Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Libby Nardo of Burbank, California. Every March we celebrate Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions and the sacrifices made by our nation's women. Accordingly it is my privilege to highlight Ms. Nardo as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my district.

When Libby moved to Burbank with her family 55 years ago, her eldest son started school and she started a lifetime of community service. Having begun with Boy & Girl Scouts, Little League, and general church maintenance and bookkeeping, she is now a city-appointed representative of the Senior Citizens' Board of Burbank, co-leader of St. Finbar Catholic Church's venerable service group, the Italian Catholic Federation, and an essential member of the Joslyn Senior Center's leadership team. Libby's ubiquitous presence is astounding: she serves on numerous boards and committees, volunteers with substance abuse prevention and youth literacy programs, and is a dependable and approachable community leader.

Libby is known for her willingness to take on any task, from chairing the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for over 200 poor and elderly Burbank residents to distributing refreshments at the yearly Senior Prom. Four mornings a week Libby becomes her own travelling food bank. After a quick stop at the nearby market, she sorts and distributes baked goods to local aid and senior centers, churches, and the Salvation Army.

With such an exhaustive catalog of community commitments, it is no wonder Libby is known among her peers as a model of volunteerism. She has previously been honored with both a 20-year service award and a Presidential Lifetime Service Award, and I am pleased to applaud her today.

Libby's steadfast dedication and selfless service are an invaluable addition to the legacy of Women's History Month. With gratitude and admiration, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring an extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Ms. Libby Nardo.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Yin Yin Huang of Alhambra, California. Every March we celebrate Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions and the sacrifices made by our Nation's women. Accordingly it is my privilege to highlight Mrs. Huang as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my district.

Now an acclaimed master piano instructor, Yin Yin was born in Taiwan and began her musical training at the age of ten. At sixteen years old, Yin Yin made her concert debut with the Chinese Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and soon after with the Formosa Chamber Orchestra. She attained her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chinese Culture, Taipei, and a Masters in Music from California State University, Los Angeles.

Today, Yin Yin has approximately thirty years of musical teaching experience, including courses taught in Taiwan before immigrating to the United States, and serves as a faculty member at California State University, Los Angeles. As an international concert pianist, she has worked with artists from all over the world such as the renowned baritone Dr. William Warfield. From East Asia to the Americas, Yin Yin's musical impact resonates around the world.

Yin Yin always wanted to realize her lifelong desire to make a meaningful difference in her community through music. Showing great compassion and a strong sense of civic duty, she organized a series of local charity concerts to raise money for the 1999 Taiwanese earthquake, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans musicians, and the 2004 South Asian tsunami relief effort.

Yin Yin and her husband have also conducted concerts at local retirement homes, annual midsummer events, and soloist and small ensemble recitals for the past twelve years. In 2005 she established the Acevedo Music & Art Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that enables youths to put their artistic talents to use for benevolent purposes.

In recognition of her charitable work, Yin Yin received the International Federation for World Peace's Ambassador of Peace Award in 2006 and the Pasadena Human Relations Commission's Model of Unity Award in 2008.

Yin Yin has truly surpassed her goal to use music as a tool of positive change in the world; her daily piano lessons inspire others to do so as well. Her steadfast dedication and selfless service are an invaluable addition to the legacy of Women's History Month. With gratitude and admiration, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring an extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Mrs. Yin Yin Huang.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Pasadena, California. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with the theme ``The Church--Moving Forward in the Power of the Holy Spirit.''

Established in February 1959, under the leadership of Reverend Freeman S. Stevens with seventeen members, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church was formally recognized in June of that year as a constituted Baptist Church. For a few months, the church held services at the Pasadena Buddhist Church and with Dr. J. W. Coleman at Community Baptist Church in Pasadena. In December of 1959, Reverend Stevens and church members moved into a small frame house at 1972 N. Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena, and with the assistance of architect Luther Eskijian, constructed a new church at the site.

Continuing to grow, the church underwent many renovations over the years, including the purchase of the adjacent property in 1984 which allowed for expansion and a major renovation of the church in 2007 under the leadership of the current pastor, Pastor John T. McCall.

Since its inception, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church has provided spiritual guidance and tangible support to the Altadena and Pasadena community. Some of the church's many programs include the Youth Scholarship Fund instituted by the last Pastor Kurling C. Robinson and Wednesday Family Night, established by Pastor John T. McCall. Other services include a food pantry for the community, Project Fatherhood--a mentoring program for fathers, a youth summer program and a youth fellowship group. In addition, the church actively supports D'veal Family and Youth Services agency's programs such as the Alive and Free Violence Intervention and Prevention program.

I consider it a great privilege to recognize Bethel Missionary Baptist Church on its fiftieth anniversary and I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the congregation for their fifty years of service to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Juli Costanzo of San Gabriel, California. Every March we celebrate Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions and the sacrifices made by our nation's women. Accordingly it is my privilege to highlight Mrs. Costanzo as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my district.

