Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I certainly want to thank the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Clay] for yielding me this time. Mr. Chairman, while I commend and congratulate all of those who have hammered out this agreement, I have some concerns about it. There seems to be a theme that resonates throughout this Congress, and that theme is to take from the poor and give to the wealthy, well-to-do and the rich. It is the very theme that divides rather than unites. It is the theme that shatters millions of Americans' hope and faith in the American system. It seems to me that some portions of this compromise continues that theme. This compromise, while better than the original proposed formula, moves away from the emphasis on poverty to an emphasis on population in fiscal years 2001 and 2002. Under the current distribution formula for funds for school districts, the emphasis is 70 percent on poverty and 30 percent on population. I believe that this is a fair formula. In my district, Mr. Chairman, I have thousands and thousands of disadvantaged, underprivileged individuals who need to catch up, individuals who need special attention. I do not believe that as we shift away from an emphasis on need to an across-the-board program, that this is in the best interests of rural America, nor is it in the best interests of inner-city urban America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the American people are saying in a clear voice, cut us in or cut it out. That is exactly what the Republican tax plan does. It cuts out millions of working people in favor of the rich. The Republican plan cuts out Ms. Smith who works all day long in a nursing home in Chicago, but cuts in Mr. Jones, a millionaire. The Republican plan cuts in the 5 percent of the wealthiest people in this country while significantly cutting out the other 95 percent. I say Ms. Smith deserves a break. Under the Democratic plan Ms. Smith would get that break, along with 91 million other low- and middle- income families. The Republican plan cuts out children, college students and workers who earn less than $250,000 a year. Under the Democratic plan, these groups are cut in. The Republican plan can be summed up in four words: Show me the money. Those who have it get cut in; those who do not are cut out.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I have listened rather intently to this debate and certainly much has been said. As a matter of fact, I agree with much of what I have heard. But it is very difficult to agree with the bottom line, and that is if the bottom line is to deny people all over America. This program is the result of the creativity of Shore Bank, before the program started, developing some creative initiatives on how you could get money into low income communities, how you could make sure that people who had never gotten a loan could get a loan for their business, people who had never been able to purchase a home could purchase one through the creativity of the banking process. Then Governor Clinton saw it, liked it and, as he became President, became a real proponent of it, talked about it all over America. And now I hear us saying that because the bath water might have gotten a little tainted that we are going to throw out the baby, too. Well, the baby really had nothing to do with tainting the water. I was at a Shore Bank just this past Saturday, a Shore Bank that is less than two blocks from my home, who reaches out into communities and asks people do you really need a loan? Come and let us help you go through the process, let us help you determine what you need to do, let us help you find out whether or not you are eligible. And so I join with those who would suggest that it is in actuality one of the best economic development programs that America has seen, and to be against it, to reduce the money, is like saying we like it but we are not really willing to demonstrate that we like it. If we like it, let us fund it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. I rise in opposition because if something is not broken, then there is no need to mend it. There is no need to fix it. The fact of the matter is the NEA has, for a number of years, developed tremendous outreach to the arts community all over America. Everybody involved in the arts, they know. Everybody involved in the arts, they are a part of. They know where the programs are. They know where the funds need to go. They know the kind of activities that need to take place. I believe, again, if it is not broke, do not fix it. I commend my colleague from Illinois for having been a longtime guardian of these programs. I stand with him and say, if it is not broke, do not fix it. Mr. Chairman, I rise in objection to the Ehlers amendment. Under the Ehlers amendment, the NEA would be eliminated as we know it. The Ehlers amendment would appropriate $80 million in Federal funds to be allocated as block grants. Under this proposal, 97 percent of the money is to go directly to State arts councils and local school boards for only school-based arts education programs. Beyond monetary terms, this shift of 60 percent of the funds allocated entirely toward schools, which serve primarily k-12 needs are the funds that support institutions that promote lifelong learning, such as museums, dance companies, theaters, outreach programs, community-based programs, and folks arts are lost. These arts and humanities programs that Americans have grown to know and love over the years no longer will be funded. This proposal means that a majority of Federal arts funding would not be available for cultural organizations and some of their programs. Important programs that enrich the lives of many across this Nation. Although the State Arts Council may receive slightly more money, they cannot possibly compensate for this loss. The 7th Congressional District of Illinois which I represent would lose over $1.8 million overall based on fiscal year 1997 appropriations. This is bad for Chicago, but more important it is bad for America. I say it is bad for America because Americans come to Chicago. There are numerous organizations that would be hurt by this proposal in my district, fine institutions that people across this Nation enjoy--such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Artist's Coalition, the Chicago Dance Arts Coalition, Inc., Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Illinois Arts Council, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art, Urban Gateways, and the YMCA's USA Literature Special projects would no longer receive their much-needed NEA funds. I join with my constituents, the State arts agencies and the mayors across our great Nation that reflect the view of millions in my opposition to the Ehlers amendment that greatly hinders our Nation's commitment to the arts.