Floor Statements

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

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.

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

Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Madam Speaker, I move that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table.

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008. This omnibus bill contains many essential elements that reinforce the infrastructure of our Nation's historical and natural treasures. Out of the several important pieces of legislation, I would like to emphasize the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2007, which my friend Representative Castle and I introduced and led to passage in the House last year.

I would like to once again thank Chairman Rahall and Subcommittee Chairman Grijalva for their support of H.R. 1239 when it passed the House and commend them for bringing this omnibus legislation to the floor today. Additionally, I thank Senator Biden for his leadership in introducing the companion to H.R. 1239 and the National Parks Conservation Association for their tireless work for the Network to Freedom and other national park initiatives.

Mr. Speaker, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom is the only national program dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of Underground Railroad history included in this legislation. It appropriately adjusts authorization levels for the Network to Freedom to reflect the growth of interest nationally and the resulting expansion of opportunities.

The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 is part of a concerted movement to overcome the funding challenges that threaten all national parks. In doing so, this legislation appropriately empowers the Network to Freedom by moderately expanding their operating funds and establishing appropriate oversight for grant funds.

If not for the plethora of other reasons to support the overarching legislation, I urge my colleagues to vote for S. 2739 because it truly demonstrates that African-American history is synonymous with American history. This legislation preserves the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom so that future generations will have a chance to learn about our history not only in a book, but with their own eyes.

Madam Speaker, this week marks the 40th anniversary of the initial publication of the ``Chronicle of Current Events,'' the ``underground newspaper of record,'' if you will, of the Soviet human rights movement in the years before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The ``Chronicle'' was a samizdat, or ``self-published,'' journal created to break through the government's monopoly on the flow of information and report to its readers the truth about human rights in the ``workers' paradise.'' Described recently by the Russian human rights organization ``Memorial'' as the ``fullest and most precise compilation of historical information about dissident activity and political persecutions in the USSR between 1968 and 1982,'' it was distributed via underground channels to readers in the Soviet Union and to foreign journalists and diplomats. In short time, the ``Chronicle'' gained a reputation for veracity and straight-forward reporting, and when copies reached the West, the contents were broadcast back to the Soviet Union by international radio stations such as Radio Liberty, BBC, Deutschewelle and others.

Meanwhile, the KGB expended a huge amount of effort and time to expose and apprehend the editors, contributors, and distributors of these two dozen or so typewritten sheets of onionskin paper. Possession, and especially distribution, of the ``Chronicle'' could result in lengthy labor camp sentences and internal exile. As might be expected, the list of persons involved in producing the ``Chronicle'' is a ``Who's Who'' of former Soviet dissidents and political prisoners. Despite the hardships and dangers involved, these brave individuals managed to compile and distribute over 60 issues of the publication.

Besides supplying otherwise unavailable information on human rights issues, the ``Chronicle'' inspired the establishment of similar publications devoted to specific themes and geographic regions. These would include the fate of the Catholic Church in Lithuania, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes, and the fate of national minorities, such as the Crimean Tatars, under the Soviet system.

Madam Speaker, I would also mention that through the tireless efforts of Mr. Edward Kline, Professor Peter Reddaway, and exiled Soviet dissidents Valery Chalidze and Pavel Litvinov, an English version of the ``Chronicle'' became available in the West, allowing many non- specialists to become familiar with the deplorable human rights situation in the Soviet Union.

Eventually, with former KGB head Yuri Andropov in command in the Kremlin, the authorities managed to imprison, exile, or neutralize so many contributors to the ``Chronicle'' that it ceased publication in 1982. However, the folly of insulating the Soviet system from the free flow of information that was encircling the globe while trying to maintain a decent economy, let alone super-power status, was becoming by this time obvious to the more perceptive apparatchiks in the Kremlin's corridors of power. Three years later, Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev was selected to lead the Communist Party, and 6 years later the hammer and sickle banner of Soviet communism was replaced by the tri-color of the Russian Federation.

