Cedric Richmond

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Thank you, Congressman Shuster. I have the privilege to call upon another one of our colleagues who participated in the congressional delegation who has not had an opportunity to talk about one of our fallen soldiers, but I will tell you something about this Member of Congress. He, himself, has put his life on the line and served in our U.S. Air Force, and that is none other than Captain Adam Kinzinger.

Mr. RICHMOND. We have one or two more fallen heroes that we want to honor, and I want to make sure that people understand that this is just a short ceremony, but from the heart, for the 10 people that we had a chance to participate in their ceremony, and for Private First Class Jonathan Villanueva who was killed at the same time as Staff Sergeant Matthew Hermanson. But I wanted to take a minute to talk about Master Sergeant Tara Brown. She was born July 21, 1977. She began her military career in 1997, at the Kadena Air Force Base in Japan as an administrative clerk, quickly mastering her skills in communications and embracing a love of travel and adventure. Master Sergeant Brown completed assignments to Germany, Turkey, Alaska, and Korea before taking charge in numerous high-level communications positions at Andrews Air Force Base right down the street. Master Sergeant Brown's awards include the Bronze Star posthumously, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oakleaf clusters, and the Air Force Achievement Medal with three oakleaf clusters. She is survived by her husband, Ernest Brown; father, Jim Jacobs; mother, Gladys Verren; brother, Jim Jacobs, Jr.; and sister, Laguanda Jacobs. Mr. Speaker, I will tell you that during this service, and when they talked about Master Sergeant Brown, they talked about her smile, they talked about her status as a newlywed, but, more than anything, they just talked about her love of service and the fact that she was willing to give it all. So I wanted to make sure that as we continued we included Master Sergeant Tara Brown in our ceremony today, just to make sure that we don't forget any of our troops, that we had the privilege and the opportunity to participate in their service and on their day. Mr. Speaker, I think that all of my colleagues, and I don't see them now, but I think all of my colleagues have exhausted their time in making sure that they honor all of our fallen soldiers. This was just one thing that we thought we wanted to do to show the country that although we disagree on 20 or 30 percent of things in this body, and those 20 or 30 percent may be very gut-wrenching and they may be very divisive and we may differ on how we cut programs, but every difference in principle is not necessarily a difference in purpose and a difference in our ultimate goal, and that is to make sure that this country continues to be the best country on Earth. So we as just a small part of this august body, and one that we are honored to be a part of, we are honored to serve with so many senior Members who have taken us under their wing to make sure they nurture us. Mr. Speaker, we can't thank you enough for that and we can't thank Congress and the American people enough for giving us the opportunity to go over to the conflict, to watch Afghans as they start to patrol their own area. I will tell you, I am not sure if Congressman Shuster touched on it, but we had an opportunity to patrol with a group of Afghans and their elders. One of the elders that was over there was a very elderly man who was the commander of this police unit, and they were protecting the entrance into this city and they had their checkpoint. While walking to the checkpoint, we saw a young man holding arms and protecting us as we walked, and we stopped to talk to him. Then they pointed out to us he lost his father and brother in a firefight just a week and a half ago while they were out patrolling. Then as we talked to him just for a few minutes longer, he talked to us about the vision of freedom, and he was all excited and his eyes were open very wide as he talked about why he was still patrolling after his father and his brother's funeral, which was the fact that he had a love for his country, for Afghanistan, but also because he felt an obligation because we had so many troops out there fighting and dying that we were joined at the hip, because this was a very important goal. And it is not just to bring freedom to us; it is to bring freedom to people all across this world. Then as he was telling us that, he told us that just a couple of days before we got there that his daughter drowned in a creek in their little village. So we are talking about a very young man who had tragedy three times in his life who was still out there with his machine gun in the desert, in the heat, patrolling to make sure that this congressional delegation was safe, but also taking the time, and we watched him talk to school kids and other things. But that is what makes this country great. And the thing that united us all was the fact that what makes this country great, we are inspiring other people so that they want to make their country and their town and their village great, just like America. So you have people all across this world, and we can talk particularly about Afghanistan, because that is where we saw it, that were going above and beyond, because they appreciated our effort to help them, and they were committed to helping themselves, and they said we are in it with you, and we are going to sacrifice our life and our limbs, just as those brave men and women in the United States are doing. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you for allowing us to have this time to talk about the people we lost, and I will just end with reading their names, because I think that we can't give them enough, because they made and paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the freedom that we enjoy and others could have it. And they are: Lieutenant Colonel Frank D. Bryant, Jr.; Major David L. Brodeur; Major Philip D. Ambard; Major Raymond Estelle; Major Jeffrey O. Ausborn, ``Oz,'' as they called him; Captain Charles A. Ransom; Captain Nathan J. Nylander; retired Lieutenant Colonel James A. McLaughlin; Technical Sergeant Tara R. Brown; Private First Class Jonathan Villanueva; and Staff Sergeant Matthew D. Hermanson. Mr. Speaker, thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Well, Congressman Jackson, my question to you was going to be: Have you seen a State react yet? Have you seen a State step up with their own jobs plan? Or have you seen a State address the inequality and the treatment of the unemployed so far?

