Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, this madness has got to stop. Yesterday, I heard from a local homeless shelter in Irvington, New Jersey, that is struggling to provide for the overwhelming number of homeless new mothers. These are new mothers who can't feed their babies now that their WIC benefits have been cut off. Because of the government shutdown, homeless shelters across New Jersey are running low on baby formula, diapers, and the food they need to feed these mothers and their newborn babies. This kind of story is shameful, and it is happening all over New Jersey. The pain I see in my district is very real, and it could get a whole lot worse. If we choose not to pay our bills on time, 1\1/2\ million people in New Jersey may not get their Social Security checks; 50,000 disabled veterans in New Jersey may not get their medical bills paid. Congress has two simple jobs right now: one, to open the government; and, two, to pay our bills on time. These are nonnegotiable. The Republican Tea Party shouldn't hold this country hostage. Let's get to fixing America's problems again instead of creating them.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York and the gentleman from Nevada for having this Special Order tonight, and also our tireless and fearless leader, the Honorable Marcia Fudge, chairwoman of the CBC. ``Insane,'' ``catastrophic,'' ``chaotic,'' ``a nuclear bomb''--these are just some of the words our top economists and business leaders have used to describe what will happen to our economy if Congress chooses not to pay our bills on time. The last time we flirted with not paying our bills on time, the economy flew into a tailspin, the markets plummeted, consumer confidence took a nosedive, our credit rating was downgraded, and our economic recovery came to a screeching halt. That was when we only got close to a default. If we actually defaulted, the short-and long-term consequences would be unimaginable. So, if this is the case, then how did we even get ourselves here again? The answer is simple. An extreme group of the Republican Party, the Tea Party, is so obsessed with defunding the Affordable Care Act that they are even willing to shut down the government and hold the full faith and credit of the United States hostage. Now, what does that mean, the ``full faith and credit?'' Mr. Speaker, when I hear that, it makes me think about what this Nation has meant to the world, about what this Nation has done for its people--the full faith and credit of the United States. I wouldn't want that on my conscience, that I was part of this body when it defaulted, because that is what you will be remembered for. You were here during the darkest time in this Nation's history. It is irresponsible that a small group would hold the American economy hostage simply because they don't like one Presidential policy, or the man. The Affordable Care Act is already the law. Even now that the government is closed because of the Republican shutdown, the law is going into effect as we speak. So I urge my reasonable colleagues on the other side to listen to the American people, because the people in my district are still hurting from the economic recession. They don't need a manufactured crisis on top of it.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, comprehensive immigration reform is long overdue. The leadership the President, the Senate, and the Democrats in this body have shown has been tremendous. Yes, we must provide a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million living in the shadows. Yes, we must provide the promise of the American Dream for the millions of youngsters brought here through no fault of their own; and, yes, we must ensure that this immigration bill is a comprehensive immigration bill, open and accessible to all. Diversity visas are one of the few ways and paths that those from Africa and the Caribbean have to become American citizens. In many African countries, whole cities gather to hear the results of the diversity visa lottery. What's more, immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean typically are more educated, with the ability to contribute to our economy right away. If we are going to have true comprehensive immigration reform, then we must keep the diversity visa lottery intact at its current levels because our diversity is what makes this Nation great.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. I would like to thank the gentleman from Nevada for chairing this hour tonight. And just as I reflect, Mr. Speaker, on the comments made by those fifth graders, well, I'm glad I'm in tune with them because, you see, through this whole ordeal, I have spoken about people who have narrow agendas, where they're only thinking of themselves and not the totality of the common good in the United States. Because, you see, it's disingenuous and hypocritical to one day vote for a shutdown of the government and the next day show up at the World War II Memorial and stand with the veterans saying this is horrendous what has happened. You can't have it both ways. I did not vote for a shutdown of the government, so maybe I should have been there at the World War II Memorial, saying the things that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have been saying as they voted to shut down the memorial. I want to share a story with you from a young lady in my district just a day or two ago. She's a young mother in Newark, New Jersey. I represent the people of that town. She went to the young fathers program at Rutgers University with her 2-year-old daughter. Due to the government shutdown, this young mother no longer is receiving her WIC benefits. And in desperation, she is reaching out to anyone and everyone for help, as her child literally starves from lack of nutrition assistance. She doesn't know where to go or who to turn to. She feels totally alone. She doesn't know how she'll feed her child or how she'll make ends meet. This story breaks my heart, and, unfortunately, she is not alone. There are millions of pregnant women and new mothers just like her across the country who don't know how they'll feed their child. And what breaks my heart even more is knowing that Congress has the power to open this government tonight. The votes are here, Mr. Speaker. Let's pass a clean CR. Make no mistake, this is a Republican government shutdown. The extreme faction got exactly what they wanted. Well, I ask you, did the American people get exactly what they wanted? The people I represent didn't. Families across New Jersey's Tenth Congressional District who won't get the Hurricane Sandy relief that they were counting on didn't. Veterans who put their lives on the line for this country didn't. Low- income children kicked off of Head Start didn't. The 31,000 furloughed Federal workers in New Jersey didn't. The 9 million women, infants, and youngsters who rely on the WIC program certainly didn't. So I ask, Who are my Republican colleagues listening to? Whose interests are they representing? Instead of reopening the entire government for everyone, House Republicans hold the country hostage with their piecemeal approach, picking winners and losers, choosing which parts of the government are worthy of opening. We must open the entire government and do what we can to do it today. Mr. Speaker, 200 Democrats have signed a petition to bring a bill to the floor that would open the government today, and more than 20 Republicans have said they would also vote for the bill. So we have the votes. The question is, why won't Speaker Boehner bring the bill to the floor, one that he knows will pass, one that would reopen the government today? Because it's not too much to ask Members of Congress to do their job. It's not too much to ask to reopen the government and pay our bills on time. The people I represent have to do their jobs and pay their bills on time every single day. Why can't the leaders of this Nation do the same? With every day that goes by, the more we drive up the costs for the American people, the more we threaten the stability of our Nation's economy. We cannot keep the government closed, and we cannot default on our debt. So I strongly urge my Republican colleagues to stand up for the American people, bring a bill to the floor that would reopen the government today, and let's start doing the job expected of us and continue to move our country forward, not punish the American people by moving it backwards.