Lucy McBath

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), a stalwart for justice and hope.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Judy Chu), who is a good friend and colleague fighting on behalf of communities of color.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Armstrong, and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for supporting our need to really make systemic change in the country. I also thank Congresswoman Wilson. If it had not been for her legislation, I wouldn't be standing before you today. Congressman Richmond and also Congressman Jeffries, Senator Rubio, Senator Harris, and Senator Booker; it has been an honor to work with each of them in bringing this bipartisan legislation to a vote. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their support for this very, very critical bill, and I look forward to the important work that this commission will accomplish on behalf of all Black men and boys and on behalf of my son, Jordan. I am so grateful to this body for finding this so critically important, so that no one will ever have to feel the pain of losing their Black child, their Black male son to the disparities and inequities that face communities of color each and every single day. I thank every one of my colleagues. I thank the thousands and thousands of parents that I have spoken to over the years, and all of the survivors of the families who have lost their loved ones. I thank them for finding this important. I thank them for standing up and finding this timely in a world that doesn't always see young Black males as human. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, tonight, we stand in this great Chamber and mourn our friend, a civil rights icon and the conscience of Congress. John Lewis towered over his era, and his loss is deeply felt across this country and across the globe. From marching for freedom in Montgomery to being beaten and bloodied on a bridge in Selma, John's life showed us all the fundamental need for good, necessary trouble. As John would often say: 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. His words and his life ring through eternity. We will honor John's legacy with an unshakeable determination to fight for what is right and what is just. He served the Nation in love. Rest in peace, my friend. We love you. I love you.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the chair for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I know how important it is to have access to quality, affordable healthcare, especially for those like me who have preexisting conditions. This pandemic has shown us that every American needs access to quality, affordable healthcare. Many Americans have lost their employer-sponsored insurance and found affordable health coverage outside of their grasp, outside of their own reach. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act incentivizes Medicaid expansion, improves Medicaid coverage, fixes the family glitch, and ensures that every American has access to quality, affordable healthcare. That is our right. That is our right as Americans, to have affordable healthcare, to be able to take care of our loved ones, take care of ourselves and live a good, sustainable quality of life. There is so much work that needs to be done, but this legislation truly takes important steps to ensuring that every American has the ability to be able to have access to health coverage. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues across the aisle to vote ``yes.'' I am a preexisting condition, and in my district there are over 300,000 people like me who have preexisting conditions--45,000 of those in my district are children under the age of 17--and we deserve to be cared for, and we deserve to have a good quality of life afforded by affordable and good, quality healthcare.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I do offer you my deepest condolences. We stand here today keenly aware that we are living through history. Yet again, racism and injustice have opened painful wounds 400 years in the making. I lost my son, Jordan, to those wounds. And, yes, my Black son's life did matter. With each gut-wrenching video, I am reminded of the hole left in my heart by the murder of my own son. That is my history. It is the history of far too many Black Americans, and it is a history that can never, ever be erased. But America has always been able to rise to the tests of our time. Our future is etched in the courage of our convictions, and today we must respond with bold action. Madam Speaker, to save American lives, to create a better future for our children, and to help mend the wounds of hate and violence, our response is clear. I urge my colleagues to support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Our time is now.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague and good friend from the great Peach State of Georgia, Representative Johnson. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, the Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act. I was pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my Republican colleague, Congressman Cline. We are also joined in leading the bill by my good friend, Congressman Johnson, who is the chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet, and Congresswoman Roby of Alabama, who is the ranking member of the subcommittee. I thank each of them for their support and for their leadership. I am also thankful for the work of Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Chuck Grassley, each former chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who have long championed this legislation in a bipartisan effort in the Senate. This bill takes two important steps to promote innovation. First, it codifies the Patents for Humanity Program of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a program that recognizes those who are using creative thinking to address our world's biggest challenges. Patents for Humanity winners receive acceleration certificates that enable them to get expedited review of their next big idea when they bring it to the USPTO. The second part of this bill strengthens the Patents for Humanity Program by making those acceleration certificates transferrable. This makes the prize more meaningful to the recipients, whether they are ready to tackle a new challenge or pursue investments that can help them bring their innovation and their invention to those that are in need. I am so very proud to be able to support the Patents for Humanity Program. It recognizes the achievements of innovators from across the public and private sectors, including start-ups, established companies, universities and nonprofits. It is truly important that we uplift those who use their skills to develop technology and ideas that benefit our world. This legislation encourages inventors to pursue lifesaving ideas and solutions to the world's global humanitarian challenges. Its passage today is a wonderful example of all of us coming together in a bipartisan manner to help solve problems that impact millions across the globe. And I am proud that we can do our part to expand this program and give innovators more freedom to support one another. I thank the scientists, researchers, engineers, inventors, and problem-solvers who look for ways that they can improve the lives of others. From curing disease to ending hunger, to raising the quality of life for people across the globe, these innovators are truly doing good work. I thank them for their efforts, and I urge my colleagues to support them by supporting this legislation.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, this is not the time to back down. In my home State of Georgia, hardworking Georgians have been laid off, small businesses have had to close, and families are worried about the health and well-being of their loved ones. Americans everywhere are counting on us to help them get through this crisis as safely as possible. This is what we are sent to Washington to do: to protect and to uplift our communities in a time such as this. We must work together, Republicans and Democrats, to make a difference in the lives of those we represent when they need us most. This is the time to give America hope. This is the time to govern with our hearts, and not partisan politics, because we can get through this pandemic together, stronger and more unified than before.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Each May, Americans commemorate 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. First proposed as a ten-day celebration in 1977, this month celebrates the heritage of Americans who come from Asian and Pacific Island countries and territories. Since the first Asian and Pacific Islanders made the journey to America in 1843, they have enriched the fabric of this great nation with their own unique contributions. I am honored today to tell the stories of two Asian Pacific Americans who live and work in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. Asian Pacific Americans represent a diversity of cultures, experiences, and countries. Throughout American history, these men and women have contributed to the growth and progress of the nation. The story of Asian Pacific Americans has 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. Even today, Asian Pacific Americans endure hate and discrimination simply due to their heritage. Asian-owned businesses have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic due to intolerance and xenophobia. As Americans, we must reject and condemn such discrimination and embrace the many differences that make this community a hub of culture and diversity. Today, I am proud to celebrate a community of Asian Pacific Americans that make up part of the incredibly rich and diverse heritage of Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. It is my honor to recognize two members of this community in particular: Victoria Huynh and Ching Hsia. Victoria Huynh is the Vice President of the Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS), headquartered in Georgia's Sixth District. Victoria's upbringing in a Vietnamese refugee household fuels her passion for community building, strategic planning, and policy work with immigrants and refugees in Georgia. She serves as the Advisor of the CPACS' Advocacy Department and co-chairs the Asian American and Pacific Islander Complete Count Committee, which is working to ensure a complete count for Georgia's Asian Pacific American population in the 2020 Census. Not only does Victoria serve on my Sixth District Complete Count Committee, but she also helped organize one of the largest ``Get Out the Count'' Census events in the entire state. Ching Hsia is the Assistant Principal for the Chinese Cultural School and Vice President of the Chinese Community Federation of Atlanta. She immigrated to the United States with her parents and siblings when she was just 8 years old. As the youngest child among four siblings, she watched her parents struggle to provide for her family due to language barriers and limited employment opportunities. The feeling of making her parents proud was what kept her going through difficult times. When Ching was in middle school, her parents bought a restaurant on Buford Highway, which is also located in the Sixth District. As the only member of her family that spoke English, she interpreted mail, bills, and other documents for the family business. She went on to attend Georgia State University and majored in Spanish with a concentration in International Business. After college, she used her expertise to help her own family business as well as many other immigrant-owned businesses along the Buford Highway corridor. Victoria and Ching's remarkable stories are just two of the many rich narratives that make up the vibrant Asian Pacific American community in Georgia. I am deeply grateful for the services that Victoria and Ching provide to residents across the state, and it is my honor to highlight them both during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. During this month and always, I am proud to celebrate the impact of Asian Pacific Americans here in Georgia and across the country.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise to support the rule and underlying legislation to establish the select committee, and I also support this bill that we will be voting on later today. Small businesses are the heart of a thriving community and vital to the American economy, and there isn't one in Georgia or across the country that has not been impacted by the pandemic. This crisis demands we all continue our work together to ensure that our American families are kept safe, American small businesses are supported, and American workers receive the relief that they need. This funding is one more step on the long journey toward recovery. I want to take this time to offer my condolences to the victims who have lost their lives to this awful disease. My prayers are with those mourning in Georgia, across America, and around the globe. To our doctors, nurses, and first responders: Americans everywhere are looking up to your love, your sacrifice, and your uncommon courage. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the underlying bill.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, this past Sunday, we celebrated International Women's Day, the unique stories women share, and their power to shape our world. Like many women in America, my story includes a struggle to get pregnant. My son, Jordan, was a miracle for me and my family. But for too many mothers in America, the miracle of pregnancy ends in tragedy. The United States has the worst rate of maternal death in the developed world. This is unacceptable. There is no reason that, in the richest Nation on Earth, we cannot keep our mothers and our families healthy and whole. My bill, the Social Determinants for Moms Act, will invest in our mothers and fund the access to services and critical research that we need to help save the lives of our American women. We can solve this crisis together if we work together, Republicans and Democrats, fighting for a safer, more compassionate, and more community-focused future.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the anniversary of the House passage of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. It is has been 1 year since we stood together in this Chamber, Democrats and Republicans, and voted to pass a commonsense bill that will help save lives; 1 year since we voted to prevent unnecessary gun deaths and keep guns away from those who should not have them; 1 year since we acted to protect our children, to protect our communities, and to protect our families. One hundred Americans die every single day from gun violence. In 2020, there have already been more gun deaths in the United States than our peer countries will experience in an entire year. That is unconscionable, and it is why 90 percent of our country supports universal background checks. Yet, we are told that, instead of changing our laws, we must have more active-shooter drills; more first graders coming home with tears in their eyes, 6-year-olds asked to decide for themselves whether they are more likely to survive by hiding in a closet or if they should rush the gunman; more mother's reading messages from their children locked inside a school that plead: Mom, if I don't make it home, I love you, and I appreciate everything that you have done for me. Too often we are told that we must accept these tragedies, but millions of Americans refuse to accept that, and I stand with them. Today marks 1 year since we passed the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. Tomorrow marks 1 year since the passage of the Enhanced Background Check Act, which would close the Charleston loophole. I introduced a bill that would give loved ones and law enforcement more tools to keep guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or to others, tools that would help people like Mary Miller-Strobel, whose brother, Ben, was a combat veteran suffering from depression and PTSD. Mary and her family worried about his mental health, and they drove to every gun store in their area pleading with the store owners not to sell her brother a gun. Ben Miller died by suicide. He used the gun he bought at his local gun store. There is injustice in this year without action. I know that sense of injustice. On black Friday in November 2012, my son Jordan was sitting in the back seat of a car at a gas station with his friends. A man pulled up next to them and complained about the loud music that they were playing. He pulled out a gun and he fired 10 shots into that car hitting Jordan three times, killing my only son. I lost my son. But I am still his mother and I am on a mission to help protect the lives of children like him all over America. I made a promise to my community that I would act in Washington. I promised that I would take that sense of protection, that love a mother has for her only son, and use it for my community, use it for the American people. I promised I would dedicate my life to families like mine in Marietta, Georgia, who are terrified that they will send their kids to school and never see them come home. They are terrified they will be me. I pray that on the 1-year anniversary of H.R. 8, that we remember that this is in our hands. We remember families like Mary's. We remember children graduating from high school. We remember Florida. We remember communities all across this country. Their lives are in our hands. I want to thank my colleagues, survivors, and volunteers, and advocates across America that are here with us today for your tireless work to pass this landmark legislation and protect our families. I pray that God bless us all in this fight to save American lives.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Kerry Thomas, Chief of Police for the city of Chamblee. A self-described ``forward thinker,'' Chief Thomas has served as Chief of Police now for a little over three months. This weekend, citizens in Chamblee will honor Chief Thomas for his service as the city's first African American police chief. Chief Thomas joined the Chamblee Police Department last November after over 30 years of service to the Savannah Police Department. During his career in Savannah, his work experience spanned from a Patrol Officer, Forensic Examiner, Captain, and Assistant Chief of Police. His appointment as Chief was recommended by Chamblee City Manager Jon Walker and confirmed by Mayor Eric Clarkson and the Chamblee City Council. He was selected out of an application pool of 48 candidates from across Georgia and beyond. According to Mr. Walker, Chief Thomas ``expressed a great depth of knowledge and offered a methodical and results oriented approach to policing.'' Prior to his service in the police force, Chief Thomas proudly served in the United States Army as an Armor Crewman Specialist from 1984 until 1987. During his time in the Army, Chief Thomas deployed to Germany. Upon his honorable discharge, he transitioned into the Georgia Army National Guard, where he served another three years. It is my honor to recognize Chief Thomas for his service, his sacrifice, and his dedication to keeping the city of Chamblee safe. As we approach the end of Black History Month, may we be reminded of the enormous contributions that black men and women make to the United States every day. On behalf of myself, the Sixth Congressional District of Georgia, and the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to join the city of Chamblee in honoring Chief Kerry Thomas.