Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 184th Anniversary of Greek Independence and to thank my colleagues, Mr. Bilirakis and Mrs. Maloney, who have once again shown great leadership in their efforts to organize this special order.

On Greek Independence Day, we celebrate our special ties of friendship, history, and shared values with Greece. In doing so, we not only honor such an important day in Greek history, but also the strong and unique relationship that exists today between the United States and Greece.

Our two nations have enjoyed close relations since the people of Greece declared their independence on March 25, 1821. Our country has welcomed generations of Greek immigrants, and we are grateful for how they have enhanced our culture and contributed to our country in a variety of fields, including philosophy, architecture, politics and the arts. I am so proud to have a thriving community of Hellenic-Americans in the 9th District of New Jersey. I salute them and their ancestors' struggle for freedom on the anniversary of Greek Independence Day and I commend them for their tremendous contributions to the very fabric of our community.

For nearly 200 years, the American and Greek peoples have shared a profound commitment to democratic principles, and have worked to create societies built on these principles. The United States and Greece have stood together in every major struggle for freedom and democracy and now they continue to work together in the fight against terrorism. Greece continues to be a valuable military partner to the United States, as is evident through their support of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and an important member of both NATO and the European Union.

I am so pleased to have this opportunity to toast the Greek people and celebrate Greek culture once again. It is an honor to rise and commemorate the 184th Greek Independence Day. On this day we celebrate more than just Greece's independence, we celebrate Greece as an important military ally and longstanding friend of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great pleasure to honor and commend the Fairleigh Dickinson University Men's Basketball Team, the Knights, who won the 2005 Northeast Conference Championship (NEC) game on March 9, 2005. The Knights are returning to the 2005 NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1998, and will face number one ranked Illinois on March 17 in Indianapolis.

The Knights hosted the NEC Tournament championship game last Wednesday evening, March 9th, at their home court in Hackensack, NJ where they secured a hard fought win over the Wagner College Seahawks by a score of 58-52. The highlights of the game included Center Andrea Crosariol scoring 18 points, just two points shy of his career high, and junior guard Chad Timberlake scoring 11 points. Senior guard Mensah Peterson scored 7 of his 13 points in the final three minutes, with an impressive 3-point shot made with 24 seconds left on the clock to secure the Knights' triumph.

Head coach, Tom Green has had his fair share of accomplishments during his 22 years at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has led the Knights to 17 winning seasons, 15 NEC Tournament semi-final appearances and eight NEC Championship games.

Today, Coach Green continues to lead a team of talented and bright young men. Junior forward Gordon Klaiber was named to the All-NEC First Team and senior guard Tamien Trent was selected to the All-NEC Second Team in a vote conducted by the league's head coaches. The duo boasts a combined average of 32 points per game for the highest scoring offense in the NEC during the regular season.

Founded in 1942, Fairleigh Dickinson University, located in my Congressional District, has provided Northern Jersey with a quality level of higher education. The university's sixth president, Dr. J. Michael Adams, serves as an outstanding motivator by encouraging his students to expand their perspective of the world by embracing diversity and utilizing sophisticated technology in order to enact rapid change through education.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Dr. Adams for his tireless efforts to continually raise the level of education at this fine institution. I also thank Coach Green and the outstanding team members of the Knights for their dedication to their school and for the passion they have for the sport of basketball. I commend the Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights for their stellar season, including the NEC Championship title, and I offer Coach Green and his team the best of luck in the Big Dance.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues and Tibetan communities around the world to commemorate Tibetan Uprising Day, and to draw attention to the continued serious human rights abuses committed by the People's Republic of China.

On March 10, 1959, in reaction to rumors that the Chinese were planning to kill or kidnap the Dalai Lama, thousands of Tibetan refugees courageously surrounded the Dalai Lama's compound and began calling for the Chinese to leave Tibet. This marked the beginning of the ``Lhasa Uprising.'' On March 17, 1959, fearing that Chinese troops would massacre the thousands of refugees who were refusing orders to disperse, the Dalai Lama disguised himself and took flight to India. Forty-eight hours later, believing the Dalai Lama was still inside, Chinese troops began shelling his compound and other targets in Lhasa, killing thousands of mostly unarmed civilians. Chinese statistics estimate that 87,000 Tibetans from all parts of Tibet were killed, arrested, or deported to labor camps during the 1959 Uprising. Only a small number of the thousands who fled to India survived Chinese military attacks, malnutrition, cold and disease.

Over the past 46 years, Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile around the world have bravely fought against tremendous odds to preserve their religious identity, culture, and history. It is estimated that 1.5 million Tibetans have died as a result of Chinese occupation since 1949 and 6000 monasteries, temples, and other cultural buildings were destroyed. And today, Tibetans, including monks and nuns, are continually persecuted for practicing their religion, and voicing their support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In fact, five Tibetan monks were jailed by Chinese authorities in February of this year for allegedly publishing politically sensitive poems, and were given sentences of two to three years.

The U.S. government has continually supported Tibetan self- determination, and I am proud of the dedication of the U.S. Congress to drawing attention to the gross human rights abuses committed by the People's Republic of China against the Tibetan people. We must continue to support the dialogue between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the government of China, and remain committed to a peaceful resolution to this tragic conflict, keeping in mind our shared values of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from tyranny.

I commend to you the statement written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in commemoration of Tibetan Uprising Day, and I am honored to submit the statement in its entirety for the Record.

The Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the 46th Anniversary of

the Tibetan National Uprising Day

On the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the Tibetan

People's Uprising, I convey my warm greetings to my fellow

Tibetans in Tibet and in exile and to our friends around the

world.

During these more than four decades great changes have

taken place in Tibet. There has been a great deal of economic

progress along with development in infrastructure. The

Golmud-Lhasa railway link that is being built is a case in

point. However, during the same period much has been written

by independent journalists and travelers to Tibet about the

real situation in Tibet and not what they have been shown.

Most of them portray a very different picture than what the

Chinese government claims, clearly criticizing China about

the lack of human rights, religious freedom and self-rule in

Tibet. What has actually happened and is still happening is

that since the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region

the real authority has been solely held by Chinese leaders.

As for the Tibetan people, they have been facing suspicions

and growing restrictions. The lack of true ethnic equality

and harmony based on trust, and the absence of genuine

stability in Tibet clearly shows that things are not well in

Tibet and that basically there is a problem.

Prominent and respected Tibetan leaders in Tibet have

spoken out on this from time to time and even suffered

because of their courageous acts. In the early 1960s, the

late Panchen Lama outlined the sufferings and aspirations of

the Tibetan people in his petition to the Chinese leaders.

Baba Phuntsok Wangyal, one of the foremost Tibetan communist

leaders, in his recent biography published in English dwells

at length on the need to meet the interests of the Tibetan

people. In fact, it is clear that most senior Tibetan

officials in Tibet deep in their hearts are extremely

dissatisfied.

This year the Chinese government will mark the 40th

anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous

Region. There will be much fanfare and many commemorative

events to celebrate the occasion but these will be

meaningless when they do not reflect the ground realities.

For example, the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural

Revolution were celebrated with great pomp as real

achievements at the time they took place.

China has made tremendous economic progress during the past

more than two decades. China today is not what it was twenty

or thirty years ago. Much has changed in China. As a result

she has become a major player in the world and China rightly

deserves this position. It is a big nation with a huge

population and a rich and ancient civilization. However,

China's image is tarnished by her human rights records,

undemocratic actions, the lack of the rule of law and the

unequal implementation of autonomy rights regarding

minorities, including the Tibetans. All these are a cause for

more suspicion and distrust from the outside world.

Internally, they are an obstacle to unity and stability that

are of utmost importance to the leaders of the People's

Republic of China. In my view, it is important that as China

becomes a powerful and respectable nation she should be able

to adopt a reasonable policy with confidence.

The world in general, of which China is a part, is changing

for the better. In recent times there is definitely a greater

awareness and appreciation for peace, non-violence,

democracy, justice and environmental protection. The recent

unprecedented response from governments and individuals

across the world to the tsunami disaster victims reaffirms

that the world is truly interdependent and the importance of

universal responsibility.

My involvement in the affairs of Tibet is not for the

purpose of claiming certain personal rights or political

position for myself not attempting to stake claims for the

Tibetan administration in exile. In 1992 in a formal

announcement I stated clearly that when we return to Tibet

with a certain degree of freedom I will not hold any office

in the Tibetan government or any other political position and

that the present Tibetan administration in exile will be

dissolved. Moreover, the Tibetans working in Tibet should

carry on the main responsibility of administering Tibet.

I once again want to reassure the Chinese authorities that

as long as I am responsible for the affairs of Tibet we

remain fully committed to the Middle Way Approach of not

seeking independence for Tibet and are willing to remain

within the People's Republic

of China. I am convinced that in the long run such an

approach is of benefit to the Tibetan people for their

material progress. It is encouraging that there is support

from various parts of the world for this approach as being

reasonable, realistic and of mutual benefit to the Chinese

and Tibetans. I am particularly encouraged by the recognition

and support that has come from certain quarters of the

intellectual circle from within China.

I am happy with our renewed contacts with the Chinese

leadership and that the third round of meetings last

September shows that gradually our interactions are

improving. Now that our elected political leadership is

shouldering more responsibility in Tibetan affairs, I have

advised them to look into the issues raised by the Chinese

side during our third round of talks and to take steps to

address or clarify them as needed. We remain hopeful that

eventually we will be able to develop the necessary trust and

resolve this long-standing issue to our mutual benefit.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express

the Tibetan people's gratitude and appreciation to the people

and Government of India for their steadfast sympathy and

support. I very much feel a part of this nation not only

because of the centuries-old religious and cultural ties that

India and Tibet enjoyed but also because I and most of the

Tibetans in exile lived in India for the past 45 years.

I offer my prayers to the brave men and women of Tibet who

gave their lives for the cause of Tibetan freedom.

The Dalai Lama,

March 10, 2005.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable American, a dear friend of mine, and a dedicated member of my congressional staff--Mary Bustillo Donohue, who turns 80-years-young on February 14, 2005.

Mary has dedicated her life to her family and her community. She was born in Cuba to parents who valued education and citizenship. After her family fled a repressive government in 1933, Mary grew up in New York City with a strong sense of the sacrifices her parents had made in coming to America, and with compassion and admiration for others longing to be citizens of our nation. She attended Cathedral High School, and met the love of her life, Jerry Donohue, on their first date, April 19, 1942. Jerry, who had enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was transferred to the Naval Reserve, served his country in World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war. During a brief break from Jerry's training at the School of Naval Administration at Stanford University, Mary and Jerry were married at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on June 18, 1946. Mary and Jerry Donohue moved to River Edge, New Jersey in 1952 where they were blessed with eight fantastic children, and later, 17 brilliant and beautiful grandchildren. After earning her BA and MBA degrees in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and working on her doctorate in Spanish Literature at New York University, Mary embarked on a 26-year teaching career, including her role as the first female administrator at Paramus Catholic Boys High School.

Mary's life of ``firsts'' continued. Mary and Jerry were elected by the parishioners of St. Peter the Apostle Church to serve on the first Parish Council. Mary served as Democratic Town Committeewoman for River Edge District 4 for over 30 years. She was twice elected River Edge Councilwoman, having the honor of being the first elected woman to serve River Edge in that capacity. In 1989, she was elected to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the first Hispanic to serve as a member of the County's seven-person legislative body. Mary was then elected by the New Jersey State Democratic Committee to serve two terms as a member of the Democratic National Committee, and was elected Chairperson of the National Hispanic Caucus of the Democratic National Committee during President Clinton's tenure.

This past year, after 57 years of marriage, Mary lost the love of her life, her beloved husband, friend, and companion, Jerry. His passing has caused her much sadness. However, Mary continues to give back and touch the lives of the residents of Northern New Jersey. She serves on the New Bridge Landing Park Commission, was recently re-elected Democratic Committeewoman of District 4 in River Edge, teaches Spanish two hours a week to senior citizens at the Teaneck Senior Center, and assists with national, state, county, and municipal election campaigns. Also--and for this I am most proud and grateful-- Mary serves as a caseworker in my Hackensack, New Jersey office three days a week, specializing in immigration and citizenship services, using her vast knowledge, experience, multilingual gifts and compassionate heart to assist those people who, very much like her parents, want to become citizens of our great nation and provide a better life for their children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with sincere and enduring admiration, fondness and great respect for my dear friend and colleague, Mary Bustillo Donohue and I wish her the very best as she celebrates her 80th birthday. I know her family, friends, and coworkers will join me in wishing her a wonderful year ahead, filled with joy, happiness, and good health. She is truly an inspiration and role model for us all. Happy Birthday Mary!

