Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay special tribute to the HealthCare Chaplaincy, a nonprofit multi-faith healthcare organization that is devoted to serving the spiritual needs of patients seeking palliative care and their families. This month, the Chaplaincy hosts its annual ``Wholeness of Life'' Awards Dinner in Manhattan.

Founded in 1961 by a syndicate of churches, the HealthCare Chaplaincy has served nearly 5 million people, relieving medical suffering and improving the quality of life of countless grateful clients and their families. Over the course of those five decades, the HealthCare Chaplaincy has sought tirelessly to expand palliative care by improving its accessibility, affordability, and quality, and by training qualified chaplains for hospital ministry. As the largest clinical pastoral education and research center of its kind in the United States, the HealthCare Chaplaincy has become an integral part of the medical community, caring for both residential and non-residential patients with serious progressive illnesses and helping to reduce the severity of disease symptoms.

The HealthCare Chaplaincy is hosting its 23rd Wholeness of Life Awards Dinner this month to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. I also wish to congratulate this year's most worthy honorees: the Chairmen of the Board of Trustees, as well as doctors and nurses who excelled at patient care in the palliative medical field.

The HealthCare Chaplaincy's remarkable achievements would not be possible without its President and Chief Executive Officer, the Reverend Dr. Walter J. Smith, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Claire Haaga-Altman. A specialist in end-of life palliative care, the Rev. Dr. Walter Smith has served at the HealthCare Chaplaincy for nearly two decades. Ms. Haaga-Altman has served in the non-profit sector for more than 30 years, helping to develop New York City's Access-a-Ride program and fostering and facilitating the growth of the multi-faith palliative medical field. At the Chaplaincy, she is overseeing an innovative and critically needed assisted living program.

Madam Speaker, I salute the work of HealthCare Chaplaincy and I ask that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the outstanding work of the HealthCare Chaplaincy and its 2010 honorees for their many contributions to the civic and spiritual life of our Nation.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the Joint Economic Committee, which I chair, released a report today that finds that if Congress fails to extend the Federal unemployment insurance benefits program, the unintended consequences could be extremely serious. Serious not just for the 2 million Americans who would see their benefits expire in December, but extremely serious for the larger economy as well.

Prematurely ending the program would drain our economy of some $80 billion in purchasing power, just as our fragile economy is beginning to recover. This would result in the loss of over 1 million jobs over the next year. Even now, there are five Americans looking for work for every job opening in the land; and more than 40 percent of those unemployed have been out of work for 27 weeks or more, including over 159,000 in New York State, with some 95,000 in my home of New York City. Choosing to vote against an extension, and thus add a million Americans to the ranks of the unemployed, cannot possibly be considered as a wise economic policy choice.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office ranks the stimulative effects of unemployment benefits as one of the most effective policies to increase growth and employment that they have studied, and the President's Council of Economic Advisers estimates that every dollar spent on unemployment insurance benefits increases the gross domestic product by $1.60. Economists predict that without extended benefits, the economy will suffer, consumer spending will fall by 0.5 percent, and economic growth will be reduced by almost 0.5 percent.

The facts and the numbers in the new JEC report make it clear that extending this program benefits those who need our help most, benefits the larger economy, and thus benefits us all.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the National Women's Political Caucus, NWPC, and to the 2010 recipients of its ``Exceptional Merit in Media Awards'', or ``EMMAs''. Last month at the Cornell Club in New York City, the NWPC honored several distinguished leaders with EMMAs at a ceremony in New York City hosted by the renowned actress Tyne Daly and dedicated to the memory of the late Liz Carpenter, its distinguished Co-Founder.

With state and local affiliates across America, the National Women's Political Caucus is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to increasing women's participation in all areas of political and public life--as elected and appointed officials, as delegates to national party conventions, as judges in state and federal courts, and as lobbyists, voters and campaign organizers. The NWPC was founded in 1971 by Liz Carpenter, former Press Secretary to Lady Bird Johnson; the late New York Congresswomen Bella Abzug and Shirley Chisholm; and several other distinguished woman leaders to advance its vital mission of achieving equal representation for women in our national political life. Today, the Caucus is led by its indefatigable and remarkably effective President, Lulu Flores. Each year the NWPC presents its Exceptional Merit in Media Awards to honor exceptional films, print publications, blogs and ``virtual'' news outlets, and other media leaders and institutions that highlight issues important to women and that promote the EMMAs' goal of encouraging journalists to produce pieces that elevate the civil discourse on issues that affect women. Also honored with EMMAs were three books: Jesus, Jobs, and Justice: African-American Women and Religion, by Bettye Collier-Thomas; Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn; and Notes from the Cracked Ceiling: Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and What It Will Take for a Woman to Win, by Washington Post correspondent Anne E. Kornblut. Four authors of articles appearing in magazines were honored: Helen Benedict for her piece, ``The Scandal of Military Rape,'' which appeared in Ms. Magazine; Liz Welch for ``Meet Generation (R)x,'' published in Glamour; Sabrina Rubin Erdely for her article in Self, ``The Crime Against Women That No One Understands''; and Jessica Pupovac for her article, ``Silenced in the Barracks: The Pentagon Fails to Protect U.S. Troops from Sexual Abuse,'' published by In These Times.

