Brenda Lawrence

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, in honor of Zanyrah Taylor, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of silence on the floor.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Chairman, I thank Ranking Member Cummings. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4361. Clearly, my colleagues on the other side have good intentions, but they need to be informed and corrected and understanding. I served 30 years as a Federal employee. During that time, I served as an EEO investigator. I looked at actions that were made against Federal employees that were not in compliance. I understand the undue burden that this legislation will put on Federal workers and labor organizations. H.R. 4361 combines proposals attacking Federal employees with regulatory measures, many of which hinder the performance of one of our Nation's largest workforces. When we considered this legislation in committee, I offered an amendment to strike the provisions in title III of H.R. 3023, and require each employing agency to make an affirmative decision in writing near the end of an employee's probationary period stating that the individual's performance is acceptable, which the Office of Personnel Management considers a best practice in managing the performance of employees. Mr. Chairman, instead of debating legislation that would undermine due process provisions, we should be looking at how we can protect our citizens through commonsense gun control legislation and maintain access to affordable health care for all Americans.

Ms. LAWRENCE

Ms. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, can you tell me how much time I have remaining?

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4777, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Selma, Alabama, as the Amelia Boynton Robinson Post Office Building. Known as the matriarch of the civil rights movement, Amelia Boynton Robinson began her activism as a child, along with her mother, on horse-and-buggy trips to pass out women's suffrage pamphlets prior to the 1910s. By 1930, Amelia was helping register southern African American voters. In 1964, she became the first African American woman to run for Congress in Alabama. Although she lost the Democratic primary, her campaign drew increased interest to the issue of voting rights. Having participated in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference since meeting Dr. Martin Luther King in 1954, Amelia helped organize the march from Selma to Montgomery. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to make sure that a place in history that was changed by this woman's leadership commemorates her and her tireless efforts on behalf of civil and voting rights in our country. I urge the passage of H.R. 4777. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Ms. Sewell).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers to bring forth today. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4925, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Findlay, Ohio, as the Michael Garver Oxley Memorial Post Office Building. Mr. Oxley was elected to the Ohio State House of Representatives at the age of 28 and won a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1981. Serving as the chair of the Committee on Financial Services, Congressman Oxley devoted himself to corporate oversight and insurance protection issues. He also led efforts to investigate Enron and other corporate scandals, and is perhaps most well known for the new accounting requirements and financial regulations enacted by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Congressman Oxley retired after 25 years in the House and passed away in December of 2015, following a battle with lung cancer. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to honor Congressman Oxley's public service and commemorate his many congressional accomplishments. I urge the passage of H.R. 4925. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Blum), my colleague, that I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4960, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Aurora, Illinois, as the Kenneth M. Christy Post Office Building. It is only fitting that we name a post office after Ken Christy, a man who dedicated his career to the Postal Service and its workforce. Joining the Aurora Post Office in 1977, Ken worked as a letter carrier for over 30 years. Ken also served 25 years as the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 219, receiving multiple awards for his dedication, leadership, and community service. In 2004, he joined the Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers. Ken was awarded honorary membership in numerous postal facilities outside of Aurora and was inducted into the Illinois Letter Carriers Hall of Fame in 2012. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken about my illustrious career in the United States Postal Service, one of 30 years. I started that career as a letter carrier, so it is with great honor that I stand here today strongly suggesting and saying that we should pass this bill to honor Ken Christy's life of public service and his tireless dedication to the Postal Service. I urge the passage of H.R. 4960. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster).

