Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. I came to Congress, like many others, to continue work on conservation efforts with similar-minded legislators from across the country.

But today, we have heard concerns that increased regulation would negatively affect industry and private landowners. This is simply not true.

On November 5, 2009, the Congressional Budget Office reported, ``The affected segments, which total about 21 miles, are already protected for wilderness values, and the proposed designation would not significantly affect the way they are administered.''

We protect these beautiful, powerful, and spiritual landmarks for our children so they may know the great lands of our lifetime. Indeed, our legacy is what we leave behind for our children's children. If we dare disrupt these natural treasures, we will forget why we have protected them in the first place.

I want to thank the sponsor for his efforts to move this legislation forward.

Mr. Speaker, today the International Atomic Energy Agency released disturbing new information about Iran. The U.N. watchdog said Iran could be constructing several more covert nuclear installations. The report also said that Iran lied about the facility we do know about, saying construction began in 2007 when satellite photos prove it was started in 2002.

Most disturbing of all, the report indicates that Tehran has now produced 1\3/4\ tons of low-enriched uranium. That is enough for two bombs if enriched further. Four weeks ago, Iran was offered a deal to ship its uranium overseas for processing, but instead of accepting, it gave us more delays. Today's report makes it clear that we can't afford to offer any more deals or accept any more delays.

This House took full action when it passed the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act and must now pass the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. The time for action is now.

Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Brenda D. Williams for her many years of service and dedication to the U.S. Postal Service. On October 31, 2009, after 36 years, Brenda retired from her position as Customer Relations/Congressional Liaison for the Chicago District.

Ms. Williams began her career working in the old Chicago Main Post Office Building as a Tour 1 Scheme Qualified/Distribution Clerk. Her hard work and dedication earned her a position in the Regional Office and secretary to the Manager.

After five short years, Ms. Williams was transferred to the Computer Forwarding Site to help train all new clerks. Due to her experience and knowledge of the postal system, Brenda soon became a valuable asset to all CFS Managers. Her institutional knowledge helped ease the transitions of six managers, ensuring that operations never missed a beat.

In 1995, Brenda moved to the Consumer Affairs Department, where she stayed until 2001, when she was transferred to the Congressional Office.

Brenda always went above and beyond to provide assistance to those who were unable to access alternate means of assistance, both in the public sector and as a congressional liaison. She calmly dealt with many difficult circumstances.

Ms. Williams has helped the Postal System in other ways, as well. She has served on numerous committees, including: Multicultural Day, Federal Employee of the Year, Postmaster Installations, Stamp Unveilings, Congressional Briefings, Santa Letters and Employee Recognition Day. In all areas, Brenda's expertise proved invaluable.

Madam Speaker, I join with all of my colleagues in congratulating Brenda D. Williams on her retirement and wish her continued happiness in the future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Korean American Community Services and its 32nd Annual Health Fair. The Korean American Community Services has partnered with many health organizations over the past 32 years in holding its Annual Health Fair. Through the fair, the Korean American Community Services reaffirms its strong commitment to individual and family health and has become a celebration of the collective well-being of the community.

The Korean American Community Services organizes and coordinates Federal, State and community-based health services. These services aim to ensure that immigrant families who are often uninsured are able to gain access to necessary health services. In order to do this the Korean American Community Service offers referral services, case management, interpretation, outreach and public benefit workshops. Annually, more than 8,000 people benefit from these services as they continue to promote and protect health in the community.

It is my honor to recognize the Korean American Community Services and its 32nd Annual Health Fair. The Annual Health Fair is significant as it continues to recognize and uphold the importance of health in the community. I thank the Korean American Community Services for its Annual Health Fair and its continued dedication to strengthening the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Jack Darin, Director of the Illinois Sierra Club and a powerful advocate for the environment, both in Illinois and across the nation. Mr. Darin has admirably served the Illinois Sierra Club for 20 years and throughout his tenure he has worked selflessly to promote causes including safeguarding our community's health, protecting the great outdoors, and finding viable energy solutions for the 21st century.

