Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I take great honor in coming and saluting Ambassador Holbrooke. He was a person that we can all be proud of, because among ambassadors, he stood above them head and shoulders and represented the will and the morality of our country around this globe.

Being a member of that elite corps is something that will always remain deep in my heart and my mind that I had the privilege of serving 2 years as an ambassador myself. And during the 6 weeks of training that we had, Ambassador Holbrooke was always held as the standard by which we performed our duties for the United States of America.

I offer my condolences to his family and his broad global family from the State of California. I'm very proud to have served with him in that department. It was a short period of time, but oh, what an experience. May God bless the family, and I know he's up there presiding over all of the matters that will affect our countries and bring peace. God bless.

Madam Speaker, I offer my thanks to Barbara Lee, who is the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and I want to read to you something I will leave to every Member and staff of this House:

``A happy wish for you to receive only the best that this season offers! I thank you for making my experience here one of learning, training, and developing legislative solutions. My motto is `lift as you climb,' so that is why I am so pleased that California Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass will take my place. So, with that said, I appreciate knowing you.''

I want you to know how privileged I have felt serving in this House. As I conclude my 10th year, I go back to Los Angeles to see if I can find another job. I always said that, you know, I can't keep a job.

As you heard, I started out teaching school, and I became a school psychologist. That was the most important work I could do because I was able to analyze with the young people what it

took to give them a quality education and improve their behavior for improving their lives.

Then serving in the California Senate for 20 years and chairing the Health and Human Services Committee, I could guide and fashion legislation that would benefit all Californians.

Then to be able to represent the United States of America abroad was one of the highlights of my life, never thinking that I could rise to that level, but it happened. And then crowning my public service, serving here in this House.

I want to thank my colleagues, I want to thank the staff, and I want to thank my friends for the privilege you have given me. And I would say to you, so long for now. Hope to see you again next year.

Madam Speaker, the tax proposal announced by the President further defines the sharp differences in the policies and priorities of Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats are fighting for the needs of the middle class and for provisions that creates jobs and expands economic opportunities. Republicans are demanding tax breaks for the wealthy.

Democrats continue to fight to maintain tax cuts on income up to $250,000. Republicans continue to demand tax cuts on all incomes.

Democrats made a priority of extending unemployment benefits to help out-of-work Americans make it through the recession. Republicans were willing to hold the middle class and the unemployed hostage to benefit the wealthy.

Democrats will continue to fight for the economic priorities of middle class Americans, to create jobs, and to grow the economy. These are the principles that define the contrast between the Republicans and Democrats.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Civil Rights icon Willis Edwards for being honored during tonight's ``Heroes in the Struggle'' gala in recognition of his commitment to HIV/AIDS activism.

For decades, Mr. Edwards has been dedicated to maintaining a national dialogue on HIV/AIDS. As a member of the National Board of the NAACP he helped to establish the HIV/AIDS Committee of the NAACP, and has served as a member of that committee since 1997. He has spoken across the country and around the world on HIV/AIDS issues, and served as Associate Producer for the film ``The Faces of AIDS.''

Too often people do not want to confront the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but it is advocates like Mr. Edwards who remind us that millions of people around the world continue to contract and to suffer from this deadly virus.

HIV/AIDS is but one of the many areas for which Mr. Edwards has served as a leader and advocate over the course of his lifetime, and I am pleased to offer my congratulations for this award he so clearly deserves.

Mr. Speaker, I come to memorialize Bob Abbott, a young man who saw the future in terms of technology and who worked on inventing the digital ways of communicating. He was a researcher who looked around the world and saw what was needed in terms of computers. And he helped the team in Silicon Valley solve some of those problems. He died about a month ago.

He would be appalled to know that all of his hard work to bring communications together would leave out those who are unemployed. As you know, 39 percent say that not eliminating the tax cuts for those earning more than $250,000 a year would be a travesty. Bob worked so hard to address these issues through his computer communications. We have to be sure that those people who have worked so diligently in manufacturing and in other areas of technology are taken care of when they lose their jobs.

In memory of a young man who worked so hard to bring communication skills to all Americans, I say to him we will make a move to see that the unemployed have work in your memory.

Madam Speaker, standing in our way are those who will be holding the middle class hostage in favor of giving added tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires, even though the bonus tax breaks would add $700 billion to the national debt.

Ninety-eight percent of Americans face a tax increase January 1. For the typical middle class American family, that can mean the loss of $2,000 next year. The Republicans' demands would mean that those making more than $1 million a year would receive an average cut of $100,000 annually, and the middle class would be saddled with $700 billion in new debt to pay for the multi-million dollar tax cuts for billionaires. But that is the exact policy choice congressional Republicans would have us make, citing concerns about the deficit when it comes to American families, but not when it comes to tax cuts for the wealthiest few.

Mr. Speaker, the following is an exchange of letters that I would like to submit:

Congress of the United States, House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, November 17, 2010.

Hon. Howard L. Berman,

Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing you concerning H. Res. 1677

(``Resolution''), ``Condemning the Burmese regime's

undemocratic upcoming elections on November 7, 2010''. As you

know, the Resolution was referred to the Committee on Ways

and Means based on the Committee's jurisdiction over

international trade.

I appreciate the productive discussions that we have had on

this issue, resulting in our agreement to revise paragraph 9

of the Resolution, which I believe helps to clarify the

intent and scope of the Resolution. I appreciate your

commitment to reflect this agreement in the final Resolution.

In order to expedite this Resolution for floor

consideration, the Committee on Ways and Means will forgo

action on this Resolution and will not oppose its

consideration on the suspension calendar, based on our

understanding that you will reflect our agreement in the

final Resolution. This is done with the understanding between

our Committees that the Committee on Ways and Means does not

waive any future jurisdictional claim over the subject

matters contained in the Resolution.

This letter also confirms my understanding that you will

include a copy of your letter and this response in the

Congressional Record during consideration of the Resolution

on the House floor.

Sincerely,

Sander M. Levin,

Chairman.

Madam Speaker, as we continue to work our way out of the recession with the help of economic incentives that create jobs and lay the foundation for long-term growth, one of the most important tools is the Make It In America program.

Make It In America creates jobs in America, will help reverse the flow of jobs overseas, and will help rebuild the manufacturing base in America, providing good paying jobs for hardworking Americans. It will also help America lead the world economy in the years ahead.

By creating a national manufacturing strategy, we will ensure a new prosperity by promoting American competitiveness and innovation. We are looking to building a strong 21st century clean-energy economy that will make Americans more secure.

Let's make it in America.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1677) condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic upcoming elections on November 7, 2010, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

On November 7, 2010, Burma held its first election in 20 years. This should have been an important milestone for the 55 million people of that impoverished nation, but instead, it was more of the same. The ruling junta fixed the process to ensure its continuing domination, and the vote was marred by widespread fraud and intimidation.

This important resolution condemns the military regime's blatantly undemocratic effort to legitimize its rule through a sham election process.

In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, referred to as the ``NLD party,'' handily won free and fair elections, but the junta refused to honor the results and, instead, arrested and imprisoned democratically elected members of parliament and democracy activists.

More recently, in 2007, thousands of ordinary Burmese citizens and Buddhist monks led a series of peaceful demonstrations calling for more openness and respect for human rights, only to be brutally crushed by the regime. Today, there are more than 2,200 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience languishing in Burmese prisons in the worst possible conditions.

The junta claims that the Burmese constitution of 2008 is part of a ``roadmap to democracy,'' but in reality, that bogus document maintains power in the hands of military appointees, permits the head of the military to intervene in national policy, and ensures that key government ministries are held by junta officials. Under this framework, true democracy is impossible.

The regime's recent decision to release Aung San Suu Kyi, the iconic leader of Burma's democracy movement, is a transparent attempt to divert attention from its fraudulent election.

The international community must speak with one voice to condemn the results of the November 7 election; press the Burmese junta to respect basic human rights and allow freedom of expression and freedom of association; call for the release of political prisoners; and support national reconciliation between the junta, Aung San Suu Kyi, and ethnic leaders.

We must also continue to press for a robust international inquiry into the regime's crimes against humanity and war crimes, and do everything we can to end the systemic use of rape as a weapon of war, extrajudicial killings, torture, and child labor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey, Rush D. Holt.

Mr. Speaker I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1672) commemorating the Persian Gulf War and reaffirming the commitment of the United States towards Persian Gulf War veterans, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1672, which commemorates the Persian Gulf War of 1991 and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the well-being of Persian Gulf War veterans.

