Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 334) supporting the goals and objectives of a National Military Appreciation Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Representing the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Con. Res. 334, as amended, a resolution supporting the goals and objectives of National Military Appreciation Month, which, for the past 10 years, has been recognized in the month of May.

Initially created by an act of Congress back in 1999, the National Military Appreciation Month provides each and every one of us an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the heroic men and women who have served and are now serving in our country's Armed Forces.

The bill before us was introduced on April 24, 2008, by Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut. And while cosponsored by only 60 Members of Congress, I am sure that each and every member of this body stands in support and admiration of the thousands of men and women serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform amended and reported the bill favorably by voice vote on May 15, 2008, and today we now have a chance to move the bill one step closer to enactment.

Mr. Speaker, let us join with citizens across America in showing our appreciation for the service and sacrifice these brave men and women display in order to provide for the defense and the protection of our great country. In particular, let us show our gratitude to those currently serving abroad in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other pockets of the world, and to the families that stand by and support their loved ones during deployment in times of war.

The passage of H. Con. Res. 334 will send a strong message to our troops and veterans that we honor, respect, and appreciate their dedication to the liberties and freedoms we as Americans hold so dear.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the goals and the objectives of National Military Appreciation Month by voting in favor of H. Con. Res. 334.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1152) honoring Arnold Palmer for his distinguished career in

the sport of golf and his commitment to excellence and sportsmanship, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I rise for the consideration of H. Res. 1152, which pays tribute to Arnold Palmer for both his distinguished golfing career and his dedication to excellence and sportsmanship.

H. Res. 1152 was coauthored by Congressman Ferguson of New Jersey and Congressman Baca of California, and is cosponsored by 83 Members of Congress. The bill before us was first introduced on April 24, 2008, and was taken up by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on May 15, 2008, where the measure was amended and then passed by voice vote.

A native of Western Pennsylvania, Arnold Palmer is regarded as one of the greatest golfers in the history of the professional sport of golf, winning over 90 PGA tour titles since the mid 1950s, and 62 champion tour wins since 1980. Arnold Palmer became the face of televised golf in America, and even today his talents and accomplishments in the sport of golf continue to set the standard for many, including the greats of today, such as Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh.

Nicknamed ``The King,'' Arnold Palmer has demonstrated excellence both on and off of the golf course by establishing the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida, and the Arnold Palmer Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Mr. Speaker, in honor of the contributions Mr. Palmer has made to the world of golf and the landscape of America, I urge the adoption of H. Res. 1152.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1132) supporting the goals and ideals of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'm pleased to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 1132, which seeks to commemorate the selfless men and women who serve as law enforcement officers around our country. Their service is crucial to the protection of Americans everywhere, and their daily sacrifice is what helps to guarantee our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

H. Res. 1132 was introduced by Ted Poe of Texas on April 22, 2008, and was considered by and reported from the Oversight Committee on May 1, 2008 by voice vote. This legislative measure has the support of over 65 Members of Congress, and its principal purpose is to show our appreciation for the risk that 900,000-plus sworn law enforcement officers face daily in their service to communities throughout the United States.

In this past year alone, our country has lost over 180 law enforcement officers in the line of duty, and while just last week many of their fellow officers descended upon our Nation's Capital for National Police Week in remembrance of these fallen heroes, today, we, in the Congress also take a moment to express our gratitude for these courageous Americans by recognizing Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Therefore, it is with humble gratitude that we salute and we thank our country's peace officers, as well as remember those officers who gave their life in service and protection of ours.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift passage of H. Res. 1132 and reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1153) celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

Representing the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I'd like to join my colleagues in the consideration of H. Res. 1153, as amended, which proudly expresses our support for the celebration of May as National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

H. Res. 1153 was originally introduced on April 24, 2008, by Representative Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, along with members and associate members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. In addition to these 14 members of CAPAC, the measure is also cosponsored by over 60 Members of Congress. On May 5, 2008, the bill was approved by the Oversight Committee by voice vote after being amended.

I would like to offer as much time as she needs to Mazie Hirono.

I would like to call on the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Representative Joe Sestak, for 2 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to call now on Representative Faleomavaega from American Samoa for 3 minutes.

(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

I would like to offer Mr. Faleomavaega another 3 minutes.

I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton).

We continue to reserve. There's no more speakers, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the over 14 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and the entire population of America for that matter, let us demonstrate our full support of this year's celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by passing H. Res. 1153 without reservation.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1026) recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform presents for consideration H. Res. 1026, which recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Club. The measure was introduced by Representative Sanford Bishop from the State of Georgia on March 6, 2008, and I, along with over 75 of my colleagues, are proud to be cosponsors of this bill.

H. Res. 1026 was taken up and approved by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as of April 9, 2008, which brings us up to today's consideration of the resolution.

Originally established on May 20, 1908, for the purpose of providing a nonpartisan social setting for the spouses of Members of the House and the Senate, the Congressional Club continues to serve its initial purpose, although the breadth and activities of the club have greatly expanded over the past century, to include such annual events as the First Lady's Luncheon and Founders Day.

I yield now to Mr. Sanford Bishop for as much time as he may consume.

Mr. Speaker, for its rich history and ongoing traditions, I hope that we can come together as a body representing Americans far and wide, and in good humor, and following the procedures of this House, that we join together in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Congressional Club. They do stand for bipartisanship. They do stand for working together. We, indeed, can eat together as fellows, friends, partners in making policy. And so let's use the example of this Congressional Club by agreeing to pass H. Res. 1026.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield the remaining time to the man from Missouri, the Honorable Ike Skelton.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 752) to direct Federal agencies to donate excess and surplus Federal electronic equipment, including computers, computer components, printers, and fax machines, to qualifying small towns, counties, schools, nonprofit organizations, and libraries, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am pleased to present for consideration H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic Equipment Donation Act, which will preserve an existing executive order issued during the Clinton administration directing Federal agencies to donate excess computer equipment to schools and education nonprofits, particularly those located in high-need areas.

At this point, I would like to have my colleague, the Honorable G.K. Butterfield, to have as much time as he will consume.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the sponsor, Mr. Butterfield, for his work on the bill, as well as the various Members that helped to move this bill forward. We also got helpful input from the Committee on Science and Technology.

Chairman Waxman and Chairman Gordon exchanged letters regarding committee jurisdiction, and I will include these letters in the Congressional Record.

House of Representatives, Committee on Science and

Technology,

Washington, DC, May 9, 2008.

Hon. Henry A. Waxman,

Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,

Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning the

jurisdictional interest of the Committee on Science and

Technology in H.R. 752, the Federal Electronic Equipment

Donation Act of 2007. The Committee on Science and Technology

has jurisdictional interest in this bill based on the

Committee's history of jurisdiction over the Stevenson-Wydler

Technology Transfer Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-480). The Committee

on Science and Technology was the sole House Committee of

jurisdiction over the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Transfer

Act of 1980 and has maintained jurisdiction over the law ever

since. H.R. 752 makes specific mention of the Stevenson-

Wydler Technology Transfer Act of 1980 and creates a program

with overlapping objectives to those found in that act.

The Committee on Science and Technology acknowledges the

importance of H.R. 752 and the need for the legislation to

move expeditiously. Therefore, while we have a valid claim to

jurisdiction over this bill, I agree not to request a

sequential referral. This, of course, is conditional on our

mutual understanding that nothing in this legislation or my

decision to forgo a sequential referral waives, reduces, or

otherwise affects the jurisdiction of the Committee on

Science and Technology, and that a copy of this letter and of

your response will be included in the Congressional Record

when the bill is considered on the House Floor.

The Committee on Science and Technology also expects that

you will support our request to be conferees during any

House-Senate conference on this, or any similar legislation.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Bart Gordon,

Chairman.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5787) to amend title 40, United States Code, to enhance authorities with regard to real property that has yet to be reported excess, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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

I stand in support of H.R. 5787, the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act, which is a sensible, bipartisan effort to address some of the problems with the current Federal property disposal process.

There are three key provisions in this bill. The first allows the General Services Administration to help pay the cost of other agencies' disposal activities. In particular, GSA will be able to help agencies pay costs with regard to properties that have yet to be declared excess. These costs include environmental cleanup, demolition, surveying, and life cycle costing.

Another key provision modifies existing law to make clear that when a property has been transferred to a nonprofit organization or a State or local government for a public purpose and that public purpose is no longer being met, the property must revert to the Federal Government, which must dispose of it.

The final major provision allows all agencies to retain the proceeds from the sale of Federal surplus properties. These proceeds will be used for disposal activities such as developing and implementing a plan to identify and declare properties excess, appraisals, utilization studies, and life cycle planning. The Office of Management and

Budget has stated that allowing agencies to retain the proceeds will provide agencies with the funds necessary to cover upfront costs associated with disposals.

This bill does not waive any existing law regarding the screening process and therefore does not affect the access of homeless providers or State and local communities to these properties.

I want to commend Representatives Moore and Duncan for introducing this bill. I also want to thank Chairman Waxman and Ranking Member Davis for their dedication to this issue for many years.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, it is wonderful to live in a democracy when we can recognize our athletes, when we can recognize our entertainers, we can recognize all of our people, along with doing the people's work.

The idea of a democracy says anyone at the lower end of the social economic scale as well as those at the top need recognition. We need to work together across aisles, not to be hampered by games that can be played, but sincerely coming together as a body representing the 280 million Americans and those who are not quite citizens and to do their work without phony procedures blocking our ability to make progress.

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

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow this House will have the opportunity to send the Iraqi Government a strong message: They're now responsible for their own reconstruction funding.

As we debate a new war supplemental, Democrats are bringing an amendment to the floor that requires all Iraqi reconstruction costs to be provided on a dollar-for-dollar match.

To date, the United States has spent an estimated $46 billion in reconstruction costs in Iraq, all while our infrastructure is crumbling. The Iraqi Government is also currently working under a budget surplus, while, thanks to the Bush administration, we continue to face record deficits.

The amendment also requires the Iraqi Government to charge the U.S. military in Iraq the same discounted price for fuel that it charges everyday Iraqis. Another fair measure considering that the Iraqis are expected to take in a record $70 billion in oil revenues this year.

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that Democrats and Republicans could come together tomorrow to pass this common-sense amendment so that we can invest in America, rather than Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3658) to amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel to United States territories for members of the Foreign Service.

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 as much time as I may consume.

I want to recognize our colleague from Puerto Rico (Mr. Fortuno) and the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, Mr. Faleomavaega, for putting forward a very important measure.

H.R. 3658 amends the Foreign Service Act to give the Secretary of State needed authority to ensure that foreign service officers from U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are provided the same benefits as their colleagues from the 50 States.

Currently, the State Department provides air transportation home from overseas assignments for the purpose of rest and recuperation to all foreign service officers who reside in any of the 50 States. However, current law does not permit the department to provide the same benefit to foreign service officers who reside in any of the territories.

The State Department has informed us that they do not have any objection to this measure. The cost of implementing it would be very small as it would impact very few foreign service officers.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution that would rectify an inequity in the treatment of our dedicated foreign service officers.

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

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

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

I have no other speakers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1011) calling on the United States Government and the international community to promptly develop, fund, and implement a comprehensive regional strategy to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian operations, contain and reduce violence, and contribute to conditions for sustainable peace and good governance in Chad, as well as in the wider region that includes the northern region of the Central African Republic and the Darfur region of Sudan, 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 rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I would first like to thank Representative Wolf and Chairman Payne for recognizing the importance of developing and implementing a strategy to resolve the crisis in Chad.

Chad has been politically unstable for over 40 years, suffering from civil

wars as well as ethnic and religious tensions. Human rights conditions remain notably poor, and the government lacks transparency and accountability.

In the past 3 years, as fighting between the government and rebels increased, 180,000 Chadians have been displaced, adding to the inflow of 290,000 refugees from the Central African Republic and Sudan's Darfur region. Although the government developed a plan for reform, and signed a peace agreement with rebel groups in 2007, the conflict has not ceased.

In February 2008, rebel forces, supported by the neighboring Sudanese government, sought to remove President Idriss Deby from power, killing hundreds of civilians in the process.

The 16 U.N. refugee camps suffer from water and firewood shortages, as well as periodic attacks on aid workers. New controls imposed by the Chadian government on humanitarian organizations hinder the movement of assistance and personnel.

In September 2007 the U.N. Security Council, followed by the Council of the European Union, approved the presence of a multinational security force to facilitate assistance and create favorable conditions for reconstruction and development.

The United States has provided over $338 million in humanitarian assistance since 2004 and also provides security assistance to the Chadian Army through the International Military Education and Training funds.

It is imperative that the U.S. work harder to develop and implement a sound strategy to protect and assist Chadians and other refugees and, together with the international community, condemn Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the National Congress for their support of the armed rebellion. Further destabilization in Chad will lead to wider regional instability and hinder the United States' counterterrorism capabilities in a very sensitive region.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this measure.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1166) expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding provocative and dangerous statements and actions taken by the Government of the Russian Federation that undermine the territorial integrity of the Republic of Georgia.

