Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to recognize that February 21, 2009, as the 44th anniversary of the assassination of EL-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. I find it only fitting that we take this time to reflect and celebrate the life of this courageous advocate for the civil rights of African Americans. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 1925, the early portion of young Malcolm's life was filled turmoil and change. By the age of 13, his father had passed away and his mother had been committed to a mental hospital. He spent a great portion of his formative years in foster homes. He then became involved in the criminal underworld in both Boston and New York. Little was arrested and sentenced to eight to ten years in prison. It was during his incarceration that Little become a member of the Nation of Islam, changing his name to Malcolm X. Following his parole, he quickly became the Nation's chief spokesman and served as its public face for almost 12 years. After his departure from the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X went on to found Muslim Mosque, Inc. and continued championing the cause of Black America. Tragically, the life of Malcolm X was cut short by gunfire on February 21, 1965 in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom. The most poignant description of Malcolm was during his eulogy by Actor Ossie Davis who called him, ``our shining black prince''. Malcolm X once said, ``The future belongs to those who prepare for it today''. We must heed these words and be evermore dutiful in our commitment to ensure that our children and their children are able to enjoy those three noble principals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Malcolm X remains an inspiration to millions of people around the world, inspiring others to build on his vision of a nation that recognizes the strengths of all peoples.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to recognize March 20 as the 44th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. These historic marches had a profound affect on the voting rights of African Americans throughout the Nation. It is only fitting that the brave individuals who endured brutal physical violence, mental anguish, and often public humiliation in order to secure their voting rights be recognized by this body. From the pulpit of Brown Chapel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., issued a call to action after numerous attempts to enfranchise the black citizens of Selma came to a halt. Over the next several weeks, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Coalition and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference expanded their operations to register black voters in Selma and the surrounding area. At a voting rights protest on February 18th, Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot while attempting to protect his mother and grandfather. Jackson's death prompted Mr. James Bevels of the SCLC to call for a march from Selma to Montgomery. This demonstration of character and faith took place on March 7, 1965. As the peaceful protestors approached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were greeted by the Sheriff Department and their clubs, tear gas and bull whips. We remember this day as Bloody Sunday. Local photographers and television crews captured the brutality of Bloody Sunday, casting the issue into the national spotlight. Their images of cruelty rallied popular support for the cause of the protestors and set the stage for the second march, which was to occur on March 9th. However, protesters hit a stumbling block, when a restraining order was issued preventing the march. Dr. King led a group of 2500 protesters to the Edmond Pettus Bridge where he held a short prayer; before turning the crowd back, so as to respect the rule of law. It is on March 21, 1965 that we see a successful unimpeded march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. Under the protection of Federal and State soldiers, FBI agents, and U.S. Marshals, a group of near 8,000 protesters set out from Selma to march for 5 days and 4 nights down Jefferson Davis Highway until they reached the Alabama state capitol. Upon their arrival, the number of protestors swelled to 25,000. This march had a profound impact on public opinion and just 5 months after its conclusion, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I am confident that there will always be those who boldly defy oppression and rebuke tyranny at all costs. One March day, Dr. Martin Luther King asked, ``How long will prejudice blind the visions of men, darken their understanding and, drive bright-eyed wisdom from her sacred throne?'' Dr. King answered his question, saying, ``. . . Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but is bends toward justice.'' It is this spirit that we must cherish. Those who decided to command their own destiny in Selma, Alabama in March of 1965 embody this spirit, and it is my great honor to commemorate their efforts.