Lucy McBath

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the deliberately misleading Pregnant Students' Rights Act. It is unfortunately not a bill about protecting pregnant and parenting students or improving their outcomes in school at all. This legislation is just another poorly disguised attempt to further roll back the rights of women in this country and unduly pressure students into making serious healthcare decisions. We should be considering legislation that will actually support pregnant and parenting students and has a real chance of being passed into law, like the Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2023, introduced by my colleague, Representative Deborah Ross, and me. Instead of leveraging the very real needs of students and their children against the highly polarizing and personal topics of reproductive rights and abortion, we could be studying the issue and establishing best practices at the Department of Education to improve graduation rates and help pregnant and parenting Americans stay in school, practices like ensuring access to quality on-campus childcare and accommodations for breastfeeding. Supporting pregnant and parenting students should be a bipartisan effort, but the bill that our colleagues have brought forth today does not seek to find commonsense, consensus solutions. I look forward to working with my colleagues across the aisle at the appropriate time to ensure that every student is given the support that they need to finish their degree, improve their career, and finally move into that higher income level that they have been dreaming of and working so hard toward. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Scott and his staff for their work on this issue. I rise today on behalf of the thousands of working families in my district who are struggling under the burden of seemingly endless student loan debt. A college credential continues to be the surest path to economic security, and we must help to make sure that every student, regardless of their background or their ZIP Code, has the resources necessary to achieve their dreams through education. That means setting our students up for success, not confining them to a lifetime of making payments that barely cover the interest on their loans. The American people who stand to be harmed by this bill are more than just numbers. They are not just statistics. These are real live human beings with real life experiences. I would remind my colleague, Mrs. McClain of Michigan, that in her district, there are at least 9,900 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan, which will significantly lower their monthly payments. If Republicans succeed and this bill undoes the income-driven repayment plan, more than 5 million student loan borrowers enrolled in the plan will see their monthly payments go up. These are real people. They are nurses. They are engineers. They are teachers with families and mortgages and groceries that they need to buy who are going to lose the opportunity to pay off their loans in a way that really fits their budgets. The American people are tired of these empty and broken promises. They are tired of being asked to give more and more of themselves while it gets increasingly expensive to acquire the skills necessary just to make a decent living. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a truly exceptional First Lady, Rosalynn Carter. I thank my Georgia colleagues for their kind words during this time. It is important we unite as a state delegation to honor her, just as our state and our Nation recently had the opportunity to pay their respects and mark her legacy of service. I consider it one of the great blessings of my life that I was able to spend time in Plains, Georgia with both President Carter and the former First Lady during my first year in Congress. Their dedication to public service and to our Nation was strengthened by the love and partnership shared over their 77 years of marriage. It's widely been pointed out that the legacy of President Carter would not be complete without a full accounting of the many contributions Rosalynn made during that time in office. In metro Atlanta, her memory will forever live on at the Rosalynn Apartments through the work of 3Keys, whose mission to support and empower individuals with mental illness to live a life filled with purpose and dignity was directly by her own work. In all that she did, she touched people's lives and made a real difference for the people she was called to serve. I am holding the Carter family in my prayers and in my heart during this difficult time.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise during National Diabetes Month to recognize the monumental impact my plan to cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for seniors has had on the lives of millions. There is no time off when you live with diabetes. It is a constant, ever-present disease that influences every aspect of your life. Those born with diabetes live their entire lives checking their blood sugar every other hour, and they must constantly be wary of what they eat, what they drink, and what they must monitor to survive. Almost 40 million Americans live with diabetes. Over a million of them are in Georgia alone. Black Americans are 60 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and twice as likely to die from it. Many of those who live with this chronic disease must take insulin every day to survive, and even still, it remains the seventh leading cause of death in our country. In 1920, before insulin was discovered, it