Danny Davis

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 6 minutes to another son of Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the YouthBuild Transfer Act, which would move this valuable community development program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Department of Labor. The YouthBuild is a program designed to offer construction job opportunities and leadership training to low-income youth while building affordable housing for low-income communities. While the program has been located in the Department of Housing and Urban Development since its inception in 1993, this bill reflects a new understanding about how we should approach youth issues. Ultimately, the YouthBuild is a youth development program where the participants, largely at-risk young men, nearly half of whom are African Americans, have the opportunity to complete their education and prepare for future careers while developing leadership skills and learning the value of civic engagement and community service. YouthBuild participants benefit from the strong counseling and support component of the program. Counseling through the YouthBuild helps participants navigate work and education barriers such as substance abuse, child care, and transportation. After graduating, YouthBuild participants continue to have access to the resources that will help them explore post-secondary options, have successful careers, and become role models for other at-risk youth. Since 1993, nearly 60,000 young people have built over 15,000 units of affordable housing. Yet this program has value that far surpasses only the development of affordable housing. This bill provides for the transition of this program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Department of Labor and specifically as a national program under the Workforce Investment Act. By integrating the YouthBuild into WIA programs, the program will have access to a wider range of youth employment resources. As a national program it will have the attention of the Secretary of Labor. We welcome the program to the jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. With continued appropriations, I am confident that this program will continue to thrive in the Department of Labor. 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 gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), the ranking member of Financial Services.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I too want to welcome the Reverend Smith and the Allen Temple Church and especially commend them for their work with ex-offenders and ex-offender reentry. We were very fortunate to get passed out of Judiciary before the recess the Second Chance Act; and I would hope that before we adjourn this year, that both the House and the Senate will have passed that legislation, sent it to the President's desk, and he will have signed it, because it is one of the most important things we can do.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this legislation, and I commend my colleagues, Representative LaHood and Representative Jackson from Illinois, for the work that they did on this legislation. I am pleased to join with Representatives Biggert and Bean in expressing strong support for the measure. Abraham Lincoln was obviously one of the great historical figures of our Nation, and I remember as a child that my mother used to tell us stories about Abraham Lincoln. I recall how we would sit around her in awe of his exploits. I ultimately became, I guess what I would call a Lincoln scholar after having decided to major in history in undergraduate school. And Abraham Lincoln is one of the reasons that I am proud to call myself an Illinoisan. I am proud of the heritage of our State, proud of the tremendous work that he did and what he has meant to the development of what is the greatest Nation on the face of the Earth, the United States of America; and so I urge passage of this legislation.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 912, which expresses the sense of Congress regarding the importance of life insurance. Life insurance provides financial security for families in the event of a premature death by helping surviving family members meet immediate needs and long-term financial obligations. Almost 70 million Americans say they lack the life insurance coverage needed to ensure a secure financial future for their loved ones, yet the need for life insurance is well documented. Recent studies have found that when a premature death occurs, insufficient life insurance coverage on the part of the deceased often results in the surviving family members being placed under an insurmountable burden, forcing family members to take on extra jobs, work longer hours, borrow money, and spend less time with their families. This takes place at a time when spending time with loved ones is important to heal and to recover from the tragedy of losing a family member. By designating a month each year as Life Insurance Awareness Month, we are establishing just how important it is for families to learn and educate themselves about life insurance. As a society, we must take steps to make sure our children are safe and provided for. By supporting a Life Insurance Awareness Month, we are signaling to the American people that this is an important issue that they should consider in their financial planning. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I guess given the fact that today is my birthday, I recognize how important life insurance is because I have just gotten a bit older. So I am pleased to support this resolution.

