Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 810, and

I rise in strong support of this critical legislation.

My colleagues, what an extraordinary moment we have before us. Embryonic stem cells have the potential not just to treat some of the most devastating diseases and conditions, but to actually cure them. At issue here is the fundamental value of saving lives, a value that we all share regardless of race, culture or religion.

But this promise exists only if researchers have access to the science that holds the most potential, and are free to explore, with appropriate ethical guidelines, medical advances never before imagined possible.

I also sit on the committee that funds the National Institutes of Health with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon). I am not a scientist, I am not a doctor. But as I sit on that committee and we hear the testimony, one after another, of people who are suffering, who have lost their loved ones, who are on the verge of losing another loved one, look at the 200 major groups who are supporting this legislation. And let us listen to them.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 810, and I rise in strong support of this critical legislation.

My colleagues, what an extraordinary moment we have before us. Embryonic stem cells have the potential not just to treat some of the most devastating diseases and conditions, but to actually cure them. At issue here is the fundamental value of saving lives--a value that we all share regardless of race, culture, or religion.

But this promise exists only if researchers have access to the science that holds the most potential, and are free to explore--with appropriate ethical guidelines--medical advances never before imagined possible.

There is no question that scientific advancement often comes with moral uncertainties. We should and have ensured that difficult ethical and social questions are examined and debated before passing this legislation. In my judgment we now have a moral obligation to pursue each opportunity and provide crucial funding, support and oversight for this critical research.

Like many of you, I believe that strong guidelines must be in place with vigorous oversight from the NIH and Congress before allowing federally-funded embryonic stem cell research.

With appropriate guidelines we can ensure that the research with the most promise for medical achievement can be fully realized. While adult stem cells have yielded important discoveries, the evidence from scientists themselves suggests they don't have the same potential as embryonic stem cells.

The legislation before us today would strengthen the standards guiding embryonic stem cell research and would ensure that embryos originally created for the purpose of in vitro fertilization could be made available for research only with the consent of the donor. Let me be clear. This legislation retains the current restrictions on creating human embryos for the purpose of research.

So today I ask my colleagues to be as determined to find a cure as science allows us to be. With the appropriate guidelines in place, we are closer than ever to remarkable discoveries and on the brink of providing hope to millions of individuals who otherwise have none.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 810.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this amendment and strongly urge its adoption.

Our contributions to the arts and humanities are the standard by which our history as a society will be measured. A strong public commitment to the arts and humanities, along with a dedication to freedom, is the hallmark of great civilizations. History has shown that religious and political freedoms go hand in hand with greater artistic and literary activity, and that the societies that flourish and have a lasting influence on humanity are those that encourage free expression in all of its forms. This is a lesson that resonates with people of every age, background, and belief, and one we can guarantee our children learn.

By sharing ideas and images from a diverse range of backgrounds and through many different media, the arts and humanities help to create a more informed citizenry. We are better prepared to meet the responsibilities of democracy; to ask ourselves the hard questions; to demand of our leaders the full answers; and to judge fairly the actual and potential endeavors of our country.

Our support for the arts and humanities also has a profound impact on our economy. In my Congressional District, there are over 2000 arts- related businesses, providing more than ten thousand jobs. This creates a substantial economic impact. In Fiscal Year 2000, for example, the arts industry contributed more than $92 million in revenue to Westchester County alone. Nationwide, the figures are even more impressive. The arts are a $134 billion industry sustaining nearly 5 million jobs. While the federal government spends just over $250 million on the NEA and NEH annually--approximately 40 cents per person--it collects over $10 billion in tax revenue related to the arts industry. NEA and NEH dollars are crucial to the arts community, helping them leverage more state, local, and private funds. Clearly, the numbers show that investment in the arts is important not only to our national identity, but also to our national economy.

Mr. Speaker, we must act decisively to commit ourselves to our national heritage and culture, by voting to increase funding for the NEA and NEH. I urge my colleagues to support creativity and reflection, to support our economy, and to support the continued growth and expression of democracy in its fullest form.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill. I want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for their very hard work. This bill includes provisions to improve our homeland security a great deal, but I regret that it is not complete.

Communication barriers faced by emergency personnel in Oklahoma City 10 years ago still plagued our first responders on September 11; 3\1/2\ years later, the very same first responders are waiting for further guidance and funding for communications interoperability. Section 308 reinforces Congress's intent for DHS, the Department of Commerce, and the FCC to work together to issue voluntary standards and a schedule to reach those standards.

