Lucy McBath

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I am proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2022. Each year from September 15 to October 15, we recognize and celebrate the history and culture of Americans whose ancestry can be traced from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. First established as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, this observation was expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. This month-long period encapsulates many celebrations of independence for Latin American countries. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18. During this time, we uplift the stories of Latinos and celebrate their contributions to this country. Throughout history, Latinos have come to this nation in search of their own American Dream and the promise of a new life for themselves and their families. In every facet of American life, Latinos have made their mark on this country and created a more perfect union for us all. 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 Sixth Congressional District in particular. This year, I am honored to recognize Maritza Morelli, Belisa Urbina, and Pilar Valdez. Maritza Morelli is the Executive Director of Los Ninos Primero, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering Latino students and their families from early childhood to college through education and leadership programs. A native of Venezuela, Maritza earned a bachelor's degree in Special Education and a master's degree in Childhood Psychology from the University of Caracas. For seven years, she conducted research with the Venezuela Department of Education to examine the ways in which children learn to read and write. Her research study would go on to change the course of the National Scholastic Curriculum. She migrated to Atlanta, Georgia where she briefly worked as an interpreter for Northside Hospital in the department of mental health. She became the lead bilingual community liaison for Fulton County Schools, assisting Latino families in navigating the public school system. In June 2001, Pastor Rick Sommers at Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church asked her to lead a new project called Los Ninos Primera. Over the last two decades, Maritza has grown the organization's capacity from serving 17 students to serving over 300 students and their families. Over the years, more than 3,000 students have completed the Los Ninos Primero program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Ninos Primera was able to expand their reach to serve over 13 counties across all programs as well as launch their LYRIC program to support Latino high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education and launch their COVID-19 Educational Campaign to equip and guide the community with bilingual materials to make educated choices for their families. They were even able to provide financial assistance to over 21 families through rental assistance. Belisa Urbina is the Chief Executive Officer of Ser Familia, Incorporated. Belisa was born and raised in Puerto Rico where she studied Business Administration at the University of Puerto Rico. Belisa and her husband Miguel lived in Puerto Rico until 1999 when they decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia. As a young couple in a new city, Belisa and her husband witnessed the challenges that Latino couples were facing with conflict resolution and navigating married life as they adapted to a new culture. As a result, in 2001 Belisa and her husband decided to co-found Ser Familia (previously known as Renovacion Conyugal, Inc.) as a program that aimed to strengthen Latino couples and families through couples workshops. Over the years, they identified a need for additional programs to support families by taking a more holistic approach, Under Belisa's leadership, Ser Familia has developed the ``Ser Familia Model'' that focuses on delivering coordinated social and mental health services to families they serve through a multidisciplinary team led by a case manager and supported by counselors, psychiatrists, parenting educators, couples program facilitators, youth mentors, domestic violence advocates, and immigration attorneys. Ser Familia's reach has expanded to serve over 6,900 clients per year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ser Familia was essential in addressing the mental health needs of the Latino community as they completed thousands of mental health assessments and provided rental assistance to those families who were most affected by COVID-19. Pilar Valdez is currently the Program Director of the Early Learning Program and After School K-5 Academy at Corners Academy. Pilar is a proud Georgia native born to Mexican parents. She earned her bachelor's degree in Health Science from Georgia State University and has over 8 years of experience in childcare. She has dedicated her career to the development of these two early childhood development programs and has become an advocate for her students and their families. In fact, after successfully leading the After School K-5 Academy, Pilar developed the Early Learning Program at Corners Outreach, working to educate parents on how to become their child's best and first teacher in order to prepare these children for a successful academic life after kindergarten. During 2021, at a time when COVID placed a spotlight on education gaps in the community, Pilar was able to lead and guide the Early Learning Academy through a 26 percent increase in registration, and the Corners Academy tutoring program offered tutoring to 100 new students and offered in-person summer camp to more than 196 students. The impact of these three women alone is tremendous, and it is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize and honor them for working so hard to make a difference in the lives of others here in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. As we continue to celebrate the observation of Hispanic Heritage Month, may we recommit ourselves to the spirit of service demonstrated by these individuals and the many others whose stories have yet to be told. On behalf of myself, the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In telling the stories of community members like Maritza, Belisa, and Pilar, we celebrate the power 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.