Howard Berman

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support for the resolution, an ``aye'' vote, and yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I'm very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the sponsor of the resolution, the gentlelady from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 55) recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, as amended.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act 30 years ago and reaffirms congressional support for that law. I would like to thank my good friend, Representative Shelley Berkley of Nevada, for her leadership both as cochair of the Taiwan Caucus and as the chief sponsor of this resolution. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 forms the official basis for friendship and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan. It has been instrumental in maintaining peace and security across the Taiwan Straits and in East Asia. Since the lifting of martial law in 1987, Taiwan has evolved into a robust and lively democracy. The U.S.-Taiwan relationship, once based solely on shared interests, is now based on shared values. This remarkable political evolution proves beyond any doubt that the notion of ``Asian values,'' often used to justify one-man or one-party rule, is a fallacy. Taiwan's democratic ideals have become even more engrained in its national identity following its second peaceful transfer of power in last year's presidential election. Taiwan has also developed into a vibrant free-market economy and a major trading partner of the United States. Taiwan's impressive political and economic achievements give it the potential to play a very constructive role in international affairs. I would urge that special consideration be given to Taiwan's desire to gain observer status at the World Health Assembly later this spring. Taiwan has extremely important social and economic ties with China, and it would benefit both governments to take additional steps towards reducing cross-Strait tensions. The act was enacted 30 years ago with the expectation that the future of Taiwan would be determined only by peaceful means. It is encouraging that China's top leadership recently stated that it was ready to hold talks with Taiwan to create conditions for ending hostilities and concluding a peace agreement between the two sides. I applaud this development and urge China to do more to reach out to both the government and the people of Taiwan. I'm confident that the Taiwan Relations Act will remain the cornerstone of our very close friendship with Taiwan. I strongly support this resolution. I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on the floor now, so I will reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, so I will reserve to the ranking member.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 273) recognizing the 188th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, Twenty one years ago, on March 16, 1988, the Saddam Hussein regime committed one of modern history's most horrific crimes. The indiscriminate use of chemical weapons to destroy the town of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan led to the brutal slaughter of thousands of innocent men, women, and children and permanently debilitated many more. More than two decades after the massacre, the people of Halabja still suffer from the effects of that barbaric attack. Long-term effects include cancers, birth defects, neurological problems, miscarriages, infertility, and congenital malformations in children--all of which are disproportionately prevalent in the Halabja area--as well as irreparable damage to the environment. These serious medical and environmental problems continue to hinder the well-being and overall progress of those living in Halabja and the surrounding area. Tragically, Halabja was not the only instance in which the former Iraqi regime used chemical weapons. Rather, it was but one event in a deliberate, large-scale campaign called the Anfal to exterminate the predominantly Kurdish inhabitants of Iraqi Kurdistan. The 1988 Anfal campaign resulted in the deaths of as many as 180,000 people. Iraqi forces used chemical and biological weapons against over 250 population centers from April 1987 to August 1988. Studies indicate that more than half of current inhabitants of Halabja were exposed to toxic chemical agents at the time of the attack. On December 30, 2006, Saddam Hussein was hanged for the murder of 148 Shiite Arab citizens of Dujail, which is located in south-central Iraq. That case was taken up before the Anfal case, and it resulted in a death sentence. Because Iraqi law requires that a death sentence be carried our nearly immediately, Saddam's other crimes, including the Anfal genocide, never came to trial. The swiftness of Saddam's execution was an injustice to those that were brutally killed, maimed, or otherwise damaged in the Anfal; put simply, these victims were denied their day in court. Many Kurds now fear that the world will never hear of the true extent of the Halabja atrocities--widely considered the heaviest use of chemical weapons against civilians in modern times. It is therefore imperative that the Anfal campaign, and the massacre of Halabja, be documented and remembered--and internationally recognized as a crime of genocide against the Kurdish people. But we should also do more. On the tragic anniversary of Halabja 1988, the world must not only remember the individuals who perished but also provide help to those that continue to suffer today. That would be an appropriate way for the world to bear witness to crimes that are among the ugliest the world has seen.

Mr. BERMAN

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

Mr. BERMAN. Would the gentleman yield?

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 125) calling on the central authority of Brazil to immediately discharge all its duties under the Hague Convention by facilitating and supporting Federal judicial proceedings as a matter of extreme urgency to obtain the return of Sean Goldman to his father, David Goldman, for immediate return to the United States, as amended.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) in whose district Mr. Goldman resides.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra).

