Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 498 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

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

General Leave

I also ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 498.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 498 is an open rule that provides for consideration of H.R. 2764, the fiscal year 2008 appropriations for the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and related programs.

Mr. Speaker, I have seen 15 State and Foreign Operations measures go through the House of Representatives in almost 16 years of serving in this body. Some bills were well-intentioned, but fell short of meeting America's critical needs and objectives, while others missed the target altogether.

Regarding today's State and Foreign Operations bill, I must commend Chairwoman Lowey, Ranking Member Wolf, their respective staffs and the rest of the committee for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to craft this meaningful piece of legislation. Despite critical budget constraints and critical concerns, the bill is fiscally responsible and begins to address our Nation's foreign policy initiatives as they relate to fulfilling our commitments abroad.

In my capacity as chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and as a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I believe I can speak to our country's need to restore world stability after years of following misguided and shortsighted foreign policy.

This bill provides $34.2 billion overall for foreign assistance and State Department operations, with much-needed emphasis placed on international AIDS programs, children's health care, basic education programs and targeted peacekeeping operations. By increasing funds for critical global health, basic education, refugee and disaster assistance programs, we are heightening world stability and rebuilding our image abroad as a nation builder, not divider.

In an effort to shift away from a Middle East foreign policy that focused a little too narrowly on Iraq, we are now reaching out to neighboring Mediterranean countries that need our attention and assistance. The escalating situation in Iraq has forced thousands, indeed millions, of refugees to flee into neighboring countries, Jordan being one of the most heavily affected.

During a trip to the region almost 2 weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, I witnessed firsthand the heart-wrenching effects of people displaced. What I learned in Jordan and saw in Kosovo is that there are people in this world being forced to live in conditions so inhumane that even our wildest nightmares could not comprehend. As such, I am pleased to support the bill's allocation of $830 million to provide refugees worldwide with food, water and shelter. As I spoke last evening during the testimony in the Rules Committee, I said to Mrs. Lowey and to Mr. Wolf that I am hopeful in conference that they will be able to add funds specifically for Jordan for reasons that I perceive are necessary.

While we must remain vigilant and diligent on combating the evils of terrorism, we must also simultaneously seize opportunities to establish, maintain and strengthen diplomatic ties in every region of the world. I am pleased also to see that the bill provides $365 million to enhance our public diplomacy efforts, and allocates $501 million for cultural, educational and professional exchange programs globally.

The underlying legislation includes critical foreign aid to our allies in the world, including Israel. It also restores funding in many of the areas which the present administration sought to cut.

As I mentioned, I serve as chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and the President Emeritus of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I am fond of saying that if you can say all of that, you ought to be president of the assembly. I am deeply appreciative that this bill funds America's commitment to the OSCE and the Helsinki Commission, and I indeed thank the chairwoman and ranking member, especially the chairwoman, for her efforts toward this end.

Mr. Speaker, America has a responsibility in the world. We are, as is constantly reported, the last remaining Superpower. Contrary to what many might argue later in this debate, our power cannot and must not be flexed only in our military might. On the contrary, our power must be flexed in what we do to help repair many of the things that are broken in the world.

The underlying legislation is a critical component in this effort. I am pleased to support this open rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the second-ranking member on the majority side on the Rules Committee, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Mr. Speaker, America's leadership role is not limited to the Presidency. Nor does it solely fall upon the shoulders of this body. Branches of our government must share responsibility.

During this critical time in world history, when America's image as a global leader is tarnished and questioned, we must lead from this Chamber. We must take it upon ourselves to make it possible for America's image in the world to be restored. We must make it our business to try and make all that is wrong right.

When America leads in a constructive, inclusive and thoughtful manner, others in the world follow. This approach toward global leadership is not, as some have charged, a soft approach to conducting the war on terrorism. On the contrary, it is a clear recognition that America cannot do this alone.

If we have learned anything in the last 6 years, it is that no one in this world is safe from the directions of terrorism. It will take a global effort to curb the efforts of those who are seeking to destroy us and others in the world.

But if we have learned anything else during the last 6 years, it is that the policies of the present administration have failed and America's standing in the world is in dire need of restoration.

Parts of the Middle East, from Iraq to Gaza, are living in a civil war. People are dying in Darfur as we and others around the world do nothing. And children throughout the world are starving to death and dying of malnourishment and lack of potable fresh water.

