Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 7 o'clock and 44 minutes a.m.), the House adjourned until today, Thursday, July 22, 2004, at 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Julio Cesar Galvez Rodriguez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Galvez Rodriguez is an independent journalist in a country oppressed by a regime that mandates official propaganda. According to Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Galvez Rodriguez was fired from his job in the ``official media'' because of his ties with the United Cuba Workers Council, an organization that advocates for workers rights in totalitarian Cuba. Because of his first hand experience with the tyrant's propaganda, he has worked to reveal the truth about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Mr. Galvez Rodriguez has contributed to numerous publications including, El Nuevo Herald, Carta de Cuba and Cuba Nuestra.

Unfortunately, being an independent journalist in a totalitarian society is a hazardous profession. Because the stark, poverty stricken, reality of Cuba does not agree with the dictator's propaganda, independent journalists are regularly harassed, threatened, and imprisoned. On March 19, 2003, as part of the tyrant's condemnable crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists, Mr. Galvez Rodriguez was arrested by the dictator's thugs.

In a sham trial, Mr. Galvez Rodriguez was accused of ``subversive'' articles intended to ``undermine and internally destroy the Revolution.'' He was subsequently ``sentenced'' to 15 years in the inhuman gulag for his ``crime'' of truth. It is repugnant to the values of the civilized world that truth tellers are locked in heinous gulags on the whim of totalitarian tyrants.

Amnesty International reports that Mr. Galvez Rodriguez is suffering from high blood pressure, renal and intestinal colic and cervical arthritis. Let us be very clear, he is deteriorating under abhorrent conditions because he believes in freedom for the Cuban people.

Mr. Speaker, it is repulsive to the ideal of freedom that independent journalists are locked in totalitarian gulags 90 miles from our shore. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional freedom of Julio Cesar Galvez Rodriguez and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 715 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Frost), the ranking member of the Committee on Rules, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

(Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 715 is an open rule that provides for the consideration of H.R. 4818, the Fiscal Year 2005 Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations bill. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule also provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

I would like to take a moment to reiterate that we bring this rule forward in totally open fashion. Historically, appropriations legislation has come to the House governed by an open rule, and we continue to do so in order to allow each and every Member of this House the opportunity to submit amendments for consideration, obviously as long as they are germane under the rules of the House.

This legislation before us appropriates over $19 billion for operations across the globe. This bill is fiscally sound, while at the same time compassionate and responsive to needs of millions of people plagued by disease, famine and disaster.

H.R. 4818 bolsters the President's Millennium Challenge Corporation to $1.25 billion, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars more than in fiscal year 2004. This expansion of foreign assistance is meant to help bring economic security, basic tenets of democracy and the rule of law to some of the world's poorest.

In May of this year, the Corporation began the first round of funding assistance by extending aid to 16 developing countries chosen from a total of 63 eligible nations. Each country that will receive this new funding is obligated to meet benchmarks for political, economic and social development, especially in transparency and anti-corruption efforts. Never before has the United States concentrated aid grants to countries that have the capability for reform in this fashion. This program is really, I think, the future of U.S. foreign assistance and a most effective means to responsibly disseminate U.S. taxpayer money in the foreign area.

The underlying legislation provides $2.2 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Combined with anticipated funding in the Labor-HHS bill, Congress will commit to fulfill President Bush's commitment to 14 countries on the African continent and the Caribbean by appropriating $2.8 billion. This continues the important mission to provide the training and technical assistance to private and voluntary organizations that work to eradicate that nightmarish disease.

The United States already has a proven record on HIV/AIDS assistance, but this year's funding will go far beyond previous obligations. In a speech given yesterday, U.S. AIDS Coordinator Randall Tobias remarked on the $2.4 billion that this Congress provided in fiscal year 2004. He said, ``This year, America is spending nearly twice as much to fight global AIDS as the rest of the world's donor governments combined.''

Our resolve to help all those across the globe who fight this disease is strong and serious. In addition to funding, the Federal Government enlists the expertise of various agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, which assures that the medicines we send to Africa and the Caribbean are safe and effective to help those with HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation also provides $2.2 billion for military and economic assistance to Israel. I think we have to continue to ensure that our friends and allies remain secure. A strong Israel is necessary, not only for the region, but obviously we are committed to do everything we can to see that Israel is safe and secure within its boundaries.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) for their leadership on this important issue. I urge all of my colleagues to support both this rule and the underlying legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, before yielding to the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee, I yield myself such time as I may consume to say that with regard to the issue of the displaced people in Colombia, it is an extraordinary human tragedy, and the reason that there are displaced people in Colombia is because of the terrorists. What this bill is trying to do, and it does in a very important way, is to help the democratically elected government of Colombia fight the terrorists.

