Emanuel Cleaver

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas, Al Green.

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Mr. CLEAVER. I now yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Wisconsin, Ms. Gwendolynne Moore.

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, how much time remains, please?

Mr. CLEAVER. I yield myself 10 seconds to just say, when progress is made, someone is always left behind. And my concern is that it's always the vulnerable. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia, Mr. Bobby Scott.

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, the Congressional Black Caucus has offered an alternative resolution to the budget proposals every year since 1981. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and we have over those years served as the conscience of this body. I stand in front of you today to say that this is perhaps the most important of all of the alternative budgets offered by the Congressional Black Caucus. And the reason is, Madam Chairman, that we believe someone must stand up for the vulnerable population. The vulnerable population is not what we generally like to think; it's not the stereotypical view of a person who doesn't work and is shiftless and is a parasite. The vulnerable population today consists of firefighters, police officers, municipal workers, State workers, factory workers who have been laid off through no fault of their own because of this weak economy. Those men and women have been struggling trying to make it. Somebody must stand up for them. They are black, white, brown, they are elderly. Some of them are at an age where it will be difficult for them to get another job. And so somebody must stand up for them, and we have decided that it will be us. Now, let me just say that these are some weird times. We do have a budget deficit, and we would not at all suggest that we don't need to deal with the budget deficit. What we need to do, however, is deal with it in a way that will protect the vulnerable populations. Madam Chair, I have a left knee that is artificial, it is a prosthetic, the result of football injuries. And once I recovered and left the hospital after the surgery, my brain automatically forced the rest of my body to pay attention to the sick side of my body. So I automatically, even though I tried not to, did everything I could do to protect my left knee. I even put most of my weight on my right knee. What I am saying is that our bodies provide us with a message that when some part of our body is vulnerable, is weak, the other part, the strong part, needs to do everything it can to protect the weak part. The Congressional Black Caucus is saying that our alternative budget does exactly that when you consider the fact that the gap in after-tax income between the richest 1 percent of Americans and the middle and poorest fifths of our country more than doubled between 1979 and 2009. So we can see that the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. And when I hear people say we must have shared sacrifice, I disagree. The poorest people don't need to sacrifice. I am not sure that you can find a single poor person who is responsible for the economic collapse of the last 2 years. Mark Zandi, an economist with unimpeachable Republican credentials, said that 1.7 million people will lose their jobs in the first 2 years if this budget is enacted. So, Madam Chair, we intend to present our budget now to demonstrate how this body can protect its weak side and still maintain the best of this Republic for the protection of its people. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk in order under the rule.

Mr. CLEAVER. I thank the gentleman from Utah, and I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, in closing, I am not accusing anybody of being mean-spirited and wanting to hurt people. I am absolutely convinced that those who support the Republican budget are good and decent Americans. They want the best things for this country. I will never stand on this floor and do that. But what I am saying is I believe and our caucus believes that their program, their budget, is one that does damage to the vulnerable population of this country. We believe that somebody must stand up and speak for those who are hurting and cannot speak for themselves. A budget is a moral document. It is a photograph of what we believe. It is a look into the somebodiness of the United States of America. And when we look at this budget that this Congress will ultimately approve, some budget, it is who we are. It is a biography of who we are. And I am absolutely convinced that the wrong budget--and I think that the budget that is before us is the wrong budget--could create a gash on the soul of America and leave a scar for a long, long time. Madam Chair, this is a time that we must be careful because if we are not, great damage will be done to the people who can afford the damage the least. I'm talking about children. I'm talking about the elderly. And I'm talking about Americans who live next door to us, people who sit on the pew with us in church. These are people who are going to be hurt by this budget. And I think that the American public, when they come to understand this budget, will come to the conclusion that we're right.

