Floor Statements

I thank the gentleman from Florida very much for putting this Special Order together in order to discuss an issue that is very important and that is certainly front and center on the international scene today as it has been for the last several weeks. I also thank you, Mr. Deutch, for your extraordinarily steadfast support for the State of Israel and for the strong American-Israeli relationship that we work on and attempt to foster every day.

Madam Speaker, I rise to support our closest friend and ally, the State of Israel, and to support the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. We must oppose Abu Mazen's misguided and dangerous effort to bypass negotiations with Israel and go to the U.N. with a unilateral resolution in order to create a Palestinian state. The ramifications of that are extraordinary. They could destabilize the entire Middle East, put Israel on the defensive at the International Criminal Court, and create a failed terrorist state right next-door to the State of Israel--controlled by the Iranians, I might add.

The Palestinians have claimed that they're going to the U.N. because they have no partner to negotiate with, but it is the Palestinians, not the Israelis, who refuse to negotiate. They demand--and they demand it time and again--that Israel cease all settlement growth in the West Bank before they would be willing to sit down and negotiate for peace and a Palestinian state with the Israelis.

I think it's time that we talk and remember the exact history--and it's not such ancient history either. Even a full settlement freeze is not enough for Abu Mazen. In the summer of 2009--if we can remember back to that time--the Netanyahu government, at great political risk, agreed to freeze all settlement growth for 10 months. Did Abu Mazen and the Palestinians sit down at the negotiating table with the Israelis? There were 10 months of a moratorium--certainly enough time to negotiate a peace agreement that would bring lasting peace to the Palestinian people and a Jewish State of Israel. Did he do that? No, he did not. He waited over 9 months to begin negotiating with Israel and only sat down at the table with weeks left on the Israeli moratorium. Then what did they do? The Palestinians demanded that the Israelis extend the moratorium. They did nothing for nine of the 10 months. Then they wanted to expand the moratorium.

This is not the behavior of a true negotiating partner. What type of negotiating partner invites Hamas, a terrorist organization, to join them and become part of the Palestinian Authority? Certainly not a peace partner that wishes to bring peace and a Palestinian state to the Middle East.

The Israelis, by contrast, have shown their commitment to negotiations and have repeatedly called on the Palestinians to join them at the negotiating table. When Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu addressed the United States Congress in a joint session on May 24, he reiterated his willingness to make painful compromises in order to reach peace with the Palestinians, but the Palestinians have turned their backs on the negotiations or on any form of compromise and have gone to the notoriously anti-Israel body, the United Nations, where they believe they will receive more sympathy and, ultimately, success.

I appreciate the Obama administration's strong statements that they will veto any Palestinian statehood effort at the Security Council, but I am deeply concerned that the Palestinians will receive overwhelming approval at the General Assembly.

Today, the Palestinian Authority has tentatively agreed to merely introduce their resolution for a unilateral declaration of statehood in the Security Council and then ask that no action be taken until they negotiate with the Israelis. This concerns me greatly. What type of way is this to negotiate? Put a gun to Israel's head, and every time the Palestinians don't like the way the negotiations are going, the Palestinians can threaten that they're going back to the United Nations? I don't think this demonstrates a true interest in sitting down and negotiating for a Palestinian state.

Let me tell you, as I conclude, what I think we can do; and we should do it immediately.

Congress must act. We must send a clear signal to the Palestinians that we will not continue to support them with our foreign aid dollars if they choose to act unilaterally and avoid negotiations.

I will not continue to throw taxpayer money away at the Palestinians when they are refusing to negotiate in good faith for a Palestinian state.

I have introduced H.R. 1592, which would cut off funding to the Palestinian Authority if they unilaterally declare a state outside of negotiations. I hope my colleagues will join me in cosponsoring this timely legislation. We must send a clear message to the Palestinians that their efforts to circumvent negotiations are unacceptable and the only way to statehood, the only way, is at the negotiating table.

Mr. Deutch, I thank you so much for allowing me to share my thoughts with you at this most delicate time in world peace.

Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Nevada, the Honorable Mark Amodei, be permitted to take the oath of office today.

His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to welcome Representative Amodei to Congress. Our new colleague is a native son of Nevada and a graduate of the University of Nevada, where he served in the ROTC program and later served on active duty in the Army, first in artillery and then as a JAG officer.

He has worked for the people of Nevada for many years as an assemblyman and as a member of the State Senate. I look forward to working with the gentleman as we represent the citizens of the great State of Nevada.

I now yield to my colleague and friend, Representative Heck.

Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from Nevada, Representative Mark Amodei.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Purple Heart Day.

On August 7, 1782, General George Washington issued an order establishing the Honorary Badge of Distinction, otherwise known as the Badge of Military Merit or the Decoration of the Purple Heart.

The Purple Heart bears the profile of George Washington, the man who led our country through the Revolutionary War and eventually became the nation's first President.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the armed forces who are wounded in conflict with an enemy force, or while being held by an enemy force as a prisoner of war, and may also be awarded to the next of kin of members of the Armed Forces who are killed in conflict with an enemy force, or who die of a wound received in conflict with an enemy force.

The Order of the Purple Heart for Military Merit is our oldest military decoration.

Purple has always been a symbol of royalty and it is fitting that we award the Purple Heart to our wounded heroes, those American military members who have bravely served their country and risked their lives to secure our freedom. I want to thank all veterans for their bravery on behalf of the United States of America. I am personally inspired by the selfless service and devotion of the veterans who have fought for our nation.

The United States of America honors the service men and women who on distant fields of death gave their life blood for their country, not forgetting warriors of yesteryear or those still in Iraq or Afghanistan, today.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense

pride to recognize August 7 as the anniversary of the Purple Heart award, and as Purple Heart Day. Today is a day to reflect and take great pride in being Americans. We must never forget the sacrifices all veterans have made in the name of freedom.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities. As a former President of the Southern Nevada Public Broadcasting Station, I have long been an advocate of funding our Nation's cultural agencies. Arts and humanities play a valuable role in my home State of Nevada, not only because they enrich our culture, but also because they create much-needed jobs in our communities.

Programs funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities are particularly critical to enhancing the quality of K-12 education in Nevada. In 2010, Nevada Humanities produced and supported programs that reached 228 K-12 educators and nearly 55,000 K-12 student participants throughout the State. The humanities play an important role in preparing our students for the future, encouraging them to seek knowledge and wisdom and to reflect on the values and traditions that have shaped this great Nation.

The study of arts and humanities enriches our knowledge about our world and the value of different cultures, which is essential in today's global economy. These efforts preserve the great accomplishments of the past, help us understand the present, and bring clarity and insight to the future. Providing funding for humanities programs is a smart investment for our Nation because it teaches our young people to be thoughtful and well-rounded leaders of tomorrow and creates much-needed jobs today. As a proud member of the Congressional Arts Caucus and a passionate patron of the arts and humanities, I am committed to protecting these investments now and for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call my colleagues' attention to the 37th anniversary of the Turkish tragic invasion of Cyprus. Turkey's unlawful occupation, which began on this day in 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.

Thirty-seven years after the invasion, the Turkish government continues to throw obstacles in the path to peace. Instead of compromising, Turkey threatens a deadlock on relations between Turkey and the European Union if the Republic of Cyprus takes over the presidency of the European Union in July 2012. It is clear that Cypriots of all kinds are ready for peace, but how can peace be reached when Turkey will not even accept Cyprus as a member of the European Union? The time has come for Turkey to end their threats, 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 to express support and sympathy for the people of Cyprus about the tragedy that recently occurred in one of their naval bases, killing 13 people and injuring dozens more. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Cyprus at this extremely difficult time.

This tragic story begins with a courageous act of international leadership by the government of Cyprus. In January 2009, a Cypriot- flagged merchant ship was illegally transporting arms from Iran to Syria, when it was called to port by the Cypriot government. Acting on their suspicions, Cypriot forces arrested the sailors aboard the ship, seized the arms, and stored them at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Zygi, Cyprus, where they had been kept until now.

