Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Maggie Rodriguez, who recently accepted the lead anchor role on the nationally televised CBS ``Saturday Early Show.'' Maggie has been covering south Florida with CBS's local affiliate, CBS 4, for 7 years. As a news anchor on the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts, Maggie has delivered news to millions of people in my community on a regular basis since the year 2000.

Maggie is a product of south Florida who has distinguished herself in her chosen field of journalism. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, located in the heart of my congressional district. In 1991, she graduated from the University of Miami, my alma mater. As a fellow south Floridian, I am very proud to honor Maggie on her many achievements. She is moving to New York, but she will always be welcomed in her hometown.

Her husband, Michael, is the general manager of Telemundo's local affiliate in Miami. I am sure that Maggie will continue to spend significant time down home in south Florida.

Since beginning her career with Univision in 1991, Maggie's warm personality, coupled with her strong work

ethic, has made her very successful. She has delivered breaking news on a number of notable stories throughout the years. She has extensive experience covering natural disasters. Before taking over as news anchor on CBS 4, Maggie reported on earthquakes and mudslides with KABC in Los Angeles. With CBS 4, she has, unfortunately, covered numerous hurricanes. Like any newscaster in south Florida, the long hurricane season every year has kept Maggie busy.

When hurricanes hit our region, local newscasters play a pivotal role in helping residents prepare and recover from hurricane damage. Oftentimes, they provide around-the-clock coverage. Most recently, Maggie did outstanding work reporting on Hurricane Wilma which severely impacted our region in the year 2005.

Maggie will be moving to New York where she spent significant time reporting for CBS 4 in the aftermath of 9/11. Maggie was noticed by CBS executives for her coverage of this year's Super Bowl in Miami. This led to guest appearances on the ``Saturday Early Show'' and eventually to a full-time position on this program.

Maggie is a great role model also for Hispanic girls in our community. She received the Young Hispanic Leadership Award from the Hispanic Heritage Council for both her professional accomplishments as well as her efforts in strong community service.

As a local news anchor, she has become an active member of our community, lending a helping hand to those in need. Her professional portfolio has garnered several awards, including six Emmys, along with two Edward R. Murrow awards.

She will be missed by so many people who tune in every afternoon and evening to watch her on CBS 4. However, we look forward to watching her on Saturday mornings nationwide. Her pleasant personality makes her ideal for this new role.

Once again, I congratulate Maggie Rodriguez as she begins this new chapter in her life. She truly deserves the recognition she has received, and now millions of Americans across the country will have the opportunity to watch her on Saturday morning.

Godspeed, Maggie.

Madam Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project of South Florida, whose efforts on behalf of so many families in my Congressional district should be applauded. This program has partnered with local schools in Miami-Dade County, Florida, the fourth largest school district in the country, to address the growing number of social issues affecting our children.

Many social challenges facing students today are felt away from home, oftentimes in the classroom. By offering interactive workshops at local schools, students gain an understanding of how to deal with situations they have already faced or may soon encounter. These circumstances range from instances of bullying and peer aggression to cases of sexual harassment and abuse. Often times, these topics are not comfortable for students to deal with, making CAP's role vital for the social well- being of our children.

As a mother of two girls currently attending college, I understand how important these programs can be in making parents and loved ones feel more comfortable about their children's education. With enrollment at schools growing, classroom sizes have increased nationwide at our public schools. This has made it more difficult for teachers to enforce respectable and cordial behavior. Therefore, it is imperative that schools and teachers receive proper support from outside specialists like CAP.

CAP's range of expertise extends beyond the classroom. Counseling can be crucial for children in the unfortunate circumstance of neglect and abuse at home. In cases of sexual harassment and abuse, counseling at school is sometimes the only outlet for children. This makes CAP's role even greater in South Florida's schools.

Since 1984, CAP has provided abuse prevention strategies to over 270,000 children, families and teachers in Miami-Dade County. Abuse prevention workshops oftentimes provide children with the tools necessary to protect themselves from conflicts, either at school or at home. The Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project of South Florida provides a great example of community organizations working together with schools to improve learning environments for our children.

Once again, I commend CAP for its efforts on behalf of so many in my community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

President Ronald Reagan said, ``We must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have.''

