I want to thank gary for his to improve rts Economic Development and wish im nothing but the best in a elldeserved retirement. Mr. Speaker, i rise to bring attention to kentuckys avoidable economic failures during this very serious pandemic. Unfortunately covid19 has taken a harsh toll on the economies of all 50 states. However, harmful policies from democratrun states have only made the problem worse. At a time when we should be encouraging the safe reopening of our economy, kentuckys governor recently issued an order shutting down schools and indoor dining. Kentuckys restaurants were already suffering from the last round of shutdowns. And this shortsighted order will only cause more pain and suffering. To make matters worse, our governor is producing no data to justify the need to shut down businesses which have dramatically adjusted to the challenges presented by covid19. And in the end of inperson learning will only create more challenges for students and teachers. Furthermore, it flies in the face of c. D. C. Recommendations that the safest place for our children is in school. Unfortunately Small Business owners are not the only ones negatively affected by these lockdowns. Workers have been put out of a job through no fault of their own. And to make matters worse, kentuckys State Government has proven itself too incompetent to distribute unemployment payments in a timely manner. Right now kentucky has the second highest unemployment backlog in america, with just 27 of benefits going out three weeks after a claim is made. Thats unacceptable. Our surrounding states of indiana and tennessee are more than doubling that number, getting 60 of payments out after three weeks. If a politician singlehandedly puts people out of work, the least they can do is process their unemployment claims in a timely manner. Kentucky families are struggling from these lockdowns. And unfortunately finding little help from their State Government in frankfort. The livelihoods of working families and job creators has been cast aside by powerhungry politicians, and it is delaying our economic recovery. We must do better. We must safely reopen the economy and support our Small Businesses and workers. With a vaccine on the horizon, the best thing we can do for our economy is to safely reopen. Further shutdowns are doing nothing but digging a further hole for our economy to get out of. In kentucky, we can do better. Mr. Speaker, i rise to talk about the Ongoing Investigation within the House Oversight committee among oversight republicans. The minority, republicans, have requested several hearings unfortunately chairwoman maloney and the majority House Democrats are uninterested or unwilling to comply. So weve taken it upon ourselves to inquire and pretty much open up investigations with our staff, with our investigators, and taking data from our whistleblowers and different stakeholders with each investigation. We currently have caught a situation before the election in california where, with the cares act, there was a part called the help america vote act that allocated funds for different states to educate voters on how to vote. In other words, to educate voters on where their precincts are and how to fill out an absentee ballot. Things are that are perfectly legal and that the federal government should fund and the State Government should administer. But whats in the rules, something that a lot of times my friends on the other side of the aisle dont think apply to themselves, but in the rules of the help america vote act, it specifically says what those federal funds can and cannot be used for. One of the things that it specifically says the nal funds cannot be used for is the federal funds cannot be used for is get out the vote efforts. But in california, which was awarded 35 million in the cares act of help america vote act funds, their secretary of state took the 35 million, the normal process would be to advertise ds for a contract, but secretary padilla did what a lot of democrat secretaries of state, and unfortunately some republican secretaries of state, did, they said, oh, theres a pandemic we cant do in the normal way, we have to do it a special way. With awarded this contract no bid. There were plenty of vendors that were interested in bidding on that contract, but he awarded it to one. And in the help america vote act, it specifically says that vendors cant be partisan. Thats commonsense, right . This contract that he awarded, 35 million of our federal taxpayer funds, in a nobid process, the firm that received that contract was called s. K. D. Knickerbockers. I invite you right now to get at r your phone out and to get your phone out and put that in and look at their website it. Will pop up website. It will pop up and what youll see is a picture of joe biden and Kamala Harris shaking hands and it proudly says, on the very top of the website, we want to congratulate our clients, joe den and Kamala Harris, for changing america and for winning. So this firm, s. K. D. Knickerbocker, was clearly a partisan firm. This firm represented the biden campaign. Now, my question to anyone interested in this, and i think most taxpayers would be interested in this, obviously the House Democrats on the Oversight Committee are uninterested in this, but if the secretary of state awards a nobid contract to a joe biden partisan firm, to get out the vote, do you really think theyre going to target Republican Voters . Or do you think theyre going to arget democrat voters . That is illegal. We have sent letters to secretary padilla asking him what his intentions were and why he did not follow the law on this contract. He has not replied. I have made this public, i went on the Tucker Carlson show a few months ago and brought this to the nations attention. As a result of this, and our messaging and our inquiries, the media in california have been writing about this, the Sacramento Bee wrote just this past week that the california comptroller has refused to pay the 35 million bill to s. K. D. Knickerbocker because they know theres a problem with this nobid contract awarded to a partisan firm that was joe bidens main digital firm to microtarget certain voters in california. Now, what im asking for now is for the comptroller of california to just go ahead and do the right thing and send that 35 million back to the treasury. We dont want taxpayer dollars being spent on improper, llegal, unethical and partisan entities. And thats what happened in california. Now, another reason this isnt going to go away, im not an expert on california politics, but while i was waiting for my time to speak, mr. Speaker, i read several things that said, secretary of state padilla is the frontrunner to fill Kamala Harris seat for the u. S. Senate. I strongly encourage the secretary of state to answer House Republicans inquiries on this issue. Because if he doesnt answer it now, and he does in fact get confirmed to the u. S. Senate, hes probably going to have to answer it in front of the Senate Ethics committee. Now, one thing that i pledged to do when i became Ranking Member of the House Oversight committee, is we werent just going to identify problems. We were going to try to represent the taxpayers. And we werent just going to identify instances of waste, fraud and abuse. Like this 35 million contract, nobid contract in california. We were going to try to claw back that money, get the money back. It seems like forever in congress, members of congress do the right thing and they identify wrongful spending, but nothing ever happens. No ones ever held accountable. Certainly the taxpayers never get their money back. This is an instance were not going to let up. Were operating in a huge deficit. We have to be accountable for the taxpayers. Thats the job of this congress. The Oversight Committee is serious. Were in a new direction. The republicans on the Oversight Committee. Not only are we going to identify problems, but were going to try to solve problems. Because were going to get the backs of the american taxpayer. And i think ive clearly spelled out the problems with this contract. And i believe that the fact that the comp petroleumer in california comptroller in california isnt willing to write that check for the bill, that proves that there was a problem there. And if anything i said today is i welcome then secretary padilla to answer our inquiry, and if anything i said was not right, i will apologize to the secretary of state. For of state for that. But clearly sitting there, not responding, is not helping the situation. And again, its not going to go away. Now, another thing with this contract ive spelled out the problem that the state of california, that the secretary of state has, with this 35 million nobid contract. The next part of the problem with this particular investigation is our committee has sent numerous letters to a Government Agency that a lot of people probably never heard of called the Election Assistance Commission. The Election Assistance Commission is a Government Agency, bureaucracy, entity, whatever you want to call it, that is supposed to be the watchdog for federal funding for elections. They have an Inspector General. I have written, and on those letters, it was signed by my colleague on the Oversight Committee, jody hice of georgia, and the Ranking Member of the House Administration committee, rodney davis of illinois, we have joined jointly written letters to the Inspector General of the election assistance ommission asking the Inspector General to investigate this 35 million contract. We wrote these letters weeks in advance of the november election. D weve gotten back form letters, kind of like form letters that we send out to people that call our Office Every Day and ask for things that were probably not going to be able to do, we always reply with nice form letters, thats , the Ranking Member of the House Oversight committee and administration committee. If the Election Assistance Commission cant investigate this one thing in this election, and im not even going to get into a debate today about whether there are irregular larities or not irregularities or not. Thats not in what im discussing today. Im discussing a specific irregularity that involved taxpayer dollars. If the Election Assistance CommissionInspector General cannot investigate that and come up with an answer and say, ok, the secretary of state was right or, ok, you were right, and the money should be returned if they cant get us an answer on that, then the next step we are going to suggest, as oversight republicans, will be to eliminate the Election Assistance Commission. Because if you cant take an inquiry from congress and investigate it, especially when the media in california the media in california, not exactly a bastion of republican support, when theyre calling the secretary of state out on this contract, then i think weve got a problem with this Government Agency. Government is too big. Ive been in Washington Four years now. Here are a lot of buildings in this city with a lot of government employees, a lot of Government Programs, and in my opinion, we dont have the ability to to fund all these Government Programs and all these Government Agencies and these government employees. Nd if we can find Government Agencies that refuse to do their job, then we