Terri Sewell

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Legal Services Alabama on their 15th Anniversary Award Dinner. Legal Services Alabama provides quality legal services to low-income residents of Alabama, filling a gaping need in a state that does not offer a statewide public defense program. So often our legal system, whose creation and purpose is to maintain equal justice under the law, regardless of economic factors, connections or other indicators, fails to do so. The reality is that under-resourced individuals are provided decreased access to quality legal counsel, while those who can afford it are granted superior services. This fundamentally contradicts the intent of our court system and undermines the very framework of our country. The work of Legal Services Alabama is to right that imbalance, restoring justice not only to the economically disenfranchised, but to every Alabamian and American. Founded on February 1, 2004, Legal Services Alabama began as three separate Legal Services programs, Legal Services Corporation of Alabama (founded 1977), Legal Services of Metro Birmingham (founded 1977) and Legal Services of North-Central Alabama (founded 1969). The three regional offices merged resources to become the statewide entity Legal Services Alabama which provides free legal services to low-income Alabamians across all of the state's 67 counties. The merger reflected a nationwide imperative, initiated by the Legal Services Corporation, which encouraged consolidation in order to provide improved and more efficient services to those in need. Alabama has long been a bastion of grassroots activism in pursuit of civil rights and economic justice. Alabama is the birthplace of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and played a prominent role in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Poor People's Campaign. Economic inequalities are inextricably tied to racial inequalities and Alabama has, since our nation's birth, been ground zero for some of the worst racial and economic injustices and the greatest moments of uprising and activism. Along these lines, it is impossible to consider the work of the Legal Services Alabama on behalf of low-income Alabamians without pointing out the systems of racial hierarchy that our current justice system tacitly endorses through its passivity. The reality is that the vast majority of those unable to afford adequate legal representation in Alabama are African American. It is essential that organizations like the Legal Services Alabama do the important work of uplifting those who have been historically marginalized and disenfranchised, despite the fact that our current system is not set up to do so. Just as we, as a nation, must reflect openly and honestly on the ills of a criminal justice system that disproportionately jails people of color, we must commend those organizations like LSA that have stepped in and addressed an urgent need. Legal Services Alabama has eight offices across the state as well as a centralized call center in order to provide the best possible service and access to Alabamians in need. LSA's offices are located in Anniston/Gadsden, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma and Tuscaloosa. Each of those offices is staffed and equipped to serve low income people with legal matters and to promote collaboration in support of providing solutions to the myriad issues associated with living in poverty. Currently, Legal Services Alabama is the only non- profit law firm in the state of Alabama that provides free civil legal assistance to economically disenfranchised Alabamians. In addition to providing free, quality legal representation to those in need, Legal Services Alabama also provides mediation services to clients, in the hope that they might avoid the court system entirely. Mediation can often be prohibitively expensive and many people may not even know that it is an option available to them prior to engaging the courts. By offering mediation, LSA encourages Alabamians, when possible, to seek an alternative that may ultimately be more beneficial. Further, Legal Services Alabama practices ``preventative law,'' working within the community to educate members on their rights and responsibilities in the hope of avoiding potentially devastating legal issues. Legal Services Alabama develops and distributes informative literature, legal self-help materials and forms throughout the community to help educate and engage those in need. This holistic approach to providing legal services shows an intrinsic understanding of the ways in which not only the criminal justice system but also community and social situations contribute to cycles of crime and prosecution and thoughtfully applies that understanding to a better and more comprehensive solution. I am pleased to be granted this opportunity to recognize Legal Services Alabama for the important work they do for those Alabamians most in need. We as legislators must continue to work toward correcting our criminal justice system, but as that work is done, I am grateful to LSA for doing the important and necessary work of filling in the missing gaps.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight the important work of Sowing Seeds of Hope, a faith-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Perry County, Alabama. The organization was founded in 1999 by a group of mission-driven people, drawn together by a worthwhile vision for improving their community. Twenty years later, Sowing Seeds of Hope has grown by leaps and bounds, and now boasts a committed Executive Director, Mrs. Frances Ford, a hard- working staff, a board of directors and a task force of members committed to improving the quality of life for residents of this rural county in the Black Belt. One focus of Sowing Seeds of Hope has been providing low-income residents in the area with access to affordable prescription drugs. Rising prescription drug prices can often be prohibitively expensive for the un- and under-insured, but Sowing Seeds of Hope has worked to fill in those gaps by providing assistance to those in need. Sowing Seeds of Hope has a longstanding partnership with Samford University's McWhorter School of Pharmacy which provides outreach opportunities within the Perry County community to emerging pharmacy students. This includes access to diabetes support groups, cardiovascular risk reduction research, hypertension clinics and opportunities to assist qualifying constituents to sign up for Medicare. Sowing Seeds of Hope has worked diligently and successfully to advocate for the establishment of a DaVita Dialysis Center in Marion, Alabama. Since its establishment, the DaVita Dialysis Center has provided crucial care to the community. Thanks to the center, citizens no longer have to drive thirty minutes to an hour to receive treatment, helping countless individuals to lead healthier, fuller lives. On the educational front, Sowing Seeds of Hope hosts ``Seed Camp,'' which is a week-long summer camp held on the campus of Judson College. During ``Seed Camp,'' school-aged children from across the Black Belt are exposed to an array of stimulating subjects including science, math, arts, cooking, recreation and character education. Additionally, Sowing Seeds of Hope offers social services, including parent training seminars, census counting initiatives and job placement services, along with many other resourceful programs. Their cornerstone offering is the ``Self-Help Housing Program'' which is truly unlike any other program in the state of Alabama. The program provides a pathway for low-income families to secure their own version of the American dream of homeownership. This is made possible through low-interest USDA mortgages and the homeowners providing ``sweat equity'' by helping build their own home with the assistance of community members. Nearly 20 families have transitioned from substandard housing to high quality, affordable homes thanks to the Self-Help Housing Program. The work being done by Sowing Seeds of Hope is integral to building stronger communities, economically and morally. In a county that faces extreme adversity, this nonprofit serves as a beacon of hope, letting the community know that there are people that believe in them and their abilities and are willing to invest in a brighter future, not only for individuals and families, but for the overall good of the entire community. Let the extraordinary efforts of this organization continue to inspire others to be engaged in compassionate community service, making this state and country a better place, one day at a time.