Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, but I would say as I yield back the balance of my time that sometimes people ask me why this type of resolution is on the floor, and they are wondering what it really means. I often will say to them, if you forget where you come from, then it is hard to understand how you got to where you are, and you really would never understand where you need to be going. So it is important that we look back and reflect upon the history and development of our Nation and continue to acknowledge and revere those things which have made America what it is today. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania. 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. Madam Speaker, I agree with President Bush and all of those who have referred to the postal workers at the Brentwood station as heroes. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington, D.C. (Ms. Norton), who represents her constituents, as well as representing the rest of the Nation, in an outstanding and impeccable way.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have introduced this resolution with the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), and I also want to take this opportunity and this moment to commend him for his leadership as he labored as chairman of the Postal Subcommittee before its dissolution and continues to be a leading voice for postal reform. Hopefully, as a result of his efforts and the efforts of others, we will soon see a postal bill that all Members of Congress can take a hard look at and move us in the direction that the Postal Service really needs to go. I also want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Chairman Burton); the ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman); the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey); and the minority leader, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt), for expediting consideration of this resolution. The resolution before us today simply honors the men and women of the United States Postal Service for the outstanding manner in which they have carried out their duties since the terrorist attacks of September 11. Even though we talk about September 11, we can never forget that the Postal Service has kept America connected since the early days of the Pony Express. The United States Postal Service is a critical element of the Nation's infrastructure. It is the linchpin in the $900 billion mailing industry that employs 9 million people and is responsible for 8 percent of the gross domestic product. Members of the Postal Service visit our homes in rural and urban America 6 days a week. Through rain, sleet, snow, hot weather, shiny weather, they are always there. They deliver for us. The 800,000-plus men and women of the Postal Service are on the front lines of promoting freedom and democracy by binding our Nation together through an elaborate network that touches six major markets: retail, financial services, communications, advertising, logistics, and delivery services. They deliver for us. The men and women of the Postal Service handle approximately 680 million pieces of mail each day. The Postal Service fuels the Nation's economy and delivers hundreds of millions of messages and billions of dollars of financial transactions each day to more than 8 million businesses. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, Americans and especially postal workers have been confronted with a new enemy, a new challenge: anthrax. Enemies are seeking to disrupt our communications system by sending anthrax through the mail. The men and women of the Postal Service have continued to deliver in spite of this threat and the actuality of its being. Since September 11, the Postal Service has delivered about 34 billion pieces of mail. That is about five pieces for each person on Earth. They continue to deliver. Unfortunately, anthrax has touched the lives of some of our Nation's postal workers in a mighty and profound way. To the families of Thomas Morris, Jr., and Mr. Joseph Curseen, postal workers at the Brentwood Postal Facility who died as a result of anthrax infection, our hearts go out to them; and our prayers and gratitude are with them and their families. These two postal workers, as well as thousands and thousands of others, shall never be forgotten. I want to personally salute the more than 5,000 postal workers from the Seventh Congressional District in Illinois. Moreover, I urge all Members and all Americans to take time out to thank the men and women of the United States Postal Service, because they deliver for us. I also want to commend the American Postal Workers Union, the largest postal union, representing approximately 365,000 postal workers, and its newly elected president, Mr. William Burris, for seeking to honor the memory of their deceased brothers. The American Postal Workers Union has designated this week, the week of the Veterans' Day observance, as a time to properly acknowledge that postal workers are heroes, too. The resolution says it is time for us to deliver for the men and women of the post office, and the best way we can possibly do that is by looking at the needs, in a very serious way, of our postal system; by making sure that we provide resources that are needed to make sure that the workplace is safe; and to make sure that men and women who work every day handling the mail can do so without the fear of infection or possibly death. So we say to the postal workers of America, we say that we want to thank them for the work they have done, the work they continue to do. Because of them, America continues to be strong and vibrant and continues to be the great democracy that we know it is. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, in closing, let me just ask all of my colleagues and all Americans to remember those postal workers and others still suffering from inhalation of anthrax. As I understand it, we still have a postal worker who is hospitalized. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, their families friends and coworkers. Madam Speaker, I also want to thank the Postmaster General for agreeing to work with us as we try and get a handle on how to most effectively and safely carry out the work of our Postal Service. Again, I want to thank my ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) and the gentleman from Indiana (Chairman Burton), who have indicated that they will be working with the National Academy of Sciences and the Postal Service as they convene a conference with a panel of experts to discuss and evaluate how to respond to threats in the mail. The conference, being held all day tomorrow, will focus the expertise of the Nation's top scientists on the biological threats confronting the Postal Service. I commend all of the unions, the letter carriers, mail handlers, supervisors unions as well as the APWU for the outstanding work they have done delivering the mail, but also for the outstanding work that they were doing trying to help shape a new system, trying to help make sure that we can reform the Postal Service so that it does not linger and does not have the fear of not being able to carry out its duties and responsibilities. And again, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) for his continuing leadership. It is always indeed a pleasure to work with him. Madam Speaker, I would urge passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) in support of this resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the President should issue a proclamation recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day. Mr. Speaker, in the late 1960s, a Central Intelligence Agency agent known only as Colonel Billy, went into Laos to look for Vang Pao, a Hmong military leader. By the age of 18, Vang Pao had led two raids against the North Vietnamese forces that had penetrated into northern Laos. When Colonel Billy found Vang Pao, he asked him if the Hmong would be willing to help stop the Communist advance in Laos. It is reported that Vang Pao said, ``For me, I cannot live with communism. I must either leave or fight. I prefer to fight.'' Like Vang Pao, thousands of the Lao-Hmong fought against the Communist Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese Army in Laos. Known for their warrior tradition, loyalty and bravery, the Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla Units engaged in direct combat with North Vietnamese troops from 1960 to 1975. The Lao-Hmong conducted tactical guerrilla actions, flew thousands of deadly combat missions in support of the Armed Forces and the CIA, and fought in conventional and guerrilla combat clashes with extreme casualties. Although outnumbered, the Lao-Hmong fought against enemy forces to disrupt the flow of troops and war supplies along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Lao-Hmong protected United States personnel, guarded United States Air Force installations, gathered critical intelligence about enemy operations, and undertook rescue missions to save the lives of downed United States pilots. More than 35,000 of the Lao-Hmong lost their lives defending the democratic way of life and many more were seriously injured and disabled. H. Con. Res. 88 expresses the sense of Congress that the President should issue a proclamation recognizing a National Lao-Hmong Recognition Day. Let us recognize the Lao-Hmong for their fight for freedom and democracy, a fight, yes, Mr. Speaker, that carries on unto this day. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I commend and congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Mollohan) for their outstanding leadership and work on this bill. I rise in support of the rule and in support of the conference report. I am particularly pleased that the report funds renewal of Section 8 contracts due to expire in 2002, and that it funds 25,900 new rental vouchers. I am disappointed by the elimination of the Drug Elimination Grant Program, but understand that these programs will be funded from increases in public housing operating subsidies. I am also pleased that programs for the elderly get a small increase, and that housing programs for the disabled are positively impacted. I had hoped not to see any decreases in funding for distressed public housing and the empowerment zones. I am gratified, Mr. Speaker, to know that we are increasing funding for Veterans Administration programs, and I trust that this means that our VA hospitals and services in the Chicago area will not have to experience drastic cuts in programs and services, and that we do not have to continue the talk of the possibility of closing the Lakeside Veterans Administration Hospital. I commend the committee for increasing by 9.5 percent programs for the homeless and a 7.5 percent increase to help meet the housing needs of persons with AIDS and their families. Mr. Speaker, these are indeed difficult times, and these are definitely times where there are going to be unmet needs. However, in spite of that, the committee has done a good and outstanding job and has a good product. I commend them for their efforts, for their astuteness, and for the balance which they have displayed.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As one who used used to try and emulate those basket catches of Willie Mays, I am pleased to urge strong support for this resolution. 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 must confess that I grew up as a Brooklyn Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals fan; and then after moving to Illinois, I became a White Sox and a Cubs fan. But on Sunday, October 7, I think everybody who loves baseball was a San Francisco Giants fan, because it was on Sunday, October 7, 2001, that Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants outfielder, hit his 73rd home run, a Major League record, and shattered the slugging percentage record that Babe Ruth held since 1920. 