Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Let me thank the gentlewoman from Illinois for her comments. As I was listening, I was just sure that not only are the people of the 9th District in Illinois pleased that you are here working on their behalf, but citizens from all over the State of Illinois are pleased to know that they have you as a Member of Congress fighting for their rights and for their communities. So I thank you so very much. The gentlewoman that I would like to next yield time to is not from the State of Illinois, but any time that she would want to come she is always welcome, and especially would she be welcome in the 7th District. But I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from the State of North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks to recognize the unique diversity of our Nation and take full advantage of minority institutions in clinical practice and technology innovation. This amendment simply urges the director to consider utilizing minority institutions such as historically black colleges and universities and Hispanic institutions when awarding such grants regarding health-care technology. Our historically black colleges and universities have produced some of the greatest pioneers in the medical profession, for example, Charles Richard Drew, who was the pioneer of blood plasma preservation, to Ernest Just, who formulated new concepts of cell life and metabolism and pioneered investigations of egg fertilization. Inclusion of minority institutions in medical research has been inadequate. The National Institutes of Health Office of Financial Management reported that in 1997 they spent $12.7 billion on medical research. Of that, $8.46 billion went to higher education institutions. Historically black colleges and universities received just $79.8 million of these dollars, less than 1 percent of the National Institutes of Health higher-education pie. It is our diversity that strengthens us as a Nation. Someone remarked that we are a Nation of communities, of tens and thousands of ethnic, religious, social, business, labor union, neighborhood, regional and other organizations, all of them varied, voluntary and unique; a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky. This amendment merely seeks to capitalize on this Nation's great diversity by making minority institutions eligible and by urging them to seek these grants. I believe that this is an important amendment because it places valuable resources in the hands of institutions that are capable and able to help produce the needed researchers and professionals that this country relies so much upon. I urge adoption of this amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I offer amendment No. 6.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I once again would commend the chairman and ranking member of this committee for the manner in which they have been able to bring this bill before us. Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks to make sure that Congress has the necessary information regarding prevailing health disparities by requiring an annual report to be submitted beginning with the fiscal year 2003 regarding prevailing disparities in health care delivery as it relates to racial factors and socioeconomic factors. Mr. Chairman, racial and ethnic minority populations are among the fastest growing of all communities in America. Unfortunately, as African Americans, Hispanic, American Indians, Asian Americans and other Pacific Islanders in many respects have continued to grow, so too have their disparities in health care. These groups have poorer health and remain chronically underserved by the health care system. Significant gaps in health data still exist, as we have not kept pace with growth of these population groups with health care infrastructure and personnel. Historically, participation in research and data gathering activities on the part of some minority groups has been modest, and especially among African Americans, who are wary of research and researchers, stemming in part from knowledge of the Tuskegee experiment, when the Federal Government withheld a syphilis cure from hundreds of male participants in a study that lasted 4 decades. President Clinton apologized for that experiment last spring, although it occurred long before his watch. Fortunately, new approaches, techniques, guarantees and protective protocols are being put into place and used to make data gathering and research more appealing. These population groups are responding more positively, and we need to make sure that these focuses and activities continue. I am aware that the Secretary of Health and Human Services has announced a plan to end racial disparities in health care and require the collection of data relative to racial factors. However, in this robust economy we have witnessed a widening of the gap in health care disparities. One would hope that we would have been more effective in narrowing the gap between the have's and the have-not's and between minority and majority population groups. In many instances, that has not happened. Age-adjusted breast cancer mortality increased 3.9 percent for black women and declined 15.4 percent for white women between 1985 and 1996. While the number of tuberculosis cases among non-Hispanic whites actually decreased 42.9 percent between 1986 and 1997, the number of reported tuberculosis cases increased 51.1 percent for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and 30.3 percent for Hispanics, according to the Center for Disease Control. I could go on and on and cite statistics relative to the prevalence of prostate cancer in African American men and the increasing rates of HIV-AIDS infection for African American women. In short, we need an annual report to measure whether we are making progress in ending racial disparities in health care and improving the quality of life for all Americans. This report will also underscore where we need to direct our resources and research. In my congressional district, for example, we have 22 hospitals, some of the finest in the country. At the same time, we have 175,000 people living at or below the poverty level. We also have some of the most dire health status indicators in Western civilization. This amendment is designed to try and make sure that we have adequate and accurate information on which to base policy and budgetary decisions. Therefore, I urge support of this amendment and urge its immediate adoption.