Michael Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton). (Mr. BARTON of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1094) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research, information, and education with respect to blood cancer.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to advise the gentlewoman that in our Committee on Energy and Commerce, as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) knows, just last week we marked up a piece of welfare legislation which afforded transitional Medicaid assistance for those people, with a recognition that of course the words of the gentlewoman are so very true. And so, hopefully, we are helping towards that. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time, but also make available to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) any additional time he may need for his speakers.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time, but make available to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) any time he may need.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 388. Thanks to numerous medical advances, Americans are healthier than they have ever been before. Unfortunately, not all Americans have equally shared in this progress. During the 106th Congress, the Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and Environment, which I chaired, reviewed the health disparities that persist between minority groups and the non- Hispanic white population. Hepatitis C, heart disease, diabetes, lupus, lung cancer and cervical cancer are but a few of the diseases that disproportionately affect minorities in this country. Congress took an important step forward in addressing health disparities when it passed the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000 late in the 106th Congress. This important legislation created a new National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities which coordinates biomedical and behavioral research on these issues at the National Institutes of Health. I was pleased to move this legislation through my subcommittee and support it on the House floor. Among other things, the resolution we are considering today would call for the establishment of a National Minority Health and Health Disparities Month to focus educational efforts on the health problems disproportionately affecting minorities. It also calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop public service announcements on health promotion and disease prevention. Finally, H. Con. Res. 388 calls for dissemination of information that would help health care professionals communicate in a culturally sensitive manner with all of their patients. Raising awareness of existing health disparities is necessary to improving the overall health and well-being of the American people. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 388. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. 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. Con. Res. 388.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 358.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Ryun), who not only is the author of this resolution but who has personally experienced this problem and who has shared that with many of us over the years.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 358, which supports the goals and ideals of a National Better Hearing and Speech Month. Approximately 42 million Americans suffer from a speech, voice, language or hearing disability. For the last 75 years, the month of May has been celebrated as National Better Hearing and Speech Month to help raise awareness on how to prevent, mitigate and cure these impairments. Communication is indispensable for learning, working, playing, and enjoying family life and friendships. Children with listening difficulties due to hearing loss continue to be an underidentified and underserved population. The earlier the problem is diagnosed and addressed, the less serious the long-term impact. That is why I was so pleased that provisions relating to hearing loss in infants were included in the Children's Health Act of 2000. My good friend from New York (Mr. Walsh) was instrumental in this effort. This resolution commended the 41 States that have implemented routine hearing screening for every newborn delivered in a hospital. I am happy to report that my home State of Florida vigorously promotes this policy by screening the newborns at all birthing facilities prior to discharge. Recent developments have shown that interventions to address auditory problems in newborns greatly enhanced the success rate in overcoming hearing-loss issues. Each adult and child with hearing loss is affected differently, which is why it is critical to detect hearing loss early and to determine the extent of loss in order to intervene appropriately. This resolution encourages all Americans to have their hearing checked regularly and encourages individuals to avoid environmental noise that can lead to hearing loss. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 358. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 358) supporting the goals and ideals of National Better Hearing and Speech Month, and for other purposes.