Member of Congress
Cedric Richmond
- Role
- Former Representative
- State
- LA
- Party
- Democrat
Speeches
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. GREGORY J. LUCIEN SR.2019-01-15
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Gregory J. Lucien Sr., a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. Lucien was raised in the 9th ward in New Orleans. He graduated from George Washington Carver Sr. High School. After completing high school, he moved to Lafayette, Louisiana to attend the University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL), which is now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While attending USL he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. In 1990 he returned to New Orleans. Upon his return, he was hired by the Orleans Parish Sheriffs office, where he has been employed for twenty-eight years. In 1991, Mr. Lucien was activated to serve in Operation Desert Storm. Upon completion of his duty he again returned to New Orleans and the Sheriffs office. He was promoted to Sergeant within three years and then to Lieutenant. Mr. Lucien was eager to make an impact in his community. He joined the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure club. In 2009, he became an associate member and the next year became a full member. Once in the Zulu club, he joined the Ambassador's Krewe. Additionally, he joined the Safety, Election, Carnival Activities and the Coronation Committees. Mr. Lucien is an avid sports fan and was not fulfilled watching sports on television, therefore, he decided to become a high school referee. In 2012, he be came a football referee for the Louisiana High School Officials Association (LHSOA) and in 2013 a basketball referee for LHSOA. Mr. Lucien has been married to the 2019 Zulu Ambassadress, Talana M. Suarez-Lucien, for 19 years. Their loving family consist of three children--Jasmine, Tayler, and Gregory Jr--and their first grandchild, Jaxson. Madam Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Gregory J. Lucien Sr.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FATHER JEROME LeDOUX2019-01-15
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Father Jerome LeDoux, a beloved Catholic priest who pastored St. Augustine Catholic Church in New Orleans. Father LeDoux passed away on Monday, January 7, 2019 at the age of 88. Father LeDoux was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1930. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and at the age of 13, he traveled to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to attend high school at St. Augustine Seminary. This was the only seminary in the nation that trained African-American men for the priesthood. His spiritual training continued in Illinois and Iowa, and be returned to St. Augustine Seminary for further study. Father LeDoux was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on May 11, 1957. Following ordination, he studied for four years in Rome, where he earned a master's degree in sacred theology and a doctorate in church law. He returned to St. Augustine Seminary in Mississippi and taught theology and church law for six years. In 1969, he began teaching at Xavier University in New Orleans and continued in this role for more than a decade. In 1981, Father LeDoux became pastor of St. Martin de Porres Church in Praire View, Texas. He moved back to Louisiana in 1984 to lead Baton Rouge's St. Paul the Apostle Church. And in 1990, his 16-year pastorship began at St. Augustine Parish in New Orleans. In 2006, Father LeDoux accepted an assignment from his order, the Society of Divine Word, to become pastor of Our Mother of Mercy Parish in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 1969, Father LeDoux would write a weekly column entitled ``Reflections on Life,'' syndicated in several Catholic weeklies, Louisiana Weekly in New Orleans, and Seacoast Echo in Bay St. Louis. Father LeDoux loved the city and the people of New Orleans. His legacy will forever be a part of the city and his dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Father LeDoux, but surely, we can try to match his sense of service. We cannot match his courage, but we can strive to match his devotion. Father LeDoux survivor's include a sister and two brothers. Madam Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Father Jerome LeDoux.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MS. ALSIE R. DUNBAR2019-01-15
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the accomplishments of Ms. Alsie R. Dunbar, a lifelong resident and native of Gonzales, Louisiana whose tireless dedication to her community should inspire us all. Ms. Dunbar is the daughter of Allen ``Jubilee'' and Rhonda Dunbar. Her mother, Rhonda, is a retired librarian with the Ascension Parish School Board with 40 years of service. Her father, Allen, is a retired professional football player. Ms. Dunbar is a dual-degreed scientist and engineer with 19 years of experience in the areas of process and plant design, research and development, product quality management, and environmental regulation. In 2013, Ms. Dunbar used her experience from her professional career as a senior scientist and process engineer to form the STEMS GEMS Mentoring Project, which highlights Girls Excelling in Math and Science. Through this program, Ms. Dunbar mentors girls who excel in math and science and encourages them to pursue careers and advanced degrees in STEM majors where women and minorities are underrepresented. This program has mentored more than 650 girls in conjunction with the Ascension Parish School Board, with six participants receiving Student of the Year distinctions. The program has since expanded to several surrounding parishes including Iberville, St. Helena, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist and East Baton Rouge. In addition to recently being selected to be a part of the 2019 Baton Rouge Area Chamber's Leadership Class and the highly competitive Greater Baton Rouge Business Report's Executive Leadership Academy, Ms. Dunbar was appointed to serve on the Regional Council for STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response) and the Advisory Board for Emerge Louisiana. The 2017 LSU Esprit de Femme Honoree was also selected to serve as the 2018 LSU Esprit de Femme Honorary Chair this past Spring for her continued professional accolades and community endeavors. Ms. Dunbar also serves on the executive Board of Directors for the Ascension Fund, Volunteer Ascension, the Louisiana Coalition for Healthier Communities, APEX STEM Collegiate Academy, the chartering chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women for Metropolitan Baton Rouge, and the Arc of Ascension. During Ms. Dunbar's tenure as President-Elect for the Arc of Ascension, she was instrumental in helping the Arc raise over $100,000 last year for its annual Dancing for a Cause fundraiser. Madam Speaker, I celebrate the work that Ms. Alsie R. Dunbar has done to make her community a better place.
