Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the 1974 illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

I have commemorated this day each year since I became a Member of Congress, and although the occupation has continued for almost three decades, there are signs that progress is being made.

PSEKA (The International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus), The Cyprus Federation of America (an umbrella organization representing the Cypriot American community in the United States), SAE (World Council of Hellenes Abroad), and The Federation of Hellenic Societies, are all primarily located in the 14th Congressional district, which I am fortunate to represent. These individuals have refused to believe that peace will not come to Cyprus, and they have been strong advocates against the division of Cyprus and the human rights violations perpetrated by the Turkish army in Cyprus.

The fundamental fact is that the continued presence of Turkish troops represents a gross violation of human rights and international law.

Since they invaded Cyprus in July of 1974, Turkish troops have continued to occupy 37 percent of Cyprus. This is in direct defiance of numerous United Nations resolutions and has been a major source of instability in the eastern Mediterranean.

I support President Bush, like his predecessor President Clinton, in saying that true human rights are the goal of the U.S. Government.

A unified Cyprus would promote stability, both politically and economically, to the entire Mediterranean region.

Now is the time for a solution.

More than 20 years ago, (in 1977 and 1979) the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities reached two high-level agreements which provided for the establishment of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.

For the last 29 years, there has been a Turkish Cypriot leader presiding over a regime recognized only by Turkey and condemned as ``legally invalid'' by the U.N. Security Council in resolution 541 (1989) and 550 (1984).

Cyprus has been divided by the green line--a 113-mile barbed wire fence that runs across the island.

In April 2003, the Turkish occupation regime partially lifted restrictions on freedom across the artificial line of division created by Turkey's military occupation.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have crossed the line, to visit homes and areas of their own country that were inaccessible to them for nearly 30 years.

With 35,000 Turkish troops illegally stationed on the island, it is one of the most militarized areas in the world.

This situation has also meant the financial decline of the once rich northern part of Cyprus to just one quarter of its former earnings.

The occupation of Cyprus is perhaps the single most destructive element of Turkey's fiscal and foreign policy.

We now have an atmosphere where there is no valid excuse for not resolving this long-standing problem.

Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty to the European Union on April 16, 2003 at which time President Papadopoulos pledged that the Greek Cypriot community and his government will ``continue the efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus question both before and after Cyprus joins the EU'' in May 2004.

Of course, it would be desirable if a negotiated settlement to end the Turkish occupation and reunite the island were to be achieved prior to that date, Cyprus' EU accession will go forward regardless of a settlement. EU membership for Cyprus will clearly provide important economic, political, and social benefits for all Cypriots, both Greek and Turkish alike. This is why both sides must continue to negotiate.

There are also signs of a new climate of cooperation between Turkey and Greece. More has been achieved in the past several years than in many before.

The U.S., the EU, Greece and Cyprus have all acted to accommodate Turkish concerns, and it is time for Turkey to complete the peace process in good faith.

And make no mistake about it, if Turkey wants the Cyprus problem resolved, it will happen.

It will take diligent work by both sides, but with U.S. support and leadership, I am very hopeful that we will reach a peaceful and fair solution soon.

Twenty-nine years is too long to have a country divided. It is too long to be kept from your home. It is too long to be separated from family.

We have seen many tremendous changes around the world. It is time for the Cypriots to live in peace and security, with full enjoyment of their human rights.

I hope that when I speak in Congress on the same subject next year, that freedom and unification will have been achieved.

In recognition of the spirit of the people of Cyprus, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cyprus Federation of America, and in solemnly commemorating the 29th anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus. I hope that this anniversary will mark the advent of true freedom and peace for Cyprus.

Finally, I would like to say goodbye to a good friend and colleague Cyprus' Ambassador to the United States, Mrs. Erato Marcoullis. After nearly five years of service in our nation's capital, Ambassador Marcoullis will be leaving in August to assume a high-level post in the Foreign Ministry in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. We will miss her, but next year I hope to join together and celebrate a unified Cyprus.

