Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, the International Religious Freedom Act, or IRFA, requires the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to prepare an annual report on the state of religious freedom throughout the world. IRFA also provides that any country which commits systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom be placed on a list of

countries of particular concern, or CPC, which opens these nations up to economic sanctions by the United States.

After several years of urging from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Vietnam was eventually designated a Country of Particular Concern in 2004 and 2005, and this designation led to modest but unprecedented improvements in the government's treatment of worshippers.

Since 2006, however, the U.S. State Department has declined to designate Vietnam as a CPC, and during the ensuing 4 years there have been no further significant improvements and even some backtracking in the progress made on the ability for those of faith to freely practice their religion.

The October 2009 report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom found:

``There continue to be far too many serious abuses and restrictions of religious freedom in Vietnam. Individuals continue to be imprisoned or detained for reasons related to their religious activity or religious freedom advocacy. Police and government officials are not held fully accountable for abuses; independent religious activity remains illegal; and legal protection for government-approved religious organizations are both vague and subject to arbitrary or discriminatory interpretation based on political factors.''

``In addition, improvements experienced by some religious communities are not experienced by others, including the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, independent Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, and Protestant groups, and some ethnic minority Protestants and Buddhists. Also, over the past year property disputes between the government and the Catholic Church in Hanoi led to detention, threats, harassment, and violence by contract thugs against peaceful prayer vigils and religious leaders.''

There are disturbing reports from the northern highland of public officials forcing believers to renounce their faith and documented cases in the central highland of religious prisoners being taken. Elsewhere, violent actions against Catholics at Tam Toa, Bau Sen, Loan Ly, and against Buddhists at Bat Nha and Phuoc Hue seem to have increased in frequency and intensity.

More systematically, property seizure has been used as a means to control religious practice. Since the complete takeover of South Vietnam in 1975, the Communist government of Vietnam has seized many religious institutions and effectively banned their existence. A prime example is the complete property seizure of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in 1981, leading to its dissolution. The Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam has been outlawed since, and its religious leaders have been constantly harassed. Other religions such as the Hoa Hao Buddhist and the Cao Dai have suffered a similar fate.

Almost as a rule, all land disputes against the Catholic Church in Vietnam result in violence. A great number of Catholic institutions in North Vietnam have been seized in the 1950s and in South Vietnam since the takeover in 1975.

Parishioners of Thai Ha Church in Hanoi were beaten by police and government thugs while attending a prayer vigil for the return of the church's properties. They also proceeded to desecrate or destroy religious symbols and properties. Those who were perceived to be leaders of these protests were arrested. This pattern of abuse has been repeated the last few years at parishes, including Dong Chiem and the St. Paul of Chartres Monastery in the Diocese of Vinh Long.

More recently, the government of Da Nang City ordered the Catholic town of Con Dau, among surrounding towns, to vacate their homes, farmlands, and their historic cemetery to make way for a high-end resort to be built by a joint venture with private companies.

When the people of Con Dau resisted the order, violence broke out during the funeral procession of a member of the parish. The police seized the casket and cremated the body of the deceased, against her last wish. Many members of the funeral procession were beaten, arrested, convicted and sentenced to prison on trumped-up charges. Others have fled the country and are seeking asylum. Mr. Nguyen Nam, a member of the funeral procession, was interrogated numerous times and died after severe beatings.

Mr. Speaker, does anyone in this distinguished Chamber doubt the need for us to take action? How can we as a Nation stand by idly while a government that we increasingly supported with improved ties over the past 15 years commits such atrocities against its own people?

As a Vietnamese American, I ask for the passage of House Resolution 20, calling on the State Department to list the Socialist Republic of Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern.

Thank you very much.

In this recent trip to Vietnam that I made with Chairman Faleomavaega, I happened to visit my sister in the outskirts of Saigon. I was there for about 15 minutes. As soon as I left, guess who showed up? The police. The police showed up and interrogated my brother-in- law. They asked him why we were there, how many people were there, what did we talk about.

Now, if they were to do that to a family member of a U.S. Congressman, what would they do to the normal Vietnamese citizen in Vietnam?

