Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding.

Let me say, first of all, we used to have--or we have--in the part of the

city that I live in, a statement that says, ``Give us your poor, your hungry, your huddled masses yearning to be free.'' We have people here yearning for food.

Now, I have heard my very good friend from Texas talk about rapists and murderers, et cetera, but the Congressional Budget Office, it talks about 200,000 children who will be cut off from the school program. That's not Democrats talking about it. It is the Congressional Budget Office that is talking about it, and we as a country should be focused on the least of these.

I think you judge a country by how you take care of the poor. Here we have clear evidence from an impartial group of about 200,000 children and hundreds of thousands of elderly individuals who will go hungry if we cut this $20.5 billion. This is what this is all about.

We talk about the future of America. Well, somebody within that 200,000 children, who are hungry, who will not have the ability to learn because their stomachs will be crying out for some food, could be the person that could take us where we want to go as a Nation. But what are we doing? In the name of saving money, which we are not, we are turning our backs on these children, on the elderly who have worked hard, many of whom came in with the sign of giving us your young, your poor, and your hungry.

Mr. Chairman, as an American, I am proud that for six decades our great Nation has been a leader in the global effort to fight hunger and malnutrition. I have seen for myself what we have been able to do, helping Haiti, Pakistan, Sudan, Kyrgyzstan, Botswana, and so many more nations, yet we can do better. We can reach millions more. We can enable local and regional producers to do more, and we can alleviate hunger while at the same time promoting agriculture development that is so desperately needed in many low-income and high- risk developing nations.

I've seen how much more we can do if we enable in-country producers with local procurement and technical assistance. Millions more can be reached more efficiently and effectively and we can better empower nations and their people with the ability to self-sustain.

Food reform makes sense. If our goal is to help as many people as possible with funds that are dedicated to fighting hunger, why not reach millions more for what we are spending today? I want it to be the case that we have reached many. When I go on future trips, I want to know that there is progress for recipient nations on how many we have reached. But I also want the capacity of those to have increased to help themselves.

Support and vote for the Royce-Engel amendment.

Mr. Chairman, today, I rise to demonstrate my strong support for this amendment, led by my colleague from New York, Mr. Gibson, to strike the olive oil price increase.

This amendment is needed to stop the unnecessary increase in olive oil pricing. The unfair marketing order being considered would place heavy restrictions and burdens on the importation of olive oil.

The United States is the largest importer of oil, importing approximately 97 percent of the olive oil Americans consume. The marketing order would result in tens of millions of dollars of costs for inspections a year, in turn raising the price of olive oil and making it incredibly expensive.

The inspection would occur only when it is produced, not once the product enters the United States. This tax on American consumers will hinder trade and undermine our international trade relations. It is clearly a non-tariff trade barrier, which will further complicate U.S. trade and export relations with our Transatlantic partners.

Just this week, the President has launched the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. This provision is against the spirit of the talks and trade with our largest trading partner. Current European Union free trade talks would be compromised, resulting in the loss of greater U.S. exports.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to strike the olive oil price increase.

Mr. Speaker, I'm puzzled. This is not the America that I know. It can't be.

When we were growing to make ourselves a great Nation, we were talking about trying to make sure that our young people had a free education. I can't figure out what's going on here. So many Americans that are doing well now, when I talk to them about when they were going to school back in the forties and the fifties and the sixties, it was a free education. Now we want to ask our young people, the ones that are going to be the middle class, the ones that are going to strengthen this country, to be more in debt than ever.

How could we say to our students--when we're talking about financial literacy everyplace and trying to teach them how to be financially able--that you've got to take a bait-and-switch loan? Didn't we learn anything from this last financial crisis?

What are homeowners doing now? All who had these adjustable-rate mortgages, all of them are running to make the adjustable-rate mortgages fixed-rate mortgages. And yet we take what we say are our precious resources--our children--to say that you've got to pay these resources is ridiculous. Some are wealthy, some are not.

Mr. Speaker, we were pleased to welcome the Hashemite King of Jordan, King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein to Washington a few weeks ago and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of our vital bilateral relationship. The United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan began their diplomatic relations in 1949, and have remained strong allies for over six decades. We collaborate closely with the Jordanians in multiple areas, including: security cooperation, economic development, humanitarian assistance and counterterrorism.

