Bobby Rush

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I submit the following. Chairman Waxman, Chairman Markey, Ranking Member Barton, Ranking Member Upton and all of my distinguished colleagues that sit on the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment, thank you all for allowing me to make these remarks for the record on this important hearing on the reauthorization of State Revolving Funds within the ``The Assistance, Quality, and Affordability Act of 2010.'' Chairman Markey, I would especially like to thank you and your staff for working with my office over the past year to tighten the regulations within the SRF that govern water security to ensure that the incident that happened in my congressional district of Crestwood will not be replicated and that all of our constituents will have access to clean, safe drinking water. Mr. Chairman, I would like to briefly recount for all of my colleagues the preposterous and unbelievable events that happened in Crestwood that has brought us to the point we are today. It is a story that, unfortunately, is ripe with abuses of the public trust by crooked and corrupt public officials at a level that is hard to fathom. And it is a story that, hopefully, with the measures that we will enact in this legislation, will never be allowed to happen again. Mr. Chairman, the story of Crestwood began in 1986, when the Illinois EPA was notified that the well water that was being used for public consumption was contaminated and was found to be unsuitable under federal EPA standards. Officials from the Village of Crestwood told State EPA authorities that the well would no longer be used for drinking purposes, but would remain open for emergency uses only, such as fighting fires. Unbelievably, despite the warning from the IL EPA to the Crestwood officials about using the well for public consumption, for another 20 years, from 1986-2007, untreated well water was mixed with Lake Michigan water and was piped into the homes of village residents for drinking and other uses. Mr. Chairman, for over 20 years, the citizens of Crestwood Village were consuming water, filled with contaminants, while the IL EPA never went back in to test the water quality or ensure that Crestwood officials had followed their edict to stop using the well for public consumption. Then, in December 2007, acting on a tip from a private citizen, Tricia Krause, the IL EPA decided to test the well water for the first time since they were first alerted to the problem in 1986. During these tests, the IL EPA found that the well water contained unacceptable levels of perchloroethylene (PCE), a chemical linked to liver damage and neurological problems, as well as other carcinogenic chemicals that were higher than federal standards permit. Mr. Chairman, it took the brave and courageous act of an everyday, hardworking, private citizen, Ms. Tricia Krause, to finally pull the plug on the nefarious and despicable acts of Crestwood officials. For 20 years, these officials willfully and reprehensibly lied to State authorities and fed contaminated water to the very citizens they were sworn to protect. After Ms. Krause blew the whistle on these despicable acts and the story became public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice executed search warrants and found that Village officials had been falsifying records regarding the purchase and delivery of water to its citizens for over 20 years. And while we must acknowledge and praise the work of courageous citizens like Ms. Krause for taking matters into her own hands to shed light and seek justice, we must also do everything in our power to make it more difficult for immoral and despicable public officials to dupe the public again and feed contaminated and poisonous water to our citizens. Mr. Chairman, the steps that you have taken in this bill will go a long way toward restoring the public trust in the system by requiring our State agencies, which are in many cases the last line of defense in ensuring public safety, to go that extra step to protect the public. This language would simply compel the EPA to set up requirements for notifying the public served by a water system when different types of violations occur. The EPA would be allowed to use the same categories of violations that have already been developed under subsection (c) of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Additionally, for each category of violation, the EPA will determine what types of follow-up inspections are needed, and how many inspections the State will need to carry out. This gets right at the issue of the Illinois EPA not being required to go out and check whether the contaminated well was being used, without being overly burdensome if the violations are not related to public safety. Mr. Chairman, as representatives of the people we serve, for most of us the actions taken by Village of Crestwood officials would be unconscionable. In all of my time as a public servant, I have rarely encountered public officials acting so egregiously against their own citizens or abusing their power in a way that puts the public safety at risk. In March 2010, the IL Dept. of Public Health released a report that found cancer rates were ``significantly elevated'' in Crestwood residents, with higher-than-expected cases of kidney cancer in men, lung cancer in men and women, and gastrointestinal cancer in men. While researchers could not make a definite link between the consumption of contaminated water for 20 years for the 11,000 residents of Crestwood and the elevated rates of cancer there, they determined it was possible that toxic chemicals in the drinking water caused the extra cancer cases. Well, I'm not a researcher, but I can analyze commonsense, and for me, the coincidence between drinking cancer-causing contaminated water for 20 years and then having higher-than-normal rates of cancer appear in those same citizens shows that there must be some connection between the two. With our actions here today and in moving this bill forward, it is my sincere hope that no other community in America will have to suffer from the reprehensible acts of a few despicable public servants who would seek to abuse the public trust. Thank you again Mr. Chairman, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, for allowing me to participate today.