Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, right now, I believe many Americans would be surprised, perhaps shocked to know that there are foreign businesses that also do business with terrorist nations that are currently engaged in contract and procurement activity with the Pentagon, with the Department of Defense. This, I believe, and I think most Americans would believe, is not only a threat to American security, but it is also threatening American jobs because these foreign businesses are taking opportunities from American-based businesses that could be contracting and procuring with the Pentagon.

This amendment would prohibit businesses that engage in business activity with terrorist nations--and those are nations that have been officially designated as sponsors of terrorism by our own government-- from contracting and procurement opportunities with the Department of Defense.

This is an issue of protecting not only American security but of protecting American jobs, and I encourage its passage.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I am going to vote in favor of the Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012 (SRRA) because I firmly believe the government's budget deficit is far too big, bad for the economy, and compromises our Nation's future. Additionally, the automatic across-the-board sequestration enacted last year is not targeted and does not reflect good policy.

Most proposals to reduce the deficit are painful measures, requiring tough choices and trade-offs. On the whole, this legislation is a step in the right direction. It sends an important message about our seriousness in righting the Federal fiscal ship, and includes supportable measures.

But one provision of the bill in particular is inadvisable. The provision that would cut the Federal share of Medicaid in the territories approximately two-thirds through Fiscal Year 2019 should not be included in any budget legislation.

The Federal government already underfunds Medicaid in Puerto Rico and other territories, as the Republican Governors Association has recognized. The territories' Medicaid programs have not provided all services provided in the States and do not cover people who would otherwise be eligible in the States. If Puerto Rico were treated as a State, the Federal share of its Medicaid program would be about 80 percent. The unwise proposal in SSRA would cut the federal share of Puerto Rico's program by 65 percent, with the territory left to cover the bulk of the program with local funds. This inequitable treatment would not stand in any of the 50 states, and it should not be imposed on Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico and other territories do not have votes in the Federal system. This imposes on us a responsibility to ensure that their needs are met.

While I will be casting a yes vote for the SRRA today, I urge removal of this provision unfairly treating Puerto Rico's Federal Medicaid Funding. 4 million American Citizens in Puerto Rico deserve equal treatment as those living in the States.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 167, I was unavoidably delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I attended the Summits of the Americas, where Western Hemisphere leaders were in attendance to discuss regional policy issues and challenges. Leftist regimes repeatedly criticized the United States for our strong opposition to communist Cuba participating in the summits.

This summit is and should be reserved only for democratic nations, not totalitarian, dictatorial terrorist regimes like the Castro dictatorship. We should continue our commitment to the Cuban embargo and reiterate the importance of condemning a regime that refuses to grant its citizens the freedoms every human deserves: human rights, civil liberties, and free elections.

The illicit drug operation in our hemisphere contributes to the problem of increasing violence and terrorism in

the regime. Legalizing drugs is not the answer. Instead, we must bolster regional security and directly target drug gangs and violent narcotraffickers. America must stand strong against these efforts and in favor of democratic values.

Mr. Speaker, ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Cuba next week, Cuban authorities detained about 70 members of the dissident group Ladies in White over the weekend, including 36 on Sunday morning as they attempted to attend mass.

The Ladies in White demonstrate peacefully in solidarity with their loved ones who were jailed during the Black Spring government crackdown 9 years ago. In recent days, the nonviolent efforts of the Ladies in White have been met with the beatings and detentions that have become synonymous with the Castro tyrants. Given that this is occurring on the eve of the Pope's visit, these events are disgraceful and should be universally condemned.

Hopefully, during his visit to Cuba next month, Pope Benedict will meet with dissent leaders like the Ladies in White and Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, who has publicly called on the Pope to engage them. By doing so, Pope Benedict will give voice to those who long for freedom and speak out in the face of brutal repercussions, and he will give hope to those who risk their lives so that one day Cuba may be free.

I am here today to honor four American heroes--Carlos Costa, Mario de la Pena, Pablo Morales, and Armando Alejandre, Jr.--who tragically lost their lives 16 years ago at the hands of the Castro dictatorship.

On February 24, 1996, two planes from the humanitarian organization Brothers to the Rescue were shot down under Fidel Castro's and Raul Castro's direct orders as they conducted air search and rescue missions for Cuban refugees trying to reach freedom.

Raul Castro, himself, has publicly admitted to ordering the shoot- down over international waters so that there would be no evidence of the crime; but the Castro brothers have yet to be indicted for their role in ordering the murders of four innocent Americans, and they continue to commit blatant human rights violations towards peaceful civilians every day.

The United States should move immediately to indict the Castro brothers for this crime. We must not turn our backs on the Cuban people, who so tirelessly fight for freedom. I also ask, on this tragic anniversary, that we continue to push forward for democratic change in Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you to congratulate an outstanding young leader in my community, Daniel Quesada.