would have been exceptional for diabetic patients to live longer than a year or two. But for over 100 years, the discovery of insulin has saved lives, and has remained the most effective treatment for all those living with this chronic disease. We have seen this life-saving medication get further and further out of reach for those families who need it. Why is it that in the richest country in the history of the world, children must watch their grandmothers and grandfathers ration the very drug that helps to keep them alive, just to get by? My bill, which took effect at the start of this year, caps this life- saving drug at just $35 a month for our seniors, a step that lowers their overall prescription drug costs and saves lives. I thank my colleagues for convening this Special Order Hour to bring awareness to the gravity of the legislation we have passed for the American people and the need to continue this vital work.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month 2023. Each year from September 15th to October 15th, Americans across the country recognize and celebrate the history and culture of those individuals whose ancestry can be traced from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This observance was first established as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The month encapsulates celebrations of independence for many Latin American countries. September 15th is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th. This year on October 3rd, Gwinnett County will celebrate a Heritage Night Celebration in observance of Hispanic Latino Heritage Month in the county. As the representative for Georgia's most diverse and fastest-growing congressional district, it is my privilege to uplift the Latino community and celebrate their contributions to this district, the Nation, and the world. In every facet of our daily lives, Latino leaders have made an indelible mark on this country and created a more perfect union for us all. These contributions take form in creative talents, culinary offerings, and civic development and leadership. Our community is well represented by artists, business owners, and elected officials whose Hispanic heritage enhances the diversity of our community and enriches the moral fiber of our nation. I am proud of their countless contributions to our country's story, and I would like to take this month to honor the crucial role that these Americans play in our society and in Georgia's Seventh Congressional District in particular. While we continue to celebrate the observation of Hispanic Heritage Month, may we celebrate the power and pride of our Latino community in Georgia. As a representative of our state, I will continue to champion their values of strength, service, and patriotism every day. On behalf of myself, the Seventh Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, happy Hispanic Heritage Month.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank Representatives Jackson and Cherfilus-McCormick and the Congressional Black Caucus for convening this Special Order hour this evening to speak, in particular, about gun safety. This past weekend, the United States surpassed 400 mass shootings in just this year alone. We have seen nearly double the number of tragedies than the amount of days that we have lived this year. It is an unmistakable reality that this grave challenge has only grown. Until we are fully dealing with this very dangerous gun culture that we are living in, it will continue to grow. No amount of condolences will ever rectify the grief of loved ones. Week after week after week, I talk to survivors like myself who are crying out to this body. When will we act? If faith without work is dead, then we must know that when thoughts and prayers end, meaningful action must begin. My Federal red flag law bill mirrors a commonsense measure that is already in place in many States around the country, actually Republican States. It has allowed for loved ones to work with law enforcement to get guns out of the hands of those loved ones or people that they deem in crisis, and it will truly help those who see the first signs of tragedy, and they can help to prevent it. These are effective laws that stop gun violence. We know that. Studies have proven that. Statistics have shown that in both Republican and Democratic States around the country. The American people are just calling on us to act. They are tired of waiting for us to act. They are calling on us to save lives. Last year, President Biden did sign into law, last summer, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It is the most comprehensive gun safety legislation that this body has enacted in decades. We have been investing in State red flag laws, funding for States that want to enact these lifesaving measures. Community violence intervention funding, I think everyone can agree we have got to get to the root causes of the violence. You pull out the root. You deal with the foundational problems that are causing the violence which causes gun violence. We were able through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to define who is a bona fide gun seller. We were able to make it a Federal crime for gun trafficking and straw purchases. We were able to secure funding for mental health for our public schools but also for law enforcement. It expanded background checks for gun sales. I have been doing this work in gun safety for the last 10 years since I lost my own son unnecessarily. Statistics have shown us again and again and again, and surveys have shown us again and