Lucy McBath

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I am so excited to be here on the floor today to congratulate Rabbi Larry Sernovitz on becoming the senior rabbi of Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta, Georgia. In just the few short months that I have known the rabbi, he has been instrumental in helping to spread our shared message of God's love for all people and tikkun olam. ``Tikkun olam'' translates to ``repair of the world,'' and I know that, together, our community in Georgia will help build bridges to a better and more just tomorrow. I congratulate the rabbi on his new mission from God. Our community is blessed to have been gifted a leader like him. I hope that, if he or his congregation ever need assistance from my office, they don't hesitate to call upon us. I truly look forward to working with the rabbi and the Jewish community in Georgia for many years to come, and I wish them all a happy and blessed Hannukah season.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from North Carolina, Representative Butterfield, for yielding. Yesterday, we observed the anniversary of the ratification of the 13th Amendment, which provided that ``neither slavery nor involuntary servitude . . . shall exist within the United States.'' It was one of the most dramatic expansions of civil rights in American history, and for the first time, our Constitution made mention of the institution of slavery. 155 years ago, the self-evident truth that all men are created equal had not been fully realized. But with every generation, with every chapter written in America's story, the people of this Nation have fought to secure the unalienable rights which were endowed by our Creator. As we enter a new era, we must not forget that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, giants like John Lewis, Elijah Cummings, and C.T. Vivian who helped pave the way for millions of little boys and little girls who believed that they could do anything that they set their minds to, that they could become whomever they wanted to be. 155 years after slavery, we reflect on how far this Nation has truly come. There are many who lived a century ago who would not believe that America today would welcome the great-grandchildren of slaves to serve their communities and their country and our government. We commemorate that long march toward justice and celebrate all who have played a role in making the lives of their children better than their own. Today, and every day, we must continue the work of all those whose shoulders we now stand upon. We must continue to strive toward that more perfect Union, toward a future free from hatred, bigotry, and violence. The work we do in this Chamber can advance the cause for freedom, justice, and peace. Each and every day, I pray that we continue to rise to meet that moment.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 8294, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020. We are in the midst of our country's worst economic crisis in decades, and to better serve the American people, we must invest in our workforce and invest in the American Dream. Registered apprenticeships prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century, and with the evolution of technologies like 5G, Congress and the Department of Labor should be laser focused on encouraging and incentivizing apprenticeships for advanced wireless deployment. By supporting these programs, we can ensure that Georgia remains the best State in the country to live and to do business. For decades, the registered apprenticeship program has proven to be an entry into the middle class for many people. Congresswoman Davis' National Apprenticeship Act would support a successful workforce program at a time when our Nation needs it the most. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, as we move into the last weeks of 2020, as we move into a dark and uncertain winter, our Nation continues to face an increasingly deadly pandemic. Grief, economic hardship, and anxiety can be felt in every corner of our country. Despite the challenges that face our Nation, the past few weeks have seen millions of Americans stand up and make their voices heard. And millions of Americans have chosen unity over division, stability over chaos, and looked forward to a future filled with faith and hope for a brighter world. That world requires something from each and every one of us--we all must do our part. We all have a role to play in transforming our aspirations into real, effective progress. Over the last 2 years, I have heard from thousands of families who have called on my office in a moment of need; a grandparent whose Social Security checks just simply stopped coming; a veteran who desperately needed an appointment at the VA hospital; a small business that required assistance to keep their employees paid during this pandemic. For many of these people, their call to my office may have been the first time that they have ever interacted with a government official. It may be the first time that they have ever asked their government for help. Each and every day, we are called upon to serve our communities in Congress. They are trusting us to do everything that we can to advocate on their behalf. We must never lose sight of that faith and that trust that they placed in us. Hardworking families across Georgia, and from around the Nation, understand that the days and the months ahead may be the most important of our lifetime. And Americans have been very clear. They have asked their leaders to put aside their partisan bickering and focus on American fellowship. And the mandate that they have given us is one of compassion and cooperation. It is a mandate to heal fractures and mend their wounds. It is a mandate to solve problems and protect them. And it is a mandate to compromise with common sense. It is a mandate to enact policies that provide every person in this Nation an opportunity to fight for their very own American Dream. For many years, before I had the honor of serving my community in Congress, I worked as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, and I shared journeys with people from every corner of our globe and of every color and every creed and of every race and every religion. Yes, we all come from different backgrounds, and we share different beliefs, and we all belong to different political parties. But what we must understand is that we share a common purpose that transcends partisanship. We are all uniquely American. We are all far more alike than we are different. We all need to spend time with those that we love, to share our stories with those who make us smile, make us laugh. We all want what is best for our families. On these journeys across America, I watched first-generation Americans chart a course toward a lifetime of new and exciting experiences. And I watched men and women in uniform fly home to surprise their young children, their mothers who have been worried sick, their brothers who haven't seen their best friend in years. I have watched parents beam with pride as they reunited with their new college graduate. After decades of hard work, they knew, with faith and with certainty, that the days of their children would be better than their own. This is the America that our constituents sent us here to fight for and sent us here to lead; to preserve the ideas that this Nation was founded upon; to protect the values that must endure long after every single one of us in this Chamber is gone. Our strength as a Nation has always been on our ability to come together to address America's greatest challenges, which we are in right now. And that is the opportunity that we have in this very moment. And when we look back at this time in years to come, I pray that we can all take pride in our response; that we fought against all those who seek to sow the seeds of hatred and division--and for all those rooted in peace and prosperity; that we fought to strengthen our fellow Americans with love and with unity; that we fought for progress alongside our brothers and sisters of this great Nation with unshakeable resolve; that we fought for a future that we can all believe in.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Every year from September 15 to October 15, the history and culture of Americans who are from or have ancestors 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 and President Ronald Reagan 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. Our great nation would not be the same without the profound influence of Hispanic Americans across the country. Men and women from numerous countries have come to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families. 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. Guided by the promise of freedom and the chance to participate in the unique American experiment in democracy, some of these individuals arrived with nothing but the clothes on their back and the hope of a better tomorrow. Hispanic Americans have had influence on practically every part of American history, from politics to sports to sciences. Every 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 vibrant and continues to grow significantly. I am proud to stand up and fight for the men and women who have contributed so much to our communities each day. 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. During these unprecedented times, we must work harder than ever to respect and encourage the diversity of our nation. I am routinely impressed by 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 three professionals who deserve special recognition: Gilda ``Gigi'' Pedraza, Santiago Marquez, and Vanessa Kosky. Gilda ``Gigi'' Pedraza and her team at the Latino Community Fund-- Georgia (LCF Georgia) as they advocate for the Latino community, work to increase civic participation, provide immediate relief to the most vulnerable communities and build grassroots organizations. Gigi has over 20 years of experience working for both nonprofit and for-profit spaces as a social entrepreneur. In 2018, she was the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership award and was recognized as a Woman of Inspiration by the Atlanta Dream. In the same year, she was named one of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia. Gigi has participated on numerous boards including the Center for Pan-Asian Community Services and the Feminist Health Center. She is also a member of the ARC Global Voices Panel. Additionally, Gigi was the Georgia Awardee of the TUMI USA Entrepreneur Award, which recognizes Peruvian immigrants for their civic contributions. Gigi's roots are from Lima, Peru and she currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Santiago Marquez is the CEO of the Latin American Association (LAA). Marquez has held many impressive positions, including the Director of Employment and Housing for the Latin American Association, which was the first housing department to focus on Hispanics in Atlanta. He was also the Director of Latino Outreach at the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He began working with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2008 and has since served as President and CEO. In 2014, Santiago received an award from the National Diversity Council. He has served on multiple boards across Atlanta, including the Aurora Theatre and the WellStar Atlanta Community Board. He is also an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta and the Buckhead Business Leadership Class. Santiago was born in Cuba but now lives in Atlanta with his wife and two daughters. Vanessa Kosky was just recently appointed to be an associate judge of the city of Doraville, and she will be the city's first Latina judge. A graduate of John Marshall Law School, she was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in October of 2007. She is also a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the American Immigration Lawyer Association. Vanessa has worked as the owner of her general practice law firm for criminal defense, family law, and immigration defense since 2009. She was a recognized mentor in the Georgia State Bar's Transition into the Practice of Law Program for many years and has been recognized for her work by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and the Gwinnett Pro Bono Project. During her many years practicing the law, she has also participated in several teaching engagements in both English and Spanish language courses. Vanessa lives in Tucker and continues to represent and speak up for people in her community every day. It is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize three of the many Hispanic Americans who work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of others in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. As we continue to celebrate the observation of Hispanic Heritage Month, may we recommit 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 Gigi, Santiago, and Vanessa, 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, I rise today in honor of the life of Frank Burton ``Burt'' Vardeman, Jr., a life built on faith, service, and family. Mr. Vardeman passed away peacefully on September 13, 2020 at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife Martha Frances Hay Vardeman, their four children Frances, Frank, Cile, and Marty; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. The first of four brothers, Burt was born in Columbus, Georgia and grew up in Covington. He attended public schools and graduated from Covington High School in 1942. During his freshman year at North Georgia College, Burt was drafted into the United States Army Air Corps. He served his country during World War II as a Flight Radio Operator on B-24 Liberator bombers with the 15th Air Force, surviving 31 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. During one mission, Nazis destroyed three of the engines on Burt's plane, and he and his crewmates considered jumping into the Aegean Sea. Fortunately, they spotted an airstrip in the distance, where they landed and were housed by the Tuskegee Airmen, who frequently escorted his Bomb Group, while waiting for another plane. Burt frequently said throughout his life, ``I owe my life to the Red Tails.'' After the war, Burt came home and studied at Auburn University using the GI Bill, where he met Martha, his ``Sweetie Pie.'' Graduating in 1949 with a B.S. in Building Construction, Burt and Martha moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to join Martha's father, a Presbyterian minister who had just been named president of Stillman College, a historically black college. Serving as Business and Property Manager at Stillman College, Burt helped the school become an accredited four-year institution by overseeing the construction and management of IO major campus buildings, a considerable achievement during the Civil Rights Movement. Burt, Martha, and their four children moved to Atlanta in 1965, where Burt worked until his retirement in 1989. His accomplishments during that career included overseeing the construction and administration of the Presbyterian Church USA headquarters. In retirement, he spoke of a deep gratitude for the heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen and was made an honorary Tuskegee Airman himself. Burt volunteered for numerous organizations, including North Decatur Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis, enjoyed golfing and fishing, and was an avid bowtie enthusiast. More than anything, however, he cherished his family. Burt and Martha built a family rooted in love and support. He selflessly served his American family overseas by defending democracy and at home by building the foundation for a more just and equal future. Through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Burt's legacy of faith, service, and family is destined to live on for generations. It is my distinct privilege to help honor and celebrate the storied life of Burt Vardeman. As his family continues to grieve this profound loss, I offer my deepest condolences. On behalf of myself, the Sixth Congressional District, and the United States House of Representatives, I am eternally grateful to Burt for his unbounded dedication to the betterment of humanity and the overflowing passion with which he lived.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for bringing this vital legislation to the floor. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will ensure that no woman is unfairly fired or forced to risk the health of themselves or their pregnancy just to earn a paycheck. Our mothers deserve these Federal protections. We want all to support our working mothers. Allowing them simple accommodations can ensure that they are able to continue working and provide a living for themselves and for their families. Twenty-seven States have already passed laws that require certain employers to provide accommodations to pregnant women. It is time for federal action to ensure that all pregnant women are protected from discrimination and continue to support their families. This legislation is supported by both women's health groups and the business community. I have here a letter from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce voicing strong support for this legislation, and I submit this letter for the Record. Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, September 14, 2020. To the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports H.R. 2694, the ``Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).'' As reported by the Committee on Education and Labor, this bipartisan compromise would protect the interests of both pregnant employees and their employers. The Chamber will consider including votes on this legislation in our How They Voted scorecard. Employers currently face great uncertainty about whether, and how, they are required to accommodate pregnant workers. The revised PWFA would clarify an employer's obligation to accommodate a pregnant employee or applicant with a known limitation that interferes with her ability to perform some essential functions of her position. The PWFA takes advantage of the widely known and accepted interactive process associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that is used to find reasonable accommodations for employees covered by the ADA, and also carries forward the 15-or-more-employee threshold from the

Ms. McBATH

Ms. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to support S. 2683. We must do everything that we can to ensure the safety of our children. Families deserve to know that their kids are being cared for by qualified providers. Before we close out, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Van Taylor, Cindy Axne, Fred Keller, and Abby Finkenauer for working with me to introduce the House companion for this bipartisan legislation. It is so great that we were able to work together to keep our children safe, set them up for educational success, and ensure our qualified childcare providers have access to the opportunities they have worked so hard for. I also thank the Education and Labor Committee staff for their hard work of helping us advance this legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2683) to establish a task force to assist States in implementing hiring

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Over 75 percent of preschool-age children attend some form of early care and education before reaching kindergarten. For this reason, it is imperative that we ensure we are providing our children with the best educators that will give them the best education possible. The 2014 reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant--or as we will say today, the CCDBG Act--made changes to the original 1990 bill, including adding background checks to ensure that childcare centers receiving funds through the CCDBG are employing quality professionals. However, in the 6 years since the reauthorization, barriers to background check information have hindered the hiring process for quality childcare providers. So as of right now, there is no uniform process to share this information across States. Each State has its own set of laws and policies, making it harder for childcare providers to gather the necessary information for the employees that they are hiring. S. 2683, the Child Care Protection Improvement Act of 2020, would create an interagency task force that will identify the obstacles in the background check process and recommend best practices to overcoming them. When children attend safe, high-quality, early care and education programs, they develop the skills that help them succeed in school and in the future. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, the childcare industry has suffered tremendous losses since the start of this pandemic. Centers are facing increased operating costs and are working overtime to provide adequate PPE and sanitation materials to keep our children safe. Countless American families rely on the childcare industry, and we must provide them with the materials and equipment that they need to give our children the best possible care. To help small businesses grow, support hardworking Georgians, and uplift our economy, parents must have a safe place to send their children. Truly, the childcare industry helps give our kids the foundation for their future, and it needs our help. Hardworking families deserve our support, and the Child Care Is Essential Act would give providers the funding and resources they need to nurture the next generation. I thank Representative DeLauro for her leadership and Chairman Scott for his leadership.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2163) to establish the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, to study and make recommendations to address social problems affecting Black men and boys, and for other purposes.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today, we remember the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis. We mourn his passing, but we celebrate his incalculable contributions to our country. The world is truly a better place because John dedicated his life to make it so. I rise in front of this Chamber as we vote to create the commission on the social status of Black men and boys. This commission is only possible because of the barriers broken by Black men like John Lewis. It is only possible because of the tireless efforts of Black women like Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who has led the introduction of this bill. The world has changed for Black men and boys in this country since John Lewis was beaten and bloodied on a bridge in Selma, Alabama. We have come a long way, but it is no secret that Black men and boys continue to face unjust hurdles in America. The commission will search for ways to address these inequities, from education to unemployment, housing to healthcare, justice to civil rights. As John once said: We have a moral obligation, a mission, and a mandate to do what we can to make our country and our world a better place and to help usher in a loving community where no one is left out or left behind. I believe this commission will help us do just that. I believe that it will help us create a better future for our children and for our grandchildren because while we have come so far, we still have a long way to go. I know that you can do everything right as a parent and still see your child, a young Black man, taken away from you for reasons that are far out of your control. When I got pregnant with my son, Jordan, he was a miracle for me. I wasn't sure I was ever going to be able to have children. I dreamed of who Jordan would become. I dreamed of watching him walk across the stage at his high school graduation, full of love and full of hope for the future. But almost 8 years ago, Jordan was sitting in the back seat of a car with his friends at a gas station. A man pulled up, parked next to them, and complained about the loud music that they were playing. He pulled out a gun, and he fired 10 shots into the car, hitting Jordan three times, killing my only son. And then, he simply drove away. I believed I had done everything right, but at the end of the day, Jordan was a young Black man. And I felt that injustice. So while I look back at the life and legacy of John Lewis, and I remark how far we truly have come, I must also look toward a future without my son, and I see how far we still have to go. As we vote today to create the commission on the social status of Black men and boys, I hope we can go forward in strength and in hope because there is always hope. It is what brings us together. We can work toward a future that we all believe in, and I am proud to take the next step on that journey today. I urge my colleagues to stand with me in supporting this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), who is a good friend and a committed Member from the Sunshine State of Florida.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis), the gentleman from my original home State.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining?

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wilson), I read into the Record a statement. Mr. Speaker, the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys is a bill that is long overdue. The Commission will review police brutality, gun violence, fatherhood, recruiting and training Black male teachers, and even speakers, which play an important role in the lives of Black boys. Welfare reform and the 1994 crime bill--which includes the controversial ``Three Strikes'' provision and harsh sentencing guidelines--will also be revisited. These Federal policies left a devastating impact on Black men and boys in America. The underlying goal of the commission is to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and to better understand and, eventually, eliminate the educational and social chasms that have made it extraordinarily difficult for Black males to become upwardly mobile. Perhaps, the most dangerous issue facing Black boys in our country is racism itself. Too often, they are perceived as criminals by the time they reach the age of 5. They are labeled delinquent, not rowdy. They are hardened criminals, not misguided youth. Their very existence is often seen as a threat. It is a tragic reality that Black males in America are treated as their own class of citizens. We see this treatment reflected in social outcomes in such areas as education, criminal justice, healthcare, and employment. The numbers are staggering. More than 1 out of every 6 Black men, who, today, should be between the ages of 20 and 54 years old have disappeared from our daily lives. Low rates of high school retention among Black male students directly relates to the high rates of joblessness and incarceration. More than two-thirds of Black male dropouts end up serving time in State or Federal prison, and while Black males overall make up roughly 13 percent of the United States population, they represent nearly 40 percent of all men serving time in State and Federal prisons. Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys will change the world for so many people and create the paths to success that they have been denied for generations, and, ultimately, close societal, economic, and cultural divides. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr Jeffries).

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Armstrong, for such passionate and committed words toward truly making sure that we have a just and fair society for everyone. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), who is my good friend.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who is our great fighter for justice.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley), who is an extraordinary warrior for justice in America.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), who is my good friend and comrade.