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, women have been fighting tooth and nail for decades to be recognized as equal under the eyes of the law. While we made significant gains, it is time for a full constitutional equality. In 1866, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, a free-born Black woman, addressed the National Women's Rights Convention in New York City, and she said: ``Justice is not fulfilled so long as woman is unequal before the law. We are all bound up together in one great bundle of humanity. . . . Society cannot afford to neglect the enlightenment of any class of its members.'' These words still hold true today for our mothers, for our daughters, and for our future leaders. We must take up the mantle of the women who came before us and pass this amendment for a more just future.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Gun Violence Survivors Week because I, too, am a survivor. This week, just a month into the new year, there will have been more gun deaths in the United States than our peer countries will experience in an entire year--one month. I wear black today. I wear black all week long to stand for every survivor, every victim, every family that mourns the unnecessary gun deaths that happen each and every single day. I met earlier this week with Mary Miller-Strobel, whose brother, Ben, was a combat veteran suffering from depression and PTSD. Ben had lost 30 pounds after his tour. Returning home, his father asked him about his weight loss. Ben replied that he couldn't eat, and he said: ``It's just so hard out there, Dad. It smells like death.'' Ben was seeking treatment at a local VA hospital, but his family continued to worry about him. They worried that, in a moment of desperation, Ben might end his own life. Mary and her father drove to every gun store in their area. At each store, they showed photos of Ben, pleading with them not to sell him a gun. Ben Miller died by suicide. He used a gun that he bought at a local gun store. Too often we are told that we must accept these tragedies. We are told that, instead of changing our laws, we must have more active shooter drills, more first graders coming home with tears in their eyes, 6-year-olds asked to decide for themselves whether they are more likely to survive by hiding in a closet or if they should rush the gunman; more mothers reading messages from their children as they are locked inside a school and they are pleading: Mom, if I don't make it, I love you, and I appreciate everything that you have done for me; more vigils each and every day for those that we continue to lose. Too often, we are told that we must accept these tragedies. I refuse to accept that. Millions of Americans across the country refuse to accept that. This Congress should refuse to accept that. We refuse to accept that, because we have passed bipartisan legislation that will help save lives, legislation like the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, a commonsense bill that will keep guns away from those who should not have them. We have passed H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019, which would close the Charleston loophole. We have passed a bill that gives the CDC and the NIH $25 million to study gun violence, the first of its kind in over 20 years. I have even introduced a bill that would give loved ones and law enforcement more tools to keep guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or to others; tools that may have helped Mary save her brother, Ben's life. With every unnecessary shooting, we continue to feel the weight of this injustice; and I personally know that sense of injustice. When my son, Jordan, was killed, I found myself asking America, how could you allow this to happen to my child, my family, to my Jordan? And after Parkland, I knew that this country needed to stand up and to do something about it. I knew that I had something that I had to do, and I knew that I needed to stand up for families like mine in Marietta, Georgia, who are terrified that their children will not come home from school, and they are terrified of being me. So I made a promise to my community that I would act. And I promised that I would take all the love and the support and protection that I had given to my child and use it to serve the American people. I promised I would always be a mother on a mission to save the lives of children from across America, children like my son. During this Gun Violence Survivors Week, I pray that we all remember that this is in our hands. Families like Mary's, children graduating from high school, communities in Charleston, in Columbine, in Parkland, in Sandy Hook, in Dayton, in El Paso, in Las Vegas, in the hundreds of places where shooters and shootings don't even make the news. Their lives are in our hands. I thank my colleagues, and survivors, and volunteers, and advocates across this country for their tireless work to protect our families. May God bless us all in this fight to save American lives.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. On January 27, 1945, Auschwitz was liberated by the Allied forces. The camp enslaved 1.3 million people during the Nazi regime. Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honor the 6 million Jewish victims and the millions of other innocent lives lost. We support the survivors who bore witness to this tragedy. Their scars endure. We refuse to forget the hate that led to this unspeakable tragedy. As new generations of Americans come of age, the lack of knowledge and understanding surrounding one of the greatest crimes in human history deepens. Across the world, we are witnessing a resurgence of anti-Semitism. We hear dangerous and destructive lies that deny the Jewish experience. We see more hatred in our discourse and more violence in our communities. We see five people attacked while celebrating Hanukkah and 11 worshippers murdered at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue. Today, 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz, we honor and remember the victims of the Holocaust, and we reaffirm our fight against this evil. Today, on this Holocaust Remembrance Day, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act, so that we can hold true to the promise of ``never again.''