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. George T. French, Jr., the 14th President of Miles College, on his twenty-three years of exemplary service to Miles College and his recent appointment as President of Clark Atlanta University. Under the impressive leadership and oversight of Dr. French as President since 2005, Miles College has met unprecedented fundraising goals, has more than doubled its existing campus size through land acquisition and, most importantly, has continued to fight for and implement the values upon which it was founded--providing its students with quality, first- class higher education. A man of steadfast and unwavering faith, Dr. French's experience as a pastor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has lent him strength and purpose as he has navigated his impressive career. Miles College was established over one hundred years ago in 1898 in Fairfield, Alabama. The college is a historically black college, whose mission has always been to provide top-tier higher education to the African American community and to educate the minds of future local, national and global leaders. Miles College has deep roots in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, whose guiding principles helped to shape the school's mission and curriculum. Miles College also played a major role in Birmingham's struggle for civil rights. When the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was scouting a city in which to test methods of peaceful protest, Birmingham was decided upon in large part because members of Miles College were already engaging in activism. A native of Louisville, KY, Dr. French joined Miles College with a strong educational background, having earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Louisville. He was then competitively accepted to the University of Richmond Law School before being recruited by Miles Colleges' former President Albert Sloan to join Miles College as the Director of Development. Dr. French completed his final year of law school at Miles Law School where he earned his Juris Doctor. He received his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Jackson State University in 2018. As Director of Institutional Planning and Development at Miles College, Dr. French oversaw the offices of Alumni Affairs, Federal Contracts and Grants, Title III, Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Congressional Relations and Public Relations. He was also primarily responsible for fundraising, a task he met handily. As part of the Capital Campaign Fund Drive, Dr. French raised twelve million dollars, making it the largest drive in the history of Miles College. During his fourteen-year tenure as President of Miles College, Dr. French has worked to strengthen the college's academic standing and offerings. Under his direction, faculty has secured some of the largest grants in the college's history, and the initiative of ``culture, class and civility'' has been put into action, in the classroom and throughout all other initiatives. During his presidency, Miles College received a federal grant to become a Center for Academic Excellence in Intelligence. As a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am especially proud of the work of Miles College within the Intelligence Community. During visits from the Director of the Office of National Intelligence to campus presentations before two Directors of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the students and professors at Miles College brilliantly personified why diversity in the Intelligence Community is so important. In addition, Miles College was rated by HBCU Digest as one of the ``Top Three Most Underrated Historically Black Colleges and Universities.'' Under his impressive leadership, Dr. French has also increased Miles College's allocation to education and educational support services by 11.03 percent. The school's total operating budget has increased significantly as a result of Dr. French's superior fundraising abilities and has realized a 32.28 percent increase in operating revenue thanks to state and federal grants and contracts aimed at reducing student debt. Dr. French's administration has also worked to progressively increase student access to education funding through a 54.31 percent increase in awarded Pell Grants. Dr. French has also kept an eye to the future, acquiring the North Campus, a forty-one-acre site whose inclusion doubles the size of Miles College's existing campus. He has seen the college successfully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an affirmation that will stand through 2023. In addition to his exemplary work at Miles College, Dr. French has been a true servant leader within the broader Birmingham community, boasting numerous awards and accomplishments. In 2011, Dr. French was appointed Treasurer of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and in 2013 he was named the Birmingham Spotlight ``Man of the Year.'' He currently serves on the Regions Financial Diversity Advisory Council and as an officer of the Birmingham Business Alliance Executive Committee. Dr. French was invited by former President Barack Obama to a meeting at the White House and, per the recommendation of U.S. Congressional leaders including Reps. Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner and Terri Sewell, was appointed to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, an entity which serves to advise the Secretary of Education. Dr. French was also appointed by the U.S. Congress to serve on the U.S. Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, which was established ahead of proposed regulations for the Federal Student Aid programs authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. On a personal note, I have had the great honor of knowing and working with Dr. French for over a decade. He has been an exemplary President of Miles College, an outstanding mentor and a dear friend. I know that Miles College stands tall today as one of the ``Crown Jewels of Alabama's 7th Congressional District'' because of Dr. French's visionary leadership, fundraising prowess and inspiring and infectious charisma. Thank you for your twenty-three years of supreme service to Miles College and congratulations to you for the outstanding legacy that you will leave here. I am forever grateful for our friendship and for the amazing partnership that my congressional office has enjoyed with Miles College. From growing the college financially and literally to all of the outstanding academic programs and athletic events, you will leave this institution a stronger and better place. For that I say, ``Well done,'' my friend. I know that your brilliance, love of learning, faith and determination has and will continue to serve you well in your new endeavor as the incoming President of Clark Atlanta University. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, the Miles College family, the Birmingham community and the State of Alabama, in paying tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. George T. French, Jr., the beloved 14th President of Miles College.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Robinson Westbrooks family who will be celebrating their 109th family reunion in Los Angeles, California on August 16-18, 2019. Each year, the Robinson Westbrooks family gets together for the oldest ongoing registered family reunion in the United States. It all started with Mr. John Bolin Robinson, Mrs. Dora Anne Westbrooks Robinson, and their youngest child, Leonard Wilbert Robinson, who all share a birthday of August 16. Their coinciding birthdays led to the tradition of getting the family together every third Sunday in August to celebrate family unity and the blessings of God. The first official Robinson Westbrooks Family Reunion was held on August 16, 1910 in Eclectic, Alabama, making this year the 109th celebration. The Robinson Westbrooks family makes the most out of their annual family gatherings throughout the United States. They are registered at the United States Library of Congress. This year the family celebrates their oldest family members, Mrs. Queenie Elizabeth Thompson-Hunter, age 93, of Detroit, Michigan, Mrs. Clara Dora Thompson-Smith, age 92, of Detroit, Michigan, and Mr. Charlie Anderson Brown, age 96, of Eclectic, Alabama. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District of Alabama, I extend best wishes to the Westbrooks family. I hope this tradition continues for many years to come.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3494, the Intelligence Authorization Act. Mr. Chairman, as the chair of the Defense Intelligence and Warfighter Support Subcommittee, I believe this bill will ensure our warfighters retain the information and decisionmaking advantages to which we have grown accustomed and improve the intelligence community's ability to attract and retain a diverse workforce. The bill includes provisions that authorize increased intelligence funding for combatant commanders and our growing strategic competition with China, Russia, and other malign actors; supports the Defense Intelligence Agency's ongoing assessment of its roles and missions; and provides the Director of National Intelligence with the necessary authority to manage intelligence community-wide academic programs. This bill also includes language I authored which will improve Federal campaign election security. My provision will require the Director of National Intelligence to work with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to make available an advisory report on foreign counterintelligence and cybersecurity threats to those campaigns. Additionally, my language requires the Director to publish a summary of best practices and provide information to campaigns to help thwart these attacks. This legislation also continues the committee's longstanding and bipartisan work to promote increased diversity within the intelligence community's workforce. This bill contains language directing the intelligence community to expand its annual demographic hiring report by adding grade level, years of service, career categories, gender identity, and sexual orientation reporting categories. These changes will improve the IC's ability to track how well it retains and promotes persons of diverse backgrounds. Finally, for the first time in many years, the Intelligence Authorization Act will provide significant funding for programs that will improve the IC's ability to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to its mission. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to voting in support of this legislation. I commend the chairman and ranking member on working together to provide these important authorizations. I encourage my colleagues to do the same and vote for this bill.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 133rd Elected and Consecrated Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Harry L. Seawright. Bishop Seawright has spent more than 37 years in ministry as presiding prelate of Alabama's 9th Episcopal District. On June 25, 2019, Bishop Seawright was invested and elevated, becoming President of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a tremendous and well-deserved honor within the church and the community. Bishop Seawright has been preparing for this most recent and elevated recognition for most of his life. A fourth-generation A.M.E., Bishop Seawright's faith was nurtured from an early age, both at home with his family and within his first church, Prodigal A.M.E. in Swansea, South Carolina. Alongside his faith, Bishop Seawright ingrained an innate work ethic after seeing his mother widowed when he was only five years old. Born to a family of sharecroppers and lacking financial resources, Bishop Seawright's mother worked tirelessly to care for her seven young children. Like his mother's, Bishop Seawright's relentless work ethic, buoyed by his unflappable faith, was and still is, the driving force behind his many accomplishments. Having witnessed first-hand the challenges that his mother faced in attempting to provide for seven children with only a ninth grade education, Bishop Seawright took his mother's insistence on education to heart, remaining in South Carolina to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Benedict College. He then continued on, earning his Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C. Bishop Seawright remains interested and invested in many businesses in addition to his work within the church. It was not just education that Bishop Seawright's mother emphasized as a crucial guiding force for future success. Bishop Seawright's mother instilled in her son a deep and unwavering faith, which he, in turn, saw mirrored within her, even during the family's darkest struggles. ``My mother was a praying woman,'' Bishop Seawright said. ``She had a lot of faith and courage.'' That faith and courage remained evident over the course of many moves, many job changes and many days of wondering if and how she would be able to feed her children. Nevertheless, Bishop Seawright's mother never gave up her faith in God's will, nor did her son. In 1976, Bishop Seawright accepted his call to ministry, and in 1977 was admitted to the South Carolina Central Annual Conference, by the late Bishop Frank M. Reid, II. He was later ordained as an Itinerant Deacon in the Washington Annual Conference in 1979 by the late Bishop Henry W. Murph and as an Itinerant Elder in 1981 by Bishop John Hurst Adams. In 1978, Bishop Seawright served as Interim Pastor of St. Stephen A.M.E. Church in St. Matthews, S.C., as well as staff minister at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. In 1981 he received his first pastoral appointment, to Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church in Jessup, MD, where he served until 1983. Between 1983 and 1986, Bishop Seawright served as pastor of Hemingway Temple A.M.E. Church in Jessup, MD, before being assigned to Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brandywine, MD. Bishop Seawright served Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty years, longer than anyone else in the church's history. During his tenure, he led the church in a $1.6 million construction project, building a gorgeous sanctuary that will serve as a reminder of his commitment to his faith and to Union Bethel for many generations to come. Early in his ministerial journey, Bishop Seawright met his future wife, Sherita Moon Seawright. He was still a sophomore in college when they met, unaware that she would soon be his wife, partner, inspiration and support. The two married in 1982, and have been blessed with two beautiful children, Shari Nicole and Harry Matthew. After 30 years of service, in 2016 Bishop Seawright left Union Bethel and prepared to transplant his life and family to Alabama, having accepted an appointment in Alabama's 9th Episcopal District. Moving to Birmingham, AL provided Bishop Seawright fresh opportunity to focus on engaging and mentoring other pastors throughout the region. Further, Bishop Seawright took advantage of the opportunity to develop several new programs, including the Life Center at Daniel Payne Plaza. The Daniel Payne Plaza is an invaluable community resource, providing struggling community members with the opportunity to earn a GED and gain certifications in a multitude of vocational areas, including food preparation and construction. The program's goal is to transform how the 9th district serves not only the church, but the community. Thanks to the challenges he faced throughout his childhood, and the resilience he witnessed within his mother, Bishop Seawright is uniquely positioned to understand the value of quality education, and as such, is determined to provide educational opportunities to all those he serves. Bishop Seawright's 37 years of tireless service have earned him a rightfully exalted position within the community. His most recent appointment, to President of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, further solidifies his impressive and well-deserved reputation as a leader, mentor and spiritual guide. He has given more than can ever be repaid, and both the church and community owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. On a personal note, I want to thank Bishop Seawright for his continued support and encouragement of my home church, the Historic Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma, AL. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the many accomplishments of Bishop Harry L. Seawright. We pay tribute to his distinguished career for the betterment of the State of Alabama and extend deep appreciation for his exemplary service as the Presiding Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, my amendment instructs the Secretary to submit to Congress an analysis on what resources are needed to strengthen partnerships between health and transportation providers. According to the American Hospital Association, 3.6 million Americans miss or delay medical appointments because they lack a ride. And another report tells us that missed healthcare appointments cost the U.S. health system $150 billion each year. Many private healthcare organizations currently partner with ridesharing services. From the recent expansion of supplemental benefits under the Medicare Advantage program to the Medicaid non- emergency medical transportation benefit, the Federal Government also invests in programs aimed at addressing transportation barriers to care. As we continue our focus on reducing health care costs, we must make sure medical transportation programs are reliable, cost-efficient and available to all Americans. I encourage adoption of my amendment.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, my amendment instructs the Veterans Health Administration to prioritize funding for the modernization of medical transportation programs for rural, underserved and female Veterans. According to the American Hospital Association, 3.6 million people in the U.S. do not obtain medical care due to transportation barriers. And another report tells us that missed healthcare appointments cost the U.S. health system $150 billion each year. The underlying committee report includes a pilot program to address transportation barriers for rural Veterans. In light of this and the Veterans Transportation Program, the VA can play a critical role in collaborating with other federal agencies to reduce duplication and modernize medical transportation programs across public programs. As we work to address rising health care costs, our federal agencies collaborate to modernize and expand public medical transportation programs.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Chair, I would like to thank so much the subcommittee chairperson, Mr. Bishop, for allowing me this time. My amendment is part of the en bloc, and it deals with wastewater treatment. No person in America and living in this country should be allowed to not have adequate plumbing. This is why I have introduced an amendment asking the USDA to prioritize our ongoing efforts to address failing septic systems in rural communities. Approximately 20 percent of Americans are responsible for the installation and maintenance of their own sewage disposal systems, which isn't provided by their municipalities or their county government. At least 200,000 families live in homes that lack a sewage system altogether. We offer little assistance to people who live in unincorporated areas to have basic water and sewer. Rural communities across this country struggle with this issue. Just this week, I read lots and lots of articles that dealt with the failure of those folks in rural communities to have adequate sewage systems. This amendment is part of a multiyear effort to address this once and for all for all Americans. Last year, my bill, the Rural Septic Tank Access Act, was included in the farm bill. Madam Chair, I thank Chairman Bishop and his staff for allowing me to speak on this underlying en bloc bill today. In fiscal year 2018, we secured an additional $1.8 billion in rural wastewater funding with the help of Congressman Aderholt. Madam Chair, again, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for this en bloc amendment.