Howard Berman

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. BERMAN. I yield myself 30 seconds. Mr. Speaker, without joining issue with the gentleman on his other comments, the suggestion that this is not curing AIDS is directly contrary to the evidence I saw firsthand in Africa earlier this month. There are huge numbers of people there who would now be dead, who are alive simply because of the drugs that this money allowed them to get. I don't know what the definition of the gentleman's cure is, but they are living normal, active lives as a result of the drug therapies. I insert a Statement of Legislative Intent regarding nutrition into the Record at this time. On behalf of Chairman Payne, Mr. McGovern, and Mrs. Emerson, I would like to make the following statement regarding the intent of the House on H.R. 5501. H.R. 5501 and the Senate amendment to H.R. 5501 provide clear and specific instructions to the USAID Administrator and the Global AIDS Coordinator to address the food and nutrition needs of individuals with HIV/AIDS and other affected individuals, including orphans and vulnerable children; and to fully integrate food and nutrition support in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs carried out under this act. We are concerned about the negative effect rising costs are having on our long-term and emergency food aid programs. This is a matter that affects a wide array of our food aid and development programs, including the effectiveness and success of our Global HIV/AIDS programs. On behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and members who have been very involved in international nutrition, we wish to state that it is the legislative intent of H.R. 5501 and the Senate amendment to H.R. 5501 that food security and nutrition programs, especially those referred to as wrap-around services, are not to be funded with monies diverted from other standing commitments to address food insecurity elsewhere in the world or in these countries. I'm very pleased to yield 5 minutes to my friend, just a major architect of this whole program, the gentlelady from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1362, I call from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 5501) to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to provide assistance to foreign countries to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and for other purposes, with a Senate amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady very much for her great words, and more importantly, for her really complete commitment to this project before and now. General Leave

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. 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.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 385) condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and for other purposes.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, on July 18, 14 years ago, a devastating bomb exploded outside the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Eighty-five people were brutally killed and 300 wounded because they happened to be in the building at that fateful moment. On that day, the world suffered yet another example of the consequences of radical violent religious extremism, and 85 more victims were tragically added to the list of those whose lives have been taken unnecessarily. We recalled the shock felt in Jewish communities worldwide, and are reminded that as long as radical extremism exists, no religious group should consider itself free from persecution. Almost a decade and a half later, the perpetrators of the AMIA bombings still have not been brought to justice. The AMIA attack was approved in advance by Iran's supreme leader and by the highest officials of the Iranian government. The attack was orchestrated by the government of Iran and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. Since 1994, Iran has greatly expanded its diplomatic, political, and economic presence in the western hemisphere, represented by the opening of nearly a dozen embassies in Latin America. As the AMIA tragedy shows, Iran has made use of its embassies abroad as tools to perpetrate its radical Islamic goals. We cannot let our guard down as we face this threat of terrorism. This legislation recognizes that in the past few years, the government of Argentina has made significant advances in the AMIA investigation, primarily through the dedication and determination of Prosecutor Alberto Nisman and those who support his work. We celebrate, as well, that Argentina has also recently enacted counterterrorism legislation which seeks to criminalize the financing, fund-raising and money-laundering activities of groups linked to terrorism. We encourage our South American neighbor to continue pursuing the criminals of the AMIA bombing and through this legislation commit to accompany them in that pursuit. The resolution also commends the efforts of the General Assembly of INTERPOL to uphold and implement the international arrest warrants issued for the Hezbollah and Iranian operatives. We must continue to push the entire community of nations to work together to capture and arrest those who would harm us. Mr. Speaker, only by taking the investigation of the AMIA bombing to its ultimate conclusion, capture and punishment for those who planned it, can the community of nations show Iran, Hezbollah, and those who support terrorism that their efforts will not bear fruit. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my colleague, my friend, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for introducing this resolution, and urge all of my colleagues to support this important measure. 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 am pleased to yield to the gentlelady from Nevada, a former member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Berkley, 2 minutes.

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

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1341) providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendments to H.R. 3890, with amendments.