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Federal Extremist Protection Order Act, a bill that would empower loved ones and law enforcement to help prevent mass shootings before they happen. Every family in every community in our Nation deserves access to these lifesaving measures. No child, no parent deserves to live in fear of gun violence. And we are paying for it. We are paying for this gun violence every single day. Day after day, hour after hour, we are paying for the weapons of war on our streets with the blood of our children in our schools. We are paying for the unfettered access with mothers and fathers waiting in line for a DNA test, forced to find out if it is their child that is riddled with bullets and maimed beyond recognition; if it is their child whose blood now blankets the floor of the classroom where they should be learning math and science and English. We are paying for this deadly gun culture with the lives of American people; with the lives of those that we in this body took an oath to protect. The American people are absolutely exhausted. We cannot continue to be the only country in the world where we let gun violence happen again and again and again. An entire generation is growing up learning that the adults that they look up to cannot, or rather, choose not to protect them. Now, we all agree that this status quo is unacceptable. We all understand that the murder of our children cannot continue. We need policies that will give our law enforcement the tools that they need, the tools they have asked for to help keep guns out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or to others. How many more victims are we going to memorialize? What rights do our children have as they grow in our lives and in our hearts? Parents across the country, in every State, in every community, know the fear that accompanies the love that we have for our children. It is a primal fear, a helpless fear, a love so deep that we worry and wonder every day where is my child? Are they safe? Are they going to make it home today? Don't our parents have the right to send their kids off to school without the fear of them not coming home? Don't our children have the right to live free from the trauma that only stepping over a friend covered in blood could ever bring? How many more parents must receive the phone call that I did when I was told that my son was murdered; the phone call that confirms that fear that my child is dead and that I was unable to protect him; the phone call that leads you to cry out to God in your grief? Was my child afraid? Did he feel pain as the bullets ripped through his skin? Did he know he was loved more than he could ever imagine? We can do better than that. We must be better than this. We cannot be the only nation in the world where our children are torn apart on Tuesday and their deaths are gone from the news cycle by Wednesday. And that is why, in the decade since my son was taken from me by a man with a gun, simply for playing loud music in his car, that I made a promise to Jordan and to my community, and to the American people, a promise that I would continue to fight this battle for the rest of my life, the fight to make sure that not one more parent is forced to join this ever-growing club, the club that no mother or no father ever wants to be a part of. I promised that I would take all of the devotion as a mother that I have for my child, all the love that I poured out of my soul into my child, that I would do everything in my power to keep Jordan's community safe; yes, you, my community; that the time would come where we would be able to make a difference in the lives of our children and our children's children, and this is that time. This is that moment. We are facing a challenge of our lifetime on the issue of our era.

Mrs. McBATH. This is that time. This is that moment. We are facing the challenge of our lifetime. This is the issue of our era, and today, we must vote with the majority of American people that agree with us. We vote to provide law enforcement and family members the tools that they need to prevent these mass shootings. We vote to save lives. We vote to do what is right. We vote to stop the uniquely American horror that is ripping our families apart. God bless us. And I ask God to cover us in doing the right thing.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Carbajal).

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting Our Kids Act, a chance for us to keep our families healthy and whole and safe. Day after day, hour after hour, the American people have felt the pain and the horror and the despair of yet another mass shooting, another family torn apart, another community broken. I know that feeling. You know my story. My son, Jordan, was just 17 years old when he was shot by a man who simply didn't like the loud music that he was playing in his car. How long do we let American families in this country keep suffering this pain? That is why we must pass this commonsense legislation, why we must take this step toward ensuring that we are creating true progress for the next generation. Americans deserve better, and shame on us if we do not take action.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, 40 years ago, live from Atlanta, Georgia, households across America were introduced to The Weather Channel. For the first time, Americans could get safe, reliable, trustworthy information about the weather 24 hours a day. Since its first broadcast, The Weather Channel has done far more than just provide up-to-date information about weather forecasts. With the help of friendly, familiar faces, The Weather Channel's reporting has inspired countless young people to wonder and care about the natural world around them, motivating them to study weather and our climate. And through their constant innovation, The Weather Channel's award- winning breakthroughs in weather reporting have undoubtedly saved countless American lives. I am proud to lead a House Resolution with my colleague from Georgia, Congressman Loudermilk, to commemorate the anniversary; and I wish The Weather Channel continued success as they document and broadcast vital weather and safety information to millions of households across the country.