Michael Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly to celebrate ``oxi'' day. The historical significance of this day and what it meant to the outcome of World War II cannot be overstated. The outcome of a decision made on a day in 1940, had a profound impact on the conducting of the war by Nazi Germany. We're talking about a stand made by a small, battered and courageous nation, namely Greece, against the larger, more powerful aggressors Italy and Germany. By October of 1940, World War II had begun, and the Nazi war machine was already in high gear. Along with Hitler's ally, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, the German and Italian forces were threatening the whole of Europe. European nations were bowing to tyranny and destruction as the Germans and the Italians marched through Europe. Great Britain endured Germany's aerial bombardment, forcing Hitler to seek another avenue to subdue the British. Hitler intended to eliminate British operations in the Mediterranean in order to weaken their ability to deter German advances. To achieve this, Hitler needed the Axis powers to strike at British forces in Greece. By conquering Greece, Hitler would gain access to an important connecting link with Italian bases in the Dodecanese islands. This would give the Italians a strangle hold on British positions in Egypt, where British forces were already facing attack from the Italian army in north Africa. The British considered the defense of Egypt vital to allied positions in the oil rich Middle East. On October 28, 1940, the Italian Ambassador in Athens presented an insulting ultimatum to Greek Prime Minister Metaxas, demanding the unconditional surrender of Greece or Italy would declare war and invade Greece. Mussolini had given the Greek Prime Minister Metaxas three hours to reply. Prime Minister Metaxas responded with the now historic word ``oxi,'' which means ``no'' in Greek. His statement embodied the true spirit of the Greek people. His words of defiance echoed the same devotion and love of country that Greek patriots exhibited during their war of independence against the Ottoman empire when they shouted the defiant words ``liberty or death.'' Prime Minister Metaxas'' actions marked the beginning of one of the world's most heroic efforts against tyranny and oppression. Italy then invaded. It is important to note that in addition to Greece having a population seven times smaller than Italy, the disparity in their armed forces was even greater: Italy had close to ten times the firepower of Greece in its army and navy and seven times the troops. Italy's large air force had total air superiority since Greece had a very small defensive air force. However, despite their lack of equipment, the Greek army proved to be well-trained and resourceful. Within a week of the invasion, it was clear that Italian forces were suffering serious setbacks despite having control of the air and fielding superior armored vehicles. On November 14th, the Greek army launched a counter-offensive and quickly drove the Italian forces back into Albania. By the next month, the Greeks had captured the town of Pogradec in eastern Albania. The fighting continued for a few more months . . . it was clear that the Greeks were not going to stand for defeat. In a last ditch effort to bring the war to a close before the Italians would be forced to ask Hitler to intervene, they launched another assault on March 12, 1941. After six days of fighting, the Italians had made only insignificant gains, and it became clear that German intervention was necessary. On April 6, 1941, Hitler ordered the German invasion of Greece. It took the Germans five weeks to finally end the conflict. This delay proved to be critical to the outcome of the war. Italy's inability to capture Greece enabled the British to win major victories against Mussolini's forces in north Africa. This solidified British positions in the region as well as in Cyprus. In addition, it contributed to the failure of the German Barbarossa campaign to conquer Russia. Due to Mussolini's humiliating defeat by the Greeks in Albania and Greece, Hitler was compelled to capture the Balkans, mainly Yugoslavia and Greece, thus, delaying his Barbarossa plan to invade and capture the Soviet Union before the winter of 1941. The Greek resistance, both in Albania, and in the other famous battle in Crete, altered, favorably for the allies, his Barbarossa time table by at least six months. Perhaps most importantly, the Germans never gained the advantage against the British. Although Germany had conquered much of Europe, its inability to decimate British and Russian forces early in the war would eventually prove to be fatal. Thanks to the heroic Greek resistance and their countless sacrifices, the war tide had been permanently changed for Hitler due to the delay of this critical time table. Nearly one million Hellenes died during that time. That was 14 percent of the population in 1940. That is equivalent to losing 39 million people in this country today in the case of a war to defend our country. The entire Western world, discouraged and fearful of the Axis powers and the growing ugly war, took hope from these incredible victories. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said of the Greeks: ``Today we say that Greeks fight like heroes, from now on we will say that heroes fight like Greeks.'' Mr. Speaker, ``oxi'' day is an inspiration to all those who cherish democracy and freedom. It marks defiance against terrible odds. As an American of Greek descent, I am proud to honor the memory of those brave patriots who fought for freedom for themselves and ultimately for all the free world on this important day.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sorrow to mourn the loss of one of Pasco County's finest citizens and public servants, Dr. John Long. While on a hunting trip with his wife Marsha in Montana, John unexpectedly passed away from an apparent heart attack on October 26. He was 59 years old. Born in Wauchula, Florida, John dedicated his life to serving the residents of Pasco County and improving the quality of education that its students received. His passion and reputation would lead him to serve as a state representative and eventually to be appointed as the County's Superintendent of Schools, a position he held until his retirement last year. John's career in public service began shortly after he completed his masters degree and doctorate in education at the University of South Florida. John seized the opportunity to work for the Pasco County School District and during heightened tension in the District in 1976, he was hired as the County's Director of Personnel. Known as a problem- solver, John quickly garnered respect and trust from the teacher's union and ironed out their labor grievances. His ability to compromise and find the middle ground would follow him throughout his career. In 1986, John ran successfully for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. He quickly rose to prominence within the Democratic Party and was poised to become the Speaker of the Florida House. However, another institution took precedence: his family. John retired from state politics to spend more time at home with Marsha and his two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica. Soon after stepping down, the late Governor Lawton Chiles appointed John as Pasco County Schools Superintendent in 1995. After winning a second term in 2000, John was named Florida's Superintendent of the Year by the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, a distinction he greatly cherished. John also facilitated the enactment of the Penny for Pasco program in March 2004, which he considered one of his proudest accomplishments. Mr. Speaker, too often in this extremely partisan business, we lose sight of the things that really matter. John looked past party politics. He placed his family ahead of his promising political career. He was a breath of fresh air in an occupation that can suffocate integrity. I am truly saddened by the loss of John, and my thoughts and prayers are with the Long family. May God bless them as they remember this great man.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I missed the recorded vote for S.J. Res. 19, which calls upon the President to issue a proclamation recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 455.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I missed the recorded vote for H. Res. 360, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of V-J Day and the end of World War II in the Pacific. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall vote 454.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. We know the chairman is a man of his word.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BILIRAKIS. In addition, the chairman has stated in the past that each individual State should have the ability to control its own waters, and the decision to drill or take an inventory should rest with the State legislature and the Governor. Can the gentleman assure us that he will work with us to provide States with that ability?

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time; and I, too, obviously, support S. 544, which is the exact Senate counterpart to H.R. 3205, the legislation on which I and so many others have worked for several years to reduce medical errors and save lives. The landmark 1999 Institute of Medicine report entitled ``To Err is Human,'' found that as many as 98,000 people die each year from preventable medical errors. The IOM report noted these errors may cost taxpayers as much as $29 billion each year, in addition to the incalculable pain and suffering experienced by those who lose loved ones as a result of them. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act will implement many of the IOM's recommendations for reducing medical errors. This legislation would establish a framework within which providers can voluntarily report medical errors to patient safety organizations, which in turn would analyze the data and recommend steps providers could take to prevent such errors from occurring in the future. These patient safety organizations will be empowered to compile reports on errors and near-misses, determine the causes of these errors or near-errors, identify the changes that need to be made to the health care delivery system to prevent these errors in the future, and implement needed changes. Their work will be invaluable in identifying national trends on medical errors and recommending how to prevent them. The legislation encourages providers to share information about medical mistakes by preventing the information that they have created specifically to report to patient safety organizations from being used against them. The bill would preclude this information, termed patient safety work product, from being used against providers in civil and administrative proceedings, disclosed pursuant to Freedom of Information Act requests, or used to carry out adverse personnel actions. The bill does not shield other information outside this patient safety work product from use in court cases. I believe it strikes an appropriate balance between encouraging the reporting of valuable information, which will be used to save lives, and safeguarding the ability of individuals to access necessary information to seek judicial redress when appropriate. I believe that Congress must pass the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act to encourage the voluntary reporting of information on medical errors. Doing so will help create a culture of awareness to expose and address the systemic causes of medical errors instead of continuing the culture of blame which hides and perpetuates them. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank several individuals: Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton); and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal). They have shared my commitment to making medical errors as rare as possible and minimizing the hurt they cause their families, as have the ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), and the subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown). This indeed has been a true bipartisan effort. I also want to thank members of the staff, though the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal) already has done so: Nandan Kenkermath and Melissa Bartlett, as well as chief counsel Chuck Clapton and health policy coordinator Brandon Clark. Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank Jeanne Haggerty, Jeremy Allen, and Steve Tilton, several former members of my staff, whose previous work on this legislation laid the groundwork for its enactment here today. All of these individuals, all should be proud their contributions to this legislation will ultimately save the lives of many they will never know. Mr. Speaker, I urge all our colleagues to support the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mica) for taking the lead on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I too rise today to support H. Con. Res. 202, a resolution permitting the use of the Capitol Rotunda for a ceremony to honor Constantino Brumidi on the 200th anniversary of his birth. To some Brumidi is known only as the artist of the Capitol. However, to many others he is much more. With his astonishing allegorical art work, Brumidi links the birthplace of democracy, ancient Greece, to the world's newest land of liberty, America. Moreover, Brumidi himself represents what his masterpieces convey. As a political refugee, Brumidi illustrates the principles upon which this great Nation was founded: Freedom, liberty and opportunity. On July 26, 1805, Constantino Brumidi was born in Rome to a Greek father and an Italian mother. He spent his childhood studying at the most prestigious art school in the city and quickly became a renowned artist, receiving a commission to work at the Vatican. He appeared to have a promising career ahead of him. However, due to political upheaval in Rome, Brumidi sought asylum in America, where he hoped to find independence and opportunity in a new land. On September 18, 1852, 59 years to the day when George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol building, Brumidi landed in New York. Because of his love of democracy, it would not take Brumidi long to fully embrace his newly adopted home. That November he filed paperwork to become an American citizen. Many of us have parents or grandparents who immigrated here from other countries, looking to escape oppression or to come to the land of opportunity to give their children a better life. Many of them succeeded in ways they never dreamed imaginable. Brumidi is one of those success stories. Who could imagine that an immigrant would be tasked with decorating the most significant building in the United States? I believe that it is a testament both to Brumidi's resolve and our great Nation's willingness to embrace those who want to share in the American Dream. Hundreds of thousands of people walk through these halls every year, but they do not expect to see masterpieces that parallel those in famous European museums and cathedrals. When they walk through the Rotunda, they do no expect to look to the ceiling and see the magnificent Apotheosis of George Washington and the great symbolism it portrays. But when they do, they look up and see Freedom, an armed woman trampling terrified despots. Brumidi perfectly intertwined American themes with his classical Greco-Roman artwork. Brumidi was not a soldier. He never lead an army against a tyrannical rule; but just as Francis Scott Key strikes a cord in our hearts when we hear the ``Star-Spangled Banner,'' Brumidi's legacy and contributions to democracy will live forever. I can think of no better place to commemorate the bicentennial of Brumidi's birth than in the Rotunda, under his most famous painting. Mr. Speaker, Brumidi once said, ``My one ambition and my daily prayer is that I may live long enough to make beautiful the Capitol of the one country on Earth in which there is liberty.'' There is no doubt in my mind, Mr. Speaker, that Constantino Brumidi did just that.