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Secretary DeVos' new borrower defense rule drastically changes the existing 2016 rule making it harder for students to get the relief that they deserve. Only 3 percent of students are projected to even benefit from this new provision. Students should be focused on getting the quality education they were promised, not worrying about being saddled with large debts from schools that could not and did not deliver on that education promise. The Secretary's rule takes the burden of repayment away from the fraudulent institutions and places it on the back of the taxpayer. Americans should not be responsible for the dishonest actions of a predatory school. I thank Congresswoman Lee for introducing H.J. Res. 76, an important step in protecting our students and holding fraudulent institutions accountable.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act. I thank the Speaker and my colleagues for working so hard to bring this important piece of legislation to the floor. I believe there are few issues more significant and few issues more impactful to the lives of everyday Americans than the ever-increasing costs of healthcare and the lack of access to vital treatment. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I know all too well the stress and the heartache of a life-changing diagnosis. Treatment was exhausting, both physically and emotionally, but I was truly blessed to be able to afford my medication. Even today, I continue to pay excessive out-of-pocket costs for my medication. However, I am lucky to be in a position where I do not have to make serious sacrifices to pay for the care that I need. Unfortunately, this is not reality for all Americans. We live in the richest Nation in the history of nations. This is the greatest country on Earth. I refuse to believe that we cannot find a solution that allows every American to afford the medications that they need. I have been shocked by the stories from my constituents about how pharmaceutical companies continue to gouge their pocketbooks and affect their quality of life. I heard a story recently of a mother in my district who wrote in about her son, who is 27 and has type 1 diabetes. He pays $400 a month for his insulin while also trying to repay his college loans from pursuing his master's degree. She wrote in to speak for her son because she is scared. Her son experiences the same hardship that so many Americans do because of a diagnosis they did not choose. Too often, stories like this end with a patient resorting to rationing of essential treatments, often with catastrophic results. These are lifesaving medications. They are not optional, and people should never have to make the unthinkable decision about whether to purchase their medications or put food on their tables or gas in their cars. On average, Americans pay three to four times as much for the same prescription drugs as people in other countries. Over the last two decades alone, the price of insulin has increased by 1,000 percent. There is no reasonable explanation for these costs, and the American people have had enough. The constantly rising prices have far-reaching consequences, increasing the price of health insurance premiums and eating into workers' wages. Let us be clear, it is taxpayer dollars and wages that go toward paying for these outrageous prescription drug prices, and it is time for Congress to say that enough is enough. This is the most comprehensive solution to our country's drug pricing problem ever to be seriously considered by the House of Representatives. This legislation would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies and create a powerful mechanism that forces drug companies to the table to compromise on real price reductions. It also stops pharmaceutical companies from overcharging Americans while charging other countries less for the same drugs, and it creates a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Finally, it will reverse years of unfair price hikes above inflation across thousands of drugs in Medicare, making lower drug prices negotiated by Medicare available to Americans with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act is a good deal for the American people. It saves the taxpayers over $450 billion during the next decade and allows us to make long-sought-after investments into Medicare and the National Institutes of Health. In fact, this bill includes legislation that I wrote to include coverage of hearing aids in Medicare, making them affordable for our seniors. It will also deliver vision and dental benefits while investing huge sums into the search for new cures. All the mothers and fathers who lay awake at night worried about enrolling their kids in after-school activities or making their mortgage or car payments will benefit from this bill. We are fighting for them, and it is a fight that we intend to win.