Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker I was unavoidably detained in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on the following roll call votes: Roll Call 620 (S.J. Res. 22), Recognizing the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service to the Nation through agricultural research; Roll Call 621 (S.J. Res. 18), Commending the Inspectors General for their efforts to prevent and detect waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the Federal Government during the past 25 years; Roll Call 622 (H. Con. Res. 299), Honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes; Roll Call 623 Motion--On Hour of Meeting.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained in my district had I been present, I would have voted yea on the following roll call votes: Roll Call 650 (H.R. 1), Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act--On Motion to Instruct Conferees; Roll Call 651 (H.R. 2660), Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004--On Motion to Instruct Conferees; Roll Call 652 (H.J. Res. 63), Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003; Roll Call 653 (H. Con. Res. 209) Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia; Roll Call 654 (H.R. 1828), the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003; and Roll Call 655 (H.R. 253), National Flood Insurance Reauthorization.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it was virtually impossible to live in Chicago and not be affected by Irv Kupcinet or Kup as he was fondly called. Kup knew everybody who had any public presence in Chicago and of course, knew powerful people and celebrities from around the world. Kup was best known as a columnist for the Chicago Sun Times but was much more than a columnist, he was a communicator and used many mediums for that purpose. He had a television show, was a great emcee, was actively involved in civic, community, charitable and philanthropic activity. He was a fundraiser, a promoter, an icon, a legend. Kup had the ability to make use of not only himself; but he was also able to rely upon others in very serious and strategic ways as he did with his assistant for 34 years, Ms. Stella Foster. Kup was a creative genius who could take a mere occurrence and turn it into a great and glorious event. He was very open, comfortable and at ease with practically any and everybody. Kup grew up on the westside of Chicago, which is the heart of my Congressional District. He learned to walk with kings and queens; but never lost the common touch, yes, all men and women did matter with him but none too much. Over the years, Kup's column was distributed to more than 100 newspapers around the world. In 1982, he was elected to Chicago's journalism Hall of Fame. He broadcast Chicago Bears Football games with Jack Brickhouse for 24 years, he appeared in two movies and had a syndicated television program ``The Tonight Show,'' which ran from 1959 to 1986 and at one point was on 70 stations. Kup never forgot the community of his birth, north Lawndale in Chicago which had some transitions and fell upon hard times. Kup was a star athlete, played football on a team with former president Gerald Ford and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. Kup was many things to many people, but most of all he was husband and companion to his beloved wife Essee, father to his children, grandfather, son to his parents, brother to his siblings and friend to many. There was nothing quite like being mentioned in Kup's column, and if you were on the scope, you'd eventually get there. Yes, Kup walked with Kings, Queens, Presidents, Stars and Captains of business and industry, but never lost the common touch.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the poet Robert Frost is quoted as writing, ``Some people see things that are and ask why, I dream of things that have never been and ask, why not.'' Such was the life, such was the philosophy and such was the work of John Donovan, known to his friends as Juancho. John was a former Catholic priest who found his niche in organizing, working with and working for people in our world known as being poor. He worked in Panama, in the Rogers Park and Uptown communities of Chicago before becoming executive director of the coalition to end homelessness. He also worked as a priest, administrator and teacher at Chicago's Visitation High School. He was educated with a bachelor and masters degrees from Saint Mary of the Lake University in Mundelein. John was the recipient of many awards and honors and was featured in Studs ``Terkel's Hope Dies Last.'' In an interview with Studs, John said: ``Some people who are better off have the luxury of losing hope. But poor people never lose hope. They can't afford to. That's the only thing they can hold on to, and that's where hope springs eternal.'' Some people say, ``How can you continue to work with the homeless and the poor?'' That's where I get my energy because they never lose hope.'' ``I'm not practicing as a priest, but my ministry, remember is organizing. My job is organizing hope. There are people in the community who still have hope. That's the last thing they lose. I'm organizing hope for change.'' John Donovan, a man of hope, a force for change. May he rest in peace. I extend condolence to John's wife, their children, and other members of John's family.