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise again today, as I have for more than 2 decades, to voice intense objection to the illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkish troops and to declare my grave concern for the future of the island. The Turkish incursion into Cyprus, 30-plus years ago, has rendered a legacy of internal division, and should worry those in this Chamber who cherish freedom and espouse the virtues of democracy. In July 1974, Turkish troops invaded and captured the northern part of Cyprus, seizing more than a third of the island. The Turkish strategy included ethnic cleansing. Not only did the Turks expel 200,000 Greek-Cypriots from their homes, but Turkish troops were also responsible for the systematic killing of 5,000 innocent civilians. In the process, Turkey installed 40,000 military personnel on Cyprus. Today, these troops, in conjunction with United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping forces, make the small, once peaceful island of Cyprus one of the most militarized areas in the world. Well over a quarter of a century later, approximately 1,500 Greek-Cypriots remain missing, including four Americans. The Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities are separated by a 113-mile barbed wire fence, called the Green Line. Until 2003, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a government formally recognized only by Turkey, prohibited Greek-Cypriots from freely crossing the Green Line to visit the towns and communities of their families. Controlling 37 percent of the island, Turkey's military occupation has had severe consequences, most notably the dislocation of the Greek-Cypriot population and the resulting refugees. More than thirty years later, despite efforts by G-8 countries and the U.N. generally, the forced separation of these two communities persists. The U.N., with the explicit support of the United States, has sponsored several rounds of proximity talks between the Greek-Cypriots in the South and the Turkish-controlled north. The U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan took a lead role in brokering a reunification proposal. On several occasions, my colleagues and I strongly voiced our serious concerns with the Annan plan through letters, meetings, and floor statements. We warned that the plan, as written, was not viable and did not assuage the Greek-Cypriots' security fears. Without a doubt, greater efforts should have been made to address these legitimate security concerns. By ignoring these concerns, Greek-Cypriot voters were put in the adverse position of having to oppose the plan. On April 24, 2004, they made clear that the suggested settlement failed because it did not provide certain guarantees, nor did it ensure complete compliance by Turkey once the plan was implemented. Had their concerns been addressed, I have no doubt that the Annan plan would have received an overwhelming positive vote. The Annan plan did not include a thorough removal of foreign troops from Cyprus. Although previous versions of the Annan plan called for the complete withdrawal of Greek and Turkish forces once Turkey joined the European Union, the final version of the Annan plan provided for an indefinite presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus. According to the plan, the number of troops would gradually decrease to 650 over a period of fourteen years. The plan also provided for the continuation of the Treaty of Guarantee, maintaining the guarantor powers (Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom) the right to unilaterally intervene in order to preserve the ``constitutional order'' of the United Cyprus Republic and its constituent states. The Annan plan failed to clarify that this treaty would not authorize military intervention. This is a critical point, because Turkey insist that it continues to have the right to intervene militarily in Cyprus. Additionally, the Annan plan did not provide for a property recovery system that would recognize the rights and interests of displaced Greek-Cypriots, nor did it include a satisfactory property compensation system. Specifically, the plan allowed for one-third restitution and two-thirds compensation for Greek-Cypriots who would lose the use of their northern properties. The Federal Government of Cyprus would be responsible for disbursing the restitutive funds. Nine-tenths of the Federal State's resources, however, derive from Greek-Cypriots. Therefore, the plan essentially called for Greek-Cypriots to pay for the loss of their property. In addition, the plan required constituent states to pay the compensation for property transfers. This meant that Greek-Cypriot refugees would have to request compensation from the Greek-Cypriot Constituent State. Again, Greek-Cypriot taxpayers, who were the victims of the invasion, would be paying for their own losses. The Annan plan failed to institute policies that could have engendered cohesion between the two communities. The plan failed to provide a viable government free of built-in deadlocks and voting restrictions, establishing instead a system based on permanent ethnic division and the denial of democratic rights to a segment of the population. The plan ignored the right of all Cypriots to buy property and to live wherever they choose without being limited by ethnic quotas. Furthermore, the plan set complicated and restrictive provisions regarding the right of Greek-Cypriot refugees to return to their homes in the north. In fact, the plan mandated that no more than 33.3 percent of the TRNC population could be Greek-Cypriot. This restriction would have been permanent. In addition, under the plan, Greek-Cypriots permanently living in the TRNC and possessing its internal citizenship status would not have the right to participate in elections for its 24 representatives in the federal Senate. Since the vote on the referenda, Greek-Cypriots have been criticized for allegedly rejecting peace and the ``only chance'' for reunification. Many people--including the Greek-Cypriots themselves-- regret that the presented plan did not allow both communities to respond positively. Criticism and anger, however, will only further divide the island precisely when the Cypriot people need the support of the international community to continue on the path toward lasting peace. Greek-Cypriots should not be blamed for voting against a plan that they believed did not meet the interests of their country and their futures. It is one thing for others to comment on the terms and conditions for settlement, but it is the Cypriots who must live with whatever plan is adopted. The Government of Cyprus continues to emphasize that it remains committed to reunify Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with democratic and human rights for all Cypriots. The Cypriot Government has announced a series of measures aimed at assisting those Turkish Cypriots residing under the control of the occupying Turkish army. The package included a