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I do not intend to prolong this discussion nor this debate. But I think one of the reasons that so many people have spoken on this particular issue is because of the depth of their feelings with reference to how effective the National Endowment for the Humanities has been. In my own city, the city of Chicago, a city that is the essence of diversity, a city that has ethnic enclaves all over its landscape, through this kind of programming people have been able to come together to interact, to explore, to take hard, good looks, to be involved in things like Imagine Chicago, to be involved in programs at the Newberry Library or to be involved in finding out how other groups actually live and function in this great Nation that we call the United States of America. I would think that any diminution of these activities would go against the grain, because one of the things I have learned is that in order to make democracy real, there is a need to understand how the other fellow thinks, how the other person feels, even the opportunity to walk in his or her footsteps and shoes. I would stand with all of those who have suggested that this program, and for the money that is expended on it, is worth its weight in gold, because it provides the golden opportunity for Americans to truly learn about each other and the contributions that we have all made. I join with those who are in opposition and say let us keep America interacting rather than shutting Americans away from each other.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Listening to this debate reminds me of Victor Hugo, who once said that there is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher. It seems to me that the Republican tax bill further promotes the misery and suffering of the lower class and illuminates the inhumanity of the higher. It is true that the Republican tax bill takes from the poor and gives to the rich. This bill embodies the very essence of the Robinhood concept. Only it is Robinhood in reverse; take from the poor and give to the rich. I agree with those who suggest that this bill is bad for America. The Republican tax cuts make the wealthy wealthier and the poor poorer. The New York Times said of this cut that the Republican tax scheme unfairly benefits the top 5 percent of income earners by providing them with over 50 percent of the tax cuts. It showers tax cuts on the Nation's wealthiest families. It actually shortchanges the citizen, as we have heard, who wants to go to a community college. I believe that it is clear that the Democratic plan rewards the working class while the Republican plan rewards the wealthy. I stand for those who stand with the working people of America. I agree with those who believe that we should start where the people are and move from there. I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to be here with him.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise at this moment to talk about something that is near and dear to the hearts of many Americans, and that is the North American Free Trade Agreement, otherwise known as NAFTA. When the United States enters into trade agreements, the objective should be to advance the standard of living for working families in our country and abroad. Just like the average family in Illinois' 7th Congressional District who are impacted by this trade agreement whether they like it or not, my hope is for them. They want what we all want, to provide to the best of their ability for their loved ones. My hope is for the people in the district, so that they can obtain a living wage, a wage that allows workers to lead a dignified life while working in a safe and healthy environment, an environment that respects their needs as a worker. Their struggles and desires are not so different from mine and my colleagues. They want to put clothes on their children's back, they want to put food on the table, have access to reliable transportation, live in adequate housing, and afford child care for their children. Their issues need to be taken account of and they want to be an active part of the debate. I hope for a trade agreement that will help to broaden our economy, help eradicate poverty, while bringing jobs and a decent quality of life to all of those involved. However, based upon recent reports, NAFTA, the trade agreement and trade model, has not met its promises. Therefore, I believe that any standard of trade, based on the NAFTA model, will further threaten the standard of living for working families, not only in the United States but in other countries as well. The growing trade deficit with Canada and Mexico since NAFTA was passed is well-known. As this trade deficit has developed, thousands of United States jobs have been lost. ``Free traders'' often state that those opposed to NAFTA need to get on with the times, often asserting that we are opposed to this treaty out of fear for the future. I pronounce that this is just simply not the truth. As a matter of fact, those individuals and unions who are opposed to NAFTA do so as a result of their great desire to create a different kind of future, a future that says that the standard of living in this country ought to be spread throughout the world, a future that says we do not believe that further reducing the standard of living in Third World developing countries is the way for America to rise. So, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that this country would object, reject, extricate itself from the concept that America can advance by allowing its businesses and industries to flow away seeking a different kind of labor pool, seeking a labor pool that is willing to work because of the difficulties that it has had, that is willing to work by undercutting and undermining the standard of living that the American society has become accustomed to. We need to make sure that people all over the world can subscribe to the idea that they ought to be paid for the work which they provide; that is, they ought to be paid a livable wage that affords them the opportunity to seek the very best of what the world has to offer. I am grateful for the opportunity to share these thoughts and ideas with my colleagues and the American people and suggest that NAFTA is not good for America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the 80th birthday of Ms. Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate of Illinois. Poet Laureate of Illinois; a communicator with the world, a song to be sung, a lesson to be learned, a life to be lived. Gwendolyn Brooks, a master of using the written word, is the author of more than 20 books. The highly acclaimed ``A Street in Bronzeville'' was the first, published in 1945. For three decades, her works were published by Harper & Row. However, for economic reasons, she switched to the black-owned Broadside Press in 1969 and in 1974, to the Third World Press. Gwendolyn Brooks was named Poet Laureate in 1968 and has continued to be relevant, fresh, and vibrant for all of these years. Therefore, our hats are off to a great American, a profound and prolific writer, a great humanitarian--Ms. Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate of Illinois.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Voltaire once said that the purpose of politics is to take as much money as you can from one group of people and give it to another. It seems to me that that is exactly what my Republican colleagues have taken a page from, taking money from the low-income working class families so that they can give it to the rich, taking milk out of the mouth of babes so that the richest 5 percent of the people in our country get a break. Denying working families the opportunity to send their sons and daughters to college so that the rich, the wealthiest 1 percent of families, can boost their incomes by an average of $27,000 per year. If this is what America is about, then I say, ``Gimme a break.'' That is why I support the Rangel Democratic alternative which will allow millions of Americans to realize real savings. I also urge my colleagues to continue to do more, and that is why I have introduced a measure that will give working families with children up to age 18 additional relief and would further target capital gains credits for these families.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. First of all, I just want to commend and congratulate the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida [Ms. Brown] for her sensitivity and enlightenment in organizing and bringing together this group who will give tribute to Jesse Brown. And so, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize another great leader with roots in the Chicago community, another individual who lived in the congressional district which I am fortunate to represent. Rarely does an individual come along who possess qualities which tend to elude the multitudes. This individual is driven. He must be if he is to set an example for those around him. This individual is intelligent, not only from the study of books or formal training, but from applying the lessons of life, lessons learned at the nadir of life's inevitable pitfalls and also those which come while at the pinnacles of its glorious triumphs. This individual is selfless. If he was not, he might not be able to administer with wisdom and compassion the great resources with which he has been entrusted. This individual is a leader. But also a good follower, committed to service. Mr. Speaker, I do not have to tell you that Jesse Brown is one such individual. He has maintained an exemplary record of service not only to the Nation's veteran community but to his family, numerous professional organizations and indeed to his country. Jesse's tireless efforts are certainly felt throughout my congressional district and all over America each day, a large veteran community with 3 major VA hospitals: Lakeside, Hines and West Side, all of which lie within the boundaries of my district in Chicago and the western suburbs. As Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown worked diligently to insure that our Nation's veterans received the quality health care and other benefits which they are deserving. In fact, throughout his entire professional career Jesse Brown has worked to ensure that America lives up to the promises made to our veterans. Oftentimes I did not have to ask Jesse Brown for a thing. I did not have to ask because he would not let me. Jesse is proactive and meets issues head on. I admire his bold determination to guarantee that those who have served this country beyond her borders will not suffer and, in fact, will receive quality services and benefits. I must tell you that Jesse's mother is a resident of Chicago, and I know that she beams with pride at the very mention of her son's name. I know veterans in my district who have nothing but positive things to say about Jesse and directly attribute their success to his lifelong efforts, and I can tell you that I know that all of us are perhaps stronger and better because we have had the benefit. And so, Jesse, I know that we could not persuade you to stay. I know that if we did, we would be stealing your gift from those whom you will be moving on to enlighten, and if you taught us anything in this country, it is that your company is too precious to keep all to ourselves. And so I say thank you on behalf of my constituents and veterans all over not only America, but all over the world. And I know that Jesse's heart is saddened when he thinks about the budget, our spending plan and tax cuts. We are passing laws which has taken away health care for veterans and doing nothing for military retirees. So maybe, Jesse, you are leaving at the right time because I know that it would be very difficult to do justice to veterans with all of these cuts and tax breaks for the rich as we balance the budget on the backs of the poor. And so, Jesse, as you leave, hopefully the same people who voted for the flag will now learn to vote for veterans and their families. We thank you for being a great servant to the American people.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as the Chicago Sun Times put it, ``A jewel has died.'' That is Jewel Lafontant Makarious. I rise to pay tribute to a great woman, a great lady, a great Chicagoan, an accomplished lawyer, civil rights advocate, a great American, friend of Presidents and mother of John Rogers who is President of the Chicago Park District and President of Ariel Mutual Funds. Active in Republican politics, Mrs. Mankarious was a close friend of Presidents Eisenhower, Nixon and Bush. She was a longtime civil rights activist and broke down barriers for blacks and women in both government and corporate America. During the Eisenhower administration, she was assistant U.S. Attorney, the first black woman to hold that post. She was a good friend of Richard Nixon and seconded his nomination for President at the Republican National Convention in 1960. In 1972, she became the Deputy Solicitor General in the Justice Department and later served as U.S. Ambassador at Large for 4 years in the Bush administration and finished her government career as Coordinator of Refugee Affairs. Her longtime friend, George Johnson, founder and chairman of Johnson Products, described her this way: She gave her legal services to the downtrodden people who could not fight for themselves. She fought for people who could not fight the system. She was a wonderful woman of great accomplishments. Mrs. Lafontant was a trial lawyer, recognized for being one of the best. She was a founding member of the Congress of Racial Equality, participated in demonstrations and sit-ins. By 1969, she had sat on the board of 15 major corporations, including Jewel Foods, Mobile Oil and Trans World Airlines. She held office in the NAACP and was on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union. I express my condolences to her son, John Rogers, and his family, and to her husband, Mr. Naguib Mankarious. The Chicago Sun Times is indeed correct, she was indeed a jewel. America has benefited greatly from her life and her contributions. The annals of history will always remember the impact of Jewel Lafontant Mankarious.