16 years ago, Bonds started out as a Pittsburgh Pirate, when he was sixth in Rookie of the Year. Today, Bonds has passed some of baseball's greatest legends on the career home run list. Bonds finished the season with a .328 batting average, career high 137 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of .863, easily surpassing the mark of .847 that Ruth set in 1920. Bonds also broke Ruth's major league record by walking 177 times this season, ending up with an on-base percentage of .515, best in the majors since 1957, and tops in the National League since John McGraw's mark of .547 in 1899. Bonds homered every 6.52 at-bats this season, beating the Major League record of a homer each 7.27 at bats that Mark McGwire set while hitting 70 home runs in 1998. Voted Player of the Decade for the 1990s by the Sporting News, Bonds was the first player ever to win the league's Most Valuable Player award three times in four seasons. This resolution congratulates Barry Bonds for his hard work and extraordinary achievements, and I certainly join with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) in supporting House Resolution 262. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the author of this resolution, who functions with the passion of a gladiator herself and is victorious most of the time in whatever it is that she sets out to do.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). I do not know how many home runs the next speaker has hit, but I can tell my colleagues that he has struck many a blow for human rights and for the rights and liberties of people all over the world.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I simply reiterate my strong support for this excellent legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 2559. It will improve the Federal long-term care insurance program, which was created last year by the Long-Term Care Security Act. Last session, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Scarborough), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings), the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen) worked in a bipartisan way to bring a long-term care insurance program to Federal employees. The Long-Term Care Security Act authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to purchase group long-term insurance policies from qualified private sector contractors, thereby making long-term care insurance available to Federal employees, Federal retirees, and their family members. The corrections to the Long-Term Care Security Act proposed in H.R. 2559 will continue to ensure that the best possible program is being designed for Federal employees. Under the Long-Term Care Corrections Act, all Federal employees entitled to an annuity under the Federal Retirement System will be eligible to participate in the long-term care program, as was intended when the Long-Term Care Security Act was enacted. Additionally, as in the case with the health and life insurance policies issued through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program, long-term care insurance policies issued through the Federal long-term care program would be exempt from premium taxes imposed by States and local governments, making premiums competitive for Federal employees. Obviously, this program improves substantially the health benefits program for Federal employees. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me commend and congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski) for putting forth this resolution. I think it is not only timely, but absolutely important. Mr. Speaker, during the Revolutionary War, Ben Franklin was quoted as saying, ``They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.'' Ben Franklin's words have new meaning today as America engages in a war against terrorism and those who would strip us of our liberty and freedom by threatening our safety. Though Benjamin Franklin stands tall among a small group of men we call our Founding Fathers, he identified with the ordinary citizen and strived to make their lives better. He served as postmaster, helping to set up the postal system in Philadelphia, a system that is today being challenged by biochemical terror attacks. In order to make Philadelphia a safer city, Mr. Franklin started the Union Fire Company in 1736. Those who joined the Union Fire Company in 1736 had the same mission as the brave men and women who ran to their deaths to save lives in two Twin Towers that were ablaze in New York City on September 11. Benjamin Franklin knew all about liberty and freedom. He helped write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was the only person to have signed all four of the documents which helped to create the United States: the Declaration of Independence, 1776; the Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce with France, 1778; the Treaty of Peace between England, France, and the United States, 1782; and the Constitution, in 1787. What would he say about the terror attacks that threaten the very foundation of our country and his and our beliefs? At the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Benjamin Franklin stated: ``We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.'' In these trying and challenging times, we must all hang together as Americans, as people who respect the differences of others, as people who believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2352, which will establish a Commission to recommend to Congress activities to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin. His words and deeds are part of our history, but will help us to overcome the challenges we face today and are sure to face tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Borski). (Mr. BORSKI asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would simply urge passage of this bill, and add that Benjamin Franklin is probably the most quoted of all Americans who ever lived. I grew up in a family where both my mother and father were great Benjamin Franklin fans. They would put us to bed at night and make us go to sleep early and by saying ``Benjamin Franklin said, 'Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.''' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001 will be a day that we shall long remember and never forget, and so I rise in strong support and commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella), and all of those who are cosponsors of this resolution. September 11 we will never forget because we can never forget the many acts of bravery on the part of all those who responded to the call: Firemen, law enforcement officials, volunteers, and people who came from all walks of life to pitch in. So we remember the tremendous sacrifices. But we also remember those who are responding even to this day. Two days ago, I attended a going away party for a young man in my community whose reserve unit was being called up. E-5 Glen Johnson was there with his fiance, members of both their families and friends. It was both a joyful and somber occasion, joyful because Glen had prepared himself and was ready to serve his country, sober because everyone knew the dangers associated with his mission. Mr. Speaker, we paused during those festivities to offer words of safekeeping and words for his safe return. Now we pause to offer a prayer for all of those who are being called to active duty, called to respond to the events of September 11 so that we can try and make sure that our world is safe from terrorism and that what we experienced on that day we will never experience again.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any additional speakers, but I do know the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) had intended to be here and speak on behalf of this bill; and had he been able to make it, I am sure that he would have done so. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of those who have spoken, because through their eloquence, they have permitted us the opportunity to relive the life and legacy of Earl Shinhoster and also to pay tribute and recognize the tremendous work of the NAACP. As a matter of fact, I was in Decatur, Illinois, Saturday with the Illinois chapters and there are so many similarities and so many things are relevant. So I simply thank all of them. I commend the life and the work of Earl Shinhoster. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), who is noted as a contemporary pioneer of the civil rights movement.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield as much time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek). (Mrs. MEEK of Florida 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, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis), in consideration of H.R. 2281, which names a post office in Decatur, Georgia, after Earl T. Shinhoster. H.R. 2261 was introduced by the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney) on June 20, 2001. Earl T. Shinhoster, a native of Savannah, Georgia, was a prominent civil rights leader and Director of the NAACP's Voter Endowment Project, a national voter registration project. He dedicated 30 years of his life to working in various leadership positions with the NAACP, serving as the organization's Acting Executive Director and Chief Economic Officer for 2 years in the mid-1990s. Until his death last year, Mr. Shinhoster was involved in his business, the Shinhoster Group, and served as President of the Sister Cities Association of Greater Decatur, Inc. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney), for introducing this measure to honor such an outstanding individual who spent so much time with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. We all know the role that it has played in the development and protection of civil rights and civil liberties in this country. I would urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney).

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 am pleased to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Jo Ann Davis), in consideration of this postal naming legislation, H.R. 2876, which names a Post Office in Harlem, Montana after Francis Bardanouve, which was introduced by the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg) on September 10, 2001. Francis Bardanouve represented Harlem, Montana for 36 years, most notably as chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. He was labeled a conservative Democrat who began his career in the Montana Legislature House of Representatives in 1959, serving until his retirement a few years ago. I want to thank the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Rehberg) for introducing this measure, and I would certainly urge swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I once again want to commend the gentleman for honoring such an outstanding individual by naming a post office after former Representative Bardanouve. I also want to thank him for educating many of us who did not know that there was a Harlem, Montana. Generally, when we think of Harlem, we think of New York. So we thank the gentleman on both counts. Mr. Speaker, I have no further 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 have no further requests for time, although I note that the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) were desirous of making comments relative to the contributions made by Representative Dixon. I know all of the brothers of our fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, every time they visit California and get an opportunity, each one of them will go by and visit the Julian C. Dixon Post Office. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for her courtesy. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).