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, our democracy is supposed to be the example for the world. But the example we have set with this Republican government shutdown is beyond shameful. Some of my Republican colleagues are actually celebrating this shutdown, saying: ``This is exactly what they wanted.'' Who are they listening to? It certainly isn't the American people. I fear the survivors of Hurricane Sandy, who have lost everything, will be left without the relief they need. That the 31,000 Federal workers in New Jersey on furlough will wonder how they will make ends meet. I worry about the veterans who have fought for this country but have come home to broken promises. And the more than 9 million women, infants, and children who will be cut from WIC, the nutritional assistance they need to survive. We cannot choose winners and losers in this fight. I urge my Republican colleagues to act responsibly. Bring a clean CR to the floor and let's start working for the American people again, because they shouldn't have to suffer for the Republicans' inability to govern any longer.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I'm not one to go on and on about a lot of statistics, but as we debate the nutrition bill, there is one that struck a chord with me. One in four, yes, one in four children go to bed hungry every night. And I'm not talking about in Africa, China, or India. I'm talking about one in four children who live right here in the United States going to sleep without adequate nutrition. For me and the 1 million New Jerseyans on SNAP, this is a complete and total outrage. We live in the greatest country on Earth, yet 17 million children in this country do not get the nutrition they need. Last year alone, SNAP lifted 4 million people out of poverty. The bill on the floor this week, which would cut SNAP by nearly $40 billion, will only ensure that these people are pushed right back into poverty. That's why I strongly oppose the nutrition assistance bill; and I urge my colleagues to examine their conscience and remember that, when they cast their vote, they are casting their vote for or against one in four children who still go to bed at night hungry.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York for that kind introduction and for his consistent leadership on the CBC's Special Order hours. Tonight's topic is ``African Americans and the Labor Movement.'' It is an American story. Historically, union members have played a critical role in the civil rights struggles of the past, and the involvement continues today. When Dr. Martin Luther King was jailed for civil disobedience, it was unions and union members who came to the legal and financial aid of Dr. King. African American workers have played a pivotal role in strengthening our unions and our economy. The path to the middle class for African Americans has always been through union jobs. What we see is an erosion of that dream. People's ways of life--what they're used to, the levels at which they're used to living--are eroding. It is because there is an attack on organized labor in this country, for there are forces within this Nation that are eroding the quality of life for hundreds and thousands of Americans throughout this Nation. So I am really here to say and to point out to this august body that labor has been the pathway for many Americans--not just for African Americans, but for people of all walks of life--to live the American Dream. To own a home, to feed their children, to send them to school, to take care of their parents, to have health care, job security has all been through labor. We stand here today and count the countless number of times that the labor movement has been there for us in America. This is a kinship that you can expect from a fellow union member. I have been in two unions in my lifetime. Yes, I'm a Member of Congress today, but there have been times in my life during which I've worked hourly jobs, and it was because of the unions I was able to get a living wage and have the resources to raise my family. So I don't come to you, preaching to you, not knowing how it is to have to get up every morning and punch a clock and look for overtime and hope that you can get it in order to increase the wages that you bring home. The reasons to support unions are clear. Union workers are more likely to have health insurance and are more likely to have pension plans. Receiving this preventative care now helps lower health care costs later. Let me also say something about the Affordable Care Act at this point in time. It is a great piece of legislation. It will go down in history just as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have changed this country, because I can see the goal line. It's going to take some time to get there, and, yes, it will have to be tweaked and looked at and changed in some areas; but it is a monumental piece of legislation that is going to change health care in this Nation for millions of people who have never had health care. To my fellow Americans, that lowers the costs for all of you, because you pay for people who do not have health care. So now you will have millions of Americans paying into their own system which lowers the cost for you. Today, labor unions are still at the forefront of improving equality in the workplace. Right now in New Jersey, we're fighting to raise the minimum wage. Despite overwhelming support by the people of New Jersey, the Governor of New Jersey vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage to $8.25. But our workers will not be deterred. This November, New Jerseyans will have the chance to right that ship at the ballot box and raise the minimum wage for millions of workers. In Jersey City, the second largest city in the State, in my district, it is expected the city will require paid sick leave to all workers. This is important to our workers and to our economy because it has been proven that paid sick leave reduces turnover, increases productivity, and lowers health care costs for all. I spoke about my experience in labor. I worked for a manufacturing firm as a young man of 20 or so. It was a business that manufactured computer forms. It was the only African American company of its kind in the United States of America at that time, and I was proud to work there because my vocation was printing in school. So I was very glad to go there and work in that atmosphere. But as a 20-year-old does sometimes when you're young and you make mistakes, I was