Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce again for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of Ranking Member Eliot Engel's Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, H.R. 1677, of which I am proud to be an original cosponsor, and I commend him and the chairman for all of their hard work in authoring the bill and bringing it before us today.

During our committee's hearing on Syria in April--and we have had so many hearings--one of our witnesses made a point that I think bears repeating, a point that highlights the importance of the ranking member's bill before us today. As long as Assad remains in power, there is very little chance that we will be able to defeat ISIS or its offshoots because Assad, in many ways, has facilitated the growth of the very jihadist groups for which he claims are protecting Syria. Hogwash.

As we talk about how to stop the slaughter in Syria, we must remember that no one bears more responsibility for that slaughter than Assad. He and his regime are the ones dropping barrel bombs. They are the ones unleashing chemical weapons on their own people. And if we want to have any chance of stopping the bloodbath, of defeating ISIS, or of putting an end to the immense humanitarian challenges spreading throughout the region and beyond, we must put a stop to Assad.

This bill ratchets up the pressure on Assad and his collaborators, especially his main allies--Russia and Iran--while expanding on the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act, a bill which I authored and which became law in 2012. It gives the administration new tools to go after individuals and entities working with Assad in the finance, aircraft, transportation, telecom, and energy sectors, as well as

it gives them the tools to target individuals complicit in human rights abuses.

I am glad to have worked with the ranking member and our esteemed chairman to include my amendments in this bill, amendments that would determine that denying or hindering access to humanitarian aid is a serious human rights violation, and, as such, it would allow the administration to sanction any individual responsible for doing so.

All of these tools, Mr. Speaker, are vital components of doing something that we still desperately need in Syria: a comprehensive, holistic strategy that looks beyond short-term tactical successes and, instead, targets the foundation of so many of the problems rippling through the region.

If we continue to narrowly focus on ISIS without getting at the root of the Syrian conflict--Assad, Russia, and Iran--then we will only be treating the symptoms instead of the disease.

If we are to have any hope of finding a solution in Syria, the kind of pressure that this bill would achieve is an essential piece of that puzzle.

I offer my full support for this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, as we approach Peace Officers Memorial Day, I would like to honor the service and the sacrifice of law enforcement officers in my south Florida community who bravely lost their lives in the line of duty. On April 29, through the project that is called Project Honoring Every Resting Officer, or Project HERO, the Miami-Dade Police Department embarked upon its annual mission to pay tribute to the memory of each fallen officer in every department.

By placing an American flag and a Blue Line flag at the resting location of these valiant men and women in uniform, we remember their sacrifices and ensure that their memories will be immortalized.

I would like to thank the director of our fine police department, Juan Perez, for spearheading this noble cause on behalf of the families, friends, and colleagues of all of our fallen officers and also for Director Perez's work in making our community a safer place in which to live.

I encourage all south Floridans to also remember the fallen and to attend the Miami-Dade Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony on May 4 at 7 p.m. at Tropical Park.

Recognizing the Contribution of PortMiami

Mr. Speaker, I recently visited PortMiami, one of the prime economic engines in Miami-Dade County.

Located in my congressional district, PortMiami is known as the cruise capital of the world. With its exclusive geographic location, the port is accessible to many international markets. In 2016, it handled an impressive 9 million tons of cargo and close to 5 million passengers.

With such large numbers, we can already imagine the powerful impact of PortMiami. It grows our economy. It creates jobs in Miami-Dade County and, indeed, throughout our great State of Florida.

Recent investments in infrastructure have been instrumental in guaranteeing that PortMiami remains a world class cargo and cruise port.

Throughout my years in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of our port. A project to dredge the channel to accommodate megacontain- er vessels was completed in 2015. Also, four gantry cranes were purchased in order to operate the higher cargo volume. The completion of a tunnel has also accelerated the port's capacity to increase the volume of trucks that travel to and from the marine terminals, further strengthening the competitiveness of PortMiami.

PortMiami is currently undergoing some additional infrastructure projects, such as a new cruise terminal, security enhancements, and cargo yard-related improvements, all very important so that PortMiami continues to be a world class cargo and cruise port.

The Port of Miami is very important to my congressional district, to our south Florida economy, and I will continue to embrace this enterprise and economic force for our residents.

