Floor Statements

I thank the chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 3362, which, I think, is really just designed to harass the Department of Health and Human Services as it is trying to do its job in bringing affordable health care to people all across this country.

If you look at the metrics that are already being assembled by the agency on a monthly basis, they really present a very clear picture of whether there is progress being made or not being made with respect to the Web site and signing people up for affordable health care, and of course, we know that there is a lot of progress being made. That monthly report includes the total enrollments nationally and by State so that we can get a clear picture of what that trend is, and that is a positive trend. It includes a gender breakdown of those who have signed up for the plans, an age breakdown, the financial assistance, and what kinds of plans people are choosing. That is all good, useful information. Frankly, it is the kind of information that it makes sense to collect on a monthly basis, not on a weekly basis. I mean, these numbers sort of naturally evolve month to month. That is the picture, the photograph, you want to take--month to month. Week to week doesn't really get you any added insight into what is happening with the Web site or with the signups.

Then look at some of the information that they would require on a weekly basis, and you have got to ask yourself: What purpose would it serve, a State-by-State breakdown--I am reading from the bill now--of the number of Web chat logins? What are we going to do with that information? That is not useful. That does not add anything to the clear picture that can emerge on a monthly basis of how we are doing with the Web site.

Finally, I have to observe, as Ranking Member Waxman just did a moment ago, that we hear all the time from our friends on the other side about the importance of government efficiency and about working well and streamlining. We hear them talk about that both with respect to government and, obviously, in terms of what they want to do for private sector businesses out there. These kinds of requirements don't help with that. They are not going to make the agency function more smoothly and more efficiently and get the information out in a sensible way to the American people.

This is really just designed to kind of harass the agency, to make them run around in small circles, gathering information and providing stuff that doesn't give us any added perspective or insight into the progress that really is now being made. We can get that picture on a monthly basis. The information that HHS is providing to us and to the public--to the American people--I think, is very valuable on that monthly basis, and that is the way we ought to continue to have it presented to us and presented to the American people.

So I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 3362. Let's let the agency do its job and do it well.

We beseech the Speaker of this House, John Boehner, to bring a clean budget to the floor. That is the responsible thing to do. It is the democratic thing to do. Unfortunately, in a cynical power play that only serves to further inflame the wrath of the American people, the Speaker has erected a wall of obstructionism, a wall that, in truth, is separating the American people from their democracy.

So we say today to the Speaker: Mr. Speaker, open these gates of democracy. Mr. Boehner, tear down this wall. Tear down this wall of obstructionism. Tear down this wall, this wall that has been constructed on a foundation of reckless ideology. Tear down this wall of shame upon which the most extreme members of your caucus have so proudly, almost gleefully, inscribed their names in mockery of the will of the American people. Tear down this wall of obstructionism. Show that democracy can indeed flourish in this Chamber. Bring a clean budget to the floor. Today, bring it to the floor. It will pass, and we can put our government back to work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Rascon for over 40 years of dedicated service to the people of this country. Over those years, Lt. Col. Rascon has displayed unparalleled heroism, courage, and dedication to his duties which will serve as an inspiration to servicemen and the American people for years to come. We pay tribute to Lt. Col. Rascon's service as we celebrate him and the other Medal of Honor recipients that are part of today's special order.

Lt. Col. Rascon was born in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1942. His family soon emigrated to Oxnard, California, where the lieutenant colonel graduated from high school and fulfilled his childhood dream of joining the United States Army. After completing specialist medical and airborne training, Lt. Col. Rascon was eventually deployed to Vietnam.

As a medic, Lt. Col. Rascon assisted countless injured soldiers on the battlefield, but one event in particular exemplifies the remarkable courage he displayed that made him the quintessential Medal of Honor recipient. On March 16, 1966, Lt. Col. Rascon's platoon came under intense fire from an enemy force near the Long Khanh Province. Lt. Col. Rascon crawled under heavy machine gun fire and avoided grenade explosions in order to treat his fellow soldiers, shielding their bodies with his own and suffering grievous injuries from the shrapnel and gunfire that filled the air. After the fighting ceased, he ignored his own wounds, and instead treated the wounded and directed their evacuation.

Lt. Col. Rascon's selfless acts of heroism are remarkable, yet what makes them even more extraordinary is that he only became a United States citizen after he left Vietnam. Lt. Col. Rascon displayed such unparalleled patriotism for our country even before he could officially call it his own.