Mr. Speaker, so what is a nice Jewish boy doing here on the floor of the House praising Catholic Schools? Because Catholic Schools do so much for our country, so much for our children, providing them with the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, the faith that has added so much to the civilization of the world and making the world a better place.

Catholic Schools recognize that people are physical, spiritual, moral as well as intelligent beings. They provide so many good values to our children. We have 408 Catholic Schools in the State of New Jersey alone, and I can tell you from all of my dear friends over a lifetime who have told me about their Catholic School experiences. This is where they learned respects for elders, not only the tenets of the Catholic faith but also discipline and respect for other faiths.

I want to pay particular attention and I want to particularly praise the teachers at Catholic Schools who have done so much and sacrificed so much to teach these young people, our children, all of these valuable and important lessons that have helped our country and have helped the world and have helped

these young men and women be better human beings. They often do this for far less pay than in the public schools, but they are perhaps some of the greatest and finest teachers you will find in our country.

So I am delighted and proud that we rightfully honor the contribution of Catholic Schools here in the United States Congress, and I thank all of those in the Catholic faith who have made that possible for these youngsters to enjoy the blessings of these wonderful institutions.

Mr. Speaker, due to a family religious obligation, I will be absent from the House of Representatives on Friday, November 19, and any possible session on Saturday, November 20, 2004. Should H.R. 4818, the Foreign Operations Appropriations Conference Report, serving as the Omnibus vehicle, be considered, I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted ``yes'' on this conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Taiwan's National Day, which will be celebrated on October 10, 2004. People in the United States and around the world have always marveled at the modern miracle that is Taiwan and the enormous political and economic successes that it has achieved. As we approach Taiwan's National Day, it only seems appropriate that we congratulate our Taiwanese friends on their many successes.

In just 50 years, Taiwan has transformed from a poor authoritarian dictatorship into a vibrant modern democracy. Last March, Mr. Chen Shui-bian was re-elected the eleventh president of the Republic of China. This was the third democratically-held election for the people of Taiwan. A firm believer in the free enterprise system and the importance of democratic governance, President Chen's leadership has enabled his people to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in Asia, with only 1 percent of its population remaining below the poverty line in 2000. Taiwan has also continued to make steady progress at expanding democracy in this republic: it currently has more than 95 political parties and a Constitution that guarantees its citizens full political rights, including the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly.

Taiwan is a strong ally of the United States. It has unequivocally supported the U.S.-led war against global terrorism and the U.S. war in Iraq. And we, in turn, have given Taiwan our pledge that Taiwanese way of life should not be threatened by any outside forces. This strong mutual relationship is manifested in many ways. Taiwan is our eighth largest trading partner. The Taiwanese people continue to demand a variety of U.S. exports and consistently choose the United States as their number one travel destination. In fact, every year thousands of Taiwanese people come to my own state, New Jersey, for vacations as well as for business purposes. I am confident that the strong relationship between the United States and Taiwan will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.

On the occasion of Taiwan's forthcoming National Day, I wish to recognize Taiwan's many economic and political achievements and express my congratulations to President Chen Shui-bian and to the Taiwanese Ambassador to the U.S., Mr. David Lee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my profound shock and sorrow concerning the bombings that occurred yesterday, October 7, 2004, in Taba, Egypt, where at least 29 people died and 160 were injured. The fact that the attacks coincided with the joyous Jewish festival of Sukkot is particularly horrifying. Two years ago we witnessed similar acts of violence when terrorists struck the Park Hotel in Netanya, killing dozens of Israelis celebrating the traditional Passover meal and again in Mombasa, Kenya where terrorists unsuccessfully attempted to take down an Israeli passenger jet but were successful in killing twelve people at an Israeli-owned hotel.