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Chair, I also want to thank Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey and their very capable staffs for working with my office to ensure that we include tangible benefits in the Home Star Program for all constituents, including those in the lower income communities such as the one I represent on the south side of Chicago. I also must thank my friend and colleague Barbara Lee and her great staff, as well as the Home Star Coalition, who collaborated with my office and the Energy and Commerce Committee to strengthen this outstanding, remarkable Home Star Program legislation. Madam Chair, I am pleased to point to several provisions within the bill that would directly benefit my constituents, including the quality assurance framework, which targets training and employment opportunities for lower income families and workers, and aggressive outreach and financial assistance for our most vulnerable communities to help them take advantage of the energy-and money-saving retrofit opportunities within this bill. Madam Chair, I fully support this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise this evening with a heavy heart. Yesterday morning, our Nation learned that yet another transcendent leader of our Nation's civil and human rights movement, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, has gone home to be with God. I honestly don't know what it will be like to work in our Nation's capital without the esteemed `godmother' of the Civil Rights Movement in our midst. Time does not permit me to give a soaring tribute to this 98-year-old woman whose place in our Nation's history was launched when she was denied entry to the college of her choice, in 1929. You see, at that time, despite her academic acceptance, Barnard had set an artificial quota of allowing only two African Americans admittance each year. Well, well, well, look what ``Number 3'' did with her life! Whenever I reflect upon the impact Dr. Dorothy Height had upon our Nation, I will always think of a woman of steely determination and grit. But I will also remember someone who reveled in the grace of being a pioneering woman, as her many colorful hats will attest! This Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree leaves our Nation with a literal monument to her accomplishments in the form of the National Council of Negro Women Headquarters Building, at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., a building that they own. And you know what? It's a building that's in the same neighborhood of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.--a home that, right now, is occupied by a President and a First Lady who, like Dr. Height, dared to dream big dreams. May God bless and keep Dr. Dorothy Height and the men and women of this Nation who loved her.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, mere words do not begin to do justice to the life, legacy and transcendent accomplishments of the Rev. Dr. Claude S. Wyatt, Jr., co-founder of The Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago, Illinois. Rev. Wyatt's life in this world came to an end at the age of 86. Rev. Wyatt, founder emeritus of the Vernon Park Church of God, 9011 S. Stony Island, died Sunday morning, April 11, 2010, at his South Side home. He left in his wake thousands of people from all walks of life who will forever remember his love for the Lord, his large and loving family, including his beloved wife of 70 years, the Rev. Dr. Addie Lorraine Wyatt, as well as men, women and young people from all walks of life, including me. In ways big and small, I learned from Rev. Wyatt important lessons in life. I am proud to count myself among those scattered throughout this country who, right now, are grieving the loss of his life but who, at the same time, are rejoicing in the Lord in whose arms he now has eternal peace and comfort. While today's young people are reveling in the fruits of what many call the ``Joshua Generation,'' there would be no `Joshuas' without the wisdom, guidance and front line courage of those Moses figures, like Dr. Wyatt, who stood side by side with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., campaigned for the release of Nelson Mandela and a free South Africa, or who worked alongside some of this nation's greatest labor leaders, like Cesar Chavez. Together, men and women of unheralded stature successfully created a culture, in this nation, that values the labor of low-income and working class families by, at the very least, recognizing the merit of paying them a decent, minimum living wage for a hard day's work. I could go on and on about the things that Rev. Wyatt and his amazing wife Addie have done to create the nation we live in today, but I offer these thoughts for future generations to read, revel in and, hopefully, rejoice! Rev. Wyatt was born November 14, 1921 in Terrell, Texas. He was the second of five children. A young Claude Wyatt first came to Chicago at the age of six. Rev. Wyatt fought honorably as part of a still, segregated Navy, during WWII, from which he was honorably discharged. And, prior to becoming a pastor, Rev. Wyatt worked as a clerk at the Hyde Park Post office, at 46th and Cottage Grove, part of my