Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the American Hungarian Federation of Cleveland, and Mr. John Juhasz, for their many years of service to the Hungarian-American community.

The Federation, since its founding in 1906, has been a symbol of the strong relationship between America and Hungary, a relationship that has existed since the birth of the American nation. Before former Hussar Officer Colonel Commandant Mihaly Kovats died fighting for a free America in the Battle of Charleston, South Carolina in 1779, he sent a letter to Benjamin Franklin with the words: ``Fidelissimus ad Mortem'', which means Faithful Unto Death. This expression has become the motto of this great organization.

For more than one hundred years the American Hungarian Federation has worked to unite and to support Americans of Hungarian origin in the United States, regardless of political, religious, or other affiliation. It has also been a strong supporter of freedom both at home and abroad. They played an integral role in providing aid for a Hungarian people in need after World War II, as well as efforts to aid refugees of The Revolution of 1956.

Under the faithful stewardship of President John Juhasz, The American Hungarian Federation continues to fulfill their mission by advocating for Hungarian causes and providing information to second and third generation Hungarian Americans. Additionally, the Federation sets an example for all Americans, who have a love for their heritage and a desire to help their people.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring John Juhasz and the American Hungarian Federation of Cleveland for their contribution to the rich cultural heritage of Northeast Ohio. May the Hungarian community continue to thrive under their leadership.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Thurman R. Payne, a man who worked tirelessly at Brookpark Ford for 50 years and served diligently as the President of Local 1250 for two terms, as the Building Chairman of the Cleveland Casting Plant, and as President of the Foundry Council.

Thurman R. Payne is an advocate of worker's rights, supporting equality for all of his fellow brothers and sisters. Thurman's advocacy garnered enough national attention that the great civil rights leader Rosa Parks visited the Union Hall.

During Thurman's first term as President of Local 1250, challenging economic conditions caused layoffs and a decrease in morale. During these tough times, Thurman rallied his co-workers to take a stance against layoffs and to advocate for quality products in order to assure job security in the future.

Thurman R. Payne was an innovator in many ways. As President of Local 1250, Thurman began a program to help further the education of all of his brothers and sisters. He made educational opportunities accessible to these men and women of Local 1250 by placing a trailer on the Union's lot, where any member could go for various educational opportunities.

Thurman R. Payne retired on September 1, 2006 after 50 years of advocating for labor rights. Thurman is currently battling cancer. Though this is a different sort of challenge, we know that he will battle this disease with the same amount of energy and optimism as he had during his years at Ford.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Thurman R. Payne, a man that dedicated 50 years of his life to ensure that his fellow brothers and sisters were treated with equality, had opportunities to further their education, and had job security.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of President Emeritus Daniel Rupp, for his 28 years of service as an officer of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 40, where he devoted himself to the concerns and needs of the American worker.

For 15 years, Mr. Rupp was the Administrative Vice President of the NALC. His continuous work and never-ending desire to support the labor community earned him the respect of his peers. Mr. Rupp served his position with dignity and honor. It was no surprise when he became the Executive Vice President, and then the President of the Cleveland Postal Employees Credit Union (CPECU).

During the time Mr. Rupp was the President of the CPECU, he remained dedicated to addressing the concerns of the union while preserving the rights of the members. In addition to his tireless work with the CPECU he was a National Trustee delegate, and Branch 40 was well served by his leadership.

Committed not only to the union, Mr. Rupp devoted himself to his family with the same intensity he had when representing the members of the NALC. He and Barb have been married for 45 years, and together they have raised four sons and a daughter. Now, they have the unending joy of doting upon their nine beautiful grandchildren.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring President Emeritus Daniel Rupp for his enthusiasm and devotion to the American worker. His integrity, commitment to his brothers and sisters, and tireless work with the community have made an indelible mark on northeast Ohio, and we are grateful for his dedication.