Born in nearby Glendale, California, Juli first moved to San Gabriel in 1965. She began as the Owner and Manager of a local small business, Hammy's Hamburgers, went on to become the Executive Director and President of the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce, and now has served as a San Gabriel City Council member since March of 2003. Juli is a past mayor of the City and is also the Vice President of her family's current small business, Champion Sports Collectables, Inc.

Juli's rise to the apex of San Gabriel leadership can be attributed to her unrelenting devotion to the economic and social welfare of her community. She has served as a board member and event coordinator for numerous local organizations, from the San Gabriel Mission Elementary School Board to the Mission District Mercado and the joint Family Festival and Farmers Market. In her role as a San Gabriel Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Juli helped maintain and improve the integrity of the City's beloved and historic public spaces.

In addition to Juli's City and small business endeavors, she remains an active community member. Whether assisting the San Gabriel Police Department's Neighborhood Watch Program and the San Gabriel Community Coordinating Council, supporting the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA and the Mission District Partnership, or just attending an AYSO Region 40 game, Juli is an ideal example of a friendly face and a helping hand.

Her steadfast dedication and selfless service are an invaluable addition to the legacy of Women's History Month. With gratitude and admiration, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring an extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Mrs. Juli Costanzo.

Maadam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Kathryn Perini of Temple City, California. Every March we celebrate Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions and the sacrifices made by our nation's women. Accordingly it is my privilege to highlight Ms. Perini as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my district.

Few people take the chance to positively impact their community to the extent that Kathy has. A lifelong Temple City resident, Kathy earned her degrees at the nearby University of Southern California and returned to her hometown to apply her education towards helping the people she knew and loved. Kathy began as a teacher and a counselor and she eventually became the principal of Emperor Elementary, a California Distinguished School.

At Emperor, Kathy has created and maintained cooperative and influential relationships with the community, parents, teachers, and students. With a clear action plan, she has crafted a school of academic scholars who benefit from Character Education as the curriculum's core. Kathy also shares her insight by working as a consultant, helping regional and nationwide schools develop not only educated but also responsible citizens. Various esteemed organizations have recognized her with awards, from local PTA groups to the National Character Education Center and the Mattel Foundation Family Learning Program.

Throughout her years as an education trailblazer, Kathy has remained devoted to giving back to the community that helped raise her. In 1986 she founded the Temple City Youth Development program to benefit local students unable to afford extensive field study trips and remains the non-profit's director today. For nearly twenty years Kathy has been a dedicated member of the Tournament of Roses and presently serves on the organization's Executive Committee.

Kathy's dual roles as educator and community leader were tested in early 2006 when her school fell victim to the violent act of arson. Even in the face of adversity, she rose to the challenge by reaching out to the community for supplies to ensure that all her students' needs were met, regardless of the devastating classroom destruction. In response, Kathy was happily inundated with resources, support, and encouragement.

We are fortunate to have Kathy, a pillar of loyal community leadership, help us develop a new generation of bright and giving Americans. Her steadfast dedication and selfless service are an invaluable addition to the legacy of Women's History Month. With gratitude and admiration, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring an extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Ms. Kathy Perini.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Brenda Galloway of Pasadena, California. Every March we celebrate Women's History Month in recognition of the contributions and the sacrifices made by our nation's women. Accordingly it is my privilege to highlight Mrs. Galloway as a woman whose extraordinary efforts are vital to my district.

Originally from Kentucky, Brenda has lived in Pasadena with her husband Bill for the last forty years. Together they run the family business, Summit Enterprises, which invests in residential commercial properties in the San Gabriel Valley and trains local youth for careers in real estate. A tireless community leader, Brenda has devoted herself to improving the region's arts and educational systems with a blend of energy, enthusiasm, and humility. Her volunteer work began as a young girl running school paper drives and has grown to include an astounding collection of Southern California non-profit organizations.

In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena YMCA and the La Salle High School Board of Trustees, she has been involved the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation, the L.A. County Commission of Children and Families, the Pasadena Police Department Olympic Committee, Jack & Jill of America, and the Jackie Robinson Memorial Celebration. She is particularly active with the CASA Glamour Gown program, which provides prom gowns and accessories to girls in foster care throughout Los Angeles County.

Showing great care and dedication to the community, Brenda has been involved with several organizations. While devoting herself to these great organizations, Brenda and her

husband have also hosted charitable events at their home for many nonprofit groups, such as the Pasadena Playhouse, the Pasadena AIDS Service Center, and the National Park Service's African American Experience Fund. Their generosity extended to Pasadena City College as well, with whom they endowed a Sculpture Garden Plaza in 2000.

Mrs. Galloway's charitable efforts have garnered much deserved recognition in the community. She has been awarded with a lifetime membership to the NAACP for her membership recruitment and fundraising efforts, received a Campus and Community Special Recognition award from PCC in 1999, and was deemed a ``Contemporary History Maker'' in 2003 by the Pasadena Museum of History. Most recently, the Pasadena Playhouse honored Brenda for her work in the promotion of cultural diversity at the third annual Sheldon Epps Theatrical Diversity Project Celebration, of which she is a founding member.

