Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1485, a resolution expressing the support of the House of Representatives for the designation of September 2010, as ``National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.'' I would like to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for bringing this important resolution to the Floor. I would also like to thank Representative Randy Neugebauer for his tireless efforts to raise awareness of this terrible disease.

The prostate is a topic that makes all men uncomfortable, present company included. And because of this fact, the disease has become a silent epidemic. According to the latest statistics, 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime (218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year alone); this rivals the rate of breast cancer in women which is approximately 1 in 8.

That is why we must promote and support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, to bring this issue into the light, and get men to begin having conversations about their prostate health. It is important for men to take advantage of prostate cancer screening exams in order to detect the disease at the earliest opportunity, when it is still curable.

However, getting more men to pay attention to this issue is only half the battle because a recent study funded by the National Cancer Institute demonstrated that the most common available methods of detecting prostate cancer, the PSA blood test and Digital Rectal Exam, DRE, the only preinvasive indicators available for the detection of prostate cancer, are not particularly adept at detecting prostate cancer. The study showed that many PSA blood tests that screen for prostate cancer result in false-negative reassurances and numerous false-positive alarms (15 percent of men with normal PSA levels still have prostate cancer). Even when PSA levels are abnormal, 88 percent of men end up not having prostate cancer that would require surgery but undergo unnecessary biopsies. As a result more than 1,000,000 U.S. men have prostate biopsies annually--costing our health care system approximately $1.44 billion--many of which could be eliminated if we had advanced diagnostic imaging tools.

When one look at the battle against breast cancer, a disease that again affects about 1 in 8 women, we see that it was a combination of increased awareness along with the development of more sophisticated diagnostic and imaging tools that help improve early detection and survival rates. The same strategy can work for prostate cancer.

For example, preliminary data from a European study demonstrated that when prostate

cancer biopsies were guided by high-precision, experimental MRI, they accurately detected 59% of clinically significant prostate cancer missed by at least two consecutive blind biopsies. Unfortunately, today, neither the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services nor the Department of Defense devotes substantial resources to prostate cancer imaging research. I have been told that the National Institutes of Health spent only $10 million on prostate cancer detection research last year out of a total prostate cancer research budget of $350 million. In short, there is no concerted Federal effort to bring the equivalent of mammography to prostate cancer detection. Representative Cummings and I have introduced legislation, the PRIME Act (H.R. 1485) to correct this problem. The PRIME Act would, among other things, require the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to: (1) carry out a program to expand and intensify research to develop advanced imaging technologies for prostate cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment comparable to mammogram technology. I encourage my colleagues to co- sponsor this critically importance legislation.

There is still much work to be done if we want to gain the upper hand against a disease that has negatively impacted so many men and their families. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a time for us to discuss and confront this epidemic, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes us feel. Despite the fact that men don't like to address these sorts of issues openly, we must acknowledge that the numbers speak for themselves. 32,000 men will die in 2010, 1.5 million men will have invasive and inaccurate biopsies performed, and 70,000 men will have treatment failures while trying to seek help for their condition. These statistics stand as stark reminders of the importance of this month and the dialogue that it will hopefully encourage.

It is my hope that through increased awareness and discussion about prostate cancer, we can begin to chip away at this silent killer. We owe it to ourselves, our fathers, grandfathers, brothers, sons, husbands, and friends to make this effort. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 1458.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2941, a bill to reauthorize and enhance Johanna's Law to increase public awareness and knowledge with respect to gynecologic cancers. I would like to thank the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for bringing this vitally important bill to the Floor. I would also like to thank Representative Rosa DeLauro and Representative Darrell Issa who have been tireless champions of this bill. I am proud to have worked with them to enact the ``Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act''--also known as Johanna's Law--back in 2006; and I am proud to be a part of their efforts this year to reauthorize and enhance this program.

I first got involved in the fight against gynecologic cancer when Ms. Kolleen Stacey, a constituent of mine, who became a dear, dear friend, told me about her personal battle with ovarian cancer--the deadliest of the gynecological cancers. Kolleen told me about Johanna's Law, convinced me to become a co-sponsor; and she never stopped pushing me to get the bill signed into law; because she never wanted any other woman to go through what she was going through.

It took more than two years and a lot of hard work but in 2006, Johanna's Law became law and this country took a huge step forward towards fulfilling Kolleen's dream. On July 10, 2009, Kolleen tragically lost her fight with ovarian cancer. But I know that she is looking down on us today and smiling because her dream lives on in our actions today. God bless you Kolleen.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 21,880 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed and 13,850 deaths are expected to be caused by ovarian cancer in the United States in 2010 alone. For the State of Indiana, The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2010, 450 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 300 women will die of ovarian cancer.

