Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, in recognition of the first of December as World Aids Day, I want to take a moment to highlight the gravity of the HIV/AIDS situation, particularly for the African American community. We have heard statistic after statistic; HIV/AIDS is a formidable problem across the country in all communities. Indeed, an article in the New York Times this week noted that new HIV/AIDS case estimates are actually 50 percent higher than health experts had believed. This is unacceptable. America has within it the resources to address this issue; our political leadership must take action to do so. The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, reported that approximately 1,000,000 Americans were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003, roughly 25 percent of whom were undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. Furthermore, this infection has started to increase among children at a drastic rate. Through 2005, there have been an estimated 9,000 AIDS cases reported for children under the age of 13. HIV/AIDS is becoming a problem earlier and earlier for more and more Americans. It is very clear that HIV/AIDS is indeed an emergency situation in the African American community. According to the CDC, African Americans make up 13 percent of the Nation's population but account for 49 percent of the estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since the epidemic began. In addition, African American children make up approximately 63 percent of the estimated HIV/AIDS cases through 2005. Not only are African Americans more likely to get AIDS, they are more likely to die from it, with more than half of all AIDS-related deaths being among African Americans. Through science, research, and medical advancements, there are better treatments, prevention efforts, and a decline in AIDS diagnoses and deaths, except for African Americans. HIV/AIDS is plaguing and destroying African American communities. Yet, I wonder how many of my colleagues or how many Americans, including African Americans, know how devastating and destructive this disease is on one population in our country. It leads to the questions: Why is more not being done? Why has this not been considered a national public health emergency? With more African American males in prison, more African American females living and dying with HIV/AIDS, what is to happen to the African American children and families? I commend all of those individuals in my community who have pledged to do what they can. I, myself, have been publicly tested 3 times to help convince individuals to be tested, to do the things that are necessary. However, my fellow colleagues and I and all Americans need to do much more about this problem. We all must get behind the World AIDS Day slogan: ``Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise.'' We must increase funding for treatment and prevention, not reduce it by 19 percent as this administration has done. We must invest in medical research and needle exchange programs--prevention and treatment. The more engaged we are and the stronger determination we have will lead to the decrease in AIDS cases across the United States in all communities.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased to join with my colleagues as we take this time to highlight the gravity of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic and especially as it affects people of color throughout the world. The Centers for Disease Control, the CDC, reported that approximately 1 million Americans were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003, roughly 25 percent of whom were undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. An article in the New York Times this week noted that new HIV/AIDS case estimates are actually 50 percent higher than health experts had previously believed. Furthermore, this infection has started to increase among children at a drastic rate. Through 2005, there have been an estimated 9,000 AIDS cases reported for children under the age of 13. HIV/AIDS is becoming a problem earlier and earlier for more and more Americans. It is very clear that HIV/AIDS is indeed an emergency situation, especially in the African American community. According to the CDC, African Americans make up 13 percent of the Nation's population, but account for 49 percent of the estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since the epidemic began. In addition, African American children make up approximately 63 percent of the estimated HIV/AIDS cases through 2005. Not only are African Americans more likely to get AIDS; they're more likely to die from it, with more than half of all AIDS-related deaths being among African Americans. We must get behind the World AIDS Day slogan, ``Stop AIDS, keep the promise.'' We must increase funding for treatment and prevention, not reduce it by 91 percent, as this administration has done. We must invest in medical research and needle exchange programs, prevention and treatment. The more engaged we are and the stronger the determination we have, it will lead to the decrease in AIDS cases across the United States in all communities. Madam Speaker, I'm pleased that in Chicago, a coalition of organizations, the City of Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Malcolm X College, the 7th District HIV/AIDS Task Force, Walgreens drug stores, Ora Sure technologies, Abbott Laboratories, the Let's Talk Let's Test Foundation, Working Togetherness and other organizations, held 2 days of high-profile activity where there were many sites where people could come and be tested free. And so I commend the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health, the State of Illinois Department of Public Health, and all of those hardworking groups and organizations who are working to try and put at least a dent in this problem.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding and I also want to commend him for introducing this legislation, H.R. 1429, the Head Start for School Readiness Act. I applaud the leaders in both Chambers for crafting such a strong bill that builds on the accomplishments of Head Start and promotes the success of young children. It is clear from this product that you and your staffs have toiled long and hard to strengthen the quality of the Head Start program, and I say to you, well done. Foremost, let me thank you for maintaining the role of parents in governing Head Start. For more than 40 years, one of the most unique and important aspects of the Head Start program has been its emphasis on parental involvement. I worked actively with Mr. Souder and Mr. Payne, along with 88 other Members of the House, to advocate for maintaining this hallmark of equal responsibility for parents in governing Head Start. I am also pleased that the bill strikes a balance between the House and Senate versions on the issue of program eligibility. In high cost- of-living areas such as Chicago, low-income families can lose access to this critical child development program not due to lack of need but because we fail to adequately consider the cost of living when calculating the poverty level. The conference report grants local programs flexibility in opening the eligibility while also requiring them to demonstrate the need. I am especially grateful that the final report includes so many issues near and dear to me, such as recruiting minority male teachers, emphasizing children's social and emotional well-being, recognition of the expanding role of grandparents and kinship caregivers in children's lives, incorporating the best practices from the field of home visitation into the Early Head Start program, and increasing funds for salaries and education for Head Start teachers. Finally, in addition, I am very pleased that this bipartisan bill preserves the anti-discrimination history of Head Start advocated so ardently by the Head Start and religious communities. Federal funds are not meant to support discrimination of any type, and I applaud the Members on both sides for maintaining this fundamental commitment to justice and fairness. This bill expands access, improves teacher quality, expands accountability, and strengthens school readiness. I am proud to be a member of the Education Committee and proud to serve in a Congress that will pass this bill into law.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 684) congratulating Shawn Johnson on her victory in becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Res. 684, a bill that congratulates Shawn Johnson on her victory in becoming the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics. H. Res. 684, which has 57 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Leonard L. Boswell on September 26, 2007. H. Res. 684 was reported from the Oversight Committee on October 23, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Shawn Johnson, at the age of 15, won three gold medals at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. She became the fourth United States woman ever to win a world all-around title with her come-from-behind victory in the women's all- around finals of the 2007 world championships. She joined Kim Zmeskal, Shannon Miller and Chellsie Memmel as the only U.S. women to win a world all-around title in gymnastics. This year, Ms. Johnson was first at the 2007 Tyson American Cup. She won the all-around title at the 2007 Pan Am Games, along with the U.S. women's gymnastic team, receiving gold metals for the uneven bars and balanced beam events. She also won the silver medal for the floor exercise event. At the 2007 Visa Championships, she won her first senior U.S. all-around title. So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Boswell, on congratulating the outstanding accomplishments of Ms. Johnson in becoming the 2007 World Gymnastics Champion in women's gymnastics and urge the swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues, and I commend Representative Moran for his introduction of H. Res. 808, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the regional planning that has taken place in the Washington, D.C., area. It has been instrumental in making this, as he indicated, one of the most desirable areas of the country in which to live. I commend them for their effort and salute him for his introduction of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 808) commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in supporting the promotion of awareness about diabetes and all of its complications and commend Mr. Payne for his introduction of this resolution. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 211, a bill that supports the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day. H. Con. Res. 211, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Rep. Donald Payne on September 17, 2007. H. Con. Res. 211 was reported from the Oversight Committee on November 8, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Hyperglycemia, which is known as raised blood sugar, over time can lead to serious damage to many parts of the body, especially the nerves and blood vessels. In 1991, the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation established World Diabetes Day. World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14th. This day was designated to promote the awareness that every person with diabetes or the risk of acquiring diabetes should receive the best possible education, prevention and care available. Currently, more than 240 million people in the world are living with diabetes. Some analysts believed this number will grow to 340 million within 20 years. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Payne for seeking to support the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day and urge the swift passage of this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 211) supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank Chairman John Conyers and Ranking Member James Sensenbrenner of the Judiciary Committee for their unrelenting commitment to passing this landmark legislation. I also extend my appreciation to Senator Leahy and the Judiciary Committee in the Senate for their hard work, cooperation, and sensitivity. I also want to commend Congressman Chris Cannon of Utah who was the chief Republican sponsor on this legislation. I want to thank Congressmen Bobby Scott and Howard Coble and all of the cosponsors who signed on. I want to express appreciation to former Congressman Rob Portman, who was very instrumental in moving this legislation to this point. I want to thank Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and all of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all of the organizations who have worked unceasingly to try and bring us to this point. I want to thank what we call the working group under the leadership of Gene Guerro. I don't know about them not reading this stuff. They have read it time and time and time again. As a matter of fact, they know it backwards, forwards, crossways, and sideways. I want to thank the staffs of all Members who have worked extremely hard, and thank especially the members of my advisory committee back in Chicago, Dennis Deer and George Williams and Tumia Romero, who helped orchestrate all of the activity. I thank Dr. Caleb Gilchrist, Bernard Moore, and Helen Mitchell in my office here. I also want to thank, Mr. Chairman, Steny Hoyer, the majority leader, and Mr. Blunt, the minority whip, who have been working on this now for months, bringing us to this point, and the President of the United States supported this when it was first introduced, and I want to thank him for his interest.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge passage of this resolution commending professional football players for their work against child abuse. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of S. Con. Res. 45, a bill that commends the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for its work in aiding children and families affected by child abuse. S. Con. Res. 45 was introduced by Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, on September 17, 2007. S. Con. Res. 45 was reported from the Oversight Committee on November 8, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation is a Baltimore, Maryland based local charity that formulated the Courage House National Support Network for Kids. The Courage House represents a partnership effort between the Foundation, National Football League Charities, the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, the National Football League Players Association, National Football League Films, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and National Football League Alumni. This partnership promotes the prevention of child abuse by raising awareness of the epidemic and assisting agencies who provide for the care and treatment of abused children. The Ed Block Courage Award Foundation honors recipients from the National Football League who have been chosen by their teammates as exemplifying sportsmanship and courage. Currently, the Ed Block Courage Awards event is heralded as one of the most prestigious in the National Football League. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Senator Cardin for seeking to commend the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation and urge the swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3974) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 797 Sam Bass Road in Round Rock, Texas, as the ``Marine Corps Corporal Steven P. Gill Post Office Building''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I concur with my colleagues from California and urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3569) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 16731 Santa Ana Avenue in Fontana, California, as the ``Beatrice E. Watson Post Office Building''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3470) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 744 West Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Sidney `Sid' Flowers Post Office Building''.