Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois, Representative Biggert, for her support 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. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res 210, which pays homage to a tradition that both the Senate and House have honored for over two decades. In 1983, Congress first recognized September as the month to nationally commemorate sickle cell disease awareness. And it is in that same vein today that I ask for support of H. Con. Res 210. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by affected red blood cells that mutate into the shape of a crescent or sickle, and as such are unable to pass through small blood vessels. The horrific outcomes of this condition include considerable pain in one's arms, chest, legs and abdomen, anemia, gallstone, strokes, as well as damaging tissue in the liver, spleen, kidney, and death. This disease affects over 70,000 Americans and cripples over 1,000 newborn babies each year in the United States. By supporting H. Con. Res 210, we acknowledge the importance of raising awareness for advance in sickle cell disease research, prevention treatment and potential cure. As the sponsor of H. Con. Res 210, I would urge all of my colleagues to support swift passage of this bill. I would also just note, Mr. Speaker, that the devastation of this disease on those who are affected by it is, indeed, tremendous. I have had firsthand experience with it by virtue of having run a sickle cell community education project for the University of Illinois in Chicago and came in contact with many of the patients and their families; saw the pain and suffering firsthand. And so I would urge passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 210) supporting the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.

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, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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 myself the balance of my time. I will close and just simply reemphasize the importance of this legislation. Again, I want to commend Representative Biggert and yourself, Mr. Speaker, for leading the way. I think many people think of resolutions like this as a simple something that has taken place; but I am reminded that in the community where I live and work, oftentimes people will die and not have the wherewithal with which to bury themselves. Our young people will be killed and their families take up a collection to get them buried. And so I think that this is a very important resolution. I commend both of you, once again, for its introduction. 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. 584, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month. H. Res. 584, which has 87 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Judy Biggert on July 30, 2007. H. Res. 584 was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, studies have found that when an unexpected death occurs, insufficient life insurance coverage can cause significant economic hardship for the loved ones left behind. The lack of sufficient coverage drives many family members of the deceased to work additional jobs, borrow money, prematurely withdraw money from savings and investment accounts, and in many cases to move to less desirable housing. It is estimated that 68 million Americans say they lack the life insurance coverage needed to ensure a secure financial future for their loved ones. I support the goals and ideals of National Life Insurance Awareness Month because it will make people more aware of their insurance needs and motivate them to seek information about obtaining life insurance. So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Judy Biggert, 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.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 584) supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Life Insurance Awareness Month''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the sponsor of this resolution, Representative Kirsten Gillibrand.

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. 303) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day ought to be established to bring awareness to the issue of missing persons.

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 might consume. Mr. Speaker, in 2006 there were over 16 million hunters in the United States, of which only .0013 percent incurred an injury during the past hunting season. To ensure and raise awareness for hunter safety, there are 70,000 hunter education instructors teaching hunter safety, ethics and conservation to approximately 750,000 students successfully each year. Hunter safety can be contributed to hunter education training and the role of responsible hunters in the field. This helps to lower the incidence of hunting accidents, improve hunter behavior and restore many species of wildlife abundance. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Christopher Carney, for introducing this legislation, and urge swift passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 193, a bill recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety. H. Con. Res. 193, which has 91 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Christopher Carney on July 26, 2007. H. Con. Res. 193 was reported from the Oversight Committee on September 20, 2007 by a voice vote. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield to Representative Carney as much time as he would consume as the sponsor of this resolution.

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, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 193) recognizing all hunters across the United States for their continued commitment to safety.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 605) supporting the goals and ideals of Gold Star Mothers Day.

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. 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, I am pleased to have worked with Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, on the ``Federal Merit System Reauthorization Act,'' (the Act) which reauthorizes the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and the Merit System's Protection Board (MSPB) for three years. The shorter reauthorization period will allow Congress to review OSC's and MSPB's implementation of the new provisions in the Act before being reauthorized for a longer period of time. The Act provides that OSC prescribe regulations to establish responsible and professional standards for investigating complaints; maintain open and regular communications with complainants; establish an alternate dispute resolution office in the District of Columbia; and implement procedural changes to improve agency performance. The Act also establishes a process for external investigation by the President's Counsel on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE) when an OSC employee files a complaint alleging wrongdoing by the Special Counsel or the deputy Special Counsel. The PCIE, established by Executive Order in 1992, was formed to address integrity, economy, and effectiveness issues that transcend individual Government agencies, and increase the professional and effectiveness of Inspector General Personnel throughout the Government. In addition, the Act clarifies that employees filing an Individual Right of Action before the MSPB (bringing a case to the MSPB if OSC has not provided relief in 120 days) need to only identify the precise personnel actions being challenged in the initial complaint to OSC and that relief was not provided by OSC. The Act provides that a complainant can file an appeal to be considered on an expedited basis if an administrative law judge denies a request to suspend/delay the alleged retaliatory action. The Act outlines procedural changes MSPB must implement to improve agency performance. While OSC and MSPB are required to submit annual reports to Congress on its activities, the Act increases reporting requirements for both agencies in addition to requiring OSC to survey individuals who make whistleblower disclosures to OSC. Employee rights have been weakened under this Administration. The ``Federal Merit System Reauthorization Act of 2007'' sends a strong message that whistleblower protection and employee rights are key elements of the federal civil service merit system and must be enforced.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to celebrate National Historically Black Colleges and Universities week, which took place the second week of September. It is a pleasure to recognize HBCUs because, had it not been for a historically Black college, I would not be here today. Not only have HBCUs made a positive impact on and provided a rich heritage to me and my family's lives, they lay a foundation for many men and women of color. At the age of 16, I left home to attend what was then Arkansas A&M College at Pine Bluff, later named the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Following in my footsteps were six of my siblings, three nephews, one niece, and a half dozen first cousins. As an HBCU alumnus, I share a history with many notable and honored leaders within our country. W.E.B. Du Bois, who is considered the father of sociology due to his thesis called ``Study of the Philadelphia Negro,'' attended Fisk University in Nashville, TN. The education and training that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., received at Morehouse College, located in Atlanta, GA, surely worked together with his experiences in the Black church to develop his incredible eloquence and keen analysis of social problems. Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, attended Lincoln University in Chester, PA, which is known as the first historically Black college founded in 1854. As an HBCU graduate, I know firsthand the needs and values of these institutions. This is why I am especially proud that during this HBCU week, Congress can say it provided $170 million in grants for HBCUs over the next 5 years via the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. All 99 HBCUs that currently receive Federal funds will benefit from these new resources to strengthen their capacity to continue the tradition of developing Black talent into leadership. Indeed, I benefit from the leaders produced by these institutions given that at least four members of my staff had the privilege of attending an HBCU. HBCUs are not only necessary for individuals who come from certain economic backgrounds, they contain a great deal of history and culture. The College Cost Reduction Act will enhance our ability to keep these institutions alive and vibrant. I am pleased that we can celebrate these new resources during this recent HBCU week.