Brenda's impact on the Pasadena community is a testament to her innate compassion for the people around her. Her steadfast dedication and selfless service are an invaluable addition to the legacy of Women's History Month. With gratitude and admiration, I ask all Members of Congress to join me in honoring an extraordinary woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Mrs. Brenda Galloway.

I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, I want to join in acknowledging the leadership of my colleague, Darrell Issa from California, in developing this bill. He has fought hard for it for several years now. We are hoping this is the time we succeed. We have a deep interest in improving the efficiency of the patent process, in taking a lot of the costs out, some of the litigation costs and the inefficiencies in the patent review, and also by improving the quality of patents. We are at present trying to work on those broader patent reforms. We hope we can succeed with those. This bill is a win-win situation. Through it, we can expand upon the knowledge and expertise of the courts that decide patent issues. We can allow the courts to identify judges that have an interest in this area and that want to engage in further education to improve the quality of decision making.

Unfortunately, these cases are often very complex. The result is that you get decisions that are too often reversed on appeal. So to the degree that we can encourage some specialization in the district courts, improve the cost quality of decisions in the court process, we can reduce costs and we can improve the process.

So I think that this pilot project is a very important step forward.

Again, I want to congratulate my colleague. I know how hard he has worked on this. It is good to have somebody with the experience of getting a patent himself. I have some fabulous patent ideas, multimillion-dollar ideas. I haven't gotten them patented yet. But when I do, I want to make sure that there is a good, efficient system. And should anyone have the unmitigated temerity to actually challenge one in court, I want judges who are well educated and understand that my patent is valid and any claim to the contrary is without merit.

I congratulate my colleague, thank him for his superb work, and urge my fellow colleagues to support the bill.

I rise today in support of H.R. 628, legislation that will enhance expertise in patent cases among district judges, provide district courts with resources and training to reduce the error rates in patent cases, and help reduce the high cost and lost time associated with patent litigation.

I joined my colleague Mr. Issa in introducing this legislation because I believe this proposal will provide us with valuable and important insight on the operation of patent litigation in the federal court system.

In the 109th Congress, the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual property held a hearing on improving federal court adjudication of patent cases in response to high rates of reversal at the Federal Circuit. At this hearing, a number of proposed options to address this issue were discussed. Serious concerns were expressed with a number of proposals, including those that would create new specialized courts and those that would move all patent cases to existing specialized courts.

These concerns centered around the need to maintain generalist judges, to preserve random case assignment, and to continue fostering the important legal percolation that currently occurs among the various district courts. Our proposal aims to avoid these pitfalls.

H.R. 628 establishes a mechanism to steer patent cases to judges that have the desire and aptitude to hear such cases, while preserving the principle of random assignment in order to prevent forum shopping among the pilot districts.

The legislation will also provide the Congress and the courts with the opportunity to assess the program on a periodic basis. Reports will examine whether the program succeeds in developing greater expertise among participating District judges, the extent to which the program contributes to improving judicial efficiency in deciding these cases, and whether the program should be extended, expanded or made permanent.

By providing our courts with the resources they need to carefully consider patent cases, we will ultimately save the American taxpayer money.

The legislation has been passed by the House in the 109th and 110th Congresses. We are pleased that companion legislation has been introduced by Senator Specter, and we hope that the other body will act on this proposal this Congress.

While this legislation is an important first step at addressing needed patent reforms, I believe that Congress must continue to work on a more comprehensive reform of our patent system. I look forward to continuing my work with my colleagues in the Judiciary Committee and in Congress to address these issues.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, 5 years ago in January, 2004, I had the privilege of being in the control room at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory when Spirit, the first of two identical Mars rovers, landed in Gusev Crater. It was an amazing experience to watch the dozens of engineers, controllers and scientists who had worked so hard and for so long on the rover project to see its initial success. I'm proud to have many of them as my constituents, and I'm honored to share JPL with my colleague, David Dreier, and have joined him in this resolution honoring 5 years of surface operations by Spirit and its twin, Opportunity.

Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars to begin what was planned as a 3-month mission to evaluate whether conditions would have at one time been suitable for life on the red planet. Under the leadership of Dr. Charles Elachi and Principal Investigator Steve Squyres of Cornell University, JPL employees worked around the clock to make the most of what was planned as a limited duration mission.

Equipped with cameras, spectrometers and grinders, America's robotic explorers have now been hard at work for more than 5 years and are still going strong. The rovers' incredible durability is a testament to the quality of their design, the care with which their operations are managed and a scientific bonanza for scientists here and around the world.

The rovers' discovery of evidence of past water on Mars was 2004's top scientific ``Breakthrough of the Year'' according to the journal Science. The rovers have also uncovered evidence of Mars' violent volcanic past and have transmitted more than 36 gigabytes of data back to Earth.

Despite a gimpy wheel, Spirit has spent most of the past year exploring an area dubbed Home Plate, which is rich in silica, another telltale sign of water. Opportunity has had shoulder troubles, but has covered a lot of ground in the last 5 years. The rover spent almost 2 years exploring Victoria Crater and has now begun a long drive to its next major destination, a much larger crater called Endeavour. At more than 14 miles in diameter, Endeavour is more than 20 times larger than Victoria.

People around the world have been captivated by the stunning photographs of the Martian surface and the planet's ruddy sky. In the first 2 months after Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars, JPL's rover Web site registered almost 9 billion hits. Since then we have watched the seasons change on Mars and have marveled at the changing terrain as the rovers have moved about the surface.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by the California Institute of Technology, designed, built and controls the rovers. JPL has been the pioneer of our exploration of the solar system from the beginning of our space program and is one of the crown jewels of American science. Explorer I, America's first satellite, was a JPL project. At the time it was launched, the United States had fallen behind the Soviets in the space race, and several other attempts of getting an ``American Sputnik'' into orbit had ended in fiery explosions on the launch pad. Not only did Explorer I salvage our pride, but the tiny satellite discovered the Van Allen radiation belts that circle the Earth.

Since then, JPL probes have explored most of our solar system--from the Ranger series that paved the way for the Apollo moon landings, to Voyager's grand tour of the outer planets in the 1970s and 1980s, to last spring's landing on Mars by the Mars Phoenix--and have also surveyed the cosmos as well as our own planet.

In 2 years NASA will launch an even larger rover, the Mars Science Laboratory, which will build on the work being done today by Spirit and Opportunity. With a little luck, the rovers will still be working-- still expanding our understanding of Mars and, more importantly, of ourselves.

I urge all my colleagues to support the resolution.

I thank the chairman and rise in support of the rule and the stimulus bill.

In 2008, more than 2.6 million Americans lost their jobs, the highest yearly job loss total since 1945. In my home State of California, the unemployment rate soared to 9.3 percent last month, its the highest in 15 years.

It's clear that Congress must take aggressive action to stave off a long and deep recession. This legislation will help create jobs quickly, restore purchasing power and help those in need.

With such a large stimulus under consideration, we also have an opportunity to build infrastructure that will promote long-term prosperity. While we have to place a premium on dispensing funds quickly, we must also make a large significant and lasting investment in our country's future. When this recession is far behind us, I hope we can look back and see that something positive came out of it.

By investing in renewable energy, we can achieve both short-term and long-term goals. We can fund many shovel-ready projects that will give the economy a quick boost, but we can also make an investment in America's future, creating high-paying jobs and changing the energy paradigm of this country.

Let's make sure we produce a foundation for the Nation's long-term health and prosperity and a lasting improvement in our standard of living.

In 2008, more than 2.6 million Americans lost their jobs, the highest yearly job-loss total since 1945. In my home state of California, the unemployment rate soared to 9.3 percent last month--its highest point in 15 years. It is clear that Congress must take aggressive action to stave off a long and deep recession and that we must do more to ensure that appropriated money is spent efficiently and effectively to ensure America's future success.

This legislation will create jobs quickly, help restore purchasing power, assist those in need and begin to reignite our flagging economy.

With such a large stimulus package under consideration, we also have a unique opportunity to build infrastructure that will promote long-term prosperity. While we must place a premium on dispersing these funds quickly, we must also make a large, significant and lasting investment in our country's future. I hope to be able to look back on this period, when the recession is far behind us and see that something positive came out of this crisis.

By investing in renewable energy, we can achieve both short-term and long-term goals. The green energy sector has many shovel-ready projects that would give the economy a quick boost. But renewable energy is also vital to our continued economic health--it creates high-paying American jobs in a fast-growing industry and protects our nation's natural resources. In passing this bill, we take the first step on the path toward a clean sustainable high-tech economy.

I believe that the stimulus will help revive our economy both by helping American families who are struggling to make ends meet and by making critical investments in our future. It will help establish the foundation for the nation's long-term economic health and prosperity and ensure a lasting improvement in the standard of living for our children and their children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend my best wishes to the millions of Asian Americans who are celebrating the Lunar New Year, which ushers in the Year of the Ox. Representing one of the largest Asian American populations in Southern California, I have had the distinct privilege in joining many of my Asian American constituents to commemorate this historic tradition.

The communities of Alhambra, San Gabriel, and Monterey Park have organized events and festivities for families to gather and celebrate the Year of the Ox. I am also delighted that this will be the 110th year that the Annual Golden Dragon Lunar New Year Parade, hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, will be bringing floats, marching bands, and various forms of entertainment to over 100,000 people. From parades to festivals, all will be able to enjoy the colorful, rich traditions that have been observed by many Asian cultures for centuries.

I wish you all the best in the Year of the Ox.

Mr. Speaker, in 2006 I cofounded the Congressional Caucus for Freedom of the Press, and since then this bipartisan, bicameral caucus has sought to highlight the importance of free expression around the world. I rise today to honor Lasantha Wickramatunga, a brave journalist who was gunned down while driving to work in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

Threats, attacks and murders of journalists are becoming all too common in Sri Lanka. Mr. Wickramatunga knew the dangers too well but courageously continued reporting. Recognizing his work might cost him his life, Mr. Wickramatunga wrote a letter to be published in the event of his assassination.

Today I will read excerpts of his letter which was published by his paper, The Sunday Leader, on January 11, 3 days after he was killed.

