Floor Statements

I thank the distinguished chairwoman of the Rules Committee.

Madam Speaker, I rise to support the underlying rule and to indicate that we are in some very challenging times.

It is important that the National Science Foundation has been funded. In particular, the Second Chance bill, which I worked on with a number of my colleagues, has been added to provide for the rehabilitation and for the opportunity for work for numbers of those who are ex offenders. I raised some challenges.

I had intended to offer and to respond to the shortage of the NASA funding in this bill short of the President's mark; but as we have had deliberations, we have realized that the Augustine report is coming forward.

I wanted to include $400 million that, I think, would have been appropriately deducted to provide for human space exploration, because we built the international space station--that was our genius--and we did it with our collaborators and with our allies. That entity will provide the next generation of research. The only way to engage the international space station is to be able to have the CEV vehicle and to continue human space exploration; but the resolve in the report language specifically notes that this does not disallow the addition of those dollars as we make our way through this legislation and to the conference committee.

The Augustine report will come forward, and I hope that will not be a challenge, for it will be, in essence, an abandonment of a future that helps to employ people and to create jobs. We know that 11 million visitors have gone through Johnson Space Center alone, in Houston, Texas. As a 12-year former member of the Science Committee, having worked on safety issues dealing with the international space station, I know the value of human spaceflight and of that space station.

I also would have added language to restore the President's authority to close Guantanamo Bay. I know that we are looking at that in a way that some agree with and that some don't. I believe the language that prohibits that is language that, hopefully, we will consider as we make it through and that the President provides all of the information that Congress wants them to have.

Then I want to at least place in the Record the interests of continuing to work with our juveniles who are engaged in violent juvenile crimes. We have seen the loss of life in many of our major cities, and I had an amendment that would have provided for $20 million from the Federal Bureau of Prisons' construction programs, redirecting those funds to youth mentoring and to delinquency programs, recognizing that violent crimes by juveniles largely take place right after the end of the school day between the hours of 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Further, it costs an average of $7,136 to educate a pupil in public schools while the cost of incarcerating a juvenile, in Texas alone, is a whopping $56,000.

In Texas, we are reaching a point where we have more use for the criminal justice system than we have for our education system. As we move forward, I ask my colleagues to think of these issues.

Let me thank the distinguished gentleman for his leadership and really thoughtful conversation on what is a challenging time for America.

I rise to support the rule and want to express both my support and concerns for aspects of this legislation. But I will speak to the seeming overall opposition of our friends on the other side of the aisle, and I would hope that in their deliberation they have given a thoughtful assessment of the analysis of opposition.

We are dealing with some very difficult times. I opposed the war in Iraq and remain opposed. I do, however, want the opportunity to be able to stand down in order to safely have our soldiers redeploy. I want to see the standing up of the Iraqis and resources to allow them to proceed in their own

defense and to bring our soldiers home as heroes.

I also want us to make good on the promise we made to Afghanistan. America is good at keeping her promise. Her soldiers have never stepped away from promoting the ideals of democracy and liberty and freedom, and the Afghan people are in need. They need the collaboration of the NATO forces and the United States. They also need to have reconstruction and the empowerment of women and the protection of their children.

And so the part of this legislation addresses that question. It is a recognition that many of us opposed the Iraq war and are asking, as we have been asking for so long since the horrific tragedy of 9/11 when we found that those terrorists, horrific terrorists came from the inner parts of Afghanistan, and we abandoned Afghanistan. We did not pay attention to them. And so it is important now to ensure that we do it in the right way, that we don't maintain an extended force in Afghanistan but we help in a collaborative way for the Afghan people to stand up and to fight the terrorists and to reestablish institutions that will help them build their society, both with respect to education and social services. And so part of this legislation does include that funding.

Our eyes have been on Pakistan. There is a regional effort. Secretary of State Clinton and the President have worked to appoint Ambassador Holbrooke to be an envoy, and he has been in those camps where you have seen 2\1/2\ million people be displaced. We cannot abandon them now. We must provide the opportunity for them to return to a rebuilt region. These are individuals who have fought for their freedom, who left the Swat area because they did not want to be overtaken by insurgents, the Taliban, who want to undermine a system of democracy and, yes, terrorists.

One man fled with 13 of his children, living in a tent. He said now his home is occupied by Pakistan soldiers. He's willing to sacrifice and live homeless because he wants freedom. The resources that we now have will allow that to happen, and that is vital.

We also realize that there are areas like Chad, the Congo, and places that are near collapse that we are providing for peace-keeping dollars that are so very important in helping the U.N. Chad is near collapse because it is near Sudan, and many of those who have fled the persecution are there.

From the gulf coast region we have fought consistently to provide reimbursement for Galveston and Houston and the regions that have still been struck and still sacrificing and still living under the shadow of Hurricane Ike. We have the resources to put people in housing and to be able to correct the wrong of that terrible storm but yet the inability to move as fast as we like pursuant to the work that was not done in the last administration.

I think it is important that we are supporting the International Monetary Fund because we cannot stand by while we speak the language of reconstruction and rebuilding and not provide that for particular support. So there is a value in the hard work of our colleagues.

But I do believe it is important to revisit an issue that impacts many States: the sidestepping of the President's mission on stimulus dollars. And the State of Texas is a poster child for that. $3.2 billion was taken from the moneys that should have been utilized for the education of our children. One of my school districts alone has lost $155 million because it has been replaced or reordered or snuck under or left somewhere in what we call a ``rainy day fund.'' We need to fix this. We have an opportunity going forward to be able to fix it, but I would like to fix it now.

So I hope that we will be in the midst of discussion, the congressional delegation of Texans who believe that our children must come first. And we must follow the vision of President Obama, who said, Save a job and create a job. And so we are saving teachers' jobs and helping them if we fight to get that $3.2 billion from Texas where it needs to be.

The underlying bill is an important bill, but the Texas children are important as well.

Again, I would like to thank the distinguished gentleman from New York for his ongoing leadership, and that of the Rules Committee.

I join with the chairman of the Subcommittee on CJS, Mr. Mollohan, in congratulating the Rules Committee for constructing this rule, but I also congratulate Chairman Mollohan and Ranking Member Wolf for a constructive overview of important issues that, as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I have great concern about.

And so I rise to support the rule, but I also want to offer my underlying support for the Community Oriented Policing bill. I was an original cosponsor on the COPS bill out of Judiciary, led by Mr. Weiner. This is an important stopgap for crime across America helping our law enforcement.

As an original long-standing supporter of the Office on Violence Against Women and the VAWA Act, starting with Chairman Hyde, who served so ably in this body, I am delighted to see that we have $11 million more than 2009, with $400 million.

In addition, it is important to note the Second Chance Act. Wherever I go, Mr. Speaker, I'm having ex-offenders who want to straighten their life out, who want to get back with their families, who need mental health services, and they truly need to have the second chance. I hope that we can ensure that this makes it through the Senate, comes into conference, and we get this money out so that we can redeem Americans who want to get back on the right track. This is an important issue to be involved in.

I also want to speak about an issue that is very near and dear. I am a member of the NASA Action Team. And we note that the space exploration, human spaceflight, has gotten a mark out of this committee of $400 million less than the President's mark. First, I'm delighted that the President has nominated General Bolden, who is in line to be the next NASA Director. But to my colleagues, it is important to note that we're not just talking about money going into space; we're talking about the International Space Station, which I have watched being built in my 12 years as a member of the Health Science Committee.

We have an opportunity now to be at the cutting edge of climate research, the cutting edge of health care research and heart disease, HIV, and cancer on the International Space Station. The only way we can communicate visibly and reasonably to provide that kind of human component, human resources, is to have human spaceflight.

So I ask my colleagues, as we consider this bill, to consider the fact that it is not, in essence, money that flies into space but real investment in America's genius and America's science, America's innovation, America's job creation, the very message of this President.

I'm disappointed that this mark is less than the President's mark and would hope to be able to present my side of the story, if you will, to this august body. But I want to work with my colleagues to ensure that we know that this is out of sincerity and recognition of the vitality of science. I'm very pleased with the money that has been put into climate measures, money put into NOAA because I come from the gulf region.

I thank the gentleman from New York.

Mr. Speaker, I realize how important it is to have these other elements of science. As I indicated, the $1.3 billion, including $150 million to deal with space-based climate measurements, is important. For those of us who are in the gulf region, the issues dealing with hurricanes and climate control and NOAA are very important, and the National Science Foundation.