The underlying legislation, the first Foreign Operations appropriations bill of this new Democratic majority, sends a clear message to our friends and enemies alike that America's priorities in the world are making must-needed changes.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

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

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome an impressive delegation of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean to Washington, DC for the first ``Conference on the Caribbean'' through the coordination of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the State Department, and Congress.

This multifaceted and dynamic region is strikingly promising, offering an array of opportunities. CARICOM is committed to enhancing economic integration through a common market and common trade policies. Members of this organization are also committed to increasing their functional cooperation by pooling resources and services in the area of human and social development, as well as coordinating foreign policy objectives that make a concerted stride for regional advancement.

The fact that this meeting is taking place in our Nation's capitol is indeed something that I applaud. However, I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the concentrated costs associated with developing an institutional framework needed to secure deeper regional integration. Therefore, it is essential that the international community invests in the socioeconomic infrastructure of this lucrative region in order to increase competitiveness and development. Aggressively pursuing partnerships and seizing opportunities to open markets are instrumental in securing a progressive future for this often ignored region.

This fortified partnership is much needed to address plaguing social dilemmas that warrant international attention. As HIV/AIDS, crime, and poverty ripple through the Caribbean region, we must be compelled to advocate for this region's growing plights. The increasing West Indian influence in the U.S. legitimizes the need for continued U.S.-Caribbean relations. According to 2000 census data an estimated 1.9 million of the total U.S. population comes from a West Indian background.

I am proud to represent Florida's 23rd district where approximately 115,000, or 18 percent of the entire district, has a Caribbean heritage. The growing presence of West Indians in South Florida, New York, and Washington, DC, has contributed to enhancing multicultural communities that are committed to economic development and social advancement.

I applaud this important step, and look forward to working with CARICOM to improve the overall relations between the U.S. Congress and our Caribbean allies.

Mr. Speaker, while we often celebrate the efforts of those who admirably risked their lives to protect others during the Holocaust, there remain many whose efforts have gone largely unnoticed. The American Government officials who helped create the War Refugee Board may not have put their lives in danger, but their efforts on behalf of the victims of Nazi power helped save thousands.

As early as 1942, our Government had received extensive, credible information confirming the atrocities being committed against

Jews and other minorities throughout Europe. In spite of these substantiated reports of Nazi instigated genocide, the United States Government refused to assist those in need of our help, choosing instead to pursue a policy tantamount to acquiescence.

John Pehle, a young lawyer in the Treasury Department, however, chose to act. He, along with Josiah Dubois, Assistant General Counsel of the Treasury Department, and Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, took it upon themselves to ensure the American Government not only acknowledged the crimes being committed in Europe, but also played an active role in aiding those suffering at the hands of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi collaborators. In 1943, they presented a memorandum to President Franklin D. Roosevelt urging him to take immediate action to assist the victims of Nazi crimes.

Largely as a result of these men's efforts, President Roosevelt created the War Refugee Board on January 22, 1944. Roosevelt stated that through the work of the Board, the United States would ``take all measures within its power to rescue the victims of enemy oppression . . . to afford such victims all possible relief and assistance.'' Despite its monumental mission, the War Refugee Board was only comprised of 30 employees and allocated $1 million to carry out its tasks.

With the generous financial assistance of thousands of American Jews and others, the War Refugee Board was able to save as many as 200,000 Jews and other persecuted minorities. Of those, 15,000 were evacuated from areas controlled by Germany and its allies, 48,000 were transferred from Transnistria to safe areas of Romania, and at least another 10,000 were protected throughout other parts of Axis Europe by War Refugee Board funded underground activities. Additionally, through their assistance to the International Red Cross, the War Refugee Board helped to provide food parcels to civilians in internment camps as well as support and protection for some 3,000,000 Allied and Axis prisoners of war.

In passing this legislation, the House will recognize not only the noble efforts of the War Refugee Board, but also the efforts of those Government officials who made it their personal mission to ensure that America's policies abroad reflected our Nation's ideals of justice and compassion. The work of John Pehle, Henry Morgenthau, Josiah Dubois, and the War Refugee Board embodied the American tradition of reaching out to those most in need and helped make America the beacon of hope it has come to symbolize for so many.

Mr. Speaker, at a time when America's moral authority is questioned as strongly as it is today, it is important to remember those Americans in our history who have worked tirelessly to ensure the United States meets the ethical responsibility that comes with our standing in the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Stephanie N. Steele, of Port St. Lucie, Florida. Ms. Steele was a very talented artist who died recently at just 21 years of age, after fighting a long and valiant battle against cystic fibrosis. I first became aware of her great courage and remarkable skill in 2002, when she was the subject of a feature story in The Palm Beach Post.