He wrote, ``No other profession calls on its practitioners to lay down their lives for their art save the armed forces and, in Sri Lanka, journalism. In the course of the past few years, the independent media have increasingly come under attack. Electronic and print media institutions have been burnt, bombed, sealed and coerced. Countless journalists have been harassed, threatened and killed. It has been my honor to belong to all those categories and now especially the last.

``Why then do we do it? I often wonder that. After all, I too am a husband, and the father of three wonderful children. I too have responsibilities and obligations that transcend my profession, be it the law or journalism.

``But there is a calling that is yet above high office, fame, lucre and security. It is the call of conscience.

``The Sunday Leader has been a controversial newspaper because we say it like we see it: whether it be a spade, a thief or a murderer, we call it by that name. We do not hide behind euphemism. The investigative articles we print are supported by documentary evidence thanks to the public-spiritedness of citizens who at great risk to themselves pass on this material to us. We have exposed scandal after scandal, and never once in these 15 years has anyone proved us wrong or successfully prosecuted us.

``The free media serve as a mirror in which the public can see itself, sans mascara and styling gel. From us you learn the state of your nation, and especially its management by the people you elected to give your children a better future. Sometimes the image you see in that mirror is not a pleasant one. But while you may grumble in the privacy your armchair, the journalists who hold the mirror up to you do so publicly and at great risk to themselves. That is our calling, and we do not shirk it.

``If I seem angry and frustrated, it is because most of my countrymen--and all of the government--cannot see this writing plainly on the wall.

``It is well known that on two occasions I was brutally assaulted, while on another my house was sprayed with machine-gun fire. Despite the government's sanctimonious assurances, there was never a serious police inquiry into the perpetrators of these attacks, and the attackers were never apprehended. In all these cases, I have reason to believe the attacks were inspired by the government. When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me.

``As for me, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I walk tall and bowed to no man. And I have not traveled this journey alone. Fellow journalists in other branches of the media walked with me: most of them are now dead, imprisoned without trial or exiled in far-off lands.

``As for the readers of The Sunday Leader, what can I say but Thank You for supporting our mission. We have espoused unpopular causes, stood up for those too feeble to stand up for themselves, locked horns with the high and mighty so swollen with power that they have forgotten their roots, exposed corruption and waste of your hard-earned tax rupees, and make sure that whatever the propaganda of the day, you were allowed to hear a contrary view. For this I--and my family--have now paid the price that I have long known I will one day have to pay. I am--and have always been--ready for that. I have done nothing to prevent this outcome: no security, no precautions. I want my murderer to know that I am not a coward like he is, hiding behind human shields while condemning thousands of innocents to death.

``That The Sunday Leader will continue fighting the good fight, too, is written. For I did not fight this alone. Many more of us have to be--and will be--killed before The Leader is laid to rest. I hope my assassination will be seen not as a defeat of freedom but an inspiration for those who survive to step up their efforts. Indeed, I hope that it will help galvanize forces that will usher in a new era of human liberty in our beloved motherland. I also hope it will open the eyes of your President to the fact that however many are slaughtered in the name of patriotism, the human spirit will endure and flourish. Not all the Rajapakses combined can kill that.

``People often ask me why I take such risks and tell me it is a matter of time before I am bumped off. Of course I know that: it is inevitable. But if we do not speak out now, there will be no one left to speak for those who cannot, whether they be ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged or the persecuted.''

These were the words he wrote in anticipation of his own assassination.

Mr. Speaker, I submit the entire text of his letter for the Record.

The following editorial by Lasantha Wickramatunga, was

published in The Sunday Leader on January 11.

No other profession calls on its practitioners to lay down

their lives for their art save the armed forces and, in Sri

Lanka, journalism. In the course of the past few years, the

independent media have increasingly come under attack.

Electronic and print-media institutions have been burnt,

bombed, sealed and coerced. Countless journalists have been

harassed, threatened and killed. It has been my honour to

belong to all those categories and now especially the last.

I have been in the business of journalism a good long time.

Indeed, 2009 will be The Sunday Leader's 15th year. Many

things have changed in Sri Lanka during that time, and

it does not need me to tell you that the greater part of that

change has been for the worse. We find ourselves in the midst

of a civil war ruthlessly prosecuted by protagonists whose

bloodlust knows no bounds. Terror, whether perpetrated by

terrorists or the state, has become the order of the day.

Indeed, murder has become the primary tool whereby the state

seeks to control the organs of liberty. Today it is the

journalists, tomorrow it will be the judges. For neither

group have the risks ever been higher or the stakes lower.

Why then do we do it? I often wonder that. After all, I too

am a husband, and the father of three wonderful children. I

too have responsibilities and obligations that transcend my

profession, be it the law or journalism. Is it worth the

risk? Many people tell me it is not. Friends tell me to

revert to the bar, and goodness knows it offers a better and

safer livelihood. Others, including political leaders on both

sides, have at various times sought to induce me to take to

politics, going so far as to offer me ministries of my

choice. Diplomats, recognizing the risk journalists face in

Sri Lanka, have offered me safe passage and the right of

residence in their countries. Whatever else I may have been

stuck for, I have not been stuck for choice.

