Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, tonight Congress is meeting in a special session to ensure that the most valuable right the Constitution grants us, the right to life, is not violated. Unfortunately, I am unable to appear in person tonight because my flight was delayed by bad weather, but please be assured that I consider the bill before the House, S. 686, to be of the utmost importance.

This debate is about life and the protection of life that the Constitution grants each of us. We are gathered, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as men and women trying to save a woman's life. We must ensure that Terri Schiavo, disabled by illness, is not unfairly deprived of her life. When the courts refuse to hear such a case, Congress must act to protect life.

As a physician, I have been faced with many families in situations similar to that of Terri Schiavo's family. It is a delicate situation, one that pushes the boundaries of ethics, and we must therefore proceed with caution. But fortunately, advances in medical technology have made recovery possible when before it was not possible. I have seen people recover from illnesses to lead fulfilling lives when most thought all hope was lost.

But Terri Schiavo's parents have not lost hope. They believe that their daughter can and will recover. Terri is not brain-dead, nor is she in the process of dying. She has survived for 15 years with very little treatment. Her parents only ask that they be allowed to care for her. How can we deny her parents that possibility?

We are in this situation today because the law is not clear. The federal court has discretion to refuse to hear certain cases, but when it does so at the cost of a disabled woman's life, one who is unable to protect herself, we as Americans must take action. Tonight, I urge Congress to pass S. 686 and ensure a federal court reviews Terri Schiavo's case.

In the coming months, Congress will have to consider these issues again, in a broader context. As medical technology advances, ethical and moral boundaries are inevitably pushed into new territory. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that as we move forward, the sanctity of life is always protected.

Mr. Speaker, four weeks ago the international community was rocked by the untimely death of Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Mr. Hariri was a progressive who worked tirelessly for the unification and stabilization of Lebanon, especially in the face of the continued presence of Syrian forces within his country's borders. In the days since Mr. Hariri's death, the world has watched as hosts of Lebanese have taken to the streets in order to stand up for an autonomous Lebanon. I call upon the European Union to assist this move toward Lebanese self rule by adding Hezbollah to its list of recognized terrorist organizations.

Hezbollah was first organized in response to the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon in 1982 during the Lebanese civil war. It was, and remains, a guerilla group sponsored first and foremost by its Shia ally Iran and by Syria. Its goal is to establish within Lebanon an Islamic republic based upon the model of its Iranian supporter. Though Hezbollah has claimed it means to do so only by the consent of the people, the violence to which the group resorted from the 1980s to the present day have instead revealed the group as a threat not only to the international community, but also to the future stability of Lebanon.

During the final years of the civil war, Hezbollah was responsible for numerous destructive attacks upon both Israeli and western forces based in Lebanon. The most notable of these were the 1984 bombing of the U.S. Embassy resulting to the death of 17 Americans and the 1983 attack of the US Marine barracks in Beirut in which 241 American servicemen lost their lives. The organization's fight was in no way limited to the borders of Lebanon. The group was heavily implicated in the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 from Athens to Rome in 1985 and in attacks of the Israeli Embassy in Argentina. Hezbollah remains the main suspect in a series of approximately thirty kidnappings, including several brutal tortures, of westerners during the 1980s and 90s.

Despite the final withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon in 2000, Hezbollah's international terrorist activities continue even now. The organization is still active within the southern Lebanese Shab'a farm region. Still supported by both Iran and Syria, Hezbollah operates cells in Europe, Asia, Africa, and both North and South America. According to U.S. intelligence, today Hezbollah is the largest terrorist network on the globe--much larger than even Al Qaida.

Sparked by Hariri's death, both the international and Lebanese communities have cried out for the removal of Syria's last troops within the country. While I too support this effort, I must nonetheless ask how will this ensure stability in Lebanon if a local terrorist group of this magnitude is still allowed to exist within the country's borders? By adding Hezbollah to its list of international terrorist organizations, the European Union would require its member states to freeze all Hezbollah assets and to seek out and arrest its members. By doing so, the EU will help make substantial headway in putting an end to the terrorist group and show its unreserved support for both the security and autonomy of Lebanon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 18 to express Congress' concern about the treatment of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic. I want to thank my colleagues from Florida and New York for introducing this resolution and bringing it to the floor today.

Earlier this body considered H. Con. Res. 32, which expresses support for the liberation movement in Lebanon. Now, under this second resolution, we take into consideration the effect of Syrian rule of its own people. The Syrian Arab Republic is governed by an authoritarian regime which continues to commit serious human rights abuses, including the use of torture, arbitrary arrest, and detention.

Within Syria both freedom of speech and freedom of the press has repressed through systematic intimidation. Syrians are prohibited to publicly assembling in order to express discontent of any kind. Political prisoners are

known to have been held in detainment for up to twenty years. Ruling authorities continue to allow honor killings. In the North, Syrian forces have attacked unarmed Kurd populations with live ammunition. Human rights organizations working in opposition these injustices are targeted by Syrian authorities with intimidation tactics.