Long Live Freedom.

Long Live Cyprus.

Long Live Greece.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the most distinguished members of the diplomatic corps here in Washington, Her Excellency Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, the Ambassador of Cyprus to the United States. Sometime next month, Ambassador Marcoullis will be leaving Washington, after nearly five years of service to her country in our nation's capital. The Ambassador will be assuming a major, high- level post in the Foreign Ministry in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia.

It is with mixed feelings that I come to the floor today to make this statement. In my capacity as co-chair of the Hellenic Issues Caucus, I have had the great honor and privilege of working with Ambassador Marcoullis. I have come to regard her not only as a determined, effective and articulate advocate for her country, but also as a friend. As the former co-chair of the Congressional Women's Caucus, I have always felt a particular bond with Ambassador Marcoullis, who is one of what is still unfortunately only a handful of women ambassadors here in Washington. So, for these reasons, I am sad to see the Ambassador go.

Still, I am extremely encouraged to report that the Ambassador has received an important diplomatic promotion. When she heads back to Nicosia, Ambassador Marcoullis will be in charge of the Division at the Foreign Ministry that has responsibility for what is generally known as the Cyprus Problem--the tragic division of Cyprus that began 29 years ago with the Turkish invasion of that Mediterranean island nation. Indeed, in commemoration of the anniversary of the Turkish invasion, which took place July 20, 1974, a number of my colleagues in this House have joined me in making statements of remembrance, as we do every year around this time.

During her five years here in Washington, there have been many important achievements for Cyprus, and in U.S.-Cypriot relations. Last year, after years of hard work, the Ambassador signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State Department regarding the protection of antiquities from Cyprus. Last year also witnessed the signing of the U.S.-Cyprus Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, bringing into force the reciprocal law enforcement treaty between the two nations. After the 9/ 11 terrorist attacks, Cyprus was among the first nations to express its solidarity with the U.S. Since then, Cyprus has taken many substantive steps to target the perpetrators and collaborators of terrorism, in close cooperation with the U.S.

In April of this year, Cyprus signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Union, one of the most important achievements in the modern history of Cyprus. Cyprus will become a full member of the EU next May. It was during the tenure of Ambassador Marcoullis that U.S. foreign policy on Cyprus began to move in the direction of helping drive Cyprus' admission into the EU, particularly during the Clinton Administration through the work of Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, with whom Ambassador Marcoullis worked very closely. I am pleased that the Bush Administration has continued to support this policy. Indeed, Ambassador Marcoullis has worked very closely with top officials of the current Administration to keep relations on track in a wide variety of areas.

Of course, the one area where we have not witnessed significant progress is in ending the ongoing Turkish military occupation of Cyprus. This is certainly not for lack of effort by the Ambassador or her fine staff at the Embassy in Washington. Nor is it the fault of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, which has continued to negotiate in good faith to end the division of Cyprus. The fault lies with Turkey and with the occupation regime. I again urge my colleagues in Congress to continue working with me and many of our colleagues, on a bipartisan basis, to help convince Turkey to end its illegal occupation of one- third of Cypriot territory.

One of Ambassador Marcoullis' greatest achievements has been simply to sustain and enhance up the visibility of the Cyprus issue. Cyprus is a relatively small country, but it is at the center of a region of great importance to the U.S. and the Western Alliance. Ambassador Marcoullis has been tireless in her efforts to elevate the awareness of these issues. Owing in large measure to her efforts, it is now an issue that is regularly addressed by the White House, the State Department and Congress.

Ambassador Marcoullis presented her credentials to President Bill Clinton on September 10, 1998. In addition to her many responsibilities here in Washington, she is also accredited as High Commissioner to Canada, Guyana and Jamaica and Ambassador to Brazil. Throughout her distinguished diplomatic career, she has served as Ambassador to a number of European countries, as a Member of the Permanent Mission of Cyprus to the United Nations, as Consul of Cyprus in New York, and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the First Political Division, dealing with the Cyprus Problem and as Director of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Marcoullis has devoted particular attention to political, human rights and women's issues.

