Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute.

The Davis-Kirk amendment will strike the new sugar provisions which will drive up the price of domestic sugar, therefore making it more difficult to candy makers, food processors, and confectionery businesses to survive. This new bill raises the sugar price supports, restricts sugar imports, and instructs the Secretary to buy surplus sugar for use in making ethanol.

Since 1997, the sugar subsidies have cost the U.S. economy a loss of 70,000 jobs. The Davis-Kirk amendment will make sure that the sugar program does not cost any more jobs than what we have already lost.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from Illinois, Representative Biggert.

Mr. Chairman, it's my pleasure to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 20 seconds to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Wamp).

Mr. Chairman, I'll use the balance of our time.

Mr. Chairman, I have here in my hand a circular from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that says this amendment, while not the administration's proposal, provides more flexibility to manage the program in a way that minimizes costs to the U.S. taxpayer than the committee's bill.

In addition, the 1 cent penalty on forfeitures will help discourage forfeitures of sugar placed under loan. This amendment also eliminates the increase in the sugar loan rate, helping to reduce cost for taxpayers.

Let's give our taxpayers a break. Support the Davis-Kirk amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

I want to thank the gentleman for yielding and also want to thank the chairman of the Agriculture Committee for his response displaying sensitivity and recognition of a tremendous injustice, as well as a great need that exists in our society.

Many of those individuals who have been convicted of drug offenses should have been in hospitals and health clinics, should have been receiving treatment, as opposed to incarceration and conviction.

So, Madam Chairman, I too commend you for your sensitivity, willingness to work on this issue, and commend the gentlewoman from California for bringing it to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 528) commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Town of New Milford, Connecticut.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H. Res. 528, a bill that commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Town of New Milford, Connecticut. H. Res. 528, which has 53 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Christopher Murphy on June 28, 2007. H. Res. 528 was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by a voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Christopher Murphy, for seeking to commemorate the 300th anniversary of New Milford, Connecticut. I urge swift passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield such time as he might consume to the author of this legislation, Representative Christopher Murphy from the Fifth District of Connecticut.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 553) mourning the passing of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and celebrating her life and contributions to the people of the United States.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Res. 553, a bill that mourns the passing of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and celebrates her life contributions and achievements.

H. Res. 553, which has 58 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson on July 17, 2007. H. Res. 553 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 19, 2007, by a voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague and Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson for seeking to honor the former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and celebrating her life contributions to the people of the United States.

I urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the author and sponsor of this resolution, the gentlewoman from Texas, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson.

Mr. Speaker, I know that Representative Gene Green had intended to be here. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to make it yet.

It is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to Representative Chet Edwards from the 17th District of Texas.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to Lady Bird Johnson's Representative, the gentleman from Texas, Representative Lloyd Doggett.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Rodriguez).

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to another son of Texas, the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, the Honorable Silvestre Reyes.

Mr. Speaker, I simply want to thank the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) for his participation in processing this legislation. I want to thank all of the Members from Texas who spoke.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 519) honoring the life and accomplishments of renowned artist Tom Lea on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Res. 519, a bill that honors the life and accomplishments of renowned artist Tom Lea on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

H. Res. 519, which has 79 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Silvestre Reyes on June 26, 2007. H. Res. 519 was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 19, 2007, by a voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Silvestre Reyes, for seeking to honor the life and accomplishments of renowned artist Tom Lea, and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), the sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 345) commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H. Res. 345, a resolution that commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese. H. Res. 345, which has 61 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Vito Fossella on April 30, 2007. H. Res. 345 was reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform July 19, 2007, by a voice vote.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Mr. Fossella for seeking to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Archdiocese of New York, and urge swift passage of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

I reserve, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and I was just thinking that I spent last evening with about 800 black Catholics at the Knights of Peter Claver at their convention in Detroit. Of course, many of them were indeed from the east coast, from New York and New Jersey and Connecticut, and we just simply had a wonderful time. So I join in support of this resolution and urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for the opportunity to address the House.

I want to, first of all, thank Speaker Pelosi for granting to the Congressional Black Caucus this time on this evening.