There are no protections whatsoever. There is a difference between practicing your religion and practicing your faith. In practicing religion, you can go in there and pray, which is good; but practicing faith is when you have to advocate for people's rights to worship, for people's rights to defend their families, to defend their property, and to defend their faiths and their views. In that regard, the Vietnamese Government has been lacking in every aspect.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the gentleman and legislator from Minnesota's 8th Congressional District, Jim Oberstar. I have had the immense pleasure of getting to know Chairman Oberstar and have had the pleasure of working with him on important issues, ranging from high-speed rail to FEMA reform. I have enjoyed private conversations with him that have educated me, inspired me, and reminded me of the true meaning of public service. Chairman Oberstar will be remembered by all with whom he served in this Chamber as someone who loved this Nation and loved public service.

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His service will be remembered by its selflessness and true intentions.

As the distinguished chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, his goal was to keep America safe and moving forward. I recall fondly the hours he and I spent discussing proposals to reform the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The legislation on which we collaborated always had the goal of bettering those two institutions and assisting my district of New Orleans, a love of which we shared.

His transportation policies and initiatives embodied the very meaning of change. He had the creativity to see challenges this Nation will face and to put forward recommendations for how to address them. They will live on within this body as testament to his vision.

I will miss our conversations in committee and on the floor. I could always count on the chairman as the voice of reason and friendship. As he and I leave this great Hall at the end of this session, it is my honor to commend him for his accomplishments and to wish him well.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of this important resolution. I also congratulate my friend and colleague, Mr. Lewis, for his leadership in bringing this to the floor today. I have the greatest pleasure of standing by Mr. Lewis, and I value his friendship greatly.

In 1956, at a time when race relations were stressed in the South, the Orleans Parish School Board was ordered to develop a plan to desegregate its schools. After a 4-year delay, a plan designed by the United States Eastern District Court of Louisiana was ordered to be carried out.

It was at that moment that a young girl by the name of Ruby Bridges became one of the first black children to attend an integrated school.

Upon her arrival, every white parent came to remove their child from the elementary school Ms. Bridges was attending. All but one white teacher refused to teach, and it was that teacher who instructed Ruby in a room by herself for a full year.

This experience did not deter Ruby who not only completed her education, but went on to found the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which has a clear and profound message: To promote the value of tolerance, respect, and appreciation of all differences.

I was honored to meet Ms. Bridges in my New Orleans office last October. She is truly an extraordinary woman who has dedicated her life to service. At a time when my district is still fighting to rebuild its schools and provide for a stable and safe environment for our children, I am thankful to have her as an inspiration for all in rebuilding our communities today, tomorrow, and beyond.

I am proud to note that as we reflect on a turning point in our Nation's history, it was the bravery of one New Orleanean who helped make it happen.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution honoring the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 539 I misunderstood the vote and inadvertently voted ``nay'' when I wanted to vote ``yea.''

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

It is my honor today to rise in support of H.R. 5873 to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 218 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, Wisconsin, as the Captain Rhett W. Schiller Post Office. Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting and proper that we name this post office in Waterford for Captain Schiller to honor a true American hero and his service to our country.

Captain Rhett W. Schiller was born on November 7, 1980 in Racine, Wisconsin. Upon graduation from high school in 1999, Captain Schiller was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point by my distinguished colleague from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan). Captain Schiller graduated from West Point in 2003 with a major in Chinese and was then commissioned as an infantry officer. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

In September of 2005, after Hurricane Katrina devastated the gulf coast, Captain Schiller and his unit were deployed to New Orleans to come to the aid of millions along the gulf coast, including the citizens of the district that I represent. It took only 7 hours for Captain Schiller's unit to gear up and deploy to New Orleans. According to Major Tom Earnhardt, Army spokesperson for Captain Schiller's division, the typical deployment time is 18 hours. He described Captain Schiller's work to get his unit deployed to New Orleans in only 7 hours as extraordinary and a truly remarkable achievement. On behalf of the constituents whom I represent and the millions of people who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina, I want to thank Captain Schiller and the other brave men and women who came to our aid in a time of need.

