Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Royce for his amazing leadership and also Ranking Member Engel. They brought this important and timely resolution to the floor, and I am so grateful to have worked not only with Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel, but also with Chairman Cook and Ranking Member Sires of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee.

All of us introduced H. Res. 981, and this resolution, as Mr. Sires and Mr. Royce have pointed out, condemns the persecution; it condemns the intimidation, the violence, and the murders that are being committed by the Government of Nicaragua against its citizens under the orders of Daniel Ortega.

Mr. Speaker, 450, that is how many Nicaraguans have been killed by Ortega's regime and its thugs just since April of this year. Heaven knows how many today or how many just these past days. The death toll is rising every day. And as the regime has now authorized a shoot-to- kill policy in cities like Masaya and Jinotega, shoot to kill against dissidents, against protesters, and add that to the thousands who have been injured, arrested, and forced disappearances, we are talking about a massive and severe repression by a regime that will do anything to stay in power. That is what this is all about. Ortega and his wife want to stay in power at all costs.

On Monday, Daniel Ortega had the nerve, the audacity, to go on our news channel, FOX News, American TV, to say that everything was under control in Nicaragua and that it was, in fact, the Nicaraguan people who were committing the acts of violence, that the Nicaraguan people are the ones responsible for the bloodshed. It is a desperate attempt by a desperate but dangerous fool.

Mr. Speaker, it is a dire situation, and it is getting worse by the day. That is why we need to hold Ortega accountable for his evil and violent acts and put additional pressure on his regime.

The administration has shown great leadership in condemning Ortega and in sanctioning some of his regime's top officials under the Global Magnitsky Act.

My resolution urges the administration to do more, to target more of Ortega's goons for sanctions, and to urge this very body to do more, because time is of the essence.

The measure before us is simple and straightforward. It rightfully identifies Ortega, not the Nicaraguan people, as the orchestrator of the violence. It urges the administration to take more action against the regime. It also demonstrates our unwavering support for the people of Nicaragua in their support for democracy and their pursuit of justice. It includes the call for early, free, fair, and transparent elections overseen by domestic and international observers.

This resolution also calls upon responsible nations to stand in solidarity with the people of Nicaragua, because their silence has been deafening.

Today, this body is standing up for some of the most cherished values and ideals that we hold true to our hearts, and we are unequivocally rejecting the Ortega regime's abuses and its corruption. Today, we can send a strong, unified, and clear message that we are watching; we are acting; and we are supporting the aspirations of all freedom-loving Nicaraguans.

Mr. Speaker, in my congressional district, I am so blessed to have so many Nicaraguan Americans. In fact, one of them is right here behind me, Gaby Boffelli, who is very proud of her Nicaraguan heritage, and she keeps me abreast of what is happening in Nicaragua every day.

My constituents tell me they are heartbroken about the situation. They are heartbroken because people don't seem to be paying attention. But they know that the United States Congress is standing with them. Today, with this vote, we will stand ever so strongly with them.

Ortega is receiving help, as the chairman pointed out, from Venezuela's Maduro, from Castro in Cuba, and from Diaz-Canel in Cuba. These thugs know how to repress and kill dissidents.

Let's do the right thing. Let's not stand with the oppressors. Let's stand with the people of Nicaragua.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Paul Kruss and Hussain Mohammed on their recent recognition by Boys Town Jerusalem.

Paul and Mo are the proprietors of Mo's Bagels and Deli located in beautiful south Florida. Although some may know these two for serving up some of the best bagels and lox in Aventura, many know them for their world-class philanthropy and community involvement.

Most recently, Paul and Mo have joined forces to support Boys Town Jerusalem, a phenomenal academic institution transforming the lives of disadvantaged boys into productive members of Israeli society.

Whether it be involvement in local causes at home or ensuring success for the next generations abroad, Paul and Mo's dedication and commitment to helping those who need it the most is unwavering. Paul Kruss and Hussain Mohammed are champions of noble causes, champions for Israel, and champions for our south Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud of the work accomplished by Paul and by Mo, and I congratulate them on this much-deserved recognition by Boys Town Jerusalem.

Mazel tov, amigos.

Mr. Speaker, in the seven decades since its independence, Israel has become a shining light in an otherwise dark region filled with human rights abusers all around her.

That would not have been possible were it not for those who fought for their ancestral country, but also for our shared values of freedom and democracy.

In fact, over 4,000 foreign individuals, Jews and non-Jews, from 58 countries volunteered to fight in 1948 alongside

the Israeli forces. Machal, volunteers from outside the country, they are called.

Amongst these mighty warriors, 23 Cuban Jews bravely answered the call to arms and left Cuba to come to Israel's aid and secure her independence.

This Sunday, the Inter-American Chapter of Hadassah in my congressional district is honoring these courageous Cuban heroes, particularly the four remaining survivors.

Mr. Speaker, the sacrifice and heroism of Cuban Jews during the Israeli 1948 War of Independence will never be forgotten by us.

Mr. Speaker, following the Castro playbook, Evo Morales has taken systematic steps to curtail the basic rights of the people of Bolivia and solidify his legacy to maintain his evil grip on power.

Evo Morales has ruled Bolivia for over 12 years and expects to do so indefinitely. Two years ago, he imposed a constitutional referendum to eliminate presidential term limits so that he could run for yet another term, his fourth term, in 2019.

After a resounding ``no'' vote from the people of Bolivia, this thug turned to the courts, which he totally controls, to stomp on the will of the people. The courts sided with him--what a surprise--and went as far as declaring that Morales' indefinite reelection is a human right. What an insult that is to the Bolivian people and to all of us who cherish true democratic ideals.

Just like Castro, Evo Morales also continues to clamp down on the opposition, sending his national police to deploy repressive tactics and silence dissent brutally. Just last month, his henchmen killed a young student from the Public University in the city of El Alto, where students peacefully protested, calling for additional resources for their university.

The latest State Department human rights report states that Morales' power over the judicial system, the denial of a fair and timely public trial, and prosecutions of political opponents are at the top of his human rights abuses, his greatest hits.

It is no wonder that over 1,200 Bolivian political exiles are now living in Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Spain, and here in our wonderful country, including my lovely south Florida community.

Mr. Speaker, Evo Morales' anti-imperialist rhetoric, expelling all of our agencies--DEA, USAID, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia--and his coziness with rogue regimes are just further proof of the threat his regime poses for the stability and security of our allies in our hemisphere and beyond.

Using Bolivia's status as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Morales has sided with Syria and its abysmal human rights record; undermined our ally, the democratic Jewish State of Israel; and consistently attacked the United States and our efforts to uphold and promote the values of freedom and democracy in the region and around the world.

Simply put, Morales is no friend of democratic values, and just like the dictatorships in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, his regime has solidified control at the expense of the people and our own national security interests.

The Bolivian people need our help, Mr. Speaker, and we must start paying attention to what is happening right here in our own hemisphere.

Honoring the Life of Robert Traurig

Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Robert Traurig, a revered leader who helped build south Florida and someone who Dexter and I proudly called a dear friend. Bob passed away recently, but he left an incredible legacy of legal brilliance and leadership in our community.

Founder of Greenberg Traurig in 1967, which is now one of the world's top and largest law firms, Bob was an expert zoning lawyer who helped develop Miami-Dade County into the metropolitan area that it is today.

Bob was influential in expanding Brickell Avenue and Coconut Grove, areas which I proudly represent and are central residential communities that also attract thousands of visitors every year. He also led efforts for the development of the Florida Grand Opera and Performing Arts Center Foundation, among many other enterprises.

Bob constantly fought for the best interests of his clients and our communities, and the mark he left on south Florida is evidence of his remarkable passion. Bob Traurig's work to develop Miami-Dade County, in addition to his charitable and philanthropic spirit, will become the lasting legacy of this dedicated leader.