Also, there is aid for refugees in this legislation. I know the people of Colombia are very grateful for it. I had the privilege of visiting them some months back. But obviously, it is not only in the interest of Colombia, but of the United States, to defeat the terrorists, the cause of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Colombia; and we do not lose sight of that. Neither does, obviously, the government of Colombia, because the people there are suffering at the hands of those brutal murderers that are being fought day in and day out by the Colombian people; and, obviously, the American people, through this Congress, are helping the Colombian people fight those terrorists.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), the chairman of the subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Committee on Rules.

(Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, we reserve the balance of our time.

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

I thank all of our colleagues who have come to the floor to debate this important rule. This measure before us that we bring to the floor is extraordinarily important and should be supported by the overwhelming majority of our colleagues today.

I particularly am proud of the leadership that the President has provided and really the congressional leadership has also joined in to create an unprecedented assistance program to fight HIV/AIDS in the world. I think we all have to be very proud of that, and it is a very significant part of the legislation that we bring forward with this rule today.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Migdalia Hernandez Enamorado, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado is a wife, a mother of three and a peaceful pro-democracy activist. Because she believes that a free and democratic Cuba is the best hope for her young children and every citizen trapped in totalitarian Cuba, she has worked to liberate Cuba from the tyrannical regime.

As a result of the tyrant's brutal March 2003 crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy activists, Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado, along with her husband Rafael Benitez Chui, went to a police unit in Guantanamo, Cuba, and protested the arrests of Manuel Ubals and Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta. Unfortunately, the tyrant's thugs arrested the married couple while they peacefully protested the abhorrent crackdown on their fellow advocates for freedom and human rights in totalitarian Cuba.

On September 18, 2003, after being held in the inhuman gulag for 7 months, Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado was ``sentenced'' to 2 years in the despotic gulag for the supposed crime of ``contempt.'' In the same sham trial, her husband was sentenced to 4 years. Let me be very clear, Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado's three children are living without their parents because these noble pro-democracy activists believe in freedom.

According to a report from Guantanamo by Ada Kaly Marquez Abascal, Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado is being abused by prison guards, suffering from high blood pressure, and ailing from a myriad of physical maladies caused by the deplorable conditions in the totalitarian gulag. It is also reported that she is only allowed to see her children for 5 minutes a week and some weeks she is not even allowed that brief visit.

Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado is languishing in the totalitarian gulag because of her belief in freedom. It is categorically unacceptable that her three daughters are growing up without their parents, and unable to even visit their mother for more than 5 minutes, simply because Mrs. Hernandez Enamorado wants them to be raised in liberty instead of repression. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate release of Migdalia Hernandez Enamorado, her husband Rafael Benitez Chui, and every prisoner of conscience suffering under the terrorist regime in Havana.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 706 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

(Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 706 is a structured rule that provides for the consideration of H.R. 3598, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2004. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Science. The rule also provides a motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

This is a fair rule, one that provides for a coherent bill. The underlying legislation is the realized result of extensive discussions on a bipartisan level. It is very important that this legislation move forward and that it be sent to the President's desk in an effort to support and assist our small and medium businesses, especially in the manufacturing sectors.

H.R. 3598 reauthorizes the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP, which continues to be a resounding success. The MEP is a network of not-for-profit centers that assist businesses in their daily operations. From plant management to technical assistance, the MEP continues to strengthen our manufacturers through hands-on assistance.

It only takes a cursory look at a survey in 2003 on MEP's success to realize the benefits. As a result of MEP's help over that year, companies created or retained over 35,000 jobs and invested nearly $1 billion in new technology, equipment and training. During that same period, sales for small and medium MEP-assisted companies rose by $1 billion.

Boasting a long list of success stories, this program received $106 million in the House version of the Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary appropriations bill which is expected to pass the House later today.

The legislation expands on previous achievement by authorizing a new Collaborative Manufacturing Research Grants program at $40 million in fiscal year 2005. The additional funding will allow manufacturing and small business to focus on the new challenges that face their economic livelihood. As a result of the new grants, manufacturing companies will be able to join with groups such as not-for-profit organizations, research groups and universities to focus on technology changes. All of this research will be used to accelerate industry technology and continue strong viability.

