Floor Statements

The Washington Post reports that nearly $1 billion a year in cash, suspected to include U.S. aid, opium trade receipts, or both, is moving from Afghanistan to Dubai, where friends and family of Afghanistan's President Karzai have multimillion dollar villas. Dubai real estate deals and a number of crooked enterprises connected to the Karzai family have created crony capitalism in a country awash in U.S. cash and U.S. blood.

Nearly 1,000 U.S. soldiers have died, and for what? Hundreds of billions spent, and for what? To make Afghanistan safe for crooks, drug dealers, and crony capitalism?

Next Thursday I will bring a privileged resolution to this House so that Congress can claim our constitutional right to end this war and to bring our troops home. Please support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, as well as the Abercrombie Amendment, and I thank my good friend Mr. Abercrombie for his diligent work on this bill.

H.R. 2314 is long overdue. Since 1959, when Hawaii was admitted to the Union as our 50th state, Hawaiian home lands--lands to which native Hawaiians are legally entitled--have been administered by the state government of Hawaii in trust with the federal government.

H.R. 2314 simply provides a process for establishing a Native Hawaiian governing entity that would represent the interests of Native Hawaiians in negotiations with the federal and state governments. It would also grant the Native Hawaiian governing entity sovereign immunity--the same authority granted to other native Indian governments.

This bill is about empowerment. Native Hawaiians deserve to be able to advocate for their self-interest in negotiations with the state and federal government.

This bill is about self-determination. Native Hawaiians deserve a say in the welfare and future of their community.

I have visited Hawaii many times, and the people of Hawaii are near and dear to my heart. They have a rich culture and a beautiful heritage that they carry on to this day. They deserve a say in their future, and they deserve an equitable remedy to their past treatment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Linda Grover, an author and an activist for global peace. Ms. Grover turned her strong sense of justice into words and actions. Ms. Grover consistently fought for the common good as a volunteer and as a leader on behalf of numerous local, national and international projects.

Following her marriage to Broadway actor-singer Stanley Grover, Ms. Grover led a 7-

year crusade to save and preserve the historic apartment building at 325 Central Park West. Thanks in part to her persistence and commitment, New York City officials overturned their decision to condemn the building. After the building was saved and restored, Ms. Grover led the effort to purchase it and transform the apartments into rent-controlled co-ops.

Before moving to New York City, Ms. Grover was named clerk of what is now the National Resources Committee's Office of Indian Affairs at 21 when she was also a legislative aide to Congressman Sam Yorty of California. She also worked for the National Committee for an Effective Congress and was a caseworker for the International Rescue Committee following the Hungarian Revolution. Despite a lengthy illness, Ms. Grover continued her work from her apartment in Washington, DC. To the end she maintained her passion, energy and dedication.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor of Ms. Linda Grover, whose dedicated efforts organizing for peace have given all of us hope for a better world. I offer my condolences to her loving family and many friends; especially to her beloved children, Cindy, Steven and Jamie. Mrs. Grover's love for her family and her legacy of peace will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of Cardinal Josip Bozanic, Croatian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, upon his visit to the American-Croatian Lodge, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio. The Croatian Lodge of Cleveland is a vibrant cultural center where the history and traditions of Croatia have been promoted and preserved for twenty-five years.

Cardinal Bozanic was born and raised in Rijecka, Yugoslavia (now Croatia). His parents, Ivan Bozanic and Dinka Vlakovic, taught him the values of hard work, faith and service to others. On June 29th, 1975, Cardinal Bozanic was ordained to the priesthood, by Bishop Karmelo Zazinovic. He served as a parish priest for several years before going to Rome where he earned a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, and then a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University.

Cardinal Bozanic returned to Yugoslavia, where he served as chancellor and then vicar general of the Diocese of Krk. From 1988 to 1997, he taught dogmatic theology and canon law at the Theological Institute of Rijeka. On May 10, 1989, Cardinal Bozanic was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Krk by Pope John Paul II. On October 21, 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him as Cardinal Priest of San Girolamo dei Croati. Cardinal Bozanic was a member of the Cardinal Electors of the 2005 Papal Conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of His Eminence, Cardinal Josip Bozanic, whose journey to Cleveland, Ohio to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the American-Croatian Lodge, Inc. is greatly appreciated by all residents of Northeast Ohio.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the members of the

American-Croatian Lodge, located in Eastlake, Ohio, as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. The American-Croatian Lodge, Inc. serves as a connector that binds Croatian Americans to their faith, heritage and history.

