Danny Davis

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. It is the solution whose time has come. According to the CBO, this bill will save $448 billion from Medicare alone, which can be used to provide other services to seniors and people with disabilities. I thank the Democratic leadership for including my bills to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity by doubling the MIECHV program and by expanding the successful Health Profession Opportunity Grants program to train low-income individuals to help relieve the health shortage that exists in this country. Madam Chair, Elijah Cummings would be proud of this bill to carry his name, and I urge its passage.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I am alarmed and outraged by the Trump Administration's decision to increase hunger and food insecurity for millions of Americans. Governments should strengthen their people, assist the vulnerable, and improve well-being. Instead, the Trump Administration has advanced a rule change to cut millions of low-income children, families, veterans, people with disabilities, and seniors off their food stamp benefits, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Trump Administration estimates that at least 3.1 million families would lose their SNAP benefits, including stopping free and reduced school meals for nearly one million children. In 2017, almost 40 million people, including more than 12.5 million children, experienced food insecurity. In my home state of Illinois, more than 63 percent of SNAP participants are in families with children and almost 30 percent are in families with members who are elderly or disabled. This rule targets the most vulnerable people in my state and across the nation. Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture admits that this Trump policy would exacerbate food insecurity for millions of Americans. This is unacceptable. Millions of low-income Americans rely on SNAP as the first line of defense against hunger and food insecurity. By imposing this harmful rule, the Trump Administration actually increases hunger and hardship by erecting additional barriers for families and individuals who are trying to meet one of the most basic needs for survival. I stand in strong opposition to this unnecessary and spiteful rule. The Trump Administration is attempting to impose a policy that Congress has rejected twice in the last two versions of the Farm Bill via bipartisan votes. The policies of this Administration have advantaged the most secure and left working families and our most vulnerable populations behind. As the Trump Administration prioritizes giving trillions of dollars to the most privileged corporations and billionaires, it literally takes food from hungry children. I reject this disgraceful rule and will continue to fight for the people of Chicago and the nation to ensure they receive the food they need. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this proposed rule and demanding that the Trump Administration rescind the rule immediately.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Reverend Dr. Clay Evans who passed a few days ago and is known worldwide as a religious leader and gospel singer. There is nobody in the Chicagoland area who has not experienced Reverend Clay Evans. He was actively involved in the political and social life of the city. He was noted for many things, and one of those that he is noted for is having been the person who ordained the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson. Madam Speaker, he will be sorely missed, and we express condolences to his family.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to join with Representative Bobby Rush, who reserved the time to talk about an event that occurred 50 years ago when I guess Bobby was pretty much still a teenager and I was a young adult. The event took place in our city, the city of the big shoulders, the city of Chicago, the city that sits on a lake founded by an African American, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable. An event took place where the Chicago police, led by an assistant State's attorney, invaded the province of a group of young leaders known to be members of the Black Panther Party. They raided the group while they were inside asleep. They shot up the building and killed two of the leaders. One was a young gentleman, 21 years old, Fred Hampton, articulate, graduated from high school with honors, head of the youth NAACP, but a member of the Black Panther Party. Another young fellow was an outstanding American, the son of ministers and churchgoing people. The apartment was raided, and these two individuals were killed, assassinated. It is my understanding that one of the reasons that Congressman Bobby Rush is alive today--he was supposed to have been there but had gone home to his apartment rather than spending the night where the Panthers were. As a result, he was spared. Obviously, there was a hue and cry, and there were years of activity and litigation. Madam Speaker, it is good to see that Bobby has arrived. I just said that fate is such that he is here today, as opposed to being where Fred Hampton and Mark Clark are, wherever that is, because as fate would have it, he went someplace else. Of course, as fate would also have it, I can't help but note that I spoke with one of Father George Clements' sons the other day, who I understand helped to kind of conceal and hide him out while the police were looking for him. Fortunately, fate intervened. The activity caused a big hue and cry from the community. As a result of that, people began to look differently at what was known as law enforcement misconduct, police brutality. Sometimes law enforcement individuals take matters into their own hands, not worrying about what judges might do or judges might say, or courts of law, but would sometimes become executioners. As a result of that, the African American community, of Chicago especially, changed its approach to politics. While there was a big Democratic voting bloc, they decided--we decided, because I was voting age. Bobby may not have been, but I was voting age. We elected a Republican, Bernard Carey, to be the State's attorney for Cook County. That also led to, ultimately, the changes that elected Harold Washington, the first Black mayor of Chicago, which evolved, ultimately, into the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America, because that is where his beginning was. That was the base. I just happen to have represented the Hampton family in the congressional district that I represent. Until recently, not a year went by that I didn't spend some time with the Hampton family, that is, with Fred's mother, his father, and his brother, Bill, who carried on the work. As a result of that, that work is still going on. I know that, on Sunday, in the community where I live, there is going to be a demonstration or an acknowledgment. I wouldn't call it a demonstration. A group of people is going to go to the location where Fred and Mark were killed, and they are simply going to pay tribute. I pay tribute now, and I pay tribute to my colleague U.S. Representative Bobby Rush because it was Bobby who initiated this Special Order. Madam Speaker, because of the Congressman, I am here. It has been a pleasure to know that our paths have been crossing one way or another for more than 50 years because I sat in the funeral home that night after Fred and Mark had been assassinated. My brother happened to be a friend of Trey Rayner, and we sat kind of keeping vigil. My other good friend Frank Lipscomb and I, we were both young schoolteachers. We went over to the house that afternoon after we left school and peered and peeked and walked through. We were, quite frankly, afraid but wanted to see with our own eyes, and so we did see. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush) and thank him for initiating this Special Order.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Rush so much. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have left.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my Special Order.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, let me, first of all, congratulate Ms. Adams on the tremendous leadership that she has been providing to those of us who are concerned about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as education in general. I certainly thank the gentlewoman for being able to share this moment as we talk about the importance of these very viable, valuable institutions. I represent a congressional district that has some of the most outstanding educational institutions in the world, without a doubt. We don't have an HBCU in my district, but I was fortunate, as were so many members of my family, on my 16th birthday to enroll in Arkansas AM&N College with no money--as a matter of fact, on credit. I had $20 when I got there in my shirt pocket. We had a president at the time, Dr. Lawrence Arnette Davis, that all of us just simply called ``Prexy,'' kind of saying that he was a father surrogate and a father figure for every one of us who hit that campus. My parents were sharecroppers. We lived in rural Arkansas, a very important State because it is the only State in the Bible Noah looked over his ark and saw. But we were able to have Arkansas AM&N College. Four of my sisters, myself, two of my brothers, three of my nephews, three of my nieces, and an assortment of first cousins all went to UAPB. Even today, in the community where I live, large numbers of students want to go there, and they do. They go because there is something unique about these institutions. They have the capacity to provide individual attention, in many instances, where larger universities may not have the same. They have the understanding to know that they are individuals who come from environments where they may need a little extra attention and a little extra help, and they provide it. These are inspirational settings where individuals go and learn their profession, develop their abilities, and know that, when they leave, they leave with the inspiration. And so, again, commendations. So I end by just thinking of some of the words of our anthem. The person who wrote it said: State college, we greet thee with love and devotion; Our hearts and our treasures we bring to thy shrine. With arms that are strong from all harm, we defend thee; Thy name shall we cherish, dear mother of mine. We cherish our Historically Black Colleges and Universities and urge that they receive the funding that they need. Madam Speaker, God bless Representative Adams for leading the charge.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1901 Charlestine Street in Texarkana, Texas on their 100th year anniversary. The church was organized under the leadership of Rev. Warner Brown. A group of believers met in the home of Bro. L. and Sis. Hattie Frazier. Through the years several ministers have served, and the church is still moving forward. Destroyed by fire in 1954, another building was purchased at the present location. We recognize this honorable achievement marking the 100th Diamond Jubilee church anniversary, November 24, 2019. We recognize Pastor Melvin and Nina Glover; the Chairman of Deacons, Deacon George Edwards; the Church Secretary, Sis. Melva Flowers; along with the New Zion Church Family. Give God all the glory for what he has done and what he will continue to do and provide.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for roll call votes, I would have voted ``Aye'' for the following votes: Roll Call 610, November 12, 2019: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 4162, GI Bill Planning Act of 2019. Roll Call 611, November 12, 2019: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 3224, Deborah Sampson Act.