Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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. 625, which names the postal facility in Baldwin Park, California, after Atanacio Haro-Marin. H.R. 625, which was introduced by Representative Hilda Solis on January 22, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on March 29, 2007 by voice vote. This measure, which has been cosponsored by the 52 members, has the support of the entire California congressional delegation. Army Sergeant Atanacio Haro-Marin, age 27, of Baldwin Park, California, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed while manning the checkpoint when his unit came under attack from gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades south of Balad, Iraq on June 3, 2003. Sergeant Marin was born in Momax, Mexico, and lived there with his mother while his father worked in California picking fruit and doing construction jobs to support seven children. The family reunited in Los Angeles when Sergeant Marin was 2, and they later moved to suburban Baldwin Park. He will be remembered as a proud and courageous soldier who was living out a long-held dream of serving in the U.S. military. Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to honor the memory, legacy, and contributions of Atanacio Haro-Marin, and urge swift passage of this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 625) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4230 Maine Avenue in Baldwin Park, California, as the ``Atanacio Haro-Marin Post Office''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. We have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I simply want to commend the gentlewoman from Florida for introducing this resolution, which speaks directly to the greatest gift that one can give, and that is to give his or her life for the benefit of their fellow man and woman. A young man, who had no concern, really, for himself, but was concerned for the country. I urge passage of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. On September 11, 2001, America was forever changed. The rancid acts of terrorism that occurred on this day struck a chord within the people. For one moment in time we were not a hyphenated people. We were not Irish-American, African-American, Asian-American, Greek-American. We were simply American. It was with a resounding spirit of patriotism that Dennis J. Flanagan went to his local recruitment station and took the vow to serve his country. As the President waged war against our terrorist adversaries, Sergeant Flanagan took his place as a member of the air assault infantry that invaded Iraq in 2003. He returned to Iraq in September for his second tour of duty and was killed when his vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb in Hawijah, Iraq, on January 19, 2006. Madam Speaker, I offer my condolences to the family of Sergeant Flanagan and hope that my colleagues will vote in the affirmative to pass this measure that will allow the Lecanto, Florida, post office to bear the name of Sergeant Dennis James Flanagan. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1402) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 320 South Lecanto Highway in Lecanto, Florida, as the ``Sergeant Dennis J. Flanagan Lecanto Post Office Building''.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I don't think that our other speakers are going to make it; but suffice it to say that this is a very important resolution. It is a resolution that speaks to the heart and soul of America. It is a resolution that emphasizes the words of the blues singer who said once, ``Who will save the world? Who's willing to try? Who will save the world that is destined to die?'' We are talking about saving the children, those unfortunate young people, many of whom their parents are incarcerated. There are more than 1.5 million children in America whose parents are in prison or in jail. They are in need of foster parenting. So, again, not only do we urge passage, but I commend the gentlelady from Kansas, and urge listeners and watchers and viewers to see whether or not there is an opportunity for you to open your heart and your home and become a foster parent.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I know that I had a number of individuals who had hoped to be here because they are very interested in this subject matter and who had intended to make comments, certainly Representative Melissa Bean who still might get here before we finish, Representative Michele Bachmann from Minnesota, Representative Fortney Pete Stark, and Representative Dennis Cardoza all had statements that they wanted to present. I would now yield to the other side to see if they have got other speakers, to see if any of my additional speakers will come before we yield back.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, over 500,000 children in the United States are involved in some form of foster care. Placements in foster care have increased significantly over the past 10 years. In situations of abuse and neglect, children may be removed from their parents' home by a child welfare agency and placed in foster care. Some of the reasons for foster care placement include severe behavior problems in the child and/or a variety of parental problems such as abuse, abandonment, illness, including physical or emotional problems, incarceration, AIDS, alcohol, substance abuse, and death. The resolution we are considering today honors foster parents. Foster parents are people who open their homes and their hearts to children in need of temporary care. The task is both rewarding and difficult. As a matter of fact, I have met individuals who have adopted children. I know one police officer who has adopted 13 children, a most unusual and unbelievable man, salt