Yesterday's bombings, which occurred at a popular hotel and camping ground in Egypt, are especially jarring for two reasons. First, the attacks show the indiscriminate nature of these terrorists who killed innocent Muslims, Christians and Jews, Egyptians, Russians, Britons and Israelis alike. Second, photos and accounts of Israelis rushing the border to get back into Israel are a jarring reminder of why the State of Israel was created--to provide a safe haven for Jews the world over who all too often cannot find peace elsewhere.

Mr. Speaker, the bombings in Egypt also illustrate another important point--that the security fence being built around Israel works. Although no group has yet been definitively tied to this attack, it is clear the attack in Egypt was chosen because it would be too difficult to perpetrate inside of Israel. The security fence is a sad reality for those living on either side, but a necessary reality in order to save lives. As our strategic military partner, ally, trusted friend of 56 years, and only democracy in the Middle East, Israel needs the continued support of the United States as it works to secure her people from Palestinian and other terrorists who seek Israel's destruction.

Mr. Speaker, it has been said that the bombers may have hoped to bring an end to talks between Egypt and Israel that focused on halting arms smuggling from Egypt to Palestinian terrorists in Gaza, and addressing other issues of shared concern to both nations. We must not let that happen. Egyptians died in Taba just as Israelis did, Egyptians that lived and worked in peace with Israelis each and every day. I encourage Egypt and Israel to continue to work together and I applaud President Mubarak and his government for coordinating with Israeli rescue workers and response teams to allow them access to the site of the attack in Egypt.

Mr. Speaker, my heart goes out to all those whose loved ones were killed or wounded in these vicious attacks and I vow to continue my work to fight terror to prevent such horrifying attacks in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Police Chief John L. Shannon, Jr. of Hawthorne, New Jersey. Chief Shannon retires at the end of September, concluding a nearly 36 year career in law enforcement. In fact, Chief Shannon has spent much of his life bravely serving our country--first as a decorated soldier in the United States Air Force stationed in Vietnam and later as a committed member and leader of Hawthorne's Police Force. I commend Chief Shannon for his dedication to our nation and its ideals of justice and freedom, both at home and abroad; Chief Shannon's lifetime of service is befitting a true patriot.

Since first joining the Hawthorne Police Department in 1968, and with each position he has held between Patrolman and Police Chief, Chief Shannon has continually worked to improve the safety and quality of life for Hawthorne residents by involving them in Police Department decisions and programs. Chief Shannon was a leader in the development of the Cops in Schools program in Hawthorne to ensure that, while in school, students can concentrate on achievement and not be distracted by concerns for their safety. He established a School Emergency Response Plan, implemented a Junior Police Academy, created a traffic unit to focus on motorcycles and drunk and aggressive driving, and worked with seniors and business owners to create targeted crime prevention programs. Chief Shannon introduced the community policing concept to Hawthorne and thus encouraged residents and police to work together to improve their shared community.

Judging by the unanimous vote that allowed Chief Shannon to serve for 3 terms as the President of the Passaic County Chiefs Association, his Vice Presidency and role as State Delegate of the Hawthorne PBA Local 200, and his membership in the New Jersey, National and International Police Chiefs Associations, Chief Shannon is clearly admired and respected by his peers. The impact of his leadership will be seen for years to come in Hawthorne and Passaic County.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chief Shannon for his estimable service and wish him well in his much deserved retirement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to call on the House Republican leadership to allow us to vote on H.R. 2038 and H.R. 3831, which would allow us to decide whether we should let the assault weapons ban stay in effect or disappear from America.

This Monday, September 13, the assault weapons ban will expire, unless the House Republican leadership allows us to vote on whether to keep it in effect or let it expire.

Madam Speaker, the second amendment to the United States Constitution allows individuals to own firearms. The question is, where do we draw the line? Should people be allowed to have shoulder-fired rocket launchers that down airplanes? Of course not. Well, you do not need a 20-round-a-minute assault weapon to take down a deer.

Madam Speaker, I ask the House Republican leadership to allow this Congress to allow us to vote on whether we should extend the assault weapons ban or should we just, because they will not let us vote, have it expire. The assault weapons ban works. Since it went into effect, these crimes have gone down 66 percent.

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure that the American people understand what is happening with our fiscal House, our economic well- being.