fired by that company. The owner of the company that fired me was my uncle. My father was the hearing officer against me, and my grandfather was a witness against me. Let me say that no one knows how important it is to be represented, because the union got my job back. In spite of everything that I was up against, the union got my job back. I stand here to let you know I understand what it is to be represented firsthand. Mr. Speaker, the people of this country and this great State of New Jersey deserve a wage that they can live on. Several months ago, colleagues of mine in the Congressional Black Caucus took the SNAP challenge and we lived on what a person would have to live on for a day and try to make ends meet and eat. It was an eye- opening experience. I had two bottles of water, a microwave macaroni and cheese, and a half a can of tuna fish is what I had for a day. So if we think people are living well on $4.17 a day, then you have another thought coming. People need to have a living wage. We know what it costs to live in this Nation. We will continue as the CBC, as a group, to voice our opinion and be heard on these issues that impact our districts, our States, and our Nation.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, during an evening series of votes on July 30, 2013 on amendments to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2014, (H.R. 2610), I intended to vote ``no'' on the McClintock Amendment, but inadvertently voted ``yes''. This amendment would zero out the appropriation for the Essential Air Service account (a cut of $100 million).

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, during an evening series of votes on July 24, 2013, on amendments to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act FY2014 (H.R. 2397), I intended to vote ``yes'' on the Amash/Conyers Amendment (rollcall No. 412), but inadvertently voted ``no''. This amendment would require the government to limit its collection of the records to those that actually pertain to the subject of a duly authorized investigation. The National Security Agency and other agencies would still retain their authority to collect specific records under Section 215, however, blanket collection of telephone records would end. I strongly support both protecting our country and preserving our civil liberties.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentleman from New York. It is really an honor and a privilege to stand here with him as one of the freshmen Members in the 113th Congress to discuss an issue that has plagued this Nation for centuries. I am here tonight to talk to you about an issue that has interested me for most of my life, and it is the issue around people having respect for one another, irrespective of their racial makeup. I grew up in Newark, New Jersey, which is a town, the largest city in the State of New Jersey, with many suburbs surrounding that metropolis, and our travels in and out of those communities were fraught at some times with peril for young men. So that was 40 years ago. But fast-forward to the past 18 months, and what do we have? We have the same situation still before us. A young boy armed with a bag of candy and a drink is profiled and followed. The car follows him, and then the individual gets out of the car and follows the young man on foot. Now, at 17, I wonder how I would have felt if a car had followed me, a grown man gets out of the car and continues to follow me. It is a situation that I have thought about over the past 18 months because of my triplet children. Two are boys who just turned 15, so they're right around Trayvon Martin's age. And I wonder: Have I taught them enough to be safe? Will they find themselves in this position? And on hearing the outcome of the verdict that Saturday evening, one of my young sons texted his mother to say what had happened and why had that happened, because we taught them in this Nation that justice prevails. And how the victim becomes the guilty party in a situation like this I still cannot understand, because it became about who and what this young man was and what he had done and what he had been doing rather than the perpetrator following him. I was fortunate to be in New York during the time of the 100 rallies across the Nation in finding justice for Trayvon Martin. I proudly stood with Trayvon Martin's mother on Saturday, a dignified woman. In all of this crisis and sorrow there must be in her heart, she's remained a dignified individual and only asked for justice for her son; not that people should act out in a manner in which the masses thought that they would, but to have a peaceful demonstration about the injustices that came out of that case. Stand your ground. Did Trayvon Martin have the right to stand his ground? He was the one that was being followed. He was the one being profiled. When did he lose the right to defend himself? We are in a difficult time here in this country, but it seems like we always get to this point at some time and we start the conversation, but we never finish it. We need to have an open discussion about the conditions that we find ourselves in as Americans, all of us. We need to understand both sides of the issue, all sides of the issue so we can move forward with this great experiment called the United States of America. It is the greatest Nation in the world, it is true, and many come here to live the American Dream. Many nations emulate the United States. But we have a long way to go in this Nation as well. The injustices that we're facing are widespread and threaten some of the most fundamental rights of this country. So I ask my colleagues, let's have that discussion. I ask the citizens of the United States, let's have that discussion so we can form that more perfect Union. I have had situations in my life where I've found myself not in the exact situation of Trayvon Martin, but issues of racism that were perpetrated on me. But I'm not bitter towards an entire population. Those were individuals. We have to come to grips with prejudging people in this country. And I'd just like to end with something Dr. King said: In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. And my father, the late Congressman Donald Payne, who was a great teacher, humanitarian, and felt all people deserved the right to freedom, justice, and equality, taught me a poem very early on in my life, and I will end with that. It said: Whether you have blonde fleecy locks or black complexion, It cannot forfeit nature's claim; Skin may differ in black and white, But it is all just the same. Were I so tall as to reach the poles, Or span the oceans with my hands; I must be measured by my soul, The mind is the standard of a man.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to wish a happy 95th birthday to President Nelson Mandela and ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the fifth annual Mandela International Day. It is a day on which we celebrate the incredible dedication of President Mandela and his gifts of leadership to South Africa and to the world. In fact, in the face of extreme adversity, he relentlessly fought for democracy and peace in South Africa, and has become a model of leadership for me and for millions around the globe. Last night, I had the pleasure of meeting youngsters from all over South Africa at the South Africa-Washington International Program Forum. Because of President Mandela, these youngsters and many others have dedicated themselves to public service and to carrying on his vision of spreading peace, democracy and diversity. Presidential Mandela has proven that one person can change the tide of oppression, that one person can change the course of an entire country and, in turn, of the entire world. People all around the globe who are suffering from oppression, hatred, and discrimination will forever be grateful for the incredible leadership of Nelson Mandela. Happy birthday, Madiba.