I also want to thank our chairperson, Representative Carolyn Kilpatrick, for deciding that each Monday members of the Congressional Black Caucus will come to the floor with a message to address issues, issues that affect not only African Americans, but issues which are pertinent to the quality of life in these United States of America.

This evening we have chosen to take a look at something called Second Chance, and that is we've chosen to take a look at how do we help successfully reintegrate the more than 650,000 people who come home from jail and prison each year back into a normal setting so that they can become contributing members of society, so that

they can become assets and not liabilities, and so that they can be the productive citizens that they have the potential of being.

We all know that it's common knowledge that people being released from prison and jail have complex needs, and that's why Second Chance is so important. Three out of four have a substance abuse problem, but only 10 percent in State prisons and 3 percent in local jails receive formal treatment prior to release. Fifty-five percent have children under 18, and about 2 percent of all United States minors either have or have had a parent in prison. Two out of three lack a high school diploma. And 40 percent have neither a diploma nor GED, and only about one out of three gets vocational training at any point during their incarceration.

Nearly half of those in jail earned less than $600 a month just prior to incarceration, and more than one of three jail inmates reported some physical or mental disability. About one out of five prisoners is released from prison without any real supervision or without any kind of help.

And so when we look at this enormous problem, it is essential that we provide all of the assistance. We know, for example, that those individuals who come out of prison and receive no help, within a 3-year period of time, 67 percent of them would have done what we call reoffend. About 53 percent of them will be back reincarcerated after having used up thousands of dollars of public resources just to get them back in jail or back in prison, not to mention the enormous cost of maintaining them during their stay.

That is why we believe that it makes far more sense to help these individuals return.

You know, it is not easy to get people to come over on a Monday night at 10:30. But one Member of the Congressional Black Caucus has come this evening. Not only has he come this evening, but he comes often. He comes often in terms of the kind of representation that he has provided in this House during his entire tenure, but also the kind of representation that he has provided throughout America trying to make sure that people experience equality, equal opportunity, a sense of justice, and a sense of hope. So I am very pleased that Representative Bobby Scott has joined me.

Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield to him to further discuss this issue.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Representative Scott again for leading the charge in the Judiciary Committee to make sure that this legislation was in fact passed. It has passed out of Judiciary. Without your leadership and the leadership of Chairman Conyers and the help of individuals like Representative Waters and Representative Watts and Representative Sensenbrenner and a number of others, it never would have happened. So we definitely appreciate that.

And definitely Representative Chris Cohen was very helpful and was a chief Republican sponsor of the legislation.

Let me also indicate that I agree with what you just said about America having more of its people in prison than any other developed nation in the world. But the vast majority, 95 percent of those individuals, will eventually return to the community. That is, they will return to the communities from whence they came. That means that every year about 650,000 are released. These men and women deserve a second chance. Their families, spouses and children deserve a second chance, and their communities indeed deserve a second chance. ``Second chance'' really means an opportunity to turn a life around, a chance to break the grip of a drug habit, a chance to support a family, to pay taxes, to be self-sufficient.

Today, few of those who return to their communities are prepared for their release or receive any supportive services. When the prison door swings open, an ex-offender may receive a bus ticket and spending money for a day or two. Many leave prison to return to the same environment which saw them offend in the first place. But, as they return, they often face additional barriers to reentry: Serious physical and mental health problems, as you just indicated; no place to stay; a lack of education or qualifications to hold a job.

As a result, two out of three will be re-arrested for new crimes within the first 3 years of their release. Youthful offenders are even more likely to re-offend. One-third of all correction departments provide no services to released offenders, and most departments do not offer a transitional program, placing a heavy burden on families and communities.

Considering the cost of incarceration, as much as $40,000 per year, and all the social and economic costs of crime to the community, it is just plain common sense to act to help these individuals reenter, become useful and reduce the level of recidivism.

When we think about it, the Second Chance Act will provide transitional assistance to assist ex-offenders in coping with the challenges of reentry. It will help reunite families and protect communities. It will enhance public safety and save taxpayer dollars. It is the humane thing to do, it is the responsible thing to do, and it is indeed the right thing to do.