INSPECTOR GENERAL ACCESS ACT OF 20192019-01-15
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Cummings for bringing this important legislation to the Floor. In 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina, a group of New Orleans police officers opened fire on a handful of unarmed African American civilians walking across Danziger Bridge, killing two and injuring four. This occurred during the heart of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath and left deep scars on our community. Years later five officers were convicted on a variety of charges for these actions. However, their convictions were vacated in 2013 due to misconduct by Department of Justice prosecutors. In my efforts to find out what happened and why, and to also get transparency for my constituents, I received a DOJ report that was heavily redacted and missing crucial facts. I also learned that the DOJ Inspector General lacked the authority to investigate those actions. The DOJ was being left to investigate itself in situations like this and the American people were being left without the full story. That ultimately led to the victims and their families never receiving the full measure of justice they were owed. This bill grants the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Justice the authority to investigate alleged misconduct committed by Department of Justice attorneys when they act in their capacity as lawyers. Currently, the OIG has jurisdiction to review alleged misconduct by non-lawyers in the DOJ, but the DOJ's own Office of Professional Responsibility exercises jurisdiction over alleged misconduct committed by DOJ attorneys when they are litigating, investigating, or providing legal advice. From fiscal year 2002 through fiscal year 2013, Office of Professional Responsibility documented more than 650 infractions, including allegations that federal attorneys intentionally misled courts and alleged abuses of the grand jury or indictment process. In most of these matters--more than 400--OPR categorized the violations at the more severe end of the scale: recklessness or intentional misconduct as opposed to error or poor judgment. However, the DOJ does not make public the names of attorneys who acted improperly or the defendants whose cases were affected. As a result, the DOJ, its lawyers, and the internal watchdog office itself are protected from meaningful public scrutiny and accountability. This simple change in jurisdiction will ensure that people facing federal charges get a fair day in court and that the U.S. government is properly represented in disputes with corporations where taxpayer dollars are on the line. We must ensure that innocent people are not wrongly convicted and sent to prison, and that tainted cases do not cause convictions of guilty parties to be thrown out. With stakes as high as these, it is essential that DOJ attorneys be held to highest possible standards of accountability. While the Office of Professional Responsibility's investigations and actions are notorious for their secrecy, the OIG's independence and transparency will enhance the public's confidence in DOJ's operations. For these reasons, and for the victims of the Danziger Bridge shootings and their families, I encourage my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.
CHEMICAL FACILITY ANTI-TERRORISM STANDARDS PROGRAM EXTENSION ACT2019-01-08
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue before and now. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 251 to extend the DHS Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards, CFATS, program for a period of 2 years. Like many of my colleagues in the House, my district is home to a number of chemical facilities. They play a crucial role in the local economy, but with that comes a risk. The CFATS program helps address that risk and makes communities like mine safer, without being overly burdensome. Twelve years ago, the Bush administration issued a call to action to address credible terrorist threats to high-risk chemical facilities across the country. At the time, chemical facility security was one of the biggest security gaps we faced, and Secretary Chertoff asked Congress to ``pass a balanced, risk-based security measure for the chemical industry.'' Within the year, Congress attached language to the DHS appropriations bill, giving DHS temporary authority to implement a chemical security program. CFATS survived on annual authorizations through the appropriations process for 8 years, and the lack of certainty and stability stunted the program's growth. In 2014, after the tragic explosion at the West, Texas, chemical facility, Congress finally passed a 4-year authorization bill. Since then, the CFATS program has invested in better tools, better trained personnel, and a better strategic vision for the future. In short, the CFATS program has matured. Today, the program has the buy-in of industry and bipartisan support on the Hill. And although I think we can do more to advance the objectives of the program, it is clear that CFATS has made us safer. Authorization for CFATS expires in a matter of days. If Congress does not act, we will lose a valuable antiterrorism program, and we will forfeit the hard-earned progress that has been achieved. This bill would allow DHS to continue its work to secure chemical facilities, and it would give Congress an opportunity to hear from stakeholders and the department about the improvements we should make. In the last Congress, Chairman Thompson and I made repeated requests to prioritize CFATS through hearings and markups. Unfortunately, at this point, with the program staring down expiration, it is simply too late for that.
Mr. RICHMOND. Passing H.R. 251 would allow us to continue the conversation around this important national security program without leaving chemical facilities more vulnerable to attacks. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House to support H.R. 251, and I hope the Senate will follow suit.
SAVE OUR SEAS ACT OF 20182018-12-20
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Collins for success on this very important issue. Oftentimes people ask what is required of us, and it is to do justice and love mercy, and that is exactly what the First Step Act does. Is it a perfect bill? No, it is not. Is it a first step? Yes, and it is a good first step. For too long, we have been passing the law of diminishing returns on our criminal justice system. Every dollar that we spend on incarceration actually makes our neighborhoods and our communities less safe. So does this bill address the strained relationships between police and the communities that they serve? Yes. Does it address the criminalization of poverty? No, and it leaves many unjust sentences in place. However, there is no doubt in my mind that this bill is a positive step in the right direction. It expands safety valve provisions that allow judges to block unfair sentences. It rolls back stacking rules that allow defendants to be charged with multiple crimes for a single incident. It prohibits the shackling of pregnant prisoners. It would also provide $75 million per year for programming to help prisoners prepare for life after incarceration, and it will also allow early release to some prisoners who participate. More than 4,000 prisoners will be eligible for release under this program. This bill also includes an amendment I introduced in the Judiciary Committee that will ensure that the prison reform provisions of the bill would apply retroactively to all prisoners sentenced after 1987. But what it does is it restores many of our family units and corrects the overcorrection we made during the crack epidemic in the early nineties. And, also, what it does is send a message to the country that we realized our mistake in how we handled crack cocaine and substance abuse. And now we see the opioid epidemic, and we are adjusting our approach to that: more loving, more substance abuse, more of a mental health crisis when we talk about it, and we are going to go back and do the same for the cocaine and crack addiction. So with that, let me thank all of the parties involved: Congressmen Jeffries, Collins, Goodlatte, Ranking Member Nadler, Sheila Jackson Lee, and other committee members for bringing this legislation to the floor.