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in total opposition to the farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it hurts America's children.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, today we honor someone who truly embodied what it means to be a ``public servant,'' former Congressman Bill Gray. Whether it was during his time as a professor, as a Member of Congress, or as President of the United Negro College Fund, Congressman Gray spent his entire life selflessly serving others. He exemplified the characteristics of a true leader and was a model for all of us here in this chamber. More than anything, Congressman Gray loved Philadelphia, he loved the people he served, and every day he dedicated himself to making the lives of those less fortunate just a little bit better. Congressman Gray's affinity for education began long before he became President of the United Negro College Fund, when he was teaching in my home State of New Jersey. As a professor of history and religion at St. Peter's College, Jersey City State College, and Montclair State College, he helped change the lives of hundreds of young men and women throughout my district. This passion for education continued throughout his life as Congressman Gray became a leading advocate in changing the American educational system. To Congressman Gray, adversity was a welcome challenge. He broke down racial barriers as the first African-American Majority Whip Leader and Chairman of the House Budget Committee. He also led the charge to help end apartheid. These remarkable achievements paved the way for me and other African American leaders to follow. Despite his incredible accomplishments in Congress, Congressman Gray never stopped serving and always believed he could do more. Returning to his true passion--education--Congressman Gray became President of the United Negro College Fund. There, he remarkably helped raise more than half of UNFC's $1.6 billion in funds to help open the door for thousands of African-American students who merely had a dream and the drive to go to college. With Congressman Gray's help, those dreams have been turned into reality. I am incredibly grateful for Congressman Gray's tireless years of civil service and for being a model of true leadership. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and the people of Philadelphia during this difficult time. Congressman Gray will certainly be missed, but has left a mark on this Nation.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, a vote at the ballot box transcends gender, race, religion, and socioeconomic status. Knowing that an 80-year-old veteran, a single mom, or an 18-year-old high school senior voting for the first time has an equal vote and, thus, an equal voice as does a millionaire or billionaire, this is what has separated us and made our Nation great. Unfortunately, the recent Supreme Court decision to strike down section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is not only a major setback for civil rights and voting rights, but it is a major blow to basic fundamental democracy in this country. Now is the time for Congress to rise above partisanship and create free and unfettered access to the ballot. Access to the ballot on election day may be one of the only times that the most disadvantaged in our communities have an equal voice, regardless of what they look like or where they come from. And as a Member who represents some of the most disadvantaged, I am undeterred and will continue to fight so my constituents can have an equal access to the ballot box, from the wealthiest towns to the poorest cities; and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on entrepreneurship in the Black community. Since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation designating a week in which the country applauds the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. Annually, we recognize the fact that, though they are called ``small businesses,'' there is nothing small about the impact they have on the Nation's economy. Last year, small businesses created nearly 700,000 jobs, accounting for 40 percent of employment gains across companies of all sizes nationwide. So it is fair to say that small businesses are truly the backbone of our economy and that entrepreneurship is still a primary pathway to realizing the American Dream. This is particularly true in the Black community. The heart of entrepreneurship is opportunity, and, historically, Black entrepreneurship has meant opportunities for equality, equity and a vehicle out of poverty. Throughout the years, Black entrepreneurs have harnessed economic power to strengthen the Black community, create jobs and develop a voice to advocate for the well-being of Blacks in America. After the Civil War, though employment prospects were slim for former enslaved men, Isaac Myers organized 1,000 black ship caulkers who had lost their jobs in Baltimore. He created a union, bought a shipyard and won a government contract to provide employment for these men. In 1903, Maggie Lena Walker pooled her community's money to charter the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. This bank was for the community, by the community, and it provided a safe and courteous place to conduct business away from the racism and harsh treatment often encountered in White-owned businesses. In 1906, a young entrepreneur by the name of Dr. O.W. Gurley bought 40 acres of land in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He created and supported the creation of several businesses which attracted African Americans fleeing the oppression in Mississippi. The area became known as ``Black Wall Street,'' and it was home to several prominent Black businessmen who created jobs and provided a safe haven for African Americans who were banned from other sections of the town. We well know that Madam C.J. Walker revolutionized black hair care and that she was America's first Black female millionaire. However, she also used her financial power to contribute to anti-lynching campaigns and other efforts to equalize rights for Blacks in America. These are a few of the countless examples of Black entrepreneurs who, through their businesses and their philanthropic efforts, have empowered the Black community. These efforts, as well as their relevance, continue today. It is estimated that by the year 2015 Black buying power will be $1.1 trillion. In this economy where the Black unemployment rate is double that of the Whites and where the income and wealth gap persistently intersects with the race gap, Black entrepreneurship is more important than ever in helping the community at large. More than 60 cents out of every dollar spent at local businesses is recirculated into the local economy. So local Black-owned businesses are a true asset to the community. As a member of the Committee on Small Business, I have worked to strengthen the SBA's lending programs and have increased access to capital for all populations but especially for minorities and women. I will