Of the many important small business manufacturers that use these important grants, Hialeah Metal Spinning in my congressional district stands out to me. I meet frequently with Karla Aaron, the president and owner of Hialeah Metal Spinning, regarding important manufacturing issues in south Florida. Ms. Aaron has served on various local, professional and national boards, including the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers. This incredible company over which she presides, with only 14 employees, is one of the leading manufacturers of precision metal-formed parts.

Hialeah Metal Spinning could not be as successful without MEP assistance. These grants are used to move forward important employee training in a successful effort to stay on the leading edge of manufacturing technology. I was surprised to learn that these grants only pay part of select training sessions, which may range up to $150 per hour. However, constant training is essential to the manufacturing business, and the MEP assistance is extremely important.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that helps all of our local manufacturers. We bring it forward under a fair rule to the floor.

I would like to thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman Boehlert) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) for their leadership on this important issue. I urge all of my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Science.

(Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), a leader in this Congress who has consistently been working for improvement of technologies and in effect for strengthening the economy of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to make sure any colleagues who are actually listening to the debate realize what we are talking about. The bill we are bringing to the floor extends the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the MEP, which is a very important program that helps small business stay competitive, which trains workers who are employed by small businesses to retain their competitiveness and increase, obviously, their skills in new technologies. It is a very important program, and that is what we are bringing to the floor today.

A lot of things can be said, and some of them are even true, about macroeconomics and the reality of the world we live in. But what we are bringing forward to the floor today is a bill that extends an important program, and this MEP program is important to small businesses, especially to the manufacturing sector in this country. That is what we are bringing forward.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as a student of representative democracy, I continue to be amazed at the imagination demonstrated by our friends on the other side of the aisle. They talk about problems and talk about problems; we bring forth solutions.

Today we bring forth with this rule legislation that will authorize $160 million for the manufacturing sector of our economy for training of workers in small businesses in the manufacturing field to retain their competitive edge in technology. We bring forth solutions. We have to deal with things. When in the majority, we have to deal with things like whether amendments are germane and other technical matters, which sometimes may seem too technical, but they are important.

So it is nice to engage in theoretical debate, even about very important problems, like we have seen today. I maintain that it is even nicer to bring forth solutions for the problems of the people of this country. We have done that with this rule. We bring forth a very important piece of legislation. The $160 million for the manufacturing sector for training is critical at this time to retain jobs in this country. It is not theory, it is reality.

So I would ask all of our colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to support not only the very important underlying legislation, but the rule that will make possible the consideration by this House of this very important underlying legislation in order to help the manufacturing sector of our economy which is so important.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

As a matter of fact, when Castro denied the authority, because he knows very well who he does not want to allow from this body to enter Cuba, he called the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) provocateurs for having sought permission to enter, because the dictator knows that the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) would go and try to visit Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet and the other political prisoners, the thousands of political prisoners in Cuba. That is their attempt, and the dictator knows.

The issue here, Mr. Chairman, is very simple. The people who have family in Cuba, Cuban-Americans who send aid to family members in Cuba, are in our districts, in the district that I am honored to represent, in the district of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart), and of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez). But this amendment says, our constituents cannot know what is right for their families. This amendment says, we know better.

By the way, the gentleman from Florida made a series of statements that were factually untrue. He said that the new regulations that have just come into effect promulgated by President Bush prohibit humanitarian aid of food and medicine. I believe the gentleman from Florida said that. That is untrue.

The gentleman also said that the new regulations promulgated by President Bush prohibit family members from sending such humanitarian aid to immediate family members. He said that. That is factually untrue.

So I would recommend to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) that he read the new regulations.

I think the gentleman should read the regulations first.

Well, then why would the gentleman say that immediate family members would not be able to receive food and medicine?

Why would the gentleman say that if he had read the regulations?

That is not what the gentleman said.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Chairman, the new regulations, this gentleman said and it is on the record, that food and medicine is prohibited to, he said, children and fathers and sons. So anyway, that is factually incorrect.

I am glad that he said he read the regulations, but obviously he did not understand them. Maybe he should read them again.

Now, Mr. Chairman, prodemocracy leaders inside of Cuba, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) just mentioned that he sought to visit with them, risking their lives, have sent us a statement that we received just a few days ago, supporting President Bush's measures, stating, ``These measures of the United States Government are designed to bring about democracy in Cuba. These measures will not only benefit the Cubans who live on the island, but also those in exile, leading Cuba to a peaceful transition, and the people themselves will claim their legitimate rights which were stolen from them by the Communist dictatorship in 1959. The dollars that enter the country go directly into the coffers of Castro's Communist system, allowing them to continue enjoying the goods and pleasures that are denied to the Cuban people. They will continue to live above Cuba's working and exploited class, without even thinking of the common Cuban.''

Now, they signed this. They risked their lives to send us this statement. Numerous prodemocracy activists. They are not, by the way, the so-called ``dissidents'' that are allowed by the regime to travel the world to get awards or to come here to Congress to lobby against sanctions on the dictatorship. These are people in the political prisons or risking their lives because they know that at any moment they could be thrown into those totalitarian gulags and given sham trials where they are sentenced to decades in the gulag.

But this amendment, Mr. Chairman, says, We know better than those people. This amendment, Mr. Chairman, is

dishonest. This amendment is condescending. It seeks to undermine an entire policy that President Bush has just implemented to serve the interest of a brutal dictatorship.

The Democratic Party November 30 ``Frank Pais'', along with the November 30 Movement in Exile, after debating the pros and cons of the new measures that will be enforced beginning June 30, 2004 state the following consensus:

As far as we are informed, we agree to accept the measures imposed by the United States government. We know that they are designed to bring about democracy in Cuba.

We recognize that many common Cubans will be severely affected and specially the children, the elderly and the ill but we, as members of the Cuban opposition, will try to care for those families as best we can, relying on the unconditional assistance of the Exile community.

On the other hand, there are tens of thousands of Cubans who live off the remittances sent to them by their families in the United States. They even travel to the United States and do nothing to help improve the situation of common Cubans.

We believe, and are almost certain that these measures will not only benefit the Cubans who live on the island, but also those in Exile, leading Cuba to a peaceful transition and the people themselves will claim their legitimate rights, which were stolen from them by the communist dictatorship in 1959.

It is important that the people know that the government of Fidel Castro, as a decaying system, no longer has anywhere to purchase goods because it is in debt to the entire World and the dollars that enter the Country go directly into the coffers of Castro's communist system, allowing them to continue enjoying the goods and pleasures that are denied to the Cuban people. Furthermore, they will continue to live above Cuba's working and exploited class, without even thinking of the common Cuban.

Many families live off the clothes and shoes that their families in Exile work so hard to send them, but the Cubans over there, just like the ones here, must remember that the first one who separated the Cuban family was Castro's communist government, who forbade the people from receiving even a single letter from relatives. Many Cubans--far from going out on the streets in protest--chose to settle in Exile and now they protest against whom they should not protest. They should come and protest against Fidel Castro who is the only one responsible for all these measures.

The double standard must cease, they must go out into the streets if they wish to receive remittances to change the grey and sad destiny of the homeland of Marti. Let no one doubt it, victory is closer each day. We only need the unity of all, and with all, of all and by all, therein lies the success of victory against the dictatorship that for 45 years has sunk the people of Cuba into mud and misery.

We are counting on you, our Cuban brothers and sisters in Exile and within Cuba.

Long Live a Free Cuba!

Havana, June 27, 2004.

Mirta Villanueva.

Reinaldo Gante Hidalgo--activist of the November 30 Movement; Ernesto Medina Pascual--activist of the November 30 Movement; Camilo Perez Villanueva--activist of the November 30 Movement; Afredo Vapan Marquez--activist of the November 30 Movement; Luis Almansa Veleta-- activist of the November 30 Movement; Victor Junier Fernandez Martinez--activist of the November 30 Movement; Ada Kaly Marquez Abascal--National Coordinator for functions of the Democratic Party November 30 ``Frank Pais'' and correspondent for the Oriental Zone of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami.

Statement given via telephone by Ada Kaly Marquez Abascal--National Coordinator for functions of the Democratic Party November 30 ``Frank Pais'' and correspondent for the Oriental Zone of the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami, for the Information Bridge Cuba-Miami and Net For Cuba on the 27th day of June, 2004.

I would ask all of our colleagues to reject this amendment, to support President Bush's policy to hasten the democratic transition in Cuba. Oppose the Flake amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Fabio Prieto Llorente a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Prieto Llorente is an independent journalist for the independent press agency of Isla de Pinos. Instead of the false propaganda mandated by the regime, he writes about the reality of the reprehensible repression inflicted on the Cuban people by the dictatorship. Because of his belief in truth in print, truth for the people of Cuba and truth to enable the world to better comprehend the daily horrors of totalitarian Cuba, Mr. Prieto Llorente was a target of the totalitarian regime.

According to Amnesty International, Mr. Prieto Llorente received threats and warnings from Castro's thugs in order to prevent him from pursuing his career as a truthful journalist. He was detained in January 2002 simply because he reported on an opposition demonstration. On March 19, 2003, Mr. Prieto Llorente was arrested because he published the facts about the tyrannical regime.

He was arrested as part of the despicable island wide crackdown of that month on peaceful pro-democracy activists. In a sham trial, Mr. Prieto Llorente was sentenced to 20 years in the infernal totalitarian gulag. While incarcerated in the grotesque squalor of the atrocious gulag, he has been held in solitary confinement, confined with common criminals, suffered from violent headaches and lack of medical care. Let us be very clear, Mr. Prieto Llorente is languishing in unspeakable squalor because he published the truth.

Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that journalists such as Mr. Prieto Llorente are locked in dungeons for writing and publishing the facts about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. At the dawn of the 21st Century, it must no longer be acceptable for anyone in the world, anywhere in the world, to be locked in a gulag for writing the truth. My colleagues, we must demand the immediate release of Fabio Prieto Llorente and every prisoner of conscience languishing in the Cuban dictatorship's abhorrent gulag.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Carmelo Agustin Diaz Fernandez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Diaz Fernandez is a pro-democracy activist currently imprisoned in the tyrant's gulag. He is the president of the Independent Union Press Agency, editor of the Cuban Independent Trade Union Press Agency, and a member of the Christian Cuban Workers Union. He is also the correspondent for the Venezuelan magazine Desafios and his articles have appeared on the CubaNet website.

As a leading independent journalist, Christian activist, and prominent member of the independent trade union movement, Mr. Diaz Fernandez has been a constant target of the totalitarian regime. According to Amnesty International, he has been harassed and threatened with imprisonment for his pro-democracy activities. Simply because Mr. Diaz Fernandez wants freedom for the people of Cuba, he has been persecuted by the dictator's machinery of repression.

On March 19, 2003, as part of the dictator's brutal March 2003 crackdown against peaceful Cuban pro-democracy activists, Mr. Diaz Fernandez was arrested because of his work to bring freedom to the people of Cuba. In a sham trial, he was sentenced to 16 years in the wretched, infernal, totalitarian gulag.

According to Reporters Without Borders, while he has been incarcerated in the inhuman gulag simply for his belief in freedom, Mr. Diaz Fernandez has developed cardiovascular problems, lymphangitis and high blood pressure. The intolerably grotesque conditions of the deplorable gulag are threatening his life.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Diaz Fernandez is languishing in a totalitarian gulag because he believes in freedom. He believes in freedom of religion, freedom for workers, and human rights for every Cuban citizen currently suffering under the nightmare called the Castro regime. My Colleagues, it is intolerable that heroes like Mr. Diaz Fernandez are locked in gulags because they believe in the most fundamental human right, freedom. We must demand the immediate release of Carmelo Agustin Diaz Fernandez and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 675 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter) pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

(Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 675 is an open rule that provides for the consideration of H.R. 4567, the Fiscal Year 2005 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.

I would like to take a moment to reiterate that we bring this rule forward under a fair and open rule. Appropriations legislation has historically been brought forth with open rules, and we continue to do so in order to allow each and every Member the opportunity to submit their amendments for consideration, as long as they are germane under the rules of this House.

Nearly one year ago, Mr. Speaker, I stood on this floor and proudly brought forward a rule for the very first Homeland Security Appropriations bill. We have accomplished so much in that one year to protect our homeland and further establish this important department. We continue that work in coordination with the underlying legislation.

In my remarks last year, I spoke about our ability to fund first- responders and ensure that they are always equipped on a State and local level to protect the Nation. This year, we provide $4.1 billion for first-responders, including high threat areas, firefighters and emergency management. This brings the total appropriated by Congress for first-responders since September 11, 2001, to $26.7 billion.

