MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) is pleased to announce that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded two Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) to institutions in Mississippi.

Jackson State University has been awarded $317,039, for the project “Building the Capacity of the Margaret Walker Center: Improved and Expanded Access to Collections.” The Margaret Walker Center (MWC) at Jackson State University will move its archives to secure, environmentally controlled, temporary storage during building renovations and HVAC replacement made necessary due to severe storm damage in 2023. During this project, the MWC will build upon the HBCU History and Culture Access Consortium (HCAC), a digital humanities initiative with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in two ways: digitizing nearly 1,000 oral histories most threatened by the environmental challenges in Ayer Hall and transferring 35,000 items from a fee-based digital platform to an open-source program used in the HCAC. These efforts will guarantee long-term preservation and access to MWC’s collections.

Shape Up Mississippi has been awarded $98,000, for the project “Collaborative Capacity Building: Cultural Connections and Bridging Heritage.” The Catfish Row Museum (CRM) will partner with the Mound Bayou Museum (MBM) to develop and expand public programs and exhibitions. Project activities include the creation of a short film, and two permanent timeline exhibits that highlight the contributions of Vicksburg and Mound Bayou during significant historical phases, such as the cotton plantation era, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. These exhibits will showcase community resilience and the shared history of both museums, emphasizing the narrative of cooperation that led to the founding of Mound Bayou by formerly enslaved people. Professional development workshops aimed at enhancing museum operations and management will be facilitated by experienced museum professionals in collaboration with local Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), specifically Jackson State University and Tougaloo College. This initiative aims to empower both museums, ensuring they effectively serve their communities while promoting a deeper understanding of their shared cultural heritage.

“These investments not only preserve and expand access to African American history and culture, but also strengthen the capacity of our local institutions to tell the stories that matter to our communities,” said Congressman Thompson. “Jackson State University and Shape Up Mississippi are doing vital work to safeguard history, empower communities, and ensure that future generations have access to these cultural treasures.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

BOLTON, MS – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) is pleased to announce that Jackson State University has been selected to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training – Rehabilitation of the Blind Program (84.129P).

The university will receive $175,000.00 for the first budget period (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026), with an anticipated total of five years of support. This funding will provide long-term training for rehabilitation counselors who specialize in delivering vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind.

“This investment in Jackson State University highlights the importance of preparing skilled professionals to assist individuals who are blind in reaching their full potential and achieving independence,” said Congressman Thompson. “I am proud to see JSU continue its leadership in advancing opportunities for students while serving the broader community.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

Washington, D.C. –  Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement:

“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House.  Yet instead of working together to keep the government open and protect American families, Donald Trump and House Republicans chose to shut it down,” said Rep. Thompson.

“As the only member of Mississippi’s Congressional House Delegation who voted for the Affordable Care Act, I have always stood with working families who need access to affordable health care.  The Republican spending bill does the opposite.  It rips away health care from families who finally gained coverage and makes premiums unaffordable for thousands more.

“Health care should not be a political football.  In the richest country in the world, no family should be forced to choose between paying the bills and going to the doctor.  Republicans say they care in private, but when it is time to act, they fall in line with Donald Trump.  Shame on them.”

If Congress does not extend health care tax credits immediately, hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose coverage, and millions more will see their costs skyrocket.  In Mississippi’s Second Congressional District alone, 81,000 people will see their health care costs rise.  For a family of four making $64,000 a year, premiums would increase by $2,571.

Rep. Thompson and Democrats are fighting to reopen the government, protect health care, lower out-of-pocket costs, and ensure working families are not left behind.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

“The murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University was horrific. In a democratic society, we do not settle our political disagreements through violence. I pray for Mr. Kirk’s wife and young children as they grieve the loss of their husband and father.

I mourn the loss of any life. I mourn the lives of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were brutally assassinated in their own home in June. I mourn the lives of the children at Annunciation Catholic School and pray for the injured students at Evergreen High School in Colorado. We owe it to each other to build a society free from violence.

I voted in support of H.Res.719 – Honoring the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk, because it forcefully condemns political violence, extremism, and hatred in all its forms.

Many of the beliefs Mr. Kirk held and statements he made directly contradicted the principles of equality and justice on which our nation was founded. He made many inflammatory remarks, including statements that were racist, sexist, and homophobic. I strongly condemn his language and ideology.

However, at this extremely difficult and dangerous time in our nation’s history, the safety and security of the American people must remain our highest priority. As my colleague, Jamie Raskin said in a statement about his yes vote, “the Resolution repeatedly condemns all political violence, extremism and hatred in unequivocal terms. It’s a very positive thing to get our Colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, on record condemning these dangerous forces when we hear so many outrageous calls to polarization, demonization, censorship, hatred, violence and division, often coming from the highest levels of government. We should overlook whatever surplus verbiage is contained in this Resolution designed to make the vote difficult for Democrats. We cannot fall for that obvious political trap and should rise above it.” It is time to turn down the heat and stop encouraging this division. We must de-escalate the inflammatory rhetoric in our political discourse and renew our commitment to recognizing the shared humanity of those with whom we disagree.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  After the federal government shutdown closed the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), federal agencies which play a significant role in D.C. land-use decisions, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she plans to introduce a bill to reopen these agencies and to exempt them from future shutdowns to prevent interruptions in local D.C. land-use decisions. Although Norton has introduced bills to remove NCPC’s and CFA’s authority over these decisions, their jurisdictions remain until her bills are enacted.