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let me thank the gentlewoman, first of all, for organizing this Special Order that gives all the rest of us the opportunity to come to pay tribute to my hero. As a matter of fact, I am old enough to remember in a very vivid way the late 1950s and early 1960s with people like John Conyers, Martin Luther King, John Lewis, Whitney Young, and other heroes of the period. Although John was elected in Michigan, he was really all of our Congressman. He was the Representative for all of us. We didn't have 55 African American or Black Members of Congress at that time, but we had those voices that were strong and vibrant, those voices that gave hope. There was so much hope and possibility being expressed during that period that those of us who were emerging had no idea that there was anything that we couldn't accomplish, any changes that we couldn't bring about, any possibilities that did not exist. And that, to me, was the true essence of John Conyers. I was tremendously impressed with John because he was always for the underdog. He was always for the little guy, always for the little person, always representing those who were left out, those who were unheard, even those who were unheard of. I don't think there was any place in America where action was going on that John didn't go. As a matter of fact, at the time when we were electing the first African American mayor in the city of Chicago, John was there every week. We thought he had moved to Chicago, that he didn't live in Detroit. I mean, every week, from the time, I guess, he left here, in churches and churches and block parties and everyplace that you could possibly turn, there was John Conyers. John has given the very best that you can give. To his wife and sons and other members of his family, we say thank you for lending John to all of us. I guess the poet Walter Foss maybe had John in mind when he penned these words that I end with. There are hermit souls that live withdrawn in the peace of their self-content; There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart, in a fellowless firmament; There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths where highways never ran; But let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man. Let me live in a house by the side of the road, where the race of men go by; The men who are good and the men who are bad, as good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat, or hurl the cynic's ban; Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man. I see from my house by the side of the road, by the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardor of hope, the men who are faint with the strife. But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears, both parts of an infinite plan; Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man. So let me live in my house by the side of the road where the race of men go by, men who are good, men who are bad, wise, foolish, but then so am I. So why would I sit in the scorner's seat or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road, like John Conyers, and be a friend to man.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession on its 10th Anniversary. The legal profession remains one of the least diverse professions in the United States. This adversely impacts the pipeline of women, racial/ethnic minorities, openly LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and religious minorities, who will serve as future legislators, judges, public policy advocates, civic and community leaders, and the lawyers who can be found daily in boardrooms and courtrooms. While there are an abundance of organizations working to make the American legal profession more diverse and inclusive, and some progress made, much remains to be done. For ten years, the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (``IILP'') has been working for ``Real change. Now.'' Its approach has differed from more traditional efforts. It has focused on inclusion rather than just diversity. It has emphasized the supply side over the demand side: making the legal profession more hospitable to diverse individuals, one where anyone with the talent, aptitude, ambition, and determination may enter and rise as high as those abilities will permit. It has grounded its work in research and data that go beyond the anecdotal. It discusses the hard issues and tackles the tough questions that need to be resolved before this profession can truly become more diverse and inclusive. It addresses all types of diversity in all practice settings all over the United States. More importantly, everyone in the legal profession has a home within the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession. I was honored to give remarks during the inaugural year of the formation of the IILP in 2009 and I am pleased to share these highlights from its first ten years of service. The IILP is continuing to publish its ``Review on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession,'' the only comprehensive compilation of data, statistics, demographics, and thought leadership essays designed in the country. This report has become an important tool to everyone in the legal profession who is concerned about diversity and inclusion issues. In addition, the IILP presented some 40 Symposia on the State of Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession to lawyers all over the United States. These symposia bring together an extremely diverse group of lawyers who learn about all types of diversity and find synergies that allow them to work across lines of difference. The IILP provided the legal profession with the only hard data available on the business case for diversity in ``The Business Case for Diversity: Reality or Wishful Thinking?''. The IILP published the series, ``Competing Interests,'' which is the only analysis of the conflict between corporate efforts aimed at economy and efficiency with corporate efforts supporting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and the impact this has upon minority lawyers. The IILP established the Social Impact Incubator, a group of Millennial lawyers from a wide range of backgrounds and practice settings, who are learning to be thought leaders on diversity and inclusion for their generation. The IILP developed the program, ``Diversity and Data Privacy in a Digital World.'' While much has been focused on data privacy issues, this program is the first to examine those issues through the lens of diversity and inclusion concerns. The IILP conducts programs that offer unique and thought-provoking ways to look at and think about diversity and inclusion, such as ``The Ethics of Diversity and the Politics of Inclusion,'' wherein IILP examined challenges to diversity and political considerations that are impacting inclusion efforts; and ``Women and Minorities,'' studying the root causes and potential strategies to address tensions between white women, women of color, lesbians, and trans women. The IILP presented the first conference outside the United State or United Kingdom that was dedicated to diversity and inclusion issues within the legal profession. For its 10th Anniversary, the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession is celebrating with another thought-provoking program: ``Is ROI (Return on Investment) the Appropriate Measure for D&I (Diversity and Inclusion)?''. On behalf of the 7th Congressional District of Illinois, I offer my deepest appreciation for the work that you do and encourage that you continue to finding innovative approaches to ensure our legal professionals produce diverse and inclusive workforces.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for roll call votes, I would have voted ``aye'' for the following vote: Roll Call 540, September 20, 2019: On Passage of H.R. 1423, Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act. In addition, I would have voted ``no'' on the following vote: Roll Call 539, September 20, 2019: On Agreeing to the Amendment by Jordan of Ohio Part B Amendment No. 1.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I support the Bipartisan Budget Caps and Debt Limit Deal as an important step to protect Americans and our economy. This agreement secures an additional $100 billion for crucial services to promote the well-being of our residents while rejecting the offsets proposed by the current Administration. This agreement permanently ends the harmful cuts to non-defense programs that support the health, housing, education, child care, and security of Americans via the discretionary sequester. It allows continued investment in veterans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, environmental sustainability, the National Institutes of Health, and the fight against drug addiction sweeping the nation, including my state of Illinois. This agreement also protects the full- faith and credit of our government by raising the country's debt limit. As we know, the debt limit was reinstated to $22 Trillion on March 2, 2019, imposing a legal limitation on the government's ability to issue debt and pay many federal obligations that directly impact the American people. A suspension of the debt limit until July 31, 2020 is a critical win for the Democratic Leadership that protects our national economy. The sequester and restrictive appropriations under Republicans have eroded federal support for programs that help children and families in this nation and internationally, cutting domestic and international programs by 4.6 percent between FY2010 to FY2019 after inflation. Constituents in my District have felt these cuts, and this deal helps rebuild these important services. In my district with a population of approximately 703,000 residents, 30.8 percent of children live in poverty and 15 percent live in extreme poverty, 25 percent of taxfilers are low-income working parents, and 18.7 percent of adults in my District over 18 have income below the poverty level. These Chicagoans rely on an array of programs to work and care for their families. According to the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, in 2016, my district alone had a veteran population of over 41,978 people. These returning heroes and public servants deserve a government that serves them and assists with resources so that they can live the American dream. This is not a perfect agreement, but it moves our country forward in very important ways. I promise to work to end the mandatory sequester. The mandatory sequester cuts federal dollars from vital programs including Medicare, home visiting, the Social Services Block Grant, and Safe and Stable families--programs that provide health care for the elderly, services for the disabled, and child abuse prevention--to name a few. Former National Security Advisor Colin Powell once said ``Leadership is about solving problems.'' I rise today to commend and support Speaker Pelosi on her leadership and problem solving skills to rebuild our investment in children and families via this budget agreement. I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to one of my constituents, and a personal friend, Mr. Randy Corbin who migrated from Arkansas, came to Chicago and established a business and lived a wonderfully productive life. Randy grew up in Gould, Arkansas, came to Chicago, attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Married his queen, Karen Kennedy and they raised four children, two sons Amell and Loren, two daughters Clarressa and Syreeta. He served in the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged in 1964. Randy started his career as a janitor at AA Rayner Funeral Home and worked his way through the ranks with successive promotions. In 1977, Randy partnered with a friend, Luther Sparks and they started the Luther Sparks Funeral Home. Unfortunately, Mr. Sparks died and Randy became the sole proprietor and the rest became history. Randy built a successful business, was generously supportive of community activities. He started other business ventures, provided leadership to the community and earned the title, ``Mayor of Madison Street''. Randy was a member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, a leadership member of the Boy Scouts of America, he sponsored local basketball teams and students pursing education. He hosted school supply drives, donated volumes of supplies to youth and families throughout the years. He regularly donated to churches and let ministers use Corbin Chapel for services. He is survived by his wife Karen and their four children, his sister, fourteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Randy Corbin, ``the Mayor of Madison Street,'' may he rest in peace.