Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3670, the Anti-Spoofing Act, which I authored along with Congressman Barton and Congressman Lance.

The bill addresses the problem of caller ID spoofing, which is the scrambling of caller identification numbers. It is a tool often used to defraud unwitting recipients of phone calls and text messages.

It is often stated that a measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Almost every day, I receive new reports of caller ID spoofing that harms the most vulnerable in our society. Immigrants, seniors, veterans, and those in need of help from law enforcement are all primary victims here. That is why this bill is endorsed by senior citizen groups, law enforcement groups, and consumer protection groups.

Shortly after entering Congress, I pursued this issue because of complaints from a local civic organization and seniors in my district. But I quickly realized it is affecting Americans in all corners of our country, in all of our districts.

I think the fact that this is plaguing so many of our communities is a big reason why we have so much bipartisan support here for this bill.

H.R. 3670 is an update to the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009. That legislation first criminalized malicious caller ID spoofing. But since the passage of that law, scammers have used legal loopholes and new technologies to circumvent it, thus, malicious caller ID spoofing is on the rapid rise again.

So it is time to strengthen and tighten existing law and shut down the routes by which it is being circumvented, and that is what our bill does. H.R. 3670 sets forth three important changes to current law.

Number one, the bill broadens current law to prohibit caller ID spoofing from foreigners. This is crucial because U.S.-based companies now spoof calls to U.S. residents with intent to do harm, but originate such calls from outside of the United States.

Number two, the bill broadens current law to include new Internet- based Voice Over IP services that enable callers to make outgoing only calls from computers and tablets to mobile and landline phones. This is a technology that was undeveloped in 2009 when the Truth in Caller ID Act was adopted and, therefore, unaccounted for in the law. But it has now grown and has contributed significantly to the caller ID spoofing problem.

Number three, finally, our bill broadens current law to include text messaging.

In closing, I would like to thank Mr. Barton and Mr. Lance for working with me to write this bill, Chairmen Upton and Walden and Ranking Members Waxman and Eshoo for all their guidance and leadership, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee members, most of whom gave this bill great time and support, and all the other cosponsors.

I would also like to thank the committee and personal staffs for all of their hard work.

I urge a ``yes'' vote for H.R. 3670.

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 subject of my Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, we gather this evening to discuss anti- Semitism. It is a plague that has ravaged the world for thousands of years, yet in the last few weeks, it has reared its ugly head globally in a way we have not seen in a long time.

It is truly shocking. From Berlin to New York, we are hearing chants of ``Gas the Jews.'' And this is not hyperbole. We are actually hearing chants of ``Gas the Jews'' around the world.

And these are not isolated incidents. We are seeing hundreds and thousands of people rallying and sometimes attacking synagogues in Europe. It is one thing to protest against events going on in the Middle East, but there is simply no justification and no reason for doing it right outside any Jewish place of worship. These are brazen acts of anti-Semitism.

Now, I cannot possibly understand anti-Semitism to the same extent as my Jewish friends. But I think it is crucial that non-Jews speak out forcefully against this disease because to effectively combat anti- Semitism, we need non-Jews to step up and also lead on this issue.

I would like to focus my remarks today on two related issues, the international and domestic dimensions of anti-Semitism.

With regard to anti-Semitism beyond our borders, I would like to focus on one case, that of France. I am focusing on France because I think it is really the front line right now in the war against global anti-Semitism, and I think it is an instructive case for how policy leaders here can face this issue.

In France right now, there is a war. On the one hand, we see some of the most widespread and atrocious acts of anti-Semitism, but on the other hand, we see a government--most particularly, Prime Minister Valls--acting forcefully against anti-Semitism. The words and actions of the French Government, most particularly Mr. Valls' recent assertions that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism, are unprecedented and should be acknowledged as such.

So what we have here are two sides: virulent anti-Semites on one side, and on the other, a democratically elected government that appears resolved to take them on. Rather than throw our hands in the air and say that France is a horribly anti-Semitic place and that all the Jews should leave, we ought to get in this fight.

Anti-Semitism is a complicated issue, not a black-and-white issue. Yes, France has a deep history of anti-Semitism, but it is also a country that has had a Jewish President and one that nearly elected another a couple of years ago. It has the third-largest Jewish population in the world, and there is a reason for that. It is also a country that historically has proven itself capable of changing. We need to recognize this history and work with France's leadership and civil society to fight this battle and remain hopeful. What happens here will, I believe, affect the future of the Jewish people.

This brings me to the domestic dimension of our problem. We obviously have anti-Semitism in this country as well, although not to the degree we see it in Europe. It is essential that Jews and non-Jews speak about this problem to their own communities, and we have to continue to encourage that here in Congress.

In New York, Mr. Jeffries and I are leading a program whereby Jewish, Asian, and African American college students are gathering to discuss foreign policies and the perspectives of the respective communities in relation to key foreign policy issues.

