Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1012, the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Establishment Act of 2003. I want to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for introducing this legislation, and I want to thank the committee for bringing it to the floor. Mr. Speaker, Carter G. Woodson wrote once that his father told him when he was growing up and his father could not read and write that learning to accept insult, to compromise on principle, to mislead your fellow man or to betray your people was to lose your soul. Dr. Carter G. Woodson has long been one of my favorite heroes. I first learned of him as a pre-teen, studying African American history at a small church in the little town where I grew up in Arkansas, to be a academician, teacher, lecturer, author and founder of what we now observe as African American History Month. Mr. Speaker, I took a class in college titled Negro History. One of the books we used, which was required reading and a textbook, was ``The Negro in our History,'' written by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson is one of the most often-quoted authors that I have ever encountered. My good friend and mentor, noted journalist and lecturer, Lou Palmer, used to end many of his speeches and lectures by quoting Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Lou would often say that Dr. Carter G. Woodson, writing in his book ``The Miseducation of the Negro,'' said that ``if you control a man's mind, you don't have to worry about how he will act. If you control a man's mind, you don't have to tell him to go to the back of the bus or to the back door. If you control a man's mind, he will find his place and stay in it.'' Lou used to admonish us to never go to the back door and to never let mass media or any other entity control our minds and to never let anyone relegate us to the back door. He would say that Dr. Woodson always wanted us to go through the front door, and, if it was locked, then we should get an ax or a hatchet and cut it down or kick it in. He would also suggest to us that Dr. Carter G. Woodson did not want us to be content once we had gotten into wherever it was we were trying to go; that it was our duty and responsibility to reach back and help someone else to enter. So it was his writings and establishment of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History out of which has grown first Negro History Week and now African American or Black History Month. Just think, that Carter G. Woodson never went to high school until he was 20 years old, 20 years old, and then went on to get a doctorate degree from Harvard University, a master's degree from the University of Chicago, turning out books and articles all the time, and he too wanted to reach back and help others; and through the establishment of Black History Month now people all over the United States and all over the world know of some of the attributes and contributions that African Americans have made. Mr. Speaker, this is a great opportunity for me to simply say thank you to my friend Lou Palmer for really exposing me to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and for the Nation to say thank you, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and for me to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for introducing this legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I also am pleased to join with the chairman, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) in support of this important legislation. I commend them for bringing it to the floor. I have always been told that we are what we eat. And I believe while it might appear that this legislation does not and will not go a great distance, I believe that children, like all of us, learn what they live. If they learn the importance of fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet, then I think they will end up making use of that. I think they will end up saying to themselves that they like it. They will end up saying that it makes sense. We know that in the long run it is going to reduce illness. It will keep people away from the doctor's office, out of the hospital. It will cut down on our health care costs, which are rising all of the time at runaway speeds. So I think this is a tremendous measure that will pay serious dividends. I am pleased that the Committee on Education and the Workforce has brought it to the floor, and I urge all Members to support it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, come May 31, unemployment compensation benefits are going to run out or expire for over 1 million workers in America who have lost their jobs. Last week this House passed a whopping tax break for the wealthiest 5 percent in our country, but nothing for the unemployed. If we really want to stimulate the economy, let us put some money in the pockets of laid-off workers. Let us put some milk in the baby's mouth and some bread on the table. Let us extend benefits for the unemployed.