I wonder if the American people know, Mr. Speaker, that the President of the United States is borrowing money to add to the largest annual deficit in the history of the United States, borrowing money to give tax cuts, tax cuts that will go disproportionately to households making over $300,000 a year.

As the Wall Street Journal said just the other day, a very conservative newspaper, all of these prior trillion dollars of tax cuts have benefited primarily the very rich in our society, not the middle class, not the working class and not the poor; and they give reasons why that is so.

Instead of borrowing money, adding to the deficit for more tax cuts for the rich, who have done very well, thank you very much, why do we not invest that money in our Nation's infrastructure, roads, bridges, sewers, hospitals, school buildings, so that not only do we provide good-paying jobs but at the end of it we have something to show for it and we do not force our local property taxpayers to pick up the tab when the Federal Government should be paying for it, instead of giving it to the very rich who have done extraordinarily well. God bless them, but they do not need the money. America and our taxpayers need the money.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from New York for yielding me the time.

Allow me, Mr. Chairman, to first thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Wicker) for all of his cooperation and that of his staff in taking into consideration all of our concerns, including those in the minority. It is greatly appreciated, and the spirit of bipartisan that you bring to the committee is very welcome and I believe has produced a very fine bill overall.

Of course, my ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), has done a magnificent job in leading us in so many ways to improve the condition of peoples around the world.

A lot of Americans wonder why we spend any money on foreign aid at all. Well, it is really very simple. Of course, we have a humanitarian interest in making sure that people do not suffer, and we help our neighbors, not just those next door but across the border.

But if one were to look at it purely selfishly, in America's national interest, we do not want people to go hungry. We do not want them to be brutalized by dictatorships. We do not want them to become resentful and frustrated and angry, and we do not want them to lash out at all of the powers in the world who live in a democracy and live in freedom, which is what we are facing now, people who have been deprived or who feel deprived, who have nothing to lose by giving up their lives, so they think, to destroy a world order that has ignored them.

Mr. Chairman, I am so delighted that this bill provides money, for example, for microloan projects, where $100 literally given to a small village in Africa or in Latin America or even in Eastern Europe can change the whole town's economy. Buy a sewing machine and create garments, sell those garments and buy another sewing machine.

Along with our aid to our allies such as the state of Israel, to Jordan in the Middle East, our assistance to Egypt, which hopefully will continue to help the situation in Gaza, number one, by preventing smuggling of arms from Egypt to the Palestinians that are being used against Israeli civilians but also to help train a security force in Gaza so that when Israel pulls out of Gaza, as they have announced their intention to do, there will be a civil order in Gaza and the Palestinians can control Gaza themselves and hopefully develop a moderate leadership that is interested in living in peace next to its neighbor, our number one ally and friend for 55 years, the state of Israel.

I am also delighted that we have provided sufficient money for Armenia and Azerbaijan, money for Cyprus for bicommunal activities, because these are ways that areas, countries where there was traditionally tension between the two countries or the two entities within one country can find common ground, get over their historical differences and work together. Hopefully, that is an example for the whole world.

Of course, in Haiti and the Sudan there is much to do. There is so much suffering in Haiti, and that is why I am proud that $75 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti's recovery is in the bill, and that $310 million is in the bill for the Sudan, where there have been and are presently ongoing horrors, murders and rapes and slavery, literally slavery of men, women and children in that region. So that $310 million will be very well spent.

Again, this foreign aid bill not only is in our humanitarian interest to do to make the world a better place and to help our neighbors live a better life, we want to make sure that the people of the world are well fed, have a job, have a chance to be free, have a chance to take care of their families.

This is so important and especially now when, regardless of the cause, and we can debate the cause, I think it is fair to say, and most Americans believe, that many people in the world wonder about America's character. They wonder about that great Nation, shining Nation on a Hill, if we still have the kind of values that they thought we had.

Well, this foreign aid bill should let them know that the people of the United States of America are as generous as always and interested in their well-being.

Mr. Chairman, I ask for the support of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, America's future is contingent upon the leadership, vision, and commitment of teachers, and a life dedicated to the education of our children is one that should be both acknowledged and praised. Thus, I would like to recognize Ms. Barbara Bosch, an educator in the East Rutherford school district in New Jersey and a member of the New Jersey Education Association, who will be retiring this June after 41 years of teaching.

