Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland as well as the gentleman from Arizona; and after listening to their comments and expressions of concern, I ask, Mr. Chairman, unanimous consent to withdraw my amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), for their cooperation with this amendment. The amendment that I am offering today is designed to assure travelers that they will be treated fairly when going through Customs. Recently, there have been numerous incidents of allegations of searches at airports throughout our country that have resulted in humiliation and pain for the individuals involved. Incidences of racial profiling and misconduct by law enforcement have shaken the faith of many people with regard to our judicial system. The erosion of any segment of our population's confidence in law enforcement agencies can lead to anarchy. Mr. Chairman, the United States Customs Service has an important job to do in terms of keeping out illegal contraband as well as interdicting drugs. However, this job must be done with protection of human rights and civil rights intact. Strip searches and racial profiling are humiliating, dehumanizing and degrading. When these strip searches disproportionately effect Africans, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Asian Americans or any other segment of our society, then we must ask the question, why? Are African Americans more prone to be drug carriers or to smuggle in illegal contraband? I do not think so. However, we believe that it is important that the U.S. Customs be required to keep data on who is strip searched and that it be made available to Congress. We cannot and should not fund agencies that intimidate, degrade and dehumanize our citizens. Let me share with my colleagues a story of a few individuals who happened to be strip searched. After a long flight from Hong Kong, Amanda Baritca was just looking forward to getting a good night's sleep, but as she arrived at the San Francisco International Airport and prepared to pass through Customs she was subjected to the most humiliating, degrading experience of her life. Without any explanation she was subjected to an intensive strip search. She was told, ``Take off your clothes, bend over.'' The inspector found nothing. She was forced to take powerful laxatives. The inspector found nothing. She was x-rayed, and still Customs found nothing. Throughout such humiliation she was never even allowed a phone call. Twenty-four hours later, after finding no drugs, she was released. Amanda's story is just one of many stories that could be told, but the fact of the matter is, as these unfortunate stories are told, they are not isolated. More than 60 women were recently brought together to share their horror stories. One woman described the experience as feeling like she was raped. These 60 women all shared one thing in common. None of them had any drugs. At O'Hare and Atlanta's Hartsfield airports class action lawsuits have been filed by women who have alleged that they were illegally strip searched. The over 600 million passengers who go through Customs deserve to know that their rights will be protected while at the same time knowing that our vigilance is maintained in fighting drugs. I want to commend Commissioner Kelley for beginning to do something about this issue. However, I do believe that class action lawsuits have had something to do with it. I think it time that we make sure that every person traveling our airways and railways know that they will be treated fairly; and hopefully we can deal with this in such a way, Mr. Chairman, that it will not be necessary to go through with this amendment. And I would like to invite comment from the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) at this time and from the gentleman from Maryland Mr. Hoyer).

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Stearns amendment and in support of the Slaughter-Horn amendment to add $10 million to the National Endowment for the Arts and $10 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Mr. Chairman, these are small sums of money in actuality, but the reality is that the arts and humanities are such important components of American life that in ways that oftentimes it is difficult to see they perform invaluable services, bringing people together who otherwise would never interact with each other, giving people an opportunity to share history and culture, bringing people from different sectors of communities and walks of life into the same setting. I could imagine what it would be like without the arts and humanities bridging some of the gaps that exist in our society. I know very minor sounding programs like Imagine Chicago, which brings people from all over the city into groups, are programs that are so simple but yet so complex, yet so effective and yet so cost-conscious. I would urge us to recognize the tremendous value of the arts and humanities, recognize the value of a Peace Museum, the value of just a little bit going a long way. I urge support for the Slaughter-Horn amendment and urge that we reject the Stearns amendment to cut funding for these invaluable programs.