Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Brown).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith and Chairman LaHood for their work and their assistance in moving this bill that would require HHS to determine whether States are in full compliance with the law when youth go missing from foster care, and also to identify best practices and provide technical support to States so that they can better serve these young people in our care and need our help. Mr. Speaker, 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 S. 1146, the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act, as amended. This bill builds on existing HHS guidance to ensure that States understand their grave responsibilities when youth go missing from foster care. It would require HHS to determine whether States are in full compliance with the law and guidance and also to identify best practices and provide technical support to States so that they can do better by our youth. Our committee worked closely with HHS to update the original guidance and then advanced, last year, the bipartisan House companion bill, H.R. 2426. Taking a child into foster care is a last resort, something that we should do only if a child cannot live safely at home even with services or support. Once a State takes custody of a child, they must keep that child safe and act in the child's best interest. There is no higher obligation than keeping a child safe in our care. We know that children who run away from foster care are not safe. They are disproportionately likely to be homeless or to fall prey to sex traffickers and other predators. They often struggle with mental health challenges or substance abuse. To our shame, many youth who run away from foster care also were not safe before they ran away. They ran away because they were placed in an unsafe home or separated from siblings and other family members. This amended version of S. 1146 addresses that issue by requiring HHS to study and learn more about how to prevent the situation that causes youth to flee. In crafting this bipartisan additional study requirement, I was fortunate to consult Bryan Samuels and the able team at Chapin Hall in my city of Chicago. Their deep expertise and prior work on this topic informed our thinking. I take great pride in our committee's bipartisan work to strengthen families and protect vulnerable foster youth over the years, including the landmark Family First Prevention Services Act and the strong bill to reauthorize and invest in child welfare services that we are also considering today. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the Find and Protect Foster Youth Act and continue to work together to advance thoughtful legislation to help our most vulnerable youth and families.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Supporting America's Children and Families Act which now includes two bipartisan bills reported out of the Ways and Means Committee. The first bill would improve and invest in the child welfare services funded under title IV-B of the Social Security Act. The second bill would ensure that State and Tribal child support agencies can continue their work collecting child support obligations. I thank Chairman LaHood and Chairman Smith for their hard work and willingness to work with all of us to reauthorize and improve title IV- B of the Social Security Act. I am delighted that today we advance this important bipartisan step forward for our most vulnerable children and families. This bill would increase guaranteed funding for the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program for the first time since 2006, providing meaningful new resources to make sure that all children are in safe, loving, and permanent homes. The bill includes good ideas from Members on both sides of the aisle and from the experts who work with us to prioritize child well-being in our work. Indeed, 228 national, State, and local organizations support this bill. The bill provides modest but critical funding for services all along the child welfare continuum. In addition to providing essential new funding for both State and Tribal child welfare agencies to support families, this bill includes numerous, significant investments and policy updates that improve child safety and well-being. For example, it invests in aiding kinship caregivers in finding needed resources and in evidence-based programs that successfully help parents overcome substance abuse disorders to safely care for their children. It increases funding for Tribal child welfare programs while respecting Tribal sovereignty and monitoring State engagement with the Indian Child Welfare Act. It updates our policies to help ensure that parents and children have access to independent legal representation in child welfare court proceedings, a key factor to address racial disparities in child welfare. This bill also provides for a new demonstration project to promote meaningful relationships between foster youth and their incarcerated parents. I have personally witnessed the power of these relationships to change lives for both children and parents, and I thank Chairman LaHood and my colleagues for working with me to help these families. In addition, the bill amends section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code to bring parity to Tribal and State child support services agencies and to ensure that State agencies can continue their work. I recognize the leadership of Representatives Gwen Moore, Suzan DelBene, and Kevin Hern on these provisions. I know that agencies across the country and in my home State of Illinois are eager for us to enact this provision quickly to resolve a longstanding discrepancy in interpretation about the use and definition of contractors assisting child support agencies. The bill strengthens the ability of State, Tribal, and local child support agencies to serve families. Both the substance of this bill and the true collaboration in both policy areas, child welfare and child support, represent a great step forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support its passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore), one of the most serious antipoverty advocates that I know.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman Smith and Chairman LaHood for their partnership on this important bill that would improve and invest in child welfare services under title IV- B and ensure that State and Tribal support agencies can continue their work. I think all of our committee can be seriously proud of this bipartisan work. It has been a pleasure working with the chair and Mr. LaHood. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this very important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding nurse practitioner who is a dear friend of mine, who passed away a few days ago. Her name is Margaret Davis, and people would often ask if she was a relative, and I would always say: No, but I wish that she was. She was, indeed, one of the most effective nurses I have ever known during my lifetime. She was also one of the most intellectual persons I have ever known. So we simply express condolences to her family and friends and cite her work as president of the Black Nurses Association in the city of Chicago. Margaret, you have done well. Rest in peace.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5861, the BRIDGE for Workers Act. I am glad to see that the House is moving forward to ensure that State reemployment service programs serve the workers who can benefit from most of them, as we intended in our original bipartisan legislation. The Ways and Means Committee reported out this bill nearly a year ago, and I hope we can work together to finally enact it this year. As you know, this important technical clarification first passed our committee, and then the full House on an overwhelming, bipartisan vote in 2019, and Senate Republicans prevented it from becoming law. Our economic recovery has been historically strong, both in comparison to past recessions and compared to our peer countries. The right policies in the Biden-Harris American Rescue Plan Act resulted in strong GDP growth. Americans are back at work and earning higher wages than they were before. Inflation, which was always lower than in our peer countries, appears to be leveling off. American workers are the heart of our strong economy, and the best way to preserve and grow it is to ensure that they can get and keep good jobs while also caring for their families. Research shows one way we can help people go back to work faster is to ensure that they get simple services like job market information or resume help. This bipartisan legislation, which I was proud to work with the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood) to introduce and move ahead, is key to ensuring that the right workers get these job-finding supports. Even a week or two of getting a paycheck instead of an unemployment benefit makes a difference for a household budget. I hope this bill is just the first effort to provide commonsense help so that Americans can work and support their families. A good next step would be to enact universal paid family and medical leave and guaranteed childcare. It is an embarrassment that some continue to block enactment of these essential supports that all other developed countries provide. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues to support workers and enact this bipartisan bill before the end of the year. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1432, the VETT Act. Veterans service organizations provide vital and integral support to our servicemembers in their local communities. This bill updates outdated rules in the tax code, and in doing so, ensures that Americans have the needed incentives to support these organizations that serve those who served our country. By providing equal treatment to veterans that served in war and those who served in peacetime, we are ensuring that VSOs are able to grow and maintain their memberships without having to risk losing their ability to receive tax deductible charitable donations. Mr. Speaker, if there is any group in our country, in our society that deserves all of the effort that we can put forth to make sure that they receive the fairest of treatment in terms of what they have done to serve our country, this is something I think we owe them all. I support this legislation and reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues for their work on this legislation, especially Mr. Panetta and Dr. Wenstrup. Again, if there is any group who could expect and should expect the greatest efforts to make sure that they are protected, it is our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the Chronic Disease Flexible Coverage Act is sponsored by Dr. Wenstrup and Representative Earl Blumenauer. I thank my colleague Dr. Wenstrup and my friend Earl Blumenauer for their tireless work in healthcare and on healthcare issues. As Earl prepares to retire, I recognize that he has long been a champion for improving care and services for those with chronic illnesses. I will miss his leadership on the Ways and Means Committee and in Congress. While I voted against the bill in committee, I do understand the principle about trying to protect people from high out-of-pocket costs. This bill codifies the safe harbor for preventive services for high- deductible plans that offer additional preventive benefits predeductible. Given that the bill codifies the regulation, it is not making a new policy or giving Americans any protections they don't currently enjoy. While I understand the desire to help workers stuck in high- deductible plans, we really need to look at the impact high-deductible plans are having on patients and families and how they contribute to medical debt. More than 100 million Americans are saddled with medical debt that can often be as a result of plans with high deductibles. We know out- of-pocket costs deter Americans from getting the care that they need, and we must change that. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Kelly. I am pleased to join with all my colleagues as we recall, remember, and reflect one of the most profound individuals who has ever served in the House of Representatives. Can you imagine what it would be like to sit between Linda Sanchez and Bill Pascrell for 12 years or more? One side, the other side. Bill had all of the attributes of a great teacher, and that is great teachers learn how to use theater, humor, and profound knowledge to hold the attention of whatever it is that they are trying to reach. You never had to worry about people listening to Bill Pascrell, and you never had to wonder where he stood or where he was going or where he had been. It was just great for me to sit there and drink from the fountain. I would listen to Bill, and that would often give me a little bit of direction in terms of where I wanted to go. It was an honor, a pleasure, and a great joy to be his seat mate. To his family, to his staff, I would see the staff come and bring him notes. He would look at the note and then ball it up, and hold it in his hand because he knew what he was going to say. He knew what he was going to do, and that is what he did. Great guy. Great pal, Bill Pascrell.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18th, I take this moment to honor the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, a South African anti-apartheid and civil rights activist. Mandela's lifetime commitment to fighting on behalf of marginalized groups in South Africa and the world is the reason for Nelson Mandela International Day. This day should reflect the values and integrity we should have in advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable. Nelson Mandela International Day was first Declared by the United Nations in 2009. The day reminds us never to get complacent about today's injustices and to fight for tomorrow's freedoms. With its timeless message of equality and justice, Mandela's legacy should serve as a call to action for our youth to pursue equitable justice, especially when democracy is under attack. In the words of Mandela, ``To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.'' Mandela's tenacity and struggle against systemic injustice under South African apartheid are world-renowned. His influence transcends borders, inspiring a global civil rights and social justice movement. Despite Mandela's many accomplishments and distinguished honors, such as a Nobel Peace Prize, his journey to becoming a celebrated civil rights leader was not achieved overnight. As a youth, Mandela developed his passion for organizing in school, leading movements against racial discrimination and cultivating relationships between White and Black activists. Mandela's unwavering commitment to justice and equality led to his 27-year imprisonment as well to being the first democratically- elected president in South Africa. Although much of Mandela's work toward justice is in South Africa, his story parallels civil rights struggles in America, both past and present. For example, Chicago continues to experience the impact of deliberate racial redlining from the past. Housing discrimination, such as redlining, led to segregation in Chicago, lower property values in minority communities, lower-funded schools, and systemic inequalities. We should remember Mandela for his revolutionary acts against systemic injustice and his ability to unite people to dismantle oppressive institutions. Challenging the status quo and pursuing freedom for all has never been easy; it wasn't easy for the Montogomery Bus Boycott protesters fighting segregation nor was it easy for Mandela. It isn't easy now as our country faces the choice between democracy or dictatorship. However, the desire to live in a more just and equal society spurs our fight despite the trials and tribulations we must face. Celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day inspires our collective effort to advance equality that will bring about the change we seek.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we approach National Black Women's Equal Pay Day on July 27th, I wish to take a moment to recognize the valuable work that Black and African American women in the United States have done to make this country what it is today and to reaffirm the importance of paying them--and everyone fairly regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or disability. Black women are an essential part of our Nation's fabric and workforce--hard workers who spur our Nation's economic growth despite experiencing barriers to equity and discrimination, which are compounded by the color of their skin as well as their gender. A primary goal of Black Women's Equal Pay Day is to raise awareness about the gender pay gap that limits the economic mobility of Black women. Goldman Sachs research as part of its Black Womenomics initiative makes clear the multiple ways Black women experience these economic gaps: the wage gap between Black and White women increased from 10 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2019; Black women are less likely to have a bank account or to work full-time, salaried jobs; and Black women report living paycheck to paycheck and being burdened by medical debt and student loans relative to their income. Further, these wealth disparities are associated with health and well-being disparities, with Black women being more likely to experience poorer health and live shorter lives. The inequitable treatment of African American women in the workforce goes counter to the American values that make our country great. To continue pursuing equality for all, I joined my colleagues in cosponsoring the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that addresses sex discrimination, limits hiring bias, and equips people--especially marginalized groups--with the tools to successfully negotiate their wages. I also am an original co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 97 that recognizes the importance of equal pay and sheds light on wage disparities between men and women. All workers in the richest nation on Earth should be paid fairly, and Black women deserve to receive their fair share of economic growth. I will continue to fight to create equitable pay opportunities for Black women and all workers. We must reject policies that keep Black women and other workers in a state of economic subservience. Together, we can commemorate Black Women's Equal Pay Day as evidence of our commitment to pursuing social justice that will one day lead to a more equal society.