Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Mr. Fidel Gonzalez.

Fidel Gonzalez practiced law in Cuba and defended many dissidents of the Fidel Castro regime.

Among his various activities in the United States, he has worked as a social worker in the city of New York's Social Welfare Program.

He studied nights and weekends at Fordham University in New York, where he received a Master's Degree in Social Work and graduated with a high grade point average.

When he retired as a social worker, he began working with a well- known law firm in Union City.

In addition, Fidel Gonzalez was an outstanding leader of the Cuban Attorneys Delegation in New York and New Jersey.

He has been a member for many years of the Pan-American Culture Circle, where he has participated in their conferences as coordinator of the historic and literature sessions.

Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the 185th birthday of Susan B. Anthony, I wish to honor her for her courageous effort in ensuring that all women receive the respect and dignity they truly deserve.

Susan B. Anthony was one of the greatest women advocates in history. She is known not only for her fight to gain women the right to vote, but also for her great courage in fighting for the rights of the unborn.

She was a feminist who fought tirelessly to protect the dignity of motherhood, which she believed to be an inherent right of all women.

I am proud to honor Susan B. Anthony for her dedication to preserving the precious gift of life and I hope that my colleagues will join me in promoting a true culture of life.

Mr. Speaker, as we stand here today, Chinese military buildup along Taiwan's coast continues, and China has announced plans to enact an anti-secession (or anti-separation) law aimed specifically at Taiwan.

China's proposed anti-secession law assumes the unification of China and Taiwan and proposes that those opposed to the unification are subject to punishment. It further assumes that Chinese leaders have the right to invade Taiwan if they suspect the engagement of Taiwanese leaders in separatist activities.

Mr. Speaker, the dismayed and freedom loving people of Taiwan have reacted to the proposed law with disappointment. In a recent public opinion poll 70 percent of Taiwanese people oppose China's institution of the ``anti-secession'' law.

I share the sentiments of the people of Taiwan and stand with them in the zeal for freedom and liberty.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible achievements of Ms. Helen Aguirre-Ferre.

An accomplished journalist in print and television, Helen is currently the Opinion Page Editor of Diario Las Americas and moderator of the weekly public affairs program Issues for WPBT Channel 2.

In addition, I am proud to acknowledge the wonderful distinction Helen earned by being elected as the first female President of the District Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College.

Helen's enthusiastic ability to balance the responsibilities and obligations of these challenging positions is a commendable feat and serves as a testament to the diligence and determination she exerts as she continues to succeed in her professional endeavors.

She truly lends an impressive example of purpose and fortitude to the communities of South Florida.

I invite my colleagues today to join in the much-deserved recognition of Ms. Aguirre-Ferre and wish her much continued success in the future.

Congratulations, Helen!

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the amazing achievements and munificence of Tibor and Sheila Hollo. These two individuals have assumed a remarkable leadership role in the South Florida community and I thank them for their countless contributions and admirable generosity.

Raised in a small town in France, Tibor Hollo and his parents were victims of the concentration camps, and though he and his father survived, his mother did not.

Symbolic of his perseverant nature, Mr. Hollo went on to earn his architectural engineering degree in Paris and moved to the United States where he embraced the ``American Dream'' and is now one of the most prominent business leaders in South Florida.

Transforming Miami's midtown district into one of South Florida's dynamic epicenters of business and entertainment, Mr. Hollo is the proud developer of several key complexes in my Congressional district. The Venetian/Omni, Bay Parc Plaza, The Club at Brickell Bay and Opera Tower and the Grand are just a few of his developments.

As the first recipient of the City of Miami Visionary Award, Mr. Hollo was recognized by his colleagues and the City of Miami for his outstanding foresight and determination to fulfill such visions.

Mrs. Hollo shares her husband's regard for philanthropic efforts and serves on the Board of the Foundation and Board of Trustees of the Mount Sinai Medical Center. She proudly presided over the Mount Sinai Medical Center Founders, Women's Cancer League of Miami Beach, Sunflower Society and the Temple Emanuel's PTA.

This inspirational couple provides a wonderful example of diligence and generosity. I commend their efforts and I am grateful to have them as part of our South Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored and grateful for the opportunity today to recognize the inspirational challenges that the Tuskegee Airmen courageously embraced and surmounted as the first African-American pilots in our Nation's distinguished Armed Forces.

