It is not easy to come forward and describe when discrimination has happened to you, but it is a necessary story to tell.

As a black man, I know that feeling when people treat you differently because of the color of your skin.

One of my priorities in examining racial discrimination in the Federal passenger rail contracting space is ensuring that minority men- and women-owned businesses have opportunities to build capacity and grow as large as multinational…

This is about leveling the playing field and everyone having the opportunity to compete in this great Nation.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that there was no DBE program at the FRA.

When I had the honor of being selected by my colleagues to become the chairman of this subcommittee, one of my first priorities was seeing how I could bring equity to the rail sector.

I commend the Biden administration for taking bold steps to ensuring diversity and inclusion.

It is deeply troubling to hear that your company did not receive fair consideration for a project because there was no minority participation goal.

Some uncomfortable conversations need to be had to bring about a positive result.

I believe this to be a historic event and that it sets significant precedent since this is the first hearing of its kind dedicated to identifying the pervasive racial discrimination in FRA-funded infrastructure contracting and minority…

Thank you, sir, for that compelling testimony.

This committee has demonstrated a bipartisan commitment to DBE programs and to promoting fair and full access to transportation contracting opportunities.

No business should have the door closed on them before they can prove that they deserve a seat at the table.

I commend the chair for holding the hearing today.

I do want to recognize the efforts of Deputy Administrator Amit Bose who, since his appointment, has been very aggressive in facilitating meetings between the private sector and quasi-public railroad trade associations and representatives…

I know that when companies conspire against a supplier to shut out the only minority firm manufacturing a particular product, you are being discriminated against.

The first question I asked when I got the gavel was how we could strengthen the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program at the Federal Railroad Administration.

Unfortunately, I have since learned that much work still needs to be done to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at obtaining work on Federal passenger rail contracts.