“While it is unfair that many of D.C.’s local land use issues are dictated by federal agencies, it adds insult to injury that these strictly local decisions are delayed and interrupted during federal government shutdowns,” Norton said. “Congress should also pass my National Capital Planning Commission District of Columbia Home Rule Act and my Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act to give D.C. greater autonomy over its land use policies.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced the District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act, which would give D.C. exclusive authority, as the states and territories have, to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.

While D.C. law appears to give the mayor authority to grant clemency, under current practice, clemency petitions for D.C. crimes, like federal crimes, are submitted to the Department of Justice for the president’s consideration. The District of Columbia Clemency Home Rule Act would give D.C. the discretion to establish its own clemency system. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill as part of the District of Columbia Home Rule Expansion Act in the 117^th Congress.

“States and territories have full control over their criminal justice systems, including clemency. D.C. also should have full control over its criminal justice system,” Norton said. “Since the D.C. Council has authority to enact local D.C. laws, D.C. officials are in the best position to grant clemency for D.C. crimes.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her bill to exempt from federal government shutdowns agencies that have jurisdiction only over District of Columbia matters but are exclusively or primarily funded by the federal government and not under the District’s control. Norton emphasized that these agencies are essentially D.C. agencies that have nothing to do with federal issues or congressional shutdown matters. They provide critical criminal and civil justice services to the District and should continue to function during a federal government shutdown to protect the safety and well-being of D.C. residents.

This bill includes agencies that are exclusively funded by the federal government and are not under the District’s control: the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for D.C., the D.C. Courts, the D.C. Public Defender Service, the D.C. Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, and the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission. The bill also includes the D.C. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which is a D.C. agency but is primarily funded by the federal government.

“These are criminal and civil justice agencies whose focus is exclusively on District of Columbia matters but are funded by the federal government,” Norton said. ” These agencies provide critical local services to D.C., including law enforcement, and should continue to function as usual during a federal government shutdown. Congress should pass this bill to prevent irreparable damage from being done to the District’s justice system as soon as possible, before the specter of yet another inevitable shutdown looms.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution supporting the designation of September 23, 2025, as “Mary Church Terrell Day,” recognizing Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements. Terrell moved to the District of Columbia in 1887 to become a teacher at M Street Colored High School, now known as Dunbar High School, which is Norton’s alma mater.

Terrell’s parents encouraged her to pursue education, beginning her journey to become one of the first Black women to graduate from college and later to become the first Black woman appointed to the D.C. Board of Education. As a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Association of Colored Women, Terrell spent her life working to advance the status of African American women as a civil and women’s rights activist.

“Mary Church Terrell is well known for the battles she fought in the District of Columbia to demand a more equal America, particularly for Black women,” Norton said. “Her education empowered her to speak against the flaws of segregation and voter suppression. Our history books are filled with the accomplishment of men, but not enough of women who, like Mary Church Terrell, worked to change the world.”

The text of the resolution follows.

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of September 23, 2025, as “Mary Church Terrell Day”, and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

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Expressing support for the designation of September 23, 2025, as “Mary Church Terrell Day”, and calling on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was born on September 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee, to former enslaved persons;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell’s father, Robert Reed Church, was a successful businessman and one of the South’s first African-American millionaires;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell attended the Antioch College laboratory school and Oberlin College;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the first African-American women to attend college;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell’s belief in the importance of education led her to the District of Columbia in 1887;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell taught at M Street Colored High School, now known as Paul Laurence Dunbar High School;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was the first African-American woman to be appointed to a school board;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell believed that the end to racial discrimination could be achieved through education, work, and community activism;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell’s activism was sparked by the lynching of an old friend, Thomas Moss, in 1892;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell used her position to fight racial and gender discrimination;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell participated in antilynching campaigns alongside Ida B. Wells-Barnett;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell led the fight to desegregate eating places in the District of Columbia;

Whereas District of Columbia laws of 1872 and 1873 required all restaurants “to serve any respectable, well-behaved person regardless of color”;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was age 86 at the time she launched the campaign to enforce these civil rights laws;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell and several colleagues entered Thompson Restaurant in the District of Columbia on February 28, 1950;

Whereas the group was refused service on the basis of their race;

Whereas John R. Thompson Co., Inc., was prosecuted for violating these laws;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell continued her fight through boycotts, picketing, and sit-ins at restaurants around the District of Columbia;

Whereas, on June 8, 1953, three years after the information charging the restaurant was filed, the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. John R. Thompson Co., Inc., held these laws were enforceable;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell also actively fought for women’s suffrage;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was president of the National Association of Colored Women;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell was one of the founders and charter members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People;

Whereas Mary Church Terrell persuaded the National Association of University Women to admit Black members;

Whereas the Mary Church Terrell House is a National Historic Landmark located at 326 T Street, NW, in the District of Columbia, and is open to the public; and

Whereas September 23 would be an appropriate day to designate as Mary Church Terrell Day: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

1. supports the designation of “Mary Church Terrell Day”; and
2. (2) calls on Congress to recognize Mary Church Terrell’s lasting contributions to the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As students return to campus for the fall semester, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her annual resolution to designate September as “National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

“In recent years, sexual assaults on college campuses have been increasing. Designating September, a month when most students return to campus, as ‘National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month’ would provide a timely opportunity for colleges and universities to give specific attention to eliminating campus sexual assault. Nowhere in our society is sexual assault as prevalent as it is on college campuses, and nowhere should such conduct be least expected.”

