[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15577-15578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                        PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LEGACY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago, our Nation was in the midst of 
the Great Recession. It was the worst economic downturn since the Great 
Depression, unprecedented in both severity and duration. It was an 
economic tailspin that blindsided many, devastated millions, and robbed 
good people of their savings, their security, and their way of life. It 
was a disastrous combination of irresponsible lending, overly complex 
derivatives, and inadequate regulatory oversight that led to a near 
collapse of our financial system.
  Over the course of this economic catastrophe, more than 5 million 
Americans lost the roof over their head, and another 9 million lost the 
paycheck they relied on to support themselves and their families. 
People were terrified for their futures, and for the first time in 
generations, it looked as if moms and dads might have it better off 
than their sons and daughters.
  This chaos and despair extended far beyond economics. At the end of 
2008, almost 16 percent of the population was uninsured. This meant 
that over 50 million Americans were crossing their fingers, holding 
their breath, and hoping to avoid any unpredictable, unanticipated, and 
uncontrollable health

[[Page 15578]]

concerns that would turn their lives upside down. Simply being a woman 
or having asthma was enough for insurance companies to deny you quality 
care, and basic preventive and primary care services were hard to come 
by.
  Thousands of brave men and women in uniform had been killed, and 
scores more were wounded in a long and polarizing war in Iraq. LGBT 
Americans had to keep their true identities hidden. Gay men and women 
who served their Nation in uniform and risked their lives in defense of 
our freedom had to stay quiet about whom they loved, and those who were 
open about their sexual orientation were not allowed to join their 
partner in marriage if they lived in one of the 48 States that 
prohibited same-sex marriage.
  This was the state of our Nation. This is the America that President 
Obama inherited on January 20, 2009.
  Things look a little different today, and I know that I speak for 
millions of Americans who are grateful for the past 8 years fueled by 
real change that made our economy stronger and our society much more 
just.
  When President Obama took his oath of office, the economy was 
bleeding 800,000 jobs a month. Today, we have seen record private 
sector job growth marked by over 15 million new jobs over the past 80 
months.
  At the height of the recession in 2009, unemployment hit an alarming 
10 percent; but, today, the unemployment rate is below 5 percent. 
Today, thanks to the Dodd-Frank Act, systemic risk in our financial 
system has been significantly reduced, and our largest banking 
institutions are more transparent and accountable than they have been 
in decades.
  Today, marriage equality is now the law of the land in all 50 States. 
Today, nearly 18 million previously uninsured Americans have gained 
coverage under the Affordable Care Act, resulting in the lowest 
uninsured rate in history. Today, men and women are charged the same 
price for health care. Americans can access preventive care services at 
no cost. Preexisting conditions don't bar individuals from treatment, 
and young people can stay on their parents' plan until they are 26.
  Today, because of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was the 
first piece of legislation signed by President Obama, women can more 
effectively challenge unequal pay practices.
  Today, previously fraught relationships with many allied countries 
have been restored. Today, the combat mission in Iraq is over and tens 
of thousands of troops are back home with their families after years of 
war. Today, justice has been served, and Osama bin Laden is dead.
  Today, our Nation has championed some of the most profound climate 
change initiatives in the world, like the Clean Power Plan and the 
Paris Accords, which will help protect our precious natural resources 
and defend our environment for generations to come.
  It is up to us to decide if we want to move forward or back. Nearly a 
decade of progress is on the chopping block.
  There is no doubt that everyone is still reeling from the long and 
divisive campaign season that culminated in an election that left 
millions of Americans scared once again.
  The economic recovery and social victories we have seen during the 
Obama presidency have been substantial, but much more work remains to 
ensure that Americans have an equal opportunity to succeed; because 
even though today looks better than it did 8 years ago, what will 
tomorrow look like?
  As for now, and as for me, I am proud to have served in the people's 
House under this President.

                          ____________________