Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Let me thank the gentleman from New York, who passed the baton to R. Kelly and me in 2015. We have rounded the corner and have put it back in his capable hands, along with our classmate's, the honorable gentlewoman from the great State of Ohio, Joyce Beatty, who is demonstrating day in and day out why she was such a great leader in the Ohio legislature. She has brought those talents to bear on the entire Nation. Madam Speaker, these are very serious times. I want to start out by commending the President of the United States, President Obama, in the face of insurmountable odds, for not being hampered in wanting to do something with this terrible, terrible scourge that we suffer from in this Nation. Gun violence impacts many different communities in this Nation, some more than others, but it impacts us all. I was proud to see the President step forward and not be hampered in doing something. If the obstructionists on the other side of the aisle want to continue in that manner, then let them be, but he was going to do something. I also commend my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for uniting with the President in this great effort. We understand in our communities what this means. We are trying to articulate it to the American people, but we understand it. We live it. We feel it. We see it. The President's executive actions on gun control are a step in the right direction, but it is the responsibility of Congress to pass gun reform that makes our communities safer. I have joined, along with Robin Kelly, who mentioned two pieces of her legislation in terms of gun control--after Sandy Hook several years ago, I proposed a piece of legislation that did not really see the light of day. Since the President has not given up on this effort, I will not either. I have a piece of legislation, which is called the Safer Neighborhoods Gun Buyback Act. It would keep guns out of the hands of the wrong people by creating a voluntary Federal gun buyback program. Under my bill, State and local governments, as well as gun dealers, would distribute smart, prepaid debit cards to gun owners in exchange for their firearms. My bill incentivizes gun owners to voluntarily get guns off the streets. This will make our communities safer for our children, family, and our businesses. Commonsense proposals like my bill are critical to ending our Nation's epidemic of gun violence. This epidemic impacts every community in America, including in my district. Last year in the city of Newark shootings increased 19 percent from 2014 and homicides rose by 8 percent. In 2015, there were at least 76 gun deaths in my district. One-third of all of the gun deaths in New Jersey last year happened in my district. Gun violence has had a disproportionate impact within the African American community and other urban areas. That is clear when you look at what is happening in my district and throughout other African American communities in New Jersey. We need a Federal approach to gun violence because it is a problem across State lines. Case in point, New Jersey is a net importer of crime guns. In other words, more illegal weapons confiscated by law enforcement came from out of the State than there were purchased from in the State. Reducing gun violence is vital to the safety and security of American communities. My colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle should drop the politics and pandering. They should instead join with Democrats in supporting the President and his commonsense reforms and, like my gun buyback program, to address gun tragedies in all communities. Let me just say, Madam Speaker, no one wants to take guns away from anyone. We understand the laws and liberties that have made this Nation great. If we don't do something in reference to gun control, then it is shame on us.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere appreciation for the Republic of China (Taiwan) recent leadership and initiative in pursuing long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea. In December 2015, a U.S. State Department official expressed that all claimants should work to reduce regional tensions. I encourage all relevant countries to resolve maritime disputes in accordance with international laws and regulations, including the United Nations Charter and UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). I especially take note of Taiwan's willingness to work with other parties concerned, through consultations conducted on the basis of equality and reciprocity, to jointly ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, to uphold the freedom of navigation and overflight, and to conserve and develop resources in the region. Taiping Island is the largest natural and self-sustainable island in Spratly Islands. This island qualifies as an island according to the UNCLOS. Taiwan has set up a hospital in Taiping Island. Over the past decade, this hospital has offered humanitarian assistance to 21 people in 20 cases, including 12 Philippine and Myanmar nationals, which fully demonstrates Taiwan's dedication to humanitarianism.