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I just want to point out that in calendar year 2007, along the lines of the point made by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones), the United States returned over 200 children to Hague Convention partners where a biological parent resided and sought the return of that child. So this resolution is consistent with our own practices, and I think with internationally recognized fundamental human rights. I urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume. This resolution recognizes the plight of the Tibetan people on the 50th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's exile and calls for a sustained multilateral effort toward a peaceful resolution to the Tibet issue. The resolution is introduced by my good friends, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt) and our ranking member, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida. I thank them for their leadership in ensuring that the House commemorates this important date. In 1949, the People's Liberation Army of China entered the eastern areas of the traditional Tibetan territory. In 1951, they occupied the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Fifty years ago this month, the Tibetan people rose up in Lhasa against Chinese rule. On March 17, 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled Tibet after the People's Liberation Army commenced an assault on his residence. He was followed into exile by some 80,000 Tibetans. Tens of thousands of Tibetans who remained were killed or imprisoned. Under the leadership of the Dalai Lama, Tibetans have sought to overcome adversity and hardship. Exiled communities have been established in India, the United States, Europe, and elsewhere, to preserve Tibetan cultural identity, language and religion. They have succeeded abroad, but at home, the uniqueness of the Tibetan people remains threatened by Chinese policies. Over the years, the Congress has repeatedly championed the rights of Tibetans, applauded efforts by the Dalai Lama to seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute between China and Tibet, and funded programs to assist Tibetan refugees. In 2002, Congress passed the Tibetan Policy Act, the cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Tibet. This legislation codified the position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and emphasized that it should be U.S. policy to promote a dialogue between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai Lama in order to achieve a settlement based on meaningful and genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people. In 2007, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recognition of his life-long dedication to the causes of peace and non-violent resolution to the Tibet issue. I know that many of our friends in China are distressed by the continued congressional focus on Tibet. To them I say this resolution is not anti-Chinese. We have deep respect for both peoples. But after eight rounds of fruitless meetings between the Chinese Government and representatives of the Dalai Lama, it appears to many of us that China is not serious about achieving resolution of this difficult issue. It's time for China to negotiate in good faith. I urge the Chinese Government to re-examine their policies in Tibet and to provide the Tibetan people genuine autonomy in their traditional homeland. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 226) recognizing the plight of the Tibetan people on the 50th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama being forced into exile and calling for a sustained multilateral effort to bring about a durable and peaceful solution to the Tibet issue.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the chairman of the Human Rights Commission, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, at this point I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), the sponsor of the resolution.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, we have no more speakers. I might point out the irony that, in a resolution that is commemorating International Women's Day, the sponsor of that resolution is not available to speak on the floor because she is at the White House commemorating International Women's Day. But Ms. Schakowsky's comments can be added into the Record. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I first want to thank Representative Jan Schakowsky and the other cosponsors of this resolution for honoring the contributions and achievements of women around the world, and the importance of promoting and protecting their rights. Today, women all over the world are becoming leaders in science, medicine, arts, politics, and even the military. Despite this progress, it is a sad fact that women and girls continue to constitute the vast majority of the world's poor, chronically hungry, refugees, HIV- infected, uneducated, unemployed and disenfranchised. All too often, women are subject to physical violence and discrimination as a result of their gender. Women are also the targets of cruel cultural practices, including genital mutilation, forced and early marriages, humiliating and harmful widow practices, bride burnings and honor killings. On average, women continue to receive less pay for work of equal value, and many continue to face discrimination in hiring and admission to educational institutions. It is not enough to simply declare the equality of women and condemn their mistreatment. We must, in all sectors of society, address the structural factors that prevent women and girls from enjoying the same rights and opportunities as boys and men. We must also eliminate the criminal and cultural practices that destroy the lives and freedom and health of women. Statistics demonstrate that when women's quality of life improves, their children are happier, healthier and better educated. Entire communities and countries benefit from these improvements. Successful, educated and respected women also become powerful role models for future generations. In honor of our family members, our female colleagues and our Speaker, not to mention women across the country and around the world, I am proud to support this resolution and urge all my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 194) supporting the goals of International Women's Day, as amended.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time to join the others in making a particular statement on behalf of the sacrifice of military families. We pay great attention, and should, to the sacrifices of our young servicemen and servicewomen who risk their lives in service of their country. We sometimes don't pay as much attention to people who make a tremendous sacrifice by virtue of seeing their loved ones, their spouses, their parents, their children in many cases, going off to military service, particularly in the context of recent times, dealing with the repeated deployments, the disruptions, the movement, the constant concern about the welfare of the loved one. And it is quite appropriate and long overdue that we actually designate this year, 2009, as the year of the military families. I strongly support this resolution.