STEPHEN MICHAEL GLEASON CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT2018-12-20
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, let me thank my colleague, Mr. Clay from St. Louis, and my colleague from Michigan. I understand the difficulty in saying very loud the ``New Orleans Saints,'' but I just want to also thank Senator Bill Cassidy, and Senator Patty Murray for authoring this bill and working so hard to get it across the finish line. I would also like to thank Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Representative Steve Scalise for working with me in the House. The Congressional Gold Medal is a special award, and today we are coming together to support giving it to a special person. This is an award for people who dedicate themselves to causes bigger than themselves and for those who work tirelessly to help the lives of others. Both of those describe the son of Who Dat Nation, Steve Gleason. Steve, after being diagnosed with ALS, came together with his team to form Team Gleason, and he declared then that there would be no white flags in dealing with ALS. Steve is a selfless individual who has used his life to raise awareness of ALS and who has been instrumental in developing technology in order to combat this disease. He has done so much that has tangibly improved people's lives now and will continue to do so for years to come. That is why I am proud to introduce this bill in the House and to be standing here today concurring in the Senate bill to honor Steve's contributions to society. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support giving the Congressional Gold Medal to our son of Who Dat Nation, Steve Gleason.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. GEORGIA M. GAINES2018-12-10
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Georgia M. Gaines, a native of Lutcher, Louisiana and retired school teacher. Mrs. Gaines passed away Thursday, November 29, 2018 at the age of 96. Mrs. Gaines was born in 1922. Her parents were the late Mr. George Chriswell, an entrepreneur and insurance agent, and Mrs. Alma Berry Chriswell, an elementary school principal and education pioneer. She attended McDonald #35 High School in New Orleans, Louisiana because there were no local high schools in St. James Parish for African- Americans. In 1944, Mrs. Gaines earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While a student at Southern University, she was a proud member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and a student assistant to the wife of Southern University President Dr. Felton G. Clark. Upon graduation, Mrs. Gaines taught in the Lake Charles public schools. She later returned to St. James Parish and began teaching locally. In 1949, she married Mr. Leroy Gaines, a Texas transplant to the Lutcher area. After thirty years of teaching at St. James High School, Mrs. Gaines retired from the St. James Parish School System. She also worked for the State of Louisiana as an Assistant Director of the Lutcher Day Care Center. Mrs. Gaines was an individual of vision, integrity, pride in family and an endearing asset to her community. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of Louisiana. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mrs. Gaines, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Mrs. Gaines's survivors include daughters: Debora Gaines, Karen Gaines and Wanda (Danny) Manuel. Sons: Randal Gaines, Darrel (Tilda) Gaines and Daren (Vanessa) Gaines. Ten grandchildren, seven great- grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, including Edna Berry Anderson, and other relatives and friends, including Martha Ray Branch. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Chriswell and Alma Berry Chriswell, her husband, Leroy Gaines, and her granddaughter, Tene' Lemar. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Georgia M. Gaines.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. GLORIA BLANCHE TAYLOR GORRELL2018-12-03
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Gloria Blanche Taylor Gorrell affectionately known as ``Bo'' or ``Bo Peep.'' Mrs. Gorrell passed away Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the age of 87. Mrs. Gorrell was born on September 10, 1931 to the late Blanche Taylor Williams and William Taylor in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was a devoted Christian, choir member and active in many ministries within the church. Mrs. Gorrell was educated in the Orleans Parish Public Schools. She attended Albert Wicker Elementary, Booker T. Washington High School and McDonough No. 35 High School. She was an active student. As a majorette in high school she entertained many with her baton twirling and high stepping dance moves. After graduation she enrolled at Leland College near Baker, Louisiana. In 1995, Mrs. Gorrell retired from Charity Hospital and began a new chapter in her life. Retirement afforded her time to travel with family and friends. She immensely enjoyed her bus trips, Women's Conferences and family vacations. She was an avid reader, but more content when talking to her friends, sharing thoughts and prayers. Mrs. Gorrell loved the city and the people of New Orleans. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mrs. Gorrell, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Mrs. Gorrell's survivors include her sons, Rudy Gorrell, Jr. and Kevin Gorrell; daughter Karen Gorrell Johnson; son in law, Harry E. Johnson, Sr.; beloved sister, Joyce Chambers and devoted brother in law Lawrence Chambers. Granddaughters: Jennifer Johnson, Damonica Gorrell, Brideisha Harness. Grandsons: Tyeast Robinson, Damien Gorrell, Sr., Harry Johnson, Jr. (Angela), Nicholas Johnson, Tyris Dauphin, Kevin Harness. Great-Granddaughters: Eriel Gorrell, Kennedi Parker, Kaelyn Dauphin. Great-Grandsons: Isaiah Gorrell, Damien Gorrell, Jr., Elijah Gorrell, Erin Gorrell, Johnathan Gorrell, Ian Gorrell, Chase Dauphin. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Gloria Blanche Taylor Gorrell.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARY JANE JORDAN WILLARD2018-11-13
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Mary Jane Jordan Willard ``SweetMoma,'' a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and an adored school teacher. She died on October 2, 2018 at the age of 83. Mrs. Willard was born on November 1, 1935 in Crowley, Louisiana. Her parents were the late Mr. Abraham Jordan and Mrs. Marie Guillory Jordan. She was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School and earned her B.A. degree (Magna Cum Laude) at the age of 54 from Southern University at New Orleans. Mrs. Willard began assisting in the classroom as a volunteer when she realized her true calling. For several years she prepared students for their G.E.D. with the New Orleans Urban League Street Academy. She was also a counselor with the Louisiana Department of Family Services. For over 20 years she was a Social Studies instructor at Alfred Lawless and John McDonough High. During Mayor Sidney Barthelemy's Administration, Mrs. Willard also founded and directed the Total Achievement Problem Prevention (TAPP) program, which operated at the St. Bernard Gym. Her program reduced the rate of young women dropping out of school and became a model for other programs throughout New Orleans. Mrs. Willard loved the city and the people of New Orleans. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mrs. Willard, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Mrs. Willard's survivors include eight siblings. In 2012, she laid to rest the love of her life and husband of more than 60 years, Dr. Elliot C. Willard. From their union 12 children were born: Cynthia, Elliot Jr., Regina (Joseph), Jacinta, Walter, Christopher (Rhonda), Bernadette (Rufus), Dominic (Terrie), Martin (Nia), Benedict (Diane), Lucita, and Katherine. In addition, she has more than 40 grandchildren and more than 25 great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Mary Jane Jordan Willard.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. JANETTE HOSTON HARRIS2018-11-13
