Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, just as the seniors in Texas and all across the country are concerned about prescription drug coverage and the action of the conferees, so are those in Illinois. I met with a group of seniors on Saturday, and they are waiting in anticipation of a real plan, a real program, and they are saying, Mr. Speaker, that they do not want a watered-down version. They do not want a pig in a poke. They want something that is real, meaningful. Please conferees, listen to the seniors. Let us come up with a real prescription drug plan.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, at first blush, I thought that this was a good bill, good piece of legislation, that it made some sense. But then I thought about the fact that the goal of our prison system really should be to try and make sure that individuals are better off when they leave than they were when they got there. If they cannot read, we need to teach them how to read; if they cannot write, we should teach them how to write; if they have got drug problems, we should give them counseling and treatment; if they do not have job skills, if they have never had a work ethic, then we ought to provide opportunities for them to learn what work is all about. We ought to provide an opportunity for them to develop a skill, so that when they get out, there is something that they can do, other than stand on the corner and holler ``crack and blow,'' or ``pills and thrills.'' Any diminution of opportunity for these individuals to work is not in the best interest of America. It will cause recidivism, and those who get out will be right back. So I would urge us to look seriously. I understand competition. I understand small business. I am an avid supporter of small business, but I believe that we would do much more harm than good by denying any single person incarcerated the opportunity to work and learn a skill. I will vote no, and urge that we reject this rule and this bill.

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. 425, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis). Mr. Speaker, the fires raging through Southern California have killed 20 people, destroyed more than 3,400 homes, and scorched over 750,000 acres of forests. Most of the deaths and demolished homes were in San Diego County, where a 280,000-acre blaze was apparently started by a lost hunter who set a signal fire. Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters are on the front lines between the public and the devastation the fire can cause. Firefighters help protect the public interest from these dangers by rapidly responding to a variety of emergencies. Firefighting involves hazardous conditions and long, irregular hours. Firefighters must be prepared to respond immediately to a fire or to any other emergency that arises. Because fighting fires is dangerous and complex, it requires organization and teamwork. When fires break out in forests and parks, firefighters are brought in to suppress the blaze by using heavy equipment, hand tools, and water hoses. Forest firefighting is rigorous work. One of the most effective means of battling a blaze is to create fire lines by cutting down trees and digging out grass and all other vegetation, thereby creating bare land in the path of the fire that deprives it of fuel. Elite firefighters, called smoke jumpers, parachute from airplanes to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. This is extremely hazardous, because the crews have no way to escape if the wind shifts and causes the fire to burn towards them. That is what firefighters do. They risk their lives for the public, and Steven Rucker was not any different. Steven Rucker died in the line of duty last week while battling the Cedar fire near the town of Julian in San Diego County. Steven Rucker and three other firefighters were battling to save a home as part of a strike team called in to battle the immense San Diego County blaze. The four men were working to save a structure when the swirling flames overwhelmed their position. Rucker's colleagues, Captain Doug McDonald, Engineer Shawn Kreps, and Firefighter/Paramedic Barrett Smith were injured on the lines before the group was evacuated by helicopter from the scene. We owe the California firefighters, and all firefighters, a debt of gratitude for what they do to protect us from the devastation of fires. That gratitude should be extended when the fire is blazing and when it has dimmed. I support this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the sensitive Democratic leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there is no greater gift that one can give than his or her own life. There is no greater service than one can provide than looking after the needs of others while neglecting those of your own. I urge passage of 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 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky), the pride of northeastern Indiana, and my neighbor and friend across the water. (Mr. VISCLOSKY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip. (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3379, and I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the ranking member of the Committee on the Budget. (Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing for our side, I did not have the opportunity to serve with Representative McCloskey, but from listening to the accolades that have been given to him by his colleagues who did serve with him and know him, it is clear that he was not only honorable, but that he was also seriously committed to what he believed in even if, at the time, there was not the full level of support that one often looks for. I commend the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill) for introducing this resolution. I commend all of the members of the Indiana delegation, all of those who are supportive of this measure. I 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 want to thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) for yielding me this time. I also want to commend the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) and the ranking member for the outstanding work that they have both done in shaping this legislation. I rise in support of the Lowey motion to instruct conferees on the Foreign Ops appropriation bill to reflect the Senate version of assistance for the U.S. Agency for International Development, for child survival and disease programs for HIV/AIDS, polio, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases, including family planning and reproductive health programs. I commend the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) for this motion because it reflects her keen insight and understanding and sensitivity to the health and medical needs of underdeveloped nations, especially in Africa. Mr. Speaker, this motion is not a budget breaker. It is not a program alterer. It does not change any program, nor does it create any serious imbalances. It simply asks that the conferees support the other body's mark which is $1,726,000,000. It is not a lot of additional money between the two. But when we think of what a little bit of money can do in Africa, what it can do for individuals who are simply waiting to die, who have no hope, who have lost it all, given up, who have said that the only thing that they can do is wait and hope that something happens, well, this gives hope to those millions, this gives hope to those thousands, it is a very rational motion. I am pleased to support it. Mr. Speaker, again, I commend both the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ranking Member Lowey) for the outstanding work that they have done.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Mr. Cathy is indeed a remarkable man. I congratulate the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) and the Georgia delegation. I urge swift passage of this legislation.

