Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend, colleague, and former student, the gentleman Fred Davis. I have known Fred since he was a teenager at the school where both my wife and I taught and where Fred attended. Fred was a gentleman then and remained a gentleman until a few days ago when the Lord came and called him home to be at peace and at rest. Coming into contact with Fred after many years, I was delighted to know he was a church-going businessman, a doting father, a loving son who visited with his mother almost every day, and one who was always advocating for something or trying to help somebody with a problem. Fred, along with a group of retired individuals, adopted Wallace's Catfish Restaurant as their meeting place, and it became their social center where they ate lunch, talked politics, and gossiped. Harry Reese, who had worked with me forever, decided to quit, retire, or no longer work. He was certainly old enough. Fred approached me and stated that Reese was retiring, and Fred would like to have his job. I said OK, and Fred worked with me since. Fred was as solid as a rock--never late, always ready to roll. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, Fred was already ready to go. Sometimes, Fred would get a telephone call as we pulled off. He would say, ``that's Momma. She wants to know how you're doing.'' I'd respond, ``Tell her that I am doing fine.'' Then we'd be on our way together. Good day to Fred. We're still on our way.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to the numerous accomplishments and influences of the Xi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity based in Chicago, Illinois. As we all know, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity stands as the oldest and largest fraternity for African-American men in the United States. As one of the most renowned chapters of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Xi Lambda chapter proudly celebrates its centennial anniversary today, May 15, 2024. As a proud Alpha myself, I commend my brothers wholeheartedly on this monumental milestone.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take a moment to celebrate April as Second Chance Month--a time to recognize that interventions that help justice-involved individuals make our communities safer and healthier, grow our economy, and reduce recidivism. I am deeply proud of my successes during my Congressional career that have given people a second chance. The impact of the criminal justice system is deep and harmful--breaking families, removing workers from their workplace, and weakening our families, communities, and economy. We know that providing opportunity for improvement strengthens lives, and it also saves taxpayer resources on re-incarceration that could support citizens in other ways, with the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council estimating that the average cost associated with one recidivism event is $151,662. Further, economists recognize that integrating individuals with records into the workforce boosts our economy by increasing earnings and tax revenue. In April of 2008, Congress passed and President George Bush enacted my bill--the Second Chance Act. This law has provided over $600 million to state, local, and tribal governments as well as reentry-focused non- profit organizations to operate programs and services to ensure the success of people reentering their communities after incarceration. A study completed by Texas Southern University of the effectiveness of the Second Chance Act in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia found that education, vocational and work release programs, substance abuse programs, and family support are integral activities in reducing recidivism. Just this week, I joined with colleagues from both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to reintroduce the Second Chance Reauthorization Act to keep these programs running. Research demonstrates that postsecondary correctional education is greatly needed, has tremendous effectiveness, increases economic well- being, reduces recidivism, and saves taxpayers money. Two of my bills to improve educational opportunity for justice-involved individuals became law in 2019. The REAL (Restoring Education and Learning) Act restored Pell grant eligibility to the incarcerated. According to the Vera Institute study, states can save an average of $7.6 million in incarceration costs each year for which people in prison have access to Pell Grants. The FAFSA act removed the prohibition on federal student aid to people with felony drug convictions. This policy unfairly targeted poor and minority students and cost society more in terms of crime and lost economic productivity. These policy changes are smart, cost-effective investments of taxpayer dollars. Unfortunately, more needs to be done to improve educational access for justice-involved individuals. My DEMO (Demonstrating that Empowerment Makes Opportunities) Act would help those with records obtain successful health careers. This bill is modeled on the successful work of Johns Hopkins and the Safer Foundation that created intensive training programs for workers in hospitals coupled with legal services, support services, technical assistance for businesses, and job placement services. The programs are wildly successful, giving people with records good jobs and giving the hospitals quality, loyal workers. My ED ACCESS Act would repeal the lifetime ban on the American Opportunity Tax Credit for those with felony drug convictions. The antiquated lifetime AOTC ban for people with felony drug convictions makes it harder for these individuals to afford college and get their lives on track. My REO (Reentry Employment Opportunities) Act would codify the successful REO program that improves job training for justice-impacted workers. I am pleased that the House passed a WIOA bill this month that included key provisions of my bill. We also must do more to divert people from the criminal justice system. Each year about 20,000 youth enter foster care due to parental incarceration. I worked with Rep. Barbara Lee to secure money in FY22 to help parents whose children would be orphaned were they to enter prison. This trauma is avoidable, and quality diversion programs can strengthen families and protect millions of children from harm. I support and applaud my home state of Illinois for enacting the SAFE-T Act to eliminate cash bail. Illinois was the first state to end cash bail. This ban was championed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Justice should not target the poor. Individuals who pose a threat to the community will remain in jail, but those who simply can't pay for bail will not. According to a November report from Researchers at Loyola University of Chicago's Center for Criminal Justice, the Cook County jail population decreased by 12% in the month after implementation, with similar decreases in several other Illinois counties. As we celebrate Second Chance Act month, I recognize our successes and commit myself to continue to do more to help those who made mistakes to get the opportunities to turn their lives around.