What Terri A. Sewell said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., who passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 83.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and extraordinary woman of faith, and a living testament to courage and resilience: Ms. Yolanda Jackson. This week, the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham will present Yolanda with its Iron Strong Award for her courageous battle with breast cancer.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Lula Hatcher, who passed away on July 3, 2026, at the age of 93.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for allowing me to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to attaching the SAVE America Act to the NDAA.”

“Let me be perfectly clear. We all agree that it is important for citizens to verify who they are during the voting process, but this bill is not about voter ID.”

“Mr. Speaker. I rise today with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus at a moment of profound consequence for our democracy--a moment when Black representation in America is under attack.”

“The struggle for voting rights has never been easy. From Selma to Montgomery, brave Americans shed blood, sweat, and tears to secure the right to vote. They marched, they organized, and some gave their lives so that future generations could participate fully in our democracy.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the City of Orrville and Dallas County community in celebrating the grand opening of the Orrville Public Library, which took place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Orrville, Alabama.”

“Mr. Speaker, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act will strengthen taxpayers' rights when the IRS uses a levy to collect unpaid taxes by making technical fixes to the Tax Court's jurisdiction.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to sound the alarm about the crisis unfolding before our eyes: the systemic dismantling of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.”

“Rights Advancement Act to restore, reform, and modernize the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Our bill would rebuild the preclearance system that was destroyed by Shelby.”

“Mr. Speaker, as we begin the 94th Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Southeastern Regional Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, I rise to honor the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Tracey Morant Adams, the 27th southeastern regional director.”

“As I reflect on Tracey's service, I cannot help but think of my mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, the 18th southeastern regional director. Mom would be so proud to see how Tracey has followed in her footsteps, protecting the legacy of our beloved sorority while boldly imagining our future.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of J. Mason Davis, an attorney from Alabama, a towering figure in Alabama's legal community, and a steadfast advocate for justice, equality, and human dignity.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Defending American Property Abroad Act. This narrowly tailored bill will target vessels that attempt to enter the U.S. after moving through a seized American-owned port.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the extraordinary life and legacy of Bernard LaFayette, who passed away on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85. He was a giant of the civil rights movement and a lifelong champion of justice, equality, and nonviolence.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Jr., who, at the Fifty-Second Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, was elected and consecrated as the 144th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and now serves as the Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District, which includes the State of Alabama.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in observance of the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the annual Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage through Alabama, which will take place this weekend in Birmingham, Montgomery, and my hometown of Selma, Alabama.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Ms. Jo Ann Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of foot soldier, freedom fighter, and civil rights icon Ms. Joanne Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to Trump's voter suppression bill. In recent months, President Trump's attempts to interfere in the midterm elections have become more brazen and alarming day by day.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise with my Congressional Black Caucus colleagues in celebration of Black History Month 2026, a time to recognize the extraordinary contributions that African Americans have made to the history and culture of America.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a lifelong public servant and Alabama native, Commissioner Rhondel B. Rhone, who celebrated his 70th Birthday on January 31, 2026. In 1992, motivated by the pursuit of justice and a deep, abiding love for the people of his community, Commissioner Rhone sought public office with a clear purpose: to serve and uplift the people of Clarke County.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pride and profound gratitude to celebrate Founders' Day 2026 for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first Greek letter organization established for African-American college-educated women.”

“Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands for yielding me time. I rise in strong support of H.R. 6504, a 3-year extension of the Haiti HOPE/HELP trade preference program, one of the most important tools for promoting economic stability, job creation, and long-term development in Haiti.”

“Today, however, Haiti faces extraordinary political unrest, economic strain, and humanitarian need. Just as families are struggling to afford basic goods, this vital program is set to expire.”

“Madam Speaker, in closing, I again thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal, as well as Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Sanchez of the Subcommittee on Trade for working so hard to make sure that we reauthorize AGOA.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of restoring the Affordable Care Act tax credits and lowering healthcare costs for millions of Americans. As of January 1, more than 400,000 Alabamians faced higher premiums because Republicans in this body let the ACA tax credits expire.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this bill. In a matter of days, roughly 130,000 people in my home State of Alabama will lose their healthcare coverage because Republicans in this body refuse to extend the ACA tax credits.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the historic arrest of Rosa Parks, which took place in Montgomery, Alabama, exactly 70 years ago today. Rosa Parks' legacy is one of remarkable bravery and moral fortitude.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in observance of today, November 20, as World Pancreatic Cancer Day. It is a time to shine light on the devastating impact of this disease and dedicate ourselves to improving prevention, early detection, and treatment.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize today as National Rural Health Day. As the daughter of Alabama's rural Black Belt, I know firsthand the challenges that our rural communities face when it comes to accessing quality, affordable healthcare.”

