Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Hector Fernando Maseda Gutierrez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. Maseda, age 60, is an engineer and physicist by profession. He studied the logic and reason behind how machines work, how nature operates. He also realized that Castro's repressive regime constitutes a nightmare for the Cuban people.

Mr. Maseda joined pro-democracy groups that work to obtain basic human rights for the people of Cuba. He eventually became a member of the Liberal Democratic Cuban Party and the director of the Liberal Studies Center. As Mr. Maseda became more active within the movement, he began to chronicle the savage practices of the regime for independent newspapers and websites. Unfortunately, not all of these articles reached the outside world, among the articles confiscated by the political police were: ``The forced workers of Cuba'' and ``Havana: the capital of sexual tourism.''

On March 18, 2003, Mr. Maseda was arrested and his typewriter, a fax machine, books, and his journalistic writings were confiscated. In a sham trial, he was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in the Cuban gulag for writing articles ``which twist the society and reality of Cuba'' and for ``maintaining relations with Florida International University.''

Mr. Maseda currently languishes in the Cuban totalitarian gulag. He has been muted and gagged for writing about the systematic abuses of human rights that occur under Castro's totalitarian rule. Mr. Speaker, the reality of Castro's repressive regime continues to be that men and women who write the truth are locked in the Cuban gulag while their oppressor remains in power.

My colleagues, we must fight for freedom whenever and wherever human beings are shackled by totalitarian dictators. We must demand the immediate release of Hector Fernando Maseda Gutierrez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about Dr. Marcelo Cano Rodriguez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Dr. Cano Rodriguez is a Medical Doctor. As a physician, he has chosen to devote his life and his abilities to healing the sick, mending the lame, and easing the suffering of his patients. However, as Dr. Cano Rodriguez quickly learned, easing the suffering of the Cuban people is not a goal of Castro's dictatorship.

The longer Dr. Cano Rodriguez worked within the totalitarian healthcare system, the more he noticed medical resources being taken from the Cuban people and redirected towards tourists who could pay with hard foreign currency. Dr. Cano Rodriguez, no longer able to work within a system that abandons citizens in favor of tourists, became the National Coordinator for the Cuban Independent Medical Association.

The Cuban Independent Medical Association is comprised of physicians who joined forces to set up independent clinics where equipment and drugs prescribed by doctors are distributed without charge. As Dr. Cano Rodriguez searched for ways to make his group more effective, he approached the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation for guidance. After learning of the Commission's professed goal of basic human rights, he became an important member of that group.

Unfortunately for Dr. Cano Rodriguez, his being associated with two groups who profess to work to provide the Cuban people with their basic rights and their basic medicine proved to be too much for Castro and his machinery of repression. On March 25, 2003, Dr. Cano Rodriguez was arrested in Las Tunas. The ``illegal'' activities cited by Castro's puppet prosecutor in the sham trial were that he visited prisoners as part of his work with the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation and that he maintained ties to Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Cano Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 years in Castro's dungeons.

Mr. Speaker, I want to repeat that, Dr. Cano Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 years in Castro's gulag for visiting prisoners and maintaining ties to Doctors Without Borders.

My colleagues, every one of us should be totally appalled that a physician who attempts to aid the oppressed and heal the sick is languishing in a dungeon for his merciful actions. My colleagues, we must demand immediate freedom for Dr. Marcelo Cano Rodriguez.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 422 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), 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 422 is a rule providing for consideration of the conference report accompanying H.R. 2115, the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act.

Mr. Speaker, I would briefly remind this Congress of the essential authorizations provided through this bill. First and foremost, the legislation reauthorizes the FAA for 4 years and $3.4 billion in fiscal 2004, increasing by $100 million each year thereafter. The FAA is, of course, primarily responsible for the safety of the Nation's skies through activities ranging from the continued monitoring by air traffic controllers to the development of new airspace technologies.

The district that I am honored to represent contains Miami International Airport, consistently one of

the Nation's busiest, both for international and domestic travel. I am always impressed by the level of public-private cooperation between such organizations as the FAA and Miami International. This cooperation is evident, as well, through many provisions in this legislation, for example, $500 million for airport security improvements at airports; grants and tax credits for low emissions; compensation to general aviation for losses from security mandates; and war risk insurance to the airlines through March 30, 2008.