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I really appreciate Mr. DeSaulnier giving me a few moments of time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act. I want to take this time just to talk about the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs for all those in our community. It is a topic that I hear about every single day from my constituents, and it is something that touches the lives of every single American, whether you have diabetes or not. Today, we will be voting on a bill that will actually provide desperately needed relief to some of the most vulnerable patients in the United States, in Georgia and all across this Nation. There is no time off when you live with diabetes. It is a constant, ever-present disease that influences every aspect of your life. Listen to those who gave testimony about what they live with every single day with this chronic disease. In 1920, before insulin was discovered, it would have been exceptional for those who had diabetes to live longer than 1 or 2 years. But over the past 100 years, we have been able to save lives with insulin. For over 100 years, it has remained the most effective treatment that we have. Over 100 years later, some estimates state that diabetics spend around $6,000 a year alone on insulin. This is just absolutely unconscionable for a drug that has been saving lives for over 100 years. We can and must make it more affordable for Americans who need it to live. That is why I joined my colleagues, Angie Craig and Dan Kildee, who I find to be healthcare champions, in introducing this critical legislation. It is just really very simple. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would cap out-of-pocket costs of insulin products at $35 per month for Americans with health insurance. This bill brings a measure of certainty and affordability to every American who needs insulin to continue living a healthy life. Yes, I have heard arguments this afternoon that this doesn't take care of every individual in the country, specifically those who are uninsured. We know that. I assure you, we are not completely satisfied with this either. But if our Republican colleagues would come to the table with us, with any measures that you have--compromise, come to the table, consensus. Help us build the ability to make sure that every American in this country, whether they are insured or not, has the ability to be able to afford this lifesaving drug. We welcome that from you because people every single day are dying right beneath our noses. I am here to save lives. I look forward to passing this vital legislation out of the House of Representatives today, and I look forward to continuing to fight for passage with Senator Warnock in the Senate. As the President so rightly stated, this legislation can and will save lives, and it is long overdue.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Dr. Marjorie Roberts of Johns Creek, Georgia. As we continue our celebration of Black History Month, we recognize Black men and women from throughout the past and present who have made an indelible mark on the story of our nation. I am proud to say that Dr. Roberts is a woman who is doing just that: making her own mark on history by sharing her story and her smile through advocacy on behalf of COVID-19 survivors nationwide. Dr. Marjorie Roberts grew up the youngest member of her family. In 1980, she gave birth to her daughter, whom she calls her best friend. She is a mother, a wife, and a veteran of the United States Army. She attended Capella University and obtained her Doctorate of Business Administration with a Specialization in Strategy and Innovation in 2014. In 2019, she earned her Life Coaching Certification. She works with clients to achieve progress, reach milestones, and transform their lives. In March of 2020, Dr. Roberts tested positive for COVID-19. By grace, she survived her initial case of COVID, which included a stay in the hospital. But she is one of the millions of COVID survivors who are considered ``long haulers,'' patients who continue to battle symptoms of the virus for weeks and months after their initial illness. Since then, she has faced health issues that have prevented her from living her life in the same way she did prior to getting COVID-19. In addition to her own challenges, Dr. Roberts also lost a dear friend to COVID-19, Sergeant Gary Mitchell, with whom she served in the Army. As a COVID-19 survivor and long hauler, Dr. Roberts has made it her life's mission to help fellow survivors face the challenges that follow in the wake of a COVID diagnosis. She works with the organization COVID Survivors for Change to support fellow survivors, remember those who have died, and advocate for strong public health measures to prevent future pandemics. In the face of her ongoing struggle and through the pain of losing a loved one, Dr. Roberts continues to advocate on behalf of others through her work with COVID Survivors for Change. Despite her grief and pain, Dr. Roberts says that she always has something to smile about. Her resolve and her passion are evident in her words and deeds, and I am so proud of the work that she is doing. As we celebrate Black History Month, may we be reminded of Black men and women's enormous contributions to the United States each and every day. It is a true honor to represent Dr. Roberts in Congress and recognize her today for the work she has done to help others even at a time when her own life has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. I am proud to call Dr. Roberts a constituent, and grateful for the opportunity to uplift her during this year's celebration of Black History Month.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Thank you for sharing that.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I want to thank so much my esteemed colleague Barbara Lee, who speaks for me tonight, and also Sheila Jackson Lee. I thank them both so much for leading us in this commemoration tonight of our shero Shirley Chisholm. I am also grateful for the words that were spoken earlier by our leader, our shero of the Congressional Black Caucus, Joyce Beatty. Black History Month is a time for us to commemorate all of those who came before us and to celebrate those who helped pave the path of progress that we find ourselves on today. Shirley Chisholm is truly one of those trailblazers. She was a woman who lived her truth and told her story boldly time and time again. She was a trailblazer ahead of her time who had a deep and lasting impact on our communities, on our country, and, most specifically, on communities of color. It is not hard today to see that very impact. We now have a new generation of leaders who are shaping the policy of this Nation's future, who looked to the past and continue to look to leaders like Shirley Chisholm to see all the places we still need