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding to me and also for his leadership as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. We gather here this evening to mark the 49th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas. The question is, How should we take note of this date? I would guess for many Americans living today Brown v. Board of Education is the best known, perhaps the only known, Supreme Court decision. The decision has achieved almost mythical status. For some, Brown was a statement on centrality of education. Only this morning I had the opportunity to speak from this same well on Carter G. Woodson's observations about how, if you control a man or a woman's mind, you do not have to worry about how they will act. Brown, for me, was a step forward in freeing the minds of African- American children. For others, Brown was a kind of milestone, a launching point, if you like, of what we like to call the civil rights movement, the civil rights era. Historians will argue about cause and effect, about the many other struggles obtaining that midpoint of the century. But there is no doubt that Brown was a powerful symbol, an impetus for the acceleration of the struggle for African-American equality. For still others, Brown signaled the death knell for a system of de jure segregation which consigned African Americans to a life of separate and unequal. The death knell may have well been sounded by Brown, but vestiges of the institution of segregation and inequality remain even today, some in new mutated and perhaps even more malignant forms than those which existed 49 years ago. Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt Brown represents the power and potential of masses united in struggle for justice and equality. The larger question before us tonight is, has Brown achieved its goal of equality in education and educational opportunity for African Americans? The sad answer, after so many decades of struggle, remains: No. In 1980, the typical African American school student attended a public school that was 36.2 percent white. In 1996, the typical African-American school student attended a public school that was 33.9 percent white. Segregation remains the norm for the typical African- American child. The percentage of 18- to 24-year-old African Americans who had completed high school in 1975 was 64.8 percent. In 1995, 76.9 percent. The total number of doctorate degrees awarded in 1996 in the fields of geometry, logic, number theory, topology, computing theory, astronomy, astrophysics, acoustics, nuclear chemistry, theoretical chemistry, atmospheric physics and chemistry, meteorology, geology, geochemistry, paleontology, mineralogy, geomorphology, hydrology, oceanography, marine science, engineering physics, engineering science, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, petroleum engineering, systems engineering, biophysics, plant genetics, bacteriology, endocrinology and zoology, the total number, was 1,605. The total number of doctorates awarded to African Americans in these fields was zero. In 2000, for the sixth consecutive year, the number of African Americans earning doctorates reached an all-time high. That year, 1,656 African Americans received doctoral degrees. But this impressive string of annual increases in African-American doctoral awards came to a halt. In 2001, African-American doctoral awards declined to 1,604, a drop of 3 percent. So tonight on the eve of the 49th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, equality or equal opportunity is beginning to diminish from what had even been achieved. Even in my State, the State of Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, there are school districts which spend almost three times as much money per pupil as other school districts because of the formula used to fund education. There is no way you could call that being equal. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for taking out this Special Order and again commend him for his leadership as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1000, the ``Pension Security Act.'' Last year, our country was in disbelief to witness the scandals that occurred in corporate America. We all heard the countless stories of workers who lost everything--from their jobs, their homes to their retirement savings. And then we heard the stories of the executives and the CEOs of the corporations who were still living in their million dollar homes with no change to their luxurious lifestyle. Not only did America lose confidence in corporations or begin to question their employer, America began to lose confidence in the market, and our economy has paid the price. As Representatives of the American workers, we must ensure that this does not occur again. We must ensure that all of our workers are protected, especially our older workers. Older workers should not be penalized for their dedication and years of hard work. We also need to ensure that workers be active participants on their pension boards, receive independent investment advice, and should not have a significant wait period to diversify their own money. We all know the Enron story, the Tyco story, the WorldCom story. And America knows of these stories, too. Let's show America that we are putting an end to these sagas! Let's stand strong in support of workers, in obtaining jobs for workers and putting in safeguards that would prevent our workers pensions from disappearing.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Matthew J. Ryan, is well known throughout Pennsylvania as an advocate for welfare reform, tax relief and creating jobs. Speaker Ryan served in the House for 41 years. During that time he served as Republican policy chairman and whip and for longer than anyone else who ever held office. Speaker Ryan was the elected Speaker for the first time in 1981, and colleagues from both sides of the aisle lauded him for the nonpartisan way in which he presided over that session. Elected Speaker again in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, Ryan is respected by his peers as a caucus unifier, feisty debater, parliamentary tactician, government expert, Pennsylvania booster, and a committed leader who plays fair and with esprit. A member of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts since 1995, Ryan founded Arts Education Day at the State capitol, an annual event that features hundreds of young performing and visual artists from across the State. For this and other support of arts education, in 2001 he received the Champion of Arts Education Award from the Pennsylvania Alliance for Arts Education. In his 1981 acknowledgment speech, Ryan is quoted as saying, ``We representatives of the Pennsylvania House, honored by our special heritage and enabled by our unique tradition, have sworn our pledges to serve our Commonwealth, to serve our country, and to save the dream of William Penn, and this service begins when this day's meeting ends.'' Speaker Ryan served the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania well, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional 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, I rise in support of H.R. 985, legislation which names a postal facility in Bowling Green, Ohio, after Delbert L. Latta. H.R. 985, introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gillmor) on February 27, 2003, has met the committee cosponsorship requirement and enjoys the support of the entire Ohio delegation. Delbert L. Latta is a former Member of Congress who represented the Fifth Congressional District in Ohio from 1959 to 1989. A native of ``Beautiful Ohio,'' the title of the State song, Mr. Latta was born and educated in the State whose motto is, ``With God all things are possible.'' He went on to serve in the Ohio National Guard and the U.S. Marines before settling down and practicing law in Bowling Green. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Delbert Latta served in the State senate for three terms. In November of 1958, he was elected to the 86th Congress. During his 30 years in Congress, Representative Latta served on the House Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on the Budget, and the Committee on Rules. In 1988, Representative Latta decided not to run for reelection and returned home to Bowling Green, Ohio, where he is active in numerous community and civic organizations. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gillmor) for seeking to honor former Congressman Del Latta in this matter, and I urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to join in supporting this legislation and also in paying tribute to Tony Hall. I knew Tony and knew of Tony long before I came to Congress. During the 1970s, I used to spend a great deal of time in the Dayton-Cincinnati- Columbus area, Xenia and all of those places, and got to hear of Tony Hall and the kind of person that he was, a man who would spend his time dealing with the issue of hunger, which is not necessarily one of the most popular issues that one can deal with in the House of Representatives. But Tony made it a hallmark, made it his business to continuously raise that issue while a Member, and now continues to do so as he goes to work with world hunger. I think it is a tremendous testament to him. I am pleased to join with my colleagues in support of this resolution and urge its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today again speaking on our need to ``Build a Sound Economy''. Taxation is a financial burden that must be equally shared by all Americans, blessed with the ability to earn an income. Thomas Paine, an American Free-thinker once reminded us that; ``War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen and unsupposed circumstances that no human wisdom can calculate the end. It has but one thing certain, and that is to increase taxes.'' And yet, at the end of our War efforts in Iraq, we are at this time considering the reduction of taxes. Through Taxation, we as Americans are afforded the opportunity to ensure the prosperity of our nation, and our citizens. Whether our citizens are from the Farms of Iowa, the Factories of Tennessee, or the Financial Districts of New York City or my home District of Chicago, their earning power and its fruits are what make America Great. Many Americans have worked all their lives, and are now in retirement. Others are still working in the various industries which breathe the life blood into our Great Nation. And yet, still others, whether due to underage, infirmity, or other unique circumstances are unable to impart into the American Economy, but their contributions in their communities are cherished by those who know them. When the President took office, the government was projected to save every dollar of the Social Security surplus. But under the GOP tax plan, Republicans in the House would borrow and spend all of the money from the Social Security Trust Fund over the next 10 years, just as the Baby Boomers are about to