In My Own Words

Today we celebrate the first Monday of Black History Month. The idea of celebrating Black History was the brainchild of the famous African American historian, Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson observed that in order to gain respect in American society your accomplishments had to be recognized in print or you were simply overlooked.

Over the years I’ve seen many articles critical of the short-term financial product commonly known as a “Payday Loan.” They have been termed abusive for their high interest rates and the fact that people often have multiple loans and fall into greater debt. I don’t challenge the fact that more of these loans go into default, it speaks to a larger problem. Where do people with credit issues get emergency cash? I have never seen any of those articles critical of payday loans offering real solutions.

Mr. President, members, I rise to adjourn in memory of two icons of the civil rights movement, Dr. Dorothy Height and Benjamin L. Hooks. I had the opportunity to know both of them and actually worked for Dr. Height. In many instances when we adjourn it’s a sad occasion, but members today I’m not sad as my heart is filled with joy that both Dr. Height and Mr. Hooks lived long and productive lives. I know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord so I hope to see them again. 

An educational advocacy group founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated in a 2008 report that almost half of all public high school students in the fifty largest cities in the US drop out before graduation - the national dropout rate is around 70 percent.  These figures constitute nothing less than a crisis in education.

I would argue that the overwhelming majority of these kids dropped out of school because they lost interest. They left with no marketable job skills or direction.