Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam 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. Con. Res. 87, a bill that supports the goals and ideas for a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. H. Con. Res. 87, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Robert Wexler on March 8, 2007. H. Con. Res. 87 was reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 12, 2007 by a voice vote. The third Sunday in November is designated as a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. This resolution commemorates the 1.2 million people killed in road crashes globally, including 40,000 in the United States each year. Road crashes are the second leading cause of death worldwide among young people from ages 5 to 29, and the third leading cause of death among people aged 30 to 44 years. Vehicle accidents every year have injured and disabled as many as 50 million people throughout the world. Road traffic injuries cost countries approximately $518 billion each year, which is between 1 and 5 percent of the gross domestic product of each nation. I support this legislation to encourage the people of the United States and of the world to support and participate in programs and activities to commemorate a world day of remembrance for road crash victims with appropriate ceremonies, programs and other activities. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Robert Wexler, for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, great societies are often described by their cultural attributes which are often weaved into the fabric of a community, a city and a nation bringing joy, satisfaction and hope into the hearts and minds of the people. Such has been the case and the experiences of the Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago which was founded in 1972 and has developed a remarkable history and a great legacy. The Muntu Dance Group is more than dances, they are a concept, an embodiment of psychic movement. They are a program, a place, an opportunity for young people, for people of all ages to be engaged, involved and influenced. Madam Speaker, the Muntu is an art form to be copied, preserved and proliferated throughout the world and that is why their capital campaign is so vitally important. The Muntu Group is well into a $17 million capital campaign to build its own performing center at 71st and Ellis on the South Side of Chicago. The Muntu Dance Group has come a long way in 35 years and I am pleased to commend and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 526, ``Supporting Ownership and Responsible Lending.'' Home ownership plays an integral role helping this Nation's citizens realize the American Dream. Now more than ever we must increase the awareness of risky loans to protect present and future homeowners. Home ownership is a vital part of our Nation's economy. It benefits neighborhoods by raising property values and providing economic and social capital. Nationally, in 2006, a record setting 75,000,000 Americans owned homes. In the 7th District of Illinois, there are 238,000 housing units. Of those 238,000 units 49 percent are owner occupied and 51 percent are renter occupied. Fifty-four percent of those who rent spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. The housing boom from 2001 to 2006, lower mortgage rates and increased liquidity in the secondary mortgage market, all led to the growth of sub-prime mortgage industries. These secondary mortgage markets created home ownership opportunities for lower income families, people with little or no credit histories, and families without any access to down payments. The downside to these newly formed opportunities would be the birth of predatory lending. This occurs when lenders hide the true cost of sub-prime loans from unsophisticated borrowers. These unfair practitioners are the main reason for the sudden wave of foreclosures. Foreclosure, when considering both legal and administrative expenses, would cost the borrower an average of $7,200. In Chicago alone, due to the predatory lending practices of various institutions, the rate of foreclosure on sub-prime loans is 19.2 percent; this is up 37 percent from approximately 5 years ago. From my understanding the property value surrounding the foreclosed home is devalued by $30,000. This would cause responsible lenders to lose thousand of dollars per foreclosure. Another negative aspect of this sudden rise in foreclosures is the costly affects that it has on local government because abandoned homes cost districts tax revenue. By definition the lost that is suffered by the districts will have a spiraling effect throughout the community, taking funds from education and the economy. I commend the Hon. Elijah Cummings for introducing House Resolution 526, ``Supporting Ownership and Responsible Lending.'' I am a firm supporter for enforcing rules that would prevent persons from falling victim to unfair practices. By enforcing rules to eliminate unfair practices in sub-prime mortgage lending, addressing appraisal and other mortgage fraud, and increasing opportunities for loan counseling, we will raise the awareness of risky loans and protect present and future homeowners.