retire. The single issue which we must not forget when we consider the Stability of our Economy is that it is closely tied to the Equality of our Tax System, and our governance over the Social Security Trust Funds. Our Tax System is a means to ensure an equitable distribution of the responsibility of paying taxes. Plato, the noted Philosopher once said, ``When there is an income tax, the just man will pay more and the unjust less on the same amount of income.'' This is our opportunity to learn from Plato. In the President's Tax Plan, the two provisions making up more than half of the tax package, (cutting the tax on stock dividends by more than a half and the capital gains tax cut), primarily benefit the wealthy and in fact are the only permanent tax cuts in the plan. Voltaire, the famed writer stated, ``In the matter of taxation, every privilege is an injustice''. We must work diligently to root out the injustices currently being considered for inclusion in our Tax System. The citizens of my home state of Illinois are waiting for us, their elected officials to come together to ensure that we protect them, and guard their earnings against any and all unfair concessions. Mr. Speaker, Gentlemen and Ladies of the House let us not fail our citizens in our efforts to place us finally on the Road to Economic Growth. We must remain steadfast in our efforts to accomplish that heavy task, to clearly and evenly mete out portions of the tax burden amongst our citizens.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1261. However, I want to first thank the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman Boehner) and the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), for accepting one of my amendments in committee that would include ex-offenders as part of the hard-to-serve population who are seeking employment. However, I am disappointed that the amendment that my colleague, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker), and I submitted to the Committee on Rules was not accepted. This amendment would strike sections 402 and 403, which would change the current status of the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services Administration. Currently the commissioner is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This bill would change the current structure of the position from a Presidential appointee to a director appointed by the Secretary of Education. The disability community is opposed to this change because it puts additional distance between the President and the commissioner. We are still talking about cuts; and we all know that when there are cuts, there are serious social consequences that occur when young people are not in school and not employed. We will see crime rates increase, arrests increase, drug abuse increase and gang activity increase. Young people, if they are not employed, will find something to do with their time; and I am afraid that it is not going to be productive, and, perhaps in some instances, even illegal. One of the shocking provisions, though, of this resolution is that H.R. 1261 allows employers to discriminate based on religion when hiring for government-funded positions in job training. Our country cannot go backwards. Children learn in school about NINA laws, that is ``No Irish Need Apply,'' and now we are going back to another period. Perhaps soon we will see ``No Jews Need Apply,'' ``No Christians Need Apply,'' ``No Blacks Need Apply.'' Well, I think that that is shameful. And, yes, faith-based organizations should be allowed to do their work, but they should not be promoted to discriminate at the same time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank all Members who have spoken, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania. In closing, let me just suggest that we have heard some of the issues surrounding continuation of the civil service. We have heard some of the problems and complexities of working for government. We have heard about some things that we must do if we are to retain the type of workforce that we desire to have. I want to thank all of those who continue to work, who continue to make our civil service the very best in the country, who each and every day give of themselves for the benefit of others. Again, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy). Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), who herself has a tremendous record of public service in this country.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the chairman, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman), the ranking member, for not only cosponsoring this resolution but also for expediting its movement to the floor. I also want to thank the Speaker, Speaker's office, and I want to thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis) for the work that she does on the Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Reorganization but also in helping to make sure that this legislation reached the floor in time for its presentation today. I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Pennsylvania and I appreciate his remarks. Public Service Recognition Week, which has been celebrated the first Monday through Sunday in May since 1985, is an opportunity for us to honor and celebrate the commitment of government employees. Public Service Recognition Week