Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, last Friday was World Refugee Day, a day to reflect and address the growing problem of refugee populations worldwide.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 11 million refugees living outside their countries. Another 26 million are estimated to be internally displaced due to conflict alone. I urge my colleagues to address this complex and tragic issue.

Since the beginning of civilization, populations have fled to escape violence and persecution and have found sanctuary in foreign lands. In 1951, the United Nations Refugee Convention was created in order to address this issue on an international level. The Convention is the key legal document defining who is a refugee, what their rights are, and the legal obligations of states to refugees.

Since 1951, the issue of refugees has grown both in size and in complexity. While the Convention was designed to solve the problem of World War II refugees, it has broadly extended its scope as the number and nationality of refugees dramatically grew over time. For the first time in five years, the number of refugees has increased, primarily due to a large population exodus from Iraq into neighboring countries. Other significant population outflows that have contributed to this increase include: The Central African Republic, Chad, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Somalia.

As this issue grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to address it. Today, the reasons leading populations to flee are more diverse. While in 1951 the two main causes of departure were poverty and conflict, today the causes have expanded to bad governance, climate change, and competition for scarce resources. As barriers to human mobility have fallen in recent decades, protecting refugees has become even more difficult. These new challenges make it even more crucial to find adequate and efficient ways to address these issues.

Moreover, with the increased number of refugees worldwide, many countries have started to reverse their policies on granting asylum and have begun closing their doors to vulnerable populations. As a result, refugees are forced to return to the terrible situations which they were originally trying to escape.

I believe that we can alleviate suffering and save lives if the problem is addressed globally, and in cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations, such as the United Nations. The protection of refugees is an international duty. It is the United States' duty to lead these efforts.

One of the most pressing examples of a burgeoning crisis is the Iraqi refugee crisis. Today, there are millions of displaced Iraqis both inside and outside of Iraq. Since the beginning of the Iraq war, the United States has only welcomed in 8,000 Iraqi refugees while Sweden alone has taken in 40,000. The United States has a tremendous responsibility to aid these populations. Even more, we have a specific obligation to protect our allies in Iraq who risked their lives to help our government and our Armed Forces.

As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I have been deeply concerned and involved in this issue. Most recently, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), my Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI), and I, along with 14 other Members of the House and Senate, sent a letter to President Bush questioning the Administration over delays in processing threatened Iraqis who have worked for the United States government and American organizations in Iraq. In particular, the letter urges President Bush to allow the Department of Defense to airlift Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants for expedited processing to a central processing center outside of Iraq.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me to assist not only Iraqi refugee populations but refugees across the globe. The United States, a beacon of freedom and democracy, has a longstanding tradition of providing aid and protection to refugee populations. I urge my colleagues to devote to this issue of growing refugee populations the attention and resources it needs and deserves.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1298 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Washington, Representative Hastings.

All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1298.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1298 provides for consideration of H.R. 2176, a bill which provides for, and approves, the settlement of certain land claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community.

In lieu of the substitute reported by the Committee on Natural Resources, the rule makes in order the substitute printed in the Rules Committee report. The Rules substitute consists of the text of H.R. 2176 with that same language and the text of H.R. 4115 as reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. That bill provides for, and approves, the settlement of certain land claims of the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

This is a fair rule, and it gives the proponents and opponents of the two Michigan Indian land claims bills a straight up-or-down vote on the bills.

Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation seeks to settle a land claim agreement which was reached in 2002 by the then-Republican Governor of Michigan John Engler and the two tribes. The current Democratic Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, has also approved the deal.

Under these bills, both tribes have agreed to relinquish their claims to land in Charlotte Beach, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, in exchange for a parcel of land outside of Port Huron, Michigan. The agreement reached between the tribes and the State allows the tribes to conduct gaming on their new land.

If approved by Congress and the President, this agreement secures the private ownership rights of the Charlotte Beach land in question and will help to restore the fair market value of the land. It will also provide the two tribes with an opportunity to help create jobs and economic opportunities in Port Huron while further providing for their membership.