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, led by our esteemed colleague, Representative Sewell. During the civil rights movement, I was the child in the stroller at the March on Washington. My father served as the Illinois branch president of the NAACP for over 25 years, and I was raised to always fight for what is right and just, to stand up for those who do not always have a voice. My father planned marches to strengthen our voting rights. I can still picture him presiding over meetings at our kitchen table, our house filled with poster boards and preparations and hope. When it comes to voting rights, my father's work is still unfinished. Today, I am so proud that we are taking this step toward completing that work. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 5041, the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act. Too many Americans have been injured and too many families have been torn apart by domestic violence. One in four women and one in nine men will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. Victims and survivors span all races, backgrounds, genders, and income levels. Domestic violence is not just a women's issue. That is why I am proud to have introduced FVPSA, with Representatives Gwen Moore, Tom Cole, and John Katko. Though there are centers around the country doing incredible work, too many people still are turned away each day due to lack of resources. Our bill will provide adequate resources for prevention and treatment services. I urge all of my colleagues to support this vital bill. Together, we fight for the people, help survivors of domestic violence, and prevent such tragedies in the future.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, during the second vote on November 18, 2019, my vote was not recorded. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 626.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I am so glad that we are gathered here today to honor our colleague. It is an honor to represent Georgia's Sixth District here in Congress, and it is truly an honor to hold the seat that Senator Isakson once held. Senator Isakson has spent decades in service to the State of Georgia and to our great Nation. His legacy has left an unforgettable mark on Georgia and the United States Senate. He is known in our community for being a friendly neighbor and for being a truly good man, and I am honored to call him my friend. We share a passion, a passion to make Georgia the best place to live and to start a family. We share a dedication to making America a more perfect union. I know that I have not been in the Georgia delegation very long, but I thank the gentleman for putting people over party and for his commitment to the best policy, which is not always easy politics. We live in an age where loyalty to partisanship has too often come at the expense of the American people, and we live in an age where ``compromise'' has become a dirty word. We live in an age where the American people have become disillusioned with the American Government. Senator Isakson has defied that age. Senator Isakson has always been open to that tough conversation, and he has always been open to finding commonsense solutions to forge uncommon ground. That is why I am so proud to follow in his footsteps as the Representative from Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. It is why I work so hard to make sure that we are passing bipartisan bills, bills that will help protect the communities that we truly love. Madam Speaker, I thank Senator Isakson. I thank him so much for his service to the people of Georgia and his service to the freedom of our country. Godspeed to my friend. God bless.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I would like to begin by offering my deepest prayers to Congressman Cummings' wife and family and the Baltimore community. He was a solid voice of conscience and always offered a steady hand and sound wisdom. He was one of the giants among us here in Congress. Congressman Cummings was born the son of sharecroppers from Clarendon County, South Carolina, a county where children were forced to walk miles to attend segregated schools. The refusal of Clarendon County to provide buses for the Black children in that district became the court case Briggs v. Elliott, one of the five cases that would be decided under the shared designation of Brown v. Board of Education. Remarkably, Congressman Cummings never forgot his roots. He spent his entire life as a fierce champion for justice and humanity. He boldly fought for civil and human rights with the strength given him by God. His humility, his compassion, and his commitment were nothing short of inspiring. I remember the times I would come in here on the floor and I would sit down next to him and he'd say: How are you doing today, kid? And I would say: Well, you know, it is kind of rough being a freshman. And he said: That is okay. Take care of your family. Stay focused. Stay clean. Do your work. Stay in the district, and you will be just fine. Representative Cummings once said: When we are dancing with the angels, the question will be asked, what did we do to make sure that we kept our democracy intact? Well, Representative Cummings, you moved mountains for democracy. And so, now, as he dances with the angels in Heaven, we honor his lifelong fight for our democracy, his towering legacy, and his unwavering dedication to the United States of America and to the world. He will truly be missed.

