Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank my chairman for his leadership and for his time.

Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and as cochair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, I rise in support of H.R. 5682, the Henry J. Hyde United States-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006. I would like to thank Chairman Hyde, as well as Ranking Member Lantos, for their dedicated work on this issue and for their willingness to work with me and so many members of our House International Relations Committee, as well as the House as a whole, to ensure that the conference report before us tonight achieves the difficult balance of expanding cooperation with our democratic ally, India, while also promoting U.S. global nonproliferation policy.

Because the conference report closely tracks the bill which was passed overwhelmingly by the House in July, I need not list its specific provisions, other than to say that it preserves the central features of the House text, such as ensuring that Congress retains its traditional role in approving nuclear cooperation agreements.

Also in reinforcing the indispensable role of the nuclear suppliers' club in preventing proliferation and encouraging India's cooperation in stopping Iran's efforts to develop their nuclear weapons capability. It has been significantly strengthened by the inclusion of many important sections from the companion legislation approved by the Senate.

Let me address the larger and more important context in which this legislation should be viewed. By providing the legal foundation for civilian nuclear cooperation between the United States and India, it achieves a key step of the global partnership with India that was announced on July 18 of last year by President Bush and Prime Minister Singh. This far-sighted and historic initiative is a long-delayed recognition that the two largest democracies share an extraordinary array of common interests and that a closer and increasingly cooperative relationship between them holds enormous potential to promote the strategic partnerships and interests of both. If allowed to grow, it will undoubtedly produce a major realignment of the international system as a whole and an entirely positive one.

India and the United States have already traveled a long way toward building that new relationship. India stands alongside the United States in the effort to confront and eliminate the scourge of global terrorism and to reduce the instability and the conflict in South Asia and elsewhere. We look forward to expanding the areas of common interest and joint action. Nowhere is that cooperation more important, Mr. Speaker, than in stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.

I should note that this legislation affirms that India is a country that has demonstrated responsible behavior with respect to nonproliferation of technology related to weapons of mass destruction programs and the means to deliver them and that it is working with the United States in key foreign policy initiatives related to nonproliferation.

To further that goal, this legislation establishes as U.S. policy securing India's participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative, which is a cooperative arrangement among the world's powers to intercept the illicit movement of nuclear materials and other dangerous items by sea or air. India's cooperation would be a major addition to the world's efforts in this difficult but essential task. I am confident that her government will move quickly to assume a more prominent position among the initiative's growing ranks.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I am glad that this historic bill carries the name of Henry Hyde; a leader of great proportions, a mentor to so many of us, a man of principles, a living legend, our friend, Henry Hyde.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 2370) to promote the development of democratic institutions in areas under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, Senate bill 2370, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006, seeks to prevent U.S. tax dollars from reaching the hands of Hamas-controlled Palestinian Authority until Hamas agrees to recognize Israel, renounces violence, and agrees to all previously made agreements.

In January of this year, Mr. Speaker, Hamas, a terror organization responsible for murdering and injuring hundreds of Israelis and scores of American citizens, took control of the Palestinian Authority. This was a tremendous blow to the efforts of the United States and to the international community that have been working to bring peace and security to the region.

Since Hamas took power, the terror group has made it clear that they have no intention of changing their hateful charter which calls for the destruction of Israel.

In fact, rockets launched by Palestinian extremists continue to rain upon Israel, and the flow of cash and weapons that are being smuggled into Gaza from Egypt is providing the terrorists the means to carry on with their destructive agenda.

The U.S. must isolate the Hamas-led government financially and diplomatically through implementing this bill. Among other provisions, Mr. Speaker, the Senate version of the bill denies visas to any officials of the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority and designates the territory controlled under Palestinian Authority as a terrorist sanctuary under the 9/11 recommendations.

Similar provisions were in the House-passed version of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act. However, let us focus on what is arguably the most important concern for us, the parameters and the restrictions relating to assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

While not ideal, as we would have preferred the House text in this regard, the Senate version of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act works in tandem with current U.S. law and strengthens components of the current policy.

For example, current U.S. law prohibits direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority, but it offers a broad national security waiver, and it is applicable only for the duration of the fiscal year appropriations. The Senate version of the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act provides a very limited waiver for:

``National Security Waiver: In general, subject to paragraph (2), the President may waive subsection (a) with respect to:

(A) the administrative and personal security costs of the Office of the President of the Palestinian Authority;

(B) the activities of the President of the Palestinian Authority to fulfill his or her duties as president, including to maintain control of the management and security of the border crossings, to foster the Middle East peace process and to promote democracy and the rule of law; and

(C) assistance for the judiciary branch of the Palestinian Authority and other entities.''

Some of this is allowed in the House version. However, the President may only exercise this authority after, and I am reading directly from the bill: ``Consulting with and submitting a written policy justification to the appropriate congressional committees and certifying to the appropriate congressional committees that it is in the national security interest of the United States to provide assistance otherwise prohibited under subsection (a); and (ii), the individual or entity for which assistance is proposed to provided is not a member of or effectively controlled by, as the case may be, Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization.''

Further, Mr. Speaker, the Senate bill also has a number of reporting requirements that further increase congressional authority and oversight.

Essentially, under this language, if the Congress does not believe that the threshold has been met, we can place a hold on the proposed funding and prevent such assistance from going to any individual or entity of the Palestinian Authority that is linked to Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization.

We must look at the bill in its totality, Mr. Speaker, and the safeguards that it places on indirect assistance which coincide with many of those appearing in the House bill.

Further, while the Senate bill does not contain provisions concerning the PA and Palestinian-related activities at the United Nations, the Senate authors are committed to working with us next Congress to address these other components and make such changes as necessary to reflect the changing conditions on the ground.

This bill sends a strong message about the direction of the United States policy and provides a strong foundation from which to build on. I ask my colleagues to render their full support of this bill.

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

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

Let me just say, again, that it is always such a pleasure to work with my wonderful mentor, Mr. Lantos, on all of these issues dealing with the Middle East, and I hope to be working with him in an even closer manner in the future. He has been a true friend. And also Chairman Hyde who has been very generous in allowing all of the bills from our Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee to come to the floor of the House. And we hope that this is just the beginning of a long road to peace and security in the Middle East.

I thank Mr. Weiner for the wonderful contributions that he made to the House text, and we will work on those issues in the next session.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would simply emphasize that this bill is but the beginning of our efforts to deny Hamas or any other foreign terrorist organization the economic resources, the political legitimacy and the excuses to pursue their threatening agenda. Hamas and other Islamic terrorist entities and their supporters are now put on notice.

We clearly outline in this bill the path to peace and security, requirements that include those outlined in international agreements. It is up to Hamas leaders to heed this call. If they do not, we will return to the floor next year to address developments on the ground. Until that time, we must undertake efforts to ensure that the United States taxpayers are not directly, nor indirectly, contributing to Hamas activities and policies.

This bill, Senate bill 2370, provides a critical tool towards such protections and safeguards. I ask my colleagues to render their full support for this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6099, The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act introduced by my colleague, Congressman Chris Smith.

This pro-information legislation ensures that women seeking an abortion are fully informed of the pain experienced by their unborn child at 20 weeks after fertilization.

In addition, the bill gives a woman the opportunity to request pain medication for her child during the abortion procedure.

Mr. Speaker, administering pain medication to an unborn child at 20 weeks of development is not a novel concept. Unborn children undergoing surgery in a mother's womb are given an anesthetic directly, and premature babies of the same age are given pain relieving drugs during medical operations.

At a minimum, a woman should be given the opportunity to request the same pain-easing medication for her unborn child.

It is time for us to do the right thing and arm women with all of the facts on abortion. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1088) expressing support for Lebanon's democratic institutions and condemning the recent terrorist assassination of Lebanese parliamentarian and Industry Minister Pierre Amin Gemayel.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1088, expressing support for Lebanon's democratic institutions and condemning the recent assassinations of Lebanese parliamentarian and Industry Minister Pierre Amin Gemayel.

Mr. Gemayel's brutal murder serves as yet another example of the Syria regime's pattern of assassinations of Lebanese dissidents and political figures who seek full Lebanese sovereignty and independence from nefarious outside forces as Syria and Iran.

This resolution appropriately urges those responsible for Mr. Gemayel's murder to be brought to justice and expresses condolences to the people of Lebanon for his death.