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CLEAVER. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognizing the outstanding achievements and cultural legacy nurtured at the Kansas City Art Institute by retiring President, Kathleen Collins. She took over the duties as President in 1996 and through the years has built strong community partnerships that resulted in creative and innovative projects. Her efforts enhanced and modernized the quality and function of the Kansas City Art Institute into providing an education in creativity, professionalism and business practices. The Kansas City Art Institute dates back to 1885 to a group of artists who referred to themselves as the Sketch Club. Walt Disney, Thomas Hart Benton, Robert Rauschenberg and Robert Morris have all been associated with the Institute. Two of Kansas City's most well known businessmen, J.C. Nichols and William T. Kemper, Jr., served on the Board of Trustees. Today, the Kansas City Art Institute is an integral part of the cultural growth of Kansas City and continues to sustain the support of the community. Under Kathleen Collins' leadership, enrollment escalated and the Institute expanded, with over $25 million in renovations and improvements on campus. The H&R Block Artspace, the Jannes Library and Learning Center, the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Painting Building, the Cafe Nerman, and the J.C. Nichols Patio Garden are all new additions cultivated through Kathleen Collins' vision. Additionally, she has secured the Institute's financial future with a $40 million endowment. As President, Kathleen Collins reorganized the Institute into four schools: Foundation, Fine Arts, Design, and Liberal Arts. The curriculum emphasizes liberal arts while expanding the curriculum to the School of Design and Electronic Arts. The Institute maintains its foundation of art while educating artists in the fundamentals of business through its required Professional Practice program. Kathleen launched a Community Arts and Service Learning certificate program that provides an opportunity for students to work in partnerships for the betterment of the community. The Brush Creek Community Rain Garden project is one example of this successful program. Students partnered with city and state officials and private sector companies to design an environmental solution based on regional ecological principals. By using native plants in a garden setting, they addressed the ecological impact from stormwater runoff. The partnerships created a beautiful solution that serves as an artistically green example for the community. The presence of the Art Institute can be seen throughout our community. The latest addition of community partnership will be unveiled when the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts opens. Patrons will have the wonderful experience of viewing extraordinary murals created by KCAI students in partnership with architect Moshe Safdie. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and privilege for me to recognize Kathleen Collins. She began her career as President of the Kansas City Art Institute 15 years ago and during her tenure worked tirelessly to solve financial and creative challenges. As she retires, she can look with pride on her accomplishments that propelled the Kansas City Art Institute into the recognizable and renowned institution that it is today. We wish her well as she returns to photography and travel and enjoys the good life with her husband, Jeff Love. On behalf of the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, I wish this academic leader a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 125th Anniversary of Tension Envelope Corporation, a prestigious family-owned business in Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which I am honored to represent. In 1886, the forerunner of Tension Envelope opened in Kansas City, Missouri, as Berkowitz and Company. Named after its founder, William Berkowitz, the company specialized in popular advertising novelties and business stationery. In 1894, the company put into operation the first envelope machine west of the Mississippi River. By 1901, the company began to fully concentrate on envelopes, which were in great demand by businesses and organizations. William Berkowitz's two sons joined the firm in 1907, and the company's first envelope patent was issued in 1909. Sons Walter and E.B. Berkowitz assumed management of the company as the 1920s approached. Walter soon discovered new high-speed envelope folding machinery that had been developed in Germany. The company purchased the North American patent and distribution rights and brought the equipment into the United States, revolutionizing the American envelope industry. In 1937, the company acquired another pioneer in the U.S. envelope industry, the Tension Envelope Company of Brooklyn, New York. In 1944, all of the Berkowitz Envelope manufacturing and sales operations were consolidated under the widely recognized name of Tension Envelope Corporation. In 1962, Bert Berkley, grandson of the company's founder, became President and CEO of Tension. In 1988, Bill Berkley, great grandson of the founder, became President and CEO. Today, Tension Envelope Corporation is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of envelope products, selling directly to companies and organizations across the United States. Tension manufactures many of the envelopes you see and handle every day. With its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, the heart of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, Tension produces over eleven billion envelopes a year with plants, distribution, and service offices stretching from coast to coast. Not only have Tension's leaders revolutionized an industry with their ingenuity, they are also dedicated philanthropists. Bert Berkley, Chairman of Tension, has a long history of participation in local, regional, and national civic and advisory councils. He even co-authored a book, Giving Back, on the subject of volunteering, sharing with the community, and involvement with charitable endeavors. My good friend, Richard Berkley, served as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, for three terms prior to my election to that post in 1991. He currently serves as Tension's Secretary and Treasurer as well as several area civic advisory boards. Current President and CEO, Bill Berkley, has served on the boards of several area nonprofits, businesses, and education organizations. Considering the tremendous contributions of Tension Envelope Corporation to Missouri's Fifth Congressional District and surrounding areas, it is an honor and a privilege to recognize the leaders and employees for their one hundred and twenty-five years of excellent service to the Kansas City area and beyond. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the Berkley Family and expressing our gratitude to Tension Envelope Corporation for their incredible dedication to both their industry and community.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Thank you, Congresswoman. I think that what Congressman Bobby Scott just said has to be echoed. And as is often said on the floor in this august Chamber is that I would like to associate myself with the comments of the previous speaker. Congresswoman Donna Christensen has led the discussion on this vital issue that we will not be silent about. Mr. Speaker, in my real life as an ordained United Methodist pastor, I say to our congregation and congregations where I speak that if you want to know what a person is really like, if you want to know who a person really is, look through their checkbook. The checkbook will reveal quite clearly what a person believes in. The same thing is true of a corporation and a nation, and the budget of the United States is a bold statement about who we are as a Nation. It says clearly what we believe in and the things we don't believe in. It is a statement that paints a picture of the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, the picture that is being painted now is a picture that could be used on the chiller channel. It is a picture of a nation that would prefer to move toward deficit and debt reduction by unduly placing pain on the poor or, most appropriately and significantly, on the men and women of this country who are now pushed aside. Normally, when we talk about the poor, in people's minds they see minorities and the people who are lazy and shiftless and who don't want to work. We are experiencing the greatest economic crisis since October 1929, and the people who we are looking at as being available to be discarded are police officers and teachers and State employees and municipal workers who have been laid off. Every State in the Union is having financial problems. Every State in the Union is laying off employees. In my hometown, Kansas City, Missouri, we have a $60 million shortfall. The State government has a $200 million shortfall, and so State workers are being laid off. What we are saying now is that the people who are already experiencing pain should get ready to experience some additional pain. And I have heard over and over and over again, well, everybody must share in the pain. The question that I have asked that nobody has answered, I asked this in our committee last week: Why? Why should everybody end up suffering? Because everybody didn't contribute to this problem, number one. And, on top of that, the individuals who were hurt as a result of the recession we are asking to receive some additional pain. And that is simply not the way I think we want to project ourselves to ourselves, and certainly to the international community. As Congressman Scott mentioned, we had a tax cut and made some major decisions before we went home for Christmas, and nobody stood on the floor and repeatedly asked the question: How are we going to pay for it? Well, now we are going to pay for it by equally, as we like to say, trying to place the pain on everyone. We are not talking about getting rid of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. And the amazing thing is that the people, Wall Street, who caused much of the problems, are now being rewarded for causing the problems. We are going to say, okay, we're going to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. We're going to do all kinds of things that would accommodate the Wall Street barons who helped cause the crisis. And the poorest people in this country are going to end up suffering even more so. We even had to fight to continue unemployment benefits. We had a battle on this floor to continue the unemployment benefits for people who, through no fault of their own, lost their jobs, such as police officers and firefighters. Then we come out with this budget. This budget that we are about to debate is a nervous breakdown on paper. It is not something that we can be proud of as people of the United States, because it shows that we don't think in terms of trying to minimize the pain on the least of these. Now, to be sure, the United States faces a painful and profound problem with our deficit and our debt. It has to be dealt with. I am on the Financial Services Committee. I asked this question in the committee last week: Are we serious about cutting the debt, when we say we are not going to talk about the entitlements? We are not going to talk about Social Security, we are not going to talk about Medicare or Medicaid, and we certainly can't do anything with the annual debt service, which is a part of the budget that we can't make decisions on. We have to pay it. So, if we are not seriously trying to reduce the deficit by dealing with the entitlements, then what we are saying is we are going to play with the American public, tell them we are trying to be serious about the debt, when we know we are not. This is not going to make any kind of substantial reduction in our deficit over the long term. We have got to seriously deal with this problem, and we are not doing it. We are absolutely not dealing with it. Nobody wants to talk about the Social Security issue, because they are thinking about reelection. Not because it shouldn't be dealt with, but they are thinking reelection. There is criticism, well, the President should have lead the discussion on changing the retirement age on Social Security to a higher number, or somehow creating a new system whereby we have a means test, where individuals who are making $500,000 a year simply can't also draw their Social Security. We are not even talking about that. And there is nobody on this Hill who can stand up and say we can address this problem very seriously without dealing with the entitlements. So I am sorry that we are going to hurt so many people in the process of just kind of tinkering around the edges of what is a very serious problem. My final comment, Congresswoman Christensen, is there are a lot of people who ran for office and said we are going to deal with this deficit. But even they are not talking about the only way in which we can change this problem that we are having. Every economist will tell you that that is the only way we are going to deal with the deficit. There is not a single economist who is credible who will say we can deal with this in any other way, yet we are not dealing with it, and it is really a great tragedy. I do think, as I conclude my comments, Mrs. Christensen, that the whole issue of what we are doing is so painful that even Ben Bernanke is saying, yes, we have to make cuts. But he is also saying you have to be careful. Look, the United States is the only entity putting money into the economy in any serious way right now, and if we withdraw it there could be economic consequences of withdrawing the kind of money we are talking about withdrawing. Some of us are going to challenge it at every opportunity, because it is the wrong thing to do.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I, like all 434 other Members of this body, was elected to the 112th Congress. Shortly after arriving, I was told that the number one responsibility we had was to create jobs. So far, that has not been the case. We have given attention to health care, which I understood to have been one issue that we gave too much attention to. So my question today is, What about the jobs? When are we going to talk about jobs? I would like for somebody, anybody, to talk about jobs. When are we going to do the job of creating jobs? If we do our jobs, then we might be able to create some jobs; if we don't, nothing will happen. Madam Speaker, I am urging the Members of this body, particularly those who are now in charge, to begin to deal with jobs.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, today I have the great pleasure of recognizing the remarkable achievements of Reverend Doctor Nelson ``Fuzzy'' Thompson. Rev. Thompson is a minister, community activist, humanitarian, and resident of the Fifth District of Missouri, which I proudly represent. Rev. Thompson graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and received a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry at St. Paul School of Theology. ``Fuzzy,'' as he is affectionately known, has represented the Fifth District of Missouri in an exemplary manner locally and nationally. In service to our community, Fuzzy was an original Board Member of Black Adoption Program and a member of the Executive Committee of the Kansas Children's Service League, showing a commitment to our community's youth. During my term as Mayor, he also served as member and chair of the Human Rights Commission. ``Fuzzy'' now serves as President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City. Politically, Rev. Thompson served as a Regional Coordinator for Rev. Jesse Jackson's Presidential Campaign in 1984 and Missouri State Coordinator for Rev. Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign. Furthermore, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 1984-2000. Reverend Thompson has also represented our nation on an international platform. At the request of Bishop Desmond Tutu, President Nelson Mandela, and the South African Council of Churches, he was one of 22 U.S. ministers that traveled to South Africa on a fact-finding educational exchange. Reverend Thompson traveled to South Africa a second time as an official observer for the first election held in South Africa granting the right to vote to all races. He called the experience humbling, as he watched people line up for blocks in order to exercise their right to vote for the first time. He was also one of three U.S. ministers to conduct Easter services for hostages being held in Tehran, Iran. As well as a strong advocate for human rights around the globe, he is just as strong an advocate for civil rights and economic rights within our community. When South Africa was a nation which practiced apartheid, Dr. Thompson helped organize a protest against a Frank Sinatra concert. The purpose was to draw attention to American celebrities who performed in racially exclusive venues. He has organized pickets in opposition to monies from the local school district awarded to contractors who had failed to include minority contractors. Mr. Speaker, please join me in expressing our appreciation to Reverend Dr. Nelson ``Fuzzy'' Thompson for serving the State of Missouri and our nation. He is a true role model to the citizens of our country and his successes serve as a stepping stone for many others eager to serve. I offer this small token of appreciation to an exceptional civil servant for all of the work he has done, taking strength from the many lives he has touched throughout our community.