Rodney Davis

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today, I have the honor to stand on the floor of the United States House of Representatives to wish my hometown of Taylorville, Illinois, in my home county of Christian County, a happy 175th anniversary. I was only 7 years old when my parents moved our family to Taylorville, where my mom and dad were opening their very first restaurant. While my family has called Taylorville home for 37 years, I can say what made Taylorville and Christian County a great place to live when we first moved there still makes it a great place to live now. My parents wouldn't have been able to achieve the American Dream without the support of friends and neighbors in Taylorville and Christian County, and without a doubt, I would not be standing here today if it weren't for the help and friendship of so many people throughout my years in Taylorville and Christian County. As Taylorville and Christian County prepare to celebrate their 175th anniversary, it is an honor for me to be able to stand here today and offer my congratulations and best wishes.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 484 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 489, I placed voting card in machine and it did not register. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, the EPA is at it again, this time with an overly burdensome rule that would expand their reach and power to regulate under the Clean Water Act. I have heard from roadbuilders, homebuilders, and small businesses who are concerned about this overreach. In particular, farmers in my district are very concerned that this rule could add new permitting requirements for farming activities like irrigation ponds and drainage ditches. That is right. The EPA, which is the same Agency that inexplicably released the personal information of livestock producers, is now telling farmers ``just trust us'' when it comes to this new rule. There is a trust gap between the EPA and the agricultural community. One of my priorities is trying to bridge that gap. Instead of this proposed rule, the EPA and the Corps of Engineers should engage with States and local governments to produce a more commonsense approach to regulating our waterways. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, the WOTUS Regulatory Overreach Protection Act.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 466 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of Chaplain Jennifer Nielson of the 108th Sustainment Brigade. I believe it is important that we recognize and value the work performed by our country's military chaplains. Following an initial deployment as an enlisted soldier, Jennifer Nielson became a chaplain while waiting to fulfill a second deployment in Kuwait. As a resident of the capital city of Springfield, Illinois-- which I am proud to represent--Jennifer has served as a Wounded Warrior chaplain, providing support for our Nation's veterans, and has organized yellow ribbon events welcoming home our returning veterans. Currently, Chaplain Nielson is working with the National Guard's Family Program Division, providing support and counsel in Illinois. Because of her unyielding support and compassion, I am proud to recognize her service today. As we take time this week to recognize the chaplains who have bravely provided spiritual guidance to their fellow servicemen and -women throughout history, it is important that we also acknowledge those who carry on their traditions and thank them for their service. Chaplain Nielson has faithfully served her country for the Illinois Army National Guard, and I am proud to honor her and the rest of the dedicated chaplains supporting our troops across the globe. Honoring Teacher Cynthia Dipert

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss today if I weren't able to honor a former teacher of mine who made an impact in my life that she may never have known. When I was 7 years old, my family moved from Des Moines, Iowa, to Taylorville, Illinois, and almost a week later, I was sitting in a brand-new classroom as a second-grader at South Elementary School in my hometown of Taylorville, Illinois. A young graduate student teacher who was doing some work in that classroom came up to a very shy boy who was determined not to talk to anybody in class that day. That was me. When she knelt down beside my desk, all the heads of my classmates around me turned and welcomed me as one of the new kids in that second grade class. That confidence that Mrs. Cynthia Dipert gave me that day was confidence that built up throughout my elementary school career, junior high, and high school. Frankly, maybe that instance--maybe that gesture of compassion that Cynthia gave me that day--helped lead me here to this great institution we call the House of Representatives. Now, Mrs. Dipert went on to teach my daughter. I always enjoyed going to parent-teacher conferences when my daughter was in Cynthia's class. Then we saddled her with my twin boys in the exact same class, and I thought I would enjoy going to parent-teacher conferences then, too. However, I walked in one day, along with my wife, and we asked Cynthia, Why is a bloody hand hanging from the ceiling? It was fake, of course. She said, Oh. Your son sits there, and I am reminding him that he needs to raise his hand before he talks. I think, Mr. Speaker, we might need to have props like that here in the House of Representatives sometimes. It is hard for me today to stand here and think about those fun times I had and the impact that Cynthia Dipert had on so many kids--my own, me, and those of so many people in my hometown of Taylorville--as she is not going to be able to have that impact any longer because, just under 2 weeks ago, Cynthia passed away. I stand here on the floor of this great institution to tell her thank you and to tell her thank you for the service that she has provided so many people in central Illinois. Rest in peace, Cynthia Dipert. God bless you all.