The resolution reiterates our commitment for a fully sovereign independent Lebanon, and calls on the Lebanese Government to implement the necessary electoral reforms for Lebanon to achieve such autonomy, develop its democratic institutions, and help reduce the increasing sectarian divisions.

Mr. Gemayel's murder was a deplorable act of cowardice aimed at undermining Lebanon's sovereignty and destroying its democratic institutions. It should move the United Nations to once and for all hold Syria accountable for the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Responsible nations must realize that Syria and Iran kill, destroy, and seek instability in places like Lebanon so that they may gain yet more power and influence in the region. We must not allow this to continue.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the author of this resolution, Mr. Dreier of California.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1091) condemning in the strongest terms Iran's commitment to hold an international Holocaust denial conference on December 11-12, 2006, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1091 authored by my good friend from Florida, Mr. Alcee Hastings.

This resolution does some very important things, Mr. Speaker. It condemns Iran's commitment to hold an international Holocaust denial conference next week.

The Iranian leadership has been the source of vile and appalling anti-Semitic statements denying the Holocaust and calling for Israel to be wiped off the map. Iran's commitment to hold an international Holocaust denial conference reaffirms the radical regime's hateful policy aimed at destroying the State of Israel.

Iran's continued defiance of the international nuclear nonproliferation standards and its unrelenting support of the Shiite insurgents in Iraq as well as terror groups like Hezbollah and Hamas clearly indicates that Iran's reprehensible statements are more than mere rhetoric. The hateful words of the extremist regimes must be taken seriously.

This resolution by Mr. Hastings condemns Ahmadinejad's stated intent to hold the Holocaust denial conference and calls on the United Nations to officially repudiate all of Iran's anti-Semitic statements and hold accountable United Nations member nations that promote such hateful statements.

Moreover, Mr. Hastings' resolution reaffirms the commitment of the United States to prevent Iran from achieving its nuclear ambitions and vows to never forget the murder of millions in the Holocaust.

To ensure that the atrocities of the Holocaust must never happen again, it is critical that the world community in a united and cohesive manner condemns in the strongest form possible the actions and the statements of those who deny the Holocaust while actively planning yet another one.

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

Mr. Speaker, at this time I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to one of our leaders on the International Relations Committee, Mr. Burton of Indiana.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank my good friend from Florida, Mr. Hastings, who is a proud defender of human rights and freedom and liberty here and abroad as well. We need more of them.

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

Mr. Speaker, I join my esteemed colleagues this evening in paying tribute to the Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation who will be departing this body at the end of this week-- Representatives Clay Shaw, Mike Bilirakis, Jim Davis, and Katherine Harris.

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such fine Americans throughout my tenure in Congress.

Therefore, it is with great sadness that I begin by paying homage to one of our greatest leaders in Congress, Clay Shaw.

During his 25 years as a Member of Congress, Clay has demonstrated outstanding service, dedication, hard work, devotion, and love for the American people and our wonderful State of Florida.

As dean of the Florida delegation, Clay has been a confidant and trusted advisor to many of us.

From offshore drilling, to insurance regulation, to hurricane relief, Clay has led the Delegation to ensure that we work together on the issues important to Floridians.

Our delegation will never be the same without Clay at the helm.

We can only hope that our next leader will be of the same caliber and possess equal skills and resourcefulness.

It has been a true pleasure to serve with Clay, and I know that the legacy of his contributions to this distinguished body will serve as an example for Members both present and future.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my dear friend and colleague Michael Bilirakis for his 24 years of service to our Nation.

During his time in Congress, Mike has been a terrific spokesperson for his constituents, and they should be proud that he has served them with honor and distinction.

I have been fortunate to work with Mike on many different topics affecting our communities locally and abroad.

Together we formed the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, a forum to promote the domestic interests of the Greek-American and Hellenic communities, and we have tackled issues of importance to the Hellenic community such as the just reunification of Cyprus and the appropriate name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

I am privileged to call Mike my friend, and I look forward to our continued friendship for many years to come.

I also look forward to working with his son Gus in continuing all the good work Mike has done for Florida.

I would also like to recognize the Representative from Tampa, Florida, Jim Davis.

Upon arriving to Congress in 1996, Jim was elected as President of the incoming freshman class by his Democrat colleagues, an early indication of his keen leadership abilities.