Today, Russia and the nations that comprised the Soviet Union are now independent and sovereign states. However, the free flow of information and media pluralism, though in immeasurably better condition than during the Soviet period, is still problematic. As Freedom House points out in its recently issued annual survey of press freedom throughout the world, Russia is among several nations of the former Soviet bloc that have suffered setbacks in the area of press freedom. There seems to be a rush by the government to characterize, with little serious justification, as ``extremist'' certain books and articles, opposition journalists and newspapers have been harassed, and new legislation recently introduced in the Duma would make it easier for the government to close down media outlets for allegedly publishing libel and slander.

Madam Speaker, let us hope that President-elect Medvedev recognizes that if Russia is to prosper in the global community, the free flow of information must be a vital component of the nation's commercial, social, and political infrastructure, and that if Russian citizens wish to view underground publications such as the ``Chronicle of Current Events,'' they might better find them freely available in museums and libraries.

Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I closely monitor incidents of racism and intolerance in the OSCE region. Today, I rise to address the need to foster greater knowledge of the genocide of Roma. I am moved to do so by some recent developments in the Czech Republic.

Too little is known, and too little is understood, about the genocide of Roma during World War II--and that ignorance manifests itself in many ways.

Last year, a tape recording emerged of a local housing committee meeting in the town of Ostrava in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, On this tape recording was the voice of Senator Liana Janackova. who was serving as a local mayor at the time the recording was made. And on this tape recording, Senator Janackova is heard to say: ``Unfortunately, I am a racist. I disagree with the integration of Gypsies so that they would live across the area. Unfortunately, we have chosen the Bedriska (colony) and so they will stay there, with a high fence and with electricity.'' She was also heard to say that she had no place to move the Roma and would therefore like to dynamite them away.

News reports say that the Senator has since apologized and called her remarks ``silly'' and explained that they were not directed against all Roma, just some Roma.

Last week, this case was back in the news because the Czech Senate declined to lift Senator Janackova's immunity, a necessary step for prosecutors to charge her under the Czech Republic's laws that make defamation of a nation, ethnic group, race or faith a crime.

There has already been considerable criticism of the Czech Senate's 54 to 13 vote. According to news reports, those who voted against lifting Senator Janackova's immunity argued that she didn't make those remarks with a racist intent. Senator Janackova declared herself to be a racist and talked about dynamiting members of the Czech Republic's most persecuted minority, but they didn't think she had a racist intent. Frankly, I'm having a little trouble following that logic.

The fact is, this case illustrates one of the many ways in which hate speech laws stray from their original purpose and, often, don't work the way they were intended.

Now, I am not an advocate of hate speech laws as a means to address racism and intolerance. It is perhaps worth recalling that just a few years ago in the Czech Republic, a Romani woman cursed the wall that had been built in Usti nad Labem to separate Roma from non-Roma. In an extraordinary miscarriage of justice, she was convicted of hate speech for doing so. If not pardoned by Vaclav Havel, she would've gone to prison. And Romani activist Ondrej Gina was threatened with hate speech charges for saying his town was racist.

From where I stand, there are just too many cases where people are charged under hate speech laws not because they have fomented racial hatred, but because they have offended the national or local government's political sensitivities.

So I am not here to make the case for prosecuting people for the content of their speech, or to argue that Senator Janackova should go to jail for what she said. Instead, I rise today to recommend that Senator Janackova visit the Romani camp at Auschwitz.

During World War II, Roma were targeted for death by the Nazis based on their ethnicity. At least 23,000 Roma were brought to Auschwitz-- including many from the concentrations camps at Lety and Hodonin. Almost all of them perished in the gas chambers or from starvation. exhaustion, or disease. Some Ronia also died at the hands of sadistic SS doctors, like Joseph Mengele. In fact, a young Czech woman, Dina Babbitt-Gottlieb, also interned at Auschwitz, was forced to paint portraits of Roma for Mengele, who particularly liked to conduct gruesome medical experiments on Roma.