The timing of the King's visit is critical. The United States is working closely with Jordan to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria, which becomes increasingly dire with each passing day. Jordan is hosting approximately 500,000 refugees, and that number grows by 2,000- 4,000 refugees a day. Jordan faces tremendous economic and humanitarian pressures in the face of regional challenges.

Stability and peace in the Middle East hinges on a strong strategic alliance between the United States and Jordan. Jordan plays an important role in the Middle East peace process, having signed the historic Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty in 1994, normalizing relations between Jordan and Israel and establishing a partnership toward peaceful relations. Jordan is a strong advocate for moving the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians forward, often reiterating the need for negotiations and offering to serve as a mediator and host for peace talks.

Under the leadership of King Abdullah II, Jordan is the voice of moderation and progress in the Arab world, and recently implemented economic and political reforms. Now is the time to reaffirm the United States' commitment to and friendship with the people and Government of Jordan. Therefore, I am pleased to submit a resolution to recognize and highlight the long-term partnership and friendship between the United States and Jordan, working together towards peace and security in the Middle East.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to honor a respected leader in my community, Queens County Executive District Attorney Jesse J. Sligh. I have known Jesse Sligh for over 20 years and during that entire time his character and the way he conducts himself has been an example for all.

Since 1991, for twenty-two years, Mr. Sligh has served in the Queens County District Attorney's Office as an Executive of District Attorney Richard A. Brown's Special Prosecutions Division. The Special Prosecutions Division serves as a bridge between the Queens County District Attorney's office and the diverse people of Queens. The division proactively fights crime by building strong community partnerships, tackling quality of life issues, and spearheading crime prevention and mentoring programs that educate the youth of Queens about law enforcement and provide a positive structure for children who might otherwise head down the wrong path.

Mr. Sligh, the third of thirteen children, was the first member of his family to attend college, but not only did he attend college he graduated from the Ivy League Columbia University and then he earned his juris doctorate from Georgetown Law School here in Washington D.C. After that, he served our great nation as a Captain in the U.S. Army Jag Corps and earned an exemplary trial record in the process. In 1982, he joined the Queens County District Office. Jesse Sligh's talent impressed his supervisors and continued to impress them until he reached the position of Executive District Attorney. Thirty-one years later he still serves Queens County.

On Feburary 20, 2013 the Queen's County District Attorney office honored Jesse Sligh as a part of a Black History Month Celebration and I want to honor him today as well. Jesse, a man of great faith, is a founding member of the Erie Avenue Baptist Church in Philadelphia and he is a member of the Queens Executive Board for the Boy Scouts. Jesse has been a mentor to young and old, he is a true friend to everyone he has known, and he always offers help in times of need. I applaud Mr. Sligh for all he has accomplished and his service to our Country, his family, public service and God. I am proud that he is a member of my district.

Jesse, we thank you for your good and faithful work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend Time Warner Cable for its Connect a

Million Minds (CAMM) initiative designed to inspire the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outside of the classroom.

Time Warner Cable's campaign includes original public service announcements and programming, millions of dollars in grants to support non-profit organizations that introduce students to STEM in fun and informal settings and the creation of ``The Connectory,'' a one-of-a- kind resource that allows parents to find kid-centric STEM learning opportunities in their own backyard. CAMM also encourages Time Warner Cable employees to volunteer at science fairs, robotics competitions and local Connect a Million Minds events.

In this time of increased global competition and rapid technological change, STEM fields have become increasingly important for the development and maintenance of America's high standard of living. Unfortunately U.S. students' performance in STEM subjects has fallen behind their international peers. As of 2009, the average math literacy score for a 15-year old in the United States is lower than 17 other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries, and is lower than 12 other OECD countries on science literacy. Perhaps most troubling, data found that only one out of every five households had access to STEM extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, even in school, students today spend less time studying science than they did just 15-20 years ago.

Today, employers report that they are having a difficult time finding qualified applicants for STEM jobs, which, on average, pay $77,880, versus an average of only $43,460 for non-STEM jobs. This is a problem which will only worsen without serious effort and focus, as it is estimated that jobs in STEM fields will grow 17 percent by 2018, almost double the rate of non-STEM jobs. Given these figures, it is difficult to understate the importance of STEM education for both our nation's collective economic future and the future our nation's students.

In one program in New York, beginning in early February of this year, students will have a chance to see professionals at the BluePearl Veterinary Partners working in the field and help them using real equipment. Through their many programs they give students from low income families the chance to learn science through scuba diving, receiving tutoring, and going on field trips with STEM professionals. I am looking forward to working with them on programs in my Congressional District.