On Monday, July 11, the gunpowder in these containers was ignited by a brush fire and exploded. Thirteen Cypriots were killed in this massive explosion and fire, including the commander of the Cypriot navy, Andreas Ioannides, and the commander of the base, Lambros Lambrou. The explosion also damaged the most important power plant in Cyprus, which normally supplies 60 percent of the electricity for the island, causing widespread blackouts, reducing water supply, and threatening the nation's economy.

This tragic event is made only more so by the fact that it began with such a great act of leadership on the part of the Cypriot government. I know my colleagues join me in extending our deepest appreciation to the Cypriot government for the actions they took to stop the illegal arms shipment and in expressing our deepest condolences for those who lost their lives and all those who were harmed by this tragic event.

We stand ready to assist the Cypriot people to recover from this accident and look forward to many more years of working together to advance the cause of world peace.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 268, reaffirming the United States' commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

We all know that the only way to achieve a true and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians is through direct negotiations between the parties. But the Palestinians have been refusing to negotiate with Israel for over a year, using excuse after excuse to stay away from the bargaining table. The Israelis, meanwhile, have accepted the principle of a two-state solution and have pushed for immediate, direct negotiations with the Palestinians.

If I were the Palestinian leadership, which claims simply to want an independent state, I would be clamoring for immediate, direct negotiations. Nothing could stop me from sitting down at the negotiating table and finding a lasting settlement to these issues so that my people could finally achieve statehood.

But while Israel waits for a partner at the bargaining table, the Palestinians have turned away and instead asked that the United Nations prematurely recognize a Palestinian state, though its borders have not been determined, the status of Jerusalem has not been settled and the Palestinians still insist on an unprecedented ``right of return'' for refugees. Further, Israel still faces real threats to its security in the form of terror attacks: between April and July of this year alone, Israel was on the receiving end of hundreds of missiles fired from Gaza. The Palestinians' end-run around the negotiations is just another attempt by the Palestinians to gain the upper hand and embarrass Israel rather than finding a peaceful solution to this tragic conflict.

Complicating matters further is the agreement signed between Fatah and Hamas, a terrorist organization, to form a unity government within the Palestinian Authority. Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with terrorists, and no one should ask them to do so. And yet, PA president Mahmoud Abbas decided to cast his lot not with the moderates but with the extremists and terrorists who seek Israel's destruction, rather than a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The United Nations and the world community must reject Hamas as a legitimate representative of the Palestinians and must turn back any Palestinian attempts to avoid the negotiating table. We must insist on immediate, direct negotiations as the only path to peace. I therefore urge strong support for this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of the mayor Pro Tem of the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, Gary Reese.

Gary Reese was first elected to the Las Vegas City Council representing Ward 3 on June 6, 1995, and is currently serving his fourth term. Councilman Reese was appointed Mayor Pro Tem on November 16, 2000.

Councilman Reese has accomplished many things for the City of Las Vegas. From 1995-2011, Councilman Reese facilitated 19 community and recreational centers, 10 transportation projects, eight fire stations, eight expansion and beautification projects, the Fremont Street Experience, Neon Sign Museum, a water reclamation center, and a police area command station.

As the owner of the Plaza Barber Shop and former chairman of the Las Vegas Planning Commission, Gary Reese is a well-known figure in the Las Vegas community. Prior to establishing the Plaza Barber Shop, which has been in operation since 1963, Councilman Reese worked at the Nevada Test Site.

Councilman Reese currently serves as a vice chairman on the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Committee on Fiscal Affairs. He is also a member of the Las Vegas Centennial Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was recently appointed to the board of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. He has also served on the Southern Nevada Health District Board for more than 13 years.