congressional district, for more than 20 years. Rev. Wyatt was married to his wife, Addie, since 1940. Shortly after they joined their lives together, the couple became involved with the ministry and civil rights campaign of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rev. Wyatt marched with Dr. King in the famous Selma to Montgomery march to secure voting rights on March 7, 1965. In the midst of that infamous day in Alabama, now forever known as Bloody Sunday when 600 civil rights marchers were beaten and brutalized by the police, Dr. Wyatt was there. In fact, it was his job to coordinate ministers and recruit workers to join Dr. King on that day--a day that, in so many ways, helped make our nation a better place. Over the years, with the loving support of his wife Addie, who also served side-by-side with him in his ministry, the church they founded together grew to become a powerful, leading voice for labor and for human rights. In her husband's loving embrace, his support encouraged her to assume the mantle of national leadership in her own right. The Rev. Dr. Addie Wyatt became a labor adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The Wyatts also worked with Rev. Jesse Jackson in helping to launch Operation Breadbasket when, in 1962, it distributed food to underprivileged people in 12 American cities. His son, Claude Wyatt III, said the Lord called his father into the ministry in 1952 and, in 1955, he founded the Vernon Park Church of God where he, initially, began holding services in a garage at 93rd Street between Indiana and Prairie. God called Claude and Addie Wyatt to carry a message of salvation and hope to a small but spirit-filled group of people. Together, they worshipped under the name of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Under their leadership, the church was converted to the Church of God Reformation and, because of its location, was eventually named the Vernon Park Church of God. Over the years, through much effort, mutual support and abiding faith, the Wyatts continued to build their church and, as the size of their congregation grew so, too, did the location of the church. Finally, after much prayer and perseverance, the present worship facility was erected. Today, this multi-million dollar complex, with a membership of more than 1,000, stands as a monument to the faith, hope and vision of a people who not only had a mind to build but an unshakable determination to do great things to honor God and to serve His people here on Earth. Rev. Wyatt's accomplishments are legendary and could fill an entire Congressional Record. But of all the things I could say, on behalf of my beloved wife, Carolyn, my family and, indeed, a grateful nation, I salute the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Claude S. Wyatt, Jr. His was a life well lived, indeed.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and recognize The Red Pump Project on the occasion of their one year anniversary. The Red Pump Project is an initiative of The Red Project Collaborative (RPC), a Chicago non-profit organization that seeks to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on minority communities. Through its initiatives, The Red Pump Project and The Red Tie Project, RPC is doing work online, with over 135 bloggers and on the ground to motivate action and encourage dialogue about the effects of the disease. Through their work, co-founders and noted bloggers Karyn Brianne Watkins and Lovette Ajayi have spent countless hours and endless energy to raise awareness of this life-altering disease. Their work has been so fruitful, Madam Speaker, that The Red Pump Project is now a national initiative, raising and donating funds to the Chicago Women's AIDS Project, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Project VIDA. Currently The Red Pump Project features 40 ambassadors in 20 states around the country ``Rocking the Red Pump'' to raise awareness about this epidemic and is continuously moving toward its goal of having representation in all 50 states. As the Red Pump Project celebrates their 1 year anniversary in fashion and style on March 25, 2010, they will also be honoring Emmy Award-winning HIV/AIDS activist Rae Lewis-Thornton with the ``Ultimate Red Pump Rocker'' Award for being a living legacy. Ms. Lewis-Thornton has faced the disease with dignity, class and undeniable courage for over 20 years, and has been on an endless crusade to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS around the world. Madam Speaker, as the Centers for Disease Control reports African- Americans account for 13% of the United States population but a staggering 49% of HIV/AIDS infections, it is through initiatives like The Red Pump Project that transmission can be reduced and ultimately this disease eventually eliminated. I am honored to recognize The Red Project Collective (RPC) and privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise in solidarity with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in support of the people of Haiti. Last weekend, in my district, I held a citywide interfaith prayer service where we sought God's grace and mercy for the lives of those who were lost in last week's earthquake as well as for the survivors, the rescue workers and those who, miraculously, continue to be pulled alive from the rubble. I strongly support the swift action, last week, by the Obama Administration to grant temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants already living in this country. I urge the Administration to continue to bring the full weight and resources of the federal government in support of a nation whose history intersects with that of the founding of the United States. Haiti is a nation to whom our nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude. It was the brave people of Haiti who tirelessly fought French aggressors, in the early 1800s, thereby preventing that nation from advancing to the shores of America in the early years after the founding of our republic. My commitment to Haiti is to do all I can do, in our nation's capitol and at home in Chicago, to help restore, rebuild and strengthen Haiti. My hope and prayer is that it will emerge stronger than it was before last week's tragic turn of events.