On the recordSeptember 28, 2016
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, this is going to be from the heart. My family is originally from Flint, on my mom's side. I have had very many fond memories growing up as a child going and visiting aunts and uncles and cousins. I have recently visited those who have been affected, and it is tragic. Mr. Chairman, the simple fact is that if these were folks that had been affected by the breach of a dam or by a nuclear plant meltdown, we would not be turning our backs on them; we would be taking care of them. We should be doing the exact same thing with the folks in Flint. These folks have experienced failure of government at all levels for decades: local, State, and the Federal Government. That has been well acknowledged. But what we have not talked about is how we are going to then care for those citizens. Let's fix the management issues, but, more importantly, let's care for our fellow citizens and make sure that those children, especially, are going to have the same opportunity as every other child in Michigan and the United States.