Mr. RICHMOND. Thank you, Congressman Jackson, for yielding to me and allowing me to participate in this conversation. And thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing us this opportunity to talk. Congressman Jackson, you well know that it starts back in the Second Congressional District of Louisiana when we start talking about the true and historical fight of States' rights versus the common good or what we can call a more perfect Union. Because had you left it to States' rights and the will of Governors and the legislatures of those Southern States, then Ruby Bridges, who was my constituent in New Orleans, would not have had the Federal marshals to escort her that day to Frantz School so that she could have the same education as everyone else. So we have to remember when we talk about States' rights and the Federal Government and the fact that we are talking about a more perfect Union, we are talking about a Constitution. We are talking about a Congress, and we are talking about a court system that should guarantee every child the same opportunity. Whether it is Louisiana, whether you are in Lake Providence, Louisiana, or whether you are in Boston, Massachusetts, you should have the same access and the same rights. So what we are talking about is a Federal Government that should insist and ensure that everyone is treated equally under the laws. Now, the interesting thing when you talk about and you allude to States' rights, Congressman Jackson, people talk about States' rights when it is convenient. And I come from a State in which they are talking about States' rights right now. It should be their right to offer health care as they see fit. It should be our job to cut all of the things that aren't essential. However, I remember those days after Katrina when we were not saying States' rights. We were saying: Where is the Coast Guard? We were saying: Our levees have collapsed; we need the Corps of Engineers' help to rebuild them. And it took this Congress and actions and your vote to put $14 billion into the Corps of Engineers' budget so that they could build the proper infrastructure around the city to protect the citizens there. Why did they do it? Because it was the common good. It was the right thing to do. So you can't have it both ways when you talk about States' rights and when you talk about the role of the Federal Government. And now when times are difficult, we go back to the States' rights argument so that we can cut those things that the least of us need.

Mr. RICHMOND. Well, they can't do it. Part of it becomes when you take health care as a whole, when you start talking about the United States of America and health care for all, the United States of America and education for all, the United States of America and employment for all, you are talking about things that affect interstate commerce. Now you are talking about things that affect the future and well-being of this country as a whole, which directly puts it back into the powers of the Federal Government because it affects the Federal Government. So you can't isolate it. That's what some would attempt to do now. I just don't think that it is possible to do. History dictates that you can't do it. What you will end up with is a system of unequal treatment to people based on arbitrary factors: where they live, what they look like, and all of those things. So, Congressman Jackson, I would just say that I think you are right on the mark when you are talking about the role that the Federal Government should play. And you raised, just a couple of moments ago, that it is the Federal Government's role to dictate how we treat the unemployed. Now, we very well can't leave that up to States' rights.

Mr. RICHMOND. Well, it depends. And what we see in this climate right now, you see the anger out there of a generation of people and a large population of people who are upset at the way government is working. Now, there is one particular thing they can point out, which is the debt and the deficit. One way, which is the way that is being pursued today, is to just cut. Let's cut everything that is unpopular. Let's cut those things that go to the common good; those things that promote unity; those things that will help people lift themselves up; and those things that will create opportunity for people. We always said in this country that education was the best way to lift yourself out of poverty. What we are doing here in this Congress right now, we are cutting Pell Grants. We are cutting early childhood education. You can't do those things and then leave it up to the States because, as you so adequately addressed a few minutes ago, it is a competition between the States. I had the privilege to go with my Governor before over to Germany to visit Thyssenkrupp to offer them incentives so they would come to Louisiana as opposed to going to Alabama. Well, we need a referee when things like that are going on. We need somebody who can coordinate and say some competition between the States is good, but it is our role to make sure that all Americans are treated fairly and that everybody has the opportunity to succeed.