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bear witness to the reports of the remarkable response I know is taking place in Chicago and other parts of the United States in the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti yesterday. Thankfully, that response is being led by a fully engaged Obama Administration who, right now, is rapidly transporting critically needed food, supplies and relief workers--both civilian and military-- in an aggressive effort to save lives within the next, critical 24 hours. My prayers are with the departed souls who lost their lives, yesterday, and for the families and loved ones they left behind. I pray that their loved ones find the strength to carry on in spite of the horrific circumstances they face. I come from a city that was founded by a bold Haitian explorer, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable. My hope is that the people of Haiti will tap into a boldness of spirit, and determination, that will help them find the collective will to rebuild. My hope and prayer for Haiti is that this nation will emerge even stronger than they were before yesterday's devastation. I commend CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee and the rest of the leadership of this caucus, and others, who are marshalling our combined resources to help the people of Haiti rebuild. May God bless the people of Haiti and those who are risking their lives to help them.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1319) to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information on a computer through the use of certain ``peer- to-peer'' file sharing software without first providing notice and obtaining consent from the owner or authorized user of the computer, as amended.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this second bill which I am urging adoption of is H.R. 1319, the Informed P2P User Act. H.R. 1319 was originally introduced by the gentlelady from California, Mrs. Bono Mack; Ranking Member Barton, the gentleman from Texas; and Mr. Barrow, the gentleman from Georgia. H.R. 1319, similar to H.R. 2221, would better enable consumers to secure personal information. The focus under H.R. 1319 is on personal information which resides on ``protected computers.'' By making these users of file-sharing software programs more aware of the risk involved in downloading and running these programs, the P2P Act will reduce inadvertent disclosures of sensitive information over the Internet. Under H.R. 1319, developers of file-sharing software programs would be prohibited from installing their software or from making it available for installation or downloading without first notifying consumers that their software is capable of searching and copying files from their computers. Developers would also have to provide consumers with a reasonable means to disable or remove the file-sharing program. H.R. 1319 would not require user notice prior to installation for software that was installed prior to the initial sale of a computer so long as notice of the installation of a covered program is provided in some other form. The P2P Act would also provide the FTC with discretionary rulemaking authority and expressly states that it does not apply to the Federal Government. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Barrow).

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume for a closing statement. Mr. Speaker, again, as the gentleman from Florida has indicated, this is a bipartisan bill. It is the result of a very intense and cooperative process. It was voted out of the full committee by a unanimous recorded vote. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank both Members and the staffs on both sides of the aisle for their hard work on this important piece of legislation. I want to thank, in particular, Mrs. Bono Mack, Mr. Barton, Mr. Barrow, Mr. Waxman, Mr. Radanovich, and others for working in a true bipartisan fashion to move this important piece of legislation and to move it forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote for this bill and to approve this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the first bill that I am urging adoption of is H.R. 2221, the Data Accountability and Trust Act, known as the DATA Act. H.R. 2221 addresses data breaches by requiring for-profit entities holding data containing people's personal information to have reasonable and appropriate security measures in place to protect that data. H.R. 2221 would also require them to notify consumers who are U.S. citizens or residents and the Federal Trade Commission when a breach occurs. For the past 5 years, the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse contends that nearly 340 million records ``containing sensitive personal information'' have been involved in security breaches. High-profile data breaches have plagued financial institutions, nationwide retailers, online merchants, information brokers, credit card processors, health care institutions, high-tech companies, research facilities, and government agencies. Currently, several laws address data security requirements for narrow categories of information or specific sectors of the marketplace. These laws include the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act Safeguards Rule, which contains data security requirements