The Croatian Lodge, Inc. was developed and built by a small group of Croatian Americans residing in Greater Cleveland with a unified focus of promoting business ventures, partnerships and educational opportunities for Americans of Croatian heritage. The Lodge continues to serve as an anchor for the Greater Cleveland Croatian community and as the ``home base'' for numerous Croatian-American businesses. The Croatian Center, set on picturesque rural acreage in Chardon, Ohio, includes two soccer fields, a full size ball field, picnic areas, and a smaller field next to a pavilion. The Lodge is open to the public and is a venue for families and organizations celebrating milestone moments.

A critical component of the American-Croatian Lodge, Inc. is the Croatian Heritage Museum & Library, where the history, customs, fashion, art, music and faith of Croatia is presented and preserved. The Museum and Library is currently presenting a new folk art exhibit, entitled: ``Maiden, Mother, Woman of Wisdom,'' which illuminates the role of Croatian women.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me celebrating the members of the American-Croatian Lodge, Inc. of Eastlake, Ohio as they celebrate twenty-five years commitment to preserving and promoting Croatian culture. The ancient and rich culture of the Croatian people adds strength to the foundation of our Cleveland community and our nation.

Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of the dedicated public servants of our intelligence community. Their work to ensure our national security is to be commended. However, I must oppose the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2010.

This legislation contains provisions that implement vital measures of accountability, such as a provision to prohibit the use of funds for payment to any contractor to conduct interrogations of detainees currently in custody. I also support the provision in this legislation to establish an independent intelligence community-wide Inspector General. These provisions are an important step to ensure that mechanisms of accountability and oversight are in place. However, I remain concerned that some of the methods being employed by our intelligence community may amount to serious violations of international law and our Constitution.

Last month, The Washington Post and New York Times reported that the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) maintained lists of ``high value individuals'' targeted for assassination abroad, and that those lists contain U.S. citizens. What's more, the President may have authorized military operations with the express understanding that a U.S. citizen might be killed, or may be killed in the future.

Under such a policy, U.S. citizens are added to the list simply for being suspected of involvement in terrorism, in subversion of their basic constitutional rights to due process of law. Their right to a trial and to present a defense is summarily and anonymously stripped from them. History has demonstrated that the U.S. government has been mistaken when accusing someone of involvement in terrorism. Most recently, following the 2008 Supreme Court decision to afford detainees held indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay habeas corpus rights, the government was forced by federal judges to release thirty-three of thirty-nine detainees on the grounds of insufficient evidence to support accusations of their involvement in terrorism. U.S. citizens accused of involvement in terrorism are not even afforded the same rights that Guantanamo detainees are--if they are added to the targeted assassination list, their punishment is murder.

In response to these reports, I submitted a common-sense amendment that would have required the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees the identities of all U.S. citizens included on such lists, currently or in the future. My amendment was about accountability. If the Administration sees fit to revoke unilaterally the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens abroad based on suspicion of involvement in terrorism, devoid of any judicial review, it must at least be required to report to the congressional intelligence committees each time a U.S. citizen is added to a targeted assassination list.

Since the beginning of the War in Iraq more than eight years ago, I have expressed grave concern that intelligence is being fabricated or abused by the Executive Branch to justify the war in Iraq. More recently, The Nation reported that Blackwater was intimately involved in a targeted assassination program run by the JSOC and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Pakistan--a country with which we are not at war. I am gravely concerned about the use of private security contractors in intelligence work, particularly in programs that have virtually no transparency, accountability, or oversight. I remain concerned that we are continuing to conduct intelligence work in contravention of international law and in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

I will continue to work to ensure that all have equal protection under the law; and that

Congress conducts its constitutionally mandated oversight of the Executive Branch effectively.

I thank Mr. Conyers.

I rise in opposition to H.R. 3961, legislation to extend the expired provisions of the PATRIOT Act. The three provisions being extended today include the ``roving wiretaps,'' which allow the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to issue secret orders to wiretap any target without having to specify the target or the device. This extension also includes the ``lone wolf'' surveillance provision, which allows intelligence agencies to conduct investigations of non-U.S. individuals not connected to a foreign power or terrorist group, a provision that the administration has never had to use. Finally, this legislation would extend section 215 powers of the PATRIOT Act, which allows the government to order any entity to turn over ``any tangible things'' as long as it specifies its for ``an authorized investigation.'' Section 215 orders constitute a serious violation of Fourth and First Amendment rights by allowing the government to demand access to records often associated with the exercise of First Amendment rights, such as library records.