While we have differed on issues, we have been able to come together and work for the good of Florida and our constituents.

Jim has served this body for over a decade, and his colleagues from both sides of the aisle will miss him.

Lastly, Katherine Harris has been integral part of the Florida delegation and her presence will be sorely missed.

In her time here, Katherine has made a tremendous impression on all those she came in contact with.

Not only will her constituents miss Katherine, but she will be missed by her colleagues for the central role she had on all her committees, especially the International Relations Committee, where I was fortunate to have her as an ally on Middle East issues.

I also had the opportunity to travel to Iraq with Katherine, and meet with Iraqi officials, women Iraqi leaders, and our brave troops.

Her incredible optimism and keen understanding will be deeply missed by our close-knit Florida family.

In closing, I would like to offer my warmest wishes to Clay, Mike, Jim, and Katherine for their dedicated service to our country.

Whatever your next vocation may be, I am certain that you will all continue to serve the citizens of Florida and our great Nation with dignity and I look forward to working with you all again.

Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 6099, the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act. If passed, this bill would ensure that women are informed of the pain experienced by their unborn child at 20 weeks after fertilization.

The bill also gives expecting mothers an opportunity to request pain medicine for their baby. Medical evidence asserts that an unborn child can feel pain at 20 weeks, if not earlier.

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1.4 percent of the abortions in the U.S. are performed at or after 20 weeks following fertilization. This means that nearly 20,000 women are not given complete information regarding the excruciating pain experienced by their unborn child.

Mr. Speaker, it is our responsibility as legislators and more importantly, as human beings to empower women, their husbands or partners with all the facts, and not merely a sugar-coated version of the truth.

Therefore, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support women's right for information and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6099.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Virgilio I. Beato, a constituent of Congressional district, in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Beato was born on December 20, 1916, in Cuba, where he grew up and attended medical school. Dr. Beato graduated as President of his class at the Havana University School of Medicine in 1943. Over the course of a career that has spanned more than six decades in both the United States and Cuba, Dr. Beato has treated thousands of patients and left a tremendously positive impact on countless lives.

Dr. Beato has done more than cure patients; he has also contributed greatly to the

medical community with dozens of articles published in both English and Spanish medical journals. He has also shared his wealth of knowledge and tremendous insight with his peers by addressing numerous medical conventions on a wide variety of subjects.

Dr. Beato's dedication and support extends beyond the medical community and has long been a strong advocate for his community and activist for South Florida. Dr. Beato has also stood firm in the face of brutality and oppression as a staunch and vocal opponent of Fidel Castro and his tyrannical reign in Cuba.

I wish Dr. Beato an early happy 90th birthday and that he has many more happy returns. I would also like to offer many congratulations on his numerous accomplishments throughout his lifetime and his contribution and service to his community. I offer my best wishes to Dr. Beato in all his future endeavors and thank him for over 60 years of service to the medical community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor Creative Beginnings, a South Florida organization dedicated to assisting women and children transition out of homelessness. Since its inception in 2000, Creative Beginnings has provided case management services on a one-to-one basis to provide homeless women with the support they need to foster growth, discipline, and self-commitment as they break the cycle of homelessness.

Every woman helped by Creative Beginnings undergoes an intensive personalized process aimed at helping them to assess, and care for, their own needs. The successful conclusion of this process entails reintegration into society. Counseling is offered throughout the process to develop and enhance independent basic life skills. These include work adjustment, job readiness training, and vocational rehabilitation to ensure that the transition out of homelessness is permanent. In addition to their own personal network, organizations such as the Salvation Army and local places of worship have offered their support in helping Creative Beginnings fulfill its goals. Through the tireless dedication of Creative Beginning's professional and caring staff, numerous homeless women and children have begun the path to happy, meaningful, and productive lifestyles.

My heart goes out to all the employees and volunteers at Creative Beginnings, but I would like to personally congratulate and thank Executive Director Teresita R. Terron, Secretary Isabel Gonzalez- Jettinghoff, Treasurer Rose Marie Rojas Marty, and Rev. Fr. Jorge Bello for their supreme efforts at making Creative Beginnings what it is today.