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the most remarkable and most successful men that this country has produced, Mr. Silas Purnell, who is credited with assisting more than 50,000 students to gain acceptance to colleges and universities. Silas Purnell was born on March 10, 1923, graduated from Wendell Phillips High School, received a degree from the Sheil Institute, attended Roosevelt and Northwestern Universities. Silas went to World War II, was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, got married to his wife Marilyn in 1946, and they had five children, Rosalind, Silas, Rosalinda, Ronald, and Donna. Mr. Purnell took a job and worked 13 years for the Coca Cola Bottling Company. It was during this period that he began helping students get into college. He eventually went to the Ada S. McKinley Community Services Agency and established their education division. As director of this program Mr. Purnell hit stride and became one of the most knowledgeable persons in the country relative to the availability of grants, scholarships, special programs and opportunities for individuals who wanted to attend college. Si Purnell developed such a reputation that people from all over the country would consult with him about getting into school. By the time Mr. Purnell became ill and retired in the year 2000, it was partially documented and estimated on good authority that Silas Purnell had helped more than 50,000 individuals gain acceptance and receive some form of financial aid for college. Mr. Speaker, there has never to my knowledge been a person to do more single-handedly to get individuals help with their educational pursuits. If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can steer somebody right who may be traveling wrong, then my living will not have been in vain. I commend Mr. Silas Purnell for his passionate and effective work, extend condolences to his family, and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have heard my colleagues describe the prescription drug plan as ``not perfect'' and a ``step in the right direction.'' However, this legislation is neither. Our seniors will not gain better health coverage or a prescription drug benefit that is affordable. Instead the CBO estimates that approximately 2-3 million seniors, 107,000 alone in my state of Illinois, who currently have drug coverage from their employer, will lost that coverage. This bill lowers Medicare's assistance to the employers making it unaffordable to keep their retirees' coverage. The new cap on general revenue spending will cause reductions in provider reimbursement rates, higher out of pocket cost, or even raise the payroll tax--once again passing the buck along to future generations. Worst of all for our senior consumers, we do not even allow the Secretary of HHS to negotiate lower drug prices for them. I am disappointed in this House for turning its backs on fulfilling our promise to seniors, but I am extremely disappointed that we are completely abandoning our Nation's most needy--our Nation's poor seniors. We are expecting our States to pay the Federal Government 90 percent of the cost of drugs for our low-income seniors. During a time when States are already faced with large debts and complicated decisions on what to cut next--how do we expect the States to afford 90 percent of the cost of drugs for our poor seniors? An estimated 6.4 million low-income and disabled people will have significantly worse coverage under this new plan. It is probably because this bill actually prohibits Medicaid from helping with copayments or paying for prescription drugs that are not approved by the private insurers. This means that certain, needed medications that are currently covered by Medicaid will no longer be available to seniors. This plan does not even provide assistance for our seniors that are between 150 percent and 160 percent of the federal poverty line that is an annual income of $15,300 to approximately $17,850. Mr. Speaker, no one is saying that we should give our seniors something for free. But we are saying lets give them something that is fair, reasonable, and makes sense.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is said that the cruelest lies are often told in silence--in what you don't say. If that's the case, then the silence is deafening as the Medicare prescription drug legislation looms ever closer to final passage. We promised the American people we would protect and strengthen traditional Medicare. This legislation does the opposite--it begins coercing millions of seniors out the common Medicare insurance pool into private HMOs. It creates huge new tax shelters for the ultra wealthy with the ironic name of ``Health Savings Accounts.'' Meanwhile the very poorest seniors, those who also qualify for Medicare, will see their benefits slashed. The bill places draconian new caps on future Medicare services and spiraling new tax burdens on middle income working families. The bill inaugurates the process of means-testing and asset-testing seniors before providing them benefits--of checking their wallets before checking their health. It would also add heavy new financial burdens to state budgets already strained to bursting by federal cutbacks. All this in return for a pathetically inadequate prescription drug benefit and skyrocketing drug company prices and profits as far as the eye can see. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fooling our seniors shame on all of us. Mr. Speaker, this Medicare prescription drug bill is not what it is advertised to be. It is a cruel hoax and a danger to the health and well-being of America's seniors. As Representatives of the American people, we have a special moral responsibility to be honest with the people. This legislation breaks that sacred trust. This bill deceives and dispossesses America's seniors. I'm with Will Rogers: I'd rather be the man who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the man who sold it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 320 and commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney) for introducing this legislation. Since March 26, 1903, when the first automobile race was held on a beach in Volusia County, Florida, motorsports races have been held in every American State. Millions of Americans enjoy the excitement and speed of motorsports brought to them by such organizations as the Championship Auto Racing Teams, Grand American Road Racing, Indy Racing League, the Sports Club of America, the National Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing, and others. The research and development of vehicles used in motorsports competition contribute to the improvement of safety and technology of motor vehicles used by the general public. Additionally, motorsports activities contribute millions of dollars to local and State economies as well as to the national economy. As America continues to grow and develop and as we continue to exercise our creativity and ingenuity, and as we find additional ways for recreation, many people are beginning to view this as not only a spectator sport but also something that they would learn to participate in themselves. Again I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Feeney) for introducing this resolution and urge its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of S. 867, legislation naming a postal facility after Ronald Reagan. S. 867, which was introduced by Senator Conrad Burns on April 10, 2003, was approved by voice vote in the Committee on Government Reform on July 10, 2003. Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States. He served as President from January 1981 to January 1989. At 73, he was the oldest man ever elected President. He was well-known as Dutch, the Gipper, and the Great Communicator. An actor by profession, President Reagan served as Governor of California from 1966 to 1974. During his Presidency, his economic policies came to be known as ``Reaganomics.'' In 1994, former President Reagan announced that he was afflicted with Alzheimer's. And although a number of facilities have been named after him, schools, streets, highways, a postal facility in West Melbourne, Florida, and even the Washington, D.C. National Airport, a crowning achievement was when President William Clinton dedicated the Ronald Reagan Building in 1998. That building, located in the District of Columbia, houses an international trade center, international cultural activities, the Agency for International Development, and many other entities. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed appropriate that we remember those who have led our country, and naming this postal facility after former President Ronald Reagan fits that description. I would urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. As a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of S. 1718, legislation naming a postal facility after Senator James B. Pearson. S. 1718, which was introduced by Senator Pat Roberts on October 14, 2003, was unanimously approved by the Committee on Government Reform on November 6, 2003. The gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) is the sponsor of H.R. 3255, an identical version of S. 1718. H.R. 3255 has been cosponsored by the entire Kansas congressional delegation. James Pearson was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended public schools in Virginia. He served as a pilot in the Navy during World War II, and after being discharged, he became an attorney and began practicing law in Mission, Kansas. He served in various legal positions before being appointed in 1962 as a Republican to the United States Senate to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Andrew Schoeppel. Senator Pearson served in the Senate until 1978, working diligently as a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee and ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Mr. Speaker, this is indeed an honorable act that we take in naming this postal facility. I would urge swift passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 411. This resolution honors the contributions which former UCLA coach John Wooden made to college sports and to education. Coach Wooden is recognized as one of the most successful players and coaches in basketball history. He is one of only two individuals who have been enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach. Coach Wooden finished his coaching career with an 885-203 record. He coached the UCLA Bruins to 88 straight victories. He coached the Bruins to championship wins in 10 out of 12 seasons. This record of athletic championship is legendary. While Coach Wooden has been honored for his accomplishments on the court, he has also been recognized for his leadership and personal qualities. Coach Wooden was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor. In addition, he inspired his players to achieve success in their own right. He also is an accomplished author. Coach Wooden has inspired us with his legendary ability to win on the court. But he has also inspired us with his ability to help young people develop into leaders in their own right. For that, this House and this country owe him our thanks. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would urge Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 6, the Energy bill that is before us today. I am against this bill due to repealing of provisions that will continue and empower the Enron's of tomorrow and will make our drinking water and air over time unsafe. However, with every bad, I believe there is some good. Although I realize LIHEAP will be funded under the Labor-HHS Appropriations, I wanted to take a minute to mention section 121 under subtitle B in this bill. I am particularly happy with the amount of $3.4 Billion for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2006 considering that the Appropriations Committee proposed funding LIHEAP at $1.8 billion, which was $200 million less than the President's budget request. We can not let LIHEAP sustain any cuts at a time when projections predict that natural gas prices will be at least 50 percent higher in the coming winter as more than half of LIHEAP recipients rely on natural gas. Last year in Chicago, LIHEAP provided grants averaging $430 per household. No one should have to suffer from the cold this winter. I am committed to ensuring that our low-income families do not have to rely on their oven or stove or a space heater to stay warm during the winter months. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this bill does more damage than good for our energy resources, energy usage, and to our environment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Althea Gibson overcame unbelievable odds to achieve international acclaim and success. Her journey from Harlem to Wimbledon reveals her strength of character and her remarkable composure in the face of racial prejudice. She built the foundation on which Venus and Serena Williams and Tiger Woods now stand. The life of Althea Gibson is much more than a story about a successful tennis champion. It is a story about education, opportunity, hope, perseverance, and the responsibility we all have for helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Althea Gibson was born on August 25, 1927, in the small town of Silver, South Carolina. Her family moved to Harlem in New York City when she was 3. Her family was on welfare. She was a client of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She had trouble in school and was often truant. She ran away from home frequently. Tennis, which first came to the United States in the late 19th century, by the middle of the 20th Century had become part of a culture of health and fitness. Public programs brought tennis to children in poor neighborhoods, though those children could not dream of playing in the elite tennis clubs. Althea played paddle tennis in public recreation programs and became quite proficient. Musician Buddy Walker noticed her playing table tennis and took her to the Harlem River Tennis Courts, where she learned the game and excelled. By 1942, Gibson had won the girls' singles event at the American Tennis Association's New York State tournament, an all-black organization. She won again in 1944 and 1945. In 1946, two tennis-playing doctors who were active in the black tennis community, Hubert Eaton of North Carolina and Robert Johnson of Virginia, took in Althea Gibson, Eaton during the school year and Johnson during the summer. Gibson, who had dropped out of high school, was made to finish high school and eventually graduated from Florida A&M University in 1953. In 1950, when Gibson was 23 years old, she was permitted to play at the U.S. Nationals, becoming the first black to compete in the tournament. In 1956, Althea Gibson made history by becoming the first black person to win the French championships. The next year she made history by winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals, the first black to win either. Althea won six out of a total of 11 Grand Slam events, including six doubles titles, on her way to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. Althea Gibson is quoted as saying, ``I always wanted to be somebody. If I made it, it's half because I was game enough to take a lot of punishment along the way and half because there were a lot of people who cared enough to help me.'' Though Arthur Ashe and the Williams sisters have met their own challenges, Althea Gibson was the first black person of either sex to break the color barrier in national and international tournament tennis at a time when prejudice and racism were far more pervasive in society and in sports. Althea Gibson was not only somebody, she was someone special. So we celebrate the life of Althea Gibson by ensuring that our policies and laws lift up and assist the less fortunate among us so that they too may fulfill their dreams and their potential as Althea Gibson did. I commend the gentleman from New York for introducing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe I am going to have any additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 2130, legislation naming a postal facility as the New Bridge Landing. H.R. 2130, which was introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Garrett) on May 15, 2003, was unanimously approved by the Committee on Government Reform on November 6, 2003. This measure has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New Jersey congressional delegation. According to preservation New Jersey, New Bridge Landing has great historical significance. The Landing, an inland port situated on a strategic site, was an important shipping point for hundreds of years and was the scene of many fights during the Revolutionary War. Other historic structures that helped make up New Bridge Landing are the Steuben House, a stone Dutch mansion built in 1750; a 19th century swinging bridge; a tidal mill site; and the site of New Bridge Landing, a river embarkation point. Three other buildings were moved to the site to save them from demolition: The Demerest House, the Westervelt Barn and the Campbell-Christie House. According to the Bergen County Historical Society, throughout the war the New Bridge was considered an important, strategic route, guarded by troops from both sides at different times. George Washington's retreat across this bridge on November 20, 1776, saved his troops from entrapment by advancing troops. Mr. Speaker, given the historic nature of New Bridge Landing, it seems quite appropriate to redesignate this postal facility in River Edge, New Jersey. I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, despite failing health, Pope John Paul II has continued to travel around the world promoting the cause of peace. He has made over 102 journeys outside Italy to 123 countries and territories to spread peace and God's word. He has used his moral authority to challenge dictators in his fight for human rights and dignity. Pope John Paul II has been one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. Until John Paul II, most Popes confined themselves to Rome and the surrounding area. They were often distant and unapproachable. But John Paul has revolutionized the papacy. The Pope is conservative and is a champion of long-standing Church traditions. He is also the most traveled Pope in history and a man of the world. He has brought much attention to his role of helping and encouraging the Church around the world. John Paul was instrumental in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe for support for the Solidarity movement in Poland where he is a national hero. With the collapse of the Soviet Empire and the subsequent visit of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to Rome, the papacy reached a height of moral and political influence in the world. He has used that influence to further the cause of human rights so that people have the right not to be fearful, the right to be able to work and to practice their faith. This resolution urges the President to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pope John Paul II for his contributions to the cause of freedom, human dignity and peace. He is certainly deserving of such an honor, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 391 and commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Johnson) for introducing this resolution. This resolution recognizes the success of the University of Illinois men's tennis team. The Fighting Illini finished off its season with a rare Triple Crown, including national championships in the team tournament, singles tournament and doubles tournament. This marked the first team championship for the tennis team at the University of Illinois. In fact, this is the first national championship for the Fighting Illini in any sport since 1989. I congratulate Coach Craig Tiley and all of the student athletes on the tennis team. Winning a national championship is something to be proud of, not only for the university but for its students, faculty, and the surrounding community. The achievement that marks a national championship brings out the best athletic performance our collegiate sports have to offer. Everyone involved in this should be congratulated for their performances. In closing, I would urge Members to support this resolution, and again I commend the University of Illinois men's tennis team, extend to them my commendations and extend to the President, President Stukel and all of the faculty, this is a rare occurrence for the University of Illinois. I know everybody in Illinois is indeed delighted that the university has reached this milestone.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Few people realize that even before there was a Declaration of Independence or a Constitution, African-Americans could be counted among our most dedicated revolutionaries. In the fall of 1775, the Continental Army tried to appease large landholders in the South by barring all slaves and most freemen from enlisting or re- enlisting. But by the end of the year the war took a turn for the worse, and the order was rescinded. So on Christmas night, in 1776, African-American soldiers made that famous crossing of the Delaware River with Washington to help him capture the Hessians at Trenton. All told, some 5,000 African-Americans served for the cause of Independence, and their sacrifices have been little remembered but should never be forgotten. There has never been any war fought involving America, whether in time of slavery or freedom, segregation or integration, that African Americans did not serve and become major contributors in serving their country. African American veterans have a long honor roll in serving America. During World War II more than one million African Americans in uniform distinguished themselves as P-40 fighter pilots and Navy Seabees, Sherman tank drivers, orderlies and engineers. Let us remember Dorie Miller, a steward aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, who saw his captain fall wounded and pulled him to safety and then despite the fire, he manned a machine gun and downed several enemy planes. At the Battle of the Bulge the men of the 3496th Truck Company hauled weapons, soldiers and prisoners down roads that the rain had turned into rivers of mud and ice. They unloaded their 2.5 ton trucks as mortars fell all around them. Also, let us remember the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II who overcame resentment, suspicion and segregation to become the first African-American fighter pilots, and time and again they flew over 1,500 combat missions and never lost a single bomber under their escort on bombing runs into Germany. When African Americans broke the color barrier in the Marine Corps, they went to the frontlines of Guam, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Although these are just a few instances of African Americans having courage, valor, bravery and commitment to the ideas in preserving and fighting for freedom and justice for all. We as a people have a long history of achievement in defending and protecting America's sovereignty. It was revealed in a few, even though many African Americans in earlier years were excluded from recognition due to pervasive racism, who received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Congressional Medal of Honor was approved by President Lincoln on December 21, 1861 for the Navy and July 12, 1862 for the Army, it is the highest American award for military valor. There were 23 Congressional Medals of Honor awarded to African Americans for bravery and gallantry in the Civil War. Eight Medals of Honor for Naval service recipients from 1865 to 1898, 17 Medals of Honor during the Western Campaigns, 6 Medals of Honor for the Spanish- American War, one Medal of Honor to Corporal Freddie Stowers of the 370th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division which was awarded in 1991. Seven Medals of Honor for World War II African American veterans who were not awarded until 1997, when only one of seven--Vernon Baker-- was still alive (four of the seven were killed in action). Today, I commend all of our veterans who fought and loss their lives to defend our country from the Revolutionary war of 1775 to 1781, the War of 1812, Civil War 1861 to 1865, Spanish-American War 1898, World War I 1917 to 1918, World War II 1941 to 1945, Korean conflict 1950 to 1953, Vietnam conflict 1960 to 1972, Persian Gulf War 1991, and our future veterans of the Iraq conflict. Thank you for your service.