On the night of August 2nd and 3rd, 1944, the order was given to liquidate the Romani camp at Auschwitz. In a single evening, 2,897 Romani men, women and children were killed in gas chambers. In the end, almost the entire Romani population of the Czech lands was exterminated during the Nazi occupation.

I don't know Senator Janackova. But I'd bet she has not been to the Romani camp at Auschwitz. Maybe she has not even been to the Museum of Roma Culture in Brno. Maybe she could view the collection of photographs of Czech Romani Holocaust victims that have been displayed in Prague. Maybe she could even help secure the resources to remove the pig farm from the site of the Lety concentration camp, as called for by many Romani activists and some government officials.

So I'm not calling for Senator Janackova go to jail. But I would like it if she could visit the Romani camp at Auschwitz. I think she would learn a lot there--she might even learn that words can have real consequences.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep appreciation for the House and Senate for passing H.R. 1922 and S. 1143, resolutions which designate the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and surrounding areas as an Outstanding National Area. As a proud cosponsor of this legislation, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the efforts of my good friend from Florida, Congressman Tim Mahoney, for introducing this important legislation and for the House leadership for bringing it to the floor for a vote on March 4, 2008. The Senate version of the bill, S. 1143, was introduced by Senator Bill Nelson and was passed by the Senate on April 10, 2008.

This legislation helps to promote the environmental and historic preservation of this important site and is a valuable step toward promoting these ideals throughout America. The historic significance attached to this lighthouse is truly remarkable. Besides guiding sailors through the nearby waters, it has also served as a symbol of local history and, indeed, our Nation's history as a whole.

The need for a lighthouse in Jupiter arose because of coastal reefs which made nautical activity very dangerous in the region. The lighthouse was designed by then Army Lieutenant George Mead, who would later lead the Union Army to victory as a general at the Battle of Gettysburg. Not only did its designer win a decisive Civil War battle, but the lighthouse was also later used extensively by Union sailors, further aiding the fight against secession. However, preliminary construction of the lighthouse proved to be an arduous task, with malaria, other diseases, and raids from some of the local populations taking a significant toll.

This lighthouse has served not only as a beacon for Florida's sailors but also as a reminder of the importance of our history. We must always remember the special circumstances concerning the history of the lands around the lighthouse. For centuries, Native Americans lived and flourished in that area. On numerous occasions, they quartered runaway slaves and welcomed them into their communities. Today, the influence of these native peoples can still be felt. In fact, both Jupiter and Hobe Sounds' names were derived from the Hobe Indians who once lived in the region.

I would be remiss to not mention the natural beauty of the region. We are lucky to have such a pristine example of what Florida can offer to our nation's environmental diversity. The river itself is home to countless species of plant and animal life which live together in harmony and help to define the entire region. We have a duty to work toward preserving this land and all the species that thrive there.

The lighthouse at Jupiter Inlet and the surrounding area have a deep historical connection to our country and are a testament to the necessity of conservation efforts in our nation's varied habitats. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for passing this bill, and I urge the President to sign this into law and designate the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse as a National Landscape System.

Madam Speaker, it is with both enthusiasm and heavy heart that I rise today to congratulate Mr. Dalton Yancey on his recent retirement from the Florida, Texas, and Hawaii Sugar Cane Growers.

For over 35 years, Dalton has represented and advocated on behalf of American agriculture. An expert in U.S. agriculture policy, Dalton has specialized in sugar, citrus and trade policy, ensuring that American growers and farmers are always given a level playing field on which to compete with foreign growers. He is the past President of the Commodity Club of Washington, DC, and the former Board Chair of the American Sugar Alliance. A true testament to his knowledge, Dalton has been appointed by three American Presidents to serve on the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee for Sweeteners.

