Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands and the gentleman from Texas for their service to the Nation and for…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands and the gentleman from Texas for their service to the Nation and for leading the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order. It is always important for the voices of the Congressional Black Caucus and the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Richmond of Louisiana, to be heard. Both Ms. Plaskett and Mr. Veasey have accepted the challenge and the call. I want to express to them my greatest appreciation for the leadership that they are showing. {time} 2045 I want to start my remarks again by saying that it may be hometown pride, but I like the headline of the Houston Chronicle that says ``Powerful Together.'' The numbers have not yet been fully calculated, but we know upwards of a million and maybe over a million persons around the Nation, and then they added individuals from foreign countries far and wide. I would take by this title that represents, Mr. Speaker, the peaceful protests--I want to say that again; in fact, I might want to say it two times: peaceful, peaceful protests, nonviolent protests--that occurred on Saturday, expressing the view of what America is really about. I say that to my colleagues, they are about what the Congressional Black Caucus is about, and I believe our chairman made the point that we come from very diverse districts, representing people of many racial backgrounds, religious backgrounds, as well as economic backgrounds, that we are the voice of reason and the conscience of this Congress.…”