Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4783, the Claims Resolution Act of 2010.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring awareness to the disease of diabetes. This month has been set aside to increase awareness of diabetes, its prevention and ways to manage its impact. According to the Centers for Disease Control nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and costs $174 billion in health care expenses. Diabetes disproportionately impacts the African American and Hispanic communities. It is estimated that nearly 3.7 million African Americans aged 20 years or older have diabetes. African Americans are 1.8 times more likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites. If diabetes is left untreated it often results in blindness, kidney disease, amputations, nerve damage, heart disease, stroke and ultimately, death. However, diabetes can be managed and prevented. A balanced diet and regular exercise could keep our citizens healthy. I am pleased to have the headquarters for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) in my Congressional District. The ADA is the foremost authority in providing nutrition counseling throughout the country. In fact, the more than 71,000 registered dietitians and nutrition professionals who are members support the ``eat right'' campaign targeted toward young people and older Americans. The work that they are doing is making a difference in the fight against childhood obesity and diabetes and is improving the health of our nation. We must work to get Medical Nutrition Therapy covered by Medicare for beneficiaries diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Nutrition therapy provided by registered dietitians has a proven track record of preventing diabetes through lifestyle changes than simply cannot be made without this assistance for the majority of those who suffer. There are more than 57 million people diagnosed with pre-diabetes--meaning they are on their way to developing full diabetes. By helping people with pre- diabetes, Medicare will avoid having to pay for the much more expensive treatment of diabetes and its debilitating side effects. It seems prudent to assist our citizens with sound nutrition information and to help them make lifestyle changes at a cost minimal to that of amputations and other treatments. The real world impact of covering Medical Nutrition Therapy is that we will shift from health insurance to ``health assurance'' in our efforts. Consider that the total cost of diabetes in 2007 was determined to be $218 billion--yes, billion with a ``b''. I want to commend Jewel-Osco stores for providing free nutrition education from registered dietitians to individuals who shop at the stores in Chicago and throughout the nation. These types of programs which pair pharmacists and registered dietitians with consumers will help in our awareness and education campaign. Finally, I applaud those churches that have a focus on nutrition and exercise as a part of the well-being of their congregation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to first of all thank Chairman Lynch for yielding time. I also want to commend Mr. Sarbanes for the continuous work that he has done to bring this legislation before us today. I also want to commend Mr. Wolf because for a long time he has been the champion of this legislation, and all of us appreciate his work. I'm pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill which provides opportunities to do a number of things. First of all, it saves money. All of us have talked about saving, trying to make sure that we are as efficient and as effective as a Federal Government, as any workforce, as we can possibly be. I don't think that there is any doubt in anyone's mind that we can save money. It also provides an opportunity to deal with another issue, and that's the issue of the environment. How do we reduce the smog emissions? How do we help clean up and clear up the environment? Well if you could imagine, reducing not only in the Washington, D.C., area, but in other large metropolitan areas, the large number of vehicles that we have moving to and from, and especially in instances where we know the work can be done. And I think the U.S. Patent Office has proven without a doubt that you can, in fact, be effective, you can be efficient, you can do a good job, and you can get the job done. So I commend all of those who are in support of this legislation. Again, I want to thank Chairman Lynch for giving me time to participate.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I believe that the American people want to work. Those who are unemployed want a job. Those who are out of work want employment benefits. I don't think that there is any excuse that can be given. There is no reason that one can conjure up that would say to a person who's unemployed, out of work, has no food, can't pay their mortgage, can't enjoy the holidays, that there is a reason, especially since they have worked, that they can't have benefits to get them through this situation on an emergency basis. I am amazed, I am dumbfounded, I can't believe that I'm hearing what I'm hearing, that somehow or another the Democrats, in a technical sense, are keeping individuals from getting unemployment benefits. I would hope that we could change our minds, change our position, and know that when we do this for the least of these, then we're doing the work that we ought to be doing. Let's pass this measure. Provide benefits to the unemployed. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is with strong conviction that I urge my colleagues to support this short-term extension of critical unemployment benefits for our citizens. As our Nation and my state continue to struggle out of this recession, this bill will provide vital assistance to almost 400,000 Illinoisans as we enter December. Failure to extend unemployment will directly affect approximately two million Americans, including 125,000 citizens from Illinois. If policymakers vote to block this critical lifeline, these 125,000 Illinoisans living in a state with a 10.8 percent unemployment rate will experience incredible hardship. Their time in unemployment has been difficult, trying to find work when the jobs are few and far between, trying to cover food, housing, and transportation for the families on an average of $290 a week, which typically replaces only half of the average family's expenses. A government is supposed to help its people in times of need. Failure to extend these benefits would be the first time since the unemployment program's inception that Congress allowed such critical aid to lapse when unemployment remained high for extended periods of time. It is not only these families who will suffer, it is our businesses. The retail sector has been hard hit by this recession. Cutting unemployment benefits for two million people will take a tremendous toll on these businesses as well. In addition to this short-term extension, I strongly support determining ways to help those who remain unemployed beyond the 99 weeks currently covered. Long-term unemployment is an unfortunate reality for Chicago and for my constituents. Further, we should extend the TANF Emergency funds as well. This program directly helped over 26,000 individuals and close to 5,000 employers in Illinois by creating subsidized jobs program, a much-needed boost to the economy in the midst of the worst recession in decades. This program put $9 million dollars into the pockets of hard working Illinoisans until Congress allowed it to lapse at the end of September. Passing this bill today tells our citizens that we are working for them. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures on November 15, 2010. If I were present for rollcall votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on each of the following: Roll 566, November 15, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: S. 3689, To clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights. Roll 567, November 15, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 1713, Recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school. Roll 568, November 15, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Con. Res. 328, Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the Bayh-Dole Act) on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take a moment to state my strong support for H.R. 3470, the Nationally Enhancing the Wellbeing of Babies through Outreach and Research Now--or the NEWBORN Act. This bill authorizes grants to create, implement, and oversee infant mortality pilot programs. These grants could support a number of important activities to reduce our national infant mortality rate, including: educational outreach to at-risk mothers; development and implementation of standardized systems for improved access and services; and regional public education campaigns. In order to fully understand the importance of this act, I believe our country needs to take a moment to reflect upon our infant mortality rate of 6.7 per thousand live births. The United States currently has one of the highest infant mortality rates among industrialized nations--higher than Cuba or Japan. Although the infant mortality rate has declined over time, this rate is unacceptably high and tragic because many of these infant deaths are preventable when mothers receive adequate care and education. Access to quality prenatal healthcare and parenting education greatly reduces many of the risk factors that contribute to infant mortality, such as low birth weight and short gestational age births. It is of serious concern that great disparity exists in infant mortality rates across our country based on geographic location and racial/ethnic minority status. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the infant mortality rate is much higher in the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of our Nation. In my home State of Illinois in 2006 is 7.29 per thousand live births, well above the national average. For African Americans, the infant mortality rate is 13.35, almost double the national average and almost triple the national average for Latino and White children. We cannot allow these disparities to continue. We cannot continue to allow particular groups of our citizens to lose their children at higher rates than others. We must work to dramatically reduce these deaths for all Americans. These numbers reflect the need for federal legislation to increase access to quality prenatal care. I am proud to have played an active role in creating a dedicated funding stream for the home visiting to support families with or expecting young children. Authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Law, the new Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program will provide grants to States to provide evidence-based home visitation services to improve outcomes for children and families who reside in at-risk communities. Research shows that these programs are effective at improving the health and well-being of children and families. It is federal investments in home visiting and in the NEWBORN Act that will help improve children's well-being and lower the infant mortality rate. I stand in strong support of the NEWBORN Act and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today I wish to congratulate Walter Payton College Prep from Chicago on its success wtihin the Intel Schools of Distinction competition. Walter Payton prevailed over 149 other schools to win both the School of Distinction for Mathematics Excellence as well as the overall competition grand prize, the Star Innovator Award. Together, these two awards convey over $175,000 in monetary grants as well as materials--including hardware and software, professional development materials, and curriculum resources. I celebrate the hard work of the students and faculty of the school and applaud their success. Walter Payton College Prep High School is a magnet school whose curriculum emphasizes mathematics, science and world languages. The Intel award highlighted Walter Payton's mathematics program. Impressively, over a quarter of the students at Walter Payton take five or more math courses before