This Congress was quick to assist airlines after the tragedy of 9-11, and rightfully so. The economic benefits from the movement of people and goods the airlines provide obviously demanded our attention. However, we must also consider those smaller aircraft which were restricted for months. Accordingly, this Congress will act through the underlying legislation to help general aviation return to financial stability by providing compensation for the hardships on their business. This bill authorizes $100 million for these general aviators that were greatly affected by increased security restrictions.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Florida (Chairman Mica) for their extraordinary leadership on this important reauthorization, and I urge my colleagues to support this important rule and the underlying legislation.

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

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

I certainly have not seen it all, but I am learning a lot this morning, hearing the debate. Approximately 150 towers were privatized during the Clinton years. This legislation does not mandate any privatization of towers, and yet trying to reconcile with this reality and these facts, what I am hearing.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, in order to elicit some information and some facts about what the legislation is doing, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), the chairman of the Committee on Transportation.

(Mr. YOUNG of Alaska asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

(Mr. MICA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks, and include extraneous material.)

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Isakson).

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

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

I sympathize with my good friends on the other side of the aisle. When I arrived in this Congress along with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) 11 years ago, I was in the minority, and I remember what it was not to have the votes, the majority of the votes to get one's ideas passed and to come into law. So I sympathize when now our colleagues on the other side of the aisle do not have the majority of the votes, how they must feel, but I think it is important that some facts now be put on the record, Mr. Speaker.

This legislation before us mandates no privatization of towers. During the years of the Clinton Presidency, approximately 150 such towers were privatized. I do not recall my friends protesting, but this legislation, which obviously they are complaining about today, mandates no such privatization of towers, like we had 150 during the Clinton years.

Despite the fact that we on this side of the aisle have the majority of the votes, it is important to point out that in the writing of the bill and the original conference report, our friends on the other side of the aisle were intimately involved. Many provisions, in fact, were included in the bill at the request of our friends on the other side of the aisle.

For example, a special rule to maintain the minimum AIP entitlement at small airports that have lost passengers, I am told the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) came forth with that idea.

A sense of Congress on 5th freedom and 7th freedom flights, I believe the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) brought forth that idea.

An increase in the MPO participation in the airport planning process, I believe the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) had that idea.

Requirement to provide additional information to families affected by aircraft accidents, I believe the gentleman from New York (Mr. Weiner) had that idea.

Restriction on flights at Teterboro airport, I believe the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman) had that idea.

Flight attendant certification, deadline for issuance of Stage 4 noise reduction rule, curriculum standards for maintenance technicians, provision on foreign repair station security, all of these ideas came from our friends on the other side of the aisle.

So it is important for the facts to be known. There is frustration in being in the minority. I remember my first term here, but let us not negate the facts that in the fairness of the majority, many ideas of the minority were included. So I think that is required. I think that is required by democracy, respect for the minority, and we see in this legislation the fruits of much respect for the minority, but in addition to ideas that were brought forth by the minority, there are many ideas brought forth, I would say many more, by the majority that are very important to the safety of aviation in this country, Mr. Speaker, and that is why we must pass this legislation today.

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

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

Just to reiterate, we reiterate some facts that I attempted to bring out before. First of all, with regard to the towers privatized, airports privatized, during the Clinton administration, about 100 of them were former FAA staffed towers. I reiterate again, that in the legislation brought forth today, there is mandated no privatization of towers.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I would inquire at this time how many speakers the other side has remaining.

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

Alluding to the facts, Mr. Speaker, I think is important sometimes. Under the Presidency of William Jefferson Clinton, approximately 150 control towers were privatized.

This legislation mandates no privatizations. And under the Presidency of George W. Bush, by the way, there have been zero towers privatized.

I do not recall the protests during the 150 privatizations during the years of Bill Clinton. What I do know is that this legislation mandates no privatizations. The facts sometimes, Mr. Speaker, are important.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, this legislation reauthorizes the FAA. It is extremely important to the safety of the flying public in this country. In addition, it reauthorizes $3.4 billion for the FAA and increases it by $100 million each year.

Mr. Speaker, many of the ideas of our friends on the other side of the aisle, and I have a whole page of them here in summary, were included in this legislation. And with regard to what we have heard time and time again about phantoms of privatization, and though 150 occurred during President Clinton's administration, this legislation mandates none.

Mr. Speaker, this is an important piece of legislation. We must pass it today, and so I urge my colleagues to pass the rule and the underlying legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, there are moments in history where we know the decisions we are making will affect the world in the future. Today we stand at such a moment, charged with the enormous task of helping to rebuild Iraq. Our own history offers us guidance about how to best rebuild a wartime adversary.

After World War I, Germany was soundly defeated and the parties gathered in Versailles to negotiate the terms of surrender. The talks came to a question of who was responsible for the aftermath. Was Germany responsible? Should a country with a new government be burdened by the debts of a defeated regime? Should they be responsible for reconstruction or for reparations? We all realize how the reparations inflicted upon Germany at that time created an atmosphere of despair. We are also aware of how that atmosphere was exploited by the evil monster Adolf Hitler. Mr. Speaker, we know how that story ended in Germany, and it could end up that way in Iraq.

But after World War II, an alliance, once again scarred by battle, sat across from debt-heavy and defeated nations, and the alliance did not make the same mistake of 1918. The United States eventually formulated a systematic recovery program that became known as the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan was not entirely made up of U.S. aid. It also called upon the European nations to eventually contribute to their own recovery. Yet the first installment of $4 billion in aid required great political will. At that time, $4 billion represented 13 percent of the entire budget. That act of congressional courage helped to make Western Europe into a subcontinent of strong economies, strong democracies and, thus, strong allies.

It is my belief that this assistance may allow a free and democratic Iraq to become a beacon of hope in the Middle East. It will show the people of that region that democracy is possible, that the United States does not impose its will, only the ability for people to decide their own destiny.

That is why I applaud President Bush for setting the course of reconstruction in Iraq. Encouraging progress is already happening. Schools are opening. Electricity is turning on. New currency is being distributed. As the Iraqi people see continued progress in rebuilding, we help keep Americans safe at home. In a section of the world that has already imperiled too many lives, in a country whose previous savage regime caused too much suffering and too many deaths, we in Congress should be inspired by the lessons of our history to support an emerging Iraqi democracy with our wisdom, our experience, and our resources.

The vote we are about to cast will have enormous repercussions. If this assistance has the same effect that the Marshall Plan funding had in Western Europe, it will help toward the creation of a stable, democratic Iraqi government and a lifelong ally of the United States. It is with that hope, Mr. Speaker, that I will support this supplemental appropriation.

Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in celebrating the Marlins' win of the World Series. I think we have to recognize that Major League Baseball has perhaps provided the country and the world with the best postseason ever in this month that has just ended. It was an extraordinary series of games, series of series topped off by a wonderful and extraordinary World Series, won by a young and dynamic team that has earned the admiration of the entire world.

Obviously, in south Florida we are extremely proud of our Florida Marlins. They embody in many ways south Florida, from Jack McKeon, the manager, who at age 72 became the oldest manager to lead a team to the World Series, after being called just a few months earlier when he was, in fact, out of a job and many thought that he would never again manage in the Major Leagues, was asked by the front office of the Marlins to come and turn the team around, that they needed someone at the helm with the experience and leadership qualities of Jack McKeon. And what a job he did.

And I think for that job, he needs to be commended. And the front office starting with Jeffrey Loria, the chairman and CEO and managing general partner of the Marlins, and David Samson, the president of the Marlins, and Larry Beinfest, the senior vice president and general manager, what a job they did putting together this young team that faced and defeated a New York Yankees team with over three times the payroll. And, yet, because of the young talent in the Florida Marlins, the Marlins were able to prevail.

What can we say? We can pick example after example that really leaves us in awe. That cleanup hitter, 20-year-old cleanup hitter who just a few months earlier was in AA baseball, in the Minors, and he was called up because he showed such extraordinary talent and Miguel Cabrera became the first 20-year-old since Ty Cobb to bat in the cleanup position in the World Series. What a future he has.

As with so many others in the Florida Marlins, we can go down the roster and analyze and really celebrate the excitement that all of the players represent, from Juan Pierre, that dynamic and really exciting, extraordinarily exciting center fielder, to obviously Ivan Rodriguez, the catcher, who electrified us all with his plays and his hitting day after day, what a World Series it was. So I am glad that the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros- Lehtinen) have come forth with this resolution which I have joined.

And I think we not only should commend the Marlins for their extraordinary victory and share, obviously, in the celebration that all of south Florida is engaged in, but also remember that this is an opportunity for some tasks that remain undone to be finished.

First I think it is important, and I have full faith and confidence that the front office, the leadership of the Marlins, is not going to do what the ownership did after the last World Series, and that is to basically eliminate that great team, but rather it is our hope, and I am sure that we will see that the nucleus of this team will remain together so that the community can see that team again playing next year and winning, as I am sure that it will.

And we also have in south Florida a great task, which my brother, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart), was heavily involved in just a few years ago when he was in the State legislature in attempting to put together all the pieces that are required for a new stadium. And south Florida needs a new baseball stadium. And I hope that this impetus now that has been gained by this marvelous victory can serve for the community to come together and perhaps dust off the plan that almost succeeded just a few years ago that was a very good and interesting plan, and that a baseball stadium can be built because this team, this dynamic, wonderful team deserves it, and the community deserves it.

And so congratulations to that wonderful team, the Florida Marlins.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Ohio for yielding me the time.

For me, I consider it a privilege and an honor to be able to speak on behalf of the resolution welcoming to the United States the elected President of the Republic of China of Taiwan. I have always had admiration for the Republic of China of Taiwan.

I believe that first they demonstrated an extraordinary, an extraordinary and commendable and admirable will and devotion to work and to sacrifice that permitted them to achieve economic prosperity which is the envy of the world, and then they have made, as our distinguished colleagues have mentioned today, also extraordinary and admirable progress in democratization and have, in fact, established a representative democracy that is to be admired by all of the world.

So I join my colleagues in welcoming President Chen Shui-bian to the United States. The entire Congress and the American people welcome him and say to him that we consider it a great privilege to be able to be an ally and a friend of Taiwan, that that will always be reality, and here in Congress I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, that we reiterate our support for Taiwan, for the Taiwan Relations Act and that we never falter, never falter in support and in reminding the world that the safety and security of Taiwan is a matter of extreme importance to this Congress, to the American Government and to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 416 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for purposes of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purposes of debate only.

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

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 416 is an open rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 2443, the Coast Guard Maritime and Transportation Act of 2003. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us authorizes over $7 billion for the Coast Guard and $18.74 million for the Federal Maritime Commission in fiscal year 2004. The legislation is essential in the effort to strengthen the Coast Guard in its ever-increasing role to defend the homeland.

In this bill we face a turning point in the effectiveness of the Coast Guard. The Department of Homeland Security has called on it to be the defender of American coasts while, at the same time, sending needed resources, soldiers, and vessels to the battle against terrorism in the Middle East.

I am pleased to highlight the Integrated Deepwater System acquisition program. The Deepwater System provides the needed capital to institute effective acquisition of the cutters, computer equipment, and other resources that the Coast Guard so desperately needs. The Deepwater System has not received the funding that was outlined in 1998, but this bill makes up for the years of acquisition lost. H.R. 2443 authorizes $702 million for fiscal year 2004 to ensure that this acquisition remains on pace, allowing the Coast Guard to remain effective both at home and abroad.

The Coast Guard is particularly important to my district and constituents in south Florida, Mr. Speaker. The Coast Guard Integrated Support Command in Miami is essential to the safety and security of the area. The Coast

Guard in south Florida coordinates integrated plans aimed at hurricane safety, recreational boater safety, and, most important, protection of our coastline from terrorism and drug trafficking.

H.R. 2443 was reported out of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by a voice vote. This is very good legislation, it is essential to our continued commitment to the security and safety of all citizens and residents of the United States, and we have brought it forth, Mr. Speaker, under a fair and, in fact, open rule.

I would like to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for their important work on this legislation; and 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 have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 377 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), 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. Speaker, House Resolution 377 is a rule providing for the conference report accompanying H.R. 2115, the Flight 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act to be recommitted to the conference committee. In an effort to ensure support for the bill, the House committees of jurisdiction have committed to making this important legislation even better through another conference.

I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) for his extraordinary leadership on this issue, as well as the other Members who have worked hard to make this a reality as we continue to address the concerns of Members on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important rule.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Peterson).

(Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous material.)

Mr. Speaker, 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 chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the debate. I think it is very important that the facts alluded to by Mr. Mica are here in writing, written down, black and white here. So the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) has the copies available for the membership if any of the Members want to review the facts.

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 speak today about Nelson Alberto Aguiar Ramirez, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Employed as an electrician, literally turning the lights on, he was forced by Castro's tyrannical policies to pursue a different path. After years of incessant repression, Mr. Aguiar Ramirez decided to turn the lights on Castro's ruthless machinery of repression.