In addition to his professional duties, Dalton is extensively involved in many activities throughout his community. As an officer in the U.S. Army, Dalton served in Germany and Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. In 1969, he was a key member of Operation Holy Task Force, which brought Bob Hope to Southeast Asia.

Dalton has been active with the University of Florida Alumni Association, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Florida State Society. I have seen Dalton in action with all of these organizations, as well as the Faith and Politics Institute since its inception 16 years ago. The two of us have been together at more prayer breakfasts and meetings organized by the Institute than I can even begin to count. As a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Northern Virginia, Dalton and his wife of 33 years, Barbara--known by many of us as Barbie--are as committed to their church as they are to everything that they do.

Madam Speaker, I have had the privilege and honor of knowing Dalton throughout my career in the House of Representatives. It goes without saying that the people of Florida are losing a tremendous advocate with Dalton's retirement. He is not only an exceptional advocate on behalf of the people in my district, but a real friend to me.

I have often sought Dalton's advice and counsel not only on agricultural issues, but on so many other things that we consider here in the halls of Congress. He is, under every definition in the book, a true Southern gentleman. I thank Dalton for his service, wish him luck in this new and exciting chapter in his life, and implore him that he not stray too far from those of us who will miss him most.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate the Dillard High School Boy's Basketball Team for winning the Class 5A Florida State Championship. The Panthers won a hard fought victory against St. Petersburg's Lakewood High School. I would like to call the attention of my distinguished colleagues to this historic win for Fort Lauderdale's Dillard High School, located in my Congressional District.

Few would have expected the championship game to be won easily. But with determination and grit, Dillard prevailed. With the score tied 26- 26 at the half, it really was anyone's game. Dillard fell behind in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, through the leadership of their coach, Darryl Burrows, they were able to stage a comeback to win the game 61-55.

No one can deny the accomplishments of these young men, and they should not go unnoticed. It is a testament to their character that they were able to overcome such stiff competition. Only through countless hours of practice, both on and off the court, could they have gained such a victory. Prior to Dillard's State Championship win, no Broward County high school had won a class 5A state title since 2001.

Certainly, the Panthers can be proud of the prestige they brought to their high school. Similarly, Dillard High School can be proud that it produced such outstanding young men. The school's faculty helped cultivate and instill within the players the values of determination and sportsmanship that sharpened their skills. The names of the players, coaches, assistants, and administrators are: Kore White, Nigel Spikes, Xiandger Reliford, Ben Dinkins, Fred Landers, Javier Frazier, Sherman Gammage, Alen Hardy, Robert Burger, Rubyne Burrows, Courtney Ojeda, Jabari Caldwell, Jarrett Dieudonne, Eric Francis, Derek Foster, John Jackson, Clarence Doe, Darryl Burrows, Kanshea Jackson, Jamal DuBose, Junior Wade, DeAna'e DeSadier, Dwayne Nelson, Louis Wright, William Heastie, Marty Seidlin, Fred Battle, Juan Urbina, Zeb Wright, Quinton Williams, Tracie Latimer, Mr. Harrison, and Willie Kelly.

At this time of the year when America's basketball frenzy is at a fever pitch, it is easy to focus only on the accomplishments of college and professional players. However, we must remember the contributions of young people to our society. Certainly, as the Panthers' victory proves, young people can, and often do, accomplish great things. This victory belongs not only to the players, but also to their coaches, family, and friends. We need to continue to invest in our local communities to support the institutions that improve the lives of our Nation's youth. In doing this, we will see winning results that will lead our young people to accomplish great things.

Madam Speaker, we in Congress can learn a lot from the young men of Dillard High School. We need only recall their state championship victory to remind us of the value of investing in our Nation's educational system and youth programs. The Panther's commitment should be honored within the halls of Congress, and these young men should know how much pride their victory has given to their school, Florida's 23rd Congressional District, and this institution.