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, let me first of all commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for the work that they have done on this particular bill. Mr. Chairman, the mission of this bill is to enhance the quality appropriateness and effectiveness of health services and access to those services. The amendment that I offer today is consistent with the underlying mission of the bill. This amendment seeks to address the issue of under-representation of individuals from the priority populations who receive training funds. This amendment merely suggests that the director take into consideration to the extent possible shortages in the number of trained researchers who are members of one of the priority populations and the number of trained researchers who are addressing the priority populations. Mr. Chairman, it is my position that trained individuals with the greatest levels of contact, experiences and interactions with priority populations have a better chance to have acquired keener insight into understanding the characteristics and behaviors of these population groups. That keener insight may help them better understand factors which impede individuals in priority populations from movement towards acquisition of equity in health care and health status. Their greater familiarity with low-income and minority groups may afford them the level of sensitivity that is needed to get them the results which are desired. Mr. Chairman, it is not easy to arrive at the desired results because when we look at the numbers of pre- and post-doctoral fellows, health researchers and medical doctors, the numbers from priority populations are very low and, in some instances, are in danger of even getting lower. According to Dr. Robert G. Petersdor, President of the Association of Medical Colleges, in 1992, he stated that not only have we not made any progress since the mid-1970s toward our goal of providing equitable access to medical school for students from all of society, we have been losing ground. For example, in 1996 there were reported to be 737,734 physicians in this country: 373,539 or 50.6 percent were of the majority population, 13,759 or 1.8 percent were black, 21,841 or 3.0 percent were Hispanic, 48,913 or 6.6 percent were Asian Oriental, 225 or .0003 or three tenths of one thousandth percent were American Native Alaskan, 11,943 or 1.6 percent with others, and 267,544 or 36.0 percent were unknown. Of course, the American Medical Association only had racial and ethnic data on about 64 percent of all the physicians in the United States. In 1996, there were 100 fewer under-represented minorities accepted into medical schools and only 10 percent of all medical school graduates were members of these under-represented minority groups who make up a total of approximately 28 percent of the total U.S. population. We ought to make every effort to find individuals from these populations; and, in addition, we must make sure that these priority populations are adequately covered in terms of the number of trained researchers. It is my understanding that the Department of Health and Human Services supports this amendment and agrees that this effort must be made. Therefore, I would urge its immediate adoption.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 202 because of the tremendous need which exists throughout this country for decent and affordable housing, especially for senior citizens. There is tremendous un-certainty among many seniors who are fearful that their housing subsidies will not exist and that they will have no place to live. The banking and financial services committee is to be commended for having worked out a bi-partisan solution which protects existing resident of federally assisted housing from being forced out of their homes when landlords choose to oft-out of federal housing subsidy contracts. It also modifies federal elderly and disabled housing programs to preserve, modernize and increase such housing and to expand the availability of services to elderly and disabled residents. This bill does in fact help preserve and enhance a program which does a tremendous amount of good; therefore, I am pleased to support and urge its adoption.