Lupus Awareness Month

Mr. Speaker, May is Lupus Awareness Month. Lupus is an autoimmune illness that has the ability to attack any part of the body and unfortunately has no cure yet.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, more than 1.5 million Americans, including my lovely stepdaughter Katharine, are living with lupus; and millions have already sadly lost their battle with this terrible disease.

So this month, we raise awareness and educate our communities about lupus; and we also thank the researchers, doctors, and scientists who work around the clock to research, diagnose, treat, and eventually cure this disease.

I would like to highlight the wonderful work that the Sylvester Cancer Center at my alma mater, the University of Miami, is doing to get closer to finding safer and more effective treatments.

I have been honored to join forces with the Lupus Foundation and my colleagues in the Congressional Lupus Caucus to secure new Federal funding to advance lupus research, education, and awareness. These funds will help foster new scientific breakthroughs to better understand the disease and to help patients living with lupus.

Finally, I want to recognize the hard work and the dedication of caregivers and advocates who raise awareness for lupus who create a better life for those impacted by this terrible disease.

In particular, I want to highlight the Florida Chapter of the Lupus Foundation. From their local Walks to End Lupus to their tireless advocacy on behalf of patients and caregivers, they have been an instrumental source of hope, guidance, and comfort to those living who have been transformed by this disease.

So I invite our entire south Florida community to join them and the Miami Marlins on May 10 at Marlins Park for Lupus Awareness Night.

Mr. Speaker, this month, let us remember those who we have lost and those who are currently impacted by this terrible disease. Let us thank the advocates and caregivers, empower researchers, and, most importantly, let us work together for the day when no one will be diagnosed with lupus.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about something that I hold near and dear to my heart: the plight of the people of Tibet and of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The forced exile of His Holiness is a source of profound sorrow for the people of Tibet. For over 60 years, the Communist regime in Beijing has refused to allow this kind, compassionate man to come home, while systematically persecuting the Tibetan people, denying them even the most basic human rights and freedom, and implementing policies designed to wipe out the culture of Tibet.

In 2007, I authored legislation that paved the way for Congress to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to the Dalai Lama. A decade later, I am concerned that issues in Tibet are being pushed to the sidelines, a mistake that could have profound consequences not only for Tibet, but for the entire Asian Continent.

Known as the ``Roof of the World,'' the Tibetan plateau is the source of many of Asia's major rivers, making the Chinese regime's threat to Tibet's stability a strategically important security issue for the entire region.

Last month, I was proud to join Congressman McGovern in sending a letter in support of the appointment of a Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department. I am also proud to cosponsor Mr. McGovern's bill, the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, which is designed to help stop China's destabilizing behavior in Tibet by revoking the visa of any Chinese official found to be responsible for restricting the access of U.S. citizens to Tibet.

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Richard Gere, an activist who helps to bring more attention and awareness to this very important matter. As His Holiness has said: ``In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.''

It is essential, Mr. Speaker, that we in Congress advocate on behalf of the people of Tibet and join forces to combat the Chinese regime's increasing aggression.

Israel's 69th Independence Day

Mr. Speaker, today marks the democratic Jewish State of Israel's 69th Independence Day.

For the Jewish people to have not only survived the Holocaust and the Nazi effort to eradicate them from the planet and then to establish a state of their own in their historical and biblical homeland is nothing short of a miracle. And in just seven decades, not only has Israel arisen, it has thrived, becoming one of the world's great democracies and the epicenter of high tech all over the world.

I am frequently asked: Why Israel? Why do I so strongly support Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance? It is because, in Israel, I see a nation and a people who share the same ideals and the same values that we in America have: two societies committed to freedom, committed to democracy, and that understand the need to protect those ideals. Simply put, Mr. Speaker, defending Israel's right to exist is defending the values that we cherish so greatly and our way of life that we hold dear.

So to Prime Minister Netanyahu and to the people of Israel, I wish you all the very best on all that you have accomplished and achieved, and may the Jewish state be blessed with peace and security for many years to come.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the Falic family-- Simon, Jana, and Tila Falic--for their kind invitation to celebrate this momentous occasion in south Florida. I know how deeply the Falics care for the U.S.-Israel alliance and just how much they have done for that partnership as well as for south Florida's Jewish community, so I am sure that those events were great. Thank you to the Falic family.

