growth, health, welfare, and development of our children.

Ms. LEE of California

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

Ms. LEE of California. First, Mr. Chair, let me just say that I join my other colleagues in opposition to the drastic cuts that this bill sets forth for the TIGER program, as well as language that would prohibit important environmentally sustainable projects from competing for these grants. We know that smart and targeted investments in infrastructure projects grow local economies, and they create good-paying jobs. I know firsthand the effectiveness of this program in my own district, at the Port of Oakland, for example, and the East Bay Greenway, where local agencies have leveraged flexible TIGER grant funds to bring projects toward completion. These cuts now will reduce private sector investments, which are essential to public-private partnerships. These urban projects around the country need to be able to compete for this important source of funding, and these funding levels and policy provisions simply won't allow that to happen. We spend billions, mind you, billions on infrastructure projects in Iraq and Afghanistan. Why not in our own country? TIGER grants allow us to nation-build here at home, and we need this desperately. I look forward to working with our ranking member and our chair, so that we can fix the funding level as this bill goes to conference. I think we know on both sides of the aisle that these grants have created jobs and economic opportunities and have helped create and fix our infrastructure. It is very important that we fully fund these TIGER grants. So, again, I thank the ranking member, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is cosponsored by my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green) who has been such a tremendous leader on fair housing and equal opportunity issues and civil rights issues since way before he came to Congress, but he has kept his passion and his focus on issues of fairness and justice even now to this day. So I just want to thank him for cosponsoring this amendment. Our amendment would increase funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program by 10 million, offset from Information Services. I want to thank the chairman, Mr. Latham, and Mr. Pastor for your assistance in helping us work through this and for your commitment to fair housing. Fair housing initiatives are a central component of our Nation's civil rights protections under the Fair Housing Act. Unfortunately, we know that despite gains, discrimination remains. This program funds competitive grants to provide nonprofit entities for critical education and enforcement services to prevent housing discrimination based on race, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, familial status, and other factors. In my home district, for example, in California, the Bay Area Legal Aid and Fair Housing of Marin have utilized these funds to provide critical education programs, including workshops on fair housing for domestic violence victims and investigations of discriminatory housing practices. In 2013, private fair housing organizations investigated more than twice as many housing complaints as government agencies. At the same time, however, many fair housing organizations have had to close or reduce their staffing capacity due to continuous cuts to this program. This program has a history of bipartisan support. And I know that my colleagues across the aisle acknowledge its vital role in ensuring that our constituents are not the subject of unfair and discriminatory practices in an increasingly competitive and uncertain housing market. While I am very pleased that we are able to provide this supplemental funding, I must also acknowledge that the funding levels across the bill are still far too low to truly provide the affordable housing resources that our Nation sorely needs. I want to thank again Congressman Al Green from Texas, Chairman Latham, and our ranking member, Mr. Pastor, for your support for this amendment and, more importantly, for this important program. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. I move to strike the last word, Mr. Chairman.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Dr. Edward W. Wright. Known throughout the Bay Area as a physician, mentor, active community member, and devoted husband and father, Mr. Wright has left an indelible mark on our community. With his passing on May 29, 2014, we look to the outstanding quality of his life's work. Born on June 2, 1922 in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, Dr. Edward Wright was the fourth child born to William Marion Wright and Lunie K. Cameron. When Dr. Wright was five years old, he caught scarlet fever and was hospitalized for a long period of time. At this young age, Dr. Wright was inspired to become a doctor. He later moved to El Paso, Texas to live with his aunt and uncle after losing both of his parents in an unfortunate tragedy. In El Paso, he graduated Douglas High School with honors, and he then went on to attend Sam Houston College in Austin, Texas. In 1943, Dr. Wright graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Pre- Medical student with a Bachelor of Science Degree. In 1945, Dr. Edward Wright attended Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he partook in an accelerated program in Internal Medicine. At the age of 25, he graduated with honors and went on to complete his residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. He became Chief Resident and served as a full-time staff physician until 1955. Dr. Edward Wright and his family relocated to California in 1955, where Dr. Wright served as a Medical Officer for the