Gary Ackerman

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the distinguished minority leader of the full committee is prepared to close, we have one final speaker.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, there have been many justifications for why we went to war in Iraq. Take your pick: We invaded to capture Saddam's weapons of mass destruction, or we invaded to oppose a dictator and bring democracy and human equal rights to the Iraqi people, or we invaded to fight al Qaeda and prevent them from attacking us here. So many reasons have been offered that you can mix and match one from column A, two from column B. Whatever your favorite reason for invading Iraq, the one reason that was never offered was that we are invading Iraq to occupy their land, establish permanent bases and control their oil. Yet, among Iraqis, this perception is that the establishment of permanent bases is precisely why we invaded. The insurgents use that perception to recruit fighters and incite attacks on our troops. The bill before us today, introduced by our colleagues, Barbara Lee and Tom Allen, along with Jim Moran and David Price, will help combat that perception. It states that it is the policy of the United States not to establish permanent bases in Iraq and not to control Iraq's oil resources. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time that the House has spoken on the issue. Six separate times the House has passed legislation prohibiting or expressing opposition to the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq. Three of those bills have been signed into law. Yet, from the President, we continue to get mixed messages. In May, the President's spokesman talked about a U.S. presence in Iraq that looked like our presence in South Korea. Last month, Secretary Gates suggested that the President was considering a long and enduring presence in Iraq. Whatever your position on the war, I don't think anyone here in this House believes that we should be in Iraq for over 50 years. In case anyone needed any further convincing that pursuing a long-term presence in Iraq is unwise, the Iraq Study Group was unequivocal on the point of permanent bases. ``The President should state that the United States does not seek permanent military bases in Iraq''. But instead of standing down when the Iraqis stand up, the President seems intent on putting down roots. It is the wrong policy yet again. The Lee-Allen bill will send an important message again that the United States has no interest in permanent bases. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of our colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), the chief sponsor of the resolution.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished coauthor of the resolution before us, the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), a cosponsor of the resolution.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would respectfully request of the gentlewoman, the distinguished ranking member of the committee, if she would be kind enough to yield us 3 minutes of her time.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Sure. Why don't you take that time now.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield the balance of our time to the distinguished gentlewoman from California, Speaker Pelosi.

Mr. ACKERMAN

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

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2293, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. The legislation the House is considering today will ensure that three brave Americans are not forgotten. I want to thank Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen and my friend, the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Pence, for their support and cosponsorship of the bill. Though my belief in the necessity of this legislation is complete, my feelings about the bill are mixed. I am proud that this House will today insist that justice be done for three Americans who died in the service of their country. But I am deeply troubled and saddened that this legislation is even necessary. On October 15, 2003, John Branchizio, Mark Parson, and John Marin Linde were killed due to the detonation of a roadside car bomb in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. These young Americans were providing security to a mission of American diplomats on their way to Gaza to conduct interviews for Fulbright scholars to come to the United States. But they never made it. Despite the easily recognized vehicles and the diplomatic plates marking them clearly as Americans, despite coordination with the Palestinian security authorities, despite the fact that they were on a mission of kindness and generosity, their lives were ended by a brutal and cowardly act. And ever since then, United States Government employees have been barred from entering Gaza. Their deaths were tragic. But what followed, however, was a farce. The attack took place near a manned Palestinian checkpoint; and immediately following the attack, journalists photographed Palestinian police officers standing by as onlookers cheered the attack and roamed the crime scene destroying critical evidence. But within 24 hours, the Palestinian Authority, quite literally, ``rounded up the usual suspects,'' four members of the so-called Popular Resistance Committee, or PRC. Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority, however, never presented a case against them. Held over for a month, the Palestinian court finally announced that the defendants would be released since ``no evidence was offered against'' them. They remained in jail despite the judge's order, however, pending Yasser Arafat's approval of their release. When that approval never came, a mob of PRC members stormed the jail the next month, without resistance, and freed the suspects. A year later, on September 22, 2004, Arafat's cousin, the head of military intelligence in Gaza, told the Associated Press that though the identity of the killers was known, the United States would have to forgo justice in this case. Speaking of our Nation, he said, ``They know that we are in a very critical position and clashing with any Palestinian party under the presence of the occupation is an issue that will present many problems for us.'' ``The Americans,'' he added, ``have started recently to