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Speaker, supporting H.R. 5021 means protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout this great country. More specifically, in Illinois, it means saving nearly 30,000 jobs and 4,000 construction projects that are already underway. Supporting this bill means improving our crumbling roads and bridges--a constitutional responsibility of this body's. Supporting H.R. 5021 means governing responsibly instead of creating yet another manufactured crisis that would add even more uncertainty and instability to a still struggling economy. By extending this highway trust fund, which is not my first choice-- if we extend this bill and these programs through May, we can continue working on that long-term highway bill that both sides of the aisle stand here and say that we need, and we can create jobs and keep up with our 21st century transportation needs. The highway trust fund has fallen short for many years, and we need to come up with long-term solutions. I look forward to working with my colleagues from the other side of the aisle and with Chairman Shuster and his continued leadership.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4413, and I would like to thank my colleagues, especially Chairman Lucas, for his leadership on this very important issue; Ranking Member Peterson for his leadership; and also the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Conaway. I am supportive of this bill because it provides relief to consumers, especially to our farmers and manufacturers. This bill also includes language that I developed that addresses regulations that could directly increase prices for consumers back home in Illinois and throughout this great country. In crafting rules to implement Dodd-Frank, the CFTC imposed a real- time reporting requirement on all swaps markets. This has had a negative and unintended consequence on end users. This real-time reporting requirement has made it easier for market participants in certain sparsely traded markets to be exposed. And when these participants are exposed, it allows for others to take advantage of their positions and increase their costs of doing business for future trades. These rarely traded swaps are used by only a handful of companies with excellent credit ratings to provide long-term protection against price fluctuations for commodities such as oil and jet fuel. The CFTC has long recognized the danger of disclosing counterparty identities in thinly traded markets. This bipartisan, commonsense language is needed to help reinforce that long-standing policy. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I am pleased that we are reauthorizing this bill because it will provide relief to end users like farmers and manufacturers, and keep costs low for anyone wanting to travel by air, and all consumers. I support this legislation.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Command Sergeant Major Mark A. Mathis on his retirement after 30 years of service to our Nation in the U.S. Army. Command Sergeant Major Mathis was born in Alton in 1963 and grew up in the small town of Dorchester in Macoupin County in central Illinois. He entered the Army in September of 1984 and is currently serving as the command sergeant major for the 902nd Military Intelligence Group in Fort Meade, Maryland. He has had a multitude of assignments throughout his 30-year military career, including his deployment to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division. Command Sergeant Major Mathis' awards and badges include the Bronze Star Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and many others. Mr. Speaker, Command Sergeant Major Mark A. Mathis represents the best our country has to offer. His experience and leadership will be greatly missed. Command Sergeant Major Mathis, thank you for your service to our country, and congratulations on your well-earned retirement.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate Dr. Ed Hightower on his upcoming retirement. Many of you may know Dr. Hightower from his time as a college basketball referee, working 12 NCAA Final Fours and countless games for the Big Ten and the Big East. He was also named the Men's College Basketball Official of the Year in 1992, and he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998. Off the court, Dr. Hightower is a true community leader and a public servant. Ed Hightower has been an educator for 40 years, serving as a teacher, a principal, and an administrator. He has received three degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a doctorate from St. Louis University. In 1996, he was hired as the first African American superintendent in Edwardsville school district history, a job that he is wrapping up at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. On Dr. Hightower's watch, the Edwardsville school district saw incredible growth, doubling in population, requiring a new high school, a second middle school and other buildings, and weathered the same economic crisis that challenged all local school districts. Thank you for your decades of service to our students, Dr. Hightower. Thank you for your leadership and your ability to always put the education of our children first in all of your decisions. Enjoy your final year as superintendent, and good luck in your retirement.