Jo Ann Davis

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my colleague for introducing this legislation to honor the chief of the New York City Fire Department. As the wife of a professional firefighter for almost 30 years, I know the bravery that these firefighters have, and I have had people tell me why they let chiefs send men in there to their deaths, and I have told them quite clearly, if he would not have sent them in, I know the firefighters would have gone in, anyway. That is just the type of bravery they do have, and again, I thank my colleagues, and I urge adoption of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill under consideration.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H.R. 4797, introduced by the gentleman from the State of California (Mr. Becerra), designates the post office located at 265 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, California, as the Nat King Cole Post Office. Members of the entire delegation from the State of California are cosponsors of the bill. Nat King Cole was truly one of the most unforgettable entertainers in our Nation's history. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1919, Nat King Cole was a musical pioneer that helped to pave the way for countless black musicians to achieve success in the United States. Most widely known for his music as a pop ballad singer and jazz pianist, Nat was also the first African American man to have his own radio show, which began in 1946. Ten years later he was the first African American to host his own television show, and it was enormously popular as well. Although his life was sadly cut short in 1965, his legacy has lived on in part because of the great success of his daughter, Natalie, who has revived much of Nat King Cole's music by singing many of his songs in recent years. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to honor Nat King Cole by supporting this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give my wholehearted support to H.R. 4965, the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2002. The partial-birth abortion procedure is a brutal and a violent act performed on an innocent victim. We cannot continue to discuss this issue in the sterile language of the right to choose. We must call partial-birth abortion what it is, the murder of a baby during delivery as he or she fights for their first breath of air and struggles to survive. We have to come face to face with the cruel injustice of lives quickly and callously ended. I will also note that there is an appropriate choice for these growing children, the choice of allowing them to be raised by a loving, adoptive family. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop has stated that a partial-birth abortion is never medically necessary to protect a mother's health or her future fertility. On the contrary, this procedure can pose a significant threat to both. In fact, were the same child at the same stage of development outside the mother's womb, he or she would be provided life-preserving care and continual medical attention. But if that same child is deemed unwanted by the mother, its life is violently ended. I say to my colleagues that this makes no sense and it is time for Congress and the President to act to end this madness. Mr. Speaker, the argument has been made that this bill is somehow unconstitutional and that the Supreme Court will strike it down like it did the Nebraska partial-birth abortion ban. I will note that I trust the expertise of the Committee on the Judiciary in crafting a bill that will pass muster with the court. But even if it were certain that this legislation as soon as it was passed would be struck down by an imperial judiciary, we must, as Members of Congress, discharge our duties to at least attempt to protect the civil rights of the most vulnerable, those least able to protect themselves. I am proud to be a cosponsor and to support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, for the past few months, I have submitted into the Congressional Record the names of those who are missing or who have perished as a result of the September 11 attacks. Today, I would like to complete the list of names that are available to date. This will be an ongoing effort as more names are released. The fallen deserve our recognition, our remembrance, and our respect. Paula Morales, Martin Morales, Abner Morales, Carlos Morales, John Moran, Gerard Moran, Lindsay S. Morehouse, George Morell, Vincent Morello, Steven P. Morello, Roy Wallace Moreno, Yvette Nichole Moreno, Arturo Alva Moreno, Richard J. Morgan, Dorothy Morgan, Nancy Morgenstern, Sanae Mori, Blanca Morocho, Leonel Morocho, Dennis G. Moroney, and Odessa V. Morris.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of the rule. For years I have been an avid supporter of prescription drug coverage for senior citizens. Why? Because I have a mom whose prescription drugs amount to over 50 percent of her Social Security check. Today, I rise to speak for all of those who have moms and dads on Medicare. The minority does not have a serious bill. They have a $1 trillion election year gimmick that will bankrupt Medicare. This is a good and fair rule because it allows a vote on the only credible plan that has been carefully and thoughtfully designed to help seniors by lowering drug costs, guaranteeing coverage and providing choices. Under the Republican plan, every senior will be eligible for coverage. We guarantee this coverage. It cannot be taken away. The Democrat plan, however, phases out coverage. It is essentially an experiment. Mr. Speaker, seniors cannot afford an experiment. They need real, credible coverage that they can rely on. This bill will help our seniors. This is a good rule for a long- awaited and much-needed legislation and we must pass it. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the rule and ``yes'' on final passage of the bill for my mom and everyone's mom and dad that is on Medicare.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, for years, seniors have been saying that they need help with their prescription drug bills. None of us anticipated prescription drugs would be the backbone of modern medicine, and we certainly did not anticipate that the cost would be so high. I am proud of this new bill that has just emerged which brings a new hope to all seniors who face skyrocketing drug prices. The Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act will ensure that all Medicare beneficiaries will be covered. Not only that, but those who want to stay with their current coverage may do that as well. For as little as just over $1 a day, seniors will have the ability to choose among plans to find what works best for their prescription drug needs. Additionally, seniors will enjoy immediate savings through a prescription drug discount card which will be accepted by local pharmacies. These are just two major components of this groundbreaking new drug bill, and I am glad Congress has answered seniors' call for help.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Master Chief Electronics Technician (Submarines) Curtis Dean Haggard, United States Navy. Master Chief Haggard will retire on Friday, 14 June 2002 after 24 years of faithful service to our Nation. Master Chief Haggard enlisted in the United States Navy in Las Vegas, Nevada and reported to Basic Training in San Diego, California in 1978. Upon completion of Electronics Technician ``A'' School at Great Lakes, Illinois he returned to San Diego for a six-month tour as a radar technician aboard the destroyer USS John R. Craig (DD 885). He next reported to Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida and then to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Training Unit in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In 1980 Master Chief Haggard arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for duty in Reactor Controls Division abroad USS Tautog (SSN 639). He completed deployments to the Western Pacific, Eastern Pacific, and Indian Oceans and to the North Pole. He qualified Engineering Watch Supervisor, Engineering Duty Petty Officer and Reactor Operator. In 1983, instructor duty followed at the Trident Prototype in Ballston Spa, New York where he qualified Engineering Officer of the Watch and Engineering Duty Officer, was certified as a Master Training Specialist and advanced to Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Speaker, he next reported as one of the highly selective initial manning crew of the Pre-Commissioning Unit Pennsylvania at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut in 1987. After placing USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) into commission in 1989 in New London, Connecticut, he arrived with the Blue Crew in Kings Bay, Georgia and completed a five-year tour in Pennsylvania, including three Strategic Deterrent Patrols. He next reported to Trident Training Facility in Kings Bay, where he qualified Command Duty Officer and served as the Reactor Controls Division Officer in the Engineering Training Department and the Electronics Technician Maintenance School Supervisor. In August 1995 Master Chief Haggard reported to USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) in Norfolk, Virginia as the Engineering Department Master Chief. During this tour Rickover completed two Operational Reactor Safeguards Examinations, two Tactical Readiness Evaluations and an extended deployment to the North Atlantic. In May 1997 he reported to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower and Policy in the Navy Bureau of Personnel in Washington, DC, as Quality Control Advisor for nuclear enlisted personnel. Mr. Speaker, Master Chief Haggard is a graduate of the University of the State of New York in Albany, New York with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia where he was the 1993 Graduate Student of the Year. He also graduated with Military Honors from the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island in 1995. Mr. Speaker, Master Chief Haggard's contributions have had a direct and lasting impact on the overall readiness and effectiveness of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program personnel. He is an individual of uncommon character and his professionalism will be sincerely missed. I am proud, Mr. Speaker, to thank him for his honorable service in the United States Navy, and to wish him ``fair winds and following seas'' as he closes his distinguished military career.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 406, important legislation introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley). This resolution honors those peace officers who have been disabled or killed in the line of duty, and it supports the goals and ideal of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Mr. Speaker, engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a verse from Proverbs 28:1: ``The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.'' Today, over 740,000 sworn law enforcement personnel, which is the highest figure ever, live by that quotation from Proverbs. These 740,000 men and women serve their communities and Nation as guardians of peace, often at great risk to their personal safety. The year 2001 was one of the deadliest years on record for law enforcement in the United States. The deaths occurred in a wide variety of circumstances, demonstrating that, no matter how routine an assignment might seem, a police officer's life may be at risk. The National Law Enforcement Memorial tells the story of those slain in the line of duty. The first fatality of 2001 occurred shortly after midnight on January 1 when Tennessee State Trooper John Mann was struck and killed while struggling with a carjacker along an interstate highway. On September 11, 2001, more law enforcement officers were killed in a single incident than ever before in American history when 70 law enforcement officers died at the World Trade Center in New York City. The last law enforcement fatality in 2001 occurred on December 29 in Horry County, South Carolina. Lieutenant Randy Gerald of the Horry County Sheriff's Office stopped on his way home from work to assist a woman who was being assaulted at a rest stop. As he pulled up, the assailant walked over to Lieutenant Gerald's vehicle and shot him three times. Congress has recognized May 15 as the day on which all Americans should honor the dedicated men and women of law enforcement. On May 15, 2002, over 15,000 law enforcement officers gathered here in our Nation's capital to join with the families of their recently fallen comrades to honor them and all others who went before them. We keep in our prayers those whose loved ones have fallen while serving as law enforcement officers. We keep in our prayers and thank those who work as law enforcement officers today. The National Law Enforcement Memorial has an engraved quote by the Roman orator and great public official, Tacitus: ``In valor . . . there is hope.'' Mr. Speaker, those who work in law enforcement, and especially those who have sacrificed their lives, prove the truth of those words. We thank them for that. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 406.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 406) commemorating and acknowledging the dedication and sacrifice made by the men and women killed or disabled while serving as peace officers, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hefley), and I would like to thank him for introducing this important piece of legislation.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, over 14,500 Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty since 1900. It is appropriate that the House and the people of the United States recognize the men and women who work as law enforcement officers. There are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, and they deserve this recognition. I urge all Members to support this resolution, as amended.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3739) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 6150 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the ``Rev. Leon Sullivan Post Office Building''.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3738) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1299 North 7th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the ``Herbert Arlene Post Office Building''.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 269) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives to honor the life and achievements of 19th century Italian-American Inventor Antonio Meucci, and his work in the invention of the telephone.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 269.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the House consider House Resolution 269, important legislation introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella). This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives in honoring the life and achievements of the 19th century Italian- American inventor, Antonio Meucci. We have all grown up believing that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. However, history must be rewritten if justice is to be done to recognize Meucci as the true inventor of the telephone. Bell was issued a patent for the telephone in 1887. However, 17 years earlier, in 1860, it was Meucci who successfully demonstrated his electronic communications link in his Staten Island, New York home, an invention he later called the teletrofono. Meucci was a poor man who never learned English and was unable to navigate the business world. He did not have the $10 needed to apply for a patent for his invention and was never able to get the financial backing needed to pursue a patent. Later, following a tragic accident in which Meucci was severely burned, the laboratory where he worked on his invention supposedly lost his working models needed to get a patent. Just a few years later, Bell who worked in the same laboratory, earned the patent for the telephone. The story of Antonio Meucci is not well known. While he has not received credit for his invention in our history books, the House of Representatives will today honor the genius of the Italian American inventor Antonio Meucci. Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella), the chief sponsor of this bill.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella).

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, the story of Antonio Meucci is a tragic one, and although he successfully demonstrated his electronic communication years before Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone, Meucci has been all but forgotten. This resolution attempts to remedy this oversight and give credit to one of history's great inventors. Meucci should be remembered with other innovators, like Edison, the Wright Brothers, and Marconi, whose vision and tenacity changed our lives for the better. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution.

Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.