I wish all who celebrated this morning at the Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach, located in my congressional district, a very happy new year. I know that last night's ceremony to commemorate Israel's Memorial Day meant so much to the community. How special is it, Mr. Speaker, that Israel commemorates their fallen the night before they celebrate what their fallen helped to establish and to protect?

I hope that all of my colleagues will join me in sending our friends in Israel warm wishes today.

Mazel tov.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Meg Daly, who is the founder of The Underline, a wonderful 10-mile linear park and urban trail in my congressional district that will serve to connect hundreds of Americans across Miami-Dade County through safe, alternative methods of transportation.

In 2013, Meg had an unfortunate accident that broke both of her arms. Since she couldn't drive herself to attend physical therapy, she took the Metrorail near her home and walked underneath the train tracks to reach her destination. That is when Meg took notice of the underutilized land right below the Metrorail and envisioned its transformative potential for community mobility, positive economic impact, and enhanced quality of life.

The Underline counts with overwhelming support across Miami-Dade, providing for a safe and healthy space for our community members to express themselves. From free yoga classes to artistic festivals to projects to restore Miami's urban green space, each day The Underline is getting closer to becoming what Meg has envisioned.

Congratulations to one of our community's leaders, Meg Daly.

Mr. Speaker, this week we commemorated Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. People around the world gathered together in their communities to remember and to reflect, to mourn the dead, to pay tribute to the survivors, and to honor the sacrifices of the rescuers and liberators.

As a Member of Congress who represents south Florida, Yom HaShoah is particularly meaningful for me and for my constituents as so many Holocaust survivors call our south Florida community home.

I have had both the honor and the privilege to come to know many survivors over the years and be able to call them my friends. You know, you can only learn so much about the Holocaust from history books because the human toll, that is told by survivors.

What is truly eye opening and what really brings things into perspective is sitting down with survivors or family members of survivors and hearing their stories. It is as heartbreaking as it is unimaginable to think that humanity could inflict this kind of hatred, this kind of evil upon fellow human beings, and it is as shameful as it is unconscionable that the indifference of mankind could allow such atrocities to occur.

This is why it is incumbent upon us, all of us, Mr. Speaker, to mark Yom HaShoah each and every year and to rededicate ourselves to learning from the lessons of the past so we can ensure a better future free of such hatred, free of such intolerance.

On Tuesday, we marked the Days of Remembrance with a beautiful and moving candle-lighting ceremony here in the Capitol rotunda where survivors lit six candles representing the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. It was the first such commemoration since the passing of Elie Wiesel.

Elie Wiesel made it his life mission to share the memories of what had occurred so that the world would know the truth. Elie Wiesel would not let anyone forget the horrors of the past because, as he said in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech: ``If we forget, we are guilty, we are accomplices.''

Elie was only 15 years old when he and his family were deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp facing near certain death. It was at Auschwitz where nearly 1 million Jews were murdered. Almost one out of every six Jews who were killed during the Holocaust were killed at Auschwitz.

Today, Auschwitz serves as a stark reminder of the sins of the past, of the evil, of the indifference of mankind, but it also serves as an educational opportunity, an opportunity to bear witness.

As Elie Wiesel said at the dedication ceremony of our United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993: ``For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.''

For not only are we responsible for the memories of the dead, Mr. Speaker, we are also responsible for what we are doing with those memories. That is why, since 1988, the International March of the Living has brought over 250,000 participants together from over 50 countries to march a 3-kilometer path leading from Auschwitz to Birkenau.

The march is a silent tribute to all victims of the Holocaust, and as the International March of the Living states: It is intended to inspire individuals, to fight indifference, to fight racism, to fight injustice by witnessing the atrocities of the Holocaust.

This past Monday, April 24, the International March of the Living held its annual march in Poland. And though the march is a silent tribute, Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay a vocal tribute to the participants of the March of the Living, as well as to the International March of the Living members, for their part in keeping alive the legacy, in keeping alive the memory of those who perished.

I pay tribute to its efforts to educate, to bring together individuals with survivors so that they can get a better understanding of what blind hatred can do if left unchecked.

And I pay tribute to the International March of the Living for its pledge to ``Never Again'' and to working to build a world in which we can all

fulfill our promise of a better future free from hatred, free from bigotry, free from indifference to the suffering of others.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science for the opening of its new location in downtown Miami in my congressional district on May 8. From its humble beginnings in 1950 as the Junior Museum of Miami, the Frost Museum has enjoyed tremendous success becoming the premier educational attraction for families and children across south Florida.