offers all Americans, especially young people, the opportunity to learn and get excited about a career in public service. It also provides the opportunity to thank those who serve us daily for their efforts. I believe that public service should be valued and respected by all Americans. When we think of public service, we think of people in the Armed Services who protect us, people in law enforcement, people who help the Nation recover from natural disasters, who fight fires and crime, deliver the mail, teach and work in our public schools, deliver Social Security and Medicare benefits, fight disease and promote better health, protect the environment and our national parks, defend and secure critical infrastructure, improve and secure transportation and the quality of safety of our food and water, build and maintain our roads and bridges, provide vital strategic and support functions to our military personnel, keep the Nation's economy stable, defend the freedom and advance the Nation's interests around the world. There has been some conversation lately about interests in public service declining, and I would hope that as young people decide upon their careers, as they decide what it is that they would like to do that they would take a good look at the opportunity to serve not only themselves but to also serve their fellow citizens. So I would encourage them to look at public careers as a way of leading meaningful and productive lives. It is a great opportunity to be of service. I belong to an organization that says he who would be first of all would be servant of all, and when we serve the public we are at the peak of service.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the former ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I simply join with the gentleman from New Jersey in promoting passage of this resolution. I think he has eloquently spoken of the tremendous value of Mr. Hammer to the community where he lived and worked. I simply join with him and urge swift passage of this resolution. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1625, which names a facility of the U.S. Postal Service, located at 1114 Main Avenue in Clifton, New Jersey, after Robert P. Hammer, was introduced by Representative Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) on April 3, 2003. Mr. Robert Hammer served as the Clifton City Manager for seven years before he passed away on December 20, 2002. Long heralded as a distinguished public servant, Mr. Hammer held a number of important positions in city government. A native of Stanhope, New Jersey, Mr. Hammer had a bachelor's degree in Commerce from Rider College and a master's degree in public administration from Farleigh Dickinson University. In addition, he was a certified municipal finance officer and a registered municipal clerk. He served on numerous State associations and was known throughout the State for his leadership ability and for being inclusive and promoting unity. Madam Speaker, the Mayor and City Council of Clifton, New Jersey, support this bill. As I understand it, the postal facility to be named after Mr. Hammer, is being built in Clifton and should be operational this month. I support this measure and urge its swift passage. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I might note that the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) is returning from the Persian Gulf and is unable to be here at the moment with us. I would read her statement into the Record: H.R. 1740, Legislation to Designate the Caesar A.W. Clark, Sr. Post Office. The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas in the House of Representatives. ``Madam Speaker, H.R. 1740 designates a post office located at 1502 East Kiest Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, as H.R. 1740 enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire Texas delegation. ``Madam Speaker, during his 50-year tenure of the Good Street Baptist Church, Reverend Caesar A.W. Clark has provided a wealth of services to thousands of Dallas residents. Leading by example is how Reverend Clark became a pillar of the Dallas community. As an early pioneer in the civil rights movement, Reverend Clark was responsible for the first visit to Dallas by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Following that 1958 visit, Reverend Clark continued to work to end segregation in Dallas. ``We honor Reverend Clark, a nationally renowned member of the clergy, humanitarian and respected leader that Ebony magazine has twice named one of the 15 ``Outstanding Black Preachers in America.'' Under his leadership at Good Street Baptist Church, the church has progressively grown by establishing two day care centers, a free legal clinic, and a federally assisted complex for the elderly. Of particular note in the 1950s, a time when credit was expensive and loan sharks took advantage of people, Reverend Clark organized to create a church credit union. Today, the Good Street Baptist Church has more than $1.2 million in assets and serves nearly 1,500 members and their families. Indeed, this is an honor for Reverend Clark who has served as a vice president of the National Baptist Convention and president of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. He has been a source of spiritual inspiration for some of Dallas' oldest African American families