Floor Statements

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I would like to correct some things, because I have been here all day listening to our colleagues complain about the process. This is the beginning of the process. And it is an important one, one that has not been undertaken in 4 years, such that we have not had an authorization bill for all that time.

Now, I am sure that my colleagues know that when this measure is completed, and on the other side in the other body, that we will have a conference. And many of the discussions that are being heard here today are likely to be addressed in that conference report.

Now, I have stated time and again that the intelligence community is not diverse enough to do its job of obtaining and analyzing foreign countries' secrets. Diversity is a mission imperative. We need people who blend in, speak the language, and understand the cultures and the countries that we are targeting.

The intelligence community is our Nation's first line of defense against the increasing dangers and threats we face around the world. From the scourge of terrorism, to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to hostile governments, intelligence work is often unseen, and mostly thankless.

Now, I keep hearing all this talk about Mirandizing people on the battlefield. I have a lot of difficulty understanding when that happened. I have been on the committee for 10 years, and I don't know that that is a methodology that is being employed with any regularity.

I have had the honor and privilege of meeting many of our intelligence professionals during my oversight travel as a member of the Intelligence Committee to more than 50 countries. I cannot overstate how much all of us, Democrats and Republicans, every Member of this House and every President that I have known, are appreciative and humbled by their service. And yes, I will stand and say that when this authorization measure passes that I do support the men and women in the 16 elements of the intelligence services and appreciate them very much.

I am proud to support this measure for several reasons. It substantially increases funding for human intelligence collection and counterintelligence activities, tools that have been underresourced in the past years.

The bill continues the essential funding to support the critical efforts of U.S. warfighters in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and provides additional funding to address significantly emerging issues in Africa, Latin America and elsewhere. And I would urge my colleagues to footnote that.

There is no place that I think that we should focus as much attention as we have with Iran as Yemen. It is going to be critical for us to pay attention to that area of the world.

This bill also adds funds and authorities for language programs. Chairman Reyes and I and countless other members on this committee have fought this issue repeatedly for us to make progress in languages; and, I might add, we have been successful. If you see the new people entering the service, if you visit our operational activities, you begin to see more and more people that are in the service.

I do have something to quarrel about, and that is, the gays in the military provision that allows, among other things, that we're putting people out of the service who are Farsi and Arabic speakers because they're gay, and I think that's ridiculous in the environment that we're operating in.

But we still don't have enough women. We still don't have enough Arabs. We still don't have enough North Koreans, and I could go on and on.

While the intelligence community has made some progress in hiring people with diverse backgrounds, education and experience, including, indeed, more women and minorities, this progress has been at a glacial speed. The intelligence community has been historically slow to recognize the wealth and abundance of talent and skills that reside in first-, second-, and even third-generation Americans. We still don't have an intelligence workforce that looks like our country. We aren't even close.

The bottom line is that we, until we have every segment of society participating in the intelligence community, our capabilities will not rise to the level needed to defeat terrorism.

I'd like to yield the balance of my time to the distinguished chairperson of the Intelligence Committee, and to thank the Members of the Democrat and Republican staff on the House Intelligence Select Committee.

Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution that celebrates the 20th anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's release from prison and honors his lifelong dedication to building a more equitable and united world.

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela exited Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, after 27 years of imprisonment. Years of international pressure from activists, artists and politicians in South Africa and the international community had finally convinced the South African government to reinstate the African National Congress (ANC) as a legitimate political party, and release Nelson Mandela.

In the hours following his release, tens of millions around the world watched as Mandela stood at the City Hall in Cape Town and proclaimed his commitment to abolish apartheid and institute a system of government that protected the rights and freedoms of all people. For over 40 years, racial segregation was enforced under the law of apartheid, and severely restricted black South Africans and other people of color from basic human rights and social and economic equality.

Madam Speaker, Nelson Mandela never wavered from his commitment to combat apartheid and create a free and democratic country whether he was rallying support for the ANC as a young lawyer and activist, or serving as an inmate at the infamous prison on Robin Island. Decades of menial work and degrading conditions in South Africa's prisons did not make Nelson Mandela's drive to achieve a more just and equal society any less potent. Once released, 71-year-old Nelson Mandela and his ANC colleagues continued their efforts to dismantle apartheid until it finally ended in 1994.

