Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Let me say that it has, indeed, been a pleasure to work with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) and I thank him, and I urge swift passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

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

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 1335, which names a postal facility in Seneca, South Carolina, after Lewis G. Watkins. H.R. 1335, which was introduced by Representative J. Gresham Barrett on March 6, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by the five members of the South Carolina congressional delegation, which represents the delegation indeed. Staff Sergeant Lewis G. Watkins served in action during the Korean conflict. He heroically sacrificed his life in combat on October 7, 1952, in Korea. He was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life beyond the call of duty while serving as a guide of a rifle platoon of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Staff Sergeant Watkins' extraordinary heroism, inspiring leadership, and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice reflected the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. naval service. He gave his life for his country. So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Barrett 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. 1335) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South Carolina, as the ``S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office Building''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, urge passage of this resolution, and 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, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 2025, which names a postal facility in Chicago, Illinois, after Willye B. White. H.R. 2025, which was introduced by Representative Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., on April 25, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by 18 Members, has the support of the entire Illinois congressional delegation. Ms. Willye White was born December 31, 1939, in Money, Mississippi, and raised by her grandparents. At 16 she competed in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and became the first woman representing the United States to win a medal in the long jump, earning silver behind Elizabeth Krzeszinska of Poland. Ms. White competed in every Olympics from 1956 through 1972, and only an injury kept her off the 1976 team. She was America's best female long jumper for almost two decades, with a career best of 21 feet and 6 inches. She won nine consecutive United States outdoor championships, set seven American records and competed in more than 150 nations. Ms. White is the first and only track and field athlete to compete in five Olympics for the United States. Ms. White moved to Chicago in 1960 and lived there for 46 years. She worked as a nurse and then as a public administrator. She mentored hundreds of young women living in Chicago's public housing projects through the Willye White Foundation. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, recognized her humanitarian efforts by awarding her the Pierre de Coubertin International Fair Play trophy, named after the founder of the modern Olympic Games. Ms. White died on February 6, 2007, of pancreatic cancer. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Jackson for introducing this legislation. Ms. White happened to be someone that I have known practically all of my life. As a matter of fact, she did grow up and finish high school in Greenwood, Mississippi, where my grandfather lived, and we knew of her exploits. As a matter of fact, we were close to the same age so we were attending high school at the same time. Then, of course, she went on to Tennessee State, that famous institution with the Tigerbelles, and at the same time I was attending another HBCU university, and we would compete with Tennessee State. They always won. Occasionally, we may have an opportunity but not often. Then I actually worked closely with Ms. White up until the time that she died. Every year, I would look forward to contributing to her foundation for the programs that she had, especially in the Robert Taylor and the Henry Horner homes, but especially Robert Taylor housing projects which is also a part of my congressional district. As a matter of fact, she even ran for public office. Although she was not elected, she kept running and did, in fact, run. I commend my colleague Representative Jackson again for seeking to honor this great lady by naming a post office in her honor. I would urge passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the sponsor of this legislation, the distinguished gentleman from the Second Congressional District of Illinois, Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.

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. 2025) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 11033 South State Street in Chicago, Illinois, as the ``Willye B. White Post Office Building''.

