DAVIS TALKS ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION AND EQUALITY

CARBONDALE - Higher education was among several topics U.S. Rep.
Danny Davis touched on while visiting with the public before the banquet.

Davis was the keynote speaker at the dinner, but took time earlier to
speak on several topics, including his continued push for equality in
education.

"We've been having some fun in higher education," he said. "There are
thousands of kids who need financial aid."

Davis said restrictions on federal financial aid funding due to
criminal drug charges create obstacles for students in such a way
that might deter them from an education.

Davis said as strongly as he stands against drugs, he aims to find a
middle ground where students are punished for crimes and not punished
for life by deprivation of educational opportunities.

"We are trying to help reclaim some of those individuals that have
been lost," he said.

Davis said legislation dealing with restrictions is on his priority
list and he is working on some compromises that create greater
allowances for the receipt of federal financial aid despite prior drug charges.

"I am in favor of looking at ways to get as many people educated as
we can," he said.

Davis said he believes one contributing factor for the increase of
black male unemployment is the lack of jobs available today that were
previously done, in majority, by black males.

He said he has been involved in many laws and various legislations
that have bettered humanity, including some early smoking
restrictions. He said that over the years those things have continued
to grow and develop into new laws that have furthered human rights.

"It's an indication that things change," he said.

Davis added that he wants to ensure those changes include equality
and equal living, learning and working opportunities.