Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, February 9, 2006, I was unable to be present to vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 670, congratulating the National Football League champion Pittsburgh Steelers for winning Super Bowl XL, rollcall vote 5; on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 657, honoring the contribution of Catholic schools, rollcall vote 6; and on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4297, the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act, rollcall vote 7. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on motions to suspend the rules and pass H. Res. 670 and H. Res. 657 and ``nay'' on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 4297.

Mr Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 817, the Animal

Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act. More than 150 local police and sheriff's departments have requested this legislation and I am pleased that the committee is considering it.

A few years ago, Congress enacted legislation to tighten Federal law and close some loopholes that allowed the barbaric practices of animal fighting to thrive nationwide, in spite of bans in virtually every State.

But Congress didn't finish the job. We left in place weak penalties that have proven ineffective. Misdemeanor penalties simply don't provide a meaningful deterrent. Those involved in animal fighting ventures--where thousands of dollars typically change hands in the associated gambling activity--consider misdemeanor penalties a ``slap on the wrist'' or merely a ``cost of doing business.'' Moreover, we've heard from U.S. Attorneys that they are reluctant to pursue animal fighting cases with just a misdemeanor penalty.

In recent years, we have seen a marked rise in the frequency of animal fighting arrests in communities across the country. Local police and sheriffs are increasingly concerned about animal fighting, not only because of the animal cruelty involved, but also because of the other crimes that often go hand-in-hand, including illegal gambling, drug traffic, and acts of human violence.

In addition, there are concerns cockfighters spread diseases that jeopardize poultry flocks and even public health. We in California experienced this first-hand, when cockfighters spread exotic Newcastle disease, which was so devastating to many of our poultry producers in 2002 and 2003. That outbreak cost U.S. taxpayers ``nearly $200 million to eradicate, and cost the U.S. poultry industry many millions more in lost export markets,'' according to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman.

It is time Congress finishes the job and helps State and local law enforcement officials who have requested stronger Federal laws to rid animal fighting from communities that do not want it.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, I was unable to vote on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 487, Supporting the goals and ideals of Korean American Day (rollcall 623); on the motion to suspend the rules and pass S. 1027, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of each of the Nation's past President and their spouses, respectively, to improve circulation of the $1

coin, to create a new bulletin coin (rollcall 624); on motion to suspend the rules and pass, as amended, H.R. 3422, the Small Public Housing Authority Act (rollcall 625). Had I been present, I would have vote ``yea'' on all 3 measures.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 529) recommending the integration of the Republic of Croatia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 529, a resolution introduced that supports the accession of Croatia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Since achieving their independence in 1992, the people of Croatia have built a democratic society based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a free market economy. In addition, they have sent troops to Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led security force in support of the war on terrorism and have provided strong support to the U.S. nonproliferation efforts.

Mr. Speaker, just last week the one remaining impediment to Croatia's entry into NATO was removed when General Ante Gotovina, the alleged Croatian war criminal, was arrested in Spain. General Gotovina has been transferred to The Hague to stand trial before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. His arrest last Thursday in the Canary Islands confirms the truthfulness of the statements by the Croatian Government that Gotovina was not hiding in Croatian territory.

House Resolution 529 commends Croatia's significant progress in strengthening its democratic institutions, its support for the global war on terrorism, and its ability to make significant contributions to NATO. It also applauds their ongoing cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal.

Finally, the resolution states that once it meets NATO's guidelines and criteria for membership, Croatia should be invited to join NATO at the earliest possible date.

Mr. Speaker, Croatia is not only a strong ally of the United States. The American and Croatian people share a love of freedom and democracy. Croatia has been a steadfast friend, and it will make an important contribution to security and peace in Europe and throughout the world as a member of NATO. Both the Europe and Emerging Threats Subcommittee and the House International Relations Committee unanimously approved House Resolution 529, and I urge its adoption in the full House.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, while I am not aware of the specific details that Mr. Kucinich outlined, I want to make it very clear I do appreciate his comment about Croatia and his feeling about its accession to NATO.

I would like to say, while I am not familiar with that specific incident, I firmly believe that Croatia's overall record has significantly improved in human rights over the past decade. Although Croatia may not be perfect, just 14 years ago the Croatian people were living under a communist dictatorship and in the intervening period has made great strides in human rights and I believe has a very free press.

Mr. Speaker, Croatia, like many other former communist states in Eastern and Central Europe, are relatively new democracies. There are still some areas that need improvement. However, there should be no doubt that the Croatian Government respects human rights and civil liberties.

I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would like to personally go on record to make the firm commitment to my good friend Mr. Kucinich from Ohio to work with him on this issue. I think we are on the same page, and I look forward to working with him.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

(Mr. SMITH of New Jersey asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just like to thank my good friend, the ranking member of the full committee, whom I have had the honor and pleasure of working with for many years, and thank him not only for his support, but powerful words this evening in support of this resolution. I ask our colleagues to join with us in passing this resolution tonight.

