[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H1377-H1382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duffy). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 5, 2011, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the 
minority leader.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, it is really an honor for me to join 
my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus here this evening to 
recognize Black History Month and some of the people who have written 
that history through their life contribution, but also to talk about 
how the cuts the Republicans are proposing to everything except taxes 
for the wealthy threaten to take us back decades, if not centuries, to 
a place where America was

[[Page H1378]]

not in her finest hour, a time when the poor, the rural, and people of 
color were denied equal opportunities to education, health care, jobs 
with decent wages and protections, and the possibility of 
homeownership. We cannot and must not go back there.
  I'd like to invite to start this hour with us a leader in his 
district in South Carolina, a leader of his faith, of this Congress, 
and of this country, the assistant minority leader, Congressman James 
Clyburn.
  Mr. CLYBURN. I thank the gentlelady for yielding me this time, and I 
want to thank her for organizing this Special Order in honor of Black 
History Month. But I want to take a few minutes to talk about the 
future.

  Last December, when faced with the prospect that tax rates for the 
richest 2 percent of Americans would rise to where they were in the 
1990s, when we balanced the budget and enjoyed unprecedented 
prosperity, Republicans decided that extending these unnecessary and 
unaffordable tax cuts was their number one priority.
  As we all remember, they held much-needed relief to the middle class 
hostage, and they got their tax cut for millionaires and billionaires. 
According to the Joint Committee on Taxation, this tax is adding $39 
billion to the deficit this year and will add even more next year.
  Speaker Boehner has said that our national debt is a moral issue, and 
I agree with him. We need to act to curb our exploding deficits and 
mounting debt. But Republicans and Democrats have different approaches 
to the problem. The Republicans' approach is the irresponsible 
continuing resolution that was passed by this House 10 days ago. 
Republicans would cut $600 million from the COPS program and $256 
million from the State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Program, 
which would make our streets less safe. Republicans would cut $75 
million from the Legal Services Corporation, which would deny legal 
services to the victims of domestic violence. Republicans would cut $53 
million from the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which would 
threaten public health.
  Republicans would completely eliminate family planning funding, which 
would result in more unplanned pregnancies and more abortions. Adding 
insult to injury, Republicans would cut $758 million from Women, 
Infants and Children, which would deny these mothers and children the 
nutrition they need to begin life on the right track.
  Republicans would cut Pell Grants by 15 percent, which would deny 
young people the opportunity to get a college education. I could go on, 
but I think you get my point: The cuts in the Republican continuing 
resolution are shortsighted, counterproductive, and the wrong way to 
cut the deficit. And the one community, or the communities, that will 
suffer the most are minority communities in this country, and that 
includes the black communities, black students, black mothers, and 
black infants, as well.
  Mark Zandi, the former economic adviser to the McCain campaign, said 
that these cuts will destroy 700,000 jobs and stall our economic 
recovery, which would lessen future revenues and further exacerbate the 
debt problem. And a Goldman Sachs' economist warned that the Republican 
plan could reduce our Nation's economic growth by 1.5 to 2 percent in 
the second and third quarters of this year.