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4639, a bill to reauthorize the Office of Special Counsel. I thank Ranking Member Cummings and Representatives Connolly, Blum, and Meadows for their leadership in crafting this bipartisan bill. While the Office of Special Counsel plays a vital role in the Federal Government, the Office of Special Counsel, or OSC, protects Federal employees, especially whistleblowers, from prohibited personnel practices, such as discrimination, retaliation, and improper hiring practices. OSC also serves as a safe place for Federal whistleblowers to disclose wrongdoings. The agency also safeguards the preference and employment rights of veterans, guardsmen, and reservists to ensure that they are not disadvantaged or discriminated against because of their service. Reauthorization of OSC is long overdue. The last statutory authorization for the agency expired in fiscal year 2007. This bill will authorize nearly $26 million in annual funding for OSC for the fiscal years 2017 through 2020. I commend current Special Counsel, Carolyn Lerner, for her leadership and work in making the OSC a more effective investigative body. This bill would make changes that would help OSC conduct investigations and hold agencies accountable when wrongdoing is identified. For example, the bill would provide OSC with clear authority to obtain information from agencies during an investigation. Providing this authority to OSC would make clear that agencies must cooperate in the same way Congress expects agencies to cooperate with the inspectors general and GAO. If disclosing certain information could interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation or prosecution, this measure would allow the attorney general or an inspector general to withhold access to such information. This bill would also increase agency accountability when allegations of misconduct are substantiated. Agencies that fail to implement a recommendation made by OSC will be required to explain why they have failed to take such actions. This legislation is critically important for ensuring that Federal employees have a venue for seeking redress against prohibited personnel practices. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of this legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to sponsor H.R. 5028, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 10721 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, as the Mary Eleanora McCoy Post Office Building. It brings me great pride that my first bill considered before the House surrounds the United States Postal Service and Mary McCoy, an activist who was able to provide housing, education, health care, and economic support to women and children during the Jim Crow era. I spent almost 30 years in the Postal Service and saw firsthand the importance of these government agencies to communities throughout the country. They are central to every American city and provide a vital service to senior citizens on a daily basis. Today I stand in recognition of Mary McCoy, a woman who organized and provided essential services to African Americans and other minorities who lacked access to adequate medical care, housing options, and education, all at a time when women lacked basic voting rights. The daughter of two escaped slaves, Mary McCoy was born in an underground railroad station in 1846. Mary rose to become a philanthropist and leader of the African American and female populations in Michigan, bringing these diverse communities together in a time of great divide. Through the establishment of organizations and group homes, Mary was able to provide support, safety, and community for women and children throughout Michigan. The wife of the renowned innovator, Elijah McCoy, Mary forever changed the cultural landscape in the United States for African Americans and women, developing innovative methods to support both communities. Mary established scholarships for children of former slaves and gave shelter to orphans and senior citizens throughout Michigan. Mary was able to provide these essential services by founding and supporting some of Michigan's most prominent women's clubs and organizations. These groups include, but are not limited to, the Michigan State Association of Colored Women, the McCoy Home for Colored Children, and the Phyllis Wheatley Home for Aged Colored Women. Mary McCoy worked her entire life to alleviate the racism, sexism, and ageism that plagued our Nation. She lived to see a cultural shift in America that went far beyond the 15th and 19th amendments. Dying at the age of 77 from injuries sustained in a car crash, Mary McCoy will always be remembered as a hero for her work in sheltering the homeless, healing the sick, and supporting many of Michigan's most charitable endeavors. I urge the passage of H.R. 5028. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4010, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service in Phoenix, Arizona, as the Ed Pastor Post Office. Ed Pastor dedicated his life to public service. After working for Arizona Governor Raul Castro and after having served three terms on the County Board of Supervisors, Ed Pastor was elected to this very Chamber in 1991. Congressman Pastor was a founding member of the Progressive Caucus, was chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in the 104th Congress, and served as the deputy whip of the Democratic Caucus. Congressman Pastor retired following his 12th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to recognize the many years Ed Pastor spent in advocating on behalf of his constituents and in working to improve the lives of all Americans. I urge the passage of H.R. 4010. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Gallego).

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 4372, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service in Bergen, New York, as the Barry G. Miller Post Office. Along with his love of outdoor activities, including snowmobiling, boating, water-skiing, and camping, Barry exhibited a love for community service. While working as a Genesee County coroner, Barry also served as the chief of Emergency Medical Services at the Bergen Fire Department. As a 31-year veteran of the fire department, Barry is remembered for his generosity and for his dedication to protecting and improving the lives of those in his community. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to recognize Barry Miller's life of public service and to honor the many contributions he made to his community. I urge the passage of H.R. 4372. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4902, a bipartisan bill sponsored by some of my colleagues on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Representatives Hurd, Connolly, and Lujan Grisham. I thank them for their good work on this important legislation. This legislation would establish a uniform pay system for law enforcement officers of the Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations, who are currently paid overtime pay under three different systems; and it will make it more efficient for the agency to administer staff overtime. The bill will convert the pay system for AMO officers to Law Enforcement Availability Pay, a system used by many other Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service. As stated by my colleague, Mr. Hurd, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that this legislation will reduce AMO's costs by $2 million a year. I would also like to note that the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association supports this legislation. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 4902. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act is designed to strengthen Federal agency efforts to combat financial fraud. Congress has passed a number of bills in the past few years aimed at curbing improper payments. Fraud in this area is especially harmful. It stems not from innocent mistakes, but from the willful intent to steal or misuse taxpayer dollars. Fraud reduction strategies help reduce these crimes, and the Government Accountability Office and the inspector general have recommended that agencies implement such strategies. The bill before us will require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to consult with GAO to develop antifraud guidance for Federal agencies and then monitor the implementation of this guidance. The bill will also require the establishment of a working group of agency chief financial officers to share best practices and help disseminate new antifraud techniques. The working group would also be required to develop a plan for establishing an interagency library of analytical tools and datasets for agencies and IGs to use in fighting fraud. In developing this plan, I believe the working group should look to the model of the Recovery Operations Center, which was developed to monitor spending under the Recovery Act of 2009, and which has, unfortunately, ceased operations. These are commonsense steps toward solving a serious problem that everyone should support. I urge members to support S. 2133. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 2607, a bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located in Jackson Heights, New York, as the Jeanne and Jules Manford Post Office Building. Parents of gay activist Morty Manford, Jeanne and Jules Manford quickly became activists themselves, following their son's beating at a Gay Activists Alliance demonstration in 1972. Morty had been kicked and beaten, yet police did not intercede on his behalf. Jeanne wrote a letter, published in the New York Post, highlighting her outrage and drawing public attention to violence being perpetrated against the LGBT community. A year later, in 1973, Jeanne and Jules Manford decided to organize a support group for parents of gay children. By the 1980s, their group was formally established as Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. PFLAG is now an international group made up of over 200,000 members advocating for support, understanding, and equal rights for gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual individuals. In 1993, almost a year after losing Morty to complications of AIDS, Jeanne Manford served as the grand marshal of the New York Gay Pride Parade. Following her death in 2013, Jeanne was awarded the Nation's second highest civilian award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, by President Barack Obama. Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to recognize Jeanne and Jules Manford's tireless devotion to the LGBT equal rights movement and their advocacy on its behalf. Mr. Speaker, it is also a very sad time in our history where we are witnessing, unfortunately, violence and hate being perpetrated on members of our country, the citizens and people who have identified themselves as gay or lesbian. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H.R. 2607, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to my colleague from New York (Mr. Crowley).