mr. speaker. president obama continues to remind us that ours is a nation bounded by a -- bound by a common creed and that our american values of equality, fairness, and justice should be available to all, not just a fortunate few. . far too long people in communities of color continue to be left behind when we discuss equality, fairness and justice. in the 48 years since his death, while we have made some strides in confronting injustices, and ending unequality treatment, there is still work to be done. our nation is still plagued by the vestiges of segregation and unequal laws and policies evident today in flint, michigan, and its lack of clean drinking water. in it being harder, not easier, to exercise the constitutional right to vote through voter disenfranchisement. black men being killed in ferguson, baltimore, chicago, and my state of ohio. inequities in health care, poverty and in our failing schools. but, mr. speaker, the time is now for us to work together to protect the most at-risk among us. to defend the foundation of our democracy, and to expand opportunity for all people. however,