A native of Limassol, Cyprus, she is a graduate of Law and of Political Science/Public Law (University of Athens, Greece) and holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and Political Science (University of Helsinki, Finland). She is married to Dr. George Marcoullis, an Associate Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College, specializing in Oncology/Hematology. Their son Panos is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Earlier this week, The Washington Times newspaper, in its ``Embassy Row'' column, reported on a dinner in honor of Ambassador Marcoullis hosted by Ambassador Arlette Conzemius of Luxembourg, who presented her credentials to President Clinton in 1998 on the same day as Mrs. Kozakou Marcoullis. They began an immediate friendship and helped organize the female ambassadors' caucus. Ambassador Conzemius congratulated Ambassador Marcoullis for maintaining Cyprus' high profile in Washington, saying ``What you did for your country, the progress, the success. It's great to see what has been accomplished.'' Those words would be echoed by many here on Capitol Hill, where Ambassador Marcoullis was well known and well respected.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, we will miss Ambassador Marcoullis. But it is encouraging to know that she is going back to Cyprus to take a leading role in facing the Cyprus problem. This is a woman who's going to make a difference. I'll miss her, but I have complete confidence in her ability to manage this problem; I congratulate her on this diplomatic promotion; and I look forward to working with her for the peaceful reunification of Cyprus.

Mr. Chairman, while I voted in favor of H.R. 2861, the FY04 VA-HUD-Independent Agencies bill, I am hopeful that more funding for veterans programs will be included in the conference report. America's brave servicemen and servicewomen deserve to have adequate health care and other benefits. I support increasing the funding for critical programs including Montgomery GI bill education benefits and compensation for service-connected disabilities.

Throughout history, America's military men and women have traveled around the world to fight for the causes of freedom and democracy. In this selfless pursuit, they knew that the battle would not always be easy. We owe them all an enormous debt of gratitude. It's up to us to fight for our veterans.

As this legislation moves forward it is my hope that significant improvement can be made in the housing sections. I am pleased that the bill contains none of the Administration's ill-conceived plans to privatize public housing, impose mandatory minimum rents or block grant Section 8. At the same time, I am hopeful that the funding levels for Hope VI, Section 8 and public housing can be increased. The insufficient funding for the public housing capital funds and operating funds will do severe damage to the nation's public housing residents. These citizens deserve better. The funding levels are so low that they thoroughly and finally refute HUD's claim that the public housing authorities can make up for the elimination of the drug elimination program with other funds. I also want to signal my strong support for increasing HOPWA funding as dictated by the Nadler-Shays-Crowley and am pleased it has been included in the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Singapore bilateral trade agreement.

Singapore is a valued U.S. ally and a supporter in the war on terrorism. While Singapore is a good friend and a responsible world citizen I am voting for this agreement because it is a good deal for my constituents.

The bilateral trade deal allows increased access to a number of important markets such as financial services, telecom and technology.

Much of our country's exports are now products of intellectual capital. From movies and records produced in New York City's arts community, to software developed by city programmers, protecting intellectual property is an elemental key to future trade agreements.

Accordingly, I am pleased that this agreement contains strong intellectual property protections. With the U.S. trade deficit at more than $500 billion annually it is notable that the U.S. has a $2.7 billion trade surplus with Singapore.

Today the House is also considering the bilateral trade agreement with Chile which I support for similar reasons including the fact that Chile has reached trade agreements with Europe and other U.S. competitors. As a result, the U.S. has lost one third of its Chilean market share since 1997.

One other reason I am talking about both these agreements together is there is one provision in each that I oppose and that I do not want to see as a precedent in future agreements.

The trade agreements contain investor-state dispute settlement procedures that determine how U.S. investors can win damages if Chile or Singapore violate the ``free transfer'' provisions in each agreement. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology, I was part of a hearing on this issue and have worked closely with Financial Services Ranking Member Barney Frank on it.

