Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Hyde, the chairperson, and I thank my friend Mr. Lantos, the ranking member.

Madam Speaker, I want peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. I want justice for both Palestinians and Israelis. And I support House Resolution 921 condemning the recent attacks on Israel and supporting Israel's right to defend herself.

Madam Speaker, Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any other terrorist group, save al Qaeda: 257 Americans killed in the 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and barracks in Beirut; 19 Americans killed in the 1996 bombings of the Khobar Towers.

Hezbollah has more than 13,000 rockets capable of hitting Israeli cities and towns and killing innocent persons. Does anybody think that these rockets will just go away? Hezbollah wasn't getting weaker. Hezbollah was getting stronger.

Israel must defend herself or there will be no Israel to defend.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of equality, non-discrimination, and the full participation in our society by all Americans. I rise in support of reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Voting is the most important tool Americans have to influence government policies that affect every aspect of our lives. It affects: the types of schools our children attend, the quality of our health care, the decision whether to send our sons and daughters to fight and die in a foreign land.

The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy. The Voting Rights Act provides the legal basis to protect this right for all Americans.

On the eve of the 41st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we cannot overstate the impact that this landmark piece of legislation has had on the face of this Nation.

Before passage of the Voting Rights Act we had 300 African-American elected officials. We now have more than 9,100.

Before passage of section 203 of the Voting Rights Act, we had 1,200 Latino elected officials. We now have more than 6,000.

We now have hundreds more Asian-Americans and Native Americans serving as elected officials.

The Voting Rights Act was enacted in response to our Nation's long history of discrimination. But the critical moment leading to the VRA's passage occurred in March 1965 on a bridge outside Selma, AL.

On March 7, 1965, voting rights supporters planned a march from Selma to the State capitol in Montgomery to present then-Governor George Wallace with a list of grievances. They were stopped on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma by State troopers and sheriff's deputies on horseback who, in front of television cameras, attacked the more than 500 demonstrators by firing toxic tear gas, charging the marchers, and beating people with clubs and whips.

Eight days after ``Bloody Sunday,'' President Lyndon Johnson addressed a special joint session of Congress before a national television audience and said that:

Experience has clearly shown that the existing process of

law cannot overcome systematic and ingenious discrimination.

No law that we now have on the books . . . can ensure the

right to vote when local officials are determined to deny it

. . . This time, on this issue, there must be no delay, no

hesitation and no compromise with our purpose . . .''

By August 6, 1965, Congress had passed the Voting Rights Act by an overwhelming majority and President Johnson had signed it into law.

The VRA not only abolished literacy and other tests which had been used to deny African Americans and other minorities the right to vote, it also prohibited ``covered jurisdictions'' from implementing new voting practices without first pre-clearing them with Federal officials.

And when the act was expanded and strengthened in 1975 to include protections for language minorities who had suffered systematic exclusion from the political process, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives also gained new tools to ensure fundamental fairness in the voting process.

Most of the provisions of the VRA are permanent, but some will expire next year if they are not renewed. The expiring sections include:

Section 5, which requires covered jurisdictions to obtain ``preclearance'' from the Justice Department or the U.S. District Court in DC before they can change voting practices or procedures.

Section 203, which requires election officials to provide written and oral assistance for certain citizens who have limited English proficiency.

Sections 6-9, which authorize the U.S. Attorney General to appoint examiners and send Federal observers to monitor elections when there is evidence to suggest voter intimidation at the polls.

While the days of discrimination in the form of literacy tests and poll taxes may be over, it is clear that voter inequities, disparities, and obstacles still remain for far too many minority voters.

In Harris County, TX, citizens of Vietnamese descent are under the protection of the VRA. Because of this, under the language assistance provisions of the VRA, Harris County is required to:

Provide election information including ballots and registration information in Vietnamese, as well as English and Spanish.

Ensure that there are adequate bilingual poll workers to meet the needs of the language minority communities.

In 2003, Harris County election officials failed to comply with this law.

Pressure from the Asian American Legal Center of Texas, the Asian American Justice Center, and the Justice Department resulted in an agreement whereby the county agreed to ensure compliance with the language provisions of the VRA in the future.

