Those documents more frequently . What i do is when im in district i was there last weekend and i was talking to a large group of church people, i handed constitutions out an declaration of independence out when i go to talk to any educational groups especially young students, theyre going to get a copy of the constitution an theyre going to get a copy of the declaration of independence. Andity tell stories about so that it will at least entice them to open that first page and once they start reading when i go back and say hey, did you actually read this . And they say they did. The verbiage that was used in those days is unlike any that weve seen in these days. The pros that they use texas wording the way they put the words together was just phenomenal. People still recognize and pressure that. Once they start reading the constitution or especially the declaration of independence which is such a wonderful document theyre pretty well hooked. Congress ralph abraham, from the louisiana Fifth District thank you for being with us. Next our interview with democratic ritcht brenda lawrence. Has been opponented as senior democratic whip. This is 25 minutes. Lawrence host representative brenda lawrence, representative of michigan. You spent a long career working in the federal government. What kind of work did you do . And what perspective did it give you on the seat that you now hold . Brenda i was a postal employee for the United StatesPostal Service. Came in being a letter carrier actually walking door to door in the weather. I worked my way up through management and actually after 30 years to retire from not retire but to transition from management district job to go and be full time a mayor of my community. What perspective did it give you as a member of the house on how government should be working . Brenda its a government agency. So knowing the checks an balances. Not being frustrated with that, nderstanding the impact of respecting tax dollars although the Postal Service generate their own revenue. The perception is that were a taxpayer generated our revenue came that way but it came from ourselves. But what was key about that is that we were regulated by the federal government. So there were some internal controls and restraints and the expectation of our role and Public Service to the country was extremely consistent throughout my service. Served in h. R. Very concerned. Served in Customer Service where i had the responsibility of delivering the mail and that gave me early on in my career as the first job i ever had of respect of Public Service. You were born and raised in detroit, michigan . Brenda yes. What was that like . What did you see over the years and up to present day. Brenda being born and raised in detroit was an amazing thing. I came up in the motown era. The manufacturing car industry was in our blood. As we all know the story of detroit. We peaked during my lifetime and then we saw a huge decline. Im so excited to represent the city of detroit at a time where everything is coming back to life. It was almost as though you were dying on the vine at a certain time. And now we see the Auto Industry has rebound. Our manufacturing is being redefined and in that definition of manufacturing, were still a major player in detroit. O see the foreclosure crisis just devastate our area our region and now to see those homes being bought and occupied again. Its just a great time and you feel like youre coming back to life. And im so excited to be part of that and to have lived through it. Its my home and now to see it coming back to life what originally drew you to Public Service meaning Elective Office and how did it all start for you . It all started with p. T. A. Very active parent in my childrens education and every time we wanted something done we had to go to that board, talk to those people and the board members, you know . I say i want to be on that board because i done think they get it. And i think we can do a better job. And i was a little reluctant. You had to be elect and go through that whole cycle. And i was encouraged to do it. When i won the first time out it was so amazing. It was like a rush. But then it became very sobering because then i realized that these people who voted place their trust in you. And then every time i won an election and ive won school board, city council, mayor for 14 years and now to be a member of congress, ive taken that initial just sober moment when i sat there after being so exhilarated after winning. Im now an elected official to what this is is a vote of confidence from the people. And you have a responsibility. Every time i took a vote it was over a school district, over thousands of children. Their opportunities and basically their future. Ive taken every single job that ive had that the public has put their trust in me. Seriously and i define it as being a public servant. You were the first africanamerican mayor of southfield. What did that mean at the time snl what does it mean to you present day and tell me about south field . So when i was elected, a reporter said to me, you know, youre the first woman, first africanamerican. Do you think because your city was 60 white or other races, and said do you think its because theres a growing number in africanamericans . I said you know the people of southfield voted for me to be their mayor. Im going to use all the skill set, all the passion i can to represent this city and to provide the Government Services and Public Service that this city deserved. Now god decided to create me a woman and bless my skin with this beautiful brown color. If you want to talk about my race, talk to god. But i want to talk about what i want to do with my cityle i dont take it lightly of the history and legacy of being an africanamerican in america. I dont take that lightly. I want so much to be a role model. Every time i see a little girl or a little africanamerican say when i go to school. They say wow, youre a mayor and now they can say im a congresswoman. And i tell them you can too. I take that very seriously. When i talk to women, i use this im planting my feet firm and pulling my shoulders back because i know all of you need to stand on my shoulders. And i take that seriously. Were still a minority. Were still only 43 in the u. S. House of congress. And so as we have increased voice numbers ever, the of the people i represent to have the diversity of my life and experience at the table to debate issues to be a woman in congress and to be able to fight for those issues that i feel are important