Despite her disability, Ms. Steele remained optimistic throughout her short life. She painted beautiful murals that attracted widespread attention and brought cheer to everyone who knew her. Ms. Steele was known for her sparkling personality and her sweet demeanor. In addition to her art, she was an accomplished writer, compiling 27 journals about her life. She underwent two lung transplants, both of which her body rejected.

I join her family and friends in grieving this great loss. It is because of such tragedies that I serve on the Cystic Fibrosis Caucus in the House of Representatives. I will continue to fight for more funding for research into a cure for cystic fibrosis and related diseases.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to Stephanie Steele for what she taught us about living with dignity and never admitting defeat. The best way we can honor her memory is to rededicate ourselves to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis so that no one else is taken from us before they can fulfill their life's potential.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support for the Museum of the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Poland.

Last month, I had the opportunity to travel to Poland, and I was deeply inspired by my meeting with Jerzy Halbersztadt, the Executive Director of the Museum, and Ewa Wierzynska, the Deputy Director. I commend them for their extraordinary hard work and vision in bringing this museum to life. A groundbreaking ceremony for the museum, located in the heart of the pre-World War II Jewish district, will be held on June 26th. I also commend the municipality of Warsaw and the Government of Poland for supporting the establishment of this important institution.

Jews arrived in the medieval Kingdom of Poland almost one thousand years ago, as they escaped persecution in neighboring countries. Indeed, the Hebrew word for Poland is

``Polin,'' which some translate as ``here you shall rest.'' But while everyone in Poland learns about the Holocaust, many people know little about the lives of the Jews before they met their death in the concentration camps of Nazi occupiers. This rich history spanning a thousand years must be reclaimed. Indeed, understanding the travesty of the Holocaust requires a full understanding of what was destroyed.

Accordingly, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews will commemorate the 3 million Polish Jews who died in World War II. It will also celebrate the nearly one thousand years of proud Jewish culture in Poland.

In addition, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews will enhance understanding of Jewish history and cultural roots at a time when anti- Semitism is growing throughout Europe. As a former President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and now as Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I am heartened by the educational role this museum can play in fulfilling the goals that the OSCE participating States have undertaken in the field of combating anti-Semitism.

This museum has been some years in coming. In 1996, Yeshayahu Weinberg, a founding director of Tel Aviv's Diaspora Museum and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, created an international team of experts with the goal of establishing a museum to display and preserve artifacts which showcase the extensive culture of the Jewish people in Poland. In 1997, the Warsaw City Council donated 13,000 square meters of land for the Museum of the History of Polish Jews inside the old Jewish Quarter and opposite the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Memorial. In 2005, an international architectural competition selected a Finnish firm to design the building housing the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The astounding architecture remarkably represents the parting of the Red Sea through ingenious use of mortar, steel and space.

Approximately 500,000 visitors are anticipated to visit the museum each year. Visitors will take a virtual journey through a world where Jews experienced not only persecution and poverty but perseverance and success. If all goes as planned, the museum will open in 2009 with initial costs funded primarily by the governments of Poland and Germany, and through private donations from Jewish communities around the world.

Madam Speaker, it is estimated that eighty percent of all Jews and over 9 million Americans trace some of their ancestry to the Polish Jewish community. This museum has the potential to touch the lives of our own citizens in deeply personal ways. I look forward to visiting it myself.

Madam Speaker, I have just returned from official travel as Chairman of the Helsinki Commission to several locations in Europe and the Middle East. One stop was Kosovo, which is presently high on the international agenda.

As we all know, the Special Envoy for the UN Secretary-General, former Finnish President Maarti Ahtisaari, has submitted a comprehensive proposal for settling the status of Kosovo. If adopted, the proposal would end the eight years of limbo in which Kosovo has found itself since the NATO intervention ended a long period of brutality and repression by Serbian authorities under the leadership of Slobodan Milosevic. Nevertheless, some countries represented on the UN Security Council have problems with the Ahtisaari plan, and Russian opposition, based at least in part on issues having little if anything to do with Kosovo and the Balkans, would doom action at the United Nations. Last week's G-8 summit failed to break the impasse within the international community.

During my stay in Kosovo, I was thoroughly briefed by the U.S. Office in Pristina, led by Tina Kaidanow, as well as by Brigadier General Douglas Earhart of the 29th Infantry Division, who commands U.S. forces in Kosovo as well as multinational task force located in the southeast portion of Kosovo. The head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, German Ambassador Werner Wnendt, provided the perspective of one of the international missions in the field. I also had the opportunity to meet the Kosovo Prime Minister, the Minister for Communities and Returns and representatives of the Kosovo ``Unity Team.'' I traveled to Mitrovica where I also met representatives of the Serb community, and I visited areas at different locations where housing has been built to accommodate the return of those Serbs and Roma displaced by violence.

Based on my observations, I support the Ahtisaari proposal. It provides for independence for Kosovo, which I believe can be justified on grounds of what happened in Kosovo under Serbian rule as well as the right of self-determination, a right included in the Helsinki Final Act. The overwhelming majority of the people of Kosovo want independence, and the United Nations made it a credible possibility in Security Council Resolution 1244, adopted at the end of the Kosovo conflict in 1999.

At the same time, and perhaps more important, the Ahtisaari proposal contains provisions regarding the decentralization of powers to Serb- majority municipalities, numerous human rights protections for ethnic communities, and the protection of religious and cultural heritage sites so important to the Serb community. If implemented, these provisions offer a good possibility for the Serb and other non-Albanian communities to survive in what would be a multi-ethnic Kosovo. Independence would be supervised by the international community, to ensure both a smooth transfer of authority and full implementation of the proposal.

As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I remain naturally concerned about the human rights situation in Kosovo. My priority is a Kosovo where human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, and where democracy, tolerance and the rule of law are established, regardless of the course or outcome of deliberations on Kosovo's status. Such a Kosovo does not yet exist; many problems remain. I do believe, however, that in a situation where no answers are easily found the Ahtisaari plan has the best potential to achieve these goals, and I will work to ensure that the Helsinki Commission encourages their achievement even after status is determined.

I wish to conclude my remarks, Madam Speaker, by announcing my intention to cosponsor House Resolution 309, expressing the sense of the House that the United States should support independence for Kosovo. Some of the concerns expressed in an alternative piece of legislation, House Resolution 445, are ones that I share, but continued delay on this issue helps nobody on the ground. The Ahtisaari proposal, in addition to addressing status, provides a means for securing the return and sustainability of the Serb and other ethnic communities in Kosovo, and I believe the people of the region would be best served by trying to make its provisions a reality.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my condolences over the terrible mining accident that took place earlier today near the Russian city of Novokuznetsk in Siberia. According to news reports, as many as 38 people may have been killed and still others injured in a methane gas explosion at the Yubileinaya coal mine. This is a terrible and sad accident

Words alone cannot adequately convey my sympathy over this tragic accident. Coal mining is a difficult and dangerous job often done by the economically disadvantaged and accidents such as these only make that challenging way of life harder. Indeed, we Americans are, unfortunately, no stranger to mining accidents.

Just this morning the Helsinki Commission held a hearing on Russia. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those Russians affected by this tragedy and we hope that those who remain trapped are recovered soon and alive.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in praise of the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida, home to three high schools ranked among the best in the nation by Newsweek magazine. Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Arthur Johnson, is doing an outstanding job, for which we are all very grateful. The School District of Palm Beach County currently includes 166 public schools and over 170,000 students. The efficient operation of so many institutions of learning is a considerable undertaking, and Dr. Johnson, his administrators and the faculties of the various schools deserve great praise for their hard work and huge success.

I want to offer particular praise for Suncoast High School, rated fifth best high school in America by Newsweek and Dreyfoos School of the Arts, also in the top 20, both of which are in my district. Suncoast, an international studies magnet school, has been recognized before for the high quality of its programs. Additionally, at least five Suncoast teachers have been singled out for excellence, and both schools have seen many awards go to their students.

On this occasion, I also want to recognize Jessica Su, a junior at Suncoast High School, one of 81 students in America to receive the 2006-07 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement. This prestigious distinction is given to students who demonstrate the highest proficiency in mathematics and science. Ms. Su is one of only seven juniors to win this award. A brilliant young lady, her remarkable accomplishment can be credited in part to the education she is getting at Suncoast.

I am delighted to be able to stand here today praising these fine accomplishments, and it is with great pride that I congratulate both schools, their administrators, faculty and students and Dr. Johnson for the fine work they are all doing.

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a man who, without exaggeration, was called ``the greatest record man of all time'' and who with great character and spirit made indelible contributions to the worldwide promotion of African-American music and American popular culture while also standing for racial equality and social justice.

Unfortunately, we lost Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2006. His legacy will live on in the music he promoted, and the legendary careers--from Ray Charles to the Rolling Stones--he helped create and develop over 60 years.

PBS recently ran a documentary titled ``Atlantic Records: The House that Ahmet Built.'' This 2-hour sensation chronicled the life of Ertegun from his birth in 1923 through his childhood, career, and success. We witnessed America change through his eyes, and the emergence of African-American music into popular culture with his guidance.

I urge all Members of Congress to watch this documentary if they have not had the opportunity to do so. The son of the first Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United States, Ertegun, through music and entertainment, was instrumental in breaking down the racial barriers that so divided our country during the years of Jim Crow laws and segregation. In the 1940s at a time when Washington was segregated, he frequented African-American nightclubs and realized that ``all popular music stems from black music, be it jazz or rock n' roll or rap.'' Ertegun is often credited for coining the phrase, ``jazz is America's music.''

At every turn, Ertegun and his brother, Nesuhi, challenged the prevailing racial bigotry, stereotypes and discrimination. Despite being initially denied by the National Press Club and the segregation policies of the day, they organized the first integrated jazz concert before a white and black audience in Washington, DC at the Jewish Community Center in the 1940s. They even brought hostility to themselves in hosting the now famous integrated jazz sessions at their home of the Turkish embassy residence, again, challenging the practice of segregation. While not directly following in his father's footsteps with a diplomatic career, he practiced a true diplomacy in bringing people together.

Ertegun's love of American black music led him to found Atlantic Records in 1947. For nearly five decades, Ertegun wrote and produced music, defined careers and changed the lives of household names such as Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, and others and brought African American music and soul into the American mainstream.

It was a young Turk who prominently recognized, promoted and honored the contributions of black America in the entertainment and recording industries. In a February 2005 interview in Slate Magazine, Ertegun was asked what he considered to be his legacy. His answer: ``I'd be happy if people said that I did a little bit to raise the dignity and recognition of the greatness of African-American music.''

Ertegun also became a trustee of several charitable organizations, including the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which sought to ensure that singers and artists received their share of royalties that they had for so long been denied. As mentioned earlier, he was a contributing founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, whose main exhibition hall now bears his name.

Ahmet Ertegun's leadership is reflected in the inspirational careers of other Turkish Americans who continue the legacy of contributing to what makes America great. I hope that my colleagues, this great institution and the American people will join me in paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of a great American icon and a proud and talented Turk.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague from Florida, Representative Ros-Lehtinen and almost 20 bipartisan original cosponsors to introduce the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act.

Although the United States possesses the most capable research enterprise, the largest economy, and the most sophisticated social infrastructure in the world, it remains extremely vulnerable to damage and loss of life from natural disasters. Among weather hazards, hurricanes account for over half of the total economic damage inflicted in the United States.

Since 2001, hurricane damage has cost our nation an average of $35.8 billion in economic losses per year. Even more, the past two years, hurricanes have caused over 1,450 innocent lives to be lost.

With less than a month before this year's hurricane season is set to begin, now is the time to nationally invest in new research to better prepare, respond and mitigate these disasters.

The National Science Board task force, a 24-member independent advisory body to the President and Congress on national science and engineering issues, recently released a report on January 12, 2007 entitled, Hurricane Warning: The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative. Their report warns that relative to the tremendous damage future hurricanes will inflict, the current federal investment in hurricane science and engineering is entirely insufficient. More than ever before, our nation needs a National Hurricane Research Initiative (NHRI) to provide vital hurricane research to adequately respond to these threats.

I come to the floor today to introduce the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act, a comprehensive hurricane research bill which will improve hurricane research dramatically in

the United States. The bill authorizes $4.35 billion in critical hurricane research funding to help scientists study and better understand how hurricanes form and intensify. This bill also provides enhanced information on early warning systems, infrastructure durability standards, and hurricane tracking and prediction capabilities.

The National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 takes the general recommendations of the National Science Board and assembles the expertise of the nation's science and engineering experts to gain a better understanding of hurricane prediction and intensity. Under the bill, research is directed to further develop communications emergency networks for government agencies and non-government entities to improve disaster response and recovery. This bill also establishes a National Infrastructure Data Base to develop standards and establish public policy to better understand hurricanes and tropical storms.

Madam Speaker, our nation, and my State of Florida in particular, are all too familiar with the immense damage hurricanes can inflict. When faced with strong hurricane predictions for this year, it could not be more a more appropriate time for Congress to act. We need a forward thinking approach that collects and utilizes comprehensive and improved hurricane research. My legislation would do just that. By investing in scientific research now, before the hurricanes strike, we will be able to better plan and mitigate these disasters, saving infrastructure and lives.

I ask for my colleagues' support and urge the House Leadership to bring this legislation to the floor for its swift consideration.

The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski).

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 388 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

General Leave

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

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

Mr. Speaker, as the Clerk just read, House Resolution 388 provides for consideration of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 under a structured rule.

The rule makes in order a total of ten amendments, almost half of which will be offered by Members of the minority, including one which will be offered by the ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Representative Hoekstra.

The rule also makes in order an amendment that I offered, along with my colleague on the Intelligence Committee, Representative Rogers of Michigan, and our bipartisan amendment is a commonsense solution to holding the Office of National Director of intelligence accountable for its actions.

The House will have a chance to debate our amendment later today, and I hope my colleagues will support it.

I would like to point out that Members who wish to do so, as the Chair of the Intelligence Committee has pointed out previously, can go to the Intelligence Committee office to examine the classified schedule of authorizations for the programs and activities of the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the national and military intelligence programs.

The importance of the intelligence community touches all Americans as our Nation's first line of defense against increasing world threats. Effective intelligence is the first method to protect our citizens and prevent debacles like the war in Iraq.

The underlying legislation authorizes funding for all United States intelligence agencies, including the national and military intelligence programs. It is the largest intelligence authorization bill ever considered by the House and takes significant steps to eliminate duplication and ineffectiveness in our intelligence agencies.

The bill increases funding to improve human intelligence, training and send additional intelligence analysts overseas to maximize their abilities. It also requires additional intelligence reports on North Korea and Iranian efforts to become nuclear capable. We also take significant steps to improve the collecting, deciphering and understanding of intelligence.

The effectiveness of our intelligence community is significantly jeopardized when the diversity of the intelligence community does not reflect the diverse world in which we live. Women and minorities continue to be disproportionately underrepresented in the senior ranks and the core mission areas of analysis, human intelligence collection, and science and technology.

Simply put, we still do not have an intelligence community that looks like our country or the world. Minorities make up 37 percent of the American population, yet only 21 percent of the intelligence community, and the numbers for African-Americans and Latinos is woefully below that number. This is a problem that is addressed in the underlying bill, which requires the development of a strategic plan to increase diversity within the intelligence community and mandates increased diversity among the rank and file of the community.

I am fond of saying in the Intelligence Committee hearings that it doesn't take more degrees than the thermometer to be a spy, but somebody back there decided that that must have been the case.

Another significant concern exacerbated by this lack of diversity is a deficiency of linguist abilities in the intelligence community. There are countless stories of intelligence tapes that had piled up in the months leading up to September 11 when the terrorist attacks occurred here. That was done because we didn't have anyone to translate them.

Experts and administrators lament the fact that we don't have enough Arabic, Farsi, Urdu or Dari speakers, and we always go in that direction, but we don't have enough Asian language speakers, either, in the intelligence community and the military.

How can we expect to completely correct that course without thoroughly modernizing the recruitment, selection and security clearance processes to quickly bring on board people with these critical skills? The underlying bill provides for the commonsense modernization of our security clearance procedures to address this growing problem, requiring that the system make more efficient use of those who are proficient in foreign languages or with cultural, linguistic or other subject matter expertise that is critical to national security. We must make these necessary modernizations to adapt to the ever-changing threats around us.

Finally, following the recommendations of 11 three- and four-star generals, the bill requests that the National Intelligence Council produce a National Intelligence Estimate on the national security impact of global climate change. Some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have expressed discontent with this provision, because they believe that enough research is currently under way about climate change. In doing so, in my judgment, they failed to recognize that climate change is impacting global security.

Just look at the Middle East, the battle for scarce resources among those who have been displaced, particularly in Iraq, has the potential to generate sociopolitical environments that foster the creation of terrorist cells. If we can't even agree on the implications of climate change, it is obvious that more research is necessary, especially observing the impact of climate change on the movement of people and resources, and how that connects to terrorism.