“Mr. Speaker, I join in honoring the incredible legacy of Alabama's own Tuskegee Airmen, and paying my respects to Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy who was among the last of the original Tuskegee Airmen before he passed away in September.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. Just like the rest of America, we in Alabama are facing a health crisis caused by the Republican Party. Thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress, more than 58,000 of my constituents in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District will see their health insurance premiums skyrocket next year.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate an extraordinary educator from my hometown of Selma, Alabama, Ms. Veronica Pitts, of Selma High School, for being named the National Civics Teacher of the Year by the Bill of Rights Institute.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome to our Nation's Capitol patient advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for their annual fly-in. This week, 700 advocates representing every State and all 435 congressional delegations and districts will be raising awareness of the urgent need for policies that improve cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and patient support.”

“When it comes to cancer, we know that early detection is our best protection, and that is exactly what this bill will do. It is about ensuring that those who are most at risk can catch cancer early and stop it before it spreads.”

“Mr. Speaker, I first really just thank the Congressional Black Caucus for commemorating this 62nd anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church with this Special Order hour.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of a civil rights icon and a beloved Birmingham pastor, Bishop Calvin Woods, Sr., who passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 91.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of a Civil Rights icon and community leader, Bishop Calvin W. Woods, Sr., who passed away on August 16, 2025, at the age of 91.”

“In 1956, Bishop Woods joined his brother Reverend Abraham L. Woods, Jr., and Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth to co-found the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR). Through this work, Bishop Woods began the journey of what would become six decades of courageous leadership throughout the Civil Rights Movement.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Reginald Adams Berry, a devoted husband and father. A native of Washington, D.C., Reginald remained in his hometown, building a loving family and distinguished career as an architect.”

“Mr. Speaker, never give up. Never give in. Keep the faith and keep your eyes on the prize. Those were the words of John Lewis as he crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge for the last time before his passing in 2020.”

“In these troubling times, I think of those words often. John would have a lot to say about what is going on these days: the attacks on our democracy, the erasing of our history, the efforts to make it harder for people to vote.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge June 19 as Juneteenth. On June 19, this Nation will recognize Juneteenth with a Federal holiday. We will gather in the spirit of remembrance, resilience, and recommitment to celebrate a day of delayed liberation, but not undeniable triumph.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Julian L. McPhillips, Jr., the people's lawyer of Alabama, who passed away on April 12, 2025, at the age of 78.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the one big, billionaire, boondoggle bill. We are here because, according to President Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans in Congress, billionaires and giant corporations don't have enough money.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Alabama-native, Civil Rights activist, and trailblazing public servant, former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, who passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 77.”

“Following the Carter Administration, she managed Jesse Jackson's 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns, served as Chief of Staff for the Democratic National Convention, and was Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison in the Clinton Administration.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the House Republican's so-called SAVE Act, the most restrictive voting law to be considered by this body in decades.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my CBC colleagues in getting into some good trouble as we voice our very strong opposition to the Republicans' voter suppression bill, the so-called SAVE Act.”

“Mr. Speaker, with the eyes of the Nation on Alabama and Auburn men's basketball as they compete in the NCAA March Madness championship tournament, I would like to also shed a light on the outstanding high school basketball players in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District who led their teams to championship victories this season.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. This partisan-charged bill targets innocent workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic, received unemployment benefits, spent them in good faith to pay for necessities, and had no idea that their States made mistakes in paying their benefits.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Jefferson County Schools superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, who was just named the 2025 National Superintendent of the Year. Superintendent Gonsoulin was celebrated at the AASA's National Conference on Education for his leadership within Alabama's Jefferson County School system.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Brenda Lovelady Spahn, the founder of The Lovelady Center in Birmingham, Alabama, who passed away on December 18, 2024, at the age of 75.”

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary career and achievements of Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., as he celebrates his retirement after 17 years as the president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.”