Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart) for yielding to me in this special moment for the people of Cuba.

It is with a heavy heart that my colleagues from south Florida and I stand here today because, while we are filled with hope and satisfaction about the liberation of the Iraqi people from the repressive regime of Saddam Hussein, at the same time our hearts bleed and weep for our brothers and sisters enslaved and oppressed in Cuba because the brutal tyrannical regime of Fidel Castro has used the cover of military action in Iraq to launch, as my colleague from south Florida clearly pointed out, one of the most intense crackdowns against dissidents in recent years. Castro's security agents have been storming into homes across the island, confiscating typewriters, books, papers from dissidents' homes, and rounding up almost 100 pro-democracy activists and independent journalists. And what have been their so- called crimes? Engaging in supposedly threatening activities such as possessing and lending books by such authors as Vaclac Havel, Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Arrested have been valiant freedom fighters such as Marta Beatriz Roque, an economist by trade who has already served time in Castro's gulags for her role in a publication that sought to take back the rights of all of the Cuban people, by underscoring that the ``Homeland Belongs to All, La Patria es de Todos.''

Another arrested, Raul Rivero, perhaps Cuba's most prominent independent journalist; Reformist Hector Palacios; labor leader Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos. And my colleague had entered into the Record all of their names, as far as we know; and the list is growing every day. And their sentences: Osvaldo Alfonso Valdes, life sentence; Jorge Olivera Castillo, 15 years; Ricardo Gonzalez Alfonso, life sentence; Orlando Fundora Alvarez, 15 to 25 years. Life sentences, 15 years, 25 years for possession of papers.

And these brave souls that are listed in these pages are just a few of the victims of the most recent wave of terrorism and repression. Many of the dissidents are being tortured. The summary sentences range from 15 years to execution, all in an attempt to intimidate by submission and silence those who oppose the regime's tyrannical rule. However, as Claudia Marquez, the wife of jailed dissident Osvaldo Alfonso, has emphasized, she said: ``Our voices and cries will not be silenced, even if our only weapon is our statements.''

With every arrest the opposition is strengthened, not weakened. With each beating their mission becomes clear. They are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if it means an end to tyranny, for they know that their blood and their tears fertilize the roots of democracy which are taking hold in our native Cuba.

They will not be deterred. Let us not ignore their cries, cries emanating just 90 miles off our shores. This crackdown is a direct challenge to the United States and to the international community.

The regime assumed that we were all too busy with Iraq to care about the suffering of the Cuban people. Well, the dictatorship made a grave mistake. The European Union issued a statement condemning the arrest and demanding that these prisoners of conscience be immediately released. Amnesty International urged Cuba to release all of its prisoners of conscience and reform the laws which make such detentions possible. Human Rights International, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Inter-American Press Association have all denounced the crackdowns; and newspapers, as pointed out by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), in the Los Angeles Times, they have published editorials saying, ``After years of calling for liberalized relations with Cuba, this editorial page must now urge American policymakers to hit the brakes.''

So rather than focusing on rewarding the Castro regime by loosening U.S. restrictions, all of us in the U.S. Congress should demand that Castro free all of the pro-democracy activists who have been arrested in the last few weeks, along with all prisoners of conscience.

We must demand respect for human rights and freedom for the Cuban people. We have done it before. We did it for the iron grip, for the former Soviet Union. We did it for the people in Kosovo, for the people in Bosnia. We did it for the Haitian people. We supported the Afghan people in their struggle, and we are now working to liberate the Iraqi people. But after more than 40 years of enslavement and subjugation, the U.S. Congress, with a single voice but one which will be heard around the world, must speak out against these atrocities and the gross violations committed by the Castro dictatorship, because the Cuban people deserve no less. I thank the gentleman.

Mr. Speaker, today I congratulate a man of great honor and integrity, a man who has devoted his life to the cause of serving our community in south Florida, Carlos de la Cruz. Carlos has been selected to receive the 2003 American Red Cross Humanitarian Award for his exceptional contributions to our community. Carlos has had a distinguished career in his endeavor to improve the lives of people across our beloved Nation, while the American Red Cross has a fitting tribute, a well deserving one, for Carlos. A native from Cuba, Carlos along with his lovely wife, Rosa, have been examples of true social responsibility. His work with the Red Cross, United Way, and the Urban League inspires us all.

I join the people in south Florida, the American Red Cross, and all of Carlos's family in soluting his extraordinary work. To Carlos, gracias for his devotion and commitment to our beloved south Florida community. We are a better area for his being there.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the University of Miami for launching its Center for Ecosystem and Science Policy.

This new center, led by its Director, Professor Mary Doyle, will work to ensure that sound environmental decisions are made based on the best scientific knowledge and understanding available. It will combine expertise in government and the environmental sciences in order to positively impact policy creation.

The Center for Ecosystem and Science Policy emphasizes the University of Miami's stance as a first-rate educational institution.

So I highly commend the President of the University of Miami, Donna Shalala, and the Center's Director, Mary Doyle, for taking leadership roles in the field of environmental research and policy.

Mr. Speaker, pioneer aviation wife and South Dade avocado farmer, Wilma ``Billie'' Musgrove, died on March 6th in the arms of her son at the age of 86 after suffering several strokes. Born of Dutch parents in Holland, Michigan, she celebrated Tulip Time and the sand dunes and beaches of Lake Michigan. She caught the eye of aviator Lester E. Musgrove and married him when she was 16 years old. She followed her barnstorming husband across the United States to air shows, wing walker exhibitions, air races and crop-dusting jobs. While Lester served in the U.S. Army Air Corps at the start of WWII, Billie raised their son, Bob, in Grand Rapids and worked their new property in South Dade.

After the war, the couple started their Redland avocado grove and they watched Bob grow to become a pilot. Billie purchased an air boat to hunt in the Everglades and enjoyed preparing feasts from her catches for family and friends.

Billie had a great love of the organ and piano which led her to entertain at Sunniland's Flame Restaurant and Homestead's Capri Restaurant with big band era favorites. A great joy was her immediate past presidency of South Florida's Organ Belles club and Light Aircraft Flyer's Association. Travels around the world added to her wonderful life.

Billie touched many lives and leaves great memories with those who were fortunate to know her. She will be sorely missed but always remembered with love. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her family for their tremendous loss.

Mr. Speaker, last month we celebrated Heart Month, a time for us to reflect upon heart disease, its effects, and our methods of prevention.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the Miami Heart Research Institute for its dedication to the research and the treatment of this life-threatening disease.

Heart disease is the single leading cause of death for American women. Obviously, women make an indispensable contribution to the growth of our culture and must be ensured every opportunity for good health and longevity. It is critical that women be educated on the risk of heart disease as well as on the effective methods of prevention.

I hope that my colleagues will join me in recognizing the efforts of the Miami Heart Research Institute and that we will all grow in the awareness of the impact which heart disease has on Americans, especially our Nation's women.

Madam Speaker, I want to rise in support of H. Con. Res. 40, authorizing the rotunda of the Capitol to be used on April 30, 2003, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust, and commend the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) for bringing this important measure to the floor at this time.

When we talk of the Holocaust, we speak of a unique atrocity, distinct from any other.

The mass murder that was inflicted upon millions of innocent men, women, and children must be viewed both as crimes against humanity and acts of genocide in their own right, and should be remembered as such.

Yet, while the Holocaust is unique in history, anti-Semitism continues to haunt European society.

Initially, Jews returning home after their liberation from the death camps often were met by their neighbors who had taken their houses, refused to return them, and in many places murdered these survivors of the Nazis.

More recently, the continued violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza has released pent-up anti-Semitism throughout Europe.

In my capacity as the Chair of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights in the 107th Congress, I held several hearings and briefings on the rise of religious persecution in Europe, engaged in Western European nations in combating the rise of anti- Semitism within their counties and in international fora, where anti- Semitic and anti-Israel bias prevails.

However, this most recent outbreak of anti-Semitism is not limited to Europe by any means.

Many of the ancient canards and lies about Jews are being resurrected in the Arab media.

This includes the revival of the ``blood libel'' and pervasive Holocaust denial by the government-controlled press in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

This cannot be tolerated.

We must demand that these governments, recipients of significant U.S. foreign assistance and other U.S. support, take immediate action to publicly repudiate both the message of hate and violence, as well as the purveyors of such filth.

