Barbara Lee
Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Pres. Biden’s First 100 Days in Office
Lee noted that Black and Brown folks are dealing with what Carey calls “vaccine wisdom” in light of medical experiments in Tuskegee and others.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time and said: “Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President. No president has ever said those words from this podium . . . and it’s about time.”
Biden, on his 99th day in office, noted the historic moment by acknowledging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (representing San Francisco in California’s 12th District) and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Prior to Biden’s speech, the Post spoke with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (representing the 13th District (Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and San Leandro) of California.
Lee was in person during the speech and virtually welcomed her guest, Dr. Donna Carey of Alameda Alliance for Health and first lady of True Vine Ministries.
Carey through her work has been responsible for vaccinating 7,000 folks to date in Oakland.
Lee noted that Black and Brown folks are dealing with what Carey calls “vaccine wisdom” in light of medical experiments in Tuskegee and others.
Lee praised Governor Gavin Newsom and the collaboration between the federal, state, and county government entities to allow the federal funds to flow and provide COVID-19 vaccines for Carey and others to save lives.
After Biden’s address, Lee issued the following statement:
“. . . President Biden laid out his vision for our future that builds back bolder after some of the most challenging years in our history. The multitude of crises facing our country—from racial injustice, to police brutality, to the climate crisis– require bold action, and President Biden is seizing the moment.
“It gave me great pride to watch two women and daughters of the Bay Area, Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seated behind the president on the dais. It was reflective of the price so many people, so many women especially, paid to get to this point. While this was a historic moment, as Vice President Harris pointed out, it is past time that it becomes ‘normal.’
“President Biden unequivocally condemned white supremacy and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting poverty, advancing racial equity, crushing this virus around the globe, and restoring faith and trust in our government. I remain committed to being a partner in Congress on his policy prescriptions for police reform, immigration, gun safety, tackling climate change, and his ongoing work to get the pandemic under control and put Americans back to work.”
“President Biden also made clear that he understands the need to end ‘forever wars’ and withdraw from Afghanistan. It’s time to reallocate our investment from weapons of war to human need. He also unveiled the American Families Plan, a sorely needed, once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, health care, and childcare.
“President Biden’s first 100 days are marked by a stronger economy, more resilient pandemic response, and a unified mission of building back better and bolder. I will continue working in Congress to fulfill the promise of a government ‘by the people and for the people.’”
Biden encouraged all Americans to get vaccinated.
Everyone 16 years and older is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine now. True Vine Ministries will be hosting a clinic for the Pfizer vaccine on May 1, 2021.
Preference will be given to residents in zip codes 94607, 94608, 94609, 94601, 94606 & 94621.
Call (510) 208-4573 to schedule an appointment. True Vine Ministries is located at 896 Newton Carey Jr. Way (formerly known as Isabella Street).
