Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the success of the Miami-Dade Memory Walk sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.

This event called on volunteers of all ages to be champions in the fight against the terrible disease of Alzheimer's, which impacts more than 5 million Americans and their families. Over 2,200 people participated in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk in my home county of Miami-Dade, and their efforts raised over $130,000 for research into a cure.

I was encouraged by the wonderful outpouring of support and participation from our community in South Florida. I know from countless personal stories, as well as from my own family, just how devastating this disease of Alzheimer's is.

My mom, Amanda Ros, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's over a year ago. While I am blessed to have tremendous family support during this difficult time for her, I recognize how important it is to have organizations, such as the Alzheimer's Association, that can step in and provide families with guidance on how to care for their loved one.

Tony Friguls is another individual who knows this terrible disease all too well. He participated in the Memory Walk in support of his wife of 37 years, Maria, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4 years ago at the age of 55. Since that day, her life, Tony's life and the lives of their children, grandchildren and, indeed, their entire family, has never been the same. It has changed forever.

For Tony and his wife, there was no more hope to reach retirement, to travel, to enjoy life. Instead, they were both forced to retire from their jobs in order to cope with the new daily challenges of Alzheimer's. Determined to help his wife, Tony made a decision to help raise community awareness for this disease. His team for the Alzheimer's Memory Walk, Baba's Bunch, included over 400 members. He is also involved in an essay-writing contest in public schools to raise student awareness about Alzheimer's.

Today, Tony's wife is 59 years old. She can hardly speak. She cannot even sign her own name, and she is not who she used to be.

He continues the fight against Alzheimer's in honor of his wife and all of those who suffer and cope with this terrible disease. Unfortunately, as we all know, Alzheimer's has no survivors. It destroys brain cells. It causes memory changes, erratic behaviors and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person's identity, a person's ability to connect with others, to think, to eat, to talk, to walk, to find your way home. There is no treatment, no cure, no way to stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

This disease is widespread and growing. Every 70 seconds, Madam Speaker, someone new develops Alzheimer's, and it is not only the person diagnosed that is impacted, but also their family members. One in eight people aged 65 and older has Alzheimer's, an even higher number of those aged 85 and

older, and 87 percent of that time it is the family members who are the primary caregivers.

The emotional stress of care giving is so high, and about one-third of caregivers develop symptoms of depression. Care giving also takes a financial toll, with many individuals having to quit work, reduce their work hours, or take time off because of their responsibilities.

Madam Speaker, we must continue the fight against this devastating disease before it claims more lives, more lives of our mothers, our fathers, our sisters, our brothers and our spouses. I again encourage all in our community to show solidarity in the fight we must win against Alzheimer's.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Hispanic-American Cultural Institute of the Koubek Center of the University of Miami on their 25th anniversary.

The Hispanic-American Cultural Institute is part of the University of Miami's Division of Continuing and International Education, which was founded in 1984 by Mr. Pablo Chao.

The Institute's primary mission is to offer cultural and academic services to elderly professionals who wish to remain active. The good work done by the Institute has helped countless individuals in our South Florida community. The Institute has offered conferences in various academic disciplines, which have been hosted by recognized educators, writers and leaders of the Hispanic community.

I congratulate the extraordinary leadership of the center's president for the past 10 years, Mr. Manuel I. Muniz, and Director Chao on the Institute's 25th anniversary. The Hispanic-American Cultural Institute is a valued part of our community. I am sure that the Institute will continue to allow individuals to pursue their academic dreams regardless of age, as well as be a forum where the brightest minds of the Hispanic community can shine.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I also rise in strong support of this legislation authored by my good friend and colleague from Florida, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, and I am a proud cosponsor of this important bill.

I thank Mr. Bilirakis for his vision, and I also wish to extend my gratitude to our colleague from New York, Congressman Joe Crowley. They have been leaders on this important issue.

The bill before us, Madam Speaker, is a successor to a resolution that was passed last Congress condemning the broadcasting of incitement to violence against Americans and the United States in media based in the Middle East and calling for the designation of al-Aqsa TV as a specially designated global terrorist entity.

As we commemorate the 68th anniversary of the United States' entry into World War II, we know well the power that words have for either good or evil. Before there were factories to drive the Nazi war machine, there were hateful and violent words. Before there were bricks to build concentration camps, there were ugly, dehumanizing words. As we have witnessed, such charged rhetoric invites violent action, and such incitement creates an environment accepting of and conducive to violent Islamic extremism.

As we too sadly learned on September 11, 2001, purveyors of anti- American incitement to violence traffic not only in words but in deeds. Accordingly, this important and critical legislation before us this morning requires that the President submit a report to Congress on the activities of media outlets which engage in anti-American incitement to violence and on the satellite providers that carry out these messages of hate.

Furthermore, Mr. Bilirakis' legislation seeks to document the threat posed by the broadcasts of incitement to violence against Americans and the United States on television channels and other media which are accessible in the United States. It will highlight how the threat may increase the risk of radicalization and recruitment of Americans into extremist organizations which seek to carry out attacks against American targets and on American soil.

We cannot allow satellite providers which traffic in and profit from anti-American incitement to violence to remain in the shadows. We must join with the majority of those throughout the Middle East and right here at home who value pluralism, who value tolerance, and, in both word and deed, who reject the purveyors of anti-American incitement to violence and their enablers.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation. I thank the author of this important bill, my colleague from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), for its introduction. As well, I thank our friend from New York (Mr. Crowley).

With that, Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my friend from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

With that, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, the United States has been involved in multilateral international drug control efforts for nearly a century.

Over the years, our agencies have used a wide array of tools to counter the drug trade in our hemisphere, ranging from multilateral cooperation and foreign assistance restrictions, to crop eradication, alternative development, interdiction, and institutional capacity building. Here within our own hemisphere the U.S. remains a major supporter and participant of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission.

Regionally and bilaterally the U.S. has also worked closely with responsible partners on counternarcotics efforts through important programs such as the Merida Initiative, the Andean Counterdrug Initiative, Plan Colombia, and the upcoming Caribbean Basin Security Initiative. Through these programs and others, at least eight U.S. agencies are involved in implementing U.S. international counternarcotics activities.

The Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission, created by this bill, H.R. 2134, will be responsible for assessing the promotion of economic development alternatives to illicit drugs, how to better employ technology to target major drug cartels, U.S. drug prevention and treatment programs, and the value of working with other governments and NGOs to promote the reduction of supply and demand for illicit drugs.

After this 1-year review, the commission will complete its mandate by providing a report to Congress that provides an assessment of overall U.S. international illicit drug control policies in our Western Hemisphere and recommendations on how to best improve these policies. It is critical that the appropriate measures be taken to ensure that U.S. drug policy, both here at home and abroad, is responsible and is effective.

Already we have seen tremendous results from some of our efforts. For example, in the last 2 years, the price of cocaine in the United States has increased nearly 80 percent while its purity has decreased nearly 30 percent. Drugs not only poison our children and our communities, but drugs fund and sustain many of the violent criminal groups and extremist organizations lurking in our hemisphere.

Within the last year or so, two major drug rings with ties to Hezbollah have been caught operating in our Western Hemisphere. The comfort with which these criminals traipse around the region is alarming.

However, with leaders like Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega bending over backwards to let rogue states like Iran expand its presence in the region, it really is no surprise that extremist groups like Hezbollah would also make their homes here.

We cannot allow the Western Hemisphere to become a staging ground for extremists. From money laundering to drug smuggling to arms trafficking, extremist groups like the FARC and Hezbollah, the regimes who support them, and their enablers are putting the people of the Americas in direct danger.

The United States must continue to work with our democratic allies to stamp out these threats. I am hopeful that this commission will help us to do just that.

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

Madam Speaker, I do not oppose this resolution.

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

The bill before us, House Resolution 915, encourages the Republic of Hungary to respect the rule of law, treat foreign investors fairly, and promote a free and independent press.