Mr. Aguiar Ramirez joined organizations that opposed Castro's dictatorship and supported basic human rights for the people of Cuba. Mr. Aguiar Ramirez is currently the President of the Cuban Orthodox Party, and a member of a more recent initiative, the Assembly to Promote Civil Society.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Aguiar Ramirez chose to fight Castro's government even though he was acutely aware of the consequences of doing so. In December 1999, Mr. Aguiar Ramirez was detained by Castro's ruthless repressive apparatus in order to prevent him from commemorating the December 10th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document, enshrining the essential rights of all humans, is such a danger to Castro's repressive dictatorship that Castro prevented Mr. Aguiar Ramirez from commemorating the anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, it sadly came as no surprise to anyone who has watched the horrors that Castro inflicts on those who cry for freedom when Mr. Aguiar Ramirez was detained on March 20, 2003. He was subsequently sentenced to 13 years in Castro's inhumane dungeons.

Mr. Aguiar Ramirez is classified as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. His wife, Dalia, is deeply concerned about his declining health and his constant malnourishment.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Aguiar Ramirez must be released from Castro's gulag at once. My colleagues, we can not allow human beings such as Mr. Aguiar Ramirez, who rise up to claim their human rights from the clutches of tyrannical despots, to languish in the gulag for their beliefs. My colleagues, we must stand united and demand the immediate release of Nelson Alberto Aguiar Ramirez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of a Cuban prisoner of conscience. I rise today in honor of Bernardo Arevalo Padron.

Mr. Arevalo Padron founded the Cuban independent news agency Linea Sur Press in October 1996 to condemn the atrocious human rights violations committed by Castro's tyrannical regime. Mr. Arevalo Padron's insistence on reporting about the deteriorating plight of the Cuban people under Castro's machinery of repression led directly to his arrest.

Bernardo Arevalo Padron was jailed for six years in November 1997 for ``insulting'' Fidel Castro and calling him a ``liar'' for not keeping his promises about democracy and so many other matters. Mr. Arevalo Padron was sentenced to six years behind bars because he dared to print the truth about a government that ruthlessly represses any kind of dissent.

After five years of sadistic cruelty in Castro's gulag, Mr. Arevalo Padron has been diagnosed with leptospirosis, which is spread by rats. According to a report issued by Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Arevalo Padron should have been freed on parole in October 2000, but the government refuses to release him because he has not cooperated in the so called re-education program.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Arevalo Padron has been slowly festering in Castro's inhumane dungeons since 1997 because he called Fidel Castro ``a liar''. Has ever a man been through so much for a single word of truth?

One of the key reasons why I bring the plight of Mr. Arevalo Padron to the attention of Congress is because there is no independent press in Cuba. None, Mr. Speaker.

Here in the United States we often say, ``the truth will set you free''; in Castro's deplorable dictatorship the truth will set you in the gulag for six years. I implore my colleagues to stand for truth, democracy and decency and call with one voice for the instant release of Bernardo Arevalo Padron.

Mr. speaker, I rise today to belatedly mark the occasion of Taiwan's National Day, October 10, 2003. It nonetheless gives me great pleasure to report that Taiwan is a thriving democracy that guarantees and protects essential human rights of all its citizens.

Taiwan stands as a remarkable testament to what humankind is capable of when freedom and democracy combine to fuel the economic engine. Even with only 23 million citizens, Taiwan remains one of Asia's strongest economic ``tigers''. With the world's 17th largest economy and the world's 15th largest trade volume, Taiwan has made significant contributions to the global economy.

Mr. Speaker, Taiwan remains a critical U.S. ally, and it is my hope that Taiwan will continue to serve as a beacon for freedom and democracy throughout East Asia.

Today I would like to extend my solidarity to the 23 million freedom loving citizens of Taiwan and their democratically elected leader, President Chen Shui-bian in commemoration of Taiwan's recent National Day of celebration.

Mr. Chairman, there are moments in history where we are aware that decisions we are making will affect the world in the future. Today we stand at such a moment, charged with the enormous task of helping to rebuild Iraq. We must be up to the challenge.

Our own history offers us guidance about how to best rebuild a wartime adversary.

After World War I, Germany was soundly defeated and the parties gathered in Versailles to negotiate the terms of surrender. The talks came to a question of who was responsible for the aftermath. Was Germany responsible? Should a country with a new government be burdened by the debts of a defeated regime? Should they be responsible for reconstruction and reparations?

We all realize how the reparations inflicted upon Germany at that time created an atmosphere of despair. We are also aware of how this atmosphere was exploited by the evil monster Adolf Hitler.

Mr. Chairman, we know how this story ended in Germany and it could end up that way in Iraq: a leader, or a sect, seeks to rebuild a fractured national pride with acts of violence committed in the name of a downtrodden people.