graduation. In addition to this rigorous set of core classes, many of the students at Walter Payton fill their electives with advanced placement statistics and/or university-level math courses. Over 99 percent of the student population scores as ``Meeting or Exceeding'' state math standards on the Prairie State Achievement Examination. Walter Payton also has an impressive 98 percent graduation rate and an outstanding record of students who both qualify for advanced placement courses and pass advanced placement tests. Through its focus on math and science, Walter Payton College Prep is helping America become more competitive globally. Multiple reports and experts have sounded the alarm that our nation must quickly accelerate and enhance its training of students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math in order to meet the growing demand for U.S. workers with these skills and to improve our ability to compete in a global economy. Further, these experts agree that we need to broaden the participation of individuals who are underrepresented in these fields, such as racial/ethnic minorities and women. According to the Census Bureau, 39 percent of the population under the age of 18 is a racial or ethnic minority. However, in 2003, only 4.4 percent of U.S. science and engineering jobs were held by African Americans and only 3.4 percent by Hispanics. In 2008, the American Community Survey reported that 10.3% of the total U.S. population were in the professional, scientific, management and administrative services industry; however only 7.7% of Cambodians, 6.8% of Hmongs, and 5.2% of Laotians actually held these types of jobs. Given that over half of the students attending Walter Payton represent racial/ethnic minorities, the school is helping decrease this gap in science and math fields. State, local and federal officials must do more to offer the high- caliber programming offered at Walter Payton to all students so that we can strengthen our citizens and our nation. As we start the 2010-2011 school year, I am pleased to congratulate Walter Payton College Prep in the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois for its achievements and commitment to the mathematics and science fields. Well done!

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 1663, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. In 1983, Congress first recognized September as the month to nationally commemorate sickle cell disease awareness. And it is in that same vein today that I ask for support of H. Res. 1663. More than 2.5 million Americans have the sickle cell trait. The sickle cell trait is found in 1 of 12 African Americans. There is a 1 in 4 chance that a child born to parents who both have the Sickle Cell Trait will develop the sickle cell disease. The average life span for an adult with the sickle cell disease is 45 years. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by affected red blood cells that mutate into the shape of a crescent or sickle, and as such are unable to pass through small blood vessels. It is a recessive genetic condition that occurs when a child inherits two sickle cell genes- or traits- from each parent. The horrific outcomes of this condition include considerable pain in one's arms, chest, legs and abdomen, anemia, gallstone, strokes, as well as damaging tissue in the liver, spleen, kidney, and death. The sickle cell disease primarily affects African-Americans and other ethnic groups. Mr. Speaker, I would also just note that the devastation of this disease on those who are affected by it is, indeed, tremendous. I have had firsthand experience with it by virtue of having run a sickle cell community education project for the University of Illinois in Chicago and came in contact with many of the patients and their families; saw the pain and suffering firsthand. I would urge all my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I offer my strong support for the Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act--a bill that promotes much-needed training and research advancements related to Autism. This bill expands federal support for understanding and treating the Autism Spectrum Disorders which affect as many as 1 in 110 children born in the United States. Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that is typically diagnosed around the age of 3 years old and lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified Autism as one of the nation's leading public health crises. An Autism- related diagnosis is more common than the diagnosis of pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Autism-related disorders occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups at similar rates; however, they are four times more common in boys than they are in girls. Recently, scientists have made advances in understanding Autistic symptomatology; yet there remains limited understanding about its causes and course. These disorders have a tremendous affect on the lives of the children and families who experience them, including challenges with education, communication, and employment possible. The Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act will improve federal support for research and treatment related to Autism disorders. The bill establishes Centers of Excellence to train and provide services to children and families affected by Autism. I am well aware of the benefits of such comprehensive, targeted Centers of Excellence. I am proud that Chicago is home to the Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research run by the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago. This Center is a national leader in providing care and advancing research related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Within one site, state-of-the-art education, research, training, early intervention, school-to-work transition training, and independent living training occur. It is a true resource to the children and families in Illinois and the nation. This Center reflects a strong public-private partnership in which the State of Illinois, the city of Chicago, the University of Illinois, and multiple for-profit and non- profit businesses came together to make this Center a reality. The success of this Center demonstrates the need and potential benefits of creating additional national Centers of Excellence, as authorized by this bill. In Chicago and across the country, it is clear that Autism significantly affects the lives of children and families. Additional federal efforts are needed to advance our understanding and response to Autism Spectrum Disorders. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to offer my strong support for H.R. 6156, the Renewing Authority for State Child Welfare Demonstration Programs. This bill would permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to allow up to 10 demonstration projects a year to test innovative approaches to improving the child welfare system. I am an ardent supporter of the waiver program. My home State of Illinois has been a leader in developing and demonstrating the effectiveness of pioneering child welfare reforms using these waivers. Most notably, Illinois's subsidized guardian waiver was critical to documenting the success of this permanency option in preserving families, improving child well-being, and reducing the number of children in care. I am proud that the Illinois waiver helped lay the ground work for the statutory change in 2008 via The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act that allowed states to use Federal funds to support family caregivers raising relatives who were in the foster care system. More recently, Illinois has received a waiver to provide innovative services for caregivers with substance use disorders. Illinois's demonstration project showed positive outcomes children and families as well as substantial cost savings--approximately $6.6 million over the lifetime of the waiver. Further, the research related to the program reveals important information for improving these programs, especially related to the complexity of problems faced by families experiencing substance abuse and the types of interventions needed to improve reunification and reduce out-of-home placements. Although waivers are helpful in strengthening our child welfare policy, policymakers must work to implement comprehensive changes to the child welfare system--especially with regard to financing and emphasizing prevention. I am glad that this legislation includes some improvements to the waiver program, including increased reporting on the nature of funding used for a demonstration project and prioritizing early intervention and crisis intervention to safely reduce the number of children removed from their homes. I promise to continue to work actively with my colleagues to push for comprehensive reform for the child welfare system so that we can improve the well-being of children and families.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to acknowledge and recognize National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Madam Speaker, the use and abuse of illegal, illicit, and contraband drugs is one of the most challenging and difficult problems facing America. Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month brings attention to the broad group of people affected by alcohol and drug abuse and how recovery truly helps people who struggle with substance abuse problems. The 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that just over 22 million Americans, or 9 percent of the population aged 12 or older, were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year. This rate has remained fairly stable since 2002. Approximately 57 percent of persons who are dependent on drugs were dependent on marijuana, with about 25 percent dependent on pain relievers and 23 percent dependent on cocaine. Although men and women aged 12 to 17 have similar rates of drug dependence, for individuals older than 18, the rate of substance dependence or abuse was about twice as high for men compared to women. Racial/ethnic groups reported similar rates of dependence or abuse, except Asian Americans reported lower rates of dependence and abuse. Substance dependence or abuse varies by region of the country, with the Midwest, 10 percent, having a higher rate than the South, 8.7 percent, and the Northeast, 8.1 percent, but a similar rate to the West, 9.2 percent. Rates for substance dependence or abuse among persons aged 12 or older in 2007 also varied by county type, with small metropolitan counties, 9.4 percent, having a significantly higher rate than nonmetropolitan counties, 8.3 percent, but a similar rate when compared with large metropolitan counties, 9.0 percent. In Illinois, according to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 780,000 Illinois citizens aged 12 or older reported illicit drug use, with 294,000 Illinoisans reporting drug dependence or abuse in the past year. These data found that, for youth aged 12-17, approximately 104,000 Illinoisans reported past month use of an illicit drug. Earlier in this decade, a survey in Chicago found that 800,000 individuals indicated that they used drugs, with 300,000 reporting themselves as hardcore drug users. A 2010 study by the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy found that the Chicago metropolitan region ranks among the worst in the nation for heroin use and problems associated with heroin use. Chicago had the most cases of people with heroin problems using emergency rooms in the Nation from 2004 to 2008, 50 percent more than were handled in New York City during the same period. So I rise in essence to also commend those institutions and those individuals who are engaged in the treatment of substance abuse users, and I point out the Loretta Hospital, which is located in the congressional district where I live and work, I had the opportunity to attend on Monday of this week a great program composed of individuals who were substance abuse users, providers of care, the members of the police department, and I pointed out that the Chicago Police Department in that particular district has a commendable record of how they handle individuals that they come into contact with when they are inebriated, when they are suffering from alcoholism, when they might be found wandering on the street in states that require some intervention. I also note that on Saturday, there will be at least 500 to 800 individuals involved in what we call Recovery Walk. That is individuals who are all addicted who will gather in a park for a rally and then walk to another park, pointing out the tremendous need for additional resources but also pointing out that treatment and recovery does in fact work. So I want to commend all of the individuals who have suffered from substance abuse, alcohol and drug use, and have overcome their difficulties and are now leading meaningful and productive lives. I also commend all of those who are involved in treatment who know that if they continue to believe, if they continue to hope, that they can overcome this difficulty.