Lt. Col. Rascon now lives in Maryland's third congressional district and we are proud to call him one of our own. He has continued to serve his country proudly. He returned to Vietnam, then served as a military liaison to Panama and finally completed his service in the Army Medical Service Corps in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Lt. Col Rascon's heroism and dedication to the United States are an inspiration and are extraordinary reminders of the sacrifices our servicemen and women make for our country every day. I extend him my deepest gratitude for his years of service, and congratulate him once again for his well-deserved Medal of Honor.

Mr. Speaker, June 20, 2013 marks the 39th anniversary of Turkey's invasion and occupation of the small island Republic of Cyprus. Over time, Turkey's forced division of Cyprus has become its signature failing--a senseless act of defiance against the family of nations.

For more than 60-years, the United States and our European allies have given unyielding and steadfast economic, military and moral support to Turkey. Today, Turkey reaps great benefit from its relationship with the West. Its economy has grown tremendously. Its homeland is secure against enemies who know that NATO stands sentinel over Turkey.

Turkey's rulers have long promised the people of Turkey that theirs is a nation on a journey to full democratic liberties, a powerful nation confident and secure in its place on the world stage, a country that pursues ``zero problems with its neighbors.'' As it seeks to join the European Union, Turkey has given repeated assurances to its allies that its principal ambition is to embrace democracy and the rule of law.

How then to explain the continued stationing of 45,000 Turkish troops on Cyprus? How to explain a myriad of other conduct that so glaringly belies Turkey's stated aspirations. The truth is that an authoritarian impulse still pervades the Turkish ruling establishment and keeps it from democracy's full embrace. This was most recently illustrated in Turkey's treatment of the burgeoning relationship between Cyprus and Israel. Rather than join those two nations in a peaceful and democratic dialogue for the future development of the Eastern Mediterranean, Prime Minister Erdogan has set Turkish warships to sail in Cypriot waters and threatens the use of force against both Israel and Cyprus.

The United States and our European allies must no longer tolerate Turkey's provocative and antidemocratic conduct. To that end, it is eminently fair to view Cyprus as the yard stick by which Turkey is to be judged. As long as Turkey maintains its occupation of the island, it cannot pretend to have rid itself of the utterly destructive colonial and authoritarian ideologies of a bygone era. To demonstrate a readiness to take up its responsibilities as a NATO ally and candidate country of the European Union, Cyprus is the test that Turkey must pass.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jhpiego, a non-profit, global health affiliate of Johns Hopkins University, on the occasion of their 40th anniversary. I would like to recognize the employees of Jhpiego for their tireless service in providing health care for vulnerable populations and preventing needless deaths throughout the developing world.

Headquartered in my hometown of Baltimore, Jhpiego has grown to become a force for good around the world. Founded in 1973 by Dr. Theodore King, Jhpiego initially brought healthcare professionals from Latin America, Asia, and Africa to Baltimore to learn the latest practices in women's health.

As time progressed, Jhpiego's leadership realized they could have a greater impact by bringing their medical knowledge and training to the countries whose populations they were trying to serve. In 1979, Jhpiego started in-country training programs on three continents. These programs were extremely successful and, in 1993, Jhpiego opened its first field office in Kenya. Today, Jhpiego operates field offices and clinics in over thirty countries providing invaluable medical services to people who would otherwise be without basic healthcare.

This focus on developing the capacity of countries to create their own healthcare network, combined with the delivery of extremely low- cost solutions to common health problems, has proven to be the great genius of Jhpiego. Jhpiego and its more than 1,500 employees have successfully brought the resources and expertise of Johns Hopkins to over 150 countries around the world. In the process, they have trained tens of thousands of people to be reliable healthcare providers.

This was no easy task. Over the past 40 years, Jhpiego has worked in some of the most remote areas of the world. Undaunted by this challenge, Jhpiego employees have learned to thrive under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions.

Mr. Speaker, I hope you will join me in recognizing Jhpiego and congratulating them on their 40th anniversary. This outstanding organization has made a tremendous impact, saving lives and improving quality of life around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Howard County Library System for being named Library of the Year, and Mr. Matthew Winner of Columbia, Maryland, for being honored by the President as one of twelve museum and library ``Champions of Change.''

Each year, one of the 21,000 public and academic libraries in the United States, Canada and Mexico is awarded this prestigious honor. The winning library is one that ``most profoundly demonstrates creativity, leadership and innovation in developing signature events and initiatives, particularly those that can be emulated by others.'' I extend my congratulations to CEO and President, Valerie Gross, and to her remarkable team of educators and support staff at the Howard County libraries. It is the first library system in the entire mid-Atlantic region to receive this award.