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Sanders amendment. I agree with those who have debated and those who have discussed that it is very difficult to get too many things out of too little money. But I have always been told that the greatness of a society is known by how well it treats its old, how well it treats its young, and how well it looks after those who have difficulty looking after themselves. When we talk about restoring the $13 million to the weatherization program, we are actually talking about providing resources, in many instances, to the neediest members of our society. I come from a congressional district where there are 175,000 people who live at or below the poverty level. I come from a congressional district where there are large numbers of elderly, where there are large numbers of children. I also come from Chicago, the home of the hawk, the Windy City, one of the coldest areas that one will experience during winter, one of the hottest areas that one will experience during summer, and an old city, a city where many of the buildings were constructed, many of the homes were built 100 years ago, and so the energy easily escapes the building. The weatherization program has been one of the most effective programs that we have had. It has provided an opportunity for people to experience warmth in the winter and for senior citizens to have a little bit of relief during the summer. I know the difficulty, and I will agree with those who suggest that we have to balance small amounts of money. But I would implore this body to follow the dictates of the idea that, when we help those most in need, we are doing the work of the Master. I urge support for the Sanders amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a friend, a colleague and a tremendous public interest human being, Judge Charles Watkins, Jr., who recently passed away. Judge was much too young to die, and yet he did probably because like many other men and especially African American men, did not adequately look after his health. Judge was getting ready to retire from his position as a distinguished professor at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Judge was born in Vandalia, La. in a family of ten children. He like most of his peers was taught the value of hard work. Therefore, after high school, Judge entered the military, did his time, came out and went to college to study medical laboratory technology. He got married, and he and his wife HermaJean, had three children, Debbie, Judge C. Watkins III (Chuckie), and Carlos. Judge continued his education and eventually earned a Doctorate's Degree. Judge had a strong work ethic and worked two and sometimes three jobs for practically all of his adult life. He worked in the blood bank at the University of Illinois, was Director of the Laboratory at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Neighborhood Health Center and developed the medical laboratory technology program at Malcolm X College where he taught for thirty years. Judge was a hardnosed union activist, helped to organize the Cook County College Teachers Union and served as its vice president for 21 years. Notwithstanding all of his professional accomplishments, Judge was most known for his involvement in public activity and his willingness to reach out and help others. He was a participating member of the United Baptist Church and served as chairman of the 7th Congressional District Political Action Committee and was a vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Judge was tough, tenacious and a skilled labor negotiator who could stand like a rock and not be moved. Although he had reached a high level of professional and social prominence, he lived among and worked with people in low-income communities which at one time was characterized by the Chicago Tribune as home for the permanent underclass. He enjoyed the simple things of life, church with his family, backyard barbeques, trips back to Arkansas and Louisiana, family re- unions, poker games with the boys, interacting with his peers and students, attending community meetings or just sitting at home with his family. Judge lived his life at the top of the class and shall always be remembered like a tree planted by the river of water. He would not be moved, he would not be compromised and he shall not be forgotten.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chairman, I take this opportunity to express my support for H.R. 10, although reluctantly. In spite of and notwithstanding the good premises of this bill, I am concerned that it does not go far enough in its protection and/or expansion of Community Reinvestment. I represent one of the most diverse districts in the nation, the 7th District of Illinois. It contains many of the very wealthy and many of the very poor. Moderately stable, upscale and low- income communities, sixty-eight percent of all public housing in Chicago. Community Reinvestment requirements have been a pipeline and a lifesaver for the inner-city south and westside of my District. It has saved communities and revitalized neighborhoods. It is amazing to me that, as we debate such a revolutionizing, and modernizing bill, that this House has failed to use this opportunity to elevate the Community Reinvestment Act to its appropriate level. Since its enactment in 1977, the CRA has made sure that our banks would reach our country's poor communities. At the time of CRA's enactment, banks and thrifts held \2/3\ of all financial industry assets, today that number has fallen to \1/4\ of financial assets. This steady erosion of CRA's financial base has the possibility to threaten the future of the Act's effectiveness. Today, the specter of reduced CRA effectiveness looms over H.R. 10. This bill could allow banks to move their money into their securities and insurance affiliates where the CRA cannot reach. In my district, where nearly 175,000 individuals live at or below the poverty level, CRA has been the most effective means by which they have been able to purchase their home, or start their own business. But now, as a result of H.R. 10's failure on the CRA, banks' ties to the local community will be diminished, and the needs of the poor may not be met. For those living in places like the West Side of Chicago, maintaining a strong CRA will make all the difference in world. Though I agree that the time has arrived to tear down the walls that divide the banking, securities, and insurance industries, there is no reason that the new conglomerates that this bill will spawn should not also be subject to CRA. Though H.R. 10 does not include any changes that will specifically alter CRA, without being amended, H.R. 10 can deteriorate the financial base of CRA coverage. That a basic banking service, whether offered through a parent bank or through a subsidiary bank or a bank holding company, should affect its coverage under the CRA does not make sense. Even if we pass H.R. 10 in its current form, we must recognize a need to expand the current CRA laws to include all institutions that are engaged in banking practices so that CRA's effectiveness in revitalizing low income communities will never be diminished. As long as I am a member in Congress, I will stand guard over the CRA and make sure financial service companies respect the intent and purpose of the CRA.