Emanuel Cleaver

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Truth in Lending (Regulation Z); Consumer Protections for Home Sales Financed Under Contracts for Deed".

in committee

Civics Learning Act of 2026

in committee

Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026

in committee

“Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor Chief Charles lseman, who has dedicated more than 35 years of service to the City of Grandview as a police officer. Let us take a moment to recognize this accomplished individual in Missouri's 5th Congressional District who has worked to protect and provide safety to the people of Grandview for over three decades. Beginning his career at the young age of 21, Chief Iseman joined the Grandview Police Department, where he would remain for the entirety of his years in service. Chief Iseman's work ethic, integrity, and skill to solve problems allowed him to advance through the ranks within the department. From being promoted to Sergeant of the Patrol Division in 2000 to eventually being appointed Chief of Police for the Grandview Police Department in 2011, Chief lseman has continuously demonstrated his professionalism and care for his community. Serving a city with a population of over 20,000 individuals. Chief Iseman used his leadership to lead the Grandview Police Department in a new direction that prioritized a community-oriented policing approach and listened to stakeholders. This new approach proved to be beneficial as trust continued to be built and collaborations began to increase. Additionally, the creation of new initiatives such as the ``Move Toward the Badge'' further showcased the desire to involve the community in decisions that the Grandview Police Department earned the ICMA 2021 Community Partnership Award. Moreso, Grandview was one of the first 15 cities in Missouri to earn the Blue Shield Community designation under Governor Mike Kehoe, which recognizes cities with strong community support. Chief lseman led the department to create successful partnerships with schools and faith leaders which in turn allowed the department to have increased funding to bring in new technology, more officers, crime reduction while maintaining one of the fastest police responses in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Chief Iseman's legacy is not just in the cases closed or hours worked, but in the lives, he has touched and the example he has set for the next generation of officers. He has exemplified a long and distinguished career that will not be forgotten. We know that a career of this length involved immense sacrifice, and we are grateful to him and his family, and his dedication. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating the contributions that Chief lseman has made to Grandview and to Missouri's 5th Congressional District. As Chief lseman closes out this chapter, we hope he can look back with pride of a job well done. We thank Chief Iseman for his unwavering commitment, he has earned a long and happy retirement, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. I thank him for his service. [[Page E440]] ____________________”

2026-05-13 · Criminal Justice

“Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor Kansas City's very own ``Hollywood Cowboy,'' Nathaniel ``Rex'' Purefoy, who has dedicated his life to preserving the legacy and culture of African American cowboys through performances and storytelling. Let us take a moment to recognize this extraordinary individual in Missouri's 5th Congressional District who has captivated the public with his unique horsemanship and roping techniques for over 50 years. African American cowboys were an essential part of American history in the various territories and into statehood for many states. They worked on ranches and in cattle drives on trails coming through mid- western states such as Missouri and Kansas before the Civil War and through the early 1900s. They also performed in rodeos when not on the trail. In Kansas City, native Rex Purefoy further contributed to ensuring that generations upon generations did not forget about African American cowboy culture but rather embrace its heritage and celebrate it. Along with his loyal partner, his horse Ringo, Rex brought his famous ``Hollywood Cowboy Show,'' a performance full of rope twirling, music, and Western fashion across the United States. As an avid trick-roper and horseman, Rex traveled across state lines performing in rodeos, shows, parades, and even performed with the Barnum and Bailey Circus and The UniverSoul Circus for many years. In addition to his own shows and live performances, Rex was a special guest star in [[Page E176]] the 1970s ``The Flip Wilson Show'' and had cameo roles in movies and local Kansas City area television programs. As a testament to his talents, Rex appeared in a critically acclaimed movie with boxing legend Muhammad Ali entitled ``The Black Rodeo,'' in 1972. Rex's commitment to create not only an entertaining performance but one that would leave the audience with a lasting memory of African American culture led to him being recognized nationally, becoming an inductee of the National Cowboys of Color Museum and the Hall of Fame. Beyond his work as a performer, Rex has found other ways to further protect the legacy of African American cowboys. Working as a photographer, Rex has documented other African American cowboys and the Black community, submitting the works to noted Black publications to preserve their history. He has contributed to numerous photographs to African American publications, such as Jet Magazine, Ebony Magazine, The Kansas City Call newspaper, The Kansas City GLOBE newspaper, The Next Page KC newspaper, The Carolina Times, and the New Jersey Gazette. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating the contributions that Nathaniel ``Rex'' Purefoy has provided to the African American community and the United States overall. We thank Rex for sharing a piece of history with our community and feel more at ease knowing that the legacy of African American cowboys has been preserved for years to come. ____________________”