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. I, too, rise in support of this resolution to recognize this week as National Black College Week. I also want to take the opportunity to commend and congratulate my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland, for the outstanding work that he has done, not only on behalf of black colleges and universities, but on behalf of people throughout these United States of America. For more than 150 years, the historically black colleges and universities have played a vital role in providing students with an exceptional education. These institutions have significantly increased educational access for thousands of economically and socially disadvantaged Americans, particularly young African Americans. HBCU students have gone on to be recognized as a strong influence for the common good, both on campus and in the communities where they are located. I know firsthand the value of historical black colleges and universities, for I, along with three of my brothers, four of my sisters, four nephews, four nieces, and I guess a host of cousins all attended a historically black college, which is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. In fact, three members of my staff across the street all graduated from historically black colleges and universities, Morehouse, Central State, and Fiske. Mr. Speaker, this week is definitely a good week to recognize HBCUs and their contributions to society, but it is also a good time to recognize and pinpoint some of their needs. For many years, historically black colleges and universities as a whole have made ways when there were no ways, have had to make do, wondering how they were going to make it. As a matter of fact, I recall the President of my university from time to time calling meetings of students to talk about whether or not we were going to be able to make it through the year. He was not only an educational genius, but a most compassionate man, President Lawrence Arnett Davis. We called him Prexie. So many of us had very little money. I never will forget going to college with $20 in my pocket on my 16th birthday, wondering how I was going to make it. How would I do it? But because of the compassion of the individuals who were there, because of their recognition of me, because of their understanding, I was obviously able to attend, to graduate, and then to move on and become a Member of the most august body perhaps on the face of this Earth, the United States Congress. So I will always have gratitude for the important role that these institutions have played, but I will also always pledge to do everything in my power to make sure that other young people who are uncertain about their future will have the opportunity to experience the offerings of these tremendous institutions.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to a new business which is locating and office on my Congressional District. La Agencia de Orci and Asociados, is one of the most successful Hispanic owner and operated advertising agencies in the United States and I pay tribute to them for their vision and commitment to better serve the needs of the Hispanic/Latino and other communities. Established in 1986, in Los Angeles, California, La Agencia de Orci and Asociados opened offices (today), in Chicago, Illinois at 401 N. Michigan Avenue to better provide service to its clients in the Midwest and throughout the Country. The people and the business community of Chicago, unique in their diversity, will greatly benefit from La Agencia's innovative marketing philosophies such as ``Share of Heart.'' Acknowledged as 1998, Established Business of the Year by the Latin Business Association, La Agencia clients include Allstate Insurance, American Honda, Bell Atlantic, Hormel Foods, Ricosito Corn, Shell Oil and Washington Mutual. This tribute is to recognize and honor the individuals who have demonstrated leadership, volunteerism and dedication. La Agencia de Orci Partners, Hector Orci and Norma Orci, founders and co-chairs, Roberto Orci, President, and Mariene Garcia, Executive Vice-President are committed to their industry leadership. La Agencia was instrumental in forming the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (AHAA) with Hector Orci elected as its founding President. Actively engaged in building relationships with organizations in meaningful ways, La Agencia consistently develops solutions that make a positive difference for individuals and communities throughout our country. La Agencia and their 83 agency associates actively participate in cultural and civic programs by providing award winning probono advertising to the United Way, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). The National Association of Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Census 1990 and 2000, and the Children's Bureau of Southern California. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying tribute to La Agencia de Orci as they continue their extraordinary commitment to the community. They have earned and deserve our recognition, respect, and praise.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to an individual who spent his life not just preaching about the needs of the poor, but by doing something in meaningful ways to help meet the needs of the poor. Rev. Robert Taylor was a priest, a licensed clinical social worker and what we commonly call a community activist. Father Taylor was an Episcopal Priest for decades in Chicago, he was one of the 15 priests fined and sentenced to jail after they had led a prayer pilgrimage in Jackson, Mississippi to protest segregation in 1961. Father Taylor spent about three weeks in jail but breach of peace charges were dropped. St. Leonard's is a halfway house located on Washington and Hoyne on the westside of Chicago, in the Henry Horner Housing Project area across the street from the Mile Square Community Health Center where I worked for a number of years. Father Taylor began working at St. Leonard's House in the 1950's with ex-convicts and also worked as a chaplain at Cook County Jail. by the end of the decade, he had helped to build St. Leonard's from a small service for only a handful of ex- convicts to a well-regarded refuge for men looking to rebuild their lives. In 1963, he was appointed executive director and led St. Leonard's House until 1970. When he first got involved with St. Leonard's House, Father Taylor lived with his wife and children at the westside halfway house in the midst of what was usually called a ghetto. He opened himself up to ex- offenders and helped them to get jobs. ``He was one of the greatest priests I've ever known,'' said Father Jones. ``When he gave his heart and soul to the ex-prisoners they learned that people were not all down on them.'' Father Taylor later joined the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago in 1980, as the director of the Office of Pastoral Care, in 1987, he became director of program and mission for the diocese. For years he worked with his wife, also a social worker, and together they helped scores of people overcome alcohol and drug addictions. When you give of yourself that is when you truly give. Robert Taylor, an advocate for the poor, truly gave of himself.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following for the Record. Whereas, the Almighty God has called to her eternal rest, Ms. Ethel Roberson, and Whereas, Ms. Ethel Roberson, for many years was an active resident of the Austin Community and openly participated in civic, community and political affairs; and Whereas, Ms. Roberson was mild mannered, easy to interact with and did not often raise her voice, she was nevertheless, strong, effective and not to be taken lightly. Large urban inner city communities are often difficult places to live and have been difficult to save and maintain. The Austin Community on the Westside of Chicago has been such an area; but today, it is strong, vibrant, struggling, fighting back and holding on because of people like Ms. Roberson. Ethel, you have been a role model and your quiet spirit and determination shall continue to live on. We love, respect, bless and revere you.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most committed, most dedicated and most courageous public interest advocates this country has ever known, Mr. Otto McMath. Whereas, the Almighty God has called to his eternal rest, my friend and neighbor, Mr. Otto McMath; and whereas, for more than twenty years, Mr. Otto McMath was an integral part of the staying power of the South Austin Coalition Community Council; and whereas, the South Austin Coalition Community Council, is one of the most effective organizations of its kind; and whereas, Otto McMath and his neighbors have been instrumental in developing, promoting, and generating funds for the Low Energy Assistance Program, fighting back against redlining and other forms of economic discrimination and in developing community policing and neighborhood safety programs. As a member of SACCC, Mr. McMath's acts of heroism are legendary. He was never a limelighter; but could always be counted upon to rise to the occasion when the need presented itself. Mr. McMath had a serious understanding of community interest and functioned with a high level of principle. He was never one to go along to get along or to make decisions on the basis of individual self interest or expediency. He was a true warrior, a true soldier and a true hero for the people. I thank you Otto McMath. You knew how to live and you have died with dignity.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to an outstanding mother, community activist, leader and citizen who fit the category of unsung heroine. Ms. Anna Mae Box was born on January 5, 1928, on the westside of Chicago to Earlie and Lula Woods and lived there for the rest of her life. She grew up, went to Alfred Tennyson Elementary, John Marshall High and Chicago State University. On December 7, 1942, she married Mr. Eugene Box Sr., and in 1959, they moved to 4114 W. Arthington Street in Chicago, where they raised their children and spent the rest of their lives. As a resident of 4114 W. Arthington, Ms. Box became a dedicated community worker, striving to prevent erosion of values and urban decay. She worked untiringly with Presentation Catholic Church and School and the Daniel Webster Public School. When the Chicago Public School System began a program of aggressively pursuing involvement and participation of citizens, Ms. Box became one of the very first school community representatives and all of the schools in her district came to know and to love her. I too, Mr. Speaker, was privileged to know, love and respect both her and her family, because for many years I lived in the very small community, two blocks over. Therefore, my knowledge is first hand. Her vibrancy and spirit of positivity was a highlight of her presence, her work and her being. On September 18th, 1999, upon initiation by the Honorable Michael D. Chandler, Alderman of the 24th ward, the Chicago City Council will be renaming the 4100 block of West Arthington Street, to Anna May Box Street. I salute this act to honor the life, work and legacy of a great woman and wish her family well as they carry on in her tradition. Edwina Box- McGee, Willie Box, Jr, Patricia Box-Baker and all of the family have my best wishes as you celebrate and renew your own commitments to community service.