Madam Speaker, I recognize Jack today not only because he is a personal friend of mine, but because he is an example for all that one person can have a substantial impact on the future on the environment. Jack has successfully advocated for nutrient standards in sewage treatment plants, encouraged Illinois to adopt the toughest mercury limits for coal-burning power plants and led the fight for Illinois to possess robust anti-degradation rules for streams and rivers. His efforts have resulted in greater protection for Americans against health hazards and expanded access to the most basic human needs: clean water and clean air.

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to protect and promote our great outdoors. Jack Darin has taken this mission to heart and is a true champion of conservation. Under his leadership, the Sierra Club prevented the destruction of thousands of acres of the Lake Calumet wetlands and in the process preserved the natural habitat of hundreds of plants and animals. The Illinois Sierra Club has also helped restore another natural treasure for the people of Illinois, the Midewin Tall Grass Prairie. Midewin is a unique resource because it both protects wildlife and provides opportunities for education and recreation, such as twenty-two miles of public trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Despite these successes, Mr. Darin continues to find creative solutions to Illinois's complex environmental issues. Mr. Darin helped establish the Renewable Energy Portfolio for Illinois requiring 25% of state power to come from renewable sources by 2025. As a result, Illinois legislators are an example for the nation because all electricity for the Springfield Capitol Complex is now derived solely from wind power. Jack work has also extended well beyond Illinois as he serves as a consultant on environmental issues for the President Obama's campaign in 2008.

Madam Speaker, the work of Mr. Darin, the Illinois Sierra Club and like minded individuals have placed environmental issues at the crux of our nation's political debate. Their work helps our society expand and grow in a responsible fashion and improve our quality of life. Thank you, Mr. Darin, for your 20 years of service to the Sierra Club, to Illinois and to your country.

Mr. Speaker, the health care bill we are considering today makes a strong statement that everyone in this country deserves access to health care.

For over 8 months, this body has strived to overcome the health care inequalities in our country, but this amendment disrupts that sense of equality. This amendment says that only women who can afford insurance deserve access to reproductive health care. This amendment says that women who need a little help paying for health care have to surrender their right to privacy.

This amendment will serve only to hurt low-income women, and it will restrict their ability to access reproductive health care even with their own money. It is wrong and we should oppose it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 867, which opposes the enforcement and further consideration of the Goldstone Report.

I have been to Gaza. I have seen the desolation and poverty in which the people of Gaza survive. I have also been to Israel. I have seen Sderot, which is where civilians have been hammered relentlessly by rockets from Gaza. I have seen the fortified recreation center there, complete with bomb shelters--the only place children feel safe to play.

This decades-old battle is complex, and it deserves to be examined, but what we cannot do is turn the victims into the perpetrators. We cannot forget history. For 8 years, Hamas has continuously fired thousands of rockets at innocent Israeli civilians. Israel finally struck back, defending itself against an opportunistic enemy.

I am grateful to Chairman Berman for his leadership on this issue.

Note: Self-defense is not a crime against humanity, and we must not let a deeply flawed report destroy progress made in the peace process.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of designating a National Firefighters Memorial Day. The dedicated men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty will never be forgotten and I express my deepest gratitude for the brave work they did protecting their communities.

Firefighters are the ones running into a burning building when everyone else is running out. The sacrifices they and their families make on a daily basis are as incredible as they are honorable. These men and women embody the spirit, commitment and sacrifice that define America.

The images of firefighters on September 11, 2001 left an indelible mark on all Americans. We saw firefighters entering flaming buildings, putting others' lives ahead of their own, and standing tall when they were needed most. Their courage continues to both haunt and inspire us.

But we must remember that everyday firefighters across the country are still performing heroic acts and saving lives. Since 2006, 313 firefighters have died on the job. And every year, another 40,000 are injured. Firefighters are constantly called on to put themselves in harm's way and those that are no longer with us deserve to be recognized and celebrated.