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton) for scheduling today's special order. I, too rise, this evening to talk about an issue that the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, which I chair, examined last week. I am referring, of course, to the Abstinence Only Education Funds, which are provided through title V of the Social Security Act. The Committee on Energy and Commerce favorably reported legislation last week that would reauthorize this important program through fiscal year 2007. These Abstinence Only Education Funds were first included as part of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which reformed our Nation's welfare laws to put an emphasis on work and end the seemingly endless cycle of dependency that was present under the old Aid to Families With Dependent Children Program. Title V allocated $50 million for fiscal years 1998 to 2002 for block grants to States for the development of Abstinence Only Education programs. To date, 49 of the 50 States have elected to participate in this program. I am very pleased, of course, that my own State of Florida has elected to participate in this program. In fact, during my subcommittee's hearing last week, we heard from Ms. Jacqueline Del Rosario, who runs a project in Miami titled ReCapturing the Vision. Ms. Del Rosario started the program in a middle school in an impoverished area of Miami, Dade County. In its 8 years of operation, participants in ReCapturing the Vision have only a 1.1 percent pregnancy rate, and I repeat that. In its 8 years of operation, participants in ReCapturing the Vision have only a 1.1 percent pregnancy rate. Ms. Del Rosario testified that one reason why she believes her program has been so successful is because, ``ReCapturing the Vision does not just teach teens to say no to sex, but we also build their values and cause them to embrace the future.'' Ms. Del Rosario went on to add that ``Contraceptives cannot protect a 15 year old from the erosion of her dignity and self-worth. There must be another value that causes teens to raise their standards and protect their emotional and physical health.'' She further argued that diluting the Abstinence Only message was harmful. She went on to say, ``I had heard it said that abstinence with contraceptives was a `mixed message' but I never believed it to be true.'' However, she learned that, ``Kids need a concise and clear message. To hear it from the students caused me to believe that we must be the voice that tells them that we expect them to abstain and we believe they can do it.'' By continuing title V funding for another 5 years, we can encourage the development of more successful programs like ReCapturing the Vision. This is so critically important because the consequences of ill-advised sexual activity by young people is severe, and I asked her specifically during the hearing if the other title V programs in the rest of the country are somewhat similar to hers or at least follow basically the same concept, and her answer is, yes, they are. Again, I want to emphasize, these are not ``just say no'' programs. They go into the broad work and the character of the individual. This is so critically important because the consequences of ill-advised sexual activity by young people is severe. Another one of our witnesses, Dr. Joe McIlhaney, told us that, ``Sexually transmitted infection is highly prevalent among adolescents. 3 to 4 million sexually transmitted diseases are contracted yearly by 15 to 19 year olds, and another 5 to 6 million sexually transmitted diseases are contracted annually by 20 to 24 year olds.'' As we all agree, and everybody agreed, abstinence is the only sure way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as out-of-wedlock pregnancies. I would like to point out one important fact that I highlighted during my subcommittee's hearing and the subsequent full committee markup. Abstinence-only programs do not prohibit educators from discussing the facts about the effectiveness of contraceptives, the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases, or any other topic that might be raised. The only requirement is that the use of contraceptives cannot be advocated; only abstinence can. In a recently-release interim report on the effectiveness of abstinence-only programs, the highly-respected research firm Mathematica noted that, and I quote, ``Obtaining clear and definitive evidence on the success of abstinence evidence programs is a difficult task that requires time.'' Until this comprehensive assessment is complete, in spite of the fact we hear about the success rates by Ms. Del Rosario and others, until the assessment is complete, and given the anecdotal success we have learned about from programs like ReCapturing the Visions and others, we should continue to fund these programs so we can have an accurate picture of their effectiveness and to gain the value of the good that they do. The proven good they do. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3231, which will improve enforcement of our Nation's immigration laws and reduce the overwhelming backlog of applications for aliens wishing to enter the United States legally. The time has come to do away with the old Immigration and Naturalization Service, and implement a system that will work more efficiently. Anyone wanting proof of this need only look to the March issuance of student visas to not one, but two of the September 11 hijackers. Six months after they died in their terrorist acts, the INS issued student visa approvals to them. Clearly there is not only a need to restructure the INS, but also to reform our Nation's immigration policies with respect to foreign student visas. I submitted an amendment to the Committee on Rules which would have established a 9-month moratorium on the issue of student visas to allow the INS or the new Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services under this legislation, time to fully implement the student exchange and visitor information system. My amendment also would have required the names, ages, and other appropriate information of student visa holders, accompanying spouse, and children to be included on the student visa documentation. I believe these reforms are critical if we are serious about preventing known terrorists from entering the United States. At least one of the September 11 hijackers was in the U.S. on an expired student visa. Had the INS fully implemented the tracking system, this terrorist may have been behind bars, not hijacking a commercial airplane. Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, my amendment was not made in order and cannot be considered here today. It was considered nongermane. It is my hope there will be an opportunity for Members to debate substantive immigration policy reform in the near future.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I yield to the gentleman from Wisconsin.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for that explanation. I was asking for a moratorium to give them an opportunity to get those things done.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in commemorating one of the most appalling violations of human rights in all of modern history--the eighty-seventh anniversary of the Armenian genocide. I want to commend my colleagues Representatives Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone, the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, for once again sponsoring this special order. Each year, we join the world in the commemoration of the Armenian genocide because the tragedy of lost lives through ethnic cleansing must not be forgotten. By remembering the bloodshed and atrocities committed against the Armenian people, we hope to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. On April 24, 1915, 200 Armenian leaders, scholars, and professionals were gathered, deported, and killed in Constantinople. Later that day, 5,000 more Armenians were butchered in their homes and on the streets of the city. By 1923, two million men, women, and children had been murdered and another 500,000 Armenian survivors were homeless and exiled. The Armenian genocide was the first of the twentieth century, but unfortunately as we all know, it was not the last. Talat Pasha, one of the Ottoman rulers, stated that the regime's goal was to ``thoroughly liquidate its internal foes, the indigenous Christian.'' The regime called the mass murder a mass relocation, masking its horrendous acts from the rest of the world. The Ottoman Empire was fully aware that the possibility of foreign intervention was minimal considering the world was preoccupied with World War I at the time. However, the massacre was immediately denounced by representatives from Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. Even Germany and Austria, allies of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War, condemned the Empire's heinous acts. Henry Morgenthau, U.S. Ambassador to Constantinople at the time, vividly documented the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians with the statement, ``I am confident that the whole history of the human race contains no such horrible episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the past seem almost insignificant when compared to the sufferings of the Armenian race in 1915.'' Winston Churchill used the word ``holocaust'' to describe the Armenian massacres when he said that, ``in 1915 the Turkish government began and ruthlessly carried out the infamous general massacre and deportation of Armenians in Asia Minor . . . [the Turks were] massacring uncounted thousands of helpless Armenians--men, women, and children together; whole districts blotted out in one administrative holocaust--these were beyond human redress.'' We must recognize the enormity of this act as one of the darkest chapters in world history. Only at that point can we truly take account of the severity of loss and honor the memory of the two million Armenians and others that were murdered during the genocide. The orchestrated extermination of people is contrary to the values the United States espouses. We are a nation which strictly adheres to the affirmation of human rights everywhere. No one can erase a horrendous historical fact by ignoring what so many witnessed and survived. Recognition and acceptance of misdeeds are necessary steps toward its extinction. Without acceptance, there is no remorse, and without remorse, there is no catharsis and pardon. We all want to forget these horrific tragedies in our history and bury them in the past. However, it is only through the painful process of acknowledging and remembering that we can prevent similar iniquity in the future. As recently as the year 2000, the United States, together with many European nations, took an active part in halting the genocidal events occurring in Kosovo. We cannot turn our heads from similar events that happened to the Armenian people. By remaining silent, we set a dangerous precedent, and in essence, we condone the horrific act. The survivors of the Armenian genocide and their descendants have made great contributions to every country in which they have settled, including the United States where they have made their mark in business, the professions and our cultural life. In closing, I would like to ask that we all take a moment to reflect upon the hardships endured by the Armenians, and acknowledge that in the face of adversity, the Armenian people have persevered. Today, we commemorate the memories of those who lost their lives in the genocide, as well as the resilience of those who survived.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, after September 11th, Americans proved once again that they are the most compassionate and generous people in the world through their financial generosity to the victims of the tragedy. Unfortunately, organ donors--Americans who sacrifice for others--are often overlooked. Organ transplantation is a unique medical procedure, since it relies on the kindness and compassion of others-- often strangers--to save lives. Despite the generosity of thousands of donors, however, the supply of organs still falls short of the need. Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of available and suitable organs for patients needing a transplant. Nearly 75,000 people are currently waiting to receive a transplant, and every 14 minutes another name is added to the list. In the last decade alone, the waiting list has grown by over 300 percent. Because of low donor rates, thousands of people die each year for lack of suitable organs. Through his tragic death, the grandson of one of my constituents was able to give life and hope to many others. Corey had been involved with motorcycles since he was a small boy. He was riding at a motorcycle track, like he had done many times before, practicing with his new motorcycle. The cycle over-throttled and crashed into his best friend, who was riding a motorcycle in the opposite direction. Corey suffered immediate brain swelling and never recovered. But fortunately for others, Corey's parents chose to donate his organs and give others the gift of life. I would like to personally thank them for their gift and commend their great sacrifice in their own time of mourning. Through a gracious letter from the donor services organization, Corey's family was able to learn how his gift was able to touch the lives of so many others. His heart went to a young 14-year-old in Alabama, who required a transplant due to a heart defect from birth. Corey's liver went to a 67-year-old mother from Virginia, and his pancreas to a 49-year-old mother of two from Tennessee. Donation of a person's organs is a profoundly selfless act that should be respected and acknowledged. Out of Corey's donation, many lives were touched and many people now have hope that they might not have had otherwise. I would encourage all Americans to follow Corey's example and register to donate their organs so that others may live.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this budget. For over 17 years, I have been working to eliminate the current offset between military retired pay and VA disability, which unfairly penalizes more than 500,000 military retirees nationwide. The last Congress took the first steps towards addressing this inequity, and took an additional step towards eliminating the offset by authorizing my repeal legislation, H.R. 303. I am very pleased, Mr. Chairman, that the budget resolution earmarks over $500 million to fund concurrent receipt as a first step in fiscal year 2003, with increasing amounts over the next 5 years, providing a cumulative total of $5.8 billion. While this falls short of the funding needed to completely eliminate the current offset, it will provide for a substantial concurrent receipt benefit. And I am very, very thankful, on behalf of all of our veterans out there, to the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman Nussle) and other members of the committee, especially the gentlemen from New Hampshire, Mr. Bass and Mr. Sununu, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock), and the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman Stump) of the Committee on Armed Services. The major veterans organizations support this. Let us vote for this budget so we can help our veterans and our military out there.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I proudly rise to celebrate Greek Independence Day and the strong ties that bind the nations of Greece and the United States. One hundred eighty-one years ago the people of Greece began a journey that would mark the symbolic rebirth of democracy in the land where those principles of human dignity were first espoused. They rebelled against more than 400 years of Turkish oppression. The revolution of 1821 brought independence to Greece and emboldened those who still sought freedom across the world. I commemorate Greek Independence Day, Mr. Speaker, each year for the same reasons we celebrate our Fourth of July. It proved that a united people, as is taking place today, a united people, through sheer will and perseverance can prevail against tyranny. The lessons the Greeks and our colonial forefathers taught us provide strength to victims of persecution throughout the world today. Men such as Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, and Euripides developed a then-unique notion that men could, if left to their own devices, lead themselves rather than be subject to the will of a sovereign. It was Aristotle who said, ``We make war that we may live in peace.'' On March 25, 1821, Archbishop Germanos of Patras embodied the spirit of those words when he raised the flag of freedom and was the first to declare Greece free. Revolutions embody a sense of heroism, bringing forth the greatness of the human spirit in the struggle against oppression. News of the Greek revolution met with widespread feelings of compassion in the United States. The Founding Fathers eagerly expressed sentiments of support for the fledgling uprising. Several American Presidents, including James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, conveyed their support for the revolution through their annual messages to Congress. William Harrison, our ninth president, expressed his belief in freedom for Greece saying, ``We must send our free-will offering. The Star Spangled Banner must wave in the Aegean . . . a messenger of fraternity and friendship to Greece.'' It should not surprise us that the Founding Fathers would express such keen support for Greek independence, for they themselves had been inspired by the ancient Greeks in their own struggle for freedom. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To the ancient Greeks we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves . . . American colonists, out of gothic darkness.'' Our two nations share a brotherhood bonded by the common blood of democracy, birthed by Lady Liberty and committed to the ideal that each citizen deserves the right of self-determination. We must always remember that the freedom we enjoy today is due to a large degree to the sacrifices made by men and women in the past, in Greece, in America, and all over the world. Clearly apparent in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, freedom comes with a price. Thousands have sacrificed their lives to protect that freedom. Today, American military personnel are tracking terrorism at its many sources. It is another reminder that freedom must be constantly guarded. In the words of President Bush in his recent State of the Union address: ``It is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight.'' Madam Speaker, on this 181st birthday of Greek independence, when we celebrate the restoration of democracy to the land of its conception, we also celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the strength of man's will. The goals and values that the people of Greece share with the people of the United States reaffirms our common democratic heritage. This occasion also serves to remind us that we must never, never take for granted the right to determine our own fate. Mr. Speaker, today I proudly rise to celebrate Greek Independence Day and the strong ties that bind the nation of Greece and the United States. One hundred and eighty one years ago, the people of Greece began a journey that would mark the symbolic rebirth of democracy in the land where those principles to human dignity were first espoused. They rebelled against more than four hundred years of Turkish oppression. The revolution of 1821 brought independence to Greece and emboldened those who still sought freedom across the world. I commemorate Greek Independence Day each year for the same reasons we celebrate our Fourth of July. It proved that a united people, through sheer will and perseverance, can prevail against tyranny. The lessons the Greeks and our colonial forefathers taught us provide strength to victims of persecution throughout the world today. Men such as Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, and Euripides developed the then-unique notion that men could, if left to their own devices, lead themselves rather than be subject to the will of a sovereign. It was Aristotle who said: ``We make war that we may live in peace.'' On March 25, 1821, Archbishop Germanos of Patras embodied the spirit of those words when he raised the flag of freedom and was the first to declare Greece free. Revolutions embody a sense of heroism, bringing forth the greatness of the human spirit. It was Thomas Jefferson who said that, ``One man with courage is a majority.'' Quoting Jefferson on the anniversary of Greek independence is particularly appropriate. Jefferson, and the rest of the Founding Fathers, looked back to the teachings of ancient Greek philosophers for inspiration as they sought to craft a strong democratic state. And in 1821, the Greeks looked to our Founding Fathers for inspiration when they began their journey toward freedom. The history of Greek Independence like that of the American Revolution, is filled with many stories of courage and heroism. There are many parallels between the American and Greek Revolutions. Encouraged by the American Revolution, the Greeks began their rebellion after four centuries of Turkish oppression, facing what appeared to be insurmountable odds. Both nations faced the prospect of having to defeat an empire to obtain liberty. And if Samuel Adams, the American revolutionary leader who lighted the first spark of rebellion by leading the Boston Tea Party, had a Greek counterpart, that man would be Alexander Ypsilantis. Ypsilantis was born in Istanbul, and his family was later exiled to Russia. Ypsilantis served in the Russian army, and it was there, during his military service, that he became involved with a secret society called the ``Philike Hetairia,'' which translated means ``friendly society.'' The ``friendly society'' was made up of merchants and other Greek leaders, but the intent of the society was to seek freedom for Greece and her people. The group planned a secret uprising for 1821 to be led by Ypsilantis. He and 4,500 volunteers assembled near the Russian border to launch an insurrection against the Turks. The Turkish army massacred the ill- prepared Greek volunteers, and Ypsilantis was caught and placed in prison, where he subsequently died. However, the first bells of liberty had been rung, and Greek independence would not be stopped. When news of Greek uprisings spread, the Turks killed Greek clergymen, clerics, and laity in a frightening display of force. In a vicious act of vengeance, the Turks invaded the island of Chios and slaughtered 25,000 of the local residents. The invaders enslaved half the island's population of 100,000. Although many lives were sacrified at the altar of freedom, the Greek people rallied around the battle cry ``Eleftheria I Thanatos''--liberty or death, mirroring the words of American Patriot Patrick Henry who said: ``Give me liberty or give me death.'' These words embodied the Greek patriots' unmitigated desire to be free. Another heroic Greek whom many believe was the most important figure in the revolution was Theodoros Kolokotronis. He was the leader of the Klephts, a group of rebellious and resilient Greeks who refused to submit to Turkish subjugation. Kolokotronis used military strategy he