[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 195 (Friday, November 5, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 3684, THE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 5, 2021

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today I cast my vote 
in support of this once-in-a-generation bipartisan infrastructure bill. 
While the bill does not contain as many resources as I feel are needed 
nor is it as robust as initially envisioned, the legislation makes a 
momentous investment in infrastructure that Chicago and our nation 
desperately need.
  Chicago needs the largest federal investment in public transit ever.
  Chicago needs the largest investment in passenger rail since the 
creation of Amtrak.
  Chicago needs to improve its bridges, highways, and schools.
  Our neighborhoods need clean drinking water, our lead pipes need 
replacing, and our wastewater infrastructure requires substantial 
improvements. Parents should know that the water they're kids are 
drinking is safe from lead leaching out of old pipes or contaminated 
brownfields.
  Chicago needs the good paying jobs--union jobs--with an expected 2 
million jobs per year with critical labor protections, buy America 
provisions to support manufacturing here at home, and jobs in the 
growing clean energy industry.
  Chicago needs the historic investment in highspeed internet to every 
American household to erase the digital divide and improve equity in 
technology access. Students, workers, and seniors on the West Side of 
Chicago shouldn't be locked out of education, applying for jobs, and 
accessing services by limited internet.
  Chicago needs the cleaner environment that comes with electric buses 
and renewable energy. African American children experience higher rates 
of asthma, and diesel air pollution hurt our communities.
  This legislation advances economic and public health opportunities 
for people of color. The effects of decades of disinvestment have 
fallen hardest on communities of color. Through substantial investments 
in good-paying jobs, affordable high-speed internet, public 
transportation, safe drinking water, and modem bridges and roads, this 
bill works to improve racial and economic equity.
  I wholeheartedly support the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
because doing so guarantees tens of millions of dollars and thousands 
of jobs for Illinois, helping revitalize my community and communities 
across the country.

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