Floor Statements

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, where I live on Main Street in America, if you get something that you didn't deserve, or if you get something that was unwarranted, you either give it back or it's taken back. It's my position that these bonuses were unwarranted, not deserved.

If they are not going to give them back, then we are going to take them back, and I know that the people in mainstream America will applaud us.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend State Senator James Meeks, who is also pastor of the House of Hope Church in Chicago, which is the largest church in the city that holds more than 10,000 people.

Well, on Saturday morning, Reverend State Senator Meeks called a community meeting to help people understand the economic stimulus package. As cold as it was, more than 2,000 people came, representatives from every walk of life, the Governor's office, all of the other municipal offices. And I simply commend him for this initiative, for giving the people of Illinois an opportunity to better understand the stimulus package.

Mr. Speaker, as all of us know, February is African American History Month, and I rise to pay tribute to some of the outstanding individuals in the community that I live and represent for the tremendous services that they have provided.

I take a great deal of pride in the fact that I represent what I like to call 11 of the most activated communities in America. As a matter of fact, I have 35 advisory groups who advise me on everything that there is pretty much to be advised on.

But two of the chairs I'd like to point out are the education chair, Dr. Lurrerta Hurt, who developed an extensive community education program and approach; and, of course, she put on a great black history program at the Greater Gallery Baptist Church 2 weeks ago. I also would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of Ms. Anetta Wilson, who chaired our Child Welfare Advisory Group. And she and her organization just opened last week an intergenerational living facility that will house 54 families of grandparents, grandchildren, young children, older adult, where grandparents and grandchildren can live in the same environment and interact with each other.

I also want to commend Reverend Walter Bauldrich, and the Coppin A.M.E. Church because on the other side of my district in what we call the south side--I mean, we divide Chicago up into sides and areas. Anetta Wilson opened hers on the west side. But the other part of my district, which happens to be one of the most diverse in America, is on the south side. And Coppin A.M.E. Church opened a 74-unit development for the same purpose, intergenerational living.

So when I talk about the high level of activism, and especially in the last few weeks around just the whole question of the celebration of African American history, I was fortunate to spend part of yesterday at the Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park, Illinois, for their African American history celebration; at the Herman Avenue Baptist Church in downtown Chicago yesterday afternoon for their African American history; then, of course, yesterday the Village of Bellwood had their large celebration that they do every year.

Much of the focus of some of these celebrations has been taking a look at the Reconstruction Period in history, which is a period that many people, quite frankly, don't know much about. For example, there are African Americans who don't know that there were 22 Members of Congress during the Reconstruction Period who were African American-- that is before 1900. During the 1870s, 1880s, and 1890s, there were 20 Members of the House. There were two Members of the Senate.

And of course, there was another Member from Louisiana who was elected to both the House and the Senate, P.B.S. Pinchback, but was never seated. As a matter of fact, Governor Pinchback was actually the Governor of Louisiana during this period. He didn't serve that long, but nevertheless, he was the governor.

So history becomes the melding together of many thoughts, ideas, actions not of one group of people but of all of the groupings of people who have come to this Nation seeking a better life, seeking something that they did not have. And the fact that America has become the most diverse country is a tribute to all of us.

So as we celebrate African American history, we celebrate the history of America.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I wish to take a moment to acknowledge the

99th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. This organization, which was incorporated on February 8th, 1910, under the laws of the District of Columbia, has long been the largest youth organization in the nation and has done well in producing responsible citizens of strong character.

The Boy Scouts of America was rapid in its initial growth; only two years after its founding, Boy Scout troops were established in every state. Time and time again the Boy Scouts of America has proven its commitment to our nation, with initiatives such as, ``Every Scout Feed a Soldier'' and ``A Good Turn for America''. The past 99 years have seen more than 112 million youth bear the traditions of excellence rooted in the history of the Boy Scouts of America.

In the Chicagoland Area, Scouting is as prevalent of a force as it has always been. Currently, nearly 10,000 youth are actively involved in the Scouting program of our local council. In addition, through the Chicago Area Council's involvement in Learning for Life Programs, over 35,000 additional youth are immersed as well in the principles of scouting. Combining the two programs, nearly one in every seven youth in Chicago is in someway involved in the Scouting program.