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor New Jersey-native and music marvel, Ms. Dionne Warwick. The legendary Ms. Warwick is world renowned not only for her incredible music career, but also for her humanitarian and philanthropic work. Ms. Warwick is a pillar of American pop music and culture. She began singing in East Orange, New Jersey during her childhood years. Her gospel roots marry well with R&B and pop in a way that transcends culture and race. Ms. Warwick is a five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and the second most-charted female vocalist of all time, with 69 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. She became a superstar with early hits like ``Walk on By'' and ``I Say a Little Prayer,'' and followed them up for decades with hits including ``Do You Know the Way to San Jose,'' ``I'll Never Love This Way Again,'' and ``That's What Friends Are For.'' As a performer, Ms. Warwick delighted audiences all around the world. Her talents received a star on Hollywood's ``Walk of Fame.'' She was also honored by Oprah Winfrey at the 2005 Legends Ball. As an activist, Ms. Warwick has devoted countless hours and supported a number of charities and causes. Always one to aid those in need, Ms. Warwick advocates on behalf of music education, world hunger, disaster relief, and children's hospitals. She has used her stardom over five decades to raise awareness about major health issues, including AIDS and senior citizen health. For her commitment, President Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services appointed her U.S. Ambassador of Health in 1987. In 2002, she served as Global Ambassador for Health and Ambassador for the United Nations' Food & Agriculture Organization. She is currently working to ensure Medicare covers the best method of administering FDA approved drugs in cataract surgery, a procedure she herself has undergone. I join all of Dionne Warwick's friends and loved ones in celebrating her many achievements and contributions, and I wish Ms. Warwick--the jewel of New Jersey's 10th Congressional District--a very happy 75th birthday. I have no doubt that Ms. Warwick will continue to use her voice to captivate international audiences, through her music and her dedication to the human condition.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my dear friend and colleague, Congresswoman Kelly, for anchoring this final Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. In fact, I would like to thank Congresswoman Kelly for coanchoring all the Special Order hours with me throughout 2015. It has been my real honor and pleasure to spend all these Mondays with you bringing forth issues that matter in our community. I would also like to thank the CBC chair, Congressman G.K. Butterfield, for his outstanding leadership this past year. I appreciate you choosing me to coanchor these congressional Special Order hours with Congresswoman Kelly. It is a great honor, and we are a body of 40-plus, so to have that honor to be chosen means a great deal to me. And I am certain that 2016's coanchors will proudly serve, as we have. As Congresswoman Kelly mentioned, we are here to reflect on all the work that the Congressional Black Caucus has done throughout the year, to look at the accomplishments. In February, we kicked off the CBC Special Order hour by reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the March on Selma, where we are today, and where we are headed for tomorrow. Through this hour, we were able to set the tone for the Congressional Black Caucus agenda with our leader, G.K. Butterfield, at the helm. We remembered all the strides that were made by African Americans to the place that we are today. We reflected on the work that is being done right now through the caucus in the House of Representatives. And, most importantly, during that hour, we looked towards the future. We intend to put forward the most effort in order to make sure that African Americans are well-represented and afforded equally in all phases of these United States. Monday after Monday, we have addressed the many challenges and inequalities that face African American communities. We have contributed to this country with blood, sweat, and tears, hard work and entrepreneurial ideas and inclusiveness. We aren't owed anything. We are a significant thread in the cloth that makes this United States grow. We have talked about criminal justice reform, economics, unemployment, underemployment, incarceration, voting rights, felon disenfranchisement, and health disparities, and those are just a few of the issues that we have tackled this year. As we have been known to be called the ``conscience of the Congress,'' we continue to put forth issues that are relevant and prevalent in today's society. I have just been honored to be part of the spokes-team to bring awareness and raise these issues on a week-to- week basis.