Susan Davis

Mrs. DAVIS of California

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

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days to insert material relevant to House Resolution 99 into the Record.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. DAVIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 99) commending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball team for winning the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship, as amended.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for winning the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. On December 16, 2006, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Huskers volleyball team won the 2006 NCAA Division I Championship by defeating the Stanford University Cardinals at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska. I want to extend my congratulations to head coach John Cook, head assistant coach Lee Meas, assistant coach Charlene Johnson-Tagaloa, and the director of volleyball operations Lindsay Wischmeier. Also supporting the team was athletic director Steve Pederson and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor Harvey Perlman. The Huskers, Mr. Speaker, had an exceptional record of 33-1 and had four All-Americans on their team. Junior Sarah Pavan also won the 2006- 2007 Honda Sports Award. This award is given to the Nation's top collegiate female volleyball player. Pavan was also named the ESPN Magazine Academic All-American of the Year. And I also want to extend my congratulations to the Stanford University Cardinals. The Cardinals had a record of 30-4. The Cardinals were the PAC-10 Conference champions and were honored by four women receiving All-American honors. Student athletes, as we know, balance a rigorous school workload with the many practices and games in which they compete. So I am proud of all the student athletes for their dedication to their school work and their sport. The NCAA promotes its 380,000 student athletes to work with numerous service organizations, including the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society. Winning the national championship and finishing the season with a 33- 1 record has brought positive national recognition and attention to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and I know that the fans of the university will cherish this moment as they look forward to the 2007 season. Mr. Speaker, once again, I congratulate the University of Nebraska- Lincoln for their success. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

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

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great man who stood up for justice and fair treatment for all Americans. During his life, Cesar E. Chavez was committed to providing fair wages, better working conditions, decent housing, and quality education for all. Mr. Chavez also served the United States proudly in the Navy during World War II. His spirit and his vision are still alive today and I am determined to celebrate what he stood for and his great accomplishments. Madam Speaker, today, I introduce legislation to rename the post office located at 2777 Logan Avenue in the Barrio Logan section of San Diego as the ``Cesar E. Chavez Post Office.'' This is the least we can do to honor such a great but humble man dedicated to justice. Please join me in giving Mr. Chavez his rightful place in American history.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

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

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

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say in closing that I thank the gentleman from South Carolina, that I thank Mr. Lipinski, the gentleman from Illinois as well, for speaking out so eloquently on the critical role that Catholic schools play in our society today.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Without objection, Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) and request that he control the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 51 into the Record and to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 51) honoring the contributions of Catholic schools.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 476, the Pension Forfeiture Act sponsored by my new colleague and good friend Nancy Boyda. Usually, Mr. Speaker, I pride myself on seeing two sides of an issue, but honestly, I have looked, and I can't find another side on this one. I like this bill, because any Member of Congress who has been convicted of a criminal offense doesn't deserve to get his or her pension. And I like this bill for another reason, too. No matter how small the amount, each dollar that now goes to criminal ex-Members can be used to fund vital programs at a time when we are challenged with record debt. Mr. Speaker, I love this institution, and it makes me angry that the bad behavior of a few has disgraced Congress and harmed our Nation, and, in fact, this is a very important first step. Perhaps in the future we can go beyond this. And it frustrates me deeply when members of the media and the public say that we are incapable or unwilling to reform ourselves. So, let's prove them wrong. Let's prove them wrong today. Let's pass H.R. 476.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