to go. Yes, we have a long way to go. Young women around the world, and especially young women of color, have been forever inspired by her example, with all the barriers that she broke down. It can be easy to forget all that she did, all that she helped to build. Shirley was instrumental in strengthening voting rights; she was a force in demanding women's rights; and she was a leader in the fight for civil rights. It was the way that she worked all those years ago that has shown time and time again why we must continue these very same fights today. In my home State of Georgia, we are at the forefront of the fight for voting rights once again. We are, again, fighting against attempts at the worst voter suppression we have seen since Jim Crow. At a time when our voting rights are under attack, we must once again lead in the efforts to protect these very sacred rights. So, to all the women of color who have followed in Shirley's footsteps, the work you do has never been more important. The times have found us, and it is in these moments that we must continue to rise to this occasion. We have been prepared for this moment, a moment that beckons us to fight for equality and strive for justice, the equality and the justice that every one of us deserves. That preparation is because of leaders like Shirley Chisholm, and now because the leaders of tomorrow grew up watching the leaders of yesterday, we will continue to make indelible marks on the world. Because of women like Shirley Chisholm, women of color have found their own power to stand up and to speak out and to advocate for the change that we know is possible, but more so the change that we know is necessary. So, as we continue to follow in the footsteps of the giants who came before us, as we honor and celebrate the titans of the movement, I want to thank each and every person who wakes up every day in this country and does this work. Because this work is not easy, but changes only ever come from those who have brought their lived experiences into these Halls of power. For all of you in this Chamber, for the brave Black women who have carried this country forward, I want to say to each of you, I want to say that the work that you are doing as women and as women of color has never been more important. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart because I would not be here had it not been for you. I want to say how proud I am of each of your accomplishments, of your triumphs, and your successes, and I want you to remember that we are all doing the best that we can and that each day God continues to give us new grace. As we move forward, we must be courageous in the fight for justice, human rights, and a future that celebrates the diversity and the power of who we are as a people. We should all strive to extend the path that Shirley helped build for us to follow. We should all strive to be like Shirley and be our best.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, the past year has seen an explosion in gun sales and, with it, a 30 percent rise in the murder rate. Yet, at a time when the data becomes increasingly clear that more guns in the hands of those who should not have them results in more deaths of those who should still be alive and with us today, Republican officials across the country are trying to make it easier for anyone to wield guns around our children and our families. Back in my home State of Georgia, our Governor is trying to implement permitless carry, irresponsible legislation that is dangerous for our law enforcement, dangerous for our families, and dangerous for the people that we love and cherish. We cannot allow these destructive efforts to continue, and we must reaffirm our dedication to passing meaningful legislation that truly saves American lives.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say enough is enough. Enough is enough. Enough gun violence in our schools, enough children hiding in fear, and enough parents trembling in terror as they search for any news of their own kids. There were 100 calls made to 9-1-1 in Oxford yesterday. Hundreds of children were stuck in their classrooms crying out for help. Hundreds of kids were scared to death that this would be their last day of school. We have our young people learning how best to survive a shooter in between math and science class. Six year olds were asked to figure out for themselves whether they have a better chance to survive if they hide in a closet or if they should rush the gunman. And then, on days like yesterday, days that repeat with the same frequency as this body's failure to respond, we hear the stories of teenagers texting their parents from behind a desk saying things like: Mom, if I don't make it, I love you, and I appreciate everything that you have done for me. Parents were begging their children to ``barricade yourselves behind doors, hide in classrooms, and, please, hold your tears, you cannot make a sound.'' This Chamber has heard much about God since men first stood within these hallowed Halls. This Chamber has heard much about the God-given rights our Creator inalienably endowed. So, Mr. Speaker, I ask you then: What rights has God given our children? Do they enjoy the God-given right to exist in their schools without fear of death or gun violence? Do American parents have the God-given right to drop their children off at school and expect to see them come home at night? Parents from Columbine to Sandy Hook to Parkland have had to bury their babies. And the children who survived have had to live with the trauma that only stepping over a friend painted in blood could ever bring. Do we, as a nation, have the God-given right to live free from this epidemic of gun violence, of senseless loss, and of unimaginable pain? Mr. Speaker, I ask all of you here today to put yourselves in the shoes of those parents. Put yourselves in the shoes of the mothers and the fathers who have gasped for air when desperation would not let them breathe. Put yourself in the shoes of all those who have sunk to their knees when the agony would not let them stand. Mr. Speaker, do you have the courage to do that, to feel what it might be like to bury your own child, to suffer with your God day after day to make sense of the senseless, unnecessary gun violence? Mr. Speaker, do you have the courage? Does this body have the courage to do what is right and to save our children and to protect our families? And if not, Mr. Speaker, do you really, truly, have the courage to look away?