Footnote right there, I pointed out in the Rules Committee that Iraq would be the classic example of what I am talking about. There are 2 million refugees, and it is almost like it is kind of hidden, that are displaced from their homes in Iraq. There are 400,000 to 500,000 internally displaced in Iraq. Yet, what we find is they are being pushed into Syria, Jordan and Egypt where there are already significant water resource problems. Someone tell me how that doesn't equate to an environment where terrorists will be produced.

If we can't agree on this, I can assure you that we are going to have significant problems in the future. Even the National Defense University has recognized these implications by prioritizing response to large-scale national disasters in some of its most recent training simulations. As scientists explore the connection between such disasters and climate change, it is imperative that the national security implications of such events be thoroughly understood.

I am glad that our committee addresses this issue in the bill. If we have learned anything from the failures of the war in Iraq, it is that reliable intelligence is critical to ensuring America's national security.

I am pleased to support this rule and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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

At this time, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, my good friend from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from California, my friend Ms. Harman, who is the previous ranking member of the Select Committee on Intelligence, and is a member of the newly appointed Special Intelligence Oversight Panel.

Mr. Speaker, would you be so kind as to inform each side of the remaining amount of time?

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield 4 minutes to my good friend from New Jersey, with whom I serve on the Select Committee on Intelligence, and he is the Chair of the Special Intelligence Oversight Panel, Mr. Holt.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. Speaker, I say through the Chair to my friend from Washington that I thought that we were having our last speakers

but I didn't know the nature and substance of his last speaker's remarks toward that end.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes now to the distinguished Chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, who has comments regarding Mr. Flake's comments.

Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman have now an amendment prepared that he is ready to offer?

Perhaps it would be that we could ask unanimous consent that your amendment be allowed to go forward.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remaining portion of my time.

I am fascinated by my colleagues' arguments on the other side. We did have a Rules Committee hearing on this matter, and there are four members of the Rules Committee on the minority, none of whom raised any of the issues that we have heard here today on the floor; understanding full well that Mr. Flake comes now and says that we should have a special session.

I also know that here on the floor I offered to Mr. Flake an opportunity, by unanimous consent, to offer any amendment he may have, and he didn't have an amendment at that time. I assume his argument is that we would need to be in what he says a ``secret session.''

But one thing I do know, being one of the few Members that does serve on the Rules Committee and on the Intelligence Committee, and that is that everyone knew the funding level of the issue that is being discussed. Mr. Flake may not have, but I can assure you that the remaining Members on the Intelligence Committee knew that the mark was included in our draft and the Community Management Account making that minority staff certainly aware at the time between the chairman and Mr. Hoekstra.

Now, today more than ever, we must make the creation of a strong and flexible intelligence apparatus one of the highest, highest priorities of this body. The terrorist attacks of September 11, combined with the continuing threat of further attacks, underscore the importance of this legislation.

When the American people elected Democrats to the majority, they sent a very clear message that ``business as usual'' is no longer accepted. They said to all of us, Republican and Democrat alike, that there are problems in the way we operate, and we need to change how we do business. We must, in my opinion, congratulate our intelligence community for its successes, but we also must hold them accountable for their failures. Rubber-stamping the administration's every action is not acceptable. Democrats are working every day, as are Republicans, to make America a safer place for all.

I genuinely urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I heard arguments about the climate change requirements put forward for there to be a national intelligence estimate in that regard. And there are arguments against it. I do not quite understand those arguments. We made it clear that much of the information is collectable by analysts at this time and that it would help prevent future terrorist developments. And the way the argument has been couched on the minority is as if this largest ever intelligence budget, largest in the history of the Congress, is not doing everything that is needed to be done because someone requested that there be a national intelligence estimate with reference to climate change. One day, some people in this body are going to get their head out of the sand and understand that something is changing in this climate of ours, in this world and that we all owe it as much as we can afford to make sure that we pass on a safe environment to all our children.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question.

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

Amendment to H. Res. 388

Offered by Rep. Hastings of Washington

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 3. Notwithstanding any other provision of this

resolution, the amendment printed in section 4 shall be in

order as though printed as the last amendment in the report

of the Committee on Rules if offered by Representative Wilson

of New Mexico or a designee. That amendment shall be

debatable for 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by

the proponent and an opponent.

Sec. 4. The amendment referred to in section 3 is as

follows:

At the end of the bill, add the following new title:

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Would my colleague yield?

I thank you, and I have enormous respect for a colleague who has offered an amendment where it appears we are competing.

