Floor Statements

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 46 minutes p.m.), the House adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, May 22, 2003, at 10 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the Congressional Record and that all Members and former Members who spoke during the recess have the privilege of revising and extending their remarks.

Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 229 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. Speaker, for purposes 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 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 229 is an open rule, providing for the consideration of H.R. 1527, the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization 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.

Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without instructions. Obviously, this is a fair rule. It is a totally open rule, one that provides ample opportunity to debate this important reauthorization before us today.

Last year, the House passed essentially the same bill by suspension, but the other body failed to consider the legislation. The House then must again act this year to ensure that the NTSB has the funding necessary to carry out its important tasks.

The NTSB was established in 1967 as an independent agency with the task of investigating transportation accidents, conducting transportation safety studies, issuing recommendations, aiding victims' families after disasters, and promoting general transportation safety.

Since 1967, NTSB has investigated over 114,000 aviation accidents. The NTSB's constant participation in transportation safety, evidenced through 12,000 recommendations to regulators, operators and users of transportation systems, has made them the government leader in crash investigation. I think what is even more impressive is that 82 percent of their recommendations have actually been adopted by these regulatory and transportation bodies.

This bill will increase the effectiveness of the board by authorizing funding through fiscal year 2006 at levels necessary to carry out their investigative mission both here and at aviation disasters abroad.

The bill requires that the Department of Transportation issue an annual report on the progress and adaptation of the board's safety recommendations. It is crucial that the Department of Transportation and that this Congress work to ensure that all recommendations are being met by the public.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the bill requires that the NTSB turn over their involvement in an aviation disaster to the FBI in the case of an intentional criminal act. This action would be taken by the Attorney General in consultation with the chairman of the NTSB. I think it is very important that in the event of any criminal aviation disaster, such as the one experienced during 9/11, 2001, the rescue of survivors obviously remain a first priority, but the apprehension of those involved commence immediately.

H.R. 1527 is a good bill, important to the continued transportation safety of the Nation, in not only responding to accidents but taking steps, through recommendations, to prevent further tragedies.

The underlying legislation was reported favorably out of committee by voice vote. I would like to thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for his extraordinary leadership on this issue, as well as his ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar). Mr. Speaker, this important bill recognizes, by reauthorizing essential funding to the board, the importance of this activity charged with investigating tragedies and promoting transportation safety.

This has been a bipartisan effort throughout the consideration of the bill, from consideration in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to this very obviously fair rule reported out of the Committee on Rules, which continues, I think, this constructive debate by allowing all amendments in order under the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support both this important underlying legislation as well as the rule before us to bring it to the floor.

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

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

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

Under the rules of the House, the majority has the obligation of setting the agenda. I think part and parcel of not only the rules obviously of the House but of democracy is to let the minority speak about whatever the minority wants to speak about. We have seen an example of that today. In case somebody has been paying attention to this discussion, I think it is important to remind us of what the bill before us is, the bill that the Committee on Rules has brought to the floor today, and, that is, the reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board. The National Transportation Safety Board is a very important agency. It carries out really a fundamental mission with regard to airline safety and investigation of accidents, studies and reports with regard to increasing the safety of transportation. That is what is before us. Obviously, we would never attempt to stop the minority from speaking about anything. But what we are here today on is the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act.

The issue chosen today, for example, that we learned today was chosen by the minority to speak on is an important issue. Unemployment benefits have not expired. Many of us on this side of the aisle, in the majority, have not only supported unemployment benefits but continue to do so, and they have not expired.

I will not yield. I did not interrupt the gentleman.

Again, to get us back to what we are bringing to the floor today, and to remind colleagues on what they will in fact be voting on today, it is the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003.

We have brought this forward. We have brought it forward with a rule that permits all amendments that may be proposed by any Member to be brought forward and to be debated. Again, we did not know what, if any, opposition would exist with regard to this bill, and we will soon see, but I think it is important, as I said, Mr. Speaker, to remind Members what we are, in fact, here voting on today and what we are not voting on today, even though there are many issues obviously of importance that could be debated, because freedom is the essence of this House, and obviously any Member can talk about any issue under the sun.