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I rise as the designee of Mrs. Walorski for the Walorski-Sewell amendment.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment. It has been over 4 months since the Department of Commerce submitted its auto 232 report to the White House, and neither Congress nor the public has seen that report. Congress gave the executive section 232 authority to combat legitimate national security threats, not to keep secrets from Congress and the American people. Unfortunately, I think I know why this administration has not submitted this report. It is because the products hardworking Americans in the auto sector design, build, sell, and service are not a threat to our national security. The autoworkers in my district in Alabama are terrified that, any day, President Trump will announce tariffs, threatening up to 624,000 jobs in the auto sector. That is why over 160 Democratic and Republican Members of the House of Representatives have joined Congresswoman Walorski and me in signing a letter to the administration, urging them to abandon their auto 232 tariff threat. Auto tariffs remain a threat, and the public deserves to see the report. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to make sure that we are calling upon this administration to be transparent, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Coach Otis Washington. A native of Selma, Alabama, Coach Washington was a legendary Louisiana Football Hall of Famer who instilled in his players his winning spirit, strong character, and quest for excellence. Sadly, Coach Washington passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019, at the age of 80. Coach Washington was born on February 12, 1939, in Selma, Alabama, to Sadie and Otis Washington, Sr. He graduated from R.B. Hudson High School in 1957, where he was class president and a star athlete. He then graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans, where he was captain of the football team and an all-conference guard and linebacker. Coach Washington's resume speaks for itself. As the head football coach, he led St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, to three State championships and, in his 11 seasons there, he guided the Purple Knights to 11 consecutive winning seasons and seven district titles. In 1979, Coach Washington became the first African American football coach at LSU when he joined the staff as offensive line coach. Later, Coach Washington was hired as the head football coach at Southern University, where he led the Jaguars for six seasons. Because of his many outstanding football achievements, Coach Washington was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the St. Augustine Hall of Fame in 2017, among many, many other honors. His success on the football field was matched by his many efforts in the community to promote fairness, equity, and justice. Coach Washington was a key figure in integrating the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. While Coach Washington was often quick to downplay his role in integrating the league, he did so as a humble man who knew his place, but, more importantly, knew that his place was rising above the stars and making sure that his players knew that they were just as good, if not better, than any other player on the field. Coach Washington was a devout Catholic and a devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His devotion to his faith began as a young boy in Selma, Alabama, where he was a member of the Don Bosco Catholic Boys Club, founded by Father Nelson Ziter in 1947. He was also a devout husband to his wife of 52 years, Linda Patterson Washington of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, whom he met while coaching at St. Augustine. He is also survived by his siblings, Carol, Olivia, Charlene, Theopolis, Sharon, and Irma; and many godchildren, special grandchildren, as well as nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. They will all miss him dearly. On a personal note, I knew this amazing man as my ``Uncle Otis.'' He was one of my father's childhood best friends growing up in Selma, Alabama. Uncle Otis, my dad, Charles Williams, and Ted Washington referred to themselves as the ``Four Amigos'' in grammar school, a name that stuck with them throughout their lives. These men never forgot the lessons that they learned from Father Ziter at the Don Bosco Boys Club in Selma. Their love for their hometown of Selma and their commitment to service through sports will always be remembered. Uncle Otis and Auntie Linda were a constant presence in the lives of my twin brothers and myself. I could always count on them for words of encouragement and boasts of pride on my many accomplishments. I know that I stand today as Alabama's first Black congresswoman because of the love, support, nurturing, and prayers of the mentors, family, and friends like Uncle Otis and Auntie Linda. Like my dad, Uncle Otis will be missed but never forgotten. The legacy that Uncle Otis leaves behind will live on in the many lives that he impacted. May we find comfort in knowing that his legend lives in us, and we are stronger and better because Uncle Otis' light shines bright within us. On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Selma's own Coach Otis Washington, a football coaching legend and Louisiana hall-of-famer. May we celebrate the totality of his life today and honor always his great accomplishments in sports and contributions in shaping the hearts, minds, and character of many men.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Theresa Burroughs, a champion for voting rights and a foot soldier of the civil rights movement. Sadly, Mrs. Burroughs passed away on May 22, 2019, at the age of 89. Mrs. Burroughs dedicated her life to advancing equality and justice and making sure that future generations would learn about the sacrifices and the bravery of foot soldiers who marched, bled, and died for the right to vote and for civil rights in this country. She is best known for her stewardship in founding the Safe House Black History Museum in Greensboro, Alabama. The museum is located in the same house in Hale County where Dr. Martin Luther King hid out from the KKK on a visit to west Alabama in 1968. The museum houses materials to educate future generations of the local struggle that happened in the Black Belt of Alabama on behalf of all of us. I am deeply honored to have known Mrs. Burroughs, and, in fact, I had the opportunity to present Mrs. Burroughs with a Congressional Gold Medal for her participation in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. I am deeply honored because I know I stand on the shoulders of Mrs. Burroughs. So many of us do. Her bright light will always glow through the many lives that she impacted. May my colleagues join me in celebrating the exemplary life of Mrs. Burroughs today and honor her great contributions to this Nation, the State of Alabama, and to the civil rights and voting rights movements.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2940, to extend the authorization for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Child Care Entitlements to States program through the end of the 2019 fiscal year. This legislation will ensure that families in my district continue to have access to the important financial and social support offered by these programs. We know that low-income workers face significant hurdles to economic security. TANF is a critical tool for making sure that these families can afford basic necessities like food, housing, and medicine. In fact, over 11,000 families in Alabama currently receive assistance from TANF, and more than 20,000 children benefit from this important program. This bill will make sure that TANF recipients in Alabama receive the $23.25 million that is expected to be allocated to the State in the coming months. This legislation also extends the Child Care Entitlement to States program, an important tool as we fight to make sure all parents can have access to affordable, quality childcare. Childcare is one of the largest expenses facing families, and the matching funds included in this program are important to support low-income workers and their children. I am pleased that this bill will unlock $10.2 million of funding for childcare in Alabama to help meet the needs of children and families in my district. While I strongly support this bill, it should be noted that no one thinks that this short-term extension of these programs is the perfect solution. But it is critical that we maintain funding and provide continuity for working families and children who depend upon TANF and childcare grant funding. It is my hope that we will continue to explore ideas to improve these programs, including increasing funding levels for childcare support grants and identifying ways that these programs can more effectively help families in need. I ask my colleagues to join us in supporting this short-term extension of TANF and childcare entitlement programs, and I ask that they support this bill going forward.