I also indicated last year the productive start to the Container Security Initiative. I am proud to report that in the underlying bill we have more than doubled funding to $126 million. That is as part of this increase in funding, the United States will be expanding this initiative throughout the world to stop terrorism before it reaches our shores. As a Member from a district whose daily well-being, including our economy, depends on large ports, I continue to strongly endorse this program.

While continuing important programs, this legislation begins new efforts to strengthen homeland defense. It is well-known that the Coast Guard must receive funding to upgrade its infrastructure while addressing emerging challenges. The underlying legislation provides $679 to the Deepwater Program, designed to allow capital acquisition for the future strength of the Coast Guard, on the frontline of homeland defense.

The Coast Guard Integrated Support Command in Miami is essential to the safety and security of residents. The Coast Guard in south Florida coordinates regional plans aimed at hurricane safety, recreational boater safety, and, most importantly, protection of our coastline from terrorism and drug trafficking.

While I am extremely pleased with the end result we have before us today, I also believe in the future we have to somehow find additional funding for the In-Line Explosive Device Security, or EDS. The legislation before us includes $269 million for the project, a good start, but the Federal cost share for this important technology at Miami International Airport alone, which is in my Congressional district, will top $200 million.

In-line systems will allow for more screeners to be redeployed at passenger checkpoints. In-line EDS systems increase efficiencies and reduce costs associated with baggage screening. This next generation of security technology for our Nation's airports will yield great results.

H.R. 4567 is a good bill, Mr. Speaker. It is a testament to our changing world that Congress is able to respond to security concerns abroad while ensuring that the homeland remains secure. The first responsibility of government is to protect its citizenry, and we are able to respond with priority funding for this important Department of Homeland Security.

We bring this legislation forth under a fair and open rule, as I have stated before, and I would like to reiterate.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers) for their extraordinary leadership on this very important issue. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe).

(Mr. KOLBE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

No, Mr. Speaker, we do not.

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

Mr. Speaker, I also believe that homeland security should not be a partisan issue. That is why I am so proud of the work that the leadership and that the Committee on Appropriations and especially the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers) have brought forth, they have expended and brought forth with regard to this critical issue.

The legislation before us spends $33 billion, Mr. Speaker, on homeland security, $33 billion. Just in the area of first responders, Federal assistance for those first responders since September 11, 2001, almost $27 billion have been appropriated by this Congress. I am very proud of the way in which this Congress has responded to the threat, has acted to protect our homeland security. This is very important legislation that we have before us today. It is time that we get to the underlying legislation and that we pass it out.

So accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge a yes vote on the previous question, on the rule and on the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a great man of our community, Father Enrique Mendez Norma who will be turning 80 this Friday.

Father Mendez was born in Santiago de Cuba on June 18, 1924, and spent the early part of his educational life at ``Hermanos de La Salle.'' He received his secondary education at ``El Colegio Dolores,'' a Jesuit institution in his hometown, and graduated with a degree in Arts and Sciences. On July 3, 1940, just after his 16th birthday, he enrolled in the Salesian seminary at Guanabacoa. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Central America to complete his novitiate, marking the beginning of a brilliant career as an educator. Four years later he was transferred to the San Julian School in Guines, where he taught as a cleric from 1945 to 1947. Following yet another move to Aptos, California, where Father Mendez initiated his theological studies, he then relocated to Turin, Italy in 1951 and was ordained a priest on July 1, 1952. Later that year, he returned to Cuba and received a doctorate in Pedagogical Studies from the University of Havana.

After a short stay at the San Juan Bosco School in La Vibora, he returned to Guines in 1955 to take the reigns as director of the Salesian San Julian School, where he had previously spent time as a seminarian. In 1959, he was officially named ``Adopted Son'' of his resident town and continued his impressive educational career in 1960 by receiving a doctorate degree in Arts and Philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas de Villanueva. He remained in Guines until May 1961, when Cuba's private educational institutions fell under the dictatorship's control and he was forced into exile.

From there, Father Mendez moved to Puerto Rico, becoming director of the San Juan Bosco School from 1963 to 1969. Later in 1969, he received a Master's in Education from the University of Puerto Rico, where he was subsequently hired as faculty in the university's Humanities Department. In 1970, Father Mendez held a similar position as professor of humanities at the University of the Sacred Heart in Santurce, and in 1972 he received another Master's Degree in Hispanic Studies from the University of Puerto Rico. In June of 2000, he was recognized by the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico for having been designated by the University of the Sacred Heart as Professor Emeritus of that institution.

