Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to commend the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Pickering) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for introducing this legislation. I also want to commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter) and say what a pleasure it has been to work with him this afternoon. I appreciated his comments and the pleasure of having the opportunity to work with him. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) to close out for our side.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. As I continue to listen and to hear of the great works and the exploits of Myrlie and Medgar Evers, it occurred to me that in order to have a full appreciation that one perhaps should have been living during that time. It just happened for me that I lived not very far from Mississippi at that time. I was a young child growing up in the State of Arkansas and actually lived only about 25 miles from Mississippi, and so I knew a great deal about Mississippi and had relatives who lived in Mississippi, and so we would drive across the Mississippi River at Greenville and go and visit in places like Mound Bayou and Cleveland and Schuller and Lexington and Greenwood and all through the Delta back the other way. There was an environment, there was an atmosphere, as a matter of fact, my brothers and I would sometimes kid ourselves because our father would never have to chastise us in the car to be quiet when we got to Mississippi. I mean, there was a feeling and once we crossed the bridge, we would immediately become silent, and he did not have to say, ``You all be quiet, sit down, do not do things.'' Then when one travels to Mississippi today, they see a very different Mississippi. They see a Mississippi that in many ways has transformed itself from the Mississippi of the past to the Mississippi of the present and moving on to the Mississippi of the future. One can attribute much of that change to Medgar and Myrlie Evers. One can attribute much of that change to the era known as the civil rights period, the movement, the marches, the demonstrations, the willingness of people to say that change is so necessary until I am willing to run the risk of being violated or being mutilated of doing whatever it takes to move out of the dark ages to the brightness of possibility of what it is that tomorrow can and should bring. I know, Mr. Speaker, that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) should be walking in the door at any moment, but while he is about to walk into the door, I know one who was indeed a part of the struggle during that period and was an eloquent voice for civil rights and human rights and for the movement of all people then, as she is today. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 6 minutes to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time we have left.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON). (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Tierney).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), the author of this legislation. (Mr. CASE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), in consideration of H.R. 2030, which names a postal facility after the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink. H.R. 2030, which was introduced by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) on May 8, 2003, has met the committee policy and has been cosponsored by more than just the State delegation. The bill currently lists 115 cosponsors, truly a testament to the accomplishments of our late colleague, the Honorable Patsy Mink, who sadly passed away on September 28, 2002. Congresswoman Mink was first elected to Congress in 1964 and served until 1976. She took a 14-year hiatus from national politics and returned to her congressional seat in 1990, where she remained unto her death in 2002. Congresswoman Mink served on the Committee on Government Reform for a year in 1991 before being assigned to the House Committee on the Budget. She returned to our committee in 1999 where she served until her death last year. As a distinguished member of the Committee on Government Reform, Congresswoman Mink was committed to writing important legislation, such as the bill that would increase the mandatory retirement age of law enforcement officials. As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Congresswoman Mink fought hard for the rights of women and children. She co-sponsored title IX, the Early Childhood Education Act and the Women's Educational Equity Act. During her last few years in Congress, Congresswoman Mink continued to work on such important issues as immigration, Social Security, and health care. Throughout her brilliant career, the Congresswoman provided the strong voice to those who needed one. Her accomplishments will continue to benefit Americans for generations to come. It is only fitting that we share our gratitude by honoring her in this manner. I would also urge my colleagues to remember our late colleague as a fighter for children and the working class. I note she would have joined us in our push to bring the child tax credit bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), for honoring Patsy Mink with the postal designation. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member, for moving this bill to the House floor and Anne Stewart of the gentleman from Hawaii's (Mr. Case) staff for her hard work. I urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentlewoman from California.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, we have heard speaker after speaker take to the floor and talk about the virtues and attributes of Patsy Mink. To a person, they have all talked about how fiery, how dynamic, how pointed and how relevant she was and how much she meant to this institution. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from California for her remarks and comments. Mr. Speaker, I do want to express my appreciation to you for your accommodation and to the gentlewoman from Florida. Patsy Mink was a great American, a great representative for this body, and thousands of people all over the world were inspired by her. Long before I became a Member of Congress, I was inspired by Patsy Mink.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure now to yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Democratic leader and a longtime friend and associate of Patsy Mink's.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for some further reflections.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentlewoman from Florida if we might be able to use some of the time on her side.