More than four years after his release, 20,000,000 South Africans of all colors lined the streets to vote in South Africa's first election that was held under a law of universal suffrage. The people of South Africa elected Nelson Mandela as the first President of the fully representative democratic state, a man whose resilience, humility and eloquence symbolized a new era in which South Africa strove to achieve equality, communication and cooperation within its government and communities. The newly elected President Mandela addressed the world and pledged to lead a ``united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government'' for all people of South Africa.

Madam Speaker, 20 years after his release, Nelson Mandela's wisdom, strength and work continues to inspire people of all walks of life. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution

that commemorates the 20th anniversary of an important moment in world history and recognizes an extraordinary man's dedication to equality, peace and reconciliation.

Mr. Speaker, the economy in America did not transform overnight. Over a period of the last 40 years that I can account as an adult, or working person, many significant changes have taken place in this great country. It is obvious that there were Democrats and Republicans in the United States Congress during that 40 years, and that either party had control of either the House, or the Senate, or the White House, or all of the above, at some point.

In my view, it is a bit of hyperbole for someone to suggest that Barack Obama, once he became President of the United States, was to cure that 40-year transformation in our economy that led to joblessness and an almost clear financial disaster for this country and this globe. To expect this President to cure that problem in 1 year is just plain ridiculous.

We need a direct-hire job creation program, and we need it now.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Ira Leesfield on being a recipient of the American Jewish Committee's Judge Learned Hand Award. This prestigious award honors leaders in the legal profession for both their overall excellence in the workplace and their contributions to the community. Mr. Leesfield has always welcomed the challenge to serve the underserved, and it is this devotion that has earned him one of the American Jewish Committee's highest honors.

Mr. Leesfield carries himself with great integrity, respect, and dedication in everything he does for his profession and for his community. A look into his background shows just how successful he has been on both of these fronts. In 1976, Ira Leesfield founded Leesfield & Partners, dedicating his professional life to protecting the courtroom rights of the firm's clients throughout Florida and the United States. He currently holds record personal injury verdicts and settlements in a plethora of jurisdictions, earning him recognition as one of America's top ten trial lawyers.

However, Mr. Leesfield's interest reaches far beyond monetary figures as he has been recognized for prosecuting cases that benefit the public interest. He has received the American Occupational Rehabilitation Training (ORT) Jurisprudence Award for his dedication to his profession, as well as the prestigious Jurisprudence Award from the Anti-Defamation League for his success in gaining access to the courts for the less privileged. Ira was elected President of both the Melvin M. Belli Society and the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers after receiving each organization's respective awards: the Belli Award and the Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award.

A resident of Florida since 1956, Ira is an American Bar Foundation Fellow, life member of the American Association for Justice as well as the Roscoe Pound Foundation, and a past adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law. Mr. Leesfield's success hits close to home as his many accomplishments have greatly benefited myself as well as the great people of Florida's 23rd Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I am truly honored to recognize Mr. Ira Leesfield for his dedication to the legal profession and to the South Florida community as a whole.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution that recognizes the Senate Armed Services Committee's hearing on Don't Ask, Don't Tell, and the testimony of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the hearing, as an important first step towards equality in the Armed Forces. Furthermore, my resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that this discriminatory law should be repealed in 2010.

There are an estimated 66,000 gay and lesbian service members currently on active-duty, serving in all capacities around the world to protect our nation and advance our interests. The misguided policy known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell is yet another enemy to fight at a time when we are strained in two wars. In 2009 alone, we lost 428 service members to Don't Ask, Don't Tell at the estimated cost of over $12 million. We cannot allow the strength and unity of our military to suffer from a destructive force within. Don't Ask, Don't Tell is irreconcilable with the values that our great nation was built on and the values that our Armed Forces embody.

The Senate Armed Services Committee's recent hearing on Don't Ask, Don't Tell was indeed historic, being the first Senate hearing on the issue in 17 years. My resolution recognizes the great significance of Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen's testimonies, which sent a clear signal across the nation and through the military ranks that discrimination is not a value of our Armed Forces. Furthermore, it urges the Pentagon working group to deliver an implementation plan to Congress as soon as possible while ensuring that the needs and concerns of all service members are taken into consideration, and strongly recommends that the Senate Armed Services Committee and House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel include active- duty service members in their upcoming hearings regarding Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

While a majority of the American people support open service by gay and lesbian members of the Armed Forces, there are those who would like to see the policy kept in place. Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be repealed swiftly and replaced with a policy of non-discrimination and inclusion once and for all.