The Syrian government's treatment of its people can no longer be tolerated. I encourage my colleagues to pass the resolution in question and in doing so condemn the Syrian government's gross human rights violations upon its own people and support the Syrian people's struggle for a free and democratic government.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to encourage U.S. support of the people of Lebanon in their struggle to free themselves from Syrian occupation. Syria has illegitimately held control over its neighbor for 25 years, a situation which can no longer be permitted to continue.

Syria has proved itself an utterly destructive force upon its neighbor, Lebanon. Syria has systematically deprived the Lebanese people of their many liberties. It has illegally extended the terms of pro-Syrian officials within the Lebanon government by altering the Lebanese constitution. It has and continues to intimidate Lebanese dissenters with threats of political persecution. Lebanese citizens with views not in keeping with Syrian authorities have been arrested, kidnapped, tortured and in some instances even killed. The Lebanese press has been effectively stifled in order to repress anti-Syrian sentiment. Finally, and most reprehensively, Syria has allowed and even funded the continued existence of the terrorist group Hezbollah within the southern Shebaa farm region of Lebanon. Today Hezbollah is the largest international terrorist organization on the globe, with cells in Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The presence of Hezbollah ensures continued turmoil within Lebanon and throughout the international community.

When it first sent troops to help quell the Lebanese civil war, Syria claimed its purpose was to stabilize the country. Instead Syria has consistently prevented Lebanon from becoming the stable and prosperous state for which many Lebanese patriots, including the late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, have toiled.

Today the people of Lebanon are taking to the streets, crying out for their freedom from this foreign oppression. As an American of Lebanese descent, my heart is with them. My ancestors came to this country in search of greater freedom. Now, as I watch the Lebanese freedom movement, I am filled with the hope that the citizens of my country of origin will soon have the chance to claim the liberties for which my ancestors sought in coming to the United States.

Consequently, Mr. Speaker, I urge my fellow members to pass H. Con. Res. 32 in support of the Lebanese struggle for independence. Syria must be made to know in no uncertain terms that we expect the complete withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon, the immediate dissolution of Hezbollah, and the immediate termination of interference within Lebanon's government.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1134, which will amend the tax code to remove disaster mitigation payments from consideration as gross income. I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Foley of Florida, and my colleague, Mr. Jindal, for their leadership on this issue and introducing the legislation we consider here today.

The Seventh Congressional District of Louisiana provides an unsurpassed location for agriculture, energy, and petrochemical production. However with these benefits, which our Nation depends heavily upon, come risks because of its vulnerability to natural disasters including floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. In 2002, Hurricane Lili made landfall just south of Abbeville, Louisiana. She caused over $850 million in damage and temporarily halted all oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. The hard-working men and women of southwest Louisiana will continue to take risks for good of this country, and it is only fair to remove the tax burden suffered because of improvements made to their property which allow them to remain and prosper in this sometimes dangerous region.

Many homeowners who would like to participate in the grant and need to remove their homes from danger cannot currently afford to participate in the grants, and are either faced with increased flood insurance premiums or losing their homes. The current average cost to either elevate a slab structure or a second story conversion (all living area is moved to a new second story and first floor is gutted) is over $100,000 for a modest size home in Louisiana. Many of these projects approach $200,000. For the average homeowner to suddenly have to declare an additional $100,000--$200,000 as personal income will devastate most families. Tax liability should not discourage these people from accepting disaster mitigation payments intended to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property.

America depends on resources and services that are provided by the people of southwest Louisiana. The men and women I represent must remain in harm's way to deliver for others. It is for this reason that I support H.R. 1134 which offers tax relief to those families needing disaster mitigation payments.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to extend my deepest sympathy for the untimely death of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Mr. Hariri's death is a tremendous loss not only to Lebanon, but to the global community as well. His efforts to restore peace and prosperity to his homeland after emerging from brutal civil war have earned him the great esteem of both myself and many of my House colleagues.

Mr. Hariri began his career as a civil servant at a time when his country was in desperate need of rehabilitation. In 1990 Lebanon had just emerged from a 15-year civil war an exhausted nation with an uncertain future. As Prime Minister, Mr. Hariri worked tirelessly to restore the nation's economic and political health. By establishing stable loan programs with various foreign powers, Mr. Hariri secured much needed reconstruction funds with which he rebuilt Lebanon's infrastructure. He oversaw the higher education of tens of thousands of Lebanese students and put forth a sizeable proportion of his own fortune toward social, education, and transportation projects. Mr. Hariri worked for a unified Lebanon, free from the social divisions of war and restored to its former state of health and stability.