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the rule and the underlying bill, and I want to thank the gentlelady from Maine for yielding time. All of us know that small businesses have been the backbone of the American economy. All of us know businesses that started as single individuals, single family, using their creativity, developing opportunities for not only themselves but for others. The basic thing that small businesses need right now is access to capital, lines of credit, the opportunity to grow and expand. This bill provides exactly that. And I know that there are thousands of small businesses in my State and in my community simply waiting so that they can go to a bank and get the line of credit that they need, get the small business loan that they must have. It's a good bill, a strong bill. I urge its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Carson) for yielding time. I also want to commend my good friend Representative Holt from New Jersey and the Senator from my State, Senator Durbin, for the work that they have done in advancing this recognition and advancing this legislation. I don't think that there is any doubt in anybody's mind that Professor Yunus is deserving of such an honor. But it's not really just about honoring Professor Yunus. It's really about advancing the concept that he created, microlending, that not only has been a boon to underdeveloped nations, some of the millions of people who live in poverty each and every day of their lives wondering how they're going to be able to etch their way out of it; but we also see it in our country, in the United States of America, where just today we increased the limits on our microlending program through the Small Business Administration in the bill that we passed earlier from $35,000 to $50,000. I grew up in rural America, where if an individual could gather a thousand dollars, they could purchase themselves a load of vegetables, and rather than just having a few to get rid of, they really could get rid of quite a few. There is a woman in the basement of the building where my district office is located. She operates a small belt-making, jewelry-making shop. Five thousand dollars was enough to get her started and now she actually has a thriving business where she earns a living and employs two or three other people. Not far from where I live is the number one shoeshine shop in America. As a matter of fact, it's called Shine King. It's no bigger than just a little opening. But the man who started it actually started shining shoes with a kit on the streets and now, of course, he's part owner of the bank around the corner, he owns real estate, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He provides training and work opportunities for young boys. As a matter of fact, the famed basketball player, Isiah Thomas, used to shine shoes in his shop. And so microlending is actually the beginning for millions of people. I join with my colleagues in honoring Dr. Yunus, again commend all of them for advancing this legislation, look forward to its passage but look more forward to greater utilization of the microlending concept as a part of the American economy.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Let me thank the manager for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the passage of legislation that created real estate investment trusts. I happen to come from the City of Chicago. I represent downtown Chicago, and of course it is an investment opportunity, not only in Chicago but all over America, for individuals to make use of this opportunity. So, for the last 50 years, they have had that opportunity, and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and to develop. I appreciate the opportunity to say that I think real estate investment trusts are very important to the economy of our country, and I strongly support this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to vote on this important bill that will provide critical aid to states and local governments. The House of Representatives twice has passed bills to provide federal assistance for education and health. I am pleased that we finally are able to deliver this desperately needed federal support to our constituents. I support this legislation because it will provide essential assistance to Chicago, Illinois, and the nation. The Illinois Association of School Administrators estimates that Illinois will lose more than 20,000 education-related jobs for the upcoming school year. The State of Illinois anticipates receiving approximately $415 million to keep 5,700 teachers in the classroom. My congressional district is expected to receive approximately $36 million to keep 508 educators teaching my young constituents. This $415 million will provide a lifeline to local school districts with straining budgets to preserve some of these jobs, improving children's learning and the economic well-being of my state and the nation. In addition to this vital education funding, this bill will provide $550 million to help cover 300,000 Illinoisans on Medicaid--preserving services, allowing timely payments to providers, and creating thousands of jobs. These are not theoretical numbers; to people in Chicago and Illinois, they