Through years of documentation evidencing abuse of these provisions during the Bush administration, the Department of Justice has failed to hold Bush administration officials accountable for illegal domestic spying by barring any lawsuits to be brought against those officials. Months into this administration, The New York Times reported that the National Security Agency had ``intercepted private e-mail messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months on a scale that went beyond the broad legal limits'' and that the practice was ``significant and systematic.''

Passage of this legislation continues to make Congress complicit in the violations of constitutional rights.

A letter written by the American Bar Association in 2005 to Congress expressed grave concern over ``inadequate congressional oversight of government investigations undertaken pursuant to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act'' . . . ``to assure that such investigations do not violate the First, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments.''

As Members of Congress swore to protect the rights and civil liberties afforded to us by the Constitution, we have a responsibility to exercise our oversight powers fully, and significantly reform the PATRIOT Act, ensuring that the privacy and civil liberties of all Americans are fully protected. More than 8 years after the passage of the PATRIOT Act, we failed to do so. As National Journal correspondent Shane Harris recently put it, we've witnessed the rise of an ``American Surveillance State.'' We've come to love our fears more than we love our freedoms.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of William D. Montague, Director of the Cleveland, Ohio Veterans Administration Medical Center (Cleveland VAMC), and in celebration of his retirement. For nearly twenty years he provided excellence, leadership and expertise in support of United States Veterans from northeast Ohio.

Thanks in part to his hard work and dedication, the Cleveland VAMC has consistently provided superior and innovative clinical care, outreach services and numerous programs for veterans and their families. Throughout his tenure at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Mr. Montague has served as CEO or acting CEO at six VA facilities, and has been actively involved in 13 major construction projects which enhanced and expanded services and programs for veterans.

Mr. Montague's effective leadership and professional accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He has been recognized numerous times with local, state and national awards and honors, including the 2009 American College of Healthcare Executives Federal Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Award; the Presidential Meritorious Award (twice); and the AMVETS Civil Servant Award. Mr. Montague was a key contact in working with my Congressional staff to assist veterans who reside in the 10th Congressional District. His response and support was consistently timely and thorough.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of William D. Montague, retiring Director of the Cleveland VAMC, who served with integrity, dedication, diligence, compassion and expertise. I thank Mr. Montague for all of his assistance to United States Veterans of the 10th Congressional District and the region. I wish him and his family peace, health and happiness as he journeys onward.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Minnie L. Jones in celebration of her 90th birthday.

Mrs. Jones has been blessed over her lifetime with faith, family and friends. She is known for her positive outlook and for seeing the good in others. She lives every day with a grateful heart and warm smile.

Mrs. Jones' abiding faith continues to be a source of strength and joy. She is a life-long member of and missionary with the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Cleveland, Ohio, where she volunteers her time. Aside from her time at the church, Mrs. Jones' greatest joy in life is spending time with her family and friends. She remains close with her grown children--Billy, Patricia, Mabel, Kenneth, Stafford, Sandra, Larry and Cindy. She is also a doting grandmother and great- grandmother. Mrs. Jones loves to cook and share memorable holiday and Sunday meals with family and friends, and welcomes everyone with hospitality and friendship.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Mrs. Minnie L. Jones upon the joyous occasion of her 90th birthday. Her love of family, love of life, service to others and youthful spirit have all served as an inspirational example for all of us to follow. I wish Mrs. Jones abundance of peace, health and happiness today, and throughout the years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Fire Chief Bernard M. Benedict, upon his retirement from the Middleburg Heights Fire Department, following nearly forty years of leadership, service and dedication to the citizens of Middleburg Heights.

Chief Benedict joined the Middleburg Heights Fire Department on June 16, 1973. In November of that year, he completed the State of Ohio's 160 Hour Fire Training course, finishing fourth in his class. On June 29th, 1977, he graduated from the Paramedic Program at Cuyahoga County Community College. One year later, Chief Benedict became one of the first paramedic-firefighters with the Middleburg Heights Fire Department. From the beginning, Chief Benedict set a tone of camaraderie and professionalism within the Department, and he easily gained the respect and admiration of his colleagues and superiors.

