Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend for the time.

I stand here, Mr. Speaker, in support of the DREAM Act. The time has come for this legislative body to do what is right and to not punish students for the mistakes that their parents have made.

This legislation will give many bright, talented, and patriotic young men and women the opportunity to stay in this country, a country that they love, and to continue their college education or service in our proud military. These young people are motivated and only want the chance to give back to this country, their country.

The DREAM Act is not amnesty. It will allow eligible students to get on a pathway toward permanent legal status later on. Those who receive conditional legal status will not be eligible for Medicaid, food stamps, or any other government services.

This bill is a sensible and pragmatic compromise that reflects the generosity and the goodwill of this country and its citizens, a country that opened up its arms to me as a refugee child and to my parents as Cuban refugees.

The DREAM Act also makes economic sense. I have had the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to meet with many DREAM Act students, or Dreamers. One of the Dreamers with whom I met is Gaby Pacheco. This remarkable young woman's story emphasizes the urgency and the need for this legislation.

Gaby grew up in my district in south Florida and excelled academically. She graduated from high school third in her class and was student government president at my alma mater, Miami-Dade College, where she received a bachelor's in special ed. She received a scholarship to attend a master's program here in D.C., but she had to go back to Miami to revive her immigration status.

What struck me most about Gaby and the other Dreamers with whom I met is their optimism and their determination to give back to their country. They made it clear, Mr. Speaker, that all they want is an opportunity to prove themselves, no more and no less.

I hope my colleagues will do what is right and help Gaby and the other Dreamers get the chance to pursue their American dream in the American tradition.

Madam Speaker, the Children's Trust hosted its sixth annual Champions for Children awards ceremony just recently in south Florida. It honored the exceptional individuals who dedicate their time and services to the children of south Florida.

The Children's Trust is an altruistic humanitarian organization committed to the children and families of our south Florida community. It operates on a simple motto, Madam Speaker: ``Because all children are our children.''

It is this belief that has motivated the Children's Trust since its inception in the year 2002. It has collaborated with children and parents throughout our community in an attempt to strengthen the family bond and to help facilitate opportunities to allow the children of south Florida to achieve their full potential.

I encourage all throughout our community to take an interest in this great organization because, indeed, all children are our children.

Madam Speaker, I am so pleased, so pleased, to recognize the Miami Children's Hospital's Ventilator Assisted Children's Center Camp and congratulate them on their 25th anniversary.

This extraordinary camp serves children who depend upon medical technology to breathe. It gives them a chance to just be kids for a week.

Founded in 1986 by Dr. Moises Simpser, the camp has grown from serving 50 to over 250. This one magical week is the work of hundreds of volunteers and a year's worth of planning and preparation. The VACC Camp is the first of its kind in the Nation, and families come from across the country to participate.

For this 1 week every year, children who are usually all but confined to their hospital rooms and their homes can experience camp activities and a near-normal life. Packed with activities and field trips, this week is a week of firsts: First-time dancing, first-time bowling, first-time swimming. VACC Camp is not about what the campers cannot do; it's about what they can do.

Through a partnership with Shake-A-Leg Miami, the camp even developed a special sailboat that campers can steer with their chins, regardless of how much medical equipment they require. Other field trips include cruising on Biscayne Bay, shopping at Bayside Marketplace, a day at the beach, and lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Often this is the one time a year that these children have a chance to go outside in the fresh air and feel the sunshine on their faces.

At camp, volunteers make the week unique by putting on carnival nights and themed dance parties. But above all, the camp offers a chance to escape wheelchairs, medical tubes, and breathing equipment by going swimming. The process of getting each child into the pool takes over 20 minutes and five to six volunteers.

VACC camp is unique for the opportunities that it provides to its campers and their families. Caring for a child who is dependent upon technology to breathe puts an incredible amount of pressure on even the strongest of families. Parents are responsible for intensive 24-hour care without a day off.

Of all the difficulties of caring for a sick child, one of the most trying is social isolation. VACC Camp serves not just the kids but also their siblings and their parents. With programs like Parents' Dinner Out, this camp is a time to have fun and take a day off. What a luxury.

VACC Camp is an opportunity for these children and their parents to see that they are not alone, to build a community and a support structure.

Camp is a life-changing week for the families and the selfless volunteers who make it happen. Sponsored by Miami Children's Hospital and supported by hundreds of volunteers, VACC Camp is completely free for the families. The camp depends not only on the medical professionals who use their vacation days but also on its many teen volunteers. Local high school students interact with campers to make the week truly special and fun, and they leave the week with lifelong friendships. Camp is as much of a life-changing event for these high school students as it has been for the campers themselves.

I am so appreciative, Madam Speaker, of the hard work and the countless volunteers who come together to make this camp a magical week year after year.

To Dr. Simpser and everyone involved at the VACC Camp: You have touched the lives of so many families and helped so many become happier and healthier children. Happy 25th anniversary, VACC Camp, and keep up the good work.

Mr. Speaker, tonight I am so honored to recognize an outstanding public servant, Jacinto Acebal, or ``Ace'' as he is known by his friends. He will soon be retiring from the United States Postal Service after 45 years of service.

Ace has helped accomplish the United States Postal Service mission to provide efficient mail service to every address within our country. Ace has assisted not only individuals but also the needs of our small businesses in south Florida. In an area as busy and as diverse as south Florida, Ace never misses a beat.

As a testament to his dedication and tireless efforts, Ace was recently recognized by his colleagues at the Hispanic Organization of Postal Employees. It is indeed a tribute for an individual whose career has had such humble beginnings.

Proud of having been born in Cuba and never losing his yearning for a free and democratic Cuba, Ace also proudly served our country in the military serving in Vietnam. In fact, he is the most highly decorated Cuban American to have fought in Vietnam.

Ace joined the postal service after his service in 1968 as a letter carrier; and I'm proud to say that he employed the same focus, the same determination, the same patriotism that marked his distinguished military career. As a result, he impressed his superiors and rose through the ranks. Ace has held numerous managerial positions including supervisor, human resource specialist, and Hispanic program specialist.

In this last position he has also been an invaluable liaison to the Hispanic community. Ace is regularly interviewed by news outlets, and he helps promote postal service products and services to our diverse Hispanic community nationwide.

Ace has appeared on national news programs that have aired in Hispanic markets across the country. The United States Postal Service's Executive Committee has also presented Ace with a special recognition award for his media relations efforts.

Above all else, Ace has been an exemplary and active member in our south Florida community. The City of Miami Commission appointed him to the Miami Community Relations Board.

He's also a member of the Spanish American League Against Discrimination and has served on the greater Miami Hispanic Council and the United Way of Dade County subcommittee.

Ace has been awarded the Diversity Vice President Partnership Award, the Dot Sharpe Lifetime Achievement, and has been named Federal employee of the year. Simply put, Jacinto Acebal has been a tireless leader in our community and a shining example of professionalism and service. His talents will be sorely missed at the United States Postal Service. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy; and I join his many friends, family and peers in celebrating his well-earned retirement. You have served our community well, Ace and I am lucky to count you as a friend. Congratulations, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate US1 Radio on celebrating 30 years on the air. For many residents, US1 provides the soundtrack for the Keys. Since 1989, US1 Radio has been the most listened to radio station in the Florida Keys. The station also received the Edward R. Murrow Award for broadcasting during Hurricane George. These hard-earned accolades are due not only to its great programming but also to the station's commitment to the Keys community.

After the BP oil spill, US1 Radio provided information to Monroe residents to keep them updated and aware of the situation. And there is no oil in the Keys, folks. Come on down.

Congratulations to Bill Becker, Ezra Marcus, Kevin LeRoux, Kevin Redding, and all of the staff at US1 Radio for their hard work. Here's to 30 more years of US1 Radio.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Senate bill before us today, which would award Dr. Muhammad Yunus a gold medal for his exceptional work in the field of micro-finance assistance to the most impoverished people around the world.

As this measure notes, Dr. Yunus first tested his belief thirty-four years ago that very small-scale, low-interest loans to the ``poorest of the poor'' could have a major and positive impact on their lives.

He leant $27 of his own money to 42 craftsmen and craftswomen in a small village in Bangladesh.

He went on to establish the Grameen Bank, which created a model for providing on a larger-scale what we now commonly know as micro- enterprise loans.

Today, it is estimated that such assistance--which is low-cost, targeted to those most in need, and expected to be repaid by its recipients so that it can be used again and again to help others--has positively impacted the lives of over 150 million people around the world.

Dr. Yunus has shown us that innovative thinking such as this can result in major beneficial changes for those around the world who survive on less than one or two dollars a day in income.

He has also shown that we don't always need to think in terms of huge amounts of assistance--or expensive agencies and contractors--to carry out such important work.

In many cases, communities assisted by micro-loans are asked to set up groups that help to oversee and manage the loan programs, and they work not only to ensure repayment of the loans but also to give an important sense of community engagement in the effort.

Therefore, micro-loans help provide long-term, sustainable change and are not just a one-time deal with a disappearing impact.

We need more such low-cost innovations, especially now that we all face a global economic crisis and a growing budget crisis here at home.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts to promote micro-finance.

I believe that the Congress as well should award a gold medal to Dr. Yunus.

I am pleased to be the lead co-sponsor, with my colleague, Mr. Holt, of the House version of this bill, which today has the support of 297 cosponsors.

In closing, I want to again express my support for the passage of this bill, which would honor not just Dr. Yunus, but also those who work hard to find new, innovative and low-cost ways to help those most in need.

Madam Speaker, I am so proud to rise tonight to recognize South Florida's own Joseph ``Pepe'' Badia, the president of Badia's Spices, who will be honored on October 8 for his many contributions to our community at the 10th annual Bubbles & Bones gala.

Pepe's life is the classic story of a refugee in the United States, the land

of opportunity. Pepe came as a lone 14-year-old Hispanic immigrant who, through hard work and determination, has become the leader of one of the largest and fastest growing spice companies in the United States. Pepe's accomplishments will be highlighted at an event in South Florida by John Kross, known as Footy, and this will benefit Here's Help, a nonprofit substance abuse treatment facility which assists over 300 inner city youths.

Congratulations to our very own Joseph ``Pepe'' Badia, a great civic activist in South Florida.

Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life and legacy of a great south Floridian and fellow Cuban America, Ricardo Mayo-Alvarez.

Ricardo was an irreplaceable member of the Cuban American community. Having fled Cuba's communist regime, Ricardo continued the fight for a free Cuba in south Florida.

Ricardo became a successful entrepreneur and started a chain of pharmacies in south Florida. He generously gave of his time to serve his community and was a constant fixture in the civic and cultural fabric of south Florida.

Although he was deeply committed to the struggle for a free Cuba, I know that the role he cherished the most was that of devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Ricardo leaves behind his beloved wife and partner, Nieves Fraga, and his children--Jorge, Alina, and Ricky--as well as his grandchildren.

Ricardo, we will never forget you nor your selfless legacy. Rest in peace, my friend.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to praise the Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County and its executive director, Carmen Caldwell, who has served our area in so many ways over the years. Neighborhood volunteers are truly the backbone of our communities. Volunteers have done so much to reduce crime and to help keep our south Florida neighborhoods safer.

Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County will be celebrating its 35th anniversary at the Doubletree Miami Mart/Airport Hotel on October 1 and will be honoring the leaders of south Florida's war on crime.

It is my honor and privilege to recognize the many dedicated and hardworking members of Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County and to thank each of them for what they do to help keep us safe.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the International Ballet Festival of Miami for another spectacular year of performances. Since 1995, this yearly celebration of the arts has brought some of the world's leading ballet companies to our area of south Florida.

In addition to being known as a hub for international commerce, south Florida has a thriving and diverse arts community. Through the dedication of Pedro Pablo Pena, the festival has become a yearly staple on the south Florida calendar with five spectacular performances at four theaters. Ballet companies from as far away as Hungary, Australia, and Italy have participated in this festival.

I congratulate Pedro Pablo Pena and everyone who made this year's International Ballet Festival of Miami a resounding success. Your efforts have enriched south Florida, and we are all the better for it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to recognize and honor Major Edward J. Hudak, Jr., of the Coral Gables Police Department, located in my congressional district.

Major Hudak graduates tomorrow from the FBI National Academy at Quantico. He was chosen by his chief to attend and by his class of 272 elite police executives to represent them after the 3-month training in terrorism protection and domestic crime investigation. Ed says it is quite an honor to be at the finest executive leadership course in the world.

There have only been 44,000 of these top graduates since July 29, 1935, when J. Edgar Hoover created the FBI Police Training Academy. So congratulations to Major Ed Hudak, to his wife, Alina Tejeda Hudak, and their lovely daughters, Kristina, 13, and Jennifer, 12 years of age.

Congratulations to the entire family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize a very distinguished Coral Gables resident, Ambassador Sue Cobb, on being a recent recipient of the Order of Jamaica.

A fellow University of Miami graduate, Ambassador Cobb is the first U.S. woman to receive this distinction, one of Jamaica's highest awards. It recognizes her service as our United States Ambassador for the years 2001 to 2005,

as well as her continuing efforts to promote Jamaica's interests and support its development. She continues her service to this island nation as president of American Friends of Jamaica. This organization is helping to bring greater prosperity and educational opportunities to the people of Jamaica.

Sue, this well-deserved award is a testament to your strength of character and to your determination, and we in South Florida are indeed fortunate to call you our neighbor. Congratulations to Sue Cobb.

I thank the gentleman for the time, and I also want to thank Ambassador Watson for her comments on this wonderful institution.

Madam Speaker, as a former Florida certified teacher, as a former educator and as an alum of Miami Dade College, I am so proud to be here on the floor, congratulating Miami Dade College on its 50th anniversary. I am proud to say that my father and my brother are also graduates of this fine institution. I am infinitely grateful for the education that I received from the excellent professors at Miami Dade College, and I am sure that I would not be in the same position here tonight were it not for this excellent education.

Miami Dade College has been an essential part of South Florida for so many years--for 50 years since it was first established in 1960. By 1967, Madam Speaker, the college had become the largest institution of higher education in the State of Florida. It built upon this foundation, and it is now the largest institution of higher education in the United States, serving nearly 170,000 students every year. That is just phenomenal. It has enrolled more than 2 million students to date, and it employs more than 6,000 faculty and staff. Half of the students have been the first in their families to attend college.

Madam Speaker, you can imagine how proud those family members are at every graduation that they can say that someone from their family has graduated college.

Not surprisingly, it is home to one of the most diverse student populations, with students from 178 countries, speaking 86 different languages. Miami Dade College has managed to do all of this while maintaining an affordable and accessible course of study for students of all incomes, and it has been instrumental in the development and success of so many in our community and throughout the United States.

Equally impressive, Madam Speaker, is the fact that more than a third of its students are nontraditional. That is, they are older. They are working adults who are looking to further their education or to, perhaps, retrain for the jobs that are in demand now and in the future.

The college is an icon. It is central to the educational, economic, social, and cultural fabric that is exciting South Florida, including hosting the Nation's largest literary gathering, the Miami Book Fair International. It also hosts the Miami International Film Festival, and is home to the national historic landmark, the Miami Freedom Tower, and to many programs that serve as the region's arts anchor.

A large part of Miami Dade College's success is due to its dynamic president, Dr. Eduardo J. Padron, who is also a graduate of Miami Dade College. Dr. Padron is widely recognized as one of the top educational leaders in the world. His time with Miami Dade College has been defined by growth, trailblazing academic and cultural programs, greater access, and student success. He has produced impressive results in student access, retention, graduation, and overall achievement. President Padron has truly made a positive difference in the lives of so many individuals, and we must commend him for all that he continues to do in support of his college, our college, as this college is a part of our community and our Nation.

So, Madam Speaker, with that, I urge all Members to please vote in favor of this legislation, congratulating one of America's finest academic institutions, Miami Dade College, for its 50th year of providing quality education for all.

Thank you for the time, the gentleman from Utah, and thank you as well, Madam Ambassador, for sponsoring this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise tonight to recognize and encourage continued support for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind.

Founded in 1931 in Little Havana in my congressional district, the Miami Lighthouse is invaluable to my south Florida community. Most of us take our vision for granted; but for the millions of vision-impaired Americans, even performing everyday tasks can become a challenge. The Miami Lighthouse is a resource for the visually impaired of south Florida, providing not only the tools and the training that they need, but also a loving and supportive community.

I have recently had the privilege of visiting the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and participating in their children's summer camp program. As I toured this state-of-the-art facility, I saw firsthand the wonderful impact this organization has had in the lives of the children, adults, and seniors that it serves.

Miami Lighthouse is truly helping people of all ages regain their independence. Their innovative programs cover everything from employment training to computer usage to daily skills like cooking and grocery shopping. Miami Lighthouse also offers programs to build a supportive community where awareness and support are always available. They offer play dates for blind babies, summer camps for children, and social groups for seniors. Every child at the Miami Lighthouse summer camp showed me that the work Miami Lighthouse is doing has a significant impact on their future and on their quality of life.

Miami Lighthouse truly goes beyond treatment and rehabilitation; they bring the visually impaired closer to our community. But as those at Miami Lighthouse will tell you, incidences of vision loss are on the rise. Over the past 5 years, Mr. Speaker, the number of program participants at the Miami Lighthouse has risen dramatically, and this is a trend that extends across the country.

We as a Nation must dedicate the time and the resources to prevent blindness and its related conditions. Early detection is the key to fighting vision loss; and effective, accessible screening programs must be the cornerstone. Centers like the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind are leading the way. Its Heiken Children's Vision Program provides school children in Miami with eye exams and prescription glasses at no cost to families. Thanks to this program, hundreds of students now have an easier time reading and seeing the blackboard in class and have a chance for a brighter future.

I thank each and every one of the caring staff and the many volunteers at Miami Lighthouse. It is through your commitment that so many vision-impaired individuals in our community can live happy, active lives. I look forward to again visiting the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind in the future and learning of all of its latest successes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary efforts and continuing success of Alfalit International in the fight against global illiteracy.

Founded in 1961 and headquartered in my hometown in Miami, Florida, Alfalit International has helped over 7 million adults and children learn to read and write. Currently, Alfalit serves people in 25 different countries around the world, with literacy programs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole.

The basic ability to read and write is the gateway to education and training, to higher earnings, and to a more productive life. With Alfalit's help, millions of people in countries worldwide are able to break the cycle of poverty, make better lives for themselves and their children, and play a larger role in their local and regional economies.

Moreover, basic literacy skills also help people to better understand the rights they have and the rights that they have been denied, and it empowers people to participate in the local and national political process.

Alfalit's approach involves teaching the basic skills and education that people need to become independent and productive members of societies.

Alfalit's approach is an efficient and cost-effective method that needs only $60 and 10 months to teach a completely illiterate adult to read and write at a fourth-grade level. I am certain that much of the reason for this low-cost approach to basic education lies in the fact that the majority of Alfalit teachers are compassionate and supportive volunteers.

As a former educator and Florida certified teacher, I recognize the difficulties that Alfalit faces in helping those most in need. I commend its many volunteers, and encourage them to continue with their badly needed efforts.

Alfalit's tremendous success over the past 50 years is a great inspiration, and I hope to hear more about its great work in the future. I wish them also much success to Alfalit for its upcoming dinner in Miami, Florida.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to spotlight the contributions of Dr. Phillip Frost to our South Florida community. A physician, a businessman, a philanthropist, Phillip Frost has been a long-time supporter of the arts and education. His work with the Smithsonian Institute has helped keep the institution vibrant and growing.

Phillip's passion for music led him to make generous contributions to the University of Miami's school of music and to the Florida International University art museum.

His philanthropy has helped fund much needed medical research. As a trustee at the Scripps Research Institute, he has helped one of the world's largest independent, nonprofit biomedical research organizations. Phillip Frost's lasting legacy will certainly be to inspire others to match his selflessness and generosity.

Thank you, Dr. Frost, for your service and for your humanitarian outreach. You are an inspiration and an example to our entire community. Much success for your upcoming event for the American Friends of the Hebrew University in Miami, Florida.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Cesar Alvarez, a world-class lawyer and a pillar of our south Florida community.

This fall, the American Friends of The Hebrew University is bestowing upon Cesar its highest honor, the National Scopus Award. Named for the mountain upon which the university is built, the Scopus Award honors those who are true humanitarians.

Cesar has always shown impeccable leadership in both his professional and charitable endeavors, and his reputation for excellence is widely known. Through his law firm and so many charitable organizations, Cesar has had a significant and positive impact upon south Florida. For many years, Cesar has worked to forge alliances between our local Jewish and Cuban American communities. So it's particularly befitting that these two communities have come together to honor him.

Cesar, congratulations on this most recent of many recognitions. Your hard work and leadership are truly worth honoring and emulating.

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

I rise as a proud cosponsor of this important resolution, which calls upon the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, to accord observer status to Taiwan.

Can there be any doubt that Taiwan, which provides air traffic control services for well over 1.3 million flights per year, needs to be a part of the international organization responsible for air safety and security? Is this especially not true in a post-September 11 world where security in the skies is of paramount importance to not only the American people but to all across the globe?

The provincial and shortsighted manipulations of Beijing's leaders who seek to deny Taiwan's international space cannot stand in the way of airport safety and security. It is time to bring to an end Beijing's petty parlor games of one-upmanship and humiliating slights in the running of international organizations.

If the alleged thaw in cross-Strait relations is to have any true significance, it must and should begin in the meeting rooms of ICAO and other international organizations. Those passengers, including our American citizens, who travel on any one of the almost 200,000 international flights headed to and from Taiwan every year expect and deserve every protection they can be afforded.

The time to let Taiwan begin to have constructive and meaningful participation in ICAO is long overdue. The United States State Department, as this resolution suggests, must assume a leading role to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible. The security in the skies of the people of Taiwan, of the people of the United States, and the citizens of the world demand no less.

So I strongly, Mr. Speaker, and enthusiastically urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I am so pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey, an esteemed member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman.

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

(Mr. BURTON of Indiana asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

I am very honored, Mr. Speaker, to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart), my colleague, the ranking member on the Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process and cochair of the Taiwan Caucus.

I thank all the speakers who spoke on this important resolution.

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