In 2006, Captain Schiller was made a company executive officer and was deployed to serve in Iraq as part of a reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition team. Sadly, on November 16, 2006, his 100th day serving in Iraq, Captain Schiller was killed in action when his unit came under attack and encountered small arms fire.

Captain Schiller was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal, among others, for his service to our country. Described by his troop commander as the ``epitome of the Army officer and an Airborne Ranger,'' Captain Schiller's love for the Army and his country was always apparent.

He was known as an officer who led by example, and according to his squadron commander, ``raised the spirits and the motivation of all those that knew him.''

Mr. Speaker, it is proper that we pass this legislation to honor the memory of a true American hero, U.S. Army Captain Rhett W. Schiller, who made the ultimate sacrifice promoting freedom and protecting our country. I urge all Members to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the author of this legislation, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Speaker, I urge that all Members support this very meaningful legislation to name the post office after a true American hero.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 2868, the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act of 2010. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act of 2010 will allow the American Red Cross and other qualified nonprofits that engage in disaster relief and preparedness to leverage the purchasing power of the Federal Government. More specifically, this bill grants the General Services Administration the authority to allow the American Red Cross and other organizations, such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Relief Services, the ability to purchase goods from the Federal Supply Schedules. There is precedence for allowing government entities, quasi-government entities, and certain private entities to buy goods and services from the Federal Supply Schedules. Over the years, Congress has given GSA statutory authority to broaden access to the Supply Schedules.

Currently, all executive agencies, the legislative branch, the District of Columbia, tribes and tribal organizations, certain foreign governments, and quasi-governmental and government chartered agencies such as the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, the Bonneville Power Administration, and the Civil Air Patrol are eligible to use the Schedules for certain purposes or under certain circumstances.

When this bill came over from the Senate, it was limited to the American Red Cross. But during our committee markup, I offered an amendment expanding S. 2868 to make all qualified nonprofit organizations, nationwide and local, eligible to purchase from the Federal Supply Schedules.

My district, Louisiana's Second Congressional District, located in New Orleans, was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In the wake of the hurricane, I observed the multitude of nonprofit organizations beyond the American Red Cross that provided disaster relief to the city.

In addition to widely recognized national organizations, local relief organizations are also invaluable. They have on-the-ground knowledge of the greatest local needs and how to fulfill those needs. Under the Stafford Act, contracts for disaster relief are to be awarded to local contractors to the extent possible. That is why I introduced my amendment to extend access to the Federal Supply Schedules to these local organizations.

After the tragic earthquake in Haiti, The New York Times listed at least 41 large-scale disaster relief organizations to which Americans could contribute. These organizations were filling a multitude of roles in Haiti and supporting the U.S. Government's presence there. They also should be eligible to purchase goods and services from the Schedules. My amendment and the bill in its entirety received unanimous support in committee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 2868.

I yield back the balance of my time.

First of all, I want to thank my colleague and mentor from Florida for his tremendous support of me in the last 2 years, and I hope to continue working with him in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1583 offered by my good friend and colleague from Louisiana, Dr. Boustany.

House Resolution 1583 observes the fifth anniversary of the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Rita. On September 24, 2005, Hurricane Rita made landfall along the Louisiana and Texas border as a category 3 hurricane. Rita's landfall was less than 1 month after Hurricane Katrina had ravaged multiple areas along the Gulf Coast, including in Louisiana's Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, which I represent.

Following the heroic work of first responders, our Armed Forces, and countless volunteers in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was unbelievably scheduled to reopen on September 19. Hurricane Rita's approach, however, made that impossible, and instead the city once again was vulnerable. Levees surrounding New Orleans were damaged extensively by Hurricane Katrina, and were far from repaired. Thousands of blue FEMA tarps remained atop roofs throughout the city, offering only provisional or temporary protection.

On Friday, September 23, the day before Rita made landfall, her outer bands began raising water levels around New Orleans, and the patches on the Industrial Canal and the London Avenue Canal were unable to hold back the rising water. Once again, we were faced with the same flooding which had wreaked so much havoc less than a month before.

New Orleans' Gentilly and Ninth Ward neighborhoods, two of the hardest hit by Katrina, were again flooded, and in some locations the waters rose to a depth of 8 feet. For many, this was a worst nightmare situation happening all over again.

Hurricane Rita resulted in the death of seven individuals and forced the evacuation of 3 million Gulf Coast residents. It also cost an estimated $11.3 billion in damages. Madam Speaker, as the gulf coast continues its recovery from the recent devastating oil spill, I wish to remind us that only a city, State, and a region of great character and determination can rise from devastation to persevere and recover. And that is what we will do.

On this anniversary, I offer my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the

victims of Hurricane Rita, and I offer my deepest thanks to those who assisted in the recovery process. I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1583, as a reconfirmation of this body's commitment to rebuild, renew, and restore the gulf coast region not only from Hurricane Rita, but also Hurricane Katrina.

Madam Speaker, August 29th of this year will mark five years since the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast. Tragically, 1,822 lives were lost in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

As a result of what was one of the greatest disasters this nation has ever seen, more than 1.2 million people were under some type of evacuation order, 3 million were left without electricity for weeks, and hundreds of thousands were left jobless.

Yesterday, with the support of the members from the Louisiana delegation, I introduced a resolution observing the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall.

This resolution honors and remembers the lives lost on that fateful day. It also salutes the dedication of those who responded in our darkest hour and those who have stood by our sides during our recovering and rebuilding. We simply could not have done it without the thousands who answered the call and recognized our need. Our rebuilding continues and we take each new challenge one day at a time. We are strong, and we will recover.

On behalf of my constituents in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes and all those across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, I thank the American people for their generosity and support.

Mr. Chairman, for the past 3 months I have lived with my people down there in the gulf coast. I have cried with them, I have sat with them as they filed their claims. I went out in boats with them as they were cleaning up the oil, so I fully understand what my people need.

I appreciate the congressional leadership trying to address a bill that will help my people, but H.R. 3534 does not do it. This bill doesn't create jobs, it destroys them. This bill doesn't clean up our shorelines, it creates task forces and layers of bureaucracy that will talk about them.

This bill does not preserve our livelihood, it will devastate our way of life. This bill maintains a moratorium that is killing thousands of jobs in Louisiana.

Where is the short-term and long-term funding to protect our coastline and to restore the oyster beds in fishing areas? Where are the comprehensive short-term and long-term job transition plans for displaced workers? Where is the long-term plan to address the mental and public health crisis, including the compound effect of multiple crises?

Where are the jobs?

My colleagues and I tried to amend this bill to address these issues and make sure that these three critical areas, environmental, economic and health, were addressed in this bill. This bill does not protect the people of the gulf coast. It is fundamentally disingenuous to tout any bill not addressing these three areas as a comprehensive oil spill response bill.

My gulf coast colleagues and I will continue to fight for the needs of my people directly in harm's way.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Joint Resolution 90, expressing support for the designation of September 2010 as Gospel Music Heritage Month and honoring gospel music for its valuable and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States.

I would like to commend the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for introducing this legislation and bringing it to the floor this evening--well, rather, this morning.

This is the third year in a row that this body has considered a resolution supporting Gospel Music Heritage Month and honoring gospel music. Beginning in June 2008, Members of this body have worked together in a bipartisan fashion to recognize what gospel music means to our country. I commend my colleagues for their work in honoring the cultural contributions that gospel music has and continues to make to America and the world.

Over the years, gospel music has been influenced by a multitude of unique and diverse musical styles and genres including elements of European music and African American spirituals as well. These spirituals brought together and blended elements of African music and were coupled with melodic influences from Irish folk songs and hymns.

Over the last century, gospel music has also merged aspects and features from uniquely American music styles such as ragtime, jazz, and blues.

Today, gospel music has progressed into more of a contemporary era as it has obtained pop culture status but at the same time has been able to stay true to its roots, traditions, and history. Artists like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, and Mariah Carey have either emerged from or recorded gospel music. These artists and many others have sought inspiration from gospel music and through their work have blurred the line between secular and gospel music.