Madam Speaker, today the House will pass a budget which will fund the war in Iraq far into 2009. The budget includes an extra $195 billion mostly for military operations in Iraq. Anyone who thinks this Congress is trying to end the war had better think again, because this budget signals we will be in Iraq for another 2 years or more, even though Congress has led the American people and the media to believe otherwise.

Congress recently engaged in a dubious debate about a nonbinding surge resolution. Even though Congress had and still has the authority to end the war now, we instead give it new life with last week's vote.

Now, $195 billion on top of last week's supplemental means close to $300 billion in a week approved to continue the war.

This war has sacrificed the lives of our troops and innocent civilians. It has advanced the interests of oil companies and contractors in the manner of a criminal enterprise. It has besmirched our national honor and alienated America from friends around the world.

When will Congress stand for truth and for peace and stop funding this war?

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Martin Virsis for his unwavering dedication and service to the veterans' community of Northeast Ohio.

Martin began his path to success by earning a bachelor's degree at Kent State University and later by receiving his master's degree at Ohio University. As a licensed nursing home administrator, Martin used his talents and implemented his knowledge to manage several nursing facilities in Ohio. His devotion to help others in need continued as he began to offer transportation for those in the community who encountered challenges with mobility due to their disabilities.

As an Army veteran, Martin is no stranger to the sacrifices and the hardships that face those who have courageously served our country, only to come home as unrecognized heroes. Because of Martin's desire to help those who have fought to protect us, it was no surprise when he, Joe Paul and Patricia Cicowicz established Mobil Martin.

Since 1996, Mobil Martin has provided Northeast Ohio veterans with quality service and the recognition they deserve. Each year Mobil Martin makes donations to various charities that benefit the veterans' community and local businesses.

Every June, Mobil Martin provides transportation to Founder's Day, a celebration of the Founder's Path Organization, which gives opportunities to disabled and less fortunate veterans without homes. He also ensures that the transportation needs for the VA Per Diem at 2100 Lakeside Avenue are met. In addition to the multitude of services Mobil Martin provides, Mobil Martin also employs a large percentage of U.S. veterans.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Martin Virsis for his commitment to helpmg those less fortunate. His integrity and selflessness bring great pride to our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor of Patricia Cichowicz for her unflagging dedication to serving Northeast Ohio veterans.

Born to Emmett and Ann Holleran, Patricia excelled at school and developed a deep consideration for the most vulnerable in our midst. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, Patricia taught elementary school at St. Stanislaus and St. Vincent de Paul. After graduation, her devotion to our community's children continued as she taught special education at St. Thomas More.

Eager to spread her generosity to other members of the community, Patricia sought opportunities to serve other vulnerable populations. Her search brought her to cross paths with Martin Virsis and Joe Paul, two men on similar journeys to serve the community. They began Mobil Martin, an ambulette business that transports disabled veterans around the community. Since 1996, when Mobil Martin comprised three vans and a dining room office, they have been a vital resource for Cleveland's veteran community.

Despite the sacrifices that veterans make in service to their country, once they leave active duty their efforts can go unrecognized. Patricia and everyone at Mobil Martin recognized the injustice inherent in the treatment of veterans, and set to ensure they have the resources to meet their needs. Since Mobil Martin's inception, Patricia's dedication has been evident in everything she has done, from helping the organization in its infancy, to ensuring all the veterans had shoes or lap blankets.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Patricia Cichowicz for all her contributions to the Cleveland community. May her commitment to veterans serve as an example for us all, that we may repay their service with our own compassion.

Madam Speaker, the President's fiscal year 2008 budget requests funding for the Iraq war through 2009. The Democratic budget accepts that timeline. It includes $145.2 billion

for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as requested by the President for fiscal year 2008. It requests $50 billion for fiscal year 2009. That is in addition to the $510 billion we have already spent on the war and another $97 billion pending in the supplemental, according to the CRS. The total, if approved, would be over $800 billion for war, while our schools, our health care and the quality of our environment are in decline. The budget should reflect the mandate Democrats were given in November, yet we are mirroring the President's plan for the war and his budget request to fund the war.