should eliminate agencies. Rnment so my remarks today are the contract bout in california with the secretary the contract of the help america vote act which was act which was a no bid contract to a partisan firm things like microtarget voters. Thats my first complaint. Million. My second complaint is the assistance commission. Nd the one request that weve made, ive been very nimpressed, disappointed, shocked to the point now im as a taxpayer and someone that wants to give back o the taxpayer, i think its time to look at this agency and say is this something that we forward. Ng mr. Speaker, im going to again, withremarks, reference to the Oversight Committee. A member of the committee for the past four years, ive heard of democrats complain election, imply irregularities in the election. Friend, Debbie Wasserman schultz complain, and probably rightfully so, about the emails being hacked at the national committee. Weve had discussions about that. When Elijah Cummings became chairman of the committee, the first witness he cohen to talk irregularities in the 2016 the ion that he saw from Trump Campaign and things like that. We had those committee hearings. E had a lot of those committee hearings. And here we are today several after the president ial lection, regardless of your opinion of the election, regardless of your opinion of regardless l winner, of your opinion whether there were major irregularities or of there were a lot americans that have a lot of questions about the election process. A lot of things in this election that were unique, just the the not absentee voting process, where were changed in the middle of the game, but also the voted by people that mail and voted absentee. Feel like the American People deserve one committee in this to step up and hold a hearing and hear both sides. If i were chairwoman maloney or or Gerry Connolly or mr. Clay or anybody on the who would have, you know, who hears this request, if believe there were any irregularities, i would want to have a hearing. Disappointed we are not doing our job in the oversight specific, but with the investigation that republicans without in california any help from the democrats we dont need their help. Dont need their help on this. Weve already proven this. The comptroller in california it. Ws we are now asking were now back. To send the money if youre not going to explain secretary pa deiia, adil want padilla, send the money back. Chairman, i thank you for the time, and i yield back the balance of my time. Tempore the o gentleman yields back. The gentleman from missouri, mr. Clay, is recognized for 60 designee of the majority leader. Mr. Clay thank you so much, mr. Speaker. Wanted to share with the ouse that im really reserving the time for mr. Butterfield of orth carolina, but i will begin. I want to thank my colleague, butterfield, for leading special order hour this evening. Know, our nation was founded and inciples of Liberty Justice for some but not for all. It took 89 years after of independence and a brutal civil war to most forms of slavery. To the u. S. Dment constitution was ratified on 6, 1865, ending slavery, but preserving involume some itude for involuntary servitude for some persons. Ted after a raging debate, former sla Southern States held enough influence to and were he practice able to include a loophole in continue mendment to to allow slavery as punishment crime. Years, the next 155 that punishment clause was used to overincarcerate fricanamericans and other minorities for profit and in complete violation of their dignity. Americans were immediately targeted and arrested by Law Enforcement for infractions, and the practice of forced prison labor still persists to this day. Joined by senator eff merkley of oregon, introduced legislation to amend constitution, to clarify hat neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be used as punishment for a crime. My pleased that many of colleagues, including cedric richmond, and he incoming assistant speaker, congresswoman katherine clark, and many of my colleagues in the broader tri caucus have taken a leadership role on issue and legislation. Confronting and rooting out the racism that is still rampant in many facets of life requires us to examine the painful truth in it. R to fix it is an indisputable historical fact that many local and state aw enforcement practices in this country grew out of the slavery. Racism and and as millions of americans are emanding criminal Justice Reform and a change in the training and culture of of this passage constitutional amendment would signal. Lear bigotry and profits will no longer be used to deny any their dignity. Ur criminal Justice System and laws cannot be fully respected this injustice that allows disproportionately brown of black and people to be imprisoned and enslaved. Congress next m month, i urge my colleagues to this legislation nd urge an Urgent National priority. America cannot heal and move have really ofl equality for all instead just for some. I thank you, mr. Speaker, and i the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the back. Man yields the chair will receive a message. The messenger mr. Speaker, a from the senate. The secretary mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore madam secretary. The secretary i have been to informy the Senate Senate has at the passed s. 125, to make a of h. R. On in enrollment 1830. The speaker pro tempore under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 2019, the chair recognizes the gentleman from carolina, mr. Butterfield, for the remainder of the year, the designee of the majority leader. Mr. Butterfield mr. Speaker, so very much for allowing us time this evening. As we prepare to get started, to the gentlelady from california, the distinguished chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, bass. Sswoman karen ms. Bass i rise to commemorate anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment. The 13th r 18, 1865, amendment was ratified 2256cially ending more than years 256 years of enslavement in the United States nearly four million enslaved africanamericans. The 13th amendment provides that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude except as a punishment for crime whereof the party duly convicted shall exist in the United States r any place subject to their jurisdiction. After the civil war, the 13th amendment was one of the first three the first of three amendments on adopted. The loophole sentence, however, as a punishment for rime, allowed for africanamericans to continue under nvoluntary labor, wish is known as the black codes. Laws enslaved, specific were passed to ensure that africanamericans would be and then therested government would lease human africanamericans continued to be viewed as property. Leased people out to businesses, farms, and other types of profitmaking ventures. Like to acknowledge the former chair of the black caucus and c. B. C. s resident historian to this special order hour, acknowledging this very important anniversary. Yield. Mr. Butterfield thank you very much, congresswoman bass, for very kind words and thank you for your friendship and thank you for your leadership years as you two have led the 55 men and women of the Congressional Black Caucus. Certainly know, from past experience, it is a daunting challenge to lead such a caucus, but thank you so very much for your leadership and i look forward to the future leadership chair, congresswoman joyce beatty. Congressional black caucus is convening to present a pecial order, recognizing the 155th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment. So mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members will have five legislative days to revise and their remarks on this special order. The speaker pro tempore without objection. You, mr. Rfield thank speaker. Mr. Speaker, i have said for years that the passage and of the 13th amendment is one of the most ignificant pieces of legislation ever, ever considered by this body. Had congress and the states to eliminate the espicable institution of slavery, the american environment would have failed and failed miserably. Afternoon, the Congressional Black Caucus lifts up this American History for the to see and ple understand. In the year 1860, the republican candidate for president was Abraham Lincoln. Hree candidates opposed lincoln. Steven douglas of illinois, representing the northern wing democratic party. John breaken ridge of kentucky, southern wing e of the democratic party. And john bell of tennessee, Constitutional Union party. During this election, mr. Southern states, the slaveholding southern tates were fearful, they were very fearful that if elected Abraham Lincoln would find a way and deprive them of their slaves. 240 years, d of southern plantation owners had citizens who can transshipped from the couldn continent of africa. 4, 1789, this addressed the issue of slavery. It contained a provision that the slave trade for at least 20 years after the the constitution until january 1, 1809. End of the egal slave trade occurred in 1809, trafficking continued, to be sure. Impregnated by males of both races and encouraged to bear large numbers of children. 1860, mr. Speaker, there were in ly four million slaves the United States, mostly in Southern States. The border states of delaware, kentucky, maryland, missouri and West Virginia also had a large umber of slaves. On november 6 of 1860, mr. Speaker, it was the president ial election. The American Voters spoke and did they speak loudly. Abraham lincoln became the 16th president of the United States of america, winning a very large number of electoral votes. Immediately, immediately following his election, Southern States, 11 Southern States began succeeding from the union. Thats the map i have here to my left. He first state to secede was south carolina. Mississippi, january 9. Followed by florida and alabama, georgia, louisiana, texas. And then after those seven tates had seceded from the union, Abraham Lincoln takes the oath of office and becomes the 16th president of the United States. The oath of office took place on march 3. Today, as we all know, its january 20. But during those times, it was march 3. After lincoln was installed and inaugurated as president , four more states, four more states seceded from the union. They were virginia and arkansas, North Carolina and tennessee. Now, mr. Speaker, the United States is faced with a constitutional crisis. Crisis of monumental proportions. 