for financial institutions and the Fair Credit Reporting Act Disposal Rule, which imposes safe disposal obligations on entities that maintain consumer report information. In addition, FTC has used its enforcement authority under the FTC Act to bring actions against companies that have made misleading claims about data security procedures or who have failed to employ reasonable security measures in circumstances causing substantial injury. However, there is no comprehensive Federal law that requires all companies that hold consumers' personal information to implement reasonable measures to protect that data. Also, there is no Federal law that requires companies that experience a data breach to provide notice to those consumers whose personal information was compromised. Those entities who determine that there is no reasonable risk of identity theft, fraud, or other unlawful conduct would be exempt from providing nationwide notice to affected persons under H.R. 2221. The DATA Act establishes a rebuttal presumption in the law that encryption-based technologies and methodologies adequately meet the determination standard in section 3, subsection (f)(2)(A) of the bill. More narrow exemptions are provided for a defined category of personal information holders known as ``service providers'' in addition to information brokers who handle protective data but only for the limited purposes of preventing fraud. In promulgating the regulations under this subsection, the FTC may determine to be in compliance any person who is required under any other Federal law to maintain standards and safeguards for information security and protection of personal information that provide equal or greater protection than H.R. 2221. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, as has been noted, and as is obvious here, H.R. 2221 is a bipartisan bill that is the result of a cooperative process. This bill was first introduced in the 109th Congress by Representative Stearns as the lead sponsor when the Republicans were in the majority. It was voted out of full committee by a unanimous recorded vote. This year, it was introduced by myself as lead sponsor, and after making further improvements to the bill, it was voted out of full committee by voice vote. Compromises were made on all sides to produce an effective piece of legislation. I would like to thank both Members and staff from both sides of the aisle for their work on this bill. I want to thank Mr. Stearns, Mr. Barton, Mr. Radanovich, Ms. Schakowsky, and the chairman of the full committee, Mr. Waxman, for working in a bipartisan fashion to move this important legislation forward. Mr. Speaker, it is, again, unacceptable that in 2009 there is no comprehensive Federal law that requires all companies that hold consumers' personal information to protect that data. It is equally unacceptable that there is no Federal law requiring companies that experience a data breach to provide notice to those consumers whose personal information was compromised. This bill creates uniform, nationwide standards for breach notification. That's not only good for consumers, but uniform standards are also good for business, good for Americans, and good for our constituents. We need this law, and I urge my colleagues to support and pass H.R. 2221. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2221) to protect consumers by requiring reasonable security policies and procedures to protect computerized data containing personal information, and to provide for nationwide notice in the event of a security breach, as amended.

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and honor a legendary singer and songwriter, Jerry ``Iceman'' Butler, on the occasion of his 70th birthday today. An award-winning performer, producer and composer, and one of the architects of Rhythm and Blues, Mr. Butler, has enjoyed a 51-year career that began at the young age of 18, when he and Curtis Mayfield formed a rhythm and blues group, The Impressions, in Chicago in 1958. The same year, Butler wrote a song titled For Your Precious Love, which became ``the first of the Soul Music recordings'' and a ``landmark recording,'' according to Rolling Stone Magazine. The single, on Vee-Jay Records, became the first for The Impressions to ``go Gold.'' Mr. Butler, named ``The Iceman'' in 1959 by Philadelphia radio personality Georgie Woods for Butler's ``cool as ice'' delivery and debonair, effortless style has had numerous million selling recordings (``Gold'') during his career: For Your Precious Love (with The Impressions, Vee-Jay, 1958); He Will Break Your Heart (Vee-Jay, 1960); Moon River (Vee-Jay, 1961); Never Gonna Give You Up (Mercury, 1976); Hey Western Union Man (Vee-Jay, 1968); Brand New Me (Mercury, 1969); Only The Strong Survive (Mercury, 1969); and Ain't Understanding Mellow (Mercury, 1973). Nominated for three Grammys for singing and composing, Butler is the recipient of numerous awards, including several from ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) for his songwriting and publishing work; two Billboard Magazine Awards as a writer and artist; two Humanitarian Awards and several BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) Awards as a writer and publisher. Butler was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as ``. . . one of the architects of Rhythm & Blues;'' and was the recipient of a Rhythm & Blues Foundation ``Pioneer Award'' in 1994. Madam Speaker, Mr. Butler, married for 50 years to Annette and the father of adult twin sons, is now using his considerable talent to serve the public as a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. First elected in 1986, Mr. Butler is currently the longest serving member of the Board. In his official capacity, he has led efforts to improve the quality of health services in the second most populous county in the United States, serving as Chair of the Board's Health and Hospitals Committee. Butler also serves as Commissioner and past President of the Northeastern (Illinois) Planning Commission, responsible for the planning and consultation for the six counties of Northeastern Illinois. Madam Speaker, it is my great privilege and honor to my friend and colleague, The Honorable Jerry ``Iceman'' Butler on the occasion of his 70th birthday and I am privileged to enter these words into the Congressional Record of the House of Representatives.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I am here to congratulate and thank Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Thank you, Rev. Jackson, for your historic run for President in 1984. But I really want to thank you for what you did for me back in the summer of 1969. My friend and fellow member on the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther party was assassinated while he slept in his bed at 4 a.m. by the Chicago Police Department and Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The very next morning, at 5 a.m., they came to my apartment, seeking to kill me. I was not there. I was running for my life over the next few days, until Saturday, December 8, 1969, I turned myself in to Operation PUSH and the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson. Mr. Speaker, if it had not been for Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, I would have been killed. If it had not been for Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, I would not be here today. If it had not been for Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, I would not be representing the people of the First Congressional District. Thank you, Rev. Jackson. I love you, and you can't do nothing about it.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today it is my distinct honor and privilege to rise to acknowledge and congratulate one of my state's unsung jewels. Seventy-five years ago today, on October 15, 1934, Melvin E. Banks was born into this world in the, then, relatively small town of Birmingham, Alabama. From his humble beginnings in the segregated South, through hard work, perseverance and an abiding faith in God, today, Melvin Banks presides over the strong and thriving Urban Ministries, Inc., the largest independent African American-owned Christian publishing company in the United States. UMI is located in Calumet City, Illinois, and this global, family- operated business is a vital part of our state's thriving, south suburban community. With all of the accolades and accomplishments that Dr. Melvin Banks has rightfully earned over the years, I stand here, tonight, Madame Speaker, simply proud to call him my friend. Melvin Banks' life story is uniquely American. He often tells the story of discovering his faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the age of 12. Even at that young age, his sense of faith and guidance was so strong that he accepted his personal call to minister the gospel to all who would listen. His evangelism began, literally, on some of the dusty back roads of Birmingham. One day, young Melvin encountered an elderly gentleman who recognized his spiritual gifts and referred him to a scripture that influenced his life's work. That scripture, Hosea 4:6, states, ``My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.'' Upon hearing those words, young Melvin knew that God's purpose for his life was to help spread the knowledge of the gospel of Christ through the unique, cultural lens of the African American experience. And from that moment on, Melvin Bank's dreams and life's work continued to grow and to prosper. As Melvin Banks grew in the Lord, he also embraced the value of a good education. Banks graduated from Parker High School in Birmingham, in 1952, and he went on to study at the Moody Bible College, in Chicago, where he graduated in 1955. Continuing his education, Banks attended Wheaton College, earning a B.A. degree in theology, in 1958, and his master's degree in biblical studies in 1960. After graduation, Dr. Banks chose to remain in Chicago and he soon got a job with Scripture Press Publications, a job that included sales. Dr. Banks' work with Scripture Press gave him his first opportunity to begin to understand how to market to African American consumers. It was that passion to serve his community coupled with his godly vision, professionalism and drive that ultimately led him to launch Urban Ministries, Inc., in 1970. After founding Urban Ministries, Dr. Banks and his small staff operated out of the basement of his home for 12 years. As Dr. Banks' faith grew, so did his media ministry. In 1982, Urban Ministries occupied the second floor of a building located at 1439 West 103rd Street in Chicago. Guided by a vision that continues to serve him well to this day, Dr. Banks moved Urban Ministries, in 1996, to its current 46,000-square-foot headquarters in Calumet City. Shortly before that milestone, it's worth noting that, in 1993, his alma mater, Wheaton College, conferred its esteemed graduate with an Honorary Doctorate in Literature, a recognition of his consummate stewardship over the written and published word. And so, Madam Speaker, as I enter these words into the Congressional Record on this day, it's my pleasure to note these words from UMI's website: UMI is the largest independent, African American-owned and operated Christian media company. UMI publishes Christian resources, including Christian education and Vacation Bible School curricula, books, movies and websites designed for African American churches and others seeking a diverse, Christ-centered perspective on faith and life issues. Today, UMI is the largest, independent African American