Frederica Wilson

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Wear Red Wednesday to Bring Back Our Girls, a day that I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering those affected by the ISIS-linked Boko Haram. In light of Friday's reprehensible terrorist attacks in Paris, our remembrance will be especially important. As we lower our heads in somber prayer for the Parisian victims and raise our voices in disgust over ISIS' horrifying acts, I hope that we will also remember the millions of people around the world who have had their lives destroyed by ISIS and its affiliates. This, of course, includes the 15,000 people ISIS-linked Boko Haram has murdered in West Africa. We will continue to wear red every Wednesday until we free the Chibok girls from Boko Haram, and we will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls, #joinrepwilson. Please continue to pray for the people of Paris and continue to pray for the victims of Africa.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Wear Red Wednesday to bring back our girls. Boko Haram, notorious for kidnapping nearly 300 Chibok girls almost 570 days ago, has used heinous tactics to displace 2.2 million Nigerians and kill 15,000 people in the region. While our government has condemned these acts and offered noncombat support to the multinational joint tasks force fighting Boko Haram, we must do more. Mr. Speaker, that is why I have introduced H.R. 3833, to require the U.S. Government to develop a regional strategy to assist the multinational joint task force and address security issues for Nigerian school children, especially girls. I urge my colleagues to join me as cosponsors to this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, this bill was already passed in the Senate by Senator Collins, S. 1632, and we now need to pass it in the House. Until these precious Chibok girls are returned, we will continue to wear red on Wednesdays, continue to tweet, tweet, tweet, #bringbackourgirls, #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow is Wear Red Wednesday to Bring Back Our Girls. This month President Obama announced he will deploy 300 troops to Cameroon to help with the fight against the ISIS-linked terrorist organization, Boko Haram. These American troops will provide vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to the multinational regional coalition fighting Boko Haram. I applaud the President's commitment to rooting out and destroying radical terrorism in the region. This newly announced aid could be a turning point in the fight against Boko Haram. Mr. Speaker, until the precious Chibok girls are returned, we will continue to wear red and continue to tweet, tweet, tweet. Continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls. Tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today is Wear Red Wednesday to bring back our girls. All summer we have heard reports of Boko Haram's atrocities. This summer of savagery and brutality left us fearful for the fate of Nigeria and the Chibok girls. But with a change of the seasons comes renewed help. We have learned of the reopening of public schools in Borno State, the very region where the Chibok girls were kidnapped over 500 days ago simply because they wanted an education. This reopening of schools gives us hope that, once the girls are returned, they will receive the education Boko Haram tried to steal from them. There are also negotiations taking place for the release of the girls. Until these precious girls are returned and Boko Haram is defeated, we will wear red every Wednesday and we will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls. Tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as the eighth annual Hunger Action Month comes to an end, I salute the efforts of Feeding South Florida for its year-round efforts to end hunger in our communities. For the past 8 years, we have dug our way out of a deep recession that turned once middle class families into people who have less and already struggling families into have-nots. In Florida's 24th Congressional District, more than 200,000 children are food-insecure and go to bed hungry. Overall, 23 percent of individuals are food-insecure. Feeding South Florida is a lifeline that runs food banks, a mobile food pantry that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables, a summer food service so students can continue to receive healthy meals when school is out of session, and a program that brings food to senior housing sites. Just last week in this very Chamber Pope Francis reminded us that the fight against poverty and hunger must be fought constantly and on many fronts. Feeding South Florida does that every day and deserves all the support we can muster. That is why I wear this orange adornment today, to honor the entire organization, administration, and workers, of Feeding South Florida.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Amelia Boyton Robinson was an American hero who devoted her entire life to the fight for equal rights for all. She was a child suffragette, who alongside her mother, advocated for the women's vote and then as a young woman fought for the right of blacks to have their say at the ballot box. After bold run to represent Alabama in Congress, Mrs. Robinson helped organize the Bloody Sunday March from Selma to Montgomery. She was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious by a white officer on that perilous day, which left her undaunted and even more determined to fight for the African- American vote. It was my honor to nominate her for a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Award earlier this year, but sadly, she died before I could present it to her. Thankfully, however, Mrs. Robinson was able to share enough stories about her courageous experiences to fill a history book and resonate for generations to come.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, almost a half century ago, while serving as an elementary school principal in Miami, I sensed a void in the lives of the boys who were always being sent to my office because of disruptive behavior. The one thing they all had in common was the lack of an adult male to love them and guide them along life's often tricky paths. I founded the 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project to rescue these boys of color from futures fueled by drugs, poverty, or prison. The 5,000 Role Models of Excellence is recognized by President Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative. It is an in-school program in Florida's public schools. These boys have earned more than $10 million in college scholarships, and so many have returned and now serve as role models to the 10,000 boys now in the program. There are 109 chapters in Miami-Dade County schools, the fourth largest school district in the Nation, 30 chapters in Pinellas County/ St. Petersburg schools, and 10 chapters in Duvall County, Jacksonville, Florida. Please welcome the Miami Northwestern Senior High School chapter who are up in the gallery today. I love you, and I am so proud of each and every one of you. Welcome to Washington.