The woman to whom the 2010 EMMA ceremony was dedicated, NWPC's late Co-Founder Liz Carpenter, was truly an extraordinary, pioneering figure in American political history. An accomplished journalist, author and public servant who served as the Press Secretary to a great First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, Liz was also an accomplished raconteuse possessed of a remarkable and lively wit. It is therefore entirely appropriate that the NWPC has created the Liz Carpenter Political Humor Award, which this year was awarded for the first time to Samantha Bee, who amuses millions of viewers with her piercing political barbs on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on the Comedy Central television network. Madam Speaker, I rise to request that my distinguished colleagues join me in recognizing the National Women's Political Caucus, its 2010 EMMA honorees, and NWPC's late Co-Founder Liz Carpenter for their tireless efforts to achieve equal representation and participation of women in American political life.

Madam Speaker, on November 15, 2010 I missed rollcall votes numbered 566, 567, and 568.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes No. 566, to clarify, improve, and correct the laws relating to copyrights, No. 567, recognizing the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-White public elementary school, and No. 568, expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the successful and substantial contributions of the amendments to the patent and trademark laws that were initially enacted in 1980 by Public Law 96-517 (commonly referred to as the ``Bayh-Dole Act'') on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its enactment.

Mr. Speaker, today we are considering a bill that is overwhelmingly supported by the American people. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which I offered along with the entire New York delegation, will provide needed health care for more than 36,000 Americans who are sick or injured because of 9/11.

This is a national issue. Those who are suffering come from all 50 States, which this chart shows. The darker

color shows States that have more than 1,000 of their residents enrolled in health programs. For those Americans, the 9/11 attacks are not history but are an ongoing nightmare that is slowly robbing them of their health, their strength, their livelihood, and, in some cases, their lives.

Thousands lost their lives 9 years ago, but since then, thousands and thousands more have lost their health. This is not an entitlement program. This is a responsibility to take care of those who took care of us when our Nation was attacked, and this bill sends a message to future generations that we take care of our veterans from the war against terror.

In today's debate, I hope that all Members will put politics aside and, in a bipartisan way, honor and respect the sacrifices of the 9/11 victims.

I thank my colleague from the great State of New York for his leadership on this bill and his outstanding leadership in so many other ways and in so many other areas to help our great State.

I strongly support and rise in support of the rule. The time is now to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, legislation that is overwhelmingly supported by Americans across our country.

This is not a New York issue. Our Nation was attacked, and those who are suffering come from all 50 States. In 428 of the 435 congressional districts nationwide, nearly every Member of Congress has constituents who lost their health because of the attacks. For these Americans, the 9/11 attacks are not history but are an ongoing nightmare that is slowly robbing them of their health, their strength, their livelihood, and, in worst cases, their lives.

The attacks caused all kinds of terrible health problems that are unique to 9/11. 9/11 responders have received a lot of awards and praise, but what they tell me is what they really need is their health care. And this bill provides health care to all who need it--monitoring for those who were exposed to the deadly toxins, and assistance for the survivors of the attacks.

It will also open the Federal Victims Compensation Fund. It is fully paid for. After Pearl Harbor, Congress passed health care and financial relief for civilians and the responders who helped salvage our Pacific Fleet. It is time for Congress to do the same for 9/11 responders and survivors.

I thank the entire New York delegation, especially Congressmen King and Nadler and their staffs who have worked almost every day for years with my staff, Ben Chevat and others, to bring this bill to the floor.

Our responders and our survivors were there for us. We need to be there for them. And in today's debate, I hope that all Members will put politics aside.

I thank the gentleman.

I am urging all Members in a bipartisan way on both sides of the aisle to put politics aside and to honor and respect the sacrifice made by so many Americans on 9/11.

I thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle, particularly Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer.

I thank the gentleman for his leadership and for yielding and for his hard work for 6 years. It took us 4 years in college, and it has been 6 years on this bill. The time to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act is now. It is bipartisan. It is patriotic. And it is overwhelmingly supported by Americans across this country.

James Zadroga's father is with us today, as well as many hardworking men and women who worked on that pile, who selflessly risked their health and their lives to help others. And I thank the New York State AFL-CIO'S Dennis Hughes and Suzie Ballentine; the firefighters and fire officers who are here with us today, Al Hagen and Steve Cassidy; the police, Pat Lynch; the laborers, the construction workers; D.C. 37, Lee Clark, Mike McIntyre, John Feal. Many of you have received praise for your work, but many of you have said all you want is your health care.

An estimated 36,000 Americans have received treatment for illnesses as a direct result of 9/11. Those who are suffering come from all of our 50 States and 428 of the 435 congressional districts nationwide were represented at 9/11. Here is a map of locations in Florida and in California where health care providers have provided medical services to 9/11 responders. Nearly every Member of this House of Representatives have people that worked there. And they are losing their health.

Thousands of people lost their lives 9 years ago, but thousands and thousands more lost their health. This is not an entitlement. This is a responsibility to take care of those who took care of us when our country was attacked.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask people to go to our Web site that outlines the participants from across this country and all of our congressional districts.

It is now time for this Congress to do what we should have done long ago: provide proper care for those who lost their health because of 9/ 11.

We have a moral obligation to help those who were harmed by the attacks on America.

In the spirit of patriotism and common purpose Congress showed the world in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, and for the sake of the thousands of 9/11 first responders and survivors who are suffering, I implore my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this and so many other important issues.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1631, a resolution calling for the protection of religious sites and artifacts in Turkish- occupied areas of northern Cyprus. I joined my Hellenic Caucus cochair and good friend and colleague, Representative Gus Bilirakis, in introducing this important resolution before us today. And I would like to particularly thank Chairman Berman for his work in bringing this resolution to the floor today for a vote.

I am honored to represent Astoria, Queens, one of the largest and most vibrant communities of Greek and Cypriot Americans in this country. This year we marked the 36th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continuing illegal occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus. Since the 1974 invasion, many priceless symbols of Cyprus' religious and cultural heritage have been destroyed, looted, or vandalized, and even stolen, or illegally shipped for sale abroad. Very disturbing is the way the churches have been razed, converted into barns, into barracks, into beer halls with total disrespect to their religious importance. To date, Turkey has repeatedly ignored all U.N. resolutions pertaining to Cyprus and has continued to occupy the island in complete violation of international law.

As Cyprus prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we in Congress have a responsibility to make our voices heard on our ultimate goal of a reunified and prosperous Cyprus where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can live together in peace, security, and stability. Passage of this resolution would demonstrate the United States' commitment to protecting the rights and fundamental freedoms of the Cypriot people, religious freedom on the island of Cyprus, and religious freedom for people everywhere.

In the interest of time, I would like to place in the Record this report from the Library of Congress pertaining to the destruction of cultural property and religious sites in Cyprus.

I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of this important resolution.

[Law Library of Congress]

Cyprus--Destruction of Cultural Property in the Northern Part of Cyprus

and Violations of International Law

Executive Summary

Due to the military invasion by Turkey in July and August

1974, the Republic of Cyprus has been de facto divided into

two separate areas: the southern area under the Government of

Cyprus, which is recognized as the only legitimate

government; and the northern area, amounting to approximately

36 percent of the territory, under the non-recognized,

illegal, and unilaterally declared ``Turkish Republic of

Northern Cyprus'' (``TRNC'). As documented, the northern part

of Cyprus has experienced a vast destruction and pillage of

religious sites and objects during the armed conflict and

continuing occupation. In addition, a large number of

religious and archaeological objects have been illegally

exported and subsequently sold in art markets. The Republic

of Cyprus has asserted its ownership over its religious and

archaeological sites located in Cyprus through use of its

domestic legislation. The Cyprus government and the Church of

Cyprus claim that such religious sites constitute part of

Cyprus' cultural property and are of paramount importance to

the collective history and memory of the people of Cyprus as

a nation, as well as to humankind. In a few instances,

Cyprus, either through diplomatic channels or through legal

action, has been successful in repatriating religious and

archaeological objects.