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of an event 26 years in the making. This week, Georgia, and the entire nation, watched as our Atlanta Braves shut out the Houston Astros in Game 6, clinching the World Series for Atlanta for the first time in decades. I am so proud of this team. They fought through adversity, carrying a losing record until August 6th. They overcame injuries and fought hard for their teammates whose season ended early. Every part of the Atlanta Braves organization deserves credit for this win: from the players, to the management, and the front office staff that still believed in this team when so many others might have given up. I am thrilled for every player and every fan who has dreamed of this moment for over two decades. The odds were against us, but to paraphrase the words of Joc Pederson, ``We just might be those World Series Champs.''

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Jovita Moore, an award-winning journalist whose presence and professionalism were known across newsrooms around Georgia and throughout the country. I, and so many whose lives she touched every single day, are deeply saddened by her passing. Her life was a positive force for good in this world. Every evening, little girls saw themselves on the television knowing that one day they could be the woman their community trusted at the end of each day. So while we mourn her death and suffer our heartbreak, I want to take this time to celebrate the life of a woman who always stood steadfast and resolute, who was classy and consistent in presenting us the facts and the news of the moment. This week, our hearts are with Jovita's family and her children, and my prayers are with the WSB team.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Bobby Scott of the Education and Labor Committee and staff, and my colleagues that have joined me on this policy and lifesaving legislation for the diligence and the commitment towards keeping Americans safe and saving lives. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act, a long overdue reauthorization of the Nation's oldest law providing Federal support to survivors of intimate partner violence. Known as FVPSA, this law is the primary source of Federal funding for intimate partner violence prevention and services and provides vital services for victims all over the United States. This bill funds shelters, State domestic violence coalitions, a national domestic violence hotline, and national resource centers that offer technical assistance to service providers. Despite its pivotal role in combatting domestic violence, FVPSA has not been reauthorized since 2015. It is far past time that Congress acts to pass a comprehensive reauthorization of this vital law. During this pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of cases of family and domestic violence. While attempting to stay safe from the COVID-19 virus that has swept this country, many children and families were forced to face the violence that awaited them inside their own homes and further isolated them from their support systems. Violence in the home can have a tragic and drastic effect on children, stunting their emotional and cognitive growth and affecting their performance in school and their social development. This early trauma can cause long-lasting effects in a person's life and impact their success as adults. We must make sure that our children and their families have the resources they need to prevent domestic violence and abuse. I have seen too many families in my home State of Georgia suffer at the hands of domestic and family violence. We must protect these families and families all across the Nation. This legislation has broad bipartisan support within both Chambers of Congress and from stakeholders on the front lines of combatting domestic violence in America. Our community partners recognize that this legislation is critical to protecting and supporting our families and our children. The reauthorization makes key changes to current law, most importantly, by ensuring equitable access to resources for Native Tribes and Tribal coalitions, authorizing a Tribal domestic violence hotline, authorizing resource centers for Alaska Native and LGBTQ populations, expanding funding for prevention so that every State and coalition receives prevention resources, and authorizing grants for underserved populations and culturally specific services for racial and ethnic minority groups. It helps provide survivors a way up, a way out, and a way forward. Some of my colleagues have argued that the LGBTQ anti-discrimination clause in this legislation will result in discrimination against religious organizations who provide services to victims of domestic violence. This could not be further from the truth. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of this legislation from the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL, October 15, 2021. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives Washington,

Mrs. McBATH. Since coming to Congress, I have focused on protecting the children and families of Georgia and everyone all across this Nation, along with children and families throughout this great Nation that we all serve here today. Working in close partnership with local, State, and Tribal leadership, this bipartisan legislation would reauthorize and expand funding for programs focused on preventing family and domestic violence, while also protecting its survivors. I am so proud of this legislation and I am hopeful that it is one that we can all support. We must come together to support this law, recognizing that family and domestic violence can affect all Americans, no matter where they come from. Domestic violence and family violence is not a partisan issue.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, domestic violence is not a partisan issue. Family violence is not a partisan issue; it is a public health crisis. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues everywhere, Republicans and Democrats, to support the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2119.