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 492, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today is Wear Red Wednesday to Bring Back Our Girls. We have heard so many heartbreaking details of the death and destruction that Boko Haram has brought upon the people of Nigeria. I traveled to Nigeria last month, and I am strongly encouraged by President Buhari's pledge to defeat Boko Haram by the end of December with the help of a multinational joint task force that is made up of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria--and also to free the girls. I am also encouraged after meeting in my office yesterday with members of the Nigerian House of Representatives--people who I know share my concern about Boko Haram and the Chibok girls. These honorable men confirmed the news that Boko Haram is quickly deteriorating-- fractured after losing its central command--and may be defeated even before President Buhari's December deadline. Until Boko Haram is defeated and those precious girls are returned, we will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls and tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. I am deeply saddened by the death of former Miami-Dade County Police Director Robert Parker. I extend my sincerest sympathies to his family at this difficult time. Director Parker was a friend and a true humanitarian. Throughout his career in law enforcement with the Miami-Dade County Police Department, he was committed to making south Florida a safer place to work, to live, and to visit. He was well respected and celebrated, and he fought to create opportunities for men and women of color. As a longtime mentor and leader of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, Director Parker worked closely with me to save at-risk minority boys and young men. His impact is evident by the thousands of success stories of Role Model boys who, under his mentorship, have gone on to college and thriving careers. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project in south Florida owes Director Parker a huge debt of gratitude. Director Parker testified before Congress on behalf of violence in the Black community. He testified before Congress about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. He went on to be featured on CNN, MSNBC, and all of our local TV shows. Because of his knowledge, he went on to serve as a consultant for cities all over this country. Our boys and our community were so very, very proud of this wonderful role model. Mr. Speaker, Director Parker adored his family, his sweet, sweet grandchildren, his daughter, Kalika, his son, Robert, Jr., his son, Kyron, and his devoted wife and the love of his life, Veronica. Our great Nation has lost a patriot who lived to embody the principles of equality, justice, and freedom upon which America is founded. To fully understand our loss, you must first understand the treasure that we all shared in Director Parker. Director Parker showed a bright intellect and caring nature, growing up as a child in the rural community of Monticello, Florida. He bravely served in the United States Army. He joined the Miami Police Department in 1976, when it was still known as the Dade County Police Safety Department. He was a bright and eager young officer who wanted to make his community safer. Mr. Speaker, Director Parker was an officer's officer. He worked hard, and he made great sacrifices for his career through the love and support of his family. He enjoyed a storied rise up the ladder of police leadership because of his determination to solve crimes. He was affectionately called ``Bobby'' by his friends and colleagues, but he was also nicknamed ``Marathon Man.'' He famously earned that name by giving a foot chase to catch one of the most notorious thieves in Miami-Dade County history. The suspect had consistently eluded capture because he was too crafty and fast for most officers, but not too fast for Robert Parker. His determination is what set him apart from others. He did not view his responsibility to his community as an adjective, something that was hard or tedious. However, he saw it as a verb. It was something that he had to do. He was never concerned about the spotlight or awards, but his dutiful nature and bravery made it almost impossible to deny him recognition. Mr. Speaker, Director Parker's service to south Florida and our Nation had an underlying theme that permeated everything he did: his love for his community. He understood that the best police officers are not the police who wore the badges, but the best police officers were the people who paid their mortgages, who sent their kids to school, and who worked hard to build their community. Residents were always quick to ignore the false notion of no snitching and gave Director Parker information that solved crimes. His sense of community and respect eventually led to his promotion to director of the Miami-Dade Police Department in 2004. His appointment was historic by his being the very first African American to hold that post, and he opened the door for many others to follow. Dade County has the largest police force in the southeast United States, leading over 4,700 sworn and civilian employees. As director, he worked to create a more diverse agency and create opportunities for minorities and women. He was an exemplary leader and even earned the respect of the police union. He retired in 2009 after 33 years. Our mentors look up to him. His absence will create a huge void. Mr. Speaker, America has lost an iconic law enforcement officer. His legacy will live in the hearts of all of us forever. My remarks will be entered into the official Congressional Record, and they will then be permanently placed in the Library of Congress.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 443, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' Stated against:

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today, we wear red to bring back our girls. This week, Boko Haram said it will free the Chibok girls in exchange for the extremist group's leaders. We who have raised our voices to shout ``bring back our girls'' knew that this would come. Mr. Speaker, Boko Haram could not risk killing the Chibok girls, but to hold 219 girls hostage for more than a year and then parade them out only as bargaining chips shows how little Boko Haram values these precious girls. If I can speak to the girls, I would tell them: We value you. Your friends and family who pray for you daily value you. Your new President who has taken steps to defeat Boko Haram values you. Your friends in Congress who wear red on Wednesdays to bring attention to your values and to your cause value you. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackour girls; tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson--until we bring back our girls.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as a former teacher, elementary school principal, and school board member, I know firsthand that No Child Left Behind is in need of serious improvement. Improvements must take substantial steps towards fulfilling the promises made by ESEA, those simple, yet powerful, promises that are at the heart of this civil rights law, promises made to all American children. H.R. 5 ignores these promises and endangers the educational gains made in the 50 years since ESEA was passed. H.R. 5 threatens to thrust us back to a time when the right to quality education was merely an intangible promise for disadvantaged children. It ignores the promises at the heart of this civil rights law. We must take substantial steps towards fulfilling the promises made by ESEA. H.R. 5 ignores the promise to value every child by allowing States and school districts to redirect funds away from the schools and the children most in need. They call it portability. H.R. 5 ignores the promise that every child counts by using vague and undefined accountability measures and failing to provide Federal guardrails for student achievement. H.R. 5 ignores the promise that every child deserves a quality education, and it does so by failing to address our excessive dependence on deeply problematic standardized tests. We need to move toward more balanced forms of assessment that effectively measure diverse kinds of success in teaching and learning. Mr. Speaker, I have spent decades working to understand how children learn, and I can tell you this--that this bill fails to meet the very promises that are essential for educating our children and that are at the heart of the ESEA. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to vote against this bill of unfulfilled promises.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Chair, during rollcall vote No. 411 on H.R. 5, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I should have voted ``yes.'' Amendment No. 32 Offered by Mr. Grayson

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today we wear red to bring back our girls. Boko Haram has heeded ISIS' call for increased violence and a so- called Month of Disaster in a rapid string of egregious acts of violence. A brutal spate of bombings and shootings has ripped through the country, killing at least 300 people in the past week alone. Mr. Speaker, Boko Haram's unyielding thirst for violence and unflinching disregard for human life cannot go unchecked. Later this month, when Nigerian President Buhari visits the White House to discuss the fight against Boko Haram with President Barack Obama, he must know that we here in Congress are committed to giving the Government of Nigeria the support it needs to defeat Boko Haram. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring H. Res. 147, as amended, to help the Nigerian Government bring back our girls and defeat Boko Haram for good. Mr. Speaker, don't forget to tweet, tweet, tweet bring back our girls, #bringbackourgirls, #joinrepwilson, #bringbackourgirls. Tweet, tweet, tweet.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today is Wear Red Wednesday to Bring Back Our Girls. The news Monday of Boko Haram using two girls as suicide bombers to kill 30 people in northern Nigeria reminds us yet again why we must act now. Please cosponsor House Resolution 147, as amended, to help the Nigerian Government bring back our girls and defeat Boko Haram. Tomorrow, Congressman Smith, chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, and I will host a classified briefing from the State Department. I invite you to join in this briefing on the future of Nigeria. Today, I welcome 38 young girls from Camp Congress for Girls. Please join me on the Capitol steps after the first series of votes to take a group picture with these wonderful little girls. They are from all over the country. They are helping in the fight against Boko Haram, and they are in the gallery today. Don't forget to tweet, tweet, tweet, #bringbackourgirls. Tweet, tweet, tweet, #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 376, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the threat of Boko Haram and ISIS is real. Remember, they are now one. The threat is great; the threat is imminent. Just yesterday, a New York City college student was arrested for plotting to attack the city in the name of the Islamic State. Last week, a high school student from suburban Virginia pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State. Federal authorities said the Virginia case was a chilling reminder of Islamic State's pervasive online presence and ability to woo American youth. How long before we hear headlines about American teenagers pledging allegiance to Boko Haram? Remember, they are now one. How long before we hear about attacks on American soil made in the name of Boko Haram? We must do all that we can to defeat Boko Haram and break its unholy alliance with ISIS. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor H. Res. 147, as amended, to defeat Boko Haram, and remember to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringback ourgirls, #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today six young girls who escaped Boko Haram will join us at a press conference after votes on Wear Red Wednesday. Mr. Speaker, Boko Haram has launched a terrifying slew of attacks that have killed more than 109 people in the last 2 weeks. As its ties to the jihadi group, the Islamic State, strengthen, Boko Haram becomes an even greater global and domestic threat. Boko Haram and ISIS have now joined together. We must act now to ensure that our young people are not enticed by this terrorist group. I can see African American children this summer become infatuated and move in that direction. These extremists exploit this, filling young people's heads with terrible lies and destructive ideas. Every day that Boko Haram is left undefeated is one more day that our young people are at risk. We are in danger. Tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls. Tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson. We must destroy Boko Haram and ISIS.