Mrs. McBATH

Mrs. McBATH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is designed to celebrate the history and culture of Americans who have ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. This observation was first established as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to a full monthlong celebration. Within the thirty-day period are many celebrations of independence for Latin American countries. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Furthermore, Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18. Whether they came here as immigrants or their family has been here for generations, Hispanic Americans are woven into the fabric of this great nation. No matter when they arrived, these men and women came to America in search of a better life for themselves and their families. 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. Motivated by their own goals and aspirations, Hispanic Americans have made their mark in American history, whether it be in sports, fine arts, sciences, or politics. Today, I am pleased to recognize their many contributions to our country's story. Every day, I witness the critical role that these men and women bring to Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. I continue to be impressed with organizations such as the Hispanic Business Center, Candid South, and the Latin American Association. The hard work of these organizations is truly making a difference in our community and improving the lives of all my constituents. The Hispanic community in Georgia is vibrant and continues to grow significantly. During Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to focus on what that means for our country. Despite the many contributions to our society, millions of proud immigrants have suffered discrimination at the hands of the Trump administration. I stand alongside Hispanic Americans in rejecting such rhetoric and discrimination. I am proud to stand up and fight for the men and women who have contributed so much to our communities each day in Washington. 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. Hispanic Americans represent a diversity of experiences and professions--they are farmers, construction workers, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and servicemembers in our armed forces. I am struck by the common desire among Hispanic Americans in my district to give back to their own communities. Not only have these men and women earned incredible success for themselves, they also demonstrate an impressive commitment to improving their community and the entire state of Georgia. Their love of this district, this state, and this country is worth recognizing every day, but particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month. Therefore, I am honored to highlight three constituents who deserve special recognition this month: Gabriel Vaca, Maria Azuri, and Aixa Pascual. Gabriel Vaca is the Executive Director of the Hispanic Business Center. In 2018, Gabriel received special recognition at a celebration of the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia. Just this year, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. Gabriel served UPS International for 24 years as a consultant in logistics and the global supply chain. During his time with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he has served as Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Hispanic Business Center, and a member of the Senior Executive Corporate Advisory Board of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Born in Mexico City and raised in Washington, D.C., Gabriel currently resides in Roswell, Georgia with his two children. Maria Azuri is the Director of Candid-South, an organization that focuses on philanthropic efforts for immigrant communities across the southeast. Maria came to this country as an undocumented immigrant when she was a child which fuels her passion and commitment. As an Hispanic American citizen and leader she engages frequently with her communities around issues of mental and public health, criminal justice, immigration, and entrepreneurship. Prior to her work at Candid-South, Maria worked in the Mayor's Office of immigrant Affairs as its first Director of Programming. There, she successfully created numerous programs to strengthen immigrant communities through community engagement. Maria has taught at Georgia State University's School of Social Work and designed a program that trains community health providers to offer health information from culturally and linguistically sensitive perspectives-the first of its kind in the south. Her work has been recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the White House under President Barack Obama. Maria lives in Atlanta with her three boys. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aixa Pascual is a champion for Hispanic communities in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District. For the past seven years, she has worked at the Latin American Association in Atlanta, where she serves as the managing director of advocacy, civic outreach, and cultural engagement. Aixa is the child of two Puerto Rican parents, and she spent her life traveling between Puerto Rico and the mainland United States. She is a graduate of Princeton and Columbia University, and has worked previously as a journalist for Business Week, Time and People magazines, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Puerto Rico's El Nuevo Dia. Aixa's childhood in Puerto Rico gave her a strong sense of her cultural and linguistic identity which she cherishes to this day. Her work with the Latin American Association has allowed her to engage closely with Georgia's Latino population, which she says enables her to understand the struggles of immigrant families and their desire to make sacrifices to give their children better opportunities. It is my distinct honor and privilege to recognize three of the many Hispanic Americans in Georgia's Sixth Congressional District who are working hard every day to make a difference in their communities. 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 constituents like Gabriel, Maria, and Aixa, we celebrate the power of our Hispanic community in Georgia. As their representative, I will continue to champion their values of strength, service, and patriotism every day.