The bill has the support of more than 200 criminal justice, service provider, faith-based, housing, governmental, disability and civil rights organizations, and President Bush has signaled his support for the legislation as well.

No single piece of legislation is going to solve the reentry crisis we are facing, but the Second Chance Act is a good start. I believe that with its passage, then we put the spotlight not just on the problem, but on the opportunities for solutions.

I am convinced, however, that any serious effort to facilitate the reentry of men and women with criminal records to civil society must be prepared to do two things: First we must be prepared to help with drug treatment on demand for everyone who requests it; secondly, we must find work for ex-offenders. Programs won't supply jobs. And after ex- offenders have undergone rehabilitation and receive appropriate training, employers will have to open their hearts and put these men and women back into the workforce, or they will surely and certainly end up back in prison.

I hope that everyone watching does in fact agree. I hope that everyone listening does in fact agree. And I certainly hope that all of the Members of this body and all of the Members in the other body will agree. Because when we help a person successfully reenter, we are not really just helping them, we are helping ourselves. I would much rather help an individual get rid of a drug problem than have to watch behind me when I walk down the street, or have to wonder whether or not I am going to be under attack because some person is in need of a $15 fix.

Madam Speaker, this legislation is legislation for America.

Madam Speaker, I include for the Record the following statistics on adults on parole.

Adults on Parole, by Race/Ethnic Origin, 2005 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Native

Parold Black/ American Hawaiian/

State population, White African Hispanic or Indian/ Asian other Two or more Unknown or

12/31/2005 American Latino Alaskan Pacific races not reported

Native Islander ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Jersey........................................................ 13,874 2,906 6,679 2,563 19 25 53 0 1,629 New York.......................................................... 53,533 8,770 24,467 18,739 225 312 0 0 1,020 Pennsylvania a.................................................... 75,678 39,517 28,271 6,022 62 295 3 56 1,452 Illinois b........................................................ 34,576 10,124 20,386 3,923 30 90 ** ** 23 Michigan.......................................................... 19,978 9,170 10,209 309 132 38 0 0 120 Minnesota......................................................... 3,966 2,350 996 319 201 0 0 0 100 Missouri.......................................................... 18,374 12,246 5,665 356 55 37 0 0 15 Ohio b............................................................ 19,512 9,717 9,580 156 39 20 0 0 0 Wisconsin a....................................................... 15,505 6,983 6,712 1,209 432 122 ** ** 47 Alabama b......................................................... 7,252 2,503 4,670 32 2 8 0 2 35 Florida........................................................... 4,785 1,940 2,725 105 5 0 0 ** 10 Georgia........................................................... 22,851 7,979 14,872 ** ** ** ** ** 0 Louisiana......................................................... 24,072 8,519 15,432 4 4 2 ** ** 111 Maryland.......................................................... 14,271 3,617 10,602 ** 13 17 ** ** 22 Mississippi....................................................... 1,970 847 1,104 11 4 2 0 0 2 North Carolina.................................................... 3,101 1,096 1,801 126 50 9 1 ** 18 South Carolina.................................................... 3,155 1,029 2,081 20 8 1 0 ** 16 Texas............................................................. 101,916 34,561 39,718 26,920 70 163 0 0 484 Virginia b........................................................ 4,499 2,144 2,243 0 2 0 0 0 110 California........................................................ 111,743 34,535 27,825 44,135 897 1,018 193 0 3,140 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** Not known. a See Explanatory notes for more detail. b Some or all detailed data are estimated for race.

Representative Scott, I don't know if you have anything else you would like to add. If so, please feel free to do so.

I thank the gentleman.

Madam Speaker, I hope the next time we come to the floor to talk about ex-offender reentry, we will be congratulating ourselves, we will be congratulating the House, the Senate and the President for having put into play a meaningful piece of legislation that is going to be good for America.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana for yielding.

I've listened rather intently all afternoon to the gentleman from Texas and his amendments. I've tried to find some logic. I've tried to find some validity. I've tried to find some argument. And, you know, for the sake of me, I have not been able to find any.

You can talk to any educators in America, and they will talk about the great need that exists for science teachers. You can talk to any medical schools, anybody really interested in health care, and they will talk about the need for scientists. You can talk to researchers. You can talk to people who try and keep us competitive with other nations, and they will talk about the great need that exists. You can talk to school districts who are importing science teachers from other countries because we don't have an adequate supply here in the United States of America.

Then I hear the gentleman say, let's not fund these institutions. Let's not give the Roosevelt University, named for one of our great Presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which provides opportunities for young people who would never, ever get the chance to go to college, to learn science.

Well, I can tell you that I still have not been able to find the logic of the gentleman's argument, other than to say let's not have earmarks. I'm sure that Jarvis Christian could use whatever resources that it could get, and of course it would have them if its Representative had requested and tried to get what they need.

So I strongly oppose the gentleman's amendment, urge that it be voted down, down, down, as far down as it can get, and that we provide the opportunity for young people in America to fulfill the dream of a college education, a chance to earn a living, raise their families, make America the Nation that it has not been.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the $700,000 from the Department of Energy--Science account for biology laboratory equipment for Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. Roosevelt University seeks equipment assistance for its biology laboratory which supports student and faculty work in cell and molecular biology. These subjects are integral to majors in the sciences, pre-health career programs, and science education. This request would equip 2 laboratories, creating 48 state-of-the-art workstations and provide equipment for institutions advancing science and science education. The total cost of the project is

$6,000,000. Roosevelt University has partnered with the State of Illinois and local university funds are available for this project. This laboratory also supports the summer career pathways biotechnology program with Chicago Public Schools.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 87) supporting the goals and ideals of a world day of remembrance for road crash victims.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 87, a bill that supports the goals and ideas for a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. H. Con. Res. 87, which has 54 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Robert Wexler on March 8, 2007. H. Con. Res. 87 was reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 12, 2007 by a voice vote.

The third Sunday in November is designated as a world day of remembrance for road crash victims. This resolution commemorates the 1.2 million people killed in road crashes globally, including 40,000 in the United States each year.

Road crashes are the second leading cause of death worldwide among young people from ages 5 to 29, and the third leading cause of death among people aged 30 to 44 years. Vehicle accidents every year have injured and disabled as many as 50 million people throughout the world. Road traffic injuries cost countries approximately $518 billion each year, which is between 1 and 5 percent of the gross domestic product of each nation.

I support this legislation to encourage the people of the United States and of the world to support and participate in programs and activities to commemorate a world day of remembrance for road crash victims with appropriate ceremonies, programs and other activities.

Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Robert Wexler, for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would urge passage of this legislation, and yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2570) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 301 Boardwalk Drive in Fort Collins, Colorado, as the ``Dr. Karl E. Carson Post Office Building''.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in the consideration of H.R. 2570, which names a postal facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, after Dr. Karl E. Carson. H.R. 2570, which was introduced by Representative Marilyn Musgrave on June 5, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on June 12, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has the support of the entire Colorado congressional delegation.

Dr. Karl E. Carson served in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II. He was a communications officer on the USS Strive, a minesweeper. Following his military service, he attended the University of Nebraska and received his doctor of dental surgery degree in 1951. Dr. Carson started his dental practice in 1954. His practice thrived and continued until his retirement in 1994.

In 1991, the Colorado Dental Association gave him its Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Carson was a member of the Fort Carson City Council from 1975 until 1973. He held the city's top post, mayor, for 5 years, from 1968 to 1973.

Madam Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Marilyn Musgrave, for introducing this legislation and urge the swift passage of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, as I was leaving a friend of mine's home on Sunday morning, a young fellow was across the street on the other side and he flagged me down and said, ``Can I talk to you for a moment?'' And so I waited for him to come across the street, and he did. And I asked what I could do for him, and he says, ``Well, I am trying to find a job.'' And I inquired as to his educational background, what kind of things that he could do, and what kind of jobs that he had. And he says, ``Well, I had a job, but then my employer discovered that I also had a felony conviction and he didn't know that when I got hired.'' And, ``Of course,'' he says, ``I have lost my job, lost my house, lost my car, lost my wife, and I am in the process of losing my children.'' And as I listened to him on Sunday morning, it reinforced for me how important it is that we try and provide for individuals like this young man a second chance.