The underlying bill conforms with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the land being given to the two tribes was selected by the State of Michigan as appropriate places for economic development.

Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation is nothing new. Under the Constitution, only Congress--not the Department of the Interior or a Federal court--holds the power to settle Indian land title and claims. As such, Congress has taken similar action in at least 14 different instances in recent years when there have been disputed land claim settlements. Not once in those instances did Congress prohibit a tribe from conducting gaming on the tribal lands. We also never forced a tribe to jump through hoops to exercise its right to do what it wishes on its own land. I see no reason why we should start now.

Mr. Speaker, I have little doubt that today's debate on this issue will be both spirited and intense. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that the House will do the right thing and pass this rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would urge my friend from Washington--I understand his passion and the need to stay on message about gas prices, but we're here talking about House Resolution 1298, which is the Bay Hills Indian Community, the land settlement matter with the State of Michigan, and a bill that came out of Natural Resources.

My friend is insistent that we do something about oil. Well, when the Democrats on yesterday tried to pass price gouging, it was the Republicans that categorically rejected it. It's kind of hard to do something when people won't let you do nothing, particularly in the other body.

I am very pleased, Mr. Speaker, to yield 2 minutes to my very good friend from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

I yield the gentlelady 1 additional minute.

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers).

I yield my colleague an additional 1 minute.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the dean of the House, my good friend, John Dingell, the gentleman from Michigan.

(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

I am forever amazed, Mr. Speaker, at my colleagues' way of going about trying to assert something into measures

that we are dealing with, that, when all is said and done, don't have anything to do with the measure that we're dealing with.

I agree with my colleague that we have a serious crisis in this country having to do with energy policy. But I also would urge him to understand that the President's energy policies have failed this country and that when he and his party were in the majority and had an opportunity to do all the things they are talking about, that many of them were not done.

The fact is there are 68 million acres offshore and in the United States that are leased by oil companies. They are open to drilling and are actually under lease but are not developed. The fact is that if oil companies tapped the 68 million Federal acres of leased land, it could generate additional oil, six times what ANWR would produce at its peak. The fact is 80 percent of the oil available in the Outer Continental Shelf is in regions that are already open to leasing, but the oil companies haven't decided it's worth their time to drill there. And, when they are saying it's not worth their time, they are saying they don't have the equipment to do it. The fact is that drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge wouldn't yield any oil for a considerable period of time in the future, probably as many as 8 to 10 years, and then would only save the consumer less than 2 cents per gallon in 2025.

All of us know all the things to say here. We know to say ``switchgrass'' and ``shale'' and ``geothermal'' and ``solar,'' and we could go on and on and on with the number of potentials for alternative energy. But yesterday, when we tried to do something about price gouging, it was the minority party that defeated the measure, that was on the floor of the House, under suspension.

Now, Mr. Speaker, back to the bill. I support gaming in this country. I support the MGMs and the Harrah'ses of the world and their right to run a casino wherever legally they may be permitted to do so. I support the Seminole Indians and the Miccosukee Tribes in Florida that I am proud to represent. And I support and have supported continuously their right to run a casino. I also support Jai Lai in my community and their right to run a casino. I also support casinos in my community and their right to run a casino, just like I support these two tribes in Michigan as well. I also support competition and economic development and the job creation it can spur. And I take full exception to my colleague from Lansing, who is a dear friend of mine on the other side who spoke earlier. I can attest to job creation in the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian Tribe areas that were told that there would be no jobs created, and literally thousands of people, mostly not Native Americans, are working in those establishments.

Finally, I support all of us in this body coming to terms with what happened to Native Americans, Africans, and people of Caribbean descent and others after Columbus discovered America in 1492. I'm always reminded of Flip Wilson's comedy routine that he did that, if Columbus discovered America, then the Native Americans must have been running down the shoreline, saying, ``Discover me.''

So, before Members of this body start talking about Indian tribes unfairly swapping pieces of land, they should remember that the land wasn't ours in the first place. We took it from the tribes and then often relocated them to some far-off, remote, and undesirable place that we could find for them to be placed.

