Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Pablo Rodriguez of the Key West Police Department. This dedicated officer has been named the 2009 Key West Police Officer of the Year.

Sergeant Rodriguez has served our community proudly since he joined the department 10 years ago. His commitment to keeping Key West a safe place in which to live and visit has been truly extraordinary. As Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Rodriguez was specifically recognized for his tireless work to combat the negative influences of illicit drugs. This is an important and noble goal, Madam Speaker, and I know that the entire Keys community is proud of his selfless service.

I thank Sergeant Rodriguez and all of his colleagues in the Key West Police Department for all they have done and will continue to do for our wonderful Monroe County Key West community. Congratulations, Sergeant Rodriguez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage participation in the National Marrow Donor Program. There are many terrible diseases, as we know, especially leukemia, where patients may very well require a bone marrow transplant, yet nearly 70 percent of patients don't match with a family member for a transplant. That's why the National Marrow Donor Program is so vital.

These patients need you. They depend on the selfless people in our community that are registered with the National Marrow Donor Program. Every name that is added greatly increases the likelihood that a patient will find the match that that person needs. And joining the registry is simple. All that is needed is a swab of the cheek, and your name will be entered. You can also order an at-home registration kit at marrow.org or sign up in person at one of the many Be the Match Registry drives throughout the country. Help save a life. Join the National Marrow Donor Program today.

Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise in solidarity with a wonderful and determined South Florida woman, Millie Munoz. Millie has dystonia, a little-known movement disorder that causes a person's muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily. The trademark of this disorder is repetitive, patterned and uncontrollable movements. It resembles opposing muscles competing for control of a body part. There are over a dozen forms of dystonia, and it is a symptom of many major diseases and conditions. Dystonia affects men, women and children of all backgrounds, all ages, and does not discriminate. And there is no cure.

Millie was born in Miami and had exhibited symptoms of dystonia since childhood. Each symptom was treated separately. She wore a brace on her right leg to help with walking and attended speech therapy classes throughout her school years. Other symptoms

were neglected entirely, and Millie was told to do the best she could with the pain. She went from doctor to doctor, and was often told that it was all in her head. About 6 years ago, she started exhibiting other symptoms, only to be given one misdiagnosis after another. Millie had pain in her neck, her shoulders, her wrists, her hips, and she fell constantly.

Finally in the summer of 2006, she was diagnosed with generalized dystonia, a condition where all of the muscles of her body are impacted. Shortly thereafter, Millie's life as she knew it came to an end. In a short period of time she went from climbing the Great Pyramid in Egypt to being in a wheelchair and bed bound. She was constantly in excruciating pain with chronic fatigue and involuntary movements of her arms, hands, neck, mouth, face and eyes.

Luckily, in 2008, she had deep brain stimulation surgery, which provided some relief. But she had yet another battle to fight. Her ability to swallow and eat were impacted to the point that she was on her deathbed, people thought.

Well, through her personal strength, through her resolve, Millie pulled through and she survived. Today, Millie has a feeding tube and braces on her legs, but she is as resilient and as determined as ever. She came to see me here in D.C. in my congressional office, lobbying all of the Members of Congress to be more knowledgeable about her disease dystonia.

Dystonia is a silent, brutal disease. The constant tug of war of muscles forces people to live in constant, severe pain and exhausted. But not Millie. Much of the time the body's struggles are all internal, hiding from an outside observer that the struggle with dystonia encompasses each and every moment. Those with dystonia often say that the disorder ``robs you of the freedom to move.'' It is as terrible as it is debilitating, yet the vast majority of people with dystonia have no negative impact to their intelligence or perceptions. These individuals live their lives imprisoned by the uncontrollable actions of their body in conflict with the will of their minds.

Dystonia is unknown to most Americans, or at best misunderstood. Without proper awareness and diagnosis, the limited therapies that can help people like Millie will never be applied. Together, we must raise awareness of this disorder and support the research that can help find a cure to this silent internal storm.

Millie, I praise you. I congratulate you for your will and determination in the face of this terrible disorder. The challenges that dystonia has presented to you are exceeded by the promise and the hope that your survival has demonstrated. May your resolve, Millie, be a beacon to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who suffer from dystonia.

I welcomed you to the U.S. Capitol and I hope that you come back very soon, Millie. You are going to find a cure because you are determined to do so.

Congratulations, Millie, and carry on.

Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 372, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Miller of North Carolina

Madam Speaker, I am proud to rise to recognize the many small businesses throughout the Nation, and especially in my home State of Florida and in my area of south Florida, that I hope will lead us into the great economic recovery.

As we have in the past, we shall recover again. Small business owners are going to be an essential part of that recovery because small business owners are truly the backbone of our Nation's economy, employing tens of millions of workers and creating most of the new private sector jobs that are so important for true economic growth.

I'd like to take this opportunity to especially recognize two small businesses in my district which definitely represent America's tradition of free enterprise and individual initiative.

Tri-City Electric has reached a well-respected place in both Florida and the electrical contracting industry with well over 300 employees. This family firm has been providing electrical design, installation, and service in south Florida for three generations since 1946. This small business's name also played a role in the fascinating rise of small business after World War II, in that it was selected to represent our area's three major cities at that time: Miami, Coral Gables, and Miami Beach. Like most small businesses, Tri-City Electric is made of folks who didn't start at the top and, in this case, started in the trenches digging to lay pipeline in the hot weather while working whatever hours it takes to get the job done.

Another small business with a long tradition of service in south Florida is Riverside Electric Company. This was established in 1922--I love anything older than I am--which is one of oldest electrical contracting firms in the southeastern United States. Another firm with a proud family tradition, its roots go back to Atlanta, where the company played a key role in converting the city's streetlights from gas to electric. Its founder, Eugene M. Irvin, Sr., later moved his family to Miami and began Riverside Electric Company. His great grandson, James Irvin, is now co-owner of the company, along with Alexander Rodriguez, who started as an apprentice and worked

his way up to become a journeyman and master electrician.

Madam Speaker, these are just two examples of Florida's nearly 2 million small businesses that have provided economic opportunities to diverse groups of people and have delivered innovative products and services to a worldwide marketplace.

Florida's small employers, in 2006, represented 99 percent of the State's employers and 44 percent of its private sector employment. Of even greater significance, however, is that small businesses created nearly 60 percent of my State's new jobs in recent years. Think of that figure. Sixty percent of the new jobs in the State of Florida were created by small businesses.

It is my honor and my privilege to recognize today the many dedicated and hardworking employees of small businesses who have done so much over the years to serve their neighbors in so many ways.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an outstanding constituent from my district in south Florida, Isaac Behar, a longtime humanitarian, philanthropist, and businessman. Ike will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Miami Jewish Health Networks.

Ike's American journey embodies the American Dream. At the age of 20, Isaac left Havana for the United States with only $50 and the dream of building a new life and helping others. He proudly served our country, the United States, in the Army in the Korean War.

Upon completion of his service, he started his own clothing business, the Ike Behar Company, with over 400 employees. After seeing the great care that his mother-in-law received from the Miami Health Networks, Isaac decided to make sure that others would be able to take advantage of their great services. Due to his generosity and commitment, the Miami Health Networks have been able to continue to serve all south Floridians.

Ike, I would like to commend you for your service, for your support for our community and our Nation. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving the lives of all south Floridians. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to wish a happy bat mitzvah to a wonderful young lady in my congressional district, Alix Klein. She recently celebrated her bat mitzvah surrounded by family and friends and chose to mark the occasion with more than just a party, but with a concert to benefit those less privileged than she is. Alix's kindness and generosity has made a difference in the lives of the young patients of Alyn Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Israel. These patients have physical disabilities.

Alix has demonstrated a maturity beyond her years, and she serves as a role model for her fellow teenagers. Alix's selfless contributions will provide much-needed support for these patients and their families in Israel.

I would like to recognize an outstanding constituent from South Florida:

Catherine Roberts has been a practicing nurse for over 60 years. This month Catherine will be retiring from the Lower Keys Medical Center. Catherine has devoted her life to ensuring the health and comfort of others. For over 30 years, Catherine has been a nurse at the Lower Keys Medical Center where she has had a positive impact on countless individuals.

Due to her generosity and commitment, the Lower Keys Medical Center has been able to continue to serve the people of the Lower Keys. Catherine, I would like to commend you for your service and support to our community. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving the lives of South Floridians and enjoy your well deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize La Liga Contra el Cancer, the League Against Cancer, a South Florida nonprofit group committed to providing free medical care and assistance to cancer patients who would otherwise not have the necessary financial resources to fight such a difficult battle.

