Gary Ackerman

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1194) reaffirming the support of the House of Representatives for the legitimate, democratically-elected Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio, the chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, Dennis Kucinich.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First let me express my appreciation for the gentleman from Ohio and for his good intentions and for his support of dialogue. Certainly nobody is against dialogue. But we have a situation here where a democratic, freedom-loving, sovereign people are insisting on the results of their own self- determined election that they came to through democratic processes and are doing that in the face of outside interference in the form of armed opposition, murders, assassinations that are being sponsored by Hezbollah, financed by the Iranian and Syrian regimes. And the gentleman instead calls for dialogue. We call for nothing other than dialogue. This is a nonbinding sense of the Congress resolution. And while other countries are running interference and murdering the people of Lebanon and preventing their democratic government from governing, we are sending them a message of hope, a message of support. And the gentleman's protestations say that we shouldn't interfere, let them have a dialogue. What we are looking at, Mr. Speaker, is the equivalent of a rape, and I have just heard the argument that what we should do is not interfere and take sides between the victim and the raper and to say let them have a dialogue and work it out, while each and every day the rape continues. As a civilized, democratic society, we cannot sit idly by without saying a word. I do appreciate the argument of those who are against violence, who are against arms, and who are against war. I stand with them on that. But we have no alternative than to act and at least send a message of support. There is no interference other than our best wishes while others are sending arms. There is nothing in the 17 whereases in this resolution that suggests that we're in favor of violence. And if the gentleman and those who argue his argument are truly opposed to raising an army, let them at least raise their voice. Let them speak out with us on this resolution. Let us reaffirm our dedication to the principles of democracy and self-determination of a people who have already made their choice in their election, and to stand by them, not by providing arms or violence, but by sending them the wishes of this Congress, of the American people, expressing our support for their determination to continue in their quest to effectuate the democracy to which they are entitled.

Mr. ACKERMAN. I yield to my friend.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Reclaiming my time, the Security Council of the United Nations has asked for the disarmament of Hezbollah. This is not our request. This is the United Nations. This is the international community. This is the entire peaceful world that has asked for that. As far as the administration, I don't speak for the administration, heaven forbid. This is our Congress, and together Democrats and Republicans have joined in with words. Words are powerful. Words are important weapons. And if you want to avoid the weapons that go bang in the night, then words of support are important, important to a people who are under siege, whose democracy is being eroded by rogue states and terrorist organizations using violence and assassination, trying to blow up members of their elected parliament so that they no longer have a majority to continue their democratic work.

Mr. ACKERMAN. I yield.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Let me say I'm not opposed to that happening. Let them disarm themselves. But let us in the meantime do what we can to be the voice of democracy and freedom. The world looks at us as a beacon. We have spent so much of the goodwill that we have built up over 230 years of this democracy. At least let us speak out for freedom, speak out for freedom in the case of a people who are under siege, who are in the throes of having their duly elected government taken away from them by terrorist organizations and rogue regimes. We know what Hezbollah is. The world knows what it is. We cannot stand idly by and not utter a word of support. This is our word of support. This is the resolution of this Congress. Would that it be more. Would that it be more forceful. Would that it be more effective. But at least we can continue to give those people who insist on living lives of freedom a rekindling of the belief that we too believe in what they believe in and that we support them in their struggle. If the gentleman is prepared to yield back his time, I will do so.