I am sure that the spirit of Scouting is present in this very body, as it has been in the past. A survey conducted by the Boy Scouts of America revealed that nearly 60 percent of the membership of the 110th Congress had at some point participated in Scouting.

I am grateful that the twin pillars of the Scout Oath and Scout Law have served to shape the character of both young men and women of all ages, colors, codes, and creeds. With the continued contributions of the Boy Scouts of America and organizations like it, we can be sure that our youth are developing into good citizens.

Mr. Speaker, as we recognize February as Black History Month, I wish to take a moment to celebrate the NAACP on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Over the past century, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, has played a vital role in the progress of the African American community. This organization has advocated faithfully for decreasing racial disparities in the areas of healthcare, education, employment, criminal justice, and poverty.

The NAACP is the Nation's largest and oldest civil rights organization. Through grass root efforts, the organization has influenced policy from the homes and communities of citizens to the voting booths and the classrooms around America. The NAACP has involved many, from children and ordinary citizens, to our Nation's elected officials and Presidents. The dedication of the NAACP and its fight for social justice has involved great leadership.

The NAACP has played a significant role in many civil rights victories. Its persistent protests and steadfast support for anti- lynching legislation was critical to making this horrible practice illegal. Similarly, its members championed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that guaranteed that no person could be denied the right to vote because of his or her race. It also has served as a strong watchdog to uphold the spirit and letter of these laws at the State and local levels. Clearly, the NAACP's involvement politically has contributed to the progress of America by saving lives and empowering minority communities.

Ida B. Wells, a prominent civil rights activist and resident of Illinois, was the co-founder of the NAACP. Wells is most known for her journalism. Her writing received the interest of both blacks and whites. After being banned from the South for speaking out about lynching and the government's refusal to stop the violence, Ms. Wells moved to Chicago. While in Chicago, she married Ferdinand Barnett and together they had four children. Her nickname, ``the Constant Star'' provides a testament to her relentless fight for social justice and equality. The NAACP has embodied her nickname by remaining constant in its efforts in promoting equality for all.

The NAACP has grown considerably since its inception. Today, the NAACP has over 500,000 members with more than 1,300 national and international branches, and over 45 branches in the State of Illinois.

Recently, three students from the Chicago Westside Branch, located in the Seventh Congressional District, won at the 2008 National ACT-SO competition. The ACT-SO program, founded by the NAACP, is a year-long program that is used to enrich African American high school students' lives by encouraging high academic and cultural achievement. This program allows students to compete in various areas ranging from the sciences to visual and performing arts. Thus, I would like to recognize Terrence George, Eric Clark, and Aeriel Robinson for their brilliance and hard work.

I commend the NAACP on its commitment to the African American community and its political, economic, social, and educational efforts in promoting social change. I tip my hat to the first centennial anniversary and look forward to its second.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures on February 10, 2009. If I were present for rollcall votes, I would have voted ``yea'' on each of the following:

Roll 54, February 10, 2009: On Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 1: Making Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending 2009.

Roll 55, February 10, 2009: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 114, Supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Girls and Women in Sports Day.''

Roll 56, February 10, 2009: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree: H. Res. 60, Recognizing and commending University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford for winning the 2008 Heisman Trophy and for his academic and athletic accomplishments.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding, and I also want to commend the gentleman from Texas, Representative Green, for his introduction of this resolution.

I rise to be in agreement with all of those who have edified the examples of tremendous leadership provided by the NAACP.

On a personal note, though, I want to commend my wife, Vera, who is the chairman of our local Westside Branch NAACP, and Mr. Karl Brinson, who is the president. They do outstanding work and have continued to do so. I also want to commend Hilary Shelton for the tremendous job that he has done over the years keeping us informed.

And so I commend the NAACP on its 100th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this past January as Poverty in America Awareness Month and to thank the young intern in my office, Ms. Foster, for developing this very excellent statement.

Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela once proclaimed, ``Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right: the right to dignity and a decent life.''

During this season of economic crisis, we policymakers have an obligation to promote justice and to protect our citizens who are struggling. Poverty is a reality for far too many people in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout the Nation.

In the United States, 36 percent of our Nation is considered low income, with 17 percent living in poverty. In Illinois, 33 percent of the population is low income, with about 15 percent living in poverty

In 2007, 21 percent of Chicagoans lived in poverty, with another 21 percent teetering on its edge.