This courage and this commitment are most clearly evident with our men and women serving our Nation in Iraq. I see it in my stepson Doug and my daughter-in-law Lindsay, who were Marine officers flying missions in Iraq. Lindsay is now serving in Afghanistan. I see it in a valued member of my committee staff, Matt Zweig, who just returned from a 1-year tour of duty in Iraq. They believe in, and have fought for, our mission. And their courage is palpable.

And I think of the Parsons brothers in my congressional district. You have heard me speak about them before. All three of them were my West Point nominees. I have known them since they were just young boys. Bill Parsons is serving his second tour in Iraq. The youngest boy, Charlie, is on his first deployment in Iraq. Huber Parsons is on his third deployment to Iraq.

But today Huber, and his Stryker Brigade, was hit by a deeply buried IED. The Stryker caught on fire, and Huber thought that he was going to burn to death as the Stryker fully caught on fire. They were battling small arms fire as they pulled him away. Their driver was killed. Huber suffered a broken leg and a broken ankle, but his spirits are high. He will soon be in a military hospital in Germany. But his commitment to the mission, unwavering.

The father, in deep pain, wrote to me in an e-mail just a few hours ago, and he said, ``We are but man and only know in part. But we know that we have a great God, and we give Him praise in all things.'' He said, ``Yes, even in this.''

He adds, ``Please pray for the families of those who have paid the greatest price, for Huber's complete and speedy recovery . . . and for the men whom they command and lead and for all the men and women who serve our Nation.'' And he says, ``And pray for the wisdom of our President, all policymakers, and all commanders.''

Yet we stand here today, Mr. Speaker, faced with a supplemental that seeks to put these valiant efforts on an installment plan as they face a brutal, ruthless enemy that seeks to kill Americans wherever they are, as this supplemental ties the hands of our military commanders, as it doles out funds in pieces, and yet it provides millions to the United Nations and other international organizations through next September. This cannot, this must not, stand.

For the Parsons brothers and for all who serve our Nation and risk their lives every day, let's succeed and let's vote against this supplemental.

I thank the gentleman from California.

Mr. Speaker, last month, a member of the majority leadership stated, ``This war is lost, and the surge has not accomplishing anything.'' He further stated, ``We are going to pick up Senate seats as a result of this war,'' and adding that he had been shown numbers that are compelling and astounding.

I cannot imagine that there were many in either party who were not shocked by these brazenly cynical words.

This past Saturday, I sat down with Phyllis and Huber Parsons, constituents from my congressional district who have three sons serving in Baghdad. They are pictured here in the poster behind me. They are officers with the Army Stryker Brigade. They said to me that remarks such as the ones that I just quoted by our congressional leaders ``made them sick.'' Their sons, Charlie, Huber and Bill, are not bullets to be used to hit a political target. And while some of my colleagues may not agree with the administration's efforts to win the battle against Islamic jihadists in Iraq, the Parsons brothers should not be abandoned without ammunition to defend themselves.

My stepson, Doug, and my daughter-in-law, Lindsay, both served in Iraq. Lindsay is now in Afghanistan. They were not following the orders of would-be generals here in Congress. They were serving their country and their President, whom the Constitution clearly states is the commander-in-chief.

Not one of us here in Congress can usurp that role. Nor can we fill the role of General David Petraeus, who bears the enormous burden of directing this war and who has said that our mission is just and necessary.

These men and women of our Armed Forces, such as the Parsons brothers and my stepson and daughter-in-law, understand their mission. They understand that they are locked in a generational struggle with global Islamic radicals who seek our destruction. If we declare that we have been beaten in this phase of the struggle and then retreat, it will only grow, it will follow us home, and it may never end.

Imposing a timetable for withdrawal of our forces and retreating over the horizon, as some have suggested, will not insulate us from the terrible strategic consequences that would result. This fighting will spill into neighboring countries, threaten our allies and then spread throughout the Middle East.

In addition to these frightening strategic consequences, if we surrender the Iraqi nation to the terrorists, we would open the gates to a potential humanitarian crisis of epic proportions, including mass murder and displacements of thousands and thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women and children that our retreat helped make possible.

Let me remind the advocates of defeat of the words of one of our former presidents who battled against the legions of those who sought to block his efforts to save democracy for this country and for the world. He said, ``This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny. In this world of ours, there are some people, who seem to have grown too weary to carry on the fight. I believe in my heart that only our success can stir their ancient hope. They begin to know that here in America we are waging a great and successful war. It is a war for the survival of democracy.''