Christian publisher in the United States. UMI, literally, serves thousands of churches nationwide with curriculum resources, teaching materials, videos and other products aimed at instilling character in the youth and adults of our nation. Madam Speaker, today, more than 10,000 churches utilize UMI materials, on a weekly basis, and a dozen different denominational groups call UMI their publishing partner--a distinction that gives this Illinois-based company its national and global impact. Madam Speaker, for the more than 50 years that Dr. Melvin Banks has been a citizen of our great state, I'm proud to report that he has also been a devoted husband to his wife and business partner, Olive Banks, and the father to his children, Melvin Banks, Jr., Patrice Banks Lee and Reginald Banks, all of whom have worked with their father to help make this company the global leader it is today. As I conclude this well-deserved tribute, let me also say that as my heart breaks for the thousands of children in this nation whose lives are cut short because of violence and unrealized dreams, my hope is that as these words enter the permanent annals of history that some young boy or girl will look upon these words and be inspired by the tremendous life of Dr. Melvin E. Banks. My hope is that they will see in his life the hope, the determination and the abiding faith that God gave him. While every child may not have all the spiritual gifts that Dr. Banks enjoys, my hope and prayer is that they will see in his life what a made up mind can do.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great entrepreneur, community leader, humanitarian and family man, the late Jimmy Leatherwood who made his heavenly transition on Sunday, September 27, 2009. It is often difficult to find words to express the depth of one's feelings with the passing of a good friend and constituent. Mr. Leatherwood served with distinction for nearly 30 years as a member of the Cook County, Illinois Sheriff's Department. He was a Board Member of the Westside Association for Community Action of Chicago, a member of the famed Rat Pack-Chicago Chapter and served on the School Council of a local Chicago Public School. He worked tirelessly with various organizations to provide scholarship opportunities to young people and annually donated food to those in need in his home town of Leland, Mississippi. Jimmy dedicated his life toward making a difference in the lives of other people. He was a shining example of how God can use a life to help make this world a better place. Indeed, many who have had the privilege of knowing him have come to recognize that they are a much better person as a result of his life. Madam Speaker, I want to encourage his devoted wife Joann, their daughter Nazaree, the entire family and the many friends of Mr. Jimmy Leatherwood to always remember to look to the hills from which comes all of their help, trusting that their help will surely come from the Lord. I am truly blessed to have known and worked with him. I am honored to pay tribute to this outstanding gentleman.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. The Public Housing Retrofit program, which I worked with the gentlelady from California, Ms. Waters, as well as my colleague from Vermont, Mr. Welch. It's a new program that provides grants to public housing agencies for energy retrofits and green investments in property. Madam Speaker, this is a great bill. This is a good bill. This bill should pass. I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today marks a historic chance to move our great country forward and transform our economy for the demands of the 21st century. I fully support this bill. It will not only make our country more substantive and energy efficient, but it would also provide jobs and economic opportunities for all of our citizens while opening an entirely new sector of our economy. I really must begin by thanking Chairman Waxman and Chairman Markey for their hardworking staffs and for all the work that they have done to improve this bill as it made its way through the legislative process and onto the floor today. With the chairman's help, we were able to strengthen this legislation by not only protecting low-, moderate-, and middle-income families from rising energy costs, but also providing real assistance for communities like the one I represent for new career pathways to move out of poverty and to move into quality, career-oriented jobs in construction and energy-related fields. Some of these provisions that we were able to get in the bill are the low-income allowances, 60 percent of all the total allowances go to low-income people; local targeted hiring for middle class careers in construction; Low-Income Community Energy-Efficiency programs. The LICEEP program, the Low Income Community Energy-Efficiency Program, will provide loans, technical assistance, and grants to community development organizations to provide financing to minority entrepreneurs.