Recent Legislative Accomplishments
Thomas University's TRIO Grant Program
Fought for Thomas University's TRIO program. Supported the application with the Department of Education, and then supported Thomas' appeal.
Voter Education
Recorded Clear Channel radio public service announcement on voter awareness.
Worked to acknowledge the study and impact of slavery
Cosponsored H.R. 40, which acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery in the United States and the 13 American colonies between 1619-1865, and to establish a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequently de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against African-Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African-Americans, to make recommendations to the Congress on appropriate remedies, and for other purposes.
Helped to Commemorate the 140th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
Cosponsored H. Con. Res. 36, which encourages the public to honor and celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, and commends President Lincoln's efforts to end slavery. It encourages the celebration of freedom, justice and equality for all Americans. - Agreed to by recorded votes: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 35).
Fought for Funding of No Child Left Behind
Fought for an appropriation of $200 million for No Child Left Behind.
Supported African-American Heritage
Cosponsored H.R. 2424, the National Great Black Americans Commemoration and Heritage Preservation Act, which authorizes assistance to expand and develop museum exhibits emphasizing the history of prominent black Americans.
Slavery Reparations
Original cosponsor of H.R. 40, the Commission to Study Reparations Proposals for African-Americans.
Worked for Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
Original cosponsor of H.R. 1209, to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
Fought to Preserve the Pledge of Allegiance
Cosponsored H.R. 2028 to amend Title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of federal courts inferior to the Supreme Court over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance.
Honored Dorothy Irene Height (HR 1821)
Cosponsored and voted for legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Dorothy Irene Height (H.R. 1821). Also, made a statement in the congressional record honoring Dr. Dorothy I. Height.
Fought to Maintain Funding for the 1890's colleges
Fought to maintain funding for the 1890's colleges. During mark-up of the Budget Resolution a disturbing discrepancy was discovered in funding for our nation's land-grant colleges of agriculture between funding for those land-grant institutions established in 1890, all of which are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and those established in 1862, which are predominantly non-minority.
Honored Ray Charles H. Res. 677
This resolution expresses that Congress mourns the loss of Ray Charles, expresses deep condolences to his family, and recognizes and honors his tremendous artistic and social contributions.
College Readiness
Cosponsored H.R. 3988 to strengthen and expand Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) in order to facilitate the transition of lower-income high school students into post-secondary education.
Improving Public Education
Cosponsored the Full Service Community Schools Act to authorize funding for public elementary and secondary schools that coordinate multiple federal, state and local educational and social service programs in partnership with school districts and community based organizations.
Increasing Readiness Scores
Co-sponsored H.R. 4261, the Reading Failure Prevention Act of 2004, to authorize the U.S. Department of Education to make grants to states to support the establishment of statewide screening programs for children aged 5-7, and to prevent reading failure, a national epidemic.
R108th Congress Appropriations
Dougherty County
Darton College - Distance Learning Technology - $200,000
Albany State University - National Science Center Foundation - Math and Science - $1,000,000
Albany State University - Science, Engineering, Math and Aerospace Programs - $1,000,000
Southwest Georgia
National Science Center Foundation - NASA - Learning Logic Program/Software - $250,000