But there is a calling that is yet above high office, fame,

lucre and security. It is the call of conscience.

The Sunday Leader has been a controversial newspaper

because we say it like we see it: whether it be a spade, a

thief or a murderer, we call it by that name. We do not hide

behind euphemism. The investigative articles we print are

supported by documentary evidence thanks to the public-

spiritedness of citizens who at great risk to themselves pass

on this material to us. We have exposed scandal after

scandal, and never once in these 15 years has anyone proved

us wrong or successfully prosecuted us.

The free media serve as a mirror in which the public can

see itself sans mascara and styling gel. From us you learn

the state of your nation, and especially its management by

the people you elected to give your children a better future.

Sometimes the image you see in that mirror is not a pleasant

one. But while you may grumble in the privacy of

your armchair, the journalists who hold the mirror up to

you do so publicly and at great risk to themselves. That

is our calling, and we do not shirk it. Every newspaper

has its angle, and we do not hide the fact that we have

ours. Our commitment is to see Sri Lanka as a transparent,

secular, liberal democracy. Think about those words, for

they each have profound meaning.

Transparent because government must be openly accountable

to the people and never abuse their trust. Secular because in

a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society such as ours,

secularism offers the only common ground by which we might

all be united. Liberal because we recognise that all human

beings are created different, and we need to accept others

for what they are and not what we would like them to be. And

democratic . . . well, if you need me to explain why that is

important, you'd best stop buying this paper.

The Sunday Leader has never sought safety by

unquestioningly articulating the majority view. Let's face

it, that is the way to sell newspapers. On the contrary, as

our opinion pieces over the years amply demonstrate, we often

voice ideas that many people find distasteful. For example,

we have consistently espoused the view that while separatist

terrorism must be eradicated, it is more important to address

the root causes of terrorism, and urged government to view

Sri Lanka's ethnic strife in the context of history and not

through the telescope of terrorism. We have also agitated

against state terrorism in the so-called war against terror,

and made no secret of our horror that Sri Lanka is the only

country in the world routinely to bomb its own citizens. For

these views we have been labelled traitors, and if this be

treachery, we wear that label proudly.

Many people suspect that The Sunday Leader has a political

agenda: it does not. If we appear more critical of the

government than of the opposition it is only because we

believe that--pray excuse cricketing argot--there is no point

in bowling to the fielding side. Remember that for the few

years of our existence in which the UNP was in office, we

proved to be the biggest thorn in its flesh, exposing excess

and corruption wherever it occurred. Indeed, the steady

stream of embarrassing exposes we published may well have

served to precipitate the downfall of that government.

Neither should our distaste for the war be interpreted to

mean that we support the Tigers. The LTTE are among the most

ruthless and bloodthirsty organisations ever to have infested

the planet. There is no gainsaying that it must be

eradicated. But to do so by violating the rights of Tamil

citizens, bombing and shooting them mercilessly, is not only

wrong but shames the Sinhalese, whose claim to be custodians

of the dhamma is forever called into question by this

savagery, much of which is unknown to the public because of

censorship.

What is more, a military occupation of the country's north

and east will require the Tamil people of those regions to

live eternally as second-class citizens, deprived of all self

respect. Do not imagine that you can placate them by

showering ``development'' and ``reconstruction'' on them in

the post-war era. The wounds of war will scar them forever,

and you will also have an even more bitter and hateful

Diaspora to contend with. A problem amenable to a political

solution will thus become a festering wound that will yield

strife for all eternity. If I seem angry and frustrated,

it is only because most of my countrymen--and all of the

government--cannot see this writing so plainly on the

wall.

It is well known that I was on two occasions brutally

assaulted, while on another my house was sprayed with

machine-gun fire. Despite the government's sanctimonious

assurances, there was never a serious police inquiry into the

perpetrators of these attacks, and the attackers were never

apprehended. In all these cases, I have reason to believe the

attacks were inspired by the government. When finally I am

killed, it will be the government that kills me.

The irony in this is that, unknown to most of the public,

Mahinda and I have been friends for more than a quarter

century. Indeed, I suspect that I am one of the few people

remaining who routinely addresses him by his first name and

uses the familiar Sinhala address oya when talking to him.

Although I do not attend the meetings he periodically holds

for newspaper editors, hardly a month passes when we do not

meet, privately or with a few close friends present, late at

night at President's House. There we swap yarns, discuss

politics and joke about the good old days. A few remarks to

him would therefore be in order here.

Mahinda, when you finally fought your way to the SLFP

presidential nomination in 2005, nowhere were you welcomed

more warmly than in this column. Indeed, we broke with a

decade of tradition by referring to you throughout by your

first name. So well known were your commitments to human

rights and liberal values that we ushered you in like a

breath of fresh air. Then, through an act of folly, you got

yourself involved in the Helping Hambantota scandal. It was

after a lot of soul-searching that we broke the story, at the

same time urging you to return the money. By the time you did

so several weeks later, a great blow had been struck to your

reputation. It is one you are still trying to live down.