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, American music legend, KoKo Taylor, the ``Queen of the Blues,'' died June 3, 2009 in Chicago. Her masterful voice represented the spirit of Chicago--proud, loud and full of life. Born September 28, 1928, in Bartlett, Tennessee, on a small farm to a family of sharecroppers, Cora Walton would one day be known throughout the world as ``KoKo Taylor.'' She earned her nickname because of a love of chocolate. Orphaned by age 11, along with her five brothers and sisters, Koko developed a love for music from a mixture of gospel she heard in church and blues she heard on radio stations. With one brother accompanying her on a guitar strung with baling wire and another brother on a fife, made out of a corncob, Koko began her career as a blues woman. In her early 20s, Koko and her soon-to-be husband, the late Robert ``Pops'' Taylor, moved to Chicago looking for work. With nothing but, in Koko's words, ``35 cents and a box of Ritz crackers,'' the couple settled on the city's South Side, the cradle of the rough-edged sound of Chicago blues. Taylor found work cleaning houses for wealthy families in the ritzy northern suburbs. At night and on weekends, Koko and Pops would visit the South and West Side blues clubs, where they would hear singers like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Magic Sam, Little Walter and Junior Wells. And, thanks to prodding from Pops, it wasn't long before Taylor was sitting in with many of the legendary blues artists on a regular basis. Ms. Taylor's big break came in 1963 when, after one of her signature fiery performances, songwriter/arranger Willie Dixon approached her. Much to Koko's astonishment, he told her, ``My God, I never heard a woman sing the blues like you sing the blues.'' Dixon first recorded Koko for USA Records and, then, secured a Chess Records recording contract for her. He produced several singles and two albums for her-- including her huge 1966 hit single Wang Dang Doodle--firmly establishing Koko as the world's number one female blues talent. Over the course of her nearly 50-year career, Ms. Taylor received numerous awards for her music. She signed with Alligator Records in 1975 and recorded nine albums for the label, eight of which were Grammy-nominated, and came to dominate the female blues singer ranks, winning 25 W.C. Handy Awards, more than any other artist. In 1984, she received a Grammy for the live, multi-artist album Blues Explosion on Atlantic Records. In 2004, KoKo was presented with the coveted National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for The Arts. She also earned 25 Blues Music Awards, more than any other blues artist, male or female. On March 3, 1993, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley honored the songstress with a Legend of The Year Award, and declared ``Koko Taylor Day'' throughout Chicago. In 1998, Chicago Magazine named Koko ``Chicagoan of the Year'' and, in 1999, she was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame. ``There are many kings of the blues,'' said The Boston Globe at the time, ``but only one queen. Koko's voice is still capable of pinning a listener to the back wall.'' There is no doubt she was the queen of the blues and Koko Taylor's legacy will live on through her music. She has influenced a number of musicians including Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland and Janis Joplin. Her voice lives on in her recordings. We all are forever indebted to her for her contributions to America's rich music history.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and recognize Dr. Angelia Marie Roberts-Watkins on the occasion of being awarded the Doctorate in Education from the Chicago State University. This degree is particularly noteworthy in that the Educational Leadership Doctoral program at Chicago State is a newly created program and as such Dr. Roberts-Watkins holds the distinction of being the first recipient of a Doctoral degree in the 142-year-old history of this academic institution. An authority in middle school philosophy, Dr. Roberts-Watkins' dissertation was entitled ``Crossroads to the Middle School Movement: Are Teachers In Step with the Tenets and Practices of the National Middle School Association?'' She is a former middle school teacher and served as Middle School Manager for the Chicago Public School system. Dr. Roberts-Watkins has also worked as a Teacher-In-Residence on an U.S. Department of Education Middle School Teacher Quality Enhancement (MSTQE) grant program and has presented at national conferences on middle level education. A 1981 graduate of Mundelein College, Dr. Roberts-Watkins also holds an M.Ed in Educational Administration and a M.S. in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Chicago State University. She is a Visiting Lecturer at Northeastern Illinois University and an Administrator at Illinois State University. Madam Speaker, I am grateful to have known this outstanding Educator for nearly two decades and I want to encourage Dr. Angelia Marie Roberts-Watkins to continue demonstrating the passion, perception and power necessary to allow this nation's citizens, both young and old, to meet the demanding needs of a global society.

Mr. RUSH

Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, this bill breaks down barriers for minority and women owned businesses through amending the Small Business Act to allow for greater participation in the Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program. It also makes permanent increases made by the Obama Administration for greater bonding capacity in addition to broadening the definition of contract bundling so that small businesses are better able to compete for and secure government contracts. Modify the Small Business Administration's Disadvantaged Business Program to allow for greater minority participation by raising the personal net worth (PNW) threshold and allowing firms to complete a federal contract before losing the assistance of the program. Make permanent the Surety Bonding Guarantee increase made in H.R. 1. Broaden the definition of contract bundling to force contracting officers to break up large contracts to increase small business participation. Increase oversight of contract bundling by allowing the SBA Administrator to review any contract they feel is bundling and allow OMB to mediate any disputes between parties. Increase the government wide small business procurement goal to 25%. Prohibit contracting officers from coding a minority business in any more than one other minority category to make reporting numbers more accurate.