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Janette Hoston Harris, an educator, historian, public servant, and activist, who died on November 2, 2018 at the age of 79. In 1960, during her senior year, Dr. Harris was one of six Southern University students arrested for trying to desegregate an all-white lunch counter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The students were also expelled from the university by order of the governor and prohibited from attending any college in the state. While attending Central State University in Ohio, Dr. Harris' case challenging segregation, Hoston v. State of Louisiana, went before the Louisiana Supreme Court and in time became part of the larger Garner v. State of Louisiana case, which was won by future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in 1962. In 2004, Dr. Harris, along with her fellow sit-in comrades was awarded an honorary degree from Southern University, 44 years after the state officials forced her from campus and from attending any Louisiana institution of higher education. Dr. Janette Hoston Harris was born on September 7, 1939, in Monroe, Louisiana; her mother, Maud Marrie Hoston, was a homemaker and her father, Eluin Homer Hoston, was a printer and businessman who opened the first shoe store in Louisiana for African Americans, ``Hoston's Shoes and Bootery.'' In 1956, Dr. Harris earned her high school diploma from Carroll High School in Monroe, Louisiana, where she was a member of the English and spelling bee clubs and the basketball team. From 1956 until 1960, Dr. Harris attended Southern University, where she was active in the Methodist club, a co-founder of Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority, and captain of the drill team. Dr. Harris completed her education at Central State University in Ohio, where she earned her B.A. degree in psychology in 1962. After her graduation, Dr. Harris worked in the selection division of the Peace Corps. From 1964 until 1970, Dr. Harris had a career in education, teaching second, fourth, fifth and sixth grades in Washington, D.C. public schools. From 1970 until 1972, Dr. Harris worked as a research associate for the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. Dr. Harris earned her master's degree in history in 1972 and her Ph.D. degree in 1975 from Howard University. Dr. Harris took on numerous roles in Washington, D.C. throughout her professional life. In 1975, Dr. Harris began teaching history at Federal City College, now known as the University of the District of Columbia. That same year she established a consulting firm, JOR Associates. From 1979 until 1980, Dr. Harris served as campaign manager for the Carter Mondale Re-election Campaign. In 1991, Dr. Harris was appointed director of educational affairs for Washington, D.C., where she remained for a year. For the next three years, Dr. Harris served as director of the Mayor's Office of Intergovernmental Relations under Mayor Marion S. Barry, Jr; in 1998, she was appointed city historian for Washington, D.C., the first person to hold the post; serving as the president of Carter G. Woodson's Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in Washington; and being appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser to the D.C. Commission to Commemorate and Recognize the Honorable Marion S. Barry, Jr. She was also awarded a Southern University Alumni Federation Lifetime Achievement Award from the school in July of 2018. Dr. Harris was a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., an artist, and the author of Black crusaders in History, Congress and Government: Teacher's Guide and other books. Our nation has lost a trailblazer, a champion for civil rights, and a woman of many firsts. Dr. Janette Hoston Harris, legacy will forever be a part of this nation's history and her dedication to justice embodies the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Dr. Harris, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match Dr. Harris' courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Dr. Harris is survived by her husband, Rudolph Harris; their son, Rylan; and daughter, Junie. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Janette Hoston Harris.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REV. DR. WALSDORF HAROLD JENNEFORD, SR.2018-09-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Walsdorf Harold Jenneford, Sr., a native of New Orleans, Louisiana and Pastor of Greater New Home Baptist Church, who died on August 25, 2018 at the age of 86. Pastor Jenneford was born on July 14, 1932. He began his literary education at McCarty Elementary School and Gaudet Episcopal High School. He attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, only to be drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1955, Pastor Jenneford continued his educational aspirations by earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Dillard University in 1959. In 1956, Pastor Jenneford married the late Barbara Lewis. Three lovely children were born to this holy union, Walsdorf, Jr., Mallory, and Stacy Desire' Jenneford. Pastor Jenneford became a widower in October 1979. In 1959, after graduation, Pastor Jenneford began a 29-year teaching career in the Orleans Parish School System. In 1974, he earned a Master of Education Degree from Tulane University. In 2001, he was bestowed a Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Christian Bible College of Louisiana. In 1974, Pastor Jenneford accepted the call to ministry. On July 20, 1975, he was ordained by the Rising Sun Missionary Baptist Association and installed as Pastor of Greater New Home Baptist Church the next month by the same association. In 1982, Pastor Jenneford united in marriage to Helen Dright Johnson. This union made them proud parents of seven children, namely the late and beloved Stacy and Walsdorf Harold Jenneford, Jr., who served as Pastor of South Mountain Baptist Church of Phoenix, Arizona; Mallory Jenneford; James Jenneford, Sr.; Clarence Jr. and Regina Rodriguez; and Eric Johnson, Sr. In 2004 the revelation and confirmation of another of the Lord's blessings, in having given Pastor and Sis. Jenneford the oldest of his children, Herlin Riley, Jr. and his wonderful family. Pastor Jenneford served as Pastor of Greater New Home Baptist Church for 41 years and President of Rising Sun Missionary Baptist Association for 20 years. He served on the Executive Board of the Ninth Ward Neighborhood Council and as First Vice Moderator of the Christian Ministers' of New Orleans and Vicinity. At the time of his passing he was Moderator of the Ninth Ward Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Jenneford loved the city and the people of New Orleans. His legacy will forever be a part of the city and his dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Pastor Jenneford, but surely, we can try to match his sense of service. We cannot match his courage, but we can strive to match his devotion. Pastor Jenneford's survivors include his wife Sis. Helen D. Jenneford; three children: Mrs. Mallory Porche and husband Gilbert of Peria, Arizona, James Jenneford, and Herlin Riley, Jr. and wife Patricia; and his daughter-in-law Cornella Jenneford. Survivors also include three step-children Clarence Rodriguez, Regina Baptiste and husband Dr. David of El Paso, Texas; Eric A. Johnson and wife Dana of Katy, Texas. He also has eighteen grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, and the Great New Home Baptist Church family. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Walsdorf Harold Jenneford, Sr.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION ACT2018-09-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6735, the Public-Private Cybersecurity Cooperation Act. Mr. Speaker, protecting our Federal information systems is an enormous task. As ranking member of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, I hear more often than I would like about the challenges of recruiting and maintaining the Federal cyber workforce. That is true even at the Department of Homeland Security. As DHS works to address ongoing workforce challenges, we have to think creatively and leverage untapped resources of talent. Across the country, there are white hat hackers who want to apply their considerable cyber skills to report vulnerabilities found on government information systems to Federal authorities. But today, these ethical hackers cannot research and report bugs on DHS' systems without being in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. In 2016, the Department of Defense piloted Hack the Pentagon, which gave white hat hackers 24 days to find unique vulnerabilities in certain DOD information systems and report them for a reward. The program was so successful, DOD established a permanent vulnerability disclosure program to allow ethical hackers to search for and report bugs on DOD information