Sheila Jackson Lee: “This past Sunday was Bloody Sunday. For some who are not familiar with that terminology, the Congressional Black Caucus…”

“This past Sunday was Bloody Sunday. For some who are not familiar with that terminology, the Congressional Black Caucus did a special tribute last evening. But I think it is also a recognition that elections count, determination counts, conscience counts. So this morning I want to emphasize Bloody Sunday and what it really meant. It was, in fact, to restore or to initiate or to give Americans the free and equal right to vote. The late John Lewis, our friend, our brother, the conscience of the Congress, may not have known what historical steps he was walking in when he stared down the Alabama State Troopers standing with Hosea Williams and Albert Turner and other foot soldiers, staring them down because voting counts. I rise to pay tribute to that kind of determination. As we proceed to debate the American rescue package, I want the Members, my friends on the other side of the aisle, to recognize that elections count, that people are looking for us to stare down the devastation of COVID-19, the devastation of poverty, and the devastation of lack of jobs. They are looking for diversity in terms of vaccinations, reaching out to neighborhoods. They are looking for the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and that is because John Lewis stood tall for the 1965 Voting Rights Act. In fact, after that Bloody Sunday, President Johnson rose to this podium and said: ``I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy. . . .…”