Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, and the Subcommittee on the Postal Service, I deeply regret the fact that H. Res. 452 was never referred to our subcommittee for consideration. House Resolution 452 was introduced on June 3 of this month and referred to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. On June 19, committee consideration of the measure was waived by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the chairman. The Subcommittee on the Postal Service, chaired by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), is the proper forum for discussion and legislation relating to the United States Postal Service. Indeed, House Rule 10, Establishment and Jurisdiction of Standing Committees, grants the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight sole jurisdiction over the Postal Service, generally including the transportation of the mails. House Resolution 452 never had the opportunity to be considered by the subcommittee of the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh). This is especially noteworthy given the fact that the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) and his staff had been actively engaged in the drafting and redrafting of postal reform legislation over the past 3 years. H. Res. 452 has not followed what I would consider to be the proper legislative process. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 shifted rate making authority from the Congress, where it had become a politically charged process, to two presidentially appointed bodies, the Postal Service Board of Governors and the Postal Rate Commission. House Resolution 452, by expressing congressional opposition to a process currently before the Postal Board of Governors interjects itself into that very process. The Postal Rate Commission has issued its decision on the postal rate increase, and the matter is before the Postal Board of Governors. I urge that we respect the statutory process or request hearings on this process by the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh). Mr. Speaker, whenever we start talking about increasing rates or increasing taxes, I think that every Member of this House perks up, and all of our antennas go out. I for one believe that we should get every ounce of service out of every dollar generated, whether it be on the basis of fees or in taxes. In addition, whenever an idea or a proposal for raising and/or generating additional revenue is put on the table, there should be maximum time and opportunity for discussion and debate. Therefore, I had hoped that this item would have come before our subcommittee under the leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) so that we could have had a full-blown discussion. There is still time for this to happen. I would urge that we do so. In addition, the matter is currently, as I stated before, before the Postal Service Board of Governors. I hope that we would give them an opportunity as well to act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much and would just suggest that I am sure that we will do that under the very able and capable leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah). We look forward actually to engaging in as much dialogue relative to postal oversight as we possibly can have.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concern for statements attributed to Dr. Thomas Hofeller, the staff director of the Subcommittee on the Census. Dr. Hofeller's comments appeared in David Broder's column in the Washington Post yesterday entitled ``Playing Hard Ball on the Census.'' In the article, Mr. Hofeller is supposed to have suggested that ``Someone should remind Secretary Bill Daley that if he counts people the way he wants to by using sampling, his brother, Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley, could find himself trying to run a majority-minority city.'' I am not exactly sure what that means, but if these remarks are correctly attributed to the head of the staff of the Subcommittee on the Census, then I am concerned, because I find them to be reprehensible, deplorable, irresponsible, offensive, and yes, even race-laden. These comments give Americans a real glimpse at some of the rationale behind not using sampling techniques. The comments by Dr. Hofeller suggests that if we do the Census the way the National Academy of Sciences and other professional organizations have suggested that we do it, then someone in some places will not like the results, because minorities in some instances will become the majority. These vile comments seem designed to put fear in the hearts and minds of non-minority Americans. The comments divide, rather than unite, at a time when we should be coming together as one America. In addition, what is more troubling is the fact that the comments expressed do not concern themselves with a fair and accurate Census, which should be the goal of every American. Mr. Hofeller's remarks, if true, suggest that we should continue the pattern of undercounting African Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, the poor, and other minorities. His comments indicate that a fair and accurate census could shift the composition of people in Chicago and other places throughout the country. What we are dealing with is the fact that there has been a serious undercount of minorities in this country since the first census was taken in 1790. In Chicago during the last census, over 68,000 people were missed. As a result of being missed, millions of dollars in Federal funds were lost. Residents in Chicago were short-changed. Communities throughout the country who were undercounted were short- changed on resources and funds for social services, transit, and education alike. The reality is that the census should in fact be about a fair and accurate count; nothing more, nothing less. Let us get down with the rhetoric of politics and talk about the real deal, which is counting the American people.