Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCUs are indeed special to me, since it was when I was 16 years old that I left home to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, which was AM&N College at that time. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff ended up being very significant to my entire family. As time went on, my six brothers and sisters also attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, as well as nieces and nephews and a number of cousins. When I look around my office, there are a number of individuals who have attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities, such as Wilberforce, UAPB, Morehouse, Howard, and Jackson State. The reality is that for thousands and thousands of individuals, without these institutions being available, well equipped, ready, and prepared, many of the individuals who have managed to rise above the individuality of their circumstances would have never been able to do so. Before the Civil War, higher education for black students was virtually non-existent, except for a minor few like Frederick Douglass, who did receive schooling but often in hostile, informal settings or were forced to teach themselves. But as Frederick Douglass said, ``If there is no struggle, there is no progress.'' And progress was made. The Morrill Land-Grant Act gave federal lands to the States for the purposes of opening colleges and universities and with great success many institutions were created. However, only a few were open to African Americans. In 1890, 28 years later, this issue was addressed and the second Morrill Land-Grant Act was passed and specified that states must either make their schools open to both blacks and whites or allocate money for segregated black colleges to serve as an alternative to white schools. A total of 16 exclusively black institutions received 1890 land-grant funds. Today, there are 103 black colleges, recognized by the Department of Education, because they were founded before 1964. Today, there are about 270,000 students attending black colleges and universities and thousands of students graduating annually from black colleges. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities have produced 35 percent of all black lawyers, 50 percent of all black engineers and 65 percent of all black physicians. No school sends more blacks to medical school than New Orleans' Xavier University, and, while HBCUs constitute only 3 percent of the country's institutions of higher education, 28 percent of all blacks who receive bachelor's degrees earn them from black institutions. As it is evident by the number of African Americans who receive a degree from one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, these institutions also play an important role in the communities which they serve. Black Colleges are the social, economic and political beacon within the communities in which they are located. For instance, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has a bell tower on the campus, which is the tallest structure in that area. It stands as a symbol of educational opportunity and hope for the African Americans growing up around the University, in that area. HBCUs are necessary, not just for young African Americans, not just for the communities where they are, but also because they are an incredibly important part of American history. During the next few weeks as the Committee on Education and the Workforce address the issue of Higher Education as we reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I shall endeavor to ensure that the Historically Black Colleges and Universities are not forgotten and receive the attention they deserve. Mr. Speaker, education is the great equalizer, and, in the last few decades, having a college degree has been more than important to finding a job with a livable wage and reasonable benefits. HBCUs have made it possible for thousands of African Americans, including myself, to grasp and take part in seeking the American dream.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the Governor's Congresswoman, the gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. Therefore, I urge swift passage of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Hill).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished Democratic whip.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky). (Mr. VISCLOSKY 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. Mr. Speaker, Governor O'Bannon was in my congressional district when he passed away. Certainly I would want to extend on behalf of all of the people in Chicago and the people of Illinois our sympathies to his family and to the people of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, Frank O'Bannon, the 47th Governor of Indiana, died last week at the age of 73 from a stroke. After serving 18 years as Lieutenant Governor to Evan Bayh, Frank O'Bannon was elected Governor of Indiana November 5, 1996, and was reelected on November 7, 2000. Frank O'Bannon's two inaugurations as Governor made history. After he was elected in 1996 he invited Indiana's fourth grade history students to witness his inauguration, something no Governor had ever done. Despite sub-zero temperatures that day, hundreds of Hoosier schoolchildren for the first time ever watched as their Governor was sworn in. After his 2000 reelection, Governor O'Bannon repeated his invitation to the fourth grade history students. This time, however, the festivities were moved inside the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. More than 25,000 students and visitors from across Indiana watched as the Governor was sworn in, making it the largest gubernatorial inauguration crowd in Indiana history. Although Governor Frank O'Bannon was sometimes criticized by other lawmakers for not being more assertive, he followed his own instincts for achieving consensus quietly. Born on January 30, 1930, in Louisville, Kentucky, Frank O'Bannon devoted his entire life to public service and to the people of the State of Indiana. Education, health care, building communities, promoting public safety and economic development are the hallmarks of Frank O'Bannon's legacy as Governor of Indiana. He taught those fourth grade students a valuable lesson in leadership, integrity and good works. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Small Business, I want to commend the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for their leadership on small business matters. Mr. Speaker, for the past 40 years, the President has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of Small Business Week. I rise in support of the Small Business Administration's designating the week of September 14 through 20, 2003, as National Small Business Week. This celebration will honor the estimated 25 million small businesses in America who have created three out of every four new jobs and generate more than 55 percent of America's innovations. Small Business Week recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal achievements and contributions to our Nation's economy. One outstanding entrepreneur is named to represent each State as the State's Small Business Person of the Year. From this group, the National Small Business Person of the Year is chosen. Small businesses employ half of our workers and account for half of our gross domestic product. Small businesses have and will continue to pull the U.S. economy out of recession. They anchor our neighborhoods, employ and train our workers, and take care of our families. They are the reason that the United States economy has consistently been known as the strongest in the world. Today, we honor our small businesses and entrepreneurs for their efforts and what they mean to America. Again, Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Manzullo) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez), for their leadership and urge passage of this resolution.

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 Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), in consideration of S. 678, the Postmasters Equity Act of 2003. S. 678 was introduced on March 20, 2003, by Senator Daniel Akaka. This measure would amend chapter 10 of title 39 to include postmasters and postmasters' organizations in the process for the development and planning of pay policies and benefits. S. 678 is cosponsored by 39 Senators, including the chairman and the ranking member of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, Senator Susan Collins and Senator Joseph Lieberman. On July 25, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously approved S. 678, the Postmasters Equity Act of 2003. The bill was amended to substitute the language of the House bill, H.R. 2249, sponsored by me and the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh). H.R. 2249 had been reported earlier out of the Committee on Government Reform by voice vote. During the 1996 Congress, President Carter signed into law legislation creating a fact-finding process for resolving disputes over pay and benefits and to make recommendations to the Postal Service. It did not provide for arbitration of the disputes, and the recommendations were not binding on the Postmaster General. However, the law only applied to postal supervisors, not postmasters. S. 678, like its House counterpart, H.R. 2249, would extend to the postmaster the option of a fact-finding panel to make nonbinding recommendations to the Postal Service. Currently, when pay and benefit discussions between the Postal Service and postmasters fail, postmasters have no recourse and have to accept what is offered by the Postal Service. Passage of S. 678 would bring consistency in the manner by which the two categories of postal managers negotiate with the Postal Service over pay and benefits. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have been a sponsor of this legislation. I urge swift adoption of this bill and commend Senator Akaka for all of his hard work on behalf of postmasters. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I know that the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson- Lee) had all intended to be here to make comments on this resolution. Unfortunately, they were not able to make it, but I wanted to make sure that their hopes and aspirations were entered into the Record. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) for an opportunity to work with her as we brought this resolution to the floor. As has been indicated, September of this year, as we look back 40 years ago to August on that great day, none of us who are around will ever forget that march. None of us who were alive can forget the vibrancy that there was in the air, the hopes, the dreams, the aspirations. It is a day to long remember as we continue to march, not one day but to continue to march until freedom, justice, and equality exist for all in this great Nation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), another person who was at that march and has been marching since.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) who has been referred to as one of the ``big six'' in 1963, but he is even bigger in 2003.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the march on Washington, August 28, 1963 marks a cornerstone in American history and especially in African American history. It was a movement towards civil rights whose purpose was to embrace freedom and justice for all. The civil rights movement has had a long and difficult journey from slavery to today. Part of this journey in history towards equal justice is highlighted with Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President of the United States. On January 1, 1863, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation document that declared many slaves to be free, but it did not end slavery. It took the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution to end slavery on December 18, 1865. It took the 14th amendment to establish Negroes as citizens of the United States on July 9, 1868, and the 15th amendment to allow blacks to vote in this country on February 3, 1870. Our citizenship and privileges were always questioned and in most situations denied until the march on Washington led to passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This was 39 years ago that Jim Crow laws were subjugating and denying blacks the right to vote in certain southern States, the imposition of poll taxes, segregation of schools, housing, bus and train transportation, restrooms and other public accommodations. The march on Washington of 1963 was originally initiated by A. Philip Randolph, who was an activist and founder of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He, 22 years earlier, had planned a march on Washington in 1941 with the purpose to focus the attention of the American public and the world that African Americans needed more jobs and equal protection under