As a result of these changes, in the November 2004 election, Hubert Vo became the first Vietnamese candidate ever to win a seat on the Texas Legislature.

Mr. Chairman, everyone's right to vote is at risk when anyone's right to vote is denied. The Voting Rights Act is good for minorities and great for America.

Mr. Speaker, the Voting Rights Act has been and continues to be necessary. In 1965, we had approximately 300 African Americans holding office. Now we have more than 9,100.

In 1965, only a handful of Latinos held office. Now, more than 6,000.

In 1965, six Members of Congress were African American. Now 43.

But among the many beneficiaries is Hubert Vo. Hubert Vo was born in Vietnam. Hubert Vo came to the United States at the age of 19, fleeing communism. Hubert Vo graduated from the University of Houston, but more importantly, Hubert Vo, in 2004, became the very first Vietnamese American elected to the State House of Texas. Hubert Vo was elected because the ballot in District 149 is in Vietnamese. Hubert Vo won by 16 votes.

The Voting Rights Act has made, continues to make a difference. We need to maintain it. We need to keep it. It protects the rights of minorities.

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

I want to thank my colleagues, both Chairman Barton and Ranking Member Dingell, for introducing this resolution.

The Food and Drug Administration is the Nation's premier consumer protection agency. It ensures that food and drugs are safe and properly labeled, that medical devices are safe and effective, and that cosmetics are properly labeled. In the 100 years since its founding, the FDA has changed with the times and has adapted to the health and safety needs of Americans.

As initially enacted, the 1906 Food and Drug Act prohibited food, drinks and drugs to be adulterated or misbranded.

Over the years, the scope of the FDA has increased significantly. In 1938, its authority was extended to cosmetics and devices through a law that also established a new system for regulating drugs. The 1938 law also gave the authority to inspect factories.

By the 1960s, the FDA's role in ensuring drug safety expanded even more as the 1962 drug amendments required pharmaceutical manufacturers to prove the effectiveness of their drugs before being allowed to market them.

In 1958, the FDA played a key role in the country's response to the growing AIDS epidemic by approving the first blood test for AIDS.

Given the sensitive nature of its many activities and the effect they have on Americans from all walks of life, the FDA has not been without controversy or its critics. Yet, 100-years after its creation, I hope that we can all agree that the FDA remains a critical part of our efforts to protect and improve the health and safety of our Nation.

Every day, the FDA evaluates and approves new drugs and medical devices that improve our lives and productivity. It regulates food packages so we know what we are getting when we buy food for our families at the grocery store. The agency develops oversight policies regarding blood donations to ensure safe blood supplies. These are just some of the way the FDA's responsibilities are essential to protecting the public health.

As we come up on the 100th anniversary of this vital Agency, I am happy to support this resolution honoring the FDA and its staff for their 100 years of work to protect and improve public health.

Just a side note, Mr. Speaker, the FDA Commissioner von Eschenbach actually was a great researcher at MD Anderson in Houston, and with the National Cancer Institute, now at the FDA. Again, I know of no better person to be at the FDA because of both his experience, both as a cancer patient, but also as a researcher. He knows how important it is to make sure our drugs are protected will actually cure us, and will do what they say they will.

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

Mr. Speaker, although I am in opposition to the resolution, I strongly support our men and women in uniform who are fighting to protect our freedom. These brave men and women have made, and continue to make, the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our great country. Approximately 2,500 soldiers have given their lives for our country in this war. Approximately 2,500 families across America have been left devastated by the loss of a loved one. Mothers and fathers have lost their cherished sons and

daughters, men and women have lost their spouses, children have lost parents. Their sacrifices will forever be remembered.

Our Government has spent more than $250 billion on the war in Iraq, and that number is increasing at the rate of $177 million per day. However, just as we cannot put a dollar figure on the cost of lives and limbs our brave soldiers have lost, we also cannot put a dollar figure on the amount of pride that we as citizens have for them. While our soldiers fight and persevere because they, more than anyone, realize what is at stake in Iraq, it is my sincere hope that we can bring them home soon and reunite them with their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, although I am in opposition to this resolution, today, tomorrow, and as long as our precious Republic shall exist, we should continue to honor our men and women for their sacrifice, devotion, and continued defense of our country.