This is a tragedy. Research shows that many of those deaths could be prevented if

more women knew the risk factors and recognized the early symptoms of gynecologic cancers so that they could discuss them with their doctors. Ovarian cancer has a 93 percent five-year survival rate if detected in Stage One and only a 27 percent survival rate if detected in Stage Three or Four.

Yet, the majority of women and medical professionals are unaware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Women can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, like Kolleen Stacey. Just over five years ago on September 5, 2005, Kolleen testified before Congress about the need for legislation for added awareness and education on gynecological cancers. ``It took an entire year for me to be diagnosed correctly. By then the cancer was Stage IIIC, an advanced stage of ovarian cancer with only a 38 percent chance of complete cure. Had it been discovered in an early stage, I would have had a 90 percent chance of complete cure.''

That is why, in December 2006, Congress passed Johanna's Law, named for Johanna Silver Gordon, who lost her life to ovarian cancer despite being a health conscious woman who visited the gynecologist regularly. Like many women, Johanna had symptoms of ovarian cancer that were missed by both her and her healthcare provider.

Johanna's Law authorized the Centers for Disease Control to create a gynecologic cancer awareness campaign aimed at educating women and health care providers about the signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers--bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency). The campaign, Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer, seeks to raise awareness of the five main types of gynecologic cancer: ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar. To date, the Inside Knowledge campaign has supported many activities, including the development of:

Cancer-specific fact sheets about gynecologic cancers in both English and Spanish,

A comprehensive gynecologic cancer brochure,

Formative research and concept testing using focus groups to better understand the target audience,

Materials for primary care and health care professionals, and

Print and broadcast Public Service Announcements (PSAs).

All materials created through Johanna's Law have been sent to television, radio and print outlets around the country. The CDC is tracking the airing of PSAs and audience impressions. The CDC is also reaching out to groups, encouraging the use of the materials.

We still have a long way to go but Johanna's law is making a difference. Doctors, nurses and cancer survivors agree--providing more information about gynecologic cancers saves women's lives.

H.R. 2941 reauthorizes and enhances this critically important awareness campaign. This legislation provides for the continuation of the education campaign started by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to increase the awareness and knowledge of health care providers and women with respect to gynecological cancers. It also enhances cooperation with non-governmental organizations carrying out complementary education and awareness campaigns.

H.R. 2941 is a good bill, it is good public policy. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I urge our colleagues in the Senate to act quickly and move this critically needed legislation to the President's desk for his signature. This is literally a matter of life and death.

Madam Speaker, I rise as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and member of the House Taiwan caucus to express my congratulations to the leaders and people of the Republic of China on Taiwan on the occasion of National Day this October 10th.

It has been nearly a century since the October 10, 1911 start of the revolution that toppled the Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China, the first republic in Asia. Today the ROC on Taiwan has become a full-fledged democracy and a beacon of prosperity and freedom for all of Asia. Just twenty some years ago, Taiwan was a closed authoritarian society with no freedom of speech, no freedom of assembly, and no right to vote. It now has robust political parties, and virtually every office in Taiwan is contested through free and fair elections.

Two and a half years ago, Taiwan successfully concluded its fourth popular election for president since 1996 by electing Dr. Ma Ying-jeou. President Ma has worked tirelessly since his inauguration on May 20, 2008 to improve the relationship between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland and he has been a strong ally to the United States.

The Taiwanese and the Chinese mainland governments have worked together in productive talks on issues such as direct cross-strait flights and shipping, more tourist visits by mainlanders to Taiwan, and the recent signing for Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) that serves as a platform for economic interaction between the two sides. This cooperation has served to reduce tensions in the Strait considerably.

Taiwan has long been a strategic partner of the United States. We have worked closely with the government of President Ma and our mutual relationship continues to be strong. It is my hope that the relations will continue to grow through enhanced cooperation in trade, science and technology, educational and cultural exchanges, security cooperation and Taiwan's participation in international organizations.

As Taiwan has demonstrated cooperation in good faith both with the mainland and with the United States, I hope that it will soon enjoy greater inclusion in the international community. It is exciting to learn that Taiwan was once again invited last May to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland as an observer. This was a breakthrough for Taiwan's participation in a formal UN activity since in 1971, the world body switched recognition to mainland China.