My parents always stressed the value of libraries as a tool for learning and enrichment. Now, as a parent myself, I have tried to do the same with my children. In this regard, the Howard County Library System and its patrons truly set an example for communities and families throughout our country. It is comprised of six branches that serve over 280,000 residents. Remarkably, 90 percent of those residents have and use library cards. The library system has the highest borrowing rate per capita in the United States, with over 7 million items checked out annually. The library is at the center of the educational, cultural and social network of Howard County.

The success of the Howard County Library System is a testament to the dedicated staff and administrators of the library system, but also the commitment of the people of Howard County to the value of education and lifelong learning. Congratulations to the Howard County Public Library System, a 21st-century library system worthy of this distinguished honor.

I would also like to congratulate Howard County resident and public school teacher and librarian, Matthew Winner of Columbia, Maryland, for being honored by the President as one of twelve museum and library ``Champions of Change.'' Winner is the co-author of the forthcoming book, Teaching Math with the Wii, the ``Busy Librarian'' blog, and he was recently named a 2013 Library Journal ``Mover & Shaker'' in the category of Tech Leaders. Through his innovative thinking and dedication to captivating the attention and potential of our students through gaming and other popular technologies, Mr. Winner is a leader in his field and making a real difference in his community. He is fully deserving of this recognition, and I offer him my thanks and congratulations.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 164-179, had I been present, I would have voted: Nos. 164--``yes''; No. 165--``yes''; No. 166--``yes''; No. 167--``no''; No. 168--``no''; No. 169--``no''; No. 170--``yes''; No. 171--``yes''; No. 172--``yes''; No. 173--``yes''; No. 174--``yes''; No. 175--``yes''; No. 176--``yes''; No. 177--``yes''; No. 178--``yes''; No. 179--``no''.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of the innocents that perished in 1915 during the Armenian Genocide.

With a systematic barbarism visited upon them, countless Armenians made their way to Syria seeking refuge from persecution. Today, the world is aghast at the horrific violence engulfing Syria and the Armenian people are once again threatened with upheaval and dislocation.

Each year, the United States Congress has the opportunity to stand with justice and recognize the Armenian Genocide. Such action would fortify America's moral standing in the family of nations and send a strong message to our NATO ally Turkey that it must examine the dark chapters of its past and the discriminatory impulses of its present.

Turkey has repeatedly thwarted efforts by Congress and successive administrations to recognize the Armenian Genocide by threatening all manner of retaliation should recognition be accorded. I submit that we do no favors to Turkey by acquiescing in its cynical campaign. Turkey's path to the European Union, its abysmal relations with its ethnic and religious minorities, particularly its violent conflict with the Kurdish people, would all improve if the Armenian Genocide was addressed openly and honestly.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in 2015, it is time for the United States to formally recognize this tragic chapter in world history and to bring some measure of peace and healing to those of Armenian descent.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of the innocent men, women, and children who perished in 1915 during the Armenian genocide.

Each year, the United States Congress has the opportunity to stand on the side of justice and recognize the Armenian genocide. Such action would fortify America's moral standing in the family of nations and send a strong message to our NATO ally, Turkey, that it must examine the dark chapters of its past and the discriminatory impulses of its present.

Turkey has repeatedly thwarted efforts by Congress and successive administrations to recognize the Armenian genocide by threatening all manner of retaliation should recognition be accorded. I submit that we do no favors to Turkey by acquiescing in its cynical campaign.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in 2015, it is time for the United States to formally recognize this tragic chapter in world history and to bring some measure of peace and healing to those of Armenian descent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit this poem on behalf of a constituent in my district honoring the Baltimore Ravens for their Super Bowl XLVII win.

Fear the Raven, Something To Rave About!

(By Albert Carey Caswell)

The . . . The Fire . . . The Unforgettable Fire!

When, hearts and souls, and bodies and minds, so meet for but

one desire!

But, for one goal to so take them all higher!

For no other team sport, has such passion and such fire!

Or so depends upon their Band of Brothers, to so fashion

victory from within themselves to be so inspired!

Well, maybe when a great leader says he's going to retire!

Feel The Fire!

As a child a time ago, stepping out upon those fields of

green as so . . .

As a dream few of us will know!

To play in The Super Bowl!

And to stand on that National stage, as all around you this

war is waged!

Is but Something To Rave About!

For it was in those long hot days of summer, that this great

bond was so formed as they encumbered!

As against all odds they fought on, young and old, the

rookies and Pros . . .

As all around them, the smell of fear in the air stood close!

For only a few on opening day, in that uniform shall so be

clothed!

As its competition at its very height, that which so makes

their great hearts shine so bright!

And now as it all so comes down to this, 60 minutes, either

heartache or bliss!

To wear that Super Bowl ring, and hold that Lombardi Trophy

up high and sing!

``And shine bright like a diamond, shine bright like a

diamond in the sky,'' with but tears in your eyes . . .

And to be one of football's aluminate, one of its highest of

all society!

Is But Something To Rave About, as down upon you the confetti

flies . . .

As you want to ``scream and shout,''and ``let it all out,''

singing ``oh we oh'' we are Super Bowl Champs, now

That's Something To Rave About!

For this is HARBAUGH, and this is WAR!

As it's Brother VS Brother as so for sure!

Going Coastal, East meets West!

Who Will Be The Best?

As it was but only a year ago, when in that end zone our

dreams died so!

But, The Ravens took that memory . . .and built upon it and

would not let go!

Something like ``remember The Alamo''!

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 192nd anniversary of Greek Independence Day.

Greece and America are history's most storied democracies. Our Founding Fathers borrowed heavily from Greek antiquity to build American democracy. Our relationship with Greece, however, is more than one just of philosophical kinship. America, Greece, and Greek Americans have stood in solidarity since the founding of the United States.

In this year, when we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and the 100th anniversary of both Harriet Tubman's death and Rosa Parks' birth, it is especially fitting to recall how Hellenes and African Americans have reached out to one another to provide mutual support.

When Hellenes acted to liberate themselves in 1821, James Williams, an African American sailor from my hometown of Baltimore, joined the Greek revolutionary navy and fought at the Battle of Navarino. In turn, John Zachos and Photius Fisk, orphans of the Greek War of Independence, became passionate abolitionists in America. Zachos was a member of the Educational Commission of Boston and New York. Fisk, a U.S. Navy chaplain, helped slaves find freedom by supporting the Underground Railroad.

In 1922, recently arrived Greek immigrants organized the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association in Georgia to defend themselves against the Ku Klux Klan. AHEPA went on to help countless Greek immigrants assimilate into American society, and it weighed in on many of the most significant social issues of our time, including the movement for civil rights. Archbishop Iakovos, leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, carried that commitment forward when he marched alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. An iconic photograph of those two great leaders appeared on the cover of Life Magazine.

The historical relationship of these two proud communities embodies the greatness of America. On March 25, when we celebrate Greek Independence Day, we salute all those who have struggled for freedom, and we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that America remains a symbol of fairness and opportunity the world over.

I rise today also to mourn the passing of the legendary Greek American, Andrew A. Athens of Chicago.

Andy lived a life that few could match. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1942 and fought at the famous Battle of El Alamein in Egypt. He attained the rank of captain, and in 1945 was honored with the Bronze Star and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for his outstanding military service. Andy went on to become a successful businessman and walked with kings and commoners, spreading the high ideals and values of Hellenism.

Andy was at the forefront of organizing Greek Americans in their pursuit of justice for Cyprus and freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. And in so many of what for him became routine endeavors, he embodied Hellenism in the public service by giving back to the broader American society. Whether it was AHEPA, the Order of St. Andrew, or organizations he founded such as the United Hellenic American Congress and Hellenicare, the scope of Andy's commitment to a myriad of important causes was breathtaking. He combined a gentleness of spirit with a fierce determination to make a difference. Andy's heart was always full as he gave graciously of his time and resources to make this world a better place.

Above all, Andy Athens had a deep commitment to family. His beloved wife of 67 years, Louise, and Andy's entire family are in our thoughts. May his memory be ever eternal.

Mr. Speaker, peace and stability in the Caucuses is in the national interest of the United States and our European allies. That means achieving a peaceful resolution to the rising tensions between the peoples of Armenia and Azerbaijan. A final status of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute must be achieved without resorting to war and must be in keeping with democratic principles, the rule of law and the protection of individual human rights.

Decades of Soviet rule and the continuing dispute over Nagorno Karabakh have decimated the economy of Armenia. In stark contrast, Azerbaijan now enjoys a growing economy from the extraction of natural resources. This economic imbalance is further aggravated by the fact that both Turkey and Azerbaijan have sealed their borders with Armenia, with Azerbaijan pursuing an aggressive military build-up.

The United States must continue to press for resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh dispute through the good offices and mechanisms of international actors such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. We must be ever vigilant in decrying actions that undermine such efforts. I concur with the Obama administration's demand for an explanation of Azerbaijan's pardoning of Ramil Safarov. Azerbaijan's decision to pardon Ramil Safarov after he was convicted by a Hungarian court for the murder of an Armenian soldier while participating in NATO's Partnership for Peace program is not only unconscionable, it is a direct affront to NATO and its efforts to bring peace and stability to conflict regions through the Partnership for Peace program.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the soon-to-be ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Engel, for yielding this time, and I want to thank him for his eloquent opposition to H.R. 6649.