2026-03-03 · Civil Rights

“Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with immense sorrow along with Missouri's 5th Congressional District, to commemorate the life and legacy of a great Kansas Citian, Ms. Alice Kitchen. The fruits of Alice's advocacy for women, children, and marginalized communities will live on for generations to come. Alice was a force to be reckoned with, stopping at nothing to ensure that others could live free of abuse, injustice, and discrimination. Her undeniable impact will continue to grace Kansas City with inspiration. Alice's long history of advocacy began when as a high school student, she became involved with Guadalupe Center as a volunteer in the 1950s. As she saw the many families in predominately Hispanic neighborhoods in Kansas City who lacked access to food, running water, and electricity disturbed her, she questioned the morality behind sitting by when others lived that way. After graduating from her Catholic high school, she moved to Encino, California, where she joined the Sisters of Social Service convent where she ministered to domestic workers in Beverly Hills, most of whom were Mexican immigrants. These individuals, she described, were lonely, poorly paid, and isolated. She took those experiences and paved a life of activism. After graduating with her master's degree in social work at the University of California--Los Angeles (UCLA), Alice returned to Kansas City to work in a legal aid office where she helped young, first-time offenders avoid longer criminal records. With a love for social services, she continued her career at Children Mercy's where she served as the director of social services for two decades. Under her leadership, she sought funding for specialized treatments needed by children with medical issues and initiated programs to assist young mothers fight their battles with addiction. Alice was devoted to bringing light to issues she believed in, and a full-time job was not going to hold her back. During Alice's voluntary night shifts, she established Amethyst Place, a supportive housing program that served mothers and children recovering from abuse, organized neighborhood cleanups as a board member of the Kansas City Housing Authority and assisted young mothers in obtaining health insurance. As a volunteer co-chair of the Affordable Care Public Education Committee in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, she advocated for the expansion of Medicaid and accessible healthcare. In March of 2012, her efforts were recognized, and Alice received the Champion of Change award from President Barack Obama at the White House. Gender equity and advocating for policies that support women was another mission that peaked Alice's interest. During her time with the League of Women Voters and Women's Equality, she was able to educate women voters and bring light to the disparities women were facing within workplaces. Her fearlessness led Jane McQueeney, a friend of Kitchen, to give testimony to the City Council in Kansas City when McQueeney was receiving less pay when working for the federal government. Kitchen worked with Kansas City to adopt an ordinance to prohibit discrimination against women and to stop employers from penalizing women with less experience. When it was time for retirement, Alice saw it as an opportunity to do her evening tasks full-time. At age 69, she traveled to the Mosquito Coast of Honduras on a human rights observation mission. She took her mission on headfirst and investigated bullet holes in boats, houses that had burned down, and wounded villagers with her international activist group, the Cross Border Network. Alice never stopped looking for a way to improve the lives of others or to push anyone to their fullest potential. She lived her life to her fullest potential, and she continues to inspire others to do the same. In fact, she had a knack for finding strengths in people before they did themselves and pushed them to foster their strengths. As a woman who was one in a million, she continued to prove to the people who surrounded her, that they were also just as special. Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the life of Alice Kitchen. Her passing is devastating, but the legacy she leaves behind reminds us that no matter how short life tends to be, we can still make a world of difference. While she is not here to grace the community in Kansas City with her valiant voice, or her indominable spirit, her soul will live on through the extensive and beautiful legacy that she built. The legacy she left has lit fires under enough people in Kansas City, so they can forage through the noise and echo her advocacy, which will keep her spirit alive for eternity. ____________________”

2026-01-08 · Civil Rights