You have told me yourself that you were not greedy for the

presidency. You did not have to hanker after it: it fell into

your lap. You have told me that your sons are your greatest

joy, and that you love spending time with them, leaving your

brothers to operate the machinery of state. Now, it is clear

to all who will see that that machinery has operated so well

that my sons and daughter do not themselves have a father.

In the wake of my death I know you will make all the usual

sanctimonious noises and call upon the police to hold a swift

and thorough inquiry. But like all the inquiries you have

ordered in the past, nothing will come of this one, too. For

truth be told, we both know who will be behind my death, but

dare not call his name. Not just my life, but yours too,

depends on it.

Sadly, for all the dreams you had for our country in your

younger days, in just three years you have reduced it to

rubble. In the name of patriotism you have trampled on human

rights, nurtured unbridled corruption and squandered public

money like no other President before you. Indeed, your

conduct has been like a small child suddenly let loose in a

toyshop. That analogy is perhaps inapt because no child could

have caused so much blood to be spilled on this land as you

have, or trampled on the rights of its citizens as you do.

Although you are now so drunk with power that you cannot

see it, you will come to regret your sons having so rich

an inheritance of blood. It can only bring tragedy. As for

me, it is with a clear conscience that I go to meet my

Maker. I wish, when your time finally comes, you could do

the same. I wish.

As for me, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I walked

tall and bowed to no man. And I have not travelled this

journey alone. Fellow journalists in other branches of the

media walked with me: most of them are now dead, imprisoned

without trial or exiled in far-off lands. Others walk in the

shadow of death that your Presidency has cast on the freedoms

for which you once fought so hard. You will never be allowed

to forget that my death took place under your watch. As

anguished as I know you will be, I also know that you will

have no choice but to protect my killers: you will see to it

that the guilty one is never convicted. You have no choice. I

feel sorry for you, and Shiranthi will have a long time to

spend on her knees when next she goes for Confession for it

is not just her owns sins which she must confess, but those

of her extended family that keeps you in office.

As for the readers of The Sunday Leader, what can I say but

Thank You for supporting our mission. We have espoused

unpopular causes, stood up for those too feeble to stand up

for themselves, locked horns with the high and mighty so

swollen with power that they have forgotten their roots,

exposed corruption and the waste of your hard-earned tax

rupees, and made sure that whatever the propaganda of the

day, you were allowed to hear a contrary view. For this I--

and my family--have now paid the price that I have long known

I will one day have to pay. I am--and have always been--ready

for that. I have done nothing to prevent this outcome: no

security, no precautions. I want my murderer to know that I

am not a coward like he is, hiding behind human shields while

condemning thousands of innocents to death. What am I among

so many? It has long been written that my life would be

taken, and by whom. All that remains to be written is when.

That The Sunday Leader will continue fighting the good

fight, too, is written. For I did not fight this fight alone.

Many more of us have to be--and will be--killed before The

Leader is laid to rest. I hope my assassination will be seen

not as a defeat of freedom but an inspiration for those who

survive to step up their efforts. Indeed, I hope that it will

help galvanise forces that will usher in a new era of human

liberty in our beloved motherland. I also hope it will open

the eyes of your President to the fact that however many are

slaughtered in the name of patriotism, the human spirit will

endure and flourish. Not all the Rajapakses combined can kill

that.

People often ask me why I take such risks and tell me it is

a matter of time before I am bumped off. Of course I know

that: it is inevitable. But if we do not speak out now, there

will be no one left to speak for those who cannot, whether

they be ethnic minorities, the disadvantaged or the

persecuted. An example that has inspired me throughout my

career in journalism has been that of the German theologian,

Martin Niemoller. In his youth he was an anti-Semite and an

admirer of Hitler. As Nazism took hold in Germany, however,

he saw Nazism for what it was: it was not just the Jews

Hitler sought to extirpate, it was just about anyone with an

alternate point of view. Niemoller spoke out, and for his

trouble was incarcerated in the Sachsenhausen and Dachau

concentration camps from 1937 to 1945, and very nearly

executed. While incarcerated, Niemoller wrote a poem that,

from the first time I read it in my teenage years, stuck

hauntingly in my mind:

First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left to speak out for me.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: The Leader is

there for you, be you Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, low-caste,

homosexual, dissident or disabled. Its staff will fight on,

unbowed and unafraid, with the courage to which you have

become accustomed. Do not take that commitment for granted.

Let there be no doubt that whatever sacrifices we journalists

make, they are not made for our own glory or enrichment: they

are made for you. Whether you deserve their sacrifice is

another matter. As for me, God knows I tried.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. This is a landmark measure which will extend the life-changing benefit of health insurance to an additional 4 million American children. That means millions of parents won't have to bring their child to the emergency room because they're running a fever and have nowhere else to go. Millions of parents who can take their child to a dentist if their teeth hurt. Millions of parents who can take care of their children in a way most families take for granted--that when they're sick, they can go to the doctor.

SCHIP has been an incredible success story, extending the benefits of health care to 7 million children, and more than 750,000 in California alone. These are children whose families have incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid but who do not receive health insurance through their employment and can't afford it on their own. SCHIP is based on a simple premise--that insuring kids' health care is the right thing to do. It's much cheaper to insure children, and this investment will yield healthier generations of adults, improved quality of life, and long-term health care savings. The experience of the 11 years since SCHIP was originally created proves the wisdom and prudence of providing care for prevention and wellness in our children.

In addition to reauthorizing the program, this bill improves SCHIP by creating new incentives to seek out millions of children around the nation who are eligible but not enrolled. Two-thirds of uninsured children are currently eligible for coverage through SCHIP or Medicaid--this bill provides greater funding in grants for new outreach activities to States, local governments, schools, community-based organizations, and others. With this bill, more kids who are eligible will get enrolled and stay enrolled for a benefit that they are entitled.

The legislation is fully paid for by an increase in the tax on cigarettes--a provision that I hope will also help discourage youth smoking.

During these trying economic times, and with rising unemployment, the need for this SCHIP bill has become more critical now than ever before. This recession has forced more and more American parents to face difficult choices--finding affordable health insurance for their children shouldn't be one of them.

A vote for this bill is a vote for an America that takes care of its children. In the richest nation in the history of the world, it is simply

wrong that millions of children, our most vulnerable citizens, go without basic access to health care. With a yes vote, 4 million more children will enjoy the benefits of a healthy future and a real chance in life. I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation recognizing the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, commonly known as the ``Go For Broke'' regiments, for their dedicated service to our Nation during World War

Madam Speaker, the State of Israel has a right to defend its territory and its people from attack, whether that attack emanates from another sovereign nation, or, as in this case, from a terrorist organization that seized control of Gaza in a bloody putsch 18 months ago.

Hamas clearly chose to escalate its conflict against Israel by unilaterally declaring an end to the ceasefire that was implemented last June and launching a large-scale rocket attack on Israeli population centers. The Israeli government exercised great forbearance in the weeks prior to the formal breakdown of the ceasefire, which Hamas was already violating repeatedly, and had the international community more strongly condemned these attacks and taken action to stop them, the current Israeli offensive may have been unnecessary. But, Hamas bears ultimate responsibility for provoking this attack and for putting 1.5 million Palestinians in harm's way--a fact that Arab leaders from Egypt to Saudi Arabia have noted.

Along with millions of Americans, I grieve the terrible loss of life of innocent Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas's decision to fire rockets from populated areas and Israeli strikes on those targets have resulted in many civilian casualties, and our hearts go out to all the innocents who have suffered.

It is too early to tell if Israel's military actions will quell the threat of rocket attacks from Gaza and shut down smuggling routes from Egypt. The conflict in Lebanon proved how difficult this can be and a strong international effort will be necessary to avoid a recurrence of missile strikes in both theaters. This will require a level of resolution thus far not demonstrated by the international community.

Israel's long-term security can only be guaranteed by a successful peace process that leads to the creation of a Palestinian state living side-by-side and in peace with Israel. President-elect Obama has committed himself to reinvigorating the search for peace and it is my hope that a timely conclusion of the present hostilities will allow the new President to begin these efforts from the first days of his administration.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the Honorable Jack Scott, State Senator from California's 21st District.

Jack Scott was born and raised in Sweetwater, Texas. An advocate of higher education, he received a bachelor's degree from Abilene Christian College, a master of divinity from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in American history from Claremont Graduate University.

Senator Scott began his career as a professor and administrator at Pepperdine University in 1962. He then moved on to Orange Coast College, and in 1978, he became President of Cypress College. In 1987, he took over the position as President of Pasadena City College. As President, he was responsible for the development of its library, Community Education Center, Child Development Center, physical education complex, and Sculpture Garden. Despite declines in state funding, the college had more than $6 million in reserve funds when Scott retired from the presidency in 1995.

In 1996, Jack was elected to the California State Assembly where he served until 2000, when he was elected to the State Senate. During his eight-year tenure in the State Senate, he chaired the Senate Committee on Education and the Joint Committee on the Arts. Throughout his term, he fought to increase the

amount and quality of California teachers, improve the transfer process for community college students, and develop a new funding system for California community colleges.

Senator Scott's legislative efforts have earned him recognition as Legislator of the Year from the California Federation of Teachers, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Association of California Community College Administrators, Association of California School Boards, California State University, and the Child Development Policy Institute. He has an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University and has been named the Alumnus of the Year at both Claremont Graduate University and Abilene Christian University. On October 28, he received Pasadena City College Foundation's Building the Spirit of a Vibrant Community Award.

Senator Scott's extensive community involvement includes the Coalition for a Non-Violent City, Pacific Oaks College's Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents at Pepperdine University and the Association of California Community College Administrators. Jack and his wife, Lacreta, have 10 grandchildren and four surviving children, Sharon Mitchell, Shelia Head, Amy Schones, and Greg Scott; their fifth child, Adam, died in 1993.

In 2009, Senator Scott will begin his position as Chancellor of California's community colleges.

It is my great pleasure to recognize the extraordinary achievements of Senator Jack Scott and I ask all Members of Congress to join me in thanking him for his service.