We must speak regularly about Israel, BDS, and other issues of importance to our Jewish friends and neighbors, not just when there is a major international incident. The reason I say this is because it is also far easier to hate someone you don't know than to hate someone that you do know.

Mr. Speaker, as we head into the August recess, I urge my colleagues of all stripes to discuss the dangers of anti-Semitism with their communities and to build bridges between communities so that we may reduce hatred and bigotry.

I also urge my colleagues as statesmen and -women to engage the international community in a positive way on this issue and believe in and fight for a Europe and world of lesser anti-Semitism.

With that, I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from Florida, Ms. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the first Jewish woman from Florida elected to Congress, a tireless advocate and one of the great Jewish leaders of our time.

With that, I would like to yield to my friend from Florida (Mr. Deutch), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, a mentor on many of those issues, a good friend, fellow Wolverine, tireless fighter, and defender of Israel.

In conclusion, we stand today united as a Congress to condemn acts of anti-Semitism through the world and right here in our communities. Hate is never the answer. We must always speak up.

I would like to end by reciting a well-known poem by Martin Niemoller:

First, they came for the socialists--and I did not speak

out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the

trade unionists--and I did not speak out because I was not a

trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews--and I did not

speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and

there was no one left to speak for me.

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

Mr. Chair, I submit an amendment to H.R. 3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act. My Amendment would require the Secretary of Education to report to Congress, once every ten years, the needs of limited English proficient students using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Mr. Chair, I represent a substantial number of new Americans who have worked very hard to provide for their families and make a better life for their children. These children have worked hard, made good grades, and have earned their way into college. Like most Americans, they need help affording college. FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the key form that students and their parents need to fill out to determine the federal financial aid they qualify for.

Applying for financial aid can be a difficult and confusing process for any student. When students and their families don't understand the financial obligations associated with student loans, they often waste their own money and government dollars.

This is a particular problem for newer American students and their families, who can face significant language barriers when using FAFSA. These families often end up relying on for-profit companies that charge hundreds of dollars to help translate this free application.

My amendment is an important step towards addressing the issues facing limited English proficient students. By requiring the Department of Education to report to Congress, we ensure greater transparency from the Administration on how they serve the needs of these students.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support of the Hezbollah Financing Prevention Act of 2014. Hezbollah has killed more Americans than any terrorist group other than Al-Qaeda, and it threatens Israel and America daily. Hezbollah has a far larger and more sophisticated rocket arsenal than Hamas, and it is now offering to support Hamas in its current, ongoing terrorist actions against Israel. This great threat of rockets is the reason the House increased iron dome funding for FY15 at the request of me and Mr. Roskam of Illinois.

But it's sanctions that have emerged as America's most powerful deterrent against bad actors in the world. And as we draw down militarily from the Middle East, we must aggressively pursue sanctions against sponsors of terrorism. That's what the bill before us today does. This legislation will help us cut off Hezbollah from the international financial system and cripple Hezbollah's media operations.

The bill also contains an amendment drafted by Mr. DeSantis, Mr. Deutch and me that will enable the disruption of Hezbollah's global logistics networks and its fundraising and money-laundering activities. Our amendment also requires the Obama administration to shed light on those countries that either overtly or covertly enable any sort of Hezbollah activities within their borders. This provision is particularly important in the Hezbollah context, because there are far too many countries that outwardly condemn Hezbollah's military and terrorist activities while privately fostering environments where Hezbollah can operate politically and financially. Well no more, not if you want to do business with the United States.

I thank Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Deutch for their leadership and partnership, the sponsors of the bill--Mr. Meadows, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Royce, and Mr. Engel--for crafting such important legislation, and committee staff for all their hard work in putting it all together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for ending the separation of Cyprus which has existed since 1974. It is time to finally end the 40 year division of Cyprus and I am hopeful that the Cyprus settlement talks will accomplish that critical goal. The reunification of Cyprus is among the most pressing foreign policy matters that exist in the world today.

A reunited Cyprus would finally end the occupation and injustice that has existed on the island for far too long. Only by solving this crisis can Greek and Turkish Cypriots live side by side in peace, and work together to improve stability and prosperity in the region. It is critical that Congress express its support for a resolution and that our country stand ready to provide assistance in any way it can. A united and unified Cyprus is in America's interest, with many benefits to our economy, bilateral relations and national security.

I urge all parties involved in reunification talks to continue working towards a lasting solution. While there is not yet light at the end of the tunnel, there are some bright spots peeking through. I look forward to the negotiations moving forward and hope that one day soon, a divided Cyprus will only exist in the history books.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of my constituent, Pat Toro, decorated Vietnam veteran, longtime former president of the Queens chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and retired law- enforcement officer. Pat passed away on Thursday, July 3, at the age of sixty-four, after a long battle with leukemia.

Pat served his country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the United States he continued to serve his community as a criminal investigator for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In addition to being the President of the Queens chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Pat held the positions of Southern District Leader and National Director at Large.

During his tenure with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Pat was profoundly dedicated to improving the quality of life and preserving the history of his fellow veterans. He started a program to provide dignified burials for indigent veterans, which gave ninety people the proper respect they had earned. One of Pat's goals was to construct a memorial that would honor the more than 400 fallen Vietnam veterans from Queens. Although this project remains on hold, completing it would be a fitting honor to Pat's memory.

There is not a better example of unbridled patriotism and service than Pat Toro, who was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame in 2006.

I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me and rise in memory of the courageous and benevolent American hero, Pat Toro, who provided an immeasurable service to some of the most deserving Americans.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 308, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of H.R. 4028, the Protect Cemeteries Act, which I authored.

This resolution amends the International Religious Freedom Act to include the desecration of cemeteries among the forms of violations of the right to religious freedom.

I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for helping to craft and advance this bipartisan resolution and for recognizing the seriousness of cemetery desecration. There is truly a bipartisan and collaborative spirit on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and that is a testament to its excellent leadership.

I would also like to thank Congressman Doug Collins for his partnership here and valuable contributions to the bill, and thank you to both Republican and Democratic committee staffs for recognizing the value of this resolution and working so hard to bring it to the floor today.

I would particularly like to thank Janice Kaguyutan, Jessica Kahan, and Doug Campbell for all their help and great work. Thanks as well to Agudath Israel and to Dr. Bernard Fryshman for his dogged advocacy on this issue over many years.

The resolution is short, but--I believe--very significant. We are strengthening the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 by addressing the sanctity of burial grounds. Pursuant to this act, the United States can impose penalties on countries that obstruct religious freedom. These include, but are not limited to cutting foreign aid, imposing trade sanctions, and canceling cultural and scientific exchanges.

There are two related problems we seek to address through this legislation. One is the religiously motivated vandalism of cemeteries that occurs with alarming regularity. The second is the building and development over cemeteries in places where there are no communities remaining to protect and look out for the cemeteries. H.R. 4028 will give our diplomats a new tool they can use to protect our interests.

H.R. 4028 also empowers the commissions on International Religious Freedom and on the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. The latter commission was established in the 1980s through legislation introduced by the late Congressman Stephen Solarz.

It works to identify and preserve cemeteries, memorials, and buildings in foreign countries that are associated with the cultural heritage of Americans, and it does much work in areas of the former Soviet Union, where Jewish communities were destroyed by the Holocaust and where power subsequently passed to atheistic, communist regimes.

It is essential that we act to protect religious freedom in these areas where, as we know, political instability and anti-Semitism are widespread. The genocides of the 20th century destroyed communities and left their burial grounds uncared for and unpreserved.

The preservation of cemeteries often reflects the religious tolerance and freedom of the countries in which they

are located. It is my hope that this resolution will help promote such preservation and greater tolerance, respect, and empathy around the world, as well as honest assessments of history. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4028.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Seeing no other speakers, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, anti-Semitism and religious intolerance remain all too prevalent in our world. We grapple with these issues in some form every day.

This resolution will give American officials real tools with which to promote not only religious tolerance, but truth, truth in the form of preservation and recognition of the memories of those who came before us, and only through truth can we realize a better world.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 218, had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of my constituent, Paul Markowski. Paul is a Behavior Detection Officer with the Transportation Security Administration based at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, NY. While off-duty, Paul assisted a man in distress, saving his life.

On the afternoon of April 13, after finishing their shifts while walking to their cars, Paul and his colleague, Michael Dougherty, spotted a man who was signaling for help. They quickly approached and found the man struggling to breathe while waving a nonfunctioning inhaler. As the man began to have a seizure, Paul and Michael caught him before he fell, and then gently laid him on the ground. Other officers noticed the situation and subsequently called for an ambulance. The man was successfully transported to a nearby hospital.

Paul's actions were nothing short of heroic. Speed, teamwork, and willingness to act all played a role in helping save the man's life. I was honored to speak with Paul on Friday afternoon to thank him for his exemplary service. I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives join me and rise in recognition of the decisive actions displayed by Mr. Markowski.

Madam Speaker, I also want to thank my colleagues, Congresswomen Carolyn Maloney and Marsha Blackburn, for championing this important issue.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 863 to establish the commission to study the potential creation of a national women's history museum. This bipartisan legislation is a small step to ensuring women's stories are shared, celebrated, and inspire future generations of Americans. Unfortunately, women's stories and accomplishments have consistently been forgotten, or presented only as a footnote.