Madam Speaker, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is long overdue. It is my sincere hope that President Obama, the Department of Defense, the U.S. military, and Congress will do everything in their power to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve openly as soon as possible. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and to join me in working to bring about the full and final repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell this year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the astonishing accomplishments of The Lord's Place, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children from the unrelenting grasp of homelessness. Currently our Nation is faced with the sad reality of more than half a million Americans without a place to call home, and some without any shelter at all. To make my district aware of the sheer magnitude of this problem, The Lord's Place will host its 3rd Annual SleepOut event on February 5, 2010, aimed at both fundraising for a solution and giving Americans a glimpse into the lives of the thousands of homeless men, women, and children sleeping either in a shelter or on the streets every night.

For decades now, the steps taken by The Lord's Place have improved the lives of homeless families and individuals throughout Palm Beach County. The organization's main goal is to provide and secure economic stability for homeless men, women, and children, and for 30 years they have hosted events and organized programs aimed directly at fulfilling their mission. I admire the work of the volunteers and staff members at The Lord's Place. On a daily basis these hardworking and devoted individuals organize programs, which leave the most forgotten members of our society with a place to call home every night and walk away with something far more valuable than a hefty paycheck.

This Friday night, the dedicated staff members and volunteers of The Lord's Place will aim to make the more fortunate members of our community aware of a typical night endured by homeless families and individuals. The 3rd Annual SleepOut in downtown West Palm Beach will feature a performance, presentation, and finally a movie before the participants call it a night and attempt to sleep through the bitter cold conditions faced by so many homeless men, women, or children. The main focus of the SleepOut is what The Lord's Place calls the ``2% Solution.'' If just 2 percent of our community commits to addressing the problem of homelessness, this critical issue can and will be resolved as a result of the community's hard work.

I would like to extend my gratitude to those men and women who stepped out of their comfort zones and helped raise both awareness and funds for the mission of The Lord's Place. I commend The Lord's Place for helping to break the vicious cycle that has created homelessness in our community. It is because of their perseverance and compassion that a future in which the right to basic shelter is available to every man, woman, and child in Palm Beach County.

As American citizens, it is not only our desire to help those in need. It is our duty to provide every homeless man, woman, and child with a warm place to sleep at night and an opportunity to sustain economic stability.

Madam Speaker, I am truly honored to recognize The Lord's Place for all that they do to help the Palm Beach County community and I wish them much success during their 3rd Annual SleepOut.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

First, let me thank Bart Gordon and this committee for the extraordinary work that they have done. And even though all of us are going to get an opportunity to say to the chairperson our thanks for his efforts here in Congress, I'd like to just personally thank him not only for the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, but for substantial and substantive legislation throughout the course of his career.

I'm pleased to offer this amendment to address cybersecurity workforce concerns and advance the development of technical standards. If we're going to do that, we need to consider all of the different innovative opportunities out there. I was disappointed, though, to discover the significant gender and racial disparities in the cybersecurity industry.

We know cyberspace touches practically everything and everyone, yet I find it mind-boggling that we haven't made more of an effort to include everyone in protecting it. Women now constitute 50.7 percent of the U.S. population as of 2008, and the U.S. Census Bureau found that only 14 percent of women pursue professional careers in science or technology. Other underrepresented groups mentioned in this amendment include African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. All of these groups have historically been underrepresented in scientific and engineering occupations. The U.S. Census Bureau recorded African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans as 28.2 percent of the U.S. population in 2008, yet these groups only represent a mere 10 percent of the science and technology industry.

In order to protect cyberspace, we need a strong vision and leadership. Both will require changes in policy, technology, education, and perhaps law. This bill will be recruiting the best and brightest, and we must ensure these opportunities are available to all Americans.

This amendment will address existing and potential racial and gender disparities in the industry. The first part of the amendment deals with the section on the cybersecurity workforce assessment. In this section, we require the President to transmit to Congress a report analyzing the cybersecurity workforce needs of the Federal Government. If we're going to take a good look at the sources and availability of cybersecurity talent in our country, then we must also take a more vigilant look at how we are including the talent of minorities.

According to a 1995 report by the National Research Council, ``limited access is the first hurdle faced by women seeking industrial jobs in science and engineering, and while progress has been made in recent years, common recruitment and hiring practices that make extensive use of traditional networks often overlook the available pool of women.'' Madam Chair, it is truly embarrassing that 15 years later, we find ourselves having made such little progress on this issue.