                              {time}  1930

  Maybe I should amend my previous statement: the cuts in the 
Republican CR are shortsighted, counterproductive, and may not even cut 
the deficit.
  We need a smarter approach. We need an approach of shared sacrifice, 
not sacrifice by the most vulnerable. We do need to cut the deficit. 
But there are different ways to cut the deficit, and I believe the 
Republicans have chosen the wrong way.
  Democrats offer a better approach. We can cut the deficit by at least 
$61 billion in such a manner that helps, doesn't hurt, struggling 
Americans, our economy, and our shared future. First, as I mentioned 
before, we need to get rid of, once and for all, the tax cuts for the 
richest 2 percent of Americans. It is too late to save the $39 billion 
that we wasted this year, but we could save more than that next year.
  Next, I think we need to get rid of special tax preferences for oil 
and gas companies, many of which were instituted by Republicans the 
last time they were in the majority. This would save $44 billion over 
the next 10 years.
  There is no good reason to keep these subsidies in place. The oil 
companies have said themselves that they don't need them. John 
Hofmeister, the former CEO of Shell Oil, said on February 11, ``In the 
face of sustained high oil prices it was not an issue--for large 
companies--of needing the subsidies to entice us into looking for and 
producing more oil.''
  Next, Defense Secretary Gates has called for $78 billion in defense 
cuts over the next 5 years, saying that these funds can be cut without 
putting national security at risk. We should listen to him.
  I want to thank my friend from the Virgin Islands for allowing me to 
speak here this evening. I do believe that if we focus on these 
continuing resolutions that we have been debating, we can have a much 
better future than the history has been for African Americans in this 
country.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Mr. Clyburn, and thank you for raising 
what Zandi reported today. I just want to quote Mark Zandi, the chief 
economist at Moody's Analytics, who said today, ``Significant 
government spending restraint is vital, but given the still halting 
economic recovery, it would be counterproductive for that restraint to 
begin until the economy is creating enough jobs to bring down the still 
very high unemployment rate.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the immediate past 
president of the Congressional Black Caucus who led us with great 
distinction, Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California.
  Ms. LEE. Let me thank the gentlelady for yielding. I also thank you 
and your staff for coordinating not only this Special Order but each 
Special Order each and every Monday night, or the first night when we 
are in session, but especially tonight as we close out Black History 
Month. This is such an important time for this discussion. I also thank 
you, Congresswoman Christensen, for your visionary and bold leadership 
as you continue to make history. Truly, you have done remarkable work 
here in this body.
  It is really especially poignant that this year during Black History 
Month, the Republican leadership has proposed a budget for fiscal year 
2011 that will fall most heavily on the backs of the most vulnerable in 
our society: African Americans, Latinos, and the poor, those who have 
been shut out of the American Dream.
  At a time when we should be remembering and uplifting the 
accomplishments and contributions of African Americans to the history, 
culture, civil rights and economy of America, we are literally during 
this month debating steps that will severely undercut and undermine 
that legacy.
  Can we, Mr. Speaker, cut nearly $750 million from the special 
supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children, the WIC 
program, while we have a record high unemployment rate throughout our 
country, but especially among African Americans? We can't do that. The 
unemployment rate among African Americans is over 15 percent. Many 
African American women rely on WIC while they seek jobs which we are 
trying to hopefully create.
  How can we cut $317 million in funding for vital family planning 
health services provided through a network of clinics throughout the 
country that serves nearly one in five women? These programs are vital, 
not just in saving lives through cancer screening, HIV and STD testing 
and contraceptive services, but for providing a link for the many poor 
and low-income women in terms of their link to the public health 
system. Many of these women are African American women.
  And how can we cut nearly $1.1 billion from the Head Start program, 
which will effectively knock out 200,000 children from participating in 
this critical early education program which helps provide health, 
nutritional and support services to prepare children for school? Many 
African Americans who were part of the Head Start program are now 
making history in our country because of this great early childhood 
education program.
  The other side has made it clear that no matter who is impacted by 
these

[[Page H1379]]

cuts--women, infants, children, the working poor, people of color, 
African Americans--their response consists of only three words: So be 
it.
  So be it if 800,000 jobs are lost. So be it if people are put out on 
the street with no access to homeless assistance grants or temporary 
housing. So be it if people don't get enough nutritional support or if 
kids have to go hungry. So be it.
  That is not what the civil rights movement was about. We should be 
working together to build up a nation, instead of tear down the very 
programs and institutions that have contributed to our Nation's growth 
and success.
  We should be working together to reduce inequality, help the 
unemployed, and get our economy moving again. Above all, we should be 
working to create jobs. That's what so many prominent African American 
leaders have fought for over the years--from those who are well known 
the world over, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to people who are 
sometimes well known just in their own neighborhood.