I applaud this provision, but we could have done better. I am frustrated that two amendments I submitted to the Committee on Rules were not allowed under the rule. One of the amendments would have authorized grant funding for interoperability. Standards are a first step, but we must follow with resources. The U.S. Conference of Mayors June 2004 interoperability report noted that 75 percent of the cities surveyed have not received Federal funds for interoperable communications. This is unacceptable. First responders need, and quite frankly deserve, a commitment from this Congress that roadblocks to an interoperable communications system, particularly a lack of consistent and sustained Federal funding, will be eliminated.

My second amendment would have required that all airport employees go through some form of physical screening when entering sterile and secure areas. This happens at the busiest airport in the world, Heathrow, and in Canada; but it does not happen in the U.S. 9/11 Commission Chairman Kean told the Committee on Homeland Security that everybody should go through metal detectors without exception. We have spent tens of billions of dollars on passenger screening, but have nevertheless left gaping holes in the security of our airports.

These two fundamentals of homeland security, grant funding for first responder communications system and screening of airport workers, are long overdue. I support the bill, but it could have been improved with these commonsense measures.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman from Mississippi, for his leadership on this committee and our chairman, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox). The day has come. I am delighted to be here with all of the members of the committee, and I know this will receive unanimous approval from this body.

Many of my colleagues have worked hard to ensure that the areas of our country facing the greatest threat receive their fair share of homeland security funds. Quite frankly, it amazes me that we have gone this long allocating such a large portion of homeland security funds based on everything but the threat of a terrorist attack to a particular area or region. The 9/11 Commission's report specifically states that Congress should not use this money as a pork barrel; yet, we seem to have been doing just that. We should not play politics with public safety.

There are six grant programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security. Five of these six programs are distributed based on a formula that does not take risk or threat into account. In fiscal year 2005, New York, which suffered the most catastrophic damage from terrorism on September 11, was not even in the top 10 for per capita funding. I challenge anyone who opposes risk-based funding to sit down with the first responders from New York or Virginia, that is, our police, our firefighters, our EMS workers. These are the people who responded on September 11. They should tell them that funding should be based on anything but risk.

This is not about politics; it is about common sense, good policy. It took only minutes for our police, firefighters, and EMS workers to respond to the calls for help on September 11. Over 3 years later, Congress still has not answered their cry for better funding to protect us. This change in funding priorities is long overdue. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report. And I would like to take a few minutes to express my support with some provisions included in the foreign operations chapter of this supplemental bill.

First and foremost, I am pleased that we have finally appropriated funding to address the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Asia. The images of destruction, parents separated from their children, whole villages flattened and emptied, livelihoods washed away, touched the American people deeply and brought out the most generous and humanitarian impulses in us all.

I am disappointed, however, that it has taken Congress so long to respond officially on behalf of the United States, but I am happy that we finally have a robust package of aid to offer affected nations.

I want to thank Chairman Kolbe, Senators McConnell and Leahy for responding to my request to ensure that the needs of women and children around the world are addressed in this supplemental. Of the $656 million included in the bill for tsunami-related assistance, over 200 million will be dedicated to directly meet the needs of women and children, and much of the remainder of those funds will be of indirect benefit through the restoration of infrastructure needed, such as new schools and roads.

The bill also makes a strong statement about U.S. support for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It provides 200 million to help the Palestinian people improve their economic situation.

I also want to thank Chairman Kolbe and my colleagues in the Senate for agreeing to provide most of the $100 million added by the House for emergency needs in Africa outside of Sudan. Unfortunately, the horrible tragedy in Sudan has meant the diversion of funds needed to address ongoing problems in the democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Uganda. This 100 million, along with additional funds for Public Law 480 food aid, will go a long way toward easing the pain and hunger expressed by many women and children throughout Africa.

While I have deep concerns about other provisions included in other sections of this supplemental, I am pleased with the shape of the foreign operations section. I believe it goes a long way toward fulfilling our many commitments around the world.

Mr. Speaker, in my 16 years in office, I have seldom seen such a blatant disregard for the truth. What occurred in this body last week during the consideration of the bill should be an embarrassment to every Member of this Congress. To purposely mischaracterize amendments offered during committee consideration of a bill is simply outrageous, and quite frankly, it sets a dangerous precedent.