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on July 8th and 9th as I needed to attend the funeral services of a close friend. Had I been present for the following roll call votes, I would have voted Aye on: Roll Call No. 336, July 8, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 897, Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act; Roll Call No. 337, July 8, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 5441, Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act; Roll Call No. 340, July 9, 2024: On Motion to Recommit--H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and Roll Call No. 342, July 9, 2024: On Motion to Recommit--H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act. Had I been present for the following roll call votes, I would have voted No on: Roll Call No. 338, July 9, 2024: On Ordering the Previous Question H. Res. 1341, Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 8281, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; H.R. 8772, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025; H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act; H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and the joint resolution H.J. Res. 165; Roll Call No. 339, July 9, 2024: On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 1341, Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 8281, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; H.R. 8772, Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2025; H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act; H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and the joint resolution H.J. Res. 165; Roll Call No. 341, July 9, 2024: On Passage--H.R. 7637, Refrigerator Freedom Act; and Roll Call No. 343, July 9, 2024: On Passage--H.R. 7700, Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we end the 2024 session of the Supreme Court and prepare for students to return to school, I wish to reaffirm the need for race-conscious decisions in higher education to ensure that students of color receive fair consideration in admissions. Affirmative action is an important equity tool to counteract the effects of discrimination and structural barriers to education facing students of color, a tool that emerged from the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. President John F. Kennedy first established affirmative action to promote racial equality and prevent unfair labor practices through an executive order in 1961 that created the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity. The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 went further to prohibit discrimination and promote equal opportunity based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Subsequent executive orders, laws, and holdings by the Supreme Court supported race- and gender-conscious actions to address discrimination and enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The consideration of race in college admissions promotes equal treatment without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. The resulting campus diversity is a crucial element of quality higher education. Diversity curates higher learning opportunities and fosters a sense of belonging for traditionally-marginalized communities. Research shows that a strong sense of belonging has many positive outcomes for students, including improved persistence, retention, grades, and health. Diversity in higher education expands perspectives, promotes innovation, and prepares students to interact with our diverse citizenry. One year ago, the Supreme Court gutted 50 years of race-conscious admissions in higher education with its decision in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and the Fellows of Harvard. In a 6-3 decision, the extremist-dominated court ruled that affirmative action violated equal protection under the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment manifested new freedom and rights at the federal level by establishing ``equal protection under the laws'' for all American citizens regardless of race. Shockingly and offensively, the conservative- dominated court manipulated an amendment intended to cultivate racial equality to stifle programs that correct systemic racial discrimination. I firmly agree with Justices Jackson and Sotomayor who opposed the ruling. Justice Sotomayor warned that ``. . . racial inequality will persist in educational institutions so long as it is ignored.'' Justice Jackson noted the contradictory nature of the absence of race in admissions decisions but not in military academies, prioritizing racial inclusion for military benefit rather than educational enrichment. The 7th District of Illinois, Chicago, and Illinois are home to millions of families whose children deserve the same access to higher education opportunities that privileged individuals enjoy. Extremists' attacks on race-conscious admissions jeopardizes the future educational opportunities of Black and Brown children. A colorblind approach to the college admissions process does not acknowledge the entrenched racial struggles that minorities face in America. When institutions fail to acknowledge race, they fail to recognize the barriers to education associated with race that can perpetuate racial inequality in higher education. The Supreme Court's promotion of a colorblind society serves to protect the wealthy and well-connected. I vow to fight for equal opportunity and justice. We must protect the tools that are key to securing our civil rights--like race-conscious admissions, free and fair elections, and voter protections--to ensure that our nation's progress in civil rights does not reverse. Advancement toward racial equality cannot be made without consideration of race.