These are the words of Franklin Roosevelt, and I think were he here today, I am confident that he would never give in to those who say that we have lost and who demand that we retreat.

I ask my colleagues to uphold the President's veto and demand a clean supplemental to support our troops in the field, to give Bill, Charlie and Huber Parsons the resources they need to achieve victory in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, thank you for bringing up this important resolution to this floor today. And I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 272, which recognizes the historical significance of the abolition of transatlantic slave trade. It respects the memory of those who perished as a result of slavery. It supports preservation of related historical documents, and it urges greater education about this sad period in history for both current and future generations.

While addressing the Community of Democracies' opening plenary in Chile on April 29, 2005, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated: ``We at the Community of Democracies must use the power of our shared ideals to accelerate democracy's movement to ever more places around the globe. We must usher in an era of democracy that thinks of tyranny as we thought of slavery today: a moral abomination that could not withstand the natural desire of every human being for a life of liberty and of dignity.''

While Secretary Rice's remarks were specifically on the promotion of democracy around the world, she reminded us of a very unsettling fact. Even 200 years after the abolition of the slave trade in the United Kingdom and nearly 145 years after the Emancipation Proclamation in our United States, slavery still exists in the modern world. It exists through tyranny. It exists through oppression. It exists where human rights and freedom are systematically repressed.

Secretary Rice's statement serves as a call to action for those of us who would seek to break the shackles of tyranny and promote human dignity around the world.

I appreciate the bipartisan fashion by which we have sought to heed the Secretary's call and to recognize the significance of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, as evidenced by our consideration today of both this resolution by the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Lee) and House Resolution 158, offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts). Collectively, these resolutions remind us of the courage and the fortitude of those who came before us to fight the scourge of slavery, while helping us come to terms with our own shameful past.

I believe that there would be no better way to respect the memory of those forced to suffer under the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade, or to honor those who dedicated themselves to its abolition, than to stand together today in a bipartisan fashion and publicly recommit ourselves to the eradication of slavery and the promotion of human rights around the world.

Madam Speaker, I again thank you for bringing this important resolution to the floor.

Madam Speaker, because I know that the gentleman from New Jersey and the gentlewoman from California have many speakers on their side, except for the 2 minutes that I would like to yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) to comment on this important resolution, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.

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

Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), for introducing the bill before us, House Resolution 158, which observes the 200th anniversary of the end of the British slave trade and commends the heroic legacy of William Wilberforce, the outspoken British parliamentarian and Christian who was instrumental in its abolition.

The African slave trade was a heinous practice that inflicted degradation and misery on those millions of people whose human dignity it denied or destroyed.

In celebrating the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolition of the slave trade, we cannot help but reflect on the tragic fact that it took the United States another six decades and a wrenching Civil War to do the same, to begin living more fully according to the principles of our Founding Fathers.

I commend the author of this resolution, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts), for focusing on the challenges of the present day, in addition to the sins of the past.

Although the scourge of formalized slavery has been eliminated in the west and for much, but not all, of the rest of the world, millions of women, children and men suffer similar severe assaults on their dignity and liberty today as victims of trafficking, sexual servitude, and forced labor.

This resolution is a welcomed opportunity to publicly recommit ourselves to the protection of human dignity. In the words of the man whom we honor in our resolution, William Wilberforce, he said, ``Let us act with an energy suited to the importance of the interests for which we contend, stimulated by a consciousness of what we owe to the laws of God and the rights and happiness of man.''

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts) be allowed to control the remainder of our time.

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

Mr. Speaker, with this week being Olympic Week in America in our Nation's elementary schools, there is no better time for us to extend our congratulations to the City of Chicago for being selected to represent the United States in the competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Chicago is a world-class city, known for its culture, history, people and love of sports, and pizza, and the Bears and the Bulls.

In addition, it boasts renowned architecture and a significant transportation infrastructure and numerous venue options for major events such as the Olympic games.

This is the first step in the international process whereby the final selection for the site of the games will be made in October 2009. Chicago's likely rivals in the 2016 competitions include Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Tokyo, Madrid and Prague. Other than Miami, of course, I can think of no better city to represent the United States of America in its bid for the Olympics games than Chicago.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to our Speaker, Speaker Hastert, the gentleman from Illinois.