Effectively, these provisions allow U.S. investors to seek damages in the event that Chile or Singapore take measures to limit capital flight in the event of a reoccurrence of an Asian financial crisis-like calamity.

While Chile and Singapore are unlikely to need to impose capital controls, many economists have expressed the concern that the Administration will insist on these provisions as a template in future trade negotiations with less stable countries.

Such a policy could lead to a situation where wealthy U.S. bondholders have legal claims against a country that has imposed capital controls while all other investors face losses and where the country's own people are suffering through an economic collapse.

This special status for U.S. investors sends the wrong message about promoting free trade and could increase anti-American feelings.

I will support these agreements but urge the Administration and Treasury not to include the capital control provisions in future agreements.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Chairman, I first would like to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) for their hard work on this important bill.

I am extremely pleased that there is funding included in this bill in a number of important programs, including development assistance for the Child Survival and Disease Fund, the World Bank, funds for peace initiatives in the Middle East, the Fund for Ireland and many other important programs. I thank my colleagues and appreciate their work.

However, I would like to raise my concern about one issue that is of particular importance to the women of the world, UNFPA. This body debated the issue just last week, but I must repeat the facts: UNFPA provides reproductive health care, including family planning services, but not abortion, to the world's poorest women, and specializes in caring for refugees and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

The loss of funds is hurting millions of women in the world's poorest countries. UNFPA estimates that $69 million, the amount Congress appropriated these last 2 years but the administration then canceled, could prevent 4 million unwanted pregnancies, 1.6 million abortions, 9,400 maternal deaths, 120,000 cases of serious maternal injury and illness and more than 150,000 infant deaths.

Even though this bill contains $25 million for UNFPA, the money will never get to those in need because the President's cancellation of the funds remains in force. I urge my colleagues to remove the harmful language that continues the blockage on money going to UNFPA and to help save the lives of millions of women and children around the world.

Mr. Chairman, I also rise to engage the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) in a colloquy to clarify language contained in the foreign operations report on behalf of my dear friend and colleague, the gentleman from new York (Mr. Towns), who was called back to New York on important business.

Mr. Chairman, I am concerned about the language that appears on page 18 where the committee notes, ``USAID does not currently fund any programs specifically aimed at obstetric fistula repair, and urges USAID to initiate programs in the most heavily affected areas.''

I yield to the gentlewoman from New York.

Mr. Chairman, the Engender Health/UNFPA report highlighted the problem of obstetric fistulas in sub-Saharan Africa. This report provided valuable information that led us to understand that this condition is far more serious and widespread than previously noted. I commend the gentlewoman for her work on this issue and am seeking clarification of the phrase ``most heavily affected areas.''

Mr. Chairman, the Engender Health/UNFPA report details widespread fistula occurrence in nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia.

Mr. Chairman, there are currently 35 hospitals in the aforementioned countries that have the capacity to conduct fistula repair surgery, but are without the financial resources. The Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which has successfully performed fistula repairs since 1974, is the only known medical establishment focusing solely on fistula repair and has long been regarded as a model center for those involved in such care.

I would encourage USAID to follow the letter of the committee's language and initiate programs in the most heavily affected areas, which would include the aforementioned nine sub-Saharan countries and Ethiopia, in addition to Sierra Leone.

Mr. Chairman, I hope the chairman of the subcommittee agrees also.

I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the gentleman from Arizona's (Mr. Kolbe) and the gentleman from New Jersey's (Mr. Andrews) initiative to include language stating that the State Department should not have allowed the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to sign the article 98 agreement as Macedonia. FYROM is the country's name, not Macedonia.

All historical and archaeological evidence demonstrates that the ancient Macedonians were Greek. Macedonia is a Greek name that has designated the northern area of Greece for over 2,000 years.