  Tonight there is one person I want to mention who influenced my life 
and the direction I took, our late beloved former Congresswoman Shirley 
Anita Chisholm.
  In 1968, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was the first African 
American woman elected to Congress, and she was a founding member of 
the Congressional Black Caucus. We celebrate, this year, 40 years of 
this great institution in our Congress, the conscience of the Congress.
  It is the 42nd anniversary of the election of Congresswoman Chisholm 
who represented her Brooklyn-based congressional district with grace 
and distinction for 14 years, earning a reputation as one of the 
House's most eloquent orators and greatest champions of human rights, 
social and economic justice.
  In 1972, Congresswoman Chisholm again made history when she became 
the first African American to run for the Presidential nomination of a 
major party. That campaign captured the imagination of millions and 
inspired countless individuals to engage in the political process for 
the first time. And I know for a fact that Congresswoman Shirley 
Chisholm paved the way for our great President Obama to be able to win 
the Presidency 2 years ago.
  Congresswoman Chisholm was a catalyst for change, giving voice to the 
overlooked and underrepresented members of our society: people of 
color, women, children, and the African American community. And she 
fought for the unemployed. She fought for those who wanted to work; for 
those who were seeking the American Dream. I can't help but wonder what 
she would say right now if she knew this was taking place. I'm sure she 
does know this is taking place, and I can feel her telling us that we 
have to fight the good fight because her legacy is so important within 
the context of creating jobs that we are trying to do for our country.
  Later this week, I will be introducing two pieces of legislation to 
honor the work of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. The first would 
recognize and celebrate the 42nd anniversary of her election to 
Congress, and the second would call on the Postal Service to issue a 
commemorative stamp honoring the life and accomplishments of 
Congresswoman Chisholm. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to support these bills.
  As we work to finalize funding for the 2011 fiscal year, let us 
remember that budgets are moral documents. And as Congresswoman 
Chisholm said: ``When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom 
that profit loses.'' So we have to stand up for morality.
  Reverend Jim Wallis and Sojourners challenged us. They asked us: What 
would Jesus cut? Programs to help the poor or wasteful weapons systems 
at the Pentagon? Ending the war in Afghanistan or programs to feed and 
shelter the poor?
  This weekend, once again, I will be participating in the Faith and 
Politics Civil Rights Pilgrimage. We are going to Selma, Montgomery, 
and Birmingham, Alabama, the epicenter of the civil rights movement. We 
will be led by our hero, a warrior, a great civil rights leader, our 
colleague, Congressman John Lewis, who sacrificed so much for civil and 
human rights and economic justice.
  I have participated in this pilgrimage many times, and I always feel 
a sense of gratitude to Congressman Lewis and to Rosa Parks and to Dr. 
King, to Shirley Chisholm, to all of those who fought so hard for 
equality and jobs and freedom.