Mr. Speaker, this is not an ideal situation for any of us in this body. We all wish that a unanimous agreement would have materialized in Michigan. Yet, despite a land claims compact being reached by the State and the tribes, a Republican and Democratic governor, some just don't want this agreement to go through, and that is their prerogative. Thus, as it has done at least 14 times in the recent past, Congress must do what is right and settle this dispute. When an injustice has been done and there are efforts to perpetuate that injustice, something must be done. Someone must step in and stop it from happening again.

I urge my colleagues to do just that and to support the previous question, the rule, and the underlying legislation.

The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows:

Amendment to H. Res. 1298 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 3. Immediately upon the adoption of this resolution

the House shall, without intervention of any point of order,

consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5656) to repeal a

requirement with respect to the procurement and acquisition

of alternative fuels. All points of order against the bill

are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. The

previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill

and any amendment thereto to final passage without

intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill

equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking

member of the Committee on House Oversight and Government

Reform; and (2) an amendment in the nature of a substitute if

offered by Representative Waxman, which shall be considered

as read and shall be separately debatable for 40 minutes

equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an

opponent; and (3) one motion to recommit with or without

instructions.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate two exemplary South Florida institutions of higher learning: Florida International University (FIU) and Florida Atlantic University (FAU). These universities were recently ranked by Hispanic Outlook Magazine as 1st and 28th, respectively, among the top 100 colleges awarding degrees to Hispanics in the United States.

Both institutions have built a rich tradition of ensuring an exceptional educational experience to quality students of all backgrounds. FAU and FIU are dedicated to imparting knowledge through excellent teaching, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to public service.

In today's global society, it is imperative that we recognize the importance of scholastic achievement without forgetting how vital it is that the learning experience extend beyond the classroom. FIU and FAU are committed to ensuring that their students are well-rounded, socially conscious, and constantly exposed to various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The graduates of these universities serve as trailblazers in Florida's continuous endeavor to provide educational opportunities that will improve the social and economic disparities that Florida's minority communities face.

As one example, FIU will open South Florida's only public medical school in August 2009. The new school will serve as the cornerstone of a broader, university-wide Health Science Center. Through this effort, the University aims to expand healthcare access to traditionally underserved populations and to train physicians who are sensitive to South Florida's unique cultural diversity.

FAU is also impacting the South Florida community by encouraging economic development in urban core areas through its Sustainable Community Planning curriculum. This curriculum prepares students who aspire to become practicing planners, public administrators, civic leaders, and neighborhood activists. Programs are geared towards community revitalization which will ultimately affect how neighboring cities cope with increasing challenges associated with growth and change.

I commend FAU and FIU for serving as role models to colleges and universities throughout our Nation. They are exemplary examples of two schools which continue to uphold a commitment to cultural diversity, public service, and academic excellence. Their effectiveness is truly demonstrated through every student who earns a degree, every researcher who makes a discovery, and every community that benefits from the efforts and accomplishments of these two noteworthy institutions. I am proud to congratulate FAU and FlU for this noteworthy achievement and the indelible impact they have had on both our local and national landscapes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and recognize Juneteenth as a pivotal moment in our nation's history when the last American slaves learned of their freedom and the legal practice of slavery in the United States officially ended.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived with over 2,000 troops on Galveston Island to deliver the news of freedom and enforce the two-year-old Emancipation Proclamation. The news came in the aftermath of the deadliest war in American history and a nation fractured by loss and resentment. However, in the midst of social and political turmoil, a new opportunity for all people to share the quintessential American experience of freedom emerged. 90 years after gaining independence, our young nation took a crucial step toward finally ensuring that the value of freedom was not simply rhetorical, but a right to be given to all Americans.

Sadly, the legal abolishment of slavery has not guaranteed the legal abolishment of inequality and unequal representation. As we all know, it would be another century before African Americans were given the same rights as white Americans.

In the years after emancipation and Jim Crow, the United States has made serious improvements in drafting and implementing laws and policies that encourage equality. However, serious economic, health and educational disparities persist for many in the black community and other communities of color. These inequities threaten to exacerbate the division between those who have and those who do not.