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1218, the Child Custody Protection Act which could more appropriately be called: The Teen Endangerment Act. Specifically, I rise to speak against the criminal sanctions this bill would impose on grandmothers, aunts and clergy, responsible adults a child might turn to if they feel uncomfortable talking to their parents or they have a reason they cannot talk to their parents. This law punishes the 1 million American teenagers who become pregnant each year, and it punishes the adults who seek to assist these children in their time of need. Proponents of this bill would say these teens could go to a judge for a judicial bypass. To this I say, if they cannot tell their parents, how can they tell a judge? Can my colleagues imagine how intimidating this would be to a young woman? How would she even know where to find a judge? The fact is, young women who do not and cannot tell their parents have important reasons such as their parents are alcoholics, they are emotionally or physically abusive, or the pregnancy is the result of incest. If we pass this bill, what do we tell people like Keishawn, an 11-year-old who was raped by her father? What do we tell the family of Becky Bell, who died from an illegal abortion because a State law prevented her receiving the help? I know what we can tell Keishawn's Aunt Vicky: ``We should have sent you to jail for helping this child.'' And we should tell Becky Bell's family: ``We know that a similar law killed your child, but we are going to make it Federal anyway.'' We who oppose this bill encourage young women to involve their parents when they face this monumental crisis, when we consider the fact that most young people will talk to their parents but then there are those who cannot. So if we pass this law, what we are doing is making the most difficult decision that a young person would ever have to make more painful, more lonely and more difficult for them.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a real hero. No, he did not hit 70 home runs, steal any bases, slam dunk any basketballs, nor was he an actor. No, he was for real. He was Wardell Yotaghan, a man who lived and worked, who spent his life trying to make life better for people who lived in public housing. Mr. Yotaghan died of a heart attack at the age of 53, much too young, before his time; but that's not unusual for African-American males. Black men have the lowest life expectancy rate of any large group in America. Wardell did not live long, but he lived well. He lived well enough to help countless others through very difficult times. His wife said, ``He went 24 hours a day,'' and understood that what he did would ultimately help him and his family as well. In the early 1990's, Wardell helped lead a campaign that resulted in the Federal Government granting some Chicago Housing Authority residents a level of control over their own buildings. Wardell filled many roles over the years, including president of his building at 2450 W. Monroe. His wife said, ``Wardell was like a father to the people here.'' They wouldn't make a move unless they talked to him, wouldn't sign anything unless they confirmed it with Wardell. Everybody knew that he would do the right thing. Wardell worked at Malcolm X College as a security aide and for 10 years was a Cook County Sheriff's Deputy. Here was a man who truly understood what leadership was really about. ``First of all, servant of all,'' he has now transcended all and leaves a wonderful wife Marie, who shared in his work, three daughters, two sons, two sisters, and eight grandchildren. Wardell died, but his will and drive to save Public Housing will continue to live on. Wardell was able to bring people together, was full of patience and has a genuine desire to see democracy work. He was love in action.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.J. Res. 33, a proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the United States to ban the desecration of the Flag. I feel this amendment runs contra to the spirit of America's Founding Fathers. When the British sought to oppress the colonies, they attacked the ability to speak freely, they sought to snuff out any different opinions, snuff out that which makes a democracy strong. From this blatant oppression came the impetus for the first Amendment, our Founding Fathers felt so strongly that we should be able to speak our mind regarding political process they embedded the right in our Constitution's Bill of Rights. Now, after 200 years, they seek to change this cherished principle. I love my flag, but I love it for what it stands for and the principles it represents. People have died for the principles the flag represents, not for the cloth which it is made. Burn the symbol of our country, tear it up, and we only become stronger, more dedicated to the principles the flag represents. An attack against our flag is really an affirmation of our Nation and all that we as a people stand for. Our courts told us burning the flag is a protected form of free speech and we must respect this. The American Flag is an exceptional symbol of an extraordinary nation that has protected personal liberty for more than 200 years. We must recognize that the flag is an icon, only an icon, and our beliefs and principles are the rock on that we stand.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution, which is designed to raise public awareness of prostate cancer. Prevention, access to health care, awareness, early detection, all of these are ingredients which help save lives. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among American men, causing over 39,000 deaths a year. Unfortunately for African American men, prostate cancer rates are the highest in the world. In the last 5 years, the death rate for prostate cancer has more than doubled the death rate of breast cancer, which is extremely high and must be acted upon immediately. Unfortunately for African American males, this is one of the most deadly diseases in the world. I want to take this opportunity to thank those churches, community organizations and other groups in my district who have been promoting awareness by putting into their Sunday bulletins messages about men getting checkups and physicals and going to the doctor. My father is 88 years old, recently diagnosed a few years ago with prostate cancer, but is a survivor and is alive because of the early detection. Mr. Speaker, I urge that we support these two measures.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Wardell Yataghan, a gentleman who recently passed away and was president of the Resident Council of Rockwell Gardens, a public housing development in Chicago and a founder of the Coalition to Save Public Housing. Wardell, unfortunately, died too soon, but he gave his life as an inspiration and as a light for those who live in public housing. And I think as a testament to him, I want to urge that we continue to support public housing in the United States.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Conyers' Democratic Substitute Amendment to H.R. 2122, the Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act. Today, in this sacred chamber, we have an opportunity to address this nation's most pressing problem, gun violence, in a meaningful and effective fashion. We have a mandate from the people to take action that stems the tide of violence that is sweeping across our nation from Washington, DC to Chicago and LA. The biggest victim of this tide of violence is our children. From Chicago's west side to Colorado and over to Georgia, we have felt the pain of lost precious lives. Now, before we lose another precious life, we must take meaningful action. Today, we have the opportunity to put in place meaningful gun control legislation, a task that we failed to complete last nite. Lets close the gun show loophole, lets ban the importation of large ammunition clips, lets raise the age to possess a handgun and semi-automatic weapon, lets make sure that every gun is sold with a safety device, lets adopt the Conyers' substitute. Why do we need these protections. Well I'll tell you why, in Chicago we have a gun problem, our children are shooting children. In 1997 firearms were used in over \3/4\ of the murders committed in Chicago. What makes this statistic so disturbing is that over half of the persons committing murder were under the age of 21. In 1997 Chicago had 246 murders of people under the age of 21 and there were 290 people under the age of 21 charged with committing murder. Chicago contributes more than its fair share of children to a terrible statistical category: children killed too soon by hand guns, and it must stop. How can we in good conscious let this situation go on. Did you know that since 1969 that firearms are the leading cause of death among African-American youths? For thirty years handguns have been killing African-American youth and we still debate whether or not we need this common sense gun legislation. When will we take this necessary action? Now is not the time for loopholes in the bill that's trying to close loopholes. No one here is saying that someone can't own a gun, all they are saying is you have to wait, that your background must be checked out, and that children should not have guns. These are simple, straight forward, common sense proposals. Lets do it and make America safer and better. Lets not fail America's children again, lets take this opportunity to the right thing and pass meaningful gun reform.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let me, first of all, thank the gentleman from Indiana for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important resolution. I do so because despite the rosy vision of our economy, which some believe has brought prosperity to all Americans, the fact remains that millions of Americans are unemployed, are underemployed. Decent jobs and other economic opportunities are desperately needed in low-income, cash- strapped communities. If the future looks bright for some, there are millions of others who obviously are not looking through that same lens. The fact of the matter is that in my congressional district, in the Seventh District of Illinois, there are 175,000 people who live at or below the poverty level. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I and 100 other Members of this body have joined in sponsoring the American Community Renewal Act, H.R. 815. Mr. Speaker, community economic development requires one to examine the reality of one's community, including the economic and social activities of its residents, small businesses and other organizations. Traditionally, government agencies often use tax incentives and regulations to attract large businesses. That is because many Members think big business brings prosperity. This thinking has resulted in destructive competition among States and local areas to attract and retain these businesses. The fact of the matter is only so many large businesses and corporations exist to go around. Not every community can have one. However, every community has a family-owned and operated small business. Every community has a church that actively participates in the lives of its people. ACRA directs government support to these valued resources, holding onto the idea that community residents should be the first people to benefit. This is no absolute panacea, but I can tell the Members, in spite of all the conversations that we hear, there are communities all across America that are dying on the vine because they cannot get the resources into those communities to the people who need them. While I strongly believe in the First Amendment, while I strongly believe in the separation of church and State, I am not convinced that by allowing programs to be operated by individuals who have Christian principles, who believe in certain values and are willing to espouse those, as it has already been indicated, Mr. Speaker, there is an opt- out provision, and this program does not require or this legislation does not require anyone to come into any program. That would be established. However, it does allow programs that have proven to be effective where in addition to the professional modalities that are used people also inject faith into them. So with all due respect to my colleagues who see this differently, it is my hope, my desire, and my wish that we would support this resolution, that we would support the American Community Renewal Act, and give an additional tools to those communities that nobody else has found a way to save.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I have been to the funerals of too many young people who were gunned down by others with semiautomatic weapons. I have been through Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and Chicago Rehabilitation Hospital. I have seen too many young people paralyzed before they get an opportunity to realize what life is all about. I have seen the agony, the frustration, the pain of people in neighborhoods and communities afraid to come out of their houses at night. We must do the only sane, sensible thing on this day. We did not do it last night. Do it today, vote for the Conyers substitute. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Conyers' Democratic substitute amendment to H.R. 2122, the Mandatory Gun Show Background Check Act. Today, in this sacred chamber, we have an opportunity to address this Nation's most pressing problem, gun violence, in a meaningful and effective fashion. We have a mandate from the people to take action that stems the tide of violence that is sweeping across our Nation from Washington, DC to Chicago and LA. The biggest victim of this tide of violence is our children. From Chicago's west side to Colorado and over to Georgia, we have felt the pain of lost precious lives. Now, before we lose another precious life, we must take meaningful action. Today, we have the opportunity to put in place meaningful gun control legislation, a task that we failed to complete last nite. Let's close the gun show loophole, let's ban the importation of large ammunition clips, let's raise the age to possess a handgun and semi-automatic weapon, lets make sure that every gun is sold with a safety device, lets adopt the Conyers' substitute. Why do we need these protections. Well I'll tell you why, in Chicago we have a gun problem, our children are shooting children. In 1997 firearms were used in over \3/4\ of the murders committed in Chicago. What makes this statistic so disturbing is that over half of the persons committing murder were under the age of 21. In 1997 Chicago had 246 murders of people under the age of 21 and there were 290 people under the age of 21 charged with committing murder. Chicago contributes more than its fair share of children to a terrible statistical category: children killed too soon by hand guns, and it must stop. How can we in good conscience let this situation go on. Did you know that since 1969 that firearms are the leading cause of death among African-American youths? For 30 years handguns have been killing African-American youth and we still debate whether or not we need this common sense gun legislation. When will we take this necessary action? Now is not the time for loopholes in the bill that's trying to close loopholes. No one here is saying that someone can't own a gun, all they are saying is you have to wait, that your background must be checked out, and that children should not have guns. These are simple, straight forward, common sense proposals. Let's do it and make America safer and better. Let's not fail America's children again, let's take this opportunity to the right thing and pass meaningful gun reform.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, due to business in the District, I was unavoidably detained in Chicago. As a result, I missed roll votes number 210, 211, 212, 213. Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on 210 ``nay'' on 211, ``yea'' on 212, ``nay'' on 213.