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I have listened intently to this debate, and it is clear to me that there are a lot of people here who do not know much about what goes on in prison, and do not know much about what happens to people when they get out of prison. Most of the individuals who are incarcerated have no skills. As a matter of fact, most of them do not have a high school diploma. They are dropouts. Many of them have personal emotional problems and difficulties. My mother always told us that an idle mind was a devil's workshop. I can tell Members if we do not provide an opportunity for individuals to learn and develop a skill, to come out so they are able to go in the marketplace and get a job, half of them will end up right back in the same prison. We will be paying for them and paying for them and taking care of them for the rest of their lives. If that is not utilization of tax money, then I do not know what is. I agree with my esteemed colleague from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) when he wrote the op-ed opinion. It may not be the intent to have them breaking rocks, but the results will be that there will be nothing for them to do except break rocks. I have heard people talk about the training, all of the things that they are going to get. I do not know which prisoners these are, and I do not know which prisons these individuals come from. They sure do not come from the ones that I meet and know and see. This legislation is not good even for small businesses. It is not good for the businesses that we intend to protect because any money that they can make they are going to have to plow it right back into taking care of the inmates who now cannot take care of themselves. I would urge that we vote this legislation down. It is not good for America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that what we are debating is corrections policy. The United States of America, our country, has become the most imprisoned Nation on the face of the earth. Right now, we have more than 2 million people in jails and prisons. We have more than 630,000 people who return home to neighborhoods and communities each and every year. Some communities are impacted a great deal. Other communities are impacted not as much. If one lives in inner city America where there is the greatest amount of impact, there are some neighborhoods where they will go into and find that almost a third of the men have some kind of prison record, have some kind of association with the criminal justice system. That sounds theoretical to people who do not experience it, but if one lives in one of those neighborhoods, then they have a large number of individuals who cannot get a job, who cannot be employed. For example, in my State of Illinois, there are 57 job titles by license that a person coming out of prison with a felony cannot hold. As a matter of fact, they cannot be a barber. They cannot cut hair without a waiver. They cannot be a beautician. They cannot be a nail technician. They cannot work in any hospital or health care facility. They cannot wash dishes at a nursing home. They cannot work around a school. They cannot cut the grass. They cannot mow the lawn. They cannot wash the windows. They cannot be a butcher. And, of course, the professions, they cannot enter into those. So these individuals then come back, and they cannot find anything to do. They do not have any resources. And before we know it, most of them are back on the streets hollering crack and blow, pills and thrills, whatever it was that got them there. As a matter of fact, 67 percent of them are more than likely to be rearrested within a 3-year period of time, 67 percent. Almost half of them will be back in jail or the penitentiary within a 3-year period, almost half, 45, 46 percent. So any opportunity that exists for them to get trained is good, even if it is only the little bit that they get. As a matter of fact, we talk about the impact, and we do need a GAO study, because in one sense we are really talking about one-quarter of 1 percent of the procurement that we are talking about. That does impact some businesses. I consider myself a serious proponent of small businesses. I am an advocate for small businesses, and I recognize that they need opportunities and agree that they should have them, but the Prison Industries really did not send the jobs to Mexico. They did not create NAFTA. They did not create GATT. They did not create free trade. They did not create any monopolistic trade. All these individuals are, are some individuals that have gone afoul of the law and are hoping that they would have some opportunity to reclaim themselves rather than be in and out of the penitentiary, the penitentiary that we pay for, $35,000 a year in many instances. If we can get an individual to get an individual to become self-sufficient, that is $35,000 that we could use for something else. Support the Green amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the DeLauro motion to instruct conferees, and I commend the gentlewoman from Connecticut for introducing it. H.R. 2660, the appropriations bill for the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, is underfunding our Nation's education system. Although this Congress made the promise to increase funding for education by $2.2 billion in the FY 2004 budget resolution, and then again in H.R. 1350, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, these promises do not appear in the appropriations bill. Instead, special education falls $1.2 billion short of the budget promise. Due to the insufficiency of funding for local education, our local communities will need to absorb more of the costs for providing special education to 6.7 million school children. Ultimately, schools will be forced to cut essential programs or raise local taxes. That is why I voted against the appropriation resolution and why I voted against the IDEA reauthorization. During discussion in the Committee on Education and the Workforce, I spoke to the need to fully fund IDEA, and even voted in favor of an amendment which did in fact fail. Now I am asking my colleagues in the House to follow suit with our Senate colleagues and fulfill the promise from the budget resolution and the Senate-passed bill, which included the bipartisan amendment to increase IDEA funding by $2.2 billion. I believe that we have no greater responsibility as legislators than to fully fund education; to make sure that we have adequate buildings, schools, teachers, textbooks; and to help those children who have the greatest amount of need. No children have greater needs than those with disabilities. I ask that we support the DeLauro motion and support our children who need help the most.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill), the sponsor of this legislation. (Mr. HILL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Indianapolis, Indiana (Ms. Carson).