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, to the immediate and extended family, staff, friends, supporters, constituents, colleagues, and well- wishers of my dear friend, colleague, comrade, political ally, and our senior representative on the Cook County Board, I rise to honor Dr. Dennis Deer. I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ and I am sure that he has already said to Dennis, welcome home my good and faithful servant. I have known the Deer Family for more than fifty years when I met and worked with his parents; father Herman, Mother Shirley and their neighbors who founded the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Center in North Lawndale on West Greenshaw Street, they lived on Greenshaw Street, it was one of the first of ten centers of its kind in the United States, now there are fourteen hundred and they are servicing more than 30 million low and moderate income individuals. Of course, that portion of Greenshaw Street is now Honorary Shirley Deer Way. I lived on West Greenshaw Street. Dennis grew up around community activism and politics. He took to it like a duck takes to water, attended George W. Collins High School where my wife taught, my friends were principals, teachers and administrators. He went off to college, returned home, earned additional college degrees, married his high school sweetheart, wonderful wife Barbara, settled in the community, they have three children and he became a leader, worked with President Bobbie Steele, Commissioner Bob Steele, the Turner Family, the Scott Family, Lawndale Christian and the Faith Community to help bring the North Lawndale Community back to a state of optimistic redevelopment and it is on a roll. Dr. Deer's service has been simply outstanding, he was an effective legislator, helped promote and pass Second Chance, helped nationalize the idea that gun violence is a Public Health Crisis, he was an outstanding community leader, he was the most loyal, most trustworthy and most likeminded political ally I have ever had, he was my friend and a representative of the people. He was also an outstanding businessman before becoming a County Commissioner, I remember when we took a business delegation to the Arab Emirates and Dennis was meeting with Warren Buffett and other top businesspersons in our country. Yes, our friend and brother from West Grenshaw Street has moved on but he has left an indelible mark on the North Lawndale Community and on Government in Cook County that can and will never be erased or forgotten. Yes, Brother Dennis, he has been the best, he has done the best. Now, yes, we will keep working to keep the candles lit and the fires burning. May he be at peace.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take the opportunity to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, a key milestone in the march for equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex--or LGBTQI+--Americans. Fifty-five years ago, the courageous Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Storme DeLarverie of New York City resisted police brutality against lesbian, gay, and transgender minorities in what is known as the Stonewall Uprising. Their legacies continue today to inspire and energize many Americans to respect the differences we have and advocate for the expansion of equal rights for all people. The fight for equality is an ongoing battle, especially with right- wing, extremist Republicans prioritizing hate and discrimination against the LGBTQI+ community people, in general, and transgender people, specifically, as a political bludgeon designed to divide our country. These extremist Republicans are determined to reverse any civil rights protections already won by the LGBTQI+ community, such as affirming medical care, the right to marriage, and housing access. I know first-hand the cruelty and injustice of discrimination. These efforts contradict the democratic values we hold dearly in this country. As a result, I have prioritized, advocated, and supported civil rights and social justice throughout my public service career because everyone deserves to live free of discrimination and injustice. As a member of the Equality Caucus, I am a proud original co-sponsor of the Stonewall Day Resolution that would recognize June 28th as Stonewall Day and the strides made to support equal rights for all. Further, as an original cosponsor of the Equality Act, I have voted to pass out of the House this essential legislation that would modify the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to reduce discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. My home state of Illinois has laws that ensure robust nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQI+ individuals, and it is time that the federal government enact similar policies to protect Americans across the Nation. As a leader in improving child welfare law, I also lead the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act that would protect foster youth and foster parents from discrimination based on religion, marital status, and who they love. We must ensure that each and every child in foster care finds a loving, affirming family. I believe that, by recognizing the historic movements for LGBTQI+ people in American history, we celebrate how diverse our society is, a diversity that makes our nation richer and more vibrant. Let us celebrate those from Stonewall who risked their lives and all who work tirelessly to expand civil rights for all LGBTQI+ people.