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 605, which recognizes the life and achievements of Preston Robert Tisch. The New York Giants begin the 2006 football season next week absent the front office presence of Bob Tisch for the first time in 15 years. The Giants have been one of the National Football League's most successful franchises, and this is due in no small part to Tisch's leadership. The New York Giants grieve the passing of their former owner, but they do not grieve alone. In addition to the New York Giants, Bob Tisch and his family own the Loews hotels and movie theaters and many other successful businesses. However, Tisch will be remembered by many for his philanthropic ventures. Many organizations and educational institutions, such as the University of Michigan, his alma mater, and New York University, benefited from Tisch's generosity. Tisch established the overwhelmingly successful Take the Field program. During the 1990s, the Take the Field program raised over $140 million to help rebuild dozens of athletic fields used by public school children in New York City. Tisch also created the Meals on Wheels program and served as president of the program for a decade. It was not uncommon to find Bob Tisch delivering meals to those in need. Bob Tisch was also a devoted and successful public servant. From 1986-1988, Tisch served as Postmaster General of the United States. He served honorably in his role at the United States Postal Service and created the Department of Philatelic Affairs. This department revolutionized the sale of stamps in postal facilities. On November 15, 2005, Preston Robert Tisch lost his battle against brain cancer at the age of 79. In one last demonstration of his eminent generosity, Tisch donated $10 million to the Duke University Cancer Center that had treated and cared for him in his final days. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in strong support of H. Res. 605 in recognition of the life and work of Preston Robert Tisch. Mr. Speaker, it is not unusual for individuals to become wealthy and to become successful. It is not even unusual for some of them to share some of what they have been able to accumulate with others. But in looking at the history of Preston Robert Tisch, it is difficult to find a more magnanimous individual who made greater use of his time, his energy, his efforts, and, of course, his wealth. When you think of the Meals on Wheels program and the large numbers of senior citizens who have benefited so greatly from such a great program, you realize how great Mr. Tisch was and how long his legacy will continue to live. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she may consume to the Democratic Leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he might consume to the Dean of the House of Representatives, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell).

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

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast vote on the following legislative measures on July 17 and July 18. If I was present for rollcall votes for the following bills: 375 On motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H. Res. 3085--To amend the National Trails System Act to update the feasibility and suitability study originally prepared for the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and provide for the inclusion of new trail segments, land components, and campgrounds associated with that trail, and for other purposes. 376 On motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended H. Res. 3496--To amend the National Capital Transportation Act of 1969 to authorize additional Federal contributions for maintaining and improving the transit system of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and for other purposes 377 On motion to suspend the rules and pass as amended H. Res. 3729--Federal Judiciary Emergency Tolling Act 378 On passage H.J. Res. 88--Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage 379 On motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 3504--Fetus Farming Prohibition Act 380 On motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 2754--Alternative Pluripotene Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act 381 On motion to suspend the rules and agree H. Res. 498--Supporting the goals and ideals of School Bus Safety Week I would have voted ``yeas'' on Nos. 375, 376, 377, 379, 381. I would have voted ``nays'' on Nos. 378, 380.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes for all of the legislative measures on June 12. If I was present for rollcall votes for the following bills: 251 on motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended and pass H. Res. 794--Recognizing the 17th anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the Peoples Republic of China, and for other purposes 252 On Motion to Suspend the rules and agree, as amend and pass H. Res. 804--Condemning the unauthorized, inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the Peoples Republic of China 253 On motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amend pass H. Res. 608--Condemning the escalating levels of religious persecution in the Peoples Republic of China 254 On motion to suspend the rules and agree, as amended and pass H. Con. Res. 338--Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the activities of Islamist terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere I would have voted ``yeas'' to all of these bills.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, family reunions are an integral part of African American life, especially given the fact that many families were separated at will during slavery and has continued throughout history in this country. Of course, reunions are a way of staying intact or of being reconnected in a manner which promotes unit, camaraderie and continuation. On August 4-6, the Anderson-Drew Families will hold their reunion in Chicago, Illinois, a city founded by an African American, Jean Baptiste Point DeSable, a trapper and settler. It has been home to many world famous and internationally known African Americans such as Mahalia Jackson, Lou Rawls, Minnie Minoso, John Hope Franklin, John H. Johnson, Michael Jordan, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, Oprah Winfrey and Mayor Harold Washington. Being able to concretely trace one's family back to 1876, which was the year that the compromise surrounding the selection of Rutherford B. Hayes to become President of the U.S. and the removal of Federal troops from the South is indeed commendable and noteworthy in and of itself. I take this opportunity to express and convey how valuable it is for families to remain in constant contact with each other and how much it means for the family to function as a unit. Strong families make strong communities, strong communities make cities, strong cities make strong states and strong states make strong nations. Our Nation is strong because of families like yours. I salute you, commend you on the occasion of your re-union and welcome you to Chicago. Unfortunately, I will not be able to join you because on Friday, August 4th and Saturday, August, 5th, I will be in Detroit, Michigan attending my family reunion and the next week on the 8th and 9th, I will be in Greenwood, MS, visiting with other family members (the Glass family). Enjoy your family and keep it strong.