No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this rule brings forth the National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act, an open rule, absolutely fair rule.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following Proclamation by the Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners be included in the Record.

Whereas: As the Apostle of the Cuban Independence Jose

Marti once said: ``Liberty is very expensive and it is

necessary either to resign oneself to live without it or to

decide to pay its price;'' and

Whereas: Realizing that Cubans are persecuted and exiled

in their own land, deprived of their most elemental rights,

fired from their jobs, subjected to a cruel and systematic

hate campaign, and suffering defamation towards them and

their families, the thousands of men and women, that for

years have confronted with civic activism that tyranny,

deserve the admiration and support of all; and

Whereas: On Monday, May 13, 2002, coinciding with the 71st

Anniversary of Pedro Luis Boitel's birthday, a Cuban murdered

by the Castro regimen, a group of Cuban exile institutions

have agreed to declare May 13th, ``International Support for

the Cuban Opposition Day,'' and

Whereas: The efforts of these Cuban organizations are not

only against the Fidel Castro dictatorship, but against all

forms of oppression anywhere on earth, because the defense of

human rights does not know boundaries of any particular

nation, thus the representatives of these organizations

invite Cubans, inside and outside the island, as well as

those sympathetic to this worth cause, to join this noble

effort; and

Whereas: It is fitting and proper that official

acknowledgement be given to the organizers, and participants

of these plethora of organizations, and wish them complete

success in their quest for a Cuba with liberty and justice

for all;

Now Therefore: Be It Resolved, That I, Alex Penelas, Mayor

of Miami-Dade County, Florida, On Behalf Of The Board of

County Commissioners And This Community, do hereby proclaim

Monday, May 13, 2002, as International Support for the Cuban

Opposition Day.

In Observance Thereof: I call upon the good people of

Miami-Dade County to join me in recognizing the importance of

this endeavor aimed to obtain the most laudable aspirations

of the human race--to live in freedom.

Mr. Speaker, by the direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 210 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Modification to Amendment No. 8 Offered By Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of

Florida

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that during consideration of H.R. 1298, pursuant to House Resolution 206, it shall be in order to consider the amendment that I have placed at the desk as amendment No. 8 in House Report 108-80.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 210 is a structured rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 1298, the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria 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 International Relations.

Additionally, this rule makes 11 out of 13 amendments submitted to the Committee on Rules in order. Nearly half, 5 of the 11 of the amendments made in order were sponsored by members of the minority party. This is a fair rule that will allow all Members ample opportunity to debate the important issues associated with this bill.

The underlying legislation is as crucial as I think it is timely. The AIDS pandemic has affected the world like no other in recent history. The epidemic has claimed, just in the year 2002 alone, more than 3 million lives. I think we need to pause for a second and think about what that means, 3 million lives in one year. Also, an estimated 5 million people acquired the virus, the human immuno-deficiency virus, HIV, in 2002, according to the best estimate, bringing the number of people globally living with the virus to over 40 million.

This is, by all means, by every conceivable estimation, a catastrophe. However, this is not just a moral question, this critical situation has begun to threaten the security of the world, especially the developing world. The fragile governments often do not have the resources or the capability to handle threats as dangerous and as growing as this one. If states in the developing world begin to implode, collapse, the effects on the United States' national security and on the security of the international community could be absolutely disastrous.

A state absent of all order makes for a perfect climate for terrorists and drug traffickers to grow their enterprises to develop their enterprises. For example, Mr. Speaker, in key states in Africa, including Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, it has been reported that over a third of their armed forces may be infected with this deadly virus. This is an inconceivable catastrophe.

The pandemic of AIDS also threatens on the prospects for democracy and economic prosperity, especially in Africa. According to the U.S. National Intelligence Council, ``AIDS and the health problems associated with AIDS will hurt prospects for transition to democratic regimes as these problems undermine civil society, hamper the evolution of sound political and economic institutions, and intensify the struggle for power and resources.''

The National Intelligence Council also estimates that the disease could reduce gross domestic product in some sub-Saharan African countries by 20 percent or more by the year 2010. We should consider the following fact from the most recent U.N. aids epidemic update, ``In 4 southern African countries national adult HIV prevalence has risen higher than thought possible, exceeding 30 percent.''

If the necessary investments, Mr. Speaker, to combat this pandemic is not made today, there will undoubtedly

be significantly higher costs for all, including for the United States in the future. It is time for the Congress to act.

At the podium before you, Mr. Speaker, the President, President George W. Bush, laid before Congress a bold vision in his State of the Union address. This legislation will make President Bush's vision a reality.

The underlying legislation authorizes $3 billion for the executive branch, for the President under his leadership to combat HIV/AIDS worldwide in each of the next 5 years for a total of $15 billion. Additionally, this legislation will create the position of coordinator for HIV/AIDS assistance at the State Department to administer the Global AIDS Initiative Fund. Response to the AIDS crisis cannot come too soon when one considers the far reaching effects of this horrible disease.

A fact that gives us all pause is that, for example, in Malawi alone, some 470,000 children under the age of 15 have been orphaned by AIDS. The underlying bill supports United States participation in the global fund and specifically authorizes up to $1 billion in fiscal year 2004 and such sums as may be necessary through 2008.

The underlying legislation was reported favorably out of committee by a bipartisan vote of 37 to 8. I would like to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) for his extraordinary leadership on this issue, as well as the distinguished ranking member, another extraordinary leader, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).

Mr. Speaker, this bill provides crucial relief for those directly as well as indirectly affected by this crippling disease. This has been a bipartisan effort throughout the consideration of the bill, from consideration in the Committee on International Relations to this very balanced rule that has been reported out of the Committee on Rules, which continues this constructive debate by allowing nearly every Democrat amendment in order. I repeat that this process has been bipartisan, Mr. Speaker.

Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation. I think there are few things that we could do in this Congress of more importance that will help more of our fellow human beings.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers at the present time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, precisely because issues like these are so important and need to be discussed is why we have made them in order in the Committee on Rules for discussion.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul).

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings). I reiterate and strongly believe there are few things that we could do more important than what we are going to do today. I am very proud to have been able to bring forward this rule to provide for consideration of this extraordinarily important legislation.

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 thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to also thank the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Ballenger), as well as the ranking members, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), for expediting this important resolution. It is important it be considered today because the dictatorship is in the midst of a brutal crackdown on the peaceful pro-democracy movement in Cuba.

Since the world's attention has been focused on Iraq for some weeks, the Cuban tyrant decided to crack down on the peaceful pro-democracy movement, including independent librarians, independent journalists, independent physicians, and many others; rounded them up and has thrown them in dungeons.

Some of the so-called summary trials have already taken place. Perhaps the best known independent journalist in Cuba, Raul Rivero, was already sentenced in one of those sham Roman circus trials, sentenced for having a typewriter, for having some articles published. For having articles published in Spain and in the United States and for other such ``crimes,'' Raul Rivero has been sentenced to 20 years.

Marta Beatriz Roque, mentioned by the distinguished gentleman from California, perhaps one of the best known of the political prisoners rounded up in this totalitarian crackdown, was sentenced to 20 years. Her indictment makes interesting reading, if it can be called an indictment.

The dictatorship charged her with having created a Web page, with having a computer in her home, with utilizing a server in the United States for her Web page, for having spoken on Radio Marti, for having published articles in an independent publication known as ``Encuentro,'' for having in her possession in her home a fax machine of the mark Panasonic, and for having a copy machine, a Canon copy machine.

That is in the so-called indictment in the year 2003, in this hemisphere, by the Cuban tyrant, the indictment prepared by the Cuban tyrant of Marta Beatriz Roque, who has been sentenced to 20 years.

I think that much of the responsibility for what is going on in Cuba today, unfortunately, lies with the fact that the international media does not report sufficiently with regard to what happens in Cuba.

A distinguished new colleague of ours recently actually told me she had witnessed a Special Order that we did precisely on this crackdown, a number of us last week, the distinguished new gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). She asked me, ``Where can we read about what is going on? Why don't we read in our major newspapers about the details of this totalitarian brutal crackdown in a country 90 miles away?'' I think she has a very legitimate point. I think the media has a responsibility to report about such things in a neighboring country 90 miles away.

