Bill Lee: “I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and also for organizing us here tonight and every week on the issues that…”

“I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and also for organizing us here tonight and every week on the issues that are so important to this country. Her leadership, specifically, for the Virgin Islands, is truly commendable, and just know that we are doing everything we can do under her leadership to help her recover and rebuild. Mr. Speaker, I just have to say to our chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Richmond, I have to thank him for his bold and his visionary leadership of the CBC. First, let me just take a moment to offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of those who lost loved ones in the senseless act of gun violence in Texas, my home State. We mourn their loss, we pray for the recovery of those injured, and we say once again that this House needs action on gun safety measures to save lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with them tonight. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the urgent need to preserve temporary protective status for immigrants fleeing famine, war, and violent conditions around the world, especially those countries from within the African diaspora who account for 10 percent of all TPS beneficiaries. Today, 440,000 individuals from 10 countries reside in the United States under temporary protective status because, as a nation, we have kept our commitment to being a beacon of hope and security for those in need.…”