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, before Congress recesses for the month of August, I would like to take a moment of time to call attention to an issue of great importance. As a nation, we are approaching the year anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two of the most powerful and destructive natural disasters the United States has seen. Chaos ensued in the aftermath of the hurricanes; untimely responses to the disaster in addition to inadequate resources turned the situation from a natural into a man-made disaster. As people were fleeing their homes and gathering in camps like refugees without water, food, or adequate shelter--media coverage began to expose the dirty secret of America's working poor. Out of the 5.8 million people from the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who were directly affected by this devastation, more than one million--nearly one-fifth of those affected--lived in poverty. These atrocities shined the light on poverty in America. People could not ignore it. Indeed, the events made Americans question, ``how is it that so many people, most of them children, are living below the poverty line in the wealthiest country in the world?'' Upon visiting New Orleans after the Hurricanes, President Bush declared that the nation had a solemn duty to help the poor. But the issue of America's poor was brief in the presidential limelight. Despite the clarity of the problem of poverty that the disasters brought, poverty fails to be a priority for this administration. The war in Iraq is the top priority for this administration, draining the country's resources and taking precedent over the pressing domestic issue of abject poverty in America. Tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, not healthcare and living wages for those who are struggling to make it. Significant cuts to our social safety nets of Medicare and Medicaid. Failure to raise the minimum wage. Time after time, this Administration has promoted legislation that disenfranchises the working poor. The administration had an opportunity to address poverty, and it has shown a complete lack of leadership to do so. Poverty is not a priority for this administration. As Members of Congress, we share the responsibility with the executive branch of government to put poverty back on the agenda, to create and fund programs that can help America's forgotten poor. I hope that assisting the poor in fundamental ways will top our legislative agenda when we return. Doing so would be the best tribute to the victims of the recent hurricane disasters to mark the year anniversary of this sad moment in our history.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I had hoped that, today, we would have passed the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Educational Improvement Act. It is unfortunate that, yet again, we have not been able to muster enough support to discuss the vitality of Vocational and Technical Education in our country. Education has always been the golden key to a democracy. Our forefathers realized this, and we must realize this as we continue to move forward into this information age. There is no excuse, in this day and age, for a government to be derelict in its duties to provide education and opportunity to its citizens. It is even more important today, as jobs dwindle from the bombardment of cheap foreign competition, to realize that the welfare of our nation rests upon the shoulders of the educated and skilled laborers. The Carl D. Perkins Act is a giant step in realizing our duty, as Congress, to Americans. It is a pathway that guides the vast resources of America to the Americans who need them.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let me just, first of all, thank the gentleman from New York for yielding. And I also want to thank and commend the gentlewoman from Texas for her introduction of this resolution. I want to commend the gentleman from New York because for as long as I have been a Member of Congress, he has been the chief spokesperson for the Congressional Black Caucus on issues of higher education. Mr. Owens, you have represented us well and done an outstanding job, and I commend you. This is one of the most delightful moments that I have had since I have been a Member of Congress because had it not been for a Historically Black College, I would not be here. There is no doubt in my mind. I left home on my 16th birthday to attend what was then Arkansas A&M College at Pine Bluff, which is now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Following me were six of my brothers and sisters who also attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Three nephews, one niece, and a half dozen first cousins. We lived in the southeast corner of the State, which was a rural area in Arkansas. The money that Representative Owens talked about is so important because when I got there, I had $20 in my pocket and a $50 scholarship. The scholarship, of course, was good as long as you maintained a B average, and if you ever fell below, then you no longer had the $50 scholarship. It was not uncommon for friends of mine and myself to actually skip classes on light days and go out and pick cotton so that we would have money to purchase our books. So the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as all black colleges and universities, have played a significant role. They provide a rich heritage and lay the foundation for men and women of color. W.E.B. Du Bois, who is considered the father of sociology due to his thesis called the ``Study of the Philadelphia Negro,'' is a product of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, a Historically Black College. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., all of his eloquence and analysis of social problems came from his experiences not only in the black church, but also came from the education that he received at Morehouse, located in Atlanta, Georgia, a Historically Black College. Thurgood Marshall, the first black Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, is the product of Lincoln University in Chester, Pennsylvania, which is historically known as the first Historically Black College founded in 1854. These institutions are not only necessary for individuals who come from certain economic backgrounds, but they contain a great deal of the history and culture. So when Representative Owens talks about how important the money is that we have been able to provide for them, many of them provide the kind of nurturing environment that students often cannot get from a big university. So they get the special help. This, Mr. Owens, and the work that you have done and the introduction of this resolution by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson make all of the work that we do to try to keep these institutions alive and vibrant. And I also want to thank my CBCF intern, who is currently attending Fisk University, Dante Pope, and is a singer with the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers, who traveled all over the world to raise money so that Fisk could continue to exist. I thank all of those who will support this resolution.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support for H.R. 844. AIDS is the greatest worldwide health crisis of our time. Presently, there are more than 40 million people that are either infected with the HIV virus or are living with AIDS. At least 14,000 people are infected each day. Putting an end to AIDS is one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges we must face. For this reason, the development of a preventive vaccine has been a stepping-stone toward achieving this end. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative has been working for the past ten years to create a safe and effective HIV/AIDS vaccine. They have worked hard with the public and private sector to garner financial and political support in order to make the vaccine accessible to all those in need, especially in the developing world, where ninety-five percent of those infected with the virus live. Today, I am honored to congratulate the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative for its advances in scientific progress, which have been instrumental in bringing about a worldwide effort and support for this important cause. It is their research and devotion to finding an HIV/ AIDS vaccine that brings hope of ending an epidemic that has already killed more than 25 million people worldwide. However, there is more to be done. We must take this opportunity to commit ourselves to fighting for the dignity and lives of our brothers and sisters around the world by promoting innovative research in finding a cure. AIDS is presently a formidable adversary--one that cannot be ignored, one that does not only exist in faraway places, but one that is here, in our neighborhoods and homes, infecting 40,000 of our people each year. The efforts of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative have brought us closer to the day when we will live in a world that is free from AIDS.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5682, the United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006. Mr. Chairman, ``India,'' Mark Twain wrote, ``is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition.'' Now, this remarkable country is asking for our assistance as it develops its civilian nuclear program. The possibilities for nuclear technological innovation in India are limitless. Domestic infrastructure improvements in water supply, power generation, and other industries will substantially improve the quality of life for over one billion Indian people. Cooperating with India as it develops stable nuclear technology will strengthen the bond between India and the United States. Offering our expertise will increase the environmental protections in production and promote the responsible discard of nuclear waste. Bringing India's nuclear program under international guidelines will ensure a safer nuclear program. The security and stability of India's nuclear program security is of the utmost importance. The International Atomic Energy Agency and the Indian Government have been working together to apply safeguards in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency practices as well as formulating a plan to ensure the separation of civil and military facilities, materials, and programs. Furthermore, India is supporting international efforts to prevent the spread of enrichment and reprocessing technology. India is ensuring that the necessary steps are being taken to secure nuclear materials and technology through the application of comprehensive export control legislation and regulations through harmonization and adherence to Missile Technology Control Regime and Nuclear Suppliers Group guidelines. India is a flourishing democracy that seeks to develop its nuclear program for purely peaceful reasons. It should be congratulated for that. Cooperating with India as it develops a civilian nuclear program will help India fulfill its civilian energy needs while creating a strategic partner for the United States in a volatile region.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to another boy wonder of Cleveland, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich). Although he was not so much known as a young athlete, he was indeed the mayor of Cleveland before he was 30 years old. He is a distinguished Member of this body.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I must confess that I grew up as a Brooklyn Dodger fan, but I also confess that Bob Feller was one of the brightest stars in major league baseball. Though only 5 years into his career in 1941 with the Cleveland Indians, he had already set the major league record for the most strikeouts in a game and for the most wins by a pitcher under the age of 21. He already had accomplished baseball's elusive and exhilarating no-hitter, and he had done so in an opening day game, no less. When the same season came to a close, Feller was named major league baseball's Player of the Year. On the heels of that season, at a point of great promise and mounting reward, Feller took off the rich colors of his Cleveland Indians and put on the uniform of his country. Two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he left baseball to enlist in the Navy. Feller fought as an anti-aircraft gunner aboard the USS Alabama. He served with valor for 4 years and earned eight battle stars for heroism. His service and sacrifice offer the kind of inspiration that warms people's hearts, energizes their spirits and awakens their faith in what man and woman can do for his or her country and for their fellow persons. Feller missed nearly four full seasons of the game he loved, but the story of what Feller did upon his return to baseball adds nearly unbelievable athletic feats to the heroism he displayed at sea. ``Bullet Bob,'' as he was called, pitched a second no-hitter in 1946, his first full year back as a major league player. He also led the American League in wins, shutouts, strikeouts, games pitched and innings pitched that season. Feller went on to pitch for almost 10 more years and led the league in strikeouts in seven of those years. The 60th anniversary of Feller's triumphant 1946 season and his return from military service to the United States is certainly cause for commemoration. They also give us cause for thanks and reflection upon a professional athlete who is a model in his play and in his principles for all generations. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.