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Butch Lewis Act, and I do so because we are not talking about bailing out savings and loans. We are not talking about giving tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent. We are talking about protecting the benefits of hardworking men and women who have worked for decades: truck drivers, bakers, grocery clerks, coal miners, people who have given their all to make sure that our communities continue to live and thrive. I commend Chairman Neal and Chairman Scott, the Democratic leadership, for bringing this bill to the floor. I urge that everybody vote for it. Vote for the men and women who have kept America strong.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the Raise the Wage Act that raises the federal minimum wage to $15, This bill is smart federal policy that will improve the lives of workers and their children across the nation, helping them pay their bills, support their children, and grow our economy via their increased spending power. Many do not remember that--from the outset--the intent was that the minimum wage should be a livable wage, The federal minimum wage was part of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938; critical legislation supporting workers and children by setting a federal minimum wage, requiring time-and-a-half pay, and banning the atrocity of child labor in factories. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt even said, ``It seems to me to be equally plain that no business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country . . . and by living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level--I mean the wages of decent living.'' At a time in our country when the wealth gap is appallingly large, I am proud that the Democratic Leadership is prioritizing a livable wage. For over a decade millions of hardworking Americans worked full-time making just $7.25 an hour. Tipped workers, teen workers, or workers with disabilities have made even less. Current law allows tipped workers to make just $2.13 an hour plus tips, allows teen workers to be paid just $4.25 an hour for their first 90 days, and allows a subminimum wage for people with disabilities, unjustly denying them the equal pay that they deserve. Men and women throughout the nation work full-time yet remain trapped in poverty by their low-wages. According to the American Association of University Women, a single mom raising two kids while working a full-time minimum wage job earns only about $14,500 or $5,000 below the poverty line. Clearly, the current minimum wage is not a living wage but a policy that systematically grows the divide between the poor and the secure, creating barriers for low- income workers to break out of poverty. The minimum wage increase in this bill will help close the wage gap that women--especially African-American and Latina-American women--face due to their disproportionate overrepresentation in tipped employment. Raising the minimum wages also will reduce child poverty. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the increased minimum wage will give raises to 41 million women, 28 percent of whom have children. As many may know, helping low-income workers is a primary legislative priority for me. In my District, almost 31 percent of children live in poverty and half of those children live in extreme poverty, Further, 25 percent of the tax filers in my district are low-income working parents. I see the challenges that these children and their families face first hand. They are hard-working and incredible people trying to better themselves. I reject opponents' arguments that increasing the federal minimum wage will eviscerate jobs. I know first-hand the benefits of an increased minimum wage because the minimum wage in the City of Chicago is $13 an hour, much higher than the federal wage of $7.25. According to the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, the transition to this wage had no impact on the employment rate nor did it negatively affect private businesses. Rather, the higher minimum wage created a higher demand by low-income households for employment. Given the positive outcomes from raising the minimum wage in Chicago and given state-wide economic needs, Governor J.B. Pritzker and our state legislators just raised the state minimum wage to $15--making Illinois, D.C., and five other states national leaders in providing livable wages for their workers. Our new law will help almost 1.4 million Illinoisans currently making less than $15 an hour, lifting thousands out of poverty and growing our economy at the same time. Now today as a Congressman, I proudly cast my vote in support of raising the federal minimum wage to strengthen workers, families, and our economy.