the law. This march was extremely close to occurring until just before the day of it. Mr. Randolph met with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and he agreed to issue an executive order declaring that ``there shall be no discrimination in employment of the race, creed color or national origin.'' Executive Order 8802 represented the United States Government's most stringent civil rights action since the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. In return for this agreement with President Roosevelt, Mr. Randolph called off the protest march. Mr. Randolph and his colleague, Bayard Rustin, met with labor and civil rights leaders to plan the march on Washington that included nine demands. I think it is important that we remember those. One, passage of a meaningful civil rights legislation at this session of Congress with no filibustering. Two, immediate elimination of all racial segregation in public schools throughout the Nation. Three, a big program of public works to provide jobs for all the Nation's unemployed, including job training and a placement program. Four, a Federal law prohibiting racial discrimination in hiring workmen, either public or private. Five, $2 an hour minimum wage across the board Nationwide. Six, withholding of Federal funds from programs in which discrimination exists. Seven, enforcements of the 14th amendment, reducing congressional representation of States where citizens are disenfranchised. Eight, a broadened Fair Labor Standards Act to include currently excluded employment areas. Nine, authority for the Attorney General to substitute injunctive suits when any constitutional right is violated. Mr. Speaker I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Paterson, New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentlewoman from Tennessee in consideration of H. Con. Res. 235, celebrating the life and achievements of Lawrence Eugene ``Larry'' Doby. Mr. Speaker, Larry Doby, who broke the color barrier in the American League in 1947, 3 months after Jackie Robinson became the first black in modern major league baseball, died on Wednesday, June 18 in Montclair, New Jersey. He was 79 years old. Born on December 13, 1923 in Camden, South Carolina, Larry Doby was also the first player to jump straight from the Negro leagues to the majors. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck. He later integrated Japanese baseball in 1962 and went on to become the sport's second black manager and one of its first black executives. However, it was in his role as the second black player in baseball that Larry Doby had his most significant impact on professional athletics. Larry Doby was an all-State athlete in football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He then continued his athletic career at Long Island University. When Bill Veeck, who was determined to integrate his team, sought to sign a black player, Larry Doby was his obvious choice. He had led the Negro National League with a batting average of .458 and 13 home runs. Like Jackie Robinson, Doby faced extraordinary pressures that first season, including open hostility from teammates and opposing players. Larry Doby and Jackie Robinson formed a close relationship through their lifetimes. Doby's debut opened the way for three more blacks to enter the majors within a month, and made it clear that baseball was on a permanent course toward integration. His presence as a player for the Indians also contributed to the more general cause of civil rights for blacks when Washington's exclusive Hotel Statler, formerly whites-only, permitted Larry Doby to room with his team. In 1948, he batted an impressive .301 with 14 home runs and 65 runs batted in. He led the Indians to a victory over the Boston Braves in the World Series, becoming the first black to play on a World Series championship team. He later led the American League in home runs in 1952 and again in 1954. When he retired after 13 seasons with the Indians, White Sox, and Detroit Tigers, he had a formidable career batting average of .285 and 253 lifetime home runs. For his achievements, he was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1998. Doby became the Indian's manager in 1978 and later became a special assistant to Dr. Gene Budig, the President of the American League. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, when blacks were welcome on the baseball field and in the stands but not in the front office, Larry Doby continued to push for expanded opportunities for people of color. Lawrence Eugene Doby was a great American and his life and achievements make him worthy of this recognition today. I would like to commend the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), and I urge swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank everybody who participated in this debate. Larry Doby was indeed a great athlete but an even greater American.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), where Larry Doby played much of his ball.