As a matter of fact, our country is the most imprisoned nation on the face of the Earth. More than 2 million people languish in our jails and prisons across the country.

More than 650,000 of them come home every year, and, like this young man, oftentimes find every avenue blocked that prevents them from leading normal lives. Of course, many of them do what we call recidivate, that is, if they don't get any help within 3 years, 67 percent of them will have done what we call re-offend; that is, committed another offense against society. More than 50 percent of them will be re-incarcerated, costing our taxpayers enormous sums of money.

And so I felt compelled to come to the floor and urge my colleagues to support the Second Chance Act, to urge the leadership to bring that legislation to the floor, so that this young man and thousands of others like him can, indeed, experience a second chance.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend and thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for not only her leadership on this but her leadership on many issues that affect not only African Americans but people all over America.

Although we are talking about health disparities, let it be known that we don't believe that merely dealing with the disparities is going to get us where we need to be relative to health care in this country. I am firmly convinced that the only way that we will address adequately all of the health care needs that exist in this country is to have a national health plan where everybody is in and nobody is out; where everybody will have access to quality, comprehensive health care without regard to their ability to pay.

I have spent a great deal of my time over the last 2 or 3 years dealing with the particular needs of young African American males. And if we look at that population group, nearly four out of 10 young African American men lack health insurance. The percentage of uninsured African American men, while higher than that of whites, is lower than that of Hispanics, American Indians, and Native Hawaiians. Young men, regardless of race or ethnicity, are more likely to be uninsured than any other age group.

People without health insurance are more likely than those with health insurance to delay needed care, less likely to fill prescriptions, and more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage when they do finally seek care. They are also less likely to have a usual or regular source of care.

Young African American men die at the rate that is at least 1.5 times that of young white and Hispanic men and almost three times the rate of young Asian men. While the death rate drops for men ages 25 to 29 for most groups, it continues to rise among African Americans. The leading causes of death for all young men ages 15 to 29, regardless of race or ethnicity, are unintentional injuries such as car accident, firearm, or drowning, suicide and homicide. For young African American men, more deaths are caused by homicide than any other cause.

Additionally, HIV is the sixth leading cause of death for young African American and Hispanic men. Yet for other racial groups, HIV is not among the top 10 causes of death.

When I hear my colleagues talk about what we need to do and when Representative Clarke was here a few minutes ago talking about the need for gun control legislation that would make it more difficult to acquire and make use of handguns, that is so real. Not only are those tragedies taking place in New York, but I also take this

opportunity to commend Reverend Jessie Jackson and a coalition of individuals, including Reverend Gregory Livingston, who every Saturday morning have been picketing gun shops outside the City of Chicago. Fortunately, you cannot purchase a handgun in Chicago, but you can go right outside and purchase all that you want.

So I commend them for their efforts to make real the notion that change can occur, but it only comes as we are activated, motivated, stimulated, and involved.

So, again, Representative Jones, I thank you for your leadership. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to put a face on this problem that is plaguing African Americans all over America.

I must tell you, I was in Detroit at the NAACP convention last week, and there were some folks there from Ohio. And as we talked about what needed to happen, I know I don't have to ask you, but I just know that my representative, Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, is up on this, as in my man, you got it right. You're on it; stay on it. We appreciate you so much.

Madam Speaker, great societies are often described by their cultural attributes which are often weaved into the fabric of a community, a city and a nation bringing joy, satisfaction and hope into the hearts and minds of the people. Such has been the case and the experiences of the Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago which was founded in 1972 and has developed a remarkable history and a great legacy.

The Muntu Dance Group is more than dances, they are a concept, an embodiment of psychic movement. They are a program, a place, an opportunity for young people, for people of all ages to be engaged, involved and influenced. Madam Speaker, the Muntu is an art form to be copied, preserved and proliferated throughout the world and that is why their capital campaign is so vitally important.

The Muntu Group is well into a $17 million capital campaign to build its own performing center at 71st and Ellis on the South Side of Chicago. The Muntu Dance Group has come a long way in 35 years and I am pleased to commend and congratulate them on their outstanding achievement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 526, ``Supporting Ownership and Responsible Lending.'' Home ownership plays an integral role helping this Nation's citizens realize the American Dream.

