I thank the gentleman from Georgia for his reflections on our colleague, Elijah Cummings. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Richmond), former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, a good friend and colleague.

I thank the gentlewoman for her words. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), who, like Elijah Cummings, came to Congress first in a special election. I am happy to call her my classmate.

I just want to close my portion of this by stating that, when it came to a notion of democracy, Chairman Cummings, in his speeches, insistently invoked it, and not in the inert way that elected officials tend to do. He spoke of democracy…

Last week, we lost the earthly man Elijah Cummings. Most of the country and many around the world knew him as a member of Congress from the city of Baltimore. He was a fierce fighter for the forgotten, a sworn opponent of hunger, poverty…

Strong investments in public agriculture research have historically allowed our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities to remain competitive and increase their overall productivity.

Their message was clear--farmers and ranchers benefit from investments in public agriculture research and strong extension services.

Our farmers and ranchers deserve better, and so do the valued career public servants who left their positions within ERS and NIFA for other opportunities.

He was a gentleman. He was an angel among many of us.

He was really a mentor for me.

He worked across the aisle with individuals that people were flabbergasted at.

I believe that this Subcommittee, and the full House Agriculture Committee, understands the value of trusted science.

I can honestly say, I was disappointed in his response and failure to outline a clear, robust plan for how these agencies would prevent gaps in services.

I believe that this Subcommittee and the full House Agriculture Committee understands the value of trusted science.

He always operated with fairness, was always very thoughtful in his deliberations.

At a time of continued farm stress, it should be USDA's top priority to support research efforts that directly benefit farmers.

Unfortunately, your efforts to relocate ERS and NIFA threaten this work and the work of researchers across this country.

Members, with no exaggeration, the Congress, together with the Administration, must act by September 30, 2019, to avert catastrophic damage to our healthcare system.

Congress must act before September 30, 2019, to avert catastrophic damage to our healthcare system and the health and well-being of the people of Puerto Rico.