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Betty Shabazz, a woman of great courage, strength, and tenacity. On Monday, June 23, a great presence in the lives of countless citizens of the world left this Earth. She was not just an inspiration to the African-American community, or just an advocate of equality for women or primarily a proponent of children's rights. She was so much more than that. Dr. Betty Shabazz was an inspiration to the human community, she was an advocate of equality for all people, indeed she was a proponent of every ideal upon which this Nation was founded, but often had difficulty adhering to. Therein lies the inherent greatness of Dr. Shabazz. Despite the firebombing of her home in 1965 and the brutal murder of her husband, civil rights leader Malcolm X less than 3 weeks later, she refused to turn what must have been inconsolable anger into motivation for retribution against those who took the father of her children. Instead, Dr. Shabazz turned inward, furthering her education and strengthening her resolve as she embarked upon her mission to raise six children alone. Dr. Shabazz possessed hope even in the midst of hopelessness. She refused to quit, and epitomized the American spirit. And what Dr. Shabazz accomplished should encourage all of us to greater heights. She lived her life making a difference, and she died trying to make a difference. She received her undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts. She became a college professor and radio talk show host, all the while providing a stable and sheltered home for her six daughters. She was the model of motherhood, without calling attention to her actions. She turned tragedy into triumph. Dr. Shabazz led by example and exemplified what we all might be able to do if we were willing to make sacrifices, which she did. Soon after the death of her husband, and for many years thereafter, Dr. Shabazz was viewed by many as an extension of Malcolm X and his views. Someone who, like Coretta Scott King and Myrlie Evers, could be called upon to tender an opinion on what Malcolm's views on various issues of the day might be. But something happened along the way. Dr. Shabazz herself became the authority, and the questions initially directed toward the widow of Malcolm X became inquiries of Dr. Betty Shabazz. Only a woman of this intellectual and academic magnitude could overshadow the mystique of such a historical figure as Malcolm X. Mr. Speaker, a college bearing the name of Malcolm X is located in the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois. I came to know Dr. Shabazz very well during her many visits to Chicago. She was truly one of the most dynamic and engaging people that I have ever met. Her command of the issues affecting the many different people of the world was, in a word, extraordinary. Her passing at this time and in this way is terribly unfortunate. It speaks to the human condition in a way that only an event this tragic and unwarranted can. It begs for another figure like Dr. Shabazz to stand and say something to put right this egregious wrong. Yet she is still gone, and it seems that we are without recourse. When her husband was murdered, he was eulogized by Ossie Davis, the great African-American actor. Mr. Davis referred to Malcolm X as our shining black manhood. Mr. Speaker, I submit to you that Dr. Betty Shabazz, through her countless achievements, has transcended Mr. Davis's description of her husband. She belongs to all of us and stands as a tribute to what we all must strive to become. While she may have left this Earth on the 23d of June, her legacy lives on and will undoubtedly influence many more generations to come. I ask all of us to join today in paying tribute to Dr. Betty Shabazz. Having known her is an honor which words cannot convey, and her earthly presence will be sorely missed.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have been told that there is a principle which states that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It seems to me that we ought to be trying to find corruption and ferret it out, not create an opportunity to further it. And so it is clear, Mr. Speaker, that if we are looking for corruption, then we ought to have an open and fair investigation, not give all of the power to one person. Let us vote down this resolution and give the American people a fair process, an honest process, an open process. Let us give them fairness.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Sanjay Sharma, a junior at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, IL, who has been named a national winner for the 1997 Voice of Democracy Program for the State of Illinois, and the recipient of the $2,500 Troy and Sandy Rothbart Memorial Scholarship Award. Sanjay, who lives in Elmwood Park is the son of Ms. Prabha Sharma. Sanjay was sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1612 in Chicago, IL. The program requires high school student entrants to write and record a 3- to 5-minute essay on an announced patriotic theme. This year's theme, ``Democracy--Above and Beyond,'' attracted over 109,000 students to participate in the competition nationwide. The Voice of Democracy Scholarship Program was started 50 years ago by the National Association of Broadcasters, the Electronic Industries Association, and the State Association of Broadcasters, with the endorsement of the U.S. Office of Education. Starting in the 1958-59 program year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars became a secondary sponsor in cooperation with other sponsors. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight a part of Sanjay Sharma's well-written essay on democracy. Democracy is a form of government above and beyond all other forms of government because democracy explores our human essence. Democracy explores what it means to be an American and what makes each and every one of us who we are and who we can be. The United States of America has emerged as a pillar among nations, through the 220 years of ups and downs of its charismatic history. You can't help but realize that there has got to be something special about this democracy business. The power of democracy delves into our hearts, our minds, and our inner beings, revealing to us, that Destiny, Fate, and Choice are all the same breeze that floats over eternity and turns the windmill of our lives. I am including the entire text of Sanjay Sharma's essay on democracy for the Record. All of us in the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois are rightfully proud of Sanjay Sharma. ``Democracy--Above and Beyond'' (By Sanjay Sharma) Democracy is a form of government above and beyond all other forms of government because democracy explores our human essence. Democracy explores what it means to be an American and what makes each and every one