Floor Statements

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 890, a measure welcoming the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this timely resolution which recognizes the forthcoming visit by India's distinguished and universally accepted and respected Prime Minister to the United States.

This will be the first official visit by a foreign head of government during this administration. And, Mr. Speaker, that makes it wholly appropriate that Prime Minister Singh and India be accorded this wonderful honor.

Without doubt, the high status accorded to his visit reflects India's growing global role and its increasingly comprehensive relationship with our country, the United States. Implicitly, however, the pomp and the circumstance associated with his visit also reflect the extraordinary contribution of Indian Americans to solidify our people- to-people relationship and all of the dynamism that they have brought to our diverse and vibrant society.

In any regard, the Congress fully shares with the executive branch a deep commitment to strengthening our partnership with India and to expand our cooperation on a wide range of bilateral and global issues. These opportunities for mutual cooperation range from global security to economic growth, trade promotion, human development, and the expansion of our two-knowledge societies, and also nuclear nonproliferation, and protection of the environment.

Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting that we should honor the Indian-American relations as strong as they are and ever closer every day and the visit of Prime Minister Singh by adopting this thoughtful resolution.

I urge its support, and I reserve the balance of our time.

I would like to reserve, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the sponsor of this measure, Mr. McDermott, and the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) for providing us with an opportunity to recognize this ever- growing tie in the relationship between our democratic nations and to welcome, in an official way, Prime Minister Singh.

I urge unanimous support for this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 212, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of the historic events that took place in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and also reaffirms the bonds of friendship, the bonds of cooperation between the United States and the Slovak and Czech Republics.

I would like to thank my friend and Florida colleague, and my fellow ranking member, Mr. Mica, for introducing this important and timely resolution.

Mr. Speaker, in 1989, the world witnessed momentous events in which the people of Eastern and Central Europe broke the chains of their communist oppressors. Among the many important events which took place, the trade union Solidarity won its historic victory in Poland; 2 million people living in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia linked hands to form a human chain almost 400 miles long in a peaceful protest against Soviet rule; and the Berlin Wall fell.

A prominent place among the events of 1989 is held by the so-called Velvet Revolution, which rose spontaneously from protests in Czechoslovakia that led directly to free and democratic elections in that country. That revolution, in what was then Czechoslovakia, began on November 17, 1989, as a peaceful student demonstration to commemorate the murder of Czech students by the occupying Nazi forces 50 years earlier. But riot police severely beat many of these peaceful protesters. Yet the demonstrations grew, and they continued, eventually leading to the abolishment of the communist hold on power and the election of Vaclav Havel, a dissident critic of the communist regime, to the presidency of Czechoslovakia.

After their subsequent peaceful decision to become independent states, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic have flourished, establishing free

and democratic societies, and becoming members of the NATO alliance and the European Union.

As a political refugee from Cuba's communist regime, Mr. Speaker, I view the events that took place in Europe in 1989 as a source of tremendous inspiration. They truly provided me with the hope that the freedoms now enjoyed in Central and Eastern Europe will soon reach the oppressed people of Cuba, where a brutal communist dictatorship still rules. As its fellow Communists did in Eastern Europe, until they were overthrown by their oppressed people, the Cuban communist regime engages in gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms; detains, tortures and disappears anyone who disagrees or dares to challenge the regime; engages in corrupt activities that enrich its leaders; conducts espionage against the United States and its citizens; and engages in activities that threaten U.S. security interests and global peace and stability.

Still, we can and we must hope that the events of 1989 show us what the future could hold for Cuba, and hopefully soon. I would like to again thank my good friend and colleague, Congressman Mica, for introducing this important and so timely resolution. I strongly support its passage. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the author of this important resolution.

Will the gentleman yield?

I congratulate you for this resolution. It speaks to the heart of every freedom-loving American in this Chamber, which is each and every one of us. So, Mr. ``Meecha,'' I believe that we should have a roll call

vote because a legislative virgin no more.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the America's Life Line Foundation, a local nonprofit committed to serving our south Florida community. As part of its many activities, this caring group provides assistance to the many members of our Armed Forces and their families. Their upcoming event, Tribute to Our

Troops, will be on December 12 at the Kendall Hotel to honor the men and women who continue to preserve our freedom with service to this great Nation.