understand our position and I expect that this crisis will also be resolved.'' Six months later, Secretary Condoleezza Rice raised the matter directly with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. I don't know that Abu Mazen, as Abbas is known, told our Secretary of State, but she publicly announced on February 7, 2006, ``We have been assured by President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority's intention to bring justice to those who murdered three American personnel in Gaza in 2003.'' Obviously, we are still waiting and with the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, we may never know the truth, and justice may never be done. I have been outspoken in my criticism of the administration's failure to use the fresh mandate Abbas had in 2006 to make real progress toward peace. We failed him, as did the Israelis, and we are now confronting the consequences of our shortsightedness. But in this case, in this small but meaningful case, Abu Mazen has failed us. The case presented an opportunity to establish the Palestinian Authority's writ, to demonstrate that the PA was capable of handling the duties of a state, which above all is obliged to maintain law and order, for visitor and citizen alike. There is still a $5 million bounty pending, through the Rewards for Justice program, but I doubt it will ever be paid. The Bush administration has been so lack in dealing with this case, so lackadaisical in the pursuit of justice for three Americans who died in the service of this Nation that I believe Congress must step in. It is not in our power to compel justice, nor can we instill drive, initiative, or energy. But we can maintain accountability, and that is what this bill would do. Thirty days after passage, and every 120 days thereafter, the Secretary of State will have to present Congress with a progress report, and not a short one either. This report would require details, the kinds of sticky uncomfortable deals, the kind of sticky uncomfortable details that will show whether the Department is insisting on the pursuit of justice, or just waiting for it to show up on its own. We are not asking for the impossible. The most important requirement of the report is a specific assessment of whether the Palestinians are making their best effort and possible resolution. Today, it is hard to say what that would look like. But very deliberately, this report will be prepared every 120 days in perpetuity until the Secretary can certify that the Palestinian terrorists who killed John Branchizio, Mark Parson, and John Marin Linde have been identified, arrested, and brought to justice. I regret saying it, but justice for these three men was never as great a priority for the Bush administration as it ought to have been. The vital national security interests of the United States require us to safeguard to the greatest extent possible consistent with their mission United States diploma tics and all embassy and consulate personnel, and to use the full power of the United States to bring justice to any individual or entity that threatens, jeopardizes, or harms them. Every man and woman working for the United States abroad deserves this commitment. And so many months after their deaths, John Branchizio, Mark Parson, and John Marin Linde deserve this much at the very least. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2293) to require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report on efforts to bring to justice the Palestinian terrorists who killed John Branchizio, Mark Parson, and John Marin Linde.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call the House's attention to a very sad anniversary. One year ago today, Hezbollah terrorists crossed into Israel to attack Israeli troops patrolling the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon. They killed three Israeli soldiers, wounded two others and kidnaped Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. Only a few days earlier, on June 25, 2006, Hamas terrorists likewise crossed into Israel and attacked an IDF position, killing two soldiers, wounding a third and kidnapping Gildad Shalit. Both of these vicious terrorist organizations, which constantly proclaim their adherence to religion and morality, have denied these three Israeli soldiers contact with the Red Cross or Red Crescent, or direct contact with their families. Despite the recent release of an audio tape, it is not in fact known if these three men are currently alive, if they are injured or if they are well. Not content merely to hold these men as hostages, Hamas and Hezbollah insist on torturing their families with the agony of not knowing about the true condition of their loved ones. This is true measure of the faith and morality of these terrorists. In the name of religion they inflict agony. In the name of the sacred they perpetrate barbarism. In the name of their faith they degrade other human beings. Thus they show the true content of their beliefs. Thus they show the world what their vainglorious proclamations amount to: cynical cruelty and cold calculation. These terrorist groups have sought to transform Gilad, Ehud and Eldad into something they are not: bargaining chips or pawns, a kind of political chattel. Things that can be swapped for favors or sacrificed on a whim. These three men are not things. They are human beings. They have names and they have families. They have rights as captured soldiers and they have rights as human beings. The House has expressed itself clearly on this matter on March 13th, when it passed H. Res. 107, the bipartisan resolution I introduced demanding the release of these three captives and condemning both the terrorists and their Syrian and Iranian sponsors for their criminal and indecent behavior. We can not compel Hamas and Hezbollah to release Gilad, Ehud and Eldad any more than we can force them to understand the difference between right and wrong. You can not disgrace someone incapable of shame. But we can stand by our ally, the State of Israel. We can express our sympathy and our concern for the captives and for their families. We can let the perpetrators of this barbarism know that we have not forgotten what they have done, and what they are continuing to do. We can bear witness. And we can add our voices to all those saying ``Enough. Enough. Let these men go home.''