I would like to yield as much time as she might consume to Mrs. Biggert from Illinois.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for the time.

At this difficult moment and in previous difficult moments in our Nation's history, there have always been those ready to declare that all was lost. Now we hear the voices of those proclaiming that the war against Islamic extremists in Iraq is lost. They say they support the troops, but the soldier cannot be separated from his mission.

When I consider the Parsons brothers from my congressional district, I know that our country has immense resources of courage and determination on which to draw. Huber Parsons was with the 101st Airborne for two long deployments in Iraq, and is currently on his third in Iraq with the Army Stryker Brigade. His twin, Bill, has served two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq. Their little brother, Charlie Parsons, is on his first deployment to Iraq. All three are serving in Baghdad right now, all three proud graduates of West Point.

Given the sacrifices and bravery of the Parsons brothers and all of the men and women serving our Nation in Iraq, we must not put them at risk by mandating artificial deadlines for withdrawal and surrender.

The consequences for our troops is a personal one for me. My stepson Doug and my daughter-in-law Lindsay both served in Iraq as marine fighter pilots, and Lindsay is currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Last time I spoke on the floor, I said Lindsay was about to be deployed. Well, she is there now, we are proud of her service. We are proud of all of the men and women serving our Nation wearing our Nation's uniform.

Imposing an artificial, arbitrary deadline for withdrawal of our forces before Iraq is stable and secure will give the insurgents and the Islamic terrorists a road map, a how-to guide on how to defeat the U.S., our Iraqi partners and other coalition forces in Iraq.

Let's help the Parsons brothers. Let's help all of our troops. Vote against the rule and against the conference report.

I thank the gentleman from California for the time.

Mr. Speaker, whether or not some choose to acknowledge it, we are at war with militant Islamists who seek our destruction. Yet some on the other side of the aisle today announced that the war is lost in Iraq. This comment shows little understanding of the ability and the determination of our men and women in the Armed Forces.

Naysayers and those who doubt our Nation's ability to prevail over evil have existed throughout the centuries, and it appears that there are those who doubt the ability of this century's greatest generation to defeat these Islamist militant extremists operating in Iraq.

Our mission is just. The soldier cannot be separated from his mission. All I have to do is look to the inspiration of the Parsons brothers from my congressional district, who are serving in Iraq. They know that we must and indeed we can succeed.

Huber Parsons was with the 101st Airborne for two long Iraq deployments. He is currently on his third deployment with the Army Stryker Brigade. His twin brother, Bill, has served two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq. And their little brother, Charlie, is on his first deployment in Iraq. All three brothers are deployed in Iraq right now.

I ask for the Parsons brothers and for all of our brave men and women serving our Nation in Iraq that we not put them at increased risk with these arbitrary, artificial deadlines.

My stepson, Douglas, and my daughter-in-law, Lindsay, both served in Iraq as Marine fighter pilots, and tomorrow Lindsay will be deploying to Afghanistan to continue her military service.

Arbitrary deadlines and the consequences of retreating and failure are personal issues for me. Establishing arbitrary deadlines for withdrawal of our forces before Iraq is stable and secure gives the insurgents, as well as the Islamic extremist terrorists, a roadmap, a how-to guide, on how to defeat the United States, our Iraqi partners and other coalition forces in Iraq. Our troops understand this. Our enemies understand this. Our allies understand it; we must as well.

We met with Egyptian leader Mubarak just 2 weeks ago in a bipartisan congressional delegation, and this is what he told us: ``Withdrawing from Iraq without creating stability will mean that the U.S. will suffer and all of us in the region will suffer. I know how these terrorists think,'' Mubarak said to us, ``and they will come after you and then come after us.''

He continued by saying, ``The way to control Iran is for the U.S. to succeed in stabilizing Iraq. Withdrawal of your forces in Iraq without making Iraq stable will strengthen Iran and will cause you harm and will cause all of us harm.''

Mr. Speaker, we either stand now against the Islamic militant jihadists operating in Iraq or have these militants continue to threaten our men and women fighting the forces that seek our destruction. We cannot leave our troops serving in Iraq or anywhere else vulnerable to the whims of armchair generals in Congress.

Support our troops. Reject this motion.