Many of us have different views and even deep disagreements about the important issues we consider in this institution, but we should be using the power of debate to resolve those differences. Instead, the majority is using parliamentary gimmicks and deliberate mischaracterizations to misrepresent the intentions of other Members of this body.

The official record exists to record the views and actions of the participants of the debate, not to editorialize and inflame the debate. To go so far as to change the descriptions of amendments, to use an official document to mislead the American people about alternatives suggested by the minority is a gross abuse of power by the majority, and it is just not honest. If we allowed this or similar action by either party to go unchecked, if we let this happen now, it will almost certainly happen again.

The Congress can do better. The American people certainly deserve better, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month draws to a close, I would like to recognize the organizations and individuals who work so hard to break the cycle of violence within families. I urge my colleagues to continue to make eradicating child abuse a top priority, not just during the month of April, but all year long.

Throughout this month we have had many reminders of the tragic events that occur daily in the lives of children throughout the nation. We've heard speeches with startling statistics, stories about families torn apart by unthinkable violence, and we've worn blue ribbons to remember victims.

Sadly, child abuse continues throughout the year, and we all must recognize that child abuse and neglect is not just a family problem--it is a societal problem that requires the attention and efforts of each of our communities.

Effective child abuse programs succeed because of partnerships between social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcements agencies, government, and the business community.

The Exchange Club of Yonkers and the Westchester Child Abuse Prevention Center in my district are just two examples of groups that are making a difference both locally and nationally to eliminate the abuse of children. Both of these organizations work with families in a variety of ways to help break the cycle of abuse and educate the public about ways to help children who are victims of abuse.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to work with organizations nationally and locally to show children that they are a priority and to take a stand against the tragedy of child abuse and neglect.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Chairman, under this legislation, we get two crimes for the price of one. H.R. 748 would not only make a felon out of anyone, a stepparent, grandparent, aunt, or member of the clergy who accompanies a young woman across State lines for an abortion; it would make a felon out of any doctor who performs an abortion on a minor from another State without having first obtained parental consent, in person, and abided by a 24-hour waiting period. In my judgment, this is a terribly misguided bill that has the potential to isolate young people and put doctors in the unthinkable position of having to decipher State and Federal law before practicing good medicine.

Thankfully, most young women involve their parents in the decision to seek an abortion. But, under this legislation, those who feel they cannot turn to their parents when facing an unintended pregnancy, and my colleague, the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) talked about the terrible cases of incest where a young woman is impregnated by a father or a stepfather, they will be forced to fend for themselves without any help from a responsible adult. Some will seek unsafe abortions close to home. Others will travel to unfamiliar places, obtaining abortions by themselves. We should encourage the involvement of responsible adults in these difficult decisions, not criminalize this compassion.

Mr. Chairman, every single Member of this body knows that we cannot legislate family relationships. Sadly, parental consent laws do not always force young women to talk to their parents. In fact, we know that in some circumstances, these laws, without any exemptions, can literally tear families apart.

This bill is not about involving parents in the lives of their daughters, or about ensuring that doctors practice medicine responsibly or well; in my judgment, it represents a lack of compassion, empathy, and moral judgment. It distracts us from doing things that will actually help young people and their families make abortion less necessary, teaching and encouraging abstinence, fostering safe and healthy relationships in adolescence.

I believe this body can do better, and I encourage my colleagues to oppose this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in Commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This yearly commemoration is a testament to the lives and the legacy of the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives, and it underscores our commitment to keeping the Armenian nation and culture alive.

As we revisit this dark period in Armenian history, we must be mindful of the lessons that can be learned from this tragedy. Blind hatred and senseless prejudice tear at the very fabric of our society even today. The victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, Rwanda, and Sudan, and acts of vicious terrorism remind us of the human cost of hate and implore us to prevent these tragedies from happening again.

I want to join my colleagues in renewing our pledge to the Armenian nation to ensure that Armenians around the world can live free of threats to their existence and prosperity. Azerbaijan continues to blockade Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, denying the Armenian people the food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance they need to lead secure lives. A key component of this pledge is maintaining high levels of assistance to Armenia. As Ranking Member of the House Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I will fight to maintain funding for Armenia, which recently became eligible for special Millennium Challenge Account funds.