Since 1963, Father Mendez has served as Spiritual Director and Chaplain of the American Military Academy and has held the same title for the Circulo Cubano de Puerto Rico since 1970. Over the course of his long and decorated professional and clerical career, Father Mendez has impacted the lives of countless young men and women who have attempted to live by the principles and values he has always preached. As a result, Father Mendez has gained the respect, admiration, and gratitude of all those who have had the good fortune of learning from him.

From all the people you have touched by your kindness and example, Father Mendez, happy 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez is a peaceful pro-democracy activist who has worked for basic human rights for the people of Cuba. As a correspondent for the Decorum Task Force and the operator of the private ``Sebastian Arcos Bergnes'' Library, he devoted his energies to depicting the true, decrepit, reality of totalitarian Cuba.

Because he bravely defied the communist regime as he worked to bring freedom to Cuba, Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez was constantly harassed by the tyrant's thugs. According to Amnesty International, on March 8, 2002, he was arrested on his way to participate in an event connected with International Women's Day. His house was stoned the same night. Amnesty International also reports that on December 4, 2002, Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez was threatened with imprisonment if he attended an event honoring the Virgin of Santa Barbara.

On March 18, as part of the unconscionable crackdown on peaceful pro- democracy activists in March 2003, Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez was arrested. In a sham trial, he was subsequently sentenced to 16 years in the totalitarian gulag.

Reporters Without Borders reports that on June 27, 2003, Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez fell down a stairway with no banister as prison guards escorted him to a courtyard. The fall resulted in head wounds and two wrist fractures. Let us be very clear, Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez is suffering, and has suffered serious injury, in the infernal, inhuman, gulag, because he desires freedom for his country.

This week we mourn the passing of President Ronald Reagan, a man who knew that freedom is the birthright of all mankind. As we remember the President who made freedom and democracy for all the objective of U.S. foreign policy, let us not forget those, such as Mr. Izquierdo Hernandez, who currently languish in the darkness of repression.

Mr. Speaker, it is categorically unacceptable that peaceful pro- democracy activists are locked in dark gulags because they believe that freedom is the essential right of man. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate release of Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernandez, and every prisoner of conscience throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who I believe to be the greatest American President of the 20th century. President Ronald Reagan defeated the most powerful and dangerous military empire in the history of the world without firing a single shot. President Reagan knew instinctively that America represents good, and he knew that communism represents evil. He never wavered in his conviction that freedom is the birthright of all mankind.

The enemies of the United States never forgave him for his firmness, for his character, for his faith in the people of the United States and his faith in the cause of liberty. Even in his death, they continue to attack him. His hatred is evidenced by the declaration made by the tyrannical regime in Havana a few hours ago: ``He, who never should have been born, has died.'' That monstrous statement illustrates the ultimate evil of the tyrant who has enslaved the Cuban people for over 45 years. President Reagan knew that the Cuban tyrant and that Communist tyrants everywhere have represented and represent the antithesis of liberty, freedom and human dignity.

I think he was an extraordinary leader, Mr. Speaker, someone who inspired us all, changed America for the better and saved the world from tyranny.

May Ronald Wilson Reagan, apostle of freedom, democracy and human rights, rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who I believe to be the greatest President of the 20th Century.

President Ronald Reagan succeeded in defeating the most powerful and dangerous military empire in the history of humanity, without firing a single shot. Reagan knew instinctively that, despite the imperfections inherent in every human enterprise, the United States of America represents good and communism represents evil.

President Reagan never wavered in his conviction that freedom is the birthright of all mankind. His firm belief that freedom is the inalienable right of all people changed the world, and is his most enduring legacy. However he also realized the liberties we hold sacred must be constantly protected against the forces of tyranny and oppression. President Reagan proved that when one fights for justice, for human rights, and for the liberty of those suffering under repression, one must persevere in spite of the strength of the opposition and the apparent magnitude of the obstacles one must confront.

The enemies of the United States never forgave him for his firmness, for his character, for his faith in the people of the United States and in the cause of liberty. Even in his death they continue to attack him. This hatred is evidenced by the declaration made by the tyrannical regime in Havana yesterday, ``He, who never should have been born, has died.'' That monstrous statement illustrates the ultimate evil of the tyrant who has enslaved the Cuban people for over 45 years. President Reagan knew that Castro, and every Communist tyranny, represents the antithesis of liberty, freedom and human dignity.

At home, Ronald Reagan forever changed the political landscape of America. He was a union leader. In fact, he was the only president in the history of the United States to have been a union leader. He was also at first a member of the Democratic Party, having campaigned for Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. However, ideas and times change. When he became a Republican at the age of 52, he convinced millions of members of his former party that the superior ideas and the better reforms of our age belonged to the Republican Party. Inspired by his leadership and his example, my brother, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and I proudly became Republicans.

May Ronald Wilson Reagan, apostle of freedom, democracy and human rights, rest in peace.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Alvarez Ramos is a true leader for freedom, human rights, and worker rights for the Cuban people. He is President of the United Cuban Workers Council (CUTC), an organization dedicated to improving the condition and treatment of workers in totalitarian Cuba. As the President of CUTC, Mr. Alvarez Ramos has been a constant advocate for every Cuban worker currently toiling under the nightmare of repression called the Castro regime. Mr. Alvarez Ramos has bravely denounced the cruel policies of the tyrant and demanded that every Cuban laborer be allowed their inalienable human rights and worker rights.

Because Mr. Alvarez Ramos committed himself to achieving workers rights for every Cuban, he has been a constant target for the dictator's thugs. According to Amnesty International, Mr. Alvarez Ramos has been the subject of harassment and detention for his trade union activities since at least 1996. In October 2000, in connection with his work in preparing the first CUTC congress, Mr. Alvarez Ramos was thrown in the totalitarian gulag. Eventually, in November 2001, he was charged with resisting arrest and Mr. Alvarez Ramos was finally released from the horrors of the gulag in late January 2001.

On March 19, 2003, as part of the tyrant's brutal crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy; activists, Mr. Alvarez Ramos's home was searched and his private library confiscated. He was subsequently sentenced by a sham court to 25 years in the totalitarian gulag because. of his efforts for worker rights in Cuba.

Mr. Alvarez Ramos is languishing in the inhuman conditions of the totalitarian gulag, because he believes every Cuban worker should have rights, not repression. It is unconscionable that, at the dawn of the 21st century and just 90 miles form our shore, Mr. Alvarez Ramos is imprisoned in a gulag because he is attempting to achieve workers rights for the citizens of Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, this Congress convenes in a building that represents freedom to those languishing in the darkness of repression. It is incumbent on those of us who have the privilege of serving in this monument to liberty to demand freedom for all pro-democracy activists locked in infernal gulags. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate release of Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Galvan Gutierrez is an engineer by profession and thus a student of transforming ideas and concepts into concrete reality. As a man who studied how things work, he quickly grasped the broken and irreparable nature of Castro's infernal totalitarian regime. As a pro-democracy activist, Mr. Galvan Gutierrez has committed himself to portraying the true horrors of life under the tyrant in Cuba. He has written articles for Havana Press and served as president of the College of Independent Engineers and Architects of Cuba.

As a leading advocate for freedom for every Cuban, Mr. Galvan Gutierrez has been constantly harassed by Castro's thugs. According to Amnesty International, he has endured numerous interrogations and short term detentions. On March 18, 2003, Mr. Galvan Gutierrez was arrested and he was subsequently ``sentenced'' to 26 years in the totalitarian gulag.

Mr. Galvan Gutierrez is languishing in the nightmarish conditions of the totalitarian gulag because he believes in freedom for every Cuban citizen. According to Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Galvan Gutierrez is suffering from abdominal and joint pain, together with an inflammation of the feet and a paralyzed arm. Reporters Without Borders has also reported that Mr. Galvan Gutierrez was put in solitary confinement and deprived of water and light because he staged hunger strikes to protest the inhuman conditions in the totalitarian gulag.

Mr. Speaker, today is May 20 and on this day, 102 years ago, the Cuban people obtained their independence; the Republic of Cuba was born. Today the Cuban people, led by heroic activists such as Mr. Galvan Gutierrez, continue to fight for freedom. It is my fervent hope that next year, on May 20, the Cuban people will be able to celebrate the anniversary of Cuba's independence and also celebrate the return of freedom to that long suffering island.

Mr. Speaker, we must constantly demand freedom for the Cuban people. My Colleagues, today, on Cuban Independence Day, we must demand the immediate release of Miguel Galvan Gutierrez and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.