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

I rise in support of House Resolution 196, which expresses the support of this House for the goals and ideals associated with World Water Day.

The lack of access to safe drinking water and the lack of adequate sanitation systems continue to be major problems for poor people around the world despite our strong efforts over many decades to help address those challenges. The lack of clean water and sanitation systems in many parts of the world lead to the spread of disease and to the deaths that might otherwise have been avoided and undermines the efforts we take to assist poor people around the world as they seek a better life.

Madam Speaker, I just got back last week from a heart-wrenching trip to Darfur, and we saw firsthand how important a resource water is to so many people. We saw, by visiting the clinics, how many people are afflicted with the diseases that are borne because of the water that is not pure, that is not sanitized and that is, in fact, full of bacteria. I understand how important it is to support the goals and ideals of this resolution before us commemorating World Water Day.

In addition to sanitation and access to clean water, the conservation of water resources is, itself, an increasing challenge around the world. Conservation of drinking water will, in fact, remain even a greater challenge in the near future as mankind's population continues to expand and the demand for fresh, clean water increases.

In calling for the appropriate Departments and agencies of the United States Government to increase our efforts to support access to clean water, availability of sanitation systems and conservation of water, this resolution properly cites the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 enacted in the last Congress, which called for a greater focus on the objectives that are associated with World Water Day.

This resolution rightfully seeks to highlight this global problem encouraging all of us to observe World Water Day every year on March 22. I support the intent of this resolution and its adoption by this House.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

I am now pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), who is the former chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment, and representing a district that surrounds Knoxville and includes Knoxville, who passed a resolution supporting the ideals of the issue before us.

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

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

I am very pleased to be an original cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 100, authored by the esteemed Chair of our Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). And this resolution, Madam Speaker, condemns the Government of Zimbabwe for its latest assault against political freedom and human rights in that country.

Once hailed by some as a liberator, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has been exposed as a tyrant and a thug.

Under his authoritarian rule, Zimbabwe boasts the highest rate of inflation in the world, currently standing at an estimated 3,000 percent. Formal sector unemployment stands at 80 percent. Literacy rates are declining, and life expectancy has plummeted to 38 years. Thirty-eight years is the life expectancy in that country.

Large scale commercial farming has been effectively destroyed by a disastrous land reform program which ultimately displaced poor black farmers in favor of political cronies, and acute food shortages which have since left Zimbabweans dependent on international food aid.

The very same party that emerged from a hard-fought struggle for majority rule, shouting slogans of equality and justice, has now taken to arresting, to beating and to intimidating anyone who dares to challenge its policies.

It is clear that, absent meaningful corrective measures, Mugabe's legacy will be defined by his responsibility for the ruinous policies and draconian laws that have brought untold suffering to his people and the near collapse of Zimbabwe as a nation.

Rather than address the underlying inequities that have driven Zimbabwe to economic and political ruin, Mugabe prefers to engage in soapbox demagoguery and espouse conspiracy theories of Western imperialism.

He interferes with the work of nongovernmental organizations that are attempting to aid Zimbabweans in need. He harasses, he threatens foreign diplomats, and he even revokes the visas of congressional staffers from our Foreign Affairs Committee attempting to travel to the region to get a clear understanding of what is happening in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe thumbs his nose at Western nations that condemn his assault on basic human rights, particularly those who appear committed to helping Zimbabwe realize its potential through true democratic reform.

Zimbabwe's neighbors and the African Union should take proactive measures to help resolve this crisis, including by pressing the Mugabe regime to immediately halt its brutal crackdown, to release political prisoners, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition and with civil society.

The President of Zambia already has stepped up to the plate in this regard, and South Africa would be well advised to follow suit.

I thank the gentleman from California again, our chairman of our Foreign Affairs Committee, for introducing this very important and timely resolution. And I urge the full support of our House.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the former Chair of the Africa Subcommittee, now the ranking member, Mr. Smith of New Jersey.

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

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

Madam Speaker, as always, it is a delight and a joy to work with our chairman, Tom Lantos of California. And I join him as an original co- sponsor of The American Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007.

The American Red Cross, as Mr. Lantos has pointed out, is an institution with a unique status. It has been assigned the responsibility by Congress of fulfilling the obligations of the United States under the Geneva Convention for carrying out peacetime and disaster relief functions. This obligation has not been a small undertaking. The Red Cross has been helping victims of war and natural disasters since its founding in 1881.