The second part of the amendment adds a requirement to include representatives from minority-serving institutions on the Cybersecurity University-Industry Task Force. In order to conduct a national dialogue on cybersecurity and develop more public awareness of the threat and risk, we need an integrated approach--one that includes a diverse industry that can

tackle our vulnerabilities while also meeting our economic needs and national security requirements.

Madam Chair, the United States needs a comprehensive framework to ensure a coordinated response and recovery by the government, the private sector, and our allies to a significant incident or threat. This amendment ensures that the process is accessible to our Nation's diverse talent.

In addition to thanking the committee, and especially Chairman Gordon, I'd like to thank our colleague, Congressman Ciro Rodriguez of Texas for cosponsoring this amendment.

I urge my colleagues to support this effort.

Madam Chair, I yield 30 seconds to the distinguished chairperson of the committee.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kazakhstan's new role as chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE. The decision by the OSCE participating states to appoint Kazakhstan as its chair for 2010 marks the first time that a former Soviet state will take on this leadership role. The decision was not without controversy, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts made over the past two decades to establish democracy and a market economy. I look forward to full implementation of the promises of reform made by Kazakhstan at the 2007 OSCE Madrid Ministerial. In a January 2010 video address, President Nazarbayev told the OSCE Permanent Council that, ``Kazakhstan as the holder of the OSCE Chairmanship is firmly committed to the fundamental principles and values of the OSCE.'' I welcome and applaud this statement as well as Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev's Permanent Council statement that, ``further steps in the area of democratization in Kazakhstan will be fully in line with the goals and tasks that we have set ourselves during our Chairmanship.''

This month, Kazakhstan Secretary of State-Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev has officially assumed his role as chairman-in-office of the OSCE and I believe he will dedicate his efforts toward realizing Kazakhstan's vision and goals for the OSCE this year. I know Chairman- in-Office Saudabayev's objective is to make the organization even more valid, useful, and effective. I commend Kazakhstan's effective preparation for the chairmanship, and welcome the deepening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the U.S. to make the chairmanship a success.

On January 14, Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev outlined his country's plan for executing Kazakhstan's strategic vision. In light of increased threats to international security, including illicit drug trafficking and terrorism, Kazakhstan will focus on preventing conflicts that result in tragedy and disaster. It is important that the United States support these efforts. I also support Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev's intention to continue to focus on the OSCE's human dimension.

One area of focus for Kazakhstan as chairmanship of the OSCE will be to address issues pertinent to the developing situation in Afghanistan. In fact, Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev has stated that a principal goal is to help the Afghan people leave behind their militaristic world and develop a lasting peaceful and productive society. To achieve this Kazakhstan has donated $50 million to a new program which will provide vocational training to 1,000 Afghanis at Kazakh universities. Chairman- in-Office Saudabayev also intends to develop cooperative projects that strengthen the border and improve law enforcement practices, and I support increasing OSCE involvement in this regard.

Beyond the global peril of Afghanistan is the issue of nuclear disarmament. As a former Soviet state, Kazakhstan should be applauded for its decision to eradicate its inherited nuclear arsenal and for its example and leadership in nuclear nonproliferation. With the mantle of OSCE leadership, Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev will work with the OSCE to achieve increased global security.

I commend Kazakhstan for prioritizing the fight against the deplorable and growing concern of human trafficking, particularly that of children. Trafficking has become a major international concern that warrants the attention and cooperation of the OSCE states to develop effective solutions to eliminate such practices.

Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev has also expressed the need for increased tolerance and equality, especially with regard to religion, race, and gender. Various conferences and meetings are already in place to discuss the implementation of previous decisions concerning these areas. I plan to attend at least one of the conferences. And I will encourage colleagues to attend as well.

Finally, as many of my colleagues would agree, energy security remains a critical global concern. Kazakhstan, with its significant oil, gas and mining potential, plays a key role as a reliable energy supplier. The past two years has seen significant challenges to energy supply and distribution in the OSCE region and there is much that the OSCE could be doing to help mediate differences and encourage greater transparency in this area. I am confident that Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev will bring to bear his country's experience and expertise in energy issues to create greater capacity for energy security both politically and institutionally in the OSCE.

I look forward to helping and following the progress of the OSCE under the leadership of Kazakhstan.