However, this is not enough. I strongly urge my colleagues to recognize Taiwan's participation in the WHA and encourage them to put pressure on the international community to allow Taiwan's participation in the activities of other organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Madam Speaker, I would ask all of my colleagues to congratulate our Taiwanese friends on the 99th Anniversary of National Day and to join me now in thanking the people of Taiwan for their friendship.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'' (H.R. 5756). Upon the diagnosis of only grandson, who is autistic, I took it upon myself to be active in promoting autism awareness and advocating more research for the disorder. I am also a member of the Congressional Autism Caucus. About twenty years ago, autism was considered a rare disease affecting about 1 in 10,000 children. Today, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States are diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) every year. ASD occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but are four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls. In my home state of Indiana, we experienced a 923% cumulative growth rate for autism from 1992-2003.

The ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'' is desperately needed in our country. Thousands of families living with autism on a daily basis have to cope in their own way and fight to find available resources and services for their children, or in the case of adult individuals with autism services to help them live independent and productive lives. All too often, there is little to no coordination between service providers, government agencies, and the medical/ academic community who are researching and trying to unlock the mysteries of ASDs. The ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'' is a first step in filling these gaps.

Specifically, the ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'' would authorize the establishment of a new Federal program to provide technical assistance to improve services rendered to children and adults with autism, and their families and to expand the number of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service. Grants would go to University Centers for Excellence to provide individuals--including parents, health, allied health, vocational, and educational professionals--with interdisciplinary training, continuing education, technical assistance, and information to improve services provided to children and adults with autism and their families. The bill also authorizes grant money to a national organization to provide training and technical assistance to do the following: assist in the dissemination of information; develop a web portal; compile and disseminate materials for training and technical assistance so that the entire network can benefit from items developed at individual centers; and convene expert panels to exchange ideas and make recommendations that further training, assessment, interventions, services, and support for individuals living with autism.

Another grant would be awarded to not more than 4 new University Centers to facilitate outreach and collaboration with minority institutions.

I want to thank Representatives Smith and Doyle for working to bring this important bill to the House floor for a vote. As a member of the Coalition on Autism Research and Education also known as the Congressional Autism Caucus, I have worked closely with both Representative Doyle and Smith on autism awareness issues and I'm proud to join them in supporting this initiative. While I believe that the ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'' will go a long way to provide needed resources and information to families living with autism, I also believe that as a Nation we need to do more. This epidemic of autism is an immediate crisis to our education system, and our health care systems, our long-term housing and care system for the disabled.

Autism is a condition that can be treated to a degree but it has no known cure; it will not go away and neither should our efforts to research this disorder and aide American Families.

Autism is not bound or limited to the walls of a household. I believe that our Nation's educational, labor, housing, law enforcement and medical communities are currently ill-equipped and undertrained to handle this underrepresented generation of autistic individuals and that it is going to take a national commitment driven from the highest levels to marshal the necessary resources and energy to catch up. That is why I introduced legislation H.R. 3703 to require the President to call, not later than December 31, 2010, a White House Conference on Autism. Therefore, in addition to lending their support to the ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'', I am also urging all of my colleagues to join in cosponsoring H.R. 3703.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of both the ``Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act'' and the ``White House Conference on Autism Act of 2009.''

Madam Speaker, as a co-chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus and co-sponsor, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1613. I am deeply concerned about the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Pakistan due to the recent historic floods and hope that this resolution will bring much-needed attention to the plight of the Pakistanis. I am always moved and inspired by the generosity of the American people when they hear about those in need around the world and I believe that the United States should do everything possible to help expedite the flow of U.S. and international aid supplies and workers into the region.

We must do everything possible to help expedite the flow of U.S. and international aide supplies and workers into the region. I believe that we should immediately reprogram funds from the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, which were initially set aside for democracy building, into the relief effort. This way we can have an immediate impact without spending a single additional taxpayer dollar. While food shortages and instances of waterborne disease continue to spread, we must act quickly and decisively. The generosity of the American people has been commendable. Let's make it count by acting as swiftly and competently as possible.

We are currently fighting extremists throughout the region of South Asia, extremists who propagate the lie that Americans are out to destroy the Muslim way of life. Now we have an unprecedented opportunity to prove that this couldn't be further from the truth by helping the Pakistanis when they need it most. The U.S. response to the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan led to a short-term increase in positive public opinion of the United States in Pakistan and I know that a similar response to this, a much larger tragedy, is sure to have an even greater influence in the hearts and minds of people.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2010 recipients of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Presented annually by the National Ethnic Coalition (NECO), the Ellis Island Medal of Honor pays tribute to our Nation's immigrant heritage, as well as individual achievement. The medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. Since NECO's founding in 1986, more then 2,000 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor, including six American

Presidents, several United States Senators, Congressmen, Nobel Laureates, outstanding athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders.