of us who we are and who we can be. The United States of America has emerged as a pillar among nations, through the 220 years of the ups- and-downs of its charismatic history. You can't help but realize that there has got to be something special about this democracy business. The power of democracy delves into our hearts, our minds, and our inner beings, revealing to us, that Destiny, Fate, and Choice are all the same breeze that floats over eternity and turns the windmill of our lives. Inside each one of us there burns a flame of love, hope, and leadership; and from that flame, there shines a light of character and personality. This light, inside each of us, is enveloped by a cocoon of windows that are enclosed by shutters. One by one, Democracy throws up those shutters, opens those windows, and allows the light within us to shine forth. Bringing freedom, responsibility, and opportunity into our lives, democracy challenges us to live up to our greatest individual potential and pool our talents and ideas together as a nation, in harmony and progress. And truly the glories of democracy guiding our inner strengths are exhibited in the events of our past and present and the prospects for our future. Throughout history, an American legacy has taken shape from the past wonders of democracy. In the early foundations of the United States, the opportunities of democracy brought out a light of innovation and pioneering in the millions of immigrants who came from around the world and answered democracy's call by helping to build America. Esterian Mazzuca was a little girl when she arrived from Italy, when she returned to Ellis Island seventy-four years later, she came with eighty-one American descendants. In the 1960's the power of the freedoms of democracy was brilliantly displayed, as lights of unity and hope beamed forth from Martin Luther King, Jr. And his followers in their peaceful demonstrations against segregation. And in 1985, the responsibilities of democracy unveiled lights of goodwill and service in forty- five music celebrities who gathered together to record: ``We Are The World'' and donate the album's earning (almost $62 million) to the poverty-stricken nations of Africa. Now think, for a moment, about a time when you gathered together with others of the good of a common cause. The warmth and belonging you felt was the warmth of a ray of inner light shining from one of the opened windows inside of you--opened by the power of democracy. The sands of time are piled in our hands, as memories are being made in our present day and age. In Missoula, Montana, when the children needed a merry-go-round, Chuck Kaparich started to carve the horses himself, and as the contagious democracy spread, soon schoolkids had collected one million pennies and grown-ups assisted in the carving. After four years of communal effort, Missoula has one heck of a merry- go-round. As a little girl performs with her class in their first school pageant, singing her heart out, a tear of joy falls from her parent's eye. The joyous teardrop--a beautiful symbol of the efforts, choices, and qualities which illuminate democracy. A grandmother and grandfather look high into the blackness of the night sky as a rocket scoots upwards, then disappears beyond the stars, only to burst forth in a fountain of blazing reds and blues, in the true fashion of a Fourth-of-July firework. As the night sky is lit up in celebration, there is, for a moment, a twinkle in their eyes--a symbol of the light with which democracy guides America. As we look toward the future, we are awed by the dawn of a new century--the 21st century. The younger generations of Americans now must grow with democracy and kindle their own inner lights of unity, hope, and leadership shining in democracy's freedoms, responsibilities, and opportunities. In its wonderful uniqueness, democracy finds a balance between absolute freedom and absolute control. The guiding light of democracy shines above and beyond, showing us that even freedom does not come free; freedom and opportunity demand our devotion and perseverance--in turn, democracy challenges us to use our talents, ideas, and skills, to carry the nation to its greatest potential.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great American who recently passed away, one whose life has flowed and influence has flowed from his office on the near south side of Chicago to points across America and throughout the world, Mr. John H. Sengstacke. He spent 50 years as publisher of the Chicago Daily Defender newspaper, which was founded by Robert Abbott in 1905 and sold as many as 200,000 copies a week during World War II, when it championed desegregation of the Armed Forces and paved the way for Jackie Robinson to become the first black to play major league baseball. John Sengstacke was born in Savannah, GA, educated at Hampton Institute in Virginia, and spent the rest of his life working for and building the Chicago Defender newspaper, a paper which under the leadership of Mr. Abbott had acquired a readership far beyond Chicago by being an early champion of the great migration beginning in World War I. Mr. Abbott preached in his editorials that the destiny of blacks was in the north, where factories were desperate for workers. Pullman car porters acted as unofficial circulation agents by picking up copies in Chicago and dropping them off at barber shops and churches along their southern runs. In the 1940's Mr. Sengstacke founded the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association, now known as the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which has more than 200 members. He also acquired the new Pittsburgh Courier, the Detroit-based Michigan Chronicle, and the Tri- State Defender published in Memphis, TN. Out of the Defender has emerged a Chicago institution, the Bud Billiken parade. As an activity of the Defender charities, the Bud Billiken parade has grown to be one of the largest community celebrations in the Nation. Mayors, Governors, Senators and even Presidents have marched or ridden in this parade, which traditionally draws more than a million active viewers and participants each year. The Chicago Daily Defender newspaper has been a haven and inspiration for renowned journalists and publishers such as Lu Palmer, Vernon, Jarret, Faith Christmas, John H. Johnson, and Chinta Strasburg, to name a few. John Henry Herman Sengstacke was an adviser to Presidents Truman, Kennedy and Johnson. Through his influence with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Mr. Sengstacke arranged for the first African- American correspondent in White House history, Mr. Harry McAlpin. He also figured prominently in influencing President Roosevelt to hire African-Americans to work for the U.S. Postal Service. He received 10 Presidential appointments, including his selection by President Truman to serve on the committee on equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Forces, which resulted in desegregation