But let us work together as we look at science in its totality to view the International Space Station as something we created, something we built. This massive football field that is in space is a miracle, in essence. Let's utilize it in a vital way by supporting our human spaceflight.

I thank my colleagues and I ask my colleagues to support the rule.

I thank the distinguished chairman and I thank the ranking member for their collaboration on this appropriation. This is a very difficult challenge dealing with issues of commerce, science and justice.

Mr. Chairman, I have listened to the debate going forward dealing with the President's mark in the NASA space exploration, which was $400 million more than the House mark, and would only offer my support for the continuing statements that have been made on the floor of the House, hoping that we will have an opportunity to reimburse those dollars to be able to provide for space exploration, particularly as relates to the Constellation, the CEV vehicle, and to be able to achieve the goals that we need to achieve with respect to the international space station.

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I would hope that the Augustine report would not be impacted by this particular mark. And I know that there has been a lot of hard work. I obviously intended to offer an amendment. I will look forward to discussing this further with the chairman as we move forward into this section so that we'll have an opportunity to discuss possibly my amendment and the idea of working to lay a mark, if you will, for the idea that space exploration, the international space station, all are linked together, and it is valuable for this Nation that we continue to be on the cutting edge of science and provide the support we need for human space flight.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank you for your leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor today. I want to also thank Senator Collins for introducing this legislation in the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to support Amending the National Defense Authorization

Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to authorize the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) to exercise certain employment and employment-related authorities currently permitted for the heads of temporary organizations established by law or executive order.

As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Co-Chair of the US-Afghan Caucus, I am deeply concerned about this matter and want to ensure that the Inspector General's staffing needs are fulfilled in order for him to successfully carry out the responsibilities of his position. In order to be successful in Afghanistan and defeat the insurgents, we must make sure that we have a fully staffed SIGAR who is able to complete the duties of his position in a timely and accurate manner. The security of our troops and the success of our mission in Afghanistan depends upon it.

Since 2001, the U.S. has provided approximately $32 billion in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan. In addition, the international community has provided a further $25.3 billion for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. Since its inception in 2001, the SIGAR's mission has been to enhance oversight of programs for the reconstruction of Afghanistan by conducting independent and objective audits, inspections, and investigations on the use of taxpayer dollars and related funds by keeping the Congress, as well as the Secretaries of State and Defense, currently informed of reconstruction progress and weaknesses.

Amending this defense bill reflects our commitment to support the men and women who fight to secure not only our citizen's freedom but the freedom of others. This bill will provide the necessary resources to protect the American people and our national interests at home and abroad. With this extended personnel authority, the SIGAR has now become a formidable and compelling instrument to make oversight of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan a reality.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 430, ``Expressing condolences to the citizens of Italy and support for the Government of Italy in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy,'' which was introduced by my distinguished colleague Representative Pascrell. This legislation is important to ensure that we remember those who lost their lives in this tragic natural disaster.

On April 6, 2009, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 shook central Italy, causing serious damage in the mountainous Abruzzo region east of Rome. This is the worst earthquake in Italy since a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Eboli, south of Naples, in 1980, killing more than 2,700 people.

The earthquake caused damage to between 3,000 and 11,000 buildings, the majority of which are in the medieval city of L'Aquila and the surrounding villages. 297 people were killed by the earthquake, 20 of which were children, and approximately 1,000 people were injured. 66,000 people were made homeless. Nearly 11,700 rescue workers provided emergency relief.

Texas is no stranger to the effects of a natural disaster. In 2008, Hurricane Ike, which was the third most destructive hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States, caused the deaths of 37 people while dozens are still missing. In Houston, eight deaths have been blamed on Hurricane Ike.

Texas sustained major damage due to Hurricane Ike: an estimated 100,000 homes were flooded; many trees were uprooted; bus stop shelters were mangled; Houston's theater district was flooded; flights in and out of Houston's two major airports were suspended; most of Houston's roads were clogged for nearly two weeks; and many residents remained without power for several weeks after the hurricane. As the representative from Houston, I can truly sympathize with the Italian people and express my sincere sympathy to every life that was touched by this tragedy.