Equipped with expertise in the safety field, an unwavering dedication to his vocation, and an affable nature, he quickly rose through the ranks, and was appointed as Acting Lieutenant in March, 1987. Committed to continuing his education, Chief Benedict completed his Associate's Degree in Emergency Medical Technology in 1990. In 2000, he was appointed as the Technical Rescue Director for the Southwest Emergency Response. One year later, in May of 2001, he was appointed Chief of the Middleburg Heights Fire Department.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Fire Chief Bernard M. Benedict for his commitment and his leadership in creating a safe community for everyone who lives and works in Middleburg Heights. His superior work as Chief, firefighter, paramedic and instructor has set the bar high for safety, response and protection within Middleburg Heights, Ohio. His service will forever be a true example for others to follow.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Vietnamese New Year: Tet, 2010, Year of the Tiger. As the Vietnamese community in Greater Cleveland gathers at St. Helena Catholic Church to celebrate, I join them in celebration of their rich history and culture.

Tet is the time of the year to pay homage to ancestors, reconnect with friends and family and celebrate every hope and possibility rising with the new year. This year's gathering will once again honor community volunteers and leaders, showcasing many Vietnamese cultural treasures including Vietnamese culinary cuisine, music and dance.

2010 also marks thirty-five years of service to the community by the Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland, Inc. This organization has been an invaluable resource for hundreds of Clevelanders of Vietnamese descent, linking them to needed resources and preserving the rich heritage of the Vietnamese people.

I would also like to recognize Le Nguyen, President of the Vietnamese Community in Greater Cleveland, Inc., and every member, past and present, for their dedication to Vietnamese-Americans of Northeast Ohio.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebration of the Vietnamese New Year, Tet 2010: Year of the Tiger. May every American of Vietnamese heritage hold memories of their past forever in their hearts, and find peace and happiness within every new day of the rising new year.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Don Scott, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Mr. Scott's life was centered around family, community and service to others. His keen business sense, positive attitude, and unstoppable energy were key elements of his success.

Throughout Cleveland, Mr. Scott was known for his gathering place called ``Vel's''--the premier party center for the African-American community named after his beloved wife, Velma Rose. African-American city leaders, politicians and candidates met regularly at Vel's, where Mr. Scott always greeted guests with kind and encouraging words. He hosted major political events, giving many candidates the exposure and support they needed to rally voters and win elections, including former United States Congressman Louis Stokes.

In 1963, Don and Velma purchased the Alhambra Bowling Lanes near Euclid and East 102nd Street, and changed the name to University Lanes. They opened Vel's Red Carpet Lounge in the basement, and it soon became a popular venue that drew nationally known performers. Mr. Scott became the first African-American contestant on the popular national TV series ``Championship Bowling.'' He won his first match in 1961 by bowling five strikes in a row and went on to tour with the Professional Bowling Association. In 1962, Mr. Scott won the first round of the PBA Open and ended the tournament by placing ninth in the nation.

Mr. Scott was first and foremost dedicated to his wife and children. Together, Don and Velma Scott raised their children, Gregory, Avis and Don D. In later years, Don and Velma travelled the world but remained committed to the betterment of their eastside community. They founded Vel's Purple Oasis Garden, a community garden and greenhouse near University Circle. They also opened ``New Life Skills Academy,'' a training center for future entrepreneurs.

Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor of Don Scott, a man who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. I also honor the memory of his beloved wife, the late Velma Rose. I offer my deepest condolences to his children, Gregory, Avis and Don D., to his six grandchildren, his six siblings, and to his extended family and friends. Mr. Scott lived his life with a generous heart and an unwavering love for his family and his community. He will never be forgotten.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Ann Kilbane Wing, beloved wife of the late George C. Wing; and cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. Mrs. Kilbane Wing's life centered around her family, faith and her community.

Mrs. Kilbane Wing was a graduate of St. Joseph Academy. Shortly after WWII, she married the love of her life, George Wing. Together, they raised their son, Patrick J. Wing. In 1948, the same year Patrick was born, Mrs. Kilbane Wing became a member of the Federated Democratic Women of Ohio. She was a life-long member, and served as President. Mrs. Kilbane Wing also served as member and President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary 7th District. Her involvement in politics, particularly in the Democratic Party, extended from Greater Cleveland to throughout the State of Ohio, where she held several key political positions. Mrs. Kilbane Wing was elected as a member of the State Democratic Central Committee, representing the 23rd District of Ohio and also served as a Cuyahoga County Democratic Executive Committee Member and Democratic Precinct Committeeperson. She also held the role of Parma Heights Democratic Club City Leader for more than fifty years.

