On the recordJuly 10, 2015
I think it is important to again note what a historic day this was, with the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, which opens the opportunity for billions of dollars to be invested in the Nation's clinics and laboratories to make America healthy and make America better. This bill is from the Energy and Commerce Committee. I am very proud to be one of its cosponsors. And I would like to say back to my constituents in Texas, the Texas Medical Center, and all of the research that is being done: Here is an opportunity to work on those unique and special diseases impacting children with lupus and other diseases. That is why change is not bad. Additionally, I join with the arguments in my district for changing the names of high schools that are not reflective of the Nation today, those named after confederate generals. The names of these high schools are not reflective of a unifying America. Frankly, I believe that the school board should address this question and teach the children that that is the past history that was not a positive history and that we should reflect positively on unifying America and carrying the American flag. Lastly, again, I say on the floor what a very special day, the solemnity in the way the rebel flag was finally put to rest, put to rest, and taken to a relic museum, where it belongs. And we can stand here under this shining American flag saying that we, too, are Americans. ____________________