systems without violating the law. That program has enjoyed similar success to Hack the Pentagon. Members of the Homeland Security Committee have been urging DHS to establish a vulnerability disclosure program for several years. At a hearing with Secretary Nielsen in April, my colleague on the Cybersecurity Subcommittee, Mr. Langevin, asked the Secretary whether the Department had in place a mechanism for vulnerabilities to be reported. Secretary Nielsen testified that the Department had no clear process in place to accept information about bugs in DHS information systems and agreed to work with the committee to establish one. Five months have passed, and the Department is not any closer to establishing a vulnerability disclosure program of its own. Vulnerability disclosure programs are an emerging industry best practice and are recommended by the updated NIST Cybersecurity Framework. White hat hackers are an enormous pool of talent that the Federal Government has largely failed to leverage. DHS can no longer afford to leave that kind of talent on the table. H.R. 6735 would push DHS in the right direction by requiring it to put in place policies to ensure that civic-minded hackers can research and report bugs found on certain information systems without breaking the law. Before I close, I would like to express my disappointment that S. 1281, the Hack DHS Act, is not being considered on the floor today. S. 1281, which would create a bug bounty pilot program at DHS, was approved by voice vote in the committee and is consistent with the objectives of H.R. 6735, which I support. It is unclear why S. 1281 is not being considered today. I urge House leadership to bring S. 1281 to the floor later this fall. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6735. In the current security environment, vulnerability disclosure policies have emerged as a critical component of cybersecurity without any organization. DHS is the lead Federal Department charged with securing government civilian networks. DHS should be leading by example, not playing catchup. Today, the Department of Defense and the GSA have vulnerability disclosure programs in operation. It is time for DHS to join them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6735, and I yield back the balance of my time.
BORDER TUNNEL TASK FORCE ACT2018-09-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6740, the Border Tunnel Task Force Act. H.R. 6740 formally authorizes the Department of Homeland Security's Border Tunnel Task Force. The first illicit cross-border tunnel under the United States-Mexico border was discovered in 1990. Since then, law enforcement has uncovered more than 200 tunnels, primarily in Arizona and California. Cross-border tunnels are exploited by smugglers to move all types of contraband, currency, and people into the United States without detection. Unearthed tunnels range from crudely formed, shallow tunnels, to elaborately constructed passages that include lighting or railways and emerge on the U.S. side in facilities large enough to accommodate deliveries by tractor-trailers. Incredibly, some tunnels are interconnected with municipal stormwater and sewer systems on both sides of the border. In one case, a 2016 law enforcement operation uncovered a tunnel half a mile inland with a ton of cocaine and 7 tons of marijuana in it. Just last month, about 200 yards from the border, there was a traffic stop arrest of an individual with more than 300 pounds of illegal drugs, which resulted in the execution of a search warrant on his property and the discovery of a tunnel that went from a long-abandoned Kentucky Fried Chicken that was on his property directly to a house in Mexico. Inside that 600-foot-long tunnel, Federal agents discovered $1 million worth of hard drugs. These discoveries did not just happen. They were the result of collaborative, binational law enforcement operations under the auspices of the Border Tunnel Task Forces that the Department of Homeland Security maintains. H.R. 6740 seeks to authorize the task forces to ensure that this valuable work continues. I ask my House colleagues to join me in supporting DHS' efforts to head off smuggling through illicit cross-border tunnels and vote in favor of H.R. 6740. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
PROTECTING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST DRONES AND EMERGING THREATS ACT2018-09-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6620, the Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Drones and Emerging Threats Act. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6620 would require the Department of Homeland Security to take action to better understand and address an emerging threat posed by unmanned aerial systems--or drones--to our Nation's critical infrastructure. These technologies are not new, but their applications have evolved rapidly in recent years. Some of these uses are important to keeping the public safe, growing our economy, and providing new ways to explore the world, including giving first responders better information in an emergency, for example. But, we also know that drones can be used for espionage, be weaponized, or even to carry out a terrorist attack. My district in Louisiana has one of the Nation's highest concentrations of critical infrastructure, including pipelines, refineries, ports, airports, stadiums, and a wide range of other key assets and resources. When I speak with critical infrastructure owners and operators, they recognize the benefits of drone technology. Many of them even put them to good use in their own businesses. At the same time, they are troubled by the risks posed by unknown, unauthorized drones operating over their facilities. Over the past year, I have asked owners and operators what we in government can do to help them address this threat. What I heard is that, at a minimum, they need a way to report potentially dangerous drone activity to DHS when they detect it. In a hearing this spring before the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, where I serve as ranking member, stakeholders from the chemical industry testified about this challenge on the record. They told us that when a facility detects a drone in their airspace, they aren't sure what to do about it, or even who to tell. H.R. 6620 would address this gap in a few ways. First, it would require DHS to establish a channel for reporting information on drones, as well as other emerging threats, securely, through a communications infrastructure, developed in conjunction with the Department's chief information officer. This bill would also direct DHS's Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to develop and disseminate a threat assessment on unmanned aerial systems and other emerging threats associated with drone technology. The assessment would be informed by Federal, State, local, and private sector partners, and prepared in consultation with other DHS components, like the National Protection and Programs Directorate, that have relevant expertise. Finally, H.R. 6620 would require DHS to report its findings to Congress within 1 year. Together, these provisions call on DHS to take a closer look at a significant threat to our Nation's critical infrastructure--the threat of drone-enabled attacks--while also creating an enduring mechanism for DHS to continue gathering information on emerging threats from the owners and operators who stand on the front line of defense. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6620 would direct the Department of Homeland Security to do more to understand, assess, and respond to the threat posed by drones, while also creating an avenue for two-way information sharing about emerging threats. My bill creates a new channel for critical infrastructure owners and operators to report potentially dangerous drone activity in their airspace, and other new threats as they evolve. Creating a way for owners and operators to relay this information, on a voluntary basis, would give DHS access to better data and a more comprehensive view of the threat environment. Before I yield back, I would like to also express support for a related provision in the FAA package that is expected to be considered tomorrow. It would allow DHS to research technologies to counter threats of unmanned aerial systems being exploited to carry out terrorism or dangerous activity. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6620, and I yield back the balance of my time.