We must also be cautious to balance our immediate foreign policy needs with the long-time concerns we have had about both the Azerbaijan and Turkish records. This includes reaffirming that the Section 907 waiver is not automatic and indefinite--it will be carefully evaluated. And it also involves close monitoring of assistance given to Turkey.

Building a strong, prosperous Armenia is the best way to honor the memory of the Genocide victims, and I am proud to be a partner in this effort.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Manuel Lopez III who gave his life in service to our country in Baghdad, Iraq.

Manny, a graduate of North Rockland High School, was a dedicated friend, son, husband, father, and citizen. Throughout his life Manny assumed extraordinary responsibility and always handled it masterfully. With the passing of his father and 4-year-old brother, Manny became the rock on which his mother would lean at an early age. While still a young man, Manny would later assume the role of father and husband, providing a home for wife Kira, and their daughter, Isabella. It was for Kira and Isabella that Manny decided to enlist in the Army, hoping to provide them a better and safer future.

Manny was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Stewart, Georgia. In January of 2005, Manny and his unit were deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On April 1, 2005, Manny was recognized for promotion to Specialist. Less than two weeks later, Manny died when the military vehicle in which he was traveling was struck by a rocket propelled grenade.

Only twenty years old, Manny was a true patriot who never stopped providing for his family or his country, and he paid the ultimate price for loyalty to both. Our nation is blessed to have dedicated, talented men and women like Manny Lopez fighting to protect us and others around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Specialist Manuel Lopez III along with all of our nation's other fallen heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional woman--a devoted wife, mother, physician, and researcher-- Dr. Jeanne Petrek.

Dr. Petrek, born in Youngstown, Ohio, pioneered the field of surgical oncology during a time when very few women practiced such a demanding specialty. She received her medical degree from Chase Western Reserve in Cleveland and served on the faculty of Emory University School of Medicine in Georgia before joining the staff at Memorial Sloan- Kettering Center in 1978.

As director of the surgical program at the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center, Dr. Petrek became a leading expert on lymphedema and pregnancy- related breast cancer. In a field where most physicians focus on survival and the ability to extend life, Dr. Petrek chose to study how to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors, particularly after treatment. She also went on to study the links between surgery and lymphedema, which ultimately led to the development of surgical procedures that spare lymph nodes.

Dr. Petrek treated more than 4,000 women during her career in a specialty in which doctors normally handle about 400 patients. She was a true patient advocate and embodied the very best of what science and the medical profession can achieve.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in honor and recognition of Dr. Jeanne Petrek whose life will be remembered as one in which her determination to make a difference through her work was only matched by her devotion to her family. Her passing is a tremendous loss to her husband, her children, her colleagues, and her community, and she will be remembered in the hearts and minds of the thousands whose lives she touched.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to David Ayala who gave his life in service to our country in Ghanzi, Afghanistan.

David, a graduate of New Rochelle High School, was a dedicated son, friend, husband and citizen. He knew before he graduated high school that he wanted to serve his country in the U.S. Army. As a young boy, David dreamt of one day flying a helicopter for the Army. Just three months after his high school graduation in 1998, David enlisted to pursue his dream, studying to become a helicopter mechanic.

After receiving 18 months of training in Fort Rucker, Alabama, David emerged as a Warrant Officer and began his deployment in Germany. David would later be joined in Germany by his loving wife Athena, who was also serving her country as a nurse in a military hospital. As Chief Warrant Officer, David was assigned to F Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Giebelstady, Germany.

In March of 2005, David and his unit were deployed to the Middle East under control of Army Central Command as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On April 6th of this year, David died when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard crashed.

David was a true patriot who never gave up his love for the sky and who paid the ultimate price for loyalty to his country. All Americans are truly fortunate to have had a person of David's caliber working to defend our Nation and keep it safe, strong, and secure.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chief Warrant Officer David Ayala along with all of our Nation's other fallen heroes.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Private First Class Michael Arciola who gave his life in service to our country in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

Michael, a resident of Elmsford, New York, was the epitome of a dedicated citizen, knowing from the day he entered high school that he wanted to serve his country as a soldier in the U.S. Army. While Michael's initial plans included attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, his priorities shifted after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Michael instead entered the U.S. Army deferred entry program in the summer of 2002, where he received Army training during his senior year of high school, allowing him to immediately enlist upon graduation.

Less than two weeks after graduation, Michael left for Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. After weeks of training, Michael emerged as a full-fledged infantryman and reported to his first unit, A Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, based in South Korea.

In July of 2004, Michael and his unit were deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On February 15th of this year, Michael died of injuries sustained from enemy forces using small arms fire.

Michael was a true patriot who paid the ultimate price for loyalty to his country. All Americans are truly fortunate to have had a person of Michael's caliber working to defend our nation and keep it safe, strong, and secure.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Private First Class Michael Arciola along with all of our nations' other fallen heroes.

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to have worked with the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) to develop recommendations on the international assistance portion of the bill. As the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) said, the bill does cut $1.2 billion in nonemergency initiatives from the administration's international assistance request as well as rescinds an additional $1 billion in previously appropriated funds that are no longer needed, and I certainly concur with most of the chairman's recommended cuts. However, I do want to express my concern that we will be expected to fund some of these items on the fiscal year 2006 bill, and as I anticipate a 302(b) allocation for the Foreign Operations bill that may cut the 2006 request, these needs will be tough to accommodate.

We are now into year three of the reconstruction programs in Afghanistan; yet the administration continues to rely on off-budget emergency supplementals to fund ongoing reconstruction. There are clearly many nonemergency items in the $2 billion requested for Afghanistan in this bill. The establishment of a stable democracy in Afghanistan with their own security forces is the key to bringing our troops home. The administration, I am concerned, has set back that effort by overuse of the emergency supplemental mechanism instead of providing appropriate assistance within the normal appropriations process, and I do hope in working closely with the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe), we will be able to provide sufficient funds that are so important for the future of Afghanistan.

I am very pleased that the committee was able to protect funds for continued urgent needs in Afghanistan, especially for initiatives that support women and girls. The supplemental contains approximately $63 million in support of education, health, economic, democracy programs that target women and girls. And I am pleased with the generous amounts in the bill for the tsunami relief and reconstruction, as well as other items that advance our foreign policy interests.

I will be supporting the Jackson amendment to add $100 million for unmet needs in Africa because in my judgment the ongoing complex crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Northern Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia may be out of the media spotlight, but the human suffering continues and additional funds are urgently needed to provide food and medical assistance to refugees, to facilitate refugee returns, and to provide drought-related aid. The Congress does have a responsibility to real disasters and to ensure that the United States is generous in our response to crises throughout the world. We have been extraordinarily generous with our tsunami relief, and I think we need to follow suit to meet the real needs in Africa.

I would also note that the bill contains $200 million for the West Bank/Gaza program with appropriate safeguards for monitoring and auditing. Fifty million of the $200 million will improve the flow of goods and people with Israel and will thus improve the security of Israel and the region.

Finally, I will be also supporting the Maloney amendment to transfer $3 million from ESF accounts to UNFPA to assist tsunami victims. The UNFPA, with its proven track record and longstanding presence in the tsunami-affected areas, is uniquely placed to immediately respond to the needs of women and children, populations among the most vulnerable after disasters such as the tsunami.

In closing, I just want to say for me I want to applaud the important efforts of the gentleman from California (Chairman Lewis); the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), ranking member; the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murtha); and the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe). We wrote the bill together. I think it is a good bill, it is an important bill, and provides very vital services to important places around the world where there are ongoing emergencies.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe) for addressing this important amendment that my friend, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson), introduced. I feel strongly about the urgency of this issue and I look forward to working with the gentleman in the committee as we approach conference to ensure that this emergency that the gentleman has addressed in his amendment is certainly placed in the conference and we can provide the needed assistance.

I thank the gentleman so much for his willingness to work with us to make sure that this happens.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

(Mrs. LOWEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for accepting this amendment, and I rise in support of the Maloney amendment.

With experience and success in saving lives and helping to ensure the safe delivery of tens of thousands of babies in more than 50 countries and territories, UNFPA is uniquely qualified to assist victims of the tsunami devastation. A small transfer of $3 million to the UNFPA would go a long way in making an immediate and tangible impact on the lives of women and children in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

I again thank the chairman for accepting this language, and I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), for placing the language.

The UNFPA currently has a flash appeal for $28 million, of which they have received almost 70 percent. Our contribution would represent approximately 11 percent, bringing them much closer to meeting five pressing needs in the region.

