I rise this evening for tonight's Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour: The Work Continues--Why Voting Matters in the African American Community. I am so proud to join my classmate, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries from the Eighth…

I thank Congressman John Larson. As I was listening to him reflect on the wonderful program that we are all going to be able to participate in at the Library of Congress-- as I listened to his words, 51 years ago the President of these…

Mr. Jeffries, I paused for a moment as I was listening to you, and you are so absolutely right; the vehicle, the power of casting that vote, the power of making a difference. Mr. Speaker, I think one of the things that is so significant…

Mr. Jeffries, as I listen to you talk about the rich history and what we are dealing with today, I think about you serving on the Judiciary Committee. I think about how, as Members of Congress and members of the Congressional Black Caucus…

It is 2016. I am writing an article that sounds like I was sitting in 1955. That gives me great concern. So when I think about our topic tonight, our work continues. What matters in the African American community I think we have answered…

Thank you so much, Congressman Jeffries. It is certainly an honor and a privilege for me to join you this evening as coanchor for this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. Congressman Jeffries' scholarship and distinguished…

Thank you so much, Congressman Jeffries. Hearing you quote those things, three things come to mind. First, let me say that Congressman Steny Hoyer was absolutely right when he says that this issue of not filling the vacancy is not related…

Congressman Jeffries, I think you answered that question for me when you gave the long list of successes that this President has done without their help. That gave me pause to think: What is it that is keeping them from doing their job…

Many folks have expressed concern that these firms are too quick to push homes into foreclosure once they acquire the mortgage.

Nobody is suffering from unemployment like the African-American community.

When you have this devastating situation, there is nobody else--there is no other agency that has the mandate to deal with it as the Fed.

We have to get the Fed to get off the dime and put the issue of African-American unemployment on the front burner.

We need that same compassion from you.

I think it is simple today. We have heard Congresswoman Maxine Waters outline our position for this. Let me just say that this bill is flawed, overly broad, avoids appropriate oversight, duplicative of existing administrative authorities…

Today I rise in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. The Go Red for Women campaign is a critical public awareness platform that the American Heart Association uses to help promote heart-healthy lifestyles…

I would appreciate, as we say 'chairman' and 'Dr.' and 'Mr.' that we make reference to the President of these United States as President Barack Obama in this hearing.

It is now my honor and privilege to yield to my colleague from the 10th District of New Jersey (Mr. Payne). He is someone who is a great example of a committed public servant. He is someone who puts others before himself. When you want to…

It is an honor and a privilege for me to rise this evening as co-chair, along with my distinguished colleague who represents the Eighth District of New York, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, for this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order…

Thank you again to Congresswoman Karen Bass for reminding us of all the great riches that we have in this society, but also for putting on the forefront that our work is not finished. There is hope. Because we have learned that through…

Thank you so much. Let me just end by saying, Mr. Speaker, what you have witnessed tonight is that our past that we have talked about is our experience, our present is our responsibility, and our future is our hope. Mr. Speaker, I yield…

Thank you so much to my colleague. As I stood here and I listened to you walk us through that rich history, it reminded me of all of the bad actors that caused many of those bad things. I reflect on someone in my family being a part of…

Thank you to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands. Let me just say thank you for making us have a better understanding that we cannot do this alone and we have so much more work to do. Mr. Speaker, tonight's Special Orders hour…

Thank you, Congressman Payne, for bringing us those words of wisdom and reminding us of the epidemics that face us, the failures that we have experienced, but leaving us with the hope of pushing forward and helping to realize Martin Luther…

I thank Congressman Richmond for reminding us that you bring hope. Your experience shows that there is opportunity. Because certainly, we know that there are fewer Black students graduating from high school. Sixteen percent of Blacks drop…

Thank you so much, Congresswoman Lee, for reminding us of the work we have to do to strengthen our America and for giving us those facts that clearly point out the barriers that we have and also the disparities when you look at 70 percent…