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Coach Otis Washington. A native of Selma, Alabama, Coach Washington was a legendary football and Louisiana Hall of Famer, who instilled in his players his winning spirit, stalwart character and quest for excellence. He led St. Augustine High School to three state championships before moving on to coach at LSU and Southern University. Sadly, Coach Washington passed away on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the age of 80. Coach Washington was born on February 12, 1939 in Selma, Alabama to Sadie and Otis Washington, Sr. He graduated from R.B. Hudson High School in 1957 where he was class president and a star athlete. He then graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans, where he was the captain of the football team and an All-Conference guard and linebacker. A stellar all-around athlete, Coach Washington also made Xavier's All-Conference team in baseball. Coach Washington was a devout Catholic and devoted member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His devotion to his faith began as a young boy in Selma, Alabama, where he was a member of the Don Bosco Catholic Boy's Club founded by Father Nelson Ziter in 1947. Coach Washington's resume speaks for itself. He led St. Augustine to state championships in 1975, 1978 and 1979, and in his 11 seasons there, he garnered a 113-17-1 record and guided the Purple Knights to 11 consecutive winning seasons and seven district titles in their ultra-competitive league. In 1979, Coach Washington became the first African American football coach at LSU when he joined the staff as an offensive line coach. In 1981, Coach Washington was hired as the head football coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he led the Jaguars for six seasons, until 1986. His achievements on the football field led to his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the St. Augustine Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also inducted into several additional halls of fame, including: The New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame--Outstanding Prep Coach (1979); New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame (1994); Louisiana High School Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame (2012); Southern University Sports Hall of Fame (2016); and Xavier University Hall of Fame (2017). His success on the football field was matched by his many efforts in the community to promote fairness, equity and justice. ``Coach Wash,'' as he was known by most, was a key figure in the integration of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA). Three years before Coach Washington took over at St. Augustine, a lawsuit allowed the school to compete in the LHSAA, rather than the all-black Louisiana Interscholastic Athletic and Literary Organization. St. Augustine, led by Coach Washington, often found itself caught in the middle of a changing, difficult social environment, and on the losing end of many officials' calls. In 1970, when all-black St. Augustine team faced off against an all-white team in Chalmette, the team was escorted by police. On the field, the players were surrounded by a dozen officers and police dogs. Despite the environment, though, the team, persevered and eventually made it to the state championship--and won. While Coach Washington was often quick to downplay his role in integrating the league and said he did not see himself as a civil rights leader, his guidance opened doors of opportunity for countless members of the African American community, and many of his players credit his leadership with the team's persistence and determination to make it to the state finals, despite the difficult racial social climate. He demanded discipline and attention to detail from both his players and assistant coaches at every level of the game, from St. Augustine to LSU. These lessons remained with his players even after they had hung up their cleats. Coach Washington is survived by his wife of over 52 years, Linda Patterson Washington of Baton Rouge, whom he met while coaching at St. Augustine; his siblings, Carol C. Black, Olivia Washington, Charlene W. Brown, Theopolis, Sr. (Jacqueline), Sharon D. Williams (Tyrone R., Sr.), Irma Ruth McQueen, and many godchildren, special grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. On a personal note, I knew this amazing man as my ``Uncle Otis.'' He was one of my father's best childhood friends. Uncle Otis, my dad, Charles Williams and Ted Washington referred to themselves as the ``Four Amigos'' in grammar school, a name that stuck throughout their lifetimes. These men never forgot the lessons they learned from Father Nelson Ziter at the Don Bosco Boy's Club of Selma, nor the friendship that bound them forever. They shared a deep love of their hometown of Selma and a commitment to service through sports. Uncle Otis and Auntie Linda were a constant presence in the lives of my twin brothers and me. I could always count on them for words of encouragement and boasts of pride in my accomplishments. I know that I stand today as Alabama's first black Congresswoman because of the love, support, nurturing and prayers of the mentors, family and friends like Uncle Otis. Like my dad, Coach Otis Washington will be missed, but never forgotten. The legacy Uncle Otis leaves behind will live on in the many lives that he impacted. May we find comfort in knowing that his legend lives in us, and we are stronger and better because Uncle Otis' light shines bright within us. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Selma, Alabama native Coach Otis Washington, a football coaching legend and Louisiana Hall of Famer. May we celebrate the totality of his life today and honor always his great accomplishments in sports and contributions in shaping the hearts, minds and character of men.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Theresa Turner Burroughs. Mrs. Burroughs, a champion of the right to vote, was a beloved member of the Hale County community who, through grace, grit and love, helped move her hometown of Greensboro, Alabama towards a more just and equal future. Sadly, Mrs. Burroughs passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at the age of 89. Mrs. Burroughs was the youngest of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon and Mattie Turner near Moundville, Alabama on August 14, 1928. Due to a flood, the family moved to Greensboro, Alabama, where she remained throughout her life. Mrs. Burroughs graduated from Hale County Training School in 1946 and later from the Bestita School of Beauty. She was married to the late Walter Kenneth Burroughs, who retired from the United States Army. Mrs. Burroughs was the mother of four children: Paula Renee, Kathy Sue, Leslie Erroll and Toni Teresa. From a young age, Mrs. Burroughs became fascinated by the right to vote and wondered why that right was solely given to white citizens in the Black Belt. During the Jim Crow era, the board of registrars at Alabama's Hale County Courthouse prevented African Americans from registering to vote. Undeterred, she went to the Hale County Courthouse to register to vote on the first and third Monday of each month, where she sometimes waited for hours before being tested with irrelevant questions. She was quizzed on how many red jelly beans there were in a jar and was asked to recite the second line of the second paragraph of the U.S. Constitution and the American Creed, among other tasks, but was denied the right to vote time after time. After two long years, Mrs. Burroughs' determination paid off, and she successfully registered to vote. Mrs. Burroughs carried these experiences with her throughout her life. Mrs. Burroughs said it was a joy to finally be able to cast her ballot but remarked that it should not have been so difficult to do so. She knew just how precious her right to vote was and worked hard to ensure her own voice and those of all the citizens in the Greensboro community were counted at the ballot box. She never missed a chance to exercise that sacred right, voting in elections at every level. Mrs. Burroughs showed the depth of her bravery and dedication to the Civil Rights Movement when she marched over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March 7, 1965 along with hundreds of other Foot Soldiers to protest for their right to vote. That day, Bloody Sunday, she was brutally beaten and arrested by state troopers and sheriff's deputies. Mrs. Burroughs is best known for her stewardship of the ``Safe House Museum'' in Greensboro, Alabama, which she founded in 2002. The museum is located in the same house where local residents hid Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from the Ku Klux Klan on a visit to West Alabama in 1968. The Safe House Museum is a reminder of the pivotal role the Black Belt of Alabama played in the Civil Rights Movement. It houses photographs, biographies and historical artifacts to document and educate future generations about the local struggle for the right to vote. The walls of the museum are lined with mug shots of Foot Soldiers, including one of Mrs. Burroughs holding a towel and glasses to protect her eyes from tear gas. A black ''X'' police drew on the bottom of her mug shot signifies her status as a leader among the marchers. Mrs. Burroughs always sought greater equality in her community and demanded to be treated