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend and congratulate all of those who have been involved in processing this resolution to the point of where it is today. I stand as a proud Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. I have never felt more proud of the organization of which I am a life member than when it made the decision that in honor of one of its members, in honor of one of the greatest leaders that our Nation, or any Nation, has ever seen, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it would establish a bust. I also echo the sentiments of the gentleman from California who pointed out the fact that these are private funds, that these are men all over America who are willing to make use of their own resources so that their resources could be a lasting testament to a member of their group. All has indeed been said that needs to be said. I am simply very proud this day to be a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and I am proud to be a Member of this august body that I believe will make this decision in honor of a lasting tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Speaker, as a life member of the oldest African American of Predominately Black Greek letter Fraternity in America, I am proud to rise in support of this resolution approving the location of a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in the Nation's Capitol. First of all Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega for yielding and I thank all of those who have been involved in bringing the legislation to this point. I also associate myself with the remarks made by my colleague and brother, the gentleman from California, Mr. Dixon. As has already been stated, everything which need saying, has already been said Therefore, let me just say that I am proud to be a Member of Alpha Phi Alpha and to know that my brothers are prepared to go into their own pockets and make use of their own resources to provide an appropriate memorial to our brother, and the greatest leader of this century, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Again, I am proud to be an Alpha, I am proud to be a member of this August Body, the United States House of Representatives as we pay tribute to one of America's Most Distinguished Citizens.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate some of the most outstanding citizens of my congressional district, namely, the Chicago Bulls basketball team. I have the good fortune of representing the champions not only of the 7th Congressional District, but indeed the champions of the world. The world has never seen the magnificence of an athletic dynasty such as that displayed and put together by Jerry Reinsdorf, which is now the Chicago Bulls' 6th championship, a performance that has revitalized interest in basketball. As a matter of fact, with due respect to all other sports, baseball, soccer, football, right now the United States of America is basketball country as a result of the Bulls' accomplishment and achievement. But more than that, not only are they superstars on the basketball court, but they are also superstars in the community. The franchise has caused revitalization of an area of the City of Chicago. The James Jordan Boys' Club provides opportunity for young people to come and grow and develop, play and be nurtured. Just recently, high school students from throughout my Congressional District had an opportunity to participate in our art competition at the United Center, where they could display their art and at the same time walk the same ground that Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson, all of the Bulls players, Randy Brown, a young fellow who was taught by my wife. When we watch him on television, we know that her teaching skills were vindicated. So I commend and congratulate all of the Bulls for providing the United States of America and all of the world with a year never to be forgotten and always to be remembered. And at the same time, Mr. Speaker, in the same community, in the same neighborhood, there is another superstar in town for the Jefferson awards, Major Adams, who, along with other Americans throughout the country, are being cited for their outstanding community services. Major Adams has no peer when it comes to volunteerism. For the last 50 years he has been an active volunteer on the near West Side of Chicago, organizing the Henry Horner Boys Club, the Henry Horner Drum and Bugle Corps, the Mile Square Federation. Now 76 years old, Mr. Adams is just as involved today as he was 25, 30 years ago. And so, on one hand, while we have the Bulls, a superstar team, on the other hand we have Major Adams, a superstar individual, humanitarian, who has brought countless years of joy and development into the hearts of thousands of young people and their family. We commend and salute him.