wide range of political, social, humanitarian, educational and economic measures that would enhance the Turkish- Cypriots' ability to enjoy many of the benefits that the Republic of Cyprus offers to its citizens--including benefits which result from its European Union membership. Far beyond a merely symbolic gesture, the package is a substantive program to integrate the Turkish-Cypriot community into the larger Cypriot society. The Republic of Cyprus and Greek-Cypriots have provided the Turkish- Cypriot community more than $700 million dollars in aid. In the past two years, the government of Cyprus has paid more than $43 million dollars in social insurance pensions to Turkish-Cypriots, and Turkish- Cypriots working outside the Green Line made $7 million dollars in wages last year. Since April 2003, more than 24,000 Turkish-Cypriots have received free treatment in hospitals and medical centers inside the Republic of Cyprus, the combined cost of which totals more than $9 million dollars. Since the invasion more than three decades ago, Turkish occupied areas have received free electricity from the Cyprus Electricity Authority at a cost of nearly $343 million dollars. Together, more than 150,000 birth certificates, identity cards and passports have been provided to Turkish-Cypriots by the Republic of Cyprus, so that Turkish-Cypriots could travel and acquire work more efficiently. The Republic of Cyprus has begun a program where it pays the full tuition fees of Turkish-Cypriot pupils in secondary education private schools in the government controlled areas. The program to date has promised more than 5.4 million in tuition fees, and the program added five times as many students this year than it did in its first year, 2003. The occupying Turkish regime partially relaxed restrictions that limited travel across the Green Line. Since then, there have been more than five million incident-free border crossings by Turkish and Greek Cypriots to visit areas and homes that were inaccessible to them for over 30 years. As a result, Greek-Cypriots have infused more than $57 million dollars into the impoverished, Turkish-occupied economy in the North. It isn't clear whether opening the border was just a tactic to ease frustrations, or a sign that Turkey has had a fundamental change of heart. Nevertheless, it has produced rare displays of human kinship, exchanges of flowers and pastries, and emotional visits to homes abandoned in the mid-1970s. Still, neither the Government's incomplete, albeit well-intentioned, benefit package for Turkish-Cypriots, nor the limited lifting of restrictions by Turkey's occupying regime, substitutes for a comprehensive resolution to end Cyprus' divide. I urge the Bush Administration, the United Nations the European Union, and this honorable body to respect the democratic decision of the Cypriot people, to remain engaged in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem, and to work toward a fair and lasting reunification of Cyprus. As Cyprus works toward reunification it is imperative that leaders and diplomats from the United States and other nations respect and observe Cypriot law and international law in their dealings with Cyprus. Recently, Members of Congress traveled directly into the northern airport of Cyprus in Tymbou. Direct flights into occupied Cyprus are inconsistent with principles of international law and in tension with domestic law of the United States. In particular, it is indisputable that international law mandates that flights cannot enter a country's airspace without the consent of the sovereign government. Indeed, the Convention on International Civil Aviation, signed in Chicago on December 7, 1944, provides that ``the contracting States recognize that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory.'' The Republic of Cyprus' sovereignty over the entire territory of Cyprus has been recognized and reaffirmed by numerous U.N. Security Council Resolutions, as well as long-standing U.S. policy. Section 620C of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, amended in 1979, separately establishes that the United States' foreign policy towards Cyprus is to support the withdrawal of all Turkish forces from Cyprus and the reunification of the island. Any government or congressional trip will not only derail and discourage reunification efforts, but to the contrary, will be exploited as an implicit recognition of the so- called ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'' by the United States, thus further reinforcing the island's division. It is my understanding that at no time has the Republic of Cyprus authorized flights into the illegal airports situated in the occupied area of Cyprus. Moreover, flights into these airports are not necessary; the Republic of Cyprus encourages visits to the occupied area in a manner that does not create insurmountable legal issues and reinforce the existing division of the island. What is surprising and disappointing is that our own State Department encouraged these Members to fly directly to the airport in the TRNC under the guise of easing the isolation of Turkish-Cypriots. The State Department has authorized U.S. government personnel to travel directly to northern Cyprus, but they require that they must use their tourist passports. I don't understand why they are not instructed to use their official passports since they are visiting the TRNC on official business. I believe that if the legality of direct travel to TRNC were not in dispute, requiring U.S. government personnel to use their tourist passports would be pointless. The State Department maintains that this policy is consistent with U.S. and international law and that neither U.S. nor international law prohibits U.S. citizens from traveling directly to the TRNC. While the State Department is technically correct that nothing precludes U.S. leaders, diplomats, staff, or citizens from entering the airport in the north of Cyprus, such actions do contravene the Chicago Convention and contradict established U.S. foreign policy. I have sent letters to President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressing concern regarding the legality of U.S. citizens, U.S. government personnel, and Members of Congress flying directly from Turkey to the airport at Tymbou in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. The letters also requested legal clarification on direct flights to TRNC by U.S. citizens, U.S. government personnel, and Members of Congress. These letters were signed by more than thirty of my colleagues. I think they need to be reminded that the United States recognizes the Republic of Cyprus as the only government of Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus has not authorized flights into the northern airport, and the Republic of Cyprus and the United States are signatories to the Chicago Convention. Therefore, when U.S. citizens travel to Cyprus through the northern airport they not only undermine an ally of the United States, but they also flout U.S. foreign policy, which has been in place for ten consecutive presidential terms. As the U.S. government never would allow members of the Cypriot House of Representatives to enter the United States through an airport that is not designated as a legal port of entry, it also should discourage U.S. citizens, U.S. government personnel, and Members of Congress from doing the same in Cyprus. Such actions do little more than undercut the reunification efforts. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus is responsible for the destabilization of the Republic of Cyprus. Likewise, unauthorized travel into the northern airport, especially by American leaders, belittles the Republic of Cyprus' authority and destroys its credibility. Cyprus' sovereignty deserves no less reverence from the United States than any other nation with which the U.S. deals and considers an ally. American leaders should set an example for the rest of the world to follow, and in all our dealings with Cyprus, our utmost concern ought to be reunification. We should look to correct the wrong that occurred more than thirty years ago. We should work to bring about a just resolution to the situation. And, at the very least, we must act to halt the continuing injustice which the world community allows to continue in Cyprus.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1220, the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act, which will increase, effective December 1, 2005, the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans. As in previous years, these deserving men and women will receive the same cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) that Social Security recipients are scheduled to receive, and as a cosponsor of H.R. 1220, I am pleased that we are acting to provide disabled veterans and their survivors with an annual COLA. In the 108th Congress, we created an additional Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payment of $250 a month provided for the first two years of DIC eligibility to surviving spouses with minor children. This new benefit is aimed at easing the transition following the death of the servicemember or veteran. H.R. 1220, as amended, would also increase the amount of this additional assistance by the same COLA. I am pleased that the amended bill also includes the provisions from H.R. 2988, the Veterans Medical Care Revenue Enhancement Act of 2005. This is a bill that I introduced which authorizes a two-year demonstration project to improve business practices within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) relating to third-party billing collections. When Congress gave the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the authority to collect payment from insurance companies for the treatment of non-service connected conditions, the funds collected were returned to the U.S. Treasury. At one point, the VA acknowledged that it did a poor job of collecting payments from insurance companies because it had no real incentive to do so. As a result, in 1997 Congress gave VA the authority to retain any third party collections recovered. Despite improvements in VA's third-party collections, there continue to be weaknesses in the billing and collections processes that impair the VA's ability to maximize the amount of dollars paid by third-party insurance companies. In June, the VA briefed the staff of the Veterans' Affairs Committee that the Department has about $600 million in outstanding payments that have been billed but not collected from third-party insurers. Collecting these funds would be a significant revenue source for the Department which could improve its ability to provide health care services to our Nation's veterans. H.R. 1220 creates a modest $10 million demonstration project to improve the VA's business practices at two sites that have low collections rates. It is our hope that this demonstration project will lead to improved collection practices by the VA. Finally, H.R. 1220 would permanently authorize six Parkinson's Disease Research Education and Clinical Centers with the VA. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1220.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, due to a previous and unavoidable appointment, I was unable to vote on several amendments to H.R. 3010, the FY 2006 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Act. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall votes numbered 315, 316 and 317, and ``no'' on rollcall votes numbered 318 and 319.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, ``Operation Helping Hand,'' a program of the Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), was recognized for its efforts to assist the families of service members wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The James A. Haley VA Medical Center is one of four designated polytrauma centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the start of OIF/OEF, these trauma centers have served as regional referral centers for individuals who have sustained serious disabling conditions due to combat. Patients treated at these facilities may have a serious Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) alone or in combination with amputation, blindness, or other visual impairment, complex orthopedic injuries, auditory and vestibular disorders, and mental health concerns. Because TBI influences all other areas of rehabilitation, it is critical that individuals receive care for their TBI prior to, or in conjunction with, rehabilitation for their additional injuries. ``Operation Helping Hand'' provides assistance to the families of the very seriously wounded and injured service members who were deployed in either Iraq or Afghanistan and are now receiving treatment at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. The average hospital stay for the injured is approximately 45 days. The families of these injured service members travel from all over the country to be with their loved ones at this critical time. ``Operation Helping Hand'' assistance ranges from providing rental or leased cars, bus or taxi fares, cell phones or phone cards to the families of wounded service members. The program also provides tickets to local amusement parks, movie theaters and restaurants to make these families more comfortable while they are in Tampa waiting for their loved ones to recuperate. The assistance provided allows families to focus on their loved ones' recovery. This year marks the sixth year that Newman's Own Inc., Fisher House Foundation Inc., and the Military Times Media Group have joined forces to present the ``Newman's Own Awards'' which seek to reward ingenuity and innovation for volunteer organizations working to improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families. These organizations issued a challenge to all private organizations serving our military communities: ``present an innovative plan to improve the quality of life for your military community and receive funding to carry out that plan.'' This year, 177 organizations submitted nominations for the award. I am pleased that ``Operation Helping Hand'' received the top prize of $100,000. Ten other organizations shared $40,000 in grants. I want to congratulate the Tampa Chapter of the MOAA and all the individuals involved in ``Operation Helping Hand'' for winning the Newman's Own Award. I also want to commend them and all the other award winners for their outstanding work in support of our military personnel and their families.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, ``Operation Helping Hand,'' a program of the Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), was recognized for its efforts to assist the families of service members wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). The James A. Haley VA Medical Center is one of four designated polytrauma centers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since the start of OIF/OEF, these trauma centers have served as regional referral centers for individuals who have sustained serious disabling conditions due to combat. Patients treated at these facilities may have a serious Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) alone or in combination with amputation, blindness, or other visual impairment, complex orthopedic injuries, auditory and vestibular disorders, and mental health concerns. Because TBI influences all other areas of rehabilitation, it is critical that individuals receive care for their TBI prior to, or in conjunction with, rehabilitation for their additional injuries. ``Operation Helping Hand'' provides assistance to the families of the very seriously wounded and injured service members who were deployed in either Iraq or Afghanistan and are now receiving treatment at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. The average hospital stay for the injured is approximately 45 days. The families of these injured service members travel from all over the country to be with their loved ones at this critical time. ``Operation Helping Hand'' assistance ranges from providing rental or leased cars, bus or taxi fares, cell phones or phone cards to the families of wounded service members. The program also provides tickets to local amusement parks, movie theaters and restaurants to make these families more comfortable while they are in Tampa waiting for their loved ones to recuperate. The assistance provided allows families to focus on their loved ones' recovery. This year marks the sixth year that Newman's Own Inc., Fisher House Foundation Inc., and the Military Times Media Group have joined forces to present the ``Newman's Own Awards'' which seek to reward ingenuity and innovation for volunteer organizations working to improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families. These organizations issued a challenge to all private organizations serving our military communities: ``present an innovative plan to improve the quality of life for your military community and receive funding to carry out that plan.'' This year, 177 organizations submitted nominations for the award. I am pleased that ``Operation Helping Hand'' received the top prize of $10,000. Ten other organizations shared $40,000 in grants. I want to congratulate the Tampa Chapter of the MOAA and all the individuals involved in ``Operation Helping Hand'' for winning the Newman's Own Award. I also want to commend them and all the other award winners for their outstanding work in support of our military personnel and their families.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding to me so that I might engage in a colloquy with him to discuss the funding for the consolidated health centers program. The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), as we all know, has been a tremendous supporter of health centers, and I appreciate his taking the time today to discuss how we can strengthen and expand the program next year. As the gentlemen is well aware, Members of both sides of the aisle have risen in support of this critically important program over the years and I thank him for his great leadership in this regard. Within this bill and under these tight allocations, the subcommittee was able to provide an increase of $100 million for this program for fiscal year 2006, bringing overall spending to $1.817 billion. While this is a step in the right direction, it is my hope that the gentleman will continue to work throughout the process to increase funding for the program closer to the President's request of $2.038 billion. As we search for ways to control Medicaid cost, reduce emergency room visits and keep people healthy, community health centers have served as a shining example, Mr. Chairman, of what works. The only problem is that we do not have more them of them across the country in communities of need. This bill is the means to expand the program to more people, especially those who lack health insurance. And it is my hope that we do as much as possible in this regard to save money and keep people healthy in the future. I cannot emphasize strongly enough the important role that community health centers play in providing care to the millions of Americans who lack health insurance. For some, the only medical attention they receive comes from the local health center. I applaud the subcommittee's approval of a $100 million increase. Much of that funding, unfortunately, is already committed, leaving very few additional resources to strengthen current health centers or expand to new communities outside the President's new initiative for poor counties. This year HHS actually canceled the last competition for new health centers site funding due to the lack of available funds. As the chairman is very well aware, many communities apply numerous times before they are selected. And with fewer and fewer opportunities, many communities may become discouraged by the process and withdraw from this model of care. So I would ask the chairman to work throughout the process to increase the funding for this program to further expand access to care in a manner closer to the $304 million increase by the President. And a letter to that effect was signed by more than half of the House earlier this year.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may replace the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of a true World War II hero, Dr. Lewis L. Haynes. Dr. Haynes was the physician aboard the ill-fated USS Indianapolis, the ship that carried integral components of the weapon that brought about the end of World War II. However, the Indy, as she was called by her crew, has been immortalized in history for another distinction. On July 30, 1945, she was sunk by a Japanese submarine. It would take nearly 5 days of wading in the shark-infested Pacific Ocean for the survivors to be rescued. During the closing weeks of World War II, Captain Charles McVay, III, Dr. Haynes, and the rest of the crew of the USS Indianapolis were charged, albeit unknowingly, with the daunting task of transporting key components of the atomic bomb from San Francisco Bay to the island of Tinian. After completing their mission and dropping off their cargo, the Indy set sail for the Philippines where she was to meet up with the rest of the Pacific Fleet to prepare for what everyone believed was going to be an invasion of mainland Japan. Very few people knew about the top secret weapon that could potentially end the war, including Captain McVay. Just 3 days into their voyage to the Philippines, a Japanese submarine spotted the Indy just after midnight. The submarine then fired six torpedoes at her, two of which struck the battleship and would prove her undoing. Amid the chaos, Dr. Haynes tried to do everything he could to help the survivors stay alive to make it off the ship. As the Indy sank, he treated as many of the ship's crew as he could with morphine and wrapped them with bandages. Realizing he was running out of time, he began fastening life vests around the men, directing them off the ship into the dark, unknowing water below. Simultaneously, a radio distress signal from the Indy was received on the island of Leyte. Although it was reported, no action was taken to save the crew. It took only 12 minutes for the USS Indianapolis to sink into the Pacific Ocean. About 300 men died in the attack, leaving 900 more to fend for their lives in the deadly water. In the midst of the pandemonium, the crew of the Indy was scattered throughout the ocean. Some groups were lucky enough to have a lifeboat and some supplies. Others were fortunate enough to have life vests. However, some had nothing to help keep them alive. Dr. Haynes found himself in charge of the largest group of survivors. Although they did not have a lifeboat, the group, called the ``swimmers'' by Dr. Haynes, was fortunate enough to have life vests and belts. Dr. Haynes and Father Conway, the ship's chaplain, would swim around to the crew to treat the sick and injured and to round up the lone men floating adrift. Days would go by, and Dr. Haynes would watch helplessly as more of the young crew passed away from disease, dehydration, and shark attacks. He did what he could to ease their pain and suffering. He fought off attacks when the men went mad from hallucination. He gave those men hope and a reason to live when all seemed lost. However, with no food, water, or medical supplies, Dr. Haynes was no longer a physician but more of a coroner. After Father Conway died, Dr. Haynes would give the dead their last rights by reciting the Lord's Prayer. He knew he had to stay alive. His boys depended upon him. Finally, on August 3, 1945, after 4\1/2\ days in the deadly ocean, the survivors would be rescued. In the end, only 317 of the 1,196 crew survived the catastrophe. Those who did survive would go through weeks of intense therapy for their injuries. It would take Dr. Haynes a month of convalescence before he could walk again. Additionally, he suffered third-degree burns on his face and hands from the explosions aboard the Indy. Because of the bravery of the crew of the USS Indianapolis in transporting the atomic bomb across the ocean, they helped end World War II and subsequently saved countless American lives. We will forever be grateful to those men for their contributions to freedom. Moreover, we should acknowledge the individual heroism of men like Dr. Lewis Haynes who helped save lives by keeping hope. Mr. Speaker, although Dr. Haynes' life ended on March 11, 2001, when he died at his home in Florida, his legacy will live forever. May we never forget the sacrifices made by our greatest generation and all of the members past and present of our Armed Forces. It is because of their selflessness that we enjoy the freedom we have today.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 169) recognizing the importance of sun safety, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. 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. 169.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, today the House is considering H. Res. 169, a resolution that I have introduced with the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo), our colleague, to encourage sun safety. I want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Boucher), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), who also have cosponsored this resolution. H. Res. 169 is a straightforward resolution which encourages all Americans to protect themselves and their children from the dangers of excessive sun exposure. Most of us, especially those of us from the Sunshine State, enjoy the outdoors, though too few of us protect ourselves and our children from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays when engaged in outdoor activities. Skin cancer, Madam Speaker, is the fastest-growing cancer in our country today. One in five Americans will get some form of skin cancer during their lifetimes. More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year, accounting for nearly half of all new cancer cases and exceeding the combined number of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers that will be diagnosed in the coming year. Many people are surprised to learn that most of us receive nearly 80 percent of our lifetime sun exposure by age 18, exposure which sets the stage for cancer later in life; and I would like to repeat that, Madam Speaker. Many people are surprised to learn that most of us receive nearly 80 percent of our lifetime sun exposure by age 18, exposure which sets the stage for cancer later in life. Therefore, it is critically important that we teach our children that sunburns are more than just the painful remnants of staying in the sun too long. They are potential killers that can cut short promising lives. The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable by practicing good sun safety. Good sun safety means using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing and limiting sun exposure, especially during the hottest times when the sun's rays are at their most dangerous. Failing to do so, as we have heard, can have serious and deadly consequences, especially for children. I hope and believe that passage of this resolution will raise awareness about sun safety, encourage people to protect themselves and their children from excessive sun exposure, help reduce health care costs and save lives. I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton), the Committee on Energy and Commerce chairman, and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Deal), the Subcommittee on Health chairman, for moving this resolution expeditiously through our committee and to the House floor. I certainly want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), ranking member of the full committee, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the Subcommittee on Health's ranking member, for their support of this measure. I encourage all of our colleagues to join us in approving this simple but important resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, kill, or however else we may want to look at it. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) supporting this legislation. We worked together for a number of years when I chaired that particular subcommittee; and there were times when we disagreed, but I enjoyed working with the gentleman. I appreciate the gentleman always being helpful and courteous and open-minded most of the time, not always open-minded, but most of the time. I appreciate the gentleman supporting this legislation. Madam Speaker, we have a lot of legislation on this floor, I suppose some Members would say much more impacting than this legislation is. Certainly a lot more high profile, if you will, and that sort of thing. But, honestly, as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) agreed with me, what this can do to our children and grandchildren. My daughter-in-law has four sons, and she takes my four grandchildren to the beach a lot. They like the beach, and I caution them and remind her about the fact that 80 percent of these skin cancers are really developed before one reaches age 18 and the potential hazards of sun exposure. It is critical that the American people will be listening to us through this legislation, if you will, on the significance of being just as careful as we possibly can be regarding this disease. I have had two or three skin cancers, if you will, taken off my face over the years. I suppose many of us have. It is critical that we remember that and we educate the American people on this particular issue.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) who is usually much more verbose in subcommittee than here today. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise proudly today to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, a World War II event of epic proportions that profoundly impacted on the determination of many countries to resist the aggression of Nazi Germany. This is a story of the sacrifices made by a battered but brave group of individuals thrown together in a combined effort to halt the domination of a smaller, weaker nation by a larger, more powerful aggressor. Amidst the cataclysm that engulfed the countries of Europe at the time, it seems now preposterous that a small island dared to stand up to the aggressor to preserve its freedom and defend its honor. Today, more than half a century later, the heroic events that took place in the Battle of Crete remain etched in the memory of people around the world. In commemoration of this anniversary, and for the benefit of future generations, I will share a brief account of these events as they unfolded. In early April 1941, the German army rushed to the aid of their defeated ally, Italy, and invaded Greece. Following a valiant struggle, Greek forces had been pushed entirely off the continent and were forced to take refuge on the island of Crete. The German army then looked covetously across the sea to Crete because of the British airfields on the island, which could be used by the Allies for air strikes against the oil fields of Rumania, thereby denying this vital war commodity to Hitler's forces now preparing for their attack on Russia. If captured, it would also provide air and sea bases from which the Nazis could dominate the eastern Mediterranean and launch air attacks against Allied forces in northern Africa. In fact, the Nazi high command envisioned the capture of Crete to be the first of a series of assaults leading to the Suez Canal. Hitler intended a short, one month, campaign, starting in March. On successful completion, his troops would be re-assigned to Russia. Crete's defenses at the time had been badly neglected due to the deployment of Allied forces in North Africa. General Bernard Freyberg of the New Zealand Division was appointed by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as commander of a small contingent of Allied troops which had been dispatched to the island a few months before and re- enforced by additional troops who had retreated from the Greek mainland. Early on the morning of May 20, 1941, Crete became the theater of the first and largest German airborne operation of the war. The skies above Crete were filled with more than eight thousand Nazi paratroopers, landing in a massive invasion of the island, which was subjected to heavy bombing and attacks in what became known as ``Operation Mercury.'' Waves of bombers pounded the Allied positions followed by a full- scale airborne assault. Elite paratroopers and glider-borne infantry units fell upon the rag-tag Allied soldiers and were met with ferocious resistance from the Allied troops and the Cretan population. Although General Freyberg had decided not to arm the Cretans because they were believed to be apti-royalist, they fought bravely with whatever was at hand during the invasion. As soon as the battle broke out, the people of Crete volunteered to serve in the militia. Centuries of oppression and several revolts against Venetians and Turks had taught them that freedom is won and preserved by sacrifice, and there was hardly a family without a gun stashed somewhere in the house. For the first time, the Germans met stiff partisan resistance. War-seasoned men joined the regular troops in the effort to repel the invader. Old men, women and children participated and used whatever makeshift weapons they could find. They pointed their antiquated guns at the descending German paratroopers. They used sticks, sickles and even their bare hands, to fight those soldiers already on the ground. Most of them were illiterate villagers but their intuition, honed by the mortal risk they were facing, led them to fight with courage and bravery. ``Aim for the legs and you'll get them in the heart,'' was the popular motto that summarized their hastily acquired battle experience. Seven days later, the defenders of Crete--though clinging to their rocky defensive positions--knew that they would soon be overrun. The evacuation order was given, and nearly 18,000 men were rescued. These valiant survivors had bought the Allies a week's precious time free of Nazi air and sea attacks based from Crete. More importantly, they inflicted severe losses on the German airborne forces, the showpieces of the Nazi army. Although well-armed and thoroughly equipped, the Germans didn't break the Cretan's love of freedom. Although the Germans captured the island in ten days, they paid a heavy price. Of the 8,100 paratroopers involved in this operation, close to 4,000 were killed and 1,600 were wounded. So injured were the German units that they never again attempted an airborne assault of the magnitude launched at Crete. Hitler may have won the Battle of Crete, but he lost the war. The German victory proved a hollow one, as Crete became the graveyard of the German parachute troops. In fact, it is a lesson taught in almost every major military academy in the world on what not to do. In retaliation for the losses they incurred, the Nazis spread punishment, terror and death on the innocent civilians of the island. More than two thousand Cretans were executed during the first month alone and thousands more later. Despite these atrocities, for the four years following the Allied withdrawal from the island, the people of Crete put up a courageous guerilla resistance, aided by a few British and Allied officers and troops who remained. Those involved were known as the Andartes (the Rebels). Cretan people of all ages joined or aided the Andartes. Children would pile rocks in the roads to slow down the German convoys. They even carried messages in their schoolbooks because it was the only place that the German soldiers never looked. These messages contained information critical to the Andartes who were hiding in the mountains and would come down for midnight raids or daytime sabotages. The German terror campaign was meant to break the fighting spirit and morale of the Andartes. Besides the random and frequent executions, German soldiers used other means to achieve their goal. They leveled many buildings in the towns and villages, destroyed religious icons, and locked hundreds of Cretans in churches for days without food or water, but nothing worked. These actions only made the Cretans more ferocious in their quest for freedom. Even in the face of certain death while standing in line to be executed, Cretans did not beg for their lives. This shocked the German troops. Kurt Student, the German Paratrooper Commander who planned the invasion, said of the Cretans, ``I have never seen such a defiance of death.'' Finally, the Cretan people participated in one of the most daring operations that brought shame and humiliation to the German occupation forces and exhilaration and hope to the enslaved peoples of Europe. Major-General Von Kreipe, Commander of all German forces in Crete, was abducted from his own headquarters in April 1944 and transferred to a POW camp in England. The German troops had never encountered such resistance. Hitler had initially sent 12,000 troops to Crete, thinking that the occupation would be swift. By the end of the three-and-a-half years of occupation, Hitler had sent a total of 100,000 troops, to confront a little more than 5,000 Cretan Andarte fighters. These German troops could have been deployed somewhere else. More German troops were lost during the occupation of Crete than in France, Yugoslavia and Poland combined. Most importantly, as a result of the battle in Crete, Hitler's master plan to invade Russia before the coming of winter, had to be postponed, which resulted in the deaths of many German troops who were not properly prepared to survive the harsh Russian winter. As we Americans know from our history, freedom does not come without a price. For their gallant resistance against the German invasion and occupation of their island, Cretans paid a stiff price. Within the first five months of the Battle of Crete, 3,500 Cretans were executed and many more were killed in the ensuing three-and-a-half years of occupation. Mr. Speaker, there are historical reasons why we Americans appreciate the sacrifices of the Cretan people in defending their island during the Battle of Crete. We have a history replete with similar heroic events starting with our popular revolt that led to the birth of our nation more than two centuries. We must always remember that as long as there are people willing to sacrifice their lives for the just cause of defending the integrity and freedom of their country, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. May we take inspiration from the shining example of the people of Crete in ensuring that this is indeed the case.