Norton has introduced this resolution the past several years to highlight the problem of sexual assaults on campuses. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the exposure of Jeffrey Epstein and the #MeToo movement, and especially the increase of sexual assaults in campus settings, Norton said her determination to continue to speak out has only grown, and that we must change behavior at the earliest stages of the lives of young men and women.

The resolution follows.

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 

Whereas freshmen and sophomores in college are at a greater risk of being sexually assaulted than juniors or seniors; 

Whereas college students are at a higher risk of sexual assault during the first few months of school, with more than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occurring in either August, September, October, or November; 

Whereas many college students are survivors of ‘‘incapacitated assault’’, in which they are sexually assaulted while drugged, drunk, passed out, or otherwise incapacitated; 

Whereas these survivors often know their attackers; 

Whereas less than 12 percent of rapes and attempted rapes of college students are reported to campus authorities or local law enforcement; 

Whereas college sexual assault survivors are likely to tell someone they know, most often a friend, about their experience; 

Whereas 20 percent of college sexual assault survivors fear reprisal by the perpetrator; 

Whereas many college sexual assault survivors fear poor treatment by campus or law enforcement authorities, or even lack knowledge of the reporting process; 

Whereas 10 percent of colleges still do not allow confidential reporting of sexual assaults to campus authorities; 

Whereas 22 percent of colleges provide no sexual assault response training for members of their faculty and staff; 

Whereas 41 percent of colleges have not conducted a single sexual assault investigation in the last 5 years; 

Whereas most colleges fail to provide access to a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner; 

Whereas law enforcement officials at 30 percent of colleges receive no training on how to respond to reports of sexual violence; 

Whereas more than 70 percent of colleges do not have protocols regarding how the institution and local law enforcement should work together to respond to sexual violence; 

Whereas 33 percent of colleges fail to provide training to dispel ‘‘rape myths’’ to persons adjudicating sexual assault claims; 

Whereas 43 percent of the Nation’s largest colleges have students assisting in adjudicating sexual assault cases, which creates privacy and conflict-of-interest concerns; 

Whereas 22 percent of colleges allow athletic department oversight of sexual violence cases involving student athletes; 

Whereas many college sexual assault survivors experience confusion over how to report a sexual assault, are unsure of acceptable standards of sexual conduct and definitions of rape and sexual assault, and fear punishment for activities preceding some sexual assaults, such as underage drinking; 

Whereas 21 percent of the Nation’s largest private colleges report not independently investigating all claims of sexual assault that they conveyed to the Department of Education;

Whereas only 10 to 25 percent of the perpetrators of college sexual assaults are permanently expelled; 

Whereas less than 7 percent of reported college rape cases result in criminal charges against the perpetrator; 

Whereas survivors of campus sexual assaults are more likely to have their lives disrupted, such as by changing a college major, changing campus housing, and dropping a class, than the average student; 

Whereas 7 States require colleges to adopt affirmative consent policies; and Whereas September 2025, when many students begin or return to college, is an appropriate month to designate as National Campus Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Now, therefore, be it 

1          Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

2          the designation of National Campus Sexual Assault 

3          Awareness Month.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

EVANSTON – Today. U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement on Trump’s unconstitutional, politically motivated deployment of the National Guard in Chicago:

“Donald Trump and his henchman in the Republican Party are once again using fear, chaos, and cruelty to distract from their real agenda: taking away health care from 17 million Americans, slashing vital services, and protecting billionaires while families pay more to visit the doctor.

“What Donald Trump is doing is horrific. The raids taking place in our communities and the attempted illegal deployment of the National Guard to Chicago are about political theater, not public safety. ICE agents are kicking down doors and rounding up screaming children in the middle of the night. Trump’s actions are deliberately endangering Chicagoans.

“Donald Trump and this gang of thugs have the audacity to think what they are doing makes America strong. They are mistaken. Immigrants are and always have been what makes our country great. We are a welcoming community, and our diversity is our strength. We will not be intimidated by the wannabe dictator in the White House, and we will not stand by as our community is ravaged. 

“I will continue fighting in Congress to block these unconstitutional and inhumane raids, stop the deployment of federal forces on our streets, and expose the cruel, corrupt Republican plan to rip away health care protections and raise health insurance rates.

“We will not let Trump get away with waging a war on the American people. Not in Chicago. Not anywhere. Not now. Not ever.”

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