Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor the Republic of Cyprus as its first six-month rotation of the European Union Presidency comes to a close. The EU Presidency is a significant event in the history of this nation with which the United States has such a close relationship.

This small, but vigorous country has overseen a number of historic events during its tenure in the Presidency. Most notably, the EU approved a new round of sanctions against Iran. These sanctions are the toughest measures imposed by the EU to date and target Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program. The sanctions ban financial transactions, prohibit the export to Iran of materials that could be used for its nuclear and ballistic program, ban the importation of natural gas from Iran, and impose an asset freeze and travel ban on 34 additional Iranian entities reportedly providing financial support to the Iranian government. I would like to congratulate the Republic of Cyprus for overseeing the enactment of these sanctions as they will work in tandem with the strong US sanctions imposed against Iran. This is a critically important step that will help to keep the rulers of Iran from fulfilling their quest for nuclear weapons. Furthermore, it will help to ensure the security of our strongest ally in the region, Israel, by maintaining regional stability. Again, I extend my sincere congratulations to the Republic of Cyprus on a successful EU Presidency.

Mr. Speaker, I mistakenly voted ``aye'' on rollcall No. 603. My intention was to vote ``no.''

Personal Explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3803, the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Although nine other states have passed similar abortion bans, this is the first attempt to pass a law of this kind on a federal level. However, even the nine state laws include at least a narrow exception to protect women's health. This bill unfairly singles out the District of Columbia, but more importantly it lacks any health exceptions to the ban. Pregnancy can become dangerous, sometimes even life-threatening. This bill fails to provide women with necessary health exceptions to save their lives or their ability to have children in the future.

In addition to not protecting women who are pregnant, H.R. 3803 fails to provide exceptions in instances of rape or incest, even when it involves young girls. About 25,000 women become pregnant due to rape each year and about 30 percent of rape cases involve women under 18. This bill falls short in providing the necessary protections for these women.

I would have voted against H.R. 3803. Unfortunately my plane was delayed due to weather coming in to Washington, DC, causing me to miss the vote. I have been a strong supporter for women's health in the past and I plan to continue to do so.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the life and achievements of Harriet Trudell of Las Vegas, Nevada on the occasion of her 80th birthday.

Harriet was born on August 22, 1932 in St. Petersburg, Florida, into a family passionate in their beliefs of the Democratic Party and its principles.

In 1948, 16-year-old Harriet had a life-changing experience when she accompanied her father to the Democratic National Convention where he was an alternate delegate. Hearing Hubert Humphrey's civil rights speech during the convention had a great impact on Harriet's life, and she returned home to Florida passionate for the cause of equality and began a lifelong quest for social change.

Throughout every decade since, Harriet has been a force to contend with, fighting for fairness and equality for all.

During the early 1950's, Harriet organized unions for the state AFL- CIO in Florida.

In 1962, Harriet moved to Las Vegas with her husband and two children where she continued her passion for equality.

In 1965, Harriet marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights activists from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, raising the awareness of voting rights of African-Americans.

Coming full circle from her attendance at the 1948 Democratic National Convention, Harriet served as the Southern Nevada Director of Hubert Humphrey's 1968 presidential campaign.

During the 1970's, Harriet was active in the League of Women Voters, National Organization for Women (NOW), and the Clark County Women's Democratic Club. She fought passionately against segregation in the Clark County School District, for welfare rights and for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

In March 1971, Harriet marched down the Las Vegas Strip in support of opportunity for the disenfranchised.

Harriet served as Southern Nevada Aide for Governor Michael O'Callaghan from 1974 to 1978 and as the Foreign Affairs Aide for Congressman Harry Reid in Washington, D.C. from 1983 to 1986.

In addition, throughout her extraordinary career, Harriet has been an advocate for Operation Life, served on the board for NOW, and been a lobbyist for the Feminist Majority Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Fifty years after Harriet's initial foray into national and state politics, she was a driving force in NOW's ``Elect Women 2000.'' While serving as Campaign Director in Louisiana, she traveled throughout the State, and was successful in tripling the number of women elected to the Louisiana State Legislature.

Presently, this remarkable woman serves as the Political Director for the Nevada State Democratic Party.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to honor Harriet Trudell of Las Vegas, Nevada, and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of this incredible woman on the occasion of her 80th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, Congress must do right by Nevada's middle class families and make permanent the sales tax deduction, a measure that benefits so many middle class families in Nevada. Over 300,000 Nevadans claimed $456 million in deductions for State and local sales tax in 2009 alone. Nevada is one of only nine States that has no State income tax and, instead, revenue is raised through a sales tax.

Nevadans should be able to deduct their sales tax from their Federal income tax, just as citizens from income tax States do now. The sales tax deduction helps families across Nevada by leaving more money in their pockets. This creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, and keeps money in their pockets.

It's a matter of priority, Mr. Speaker. We must make the sales tax deduction permanent in order to give middle tax families the certainty of knowing they will have extra money in their pockets to put food on their table, gas in their cars, and be able to pay the mortgage on their family home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding achievements of a great Nevadan, Mr. Gary Waddell. I am proud to call Gary my friend, and that makes me just like hundreds of thousands of Southern Nevadans who also have a friend in Gary. All of us know that when we catch a Gary Waddell television newscast, we get the news as it should be presented. No other newscaster has ever delivered news with better judgment and community perspective than Gary has for more than 30 years. No one has ever broadcast with more intelligence, warmth, and integrity than has Gary.

Gary is the ``dean'' of newscasters, but that term hardly captures what he means to Southern Nevada. In times of crisis in our community over the years, we've always turned to Gary's coverage because he is a consummate news professional, never allowing competitive pressure to compromise accuracy, thoroughness and fairness. Gary's signature on-air style is incisive, sincere, assuring, and warm. Southern Nevadans rightly call him their ``Cronkite.''

When we see Gary's work on TV, we are also seeing Gary the man--the man who has done so much good for Southern Nevada, above and beyond the ordinary call of his profession. Since the 1970s, Gary has given his time and talent to help people in need. His efforts, both public and private, have aided countless thousands of Southern Nevadans and built a stronger community for all.

Gary is coming to the end of his legendary broadcasting career. To say he will be missed is a major understatement. I understand he'll soon be riding off on his motorcycle, but I look forward to his return, and hope he may pursue a new venture that will again bring him into our living rooms.

Congratulations and best wishes on your new life chapter, my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call my colleagues' attention to the 38th anniversary of Turkey's unlawful and tragic invasion of Cyprus. Turkey's occupation, which began on July 20, 1974, left thousands of innocent Greek Cypriot civilians without their homes, their land, and their families. It is crucial for us to commemorate this unfortunate situation and assist the people of Cyprus in reaching a solution.

Many of the Cypriot generation who suffered the invasion have not lived to see justice or a resolution to this conflict. Although many of the survivors have had the opportunity to return to their homes on the northern side of the island, it was only to discover them occupied by Turkish settlers.

Only Turkey recognizes the occupied northern side of the country as a Turkish Cypriot state, but it does not even provide a valid standard of living to their own citizens. This was made evident through the recent demonstrations by Turkish Cypriots who have displayed their own dissatisfaction with the Turkish occupation. More recently, Turkey has threatened the use of force to stop Texas-based Noble Energy from drilling for oil and gas off the shores of Cyprus and to blacklist any businesses that work with Cyprus for natural resource extraction.

Meanwhile, the Turkish government has begun to sow instability throughout its region. Turkey recognizes the terrorist Hamas government in Gaza and even received its leader in the Turkish parliament earlier this year--disturbing hypocrisy from a state that receives US support for its own fight against terrorism. Turkey also demands that Israel end its naval blockade of Gaza, despite the deadly security threat Hamas poses to Israel. Turkey's repeated, flagrant criticism of Israel is particularly troubling and potentially destabilizing.

Turkey continues to deny the Armenian Genocide during which 1.5 million Armenians perished and has threatened punitive measures against the United States if Congress recognizes this tragic event. Since 1993, Turkey has maintained a destabilizing blockade of Armenia.

The time has come for Turks to end their threats and denials, withdraw their troops, and return the territory that is not rightfully theirs. That way, the Cypriots--and the Cypriots alone--can make the decisions affecting their future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate two important anniversaries that are coming up this July 14th in relation to our close friends in Taiwan.