As a descendent of Lebanese immigrants, I retain a deep personal interest in the welfare of my ancestral country. I followed Mr. Hariri's struggles as Prime Minister to put Lebanon back on firm footing and admired his determination. Now that Mr. Hariri has passed away, I can only hope that his cause will continue to be carried out by those who must now fill his place.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of NO FEAR NO FUTURE: A Campaign Against Drinking and Driving. This very worthwhile program is sponsored by the Junior League of Lafayette, LA and is being presented today and tomorrow to the very distinguished students of Acadiana High School.

The purpose of this program is to promote responsible decisionmaking by high school students regarding drinking and driving. The program demonstrates how irresponsible decisions can end all dreams for both those who choose to drink and drive and those who end up being the innocent victims of those drivers. Too many families have been shattered because of irresponsibility, and it is my hope that this program can change the mindset of our young people and save lives.

I applaud the Junior League of Lafayette for taking an interest in bettering the lives of our future generations, and I applaud the students of Acadiana High School for taking it upon themselves to guarantee that their friends and classmates do not become a statistic. There are choices that every student will be faced with. My hope is that through this campaign, the bright students of Acadiana High School and of all schools throughout the 7th District, realize that drinking and driving is never an option. NO FEAR really does mean NO FUTURE.

Madam Speaker, I offer a resolution (H.R. 68), and I ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today and recognize the achievements and accomplishments of a great and beloved physician from Lafayette, Louisiana. Dr. Charles Hamilton passed away on Friday, October 22, 2004 after a battle with cancer of the esophagus. On his retirement, Dr. Hamilton was asked, ``What are the most memorable events of your medical career?'' His response was simple, ``Practicing in Lafayette.''

From 1954 to 1988, Dr. Hamilton practiced pediatrics as a partner in the Hamilton Medical Group. Dr. Hamilton worked as a physician field representative for the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization from 1989 to his retirement in 2003. Dr. Hamilton's special interest remained in the delivery of high quality medical care and it is toward that end that he pursued further education and practice in the field of healthcare administration. Dr. Hamilton was acutely aware of the treatment of children because he was the parent of a chronically ill child. His son, Charles Hamilton, was born with the blood-clotting disorder, Hemophilia.

Dr. Hamilton was special for many reasons but one reason was his embrace and protection of the hemophilia community. Dr. Hamilton developed a reputation for his diligence, sensitivity, and resourcefulness in treating children with hemophilia; these characteristics are often missing in hemophilia treatment. In fact, one single parent brought her son with hemophilia to see him after moving to Lafayette. Dr. Hamilton later married that single mother, Janice Hamilton and adopted her young son, Charles. In a community where fathers often abandon children with hemophilia, or otherwise are not involved with treatment, Dr. Hamilton embraced a family with this dreaded disorder. Sadly, Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton lost their son Charles in 1979 due to complications from a bleed.

Because of their son's illness and untimely death, Dr. Hamilton worked side by side with his wife in her determination to improve the quality of life for people with hemophilia and their families in the United States. For their efforts Dr. and Mrs. Hamilton were given the inaugural Charles Stanley Hamilton Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Hemophilia Federation of America.

Dr. Hamilton served numerous local, state and national organizations because community service was an important aspect of his overall beliefs. Dr. Hamilton worked with the Louisiana Epilepsy Association, Louisiana Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation, which he served as President, the National Hemophilia Foundation, and the Hemophilia Federation of America. His wife, Janice Hamilton, and three surviving children and 5 grandchildren survive Dr. Hamilton. Louisiana has lost a great public servant with no equal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to participate in this debate on House Resolution 23, a resolution to honor the contributions of Catholic schools and recognize Catholic Schools Week. I want to thank the chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the sponsor of the resolution, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy), for their work.

Like many others, I too am a product of Catholic schools. My upbringing is a testament to the quality education and dedicated efforts of Catholic educators to produce students, whether they are Catholic or not, dedicated to improving themselves, their community, and our Nation.

At Cathedral Carmel I developed a lifelong love of learning and reading. Through college and medical school, the lessons I learned in high school helped me to work through classes and assignments. Even during my professional career as a heart surgeon and now in Congress, I find myself relying on the personal development and classroom lessons from high school.

One of my children, Ashley, attended Teurlings Catholic in Lafayette, Louisiana, and received a great education. In fact, it helped put her on a career path to give back to education and to become a teacher. I know that Teurlings Catholic helped to spark and nurture her interest in becoming a teacher.

The seventh district of Louisiana contains a strong Catholic school system; and I have met with many students, parents, and educators who believe these schools are helping to create students and young adults who will stay in Louisiana and become productive members of our community.

Many young people in Louisiana are leaving our State for other opportunities, and keeping them in Louisiana is a big part of restoring our State's economy. These young adults provide the entrepreneurship, creativity, workforce, and ingenuity to build businesses and create jobs.

Again, I congratulate the Catholic schools of our great Nation and look forward to continuing to support them in my community and here in Congress.