Since breaking the chains of communist dictatorship and Soviet domination, Hungary has made significant progress in implementing democracy and economic reforms. I congratulate the Hungarian people and its government for these significant steps. It has also become a full member of the Trans-Atlantic community, having joined both the NATO alliance and the European Union.

In light of how far Hungary has come in just two decades since the fall of the Iron Curtain in integrating itself in Western institutions and embracing basic freedoms, some recent developments in that country regarding the freedom of the press and the rule of law have raised some concern.

Specifically, political appointees to a government body that administers Hungary's airwaves have reportedly taken away two radio licenses from foreign-owned stations, one of them an American company, and have given the licenses to local firms that have links to Hungary's major political parties. The chairman of that government body administering the airwaves has resigned as a result, stating that the decision to take the licenses away from the foreign firms violated the law.

Madam Speaker, the manner in which this Hungarian Government body reportedly treated these foreign companies also may raise concerns about Hungary's full commitment to a free and independent press. Political cronyism, corruption, and restriction on the media are relics of the old communist system and the old parties. The Hungarian people do not wish to resurrect these harmful policies. Not just foreign investors in Hungary but the Hungarian people deserve much better. They have worked too hard. They have gone through too much to make their beautiful country, Hungary, a free and democratic nation.

The sponsors of this measure, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Pence and Mr. Burton, have introduced this resolution which condemns the recent action by the Hungarian National Radio and Television Board. It encourages the Republic of Hungary to continue to promote and respect the rule of law and treat foreign investors fairly. And, lastly, it encourages the Republic of Hungary to maintain its strong and vibrant commitment to a free and independent press.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and I thank the gentleman from New York.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in support for the people of El Salvador and, specifically, the bill before us, H. Con. Res. 213, a resolution introduced by my colleague from Florida, my good friend, Mr. Connie Mack, the ranking member of our important Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.

Last month, as we have heard, the torrential rains of Hurricane Ida took a devastating toll on the people of El Salvador. Nearly 200 people lost their lives, and more than 14,000 were left homeless. Up to 10,000 Salvadorans were left in reported need of emergency food supplies. The devastation did not stop at the borders of El Salvador, however. Hurricane Ida also left about 13,000 people homeless in Nicaragua and damaged about 100 homes in Guatemala.

This important resolution expresses our solidarity with all of the people impacted by this horrendous storm, and it commends the brave efforts of all who helped to contribute in the relief efforts in its aftermath. Specifically, I would like to recognize and commend the significant and immediate efforts undertaken by our most generous country, the United States of America, in the wake of this horrific storm. Through the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and the U.S. Southern Command, the United States was able to help airlift emergency relief supplies, finance humanitarian assistance projects, support medical evacuations, assess infrastructure repair projects, and deliver emergency and food supplies to the worst-hit and isolated communities in El Salvador.

This resolution also recognizes the coordination among the countries of Central America in the relief efforts following the storm. It is critical that responsible nations continue to work together to better prepare ourselves and our democratic partners for natural disasters such as this one.

Again, I would like to commend the brave efforts of the people of El Salvador and, in fact, all of Central America as they recover from Hurricane Ida and to express our strong support during this most difficult time.

Specifically, I would like to congratulate my friend from Florida (Mr. Mack) for his authorship of this important resolution, and I would like to recognize him at this time, Madam Speaker, to speak on this resolution. And I would ask him if he would also speak on the Drug Commission on the Western Hemisphere of which he and Mr. Engel were the authors.

At this time, Madam Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mack), the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and the author of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution which commemorates the victims of the worst political violence in recent Philippine history. The wholesale massacre of 57 innocent persons, including women, children, and journalists, can only be termed as shocking even in this era of mass violence. The fact that this attack, which included mutilation and rape, took place on a convoy headed to register a candidate for election is a cause for concern for all who uphold democratic values and the rule of law.

I held discussions earlier this fall with my Filipino friends, keen political observers who warned of the potential for corruption, intimidation, and even violence in the run-up to elections in May of next year.