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of the Chicago Board of Trade. It is a milestone that certainly deserves recognition, and I am pleased to have introduced a resolution last week commemorating its 150th year anniversary. The Chicago Board of Trade, which sits in my Congressional District, has been an integral part of the development of the City of Chicago, and, indeed, of the world. Chicago Board of Trade was founded by 82 visionary Chicago merchants, and made its mark by revolutionizing how grain was stored and sold. Little did these visionaries know 150 years ago that their efforts would lead to the creation of the world's largest futures market and a centralized marketplace for the sellers and buyers of grain. Just last year, the Chicago Board of Trade opened the world's largest trading floor, 60,000 square feet, for financial futures and futures options, and a record one million Treasury bond futures were traded in a single day. The Chicago Board of Trade has had a significant impact on the lives of all. Food prices in the United States are lower because of the Board of Trade; interest rates on Federal securities are lower than they otherwise would be because of the Chicago Board of Trade. The existence of this extremely efficient, vital marketplace has saved us all money, whether we have ever purchased a futures contract or not. It is not by accident that this market is located in Chicago. Due to its central location, access to waterways and proximity to farmland, Chicago is the natural crossroads of commerce in the United States. The Chicago Board of Trade has served as host to Presidents, Members of Congress and dignitaries from throughout the world. They have been on the cutting edge of technology. In 1995, it became the first futures exchange to open a commercial service on the Internet, and since then they have established an electronic system for overnight trades. The Chicago Board of Trade has been a real leader in the world. Just this year, the Board of Trade entered into a cooperative agreement with EUREX, its Swiss-German counterpart, and plans are in the works to add a partner in Asia. The success of the Chicago Board of Trade has not only created huge benefits for our Nation generally, it has also contributed enormously to the economy of Chicago. Chicago's two future exchanges have created over 150,000 jobs and puts millions of dollars each night in the city's banks. In a world class city, renowned for its architecture, the beautiful Board of Trade structure stands out as a major example of art, Deco style, and one of Chicago's most treasured landmarks. The Chicago Board of Trade is a shining example of the ingenuity, hard work and creativity that is respected throughout the world. As members of the board prepare for your gala celebration on June 13th, I wish you another 150 years of success. Again, congratulations, and I urge all of my colleagues to join with me in congratulating the Chicago Board of Trade on its 150 years of success and benefit to the American economy.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and echo the sentiments of all my colleagues who have spoken.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, as we continue to talk about the budget, and I have listened intently, it seems to me that we have some strange priorities in this country. I hear us talking about how well the economy is doing. We are continuing to grow and expand, and then at the same time, I hear us talk about taking away entitlement opportunities for the needy, taking away programs for those who are not a part of the expanding economy; talking about retrenching public housing. Under this budget, there is a possibility that 1 million low-income families could lose public housing vouchers and certificates over the next 5 years. If this is the budget of priority for the American people, then I certainly hope it can be realigned, changed, and realtered. Let us come with a budget that helps all of the people of America, as opposed to only those who are most affluent and at the top. Mr. Chairman, it is my understanding that budgets are not only instruments and tools of management; but they are also indicators of direction and priorities. If this is indeed the case, then I have some grave concerns and reservations about the budget resolution which has been put before us by the majority in this House. At a time when we are experiencing vast economic expansion and growth, the majority resolution seeks to place deep cuts in programs designed to assist the needy and working class in this country. The resolution cuts Medicare by $10.1 billion, and Medicaid--the program that provides health care for the poor by $12 billion over five years. In addition, the Republican resolution cuts funding for education and child care, and eliminates direct federal funding to school districts by repealing Title I grants and other non-defense discretionary programs by $45 billion over a five year period. The Republican budget turns its back on seniors, children and Social Security, and focuses on cuts, and more cuts to those who need help the most. While at the same time it rewards the rich and more affluent with private retirement accounts at the expense of Social Security, and provides $101 billion in new tax cuts. Under this proposal, 1 million households could lose federal housing vouchers and certificates by year 2003. The Democratic alternative on the other hand preserves Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Education. It invests in the future of our children. The Democratic alternative is good for working families, senior citizens, children, and for the average person. It strengthens America. I urge that we oppose the Republican budget resolution and support the democratic alternative. It is better for all America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the Spratt Amendment because it is a rational approach to meeting the needs of our society. For example, it provides for 75,000 new teachers, it allows people under 65 to buy into Medicare, $1.2 billion for child care and early childhood education, $600 million for Medicaid, including an outreach program for children and provides an option to cover all legal immigrant children. It provides for a patient Bill of Rights Act and tax credits for businesses that provide child care services to their employees. It saves all the budget surpluses for five years until a comprehensive Social Security Financial Plan is agreed upon. The Spratt Amendment is honest, responsible and addresses the needs of the American People.