I want to thank Representative Poe for bringing House Resolution 729 to the Floor and urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in designating a National Firefighters Memorial Day to commemorate the lives of our fallen firefighters.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the World War II veterans from my district who are traveling to Washington, DC with Honor Flight Chicago, a program whose goal is to provide as many World War II veterans as possible the opportunity to see the World War II Memorial here in Washington, DC, a memorial that was built to honor their courage and service.

The American veteran is one of our greatest treasures. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsman traveling here today answered our nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the European Campaign to the Pacific Asian Theatre to the African Theater, these brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them more gratitude than can ever be expressed.

I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorial. I am proud to submit the names of these men for all to see, hear, and recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing thanks.

Dominick ``Duke'' Adducci, John J. Aldworth, Alvin Henry Arbeiter, Richard Batzkall, Raymond Bernard Beckman, Ralph Borgatell, William A. Boss, Halfdan Bruness, Albert Bruno, James M. Bulsback, John M. Collier, George W. Cvek, Frank ``Fritz'' DeLuca, Peter Ference, Nathan Firestone, Robert Foley, James C. Forster, Ernest ``Ernie'' Halverson, Harvey H. Hammerlund, Emmitt D. Hays, Richard A. Heffernan, Margaret J. Heinkel, Harold E. Heinkel, LeRoy ``Lee'' Herrick, Robert F. Holbach, George ``Hoppy'' Hopkins, Jr., David L. Jack, Jerome ``Jerry'' Jeslis, Rex L. Jones, William C. Jones, Robert C. Judd, Enoch Kanaya, George ``Fred'' Kays, Robert Knudsen, William B. Koerber, Phillip LaMantia, James L. Lausa, Wilbur Lewis, Pasqual ``Pat'' Lorenzo, Edward Malatesta, Gerald ``Jerry'' Mares, John E. McCambridge, Donnan A. McKie, Norbert M. Melsek, Anthony ``Tony'' Nauer, Kenneth G. Pearson, Melvin S. Peich, Antonio R. Petrella, Adam Petroline, Richard A. Pfundstein, Budd E. Revesz, William V. Ried, Anthony Rizzo, Harry Ross, Andrew ``Bud'' Ryder, Victor Schaedel, Norbert M. Schmuttenmaer, Walter E. Silge, Joseph B. Smart, Victor Sneller, Harvey ``Harv'' Sorensen, Harold Stanton, Allen ``Lefty'' Stauffer, Joseph Frank Stedronsky, Aloysius V. Sulka, Eugene E. Sullivan, Frank S. Summer, Roger D. Thorngren, George S. Trunek, Earl Uberfall, Truex ``Bill'' Upchurch, Gene Urban, Tony Vallos, Michael J. Vivona, Edward J. Walz, Edwin E. Wenta, Merle L. Younce, Chester Zdunek, Seymour Zimmerman, Stanley M. Zmuda, Joseph F. Zver.

Madam Speaker, I rise today because a water crisis threatens to destabilize Iraq and the entire Middle East.

Iraqi leaders warn that disaster areas suffering from the water crisis, like Basra, provide a breeding ground for insurgents.

Refugees fleeing the water crisis have deserted their homes and constitute the biggest movement of Iraqi refugees since the Iran war of the 1980s. The Iraqi military has had to intervene, and it's only a matter of time before the water crisis becomes a security crisis that imperils regional peace.

Just how serious is this water crisis?

The Euphrates River, which once supported empires in the cradle of civilization, is now barely fit for human use. In some areas it's ``A slick black ooze, fit only for scores of bathing water buffalo.'' In other areas, salinity levels have risen so high that towns have been evacuated, their citizens unable to drink the fetid water.

In Basra, for example, low water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates have brought salt water rushing in the from the Persian Gulf. Rising salinity levels threaten the viability of local agriculture so much that Amer Suleiman, Basra's agriculture director, will soon declare Basra a ``disaster area'' and warns that ``if things continue to deteriorate there is no hope for Basra to recover.''

What can be done about Iraq's water crisis? What can be done to replenish the Tigris and Euphrates?

The first solution is to reform Iraq's careless water management system.