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

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote on H. Res. 571 on November 18, 2005 (Rollcall No. 608). Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 479) recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary, 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 such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this is a resolution introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking member on the Committee on International Relations, and recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956. It is estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 Hungarian freedom fighters and 700 Soviet troops were killed during the uprising and tens of thousands more were injured. The resolution also reaffirms the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary.

I am a cosponsor and strongly support H. Res. 479. The 1956 uprising by the Hungarian people was one of the most significant challenges to Soviet domination of Central and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. The crackdown by Soviet forces led to more than 200,000 Hungarians fleeing their country as refugees.

The brutality of the Soviet military action weakened both the standing and moral authority of the Soviet Union and Communist Party that were active in Western Europe. The 1956 Hungarian uprising was a pivotal event in the Cold War which eventually led to the downfall of the Soviet Union and the worldwide communist movement.

I urge passage of the resolution and commend Mr. Lantos for bringing attention to this very important and historical event.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to conclude by again commending my good friend from California (Mr. Lantos) for his leadership and his passion on this resolution, and join with him in urging our colleagues to support the resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, November 4, 2005, I was unable to vote on Agreeing to the Conference Report to H.R. 3057, making appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006 (rollcall vote No. 569). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution and in opposition to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations.

I recognize the need to streamline the military in order to save tax dollars, increase military effectiveness, and protect our troops that are serving across the world. I agree that we should close bases and realign functions that have outlived their usefulness. However, I support this resolution because the recommendations made by the BRAC Commission for Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu in my district do not serve these goals.

The BRAC Commission recommended moving specialized jobs on a target range from an oceanfront location at Naval Air Station Point Mugu in Ventura, CA to China Lake Naval Weapons Station, which is 150 miles inland in the high desert. This would necessitate the moving of flights and technicians back toward the ocean each time they are needed. Relocation of these flights and the technicians will increase response times to the range, reduce on-range time, and increase operating costs.

Furthermore, I've been told by a number of my constituents, the civilian scientists and technicians at Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu, that they do not wish to move from the ocean to the high desert. This would result in a tremendous loss of intellectual capital that would add to the cost and timetable of relocation as new scientists and technicians would need to be found, trained, and given the proper security reviews. Not only does this not appear to save money and increase efficiency, I am concerned that it will negatively impact military readiness.

This recommendation is forecasted to save a mere $6 million over twenty years. Given the fact that the figures provided by the Department of Defense have been consistently inaccurate throughout this process, I question whether it will be even this much. Furthermore, the negligible savings from these recommendations do not take into account the additional non-military costs incurred by communities due to unemployment benefits and other social welfare programs necessary to help those who lose jobs because of the base closures. This could end up costing the Federal Government more money rather than it saves.

Mr. Speaker, on Friday, October 28, 2005, I was unable to vote on agreeing to the conference report for H.R. 2744, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (rollcall No. 555); and on agreeing to H. Res. 523, Condemning Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's threats against Israel (rollcall No. 556). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, November 1, 2005, I was unable to vote on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3548, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located on Franklin Avenue in Pearl River, New York, as the ``Heinz Ahlmeyer, Jr. Post Office Building (rollcall 557); and on H.R. 3989, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 37598 Goodhue Avenue in Dennison, Minnesota, as the ``Albert Harold Quie Post Office (rollcall 558). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, September 11, 2005, I was unable to vote on the motion to approve the journal (rollcall No. 521); the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 457, Recognizing the importance and positive contributions of chemistry to our everyday lives and supporting the goals and ideals of National Chemistry Week (rollcall No. 522); and the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 491, Expressing the sense of the House with respect to raising awareness and enhancing the state of computer security in the U.S. and supporting the goals of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (rollcall No. 523). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on all three measures.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, September 29, 2005, I was unable to vote on passage of H.J. Res. 68, making continuing appropriations for Fiscal year 2006 (rollcall No. 507); and the motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Con. Res. 178, recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment and an eventual cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (rollcall No. 508). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both measures.

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to stand in strong opposition to the substitute and in strong support of the underlying bill. Unfortunately, I may not be able to stay for the vote because there are fires in my district and my neighborhood is being evacuated.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of my friend, former colleague, fellow Californian and Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox.

A capable and affable leader, Chris is well-suited to be the 28th SEC chairman. While in Congress, he served as a senior member of every committee with jurisdiction over investor

protection and capital markets, including the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Financial Services Committee, the Government Reform Committee and the Budget Committee. He also served as chairman of the Task Force on Budget Reform. He authored the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act and the Internet Tax Freedom Act.

It was no surprise that the Senate unanimously confirmed his SEC chairmanship on July 29,2005.

Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in honoring Chris Cox for his service in the U.S. House of Representatives and wish him Godspeed at the SEC.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, September 15, 2005, I was unable to vote on agreeing to H. Res. 437, to Establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (rollcall vote 475). Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''