Extrajudicial killings have sadly become rather commonplace in the Republic of the Philippines. Over 30 journalists have reportedly been killed since the year 2000, with prosecutions in only four cases. The pen may be mightier than the sword, but no pen can maintain its strength if so easily cut down.

The Philippines is, after all, no ordinary republic. It is the only Asian nation that first incorporated democratic values as a territory of the United States of America. It was to the Philippines that General Douglas MacArthur vowed to return after the courage of the defense of Corregidor and the agony of the Bataan death march.

American blood was shed, American treasure expended, American youth lost to give birth to the Philippine democracy in the post-World War II world. That is why the massacre of November 23 must be of concern to all of us as the political heirs to those brave veterans of the Philippines. Anything less than a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation of this massacre is unacceptable.

The success of the global war on terror in this volatile southern region of the Philippines depends on a full implementation of transparency and the rule of law.

The People Power Revolution of 1986--which the United States both celebrated and assisted--requires open, fair, and violence-free Presidential elections in May of 2010. Anything less would besmirch the memory of those who have fought and died so that the Philippines might have government of the people, for the people, and by the people. This dream, Madam Speaker, may only be achieved if the truth of the November 23 massacre is fully disclosed.

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

I have no further requests for time. I yield back the balance of our time.

Madam Speaker, following the antics of Zelaya, Chavez, and Ortega, there were growing concerns over the ability of free people in the Western Hemisphere to defend democratic principles and institutions against the assaults of these and other oppressors belonging to ALBA. However, the fierce commitment to democracy and the rule of law demonstrated by the people of Honduras have renewed our optimism about the future of freedom and the consolidation of democracy in our region.

Last week the Honduran National Congress voted decisively to reject Manuel Zelaya's return to office. The Supreme Court made the same ruling months ago, and now it is final. The Honduran Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the National Commission for Human Rights, and the Honduran General Accounting Office were all consulted prior to this congressional vote and unanimously rejected Zelaya's return.

The United States has accepted the decision as a matter left to the discretion of the national Congress, and even some of Manuel Zelaya's strongest supporters inside Honduras have finally publicly stated that their mission is no longer publicly focused on his resolution.

The writing is on the wall, Madam Speaker. The people of Honduras are ready to write the post-Zelaya chapter of their nation's history. The newly elected President, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, has already taken steps to help bring national reconciliation to Honduras. Last week, he began meeting with individuals from broad spectrums of the Honduran government and society to discuss long-term goals for the future and stability of Honduras, and he has already warned Chavez not to intervene with Honduras' sovereignty.

The Honduran people have had enough of Chavez's meddling in their internal affairs. It is time for responsible nations--and specifically for us in the United States--to turn the page and rebuild the relationship with the people of Honduras.

I am pleased that the Obama administration has finally lifted the travel alert on Honduras, which has had a severe economic impact on the well-being of American businesses operating in the country. However, this is just the beginning. Honduras is a traditional ally of the United States and a vital partner to us in our regional counternarcotics effort. It is under attack by narcotraffickers and their violent network. Just this morning, General Julian Aristides Gonzalez, the top anti-drug official in Honduras, was assassinated. Witnesses report that his body was riddled with bullets. General Gonzalez and other high-ranking law enforcement officials engaged in the counternarcotics efforts in Honduras are declared targets of the drug-trafficking network in the country. The use of Honduras as a drug transit country threatens our vital security interests.

As such, the U.S. must immediately restore all assistance, particularly counternarcotics cooperation, to Honduras. Visas and other nonsecurity-related assistance must also be reinstated.

Today, Honduran President-elect Lobo travels to San Jose to meet with President Oscar Arias. Tomorrow he will meet with Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli in Tegucigalpa. Also on Thursday, Lobo will visit the Dominican Republic to meet with President Leonel Fernandez.

Meanwhile, Zelaya stays hidden. He cannot face the truth of his transgressions. He has said, ``As long as I have Brazil's support, I will be here.'' Well, Brazil, the OAS and any other country or body should not help him be so cowardly. The OAS should stand up to Zelaya and the enablers of oppression so that freedom can prevail.