The assistance we are voting for today will significantly contribute to preventing an ending such as that. This assistance is for the defense of our troops abroad and our citizens at home, as we make the world safer for all of our friends and allies.

A free and democratic Iraq will be a beacon for hope in the Middle East. It will show to the people of the region that democracy is possible, that the United States does not impose its will, only the ability for peoples to decide their own destiny.

Great challenges require courageous decision. The easy road has sometimes been taken in the past and we know its disastrous consequences.

The long and fiscally difficult road has also been tried by the United States of America. An alliance scarred by battle once again sat across from debt heavy and defeated nations and the alliance did not make the same mistake of 1918. The U.S. eventually formulated a systematic recovery program that became known as the Marshall Plan.

The Marshall Plan was not entirely made up of U.S. aid, it also called on the devastated European nations to eventually contribute to their own recovery. Yet the first installment of $4 billion in aid required great political will. At the time $4 billion represented 13 percent of the entire budget. That act of Congressional courage helped to remake Western Europe into a subcontinent of strong economies, strong democracies, and thus strong allies. Again, we all know how the success of that plan contributed to the creation of a stable, free and democratic Western Europe.

We all acknowledge there are many domestic issues that we must address as a Congress. Protecting our Homeland is perhaps the greatest mission before us. It is my belief that working for stability in Iraq and the Middle East is essential in order to protect our citizens at home. We do not set the correct example if we only support freedom and safety at home. That is why I applaud President Bush for setting the course of reconstruction in Iraq. Encouraging progress is already happening, schools are opening, electricity is turning on, new currency is being distributed today, but we have the ability to do so much more. As Iraqi people see continued progress in rebuilding, we help keep Americans safe at home.

Mr. Chairman, the great American poet Robert Frost once wrote, ``Two roads diverged in a yellow wood.'' We know that one road today leads to debt and internal strife. We

know the harder road leads to reconstruction and reconciliation.

In a section of the world that has already imperiled too many lives, in a country whose previous, savage regime caused too much suffering and too many deaths, we in Congress are obligated by the lessons of our history to support an emerging Iraqi democracy with our wisdom, our experience and our resources.

The vote we are about to cast will have enormous repercussions. If this assistance has the same effect that the Marshall Plan funding had in Western Europe, it will help create a stable, democratic Iraqi government and a lifelong ally of the United States.

My colleagues, today we must act with the same vision as our forebearers in this House. We must support our troops in the field and the reconstruction of Iraq.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the Congress about a Cuban prisoner of conscience locked in Castro's gulag. This week I ask my colleagues to learn the name of Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez.

The prevailing theme throughout the life of Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez is his desire to live in freedom. First, he attempted to flee Castro's dictatorship in March 1989, but was caught and sent to prison. While unjustly incarcerated for attempting to flee the Cuban dictatorship, Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez founded the Cuban Rafters Council.

Upon Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez's release from prison, he and the Council began to document the list of people who have become unaccounted for in the treacherous Florida Straights as they sought refuge from Castro's repressive regime. Mr. Speaker, Mr Chaviano Gonzalez compiled a list of those who perished on their dangerous journey to freedom. The Council desired that these martyrs be known, that those who died pursuing freedom be remembered by those they left behind.

As Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez began to understand how the repressive policies of Castro's ruthless regime propelled these refugees into the Florida Straights, he, and other members of the Council, decided to change the name of their organization to the National Council for Civil Rights in Cuba (NCCRC). Castro's machinery of repression took notice of this pro-democracy group and Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez was arrested on May 7, 1994.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez has been imprisoned in Castro's gulag since May 7, 1994. According to reports, Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez is in poor and deteriorating health after 9 years and 5 months in Castro's gulag. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chaviano Gonzalez has dedicated his life to the idea that the Cuban people should be free, and for that belief alone he has been imprisoned by Castro's tyranny since 1994.

On October 2, 2002 Ernesto Roque published portions of a letter by Mr. Chaviano on the website CubaNet. The haunting words of this letter included the plea ``Humanity, don't forget us, they are killing us!'' Mr. Speaker, this Congress should never forget what happens each day in Castro's gulag; each day, Castro's machinery of repression is deliberately murdering Cuban citizens whose only crime is their desire for freedom.

My Colleagues, we must stand up for those who seek freedom from tyranny. We must call now, and we must call everyday, for the release of Francisco Chaviano Gonzalez and all the prisoners of conscience dying for freedom in Castro's gulag.