The Village of Key Biscayne and the City of Coral Gables have already recognized Creative Beginnings for its commitment to homeless women and children. Creative Beginnings provides an integral service to our community, and plays an invaluable role in the lives of all who those who have been aided by their efforts.

The hard work and individual attention given to every woman is truly extraordinary and the entire South Florida community is truly grateful for their noble efforts. I congratulate Creative Beginnings for their work, and wish them continued success in helping individuals regain their rightful places in society.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize south Florida Y-100 radio station, and especially John Kross, known to our south Florida community as ``Footy,'' for this year's sixth annual Anti-Drug Bubbles and Bones Gala. Proceeds benefit Here's Help, a private, nonprofit, comprehensive rehabilitation agency that caters to inner-city youth with substance dependency and addiction.

In my congressional district, programs such as these have been instrumental in saving the lives of many teenagers and young adults by helping them cope with their addictions.

I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Footy on this wonderful drug rehab program. This event will provide assistance to so many young people in need to make sure that they one day can live in a Nation where drug and alcohol addictions are no longer a fact of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6198) to hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and to support a transition to democracy in Iran, as amended.

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

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

For decades, the Iranian regime, one of the world's most dangerous political entities, has been pursuing a covert nuclear program. According to multiple reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the IAEA, Iran has been deceiving the world for two decades about its nuclear ambitions and has breached its international obligations dealing with the most sensitive aspects of the nuclear cycle.

Iran's violation of the IAEA safeguards, the safe reporting to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the denial of the agency's request for access to individuals and locations, the involvement of its military in parts of it nuclear program, as well as the Iranian regime's continued support of terrorist activities around the globe contradict any assertion of the peaceful intent of the program.

It would be a critical mistake to allow a regime with a track record as bloody and as dangerous as Iran's to obtain nuclear weapons. Iran drives Hezbollah extremist ideology and provides it with weapons and funding, estimated by some at more than $80 million per year. In turn, Hezbollah has helped advance Iranian interests through continued terrorist attacks against the United States and our allies in the region.

This bill before us, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6198, as amended, will help prevent Iran from acquiring the technical assistance, the financial resources, and the political legitimacy to develop nuclear weapons and to support terrorism. This bill requires the imposition of sanctions on any entity that has exported, transferred, or otherwise provided to Iran any goods, services, technology, or other items that would materially contribute to Iran's ability to acquire or develop unconventional weapons. This bill codifies U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran by Executive Order.

The bill also amends the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act by extending the authorities in the bill until December 31, 2011. It also requires the President to certify to Congress that waiving the imposition of sanctions is vital to the national security interests of the United States.

Furthermore, the bill authorizes the provision of democracy assistance to eligible human rights and pro-democracy groups and broadcasting entities. Moreover, this legislation will allow the United States to use the necessary tools against financial institutions which are involved in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or missiles.

This bill provides a comprehensive approach, providing U.S. officials with strong leverage to secure cooperation from our allies in order to counter the Iranian threat. The sanctions under title II of this bill seek to target the Iranian regime where it is most vulnerable: Its energy sector. Knowledgable experts agree that for Iran, a fuel importer, sanctions could be crippling.

Thus, Mr. Speaker, this bill is not an alternative to diplomacy, but rather complementary to our multilateral efforts. We cannot afford to wait any longer as the potential consequences of further inaction could be catastrophic. I urge my colleagues to lend their support to this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am attaching an exchange of letters between Chairman Hyde and Chairmen Thomas and Oxley concerning the bill H.R. 6198 ``The Iran Freedom Support Act'' for printing in the Record.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Ways and Means,

Washington, DC, September 27, 2006.

Hon. Henry J. Hyde,

Chairman, Committee on International Relations, Washington,

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield 10 minutes of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and that he may be permitted to control that time.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), our distinguished majority whip, without whom we would not be here today considering a bill with strong bipartisan support as well as administration support. Thank you, Mr. Blunt.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield time to my colleague from Florida on this bipartisan bill, the essence of which has been extensively debated on the floor several times and in committees, as well.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw).

Mr. Speaker, as recently as last month, Iran blatantly refused to respond to the August 31 deadline as set forth by the United Nations Security Council to stop enriching its uranium in exchange for a very generous incentives package.

We have tried to coax. We have tried to induce. We have tried to talk the Iranians into cooperating. Enough with the carrots; it is time for the stick.