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 move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 223) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. To close, Mr. Speaker, let me just commend the gentleman from Arizona once again for his introduction of this resolution and his passionate statement in favor of its passage. I would certainly concur with everything that he has said and urge passage. 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. 223, which supports the goals of a National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. H. Res. 223, which has 59 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative John Shadegg from Arizona on March 7, 2007. H. Res. 223 was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007 by a voice vote. Mr. Speaker, in 2005, there were 16,692 murders and nine negligent manslaughters reported in our Nation. This is obviously too many murders. And so I support the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims and recognize all organizations that provide services, such as support, guidance and counseling, to the loved ones and friends of murder victims. It is important that this day is not just a remembrance of those who tragically lost their lives, but a call to action. While some of us have not experienced acts of violence, we share responsibility to people who have lost their loved ones to murder. We should always reflect the moral virtues of respect and caring and sharing with one another, regardless of one's race, creed and national origin. Of course, we remember the recent incidents that have just occurred at the university in Virginia. I also remember in my own neighborhood, where just last week a young man was killed on a bus. He turned out to be an absolute hero because he actually put himself in front of another student who was about to be shot. And of course that community and that family still grieves. So I urge that we all remember murder victims and their families by getting involved in our homes, communities, schools and businesses to prevent violence. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Shadegg from Arizona, for seeking to honor the memories of murder victims and recognize the impact on surviving family members. I urge swift passage of this bill. 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, simply to close, let me just suggest that with more than 500,000 individuals who live in the District of Columbia, and they've only got one public institution of higher education, the University of the District of Columbia, one could really say that this program provides a level of equity that is a level playing field, and somwhat equal opportunity given the fact that it is not a State. For the young people who live in the District, it is an excellent program. I would urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of it.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1124, the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999, will reauthorize funding for the District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant, the DCTAG program, which will help promote higher education for high school graduates in the District of Columbia. DCTAG provides grants for District high school students to attend public colleges and universities nationwide at in-state tuition rates. Additionally, the bill provides smaller grants for District students to attend private institutions in the D.C. metropolitan area and to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide. The impact of this legislation on the community and in the lives of the students who receive the grants cannot be minimized. DCTAG reaches students and communities where there is no hope of being able to obtain a college education. This is particularly true for many of the students that participate in DCTAG. Fifty-eight percent of the students who participate in the program come from low-income households. Furthermore, students that participate are attending educational institutions that are known to nurture students of color. Five of the top 10 schools these students attend are HBCUs: Hampton University, Morehouse College, Virginia Union University, St. Augustine's College, and Bennett College. While students from all races participate in the program and attend over 270 institutions in 47 States, including nationally recognized public institutions like the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, the University of Illinois, the University of California-Berkeley, and Ohio State University, this program serves a community that is lacking resources for students of color from low-income households. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the ranking minority member, Representative Tom Davis, and, of course, the distinguished gentlewoman from the District of Columbia for introducing and championing this legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she may consume to the author of this legislation, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1260) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6301 Highway 58 in Harrison, Tennessee, as the ``Claude Ramsey Post Office''.

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 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 consideration of H.R. 1260, which names a postal facility in Harrison, Tennessee, after Claude Ramsey. H.R. 1260, which was introduced by Representative Zach Wamp on March 1, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by the entire Tennessee congressional delegation. Mr. Claude Ramsey is currently serving his third term as mayor of Hamilton County, Tennessee. Prior to becoming county mayor, he was the assessor of property, served on the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, and was a member of the Tennessee State Legislature. Mr. Ramsey's career as a public servant exemplifies diligence, hard work, and dedication to the people of Hamilton County. Mr. Ramsey plays a pivotal role in the economic progress of Hamilton County. As a manager and leader, he has distinguished himself with his openness and availability to both the business community and the public. He has been honored with numerous awards and offices that reflect his dedication and service to his community. As a fiscal conservative, Mr. Ramsey encourages progress in Hamilton County through responsible investments in the growth of business and industry. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Zach Wamp 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. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I simply join with my colleague from Georgia in urging passage of this resolution, and 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 with my colleague in consideration of H.R. 1617, which names a postal facility in University City, Missouri, after Harriett F. Woods. H.R. 1617, which was introduced by Representative Russ Carnahan on March 21, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 74 Members and has the entire support of the Missouri delegation. Ms. Harriett F. Woods was elected from the 13th District of Missouri in St. Louis County to the Missouri State Senate in November of 1976. She was reelected for a second term in November of 1980. She was the first woman to win statewide offices in Missouri, becoming Lieutenant Governor in 1984. She ran for the U.S. Senate twice in the 1980s, and while both attempts failed, it inspired other women to run for and win political office. Ms. Woods was an activist who promoted women politicians. She served two terms as President of the National Women's Political Caucus and led the Clinton administration's Coalition for Women Appointments in 1993. Before becoming an elected official, Ms. Woods was an independent film producer and served 10 years as the Public Affairs Director at KPLR-TV in St. Louis. At KPLR, she produced many noted documentaries, among them the award-winning film on child abuse, ``Broken Children,'' ``Don't Go to Jail in Missouri'' and ``Piedmont UFO.'' Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Russ Carnahan 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 move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1617) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 561 Kingsland Avenue in University City, Missouri, as the ``Harriett F. Woods Post Office Building''.