Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1335) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 508 East Main Street in Seneca, South Carolina, as the ``S/Sgt Lewis G. Watkins Post Office Building''.

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 might consume.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 1335, which names a postal facility in Seneca, South Carolina, after Lewis G. Watkins.

H.R. 1335, which was introduced by Representative J. Gresham Barrett on March 6, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by the five members of the South Carolina congressional delegation, which represents the delegation indeed.

Staff Sergeant Lewis G. Watkins served in action during the Korean conflict. He heroically sacrificed his life in combat on October 7, 1952, in Korea. He was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life beyond the call of duty while serving as a guide of a rifle platoon of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Staff Sergeant Watkins' extraordinary heroism, inspiring leadership, and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice reflected the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. naval service. He gave his life for his country.

So, Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague Representative Barrett for introducing this legislation and urge swift passage.

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

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

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

Let me say that it has, indeed, been a pleasure to work with the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland) and I thank him, and I urge swift passage of this resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, in the words of novelist, P.D. James, ``What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.'' Our children are entitled to stable, caring homes; if we deny them what they truly deserve, we can anticipate a colder, more uncertain future for our nation.

This week marks the tenth anniversary of subsidized guardianship in Illinois, an innovative program that allows foster children to exit the child welfare system into permanent families while using federal funds to provide caregivers with the level of resources provided to adoptive families of children in foster care. To recognize this milestone, my colleague Tim Johnson and I introduced H.R. 2188, the Kinship Caregiver Support Act.

Modeled after the adoption assistance program, innovative programs in Illinois, and recommendations from the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, this bill provides kinship caregivers with the necessary resources to address their children's needs. The bill addresses gaps in existing foster care laws that withhold important supports from children living with relative guardians.

By enacting the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and the Adoption Assistance and

Child Welfare Act of 1980, Congress recognized the need to align Federal incentives with the desired goal of providing abused and neglected children safe, permanent homes. Nearly half a million children make up our nation's foster care population, with more than one in four of these vulnerable children living with a grandparent or other relative. Unfortunately, federal financial assistance currently is available only to foster and adoptive families, with only a few states receiving a waiver to provide subsidized guardianship. However, adoption is not a viable option for many children to exit foster care. For example, courts explicitly rule out this permanency option for approximately 20,000 children in relative care each year. Moreover, adoption is not equally availed by families of all races and ethnicities, especially those in African-American and Native-American communities. Thus, subsidized guardianship is an important path to permanency for many abused and neglected children.

The current Federal guidelines also create financial disincentives to guardianship. Almost 19% of kinship care providers live in poverty, and 30% to 40% of children in foster care have chronic medical problems. Subsidized guardianship, like the federal adoption assistance program, provides needed support to these kinship caregivers to afford appropriate care for these vulnerable children. Terminating support to families once guardianship is established presents overwhelming hardships for these children and families that discourage them from leaving foster care. The limited federal support for guardianship is a critical roadblock to permanency for thousands of children, resulting in their remaining in the foster care longer than necessary and possibly aging out of the system without a legal family of their own.

With 10 years of experience under our belts, Illinois shows that subsidized guardianship works. Unfortunately, the subsidized guardianship waiver program expired in 2006. This means that no new states can benefit from the program, and, when the existing waivers for 15 states--including 10 Illinois--expire in the next few years, our children and thousands of children others will be denied this vital permanency option if new subsidized guardianship legislation is not passed.

So, the Kinship Caregiver Support Act allows states the option to provide guardianship assistance to relatives without a waiver. It also implements additional supports for kinship caregivers, such as establishing informational navigator programs to assist grandparents and relatives in accessing appropriate services and supports. Further, it allows states to establish separate licensing standards for relative foster parents and non-relative foster parents and requires state agencies to provide prompt notice to all adult relatives when children are removed from parental custody. The bill also extends innovative Illinois programs to the national level. For example, it expands eligibility for the Foster Care Independence Program so that education and training vouchers as well as independent living services are available to young people who exit foster care after age 14 to guardianship or adoption. It includes as eligible children who live in relative homes determined by the courts and State agency as meeting all applicable State safety standards other than licensure as well.

Subsidized guardianship is a bipartisan issue. Indeed, our bill is a companion bill to that introduced in the other chamber by Senators Hillary Clinton and Olympia Snowe. Further, as you may recall, the reconciliation bill from the Republican-controlled 109th Congress would have extended authority for these waivers and removed the limit on the number of states eligible, providing further testament to the bipartisan nature of this issue.

As Forest Witcraft said, ``A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. . . .'' As policy makers, we have the ability and responsibility to make a difference in the lives of foster children. We must use that ability to make sure the downtrodden and neglected of today are the achievers and leaders of tomorrow. I encourage my colleagues to join me and Representative Johnson in supporting this critical bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be permitted to file a supplemental report on the bill (H.R. 1873) to reauthorize the programs and activities of the Small Business Administration relating to procurement, and for other purposes. The supplemental report contains the estimate on the bill prepared by the Congressional Budget Office.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 117) commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown.

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. Con. Res. 117, a bill that commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement.

H. Con. Res. 117, which has 77 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Jo Ann Davis of Virginia on April 18, 2007. H. Con. Res. 117 was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote.

On May 14, 1607, Indians of the Powhatan tribe of Virginia saw three English sailing ships approaching their land. The 214 people on board of the Susan Constant, the Discovery, and the Godspeed had departed from London 5 months earlier. They would establish on the banks of the James River what would become America's first English settlement in the new world.

While disease, famine, and continuing attacks from neighboring Indians took a tremendous toll on the settlers, only 60 of the original settlers survived just 2 years after arriving in America, England sent another three ships that arrived with supplies and new settlers to help stabilize the colony.

Jamestown survived because the colonists worked together to cultivate the swamp-like land of the Virginia island and made it suitable for the growing of tobacco. By 1620 Jamestown had shipped almost 50,000 pounds of tobacco to England. Fifty years later Virginia and Maryland would ship 15 million pounds. Jamestown depended upon its agricultural products and trade to flourish as a new colony in America.

Last Friday, on May 4, Queen Elizabeth II visited a tourist village at Jamestown to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of America's first English settlement. The Queen's last visit to Jamestown was 50 years ago. Jamestown represented a government that reflected many of our Nation's democratic ideals and institutions, including the rule of law and free enterprise.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for seeking to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown and urge swift passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia, Representative Bobby Scott.

Mr. Speaker, let me just say that I would hope to be one of those millions who visit Jamestown this year to celebrate its 400th anniversary. I commend Representative Jo Ann Davis for introducing this legislation, and I urge its passage.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 307) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that public servants should be commended for their dedication and continued service to the Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 7 through 13, 2007.

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 would yield myself such time as I might consume.

H. Res. 307 commends public servants for their outstanding contributions to this great Nation during Public Service Recognition Week, May 7 through May 13, 2007. This resolution salutes their unyielding dedication and spirit of public service.

On Tuesday, April 17, 2007, I introduced this legislation in conjunction with Senator Akaka, who introduced S. Res. 150 to honor and celebrate the commitment of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the public.

Over 18 million individuals in cities, counties and States in America and abroad serve our government and the American people. They perform essential services that the Nation relies upon every day. Federal employees from agencies like the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Food and Drug Administration are committed to promoting health, advances in research, regulating industries, and ensuring the well-being and safety of our citizens.

The men and women serving in the Armed Forces of the United States as well as the skilled trade and craft employees who support their efforts contribute greatly to the security of our country and to the world. We cannot thank our public servants enough for the work that they do for their fellow citizens day in and day out.

Governments at all levels simply cannot function properly without good employees who are committed to public service. We should be reminded of their contributions, not just in May, but when we are setting their pay and benefits, and by ensuring that they have the resources they need to do their jobs.

Last Wednesday, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 150, the companion bill to H. Res. 307, and I would urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentlelady for her comments, and I appreciate her support of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 291) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

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 might consume.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of House Resolution 291, which honors our fallen law enforcement officers.

H. Res. 291, which has 72 cosponsors, was introduced by Representative Ted Poe of Texas on March 29, 2007. H. Res. 291 was reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2007, by a voice vote.

Historically, America has been blessed with citizens of courage and character who have dedicated their lives to keeping peace in our communities. Five years after the creation of the U.S. Marshals Service in 1789, U.S. Marshal Robert Forsyth was shot and killed in the line of duty. He was the first of more than 14,000 law enforcement personnel since that time to give his or her life to uphold the law.

Last year, 143 officers gave their lives in the line of duty. For these heroes, the safety of their fellow citizens was their purpose and passion. They made the ultimate sacrifice to fulfill their duty and service to humanity.

Each year, the President issues a proclamation naming May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Our Nation owes a lasting debt and gratitude to the men and women of law enforcement who risk their lives each day to protect and serve the citizens of this Nation.

Every American should honor peace officers, not only in words and ceremony but in their commitment to promote justice, fairness and peace in their homes, communities, schools and businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Poe for seeking to honor our fallen heroes, and I 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 she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson- Lee).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from Texas for introducing this very meaningful and worthwhile legislation. I think all of us owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our law enforcement officers and personnel throughout the country. I urge passage of this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 105) supporting the goals and ideals of a National Suffragists Day to promote awareness of the importance of the women suffragists who worked for the right of women to vote in 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 such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), the author of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from Nevada for introducing this legislation. It is amazing and we would never believe that women only have had the right to vote since 1920. It obviously means we have come a long way as a result of women's suffrage. We now have a woman who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which represents movement and progress.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2080) to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to conform the District charter to revisions made by the Council of the District of Columbia relating to public education.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as she might consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2080 repeals sections 452 and 495 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act and permits the District of Columbia Council to establish the District of Columbia public schools as a Cabinet-level agency.

Under H.R. 2080, the mayor and the council will be held accountable for the management of the District's public schools. Section 452 describes the role and responsibilities of the mayor and council with respect to the annual budget process for the District of Columbia public school system. Section 452 provides the mayor and the council authority to establish the maximum amount of funds which will be allocated to the District of Columbia's Board of Education, but they are not allowed to change how the funds are used for educational programs.

H.R. 2080 will eliminate section 452 and allow the mayor and council to determine the level of funding allocations that each program receives. The money for this budget is entirely local money.

Section 495 established the D.C. Board of Education. H.R. 2080 would repeal the powers of the board and gives the mayor and council authority over the District's public schools. Mayor Fenty has been seeking the authority to reform the D.C. public school system since earlier this year.

On January 5, 2007, the mayor submitted the District of Columbia Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007, the act, to the D.C. council for their consideration. The act transfers management and oversight authority for D.C.'s public schools to the mayor.

It transfers all State education agency responsibilities from the Board of Education to the State education office; creates an Interagency Collaboration and Services Integration Commission; establishes an Office of Ombudsman for public education; and a Public Education Facilities Management and Construction Authority.

The D.C. council has held over 70 hours of hearings and heard the testimonies of residents, teachers, students, parents and leading educational experts on the mayor's proposal. The mayor believes that giving him control of D.C. public schools will lead to a dramatic improvement in the District's school system.

The District of Columbia Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007 passed the District of Columbia council on April 19, 2007, by a vote of 9-2. H.R. 2080 will allow the mayor to implement his initiatives to reform D.C. public schools.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton and ranking minority member, Representative Tom Davis, for introducing this legislation. It is important to note that if D.C. had home rule, this legislation would not be necessary.

I urge all my colleagues to support this legislation because, in effect, what we are really doing is giving certification, in a sense, to actions that have been taken by the District of Columbia's city council and giving them the authority to exercise responsibility for their own public school system, which is obviously the right thing to do.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I guess if I had not had to be here today, I would have been back in my community, where I live, at the Friendship Baptist Church, and I would have been there because today was the funeral for Mrs. Lucy Hall, who was the wife of the pastor of that church for the last 50 years.

The Hall family have made tremendous impact on not only the community where we live, but also on the city of Chicago and its surrounding communities.

Mrs. Hall was a retired educator. She and her husband raised their three children in our neighborhood. Two of their children are judges. One is an appellate court judge in the State of Illinois. The other is a supreme court judge in New York, and of course, their son is a noted psychologist who works in the State of New York.

But Mrs. Hall exemplified the essence of excellence. She was indeed a grand lady, full of dignity, full of charm, full of commitment, full of dedication and full of hard work. She and her husband are legends in our neighborhood.

They developed programs which originated at the Friendship Baptist Church to deal with health issues such as cancer. They provided mammogram screening and education. They had after-school reading and boy scouts and tutoring.

So I simply take to the floor this evening to extend my condolences to the Hall family, to Reverend Shelvin Jerome Hall, to Judge Shelvin Louise Hall, to Judge Hall of the Supreme Court in New York, to their brother and the Halls' son and all of the members of a great family in the community where I live and work.

We shall miss her, but we rejoice in the life that she lived.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 264, the Congressional Lawmaking Authority Protection Act of 2007 and the National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.

Correctional officers are the largest part of the workforce in jails and prisons, and they enforce the regulations governing the operation of correctional institutions as both supervisors and counselors.

While they have no law enforcement responsibilities outside the institution where they work, each day they put themselves in harm's way, maintaining security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes.

By definition, working in a correctional institution can be stressful and hazardous. Between 1990 and 1995, the number of attacks on correctional officers in State and Federal prisons jumped by nearly one-third, from 10,731 to 14,165, at a time when the number of correctional officers increased by only 14 percent. Except for police officers, the number of workplace nonfatal violent incidents is higher per 1,000 employees for correctional officers than any other profession. From 1992 to 1996, there were nearly 218 incidents for every 1,000 correctional officers, for a total of 58,300.

Correctional officers' roles in our society are and continue to be critical. We must continue to recognize the sacrifices they and their families make on a daily basis to ensure the safety and well-being of the prison population.

Mr. Speaker, I spend a fair amount of time in and around correctional institutions. As a matter of fact, I serve as a member of the local school council at the Consuelo York Alternative High School in Chicago, which is located in the Cook County Jail. Therefore, whenever I'm there, when we have our regular meetings, I attend.

I also go to jails sometimes to put up bail for individuals that I know, Representative Scott, who have been arrested. Quite frequently, I speak at jails, correctional facilities and prisons.

And so I simply wanted to take this time to thank all of those individuals who not only work in these stressful situations, but the many men and women with whom I come into contact as they facilitate my entree, and as they assist whatever it is that I've been trying to do and that I try to do while I'm there.

So I simply say, thank you to all of those corrections officers with whom I come into contact on an annual basis, and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. Chairman, I want to begin by thanking Chairman Miller, Ranking Member McKeon, Chairman Kildee and Ranking Member Castle, as well as both the majority and minority staff for their hard work and for including so many issues near and dear to my heart in this bill. Some of those are recruiting minority male teachers; emphasizing children's social, emotional well-being; recognizing the expanding role of grandparents and kinship caregivers in children's lives; keep parent councils as equals to the governing boards; incorporating the best practices from the field of home visitation into the Early Head Start programs; and encouraging the development of on-line graduate training. All of these are key issues to me and to the people of Chicago. I know that you have toiled long and hard to integrate Member concerns, and you have my appreciation.

In addition, I am very pleased that this bipartisan bill preserves the anti-discrimination history of Head Start advocated so ardently by the Head Start and religious communities. Federal funds are not meant to support discrimination of any type, and I applaud the Members of both sides for maintaining this fundamental commitment to justice and fairness in this bill.

Finally, I must mention a concern from Chicago Head Start programs. I know that the Chairs and ranking members have worked hard to address the problems surrounding low-income families in high cost of living areas such as Chicago from losing access to this critical child development program. I ask that the issue of income eligibility continue to be discussed so that the children of working poor families can be included.

Madam Speaker, as we celebrate charter schools I want to recognize the Youth Connection Charter School (YCCS) operating in my Congressional District. The Youth Connection Charter School (YCCS) has a unique mission and purpose. It has been said that education is the great equalizer--it is the key to success.

The mission of YCCS is to provide individuals who have dropped out of school an opportunity--to drop back in and receive a quality education. Since its creation in 1997, YCCS has graduated more than 5,700 students who had previously dropped out of traditional high schools. Just think, what would have happened to those students if YCCS was not available to them. They likely would have become another statistic.

Clearly, the data shows that students who drop out are more likely to be unemployed. In fact, the unemployment rate nationally for high school drop-outs was 29.8 percent in 200. (Dept. of Labor). We know that students who drop out are more likely to be candidates for prisons. A total of 75 percent of America's state prison inmates are high shool drop-outs, with only 59 percent of America's federal prison inmates completing high school (Harlow, 2003). We also know that high school drop-outs are more likely to be receiving public assistance and living in poverty. These negative consequences lead to the destruction of a community and country. Students who drop out are less likely to be married or see a doctor on a regular basis. The benefits of a high school education move society forward economically and socially. A person with a high school diploma is more likely to be employed, live longer, and become a productive part of society.

The impact of YCCS and its involvement as the only charter school in Illinois providing alternative educational services focused primarily on drop-outs can be seen throughout education. In 2005, YCCS placed in the upper third for school performance in reading by CPS in comparison to all of the other 76 high schools in the city of Chlcago.

Conversely, we know that a quality education opens the doors of opportunity and provides hope for a brighter future. An investment in the education of young people who have dropped out of school saves our city and state taxpayers' money. The Alliance for Excellent Education reports that a 1 percent increase in high school gradution rates would save approximately $1.4 billion in incarceration costs yearly. Additionally, a 1-year incease in average education levels would reduce arrest rates by 11 percent.

I am pleased to honor the outstanding work of the Youth Connection Charter School.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 272, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. I also rise in honor of my forefathers and foremothers who were captured through raids and kidnappings, sold to Europeans and subjugated to four and a half centuries of the transatlantic slave trade.

The transatlantic slave trade is sometimes called ``Maafa,'' meaning ``holocaust'' or ``great disaster'' in Kiswahili by African and African American scholars because it resulted in a vast loss of life for African captives both in Africa and in America. It is believed that 50 percent of African deaths, 10 million, occurred in Africa as a result of wars between native tribes. 4.5 percent, around 900,000 deaths, occurred in large forts called factories. Around 2.5 million Africans died during voyages through the infamous Middle Passage, where they were packed into tight, unsanitary spaces on ships for months at a time.

While estimates of the number of slaves brought to North America vary from a few hundred thousand to a few million, the slave population in the United States had grown to 4 million by the 1860s. From the latter 18th century, and possibly before that even, until the Civil War, the rate of natural growth of North American slaves was much greater than the population of any nation in Europe and was nearly twice as rapid as that in Europe. In North America, the treatment of slaves was very harsh and inhumane. Whether laboring or walking about in public, slaves were regulated by legally authorized violence. On large plantations, slave overseers were authorized to whip and brutalize noncompliant slaves. Significantly, slave codes authorized, indemnified or even required the use of violence and were denounced by abolitionists for their brutality.

In the present phase of society, we must recognize the historical significance of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade to the world. More broadly, respect the memories of those who gave their lives in the fight for freedom, and make sure that no generations yet to come will ever experience this kind of inhumane brutality.

And so I commend Representative Lee for introducing this resolution, commend Representative Payne for his tremendous leadership in human rights.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. I am delighted that I managed to make it here.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my friend and neighbor from the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois, Mr. Rahm Emanuel, for introducing this resolution.

I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 118, congratulating the City of Chicago for being chosen to represent the United States in the international competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and encouraging the IOC to select Chicago as the site of the games.

I can speak with some authority on Chicago's qualifications to host those games because I am privileged to represent most of the proposed sites: Soldier Field, the United Center, U.S. Cellular Field, Navy Pier, McCormick Place, Grant Park, Douglas Park, Monroe Harbor, and facilities at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois.

The Olympic Village will rise on land in the Seventh District. And although the site of the future olympic stadium and currently home to the DuSable Museum of African American History, Washington Park is not in my district, it is right adjacent to it.

So with all due modesty, this assemblage of sports facilities is certainly one of the finest in the world. Then you add to that our infrastructure, our world-class architecture, our cultural and historical treasures and our matchless lakefront, and you have yourself the makings of a spectacular set of games.

Now, mix in our sports fan base. The Seventh District is home to the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, and the Chicago Blackhawks. Mix in the fact that for the 2006 Chicago Marathon, starting and ending in the district, we had 40,000 runners and 1.2 million spectators. Mix in the fact that Chicago hosted the 2006 International Gay Games. Mix in the fact that Chicago was the first host to the Special Olympics in 1968, and you will understand that our toddlin' town is for sure a sports town.

Mr. Speaker, the Olympic Games are about fierce, all-out athletic competition. But they are also about the greater goals of the Olympic movement: Fairness, peace, education, and friendship. The people of Chicago have a long and proud history of leadership in these struggles, nationally and internationally.

Mr. Speaker, Chicago is ready, willing and able to make America the proud host of the 2016 games. So I join with the mayor of the city, the Governor of the State, all of the business and community leaders in urging passage not only of this resolution, but in urging the Olympic Committee to select Chicago as the site for 2016.

Madam Speaker, I rise with a level of sadness to pay tribute to a good son, a good husband, a good father, a good citizen and one of Chicago's finest of the men and women in blue, Police Sargent Ralph Ford Jr.

It has been my pleasure and that of my wife to know the Ford Family for many years. I first knew Ralph's mother, Mrs. Jacqueline Ford, when she was a pioneer community activist serving on the board of the Martin Luther King Jr. neighborhood health center. She and my wife Vera have attended Carey Tercentenary AME Church together forever. I first knew Ralph well when he was a young Chicago police officer and I began to run for public office; he was a diligent and enthusiastic volunteer who was not afraid to be associated with our campaign even though I was running as an independent against the existing political machine. The fact that Ralph had attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff added another star to his crown because I had attended the old Arkansas A.M. & N College before it attained University status. Being the excellent police officer that he was, Ralph made Sargent and outdistanced many of his peers. He was jovial, a good talker, had a great personality and a wonderful sense of humor.

Family meant everything to Ralph, he was totally devoted to his wife and children, he had a great affinity for other members of the family, and of course he and his mother Jackie had an absolute long-standing love affair.

Madam Speaker, Sargent Ralph Ford Jr. was an absolute credit to his law enforcement profession, the apple of his wife and family's eyes and a joy to humanity. He shall be sorely missed.