Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, because of travel delays due to inclement weather, I missed the two votes on January 23, 2012. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on House Resolution 3117, the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2011 (Rollcall 5) as well as House Resolution 1141, the Rota Cultural and Natural Resources Study Act (Rollcall 6).

I understand the responsibility of representing the residents of the Ninth Congressional District of New York and I regret missing these two votes.

Mr. Speaker, the tragedy of the Holocaust is etched deep within our minds. All of us have heard the stories of human experiments, tortures, and mass execution. As the entrance to the Holocaust Museum here in Washington says, ``Never again,'' and others have said, ``Never forget.''

Sadly, we were provided with a powerful reminder this past week in my district that anti-Semitism is very much in our midsts. Seventy-three years later to the day, the events of Kristallnacht, the ``night of broken glass,'' were replayed in my district. Cars were burned and anti-Semitic scrawlings left on property.

Today we know the consequences of inaction. It was as true then as it is today. We know that hatred is out there, and we are all too familiar with its ability to spread like a cancer. Ten million people died at the hands of the Nazis, including 6 million Jews. This indiscriminate murder is beyond comprehension. It is unfathomable. And while Hitler and his Nazi henchmen coordinated this horrific event, they were not alone, and others who aided, abetted, and profited from this crime should be held accountable.

This morning, I will be joining my colleague, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who is holding a hearing on two important pieces of legislation which would make and hold accountable those entities that aided in the Holocaust. The Holocaust Rail Justice Act would make the French-owned rail company, SNCF, which transported Jews in appalling conditions from France to Germany, liable for damages.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. For a generation, Holocaust victims and survivors have been denied justice through a legal loophole barring lawsuits against sovereign entities. The rail company, SNCF, has hidden behind this legal veil as a way to escape liability, even though SNCF's trains, tracks, and employees were used.

There's no excuse for any person or entity that played any role in the Holocaust. The Nuremberg trials made clear that it is not enough that ``we were following orders.'' It is not enough today to say that SNCF did not engineer the atrocities. SNCF facilitated it, and they should be held accountable for their part.

Chairman Ros-Lehtinen has introduced another measure which will enable Holocaust survivors and heirs and beneficiaries of Holocaust victims to obtain compensation for insurance policies which were taken by Nazi-run governments. This bill would provide a legal forum for victims to have their claims heard--which is small compensation for the atrocities of the Holocaust--so that the words ``never again'' are more than just words.

Mr. Speaker, on rollcall no. 814: I was in the process of questioning Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at a full committee hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee. As such, I was unable to make it to the floor of the House to cast my vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2042) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to establish a program to issue Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 2042, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011.

This measure is needed to grant to the Department of Homeland Security the authority to issue ``APEC'' business cards, ABTC, as part of their overall Trusted Traveler programs operated by Customs and Border Protection for expedited reentry into the United States.

The APEC Business Travel Cards program is an initiative of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and is designed to facilitate commerce by promoting fast and efficient travel of eligible businesspeople and government officials within the Asian-Pacific region.

This legislation will allow eligible U.S. business travelers to apply for Trusted Traveler cards for expedited entry to certain Asian-Pacific nations which are members of the APEC forum.

As a transitional member of APEC, the United States already provides foreign business travelers who have APEC Business Travel Cards with expedited scheduling of visa interviews at U.S. Embassies and consulates and use of dedicated lanes of expedited entry when traveling to the United States.

However, since the United States has not yet issued cards for U.S. citizens who wish to participate in this program, Americans are currently unable to enjoy the same time-saving benefits that some 70,000 foreign holders of APEC Business Travel Cards enjoy when coming to the United States.

During these challenging economic times, we must all do what we can to facilitate business development, which includes encouraging international travel and negotiations. Expanding U.S. participation in the APEC Business Travel Card is a simple way to support these goals and facilitate travel, whether it be through LAX or JFK.

Of note, this legislation would have no detriment on the homeland security of the United States as all foreign visitors who are citizens of an APEC member economy must continue to go through the standard travel procedures of obtaining a visa or filling out the Web-based Electronic System for Travel Authorization for Visa Waiver Program countries. Currently, 18 of the 21 APEC economies are full members of the APEC Business Travel Card program. The United States currently participates as a transitional member, along with Canada and Russia, and enacting this legislation will demonstrate U.S. commitment to economic integration and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.

This measure has strong bipartisan support and enjoys the support of the U.S. business community, including the National Center for APEC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Travel Association.

I urge Members to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from the State of Texas (Mr. Brady).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and am prepared to close once the gentlelady does.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bill is an opportunity to facilitate travel, promote economic growth, and enhance security.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on rollcall No. 720 I was detained. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea.''

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Congressman Rangel. Thank you, Congressman King.

With true humility, I accept this awesome responsibility, and I pledge not to forget how I got here. It was an important bipartisan election; it's the only way it can be done in New York City. And I will also promise not to forget why I'm here, and it's the future, which is ably represented here by these handsome grandchildren, not even the whole brood. Follow a good example and be brief.

Thank you.