Now more than ever we must increase the awareness of risky loans to protect present and future homeowners. Home ownership is a vital part of our Nation's economy. It benefits neighborhoods by raising property values and providing economic and social capital.

Nationally, in 2006, a record setting 75,000,000 Americans owned homes. In the 7th District of Illinois, there are 238,000 housing units. Of those 238,000 units 49 percent are owner occupied and 51 percent are renter occupied. Fifty-four percent of those who rent spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing.

The housing boom from 2001 to 2006, lower mortgage rates and increased liquidity in the secondary mortgage market, all led to the growth of sub-prime mortgage industries. These secondary mortgage markets created home ownership opportunities for lower income families, people with little or no credit histories, and families without any access to down payments.

The downside to these newly formed opportunities would be the birth of predatory lending. This occurs when lenders hide the true cost of sub-prime loans from unsophisticated borrowers. These unfair practitioners are the main reason for the sudden wave of foreclosures. Foreclosure, when considering both legal and administrative expenses, would cost the borrower an average of $7,200.

In Chicago alone, due to the predatory lending practices of various institutions, the rate of foreclosure on sub-prime loans is 19.2 percent; this is up 37 percent from approximately 5 years ago. From my understanding the property value surrounding the foreclosed home is devalued by $30,000.

This would cause responsible lenders to lose thousand of dollars per foreclosure. Another negative aspect of this sudden rise in foreclosures is the costly affects that it has on local government because abandoned homes cost districts tax revenue.

By definition the lost that is suffered by the districts will have a spiraling effect throughout the community, taking funds from education and the economy.

I commend the Hon. Elijah Cummings for introducing House Resolution 526, ``Supporting Ownership and Responsible Lending.'' I am a firm supporter for enforcing rules that would prevent persons from falling victim to unfair practices. By enforcing rules to eliminate unfair practices in sub-prime mortgage lending, addressing appraisal and other mortgage fraud, and increasing opportunities for loan counseling, we will raise the awareness of risky loans and protect present and future homeowners.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this investment in America. In spite of what we have heard from the other side about a spending plan, what we are really looking at is an investment in education, for those individuals who, without it, would never have an opportunity to experience a college education.

I have heard some things that I thought were unimaginable this afternoon. Eighty percent of the students in my district who attend the University of Illinois rely upon financial aid.

This legislation provides money for Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are falling apart, many of them, at the seams, Hispanic-serving institutions. Individuals who would never, ever get an opportunity to go to college and experience higher education will do so as a result of this legislation, this investment in America. I thank the chairman for a great bill, and I urge its passage.

First let me express my sincere appreciation to Chairman Miller, and Subcommittee Chairman Hinojosa for their efforts in introducing this landmark legislation to Congress. In my tenure as a Congressional representative for the citizens of the 7th District of Illinois, this is one of, if not the most critical national policy initiative for which I have been able to advocate. Why? Because in my district for example, approximately 80 percent of the students attending the University of Illinois rely on financial aid programs to support their education, and this bill provides the single largest increase in college aid to students across the country since the GI Bill.

The College Cost Reduction Act increases the maximum Pell Grant scholarship by at least $500 over the next 5 years, and I am pleased that an amendment which I cosponsored added $900,000,000 to the pool; invests in Upward Bound, a proven effective program that empowers students with the resources they need to help them succeed as they pursue higher education; and invests substantial appropriations in historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled, Native and predominately black institutions and American and Asian American Pacific institutions.

Detractors will try to paint this as another spending boondoggle by the Democrats, but this bill benefits students and families at no new cost to taxpayers by cutting excess subsidies the Federal government pays to lenders in the student loan industry.

Some may ask why we didn't just focus on Pell Grants, but the fact remains that families who don't qualify for Pell Grants still need assistance paying for college costs, and that approximately 50 percent of students who do qualify for Pell Grants borrow money to pay for college costs. The College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 is the national policy initiative which demonstrates that America recognizes its responsibility to provide an educational environment that inspires and supports the pursuit of academic excellence.