of the earth, pillar of the universe. Foster parents take children for medical care and to school events. They may facilitate visitation between the child and the birth parents in the foster home or other approved locations. Foster parents face many challenges in caring for the physical and emotional needs of children. We need more foster parents to care and nurture our children who are unable to remain in their homes. Foster parents should be commended for their big hearts and commitment to provide stable homes for children. This is an issue that is very personal to me in a very serious way. My congressional district has more grandparents taking care of children than any other district in the Nation, and it is followed closely by two additional congressional districts in the Chicago area. I want to commend the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. I also want to commend some of the social welfare agencies that deal seriously with foster parenting for children, agencies such as Sankofa an organization that was started out of a crisis situation and now does an outstanding job. Agencies like One Church One Child that attempts to get individuals to become foster parents to teenagers coming out of correctional facilities, which is not an easy task. So I commend the gentlewoman from Kansas (Mrs. Boyda) for introducing H. Res. 179, and urge its passage. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would yield such time as she might consume to the sponsor of this legislation, Representative Nancy Boyda from Kansas.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam 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. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 179) expressing support for a National Foster Parents Day.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the District of Columbia's Voting Rights Act. As chairman of the Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce Postal and the District of Columbia, I have listened closely to the debate, and I am firmly and thoroughly convinced that every procedural concern has been met, every rationalization has been met with logic, and every constitutional question has withstood its challenges. The only question before us now is: If not now, then when? If not us, then who? The real deal is that the people of the District of Columbia have waited far too long. Justice delayed is justice denied. We must correct this injustice and do it today. I urge passage of this legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, It is with great pleasure that I rise to congratulate Mr. Willie Beasley on the occasion of his 94th birthday which will take place on April 28, 2007. Madam Speaker, to live a long life is indeed desirable and many of us would find it most desirable. However, to live a long, healthy wholesome and productive life is awesome. Such has been the blessed fate of Mr. Willie Beasley who has been a great husband, wonderful father, tremendous churchman and a civic leader who has understood what it should mean to live in a free and democratic society. For many years, Mr. Beasley was an outstanding leader at the Carey Certentenary AME Church, he and his family were anchored in the community and to this day his children Ward and Carol continue in his and the family's tradition. Therefore, Mr. Beasley, I congratulate you on a long productive and beneficial life, I also commend you and your family for your active civic and community involvement. It has been a pleasure to personally know you and your family and to have had you as part of my life. I thank you Madam Speaker.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that as sponsor of H.R. 1593 that Representative Walter Jones, Jr., be removed as a cosponsor.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize that, on April 14, 2007, the city of Chicago was selected as the United States' candidate for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Chicago Olympic bid represents a choice by the United States Olympic Committee to share the hometown qualities of this great American city and state with the world's athletes, guests, and over 3.6 billion people who take part in the Olympics via global television broadcast. If Chicago is selected by the International Olympic Committee, the 2016 Games will be the first Summer Olympics held in the Americas since the 1996 Atlanta Games. Chicago's passion for sports, record of hosting international events, and cultural heritage make it a fitting host for these momentous games. Already a professional sports powerhouse, Chicago is arguably one of the most sport-oriented cities in the United States. Indeed, Chicagoans are famous for their enthusiastic support of their home teams, be it the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs, Bulls, or the World Series Champion White Sox. Chicago boasts one of the largest marathon events worldwide as well--the Chicago Marathon. Chicago also enjoys a long history of hosting historic world gatherings, including the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition, the 1959 Pan American Games, as well as matches for the 1994 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. Although Chicago was to host the 1904 Summer Olympics, this honor ultimately went to St. Louis to coincide with the St. Louis World's Fair. In addition, Chicago's world-class architecture, renowned skyline, multi-cultural, historical, and pop-cultural contributions are expected to weigh heavily as positive attractions in the Olympic bid considerations. The international community will be dazzled by Chicago's view from atop the Sears Tower, they will be serenaded by the deep passion of our Blues music, and they will savor our restaurants, which are second to none. The 2016 Chicago Olympic bid offers America the chance to demonstrate not only the most amazing level of competition the world has to offer, but also to showcase the values that make America and the Olympic movement so significant, such as fair play, friendship, hope, and inspiration. The world will have the opportunity to learn surprising and amazing things about Chicago. By way of the 2016 Summer Olympics, Chicago will become the world's second home.