Protection of religious sites and other cultural property

during armed conflict and occupation falls within the ambit

of international humanitarian law, otherwise known as the law

of war. The basic principle is that cultural property must be

safeguarded and protected, subject to military necessity only

when such property has been converted to a military

objective. Pursuant to the major international agreement on

this subject, the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of

Cultural Property During Armed Conflict and its Protocols, as

well as the legal regime on occupation, Turkey, as a state

party, is required to refrain from acts of hostility and

damage against cultural property located in the northern part

of Cyprus; to prohibit and prevent theft, pillage, or

misappropriation of cultural property; and to establish

criminal jurisdiction to prosecute individuals who engage in

acts of destruction, desecration, and pillage. Archaeological

excavations in the occupied northern part of Cyprus are

prohibited unless they are critical to the preservation of

cultural property; in such a case, excavations must be

carried out with the cooperation of the national competent

authorities of the occupied territory. Such violations of

conventional and customary international rules on the

protection of cultural property may give rise to legal

responsibility on the part of Turkey as the occupying power

before an international court or tribunal, provided that

other requirements are met A legal precedent for the

responsibility of Turkey for actions against cultural

property would be the judgments of the European Court of

Human Rights. The Court, based on the ``effective control''

test, used in Loizidou v. Turkey, found Turkey responsible

for deprivation of private property of Greek-Cypriots

expelled from the occupied northern part of Cyprus.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former

Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the Rome Statute of the International

Criminal Court (ICC) consider the destruction of cultural

property to be a war crime. The ICTY has held individuals

accountable for the destruction or damage done to

institutions dedicated to religious, artistic, scientific, or

historic monuments. Moreover, the ICTY has reaffirmed that

the rules on protection of cultural property during armed

conflict have achieved the status of customary international

law; thus, they are binding erga omnes, against all states,

even if a state is not party to an international humanitarian

law instrument.

Two international Conventions governing protection of

cultural property apply to the issue of illicit traffic and

exportation of cultural property from the northern part of

Cyprus: a) the 1970 UNESCO (United Nations Educational,

Scientific, and Cultural Organization) Convention on the

Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import,

Export and Transfer of Ownership; and b) the 1995 UNIDROIT

(International Institute for the Unification of Private Law)

Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects.

A basic objective of both Conventions is to fight the illicit

trade in art and cultural property. Under the 1970

Convention, which has been ratified by Cyprus and Turkey,

parties are required to take steps to prevent illicit traffic

through the adoption of legal and administrative measures and

the adoption of an export certificate for any cultural object

that is exported. Cyprus has complied with these

requirements. In addition, the 1970 Convention regards as

``illicit'' any export or transfer of ownership of cultural

property under compulsion that arises from the occupation of

a country by a foreign power. The 1995 UNIDROIT Convention

establishes uniform rules for restitution claims by

individuals regarding stolen cultural objects and return

claims by states regarding illicitly exported cultural

objects. While Cyprus has ratified the Convention, Turkey has

not.

The Cyprus Government stresses that the optimum way to

preserve and protect its cultural property is to find a

solution to the Cyprus issue and the end of the military

occupation of the northern part of Cyprus. Meanwhile, Cyprus

may opt, inter alia, to utilize judicial remedies to resolve

outstanding disputes pertaining to its cultural and religious

property either before foreign courts, as it has already

done, or international and regional courts, provided that

other criteria are met.

I. Introduction

Following the military invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and the

continuing occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by

Turkey, it has been documented that extensive destruction,

desecration, and pillage of religious sites and other

historic monuments, as well some disputed archaeological

excavations and illegal exportation of objects, have occurred

in the northern part of Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus

claims that the impetus behind the acts of destruction and

desecration of religious sites is the obliteration of their

cultural and religious symbols, which form part of the

cultural and spiritual heritage of Cyprus; as such they are

extremely significant not only for the Greek-Cypriots, but

also for the entire population of Cyprus and for humankind in

general. On the other hand, the unilaterally declared and

unrecognized (with the exception of Turkey) ``state'' of the

``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'' (``TRNC'') argues

that its competent authorities are engaged in actions

designed to preserve and protect religious sites, regardless

of their origin and, moreover, that the excavations are

taking place within the ``TRNC's'' own ``sovereign'' area.

It is against this background that this report analyses the

international legal framework governing the protection of

cultural property in the northern part of Cyprus. The report

also examines the rights and obligations of Turkey and Cyprus

arising out of international agreements and especially the

legal consequences of the destruction and pillage of Cyprus'

religious and cultural property by ``TRNC.''