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, first, I would like to thank Congresswoman and Chairwoman Joyce Beatty of the Congressional Black Caucus for her astounding leadership and really being on the front lines for the Congressional Black Caucus, and I want to thank our colleague, Ritchie Torres, for his leadership tonight on the floor for our Special Order hour for voting rights. I really want to thank each and every one of my colleagues, whether they be members of the Congressional Black Caucus or just colleagues here in this body who have stood and fought for everyone's right to exercise their right to vote, to exercise what is important to them in this country to be fully and freely an American. I want to thank each and every one of them because it is for that reason--those reasons-- that we are here tonight. Madam Speaker, I rise today, like so many have done before me throughout the years, to stand for the right of every American citizen in this country to vote. During the civil rights movement, I was the child in the stroller at the March on Washington. I know many have heard me say before that my father was president of the NAACP chapter in Illinois, and I can still picture him to this day presiding over meetings at our kitchen table in our home. Our house was always filled with volunteers, civil rights leaders, and workers as they were working on their poster boards, preparations, and getting ready for rallies and for marches as they were preparing to fight for a brighter world. From the time that I could walk as a young child, I was always marching with my family. I have joked with my colleagues over and over again that the very first song I think I really truly learned how to sing was ``We Shall Overcome'' because that is what we were singing. That is what I remember in my mind. I knew the words to that song because I knew that they had depth, and I knew they were so important to my family. Even though I was so young and I didn't understand what we were fighting for, I knew what my parents were doing was vitally important to this Nation. I was raised by my parents to always fight for others, to fight for what is right, to stand up, to champion, to fight for the least of these, and to stand up so that every American's voice is heard and that their voice is counted. I remember all the nights that my mother would put my sister and me in the car and we would travel all around Illinois passing out The Voice newspaper which at that time was the Illinois civil rights newspaper. I remember getting stuck in the mud at night and being out in parts of Illinois where we didn't know where we were, but my mother put us in the car and did what she believed she had to do to make sure that the American people and people of color understood the fight that was going on on their behalf whether they were taking part in it or not, but that they understood and that they knew how important it was for them to be able to exercise what was important to them as human beings and as citizens in the United States of America. The struggle for voting rights was championed not only by my parents but was embodied by our great friend and colleague, Representative John Lewis. He inspired millions of Americans, and that is still carried on today. That is still so vitally necessary today. I live in Georgia, and Georgia has had a profound and rich history of all the American civil rights stalwarts who fought on the front lines for the very voting rights that we still talk about to this day and that we are still having to protect and champion to this day: Representative John Lewis, Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, Joseph Lowery, C.T. Vivian, Ralph David Abernathy, and, of course, Andrew Young. These are the individuals who were on the front lines fighting for us-- Members of Congress African Americans--to be in this Chamber, to be in this House, to be in this body, and to represent the values and the dreams of not only people of our ilk but of the American people. Had it not been for those individuals, as Representative Terri Sewell has mentioned, the foremothers, the forefathers, we would not be here today. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of American democracy. That is what this democracy was founded upon. As John Lewis used to say: ``Freedom is not a state; it is an act. . . . Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.'' Together, each and every one of us must do our part. When I think about the fact that my father worked so hard in the civil rights movement, that my father was there in the White House with President Lyndon Baines Johnson for the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and when I think about the fact that I am here as a Member of Congress because of the work that my forefathers and foreparents and civil rights workers and leaders and volunteers and people who just believed, just believed in what the Constitution said and meant, believed in that by exercising the right to vote, the fact that now we are still fighting for those same rights and that people live in jeopardy of having those rights taken away is unconscionable. For every American who fought or bled or died, gave their life for people to have the right to vote, what is happening in this body, what is happening in the Senate, is unconscionable. We are better than this. America is better than this. We have been that beacon for the world for the sense of democracy, and we must continue to be that very thing. Across America, we are standing up. Across America, we will lead the fight for free and fair elections. Across America, we will lead the fight to ensure that every American has the right to make their voice heard. Across America, we will lead the fight to create a more just society. We must. The times demand it. Every one of us in this body was born for a time such as this, and God demands that of us at this time.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Each year from September 15 to October 15, the history and culture of Americans whose ancestry can be traced from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America is recognized and celebrated. This observation was first established as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. President Ronald Reagan later expanded the observance to a full month in 1988. This thirty-day period encapsulates many celebrations of independence for Latin American countries. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18. During this month, we pause to recognize the profound influence of Hispanic Americans across the country. Guided by the promise of freedom and in search of a better life for themselves and their families, some of these individuals arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back and the hope of a better tomorrow. Once here, they charted their course, and created their own unique American destinies. In turn, their contributions have brought new ideas, new cuisines, new cultures to us all, and their presence here has created a more prosperous nation for all Americans. Hispanic Americans have had influence on practically every part of American history, from sports, to the fine arts, to science. Each day 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 Hispanic Americans play in our society, and in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District in particular. The Hispanic community in Georgia is proud, vibrant, and ever- growing. I am proud to represent so many of the men and women who have contributed so much to our communities each day--over half of Georgia's Hispanic population lives within the metropolitan Atlanta area. Hispanic Americans help contribute to what makes this Nation remarkable, and I am honored to lift up the voices of those who have selflessly dedicated their lives to building up themselves, their community, and this country. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hispanic Americans from all walks of life demonstrated their commitment to community and selfless service in their daily lives. Doctors saved lives, essential frontline workers kept grocery stores and pharmacies operational, and trusted community leaders continue to encourage their friends and neighbors to get vaccinated. I am routinely impressed by the spirit of service and leadership displayed by Hispanic Americans in my district who work hard to give back to their own communities. Their work should be recognized every day, but particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month. Therefore, I am honored to highlight two individuals who deserve special recognition: Natalia Garzon and Zulma Lopez. Natalia Garzon was born in Colombia but raised in Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama. Her passion for diversity and connectivity is what led her to pursue a career in Literature, Creative Writing, and French. Prior to her work in Atlanta, Natalia worked with nonprofits in Central America. She is a founder of RISE, a nonprofit that seeks to empower students in low-income neighborhoods in Panama. In Atlanta, she has worked as a Teacher's Assistant at Montclair Elementary, an ESL Associate Tutor for Tibetan monks and nuns, and she has established a partnership between the LAA 's Club de Lectura and the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry at her alma mater Emory University. In September of 2020, Natalia was named the director of development for We Love BuHi, an organization that works to preserve the multicultural identity of Atlanta's Buford Highway. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Natalia and We Love BuHi pivoted their focus to providing the people of the Buford Highway Corridor with locally sourced and culturally centric food to families that were in need. Their efforts fed over 52,000 people, and impacted nearly 15,000 families. Once COVID-19 vaccinations were made available, Natalia was an instrumental part of We Love BuHi's multilingual vaccination outreach efforts, which partnered with other local organizations and the cities of Doraville and Dunwoody to train volunteers and run multilingual vaccination clinics. Zulma Lopez identifies herself as an immigration attorney, a small business owner, and most importantly, a mom. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she obtained her undergraduate degree and J.D. from the University of Puerto Rico. During law school, Zulma also juggled the responsibilities of being a mom to her two oldest sons. In 2007, she moved to Georgia to reunite with her childhood friend and now husband Dax Lopez, and gave birth to a daughter and son to complete her family. In 2014, she opened her own law practice, Lopez Immigration LLC, to give families their own shot at the American dream by representing them before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and filing family-based immigration petitions. As both an immigration attorney and a small business owner, she is passionate about creating opportunities for women and minority business owners in DeKalb County. As a mother who balanced her own professional development and education while raising her sons, she feels strongly about supporting students from preschool through college. In 2020, Zulma was elected to represent House District 86 in the Georgia House of Representatives, where she serves as the only Latina in the Georgia General Assembly. As an elected official in North DeKalb County, Zulma represents some of the same constituents that I have the privilege of representing here in Congress. I am proud of our shared constituency. It is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize two of the many Hispanic Americans who work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of others here in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. As we continue to celebrate the observation of Hispanic Heritage Month, may we recommit ourselves to the spirit of service demonstrated by these individuals and the many others whose stories have yet to be told. On behalf of myself, the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. In telling the stories of community members like Natalia and Zulma, we celebrate the power of our Hispanic community in Georgia. As a Representative of our State, I will continue to champion their values of strength, service, and patriotism every day.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, generations of women fought for the right to vote, they fought for a seat in the university classroom, a seat in the boardroom, and a seat in our government. And they fought for the freedom for us to make our own decisions about our bodies. Generations of women secured these gains so that we could build on their efforts toward a just and equitable society. We cannot allow their work to be undone. That is why I am proud to vote in favor of the Women's Health Protection Act.