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the memory of Ruth Zises, a dear friend and role model, who sadly succumbed to illness earlier this year. Ruth was a unique woman whose presence brightened the faces and warmed the hearts of everyone she encountered. Ruth was a deeply principled woman who wore her passions with profound pride. She was enormously dedicated to her family and friends and intensely devoted to her beliefs. Ruth translated her convictions into action by founding, together with her family, the Genesis Center in Jerusalem, an academy devoted to enhancing the lives of young adults by incorporating Jewish scholarship with civic engagement and political action. Ruth's service and support of countless other institutions, organizations and charities made her a model of generosity. While Ruth's attention to the needs of her community was commendable, her family was always the focal point of her life. Ruth's devotion to her husband Bernie, sons Selig, Seymour and Jay, her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, inspired all who knew her. Ruth's life will be celebrated at the Annual Reishit/Genesis Center Dinner on Tuesday, June 19, 2007. In honor of her memory, Reishit students who have completed their study of the entire Mishnah will make a presentation at the event. Madam Speaker, words can not capture the generosity of spirit and warmth that Ruth Zises exuded. All that can be said is that she will be terribly missed by the scores of people fortunate enough to have had known her. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing and remembering the exemplary life of Ruth Zises.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the memory of Ruth Zises, a dear friend and role model, who sadly succumbed to illness earlier this year. Ruth was a unique woman whose presence brightened the faces and warmed the hearts of everyone she encountered. Ruth was a deeply principled woman who wore her passions with profound pride. She was enormously dedicated to her family and friends and intensely devoted to her beliefs. Ruth translated her convictions into action by founding, together with her family, the Genesis Center in Jerusalem, an academy devoted to enhancing the lives of young adults by incorporating Jewish scholarship with civic engagement and political action. Ruth's service and support of countless other institutions, organizations and charities made her a model of generosity. While Ruth's attention to the needs of her community was commendable, her family was always the focal point of her life. Ruth's devotion to her husband Bernie, sons Selig, Seymour and Jay, her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren inspired all who knew her. Madam Speaker, words can not capture the generosity of spirit and warmth that Ruth Zises exuded. All that can be said is that she will be terribly missed by the scores of people fortunate enough to have had known her. Madam Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing and remembering the exemplary life of Ruth Zises.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, Today, I rise to commend Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum and the North American Board of Rabbis (NABOR) on the fifth anniversary of the German-American Jewish youth exchange program. NABOR has brought together young high school students from Germany for an exchange program with American Jewish youth living in a variety of cities and suburbs throughout the United States. The students have learned about each other's cultures and traditions and in the process established close and enduring bonds of friendship. They meet not only other students participating in the exchange programs but also the larger population of teenagers in their schools. The result is that over tens of thousands of young people in Germany and the United States have been touched by this program which has gone far in increasing understanding of two very rich cultures. It is with real pleasure that I recognize Rabbi Jay Rosenbaum, who serves as the Spiritual Leader of Temple Israel of Lawrence, the oldest synagogue in Long Island. Rabbi Rosenbaum has been a leader in the Jewish community for over 30 years, and has been recognized for both the outstanding services he provides as a Congregational Rabbi as well as for work on his behalf of International Jewry and human rights. Rabbi Rosenbaum was the founder of the NABOR exchange. He was also among the leaders six years ago of a delegation of 50 Rabbis who visited Berlin to establish a closer relationship with the Jewish community, business community and leaders of the society in Germany. This year the North American Board of Rabbis is bestowing its Tikkun Olam award to Mr. Jan Carendi, Chairman of Allianz of America, and Mr. Ernst Lieb, President of Mercedes-Benz USA. Both Allianz and Mercedes Benz have distinguished themselves as enlightened companies that have supported the exchange program since its inception. Operating on a global platform, they have a tradition of striving to improve relations and understanding between German and the Jewish communities throughout the world. The award was presented at a ceremony hosted by Dr. Hans- Juergen Heimsoeth, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York City, which has also played a prominent role in support of the exchange program. Madam Speaker, Germany has moved a long way from the dark days of the Third Reich and now has the fastest growing Jewish population in Europe. It is important for students to learn that past but also to develop an understanding of the dynamic positive changes taking place within German society. I therefore am pleased to recognize the great contributions being made by Rabbi Rosenbaum and the North American Board of Rabbis.