Today, as we consider this measure to provide a forum for honoring the courage and indomitable will of the victims of the Holocaust, let us be guided by the lessons of the past and commit ourselves to eradicating the intolerance and extremism which led to this grim period in history.

Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, so that the lessons of the Holocaust may not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of a fellow member of the Hispanic community and nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Miguel Estrada.

Mr. Estrada personifies the success and achievement of our beloved community. His legal expertise will add a profound dimension to the court that is considered to be precursor to the Supreme Court. As an attorney, he has argued 15 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and has tried 10 cases as a prosecutor for the Southern District of New York.

A native of Honduras, Miguel Estrada is an American success story. During his first years in the U.S., Mr. Estrada spoke virtually no English. His commitment to education and improvement of the individual is demonstrated by the excellence of his academic record. As a graduate of Columbia College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa, and Harvard Law, Miguel Estrada's legal experience exceeds that of the average nominee.

If confirmed, Miguel Estrada would be the first Hispanic judge to serve on the court. President Bush served the Hispanic community well by nominating a man of such character and devotion to the Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, Miguel Estrada has my full support and best wishes on his nomination.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the M. Ensemble Company for its upcoming ``Medal of Honor Theater Project,'' which honors the life and service of the first black soldier ever awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War.

I would like to especially thank fellow Miamians Patricia E. Williams and Shirley Richardson who are cofounders of the M. Ensemble Company for all of their leadership and dedication to this praiseworthy organization. For more than 30 years, the theater company has been providing training and career-building opportunities for the south Florida community. This recognition is especially fitting as our country celebrates the countless African American contributions to our rich history.

Please join me in congratulating the M. Ensemble Company and its Medal of Honor project for its tremendous tribute to the cause of arts and learning for all.

Mr. Speaker, this month we celebrate the birthday of a great woman in the history of the United States, Susan B. Anthony.

Susan B. Anthony is known not only for her fight to gain women the right to vote, but also for her great courage in the stand against abortion. She was a feminist who fought tirelessly to protect the dignity of motherhood, which she believed to be an inherent right of all women.

Susan B. Anthony saw abortion as a grave offense against human dignity. I am proud to honor Susan B. Anthony for her dedication to the cause of life, and I hope that my colleagues will join me in this.

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

As we have heard, Mr. Speaker, on January 20 of this year, Libya, a gross violator of human rights and a state sponsor of terrorism, was elected to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights despite the Bush administration's best effort to block this

farce. Hiding behind procedural explanations and diplomatic maneuverings, 33 countries ignored Libya's use of terror, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, persecution and harassments of political opponents, the selling of human beings into bondage as slaves; and instead, they voted for Libya to preside over this foremost human rights body.

The commission is one of the few international forums confronting human rights violators, and it sets much of the tone and the agenda for a global human rights accountability. Its mission essentially is to give voice to those who are oppressed; thus, the selection of Libya was not only a defeat for justice and human dignity but a betrayal of all those brave souls worldwide who risk imprisonment, exile or even death to fight for universal rights and for fundamental freedoms.

It was, and is, a betrayal of millions upon millions living under brutal regimes from North Korea to Cuba to China to Vietnam to Iran and Iraq. It is a betrayal also of the suffering endured by the families of the victims of Pan Am Flight 103. It shows contempt for the mission and work of the commission, and it only serves to empower and embolden pariah states who are increasing their presence on the commission and manipulating its agenda in order to legitimize their unacceptable practices.

How can a regime which does not allow U.N. human rights monitors into its borders and refuses to comply with its obligation under international human rights covenants be a member of the commission, much less be elected to preside over it? How can a nation subject to U.N. sanctions for its role in terrorist attacks be rewarded with a leadership position such as this?

Enough is enough. The U.S. cannot and will not sit idly by and allow dictators and terrorist states to further hijack the commission and other U.N. bodies.

That is why the resolution before us, which I had the pleasure of drafting with my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on International Relations, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), our ranking member, not only provides overwhelming evidence about Libya's record on human rights and terrorism but gives direction and support to the Bush administration as it attempts to reclaim the commission from the tyrants.