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

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, 2 short months ago, tropical cyclone Nargis struck the coast of Burma, killing tens of thousands of Burmese citizens. The response of Burma's military leaders to this devastating catastrophe demonstrated their fundamental disdain for the welfare of the Burmese people. Repeated offers from the international community to provide desperately needed assistance went unanswered. Thousands of veteran international relief workers were denied visas. Instead of dispatching Burmese groups to help the victims, the government proceeded with its referendum on a constitution drafted by an illegitimate assembly. This referendum was written without the input of Nobel Laureate and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Even today, the restrictions placed by the government on international aid workers have severely limited their ability to help cyclone survivors. The disastrous manner in which the Burmese government handled the cyclone comes on the heels of its violent crackdown on Burma's Saffron Revolution last September. Buddhist monks, draped in saffron robes, peacefully marched through the streets of Rangoon. They were joined by tens of thousands of other Burmese citizens calling for nonviolent change, freedom and democracy. The reaction of the ruling regime to these peaceful demonstrations was predictable. Unarmed monks were shot in the streets. Those who weren't killed were hauled off to detention centers. Political dissidents were tossed in jail. In short, the Saffron Revolution was crushed, along with the aspirations of the Burmese people for democracy and a better life. These brutal actions demonstrate the moral bankruptcy of the regime. Unfortunately, the regime is not financially bankrupt. While the Burmese people live in great poverty, Burma's military leaders continue to take Burma's vast natural resources as their own. The legislation before the House today hits the regime where it hurts, in the wallet. By blocking the import of Burmese gems into the United States and expanding financial sanctions, the legislation will take hundreds of millions of dollars out of the pockets of the regime each year. The legislation is supported by U.S. industry. The 11,000-store Jewelers of America supports a ban on Burmese gem imports to the United States. Major retailers like Tiffany's and Bulgari have also voluntarily implemented such a ban. The amendments to this bipartisan bill provided for in this resolution, which have been carefully negotiated with the Senate, promote a coordinated multilateral approach to sanctions against Burma. The European Union has similarly banned the import of Burmese gems, as have the Canadians. It's our hope that the financial sanctions contained in this bipartisan bill will push other countries to examine their own financial dealings with Burma. As we move forward with H.R. 3890 today, I do want to thank the ranking Republican member of the committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, as well as Peter King of the Homeland Security Committee, for their strong support for this legislation and for democracy in Burma. Thanks also must be given to the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Charlie Rangel; the chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Sander Levin; as well as their Republican counterparts, Jim McCrery and Wally Herger, for their enormous help in moving forward with this bill. Finally, let me thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her continued leadership on this legislation. Since the first shots were fired in Rangoon, the Speaker has firmly indicated our intention to significantly tighten sanctions on the ruling Burmese regime. Today, we fulfill that promise. Burmese freedom fighter and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi memorably asked of the world community, ``Use your liberty to promote ours.'' So today we use our liberty in the United States Congress to ratchet up the economic pressure on the Burmese regime to move towards freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. I urge all Members to support the resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. And, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. Chairman Payne, Congressman Jefferson, Congresswoman Lee and Congressman Royce have all pointed out various aspects of this marvelous individual's career. There are very few people one sees in a lifetime who can inspire by their strength, their commitment, their dedication and their perseverance to a noble and idealistic cause the way that Nelson Mandela has inspired so many of us. And so I'm happy to join with my colleagues in speaking on behalf of this resolution and urging its support. In some ways, the most fascinating thing about Nelson Mandela's career is that after that incredible struggle against the evil of apartheid and the tyranny and the indignities that were suffered by the vast majority of the population of South Africa under the very regimented and institutionalized system of apartheid that they were forced to live under, that when victory came, and the apartheid regime ended and he took over the leadership of South Africa, that he dedicated himself to the concept not of vengeance against those who had perpetrated the evil, but to bringing forth the truth and then the reconciliation with his fellow countrymen and -women. And even to the point where I read that the original president, when the legislation that institutionalized apartheid was adopted in South Africa, that he invited this man who didn't start the apartheid and the segregation, but he did more than anyone else to implement the repressive policies of apartheid, that after he became president, he invited the widow of this symbol of apartheid to come to his inauguration. And when she refused, he visited her in her house to demonstrate the depths to which he believed in that process of reconciliation. He truly was an inspirational and marvelous individual, and I obviously urge all of my colleagues to support Mr. Jefferson's resolution.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I would like to call the attention of my colleagues in the Congress to another successful meeting of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD) that was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from May 24-26, 2008. The United States delegation continues to flourish under the outstanding leadership of Chairwoman Shelley Berkley, the gentlelady from Nevada. She has injected energy and enthusiasm into this interparliamentary dialogue, while further strengthening American relationships with a wide range of European parliamentarians. The Republican vice-chairman, Representative Cliff Stearns from Florida, has also maintained an effective voice in European affairs and the TLD. Representatives Berkley and Stearns should be praised for their efforts to recruit members to participate in the Slovenia session, with the delegation of 10 members being the largest and by all reports most well informed in recent years. I commend the members of this bipartisan delegation--Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), Rep Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA), Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), and Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)--for contributing to a rich and meaningful exchange of views. The TLD serves as the formal response of the European Parliament and the U.S. Congress to the commitment in the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) of 1995 to enhance legislative ties between the European Union and the United States. Building on the existing interparliamentary relationship, the TLD involves bi-annual meetings between American and European legislators in order to discuss topics of mutual interest and foster transatlantic discourse. The most recent session in Slovenia addressed a wide range of foreign policy