The CAMM program has not only focused resources in New York City, but also in cities, towns and states. With increased attention and support from community figures and leaders in the industries that will someday hire students in STEM fields, CAMM looks to be a tremendous success. In closing, I congratulate Time Warner Cable for its CAMM initiative; and I hope my colleagues understand the importance of such initiatives for all of our communities.

I thank the ranking member from the Rules Committee.

I stand here today as we deal with an American issue. It is an issue that is unique to America. It is an issue in which American people are saying we need help. It is an issue in which the American people say we want hope. I had the opportunity to look at Webster's Dictionary to see what ``hope''

meant. It said: ``Hope'' means to cherish a desire with anticipation. ``Hope'' means to trust. ``Hope'' means to expect with confidence.

Our people in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey have hope today-- hope that their Members of Congress and that the Members of Congress from all across this great land will come together and help them; hope that the Members of Congress will do like their people in their various States because the hope that came to many of the individuals who were victimized by the storm came from people from all over this country. Whether you come from the East or the West or the North or the South, the American people came to help.

So I'm here today for John Corey, a man in our community who works hard, a civic leader. I'm here for Josephine and Gary Robinson, small business owners of Goody's Restaurant. I'm here today for Joann Shapiro at Elegante Pizzeria. I'm here today for Peter Corliss, a homeowner whose entire home was damaged and had to leave it. I'm here for Julia Blair and Lou Simon, who have lost everything and want to know a better hope for tomorrow. I'm here today for Barbara and Richard Rampy, who have to move away from their home because they can't stay there. I'm here for Americans. Let Congress be here for our American people.

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

I'm pleased that today on this floor, though it may be a little late, that we'll finally act on a piece of legislation that's vital to the Superstorm Sandy disaster relief legislation to increase the borrowing authority by FEMA on behalf of the National Flood Insurance Program.

By increasing financing by $9.7 billion, this bill will enable the provisions of a central relief of 120,000 flood victims who have waited for far too long for the payment on the claims.

I support today's bill as an important step for recovery from Superstorm Sandy. When taken as a whole, the House's actions today, I believe, still are slow--67, 68 days have gone by--and I know we've got some commitments, but we're moving forward, and I'm hopeful that we will get the full entitlement that the individuals from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut vitally need. Some of the programs, of course, that need essential funding include the Army Corps of Engineers, who worked to protect New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut shorelines in coastal communities, and the Small Business Administration so they can provide loans to help small businesses.

But let me, before I yield back my time, take some special time to thank Mr. Garrett. I want to thank every member of the New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey delegation for working collectively together to try to make sure that our people--because this is an issue that affects the American people--that our people receive the kind of aid that they need. I particularly want to say to my friends Mr. Grimm and Mr. King of New York, and I've seen several times that they've sat and worked together collectively with our Governor, whom I also want to give a special thank-you to, Governor Mario Cuomo, and Governor Chris Christie from New Jersey, for working cooperatively, not as a Democrat or a Republican, but working as an elected official to come together to the aid of people who need aid, aid from a terrible storm.

And so I'm hopeful as we move forward--we do the $9 billion today, and do what we need to do by January 15--that we get certain things done and finally the people of this region receive the kind of aid that they need.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from New York, Mrs. Carolyn Maloney.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to now yield 1 minute to a young man who has been a leader in this from New Jersey, the Honorable Frank Pallone.

Madam Speaker, I apparently missed it earlier; I want to thank Mr. Garrett especially for his request earlier to make sure that we included on this bill every Member from the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut delegations as sponsors of this bill, and every member of the committee. I want to thank the ranking member, Ms. Waters, for agreeing to be an original cosponsor on this bill. It shows that we're all working at this together. And I want to thank Mr. Garrett for his cooperation in allowing everybody from this delegation, both Democrats and Republicans, to be a part of this bill.

Now I'd like to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished whip of the Democratic Conference, the individual who walked with me in Breezy Point and up and down Rockaway Beach, the Honorable Steny Hoyer.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the ranking member and the fighter for small businesses throughout America, the honorable Nydia Velazquez.

(Ms. VELAZQUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

I yield the gentlewoman an additional 20 seconds.

I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished ranking member from the Appropriations Committee and a hard fighter, the one and only Nita Lowey.