First, UNFPA is providing safe delivery kits, hygiene kits, medicines and supplies, including soap and sanitary napkins. These basic items help stem the transmission of HIV/AIDS and ensure safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care. In communities ravaged by natural disaster, the lack of such important and simple supplies as these can result in serious life threatening health crises.

Second, UNFPA works to reestablish maternal health care clinics and services destroyed by the tsunami such as prenatal care and delivery assistance and post-natal care. As we know, disasters put pregnant women at much greater risk for miscarriage or premature labor. Approximately 150,000 women in the tsunami affected region are pregnant. Fifty thousand women alone will give birth in the next 3 months.

Third, UNFPA would work to prevent and treat cases of violence against women. It is a sad fact that women are more likely to be victims of sexual assault and violence in times of crisis. We have already heard disturbing cases of widespread sexual violence in Sri Lanka. UNFPA programs help to provide emergency response, security and legal services to better protect women and children.

UNFPA programs would also offer psychological counseling to women and children still suffering from the horror of the tsunami. In countless cases, mothers are dealing with the nearly unfathomable pain of losing their husbands and children or, conversely, children are trying to make sense of a world without their families. Many women are now faced with being the head of their household and their mental well-being will be paramount as they gather the strength to rebuild their communities.

And finally, UNFPA will help unaccompanied women and other vulnerable people access vital services such as water, food, health care and sanitation facilities.

UNFPA is especially well placed to do this life-saving work as it already has offices in all the tsunami-affected countries and long- standing relationships with local governments and non-governmental organizations. We all know that confusion and discord often stymies our efforts to get relief and support to those who need it most. Supporting organizations with a proven track record and programs in place is one of the most successful and cost-effective ways to make our generous contributions go farther.

I urge my colleagues to do everything we can to help the women and children who have already been through so much with the destruction brought by the tsunami. Please join me in voting to support UNFPA's important work in saving lives.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding me time, and I rise in strong opposition to the amendment.

I understand many of the points that my colleague and friend from New York was making, but I think it is clear from the comments of the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) on how we crafted the bill that I think we address almost every point the gentleman is making.

I feel very strongly that we have to take this opportunity to work with the Palestinians and work with the Israelis to try and move towards a peaceful settlement. We have heard Rabin say, ``You don't make peace with your friends; you make it with your enemies.'' I can remember Barak, and he would say to us very clearly, ``Trust, but verify.''

I think there is clear language in this bill that verifies what we are doing in order to provide the assistance to the West Bank and Gaza program.

I have felt that the prospects for peace in this region and for the ultimate security of Israel depend on bringing economic stability to the West Bank and Gaza. Just to repeat, these additional funds will be used for infrastructure development, democracy and government, health care and education; and as my chairman mentioned, $50 million of the $200 million is for improving the flow of goods and people into Israel with appropriate safeguards. The funds will be spent with Israel's direct input to facilitate both access and security between the West Bank and Gaza.

The safeguards were mentioned by the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe). Language has been included calling for a GAO audit of the $200 million. The committee has specified how the funds should be spent, required a financial plan that we will approve prior to funds moving forward; and in addition, an amendment was adopted in committee which calls for a separate report on progress on dismantling terrorism, an audit of the Palestinian Authority, and a prohibition, a clear prohibition, on direct funding of the Palestinian Authority with this $200 million.

So, again, I would express my strong opposition. I do think it signals exactly the wrong message if we want to cut off these funds. I hope that my colleagues in the Congress will support the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Kolbe) in opposing this amendment, and I hope we can move forward and make sure that all the dollars are audited appropriately and that we can take this step to work with both the Palestinians and the Israelis in moving the peace process forward.

Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. Chairman, I would just like to stress again, we know that this is tough. We know this is not easy or there would have been peace a long time ago.

And if Sharon is willing to work with Abu Mazen and if he is willing to work with the Palestinian Authority, we feel we have to take risks for peace but not risks for just throwing the dollars. If you look at this bill carefully, and I know the gentleman has, there are very clear auditing guidelines. There is a clear requirement for a plan.

It is not as if we are going to say, here, here is the $200 million because we respect the fact that there have been many failures in the past. But in my judgment, if the Israelis want peace, if Sharon is willing to work with the Palestinians and take these risks, then we should be willing to do it with appropriate accountability and auditing.