The area of Louisiana that I represent includes New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Gospel music, much like jazz, reflects the richness of talents, culture, and crosses all barriers. It provides a positive force for informing and reuniting our communities, and it serves as a spoken, yet often unwritten, record of our shared experiences.

From Louis Armstrong to Irma Thomas to Marva Wright, the maven of song who passed away early this year, New Orleans is rich with music that has shaped our Nation's rich heritage and inspired lives across the world. America's cultural story is heavily influenced by the celebration and struggle of African Americans through their musical expression, especially gospel music. African American musicians, singers, and composers have contributed immensely to our Nation's history.

For decades, the voices of the civil rights movement's social activism and cultural awareness have been heard through the gospel music we recognize and celebrate today.

Mr. Speaker, gospel music has gone from a little-known American music genre to be known all around the world as an art form that has the ability to inspire and entertain millions of people. No matter the race, ethnicity, religion, or location, gospel music has become and will continue to be cherished and enjoyed by many.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.J. Res. 90.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, again, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.J. Res 90, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise today in support of H. Res. 1527, Congratulating the United States Men's National Soccer Team for its inspiring performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I stand before this body to commend the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team on their truly amazing performance in this year's FIFA World Cup.

I would also like to commend my distinguished colleague from Texas, Mr. Gohmert, for introducing this resolution that recognizes the men who represented our Nation on soccer's grandest stage. And I thank the gentleman from Texas for allowing me to be a cosponsor on his resolution.

Mr. Speaker, our men's soccer team competed admirably and played their way to a 1, 1 and 2 record, earning them a chance to play in the elite `Round-of-16'. While all of the players on our national soccer team deserve praise for their performance, one player in particular earned the right to receive special recognition for his efforts.

Landon Donovan's performance not only helped his team to advance deep into the World Cup but his performance as an individual earned him a place in U.S. soccer history. Mr. Donovan now holds the U.S. World Cup record for most matches played, 12, most goals scored, 5 and the most consecutive games with a goal, 3.

Mr. Donovan's goal in the 91st minute of the match against Algeria, allowed the U.S. to win ``Group C'' and gave the team it's first World Cup Group first place finish since 1930. The win over Algeria was also the U.S.'s first victory since the 2002 World Cup and gave our team it's fifth shutout in FIFA World Cup play.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team proved that the U.S. can compete at the international level with the most elite teams in the world. I am truly proud of the team's players, coaches, training personnel and administrative staff who all worked and competed tirelessly to be the best they could be, and represent our great country to the rest of the world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in strong support of H. Res. 1527.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) as much time as he may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year local authorities in Con Dau, Vietnam, announced the demolition of properties to make way for a tourist resort. No plans for adequate compensation or relocation were offered. At the same time, the government posted a sign forbidding burials in the local church cemetery, which, for more than 100 years, had served as the town's burial site and which the government had recognized as an historical site.

On May 4, 2010, Da Nang police intervened in the funeral of Mary Dang Thi Tan, preventing her burial at the cemetery and brutally beating 59 of the mourners. When 43-year-old Mr. Nam Nguyen refused to make false statements to authorities about the mourners, he was beaten by police and died at his home shortly thereafter.

Along with many others, this incident shows that the Government of Vietnam has no respect for human rights. To make matters worse, they defended and protected those who committed these outrageous acts.

If our Nation is to be recognized as a beacon of democracy and an advocate of human rights, we must demand the same from those we work with, especially from Vietnam, whose human rights record is atrocious.

What happened to Mr. Nguyen is an outrage and should be met with condemnation from our government and from this esteemed body.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the ongoing maritime conflict in the South China Sea and the need for the United States to support long-term sovereignty of the Vietnamese people. Given this conflict will destabilize trade and peace in this region, this is a matter of great importance for all of us in this esteemed body.

Since the summer of 2009, reports of maritime disputes in the South China Sea have risen. I continue to hear of aggression from Chinese ships and submarines interfering with the freedom of navigation of neighboring Asian countries. I also hear of aggressive actions being taken towards United States interests as well, and this is particularly troubling and unacceptable.

According to reports, China has committed aggressive maritime acts against Southeast Asian countries including Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and especially the people of Vietnam.