Farewell, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, as always, I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their work in always bringing forth solid, bipartisan bills to the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, I offer my full support for Ambassador Ann Wagner's bill before us today, H.R. 3030, the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018, of which I am proud to be a cosponsor. This bill takes necessary and overdue steps to make preventing genocide and other atrocities a priority in our foreign policy. Indeed, this bill makes it clear that it will be the policy of the United States that the prevention of genocide and other atrocities is not only in our national security interests, but it is a core moral responsibility for us to do so.

Far too often, these acts have been met with indifference, indifference from responsible nations and indifference from those who are not directly impacted by the mass murders and the torment and the destruction. Elie Wiesel, this bill's namesake, challenged us to always take sides, to not allow indifference or neutrality to dictate our actions. As he said, ``Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.''

Our values and ideals as Americans dictate that we must do what we can to prevent genocide, to prevent atrocities, and to prevent human rights violations. This bill enshrines those principles. It ensures that the United States is at the forefront of the fight against these crimes against humanity, and will use the full weight and force of our foreign policy to prevent them from ever happening again.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ambassador Wagner for authoring this bill, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this bill to the floor today, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce for introducing

this important bipartisan measure before us today, and of course, congratulate both him and Ranking Member Engel, who work so well in bringing important legislation in a bipartisan manner to the floor every day.

This is H.R. 5480, the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, and I am a proud cosponsor of this bipartisan measure. We know that when women work, and the number of women in the workforce is increasing, there is a corresponding growth in economies.

The benefit that results from empowering women and expanding their economic activities are far reaching. They have a great society impact. From the household to communities, to local, State, and the Federal level, we would see drastic improvements if women not only had greater access, but greater influence over income and finances.

Yet, sadly, women continue to face seemingly insurmountable barriers that deter them from becoming full and equal members of society, particularly when it comes to access to formal financial institutions, and that is what this bill would do. It updates and expands USAID policies with respect to microenterprise assistance authority, to chip away at those barriers that exist now. It will also include support for small- and medium-sized enterprises. These are the real drivers of employment in so many places around the globe.

Also, it would provide women with greater access to economic activities. It will improve the working environment for women and support their property rights. It is a commonsense approach, Mr. Speaker. By increasing women's participation in the workforce around the world, we will be creating greater economic benefits with positive implications for all aspects of society.

Mr. Speaker, I fully support Mr. Royce's measure. I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and my friend from Florida, Congresswoman Frankel, for bringing forward this important bipartisan bill.

All countries of the world stand to benefit from the increased participation of women in their economies and in their societies at large.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote ``aye,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize my dear friend and chief of staff, Maytee Sanz.

This week, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, CHLI, will honor Maytee with the Stephen Vermillion Congressional Staff Appreciation Award.

Oftentimes--most of the time--Members of Congress receive the praise for the excellent work of their staff. That has certainly been the case with Maytee. Leading my staff, Maytee has been instrumental in the effective functioning of my office and keeping our policy priorities on track and connected to the community.

Maytee started working with me since my early days in the Florida Legislature, a long time ago, and rose from her role as my district aide to become my congressional chief of staff. Along the way, she earned both her master's and bachelor's degrees from NSU, Nova Southeastern University, in addition to finding time to mentor many young men and women who have come through our office.

The CHLI Stephen Vermillion award is much-deserved, and South Florida has been well-served by having Maytee at the helm of our office.

Felicidades, Doctora Sanz.

Mr. Speaker, next Wednesday, July 18, marks 24 years since the horrific terrorist attack on the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

This attack, carried out by the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah, left 85 innocent people dead and many more wounded. It shook the entire Jewish community in Argentina, and all across South America, who were targeted by Hezbollah just 2 years earlier with a deadly attack at the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, which left 29 dead and 250 wounded.

The AMIA bombing remains the deadliest terror attack in Argentina's history, yet its perpetrators and those responsible for the Embassy bombing have yet to be brought to justice. But that has not been for lack of trying. In fact, Special Prosecutor Alberto Nisman had dedicated his life to identifying those responsible and to bringing them to justice.