God bless America and thank God for the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform.

Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to extend my deepest regrets as we mourn the loss of one of our nation's most respected statesmen, Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Senator Bentsen's lifelong service to our country was marked by his sharp intellect, skillful coalition building, and deep personal integrity. As a World War II veteran, public servant, and businessman, Senator Bentsen offered strength of character and compassion to his fellow man. His tireless work on behalf of the citizens of the State of Texas and our nation has made an indelible mark on the institutions and communities he served.

Senator Bentsen began serving his country in 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. After briefly serving as a private conducting intelligence work in Brazil, he became a pilot and flew combat missions from southern Italy with the 449th Bomb Group. Senator Bentsen quickly ascended the ranks of the military. At age 23, he was promoted to the rank of Major and given command of a squadron of 600 men. In 18 months of combat, he courageously flew 35 missions against highly defended targets that were crucial to the German war effort. In total, he flew 50 missions over Europe. Senator Bentsen was shot down twice during the war and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force's highest commendation for valor, among other decorations.

After the war, Senator Bentsen began his long and distinguished political career, returning to his native Rio Grande as a decorated veteran. In 1946, he was elected Hidalgo County judge, and two years later, at age 27, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Bentsen served the residents of Houston in the House for 8 years, and then returned to Houston to work in the private sector. After having achieved a great deal of corporate success, he decided to return to public life in 1970 as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. He won a bitter primary and went on to defeat then-Congressman George H.W. Bush for the first of four Senate terms. During his tenure in the Senate, Bentsen sought the Democratic nomination for the presidential primary in 1976, and was the vice-presidential nominee in the 1988 presidential election.

Senator Bentsen's political career was marked by his compassion towards those he served, a deep knowledge of economic policy, and a propensity to build bipartisan coalitions. As a Member of the House, he was only a handful of southern congressmen who voted against the poll tax, which was used to prevent blacks from voting. In the Senate, he attained the rank of Senate Finance Committee chairman, and quickly became one of our nation's most respected voices on tax, trade, and economic issues. Throughout his political career, Bentsen earned the reputation as being highly skilled at navigating the legislative process and crafting deals behind the scenes. As the first Treasury Secretary under the Clinton Administration in 1993, he was one of the architects of the President's deficit-reduction program. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join me in honoring the work and accomplishments of Senator Lloyd Bentsen. As a soldier, businessman, elected official, and statesman, Lloyd Bentsen served with honor and distinction. His life-long devotion to public service will serve as an inspiration to future generations of Americans, and his many contributions on behalf of the residents of Texas and the nation will continue to offer guidance to the institutions and communities he served.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

Mr. Chairman, I thank God that Members Obey, Hyde and Lantos have had the courage to bring this amendment. And I say so because, Mr. Chairman, a human crisis of the highest magnitude exists in Darfur. As we speak, we have had 2.5 million people displaced. Something has got to be done about that. We have had 3 million people put in a position such that they have to exist on emergency assistance. 400,000 people are dead. These are real people; these are real numbers. There is real suffering going on in Darfur.

I do not know what the headlines will read tomorrow in Egypt. I do not know what they are going to read here in my hometown of Houston or here in Washington, D.C., but I know this: at some point on the infinite continuum that we call time, the omniscient, the omnipresent, and the omnipotent will come together and every one of us will have to answer the question: Where were you when there was murder and rape and hunger in Darfur? Where were you when your brothers and your sisters were suffering?

I want to let you know that this is the least we can do for the people of Darfur.

Mr. Chairman, $50 million will go to the World Food Program that needs help. It only has 32 percent of what it needs to meet the demands of this crisis.

Mr. Chairman, we have to ask ourselves the question: If not now, when? When will we give help and aid to those in need?

If not here, where? Where will the help come from?

If not us, who? Who will the help come from?

Mr. Obey, God bless you. You have done the decent thing for people who have been suffering for too long. I thank you for what you have done.

Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to recognize the contributions Jewish Americans have made throughout our Nation's history as we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. In 1654, the first Jewish settlers arrived in the New World searching for a place to practice their faith free from persecution and live in liberty. Since then, the United States has continued to serve as a haven for Jewish settlers seeking refuge from waves of anti-Semitic repression and persecution in Europe and around the world. Jewish American Heritage Month should serve to educate all Americans about the rich cultural heritage of the Jewish people and their important contributions to American culture and history.

