February 7, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1291 of the , remarked that the spir- dom and rights in this country for all citizens. 2007. This short-term extension will en- ituals, ‘‘told a tale of woe which was then alto- The African American spiritual is not only testi- sure entrepreneurs continue to have gether beyond my feeble comprehension; they mony of history, but is a part of our national access to the programs at the SBA that were tones loud, long, and deep; they heritage. are designed to stimulate job creation breathed the prayer and complaint of souls Mr. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speak- and economic development throughout boiling over with the bitterest anguish. Every er, I yield back my time. the United States. tone was a testimony against slavery and a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Small businesses rely heavily on the prayer to God for deliverance from chains. question is on the motion offered by SBA and its programs to start and run ...’’ the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. their ventures. As the sole Federal Unfortunately their plight for freedom from DAVIS) that the House suspend the agency charged with assisting this Na- slavery would not end until 1865 when the rules and agree to the resolution, H. tion’s 26 million small businesses, it is United States ratified the 13th amendment to Res. 120. critical that the SBA is able to meet the constitution, but our fight for equality The question was taken. their needs. against injustices, though easier today, still The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the While the original bill would have ex- tarries on. The singing of these African Amer- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being tended the agency until December 31, ican spirituals is just as much a part of Amer- in the affirmative, the ayes have it. 2007, we will support this bill in order ica as our flag and should be celebrated and Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speak- to ensure the agency’s programs can seen as a thread in the fabric of our rich and er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. operate through the end of July with diverse nation. The yeas and nays were ordered. no disruptions. As such, we move to Many slaves were not allowed to learn to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- pass H.R. 434 today. I look forward to working with Rank- read and write but they were allowed to have ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the ing Member Steve Chabot to draft a bi- their faith and their song. It was these two Chair’s prior announcement, further partisan bill that will ensure the SBA things that became a foundation in the African proceedings on this question will be can adequately and efficiently respond American community and intertwined, was postponed. to the needs of entrepreneurs. Our Na- used as a method of survival, as a means to f cope with human servitude and echoed their tion’s main job creators, small busi- strong desire to be free. It was in these songs TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AU- nesses, deserve nothing less. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of that an oral history of their plight was commu- THORIZATION OF PROGRAMS UNDER SMALL BUSINESS ACT my time. nicated to each other, taught to their children, Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield recorded their sad history and healed their AND SMALL BUSINESS INVEST- MENT ACT OF 1958 myself such time as I might consume. broken hearts. This bill simply, as the chairwoman The Old Negro spiritual is still alive today. Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I indicated, extends all the programs, in- The influence of these songs is felt in gospel move to suspend the rules and concur cluding pilot programs, the authorities and the many popular genres of music that in the Senate amendments to the bill or provisions of the Small Business Act evolved from gospel. African American spir- (H.R. 434) to provide for an additional and the Small Business Investment Act ituals spread all over the United States, and temporary extension of programs under as they are presently constituted until the songs we know of today may only rep- the Small Business Act and the Small July 31 of this year. The programs and resent a small portion of the total of Business Investment Act of 1958 authorities of the Small Business Ad- the spirituals that once existed. through December 31, 2007, and for ministration expired on February 2. We I thank my colleague, Ms. DELAURO, for in- other purposes. would have preferred a longer exten- troducing this important legislation, to ensure The Clerk read as follows: sion, but the other body insisted on a that we celebrate, treasure and recognize the Senate amendments: shorter extension date of July 31. African American spiritual as a national treas- Strike out all after the enacting clause and Passage of this bill will hopefully ure and I urge my colleagues to join me in insert: give the Small Business Committees in supporting this resolution. SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION both the House and the Senate the Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I OF AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAMS time necessary to work in a bipartisan rise today to express my strong support for H. UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE SMALL BUSINESS INVEST- manner on a more comprehensive SBA Res. 120, which recognizes the African Amer- MENT ACT OF 1958. reauthorization bill. ican spiritual as a national treasure. The Afri- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1 of the Act entitled Many of the programs of the SBA do can American spiritual is both an expression ‘‘An Act to extend temporarily certain authori- not operate under a direct appropria- of culture and faith, and a symbol of the path ties of the Small Business Administration’’, ap- tion. This legislation will reaffirm to triumph in our democracy. proved October 10, 2006 (Public Law 109–316; 120 their legality to operate, including the The African American spiritual originated Stat. 1742), is amended by striking ‘‘February 2, Advisory Committee on Veterans Busi- with many cultures in Africa, and became one 2007’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘July ness Affairs. 