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, a man who escaped slavery to become the first black Catholic Priest to establish a Black Catholic Parrish in Chicago, has come a step closer to Sainthood. The Rev. Augustus Tolton along with seven other candidates are now considered seriously on track towards Sainthood after Pope Francis signed a decree that formally recognized that they lived the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity at the Cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance at a heroic level, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Tolton was born in 1854 and was seven when he escaped with his Roman Catholic mother from a Missouri slave owner. Tolton's mother took her children to Illinois where Tolton began his ministry in Chicago. Tolton graduated from St. Peter's in Quincy, Illinois. A German Franciscan Priest arranged for Tolton to attend a Seminary in Rome after no U.S. Seminaries would accept a Black man. He was ordained a Priest in 1886. Three years later, Tolton began his ministry in Chicago. He established St. Monica Catholic Church in Bronzeville. He died in 1897, at the age of 43. Upon hearing the news of Tolton's possible elevation, Cardinal Blase Culpich said in a statement, ``We welcome the news from the Holy Father on the advancement of Father Tolton's cause for Sainthood.'' His struggles to become a priest and his remarkable service to God's people are admirable examples, particularly in these times of the value and dignity of all people. Chicago is blessed to have seen the election of the first Black woman elected into the U.S. Senate, the first Black man as the President of the United States, and we look forward to the addition of the first Black Saint.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my good friend and colleague, Mr. Henderson Yarbrough who has just ended more than forty years of civic, community and political involvement with the Village of Maywood and the County of Cook. Mr. Henderson Yarbrough started work with the Village of Maywood under the leadership of the Honorable Joseph W. Freelon, the Villages' first African American Mayor. As an employee Henderson became immersed in affairs of the community and lived, worked and breathed Maywood. He eventually ran for both trustee and mayor, winning both positions at different times. Henderson Yarbrough has indeed been a role model for the Village of Maywood. He and his family have contributed much to the well-being of this community, the County of Cook and the State of Illinois. He has indicated that he will continue to work with and continue to support his wife Karen as she fulfills her duties as Cook County Clerk, Proviso Township Democratic Committeeman and 7th Congressional District Committeewoman. Although Mr. Yarbrough has retired from public office and from being a public office holder he will continue to be an involved citizen giving of himself to help make the world a better place in which to live.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, to every man, there is a way, a way and a way. The high souls take the highway, and the low souls take the low, while all the rest on the Mistry flats drift to and from. To every man there is a way, a way and a way, and each man decideth which way his soul will go. Ever since I have known Mr. Munir Muhammad, he has been focused on helping people understand the work and the value of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Munir became acquainted with the teachings of Elijah Muhammad in 1972, and never stopped learning. In 1974, he became a member of the nation of Islam and spent much of the rest of his life extolling the virtues and the teachings of the life and works of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. To further and expand his efforts, Munir became an accomplished journalist and community leader. He hosted a regular television show, documentaries, forums and came up with other creative ways to keep the Honorable Elijah Muhammed in the forefront. Mr. Munir Muhammad will be sorely missed, and may he rest in peace.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this bill to eliminate the 40 percent tax on high-quality healthcare benefits. Americans are facing a healthcare affordability crisis. Employers and insurers are already using this tax to justify raising the cost of healthcare for hardworking Americans by increasing copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. In the last decade, annual deductibles for families have exploded by 212 percent, and spending on coinsurance has increased nearly 50 percent. A Kaiser Family survey reveals that these changes create alarming barriers to healthcare for working families, with almost 50 percent of respondents indicating that someone in their family postponed care due to costs. I stand with the 43 national labor unions and the dozens of patient organizations, healthcare advocates, and business leaders who support this important bill to protect healthcare benefits for American workers. Healthcare is a right. I am pleased to support this bill.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to promote awareness of a skin condition for which we have not found a medical cure. Eczema. Eczema is a skin condition that causes red, itchy and inflamed skin and has profound medical, psychological, and economic impact on patients, families, and their communities. The prevalence of Eczema in the United States is 10.1 percent and Eczema impacts over 31.6 million children and adults in the United States alone. Patients afflicted with Eczema experience dry cracked and scaly skin, incessant itch, chronic pain and sleep deprivation. 41.5 percent of adult Eczema patients report having a concurring diagnosis of depression and 47.1 percent report having a concurring diagnosis of asthma. Adults and children with Eczema frequently also experience comorbidities like asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, ADHD, bacterial and viral infections and hypertension. Eczema disease burdens also includes anxiety, stress on social and intimate relationships, increased suicidal ideation delayed developmental achievement, reduced self-esteem, restrictions on diet and exercise, extensive caregiver burdens, challenges with medical adherence and missed school days. Eczema sufferers miss days at work, disability, unemployment and under-employment and other opportunity costs. The direct medical cost of the three most common types of Eczema exceed $2.17 billion and the indirect medical cost exceed $927 million and two thirds of Eczema patients report experiencing significant barriers including high out-of-pocket costs and insurance requirements that delay patients access to medications. There is no cure for Eczema, but emerging technologies and medications promise a much brighter future for Eczema patients. Eczema is a serious health problem and we can't stop until we find a cure.