Regrettably, the MERCOSUR countries--of which Brazil is a member-- announced during their meeting just today that they will not recognize the Honduran elections. But the Honduran people will not be deterred. They have spoken loud and clear. The Honduran people were brave enough to put their principles to the test. They looked to their Congress, they looked to their Supreme Court, and finally they looked to themselves and carried out peaceful and successful elections.

In closing, Madam Speaker, I would like to quote from Honduran President-elect Lobo, who perhaps best summarized recent developments in Honduras. Following his victory--which was resounding--he said, there were ``no winners or losers, only democracy has triumphed. I am happy looking toward to the future. You keep asking, 'And Zelaya?' Zelaya is history, he is part of the past.''

Madam Speaker, may democracy and freedom continue to triumph in the hemisphere and throughout the world.

Thank you for the time.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate Dario Silva-Silva for being such an inspiring member of our south Florida community and for his community service and humanitarian work. His exemplary work and dedication to journalism, his church and our community.

Dario, born in Colombia, has been a protestant preacher, social commentator and journalist for more than 30 years. His service has been promoted through numerous print media, radio stations and television channels. Silva is the minister of the Christian church The House Over the Rock, with twenty congregations in Colombia and one in Miami. He is the director of the television show ``Hechos y Cronicas'', which is seen in various countries in Latin-American. In addition, he is a visiting professor at the Continued Studies School at the University of Miami Koubek Memorial Center and is a member of the Advisory Logo Counsel of the Christian College in Jacksonville. In 2001, the city of Miami recognized Dario for his inspiring work and dedication by declaring December 15 as the ``Day of Reverend Doctor Dario Silva- Silva.''

Once again, I would like to express my admiration of Dario for his dedication to journalism, his faith and the community. I wish him well and know that he will spend many more years serving his fellow man.

Sixty-two years ago, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations did something it should be very proud of. That day, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to authorize the creation of a Jewish state, paving the way for the founding of a democratic State of Israel 6 months later. But since then, the paths of the U.N. and Israel have diverged.

Israel's freedom, democracy, and prosperity are a model for the region and the world. The U.N., however, has abandoned its founding principles, has been manipulated and coerced by dictatorship after dictatorship, and has been plagued by corruption and mismanagement. Nowhere has the self-destructive, misguided path of the U.N. been more evident than in its bias towards Israel.

This week, instead of commemorating Israel's creation and celebrating its many achievements, the U.N. repeated its annual ritual of mourning Israel's existence by adopting six anti-Israel resolutions. As usual, it did so under the guise of its ``International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People,'' celebrated the same day as that historic 1947 General Assembly vote to create a Jewish state. But where is the U.N.'s ``International Day of Solidarity'' with the people of Israel, who continue to be threatened by Hamas, Hezbollah, and other such militant groups; and by their state sponsors, Iran and Syria, who continue to pursue nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them? In the face of continued anti-Israel bias at the U.N., what has the United States done to stand up for our ally and fellow democracy?

This past April, Ambassador Susan Rice promised that the U.S. would be ``fighting against the anti-Israel'' rhetoric at the U.N. Unfortunately, this was easier said than done. The anti-Israel attacks at the U.N. are not an occasional diversion. They are relentless. They pervade the U.N., and they are not easily stopped.

An excellent case study in this bias is the U.N.'s response to Israel's conduct last winter of Operation Cast Lead, which was carried out to defend Israeli citizens from rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas and other violent extremist groups in Gaza. The Human Rights Council authorized a ``factfinding mission'' with a prejudicial mandate to investigate Israel and only Israel. The mission released the so-called ``Goldstone Report'' that falsely accused Israel of deliberately attacking civilians, implicitly denied to Israel the right of self- defense, and recommended that the case be referred to the International Criminal Court. Despite the heralded U.S. membership and engagement in the Human Rights Council, that rogues' gallery adopted the report's recommendations and condemned Israel. But lest we forget, in the last year alone, the Human Rights Council has adopted seven anti-Israel resolutions and perpetuated a gross anti-Semitic assault through the Durban II Conference.

So it should not have come as a surprise that the Human Rights Council endorsed the Goldstone Report.

The General Assembly quickly followed suit. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights praised the Goldstone Report. Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon has promised to transmit the report to the U.N. Security Council, where only a U.S. veto stands in the way of further anti-Israel action. And the ICC prosecutor has announced that he is considering launching an investigation into Israel's conduct, even though Israel is not an ICC member state and has a robust, independent judiciary that is presently dealing with a number of cases raised.

These efforts to deny Israel its right of self-defense can--and will--be used to deny that same right to other free democracies, including the United States. Why do I say this? Well, the ICC prosecutor has already declared that he has jurisdiction over Afghanistan and is performing a preliminary investigation into U.S. and NATO operations in that country, which could lead to politically motivated prosecutions of American soldiers.

These are the stakes of the U.N.'s anti-Israel agenda. The ``new era of engagement'' and increased U.S. funding to the U.N. has not made a positive difference at all.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for the U.S. to use our strongest leverage, the billions of taxpayer dollars that we contribute to the U.N. every year. It is time to cut off funding to the U.N. until it produces real, effective reform.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, for our ally Israel, for our U.S. service men and women, and for the rights of free democracies everywhere, there is no time to lose.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize several outstanding individuals from my South Florida community who have been named to serve on the National Museum of the American Latino Commission: President of Hispanic Events Dr. Aida Levitan, world- renowned musician and producer Emilio Estefan and Dr. Eduardo Padron, President of Miami-Dade College.

The Commission is charged with the planning, construction and design of the museum. The Commission's members will also help formulate the museum's organizational structure and how to engage the Hispanic community in its development and design.

These individuals are not only dedicated to the mission of making a National Museum of the American Latino a reality, but they are also representative of the great diversity of the Hispanic community that the museum will showcase.

The story and history of Hispanic-Americans is part of the rich tapestry of this nation's history. Hispanics have enriched our great nation in a myriad of ways. Hispanics have served proudly in America's defense from the American Revolution to our current engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan. The number of Hispanic-owned businesses approached 3 million in 2008 and they contribute approximately $389 billion dollars annually to the U.S. economy.

The Hispanic-American experience is part and parcel of the American story. I will be honored to join these talented men and women tomorrow with the rest of the members of the Commission. Through their efforts, Americans from all walks of life will one day be able to see and appreciate the contributions of Hispanic-Americans to our great nation.

I rise today to extend my sincere thanks to a distinguished south Floridian and a faithful public servant, Miami-Dade Police Director Robert ``Bobby'' Parker. After 33 years of serving our community, it is truly with great sadness that we see such a fine and dedicated police officer retiring.

In 2004, Bobby's long and successful career with the Miami-Dade Police Department culminated in the directorship of the department. Under his leadership, the department saw the implementation of unique and cutting-edge programs such as the Mortgage Fraud Task Force and the Gun Bounty Program. Bobby's foresight and hard work have consistently had a profound and positive impact on all of south Florida. He has always made his greatest efforts for the benefit of others and will be greatly missed by both the department and our community.

It is with pleasure that I join Bobby's family, friends, and peers as they honor the many accomplishments of his outstanding career. Bobby's lasting legacy will certainly be inspiring to countless officers to match his selflessness and performance.

I thank my good friend, Miami-Dade Police Director Bobby Parker, for all that he has done for our community in south Florida, and I truly wish him all the best in his years to come.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday on World AIDS Day, the administration announced its proposed 5-year strategy for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, otherwise known as PEPFAR. The strategy is required by the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. That is a mighty long name, but it does so much good. And it begins to shift PEPFAR from an emergency program to one focused on sustainability.

Mr. Speaker, the challenges in fighting HIV/AIDS are daunting, but not insurmountable. Over 33 million people worldwide are infected, an estimated 67 percent of whom live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly 2.7 million people, including 430,000 children, were newly diagnosed with HIV last year. Over 14 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. AIDS is decimating an entire generation of the most productive members of society in developing countries, which will cause GDP to drop by more than 20 percent in the hardest-hit countries over the next decade.

Without effective prevention, treatment, and care efforts, the AIDS pandemic will continue to spread its mix of death, poverty, and despondency that is destabilizing governments and societies and undermining the security of entire regions.

But one need not travel to Africa or the Caribbean or Eastern Europe to witness the devastation of HIV/AIDS; we need only to look out the front door. In my home State of Florida, Mr. Speaker, an estimated 90,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS, making us third in the Nation in the number of AIDS cases.

My home county of Miami-Dade ranks second among large metropolitan areas for people living with AIDS with over 32,000 currently diagnosed. These individuals need our assistance. They are fighting this disease.

On October 21 of this year, with a bipartisan majority, we voted in Congress to reauthorize the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. The Ryan White program has been the largest supplier of services for those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. In the United States, over 500,000 people a year benefit from the Ryan White program. Florida alone received over $209 million in funding with Ryan White funds in 2009, and has been able to assist countless low-income Americans living with HIV/AIDS.

Fully appreciative of the challenges here at home, I am proud to have supported PEPFAR since its inception. To date, it has proven to be a highly effective and results-oriented program. For example, more than half of the 4 million people receiving lifesaving drugs in low- and middle-income countries around the world are directly supported through PEPFAR. PEPFAR has supported care for more than 10 million people affected by HIV/AIDS, including more than 10 million orphans and vulnerable children. At least 240,000 babies have been born free of HIV/AIDS thanks to PEPFAR prevention of mother-to-child transmissions.

The achievements of our bilateral programs are truly remarkable. However, the record of our multilateral organizations is problematic. While we need more robust burden sharing--particularly as the World Health Organization has revised its guidelines and vastly expanded the pool of people who require access to treatment--significant revelations of corruption in the global fund programs are cause for great concern.

Mr. Speaker, we must work together to ensure accountability, transparency, and maximum effectiveness of multilateral programs that are receiving United States support. We must work to ensure that every dime that is dedicated to PEPFAR, including our contributions to the global fund, is used for its intended purposes and delivered in the most effective, transparent, and sustainable manner possible. We must ensure that those precious resources actually reach those who are in need, without being diverted to line the pockets of unaccountable international bureaucrats or corrupt regimes.

Lastly, Mr. Speaker, we must also preserve the conscience clause and promote behavior modification, particularly abstinence and fidelity, under the new strategy.

In closing, let us recommit ourselves to saving the future by helping to save lives inflicted with HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Speaker, December 1 marks World AIDS Day.

Thirty-three million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide. This terrible disease is one of the most destructive epidemics of our time. The fight against HIV/AIDS is ultimately about individual lives in our communities.

In south Florida I'm pleased to have strong allies such as UNITY COALITION and its president, Herb Sosa; Men Initiating Action & Mobilization for Impactful Change, otherwise known as MIAMI; Ambiente Magazine; South Beach AIDS Project; Union Positiva;

the University of Miami; Care Resource; Pridelines; Jackson Hospital; and all who are in the fight against this global menace.

United, and through greater awareness, research, prevention, and treatment, we will save and improve countless lives and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Miami-Dade County Public Schools for its Superintendent's Benefit Concert Series. This groundbreaking event will bring together singers, dancers and performers from throughout our public school system. Entitled ``Listen to the Music,'' their first event will be tomorrow, Friday, November 20, at Miami Beach Senior High School, located in my congressional district. This uplifting event supports the ``cultural passport program,'' which provides kindergarten through 12th-grade students with a different cultural experience each school year.

This unique program will ensure that our students get to visit local museums and art galleries, as well as experience live musical theatrical and dance performances before they graduate.

As a former educator and Florida certified teacher, I am proud to see our teachers, our students, and our community working together to make this great series a success. I encourage all in south Florida to attend this historic event tomorrow and enjoy a great performance for a great cause. I congratulate Superintendent Alberto Carvalho for doing such professional work in a challenging economic environment.