learned while in the service of the English Army to organize a force of over 7,000 men. The Klephts swooped on the Turks from their mountain strongholds, battering their oppressors into submission. One battle in particular, where Kolokotronis led his vastly outnumbered forces against the Turks, stands out. The Turks had invaded the Peloponnese with 30,000 men. Kolokotronis led his force, which was outnumbered by a ratio of 4 to 1, against the Turkish army. A fierce battle ensued and many lives were lost, but after a few weeks, the Turks were forced to retreat. Kolokotronis is a revered Greek leader, because he embodied the hopes and dreams of the common man, while displaying extraordinary courage and moral fiber in the face of overwhelming odds. Athanasios Diakos was another legendary hero, a priest, a patriot, and a soldier. He led 500 of his men in a noble stand against 8,000 Ottoman soldiers. Diakos' men were wiped out and he fell into the enemy's hands, where he was severely tortured before his death. He is the image of a Greek who gave all for love of faith and homeland. While individual acts of bravery and leadership are often noted, the Greek Revolution was remarkable for the bravery and fortitude displayed by the typical Greek citizen. This heroic ideal of sacrifice and service is best demonstrated through the story of the Suliotes, villagers who took refuge from Turkish authorities in the mountains of Epiros. The fiercely patriotic Suliotes bravely fought the Turks in several battles. News of their victories spread throughout the region and encouraged other villages to revolt. The Turkish Army acted swiftly and with overwhelming force to quell the Suliote uprising. The Suliote women were alone as their husbands battled the Turks at the front. When they learned that Turkish troops were fast approaching their village, they began to dance the ``Syrtos,'' a patriotic Greek dance. One by one, rather than face torture or enslavement at the hands of the Turks, they committed suicide by throwing themselves and their children off Mount Zalongo. They chose to die rather than surrender their freedom. The sacrifice of the Suliotes was repeated in the Arkadi Monastery of Crete. Hundreds of non-combatants, mainly the families of the Cretan freedom fighters, had taken refuge in the Monastery to escape Turkish reprisals. The Turkish army was informed that the Monastery was used by the Cretan freedom fighters as an arsenal for their war material, and they set out to seize it. As the Turkish troops were closing in, the priest gathered all the refugees in the cellar around him. With their consent, he set fire to the gunpowder kegs stored there, killing all but a few. The ruins of the Arkadi Monastery, like the ruins of our Alamo, still stand as a monument to liberty. News of the Greek revolution met with widespread feelings of compassion in the United States. The Founding Fathers eagerly expressed sentiments of support for the fledgling uprising. Several American Presidents, including James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, conveyed their support for the revolution through their annual messages to Congress. William Harrison, our ninth President, expressed his belief in freedom for Greece, saying: ``We must send our free will offering. `The Star-spangled Banner' must wave in the Aegean . . . a messenger of fraternity and friendship to Greece.'' Various Members of Congress also showed a keen interest in the Greeks' struggle for autonomy. Henry Clay, who in 1825 became Secretary of State, was a champion of Greece's fight for independence. Among the most vocal was Daniel Webster from Massachusetts, who frequently roused the sympathetic interest of his colleagues and other Americans in the Greek revolution. It should not surprise us that the Founding Fathers would express such keen support for Greek independence, for they themselves had been inspired by the ancient Greeks in their own struggle for freedom. As Thomas Jefferson once said, ``To the ancient Greeks . . . we are all indebted for the light which led ourselves . . . American colonists, out of gothic darkness.'' Our two nations share a brotherhood bonded by the common blood of democracy, birthed by Lady Liberty, and committed to the ideal that each individual deserves the right of self- determination. We all know that the price of liberty can be very high--history is replete with the names of the millions who have sacrificed for it. Socrates, Plato, Pericles, and many other great scholars throughout history warned that we maintain democracy only at great cost. The freedom we enjoy today is due to a large degree to the sacrifices made by men and women in the past--in Greece, in America, and all over the world. Clearly apparent in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, freedom comes with a price. Thousands have sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. Today, American military personnel are tracking terrorism at its many sources. It is another reminder that freedom must be constantly guarded. In the words of President Bush in his recent State of the Union address, ``it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight.'' Mr. Speaker, on this 181st birthday of Greek Independence, when we celebrate the restoration of democracy to the land of its conception, we also celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the strength of man's will. The goals and values that the people of Greece share with the people of the United States reaffirms our common democratic heritage. This occasion also serves to remind us that we must never take for granted the right to determine our own fate.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of my special order today.