So today is the day, Mr. Speaker, when we need to as a Congress of the United States set our differences aside and concentrate on the brutal totalitarian crackdown that is taking place in Cuba and speak with one voice that this Congress, as it has so many times in the past, stands for human rights and demands human rights, starting

with the cessation of the brutal crackdown being perpetrated on the Cuban people. And as the resolution continues to state, we call for the respect of all elemental human rights, including the right of self- determination, which can be manifested only through free and fair multiparty elections.

Mr. Chairman, there is perhaps no free people and democratic government in the world that faces a more serious threat from terrorism, and specifically narcoterrorism, than the government of Colombia.

The narcoterrorists in Colombia, because of the fact that they are engaged in the drug traffic, have hundreds of millions, indeed, billions of dollars at their disposal to purchase the most deadly weapons available from rogue states and terrorist groups from throughout the world to cause the most serious damage conceivable.

Those billions of dollars available to the narcoterrorists in Colombia have made it possible for them to engage in a sustained campaign of extraordinary violence, of kidnapping, of the most horrible conceivable crimes again the Colombian people. Day in and day out the Colombian people and their democratically elected government are fighting the narcoterrorists in an extraordinary way, a valiant way, an admirable way.

What we are doing in this Congress, with the support of the President of the United States, and, indeed, his orientation and his leadership, is we are saying to the Colombian people and their democratically elected government that we support them in their effort against narcoterrorists who have billions of dollars for death and destruction at their service, at their disposal.

These tens of millions of dollars that we are discussing today may be able to be categorized, as they were by the sponsor of this amendment, as a modest proposal. But the challenge before the Colombian people is not a modest challenge, the challenge posed by the tens of thousands of murderers who engage in thousands of kidnappings each year, including, and I have the latest travel warning from the United States State Department, 26 Americans who are reported as kidnapped in recent months in Colombia.

Those terrorists have, as I said before, billions of dollars at their disposal. Yes, we are, in the words of the sponsor of this amendment, dealing with a modest, a modest amount, tens of millions of dollars in aid, for a democratically elected government that is fighting against the most violent terrorists perhaps on the face of the Earth today, terrorists that attack not only military personnel but civilians, and engage in systematic violence against a people who live in a democracy.

So I urge my colleagues to reject, to vote down this ill-timed and ill-conceived amendment and to support our leadership, to support the President, to support the efforts against narcoterrorism that are embodied in our support for the democratically elected government of Colombia.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciated the remarks of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and then my distinguished friend from Florida, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley),

with regard to the crackdown that the Cuban dictatorship is engaged in at this moment against the pro-democracy movement in Cuba.

An entire new generation of leaders has developed and sprung up in Cuba; and even though they make a very purposeful point of maintaining their struggle always to a totally peaceful means, the dictator in Cuba is nervous, precisely because an entire generation of leadership that signifies and represents the future of Cuba has arisen. So this crackdown has occurred while the attention of the world, and it is occurring while the attention of the world is obviously upon Iraq because of the liberation of Iraq taking place by coalition forces led by the United States.

So taking advantage of the fact that the world is looking at Iraq, the Cuban dictator has once again filled his prisons with men and women who are peaceful pro-democracy activists or independent librarians, independent journalists, including Raul Rivero who is usually referred to as the dean of independent journalists in Cuba. Very well-known peaceful pro-democracy activists have been part of this roundup. Their homes have been burst into by the thugs of the dictatorship called the Rapid Action Brigades. They have burst into the homes, ransacked the homes, stolen property and terrorized the families of the pro-democracy victims, as well as the pro-democracy activists; and that has been going on systematically in the last 2 weeks in Cuba.

As I stated before, very well-known activists such as Hector Palacios and Martha Beatriz Roque are among the many, the 80 that we know of. Certainly there are many more that we do not know of, but 80 we know of.

Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record the list of the 80 imprisoned journalists and activists that we know of.

Independent Journalists

Victor Rolando Arroyo, Pedro Arguelles Moran, Majail

Barzaga Lugo, Carmelo Diaz Fernandez, Oscar Espinosa Chepe,

Adolfo Fernandez Sainz, Miguel Galvan Gutierrez, Julio Cesar

Galvez, Edel Jose Garcia, Roberto Garcia Cabreras (prision

domiciliaria), Jorge Luis Garcia Peneque, Ricardo Gonzalez

Alfonso, and Luis Gonzalez Penton.

Alejandro Gonzalez Raga, Normando Hernandez, Juan Carlos

Herrera Acosta, Jose Ubaldo Izquierdo, Hector Maseda, Mario

Enrique Mayo, Jorge Olivera, Pablo Pacheco Avila, Fabio

Prieto Llorente, Jose Gabriel Ramon Castillo, Raul Rivero

Castaneda, Omar Rodriguez Saludes, Omar Ruiz Hernandez, and

Manuel Vazquez Portal.

Pro-democracy Activists

Osvaldo Alfonso, Nelson Aguilar, Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos,

Rafael Ernesto Avila Perez, Margarito Broche Espinosa,

Marcelo Cano, Eduardo Diaz Fleites, Antonio Diaz Sanchez,

Alfredo Dominguez Batista, Efren Fernandez, Jose Daniel

Ferrer Castillo, Luis Enrique Ferrer Garcia, Oscar Elias

Biscet, Orlando Fundora, Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, Prospero

Gainza, Javier Garcia Perez, Diosdado Gonzalez Marreero,

Lester Gonzalez Penton, Jorge Luis Gonzalez Tanquero, Ivan

Hernandez Carrillo, Regis Iglesias, Rolando Jimenez Posada,

Reynaldo Labrada Pena, Librado Linares, Jose Miguel Martinez

Hernandez, and Rafael Millet.

Luis Milan Fernandez, Roberto de Miranda, Nelson Moline,

Angel Moya Acosta, Felix Navarro, Hector Palacios Ruiz,

Arturo Perez de Alejo, Omar Pernet Hernandez, Horacio Julio

Pina Borrego, Alfredo Pulido, Arnaldo Ramos Laubiriquet,

Alexis Rodriguez Fernandez, Blas G. Rodriguez Reyes, Martha

Beatriz Roque Cabello, Claro Sanchez Altarriba, Ariel Sigler

Amaya, Guido Sigler Amaya, Miguel Sigler Amaya, Ricardo Silva

Gual, Fidel Suarez Cruz, Manuel Ubals Gonzalez, Julio Antonio

Valdes Guerra, Miguel Valdes Tamayo, Hector Raul Valle

Hernandez, Antonio A. Villarreal Acosta, and Orlando Zapata

Tamayo.

Mr. Speaker, without any doubt, Martha Beatriz Roque, of the pro- democracy activists who have been rounded up in this Stalinist crackdown in the last 2 weeks, she is the best known, an economist by trade and a very erudite intellectual. Martha Beatriz was rounded up and thrown in the dungeon along with these 80 other pro-democracy activists, and today her summary trial began. Apparently it is set to end tomorrow.

The Castro regime's prosecutors are requesting life imprisonment for this woman, this economist who simply writes and speaks on behalf of freedom and democracy and analyzes economic conditions, and engages in that kind of work. The indictment does not contradict the fact that her work is peaceful, the so-called indictment because it is really a farce. It would be laughable if we were not dealing with the tragic situation of a people who have had to be subjected to 44 years of totalitarianism led by a Stalinist dictator.

The indictment charges Marta Beatriz Roque with possessing a computer, possessing a Web page on her computer, utilizing a server for her Web page in the United States of America. By way of the Web page, the indictment continues, Marta Beatriz Roque established links with entities in the United States. The accused, Marta Beatriz Roque, numerous times spoke on Radio Marti. The accused, Marta Beatriz Roque, published an article in a dissident magazine known as ``Enquentro.'' The accused, Marta Beatriz Roque, was visited in her residence by the head of the United States Diplomatic Mission. The accused, Marta Beatriz Roque, possessed in her residence, the indictment continues, a Cannon copier and a Panasonic fax machine. The accused, Marta Beatriz Roque, had communications with the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros- Lehtinen) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The accused must be sentenced pursuant to this indictment, pursuant to the request of the prosecution in the totalitarian state to life imprisonment for what she is being accused of.

That is what the Cuban people are subjected to, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, we see that the international community is beginning despite the fact that, naturally so, the attention has been on the liberation of Iraq, despite the fact that the dictator chose this moment to act, to attempt to wipe out an entire generation of leaders that will be the leaders of democratic Cuba. The international community is beginning to react. The European Union that had recently declared that it would accept the Cuban dictatorship in its international aid agreement, its foreign aid agreement, has now said that it will not continue to do so. The Cuban ambassador in London, I read today, was called in for an explanation by the Foreign Ministry in London. Publications, editorial boards, and I think it is just, it is only just and fair and appropriate to admit that publications, editorial boards with which I, for example, have had profound differences on many issues over the past, a number of them have come around and have seen that this totalitarian crackdown cannot be treated as business as usual; and thus business as usual must not be able to take place now with that dictatorship.

For example, the Los Angeles Times last week talking about the crackdown even before these sentences were requested, these barbaric Stalinist sentences. The Los Angeles Times ended its editorial last week saying before Congress even thinks about loosening restrictions, it should demand that Castro free those rounded up this month and demonstrate that his nation is moving toward democracy and away from totalitarianism, the Los Angeles Times, a newspaper that admittedly has had a different position in the past. And I must admit this demonstrates intellectual honesty and good faith by the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times.

The Washington Post today talks about the fear that obviously the dictator is demonstrating because, yes, he chose this moment; and then The Washington Post says there are signs of deeper reasons besides just the diversion of attention that Iraq signifies.

Over the past 2 weeks, The Washington Post of today says, there have been two skyjackings and a ferry hijacking in Havana. In all cases, the apparently well-armed hijackers wanted to be taken immediately to Miami or Key West, also the recent destination of a Cuban Government patrol boat.

The normally placid Cuban Church has recently blasted the regime, and the economy is in crisis. Perhaps Fidel Castro is more worried about the growth of opposition to his regime than he wants to let on, and perhaps this is not the moment for the U.S. Government to drop the ball, ease the pressure, or allow Cuba to pretend that the country's multiple problems are anything but self-inflicted. The Washington Post. I think that it is important and relevant to point this out and appreciate it.

I appreciate my colleagues being here. We have 15 minutes remaining, and I know we will be back on Tuesday,

but I so much appreciate their being here also this evening, the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman. Her words were eloquent, as always, and so appropriate. I would like to yield at this time to our other distinguished colleague from South Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).

Mr. Speaker, I thank both of my colleagues.

One week ago, the President of the United States, despite the fact that he is leading as Commander in Chief Operation Iraqi Freedom, with all the complexities that that has entailed and the attention that that has required, the President of the United States a week ago sent a letter to one of the most prestigious political prisoners in Cuba, a prisoner of conscience, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, and the President wrote in this letter to Dr. Biscet at Combinado del Este Prison where he is currently imprisoned:

``Dear Dr. Biscet: Congratulations on your recognition by the International Republican Institute with its first Democracy's People Award.

``Your work and your example are the embodiment of democratic values, including self-determination, free expression, and liberty. I applaud your courageous and dignified struggle for

human rights and to bring freedom to all Cubans.

``Laura and I continue to pray for your health and that of the many political prisoners held unjustly in your country.

``Sincerely, George W. Bush.''

The President sent this letter. Obviously, Castro cannot stand the fact that a Cuban would receive such an honor as a letter of this type from the President of the United States.

Well, Dr. Biscet's trial, after having languished for month after month after month, without being even charged, his summary trial has been announced for commencement and perhaps for finishing, for termination on Monday. And there are reports that Castro's prosecutor will either ask for the death penalty for Dr. Biscet or, in an act of great totalitarian mercy, request life imprisonment.

This cannot continue. This cannot continue and the Cuban people cannot continue, as the gentleman stated, in this nightmare.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for being here this evening. We will come back next week. I know that the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) has been working hard, and we have been working along with her, on precisely a resolution to condemn this Stalinist crackdown on the peaceful pro- democracy movement in Cuba 90 miles from our shores in the strongest possible terms by this House of Representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I will include for the Record the letter sent by President Bush to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet that I previously referred to.

Mr. Speaker, we shall return.

President, George W. Bush,

March 26, 2003.

Dr. Oscasr Elias Biscet,

Combinado del Este Prison,

La Habana, Cuba.

Dear Dr. Biscet: Congratulations on your recognition by the

International Republican Institute with its first Democracy's

People Award.

Your work and your example are the embodiment of democratic

values, including self-determination, free expression, and

liberty. I applaud your courageous and dignified struggle for

human rights and to bring freedom to all Cubans.

Laura and I continue to pray for your health, and that of

the many political prisoners held unjustly in your country.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush.

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

The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 11 o'clock and 58 minutes p.m.), under its previous order, the House adjourned until Monday, April 7, 2003, at 12:30 p.m. for morning hour debates.

Mr. Speaker, as we begin this arduous process of disarming Saddam Hussein of his weapons of mass destruction, I wish to thank our brave men and women in uniform for their service. Let us pray for their safe return to their homes and families.

During my career in the House, I've continually been struck by the dedication of those who wear this Nation's uniform. Prepared to offer the ultimate sacrifice, they serve for love of their country, for the safety of each one of us, and for the cause of freedom throughout the world.

The expertise and professionalism of our service men and women is without parallel. They understand the significance of their mission, and the dangers, but they will complete this task that has been laid before them.

Their mission is to disarm one of the greatest threats to the free and peaceful people of the world. The Iraqi people will no longer suffer from the horror of Saddam's regime. We must ensure our armed forces can complete this job knowing their country is fully behind their efforts.

God bless our brave men and women.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank first the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) for leading the effort, as he has in so many times before, to ensure that the minority party is well represented in this rules process.

Of the four amendments made in order under this rule, three of them are Democrat amendments. In fact, each of the Democrat amendments is an amendment in the nature of a substitute, giving the minority the opportunity to make wholesale changes to the budget.

I would also like to thank the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) and the entire Committee on the Budget for their tireless efforts to make tough decisions and put our budget back on the road to surplus. Under their leadership, the United States will again see surpluses in the Federal budget.

As we begin the disarmament and liberation of Iraq, this budget provides a substantial funding increase for the Armed Forces, funding which will continue to ensure that our brave men and women in uniform remain the best trained and best equipped in the world.

The President and the Committee on the Budget have also correctly identified the need to increase funding for homeland security, including funding for the Nation's first responders. The budget will work to ensure the safety of Americans at home and abroad.

If the budget is accepted today by the House, and I hope it will, we will also send a message to the American people that we are tired of government waste and abuse by requiring Federal dollars be used in the most efficient way to bring safety to the Nation and to perform the government's responsibilities.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good budget, and it is a fair rule, a very fair rule in fact. I ask my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in the final analysis, America's national security depends heavily on America's economic security--and, especially critical to our economic growth and prosperity in the future is our telecommunications industry.

Telecommunications is very important to my own state of Florida. More than 80,000 Floridians work in telecommunications. Thousands more depend on the industry to maintain their pensions, their retirement savings--to generate the additional income they need to continue as active, contributing members of society.

What hurts the American telecommunications sector, in other words, often generates problems which can only ripple throughout our economy, affecting our national goals and values.

And, that's why I was so disappointed by the decision announced by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) members on February 20--that they had no intention to remove existing restrictions placed on local phone companies nearly seven years ago, restrictions which the chairman of the Energy & Commerce Committee, Mr. Tauzin, and the Ranking Democrat, Mr. Dingell, both agree are discouraging new communications investment and new jobs creation.

The best prescription for economic growth and for producing good jobs with a future--for every American who wants to work--is a strong and growing economy. One does not foster investment and jobs creating by perpetuating unneeded regulations and deliberately discouraging new investment, especially new investment.

Congress needs to send the FCC majority a message that when it comes to jobs creation, when it comes to spurring new investment, when it comes to stimulating the broader availability of advanced communications, Congress expects the FCC to vote ``yes.''

This country can't afford--and, the American people don't deserve-- the kind of anti-investment, anti-jobs policies that the FCC has displayed through their ruling against local phone company deregulation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 109 urging passage of a UN Resolution addressing human rights in North Korea, and to commend my colleague, the Honorable Chris Smith, a true leader on the issue, for introducing this resolution.

