Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the gentlewoman from Maryland for the introduction and processing and passage of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3340, as amended, will enhance the retirement and health benefits of Federal employees and ensure the continued operation of two agencies that serve as guardians of the Federal merit systems. The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act, which became law last year, made it possible for enrollees 50 years of age or older to contribute an additional $1,000 a year to their private sector 401(k) plans. After 5 years with annual increases of $1,000, private sector employees will be able to contribute an additional $5,000 a year to their 401(k) plans. These changes did not apply to the Federal Government's equivalent plan, the Thrift Savings Plan, or the TSP. This simply is not fair. H.R. 3340 would amend the Federal Employees Retirement System Act to allow Federal employees, like their private sector counterparts, to make additional contributions to their TSP. Federal employees who were previously unable to contribute to their TSP would be able to catch up by making additional contributions to their plan. Another provision of the bill addresses the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC. In the 1980's a number of Federal banking agencies, including OPIC, established separate health insurance plans outside of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. As health care costs have increased, it has become too costly for OPIC to maintain a separate health insurance plan. Under H.R. 3340, as amended, the approximately 70 employees enrolled in OPIC's health insurance plan would be allowed to transfer to the FEHBP. OPIC will bear the costs associated with transfer. Finally, this legislation would reauthorize the Merit Systems Protection Board, MSPB, and the Office of Special Counsel, OSC. Established in 1978 by the Civil Service Reform Act, MSPB's mission is to ensure that Federal employees are protected against abuses by Federal agency management, that executive branch agencies make employment decisions in accordance with merit systems principles, and that Federal merit systems are kept free of prohibited personnel practices such as discrimination and coercion. OSC is an independent Federal investigative prosecutorial agency. It safeguards the merit system by protecting Federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing. OSC also serves as a safe and secure channel for Federal workers who wish to disclose violations of laws, gross mismanagement or waste of funds, and abuse of authority. This legislation will provide a variety of benefits for Federal employees, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, last year the Chicago Defender published an article entitled ``Cook County Drug Offenders Lose Out in Drug Treatment Revival.'' Though the article focused on Cook County in Illinois, it brought to the forefront a national trend towards treatment for drug offenders. Troubled by the devastating impact of drugs on the criminal justice system, the courts are diverting more drug offenders away from prisons, mandating instead that they enroll in substance abuse rehabilitation programs. Keevin Irons, for example, a 41-year-old native of suburban Chicago Heights, had been hooked on drugs for 20 years when a Cook County circuit judge gave him 4 years' probation on a drug possession charge and ordered him to 28 days in a residential treatment center. Mr. Irons said of the treatment that was aimed at getting him to recognize the patterns of abuse in his life, and I quote, ``Treatment has brought me a long way to learn about my disease and what made me do the things that I did. I see my life differently now. I can go out to society and be a productive citizen. Recovery is a beautiful thing.'' Mr. Speaker, recovery is a beautiful thing, which is why I am pleased to see that President Bush's 2002 National Drug Control Strategy includes over $850 million for various drug prevention programs and an additional $1.6 billion over the next 5 years for drug treatment programs. This money, and more, is sorely needed to address the devastating impact of drugs on the criminal justice system. More and more addicts are streaming into the system than it can help. The problem is particularly acute in Cook County, where the drug caseload has exceeded those of other Illinois counties. Cook County drug offenders are far less likely to receive drug treatment as part of their probation than those in Illinois' other 101 counties, shown by an investigation by the Chicago Reporter. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the number of prison sentences for drug crimes increased more than 12-fold from 1983 to 1999, when 13,766 drug offenders were sentenced to prison. Once discharged, about 40 percent of them will end up back in prison within 3 years. Furthermore, drug users are among the most active perpetrators of other crimes. Nearly two-thirds of jailed inmates nationwide said they used drugs regularly prior to their arrest, and about one in six committed their current offense to sustain a drug habit, according to a 2000 study by the Department of Justice. In response to this, as the Chicago Defender reported, States are moving away from incarceration to initiatives such as drug courts. Drug courts divert offenders to treatment, but they also impose penalties for misbehavior. The drug courts program uses the coercive power of the court to force abstinence and alter behavior through a combination of escalating sanctions, mandatory drug testing, treatment, and strong aftercare programs. The 2002 drug strategy provides an additional $2 million for drug court programs, bringing the total to $52 million for fiscal year 2003. According to the 1997 National Treatment Improvement Evaluation Study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, such treatment programs cut illicit drug use by 48 percent and reduce arrest rates by 64 percent. These programs help stabilize communities by making them safer and making productive citizens out of drug offenders. I support the President's drug prevention and treatment strategy and its continued funding. Recovery is a beautiful thing; and, Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this resolution. Once again, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my colleagues, the gentleman from Indiana (Chairman Souder) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), for the outstanding leadership they both have brought and continue to bring to this issue. 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 very pleased to join with the gentleman from Indiana (Chairman Souder) in consideration of House Resolution 569, a bill expressing support for the President's 2002 National Drug Control Strategy to reduce illegal drug use in the United States. I also want to commend the gentleman from Indiana for his outstanding leadership on this issue and especially for the convening of a field hearing in Chicago, where I live. I have appreciated the work that the gentleman has done; and, as I have indicated, I am pleased to join with him in consideration of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the statement of the gentleman from the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), who is the ranking member, and for whom I am actually filling in, in the presentation of this matter. The statement referred to is as follows:

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Honorable Roman Pucinski, former Member of Congress, former Chicago alderman, and a great American. Mr. Speaker, on September 25, the Angel of Death took away the golden voice of Roman Pucinski, formerly fondly known as ``Pooch'' to those who knew him. Roman Pucinski was a Chicagoan through and through. In a city with strong ethnic ties and heritage, he was a renowned member and leader in the Polish American community. Pucinski was a household name in Chicago. The proud son of civic leadership, Roman went on to become a reporter-journalist. And what a reporter he was for the Chicago Sun Times. The war interrupted his journalism career, and during World War II Roman was the lead bombardier in the first B-29 ``Superfortress'' raid on Tokyo in 1944. This was just one of 49 missions in which he flew as part of the Army Air Forces in the Pacific. He returned home to Chicago and became the chief investigator for a select committee of Congress, investigating the Katyn Forest Massacre. This investigation of slain Poles eventually resulted in his appointment as Illinois division president of the Polish American Congress. Roman Pucinski was then elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1958 and distinguished himself as an advocate for education, airline safety, and the interest of Chicago. He served 7 terms. Roman Pucinski was then called upon by his party to run for United States Senate against the very popular Charles Percy. Roman did not win that election. However, he came back the next year and ran for the Chicago City Council as alderman of the 41st Ward. He was elected and became an icon, serving for 18 years. Roman Pucinski was an outstanding orator and a skilled debater who loved to talk, and talk he did. I served with Roman in the Chicago City Council, and though we were often pitted against each other as a result of membership in and alliances with different political forces, we became great friends and worked well together. He leaves to cherish a great legacy of service and representation, and to mourn his passing, many friends and a devoted family, his daughter Aurelia, who was elected and served as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, a son, a brother, a sister, and three grandchildren. Roman Pucinski encouraged me to run for Congress and would often say that he would come and speak for or against me, whichever would help the most. Roman, you were right again. Congress is indeed an interesting, exciting, and challenging place where one can help to shape the world. I say, Thanks to you, and good-bye, my friend.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I also want to commend and thank the sponsors for the introduction of this legislation. As has already been mentioned, Illinois has been seriously hit, hardpressed. As a matter of fact, people are afraid to go out in late evenings and early mornings for fear, and I think that this legislation will go a long way towards providing abatement resources so that people can function in safety and security; and so I thank them, commend them, and urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said, ``Unitas epitomized football, the enduring values of toughness and competition, and he epitomized this community and America.'' Johnny Unitas, the Hall of Fame quarterback who broke nearly every National Football League passing record and won three championships with the Baltimore Colts in an 18-year career, died of a heart attack in Baltimore on September 11. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1933, Johnny Unitas was raised in a working-class family during the Depression. His father, a coal delivery man, died when he was 5, and his mother worked two jobs to raise four kids. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 1979, Unitas retired after the 1973 season with 22 National Football League records, among them marks for the most passes attempted and completed, most yards gained passing, most touchdown passes, and most seasons leading the league in touchdown passes. Unitas was voted the Most Valuable Player in 1964 and in 1967, and played in 10 Pro Bowls. He led Baltimore to the National Football League championship in 1958, 1959, and the Super Bowl in 1970. He was named the Greatest Player in the First 50 Years of Pro Football, and was named to the National Football League's 75th anniversary team. This long list of accomplishments stems from a player who hitchhiked home from his first National Football League training camp after the Pittsburgh Steelers cut him in 1955. He spent that season playing semipro football on rock-and-glass covered fields in Pittsburgh for $6 a game and working as a pile driver at a construction site. At his induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Unitas said, ``A man never gets this station in life without being helped, aided, shoved, pushed and prodded to do better. I want to be honest with you: the players I played with and the coaches I had, they are directly responsible for my being here. I want you all to remember that. I always will.'' Those who helped, aided, shoved, pushed and prodded him to do better, the players he played with and the coaches, as well as those who simply enjoyed watching him play the game of football, will always remember him and his contributions to the sport. His comments epitomize the career of Johnny Unitas, who was always giving credit to others for helping to make him the star that he was. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am pleased and delighted that Oakland has had such a great run. It is also great to know that Chicago teams, although quite aways back, 1905 and 1936, at least we were there at that time; but I certainly congratulate Oakland fans, the team, its management. 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 such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee). I do not know if she has had a 20 and 0 record, but I know that she has won many victories for the people of Oakland and for people all over the country.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, on the evening of Wednesday, September 4, the Oakland Athletics made baseball history by becoming the first American League team to win 20 consecutive games. With a 12-11 victory over the Royals before a record crowd at Network Associates Coliseum of 55,528 fans, the A's passed the 1947 Yankees and the 1906 White Sox for the longest-running streak in American League history. The game had plenty of drama and made-for-television episodes. The A's jumped out to an 11-0 lead after 3 innings, but ended up getting caught with 11 unanswered runs. The game was tied when the A's pulled off a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth. The Oakland A's accomplished this feat by beating many formidable opponents, and I, too, want to congratulate the team for earning its place in the baseball record book, and I would urge adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I rise to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 4851, which names a postal facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after Robert Wayne Jenkins. H.R. 4851, which enjoys the support and co-sponsorship of the entire Oklahoma delegation, was introduced by the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Sullivan) on May 23, 2002. Mr. Jenkins was a postal letter carrier who was delivering mail on his route when he was shot to death for no reason. A 9-year career letter carrier, Mr. Jenkins was a dedicated and trusted postal employee who went about his job in an efficient and effective manner. Sadly, he leaves behind a wife, Amber, and her infant, Caitlyn. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the support of naming a post office after Mr. Robert Wayne Jenkins, slain postal letter carrier. But I am deeply disappointed and saddened that we were unable to also consider additional naming postal legislation today. Let me explain. Last week two postal naming bills were placed on the postal naming list for floor consideration and subsequently removed from consideration. Those bills were H.R. 5340, sponsored by the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), which names a post office after the late great broadcaster Francis Dayle ``Chick'' Hearn, and H.R. 2578, sponsored by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), which names a postal facility after former Representative Augustus F. Hawkins. These bills too have met the Committee on Government Reform policy and have been co-sponsored by the entire California delegation. They, too, deserve prompt consideration and name postal facilities after deserving individuals. Both H.R. 5340 and H.R. 2578 deserve immediate consideration on the House floor. While we will not object to today's bill, we will object to future bills if the Republican leadership does not schedule Democratic postal- naming bills for a House vote so that there can be equity and fairness in the process. Mr. Jenkins was a letter carrier, one of a proud group of employees who performed a valuable service to our country. In serving his country, Mr. Jenkins could not have paid a higher price. I believe that we should honor him by naming a postal facility after him. I shall indeed vote for H.R. 4851 and urge my colleagues to take similar action. However, I reiterate and urge the Republican leadership to schedule votes on H.R. 5340, H.R. 2578, and other Democratic postal- naming bills so that we can honor these deserving individuals by naming postal facilities after them. I commend the gentleman from Oklahoma for introducing this legislation, urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to, first of all, thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for yielding time to me, and commend him and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for introducing this legislation. I also want to thank the former commissioner of the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the distinguished JoAnn Alter, for bringing this matter to my attention. Therefore, I rise in support of H.R. 4013, the Rare Diseases Act of 2002. Mr. Speaker, with a large low-income population, 24 hospitals, 5 medical schools, and several research institutions in my district, I know firsthand the heartbreak faced by people who struggle to find the appropriate medical treatment for themselves and their families. We have made tremendous strides in education, research, and medical protocols for individuals with diseases that affect large populations. Much funding has been dedicated and continues to be directed to treatment of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, and this is all good. There are, however, a number of rare diseases which affect 200,000 or fewer Americans which continue to go underresourced. While statistically 200,000 people may be a small number, it is a large number when we consider it represents people needing medical treatment. However, if we aggregate the number of people suffering from at least 1 of the 6,000 known rare diseases and disorders, we are talking about 25 million Americans, 1 in 9, suffering from a rare disease. Several months ago a mother and her young son, who suffers from Crohn's disease, traveled hundreds of miles from Virginia to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in my district to see if he could be accepted into a special treatment program that was offered nowhere near his home. He wrote a letter to me thanking me for the fact that he was indeed able to get into Northwestern and to be considered for treatment for his very rare disease. This bill, H.R. 4013, which establishing an Office of Rare Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, by increasing the national investment in the development of diagnostics and treatment for patients with rare diseases and disorders, and by allowing for rare disease regional centers of excellence, is a quantum leap in the right direction. I again commend my colleagues for its introduction and urge swift passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time and also for his outstanding work on this legislation. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the bill, former president of the National Association of Community Health Centers, cochair of the Health Center Caucus, former employee of two community health centers, and with 26 community health centers in my district, I rise to add my strong support for H.R. 3450, the Health Care Safety Net Improvement Act. I would like to commend the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, and the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, for bringing this important legislation to the floor today. I would also like to commend the distinguished gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member, for their efforts to improve access to quality preventative and primary health care for the medically underserved, including the millions of Americans without health insurance coverage. The Federal Health Centers Program was designed as a unique public- private partnership, with Federal resources provided directly to community organizations for the development and operation of local health care systems. Under program rules, a majority of the membership on the policy boards of the local health centers must consist of individuals who receive their health care at the local center and who represent the community being served. In this way communities in need are given the resources to address their most pressing health problems, and they are held responsible for doing so. Mr. Speaker, community health centers are truly integral threads of America's health care safety net. That is why I am pleased to support reauthorization of this critically important program for another 5 years. Most importantly, H.R. 3450 strongly reaffirms the four foundations of the health centers programs that, one, health centers be located in high-need areas; two, provide comprehensive preventive and primary health care services; three, be governed by community boards made up of a majority of current health center patients to assure responsiveness to local needs; and, four, be open to everyone in the communities they serve, regardless of ability to pay. It is these requirements of the Health Centers Program that have made it a model of health care delivery for more than 30 years, providing high-quality, cost-effective primary and preventive health care to all who need it. I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, that H.R. 3450 reauthorizes the Health Centers Program so that these centers can continue their proven record of attacking some of the most challenging health problems that exist. One example of this program's effectiveness is the tenacity with which health centers have addressed the racial and ethnic disparities in health care, a growing issue highlighted by the Institute of Medicine's March 2002 report entitled ``Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care.'' This report found overwhelming evidence that minorities in America generally receive poor health care even when income, insurance and medical conditions are similar. The report identified a number of causes for racial health disparities, including language barriers, inadequate coverage, provider bias, and lack of minority doctors. For most of us, this is not new. This bill also expands the availability of dental health services at community health centers, which is so greatly and vitally needed even for senior citizens who have Medicare and still cannot get dental services. Mr. Speaker, this is an outstanding program. I commend all of those who continue to make it happen.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ann Rittle Monaco, a woman of strength, elegance, integrity and a passion for music. Ann, the Artistic Director at the Merit School of Music, died suddenly on July 30, 2002 after being hit from behind by a van while she was out on a run. Born in Pittsburgh, she earned her bachelor's degree in music from Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, and her master's from the New England Conservatory in Boston. While studying at Western, she met Richard A. Monaco, an accomplished composer on the faculty. The two married and in 1974 moved to Oak Park, Illinois. Over the years, Ann Monaco taught at Chicago State University, and UIC and spent nearly three decades teaching piano to students in her home. In 1982, she joined Merit as a piano teacher, ten years later she became the artistic director. She also was running the school's Tuition-Free Conservatory at the time of her death. Merit offers a full continuum of instruction in music, both classical and jazz. More than 30,000 youths have studied at Merit since it was founded in 1979. Merit's primary goals are to serve the economically disadvantaged, to help young people achieve their full musical potential, and to give young people a sense of purpose by stimulating personal and educational growth through music. Ann was a major influence on thousands of Merit students. Known for wearing ``a velvet glove over an iron hand'' Ann was in charge of keeping high overall artistic standards at Merit, but she also was known for her fierce dedication to her students. She paid close individual attention to her students, doing everything from helping them find appropriate apparel for performances, to teaching them how to bow properly, and to fighting to secure scholarships for them to attend college. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that we remember the life of Ann Monaco. Her death creates a void not only at Merit, but also throughout the music education community and the world of music. I urge my colleagues to join me in expressing our condolences to her family and colleagues.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from Virginia in consideration of this resolution honoring the significance of Korean immigration. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson). (Ms. WATSON of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the pioneers of the Korean community in the United States were a small group of political and social reformers, expelled from Korea following an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the government, who arrived as exiles in San Francisco. Among them was Suh Jae-pil, who later adopted the American name Philip Jaisohn. Mr. Jaisohn became the first Korean to become an American citizen and the first Korean-American to receive an American medical degree. In 1886, 4 years after getting his medical degree, Mr. Jaisohn established the first Korean newspaper. He became involved in the fight to keep Korea independent of China and, after 1910, to liberate it from Japan. Dr. Jaisohn devoted the majority of his life to the cause of Korean independence. His work in medical research and pathology and for Korean causes gained respect in both his homeland and in the United States. Mr. Jaisohn, like thousands of other Koreans who immigrated to the United States, played a central role in nurturing the political and religious evolution of modern Korea. Members of the Korean-American community have served with distinction in the Armed Forces, have helped the development of the first beating heart operation for coronary artery disease, and own and operate more than 135 businesses in the United States with gross sales of $46 billion annually. Korean-Americans play a vital role in maintaining the strength and vitality of United States-Korean relationships. The partnership between the United States and South Korea has helped to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, 100 communities throughout the United States will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration to the United States, including a large Korean community on the north side of the city of Chicago and in other areas spread throughout the city. Mr. Speaker, my former legislative director is Korean. Her name is Courtni Pugh. She and her twin sister were featured on the cover of a Korean magazine about 3 years ago as premier young Korean or Asian activists in the United States. So I take this opportunity to convey greetings to them and all of my Korean friends throughout the metropolitan area of Chicago. Again, I commend the gentleman for introducing this resolution, and I am pleased to share its movement with my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis). Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Civil Service, Census, and Agency Organization, I am pleased to support H. Con. Res. 458, a bill recognizing and commending Mary Baker Eddy's achievements and the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity, and I want to commend the gentleman from Texas for his introduction of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, Mary Baker Eddy is regarded as a major religious speaker and as a notable example of the emergence of women in significant leadership roles. When Mrs. Eddy was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1955, it was noted that she had made an indelible mark on religion, society, and journalism. Born in 1821 on a farm in Bow, New Hampshire, Mary Baker Eddy spent most of her youth in ill health. Although raised with Puritan values, daily Bible reading, and the talk of God's healing power, she spent years looking for healing in the many remedial methods available at her time. In 1866, Mary Baker Eddy, through reading Jesus' healings in the New Testament, came to discover the science of Christianity which she named ``Christian Science.'' In 1875, she first wrote and published ``Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures,'' the textbook of Christian Science. It is published in 17 languages and Braille; and in audiocassette, CD, and computerized form. Over 9 million copies have been sold, and it remains a bestseller each year. In 1879, Mrs. Eddy established the Church of Christ, Scientist, and subsequently founded its various periodicals and activities. In 1895, she published the first edition of the Manual of the Mother Church. One of her last and greatest accomplishments was founding the Christian Science Monitor in 1908. In 1992, the Women's National Book Association named ``Science and Health'' as one of 75 books by women, and I quote, ``whose words have changed the world.'' Before Mrs. Eddy died in 1910, the religion she established had spread around the world, and she had become one of the most recognized public figures in America; a truly great woman. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall) for yielding me time, and I also want to commend the chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the ranking member of this committee for the outstanding work they do all the time on the Committee on Resources. I am not a member of this committee, but I often watch its deliberations and pay attention to what it is doing, and I think that they, obviously, do an outstanding job. I especially want to commend them for bringing this legislation to the floor. I also want to commend the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), a man who has almost single-handedly in terms of his zest and seal, who has been tremendously focused on the problems, attributes and contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As a matter of fact, he talked so passionately about those in South Carolina until sometimes I wish that I had been a South Carolinian and had the opportunity to attend one of them. I did not attend one in South Carolina, but I did grow up in Arkansas, and I attended what is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The bell tower on that campus, which is the tallest structure in that area, they do not have tall buildings in Arkansas, but the bell tower is probably the tallest structure in that community, and, for as long as I can remember, it has stood as a symbol of educational opportunity for African Americans, especially in that area. The alumni association is currently trying to replace it, brick by brick. As a matter of fact, when I was there we had an outstanding President that we fondly called ``Prexy,'' President Lawrence Arnett Davis, Sr., whose son now is the chancellor, Chancellor Lawrence Arnett Davis, Jr. They both have become institutions. So I say to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), when you help preserve these institutions, which are indeed struggling but have one of the greatest histories and one of the greatest legacies in this Nation, and to think that the leaders of many of them were newly-freed slaves, individuals who had just come out of slavery when the Moral Act was passed and then its subsequent amendments, so, yes, they have done exceedingly well. But, again, I commend all of those who have had a hand in and who have spoken so passionately about their impact. Again I commend the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn) and commend the chairman and ranking member of this committee.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I also want to commend my colleague from Virginia for introducing this matter to the House. I was not around 100 years ago for the beginning of the 4-H club movement, but I was around 50 years ago; and 50 years ago, I was an active member of a 4-H club. As I remember those days of my youth, I remember the pledge: ``I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands for larger service, and my health for better living for my club, my community, and my country,'' and now we add ``the world.'' But I also remember the glee of participation, the projects that we had. One year it was my project to grow 100 Rhode Island red chickens, and I managed to bring the 100 in. I broke one's neck one day; I stepped on his neck as they were coming to be fed, and I wanted to save him. I did not know much about medicine, but I just made myself a splint and put some coal oil on the neck and tied it together and the poor chicken lived and always walked like this, because it was crooked. A great project, though. I learned about electricity one year when I worked on another project. I simply want to commend all of those individuals who have been instrumental in the development of 4-H activity. It does indeed provide an opportunity for young people to be actively engaged. I remember another motto that they taught us. It had to do with good, better and best. Never rest until your good becomes better and your better becomes best. So I want to thank all of those 4-H club leaders. I also want to commend the University of Illinois, which is one of the outstanding leaders of the Nation in agricultural extension and in 4-H club work and have expanded that to include urban communities. It is a great program; it is a great movement. I look forward to visiting 4-H club meetings and groups, talking with the young people, looking at their projects, hearing what they are doing. So again, I commend the gentlewoman from Virginia for introducing this matter, and I urge its swift passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am so glad that the people of the Seventh District, like many people throughout America, have no compunctions letting you know where they stand. For the last week I have been getting telephone calls, e-mails, i-mails, people stopping me on the street, and they are saying, let us give peace a chance. Let us go slow on this war business. Let us let the inspectors inspect. Let us let them do their job. Mr. Speaker, I agree with them.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Congresswoman Waters' motion asking the conferees for H.R. 3295 to complete their work and file a conference report by October 1st. In view of the confusion we have witnessed this month in Florida's primary elections, it is more important than ever that we complete work on this measure before the end of this session. I also want to re-affirm my support for the motion to instruct offered by Mr. Langevin that was passed by the House on July 9th. That motion asked the conferees to agree to the Senate provisions relating to the accessibility of voting systems for individuals with disabilities. It is essential that at least one voting machine in each polling place be accessible to people with disabilities. This can be done in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters. The provisions referred to in the motion passed on July 9 were endorsed by a coalition of more than 20 national organizations representing people with disabilities. I support the motion asking the conferees to complete their work by October 1st, and I also urge the conferees to adopt the language as outlined in the motion approved by this body on July 9th.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a graduate of a historically black college, I too want to add my welcome to our guest chaplain, Dr. Eric Joseph. But I really rise to pay tribute to a grand lady of my community, Miss Julia Fairfax, 93 years old, who passed away just last week. The amazing thing about her, though, is she was actively engaged and involved with all levels of community activity up until about 6 months ago. A grand lady, a grand dame, a lady that we shall always remember, admire and respect, Miss Julia Fairfax.