The analysis focuses on the international legal norms and

standards applicable to:

(a) The protection of cultural property during armed

conflict;

(b) Occupied territory;

(c) The protection of cultural property against the illicit

trade and export of artifacts; and,

(d) Religious intolerance.

In order to draw out the issues, the report provides a

historical background, continuing to the time of the de facto

partition of the island and the ensuing military occupation.

Also included is a brief description of the reported

destruction of cultural property that occurred in the

northern part of Cyprus and an overview of Cyprus' domestic

ownership laws on cultural property. In analyzing the

international legal standards applicable to the protection of

cultural property, this report examines three key legal

issues:

(a) Whether religious sites in Cyprus (including churches,

chapels, monasteries, synagogues, and mosques used by the

Greek

Cypriot community and other minorities for religious

purposes) qualify as ``cultural property'' as defined in the

relevant law and thus warrant international protection;

(b) Whether the northern part of Cyprus meets the legal

definition of an occupied territory; and

(c) Whether the destruction of religious sites in the

northern part of Cyprus could give rise to international

responsibility on the part of the occupying Turkish military

forces in Cyprus; the sub-issue of whether ``TRNC'' bears any

degree of responsibility is briefly touched upon as well.

The report concludes with a short overview of courses of

action available to the Republic of Cyprus to pursue its

legal claims against the destruction, illicit trade, and

transfer of its cultural property.

II. Historical Background

The Republic of Cyprus is a small nation in size and

population with a very rich and ancient history and

civilization. Archeological findings indicate that Cyprus was

inhabited around 7,000 B.C. The island was exposed to

Christianity early, with the visit of Apostles Barnabas and

Peter. During the Byzantine era, Cyprus was under the

administration of Byzantine emperors for approximately 800

years (395-1191 A.D).\1\ It was during this time that a great

number of churches were built and decorated with mosaics and

frescoes of exquisite beauty.\2\ In 1571, Cyprus became part

of the Ottoman Empire and in 1878 fell under British rule.

After a long period as a British colony,\3\ the Republic of

Cyprus became an independent nation on August 16, 1960, with

the signing of the Treaty of Alliance, Treaty of Guarantee,

and the adoption of the Cyprus Constitution.\4\ Under the

Treaty of Guarantee,\5\ the three guarantor powers, Greece,

Turkey and the United Kingdom, agreed to safeguard and

respect the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus. Cyprus'

population is composed of two communities; Greek-Cypriots,

and Turkish-Cypriots. The two communities are linguistically

and religiously distinct from each other. They had long

inhabited the island in peaceful symbiosis, with some

sporadic periods of political instability and internal

strife. Prior to 1974, the Greek-Cypriot community comprised

80 percent of the population of Cyprus, the Turkish-Cypriots

totaling approximately 18 percent, with the balance being

comprised of a small percentage of Armenians, Maronites, and

Latin.\6\

Since the 1974 military invasion of Cyprus by Turkey and

the ensuing occupation of the northern 37 percent of the

island, the Republic of Cyprus has been de facto divided into

two separate areas, with the southern area under the

government of Cyprus, which is recognized as the only

legitimate government, and the northern area under the non-

recognized, illegal, and unilaterally declared ``TRNC.'' The

United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was

established in 1964 after the eruption of intercommunal

violence in 1963, and is in control along the so called

``green line'' to guarantee maintenance of peace and security

between the two communities.\7\ The military invasion by

Turkey was precipitated when the Greek military regime, with

the assistance of the Cypriot armed forces, planned and

executed a coup d'etat against the government of Archbishop

Makarios, the first elected President of the Republic of

Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, Turkey, using the coup d'etat as

grounds to allegedly protect the Turkish community,

intervened militarily in Cyprus in order to ``reestablish the

constitutional order.'' \8\ A series of unsuccessful peace

negotiations ensued between the two communities under the

auspices of the United Nations (UN) until August 14, 1974,

when Turkey initiated a second military attack on Cyprus and

occupied 36.02 percent of the territory of the Republic of

Cyprus.\9\

As a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, almost

200,000 Greek-Cypriots fled their homes in the north and

either became refugees or were internally displaced, and

eventually settled in the southern part of Cyprus. The

Turkish-Cypriots who lived in various parts of the island

prior to 1974 moved to the north.\10\

Currently, the population of Cyprus includes approximately

660,000 Greek-Cypriots who live in the south, 89,000 Turkish-

Cypriots in the north, and a Turkish military force of

approximately 43,000. Moreover, Turkey has brought close to

160,000 Turkish settlers to the northern part of Cyprus from

mainland Turkey in an effort to alter the demographics of

Cyprus. The European Court of Human Rights of the Council of

Europe, to which Turkey and Cyprus are members, in numerous

instances has found Turkey to have violated various human

rights in the northern part of Cyprus, in particular the

rights of individuals to their property, and the right to

life, liberty, and security.

The ``TRNC'' was unilaterally proclaimed in 1983 and

adopted a Constitution. The United Nations Security Council,

in Resolutions 541 and 550, adopted in 1983 and 1984,

respectively, declared the secession invalid, null, and void.

The Security Council also urged the Cyprus: Destruction of

Cultural Property--April 2009 The Law Library of Congress

international community not to recognize the ``TRNC.'' \11\

Thus far, no country (with the exception of Turkey) has

recognized the ``TRNC'' as a separate state under

international law. The United Nations, the European Union

(EU),\12\ the Council of Europe,\13\ and others \14\ have

repeatedly reaffirmed the status of the Republic of Cyprus as

the only legitimate government. A number of national and

international courts, in adjudicating legal issues that have

incidentally raised the question of the status of the

``TRNC,'' have not recognized its legitimacy.\15\

On May 1, 2004, the Republic of Cyprus, as a single state,

joined the EU.\16\ For the time being, the entire body

(acquis communautaire) of EU law applies only to the southern

part of the * * *

Madam Speaker, on September 22, 2010, I missed rollcall votes Nos. 532 and 533. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes No. 532, to establish Coltsville National Historical Park in the State of Connecticut and, No. 533, to authorize funding for the creation and implementation of infant mortality pilot programs in standard metropolitan statistical areas with high rates of infant mortality.

Madam Speaker, the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 (H.R. 5297) will strengthen our current economic recovery, by strengthening our small businesses.

This legislation is sorely needed to bolster our small firms, which have lagged their larger counterparts in recovering from the Great Recession.

While the economy has made significant progress since the beginning of 2010, including eight straight months of private sector job growth, small businesses are not yet fully participating in this recovery.

The legislation before us will help change that--by providing small businesses with eight separate tax cuts totaling $12 billion; promoting lending to small firms; and encouraging investment in these engines of growth.

A September report from the Joint Economic Committee, which I chair, provides fresh evidence of the challenges that continue to face small businesses.

While hiring at medium and large firms began to pick up in mid-2009, hiring at small firms remains flat and has continued to decline for the smallest firms--those with fewer than 50 employees.

Why aren't small businesses hiring?

A big part of the answer is that they simply cannot get the loans they need.

The number of loans to small businesses and the value of those loans are both dropping.

Loans made to small businesses, which peaked at 27.2 million in the second quarter of 2008, have fallen by over 4.8 million since then, a drop of 17.8 percent.

At the same time, the total value of those loans fell by $60 billion to approximately $650 billion.

I have heard time and time again from my constituents that even as the economy gains strength, creditworthy businesses still cannot get the normal business loans they need to make payrolls, pay vendors, or expand their operations.

I have heard this from a wide variety of businesses--from the old fashioned 100 year old, family-owned Eneslow Shoes, to the high tech QED National--a leading provider of Staff Augmentation services to IT organizations.

Sound companies doing good business tell me they just can't get the credit they need.

There is a provision in this legislation that I believe will get capital flowing again to small businesses.

The $30 billion Small Business Lending Fund will leverage $300 billion in loans to small businesses.

Small and community banks receive capital from the Fund on terms that become more favorable as they make more loans to small businesses.

The new lending fund is a big piece of this legislation--but it's just one piece.

The bill also increases the loan limit for SBA 7(a) loans from $2 million to $5 million.

This is especially important for high-cost areas like New York City, where $2 million just doesn't go very far for a small business.

The bill extends 50 percent bonus depreciation, enabling small businesses to immediately write off half the cost of investments in new equipment this year.

It promotes entrepreneurship by doubling the tax deduction for start- up expenses.

And finally, 2 million self-employed individuals will be able to deduct the cost of health insurance for themselves and their families this year.

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, generating innovation, growth, and jobs.

Three out of four Americans work for establishments with fewer than 250 employees.

It's critical that we get small businesses firing on all cylinders. And it's frustrating it hasn't happened sooner. But, I'm confident that this legislation will help our small firms turn the corner, add employees and accelerate our economic growth.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Christopher Cerf upon receiving the 2010 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. Mr. Cerf has dedicated his life to making educational resources more accessible to all children, and enriching children's educational experiences.