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his profound remarks on this occasion. I have my own remarks in reference to what happened to this youngster. That is what he was--a youngster, a child. I have 17-year- old triplets. God forbid my children find themselves in that predicament. I will not even try to match the remarks by the gentleman from New York. I think he stated the case clearly. Black lives matter. I know there is a segment in this country that gets upset when they hear that, but you need to understand what they are saying. It is: Why is there no worth to African American lives? That is what they are asking. Why is it so easy that we continually find people of color on the wrong end of these weapons? Then to have it covered up in the manner in which the gentleman from New York stated--86 minutes. Now, my children love Burger King, but you only need 20 minutes if there is a line in Burger King to do what you need to do. But they spent hours there, getting their story right, making sure everybody would corroborate what they were going to say. That is why ``Black Lives Matter'' exists. That is why we continue to bring these issues up. That is why we will not let it go quietly into the night. Everybody has seen that videotape. When did he lunge? When was he shot once in the chest? When did any of those things that were reported occur in that video? He was walking away. He did still have the knife in his hand, but he was walking away. Most of the shots that were put into his body were after he was on the ground. The officer feared for his life. Black lives matter. Our next speaker is the gentlewoman from Houston, Texas, the wonderful, dynamic, one of my heroes, the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks made by the gentleman from Louisiana. Terrorism is plaguing us, not only in Europe--we are concerned about, naturally, our country, the United States of America, keeping it safe--but it is happening all over the world, in Europe, and in Africa. That is the reason the notion of Black lives matter has been raised. The African people are suffering from Boko Haram, which has aligned itself with ISIL as well. If we are going to fight terrorism in one place, we need to make sure we fight it everywhere. And let me just say, Mr. Speaker, that I am very concerned about the vote that was just taken today in terms of Syrian refugees. We were asked to have a pause. Well, if you don't feel that 18 to 24 months is a pause in getting into this country, passing a 13- to 14-mark checklist, by the time a 5-year-old gets into this country, he is 7. I think that the bill that was just voted on was flawed and miscued. We have a system in place that gives enough time and ample time to make sure that these people seeking asylum have the right to come here, as we have done throughout the history of this Nation.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my dear friend, Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver. Ms. Oliver is a proud class of 1970 graduate of Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey. This year, she will be honored at Weequahic's 45th class reunion for her many accomplishments and contributions to her school, community, and state of New Jersey. Ms. Oliver has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2004, where she represents the 34th legislative district. From January 2010 to January 2014, she served as the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly. She was the second woman to serve as Speaker in New Jersey history, and the second African American to hold this post. Currently, she serves in the Assembly on the Higher Education Committee, the Labor Committee, and the Human Services Committee, as its chair. She also served on the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1996-1999. Assemblywoman Oliver was one of the founders of the Newark Coalition for Low Income Housing, an organization that successfully sued the Newark Housing Authority and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in federal court to block the demolition of all publicly subsidized low-income housing in Newark, as there was no plan in place for the construction of replacement housing for low-income Newark residents. As a result, the Newark Housing Authority was directed by a federal consent order to build one-for-one replacement housing for low-income residents. Ms. Oliver's colleagues in political and public life honored her with a place for debating and building consensus, naming the 14th floor conference room in the LeRoy F. Smith Jr. Public Safety Building the ``Sheila Y. Oliver Conference Center.'' It is fitting that Sheila Oliver be recognized for the historic figure that she is. She understands the human condition and understands government can play an integral role in improving the lives of all people. Ms. Oliver's leadership abilities have consistently been recognized by her peers, and she has often been described as a resourceful, dependable individual who is always willing to assist when needed. She attended Lincoln University and continued her education in graduate school at Columbia University. She once told a crowd of constituents that she never set out to run for office, but her conviction that government can improve lives guided her course. Congratulations to my friend, Assemblywoman Sheila Y. Oliver, on this outstanding honor.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, I would like to note that H.R. 1073 puts focus on EMP and GMD preparedness response in a reasonable manner. It does so in a way that does not come at the detriment of preparing for other more likely or more potentially lethal events. I would also reiterate that there are activities already underway at DHS to improve preparedness activities for an EMP event. For example, it is my understanding that DHS is looking at including EMP as an annex to the Federal Interagency Operational Plans currently in development. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 1073. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1073, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1073 would require the Department of Homeland Security to undertake research, planning, and educational activities to mitigate the potential consequences of electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbances on critical infrastructure such as public utilities and national security assets. As the Congressional Budget Office noted in its analysis, the Department is currently carrying out programs similar to those required by the bill. Along those lines, I think it is important to identify the elements of EMP and GMD preparedness and response activities that are common to the existing preparedness and response efforts as set forth in the national planning frameworks. These national planning efforts identify roles and responsibilities for disaster prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery activities, and this bill will include consideration of EMPs. It is also important to distinguish between EMP, or electromagnetic pulses, and GMD, or geomagnetic disturbances. There are significant differences in the nature of the threats, the science behind their impacts, and the range of options for potential solutions. EMP weapons are most generally recognized as thermonuclear weapons that may be launched on missiles designed to explode in the upper atmosphere and produce intense, short-duration, targeted energy that can impact a wide range of technologies and industries. An EMP blast could disrupt and potentially destroy electronic devices in the affected area with consequences extending to critical infrastructures that rely on microprocessor-based electronic devices. In contrast, geomagnetic fluctuations, or GMDs, result from solar weather activity. Severe GMD events may produce varying effects on the power system depending on orientation of the solar storm, latitude, transmission line characteristics, the geology of an affected area, and the design of the power system. The effects of GMD are believed to be primarily limited to reliability of the bulk power system, while the effects of an EMP could cross multiple infrastructures and technologies. Given that any EMP is likely to be the result of an international attack or warlike activity on the United States or its neighbors, DHS may need to partner with the Department of Defense. Going forward, I urge Members to be mindful of the broad range of preparedness demands on DHS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the remarks by the gentleman from Arizona in reference to the solidarity in which we stand with the French people. As it has been stated now and called, this terrorist attack is their 9/11. I just wanted to be on the Record to acknowledge the comments of the gentleman from Arizona. We stand with the French people in solidarity. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you.

Mr. PAYNE. We are talking about the school systems. We are talking about Silicon Valley. I am doing a lot of work now with the insurance companies and finding out that based on your economic background and where you live and what your ZIP Code is will constitute what your rates on car insurance are. There is a built-in formula to that as well. It is just amazing how systemic and institutionalized these issues are. Even a young man like me, who was raised by my father not to get in trouble and do the right thing, I was still a young man, and sometimes I didn't do the right things. One time I was in downtown Newark, New Jersey, and I made a U-turn on one of the major thoroughfares in the city. A policeman pulls up on his motorcycle. Just my luck, I would make the U-turn and there would be a policeman coming, but that is the story of my life. This police officer approached me, very angry, very mean, yelling at me. It was my cousin's car, so I wasn't exactly sure where the credentials were in the car. I was about 20 years old at the time. The police officer finally says to me: Boy, if you don't find those documents--and he didn't use ``boy.'' He used a word that we can't use on the floor of this House of Representatives. But he said: If you don't find those documents, I will throw you so far under the jail that they will never find you. That was very frightening because he looked like he meant it. I was able to produce my license, and at the time my father was a councilman in the city of Newark. It was amazing the change in his attitude. He became very concerned about my welfare and my well-being all of a sudden. He says: Well, don't you know that that is dangerous, and you shouldn't do that? You know, you could hurt yourself or hurt someone else. All of a sudden, I became someone because of what my last name is. I am concerned about all the young men that can't produce something like that at that point in time. There are more of those stories, of the ones unable to produce than the ones that can produce. What does that say for young men in this country? There are many stories like that coming up that I could stand here and tell for several hours of experiences that I have had with the institutional racism in this country.