Since 1975, La Liga has served more than 50,000 low-income individuals. The positive impact that this organization has had on our community is without question, and we should all be grateful for its efforts.

Just this month, the League hosted its premier event to raise cancer awareness and funding for care. Residents of our area certainly answered the call, pledging much needed help for cancer victims through La Liga. In fact, they pledged over $4.5 million to the League.

South Floridians in general, and each and every member of the League in specific, are committed to fighting cancer in all forms.

Again, I congratulate the League Against Cancer for its successful event that results in saving lives in our community.

Mr. Speaker, today represents day 52 of the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, and on this 52nd day, BP is no closer to finding a solution. As families and small businesses in the Florida Keys and across the gulf coast continue to suffer, BP has failed to come through on an effective strategy for plugging the gushing rig and for picking up the oil.

My office has been flooded with calls from constituents eager to offer their assistance in the cleanup effort. Commercial fishermen, charter boat captains stand ready to lay boom and skim oil before it reaches the shore. Community organizations like United Way and the Florida Keys Environment Coalition have gathered volunteers ready to patrol the shoreline searching for tar balls. Unfortunately, BP has not provided these groups with the necessary training to assist in the cleanup effort.

As many constituents have complained to me, BP is failing to utilize members of the Keys community. Instead, BP is waiting until oil washes ashore to take action.

Additionally, many residents have called to offer their suggestions on how to clean up this mess. I sincerely hope that BP is giving due consideration to all of these suggestions. Clearly, BP's plan has not worked. The cleanup plan in Louisiana is abysmal. It is time for BP to look elsewhere.

Yesterday, I met with BP executives to discuss the company's slow, uncoordinated, and half-baked response efforts in Florida. At this meeting, I relayed the frustrations of many south Florida small business owners who are going through the BP claims process. These individuals are required to go through a long, complicated, and belittling process in order to receive the compensation that they serve because, for their economic loss, they had a downturn in business as a result of the premature panic from the BP oil spill.

Let me be clear: These hardworking men and women are not looking for a handout, Mr. Speaker. They would much rather be working. Unfortunately, the disaster in the gulf has taken a tremendous toll on fishermen, on dive shops, on restaurants, on motels, and many tourist- related businesses in the Keys.

BP needs to completely revamp its claims process. In the Keys, two claims offices opened by BP are virtually useless. Individuals seeking compensation leave these offices with stacks of complicated paperwork, legal documentation, and little guidance.

I have requested detailed information from BP on its claims process. We need to demand complete transparency in this process, including data on how claims are being evaluated, how payment sums are being determined, and how quickly claims are being processed. Complicated legal documents just will not do.

On a related note, the Federal agencies need to come up with a plan in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane in the gulf. Hurricane season has just started. Experts at the National Hurricane Center predict that the 2010 hurricane season could be one of the most active on record. Forecasters are predicting anywhere between 14 to 23 named storms this season. Of course, it only takes one. Just ask the Florida residents who suffered through Hurricane Andrew, or just ask those residents in New Orleans who are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

In addition to a predicted active storm season, our communities are now saddled with the uncertainty of an oil spill. The ruptured oil rig is located right in the middle of hurricane alley. Scientists have suggested that the sheer strength of a hurricane could turn the oil slick into a devastating black surf. I shudder to think of the long- term economic devastation and environmental damage caused by this toxic combination.

BP and, indeed, all of our Federal agencies must prepare now for a worst-case scenario later. BP cannot continue to sit idly by while communities are destroyed.

Madam Speaker, yesterday, officials admitted that a significant amount of oil may be spreading through the deep ocean in layers of highly dissolved oil. This revelation is anything but recent, except to BP.

Last month, I sent a letter, along with my colleagues in the Florida delegation, calling on the administration to examine the amounts of oil suspended in the water column below the ocean surface; yet until yesterday, officials failed to acknowledge what many in the scientific community were already saying, that underwater oil plumes are possible and that they pose a tremendous threat.

My congressional district is home to a variety of ecosystems--coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, as well as countless species of fish. NOAA and BP must do a better job of examining the impact of crude oil and chemical dispersants at all depths of the ocean's surface. My constituents who rely on fishing, diving and tourism for their livelihood demand that we utilize all available resources. Get this right before the disaster becomes even worse.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the motion to instruct on

Madam Speaker, in the last 50 days, approximately 35 million gallons of oil have spewed into the gulf, resulting in the worst environmental disaster in American history. The oil spill has destroyed wildlife, wreaked havoc on our marine ecosystems, and debilitated thousands of families who depend on fishing and tourism for their way of life.

While BP has stated that it will provide compensation to those individuals and businesses economically impacted by the oil spill, its claim offices in the Florida Keys, in my congressional district, have provided little assistance to those seeking relief. Individuals so overwhelmed by the BP claims process have actually had to hire lawyers to help sift through the mounds of paperwork required. These additional burdens imposed by BP are deplorable.

If BP is committed to fixing this disaster and rebuilding our devastated communities, then it must act quickly and responsibly in processing these claims.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from Utah, Congressman Chaffetz, for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, as the author of House Resolution 518, I would like to also thank the Natural Resources Committee ranking member, Congressman Doc Hastings, as well as Chairman Nick Rahall for their support and their assistance in moving this resolution to the floor today. Today is World Oceans Day.

I would also like to recognize the bipartisan support by members of the Natural Resources Committee, including Oceans Subcommittee chair Madeline Bordallo. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, and Congresswoman Lois Capps of California.

Later this evening, Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Capps and I will be honored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation for our work on ocean issues, namely, coastal restoration and coral reef rehabilitation. Of course, we take inspiration from the extraordinary life and career of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Captain Cousteau was a pioneering explorer of the seas and of the many environmental issues that we face today. When explaining his relentless passion for ocean exploration and conservation, he said, ``People protect what they love.''

My congressional district, Mr. Speaker, includes the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, one of the largest coral reef tracts in the world, countless species of fish and wildlife, and three national parks.

Today, countless small business owners and their families are fighting to protect the ecosystem and the way of life that they hold dear. For 50 days, crude oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig has spewed 40 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the worst environmental disaster in American history.

According to recent analysis by the University of Central Florida, the oil rig disaster will cost Florida's economy $2.2 billion and 39,000 jobs in the tourism and fishing industry. I am certain that Captain Cousteau would be horrified by BP's nonchalance in responding to this crisis.

My constituents in the beautiful Florida Keys are particularly frustrated and angry at the lack of transparency and lag response times by BP. BP must work on all fronts at once. It is responsible for capping the leak to prevent more oil from gushing into the gulf, and it must provide the financial support to those individuals whose livelihoods have been devastated.

BP and the Coast Guard must also make a stronger effort at coordinating with our local governments, especially in the Keys, and utilizing the expertise and know-how of local businessmen and fishermen, as well as our many research facilities in Florida's colleges and universities.

As oil makes its way further into north Florida beaches, hundreds of fishermen, environmental activists, students, and other concerned residents have gathered together ready to assist in the cleanup effort. Commercial fishermen and charter boat captains have offered their assistance to lay boom and to skim oil before it reaches the shore.

In Key West, organizations like the United Way and the Florida Keys Environment Coalition have gathered volunteers ready to patrol the shoreline for tar balls. I am so grateful for the leadership of these great local organizations during this crisis. Their daily activism is a tribute to Jacques Cousteau.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I thank my good friend, the lovely lady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), for those kinds words.

Mr. Speaker, we have got a good, strong partnership when it comes to promoting the ideals of freedom, democracy and the rule of law; and in that category, Israel will always stand out.

I am proud, obviously, to support this resolution, which I authored and sponsored, House Resolution 1391, which congratulates Israel on being approved for membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD brings together governments committed to democracy and a market economy in advancing freedom and in advancing prosperity. The recent unanimous support of OECD member states for Israel's membership is a well-deserved seal of approval for Israel, one that can reinforce its progress and that will benefit both Israel and the members of the OECD.

Mr. Speaker, the history of Israel's pursuit of membership in the OECD speaks volumes about the nature of Israel, also, lamentably, of the Palestinian leadership and of the U.S. engagement in international organizations. Israel, the free, democratic country that it is, pursued OECD membership, not with a sense of entitlement but with patience and eagerness to demonstrate its eligibility and its competence in improving herself in the process.

Israel first sent an observer delegation to the OECD in 1994. In the 16 years since that time, Israel has carried out far-reaching economic reforms with respect to taxes, labor, competition, capital markets, pension funds, energy, communications, transport, and housing. Mr. Speaker, the list goes on and on.

It has grown its now-booming private sector and streamlined its overgrown public sector. Its tax burden is much lower than that of most OECD member states.

Israel is now a world leader in science, technology, and entrepreneurship, home to the most high technology startup companies, scientific publications, and research and development spending per capita. And it has

been the most active nonmember country in the OECD, becoming a member or an observer in dozens of working bodies, a party to numerous OECD declarations, and coming into compliance with multiple OECD standards.

Israel also continues to uphold the democratic values of its founding with a vibrant political system, a robust and autonomous judiciary, and a commitment to human rights. In short, Israel's democracy, its prosperity, and its freedom are a model for many nations and many people. Israel has clearly made its case for OECD membership.

The Palestinian leadership, in contrast, has spent the last 16 years demonstrating time after time that it never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity. It has rejected every offer of peace from Israel. It has refused to recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state. It has failed to crack down on violent extremism and anti-Israel incitement. Indeed, it has even tolerated and encouraged such behavior.

It has supported boycotts of Israeli goods, and the Palestinian Authority's prime minister, whom some consider a moderate, even participated in a mass burning of such goods. And it has consistently tried to use international organizations, from the U.N. General Assembly to the Human Rights Council, with its infamous Goldstone Report, to the International Criminal Court, to demonize and delegitimize Israel.

The Palestinian Authority tried hard to block Israel's candidacy for membership in the OECD, with the same Palestinian Authority prime minister personally lobbying foreign governments to oppose Israel's membership.

Is this a partner for peace, Mr. Speaker?

But it gets worse. A former Palestinian Authority foreign minister and senior associate of Abu Mazen announced just last week that the Palestinian Authority was intensifying its diplomatic and economic offensive against Israel. He said the Palestinian Authority needed ``to increase our efforts in the international arena to isolate and punish Israel, prevent it from deepening its relations with the European Union, and attempt to expel it from the United Nations.'' He continues, ``We must pursue Israel in all international bodies and institutions.'' And Palestinian leaders keep threatening violence to extract concessions.

Instead of focusing on building a better future for its people, the Palestinian leaders are focusing on tearing down that future for Israel and her citizens. This Congress should not reward such behavior by providing yet another $400 million bailout to the West Bank and Gaza, including another $150 million in cash directly to the Palestinian Authority.

Finally, Israel's candidacy for OECD membership teaches us a lesson about when and how the U.S. should participate in international forums, and when and how it should not. The OECD is what the U.N. was intended to be, a group of free, Democratic countries cooperating to advance their values and shared interests. It has rigorous membership standards and new members must be approved by all existing members.

Its Secretary General has demonstrated commitment to ensuring that Israel's candidacy and other issues are determined on the merits and are not politicized. That is why the U.S. should and does participate in the OECD, including by actively supporting Israel's candidacy for membership.

In contrast, the UN's misnamed ``Human Rights Council'' has no meaningful standards for membership, other than the ability to gain the support of a mere majority of the U.N. General Assembly, which itself includes scores of countries that are not free democracies.

In the most recent so-called ``elections,'' using the term loosely, to the Human Rights Council earlier this month, every single candidate, no matter how oppressive the government, ran unopposed on previously agreed upon regional slates. That is not democracy. It's what happens in the Castro brothers' Cuba. So it is no surprise that the Cuban regime is a longstanding member of the rogue's gallery that is the Human Rights Council, as are China, Saudi Arabia, and now Qaddafi's Libyan regime.

None of these countries ever are condemned by the Human Rights Council for their rampant human rights violations, nor is Iran, nor is Syria. But the Council has devoted 80 percent of its resolutions and about half of its special sessions to bashing the democratic Jewish State of Israel, and it has passed numerous other anti-freedom measures.

The administration's decision to join the Council, and the last year of the U.S. membership on that Council, have not changed these grim facts, lamentably. When the deck is stacked, when the fix is in against freedom and against democracy, the answer should be not to participate and instead vote ``no.'' The answer is for the U.S. and other responsible nations to walk out and demand better.

Today, however, in this legitimate and distinguished House, I will proudly vote yes on this resolution. I encourage all of my colleagues to do the same.

I thank my good friend and colleague from New York, Mr. Crowley, for cosponsoring this resolution with me; I thank our wonderful chairman, Chairman Berman, for agreeing to move it so promptly for floor consideration; and I again thank my good friend from Nevada, Ms. Berkley, for also standing on the side of Israel, always standing on the side of freedom and democracy.

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