Mr. Cerf began his career after graduating from Harvard University, when he spent eight years as a senior editor at Random House, working with such diverse authors as George Plimpton, Andy Warhol, Abbie Hoffman, Ray Bradbury, and Dr. Seuss. Mr. Cerf then took his talents to the acclaimed children's show Sesame Street where he has been a regular contributor of music and lyrics since the show's first season. He won two Grammy and three Emmy awards for his work with Sesame Street. For over forty years, Mr. Cerf has creatively been educating children using music and lyrics as educational tools.

In 2000, Mr. Cerf and his company Sirius Thinking Ltd., started a new highly acclaimed children's educational daily television program, Between the Lions. Mr. Cerf's literacy series Between the Lions has appeared on PBS for nine seasons, and received two Television Critics' Award for Outstanding Children's TV Program and 10 Emmy Awards. Academic studies have shown that Between the Lions, and its companion literacy instruction resources, is hugely successful in helping children learn to read, especially those who are at a high risk of literacy failure. The literacy series has proven to have particularly strong results in phonics, vocabulary, and reading frequency.

Mr. Cerf is currently working on yet another educational television series, Lomax, the Hound of Music, which aims to develop children's musical awareness.

In addition to working tirelessly on his educational series, Mr. Cerf is currently a member of the board of directors of Reading Is Fundamental, First Book and the We Are Family Foundation. He is also a governor of the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy.

I am deeply appreciative for Mr. Cerf s life's work in education. On behalf of the 14th District of New York, I am honored to thank Mr. Cerf and to congratulate him on receiving the prestigious Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. May it help him with his future endeavors in teaching children. I know we can expect to see more great achievements from Mr. Christopher Cerf.

Mr. Speaker, it is widely understood that one of the biggest problems facing our economy now is the fact that small businesses cannot get loans. And small business owners tell me every week from across my district they are not hiring because they cannot get loans and expand.

In fact, a recent report from the Joint Economic Committee, which I chair, found that the number of small business loans peaked in the second quarter of 2008 at 27 million loans. But since then the number of loans have fallen by 18 percent.

The bill before the U.S. Senate today that passed the House will address that by expanding access to needed credit for small businesses, providing tax relief, and encouraging private investments. Our economic recovery depends on small businesses, and credit-worthy small businesses need loans. This bill is not a cure-all or a silver bullet, but it is without question an important step towards restoring and restarting the great American engine of growth.

Madam Speaker, today, I am proud to introduce this important bipartisan legislation, the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) Act, with my colleagues, Representatives Poe, Richardson, and Cohen.

I have been working on the issue of DNA technology since 2001 when I, along with former Representative Steve Horn, held a hearing in the Government Reform Committee where we heard from a courageous rape survivor, Debbie Smith. It was for Debbie, and the thousands of rape survivors like her, that I authored ``The Debbie Smith Act'' to provide federal funding to process the unconscionable backlog of DNA evidence. This legislation passed as part of the Justice for All Act of 2004, authorizing the necessary funding to start processing the backlog through the creation of the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program.

Since 2004, millions of dollars in funding have been appropriated under the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. Efforts to eliminate the national backlog of rape evidence samples that have not been tested for DNA have been slowed or stymied by the lack of solid data on the extent and nature of the remaining backlog. While there is extensive evidence that we are making progress towards eliminating the backlog, policy makers lack a reliable estimate of the number of kits awaiting testing, or even how many kits remain at each stage of the process (in police custody, at labs awaiting processing, etc.).

This legislation addresses these issues by creating an incentive grant program to provide funding to cover the upfront costs of auditing state and local jurisdictions backlogs of DNA rape evidence samples. The bill would also direct the Justice Department to create the National Rape Kit Registry, a simple database that will track the status of every rape evidence kit waiting to be processed.

As Congress considers legislation to amend the Debbie Smith Act or make other changes to DNA testing policy, it is crucial that we first gather reliable, comprehensive backlog data. DNA evidence does not forget and it cannot be intimidated. By processing this evidence, we can prevent rapists from attacking more innocent victims and ensure that the survivors and their families receive justice.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act. The bill would require the States to obtain information about the true ownership of the corporation, when they allow someone to create a corporate entity. As some have put it, this bill is a ``no-brainer.'' And it is fairly straightforward: it would require that the person creating the corporation to state the ``beneficial owner'' of the corporation and provide some form of identification.

