On the recordMay 18, 2015
I think by the spirit and the tone of this Special Order we can see that there is hope and a pathway for collaboration. Let me thank Mr. Payne, who has evidenced those collaborative efforts through his leadership on homeland security and successful leadership, passing any number of legislative initiatives in a bipartisan manner. I also am delighted to join Congresswoman Robin Kelly. And she is right. She had a very successful Diversity Dinner last week, and I am sure it outdid the one the year before, and there was a lot of cross- pollination, good feelings, and discussions about very important issues. We found that America is a diverse nation, and we are happy when we have the ability to understand each other's cultures or understand the background that each of us have come from. Our own neighborhoods make us different, our own faith modes are different, our family members' mode is different, where we went to school. Yet in this place, the American people ask us, as both Mr. Payne and Ms. Kelly are saying today, to walk a pathway of bipartisanship, but really towards success. So allow me just briefly to comment on one or two points regarding diversity. I would highlight that one of the areas is where I formerly served as a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. In years past, we have gathered around science, technology, engineering, and math, and we have gathered around transportation infrastructure.…