11 states, these 11 Southern States are now considering themselves a separate nation. They refer to themselves as the Confederate States of america. The socalled Confederate States were formally created on march 11, a mere eight days following lincolns inauguration. The Confederate States of america adopted a constitution. They created a currency. Elected its political leaders, stood up a military, and adopted a flag. And attempted to do everything a developing nation would do. Great tension now existed and en the 23 union states the 11 Confederate States. And so, mr. Speaker, we all know what happened then. On april 12 of 1861, at 4 30 in the morning, confederate soldiers opened fire upon Union Soldiers at fort sump ter, south carolina, in the city of charleston. And the civil war began. It was a brutal war. Southern states had declared war on the union. Thousands, thousands of soldiers lost their lives on both sides of the battle lines. President lincoln, mr. Speaker, became very weary. The war was taking its toll on him. It was taking its toll on the democracy. And so on september 22, 1862, lincoln issued what we now know as the preliminary emancipation proclamation, announcing that if the rebels did not end the fighting and rejoin the union by january 1 of 1863, 100 days later, all slaves in the rebellious states would be free. And, on january 1 of 1863, lincoln did what he threatened he would do. President lincoln, using his power as commander in chief of the military, issued an executive order. That order is referred to as the historic emancipation proclamation. Mr. Speaker, that proclamation is often recited and i will recite it here today. It reads as follows. This is the emancipation proclamation. It says that on the first day of january, in the year of our lord 1863, all persons held as slaves within any state or designated part of a state, the people shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then forward and forever free and the executive government of the United States, including the military, and the Naval Authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons and will do no act or acts to repress such persons or any of them in any efforts they make for their actual freedom. End of quote. A very powerful executive order by president lincoln. But, mr. Speaker, lincolns emancipation proclamation was monumental. It proclaimed that slaves residing in the states that went on rebellion against the union were free. Military union forces descended upon Southern States to quiet the rebellion and to bring freedom to the slaves. But, mr. Speaker, there was great dispute, great dispute among the legal scholars of that day as to the legal effect of the emancipation proclamation. Lincoln took the position that as commander in chief, he possessed the authority to enter orders that would deprive the enemy of any instruments that would aid them in winning the war. The slaves were a major asset to the slave holders who were in rebellion. And so, lincoln took the position that he possessed the power, the absolute power as commanderer in chief to free the slaves commander in chief to free the slaves. But some scholars argued that the legal effect of the proclamation was doubtful. It was a singular act of the president , they said, without congressional approval or popular vote. Some questioned whether the effect of the proclamation would cease at the end of the war. Some questioned how the Supreme Court would rule if the president s order was eventually judicialy reviewed. And so judicially reviewed. And so on april 4, 1864, right in the middle of the war, mr. Speaker, just before the president ial election, the United StatesSenate Passed a 13th amendment to the constitution and it needed the approval of this body, the house of representatives, for it to become law. But house approval was uncertain. So seven months later, after it had passed the senate, seven months later, on november 8, 1864, lincoln was then reelected. He was determined, lincoln was determined now to take ownership of this legislation to abolish slavery. Lincoln demanded that this body, the house of representatives, pass the legislation that had been passed by the senate. Lincolns election platform had promised that slavery would be abolished by amendment. Lincoln demanded action. White northern abolitionists, black abolitionists demanded action. The war was now at a feverish pitch. Abolition, mr. Speaker, had to happen. And on january 31, 1865, finally the house of representatives this body, finally took up the question of passage of the 13th amendment. When the vote was taken that day , the 13th amendment passed by a twovote margin. Twovote margin above the needed 2 3 majority. The vote was 11956. History reports, mr. Speaker, that the galleries in this chamber, the galleries which i see at this moment, the galleries were boisterous. There were applauses. Women and men cried. They waved their hanker chiffs as the house of representatives passed the 13th amendment. It was a grand, grand event. And so, mr. Speaker, in the final vote, all 86 House Republicans voted in favor of the 13th amendment. Along with 15 democrats, 14 unconditional unionists and four union men. The opposition came from 50 democrats and 60 union men. To amend the constitution, not only does an amendment need to pass both houses of congress, but it must be ratified by 3 4 of the states. And so after the passage by the senate and the house, the ratification process began. On february 1, 1865, the very, very next day, the following day, though not required, president lincoln signed the 13th amendment beginning ratification. T had to be ratified by 27 states. And ratification is now under way. The first state, as you can imagine, mr. Speaker, was lincolns home state of illinois. The very next day, february 1, 1865. Followed by michigan and maryland, new york, pennsylvania, West Virginia, missouri, maine, kansas, massachusetts, virginia, ohio, indiana, nevada, louisiana, minnesota, wisconsin, vermont, tennessee, and arkansas. And later that day, arkansas, which is mr. Davis home state, i saw mr. Davis walking the floor a moment ago, arkansas ratified the amendment on april 14 of 1865. And later that day, president Abraham Lincoln was assassinated here in washington, d. C. But ratification continued and they needed six more states. And so on may 4, 1865, it was connecticut, followed by new hampshire, followed by south carolina, followed by alabama, and then my home state of North Carolina on december 4, 1865. And then finally, mr. Speaker, finalember 6 of 1865, the state of georgia ratified the 13th amendment. When the state of georgia ratified the 13th amendment on of ber 6, 1865, 245 years slavery legally ended. Four million slaves are free. The former slaves now begin a long and difficult period of reconstruction. In 1868, the former slaves became citizens, with the 14th amendment. They obtained the right to vote in 1870 under the 15th amendment. And so in closing, mr. Speaker, december 6, december 6 is abolition day in america and we should observe it and recognize this history. As elected members of congress, black and white, democrat and republican, we must rededicate ourselves to the complete elimination of intentional and systemic racism in america. Mr. Speaker, this is our challenge. Thank you so very much for yielding time. At this time it is my pleasure to yield is mr. Clyburn on the floor . It is my pleasure to yield to ms. Jackson lee of texas three minutes. At this time i will recognize the gentleman from illinois, congressman danny davis of chicago, illinois, for three minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Davis thank you. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And, mr. Speaker, the period during which slavery legally existed represents the most horrific and most sore did period in the history of the sordid period in the history of the United States. Therefore i commend and thank representative g. K. Butterfield for facilitating and anchoring this special order, highlighting the importance, relevance and impact of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments on change in america. Of course we know that the 13th abolished slavery. The 14th gave blacks and follower slaves citizenship. And the 15th amendment gave newly freed slaves the right to vote. The period preceded during and fter the civil war, known as reconstruction, is not only one of the most sordid but also the most violent and most repressive period in our history. The most interesting part of all of this, though, is not yesterday. The most interesting part is that there are individuals and who s in our country today are attempting to take us back to that period. And, g. K. , we can never let that happen. In the u. S. News today, theres article defining how some historians, some boards of education, some school boards, have attempted to rewrite and teach a history that is very different than the real history. You consider the number of individuals who are part of the mass incarceration system, who are forced to work for nothing and whose rights are suspended, that takes us back a ways. When you consider efforts to prevent and make it difficult, basically impossible, for people to vote, that nullifies the 15th amendment. So you see, brother butterfield, when you consider the times to e in, one would have conclude that the 13th, 4th, amendments, and 15th are all under serious attack. And we must glory in the fact overcome some of the obstacles that we also must be vigilant, vigilant to the extent of never to that period. As ast be able to say even 12yearold girl said, when she poem that said, no chainson my hands, on my feet, but the chains on my are keeping me from being free. You, again, for anchoring this special order, thank you for reminding us is a hard won thing. Each generation has to win it win it again. And thank you for the opportunity to join you. Thank you, eld and congressman davis, for your passionate leader. Congressman, l, that five years ago, president obama graced us with his celebrated the 150th anniversary of the 13th mendment and your eloquence this afternoon really adds to that history. At this time it will be my the ure to recognize gentlelady from texas, Sheila Jackson lee, for five minutes. Let me thank e gentleman. Me thank the gentleman for an ging us together on such important moment and, of course, reflected on the fact that a hink we were together just few years ago in the national commemorating the amendments f these ut also the emancipation proclamation. And for those of us in texas or past the mississippi, if i might start with the question get the m, we did not ull impact of freedom until 1865. Abraham lincoln proclaimed the with his e ronouncement in 1863, and then it took general granger two that to come and present to those of us west of the mississippi. This is why i think this moment the floor of the house, mr. Butterfield, is a sacred and somber moment. Declare this a normal mfume, f business, mr. That we are on the floor debating as we usually do, but i this a sacred moment because its a moment to educate the American People. A moment to go full circle, if you will, to all of the justice advocacies that issues done, all of the that pretended to divide us, i is, does anyonen understand the legacy of those descendents of enslaved africans, that we had to wait or an amendment to give us the fullness of a human being. As human t counted beings fully when the written. Ion was and so just imagine coming from you were not counted as one. One. Ere counted less than the ntil this amendment, idea of slavery of which we had counted as y, property, and so i think it is important to read the 13th amendment. Slavery nor involuntary servitude except as a punishment whereof the parties shall have been fully convicted exist within the United States or anyplace subject to their jurisdiction. Have the power to enforce this article by legislation. Think of that. Indentured servants had a different status than anyone who enslaved endent of africans who came to this and a little bit before. That is what we discuss today. Is the issue of the 13th amendment. Realize important to the the framers never used ord slave, slaveholders in the constitution. Thats almost to say we had no negative e, even in a connotation and so to actually sacred, hy this is so let me give you some of the thoughts. Some other by 1861 when the civil war broke out, more than four million every, nearly all of them en descent,re were enslaved. Resident lincoln bliebd that emans believed that mancipating slaves would crush the confedderate and would help confederate and would win the war. Slavery was not based upon the brutality of the family, the sheer brutality of it. No. It was not that. Find fault for that era. Ut people need to understand that it was not because someone bowed their heads. Abolitionists. And said oh, how sad it is that human beings are held in bondage. Became calculated. A could yuckoo lating force. Calculating force. Look at the numbers. Four million enslaved. One would wonder why this is a moment on the floor of the house. O lincolns emancipation proclamation would take effect in 1863 announced all enslaved in the states, then in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, and forever free. But the emancipation roclamation itself did not end slavery in the United States. 