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidably detained in committee and therefore unable to cast my vote on rollcall No. 63. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on the amendment.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest and oldest association of Americans of Greek heritage and Philhellenes. This entity plans to honor and memorialize members of the community who perished in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. It will also salute those who have carried out courageous acts or performed tremendous philanthropic and humanitarian deeds during one of the most trying moments of our country's history. The attack on America was an assault upon the values of democracy which have enabled our nation to persevere with strength and resolve for well over two hundred years. These values, given to Western Civilization by the ancient Greeks, comprise our freedoms, our liberty, and our commitment to uphold justice. Together these ideals, combined with the American tradition of tolerance for people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds, will help us to overcome our current challenges and be victorious in our common fight against terrorism. On March 25, 2002, in the spirit of that tradition, the descendants of ancient Greece, who as immigrants came to America because of the very democratic ideals fostered by their ancestors, will come together to ``Honor America.'' This event will be hosted by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, an organization founded by visionary Greek immigrants eighty years ago. They will pay their respects to family, friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens, who lost their lives to terror and will express their humble gratitude to those who placed their lives in harm's way to save the lives of others. President George W. Bush, in an address on November 8, 2001, said our nation was born in a spirit of courage and optimism ``as immigrants yearning for freedom courageously risked their lives in search of greater opportunity.'' The decedents of Greek immigrants offer thanks and pay homage to America, warmly embracing this spirit of optimism and courage that President Bush said ``must guide those of us fortunate enough to live here.'' I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the efforts of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association to honor, memorialize, and salute members of the community affected by the sad events of September 11, 2001, during the organization's 35th Biennial Congressional Banquet, held March 25, 2002, in Washington, DC.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate being yielded the time. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will do what the gentleman from Texas says it will do. It is a good amendment. Veterans come from all walks of life and represent a true cross-section of this country. They took an oath, lived by a code and stood ready to fight and die for their country. Should those who defended our Nation against tyranny and oppression not have a strong voice in our political process? Should they not be heard above all else? It is not easy to wear the uniform of one's Nation, and too often the needs of these great men and women are overlooked by the great country they proudly served. This amendment guarantees our veterans will have the right to express their views on issues affecting them. The Constitution grants Americans the right to criticize or praise their elected officials, and we should not punish the very individuals who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom and way of life by depriving them, as this bill would probably do, of their voice in our political process. As a 4-year veteran myself, I urge my colleagues to support this important amendment. We will never be able to properly thank those veterans who gave up so much for our Nation, but we can honor them. We can honor them by passing this amendment. Vote for the Armey- Johnson amendment.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 330. I have always believed that mentors and volunteers play an important role in encouraging our nation's youth to excel in academics and in life. Caring relationships with adults can nurture and empower a child to succeed in areas which otherwise may threaten a child's ability to overcome obstacles. Mentors and volunteers bridge an important gap between a child's home life and school. We all agree that parental involvement in a child's education is critical to ensuring that student's academic achievement and confidence, but unfortunately, not every child has a parent that is actively involved in his or her life. Having adult mentors and volunteers present in the schools signals their concern and love for our nation's youth. I am proud to salute the thousands of mentors and volunteers in my congressional district. The numbers of adults committed to serving our children are astounding--26,005 mentors and volunteers contributed 1,092,957 hours in Pinellas County Schools in 2001. An additional 31,653 mentors and volunteers spent 1,280,898 hours in Hillsborough County Schools, and 13,000 adults contributed over 300,000 hours in Pasco County Schools. Mr. Speaker, we should do all that we can to encourage mentoring relationships between adults and our nation's youth. The benefits of mentoring relationships are numerous--mentors provide positive role models for children in a world that desperately needs them. This resolution recognizes the importance of mentoring, and I am glad that my colleague has brought our attention to this issue today.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

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