again, that 97 percent of the American public--and this is including law-abiding gun owners--know that we have a public health crisis with the gun culture in this country, and they believe that we must place some commonsense measures on our existing gun laws. Victims such as myself, survivors, live in daily angst just waiting for this body to act, waiting for us to do more. We are living in a violent culture. There are no safe spaces in America anymore. Survivors continue to live with the pain of having lost their loved ones unnecessarily and knowing that they, too, at some point in time may also be a victim of gun violence. More guns in America do not make us safer. That is a misnomer. That is not the truth. Commonsense gun safety measures with respect to putting public safety over profit by our gun manufacturers and gun sellers, that is what the American people are crying out for. In this country, a major industrialized nation, you are 25 times more likely to die here in the United States than anywhere else in the world. I pray every single day that this body will put their oath to protect and serve over the profit of this extremist gun culture that we are living in.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Chair, during rollcall Vote number 357 on H.R. 3935, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``aye.'' Amendment No. 73 Offered by Mr. Perry

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, this past week, Americans gathered nationwide with friends and family to celebrate the founding of our democracy. They enjoyed days off to spend time with their loved ones, and they celebrated our national values as red, white, and blue lit up the sky. Yet again, the joyful celebrations of Americans were met with further acts of senseless gun violence, because for far too many across the country, gunshots were confused for fireworks on our day of independence, leaving countless numbers dead and over 100 injured. Mass shootings have marred our Nation more times than there have been days this year. Mr. Speaker, there is no freedom in living in fear. There is no celebration when our holidays transform into tragedy. Gun violence must be stopped, and this body must act once again to save lives.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, it is a joy to celebrate Pride 2023. Each June, LGBTQ+ Americans show pride for their community by celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of those throughout history and commemorating their long tight for dignity and equality in this country. Over the course of many decades, LGBTQ+ Americans have secured significant gains in their efforts to live freely and authentically as their true selves. While we celebrate these gains, we must never forget the history of Pride and why we celebrate in June. June 28, 1969, marked the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, when LGBTQ+ Americans fought back against discriminatory raids at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Activists including Marsha P. Johnson were on the frontlines of this rebellion and took a righteous stand against the criminalization of homosexuality. The events of the Stonewall Uprising represented a seismic shift in the way Americans thought about LGBTQ+ activism. The first Pride march was celebrated one year later on June 28, 1970. Inspired by the righteous stand taken by Johnson and fellow activists, LGBTQ+ Americans have spoken out about the dangerous repercussions of homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of hate. Despite tremendous progress in the years since Stonewall, acts of bigotry and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community have claimed the lives of gay and lesbian Americans, and violence has been particularly devastating to transgender women of color. It is imperative that while we celebrate Pride, we continue to stand strong in the fight for the rights of all Americans in the face of intolerance and hatred. No American should fear expressing their true identity and living as their authentic self. Here in Georgia, we are lucky to be served and represented by our own LGBTQ+ history makers at many levels of government. Sam Park, who represents Georgia House District 107 in Lawrenceville, made history as the first openly gay man elected to the Georgia State House in 2016. Everton Blair, a Gwinnett County native who represents District 4 on the Gwinnett County Board of Education, became the board's first openly gay member in 2018, as well as the first person of color elected to the Gwinnett County school board. Gwinnett County District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku also made history in 2018 as the first LGBTQ+ commissioner elected in Gwinnett County. I am proud that the elected officials that I work with back home are such an important part of Georgia's LGBTQ+ history. Since coming to Congress, it has been my honor to work with, learn from, and represent members of the LGBTQ+ community. As we celebrate Pride Month 2023, may we look back with reverence on the sacrifices made by activists and leaders who came before us, and march forward with joy and optimism for a future built on the progress of the many contributions of everyday LGBTQ+ Americans. This month and always, I am happy to celebrate Pride alongside them and continue the fight for dignity and equality for all.