Mr. Speaker, Army Specialist Chad Derek Clements, 26 years old, died on Monday, August 30, 2010, while serving his country in Afghanistan. He was one of my constituents.

He was born on March 16, 1984, in San Diego, California. After he graduated from Huntington North High School in Huntington, Indiana, he decided he wanted to proudly serve in the U.S. Army. Upon his graduation from basic training, Chad reported to the 1st Armored Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado; and he was deployed shortly after to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

During Chad's distinguished career, he received multiple awards for his service: the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the NATO International Security Assistance Force Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.

He has also recently been posthumously promoted from private first class to Army specialist. His expertise and enthusiasm for his job in the United States Army was insurmountable.

To the citizens of the State of Indiana, to his fellow troops and to the countless people that he touched, Chad will forever be remembered as a hero.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel, and our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to his mother, Anne; to his stepfather, Eddie; to his sister, Danielle; to his stepbrother, Cory; and to his stepsister, Heather.

These are some of the things we hate to talk about on this floor, Mr. Speaker; but, unfortunately, war brings us to these kinds of conclusions. We just wish that all of those like Chad will never be forgotten for the service they gave to our country.

Let me just say, before I start my 5-minute Special Order, Mr. Speaker, that I concur with what my colleague from Texas (Mr. Poe) just said. There are innumerable crimes that are being committed by people who are illegal aliens. And he is absolutely correct, we've got to secure that border, and we need to do whatever is necessary. The President of the United States has the responsibility to protect that border, and he needs to get on with it.

States like Arizona and other States are very concerned about what is going on. There is a sign 80 miles north of the Mexican border in Arizona that says don't go south of here because it's not safe. That's unconscionable. The American people should not have to worry when they are in their own country about terrorists or criminals coming across the border from another country to kill them. So I would just like to say to Mr. Poe that I really appreciate your comments.

Let me just say in my Special Order, there was a book called ``A Tale of Two Cities'' by Charles Dickens that said ``It was the best of times and it was the worst of times.'' I heard some of my colleagues on the other side saying earlier tonight that we really ought to do something about extending the tax cuts that are in place that were put there during the Bush administration. We really need to do that. If you're one of the 10 percent that are unemployed or one of the 15 or 16 percent that are unemployed or unemployable right now, you realize how really bad it is.

We live in the greatest country on the face of the Earth in the history of the Earth, so from that standpoint it is the best of times. But for those who are out of work and struggling right now, it is the worst of times. I had town meetings this past week, and I can't tell you how many people told me how bad it was and how soon they were going to lose their jobs, or their husbands or wives had lost their jobs and they're suffering, so what we need to do is take the steps necessary to bring about economic recovery.

As I've said many times on this floor, when Ronald Reagan took office in the early eighties, he came in, and instead of raising taxes he cut taxes and we had 20 years of prosperity. We had 12 percent unemployment and 14 percent inflation. And what happened was he came in, and when they said he had to raise taxes in order to get the economy moving, he did just the opposite and the economy took off. That's what we ought to be doing today.

If I could talk to the President--and I know I can't because I'm here on the floor--I would say, Mr. President, look at history. Look at John F. Kennedy, a great Democrat President, and look at Ronald Reagan--who I think was the greatest Republican President in our lifetime--and see what they did to bring about economic recovery, and that is, cut taxes, cut government spending, move the country in the right direction, even if it's just for a couple of years that we have the tax cuts in place. But right now is the wrong time to be increasing taxes or letting the Bush tax cuts expire.

And I don't want to be political, but I think I have to say to my colleagues who may be paying attention in their offices right now, there will be a price to be paid in about 6 weeks for those who don't heed the message that is coming from the American people. They want economic recovery, and they understand what needs to be done. And they're going to hold those of us who don't listen to them accountable on November 2.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2010 recipients of the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Presented annually by the National Ethnic Coalition (NECO), the Ellis Island Medal of Honor pays tribute to our Nation's immigrant heritage, as well as individual achievement. The medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage. Since NECO's founding in 1986, more then 2,000 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor, including six American Presidents, several United States Senators, Congressmen, Nobel Laureates, outstanding athletes, artists, clergy, and military leaders.

As we all know, citizens of the United States can trace their ancestry to many nations. The richness and diversity of American life makes us unique among the Nations of the world and is in many ways the key to why America is the most innovative country in the world. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor not only celebrate select individuals but also the pluralism and democracy that enabled our ancestors to celebrate their cultural identities while still embracing the American way of life. This medal is not about money, but about people who really seized the opportunities this great country has to offer and who used those opportunities to not only better their own lives but make a difference in the lives of those around them. By honoring these outstanding individuals, we honor all who share their origins and we acknowledge the contributions they and other groups have made to America. I commend NECO and its Board of Directors headed by my good friend, Nasser J. Kazeminy, for honoring these truly outstanding individuals for their tireless efforts to foster dialogue and build bridges between different ethnic groups, as well as promotes unity and a sense of common purpose in our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the good works of NECO, and congratulating all of the 2010 recipients of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. I also ask unanimous consent that the names of this year's recipients be placed into the Congressional Record following my statement.

2010 Ellis Island Medals of Honor Recipients

Ichak K. Adizes, PhD, Adrienne G. Alexanian, Richard F.

Ambinder, MD, Cyrus Amir-Mokri, Anousheh Ansari, Rao S.

Anumolu, Robert S. Atallah, Mohamed A. Atassi, MD, FACC,

Kevork D. Atinizian, Nancy H. Bailey, Hon. Rosemary Barkett,

Samira Kanaan Beckwith, Sarkis Bedevian, Dorothy L. Beeve,

RN, Jerold E. Beeve, MD, Suraj P. Bhatia, Carole Black, Chief

George F. Brown (Ret.), Richard R. Burey, Jr., Michael

Capasso, Dominic Chianese, Hank Hyunho Choi, Yen S. Chou, Jim

Lin-Chi Chu, Carl J. Clause, Eugene P. Conese, Sr., John F.

Conley, Thomas J. Cook, Edward Cruz, Paul R. Davies, Chief

Raymond Diaz, Edward B. Diethrich, MD, Andre C. Dimitriadis,

PhD, Borko B. Djordjevic, MD, Thomas J. Donohue, David Du,

David B. Falk, Lina Fang, Eric Friedberg, Col. Arnald D.

Gabriel, USAF (Ret.), Rod G. Gilbert, Col. David G. Goulet,

USMC, E. Bulkeley Griswold, Col. Gina M. Grosso, USAF, S. K.

Gupta, Wolf Hengst, Gregory M. Hodge, PhD, Maj. Gen. Karl R.

Horst, USA, Hon. Jerry MacArthur Hultin, Chief James

Jephthah, Ted Johnson, James Keach, Alan Krutchkoff, Tak W.

Kwan, MD, William K. Lee, MD, Robert J. Loggia, Wing K. Ma,

Vahid Majidi, Fouad Malouf, James V. Malpeso, MD, MSgt.

Chester L. Marcus, Jr., USA, Chief Denis McGowan, Shekhar

Mitra, PhD, Mohsen Moazami, Curtis E. Moll, Yasmin Motamedi,

Jeremiah A. Mullins, Agneta E. Nilsson, RADM Joseph L.

Nimmich, USCG, Sr. Irene M. O'Neill, Bedros S. Oruncakciel,

Hemant Patel, MD, Francis J. Pearn, Richard R. Pergolis,

Timothy A. Phillips, Michael J. Piazza, Hon. Rosemonde

Pierre-Louis, Kappana Ramanandan, Maj. Gen. Michael S.

Repass, USA, Hon. Edward J. Rollins, Stanley M. Rumbough,

Jr.,William J. Ryan, Kenan E. Sahin, PhD, Joseph M. Saponaro,

John F. Scarpa, Jane Seymour, Faryar Shirzad, John Shu, Esq.,

Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, Prasad Srinivasan, MD, Bert R. Sugar,

Hon. Eugene R. Sullivan (Ret.), Jordan P. Thomas, Annie S.

Totah, Suzanne von Liebig, PhD, William D. Walsh, RADM Philip

A. Whitacre, USN (Ret.), Morrill Worcester, Mohammad Yahyavi,

Vartkes B. Yeghiayan, Esq., Matt H. Yildizlar, Chang Bin Yim

Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution in support of a national day of recognition for parents of special needs children. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with my good friend Representative Turner from Ohio in sponsoring this resolution. I encourage all of my colleagues to support it.

Children with special health care needs are defined as those children who have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition that requires special health-related services of a type or amount to go above and beyond what is generally required for children. The Department of Health and Human Services' most recent National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs estimates that 14 percent of children between the ages of 0 and 17 in the United States are diagnosed as having special health care needs.

As many in this Chamber already know, I am active in promoting autism awareness and advocating for more research; my only grandson is autistic and I have taken it upon myself to learn about autism and the challenges families face living with autism. Parents serve a critical role in the development of special needs children and in preparing them to succeed in school and life. All too often, children with special needs require specialized services that go well beyond those required by children generally. I believe the time has come to recognize the selfless dedication, compassion, and sacrifice of these parents.