11 t only applied to the onfed federate states Confederate States. We were trying to end the war, o stop the rebellion, and to preserve the union. Im glad the union was preserved. Im glad we are the united of america. But yet, it is so crucial in the understanding of even this year 2020. Even understanding the horrors floyds death, what his family still suffers. A rage ofere was such young people and why the words lives matter came, because of the brutality of our history. In the 21st century, we are still suffering from the did notes of those that understand, not only the question of justice, but also brutality n of the and the history of slavery. Maybe there would have been a better understanding if a little history was woven into where we are today. Indicated, the emancipation proclamation did not do it. Did not dealid, it with the states like massachusett massachusetts. It did not deal with states like understanding. It did not deal with those states. And in april, 1864, the united passed a proposed amendment banning slavery with the necessary 2 3 majority, but in the house of representatives. More and more democrats refused to support it. Journey. Not an easy congress reconvened in december, 1864, the emboldened republicans the proposal proposed amendment up for vote again and lincoln threw himself in the process. Ve something that gives leadership idea of ance to the freeing slaves, freeing human beings. The constitution now is a stronger document because as he himself into this, lincoln, see what is before you, to focus important thing that this amendment protects the slaves now born and in the the d states but also millions yet to be born. He was committed to the passage amendment. He authorized his allies to ntice house members with positions and inducements telling them, i leave it to you determine how it shall be done, but remember i am resident of the United States, clothed with immense power, and i expect you to procure the votes. Whip is on the floor, mr. Clyburn. Was president lincoln determined to have his agents on to floor use that authority get what needed to be done. January 31, 1865, the house of epresentatives passed the proposed amendment with a vote just over a required 2 3 majority. Started out by i saying this is a sacred moment. At home, the people our colleagues can see what lavery represented, the brutality of the back of these slaves. It didnt take much to be whipped and whipped. That rred, so brutalized you were almost to death. So like a family, property, so ke demeaned. Families separated. Separated. Children becoming more valuable than mom and dad. Dad becoming more valuable. I remember reading the slave narratives and those slave a woman s said that told her husband to come home quick. Husband. From where he was working in another plantation because theyre getting ready to sell in one place and me in another. We need you home. Would imagine that human beings would have collars around so brutal , slavery that it was unspeakable and could not be heard. So today as we commemorate he 155th of this important step, realizing that it had to go through as an amendment to a of the states, what journey it was made. And i think the words of telling and th are thats why we fought to have her bust, her statue here. Abolitionist t an meeting and someone said, yes, sir, what do you want . And she said, aint i a woman . I have born 13 children and i have seen most all of them sold slavery. That is why we are on the floor today. Were on the floor today because of the continued misunderstanding of race in this nation. Were on the floor today because more of us need to understand all about. 0 is a magnificent piece of that deals with the question of the commission to develop repperation proposals and its a reflection of the history of in this mericans country. And it is a simple process of commission that dignifies what happened to us for reconciliation and restoration and proposals to with the mically ongoing disasters that we see in communities. E from disparities in health care, housing, the criminal Justice System, education, today. Why we stand here so i want to thank mr. Time and i for his want to thank him for yielding this body for understanding this is a sacred moment. I yield back. Mr. Butterfield thank you, congresswoman, for delineating proclamation on and the 13th amendment. The proclamation was a heroic lincoln. President the 13th amendment was historic moment for this congress. To yield to the gentleman from south carolina, the majority whip, the house, ic whip of the congressman james clyburn, for such time as he may consume. Thank you very butterfield, man for yielding me some time to very, very mome momentous occasion. You for bringing ttention to this issue, the 155th anniversary of the 13th cation of the amendment. All having not listened to of the discussion before, i hope im not too repetitive here. Want to bring the attention of our ere this evening and events. S to conflicting now, we often hear talk of the proclamation. The fact of the matter is there emancipation proclamations. The first the first one freeing the en slaved in the District Of Columbia. And the second one also written in 1862 and signed by president lincoln was to become effective january 1, 1863, and that was to free the other enslaved people states, rmer slave which meant that within those states that did not have slavery officially sanctioned slavery, but did have slaves. In order for them to be free, in order for the descendants of those from the District Of Columbia and those affected by those two proclamations, we needed a constitutional amendment, because as we know, executive orders could very well change with the next executive. And so Abraham Lincoln set out to lay the groundwork for the 13th amendment and we are here celebrating the 155th anniversary of that. But we also this week will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of another momentous event. 150 years ago from saturday, well commemorate the swearingin to this august body the first africanamerican to serve in the United States congress, joseph h. Rainy. He was from georgetown, south carolina. Nd early in his life, moved to charleston. He worked as a barber. His father was a barber and made enough enough money to purchase his and his familys freedom. Now the interesting thing about this is that im also going to talk about the people who came to this country in the 1830s to study our penal system. While here, he saw what was a certain magic about this country. And back around 1836, he wrote a ok, twovolume book called democracy in america. Defolkville considered what he considered to be magical wrote n this, america is not great because it is more enlightened than any other nation, just think about that, not more enlightened than any other nation, because we had slavery, it was not enlightened institution. But he said rather because it is always enabled to repair its faults. He said this country is great because it is able to repair its in ts when we had slavery our country in the 1830s. Some 30 years later when slavery was abolished. Now the thing i would like to point out is the fact that we talk about all of these things that happened during reconstruction. And most times, the things we are talking about did not happen during reconstruction, they happened after reconstruction. Reconstruction was ushered in by the freeing of slaves in 1863. T came to an end in 1877 in and president hayes removed all of the federal oversight. A this country lapsed into eriod called the jim crow era, 1877 and lasted all the way up to brown v. Board of education in 1954. Now, i want to point that out tonight because as we celebrate these milestones in our history, 155th anniversary of the 13th amendment and we will be celebrating this week the 150th anniversary of the first africanamericans who came to this august body. But i want to point out Something Interesting about that. The last africanamerican who serve in this country in that century to serve in this body eft congress in 1897, George Washington murray. The last from south carolina. I know representative butterfield will tell you about 1901 when mr. White left the congress and left that great speech back to phoenix. But in south carolina, the first peech, last one George Washington murray was in 1897. And there was not another person of color to represent south arolina until i got elected in 1992, 95 years later. Why . Because there is something called Voter Suppression. And i think that there are a lot of these former slave states that going back in the history and ripped out the textbooks and seeing Voter Suppression being practiced today much like it was practiced back in the 19th century when they successfully oved all people from color from Elective Office. I thank representative butterfield for bringing attention to this today. It gives us the opportunity to think about this period of time and what we are experiencing today. Think about whats going on in the state of georgia today when and null the position of theling from the lips president of the United States nd trying to overturn an election, much like they did that ran all blacks out of congress. As much as they did that took blacks out of Elective Office and took blacks out of schools to be educated, and made it illegal for people of color to even get an education. I would hope that during this period of time that people of this country will think a little bit about whats going on around us. And just remember, there is precedence for what the president of the United States is doing today. I yield back. Mr. Butterfield thank you, mr. Clyburn, how much time is remaining. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 12 minutes remaining. Mr. Butterfield i have four speakers and divide it three minutes each. I recognize congressman bishop from the state of georgia. Mr. Bishop mr. Speaker, i thank the gentleman, mr. Butterfield, for allowing me to share in this commemoration. I rise to commemorate the 155th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment to the constitution. 