                              {time}  1940

  This year, however, I feel that many of these gains, mind you, that 
all of our great civil rights leaders fought for are about to be eroded 
due to the increasing income inequality and the reckless budget cuts, 
which will gut so much in the way of our country's response to the 
civil rights movement. So, as Republicans fight us so hard to enact 
budget cuts that will destroy nearly 800,000 jobs, be assured that, in 
honoring the legacy of our great black leaders, we will fight back.
  Thank you.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you very much, Congresswoman Lee, for your 
leadership and for joining us this evening.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, before I recognize the next Member, I 
ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to 
revise and extend their remarks and to add extraneous material to the 
subject under discussion this evening.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Now it is my honor to yield to the gentleman from 
Texas, a person who has long been a fighter for equality, fairness and 
justice, not only in his own State but for this country, the Honorable 
Al Green of Texas.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Thank you very much, the Honorable Donna 
Christensen. I appreciate greatly your organizing this opportunity for 
us to speak this evening on something that is exceedingly important to 
this country, and that is the history of African Americans in America.
  African Americans are no different than any other Americans. We are 
all the same. There is only one race--the human race.
  To a certain extent, I always have some degree of consternation 
whenever we have a black history celebration or occasion such as this. 
I have this degree of consternation because I really think we should 
just have one history, and it really should be American history; but we 
have these occasions because some of the accomplishments of some 
Americans have not been properly acknowledged, and as a result, we want 
to make sure that American history includes the history of all 
Americans.
  So we talk about the history of African Americans, the history of 
Africans in the Americas--in the United States of America, if you will. 
Many names come to mind. We always mention Thurgood Marshall. We always 
mention Rosa Parks. We always mention the great heroes and heroines who 
have been on the forefront of making America great.
  Today, I would just like to mention nameless faces, persons who have 
never made headlines, who work full time, who take care of the family, 
who pay taxes, who have never complained by way of a protest, a march. 
They have done their duty as citizens in this country, and I want them 
to know that there are those of us who pay attention to the fact that 
they, too, have made America great. They are nameless faces in the 
crowd, but they have made a great statement by being honorable, 
hardworking, law-abiding citizens.
  To those who continue to do their duty as citizens, we thank you for 
what you have done. We want you to know that we who have been honored 
to serve in the Congress of the United States of America will not allow 
the rollback of the clock on many of the programs that are of benefit 
to all Americans. This will include, of course, those of benefit to 
African Americans.
  We will fight to protect the Department of Education. It means 
something to have a Department of Education in this country, especially 
to persons who at one time were lawfully denied the right to get an 
education. We will fight to protect laws that fight discrimination. 
Lilly Ledbetter v. Goodyear involved an Anglo lady, but that case had 
implications far beyond any given ethnic group. We will fight to make 
sure

[[Page H1380]]

all persons are treated equally on jobs, and this includes African 
Americans.
  So, to those of you who work in the trenches, who never or who 
rarely, if ever, complain, I want you to know that there are people in 
this Congress who are working every day to make sure that your status 
as an American is always protected and will always be honored. You, 
too, deserve the rich and noble history associated with you that we 
associate with Rosa Parks, that we associate with Dr. King, that we 
associate with Thurgood Marshall. You are as much a part of this 
history as they are. We honor you and we love you.
  God bless you and God bless all Americans. God bless the United 
States of America.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congressman Green.
  At this time, I would like to yield to one of our newer Members. We 
are so pleased that he has joined not only the Congressional Black 
Caucus but the Congress. He represents New Orleans and brings welcomed 
insights and energy to the CBC and to the Congress.