At this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Bill Pascrell.

At this time, I yield 1 minute to the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Honorable Eliot Engel from the great State of New York.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).

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

Madam Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request.

(Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

I now yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York on the Judiciary Committee, the Honorable Jerry Nadler.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey, the Honorable Mr. Sires.

I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney, for his initial floor debate.

Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

I yield 30 seconds to the gentlelady from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

I reserve the balance of my time.

I have one additional speaker.

I yield 1 minute to the ranking member of the Financial Services Committee, a fighter for the people, the gentlelady from the great State of California, the Honorable Maxine Waters.

I yield myself the remaining time.

It's 70 days. It is unprecedented that this region has not been treated like the other regions when they were in need of help. It's 70 days. Now we are going with this bill today, and what we are receiving is a promissory note, a promissory note that on January 15 we will be able to say to the people from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who were victimized by this storm that their United States Congress-- their House of Representatives--is going to be by their side.

So we have a promissory note. I will be concerned until we have the votes that are necessary for the people of this region and until the promissory note has been put into the bank and stamped with sufficient funds. The people have been suffering. They have suffered long enough. They need to hear from their government that their government is with them just as it has been with everybody else in this country.

I, for one, wherever the disaster may be, want to say that we've got the support. To this Congress, let's make sure we put forward this promissory note because I don't think a Democrat or a Republican can go back home after January 15 and say that the promissory check has bounced. We have to come back collectively and say to the people who are suffering that they, in fact, have been helped by their government, by their people.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, last night when I came to the floor for the first time since I've been in this body, my heart was hurting. I understand politics, but this should not be about politics. This should be about leadership.

The first thing I want to do is to say to the Speaker, Come walk with me, Mr. Speaker. Come walk with me. Let's walk the beaches of the Rockaway Peninsula. You will see a peninsula where every soul, no matter whether you were rich or whether you were poor, no matter whether you were black or whether you were white, every individual, no matter what your religious belief was, every individual was affected by this storm, everyone.

Come walk with me, Mr. Speaker, as Steny Hoyer did, and talk to the people, look into their eyes, understand their needs. Come walk with me, Mr. Speaker. Maybe then you can have the leadership that is necessary to get this bill passed today. Come walk with me, Mr. Speaker.

If you can't walk with me, Mr. Speaker, for any reason, then go walk with Michael Grimm. If it is a partisan issue for you--because it's not for me--go walk with Michael Grimm on Staten Island, Mr. Speaker. You will see the same pain that the people in the Rockaways have. It's the same pain because they're the same people. They are the American people. This is the United States of America, and this is the people's House.

We make jokes all the time about the Senate. The Senate stood up and passed the bill. This is the people's House, Mr. Speaker. We are supposed to do the right thing for the American people. I'm proud of being on the Foreign Affairs Committee, going all over the world and talking about what we've got to do and how we help folks, how we help other individuals all over this world.

We have Americans, Mr. Speaker, who are crying out for help, who are saying they don't know where their tomorrow is. We have Americans, Mr. Speaker, who are worried to this day right now that we may have another northeaster tomorrow. And with the sand gone and the dunes now down, we'll have another disaster. They're asking me as their Member, Will our government help us? Where are you?

Mr. Speaker, we need leadership. Come walk with me, Mr. Speaker. Come walk with me, and see the American people that are suffering.

Today we have an option. We are confronted with a bill that we can vote for or vote against. We can allow us to go over the ceiling, or we can try to come together and pass something that probably on both sides of the aisle no one agrees with 100 percent. It seems to me, while I have long advocated for a big deal so we don't have to continue fighting in regards to the debt ceiling or sequestration, that we've got to make sure, though, that we do something. And this bill that will come to the floor today I will vote for with many a thing in the bill that I don't like. But I'm sure from listening to some of my colleagues, there are many things in the bill that they don't like.

Generally, I find that when both sides don't like something, then maybe we are moving into the right direction and maybe we are moving forward in a positive way for the American people. So I come to the floor saying I'm not fully satisfied, but it's all right because I think we have to move forward and do the best that we can for the American people.

I'm sitting here in shock this evening. This is supposed to be the people's House. We are the United States House of Representatives. There are Americans that are suffering because of an act of nature. It is our obligation, not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but as Americans to make sure that we come to the aid of Americans. And that's why in this issue, Democrats and Republicans have worked together in any kind of crisis. Especially when it goes to natural disasters, we've always come together.