Since the end of World War Two, the United States and Taiwan have fostered a close relationship that has been of enormous strategic and economic benefit to both countries. When the United States shifted diplomatic relations from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in January 1979, Congress moved quickly to pass the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) to ensure that the United States would continue its robust engagement with Taiwan in the areas of commerce, culture, and security cooperation. On April 10, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed this important and lasting

piece of legislation into law and it has since served as the statutory basis for U.S.-Taiwan relations going forward.

After 33 years, the TRA still stands as a model of Congressional leadership in the history of our foreign relations, and, together with the 1982 Six Assurances, it remains the cornerstone of a mutually beneficial relationship between the United States and Taiwan. These Six Assurances--issued by President Ronald Reagan on July 14, 1982--further clarified U.S. policy toward Taiwan, particularly regarding arms sales, while reiterating our commitment to Taiwan's security under the TRA and reaffirming our position on Taiwan's sovereignty. It also stipulated that we would not pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with the

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Women Lawyers Division, WLD, of the National Bar Association, NBA, on its 40th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Women Lawyers Division was formally established in 1972 as a vehicle for women in the practice of law to address the issues and problems that particularly affect the interests and concerns of African-American women.

The WLD had its genesis during 1971 when an informal coalition of 19 women members of the National Bar Association discussed soliciting new NBA members to run for national offices. These women decided there were many issues they should consider addressing. Therefore, on August 5, 1971, Ruth Harvey Charity convened the first organizational meeting of NBA women lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1975, the Women Lawyers Division sponsored its first seminar at the NBA national convention. The WLD hosts seminars at each annual convention, addressing the following subjects: impact of juvenile law on the family; domestic violence; energy law; sexual harassment; child advocacy; international law; professional ethics; post conviction relief; law teaching and trial techniques; ascending to the bench and judicial selection methods; the Internet and personal computer technology; rainmaking and leadership for women.

In 1977, Ruth Harvey Charity was elected a Vice President of the National Bar Association, which was the first time in 25 years a woman held so high a position within the NBA. In 1981, another WLD member, Arnette R. Hubbard, was elected the first President of the NBA, and Alice Bonner, another founder of the WLD, was installed as the first woman President of the NBA Judicial Council Division. Since that year, eight other WLD members have served as President of the NBA.

The Supreme Court swearing-in tradition began in 1981 and continues today. Each spring, the Women Lawyers Division supports a group of National Bar Association members for admission to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court. This ceremony is held annually in an effort to enhance the posture of African-American lawyers as legal advocates and to increase the number of minority lawyers who are readily available to represent their clients before this nation's highest court.

The WLD will kick off its 40th Anniversary Celebration with its Inaugural ``Respect Yourself'' Day, which will be a special salute to African-American women and girls to encourage love and respect for themselves and their fellow sisters. The WLD will host its Fourth Annual ``Respect Yourself'' Mentor Program to educate young, at-risk and disadvantaged African-American girls on the importance of self- respect.

Through the Women Lawyers Division, women have made a significant impact on the goals and directions of the NBA by participating at all levels of the organization. The WLD has achieved its goal of adding positive direction to the NBA by contributing and establishing a new dimension and sensitivity of the NBA as it addresses legal issues affecting women, children, the family, and the African-American community as a whole.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to honor the Women Lawyers Division of the National Bar Association on its 40th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of this crucial organization and its admirable efforts.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) during its 2012 annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The National Council of La Raza became a national organization in 1972. NCLR has grown and evolved over the course of its history to become the most authoritative voice on Hispanic issues today. Latinos are strengthened through participation in NCLR and in the political process through its various civic engagement projects. NCLR also works to strengthen emerging community-based organizations in areas where there is a growing Latino population.

Now in its 44th year, NCLR is busy building communities as an industry leader in homeownership counseling, operating programs in 40 sites throughout the country. Its Charter School Development Initiative has helped create more than 40 new schools and strengthen more than 45 others, and its Institute for Hispanic Health develops and implements health education and prevention programs and conducts health advocacy activities in partnership with its network of affiliates.