I commend my colleague, Mike Rogers, for introducing H. Con. Res. 26, that recognizes the invaluable contributions that these valiant men made to our country and the significant example that they continue to offer us today.

An illustrious group of men who served the United States with honor and bravery, the Tuskegee Airmen defied both fascism abroad and racism at home, as they proved determined to defend our families, communities, and Nation as a whole throughout the course of the Second World War.

As the only unit ever to secure the impressive and unprecedented record of flying over 200 escort missions without the loss of a single bomber aircraft to the enemy, the Tuskegee Airmen confirmed, without a doubt, that skill and determination, not skin color, are the determining factors not only in aviation, but in anything we endeavor to achieve yesterday and today.

The example set by these individuals encouraged millions of Americans of every race to pursue careers in air and space technology.

But it extends even further then this.

The extraordinary feat of the Tuskegee Airmen to overcome segregation and prejudice to go on and become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II established the possibility for all Americans--despite race, culture, religion or gender--to achieve their own dreams and aspirations.

Their courage to confront the constraints of American society contributed to the courage of others to confront the dangers of the war, and today continues to contribute to the courage of Americans to persevere and succeed in the face of adversity and hardships.

Once again, I express my utmost sincere gratitude and admiration for the courage of the Tuskegee Airmen and hope that our colleagues here today will join in this much deserved recognition of their sacrifices and contribution.

Mr. Speaker, Judge Alberto Gonzales is a true American success story, an embodiment of the American dream. He deserves to be confirmed as Attorney General. He was born in Humble, Texas, to immigrant

parents and grew up with seven siblings in a two-bedroom house where his mother still lives.

He was the first member of his family to go to college. He graduated from Rice University and received his law degree from Harvard University. His career includes judge of the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Secretary of State, counsel to then Governor Bush and counsel to the President of the United States.

I am truly inspired by Judge Gonzales and his outstanding contributions to our Nation. He is a highly qualified nominee who is a true American success story and a source of pride for Hispanics across the country.

I urge my colleagues across the Chamber to do what is best for America and confirm Judge Gonzales.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 56) commending the Palestinian people for conducting a free and fair presidential election on January 9, 2005, and for other purposes.

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

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

Today I rise in support of House Resolution 56, introduced by the House leadership, commending the Palestinian people for holding recent elections. This resolution is a reflection of our support for President Bush when he stated, ``The United States stands ready to help the Palestinian people realize their aspirations.''

The onus is on the Palestinian leadership to demonstrate that they are committed to moving peace forward by bringing an end to Palestinian terrorism. The election of Abu Mazen is a hopeful first step. Eight hundred international observers monitored the recent Palestinian presidential elections and agreed that the will of the Palestinians was adequately expressed. Palestinians from all walks of life participated in the elections, representing approximately 70 percent of eligible voters.

The Palestinian Central Election Commission has been recognized for facilitating a process whereby Palestinians could vote in a positive voting atmosphere. Commission representatives trained more than 16,000 electoral officials to staff the 2,800 polling sites throughout the West Bank and Gaza and conducted their operations in a professional way.

The Palestinian presidential election of January 9 of this year and the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for this July represent an opportunity for Palestinians to affirm their desire to end the violence and to forge a government that can respond to their needs.

We are guardedly optimistic about Abu Mazen's recent decision to ban the use of unregistered weapons by civilians.

We wish the new Palestinian leadership success in achieving a lasting peace and a prosperous future for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people and in building transparent institutions accountable to the Palestinian people.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the leadership for bringing this resolution to the floor today, and I ask my colleagues to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), a member of our Committee on International Relations and an original sponsor of this legislation.

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

I thank the gentleman for his remarks, and I am so pleased that he singled out the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) who, as all of us know, recently led a delegation to Auschwitz where we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) is a Holocaust survivor who lost family members in this horrible tragedy, and we thank him for his leadership in the House throughout the years.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the chief deputy whip.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the Chair of the Committee on Rules, our good friend.

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

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

I have no further requests for time, but I would like to take this opportunity to highlight and commend the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), our majority whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the minority whip, and all of our leadership for their efforts on this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I rise as a proud cosponsor of House Resolution 57 and ask my colleagues to render their strong support to this resolution.

It is unconscionable that the European Union has decided to lift its arms embargo against the People's Republic of China, a regime that is a gross human rights violator and a country of proliferation concern, given its assistance to terrorist states like Iran.

The arms embargo was implemented in response to the Chinese regime turning its tanks against peaceful demonstrators in Tiananmen Square on that fateful day of June 4, 1989. The PRC has yet to acknowledge or even make amends for this massacre. The PRC harasses, intimidates, imprisons, and tortures religious worshipers, human rights dissidents, and any who seek to exercise their fundamental freedoms and who oppose the repressive apparatus of the regime in Beijing.

For the EU to remove the ban and for its largest members to steadily increase their arms sales to the PRC is an affront to all of China's victims, particularly to the victims of Tiananmen Square. It also undermines global efforts to hold other human rights violators accountable for their deplorable practices. How can the EU's so-called human rights dialogue with Iran or its discussions with Syria, for example, have any credibility when the EU has given a pass to the PRC for this massacre?

It is critical we also look at the implications for U.S. policy priorities on other issues. As the resolution before us articulates, the United States has significant security interests in the Asia and Pacific regions, including the security of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and other critical areas. The EU decision could alter this delicate strategic balance in this region.

An even more daunting implication is how the EU's removal of the arms embargo on China could undermine counterproliferation efforts. Chinese entities have been sanctioned under U.S. law for transferring missile technologies to Iran. Concurrently, Iran has paraded its long-range Shahab-3 missiles that could reach and threaten U.S. allies in the Middle East and American forces stationed in the region.

Yet the EU decides to facilitate China's military buildup by lifting its arms embargo on the PRC. Within this context, is the EU complicit in the threat posed by Iranian missiles targeting U.S. interests with Chinese technology? For that matter, how will the EU respond to Iran missile threats when they reach European capitals,

thanks to Chinese technology? How can the EU be taken seriously in its efforts to halt Iran's pursuit of a nuclear capability?

This is a matter of utmost urgency. The EU's decision to lift the arms embargo on the PRC can have grave repercussions. It could trigger a domino effect that could undermine our efforts to address and curtail threats across multiple sectors. It will only serve to emboldened oppressors and proliferators. We must stand together against such threats.

As the resolution underscores, this development in European security policy is inherently inconsistent within the concept of mutual security interests. Let us, through the overwhelming adoption of the resolution of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), strongly urge European leaders to reconsider this unwise course of action. I ask my colleagues to render their strong support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the previous order of the House, I call up the resolution (H. Res. 60) relating to the free election in Iraq held on January 30, 2005, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Res. 60.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important resolution relating to the free elections held in Iraq on Sunday, January 30. I commend the leadership for bringing this important measure to the floor at this time.

This past Sunday, freedom permeated from all corners of Iraq. Iraqis celebrated their vote. They reveled in it and embraced it. They clearly demonstrated to the terrorists and to the world the power of the human spirit. They showed the indomitable will of a free people anxious to exercise their rights as human beings and citizens. We witnessed women in this Arab nation taking their place as free individuals alongside men, their voices and their votes given equal weight.

The Kurdish people, who have been the victims of unspeakable human rights violations under Saddam Hussein's evil regime, at long last voted to take their well-earned, equal, respected place in a new Iraq. Both Shias and Sunnis, through the ballot box, were afforded an equal opportunity to exercise their rights and a role in their future government.

Some naysayers have focused on percentages and what ethnic group voted more than others. I, however, will always remember the images of the young and old Iraqis, of men and women of all backgrounds, proudly showing their ink-stained fingers, while hugging and waving to American soldiers in a show of gratitude.

I have never been prouder to have been an American and know that we have and will continue to contribute to make these images of hope possible. It is a testament to the power of freedom that as we commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz we finished that same week with elections in a country previously shackled with decades of tyranny.

It is a victory for those of us who believe that people throughout the Middle East are not just ready but enthusiastic for democracy. It is a victory for the principle that human rights are universal and not gifts bestowed to a select few.

However, our work is by no means complete. From Iran to Libya, from Saudi Arabia to Syria and beyond, much of the Middle East remains engulfed in oppression under the iron grip of dictatorships. Only by securing a decisive shift towards democracy across the region can the misery endured by the people of the Middle East be relieved.

Simultaneously, we must encourage those governments and populations in the region who have heeded the call for political and economic reform to expand those efforts, as they will surely ensure a prosperous future for their people and a more secure and stable world for us all.

Let us congratulate and commend the courageous Iraqis for defying the terrorists in going to the polls in huge numbers. Let us honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and all Iraqi security forces, officials and innocent civilians who have given their lives so that all Iraqis were given the opportunity to exercise a valuable, cherished freedom.

As the great communicator, former President Ronald Reagan, said on January 20, 1981, ``No weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.'' This was clearly evident in Iraq this past Sunday.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to overwhelmingly support this resolution.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), the vice chair of the Committee on Rules.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), a member of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston).

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks).

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) be permitted to manage the balance of the time.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes as we commemorate Indian National Republic Day. As the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India, and a friend of the Indian American community, I have been privileged to witness and directly participate in the growing Indian-America bond. Our common goal of safeguarding liberty and combating terrorism has united our nations and stimulated an already strong relationship based on values that our cultures share. In the coming years, India and the United States will face many challenges.

As the world comes together and joins forces to help its people, I am positive that the strong ties between India and the United States will serve as an example of fruitful and positive bilateral relations.

And in that spirit I extend my best wishes to the people of India and Indian Americans in a celebration of such a momentous day, Indian National Republic Day.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this important resolution commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and call on my colleagues to join me in honoring the memory of the Holocaust victims and to pay tribute to the Allied soldiers who fought and sacrificed for the cause of freedom.

This resolution draws from the lessons of history by calling for the strengthening of the fight against racism, intolerance, bigotry, prejudice, discrimination, and anti-Semitism.

I would like to commend the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Hyde, and the gentleman from California, Mr. Lantos, for bringing this measure to the Floor at this time.

When we talk of the Holocaust, we speak of a grim and unprecedented period in human history--a unique atrocity, distinct from any other. The mass murders that were inflicted upon the Jewish people and scores of other victims must never be forgotten.

Similarly, we must remember the compassion of the many brave men and women who risked their lives to rescue and shelter Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi reign of terror. The incidents of countless non-Jews who risked their lives to protect people of another faith were as real as the Nazi death camps themselves.

As Europe and the Middle East experience a dramatic rise in the frequency and intensity of anti-Semitic acts, it is imperative that we educate and remind the new and future generations about the atrocities committed at Auschwitz and other camps against an innocent people.

Only a concerted, multi-faceted approach to combating this virulent hatred will effectively silence it. Anti-Semitism, intolerance, and bigotry must be answered and fought with all the means at our disposal, so that the horrors of Auschwitz are never again repeated.

We must continue to tell the story, for we owe something to those who perished at the hands of the Nazis. As Elie Wiesel has warned: ``. . . anyone who does not remember betrays them again.''

I urge my colleagues to render their overwhelming support to this resolution and to the noble cause of eradicating prejudice and hatred throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise representing the great people of South Florida and join with them in extending our most heartfelt condolences and thoughts to the people who have been devastated by the most recent tsunami in Asia. We offer them our prayers.

Mr. Speaker, as the world continues to focus on the wrath of this dreadful disaster, it is important to remember the people who have perished. It is important to help the people who have survived and are now picking up the pieces and restarting their lives.

Across 11 nations, over 155,000 people are dead and millions were left homeless. These incredulous numbers, rising by the day, hide the human facet of this appalling disaster. Countless images of men and women holding their children tight, frantically running towards the helicopters with aid. Never-ending lines of families hoping for clean water and food. Thousands upon thousands of men, women and children desperately looking among the rubble upon what was once their homes and lives.

Mr. Speaker, this catastrophe is one of unbelievable magnitude and challenges all nations to join in the relief efforts. I am proud of our brave men and women in the military who are currently manning the lifeline to the devastated regions. From the crew of the USS Lincoln to the Seahawk pilots, these young Americans continue to show the generosity--the heart and conscience of--our Nation. I am also tremendously proud of the volunteers across the globe who, in a moment's notice, picked up and journeyed to Asia to help in any way they could. I applaud President Bush's decision to call upon former Presidents Clinton and Bush to raise money for victims.

As we know Mr. Speaker, the greatest source of America's generosity-- our essence--is not our government; it's the heart of the American people. I call upon all Americans to give and give generously to organizations that are on the ground, helping the countless victims in the devastated region. In South Florida, organizations such as the American Red Cross of Greater Miami & The Keys, The Association of Indians in America, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation; to name a few.

Mr. Speaker, we in Congress also have an obligation to help the people who have been devastated by the tsunami. As the newly selected co-chair of the India Caucus, I am confident that Congress will do its part in bringing assistance to the peoples of the regions that were hit. In India itself Mr. Speaker, the government increased its death toll to 9,571 dead and also raised its missing total to 5,914 people missing. As horrific as these numbers are, it is encouraging to hear of the joint cooperation between our two peoples and nations. The joint cooperation between the two nations to aid the people of India is clearly evident Mr. Speaker, as the Navies of India and the United States continue to work together and share information. America stands ready to aid the people of India.

Again, I would like to extend our deep condolence to the families of the many earthquake and tsunami victims. We also affirm our commitment to the peoples of the affected regions and urge continued attention by relief agencies to the needs of the vulnerable populations. Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims of this horrible devastation.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate

and join the congregation at Temple Samu-El Or Olom in celebrating the Chanukat Ha-Bayit, the dedication of their new building, sanctuary, and educational complex on Sunday, December 5, 2004.

I wish to recognize and thank Education Vice President, Richard Siegel; President, Michael Backer; Executive Vice President, Michael Slotnick; Rabbi David D. Schonblum; Cantor Ronit Rubin; Temple Administrator Dennis Miller, and the other officers and members of the Board for their immense contributions and accomplishments.

Temple Samu-El Or Olom has been serving the community of Southern Miami-Dade County and, specifically, our Jewish community in South Florida, for decades.

As the synagogue celebrates its 32nd anniversary, I am proud to mention that the congregation of Temple Samu-El Or Olom was the first in Greater Miami to offer multilingual Shabbat services in English, Hebrew, Spanish, Yiddish, and Ladino. Some of its members have even created and published English, Hebrew, and Spanish prayer books for use during their services. Their educational program includes Early Childhood education, as well as an annual scholar in residence program that attracts numerous participants.

I recently visited Temple Samu-El Or Olom, and found it to be a very warm and welcoming congregation. I was also impressed by the breadth of religious, educational, cultural, youth, adult, senior citizen, and social programs that the synagogue offers to people of all ages.

Furthermore, the synagogue's central location in Kendall, and its proximity to Miami Dade College, the Jewish Community Center, nursing homes, elder care facilities, and other institutions enables it to serve the needs of every person in the community.

The motto of Temple Samu-El Or Olom is ``The Spirit of Family,'' and as we celebrate the dedication of the congregation's new building, sanctuary and educational complex, we can look forward to many more decades of the Temple's service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to a very dedicated physician, Dr. Rene F. Rodriguez, who has been devoted not only to his patients and the underserved, but also to the improvement of America's healthcare system by breaking barriers, improving access to medical services, treating all patients equally, and integrating Hispanic doctors and other Hispanic healthcare professionals to these efforts.

Dr. Rodriguez has been recognized as an excellent advocate for the underserved in America and has been the recipient of a very distinguished award, ``The 2004 Freddie-Public Service Award''.

He has been an enthusiastic and compassionate physician who has done admirable work throughout years of advocacy. His distinguished medical career spans years of commitment to public service and he has been a leader with numerous achievements.

He studied medicine at the University of Salamanca in Spain, and is licensed to practice medicine in several states in America. He was a Colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, and retired after more than 35 years of service in the Military. While on active duty, he directed the Orthopedic Clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was appointed to the Council on Graduate Medical Education of the Department of Health and Human Services, the President's Commission of the National Medal of Science, the Surgeon General's National Workshop on Hispanic- Latino Health Executive Planning Committee, the NIH Office of Minority Program Fact-Finding Team, the Hispanic Advisor Task Force to the U.S. Senate, and the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He is a member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association, and is the Founder and President of the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons, which is the largest and oldest organization of Hispanic doctors. He founded the National Hispanic Youth Initiative to encourage High School students to study careers in sciences and research, and has been the founder of medical journals for Spanish speaking doctors and patients, such as ``Medico Interamericano'', ``Medico de Familoa'', and the book ``Usted y su Medico''. He is currently the Chief of the Orthopedic Section at the Veterans Medical Center in Miami, Florida. Please join me in recognizing Dr. Rodriguez for his outstanding accomplishments.