The resolution is simple. It calls for recognition of the importance of honoring the Nation's parents of special needs children; that a National Day of Recognition for Parents of Special Needs Children should be established to honor such parents; and urges the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

Again, I would like to encourage all of my colleagues to co-sponsor this critically important resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to honor the life of Richard ``Dick'' Wilson, Sr., who recently lost his 21-month battle with brain cancer at the age of 78. Dick is survived by his wife Phyllis JoAn; two sons, Rick (and his wife Leslie), Indianapolis, Indiana--my long-time staffer and former District Director--Steve (and his wife Michelle), Overland Park, Kansas; a daughter, Patricia Geyling (and her husband Rolf), Santa Barbara, California; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Study after study has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that fathers play an important role in teaching their children life lessons and preparing them to succeed in life. Although I did not know Dick Wilson, Sr. very well, I do know his son Rick extremely well. For a little over 15 years Rick Wilson served the people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District with grace and skill; first as director of my mobile office and later as my District Director. And if the measure of a father is the quality of the children that he raises, then based upon what I know about his son Rick, Dick Wilson, Sr. was undoubtedly an exceptional man.

Richard ``Dick'' Wilson was born December 29, 1931, in Schenectady, NY. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1950 and attended the University of Kansas on a cross country and track scholarship. Dick was a member of the 1953 NCAA championship cross-country team--Kansas' only cross-country team to ever win a national championship--and part of the four-mile relay team that broke the American record that same year. In 2008 he was inducted into the KU Athletics Hall of Fame.

After graduating from the University of Kansas, Dick Wilson served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves from 1956 to 1968, achieving the rank of captain.

On July 15, 1956, he married Phyllis JoAn Fink. He and his wife raised three children, moving from Schenectady, NY, to Palatine, IL, and then to Indianapolis before settling in Lawrence in 1992.

Dick began his career in commercial underwriting in 1957; eventually serving with the Travelers Insurance Company for 35 years before he retired in 1992 in Lawrence.

In addition to working hard all of his life and raising a family, Dick Wilson was also a competitive Masters runner for more than 30 years; and was nationally ranked in the top 10 of his age group every year from 1985 to 2005--a remarkable 20 year streak. In fact, in 2003 Dick was ranked No. 2 in the nation and No. 4 in the World in his age group.

Twenty-one months ago though, Dick began the race for his life when he was diagnosed with cancer; a race he would ultimately lose. However, no matter the odds, Dick never gave up living life. Last year, after doctors removed 95 percent of a brain tumor, Dick ran in the Head for the Cure 5K--a race to support the Chris Anthony Tumor Research Fund at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. The race honors the late Chris Anthony, who died at the age of 37 from a brain tumor. When interviewed by the Kansan--the University of Kansas' Daily newspaper-- about what running in the Chris Anthony meant to him, Dick said: ``Maybe someday there will be a cure, and if there is, it can hopefully help my children and help my grandchildren.''

Shakespeare once wrote: ``All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts. . . .'' Dick Wilson played his parts and played them well. May flights of angels sing him to his eternal rest.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in sending condolences and best wishes to the Wilson Family in their time of need. God bless you.

Madam Speaker, Monday, July 20, 2010 marked the 36th anniversary of the day in 1974 that Turkey intervened to stop an ethnic cleansing campaign against Turkish Cypriots by militant Greek Cypriots. As usual, a number of my colleagues have come to the floor of this Chamber over the last few days and weeks to lament the so-called ``invasion'' of Cyprus by Turkey. And as usual every year I come down to the floor to set the record straight and ask my colleagues to stop perpetuating revisionist history that attempts to lay all the blame for the ills of Cyprus at the doorstep of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey; to ask them to lay aside the inflammatory rhetoric; and to ask them to actually work to bring peace to this troubled island.

So, once again, here I am but I am not going to focus on the past--I believe an objective evaluation of the history of Cyprus proves that the crisis on Cyprus is significantly more complex than the ``blame Turkey'' special interest groups would like people to believe. Instead, I am going to focus on the future. While the Cyprus dispute is between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, it has a much greater impact on the global community. Over the past few decades this dispute has involved not only the two peoples on the island, but also Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union. Moreover, Turkey's membership to the European Union, which the United States enthusiastically supports, is unfortunately being impacted because of the situation in Cyprus.

All of us in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats, want to see peace and prosperity come to all the people of Cyprus. In fact, in 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed House Resolution H. Res. 165 urging support for the U.N. backed Annan Plan-- which proposed the creation of a new bizonal, bicommunal state. Unfortunately, the Annan Plan collapsed in 2004, because Greek Cypriots opposed the referendum which would have approved the plan.