Despite the great strides women have made in America, we are still underrepresented in essential sectors, such as business, government, and the critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Research has demonstrated that one of the factors limiting success for women and minorities is the lack of both celebrated specific role models and overall restricted representation.

In other words, simply having a museum showcasing women's accomplishments as an integral part of our history--whether it is individuals who broke barriers, social movements led by women, or the demonstration that women were not necessarily defined by men in their lives--will ultimately lead to more young women and minorities striving to break the glass ceiling and create a more equitable society for us all.

The National Women's History Museum already hosts online exhibits, but a building complete with permanent access to resources would allow for further research and increased access for our citizens.

This legislation allows for the creation of a commission to study the feasibility of creating a permanent museum, and prohibits Federal funds from being used for this project. I encourage my colleagues to support this long overdue legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Week of the Young Child. The National Association for the Education of Young Children started the Week of the Young Child in 1971; and since that time, this week has focused public attention on young children and young parents, two groups that don't have high-priced lobbyists to advocate for them here in Washington.

For this reason, I cofounded the Congressional Kids Safety Caucus, where we seek to raise awareness on preventable child injury. Additionally, assisting in the care and education of our youngest are amongst the highest yielding and most just investments our government can make.

So I call today on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to recommit themselves to working toward high-quality early childhood education for all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 3729, a bill originally introduced by Representative Andrews of New Jersey, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Thank you. I again also want to thank the gentlelady from California for her tremendous efforts in speaking up and advocating for so many people who are voiceless.

Mr. Speaker, I come before you today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war on poverty. Our Nation has had many successes over the last 50 years. Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and Pell Grants are incredible programs that help our entire country. However, even with these successful programs which deserve our recognition, this is not a time for celebration.

After five decades, many would think that our congressional leaders were still committed to fighting poverty and reducing the gap between the haves and have-nots. I would still think that we are committed to helping hardworking Americans who have fallen on rough times through no fault of their own.

The war on poverty is far from over. Instead of pressing the issue, we are retreating from it. 1.3 million Americans just lost their unemployment insurance and are suffering from long-term joblessness. If we don't renew the program, 383,000 New Yorkers will lose access to benefits over the next 12 months. We would also be responsible for preventing an increase of GDP by 0.2 percent and the blocking of 200,000 jobs.

For me, and I know for many in this Chamber, inflicting avoidable pain on this country is unacceptable. With no political gimmicks, we must vote to renew unemployment insurance now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, the Flushing Remonstrance Study Act, H.R. 3222.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the Flushing Remonstrance and significant local resources. The Flushing Remonstrance is an important part of my local history, and I would like to take a few moments to discuss its origins and influence on our country.

The Quakers of the mid-17th century were prohibited from practicing their religious traditions in the New Netherland, which included parts of what is now New York State. In response, a group of local activists wrote the Remonstrance as a declaration against religious persecution. Although 356 years old, its intent still shines brightly in the ideals our Nation embraces today.

On December 27, 1657, 30 English citizens stood against oppression and asserted the rights of Quakers and other religious minorities to practice their religion.

They wrote:

We desire . . . not to judge lest we be judged, neither to

condemn lest we be condemned, but rather let every man stand

or fall to his own master.

This petition, known as the Flushing Remonstrance, made a forceful argument against judging and condemning others for what they believed. It was met with great opposition from the local government in what is known today as Flushing, Queens.

One of the greatest and most outspoken proponents of religious freedom at the time was an English immigrant named John Bowne. At great risk to himself, John invited the Quakers to hold religious services in his own home. He was arrested for doing so, fined, and then banished to his homeland of Holland for his crimes. While in Holland, John Bowne appealed to the influential Dutch West India Company to return home. His pleas of justice were accepted. Because of Bowne's empathy and strong convictions for religious freedom, the company demanded that religious persecution end in the colony.

Bowne's story of personal courage should not be forgotten. Our Nation was founded upon the ideals that foster a tolerant society, the same ideals that Bowne practiced every time he opened his door to a Quaker seeking refuge from persecution. Bowne's home, which served as a symbol of religious freedom to so many, was converted into a museum in 1947 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

It is important that we continue to preserve and understand the historical significance of the Remonstrance, strengthening its ties to the Queens community and beyond. To help achieve this goal, I introduced the Flushing Remonstrance Study Act, which will help the Queens community connect to its rich past in possibly new and exciting ways. The Bowne House could benefit from further Federal study; and other associated locations, such as the Quaker Meeting House, should be considered for registry.

The story of the Flushing Remonstrance is not for New Yorkers alone. It is a precursor to a fundamental right to practice one's religion. It is a value in our First Amendment. I am proud to represent a district that tended to the early roots of religious freedom that have now grown into an unquestionable American right. I hope the Flushing Remonstrance Study Act and the December 27 anniversary will help us all remember the courage of John Bowne and the passion for religious freedom held by the authors of the Flushing Remonstrance.