Mr. RICHMOND. Absolutely not. Not only would my State take it, but there's a new report out by a conservative group that shows that Louisiana receives more aid than every other State except one and for the first time our State budget has more Federal dollars in it than State dollars. So I want to be clear about what you hear about States' rights. And this is not just in Louisiana. Right now 27 States have more Federal money in their budgets than they do their own State dollars. So they're not turning down State assistance when it comes to providing those things. And I just want to tell you that it's so convenient, and the 10th Amendment couldn't address everything, and the Constitution could not address everything at the time, and we can't pretend that it did. What we have the responsibility to do, as Members of this Congress, is to make sure we apply common sense to what the Founders were doing. You see no mention of the Internet in the Constitution. That's our road to now deal with it. So now that we talk about a complex program to give every American the basic right to health care, you are not going to see that in the Constitution. But what you see in the Constitution and what the overriding theme is, is a more perfect Union. And this government has the responsibility to do that. So when we start talking about energy assistance to our seniors who can't afford it, you will not see those things in the Constitution. But when you apply common sense, which is what we were elected to do, to a living, breathing document, it would follow that we have not only the right but we have the responsibility and the obligation to do those things for the States.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat our seniors and how they treat our children. According to the 2012 budget, House Republicans do not value our seniors nor our children. They want to privatize Medicare and undo Medicaid. They will burden already cash-strapped States, and place it in the hands of Governors. Under their plan, Governors will decide whether or not you will receive health care. They are telling 50 million seniors to cough up the money or get off the health care rolls. They are telling the 1.5 million Medicare and Medicaid recipients in Louisiana that they are on their own. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, most beneficiaries would spend more for health care under the new proposal and could get reduced quality care under the GOP proposal that we are fighting here today. Grandparents and their grandchildren will have less access to doctors when they are sick. Through this budget, we see the Republican future; and it ain't a pretty one. To use my grandmother's words, Madam Speaker: Republicans, you should be ashamed of yourselves for picking on our seniors and our children.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Thank you, Ranking Member Levin. Madam Speaker, I agree with the Republican chorus that we've been hearing now for 2 days, which is let's repeal this onerous provision of the 1099 requirement. However, even as a freshman member of the Democratic Party, let me say, welcome to the party. The Democratic Party started this July 30 of last year to try to repeal this onerous provision and only 2 Republicans voted for it. Two hundred thirty-nine Democrats said, let's do away with this. You're right. It's putting a massive burden on our small businesses. But not only did you get to the party 7 months late, you got it wrong. You decided to dance with Big Oil and corporations that you didn't want to close the tax loophole. So what's the pay-for? Well, the pay-for is to reach in the pockets of working class Americans and take $25 billion. Right now, there are people that are at work, and we're here in D.C. and we're going to take $25 billion out of their pocket. We should be ashamed of ourselves. I join with my colleagues and my good friend from New York (Mr. Crowley) who on yesterday tried to have a discourse about is there a better way to pay for it. No one would yield. No one would take amendments. So I would just say as a new Member, what the American people want, when we agree on an idea, let's repeal the 1099 provision, they want us to get together and figure out how to do it. They want us to see if we can't find some amendments, find some common ground, so that we don't have to penalize working families. And I would say what they don't want is for us to reach in their pocket, penalize them for success and take $25 billion, when there are other ways to do it. But what we should do is get together and figure out a way to do it so that we can start moving this country forward.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues came down here yesterday, and will do so again today, like a well-rehearsed choir singing the same song: Repeal the 1099 provision, repeal the 1099 provision. They sang it in perfect harmony. However, they conveniently left out two verses. One, last year 239 Democrats and only two Republicans voted to repeal it. Second, they will pay for the repeal by reaching into the pockets of working Americans and yanking out $25 billion. That's just wrong. So, Mr. Speaker, I remind my colleagues that their song has two additional verses. Just because they won't sing about their tax increase doesn't mean the American people won't feel it. I, too, want to repeal the 1099 provision, but this is not the way to pay for it. Mr. Speaker I yield back because I will not be a co-conspirator to snatching $25 billion out of the bank accounts of hardworking Americans.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the distinguished gentlelady from the Virgin Islands, who I have the pleasure of serving with and who has done a remarkable job in planning our hour today, which not only celebrates and reflects but which also charts a path for this future that includes everyone. As we come to the close of Black History Month, it is appropriate that I remind our leadership and the American people of the sacrifice and determination of great American heroes to make this country a better place and the land of opportunity for all Americans. I would also like to remind our leadership that we don't honor Dr. King because of his dream. We honor him because of his hard work and his dedication in pursuing his dream. His last call was for economic justice. Here we are in 2011 with a 9.6 percent unemployment rate in this country. However, in the African American community, that unemployment rate is 15.8 percent. We must ask why such a huge gap and what we are going to do to close that gap and bring unemployment down for everyone. At this time and at this moment, we need King-like determination; we need King-like courage; and we need a King-like vision to create jobs in this country, not more campaign rhetoric. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle, show me the jobs. Show the American people the jobs. The continuing resolution that the Republicans offer will not lower the unemployment rate in this country. It will do quite the opposite. The continuing resolution will eliminate 700,000 jobs. If their plan passes, then 700,000 more Americans will face financial uncertainty. That's 700,000 more families who will depend on unemployment benefits to make ends meet. That's 700,000 more families who will turn to safety-net programs to make it through the tough times. That's 700,000 more families who might now face bankruptcy. Those 700,000 Americans are demanding that we show them the jobs. I am here and willing to do that. I now invite my Republican colleagues to join my colleagues on my side of the aisle to do just what the American people are asking. The House Speaker recently stated that the deficit is a moral threat to the Nation, and I agree. I would also add that abandoning the 24 million Americans who are unemployed or underemployed is a moral crime. Cutting 700,000 jobs in one fatal swoop is a moral crime. Balancing the budget on the backs of working folks is a moral crime. Mr. Speaker, this Republican continuing resolution is not only a path to family bankruptcies; it is, in itself, an irresponsible plan that is morally bankrupt.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, President Obama challenged us to out- innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world in order to compete globally. We can and must educate our way to a more prosperous future. Through the continuing resolution, congressional Republicans are handicapping our kids by recklessly slashing education funding. Instead of equipping our kids to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build, this resolution prepares kids to under-perform, under-whelm and under- achieve. Across America, over 127,000 preschoolers will be kicked out of Head Start. Instead of setting up kids for success, this continuing resolution dooms them for failure. Over 131,000 students will see their after-school programs reduced or eliminated, even though after-school programs improve academic success. Over 1.4 million college students will see their Pell Grants cut, even though education is the best way to escape poverty. This resolution plays politics with our children's futures, and our children will lose. Mr. Speaker, I will say that this continuing resolution is a train wreck for Louisiana and a train wreck for this country.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Michael Starks, the first African-American graduate of Tulane University School of Law and the first African-American lawyer in the New Orleans City Attorney's office. As the Congressman from New Orleans and a graduate of Tulane University School of Law, I would like to call attention to Mr. Stark, a man whose dedication to the legal institution knew no bounds. Mr. Starks, was a native New Orleanian who graduated from the University of New Orleans and the first African-American admitted to Tulane's law school. He graduated from Tulane's School of Law in 1968. He served as an Assistant City Attorney during the tenure of three mayors. After leaving City Hall, Mr. Starks was an attorney for the Housing Authority of New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina struck. Mr. Starks passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at Life Path Hospice in Temple Terrace, Florida at the age of 67. He was survived by his sister, Sandra McCollum, and daughter, Michelle Starks, and granddaughter. I am saddened by his passing, in prayer for his family, and inspired by his life's achievements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to recognize Mr. Michael Starks.