In 1944, the name of the Skopje region was changed to Macedonia as part of Tito's imperialist campaign to gain control of the Greek province of Macedonia. The United States opposed Tito's use of the name Macedonia at that time and has now stated that it will recognize FYROM only as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia while negotiations between Greece and FYROM continue.

Since 1995, bilateral relations between Greece and FYROM have improved significantly, especially in investment and trade. Currently, Greece is the largest foreign investor in FYROM. As a result, FYROM amended its constitution and removed the clauses about taking over and invading Greece, and they removed the emblem of Greece, the ancient symbol of Verjina, from its flag, and they removed the ancient tower, the white tower in the geographical area of Greece, from their money.

However, the dispute over the official name of FYROM still continues today between Athens and Skopje under the negotiations with the United Nations. I am concerned that any implied recognition of FYROM as Macedonia, however seemingly insignificant, may very well prove destabilizing for the region and possibly derail the United States effort at finding a solution between FYROM and Greece.

Those who may think that Macedonia is Greek and this is merely a semantics issue should consider what it would have been like if at the height of the Cold War the former Soviet Union had drawn in Alaska as part of its territory and put the Washington monument on its flag.

So I strongly support the commitment by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) and my colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) and their efforts, and hope that their language clarifying U.S. policy on FYROM will be included and that the State Department will be urged not to allow FYROM or any other nation to use Macedonia as a designation for FYROM.

Macedonia is geographically in Greece, historically and presently. I applaud the chairman on this bill and the ranking member, and I ask for their support with this.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule. This rule has been designated as ``Open'' but the truth is that a number of important amendments were defeated in Committee on a party line vote.

I am disappointed that the Maloney/Crowley amendment that would direct the $25 million appropriated in this bill for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to prevent, treat, and repair obstetric fistula was ruled out of order.

Two weeks ago, President Bush visited Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria. This was an important visit which demonstrated that this Administration is willing to work with and commit resources to the continent of Africa. Two of the countries he visited, Uganda and Nigeria, were included in a recent report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and EngenderHealth, Obstetric Fistula Needs Assessment: Findings from Nine African Countries. The report determines the capacity of 35 hospitals in Benin, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia to treat patients with obstetric fistula and assess their need for additional supplies, staff, and surgical supplies.

Obstetric fistula is a horrible condition. More than two million woman world-wide are living in shame and suffering with this devastating condition, which results from obstructed labor during childbirth. In the United States and the rest of the developed world, fistula was once as common as it is now in Africa--the Waldorf Astoria in New York was built on the site of a fistula repair hospital. But Caesarean section changed history in the wealthier countries, and it is now our automatic response to obstructed labor. In poor areas of Africa and elsewhere, where health care is scarce and where undernourished and stunted young girls may be required to marry before their bodies have matured, a pregnant woman (usually a young girl) may be in agonizing labor for days. The baby usually dies, and if the woman survives, her birth canal may be damaged, creating an opening between her vagina and her bladder or her rectum, sometimes both. The result is an uncontrollable leakage of urine or feces, or both. The women is constantly wet and highly unpleasant; she suffers recurrent infections and shame, and is usually abandoned and ostracized by her community. No one knows the true extent of this problem, for the women tend to hide, not knowing that help is available--from programs supported by UNFPA.

Fortunately, UNFPA provides the very maternal health care that helps save the lives of women and their babies and avoids medical complications like fistula. I have always said that USAID does important work, but one thing they don't do is prevent and combat the incidence of fistula. In my opinion, it is a terrible lapse on the part of our government and gives added incentive and reason to fund UNFPA.

This amendment is a positive compromise. If it has been ruled in order, I am confident that this is the kind of program that no one would object to. It would have been a dramatic initiative demonstrating a commitment to Africa' poor and in particular to saving the lives of African women. Providing funding to UNFPA to fight fistula would have shown immediate results in the form of thousands of grateful women whose lives could resume. And it would have resolved the contentious issue of UNFPA funding that has repeatedly stalled the passage of urgent State Department initiatives and international aid programs worldwide.