Additionally, this legislation mourns the loss of life and expresses condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the earthquake that struck the Abruzzo region of Italy. It also applauds the response of Italian rescue workers, recognizes the deep ties between the United States and Italy and expresses continued solidarity with the people of Italy during this time of crisis.

Furthermore, this legislation supports President Obama's offer of U.S. assistance to Italy in response to this event and expresses gratitude to the people of the United States who have supported those humanitarian aid agencies working to assist the people of Italy in this

time of need. The U.S. Embassy in Rome has provided $50,000 in emergency relief funding and President Obama has pledged to devote resources to preserving the region's cultural and artistic heritage. Additionally, as part of the U.S. effort to support the Italian people, the U.S. Department of State and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) formed a public-private partnership to respond to the educational needs of the University of L'Aquila, and will strive to help the students and other human resource needs. The students are key to the future of the region, and the University is the economic lifeblood of the city of L'Aquila. It is therefore vital to help this sector recover in this time of need.

The Abruzzo earthquake is a tragedy that has affected lives all over the world, the least we can do as a Congress, and as a nation, is to recognize those involved in this tragedy and those who are helping Italy to rebuild. We cannot withhold this honor from those victims that perished in the tragedy. As honored Members of Congress, we have the opportunity to ensure that proper recognition is given to those involved in the earthquake.

I firmly believe that we must pass this legislation in order to demonstrate our support of those people who lost their lives and those people who lost their loved ones, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to convey the importance of the passage of H. Res. 309, which urges North Korea to cease all hostile rhetoric and activity toward the Republic of Korea. In the interest of the Korean people, it is imperative that Korea begin to engage in a dialogue in an effort to improve inter- Korean relations. Development can only come about with sincere and diplomatic communication via inter-Korean engagement.

North Korea's nuclear and missile program, and their suspected proliferation, is one of the gravest threats to international peace and stability in Northeast Asia and beyond. The time has come for the North Korean regime to abandon its nuclear weapons and all nuclear programs, and revert to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) post haste. Yet North Korean leadership continues to pursue its nuclear ambitions while up to 2,000,000 North Koreans reportedly starved to death during the late 1990s and hundreds of thousands fled North Korea in search of freedom and food.

Given the urgency of timing and development on the issue of North Korea's nuclearization, President Obama noted in a call with the Republic of Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak on February 3, 2009, that recent events underscore the immediate need for the United States and the Republic of Korea to work together even more closely to achieve complete and verifiable denuclearization of

North Korea. As North Korea continues to pursue proliferation, time is running out for the plausibility of comprehensive denuclearization. On February 10, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated that North Korea needs to understand that all of the countries in East Asia have made it clear that North Korea's recent behavior is viewed as unacceptable. Furthermore, on February 20, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, in a joint press conference with the Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, that the United States and the Republic of Korea maintain a joint resolve to bring about the complete and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea through the Six-Party Talks. Secretary of State Clinton also stated that North Korea will not be establishing a new and different relationship with the United States while simultaneously insulting and refusing dialogue with the Republic of Korea.

H. Res. 309 additionally requires North Korea's compliance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718, which prevents a range of goods from entering or leaving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and imposes an asset freeze and travel ban on persons related to the nuclear-weapon program, should North Korea's pursuit of nuclearization not cease immediately. The strategic importance of the strong alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea cannot be overstated. Such an alliance is necessary in promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and should be recognized.

In conclusion, we have reached a point in time where North Korea must cease their proliferation efforts. Additionally, North Korean leadership should scale back their weapons program by aiming to prevent illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. In order to implement change for the people of Korea and improve its image in the international arena, it is necessary that North Korea engage in inter-Korean dialogue. I urge passage of this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to urge the passage of H. Res. 493, which recognizes the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United States and around the world. The Hillel program was founded at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1923 and has become the world's largest Jewish campus organization, serving Jewish college students on over 500 campuses worldwide. Since its inception, Hillel has been an important partner to universities by providing resources, programs, and other forms of support to the entire campus community. For over 80 years, Hillel has been at the forefront of breaking down discriminatory barriers to students of all backgrounds on college campuses. Hillel has sought to promote racial tolerance and equality, and for its accomplishments in this arena, Hillel should be recognized.

Moreover, Hillel has been at the forefront in contributing to the Nation's achievements in science, industry, and the humanities by helping generations of students attain the dream of higher education. This incredible and multi-faceted program has made its mark on United States history by providing armed service personnel with counseling prior to World War II, welcoming GIs back to campus following the war, and sponsoring European refugees on campuses during and after the war, including the late Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos.

In the realm of social justice issues, Hillel has educated students and has helped them to provide leadership for the civil rights movement, the campaign to free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the genocide in Darfur. As a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, I have worked tirelessly to pass legislation that will halt the genocide in Darfur. The crimes being committed against the people of Sudan are unimaginable, and we must not for a moment forget that they are ongoing. This is an issue I hold near to me, and I commend Hillel

for taking on this important and necessary reform.

Hillel has continued to promote AIDS Awareness and interfaith understanding, and has been at the forefront of educating campuses about Israel, an ally of the United States. Such wide reaching tenets of social reform are to be commended, applauded and recognized. H. Res. 493 achieves all three.

In further promulgation of tolerance and respect, Hillel has helped to provide students with the tools to combat anti-Semitism on campus; and Hillel continues to contribute enormously to civil society by providing service-learning opportunities for thousands of students in the United States and abroad.

I stand here today, as a supporter of Hillel's mission of service and education to Jewish college students and beyond, and as a partner with college campus communities, and I congratulate the students, lay leaders, and professionals who are part of the Hillel movement on reaching its milestone 85th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for House Resolution 2765, prohibiting recognition and enforcement of foreign defamation judgments and certain foreign judgments against the providers of interactive computer services, introduced by Representative Cohen, which articulates the sense of Congress regarding the United States commitment to freedom of speech. I would also like to thank Congressman Cohen for this important legislation, his leadership in bringing this legislation forth and for working together to see that the First Amendment to the Constitution is not just something we talk about, but something that is achieved. The heart of this bill lies in interactive computer services.

Interactive computer services provide an opportunity for free enterprise to take place. ``I am convinced,'' asserts Richard Lugar ``that the majority of American people do understand that we have a moral responsibility to foster the concepts of opportunity, free enterprise, the rule of law, and democracy. They understand that these values are the hope of the world''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2247, the ``Congressional Review Act Improvement Act.'' I would like to thank my colleague, Congressman Steve Cohen, for introducing this bill, and for providing leadership on this important issue.

I support this bill. It eliminates waste by requiring that federal agencies must submit specified information about a rule to both Houses of Congress before such rule can take effect; (thus requiring that the information be submitted to only the Comptroller General). Moreover, it requires the Comptroller General to submit to each House a weekly report containing a list of the rules received, including a notation identifying each major rule.

These reductions and minimization of waste standards provided by this bill should result in a substantial cost savings to the federal government. In times like we are in now, it is important that the government cut costs. I support this bill.

H.R. 2247 amends the current law. The primary purpose of the legislation is to have the Comptroller general replace congress. H.R. 2247 eliminates the requirement that agencies submit paper copies of their rules that are printed in the Federal Register to each House while continuing a referral of all rules printed in the Federal Register and the periodic indication of those referrals in the Congressional Record. Instead, the Comptroller General will send out the weekly list of rules to both the House and the Senate from the GAO, and then the Comptroller General would put that list in the Congressional Record.

This bill eliminates the excessive duplication and printing of rules. This bill adds a commonsense approach to rulemaking, the printing, publication and dissemination of those rules. It is simple and the reforms that it brings should yield a substantial cost savings to the U.S. Treasury.

I am proud to support this bill because it eliminates duplicative and needless paperwork and should provide a cost savings. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time and urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2661, the ``Court Security Enhancement Act of 2009.'' This legislation will go a long way toward enhancing the security and integrity of our judicial system and the able men and women who comprise the federal judiciary.

Mr. Speaker, let me quote the Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court: ``Our democracy and the rule of law depend upon safe and secure courthouses.'' That is because an independent judiciary is essential for a regime based on the rule of law. Nothing can do more to undermine the independence of the judiciary than the very real threat of physical harm to members of the judiciary or their families to intimidate or retaliate. In 1979, U.S. District Court Judge John Wood, Jr., was fatally shot outside of his home by assassin Charles Harrelson. The murder contract had been placed by Texas drug lord Jamiel Chagra, who was awaiting trial before the judge.