and many of our political and civic leaders. While sharing knowledge with residents and cultivating their humility, he is still dedicated to his congregation and to his daily work at Good Street Baptist. ``The designation of this post office acknowledges Reverend Clark's outstanding contributions as pastor at Good Street Baptist Church for more than 5 decades. ``Born in 1914 in Louisiana, Reverend Clark was subjected to a `Jim Crow' South, a time when nearly all African Americans were not allowed an equal opportunity to receive a quality education. Determined to not let adversity remain a barrier, Reverend Clark studied independently and gained admission to Bishop College. Reverend Clark graduated from there in 1946. ``Reverend Clark is known throughout the State of Texas as a remarkable pastor and dedicated leader who views the community as extended family. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor. ``Madam Speaker, we wish to congratulate Reverend Clark on the designation of this post office and for his many years of service and dedication to the Good Street Baptist Church and citizens of Dallas. His achievements are an inspiration to all of us.'' I commend the gentlewoman from Texas for extending to the good reverend this honor.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 1609, which names a postal facility located at 201 West Boston Street in Brookfield, Missouri, after the late Admiral Donald Davis, was introduced by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) on April 3, 2003. Admiral Davis had a very active and distinguished military career which spanned three wars: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Admiral Davis flew with the Navy's first jet squadron, trained fighter pilots, and served as a commanding officer of the carrier Kitty Hawk. During his career, which lasted almost 40 years, Admiral Davis received a number of distinguished and meritorious military declarations: two Distinguished Service Medals, four Legion of Merit, and an Air Medal with a gold star. As a true hero and patriot, Admiral Donald Cooke Davis served his Nation and community with great honor. I commend my colleague for seeking to recognize the admiral's contributions in this manner. I urge swift adoption of this bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 3, 2003, the Chicago ``DODO'' Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated, in concert with Black Pilots of America will honor three of aviation's pioneer women of color, Bessie Coleman, Willa Beatrice Brown and Janet Harmon; Bessie Coleman journeyed to France in 1920 to enter the field of aviation, planning to return to America to open an aviation program for African Americans; and Bessie Coleman died on April 30, 1926, while preparing for an air show to benefit the Negro Welfare League of Jacksonville, Florida; In 1939, Willa B. Brown held a limited commercial pilot's license issued by the United States Commerce Department; and Managed the Coffey School of Aeronautics, which was awarded a government contract to train the first group of African-American aviators, and was the first African-American woman to hold a United States Civil Air Patrol Commission; Janet Harmon was one of the first African-American women to purchase an airplane, which she then made available to the Challenger Air Pilots Association for training purposes; and Served as surrogate advisor to the first group of African-American aviation cadets for the United States Army Air Force: Now, therefore be it resolved that I, Danny K. Davis, duly elected by the people of the Illinois 7th Congressional District, do hereby join with the ``DODO'' Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated, in concert with Black Pilots of America hereby proclaim; Saturday, May 3, 2003, to be the day we celebrate as Aviation Pioneer Women of Color Day in Chicago and all over America; and urge all people to take note of the pioneering contributions to aviation made by these women of color; Done, this 3rd day of May, 2003.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) for the spirited hearings and debate and discussions that we have had on this legislation. While it is not supportable to me, I do believe we made some progress, and I thank the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), chairman of the subcommittee for his sensitivity to an issue which I raised through proposed amendment and which we subsequently worked out for inclusion in the base bill. The issue related to the disproportionately high number of African American males being placed in special education. The new language states in the case of a determination of significant disproportionality with respect to the identification of children as children with disabilities or the placement in particular educational settings of such children in accordance with paragraph (1), the State or the secretary, as the case may be, shall provide for the review and, if appropriate, revision of the policies, procedures and practices used in such identification or placement to ensure that such policies, procedures and practices comply with the requirements of this Act, and shall require any local educational agency identified under paragraph (1) to reserve the maximum amount of funds under section 613(f) to provide comprehensive coordinated prereferral support services to serve children in the local educational agency, particularly children in those groups that were significantly overidentified under paragraph (1). Even though I am pleased with this section, the inability to provide full funding and some onerous discipline provisions makes this Act unacceptable to me. I urge a no vote.