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

                              {time}  1950

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you, Congressman Richmond, for your 
contribution to this Black History Month Special Order and for pointing 
out the injustice in H.R. 1 and the proposed stopgap measure for the 
next 2 weeks.
  At this time, I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from Texas, a 
person much admired by everyone across this country, who represents her 
district, this Congress, and this country with outstanding distinction, 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. I thank the gentlelady from the Virgin 
Islands. And I will join the accolades of my fellow colleagues to 
express my appreciation for her leadership, and as well to thank her 
for leading this 1-hour on the celebration of African American History 
Month.
  I stand to acknowledge that all of us who have this wonderful 
heritage--and those who do not, who count African Americans as an 
integral part of the fabric of American culture and society--should 
really commemorate the history of all people--and certainly, in this 
instance, of African Americans--the entire year because we are a very 
relevant and elaborate, if you will, part of American history.
  I stand in the United States Capitol, which was built by slaves. 
Today, Congresswoman, I was in Austin, Texas, this morning, at the 
Texas Black Legislative Caucus where some 2,000 people gathered under 
the leadership of the Texas Black Legislature chaired by Representative 
Sylvester Turner and some members, total members of the Texas Black 
Legislative Caucus, combined of the House and the Senate. They were 
there to express their commitment to the values of this country and to 
lobby the State legislators to do the right thing as it relates to 
education. And I heard a Member stand up and say that the Texas Capitol 
was built by slaves. Representative Thompson said that. And so, 
clearly, our history goes everywhere.
  And as I spoke, I mentioned Texans like Jack Johnson, the first 
African American heavyweight champion; Dorie Miller, who won the Naval 
Cross in World War II, a Texan; Bessie Coleman, the first African 
American to receive a pilot's license; Heman Sweatt, who was the reason 
for the establishment of Texas Southern University when African 
Americans--Negroes--could not go to the University of Texas.
  So we have a place in this country, a place in this society. And what 
we do, as we work in the United States Congress, we have become part of 
the fabric of this Nation and we fight for all people. And so as we 
begin this budget fight, it is part of our history that causes us to be 
part of the challenge to make the right decisions on the continuing 
resolution and to ask our Republicans to read what Mark Zandi has said, 
the economic advisor to John McCain--not to President Obama, but to 
John McCain first--who said clearly that we would lose 700,000 jobs if 
we move in the direction that they want to move in.
  Why do you have to have your way or the highway? Why can't you read 
the data that says--the fiscal bipartisan commission said there is no 
value to cutting funding in 2011, that we must work together to cut the 
funding and work together on how it should be cut in 2012 and 2013; 
that you actually will lose jobs; and that you will stop the moving of 
the economy, the rebirth of the economy in its tracks. It doesn't make 
sense to simply be driven and shackled to campaign promises. It doesn't 
make sense to be able to speak campaign speeches and yet not understand 
the distinction of governing.
  When you come into this body--yes, we have districts, the Senators 
have States, but we must realize that we come to govern for all of the 
people. And so if you stop us in our tracks, you deny the richness of 
diversity of people who are in need in this country. You deny the 
descendants of slaves. You deny the families of soldiers who are on 
food stamps and are in Iraq and Afghanistan the opportunity to be able 
to survive. You take some $758 million from WIC, women and infant 
children. You deny dollars going to economic development for minority 
businesses. You cut COPS by 600 or so million dollars. You take away 
some $2 billion from programs that would generate economic opportunity. 
You cut the legal services. And you are obviously not concerned about 
how we balance this. This is in the middle of the budget year of 2011.
  And so this is not befitting of the final day of African American 
history, a generation of people who came through the Civil War, 
Reconstruction, Jim Crow, the second reconstruction--which is the civil 
rights movement. And now they have traveled a journey,

[[Page H1381]]

being Americans, fighting in wars, and not yet 150 years away from 
slavery, and here we are fighting to equalize opportunities for all 
Americans. Because if you cut education, if you cut women and infant 
children, if you cut small business opportunities, minority and women-
owned businesses, you are cutting into the future of this country.

  We know this is a lopsided process; 16 to 18 percent of the budget 
and you're trying to get a way to bring down a $1 trillion-plus 
deficit, if you will--trillions-plus deficit. And so my plea in this 
process as we go forward is to remember some of our heroes. Barbara 
Jordan was a Member of this body. Her birthday was celebrated on 
February 25. Her 75th year we are celebrating in Houston. And she 
reminded us that the people drive the Constitution, but that those of 
us of African American heritage were not in fact citizens as this 
Constitution was written, nor did women have an opportunity to vote 
during that time, but now we come asking that we do work together and 
that we be reminded of her words, ``we the people.'' And ``we the 
people'' includes all people. It is not the Democratic Party, the 
Republican Party, the tea party. It's all the people doing what is best 
for all of the people. That's the message of African American history, 
striving to make America better as we cite these great icons who went 
against the odds.
  I pay tribute, in closing, to Ruth Carroll, who passed just a few 
days ago, a friend of my dear friends, Dr. Natalie Carroll Dailey and 
Warren Dailey. As I read her obituary--she'll be funeralized tomorrow--
close to 93 years old; born in 1918; born to two parents who died 1 
year and 2 years after her birth; raised by grandparents; blinded at a 
very early age by an ophthalmologist who I guess accidentally put acid 
in her eyes. And then she had to go to the deaf, dumb, and blind 
school. She graduated magna cum laude--it might have been summa if I'm 
recalling correctly--but she went on to become a premier educator. She 
went to the University of Denver in Colorado, worked at the University 
of Texas, places that were segregated, got her graduate degree and 
became involved in library science, cataloged large libraries; someone 
who overcame obstacles.
  Congresswoman, my tribute tonight is for African Americans who every 
day overcome obstacles. That is because they believe in the values of 
this country. And that is because they believe that, through any 
mountain or any valley, as Martin Luther King told us about the 
Promised Land, that we could overcome.
  I'm asking my colleagues, as we begin to debate this CR, don't look 
at us as outsiders, people who are always talking of something that you 
might not understand or comprehend. Look at us as Americans who have a 
stake in this country, whose history is embedded in this country. Let 
us work together. Don't lopside a cut that hurts one population versus 
the other. Remember, 150 years--minimally--out of slavery, African 
Americans, new immigrants who are working every day, who are in the 
United States military.
  So let me just thank the gentlelady for yielding, and thank you for 
allowing me to speak to the warriors who overcame adversity and 
contributed to this society. My commitment to them is that we will 
fight for fairness and justice in this House and a way to reduce the 
deficit, but fight for those who cannot speak for themselves.
  I salute African American History Month, and I yield back.

                              {time}  2000

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you. And I'm sure they are inspired by the 
eloquence of your tribute to them.
  And before I speak briefly on the proposed 2-week CR, I want to tell 
my colleagues and my fellow Americans about the first black 
millionaire. It's my contribution to the Black History Month Special 
Order this evening. His name was William Alexander Leidesdorff, and he 
was born in my home island of St. Croix, which was then part of the 
Danish West Indies. The bicentennial of his birth was celebrated last 
year.
  His family started out poor. He ended up having to go to Denmark to 
get an education, and he was an immigrant to this country which had not 
yet bought the Virgin Islands. Yet through education, enterprise, and 
the opportunity to use that enterprise, he is credited with not only 
having become the first black millionaire but, more importantly, was 
named the African Founding Father of California. He also specifically 
played a major role in the development of the city of San Francisco.
  Today, if one is an immigrant, there is no welcome in this country of 
immigrants, and they are denied access to programs that would help them 
to transition into this country.
  Today, if one is poor, the cuts in the Republican-passed H.R. 1, the 
cuts to community programs, health centers, access to higher education, 
job training, and the support for the health of mothers and babies 
would ensure that the uneducated, the unhealthy, the jobless, and the 
poor stay that way. There will be few, if any, Leidesdorffs. Not even a 
black ``thousandaire'' if the tea party-led Republican majority has 
their way.
  What has happened to the inalienable right to life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness? Does the Republican majority plan to cut that, 
too, out of the Declaration of Independence?
  So here we are just 5 days away--4, really--from a government 
shutdown if we can't agree on how to pay to keep the government open 
for the next 7 months. The best, the simplest, and the fairest way to 
do that, in my opinion, in the middle of a fiscal year when departments 
are carrying out plans and programs to improve and protect the lives of 
those who live and work in this country is to continue the spending at 
last year's levels--no increases, just last year's levels. That 
essentially adds nothing to the deficit, and most importantly, it does 
not destroy the small gains we have been making in bringing this 
country out of a deep and painful recession.
  Countless reputable economists, like Zandi, who's been quoted 
frequently here this evening, have told us over and over again now is 
not the time to cut the spending that's required to stabilize and begin 
to grow our economy again. If the Republican majority is successful 
with the cuts they want to make, they will destroy hundreds of 
thousands of jobs and make the already bad situation that they and 
President Bush created even worse for the American people who are 
depending on us to bring them relief.
  What's happening is that the majority is pretty much demanding that 
the rest of us accept $4 billion in cuts over the next 2 weeks in order 
to keep the government from shutting down. And they do have the votes, 
especially in this body.
  In that $4 billion, education takes an over $500 million cut in 
funding in just 2 weeks. Some of these programs the President plans to 
end next year. And while I'm withholding judgment on that decision, 
ending them now means the people working in those programs may be out 
of work if these cuts are continued. These programs include school 
improvement, safe schools, and higher education programs. Other cuts 
are proposed for reading and literacy programs and some that work to 
improve academic achievement.
  I suspect that these programs really need a ``mend but don't end'' 
approach, because we need to improve literacy and achievement if we are 
to produce the number of scientists, engineers, and other workers and 
entrepreneurs this country will need to win the future.
  Given the instability in the Middle East and the terrible turn that 
pirating has taken, can we afford to cut $245 million in the Homeland 
Security programs even for just 2 weeks? I don't think so. And I am 
sure the American people we have sworn to protect don't think so 
either. Coast Guard operations? Customs and Border Patrol salaries and 
construction projects? All of that sounds like less security and the 
possibility of more people out of work to me.
  FEMA disaster mitigation grants? Emergency operations money? We were 
to have 70-mile-per-hour winds here in Washington this evening. Storms 
and tornadoes will not necessarily stop for 2 weeks because the 
Republicans have to kowtow to the tea party.
  In just 2 weeks, there would be an almost $200 million cut in HUD 
neighborhood and economic development grants. Just in the 2 weeks. And 
almost $50 million in job training and unemployment services will be 
cut. With over 9 percent unemployment in many places, some in the 
double digits, and

[[Page H1382]]

in the middle of a recession that has shown no mercy to the poor and 
the middle class, I guess there will be no mercy from this body's 
leadership either.

  I left health for last on this stopgap measure where I count over 
$460 million in cuts in these 2 weeks. Close to $400 million of that 
comes from the agency that provides services, treatment, and trains 
health professionals. And if the cuts to WIC and Maternal and Child 
Health were not enough in H.R. 1, children's programs have again been 
the targets of cuts, including programs in special education. And there 
would be a $6 million cut from the Administration on Aging.
  I don't understand it. If we're not placing a priority on taking care 
of our children and elderly, what kind of country are we?
  So I say to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: This 
country's in trouble. It's time to end the politics and do not only 
what the economists tell us we ought to do, but, more importantly, we 
need to come together and do what is right. These cuts are not right--
not for 2 weeks and not for the rest of this year.
  We really need to put the welfare of the American people in our 
country ahead of party politics. The times require it, and our people 
expect it.
  You know, I think we ought to change the word ``spending'' and call 
it ``investment,'' because that's what it really is. Investment is 
something that's understood and supported, and it's what is on the 
chopping block.
  Investing, not just spending for spending's sake, is what Democrats 
began to do in the last two Congresses--to invest in health for all 
Americans, in equal opportunity to a quality education; investing in 
restoring jobs and building a healthier economy; investing in cleaning 
up a polluted and unhealthy environment; investing in a better future 
for us and our children and in a better, stronger, more competitive 
United States in this world.
  We want to win the future.
  The Republican agenda looks to the past, not the future. It looks to 
the past to continue the economic policies that ran our economy into 
the ground in the first place. It looks to the past to focus on the 
programs they have long hated: EPA regulations, health care reform that 
is finally making it possible for many to become insured and secure in 
that insurance, community programs that help poor areas of our country 
have a fair shot of just surviving, programs that lift our spirits and 
call forth our better selves--the arts, the humanities, public 
broadcasting.
  And believe it or not, they're cutting programs like WIC, Head Start, 
and Maternal and Child Health. We had to fight for these programs every 
year during the administration of George W. Bush, and so it's no 
accident that we're fighting for them again.
  This whole agenda is not about cutting spending at all. It's a facade 
for what they are really trying to do; that is, gutting the programs 
they and their supporters love to hate. And in pursuing this agenda, 
they are putting the slow recovery that still has to reach urban and 
rural Main Street in jeopardy, putting us in jeopardy of reverting back 
to where we started earlier this year, to where their policies took us 
in 2009, a place that no one wants to go back to.
  And my friends, not one thing has this Republican majority done about 
the biggest crisis facing our country and its families: the economy and 
jobs.
  Talk about the job-killing act of 2011. Well, that was not health 
care reform, which is actually the biggest job creator we have passed 
in recent years. The winners in that category clearly are the CR that 
was forced through this Congress 2 weeks ago and this 2-week stopgap 
that would cut the Federal budget by $4 billion.
  What we need is a clean CR at 2010 levels to the end of this fiscal 
year so that we can begin to focus on the 2012 budget, which is the 
more appropriate place to look at deficit reduction and which is due in 
less than 2 months.
  Let me say a word about what their Governors are doing. It doesn't 
take 20/20 vision to see that this is a coordinated effort. Unions, 
which created our middle class in the first place, have always been one 
of the Republicans' targets. The war against the poor and middle class 
is not just being fought in Washington, my friends, but also in the 
States by Republican Governors.