Mrs. Kilbane Wing brought energy, warmth, integrity and a great sense of humor to all of her endeavors. She was a devoted wife and mother, a passionate volunteer, and a dedicated employee. For ten years, she worked as the Administrative Assistant to the Treasurer at St. Ignatius High School. She also worked at the IRS for nearly ten years, and worked for

many years at the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office. Her keen business sense, strong interpersonal skills and unwavering work ethic was noted by many. She was appointed by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners to the position of Business Manager for Cuyahoga County Social Services. In addition, her Catholic faith was a life-long source of strength and comfort. She was an active member and volunteer at Holy Family Parish for more than sixty years.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join with me to honor and remember Ann Kilbane Wing, whose joyous life, dedication to family, faith and community, will always be cherished. I honor the memory of her husband, the late George Wing; and I offer my deepest condolences to her son, Patrick J.; to her granddaughter, Trini; to her great- grandchildren, Hayley, Aaron, Chloe and Joseph; and to her extended family members and many friends. Those who know her will remember her love for family, her commitment to community, and her warm smile and compassionate heart.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Parma Community General Hospital's ElderCenter, as it celebrates twenty years of providing a haven of recreation, socialization, medical care and exercise for adults with mild to moderate impairments.

Recognizing the need for adult day services, Parma Hospital, an independent, community hospital located in the heart of Parma, Ohio, created the ElderCenter. It provides resources and comfort for adults transitioning through mental and physical challenges of impairment, illness and aging. The ElderCenter also provides an incalculable source of support, peace of mind and respite for caregivers, most of whom are family members.

The programs and services of the ElderCenter are designed to accommodate adults of all ages and diagnoses. ElderCenter offers regular medical checks, nutritious meals and snacks, opportunities for socialization and physical and mental stimulation. The services and support provided by ElderCenter allows clients to remain in their homes for many years. In 2006, the ElderCenter Day Program was honored with the ``Service to Seniors Award'' by the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. In addition, the Day Program has sparked the interest of researchers at Case Western Reserve University, whose initial findings revealed that ElderCenter participants are fifty percent less likely to be readmitted to the hospital than those who did not participate. These results show that the true power of wellbeing is in direct relationship to the partnership between home and community.

Madam Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor of the founders, staff, volunteers, participants and families of Parma Community General Hospital's ElderCenter, as they celebrate twenty years of providing meaningful activities, programs, and quality health care services for adults throughout our community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and remembrance of Mr. Richard J. ``Dick'' Zunt, dedicated father, uncle, journalist and friend, whose amazing life reflected love for family, community and journalistic excellence. As a high school sports beat reporter, he consistently captured the energy, action and emotion of games played throughout Greater Cleveland. From amazing triumphs, to shocking defeats, to predictable endings, Mr. Zunt's reporting was always accurate, compassionate, and respectful--and held the interest and imagination of tens of thousands of readers.

Though a talented reporter, it was Mr. Zunt's kind demeanor, great sense of humor and generous heart that drew others to him. He lived his life by the Golden Rule, reaching out to help wherever needed. He grew up in Cleveland, instilled with values of hard work, service to community and an unmistakable joy for life. A talented athlete himself, Mr. Zunt ran track at St. Ignatius High School, graduating in 1950. As a student reporter at John Carroll University, Mr. Zunt began honing his journalistic skills as a reporter for the university paper, the ``Carroll News.'' He graduated from John Carroll in 1955, then served two years in the United States Navy. In 1957, following his military service, Mr. Zunt joined The Plain Dealer, where he worked as a sports reporter, with an emphasis on high school sports, until his retirement in 2001.

Throughout his tenure at The Plain Dealer, Mr. Zunt made countless friends, many of whom remained close friends throughout his life. His honest approach, unwavering integrity and caring nature forged life- long bonds of trust, friendship and admiration with coaches, players, school administrators and colleagues. He was very active in the community, serving on several community, press and educational boards-- and was an active alumnus of St. Ignatius High School. Though not impressed with awards and accolades, Mr. Zunt's many achievements were publicly recognized. He was inducted to the St. Ignatius Hall of Fame, the Greater Cleveland Softball Hall of Fame, and the Cleveland Press Club Hall of Fame.

Madam Speaker, please join me in honor and remembrance of Mr. Richard J. ``Dick'' Zunt, whose love for family and friends, service to community and joy for living will be remembered always. I offer my deepest condolences to his loving children, Mary ``Cal,'' Monica, Sarah, and Richard J. Jr.; to his daughters-in-law, Brooke and Ethel; to his sons-in-law, Mike and Ruben; to his brothers, J. Raymond and Robert; to his sister Mary; to his dear companion, Doris; and to all his extended family members and numerous friends. Mr. Zunt's life-- defined by kindness, joy, talent and a compassionate heart--will forever live in the minds and hearts of his family, friends and all whom knew and loved him well--and he will never be forgotten.