Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) for such time as he may consume.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6150) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 14500 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the ``John P. Gallagher Post Office Building''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 6150 which asks that we designate a postal facility in Cleveland after Mr. John Gallagher who served that city faithfully for over 30 years. H.R. 6150, which was introduced by Representative Dennis Kucinich on May 22, 2008, was reported favorably from the Oversight Committee on June 12 by voice vote. The measure, which will name a post office after a truly humble and dedicated civil servant, has the support and sponsorship of the entire Ohio congressional delegation. John Gallagher has been described as a man who served his country and the city of Cleveland with dignity for his entire life. At the age of 19, he joined the U.S. Army where he fought bravely in Europe during World War II. After his years of service, he returned to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he would work for the city government for over 30 years, rising through the ranks to become Cleveland's Superintendent of Sidewalks. Mr. Gallagher did not regard his commitment to the city of Cleveland as anything extraordinary, but that he was simply doing his job, that's all. Like many public sector workers in our country, Mr. Gallagher devoted his life to serving and working on behalf of his fellow citizens. Therefore, Madam Speaker, let us extend a small token of our appreciation for the work of this outstanding gentleman by passing H.R. 6150 which will rename the postal facility on Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, as the John P. Gallagher Post Office Building. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, we urge passage of this resolution, and yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1002) expressing support for designation of April 2008 as ``Public Radio Recognition Month,'' as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, public radio, of course, is one of the things that all of us spend a great deal of time listening to. As a matter of fact, there are many of us, and many people in America, who feel that if they don't get the opportunity to listen, to know what has taken place, to recognize what is going on in our country, then they are seriously deprived. Whereas the mission of public radio is to create a better informed public that is challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures; and whereas public radio is almost a mainstay in hundreds of thousands and perhaps even millions of Americans' homes. We wake up in the morning, many families go to bed at night, and public radio is the balance that they need to feel that the information they are receiving is not being commercialized, that it is information that is coming straight from wherever the purveyors have gotten it. They are not necessarily trying to shape ideas in one direction or another, but to simply give information to people that they can use and take advantage of and make it a part of their everyday lives. So, based upon those facts and based upon that information, it is certainly my pleasure to express support for this legislation. I want to commend the gentleman from Oregon, Mr. Blumenauer, for introducing it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would urge support of this resolution and yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1219) celebrating the symbol of the United States flag and supporting the goals and ideals of Flag Day.

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 present for consideration H. Res. 1219, which celebrates our Nation's flag and the goals of Flag Day, a day honoring the America's most enduring symbol. H. Res. 1219's lead sponsor, Representative Robert Latta of Ohio, introduced the bill on May 21, 2008, and it was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2008, by voice vote. This measure has the support and sponsorship of 62 Members of Congress and expresses our appreciation for and belief in the power of the red, white and blue. The importance of the American flag as a symbol to our Nation is enormous. Our flag represents the service men and women who proudly wear it, the judges and legislators who serve in honor of it, and the millions of Americans who stand daily and pledge their allegiance to it. It is indeed representative of every American as a symbol of hope and freedom that resonates around the world. Flag Day is celebrated every June 14, because it was on that day in 1777 that the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, giving our Nation an enduring and identifying emblem. The flag has changed since then, but the ideas it embodies have endured. From the images of the Americans planting the flag in the sands of Iwo Jima, to the flag that was pulled from the rubble of the New York World Trade Center after the attacks of 9/11, Old Glory has become an integral part of our national fabric. So, Madam Speaker, I urge swift passage of H. Res. 1219, for it will provide due recognition of the importance of the American flag and demonstrate our support of the day which honors it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I would continue to reserve, Madam Speaker.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, we have no additional speakers, and I would urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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. Now, Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield as much time as he might consume to the author of this resolution, my good friend from Illinois, Representative Gutierrez.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1029) congratulating and recognizing Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez for his continued success on and off of the golf course, for his generosity and devotion to charity, and for his exemplary dedication to the intellectual and moral growth of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged youth in our country, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would yield myself such time as I might consume. I rise as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to join my colleagues in consideration of H. Res. 1029, which recognizes as well as congratulates Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez for his continued success on and off the golf course, for his generosity and devotion to charity and for his exemplary dedication to the positive development of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged youth in our country. H. Res. 1029 was authored by Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Illinois and is cosponsored by 52 Members of Congress. The bill before us was first introduced on March 6, 2008 and was taken up by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 12, 2008 where the measure was amended and then passed by a voice vote. A native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Juan ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez is recognized as one of the greatest golfers of our time, and he is the first Puerto Rican professional golfer to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. With over 37 professional golf wins, including 8 PGA tour wins and 22 Senior PGA tour wins, Mr. Rodriguez rose from sugarcane cutter to world-renowned professional golfer and youth advocate, which is a great indication of one who need not be so concerned about where one comes from but in recognizing where one will be going. Mr. Rodriguez, obviously, went to the very top. Not only did he stand out as a professional golfer, but as a humanitarian and as an individual who gave back and gave to others, he will always be renowned and remembered. I commend my colleague for introducing this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests for time, I urge passage of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute Mr. Cornelius Allen who passed away on May 28, 2008; and an individual whom I learned was my cousin a few years ago. Madam Speaker, Cornelius Allen was one of the friendiest and most delightful persons I have known. Cornelius was born on October 13, 1928, in Gary, Indiana to the parentage of Mr. Diston and Mrs. Addie P. Allen. Mr. Allen attended high school at Oakwood Academy in Huntsville, Alabama; graduating with the class of 1947. He was then drafted into the United States Army and served as a private first class until honorable discharged in 1952, and remained in the reserve until 1957. In 1955, Cornelius joined the Chicago Transit Authority and quickly became an Ambassador of Goodwill as he often spoke with passengers and exhibited friendship to school children. After thirty years of loyal service to the Chicago Transit Authority, Mr. Allen retired and spent the rest of his life doing good deeds. Cornelius Allen was a real proponent of education and encouraged young people to take advantage of every educational opportunity available to them. He was family centered and exhibited great pride in family history, tradition and unity. To Cornelius's closest relatives, Dell Allen and wife Debbie, his daughters Addie Allen, grandchildren, Marcus Allen, Dell `Rome' Allen, Justus Cornelius Allen Pugh, great grandchildren Cameron Allen, Lyndon Allen and Lucas Allen; his brother Ray Shepherd and Rosenwald (Eunice) Allen Sr. and his sister, Mary Ann Guyton, I say you have been blessed to have such a great soul to be an intimate part of your life. Cornelius was a good man whose footsteps were ordered by the Lord and just as he brought joy to your lives, he brought joy to countless others. May he rest in peace.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 127) recognizing and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the entry of Alaska in the Union as the 49th State.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5683) to make certain reforms with respect to the Government Accountability Office, and for other purposes, 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.