The nationally recognized afterschool programs and summer camps offered at the Frost Museum of Science have provided generations of students the firsthand opportunity to explore science, technology, marine life, and astronomy, undoubtedly contributing to south Florida students' immense interest in STEM careers.

The new location in downtown Miami will provide state-of-the-art facilities and expand the interactive exhibits and demonstrations that keep patrons of the Frost Museum of Science returning year after year.

I would like to invite all of south Florida to come out to the new Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science on May 8 to celebrate the grand opening of this magnificent new facility.

Recognizing Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and St. Thomas the Apostle

Catholic School

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two extraordinary schools from my district, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School, which have been selected regional winners for the Toshiba 2017 ExploraVision competition.

Their award-winning projects included a unique system for detecting blood clots through the use of sonar, synthetic photosynthesis, and an app to assist individuals with food allergies.

These innovative projects not only demonstrate our students' interest in STEM careers but a greater dedication to create solutions to the problems of today and tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, congratulations to the participants from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School because this latest accomplishment further demonstrates the commitment that students in my district have toward making a better future for all.

Congratulations to the winners at Lourdes and St. Thomas for the Toshiba 2017 ExploraVision competition.

Recognizing DMR Corporation

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize DMR Corporation, which is opening a new medical supply retail store this Friday in my congressional district.

Since its start in 1984, DMR has been working to meet the rising and challenging needs of the disabled community in south Florida and around the world. DMR counts with highly trained staff and with the tools necessary to build appropriate mobility and seating equipment, make accessible home and vehicle modifications, and install pool lifts for recreational activities.

It is thanks to the vision of the founder, Nella Pardo, and her commitment of service to others that DMR has thrived and has given nearly 12,000 clients the possibilities of better mobility that only a unique, custom-built wheelchair can offer.

DMR has contributed so many thousands of free wheelchairs to the needy disabled in south Florida, and it participates in many events to raise funds that will enable disabled individuals to have the mobility equipment they desperately need. Congrats to all.

Congratulating Williamson Automotive

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Williamson Automotive on its significant milestone of 50 years of a highly successful and award-winning dealership.

Williamson Automotive does more than just create jobs and spur the economy of our community, as important as those are, but it has also engaged in various philanthropic ventures to best serve south Florida.

From their work contributing to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami to supporting a number of high school sports teams and sponsoring events for Relay For Life, Williamson Automotive never ceases to go above and beyond for south Florida.

Mr. Speaker, Williamson Automotive embodies what many homegrown businesses should, a passion for what you do and the ability to serve your community broadly, and they do just that.

I know that our community joins me in thanking Ed, Carol, and Trae Williamson and their staff for all that they have done and will continue to do to make our tropical paradise an even better place.

Once again, congratulations to Williamson Automotive on celebrating 50 years, and I wish you all the best and many more years of service to south Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Women's Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami as the members gear up to celebrate the 17th annual Miracle Makers Fashion Show and Luncheon on April 27.

Through its mentoring programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami has given our community over 50 years of proven success in providing at- risk youth with the tools and resources to discover their true potential and thrive in their personal, academic, and professional lives.

Thanks to the invaluable dedication of its staff and volunteers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami has rightfully earned its reputation as the gold standard of mentoring youngsters.

The upcoming Miracle Makers Fashion Show will highlight some of our community's most outstanding miracle makers while bringing attention to the positive impact that mentoring has on our youth.

I encourage all south Floridians who want to give back to our community to lend their time and their support to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. Together, we can make a brighter future for all.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents and I are so blessed to live, to work, and to play in the paradise that is south Florida. But for our kids and our grandchildren to enjoy the same positive experiences that we have had, it is vital that we act now to combat climate change.

Creating a thoughtful dialogue on Capitol Hill about the harmful impact of climate change is essential for us to be able to take proactive action toward solving the challenges brought about by this real and growing threat.

Congress can no longer dispute the fact that sea level rise has been occurring steadily over the last 100 years. I have seen firsthand how our streets keep flooding from king tides, which impacts our constituents, businesses, tourism, and our economic livelihood.

There is positive progress emerging from south Florida. We have led on sea level rise proposals with the Miami-Dade County Sea Level Rise Task Force and the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we put partisan politics aside and tackle the inevitable threat of climate change.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an outstanding young lady from our south Florida community, Victoria Rios.