This event will help make the holidays a little bit brighter for our military families. I applaud everyone who is a volunteer at America's Life Line Foundation for their continuing efforts, especially for the members of this worthy organization who motivate and inspire our community to patriotism and action during this season of giving.

I encourage everyone in south Florida to join America's Life Line Foundation at their tribute to our troops event in December.

Mr. Speaker, I have been to the floor of this Chamber on several occasions to discuss the tremendous economic hardships being shouldered by the residents of my congressional district of south Florida. This evening I would like to highlight the men and women of Florida's commercial and recreational fishing industries, and their efforts to weather this economic storm.

Mr. Speaker, Florida's recreational fishing industry is the largest in the Nation. Its economic impact to our State is to the tune of $5.3 billion, and more than 5,400 jobs are generated by this industry. Similarly, Florida's commercial fishing industry is nearly 13,000 strong and contributes a staggering $1.2 billion to our economy.

The strength of Florida's fishing industries is due largely to the diversity and the abundance of species within the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic area. There are grouper and snapper, wahoo and yellowfin tuna, not to mention Keys lobster and stone crab. Thanks to this diversity, Florida's fishing industry is particularly resilient in the face of increased zoning regulations, bag limits, and even fishery closures. Our fishermen understand that maintaining a robust, healthy fishery through appropriate regulation is the key to their economic success.

However, present Federal action to implement multiple fishing regulations will have a chilling effect on this historic and important industry. In particular, Mr. Speaker, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering regulations which include but are not limited to: a complete ban on deepwater grouper fishing; annual catch limits on black grouper and red grouper; and catch limits on red snapper fishing.

The comprehensive nature of these prohibitions will leave our fishermen with little or no alternative for their economic livelihood. These prohibitions, compounded by a reduction in tourism throughout south Florida, and that includes the Florida Keys, will force generations of Florida fishermen to walk away from their boats in search of other types of employment. This is unacceptable.

That is why I have called on Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to reconsider these ill-timed proposals. Additionally, I have asked Secretary Locke to refrain from implementing any emergency rules which impose short-term restrictions on Florida's fisheries. These emergency rulings completely circumvent the public comment process, which is an essential element to any fishery management plan. Sound science is also a critical component to sound management.

My congressional colleagues and I have called on the House Natural Resources Committee to conduct a hearing on the legislation introduced by Congressman John Mica and Congressman Henry Brown which would require the Department of Commerce to conduct a non-biased, science- based study on the health of the red snapper population in the South Atlantic.

My colleagues from Florida understand that scientific data collection processes need to be improved, and economic impacts must be taken into account when considering a fishery closure. I have also asked the Department of Commerce to provide economic assistance to those fishermen and businesses that cannot survive the restrictions that are being implemented.

For Keys recreational angler Andy Griffith, the upcoming 4-month grouper closure has resulted in a 90 percent loss of business for the 2010 fishing season. His season for 2010 will only be 2 months long. For the rest of the year his boats will sit by the dock racking up insurance costs. Fishermen like Andy need economic relief. They need our help.

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, last amended by Congress in the year 2007, directs how the Federal Government will manage saltwater fisheries. But the lack of flexibility provided to local managers in this law is of serious concern to many of us. That is why I support legislation which would amend the Magnuson- Stevens Act to provide flexibility to State regulators and regional fishery management councils in their work to rebuild healthy fisheries.

Mr. Speaker, the livelihood of Florida's fishing industry demands that we act.

Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Angel Torres, distinguished journalist and member of my South Florida community, for receiving the 2009 National Award for Journalism given by the National Journalists Association of Cuba in Exile. It is with great pride that I recognize his exemplary work and dedication to sports and journalism throughout the years. Angel, born in La Havana, Cuba, always shared a great passion and interest for baseball. He started playing in the Free Amateur Tournaments of the Stadium with San Pedro and later became manager-player in the Winter Amateur Championships of Octavio Divino at Arroyo Naranjo supervising Nebraska, where he received a medal for his distinguished handwork of the immortal Martin Dihigo.