Although Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly supported the referendum, the Greek Cypriots became EU members, and despite promises made to Turkish Cypriots, they remain under international isolation despite their positive efforts. To their credit though, Turkish Cypriots continue to seek a settlement to the issue. This is a testament to their hope for the future.

In September 2008, Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat began a positive and concerted effort to reach some type of acceptable solution. From all reports, over the last two years, the two men have been able to reach a number of ``understandings'' regarding so-called ``convergences.''

However, on April 18, 2010, through a democratic process Turkish Cypriot voters elected a new President, Dr. Dervis Eroglu of the National Unity Party (UBP). Almost immediately the ``blame Turkey'' special interest groups began screaming that the change in Turkish Cypriot Leadership from Talat to Eroglu would lead to a period of retrenchment with future negotiations dominated by harder-line views. Once again, though, the ``blame Turkey'' crowd was wrong. Since taking office, Dr. Eroglu has reassured everyone of his commitment for a just and lasting comprehensive settlement through the ongoing negotiations, under the auspices of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

The first round of the new talks was held on May 26, 2010, and continued briefly on June 3rd and again on June 15th. Four additional sessions have been scheduled through the end of July. Are negotiations proceeding as rapidly and as smoothly as everyone would like; no, but progress is still being made. But, I believe that we are really on the cusp of a breakthrough that could lead to a fair and lasting peace on Cyprus; a peace where the two parties on the island enjoy political equality.

The United States has long maintained a position of strong support for a negotiated settlement. This position has been reaffirmed by the Obama Administration and I urge the Administration to continue to take an active role in the efforts to reach a mutually agreed upon resolution.

If the Administration can keep the sides talking; if the ``blame Turkey'' groups here in the United States can end the ``blame game'' and redirect their misspent energies towards the real work of reshaping Cyprus into a Cyprus that respects human rights and the fundamental freedoms for all Cypriots; and if the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots can continue to demonstrate political will and negotiate in good faith for the future of all Cypriots; I am hopeful for the future of Cyprus.

You know, I don't want to be redundant; I just want to point out a couple of things that have been said because I think everybody who is interested in air safety needs to understand what the ramifications of this legislation are, and I hope my colleagues will pay attention, those who aren't here on floor.

Taiwan's regional information center covers airspace of 176,000 square nautical miles and it provides air traffic control services to over 1.35 million flights a year. Now, when you are talking about air safety, and you are talking about that region--and many of us in this body have gone to that part of the world--you have to realize how important Taiwan's inclusion is because we are flying through that airspace and they should have observer status.

In addition to that, as has been stated, it's the eighth largest airport of international cargo volume in the entire world--so there are a lot of flights regarding cargo that are flying out of there on a regular basis--and it's the 18th largest airport as far as the number of passengers are concerned.

The safety of millions and millions of people that fly in and out of that entire region are at stake. In fact, they estimate as many as 10 million people's lives are at stake when they go through that area. So it seems to me logical and reasonable that Taiwan have observer status. It's important that everybody is coordinating, and Taiwan is an extremely important asset to that region.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I want to thank the sponsors, Mr. Diaz-Balart and Ms. Berkley, for sponsoring this bill. I think it's extremely important.

I want to thank everybody that's been involved in this legislation, Mr. Poe; my colleague from California (Mr. Lungren); and I especially want to say something about Chris Smith.

Chris Smith, who is the sponsor of this bill, has been one of the hardest working Congressmen that I have ever seen in my life. He has worked very hard on the rights of the unborn since he came to Congress what, 25 or so years ago. He has worked very hard on things like Megan's Law. We have had a lot of great legislators in this body throughout history, but I don't know of anybody who has been more dedicated, more committed to doing the right things for children, both born and unborn, than Chris Smith.

And I think in the Bible, and I may misquote this, but Paul the Apostle said, ``I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith, henceforth the crown of righteousness is laid up for me in Heaven.'' And that fits you too, Chris. I really mean that.

Let me just say this about Megan's Law. There should be no place in the world for these people to hide. There should be no place where they're not prosecuted or persecuted for what they do to these children. And so I think this law is so important because there have been literally planeloads of perverts, pedophiles that travel around the world to ply their evil when they can't do it here in the United States because we've started passing laws that deal with them so severely.