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I come from a family of veterans. My father, my brother, and nephew all served, and I am honored to fight for our veterans and their families here in Washington. Our servicemen and -women have sacrificed so much for this country. And our community and our country are forever grateful to all who have served, and we must always give back to those who have given us so much. I am proud of the funding that we have helped procure for the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program. It gives veterans in my community and the country the opportunity to receive a year of job training, education, and housing costs. This pandemic has been extraordinarily difficult for so many across our country, and this is an important step toward serving the thousands who have so bravely served our Nation.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. During the Civil Rights Movement, I was a child in the stroller at the March on Washington. And my father, who was the president of the Illinois branch of the NAACP for over 20 years, he raised me to always fight for what is right and what is just; to stand up for those who don't always have a voice. John Lewis embodied the spirit of justice, and he inspired so many to fight for voting rights. John did say, ``Freedom is not a state, it is an act.'' Freedom is the continuous action we all must take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair and more just society. Today, we do our part. We stand up for the right to vote; freedoms this Nation was founded upon and freedoms which must long endure. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in the act of fighting for freedom, fighting for democracy, and supporting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support for the Advancement Act. [From the New Democrat Coalition, Aug. 23, 2021] New Democrat Coalition Endorses H.R. 4 The New Democrat Coalition (NDC) announced its endorsement of H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bill, introduced by NDC Member Terri Sewell (AL-07), seeks to address the most egregious forms of recent voter suppression by restoring the protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and determining which states and localities with a recent history of voting rights violations must pre-clear election changes with the U.S. Department of Justice. ``Our responsibility as members of Congress is to ensure that the American people have trust in our democratic process and equitable access to the ballot box,'' said New Democrat Coalition Chair Suzan DelBene. ``Congresswoman Sewell is continuing Congressman John Lewis' legacy by reintroducing this crucial legislation all to keep our elections fair and open. The Coalition endorsed this bill because the right to vote is the most sacred and fundamental right our nation offers. We urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in passing this historic piece of legislation.'' I'm so proud that the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has earned the endorsement of the New Democrat Coalition,'' said New Democrat Member Rep. Terri Sewell. ``The right to vote is the most sacred and fundamental right we enjoy as American citizens and one that the Foot Soldiers fought, bled, and died for in my hometown of Selma, Alabama. Today, old battles have become new again as we face the most pernicious assault on the right to vote in generations. By restoring federal oversight and preventing states with a recent history of voter discrimination from restricting the right to vote, this bill keeps the promise of our democracy alive for all Americans and advances the legacy of those brave Foot Soldiers like John Lewis who dedicated their lives to preserving the sacred right to vote. The Coalition has long been an advocate for promoting voting rights and protecting American elections and endorsed H.R. 4 last Congress. Earlier this year, the Coalition also endorsed H.R. 1. the For the People Act, earlier this year. With the endorsement and expected House action on H.R. 4, the Coalition remains committed to advancing voting and campaign reform legislation through the Senate and to the President as soon as possible.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, when I hear from our friends and neighbors across Georgia, there is no issue that families find more concerning than that of the cost of their healthcare. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, access to quality healthcare is very, very personal to me. While I was in the hospital, all I had to do was focus on the strength of my family, the grace of the God that I love, and winning my battle with cancer. Yet still, far too many families are forced to worry about paying for their chemotherapy versus affording the mortgage on their home. That is why I continue to work so hard every day to expand affordable healthcare for families across Georgia and across the Nation and why I am so proud that my bill to cut healthcare costs for those who have been laid off during the pandemic was signed into law by our President. No American should ever be forced to make the decision between putting food on the table or paying for their family's medical bills.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, there is a special place in every parent's heart for summer with our children. My son, Jordan, used to put on his little cleats and a big hat and run out onto the field to play tee-ball with his friends on Saturday mornings. After that, we would go to the pool to cool off; eat lunch under a shady tree; play in the backyard as the day turned to dusk; and read a story together as he drifted off to sleep. Truly, summer is for hardworking parents to spend time with the little ones that they love most. It is for our children to grow and live and learn and play. That is why I am so proud that we just passed the child tax credit into law. It means more money in the pockets of middle-class families. Now, over 680,000 families in my home State of Georgia will receive a tax cut, and these credits will raise over 160,000 children in Georgia out of poverty. This is more funding for Georgia families to protect our children and to lift up our communities.