Torres graduated from the Cuban-American Institute and the English Special Center at Jesus del Monte in 1947. By 1952 he graduated of Broadcasting and Journalism sponsored by the National Broadcasting School of Cuba in Radio Progreso. Throughout his sterling service to journalism, he wrote commentaries on sports and jazz for numerous programs like ``Pequenos Conjuntos de Grandes Musicos'' and ``Bandas Innovadoras de Jazz'', among many others. After arriving to the United States this inspiring journalist became the only Latin-American and Cuban author with five books in the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York. His sports literature served as a renewed hope for Cubans in exile to remember and restart Cuban baseball in the veteran games in New Jersey and Miami. At the same time his work created awareness about Cuban baseball players and about the extinct Professional Cuban Baseball League. As a journalist and member of the Cuban community, Angel Torres was presented in January 28, 2007 by the Patronato Jose Marti in California, with the most prestige recognition to a Cuban in exile, the White Rose of the commemoration to Apostle Jose Marti.

Once again, I would like to express how proud I am of Angel for his dedication to journalism, baseball and the Cuban community. His legacy in sports and journalism will serve as an example for our community and as inspiration for everyone to pursue their goals and dreams with commitment and passion.

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

I rise today to commend some of our country's finest heroes--our firefighters. These caring individuals at our local fire departments in the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade are first-rate examples of the selflessness and commitment required to be a firefighter. Every day, these brave folks work to better protect and care for our communities. Their outstanding work allows all of us to live with a greater peace of mind for the safety of our families.

The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue motto is: ``Always Ready, Proud to Serve.'' Recently, they were named Florida's 2009 EMS Provider of the Year. My heartfelt congratulations go out to each of these remarkable heroes who made this distinction possible.

A bit further south in my district, in the Florida Keys, the Monroe County firefighters just opened up their new facility in Big Pine Key. This newly renovated fire station will help them better serve the needs of our community.

I truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of all of our firefighters. Their professional and humanitarian services are essential to the public health, safety, and well-being of all south Florida. Congratulations to all.

Madam Speaker, Diabetes Awareness Month is our effort to raise awareness of the disease, its prevention, and ways to manage its impact. There are 24 million Americans living with diabetes. That's about 8 percent of our population. There are 1.6 million cases diagnosed every year, and 57 million Americans are at risk with prediabetes.

As encouraged by the American Diabetes Association, we must promote the four-step method of sharing, acting, learning, and giving:

sharing our personal stories of diabetes;

acting to help end the rise of new cases;

learning about the risks and ways to manage and control the disease;

giving of our time and resources to advance diabetes research.

Let's all make an effort to learn about the dangers of diabetes and best prevention practices, let's celebrate, and indeed, let's bring a greater awareness to this terrible disease.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this job- killing bill because it piles on debt on my brand-new 3-month-old grandbaby.

We agree that real healthcare reform is a necessity.

We must provide uninsured Americans with meaningful healthcare reform.

But the trillion dollar Pelosi bill is not the answer.

The Pelosi bill will drive already hurting hardworking families and seniors further into debt.

My home state of Florida is suffering with 11.2% unemployment.

This is not the right time to burden families with increased taxes.

Also, with over 162 billion dollars in harmful cuts to Medicare Advantage, the Pelosi plan will force millions of seniors to lose their current health coverage.

And Medicare prescription drug premiums will likely rise by 20 percent.

The trillion dollar Pelosi bill makes it tougher on seniors to get the coverage and treatment they deserve after a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.

There is a disconnect between Congress and reality when we think creating bureaucracies is the same as creating solutions.

Mr. Speaker, I am blessed that even though my elderly mother has Alzheimer's, we are able to provide her with high quality health care, but I am worried.

I am worried about the families who, like mine, have an elderly parent who needs care and assistance. It's not easy for any family to support a loved one through hard times, and there is no doubt that these are hard times.

Unemployment in my area of south Florida is over 11 percent. In the midst of this, the Pelosi bill takes away from seniors. Yes, it does. The Pelosi bill makes $170 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage, causing 3 million seniors to lose their current coverage. The Pelosi bill will increase Medicare prescription drug premiums by over 20 percent, a rate unaffordable to most seniors.

When I see my mother, I know that health care reform should not occur at the expense of America's seniors. Reject the Pelosi sock-it-to-the- seniors plan.

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

I rise in support of this resolution, which addresses the unjust incarceration of two Chinese human rights advocates whose only crime was to seek answers and justice for the parents of children killed in the collapse of a schoolhouse during a major earthquake last year. Any parent would understand this resolution.