Vicki is the winner of the 2016 Congressional App Challenge from my congressional district, and she is a remarkable senior high student at Gulliver Preparatory.

Her app, Simple Sign, was created out of the most noble and sincere desire to help those with hearing impairment, and her app was inspired by her special needs younger sister, Zoe.

Simple Sign is an easy-to-use app that includes photos and videos that helps individuals easily and quickly learn sign language through a cell phone or tablet.

The future of our great Nation relies on innovators from all backgrounds and walks of life in STEM careers, and I could not be more proud of Vicki choosing this extraordinary calling. I hope that this accomplishment will inspire her classmates, friends, and other young women across south Florida to pursue a career in STEM fields.

Congratulations, Victoria, and I cannot wait to see all of the amazing designs that you will create in the future.

2017 AIDS Walk Miami

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage all of south Florida to participate in the 2017 AIDS Walk Miami on Sunday, April 23, at Soundscape Park located in my congressional district of Miami Beach.

This 5K walk through the streets of beautiful South Beach seeks to cultivate a culture of awareness and prevention, as well as help provide services for the more than 15,000 individuals who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS in our south Florida community.

Since 1989, this AIDS walk has been one of Miami's largest HIV/AIDS awareness charity event and continues to attract thousands of participants from all over the Nation who walk together to raise funds to prevent new infections, maximize the health outcomes and quality of life of those infected, and ultimately end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in south Florida.

Unfortunately, last year, south Florida led our Nation in AIDS- related deaths, and Miami was one of the Nation's top HIV hotspots.

This walk lends vital support to local groups and organizations, such as Care Resource and the Food for Life Network, that are working to transform the lives of patients and caregivers throughout our south Florida community.

The Food for Life Network food bank provides and delivers groceries, meals, and nutritional education to men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS in Miami-Dade County. Since 1987, its staff and volunteers have provided over 1.5 million meals and groceries as well as other crucial services, such as free screening for sexually transmitted diseases, free medical and dental care, access to health and nutrition specialists, and so much more, Mr. Speaker.

Care Resource is improving the health and quality of life of our diverse south Florida community, especially those impacted by HIV/AIDS, by providing essential health services, such as pediatric and dental care, immunizations, HIV primary care, and more.

It is because of the work and commitment of organizations like these that AIDS is no longer a death sentence and patients can live long and fulfilling lives.

So, again, Mr. Speaker, I invite everyone in south Florida to come out to the 2017 AIDS Walk Miami and help celebrate our great success against this disease and the great progress that we have achieved for the thousands living with HIV/AIDS in south Florida and to reaffirm our strong commitment to the work that is yet to be done.

Together we can achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation in the near future.

Commemorating the Work of The Humane Society

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate one of the Nation's largest animal protection organizations, The Humane Society of the United States.

Each year, The Humane Society and its affiliates provide sanctuaries, veterinary programs, emergency shelters, and rescues to over 100,000 animals, leading in efforts to confront animal cruelty and providing care and services to many animals in need.

In addition, The Humane Society works tirelessly to educate and advocate by providing essential training and services to local shelters and animal groups lacking resources and through policy initiatives on both the State and national level.

Animal welfare and wildlife conservation are vital to our south Florida community. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to pay tribute to the outstanding commitment of all the volunteers of The Humane Society of the United States and wish all of them great success as we continue working together to combat animal cruelty and negligence to create a better world for all animals.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Greenberg Traurig, an iconic law firm located in my congressional district whose growth, over the past 50 years, has been symbolic of the growth of our south Florida community.

In 1967, attorneys Larry Hoffman, Mel Greenberg, and Robert Traurig saw an opportunity to capitalize on south Florida's emergence as a center of global commerce and joined together to found the law firm Greenberg Traurig Hoffman. Over time, these visionaries played an important role in defining the south Florida skyline and its corporate landscape. Now their firm has expanded across Florida, across our country, and even internationally.

Fifty years after its founding, Greenberg Traurig today has more than 2,000 attorneys practicing in 38 locations on three continents. With a culture strongly rooted in providing legal excellence for clients and an unparalleled commitment to community service, Greenberg Traurig prospered and grew alongside Miami to the extent that both are now global influencers.