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, to take this opportunity to recognize the Honorable Michael L. Midyett, Associate Judge, Chariton County, Missouri. I would like to thank him for his service to his community and to congratulate him upon his upcoming retirement from the bench. I am so pleased Judge Midyett's community is honoring him by recognizing his many years of service on the bench, but especially for his dedication to and caring about the citizens of his community. Only a special person would provide the years of judicial and legal service Judge Midyett has provided through his 21 years of service as the second longest serving Associate Circuit Judge of Chariton county; for over 29 years as an elected official serving the State of Missouri in the Judicial System first as a Prosecuting attorney then as a Judge. Including his years as a practicing attorney, Judge Midyett has served the citizens of Missouri for 39 years in the Judicial system. It is my understanding that Judge Midyett is best known for his penchant for jury trials and for being hard but fair on criminals. During his tenure as a Chariton County Prosecuting Attorney, Judge Midyett had at least one jury trial each month. For a rural county with a small population, that is a fair amount which proves justice is being served. He believes that all citizens should uphold the law and that no one is above the law. The citizens of Chariton County have known him to be extremely fair and honest. He has upheld the law through his knowledge of the law and his years of experience. Through Judge Midyett's example, others are reminded that Chariton County can only thrive within a strong and just community. Judge Midyett is a well respected judge in his community. Judge Midyett upholds the traditions and honors of the Judicial Branch of Missouri government. His accomplishments include: Appointments by the Missouri Supreme Court for the Civil Rules Committee; the Judicial Weighted Workload Steering Committee 2006-2008; Board of Directors of the Missouri associate Probate Associate Circuit Judges 2005-2009; former President of the 9th Circuit Bar; past member of Missouri Prosecuting Attorney Associations; past member of National District Attorneys' Association; Associate of Trial Lawyers of America; Association of Lawyers for Pilots Association; City Attorney for Keytesville 1974-1985. Service to the Keytesville community is a hallmark of Judge Midyett's character. His friends and colleagues honoring him are but a few of the organizations that have grown from his leadership. The Judge has been extremely active in local and civic activities including: Board of Directors of Keytesville Lions Club; former President of Keytesville Lions Club; former President of Keytesville Chamber of Commerce; member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Salisbury; philosophically and in real terms, Judge Midyett is a proud member of the Chariton County Democratic party. Foremost among the Judge's many accomplishments has been his recent work obtaining pictures of former Chariton County judges for the Courthouse. Judge Midyett has searched extensively for pictures of the past judges and done an amazing amount of research on the lives of these judges and the times they lived in. What a wonderful legacy to leave your community. Your personal commitment to the legal and judicial system in Keytesville and Chariton County serves as a model for what it means to give back to our communities. Madam Speaker, once again, I want to share my sincerest congratulations to Judge Midyett as he receives our well deserved recognition. I wish the Judge the best in the years to come.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, in 2003 I was teaching at the Bloch School of Business at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, serving as a talk radio show host on NPR and pastoring a congregation. I received a phone call from Congressman Ike Skelton, who began the request for me to give up my peaceful and loving life to run for Congress as my predecessor, Karen McCarthy, had decided not to seek reelection. I chose, in large part, to pursue this office at the request of Congressman Ike Skelton. Mr. Chairman, I have three sisters whom I love dearly. From the age of about 3 to about 7, I made requests repeatedly to my parents for a brother. I'm not even sure I knew how that brother could come into existence, but I made the request nonetheless. That never happened, but I can say here in this Chamber, Mr. Speaker, that, if I had had a brother, I would have liked for his name to have been Ike. If I had had a brother, I would have liked for him to have had the patience, the intellect, and the spirit of Ike Skelton. There is very little secret around our home as to who is the favorite Congressman for my 7-year-old grandson, Isaac Cleaver. One of the great delights of his life--and probably the older he gets the more significant it will be--is already having been introduced to Congressman Ike Skelton at an event at Royals Stadium. In that introduction, he said that Ike Skelton was named after him. So, in our household, from my wife, Dianne, all the way to Little Ike, we all have great admiration and love for Ike Skelton and his family. It will be difficult to roam these Halls and not see Ike Skelton or to come into this hallowed room and not look at the seat where he usually sat and where the Missouri delegation would, from time to time, gather around him. I have said to him and to others in his presence that this man has the ability to walk with kings and Presidents and not to lose the common touch. As chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Ike Skelton was one of the most influential human beings, not only in this country but in the world--the most revered Member of Congress by the military of the United States of America. Yet any Member of Congress, frankly, from either side of the aisle, could stop Ike Skelton and hold a conversation. He never lost the common touch. It will be difficult for me not to see him in this place. I speak of the man Ike Skelton from Lexington, Missouri; and I speak of a man whose career in this body will be recorded by historians as a majestic moment for the military of the United States of America. I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, because I think Ike Skelton deserves far more eloquence than I can present. Hopefully, a combination of everything we say will match, in some small way, the elegance with which he served this Congress.