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Kelly amendment and in opposition to the proposed VA-HUD budget. I do so for a number of reasons. First of all, I have some serious concerns about the proposed benefits for veterans, especially in the area of health care and housing. Almost every 3 or 4 months there is a discussion, there is a rumor, there is a report that one of the Veterans' Administration hospitals in my district is going to close. This raises the level of uncertainty among veterans in terms of whether or not they are going to be able to get the care that they so rightly deserve. Neither do I believe that now is the time to decrease funding for space, environmental protection, FEMA, or the National Science Foundation. However, Mr. Chairman, I take this time also to express strong opposition to the proposed cuts in the budget for HUD. This bill proposes to cut $945 million less for HUD housing than was available in fiscal year 1999. This bill provides for $982 million less than requested. No funding is provided for new vouchers to provide assistance to additional families. It cuts public housing modernization by 15 percent, drug elimination grants by 6 percent, Hope VI, and generally distressed housing revitalization by 8 percent, housing opportunities for people with AIDS by 4 percent, community development block grant monies by 6 percent, community development block grant loan guarantees by 14 percent, Brownfields clean-up and development 20 percent less, lead-based paint abatement 13 percent less, fair housing activities 2 percent less, and the HOME program 1 percent less. Under this bill, Chicago, Illinois, the center of the Midwest, will lose $6,982,000; 527 jobs; 442 fewer housing units for low-income families; 77 fewer housing units for people with AIDS; 1,000 vouchers for Section 8; 33,000 fewer home buyers. It takes away support services for 43,000 homeless people. Thirty thousand homeless people will have no emergency beds, and 6,500 people with AIDS will be without services. And 212,500 people overall will not have any aid which they could get without these cuts. There is indeed a rental housing crisis in America, and this bill falls $1.6 billion short of U.S. needs. And without these greatly needed 100,000 Section 8 vouchers, matters will become significantly worse. So, Mr. Chairman, you see, this bill, while well-meaning, while thorough efforts have been made to analyze it, while serious attention has been given to it, the real fact of the matter is that it undercuts the very basic needs and services of those constituents that it was designed to help. So I would urge that we go back ultimately to the drawing board. It does not provide veterans with the care that they need. It does not provide the level of assurance that veterans need to have. So again, I reiterate my support for the Kelly amendment and urge its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Gutierrez amendment to increase HUD Brownfields Redevelopment activities, to increase HUD's HOME program, and to increase funding for HUD's Homeless Assistance Grants. Many of our inner-city communities throughout the country are replete with industrial wasteland in need of reclamation and redevelopment. There is tremendous need for homeless assistance, need to increase affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. Each and every day, thousands of citizens throughout the country go out looking for affordable housing only to be told that there is none available.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I too agree with the chairman that space exploration is important, but so is it important that people in our communities have affordable places to live, to work, to grow and develop so that they too can help explore space.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I think it is clear that police brutality and misconduct are serious matters in many communities throughout America. The Congressional Black Caucus is seriously interested in and concerned about this problem. We simply want to have the information available so that the Attorney General can investigate practices and patterns that may involve police brutality and misconduct. Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), if I could.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the Chairman's willingness to engage in this colloquy. As the chairman knows, Section 210402 of the Crime Control Act of 1994 requires the Attorney General to acquire data about the use of excessive force by law enforcement officers, and shall publish an annual summary report. I am concerned that this requirement is not getting the priority treatment within the Department of Justice that it needs to produce an effective report.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the amendment that we offer today, the Davis-Meek-Rush amendment, merely requires that the Attorney General put into practice what is already existing law. It does not impose any new requirements or change existing law. The 1994 Crime Control Act requires the Attorney General to collect data from State and local law enforcement agencies relative to complaints regarding the use of excessive force. We find it necessary to introduce this amendment because efforts to get this data from the more than 17,000 law enforcement agencies, to date, by the Attorney General have been less than satisfactory. It is my understanding that there have been efforts that could have made this information available, but, instead of requiring that it be provided, it has been asked for on a volunteer basis. We find that totally unacceptable. It does not provide the information that is needed. We want to make sure that local authorities are providing the information relative to the level of complaints about police brutality and misconduct. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, this rule represents a cold- hearted approach to the needs of the homeless, including 6,500 veterans who will be left in the lurch. Public housing is cut down from the President's request, community development block grant programs, which help to rebuild low- and moderate-income communities and enhance the quality of life, are all cut. This is a weak response to the needs of the most vulnerable and is a disservice to the men and women who have made great sacrifices to serve their country. It is a bad rule, it is a bad bill. I urge that we vote ``no.''