Mr. RICHMOND

Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, around this time last year, New Orleanians celebrated the Saints' Super Bowl victory. This year, we are celebrating Mr. Marshall Faulk's recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite Louisiana's rich football heritage, Marshall is the first native New Orleanian to receive the honor and we are very proud of him. Marshall Faulk is one of the best hybrid running backs and receivers in the world, which is why he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. During his 12 years in the National Football League, split among the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams, he earned amazing statistics and awards. Marshall ranks fourth all-time in total yards from scrimmage. His 6,875 receiving yards are the most ever by a running back. Marshall's 136 career touchdowns, 100 of which are rushing, rank seventh of all-time. He has won three Offensive Player of the Year awards, was recognized in 2000 recognition as the NFL's Most Valuable Player, and called the ``greatest show on turf'' when the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2000. A graduate of Carver High School, Marshall is really dedicated to New Orleans. He became a three-time consensus All-American at San Diego State and then the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft by the Colts, but began as a humble kid in the 9th Ward with a dream. I was touched to learn that, as a kid, Marshall sold popcorn at the Superdome to get closer to the football world. He recognized his gift and studied his craft--even as a stadium vendor. After Katrina, Marshall toured his childhood neighborhood, the 9th Ward, and then donated $70,000 to Desire Street Ministries, a youth organization near the old housing development site. He understands that it takes the entire New Orleans community to rebuild our hometown. I applaud Marshall Faulk for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and, on behalf of all New Orleanians, wish him well.