Ms. Bosch's devotion, creativity, and resourcefulness as an educator helped her to meet the diverse needs of her students in the continually evolving field of education over the past several decades. Her dedication to her students was displayed in part by the many hours spent with them both inside and outside the classroom. Ms. Bosch's dedication and strong character allowed her to fulfill her professional responsibilities at the highest level, and serve as a role model for her students and colleagues. Such achievements in the field of education were so admired and respected by her colleagues, that the East Rutherford Educational Community has proclaimed June 2004 as ``Barbara Bosch Month.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Barbara Bosch as a person who served our Nation as a distinguished educator of our children for 41 years. We are all deeply indebted to Ms. Bosch and teachers like her for their service to our Nation's schoolchildren. Along with all those students, parents, and other educators in East Rutherford who have come to know Ms. Bosch, I wish Ms. Bosch much happiness in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words.

(Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I am from the Garden State of New Jersey, from which most of the people who came to rescue the people in the burning towers came, from the place where the victims of 9/11 were transported to Liberty Island, to be triaged and cared for, where we have four nuclear power plants, chemical plants, two tunnels to New York City, several bridges to New York City, et cetera.

I would like to commend the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Rogers), for making extraordinary progress from where we were before this bill was written; and I acknowledge his good faith and sincere effort in moving in the right direction. And I know that it is very difficult to balance the equities and the interests of all concerned.

However, it is 3 years, Mr. Chairman, since 9/11, 3 years, when every State in the Union has gotten some money for their homeland security. The question is, whether now, 3 years later, we have waited long enough for the largest portion of moneys that go out on this homeland security bill, whether they are given to those areas that are most at risk and that are most targeted by the terrorists.

How many years do we have to wait before we get to 100 percent? We are at 90 percent with this bill, 92 percent. Do you think the terrorists are going to wait several years before they arrive at the likely places where they have said they are going to hit and which are underfunded by the present bill?

Finally, let me comment on my distinguished subcommittee chairman's chart, which we had the good fortune of discussing at the Committee on Appropriations markup. I believe that nothing has changed in the finding, and please correct me. The distinguished subcommittee chairman's chart that shows the amount of money per State that a State would lose if this amendment were approved does not tell, with respect, the full story.

It says we are where everyone would begin when the risk assessments would then take place. So, for example, under the distinguished subcommittee chairman's list, the particular dollar figure for your State does not tell you what your State will get after the risk assessment occurs.

Now, if you have a State that has a lot of targets, you have nothing to worry about, because the same folks in this administration who have made the judgments about the nature and the level of the risk will be deciding, with the same criteria, on these extra funds.

I guess if you do not have any significant risks compared to the other States and regions, then you will suffer a loss. But with respect to the gentleman from Kentucky (Chairman Rogers)'s list, it does not tell you what you are going to end up with after the risk assessment.

Again, I want to congratulate the subcommittee chairman and all of those who worked so hard to move this bill as far as it has come, but it needs to go further. We have waited long enough, and the terrorists are not going to wait 2 or 3 years before we get to 100 percent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor those who selflessly and courageously risked their lives in service to our country. On Memorial Day we gather to remember and give thanks to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect this nation and to defend our freedoms and our way of life. This nation is extremely grateful for their service and must never forget their heroic acts.

On this Memorial Day in particular, as we are set to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, as veterans from across the country gather on the Mall in Washington, DC to dedicate the new World War II Memorial, and as our troops labor at home and abroad to secure and defend our interests around the world, we must remember their service and express our appreciation. Like the ``greatest generation'' and the generations that came before them, this generation has once again proudly heeded the call to serve a country in need. And for their courage and dedication, we stand united in support of these brave men and women.

During this difficult time, we draw strength and inspiration from those who persevered and triumphed in conflicts past. I have little doubt that this generation of Americans like so many before them, will prevail against those who would do us harm. And we must make certain that when our troops return home, we keep the promise we made to provide them with the health care and benefits they have earned and deserve--a promise we must fulfill to all 26 million of our nation's veterans.

I join my colleagues, in expressing our deep appreciation to those brave men and women who gave their lives for this country, and I pledge to continue to work to honor their invaluable contribution to American liberty and freedom.