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, let me commend the chairwoman and the Congressional Black Caucus for hosting this discussion this evening on what I consider to be one of the most important issues in our country and in our society, and that is taking a hard look at what is happening with our children, especially those who are in need of care. I will focus on the adage that I have always believed in, that an ounce of prevention is worth much more than a pound of cure. It just reminds me of some of the many things that we have championed in trying to make sure that not only do our children receive the care and attention that they need once they are in care but also trying to prevent them from having to have that experience. I was thinking of 2023 when Illinois and the Nation benefited from the reauthorization of the MIECHV program, which I was fortunate to lead. The MIECHV program funds evidence-based education and services proven to improve mother and child health, family safety, and child development. I helped create this program in 2010, and it has brought over $119 million to Illinois and $5.2 billion to the country to help make families stronger and try to help them to be able to retain their children. I am also reminded that Illinois and the Nation benefited from the Family First Prevention Services Act, which I helped enact. It made historic improvements to child welfare, fundamentally shifting policy from separating families to strengthening them by addressing the key reasons that families struggle. Illinois has received over $66 million from the law in prevention funding to strengthen families since it was enacted almost 6 years ago. National Family Reunification Month, what does that really mean? I think it means trying to keep families as connected as we possibly can. I thank the Illinois Department of Corrections for allowing our fatherhood initiative every year to take children to correctional institutions to visit with their fathers. As a matter of fact, we have done that now for about 10 years. The results are startling in terms of how fathers and children and the children's mothers, significant others, or grandparents relate to this experience of, even though their fathers are away, letting the children know that their fathers still have meaning and a great deal of meaning to their lives. As we meander our way through trying to figure out how we really make our world a better place in which to live and how we provide for those young people, I think of the laws that we have tried to enact and made some progress on, such as helping foster youth get driver's licenses so that they can have transportation services and get from one place to another. The thing that I am very proud of is that we are close to providing opportunity for foster youth who have benefits due to them from Social Security. Rather than having these benefits go to their payees or go to States for operational expenses, we are getting close to having these benefits come to the foster youth themselves and put into a trust fund or something for them, so when they age out, it helps the older foster youth. Think of how meaningful it would be for a young person who is aging out, reaching adulthood, who has never had any real access to resources of their own, having a few thousand dollars in a trust fund to help them transition to adulthood, so that they now can act like an adult, have their own resources to go to college, have their own resources to help get an apartment, have their own resources before they get a job and not struggle during that period. I commend and thank my colleagues and the Congressional Black Caucus for raising this issue, providing direction, and giving us an opportunity to recognize that the needs are great and that we want to make society a better world. I end by thinking of one of my favorite expressions that a poet and blues singer said. That is that: I believe the children are our future Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside Give them a sense of pride If we can do that, then I am confident that America, our Nation, will become a better place in which to live.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House took decisive action today to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration--or FAA--by advancing H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. Upon enactment, this critically-important legislation will better protect the health and safety of air travelers, improve conditions for both the current and future aviation workforce, and make significant investments in our Nation's aviation infrastructure and air traffic control technologies. I am proud to have cast my vote in favor of H.R. 3935. This long- overdue, bipartisan measure will modernize America's aviation system, advance consumer safety and protections, and prepare the next generation of highly qualified and diverse aviation professionals. For years, I have advocated for enhanced federal funding to better recruit, retain, and advance underrepresented populations in the aviation industry. To that end, I applaud the bill's inclusion of $60 million in annual funding to the FAA to bolster the pool of pilots, aviation maintenance professionals, and manufacturing workers in the talent pipeline. Of the $60 million provided, H.R. 3935 requires that 20 percent of this annual funding be designated for the Willa Brown Aviation Program, which introduces and trains underserved communities in various aviation careers. I thank my colleague, Rep. Hank Johnson, for his leadership on this provision. I'm also pleased to see that the reauthorization bill directs the FAA to engage and partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions to advance awareness of aviation-related education programs and careers, a recommendation I made in my testimony before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill's historic investment in our country's airports with, $4 billion in annual funding for the Airport Improvement Program, will help modernize public-use airports, such as Midway and O'Hare airports in Chicago, while simultaneously spurring economic growth and employment opportunities for many Chicagoland residents and businesses. I praise the host of policy reforms and robust protections for air travelers and consumers, like the Section 503 requirement that airlines refund passengers on significantly delayed or cancelled flights and a new mandate that airlines permit passengers to sit next to their young child when practical and at no cost. Inclusion of these important and long-overdue consumer protections in the FAA reauthorization bill further explains why the measure enjoys such widespread bi-partisan support in Congress and beyond. I commend House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen for their hard work to deliver this comprehensive and bicameral bill to reauthorize the FAA, helping ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in aviation safety and innovation.