also be introducing two key pieces of legislation to assist small businesses as well. Recognizing the Nation's energy boom and green energy potential, this legislation will ensure that ``green'' small businesses have the resources to grow their businesses and hire more workers, especially in low-income communities. This effort will help Black businesses and other marginalized populations remain competitive in the small business arena. Small businesses and entrepreneurship fuel the engine for economic growth and opportunity. For the Black community, that means lower unemployment, higher college attendance and completion, and strong outcomes for the present and the future. Consequently, there is no time to waste in getting our small businesses up and running. I will continue to be an outspoken advocate in empowering entrepreneurs to take risks, to pursue their dreams and to continue being an integral part of growing this Nation's economy. Mr. Speaker, before I take my seat, I would just like to talk a minute about my entrepreneurial experiences back in the mid-seventies, when my uncle, William Payne, a former assemblyman for the State of New Jersey, created a business in 1969 that manufactured computer forms--the old printed sheets that we used to use that had the holes down the side. I'm sure some of us remember that who are old enough. We were the only African American firm in the Nation in Newark, New Jersey, that manufactured computer forms, and the challenges that my uncle faced in business were great. He would have to pay for his raw materials ahead of time and was not given the normal net 30 days or 60 days in order to manufacture the product and sell it. He had to come with a certified check, and there was no other reason than the color of his skin. So I understand what it is to have your back against the wall in terms of trying to make it in this Nation. But he persevered, and we were in business for 20 years. I am very proud of that legacy that he left behind. He was hiring people with handicaps back in those days. Our forklift driver was actually hearing impaired--deaf--but he worked. He was a great worker, and he did not let that get in the way of his being a useful person in society and earning his way. We also in the seventies were ahead of the curve in terms of hiring young men who were coming back from prison, far before ``reentry'' was the word of the day. I am very proud of that legacy and heritage there in Newark, New Jersey, with Urban Data Systems, and that is why I feel so strongly about continuing to support small businesses throughout this Nation.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you. I want to thank my colleague, Congressman Smith, for hosting this Special Order today. Madam Speaker, I come before you today saddened by the passing of a fellow New Jerseyan. He was a dear friend and colleague, the honorable and venerated Senator from New Jersey, Senator Frank Lautenberg. If anyone could embody the actual definition of the American Dream, it would be Frank Lautenberg. Born the son of Russian and Polish immigrants in Paterson, New Jersey, he grew up during the Great Depression. When war hit our shores, he bravely served the country he loved in World War II, and he was the last of our Senators to do so. When he returned home from war, Senator Lautenberg earned his degree on the GI Bill, which he later staunchly advocated for the extension of for our current men and women in uniform. And never taking for granted the opportunities that lay before him, after his graduation, he and three of his friends, with just an idea and an entrepreneurial spirit, began an extremely successful company, ADP. If you get a payroll check these days, it is likely ADP printed your check. I guess you could say Senator Lautenberg was the proof that anything is possible if you firmly believe in what you're doing and what you put your mind to. Later, he seamlessly transitioned from CEO of ADP to public servant, often demonstrating determination, grit, and leadership throughout his time in office that came to define Frank Lautenberg. Throughout his five terms in office, Senator Lautenberg never forgot his roots. He was a committed advocate for the working middle class that he was the product of. As Senator Lautenberg knew best, We've got to open doors and not slam them shut. And he always practiced this outlook, no matter what he set out to achieve. He tirelessly worked to make health care and higher education more affordable for working and middle class families. Even into his later years, Senator Lautenberg was one of the leading progressives on social issues. Thanks to Senator Lautenberg and his tremendous environmental work, we have cleaner water to drink and cleaner air to breathe. He also recognized early on the proliferation of gun violence in our communities and the damage it was doing to our children and families. As a champion of gun-safety legislation, he made our neighborhoods a safer place to work and live. And nothing was going to keep Senator Lautenberg from casting a critical vote on background checks on gun purchases this past spring. Though the late Senator did not get to witness the successful passage of this legislation, the fight in Washington will continue as we carry out the work of Senator Lautenberg's vision to keep our families and our children safer. In closing, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Bonnie, his daughter who I was able to meet last week, and his grandchildren. I had the honor of attending Senator Lautenberg's final tribute last week, and it was clear from that beautiful ceremony the incredible impact Senator Lautenberg has had on so many lives. Senator Frank Lautenberg had a love of life and a commitment to the people in New Jersey that will be deeply missed in the Halls of Congress and in New Jersey. He was a great mentor to me, especially as the newest member of the New Jersey delegation. I will forever be grateful for his guidance and for all his tremendous work he did for New Jersey and our great Nation. We owe him an immense debt of gratitude for making New Jersey a better place to live. There is no doubt Senator Lautenberg will certainly be missed.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representative to join me as I rise to recognize and honor a dedicated public servant, Trish Morris-Yamba who is retiring from the Newark Day Center after 32 years of service. Mrs. Morris-Yamba's journey to this post encompassed many levels including launching the Livingston College Day Care Center, classroom teacher, principal at the Chen School in Newark, overseeing the Newark Fresh Air fund and Executive Director at the Newark Day Center. As a result of these experiences, Mrs. Morris- Yamba was definitely in a position to make a difference in the lives of our most precious resources, our children. Mrs. Morris-Yamba attended Rutgers University where she received both a Bachelors and Masters Degree in education. Mrs. Morris-Yamba sought to ensure that Newark's pre-school children received both quality daycare and education. Her influence can be seen in the many programs she spearheaded, like the Fresh Air Fund that sends hundreds of children every year to summer camp and the programs that help seniors, single parents and people out of work or returning to work. Fortunately, for those who had the opportunity to work with her, Mrs. Morris-Yamba was generous with sharing her knowledge and her significant leadership skills. As Mrs. Morris-Yamba retires, she will be remembered for her belief in fulfilling the needs of the total child. She has a love of learning and is an excellent role model as well as the consummate professional. Mrs. Morris-Yamba has touched the lives of countless children, parents and Newark's senior citizens. Mrs. Morris-Yamba has received many awards during her tenure at the Newark Day Center. I am truly grateful that she chose Newark. I know that to be in an educational environment is to serve with one's heart. Mrs. Morris-Yamba has served the Newark Day Center with her heart and in the process has created a memorable legacy. Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues agree that Mrs. Trish Morris- Yamba deserves to be recognized for a job well done and for her many years of dedicated service to the Newark community. I am proud to have such a dedicated person in my Congressional district and wish her much success in her future endeavors.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you to my colleagues from New Jersey and in the House of Representatives. Once again, I stand here in almost over a year with sorrow in my heart. The New Jersey delegation has lost another great member. Senator Lautenberg had been an example to me over the course of his career. I'd seen him in many instances in Newark and in other settings, and he always had a common message to young people. It was that there was nothing special about me that you could not do this yourself. If you applied yourself in school, worked hard, honored your country, and did the things that were right, one day you could be in this position as well. Frank Lautenberg embodies what a New Jerseyan is. So look at his career. Look at his life. He is a true New Jerseyan. He will sorely be missed in this delegation, in this House, in this Congress, and in this country. My condolences to his family on this sad occasion.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on student loans and thank Congressman Jeffries for that kind observation. Access to quality education is the basis the American Dream. In 1965, the Higher Education Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Lyndon Baines Johnson, a former rural schoolhouse teacher, who fully understood that education is the greatest equalizer. Since then, student aid in this country has been a springboard that gives hardworking students with low- to moderate-income the opportunity to realize their goals and transcend economic status. The Federal Pell Grant program helps more than 9 million students get to and through college. Unfortunately, while Pell Grants cover a significant portion of tuition, currently it pays for less than one-third of a student's tuition at most 4-year public colleges. Given rising tuition costs and the decline in family incomes, the importance of financial aid has only increased with time. The cost of college tuition in the U.S. has increased by more than 1,000 percent-- yes, 1,000 percent--since the 1980s. This is more than the growth in the consumer price index. At the same time, the Federal Pell Grant is covering an even smaller percentage of the overall college cost. As a result, the success of our graduates is being hampered by mounting debt. Two-thirds of college seniors who graduated in 2011 accumulated more than $26,000 in student loan debt. And I am increasingly concerned about New Jersey's graduates, who hold the 10th highest debt among college students in our Nation. And while the cost of an education rises and the amount of the student debt skyrockets, young people struggle to find work. They've done everything we've asked them to do. They've worked hard, they've gotten an education, but unemployment for young college graduates remains at 8.8 percent. So our graduates' dreams of making it on their own are stifled. They are forced to put their lives on hold, move back home with their parents, and pinch pennies to pay off their mounting debt. Not only does this debt negatively impact the quality of life for our young people, but it weakens our economy and our workforce as well. Financial constraints caused by student loan debt discourage recent graduates from pursuing public service jobs in medical fields that serve our seniors in low-income communities. Yet knowing all of this, my Republican colleagues have been working overtime to exacerbate the problem and make college even less affordable. The 2014 budget eliminates mandating funding for Pell Grants and freezes the maximum grant for 10 years while also cutting eligibility; and as of July 1, Federal student loan rates are set to double. Instead of adopting efforts to keep interest rates low for young people in a volatile economic environment, my Republican colleagues have introduced a bill--and are voting on it this week--that can increase rates far beyond this July increase. As I like to call it, it's the Making College More Expensive Act. Mr. Speaker, I beg your patience as I go through a little rudimentary arithmetic. Right now, student loan interest rates are fixed at 3.4 percent, meaning a student pays about $4,000 in interest payments on a 5-year loan. If we do nothing and let the interest rate expire this July, rates will double to 6.8 percent, and a student will pay nearly $9,000--more than the double--on the same 5-year loan. Now, if we do what the Republicans want us to do and pass their bill this week, student loan interest rates will skyrocket to an estimated 7.4 percent, and the same student would pay $10,000 in interest. In other words, if we do absolutely nothing--nothing at all--it would be better than if we pass the Republicans' proposed bill in the House. Now, I'm not suggesting that we do nothing--this body must act--but it is a sad reality when doing nothing is better than going along with what the Republicans are pushing. Rather than invest in our future leaders and entrepreneurs of America, they propose to balance the budget on the backs of low- to moderate-income students. I fear that, by ignoring a generation buried under debt, we will cripple this country's future. This great Nation is supposed to be a land of opportunity for all regardless of what you look like or where you come from. Throughout our history, the opportunities afforded to people of various backgrounds have built this Nation, creating a large and thriving middle class. Access to education has been the catalyst to this growth. As we look to our future, it is critical that we place education at the forefront of the plans for our success. We can start by stopping the doubling of student loan interest rates and by once again making a college education affordable for all of those who want one.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the so- called Working Families Flexibility Act. Mr. Speaker, this is a wolf in sheep's clothing--a guise to pressure employees to work more and get paid less. H.R. 1406, which I like to call ``Paying Working Families Less Act,'' cuts overtime pay and eliminates all flexibility. Rather than pay overtime when the work is performed, this bill provides that the employers have up to a year to pay an employee his overtime, essentially providing employers unauthorized, interest-free loans. This bill will hurt working class families and wage workers who depend on their overtime to pay their rent, their grocery bills, their heating and water bills. They can't afford to wait a year for pay that they have rightfully earned. Mr. Speaker, this is not a worker or a family friendly bill, as some of my colleagues are leading this body to believe. Rather, it is a blatant attempt to dismantle the Fair Labor Standards Act and roll back workers' rights 100 years. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill. We should be strengthening the fair labor laws and standards for working men and women, not destroying them.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to Alvin Keith Terry, posthumously, and the many contributions he has made as a dedicated citizen of Essex County and a committed professional to the improvement of healthcare for the people of Newark and the surrounding area. Alvin spent more than 30 years at the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ), rising to the role of Business Manager at the medical center. A product of the Newark Public Schools and a graduate of East Orange High School, Alvin later attended both Kean and Rutgers University. As a student and later as a young professional, Alvin's work ethic and keen sensibility to financial management laid the foundation for a career in business and for a long and impressive career at UMDNJ, working his way up through the ranks to become a chief executive at UMDNJ. Alvin's career serves as a shining example to his children, his family and others, a myriad of ways to contribute to healthcare, aside from a career as a physician, nurse or clinical professional. Alvin's work and commitment contributed to UMDNJ, remaining not just in the community, but of the community. Alvin and my family, particularly my father, The Honorable Donald M. Payne, Sr., shared a love and commitment to healthcare and to UMDNJ. My father, and I at his side, hosted several Health and Wellness Expos at UMDNJ. My father's goal, my goal, and Alvin's goal was to ensure the very best in healthcare was available for the people of Newark and Essex County. We salute Alvin and the Terry family, including his brother, Darrell K. Terry, Chief Operating Officer of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey and a former UMDNJ employee, who, along with many members of the Terry family, continue to make healthcare a career of choice and commitment. Under the tutelage of Alvin, the oldest Terry brother, the Terry family continues to have a pivotal role on healthcare in Essex County and in Newark. Alvin's imprint has left an indelible mark on healthcare in Newark and Essex County. On behalf of the people of Essex County and certainly the people of Newark, we are grateful. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I know my fellow members of the House of Representatives agree that Alvin Keith Terry, has been an integral part of the growth and development of UMDNJ, and healthcare in general, serving the people of Essex County and particularly, the people of Newark. This tribute recognizes his life's work, namely a stellar career and a personal commitment to improve the lives of others.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. Let me first thank my colleagues, Congressman Horsford from Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC's Special Order on eliminating health disparities. I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge our leader on health issues in the Congressional Black Caucus, Dr. Christensen. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge a young person on the floor, the gentlelady from Nevada, the young Miss Horsford, who is here tonight. This is truly unique quality time to spend with your daughter. There are numerous factors that contribute to the growing health disparities in New Jersey's 10th District--poverty, environmental threats, inadequate access to health care, and educational inequities. These issues are so interconnected that a piecemeal approach to fixing them just will not work. A comprehensive approach that focuses on providing access to quality care to all, creating good jobs that provide a decent living and increasing educational opportunities for low-income communities, is the only way to eliminate health disparities once and for all. Even in the 21st century, health disparities are stark, especially in the African American community, in which life expectancies are lower and infant mortality rates are higher. Children of color who live at or below the poverty line are much more likely to have asthma, develop ADHD and contract diseases because they cannot afford vaccinations. So we have a moral obligation to eliminate health disparities. Our children and our future generations are depending on us. But narrowing the health disparities that exist is not only good for our Nation's health, it's good for our Nation's pocketbook. Research tells us that access to quality health care could eliminate or reduce the onset of many chronic illnesses and disproportionate health outcomes that add to astronomical health care costs every year. Yet many of my colleagues won't rest until they repeal ObamaCare. The fact is, the Affordable Care Act will now provide health care to 9 million African Americans who are uninsured or underinsured. ObamaCare ensures that everyone has access to lifesaving care such as preventative cancer screenings, as well as coverage for children with preexisting conditions. We know that ObamaCare's preventative services will help save lives and save money. So why are my Republican colleagues so set on repealing it? We have to protect ObamaCare just like we have to protect Medicare and Medicaid. Sequestration is a direct attack on these already limited health resources. Sequestration is an irresponsible, across-the-board cut approach that will only contribute to the widening health disparity gap. Because of sequestration, Medicare has been cut by $11 billion; cancer patients are being turned away from clinics, and they cannot get access to the life-saving treatments they need to live; millions in funding have been cut from community health centers. Furthermore, the effects are very real for the people in New Jersey. In my State, nearly 4,000 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and hepatitis B. There will be millions in cuts to grants that would help prevent and treat substance abuse. New Jersey will lose nearly $4.9 million in environmental funding that ensures clean air and clean water. We live in a first world country, and you want me to go back home and tell my constituents that we cannot provide them with clean water and clean air? This is absolute insanity. And to make matters worse, the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services will be forced to provide 19,000 fewer HIV tests to low-income communities. Sequestration is directly contributing to the spread of this fatal disease. In essence, it is providing a death sentence to those who are poor and who can't afford the testing. So I say to my colleagues tonight: addressing health disparities in this country is both a moral obligation and a financial imperative. If we are going to truly eliminate disparities, we must start by eliminating sequestration, which does nothing but further the burden of our distressed citizens. Finally, we must maintain and strengthen our investments in health care access and resources for the disadvantaged populations that we serve. In closing, just as Medicaid and Medicare and Social Security have become common threads and fibers of this great Nation, one day ObamaCare will be looked at in the same manner.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, Congressman Horsford of Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on improving access to quality education. The recession, the economy, violence and gun control, the security of our Nation, these are the pressing issues being debated across this great Nation today. However, efforts to address the issues are being undermined by our Nation's educational deficit. John F. Kennedy said that ``our progress as a Nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.'' True to this statement are struggles that we face as a Nation because of our divestment in our human mind and potential. In the past, the U.S. led the world in several categories, including college graduates and innovation. Unfortunately, there has been a rapid decline in our ranking in these areas that directly correlates to the strength of this Nation. Among these things, the U.S. has dropped considerably in academic rankings, compared to other developed nations. About 33 percent of our Nation's fourth-grade students are proficient readers. Nearly 7,000 students drop out of high school daily, and about a third of first-year American college students are required to take at least one remedial course. Globally, our rankings have fallen of our students in reading to 14th; in science, to 17th; and in mathematics, to 25th. Despite these daunting statistics, the U.S. continues to lead the world in competitiveness, patents, media, mobile and research universities. But imagine the leadership that we could hold in the world if we strengthened our investment in education. Our Nation continues to be at a loss due to the untapped potential of our students, especially students of color and low income. For this particular population, the statistics are even more daunting, but the potential is greater as well. Forty-two percent of Black students attend schools that are under-resourced and performing poorly. Twenty-eight percent of core academic teachers at high-minority schools lack the appropriate certification. Black children, especially boys, are more likely to be classified and placed in special education than their white counterparts. Black and Hispanic males constitute 82 percent of the youth in special education programs. Black boys are 2.5 times less likely to be enrolled in talented and gifted programs, even if their prior achievement reflects the ability to succeed. Yet despite these demoralizing facts, despite the failure of the American education system to properly educate these students, nearly 3 million college students in America are African American. And only 13 percent of the U.S. population, Black students represent 15 percent of the college student population. Currently, these are beating the odds; but imagine how we could develop and succeed as a Nation if we changed the odds for these students and closed the opportunity gap. What if we strengthened our education system and allowed all children to reach their full potential? What if we fostered an environment of innovation and leadership for this Nation's outcomes in all communities equally? We have long held the solutions to address these issues, but they aren't coordinated or connected. We have the potential to reach new heights as a Nation, but it requires a stronger education system as well as effective solutions and resources to change the odds for our children in the most distressed communities. I will be introducing the Promise Neighborhoods Act soon to do just that. The Promise Neighborhoods initiative represents an unprecedented effort to work across silos and develop a comprehensive cradle-to- career pipeline for children in distressed neighborhoods to holistically address barriers to success. The Promise Neighborhoods Act would foster continued collaboration on the local level to build similar pipelines in communities across this country. The pipeline of tightly woven, comprehensive support for children emphasized in the Promise Neighborhoods Act would provide, among other things: prenatal education and support for expecting parents; high-quality early childhood education opportunities, including full- day, full-year kindergarten and prekindergarten; high-quality schools that successfully leverage out-of-school time and community engagement; support for the transition to elementary school, between elementary school and middle school, and from middle school to high school; meaningful family engagement and capacity-building; college and career readiness activities, including college counseling, subsidized employment opportunities, and early college programs; neighborhood-based support for college-age students from the neighborhood. This model engages the community to collaborate and end fragmented delivery of programs to develop a pipeline for programs with demonstrated success. This model aims to eliminate the opportunity gap for low-income children and children of color and set a new standard for education and success in this country. Though not realized, our Nation holds a great deal of underdeveloped potential, and it lies within our human capital. Investing in education will strengthen our Nation as a whole and position us to once again lead the world. Education is the single investment that can unequivocally develop our economy and strengthen our future.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, repeatedly, Republicans have reprimanded Senate Democrats, claiming budget negotiations have stalled because the Senate has failed to pass a budget. Now, Senate Democrats have done their part. Republican leaders in the House must do the same by convening a conference committee to resolve our budget differences openly and honestly. That is a procedure that the Congress has always followed. That is regular order. The best interests of the American people shouldn't have to sit on the back burner any longer. Unemployment remains too high, wages are stagnant, and sequestration is taking its toll. We need to address our country's challenges and create jobs, reduce the deficit, and strengthen our middle class while creating ladders of opportunity for those to climb into the middle class. These are our top priorities. Sometimes these priorities get lost in the shuffle of partisan bickering. I urge Republican leadership to follow regular order and create a conference committee now.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, creating an immigration process for new American immigrants is not just an issue that will shape the future for one group. So much is at stake for 3 million African and Caribbean immigrants that live and work here. They're a vital part of our future as hardworking, upstanding individuals in search of freedom and a better life. They also deserve a fair system that works, and they are more than just a number on a page. Last week, a young lady came to my office who was born in America to Haitian parents. Her name is Natalie. Natalie is a graduate student who has job offers lined up. She is ready to work and commits herself to this country. But Natalie can't do those things because of our broken immigration system. She is neither recognized as a citizen here nor in Haiti. While in tears, she said she has no home. She can't see her family. She's scared and feels alone. Natalie is one of those 11 million people that are looking for a pathway to citizenship. It is time to pass commonsense legislation that fixes our immigration system once and for all, one that serves our interests and reflects our values for Natalie and the 11 million other Natalies who call America home.