155 years ago, slavery was abolished in the United States after georgias state legislature ratified the 13th amendment pushing it over the 3 4 requirement. The first of three constitutional amendments during the reconstruction period that saw equality for the former slaves and descend ants, black america. Unfortunately we know these amendments did not achieve equality and in fact outraged many of the former slave holders. Slavery was the backbone of the southern economy, way of life. Systems of like that do not disappear overnight. After slavery was abolished, sharecropping came in its place, free and fair, but in practice, anything but. The ku klux klan were keeping black people in their places. The exception are written into the 13th amendment that allowed involuntary serve titude upon conviction of a crime gave rise what was known as the chain gang. Free prison labor, which still exists in many places today. Amendment e 13th passed southern legislatures enacted jim crow laws, legislation that technically abided by the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments but still allowed discrimination against black americans maintaining white spreemsy h asy and giving white americans preferential treatment. This persisted up to the 20th century which persisted until the blood sweat and tears of the Civil Rights Movement in the joe lawyerry, and others put their lives on the line to stand up. We hear that slavery has been over for a long time, 155 years. And it may be long for an individual, but not for a nation. But to make we should make clear and make no mistake about it, its a legacy of slavery still haunts america and still handicaps our ability to realize the nobel principles that this country stands for that all men are created equal and endowed by that creator with rights, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Keeping in mind we made a lot of progress. There is still much work to do. I challenge my colleagues in this body to keep in mind and ask yourselves the question, what are we doing today to make america a more Perfect Union for the next 155 years . I yield back. Mr. Butterfield at this time, i would like to yield 2 1 2 minutes to the gentlelady from california, the distinguished chairman of the committee on financial services, ms. Waters, 2 1 2 minutes. Ms. Waters i thank my friend and colleague, congressman butterfield for the time, and i commend him for organizing this special order on the 155th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment to the constitution of the United States and the important relationship between the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments. Since our founding, the United States has been engaged in a constant struggle to realize the full promise and potential of our founding principles, most especially the right for all people regardless of race, color or gender, to vote and participate in our democracy. Mr. Speaker, despite the fact that it has been nearly or more than 150 years from passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, i was horrified by the level of Voter Suppression that took place in the last election. The president and some members of this body claim that there was voting fraud, while courts have dismissed 43 cases, the president s legal team has brought, what is underappreciated and not discussed is the that republicans in states across the to stop minorities went to voting. Robo calls encouraging blacks not to vote by mail and the president sabotaged the United StatesPostal Service to stop people from voting. The next congress and the new Administration Must come together to strengthen Voting Rights next year. Those who fought and died for the right to vote must be remembered and we honor their work by ensuring future generations have the right to vote. Thank you. And i yield back. Mr. Butterfield how much time remains, mr. Speaker . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has six minutes remaining. Mr. Butterfield i recognize the gentlelady from georgia, representative mcbath, for two minutes. Mrs. Mcbath thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you to my colleague and friend from North Carolina, representative butterfield. Yesterday we observed the anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment which provided that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States. It was one of the most dramatic expansions of civil right American History and for the first time our constitution made mention of the institution of slavery. 155 years ago the selfevident truth that all men are created equal had not been fully realized, but with every generation, with every chapter written in americas story, the people of this nation have fought to secure the unalienable rights which were undow endowed by our creator. As we enter a new era we must not forget that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Giants like john lewis. Elijah cummings, and c. T. Vivian who helped pave the way for millions of little by boys and little girls who believed they could do anything they set their minds to. That they could become whomever they wanted to be. 155 years after slavery, we reflect on how far this nation has truly come. There are many who lived a century ago who would not believe that America Today would welcome the great grandchildren of slaves to serve their communities and their country and our government. We commemorate that long march toward justice and celebrate all who have played a role in making the lives of their children better than their own. Today and every day we must continue the work of all those who should whose shoulders we now stand upon. We must continue to strive toward that more Perfect Union, toward a future free from hatred, bigotry, and violence. The work we do in this chamber can advance the cause for freedom, justice, and peace. And each and every day, i pray that we continue to rise to meet that moment. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore thank you, ms. Mr. Butterfield thank you, ms. Mcbath for those words. How much time is remaining . The speaker pro tempore about three means. Mr. Butterfield i yield to the gentleman, mr. Mfume, for 2 1 2 minutes so i may have 30 seconds to close. Mr. Mfume. Mr. Mfume i want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina for convening us to commemorate this 155th anniversary of the ratification of our 13th amendment and it is difficult sometimes for many of us to look back at history, because it was so painful, but it is important so that we understand where we are and how we got here. You know, the enslavement of the negro, the external nation of the indian, the annexation of the hispanic made in many respects the birth of our republic an inicy us to conception. It was conceived under the concept that white men were superior to black men and were therefore entitled to harass them and if necessary destroy them. We talk about and its been mentioned here today the words of the declaration of independence and how this is a nation that believes that all men are, and women, created equal and were endowed by our creator with certain unalienable right, that among those is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But the greater story in John Hope Franklin reminded us, we still existed in a society where slavery was thed orer of the day. In fact it was the great historian John Hope Franklin who referred to it as the great evil institution of american servitude. It would be the 13th amendment that would, a large extent, end that and give us what we are celebrating here today. But even after lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation proclamation, it was still several years before we got to the 13th amendment which ended slavery, and the 14th amendment which guaranteed citizenship and due process, and then the 15th amendment which gave us and ratified for us think right to vote. So i think that without a doubt when we look back on all that has happened, particularly considering how we got here that this commemoration is important, its overdue, it ought to be an annual celebration and i again thank the distinguished gentleman from North Carolina for convening us and i yield back, mr. Speaker, any time i may have. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from North Carolinas time has expired. Mr. Butterfield i ask unanimous consent that i be given 30 seconds to conclude. The speaker pro tempore does the gentleman ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute. Mr. Butterfield i request permission to address the house for one minute. The speaker pro tempore without objection, the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Butterfield thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you to all our speakers. I understand that time has been precious, i appreciate your willingness to participate. The 13th amendment reads as follows, neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction, end of quote. This amendment was added to the United States constitution by an act of congress on january 31, 1865, ratified by the requisite number of states on december 6, 1865, 155 years ago. Thank you, mr. Speaker, for your patience. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Under the speakers announced policy of january 3, 019, the chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, for 30 minutes. Mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker. I will claim my 30 minutes. This 30 minutes is a twibt to our leader who is leaving us, greg walden, Top Republican on the energy and Commerce Committee, former chairman, a good friend to everyone on both sides of the aisle. Knowing that many members have plenty of meetings that are start, i yield the first two minute those gentleman from North Carolina, two minutes. Richard hudson. Mr. Hudson thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate my friend and colleague congressman greg walden on his retirement following more than 20 years representing oregons Second District here in congress. As a member of the energy and Commerce Committee, chairman walden has been a real mentor to me. Ive seen firsthand chairman waldens lowe for his country, dedication to his district and hard work on so many important priorities for our nation like health care, Energy Independence, and telecommunications. I have so many fond memories of the work weve done together and the time weve spent. I especially enjoyed working with chairman walden on landmark legislation to combat the opioid crisis. You will be dearly missed but i wish you, and your entire family, all the best and i urge my colleagues to thank me in joining congressman greg walden for his extraordinary service. With that, i yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman, also a member of the energy and Commerce Committee, from ohio, mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson thank you, mr. Speaker. I too rise today to pay tribute o my good friend and mentor on energy and commerce, greg walden. You know, i spent 27 years in the United States air force. We lied by a code of conduct every day. We came to work, we invited those core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all that we do. In my experience, its not often times that you find