China claims vast ocean territory that includes many islands and extends into much of the South China Sea. If we were to look at the map of the South China Sea, we see that China is here, Vietnam is here, the Philippines is here, and Malaysia is located here. And China, being the farthest away from the Paracel Islands, as well as the Spratly Islands, claims to have dominion over all of them. These claims, along with their aggressive presence, has caused tensions between the people of Southeast Asia and China to grow.

The conflict in the South China Sea is hindering free navigation of these waters, which could negatively affect commercial interests and regional security. This would directly affect the livelihoods of peaceful people in these nations. The time has come for the United States to take a strong stance against China's harassment before these actions escalate into hostile confrontation.

China's hostile relationship has been reported to have gone so far as to commit aggressive actions towards Vietnamese citizens. As a Vietnamese American, I am especially interested in the territorial integrity of my native country. And I am concerned to hear reports outlining aggressive actions towards Vietnamese citizens, especially fishermen, that have resulted in injuries, damages to their fishing vessels and, in severe cases, death.

The goal of the United States diplomacy should be to recognize the tensions in this region and to concentrate on first alleviating this tension. The United States should strongly consider advocating for China's release of disputed territories like the Spratly and Paracel Islands and to ensure multilateral dialogue and action to resolve the ongoing maritime dispute.

What is the basis for China's aggression?

Many experts ascribe China's aggression toward its neighbors as stemming from its ever-increasing appetite for energy. There is no question China continues to seek additional sources of energy, particularly across Africa, where their influence continues to grow.

According to reports, China's oil consumption is expected to double over the next 25 years, from 7.2 million barrels per day in 2006 to 15.3 million barrels per day in 2030.

China's natural gas consumption is expected to more than triple in that same period of time, from 2 trillion cubic feet in 2006 to 6.8 trillion cubic feet in 2030.

It has been reported that, in addition to substantive fishing resources, the disputed areas contain oil and natural gas reserves. Further, the islands are in China's pathway as their economy continues to expand. This may be why China is racing to secure its maritime territory, to secure these areas for their oil and natural gas exploration, and to assist in their economic expansion.

However, credible reports indicate that China has claimed lands beyond Taiwan, which may point to China's intention of expanding its power over a much larger area, in direct conflict with the interests of its neighbors.

While some explain China's territorial behavior as strategic to secure their access to energy resources, others strongly believe China's intentions may be going further to gain territory to impose its influence.

What is certain, however, is that while China appears to be negotiating,

we cannot underestimate their appetite for influence. When we are talking about China's track record, China has a history of aggressive actions which have been the source of tension in Southeast Asia.

In 1974, China seized the Western Paracel Islands from Vietnam. In 1988, China seized six of the Spratly Islands from Vietnam and sank three Vietnamese ships, claiming 70 Vietnamese lives. In 2007, China fired upon Vietnamese fishermen in the disputed area, killing one and wounding six others.

The Vietnamese American community has denounced China's claim to territory in the Spratly and Paracel Islands as unofficial, with no legal, historical or factual basis. China, in turn, ordered a ban on all Vietnamese fishing in these disputed territories until August 1, 2009; and during this ban, approximately 50 Vietnamese fishermen were detained.

China's actions infringe upon the sovereignty of the Vietnamese people to freely navigate crucial waterways that support their livelihoods, which is a direct violation of international treaties.

China's harassment is not limited to their neighbors. China has also engaged in hostile confrontations with U.S. vessels traveling through the disputed area.

Given these violations, it is time that the United States take aggressive action against China, and to, hopefully, resolve these disputes without resorting to any force.

We must pursue a peaceful resolution to this conflict in the South China Sea, and the United States must take actions in doing so.

In 2001, a Chinese Naval vessel attacked the USNS Bowditch, a U.S. surveillance ship, in the Yellow Sea, and, in another occasion, a Chinese Navy F-8 fighter collided with a U.S. Navy EP-3 reconnaissance plane in international airspace over the South China Sea. China detained the 24 U.S. crew members for 11 days.