SECURE BORDER COMMUNICATIONS ACT2018-09-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6742, the Secure Border Communications Act. Mr. Speaker, it is essential that the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security have reliable and effective communications equipment in the field. Unfortunately, in recent years, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been unable to achieve and maintain baseline communications capabilities, with devices exhibiting a range of issues from system incompatibility to outright inoperability. For Border Patrol agents in remote areas of the border, particularly along the U.S.-Canadian border, such issues give rise to troubling operational and officer safety challenges. In response, H.R. 6742 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that CBP agents and officers are equipped with secure radio technologies that are interoperable regardless of where used along the border. Additionally, it authorizes the Secretary to evaluate new and emerging communications technologies to determine their suitability for use along the border. On a related note, a recent positive development came this summer when CBP awarded $26 million in contracts to upgrade their mission critical equipment. While CBP is slowly upgrading their communication networks and equipment, H.R. 6742 underscores Congress' interest in seeing meaningful progress. As such, I support H.R. 6742 and ask my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is our duty as Members of Congress to ensure that the men and women who patrol and protect our border are trained and equipped to do their jobs. Unreliable communication in areas between ports of entry or remote areas due to system inoperability is an issue H.R. 6742 aims to fix. It seeks to do so by placing on the shoulders of the Secretary of Homeland Security the responsibility for ensuring that each agent or officer is equipped with secure, reliable radios. Mr. Speaker, I support this approach. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6742, and I yield back the balance of my time.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NEW ORLEANS ATTORNEY KENNETH CARTER2018-08-21
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of New Orleans Attorney Kenneth Carter, the first African American tax assessor in New Orleans, who died on August 3, 2018 at the age of 74. A native of New Orleans, Mr. Carter grew up in the Calliope public housing development, also known as B.W. Cooper apartments. Mr. Carter, the father of Louisiana State Senator and state Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson, was elected to the powerful post of tax assessor for the 1st Municipal District assessor's job in 1985 and served until 1994. This district contains the Central Business District and much of the city's most valuable real estate. Mr. Carter attended Xavier Prep in New Orleans, received a B.A. degree in political science from the University of New Orleans (UNO) in 1976, and a J.D. degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in 1978. He was a leader in the political organization BOLD. Mr. Carter's other leadership roles included a period as head of the New Orleans' Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and president of the Freret Street Development Corporation. In 1994, Mr. Carter ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of New Orleans. Mr. Carter was also one of the attorneys involved in a Louisiana lawsuit against tobacco companies. He represented the plaintiffs and helped secure smoking cessation programs for people in Louisiana. Mr. Carter played basketball at Xavier Prep in New Orleans. In 1962, one-year before the 1963 March on Washington, Mr. Carter also made history by being one of the first four African-Americans to integrate Loyola University's undergraduate program but could not join the basketball team because other colleges would boycott games rather than play against any African American players. The outright hostility shown by others, and ultimately not being allowed to play, caused Mr. Carter to give up his scholarship. It would take Mr. Carter a decade to return to college, the University of New Orleans, and ultimately back to Loyola for law school. Mr. Carter and his wife Gigi celebrated 50 years of marriage in May of 2015. His daughter, Senator Peterson, and other state senators presented the couple with a resolution honoring their golden anniversary. Mr. Kenneth Carter was a man of many firsts and deep conviction. He blazed trails as the first African American elected Assessor in the city and the first African American President of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association. He believed in the power of civic engagement and worked hard to ensure government reflected the diversity of the citizenry. Additionally, he took the time to mentor young men and women who sought to make their mark in politics and business. While he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. New Orleans is a better place because of his efforts. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mr. Carter, but surely, we can try to match his sense of service. We cannot match his courage, but we can strive to match his devotion. Mr. Kenneth Carter is survived by his wife, Gigi; three daughters, Tara Hernandez, Karen Carter Peterson and Eileen Carter; and three grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Kenneth Carter.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. PAUL BEAULIEU2018-08-21
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Paul Beaulieu, an educator and broadcaster, who died on July 24, 2018 at the age of 75. A native of New Orleans' 7th Ward, Mr. Beaulieu graduated from St. Augustine High School and Xavier University in 1965, which led him to launching his teaching career. At St. Augustine High School, Mr. Beaulieu taught English and led the alumni association. He also founded the Cornerstone Club, which encouraged graduates to continue their ties to the school. Mr. Beaulieu shifted into broadcasting after writing an opinion column for The States-Item, New Orleans' afternoon newspaper. At WVUE, he was the host of a public-affairs program called ``Dimensions.'' In 2007, he was named general manager of WBOK-AM. Until 2010, he also did another program, ``Between the Lines,'' with Lloyd Dennis. In addition to his other journalistic posts, Mr. Beaulieu started a newspaper, The Spectator New Journal. When Mr. Beaulieu retired in 2015, he was recognized for his work by the City Council. In May 2016, Mr. Beaulieu received the Asante Award for his work in media education. He was a proud member of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity. Mr. Beaulieu loved the city and the people of New Orleans. His legacy will forever be a part of the city and his dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mr. Beaulieu, but surely, we can try to match his sense of service. We cannot match his courage, but we can strive to match his devotion. Mr. Beaulieu's survivors include his wife, Cynthia King Beaulieu; two daughters, Samantha Beaulieu of New Orleans and Lyndsey Beaulieu of Los Angeles; two brothers, Lovell and Marvin Beaulieu, both of New Orleans; and two sisters, Victoria Beaulieu Saulny and Karen Beaulieu Major, both of New Orleans. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Paul Beaulieu