people in private life or in other sectors of public life that also embody those same core values. But chairman greg walden does. Whether he was fighting for Health Care Changes for the American People to make america more Energy Independence and secure. Whether he was trying to make sure that big tech did not overrun the American People. You could always count on greg walden to be out in front, leading. Not following. And certainly not leading from behind. I learned a lot in the six years that i served with greg walden when he was on energy and commerce as the chairman and then even before that as chair of our National Republican congressional committee. Its with a great deal of sadness that we see him leave, because a lot of core Institutional Knowledge is going to go out the door. But i just want to say how much ive admired working with greg walden and with that, i yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from oregon, mr. Blumenauer. Two minute . Do you want three minutes . Three minutes to the gentleman, our colleague from oregon, mr. Blumenauer. Mr. Blumenauer ive been honored to know and work around greg walden for 40 years. Its kind of scary to think about that he came to Public Service honestly. I was privileged to serve with his father in the Oregon Legislature when greg started as a staff member in the state senate. He was bright, capable, committed to the people of the second congressional district. A special place in oregon and greg was quick to always representative forcefully, clearly, and effectively. Weve shared some highlights over the years. I remember floating in the dead sea early in our congressional career. I was able to work with him in a small way on something that hes ry proud of, the wilderness, almost 100 acres of wilderness, some of us would have done different but knowing where greg came from, his district, that was a signal accomplishment and we were able to Work Together in the clinton administration. I was pleased to have one of the best field hearings i ever had in Public Service as greg and i and his wife melene and his son anthony and our Staff Members did a 41mile, threeday hike around mount hood, the magnificent mountain we share in our districts. We were able to meet with various Interest Groups and Work Together to lay the foundation for significant wilderness legislation that was signed into law by president obama, that we work withed together on a bipartisan basis to make possible. It led to that i would say recently we were able to work on legislation that almost nobody paid any attention to, but dealt with a significant change to enhance the ability of physicians, particularly in emergency rooms, to know the Family History of people there who suffered from opioid addiction. Again, not many people know about it. It was several years and harder than i thought but it will make a difference to be able to make sure that those emergency room personnel will be able to treat though whole person. And it solved a person that maybe shouldnt have been, but its part of that nagging problem that we have in terms of trying to trying to work through the legislative process. And greg was a master at that. I didnt always agree with greg. Occasionally we had some differences. But we often were able to find the common ground, to represent the people of our state in a way that they wanted us to do. Its an honor, i will say, even though we didnt always agree. I always respected greg. In terms of his commitment, his intellect, and his sense of humor. Its been an honor, greg, to serve with you. 22 years. Really . And youve escaped. And i cant wait to find out what the next chapters in your career bring. But i wish the very best to you, melene, anthony, and a long and prosperous next step. Thank you very much. Yield back. Mr. Upton yield two minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania, mr. Fitzpatrick. Mr. Fitzpatrick mr. Speaker, i speak on the house floor tonight not as anybody who has ever served on the house energy and Commerce Committee but someone who was a freshman in the 115th congress with a very specific and very direct link to a piece of legislation we are advocating known as the right to try bill. When i got sworn in, one of the rst persons i sought out was representative walden and i was amazed by the photography of his district. We have had many meetings in our time in congress here. But one of my memories, when i met with chairman walden, i was speaking to a Committee Chairperson with a Significant Committee and the time and the attention and respect that he showed me and the issue that i cared about, i will never forget. One of those memories that i have in my freshman term that i will never forget. We heard about definition of character. Character is being defined are the things that we do and the decisions that we make when nobody else is watching. Aving worked with chairman walden on the right to try bill. Not the popular bill, but to try to get the specifics and details of very important legislation right was very, very instructtive to me. It was probably the greatest experience i had as a freshman member of congress. And for greg to walk away having accomplished all that he has on his own, thinking about my favorite president George Washington who wanted to continue serving and he wanted to go back to his farm in mount vernon and make way for a new generation of leadership, which is one of the reasons why he is so referred throughout history and we ought to respect chairman walden for understanding the important things in life valuing his family and to know that as much as he enjoys his job and humbled he is to serve, he is going back home to his family. So chairman walden, god speed to you, thank you for what you have done not only for this chamber but for the United States. I yield back. Mr. Upton i yield three minutes to the gentlelady from. Shington state mrs. Rodgers former chairman, i thank you for bringing us together tonight, it is an honor for me to join in recognizing the life and service of greg walden. I have the pleasure of being considering him a friend and colleague and neighbor to the south. We have deep roots in the pacific northwest, but he will remind me that his family came , a few years before mine 1845. We didnt get there until 1853. He is always ex selling and i was thinking, he probably has the most frequent flyer points because no one has worked harder and traveled back and forth across this country in represent the people of oregon all these years. I want to join in just celebrating a tremendous leader. Chairman of the house energy and Commerce Committee and led that committee in the great, i think in a way that reflects what a great history. Always focused on results and focused on solving the problems and bringing people together to get big things done and i appreciate the vision and the foundation that you have led during your time on the house energy and Commerce Committee. There is a long list of successes and accomplishments here, leading on combatting the 21st crisis, building a Century Committee and expanding rural broadband. I appreciate your leadership there. Our districts are very similar, Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon and to make sure no one is left behind, reauthorizing the Childrens HealthInsurance Program and lowering the prescription drugs and unleashing medical innovation and because of your leadership, peoples lives have been improved. People have been lifted out of poverty and raised the standard of living even more. I appreciate the way that he leads. This is somebody who has held a lot of different titles while serving in the house of representatives. But i have been around him for many years. I remember being down at the white house when i was first elected with george w. Bush and greg walden was there and didnt miss an opportunity to put in a good word or the need for better Forest Management and combatting catastropheic wildfires. He was always advocating for the people of Eastern Oregon. This is one we are going to miss. He is the ultimate legislator. One who has come and worked hard and made difference for the people of Eastern Oregon and leaves a High Standard for the rest of us in both your commitment, your hard work and record of results. No matter where life takes you next. I wish and your wife and your son all the best in the next chapter. It is well earned and well deserved. God bless you. And the best is yet to come. Mr. Upton i yield two minutes to another member of the energy and Commerce Committee, this one from the great state of michigan, mr. Walberg. Mr. Walberg i was in my office finishing up a meeting and saw this going on down here and i knew i had to come because chairman walden and you dont mind if i call you chairman still. I dont know if that violates any house policy, mr. Speaker, but you will my chairman, first chairman, a committee i wanted to be on a long time and representative up ton and i talked about that and he assured me that was the Key Committee to be on and i knew that for a fact and i havent been disappointed. But one of the quotes that mean most to me which is the quote about the speaker and quote from Daniel Webster who says let us develop the resources of our land, buildup the institutions, promote its great interests and see whether we also in our day and our generation may not perform Something Worthy to be remembered. Its a powerful quote. And we all aspire to that. But a few actually achieve that. And chairman walden, i want to say through the speaker to you, that i believe you have achieved that purpose in doing something here that will be remembered. If not, in all of the policy and legislative issues that you fronted and pushed for, you will leave that in the lives of members who have served with you on committee and under your leadership. I will never forget a 27hour markup and debate that went on after the pattern that ought to be here in the house of representatives. I remember the firmness with which you led that committee markup, the passion you displayed on the issues, the agreements and disagreements that you had and you led in, but you treated us all on that committee with respect worthy of this institution. And you treated each member with a purpose that said to all of us, you are important and your ideas should be considered. I know for a fact i served under airmen in state and National Politics that have led, but only have a few led in such a way that the people you led felt that you meant it, whether you agreed or disagreed with us and you made us better for the calling and for the purpose. And so i want to say to you, mr. Chairman, thank you for your service. I wish you well. Your family, all of your endeavors and i will pray prayers of thanks for you and blessings on your life. Ll the best. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time. I know other members may be on the way over and i would ask unanimous consent that all members may offer remarks as part of this special order for mr. Walden. So this is a farewell for greg walden. He started off in Public Service serving as the youngest state House Majority leader in oregons history before he was elected to the u. S. House oregons 2nd district. Came to the energy and Commerce Committee in 2001 and as i referenced the energy and Commerce Committee as the greatest committee and i took the words of john dingell, our former chairman, who agrees with me, i know, but as he would say, our committees jurisdiction is just two words, the world. We have jurisdiction over energy, the environment, health care, telecommunications, trade, manufacturing and then some and of course that very important issue called oversight and investigations. Greg chaired the Telecommunications Subcommittee from 2010 to 2016 and jumped up over seniority over others because of his issue whether the digital broadcasting, anything involving the telecommunication industry. He became chairman of the full committee in 2017 and obviously the Top Republican as republicans no longer serve in the majority. And as you look back at his career and look at some of these landmark issues, ms. Rodgers indicated a few, chip, Childrens Health care, so important for all of our states, he was a leader on that. For the First Time Ever we passed something with a 10year authorization bill called the Community Health authorization centers. Opioids opioids, big issue. Still is today. Every member of our committee had a piece of that bill. Maybe more than 100 different separate bills fashioned together as one, President Trump signed it into law with a meaningful difference for so many people that struggle with this addiction across the country. And i couldnt forget this one bill and i had to write the pimfrlt repack better access for users of modern servers. I think i got that right. Take the first letter of every bomb. Nd that is ray he was our staff director until brain cancer took his life. And this bill was named in honor of raw and 911 calls wouldnt work today without this, because this provided the location for when that call is made, to make sure that the First Responder is going to get to that delivery site. So very important legislation and ray was just an awesome leader on our committee. I see other members have joined us now. May i ask, mr. Speaker, how much time do i have remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has eight minutes remaining. Mr. Upton i yield two minutes to the gentleman from california, member of the energy and Commerce Committee, mr. Mcnerney. Mr. Mcnerney i think two minutes is enough time. Im willing to come down here and risk covid to speak in favor of a republican. So, there you have it. I have known greg walden for many years now on the committee, on trips, on legislation. He has been a gentleman and a person i can work with. We have disagreements, dont we, greg . That says a lot. And i went to oregon to visit to see the eclipse and greg invited me to go to his place and watch it. I appreciated that. It shows you that people can get along in this institution and have respect for each other. I yield back. Mr. Upton i yield two minutes to the gentlelady from indiana, mrs. Brooks, a member of the energy and Commerce Committee. Mrs. Brooks i thank my dear friend. Its a statesman who thinks about the next generation. Greg walden is an amazing politician but hes an even more important statesman for our next generation. Representative walden has been a mentor to many. When he was chair of nrcc he mentored and helped so many people become part of this Great Institution. But then he mentored people like me, along with representative upton of michigan, to make it to the energy and Commerce Committee where i knew that big things got done and that the world was our jurisdiction. And so not only as a mentor, but he rose to chair of that committee and did it with humility, did it with humor, did it with wisdom. And im so glad you talked about all the things he accomplished. But he always reminded us he was an oregon broadcaster first and foremost, and that he loved his incredible state of oregon, and was such a leader. Its been my pleasure and my husband davids pleasure to travel with he and melene and to get to know his son that next generation of leaders, anthony. I want to thank you for the opportunities you gave me and so many of my colleagues. I want to wish you the best in retirement, youve been an amazing mentor, an amazing friend, an amazing leader in this country and you are a statesman, my friend. Mr. Upton , mr. Speaker, i want to report some breaking news. Roll call has just put something out online, itll be published tomorrow, the headline is roll call adulting in roll call, adulting might be alive and the retirements retiring Lamar Alexander and greg walden show its possible to do your job in public while acting like a grownup. Thats greg. He got things done. He was an eagle scout when he was a youngster. Still is a mighty big duck fan. Cant walk into his Office Without seeing the ducks, hes in a lot better mood on monday when you see him if the ducks win. But hes been a really special individual. With real care and handling of all the different issues our committee deals with. A partner in the leadership on both sides of the aisle. His word is his bond. His staff has been terrific. All of them. All the subcommittee staff. His personal staff. And obviously his greatest staff person, mellene. She and his son anthony. Up atched him grow him grow from when anthony was a youngster, melene has been a special friend to all of us she puts up with greg, usually shes on the west coast while hes over here. Hes been a special talent thats been linked to our committee to make this country a better place. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield would you like . How much time do i have remaining . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has three minutes remaining. Mr. Upton i yield three minutes. Mr. Walden i want to thank my colleagues who came down tonight to share these words. I want to assure the American People, it feels like a eulogy but im still alive. Im deeply indebted for they jeb rossity, their kindness and their words tonight. It means a lot. Ive told people im not one of the grumpy, cranky members leaving. This is a Great Institution with really good people who do good work here. We may not always agree, as my friend from oregon or my friend from california said, but it doesnt mean we have to be disagreeable. We come here to solve problems. We approach them from different angles, representing different american, but we come here to find solutions. Ive been so blessed to work with people like mrs. Brooks, mr. Blumenauer and my friend from michigan, mr. Upton and the others who are down here. It is a team effort. And we live in a really, really great country. Ive been so blessed to be part of this institution for the last 22 years. I had hair when i came here, mr. Speaker. Honest. I can show you photos. Itll take a lot out of you. But when i do return home, i will completely 644th round trip between the Nations Capital and between here and home. I did that because i really wanted to stay in touch, and my family is there, and yet it is it proves the point on almost every flight, my friend from portland area, mr. Blumenauer has been right there with me. Our colleague, mr. Defazio, almost every trip. And its what we do as members here. We go home, we listen to our stite we come back and try and find solutions. Whether its on opioids or Internet Connectivity or all the things referenced tonight. My success is attributed to the people ive been able to work with. My colleagues. And as mr. Upton said, our terrific, brilliant staff in this institution. Who worked literally day and night. And i know because i get texts from them at midnight when theyre on reading thru a bill or working on an agreement, negotiating at the stafftostaff level. America is wellserved by this institution. I wish more americans saw the kind of camaraderie we have here, the comity we have here and the accomplishments that we do here. Because this place constituent works, mr. Speaker. And i just wish well the incoming class of new members. Who Bring New Energy and new ideas to this process. I know they too come here to represent their people back home. So to my friends, thank you. This was most generous, over the top and a big surprise. I thought i was just headed off as a homeless member of congress with no office to find something to eat. But instead, mrs. Mcmorris rodgers said i needed to come with her over here. So thank you to my friends. Mr. Uptonning, my dear friend, he and amy and my wife and i are very close. Thank you for your kindness and your words. With that, i would yield back. Ill have a more formal Farewell Speech ill give late they are week on the house floor. Ill reserve any further comments to that time. I just would again thank my friend from michigan, mr. Upton, and i would yield back. Mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker, i yealed back the balance of our time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Eth the chair recognizes the gentleman from rhode island, mr. Angevin, for 30 minutes. Mr. Langevin thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today to discuss the conference report to accompany the National Defense authorization act for fiscal year 2021 that we will be considering tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, this is my 20th ndaa and as ever, im incredibly proud of the bipartisan work that went into creating it. Amidst all the 1,300 provisions, i want to focus on section 1752. Section 1752 is based on my bill, h. R. 7331, the National Cyber director act and it is the result of more than 10 years of deliberative thought and advocacy. The provision is simple enough. It creates an office of the National Cyber director within the executive office of the president. The office is led by a director who would be president ially appointed and con firmed by the senate. The National Cyber director is charged with being the president s principal advidsor on matters of policy developing and overseeing implementation of the National Cyber strategy. He or she will also be response frble coordinating government response to serious Cyber Incidents and as i said, simple enough, but this represents a complex sea change in the whyway Cyber Security is handled in the federal government. The need could not be more urgent. Of course cyber operation, whether carried out by criminals or nation states, continue to threaten us as a nation. Hardly a day goes by when we dont read about a new ransom ware attack taking down an entire Hospital System or shutting down businesses. Our adversaries target our elections to strike at the heart of our democracy. They target our Defense Industrial base that gives us our competitive edge. They even are targeting Vaccine Research that may be the key to ending the terrible pandemic that we are living thru. Cyber states, mr. Speaker, is a ew domain and the first thats been created entirely by human kind. We would not expect the emerging security challenges of cyberspace would be easy to tackle and of course they have proven to be quite difficult. After all, many security paradigms that developed about orders are virtually meaningless when it is as easy to attack a computer across the room as it is to attack one half a world away. While thorny, these challenges are not insurmountable, however the federal government has not risen to the challenge as well as we could hope. There are many reasons for this but probably the most important of which is that nobody really is in charge. Cyber security is often passed off as an i. T. Problem. Best left to the geeks to handle, instead of being recognized as an Operational Risk that needs attention from senior leadership. Most federal agencies do not have Cyber Security in their Core Missions so investment Cyber Capabilities can fall by the wayside. Computer systems also pervade every aspect of the federal governments work so coordination is required across the entire interagency. Failure to rise to address these challenges pose real risks to the government. Sensitive Government Data such has been e missions stolen. U. S. Corporations suffer billions of dollar damages each year from Cyber Incidents and other adversaries increasingly view the cyber domain as ideal for conducting asymmetric warfare in the gray zone below the level of armed conflict. For more than a decade, mr. Speaker, i have been involved in numerous efforts to root out underlying causes of the governments inability to get into the Cyber Security problem. Most recently i had the privilege of serve on a 14member body chartered by congress to develop a strategic approach to protect the country from cyber ince dens of significant consequence. One of the efforts these are uncovered, a finding endorsed recently by the Government Accountability office, is that a lack of centralized leadership in the white house is holding the government back. Only the white house, mr. Speaker, has the ability to compel interagency cooperation, ensure that Cyber Security efforts are sinner jitic and deconflicted. Only the white house can ensure that budgets are adequate, both for internal Cyber Defense and external Cyber Security programs aimed at protecting the private sector. Le on the white house can effectively coordinate Incident Response across two dozen agencies with some Cyber Security responsibility. President bush and obama both made strides in improving Cyber Security policy coordination within the white house. Changes that were at first Carry Forward by President Trump and his Homeland Security advisor. But nub of them gave the position they created the gravitas, the authority needed, o be successful and eventually thennational security advisor john bolton eventually eliminated the Cyber Security coordinator position altogether. Its clear Congress Needed to step in and provide Strategic Direction with the National Cyber director act that we have here. Timely, we will have the accountability that comes from having a leader within the executive office of the president that we can interrogate about Cyber Strategy writ large and that we as the congress will in turn be accountable to our stites for ensuring the strategy is executed and resourced properly. This ndaa will be incredibly important bill in the history of Cyber Security legislation and i am honored to have played a key role in advancing it. Madam speaker, like any bill a decade in the make, many hands have gotten us to this point with the National Cyber director act. First of all, i owe an emors now debt of fwrattude to Speaker Pelosi for appointing me as her designee it has been one of the highlights of my congressional career and many of the progress we have made as the National Cyber director is due to my fellow commissioners. Patrick murphy was my organization eli in these halls and in the executive branch. Tom fanning brought his expertise as a major utility executive to ensure accountability. Frank saluppo scoping the authorities of the office while Suzanne Spalding that the National Cyber director had insight in the cyber domain. Essential to was reflect the realities of working within the executive office of the president. Finally, chris lengthishs invaluable feedback is the bill we vote on tomorrow will fit squarely in the vision. Despite my years of working on this proposal, chris has connected the National Cyber recommendation with our broader mission. I would never have been exposed to the idea of a stronger coordinating authority within the white house if it were not for my onetime not for my time on the centers for strategic on cybersecurity, which i was proud to cochair. All helped chairs shape my thinking during my first deep dive on this topic. And we would have been lost without the expert without jim lewis, the commissions executive director. After nine years trying to pass a bill within the white house, what changed this year . Well, quite frankly, john bolton and his poor zrigs making changed the equation. I dont think anyone ever thought that giveen the threat in cyber space that someone would eliminate the cyber coordinator at the white house. One of the worst cyber policy moves, bolton did just that and we needed to establish a permanent cyber director. That need was understood by chairman smith and by recommendations in the ndaa and consistently supported the National Cyber suret act. Chairman maloney. When i first spoke to her about this report, she immediately got wide leadership in the white house. In addition to joining the National Cyber director act as an orange cosponsor, she convened a hearing and then consideration on the house floor. The witnesses at that hearing, former House Intelligence Committee chairman mike rogers and Obama Michael mcdaniel and Suzanne Spalding made a clear and compelling case for expedited. And chairman mcgovern took up is charge ruling this in consistent with the text during our floor debate on the ndaa. As my colleagues, passing the house is only half the battle. Heres what my fellow commissioners carried. Senator ben sasse who created the commission made it an essential part to improve cybersecurity. Our colleague and cochair, congressman mike gal ager, has been with me every step on the way and 16 other provisions we moved through the ndaa process. Anyone who claims that bipartisan is dead in washington has not met with this. In the senate, my counterpart, the chair of the Senate Armed Services committee, subcommittee on cyber, senator mike rounds, has been a negotiating partner. Senator rounds came to the table with an open mind and asked tough by fair questions and requested Additional Information and helped to strengthen it and push it through the and i thank congressman katko who went to bat to the National Cyber director and special note of thanks is reserved to our other cochair, senator king. Senator king has been the soul of the commission and i continue to be in awe of the steady leadership throughout the process. Senator kings max ims, whether that sloppy structure leads to sloppy policy, unquote, one throat to choke, in the executive branch encapsulated the themes at stake. I can say no one fought harder to ensure that the senate accepted a strong version of the National Cyber director act. Thank you senator king. Finally, madam speaker, as all of my colleagues know, we would be lost in this institution without the staff that supports us. I would have never begun this journey if it were not for jake, a former staff director on the Homeland Security subcommittee on emerging threats, cybersecurity and science and technology. Helped us avis david to provide the scaff olding for the national and michael herman, further refine the concept. The staff has been extraordinary to work with and a greatest ta meant to the executive director to mark month gentlewomanny. Mark challenged us to draft a report that would be actionable. And this is the realization of his vision and has a flagging work ethic. Steve ow legislators ith on senator kings smith, Chad Morrison and greg notterly stepped up to ensure that we are going in the same direction. We would never have had a hearing on the bill were if it not of Eleanor Burns and lawyery burns to ensure that the bill would have the opportunity to be debated and voted upon. N the senate side, jeff from Ranking Member peters staff helped us navigate the jurisdictional hurdles that come with any piece of cybersecurity legislation. And during the conference process itself, we relied avily on katie and kurt, two pros on the Senate Armed Services staff and eric, staff lead for Ranking Member stefanik. I want to acknowledge my own staff. Car ine, assisted by our defense fellow, captain matt blake and expertly balanced the priorities that i had in my portfolio and my constituents in rhode island. My cybersecurity fellows, derek, eric and allison have been Brilliant Minds and team players who helped me get the most. At the end of the day, this bill would not have gone without my read josh. Josh understood the National Cyber director working on seib security and using that experience and skill at negotiating. He steered the National Cyber director and more than two dozen recommendations through the n dmp arch arch. One of the harder things to do is to entrust someone else with something of great value to you but i never had any hesitation letting josh work in staffle level discussions. And timely and most importantly, the National Cyber director act, the dozens of other recommendations and countless other cyber initiatives that i have developed over the years would never have existed were it not for my legislative director nick. Nick has been the engine on my cyber policy work for six years. His legislative expertise and commitment to advancing cybersecurity policy have elevated the discussion on capitol hill and kept our country safer. He has worked tirelessly for many years and im grateful for how he has turned the National Cyber director act into legislation and finally into reality. Madam speaker, this years nd arch a is one of the most important pieces of cybersecurity legislation ever to be considered by congress. There are so many provisions from creating a joint Cyber Planning Office at the cybersecurity and infrastructure security to have an enforcement assessment. But the crown jewel is the National Cyber director act. I look forward to working with President Biden and Vice President harris and the new administration to stand up this office. I have often said there are no silver bullets in cybersecurity making and i still believe that. Knowing there is a central coordinated figuring in the house and i hope that the legacy of this bill will be safety, security and stability in cyber space for decades to come. Thank you, mr. Speaker. And i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. Pursuant to section 4b of House Resolution 967, the house stands adjourned until with coronavirus cases increasing across the country, use our website, cspan. Org coronavirus, to follow the trends, track the spread with interactive maps, and watch updates ondemand any ime at cspan. Org coronavirus. Tuesday afternoon, president elect joe biden introduces his pick for a number of healthrelate healthrelated positions in his administration. Including the democratic California Attorney general to serve as health and human ervices secretary. Watch live or listen live with the free cspan radio app. Georgia state Election Officials confirmed this morning that Democrat Joe Biden won the state. This news briefing was held in atlanta. Ok. Get rid of that thing. Ok. Good morning. Im glad youre here bright and early. Im sure you have a place to be probably around 10 00. Its been a long 34 days since the election on november 3. We have now counted legally cast ballots three times. And the results remain unchanged