The current economic crisis is exacerbating these conditions. The unemployment rate in Illinois in the Nation is over 7 percent. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in Illinois have been lost in recent months. There are more than 500,000 foreclosures, 50,000 foreclosures in Cook County alone.

And due to an almost $4 billion State budget gap, programs vital to assisting the public, such as mental health centers, are facing funding reductions in the range of millions of dollars.

Poverty is most harmful to children, especially young children. Children in poverty are more likely to experience child abuse or neglect. Families in poverty often cannot provide appropriate resources for healthy child development. Children's physical health and cognitive abilities can be compromised. When compared with wealthier children, poor children have poorer outcomes in the areas of school achievement, emotional control, and behavior.

Living in poverty affects the quality of education, health care, and living conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to be a part of a Congress that has crafted an economic recovery package that provides critical aid to families experiencing poverty. The substantial increases in the food stamp program will directly help families make ends meet. The provisions providing health care for those who lost their jobs during this crisis will help many in Chicago and throughout the Nation.

The one-time payment for families who rely on supplemental security income for the poor, elderly, and individuals with disabilities will provide a lifeline for families that are barely making it. The increases in the child tax credit will help families stand on their own feet.

In addition to these provisions of the American Recovery Bill that will help alleviate the effects of poverty, I look forward to moving towards a system of universal health coverage during this Congress to help all Americans have access to health care. I also anticipate that Congress will consider ways in which to improve public assistance programs, such as simplifying enrollment procedures for Medicaid and other safety net programs.

During this economic downturn, it is critical that we continue to support safety net programs to assure that those in need are assisted. The role of the Federal Government is especially necessary given that many State governments are cutting vital support programs to comply with State balanced-budget requirements.

And Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Mandela recognized, we have a responsibility to work to minimize the harm of poverty. Therefore, I join with my colleagues in recognizing January as Poverty in America Awareness Month and promise to continue to promote programs--no matter what else it is that I do--that are designed to help eliminate and reduce poverty in America.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate African American History Month, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. Valerie Beckley, a resident of my community who recently passed away. Ms. Beckley was a daughter, a wife, a mother, an avid churchgoer, and a dear friend to many. She was a longstanding and active member of the Curey Tercentenary African American Episcopal Church.

Valerie and her family lived on the west side of Chicago during her formative years. One can say that they were pioneers of sorts. They were some of the first African Americans to live in their area. Valerie was one of the first 100 black students to integrate Austin High School in the 1960s. Even as a child, Valerie displayed exceptional leadership, and was the first black female chosen to become the captain of both the girls volleyball and basketball teams at Austin High School. Valerie grew up in a close, nurturing and bonded family formed by her parents--Mr. Larry and Mrs. Ollie Mae Mitchell.

Valerie attended and obtained a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Roosevelt University and, later on, a master's degree in Social Work from Loyola University.

On September 11, 1976, Valerie married Jerome Beckley, Junior, and they were blessed with two beautiful children--Shakir and Kamaria.

In 1979, Valerie became President and CEO of her family's company, the Lawndale Paper Supply, which was the only paper and janitorial wholesale supply company on the west side of Chicago. Here she honed her management and marketing skills and implemented both long- and short-range goals.

In 1986, Valerie became associated with the other love of her life, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois. Valerie assumed the role of camp director of the Bright Horizons Summer Camp. Later, she became a program specialist, and in short order, she became totally immersed in the plight of people affected by sickle cell disease.

In 2002, when Howard Anderson--the founder and president of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois--decided to retire, he stated that he could find no better person to take over as president, and she did, devoting the rest of her life providing aid and comfort to sickle cell patients, raising money for services and working continuously to try and help find a cure for this dreadful disease.

For most of her 58 years on this Earth, Valerie C. Beckley's life was driven by her compassion to serve the marginalized, the underserved and the misrepresented. She became a dedicated leader and advocate whose passion for the welfare of others has helped numerous families in Chicago, the State of Illinois and within the broader context of the African Diaspora.

Mr. Speaker, Valerie represented to all of us who knew her the fact that one can give of oneself and not tire. She gave totally of herself to the end of her life, to the end of time for the benefit of others.