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MS. FELICIA KAHN2018-06-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Felicia Kahn, a political activist for nearly 70 years who tirelessly fought for an array of causes, especially those that benefited women, and minorities. Ms. Kahn died on June 21, 2018 at the age of 91. Ms. Kahn, who cast her first vote for Harry Truman when he won the presidency in 1948, worked last year in LaToya Cantrell's successful mayoral campaign. Ms. Kahn's work on Cantrell's campaign occurred shortly after she attended her tenth Democratic National Convention in 2016. At age 90, she was the second oldest delegate. Ms. Felicia Schornstein was born on July 11, 1926. She graduated from Newman School and Newcomb College, where she majored in sociology. While in college, she joined the League of Women Voters of New Orleans and helped register women to vote. After graduation, Ms. Kahn gained a job with the city Welfare Department, where she witnessed the problems stemming from segregation. She supported the integration of the league, and she worked with Betty Wisdom to create Carrolton Central, an organization that helped low- income residents in that part of the city get the services they needed. Ms. Kahn left her city job when she married Mr. Charles N. Kahn, Jr., but she remained active in politics, serving as president of the League of Women Voters and as a board member. Ms. Kahn, who became a real estate agent, worked in political campaigns and joined the league in lobbying for passage of the Equal Right Amendment. She also was a member of the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the Central Business District Landmarks Commission. Ms. Khan was a member of the National Council of Jewish Women, the Independent Women's Organization, the New Orleans Coalition, the National Women's Political Caucus, Common Cause, the Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers, and the Alliance for Affordable Energy. Ms. Kahn ran unsuccessfully twice for a seat in the state House of Representatives, but she represented Louisiana as a delegate to the National Women's Conference in Houston in 1977. She was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, and the state Democratic Party gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Ms. Kahn was a giant in the city of New Orleans, and her work and passion gained her admiration throughout the country. One was never confused about her values or priorities, she was always in pursuit of the upward mobility and wellness of everyone. With her death, we lost a champion for the advancement of women, and our commitment should be to carry on that work with the same determination and vigor. We will miss Ms. Kahn's passion and vitality. Our city and the nation is better off because of the work she carried out each day. Ms. Khan is survived by her son, Charles N. ``Chip'' Kahn III of Arlington, Va; two daughters, Elizabeth Kahn of New Orleans and Felicia Kahn Michelson of Atlanta; a brother, Richard Schornstein of New Orleans; and three grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Ms. Felicia Kahn.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUDGE JOAN BERNARD ARMSTRONG2018-06-15
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Judge Joan Bernard Armstrong, the first woman elected to serve as a judge in Louisiana and the first African-American to serve as chief judge of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, who died on June 9, 2018 at the age of 77. In 2011, Judge Armstrong announced her retirement from the bench after 37 years, which made her the longest-serving judge in Louisiana at the time. When Judge Armstrong was first elected to the bench in Orleans Parish Juvenile Court in 1974, she was the first African- American woman elected judge in Louisiana. Judge Armstrong graduated from Xavier University in 1963. She taught school by day and attended law school at night to earn her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in 1967. She was elected without opposition to the appeals court in 1984, as the court's first female jurist. She became chief judge in 2003. During her tenure on the bench, Judge Armstrong was chairwoman of the Louisiana Conference of Court of Appeal Judges from 2004 to 2005 and was also a member of the Judiciary Budgetary Board; Judicial Ethics Committee; Judicial Human Resources Committee; Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Criminal Justice. Judge Armstrong served as a member of several organizations and received several honors during her long career: Loyola University Board of Trustees, 1984 to 1990; Adjunct Professor of Law, Southern University Law Center, 1985 to 2003; American Judges Association Education Committee, 1990 to 1991; Grambling State University Dr. Martin Luther King Criminal Justice Center, First Board of Directors; President, Community Relations Council of Greater New Orleans, 1972 to 1974; President, Louisiana League of Good Government, 1972 to 1974, and others. Judge Armstrong lived an extraordinary life that cannot be categorized. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city of New Orleans and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of the city. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Judge Armstrong, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. A widow, Judge Armstrong is survived by two children: a son, Reverend David Armstrong; a daughter, Anna Armstrong Alexander; and two grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Florence Bernard James. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Judge Joan Bernard Armstrong.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. EVA LOUIS ``TEE EVA'' PERRY2018-06-15
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Eva Louis ``Tee Eva'' Perry, the founder of Tee-Eva's Old- Fashioned Pies and Pralines, who died on June 7, 2018 at the age of 83. Mrs. Eva Louis ``Tee Eva'' Perry was born on the Glendale Plantation of Colonie, Louisiana and grew up in the Magnolia housing project on Washington Avenue. Tee Eva, short for ``Aunt Eva,'' was the name coined by natives of New Orleans. Her voyage to become the ``New Orleans Queen of Pralines'' began in 1980 when she became an entrepreneur by sharing her grandmother's family recipes with the world. Mrs. Perry left New Orleans in the early 1980s and spent seven years in Los Angeles, California, where she taught cooking classes and catered private events for political figures and celebrities such as Governor of California Jerry Brown, Phyllis Diller, Sugar Ray Robinson, Mr. T and Zsa Zsa Gabor. In 1987, right after an earthquake, Mrs. Perry decided to leave California and returned to New Orleans, where she rented a small kitchen located in Mid-City to make her pies and pralines to sell to local restaurants and businesses. Mrs. Perry became a walking vendor of pies and pralines. She was a frequent visitor at City Hall, where staff would chase her down to buy her baked goods. Mrs. Perry grew that business into a full restaurant on Freret Street in 1991. She ultimately found a permanent home for her much sought- after cooking on historic Magazine Street near Napoleon Avenue in 1994. The shop moved up Magazine Street in 2009 to the corner of Dufossat Street, where the Tee-Eva's shop has remained for over 15 years. From the walk-up window she sold not only baked goods, but also jambalaya, red beans and snowballs. Mrs. Antoinette K-Doe, the wife of the legendary singer Mr. Ernie K- Doe, was Mrs. Perry third cousin. The two women formed the Paradise Ladies, who always dressed in matching outfits, served as Ernie K-Doe's backup singers. After Ernie K-Doe died in 2001, his wife looked for ways to keep his name alive. In 2003, one of her ideas was to revive the baby dolls, a Carnival tradition dating to the early 20th century where African-American women dressed in short skirt and bloomers. Antoinette K-Doe enlisted Mrs. Perry and Geannie Thomas to help lead a group dubbed the Ernie K-Doe Baby Dolls. The Ernie K-Doe Baby Dolls continued to gather each year at Carnival, and make special appearances at concerts and cultural events, until Antoinette K-Doe died in 2009. Mrs. Perry cooking has been featured in countless magazines such as Elle, Home and Garden, Sherman's Travel, Country Living, and Williams- Sonoma. Mrs. Perry also became a television regular via the nationally- syndicated Food Network program ``Road Tasted'' with Jamie and Bobby Dean, as well as Anthony Bourdain's cooking show on the Travel Channel. Tee Eva retired in 2000, passing all of her Creole family recipes to her granddaughter, Keonna Thornton, who to this day fully owns and operates the business. Mrs. Perry lived an extraordinary life that cannot be categorized. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city of New Orleans and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of the city. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mrs. Perry, but surely we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. Eva Louis ``Tee Eva'' Perry.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. JUNE FOSTER SANCHEZ2018-06-05