We hope that all freedom-loving nations are allies in this struggle for nonproliferation efforts and would, out of their own volition, take the necessary steps to hold Iran accountable for its own behavior. However, sometimes even friends need a little prodding.

Writer Charles Krauthammer points out the chilling reality of the opportunity costs of not dealing effectively with Iran at this time. He says, ``If we fail to prevent an Iranian regime run by apocalyptic fanatics from going nuclear, we will have reached the point of no return. It is not just Iran that might be the source of great concern, but that we will have demonstrated to the world that for those similarly inclined, there is no serious impediment.''

This bill will help contain the Iranian threat and will send a clear message that we will not tolerate flagrant violations of international nonproliferation obligations.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill seeks to offer services by primary care providers for the uninsured and less fortunate individuals. We have to work together to improve the quality and the availability of care for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

In my congressional district of Miami-Dade County, we had the second highest rate of AIDS, major cases of AIDS of all the cities in 2004. And the number of people suffering with HIV/AIDS has reached epidemic proportions, especially within my district with minority communities. There are over 12,000 people living with AIDS in Miami-Dade County and almost 10,000 living with HIV.

We have got to remain vigilant in our efforts to provide for and protect the HIV infected, affected, and at-risk individuals living in this country, especially through prevention and education; and this bill seeks to do that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate October as National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. There are an estimated 70,000 people in the United States who are affected by Spina Bifida, the most common, permanently disabling birth defect. Of particular concern is that members of the Hispanic community are disproportionately at-risk of a Spina Bifida pregnancy. The rate of Spina Bifida in the Hispanic population is almost seven in 10,000 births, nearly 40 percent higher than the non-Hispanic rate. However, fortunately there are steps that can be taken to reduce that risk.

An important goal of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month is increasing awareness and consumption of--a simple vitamin that can help reduce the risk of Spina Bifida. Recent studies have shown that if all women of childbearing age were to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily prior to becoming pregnant and throughout the first trimester of pregnancy, the incidence of Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 70 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Spina Bifida Association (SBA), all women of child- bearing age should consume a vitamin every day which provides them with 400 micrograms of folic acid. Multi-vitamins with folic acid or folic acid supplements can be found in the local grocery, pharmacy, or discount store.

Unfortunately at the current time, imported corn flours--unlike most wheat flour and cereal products--are not enriched with folic acid. Which means a majority of the corn-based products sold in the United States and consumed by the Hispanic community does not contain this important vitamin. To address this disparity and ensure that the foods consumed by the Hispanic community in the United States are enriched with folic acid, in July of this year, CDC, SBA, the National Council of La Raza, Wal-Mart, and Gruma announced an important initiative that has the potential to reduce the incidence of Spina Bifida among all babies by 70 percent by helping increase the intake of this nutrient among women.

With proper health care and support, people affected by Spina Bifida can live productive and fulfilling lives. In addition to supporting efforts to prevent Spina Bifida, I also urge additional federal attention to--and funding of--efforts, like the National Spina Bifida Program, to improve the quality-of-life for all who are affected by this birth defect. I would like to thank the SBA and its Florida chapters for their work on Spina Bifida Awareness Month and for being steadfast in their commitment to helping prevent and reduce Spina Bifida, particularly among the Hispanic community in the United States.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support tonight of H.R. 2134--the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino Community Act.

I would like to commend Chairman Pombo for his leadership in bringing this important legislation to the floor, as well as the bill's author Congressman Xavier Becerra for his support.

As the Republican lead of this legislation, I am pleased that this bill would take the next step toward ensuring that our premier institutions for the arts and humanities include a greater representation of Hispanic-American cultural contributions.

The commission created by this bill would have the responsibility of examining and reporting to Congress and the President a plan to establish a new museum dedicated to the art, history, and culture of the Hispanic-American community.

There are nearly 40 million United States residents who share a cultural heritage which is not fully represented by any of the permanent exhibits in Washington museums.

It is only fitting that this bill is brought to the floor of this body during Hispanic Heritage Month.

As the first Hispanic-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress, I have been proud to represent my diverse South Florida constituency for over 16 years.

Americans of Hispanic heritage are a youthful population and are projected to play an increasing role in the Nation's economy and workforce.