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Cook County Clerk, Karen Yarbrough, who passed away on April 7, leaving decades of community family and political service. Karen was an active member of the Westside Black Elected Officials of Chicago, Illinois, a group for which I serve as Secretary and reflect their views. Clerk Yarbrough was born on December 19, 1957, into a prominent family and from an early age began serving others, following in the footsteps of her father, Rev. Don Williams, a businessman, minister, and politician, at one time the Mayor of Maywood, Illinois. Clerk Yarbrough's dedication to public service and her passion for advocating on behalf of people led her to be elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2001 where she represented her district with energy, integrity, insight, and tenacity--earning the respect and admiration of her constituents and colleagues alike. Clerk Yarbrough had a long list of legislative accomplishments, including bans on the death penalty and indoor smoking and the first ever lottery ticket, the Quality of Life Ticket, named ``Red Ribbon Cash'' to support HIV/AIDS prevention and education. Clerk Yarbrough's commitment to fairness, transparency, and efficiency in government inspired her to seek the office of Cook County Recorder of Deeds in 2012, where she became the first African American to hold this position and worked tirelessly to modernize operations, increase accessibility to public records, and ensure equitable access to homeownership for all residents of Cook County. Clerk Yarbrough's exemplary leadership and dedication to public service were further recognized when she was elected as the Cook County Clerk in 2018, where she continued her legacy of advocating for transparency, accessibility, and accountability in government while also overseeing critical functions, such as elections, vital records, and property tax administration. Clerk Yarbrough's lifelong commitment to public service, her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others, and her remarkable leadership have left an indelible mark on our community, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams and work toward a more just and equitable society. We, the Westside Black Elected Officials, express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Clerk Karen Yarbrough during this difficult time, and extend our heartfelt gratitude for sharing her with us. Further, we honor the memory of Clerk Karen Yarbrough by reaffirming our commitment to carrying forward her legacy of service, compassion, and advocacy and by working tirelessly to build a more just, equitable, and inclusive society in which all people can thrive and be included as equal members.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on March 11, 12, 13, and 19. Had I been present, I would have voted Aye on the following Roll Call votes: Roll Call No. 79, March 11, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--H.R. 1752, E-BRIDGE Act; Roll Call No. 80, March 11, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--H.R. 886, Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act; Roll Call No. 83, March 12, 2024: On Motion to Recommit, H.R. 6276--USE IT Act; Roll Call No. 87, March 19, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--H.R. 4723, Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement through Sanctions Act; and Roll Call No. 88, March 19, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree-- H. Res. 149, Condemning the illegal abduction of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation. I would have voted No on the following Roll Call votes: Roll Call No. 81, March 12, 2024: On Ordering the Previous Question-- H. Res. 1071, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6276) USE IT Act, and providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1065) denouncing the Biden administration's immigration policies; Roll Call No. 82, March 12, 2024: On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1071, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6276) USE IT Act, and providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1065) denouncing the Biden administration's immigration policies; Roll Call No. 84, March 12, 2024: On Passage--H.R. 6276, USE IT Act; Roll Call No. 85, March 12, 2024: On Agreeing to the Resolution--H. Res. 1065, Denouncing the Biden administration's immigration policies; and Roll Call No. 86, March 13, 2024: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as amended H.R. 7521--Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this love letter to Big Oil. The Republicans' myopic focus on extreme policies has undermined our ability to enact broader tax reforms to support Americans. Rather than pushing this propaganda against green energy and climate change, Congress should be focused on advancing tax policies that support children, families, workers, and businesses. Above all, Congress should be focused on restoring the 2021 child tax credit that halved child poverty in 1 year. The progress we made in 2021 shows that we can slash child poverty when we have the political will to do so. Congress should restore the 2021 child and dependent care tax credit that gave up to $8,000 to working parents for childcare costs for two or more children, which was much better than the current maximum of 2,100. Congress should restore the 2021 earned income tax credit that helped foster and homeless youth, as well as single workers from being taxed into poverty. Congress should remove income as a barrier to adoption, restore the above-the-line charitable deduction to help nonitemizers and support the amazing charities that support our communities, enact critical improvements to the low-income housing tax credit, and help cost- burdened renters by implementing a refundable renter's tax credit. Workers, families, and businesses need our help. Today's resolution represents hollow extremist talking points and lacks the political will to cut child poverty in half. Every day we delay action, poverty poisons the futures of millions of children.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I thank my colleague, Representative Frederica Wilson from the great State of Florida, for conceptualizing, dreaming up, thinking up, and putting into play not only the opportunity for a discussion, but the tremendous work and the great record she has achieved on behalf of African-American boys and men as she continues to represent her entire district. I trust that those who are watching are in good health and good spirits because our country is facing one of its most difficult periods in the history of America. There is tremendous friction, anxieties, different approaches to doing things, and I think about that every day as I try and represent the 759,000 individuals who live in the very diverse area called the Seventh Congressional District of Illinois. Some of the wealthiest people in America live along the Gold Coast, the Magnificent Mile. Some of the most disadvantaged individuals live on the south and west sides of Chicago, areas that were devastated during the period of movement action, especially after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As an elected official, I try to balance the concerns of all these different individuals, all of their hopes, their aspirations, recognizing their issues, their problems, and their concerns. While I represent every aspect of the district--Chinatown; what used to be called Jewtown; Little Italy, an Italian community; Ukrainian Village, a Ukrainian community; a large African-American community; suburban areas--lots of issues, lots of problems, tremendous needs, lots of hopes and aspirations. African-American males are at the forefront of these issues and these problems for many various reasons that I won't even attempt to really characterize or go into. Oftentimes, when you look at quality of life and those things that are indicators of quality of life, the most disproportionate number of individuals incarcerated, African-American males; the individuals who drop out of school without graduating, African-American males; the unemployed. We brag about less