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. June Foster Sanchez, a retired educator, who died on May 24, 2018 at the age of 86. Mrs. Sanchez was a retired educator who taught in the Orleans Parish Schools for 42 years, primarily at John W. Hoffman School. She was also an instructor in the Department of Education at Dillard University for seventeen years. Mrs. Sanchez was the beloved widow of Mr. Andrew ``Pete'' Sanchez, Sr., who was the first African American Department Head for the city of New Orleans. From their marriage came twins, Andrew Jr. and Andrea. Mrs. Sanchez graduated from Gilbert Academy Senior High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Dillard University, and she received a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education from Harvard University. Moreover, Mrs. Sanchez acquired (30) additional hours in advanced graduate studies from Xavier University, the University of Kansas, Loyola University and Tulane University. Mrs. Sanchez received a Golden Diploma from Dillard University and she was a proud Life Member and Golden Sorority Member of the Alpha Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kapa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was a member of the New Orleans Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction. Mrs. Sanchez was a proud and faithful member of the Hartzell United Methodist Church. She served as Chairperson of the Administrative Board, Treasurer, and Board Member of Hartzell Day Care Center. She was President and Vice-President of Hartzell's United Methodist Women. She served as Secretary of the New Orleans-Slidell District United Methodist Women. Mrs. Sanchez lived an extraordinary life that cannot be categorized. Her legacy will forever be a part of New Orleans and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of public service. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mrs. Sanchez, but surely, we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Mrs. Sanchez's survivors include her children Andrea (Jefferson, Sr.) and Andrew (Dr. Janice T.); Ruby Foster, mother; Ruby Sanchez, sister- in-law; Jefferson, Jr. and Ashley, grandchildren; Jemori, Journi, Jefferson, III, great grandchildren; Dr. Angelique Williams (Sterling, Jr.), niece; host of cousins; and devoted friends Delores Parker, Nathalie Latiker and Stella May. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mrs. June Foster Sanchez.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUDGE CLARE JUPITER2018-05-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Judge Clare Jupiter of Orleans Parish Civil District Court, who died on May 18, 2018 at the age of 65. Born in Chicago, Illinois where her father was attending art school, Judge Jupiter came to New Orleans as a toddler and spent the rest of her childhood in the city. She was the second-oldest of 12 children. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans and earned a B.A. degree from Yale University in 1974 before returning to New Orleans to work as a reporter for the States-Item, the city's afternoon paper, she was known as a gifted writer who took the time to understand the topic at hand. Judge Jupiter left journalism to attend law school, graduating in 1978 from Duke University School of Law, and then returned to New Orleans to practice law. She was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1979. She became part of the firm Jefferson Bryan and Gray, which later became Bryan and Jupiter. Judge Jupiter worked as outside general counsel for the Orleans Parish School Board and supported causes such as WWOZ Radio, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Covenant House, and New Life Ministry. She was one of the first female attorneys at what had been an all-male firm and became the firm's top writer, reviewing and improving others' briefs. Judge Jupiter was elected to Civil Court's Division E seat in 2011 and re-elected in 2014. She suffered a health setback in 2015 but returned to the bench. Judge Jupiter loved the city and the people of New Orleans. Her legacy will forever be a part of the city and her dedication to community embodies the spirit of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Judge Jupiter, but surely we can try to match her sense of service. We cannot match her courage, but we can strive to match her devotion. Judge Jupiter's survivors include her husband, Pat Bryant; brother, New Orleans Traffic Court Judge Steven Jupiter; a son, Kwame Bryant of New Orleans; a daughter, Ms. Nia Bryant of New Orleans; six brothers, Eric, Danny and Jerome Jupiter, all of New Orleans, David Jupiter of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Carl Jupiter of Houston and Omodare Jupiter of St. Croix; four sisters, Gayle Jupiter of Albuquerque, Ann Jupiter- Mitchll of Washington, Jill Jupiter-Jones of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Jane Bell of New Orleans; her mother, Romona Felton Jupiter of New Orleans; and two grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Judge Clare Jupiter.
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. BILLY CANNON2018-05-25
Mr. RICHMOND
Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a Louisiana legend, Dr. Billy Cannon. Billy Cannon is an icon. He led LSU to a national championship, won the Heisman trophy and became the first professional football player to earn $100,000. His career is summed up by his famous Halloween night punt return against Ole Miss that is replayed countless times in the hearts and minds of LSU fans, and every year on TV the week of the LSU- Ole Miss game. To me, however, his exploits on the football field as a young man, impressive though they are, are the least impressive parts of Dr. Cannon's life. Like many, life after the glory fades was not easy for Dr. Cannon. He made a major mistake, wound up involved in the criminal justice system, and served his time. After paying his debt and returning to society, he still found it difficult to make a living, something that happens far too often across the country. Eventually he became the dentist at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, where he turned the dental office around and truly cared for the needs of the prisoners. He remained as dentist at Angola for more than two decades, treating teeth with care and men with empathy. In appreciation for his service, the men at Angola hand forged the casket where he now rests. He once said that the people of Louisiana are quick to love and quick to forgive. We should not be quick to forget the care and dedication he showed to those society prefers to ignore. We should remember all his life as vividly as we remember The Return. Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the whole life of Dr. Billy Cannon, a great All-American.