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a historic chapter in Indian education. The Miccosukee tribe is the first tribe to receive flexibility from the Department of Education to use academic standards under the No Child Left Behind Act that reflect the unique culture of its people and needs of its children. The standards developed for the Miccosukee Indian School integrate the tribe's culture and language while establishing tough academic standards that will promote college and career readiness. Last Monday, Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell hosted a ceremony to honor Chairman Colley Billie and Miccosukee Indian School Principal Manuel Varela for this unprecedented achievement. These new standards will not only help the children of the Miccosukee tribe, but will pave the way for future work with other tribes. Chairman Billie and I have been in conversations about establishing a 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project at the Miccosukee Indian School. It is our hope to make it a part of the My Brother's Keeper initiative. Congratulations Chairman Colley Billie and the Miccosukee Indian School. Congratulations to all of the generations of Miccosukee children yet to be born. This school will make a huge impact on your lives.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Boko Haram, with the help of ISIS, has made a dangerous comeback. Just yesterday, Boko Haram attacked again, using a suicide bomber to kill 20 more people. In his inauguration speech last Friday, President Buhari vowed to defeat Boko Haram. I hope and pray that President Buhari remains committed to this vow because we here in Congress will certainly remain committed to holding him accountable. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to wear red in solidarity with the thousands affected by the evils of Boko Haram. We will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls. Listen to these headlines: ``Kidnapped Nigerian Girls Likely Being Used by Boko Haram as Suicide Bombers''; ``U.S. Signals Willingness to Widen the Role in Fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria''; ``Boko Haram and ISIS Are the Worst Sexual Abusers''; ``How Boko Haram Is Turning Children into Weapons''; ``With Help from ISIS, a More Deadly Boko Haram Makes a Comeback''; ``Nigerian Girls Kidnapped by Boko Haram May Be Held in Underground Bunkers''; ``Boko Haram Militants Raped Hundreds of Female Captives in Nigeria.'' Continue to tweet. Tweet #bringbackourgirls.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Head Start program, which has served more than 30 million American children. As a former Head Start teacher, I know firsthand what access to education and a hearty breakfast can do for a child. Head Start has introduced millions of children to learning; and, as a result, many of them have gone on to earn college degrees and become teachers, lawyers, doctors, and even elected officials. Mr. Speaker, without Head Start, many children from low-income families would not receive the nutritional and educational services that are so important to early childhood development. I stand with my colleagues in the House and on the Committee on Education and the Workforce calling for continued funding for this vital program, which has been crucial in improving the lives of countless deserving children across the country.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I, along with many of my colleagues--both women and men, Republicans and Democrats--wear red to pressure Nigerian President-elect Muhammadu Buhari into taking aggressive action against Boko Haram. Next week, as Nigeria welcomes the new President and celebrates Democracy Day, we here in Congress want to put a spotlight on the immense threat Boko Haram poses to Nigeria's democracy and freedom. Mr. Speaker, we want President-elect Buhari to know we will hold him accountable, just as we held his predecessor accountable. We urge this new administration to bring with it a swift and lasting change in attitude on this issue. We hope the new President will have a sense of urgency in finding the Chibok schoolgirls and defeating Boko Haram. Mr. Speaker, we expect the new President to find the girls, whether they have been married off against their will or not, are alive or in a mass grave. Wherever they are, we want to know. Until they are found, we will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls; tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday marks the 61st anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. Since that decision, countless American children of color have benefited from increased access to opportunities in education. However, we must continue to do more to address the opportunity gap in education. Because I have dedicated my life to education and to being a champion for disadvantaged young men and boys of color, I know that we must continue to invest time and resources. We must expand mentorship programs like my 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project and initiatives like the President's My Brother's Keeper so more boys and young men of color have the support and encouragement they need to succeed. As we commemorate Brown v. Board of Education, let us remember that, while we have come far, we must do more to lift up and support our children.

Ms. WILSON of Florida

Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, it has been over a year since the Chibok girls were stolen from their families by Boko Haram. Today I have asked my fellow Congresswomen to join me in wearing red on Wednesdays. Wear red in solidarity with the mothers and sisters who fear their stolen daughters and sisters have been sexually assaulted and sold into slavery. Soldiers are beginning to capture abandoned Nigerian women and girls. So far, not one is a Chibok schoolgirl. So we will continue our advocacy. This week, Madam Speaker, I have also asked the gentlemen of Congress to join us in wearing red on Wednesdays. Wear red in solidarity with the fathers and brothers who fear their daughters and sisters are being physically abused and have been married off against their will. Until they have returned, we will continue to wear red on Wednesdays in solidarity with their families. We will continue to tweet, tweet, tweet #bringbackourgirls, tweet, tweet, tweet #joinrepwilson.