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 3, 2003, the Chicago ``DODO'' Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated, in concert with Black Pilots of America will honor three of Aviation's Pioneer African American Women of Color, Bessie Coleman, Willa Beatrice Brown and Janet Harmon, at a ceremony to be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Lincoln Cemetery, 123rd and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. I shall be pleased to join Mr. Rufus Hunt, aviation historian, and this group of aviation enthusiasts, flyers, former flyers, mechanics and others who love to fly and have dedicated themselves to keeping the legacy of these three women alive. Bessie Coleman was the first African American female pilot. She grew up in poverty and discrimination, came to Chicago from Texas, decided that she wanted to fly, and, with encouragement from Robert Abbott, who was the owner of the Chicago Daily Defender newspaper, she was able to put together resources, go to Paris, go to France and learn to fly, which she did. She returned to America as a heroine, flew many exhibitions, and ultimately though was unfortunately killed in an accident when a wrench got caught in the gears of her plane and she did not have her seat belt on and she was thrown out of the plane, and, unfortunately, died. There is a Bessie Coleman Drive at O'Hare Airport in Chicago that has been dedicated in her memory, and, of course, she has been placed on a stamp by the United States Post Office. Janet Harmon Bragg was born in Griffin, Georgia, grew up with her siblings, decided that she wanted to fly and ultimately was the first African American woman to get a commercial pilot's license. Willa Brown, an African American woman, ended up purchasing her own airplane, as well as organizing groups and clubs and organizations promoting flying. Mr. Speaker, all three of these women made tremendous contributions to the field of aviation, and every year people from the Tuskegee Airmen and other pilots groups fly over Bessie Coleman's grave. They have done this since 1931, and it is a way of paying tribute to women of color and the contributions that they have made to aviation. I commend them for this effort, for keeping these legacies alive. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, May 3, 2003, the Chicago ``DODO'' Chapter of Tuskegee Airman Incorporated, in concert with Black Pilots of America will honor three of Aviation's Pioneer Women of Color, Bessie Coleman, Willa Beatrice Brown and Janet Harmon at a ceremony to be held on Saturday May 3, at the Lincoln Cemetry, 123rd and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. I shall be pleased to join Mr. Rufus Hunt, Aviation Historian and this group of aviation enthusiasts, flyers, former flyers, mechanics and others who love to fly and have dedicated themselves to keeping the legacy of these three great women alive. Bessie Coleman (1892-1926). Bessie Coleman, the first African American female pilot, grew up in poverty and discrimination. The year after her birth in Atlanta, Texas, an African American man was tortured and burned to death in nearby Paris for allegedly raping a five year old girl. The incident was not unusual: lynchings were common throughout the South. African Americans were essentially barred from voting by literacy tests. They could not ride in railway cars with white people, or use a wide range of public facilities set aside for whites. When young Bessie first went to school at the age of six, it was to a one-room wooden shack, a four-mile walk from her home. Often there was not paper to write on or pencils to write with. When Coleman turned 23 she moved to Chicago to live with two of her older brothers. When she decided that she wanted to learn to fly, the double stigma of race and gender meant that she would have to go to France in order to realize her dreams. It was soldiers returning from World War I with wild tales of flying exploits which first interested Coleman in aviation. It was also her brothers who taunted her with claims that French women were superior to African American women because they could fly. In fact, very few American women of any race had a pilots license in 1918. Those who did were predominantly white and wealthy. Every flying school that Coleman approached refused to admit her because she was both black and a woman. On the advice of Robert Abbott, the owner of the Chicago Defender Newspaper, one of the first African American millionaires, Coleman decided to learn to fly in France. She learned French at the Berlitz School in the Chicago Loop, withdrew the savings she had accumulated from her work as a manicurist and manger of a chili parlor, and with financial support from Robert Abbott and another African American business person she set off from New York for Paris on November 20, 1920. The only non-Caucasian in her class, it took her seven months to learn to fly. When she returned to the United States in 1921, she was greeted by great