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 rise today to pay tribute to a giant in the labor movement, a giant whose voice was silenced 2 weeks ago, Mr. Morris Biller, affectionately known as Moe. Moe Biller departed this life on September 5 at age 87. Moe Biller's voice may be silent, but the principles for which he lived and fought for can be heard all around the world. It is often said that success in life can be measured by how many people one is able to touch in a positive way. By all accounts, Moe Biller lived a pretty successful life. He was one of those individuals who had to swim upstream. His 20 plus years as president of the American Postal Workers Union helped to transform that union and the United States Postal Service. Moe's legacy will perhaps be that of a hero to those workers of the Postal Service who were viewed as mediocre to the mail process. He was a champion for the little people. In 1970, he led a strike that began in his hometown of New York and spread to 30 cities involving 200,000 workers. Former President Richard Nixon called in the National Guard in an effort to move the mail. That strike led to postal reorganization in 1971 and provided workers with the right to bargain for wages, benefits and improved working conditions. Even those who did not agree with Moe's style or message respected him for his courage and passion on behalf of the workers at the postal workers' operation. The Postmaster General has noted that Moe Biller was a forceful, innovative leader who worked tirelessly on behalf of the American Postal Workers Union members and on behalf of the Postal Service. The Postmaster General ordered that flags at postal facilities be flown at half staff until Biller's burial, which took place on Sunday, September 7. Mr. Speaker, Moe Biller's imprints on the labor movement, collective bargaining rights, and concern for humanity are attributes to be admired. Moe's work will continue with leaders like the current president of the APWU, Bill Burrus. I was pleased to join Bill Burrus and members of APWU at the Second Annual Moe Biller Postal Conference which took place at the Brookings Institute recently, and Moe's presence could be felt. We have lost a giant in the movement. The best way we can honor Moe Biller is to keep his spirit alive by rededicating ourselves and redoubling our efforts to improve worker conditions, protect collective bargaining, expand health care to those in need, and provide adequate resources for those who are the everyday workers of our society. I ask that my colleagues, citizens of America, and the 750,000-plus postal workers join with me in extending our heartfelt condolences to the Moe Biller family and our thanks for his great work on behalf of humanity. May Moe Biller's spirit rest in peace and resonate in our actions. He was truly a representative of the working man.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Norton amendment and in strong opposition to the D.C. Davis voucher amendment for education. I am not against the Davis amendment because it only affects a small number of students. I am not against it because it is supposed to be experimental. I am not against it because it was introduced by my namesake and chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, a committee on which I serve, for he is indeed an honorable man and I respect and appreciate his leadership. However, Mr. Chairman, my father used to tell us that fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. And when I hear my colleagues and others talk about the great gift that this is to the poor children and the disadvantaged children of Washington, D.C., I am reminded of my mother who used to tell us to always look a gift horse in the mouth. And when I look at this voucher gift, I see a trick. I see subterfuge. I see us backdooring our way into further destabilization of public education. I see us undermining the principle that all children should have the right and the opportunity to get a good common school education. And since there is so much wrong with public education, since there is so much wrong with public schools, let us fix it and let us fix them. Instead of trying to voucherize our way out of failing situations, why do we not fix the schools that we have got? Why do we not fix old, dilapidated and crumbling schools? Why do we not pay teachers an adequate and decent salary? Why not adequately prepare teachers so that they can really know how to teach? Why not put adequate materials in classrooms? Why not provide equal funding for all of our public schools so that every child will have an optimal opportunity to learn, to develop, to achieve, and to excel? Yes, Mr. Chairman, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I am afraid that this amendment will become part of a sinister plot to undermine public education. This is part of a message to those who want to isolate children and take us back to the dark days of segregation and unequal opportunity. This amendment is like manna to those who want to disorganize teachers and bust unions. Yes, it is D.C. today. It is Chicago tomorrow; St. Louis, New Orleans, Los Angeles next week. Then it is all over America. And so Mr. Chairman, the message of this amendment goes far beyond Washington, D.C. and it is not good for America. I urge that we take into consideration the needs of all the children, and if we are serious about the children of Washington, D.C., then we should be serious about the children all over America and adequately fund public education so that every child has his and her opportunity to achieve.