Mr. ACKERMAN. You're quite welcome.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great artist whose love of liberty inspired him to adorn the United States Capitol with beautiful frescoes. That man, of course, is Constantino Brumidi. Brumidi's work adorns one House committee room and five Senate committee rooms in the Capitol. His work also decorates the Senate Reception room, the Office of the Vice President and most notably, the President's room which for many represents Brumidi's supreme effort. Constantino Brumidi emigrated to the United States in 1849 and took up residence in New York City where he plied his trade as a portrait painter. That was soon followed by more important commissions in St. Stephen's Church. Those works include a fresco of the Crucifixion as well as works depicting the Martyrdom of St. Stephen and the Assumption of St. Mary. But it was on a return trip from Mexico that Brumidi stopped in Washington, DC and toured the Capitol building. He found in it a canvass that inspired him for the remainder of his life. Brumidi suggested to Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs that the walls of the Capitol be decorated and Meigs agreed giving Brumidi the commission as well as making him a captain in the cavalry. Brumidi's first work was in the meeting room of the House Agriculture Committee. He received $8 a day, but was soon given a raise to $10 a day by then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis since his work was receiving such favorable mention. Along with the raise came further commissions in the Capitol which include the Apotheosis of George Washington in the dome as well as other allegories and scenes from American history. Brumidi died in 1880 but we have the benefit of seeing his work everyday we are here. And Americans who travel to our Nation's Capitol can also enjoy Brumidi's work, yet few know him or his story. That's why I believe all members should support two important bills pending before the House that will honor Constantino Brumidi and his work here in the Capitol. The first is H.R. 1609 introduced by Representative Bill Pascrell. H.R. 1609 would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Constantino Brumidi and authorize the striking of duplicate medals for sale to the public. The second is H.R. 1313, introduced by Representative Gus Bilirakis to direct the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain a statue of Constantino Brumidi for display in the Capitol Visitors Center. Both of these bills will honor the memory of a great artist and so I ask all my colleagues to join me in supporting them both.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to seek Congressional recognition of the lifetime of achievements of Jacob Stein. During his distinguished career, Jacob, or Jack as his friends refer to him, has made a lasting impact on his community and our Nation. As a public, religious, civic and moral leader, his lifetime of achievement deserves both recognition and our appreciation. In 1938, Jack Stein graduated from Columbia University and embarked on a successful career as a licensed real estate broker, a member of the Long Island Board of Realtors, and an active developer of residential and commercial properties. He also served on the board of directors of KeyCorp Bank for 25 years. However, the true hallmark of his life's work is his unswerving devotion to service, to his family, his community and to his country. Jack has been an indispensable leader in local, national and international Jewish circles. A Holocaust survivor himself, Jack helped found the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. He is a director of the International Synagogue at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and is a member of the board of directors of the Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation. He also served as the president of Temple Israel of Great Neck from 1957-1960, president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism from 1969-1973, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations from 1971-1973, and helped author ``Emet V'Emunah,'' the Jewish Theological Seminary's statement of principles of Conservative Judaism in 1988. Jack has also made his presence felt in other religious communities. He presently sits on the board of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations. In the 1980s, Jack worked closely with Rabbi Mordecai Waxman during his meetings with Pope John Paul II in Miami discussing Jewish Catholic relations. Jack was also involved in the communications with the Second Vatican Council that produced the 1965 ``Nostra Aetate,'' the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions. At the age of 92, Jack remains active in the promotion of mutual understanding and appreciation between the Christian and Jewish communities and recognition of their shared roots. Additionally, Jack made exceptional contributions to public service. He served as a Special Advisor in the White House under President Ronald Reagan, a member of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations, and a delegate to the Human Rights Commission. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger appointed him to the Defense Department's Policy Advisory Committee on Trade, on which he served for 7 years. Mr. Stein also was a member of the Presidential Task Force on International Private Enterprise in 1984, and he was appointed to a committee that oversaw the first elections in Namibia. As a long time friend, he remains in regular communications with President George H. W. Bush. Remarkably, among all this activity, Jacob found time to dedicate to the academic world as well. He served as a member of the Stony Brook University Foundation, has given numerous lectures across the country and has authored many articles on religion and politics. Perhaps most of all, Jack has always been a family man. He and his late wife Jean were married for 65 years and throughout all his public endeavors, they remained inseparable. Jack has had the pleasure of watching their three children grow and find success of their own, and has been blessed with six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. In 2007, he published a recording of his memoirs ``Days of Challenge: The Making of a Modern American Jewish Leader,'' detailing his interesting and exciting lifetime of service. Currently, Jack writes a column for several weekly newspapers, sits on the board of the American Jewish Historical Society, and is a member of the board of the Town of North Hempstead Business and Tourism Development Corporation. Madam Speaker, Jacob Stein's immeasurable contributions to public and community service have truly helped make this world a better one in which to live. I ask that all of my colleagues now rise and join me to express the thanks of a grateful Nation to Jack Stein for his many years of dedicated service and for his countless achievements.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, from time to time, I've heard some of our colleagues wondering why there are so many resolutions about Israel, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Why, they may wonder, do we have to take up these issues? Doesn't everyone already know that the Congress supports Israel? And it's true, American support for Israel is overwhelming, it is bi-partisan, and it is nearly universal in Congress. But sadly, we are the exception in the world. Around the globe, there have been protests going on about the situation in Gaza. What may not be known is that these demonstrations are not about the rockets that have been falling on Israeli civilians. These protests are not against Hamas. These protests are not about the absurdity of expecting Israel to provide electricity and fuel to the people attacking them. These protests are against Israel and its right of self-defense. They are against demanding that Hamas stop the terror. They are against putting responsibility on the shoulders of Hamas for the welfare of the people in Gaza. To us, in the United States, such protests seem perverse. People who intentionally fire artillery rockets at civilians are properly called ``war criminals.'' People who deliberately seek the death of the innocent are not called ``militants,'' or ``activists,'' or ``guerillas.'' They are properly called ``terrorists,'' and it is hard for us to imagine that these are not universal beliefs. But they're not. What we have seen in the past, and are seeing again is an offensive and deplorable double standard: Every nation is obliged to protect its citizens--except the Israelis; they should be patient and exercise restraint. Every nation is entitled to fight terrorism-- except the Israelis; they should have a dialogue with the people who call for their extermination. Every nation is entitled to use force defend itself--except the Israelis; they should only use force if there won't be civilian casualties. Mr. Speaker, we all mourn the loss of innocent life, and the sympathy of decent people is not limited by nationality. The American people are concerned about both Israeli and Palestinian lives. But that concern is not a excuse to dispense with judgement. There is guilt and there is innocence; and there is aggression and there is self-defense. Refusal to acknowledge, or to insist on these distinctions is not only immoral, but dangerous. And that is why the business in Gaza is the business of this House. America, as a leader among the community of nations, has an obligation to stand up in defense of certain values. And it is never so essential to do so than when those values are under attack, and that is what is happening right now. That is why we have to condemn Hamas. That is why we have to condemn the rockets that are still falling on Israeli towns and cities. That is why we have to stand with a democratic ally. That is why we have to declare again and again from this house that the people of Israel--no less than any other people--are entitled to live in peace and security. Certainly we Americans would accept nothing less for ourselves.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in a mixture of sadness and outrage to commemorate the third anniversary of Rafiq Hariri's assassination. Sadness because the former Prime Minister, a man of vision and courage, was cut down in his prime as he stood up for the idea of a Lebanon as a nation free from external control, a sovereign, united and independent Lebanon that would regain its rightful place among the nations of the Middle East. Three years ago a massive car bomb deprived the Hariri family of a husband and father and deprived the Lebanese people of a leader. It would prove to be the first in a dozen political assassinations that have plagued that nation for the last three years orchestrated by the enemies of a free and democratic Lebanon. And it is this fact, Madam Speaker that fills me with outrage and should fill all our colleagues with outrage as well. Lebanon's future continues to be strangled by Iran and Syria whose agents Hezbollah, Amal and Michel Aoun, try to take through violence and intimidation what they cannot achieve at the ballot box. The slow strangulation of the state has left Lebanon without a President for almost 3 months, paralyzing the nation and raising the specter of renewed civil war. On the third anniversary of former Prime Minister Hariri's murder, the international community must renew its commitment to the people of Lebanon and again speak out against the campaign of naked aggression that has left the March 14 movement only two parliamentarians away from losing their hard won majority. We must renew our demand that Damascus and Tehran lift their boots off Lebanon's neck. And we must ensure that justice is done in the case of Rafiq Hariri and all the other victims of the 3 year campaign to deny Lebanon its rightful place among free and independent nations. Toward that end, the United States and the rest of the international community must make it crystal clear to Syria that the Special Tribunal established by the United Nations Security Council to investigate the terrorist attack on February 14, 2005, is not a bargaining chip to be traded away. The interests of justice in this case far outweigh any concession that the government of Syria might hope to offer. The guilty must be held accountable for their crimes. The international community has spoken frequently and eloquently through United Nations Security Council resolutions in support of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon, and has demanded the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon. These goals and this unity of purpose must not be abandoned or allowed to wither either from self-interest or distraction. The enemies of Lebanon believe they have time on their side--that they merely need to wait us out and Lebanon will once again be theirs to control. The conflict in Lebanon is not a sideshow in the Middle East, it is the main event. Lebanon is where Tehran intends to fulfill its aspirations to regional hegemony and Shiite dominance. There is too much at stake for Lebanon and for the entire region for the world to leave the Lebanese to the mercies of the radical mullahs in Tehran, the thugs in Damascus and their terrorist allies, Hezbollah. I urge all my colleagues to not only remember Rafiq Hariri and his sacrifice but to speak out in support of the legitimate democratic aspirations of the people of Lebanon. They want only what we enjoy every day--a free, sovereign and democratic state, the servant only of its own people and the master of its own destiny. It's worth fighting for.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mary Lu Plunkett who this week is being honored by the Queens County Democratic party for her 50 years of outstanding and tireless work for the party and its candidates. Mary Lu Plunkett was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 1928, but she moved to the great borough of Queens in 1949 after she married Queens-born John Plunkett. The two settled in Jackson Heights, the neighborhood where they met when they attended a dance. The couple raised two children, Steven and Jamie, and are the proud grandparents of Matthew, Christopher and Caroline. Mary Lu's foray into Queens politics began with the friendship she shared with her mother-in-law Harriet Plunkett. The two joined the Amerind Democratic Club where they made great strides to improve the community in which they resided. Mary Lu later put to work the political savvy she acquired by volunteering countless hours for the Queens Democratic Organization. Then in 1956, she began working as a full time secretary at Democratic Headquarters. Mary Lu's exceptional office and organizational skills have kept Queens Democratic Headquarters running smoothly for half a century. She has earned the respect and admiration from everybody with whom she has worked. These include almost all the Queens Democratic elected officials, candidates running for office, and party officials in recent memory. Mary Lu has served under numerous county chairmen including Moses Weinstein, Jim Roe, Tom Manton, and the present leader, our colleague Joseph Crowley. She also, over the many years of her outstanding service, ran numerous fundraisers attended by such political legends as President John Kennedy, President Jimmy Carter, Senator Ted Kennedy, Governor Hugh Carey, Governor Mario Cuomo, Mayor Ed Koch, President Bill Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. While serving as one of the pillars of the Queens Democratic office, Mary Lu has witnessed the many changes that have taken place along the political landscape in Queens. These include everything from changes in elective office to shifts in the borough's population and demographics. However, throughout these turnovers and transformations, Mary Lu has always urged local citizens to be informed about their government and encouraged countless Queens residents to become involved in the political process. About 25 years ago Mary Lu also began an annual fundraiser for the children of St. Gertrude's Parish in Far Rockaway, the community where the Plunketts presently reside. From its inception, the fundraiser was embraced by the borough and remains a worthy and wildly popular event. In addition, Mary Lu continues to organize the affairs for the Women's Democratic Organization of Queens County, a group that still attracts a large audience. In 1976, Mary Lu's daughter Jamie joined the staff of the Queens County Democratic Headquarters. Together, this mother and daughter team continue to administer and manage the office. I know that all those involved in Democratic politics in Queens will be forever grateful for all of Mary Lu Plunkett's extraordinary contributions to the Queens Democratic Organization. She has made the Queens Democratic Headquarters a stronger workplace, which in turn has made Queens a better place to live and work. Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in congratulating Mary Lu Plunkett for 50 years of outstanding service to the Queens Democratic Organization. I am confident that she will continue to achieve success for many more years to come.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 912) condemning the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirming the commitment of the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 912.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on December 27, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi as she left a peaceful political rally. In addition, 20 of her supporters were killed in a suicide bomb blast and Pakistan was wracked by violence and instability in the immediate aftermath. Former Prime Minister Bhutto had returned to Pakistan in October after several years in exile in an attempt to bring Pakistan back to the democratic fold and inject the voice of moderation into the Pakistani parliamentary elections. Her killers cut short that effort in an attack that was one of 40 suicide bombings that killed 700 people in Pakistan during 2007. Ms. Bhutto's life was marked by tragedy that played out on Pakistan's public stage. Her father was hung after a questionable trial. Her brother was murdered. As Prime Minister, she was twice removed from office by the army amid allegations of corruption and wound up in self- imposed exile. Yet she remained very popular with the people of Pakistan, especially those in her home province of Sindh, and as the awful events of December 27 demonstrate, she was perceived as a threat by someone. The United States and the rest of the international community have a vital interest in supporting a free, stable, and secure Pakistan so as to stem the rise of extremism in South Asia, prevent global acts of terrorism from originating in Pakistan, and support the movement toward stable political institutions, democratic values, and the rule of law. The fact that al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist elements are using the federally administered tribal areas to regroup, retain and recruit for future attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a dangerous component of instability that, when added to Pakistan's possession of nuclear weapons, conjures up the frightening possibility of terrorists with access to weapons of mass destruction. All of this means that the United States and the rest of the international community need to do all that we can to promote and support Pakistan's economic, social and political development to prevent Pakistan from becoming a failed state. The resolution before us today condemns Ms. Bhutto's assassination, expresses condolences to her family and the families of the other victims of the attacks, and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to the people of Pakistan as they combat terrorism and work to establish a free and democratic country. I urge all of our colleagues, Madam Speaker, to support the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished Speaker of the House, Ms. Pelosi.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. ACKERMAN. Is the gentleman from Indiana seeking to recognize further speakers?

Mr. ACKERMAN. Proceed.

Mr. ACKERMAN. I would like to thank Mr. Pence, Mr. Lantos, Ms. Ros- Lehtinen, all those who participated in this discussion. I don't think we can call it a debate. I think all of the indications that we have heard today indicate that we are on the same side on this. I would urge unanimous support for the resolution.

Mr. ACKERMAN. Having no additional speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ACKERMAN

Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.