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

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

I am pleased to support this resolution that adds the House's voice to the chorus of condemnation from the administration and our European allies to the provocative actions taken in recent weeks by the Russian Federation against the Republic of Georgia.

I commend my distinguished colleague, Representative Wexler of Florida and chairman of the European Subcommittee, for promptly introducing this important resolution.

For several years, the Russian Government has promulgated policies that have increasingly sought to undermine the sovereignty of the Georgian Government and its territorial integrity over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Such harmful policies include awarding residents in these regions with Russian citizenship, Russian passports, and even the right to vote in Russian elections.

In addition, the Kremlin has assigned Russian officials to hold positions in the separatist governments in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It has also provided military equipment and volunteer fighters to support militias active in these regions. Such behavior is counterproductive to efforts to find a peaceful resolution to these conflicts and contrary to Russia's commitments to international peacekeeping.

Irritated by international recognition of Kosovo's independence despite its objections and incensed by Georgia's clear future in NATO, Russia escalated its dangerous actions towards Georgia in the weeks leading up to and immediately following NATO's Bucharest Summit. On March 6, Russia withdrew from the sanctions regime imposed on Abkhazia in 1996 by the Commonwealth of Independent States thereby eliminating the remaining limits on direct Russian economic relations with Abkhazia.

On March 21, the Russian Duma passed a nonbinding declaration asking the government to consider the ``expediency of recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.'' On March 25, Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's incoming president, spoke out against NATO membership for Georgia. During the NATO Summit, Russian President Putin sent letters to the separatist leaders of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to express his support for their regimes.

As outlined in this resolution, President Putin instructed his government on April 16 to establish official ties with these separatist regimes. He further ordered his government to recognize legal documents issued by these authorities as well as legal entities registered by them. The tension reached its climax on April 20 when an unarmed and unmanned Russian reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over Georgian territory, reportedly by a Russian MIG-29 fighter. Despite Russian claims of innocence, neither the Georgians nor the Abkhazian rebels have this plane in their fleet.

Last week Russia further strained relations by moving an extra contingent of troops into Abkhazia. The Kremlin claims to be responding to a Georgia military buildup along the border, which the Tbilisi Government denies. Although Russia's troop level remains within the 3,000 soldier limit allowed under the 1994 U.N. ceasefire agreement, NATO has backed Russia's assertion that any increase must be approved by all parties.

Such hostile actions are in stark contrast to the recent attempts made by Georgian President, Mikheil Saakashvili, to find a peaceful and lasting solution to this conflict in the Caucasus. As he rightly stated, ``There are no issues that we and the Abkhazians cannot solve through negotiations.''

On March 28 and April 12, President Saakashvili introduced new proposals to facilitate a resolution to the conflict. They included international guarantees of Abkhaz autonomy, broad political representation for the Abkhaz, the right to veto legislation related to the constitutional status of Abkhazia as well as its language and culture, and the establishment of a joint Free Economic Zone in the Gali region. President Putin has turned a deaf ear to these suggestions.

I ask my colleagues to join me in calling on the Russian Federation to revoke immediately its decision to establish official ties with these regions and to support the territorial integrity of Georgia's borders.

Rather than engaging in provocative acts, President Putin should respond favorably to President Saakashvili's call for active involvement by the Russian Federation as well as the international community to forge a peaceful and lasting solution to this conflict.

Furthermore, NATO should uphold its Summit promise to Georgia of a future in the Alliance by considering the extension of a Membership Action Plan at its December meeting. This act would welcome the country into the Euro-Atlantic community and could serve as a deterrent to further Russian aggression. I strongly support this resolution and urge my colleagues to join me.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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. 317) condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic constitution and scheduled referendum, 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 rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to thank my colleague Mr. Rush Holt for offering this important measure and for his tireless leadership in promoting human rights and democracy in Burma.

For more than a decade, the military regime in Burma has ignored the democratic aspirations of the Burmese people. As we saw in its bloody repression of last September's ``Saffron Revolution,'' the regime continues to trample on human rights. And it is squandering Burma's vast natural resources through spending on the regime and its weapons, while leaving the overwhelming majority of Burma's people in poverty.

Now the regime plans a May 10 referendum to institutionalize these policies through a sham constitution. The referendum attempts to give democratic legitimacy to a process that was designed by the Burmese military, implemented by the Burmese military, and benefits only the Burmese military. As such, it is anything but democratic.

Today, as Burma recovers from a devastating storm that left thousands dead and missing, with many more homeless, our sympathies are with the Burmese people. But it is not natural disasters but rather the yoke of the Burmese military that has left Burma's people impoverished and calling for greater political participation for more than 20 years.

It is especially appropriate that we stand with the Burmese people today as they face not only the devastation of the cyclone but also the continued devastation caused by this regime. Accordingly, I call on my colleagues to join me in condemning the Burmese junta's sham referendum and constitution.

By passing H. Con. Res. 317 today, we call on the administration, the United Nations, and the international community to support a legitimate, inclusive dialogue between the regime and opposition forces. Only such an inclusive tripartite negotiation can put Burma back on the path to peace and prosperity, where it rightfully belongs.

Please join me in support of H. Con. Res. 317 and offering support for restoration of real democracy in Burma.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he might consume to the gentleman from New Jersey, Representative Rush Holt.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1109) honoring the memory of Dith Pran by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the globe, 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 rise in support of this resolution, and I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Sires, for offering this important legislation in memory of a great American, Dith Pran. Through the film ``The Killing Fields,'' Dith Pran is for many Americans the face of the Cambodian genocide. That movie documented Dith Pran's personal struggle, his friendship and cooperation with New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg, and the larger horror of the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia.

Much as ``The Killing Fields'' reminded Americans of the Cambodian genocide, Mr. Dith's life work as a photojournalist and U.N. goodwill ambassador raised awareness around the world of the atrocities that took place for those in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge.

This resolution commemorates the work of Dith Pran's life, including his work as a photojournalist for the New York Times, his bravery in surviving the Cambodian genocide and escaping to Thailand in 1979; his advocacy for the Cambodian refugees and victims of genocide around the world after he became a U.S. citizen and a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations in 1994; and his work with former Senator Charles Robb to help pass the Cambodian Genocide Justice Act establishing an Office of Cambodian Genocide Investigations at the State Department.

Mr. Dith's work laid the foundation for ongoing justice and reconciliation tribunals within Cambodia that continue to this day.

For all these reasons, I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to join me as well.

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

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

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

Madam Speaker, it has been my privilege to represent California's 33rd Congressional District with the largest number of Korean American constituents in the Nation. The Korean Americans who live in my district and other neighborhoods in Los Angeles--and, for that matter, across the country--have made incalculable contributions to American life and society.

My purpose in mentioning the Korean American community--which now numbers more than 2 million people nationwide--stems from the arrival this week of President Lee Myung-Bak of the Republic of Korea, who comes to Washington to meet with President Bush, our congressional leadership, senior government officials, business executives, and Korean American leaders. I wish to take this opportunity to welcome President Lee and wish him well as he makes his first official overseas trip.

The United States and the Republic of Korea have shared a long and successful alliance. South Korea is a key partner in the Six-Party Talks aimed at assuring that North Korea does not develop and deploy nuclear weapons that could create a strategic imbalance in northeast Asia. The people of South Korea know better than anyone what the consequences of a nuclear-armed North Korea could be.

South Korea and the United States have also been political, diplomatic, and economic partners since the founding of the alliance 125 years ago. While our two countries were brought dramatically together through the Korean War, which ended in an armistice 55 years ago, we have worked together consistently in a much less dramatic way since then.

For instance, South Korea and the United States are close business partners with over $80 billion in annual bilateral trade volume. In fact, South Korea is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States. Goods and services move between our two countries on a daily basis.

The pending U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will not bring with it just economic benefits, many of which were described in a recent study released by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but also positive geopolitical and geostrategic consequences.

Approving the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will strengthen our relationship with one of our most important and indispensable allies in Asia and give the United States a permanent economic foothold in the most dynamic and fastest growing region in the world. This agreement will also provide a counterbalance to China's emergence as a dominant market player in that region and worldwide.

The Free Trade Agreement will complement the likely admission of the Republic of Korea into the Visa Waiver Program, making it easier for Korean travelers to visit the United States as tourists or as students, or for business or family purposes. I can attest that many of my constituents are looking forward eagerly to Korea's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, which will bring with it many economic benefits aside from--and in addition to--those benefits that will accrue from the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Madam Speaker, I have just barely touched on the many important issues that will be discussed this week while President Lee is in Washington. The South Korean President's visit gives us a special reason to address these topics, but it does not mean that the conversation will end when he returns home. I know from experience that my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment will be exploring these issues in depth in the weeks and months to come.

We welcome the opportunity to hear directly from President Lee his own views and the views of his government on these matters that affect both South Korea and the United States.