Armed Forces at Fort Ord. After he completed his service, they relocated to Oakland, where Dr. Wright began a private practice in December 1958. Seven years later, he established and built a medical facility to serve families throughout Oakland. In addition to his prolific career, Dr. Wright was an active member in the community. He volunteered at the East Oakland Boys Club, providing physical exams, counseling and financial assistance for camperships and uniforms. For the next 40 years, Dr. Wright served as a physician, mentor and father-figure to more than 1,200 boys at the North and East Oakland Boys Clubs. Dr. Wright was also active with the Oakland Chapter of the Lions Club, providing countless hours of Loyal Lions Service. In 1969, he joined the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club and then served as President of the Board from 1980 to 1982. He was presented with the Man and Boy Trophy Award for his work with the Boys and Girls Clubs in 1964. Later, he received the Boys and Girls Clubs Service Award Medallion and then was honored during a formal tribute in 2000 at the First Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner. On a personal note, I have known Dr. Wright, or ``Piggy'' as my mother, Mildred Massey, called him, since I was a child. He and my mother attended school together and were very close. We loved ``Piggy'' and will miss him tremendously. He was one of my earliest supporters when I first ran for public office in 1989 and, for that, I am deeply grateful. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual, Dr. Edward W. Wright. As an Oakland resident, Dr. Wright's contributions have truly impacted so many lives throughout the Bay Area. I join all of Edward's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with a sense of sadness, yet gratitude, that I rise to honor the life and the memory of a great, phenomenal warrior woman, Dr. Maya Angelou. I offer my condolences to Dr. Angelou's friends and family, including her son Guy Johnson, who is both a friend and constituent, as they celebrate and mourn her spirit- filled life. I will forever cherish the private moments I had the privilege to share with Maya. One I recall was when, years ago, she invited me to her beautiful home, where we talked in her living room as sisters about our lives, our struggles, our passions for improving the human condition. I confided in her about the many challenges I faced after voting against the authorization to use military force. She encouraged me, and the affirmation she gave to me during those trying times will always be with me. I tell you, Dr. Angelou lived life to its fullest, and she shared with the world the essence of a purposeful life. I will hold her words, ``be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity,'' close to my heart, knowing that she was one of humanity's greatest gifts. While the world grieves in Dr. Maya Angelou's passing, we can take comfort in the fact that her words and her legacy live on in generations of people who have been touched, challenged, and inspired by her work. We will miss her tremendously, but Dr. Maya Angelou's legacy and her spirit will live on forever.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the exceptional life of Ms. Anne Louise Taylor, a devoted mother, sister, friend and colleague. With her passing on March 31, 2014, we look to the outstanding quality of her life's work as a public servant. Born on August 15, 1957 and raised in Alameda, California, Ms. Anne Taylor graduated from Alameda High School. She went on to graduate from the University of Maryland Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After completing her studies, Ms. Taylor began her career in the political arena working for California State Assemblymember and California Board of Equalization Member Johan Klehs. She later served as the District Director for former California State Assemblymember Ellen Corbett and as the head of Government Relations for California State University, East Bay. In addition to Ms. Taylor's work in public office, she worked closely with many non-profits and community groups. At the East Bay Community Foundation, Ms. Taylor helped simplify the process for submitting grants by developing a ``one-stop'' shop website for non-profit organizations. This website has garnered recognition and won awards, and it remains a shining example of government and non-profit collaboration. Ms. Taylor also had an extensive nonprofit fundraising background, having worked for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Moreover, Ms. Taylor was an advocate in the community and nation on women's health issues. She worked with the National American Red Cross, raising more than $6 million for the ``Help Can't Wait'' program. She was also named the American Red Cross Community Service Hero for her efforts to educate women about the risks of heart disease. Ms. Taylor actively volunteered for the American Heart Association and the Mended Hearts Organization. Ms. Anne Taylor served as District Director in my Oakland office for over five years, coordinating district outreach, including town hall meetings, forums, community events and workshops. Ms. Taylor was the lead staff member on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and worked tirelessly to secure more than $1.9 billion in Stimulus funds for the district. Ms. Taylor's contributions to the residents of the East Bay were enormous. With true compassion and commitment, she touched the lives of thousands of people. Not only was she a true public servant and phenomenal woman, she was deeply passionate about her community, Alameda, where she loved the 4th of July parade and the Alameda Point Antique fair. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding individual and dedicated public servant, Ms. Anne Taylor. Her invaluable service to improving the lives of the underrepresented and underserved will live on in the endless legacy of her life's work. I offer my sincerest condolences to her many loved ones, friends and colleagues she touched over the course of her incredible life. May her soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this bipartisan amendment, which I am proud to cosponsor along with my colleagues. This amendment will provide much-needed clarity to patients and businesses in my home State of California and 31 other jurisdictions that provide safe and legal access to medicine. We should allow for the implementation of the will of the voters to comply with State laws rather than undermining our democracy. In States with medical marijuana laws, patients face uncertainty regarding their treatment, and small business owners who have invested millions creating jobs and revenue have no assurances for the future. It is past time for the Justice Department to stop its unwarranted persecution of medical marijuana and put its resources where they are needed. In States with medical marijuana laws, people with multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, cancer, HIV, and AIDS and other medical issues continue to face uncertainty when it comes to accessing the medicine that they need to provide some relief. So it is time to pass this. It is time to give these patients the relief that they need. This is the humanitarian thing to do, it is the democratic thing to do, and I hope this body will vote for it and pass it on a bipartisan basis. It is long overdue. Enough is enough.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, let me thank our ranking member, Mr. Fattah, for his tremendous leadership on the subcommittee. Also, I want to thank Chairman Wolf, first of all, for your years of service and for so much of your hard work on this bill and so many other issues. We have worked together for so many years. Your legacy in this body will continue for many, many years. You have made such a positive impact on the lives of so many people, not only in our own country, but throughout the world. So thank you again for your service. Let me thank also our staff on both sides of the aisle for their assistance, for their support, their very astute understanding of this bill, and for helping us put together this amendment, which is really very simple, and hopefully Members on both sides of the aisle can support. It would increase funding for Second Chance Act programs by $3 million, offset from the justice information sharing technology and the Bureau of Prison salaries account. I have to once again thank the chair and Ranking Member Fattah for funding the Second Chance Act to the President's request in this bill. Now, more than ever, we need strong investments in bipartisan and proven effective programs like the Second Chance Act. Congressman Danny Davis from Illinois has been such a leader on this issue and has fought for many, many years to make sure that Second Chance Act not only is authorized, but it is funded. At a time when our Nation incarcerates its citizens at the highest rate in the world, the fact of the matter is this program needs very strong support. In 2009, there were over 1.6 million inmates incarcerated in the United States. That is one in every 199 United States residents. If you include those housed in local jails, that number increases to 2.2 million. We also need to acknowledge the disparate impact that mass incarceration has on communities of color. In 2011, 1 in 13 Black males ages 30 to 34 were in prison, along with 1 in 36 Hispanic males. That number is 1 in 90 for White males. This is an issue that tears at our communities and our families each and every day. Unfortunately, we know that more than half of the inmates who are released from prison who have served their time are re-incarcerated within 3 years. So we need to lower these unacceptable recidivism rates by addressing the overwhelming obstacles faced by the reentry population. That is exactly what the Second Chance Act does, by providing grants to State and local governments as well as nonprofit organizations who are working to improve outcomes for people returning to communities from incarceration. This also increases public safety and actually reduces the burden on taxpayers. The Second Chance Act grants funds for comprehensive and coordinated services in employment, housing, education, substance abuse, mental health, and family counseling. Since becoming the law, the Second Chance Act has authorized nearly 600 grants that have been awarded to local governments and nonprofit organizations in 49 States. For example, in my own district in the city of Oakland, a program known as Comprehensive Community Cross System Reentry Support brings together government and nonprofit partners to reengage youth in school after leaving a juvenile detention center. Also, in my home district, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office has implemented Operation My Home Town, which provides pre- and post- release services to inmates at the Santa Rita Jail, the fifth-largest county jail in the Nation. These are just a couple of examples of the hundreds of successful programs that have helped previously incarcerated individuals get back on their feet during a very difficult time. These programs work in our district. This is a bipartisan bill, a bipartisan program. I know that there is support for this program and reforming our prison system on both sides of the aisle. This is also a fiscal issue. It is one that has economic implications. It is also a humanitarian issue. So I urge ``yes'' on this amendment. Once again, I want to thank the chair, ranking member, and our staffs for your assistance and leadership. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. We are 13 years into this war without end. So, Mr. Speaker, I authored H.R. 4608. I had an amendment to come here on this bill that would really get us back to the drawing board so that we could have this full debate to determine whether or not this resolution, the one of 9/14/2001, should still hold. Minimally, we should have a full debate on this. I am really pleased though to see that the administration finally agreed to release a secret drones memo. That is a good thing. That is happening I think today. But we need to have a debate on this resolution, and we need to have it today.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Chair, let me thank Congressman Schiff for offering this amendment. As this body knows, I have been offering an amendment to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force for many, many years. Congressman Schiff, this is such an important--a very important amendment, which is critical to stopping this endless war. Unfortunately, the Rules Committee refused to allow my bipartisan amendment, taken from my bill, the War Authorization Review and Determination Act, to even be considered. For those who were not here on that sorrowful day, just 3 days after 9/11, let me just read from that short sentence--one sentence, mind you--that passed the House with just 1 hour of debate, with 420 ayes and one no. The President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. I voted against this resolution. Of course, it was the most difficult vote of my career, but I knew then what I know now. It was too broad, and it is open-ended. Unfortunately, the Republican leadership has allowed a mere--what is it--10 minutes now to debate this serious and dangerous authorization. Supporting this amendment would be an important step to ensuring that the President does not have a blank check to conduct endless war. Congress must exercise its constitutional authority.

Ms. LEE of California. Let me conclude by saying that the girls should be able to pursue their education and live free from the threats of slavery, kidnapping, and violence. This resolution, in no uncertain terms, says enough is enough. So thank you, Congresswoman Jackson Lee and Congresswoman Wilson, for making sure that, once again, we come together in a bipartisan way to insist that this terrorist organization is brought to justice and insist that we do everything we can do to bring our girls home.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Reverend Claude E. Wilson. Known as a prominent leader in our community and as a devoted husband, father and friend, Reverend Wilson has left an indelible mark on our community. With his passing on May 9, 2014, we look to Reverend Wilson's personal legacy of spiritual service, the joy he inspired and the outstanding quality of his life's work. Born on June 11, 1932 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Reverend Wilson moved to Seattle, Washington with his family at the age of eight. After graduating from Simpson College in San Francisco in 1956, Reverend Wilson went to pursue his Master's degree at the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley. He obtained a Masters of Religious Education and a Masters of Divinity. In 1980, Reverend Wilson completed his Doctor of Ministry at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley. Throughout the 1960s, Reverend Claude Wilson served as a minister of Christian education and assistant to the pastor at McGee Avenue Baptist Church. In 1969, he became the pastor at Havenscourt Community Church, where he served his community for over 44 years. In addition, Reverend Wilson instructed at different institutes and universities, including the Bible Fellowship Institute, Fuller Seminary, and he was a Professor of Pastoral Care for Patten University. Among Reverend Wilson's many accomplishments, he was also an active community leader and organizer. He served as the President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of the East Bay, one of the oldest Black ministerial alliances in Northern California. Reverend Wilson also served as the President of the Northern California Council of Churches. In addition, he was a member of Pastors of Oakland and Love Fellowship of Churches, and was the Intern Chaplain at San Quentin Prison. Reverend Claude Wilson has left a lasting imprint on our society and communities of faith. Reverend Wilson dedicated more than half of his life to ministry and will be remembered for his wisdom and compassion. In recognition for all of his achievements, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Monrovia, Liberia naming a building after him: The Doctor Claude E. Wilson Academy. On a personal note, I will always remember the confidence Reverend Wilson had in me when he endorsed me during my first campaign in 1989 for the California Assembly. He encouraged me and helped me win election after election. I was so proud to list him on my literature as a supporter. More importantly, however, I was proud to call him my friend. Reverend Wilson's smile, his kind words and his prayers reassured me to keep fighting the good fight. He was always there for me and for that, I am forever grateful. Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an outstanding community leader and individual, Reverend Claude E. Wilson. His dedication and efforts have impacted so many lives throughout the Bay Area. I join all of Claude's loved ones in celebrating his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.