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the underlying resolution and the rule. Mr. Speaker, I speak today not just as a Member of Congress but as a mother, a mother whose son was taken from her by gun violence, the very thing that we are talking about again today, and a mother who has fought every day since then to make sure that no other mother, no other family, no other community feels that pain or feels that loss. Arm braces have become the attachment of choice for mass shooters in this country, the attachment of choice for the King Soopers shooter in Boulder who took the lives of 10 people, including a law enforcement officer; the attachment of choice for the shooter who murdered five individuals at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub; and the attachment of choice for the Nashville shooter who slaughtered three innocent babies in an elementary school. We cannot continue to allow weapons of war in our communities, in our meeting centers, and in our schools. What I just cannot understand is: What are our Republican colleagues afraid of? You swore an oath to protect and serve your constituents. What are you afraid of? My Democratic colleagues are doing their job. We bring forth policy after policy after policy: Federal background checks for all gun sales, so a law-abiding gun owner can still own guns; the assault weapons ban, keeping those weapons of mass destruction, weapons of war, out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them; closing the Charleston loophole. These are just commonsense solutions that the American people are crying out for. As a mother who has lost her child, I spend all of my time talking to survivors, day in and day out.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I spend all of my time, day in and day out, with survivors and families. What are you afraid of? We have to do the right thing and preserve human life. That is why we were sent here. I implore you, and I am sure I will do it again and again and again, to do what is right, to respond to that oath to protect and serve the people who are waiting and crying out for us to keep them safe.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to commemorate Flag Day 2023. Adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, this day celebrates the adoption of the flag of the United States. On the morning of Saturday, June 10th, proud citizens of Lawrenceville and the greater Gwinnett County community will gather at VFW Post 5255 to celebrate Gwinnett County Flag Day 2023. Since the battle at Brandywine in 1777, the stars and stripes have flown over historic moments in the great American experiment, bearing witness to events such as the bombardment of Fort McHenry and flying over Ground Zero on September 11th. To citizens of the world, this flag is a symbol of the highest ideals this Nation represents and the promise of untold opportunity. Under this flag, Americans of all colors and creeds have laid down their lives in the struggle against tyranny, the fight against fascism, and the defense against those who would betray the values upon which this Nation was founded. In the great conflicts of history, it is the American flag that flew above Lexington & Concord. It is the American flag that survived the horrors of Gettysburg. It is the American flag that our Marines raised over Iwo Jima. And, it is the American flag that continues to represent the world's oldest Democracy, that symbolizes the sacrifice of millions of American servicemembers. We must diligently do our part to ensure that we honor their sacrifice by continuing to advance those ideals of freedom, justice, and liberty which the flag represents--ideals which must endure long after we are gone. Therefore, I call on all residents of Georgia's Seventh Congressional District to observe Flag Day in accordance with the rich traditions that have been established through the years. May our flag continue to wave over this great Nation for generations to come.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 698, a bill originally introduced by Representative Cicilline of Rhode Island, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 231.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AANHPI) Month 2023. Each May, the AANHPI community commemorates two historic anniversaries: the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, a significant portion of which was laid by Chinese immigrants. First proposed as a ten-day celebration in 1977, this month celebrates the history, accomplishments, and contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in America. With each passing generation, members of this vibrant community continue to enrich the fabric of this great nation with their own unique talents and gifts. Here in Georgia's Seventh Congressional District, we are well represented by a beautiful tapestry of ethnicities, nationalities, of faith traditions, and experiences. Our diversity is truly our strength--I see it in action every single day. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders contribute significantly to our community's rich blend of cultures, experiences, and countries. Throughout American history, these men and women have played a central role in the growth and progress of the nation. The full stories of these communities have not been without pain, however. During the construction of the transcontinental railroad, thousands of Chinese immigrants worked under dangerous conditions, endured abusive labor practices, and received unfair compensation. During World War II, people of Japanese ancestry were removed from their homes, imprisoned, and held in desolate places without trial. In recent years, anti-Asian hate and discrimination began to rise during the COVID-19 pandemic due to intolerance and xenophobia. And in metro Atlanta, eight lives were stolen from us by an act of anti-Asian hatred. As Americans, we must reject and condemn such discrimination and embrace the many differences that make this community a hub of culture and diversity. We must reflect on our responsibility to condemn racism and bigotry that fuels tragedies like the Atlanta spa shooting. We must rededicate ourselves to our responsibility to live in fellowship with our neighbors of all backgrounds and experiences. That is why, at the start of this year, I became a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, to fight for the AANHPI communities here in Georgia and across our country. Together, we can support the hard- working Americans who bring their unique experiences to our Nation, advocate and advance our shared goals, and celebrate the many contributions that have made America a more perfect union. This month and always, I am honored to represent the many cultures, nationalities, and spoken languages that make up Georgia's Seventh Congressional District. Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the honorable Representative Cherfilus-McCormick and the honorable Representative Jackson for hosting this evening's Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour on gun safety. This evening we are in this Chamber just merely weeks before we commemorate the massacre of 19 children in their elementary school, and in the last few days even parents have died as human shields in Cleveland, Texas. A woman was murdered, and four others wounded even in my home State of Georgia, and a first grader lost both of his parents and his baby brother in the same shooting in Allen, Texas. Eight people were murdered as they just simply went about their day. What is our answer? Every day we wake up to more dead Americans, we wake up to thoughts and prayers, and we wake up to a refusal to act. Is this the God-given freedom endowed by our creator--the freedom to go about our day and be gunned down in our malls, in our churches, and in our schools? Horrifically, first responders are finding little girls without faces in their first grade classrooms. Children are now orphans, wives are widows, and communities are simply being ripped apart. Thoughts and prayers, that is not stopping this carnage, this crisis, this ugly, horrific public health crisis. If thoughts and prayers are all that we have to offer survivors like myself and all the survivors that we continue to see day in and day out in this country, I tell you this: Faith without works is dead; our prayers without action are hollow. God has given us the path to action. He has given us the tools to dam this river of despair that the American people are living in every single day of their lives. It is commonsense solutions that save lives; it is background checks; it is red flag laws; and it is banning assault weapons. How long are we going to simply stand here and do nothing? How long? How long do we stand in the silence? How long do we listen to the cries of mothers like me that have lost our children and our loved ones to unnecessary gun violence? This Nation is under siege, and we are simply without the courage to act, the courage to pass laws that the majority of the American people support, they are crying out for, they are begging this body to pass. I and hundreds of thousands of people like me are terrified that this carnage is going to continue. My son was murdered by a man who never should have had a gun. These children and these families were murdered by those who never should have ever had access to these weapons of war. The life of my son and all those that we have lost were endowed by our Creator. My son's life was stolen from him. These children, these families had a God-given right to live free from this violence, and it was taken from them. God has called on each and every one of us in this body to act. Only we can stop this. That truth is self-evident. We can keep guns out of the hands of those who shouldn't have them, and we can feel safe in our communities, free from the terror of gun violence, free from the grief and the heartbreak that our families and our communities live with every single day. We should be free to live our lives the way God intended us to live. Mr. Speaker, I have been a part of this body, a Member of this body for 5 years now, and I have lost count of the times I have come down here and begged my Republican colleagues to act, to put public safety over their love of guns. The sad thing about it is I know deep in my spirit and my soul that this will not be the last time that I have to come down here and beg again.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. First, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Honorable Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and also Jonathan Jackson on behalf of the CBC for standing on the front lines tonight for this very special hour. I rise this evening to address the frightening assault on democracy which took place in the Tennessee legislature. In the days following the tragic shooting at The Covenant School, Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson demanded action to keep their communities safe from gun violence. In the spirit of our dear departed friend and as we have talked about John Lewis a great deal tonight, these lawmakers were doing nothing more than making good trouble. In response, the Republican Party majority in Tennessee took measures to expel Representatives Jones and Pearson from their positions undermining the will of the voters who sent them to