This is about dead school children. This is about accountability. These courageous individuals sought such accountability from a government which allowed the construction of substandard buildings for school children, buildings which could not withstand the aftershocks of a major quake.

It has been widely assumed in China that the building materials used for these schools were substandard due to the corruption involving those officials who authorized the construction. Grieving parents have a right to know why their children died after being buried in rubble, but their efforts for legal redress were summarily dismissed. These two brave men sought answers for the grieving parents, but their efforts led to their own imprisonment on trumped-up charges followed by trials in kangaroo courts.

How can anyone call the Chinese regime a responsible stakeholder when it uses its massive police force and its court system to engage in a major cover-up of corruption which led to the deaths of innocent children? And how can America be silent to such blatant defiance of not only the rule of law but also what is considered decent and moral?

This resolution is more than just about two human rights activists, heroic victims of injustice though they are. This is about a totalitarian system which is so afraid of its own population that it resorts to harsh and brutal measures to conceal the truth about the deaths of innocent school children.

This is about the massive human rights abuses such as the continued persecutions of tens of thousands of Falun Gong petitioners, an issue addressed in a resolution which I introduced with wide bipartisan support months ago but which has yet to reach the floor of this Chamber. This is about the continued repression of the Tibetan and Uyghur people and the need to engage in truth-telling with their leaders, the Dalai Lama and Ms. Kadeer, not only in Beijing, but in the White House here in Washington, D.C.

This is about speaking truth to power. It is about President Obama during his upcoming summit in China putting human rights and religious freedom issues squarely on the table, instead of just agreeing to disagree.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California, my good friend, Mr. Lewis, the ranking member on the Committee on Appropriations.

(Mr. LEWIS of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the ranking member on Appropriations, on Commerce, Justice, and Science, and a longtime advocate of human rights for the people of China and elsewhere.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller), an esteemed member of the Financial Services and Transportation Committees.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), a member on the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy), a member of the Committees on Agriculture, Education, and Natural Resources.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Kingston), a member of the Committee on Appropriations.

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

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

I rise in support of House Resolution 892 commemorating the extraordinary events in 1989 which led to the end of the Soviet regime's domination over Eastern Europe and those people it held captive within its borders.

As this resolution points out, 1989 was an important and pivotal year for

freedom in Europe. In the course of only 365 days, walls fell, free elections were held, dictators were washed away, and people who had long yearned for freedom crossed barriers and walked into liberty. The trade union Solidarity won its historic election victory leading to the first noncommunist government in Poland since 1945.

Two million people living in the Baltic States linked hands to form a human chain almost 400 miles long in a dramatic, peaceful protest against Soviet rule.

In response to protests that had grown to include over a million people, East Germany opened the border with West Berlin for ``private trips abroad''; then thousands of East Germans flooded across the border and the Berlin Wall fell.

The ``Velvet Resolution'' protests in Czechoslovakia led to a free election of a new democratic government.

Romanian security forces brutally murdered brave Romanians who were protesting the arrest of a local priest, but subsequent mass protests overthrew the communist regime there.

Mr. Speaker, and while I do support this resolution, it might have been an even more important statement by this House if it had clarified more specifically the great importance that membership in the NATO alliance now holds for these countries formerly trapped behind the Iron Curtain.

While this measure indeed reaffirms our commitment to article 5 of the alliance, I would like to point out some disturbing recent incidents involving some of our allies in Eastern Europe which would seem to call for an even stronger statement of the strength and commitment of our alliance.

In April of 2007, the Russian Foreign Minister threatened serious consequences after the Estonian Government moved the site of a Soviet war memorial in Tallinn. Subsequently, Estonian Internet and technological information systems were subjected to large-scale, systematic cyberattacks suspected to have originated in Russia.

Furthermore, Russian officials recently threatened undefined aggressive actions against Poland and the Czech Republic if those states agreed to the deployment by their NATO ally, the United States, of strategic missile defense components on their territory.

In August of 2008, a Russian general stated, ``By hosting (missile defense components on its territory), Poland is making itself a target. This is 100 percent certain. It becomes a target for attack. Such targets are destroyed as a first priority.''

Recent efforts undertaken by Russia and its state-controlled energy companies to monopolize control over energy supplies to European states have raised concerns over future Russian intentions regarding influence over political processes in those states. Again, this measure would have been a good opportunity to include specific references to those incidents.

The kinds of statements and actions emanating from the Russian Government are extremely serious and they must be viewed with the utmost concern for the sake of security of the countries of Eastern Europe that did work so hard to gain the freedom they finally achieved in 1989, the subject of this resolution.

Overlooking such statements and actions, the measure before us today forgoes the opportunity to send a truly clear and powerful message that we will not ignore statements and actions of that nature aimed at our allies, that their hard-won freedom and security do matter to us, and that we will stand with them against such intimidation.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to note today's news report concerning comments just made by the Russian Foreign Minister. These statements can only be interpreted as a subtle warning to our Polish ally against allowing any U.S. troops--its NATO ally--being deployed on sovereign Polish territory.

When told that the Polish Foreign Minister had stated that the United States should deploy troops in Central Europe, the Russian Foreign Minister replied, ``I'm astounded, because he and I discussed in tiny detail the objectives that Russia pursues with its initiative on a new treaty on European security.''

With such comments in mind, let us take note of the serious challenges that our allies in Eastern Europe continue to face today and send a strong message of support against any attempts to threaten or intimidate them.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 6 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), who is the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the my good friend, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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

Mr. Speaker, just to close on our side, I thank my good friend, the esteemed chairman of our Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Berman, for introducing this resolution.

As important as it is to pass feel-good resolutions, I think that this resolution would have been strengthened if we would have talked about the difficult realities that we are confronting now with Russia and other states that are threatening the stability and the democracy and the integrity of those countries who fought long and hard for their independence, for their freedom, and for their democracy.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, for the past six decades, Jordan has been a key U.S. ally in an unstable region where we have many vital interests and face many challenges. We have longstanding cooperation in a variety of fields, from security, to governance, to education, to health care, to water; and we hope that such cooperation will only increase in the years ahead.

In this regard, America has had true partners in Amman. Nothing illustrates this more than the strength of the 1994 peace treaty that the late King Hussein concluded with the Jewish democratic State of Israel. By condemning violent extremism and by making an open and true peace with Israel, King Hussein set a standard by which other Arab and Muslim leaders should follow. In the past 15 years of peace between Jordan and Israel, they might not have been perfect, but they have been slowly building upon a foundation in which much cooperation is possible in the future.

Jordan has also demonstrated to other nations the benefits of embracing democratic reforms and principles. Fortunately, King Hussein's son and successor, King Abdullah, has continued on a path for peace, cooperation, and reform during his past decade on the throne. Under an election law passed in February of 2007, the Jordanians went to the polls in late July of 2007 to elect for the first time the mayors and councils of every city and town in their country.

In November of 2007, Jordan held its fifth set of elections for Parliament since 1989. Jordan has also recognized that democracy is more than just elections. The Jordanian Government has taken steps to establish the rule of law, to build civil society, to build strong institutions, and to broaden political participation to meaningfully engage citizens from all walks of life.

One example of this commitment was the decision by the government to lower the voting age from 19 to 18 and to establish mechanisms to ensure adequate female representation to municipal councils. In the most recent parliamentary elections, seven females won public office. I hope that these steps will lead to further reforms and to more political participation.

King Abdullah, himself, has courageously spoken out and has led the way for reform. As King Abdullah has stated, ``We in Jordan, and many others

throughout the Middle East, are working hard to create a civic environment in which our people will thrive.

``The basic requirement is an inclusive, democratic, civil society-- one that guarantees rights, delegates responsibilities, honors merit, and rewards achievement.''

Jordan has also demonstrated strong support for the fledgling democracy in Iraq. Last year, King Abdullah was the first Arab leader to visit Iraq since the establishment of democracy in that country. Jordan has also become the first country to appoint an Ambassador to Baghdad since 2005.

Mr. Speaker, Jordan does, indeed, serve as a model for other nations in the region. It deserves our friendship and our encouragement, and its people deserve continued progress in political and economic reforms. Therefore, I strongly support House Resolution 833, which commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Jordan and the United States, as well as the 10th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Abdullah. It also expresses our profound admiration and gratitude for the friendship of the people of Jordan and shares their hope, and that of King Abdullah's, for a more peaceful Middle East.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I thank my dear friend, the distinguished colleague from California (Mr. Schiff) for introducing it.

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

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution put forward by my good friend, the gentleman from Nebraska.

