Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 546, a resolution that recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth Independence Day and expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that history should be regarded as a means for understanding the past and more effectively facing the challenges of the future. I am delighted that we can bring this measure to the floor today. I introduced H. Res. 546 on June 15, 2009, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ordered it to be reported by unanimous consent on June 17, 2010. It comes to the floor with over 60 cosponsors. I am pleased to join with them in recognizing this important day. Juneteenth, or the 19th of June, recognizes June 19, 1865, when, in Galveston, Texas, Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War. This event occurred more than 2\1/ 2\ years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon reading of General Order No. 3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second independence day celebration and the oldest African American holiday observance. Since that time over 145 years ago, the descendants of slaves have observed this anniversary of emancipation as a remembrance of one of the most tragic periods in our Nation's history. The suffering, degradation, and brutality of slavery cannot be repaired; but the memory can serve to ensure that no such inhumanity is ever perpetrated again on American soil. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures. This celebration of the end of slavery is an important and enriching part of the history and heritage of the United States. I, therefore, ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the passage of this measure. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Before I begin, I know that Representative Barbara Lee, who is the author of this resolution, had wanted to be here to express her opinions and positions on it. Unfortunately, she could not. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1369, a resolution that recognizes National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Congress has taken time each year since 2006 to recognize Americans of Caribbean descent for their contributions to our Nation, and I am glad we can bring this measure to the floor today. H. Res. 1369 was introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Barbara Lee, on May 18, 2010, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform ordered it to be reported by unanimous consent on June 17, 2010. It comes to the floor with over 50 cosponsors, and I am pleased to join them in celebrating the rich heritage of Caribbean Americans. Millions of people from the Caribbean islands have emigrated to our shores for centuries. We acknowledge that many arrived here in bondage and against their will as slaves and indentured servants, and their struggles for freedom reverberate even today. Today, we are a better Nation for having them here. Caribbean Americans include such cultural figures as the poet Claude McKay, musician and television star Hazel Scott, actor and activist Harry Belafonte, as well as political leaders from Alexander Hamilton to former Secretary of State Colin Powell and our current Attorney General, Eric Holder. These and countless other Caribbean Americans have made invaluable contributions to our Nation, and it is right that we honor them today. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today, I wish to congratulate the young men of the Urban Prep Charter Academy of Englewood class of 2010. As a result of the dedication these students have shown to their education, they have made a rousing achievement. The student body of this institution is 100 percent male, 100 percent African American, and 85 percent from low income families. Moreover, every single member of the Urban Prep Academy class of 2010 was admitted into a 4-year college or university. Together, these young men have earned nearly $4 million in scholarships and grants. The achievement of these 107 individuals stands not only as a testament to their efforts, but also as evidence of the commitment of the educators who prepared them for college and who encouraged them to succeed. Too often, schools that have high percentages of minority students who are low-income make the news for failure. I am proud to recognize the achievement and success of these young men from Chicago. I also wish to recognize the contributions made to the Chicago Community by Urban Prep Academies--the non-profit organization that operates the three Urban Prep schools in Englewood, East Garfield Park, and the South Shore. Urban Prep Academies was founded in 2002 by a group of African-American leaders from the Chicago civic, business, and education communities. Their efforts were organized by Tim King, whose vision for a school that prepares male urban youth for success in college serves as the foundation of the three Urban Prep Academies. The Englewood site was the Nation's first charter public high school for boys, and the class of 2010 is the first graduating class of the three academies. The success of Urban Prep has been highlighted in over 140 media outlets including the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, ABC News, and many others. The intuition can take much pride in the achievements of the class of 2010. It is no secret that the American public education system is struggling with meeting the educational challenges facing minority men. Schools in low-income areas with large percentages of minority families are often plagued by underfunding and high dropout rates. Nationally, only 48 percent of black men graduate high school. In Chicago, the graduation rate for black men is only 30.8 percent. A 2006 study by the University of Chicago further revealed that only 2.5 percent of African American boys from Chicago Public Schools successfully graduate from a four-year institution. This is unacceptable. The Urban Prep Academy was designed to address this injustice. The Urban Prep Academy was designed to focus on the needs of minority men, to provide them a high quality education, to support their educational success through mentors, and to create an educated citizenry that reflects the diversity of our nation. I rise today with this story of strength from the Urban Prep Academy, which provides an example of how to help minority men achieve. The achievements of the class of 2010 not only demonstrate the ability of African-American males, but they also stand as an inspiration to all the urban youth of America. I offer my hearty congratulations, and I wish the graduates much success as they begin their college careers.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for rollcall votes, I would have voted in the following manner: Roll 347, June 10, 2010: On Agreeing to the Amendment: Waters of California Amendment No. 1 to H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 348, June 10, 2010: On Agreeing to the Amendment: Garrett of New Jersey Amendment no. 5 to H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``no.'' Roll 349, June 10, 2010: On Agreeing to the Amendment: Price of Georgia Amendment no. 7 to H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``no.'' Roll 350, June 10, 2010: On Agreeing to the Amendment: Turner of Ohio Amendment no. 9 to H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``no.'' Roll 351, June 10, 2010: On Agreeing to the Amendment: Edwards of Texas Amendment no. 12 to H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``no.'' Roll 352, June 10, 2010: On Agreeing to the Amendment: Maffei of New York Amendment no. 13 to H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 353, June 10, 2010: On Passage: H.R. 5072, FHA Reform Act of 2010, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 354, June 10, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: S. 3473, To amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to authorize advances from Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 355, June 14, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 1368, Supporting the goals of National Dairy Month, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 356, June 14, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 1409, Expressing support for designation of June 20, 2010, as ``American Eagle Day'', and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 357, June 14, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: H.R. 5502, To amend the effective date of the gift card provisions of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 358, June 15, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 1383, Honoring Dr. Larry Case on his retirement as National FFA Advisor, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 359, June 15, 2010: On Agreeing to the Resolution: H. Res. 1436, Providing for consideration of H.R. 5486, the Small Business Jobs Tax Relief Act; and providing for consideration of H.R. 5297, the Small Business Lending Fund Act, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 360, June 15, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H.R. 4855, Work-Life Balance Award Act, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 365, June 16, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Con. Res. 242, Honoring the NAACP on its 101st anniversary, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 366, June 16, 2010: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 1422, Honoring the Department of Justice on the occasion of its 140th anniversary, I would have voted, ``aye.'' Roll 367, June 16, 2010: On Motion to Suspend and Agree, as Amended: H. Res. 1414, Congratulating Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men-- Englewood Campus, the Nation's first all-male charter high school, for achieving a 100 percent college acceptance rate for all 107 members of its first graduating class of 2010, I would have voted, ``aye.''

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we rebound from the greatest recession that has ever plagued this nation, it is important that we continue to support legislation that creates jobs and refurbishes the economic stability of American families--supporting small businesses, taxpayers and building a solid foundation for economic recovery. Small businesses are the life blood of American communities, creating two-thirds of the new jobs over the last 15 years. However, these entrepreneurs are stifled in their efforts to boost the American economy in that they are frequently denied loans and face tight lending standards. Some of the most impoverished citizens in this nation live in the 7th Congressional District of IL. While the national unemployment rate in October 2009 rose to 9.8 percent, these communities experienced unemployment rates of up to 40 percent. We must do all that we can to provide jobs for American citizens and boost the economic stability of this nation. For this reason, I strongly support H.R. 5486--spurring investment in small business, providing for small business penalty relief, and increasing the deduction for business start-up expenses. These provisions are critical. They provide performance-based incentives to make sure that banks lend to small businesses and avoid what happened in 2009 when 45 percent of small businesses seeking loans were denied credit. Most importantly, as the nation continues its effort to create jobs and overcome high rates of unemployment, these provisions increase the deduction for start-up expenditures and allow entrepreneurs to focus on hiring workers and strengthening the economic stability of their businesses.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the outstanding young men of my community who unfortunately is no longer with us. I also take this opportunity to express condolences to his family as they negotiate their way through this period of transition. Nathan Kehrein was born the same year that I was first elected to public office and that is around the time that I first got to know his parents, Glen and Lonnie. Nathan grew up in the Austin Community, as a matter of fact a couple of blocks where I and my family live. He had a normal and exciting childhood, actively involved in youth activities organized and provided by the Rock of our Salvation Church and the Circle Urban Ministries both of which his family were founders of and are actively involved with. Nathan was a good student and a good athlete. He attended Lane Technical High School and was an All City Football Player. After high school Nathan enlisted in the Armed Services and after a tour of duty, was honorably discharged from the United States Air force. After Nathan returned home from his military experience he became ill and suffered from bouts with depression; but continued to live as normal a life as he could. Nathan's life was a journey of experiences; his family lived comprehensively and was intimately associated with many different kinds of people. Nathan's life was a reflection of this upbringing; therefore, one could say that he was an ambassador of goodwill. I salute Nathan for being the man that he was, thank him for the service he gave to our community and to his country and may his soul rest in peace.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this jobs bill because this legislation would provide summer jobs for hundreds of thousands of young people, keep unemployment checks coming, provide money for small businesses, keep jobs at home in America. It also will provide hope for those who have almost given up, wondering where their next work opportunity will come from. And, of course, it provides an opportunity for us to more adequately compensate our doctors. Doctors are an integral part of health care delivery, and there ought not be any reason for senior citizens not to get the services that they need because we're not paying our doctors. This is a job-creating, services-providing bill. I strongly support it and urge its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs. Emma Allen who was born on June 2, in Bessemer, Alabama and now resides at Lexington Healthcare of Elmhurst, IL. Mrs. Allen has lived a long and fruitful life; she is the last of twelve siblings, was married to her late husband Mr. John Allen for 68 years and has one (1) daughter, three (3) grandchildren, six (6) great grandchildren, and three (3) great-great grandchildren. I also commend Lexington Healthcare of Elmhurst, IL for providing excellent care for individuals like Mrs. Allen so that they may be able to live and enjoy life even though they may have reached the age of 100. I also commend and thank granddaughter Ms. Janice Meeks for bringing Mrs. Allen to our attention and I wish and hope that all grandparents would have grandchildren like her.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, May 19 commemorates the one- year anniversary of the end of the war and the remembrance of the many lives lost during the civil war in Sri Lanka. I call on the international community to pursue independent investigations into the alleged war crimes that occurred. The U.S. would not be alone in calling for these investigations. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union have already called for independent investigations. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other NGOs have called for similar investigations of war crimes, crimes against humanity and human rights violations. The alleged crimes include: Extrajudicial abuse and detention of unarmed civilians and former combatants; use of child soldiers; harm to civilians and civilian objects; the killing of captives or combatants seeking to surrender; individual disappearances; and inhumane conditions. All parties complicit in violating human rights must be held accountable. Only then can the Sri Lankan people really move forward in trying to achieve peace and stability on the island.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to thank Chairman Conyers for yielding time, and I also want to thank him for his historical memories of the life of Lena Horne. Some people were fortunate to read about her, but I believe that Chairman Conyers is old enough to remember her during her heyday. As a matter of fact, I am also. And I never shall forget my sister and I having the opportunity to go and watch ``Cabin in the Sky'' when we were little kids. As a matter of fact, Chris and I talked about that experience with each other all the way up until the time that she died a few years ago. I mean, for us, that was the most memorable thing that we had ever seen, that we had ever done, that we had ever been able to do. We didn't know much about civil rights at that time. As a matter of fact, I guess we were a little young to know much about civil rights. But we did know that we just revered this lady, Lena Horne. And then later on as we got older, we were able to appreciate her in different kinds of roles as not only an entertainer, not only a great performer, but also one who had a tremendous amount of spirit in relationship to what it is that she taught. She taught that you really didn't have to take certain kinds of roles if you didn't want them and if you didn't see yourself that way; that it didn't matter what anybody called you; that what really mattered was what you answered to. And so Lena Horne, who was ageless, priceless--we never knew what her age was because we could never tell. When she was 60, I guess she might have looked like she was 30, maybe 25. So somehow or another, she found the fountain of youth. But she contributed greatly to the development of this country and to the world in which we live. So again, I want to thank Chairman Conyers for introducing this resolution, along with Representative Clarke and other cosponsors.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5099) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 South Main Street in Sharon, Massachusetts, as the ``Michael C. Rothberg Post Office''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 403) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 403, a resolution that supports the goals and ideals of National Teacher Day to honor and celebrate teachers in the United States of America. Every day in schools across the country, teachers work tirelessly to educate our country's most precious resource, our children. Oftentimes they work long hours under difficult conditions and don't receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve. The least we can do is designate a day where the teachers of America know that they are appreciated and that they are in our thoughts. Most of us can think back to that one special teacher who influenced us or changed our lives: the math teacher that took extra time out of their overloaded schedule to help us understand that one difficult algebra problem; the Spanish teacher who stayed late to help us with verb conjugations before the big test, or the history teacher who made the American Revolution come alive off the page of a textbook. Teachers are the glue that holds our education system together. They ensure that our young people become successful adults by providing the knowledge and skills for them to thrive, even if some of our children don't realize it at the time. Teachers help our children find their way along the path to adulthood, teaching more than facts and figures, but life lessons as well. I often remember and often talk about my favorite teacher, a woman, Ms. Beadie King, who taught in a one-room school that I attended as a young person. Ms. Beadie taught 8 grades plus what we called the little primer and the big primer, all at the same time. And oftentimes today, when I talk, I use pithy sayings and comments. Most of those I remember from Ms. Beadie, who would often use these little illustrations to try and teach us how to behave. For example, she used to tell us that a wise old owl sat on an oak. The more he heard, the less he spoke. The more he spoke, the less he heard. Now I want you boys to be like that wise old bird. And of course, if we didn't comply, she had other methods and techniques that she would use to get her message across. And to this very day--that's been a long, long time ago--I never forget poems that she taught us because by the time I graduated high school, she had become the English teacher and the literature teacher. And she taught without thinking about her compensation. As a matter of fact, some days she would walk in the rain, 6 to 8 miles herself, to get to school. Other times, if the weather was just too inclement, her husband would drive her in his wagon. Now, of course, lots of people can't remember times like those, but that was sometime ago. We still have many dedicated teachers all over America, teachers who give of themselves in such a way that others can experience and have the opportunities to grow and develop to become whatever it is that their talents, ambition, hard work combine to make them. That is the role of teachers. That is the promise of America. And so we salute teachers on this day. I believe that they are the salt of the Earth, the pillars of the universe, the individuals upon whose shoulders the rest of society stands. And so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, this resolution was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from Florida, Representative Ron Klein, on April 22, 2010, and was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The committee reported the measure by unanimous consent on May 6, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 70 Members of the House, and so I thank the Member from Florida for introducing this measure. And I'd also like to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking Member Issa for their support. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting our Nation's teachers by voting in favor of this measure. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, to close, we have noted lately strong conversation about perhaps some school districts having to lay off teachers, not having all of the resources that are needed or the resources that are necessary to keep them engaged and keep them employed. I urge my colleagues, not only to support this resolution, but I urge this Congress, I urge State legislatures, I urge State officials and Federal officials and local officials all across the country to make absolutely certain that we find the resources necessary to make our education system the very best in the world and to live up to the idea that our teachers deserve all of the support we could possibly provide.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Yes.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Broun) very much for his comments, and I join with him. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1297) supporting the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week.