In 2009, there were reports of aggressive encounters with the Chinese Navy and unarmed U.S. ocean surveillance ships, which were freely operating in international waters in the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea. A U.S. destroyer was called to escort the surveillance ships as they continued their operations and avoid further hostility from the Chinese Navy.

China's aggression poses a threat to the U.S.-China relationship, too. And, there is no excuse for these territorial disputes potentially pitting two powerful nations against each other.

The maritime disputes over the South China Sea must be addressed immediately to protect the United States' regional relationships and agreements.

For example, the United States is involved in the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty that covers the Senkaku Islands, which are actively disputed. If tensions increase for these islands, Japan might seek assistance from the United States against China.

Likewise, the United States continues to collaborate with the Philippines, and, if regional tensions were to rise, the Philippines, too, might seek assistance from the United States against China.

China has test-fired missiles at enemies trespassing onto claimed Chinese territory. This may trigger other countries to expand their naval forces as well, which may cause more tension in these disputed waters.

I appreciate Secretary Clinton's statements on Friday that the resolution to the South China Sea dispute is a ``national interest'' to the United States, and I agree with her that we must seek a peaceful solution.

United officials including Secretary Clinton must demonstrate their strong concern for China's hostile actions, which are causing a disruption of free navigation.

At the same time, China needs to recognize and honor the freedom of navigation of all neighboring nations as well as the United States.

While the Chinese Foreign Minister said yesterday that the United States should not internationalize the South China Sea issue, which could worsen matters and complicate the situation, as an influential nation, we must not remain neutral and passive.

We must take action to end Chinese harassment--not only to ensure the freedom of navigation, but also to restore the respect and interests of the U.S. and these Asian nations.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I stand to support H.R. 5266.

In 2007, Congress created the National Commission on Children and Disasters to examine the needs of children in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. One lesson we learned from Hurricane Katrina is that we must ensure that our preparation for and response to disasters incorporate the unique needs of children. During Hurricane Katrina, many children were separated from their families, and schools and child care facilities were destroyed.

I had a personal experience of that as it took me about 2 weeks after Hurricane Katrina to find a child care facility for my daughters. At that time, one was 3 years old, and the other was around 9 months. It became clear that focused attention to children would be critical to helping families through a major disaster and through the recovery process.

The National Commission on Children and Disasters was created to ensure there is focused attention on the needs of children in disasters. The commission submitted an interim report last year, and under current law, a final report is due in October 2010. However, additional time is needed to allow for the proper review of the issues and to ensure full implementation of the commission's interim recommendations.

This legislation will provide the commission with the additional time to complete this important work. H.R. 5266 will ensure that the needs of children are properly incorporated in our preparation for and response to disasters.

I support the passage of this legislation, and urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5569 to focus attention on an important issue that has left our constituents financially and economically vulnerable. The National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP, has lapsed for the third time this year, meaning that life decisions have to be put on hold, leaving our constituents to wait out congressional action.

When I was in New Orleans over the weekend, a constituent came up to me and sadly stated: I could not sell my home because the buyer could not purchase flood insurance.

Today, I also read in the U.S. News and World Report that home sales have slipped 2 percent in May, even though Federal stimulus efforts kept real estate transactions artificially elevated. One of the contributing elements is the lapse in the NFIP. Many potential sales are being delayed by an interruption in the National Flood Insurance Program, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Mr. Speaker, the most recent NFIP lapse couldn't have come at a worse time. As we deal with the worst oil spill in history, we are facing what is predicted to be an active hurricane season along the gulf coast. Now, more than ever, we need to be supporting our constituents during these difficult times.

Many of the fishermen and others who have had their livelihoods turned upside down because of the oil spill also live in flood-prone areas. Therefore, we must act not only to extend this program in the short term but ensure that in the future communities devastated by the oilspill will have affordable access to insurance.

That is why on Thursday I introduced H.R. 5553 that would extend the NFIP for 3 years and would include a sense of Congress that the program should not expire again. This extension would remove uncertainty and would show our desire to see real reform to an inefficient program.

I appreciate the gentlelady from California's, Maxine Waters, attention to this important issue, and I hope that we can work together in reforming this critical program for both of our people in the future.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5569.