Today, we are confronted with two contrasting images of black America that are really two sides of the same coin. The countless sacrifices and efforts of previous generations have made it possible for blacks and other minority groups to excel and break boundaries from our nation's classrooms to the space program. And, for the first time in our history, the idea of a black president is not simply a fantastic dream, but a serious hope and possibility.

Yet, in this same land and era of opportunity, black people across the socioeconomic spectrum have a lower life expectancy, higher instances of heart disease, greater rates of infant mortality and hypertension, and receive

overall inferior healthcare compared to whites. What's more, blacks are more likely to fall victim to a justice system that prioritizes punitive criminalization over rehabilitation. Our children are victims of inadequate educational systems and African Americans receive lower incomes than others in our country with similar experience. Lastly, HIV/AIDS, a disease that has taken the lives of millions of men, women and children around the world is most rampant in the black community with the majority of new infections occurring in young African American women.

So while America takes time to commemorate this historic day, we must also recognize that there is much more to be done both here and abroad. African Americans in this country know first hand the travesties of slavery. As such, we must lead the way for others to achieve their own freedom.

According to the International Labor Organization, between 12 and 27 million people are the victims of forced labor worldwide. The majority of these men, women and children come from the poor and rural parts of countries that are in the midst of war, unstable economies, and political conflict. Whether forcibly removed or lured by false promises of opportunity, millions of the most desperate and vulnerable populations of the world are forced to work without pay in the agricultural, textile, service and sex industries under the constant threat of violence or death.

Haiti was once hailed as one of the most profitable colonies in the Caribbean and was the first black led republic in modern history. Home to the most successful African slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti is now the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and is plagued by poverty, political unrest, hunger, disease and violence. Now, more than two hundred years after Haiti was declared a free republic, between 90,000 and 300,000 Haitian children alone are trafficked into areas where they are forced into slavery. Even right here in the U.S., despite our system of laws, an estimated 20,000 people are trafficked into our country from all over the world to provide unpaid labor and services.

The fact that our brothers and sisters to the south are enduring such conditions is unconscionable. We must support Haitians in their attempt to achieve sustainable development and restore dignity and socioeconomic stability to their proud nation. As the leader of the free world, we can and must do better to stop this and other injustices.

Historian and Columbia Professor, Manning Marable wrote, ``Historical amnesia blocks the construction of potentially successful social movements.'' As we continue to fight for equality and justice in our communities and in Congress, we have a responsibility to ensure that our nation, particularly our young people, do not fall victim to historical amnesia.

Because so many years have passed, many forget or dismiss the role that slavery and the fight for emancipation and racial equality played in constructing the social fabric of this country. Thankfully, this problem is entirely remediable, and we can engender a new commitment to understanding our past to build a better future.

Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Juneteenth, I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in reflecting on how our country has evolved into a nation that understands the importance of protecting the rights, liberties and privileges of all people. America has bettered itself by improving the lives of its citizens and people in the rest of the world. It is imperative that we continue our uniquely American tradition of fighting for equality and justice in our country and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1257 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my colleague and friend from Florida, Representative Diaz-Balart. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 1257.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1257 provides for consideration of H.R. 6063, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008, under a structured rule.

The rule provides 1 hour of general debate controlled by the Committee on Science and Technology. It also waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI.

The rule makes in order the 12 amendments listed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution. Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act is a commonsense and fiscally responsible authorization plan for NASA that will strengthen our ability to improve our Nation's economy, communities and programs, as well as our national security.

The bill authorizes $20.21 billion for NASA for fiscal year 2009. This includes $1 billion in funding to accelerate the development of the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and Ares 1 Crew Launch Vehicle. This ensures that we do not lose ground to Russia and China as we work to build the next generation of space flight vehicles.

I would take a point of personal privilege to point out, Mr. Speaker, that the husband of a Member of the House of Representatives, Gabrielle Giffords, is on the present space vehicle that is in outer space. I learned from, we call her ``Gabby,'' that her husband will be home Saturday, and we wish him and the crew all safety and Godspeed.

