Sheila Jackson Lee: “It is my pleasure to co-anchor this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order and to be joined by my co- anchor, the…”

“It is my pleasure to co-anchor this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order and to be joined by my co- anchor, the distinguished gentleman from New York, Congressman Torres. I thank him so very much for his presence here today. Let me acknowledge the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus as well and thank her for helping to organize this Special Order as well as to be able to discuss health equity and the Black family and the reasons why the CBC strongly urges and supports substantial investments for healthcare in the budget for fiscal year 2023. I also want to especially acknowledge my friend and colleague, the Honorable Donald Payne, whose office initiative has always focused us on the enormity of health disparities in the African-American community. Let me start with a few comments to be made regarding the work of the Congressional Black Caucus. Let me acknowledge and express my appreciation to the President of the United States for hosting the members of the Congressional Black Caucus this afternoon who serve on the executive committee and for the concern and interest that the President has expressed on a number of issues that I think are important to where we are today in America. Let me borrow this picture from Congresswoman Kaptur, who heads the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, and just remind everyone, because the Congressional Black Caucus has been at the forefront of persons fleeing persecution. {time} 1945 We have been a leader.…”