than 4 percent unemployment in our country, but the highest level of unemployment is African-American males. Something has to be done beyond the average, beyond the norm. We need programs, but we really need to keep working on reducing poverty. Many of these individuals live in poverty-stricken areas, poverty-stricken homes, single-parent homes, areas where the schools are not as good as they might be in other areas. Therefore, we need special consideration, special treatment. We need to make sure that low-income families can get a real child tax credit like we enacted for the year 2021 where individuals who earned $75,000 or less were able to achieve for their children under 6 $300 a month. That helped a great deal. Of course, if they were 6 and over, under 17, it was $250. That helped a great deal. What can we do that relates to the needs of African-American men and boys? We can enact a serious child tax credit. We have institutions called PBIs as well as historically Black colleges and universities. I attended one. I credit it with saving my life, my being, or putting me in a position. However, we can also do some things ourselves. Put more focus on reading. I think if a child, a young person learns to read and likes it, they then can fly as high as their understanding and imagination will take them. One of the reasons that I stand here tonight as a Member of the House of Representatives is because I learned to read when I was a little boy, and I loved it. The more I read, the more I wanted to read. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn. Of course, my father used to tell us, the more you learn, the more you realize how little you know. Education is the cornerstone, the key, and that is one of the reasons that I just love Representative Frederica Wilson, because she has been an outstanding educator and has taken what she knew, brought it here to us in the House of Representatives, brought it from Florida to Washington, and now people all over the country are trying to emulate her 5000 Role Models of Excellence for African-American males; boys who were put into special programs and special activities. I commend her for that. The last thing that I will say is in order to deal effectively with the problems associated with being an African-American male, I have been told that where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. Meaning, that if there is righteousness where we make decisions here in Washington, D.C., our activities will follow that righteousness. We will come up with the laws, appropriate the money, and make sure that every individual in our country has the opportunity to grow, develop, to become whatever their manhood/ womanhood, hardworking ambition combines to make them. That is the promise of America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, during Black History Month, to reflect on the legacy builders that contributed to the rich entrepreneurial history and culture of the great city of Chicago and beyond. Manufacturing, banking, retail, grocery, and restaurant ownership are among the industries that the 6 Collins brothers dominated on the south and west sides of Chicago for more than 50 years. The eldest Collins, Ernest T., founded Seaway National Bank in 1965 and was credited with pioneering the 24-hour supermarket concept at his four grocery store locations called The Food Basket, founded in 1952. Argia B. Collins, Sr., the youngest Collins brother, an accomplished restaurateur, created Chicago's original barbecue sauce brand--Argia B's Mumbo Sauce in 1950. Crafted as a signature sauce for his popular southside restaurants, the Mumbo Sauce brand debuted in a national advertising campaign in Life magazine. Collins not only tantalized the taste buds of Chicagoans but also became an integral part of the local community. A visionary entrepreneur and champion of small business, Argia B. was passionate about economic development and the growth of the African American business community. In fact, Collins was involved with Operation Breadbasket, a program initiated in 1966 by Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to address economic issues affecting African American communities. He assumed a key position in operation breadbasket's efforts in Chicago, working alongside Reverend Jesse Jackson and other business leaders in the Chicago chapter. Argia B. utilized his business acumen to help advance the organization's goals, particularly in promoting economic empowerment and financial opportunities for African American businesses. The association with Operation Breadbasket resulted in the Argia B's Mumbo Sauce brand being among the first products manufactured by an African American company to gain chain-wide distribution with major grocery retailers in 1967. Other Chicago brands that were part of this significant campaign included Joe Louis Milk Company, Parker House Sausage, Grove Fresh Orange Juice, and Conway Cleaning Products, all quality brands created and manufactured by African American producers. I recognize and commend the contributions of the Collins brothers and the other African American business vanguards of the Operation Breadbasket movement which embody the spirit of resilience and ingenuity that defines the city and exemplifies the legacy of Black entrepreneurship. Indeed, the Collins family's Chicago roots run deep, anchoring them to the values of integrity, generosity, and solidarity that define the city's spirit. Today, Allison Collins, the daughter of Argia B., carries the torch of her father's vision as CEO of Select Brands, preserving its important 74-year legacy and ensuring that the spirit of the Mumbo Sauce brand continues to thrive. The company has expanded the distribution of Argia B's mumbo barbecue sauce beyond the confines of Chicago. Over the years, mumbo sauce's popularity has soared, and it is now prominently displayed on retail shelves across the country. This iconic sauce brings a taste of our city's culinary excellence to households nationwide, showcasing the enduring appeal of the company's 74-year commitment to quality and flavor. This accomplishment not only underscores the sauce's widespread appeal but also reflects select brands' dedication to sharing the flavors of Chicago worldwide. Again, I thank the Collins family for their tireless efforts and unwavering devotion to the city of Chicago. Their legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come. We wish them continued success.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I want to pay tribute to a remarkable civil rights leader and social justice icon, Thomas N. Todd. Although his name may not be familiar to everyone, his contributions to social justice and equality in this country are remarkable and have benefited millions of people in ways few others have accomplished. Tom Todd was one of the most electrifying speakers of our time. His impressive oratorical skills were so impactful that his initials ``T-N- T'' became synonymous with the powerful effect he had on his audiences. Tom Todd was born in Demopolis, Alabama, in 1938. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he married Janice Roberts. They had two children together, Tamara Nicole and Tracey Newborn. Tom lived in Chicago until he passed away on February 8, 2024. As a child in Demopolis, Tom's family was poor. His father passed away shortly after his birth. Tom was raised by his mother and stepfather. Unfortunately, his mother also passed away when he was only 20 years old. Due to his stepfather's illiteracy, Tom stayed in Mobile to help with the funeral and burial arrangements. He even considered dropping out of school to assist further. However, he eventually enrolled at Southern University in 1959, where he studied political science and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. After graduation, Todd returned to Mobile and worked odd jobs for nearly a year until a friend suggested he apply to law school. Todd returned to Southern University for law school in 1960 and was admitted solely on the recommendation of a dean who met Todd as an undergraduate and recognized his potential. There, law professors and students represented other students who had been arrested for sitting at whites- only lunch counters at five-and-dime and drug stores--an act of civil disobedience aimed at protesting segregation in Baton Rouge. Todd actively participated in the first lawsuit regarding these protests to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, Garner v. Louisiana (1961). He graduated magna cum laude and passed the bar exam on his first attempt in 1963. Todd then secured a position at the solicitor's office in the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C., leaving that job in less than a year to train for the Judge Advocate General's Corps. He practiced law while serving in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967. That same year, he was appointed an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago. In 1968, he made history by filing the first federal criminal case against a Chicago police officer for violating an individual's civil rights. According to United Press International, Todd's case was also the first indictment in the country against a law enforcement official under a new civil rights amendment to the federal criminal code. Chicago police officer Joseph Fine was accused of beating up Eldridge Gaston outside a South Side restaurant. Gaston died as a result of his injuries. Although the case ended in an acquittal, the indictment itself sent shockwaves through the Chicago Police Department and political establishment. In 1969, Todd opened an office devoted to civil rights that became the country's first local U.S. attorney's civil rights office. His next police brutality case would originate from a fight between black and white students at Chicago's Tilden High School, where police officers had allegedly beaten black students. A newspaper photographer captured one incident, which showed Officer James J. Gorman standing over 16- year-old Roxanne Norfleet with his baton raised as she lay on the ground. Todd got that case to trial, but it ended in 1971 with a hung jury, though 11 panel members favored conviction. Tom Todd was admitted to many bars and courts, including the Supreme Court of Louisiana, the United States Court of Military Appeals, the Supreme Court of Illinois, and the United States Supreme Court. He was a distinguished black lawyer in the U.S. attorney's office--standing tall, fighting for police brutality victims, challenging the status quo, and prosecuting police brutality cases at a time when the families of murdered Black Panther leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark had filed civil rights lawsuits against federal, state, and Chicago officials--a time when it was almost unheard of for a U.S. attorney's office to prosecute a police brutality case. Todd received honorary doctorates from Grambling State University in 1987, Syracuse University in 1990, and Wilberforce University in 1993. Between 1970 and 1974, Todd taught at Northwestern University School of Law, becoming the school's first full-time black law professor. Genuinely interested in seeing young lawyers succeed, he was known to use a lot of anecdotes, legal stories, and significant cases in his teachings. Todd was also known for helping to improve programs at historically black colleges in Louisiana, ensuring they were on par with other schools in the state. Former Grambling State University President Joseph B. Johnson credits him for helping to secure $300 million in state funding that enhanced campus facilities and introduced graduate- level courses. In the early 1980s, Todd became president of the local chapter of Operation Breadbasket and helped launch Operation PUSH, now known as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He advocated for social change and economic empowerment. When Harold Washington ran for mayor in 1983, Todd headed the campaign's speakers bureau and served as Washington's surrogate. Because of his magnetism with audiences, he was often called on to warm up the crowd before Washington took the stage. Todd had a deep voice with a mesmerizing cadence that resembled the voice of James Earl Jones. His tone was powerful, fluctuating in waves and creating a fascinating rhythm. A Chicago journalist once described Todd's speaking style as ``a deep, rhythmic growl that carried a sense of the South's segregation history and the civil rights movement and conveyed a sense of urgency and anger about the present and the future.'' Todd's booming voice got the attention of the iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy, who incorporated Todd's voice as a powerful tool in their 1989 song ``Fight the Power'' for the first 16 seconds and also used his voice to sample ``Revolutionary Generation'' in 1990. Todd is reputed to have delivered speeches at every historically black college in the country where he would encourage students to let verbs like give, serve, and help guide their actions but to lead their lives defined by nouns like courage, commitment, and compassion. Tom Todd's journey was one of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice--challenging systemic injustices and uplifting marginalized communities. Through powerful oration and bold, courageous advocacy, he fought to dismantle barriers to equality, promote minority-owned businesses, and advocate for fair employment practices. Tom Todd transformed lives, empowered communities, and inspired a generation to stand up and fight for what is right. He leaves a profound and impactful legacy of lasting change that continues to shape our Nation's path forward.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 5408, the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act, a bill originally introduced by Representative Brian Higgins of New York, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have been told that a half a loaf is better than none, but this isn't even a half a loaf, but I am going to vote for it because our families and businesses need help. While it does help, it does not create a 50 percent reduction in child poverty as we did in 2021. It is more like a deal than a bill, but I am going to vote for it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose H.R. 6918 because it is just another attempt by the Republican leadership to advance their extremist war on women. As we again face another Republican-manufactured shutdown crisis, the Republican leadership advances this bill to divert money intended for poor children to anti-abortion propaganda and facilities that provide deceptive and inaccurate information. The House should take immediate action to eliminate child poverty, not promote efforts to restrict women's reproductive choices. Alarmingly, just one year after the Republican-led expiration of Democratic poverty-lowering investments in workers and families, the child poverty rate more than doubled, causing the biggest one-year increase in poverty we have ever seen. If Republicans truly wanted to help pregnant and parenting families, they would fully restore the child tax credit, dramatically increase childcare funding to address the childcare crisis, and make it easier to get critical services like Medicaid.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on January 12, 2024, due to both a family matter and the need to attend a memorial service for a member of my staff who recently died. Had I been present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted Aye on: Roll Call No. 9, On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, H.R. 839-- China Exchange Rate Transparency Act of 2023, as amended. Had I been present for Roll Call votes, I would have voted No on: Roll Call No. 10, On Passage of H.J. Res. 98--A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to a ``Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status.'' I strongly oppose the Republican effort to repeal the National Labor Relations Board Joint Employer standard. This rule protects millions of workers in subcontracted work, helping them bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer conditions. The joint-employer doctrine ensures that companies cannot evade their responsibilities to negotiate with workers. Workers are the backbone of American success, and these workers deserve fair opportunities to collectively-bargain for good wages and safe working conditions. The final rule applies joint employer's bargaining obligations only to terms and conditions under a business's control. I oppose this Republican effort to nullify or weaken the final rule that protects workers.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have been told that service is the rent that we pay for living in a free and democratic society. Such has been the life and the legacy of Ms. Phyllis Smith, regional commissioner of Social Security for Region 5, who is retiring after 45 years of service with the agency. Commissioner Smith has worked with thousands of individual clients, and her supervisory and leadership roles have placed her in positions to positively impact the lives of thousands of others. Commissioner Smith started work for Social Security in 1978 as a title 16 claims representative in the Chicago East Field Office. She stated that her initial plan was to work with SSA until she could decide what her long-term work plans were. She stated and has written that, ``When I saw firsthand the impact of SSA on people's lives, the fact that we are the country's financial safety net, and my hardworking, dedicated, compassionate coworkers, I was hooked,'' and she was. As a matter of fact, she moved through the ranks to become the regional commissioner. If you can imagine working 45 years for one agency, you come in contact with many clients, and she also had a great impact on improving and enhancing the quality of life for thousands of individuals. Commissioner, you have done exceptionally well. You have done your job--more than your job. You have given unselfishly of yourself for the benefit of others. I commend you for your outstanding career, and as you leave, I ask that you take with you an Irish prayer. It says: May the sun shine warmly upon your face. May the wind always be at your back. And until we meet again, may the good Lord hold you in the hollow of his hands. Congratulations. It is time. You have done well.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to pay tribute and honor the activities of the great First Lady, the first that I ever had the opportunity to know, and that is First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who was funeralized earlier today. As a young activist, as we organized and tried to organize community health centers and community mental health centers, along with us was First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who was often at the meetings. Sometimes, she wouldn't say anything. She would take notes. Not only did we have a friend in the White House in President Carter, but we also had a great friend and advocate in the person of First Lady Rosalynn Carter. May she rest in peace.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize the humanitarian efforts of Albanian Commandant-General Kadri Cakrani. On Saturday, November 11, 2023, the Albanian and Southeastern European Studies Program at DePaul University will host an event entitled, The Cakrani Family of Albania: Repairing the Fabric of History, that will honor the work of General Cakrani in protecting Jews during the Holocaust and advancing Democracy in Albania. Illinois is the home of many relatives of General Cakrani, including my constituents Elizabeth Cakrani Vrato, Evan Metaj, and Abigail Vrato-- his granddaughter, great-great-grandson, and great-granddaughter, respectively. During the German occupation of Albania, Commandant-General Cakrani led the protection of over 600 Jewish refugees and residents in the Berat region from Nazi capture during the Holocaust. At risk of death, General Cakrani lied to Nazi officials about the whereabouts of Jews hiding in Albania and guided efforts to shelter Jews in safe hiding locations, including his own home. His courage and leadership contributed to Albania being the only European country that ended World War II with more Jewish residents than at the start of the war. Further, General Cakrani sheltered three American Army nurses and secretly returned them to Allies after their plane crashed in Albania. In 1951, General Cakrani moved to the United States after President Harry Truman granted him political asylum. He worked with the U.S. Intelligence to try to bring Democracy to Albania for the remainder of his life. The lives and safety of families and individuals depended on General Cakrani's silence about his efforts during his lifetime. The DePaul event is a step to recognize his humanitarian work during and after the war. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum, the United States Holocaust Museum, the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the Jerusalem Post, and the Israel Hayom have all recognized General Cakrani's service and bravery. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently issued an executive proclamation recognizing November 11, 2023, as Kadri Cakrani Day in Illinois. I wish to add my voice to those recognizing the service and bravery of Commandant-General Kadri Cakrani in the protection of Jews during the Holocaust and his work to promote Democracy in Albania. I wish his family well as they honor his work this week at the DePaul event on Kadri Cakrani Day in Illinois.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize the humanitarian efforts of Albanian Commandant General Kadri Cakrani. On Saturday, November 11, 2023, the Albanian and Southeastern European Studies Program at DePaul University will host an event entitled, The Cakrani Family of Albania: Repairing the Fabric of History, that will honor the work of General Cakrani in protecting Jews during the Holocaust and advancing Democracy in Albania. Illinois is the home of many relatives of General Cakrani, including my constituents Elizabeth Cakrani Vrato, Evan Metaj, and Abigail Vrato-- his granddaughter, great-great grandson, and great-great granddaughter, respectively. During the German occupation of Albania, Commandant-General Cakrani led the protection of over 600 Jewish refugees and residents in the Berat region from Nazi capture during the Holocaust. At risk of death, General Cakrani lied to Nazi officials about the whereabouts of Jews hiding in Albania and guided efforts to shelter Jews in safe hiding locations, including his own home. His courage and leadership contributed to Albania being the only European country that ended World War II with more Jewish residents than at the start of the war. Further, General Cakrani sheltered three American Army nurses and secretly returned them to Allies after their plane crashed in Albania. In 1951, General Cakrani moved to the United States after President Harry Truman granted him political asylum. He worked with the U.S. Intelligence to try to bring Democracy to Albania for the remainder of his life. The lives and safety of families and individuals depended on General Cakrani's silence about his efforts during his lifetime. The DePaul event is a step to recognize his humanitarian work during and after the war. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum, the United States Holocaust Museum, the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the Jerusalem Post, and the Israel Hayom have all recognized General Cakrani's service and bravery. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently issued an executive proclamation recognizing November 11, 2023, as Kadri Cakrani Day in Illinois. I wish to add my voice to those recognizing the service and bravery of Commandant-General Kadri Cakrani in the protection of Jews during the Holocaust and his work to promote Democracy in Albania. I wish his family well as they honor his work this week at the DePaul event on Kadri Cakrani Day in Illinois.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the exceptional service of Mrs. Penny Hartsfield White, 4th Episcopal District Supervisor of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The 4th Episcopal District is headquartered in the 7th Congressional District of Illinois. Penny is a native of Tallahassee, Florida, and the fifth of nine siblings, six girls and three boys. Her father, the late Richard Allen Hartsfield, Sr., was the Assistant County Agent, and her mother, the late Mrs. Mamie S. Hartsfield, was an elementary educator and a staff member of Florida A. & M. University. Penny, along with her family, grew up in Fountain Chapel A.M.E. Church in Tallahassee where she participated in the Youth Choir and the YPD'ers (Young People and Children's Division).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, today, I wish to pay my deepest respects to Dr. Iris Shannon--a nurse, educator and administrator. I met and got to know Iris Shannon in the late 1960s when I began to work in healthcare, first at the Dr. Martin King Health Center, the Westside Health Planning Organization and Mile Square Health Center. I knew Iris as a competent, involved nurse, as Director of Nursing at Mile Square, as Director of Nursing at Rush Medical Center and as a Nursing Professor at Rush Medical School. The late 1960s and early 1970s were very serious health interest years and health activity due to the civil rights activity, changes in health law and the leadership of Democrats in government. These changes in health took place at all levels of government and Iris was what I call an activist. There were meetings about health all over the place and practically all of the time. Iris was often present at many of these meetings, sharing her knowledge, her expertise and her wisdom. Iris worked with nurse groups, administrative groups, community groups, women groups, black power group and the list goes on. If it was about health and health care needs, Iris was there. Iris was an organizer, a joiner, a promoter, a practitioner, a scholar, a teacher, a mentor and a role model, not loud, but a leader who became President of the American Public Health Association. Iris made her mark during what I call ``movement time'', a period when Black Americans were greatly moving out of the shadows of society. As I mentioned earlier, Dr. Shannon was not loud, but she was proud and as black as the ace of spades, if you know what I mean. Iris possessed Black pride, expressed Black principles, stood up for Black people and exuded Black excellence. Iris was a caring and wonderful nurse, a great scholar, teacher and administrator, a visionary leader and an amazing friend. I am so glad to have known and worked with her. Dr. Iris Shannon was a role model to so many and will be missed by the multitudes, but her legacy of service shall endure.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to pay my deepest respect in tribute to a wonderful woman of God, Dr. Rose Marie McCoy, who passed from this earthly realm to her heavenly home on September 13, 2023. A wife, mother, grandmother, pastor, caregiver, community role model, missionary and counselor, Dr. Rose Marie was born on September 24, 1951, in Robbins, Illinois to parents Samuel Sr. and Jennie Eliza Merle Evans. Having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in the Spring of 1976, Rose Marie dedicated her life in service and selfless devotion to others throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Rose Marie met and married the love of her life Dr. William McCoy, over 57 years ago. Together they shared a love that withstood the test of time and created a strong family that will carry on their unique legacy. Rose Marie was steadfast in her commitment to the Lord, living each day as a living sacrifice that I am certain was holy and acceptable unto God, as her reasonable service. You may be asking how I know Dr. Rose Marie McCoy so well and in response, I'd say that I've known her and her husband Chief Apostle Dr. William McCoy for decades upon decades. I have worked alongside Drs. Rose and William McCoy throughout Chicago's southside in an effort to improve the lives of our neighbors, friends, children, and other vulnerable populations in our community. Dr. Rose Marie McCoy's enthusiasm for life and her dedication to others also showed in her work on behalf of the Brothers Keeper Outreach Church, which she co-founded with her husband. Additionally, Rose Marie was instrumental in development of the Brothers Keeper Community Resource Center and the International Pentecostal Assembly Ecumenical Faith and Community Action Network. Collectively, Rose Marie's efforts and dedication to faith-based community social services has helped change the lives of countless individuals for the better. In fact, I would posit that perhaps all of our lives have been made better off simply by our interaction and association with pastor, Dr. Rose Marie McCoy along life's journey. To know Rose Marie, was to know genuine love, faith and service. May this beautiful soul rest with the Lord in peace. To her family, including her husband Chief Apostle Dr. William McCoy and her children Victoria McCoy-Salter, Vanessa McCoy-Pulphus, Debracia McCoy Jones, Major Lee McCoy, and Otis McCoy, all of whom she leaves to carry on her works and love, I extend my sincerest condolences on your loved one's transition. I am truly grateful to Dr. Rose Marie McCoy, Pastor Emeritus for her tremendous contributions to so many in Chicago, Illinois, and our Nation. May God bless her, her family, and all of us.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I wish to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. This core civil rights law prohibits discrimination against Americans with disabilities by requiring public and private institutions to provide equal access to goods, services, and opportunities, such as employment, public transportation, and telecommunication. Today, 1-in-4 U.S. adults has a disability that substantially impacts life. The law provides a framework to make the United States fully- accessible to tens of millions of Americans, whether in workplaces, housing, schools, transit, or businesses. I applaud the successes that the disability advocates have secured over the past decades. We know the passage of the ADA law was the beginning and not the end. According the Federal Transit Administration, 99 percent of all busses are ADA- accessible, in contrast to just 65 percent prior to the ADA. However, we still have metros, trains, and planes that are not accessible. A 2020 GAO report found that two-thirds of school districts had facilities with barriers that could limit access for people with disabilities. We also know that advocates have waged and continue to wage the legal battles to improve access to buildings and transportation that should have occurred 33 years ago. Although disability advocates have secured important accomplishments over the past decades, much more is needed to achieve an equitable society for Americans with disabilities. Americans with disabilities face an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent compared to 3.7 percent for their peers without disabilities. According to a new analysis by the National Partnership for Women & Families: only 36 percent of women with disabilities are employed compared to 70 percent of nondisabled women; only 31 percent of employed women with disabilities are economically secure; and American Indian/Alaska Native and Black women with disabilities are the least likely to be employed. These gaps reveal unacceptable disparities in employment opportunities. Furthermore, Americans with disabilities face barriers to receiving quality health care, such as service providers with inadequate training on how to properly treat patients with disabilities and medical facilities that have yet to make appropriate accommodations. Affordable housing, businesses, airplanes, bathrooms, and playgrounds still are not uniformly accessible. This restricted access reduces quality of life and presents obstacles that none of us should tolerate. I am proud that I helped improve health care for those with disabilities during my tenure in Congress, including provisions in the Affordable Care Act that I championed to encourage community-based services for individuals with disabilities. We must continue to work to make choice for receiving care in one's community mandatory, not just optional. People should have the freedom to choose where they live and receive care. I am proud that I also have helped strengthen Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA marketplace health insurance to improve healthcare for Americans, including people with disabilities. For example, a recent study by researchers at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Creedon, Zuvekas, Hill, Ali, McClellan, & Day, December 2022, Health Services Review, Volume 57, Issue S2) found that adults with disabilities who were newly-eligible for Medicaid experienced significant increases in health coverage, receipt of primary care services, and lower out-of-pocket costs from the federal expansion of Medicaid via the Affordable Care Act. Further, the Inflation Reduction Act expanded premium tax credits and reduced drug prices to further lower healthcare costs. I am proud that so many organizations and advocates in Illinois actively fight to protect Americans with disabilities. For example, Access Living is a Chicago-based, advocacy nonprofit that has worked for over 4 decades to increase accessibility to transportation, housing, and education. The Legal Council for Health Justice uses legal services to dismantle barriers to healthcare and to help individuals access services and benefits. Equip for Equality serves as a federally- mandated legal advocate and watchdog. The Arc of Illinois advocates for people with disabilities to so that Illinoisans can fully participate in their communities, providing education and advocacy services. Chicago ADAPT promotes disability and civil rights, be in through housing accessibility, workforce accessibility and equity, or promoting community-based care. And, the City of Chicago's HomeMod program removes barriers to housing by working with home remodeling companies to provide home accessibility modifications. Every American deserves equal opportunity. The Americans with Disabilities Act stands as testament to the determination and unrelenting will of thousands of activists, advocates, and policymakers. As we celebrate its anniversary, I renew my commitment to fight to realize the fundamental right of every American to an accessible America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill into law that would guarantee all Americans access to quality medical care. Since that day, Medicaid and Medicare have evolved to better meet Americans' needs. These essential programs provide affordable healthcare to well over 100 million Americans, including our aging and most medically-vulnerable populations. Today, 18 percent of Illinoisians are enrolled in Medicare, and nearly 25 percent of Illinoisans are enrolled in Medicaid. Medicaid is especially significant for mothers' and children in Illinois and in my Congressional District. Medicaid finances 38.9 percent of all births and insures 36.9 percent of children in Illinois. In my District, 24 percent of families and 30 percent of all children under 18 live below the poverty line. Thus, these programs serve an integral role in ensuring that my constituents receive medical care regardless of financial status. Although we have made great strides in bringing healthcare to our citizens young and old, disparities still remain. It is shameful that the most vulnerable often have the most difficult time obtaining excellent care, with recent studies indicating that individuals who are dually-eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare suffer from the highest rates of disparities in quality of care. In Chicago, residents in the Loop have a life expectancy of 85 years, on par with the longest living people in the world. However, in the Garfield Park neighborhood, just 7 stops away on the CTA Blue Line, life expectancy plummets to under 69 years. To put that figure into perspective, the average American life expectancy has not been below 69 years since 1950. It pains me to know that, in my own district, a mere 7-stops correlates to a 16-year difference in the length of one's life This statistic demonstrates that much work remains to ensure equal access to high-caliber health care. Further, I am proud that, during my time in Congress, I helped enact the Affordable Care Act as well as multiple improvements to Medicare and Medicaid, including the recently-enacted policies to help make prescription medications more affordable. Americans pay up to four times more for medications than patients in other countries, and more than one third of Americans cite unaffordability as the reason they do not fill their prescriptions. The Inflation Reduction Act already helps millions of Americans by capping out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month and removes cost sharing on the most essential vaccines, including the shingles vaccine for seniors. When the $2,000 out-of- pocket cost cap takes effect in 2025, nearly 600,000 Illinoisians will save an average of $432.71 per year on medications. By 2030, the Inflation Reduction Act will allow the federal government to negotiate prices for 80 of the most crucial medications on the market. The true cost of the price gouging schemes by Big Pharma is American lives, and I am proud that my colleagues and I have successfully strengthened the ability of Medicaid and Medicare to provide affordable medication to Americans. Healthcare is a right. As we celebrate the 58th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare, I recognize the critical rolls that these laws play in and reassert my dedication to ensuring the right of all Americans to affordable, quality healthcare.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, fifty-eight years ago, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 became a staple in the fight to expand democracy to all Americans. Unfortunately, much of the ground gained from the law has since eroded. After the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder that stripped essential oversight provisions from the Voting Rights Act, a tidal wave of anti-democratic practices washed over our country to systematically disenfranchise Black and brown voters, harkening back to the Jim Crow south. Over the past decade, Republicans have implemented restrictive changes to voting practices to intentionally exclude groups of voters. These tactics include reducing the number of polling locations to leave out locations where Democratic voters live, placing limitations on early voting and mail-in voting, implementing strict voter-id laws, gerrymandering voting-districts, enabling armed individuals to intimidate voters and election officials, purging voters from voter rolls, and declaring election fraud when Democratic candidates win. Furthermore, Republicans and right-wing media figures have spread incendiary lies about the U.S. election integrity, leading to far-right extremists storming the Capitol in a failed attempt to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. The idea of democracy is sacred. Democracy promotes self-governance. Democracy promotes settling our differences non-violently and the peaceful transition of power. Democracy promotes tolerance and inclusion. We stand at an unprecedented point in American history where the very existence of our democracy hangs in the balance. We must prevent extreme political actors from implementing anti-democratic voting practices. I am proud of the work Illinois has done to protect voting rights. For example, all Cook County polling locations offer same-day voter registration on election day. Additionally, Illinois has open-access to mail-in-voting. These provisions make it easier to vote, not harder. These provisions support greater democratic participation, not less. However, these provisions do not go far enough. Congress must protect, defend, and expand democracy at the federal level. Two years ago, the House passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, a bill that would require states to receive federal preclearance before implementing changes to voting practices if they have demonstrated a history of voting rights abuses over the past 25 years. The bill would restore the oversights stripped from the Voting Rights Act by Shelby County v. Holder. Congress must enact the Voting Rights Advancement Act and bills like it if we are to ensure the survival of American democracy. Recent Supreme Court decisions on reproductive rights and affirmative action demonstrate that the struggle for equality has not ended for many groups in this country. We cannot grow complacent with the political victories secured thus far. We must defend the rights for which we have fought so hard, and we must remain steadfast in our march toward a true democracy where all citizens have the opportunity to participate equally. As we celebrate the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, I know that democracy will persevere as the foundation of America because we will ensure that it does.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, a gun violence epidemic plagues the United States of America. Although the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act advanced important reforms to address gun violence--including enhanced background checks, prohibitions on gun trafficking and straw purchases, funding to support Extreme Risk Protection Orders and community-based violence intervention, and one billion dollars to support mental health--the federal government must take additional action to protect our young people and communities from gun violence. State and local laws can only do so much to curb gun violence. Illinois and the City of Chicago can implement strict gun regulations, but if states like Indiana and Wisconsin keep weak restrictions in place, then practically anyone can cross those state borders and acquire a gun. We must limit the number of guns that exist in our country. We must ban assault weapons and enact strong background checks with no loopholes. We must repeal immunity for firearm manufacturers so individuals can bring civil actions to hold these companies responsible for their role in the gun violence epidemic. We must pass my bill--the Ammunition Identification Act--that would provide law enforcement with the tools to trace ammunition back to its purchaser. Also, we must invest in community-based programs that successfully decrease gun violence. UCAN operates one of these innovative community- based programs on the westside of Chicago in areas with high unemployment and poverty rates. The Violence Intervention and Prevention program intervenes with victims and perpetrators after gun violence to help address trauma and limit violent responses, leading to a 30 percent reduction in shootings where this program was implemented. Another program is Chicago CRED, or Create Real Economic Destiny, that believes that those involved in gun violence are not the problem, but the future solution. When participants join CRED, they receive counseling, life coaching, education, and a pathway to employment. A study by Northwestern University found that--although around 85 percent of CRED participants reported a familial history with gangs, many had a criminal record, and some reported being gunshot victims--CRED alumni were less likely to be victims of gun violence because they left vulnerable situations and entered stable lifestyles after receiving the care they needed. However, we cannot successfully prevent gun violence without revenue. That is why I champion the Gun Violence Prevention and Safe Communities Act that would create guaranteed, annual funding for gun violence prevention via a 0.5 percent increase in federal gun and ammunition excise taxes. This bill would evenly divide the estimated $20 to 36 million of annual revenue to fund gun violence research, hate crime data collection and prevention, forensic examiner training to improve gun crime clearance rates, and community-based violence intervention and prevention programs. As Fredrick Douglass once said, ``People might not get all they work for in this world, but they certainly must work for all they get.'' If we truly want to make progress in preventing gun violence in this country, then we must work for it and invest in it. We also must remember that preventing gun violence is broader than simply gun-focused programs. People turn to gun violence when they lack economic security, food security, housing security, and educational opportunity. Under the Obama Administration, the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education had a goal of reducing gun violence at its source by creating a national tool to examine equity and educational opportunities across the country. This tool demonstrated that inequities from the start of an individual's life deeply affect their outcomes and that the school-to-prison pipeline in high-in-crime areas coincides with the quality of education. If we continue to neglect our citizens and allow disparities in opportunity and security, we will not successfully end gun violence. As my mother told me, an ounce of prevention is worth so much more than a pound of cure. I cannot stress enough how important it is to enact effective gun legislation on the federal level. Gun violence is a public health crisis. As such, the federal government must act to protect its citizens.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the Asian-American Community of Metropolitan Chicago in welcoming Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi to the United States of America to address a Joint Session of Congress on June 22, 2023.