In addition to his work on the Planning Commission, Councilman Reese has served on the City's Board of Zoning Adjustment, Southern Nevada Enterprise Consortium and the Real Estate and Recommending Committees. His concern for citizen interest is manifested through his past involvement with the City's Citizens Advisory Committee on Downtown Development and the Senior Citizens Advisory Board. Councilman Reese has also served as a member of the City's Liquor/Tavern License Committee and the Economic Opportunity Board of Clark County.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, it gives me immense pride to recognize the accomplishments of Councilman Gary Reese.

Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the achievements of the Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, Nevada, Oscar Goodman.

Mayor Goodman has worked tirelessly for the City of Las Vegas. From 1999 to 2011, the Mayor facilitated 19 community and recreational centers, eight transportation projects, eight fire stations, seven expansion and beautification projects, a water reclamation center, and a police area command station.

Mayor Goodman has been responsible for many great accomplishments in the heart of downtown. As Mayor, he was successful in acquiring a large piece of urban real estate in the City without resorting to eminent domain. Symphony Park will include the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, Performing Arts Center, business, medical, and retail opportunities.

Mayor Goodman also managed to acquire a historic downtown post office from the General Services Administration. The building is being converted to a state-of-the-art museum capturing the excitement and notoriety of the history of Las Vegas. Also in the center of Las Vegas, an intellectual marketplace is being designed and will be home to the University of Nevada Las Vegas' (UNLV) School of Architecture, UNLV Modern Letters Program, and the Nevada School of the Arts.

Mayor Goodman serves as the Chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and works non-stop to raise support for cultural programs and charities of Las Vegas.

Oscar Goodman first ran for Mayor of Las Vegas in 1999. By his third reelection bid in April 2007, Mayor Goodman captured 84 percent of the vote.

As the Congresswoman for the people of Las Vegas, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the achievements of the self-proclaimed ``Happiest Mayor in the Universe,'' Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Victory Missionary Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On June 11, 1961, Rev. Abner J. Thompson, along with his wife, Mother Christine Thompson, founded the Victory Missionary Baptist Church under his pastorate. The Church was originally organized at the Zion United Methodist Church dining hall. Shortly after, a permanent place of worship was established on the west side of Las Vegas.

Under Reverend Thompson's leadership, several area families cultivated this newly formed church. From the earliest beginnings, the church and its choir became well known throughout Las Vegas and in other parts of the country. As the church continued to grow, the congregation outgrew the original location. Between 1981 and 1984, the pastor and families made plans to construct a new sanctuary that would include an education building, kitchen, dining area and Sunday school.

After 35 years of ministering, Reverend Thompson retired in February 1996. That following November, Dr. Robert E. Fowler, Sr., from Lawton, Oklahoma was installed as pastor. In 1998, Pastor Fowler outlined a plan for Victory Missionary Baptist Church that included a clear vision for the church. Within a year, membership grew more than 200 percent from previous years. Victory Missionary Baptist Church was a ``Church on the Move'' and acquired the entire block where it is now located. These acquisitions were historic, as this was the first church on the west side of Las Vegas.

In 2003, Victory Missionary Baptist Church looked outward and focused on improving the community with programs designed to provide stimulation for the physical and recreational needs of the members. The health education ministry provided free health screenings and health education programs to the community at no cost, directly benefiting over 600 people.

In 2005, the church renewed its focus on Christian improvement, with Pastor Fowler instructing various ministries on how to better evangelize and become leaders in the church. In 2006 and 2007, the church went through a paradigm shift, with the ministries growing and adding new meaning and new challenges for the congregation.

In 2009, the church expanded its focus on vision and voice. The goal for the year was to challenge the congregation on a personal and spiritual level. While the national and local economies remained unsteady, this focus ensured the congregation that their positive relationship with God would remain unwavering.

As the Representative for Nevada's First Congressional District, I proudly recognize Victory Missionary Baptist Church for 50 years of dedicated service to the community of Las Vegas. Victory Missionary Baptist Church continues to be a beacon of light for its members and the community as a whole. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Victory Missionary Baptist Church's 50th Anniversary.

Thank you, Mr. Higgins.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Higgins amendment to eliminate a provision in this bill that would harm Las Vegas, Phoenix, Denver, Miami, Atlanta, Baltimore, Detroit, and dozens more cities around the country.