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from North Carolina and also my colleague from Vermont for their support of this piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor James R. Burgess Jr. My bill, H.R. 1707, will designate the post office located at 302 East Green Street in Champaign, Illinois, as the James R. Burgess Jr. Post Office Building. Mr. Burgess served more than 20 years in the Army, playing a critical role in a largely unknown part of American military history. He was a leader of the 761st Tank Battalion, which was the first African American armored unit to enter battle in World War II. At the age of 29, Mr. Burgess was a first lieutenant in command of one of the six companies who served under General George Patton in Europe, and upon his retirement from the U.S. Army, Mr. Burgess had reached the rank of major. After leaving the service in 1962, Mr. Burgess moved his wife and two sons to Champaign, Illinois, so he could attend law school at the University of Illinois, where he graduated 3 years later as the only African American in his class. Mr. Burgess was elected Champaign County State's attorney in 1972 and is still the only African American to be elected to a countywide office in Champaign County. Later, he was appointed as a U.S. attorney for a large section of downstate Illinois. Since Mr. Burgess' passing in 1997, many of my constituents in the 13th District, and especially his son Steve have been looking for a way to commemorate the achievements of his life. Two years ago, Steve approached me seeking my help to honor the life and legacy of his father. It has taken a lot of time and a lot of work. While I am proud that we are finally to this point, Mr. Speaker, I also have a heavy heart. Last November, Steve Burgess passed away suddenly. Steve worked tirelessly over the years to get this project to the finish line, and it is truly heartbreaking that he won't be able to see it completed. Naming this building after Mr. James R. Burgess is but a small token of our gratitude for his service and an honor for his son, my friend, Steve Burgess.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chair, I would like to thank my colleague from Alabama for his leadership on this issue. This is an issue where I think we all agree. We want children in this country to eat healthier. We all want to fight childhood obesity. But I come up to this podium in opposition to this amendment because I am a parent. I have three kids in public schools. I coach youth football. I coach Little League. I talk to children. I have talked to superintendents and principals in central Illinois about this problem. And it is not just a problem that Washington can solve, but it is a problem that Washington created that we need to fix. There is a lot of plate waste. You look at a recent Los Angeles Times article, upwards of $20 million per year the Los Angeles, California, school district is losing to plate waste. 1.2 million less children in this country are participating in the school lunch program, the school nutrition program. In my district, schools like Monticello, Illinois, have pulled out of the school nutrition program because they were losing upwards of $100,000 a year to comply with regulations that were thought of in a concrete building in Washington, D.C., rather than rural America. Now, what have we done? We have asked Secretary Vilsack to offer some flexibility to schools like Monticello so that more kids will participate and that school district doesn't have to choose between following the rules and regulations set forth in Washington, D.C., and choosing to hire two teachers. We have asked the White House and the USDA to voluntarily comply with the same rules and regulations that every school nutrition program, every school cafeteria in this country has to comply with. No answer. We have offered for Secretary Vilsack to come visit the school districts that have talked to me about this being a burden and a problem financially for them. Still no answer. Giving schools flexibility does not mean that I want kids to eat unhealthy. It means parents and local schools districts know better how to feed our children rather than bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. I am going to continue to advocate for more flexibility for these regulations so that we don't lose more than the 1.2 million children that should be participating in the school lunch program. What I want to know is why this administration and why the USDA fails to recognize that there is a problem in rural America and a problem in our urban schools when it comes to money that could be better spent educating our children in this great country. Support this legislation. Do not support this amendment.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentleman from Alabama.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, this is an issue that, unfortunately, I think is misunderstood. In school districts like Monticello, Illinois, that had to make the tough decision to pull out of the program, they don't get the Federal dollars anymore. They don't get the reimbursement. But they had to make the cost-benefit decision of whether or not to still feed those who qualify for free and reduced lunch out of their own pocket so they wouldn't lose the $100,000 a year. When the Los Angeles school district is losing upwards of $20 million a year, it is a big deal because school districts are having to choose between teachers and complying with Federal rules and regulations. I believe that the decision on how to feed children is best left to parents and our local school districts. Do you know what? The kids that are hurt the worst by this, that is why we are asking for this waiver. We are asking for the USDA to approve a waiver. That is it; nothing more, nothing less.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. And the kids that are hurt the worst are the poorest kids who don't have the ability to go out to the convenience store when they are hungry afterwards, like many of the children of ours, and feed themselves. That is the only meal they may get that day, and we can't have Washington determining what that meal is.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, for the first time in 19 years, I was unable to wake up and wish my wife, Shannon, a happy anniversary in person; so, Mr. Speaker, I stand here on the floor of the House today to do just that. Shannon, you are not only my best friend, my rock, and my biggest supporter, you are the reason why I have this privilege of standing here in this great institution to serve the 13th District of Illinois. It is what you have shown us as not only a nurse, a mother, and as my best friend, it is a strength that only comes from being you. Fifteen years ago, you stared at a battlefield of colon cancer in front of you. You stared down that battlefield, and you beat it. What you may not know is that strength that you showed at that time is a strength that is an inspiration to not only me, but to our three children and to so many of us that know you. Shannon, today, on our 19th anniversary, I stand here today to wish you the happiest of happy anniversaries, and I hope to be home soon this weekend to celebrate in person with you. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn't say, ``I love you, Shannon,'' before I yielded back.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings on rollcall vote No. 275, the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4810) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts for the provision of hospital care and medical services at non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities for Department of Veterans Affairs patients with extended waiting times for appointments at Department facilities, and for other purposes, be vacated, to the end that the Chair put the question de novo.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great friend of mine and a great friend of agriculture, Murray Wise. Farming and agriculture have always played an integral role in Murray's life. He grew up on his parents' grain and livestock farm and even acquired his first farm before attending college. After graduating early from Iowa State University, Murray continued to show his commitment to agriculture through his first job with Allied Mills, Incorporated, and his second with The Sandage Companies. And, now, years later, Murray is the chairman and CEO of Murray Wise Associates, a leading authority on land marketing based in Champaign, Illinois. In 2 weeks, Murray will be honored as Parkland College's V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year. I can't think of a more deserving individual than Murray to receive this prestigious award. Murray is recognized not only for his years of hard work and education but also for his innovative ideas and position as a national leader in agriculture. Congratulations, Murray, on this incredible achievement, and I look forward to working with you for years to come on behalf of the agricultural communities in central Illinois. Congrats again, Murray.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Shuster for his leadership on this very important piece of legislation. I think when you saw the committee pass this bill by a voice vote and the overwhelming margin with which it passed this House, that is a direct result of Chairman Bill Shuster's leadership. So, thank you, sir. I obviously rise in support of this WRRDA conference report. As a member of both the farm bill and the WRRDA conference committees, it is really good to see Congress come together in a bipartisan way to pass very important pieces of legislation. This agreement is going to create infrastructure jobs and provide opportunities that will make our country more competitive. This WRRDA bill includes my public-private partnership language, which was introduced along with my colleague Cheri Bustos as an innovative way to fund water and navigation projects. This agreement is also going to help us improve navigation along the Mississippi River in times of high and low water. I want to thank my colleague Mr. Bill Enyart for helping to propose that language with me too. Finally, WRRDA includes policies that are going to help areas like the Metro East Region in southwest Illinois repair and recertify its levee system. Vote ``yes'' on this conference report.