As a Member of Congress from Florida's 18th District, I am well aware of the great job, the amazing efforts of Red Cross as an organization made up of volunteers, and in the way that they have responded to numerous hurricanes in my State and tropical storms. And so on behalf of the residents of my district and my State, thank you to the Red Cross and its many volunteers.

And it is precisely because of this, Madam Speaker, I applaud the Red Cross for the hard work that it has done to review its internal governance structures and proposed changes to its charter that will make it an even stronger organization so they can help more people that will reform the organization and take it into its next century of service.

I am pleased that the Red Cross was willing to accept additional significant proposed changes that will provide even more accountability and transparency in the manner in which it will report its findings regarding audits and investigations to the general public.

In the future, Madam Speaker, anyone will be able to log on to the Red Cross Web site and view the results of its finding for audits and investigations that are conducted by the ombudsman's office. This act alone will provide even further assurances necessary for the American public to feel confident that the Red Cross handles donations with the utmost care.

I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H.R. 1681. And I thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue.

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

Mr. Speaker, today we rise to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the founding of an organization truly worthy of the praise of this body and of our Nation.

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, AHEPA, was founded to embrace ideals which are prized by the United States and Greece both individually and jointly. The Greek American community seeks to embody the principles of AHEPA's mission, most notably: freedom from bigotry and discrimination, philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence through community service.

Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that the Greek-American community is represented by an organization of the caliber and effectiveness of

Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize someone who has contributed significantly to the growth of Miami for more than 30 years. Tibor Hollo is a wonderful man whose impact on South Florida can be seen from its skyline. Over the years, Florida East Coast Realty, which Mr. Hollo founded in 1952, has become an integral part of South Florida's development.

Today's skyline surrounding Brickell Avenue and Miami's financial district can be attributed to Mr. Hollo's vision. In 1972, he constructed Brickell Avenue's first high-rise building, which today is surrounded by countless others. In the years since, downtown Miami has changed drastically, many of its improvements a result of Mr. Hollo's entrepreneurship. It came as no surprise when Mr. Hollo received the Miami Visionary Award; he took chances, seized opportunity, and was rewarded for his determination.

Today, Mr. Hollo continues to be involved with many projects in South Florida. His company, Florida East Coast Realty, is celebrating its 55th Anniversary and continues to play a major role in South Florida's real estate market. Included among many noteworthy projects over the years has been the construction of two United States Treasury buildings and a United States Justice building. It was fitting

that he constructed the first high-rise apartment building of this millennium, opening the Bay Parc Plaza in January of 2000.

Miami is a city that will continue to grow and inspire us. I am grateful and proud of Mr. Hollo's accomplishments over the years. He has left a legacy others have pursued and will continue to follow for years to come. Miami's high-rise architecture is truly unique and sets it apart from so many other large metropolitan cities across this country. Once again, as a fellow South Floridian, I would like to recognize Mr. Hollo for his outstanding achievements.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a wonderful volunteer organization in my congressional district, Community Smiles/Dade County Dental Research Clinic. Community Smiles was established by a group of dedicated dentists in 1946 as the Dade County Dental Research Clinic. Their guiding principles are: to provide quality dental care, provide professional improvements and post-graduate education of dentists, and provide training to dental assistants for certification.

Community Smiles is a non-profit, community center that treats indigent populations in need of care. This clinic is celebrating 60 years of committed volunteer service to Miami-Dade County, during which thousands of patients have been treated pro bono. A remarkable record! The service this prestigious organization provides is invaluable to our community.

In 2006, more than 2,400 disadvantaged patients received services from 138 dentists, including major reconstructive treatment. As they begin this new year, they are ready and prepared to continue to provide an increasing number of patients with the best healthcare service possible.

I would like especially to recognize the current president, Dr. Robert Perdomo, III, for his leadership and dedication, and the immediate past two Presidents, Dr. Armando Paz & Dr. Shari Witkoff. Their unwavering pursuit of excellence has been an inspiration to the entire organization. It is their passion, talent, and service to the community of South Florida that makes our lives richer and Florida stronger.

Once again, I would like to thank Community Smiles/Dade County Dental Research Clinic for their continued commitment to the promotion of dental care. I congratulate Community Smiles on its achievement and service to the community.