The United States is better and stronger as a result of Jewish people from around the world choosing to become American citizens. Jewish Americans made invaluable contributions to our Nation's labor movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Thousands of Jewish immigrants and their children who arrived in the United States during this time period earned their livings in sweatshops and factories in New York City, often working under horrific conditions. Many Jewish Americans played a key role in improving the working conditions for laborers, which led to collective bargaining and other advancements in the labor movement. Samuel Gompers, one of the founders and first president of the American Federation of Labor, earned his living in the crowded slums of New York as a cigar maker upon his arrival in the United States in 1863. Becoming highly skilled at his trade and earning the respect of his peers, he eventually moved up the ranks of the existing labor organization, transforming the structurally weak and ineffective Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Councils to the American Federation of Labor in 1886, which grew to represent over one million workers 6 years later.

Many individuals within the American Jewish community also made important contributions to the Civil Rights movement. Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who funded dozens of primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges for black youth, led the Jewish community in contributing to some 2,000 schools for black Americans, including Howard, Dillard and Fisk universities. At one time, 40 percent of southern blacks were attending these schools. In addition, Jewish Americans like Abraham Joshua Heschel, a writer, rabbi and professor of theology at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America was outspoken on the subject of civil rights and marched arm-in-arm with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma. Professor Ernst Borinski, a refugee from the Holocaust who came to America to teach at Taugaloo University, organized dinners at which blacks and whites sat next to each other, a simple act challenging segregation. Joel Elias Spingarn, a Jewish-American educator and literary critic, was a founder and one of the first Jewish leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1913, as the organization's chairman of the board, he established the Spingarn medal, awarded annually for outstanding achievement by an African American. In addition, organizations such as the American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress, and Anti-Defamation League have actively promoted civil rights over the years.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that all Americans observe Jewish-American Heritage Month by initiating programs and activities that commemorate these and the many other significant contributions Jewish Americans have made throughout our Nation's history. Over the centuries, Jewish Americans have achieved great success in business, medicine, the arts, science and technology, and many other professions. These achievements have strengthened our country and helped shape our way of life. In their commitment to family, faith, and community, the Jewish people have made America a stronger and more democratic society.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4681, The Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006. This legislation promotes the development of democratic institutions in areas under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority. It comes at a time when the demand for responsible democratic leadership is needed more than ever before in the Middle East. I am proud that I was one of 295 members to co-sponsor this legislation, which would restrict aid to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Authority until Hamas meets a series of conditions, including renouncing terrorism and accepting Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.

This legislation explicitly states that it shall be U.S. policy that no U.S. Government officer or employee shall negotiate or have substantive contacts with members or official representatives of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, or any other Palestinian terrorist organization, until such organization recognizes Israel's right to exist, and renounces the use of terrorism. Additionally, any Palestinian government must recognize and accept all previous Israel- PLO agreements and understandings.

Having taken over the government of the Palestinian Authority, PA, Hamas has reiterated its commitment to violence and the destruction of Israel by endorsing suicide attacks on Israelis and appointing a man connected to the murder of Americans in Gaza as the new PA Interior Minister. Hamas' continued dedication to terrorism has already prompted the United States and its allies to end nearly all aid to the PA, with exceptions for humanitarian assistance. However, this bill permits certain assistance to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in recognition of his commitment to a non-violent resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The internationally backed Roadmap for Peace requires that the Palestinian Authority launch ``sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror.'' The Palestinian Authority cannot call for the destruction of Israel if it is ever to be a serious partner for peace.

Finally, the members of the Palestinian Authority must assure us that they are focused on a better future for the Palestinian people and in order to do so, they must take steps to recognize Israel and its right to exist. The Palestinian Authority must be pressured to realize, that a government that fails to condemn terrorism, or, states its commitment to eliminate a fellow member of the community of nations is a government that cannot be considered a serious partner for peace.

I strongly encourage my colleagues, to vote in support of H.R. 4681, The Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on behalf of some of our most vulnerable Americans who are being denied access to needed and I underscore needed food stamps because of states eliminating face-to-face interviews.