I am truly proud to have Greenberg Traurig, founded in my congressional district, as a continued partner in the growth of south Florida, and I wish the firm another 50 years of continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the commitment that Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel have shown in holding North Korea accountable for its illicit activity, and it is a long list.

Mr. Speaker, I want to also commend my good friend and colleague, Congressman Joe Wilson, for authoring this important measure, H. Res. 92, condemning North Korea's development of multiple intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs.

Recently, North Korea has made the calculation that it either needs to flex its muscles through the test of ballistic missiles or, at the very least, provoke an international response so that the regime can use it as propaganda against the West.

We have seen dozens of missile tests over the past year, and, just as troubling, at least two nuclear tests. I know that this is resolution condemning North Korea's provocative action, but I do think this is an opportunity to call attention to the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile program. What I and some of my colleagues have been saying for years now is that Iran has been following the North Korea playbook.

We signed a weak and dangerous nuclear deal with North Korea, and what was the result? A nuclear-armed Pyongyang that is testing and upgrading its ballistic and nuclear program unchecked and possibly even proliferating these materials, or at least the know-how, to Iran.

We concluded a weak and dangerous nuclear deal with Iran, and you can be sure, if we don't do more to press Iran, we will be welcoming another dangerous regime to the nuclear weapons club.

While we rightfully condemn North Korea for its provocations, we must be mindful that, if we follow the same path and make the same mistakes, it will be Iran in a few years that will have a nuclear weapon and ballistic missile program that can threaten global security, and that is in none of our interests.

I urge my colleagues to fully support Mr. Wilson's measure, Mr. Speaker, but I also urge them to realize the failures of past policies and what got us here to this point with North Korea and not to allow the same mistakes to happen with respect to Iran.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to be standing here in strong support of the measure of my very good friend from New Jersey, Mr. Albio Sires. H. Res. 54 is so important. It reaffirms the U.S.-Argentina partnership and recognizes Argentina's economic reforms. As Mr. Royce said, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Mr. Sires' important resolution.

Up until the recent election of President Macri, Argentina was going in the wrong direction. Since Macri came to office, he has made some tough but much-needed economic reforms. He has shown that Argentina is willing to be engaged in areas of mutual interest to our two countries and expand our bilateral relations. President Macri's commitment to these reforms should be commended.

But he hasn't just shown strong leadership on economic reforms. President Macri has shown strong character and leadership to the rule of law and pursuit of justice. He has done so by announcing his intention to continue to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association, AMIA, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Last month, we marked the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, which was followed by the 1994 AMIA attack.

It is no secret that the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah was responsible for these attacks; yet, to this day, Mr. Speaker, Iran and Hezbollah have evaded justice.

The United States should support President Macri as he continues his investigation and seeks to hold those responsible accountable to make sure that he can bring them to justice for their deadly terror attacks.

We should also applaud and support his decision to investigate the suspicious circumstances involving the death of the special prosecutor of these cases, Alberto Nisman. Alberto had uncovered links between Hezbollah and these terror attacks, and I would speak with Alberto frequently about these troublesome ties.

Nisman was a good man and a strong supporter of human rights. We must help President Macri and the people of Argentina continue Nisman's work and legacy by bringing those responsible for his death and for those dastardly terrorist attacks to justice.

We can start by signaling to the people of Argentina that we support their government and that we value our bilateral relationship. Passing Mr. Sires' resolution will do just that. We will send that message.

I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Sires' measure.

Mr. Speaker, I stand in full support of Judge Poe's bill, H.R. 479, the North Korea State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation Act of 2017.

Over the years, as the chairman has said, I have repeatedly and explicitly called for Pyongyang to be redesignated as a state sponsor of terrorism, SST, country.

I stood in ardent opposition to the Bush administration's decision to remove North Korea from the SST list, and in the years past, I introduced similar legislation to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), which would see Pyongyang back on the list where it belongs.

The removal from the list was a failure of the nuclear negotiations with North Korea, a concession given for nothing but empty promises in return.

In much the same way that the Obama administration removed Cuba from the SST list 2 years ago, the Bush administration got empty promises in return for these terrible concessions, while the Obama administration couldn't even get empty promises.

These designations are much more important than just tools for negotiation, Mr. Speaker. They are there because these countries actively support terror or they support or facilitate countries that do support terror. They pose a very serious risk to U.S. national security and global stability. This is not something to take lightly, and removing North Korea from the SST list was a very serious error in judgment.

It is far past time, Mr. Speaker, to correct this mistake, and it has to start by having an honest and transparent determination made on Pyongyang, its support for terror, and its ties to other state sponsor of terrorism states like Iran.

I support Judge Poe's bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to the city of West Miami in recognition of its 70th anniversary.

What began as a small town of 700 residents has flourished into a haven for nearly 7,000 south Floridians, including my constituents, Senator Marco Rubio and Miami-Dade County commissioners and former West Miami Mayor Rebeca Sosa, who are proud to call West Miami home.

While the city itself is less than 1 square mile, the tremendous growth that has graced West Miami in the past 70 years has led to the creation of some of the finest public parks and summer camps in our State.

To celebrate its founding, local officials, businesses, residents, and their families will gather together on Saturday, April 8, at Cooper Park, in celebration of this incredible milestone.

I am honored to represent the city of West Miami, and I thank all who have dedicated countless hours to making this corner of south Florida special for all of us to enjoy.

Mr. Speaker, last Congress, I joined several of our colleagues in forming the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti- Semitism.

As a co-chair, a distinction that I am proud to share alongside my pals, Eliot Engel, Chris Smith, Ted Deutch, Kay Granger, Nita Lowey, Peter Roskam, and Marc Veasey, it is important to call attention to anti-Semitism in all of its forms and to work to root it out whenever we can. I am also extremely honored to have been named by Speaker Ryan to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council earlier this year.

As we know, it was the anti-Semitic attitudes across Europe, in the 1920s

and 1930s, that gave rise to Hitler and the Nazis who exploited the deep-seated hatred of Jews to take power, culminating in the systematic and deliberate murder of over 6 million Jews during humanity's darkest period, the Holocaust.

In these capacities, I intend to continue to raise awareness on the rising level and this trend of anti-Semitism worldwide and to take actions against it, as I have done for many years now.

The fight against global anti-Semitism must start with strong U.S. leadership. We have the means, we have the leverage, but we must be resolute in our efforts to stem the tide of anti-Semitism and to reverse it.

Today, Mr. Speaker, we hear about the dangers of anti-Semitism across the world and how, in many places, Jews are being targeted in an alarmingly increasing trend. But I want to highlight an area that needs to be brought into greater focus when we discuss combating global anti- Semitism. It is something that an old friend of mine, Natan Sharansky, so succinctly and astutely described.

Natan and I have had the opportunities to discuss everything from anti-Semitism to oppression in Cuba, my native homeland, and in Russia; and his insight is extremely valuable.

What Natan Sharansky has helped define is the new anti-Semitism and what he calls the three Ds: double standards, demonization, and delegitimatization. And I think the clearest example today of Natan's three Ds can be seen unfortunately at the United Nations with its anti- Israel, anti-Semitic agenda, most notably at bodies like UNESCO, UNRWA, the U.N. Human Rights Council, and other U.N. bodies.

All of these clearly exhibit the double standards: condemning Israel based on faulty or illegitimate claims, while ignoring the very real problems of other member states. Israel is repeatedly and singularly isolated, targeted, and demonized. And, of course, there is no other nation that is subjected to efforts to delegitimize it or its existence like Israel.

So what do we need to do? Well, we have to look around at what agencies are doing. The efforts at UNESCO to erase Jewish historical and cultural ties to their ancient homeland, Jerusalem, have been appalling.

The move by the Human Rights Council to establish a blacklist to target individuals and entities that do business with Israel, legitimatizing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, BDS, and the efforts to take Israel to the International Criminal Court or to force Israel to agree to a one-sided peace plan, these all reach the height of delegitimatization.

All of this is taking place at the United Nations, the body that was forged in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. We need to fight the scourge of anti-Semitism on all fronts, Mr. Speaker, and not just at the U.N.

But if we fail to reverse the systematic and endemic anti-Semitism at the U.N., we are going to have a hard time achieving much success in any of our other endeavors.

That is why I will introduce a bill soon that addresses these problems at the U.N., and I urge my colleagues to join me in an effort to defeat the intolerance wherever and whenever it appears.

Anti-Semitism is one of the world's oldest forms of hatred and, for too long, has gone unaddressed. We have a responsibility to the Jewish communities worldwide, and we have a responsibility to ourselves to root out this hatred in all of its forms, once and for all.