to women, child care, have issues about being a caregiver. Our ability to make choices about our own repro duckettive rights those are important. And i dont take those lightly. To say that ive been given this opportunity im wearing it with pride and im wearing wit a tremendous amount of responsibility and im excited to be here. Whats the connection between being a mayor and a member of congress . What lessons did you take from that past experience that might help you in this new office . Brenda so being a mayor you have a lot more staff. [laughter] your whole city employment. Just the the National Impact i owned my city. I knew every single block of it i could just dig down if i wanted to know how people felt about an issue, it was manageable. When you go to congress and you start getting lobbied off of so many different interest groups. For every issue theres a pro and theres a con. When you vote on an issue, the impact which ive never taken lightly, the impact on a National Level those sobering moments since ive been in congress and this period of time and being a freshman i like to say fresh woman. But we say freshman, it was the time when i received a letter from the president asking for the right to initiate military force. That was sobering. You know, i had a police force. And we went to save people. We went to take care of the city and if there was a bad guy, yes, we were trained and skilled to do that. But to use military force is as a very sobering moment. I miss the intimacy of my constituents. I love going home for district time because i get to touch the people and hear from them and get that energy of am i meeting my mark . You know, whats important to you . I never want to lose that and i think local government thats why i wanted to run for congress because to give you an example of the highway trust fund. To talk about issues about minimum wage, education. These are issues were talking about. And i know the intimate impact on our federal law right down to the person or to the home. Thats why i wanted to run for congress. Because i felt that that voice and that experience was lacking. And i never want to lose touch with my constituents. Your district has been described as a combination of sort of vastly different communities. Explain the district how its made up, who is there, what they think, what theyd like you to do for them. Brenda so i have some of the most wealthiest communities not only in michigan but in the country. And i have as you know detroit and some other communities have gone through some extreme challenges with criminal justice, with education reform, ith unfortunately, violence. Have had some of the most challenging issues, social issues played out in my district. So we have the finances of bankruptcy that you saw detroit go through. I have four communities in my district. Theyre either going through or coming out of being in a financial manager. In addition to that i have a largest number of middle east population in my district and in the neighboring district in the middle east. So i have issues that are aying out in baghdad and lebanon in yemen. All of these are my constituents. So where some Congress Members may not be dealing with whats happening in yemen, these are my constituents and their families. And so that has been an issue and a responsibility for me when it comes to my casework when i comes to my being sensitive. I have a very large jewish population. So issues with israel is very important they represent them. Social justice issues. My constituents my constituents that are africanamericans they want me to fight for me. What is happening when i comments to when it comes to policing in america. Itle one, it breaks my heart affects them. There are so many challenges. This is an opportunity when i talk about the diversement. Now, in addition to that i have water. I have wear all around me. Theyre very passionate. You better protect our water. You better be onboard with this. Nd then you have the issue of, you know, people are split on. Choice, life. Those issues always play out. You know, when we talk about funding for our roads, oh, my gosh, michigan is one of the worst in the country. We need to invest in our infra struck chure. And i am so infrastructure. I am so proud that i started a task force of caucus on skill trades. Im from a manufacturing environment. So i saw factories close and move to mexico. But now the industry is coming back. And what you see where the person used to stand there and weld a door together, a robot does that. So that job doesnt exist. Guess what that robot needs someone to program i. They need an electronic technician to repair it. So here you are with a brandnew set of opportunities and while we are doing well with engineers that support is that we are across the country theres a huge gap. And only 30 of our children go to college. And we in america do not support skill trades. You and i beau know i dont care how rich you are, when your toy lets not working you need a plumber. When the lights are not working you need an electrician. When you computer is not rking you need a a programmer. Were going to have focus and support that. I submitted a bill that if you as a Manufacturing Company will take one of your employees and train them in a skilled trade we will give you a tax incentive for 20 up to 20 to do that. We as the United States government must be partners in addressing the skills gap you mentioned such a diverse portfolio. How do you balance your time between the work you need to do here on the hill, committees, constituent floor visits and going back home and doing all of that and raising money for reelection. How do you do it all . Lawrence as a mayor i had more control of my life. Here, you have to make the commitment. Every member has a scheduler. Schedulemanage your and have time for my granddaughter who is the light of my life. My husband of 40 plus years. I have trained him. I do not have time to train another. You have to schedule time to be with your family. , raising funds, im still celebrating Winning Congress and i am preparing for reelection. I am right back into the campaign mode. When you talk about the voting, i have to spend the time with my constituents. When i leave here, get on the plane, travel home, i get off the plane and go into district work. People say you are going home to relax. That is absolutely not the case. Host how did you make your way around the hill as a new member . Who showed your round . How did you find out where to go . The whole orientation . Rep. Lawrence