Mr. PAYNE. Absolutely.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California as well for always making very clear and thoughtful comments and for being a leader in this House for many years and taking bold steps in your beliefs and your principles. Sometimes when it looked grim, that you might be stepping out, history has been kind to you and shown that you were right. So I appreciate your leadership in this United States House of Representatives. One of the issues that we also find around racism is mass incarceration, which is a topic that has come to the forefront. The President is taking bold steps in that direction to try to have a discussion and correct those issues. There is no reason why the United States of America, which comprises 5 percent of the world's population, has 25 percent of the incarcerated population in the world. That number is mind-boggling. We are talking about these schools that are having racial issues and they are not being addressed. There is no mistake that when you look at the issue even around cocaine and the disparity in the length of time that you receive for having crack cocaine, which has predominantly been in African American communities, as opposed to powdered cocaine, which has predominantly been in the major population's community, but the sentences for crack cocaine are so much stiffer and longer that you can see a racial component in even those sentences given out by the justice system. We are dealing with a systemic institutional issue, and sometimes I even think that it has been so ingrained and embedded in the larger population that it is not even realized that there are issues. This is the way of life. This is the way things are. This is how it has been. We have to break that cycle. It is just unconscionable that these young people who have done what we have asked them to do--do well in school, move on to college, and get an education so you can be a productive citizen in this country--have to worry about these types of issues as they are trying to get their education.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois. It has been as a labor of love that we have represented the Congressional Black Caucus in these Special Order hours this year. Our year is coming to a close. As we look back at the issues that we have discussed over the course of this year, it has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside my colleague, R. Kelly. As for tonight's issue, we have seen in recent weeks a number of racially charged incidents that have set off protests on college campuses across the country. From the University of Missouri to Yale, students have protested the inadequate responses of their school administrations to racism and harassment against minority students. We have seen the failure of many college administrations to properly address overt racism against minority students on campus. Adding to the anxiety felt by these students have been threats of violence against African American students and faculty. In many instances, there is a disconnect between students of color and the university leaders. In many of these instances, administrators have openly acknowledged that their responses to minority students have come too late and that their behavior has failed to take into consideration the concerns of students and the injustices against those students. This is an extension of the debate over interactions--often deadly-- between law enforcement and African Americans. Many African Americans feel marginalized and unsafe in going about their normal day. This year an overarching theme of our Special Order hours has been equality and justice. We have discussed how, despite the strides our Nation has made on the journey to a more just society, minorities are still the subject of racism and racial discrimination and face persistent inequities across the board, from health to income, to criminal justice. Through our conversations and through the ongoing national debate about racial equality, we are highlighting how occurrences like those at the University of Missouri are not isolated incidents of racism; they are part of a larger system of discrimination. There is a history of racial discrimination, inequality, and bias that still affects African American communities across this Nation. We need to recognize this. There also needs to be a recognition of the pain and anxiety and fears that it creates in some of these young Americans. As we are seeing right now, many minority students feel that they do not have a home on campus. Many minority students are concerned about their safety at school. Following reports of threats on social media, students at the University of Missouri were afraid to attend classes. All students deserve a safe environment in which to live and learn. We can't discount the fears of these students; yet, that is exactly what we see happening. It is why so many students across the country are coalescing in support of racial justice. How can we move forward from here? Our national conversation about racial justice needs to remain ongoing. As a Nation, we must continue to confront incidents of racism and harassment and bring light to the complacency that too often enables these occurrences in the first place. It has to be more than just a conversation. We have to use the voices of our students and of our communities to drive concrete action on their behalf. Schools need to ensure the diversity not only of their student bodies, but also of their faculties and staffs to increase racial understanding and bring a broader perspective to their institutions. Schools also need to make sure that marginalized students have access to services that enable them to share their experiences and to seek assistance to meet their needs. School administrators need to be held accountable for their failure to make their campuses inclusive and safe for all students. There needs to be an urgency of their handling of racial incidents, and any hate crimes or civil rights violations need to be investigated internally and by law enforcement, as appropriate. We must never waver in our efforts to address racial disparities and to eliminate racism in our country. The Congressional Black Caucus is committed to addressing racial disparities by developing initiatives and by working with grassroots and national organizations, such as Black Lives Matter, the NAACP, and the Urban League, to ensure that they know that they have someone in their corner and that there is an effort to work together. The Congressional Black Caucus is also holding a number of forums to bring African American community resources into the areas of business development, small-business assistance, financial empowerment, inequality, and education. As a caucus, we will continue to lend our support to those fighting for justice, equality, and opportunity for all. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back to my colleague, Robin Kelly.

Mr. PAYNE. I just want to thank you for working with us through this year in bringing these topics to the floor. We want the viewing public to understand that we have raised these issues because they are issues that plague our country. We are looking for African Americans and Latinos to have the same opportunities as everyone else. It is not about special treatment or anything. It is about equal treatment. Everyone should rise based on their ability. Just having an equal opportunity is key.