Mr. Chairman, I speak on behalf of children, the elderly, the disabled and those with limited literacy. And I regret that they are not here to speak for them selves. Because if they were here to speak for themselves, they would tell you about the 20 minute phone waits, they would tell you about the phone calls that have been abandoned because they had to wait too long (44 percent per the USDA). They would tell you about the inability to use the phone because they can't speak; the inability to use the phone because they can't hear; they would tell you about the lack of computer access and the lack of computer literacy. This amendment assures a user friendly system for some of our most vulnerable Americans. I speak for them, I stand for them, I cast my vote for them.

Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on behalf of some of our most vulnerable Americans who are being denied access to needed food stamps because of States eliminating face-to-face interviews.

Mr. Chairman, I speak on behalf of children, the elderly, disabled, and those with limited literacy. I regret that they are not here to speak for themselves because if they were here to speak for themselves, they would tell you about the 20-minute phone waits. They would tell you about the phone calls that have been abandoned because they had to wait too long, 44 percent per the USDA.

They would tell you about the inability to use the phone because they cannot speak, the inability to use the phone because they cannot hear. They would tell you about the lack of computer access and the lack of computer literacy.

This amendment ensures a user-friendly system for some of our most vulnerable Americans. I speak for them. I stand with them. I cast my vote for them.

Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably delayed and missed the vote on the Inslee amendment to H.R. 4200, the National Defense Authorization Act, Roll Call 149.

I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call 149.

Mr. Speaker, today I was unavoidably delayed and missed the vote on the Jackson-Lee amendment to H.R. 5122, the National Defense Authorization Act, rollcall 143.

I respectfully request the opportunity to record my position. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 143.

At this time I would ask for unanimous consent that my position be entered into the Record following that vote or in the appropriate portion of the Record.

Mr. Speaker, a tragedy of the highest magnitude exists in Darfur in Sudan, Africa.

Mr. Speaker, over 450,000 have died; 2.5 million have been displaced internally; 200,000 have fled to Chad; 3 million, Mr. Speaker, are living on emergency aid.

Mr. Speaker, this tragedy exists for two reasons: One, people of ill will, the actions of these people of ill will; and two, the inactions of people of goodwill.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for people of goodwill to take a stand and realize that injustice anywhere, as Dr. King put it, is a threat to justice everywhere. And injustice in Sudan in Africa is a threat to justice in America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the contributions of the Asian Pacific Islander American community and to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank and commend my good friend from California, Congressman Honda, for his strong leadership as Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, for over 200 years, Asian Americans have played a pivotal role in the development of our great Nation. When it was time to build the transcontinental railroad, they were there. Chinese immigrants were paid $28 a month to do the very dangerous work of blasting and laying ties over treacherous terrain. It was their labor under harsh working conditions, for meager wages, that helped in the development and progress of our Nation.

When our Nation was drawn into war, they were there. From World War II through the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Asian Americans have been on the front lines in our battle to defend and protect our Nation. There are 32 Asian American Medal of Honor recipients, and thousands of others who have served and continue to courageously serve our Nation.

When hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, they were there. The Asian American community in my home city of Houston joined all Americans around the country in welcoming Katrina evacuees and assisting the relief efforts. In Houston, the Asian American community raised more than $200,000 for the Katrina Relief Fund and took in over 15,000 displaced Americans.

And the contributions of this community will continue far into the future. Tomorrow, when it is time to cure the diseases of the future, they will be there. There are more than 105,000 Asian American doctors in the United States.

Tomorrow, when new worlds are to be explored, they will be there. There are thousands of Asian Americans working in the space program.

And tomorrow, when it is time to elect the leaders that will guide our great Nation, they will be there, in Congress, on the Supreme Court, and as President. If our country is to live up to its promises in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, every ethnic group will have one of its own to serve as President.

This is why we must protect the voting rights of Asian Americans and others to vote under the Voting Rights Act. We must win this battle now, so that the 14 million Asian Americans, together with all Americans, can have the equitable input that they justly deserve into our political process.

They helped to make America great. The greatness of America rests on the shoulders of all Americans, none more so than our Asian American brothers and sisters.