But I agree our amendment, after his, does, I believe, what is necessary, and that is to answer the question that a lot of us have with reference to the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Director of Intelligence.

If I could just share one brief anecdote. When the war on poverty began in the area that I live in, I was the attorney and original scrivener of the development of the program. When that program came into existence, within a year they had seven employees. They were extremely effective.

They grew in 6 years to 1,500 employees, and they became much less effective, totally disrespected and in disarray. I am fearful that the same thing will happen here.

I thank my colleague for yielding.

I thank my friend from Michigan and am pleased to sponsor this amendment with him.

Madam Chairman, when Congress established the National Director of Intelligence, it fulfilled one of the 9/11 Commission recommendations to centralize and concentrate the filtering of intelligence. Since its inception, however, the Office of the Director never realized its potential, growing in size with indication of limited long-term planning. As a result, many of us who are familiar with the office question its efficiency and effectiveness.

Capping the size of the ONDI is a responsible manner by which Congress can and should go about holding the administration accountable for its decisions and actions. This is not, as some might suggest, an anti-NDI amendment.

On the contrary, my friend, Mr. Rogers, and my amendment, is the much-needed solution for Congress to reassert its oversight authority over the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. For too long, Congress has abdicated its oversight authority and responsibility when it comes to American intelligence.

This amendment says to the administration that, while we support your efforts, we will not give you a blank check with which you could continue to grow a new bureaucracy before we know what you are doing with what you already have. A bigger bureaucracy does not make better intelligence.

I ask my colleagues for their support of the Rogers-Hastings amendment and ask them to join us in holding America's Intelligence Community accountable for its work.

Madam Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

I know the chairman knows of my immense respect for his perspective, and I appreciate very much what you have said with regard to how you would carry forth the intent of mine and Mr. Rogers' amendment, as well as Mr. Thompson's, in capping this.

What I say to you, Mr. Chairman, is I don't know in all of my experience of any bureaucrat, I respect the new DNI director, but I don't know of any bureaucrat that has ever said, I don't need no more people. And I also know for a fact that, in this particular case, in the standing up of this particular directorate what has happened is it has impacted already the infrastructure by virtue of the persons that have already moved to that agency. The now-CIA Director came from NSA to that deputy position. And I could go on and on and on without giving forth that. And that is what we are trying to stop.

What you do when you want to cut bureaucracy is you say to them, stop right where you are. Now, they will be back, and we will then do the oversight necessary in order to give them an opportunity to grow the way that they should rather than the way that they have been exponentially.

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

I rise today to offer an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security

bill which would establish in statute, a FEMA Office of Long-Term Recovery in Florida for a period of no less than 3 years.

FEMA initially opened an Office of Long-Term Recovery in Florida following the devastating 2004 hurricane season, which left my home State in peril following the landfall of four Category 3 or greater hurricanes. The results have been incredible, and it hasn't only been residents of my State who benefited from the work that FEMA is doing in Florida and elsewhere.

Since it was created, the office has reduced response times to disasters and helped to mitigate the impact of future storms.

In the first months of the office's existence, FEMA officials were successful in more than doubling public assistance reimbursements from $1 billion to $2 billion. Moreover, the full-time recovery staff, well versed in State and Federal and local policies, was able to rectify the mistakes made by previous emergency management teams.

The permanencies of the staff and the relationships they have cultivated with local governments, nonprofits, communities and Federal officials have reduced FEMA's response time to disasters, saving taxpayers' dollars and lives, while reducing confusion.

From this office, more mitigation funds have gone out to recipients than ever before in FEMA's history. The office also closed down two large-scale housing missions, something never accomplished in all of FEMA's history. Florida's Office of Long-Term Recovery has made FEMA more of a customer-oriented business, where citizens and government alike are better served by more responsive managing.

Congress has already established long-term recovery offices in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Texas, and rightly so. It would be appropriate that we officially establish a similar one in Florida to serve the State and region. Footnote there, there is a storm off the east coast that has now been named, which is indicative of the fact that we can expect not only Florida but the areas mentioned to continue to have this problem. It is the eve of hurricane season; and the House, acting today, could not be more timely.

Before I conclude, I want to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. I would like to especially thank, personally, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and Mr. Oberstar and my good friend from New York (Mr. King) and Mr. Mica for their help on this amendment. They all know the great benefit that this office provides for the State of Florida and the entire region, and I ask for my colleagues' support.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.