Mr. PAYNE. Absolutely. To that point, this is the United States of America, and we have to come together as a Nation to eradicate this ill that has plagued this Nation since its inception. So we need people that understand and like-minded people to also join in. This is not a one-sided discussion. This is a discussion that we need to be having that encapsulates the entire Nation.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, back in my home State of New Jersey, we had the honor of having a going-home celebration for a remarkable individual from my community. He was known as Reverend Ron. His name was Ronald B. Christian. Reverend Ron's ministry was unique because Reverend Ron looked at the least of us and took them in without judgment to help them with their ills, whether they have drug issues or issues with the criminal justice system. He never, never judged because he had seen the worst that life could show you because he had gone through some of it himself. And one day God stood him up and said: Now serve my people. This great man passed away several weeks ago, but I wanted to honor him on the floor of the United States Congress. He was a unique individual. He was one of God's children. On the outside of his church, it said ``Sinners welcome,'' and he never wavered, and he never turned his back. We will miss the Reverend Ronald B. Christian from Christian Love Baptist Church.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3144, the Partners for Aviation Security Act. I introduced H.R. 3144, the Partners for Aviation Security Act, to ensure that the Transportation Security Administration's key domestic partner for aviation security, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, is positioned to contribute to aviation security policy. Before beginning, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that were lost on the Metrojet flight originating from Egypt recently. The safety and security of the traveling public is vital, and the work of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, of which I am a member, is extremely important, as we address issues and vulnerabilities that affect the Nation's aviation sector. As many of you will recall, Mr. Speaker, in 2012, then-TSA Administrator John Pistole unilaterally made changes to the prohibited items list allowed onto passenger planes to include small knives and sporting goods equipment. Almost immediately, there was an outcry against this decision from a broad range of stakeholders. Our committee heard from flight attendants, pilots, passenger groups, and others about the security and safety risks associated with this change. Like many Americans, I was pleased that TSA ultimately decided to withdraw its changes to the prohibited items list. However, I believe TSA should consult the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, or ASAC, before implementing new security protocols. Enactment of H.R. 3144 would ensure that such consultation occurs. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3144 also includes language to ensure that there is continuity in the ASAC's operations even when there are changes to its membership. In general terms, given that most of our Nation's critical infrastructure is owned and operated by the private sector, it is important that DHS maintain close partnerships with the private sector to execute its missions and programs. When it comes to aviation security, such partners are essential insofar as TSA cannot effectively carry outs its mission at our Nation's airports without buy-in from the air carriers, airport operators, labor unions, passenger groups, airport vendors, and technology companies. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge that this bill was approved unanimously in committee and thank our cosponsors; the chairman of our committee's Subcommittee on Transportation Security, Mr. Katko; the chairman of the full committee, Mr. McCaul; and the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Thompson. I am pleased that the committee has worked in a bipartisan fashion to advance this timely piece of legislation. Together we send a strong message to TSA and the American flying public about our commitment to ensuring that sensible and effective security policies are in place at our Nation's airports. For these reasons, I urge Members to support H.R. 3144. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on October 23, 2015, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was not present to vote on H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015, introduced by Representative Tom Price. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on final passage of H.R. 3762, roll call No. 568.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the National Collegiate Honors Council for their 50th anniversary this year. The NCHC represents 800 colleges and universities and is composed of 325,000 students dedicated to achieving educational excellence in diverse subject curriculum areas in order to achieve professional career goals. In my district, the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Albert Dorman Honors College challenges its brightest and most motivated students by intellectually stimulating them with a well-balanced education that includes special activities, lectures, and colloquium series that feature prestigious speakers. The program accomplishes its overarching missions of fostering leadership skills and ensuring academic excellence through rigorous learner-centered education by providing undergraduate research opportunities, innovative learning seminars, community service engagement, and study abroad programs. Students prepare for competition for highly desirable jobs in the modern economy by participating in technology based education and internship programs that provide professional work experiences and opportunities to network with real-world business leaders. The College also offers accelerated pre-law, pre-med, and entrepreneurial programs that enable students to quickly move on to graduate or professional schools by allowing them to earn their undergraduate degrees in just three years. Indeed, Albert Dorman graduates leave the New Jersey Institute of Technology well prepared to find jobs in prominent corporations or to pursue graduate education in our nation's best academic institutions. The National Collegiate Honors Program, after decades of growth and experience, continues to dedicate itself to promoting educational excellence within our nation's colleges and universities while preparing students for successful professional careers. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in commending NJIT's outstanding contributions to our nation's educational and professional communities and honoring its 50th anniversary of the National Collegiate Honors Council.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Alma Beatty, the longtime Vice President of Community Affairs at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, who passed away earlier this year. Ms. Beatty was born in Newark, New Jersey, and became one of the city's most beloved citizens through her 45 years of service at ``The Beth.'' Under Ms. Beatty's leadership, ``The Beth'' became a model of excellence in protecting the most vulnerable among us. Thanks to her vision, ``The Beth'' instituted a number of community service programs that continue to this day, including Thanksgiving Giveaway Programs, the Adopt a Child Christmas Program, the Alma Beatty Health and Wellness Fair, and job readiness workshops. Ms. Beatty truly was a voice for the voiceless. She dedicated her life to improving the lives of the people of Newark, and for that we are eternally grateful. Words cannot express how much Ms. Beatty meant to me and my family throughout the years. I had the pleasure of working with her while she was Vice President of Community Affairs for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Together, we were able to secure funds to construct ``The Beth's'' Geriatric Emergency Department. Ms. Beatty graciously dedicated her life to building a tremendous legacy here in Essex County; one committed to improving the quality of life for all residents regardless of their financial background. She was a true role model for all that she did and accomplished for the City of Newark. Last month, I had the honor of participating in a ceremony to change the name of Newark's Osborne Terrace to ``Alma Beatty Way.'' It is a fitting recognition of Ms. Beatty's contributions to the City of Newark and Essex County. To Ms. Beatty's family, I extend my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Alma Beatty, a longtime vice president of Community Affairs at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center who passed away earlier this year. Ms. Beatty was born in Newark, New Jersey, and became one of the city's most beloved citizens through her 45 years of service at ``The Beth.'' Under Ms. Beatty's leadership, ``The Beth'' became a model of excellence in protecting the most vulnerable among us. Thanks to her vision, ``The Beth'' instituted a number of community service programs that continue to this day, including Adopt a Child Christmas Program. Last month, I had the honor of participating in a ceremony to change the name of Newark's Osborne Terrace to ``Alma Beatty Way.'' It is a fitting recognition to Ms. Beatty's contributions to the city of Newark, the county of Essex, the State of New Jersey, and the United States of America. To Ms. Beatty's family I send my thoughts and prayers and continued love for the work that she has done in our community.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am honored once again today to serve as a Congressional co-chair of National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness Month reminds us that we cannot become complacent in our efforts to build and improve emergency preparedness capabilities. Coming from the 10th Congressional District of the State of New Jersey, which had experienced Hurricane Sandy and the September 11 attacks, I know that disasters can strike at any time. As the ranking member of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee, I have also observed a concerning gap in coordination between communication of emergency response plans for children and schools. Each day more than 65 million children are separated from their parents during work-hours, but roughly 42 percent of the parents do not know where to reunite with their children after a school evacuation. Parents, teachers, and emergency responders should engage with community partners so that responsibilities and resources are in place when disasters strike.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act. There is nothing thoughtful about this legislation. This is a shameful and shocking sham. This has always been about Republicans wanting to restrict the right of women to make their own healthcare decisions. Let me say, you know, these doctored videos on YouTube, my children watch YouTube, and you can see whatever you want on YouTube. You can see a man punt a basketball through a basket from 500 feet. You can see whatever you want. So I am not surprised that these doctored videos are on YouTube. Mammograms are done in imaging centers, so no health center does an actual mammogram. So let's stop trying to mislead the American people with this sham. If you like YouTube so much, and that is where you are going to get your information, I have another video you can watch right now on YouTube. It is called, ``Dumb and Dumber.''