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

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from the great State of Illinois representing this resolution, celebrating 150 years of Illinois State University, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of House Resolution 57, a resolution congratulating Illinois State University on 150 years of educating students. Illinois State Normal University was founded in 1857 as Illinois' first public university and opened with an enrollment of just 43 students. The university's very beginnings were touched by history. Four years prior to his election as President, Abraham Lincoln himself drafted the original bond guaranteeing that the citizens of Bloomington, Illinois, would finance Illinois State. Originally established as a teachers' college, Illinois State University now offers undergraduate degrees in more than 160 fields of study and 39 graduate programs. In 2005, the university enrolled more than 20,000 students, and 83 percent of its new freshmen students were in the top half of their high school graduating class. Public colleges, as we know, provide a great service by offering affordable options of higher education and encouraging access for minority and low-income students. This role is increasingly important as the cost of attending college continues to increase. Illinois State University has embodied this spirit of access to higher education in public service. It is not more clear than in its mission statement. And that mission statement reads: ``We devote all of our resources and energy to creating the most supportive and productive community possible to serve the citizens of Illinois and beyond.'' Illinois State University has graduated many notable alumni who have given back to the university, the State of Illinois, and this country in so many ways. There are an estimated 155,000 Illinois State University alumni living around the world, and many of these students have gone on to great accomplishments, including Thomas Edison's State College president George Pruitt; two-time Academy Award nominee John Malkovich; and former U.N. Ambassador for the U.S., Donald McHenry. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Illinois State University on 150 years of service to their students and alumni, the State of Illinois, and the Nation. I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may insert material relevant to House Resolution 57 into the Record and to revise and extend their remarks.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 57) congratulating Illinois State University as it celebrates its sesquicentennial.

Mrs. DAVIS of California

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

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I really am pleased to be here on behalf of this resolution today. I urge and thank those who have continued to volunteer as mentors in our communities to continue on with those efforts, and I urge that those adults who have not embarked on mentoring think about it and join with some organizations that could help them move forward and help many of our young people who are in the community today and who need their help, their support and certainly the caring that they bring.

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman have any other speakers on that side of the aisle?

Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to honor those who make a difference in the lives of our young people across the United States. This January marks the National Mentoring Month 2007, a month-long event honoring those who are mentors. This event also draws attention to the great need for additional volunteer mentors. As we know, Mr. Speaker, many of our children can become lost at an early age without a responsible adult to show them the way. Our children need to know that somebody older cares, and that is what mentoring is all about, showing our kids that we care. Unfortunately, many of our children do not have such an adult in their lives, and without a solid role model, the consequences for our children can be detrimental. Mr. Speaker, a third of those entering high school do not graduate and will face limited job prospects, according to the Government Accountability Office. This alarming statistic I think would be lower if each one of these kids had a solid mentor to stress the importance of education. There is no substitute for a healthy relationship with an adult. A caring adult is one of the most important aspects of adolescent development. When a responsible and reliable adult becomes a mentor, the benefits to the mentee last a lifetime. Another aspect of mentoring sometimes that we overlook are the vast benefits to the mentors themselves. Helping a younger person find their way can be extremely fulfilling, and often those who become a mentor continue to volunteer throughout their lives. Chris Warren became a mentor to Joshua Becerra in my hometown of San Diego through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in 1999. As a mentor, Chris taught Joshua the value of education and encouraged him to study hard in school. Joshua is now a student at High Tech High School and has already visited UCLA, San Diego State University and other campuses trying to decide where to attend college. As a role model, the relationship has given Chris a healthier perspective on what is important in life, that is, helping others. The relationship between Joshua and Chris shows what a mentor can do for a young person, and it also shows the joy it can bring to the mentor. Millions of adults nationwide have similar relationships with children who face problems at home or struggle at school. Unfortunately, research shows that about 15 million children across the United States are in need of a good role model. This resolution calls on more adults to make a difference in the lives of our young people, and we in Congress also need to heed this call. Federal programs that encourage mentoring need our support. The Mentoring Children of Prisoners program began in 2001 to provide guidance and friendship to children with at least one incarcerated parent. Funding for the program was targeted for a 20 percent reduction for the current fiscal year. Funding for a number of mentoring programs through the Department of Education was targeted for considerable reductions as well. I urge my colleagues to increase our support for these programs and to put a priority on mentoring. We must also encourage programs that recruit young people to become mentors to those who are younger. It is these programs that will help create a cycle of mentoring between the generations. The bottom line: our children need strong, responsible mentors. Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the millions of adults, and there are millions of them out there, who are mentoring our children, and call on more adults to become role models to those who are in need. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to bring this resolution to the House floor to call attention to this worthy cause on the occasion of National Mentoring Month 2007. I urge its passage today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.