Mr. Speaker, September 11, 2001, will be forever engrained in our collective consciousness as one of the most vicious attacks against our Nation. However, we have been targeted by a global, violent, Islamic extremist network since November 4, 1979.

On this day, Iranian militants overran the United States Embassy in Tehran, and took innocent American hostages, with 52 of these brave Americans held for 444 days. U.S. diplomats, Embassy staff, and military personnel were bound and blindfolded, humiliated, and paraded in front of news cameras by their captors.

They endured unspeakable suffering and abuse for nearly 15 months in captivity. Since the capture of the United States embassy in Tehran 30 years ago and the ensuing hostage crisis, Iran has increasingly viewed terrorism as a tool to achieve its ideological and strategic aims.

These aims include exporting the revolution, supporting and arming militant Islamist extremist organizations and other groups worldwide, especially in the Middle East, attacking Israel, and destabilizing the governments of the more pragmatic and reformist Arab countries.

One of the chief instruments for the implementation of these policies has been the jihadist organization, Hezbollah, which, since its inception, has been trained, financed and supported by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. In return, Hezbollah has helped advance Iranian interests through a sustained campaign against the United States and our allies in the Middle East, including but not limited to the 1983 attacks on the United States marine barracks and embassy in Lebanon; the bombing of the United States embassy annex in Beirut in 1984; the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847; the taking of American and other hostages in Beirut throughout the 1980's; the June 1996 truck bombing of the Khobar Towers United States military housing complex in Saudi Arabia.

Testifying at a subcommittee hearing that I chaired in February 2005, William Daugherty, a CIA veteran and one of the 52 Americans held hostage in Iran for 444 days 30 years ago, emphasized, ``The undeniable truth is that the United States Government has utterly failed to hold Iran accountable in any sustained and effective manner for its role in the cumulative deaths of over 275 American citizens and the wounding of well over 600 more.''

Mr. Daugherty continued, ``Moreover, the United States Government has failed to undertake any action with the force or impact sufficient to deter the Iranian government from conducting terrorism against our interests.

``The absence of any credible response has served only to encourage the continuation of Iranian-sponsored terrorism, nor have those of us who are victims of Iranian terrorism received any justice from those acts.''

Since Dr. Daugherty's testimony almost 5 years ago, Iran has been proactively involved in undermining United States and coalition interests in Iraq and Afghanistan, by providing material support and all types of weapons to extremists in both countries, so that they can kill and wound Americans. The number of U.S. victims of Iranian- sponsored or Iranian-supported attacks continues to increase.

The threat to our ally Israel has grown incredibly as well, with Iran increasing its involvement in the West Bank and Gaza in support of such Islamist extremist organizations as Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Lebanon through its proxy, Hezbollah. Yet successive U.S. administrations have failed to properly recognize and confront the totality of the Iranian threat, from its history of supporting violent Islamic extremists, to its nuclear weapons program, unconventional weapons and ballistic missile development.

In response, the United States must impose a cost so high on Tehran that it threatens the Iranian regime's survival unless it changes course. This approach will require applying immediate, comprehensive tough economic sanctions. Again, former hostage Dr. William Daugherty said it best, ``It is time for Iran to be called to account, not by pronouncements, but by clear, sustained and overwhelming action for its past, as well as for any future violations of international law.

``And it is time for American victims of Iranian terrorism, like those of us who were held hostage by the Iranian government, to receive the justice that is decades delayed. The Congress can see that this happens.''

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to strongly support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I am proud to yield as much time as he may consume to the author of the resolution, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), an esteemed member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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

Mr. Speaker, we all agree that real health care reform is a necessity, but in the hurry of Congress to pass the $1 trillion Pelosi bill, we are not listening to our mother's often-given advice, look before you leap. In this case, read before you vote.

The Pelosi bill takes the wrong approach in fixing what is broken in our health care system. Increased taxes do not translate into increased coverage. Eliminating seniors' health care choices and cutting their benefits do not translate into eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. Cost shifting in the health care system does not translate into cost reduction.

Instead, what we need is true health care reform that helps bring down the high cost of care and the high insurance premiums. What we need is health care reform that will allow our families to keep the doctors and the coverage that they want.

Congress needs to end the search for complicated and convoluted ways that hide the actual cost of the Pelosi bill in taxes, mandates, and benefit cuts.