i think the Administration Committee did an amazing job of orientation. What they did and i thought was so profound they included your spouse. Your spouse could get a sense of what your world would be like. It was two weeks of going to all of our orientations except for security briefings. They were included in ethics and going on the floor seeing where we would be sitting and what we would be doing. That was important. The other thing is you get the lost a lot. This is a massive building with tunnels that will take you places. Once we started building staff that have been on the hill, they would walk with you. I know how to get to the floor to vote and to the cafeteria. It was trial and error. The kind of laugh at you so they freshman you are a come up Walking Around with that look, and they ask you if youre lost. [laughter] host our cspan viewers may see you and other members in small chunks. Two minutes on the floor at five minutes at a hearing. Is that enough to express yourself and ask the right questions of people . What should viewers know . Rep. Lawrence what you see on tv are hearings, Committee Work is where legislation is ground out. And they may not see all of that because it is another channel with the actual hearings. It could be like paint drying. That is where the work is and what gives me a freshman here in congress where i have learned more. You also, when you see us on the floor, one thing that many people do not realize, we were actually talking about bills and legislation. And debating with our colleagues. You can see us cross over and talk to republican, i need your support and why cant you do this . A lot of work happens on that floor. That was surprising to me. Before coming to congress, it looked like chaos. Its like people running around, why arent they sitting down of being orderly . That is one time when every member of congress is on the floor. You can touch somebody and say i need to talk to you. That is something people need to look at. Our briefings have an amazing legislative staff. Every congressional office, we hire people and that is all they do is grind and dig into legislation. We have a lot of reading to do. We have caucus meetings. That goes on all day long. On issues and you learn more. Sometimes you go to another committee and sit in single or and sit in so you can learn more about it. Host overall, what do you make of the way the town and capitol hill operates . Rep. Lawrence whoo. There are some traditions on the hill i find amazing we still use. I do not know if a lot of people know that a person with white gloves and brings in the and puts it down that we are in session. I found that amazing. A tradition that has gone on for years. And i question sometime the partisan, i am concerned about that because for some issues we are all on board and it gets locked into a partisan issue. I just cannot understand. I will give you an example, Homeland Security budget. And there was not a member of congress who doesnt realize we needed to fund it and we got sidelined on an issue put into the bill. I keep saying this. If we agree on the issue and it is good for a country and good policy, lets vote on that and take care of the peoples business. There are some things we fundamentally disagree on. Separate that. Lets grind that out. There is nothing wrong with partisan and discussing debate. Our country was built on that, democratic republican philosophy. Everyone thinks we have one of the best everybody things we democracies in the world. I am not afraid of the grind or but do not grind on things we agree on. Do not implant devices, legislation is something we agree on. Lets put new eyes on the system. That caused me some grief. Host besides the massive reading you have to do for legislation, what else do you read . What do you like to read . Rep. Lawrence well, for me i like to read newspapers. I like to know what is going on. I like to read editorials, comments. To me, it gives me a broader view of what people are saying. If i read, i am going to read something that is fiction. I need some time to get away from the real hard issues and read a feelgood book. I love motivational books. That will give you tools on how to get through difficult, challenging times. I love the books on women in leadership. I am writing one now. It is important to me for women to have been given the opportunity of leadership to really navigate through that and share that so other women can avoid some of the pitfalls or roadblocks. Host besides your staff, what is important in this room, your office . Rep. Lawrence well, family. I never want to lose sight of how important family is. I have been married to my childhood sweetheart and i have an amazing granddaughter. I have two just great children. I just i think in everything you do, right now when im talking about education and my granddaughter is currently in school being educated. That brings it home. When i talk about Long Term Care insurance, i think about my parents and grandparents who i was a caretaker for. So family kind of defines everything that we talk about here. Hard for you to dismiss it from that. I will tell you that there are other things in here, different pieces of detroit i brought into my office. I was a member of the sorority, Delta Sigma Theta and i am so proud of the women. I think that when i would say everybody has the same thing, the begin date and the end date. What is different is the dash in between. I am so grateful for this dash that i have to be able to say i made a difference not only in my city and school but in the country. Host as we begin to wrap up, you mentioned leadership. You were elected as a senior whip. Why do you think they gave you those assignments and what do you hope to accomplish . Rep. Lawrence the senior whip, i was offered that by steny hoyer before i swore in. I said, you do know i am a freshman, right . When i look at your background, the path you have taken and the experience and skills you bring, he said that is a voice i want at the table. As a senior whip, you are hearing the challenges, the legislation, and the bills. You are sitting there with other seniors to bring perspectives. How does this impact . What i want to do and continue to bring that skill set i have and i am so proud of the to the discussion of federal government. We were a freshman class of amazing people. And we have stayed really close. And a half the class trust in me. I send out a newsletter telling that what we are doing and different members and making sure we keep that closeness. Host