This bill before us would eliminate any funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative for all but the top 10 highest-risk urban areas, leaving over 50 U.S. cities off the list, including my own city of Las Vegas, one of the greatest tourist destinations in the world with over 37 million visitors a year.

For almost a decade, the UASI program has worked to help cities prevent and protect themselves from threats and acts of terrorism. Not too long ago, over 60 U.S. cities received funding to help them purchase equipment, develop recovery plans, and implement counterterrorism strategies.

In my home city of Las Vegas, for example, we've created the Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center, where 18 State, local, and Federal agencies all work together to detect and prevent terrorists and other homeland security-related events. This kind of fusion center is based on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to help law enforcement agencies communicate more effectively so they can put the pieces together that could prevent attacks. UASI funding has been an essential part of that center, and cutting off funding to that center now would put their excellent and possibly lifesaving work at risk.

Southern Nevada is home to Nellis Air Force Base and Hoover Dam and some of the largest hotels on the planet. We know that some of the 9/11 terrorists visited Las Vegas before the horrific attack on our Nation.

Mr. Chairman, after the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden, we also know that terrorists are increasingly focusing their interests on mid-sized cities rather than large cities. Many of those would now not be receiving Federal funding were this provision to become law. This is being done when the risk of retaliation by both homegrown terrorists and al Qaeda and al Qaeda affiliates is very high. I implore my colleagues not to leave some of America's greatest cities vulnerable and without the necessary funding to protect themselves.

At a time when States and local governments are struggling to balance their budgets, we need help more than ever to prevent and prepare against terrorist attacks. This provision would be salt to the wounds.

I urge support for this amendment.

Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the Thompson/ Berkley amendment.

This amendment would expand the DoD state licensure exception to allow health care professionals to practice across state borders--as long as they are qualified and practicing within regulations of their authorized federal duties. It would change the definition of these exempted health care professionals to include qualified civilians and contractors. However, nothing in this amendment is intended to change state-based scope of practice laws or regulations nor is it intended to be used as the basis for any future scope of practice changes through DoD regulations. This amendment also removes cumbersome location requirements, promoting increased use of tele-medicine, tele-healthcare services, and tele-behavioral health programs.

One of my long-standing goals in Congress has been to expand the availability of mental health services for our brave men and women in uniform. Increasing servicemembers' treatment options by eliminating outdated restrictions on well-qualified health care professionals is an important step toward meeting that goal. This amendment addresses the changing medical needs of America's men and women in uniform and reduces barriers to ensure full access to quality health care-- regardless of their location. This amendment is based on H.R. 1832, the Portability (STEP) Act, which has the support of the Air Force Association (AFA), American Servicemembers' Telemedicine & E-Health Legion, the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN), the Enlisted Association of the National Guard (EANGUS), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Mental Health America, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Reserve Enlisted Association (REA), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

This amendment addresses DoD's limited ability to allow its health care professionals to provide care when the patient is in a different state while adhering to DoD's current system of core and supplemental privileges for each respective specialty, ensuring high quality care and patient safety. It also unties the hands of the DoD when it comes to civilians or contractors who have stepped up to fill shortages in desperately needed positions--especially mental health. Many in the military will no longer have to travel long distances to get help, relieving financial burdens and stress. We must honor the dedication and sacrifice of our troops by making sure DoD has the resources and qualified treatment providers needed to care for our heroes in Nevada and across the nation. That includes even more assistance for our troops who are coping not only with physical injuries, but with the challenges of PTSD and other mental health issues we are still working to better understand. This amendment recommits us as a nation to honoring the service of America's military, modernizing DoD for the 21st Century and increasing the quality and convenience of support and services for our returning servicemembers.

I want to thank Representative Thompson for his dedication to this very important issue and I urge my colleagues to support our amendment.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 427, a bill originally introduced by Representative Heller of Nevada, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 673, a bill originally introduced by Representative Heller of Nevada, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.