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this investment in America. In spite of what we have heard from the other side about a spending plan, what we are really looking at is an investment in education, for those individuals who, without it, would never have an opportunity to experience a college education. I have heard some things that I thought were unimaginable this afternoon. Eighty percent of the students in my district who attend the University of Illinois rely upon financial aid. This legislation provides money for Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are falling apart, many of them, at the seams, Hispanic-serving institutions. Individuals who would never, ever get an opportunity to go to college and experience higher education will do so as a result of this legislation, this investment in America. I thank the chairman for a great bill, and I urge its passage. First let me express my sincere appreciation to Chairman Miller, and Subcommittee Chairman Hinojosa for their efforts in introducing this landmark legislation to Congress. In my tenure as a Congressional representative for the citizens of the 7th District of Illinois, this is one of, if not the most critical national policy initiative for which I have been able to advocate. Why? Because in my district for example, approximately 80 percent of the students attending the University of Illinois rely on financial aid programs to support their education, and this bill provides the single largest increase in college aid to students across the country since the GI Bill. The College Cost Reduction Act increases the maximum Pell Grant scholarship by at least $500 over the next 5 years, and I am pleased that an amendment which I cosponsored added $900,000,000 to the pool; invests in Upward Bound, a proven effective program that empowers students with the resources they need to help them succeed as they pursue higher education; and invests substantial appropriations in historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled, Native and predominately black institutions and American and Asian American Pacific institutions. Detractors will try to paint this as another spending boondoggle by the Democrats, but this bill benefits students and families at no new cost to taxpayers by cutting excess subsidies the Federal government pays to lenders in the student loan industry. Some may ask why we didn't just focus on Pell Grants, but the fact remains that families who don't qualify for Pell Grants still need assistance paying for college costs, and that approximately 50 percent of students who do qualify for Pell Grants borrow money to pay for college costs. The College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 is the national policy initiative which demonstrates that America recognizes its responsibility to provide an educational environment that inspires and supports the pursuit of academic excellence.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the first use of the name America, to describe areas in the Western Hemisphere. These areas are named after Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian Explorer on a quest to find new lands. He is one of many from that era who craved the exploration of new worlds and ideas. Although Vespucci's intention was to conquer land for Italy, he ultimately helped to create a place that today is one of the most diverse places on earth. Vespucci took a bold step, defying previous thinking that the land we live on was part of India. Today we recognize the anniversary of Amerigo's discovery as a reminder of how important it is to challenge preconceived notions, and how critical it is that we keep exploring new ideas and sciences. We are a people who live and breathe discovery. Our history holds many examples of our desire to explore. This country has gone to the Moon and intertwined computers into our everyday lives. We have created vaccines to help eradicate polio and other life threatening diseases. We use our ambition to explore, and as a means to be competitive in the world we live in. Today we must continue to honor our historical drive for exploration. Unlike Vespucci's quest which was to only benefit a small subset of people, today we must give anyone the opportunity to be involved with the exploration and to partake in the benefits of our successes. Only about 6 percent of practicing physicians are Latino, African American and Native American today, and according to an analysis by the Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology, the percentage of African Americans receiving bachelor's degrees in engineering is only 4.7 percent of all engineering graduates. Minorities and women are often left out of these fields. There is no reason for these discriminations. We should push all young people to discover science and mathematics and to understand there are jobs that interact with those fields. We especially need to push minorities and women who have not gotten those opportunities to achieve in those fields. We have made progress since the last election in helping every young person to become involved with math and science. The house recently passed The 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007, which establishes, revises, and extends specified science, mathematics, education, engineering, technology, research, and training programs, however; we need to keep improving math and science education for young people. We should increase computer interaction in poverty stricken areas and increase young minority student's interactions with math and science at a younger age. In the celebration of America and Amerigo Vespucci, let us pledge to continue our quest for exploration and discovery. Let us continue to take bold steps as he once did to move in a direction where we can use new technology and discoveries to improve the lives of millions not just those in positions of power, but for even the most underprivileged in our society. Mrs,. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 287 which honors the 500th Anniversary of the name ``America.'' The story of the origin of our country's name is one of great discovery and dedication that embodies our national spirit. On April 25, 1507 cartographer Martin Waldseemuller of the research group Gymnasium Vosagense in Saint-Die, France changed the way Europeans perceived the world by first depicting the Western Hemisphere in his 1507 World Map. He labeled the land ``America,'' marking the first official use of the word. The only remaining copy of this map is housed next door in the Library of Congress. Waldseemuller named the land after Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci. Although explorers like Christopher Columbus already discovered what we now know to be the Western Hemisphere, Vespucci was the first to realize that it was not India but an entirely new continent. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor the name ``America.'' Truly encompassing the American spirit, this name was derived from those challenging the status quo to improve our world and persevering in the face of doubt. Today we are not only honoring the name America but all Americans who have the great privilege of sharing this name and all it embodies.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Kentucky for yielding, and although I'm from Illinois, it's via Arkansas, and so I'm pleased to be here this evening to join with my colleagues to recognize the tremendous accomplishments achieved and, even more importantly, the tremendous legacy created by the University of Central Arkansas. Founded as a Normal School in 1907, it has since fervently and continuously striven towards greatness. The University of Central Arkansas is a place where knowledge is not just about completing assignments or attending classes but, rather, a place where knowledge comes to light. With a tradition of exceptional administration, faculty and students, Central Arkansas manages to simultaneously create the nurturing environment for its over 10,000 students, all the while challenging them to achieve and maintain excellence. The University of Central Arkansas enrolls students from every county in Arkansas, from 35 States and from 55 foreign countries. With a current enrollment that exceeds 12,000 students, the University of Central Arkansas has conferred over 52,000 degrees in its 100 years. My colleague from Arkansas, Representative Snyder, mentioned many of the accomplished individuals who have attended and graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, and the one that I happen to know best is Scotty Pippin, who grew up 12 miles from where I grew up, and where, at the time that I was growing up, there wasn't a high school for Scotty Pippin in his small town of Hamburg, Arkansas. But Scotty was able to go to the University of Central Arkansas, distinguish himself as an outstanding athlete, and then, like many others, made their way from the Arkansas delta, and places similar to it, to Chicago, where he helped to make the Chicago Bulls a namesake, not only throughout America but throughout the world. The thing about Central Arkansas that many people don't know is that it has a strong program of recruiting and helping to nurture minority students and to try and make absolutely certain that they achieve and excel. And so it is for this reason that I'm pleased to commend my colleague, Representative Snyder, for introducing this resolution, commend the University of Central Arkansas, and like Vic, I would hope that they have another 100 years of great achievement and accomplishment.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairman Serrano for yielding to me. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the gentleman from New York on this issue. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce Postal Service and District of Columbia, I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on issues within our subcommittee's jurisdiction. In 1971, Congress made the Postal Service self-sustaining. However, Congress continued to subsidize the mailing cost of the blind, nonprofit organizations, local newspapers, and publishers of educational material. It did so by providing an appropriation to the Postal Service to cover the revenues it had given up or ``foregone'' by charging below cost rates to these groups. Appropriations for these subsidies increased as postage rates and the number of nonprofits grew, approaching $1 billion annually in the mid-1980s. In the early 1990s, Congress did not appropriate enough to cover these costs and refused to let the Postal Service invoke its statutory right to raise rates to cover the shortfall. The Postal Service pleaded that providing social subsidies was not part of its mission, hindered its competitiveness, and was more regressive than taxation with its impact. The Revenue Forgone Reform Act of 1993 eliminated appropriations to support reduced rates for nonprofits, which effectively transferred the costs to other mailers. The Act retained free postage only for the blind and for overseas absentee ballot materials. Appropriations for subsidizing that narrow purpose have been in the range of $60 million to $100 million each year. The 1993 Act also provided for an annual payment of $29 million each year for 42 years to pay off the debt accumulated in the early 1990s. Congress has appropriated this amount every year from 1994 through 2006, even though the President's fiscal year 2005 and fiscal year 2006 budgets proposed to eliminate the payment. Failure to fund this authorized appropriation places the remaining debt of more than $800 million at risk of nonpayment which would significantly increase postal costs. In addition, not providing funds for these services over time will require the Postal Service to record these obligations as a bad debt and will unfairly transfer these costs to postage ratepayers whose costs have already increased due to the recent rate determinations by the Postal Rate Commission. It is important to note that Congress entered into this arrangement and has covered the $29 million each year without fail since the 1993 Revenue Foregone Act was enacted. By reneging on our obligation, we place the fiscal well-being of the Postal Service at risk. We also send a signal that Congress will not stand behind free mail for the blind and overseas absentee balloting materials, something we should not be doing. For the record, I note that in addition to our subcommittee letter to the Appropriations Committee requesting that the $29 million in revenue foregone reimbursement be restored, a number of postal stakeholders echoed the request: Postal labor unions and management, the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, and the postmaster general all want the revenue foregone payment honored. I ask the chairman: Will the chairman support restoring this important funding when the bill goes to conference with the Senate?

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Interior Appropriations Bill; especially do I support the increase in funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. I know that we have great concern for National Security, Homeland Security, funding for military warlike activities, education, health, other social welfare issues, infrastructure improvements, job creation and all other aspects of life; however, it is not my feeling that these concerns out-weigh the need to keep art and culture high on our list of concerns. Art is a connector, a bridge builder, a motivator, a stimulator, an activator and a way for people, especially our children to have experience that otherwise they would never ever have the opportunity to have. Art is, and should be a great part of every child's learning experience and it is our opportunity to make sure that is available.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the institution of marriage is one of the most effective traditions in civilized society which organizes, holds together and perpetuates continuation of civilized humanity and to many it is both a civil and religious act and whereas, Tom and Lois Miller have shared 50 years of holy matrimony, I am pleased to pause and wish them well as they reach this important milestone. Tom and Lois met in McCool, Mississippi while teenagers and were married after coming to Chicago by Rev. Daniel A. Williams on January 14, 1957. Tom worked at CELO Steel and later went to the R.C. Cola Company where he retired after a long and satisfying career. Lois pursued a career in cosmetology, became one of the best in her field and subsequently opened her own business, the L & L Beauty Salon which has been in existence for 47 years. Mr. Speaker, Tom and Lois Miller became and still are pillars of their community. They raised 4 daughters, have 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Ever since their marriage they have been rocks of the Greater Zion MB Church. They were founding members of the 4500 W. Congress Block Club in Chicago, have been active in many other civic and social endeavors and for the past 10 years have lived in Westchester, Illinois, where they have immersed themselves into community life. Madam Speaker, 50 years is a long time and when you can spend those 50 years in a state of peace, happiness and productive engagement, you have been truly blessed, just as you have blessed others. I have been told that ``to those to whom much is given, much is expected in return.'' The Millers have been fortunate to have a great family, great children, grandchildren, friends and other relatives. Their children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends have been fortunate to have the Millers in their lives and I close my comments with congratulations to Tom and Lois Miller, wish them well and trust that they will have many more years of happy and blissful marriage.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mr. Tom and Mrs. Lois Miller on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. Mr. Speaker, the institution of marriage is one of the most sacred and effective traditions in civilized society which organizes, holds together and perpetuates continuation of civilized humanity. And to many it is both a civil and religious act. And whereas Tom and Lois Miller have shared 50 years of holy matrimony, I am pleased to pause and wish them well. Tom and Lois met in McCool, Mississippi, while teenagers and were married after coming to Chicago by Reverend Daniel A. Williams on January 14, 1957. Tom worked at CELO Steel, and later went to the R.C. Cola company, where he retired after a long, satisfying and productive career. Lois pursued a career in cosmetology, became one of the best in her field, and subsequently owned her own business, the L & L Beauty Salon, which has been in existence for 47 years. Mr. Speaker, Tom and Lois Miller became and still are pillars of their community. They've raised four daughters, have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ever since their marriage they have been rocks of the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where they have both displayed tremendous leadership, with Tom Miller becoming chairman of the deacon board. They were founding members of the 4,500 West Congress Block Club in Chicago and have been active in many other civic and social endeavors, and for the past 10 years have lived in Westchester, Illinois, where they have immersed themselves in community life. Mr. Speaker, 50 years is a long time. And when you can spend those 50 years in a state of peace, happiness and productive engagement, you have been truly blessed. And just as you have been blessed, you have also blessed others. I've been told that ``to those to whom much is given, much is expected in return.'' The Millers have been fortunate to have a great family, great children, great grandchildren, friends and relatives. Their children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends have been fortunate to have the Millers in their lives. And I wish all of them a great day as they gather for a tremendous celebration on Sunday. And so I close my comments, Mr. Speaker, with congratulations to Tom and Lois Miller, wish them well and trust that they will have many more years of happy and blissful marriage and that this relationship will continue until the end of time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Thank you, Chairman Wasserman Schultz. My committee will continue to closely monitor this situation as well. I look forward to working with your subcommittee on this matter in the future. Representatives Wynn, Van Hollen, and Majority Leader Hoyer regret that they could not be here to speak on this issue. However, I have statements from them, and will submit them for the Record, along with a letter dated June 21, 2007, from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers to Comptroller General David Walker alleging unfair labor practices. International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO & CLC, Silver Spring, MD, June 21, 2007. Hon. David M. Walker, Comptroller General, Government Accountability Office, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Walker: Enclosed is an unfair labor practice charge against you. Accept this letter and enclosure as your 30 day advance copy of the charge pursuant to GAO Order 2711.1Sec. 15(b). We request that you review the allegations, and to prevent any future violations we urge you to cease any activity related to those described herein. Further, we trust that you will instruct all other Agency officials that such improper conduct will not be permitted. We anticipate an informal resolution of this charge pursuant to GAO Order 2711.1Sec. 15(b). However, if this matter cannot be resolved informally within the next 30 days, the charge will be filed with the GAO Personnel Appeals Board Office of General Counsel and further action will result. Sincerely, Gregory J. Junemann, President. [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TH22JN07.005 Instructions for Filing an Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against the Government Accountability Office Use this form if you are charging that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) or its agents committed an unfair labor practice under GAO Order 2711.1, Sec. 12(a). File an original signed copy of the charge with the Personnel Appeals Board, Office of General Counsel (PAB/OGC) at 820 1st St. NE, Suite 580, Washington, D.C. 20002. If filing a charge by fax (202.512.7522), you must promptly submit the signed original to the PAB/OGC. You may, but are not required to, submit evidence or documents supporting the charge. If you choose to do so, these materials must be delivered, not faxed, to the

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Chairman, I rise to engage the subcommittee chairwoman, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, in a colloquy to express my concerns regarding the Comptroller General's implementation of the Human Capital Reform Act of 2004 and the resulting unionization effort at the Government Accountability Office. For the past 18 months, the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Postal Service, and the District of Columbia, which I chair, has been investigating certain personnel actions taken by the Comptroller General. Our investigation culminated in a joint House and Senate hearing on May 22, where CRS's legal division and the General Counsel for the GAO's Personnel Appeals Board testified that, based on current statute, GAO did not have the authority to deny over 300 employees who met and, in some cases, exceeded expectations, their 2006 and 2007 annual across-the-board increase. GAO says that it took this action based upon a compensation-based study conducted by Watson Wyatt. However, when the subcommittee's staff, working with experts in market-based pay, reviewed the documentation, they were unable to validate that the employees who did not receive their across-the-board increase were overpaid, as asserted by GAO. In addition to meeting their performance expectations, these employees were among the most experienced, with over 25 years of service to GAO. The workforce at GAO has been severely disrupted by these personnel actions. In reaction to them, a majority of GAO's 1,500 analysts filed a petition with the GAO's Personnel Appeals Board to be represented by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. Unfortunately, GAO has responded by hiring the law firm Venable, LLC, to represent it before the PAB. It is uncommon for a Federal agency to use taxpayers' dollars to hire private sector counsel for such purposes. In addition, GAO is asserting that one-third of the petitioners are supervisors and, therefore, cannot unionize. Furthermore, GAO has indicated that if its challenge is successful, and it can show that the alleged supervisors were involved in the solicitation of authorization cards for the remaining eligible employees, it will not commit to recognize and bargain with the employee group. I yield to the chairwoman to ask what steps has the Appropriations Committee taken to address Member and employee concerns about the situation at the GAO.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to extend congratulations to two of the citizens of my community, two of my constituents who have made invaluable contributions to the lives of people in the neighborhoods where they live, as well as people throughout America. Madam Speaker, Tom and Lois Miller became and still are pillars of their community. They raised four daughters, have four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ever since their marriage, they have been rocks of the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church. They are founding members of the 4500 West Congress Block Club in Chicago, and have been active in many other civic and social endeavors. For the past 10 years, they have lived in the village of West Chester, Illinois, where they have immersed themselves in community life. Madam Speaker, 50 years is a long time and when you can spend those 50 years in a state of peace, happiness and productive engagement, you have been truly blessed, just as you have been able to bless others. I have been told that ``to those to whom much is given, much is expected in return.'' The Millers have been fortunate to have a great family, great children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. They have given much to those who have known them, and have received much in return. Mr. Miller has retired after having worked at Alcola Company for more than 30 years, a productive career. Mrs. Miller established her own business, a beauty shop, that has been in operation now for more than 47 years. And so I simply pause, take this opportunity to commend them for their tremendous civic and religious involvement, wish them well as they celebrate their 50 years of marriage, and trust that they will have many more productive, happy and beneficial years.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described the end result of education as a person having the ability to think intensively and critically. He embraced the idea that intelligence plus character should be the true goal of our education system. This truly is the goal that we must strive and work towards. Helping our children to think is crucial; however, the blocks to build to that point are difficult to create. It takes support, resources, confidence and opportunity, but most importantly, these pieces must be available for each individual no matter who or where they come from. Today we find our public school systems throughout America in many places in disarray, underfunded, overpopulated, and, in many districts, underattended. As a Nation, we have moved forward, and then there are times when it looks as though we're doing the Watusi, that is, two steps forward, and two steps back. I can remember a time when, in almost any community that you went, people realized and recognized that education was the absolute key to progress. According to the Abecedarian study, the importance of early childhood education is critical. The report shows that children who receive a formal early childhood education overwhelmingly do better in school. Unfortunately, 55 percent of children whose families are below the poverty line do not receive a formal early childhood education. An overwhelming number of these children, whose mothers are unemployed, do not have access to early childhood education. These numbers are astonishing, especially given what we already know. We are engaged in competitiveness, not just in communities and neighborhoods or States, but from a global perspective, and unless children get an early beginning, they find themselves continuously behind and finding it difficult to catch up. And finally, Mr. Speaker, one of the areas that I have a tremendous amount of concern about is the fact that African American males are graduating from high school at a rate of less than 50 percent. As a matter of fact, many of them drop out as early as third or fourth grade. And it's my contention that they drop out because, for many of them, they have never seen a male figure with a book in his hand. They've never had a male teacher who looked like them. They've never seen a male at home with a book. And so they contend that education is a female or woman or girl kind of thing. And we must find ways to get more male teachers in the classroom, more male teachers involved in Head Start. And we must get communities totally engaged and totally involved, so that as children grow up, they will know that education has been and will continue to be the great equalizer, and without it they don't have a chance. So I thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Congressional Black Caucus, our chairman, Representative Kilpatrick, for setting aside this time to address education issues, especially affecting African American communities.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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 colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 148, a bill that recognizes the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. H. Res. 148, which has 53 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Barbara Lee of California on May 14, 2007. H. Con. Res. 148 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by a voice vote. National Caribbean-American Heritage Month was established to recognize the historical relationship between people of the Caribbean and the United States of America. Caribbean Americans present a rich diversity of countries, cultures and colloquialisms which are dispersed throughout communities in the United States. Caribbean immigration to the United States reached its peak in the last 5 years, with approximately 6 percent of the more than 7 million immigrants coming from the Caribbean. Since the founding of the United States, Caribbeans have had a significant role in shaping the conscience of America and are among our great leaders, entrepreneurs and entertainers, including such individuals as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Colin Powell, James Weldon Johnson, Shirley Chisholm, Marion Jones, Juan Carlos Finlay, Oscar de la Renta, Malcolm X, Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the founder of Chicago, Marcus Garvey, and many others. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for introducing this legislation and I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, 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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2127) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 408 West 6th Street in Chelsea, Oklahoma, as the ``Clem Rogers McSpadden 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 on H.R. 2127.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the author of this bill, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Boren).

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. 2127, which names a postal facility in Chelsea, Oklahoma, after Clem Rogers McSpadden. H.R. 2127, which was introduced by the gentleman from Oklahoma, Dan Boren, on May 3, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Oklahoma congressional delegation. Clem Rogers McSpadden was born on November 9, 1925, on a ranch near the small town of Bushyhead in Rogers County, Oklahoma. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He was first elected to public office in November of 1954 to the Oklahoma State senate. In November of 1972, he was elected to the 93rd Congress and served one term from 1973 to 1975. Mr. McSpadden ran for Governor of Oklahoma in 1974 and lost the Democratic nomination. Presently, Mr. McSpadden is retired and living in Chelsea, Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Dan Boren, for introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, to simply close, let me again commend Dan Boren for his introduction of this legislation. I guess Representative McSpadden was kind of a chip off the block, and I asked if he could also make people laugh, and Dan said that he could indeed, as well as do any number of other things. So he is indeed a tribute to the Rogers and McSpadden families. I would urge passage of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to commend my colleague, Representative Cohen, for introducing this resolution that talks about the impact of Stax Records. Although I am not from Memphis, but Memphis is essentially a part of the Delta, and I grew up in the Mississippi Delta, but in the State of Arkansas. So Memphis was always a part of where we were. Then, of course, Chicago was the beneficiary of a great migration of African Americans who migrated from Mississippi, from Memphis, Memphis being the largest town in the area. Individuals would oftentimes leave their rural communities and first get to Memphis. Then after they got to Memphis and stayed for 2, 3 years, they would make their way to Saint Louis, or they would make their way to Chicago. So we have a great affinity for the City of Memphis. It's almost like being home. But also Stax knew where to find talent, and so they came to Chicago and found people like the Staple Singers, whose friends and associates took them out of the church and put them on a stage and a platform far beyond what they otherwise would have been able to do. In addition to its music, Stax was also always seriously engaged and involved in what we called, especially during the 1960s and 1970s, the Civil Rights Movement, relative to putting on concerts to benefit events, activities, raise money for marches, demonstrations. So they were more than just purveyors of music. They were purveyors of music, but they were also part of the liberation movement, part of what those of us who grew up during the 1960s and 1970s call ``the era of struggle.'' So, again, I simply want to commend my colleague, and, of course, one of the Staple Singers, a young lady named Cynthia, used to actually work in the same organization that I worked in, and she was a member of the Staples family. The rest of the group, Pervis and Mavis and Pops, they were part of our community. So I commend Stax. I also commend my colleague from Tennessee for taking the time to honor their tremendous contributions.