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Air 21 legislation. I believe it is a fair attempt to ensure the safety and economic well being of our nation and its airports. I also support the Shuster manager's amendment. Mr. Speaker this legislation is fair and right. For those who oppose immediate elimination of slots this amendment postpones the elimination of slots at O'Hare for two years until 2002, and for New York's Kennedy and Laguardia airports until 2007. This will allow many of the smaller airlines increased access to larger airports ultimately increasing flight availability, reduced flight delays and decreased airfares. It is imperative that Congress seize this opportunity to invest in our nation's aviation system and protect the flying public. Mr. Speaker, while airports are crowded today, air travel is forecast to increase by over 50 percent to one billion passengers over the next 10 years. We desperately need more funding to curb the increasing demand on our nation's airport. Capacity constraints and air traffic control outages have caused many flight delays and cancellations. Air 21 will enable America to continue to prosper and avoid gridlock in our aviation system. If we fail to invest in our nation's aviation system we will compromise aviation safety, increase delay time and hinder much needed technological innovations. Air 21 is exactly what we need, it provides airport modernization, improves capacity, and increases fair competition. For this reason I support Air 21 and urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of this very important legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of Congresswoman Emerson's amendment that simply states our entertainment industry does not act responsibly towards our children. I support this amendment because it is true. By the time a child has reached their majority, they have seen 200,000 acts of violence on television and 16,000 of these acts are murders. It appears the industry believes that sex and violence sells, and they abandoned all restraint. Even, in light of current events, the entertainment industry refuses to accept they might have some responsibility towards the communities they serve in America. As a society we recognize that children are susceptible to their environment and that they learn from what they are exposed to. This is true in Hollywood and on Chicago's West Side. Children learn what they see as they grow up. Now we have video games where the sole purpose is to murder and kill other people. We have movies that depict only violence. We have music that vividly describes crime and murder. Our children are being exposed to this from an early age. I believe the entertainment industry has been derelict in its duty to provide more enriching entertainment. I believe we, as Members of Congress, must raise this issue with the entertainment industry and challenge them to do better! Today I rise to challenge the entertainment industry to produce a better product, a better movie, a better record. A product that enables us, as parents, to navigate the difficult task of raising our children more effectively. I am not laying the blame for our nation's problems at the feet of the entertainment industry, but I challenge them to do better.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, in Chicago during 1996, 789 homicides were committed, 597 with firearms, in 1997, 759 homicides, 570 with firearms. Firearms were overwhelmingly the weapon of choice for murderers. Almost half of the known offenders in 1997 were under 21 years of age and about a third were between 21 and 30. The percentage of murders in which firearms were used was 75 percent in 1997, approximately the same percent as in the previous four years. More than 85 percent of firearm murders were handgun murders in both 1996 and 1997. In almost two out of every three 1997 murders in which the relationship could be determined, the offender and the victim knew each other. In many cases, just imagine, no gun, no murder, no gun, no murder. Let's make guns harder for murderers to get. Support the McCarthy amendment. There being no further amendments, under the rule the Committee rises. Accordingly, the Committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. LaHood) having assumed the chair, Mr. Thornberry, Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1501) to provide grants to ensure increased accountability for juvenile offenders, pursuant to House Resolution 209, he reported the bill back to the House with sundry amendments adopted by the Committee of the Whole.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I stand to voice my support of the Gallegly Amendment to H.R. 1501, The Child Safety & Protection Act. This Amendment, specifically, targets the gang recruitment of young persons that occurs every day across this great country. I see the need for such action every day in the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois. I walk down Madison street and across Western street, and I see how gangs rob America's youth of their future by inducing them, threatening them, and seducing them into a life of crime. Every day, I see the terrible price these children eventually pay. We lock them up and throw away the key or they end up dead, it is time that Congress did something to stem gang recruitment. By making it a federal crime to travel in, or use the facilities of interstate or foreign commerce to recruit someone to be a member of a criminal street gang we are making a strong stand against gang violence. As a nation we need to take this strong action to reduce the numbers of youth entering street gangs. This worthy amendment represents a large step forward in combating gangs and crime. I stand with my worthy colleague from California in voicing support for this needed amendment and congratulate him on its passage. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Gilman-Goss amendment. I do so because we know that Haiti has been unstable. We are not really providing that much to them. But to take away the little bit that we are providing is unconscionable. All that we are talking about is helping the poorest country in this hemisphere continue to have some hope for stability, economic development, for growth and progress. I would urge, Mr. Chairman, that we vote in the best interests, not only of Haiti but that we vote in the best interests of humanity, a little bit of humanitarian effort. I urge that we vote ``no'' to the Gilman-Goss amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express my strong support for the Meek Sanchez amendment. I find it ironic that strong women, brave women, who enter the military to fight for their country then cannot get the same basic rights that people back home already have, rights they are fighting to protect. I think that this policy is the height of hypocrisy, and this amendment should not even be debated, it should not even be a question. It even should not be a consideration. Mr. Chairman, let us extend to the fighting women in the military the same choice options that others have back home. I thank the gentlewoman for having yielded this time to me.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to sponsor H.R. 1191, a bill to designate four postal facilities in the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois. The four persons who I seek to name these postal facilities after have a long history of being servants, activists heroes and heroines in their respective communities. In fact, the first person the Honorable Cardiss Collins is a former Member of Congress and she served as ranking member of the Government Reform Committee before she retired in 1996. She represented the residents of the Seventh Congressional District for 23\1/2\ years. Cardiss Collins established herself as a real advocate for Airline Safety, protection of children, gender equity in College athletics, women's health, establishment of the Office of Minority Health in HHS and has the distinction of being the longest serving African American female to serve in the House of Representatives. In 1991, she wrote the law which extends Medicare Coverage for mammography screening, thereby, allowing millions of elderly and disabled women to receive this vital service. She was successful in praising legislation which expanded Medicaid coverage for pap smears in order to better provide for the early detection of cervical uterine cancers. In 1979, Congresswoman Collins served as Chairperson for the Congressional Black Caucus and was the first African American woman to serve as a Democratic Whip at-large. The second postal facility is named after Otis Grant Collins, who prior to his death in 1992, was recognized as one of the premier activists in apprenticeship training in this country. In addition, while serving as a State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly he was a champion of laws that protected minority communities from redlining. The third postal facility is named after Mary Alice ``Ma'' Henry, who prior to her death in 1995, was recognized as one of Chicago's most caring and compassionate community activists. She is remembered as a courageous leader for the poor, uninsured and left out of our society. In 1976, the Mary Alice ``Ma'' Henry Family Health Center was dedicated and now serves over 20,000 patients every year. The fourth postal facility is named after former State Representative Robert LeFlore, Jr. who prior to his death in 1993, was recognized as a leading advocate for the disadvantaged and underprivileged. He was a tireless worker, on behalf of seniors and children and his contributions will be remembered a long time. These individuals represent the best of Chicago and the nation. Their contributions have been significant and their legacies have been embedded in the communities they touched. Therefore, I am pleased to sponsor this bill on behalf of some of the greatest leaders in the African American community.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Census Subcommittee, I am glad to see that this measure provides for the continuation of the Census beyond the June 15 deadline; I support our nation's efforts towards NATO's peacekeeping goals; and I support relief for those victims in Central America and the Caribbean. However, I cannot tell my constituents back home that I turned my back on some of our nation's most vulnerable, some of my district's most vulnerable. The poor who need food stamps or section-8 assistance. Mr. Speaker, when I grew up, I was taught that patience is a virtue, do unto others as you would have them do unto you and that a nation can only be as great as its weakest and most vulnerable because their voices often are not heard in the great decision and influence-making centers of our society. The attack on the nation's poor is alarming. These constituents don't have the money to hire a slick lobbyist to cut a deal for them in order to secure their interests. Public housing residents are easy targets. Oftentimes they are poor, uneducated, un-employed, unskilled, un-organized, un-registered, under- fed, undernourished and physically segregated. Mr. Speaker, the 7th Congressional District of Illinois has more public housing residents than any other Congressional District in the nation, second to only one district in New York. Two-thirds of all public housing residents in Chicago, reside in the 7th Congressional District. If the people in public housing were a separate city in Illinois, it would be Illinois' second largest city. When the Section 8 list opened in July of 1997, the Chicago Housing Authority Corporation (CHAC) received over 150,000 applicants; only 25,000 applicants were allowed to be placed on the list via lottery; of that 25,000 on the lottery list--only approximately 3,000 have received Section 8 certificates, to date. What we don't know is how many women, children and families in the absence of Section 8 will have no other alternative. Mr. Speaker, in the name of fairness and justice; in the name of commitment to all Americans--rich or poor, black or white; and in the name of one nation--rather than 2--rather than a nation divided between the haves and the have-nots; I cannot support this attack on some of our nation's most poverty-stricken citizens. I cannot support this cut in section 8 housing and good stamps. Therefore, I cannot support this emergency supplemental appropriations bill.