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Bishop amendment. I do so because I have basically been taught that the true mark of statesmanship is to seek common ground and find it, and then proliferate it and show it so that others can see it. I believe that that is exactly what the Bishop amendment attempts to do. It attempts to put in broad perspective the freedoms that we have in this country to worship as each individual determines. I listened to the last speaker talk about the idea of freedom to make men holy, to make men free, to allow each and every individual to do in a way his own kind of worshiping. The only thing that I have heard today that actually would do that would be the Bishop amendment. I would urge my colleagues, those who are in favor, those who are against the main idea, to look at the Bishop amendment as a way of providing something for everybody in America relative to religious freedom. I thank the gentleman for his amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah) for yielding time to me, and I also thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh). Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have introduced this bill in honor of the late Milton R. Brunson. Reverend Brunson was born and raised in Chicago and served as pastor and music director of the 2,500-member Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church until his death last year. He was dynamic, energetic, and a leader in the African American and world community for nearly half a century. Reverend Brunson was a giant in the music world. He and his choir, the Thompson Community Singers, became known from the West Side of Chicago all the way to Europe and around the world. As a matter of fact, they just recently returned from a concert tour in Italy. It is often said that the measure of one's life is in the number of lives he or she touches in a positive way. Reverend Brunson touched thousands of lives through his ministry and music. His was a ministry of resurrection and restoration. He refused to quit, for even in his congregation and the community at large he saw great hope and untapped potential. In 1948, he founded the Thompson Community Singers, which he used as a tool to get people to dream beyond their circumstances. He guided the Thompson Community Singers for 48 years; and throughout that time, as we have heard, he and the group were nominated for several Grammies and had several albums reach number one on the gospel charts. In 1995, Reverend Brunson and his choir won a Grammy award for ``Through God's Eyes.'' In order to be a member of the choir, he set strict standards. One could not be a gang member, a drug user, or high school dropout. He set high standards, and thus his choir turned out members who would go on to become lawyers, doctors, teachers, judges, and gospel singers, as well as other productive citizens in society. The Choir's famous gospel alumni include Jesse Dixon, Ethel Holloway, Delores Stamps, his wife, Jo Ann Brunson, and the great Rickey Dilliard, among others. His positive message through his gospel music continues to reach and uplift millions of people even from the grave. Although Reverend Brunson is not with us today, his legacy continues to live, and his commitment to positive values lives on. The words that he preached and sang echo in the hearts of men and women even today. Therefore, I am honored to have introduced this bill, and I am even honored that members of the community from which he came, students from the South Loop school, are present in the audience. I am pleased to have them here with us this afternoon. I want to again thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the chairman, and the ranking member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this moment to express my appreciation to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh), the subcommittee chairman, and to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the ranking member, not only for the outstanding work that they do with this committee but also for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a heroine, a great ``shero'' in my district, Ms. Nancy B. Jefferson, who meant a great deal to the City of Chicago and to the State of Illinois. Prior to her death on October 18, 1992, Nancy B. Jefferson was recognized as one of the premier grassroots community organizers in the Nation. She served as president and chief executive officer of the Midwest Community Council, a nonprofit grassroots community organization for more than 25 years. She spent a lifetime helping others. She became a friend to the friendless and provided hope for the hopeless, which led to her being affectionately called the Mother Theresa of the West Side. While serving as CEO of the Midwest Community Council, Ms. Jefferson led efforts to ensure equal rights and equal protection and equal justice for all people. Her extensive exposure to social concerns as a nurse in a West Side clinic compelled her to do something about the ills of a community. She served as a champion for welfare recipients, the disabled, the poor, single parents, and those who were disenfranchised. She dreamed of a day where the least and the left out of society would have a voice and adequate representation. To that end, she put together a network of more than 100 block clubs where there was not only an exchange of ideas but support for spiritual and physical development of the community. She sought to rebuild and transform decaying and dying communities. She developed several social service programs which are currently in place, including the Chicago Parent Union, and Crime and Parent Intervention. Her commitment, dedication, and zeal for excellence netted her an appointment to the Chicago Police Board by former Mayor Jane Byrne. Governor Jim Edgar saw her talents and appointed her to the Illinois Human Rights Commission in 1990. She was also a confidante of the late Mayor Harold Washington. She was, indeed, an individual who walked with kings and queens but never lost the common touch. She left a legacy that raised standards and ensured that the poor had equal rights and equal opportunity. Hers was a light that shines bright with the words that there was hope, even in the midst of hopelessness. She was the essence of what democracy is all about. I am delighted to have introduced this bill to name a United States post office in her honor. Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chairman, literally, money talks and when it speaks it practically drowns out all other political discourse. Money has distorted, corrupted and perverted our political system. It's time to get back to the basics of democracy. We are past the time for half way and half hearted patches on the system. Belief that disclosure alone will remedy the problem is like believing in the tooth fairy. Solving the problem by just regulating ``soft money'' is about as likely to happen as expecting pigs to fly. I believe that the basic principles of campaign reform are these: 1. Seriously take some of the money out of the equation. 2. Provide some public financing for all federal campaigns. 3. Set a limit on federal candidates use of personal funds. 4. Provide voters with enough unfiltered information to make informed choices. Open up T.V., radio and other media for discussion of the issues by the candidates. 5. Shorten the election cycle. 6. Create a truly independent regulatory agency to monitor and make public the spending of campaign monies. 7. Require paid lobbyists to publicly report who and when they lobby. 8. Create universal voter registration. Encourage experimentation with mail and electronic ballots and multiple day elections. 9. Require full disclosure of all independent expenditures. The fact that many Americans indicate that they have lost confidence in the functioning of our democratic elections and that many do not vote should be both a warning and a summons for us to act. Mr. Speaker, I urge that we take heed.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Agriculture Research Bill and against the rule. We need to maintain food stamp provisions in the bill. I rise in support of the Agriculture research bill because it restores benefits for some of the nation's most vulnerable populations--low-income legal immigrants--many of whom are elderly, children or disabled. Legal permanent residents are hard working people who earn their money in the U.S., they pay taxes in the U.S. and contribute to the U.S. economy by buying products in the U.S. Like U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents are stakeholders in America who care about the status of our country and should be afforded equal rights in this country. Given the important contributions that immigrants make to our nation, it is only fair to accord them help when they fall into need. Legal immigrants have to contribute greatly to this country, pay taxes and even register for the draft.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for yielding me the time. Literally, money talks; and when it speaks, it drowns out all other political discourse. Money has distorted, corrupted, and perverted our political system. It is time to get back to the basics of democracy. We are past the time for halfway and halfhearted patches on the system. Belief that disclosure alone will remedy the problem is like belief in the tooth fairy. Solving the problem by just regulating soft money is about as likely to happen as expecting pigs to fly. I believe that the basic principles of campaign reform are these: Take seriously some of the money out of the equation. Provide some public financing for all Federal campaigns. Set a limit on Federal candidates' use of private money. Provide voters with enough information, unfiltered, to make serious decisions. Create an independent agency that will report on the activities of all paid lobbyists, who and when they lobby. It is only when we take the money out that democracy will come in.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Lowey-Harman amendment to the defense authorization bill because it is fair and it is right. Women serving our Nation overseas should have access to constitutionally protected health care procedures. The United States military should provide for all the health needs of all its members. Health needs are health needs. Women who are proudly serving and protecting the security of our Nation overseas should be able to depend on their base hospitals for all of their medical services. Therefore, women should have access to reproductive health care just as they have access to treatment for the flu. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 3760.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 10, the ``Financial Services Competition Act.'' I rise in opposition not because the laws governing our financial system are immune to change * * * just the opposite, in our rapidly changing world our financial system is undergoing a veritable transformation and our legal framework must change to correspond to the new realities. However, let us remember that many of our financial laws and regulations grew out of our great failures of the past in protecting the interests of the great masses of Americans. In addressing the need for change we must also learn from our history. H.R. 10 weakens the Community Reinvestment Act, a critical tool for low-income communities to develop housing, small business and financial services. CRA should be extended to all bank affiliates: insurance companies, securities firms and mortgage companies. Instead, H.R. 10 encourages the movement of bank assets beyond the reach of the CRA and, indeed, beyond