How can we, at this critical point, turn our backs on Americans? This is not supposed to happen here. It happens other places.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot turn our backs on our citizens who need us. Some will not have a place to stay for a long period of time. People have suffered, and people need food. We are Americans. This is what's supposed to separate us from everyone else. I am absolutely shocked.

Mr. Speaker, you have to reconsider.

Mr. Speaker, regretfully, I have to oppose H.R. 6429 although this is an important issue that needs to be addressed. There is a need for legislation that attracts and allows highly-skilled immigrants and students who graduate with advanced STEM degrees to live and work in the United States. The STEM Jobs Act of 2012, however, fails to address fundamental issues while creating additional inequities in immigration.

It is increasingly necessary to American industries to keep these highly qualified individuals, whom we have educated, to help develop and grow our businesses instead of forcing them to take their talents elsewhere. The number of full-time graduate students in STEM fields who were foreign students (largely on F-1 nonimmigrant visas) grew from 91,150 in 1990 to 148,923 in 2009, with most of the increase occurring after 1999. Despite this rise in foreign student enrollment, the percentage of STEM graduate students with temporary visas in 2009 (32.7 percent) was comparable to 1990 (31.1 percent). The visas are not increasing to keep up with the talent; and according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, ``growth in STEM jobs was three times as fast as growth in non-STEM jobs'' over the past 10 years.

Clearly we must create a way to incorporate this untapped potential into our own economy instead of creating a ``brain-drain'' and sending these highly-skilled immigrants overseas. Our economy needs the growth that comes with filling these jobs.

If enacted, this bill would allocate immigrant visas to a select group of individuals and would eliminate the long-standing Diversity Visa program that allows individuals from countries with low rates of immigration access to visas. It places a band-aid on an issue that needs a real long-term solution, and does not allow for equal and fair access to visas. H.R. 6429, as constructed, is a poison pill that obscures the true need for comprehensive immigration reform.

I want to first thank ranking member Howard Berman for his leadership on this, as well as to thank Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6156, the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. Granting permanent normal trade relations with Russia and Moldova is long overdue; and with this vote we look to the future and put aside some longstanding vestiges of the Cold War.

I strongly endorse granting permanent normal trade relations to Moldova. Since 2001, when Moldova entered the World Trade Organization, the United States has been in noncompliance with WTO rules because Congress has failed to repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Moldova is a Western-oriented, fully democratic country, and Moldova deserves to be treated as an economic partner so we can strengthen our ties to her further.

We will hear lots today about the economic, human rights, and foreign policy implications of this bill; and Russia will be at the center of the debate.

But I hope that we do not lose sight of this most basic point. At its core, today's vote on Russian PNTR is about an evolving relationship. The U.S.-Russia relationship has been at the top of our foreign policy agenda for more than half a century. The fact that the House has deliberated for so long to bring H.R. 6156 to the floor is an indication that this is still an important relationship.

In 1974, when the Jackson-Vanik amendment was enacted, there was a Soviet Union, and the purpose of the amendment was to end the Soviet Union's policy that prevented the immigration of Jews. The objective has long since been met, and since 1991, Russia terminated fees on Russian immigrants. This is why, since 1992, the United States has certified that Russia complies with Jackson-Vanik and we have normal trade relations with Russia.

The bill before us today simply makes that policy permanent. It also replaces the human rights policy of a bygone era with a more appropriate one for the issues in Russia today. In so doing, we allow U.S. businesses to take advantage of the many rules-based market opening and tariff reducing commitments that were part of the Russians' WTO accession package, and we uphold our longstanding commitment to protecting human rights and human dignity.

Madam Speaker, we are nearly 3 months behind our biggest global competitors. The U.S. is the only one of the over 150 WTO members that did not immediately benefit from Russia joining the WTO. We are the only one. Only until we repeal Jackson-Vanik, Russia has a right to suspend all agreed upon WTO trade concessions with regard to the U.S. We're talking about losing out on hundreds of millions of dollars in just tariff cuts alone. Passage of this bill will expand our engagement with Russia and better facilitate the exporting of our goods.

But trade is never just about the movement of goods and services. It is also about the transformative flow of people, ideas, best practices, and values. Increased trade may be the most efficient way yet to promote rule of law, fight corruption, support human rights, and inspire a civil society in Russia.