of the military. In the 1940's Paul Robeson and John Sengstacke arranged a meeting with Jim Landis, commissioner of baseball, and Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, which led to the hiring of Jackie Robinson to play major league baseball. He served as chairman of the board of Provident Hospital and Training School Association which rebuilt the Provident Medical Center which enabled the legendary hospital in which the world's first open heart surgery was performed by Dr. Danial Hale Williams, to continue its services to African-Americans and others who live in its area. Mr. Speaker, I express condolences to the Sengstacke family, friends and employees of the Defender newspapers on the occasion of his death. John Sengstacke worked diligently to end racism, sexism, and anti- semitism. He fought for open housing, to educate children, to provide charitable services to humanity, to defend the U.S. Constitution, and to protect the rights of people throughout the world. John Henry Herman Sengstacke, a man who knew how to use a newspaper to become an influential and powerful American.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. When the gentleman mentioned New York, I could not help but smile to myself and think of how fortunate the people of New York are that they have the gentleman as their advocate, that they have the gentleman working in their behalf. I want to thank the gentleman for organizing this evening and for giving us the opportunity to share it with the gentleman. The last thing that I would want to say is the gentleman mentioned the whole business of slavery. I remember the words of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass who suggested that if you would find the level of oppression that a people will accept, that is exactly what they will get. I do not believe that the people are going to accept this level of oppression. I certainly thank the gentleman for the opportunity.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I thank my colleague very much, and that is why I think that the whole concept of eternal vigilance is so important. That is, we have to be watchful all the time. We also have to be real about the whole business of how many jobs are there really, how many jobs are there really for many of the people that we are talking about, people who in many instances do not have the skills, have not been trained. As a matter of fact, I am reminded of an incident that took place the other day where a fellow that I know went out looking for a job and he looked every place that he could possibly look. Finally, he ended up at the zoo. He talked to the zoo keeper, and he said, ``I really do not have anything.'' Then he remembered. He says, ``You know, my gorilla got sick. I have got a group of kids coming in. They want to see a gorilla. I will give you $100 to be the gorilla.'' So the fellow said, ``Look, I am from the west side of Chicago. For $100, I will be anything you want me to be because I want to work, I want a job.'' He put the suit on. The kids came in, and he kind of beat his chest a little bit and the kids clapped. Then he jumped up on a trampoline and did a flip. The kids clapped again. So he decided to do a double somersault. And he flipped over into the lions' cage, fell on his back laying prostrate. The lion starts to come toward him, and he looks over at the zoo keeper and says, ``Help.'' The guy did not respond. The lion is still coming. He says, ``Help.'' Still no response. The lion decided that he would then take advantage of the situation, so he got ferocious, began to growl and made a charge. The guy says, ``Help.'' The lion says, ``Shhh, you are going to blow both our covers.'' And, so, my point is that the availability of jobs is not nearly what we are led to believe. I hear us talk about 4.9 percent unemployment. It is not 4.9 percent unemployment in inner city America. It is not 4.9 percent unemployment in the neighborhood and community where I live. And, so, we need economic policies that will also create jobs for which people can actually work and earn a decent wage, a livable wage. And there is only one way to do it, and that is to keep the action up, keep the heat on, keep pressing forward, keep moving. I believe that the American people will, in fact, respond.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Let me first of all thank the gentleman from New York for yielding. It is certainly a pleasure to join here this evening with the gentleman from Vermont and the gentlewoman from California as we discuss what I think is one of the most serious issues facing America. It seems to me that right now, as we prepare to implement welfare reform, as it is being called, or as we prepare to implement the right for people to go from welfare to work, or the enforcement of people going from welfare to work, that rules are being changed. We have just seen the rule changed in the meaning where volunteerism in one place means mandatory in another place. Now we see an attempt to change another set of definitions and another set of rules. Individuals who work have the right to be protected by Federal standards. Now we are being told, or it is being suggested, that individuals who may be welfare recipients and have the opportunity or get the chance to work under some Government-sponsored program, that they will not be defined as workers, they will not actually be defined as having a job because they will not have the same protection. Well, work, to me, seems to be work. And so there is something sinister happening in America. There is something that is difficult to define. It seems as though we are bent on moving backwards rather than moving forward; that there are those who are attempting to take us back to the dark ages. And I think that if there was ever a message being sent to low-income people, if ever a message was being sent to individuals who have need for public resource, if there was ever a message being sent to the physically challenged, to those who suffer with disabilities in our society, then that message is to organize, to come together, to educate, agitate and activate, to stimulate real movement so that all of the forces that are being attacked will have an opportunity to protect themselves. There is unity in strength and there is strength when groups are unified. So this is a time when all of America really should unify to protect the rights of those at the very bottom. I thank the gentleman from New York and yield back to him.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me the time to speak. I would also like to thank my colleague, Representative Patsy Mink, for providing me with the opportunity to join her and others honoring Asian Pacific Americans in this country during the month of May. I join with my colleagues to celebrate this month and look forward to the day when we can have APA heritage month every day of the year. I take great pride in honoring the memory and the courage of all those brave Asian Pacific immigrants residing in the Chicago metropolitan area as well around the country. I look forward to working with the generations that have followed. As a result of their countless sacrifices and dreams for a better life--for them and their children--I have the opportunity to celebrate the many achievements of Asian Pacific Americans in virtually every facet of life today. I commend the Asian Pacific Americans in this country for their contributions to the arts, sciences, education, military, and government. From the Chinese who first came here for the California gold rush and later played a critically important role in building the transcontinental railroad in the mid-1800's. To the all Japanese- American 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regiment Combat Team in World War II who became the most decorated unit in U.S. military history receiving over 18,000 individual decorations, including more than 9,000 Purple Hearts--in less than a year. They earned this honor despite being designated for internment in American concentration camps on the West coast during World War II. To the Asian-American war veterans who fought heroically for our Nation through many conflicts in the 20th century, including Filipinos, who, alongside soldiers from Maywood, IL, survived the Bataan Death March in the Philippines during World War II. To Hiram Fong, from Hawaii, who became the first Asian- American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1959. To Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorials. To Dr. David Ho, an American of Chinese descent, who was recently named Time magazine's 1996 Man of the Year Award for his breakthrough research that led to the development of the most effective treatments now available for the HIV virus, and finally to Gov. Gary Locke, an American of Chinese descent who was recently elected Governor of the State of Washington, becoming the first Asian-American elected Governor in the continental United States. Again, I salute the community and its many accomplishments. However, I also join with you in your struggles. I understand that the anti- immigrant debate has plagued the community; the effects of welfare reform are being experienced today by many of the elderly poor; anti- Asian violence is on the rise; the lack of good jobs has forced many Asian immigrant women into working in sweatshops; and the whole debate on campaign finance reform has targeted and portrayed the Asian Pacific American community in a very negative light--oftentimes questioning their loyalty to this country. I recognize that the attack on the immigrant community has come swiftly and severely in many forms, including providing an entree for the attack on much-needed affirmative action programs. Today, the Asian Pacific American community forms a vibrant and diverse group growing faster than any other minority group in America. Many members are economically successful Americans and distinguished in their own areas and others are newer immigrants facing very different circumstances. This creates a new host of issues that need to be addressed. Back home the State of Illinois ranks fifth in terms of States with the largest number of Asian Pacific Americans residing in that State. Cook County is home to the majority of these residents. Furthermore, the Seventh Congressional District is approximately 5 percent Asian Pacific American--largely consisting of those residents of the Chinatown area. I am proud to represent this area and join with my colleagues in the Asian Pacific American caucus today in celebrating these fine Americans in the Seventh Congressional District and beyond.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, let me add my accolades to the gentlewoman from California, our dynamic leader, and to the gentleman from Mississippi who has crafted such a delightful document. Mr. Chairman, I rise to express support for this budget amendment because it is one that is balanced, fair, responsive, responsible and speaks to the needs of the American people. Mr. Chairman, this budget, the Congressional Black Caucus budget, is worth fighting for. It is designed to invest in the people of America. It helps to cut the deficit, to grow the economy, to reduce corporate welfare. And it helps those most in need of vital programs such as Head Start, WIC, drug treatment, section 8 housing, special education, and summer jobs for youth. This budget highlights and places special emphasis upon the needs of small businesses, minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. The budget includes a million and a half dollars more than the President's request for community development through financial institutions and recommends expansion of the community reinvestment guidelines to make it easier for financial institutions to reinvest in low-income communities. This budget provides $10 million for the Office of Women's Ownership. It provides $100 million for round 2 of the empowerment zone and empowerment communities. This budget recognizes that Government must act as a catalyst and help people to be in a position to help themselves. The Government must give rise to hope and generate faith. This budget is a good budget. It is one that represents the people. It is one that deserves support. I urge, Mr. Chairman, all of my colleagues, even those who would talk about compromise, even those who would recognize that sometimes we come together, but I just do not believe that we can compromise on the backs of the poor. I do not believe that we can compromise on those who have no food and no shelter.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a group of superstars in the Seventh Congressional District in the State of Illinois. Often when we talk about superstars it is in the context of athletics, athletes, entertainment and entertainers such as Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, the Bulls, and I am very proud that I represent all of them. It would be impossible to argue that Michael Jordan, the leader of the Chicago Bulls, based in the Seventh District of Illinois, the man who dazzles us with his amazing agility and ball handling skills, is anything but a superstar or that Scottie Pippin, who grew up in a little town in Arkansas not very far from my original home, he in Hamburg and I in Parkdale. Scottie is indeed a superstar, and I am proud to represent him. Likewise, Kevin Garnett, who also lived in the Seventh District, attended Farragut High School and went directly into the National Basketball Association with the Minnesota Timberwolves based upon his exceptional ability to master the game of basketball. But what about our academic superstars who have proven themselves capable of their ability and with their ability to master the quest for knowledge? So tonight, Mr. Speaker, I come to talk about another group of superstars. For the past 8 years the Whitney M. Young High School's Academic Decathlon teams have been superstars in the academic arena. They are the Michael Jordans and Scottie Pippins of education. The decathlon team's mental ability and problem solving skills have placed them in the top 10 in the United States Academic Decathlon's national competition 8 consecutive times, winning third place three times and second place once when the decathlon was held in Chicago in 1995. Whitney Young's most recent team placed third in the 1997 U.S. Academic Decathlon's national competition. The 9 students from Whitney Young High School who placed in the 1997 U.S. Academic Decathlon and the individuals who coached them are students, Ed Bailey, Katherine Megquier, Emmett Hogan, Julienna Ar, Long Trvong, Maryanne Ar, Robert Jefferson, Brian Piechowski, and Robert Iu; coaches, Brian Tennison and Ms. Susanne McCannon. The Whitney Young High School has produced a dynasty of superstars who have competed successfully over the years in the decathlon. Whitney Young has been the Illinois champion for the past 12 years, defeating teams from such academic powerhouses as the Illinois Math and Science Academy, New Trier, Stevens on and Niles West. One or two years might be a fluke. Three or four years might be viewed to exceptional hard work. Five or six years might be due to a few individuals making inordinate sacrifices. But 12 years, 12 years can only be due to an exceptional educational environment. Therefore, I commend and congratulate an outstanding principal, Ms. Joyce Kenner; Mr. Billy Williams, chairman; Mr. Paul Levin, vice chairman; Ms. Susan Hirsch, recording secretary; Ms. Anita Andrews, Mr. Miguel Ayala, Ms. Mary Baldwin, Ms. Estrelita Dukes, Judge Teicival Herman; Ms. Barbara Keys, Ms. Martha Miller, and Ms. Deborah Sawyer, all members of the local advisory council. Mr. Speaker, making the final three in the U.S. Academic Decathlon is no small feat. The decathlon takes months and even years of hard work and preparation. The Academic Decathlon is the supreme measure of educational achievement. It is the World Series of academics. It is the NBA finals of scholastic attainment. So again we salute Whitney M. Young, all of the members of the team. I congratulate each and every one of the outstanding young men and women and their coaches. I congratulate the Chicago Board of Education, the local advisory council, the principal and a great staff. It does indeed take a whole community to make a great school.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, today I rise on behalf of a constituency that during the past few weeks we have heard a great deal about but very little from, and as I sat watching and listening to the debate, as I listened to many of the myths and stereotypes of poor people which have sprung up because their voices often are not heard in the great decision and influence making centers of our society, I wondered why. As I sat and watched and listened, I found myself wondering why the gallery was not filled with poor people and with advocates for the poor, with lobbyists pushing their position. I wondered why there were not thousands of people surrounding the Capitol or holding meetings and rallies in public housing developments throughout the land. Then it occurred to me that public housing residents are oftentimes easy targets, oftentimes poor, uneducated, unemployed, unskilled, unorganized, unregistered, underfed, undernourished and physically segregated. Therefore, many of the people see no need to challenge the myths, stereotypes, preconceptions, misconceptions and erroneous notions about who they are and how they live in public housing. As my wife and I were having Mother's Day dinner on Sunday, we met a lady who was helping to serve. She was bubbling over with enthusiasm and told us that her daughter had just graduated from SIU, Southern Illinois University, with a law degree. Then she said that she lived in Cabrini Green Housing Development and that she was proud of all her children. Her son had earned a doctorate degree and was teaching. Another son was working at the Post Office, and another one at Northwestern Hospital, all raised in Cabrini Green. So, Mr. Chairman, life for many residents is more than an 8-second sound bite on the evening news. Public housing residents do not all belong to gangs, are not all unemployed, do not all sit around daily living the good life, sleeping late, eating ham hocks, doing drugs and watching Oprah. They are not all lazy, shiftless and immoral. They do have commendable values and a sense of community. Having created a stereotypical, fantasized world, afflicted with fantasy problems, it becomes easy to design fantasy solutions if we have already determined that public housing residents live in public housing because they do not want to work and have nothing to do all day. Then it makes sense and is easy to prescribe a little therapeutic required volunteerism as a solution. Why then should we be concerned about the increase in numbers of people who are condemned to a career as a temporary worker without benefits or minimum wage workers, people who work every day and still need public help? If my colleagues think that public housing residents are addicted to free housing, then it makes perverted sense to require that they simply cut it out, just say no. If my colleagues feel that people who live in public housing are just social misfits, then they believe that they can be improved by getting rid of them, just put them out. We have a public housing system which for a variety of reasons, none of which are addressed in H.R. 2, we have a public housing system which has often failed to meet the needs of residents or the needs of our Nation. It has become commonplace to proclaim that the problem is with too much government, that government is too big, it helps the poor too much, that public housing residents have their hands out. When we hand out $150 billion in corporate welfare each year, we do not call it welfare or handouts. We call it stimulating the economy. H.R. 2 demands public service from public housing residents. Fine. But let us also demand some public services from those receiving corporate welfare. H.R. 2 demands personal responsibility contracts from public housing residents. Fine. But let us also demand written contracts detailing how those receiving corporate welfare would get out of the public trough. H.R. 2 demands higher minimum rents from those in public housing. Fine. But let us also develop minimum social paybacks from those receiving corporate welfare. Mr. Chairman, our society, our economy grows strongly in direct proportion to how well we involve every member in the productive process. Let us be fair. Let us have a uniform set of rules for everyone. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is designed to give public housing authorities the flexibility to make their own individual decisions about whether or not to implement the most onerous portions of H.R. 2. I think it is a good way to give those individuals who have been most abused an opportunity for redress.