Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. Too many lives are cut short unnecessarily.

Just yesterday, in Chicago, 29-year-old Willis Graham was found suffering gunshot wounds. He was dead upon arrival at the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds, according to police. This shooting occurred on Chicago's south side in the Englewood community. Another family grieves. Another gun became the tool used to take the life of a human being. I could stop speaking on this issue, but am I not my brother's keeper? Are you not your brother's keeper?

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, since February of this year, on virtually every day the House has been in session, I have decried the senseless loss of life, due to gun violence, for what I call the forgotten ``Daily 45.'' This number refers to the fact that, on average, 45 people are fatally shot in the United States at the hands of an assailant or, worse, a loved one with a gun.

There's still no national outrage at the fact that this number dwarfs the number of fatalities--Iraqi and American--that lose their lives daily, or even weekly, in the Iraq war zone! And, in the midst of all this, Madam Speaker, today, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that residents in the District of Columbia have an individual right to own and maintain a gun in their homes. This decision will negate the efforts made by D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, and the Metropolitan Police Department, to reduce the skyrocketing murder rate as a result of firearms.

I don't know what community the Justices live in but in my community, on the South Side of Chicago, there will be no celebrations in praise of this pyrrhic victory. Unfortunately, I can guarantee you that, tonight, some parent, some brother, some sister or some community leader will, once again, cry out in agony at the loss of yet another life from the violence wrought by a gun.

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. My heart goes out to the family in Grand Rapids, Michigan who lost a dear loved one.

Thirty-eight-year-old Eric Keith Walton, slain in his home Monday, couldn't have put up much of a fight because he had been receiving dialysis treatments for kidney failure and was weakened, his family said.

Eric was apparently the victim of a home invasion. According to newspaper reports, Walton was shot twice, in the stomach and chest.

I was terribly impacted as I read this statement from a family member: ``They really hurt us on this one. Everybody comes up and says, `We love him to death.' He raised kids that weren't even his. I can't believe this.''

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. No community is exempt from the carnage. Last weekend, in the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak Township, 18-year-old Jasmine Thurman, a recent graduate of Ferndale High School, was shot to death in what police describe as a feud between teenage girls from a nearby public housing complex.

Jasmine Thurman had a family. Jasmine Thurman had dreams. Jasmine Thurman had a bright future that was snuffed out in an instant by a gun. Jasmine, the grand-niece of township Trustee Francine Thurman, was dead on arrival at an area hospital and leaves behind a grieving family and friends.

Her cousin, 16-year-old Chanique Stone, said this to investigators on the scene, ``If that happened to her, what's going to happen to me?''

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing.''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the record to reflect my intentions had I been present. Had I been present for rollcall No. 414, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 415, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 416, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 417, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 418, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No.419, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 420, I would have voted ``nay'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 421, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 422, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 423, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 424, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 425, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 426, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 427, I would have voted ``nay''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 428, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 429, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 430, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 431, I would have voted ``nay''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 432, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 433, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 434, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 435, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 436, I would have voted ``aye''. Had I been present for rollcall No. 437, I would have voted ``nay''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in favor of H.R. 5749, the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008. Mr. Speaker as you know this bill provides up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to those individuals and families struggling to find work.

The relief this measure brings to the 3.9 million Americans and the 221,000 residents of my State of Illinois is monumental and much needed. When I look at my own congressional district, I am saddened. I am saddened that the plight of this economy is taking such a toll on those who are out of work or just plain down on their luck.

The statistics are staggering and upsetting. While the national unemployment rate stands at 5.1 percent, the State of Illinois is suffering a 6.1 percent unemployment rate, and the Chicagoland area is suffering a 5.8 percent rate of unemployment. Moreover, minorities are disproportionately suffering in this time of rising job loss. Nationally, African Americans account for 8.8 percent of the unemployed; while the rate in the State of Illinois is 10.3 percent, and specifically in Chicago a rate of 10.6 percent.

Hard working families and people struggling to make ends meet are calling on us to make them the priority. With the price of gas and food climbing exponentially, rising home foreclosures, and businesses reducing their employment rolls--we in Congress have a responsibility to ensure the well being of our citizens.

The families of the First Congressional District, the State of Illinois and indeed the Nation, cannot wait on the Bush administration for help any longer. Chicago is suffering, Mr. Speaker, Illinois is hurting, America is in need of drastic relief of the Bush economic policies and we cannot afford to let these continue on our watch.

We Democrats have worked tirelessly this Congress to push issues and effect positive change in the economic lives of not only my constituents but the entire country. We have continually been met with resistance by our friends from the other side of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, I support the immediate extension of unemployment benefits and strongly urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 5749.

Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. The reflections I continue to share happen in communities big and small, everyday, all across our nation. Like Chicago, the city of Los Angeles is having its own unprecedented wave of deadly gun violence.

Earlier this month, during the weekend of June 7 and 8, the Los Angeles Times reported that 14 people lost their lives to violence with most of those dying at the hands of a gun. That's 14 people who lost their lives in one weekend in only 48 hours! Why no national outrage over this senseless violence? Even though the headlines read that many of these deaths ``appear to be gang-related,'' those who died-- regardless of their age, their economic status or their race--are children of God. They had lives that mattered to somebody. They certainly mattered to me.

Americans of conscious must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will we say `enough is enough, stop the killing!'

Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. On Monday, June 16, the first day of summer vacation for Chicago Public Schools, 14-year-old Ulysses Simmons was fatally shot. He is the 27th CPS student slain since last fall. According to news reports, young Ulysses was killed over his bike. He had just gotten his first job, working with young children this summer at a local church. ``When will this killing stop,'' asked his grandmother. ``It needs to stop.''

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45'' and the dozens more unnecessary accidents and injuries related to guns. I join Ulysses' grandmother in saying: When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the Record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 388, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 389, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 390, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 391, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 392, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 393, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 394, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 395, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 396, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 397, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 398, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 399, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 400, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 401, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 402, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 403, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 404, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 405, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 406, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 407, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 408, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 409, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 410, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 411, I would have voted ``nay.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 412, I would have voted ``aye.''

Had I been present for rollcall No. 413, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, everyday, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. And while I normally highlight a death related to guns, I thought this next incident was worth mentioning.

In Columbia, South Carolina, a 4-year-old girl, while at a Sam's Club, took a gun from her grandmother's purse and shot herself in the chest. The grandmother has a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon. She was not charged with a crime. The child underwent emergency surgery and apparently, thankfully, will survive.

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45'' and the dozens more unnecessary accidents and injuries related to guns. When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, the Department of Justice tells us that, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. I grieve, daily, in solidarity with those I serve in Chicago over the senseless loss of life from guns, especially among our children. There are thousands of other communities across our Nation that, likewise, see their children cut down by perpetrators wielding the merciless barrel of a gun.

Today, it's my sad responsibility to extend my condolences to the family and friends of 13-year-old Taylor Paschal-Placker and her 11- year-old best friend, Skyla Whitaker, who lost their lives on Sunday, June 8. Both were shot while walking not far them their homes in the small, rural town of Weleetka, Oklahoma. As law enforcement officials continue to investigate this crime, these children's families and their close knit community of 1,000 are grieving and frightened while a murderer remains at large.

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will we say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Madam Speaker, every day, 45 people, on average, are fatally shot in the United States. Young lives are being cut short because of gun violence and families on both sides of the gun are dramatically affected.

Last week, authorities charged Edgar Ceasar Diaz, 15, of Waukegan, Illinois with six counts of first-degree murder that, if convicted, could land him in jail for the remainder of his life. His family is in pain over what their son is charged with.

Diaz is accused of the April 25 shooting death of 18-year-old Miguel Celis also of Waukegan. Celis died of a gunshot wound to the chest fired from a .38-caliber handgun that was recovered from Diaz, according to reports. His family is in mourning.

Americans of conscience must come together to stop the senseless death of ``The Daily 45.'' When will Americans say ``enough is enough, stop the killing!''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. Con. Res. 70, the Concurrent Budget Resolution Conference Report for 2009. I want to commend Chairman Spratt for his outstanding work in moving this blueprint for fiscal responsibility to fruition.

This budget is a recipe for fiscal integrity, reaching balance in 2012 while maintaining a smaller deficit in 2009 and over the next 5 years as opposed to the Bush Administration proposal. With the adoption of this budget resolution, this Congress will reject the misplaced priorities of the Administration by restoring funding to vital programs for our Nation's citizens.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have been an ardent supporter of the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, and I am particularly pleased that this budget takes significant and necessary steps to strengthen the safety-net for those families most in need, including boosting funding for home energy assistance to help millions of low-income families and funding housing assistance for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled.

I am further pleased that we increase funding to make college more affordable, thereby reversing the Administration's underfunding of education in our Nation. This budget substantially increases veterans' funding, invests in renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives, provides funding for green collar jobs, rejects the Administration's cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, expands children's health insurance coverage and accommodates additional middle class tax relief.

Mr. Speaker, S. Con Res. 70 will serve as an important guide as we set spending priorities for our Nation over the next few years and I am pleased to join in support of it.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately I have been out on medical leave. I have been unable to cast votes; however, I would like the record to reflect my intentions had I been present to vote.

Had I been present for rollcall No. 387, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 386, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 385, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 384, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 383, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 382, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 381, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 380, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 379, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 378, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 377, I

would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 376, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 375, I would have voted ``nay.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 374, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 373, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 372, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 371, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 370, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 369, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 368, I would have voted ``aye.'' Had I been present for rollcall No. 367, I would have voted ``aye.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act.

This legislation provides much needed mortgage refinancing assistance to combat the symptoms of our stressed, strained, and stagnant economy. H.R. 3221 provides relief and stability to hard working Americans who find themselves threatened with losing their homes.

Specifically H.R. 3221 authorizes the Federal Housing Administration to provide lower cost government-backed mortgages for borrowers to avoid foreclosure. This bill is not intended to bail out borrowers; instead, it is a surefire way to sustain our economy by giving homeowners a chance to pay their loans in a reasonable and responsible manner. And provides financial counseling for families to remain in their homes and expands home loan opportunities for low-income families and veterans in high cost areas.

This bill is what our communities need. Just in the great state of Illinois; out of 1.7 million serviced loans in 2007, already over 500,000 are seriously delinquent or more than 90 days past due. It will insulate our neighborhoods from the effects of widespread foreclosures and crime. It will prevent our residents from experiencing the crippling hardships that are strongly associated with our struggling economy. And it will make the American dream of homeownership for all a reality instead of a nightmare.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 3221 is critical at this time of economic uncertainty. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation.