What Kweisi Mfume said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, I missed votes due to my obligations given that it was Maryland's primary election day. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 223 and YEA on Roll Call No. 224.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce, a devoted civil servant who dedicated herself to the City of Baltimore and its people.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for yielding but for also helping to sponsor this very, very important Special Order on the fact that this is Black History Month technically.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina for yielding and the gentleman from Maryland for his co-participation. Mr. Speaker, 5 years ago at this time, those of us who were in this Chamber could hear the sound of glass being swept up outside of this door.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a congressional staffer who has played an indispensable role in Maryland's 7th Congressional District. She began her well-deserved retirement this year after over 29 years of service to the United States Congress and the people of Baltimore, Ms.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved figure in Baltimore City, Mr. Arthur ``Squeaky'' Kirk, a man I have had the honor of working alongside many times in our shared community.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the artistic brilliance of legendary filmmaker and beloved Baltimorean, John Waters, for his outstanding contributions to the film industry. Affectionately dubbed the ``Pope of Trash'' by William S.”

“Waters' early work. His iconic films, such as Pink Flamingos, Desperate Living, Female Trouble and Polyester reveal the unique personalities and plights he encountered during his formative years in and around Baltimore.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an accomplished media mogul, Mr. Byron Allen, who has embodied the ideals of persistence, innovation, and integrity throughout his life and career.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an esteemed artist who truly needs no introduction: actor, producer, and director, Denzel Washington. The two-time Oscar winner and Tony Award recipient has carved a path for actors and performers who seek to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of artistic accomplishment.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a trailblazing woman who fearlessly creates works of art that serve as a compelling force for change. Award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer Ava DuVernay grew up in the communities of Lynwood and Compton, in California, and spent her summers visiting her father's home state of Alabama.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate a beloved native son of Baltimore, Dr. Michael L. Zollicoffer, M.D. Dr. Z, as he's known to most of his patients, is a physician of boundless compassion and enthusiasm, and he has spent more than 35 years breaking down barriers to healthcare for all Baltimoreans, regardless of their ability to pay.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about two things, one particularly of import and interest, because we are exiting what we have come to know in this country as Black History Month and the other more pertinent in terms of the current news and what is going on, particularly what has been going on over the last month and a half.”

“Mr. Speaker, I associate myself with the remarks from the distinguished gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Figures) and to also urge the White House to move forthwith on that request and other similar requests.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an iconic Baltimore institution and one of the top five public arts high schools in the United States, the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA).”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding achievements and historic tenure of Maryland's outgoing United States Attorney, Erek Lawrence Barron. He is an experienced lawyer, an accomplished legislator, and a champion of civil rights, and his time as U.S.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a dear friend, a loving family man, an inspiring educator, a devout pastor, an accomplished writer, an award-winning journalist, and a person of the highest caliber--the late Reverend Dr.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend, a great journalist, a humanitarian, and a man of faith, Rev. Dr. Tim Tooten. Tim was an admired journalist having spent more than 35 years reporting at Baltimore's WBAL-TV.”

“Mr. Speaker, I may not use the entire 60 minutes, but I appreciate the opportunity. I would encourage other Members of the House, who are still in town, to certainly come over and to seek recognition on this as I try to talk a bit about Dr.”

“Yet, he never matched the violence he got with violence of his own. On June 5, 1956, a Federal District Court ruled that the State of Alabama's segregation policy on public buses was, in fact, unconstitutional.”