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

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

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.

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

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…

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…

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

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…

Today, our responsibility is to listen and reflect on each person's experience.

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.

Thank you, sir, for that compelling testimony.