Once again, I would like to say that I am very disappointed that the full House will not be allowed to consider this important, thoughtful compromise that will help save the lives of millions of women around the world.

I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Ose/ Burton/Lampson/Maloney amendment.

This amendment speaks directly to the American children who have been torn apart from their parents and are being held against their will in a foreign country that does not observe the many rights American citizens enjoy in this country.

Between 1973 and 1991, roughly 4,000 American children were reported to the U.S. State Department as abducted by a parent and taken across an international border.

We have heard from the worst of these cases in the Government Reform Committee which include young children, American mothers, and Saudi fathers.

Saudi men wield an extraordinary amount of control and power over women and children in Saudi Arabia.

Children cannot travel without the approval of their father, often, the very person who kidnaped them to a foreign country.

Women are not allowed to drive a car.

They cannot walk outside without completely covering themselves with an abaya.

And, women are prohibited from studying certain subjects in school.

These are just a few examples of the breach of basic human rights that is at the root of the problem of child abduction.

Women in Saudi Arabia have very few rights and the result is the tragic child custody cases where families are broken apart and children are stripped from one of their parents.

The United States has long taken a lead in creating a mechanism for the return of children abducted internationally and was instrumental in the negotiation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

The Convention provides a civil legal mechanism in the country where the child is located for parents to seek the return of, and access to, their child.

Since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not a signatory to the Convention, these rules do not apply, and the result is that children suffer.

I remind my colleagues that we must not forget that we are talking about real people, real daughters and sons who are separated from a parent.

Each time a parent abducts, or wrongfully retains a child from his or her home, and prevents the child from having a relationship with the other parent, the trauma to the child is immediate and compounded each day the child is not returned home.

This amendment will provide a tool for the State Department to help American children reunite with their families.

It is the least we can do.

I urge a ``yes' vote on this amendment.

Mr. Ose's amendment would bar funding by the State Department to issue entry visas for anyone who violates U.S. child abduction laws and those relatives who aid and abet them.

Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Access to Books for Children Act (ABC Act), which would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Under the ABC Act, a five dollar voucher would be provided for the purchase of educational books for infants and children participating in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. Research has shown that the effects of childhood literacy on the futures of children are extraordinary. Children who are exposed to reading before they start school are more likely to graduate high school than those who are not.

Mr. Chairman, while I voted in favor of H.R. 2691, the FY04 Department of the Interior Appropriations bill, I am hopeful that more funding for conservation programs will be included in the conference report. I am pleased that a critical amendment

to increase the funding for the arts and humanities was passed by the House of Representatives. We must continue our commitment to providing the necessary funding for programs that would preserve our nation's environment and natural treasures.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to voice my strong support for the Slaughter-Shays-Dicks amendment. This important amendment increases funding for the National Endowment for the Arts by $10 million and the National Endowment for the Humanities by $5 million. It will continue the process of restoring federal arts funding to appropriate levels by simply providing the funding that the House passed last year.

This money will allow millions of young people and children to be exposed to the arts. In addition to the enjoyment and life-enrichment that each participant in the arts experiences, the exposure of children to the arts has been shown to improve reading and language development, mathematics skills, fundamental cognitive skills, motivation to learn, and social behavior. It is crucial that we provide enough funds for our children to have the best chance to succeed.

Sufficient funding for the arts is particularly important in these years following the tragic events of September 11. In my city of New York and across the nation, the arts have provided important outlets for the host of emotions brought on by the traumatic experiences and tremendous losses that we have all experienced.

But the arts not only help us to heal as individuals, they contribute to the economic health of our nation. The non-profit art industry generates $134 billion in economic activity each year, providing nearly 5 million full-time equivalent jobs and over $24 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenue.

We can improve our economy, aid in the healing of our nation, help our children, and create and enduring cultural legacy--all by passing this necessary amendment.

I support the Slaughter-Shays-Dicks amendment, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule.

While I am extremely pleased that my amendment to help women and girls in Afghanistan was included, I am disappointed that an amendment to help all women and girls in MCA eligible countries was not ruled in order.

My amendment would have simply ensured that the equal rights of women and girls are

included in the Millennium Challenge Account principal objectives.

Statistics show that when we help a woman out of poverty, we help her family out of poverty.

Women are key to sustainable development--a primary goal of the MCA.

Countries that actively discriminate against women and girls should not become eligible to receive MCA funding.

If we had included women and girls as part of the principal MCA objectives, we would have made a much more powerful difference in ensuring that our programs have the greatest impact.

I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule.

Madam Chairman, I thank my colleagues, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), for their extraordinary leadership in saving the lives of women and children around the world.

I will place in the Record two reports that will help clarify this debate. Members on the other side of the aisle, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and others, have talked about the China policy; and I will place in the Record the report from the British Government and the report from the President's own hand-picked investigatory team which found that UNFPA was not participating in any way in coercion or forced abortion in China, so it is clear and in the Record.

Now, let me tell my colleagues what this debate is really about. This debate is about saving women's lives around the world through international family planning. Over 1,600 women die each day in childbirth. That is roughly 600,000 women, at a minimum, each year. It is equivalent to two Boeing jets crashing each day.

What UNFPA is about is about handing out safe birthing kits to needy, poor women.

Madam Chairman, it includes simple things like a plastic mat, a razor, soap; basic items that can provide the necessary items that prevent the death of a woman in childbirth. That is what UNFPA is about.

Madam Chairman, 150 countries cannot be wrong. They support the efforts of UNFPA. Our country should be there too, helping the poor women and children around the world, not cutting off needed supplies like this birthing kit that only saves the lives of women in childbirth. And if my friends on the other side support life so much, they would support UNFPA's efforts to save the lives of women and children around the world.

The President's own handpicked investigatory team found that UNFPA was not participating in coercion.

In sum, based in what we saw, heard, and read, we find no

evidence that UNFPA has knowingly supported or participated

in the management of a program of coercive abortion or

involuntary sterilization in the PRC. Indeed, UNFPA has

registered its strong opposition to such practices. (Team

Report to Colin Powell, July 22, 2002)

A team composed of members of Parliament from the UK in July 2002 found that UNFPA was not participating in coercion.

The [delegation] was convinced that the UNFPA program is a

force for good, in moving China away from abuses such as

forced-family planning, sterilizations, and abortions . . .

It is vitally important that the UNFPA remains actively

involved in China, with continued financial support from the

UK and other Western Governments. (Report filed by MPs

Christine McCafferty, Edward Leigh, and Norman Lamb (July 2,

2002) and forwarded to the U.S. State Department)

I thank the gentleman for yielding time and for his extraordinary leadership on international affairs and so many issues that are important to this country.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the en bloc amendment and to note that the amendment which the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and I put forward to help women and girls in Afghanistan was included. I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).

The amendment creates the Afghan Women's Fund of not less than $22 million per year for the years 2003, 2004, and 2005. The Afghan Women's Fund will support the efforts of the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs, other government ministries, and independent commissions to increase women and girls' access to health care, education, and income- earning opportunities, as well as to programs to prevent trafficking in girls and women. This amendment also ensures that not less than 15 percent of the Afghan Women's Fund will reach organizations run by Afghans, especially Afghan women.

These organizations and civil society leaders are ideal partners, as they offer extensive development experience, knowledge of the local culture, and deep connections with the people they serve. Their success is also very closely tied to the success of efforts in Afghanistan for democracy because democracies cannot stabilize without a strong civil society. The Afghan women's amendment will support Afghan women and girls as they endeavor to make their country a more stable, safer, and better place.