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize the achievements of Mr. Kenneth Hilton (K.H.) Hickman, a proud native and star athlete of Freeport, Illinois; Hickman served in the United States Navy as a Fire Control Technician Third Class (FT3) aboard the USS Bristol 857 Naval Destroyer. The USS Bristol was first commissioned in 1945 and served valiantly during World War II from 1944 to 1946, including involvement at Pearl Harbor on June 9, 1945. From the time of Hickman's enlistment in 1954 to 1958, the USS Bristol was involved in various post-war activities: participation in operation SPRINGBOARD, refresher trainings in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Anti- Submarine Duty with the Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic (ComAntiSubLant), a four month tour with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, involvement in the NATO exercise NEW BROOM V and various HUK operations, and a midshipman to Valpariso via the Panama Canal to engage in even more NATO exercises. Hickman's opportunity to have a well-rounded naval experience while serving his country was extensive and evident aboard the USS Bristol. On the morning of Thursday, July 31, 1958, just two years after graduating from Freeport High School in 1954 and enlisting to serve the U.S. Military, Hickman was lost at sea while serving. During time of his death, the ship had set sail for Bergen, Norway, Balboa, Spain and Hamburg, Germany for a six-week Midshipman cruise and Fleet Exercise. After 61 long years, we celebrate the life and service of Mr. Hickman. The state of Illinois is grateful for his sacrifice and blessed to honor such a public servant who dedicated his young years for a noble cause.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and recognize the achievements of Commander Zeita Merchant, a proud native of Chicago, Illinois; Commander Merchant has served this great nation as an officer of the United States Coast Guard for over 22 years; Commander Merchant served as the Commanding Officer of U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago, where she was responsible for executing the Coast Guard's Port Safety and Security, Marine Environmental Protection, and Commercial Vessel Safety missions under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security on the Southern Lake Michigan shorelines of Illinois and Indiana, as well as the Chicago Area Waterway System and the Illinois River System; and; Commander Merchant made history, in position, as the unit's first female Commanding Officer of her unit and the first African American female to command a Marine Safety Unit in Coast Guard history; Commander Merchant's visionary leadership and operational expertise ensured the safety and security of the Nation's third largest metropolitan area through maximizing federal, state and local partnerships with her galvanizing initiatives and influence, and overseeing prevention and marine environmental responses, which sustained commerce in the busiest port complex in the Great Lakes Region. In addition, Commander Merchant showed notable commitment to making an impact in the Austin Community in which she was raised as a board member for BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development) Chicago, while also serving as a member of the Executive Committee for the Chicago Federal Executive Board, and Community Partner with Chicago State University. Finally, Commander Merchant served as an instrumental champion for the Midwest Boys and Girls Club, Chicago and Northern Illinois American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program, and many other non- profit organizations where the lives of more than 4000 youth, veterans, and community volunteers were positively impacted. Commander Merchant and her life experiences are a testament to what young African American women from Chicago can achieve. The Chicagoland community has been truly blessed to have such a brilliant mind and committed public servant and I wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, I want to thank Representative Burgess and Representative G.K. Butterfield, both of whom have been very helpful in putting this amendment together. The Davis-Burgess-Butterfield bipartisan amendment would increase the funding to the account of the National Center on Birth Defects, Development Disabilities, and Disabilities by $2 million and decrease the administration account in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services by $2 million. Currently, under this account, there is no money allocated for the Public Health Approach to Blood Disorders Program for Sickle Cell Disease. Increasing funding would support the CDC's sickle cell disease surveillance program to better identify affected individuals, to understand their health outcomes, and to evaluate strategies to prevent complications and risk factors that affect individuals living with this devastating disease. The $2 million funding for the Davis-Burgess-Butterfield amendment would assist in establishing a grant program for States representing a majority of the sickle cell disease patient population. The current surveillance conducted by the CDC is limited to the States of California and Georgia. The data accumulated under this grant program, authorized by Public Law 115-327, would cover associated health outcomes, would identify health disparities, and would evaluate the impact of genetic, environmental, behavioral, and other risk factors that may impact health. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.