In 1988, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Daronco was murdered at his house by Charles Koster, the father of the unsuccessful plaintiff in a discrimination case. The following year, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Richard Vance was killed by a letter bomb sent to his home. The letter bomb was attributed to racist animus against Judge Vance for writing an opinion reversing a lower-court ruling to lift an 18-year desegregation order from the Duval County, Florida, schools.

In this age of the global war on terror, the danger faced by federal judges, judicial officers, and court personnel is real, as illustrated by the three murders noted above. The recent and tragic murder of U.S. District Court Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow's husband and mother reminds us that the danger has not abated.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2661 increases the penalty of violating Section 119(a) of title 18, United States Code to 10 years instead of 5 years. The original bill states that it is a crime to publish on the Internet restricted personal information concerning judges, law enforcement, public safety officers, jurors, witnesses or other officers in any United States Court. The penalty for a violation was a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years. However, H.R. 2661 will make this maximum term of imprisonment 10 years.

Additionally, the original bill increases the maximum penalty for killing or attempting to kill a witness, victim or informant to obstruct justice or in retaliation for their testifying or providing information to law enforcement by increasing maximum penalties.

The original Act provides a three-pronged legislative response to the security challenges facing our judicial institutions and personnel. First, it directs the United States Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference regarding the security requirements for the judicial branch, in order to improve the implementation of security measures needed to protect judges, court employees, law enforcement officers, jurors and other members of the public who are regularly in federal courthouses.

The original bill also extends authority to redact information relating to family members from a federal judge's disclosure statements required by the Ethics in Government Act and removes the sunset provision from the redaction authority, thus making the redaction authority permanent.

Mr. Speaker, the original bill also enhanced the security and protection of judicial personnel and their families by making it a criminal offense to maliciously record a fictitious lien against a federal judge or federal law enforcement officer. This new crime and punishment is intended to deter individuals from attempting to intimidate and harass federal judges and employees by filing false liens against their real and personal property.

All in all, Mr. Speaker, this bill makes a substantial contribution to the enhancement of security of judicial institutions and personnel by increasing the penalty for violators of this Act. I urge all members to join me in supporting this beneficial legislation.

Madam Speaker, what did happen in Iran just a few days ago? I think this picture evidences that there were voters who felt that what happened did not capture the essence of those who sacrificed and went to vote. Young people, women and urbanites went in massive numbers to vote. In fact, this article suggests that there were polling places even in the United States where Iranian Americans went to vote to, in essence, declare they wanted freedom. They wanted to be able to have the opportunity to live in a democracy, to build their economy.

I would ask the so-called ``elected person'' to do the right thing or there is shame on this process. I ask for the NGOs of the world and the NDI to stand up and question the irregularities of this election. Stand for people who want peace and a democratic election. Let us raise our voices. The United Nations should raise its voice. No, we're not trying to select the next President of Iran. We're only asking for the people to elect the next President of Iran. Shame on Iran's election process.

Let me thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me, and allow me to acknowledge as well the Congressional Black Caucus for the collective effort that they have made and thank our present chairwoman for the 2004 resolution, House Resolution 517, that ultimately was proclaimed by the President of the United States. This is an enriching day and an opportunity for us to emphasize the vastness of diversity that is in this country, and I stand here as a Caribbean American proudly exercising and relishing in the history of my ancestry.

Let me also acknowledge the work that we have collectively done. As the ranking member on the Immigration Subcommittee, we have had a history of working for the issues of parity as it relates to the opportunities for Haitians to become statused here in the United States, as we have seen the Cubans also have this opportunity through what we call the ``wet foot, dry foot'' provision. We have worked unending to ensure that that parity comes about. And as we look forward into the comprehensive immigration reform debate, I hope that language from the Save America comprehensive immigration legislation that I authored will be part of the debate so that our reform will include all aspects of those who are seeking to be statused and particularly those from the Caribbean.

We have worked on issues that addressed the questions of many Caribbean leaders when there was massive deportation of individuals from the United States who had never been to the Caribbean, had never been to the countries of their birth, and therefore were coming and providing the need for extra resources by Caribbean leaders. This is paying attention to the issues of the Caribbean and recognizing that they are a vital ally to us. And that was recognized by the recent organization of the meeting in the Caribbean in Trinidad where many Caribbean nations came, and I believe the new relationship was cemented between this new President, this Congress, and the Caribbean leaders.