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of National Foster Parents Day. Foster parents are vital to the development of today's children and tomorrow's leaders. As former President John Fitzgerald Kennedy once proclaimed, ``Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.'' Foster care parents dedicate their lives to care for the less fortunate children, with little compensation or recognition. They perform this noble task under very difficult circumstances with love and care. Recognizing these efforts is important. There are 523,000 children in foster care in the United States today. Congress has made a number of improvements to foster care laws over the last decade; improvements that have helped support our children and families. It is good to recognize these advances, but we should take a moment to consider how we can improve the system further. There are currently over 2\1/2\ million children being cared for by family members nationally. However, unless these relatives have waivers from the Department of Health and Human Services, they are not eligible for foster care maintenance payments. Withholding financial support from family providers greatly ignores the needs of these children and families. Almost 19 percent of kinship care providers live in poverty, and 30 percent to 40 percent of children in foster care have chronic medical problems. It is unrealistic to expect these providers to afford appropriate care for these vulnerable children simply because they are family. This is a very personal problem to me. The 7th Congressional District in Illinois--my Congressional District--has the highest percentage of children being raised by grandparents in the nation. Two other Chicago districts follow close behind. It also upsets me greatly that the limitations in our system have a disproportionate effect on minority children and families, who tend to opt for guardianship rather than adoption. So, I join my colleagues in supporting a day to recognize foster parents and their tremendous contribution to society.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by expressing condolences to all of those who were directly affected by the gun violence that has just taken the lives of so many young people with so much promise. Again, I think it is an indication of a tremendous need to better regulate the acquisition and ownership of guns in our country, and I join with all of those who call for increased regulation. Mr. Speaker, America's radios, televisions, newspapers, and Internet sites have been consumed for the past several days over remarks by radio personality Don Imus. Two weeks ago Imus referred to the women of the Rutgers University women's basketball team in language which can only be described as racist, sexist, and viciously offensive. Faced with an uproar of disgust and protest in response to those remarks, Imus apologized on one hand and on the other denied any racism and insisted that his words carried no malice. Imus has a history of similar remarks and demands for him to be fired escalated by the hour and day. Under pressure from the public and advertisers, MSNBC agreed to drop the Imus show, and then, of course, CBS came to the same decision. I commend them for coming to the realization that this kind of rhetoric has no place on the public airways. I hope this outcome will be viewed as a victory for free speech and corporate responsibility. I consider myself an apostle of the first amendment. Free speech is fundamental to our very notions of what and who we are as a people and as a Nation. Nevertheless, I believe that the outcry and protest over the Imus remarks and the demands for his dismissal are not only justified, but are totally consistent with the first amendment. Nothing has eaten away at the soul of America, nothing has divided our Nation, and nothing has more persistently infected our democracy than the monstrous evil of racism. Racism dehumanized and continues to dehumanize African Americans and others. Racism continues to ravage the lives of Black America from health to housing and from income to imprisonment. It has taken almost 150 years of struggle and sacrifice, but we no longer accept the racist practices and we no longer excuse racist speech. No one is demanding that the government muzzle Mr. Imus. However, it is logical and just that large, extremely profitable media companies whose existence and whose profits are based on freedom of speech, would want to ensure that they are not profiting from the abuse of African American women, from the poisoning of relations between Americans, or from discrimination or oppression of any sector of our society. Last week it was an outcry against Mr. Imus for his remarks. Today and tomorrow it must be against the rappers, hip-hop artists, and comedians who use vile language as a part of their public acts. My mother used to take washing powder or soap and wash out our mouths if we were to use language that was unacceptable to her. Now, I know that we can't do this with some of our entertainers, but we certainly can sanitize and let them know that we are not appreciative of their language. I join with those who commend the chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, for her leadership. And I also commend Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton for the tremendous roles that they played in raising this issue.