Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 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. 303, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day ought to be established to bring awareness to the issue of missing persons. H. Res. 303, which has 58 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Kirsten Gillibrand on April 17, 2007. H. Res. 303 was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, reports of missing persons have increased sixfold in the past 25 years, from roughly 150,000 people in 1980 to about 900,000 this year. The CourtTV's Crime Library estimates that 2,300 people are reported missing every day in America. I support establishing a day to bring awareness to the issue of missing persons. We should all reflect to remember the victims, their families, and local law enforcement and community volunteers who help search for missing individuals. As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, even as we speak, in my city in the area where I live, there is a young woman who has been missing now for several days, and it has created a tremendous outpouring of empathy and sympathy on the part of the people for her parents and other family members who are searching diligently, hoping and praying that she will be found safely. So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Kirsten Gillibrand, for introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Conyers for, not only his leadership on this issue, but so many issues involving civil rights down through the years and for bringing this legislation to the floor. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, holding that the segregation in public schools was illegal. Three years later, nine black students entered Little Rock Central High: Carlotta Walls, Jefferson Thomas, Elizabeth Eckford, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Terrance Roberts, Gloria Ray, Minniejean Brown and Ernest Green. I feel a certain amount of kinship to these nine students because, at that very same time, I was a freshman in college, just 50 miles away at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. And so over the years, I had an opportunity to interact with several of them. Of course, the most well known is Ernest Green, who became an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Labor and is now the managing director of Lehman Brothers investment firm. Minniejean Brown, I spent a weekend with, down at Southern Illinois University, where she graduated just a few years ago when we were both there for some activity. I did student teaching with Melba Pattillo's mother, Mrs. Pattillo, who was a teacher in North Little Rock, Arkansas when I did student teaching. And so it's been a great move. It's hard to imagine that 50 years ago I was there, but I guess I was, John. It's been a long time, but much has happened since then. I simply want to congratulate Governor Beebe, the Mayor of Little Rock, all of the elected officials in Little Rock, for the tremendous display of commemoration and celebration that has taken place over these 3 days as they commemorate the tremendous movement. And I agree with Chairman Conyers in suggesting that not only has Little Rock, but the country has come a long way since 1957. We've made tremendous progress, even though there is much further to go.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, if my history serves me right, President Woodrow Wilson did not hold an elected public office prior to becoming President of the United States of America, which I think is indeed a feat in and of itself. So I want to commend the gentleman from Virginia for his introduction of this legislation, and urge its support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 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.R. 1664, a bill to authorize grants for contributions toward the establishment of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library. H.R. 1664 was introduced by Representative Bob Goodlatte on March 23, 2007. This legislation was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, as a statesman, scholar and President, Woodrow Wilson faced an economic crisis and a world war while serving the country as Commander in Chief. Historians believe that World War I and President Wilson's leadership radically altered the role of diplomacy as a tool of foreign policy, a policy that established a new path for America's role in promoting democracies throughout the world. His vision helped shape the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch in times of war. H.R. 1664, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Authorization Act, will allow the National Archives to provide grants for the establishment of a Presidential library to provide educational services to honor the life of former President Woodrow Wilson. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Bob Goodlatte, for introducing this legislation, and urge swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 pass the bill (H.R. 1664) to authorize grants for contributions toward the establishment of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1389, as amended, and I want to commend the gentleman from Maryland for introducing this legislation and for bringing to our attention the importance of the War of 1812, the importance of our Star-Spangled Banner. I also take this opportunity to commend my elementary school teachers, especially Mrs. Beadie King, who taught in a one-room school, who was so good that she could teach about the Star-Spangled Banner and you could feel shivers kind of going up and down your back. I am so pleased that I can still at times feel those and recognize perhaps what Francis Scott Key may have been thinking and what he may have been feeling when he looked up and saw that the flag was still standing. So I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) again for introducing this legislation and urge its passage.

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

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.R. 1389, a bill to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. H.R. 1389 was introduced by Representative John Sarbanes on March 7, 2007. This legislation was reported from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 19, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, the War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to the spring of 1815. During this time, a young lawyer by the name of Francis Scott Key witnessed the last assault by the British against Fort McHenry in Baltimore. He was so inspired by the fort's still standing with its huge flag flying in the breeze of victory that Mr. Key wrote a poem celebrating this battle and the flag. He composed the lines about our great flag, the Star-Spangled Banner, which later became our country's national anthem. I support H.R. 1389, a bill that will establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to encourage, plan and execute programs commemorating the historic events that are associated with the War of 1812. Mr. Speaker, I would commend Representative Sarbanes for introducing this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1389) to establish the Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 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.R. 1520, a bill to establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission. H.R. 1520 was introduced by Representative Maurice Hinchey on March 14, 2007. This legislation was reported from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on July 19, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, Henry Hudson was hired by the Dutch East India company to try to find the Northwest Passage. On this trip in a ship called the Half Moon, Mr. Hudson sailed to Nova Scotia and then sailed south. In 1609, he found what is now called the Hudson River. Also in 1609, a French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, was exploring Lake Champlain, as well as the shore of northern New York and Vermont. These voyages were two of the most significant passages in the European exploration and discovery of America. They led to the establishment of a Dutch settlement of what is now the capital city of the State of New York. Also, it led to the establishment of French trading posts, military posts and settlements as far south as Lake George. These settlements had a great influence on our Nation's history, culture, law, and commerce. In 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hudson River from the city of New York to Albany in a steamboat which successfully began the use of steam navigation on a commercial basis. It revolutionized waterborne commerce on the great rivers of the United States and fostered international relations through transoceanic travel and trade. The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Act of 2007 establishes two commissions that would ensure a national observance of the Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de Champlain 2009 commemorations through cooperation with the assistance to the programs and activities of New York, Vermont, and the commemorative commissions formed by these States. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Maurice Hinchey, for introducing this legislation, and I urge its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1520) to establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission, the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time. I think there is no doubt there is no greater group of citizens in our country than those who have served and fought in foreign wars. I urge swift passage of this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 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. 663, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day. H. Res. 663, which has 57 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative John Kline on September 19, 2007. H. Res. 663 was reported from the Oversight and Government Reform Committee on September 20, 2007, by a voice vote. Mr. Speaker, in 1899, veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection were upset by the poor treatment they received following their return from America's first major overseas conflict. As a result, the American Veterans of Foreign Service and the National Society of the Army of the Philippines were established to advocate for the rights and benefits then denied to veterans of foreign conflicts. In 1914, these veteran organizations, recognizing their common goals and the importance of unity, merged to form the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the VFW, of the United States. In the 108 years since the VFW's founding, members have proudly carried on the organization's mission of ensuring rights, remembering sacrifices, promoting patriotism, performing community services, and advocating for a strong national defense. The VFW has advocated for our Nation's veterans to include helping establish the present-day Department of Veterans Affairs, creating the Montgomery GI Bill of Rights, developing the national cemetery system, and assisting combat-wounded veterans in receiving compensation for their injuries for service to our Nation. I support the goals and ideas of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day, which honors our veterans' achievements and their service to our country. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative John Kline, for introducing this legislation, and I urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 resolution (H. Res. 663) supporting the goals and ideals of Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I will close by simply stating that I have a very active, passionate and involved chapter of Gold Star Mothers in my congressional district. And so on behalf of them, and all of the Gold Star Mothers and Fathers throughout the country, I would urge passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 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. 605, a bill supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day. H. Res. 605, which has 108 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Peter Roskam on August 1, 2007. H. Res. 605 was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007 by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, Gold Star Mothers Day is an organization for mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to our country. In 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers Day to recognize and commemorate the tremendous sacrifice these courageous mothers have endured on behalf of our Nation. This wonderful group of women have turned their personal tragedy into patriotism and public service. Today, numerous chapters of Gold Star Mothers across our Nation offer important programs and services to improve the lives of veterans and their families. They assist veterans of the Armed Forces and their dependents in the presentation of claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs. I support the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day. And I have the utmost respect for mothers and fathers that have sacrificed their sons and daughters for peace, freedom and the security of our Nation. And so, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Peter Roskam, for introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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.