Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would urge passage of this resolution. I, too, agree that when we give of ourselves, we give the very best.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1173) recognizing AmeriCorps Week.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H. Res. 1173, which recognizes the contributions of the national service program known as AmeriCorps. Since 1994, AmeriCorps has engaged over 500,000 citizens of all ages in national service programs, giving 705 million hours of service to our Nation and their fellow citizens. AmeriCorps, which is composed of AmeriCorps State and national programs, the National Civilian Community Corps, or NCCC, and the Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA programs, engages 75,000 people each year in intensive, results-driven service to help communities tackle the toughest problems of education, poverty, illiteracy and the relief and recovery efforts after disasters. AmeriCorps participants improve the lives of millions of our most vulnerable citizens by implementing critical health services, building low-income housing, making neighborhoods safer, and protecting the environment. AmeriCorps VISTA participants are America's poverty fighters, 6,000 strong, and fulfill their service term in low-income communities by creating businesses, expanding access to technology, recruiting literacy volunteers, strengthening anti-poverty groups, and creating sustainable programs that help people rise out of poverty. AmeriCorps NCCC participants serve as first responder in times of national need and have responded to every nationally declared disaster since 1994: floods, fires, tornadoes, and storms, and helped communities prepare for the next emergency. In fact, 10,000-plus AmeriCorps members have served millions of Katrina survivors in the gulf and managed a quarter million other Katrina volunteers. The impact of AmeriCorps goes beyond the community in which a participant serves; it impacts the AmeriCorps member who is doing the service. The alums of AmeriCorps programs are significantly more likely to go into public-service careers in government and the nonprofit sectors, especially minorities and people from low-income backgrounds. So, Mr. Speaker, this week is AmeriCorps Week. This is a week in which we as a Nation should thank those who have given of themselves and who served our Nation through AmeriCorps to improve the lives of our Nation's vulnerable and disadvantaged citizens and improve communities across the country. We salute AmeriCorps members and alums for giving of themselves to benefit others and their powerful impact on our Nation's communities and the lives of our citizens and thank all involved in making AmeriCorps a successful program. I ask that my colleagues join me in full support of H. Res. 1173 and salute those current and former AmeriCorps members through passage of H. Res. 1173. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding time, but I also want to commend her for the tremendous leadership that she continues to provide on this critical issue of mental health, mental illness. I am pleased to join with her in support of H. Res. 1134, recognizing and acknowledging Mental Health Awareness Month during the month of May. I agree with Representative Napolitano that mental health is one of the major health issues facing our society, and yet it does not get the kind of attention that it needs and deserves. When we think of all of the individuals who will suffer from substance abuse, all of the individuals who find themselves perplexed and not quite knowing how to navigate the society in which we live, and when we consider the fact that we have not reached the point of providing parity consideration nor parity treatment for mental illness, it's appropriate that we recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Again, I congratulate the gentlewoman from California for her leadership.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 789) honoring public child welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations and private entities providing services for foster children, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert material relevant to H. Res. 789 into the Record.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the public welfare agencies, nonprofit organizations, private entities and compassionate individuals that work tirelessly to support foster children. Since May is National Foster Care Month, it is appropriate that today we salute the many individuals and organizations that provide foster care services to over 500,000 children currently in foster care nationwide. National Foster Care Month originated in 1988 and has served to heighten awareness for the issue since that time. By increasing visibility of this important issue, organizations are better able to reach out to the community and recruit individuals to support children throughout the year. By connecting foster youth with caring adults we can ensure that children do not face life's challenges alone. Child welfare issues are present in families of all races, ethnicities and cultures. However, children of color make up a disproportionate number of children in foster care. Without a stable home, these young people confront many challenges. Although some of these young people are able to overcome the challenges of abuse and neglect, others continue to deal with their effects long into adulthood. Research finds that just 54 percent of foster care youth complete high school and 25 percent will face homelessness at some point in their lives. Additionally, research has shown that children in foster care are more likely than their peers to deal with poverty, unemployment, incarceration, poor health and other hardships. We must do what we can to support these young Americans and help them cultivate the necessary skills to live successfully and independently. More than 20,000 young people age out of foster care each year, and today we recognize the many individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities and organizations that work collectively together to ensure that all children can grow up with the support they need to be healthy and safe. So, Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for H. Res. 789 and recognize the hard work so many put in on a daily basis to help children in foster care reunite with their parents, be cared for by relatives or to be adopted by loving families. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just want to be associated with the comments of Mr. Castle, and I also want to commend Mrs. Bachmann and her family, her husband, for the outstanding role modeling which they display. I was taught that you can't lead where you don't go and you can't teach what you don't know, and they demonstrate the very best of what it means to be associated and involved with caring for children who are not necessarily your own. And so I certainly commend them for the outstanding service they provide. I urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, 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 agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1096) commending the University of Kansas Jayhawks for winning the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball championship.

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 and insert relevant material to H. Res. 1096 into the Record.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, all of us know of the tremendous importance of the game of basketball to the United States of America and all that it provides for all of us in terms of the thrills everybody shares when they're watching their favorite team. I rise to congratulate the University of Kansas Jayhawks for their win in the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's basketball tournament. On April 7, 2008, the University of Kansas won their fifth men's national basketball title by defeating the University of Memphis Tigers. College basketball fans and players were treated to an exciting national championship game, with victory coming to the Jayhawks after an amazing effort which pushed the game into overtime. I want to extend congratulations to Head Coach Bill Self, Athletic Director Lew Perkins, University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemingway, and Kansas' student athletes on an excellent season. While securing their first national title in 20 years, the Jayhawks also won the Big 12 Conference championship title. The Jayhawks also set a school record for all-time season wins with a 37-3 record. I also wish to extend congratulations to the University of Memphis Tigers and their student athletes for a great season. The Tigers' loss in the finals was only their second loss of the season. Memphis also won Conference USA with a perfect 16-0 record. Winning the 2008 national championship has brought national attention and acclaim to the University of Kansas' outstanding basketball program. I know that the fans of this university will remember this very special moment for many years to come. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the gentleman from Kansas, Representative Dennis Moore.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to again join with all of the residents of Kansas and also indicate that they have a tremendous recruitment program because Mario Chalmers, the young fellow that people have been talking about as the outstanding player, grew up in my neighborhood, in my community, went to Crane High School. It just happened that I talked to the principal of that school this morning about something else, and I didn't know that I would get an opportunity to congratulate them on the floor this afternoon. And so I join with all of America in congratulating the great Jayhawks on an outstanding season and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield now such time as she may consume to the distinguished cosponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1100) congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes Wrestling Team on Winning the 2008 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 1100 into the Record.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleague, Representative Loebsack from Iowa, and the entire Iowa delegation, as well as all of the Members of the House in congratulating the University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team for their victory in the 2008 NCAA Division I national wrestling championship. On March 22, college wrestling fans were treated to an exceptional wrestling match as the top-ranked University of Iowa won its 21st national team title and crowned two individual national champions, Mark Perry and Brent Metcalf. Three of the Hawkeyes' seven All-Americans competed in the finals in St. Louis for a combined team score of 117.5 points. I want to extend my congratulations to coach Tom Brands, who returned to his alma mater and led the team to a perfect 8-0 conference record in his second season as head coach. Impressive feats such as these are why Coach Brands was named Coach of the Year by both the Big Ten Conference and the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Congratulations also are in order for senior Mark Perry, who overcame a knee injury to win his second national title. He is only the 14th University of Iowa wrestler to earn two national titles. Additionally, Perry rounded out his final year with his fourth All-American honor. The other individual national title winner was sophomore Brent Metcalf. Metcalf ended the season on an impressive 23-match winning streak and earned many accolades, including the Dan Hodge Trophy, Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, and Outstanding Wrestler at both the NCAA and Big Ten championships. The University of Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling program began in 1911 and has produced a rich history of champions. With 32 Big Ten conference championships and 21 NCAA Division I national championships, the Hawkeyes wrestling team is a premier program. The extraordinary achievement of this season is a tribute to the skill and dedication of the many wrestlers, coaches, students, alumni, families, and fans that have helped to make the University of Iowa a wrestling powerhouse. Winning the national championship, finishing the season with a 21-1 overall dual record, and winning the Big Ten conference championship for the 32nd time has brought national acclaim to the University of Iowa. I know the fans of the university will revel in this accomplishment as they look forward to the 2009 season. So, Mr. Speaker, once again I congratulate the University of Iowa for their tremendous success.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to be the sponsor of this resolution, and I want to commend and thank all of the sarcoidosis activists who have visited my office, who have called me, who have written letters and telegrams and e-mails urging that we do something to further promote and raise awareness around this illness. I am pleased we have this resolution on the floor today. I urge its passage.