crowds and for more than five years performed at countless air shows. However, she refused to perform anyplace where Blacks were not permitted. In 1926, on her last flight in Jacksonville, Florida, an unsecured wrench got caught in the gas controls. The plane with a young mechanic, William Willis in the pilots seat, went out of control, and Bessie who was not wearing a seatbelt was thrown to her death. Ten thousand people turned out for her funeral. She has not been forgotten, beginning in 1931, a group of Black pilots instituted a annual fly over her grave, a postage stamp exists in her honor, Bessie Coleman Drive exists at Chicago's O'Hare airport and she continues to help others to know that they too can fly. Willa B. Brown (1906-1992). The first African American woman to get a commercial pilots license. Willa B. Brown was born January 21, 1906 in Glasgow, Kentucky U.S.A. She received her bachelor's degree in 1927 at Indiana State Teacher's College. For a while, she taught school in Gary, Indiana and then, in 1932, after having divorced her husband, she moved to Chicago, Illinois. Influenced by Bessie Coleman, Willa started taking flying lessons in 1934. Soon she became a member of the flying club, the Challenger Air Pilot's Association, and the Chicago Girls Flight Club. She also purchased her own airplane. In 1937, she received her pilot's license and that same year, she received a master's degree from Northwestern University. Also in 1937, she co-founded the National Airmen's Association of America with her flight instructor, Cornelius R. Coffey. The association's goal was to promote African American aviation. In 1938, they started the Coffey School of Aeronautics, where approximately 200 pilots were trained in the next seven years. Some of those pilots later became part of the 99th Pursuit Squadron at Tuskegee Institute, also know as the Tuskegee Airmen. Brown lobbied Washington for inclusion of African Americans in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and in the Army Air Corps, and in 1941, she became a training coordinator for the Civil Aeronautics Administration and a teacher in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The following year, she became the first African American member of the Civil-Air-Patrol. She also promoted aviation on the radio and taught it in high schools. In 1972, Brown became a member of the Women's Advisory Committee on Aviation in the Federal Aviation Agency. Willa B. Brown died July 18, 1992. Janet Harmon Bragg. Janet Harmon Bragg was born in Griffin, Georgia in 1912. She grew up with her mother, father and siblings, the youngest of seven children. After graduation from high school in Fort Valley, Georgia, she enrolled in the all girls, all Black Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her degree in nursing from Mac Bicar Hospital which was on Spelman's campus. She moved to Rockford, Illinois and later on to Chicago where she began a career in nursing. Although Mrs. Bragg started out in the field of nursing and made her living from it, her interest in flying started when she was a little girl. She put it this way, ``As a child I always wanted to fly. . . . I used to watch the birds . . . . how they would take off and land. . . . It was interesting to see how they would drop this tail down when they would run and take off.'' One day in 1933, in Chicago as she was coming out of a house, she saw on a billboard across the street a drawing of a bird building a nest with chicks in the nest. A caption read, ``Birds learn to fly. Why can't you? She said to herself, They do have to learn to fly.'' That incident cinched it, according to Mrs. Bragg. The owners of a Black Insurance Company in Chicago where she worked encouraged her to pursue her educational and other goals. She enrolled in the Aeronautical School of Engineering to begin here groundwork. Black and white students were segregated. She was the first Black female student to enter the class. Here she learned to fly and to take care of planes. She was able to tale a few lessons at a private airport but the rate of $15 per hour in 1933 proved too costly. Therefore, she took $600 and bought her own plane. With the purchase of the plane, Mrs. Bragg and a few other Black pioneer aviators started their own airport in Robbins, Illinois, about 20 miles Southwest of Chicago. This group also formed the Challenger Aero Club. This group went on to establish the Coffy School of Aviation in 1939. This school and five other Black colleges participated in the civilian pilot training program and later fed students into the Army Air Corps training program at Tuskegee, Alabama. In short, Mrs. Bragg was at the heart of Black aviation in Chicago from its inception. Mrs. Bragg, retired from flying in 1965 and from nursing in 1972. Since moving to Tucson, Arizona, she has been active with the Urban League and Habitat for Humanity. She has participated in the Adopt a Scholar Program at Pima College, as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, lectures locally and nationally on such topics as aviation and women in science and aerospace. She was proclaimed outstanding citizen of Tucson in 1982. Mr. Speaker, all three of these women have made outstanding contributions to the field of aviation and Chicago is indeed proud that we can lay claim to some part of their legacies.