Additionally, the underlying bill provides for programs in human space flight and exploration, aeronautics research and development and scientific research, including Earth observations and research.

The bill authorizes an additional Space Shuttle flight to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station.

Lastly, the underlying bill contains important provisions related to education, space traffic management and astronaut health care.

Mr. Speaker, the underlying bill's bipartisan support is a testament to the fact that my colleagues on both sides understand the tremendous importance of supporting NASA. However, in this time of soaring drug and food prices, a plummeting economy and war, some are asking why Congress should invest in our Nation's space program. To put it another way, why are we going in space when I don't have gas to get to the grocery store? While I wholeheartedly disagree, I would be remiss if I did not at least acknowledge their concerns.

It provides us with the opportunity to recount the many lifesaving and life-altering methods and products that were made possible through space technology.

Mr. Speaker, people of all ages know that putting men on the moon in 1969 was one of NASA's pioneering achievements. Missions to space have given us all a sense of national pride and allow us to better understand the universe in which we live. Few know, however, that for 50 years space technology has laid the foundation for consumer products that help businesses run more efficiently and allow everyday people to live safer, longer and better lives.

Think about it. The United States has some of the most cutting-edge medical technology in the world because of NASA. The pacemaker, voice- controlled wheelchairs and the MRI all rely on technology that was first developed for space exploration.

More than 560,000 Americans will die from cancer this year, including over 40,000 in my home State of Florida. Space technology has led to life-saving advanced screening and treatment methods for breast cancer that are more accurate, cost-effective and less invasive.

Do you want more? We have all come to realize the consequences of not protecting our environment and conserving our resources. NASA has made significant contributions to the way that we adopt environmentally- friendly practices in our homes, businesses and everyday lives. It has been at the forefront of documenting climate change.

Further, solar energy, environmental control sensors that monitor emission levels and water purification systems that could save millions in poorer countries from developing deadly and debilitating water-borne diseases were all made possible because of space technology.

Mr. Speaker, I could go on and on. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the microwave oven, food products and drinks that have been developed because of space technology.

The past 7 years have made us acutely aware, Mr. Speaker, of the importance of having the infrastructure and tools to respond to natural and man-made disasters. There too, NASA has played a crucial role in national security by providing the resources and technology to make our communities, borders, waterways and airways safer. We owe wireless technology, storm warning devices and radiation hazard detection in part to space technology that was developed and tested under NASA programs.

Mr. Speaker, for me, the future of the U.S. space program hits close to home. The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral has a profound impact on Florida's economy and well-being, and my colleague in the minority, Mr. Diaz-Balart, and I know this all too well.

Again a point of personal privilege. Where Cape Canaveral, Cape Kennedy is, Mr. Speaker, as a child I fished there in the Haulover Canal, and I can't tell you what a tremendous, scintillating experience for me it is to see an area that was and still is pristine, now the place where our national pride is raised every time a space vehicle is launched.

In 2006 alone, the space program contributed nearly $1.7 billion to Florida's economy. It provides thousands of direct and indirect jobs, encourages businesses and recreational travel, and also helps groom the next generation of mathematicians and scientists by providing learning and research opportunities for students of all ages.

Mr. Speaker, by supporting this rule and the underlying bill, we are investing in the welfare of our great country and installing the next chapter in the American book of creativity and innovation.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman, a member of the Rules Committee and my good friend from Florida (Ms. Castor).

I yield the gentlelady an additional 30 seconds.

Madam Speaker, I am the last speaker for this side. I will reserve my time until the gentleman has closed for his side and yielded back his time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time, and I won't use it all.

Madam Speaker, this is a good rule for a great bill. And I was getting very confused as I heard my colleagues talking. The bill is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008. This measure has received overwhelming support across the political spectrum because it balances fiscal responsibility, oversight and advancement.

My colleagues protest rightly the accelerating price of gasoline for consumers in this country. And heating oil can't be far behind when winter comes.