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Kennedy of Minnesota amendment. I have listened to this debate now for more than an hour. I have certainly come to the conclusion that the fact of the matter is that the Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2004 does not adequately fund the National Railroad Passenger Corporation that we call Amtrak. As a matter of fact, this bill provides $900 billion for continued assistance to Amtrak. Last year, Congress provided just over $1 billion to keep Amtrak running through fiscal year 2003. Amtrak now estimates that it will need $1.8 billion to maintain existing operations in fiscal year 2004. The present bill before us is not sufficient to meet Amtrak's contractual obligations for commuter and intercity passenger rail service. If Amtrak is unable to continue its existing operations, many commuter railroads that are dependent upon Amtrak operations would be unable to continue to provide quality and reliable services to their customers. Amtrak is a major part of the economy of the city where I live. I live in the city of Chicago, which we call the transportation capital of the Nation. Amtrak operates more than 50 trains into and out of the city of Chicago each and every day. These include an extensive network of long-distance trains that provide service to the east and west coasts, the Gulf of Mexico and Canada. Amtrak also operates dozens of regional corridor trains to most major cities in the Midwest. Last year, Amtrak carried two million passengers to or from Chicago. Nearly 600,000 more boarded Amtrak trains at other stations within Illinois. Amtrak employs 2,075 individuals in Chicago. And of those employees, 897 were actually Chicago residents. In calendar year 2002, the total wages of Amtrak employees living in the city of Chicago were approximately $37.7 million. Should Amtrak not be able to continue its operations, imagine the negative impact this would have on the people of Chicago and the people who live in that region, the people who work for Amtrak, and the thousands of people all over the country who look to, expect and need Amtrak as their primary mode of transportation, even to and from work every day. I oppose this amendment because I think it goes in the wrong direction, and I would certainly support the Olver amendment to increase Amtrak funding by $500 million rather than cut it in any way, shape, form or fashion.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Chairman Davis' Resolution H. Res. 350, honoring Lance Armstrong. Mr. Chairman, I had planned to introduce a similar resolution with 24 cosponsors along with Representative McHugh and Representative Doggett. I have turned these cosponsors over to Chairman Davis and appreciate him adding them to his resolution. Mr. Speaker, today we honor a man who has shown tremendous strength, courage, and perseverance in his struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Lance Armstrong is a world-class cyclist who came back from a grueling battle with cancer to dominate in his sport; a man who has remembered those still battling against cancer and who strives each day to make a difference in their lives. I am pleased to join in honoring Mr. Lance Armstrong. On Sunday, July 27, 2003, Lance Armstrong achieved his fifth consecutive Tour de France victory. The completion of this 23-day, 2,125-mile cycling race is a significant accomplishment. Yet, even more significant are the odds that Mr. Armstrong overcame in order to compete in this, his ninth, Tour de France. After competing in the race from 1993 to 1996, Lance Armstrong was informed that he had testicular cancer that had spread to his abdomen, lungs, and brain. This information was undoubtedly devastating to Lance Armstrong. However, this man was not about to give up on his life and dreams. He chose, instead, to fight cancer with all of his strength. He decided that the disease would not win. It took a long and difficult struggle, chemotherapy, and surgery, but Lance Armstrong remained strong and never gave up hope. Mr. Armstrong is now in recovery, but he continues to fight cancer. After succeeding against enormous odds, he is now helping others as they face their own battles with cancer. In 1997 he founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, or the LAF. This organization provides support, information, and services to cancer patients and survivors. Through the LAF, Lance Armstrong has supported thousands of cancer patients and survivors by actively advocating for their needs. His books It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life and Every Second Counts offer inspiration to those devastated by this terrible disease. By sharing his story, Mr. Armstrong has given comfort and hope to untold numbers of people battling cancer and their families. Lance Armstrong's battles have only just begun. He continues to fight cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and to hold his position as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. He has truly earned the pride of his coach, Chris Carmichael, his main sponsor, the United States Postal Service, and all of his loyal fans. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr. Armstrong on his many tremendous accomplishments, especially his fifth consecutive Tour de France victory, and wish him all the happiness that life has to offer. I also want to commend Ms. Sarah Kinneer, a summer intern of mine, for her work on this Resolution. She worked hard and did an outstanding job.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I also have an amendment at the desk which I had understood was going to be handled at the same time as the Fattah amendment. Announcement by the Chairman