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the retirement of Rabbi Jerome Davidson after nearly 50 years of dedicated service to the community of Great Neck, New York. Rabbi Jerome Davidson is no ordinary rabbi. He has successfully fused his life as a religious leader and a Jewish mentor together with his commitment to a life of civic engagement and Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. Throughout his years of service, Rabbi Davidson has effectively transcended the walls of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck in Nassau County, New York, establishing himself as an inspirational leader for both his congregation and community. Jerome Davidson joined Temple Beth-El, a member congregation of the Union for Reform Judaism, as an assistant rabbi in 1958, and became its senior rabbi in 1971. Rabbi Davidson soon impressed the congregation with his dynamic sermons, driven enthusiasm and compelling sense of humor. Rabbi Davidson's brilliance and erudition were key in shaping the congregation's future. The educational opportunities presented by the Temple's comprehensive library and historical museum were central to Rabbi Davidson's success in teaching his congregants. Under his devoted tutelage, Temple Beth-El grew to become a thriving beacon of Jewish life in Great Neck; an arena of countless Bnai Mitzvah, weddings, other life-cycle events and social affairs. Rabbi Davidson also laid the foundations of a successful Religious School and Early Childhood Education Center that addressed the needs of the diversified and growing congregation. Rabbi Davidson's exceptional creativity and boundless imagination confirmed Temple Beth-El, with its impressive membership of over 1200 families, as one of the most innovative and energetic Reform congregations in America. His uncoupled wisdom and unbridled inspiration served as a source of strength and encouragement in the aftermath of a devastating fire that struck the Temple in 1991. Rabbi Davidson's steady rise to Jewish national iconography is no surprise considering the unique leadership qualities he demonstrated in serving Temple Beth-El. Rabbi Davidson's service as President of the Synagogue Council of America, as well as past president of the Rabbinic Alumni Association of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion only cemented Rabbi Davidson as a true Jewish leader. Madam Speaker, Rabbi Davidson's commitment to Reform Judaism informed and complemented his involvement in pluralism and social justice. Rabbi Davidson's multiple terms as President of the Great Neck Clergy Association, and his groundbreaking efforts in developing interfaith dialogue, have served to better the lives of those around him, successfully realizing his lofty goals of building a community of tolerance and understanding. Rabbi Davidson's exemplary interfaith achievements, coupled with his involvement as a founding member of the American Jewish World Service, led the New York Board of Rabbis to honor him ``Rabbi of the Year'' in 1994. More recently, Rabbi Davidson has been a trailblazer in formally welcoming the gay and lesbian community into Jewish life. He has likewise advocated for religious pluralism in Israel. Today, Rabbi Davidson continues to serve on the faculty of the Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion and as a member of its Board of Governors. Rabbi Davidson also serves on the Advisory Board of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, and is deeply involved in a plethora of other local and national Jewish organizations. Rabbi Davidson's adept ability for translating his values into action by positively affecting the world around him is truly an inspiration to all of those whose lives he has touched. Madam Speaker, the accolades bestowed upon Jerome Davidson for his almost 50 years of outstanding service to the Long Island community are well deserved. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in honoring Rabbi Jerome Davidson for his outstanding work and wishing him many more years of success as he becomes Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth-El of Great Neck, New York.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I want to congratulate Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros- Lehtinen for producing an excellent bipartisan bill. The Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act demonstrates yet again the depth of support in the Congress for our efforts in Afghanistan to defeat the Taliban and al Qaeda and sends a clear message to the Government of Afghanistan and the Afghan people that the United States is committed to the success of a stable, free and democratic Afghanistan. As the bill also points out, we remain far from that goal, and it is not at all certain we will get there. The amendment I am offering today concerns a problem that if left unaddressed could undercut all of our efforts in Afghanistan, and that is the problem of corruption. The Government Accountability Office in a recent report said the reform effort in the judicial sector is being ``undermined by systemic corruption at key national and provincial justice institutions.'' The most recent report in Afghanistan from the U.N. Secretary General noted that because corruption influences government appointments, Afghans don't trust local government officials and have turned to making deals with the Taliban for protection of their property. The same report goes on to describe the popular alienation that many Afghans feel towards local governments and asserts that this alienation is a key factor in support for the insurgency. My amendment adds language to section 302 of the bill to ensure that the Presidential report required by that section includes an assessment of the quality of governments in each province in Afghanistan, focusing in particular on the implementation of the rule of law and its impact on the operation of Afghan society, security forces and the impact of any human rights abuses by Afghan government forces on overall counterinsurgency efforts and the ability of the courts and judicial system to provide an effective justice system in support of Afghan military and police efforts. Mr. Chairman, the question of corruption in Afghanistan may seem like a small matter when compared with the resurgence of the Taliban and the explosion of narcotics trafficking. But I believe for the Taliban to be defeated and for the narcotics traffickers to be imprisoned, ordinary Afghans must have confidence that their government actually works for them. If the citizens of Afghanistan believe otherwise, then they will turn to local warlords, drug traffickers and the Taliban for protection. Under that scenario, Afghans can look forward to another generation of civil conflict. I would urge all of our colleagues to support the amendment as well as the underlying bill.