Political Quotes

“I want to thank my colleagues Congressmen Payne and Kelly for leading the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour. My Congressional district in Ohio includes much of Cuyahoga County. A few years ago, the county analyzed the relationship between a resident's life-expectancy and neighborhood, with incredible, but not surprising results. The study found that people who lived in Hough, a low-income and predominantly African-American neighborhood in Cleveland, could expect to live 24 years less than someone who resided in Lyndhurst, an affluent, predominantly white suburb of the city, less than 10 miles away. While Hough and Lyndhurst are extreme examples, they accurately represent national trends: African Americans live, on average, four years less than their white peers. It is unacceptable that the American health care system, which attracts students, physicians and patients from across the world, does not serve all the citizens of this country equally. Sadly, the consequences of health disparities have a major impact on our nation's children. Students who attend predominantly minority schools often do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, places to exercise, or many of the other resources we know are necessary for a healthy lifestyle. It is our responsibility as Members of Congress to ensure our constituents have the opportunity to be healthy, regardless of how much they make, where they live, or what they look like.…”