Nashville. This is simply unconscionable. This is not how it works. This is not how democracy works. This is an attack on the very principle of representative democracy on which our Nation was founded. Our children are being murdered in their classrooms, and rather than work on solutions to prevent these senseless tragedies from happening again and again and again, Republican leaders in Tennessee opted to expel the lawmakers who are simply fighting for change, fighting to save lives, and fighting to save the lives of everyone in this country. Our children are being murdered in their classrooms. We watch it day in and day out. We watch it at birthday parties, on our front doorsteps, and in their friends' cars as my son, Jordan, was murdered. We cannot look away from the tragedies that are devastating families all across the country. Shame on us. Shame on this body to turn a blind eye to the massacre of human life. Who have we become in this body that we have no thought for preservation of human life? We cannot seek to silence the voices that are crying out for change because we are not powerless. We have the power. We are the body. We have solutions to put an end to gun violence that claims over 100 Americans in this country every single day; solutions that the majority of Americans support and are crying out for. What happened in Nashville sets a very disturbing precedent. Efforts to silence duly elected representatives can happen in States all across this country. It happened right here in this very Chamber. But the will of the American people will not be overturned. The efforts of those who would rather betray trust in our democratic institutions than fight to keep kids safe in our school, those efforts will fail, and we will continue our efforts to make good on the promise that we must fulfill for America's children. A better and safer America is what they deserve. It is truly possible if we have the will and the courage to do it. Representatives Jones and Pearson are disrupters. And, yes, for cultural change to make this community--our community--safer, it means disruption. That is how change happens. As we talked about earlier, mentioning the sit-in with Representative John Lewis on the floor, when that happened, I was leading a rally outside the Capitol, disrupting, to make sure that people's voices were heard and to make sure that survivors and victims like me have the ability to express and ask this body to do what is right. The time has passed. It is long overdue. Over and over and over and over again, we come before this House and this body and ask people to stand up with courage and do the right thing. When will it happen? Do we have the courage to act?

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, once again, and again, and again, and again, because our children are being murdered in their classrooms. This is outrageous, and it is unconscionable. Why have we not made good on our promise to our Nation, our promise that our kids can laugh and learn and play in their schools without the fear of a shootout? We should not need sandbags in our schools to protect our children. They should not be forced to live in a war zone where bullets may murder a classmate at a moment's notice. What will it take? How much blood must be spilled? How many kids must be killed until we do the right thing? We are here to protect our communities, and Congress has lost its way. We have lost our soul, and we must do better than this. Weapons of war don't belong in our streets or our classrooms. How many children must die before we learn that?

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of increased funding for screening and treatment of triple negative breast cancer. As both a mother and a two-time breast cancer survivor, this work is very personal to me. Twice, I learned from my doctor that I had cancer. Twice, I went through a rigorous treatment plan. Twice, I've been fortunate enough to call myself a survivor. And I thank God because I am one of the lucky ones. I had access to great health insurance. I was blessed to have a health insurance plan and receive top-notch care. At no point was I forced to wonder if I could afford my treatment. I was able to focus on the strength of my family, the grace of God, and my battle with cancer. However, women with triple-negative breast cancer often face a worse prognosis and limited treatment options. This is why we need to increase funding for screening and treatment of this disease. We need to find better ways to detect it early and to develop new treatments that will give women with triple-negative breast cancer a fighting chance. But funding for research is not enough. We also need to ensure equity and access to treatment for all women with breast cancer, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. Women from marginalized communities often face barriers to accessing care, and we must work to break down those barriers. No woman should have to fight breast cancer alone, and no woman should be denied the care she needs because of where she comes from or how much money she makes. We must come together as a community to ensure that all women have access to the care and treatment they need. I urge my fellow lawmakers to join me in supporting increased funding for triple-negative breast cancer screening and ensuring equity and access to care for all women with breast cancer. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate a monumental milestone in the career of Mr. Eugene Harmond as part of our Black History Month celebrations. Mr. Harmond will soon celebrate 50 years of flight service with Delta Airlines. Eugene Harmond was the first African-American male flight attendant hired by Delta Airlines in 1973 at a time when there were very few male flight attendants and even fewer men of color in the industry. I served as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines for 30 years, and I would convey my profound gratitude and respect to Mr. Harmond as he marks 50 years of flight service this year. Our commitment to kindness, caring, and safety instilled towards all those we serve always stays with you. I am honored to have Mr. Harmond, his wife, Loreine, and their daughter, Lokie in the House Gallery today. From a former flight attendant and on behalf of the thousands of Americans you have served, congratulations and thank you.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dortch is the National Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Incorporated, and his life and career have truly been exceptional. Whether serving our government, consulting major American businesses, or giving back through philanthropic endeavors, Thomas Dortch, Jr., has excelled at the highest levels. As a staff member for Senator Sam Nunn, he became the first African American in history to become chief administrator for a United States Senator. As a speaker and mentor, his voice was always in high demand, including for our very own Congressional Black Caucus. As the founder of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, he created a space for our country to celebrate the achievements of graduates of our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities and ensure that we continue to protect and invest in educational opportunities for Black Americans. During Black History Month, it is good and proper that we celebrate the legacy of one man who has done so much for our community. On behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and the United States House of Representatives, we send our deepest love and appreciation for all that he has done. Thank you, Mr. Dortch.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, there have been 40 separate mass shootings since the year began. This weekend, 18 people were murdered within hours of each other. That is it. That is all there is to say. What do these mass murders all have in common? Easy access to unregulated firearms. That is the problem. It cannot get any clearer. Without easy access to unregulated firearms, these mass murders do not happen; these families do not grieve; and this country does not live in fear. Without easy access to unregulated firearms, we save lives. It is just that simple. It is truly that simple. This type of bloodshed doesn't happen in other developed nations around the world, only here in the United States of America. Other nations don't allow unfettered access to unregulated firearms. This is not who we are supposed to be as America. We should feel safe in our communities.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the retirement of Gary Yandura, Chief Emeritus of the Brookhaven Police Department. For 40 years, Chief Emeritus Yandura has served with distinction as a law enforcement officer and a leader in community policing. Chief Emeritus Yandura began his career in policing in Lake Forest, Illinois, where he served for 24 years before retiring as deputy chief. Here in Georgia, he served as chief of police in Hiram and College Park. In College Park, he was credited with reducing crime by 30 percent during his first four years as police chief. Following a nationwide search, he was appointed the first chief of police for the newly incorporated city of Brookhaven in April of 2013. For the last decade, Chief Emeritus Yandura has put Brookhaven on the map as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking police departments in the country. During Chief Emeritus Yandura's tenure, he has made significant contributions in law enforcement, criminal justice, and mental health. Through initiatives like the Brookhaven Police Transparency Project, the Mental Health Co-Responder Program, and the innovative use of drones in police work, Brookhaven's Police Department has put an emphasis on prioritizing safety and building trust in the community. Because of these initiatives, the Brookhaven Police Department is routinely invited by law enforcement agencies from across the country to share their work so that more communities in America can benefit from the wisdom of the standards and practices that have been fostered by Chief Emeritus Yandura. Over the last 4 years, I have been honored to work in partnership with Chief Emeritus Yandura as I have represented the City of Brookhaven. He and his department have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to the residents of Brookhaven. While his presence will be sorely missed, I know his legacy will live on through the programs he has developed and implemented through the years. On behalf of my office and the United States House of Representatives, I wish Chief Yandura all the best in his retirement and thank him once again for his decades of outstanding service to our community.