Although this is as straightforward as it sounds, the implications for law enforcement are broad reaching. Criminal organizations are infamous for using shell corporations, both foreign and domestic to open bank accounts, launder money, perpetrate fraud, and finance terrorism. And it isn't difficult for them to do. Virtually no States require people applying to create corporations to provide the identity of the corporate owner. In fact, 48 of 50 States, except for Alabama and Alaska, allow for the unfettered creation of an anonymous corporate entity. As a result, just about anyone can easily manipulate the system to fund criminal activity.

Here is an example from a recent investigation in NY by the Manhattan District Attorney. The office announced investigations involving the movement of funds through banks in NY by entities controlled by the Iranian Military. In at least two cases, domestic shell companies were opened in two different States to further secret Iranian interests. Through a NY shell company, individuals working on behalf of the government of Iran were able to move funds to secret accounts held in offshore jurisdictions. Shockingly, the offshore government was able to give the Manhattan DA more information about the ownership of the NY entity than the State of NY could.

Although the DA does not contend that requiring a declaration of beneficial ownership would have stopped this activity, it would have at least been a piece of evidence to go on. And if the declaration of beneficial ownership had been required but falsified, it would have been an extra tool for law enforcement to shut down the entity and prosecute the perpetrators.

The bill I am introducing today will provide the kind of transparency that law enforcement needs to investigate financial crimes. However, it is narrowly drafted so that it is not overly burdensome on either States or incorporating entities. In fact, most corporations would be exempt from the bill's requirements including companies that are already regulated by federal banking regulators and companies that are over 20 employees. This bill is meant to capture beneficial ownership information from companies that are able to escape regulation and oversight through other federal entities.

Senator Levin has already introduced a similar bill in the Senate, and President Obama was the lead sponsor when he was a U.S. Senator. It is supported by numerous law enforcement associations, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys, the National Narcotic Officers' Associations Coalition, the United States Marshals Service Association, and the Association of Former ATF Agents.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the late Carl Haynes, former President of the Teamsters Local 237 City Employees Union, former Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and beloved husband and father. A lifelong advocate for working men and women, Mr. Haynes passed away in April.

Carl Haynes was born Carroll Edwin Haynes in West Virginia on June 2, 1933, the second of three children. He attended West Virginia State College and married his sweetheart Janice in the campus chapel two days after graduation. The newlyweds moved to New York City to begin a long and fruitful life together.

Haynes began working in the city's youth services industry in 1956 at Youth House in the Bronx. In 1960, he assumed a position as a Housing Assistant in the New York City

Housing Authority (NYCHA). In 1967, as chairman of the 600-member housing assistants' local union chapter, he mobilized his co-workers in a strike against NYCHA for better pay and working conditions. The three-day job action led to the agreement by NYCHA officials to the strikers' demands. Haynes later spoke proudly of his role in the strike, the only one in NYCHA's long history. In 1968, Haynes joined the Teamsters' Union Local 237 staff full-time as a business agent and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Director and later Director of the Housing Division. He became a Trustee in 1978, was elected Vice President in 1983, and ascended to the presidency in 1993, succeeding Barry Feinstein. For 14 years, Haynes proved a dynamic leader guided above all by a ``members first'' philosophy. After truly leaving his mark on the organization, Haynes stepped down as President in 2007 and oversaw the smooth transition of his successor, his friend and colleague Gregory Floyd.

Carl Haynes continued to serve as a Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters while heading its Public Employees Division until 2009. He sat on the executive boards of the New York State AFL-CIO, the New York City Central Labor Council, and the Municipal Labor Committee, and served as national AFL-CIO Vice President and on the boards of directors of Emblem Health Care System and United Way of New York City. He was a beloved leader adored by his members and admired by all who worked with him.

In memorializing Haynes, Gregory Floyd recalled his ``calm demeanor in the face of adversity and his patience at the negotiating table. When it looked like there was no hope in sight, he kept a positive outlook. . . He was a kind and giving man who dedicated his career to helping working men and women.'' Teamsters national President, Jim Hoffa, said of him, ``Under Carl's leadership, the Public Services Division grew tremendously and we are grateful for his dedicated service to our union.''

Carl Haynes is survived by his wife, Janice; a son, Jay, of San Antonio; a daughter, Liane, of Los Angeles; and three grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, in recognition of his decades of service to the labor movement and to our nation, I request that my distinguished colleagues join me in paying tribute to Carl Haynes, a proven leader who dedicated his life in service to others.