Nibras al Mamouri, a professor of water resources at Baghdad's College of Agriculture, says ``poor irrigation techniques and a lack of incentives to stop wasting so much water'' are partly to blame for the current shortage.

The second solution, an international solution, reminds us that a water crisis in Iraq has consequences for the entire Middle East.

The Iraqi government, rightly or wrongly, has blamed the water crisis on its neighbors, principally Turkey and Syria but also Iran.

To resolve the water crisis, Iraq must negotiate a more equitable water sharing agreement--

(1) With Turkey, which controls the headwaters of both rivers--

(2) With Syria, through which the rivers pass--

(3) And with Iran, which controls two other rivers--the Karun and the Karkheh--that feed into the Faw Peninsula and Basra.

Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, responding to the water crisis, met earlier this month in Ankara to discuss a solution. But little has been achieved so far--neither Turkey nor Syria has been particularly sympathetic to Iraq, especially since each faces its own water shortage.

The difficulty of reaching an agreement underscores the unique diplomatic challenge posed by water politics. River water cannot belong to only one country because it flows between many countries. This is complicated by the fact that water flows in only one direction, and that upstream countries affect water levels downstream, but not vice versa.

Turkey, for example, which controls the headwaters of both the Tigris and the Euphrates, can control water flows to downstream countries, such as Syria and Iraq. Syria and Iraq begin any water negotiation with Turkey at an a priori disadvantage. But without greater Turkish cooperation, water shortages could spell disaster for Syrian and Iraqi agriculture, and spillover effects could destabilize the region.

The planned Ilisu dam, to be built on the Turkish part of the Tigris, is especially controversial in Iraq, which has already accused Turkey of choking the Euphrates with hydroelectric dams.

Some Iraqi leaders even suggest that water is being used as a weapon against Iraq and threaten war.

Tayseer al Mashadani, an Iraqi member of parliament, warns that ``Iraq's water crisis . . . could lead us into war with one of our neighbors. The new war on Iraq is a war of water.'' But, before we accept the inevitability of war, we should reflect on words from the late Senator Simon: ``Water,'' he said ``can be a catalyst for war and can also create peace between nations.''

In the Middle East we have an extraordinary opportunity to make cooperative water sharing serve the cause of peace.

Our voice carries a lot of weight in the region, and we should use that weight to support a water sharing agreement between Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria.

The consequences of failure are too great.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of October as National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. During the month of October, the Spina Bifida Association seeks to bring awareness to the nation's most common permanently disabling birth defect--affecting 3,000 pregnancies every year. New data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that there are 154,000 Americans with Spina Bifida, double what was previously thought. Increasing awareness of Spina Bifida will also focus attention on the need to expand and intensify evidence-based research to improve the quality of life of those living with Spina Bifida.

Spina Bifida is a disease that occurs within the first month of pregnancy and leaves a permanent opening in the spinal column, which subsequently impacts nearly every organ system. People with this birth defect face many complications--including physical, developmental, educational and vocational challenges, to name just a few. All women of childbearing age are at risk for having a Spina Bifida affected pregnancy.

Too many Americans suffer needlessly from this birth defect when many cases are preventable. An estimated 70 percent of neural tube defects, including Spina Bifida, are preventable through consumption of folic acid prior to pregnancy. National Spina Bifida Awareness Month plays a critical role in conveying this prevention message to the public. As a 2005 study uncovered, the current system of care for people with Spina Bifida does not fully meet current or anticipated needs, and physicians have little evidence-based research on which to build appropriate treatments. A greater commitment to prevention and improving quality of life for those affected by Spina Bifida is absolutely necessary.

Drs. Cheng and Yerkes, who are pediatric urologists at Children's Memorial Hospital in the 5th Congressional District of Illinois, and are on the Professional Advisory Council of the Spina Bifida Association, visited my Washington office on October 20, 2009 to discuss the challenges facing children with Spina Bifida. I thank Drs. Cheng and Yerkes and the Spina Bifida Association for all of their efforts and leadership over the years.

