[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 8, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H6910-H6911]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ACKNOWLEDGING THE BIRTHDAY OF J. T. JOHNSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Hall) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the belated 
birthday of my uncle, civil rights organizer J. T. Johnson. He served 
in civil rights. He was one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 
lieutenants, hailed from Albany, Georgia, and integrated St. Augustine 
swimming pool accommodations. In fact, he had acid poured on him in the 
swimming pool.
  So we are thankful for you, Uncle J.T.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the birthday today of my brother, 
Colby Hall.


                                COVID-19

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the public health 
pandemic that ravages our Nation.
  As COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise, I believe that our 
country is at an inflection point in which our actions and ability to 
provide relief to struggling Americans will define our commitment to 
the American people for generations to come.
  As the Member of Congress tasked with looking after the seat that the 
late Representative John Lewis held for over 33 years, I know that he 
would want me to speak up and speak loudly about the need for Congress 
to pass a comprehensive stimulus bill in response to this unprecedented 
pandemic.
  Having survived COVID-19 myself after dealing with it for over 3 
weeks this summer, I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure 
that we crush this virus and provide for the American people.
  Like John Lewis once said: ``Governments and corporations do not 
live. They have no power, no capacity in and of themselves. They are 
given life and derive all their authority from their ability to assist, 
benefit, and transform the lives of the people they touch.''
  As the struggle mounts for the people in Georgia's Fifth 
Congressional District, it is clear to me that the Congress of the 
United States must act, and act swiftly. The latest report shows that, 
by the end of this year, without additional relief from the Federal 
Government, one in six Americans will go hungry, 20 million renters 
could face eviction, and small businesses, which are already being 
disproportionately impacted, will continue to suffer.

[[Page H6911]]

  I know that the late Representative John Lewis would have taken every 
opportunity to use his voice and speak up for those who would not have 
food on their table if not for food banks. I know that he would have 
taken every opportunity to speak up for those at risk of losing the 
roof over their head, and I know that he would have taken every 
opportunity to speak up for the small and minority-owned businesses 
which cannot survive without help.
  Just last week, it was reported that the Atlanta businesses that have 
managed to remain open are only making it by the slimmest of margins. 
Many of these struggling small and minority-owned businesses have 
never, even before the pandemic, had the access to the capital they 
need.
  They need a pivot. The loans from the Paycheck Protection Program 
would certainly help them, and additional funds for this program must 
be included in any stimulus plan moving forward.

                              {time}  1030

  As the pandemic continues to impact communities in my district and 
across the country, I cannot help but urge my new colleagues to step up 
and take meaningful action. We cannot, and must not, leave the American 
people to deal with this virus alone. It is in the spirit of the 
Honorable John Lewis, our North Star and guiding light, that I say we 
must not leave Congress until we ensure that help is on the way.
  Mr. Speaker, struggling Americans deserve better.

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