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 may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) in support of H.R. 3029, legislation naming a Postal Service facility located at 255 North Main Street in Jonesboro, Georgia, after S. Truett Cathy. H.R. 3029 was introduced by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott) on September 5, 2003. The bill has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Georgia delegation. S. Truett Cathy is the founder and chairman of the third largest fast-food chicken chain in the United States. The first restaurant opened in 1967 in Atlanta, Georgia. As of February, 2003, there are more than 1,000 restaurants in 36 States and Washington, D.C. Not content to be just a successful businessman, Mr. Cathy continues to give back to his community. He provides leadership scholarships to employees, scholarships to young people to attend college, sponsors long-term care for foster children, and a summer camp program to build self-esteem. He also sponsors golf and football sporting events. Mr. Speaker, naming a postal facility after Mr. S. Truett Cathy continues the tradition of honoring dedicated and committed individuals who make a difference in their community and in our Nation. I am pleased to join in urging swift adoption of H.R. 3029. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott), the proud Georgian sponsor of this legislation.

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.R. 2438, legislation naming a postal facility located at 115 West Pine Street in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, after Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr. H.R. 2438, introduced by the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) on June 11, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on July 10, 2003. The measure has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire Mississippi State congressional delegation. Mr. Speaker, Henry A. Commiskey was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1927. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 during World War II and participated in the 1945 invasion of Iwo Jima, where he earned the Purple Heart. He remained in the corps after the war, rose to the rank of staff sergeant to become a drill instructor at Parris Island, and then graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1949. Henry volunteered for combat service at the outbreak of the Korean War and was presented the distinguished Medal of Honor by President Truman in 1951 for leading a charge up Hill 85 in North Korea and killing seven enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat on September 20, 1950. Henry A. Commiskey obtained the rank of major before retiring from the corps. Last year, the Hattiesburg City Council and the Board of Supervisors for Forrest County, Mississippi, passed official resolutions requesting the assistance of the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) in renaming the city's downtown post office after the late Major Henry A. Commiskey, Sr., a long-time resident of the community and Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War. I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) and the gentleman from California (Ranking Member Waxman) and the House majority and minority leadership for moving this bill to the floor so expeditiously. I also commend my colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) for seeking to honor the tremendous sacrifice of Major Commiskey. Mr. Speaker, I know that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) has been trying to get here, but he has been traveling from Mississippi and has not made it yet. He wanted to be here to speak in favor of this legislation. Unfortunately, he did not make it. So I will insert his statement in the Record at the appropriate place, and I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. 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 may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I rise in support of H.R. 3166, legislation naming a postal facility located at 57 Old Tappan Road in Tappan, New York, after John G. Dow. H.R. 3166, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) on September 24, 2003, was unanimously approved by our committee on October 8, 2003. The measure has met the Committee on Government Reform policy and has the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York State delegation. Mr. John G. Dow was a former Member of Congress and a staunchly liberal New York Democrat from the lower Hudson Valley. One of the earliest congressional opponents of the Vietnam War, he died in March of this year at the age of 97. John Dow was born in New York City in 1905 and grew up in New Jersey. His family later moved to Kennebunkport, Maine. He graduated from Harvard University, became a businessman and began dabbling in local politics, serving as chairman of the Zoning and Appeals Board. In 1964, Mr. Dow won election to Congress, representing Rockland County, New York. Representative John Dow served two terms before he was defeated. He later ran again and won his seat back, serving one term before being defeated by Representative Benjamin Gilman. Mr. Speaker I commend my colleagues for seeking to honor the memory of the late Representative John Dow by naming a postal facility after him, and I urge swift adoption of this bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a young child, I was taught that he or she who fails to plan, plans to fail. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, this resolution is very timely, given the sluggish economy and loss of jobs. H. Con. Res. 176 supports the goals and ideals of Financial Planning Week. The financial planning process allows individuals to achieve their dreams by empowering themselves to identify and manage realistic financial goals, and to negotiate the financial barriers that arise at every stage of life. Everyone can benefit from knowing about the value of financial planning and where to turn for objective financial advice. The Financial Planning Association designated the week beginning October 6, 2003 as Financial Planning Week, and with good reason. Saving money has steadily declined in this country over the past 50 years, while borrowing has increased. In 1950, savings averaged 12.3 percent of national output. By the 1960s, it was down to 8.5 percent. By the 1980s it was down to 4.7 percent. In the early 1990s, it was only 2.4 percent. Americans need to work to achieve financial independence, and financial planning is crucial to that process. Determining what you have, determining what resources you need for living, and setting goals are all part of the financial planning process. Experts suggest setting aside a goal to pay ourselves first, to plan and to manage our spending so that we will be able to save. We then should gradually increase the percentage of our income that we save. Over time, Americans should try to set aside enough savings to meet each of the following needs: Day-to-day living expenses, including debt repayment; common emergencies; large recurrent expenses; short- term goals; long-term goals; and special opportunities that would require substantial sums in the future. We as individuals are responsible for becoming well-informed and for making thoughtful decisions that improve our prospects for financial security. H. Con. Res. 176 serves as a reminder of how important it is for us to save and to have a financial plan, so that we can improve not only our individual quality of life, but so that we can have a better outlook for our Nation and improve the quality of life for all Americans. 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 myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the members of the National Association for Music Education, the offices of the Smithsonian Institute, and the members of the American Sportscasters Association have joined in the National Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project. The ``SingAmerica'' project aims to restore the original Star Spangled Banner Flag and to renew national awareness of the patriotic musical traditions of the United States. The performance and singing tradition of patriotic music has served as a vital instrument for the recruitment and retention of the Armed Forces of the United States. Such patriotic music can be found on the SingAmerica! Patriotic Collection CD, which marks the first time all of the U.S. military bands: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard have been recorded on a single album. The National Anthem and the Star Spangled Banner hold a special place in the hearts and minds of the American people as symbols of national unity, resolve, and willingness to sacrifice in order to preserve the Nation's sacred heritage of freedom. This resolution urges all Americans to assist, enjoy, and participate in the National Anthem ``SingAmerica'' project. Sometimes, when you are listening to just the song, you can imagine that you see Francis Scott Key as he looked out and saw that the flag was still waving in the pitch of battle and was inspired to write the words ``Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light. What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.'' Or, you think of other patriotic songs like ``America, The Beautiful'' and ``God bless America.'' All of those symbolize what America has been, but also what America has the potential of being. Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent project, and I would urge passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of October being the month to increase awareness of domestic violence, and educate individuals about the services available to assist victims. Therefore, it is significant that we recognize October as the National Awareness Month for Domestic Violence. According to the United States Department of Justice, domestic violence can be defined as, a pattern of coercive behavior designed to exert power and control over a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidating, threatening, harmful, or harassing behavior. Partners may be married or not married, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, living together, separated or dating. Over the last thirty years, there has been a radical change in not only the understanding of domestic violence, but also the acknowledgement of responses from individuals and society. According to the most recent report from the' Department of Justice, there were almost 700,000 incidents of domestic violence in 2001. Approximately one-third of women who are murdered each year are killed by their current or former husband or partner. Children who are subjected to domestic violence too often grow up to inflict violence on others, creating a cycle of violence that must be stopped. Nearly one in every three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. Approximately four million American women experience a serious assault by an intimate partner each year. Six times as many women who experience violence by an intimate partner, 18 perecent, as by a stranger, 3 percent, do not report the crime. Several types of violence and abuse usually occur within the family; men who batter their intimate partners are more likely to abuse their children too. Unfortunately, every fifteen seconds in the United States, a woman is brutally battered by her partner. As you hear these words, a woman is being beaten. Despite the increase reports of domestic violence in Chicago, the police and other related agencies receive an average of 560 domestic violence calls each day. About half the murders involved domestic disputes and approximately fifty percent of homicides are attributed to a domestic situation. To bring attention to this horrendous issue, October has been designated as the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mr. Speaker, let all of us renew our Nation's commitment to prevent and punish the perpetrators of this despicable crime and bring hope and healing to those affected by it.