I stand ready to work with my constituents and the Spina Bifida Association to help elevate awareness of this condition and its prevention. I urge my colleagues to learn more about Spina Bifida, to meet with affected constituents, and to support the Spina Bifida Association in its important endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and now, more than ever, it is time to draw attention to household violence that results in more than 2 million injuries and 1,200 deaths among women each year.

Estimates of assaults on women by partners range from approximately 2 million to 4 million annually. Sadly, we have no real idea of how many incidents of violence actually occur each year because so many go unreported.

Those unreported incidents are the reason Domestic Violence Awareness Month is so vital. Only when we are no longer afraid to speak out about domestic violence will we empower those who currently suffer in silence. In my State of Illinois alone, there were 114,921 reported cases of domestic violence in 2006.

It is for those thousands of women and the countless others who suffer silently that I speak today. It is for those women that I encourage my colleagues to pass House Resolution 817, which supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Northwestern University Wildcats women's lacrosse team as the 2009 NCAA champion. This season marks the team's fifth straight national championship win and solidifies Northwestern University as a national leader both in academic and athletic excellence.

The Northwestern University women's lacrosse team is looked upon as a role model by young athletes in the Chicagoland area, maintaining the highest standard of excellence both in the classroom and on the field. Most noted, is senior Hannah Nielson. Hannah has been honored as the nation's top lacrosse player with the Tewaaraton Trophy due to her exemplary performance as the Wildcat's all-time leader in points and by helping to lead her team to 23-0 victory in 2009.

Furthermore, I would like to extend my congratulations to the 10 Wildcat seniors Hilary Bowen, Mary Kate Casey, Laura Clemente, Casey Donohoe, Meredith Franks, Caitlin Jackson, Ali Jacobs, Morgan Lathrop, Hannah Nielson and Meghan Plunkett who have finished their amazing collegiate careers with an 85-3 record including four American Lacrosse Conference titles and four NCAA national titles.

Madam Speaker, as we begin to consider substantial comprehensive immigration proposals, I strongly urge my colleagues to remember what it means to achieve comprehensive reform.

We cannot forget a very important immigrant group in this country, binational GLBT couples. If we are to consider here on this floor a proposal deemed ``comprehensive,'' we must truly mean everyone. We must mean it when we say that you can be an American no matter the color of your skin, your religion, or who you love.

Congressman Honda has been courageous enough to tackle the issue of amending the Nation's immigration laws to allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for family-based immigration through the United American Families Act.

In this debate, we have talked about keeping families together, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the children who have been taken from a family because they have two moms or two dads and one doesn't live in this country.

We talk about doing what is right, what is fair, and what is just, but we neglect to imagine the pain and suffering these families are going through because we as a government think it's our right to tell the people who they can love.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sandor Kirsche. Mr. Kirsche was born in Czechoslovakia in 1926 and arrived in Chicago after surviving Nazi persecution in concentration camps at both Auschwitz and Bundenwald. Sandor overcame his personal struggles, including the deaths of his brother and father, and dedicated his life to making the lives of Jewish Americans easier. To that end, he opened the first full-service kosher supermarket in the Chicago area and gave back to the community with a life's worth of charity and philanthropy.

In 1971, Sandor opened a kosher butcher shop, which initially lost money. But through his hard work, long hours, and perseverance, he expanded the store to include kosher fish and packaged goods. The existence of a kosher supermarket was invaluable to the Jewish community, who now had a place where people could purchase kosher goods. Today, the store is known as Hungarian Kosher Foods and is still family owned.

Anyone who met Sandor knew he was much more than a businessman, and understandably, everybody knew him. At his stores, he never just sold meats and canned goods. He was always ready with a smile and a story, and a piece of candy for his younger patrons. He kept up on issues in the community, history, politics, and spoke seven different languages. He fought tirelessly to bring his sisters to the United States, and after twenty years of never giving up, he was successful in bringing them here from Soviet Russia in 1972.

I am honored to recognize and remember Sandor Kirsche today. He exemplified family and community values even after overcoming great hardship. His uniquely American story is an example to not only the Chicago and Jewish communities, but to everyone who has ever faced long odds.