More than 20 years ago, on August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein ordered his army into Kuwait, starting a crisis that would lead to war. Although some predicted that Iraq's incursion would be limited, within hours Iraqi forces had seized downtown Kuwait City and were headed south toward the Saudi Arabian border, occupying all of Kuwait along the way. What followed was the largest build-up of American forces since the Vietnam War. Within a short period, members of the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as 300 combat aircraft, were headed for Saudi Arabia. By the end of September 1990, there were nearly 200,000 American personnel in Saudi Arabia ready to repel an Iraqi attack.

Realizing the magnitude of Iraq's invasion, the President ordered additional soldiers to the Persian Gulf. During that period, an international coalition was formed, with more than 30 nations joining the effort to repel Iraqi aggression. On November 29, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the use of force if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15; and on the morning of January 16, 1991, allied forces began the first phase of Operation Desert Storm. After a 38-day air campaign, Operation Desert Sabre, a massive ground attack, was launched by American and coalition forces into both Iraq and Kuwait. One hundred hours after the ground campaign began, the President declared a cease-fire.

Mr. Speaker, our men and women in uniform did win that war. Their bravery in battle liberated a country and defended our friends from Saddam Hussein's aggression. We recall with special appreciation the 383 men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice and the 467 who were wounded, as well as the thousands of veterans who, to this day, suffer from illnesses related to their Gulf War service.

Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us recognizes the historical importance of the 20th anniversary of the Persian Gulf War. It honors the noble service and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces that have served in the Persian Gulf during that war and since, and it encourages all Americans to participate in commemorative activities to pay tribute to the veterans of the Persian Gulf War. It also calls upon the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the war's 20th anniversary and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to peace and prosperity in the Persian Gulf region. I strongly support this resolution, and I encourage all of my colleagues to do as well.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maine, Michael Michaud.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 259) recognizing the 500th anniversary of the birth of Italian architect Andrea Palladio.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This resolution marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of noted Italian architect Andrea Palladio.

Born Andrea di Pietro in Padua on November 30, 1508, Palladio was widely acclaimed as the leading architect of the Italian Renaissance.

Best known for his villas, churches, and public buildings, Palladio incorporated many traditional architectural elements of ancient Rome in his work to become the favorite architect of Venetian high society.

Palladio's treatise, ``The Four Books of the Architecture,'' canonized what was to become known as the Palladian

architectural style, which continues to influence Western architecture to this day.

Some of Palladio's surviving villas have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Not only do his works remain an important part of Italy's rich cultural legacy, but his influence on architecture is evident throughout much of Europe and America as well.

Thomas Jefferson made great use of the Palladian style in constructing his own masterpiece, Monticello, and establishing lasting standards for public architecture in the United States. In fact, one has to look no farther than the building we are presently standing in to see firsthand Palladio's influence on architectural design.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and to express our gratitude for the impact that Andrea Palladio's life and career has had on architecture in our country.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 327) to recognize and support the efforts of the USA Bid Committee to bring the 2018 or 2022 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup competition to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Every 4 years during the FIFA World Cup, the world is captivated and obsessed with soccer. We watch young men take to the field representing their respective nations, and we proudly fly our national flags and sing our national anthems. But the World Cup is not just a soccer tournament. As a truly global event, it is a vehicle for bringing the world closer together.

In 1994, the United States hosted what has been hailed as the most successful World Cup in history. Spread across the country in nine host cities, we accommodated more fans than any previous World Cup, reached a record television audience around the world, and in the process fueled the development of the beautiful game in America.

Hosting the World Cup again would be a great honor for our Nation, and I wholeheartedly support H. Con. Res. 327, which supports the USA Bid Committee's efforts to bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup back to the United States.

In May of this year, the USA Bid Committee presented our bid to FIFA, which, in addition to information on logistics, includes a 10-year plan to use soccer as a tool to promote education, health, development, and peace.

In addition to bringing the world's attention to the United States for one month in 2022, hosting the tournament would also generate a tremendous amount of revenue. The USA Bid Committee estimates that ticket sales alone will generate over $1 billion and visitors are expected to spend an additional $5 billion on accommodations, transportation, and communications. The licensing and sponsorship of the tournament will likewise bring revenue into the country, and the spotlight on the United States will encourage investment in our economy.

I commend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) for authoring this important resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in expressing strong support for the 2022 World Cup bid.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, as Democrats work to help America recover from the Republican recession, one of our top priorities is to create jobs and restore responsible fiscal policies that support the middle class. A key part of this pro-growth agenda is helping small business. Small businesses are the engine of our economy, creating two-thirds of the new jobs over the past 15 years. The role of small businesses is especially important as we strive to create jobs and move the economy forward. With the right resources and the right opportunities, small businesses can respond quickly with growth opportunity.

To continue to support small business and to further promote job growth, Democrats in the House passed the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act. The $30 billion lending fund for local businesses and community banks will help break the credit squeeze by leveraging $300 billion in investment funds that will allow them to grow and to add workers.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1571) acknowledging and congratulating Miami Dade College on the occasion of its 50th anniversary of service to the students and residents of the State of Florida, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks, and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1571 into the Record.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1571, which celebrates Miami Dade College on the occasion of their 50 years of service in higher education to the residents of the State of Florida.

In 1960, Miami Dade first opened its doors under the name Dade County Junior College. By 1967, the college was the largest institution of higher education in the State of Florida. Today, Miami Dade College boasts eight campuses and the largest public institution of higher education in the Nation, welcoming nearly 170,000 students annually. The college offers more than 300 major areas of study to its students, and as of 2003, began offering bachelor's degrees in addition to associate's degrees. Miami Dade College has awarded more associate's degrees than any college in the United States.

Miami Dade College also has a rich history of diversity. The college became the first integrated junior college in the State of Florida, and now has students from 178 countries speaking 86 languages. The college ranks first in the United States among public colleges and universities for the number of Pell Grant recipients in attendance. At Miami Dade College, 61 percent of students are from low-income families, and 52 percent are the first in their families to attend college. The college also contributes to the region's cultural landscape via the nationally acclaimed Cultura del Lobo Performance Series and the Miami International Film Festival, both of which provide student artists with unique learning opportunities.

Additionally, the annual Miami Dade International Book Fair is the largest literary event in the United States. Does this have something to do with the college? Not clear from the name.

Furthermore, Miami Dade College has consistently worked to produce students with skills in high demand by local and regional employers. The Emerging Technologies Center of the

Americas at Miami Dade College works to prepare students for careers in information technology and telecommunications. This center's state-of- the-art 40,000-square-foot facility at the Wolfson campus houses 19 multimedia classrooms and labs equipped with high-end computers, specialized equipment, and simulation workstations.

The students, faculty, and staff at Miami Dade College have much to be proud of as they remember and celebrate the rich cultural and academic history of their institution over the past half-century. I once again express my support for House Resolution 1571 and congratulate Miami Dade College on its 50th anniversary. I thank Representative Ros-Lehtinen for bringing this resolution forward.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge the House to support House Resolution 1571. It is a fine piece of legislation. Again, I would like to congratulate Miami Dade College on its 50th anniversary.

With that, Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1480, a resolution honoring the University of Southern California, referred to as USC, men's tennis team for their historic victory in the 2010 NCAA men's tennis championship. Overall, the achievement marks USC's 18th all-time NCAA men's tennis championship, making the Trojans the all-time leader in such team victories.

On May 25, 2010, the number five seeded USC Trojans defeated the number two seed, Tennessee. True to USC's mantra, ``Fight On,'' the Trojans fought back from an early hole to claim four singles matches and rights to the 2010 championship trophy. USC finished the season with 25 wins and three losses as they pinned up their first back-to- back men's tennis titles since the 1993-1994 season.

For outstanding performance during tournament of play this year, Daniel Nguyen was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. His match-clinching win during the 2010 championship, as well as four other victories in NCAA tournament play, put him in position to take this top honor.

In addition, NCAA All Tournament Honors went to Robert Farah and Steve Johnson for number one doubles, Daniel Nguyen and J.T. Sundling for number two doubles, Robert Farah for number one singles, Steve Johnson for number two singles, Daniel Nguyen for number four singles, and Peter Lucassen for number six singles.

Head Coach Peter Smith, who has guided the Trojans to back-to-back NCAA championships in the past two seasons, now enters his ninth season as head coach of the Trojan men's tennis program. Coach Smith was also honored as the 2010 Intercollegiate Tennis Association's National Coach of the Year to go along with the Pac-10 and the ITA West Regional Coach of the Year honors.

During Coach Smith's career, he accumulated 427 wins and 194 losses. As head coach of the Trojans, Coach Smith has a record of 152 wins and 59 losses.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but on Monday night, the Trojans' championship men's tennis team, along with the 2009 championship men's water polo team, met with President Obama at the White House as he honored NCAA champions from around the country.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1480, and let's recognize the achievements of the players, the coaches, the students, the alumni, and the staff who were instrumental in helping the USC Trojans win the 2010 men's tennis championship.