Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of National Grandparents Day, which was celebrated on September 9, 2007. Grandparents Day, although a relatively recent holiday, is a day that truly deserves more recognition. As influential anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, ``Nobody has ever before asked the nuclear family to live all by itself in a box the way we do. With no relatives, no support, we've put them in an impossible situation.'' As we observe the 29th anniversary of Congress' proclamation of a National Grandparents Day, it is crucial that we recognize this as a day to first and foremost honor grandparents. National Grandparents Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the countless ways grandparents show love for their children's children, and it helps children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer. After all, grandparents are the backbone of every family support system. Grandparents, especially, dedicate numerous hours to the upbringing of their grandchildren, often times receiving little compensation in return. This is why I, along with my colleague Tim Johnson, sponsored The Kinship Caregiver Support Act (RR. 2188). Recent statistics indicate that, as of the year 2000, more than six million children, that is 1 in 12 children, live in households headed by grandparents or other relatives, and this number is steadily rising. In addition, almost one- fifth of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren live in poverty. Currently, Federal financial assistance is available only to foster and adoptive families, with only a few States receiving a waiver to provide subsidized guardianship, with these guidelines sometimes creating financial disincentives to guardianship. Unfortunately, the waiver expired in 2006. This means that if you're from one of the 15 States with existing waivers--that is if you're from Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia or Wisconsin--your State risks losing considerable Federal support in the very near future when your existing waivers expire unless legislative action is taken. If you're from one of the other 35 States or DC, you cannot benefit from the program at all unless new legislation is passed. The Kinship Caregiver Support Act amends part E of title IV of the Social Security Act to authorize all States to opt to enter agreements to provide kinship guardianship assistance payments on behalf of children to grandparents and other relatives who have assumed legal guardianship of children for whom they have committed to care for on a permanent basis. A recent report by the GAO specifically identified subsidized guardianship as a way to address the disproportionate percentage of African-American children in foster care. The GAO found that African-American children also stay in foster care longer because of difficulties in recruiting adoptive parents and a greater reliance on relatives to provide foster care who may be unwilling to terminate the parental rights of the child's parent as required by adoption. As an alternative to adoption, subsidized guardianship is considered particularly promising for helping African-American children exit from foster care. The Kinship Caregiver bill also supplies grants to eligible entities to pay for the Federal share of the cost of carrying out kinship navigator programs. I urge the recognition of grandparents not just on this day but every day, and I also urge Congress to take action to provide kinship caregivers, oftentimes grandparents, with the necessary resources to address their children's needs. Consequently, The Kinship Caregiver Support Act deserves your support because it is distinctly crafted to address and minimize the unique challenges these kinship caregivers face. The ultimate goal of this legislation is to assist in the reunification of these families.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) for his remarks.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from the State of Maryland, the Honorable Elijah Cummings.

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. 257, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. H. Res. 257, which has 77 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Todd Platts on March 20, 2007. H. Res. 257 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by voice vote. Mr. Speaker, pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States. It develops when cancerous cells form in the tissues of one's pancreas. Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it is one of the leading causes of cancer death. The American Cancer Society estimated that 37,000 people will be diagnosed this year with pancreatic cancer in the United States, and about 33,000 of them will die. I support the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in order to educate people about pancreatic cancer and the need for research funding, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative programs. So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Platts, 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. 257) supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, as amended.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the over 3,000 victims who died in the September 11 attacks on America; and I wish to pay tribute to all the family members of those who perished, as well as to our public officials, businesses, and private citizens who have dedicated themselves to the rebuilding of a stronger Nation. As we contemplate the effects of September 11th and extend our deepest sympathy to those who lost their loved ones on that fateful day, let us resolve to build not just a more vigilant and stronger homeland defense, but a society that continues to protect our personal freedoms and would enable us to fulfill the American dream of liberty and justice for all. And in pursuit of this goal, let us, Mr. Speaker, continue to be able to sing: ``O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain. America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.'' God bless America.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve. I have no further speakers, so I will wait for my colleague to yield back, and then I will.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 2825, which names the postal facility in Princeton, Illinois after Owen Lovejoy. H.R. 2825, which was introduced by Representative Jerry Weller on June 21, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Illinois congressional delegation. Mr. Owen Lovejoy, the son of a Congregational minister, was born on January 16, 1811, in Albion, Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, in 1832 and studied law. In 1836, Mr. Lovejoy was ordained as the pastor of the Congregational Church in Princeton, Illinois, a position which he held for 17 years. He was a strong opponent of slavery, and he used the pulpit to attack slavery and helped slaves gain their freedom from bondage. In 1856, Mr. Lovejoy was elected to Congress with the help of fellow Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln. He served four terms in the United States House of Representatives and continued his work as an abolitionist. Mr. Lovejoy worked with Members of Congress in both Chambers to weaken slavery and attempted to achieve a measure of equality for all people regardless of race. When critics within his own Republican Party expressed fears that the former slaves were not going to live in the North if they gained their freedom, Mr. Lovejoy replied, and I quote, ``Let them stay where they are and work under the stimulus of cash instead of the lash.'' Mr. Lovejoy died on March 25, 1864, just 2 weeks before the introduction of the 13th amendment to the Constitution. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Jerry Weller, for introducing this legislation, and urge 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. 2825) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 326 South Main Street in Princeton, Illinois, as the ``Owen Lovejoy Princeton Post Office Building''.

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. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, I have no further speakers, but I, again, want to commend my colleague from Illinois, Representative Jerry Weller, for introducing this legislation. Owen Lovejoy, in actuality, is one of the great abolitionists of his day, an individual that many people don't know nearly enough about. And so I commend Representative Weller for making sure that he will be etched in the hearts and minds of the people in that town and in that community. I urge its passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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'm pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 2778, which names the postal facility in New Rochelle, New York after Robert Merrill. H.R. 2778, which was introduced by Representative Nita Lowey on June 19, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on August 1, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire New York congressional delegation. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Robert Merrill was born on June 14, 1917, in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. As a teenager, he dreamed of either playing professional baseball or becoming one of America's top singers. In 1944, he made his professional debut singing Amonasro in ``Aida'' on a Trenton, New Jersey stage. A year later, he signed with the Metropolitan Opera, where he would sing more than 500 performances over the course of 3 decades. Throughout Mr. Merrill's career, he sang with popular stars ranging from Frank Sinatra to Louis Armstrong and appeared worldwide at music festivals. He performed as a soloist with many of the world's great conductors, including Leonard Bernstein. Mr. Merrill performed for several presidents, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Harry S. Truman, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy. He died on October 23, 2004, at the age of 85. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Nita Lowey, for introducing this legislation that highlights the career of one of America's most talented artists. I commend her for this introduction and urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she might consume to the distinguished gentlelady from New York, who is the author of this legislation, Representative Nita Lowey.

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 myself as much 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. 2654, which names a postal facility in Woonsocket, South Dakota, after Eleanor McGovern. H.R. 2654, which was introduced by Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin on June 11, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on July 19, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire South Dakota congressional delegation. Mrs. Eleanor McGovern was the wife of former Senator George McGovern of South Dakota. She was born on November 25, 1921, in Woonsocket, South Dakota. She was the first spouse to campaign for her husband, alone, to be President of the United States beginning in 1971. People had such confidence in her ability to articulate various issues facing the country during the early 1970s. Mrs. McGovern made a solo appearance on NBC TV's program ``Meet the Press,'' answering policy questions without hesitation and in precise detail. Also she was the first, by a candidate's wife, to appear on this show in its 25-year history. Crowds were often moved by her speeches and drew comparisons to the former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Some questioned whether she might do her husband more harm than good. When asked if her campaigning was worth the risk to her husband's Presidential bid, she replied: ``I would be campaigning as strongly for him if he were not my husband. Maybe there is a risk involved, but since I have the freedom to speak, and my husband doesn't know what I'm saying when I go around the country, he does not tell me what to say. He takes that risk.'' Mrs. Eleanor McGovern wrote a memorial about her personal life entitled ``Uphill: A Personal Story.'' She wrote: ``I still carry a trace of bitterness about poverty. It was not ennobling for my father and grandfather to scratch out a living on land rendered barren. The poor have few choices in life.'' Throughout her life, she learned to preserve and overcome life's challenges. Mrs. McGovern died on January 25, 2007, at the age of 85. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of this resolution honoring this very distinguished Memphian.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much 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 colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 2587, which names a postal facility in Memphis, Tennessee, after Kenneth T. Whalum, Sr. H.R. 2587, which was introduced by Representative Steve Cohen on June 6, 2007, was reported from the oversight committee on July 19, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Tennessee congressional delegation. Reverend Kenneth Whalum, Sr.'s dedication and service to the people of Memphis go back many years. He was a district manager of the Michigan Postal Service before returning to Memphis as director of personnel for the Memphis Post Office. He served as a Memphis city councilman from 1988 to 1996. Reverend Whalum is a well-respected man of faith in his community. In 1969, he became the senior pastor of Olivet Baptist Church and served until 1999. I commend my colleague, Representative Steve Cohen, for introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage.

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 don't have any additional speakers, but I am going to reserve for the gentleman from Idaho, and then I will close.

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'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H.R. 2467, which names a postal facility in Jersey City, New Jersey, after Frank Guarini. H.R. 2467, which was introduced by Representative Albio Sires on May 23, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire New Jersey congressional delegation. Mr. Frank Guarini was born on August 20, 1924, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Former Congressman Guarini served his State and country in a variety of positions. Early in his career, he was commissioned as a naval officer at Columbia University and went on to serve in the United States Navy aboard the USS Mount McKinley. In 1965, he was elected to the New Jersey State Senate where he served for the next 7 years. On January 3, 1979, he was elected to represent New Jersey's 14th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, completing seven terms before retiring in 1993. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Albio Sires, for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage.