On the recordMarch 27, 2023
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois, Jonathan Jackson, for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this day to acknowledge and thank Congresswoman Cori Bush and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for their unyielding, unflinching, and unapologetic leadership and for leading the charge on the ratification of the equal rights amendment. I rise today to reaffirm that ever-present need to have this ratification take place, as well as to recognize the tireless efforts and work of Black women on behalf of that mission. It was more than half a century ago that the ERA first passed Congress due in large part to the efforts in drafting, advancing, and organizing by trailblazing Black women. With that said, I am reminded of the words written by one of my congressional predecessors, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, decades ago in the very spot where I stand right now. She said: ``Of course, laws will not eliminate prejudice from the hearts of human beings, but that is no reason to allow prejudice to continue to be enshrined in our laws, to perpetuate injustice through inaction.'' Mr. Speaker, we are tired of the inaction. We are tired of the injustice. We are tired of being tired. So, it is my privilege to join the first-ever Congressional Equal Rights Amendment Caucus in history and support legislative efforts to affirm the ERA as the 28th amendment to the Constitution.…