In December 2001, when Daniel was only 13 months old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. Today, Daniel is a fifth grade student at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School and is an accomplished runner who continuously finishes in the top at district races. Daniel continues to amaze doctors every day with how well he runs and his ability to exercise with ease.

Starting March 24, at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah, Daniel will participate in a series of 5K races across south Florida, raising awareness for his fight against cystic fibrosis. I'm sure the south Florida community will go out and participate in this event and show support for Daniel in his battle against this disease.

Anyone interested in getting information can log on to www.runningwithdanny.com.

Mr. Speaker, it was recently discovered that a Venezuelan national prone to anti-American activity is present and active on U.S. soil.

Livia Antonieta Acosta Noguera, consulate general of Venezuela in Miami, has been linked to a potential cyberattack on the United States involving affiliates of the Iranian, Cuban, and Venezuelan regimes. In 2008, while serving at the Venezuelan Embassy in Mexico, Ms. Noguera worked with members from the Iranian and Cuban Embassies to develop plans for an attack on critical U.S. Government infrastructure systems.

Ms. Noguera's actions demonstrate her willingness to undermine U.S. interests by partnering with Iran and Cuba, two U.S.-designated state sponsors of terrorism. This discovery heightens our concern for the growing Iranian presence in the hemisphere. The Obama administration should take decisive action against Iran in order to prevent the development of any sort of Latin American-Iranian diplomatic relations.

This is an essential component of the preservation of our national security; and, if the allegations are found true, it begins with the immediate diplomatic expulsion of Ms. Noguera.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 917 I was unavoidably delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform my colleagues of yet more beatings and arrests of opposition leaders by the Castro dictatorship in Cuba. Early this week, Guillermo Farinas, winner of the Sakharov Human Rights Award in 2010, was beaten and arrested by Castro's thugs while visiting another dissident on a hunger strike at a hospital in the Santa Clara province. According to his mother, Farinas was not allowed into the hospital and was arrested. A State security agent then held him in place and beat him.

Farinas is a dissident journalist who has advocated for a free press and against Internet censorship while also participating in various hunger strikes, asking for the release of political prisoners. On Monday, Cuban State security officials also arrested prominent dissidents Jorge Luiez Perez Garcia ``Antunez'' and his wife Yris at the same hospital and proceeded to drag them through the street.

While some across the world continue to ignore the brutal reality of repression and human rights abuses in Cuba, even pushing for appeasement of the Castro tyrants, these heroes continue fighting for freedom and democracy. Let us not forget their brave struggle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform my colleagues of yet another ruthless murder by the Castro dictatorship in Cuba and the loss of a tremendous hero.

Last Friday Laura Pollan, leader of the opposition group Ladies in White, died following another beating by Castro's thugs. For 8 years, Pollan led the Ladies in White, a group of wives, sisters and daughters of the 75 political prisoners arrested during the black spring of 2003. Following the arrest of her husband, Pollan, along with other women dressed simply in white, began organizing weekend marches demanding the release of political prisoners. Following a recent peaceful demonstration, Pollan was hospitalized and suspiciously passed away days later following what the Cuban dictatorship called ``a brief illness.''

Throughout the more than 50-year reign of the Castro dictatorship, suspicious and untimely deaths of healthy opposition leaders are not unheard of. We will never forget Laura Pollan's courage and a struggle for a free and democratic Cuba. She is yet another victim whose blood is on the hands of the Castro brothers.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 793 I was unavoidably delayed. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, this week, in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month, over 100 distinguished Hispanic American civic, business, and community leaders from south Florida traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive Congressional Distinguished Service Awards from myself, Senator Marco Rubio, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.

These hardworking and patriotic Americans of Hispanic descent represent the positive contributions the Hispanic community has made to this great Nation. Whether serving in the military, creating jobs with small businesses, or simply pursuing the American Dream, Hispanic Americans like my constituents are deserving of recognition for their accomplishments.

Two of those honorees who came to the Capitol this week, Ms. Nelis Morales and Mr. Gustavo Garagorry, prepared statements for the occasion. I would like to submit their statements for publication in the Congressional Record.

Presidio Politico Cubano

I am grateful for this recognition that us an honor and

fills me with pride.

As a Cuban political prisoner, I represent the

International Coordinator of Cuban political prisoners,

through the years I have had the opportunity to help both

prisoners and ex-prisoners as well as their families, both

inside and outside of Cuba, and also to plead for liberty and

democracy for the Cuban people.

The Cuban political prisoner organizations, without

exception, support the project to readjust the Cuban

Adjustment Act that has been presented to the U.S. Congress

by our congressmen for the state of Florida, David Rivera,

Mario Diaz-Balart, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

As a Cuban ex-political prisoner and as a woman, I beg, in

front of you who represent the most powerful country in the

world in terms of human rights, freedom, and democracy, your

help for the poor Cuban nation for whom I will never tire

using my voice to support.

No more economic help to the Castro-Communist tyranny. No

to the cultural interchange.

No more aggressions against the Cuban heroines such as Sara

Martha Fonseca who represents the Cuban prisoners house in

Havana, and Laura Pollan from the heroic ``Damas de Blanco''

or ``Ladies in White''.

No to the aggressions against the internal opposition.

I beg your help in order to put an end to the slavery of

the Cuban people, because after 53 years. . . . for Cuba . .

. the time has come!

Nelis Rojas Morales.

The Colombia free trade agreement represents a critical juncture in our trade relations. It does so because it's about economic security, but it's also about national security.

It's about economic security because the Colombia free trade agreement means jobs--thousands of jobs for America. In my community and for our national economy in particular, international commerce is important to creating those jobs. It's also about national security because the Colombia free trade agreement will send a message to our allies, and just as importantly, it will send a message to our enemies. All of Latin America and, indeed, the world will be watching to see if we are going to stand up with our allies--those who are fighting for democracy and who are fighting against narcoterror.

Vote ``yes'' on this trade agreement, and stand up for our best ally in Latin America, Colombia. Vote ``yes'' on this agreement, and stand up for jobs in America.

Madam Speaker, we have come to a crucial point in the free trade debate.

The world is watching.

Our best friends and allies in Latin America are watching.

Madam Speaker, our enemies are watching.

The choice that is presented to us with these trade agreements could not be any clearer. Are we going to stand with our allies? Or are we going to continue turning our back to them? The choice is an easy one to make, and the stakes could not be any higher.

Madam Speaker, just as American ingenuity has made our nation the model for developed economies for decades, in an ever more globalized economy, free trade is integral to promoting economic growth, to creating American jobs, and to raising the standard of living in the United States and abroad. At the same time, Colombia is our best and strongest ally in Latin America and the oldest functioning democracy in the region. The Colombian people have a passion to be free and full partners in the global economy and have shown great enthusiasm about trading with the United States. As someone who represents the largest Colombian-American community in the country, I know this first hand.

I have seen what the Colombian people have been through over the past two decades and the improvements that have been made in that country.

Madam Speaker, Colombia has become a model for success in the region.

Colombia is a nation that looks to the United States as its role model and has worked to emulate us in its own legislative, judicial, and social structures. What's more, today Colombia is a nation of people determined to crush the drug trade and break free from the bonds of their difficult past to reclaim their homeland.

American aid to Colombia has made it possible for Colombia to upgrade its social infrastructure and improve its schools, health care, and labor laws. There is no more important task before us right now that will help the Colombian people achieve further advancement, than to quickly pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

So, Madam Speaker, what does passage of these free trade agreements show to the world?

It shows that we will stand by our allies.

It shows what the United States values. It shows that we value human rights. It shows that we value democracy. It shows that we value liberty.

Colombia has achieved, and continues to achieve, all of those things. Colombia's democracy has withstood terrorism. It has withstood civil war. And Colombia is a pillar of freedom in the region. The more trade and economic benefits the Colombian people receive, the less difficult it becomes for the Colombian government to destroy terrorism and put an end to the illicit drug trade in their country.

Madam Speaker, the bottom line is that trade, and this agreement, will create opportunity in Colombia as well as in the United States. This agreement will mean better, high quality jobs for Colombian citizens. It will mean better, high quality jobs for our own citizens; a much-needed boost in this struggling economy.

Madam Speaker, let's send a message to our enemies. Let's send a message to our best friends and allies in Latin America. Let's send a message to the world.

Let's send the message that America rewards its allies. Let's send the message that America wants to do business with another country that values freedom and democracy. And let's send a message that America will not let political gamesmanship continue to get in the way of improving our nation's economy.

In the 112th Congress, both Democrats and Republicans are united and ready to approve the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

Madam Speaker, it's time to pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

Madam Speaker, it is with a great sense of honor and pride that I join Congressman Canseco and my fellow Hispanic American Members of Congress in recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge

the enormously positive contributions of Hispanic Americans to this diverse Nation of ours. Hispanic Americans are some of the most patriotic and hardworking people that America has ever known. Whether serving in the military or creating jobs, the Hispanic community is the embodiment of the American Dream and the embodiment of American values, faith in God, devotion to family and love of country, which is precisely why Hispanic Heritage Month is an entirely appropriate time to commend the Hispanic American community for enriching the diverse fiber of this great Nation.