The supplemental calls for withdrawal by August 2008. Why does the budget encourage the war to continue into 2009? If we were serious about trying to stop the war, the budget should not contradict the supplemental language.

This budget does not end the war, it continues it through the end of President Bush's term. The American people want the war to end now, not in 2008, not in 2009, but the people want the war to end now.

The President's threat of the use of military force against Iran is an impeachable offense. When our Commander in Chief says all options are on the table, it is unmistakable. That means a military strike, even the use of nuclear weapons. Instead of inviting calamity upon himself, our Nation and the world, President Bush should reopen serious diplomatic negotiations with Iran to de-escalate tensions and resolve all issues, including Iran's use of nuclear power.

We must reject the idea that war is inevitable and that war is diplomacy by another means and work to remove the barriers of misunderstanding between Iran and the U.S. and Iran and the region.

Instead of making statements or passing resolutions which sets the stage for conflict with Iran, Members of Congress should convene to seek a way to avert military conflict with Iran.

I will be contacting my colleagues to discuss how we can create a course of action which creates peace through integrating Iran with the world community and addresses all issues which are at the core of the conflict.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 137, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007. It is hard to believe that an act as horrendous and brutal as animal fighting still takes place today.

H.R. 137 would make engaging in animal fighting a felony. This legislation will ensure that those who choose to fight animals illegally will be met with the appropriate penalty when they disregard the law.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of states have banned this atrocious and deplorable act, animal fighting continues to plague our communities. Animals such as dogs and chickens are fought to the death in the name of sport. This is unhealthy, violent behavior on the part of humans and is inhumane and merciless to the animals.

I commend both local and state officials for stepping up raids on animal fighting rings. Now it is time for this body of Congress to do our part by making these offenses a felony under Federal law. I urge my colleagues to join me and vote in favor of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, H.R. 137.

Madam Speaker, I was not present for votes on Monday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 20, 2007 because I was meeting with British Members of Parliament in an effort to build an international coalition to end the Iraq War. If I was present, I would have voted:

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 157 (H.R. 138, Recognizing the importance of Hot Springs National Park on its 175th anniversary);

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 158 (H.R. 658, Natural Resource Protection Cooperative Agreement Act);

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 159 (H.R. 839, Arthur V. Watkins Dam Enlargement Act);

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 160 (H. Res. 254, Providing for consideration of the bill [H.R. 1227] to assist in the provision of affordable housing to low income families affected by Hurricane Katrina);

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 161 (H. Con. Res. 42, Honoring the heroic service and sacrifice of the 6,500 glider pilots of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II);

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 162 (H.R. 759, Redesignating the Ellis Island Library on Ellis Island, NY as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library'');

``Yea'' on rollcall No. 163 (On approving the Journal);

``No'' on rollcall No. 164 (Hensarling Amendment to H.R. 1227, to require recipients of rental assistance under the bill to perform 20 hours per week of approved work activities);

``No'' on rollcall No. 165 (Biggert Amendment to H.R. 1227, to require that, instead of replacing all pre-Katrina public housing units, only the number of public housing units occupied pre-Katrina be replaced); and

``Aye'' on rollcall No. 166 (Al Green Amendment to H.R. 1227, to extend FEMA housing assistance for evacuees of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma until December 31, 2007 and provide tenant-based voucher assistance upon termination of FEMA housing assistance for eligible families)

Four years ago, Congress was told we had no alternative but to go to war; that was wrong. Now Congress is telling the American people we have no alternative but to continue the war, and that by continuing the war for just another year or two we will then be able to end the war. War equals peace. I don't think so.

This war has achieved a momentum that has swept up into its tragic hold people of otherwise good will who would vote to continue a war when they really want peace and when the American people want peace.

I believe you cannot say you are for peace and vote to keep this war going. You cannot say you are for peace and facilitate the theft of Iraqi oil. You cannot say you are for peace and give the President enough money not just to keep this war going, but to attack Iran if he so chooses. If you want peace, vote for peace now. If you want peace, stop funding this war. If you want peace, stand for the truth.

What America must do and what Congress has the power to do is to stop the war now, use the money in the pipeline to bring the troops home, set in motion a diplomatic process that would involve the world community in moving into Iraq as our troops move out. We need to stand for peace. H.R. 1234 is the vehicle to do that

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. I rise in opposition to the bill.

Four years ago, Congress was told we had no alternative but to go to war. That was wrong. Now Congress is telling the American people, we have no alternative but to continue the war for just another year or two, and then we will be able to end the war. So war equals peace. I don't think so.

This war now has a momentum of its own, which has captured even people of good will who say they want peace but are going to vote to keep us at war. The same false logic that trapped Members into voting for the war is trapping Members into voting to continue the war.

I believe you cannot say you are for peace and vote to keep this war going. You cannot say you are for peace and facilitate the theft of Iraqi oil. You cannot say you are for peace and give the President money not just to keep this war going but to attack Iran if he so chooses.

If you want peace, vote for peace now. If you want peace, stop funding the war. If you want peace, stand for the truth.

Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

I want the gentleman to know that my office did make an attempt to get me time, that we were told that he didn't think there was any time, and that I came down here this morning seeking the opportunity.

Actually, I was there until very late.

I want to thank my friend from California for yielding 1 minute and thank the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Let's speak of the consequences of a ``yes'' vote on the Iraq supplemental.

A ``yes'' vote would keep the war going through the end of President Bush's term. It would provide money to fuel an attack on Iran. It would force the privatization of Iraqi oil. It would escalate the insurgency. A ``yes'' vote would increase the number of troop casualties in the middle of a civil war. It would increase the number of civilian casualties. It would create a demand for more troops. It would force a cutback in the agenda of many in Congress because money that could be used for schools, health care, seniors and the environment would continue to be spent for war. It would force the destabilization of the Middle East and would erode the public's confidence in Congress.

It is time to end the war; to bring the troops home; to use the money that is in the pipeline to bring the troops home; to set in place a parallel process to stabilize Iraq. That is what House Resolution 1234 is about. I urge its consideration and support of Members of Congress.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

D.C. residents shoulder the burden of a colossal injustice. They live within a system of governance that extracts the full range of taxes paid by all other U.S. citizens without the benefit of voting representation in the United States Congress.

The history of D.C. is the history of democracy denied. Its citizens have given the full measure of their allegiance to the United States. They fought in wars for the United States. They have paid taxes. They have provided labor, resources, and space to the United States Government. Yet for 200 years District residents have been bystanders in the governance of their Nation and city.

``Taxation without representation'' is not just a good slogan. It is a plight that sparked revolution. We attempt to create democracies around the globe, but to deny democracy in the shadow of the U.S. capital, it is now time to end that.

Voting rights, civil rights, human rights are all one. Support this resolution.

Four years ago this week, in violation of international law, standing upon a mountain of lies, the United States went to war against the people of Iraq. The U.S. now has a moral responsibility for the deaths of as many as 1 million innocent Iraqis, for the destruction of Iraq and the theft of billions in Iraq oil assets.

Those who told lies to take us into war should be held accountable under the U.S. Constitution and at the International Criminal Court. Instead of true accountability on the war, the President and the Vice President could get over $100 billion to keep the war going through the end of their term. More war, more civilian deaths, more soldiers killed or maimed. Less money for housing, for health care, for education, for seniors as we borrow money from Beijing to fight a war in Baghdad.

Instead of accountability, the appropriations bill will mandate the privatization of $6 trillion in Iraqi oil assets and provide money which can be used to attack Iran to try to grab another $7 trillion in Iranian oil assets for the oil companies.

Support the troops. Stop the war. End the occupation. Support H.R. 1234.