                              {time}  2010

  Lastly, please don't let our Republican colleagues fool anyone into 
thinking that Social Security or Medicare needs to be addressed as part 
of our need to reduce the deficit. They do not. But they too have 
always been in their bull's-eye. We need to do what is necessary to 
protect them for the future generations.
  But colleagues on the other side of the aisle, we have seen some of 
your plans to weaken these vital programs. But seniors, the disabled, 
and we Democrats want to make sure that the tea party and the 
Republicans keep their hands off Social Security and Medicare.
  Black history is not just the commemoration of how far African 
Americans have come, but also how far this country has come. Most 
importantly, it is a reminder that we both still have more to do and 
further to go. Today's Republican agenda for this country threatens to 
erase all of the gains we celebrate this month, to put up roadblocks in 
our road to progress, roadblocks to a better future for all Americans, 
and to ensuring that this country we love regains and retains its 
number one position in the world. It's time to stop the madness and 
time to work together to continue to build a stronger America, one 
child, one family, one community at a time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor 
Black History Month.
  In February of each year, we recognize the many contributions of 
African Americans throughout this Nation. It brings to life a rich and 
vibrant history that was all too often left untold.
  Although African Americans were an integral part of the founding of 
this Nation, it was not until the 20th century that they gained any 
respectable recognition in our history books. Prior to Carter G. 
Woodson's passionate efforts to write African Americans into the 
history of the United States, books largely ignored the African 
American population except in the context of slavery. That is why it is 
so important that the full history of African Americans continues to be 
taught and preserved in order that future generations from all reaches 
of America will understand our rich heritage.
  African Americans have made significant contributions throughout 
history, and it is clear that we continue to build that rich legacy 
today. As our nation moves forward, we must never forget the great 
pioneers of scientific innovation, writing, music, philosophy, and 
politics. Honoring these contributions through Black History Month has 
allowed us to expand educational opportunities, enhance economic 
stability, workforce advancement and training, and community 
involvement.
  Today, we find ourselves facing economic uncertainty. However, we 
must not lose sight of our current accomplishments and continued 
progress. The current budget proposal led by Republicans seeks to cut 
spending without any regard to our economy or the needs of the American 
people. The proposed budget diminishes our investments in education, 
job creation, and future innovation. I believe that we can and must do 
better to serve all Americans. We must fight against immoral and unwise 
cuts to our budget in order to preserve the heritage of African 
Americans as well as the United States as a whole.
  Black History Month has not only set a precedent by honoring the 
achievements of African Americans, but it has also paved the way for 
other nationwide celebrations honoring the contributions of other 
important races and cultures. Now, we must look to our youth to carry 
on our history and to create their own legacy.
  Long before the election of more than a hundred African Americans to 
the U.S. Congress, African Americans made a large contribution to our 
Nation's Capitol by building the Capitol itself as slaves.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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