We all say thank you, Valerie.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for this very important bill. I thank Speaker Pelosi for championing this effort to improve the lives of American women and their families.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a bill of enormous importance for women's rights and civil rights in general. For decades, companies big and small have paid women less for the same work as their male counterparts. Today, we correct a major fault in both law and market, and we move toward true equality for all men and women in America.

This bill is important in so many ways. Perhaps most obviously, the bill confirms America's commitment to women's rights. Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, was right on the mark when he said, ``when women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.'' Today we help underpaid women thrive, we help restore a sense of dignity and pride, we help women--mothers and mentors, daughters and sisters-- improve the lives of others as we lawfully improve theirs.

With the passage of this bill, we tell working American women that their work is valued, that it is just as good as a man's, and that they deserve fair and equal pay. The extra 20 or 30 cents per dollar that so many women do not receive means less food on the table or less money to save for her family's future. Over a lifetime, unequal pay cheats dedicated, hard working women of $400,000 to $2 million. Imagine what these women could have done with this money. And to reflect back on the words of Mr. Annan, passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law will benefit both current and future generations.

This bill is valuable not only because of its significant place in the women's rights movement, but also because it demonstrates the Congress' and President Obama's commitment to positive change, change that betters the lives of all Americans regardless of gender or race. Our passage of this bill confirms that equality is a priority for this new Congress. The first bill signed into law during the 111th Congress will be the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, ensuring all Americans that-- even in these difficult times--their Government is committed to the ultimate American promise of equality for all.

I want to thank the chairman for yielding.

I rise in strong support of this legislation, and I do so because it appears to me that it's actually tailor-made for my district and tailor-made for areas throughout the country. Most impressive about it for me is the fact that it provides the assistance to those at the very bottom of the socioeconomic scale, dislocated workers, individuals who have lost their jobs and individuals who are unemployed, money to assist States with their Medicaid deals, individuals who without it wouldn't know where to turn, wouldn't know what to do. It's interesting to hear about great giveaways. But do you know that what is a giveaway for some is a need for others?

There has never been more need for this legislation than right now. I commend Chairman Rangel and all of the other chairpersons who have worked on it. It's a great piece of legislation. I will proudly vote for it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong, unwavering, and steadfast support of the reauthorization of SCHIP to provide healthcare for millions of uninsured children. SCHIP is a critical safety net for children. As Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall once said, ``The measure of a country's greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis.'' Providing healthcare for low- income children, especially during this economic crisis, reflects a commitment to the least among us as well as sound economic policy. A healthy child is prepared for school and life. A healthy child does not require costly emergency room visits. I applaud House leaders for including mental health parity and dental coverage for children.

In Fiscal Year 2007, SCHIP provided health care to over 345,000 children in Illinois. Unfortunately, due to overwhelming need, Illinois faced a shortfall in federal spending last year. This bill does much to address this gap. Specifically, in addition to preserving coverage for the 7 million children currently in the program, this bill expands coverage to another 4 million children in need.

I want to briefly mention the efforts of Chicago Public Schools in helping low income families overcome many of the barriers that often prevent them from enrolling in SCHIP. The Children and Family Benefits Unit assisted approximately 60 schools in a recent 12 month period, helping over 4,200 families' complete applications to enroll into the Illinois CHIP, including Medicaid. I am proud of this effort in Chicago, and I am pleased that this bill will continue to support such programs.

In closing, this bill will provide much-needed health care for low- income children in Chicago, Illinois, and the nation, and I look forward to this bill being signed into law in the near future.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong support of the TARP Reform and Accountability Act. This bill greatly strengthens the safeguards for using taxpayer dollars for the TARP program. Two provisions promise to provide critical aid to Chicago. Requiring the Treasury to direct $100 billion to foreclosure mitigation provides hope to the hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans and families across the Nation who are struggling with foreclosure. Moreover, directing the Treasury to use TARP funds to benefit small financial institutions will help strengthen these financial institutions that play such an important role in Chicago. Hundreds of community banks in Chicago are teetering on collapse. These companies provide important support to small businesses and minorities, and, as of yet, they have not received aid from the Treasury.