NCLR's education component is dedicated to increasing educational opportunities, improving achievement, supporting college-readiness, and promoting equity in outcomes for Latinos. The efforts of the education team build the capacity and strengthen the quality of the community- based education sector and inform the broader public education system.

NCLR's economic and workforce advocacy seeks to ensure the Latino community's ability to contribute to and share in the nation's economic opportunities by promoting policies that boost Hispanic employment in good jobs, provide safe and fair workplaces, bridge Latino workers' education and skills gaps, and offer a secure retirement.

With the Raza Development Fund, NCLR's community development lending arm is one of the nation's largest and most successful community development banks. It has approved more than 117 loans totaling $54.6 million, leveraging more than $267 million in financing to community- based housing projects, schools, health clinics, and day care centers.

More recently, in efforts to provide NCLR's affiliates with more direct access to elected officials in Washington, DC, earlier this year NCLR held its first annual NCLR National Advocacy Day. The event convened affiliate members from 22 states who were briefed on the most important issues facing Latinos at the national level, including education, economic mobility, health, and immigration, and who met with Members of Congress to educate them about the needs of the community.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to recognize the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the role they play in educating and training our community members, developing community leaders and fighting for equal rights and fair representation throughout the United States. I am especially pleased to welcome NCLR's members and the tens of thousands of attendees for its 2012 annual conference to Las Vegas, Nevada. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the great work of NCLR and wish them a most successful 2012 conference.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention an issue that is extremely important to me and the middle class families around the country: the ability for every student in America who so desires to get a college education.

My dad was a waiter when I was growing up. I'm the first person in my family to go to college with the help of student loans. I know firsthand the invaluable role that student loans play in helping Nevada's middle class families enable their children to get a college

education. That is why I am so pleased that President Obama is visiting my alma mater today, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He will call on Congress to focus on keeping student loans affordable for Nevada's families as we approach the July 1 deadline when student loans will double.

Mr. Speaker, right now families across the country are sitting around their kitchen tables anxiously figuring out how to give their children the opportunity to go to college. They're counting on this Congress to stop worrying about protecting Wall Street corporations and Big Oil companies for just a few minutes and help their sons and daughters go to college.

I hope that we're up for this challenge.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Jewish American Heritage Month.

My family's story is very much an American Jewish story. On my father's side of the family, from the Russia-Poland border, an entire 1,000-year culture was wiped out as a result of World War II. My mother's side of the family comes from Thessaloniki, Greece, where there was a very vibrant Jewish community prior to World War II, totaling half of the city's entire population. But by the time the Nazis finished, there were only 1,000 Jews left there and I am not presumptuous enough to think that my family would have been among those chosen to live.

My family escaped both the Russia-Poland area and Thessaloniki in order to come to our Nation's shores. And I grew up hearing stories of what their lives had been and how thrilled they were to come to the safe haven of the United States of America. It was the very survival of my family. Had they stayed where they lived in Europe, we would have been exterminated in the Holocaust, but we came to this remarkable country, where we've not only survived, but we've thrived.

When my grandparents came here--and this is a story that is so common among American Jewish families--they couldn't speak English. They had no money. They had no skills. The only thing they had was a dream that their children and their children's children would have a better life here in the United States than they had where they came from.

We American Jews are lucky to be a part of the fabric of this great country, to have full acceptance, to be able to access the highest levels of power, to be able to effectuate meaningful change in a very positive way by participating in the American political process. We have made more than a life for ourselves in the United States of America. We are very proud Americans, and we are very proud Jews. And we appreciate so much the fact that this country offered so many remarkable opportunities and gave us a chance not only for survival, but to become a part of something so much bigger than ourselves.

I urge my colleagues to join me in marking this special occasion.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of Ms. Jan Gilbert, for her 30-year career of advocating for income equality, human rights, and women's health.

This year, Ms. Gilbert is retiring from her current position at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) after 30 years of advocacy on behalf of the voiceless. I am delighted to honor her service and leadership as a champion for justice in the State of Nevada.

In 1982, Jan's work began by serving the community through the League of Women Voters of Nevada as president of the Carson City chapter. In 1990, Jan advocated for the passage of Question 7 to reaffirm women's reproductive rights. Jan's commitment to empowering citizens to become active participants in their government prompted her to cofound PLAN, a statewide organization that offers a unified force for social, environmental, and economic integrity in Nevada.