The human rights abuses in North Korea are a human tragedy of the worst proportions. Kim Jong Il's prison camp system is a chilling reminder of the methods used by totalitarian dictators to suppress their people. Behind the veil of North Korea's closed society, countless citizens starve to death while the regime continues to spend its limited resources on building nuclear weapons. Public executions are common, newborn babies of prisoners are routinely killed by being smothered or by having their necks broken, and prisoners are used as guinea pigs for chemical weapon experiments.

A truly disturbing tactic of the North Korean regime seeks submission from dissidents by exacting retribution on family members. Persons who resist the regime are punished, but their parents, siblings, and other relatives may also be punished. Many fear for their families particularly if they flee as refugees. According to Human Rights Watch, one man who had suffered years in a political prison camp because of his father's supposed disloyalty and eventual defection feared trying to flee himself. He stated, ``I thought it would be all right to lose my own life, but I hated to think that my act might harm my mother and brother.''

According to the State Department there continue to be reports of extrajudicial killings and disappearances. The penal code is draconian, and stipulates capital punishment and confiscation of assets for a wide variety of ``crimes against the revolution,'' including defection, attempted defection, slander of the policies of the party or State, listening to foreign broadcasts, writing ``reactionary'' letters, and possessing reactionary printed matter.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution which would urge the State Department to draft, introduce, and work toward the passage of a resolution addressing human rights abuses in North Korea at the 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The United Nations must highlight the atrocities of the North Korean regime.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 342, the Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act introduced by Congressman Christopher John. As an issue that deeply effects my constituents in South Florida, I fully support this worthy legislation.

H.R. 342 establishes an important County eligible grant through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in order to assist elimination of harmful mosquito populations. The grant would allow for $2 of federal grant money for each $1 contributed by the participating county.

Miami-Dade County is currently experiencing severe problems with growing mosquito populations due to the warm environment and many instances of standing water. In the Fiscal Year 2003 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, I led the charge to acquire $1,000,000 for the County to purchase a helicopter for mosquito control spraying. I believe that the funding, which would be provided under H.R. 342, will compliment the efforts of counties around the country to stop the spread of such deadly diseases as the West Nile virus.

Mr. Speaker, we can and must do more to protect our constituents from this environmental threat. H.R. 342 addresses this problem and establishes effective programs to help local governments best respond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Pedro Capo for becoming the first Hispanic to serve as president of the National Home Furnishings Association. Mr. Capo's journey is inspiring and it speaks volumes of determination, passion, and family values.

Approximately 36 years ago, Pedro Capo's father, Manuel, and two brothers fled communist Cuba in a 24-foot wooden boat motored only by a converted water pump. Their boat was named ``El Dorado,'' the Spanish word for dolphin. This name was to foreshadow the success to come, both in reaching their destination and continuing a successful family tradition. Upon arriving in the United States Mr. Capo's father and three brothers used the experience gleaned in the family's successful furniture shop in Cuba and shortly after they founded El Dorado Furniture.

The Capo family reflects traditional Cuban values, hard-work, self- reliance, self-confidence and determination.

El Dorado Furniture is a success by any standard. From its humble sales of $18,251 its first year, it boasts sales of $125 to $130 million in 2002. Not many businesses can claim at least a 22 percent increase every year. Apart from El Dorado's business success, it has served as a source of family unity. All the family members continue to work in the business, including seven of the 19 grandchildren.

Passion for the furniture business has been in the Capo family's blood and can be traced back to Cuba. Pedro Capo's father describes him as a child ``having an active imagination'' and as a child who ``loved to share his ideas with the whole family''. In the last 10 years, Pedro Capo has been sharing his ideas as a member of National Home Furnishings Association, and in his new position as president, he will continue to share his ideas with National Home Furnishings Association members about getting the most out of their retailing businesses.

I urge all our colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the entire Capo family, and especially to Mr. Pedro Capo, a man that embodies the American dream. He serves as a shining example and reminder that anything is possible in the United States and that dreams can and do come true. A man who stands out as a light for all; whether newly arrived immigrant or multi-generational United States citizen.