No matter what we do in this legislation or with this legislation, in my opinion it's not enough. It's just not enough. And I don't think I want to be redundant and say anything more than that except for all of you who have worked so hard on this legislation, you have my undying gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind my colleagues who are so hell bent to get the training troops that we have, 230 U.S. troops, helping with the training in Pakistan, out of Pakistan, I'd like to remind them that on 9/11 we were attacked by al Qaeda terrorists, whose head was Osama bin Laden. And Osama bin Laden has been going back and forth across the Afghani/Pakistani border. And there has been training going on with terrorists there, and in Yemen, to try to foment more terrorism and to try to get them to move toward more attacks on the United States of America.

This is a war that we're fighting to protect America, as well as make sure the entire region over there is stable.

Pakistan is a nuclear power. If the Taliban and al Qaeda are successful in taking over that country, can you imagine what the rest of the world would have to deal with with them having the nuclear capability that they would have? That's one of the things we have to talk about.

And without the training, I'd like to point this out, without the training of our troops that are in Pakistan as trainers, the 230 of them, the money that we're using to fight this war against the Taliban and al Qaeda would not be used as effectively and as efficiently because those people have to be trained to use the technology that we're giving them. And you have to have somebody over there that can train them and teach them about what this equipment can and will do.

Now, let me just make a couple of points. First of all, if we cut military ties to Pakistan, it's crazy. The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan just goes all over the place. Nobody can really tell you when you cross the border and go back and forth. So you're going to have some mistakes made in going after the Taliban or al Qaeda terrorists in that region.

And for us to cut aid and assistance to Pakistan at a time when we're trying to win the war and stop terrorism in Afghanistan would be, in my opinion, insane. We need to continue to work with Pakistan, not only for the stability of that country, but to make sure we stop the terrorist training that's taking place.

Now, there's no question we have some differences, some policy differences with the Pakistani Government, but we have differences with a lot of our friends. But we still support them, especially when it's in our national interest to do so. And we are working with them, and helping with the training is extremely important, as I stated a moment ago.

And as I said before, the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has mountains and valleys, and it's extremely difficult to know where those borders are. And we must not allow the enemy to have sanctuary. That's why it's important for us to train their troops to be able to go after the Taliban and al Qaeda, because if Osama bin Laden can go into Pakistan with impunity, if the terrorists can go in there with impunity, if they can go back and forth across that border, we can never win the war.

To say they can have sanctuary in Pakistan is like saying to a football team, win the game, but don't go beyond the 50-yard line. You cannot let

the enemy have sanctuary. If we didn't learn anything from Vietnam, we should have learned that.

This is an entire breeding ground for terrorism, that border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, part of Pakistan and all of Afghanistan. And because we've been putting so much heat on the Taliban and al Qaeda, they have been moving their training grounds outside of Afghanistan into Yemen and into Pakistan, and that's why we must not allow them to have sanctuary.

And another thing I would like to talk about that has not been mentioned is the rules of engagement. When I was coming in today, I heard on the radio an Afghanistan American soldier who had just gotten back from Afghanistan. And he said, the rules of engagement are crazy. He said, he'll go into a combat situation and he'll have an enemy target, and they'll say, you can't fire on that target unless you get approval from your commanding officer. And he says many times the soldiers who are put in that position will get killed before they get the approval to fire on their targets.

We need to change those rules of engagement so we can go after the enemy, where they are and get the job done. Why should we handcuff our troops when they're in a combat situation? It makes absolutely no sense. That's a recipe for disaster.

So if I were talking to the President or General Petraeus I would say, let the troops do their job. Don't give sanctuary to the enemy. Help the Pakistanis fight them, train the Pakistanis over there. And give our troops the ability, when they hit a target, to be able to go after that target, to knock that target out, and not wait for orders that might endanger their very lives. That's a good way to get all of our troops killed.

We are in a war, not only in that area that's going to decide what's going to go on in the entire Middle East with Iran and Afghanistan and Pakistan, but we're in a war that may very well come back to the United States and hurt us a great deal.

We cannot let the terrorists have the ability, with impunity, to be trained and be ready to attack the United States again or any of our allies. And that's why we, and our allies, must work together to make sure we stop the terrorists from having the ability to feel safe in their training practices in Pakistan, in Afghanistan, Yemen or wherever they are.

This is a war. And it's a war for the survival of many parts of the world and, I believe, including the United States. And so we must do whatever is necessary to win that war.

The point I made in my floor statement, I would like to ask you about this. There are 230 military trainers in Pakistan. The men that were killed were there on a training mission. The money that we're giving to Pakistan has to be used efficiently and effectively. If we give them the money and the equipment and they don't know how to use it in the front lines, it's a waste of our money when they're fighting the enemy. And that's why it's important for the 230 military trainers there to be there, to make sure that our tax dollars that are going over there to fight the Taliban and al Qaeda are used effectively and efficiently.

I hope you agree with that.