Toward this goal, we look forward to continuing our discussions with the administration on such possible areas of reform such as the establishment of at least a minimum set of standards which should be met by all states who seek to be members of this body; also, the creation of a democracy caucus where its members make decisions based on shared values and commitments, rather than regional or bilateral considerations; to establish criteria for accreditation of nongovernmental organizations to the commission, to make sure that these NGOs are not agents of violator governments; also, to provide recognized prisoners of conscience and human right dissidents in exile an opportunity to render testimony on the situation of their country of origin during debate of pertinent resolutions at the annual session of the commission.

This resolution extends beyond the commission. It seeks to prevent a repetition of this unacceptable situation in other U.N. fora, forums such as the Conference on Disarmament which may have Iraq at its helm in May of this year. And to achieve these goals, Mr. Speaker, the resolution calls for a diplomatic initiative to ensure that states that are gross violators of human rights, sponsors of terrorist activities or subject to U.N. sanctions, they will not be afforded membership or elected to any leadership position on any non-General Assembly U.N. entity or affiliated agency.

Article V, in fact, of the U.N. charter provides, in principle, the suspension of a member state's rights if it is subject to U.N. sanctions. In addition, the resolution seeks to address attempts made by the Libyan dictator to escape his regime's responsibility for the Pan Am 103 bombing. It calls on the President to seek full reinstatement of sanctions against Libya until it is in full compliance with all of its obligations under these sanctions, sanctions which were imposed, Mr. Speaker, as a result of Libya's orchestration of this terrorist attack.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, this is a comprehensive, forward-looking resolution which seeks to restore the commission's moral authority as well as the relevance of other U.N. bodies so they may fulfill their mandates. It enjoys bipartisan support, and I ask my colleagues to vote for passage of this resolution today.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 61) commending the people of Israel for conducting free and fair elections, reaffirming the friendship between the Governments and peoples of the United States and Israel, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days 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.

I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), for introducing this important resolution commending the people of Israel for conducting free and fair elections and reaffirming the close friendship between our two nations.

Virtually since its creation in 1948, the state of Israel has been the only democratic ally of the United States in the region. Today, it is the only country in the Middle East with truly free elections, a vibrant free press, an active civil society and other elements which constitute a free society, making it indeed the only country in the Middle East classified as free by Freedom House in its report on democracy and human rights in the region.

Its declaration of independence, its system based on separation of powers, particularly its emphasis on an independent judiciary, its guarantee of equal access for women and minorities, and its guarantee of freedom of religion to the entire population are but some of the parallels that we share, which further strengthen the bonds between our countries. However, our nations share more than just democratic principles.

Regrettably, we have both been victimized by terrorism, the common enemy of the civilized world. The continuing terrorist attacks against Israel clearly follow the pattern of attacking democratic countries which support and implement the rule of law, mistaking the openness and tolerance of such societies as a sign of weakness. Israel is targeted in part because it is our friend and in part because it is an oasis of liberal, democratic values in a vast expanse of authoritarian regimes, fanaticism and bigotry.

As a liberal democracy under repeated attack by murderers who target innocent men, women and children, Israel deserves our steadfast support. This support is essential to Israel's continued survival as a free and democratic nation, for only the United States has the power and political will to provide meaningful assistance to the only parliamentary democracy in the region.

While we may have shared interests with Arab states in the Middle East, it is with Israel that we share core values. As it was in Afghanistan, U.S. foreign policy should be about more than geostrategic concerns. It should also reflect who we are as a nation and as a people.

There is an expression in Spanish which says, loosely translated, ``Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are.'' Let then the U.S. be judged by its friendship and by its partnership with Israel, the region's truly free, democratic society.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support the gentleman from Virginia's resolution.

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 author of this resolution, who is our new chief deputy whip and a person with whom I had the pleasure of going to Israel with last year.

I look forward to my next visit to Israel just this Friday. I wish that he would be going with us.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Mercury Red Bone Celebrity Tournament and their founders, Gary and Susan Ellis, members of my Congressional district, for their outstanding commitment to the fight against cystic fibrosis.

On March 15 of this year, Mercury Redbone and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold their fourth annual 10K Walk to Pigeon Key. The walk will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an organization dedicated to the fight and the cure of this disease. Cystic fibrosis is the number one genetic killer of children and young adults in our country, and thousands of people have it.