I especially want to thank Chairman Frank for including language that highlights the importance of considering consumer protections when determining which classes of consumer loans to support. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and I have worked actively along with 16 other Members to urge the Treasury and Federal Reserve to proceed cautiously when using taxpayer funds for the student loan industry, ensuring that both financial and consumer protections are considered. We strongly support ensuring that students have the money they need to attend institutions of higher education. However, we must make certain that any such plan aids students and does not simply line the pockets of for-profit lenders.

Certain groups of students require private student loans to attend school. Unlike Federal student loans, private student loans typically lack any form of consumer protection (such as fixed interest rates, income-contingent and income-based repayment options, or debt discharge in the case of disability or death). Moreover, private student loan lenders enjoy Federal protections from bankruptcy that other consumer creditors do not. Specifically, unlike other types of consumer debt, private student loans are protected from discharge during bankruptcy except under extreme circumstances. Thus, an individual who accumulates thousands of dollars in debt for purchases of cars or luxury goods can obtain relief via bankruptcy; however, a teacher with private student loans cannot.

Given these circumstances, we hope the Treasury and Federal Reserve will construct its student loan plan carefully to mitigate against adverse consequences for private student loan borrowers, especially in light of current economic conditions. Should taxpayer money be used to support private student lenders of non-federal loans, we strongly urge that the Treasury and Federal Reserve require consumer protections similar to those afforded to Federal student loans as a condition of receipt of Federal rescue funds. Federal student loans have consumer protections; private student loans subsidized by the Treasury-Fed plan should have such protections as well. Further, we recommend instituting steps to assess the underwriting standards of lenders who seek Federal relief to determine if the

lenders extended credit to particularly vulnerable consumers and whether credit was extended with onerous terms or conditions. Similar to the executive compensation restrictions of the Treasury-Fed plan, these restrictions would help focus Federal dollars on stimulating lending while protecting taxpayers and borrowers.

I thank Chairman Frank and House leadership for developing this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.

I am pleased to note that my State, the State of Illinois, has made it possible for every child to receive access to health care and to see that this action takes place across the country so that every child, no matter who he or she might be, has an opportunity to grow and develop to become the kind of person that his or her potential provides.

It is a great day for the United States of America. It is a great day for this Congress. It is a great day for all of the children in America.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Let me first of all thank my good friend and chairman of our subcommittee. As a matter of fact, I am already beginning to feel disappointed and underprivileged because I will not have the opportunity to serve with him this year as a result of leaving the Education Committee. But I want to thank him for yielding time, and I want to thank him for his tremendous leadership.

Mr. Speaker, next Tuesday will usher in a new era of hope, a new chapter in the history of America, when President-elect Obama takes office. This historic moment brings renewed energy to Dr. King's mission and memory. We must not forget that we have reached this place in history partly because of Dr. King's remarkable life. Today I would like to honor his memory and those who work tirelessly for his cause.

Frederick Douglass once said, ``A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it.'' Today, we do just that. Today we reflect on one life that changed the course of so many others. We reflect on the commitment and integrity of a man who stood up to those who said he was nothing. We reflect on a man who had his priorities in line, who knew what was important and never forgot it. And we reflect so that we can learn what we must do as a nation to realize Dr. King's dream.

Born January 15, 1929, Dr. King grew up to be a man who would change American history by fighting for fairness, dignity and equality for all under the law and through the eyes of his fellow citizens. But his journey was never easy. Martin Luther King attended Georgia's segregated public schools. Like so many others, Dr. King was told by society that he was a lesser being and that he could never be as good, as human, as his peers.

But his journey was never easy. Despite the hardships, the bombings, the fire hoses, the dogs, the relentless beatings and the death of those devoted to his cause, Dr. King was able to rally his followers to rise to the occasion by his purpose-driven actions and unforgettable rhetoric.

In the great example of Dr. King's influence, 250,000 men and women, white and black, gathered for the famous march on Washington. It was there that Dr. King delivered his ``I have a Dream'' speech to the Nation.

Dr. King's legacy reminds us that there are some things we must continue to fight for. And although the rocky road that Dr. King traveled is somewhat smoother today, this Nation must continue to promote equal opportunity and fairness for all Americans. As we face today's many challenges, we remember that Dr. King's hope for a better tomorrow is very much alive.

So I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to participate in this discussion, and again I want to thank my friend and colleague from the great State of Texas for giving me the opportunity.