equally, igniting her career and passion for advocacy. Never one to back down, she continued her efforts as an activist leading the Hale County Civic Improvement League, one of the oldest grassroots civil rights organizations in the nation. The organization was instrumental in sparking change in Greensboro and Hale County by soliciting and supporting minority candidates to run for local office, including city council, county commission, sheriff, school board and more. She remained engaged and active in her community throughout her life and helped elect Greensboro's first African American Mayor, John Owens. Her exemplary reputation and prominence in Hale County drove many political candidates, both local and regional, to seek her council and support for their campaigns. Mrs. Burroughs also was instrumental in securing various programs for the city of Greensboro and Hale County, and led the charge to rename Depot Street to Martin Luther King Drive. On a personal note, I am deeply honored that I got to know Mrs. Burroughs as one of the real matriarchs of the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. Mrs. Burroughs was instrumental as the keeper of the archives surrounding the role that Greensboro, Alabama played protecting Dr. King from the KKK in 1968. As founder of the Safe House Museum, it was because of her efforts that future generations will learn about the sacrifices and bravery of so many known and unknown Foot Soldiers for justice. Mrs. Burroughs honored me by attending my first election night victory party in November 2010 in Selma, when I was elected Alabama's first black Congresswoman. I celebrated her as one of the ``Black Women Pioneers in Alabama'' that night. So many of us stand on the broad shoulders of Mrs. Theresa Burroughs that her bright light will always glow through the many lives that she has impacted. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the exemplary life of Theresa Turner Burroughs, a civil rights icon and a true American heroine, who helped change Alabama and the entire nation for the better. May we celebrate the totality of her life today and honor her great contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. James Ervin, a Foot Solider in the American Voting Rights Movement, Vietnam Veteran, and Son of Selma, Alabama. An advocate for social justice in every sense of the word, Mr. Ervin was only sixteen years old when he dared to participate in Selma's voting rights movement. He marched in many demonstrations and was arrested with schoolmates in the name of equality and justice. Mr. Ervin also participated in the infamous march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma on Bloody Sunday, coverage of which helped contribute to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Ervin continued his record of public service and sacrifice by enlisting in the United States Army and serving our country honorably in the Vietnam War. Mr. James ``Ebo'' Ervin was born in Selma, Alabama, on October 27, 1948, and he departed this life on Monday, May 13, 2019, in Mobile, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his father Willie Ervin; his mother, Willie Lee Ervin (nee: Goodwin); and his brother Albert ``Joe'' Ervin. Mr. Ervin was in high school during the civil rights movement in the Selma-Montgomery area. He actively participated in the events of the time with the hopes of changing the area and the nation. He has been recognized as an original Foot Soldier of the movement. Mr. Ervin went on to graduate from R.B. Hudson High School in May 1967. He faithfully attended class reunions and maintained lifelong friendships with his classmates. Shortly after graduation, Mr. Ervin joined the U.S. Army and served our nation during the Vietnam War. After returning home to Selma, he attended and graduated from Wallace Community College where he received an Associate Degree in Industrial Electricity in October 1974. After graduation, he relocated to Mobile, Alabama, where he began working in various shipyards around the Gulf Coast area. He was employed with Bender Shipbuilding for 10 years then went on to work for Ingalls Shipbuilding, where he worked for 27 years until his retirement. Mr. Ervin accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age. His personal relationship with the Lord was very important to him and he was always encouraging others to work on their own personal relationship with God. He joined Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Selma and considered it to be his home church, but he was also an active member of New Faith Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, where he was in regular attendance and served the church as needed. Mr. Ervin was the youngest of Willie and Willie Lee's seven children. He is survived by his siblings: Willie (Gloria) Ervin, Jr., Maggie Harris, Charles Ervin, Mary Lee, and Solomon (Joan) Ervin. After the passing of his mother Willie Lee Ervin, James was blessed to be welcomed into the family of Lula Marie Edwards. She embraced him as her son and he loved her as his mother. Along with Lula, Mr. Ervin is mourned by his siblings: Brenda (Steven) Brazzelle, Anthony Edwards, Amy (Roosevelt) Marzette, Stephanie (Ricky) Menifee, Lewis (Lisa) Edwards, Bonita (Calvin) Andrews, and Derrick Edwards, and half siblings, Solomon ``TC'' Ervin, Gloria Walker, and Raymond Walker. Mr. Ervin shared unique and special relationships with each of his 16 siblings and his relationships with his children and grandchildren were no different. He leaves seven children to cherish his memories: Grace (Tommy) Johnson, Glenda Reaves, Barry Lowe, Elecia Scott, Ericka Priester, James Levan (La'Shell) Peasant, and Christopher Charles Peasant; twelve grandchildren: Tomequa (Norris, Jr.) Lewis, Tierra Robinson, Christopher Reaves, Brandon Bennett, Jailynn Peasant, Zyia Peasant, Janea Scott, Tobiasz Johnson, Tommasz Johnson, Jaichelle Peasant, Elisha Brayden Scott, and Jaceyon Alexander Long; two great grandchildren, Madisyn Lewis and Tamari Jacob Smith; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including one devoted sister Maggie Harris, a devoted niece, Franchy Harris Coleman; and special friends, Joseph Smitherman, Calvin Thomas, and Robert Hatcher. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Ervin's contributions to bettering the Selma and Mobile communities and our nation.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act--The SECURE Act. Almost 60 percent of Americans do not have any retirement account assets. That means they haven't put away a single dollar for retirement. Not one. The SECURE Act includes many provisions to expand opportunities for Alabamians to increase their retirement savings. The bill: makes it easier for small businesses to offer retirement plans to their employees; provides retirement benefit opportunities to home care workers; allows long-time, part-time workers to participate in a 401(k) plan; and much more. Also included in the SECURE Act is a provision that I introduced with my colleagues earlier this month. It will deliver an urgently-needed fix for Gold Star military families who saw a drastic tax hike as a result of the Republican tax bill. The SECURE Act goes a long way in ensuring that Americans get the economic security they deserve, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Christopher McNair. Commissioner McNair was a beloved member of the Birmingham community who, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, led his community with grace and love towards a more equal and just future. Commissioner McNair's daughter, Denise, was killed in the 16th St. Baptist Church bombing on Sunday, September 15, 1963. It was in that moment that the McNair family became forever intertwined with the Civil Rights Movement. Commissioner McNair was born in Fordyce, Arkansas on November 22, 1925. Commissioner McNair left his family and 11 younger siblings to serve in the Army during World War II. After leaving the service, he studied at Tuskegee University and earned a degree in agronomy in 1949. It was there that he met Thelma ``Maxine'' Pippen, a fellow classmate, and fell in love. After graduation, Commissioner McNair took a job in Tupelo, Mississippi teaching veterans and visited Maxine on the weekends in Birmingham while staying with her grandparents. The two married shortly after and settled in Tupelo. When Mrs. McNair became pregnant, the couple moved back to Birmingham to be near family. On November 17, 1951, Carol Denise was welcomed to the world by her loving parents and became the center of their lives. Commissioner McNair was an amateur photographer and photographed Denise's childhood, including the iconic photo of her wearing her red winter coat and matching hat. On the morning of September 15, 1963, Mrs. McNair and Denise left their home to attend church at 16th St. Baptist Church. Tensions were high in Birmingham as the Civil Rights Movement continued, and there were frequent acts of violence throughout the city. That morning was no exception--four members of the Ku Klux Klan bombed the basement of the church, killing Commissioner McNair's daughter, Denise, 11, Addie Mae Collins, 14, Carole Robertson, 14, and Cynthia Wesley, 14. These young girls became known to the world as the 4 Little Girls. That morning, Commissioner McNair was at home preparing to go to his church, St. Paul Lutheran, when he heard the explosion and mistook it for thunder. After a neighbor explained what happened, he raced to the hospital, and was initially relieved because he did not see Denise's name on a list of the injured. Later, though, Mr. and Mrs. McNair were asked to walk into a separate room. There, the bodies of the four girls were covered, but Commissioner McNair instantly recognized Denise's shoe peeking out. After overcoming their anger and sadness, the family was ready to return to their new normal. The McNairs welcomed two more blessings into their lives over the next five years: Lisa McNair, almost exactly a year after her sister's death, and Kimberly McNair in 1968. Both girls were seen as small miracles to the family and quickly became the light of their parents' lives. After Denise's death, Commissioner McNair dedicated himself to serving the community and the people of Alabama. He knew he needed to help the state to reconcile its racial differences and to help heal the scars from the 1960s. In 1973, Commissioner McNair was elected the first African American State Representative since Reconstruction, and in that role, he worked tirelessly to bring positive national attention to the city he loved. Commissioner McNair spent years in the public eye as an elected official, working hard to pass legislation that would help all residents. After serving in the legislature, Commissioner McNair took a chance and ran for the Jefferson County Commission. His bid for office was successful and he was sworn into office in 1986 where he served until his retirement in 2001. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the life of Commissioner Christopher McNair, whose election to the Alabama State Legislature inspired countless men and women to run for office in the state of Alabama, to continue fighting for social justice, and to educate future generations about the Civil Rights Movement. May we celebrate the totality of his life today and honor his great works during his 28 years of service to Birmingham and the State of Alabama.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand as a member of this subcommittee to support the BRIDGE for Workers Act. Mr. Speaker, no person wants to be without a job. I think that the hardest and most important thing that we as Members of Congress can do is to support the American worker to not only stay employed and find jobs, but, when they have to lose their job, that they are helped to be retrained--and that is exactly what this bill will do. This bill will provide better reemployment services. Right now, they are limited. By expanding it, we will help American workers who are unemployed get back to work quicker and faster. I want to acknowledge that this is a bipartisan bill. It is exactly what the American people need to see us do, which is to help workers maintain their dignity by not only staying employed but, when they lose their job, getting reemployed. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan piece of legislation and want to thank the chairman of our subcommittee and the ranking member of our subcommittee for bringing this bipartisan bill to the floor.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, as we approach tax day, I am proud to support the passage of the Taxpayer First Act, a commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation to improve the relationship between taxpayers and the IRS. Tax season is often confusing and overly burdensome for millions of families and small business owners across this country as people spend countless hours struggling to correctly file their taxes. Outdated IRS systems and practices contribute to this confusion and jeopardize the security of taxpayers' personal information. Additionally, too many taxpayers don't have reliable access to customer service supports and timely dispute resolution. The Taxpayer First Act includes a number of important provisions to address these challenges, expanding taxpayer assistance services and improving data security. Families in my Alabama district and across this country will benefit from this bill codifying the Free File program, shielding certain low-income households from private debt collectors, and making more resources available online. I am proud that the Taxpayer First Act also includes a provision that I had in my bill that I introduced with a Republican colleague, Jason Smith, the Preserving Taxpayers' Rights Act. This provision establishes an independent office of appeals within the IRS and gives taxpayers a legal right to impartial, timely, and efficient dispute resolution. It also helps protect taxpayers by clarifying the limited scope of cases that can be litigated and prevents the IRS from outsourcing audits of private taxpayers to outside law firms. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Lewis and Congressman Kelly for their continued support and leadership on this legislation. I know this legislation has been introduced and passed the House three times, but I know that Congressman Lewis knows that when you are right, and you are fighting on behalf of the American people for what is right, you must persist and keep fighting to get to the finish line. It is called good trouble, according to Congressman Lewis, and we are getting into good trouble today by helping to make the tax filing process more efficient, fair, and secure for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Inaugural Convocation and Investiture of Dr. Lily D. McNair as the 8th President of Tuskegee University and the first woman to ever serve as President in the University's storied 136-year history. Prior to her appointment at Tuskegee, Dr. McNair served for nearly seven years as provost and senior vice academic for affairs at Wagner College--a private college of 2,200 students located in Staten Island, New York. Dr. McNair grew up in Browns Mills, New Jersey and is the eldest of four children. She is the daughter of a Japanese seamstress and an African American veteran who worked as a payroll clerk after serving in the Korean War. Unlike many of her friends at other schools, Dr. McNair was lucky to have a high school guidance counselor who encouraged her, an aspiring first-generation college student with scarce financial resources, to apply to the Ivy League university she had dreamed of attending since she was a little girl. Because of her own experience, Dr. McNair believes in the value of mentorship and has placed a special emphasis on working with students and faculty to advance their goals. Dr. McNair was the first in her family to attend college, and among the first African American women to attend Princeton University just six years after the university began admitting women. Dr. McNair earned her bachelor's degree in psychology in 1979, and master and doctorate degrees in psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. McNair served as associate professor of psychology and associate director of the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Program at The University of Georgia, where in 1999 she was the first African American woman to obtain tenure and promotion in the psychology department. Dr. McNair's career in higher education also includes other appointments at the State University of New York at New Paltz, Vassar College and Spelman College. At Spelman, Dr. McNair was responsible for cultivating the institution's research capabilities, worked to strengthen faculty involvement in research and improve the efficiency of research resources. Dr. McNair's upbringing in a working-class family and her public school background deeply influenced her philosophy on higher education, as she has sought to elevate and open doors of opportunity for minorities in academia. While at the University of Georgia, she was actively involved in increasing the numbers of African American psychology graduate students. Likewise, as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Wagner College, Dr. McNair helped increase the diversity of hired faculty by over 115 percent. A clinical psychologist by training, Dr. McNair's research has focused on the development and evaluation of community-based interventions that target substance abuse and early sexual behavior in African American youth. Preliminary findings of her longitudinal studies demonstrate the significant impact of positive parenting practices on children's outcomes across a variety of domains. In addition to her numerous academic accomplishments, Dr. McNair is a dedicated mother to Randall and Marguerite Roberts, and wife of Dr. George W. Roberts, a retired senior administrator at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On a personal note, I am proud to know Dr. McNair as a fellow graduate of Princeton University. She is a devoted administrator, committed public servant, inspirational figure, tireless educator, loving wife and proud mother. I know Dr. McNair will be an exemplary president of this esteemed institution, bringing to the position a keen intellect, strong advocacy abilities, steadfast work ethic and deep faith in God and the power of Mother Tuskegee. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. McNair in her new position to bring more resources and greater opportunities to Tuskegee University. I gladly wish her well in her new endeavors. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the inauguration of Dr. Lily D. McNair as the 8th President of Tuskegee University and as the first woman to ever hold the position. I am honored to pay tribute to Dr. McNair for her tireless service and for the stellar and positive leadership she will surely continue to provide for all those who are a part of the Tuskegee University family.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1, The For the People Act. In November, Americans took to the polls to make their voices heard-- and this Democratic Congress has heard them, loud and clear. H.R. 1 will implement common-sense measures to give Congress and our elections more transparency. It's long been said that sunshine is the greatest disinfectant. We need to limit the influence of money in our politics and make critical updates to our campaign finance laws. We need to make sure that voters elect their representatives and not the other way around. We need to give every American a seat at the table, so we can drive progress for every family in every community. H.R. 1 does all these things and more. It expands access at the ballot box by addressing systemic and institutional barriers to voting. It prohibits voter roll purges and ends partisan gerrymandering. It expands early and absentee voting. It also protects our elections systems from attack. I am also proud that H.R. 1 lays the groundwork for H.R. 4, The Voting Rights Advancement Act, which will restore the VRA's preclearance provision. Madam Speaker, voting is the very cornerstone of our democracy. And THIS is what Democracy looks like.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life of Ms. Bettie Mae Fikes, the ''Voice of Selma.'' At the age of 16, Ms. Fikes was one of the singers of the Civil Rights Movement and a member of the Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was the only national civil rights organization led by young people during the Movement. Ms. Fikes bravely led marches with songs, registered voters, boycotted buses, sat in at lunch- counters and led walkouts at R.B. Hudson High School to support the desegregation of the school. From an early age, Ms. Fikes began singing with her parents, both of whom were from families of gospel singers and preachers. Ms. Fikes was exposed to classic hymns and songs and was encouraged to use her voice to sing with her parents. At the tender age of four, Ms. Fikes had her first big performance: her first church solo. With that success, she began to travel throughout the country with her parents' groups, the SB Gospel Singers and the Pilgrim Four. However, when Ms. Fikes's mother passed away when she was 10 years old, she moved around from Michigan, California, and finally to Selma, Alabama. Ms. Fikes continued to be involved in singing in the church when she moved to Selma. She used every opportunity she could to let her voice be heard. It is no surprise, given her background that she proved to be an emerging music leader when she joined SNCC at age 16. The more she became involved with SNCC, the more it became apparent that she would go to jail. The foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement prepared themselves for the eventuality that they would be arrested. If an officer announced that they were under arrest, they knew to fall to their knees and to force the officers to carry them to the bus. However, when the time came, Ms. Fikes and her friend Evelyn Manns realized the police were using cattle prods on the young men and women. Hoping to avoid this pain, both women stood up and loaded the bus to go to jail. Ms. Fikes bounced between the county and city jail, Camp Selma and Camp Camden. She was brought before Judge Reynolds where she was repeatedly asked who organized the march. Judge Reynolds and others hoped that the students would implicate Martin Luther King, Jr. in hopes of building a case against Dr. King for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Instead, Ms. Fikes loudly declared: ``Jesus lead me, and my mama feed me.'' This frustrated the judge and led to Ms. Fikes being jailed for nearly three weeks. Instead of being defeated, Ms. Fikes used this time to organize other young people who were also sent to jail. ``I had been there so long I felt like a trustee there,'' she once said. With this new Trustee status and the assistance of Reverend F.D. Reese of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Selma, Ms. Fikes was able to help others. Ms. Fikes also bore witness to Bloody Sunday. That morning Ms. Fikes was a messenger, carrying messages from Brown Chapel AME to the head of the line at the base of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. She described the experience later, saying, ''You know how it feels just before a storm-- there was nobody walking on the streets . . . it was such a stillness that you can't explain.'' As tensions rose, Ms. Fikes continued delivering messages back and forth, when, finally, a half block from the church, she heard the rumbling of Bloody Sunday: ``Out of this stillness, this earthquake [sound], the ground it just shifted . . . and when I looked up . . . people were running everywhere.'' Despite the hate and the violence, Ms. Fikes saw the true spirit of the foot soldiers of Selma. After her time in Selma, Ms. Fikes went on to become a very successful singer who has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and the Library of Congress, as well as the 2004 Democratic National Convention where she was introduced by Maya Angelou. She has had the opportunity to perform with Joe Turner, Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert King, James Brown, Bob Dylan, and Mavis Staples, among others. She continues to travel throughout the United States and Canada to speak about diversity and civil rights, because although we have come a long way, there is always work to be done to advance justice and equality. On a personal note, I grew up in Selma hearing the voice of Bettie Mae Fikes. Her beautiful voice was the soundtrack of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. I am so grateful that she faithfully returns on the pilgrimage to Selma each year with Congressman John Lewis and the Faith and Politics Institute to commemorate Bloody Sunday. Her beautiful music continues to move us all as we rededicate ourselves to the ideals of equality and justice for all. I know that I would not be Alabama's first black Congresswoman today had it not been for the bravery and sacrifice of freedom fighters like Bettie Mae Fikes. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the 7th Congressional District and the State of Alabama, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the activism and lasting contributions of Ms. Bettie Mae Fikes. Through song, her melodious voice was an inspiration for the Civil Rights Movement that changed a nation. Her work as an educator, her incredible voice and her story will be remembered in Alabama for many years to come.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. James (Jim) Leon Stallings of Selma, Alabama. Mr. Stallings was beloved by his community and went out of his way to improve the lives of others. Sadly, Mr. Stallings passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019 at the age of 83. As a child, Mr. Stallings attended Nash County Training School in Nashville, North Carolina where he stood out as an excellent basketball player and athlete. After graduating from high school, he attended Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, where he met the love of his life, Bettye Bonner. Mr. Stallings was drawn to a life of service from a young age. He was involved early in life at his church, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist and, upon graduating from college, enrolled in the United States Army. Later, Mr. Stallings continued to give back to his community by helping develop the next generation of Alabamians, working as a teacher in the Wilcox County School System at W. J. Jones High School, in Pine Apple, Alabama, and a teacher and basketball coach in the Dallas County Schools System at Tipton High School, in Selma, Alabama. After many years of service in the Alabama public schools, Mr. Stallings transitioned to a role with the City of Selma, dedicating 27 years as the first African American Director of General Services. In that role, Mr. Stallings opened doors of opportunity for many young men and women to prosper. One of Mr. Stalling's passions was DJing at WHBB Radio in Selma where he was fondly known as ``Big Jim.'' He quickly became known for gracing the airwaves with a variety of musical genres, including spiritual, soft rock and R&B music on his shows, ``The Spiritual Hour'' and the ``Jim Stallings Show.'' Mr. Stallings' music selections helped heal community divisions in the 1960s and laid the pathway for other aspiring African American DJs to enter the local radio scene. Mr. Stallings' hobbies did not stop at the radio station, though. He was an honorary member of the Twelve High Club; a member of the Alabama Elks Lodge No. 1170 where he served for several years as the Exalted Ruler; an original member of the Tuesday Night Group; Director of the local Beauty and Talent; and the Alabama State Association of Elks; lead singer for Terry and the Fantastics; and a football announcer for the City of Selma and the Dallas County School systems. While Mr. Stallings has passed from this life to the next, his legacy lives on in his devoted children, Anthony and Bonnie, his five grandchildren and many grand nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional district and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Mr. Stallings' contributions to bettering the Selma community and our nation.