The priorities outlined by Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev demonstrate the challenges ahead for the OSCE. I wish Chairman-in-Office Saudabayev and the entire Republic of Kazakhstan well as the OSCE chairmanship. It is my hope that by the close of 2010, we will see Kazakhstan's OSCE leadership manifested through positive outcomes.

U.S. Official on Commencement of Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship

(By Robert O. Blake, Jr., Jan. 20, 2010)

As Kazakhstan begins to serve as the Chairman-In-Office of

the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe this

year, it is charting a course for a bright and promising

future.

It is a future in which the United States and Kazakhstan

together seek peace, security, economic development and

prosperity. We seek democratic values and human rights that

unite free nations in trust and in respect. We seek a region

in which relations are good between neighbors, between Russia

and China and Afghanistan and all others in the region and of

course with the United States.

Kazakhstan has been a leader in international security

since its earliest days of independence. After the end of the

Cold War, the world applauded as Kazakhstan renounced its

nuclear weapons, closed the nuclear test site at

Semipalatinsk, and freely transferred over half a ton of

weapons-grade uranium to secure sites outside the country

under Project Sapphire.

This past December, we marked the sixteenth anniversary of

the landmark Cooperative Threat Reduction Program in

Kazakhstan and we continue to work in partnership with

Kazakhstan to advance our common non-proliferation goals. In

April President Obama will welcome President Nazarbayev and

other world leaders to the Global Nuclear Security Summit he

will host.

Since its independence, Kazakhstan has also set an example

in the region with economic reforms that have attracted

investment and created jobs. The Government of Kazakhstan is

also making wise choices to develop multiple energy export

routes and to diversify its economy to ensure that its vast

oil wealth can become a source for social mobility, not

social stagnation.

As Kazakhstan's economy continues to recover from the

global economic downturn, it should again be an engine for

growth within Central Asia. Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and

Tajikistan would benefit immensely from Kazakhstan)

investment and energy supplies to stimulate growth and create

jobs.

And Afghanistan needs the full partnership of Kazakhstan to

overcome the destitution that extremists, warlords, and civil

war have compounded over several decades. Kazakhstan is

providing vital logistical support to the International

Security Assistance Force through the Northern Distribution

Network. We welcome Astana's decision to invest in

Afghanistan's next generation of leaders by generously

allocating $50 million to fund scholarships for a thousand

Afghan students to study In Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan's OSCE Chairmanship is highly symbolic. The OSCE

had long prided itself for stretching from Vancouver to

Vladisvostok. Now, for the very first time, a major

international organization is headed by a new country east of

Vienna. It is a recognition that the OSCE draws its strength

not only from Europe and the United States, but also from

Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans.

The challenges facing the OSCE and the international

community are real but our strength comes from facing those

challenges collectively and with a common purpose. The United

States looks forward to working with Kazakhstan this year to

meet these challenges and achieve the goal of modernizing and

strengthening the OSCE, for the benefit of all participating

States.

Kazakhstan has successfully navigated the early stages of

statehood. It has achieved a position of leadership on

international security and economic development. And now,

Kazakhstan, as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office has an

unprecedented opportunity to lead Central Asia towards a

future of democracy and to advance its own reform agenda to

unleash the creative energy of its people.

With continued reform, Kazakhstan can become the nexus of

Eurasia in the 21st century, the point where all roads cross.

For thousands of years, along the ancient Silk Road, the

communities of Central Asia facilitated the global exchange

of ideas, and trade, and culture. In the process, they made

historic contributions to our collective human heritage.

Today, as Kazakhstan assumes the OSCE mantle, it is poised

and ready to break a fresh path for a new Silk Road, a great

crossroads of reform linking the provinces of northern Russia

to the ports of South Asia, the republics of Western Europe

to the democracies of East Asia.

A strong and prosperous and democratic Kazakhstan can

energize the global transmission of learning, trade and

freedom across the steppes of Central Asia. Kazakhstan has a

glorious past and can seize a hopeful future. The United

States will continue to be Kazakhstan's steadfast partner.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Veterans Pensions Protection Act of 2010, which will protect veterans from losing their pension benefits because they received payments to cover expenses incurred after an accident, theft, loss or casualty loss.

When assessing a veteran's eligibility for a pension, the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, considers a variety of sources of revenue to determine a veteran's annual income. If such income exceeds the income limit set by the VA, the veteran does not qualify for a pension or loses their benefits. Currently, the VA considers any reimbursement that compensates a veteran for his/or her expenses due to accidents, theft or loss as income. Only reimbursements of expenses related to casualty loss are currently exempted from determination of income.

Under current law, if a veteran is seriously injured in an accident or the victim of a theft and receives insurance compensation to cover his/or her medical expenses, the cost of replacement of the stolen items, or for pain and suffering, he/or she will likely lose their pension. This means that the law effectively punishes veterans when they suffer from such an accident or theft.

Such a tragedy happened to one of my constituents, a Navy veteran with muscular dystrophy who was hit by a truck when crossing the street in his wheelchair. His pension was abruptly cut off after he received an insurance settlement payment to cover medical expenses for himself and his service dog, and material expenses to replace his wheelchair. As a result, he could not cover his daily expenses and mortgage payments and almost lost his home. This is unacceptable!

The Veterans Pensions Protection Act will amend the U.S. Code to exempt the reimbursement of expenses related to accidents, theft, loss or casualty loss from being included into the determination of a veteran's income. This will guarantee the continuity of our veterans' pensions and that no veteran will have their benefits unfairly and abruptly depreciated or cancelled.

Madam Speaker, we must ensure that pensions are issued to veterans who legitimately meet the income criteria and rely on such benefits to survive. We must enact regulations that help veterans live better lives, not hurt them. No veterans should be unable to pay their medical bills, unable to get the care they need, or in a situation where they could lose their home. After serving our country so valiantly, our veterans deserve no less than the very best benefits.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the students and staff of Dillard Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, for their dedication to helping the people of Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 earthquake of January 12, 2010. Not enough sorrow can be expressed for the people of Haiti and all those affected by this tragic event.

Every day, more information filters in from Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas that begins to shed light on the extent of the catastrophe in Haiti. This earthquake was a horror of epic proportions. It is estimated that over 200,000 Haitians, including hundreds of people from countries around the world, have died. In the aftermath of disaster, there have been numerous aftershocks reaching magnitudes of up to 6.1, and more unrest is expected. For years, Haitians have lived in misery beyond human understanding. Long after the final aftershock, the thousands of Haitians left homeless, injured, and starving will have to rebuild their country from the ground up. It is our moral duty as members of our global community to provide aid to Haiti in its time of great need.

This cry for help has been answered by the students and staff of Dillard Elementary School. They are committed to raising $5,000 for the people of Haiti through community fundraisers and have already begun a coin drive with great enthusiasm. This is our nation at its finest hour. Seeing communities all across the nation rally around this noble cause is a reminder of the human compassion and dignity that we all share.

My office is proud to support Dillard Elementary School in its efforts, as are many of my constituents and businesses in Florida's 23rd district, including Paradise Bank, The Westside Gazette, and Palm Harbor Prep.

Madam Speaker, the students and staff of Dillard Elementary School are role models for us all. I hope that we will follow their example and dig deep to help the people of Haiti in one of its darkest hours.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Medicine Enhancement Act of 2010. This legislation will develop affordable opportunities for well qualified individuals who are seeking to become wildlife and zoological veterinarians, spur job growth and promote robust public health policy.

Wildlife and zoo veterinarians are the primary source of essential health care for and management of wild animals in their natural habitat and in captivity. Not only do they preserve natural resources and animal lives, but they help protect human health by preventing, detecting, and responding to exotic and dangerous diseases.

With the intensification of globalization and climate change, along with a growing interface between humans, livestock, and wildlife, the threat posed by emerging infectious diseases to humans and wildlife keeps increasing. Controlling pandemic and large-scale outbreaks of disease has become more problematic. However, the United States faces a shortage of positions for wildlife and zoo veterinarians.

On average, veterinarian graduates owe $130,000 in student loans. Upon graduation, professionals practicing wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine earn relatively low salaries, compared to companion animal medicine. Lower salaries, combined with high educational debt and the small number of positions available discourage students from becoming wildlife and zoo veterinarians. The number of practical trainings and formal educational programs specializing in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine are also insufficient to allow graduates to make significant contributions.

My bill will directly address these issues which prevent and dissuade veterinarians from practicing wildlife and zoological medicine. It will participate in the national job creation effort by funding new positions for wildlife and zoo veterinarians and will ensure that veterinary students find jobs upon graduation. The bill will also limit the amount of educational debt for students while providing incentives to study and practice wildlife and zoo veterinary medicine through the establishment of scholarships and loan repayment programs. Lastly, my legislation will advance education by helping schools develop pilot curricula specializing in wildlife and zoo veterinary medicine and by expanding the number of practical training programs available to students.

Madam Speaker, we have reached a point in our history when we cannot ignore the importance of protecting America's wildlife. Wild animals are a very important part of our commonly held natural resources and contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. With an increasing number of endangered species, the introduction of invasive non-native species, and more infectious disease threats, wildlife and zoological veterinarians must be placed at the core of our efforts and be given the resources and recognition necessary to protect both animal and human lives.

I urge my colleagues to extend a helping hand to America's veterinarians by supporting this important piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Victor Guzman, whose great generosity in creating a scholarship fund for the Palm Beach Community College Foundation will increase access to higher education for young people in the Belle Glade community.

Dr. Guzman was motivated to establish the Lake Okeechobee Muck Rat Nation Scholarship Fund after reading an article last year in the Palm Beach Post. The article reported on the low graduation rates among black males in Belle Glade and detailed the low wages, high incarceration rates, insufficient job prospects, and lack of hope felt by so many young black men in the western Palm Beach County community. Living in the Glades for almost 60 years, Dr. Guzman realized that there were too many young people who did not have the economic means to go to school.

The Lake Okeechobee Muck Rat Nation Scholarship Fund, named after those people who make their living working in the fields within the Everglades Agricultural Area, will enable more Belle Glade students to enroll in Palm Beach Community College. Dr. Guzman donated $100,000, most of his life savings, to establish the fund. Two $500 scholarships will be available for students who are accepted by the school, enrolled for at least 12 credits per term, live in Palm Beach County, attend the Belle Glade campus, and demonstrate financial need.

Education has always been a priority for Dr. Victor Guzman, a 95- year-old retired agricultural research scientist who worked for the University of Florida. A native of Peru, the University of Florida hired him in 1951 to help improve local farmers' crop production. He spent his career developing chemicals for weed control as well as virus-resistant strains of lettuce that thrive in the rich, organic soil surrounding Lake Okeechobee. These contributions have benefited the health and nutrition of the people in his community and around the world.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Victor Guzman is an excellent role model for us all. He has invested in the future of his community by making higher education accessible to more young people. Generations of students in the Glades area will be forever indebted to him for his compassion and concern.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) women and men who were killed recently in Khost, Afghanistan.

I recently returned from a House Intelligence Committee oversight visit to various locations in Europe and the Middle East. I met with a number of CIA officers, who provided me with exhaustive briefings on the December 30 bombing in Khost, Afghanistan.

That bombing killed seven of their CIA colleagues and wounded a number of others, several grievously.

Many others have offered words of praise for the selfless patriots who gave their lives for their country, and words of condolence to their families and loved ones. In memorial services and private funerals scheduled for the coming weeks, many more will surely do the same. I am honored to add my voice to this chorus.

I have met with hundreds of CIA professionals in my years on the Intelligence Committee. I can tell you that they are invariably brave, committed patriots who have dedicated their lives to the protection of this nation. Their jobs are difficult and dangerous in the best of times. In others--as the recent tragedy reminds us their missions require the ultimate sacrifice.

We owe the seven Americans killed in Khost our thanks and praise. We owe their families our condolences and our prayers. And we owe their colleagues our respect, admiration, and gratitude.

Madam Speaker, as Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission I wish to mark the recent passing of Micah H. Naftalin, an enthusiastic leader of the grassroots movement on behalf of oppressed Jews in the Soviet Union. His dedicated work contributed significantly in advancing the cause of refuseniks denied their right to leave the U.S.S.R. During the dark days of the Cold War, Micah was an impassioned champion for human rights for members of the Jewish community and others, including political prisoners, in the Soviet Union.

Micah was similarly unwavering in his commitment to combat anti- Semitism and related violence, closely monitoring and reporting on developments in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He was appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council in 1982, later serving as acting director.

For more than two decades Micah served as national director of the Union of Councils for Jews in the former Soviet Union. He worked closely with the Helsinki Commission to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Russia and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union. In 1993, he served as a public member on the U.S. delegation to the annual meeting to review implementation of human rights commitments by signatories to the Helsinki Final Act. In 2007, he helped found the Coalition Against Hate, a consortium of human rights NGOs from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus united in their efforts to monitor hate crimes.

Madam Speaker, I join Chairman Ben Cardin and others on the Helsinki Commission in expressing our condolences to Micah's family and his many friends.

Madam Speaker, I send to the desk a privileged concurrent resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.