But to stand and say that the Speaker of the House of Representatives has not done anything about this particular matter ignores the fact that in the other body on just about every measure that has been proposed, some that have passed out of this body, the other body in the minority have stopped them in their tracks. Now I know back in April that the Speaker called on the President to suspend purchases of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and I regret that I am buying into the notion that you have accelerated that this good space bill now has become something to do with gas.

As you know, the ranking Republican of the Science and Technology Committee, Representative Mr. Hall, and the ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, Representative Feeney, are both original sponsors of this bill. In fact, Representative Feeney praised the Democratic members and staff for crafting the bill in a bipartisan fashion from the beginning. And I too join with praising the staff on both sides for this measure.

The underlying bill authorizes funds that will maintain NASA's current operations while allowing it to lay down

the foundation to achieve future goals in the areas of space exploration and scientific research.

Furthermore, the bill provides our need and desire for a better environment, educational opportunities, and improved national security. When we invest in quality programs like NASA, we are investing in the American people and the future of our country. NASA has undoubtedly contributed to the tremendous successes that America experienced in science and technology in the later part of the 20th century. If properly funded, NASA will ensure that America remains a world leader in science, space travel, and technology in the 21st century and beyond.

Madam Speaker, I want to take just one more moment to respond to my friends who want us to lower gas prices. They are correct, but this body has, through the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, sought to crack down on oil price gouging, hold OPEC accountable for oil price fixing, and repeal subsidies for profit-rich Big Oil so we can invest in a renewable energy future. I want you to know that those measures alone have passed out of this House.

Now let's just be for real here and stop scaring the American public. There is no Member of the House of Representatives or the United States Senate that does not want gas prices in this country to be lower. There is no Member that does not want food prices to be lower. All of us need to understand something, there is no short-term fix for the problem that we have gotten ourselves into, and the majority are the people that got us in most of this fix that we are in, and it is Democrats under Nancy Pelosi that are trying to pull us out of this hole that we got ourselves in.

I will yield to my friend.

I thank my good friend. Reclaiming my time, I think my good friend knows and doubtless has heard me talk about my opposition to oil drilling in ANWR.

What I would say in response to my friend, if we started drilling in ANWR today, it would be 10 years before a drop of oil would enter into an automobile if that is what we are still using. We need energy conservation. We need renewable energy. We need all of the things that everybody is talking about, and we need to understand that nothing is going to happen in the morning. It is going to take a very long time and an awful lot of sacrifice. And I personally just get tired of people beating up on people here in this body. That is what leads to the partisan rancor. That is not what we are asking for.

I believe that we can get out of this problem. They ought to lock all 535 of us up here in this Capitol and require us to work together and require businesses to stop gouging people as they are doing.

Now this ain't the energy bill. This is the space bill, and this rule is about space.

I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of Katherine Kelly. Ms. Kelly is a lifelong Democrat who has always fought for the values and ideals that our party and our country hold dear.

As a member of the Democratic Executive Committee (D.E.C.) of Palm Beach County for more than 30 years, Katherine and her late husband, Edward Kelly, helped to build the D.E.C. and bring it to the position of prominence it holds today. Recognizing her status as one of the most respected Democrats in Palm Beach County, her fellow Committee members elected her State Committeewoman, a title she still holds.

Katherine Kelly was a founding member of Palm Beach County's first chapter of the National Organization for Women and has spent her entire life fighting to advance the rights of women. She has also been a leader in countless endeavors to ensure the rights of minorities and underprivileged citizens. And she is an ardent supporter of organized labor and the rights of working men and women in South Florida and throughout our Nation.

Katherine Kelly's relentless efforts have resulted in the election of many Democratic officials at all levels of government. More importantly, however, they have resulted in better lives for the people for whom she has fought.

Katherine is loved and respected by all who have benefited from her compassion, concern,

and determination, and she has earned the gratitude of the countless individuals who have benefited from her work. I am extremely proud to call Katherine Kelly my friend and ally. She is truly an admirable individual and a great American.

Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today to introduce the Working Families Gas Tax Credit Act of 2008. Similar to legislation that I introduced in the 109th Congress, this bill will provide greatly needed tax credits to individuals and families so that they can cope with soaring gas prices.

The Working Families Gas Tax Credit Act will provide a $500 tax credit to individuals and a $1,000 tax credit to families who make up to $75,000 or $150,000 or less, respectively.

This legislation will act as a secondary economic stimulus by providing credits to all individuals and families who were eligible for the economic stimulus rebate recently passed into law by the Democratic Congress. Similar to the 2008 economic stimulus package, the amount of the credit will phase out for individuals making over $75,000 and families making over $150,000.

Madam Speaker, working families are paying twice as much as they were paying for a gallon of gas last year while oil companies are reporting record profits. It's literally highway robbery, especially when you consider that beyond housing costs, low- and middle-income households in the United States spend more of their earnings on transportation than anything else. Americans are looking to Congress to help them respond to unwarranted gas price increases. The Working Families Gas Tax Credit Act will give working families the temporary relief that they need during this difficult time.

While it is true that there have been a number of proposals offered by our colleagues to confront current fuel price challenges, this proposal is unique in that it will put necessary resources directly in the hands of consumers. This will be an important stop gap measure as we reprioritize our international fuel prices and confront the corruption and failed policies that have led to our Nation's unsustainable oil addiction.

I encourage my colleagues to support this necessary legislation and look forward to its expedient passage.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation urging the Government of the Republic of Iraq to recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist and to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

As Congress joins with the people of Israel to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary, there are still many countries in the world which refuse to recognize our Middle Eastern ally's right to exist. Sadly, Iraq is one of them.

The United States has provided Iraq with nearly $50 billion in security and economic assistance to date, none of which has been repaid. Yet despite this enormous amount of aid, the Government of Iraq refuses to recognize Israel, the most reliable ally of the United States in the Middle East. This isn't right.

Establishing ties with Israel would help Iraq grow. Since its birth in 1948, Israel has emerged as a worldwide leader and expert in the agricultural, medical, and technological fields. Israel has the ability to forge a unique partnership with Iraq which would greatly benefit from the skills and knowledge of the Israeli workforce. Trade between the two countries would also help Iraq build an economy that is vibrant and independent of the energy sector while helping to foster democracy in the heart of the Middle East. This will never happen, however, unless Iraq moves beyond the draconian rhetoric of the past and recognizes Israel's right to exist.

The resolution I am introducing today calls on the Government of Iraq to recognize Israel's right to exist and establish diplomatic relations with our Middle Eastern friend. My resolution also calls on Iraq and other states to work with Israel and the U.S. in fighting the spread of extremism and terrorism throughout the world. Finally, the resolution urges the Administration to persuade Iraq and other countries to recognize Israel's right to exist.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution which encourages the Government of Iraq to finally recognize our great ally's right to exist. I call on the leadership of the House to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1213 and ask for its immediate consideration.

For the purpose of debate only, Mr. Speaker, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington, my good friend, Mr. Hastings. All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only.

General Leave

I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1213 provides for consideration of general debate for H.R. 5658. This debate will come under a structured rule.

The rule provides 2 hours of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Armed Services. The rule waives all points of order against the bill's consideration except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield to the chairman of our Armed Services Committee, my good friend, Representative Skelton, 4 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kagen).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Colorado, my friend, a member of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Udall.

(Mr. UDALL of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, when Democrats were elected to the majority in 2006, we promised America that we would govern responsibly, with conviction and in a bipartisan fashion.

The Duncan Hunter Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, named appropriately after our colleague from California, is a bill that is a perfect example of all three of these things. It is further proof of how things have changed here in the House in a very short period of time.

The bill continues the necessary cleaning up of the mess created by the Bush administration by modernizing our forces and restoring readiness to our military. It gives our Armed Forces the tools they need to get the job done abroad while taking care of our soldiers and their families here at home.

This is a good rule for a great bill. I urge my colleagues to support both.

The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows:

Amendment to H. Res. 1213 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 2. That upon adoption of this resolution the Speaker

shall, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the

House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the

state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5984)

to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the

limited continuation of clean energy production incentives

and incentives to improve energy efficiency in order to

prevent a downturn in these sectors that would result form a

lapse in the tax law. The first reading of the bill shall be

dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of

the bill are waived. General debate shall not exceed one hour

equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking

minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means. After

general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment

under the five-minute rule. All

points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. No

amendment to the bill shall be in order except any amendment

which the proponent asserts. if enacted, would have the

effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of

regular unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel by increasing the

domestic supply of oil by permitting the extraction of oil in

the Outer Continental Shelf. Such amendments shall be

considered as read, shall be debatable for thirty minutes

equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an

opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be

subject to a demand for division of the question in the House

or in the Committee of the Whole. All points of order against

such amendments are waived. At the conclusion of

consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall

rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as

may have been adopted. The previous question shall he

considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to

final passage without intervening motion except one motion to

recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I would like to draw attention and concern to the case of Mr. Emanuel Zeltser, a U.S. citizen who was detained March 12th upon his arrival in Minsk, Belarus, charged with ``use of forged documents.'' In the entire time that Mr. Zeltser has been detained, he has only been allowed visitation by the U.S. Embassy twice, on March 21st and April 25th. Upon the latter visit it was noted by the U.S. consul that Mr. Zeltser had been beaten several times and appeared in greatly weakened health. Mr. Zeltser suffers from Type 2 diabetes and a severe form of arthritis. Though his condition causes him severe pain and has further deteriorated during his incarceration, the authorities in the detention facility where he is held have reportedly denied him necessary medications. Without proper medications, Mr. Zeltser may not be able to survive the harsh conditions of his detention. Furthermore, according to his lawyer, Belarusian authorities have recently extended the period of Mr. Zeltser's term of detention.

It is incumbent upon the Belarusian government to provide Mr. Zeltser full consular access, proper medical care, and ensure that he is not subjected to further physical abuse and degrading treatment--consistent with its international legal obligations and basic human rights standards.

Time is of the essence in Mr. Zeltser's case, as further delays could lead to further deterioration of his health to the point of endangering his life.

Madam Speaker, I call upon the Belarusian authorities to ensure that Mr. Zeltser immediately receives the medication his doctor has prescribed, and is protected from further ill-treatment, given access to U.S. consular representatives and any medical attention he may need. On April 25, the State Department requested the Government of Belarus to release Emanuel Zeltser on humanitarian grounds. I urge the Belarusian Government to favorably consider that request.

I thank my good friend from California for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in vigorous support of this rule. I would like to thank Chairman Peterson, Chairwoman DeLauro, Chairman Rangel, and Mr. Goodlatte, who I feel have crafted a sound bipartisan compromise bill for all of us to support, and they are to be complimented for their hard work during these fiscally challenging times.

The underlying legislation makes important reforms that benefit farmers across our Nation and assist many industries which are the economic engine of the congressional district that I'm privileged to serve. The bill before us today is an important achievement for the State of Florida and for the constituents that I serve.

As many of my colleagues know, I represent, along with my colleague from Florida (Mr. Mahoney), the second largest sugar-producing district in the country. The Florida sugar industry has a $3.1 billion economic impact on the State of Florida, and I thank the committees for including the provisions that assist this important industry.

I also thank the committees for including the Pollinator Protection Act, which I authored and which was carried by Mr. Cardoza, who is carrying this rule and working with me. This act authorizes funding to conduct research on colony collapse disorder to prevent the continuing decline of the pollinator population. People, if there ain't no bees, there ain't no food.

Finally, this bill addresses rising food prices here at home and overseas by substantially increasing funding for nutrition programs and food banks and promoting duty-free imports in the

Caribbean, thanks to Mr. Rangel, and to Haiti, where citizens are forced now to eat mud cakes to survive.

Having worked as a boy in farms, I understand firsthand how food gets to the table. I am proud to say that this bill serves our farmers well.

Madam Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Madam Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.