[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H2593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A THIRD RECONSTRUCTION

  (Ms. LEE of California asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the injustice 
of poverty and low wealth.
  Let me just say, this pandemic has exposed the toll of longstanding, 
interlocking inequities stemming from structural racism, poverty, 
economic inequality, ecological devastation, and many more systemic 
barriers keeping people living on the edge.
  Our country now stands at a tipping point. Mr. Speaker, 140 million 
people are poor or one healthcare crisis, job loss, or emergency away 
from economic desperation. We must prioritize their needs and give them 
the opportunity to live in dignity and with hope.
  We can realize the third reconstruction to fully address poverty and 
low wages from the bottom up, from housing to healthcare, water, 
education, and more. We need a third reconstruction to revive our moral 
and political commitments to democracy and the founding principles of 
this country.
  That is why Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and I have worked with 
great leaders, such as Bishop William Barber and Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-
chairs of the Poor People's Campaign, A National Call for a Moral 
Revival.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor our resolution, and I 
want to thank the millions of people whose voices we have heard.

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