This is not a noncontroversial bill. I know it's being brought here on suspension as though it is, and I'm sure in the past when we've had these transfers of vessels, excess defense materials and so forth, often that is a noncontroversial action to take. In this case, it's anything but noncontroversial, and I'm surprised, frankly, that the majority would bring the bill to the floor in this form.

Turkey is the problem here. There are vessels that are being transferred to Turkey. These are vessels that apparently are obsolete from our standpoint, surplus material that can go to them. And, yes, Turkey is a NATO ally, but it's a problematic ally at best.

At critical moments over a period of many years, when the United States has looked to its ally Turkey for assistance for some critical support, Turkey has been absent. You've heard already, discussed at length here, the unlawful occupation of Cyprus. We're

talking about 38 years of unlawful occupation of our ally Cyprus. The adventurism of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean and its recent conduct towards Israel has been detailed here at length.

So what you have is, yes, an American ally but one that has created some real problems for us and is a destabilizing actor in the eastern Mediterranean.

You can only characterize Turkey's behavior in that region as gunboat diplomacy. When you look at its conduct towards Cyprus, towards Israel, its interference with American commercial interests that are trying to operate in the exclusive economic zone of these two nations that are critical to U.S. national security, Turkey has threatened to use force to stop Texas-based Noble Energy from drilling for oil and gas off the shores of Cyprus and Israel. Texas-based Noble Energy is an American company, and yet we are now going to transfer these vessels to Turkey for further adventurism on the high seas. You've heard this now detailed on both sides. At one point in the last year and a half, Turkey threatened to mobilize its air and naval assets to escort ships to Gaza.

As Congressman Engel says, we're about to enhance those naval assets, with high anxiety on my part and, I think, on the part of other Members that they'll be used in furtherance of this same kind of provocative behavior. If we are going transfer these things, at the very least we ought to be putting some conditions on this transfer--that no offensive use of these vessels can be made and that they can't be used to traverse these exclusive economic zones that we've talked about. But this is going free of any conditions, and it's why I have severe reservations about it.

This could be an opportunity to step back and think about how we conduct our foreign policy. Every bill we pass here matters. It all makes a difference. This may be on suspension, and it may be getting rid of excess material, but it's a chance for us to send a powerful message in terms of the kind of foreign policy that the United States is going to exercise. Frankly, I don't think that Turkey should be a beneficiary of this bill given its conduct over many years, but particularly over the last couple of years. It sends the wrong message. It rewards bad behavior. For that reason, I oppose it.

Mr. Speaker, critical initiatives that help the Chesapeake Bay will be among the hardest hit by sequestration. These programs, including the Small Watersheds Program, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and the Section 319 Program, provide much needed resources for on-the-ground restoration and conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

These programs are some of the most important tools we have for addressing pollution and storm water runoff in the bay. An 8 percent cut would cost thousands of jobs and exacerbate the already crumbling public water infrastructure that is so prevalent in Maryland and across the country, adding pressure to State and local governments to pay for Federal programs that have been slashed. As we all know, the budget process is entirely about choices. We must make clean water and clean air a priority. I urge my colleagues to protect these critical programs from reckless cuts that will destroy jobs and destroy the environment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the work of the 269 schools that have been selected by the U.S. Department of Education as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious honor recognizes the schools' accomplishments in improving student academic achievement and in attaining overall academic excellence. I am proud to report that ten of these schools are in Maryland, having previously been selected as Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools on the basis of sustained high performance or significant improvement in reading and mathematics as measured by Maryland State Assessments. I am particularly proud of the accomplishments of the four National Blue Ribbon Schools--Crofton Meadows Elementary School, Woodholme Elementary School, St. Augustine School, and Saint Peter's School--that are currently or will soon be located in Maryland's 3rd District.

The passage of No Child Left Behind in 2002 charged schools with additional responsibilities to measure and report academic progress. These new requirements set a high bar, requiring schools to demonstrate gains in student proficiency and improvements in closing the achievement gap. The National Blue Ribbon Schools exemplify the goals of No Child Left Behind, and serve as exemplars of how best to help children reach their highest potential. As we work toward a long- overdue reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA), we must carefully review the successes of the National Blue Ribbon Schools to identify strategies and best practices that can be shared, and which other schools may benefit from examining and adopting. I look forward to continuing to support the work of the National Blue Ribbon awardees and all schools in Maryland, to ensure that they have the tools and resources they need to continue helping students excel.