challenges, including the Middle East, China, Russia, and Kosovo. Members discussed regulatory initiatives being undertaken by the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), with American members reinforcing Administration concerns about European initiatives on poultry and chemicals used to manufacture cosmetics that have a detrimental effect on American farmers and producers. American members also responded to European concerns about the visa waiver program and legislation requiring 100% cargo scanning to ensure port security. In addition, the delegates discussed the challenge of climate change, the importance of energy security, and the current global financial crisis. Madam Speaker, I would like to place in the Record the joint statement that was agreed upon by American and European legislators at the 64th TLD meeting in Ljubljana. It underscores the rich agenda of this meeting and highlights the many areas in which there was strong transatlantic agreement. Transatlantic Legislator's Dialogue--64th Meeting of Delegations From the European Parliament and the United States, Ljubljana, 24-26 May 2008 Joint Statement We, Members of the European Parliament and the United States House of Representatives, held our 64th Interparliamentary meeting (Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 24-26 May 2008. Building on the joint statement issued following our last meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 5-8 October 2007, we stressed the importance of regular dialogue on a range of political, social and economic issues that affect all of our citizens. We agreed to report back to our parent bodies on the content and outcome of our discussions, particularly in the areas where joint efforts are likely to result in positive outcomes. We agreed that legislators in both sides of the Atlantic should increase dialogue and consultation amongst themselves in order to prevent possible conflicts of legislation. Direct and timely contacts between specialist committees from Congress and the European Parliament--such as those that have occurred within the TLD framework--have been valuable means of reinforcing cooperation; this exchange of information should be continued and enhanced. We examined a wide array of foreign policy issues, agreeing that joint action by the European Union and the United States is the most effective way to approach problems that affect both sides of the Atlantic. We took stock of recent developments with regard to the Middle East Peace process, the nuclear threat posed by Iran and the situation in Iraq. On Afghanistan, we recognized the need for a joint long-term strategy aimed at stabilizing the internal situation and reducing risks for regional security. We noted a proposal to develop a joint fund for humanitarian services and infrastructure development in Afghanistan. We discussed the future political an economical development in Kosovo, and recognized that joint efforts were essential in order to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the Western Balkans, including an EU perspective. We analyzed development in Russia's domestic and foreign policies, including the U.S. Administration's proposed missile defense plans as well as European efforts to diversify their energy supply and ensure their energy security. We also assessed our economic and political relationship with China, expressing concern over recent events in Tibet. The dialogue focused on the ongoing discussions between the U.S. and the EU in order to extend access to the U.S. Visa Waiver programme in the future to all EU Member States, as well as to the importance of ensuring safe trade an port security. We also discussed the current global financial crisis. We agreed on the need for continued discussion and joint actions to address the effects of climate change. With regard to the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), we noted with satisfaction the engagement of the TLD on 13 May 2008 with TEC Co-Chairs Gunther Verheugen and Dan Price in the framework of the `Advisory group'. The European Parliament Resolution on the TEC and the letter by the U.S. TLD leadership to the TEC formed the basis for this dialogue. We took note of the EU-U.S. High Level Regulatory Forum, the joint reports on strengthening cooperation regarding the safety of imported products, and the impact assessment guidelines. We advocated stronger involvement of legislators in contributing to and overseeing these initiatives. We supported the identification of compatible biofuels standards in order to achieve international harmonization at the level of international standards organizations. We also welcomed the joint statement on open investment, as well as the start of the second phase of negotiations for the air services agreement. We welcome the fact that the TEC has become a permanent feature of the EU/U.S. relations. We also welcome the decision taken on 13 May 2008 to develop a short term agenda and long term roadmap for TEC activities, and consider that this represents and important step towards ensuring the continuity of the process. As we have done throughout the establishment and initial meetings of the TEC, we continue to assert that the TEC initiative should be characterized by transparency and consultation of stakeholders and we call on the EU and U.S. Administration to reinforce the flow of information to the TLD in advance of the TEC meetings. Awareness of the transatlantic impact of proposed legislation and regulations should be developed in the relevant legislative and regulatory bodies, as well as information about the benefits of rapid advancements towards a barrier- free regulatory environment. Several items have been identified within the TEC agenda that require further legislative consideration: While achieving reciprocity and mutual recognition of security standards remains critically important, we call on the U.S. Congress to review their legislation requiring 100 percent cargo scanning in recognition of European concerns regarding this legislation We call on the European Parliament to facilitate an early solution to the ongoing discussions on the ban on imports into the EU of U.S. poultry which has undergone pathogen reduction treatment In regards to the EU's regulation on the registration of chemicals (REACH) we call on the European Commission to bring forward legislation ensuring that European and U.S. producers of cosmetics are treated equitably in their requirement to register substances used in their products with the EU's chemical agency. Finally, we welcome progress on items contained in the `lighthouse projects' and related initiatives included in the 2007 Summit declaration. In particular, we call for: Steps towards allowing the use in the United States of suppliers' declarations of conformity for electrical, electronic and ICT products; Further progress towards the mutual recognition of U.S. GAAP and EU IFRS accounting standards; Discussion of U.S. and EU regulatory issues in the insurance sector, in order to enhance market access for brokers-dealers, exchanges and other trading systems; and Progress in other areas of regulatory cooperation, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and animal testing. In conclusion, both sides renewed their commitment to make the TLD's work more relevant to the European Parliament and to the United States House of Representatives. We agreed to identify ways by which to reinforce the involvement of the TLD and our legislatures in the preparation of the EU/U.S. Summit. We also agreed to further improve the effectiveness of our dialogue in order to realize the full potential of our interparliamentary relationship. Jonathan Evans, MEP,- Chairman, European Parliament Delegation. Benoit Hamon, MEP,---- Vice Chairman, European Parliament Delegation. Hon. Shelley Berkley, Chairwoman, U.S. Congress Delegation. Hon. Cliff Stearns, Vice Chairman (Ranking Republican), U.S. Congress Delegation. Hon. Gary Ackerman, Vice Chairman, U.S. Congress Delegation.