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to recognize the month of March as Women's History Month. In our not-so- distant past, women could not vote, own property or maintain wages. Women were not expected to think independently of their husbands, and their work was limited to the household. But even when considered second class citizens, it was our mothers, daughters and sisters who prepared the next generation of Americans for the challenges that lay ahead. As Kofi Annan famously said, ``When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.'' Without the American woman's devotion to society, our nation would not be the same. Countless women disguised themselves as men during the Revolutionary War to join the fight for independence. While their husbands, brothers and fathers fought the war abroad, women answered the call by working in factories, sending the allied forces to victory in WWII. Today, American women of every color and background protect our nation at home and abroad by serving in our Armed Forces. Parents tell their children that women can be anything they dream of--soldiers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and mothers--without doubt or hesitation. Chicago's own women have contributed to their communities in significant ways. Carol Moseley-Braun, the first black female senator, attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Chicago Law School. Ms. Moseley-Braun was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992 where she introduced several bills that influenced education policy. Prior to becoming senator, she served as a member of the House of Representatives for ten years. Carol Moseley-Braun is recognized for her efforts in education reform and the years she dedicated to serving the state of Illinois. She is truly an example for our young women. Michelle Obama, our first black First Lady, has contributed greatly to the city of Chicago and to her country. Mrs. Obama, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law, is an extraordinary example of grace and success for all women. She proves that women can do it all-- have a high-powered career, be a devoted mother and wife, contribute to her community, and even campaign. As an advocate for national service and helping working women balance family and career, the First Lady continues to show that there is no limit to what a woman can do. I salute the women who have sacrificed so much to serve our country. Each woman benefits our society in her own way, and whether an artist or a doctor, a teacher or a lawyer, a mother or a soldier every woman's success encourages future generations of young girls and women to follow their dreams. I am proud to recognize March as Women's History Month in our great nation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I Wish to take a moment to honor Abraham Lincoln's legacy as we commemorate the bicentennial of his birth this year. President Lincoln had a tremendous impact on the progression of our nation. The 16th President of the United States successfully led the country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. As a young man, Abraham Lincoln feared not achieving anything that would make men remember him. With hard work, dedication, and determination, today, Abraham Lincoln tops the list, for many, as one of the most influential--and most revered--Americans. The spirit that guided him was clearly that of his Second Inaugural Address, now inscribed on one wall of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC: ``With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds . . .'' Indeed, Lincoln's legacy is most alive in our continuous search for freedom, equality, and opportunity. I feel that it is only right for my fellow colleagues and I to pay homage to a great leader who helped pave the way for so many and who continues to inspire people today, two hundred years later. As our newly elected 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, also from Illinois, begins his first term in office, the wounds of the nation and the world will begin to heal as he is guided and inspired by the former President Lincoln. Illinois is the state where Lincoln spent more than a quarter century of his life, serving as a lawyer and politician, leaving his mark in many towns and cities throughout the state. Long before being elected president in 1860, he served four terms in the state legislature and one in Congress. The state of Illinois honors Lincoln's legacy in a variety of ways including: The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Memorial Garden, Lincoln's Journey of Remembrance, The Lincoln Home National Historic site, and the city of Lincoln. In addition, The U.S. Mint will introduce four newly-designed Lincoln pennies throughout 2009, the first being released on his birthday. A Lincoln commemorative silver dollar will also be released later this year. We have come a long way since the Lincoln days, but we still have a long way to go. The bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln is a great time to honor his legacy, as well as re-examine the American Dream and what it means to be an American today. It is a time of opportunity to bring together a divided nation in order to work together to fulfill Lincoln's goal of finding unity in our diversity. With a newly-elected President who shares many of the same ideals as Lincoln, there is not a better time to start this transformation, create change, and finish the work that we started so long ago. President Obama, similar to Lincoln, faces many great challenges ahead, but with hard work, dedication and determination these challenges we shall too, overcome.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on February 5, 2009 the City of Chicago and the nation lost an inspirational leader in community health, Dr. Padmanabhan ``Dan'' Mukundan. Dr. Mukundan, or ``Dr. Dan'' as he was warmly known, was a pioneering force in community medicine in Chicago for nearly 40 years. Dr. Dan held a lifelong commitment to caring for the medically underserved and he believed passionately in providing the highest quality of medical care to all persons regardless of health status or ability to pay. Dr. Dan opened his first practice on Chicago's South Side in the 1970s, and in the early 1990s he joined ACCESS Community Health Network where he served as the Medical Director. His drive and enthusiasm for quality community health care attracted other dedicated medical providers into the field and into ACCESS, which is now the largest community health center organization in the nation. With Dr. Dan's support, ACCESS has grown to operating over 50 health centers serving over 215,000 patients annually in the greater Chicago area. Today, ACCESS is regarded as a national leader in providing quality primary and preventive medicine to uninsured and underinsured patients. Dr. Dan's work was essential to enabling ACCESS to build a unique community health infrastructure in the Chicagoland area, an infrastructure leveraged through partnerships to provide patients access to the specialty, diagnostic and inpatient services they require. In addition, he expanded the scope of ACCESS's program to include mental health and social services. On Saturday, April 25, family, friends, colleagues and patients of Dr. Dan will gather to remember his life and his accomplishments. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Dr. Mukundan's family and to those who will gather in his memory, including Donna Thompson, Linda Shapiro and other members of the ACCESS leadership team. Dr. Mukundan's work had an indelible impact on the fabric of health care in Chicago's underserved communities and today I rise to recognize, and to direct my colleague's attention to, this great Chicagoan.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Larice Cowan, a fellow alumnus from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff who has distinguished herself as an outstanding academician and practitioner in the field of human relations and affirmative action. Dr. Cowan graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology in 1971; she subsequently earned a Masters Degree in Social Work at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a PhD in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Champaign. Dr. Cowan began her career in civil rights and human rights as Director of the Community Relations Department for the City of Champaign, where she pioneered cooperative relationships between Champaign Police Department and the community. She partnered with a Lieutenant in the police department and two university professors to produce a research document titled ``Police-community Relations: A Process, not a Product'', this research actively is credited with helping to change police and citizens interaction within the City of Champaign. After coming to the University of Illinois, Dr. Cowan devoted her life to a career in affirmative action and diversity. As Assistant Vice Chancellor for Administration and Director of Affirmative Action for staff, she led the campus in establishing policies and procedures to advance campus affirmative action for faculty and staff. As Assistant Chancellor and Director of OEOA, she introduced the first major campus- wide diversity program which was attended by Deans, Directors, and department heads and instrumental in the development of the first video produced on sexual harassment prevention and the presentation of a series of campus programs on sexual harassment prevention. Currently, Dr. Cowan oversees the university's affirmative action policies and procedures, including companies such as The Americans with Disabilities Act: the investigation of internal and external complaints of alleged discrimination filed with federal and state civil rights agencies, the development and implementation of educational programs on diversity inclusion, sexual harassment prevention, disability issues and related topics for faculty and staff to improve campus climate and to facilitate campus and community outreach and interaction. Dr. Cowan is active in her local community where she serves on several boards dealing with education, substance abuse, women's issues and civil rights. She has received numerous awards and citations for her outstanding work. I am pleased to commend and congratulate Dr. Cowan on an outstanding career and wish her well in all of her future endeavors.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chair, I do believe that it matters whether the President is a Democrat or a Republican. I do believe it matters whether we give huge tax breaks to the wealthiest 1 percent of the population or whether we rescind them. I want to commend Representatives Lee, Scott, and Moore for their strong leadership on the development of this budget, and I rise in strong support of it. Especially do I want to commend them for looking after the criminal justice needs that exist in our country, and putting in resources for programs to assist those who are in need of help, in need of reentry, in need of trying to get their lives back together so that they, too, can share in the American dream. So this budget is about the future development of America, and I support it strongly and urge its adoption.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, where I live on Main Street in America, if you get something that you didn't deserve, or if you get something that was unwarranted, you either give it back or it's taken back. It's my position that these bonuses were unwarranted, not deserved. If they are not going to give them back, then we are going to take them back, and I know that the people in mainstream America will applaud us. Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as all of us know, February is African American History Month, and I rise to pay tribute to some of the outstanding individuals in the community that I live and represent for the tremendous services that they have provided. I take a great deal of pride in the fact that I represent what I like to call 11 of the most activated communities in America. As a matter of fact, I have 35 advisory groups who advise me on everything that there is pretty much to be advised on. But two of the chairs I'd like to point out are the education chair, Dr. Lurrerta Hurt, who developed an extensive community education program and approach; and, of course, she put on a great black history program at the Greater Gallery Baptist Church 2 weeks ago. I also would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of Ms. Anetta Wilson, who chaired our Child Welfare Advisory Group. And she and her organization just opened last week an intergenerational living facility that will house 54 families of grandparents, grandchildren, young children, older adult, where grandparents and grandchildren can live in the same environment and interact with each other. I also want to commend Reverend Walter Bauldrich, and the Coppin A.M.E. Church because on the other side of my district in what we call the south side--I mean, we divide Chicago up into sides and areas. Anetta Wilson opened hers on the west side. But the other part of my district, which happens to be one of the most diverse in America, is on the south side. And Coppin A.M.E. Church opened a 74-unit development for the same purpose, intergenerational living. So when I talk about the high level of activism, and especially in the last few weeks around just the whole question of the celebration of African American history, I was fortunate to spend part of yesterday at the Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park, Illinois, for their African American history celebration; at the Herman Avenue Baptist Church in downtown Chicago yesterday afternoon for their African American history; then, of course, yesterday the Village of Bellwood had their large celebration that they do every year. Much of the focus of some of these celebrations has been taking a look at the Reconstruction Period in history, which is a period that many people, quite frankly, don't know much about. For example, there are African Americans who don't know that there were 22 Members of Congress during the Reconstruction Period who were African American-- that is before 1900. During the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s, there were 20 Members of the House. There were two Members of the Senate. And of course, there was another Member from Louisiana who was elected to both the House and the Senate, P.B.S. Pinchback, but was never seated. As a matter of fact, Governor Pinchback was actually the Governor of Louisiana during this period. He didn't serve that long, but nevertheless, he was the governor. So history becomes the melding together of many thoughts, ideas, actions not of one group of people but of all of the groupings of people who have come to this Nation seeking a better life, seeking something that they did not have. And the fact that America has become the most diverse country is a tribute to all of us. So as we celebrate African American history, we celebrate the history of America. I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend State Senator James Meeks, who is also pastor of the House of Hope Church in Chicago, which is the largest church in the city that holds more than 10,000 people. Well, on Saturday morning, Reverend State Senator Meeks called a community meeting to help people understand the economic stimulus package. As cold as it was, more than 2,000 people came, representatives from every walk of life, the Governor's office, all of the other municipal offices. And I simply commend him for this initiative, for giving the people of Illinois an opportunity to better understand the stimulus package.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to acknowledge the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. This organization, which was incorporated on February 8th, 1910, under the laws of the District of Columbia, has long been the largest youth organization in the nation and has done well in producing responsible citizens of strong character. The Boy Scouts of America was rapid in its initial growth; only two years after its founding, Boy Scout troops were established in every state. Time and time again the Boy Scouts of America has proven its commitment to our nation, with initiatives such as, ``Every Scout Feed a Soldier'' and ``A Good Turn for America''. The past 99 years have seen more than 112 million youth bear the traditions of excellence rooted in the history of the Boy Scouts of America. In the Chicagoland Area, Scouting is as prevalent of a force as it has always been. Currently, nearly 10,000 youth are actively involved in the Scouting program of our local council. In addition, through the Chicago Area Council's involvement in Learning for Life Programs, over 35,000 additional youth are immersed as well in the principles of scouting. Combining the two programs, nearly one in every seven youth in Chicago is in someway involved in the Scouting program. I am sure that the spirit of Scouting is present in this very body, as it has been in the past. A survey conducted by the Boy Scouts of America revealed that nearly 60 percent of the membership of the 110th Congress had at some point participated in Scouting. I am grateful that the twin pillars of the Scout Oath and Scout Law have served to shape the character of both young men and women of all ages, colors, codes, and creeds. With the continued contributions of the Boy Scouts of America and organizations like it, we can be sure that our youth are developing into good citizens.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we recognize February as Black History Month, I wish to take a moment to celebrate the NAACP on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Over the past century, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, has played a vital role in the progress of the African American community. This organization has advocated faithfully for decreasing racial disparities in the areas of healthcare, education, employment, criminal justice, and poverty. The NAACP is the Nation's largest and oldest civil rights organization. Through grass root efforts, the organization has influenced policy from the homes and communities of citizens to the voting booths and the classrooms around America. The NAACP has involved many, from children and ordinary citizens, to our Nation's elected officials and Presidents. The dedication of the NAACP and its fight for social justice has involved great leadership. The NAACP has played a significant role in many civil rights victories. Its persistent protests and steadfast support for anti- lynching legislation was critical to making this horrible practice illegal. Similarly, its members championed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that guaranteed that no person could be denied the right to vote because of his or her race. It also has served as a strong watchdog to uphold the spirit and letter of these laws at the State and local levels. Clearly, the NAACP's involvement politically has contributed to the progress of America by saving lives and empowering minority communities. Ida B. Wells, a prominent civil rights activist and resident of Illinois, was the co-founder of the NAACP. Wells is most known for her journalism. Her writing received the interest of both blacks and whites. After being banned from the South for speaking out about lynching and the government's refusal to stop the violence, Ms. Wells moved to Chicago. While in Chicago, she married Ferdinand Barnett and together they had four children. Her nickname, ``the Constant Star'' provides a testament to her relentless fight for social justice and equality. The NAACP has embodied her nickname by remaining constant in its efforts in promoting equality for all. The NAACP has grown considerably since its inception. Today, the NAACP has over 500,000 members with more than 1,300 national and international branches, and over 45 branches in the State of Illinois. Recently, three students from the Chicago Westside Branch, located in the Seventh Congressional District, won at the 2008 National ACT-SO competition. The ACT-SO program, founded by the NAACP, is a year-long program that is used to enrich African American high school students' lives by encouraging high academic and cultural achievement. This program allows students to compete in various areas ranging from the sciences to visual and performing arts. Thus, I would like to recognize Terrence George, Eric Clark, and Aeriel Robinson for their brilliance and hard work. I commend the NAACP on its commitment to the African American community and its political, economic, social, and educational efforts in promoting social change. I tip my hat to the first centennial anniversary and look forward to its second.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures on February 10, 2009. If I were present for rollcall votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on each of the following: Roll 54, February 10, 2009: On Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 1: Making Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending 2009. Roll 55, February 10, 2009: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 114, Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Girls and Women in Sports Day.'' Roll 56, February 10, 2009: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 60, Recognizing and commending University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy and for his academic and athletic accomplishments.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding, and I also want to commend the gentleman from Texas, Representative Green, for his introduction of this resolution. I rise to be in agreement with all of those who have edified the examples of tremendous leadership provided by the NAACP. On a personal note, though, I want to commend my wife, Vera, who is the chairman of our local Westside Branch NAACP, and Mr. Karl Brinson, who is the president. They do outstanding work and have continued to do so. I also want to commend Hilary Shelton for the tremendous job that he has done over the years keeping us informed. And so I commend the NAACP on its 100th anniversary.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this past January as Poverty in America Awareness Month and to thank the young intern in my office, Ms. Foster, for developing this very excellent statement. Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela once proclaimed, ``Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right: the right to dignity and a decent life.'' During this season of economic crisis, we policymakers have an obligation to promote justice and to protect our citizens who are struggling. Poverty is a reality for far too many people in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout the Nation. In the United States, 36 percent of our Nation is considered low income, with 17 percent living in poverty. In Illinois, 33 percent of the population is low income, with about 15 percent living in poverty In 2007, 21 percent of Chicagoans lived in poverty, with another 21 percent teetering on its edge. The current economic crisis is exacerbating these conditions. The unemployment rate in Illinois in the Nation is over 7 percent. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in Illinois have been lost in recent months. There are more than 500,000 foreclosures, 50,000 foreclosures in Cook County alone. And due to an almost $4 billion State budget gap, programs vital to assisting the public, such as mental health centers, are facing funding reductions in the range of millions of dollars. Poverty is most harmful to children, especially young children. Children in poverty are more likely to experience child abuse or neglect. Families in poverty often cannot provide appropriate resources for healthy child development. Children's physical health and cognitive abilities can be compromised. When compared with wealthier children, poor children have poorer outcomes in the areas of school achievement, emotional control, and behavior. Living in poverty affects the quality of education, health care, and living conditions. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to be a part of a Congress that has crafted an economic recovery package that provides critical aid to families experiencing poverty. The substantial increases in the food stamp program will directly help families make ends meet. The provisions providing health care for those who lost their jobs during this crisis will help many in Chicago and throughout the Nation. The one-time payment for families who rely on supplemental security income for the poor, elderly, and individuals with disabilities will provide a lifeline for families that are barely making it. The increases in the child tax credit will help families stand on their own feet. In addition to these provisions of the American Recovery Bill that will help alleviate the effects of poverty, I look forward to moving towards a system of universal health coverage during this Congress to help all Americans have access to health care. I also anticipate that Congress will consider ways in which to improve public assistance programs, such as simplifying enrollment procedures for Medicaid and other safety net programs. During this economic downturn, it is critical that we continue to support safety net programs to assure that those in need are assisted. The role of the Federal Government is especially necessary given that many State governments are cutting vital support programs to comply with State balanced-budget requirements. And Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Mandela recognized, we have a responsibility to work to minimize the harm of poverty. Therefore, I join with my colleagues in recognizing January as Poverty in America Awareness Month and promise to continue to promote programs--no matter what else it is that I do--that are designed to help eliminate and reduce poverty in America. I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate African American History Month, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Valerie Beckley, a resident of my community who recently passed away. Ms. Beckley was a daughter, a wife, a mother, an avid churchgoer, and a dear friend to many. She was a longstanding and active member of the Curey Tercentenary African American Episcopal Church. Valerie and her family lived on the west side of Chicago during her formative years. One can say that they were pioneers of sorts. They were some of the first African Americans to live in their area. Valerie was one of the first 100 black students to integrate Austin High School in the 1960s. Even as a child, Valerie displayed exceptional leadership, and was the first black female chosen to become the captain of both the girls volleyball and basketball teams at Austin High School. Valerie grew up in a close, nurturing and bonded family formed by her parents--Mr. Larry and Mrs. Ollie Mae Mitchell. Valerie attended and obtained a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Roosevelt University and, later on, a master's degree in Social Work from Loyola University. On September 11, 1976, Valerie married Jerome Beckley, Junior, and they were blessed with two beautiful children--Shakir and Kamaria. In 1979, Valerie became President and CEO of her family's company, the Lawndale Paper Supply, which was the only paper and janitorial wholesale supply company on the west side of Chicago. Here she honed her management and marketing skills and implemented both long- and short-range goals. In 1986, Valerie became associated with the other love of her life, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois. Valerie assumed the role of camp director of the Bright Horizons Summer Camp. Later, she became a program specialist, and in short order, she became totally immersed in the plight of people affected by sickle cell disease. In 2002, when Howard Anderson--the founder and president of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois--decided to retire, he stated that he could find no better person to take over as president, and she did, devoting the rest of her life providing aid and comfort to sickle cell patients, raising money for services and working continuously to try and help find a cure for this dreadful disease. For most of her 58 years on this Earth, Valerie C. Beckley's life was driven by her compassion to serve the marginalized, the underserved and the misrepresented. She became a dedicated leader and advocate whose passion for the welfare of others has helped numerous families in Chicago, the State of Illinois and within the broader context of the African Diaspora. Mr. Speaker, Valerie represented to all of us who knew her the fact that one can give of oneself and not tire. She gave totally of herself to the end of her life, to the end of time for the benefit of others. We all say thank you, Valerie.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for this very important bill. I thank Speaker Pelosi for championing this effort to improve the lives of American women and their families. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a bill of enormous importance for women's rights and civil rights in general. For decades, companies big and small have paid women less for the same work as their male counterparts. Today, we correct a major fault in both law and market, and we move toward true equality for all men and women in America. This bill is important in so many ways. Perhaps most obviously, the bill confirms America's commitment to women's rights. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, was right on the mark when he said, ``when women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.'' Today we help underpaid women thrive, we help restore a sense of dignity and pride, we help women--mothers and mentors, daughters and sisters-- improve the lives of others as we lawfully improve theirs. With the passage of this bill, we tell working American women that their work is valued, that it is just as good as a man's, and that they deserve fair and equal pay. The extra 20 or 30 cents per dollar that so many women do not receive means less food on the table or less money to save for her family's future. Over a lifetime, unequal pay cheats dedicated, hard working women of $400,000 to $2 million. Imagine what these women could have done with this money. And to reflect back on the words of Mr. Annan, passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law will benefit both current and future generations. This bill is valuable not only because of its significant place in the women's rights movement, but also because it demonstrates the Congress' and President Obama's commitment to positive change, change that betters the lives of all Americans regardless of gender or race. Our passage of this bill confirms that equality is a priority for this new Congress. The first bill signed into law during the 111th Congress will be the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, ensuring all Americans that-- even in these difficult times--their Government is committed to the ultimate American promise of equality for all.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the chairman for yielding. I rise in strong support of this legislation, and I do so because it appears to me that it's actually tailor-made for my district and tailor-made for areas throughout the country. Most impressive about it for me is the fact that it provides the assistance to those at the very bottom of the socioeconomic scale, dislocated workers, individuals who have lost their jobs and individuals who are unemployed, money to assist States with their Medicaid deals, individuals who without it wouldn't know where to turn, wouldn't know what to do. It's interesting to hear about great giveaways. But do you know that what is a giveaway for some is a need for others? There has never been more need for this legislation than right now. I commend Chairman Rangel and all of the other chairpersons who have worked on it. It's a great piece of legislation. I will proudly vote for it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong, unwavering, and steadfast support of the reauthorization of SCHIP to provide healthcare for millions of uninsured children. SCHIP is a critical safety net for children. As Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, ``The measure of a country's greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis.'' Providing healthcare for low- income children, especially during this economic crisis, reflects a commitment to the least among us as well as sound economic policy. A healthy child is prepared for school and life. A healthy child does not require costly emergency room visits. I applaud House leaders for including mental health parity and dental coverage for children. In Fiscal Year 2007, SCHIP provided health care to over 345,000 children in Illinois. Unfortunately, due to overwhelming need, Illinois faced a shortfall in federal spending last year. This bill does much to address this gap. Specifically, in addition to preserving coverage for the 7 million children currently in the program, this bill expands coverage to another 4 million children in need. I want to briefly mention the efforts of Chicago Public Schools in helping low income families overcome many of the barriers that often prevent them from enrolling in SCHIP. The Children and Family Benefits Unit assisted approximately 60 schools in a recent 12 month period, helping over 4,200 families' complete applications to enroll into the Illinois CHIP, including Medicaid. I am proud of this effort in Chicago, and I am pleased that this bill will continue to support such programs. In closing, this bill will provide much-needed health care for low- income children in Chicago, Illinois, and the nation, and I look forward to this bill being signed into law in the near future.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the TARP Reform and Accountability Act. This bill greatly strengthens the safeguards for using taxpayer dollars for the TARP program. Two provisions promise to provide critical aid to Chicago. Requiring the Treasury to direct $100 billion to foreclosure mitigation provides hope to the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans and families across the Nation who are struggling with foreclosure. Moreover, directing the Treasury to use TARP funds to benefit small financial institutions will help strengthen these financial institutions that play such an important role in Chicago. Hundreds of community banks in Chicago are teetering on collapse. These companies provide important support to small businesses and minorities, and, as of yet, they have not received aid from the Treasury. I especially want to thank Chairman Frank for including language that highlights the importance of considering consumer protections when determining which classes of consumer loans to support. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and I have worked actively along with 16 other Members to urge the Treasury and Federal Reserve to proceed cautiously when using taxpayer funds for the student loan industry, ensuring that both financial and consumer protections are considered. We strongly support ensuring that students have the money they need to attend institutions of higher education. However, we must make certain that any such plan aids students and does not simply line the pockets of for-profit lenders. Certain groups of students require private student loans to attend school. Unlike Federal student loans, private student loans typically lack any form of consumer protection (such as fixed interest rates, income-contingent and income-based repayment options, or debt discharge in the case of disability or death). Moreover, private student loan lenders enjoy Federal protections from bankruptcy that other consumer creditors do not. Specifically, unlike other types of consumer debt, private student loans are protected from discharge during bankruptcy except under extreme circumstances. Thus, an individual who accumulates thousands of dollars in debt for purchases of cars or luxury goods can obtain relief via bankruptcy; however, a teacher with private student loans cannot. Given these circumstances, we hope the Treasury and Federal Reserve will construct its student loan plan carefully to mitigate against adverse consequences for private student loan borrowers, especially in light of current economic conditions. Should taxpayer money be used to support private student lenders of non-federal loans, we strongly urge that the Treasury and Federal Reserve require consumer protections similar to those afforded to Federal student loans as a condition of receipt of Federal rescue funds. Federal student loans have consumer protections; private student loans subsidized by the Treasury-Fed plan should have such protections as well. Further, we recommend instituting steps to assess the underwriting standards of lenders who seek Federal relief to determine if the lenders extended credit to particularly vulnerable consumers and whether credit was extended with onerous terms or conditions. Similar to the executive compensation restrictions of the Treasury-Fed plan, these restrictions would help focus Federal dollars on stimulating lending while protecting taxpayers and borrowers. I thank Chairman Frank and House leadership for developing this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. I am pleased to note that my State, the State of Illinois, has made it possible for every child to receive access to health care and to see that this action takes place across the country so that every child, no matter who he or she might be, has an opportunity to grow and develop to become the kind of person that his or her potential provides. It is a great day for the United States of America. It is a great day for this Congress. It is a great day for all of the children in America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Let me first of all thank my good friend and chairman of our subcommittee. As a matter of fact, I am already beginning to feel disappointed and underprivileged because I will not have the opportunity to serve with him this year as a result of leaving the Education Committee. But I want to thank him for yielding time, and I want to thank him for his tremendous leadership. Mr. Speaker, next Tuesday will usher in a new era of hope, a new chapter in the history of America, when President-elect Obama takes office. This historic moment brings renewed energy to Dr. King's mission and memory. We must not forget that we have reached this place in history partly because of Dr. King's remarkable life. Today I would like to honor his memory and those who work tirelessly for his cause. Frederick Douglass once said, ``A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it.'' Today, we do just that. Today we reflect on one life that changed the course of so many others. We reflect on the commitment and integrity of a man who stood up to those who said he was nothing. We reflect on a man who had his priorities in line, who knew what was important and never forgot it. And we reflect so that we can learn what we must do as a nation to realize Dr. King's dream. Born January 15, 1929, Dr. King grew up to be a man who would change American history by fighting for fairness, dignity and equality for all under the law and through the eyes of his fellow citizens. But his journey was never easy. Martin Luther King attended Georgia's segregated public schools. Like so many others, Dr. King was told by society that he was a lesser being and that he could never be as good, as human, as his peers. But his journey was never easy. Despite the hardships, the bombings, the fire hoses, the dogs, the relentless beatings and the death of those devoted to his cause, Dr. King was able to rally his followers to rise to the occasion by his purpose-driven actions and unforgettable rhetoric. In the great example of Dr. King's influence, 250,000 men and women, white and black, gathered for the famous march on Washington. It was there that Dr. King delivered his ``I have a Dream'' speech to the Nation. Dr. King's legacy reminds us that there are some things we must continue to fight for. And although the rocky road that Dr. King traveled is somewhat smoother today, this Nation must continue to promote equal opportunity and fairness for all Americans. As we face today's many challenges, we remember that Dr. King's hope for a better tomorrow is very much alive. So I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to participate in this discussion, and again I want to thank my friend and colleague from the great State of Texas for giving me the opportunity.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding. I rise in strong support of both these bills, H.R. 11 and H.R. 12. I think it is an excellent way to start the new session of Congress, to start the new year. I want to commend Chairman Mill and Representative DeLauro for their strong leadership on these issues for the last several years. I know that we ought to begin by saying that everybody has equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal pay. I thank the gentleman again.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Yes, it covers whoever is nominated.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. As written, it does not.