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have left.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), the first African American woman on the Committee on Ways and Means. (Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Solis). (Ms. SOLIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey). (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Charles Tidwell who died a few days ago after having spent a lifetime of being a good husband, a good father, a good neighbor, a good citizen and a good friend. Mr. Tidwell was what we would call an ordinary man, ordinary in that he owned his own business, an ordinary business, he was a self-employed plumber, who for many years worked every day. He was a welcomed sight; people often looked forward to him coming because he generally represented relief, a man who knew how to do what he could and do it well. Mr. Tidwell was ordinary but he was also unordinary, unordinary because he and his wife were intimately connected to their community, actively involved in their church, actively involved in the civic affairs of their community and actively involved in politics or public policy decision-making. The Tidwell home was oftentimes the place where block club meetings were held, political candidates came and problem solving discussions were held and of course, Mrs. Tidwell generally found a way to have some fried chicken, cake, potato salad, potato pie or whatever she decided to cook. In reality the Tidwells represent the best among us and we're going to miss Mr. Tidwell, a good son, a good husband, a good father, a good neighbor, a good citizen, a good American. May his soul rest in peace.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, this is the sixth time this legislation has been sent to the House, I opposed it the past five times, and I still oppose it today. This bill is an attempt to strike, yet again, at the foundations of a woman's right to choose with the aid of family, clergy, counselors, and physicians. I am an avid supporter of choice without reservation. Medical decisions are personal and should be made in private without the interference of the government. I oppose this proposed interference of the government in doctor's offices not only because I support choice, but because it endangers women's health and safety. Medical technology has advanced, and safe abortion procedures are available for women. If passed, this legislation will force doctors to perform procedures deemed dangerous and outdated as of 1975. These procedures might be necessary to save women whose lives are threatened by their pregnancies. The proposed ban does not provide for life-saving exceptions, and will be overturned by the Supreme Court. This ban is also unconstitutional because it is in blatant violation of Roe v. Wade. Might I remind the House, this landmark decision leaves the regulation of post vitality or late term abortions to the States, not the Federal Government. While the judiciary system is violated by this legislation, so is the healthcare field. ``Partial-birth'' is not a medical term, instead it is a vague political term designed to inflame this debate, and outlaw abortions throughout pregnancy. During the hearings for this legislation in March, Dr. Anne R. Davis testified 90 percent of abortions are conducted during the first trimester. I refuse to believe this legislation proposed six times in the past eight years is to ban only 10 percent of abortions. I stand with over 17 organizations of dedicated and respected medical professionals, three state referendums, and a Nebraska Supreme Court, all of whom oppose this unconstitutional and dangerous legislation that must not be passed.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe we have any additional requests for time, but I yield myself such time as I may consume to note that I was pleased to have the opportunity to be in the company of Caesar Chavez on several occasions, at rallies, demonstrations, marches, and on picket lines, even in Chicago where there were no farms. It is an excellent way of remembering the great contributions that he has made. 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 am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 925, legislation redesignating a postal facility after Cesar Chavez, a fighter for dignity, human rights, and livable working conditions. H.R. 925, which was introduced by my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), on February 26, 2003, has met the committee policy and has been cosponsored by the entire Illinois delegation. Cesar Estrada Chavez, the founding leader of the first successful farm workers union, was born on March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona, the second of six children. Cesar began working as a migrant worker when the family lost their land during the Depression. When he was 11 years old, the Chavez family followed the crop picking and moved to California, living in the trucks they drove. Although working in the fields and attending school was difficult, if not impossible, Cesar managed to do both and graduated from the eighth grade. Shortly afterwards, he joined the Navy. After his tour of duty, he began teaching Mexican farm workers to read and write so that they could take the test and become American citizens. This activity marked the beginning of Cesar's efforts to improve working conditions for migrant workers. Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association in Delano, California, and in 1965 joined an AFL-CIO union strike against Delano Table and Wine Growers. This successful 5-year strike led supporters to the United Farm Workers, a national group of unions, churches, students, minorities and others. It became affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Cesar continued organizing workers, strike after strike. And he produced results. Farm workers gained collective bargaining rights and under union contracts enjoyed higher pay, health care and pension benefits. In 1984, Cesar called for another grape boycott, to protest the pesticide poisoning of grape workers and their farmers. Cesar Chavez passed away at the age of 66 on April 12, 1993. Before he died, he received the Aztec Eagle, Mexico's highest award given to people of Mexican heritage who have made major contributions outside of Mexico. On August 8, 1994, President William Clinton posthumously awarded Mr. Chavez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in America. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the legacy of Cesar Estrada Chavez, and urge swift passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), the sponsor of this legislation.