With passage of H.R. 6156, we get beyond the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a Cold War relic, and level the playing field for American businesses and provide encouragement for whistleblowers. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in favor of H. Res. 526.

The House consideration of H. Res. 526 this week coincides with the final weeks of preparation for the October 1st Parliamentary elections in Georgia. The international community is watching the election closely, and I would like to commend the Georgian government for facilitating both long and short term international election observers to ensure that both the pre-election environment and the election itself is conducted in accordance with international standards.

It is critical that all political parties in Georgia participate constructively in the election process, and that campaign and election laws are followed and applied fairly and transparently. I call on all political forces to accept the election results as legitimate, if deemed so by credible, international election observers.

I believe more must be done to ensure that smaller political parties have access to the main televised media platforms of both the ruling party and opposition. The `must offer, must carry' provisions passed by the Georgian Parliament are a step in the right direction, and I urge the Parliament to consider making these provisions permanent.

I would like to commend the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute and the OSCE for their work with both the Georgian government and opposition to ensure that peaceful, credible elections take place. It is crucial that the Georgian electorate and the international community has confidence in this process, in order for Georgia to continue on its path towards democratic and economic reforms, and continued Euro-Atlantic integration.

Georgia remains a critical ally, and one of the strongest pro-western countries which has proven itself immensely capable in Afghanistan and other conflict zones, currently as the largest non-NATO troop contributing nation to ISAF.

NATO allies agreed at the recent summit in Chicago to enhance Georgia's connectivity with the Alliance. Georgia's ability to build on reforms made to date to foster greater political competition, labor rights and judicial independence will be an opportunity for Georgia to prove itself when measured by international standards. Georgia's NATO aspirations will be facilitated by the ability to meet those standards and conduct free, fair and inclusive elections in 2012 and 2013.

I commend the Georgian government's progress on transparency and the fight against

corruption, as well as political, economic and judicial reforms, and encourage Georgia to continue this modernization process regardless of the election results.

I encourage my colleagues to support H. Res. 526 in order to strengthen U.S. engagement with the Republic of Georgia by helping Georgia to enhance its security and restore its territorial integrity through peaceful means, and supporting the Government of Georgia's commitment to a policy of peaceful and constructive engagement with the authorities in control of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my colleagues an important matter for the U.S. economy: Services. I am pleased that there have been several important discussions this week on the topic of the U.S. services sector. This week the Coalition of Service Industries hosted the Global Services Summit, the Global Services Coalition met, and House Ways and Means held a hearing on the benefits of expanding U.S. services trade through an International Services Agreement.

As co-chair of the Congressional Services Caucus, I hope my colleagues will join me and the 63 members of the caucus as we continue to push for greater awareness of the importance of the services industry to our nation's economic wellbeing. Services make up the majority of the workforce in every congressional district.

Services jobs accounted for over 83 percent of U.S. private sector employment, and U.S. services exports in 2011 reached $588 billion with a surplus of $193.5 billion--a new annual record. We have a good story to tell.

Congress must be on the forefront in the effort to break down barriers and increase market access for the services sector. We cannot relent until this sector gets the respect it deserves at the WTO, in bilateral and multilateral agreements and beyond.

I know that in my hometown, New York City, services are the lifeblood of the economy. Services in our city account for the bulk of private sector employment, and financial services are particularly critical. The strength of New York's services industry isn't just a benefit to New York. There is a multiplier effect in the U.S., and globally. We know that other sectors like manufacturing and agriculture benefit when the services industry is strong. We also know that nations with whom we are interdependent benefit when the services industry is strong.

One of the best champions for U.S. services is Bob Vastine. Bob Vastine was president of the Coalition of Service Industries for 16 years. This week marked the passing of the torch from Bob to Peter Allgeier who has been a champion for U.S. trade in his own right. Peter and the team at CSI are great partners in the Congressional Services Caucus' mission to raise awareness about the critical issues that impact the services sector.

The work of CSI was on display this week during the Global Services Summit. The entire lineup was on the pulse of the issues we are considering in Congress. TPP, the EU-US high level working group, cross border trade, restrictions on services trade--India--China--all right on the pulse. I commend CSI, the Global Services Coalition, and my colleagues on Ways and Means for making this a great week for U.S. services.

I wish my friend Bob Vastine best of luck in his future endeavors. I'm confident that whatever they may be, they will encompass his passion and commitment to advancing the U.S. services sector and in so doing advance us all. Godspeed.