As Hispanic-Americans, we have come a long way.

We are contributing in record numbers in the fields of business, education, healthcare, and at all levels of government service.

As a legislative body, Congress is committed to continue to propel thousands of Hispanic-Americans across the nation into the realization of the American dream.

A stronger, healthier, and more educated Hispanic American population contributes to the greatness of this wonderful nation making us competitive in the global market.

The Hispanic-American community is one of America's largest growing populations. Congress should continue to provide opportunities for the Hispanic-American community to continue succeeding and to showcase the wealth of talent that abounds.

A museum for the Hispanic-American community would honor all Americans.

The great diversity of ethnicities and nationalities of the people in the United States is a testament to the power of America's great tradition as a Nation that embraces all walks of life.

This National Museum will symbolize our country's commitment to proudly display America's rich cultural diversity.

Therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this important legislation to ensure that visitors to our nation's capital gain a more complete understanding of who we are as Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to take this opportunity to reflect on the awe-inspiring career of Chairman Henry J. Hyde. It is difficult to imagine this House without

Henry's wisdom, his leadership and his wit. Chairman Hyde has led our International Relations Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, prior to his current chairmanship, with grace and fairness.

Vice President Cheney summed up the essence of Henry Hyde very well when he recently noted, as a committee chairman and in all of his dealings, Henry Hyde has been the soul of fairness and balance. If you had any kind of trouble in your life, you would want someone like Henry to plead your case, and you would want someone like Henry to decide your case. He understands people. He knows that we live in an imperfect world, and he greets his fellow man with an openness, a generosity of spirit, and an easy manner that draws others to him.

Henry is remarkable, not only for the formidable body of legislation that he has championed in his very long career, but also for the life of service and dedication that he continues to lead.

Born and raised in the Windy City, Chairman Hyde enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and served with distinction during World War II, eventually rising to the rank of commander before his retirement from the Naval Reserve in 1968. He attended Duke and Notre Dame before coming to the town that would eventually become his second home, earning a bachelor's from Georgetown in 1947. It is not difficult to picture Henry in his undergraduate years musing to himself, ``I'll be back.''

Henry and Jeanne were married soon thereafter. Then they returned to the great State of Illinois, settling in Chicago. Henry earned a law degree from Loyola in 1949. He started life in office in 1966, and has forged ever upward ever since, rising through the Illinois State House and becoming majority leader before his election to represent the Sixth District of Illinois in Congress in 1974.

In the 32 years since joining this House, Henry has made an indelible mark on the history of this institution and on the consciousness of our Nation. The eloquence of his speech, the elegance of his bearing, and the eternity of his convictions have won him a place as one of our Nation's most treasured legislators. Henry has been lauded in a great many ways, but writer David Horowitz memorably and accurately called him a Gibraltar of conviction, an avatar of grace.

September 11, 2001 was, as many have noted, a day that forever changed our destiny and our thinking. With his usual sense of clarity and his eloquence, Henry Hyde assessed the grave threats we now face from extremists, noting on the 1-year anniversary of the attacks, ``Our enemies have no aim except destruction, nothing to offer but a forced march back to a bleak and dismal past. Theirs is a world without light.''

Indeed, Henry has shed light on many of the important issues facing our Nation and, indeed, the world. His stewardship of the Committee on International Relations has been one of principle and grace. He has sought to shed light on the furthest reach of earth, promoting democracy wherever it was absent, and promoting human rights wherever they were lacking. His efforts to fight AIDS around the world have inspired a generation of legislators on both sides of the aisle.

Henry's endeavors in the domestic sphere have been no less ambitious. His efforts to protect life, to safeguard Old Glory, and defending victims of sexual abuse have greatly resounded with the American people.

How fortunate we are to have been blessed with the awesome presence of a man of such stunning conviction. Serving with Chairman Hyde has been a remarkable privilege. I could not have hoped for a more caring and able mentor or a friend of more steadfast loyalty and kindness. There is hardly a soul in this Chamber who has not been touched by his graceful leadership and his righteous conviction.

Mr. Speaker, we are grateful for the great example that Henry Hyde represents to our Chamber, our Nation, and to the world. We are so grateful to Henry Hyde for many decades of guidance and inspiration. It is difficult to express how much he will be missed by all of us.