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the retirement of Fulton County Board President Julia Bernath. A board member since 2000, Julia has served Fulton County Schools with distinction for over 2 decades. Julia is serving her fifth term representing Fulton County School Board District 7. Though she became Board President in 2020, she was no stranger to the role. From 2007 to 2009, she served as school board president and then as vice president from 2009 to 2010 and once again in 2019. In addition to her service on the school board, Julie has served on the Fulton County Schools Employees' Pension Fund Pension Board as both Chair and Vice Chair, and she has also represented the school board on the Fulton Education Foundation's Board of Directors. Outside of her work with Fulton County Schools, she is a deeply engaged member of our community as an active member and past president of the Georgia School Boards Association, a past Vice Chair of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and a staff member for the Center for Reform of School Systems. Julia is a past chair of the Sandy Springs Education Force and currently serves on the Board of Directors. She is also an Advisory Committee member of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Through a global pandemic, Julia navigated unprecedented challenges during her most recent tenure as Board President and worked tirelessly in service to the students of Fulton County Schools. It has been my honor to work with Julia in partnership as we strived to provide every opportunity to our community's young people. On behalf of my office and the United States House of Representatives, I want to thank Julia for her decades of service and offer my congratulations on the occasion of her retirement.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, on Black Friday, 10 years ago, my son, Jordan, was murdered at a gas station in Jacksonville, Florida, because the man simply didn't like the loud music he and his friends were playing in their car. He called them gangbangers and thugs. Within 3\1/2\ minutes, he pulled out a gun from the glove compartment of his car, took a shooter's stance, and fired 10 rounds at the car, hitting my son, Jordan, three times, killing my only son. A month later, a man who should never have had access to an assault weapon murdered 20 children and 6 staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The love that a parent has for our children is different. It is unique in that our love for everyone else has a beginning, but for our children, our love has no end. When your child is born, it is hard to understand how you are capable of feeling so much love. It is a love so precious and pure that it flows through your soul. As they grow, your love grows with them. Each day, you can't imagine loving them more, and yet every day you are proven wrong. Oftentimes we can feel vulnerable with this love and all the fear that comes with it. Being a parent is like that. If everything goes right, if we do everything we can for our children, the very worst can still happen. Principal Dawn Hochsprung and psychologist Mary Sherlach yelled to their colleagues: ``Shooter. Stay put'' when they investigated the first shots. They were the first killed as they alerted the others. Janitor Rick Thorne ran through the hallways alerting classrooms of the danger. He used his master key to lock many of the doors for them. The key was so worn from use that it snapped in one of the doors. The first graders in Lauren Rousseau's classroom were not allowed to grow. Lauren had worked at Sandy Hook for a week. She had tried to hide them in the bathroom. She had fought to keep them safe. Fifteen of her students were killed. Fifteen first graders were murdered in a bathroom by a man with an assault rifle. One 6-year-old girl played dead among the bodies of her classmates. She was the only one to survive in that room. Covered in blood, the first thing she said was: ``Mommy, I'm okay, but all my friends are dead.'' The next room the killer entered was that of Victoria Soto, who did her best to conceal her students in a closet. Some were hiding under desks. As the gunman fired at them with his Bushmaster, he stopped to reload. Six-year-old Jesse Lewis shouted at his classmates to run for safety, and several did. Jesse was looking directly at the shooter when he was murdered. Anne Marie Murphy, a special education teacher, was found shielding 6-year-old Dylan Hockley. The bullets took them both. Victoria's sister, Jillian, was captured by photographers in what some call the defining photo of that horrific day. She is forever immortalized on the phone, sobbing, receiving that devastating phone call, the call that is a sucker punch to your stomach, the phone call that brings you to your knees when your desperation simply will not let you stand, that leaves you gasping for air when the agony will not let you breathe. A decade ago, my child was murdered. The very last day I saw my son, Jordan, he was wearing red sneakers. He had khaki-colored slacks on and a black backpack slung over his shoulder as he walked out the door. He said: ``I love you, mom'' before he got on the plane to Jacksonville, Florida. Jordan talked about coming home for Thanksgiving, and that day still haunts me. In Newtown, parents watched their children walk out the front door, and some never saw them again. We are left only with the memories of our loved ones and the lost dreams of what could have been. Parents may move forward but never fully heal. They never fully recover. In honor of their legacy, it is imperative we continue to fight for lifesaving policies such as universal background checks, safe storage, ghost gun regulation, an assault weapons ban, and so much more. In the words of a well-known writer: ``To value life of others ``Is to acknowledge the sanctity of yours ``To feel for the ruin of others ``Is to respect the existence of yours ``To fight for the freedom of others ``Is to preserve the liberty of yours"