I thank the leadership on the Democrat and Republican side for including this important amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the veterans of the Vietnam War and to honor in particular the members of the Queens Chapter #32 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. All of us owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Americans who served abroad in the armed forces during our nation's longest and perhaps most difficult military conflict. I am pleased to recognize the service to our country of all the members of Queens Chapter #32 of the Vietnam Veterans of America and of its President, Pastor Toro, Jr.

This month, in recognition of their service to our nation and to our city, the Queens Chapter #32 of the Vietnam Veterans of America is being honored by the rededication of a portion of 76th Avenue as ``Vietnam Veterans Lane.'' This thoroughfare, located between Woodhaven Boulevard and 88th Street in the Glendale neighborhood of the Borough of Queens in New York City, is the permanent location of Queens Chapter #32 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The members of the Queens Chapter #32 have truly earned our gratitude, admiration, and appreciation.

At the dedication ceremony for Vietnam Veterans Lane, the ``Order of the Silver Rose'' will be presented to several Chapter members who have suffered from a multitude of illnesses and symptoms associated with exposure to ``Agent Orange.'' These veterans continue to pay a price for their willingness to serve our country, and it is only fitting that we acknowledge their sacrifice on behalf of all of us.

Although it has been just over three decades since our troops engaged in active combat in Vietnam, we will never forget the bravery of all those who served and the ultimate sacrifice of the more than 58,000 military personnel who gave their lives in service to their country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me honoring the veterans of the Vietnam War. It is a fitting tribute that New York City is naming a street in honor of those who served in Vietnam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Reverend Father George I. Paulson on the occasion of his retirement. Father Paulson is a trail-blazing leader who has selflessly devoted himself in service to our nation, his faith, his students and colleagues, and his family throughout his life.

The first Navy Chaplain to represent the Greek Orthodox faith, Father Paulson is retiring after 59 years of ministering to congregations and believers around the nation. In his long and distinguished career, he helped countless individuals in both military and civilian life to cope with religious, family, and personal concerns.

During nearly three decades of service to our country, Father Paulson rose to the rank of Captain in the United States Navy. His compassion and dedication to the spiritual well-being of the men and women serving in the armed forces is legendary. Among many notable accomplishments in his distinguished military career, he organized and for six years directed a Leadership School at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina following his tour of duty in Vietnam. Designed to improve the quality of leadership in the U.S. armed forces, the School trained facilitators to lead sessions that ultimately involved over 15,000 Marine and Navy officers during the difficult final years of that military conflict. It was credited with helping to reduce racial tensions among members of the armed forces and improving morale.

Father Paulson also was responsible for reducing sick calls to the Base Rehabilitation Center by two-thirds, a remarkable achievement for which he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Navy. In addition to this honor, Father Paulson also received a Navy Unit Commendation; a National Defense Service Medal; an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; a Vietnam Service Medal; a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; a Combat Action Ribbon; and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation.

By special appointment of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America Father Paulson was named the ecclesiastical endorsing agent for the Armed Forces of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.

In addition to 28 years of military service, he served two decades as a pastor at St. Nicholas Church in Virginia Beach as well as four-year terms as pastor to congregations in Tacoma and San Francisco. For almost a quarter century, he taught numerous courses in religious studies at St. Leo College in Virginia and served as Chairman of the Psychology and Theology Departments. Graduating from Holy Cross Seminary in Connecticut in 1944, Father Paulson went on to Boston University to earn a Masters Degree in Education and a Doctorate in Ministry with a concentration in Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics. He earned his doctorate in 1993 at the age of 75.

And his family always maintained its primacy in Father Paulson's life. In 1944, he married his beloved, Evangeline Kertiles Paulson. Together they raised four wonderful sons, who in turn blessed them with eight grandchildren; Ned and his wife Susan raised George and Carl; Louis and his wife Jeannette raised Elias, John, and Matthew; Bill and his wife Margaret raised Billy, Jr. and Leah; and George, Jr. and his wife Regina raised Jon and Christopher.

In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Reverend Father George Paulson on the occasion of his retirement.