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Goodlatte for his leadership, and the committee and all of those who have stood before me and will stand after me to discuss this important issue. I am proud to rise in support of the SAVE Act. It is one step that brings us closer to our goal of ending domestic and international trafficking, and protecting and helping the victims of trafficking. Last week, I hosted a human trafficking summit in Champaign, Illinois, to give my constituents the opportunity to speak directly with and learn from experts on this important issue. It was humbling to hear the personal story of a survivor, Mrs. Aubrey Lloyd, and see the passion of those offering services to help victims of this horrible practice. As a husband and the father of a 17-year-old daughter, this issue is deeply personal to me. Aubrey talked about how one night, she was doing her French homework, got in an argument with her mother, went to a friend's house and wasn't able to return home because she had become a victim of human trafficking. Aubrey was 16 at the time. That could be any child in America today who is held against their will. Congress is choosing to look directly at this issue and do our part to raise awareness and offer concrete solutions to end this abhorrent practice. Somebody else who joined us that day is Chris Baker. Chris has a ministry that removes tattoos, removes brandings of sex trafficking victims. Aubrey still had hers. Chris reminded me of a quote by William Wilberforce, where he said: You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know. Let's work together to end this abhorrent practice.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Thank you to my colleague from Florida for yielding time, and thank you for your leadership on this issue. First, I want to commend my colleagues on the Education and the Workforce Committee--Chairman Kline, Ranking Member Miller, and all of those who serve on that committee on both sides of the aisle--for their work in crafting this bipartisan bill that promotes quality charter schools. Mr. Chairman, my district is located in central and southwestern Illinois, and we are fortunate to have many effective public schools and also charter schools, including the public schools that my three children attend in Taylorville, Illinois. Successful charter schools can partner with public schools and give children at all levels, in many of the areas of our country, more opportunities to receive the quality education they deserve. In over the last decade, charter schools have more than doubled in number and now serve, roughly, 2.6 million students. As this number continues to grow, we must make sure charter schools are also like our public schools--accountable and transparent to the taxpayers and, most importantly, to parents. The amendment I am offering, along with my colleagues, would do just that by requiring charter schools to collect the same data required of public schools by our States. Additionally, our amendment ensures this information is made public, so parents can make the best decisions for their students. I want to thank my colleagues for their work on this amendment; and I, again, thank Chairman Kline for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, many of you may not be aware, but this week is National Nurses Week. I am honored to be able to stand on the floor of this great institution to talk about the nursing profession, what nurses mean to our health care industry and what nurses mean to each and every one of us when a family member is being treated at a time when we need the most compassion, we need the best care, and a nurse is the one who steps into that room and offers that compassion and offers that care on a daily basis. I have a special place in my heart for nurses because my wife, Shannon, is a nurse, somebody who not only has served patients in their home, on the hospital floor, at the beginning of life and at the end of life, she has also helped teach the next generation of nurses. We, in Washington, hear constantly about a nursing shortage in this country; and we, in Washington, need to remember that it is up to us to enact policies and programs that are going to encourage more young people to go into the nursing profession. I want to honor all nurses this week during National Nurses Week because I want to recognize the hard work that they do and the impact they have, not only to the nursing profession, but to America as a whole. Whether it is the support nurses provide at major hospitals throughout my congressional district in central and southwestern Illinois or in smaller, critical access hospitals that provide some of the most localized care in places like Staunton, Illinois; Clinton, Illinois; Litchfield; Hillsboro; and even my hometown of Taylorville, they are vital to the success of not only the health care industry they serve, but to the health of the patients that they are trained to care for. As baby boomers continue to retire, ensuring that we have enough educated nurses should be one of the priorities of this institution that I mentioned earlier. We should continue to support funding for nurse education programs at all of our universities, colleges, and hospitals, so that patients can continue to receive the quality care that they are used to in our health care delivery system. So happy National Nurses Week, and thank you to my wife Shannon and to the nearly 3 million other registered nurses for all that you do for the health and wellness of our country. A special thanks to my wife, Shannon. I love you.

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois

Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 197 I was unavoidably detained. A meeting with constituents went longer than expected. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''