On the recordSeptember 9, 2019
I am honored tonight to share and conduct the Special Order sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, and I want to thank Chairwoman Karen Bass for her tremendous leadership of the Congressional Black Caucus and for holding this Special Order tonight in our effort to raise to the public and this body's attention the observance of 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were brought to the shores of America, which began 250 years of one of the most horrific crimes committed against humanity: the government-sanctioned institution of slavery. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Chairwoman Bass) for her statement, and I want to say to her that I really commend her tonight for her leadership and, really, for keeping Africa as central in our foreign policy, because we are all reminded, through her leadership, that Africa does matter.