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. I would like to submit the following article: [From the Lexington News, Nov. 10, 2010] Editorial--Highlights From Capitol Hill (By Joe Aull, State Representative 26th District) An era in political history came to an end this past Tuesday when Congressman Skelton lost his bid for re-election to an 18th term in the United States Congress. I believe that we all owe Congressman Skelton a huge thank you for exemplary service for the past 34 year. Ike has worked extremely hard and he has been responsible for so many good things that have happened in our area, our state and our country. I could say many positive things about my good friend, Ike, but I can think of three issues that really jump out at me. First of all, I was always so impressed with how well that Ike stayed in contact and in touch with the people in his district. I have never seen anyone work any harder and put in any more miles in traveling from city to city to meet and listen to the people who he represented. I mentioned the word listen, and I continually saw Ike listening to what was on the minds of his constituents and I believe that he voted for what he thought was right for his people. I always believed that he truly cared about the welfare of the folks that he represented and he put that ahead of everything else. Secondly, I was very impressed with the leadership that Ike provided as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. I don't know any Congressman that has been more committed to the well being of our service men and women, our veterans and military in general. I know that Ike has spent much of his free time abroad visiting first hand with our troops and I always felt good knowing that a man of his military knowledge and total commitment was the head of one of the most important committees in Congress, especially in time of a difficult war. The third and final thing that I would like to emphasize was the fact that Ike was always a true statesman and a positive role model as a Congressman. In a day when you hear of legislative scandals and the legislators who sell out to a particular interest group, I always believed that Ike was honest, trustworthy and a person with strong character, who always conducted himself admirably and in a very professional manner. He always worked across the aisle with the other party, and he was a master of compromise and this helped him get many things accomplished for the good of his people. Ike was always the kind of person that I admired and trusted, and one who always tried to do things the right way. I could go on and on, but let's suffice it to say thank you Ike for all that you have done for so many of us, for always going the extra mile and for truly caring for those of us whom you represented. I will always be proud to say that you were my Congressman and I am deeply honored to call you my good friend.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 90th Anniversary of the Independence, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, located in my District. History reveals how Independence, the county seat, grew from a village, to a town, to the fourth largest city in Missouri. Civic leaders joined together to create a forum for the maintenance, growth and economic stability of the city. The Chamber has played a vital role in providing vision which helped to tackle the hard economic problems of the day. Today's Chamber is comprised of a ``. . . partnership of more than 1,200 business and professional people committed to making a difference in the community.'' Following its founding in 1920, the Chamber constitution encouraged its members ``to promote the civic, economic, and social welfare of the people of Independence and vicinity'' with membership open to all interested people. Colonel William Southern, Jr., who began publishing the Jackson Examiner in 1898, served on the original Board of Directors and holds the honor of being the first Board President of the Chamber. Due to the continued quality of leadership, the Chamber's involvement is respected on every issue from legislative initiatives to promoting pride in the city. Throughout its 90 year history, the Chamber has initiated and supported local programs for economic development, public education, and general community quality of life. Working as a cohesive body with its Board, staff and members, the Chamber strives to provide a better quality of life for its citizens. Historically, they have campaigned to improve infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, annexation, transportation, parks, education and tourism. Through a variety of methods, they have achieved their objectives through bonds, fundraisers or by launching programs to benefit the citizens of Independence. ``Put Us to Work'' was one program initiated during the depression to coordinate all civic relief efforts and employment assistance for its citizens. We should recognize organizations like the Chamber of Independence as they help our communities find solutions to our current economic challenges. When Harry S. Truman came home from serving in World War I, he came home to Independence, Missouri. When he was contemplating a run for Eastern District Judge, he went to Col. Southern for support. After serving as President, he once again returned to Independence. The Chamber honored him as a lifetime member of the Independence Chamber in 1945. Later, out of respect and admiration, the Chamber proudly supported fundraising efforts for the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library. Madam Speaker, please join me in extending my warmest congratulations to Dr. Patty Schumacher, Chair of the Board, and Rick Hemmingsen, Chamber President, for the many accomplishments of the Independence Chamber of Commerce on this, their 90th Anniversary. The Chamber's work and dedication on behalf of the City of Independence has truly bettered our community. I urge my colleagues to join me in showing our appreciation to all its members, past and present.