Bill Lee: “I thank Congresswoman Kelly and Congressman Payne for organizing this Special Order and for your continued leadership on…”

“I thank Congresswoman Kelly and Congressman Payne for organizing this Special Order and for your continued leadership on so many vital issues and for staying the course and holding down the fort for the Congressional Black Caucus. It is so important that our message of unity and our message--which really describes what many of the issues are that all of our communities are faced with--that that message goes out. Both of you have really been tremendous in this effort. So I rise this evening to join this critical conversation on race relations in America and to challenge our colleagues to work with the Congressional Black Caucus to realize progress for racial justice and equality. I join Congresswoman Kelly and Congressman Payne in sending my condolences to the families and the victims of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, Lebanon, Nigeria, and also in Egypt. Know that we join in this quest for global peace and security throughout the world. Now, tonight's Special Order is an important part of our work to address the discrimination and racism that still plagues our Nation, specifically as it relates to African Americans, but we know that it impacts all communities of color. It is manifested in many ways, and it affects our entire country. As Congressman Payne said so eloquently, we are the United States. So when one is affected, all are affected.…”