Jan coauthored the 2002 Wider Opportunities for Women's Self Sufficiency Standard for Nevada. She also served as the cofounder of Nevada's Empowered Women's Project, representing low-income women. In addition, Ms. Gilbert has been instrumental in promoting social justice among Nevadans as the air of the Child Abuse Prevention, Family Support, and Respite Subcommittee of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Grants Management Advisory Committee. Jan has worked tirelessly for low-income women on welfare and facilitated the passage of ``make work pay'' that allowed women to remain on welfare after they started working. She helped increase the welfare grant level for recipients along with aiding in the creation of childcare funding for welfare recipients while they worked.

Finally, Jan's proudest accomplishment was the 2009 passage of the Domestic Partner Registry. She worked vigorously to pass this measure for Nevada and she was responsible for obtaining the last remaining vote to secure its passage and override a gubernatorial veto. Since October 1, 2009, committed couples in Nevada can legally register their partnership and be recognized by the State.

During Jan's years of service, she has received a number of distinguished awards, including the Mike O'Callaghan Humanitarian of the Year Award, the Hannah Humanitarian Award, the Public Citizen of the Year Award, and the Women's Role Model Award, recognizing her gallant efforts. Most recently, she was named a 2012 ``Champion of Change'' by the White House.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to recognize Jan Gilbert and the remarkable work she has done for Nevada. She has made our State a more just, impartial, and equal place for all. I congratulate Jan and her family on a well- earned retirement, but I am sure her love for service and civic engagement will continue to benefit the Silver State in many exciting and innovative ways.

Madam Speaker, it's hard to believe that in the 21st century women in Nevada are still making only 83 cents for every dollar that a man makes.

What does that mean in real terms? It means a difference of $7,326 a year. It is not fair. In most cases, working women in Nevada are either the primary or the sole breadwinners of their families.

That's why I'm calling on the Speaker to follow the Senate's lead and to schedule a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is legislation that will help close the unacceptable wage gap between men and women in this country. Unfortunately, far too many in the House and the Senate are still living in the Dark Ages when it comes to basic fairness for women.

Women in Nevada are still shaking their heads in disbelief that in the year

2012 one of the major debates in this Congress has been whether to restrict access to birth control, and now there are those in the House and Senate who have voted time and time again against enforcing equal pay for equal work.

It is time for this Congress to join the rest of us in the 21st century. Let's get the paycheck fairness bill on the floor, and let's vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Each year on the 27th day of the Jewish month of Nisan, we remember the victims whose lives were destroyed, and who suffered unspeakable brutalities at the hands of their Nazi tormentors. We all know the number six million far too well, but we must always remember that each of those six million--along with so many others--was an individual whose life was snuffed out because of baseless, senseless hatred.

We should also remember that the date for Yom HaShoah was also chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, perhaps the most famous example of Jewish resistance to the Nazis. When the Germans came to liquidate the last remaining inhabitants of the Warsaw Ghetto in order to murder them at the Treblinka extermination camp, these brave, untrained, overmatched and starving souls fought back. Though they were ultimately crushed, they held out against the Nazis for nearly a month, forcing the German army to divert thousands of troops, as well as air force, artillery, armed vehicles, minethrowers, and machine guns in order to put down the rebellion.

While the Holocaust is the greatest of Jewish tragedies, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising stands as a moment of pride for the Jewish people, and a foreshadowing of the new Jewish spirit that would rise with the State of Israel just a few years later. Never again would Jews give up without a fight. With a state and an army, the Jewish people would finally have a refuge to run to in their time of need.

While we commemorate the Holocaust today, I call on my colleagues to join me in re-affirming our connection to the State of Israel, and our responsibility to help Israel through its most difficult times. The Jewish State ensures the survival of the Jewish people in a dangerous and often anti-Semitic world, which is one of the many reasons we in the United States have stood by Israel for so many years and will continue to stand by Israel for as long as they need our help.

The memory of the six million killed by the Nazis demands no less. We in Congress stand with the entire Jewish people in saying Never Again.