31, 2007’’. of the few forms of expression that the African Mr. Speaker, this bill is quite simple. slaves were able to maintain while held in (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on February It contains the exact same language, bondage in America. The spirituals not only 2, 2007. with only the date changed, that served to uplift, but also served as a secret Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘An Act to passed the House last month by an code to direct those enslaved to freedom. provide for an additional temporary exten- overwhelming vote of 413–2. Lyrics from songs like ‘‘Steal Away (to Jesus)’’ sion of programs under the Small Business Again, I look forward to working in a and ‘‘Wade in the Water’’ were guides for Act and the Small Business Investment Act bipartisan manner with Chairwoman those who planned to escape and served as of 1958 through July 31, 2007, and for other VELA´ ZQUEZ and other committee mem- instructions to allow those escaping to avoid purposes’’. bers to produce a good, fiscally respon- being traced by slave catchers. Spirituals such The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- sible SBA reauthorization bill that can as ‘‘Follow the Drinking Gourd’’ were also ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from eventually be signed into law by the means of secretly communicating maps and New York (Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ) and the President. I especially want to thank directions for escaping slaves to reach the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) Chairwoman VELA´ ZQUEZ for her gra- network of the Underground Railroad. After each will control 20 minutes. ciousness in agreeing to bring up this the abolition of slavery in the United States in The Chair recognizes the gentle- bill in such a quick manner. 1865, the African American spiritual remained woman from New York. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. an important expression of culture, faith, and Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I 434 with the Senate amendments so social justice, especially during the Civil Rights yield myself as much time as I may that our Nation’s small businesses will movements across the Nation in the 1950s consume. see no interruption of service from the and 1960s. Mr. Speaker, today we will consider SBA over the next 5 months while we And so today, also in honor of Black History H.R. 434 as it came back to us from the work to adopt a comprehensive reau- Month, I ask my colleagues to join me in cele- Senate. This bill extends the authoriza- thorization bill. brating the African American spiritual and the tion of the Small Business Administra- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of legacy left to us by those who fought for free- tion and its programs through July 31, my time.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:02 Feb 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A07FE7.007 H07FEPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE H1292 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE February 7, 2007 Ms. VELA´ ZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I former competitor to state battle with lung cancer. He was a great have no further speakers at this time, that ‘‘ was the kindest, sweet- race car driver, known to his friends as and I yield back the balance of my est, most considerate person I have ever BP. He spent his early years in North time. known. He was a great champion, a great Carolina, where he began his career in ambassador for our sport but more than Mr. CHABOT. We also have no fur- that, he was a great person. He exemplified sports playing high school football. ther speakers, and we yield back the that good guys can be winners too.’’: Now, Shortly after high school, his family balance of our time. therefore, be it moved to where his father ran The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Resolved, That the House of Representa- a taxicab company. He helped his fa- question is on the motion offered by tives— ther and drove cabs and also worked at the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. (1) recognizes Benny Parsons as one of the a local gas station. greatest race car drivers ever to participate VELA´ ZQUEZ) that the House suspend the In a town known as Motor City, in the sport of auto racing and recognizes his rules and concur in the Senate amend- many contributions to the Nation through- Benny’s interest and experience in ments to the bill, H.R. 434. out his lifetime; automobiles and racing thrived. He The question was taken; and (two- (2) honors Benny Parsons for transcending quickly became a real huge race fan. thirds being in the affirmative) the the sport of auto racing to become a role As the story goes, he lucked out rules were suspended and the Senate model as both a talented competitor and when a truck towing a race car pulled amendments were concurred in. mentor and as a loving husband and father; into the station for a fill-up, and after A motion to reconsider was laid on and talking with the truck driver, he was the table. (3) extends its deepest condolences to the invited to join him on his way to near- family of Benny Parsons. f by Mount Clemens Speedway. Once The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- they arrived at the track, the race car HONORING THE LIFE OF BENNY ant to the rule, the gentleman from Il- driver who was supposed to drive the PARSONS linois (Mr. DAVIS) and the gentleman car did not show up, and so BP offered Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I from Indiana (Mr. BURTON) each will to drive the car, and that was his first move to suspend the rules and agree to control 20 minutes. race. The Chair recognizes the gentleman the resolution (H. Res. 69) recognizing It is hard to believe that somebody from Illinois. and honoring Benny Parsons and ex- would go from a gas station to a race pressing the condolences of the House GENERAL LEAVE car and get in it right away. I am from of Representatives to his family on his Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I Indianapolis, Indiana. The Indianapolis death. ask that all Members may have 5 legis- 500 is driven there, and I cannot imag- lative days in which to revise and ex- The Clerk read as follows: ine anybody without any past experi- tend their remarks. ence getting into a race car and driving H. RES. 69 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Whereas Benny Parsons was born in Wilkes objection to the request of the gen- it and doing well, but BP did. County, , on July 12, 1941, and tleman from Illinois? b 1200 resided in the towns of Ellerbe and Concord, There was no objection. In 1964, Benny Parsons drove in his North Carolina in the Eighth Congressional Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I District; first official NASCAR race. Only a year yield myself such time as I may con- Whereas Benny Parsons was the son of later, he received the Rookie of the Hazel and the late Harold Parsons and the sume. Year award from the Auto Racing Club Mr. Speaker, today we honor and re- brother of Steve, Phil and Patty; of America, in one year. He would go member the life of Benny Parsons and Whereas Benny Parsons started racing in on to win the ARCA championship in 1963 at the Mt. Clemens Speedway in Mt. his contribution to the racing commu- both 1968 and 1969. He had an impres- Clemens, Michigan; nity. Mr. Parsons was a legendary sive record in racing during 1971 and Whereas Benny Parsons was the Auto- NASCAR driver and TV analyst. His 1972, and his points earned him the mobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) thoughtful insights as an announcer NASCAR championship in 1973. Rookie of the Year in 1965 and ARCA Cham- earned him the nickname The Pro- pion in 1968 and 1969; He also won the in 1975 fessor, and his achievements as a driver Whereas Benny Parsons was the first and the 1980 World 600 championship at include a Winston Cup NASCAR cham- ARCA Champion inducted into the Inter- Charlotte, and he continued on to win national Sports Hall of Fame; pionship. Born in Wilkes County, North Caro- the National Speedway USA, the Texas Whereas Benny Parsons made his Winston World Speedway and his career final Cup debut in 1970 and had his first Winston lina, he developed a penchant for Cup victory at South Boston Virginia Speed- and racing with his father. At the age victory at the Coca-Cola 500 in Atlanta, way in 1971; of 18, he moved to Detroit where he Georgia. Overall, he had 283 top-10 fin- Whereas Benny Parsons was Winston Cup drove taxis and worked at a service ishes and won 21 major races. Champion in 1973; station. Soon thereafter he started his After he finished his last race in 1988, Whereas Benny Parsons had an extraor- NASCAR career. In 1971, he won his he switched gears from driving to com- dinary career as a National Association for mentating. He started out reporting Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) driver, first race, and in 1973 won the NASCAR championship. Mr. Parsons battled from the pits during his final years of winning 21 races, including the 1975 Daytona racing but began full time for both 500; with drivers like and Whereas in 1982 Benny Parsons qualified Carl Yarborough throughout his racing ESPN and TBS in 1988. His firsthand for the NASCAR Winston 500 at Talladega career that stretched over 20 years. knowledge of the sport captivated his Superspeedway at 200.175 miles per hour, the After Parsons retired from racing in audiences. He could talk from the pro- first NASCAR qualification run over 200 1988, he became a commentator and a spective of both a fan and a driver, and mph; recognized voice for NASCAR. His was skilled at sharing his insights Whereas in 1998 Benny Parsons was named through his broadcasts. one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR work helped NASCAR become one of the most widely watched sports in As the NASCAR industry grew more History; popular and was televised more fre- Whereas after a successful career as a driv- America and taught many newcomers er, Benny Parsons developed a successful ca- to understand and enjoy racing. Earlier quently, he commentated for both NBC reer in broadcasting, further expanding his this year Mr. Parsons succumbed to and TNT. Parsons received an ACE sport through his insight and commentary; complications from lung cancer. award in 1989 and an ESPN Emmy Whereas Benny Parsons was known for his So I urge my colleagues to rise in award in 1986. His talent as an an- kindness by all who had the good fortune to support of H. Res. 69. nouncer earned him the new nickname, meet him; Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of The Professor. It is a long way from Whereas Benny Parsons was a loving hus- my time. race car driver to professor, but he band to his wife Terri and an exceptional fa- earned it. ther to his sons Kevin and Keith; Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- Whereas Benny Parsons was a man of er, I yield myself such time as I may When he spoke, audiences listened strong faith and character; and consume. and learned from him. In the summer Whereas Benny Parsons passed away on We are very sorry to hear about of 2006, Parsons began to have trouble January 16, 2007, prompting friend and Benny Parsons losing his life and his breathing. His doctors diagnosed him

VerDate Aug 31 2005 04:02 Feb 08, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K07FE7.041 H07FEPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with HOUSE