So as we speak about the greatness of Caribbean Americans, I want to emphasize that we should also be engaged with the Caribbean as our allies, as those who can participate with us in homeland security and securing the borders, as we look to Caribbean Americans who have made great strides here in this country.

Caribbean Americans are educators, linguists, actors, athletes, soldiers, politicians, economists, historians, activists, doctors, lawyers, and everyday men and women. There are those of us who enjoy the music of the Caribbean, and certainly one of our most famous poets and musicians is Bob Marley, whose reggae music continues to permeate the music channels and the ears of Americans. We are proud of the contributions of Caribbean Americans. Those like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; those like Timothy ``Tim'' Theodore Duncan; those like Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon; those like Sidney Poitier; those like Stokely Carmichael and Marcus Garvey; and, of course, Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, a Caribbean American; certainly the Honorable Shirley Chisholm, who herself ran as an African American woman for President of the United States of America. Bold, unashamed of their roots and history, ready to make a difference, that is the character of Caribbean Americans and those who live in the Caribbean.

Let me also thank John Conyers, whom I worked with as we visited Haiti and went to see many of those who have been incarcerated because of the, if you will, inconsistency of leadership in Haiti. We are delighted to see President Preval leading out. We visited many who were political prisoners and worked with the then-Bush administration to try to secure their freedom. I want to continue to express my appreciation to Chairman Conyers for the work that he has continuously done working with the Jubilee that we celebrated in Haiti when we traveled there together.

So there are many aspects of the Caribbean that we can celebrate. I'm here to celebrate the great connection that I have had the privilege of having. And I'm delighted to be joined on the floor of the House by Congresswoman Donna Christensen as well as Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Congressman Donald Payne and the chairwoman, who is now serving as the Speaker pro tempore. We do this because we want to ensure that people realize how great America is, and it is only great because it relies upon the strength of those who come from different cultures and bring that wonderment to our wonderful Nation.

So I want to acknowledge the creation of the Institute of Caribbean Studies in 1994. I want to acknowledge the ad hoc Caribbean Council of Washington, D.C., that disbanded, and ICS takes over leadership of celebrating June as Caribbean American Heritage Month in Washington, D.C. This is just part of the history that was generated in the bill to make this the month that we celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month.

Finally, might I say proudly that I want to speak of my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. My grandmother and grandfather were true sons and daughters at that time of the King and

Queen because Jamaica was then a colony of Great Britain. However, their dignity allowed them to know that Jamaica could be a free and democratic nation. And through the leadership of those in Jamaica who recognized that it could be a free nation, they secured their freedom, and what a celebratory time that was.

I want to acknowledge so many prime ministers, but former Prime Minister Manley, former Prime Minister Seaga, former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, all great leaders that brought greatness to the Caribbean, and to acknowledge the present prime minister as he continues to work, to acknowledge the first woman Prime Minister as well that was in Jamaica for at least a time in the last 2 years. We know that she has been called with great love and affection Prime Minister Portia, but we respect the service that she has given.

My grandparents left Jamaica and went to work in Panama in the Panama Canal, and I had the privilege of going to the Panama Canal for a Homeland Security mission and seeing my grandfather's name listed as one of those who worked on the Panama Canal. As he came to the United States and then settled between South Carolina and Brooklyn, New York, to know that he was part of that wonderful tradition of history and heritage, the wonderful cuisine of oxtails and rice and peas and plantains and many other good things that we continue to enjoy culturally in my family that I raised my children on, that I was raised on, so that this nexus of knowing your roots is so very key.

So what I say to all who are listening, this Nation is valuable because it respects the culture of all of us. And today we salute Caribbean Americans, and I have been privileged and proud to have served in the United States Congress with that history but also to work on a number of issues helping to make their land, their nation, better and creating a better partnership between the United States and Caribbean.

Offered By: Ms. Jackson Lee

Amendment No. 125: At the end of the bill add the following

new section:

Offered By: Ms. Jackson Lee

Amendment No. 126: At the end of the bill add the following

new section: