Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6169) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the ``Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building''.

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. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform I am pleased to join my colleagues, particularly the gentleman from Missouri, in the consideration of H.R. 6169, which names a postal facility in Baldwin, Missouri, after a fallen hero, Specialist Peter J. Navarro. Introduced on June 3, 2008, H.R. 6169 is sponsored by Congressman Todd Akin, representative of Missouri's Second Congressional District, and co-sponsored by Missouri's entire congressional delegation and a total of eight Members of Congress. H.R. 6169 was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 16, 2008 by a voice vote. Upon graduating from Lafayette High School in Wildwood, Missouri, Specialist Peter J. Navarro was assigned to the Army's 2nd Battalion and served in that capacity as an outstanding member of his regiment. While conducting combat operations, an improvised explosion device was detonated near his Humvee, killing the 20-year-old. His mother had asked him not to return to Iraq, but being the dedicated soldier that he was, Specialist Navarro returned because he believed in the mission. Described as a strong willed and caring young man, Specialist Peter J. Navarro served his country in Iraq with pride and distinction. In honor of this sacrifice, Mr. Speaker, let us also pay tribute to the life of Specialist Navarro and pass H.R. 6169 and designate the Manchester Road Post Office Building in Baldwin, Missouri, after this fine and outstanding American soldier. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to join with Representative Akin. And we would urge passage of this legislation in honor of an outstanding American soldier. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues as we come this evening to pay tribute to our colleague, Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I am pleased to follow so many of my distinguished colleagues, because they have said so much until there isn't much to say. But the interesting thing is that with Stephanie Tubbs Jones, you never run out of things to say, because she was so much and meant so much to so many. It is interesting that when you knew Stephanie, you knew her whole family. You just didn't know her, you knew her sister; you knew her father; you knew her mother; you knew Mervyn; you knew her husband, Mervyn the first; you knew Mervyn the second; you knew nieces and nephews; you knew friends; and you almost got to know the whole of Cleveland if you knew Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Stephanie, as many people have already indicated, had a great legal mind. Prior to coming to Congress, she served as both a prosecutor and a judge. And the interesting thing about prosecution is that you are generally trying to make sure that the law is upheld, and that once people commit infractions, that they pay a price. Of course, that is what prosecutors often do. Well, Stephanie had another interest in the law, and she wanted to make sure that the law also had a sense of justice. And even though she was a prosecutor, brother Kendrick, even though she was a prosecutor, she was a champion for those who had committed crimes, who had been convicted of crimes, and was one of the staunchest supporters of something called the Second Chance Act. That is a bill which simply says that once individuals have fallen, that they also need to be lifted up; that once they have had problems, they need to be reclaimed; and, once they had committed crimes for which they may have been punished, they also needed to be redeemed. And so it was very pleasant for me to work with Stephanie on the Second Chance legislation. She befriended people from all walks of life. It didn't matter if they were Democrats or Republicans, or they had been prosecuted. As a matter of fact, when I think of her, I often think of the poet Homer, who talked about the kind of house that he wanted to live in, and I think Stephanie was an embodiment of that kind of house. And when he said, ``Let me live in my house by the side of the road, where the race of men go by. Men who are good, men who are bad, wise, foolish. But then, so am I. So why would I sit in the scorner's seat or hurl the cynic's ban? But let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.'' Stephanie was indeed a friend to mankind, to humankind. I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus I would like to honor the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United States Armed Forces, which began on July 26, 1948. When talking about an issue that happened in the past, we tend to think of it as something that happened overnight or that it was easy. Integrating the military was not at all easy, but it was a critical step to moving our nation forward in terms of civil rights. President Harry S Truman initiated the effort to integrate the Armed Forces at the request of many black civil rights leaders. Not too many people expected the President to embrace integration within the military. Truman was born in Missouri, and his opinion on the issue was that of any average Missourian of his time. However, as he learned about the atrocities that were being committed against blacks, especially against those that had served in World War II, he became much more committed to civil rights issues and integrating the military. Indeed, President Truman outlined in his administration's policies key civil rights efforts, including forming agencies to address voting rights and fair employment. The most progressive of his actions was the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces, which was proposed by the President's Committee on Civil Rights. Support, however, did not come readily from Congress which was uninterested in civil rights issues. Indeed, the civil rights of Truman's priorities drew widespread criticism from Southern Democrats. Members of the military also were skeptical, with particular concern about legislation that would end racism overnight rather than more gradually. The argument offered by opponents was that, if blacks were allowed to be integrated into the Armed Forces, many whites would not want to join. Proponents of integration countered that the Federal government must take a leadership role in integrating; if Congress did not integrate Federal jobs, the private sector would definitely avoid doing so. To achieve advances in civil rights, Truman appointed The President's Committee on Civil Rights, which was charged to determine how to strengthen and improve Federal, State, and local laws to safeguard civil rights. The Committee identified multiple policies for Congressional action; however, Truman asserted that civil rights in the services fell under executive purview. On July 26, 1948, Truman signed Executive Order 9981 which mandated equal treatment and opportunity for black members in the Armed Forces. In the end, it was through the commitment and persistence of various leaders that we have an integrated military. The world would be a different place today if such proposals were not made against the status quo. The integration of the Armed Forces served as an instrument of social change. As we see from the civil rights movement, sometimes the best choices require going against the majority. So, tip my hat to the many leaders who made the integration of the military a reality, and I celebrate this integration on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its enactment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on the following legislative measure on July 15, 2008. If I were present for the roll call vote, I would have voted Yea on the following: Roll No. 491, July 15, 2008: On Passage, Objections of the President Not Withstanding: H.R. 6331, To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to extend expiring provisions under the Medicare Program, to improve beneficiary access to preventive and mental health services, to enhance low-income benefit programs, and to maintain access to care in rural areas, including pharmacy access, and for other purposes.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I support the passage of the conference report. I commend full Committee Chairman Miller, Subcommittee Chairman Hinojosa, Ranking Members McKeon and Keller for their leadership on this bill. I extend my deepest thanks to the chairman for his commitment to enhancing minority education and for his steadfast support on multiple issues that were especially important to me and to institutions serving the black community. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Education and Labor staff, who so skillfully worked to establish the many wonderful programs that will improve higher education for so many. There are multiple provisions of this bill that will benefit Chicago and other places throughout the country. I am especially pleased that the bill strengthens minority-serving institutions, especially HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions, or PBIs. I am very glad that the bill strengthens the TRIO programs that serve first-generation low- income students, and the prohibition on the Department of Education's Absolute Priority within the Upward Bound program. At this time I would like to engage in a colloquy with Chairman Miller.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I thank the chairman of the committee for his clarification and appreciate his and the conferees commitment to writing the statute to promote unity among the higher education community that serves mostly African American students. It is an excellent bill. I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I support the passage of the conference report for H.R. 4137, which authorizes the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This bill reauthorizes the higher education act for the first time in 10 years. I commend full-Committee Chairman George Miller and sub-Committee Chairman Ruben Hinojosa for their leadership on this bill. I extend my deepest thanks to the Chairman for his commitment to enhancing minority education and for his steadfast support on multiple issues that were especially important to me and to institutions serving the Black community. I would be remiss if I did not thank the Education and Labor staff who so skillfully advocated to establish so many wonderful programs that will improve higher education opportunities for so many. There are multiple provisions of this bill that will benefit Chicago and Illinois. To begin, this bill greatly expands access to higher education for low-income and minority students. By increasing Pell grants to $8,000, extending the grants to year-round, and allowing part-time students to qualify for Pell grants, this bill will enable many more of my constituents to attend college. I am especially pleased that the bill authorizes programs for both undergraduate and masters programs at Predominantly Black Institutions. PBIs represent a growing cadre of four-year and two-year institutions that serve as the access point for a growing number of urban and rural Black students whose family and financial situations limit their ability to gain access to college in many states. Many of these students come from low-income families and are also ``first generation'' college students, whose educational preparation for college and family finances present special challenges to educational success. PBIs are not eligible to receive funding under the HBCU capacity-building funds given that PBIs were not established prior to 1964. The undergraduate PBI program will provide federal support to strengthen the institutional capacity of schools to attract, retain, and graduate their students. Chicago has many PBIs that provide high quality education for many low-income, minority students, including: Chicago State University, Malcolm X College, Harold Washington College, Olive-Harvey College, Kennedy King College, East-West University, Robert Morris College, and South Suburban College. In addition, the new PBI masters program promotes the development of more Black masters- level professionals in the science and health fields by providing specific institutional support. For example, Chicago State University will qualify for valuable aid to strengthen its masters programs in the biological sciences and computer science as well as strengthen its first professional program in pharmaceutical science. Together, these new PBI programs will enhance the access for low-income African American students to higher education. I also am pleased that the bill strengthens both HBCU undergraduate and graduate education. As a graduate of an HBCU, I am very familiar with the benefits these institutions provide to low-income students. The new masters program for HBCUs in Title VII fills a void in current law. Title III, Part B includes institutional support for undergraduate education at HBCUs, and Section 326 provides institutional support for doctoral and first professional programs at HBCUs. The new Section 723 completes this continuum by supporting HBCUs with masters programs in the fields of science and health as well as clarifies the congressional intent that the existing Section 326 pertains to doctoral and first professional programs. Further, the bill strengthens the TRIO programs, which are key supports for low-income, first-generation college students to prepare and succeed in higher education. Importantly, the bill institutes an appeals process when applicants have evidence of errors in the handling or scoring of the applications. A number of Chicago institutions unfortunately have had difficulties in the last few years with denial of applications for suspect reasons and due to glitches with the Grants.gov system. Having a procedure in place to allow due process for these applicants is an important element to ensuring a fair application process. Further, the bill prohibits the implementation of the absolute priority that the Department imposed on the Upward Bound program, forcing programs to dramatically alter the nature of the services provided. I am happy that any future evaluations of Upward Bound will exclude the cohorts of students chosen under this well-intentioned but ill-conceived priority. Chicago also has many for-profit institutions of higher education that serve an important role in educating students. I am glad that the Conference Report provides additional flexibility for these institutions in terms of the 90/10 rule, including flexibility in the types of revenue that count toward the 10 percent, the Departmental response to violations of the rule, and exceeding loan limits as a result of the enactment of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act. Further, I support the increased monitoring and reporting requirements of for-profit institutions as a means to provide transparency and safeguards for students. I am happy that the bill emphasizes the need to support populations that are underrepresented in higher education. One such population about which I am particularly concerned is African American men. The under-representation of minority males, especially African American men, is a matter of public record that is reinforced by high drop-out rates in urban and rural school districts, and lower participation/ enrollment rates of these groups in colleges and universities. The American Council on Education's Minorities in Higher Education Annual Reports have consistently documented these factors for almost two decades. For example, although the enrollment of black men in higher education increased between 2000 to 2001, less than 3 percent of black men received a combination of associate's, bachelor's, or master's degrees. Clearly, ensuring success of students in higher education necessitates examining and promoting the success of minority males. To this end, the Conference Report includes a study of minority male access to and success in higher education that will provide key data to lawmakers so that we can better tailor our policies to promote minority men in higher education. The bill also encourages the involvement of individuals--such as African American men--who are from populations underrepresented in higher education in the TRIO programs, in teacher residency programs, in teacher preparation courses at minority serving institutions, and in loan forgiveness programs. These provisions will help ensure that the higher education community better reflects the diversity of our Nation. Another population about which I am particularly concerned is individuals in prison. After Congress barred prisoners from receiving Pell grants in 1994, provision of postsecondary correctional education dropped greatly. Multiple empirical studies demonstrate that postsecondary correctional education improves the atmosphere in prisons, increases successful reentry, increases employment after release, and decreases criminal behavior. For example, studies show that such education helps improve communication among staff and inmates, develop positive peer role models, and reduce disciplinary infractions. Further, multiple studies show that postsecondary education saves taxpayers' money. In 2001, government analysts in Maryland calculated that such programs saved state taxpayers more than $24 million annually, more than two times what the state spent on such programs. Given that the average annual cost of incarceration is more than $22,000 per prisoner and that more than half of formerly- incarcerated people return to prison with 3 years, providing higher education within prisons promises to be a cost-effective investment of taxpayer dollars. Currently, only approximately 5 percent of the total prison population is enrolled in postsecondary education. Current Federal postsecondary correctional grants target youth, resulting in a great need for such programs for adults. The Conference report expands higher education opportunities for older students by extending the qualifying age for such programs to 35 and by allowing up to 7 years to study while in prison. These provisions will allow greater flexibility to states to identify and serve individual inmates who are best able to benefit from postsecondary correctional education. In addition, the bill authorizes a study on the effectiveness of postsecondary correctional education. This study will greatly advance our understanding of what makes programs effective in educating individuals and reducing post release offending. Further, I am pleased that the bill takes steps to ease the discrimination against low-income students with drug convictions. There are multiple problems with a one-size-fits-all penalty based on financial aid. It inappropriately uses the financial aid application process to apply a mandatory minimum sentence above and beyond what the judicial system has imposed for a restricted group of students. Also, given that the penalty applies only to students receiving Federal aid who must maintain a C average or higher, the current provision unfairly denies aid only to low-income, high-performing students. The Conference report makes it easier for students who lose aid to re-qualify for Federal aid after it is removed. The report also requires an important study of who is denied Federal aid so that lawmakers can better understand whether this policy penalizes particular categories of students compared to others. As the Committee on Education and Labor's Report indicated, the study will examine the demographic background of the students excluded from Federal aid by the drug prohibition as well as the nature of the offenses underlying the exclusion. The variables for study are clearly enumerated in the Committee Report. In closing, there are many elements of this Conference report that will help many low-income students to access and succeed in higher education. I am proud to serve in the Congress that is making such a considerable investment in our students so that all youth--especially low-income, minority students--have access to quality postsecondary education.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1338, the Paycheck Fairness Act, sponsored by Representative Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT). H.R. 1338 amends the Equal Pay Act, one of the primary laws addressing pay discrimination. Since becoming law, loopholes and weak remedies have made the Equal Pay Act less effective in combating wage discrimination. The Paycheck Fairness Act, strengthens and improves the effectiveness of the Equal Pay Act. There should be little doubt that such improvements are necessary. More than four decades after the enactment of the Equal Pay Act, women still make only 77 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts, a wage disparity that cannot be explained by differences in qualifications, education, skills, training, responsibility, or life choices. Rather, in many cases, the pay differential has resulted from unlawful sex discrimination. The consequences of this discrimination are severe and predictable. The pay disparity forces single-mother households and families dependent on two wage earners to live on less than they rightfully deserve, while simultaneously reducing women's retirement earnings. In short, unfair pay disparities perpetuate women's economic dependence and deprive them of economic opportunity and equal protection of the laws. The Paycheck Fairness Act provides for compensatory and punitive damages only ``as appropriate,'' with no further limitation or arbitrary cap being necessary. The modest provisions for compensatory and punitive damages in the Paycheck Fairness Act bring remedies for victims of sex-based wage discrimination in line with those available for victims of wage discrimination based on race and national origin. I want to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Miller, and Subcommittee Chairwoman Woolsey and Congresswoman DeLauro for championing this important wage discrimination legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 362.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast a vote on the following legislative measure on July 15, 2008. If I were present for the roll call vote, I would have voted ``yes'' on the following: Rollcall vote 491, July 15, 2008.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to recognize the 40th anniversary of the Special Olympics and, in particular, Chicago's role in the wonderful program. As some of you may know, the first Special Olympics were held in my congressional district, the 7th Congressional District in Illinois on Chicago's Soldier Field on July 20, 1968. The idea for this event originated in 1967 when Anne Burke, a recreation teacher from the Chicago Park District, proposed holding a citywide track meet for people with disabilities, modeled after the Olympics. She was encouraged to hand in the proposal to Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the Kennedy Foundation; she did. It was at Chicago's Soldier Field that Eunice Kennedy Shriver announced the formation of the Special Olympics. One thousand athletes attended the first games from 26 States and Canada. The inaugural ceremony started with the quote, ``Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' These words came from the lips of the gladiators in ancient Rome and were wisely chosen by Kennedy Shriver to represent the goal of the Special Olympics. Before the Special Olympics were started Eunice Shriver had already tried once to organize a camp that would help disabled children. This organization which started out with 35 boys was called Camp Shriver. It is amazing that something that started out with only 35 children has developed into the Special Olympics which now holds programs in more than 180 countries with more than 2.5 million athletes and counting. The Special Olympics is a program that allows people from all over the world, or most of it, to interact with one another. It is astonishing what can be achieved when someone has an idea. One idea can inspire people to do great things. Congratulations to Special Olympics with its 40th anniversary. You have proven that great ideas give great outcomes. Thank you for making a difference and continue to inspire everyone.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to one of the most caring, most willing to share, most sensitive and most delightful ladies that I have ever known. Sister Lula Walker was a rock in her family, in her church, in her community, in her city, and in her country. She was a deeply religious lady, highly motivated, willing to sacrifice, and fiercely determined. She did not know how to retreat, and she did not know how to take ``no'' for an answer. Raised in a Christian home, she met and married her husband, Reverend Willie Walker, a Christian man who is an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ Church. Together Sister Walker, her husband Reverend Willie and their children have built a legacy of living and giving which will rarely be surpassed. With little money and no public support, Sister Lula organized a ministry of providing for battered women and children. She named it Tabitha House, after the disciple Tabitha in Hebrew, or Dorcas in Greek. Tabitha was known for her good works, especially for helping widows and the poor. Through her good works at Tabitha and in other ways, Sister Lula became the Mother Teresa of our community. Her work became so famous and well-known that she was invited to come to Washington D.C. and testify before Congress on the plight of women and children who are homeless and in need of shelter. Sister Walker had several bouts of serious illness, but like Tabitha, or Dorcas, she was able to rise up and continue with her work. Finally, on Saturday, July 19th, 2008, Sister Lula could not rise anymore and graciously passed out of this life into another. So, Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to extend to Reverend Willie Walker and the Walker family, the Tabitha House family and the Church of God in Christ church family our heartfelt condolences and the great joy that I have experienced as a result of knowing and working with the Mother Teresa of our community, the neighborhood where I live, Sister Lula Walker.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. 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. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6576) to require the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations regarding the use of information control designations, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to the chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Chairman Henry Waxman, for whatever time he might consume.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6576, the Reducing Information Control Designations Act, limits the Federal Government's use of information control designations. Investigations by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have found that Federal agencies have increasingly placed restrictions on unclassified information by using information control designations such as ``sensitive but unclassified.'' These designations are dangerous because they impede information-sharing with State and local governments and the public. There is no statutory authority for agency use of information control designations. Thus, these designations are not used consistently and are often overused and confusing. In May, the White House issued a memorandum to address this issue. That memo did not go far enough. While it addressed the number of designations, it did not try to limit their use. This bill further seeks to limit the use of these designations to improve information-sharing within the government and with the public. I support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. I would reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, to get us back to H.R. 6576, the Reducing Information Control Designations Act, I urge its passage. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6113) to amend title 44, United States Code, to require each agency to include a contact telephone number in its collection of information, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. 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. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she might consume to the author of this legislation, Representative Boyda.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6113, the Paperwork Assistance Act, is aimed at making it easier for people to fill out government paperwork. I commend Representative Boyda for her leadership in introducing this bill, and Representative Towns for his work on this bill during committee consideration. The bill would require each agency to include contact information for the agency on its forms. Under this bill, a person filling out a government form would be able to go to the agency and get in touch with the person who is responsible for answering questions about the form. Based on a suggestion by Representative Diane Watson, language was added to the bill during committee consideration to require the Office of Management and Budget to report to Congress on how well agencies are implementing this legislation. This is what one would have to call a good, commonsense piece of government work. It is a good government bill. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1143) supporting the goals and ideals of the Apple Crunch and the Nation's domestic apple industry.