Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, in 1993, a group of south Florida women established the Women's Fund of Miami-Dade, a nonprofit dedicated to funding innovative community programs geared toward girls and young women.

At the time of the fund's creation, gender-specific, community-based initiatives were nearly nonexistent. According to a survey undertaken by the Women's Fund in 1996, only five out of 142 local agencies had implemented programs exclusively for women. Absent from our community were programs to assist young women who were seeking to advance their educations, to secure their economic futures, or to engage in professional leadership training.

The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade took this cause to our south Florida community, and it has since generated enough support to provide more than 350 gender-specific programs with the funding they so desperately require.

Last Friday, on April 30, more than 800 women gathered together at the Women's Fund annual Power of the

Purse Luncheon to highlight the tremendous success of past and current programs supported by the fund. These programs support women of all backgrounds and circumstances.

The Women's Fund provides financial assistance to Lotus House, for example, which is a shelter for homeless women and infants in Overtown, an area of Miami which is suffering from extreme poverty. Thanks to the generous assistance by the Women's Fund, the Lotus House is now providing career training for women who are seeking entry-level positions in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Programs such as these have changed the lives of thousands of young girls and women in our community.

One such woman is Tamara Brizard, a former Lotus House resident. Tamara was a single mother of three when she was referred to the Lotus House. During her time at the Lotus House, Tamara completed a course in food preparation. The training soon led to a job in the food service industry. With new skills and with a new job, Tamara has a place of her own, and she is now better able to provide for her three children. Of course, Tamara's story is just one of many successes achieved by the Women's Fund.

The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade is also a powerful voice for social change. Together with Miami-Dade County, the Women's Fund has launched a campaign to increase public awareness of local services that are available to victims of domestic violence. Termed ``Voices Against Violence,'' this initiative implores abused victims to speak up, to get help, and to be safe. Domestic violence is a plague on our society that demands our constant attention at the Federal, State, and local levels.

As an outspoken advocate of Federal initiatives to protect the victims of domestic violence and abuse, I am so proud of the efforts undertaken by the Women's Fund on this important issue.

The involvement of the Women's Fund in their relief work of Haiti is another inspiring story. In helping to rebuild this island nation, the Women's Fund and its supporters have shown their unwavering commitment to service and have shown their generosity of spirit.

According to Amnesty International, nearly half of all Haitian households are headed by women. Experience has shown that these women and girls will be the key in helping to rebuild Haiti and in helping to create a safe, stable, and prosperous nation. The Women's Fund is in a unique position to highlight this reality and to make sure that Haiti's future growth and transformation will touch all sectors of its society.

Since I have come to Congress, Madam Speaker, it has been one of my foremost objectives to ensure that women have equal opportunity to a higher education, that they are protected from harassment and intimidation in the workplace, and that they have access to life-saving health screening for heart disease and for breast cancer.

I am so grateful for the tremendous leadership of local organizations such as the Women's Fund in working toward these important and obtainable goals, and I look forward to collaborating with the Women's Fund of Miami-Dade in the years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my dear friend and colleague, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, for yielding me the time.

I rise in strong support of the underlying legislation, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act, and I commend the bill's author--we just heard from him--Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, for his work in bringing this important legislation to the floor this morning. And I would be remiss if I did not also recognize the efforts of our former colleague Luis Fortuno, now the Governor of Puerto Rico, for his many years of leadership on this issue.

This day has been long in the making. With a population of nearly 4 million people, the people of Puerto Rico deserve the opportunity to decide their fate. Puerto Rico has been under the U.S. flag for 111 years, and its residents have been U.S. citizens for more than 90 years.

Since the extension of U.S. citizenship to its residents in 1917, Puerto Rico has maintained one of the highest per capita rates of participation in the U.S. Armed Forces. Puerto Ricans have fought and have died in every armed conflict since the First World War. And yet while Puerto Ricans have fought valiantly for self-determination overseas, they have never been given the opportunity to participate in a federally sanctioned vote to determine Puerto Rico's political status. That is until today.

H.R. 2499 authorizes the government of Puerto Rico to conduct an initial plebiscite. In this process, eligible voters would be asked whether they wish to maintain the current political status or to have a different status. The rationale for this plebiscite is simple: In accordance with the American principle of government by consent, Congress should seek the meaningful consent of Puerto Rico to the political status that it has had for more than 110 years. The American citizens of Puerto Rico have a right to determine their political future. This bill does not exclude any viable status option, nor does it provide for a change in status to be automatically implemented.

Under the initial plebiscite, eligible voters will be asked if they wish to maintain the current status or to have a different status. If a majority favors the current status, then the government of Puerto Rico would be authorized to ask voters this question again in 8 years. If a majority of voters cast ballots in favor of a different political status, then the government of Puerto Rico would be authorized to hold a second plebiscite on the three status options: independence, statehood, and free association.

I thank the gentleman for the time.

After 111 years under the U.S. flag, our founding principles dictate that the people of Puerto Rico be allowed to determine their political future in a fair and orderly vote sponsored by the Federal Government.

And it is for those reasons, Mr. Speaker, that I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act.

I thank my good friend from Washington for the time.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. This bill will provide a congressionally sanctioned process by which U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico can determine their preferences regarding the territory's political status.

This is not a bill to admit Puerto Rico as the 51st State. This bill, instead, would enable Puerto Ricans to determine their status preference by presenting all of the options possible under the law. They would be presented through a series of votes.

In the first plebiscite, voters will decide if they want a continuation of the current status or to change status. If voters decide to change status, a second plebiscite will be held on the three viable options for change: independence, statehood, or free association with the U.S.

The Puerto Rico Democracy Act does not include the misguided ``enhanced Commonwealth option.'' An enhanced Commonwealth, as envisioned by the bill's critics, perpetuates the false hope that Puerto Ricans can have the best of both worlds: they can have U.S. citizenship and national sovereignty; they can receive generous Federal funding and have the power to veto those laws with which it disagrees. If included as a viable option, an enhanced Commonwealth proposal would permanently empower Puerto Rico to nullify Federal laws and court jurisdiction. An enhanced Commonwealth option would also set the stage for Puerto Rico to enter into international organizations and trade agreements, all while being under the military and financial protection of the United States.

It is no surprise that this proposal has been soundly rejected as a viable option by the U.S. Department of Justice, the State Department, the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration. It is time that the people of Puerto Rico are given real options for the future political status of their homeland and not false promises.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill before us today.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my congratulations to the University of Miami researchers on their recent discovery that will lead toward a new understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

University of Miami researchers identified a gene that appears to double a person's risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's, as we all know, is a debilitating disease that impacts 5 million Americans. As a daughter of a mother with Alzheimer's disease, I know how painful this disease can be for both the individual and the family.

I would like to thank Director Margaret Pericak-Vance and all of the staff of the John P. Hussman Institute for

Human Genomics at the University of Miami Medical School for their hard work and dedication to this valuable research.

The University of Miami will continue to take steps to improve our knowledge about Alzheimer's so that families will not have to feel the pain of watching their loved ones being slowly ravaged by this terrible affliction.

Madam Speaker, I rise today with a wonderful mission--to recognize a local student, Allison Novack. Allison has recently been named the Top Outstanding School Youth Volunteer of the Year for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system. Our superintendent of schools, Alberto Carvalho, presented her with this impressive award at Miami's Jungle Island earlier this month.

As a senior at Miami Beach Senior High School, Allison has volunteered in numerous capacities. She has served as the president of the Miami Beach chapter of the Junior State of America. She has served as producer for the nonprofit group 1308 Productions. She is

also known for her work as part of Sky News and as the creator of the Rock the Vote concerts and shows in our area. And I can personally attest, she was a fabulous host to my recent congressional visit to Miami Beach High.

As an elected public official, I understand the great effort and the personal sacrifice that goes along with trying to make a difference in our community. The time that Allison has spent and the care she has demonstrated are truly beyond her years. All of us in south Florida are fortunate to have someone like Allison who gives so generously of her time and energy to our area. This award is yet another shining example of how one individual's hard work can make a difference. Allison is an inspirational and energetic student leader who has created positive results for her school and our greater community.

Allison's public service has also been recognized by organizations such as Voice of America radio as well as many other media and civic groups.

This dedication to civic engagement stems from Allison's family, which has a legacy of public service. Allison is the daughter of Surfside mayor emeritus Paul Novack. Mayor Novack served as mayor for six terms and is himself, also, a graduate of Miami Beach Senior High School, the Hi-Tides. Also, Allison's grandmother Mickey Novack served as Surfside vice mayor, as president of Women in Government Service, WIGS, and as treasurer of several educational and civic organizations, including the PTA and Hadassah.

It is wonderful to see Allison continuing in the family tradition of giving back to our community. Her hard work is fundamental in making our community better for years to come. With the support of wonderful parents like Paul and Denise, I am certain that Allison enjoyed the strong family network of support and guidance that is needed to accomplish so much for this young woman who is soon to be off going to college. Allison's steadfast commitment to public service is a testament to her character and to her family. She is a wonderful example of today's young adults who have the will to affect positive change in our community.

Allison will soon graduate from Miami Beach Senior High School this June as an exemplary student who has been a credit to her school and our community. Next semester, she will be joining the proud ranks of students attending the University of Miami--go Canes--and pursuing a degree in communications.

Again, I congratulate Allison for her recent award as Top Outstanding School Youth Volunteer. I also wish her the best as she makes the transition to college life, and I look forward to hearing from her about her continued work in making this community an even better place in which to live. I know that Allison will continue to benefit our area in her volunteer work and will be a magnificent addition to the University of Miami Canes team.

Congratulations, Allison. Congratulations to the Novack family.

Mr. Speaker, April is Autism Awareness Month, and I call for increased research into and treatment for this leading developmental disorder.

Autism impacts more of our children every day, and it is becoming exceptionally prevalent in our American society. The number of American families who must learn to cope with autism is growing every day. An estimated one out of every 110 children born in the United States are now diagnosed with autism.

We have got to invest in the research that will allow us to better understand and to treat this serious disorder. For individuals already living with autism and those children who will be diagnosed this year, we must make this a priority. Autism's hold on our families, our children, and our country must be broken.

I look forward to the day when children diagnosed with this developmental disorder can live full and healthy lives. Let's pass this bill before us today.

Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, the House will consider H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill which would allow the residents of Puerto Rico the opportunity to voice their opinions on the status of the island's relationship to the mainland, to the United States, through a federally sanctioned plebiscite.

Nearly 4 million U.S. citizens currently reside in Puerto Rico and my congressional district in South Florida is home to nearly 20,000 American citizens of Puerto Rican descent.

Although Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory for more than 100 years, Congress has never asked those American citizens residing in Puerto Rico to express their opinion on the territory's political status. This bill does not exclude any viable status option nor does it provide for a change in status to be automatically implemented. Instead, the bill initiates a long overdue process of consultation with the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Puerto Rico Democracy Act when it comes to a vote later this week.

Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act, I would like to take some time this evening to dispel some of the myths that surround this legislation.

The Puerto Rico Democracy Act provides for a formal consultation with the people of Puerto Rico regarding the island's political status. H.R. 2499 authorizes the Government of Puerto Rico to conduct an initial plebiscite. Eligible voters would be asked whether they wish to maintain the current political status or to have a different status. If the majority favors the current status, then the Government of Puerto Rico would be authorized to ask voters this question again at 8-year intervals. On the other hand, if a majority of the voters favor a different status, the Government of Puerto Rico would be authorized to conduct a second plebiscite among the three nonterritorial status options recognized under U.S. and international law.

What are those three options? They are, number one, independence; two, statehood; and, three, sovereignty in association with the U.S., which is commonly known as free association.

Opponents of this bill, of H.R. 2499, contend that the two-step process stacks the deck against the current status and in favor of statehood. This is simply not the case, Madam Speaker. H.R. 2499 does not exclude nor favor any status option. Under this legislation, the purpose of the first plebiscite is clear: to inform Congress whether the majority of Puerto Ricans consent to the current political status.

Only if a majority of voters expresses its desire to change the current status is a second vote mandated on the three alternatives: independence, statehood, and free association.

This two-step process was recommended by the President's task force on Puerto Rico's status. This task force was initiated under the Clinton administration, and it was finalized by the Bush administration. The task force called upon the expertise of 16 Federal agencies in recommending a fair process for consulting with the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico.

Opponents of H.R. 2499 propose that the option of an enhanced commonwealth should be included as a status option during the second plebiscite. Well, this enhanced commonwealth, as envisioned by the bill's detractors, perpetuates the false hope that Puerto Ricans can have the best of both worlds:

They can have U.S. citizenship and national sovereignty;

They will receive all Federal funds and will have the power to veto those laws with which it disagrees.

If included as a viable option, an enhanced commonwealth proposal would permanently empower Puerto Rico to nullify Federal laws and court jurisdiction and to enter into an international organization and trade agreements, all while being under the military and financial protection of the United States.

It is no surprise that this proposal has been soundly rejected as a viable option by the U.S. Department of Justice, by the State Department, by the Clinton administration, and by the Bush administration.

Another misguided concern surrounding H.R. 2499 is that the bill fails to include an ``English only'' provision. It is premature to discuss this matter until the conclusion of the first and second plebiscites. H.R. 2499 does not require Congress to admit Puerto Rico as a State nor even to set the statehood process in motion if a majority of voters ultimately chooses statehood. If the people of Puerto Rico express a preference for statehood and if Congress is inclined to act upon that preference, further Federal legislation would be required. That legislation and not H.R. 2499 would be the appropriate vehicle in which to address any potential language-related condition on Puerto Rico's accession to statehood.

I would like now to change focus and to highlight the overwhelming bipartisan support behind H.R. 2499. Introduced by the Resident Commissioner, this bill enjoys the backing of more than 180 cosponsors from both political parties, and it is strongly supported by Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno, a former House colleague, who introduced similar versions of this bill in the past. This bill is also endorsed by numerous leaders in the Puerto Rican legislature and local government, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and many other local officials.

Given the strong support, Madam Speaker, I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill when it comes to a floor vote later this week.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to instruct conferees at the desk.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this motion comes at a critical point in our efforts to prevent Iran from dealing a devastating blow to the security of our Nation, the security of our closest allies, and to global security and stability. The gravest threat comes from Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear weapons program.

Last week, Lieutenant General Burgess, the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and General Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified that Iran could produce enough weapons-grade fuel for a nuclear weapon within 1 year. But even with this alarming scenario, we may be too optimistic given the Iranian regime's long history of deception.

Last September, yet another secret Iranian nuclear facility was revealed--an underground uranium enrichment plant. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, or

IAEA, reportedly concluded that this facility's capacity is too small to be of use in producing fuel for civilian nuclear power but is well configured to produce material for one or two nuclear weapons a year. The regime has already announced that it intends to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants and will start construction on two in this coming year.

There is mounting evidence that Iran has been working on a nuclear warhead for many years. The IAEA's Iran report from February of this year stated that its inspectors had uncovered extensive evidence of ``past or current undisclosed activities'' to develop a nuclear warhead.

That same IAEA report, Mr. Speaker, raised concerns ``about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile.''

Iran has long been at work on ballistic missiles and already has the ability to strike U.S. forces and our allies in the Middle East, such as Israel and in many other areas.

But Iran is not stopping there. A recent unclassified report by the Department of Defense estimated that Iran may be able to strike the United States with a missile by the year 2015.

The threat posed by the Iranian regime's nuclear ballistic missile and unconventional weapons capabilities is magnified by its continued support for violent extremism. According to this Pentagon report, Iran is ``furnishing lethal aid to Iraqi Shia militants and Afghan insurgents. And Iran provides Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist groups with funding, weapons and training to oppose Israel.'' The same report stated that ``Iran, through its longstanding relationship with Lebanese Hezbollah, maintains a capability to strike Israel directly and to threaten Israeli and U.S. interests worldwide.''

We know that Iran has a long track record of using these capabilities. The Pentagon report confirms that the Iranian regime has been involved in or has been behind what the report describes as ``some of the deadliest terrorist attacks of the past two decades, including: The 1983 and '84 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and annex in Beirut; the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut; the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina; the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia; and many of the insurgent attacks on coalition and Iraqi security forces in Iraq since 2003.''

In other words, when the Iranian regime threatens America and Israel with destruction over and over again, they may mean it. Today the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is scheduled to begin a 3-day exercise involving their missiles and other weapons to demonstrate their ability to dominate the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point for much of the world's oil supply.

Diplomacy and engagement have had no real impact on the regime in Tehran. As Iran sprints towards the nuclear finish line, deadlines set by the Obama administration for compliance have been repeatedly disregarded. Now the strategy appears to be resting on securing a new U.N. Security Council resolution. However, Russia and China see themselves as friends of the regime in Tehran and have publicly stated that they will not support a resolution that puts any significant pressure on Tehran. In fact, The New York Times reported last week that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ``warned in a secret 3-page memorandum to top White House officials that the United States does not have an effective long-range policy for dealing with Iran's steady progress toward nuclear capability.''

Mr. Speaker, the Congress must fill this vacuum. We must not sit idly by and wait for Iran to detonate a nuclear device. In February of 2006, the Congress adopted a concurrent resolution, citing the Iranian regime's repeated violations of its international obligations, underscoring that as a result of these violations, Iran no longer has the right to develop any aspect of the nuclear fuel cycle, and urging responsible nations to impose economic sanctions to deny Iran the resources and the ability to develop nuclear weapons. Then we moved to strengthen U.S. sanctions on Iran and to render support to Iranian human rights and pro-democracy advocates through the passage of the Iran Freedom Support Act of 2006.

Yet again, the U.S. has yet to bring to bear the full force of U.S. punitive measures on the Iranian regime. We have failed to act quickly and decisively before. This may be our last chance to apply pressure on Iran before it is too late. So while the motion to instruct we are considering calls on the conferees to conclude their work by May 28, it is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that we will not wait that long. We must strike at the regime's vulnerabilities and do so quickly and effectively.

As such, the motion to instruct conferees insists on the House-passed version of H.R. 2194, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanction Act, also known as IRPSA. Chairman Berman and I, along with several other members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the House as a whole, have introduced IRPSA to target one of the Iranian regime's key vulnerabilities; namely, its dependence on imported petroleum products, especially gasoline. The House passed it overwhelmingly on December 15 by a vote of 412-12.

The sanctions bill we enact must match the gravity of the growing threat. There are several provisions that the conference report must contain if this legislation is to have any significant impact. Because Iran's energy sector and its dependence on refined petroleum are the regime's Achilles' heel, in the motion to instruct we must insist on sections 3(a) and 3(b), which strengthen sanctions regarding the development of Iran's petroleum resources and the export of refined petroleum products to Iran. We must not reward countries that allow their businesses and citizens to provide assistance to Iran's nuclear missile or advanced conventional weapons program to be rewarded with a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement. Therefore, the House must insist on section 3(c), which prohibits such agreements being submitted to Congress or entering into force. We must insist, Mr. Speaker, on those provisions because the executive branch has not once applied sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act on investment in the Iranian energy sector.

This problem originated more than a decade ago when former Secretary of State Albright exercised a sweeping waiver that turned that act into a paper tiger, and the State Department continues to ignore mandatory sanctions under that act on those who are assisting Iran's proliferation activities. We must also ensure that section 3(d) removes ambiguities regarding the President's waiver authority and, thereby, will ensure the speedy implementation of sanctions. And we must insist on section 3(f), which expands the definition of petroleum resources and products and closes loopholes in the original Iran Sanctions Act that have been repeatedly exploited by others. Because the Iranian threat will continue to grow, the House must insist also on section 3(h), which extends the Iran Sanctions Act by 5 years. And because we must not let those who have already violated our laws off the hook, we must insist on sections 4(a)(1), 4(a)(2), and 4(b)(1).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this motion and ask conferees to embrace it and commit to sending the strongest possible bill to the President's desk. The clock is ticking. The centrifuges in Iran are spinning. Our time has almost run out.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas, Judge Poe, a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, because that's just the way it is.

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), an esteemed member of the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the motion to instruct.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Roskam), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks), a member of the Armed Services and Judiciary Committees.

Mr. Speaker, I am so honored to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), our esteemed Republican whip and a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

I continue to reserve, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

Mr. Speaker, we are ready to close if the gentleman is ready to.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself my remaining time.

Mr. Speaker, for several years we have watched Iran move ever closer to acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. No rational person can question that that is Iran's goal. And yet, even though Iran has violated its international treaty obligations, defied repeated U.N. Security Council resolutions, had one secret nuclear site after another revealed to the world, and rejected every offer to negotiate, the world has let it happen.

We, in this Chamber, have been elected to defend and promote the interests and security of our country. We must do everything we can to force Iran's leaders to change course and abandon their pursuit of nuclear weapons because the American people and our allies are their intended targets. We know this because they have repeatedly told us.

We cannot rely on hope for deliverance because that will only guarantee our destruction. So we must act quickly, and we must act decisively.

The bill that the House passed overwhelmingly last December, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, represents the best opportunity we have to do precisely that. If we, and our colleagues in the Senate, can craft a strong measure that can then be sent to the President, we will have met our responsibility to the American people.

I am confident, Mr. Speaker, that we can defeat the menace that is posed by Iran before it has a chance to strike us, but our time is running out.

Let us support this motion. Let us send a strong bill to the President's desk.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as Autism Awareness Month and call for increased research into and treatment for this leading developmental disorder. Autism impacts more of our children every day, and it is becoming exceptionally prevalent in our American society.

The number of American families who must learn to cope with autism is growing every day. An estimated one in 110 children born in the United States are now diagnosed with autism. We must invest in the research that will allow us to better understand and treat this serious disorder.

For individuals already living with autism and those children who will be diagnosed this year, we must make this our priority. Autism's hold on our families, our children, and our country must be broken.

I look forward to the day when children diagnosed with this developmental disorder can live full and healthy lives.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Raquel Egozi Behar, a great member of the South Florida community and a dear friend.

Next month Raquel will be recognized by the Miami Jewish Health Systems as the 2010 Mother of the Year. Her dedication and selfless service to the Latin Auxiliary and the Miami Jewish Health Systems have been exceptional. It is a testament to her character and her sense of community.

Raquel has also worked with the Miami Jewish Health Systems music

therapy program. Despite all of her community service and engagement, the role she cherishes most of all is that of being a mother and a grandmother. Her values and her principles have inspired her loved ones.

Her daughter, Luisa, has become an active member of the Latin Auxiliary, serving on its board and her grandson, Max, has also become involved with the Auxiliary and the Miami Jewish Health Systems.

Raquel and her wonderful family are truly examples of L'dor V'dor, from generation to generation. I am proud to call Raquel a friend and South Florida is fortunate to have her.

Congratulations, Raquel, on this award.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and my fellow Members of Congress--Mario Diaz-Balart and Ted Deutch--and I held a great press conference with Dan Beard, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, on how to make our offices more energy efficient.

Representing such natural wonders like the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, I am extremely sensitive to the impact of our daily routine on the environment. I am a supporter of the green proposals, such as increasing the fuel efficiency of our cars and promoting the use of clean alternative energy.

However, as we all know, green living begins at home and in the workplace. Whether it's by turning off the lights when exiting a room, carpooling to the office, or recycling on a regular basis, we can all work to improve our environments. The buildings of the Capitol complex, including my congressional office, are now utilizing the latest in energy- and water-saving technologies. For example, the simple action of installing energy-saving lighting throughout the U.S. House of Representatives has saved U.S. taxpayers more than $175,000 annually. House offices have also increased their participation in the recycling of paper and of other raw materials. Last year, the House of Representatives recycled more than 1,800 tons of paper, 46 tons of bottles and cans, and 1 ton of leather.

In the days ahead, my district office in Miami will be implementing additional electricity- and resource-saving measures. At a time when our Nation is struggling with high unemployment and with an unsustainable deficit, we should be doing all that we can to eliminate government inefficiencies, waste, fraud, and abuse.

This week, in celebration of Earth Day, south Florida families can attend Miami's Goin' Green Celebration to learn more about how you can protect our environment, how you can support green technologies, and how you can save money on your energy and water bills. I encourage south Floridians to attend this important event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m. in Miami's Bayfront Park. Individuals and families attending this event can participate in seminars on energy-efficient home improvements, on how to save on your water bills, and on several other informative exhibitions. In particular, I encourage you to register for many of the eco-friendly services provided by Miami-Dade County, such as recycling pickups and the Adopt-a-Tree program. By implementing individual changes, we can all make positive differences on our environment.

I will continue to work in Congress to support policies that encourage families and businesses to be more energy efficient and less reliant on expensive foreign fuel. At the same time, I will continue to be a staunch advocate for green initiatives that will not put a financial burden on working families and small businesses.

Once again, I urge all of my south Florida constituents to attend Miami's Goin' Green Celebration this Saturday in Bayfront Park, which is in my congressional district, to learn more about living more environmentally friendly lives. We all have roles to play as we endeavor to preserve south Florida's natural beauty and to improve our communities' environments for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, recently, a greatly respected Cuban- American presidential appointee, community leader, and beloved husband and father, passed away. Jose Manuel Casanova, a true inspiration to all Americans, dedicated his life's work to serving our Nation.

A presidential appointee of Ronald Reagan, he served as the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. Through the Inter- American Development Bank Jose helped contribute to economic development in Latin America, promoting free market policies.

During his tenure at the Inter-American Development Bank, Jose was appointed by Secretary of the Treasury James A. Baker III to serve as U.S. Executive Director for the Inter-American Investment Corporation. There he worked to develop private enterprises in Latin America, providing expertise he gained through years of experience in banking and commerce.

Born in Cuba in 1930, Jose fled his homeland due to the despotic regime of Fidel Castro. Jose devoted his energies and talents to

providing a better life for his family and contributing to his adopted country that had given his family refuge from tyranny. Jose also dedicated his time to fundraising for important causes, including the United Way, the Cuban Refugee Fund, and Club de las Americas.

Although he was proud of his public and civic service, what meant the most to Jose was his dearly loved family.

Jose is survived by his wife of 50 years Alicia, seven children, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his sister. He was a dedicated husband and father and a wonderful role-model for his family.

Jose's father was a great source of inspiration for him as he also worked in public service.

Those who knew Jose know that we mourn the passing of a committed leader, loyal friend, and a true pioneer for the Cuban-American community. Jose's story is a uniquely American story.

Mr. Speaker, we should not be doubling down on a failed Middle East policy by pressuring Israel to make further concessions, including on Jerusalem, Israel's undivided capital.

Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel recently wrote:

``Jerusalem is above politics. It belongs to the Jewish people, and it is much more than a city. It is what binds one Jew to another in a way that remains hard to explain. Today, for the first time in history, Jews, Christians and Muslims all may freely worship at their shrines. And, contrary to certain media reports, Jews, Christians and Muslims are allowed to build their homes anywhere in the city. The anguish over Jerusalem is not about real estate but about memory.''

What is the solution, Mr. Speaker? Well, certainly not more pressure on our friend and our trusted ally Israel, while not holding others accountable for their actions.

Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize the vital work of an important south Florida organization called ``Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe.''

Since the year 2005, ``Our Kids'' has worked to ensure that at-risk, abused, abandoned and neglected children are afforded the opportunity to grow up in safe, permanent families.

As a grandmother and a former educator, I recognize the great opportunity that ``Our Kids'' has to fully support at-risk children.

Under the leadership of CEO Frances Allegra and Board Chairman Carlos de la Cruz, Jr., ``Our Kids'' has risen to the challenge and given direction to our local child protection system. Since 2005, ``Our Kids'' has created over 1,600 families through child-focused, family- centered adoptions. It has created an environment of seamless, cohesive, and comprehensive service that has led to a 15 percent increase in children who are adopted within 24 months of entering foster care. That means that today there are 36 percent fewer children in foster care in Miami and in the Florida Keys. This is a remarkable achievement in such a short time frame, and I applaud the progress.

There are too many children left to grow up without a strong family support system upon which they can rely. And sadly, it is more often than not those children who are most in need who are left to fend for themselves. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect are exceptionally vulnerable.

The safety and the development of our children must be our highest priority. We must ensure that all children have the chance, through guidance and support, to confidently build their lives, their families, their relationships. By matching kids to permanent, loving homes, or with caring foster parents, ``Our Kids'' is working to accomplish this worthy goal. ``Our Kids'' makes our community stronger and more supportive each and every day.

The men and women of ``Our Kids'' are selfless in their efforts to improve the lives of all of our children in South Florida. Every child ought to have a loving home, and it is our responsibility as a community and a Nation, to guarantee that no child is left alone.

On behalf of parents everywhere, Mr. Speaker, I again thank ``Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe'' and look forward to all of their future accomplishments on behalf of all of our children.