Mr. BERMAN

Mr. BERMAN. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record an exchange of letters between the distinguished chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary and myself. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, June 6, 2008. Hon. Howard L. Berman, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Berman: This is to advise you that, as a result of your working with us to make appropriate revisions to provisions in H.R. 6028, the Merida Initiative to Combat Illicit Narcotics and Reduce Organized Crime Authorization Act of 2008, that fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, we are able to agreed to discharging our committee from further consideration of the bill in order that it may proceed without delay to the House floor for consideration. The Judiciary Committee takes this action with the understanding that by forgoing further consideration of H.R. 6028 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this similar legislation. We also reserve the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this important legislation, and request your support if such a request is made. I would appreciate your including this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Thank you for your attention to this request, and for the cooperative relationship between our two committees. Sincerely, John Conyers, Jr., Chairman.

Mr. BERMAN. I yield the gentlelady 1 additional minute.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa).

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute of time if I may. The gentleman from Ohio raises an issue of controversy between the United States and Mexico. What I urge the Members of this body to do is to focus on the purpose of this initiative. This is an initiative that is in America's deep national interest. The whole issue of illicit narcotics trade, the role of the corridor between Central America and Mexico in contributing and supplying these illicit narcotics, the war going on in Mexico between the drug cartels, and a president and a leadership that is now taking this head on serves our national interests. Our effort to stem illegal immigration is directly connected, and the effectiveness of it will be greatly dependent on our ability to stop these cartels and to smash this trade in illicit narcotics. Whatever one's concern is about a particular aspect of the U.S.- Mexican relationship, I would suggest from America's interest point of view that this issue, this initiative, is a compelling one and should be supported. I am now pleased to yield 3 minutes to chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection and a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms. Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.