are very real people who benefit. The beneficiaries are mothers, fathers, young adults, senior citizens, and children in Illinois. The beneficiaries are the teachers, firefighters, and police officers who will continue to work as educators and protectors of our communities. The beneficiaries are small businesses in the private sector who contract with state and local governments to provide health- related work. Given the desperate need for this funding in my district and state, I cast my vote in support for this federal aid to preserve education jobs and health services for low-income persons. This said, I wish to voice my disappointment that one of the offsets for this bill sent to us by the Senate is a reduction in funding for poor families in need of federal aid to purchase food. Children and families who receive food assistance are some of our most vulnerable citizens. In 2009, 1.46 million Illinoisans in 677,000 households received food stamps with an average per month of about $136 for a total benefit value issued of $2.3 billion. There are many poor families in Chicago and Illinois who need the full amount of the food benefits. Even if the impact is a few years away, I am disappointed that my vote to provide almost $1 billion of federal assistance to my state occurs by reducing future benefits to the poor. I vow to work actively with my colleagues to replace this funding so that no reduction in food assistance comes to fruition.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express strong support for House Resolution 5849, which extends temporary programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. It is a well known fact that small businesses drive our economy in a significant way and serve as a stimulator for job creation and economic development. In my congressional district, there are thousands of small businesses which provide work opportunities and facilitate the continuous flow of goods and services which help to keep the economy moving. Again, I express my strong support for House Resolution 5849 and look forward to its implementation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to encourage the domestic development, adoption and deployment of recyclable and environmentally-safe composite utility poles for use in the distribution and transmission of electricity. As Congress works to invest in our nation's electricity infrastructure to deliver critical new sources of energy to our cities and towns, it is time we also modernize the electricity delivery infrastructure so that it is more reliable, environmentally-safe, and cost-efficient than the current, century-old model. Our 21st Century electricity infrastructure must meet the changing demands of a diverse society, survive unforeseen natural disasters, and help deliver technology to improve our lives. Composite utility poles meet these demands. Composite products are made from a variety of components such as glass, resins and fiber reinforcements that, when combined, produce stronger and lighter materials. Composites are integrated into products surrounding us every day, including swimming pools, cars, airplanes, wind turbines, and power plant cooling towers. Composite manufacturing in the United States is a fast growing, $70-billion industry that employs approximately 550,000 Americans. My legislation will help spread this innovative technology to our nationwide network of approximately 130 million aging wooden utility poles. In the process, we also will create high quality, long-term manufacturing jobs here at home. Composite utility poles last longer and are considerably lighter than wood, concrete and steel. They do not require treatment with harmful chemicals to prevent decay; as a result, they can be used in environmentally-sensitive areas, such as deserts, marshlands, national parks, forests and monument areas. Composite poles withstand severe weather conditions, including extreme temperature changes and fierce winds. They also are impervious to corrosion and require little maintenance, key issues for places like Chicago that must use salt often during winter to address icy road conditions and lose many steel and wooden poles due to the associated corrosiveness of the salt. In urban areas, composite poles can internally house WiFi and other wireless infrastructure and help clean up streetscapes by replacing unstable and unsightly chemically-treated poles with fewer composite poles. Composite pole life expectancy ranges from two to three times as long as traditional wood poles. My bill takes two steps to promote the development and use of these utility poles. First, it amends the advanced manufacturing credit to allow the Treasury Department and the Energy Department to consider allocating a credit to the advancement of composite technology for our nation's energy infrastructure. Second, it provides a 30% tax credit to purchasers of composite poles that contain 15% recyclable or bio- content material, are recyclable at the end of their life, and are used for electricity distribution and transmission. This credit is intended as a catalyst to expedite the adoption and deployment of composite utility poles, helping taxpayers invest in this new infrastructure. As such, this credit would expire after five years. In closing, I urge my colleagues to join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to ensure that green energy is transported by green infrastructure.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in the Illinois that I come from there is no excuse to vote against this bill. Of critical importance to Chicago and Illinois is the extension of key safety net programs, including the TANF Emergency Fund. The TANF Emergency Fund has provided significant relief to Illinois, especially for creating jobs programs that benefit individuals and small businesses. To date, Illinois has been approved for $72.4 million in funds. With this Federal support, the State has launched its subsidized employment initiative called Put Illinois to Work, and is anticipating placing 22,000 low-income parents and young people in subsidized jobs. Passage of this bill will guarantee this much-needed assistance to low-income working families through the end of the year. State and local government will receive assistance for infrastructure through Build America Bonds that will aid in subsidizing the rebuilding of schools, sewers, hospitals, and transit projects. Since the passage of the Recovery Act, Illinois has received over $7 million for these job creation efforts. In addition, critical transportation projects authorized will continue to move forward with the guarantee to sustain $119 million in Federal construction projects. This bill is critical to Chicago, it's critical to Illinois, and it's critical to the Nation. I urge its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I strongly, resolutely, and steadfastly support this bill to extend critical unemployment benefits for our citizens through the end of November. This bill will provide vital assistance to over 137,600 Illinoisans, and to the 2.5 million Americans, who lost their benefits between June 2nd and July 17th. This bill helps address a national emergency resulting from one of the worst economic recessions in our country's history. Unemployment insurance is not a theoretical concept to these citizens. Unemployment is a very real lifeline. It allows mothers and fathers to buy food for their children. It allows people to help keep a roof over their families' heads. I have received so many tearful calls from my constituents who call to beg for my help. They are disheartened by their continued unemployment despite active and prolonged efforts to find a job. They are embarrassed that they cannot support their families, and they are frightened that their children will suffer from their inability to feed, clothe, or provide housing. When they learn that their government allowed these lifeline benefits to expire and failed to reinstate them for almost 8 weeks, they are shocked. They worked and paid taxes for years with an understanding that government would help them in a time of need. Yet, this assistance was not there. I think it is unfortunate that Republicans have delayed this critical financial assistance for so long. To add insult to injury, while proclaiming that our government could not afford $33 billion to help our citizens who are suffering during an economic emergency, the Republican leadership confidently asserted the position that we want the government to lose over $650 billion for the wealthy. This is approximately 20 times the cost of this critical unemployment assistance. This is the same leadership that had no difficulty spending a trillion dollars for two wars and giving tax breaks to the wealthiest of the wealthy. The extension of the aid for 99 weeks is an important first step in helping our citizens who are struggling to find employment. I promise to continue to work with the Democratic leadership to push for ways to help those who remain unemployed beyond the 99 weeks. Long-term unemployment is an unfortunate reality for Chicago and for my constituents. Passing this bill today tells our citizens that we are working for them. Further, passing this bill today reinforces their confidence in their government--confidence that they will help care for them in the lean times. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, this is a good opportunity to implement Wall Street reform, and help make our financial markets safer for everyday American citizens, investors, and small businesses. At the center of our efforts today is the concept of power, and what it means to those who have it, and those who don't. Baltasar Gracian, a renowned Spanish Jesuit writer, once said that ``The sole advantage of power is that you can do more good.'' I think many people would agree with me that the corporations and executives on Wall Street have considerable power. The question remains, however, whether they are using that power to do good things. People will point out, and I agree, that they are making many people very wealthy, but at what cost? For too long corporate interests have been allowed to dominate decision making in America's financial capital, and many times, this has meant unfair and predatory practices. As lawmakers, we should set out to make our financial markets a more evenhanded place for our citizens, and the consumers that put their trust and money on the line. One of the key things that H.R. 4173 will do is to create a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tasked with the responsibility of making sure consumer lending practices are fair. Also, under the Volcker rule, large financial institutions would no longer be allowed to engage in risky trading using federal dollars, supported by taxpayers. Throughout the many various initiatives and stipulations in the bill, one theme is clear: protecting American citizens, and maintaining a fair market that allows both informed consumers and powerful financial markets to thrive in tandem. H.R. 4173 does not set out to take power away from those on Wall Street, but to make sure they use their many strengths and abilities for the benefit of the average American investor and small business owner. I support H.R. 4173, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010, knowing that the benefits and wealth for the few should not come at the cost of the many.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures on July 26, 2010. My congressional district suffered massive flooding, and I needed to remain in Chicago to focus on the recovery. If I had been present for rollcall votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on each of the following: Roll 467, July 26, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H.R. 1320, To amend the Federal Advisory Committee Act to increase the transparency and accountability of Federal advisory committees, and for other purposes. Roll 468, July 26, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended: H. Res. 1504, Recognizing and honoring the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Roll 469, July 26, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H.R. 3101, Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to honor the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The law prohibits discrimination by private and public institutions toward citizens with disabilities, mandating that any entity covered by the law take reasonable steps to make their property, lines of communication, and employment accessible to persons with disabilities. In the two decades since the law's passage, it has opened the door for over 50 million Americans to participate more fully in day-to-day activities and to pursue opportunities in society. One out of every five American households has a family member who has a physical or cognitive disability. This historic bill expanded access to physical buildings and countless activities, easing the ability of these citizens to go about their daily lives freely without concern that they will be denied access to a school, shopping center, business, or communication device. Access is a freedom that everyone should enjoy, and I am proud to celebrate two decades of a law designed to promote this freedom for so many. I am proud that many of the accommodations that resulted from this law are considered commonplace now. My Congressional District has long supported the efforts to promote equal civil rights. Chicago has been a leader in the movement to improve the livelihood of Americans with disabilities. For example, the Chicago Transit System has implemented a comprehensive policy of equality by making 100 percent of the public buses wheel chair accessible, as well as improving service to meet the needs of the hearing impaired and the blind. There is still more that we must do to promote equal rights for persons with disabilities. The recent health care law included an important step forward with the inclusion of the Community First Choice Option, which allows States to include within their Medicaid State Plans an option to receive community-based services for individuals with disabilities who are eligible for nursing homes and other institutional settings. The Community First Choice Option gives people the choice to leave facilities and institutions for their own homes and communities with appropriate, cost effective services and supports. We must continue to work to encourage States to make this option a reality. We also must continue to work to make choice for receiving care in one's community mandatory at the federal level via passage of the Community Choice Act. We should build on the precedent set two decades ago with the enactment of the ADA by giving Americans with disabilities the freedom to choose where they live. Equality is a founding principle of our country. It has been an arduous process for many groups of people--from the Emancipation Proclamation to the Nineteenth Amendment for women's suffrage to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was another milestone in equality for our Nation. Thousands of individuals worked in earnest to make this law possible, and thousands continue to champion this law's implementation. For these efforts, we honor the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the revolutionary bill.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, Dr. Willie Wilson is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and national gospel recording artist. He was born in Gilbert, Louisiana and overcame significant challenges to become a successful businessman and humanitarian. Every Sunday he can be found singing at someone's church and donating thousands of dollars to assist the kingdom of God. Dr. Wilson owned five McDonald's Restaurants and received numerous awards for his commitment to the community. In 1987, Dr. Wilson founded Willie Wilson Productions, a television production company where he produced the nationally syndicated Gospel Show Singsation. Dr. Wilson's television show Singsation is viewed by more than 40 million homes nationally. He is the first African American to have a nationally syndicated Gospel show. Dr. Wilson produced five national recordings entitled: I'm So Grateful, Lord Don't Let Me Fail, I'll Fly Away, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, and Through it All. He recently penned a book about his life story entitled ``What Shall I Do Next, When I Don't Know Next What To Do?''. Dr. Wilson holds several Honorary Doctorate Degrees including and Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from Mt. Carmel Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Humane letters from Chicago Baptist Institute, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarism from Swisher Bible College. Dr. Wilson started Omar Inc., in 1997, a company that is the seventh largest black-owned company in Illinois and ranks 96 nationally on the list compiled by Black Enterprise Magazine. The company grossed more than $50 million last year. In 2009 Dr. Wilson acquired Oak Gloves Manufacturing Plant in Tullahoma, Tennessee making him the first and only African American manufacturer of medical grade gloves in North America. Dr. Wilson's story reflects the American Dream--that hard work and persistence wins every time. I urge my colleagues and citizens of the Seventh Congressional District to join with me in congratulating Dr. Wilson on 23 years of providing soul energizing, gospel music to more than 40 million homes around the nation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, people all over Illinois and all over America are waiting with bated breath, and they are waiting to pay utility bills, to pay house notes, to make mortgage payments, to catch up on their rent, to pay college tuition, and to buy food for their children. They are also waiting to say, ``Thank you, Nancy Pelosi.'' They want to say, ``Thank you, Harry Reid.'' They are waiting to say, ``Thank you, United States Congress.'' They want to say, ``Thank you, Barack Obama, because the action that you just took this day means to us that you are working for us. You have reinforced our confidence in our government. You have said to us that we do matter.'' I know that the people of Illinois will be saying, ``Thank you, our government.'' I urge passage.