the bank charter. H.R. 10 does not address insurance redlining, still a major problem in many communities and one which I recently called upon the Attorney General to investigate in my district as regards to auto insurance. H.R. 10 should prohibit insurance companies from merging with banks until the company is in full compliance with the Fair Housing Act and other relevant legislation. H.R. 10 breaks down the final protective barriers between banks and commercial firms and adds a new level of risk to our financial stability, one we have not seen in our country in generations, but which we can all see in Southeast Asia today. H.R. 10 sharply reduces community input, giving automatic approvals FHCs whose banks have Satisfactory or Outstanding CRA ratings. This means that 98% of financial institutions will be beyond community input. It continues a trend brought into sharp national focus with the publication of William Greider's book Secrets of the Temple in 1987. Secrets brought to the attention of the nation how the Federal Reserve had been given greater command over many issues over the years and how many of the decisions entrusted to them, regardless of how wrong they might be, were made without public input or control. H.R. 10 ignores history, ignores the lessons of other nations, ignores the interests of poor and working Americans, ignores consumer interests, ignores community reinvestment protections and ignores increased risk to our financial infrastructure. Madam Chairman, I urge a vote against this legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lend my support to an effort in the Senate to amend the Higher Education Bill and give the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, authority to provide grant money to create an educational center to research and celebrate the history of the Underground Railroad. Under the agreement, as I understand it, the Department of Education would be authorized to evaluate competitive proposals put forward by non-profit educational groups and select a proposal that meets certain criteria, including the utilization of an existing public-private partnership and an on-going endowment to sustain the facility in the future. Mr. Speaker, in 1990 this Congress directed the National Park Service to conduct a study of alternatives for commemorating and interpreting the Underground Railroad. The Park Service found that there were numerous sites in several States involved in the operation of this secret enterprise. Consequently, the Park Service could not recommended just a single site for an Underground Railroad memorial. The effort in the Senate solves this dilemma by providing funds for the development of a major ``hub'' site and creation of satellite centers all over the country--true to the actual operation of the Underground Railroad. Mr. Speaker, the efforts to include this amendment on the Education Bill is also true to the Underground Railroad, because the lessons of the organization are still appropriate today. This commemoration is more than just an historical monument, but instead is a teaching and research tool, that will be used to teach us about our heritage. Mr. Speaker, I hope the Senate will include this amendment and I hope the House conferees will accept the language in conference.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained in my district yesterday, May 5, due to official business. As a result, I missed rollcall vote numbers 122 through 126. However, had I been present, I would have voted no on rollcall 122; aye on rollcall number 123; aye on rollcall number 124; aye on rollcall number 125; and aye on rollcall number 126.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Riggs amendment which attempts to deny the existence of racial and gender history in this country. It overlooks the reality of discrimination and pretends that this country has made more progress than what it has actually experienced. The fact of the matter is that this amendment is a bold, unadulterated attempt to turn back the clock of inequity before there has been ample opportunity and ample time to experience the benefits of some modicum of affirmative action. I heard the gentleman earlier speak and talk about dreaming and mentioned Dr. King in his deliberations, and I thought to myself that if Dr. King had been dreaming about this amendment, he would have awakened quickly with a terrible nightmare. The fact of the matter is that amendments like this one provoked Langston Hughes to ask the question: What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Fester like a sore and then run? We cannot allow the dreams to dry up, we cannot allow the clock to be turned back. We must defeat the Riggs amendment, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote against it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I am always pleased when we can reach compromise or when there is any kind of compromise reached. It means that the body is working well. But it frightens me when I hear compromise reached talking about excess Section 8 housing. It is very difficult to convince the thousands of homeless people throughout America that there is some excess housing. It is difficult to convince the people who live in my congressional district in the City of Chicago that there is excess Section 8 housing. I would hope that this is not a trend. And I would hope that even if we reach a compromise where this legislation is passed, that we do not find ourselves back talking about reducing Section 8 housing because there might have been some resources that were not used at this time. For this reason, I think it comes up short, and I certainly would hope that there would be Members who feel the same way and would vote against this compromise.

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