Indeed, my friend Alberto ultimately gave his life in this pursuit, having been assassinated just hours before he was to present his complaint to a court implicating then-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and other high-ranking Argentine officials for covering up Iran's role in the bombings.

In 2015, President Macri of Argentina made the brave decision to assign a special prosecutor to investigate and uncover the truth surrounding

Nisman's death, which, under the Kirchner government, was ruled a suicide. But we knew the truth all along, and ultimately the official report released in 2017 confirmed that Nisman was, in fact, murdered, no doubt by those close to Iran and Hezbollah, or those implicated in Alberto's investigation.

Mr. Speaker, this is just the first step in vindicating the work for which he was murdered. But we still have a very long way to go to bring Alberto Nisman justice and see the culmination of his work, which is to hold Hezbollah accountable for these brutal terror attacks against the Jewish community in Argentina.

Last year, I, along with Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and Congressmen Ted Deutch, Jeff Duncan, and Albio Sires, introduced H. Res. 201, which expressed support for the government of Argentina for its investigation of the AMIA bombing in 1994 and the bombing of the Israeli Embassy in 1992. The resolution also calls on our government to assist Argentina in ensuring all those responsible for these heinous acts are held accountable.

I would urge the Argentine authorities to do everything within their power to bring all responsible parties to justice and to bring at least some form of closure to the families of over 100 killed by Hezbollah in Argentina. Argentina owes them that much. And we all owe them a chance to see Iran and Hezbollah held accountable for their horrific acts of terror.

Though the AMIA bombing was 24 years ago, and the embassy bombing 26 years ago, the Jewish communities still feel the pain, and because Hezbollah is allowed to go unchecked in many places around the globe, they know that another attack may be possible anywhere in the world.

To commemorate the AMIA bombing, and in remembrance of the lives brutally taken, the American Jewish community's Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs will be co-hosting a memorial and candle lighting ceremony with the Skylake Synagogue in North Miami Beach. The south Florida Jewish community holds this event annually to not only commemorate the victims of this attack, but to bring attention to the threat that is Iran and Hezbollah, as well as the hostility and the discrimination that Jews around the world are still facing and the rising tide of anti-Semitism.

Mr. Speaker, as the 24th anniversary of the AMIA bombing nears, let us remember the lives lost and continue working so that these acts do not happen again, and let us work to ensure that Iran and Hezbollah may never be able to carry out such terrible acts again.

Thank you to the south Florida community members for putting together this event and for their work to help bring justice to the families of the lives lost.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate my friend, the Honorable Judge Cindy Lederman, upon her retirement from the Miami-Dade juvenile court.

Upon starting her work in a juvenile court in 1994, Judge Lederman quickly discovered a child welfare system in turmoil. She witnessed the voices of the children coming in and out of the court being lost in the maelstrom of domestic violence and endless custody hearings. Cindy campaigned to tie the science behind child psychology to the law, making it her mission to transform the system into one that focuses on the well-being of the children.

In her career, Judge Lederman has tirelessly and gracefully presided over some of the most important cases of our State, including striking down the State's discriminatory gay adoption ban.

Mr. Speaker, Cindy has my appreciation for her transformative impact on the Miami-Dade children's court. Her retirement marks the end of an era, and she leaves an impressive legacy. I truly wish Judge Cindy Lederman all the best in the next chapter of her life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Miami Bridge on its 33rd anniversary. Located in my congressional district, Miami Bridge works to provide a safe haven for teens who are abandoned, neglected, and homeless in Miami-Dade County.

Miami Bridge is the only emergency home in south Florida which shelters children from ages 10 to 17. This organization provides and promotes positive youth development programs and strengthens families to enable children and teens to become productive members of our community.

Annually, Miami Bridge houses more than 600 children and teens and provides counseling to more than 550 families. From assisting families in developing the necessary skills to comfort at-risk children to empowering youngsters with opportunities to make positive life choices, Miami Bridge's many services help children overcome the challenges that confront them and realize their full potential.

Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to represent Miami Bridge, and I congratulate its wonderful staff, its board members, and its volunteers for their tremendous efforts to save at-risk youth from a life of victimization and homelessness.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Mexican American Council (MAC), the Garza family, and the 2018 MAC Scholars.

On May 29th, the Mexican American Council celebrated the 34th Annual Farmworker Student Recognition Ceremony at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

In 1984, MAC's founder Cip Garza began this prestigious event to honor the academic achievements of Miami-Dade County's farmworker graduates.

In collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Career Source South Florida, MAC awarded over $150,000 in scholarships this year.

I wish to congratulate the following students on their phenomenal success and include the 2018 MAC Scholars in the Record:

Kassandra Castillo

Luis Diaz-Lopez

Jazmin S. Espinoza

Jenri Guerrero

Lissette Hernandez

Ugenie Jean

Kevyn Jimenez

Aleena Jones

Mari Marquez

Christella Nazaire

Blanca Rosas

Sinttia Rosas

Naila Sanchez

Manaika Saintyl

Giselle Trejo-Ramirez

Dulce Velasquez

Noelia Villa

Mr. Speaker, Cip and Maria Garza have done so much to benefit the lives of countless migrant families and Hispanic students in South Florida. I would like to thank them and everyone else at the Mexican American Council for all their tireless work. Once again, congratulations to all of the 2018 MAC Scholars, their enthusiasm, creativity, and entrepreneurship represent the best values of our diverse nation.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to congratulate Biscayne Engineering as it celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

Located in my congressional district, Biscayne Engineering is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, business in the city of Miami, and the oldest land-surveying firm in south Florida.

Over 100 years ago, two partners, J.S. Frederick and W.E. Brown, established the company just 2 years after the city was incorporated in 1898 and made the first official map of the city of Miami just a few years later.

They were tasked with many important projects that were vital to the community, including laying out the city of Miami's streets and other parts of the greater county. One of its most prominent projects was their role in developing Villa Vizcaya, a north Italian, 16th century- style villa built for James Deering.

Biscayne Engineering's responsibility included building and road design, paving and drainage layouts, and the conservation and preservation of the estate's national foliage. Today, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens serves as a national historic landmark for visitors from all over the world to come and enjoy.

Mr. Speaker, for decades, Biscayne Engineering has had its hands on so many important projects that have helped shape south Florida into the jewel that it is today. It has aided in the development of our U.S. post office building; Federal courthouse; Bayside Marketplace; Fisher Island; Star Island, which is the area's first manmade island; and even assisted with the renovation of many of the historic art deco hotels in Miami Beach, which is located in my congressional district.

Additionally, Biscayne Engineering has been involved with the Miami- Dade Transit Metromover, the Miami-Dade Public Library System, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.

Biscayne Engineering has professionally partnered and worked with

private clients, local municipalities, counties, and State government, and even played a larger role in the surveying and construction of two of my alma maters, the University of Miami--go 'Canes--and Florida International University--go Panthers. The list goes on and on.

Most importantly, its engineering surveyors, planners, and staff uniformly promote the company's core values of integrity, honor, and leadership in their work and, to this day, still continue the commitment and the tradition of its founders.

So congratulations to Biscayne Engineering on its 120th anniversary. I am always glad to celebrate anything that is older than I.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2061) to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004, and for other purposes, with the Senate amendment thereto, and to concur in the Senate amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

Sadly, Alzheimer's is one of the fastest growing, costliest, and deadliest epidemics facing our Nation. I am all too familiar with the pain and heartbreak surrounding this dreadful disease because my mother passed away in 2011 due to complications from Alzheimer's.

It is important to note that my experience is not unique. Over 5.7 million Americans are living with this disease, including half a million Floridians. That is why I am a staunch advocate for Alzheimer's research funding.

I am also proud to have recently cosponsored H.R. 4256, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act. This bill

would create a modern public health infrastructure across our Nation designed to increase early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's. It would also focus on supporting the needs of caregivers who often bear the lasting impact of this disease.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to stand with Alzheimer's patients, with their families, and with their caregivers and support this important bill.