Please join me in thanking the Ellis family and Redbone for their commitment to this noble cause.

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, January 29, 2003, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Cuban patriot Jose Marti, the University of Miami dedicates the Roberto C. GToizueta Pavilion to house the University of Miami Libraries' Cuban Heritage Collection. Under the accomplished direction and dynamic leadership of Professor Esperanza B. de Varona, the Cuban Heritage Collection is widely recognized as the premier collection of materials documenting the Cuban exile and Cuban American experience as well as the largest repository of historical and cultural Cuban materials outside of Cuba.

The history of the Cuban Heritage Collection is inextricably tied to that of the University of Miami. As early as 1926, faculty from the University of Havana came to teach at the University, and the collection of library materials related to Cuba grew to support course work and scholarship in Latin American and Caribbean studies. The arrival of thousands of Cuban exiles in the early 1960s accelerated the collection's expansion. In 1998, the Otto G. Richter Library's vast and growing holdings of Cuban, Cuban exile and Cuban-American monographs, and special materials were brought together under the Cuban Heritage Collection with Esperanza B. de Varona as its head. Mrs. de Varona is capably assisted by the Collection's bibliographer, Lesbia Orta Varona.

The Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion, the new home of the Cuban Heritage Collection, is an elegant and spacious addition to the University of Miami's Otto G. Richter Library. It is named in honor of Roberto C. Goizueta, a Cuban refugee who lived, relished, and, indeed, embodied the American dream. Mr. Goizueta served as chairman of the Board of Directors and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company from March 1, 1981 until his death on October 18, 1997. Born in Cuba in 1931, Mr. Goizueta began his career with The Coca-Cola Company in Havana in 1953. In 1960, after the Communist regime of Fidel Castro assumed power in Cuba and nationalized all private businesses, Mr. Goizueta, his wife Olga and their children left Cuba for Miami. Within 30 years of leaving Cuba, Mr. Goizueta was leading an American company that symbolizes freedom around the world--The Coca-Cola Company.

Roberto C. Goizueta was more than a business leader. He was the ideal citizen who believed that every person who enjoys freedom and opportunity has a duty to cherish, protect, and nurture it. He strived to make America stronger, not only through his inspirational and exceptional business leadership but also through his generous philanthropic contributions. Mr. Goizueta established The Goizueta Foundation in 1992 to provide financial assistance to educational and charitable institutions. In 1999, under the leadership of Olga C. de Goizueta, wife of the late entrepreneur, The Goizueta Foundation made a challenge grant of $2.5 million to the University of Miami in 1999 toward the building of a new home for the Cuban Heritage Collection. With additional support from the late Elena Diaz-Verson Amos and the Fanjul family, the Cuban Heritage Collection's Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion was completed in the fall of 2002.

From its new location, the Cuban Heritage Collection is able to continue to carry out its mission of collecting, preserving, and making accessible materials related to Cuban, Cuban exile, and Cuban American history and culture. It is a privilege for the collection to be doing so in the name of a man whose life, mission, and presence so influenced this community, this nation, and our world: Roberto C. Goizueta.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate James McDonough, who is the director of the Florida Office of Drug Control, for being named a national champion of youth by the Youth Crime Watch of America. James has made incredible strides in protecting the dignity and the innocence of our youth in South Florida through several successful drug and alcohol prevention programs. Mr. McDonough's hard work and devotion have profoundly changed the lives of many of our young people. James has worked with Youth Crime Watch of America, which strives to create an environment free from crime and violence so that our children will be able to flourish.

Please join me in thanking James McDonough for his selfless dedication to the care of our community's children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication and the life of a dear friend of this great Chamber, former Congressman Wayne Owens. Wayne Owens was an energetic Member who served the American people faithfully for four terms. As a member of the International Relations Committee on which I serve, Wayne Owens reached across the political aisle, committing himself to the peace process in the Middle East.

As the founder of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation, Wayne Owens brought together different leaders from the Middle East in his tireless pursuit of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace.

Mr. Speaker, many were touched by Congressman Wayne Owens. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Marlene, their two children, their grandchildren, and to all of his family and friends. Wayne will surely be missed.