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the achievements of Rev. Doctor Samuel E. Mann, an individual who has dedicated his life to helping the underserved in the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri, the District that I am honored to represent. This weekend, Reverend Mann is retiring, after 40 years as Pastor Administrator of St. Mark Union Church and executive director of United Inner City Services. In that capacity, he oversaw a budget of $1.5 million annually, a sixty-two member staff and programs that included: child and family development, social services, and community development and street organizations and violence prevention. He is a native of Eufaula, Alabama and a graduate of Birmingham Southern College, BA; Duke Divinity School, M. Div., and St. Paul School of Theology, D. Min. He is married to Dr. Beverlye J. Brown, and is the father of three children and grandfather of seven. Remarkably, Rev. Mann was a local preacher at the age of 15 years old at the First Methodist Church of Eufaula, Alabama; he was later the Associate Pastor of St. John United Methodist Church of Kansas City, Missouri, and sometime later, the Pastor of the First Methodist Church of Peculiar, MO, and Director of the Young Adult Projects, Inc. Rev. Mann was dismissed from both churches because of his views on race and peace. As a long-time civil rights activist, Rev. Mann marched in numerous demonstrations, including the march for the garbage workers in Memphis, Tennessee, the march against the war in Vietnam, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and was part of the U.S. delegation that visited with South Africa ANC leader Dr. Nelson Mandela shortly after his release from prison. Dr. Mann has also been jailed on several occasions for his participation in these activities. He served as a key participant in the national effort to respond to the burning of black churches in America. He has traveled to Nicaragua and China for various humanitarian efforts. Rev. Mann was instrumental in the formation of Operation Break and Build, a street outreach organization that evolved out of the Urban Peace and Justice Summit in 1994. Its purpose was to assist street organizations, gangs, with transforming their lives via crisis intervention, education, economic development, addressing women's issues, and criminal justice. He has been the recipient of many awards, including the NAACP Harold Holiday Award; the John M. Swomley Human Rights Award, the Elder Statesmen of Kansas City award, the MO Jazz award, the Sam Eason Award presented by Niles Home; the Black Archives of Mid-America award; the Beta Omega PSI PHI Fraternity Inc.'s Citizen of the Year Award; and many, many more. He is co-founder of the project ``Reframing the Dialogue on Race in America.'' Through this national project, he attempts to address the problem of race by focusing on the issues of white supremacy and white privilege. Through training, he seeks to inspire ministries to address racism in their congregations. His most recent project was the building of the $4 million child care center, the St. Mark Child & Family Development Center, located at 2008 E. 12th Street in Kansas City, Missouri. St. Mark's is a state of the art child care facility that annually serves approximately 225 low- income families through its early childhood education program, before- and after-school program, and summer camp. Nearly 100 percent of the children are African American, with many living in single parent households in one of Kansas City, Missouri's poorest neighborhoods. Rev. Mann is presently a leader working in concert with other agencies in making Kansas City a Zone Seven site to provide additional services in the urban core for the education of children. I am proud of the federal funding I helped secure for St. Mark. Madam Speaker, it is an honor and privilege for me to recognize my friend, and colleague, the Reverend Doctor Sam Mann for his efforts to improve the education and quality of life in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. It is with great pride that we honor Reverend Doctor Mann today for his commitment to the residents of Missouri. On behalf of the people of Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, I wish this thunderous preacher and fearless prophet a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. CLEAVER

Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, back in May I filed an amendment in committee hoping that I could work with the administration between then and now, floor consideration, to develop a meaningful way for community development loan funds to participate in this legislative proposal. I want to take this opportunity to boast about it being included in this final version and discuss the urgent need to assist community development loan funds, who have been left behind in too many programs, that help small business and institutions. Since its inception, the Treasury's CDFI fund has certified over 1,200 CDFIs in banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital funds. CDFI banks, credit unions, and loan funds have been historically well managed. It is without a doubt that CDFIs are critical to the development of minority and underserved populations, especially nonprofit loan funds that have traditionally served the more economically and racially diverse communities. Seventy percent of CDFI recipients are low income, and over 50 percent are minority and majority female. Furthermore, microlending and small business lending represent 45 percent of CDFI loans.

Mr. CLEAVER. I commend the administration's and Mr. Frank's leadership in recent proposals to increase CDFI fund investments and the launch of two new initiatives within the CDFI program to improve the health and economic viability of low-income communities. However, nonprofit loan funds that serve credit-starved communities were left out of many of these initiatives. This bill was my attempt to right that wrong. I look forward to working together to ensure that nonprofit community development loan funds are provided an adequate opportunity to participate.