Michael Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 334. This resolution expresses the sense of the Congress that Taiwan and its 21 million people should have appropriate and meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO Constitution states that the ``enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.'' Yet today, Taiwan is excluded from participation in the WHO because of political pressure from the People's Republic of China. This means that the people of Taiwan cannot share in the WHO's vital resources and expertise. Taiwanese physicians and health experts are not allowed to take part in WHO-organized forums and workshops regarding the latest techniques in the diagnosis, monitoring and control of diseases. Taiwanese doctors do not have access to WHO medical protocols and health standards. This is simply not right. Diseases do not stop at national boundaries, and with today's high frequency of international travel, the possibility of transmitting infectious diseases is greater than ever. Good health is a basic right for every citizen of the world, and Taiwan should be granted membership in the WHO. Despite its exclusion from the WHO, Taiwan has made some remarkable achievements in the field of health, including one of the highest life expectancy levels in Asia, maternal and infant mortality rates comparable to those of western countries, and the eradication of infectious diseases such as smallpox and the plague. Taiwan is the first Asian nation to be rid of polio and the first country in the world to provide children with free hepatitis B vaccinations. Prior to 1972 and its loss of membership in the WHO, Taiwan sent specialists to serve on health projects in other members countries, and its experts held key positions in the WHO. In recent years, the Taiwanese government has expressed a willingness to assist financially or technically in WHO-supported international aid and health activities, but it has been unable to render such assistance because it is unable to participate in the international health organization. Taiwan's population of 21 million people is larger than three- quarters of the member states already in the WHO. Clearly, Taiwan and the world community could benefit by its participation in the WHO. I believe the United States should actively support Taiwan's membership in the World Health Organization. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns), a member of the subcommittee. (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pappas), who has been a stalwart on this issue. (Mr. PAPPAS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call attention to the National Day of Republic of China on Taiwan. This day commemorates the Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911, which led to the establishment of the ROC on January 1, 1912. The United States' relationship with Taiwan dates back to the end of World War II. In the 1950s and 1960s, U.S. forces used Taiwan as a forward base against Sino-Soviet communism in Asia. Over the years, we have developed strong economic, political and social ties with both the government and people of Taiwan. Today, Taiwan is one of our most significant trading partners. With one of the largest economies in the world, the nation has done remarkably well during the current economic turmoil that has been engulfing other Asian countries. Taiwan's sound fiscal policies have enabled it to remain strong and provide economic assistance to its neighbors during this difficult time. Over the past decade, the Republic of China has moved rapidly toward becoming a democratic society. Free and fair elections are routinely held at the local and national levels, and approximately 70 percent of engine voters participate in ROC elections. Taiwan is a shining example of freedom and democracy in a part of the world in need to role models. America must stand by its long-standing commitment to the people and government of Taiwan. I hope that we will be able to continue our partnership and friendship with the ROC well into the next millennia. I want to extend my best wishes to the people of Taiwan on the occasion of the Republic of China's National Day.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House is considering H.R. 8, the Border Smog Reduction Act, as amended by the Senate. I also want to express my gratitude to the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Bliley), to the ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Sherrod Brown), and our staff and all the members of the subcommittee particularly for their work on this issue. As I am sure our friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) will attest, today's legislative action did not happen overnight. Instead, today represents a culmination of many hours of work by the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) and the Subcommittee on Health and Environment to review this legislation to solicit the opinion of Members of Congress, both on and off the committee, and to work with the administration to address any concerns. The gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) and the city of San Diego hosted a hearing in November of last year attended by 5 members of the subcommittee, wherein we were able to speak with environmental people, with the general public, and we also visited a location on the border and saw firsthand the problems that we are trying to improve and to correct. We also worked closely with our colleagues in the other body to ensure that the final adjustments to the legislative language of H.R. 8 were acceptable to the House. Indeed, at every stage of the process of considering this legislation, the majority and minority closely reviewed and agreed upon all changes. The final legislation attempts to address air quality conditions in an evenhanded fashion. Certain foreign-registered commuter vehicles not meeting State inspections and maintenance requirements will be denied entry into the United States in the California-Mexico border area after being given two opportunities each month to obtain proper State certification. However, public notice of the new prohibitions is required prior to the implementation of the act. There is also flexibility provided to design an alternative system if the State so desires and the President approves that alternative system. Taken as a whole, Mr. Speaker, the legislation seeks to obtain the same emission reductions from foreign-registered vehicles as are obtained from vehicles owned and operated solely in the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency considers vehicle inspection and maintenance programs to be one of the most cost- effective measures we can take to clear the air. Thus, H.R. 8 allows us to fill an apparent hole in our Clean Air Act enforcement network. The bill will help ensure that air quality on both sides of the border can make the progress necessary to obtain compliance with the national ambient air quality standards. Again, I want to commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) for his hard work and dedication to this issue, and I know that his interest in this legislation stems from a strong desire to improve air quality in border regions, and to achieve an equitable burden-sharing between domestic and foreign mobile sources. I think that establishing such equity is an important element in maintaining respect for the implementation of our environmental laws. I want to thank the gentleman and the ranking minority member of my subcommittee, again, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), for helping to ensure that this bill becomes law in the present session.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support S. 53, the Curt Flood Act, which gives major league baseball players the same rights other professional athletes have under antitrust laws. As a longtime proponent of lifting baseball's antitrust exemption, I have sponsored bills in the past to lift this exemption completely as it applies to all aspects of baseball's business. Although the bill we are considering now is more limited in scope, it is an important first step in correcting a seven decade-old mistake. Federal antitrust laws prohibit businesses from taking actions that ``unreasonably'' constrain interstate commerce. However, many years ago Major League Baseball was singled out for a complete exemption from America's antitrust laws by the Supreme Court. The Court said baseball was an amusement and not a business, exempting it from antitrust laws. This exemption created a monopoly for baseball and established artificial barriers to league expansion. It sent the wrong signal to Americans that baseball did not have to comply with our country's antitrust laws. In 1972, the Supreme Court called the situation an ``anomaly'' and an ``aberration'' which Congress should remedy. A 1976 report by the House Select Committee on Professional Sports concluded that there was no justification for baseball's special exemption. Unfortunately, no action was ever taken. Mr. Speaker, baseball has seen a resurgence since the dark days of the 1994 strike. Who can forget Cal Ripken's triumphant lap around Camden Yards after breaking Lou Gehrig's Iron Man streak of consecutive games played? Or the incredible home run chase this year between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa that culminated in both players smashing the thirty-seven-year home run record held by Roger Maris? I felt immense personal pride when I watched my hometown team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, take the field for their inaugural season at Tropicana field. The debut of a major league team in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area was delayed for years because Major League Baseball did not have to abide by our nation's antitrust laws. I urge my colleagues to support S. 53 because it makes baseball live by the same laws as the fans who sit in the bleachers. It tells baseball fans that competition and fairness in baseball boardrooms is just as important as it is on the field. Let's give America its game back.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to add my voice to those honoring Congressman Harris Fawell. Anyone who wants lower taxes, affordable health insurance, or retirement security can thank Harris Fawell and consider themselves fortunate that he has served in Congress for the past 14 years. Dedication to public service has marked Harris' life. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate at the age of 33, and he served in that body for 14 years. He has built an impressive list of legislative accomplishments since his election to Congress in 1984. He has championed small businesses and advocated measures designed to help workers obtain affordable health insurance. Recently, he served with me on the House Working Group on Health Care Quality to develop the Patient Protection Act, legislation that expands access to health care and provides protections for people in managed care plans. The Patient Protection Act includes Harris' Association Health Plan proposal which allows small businesses to band together through national trade associations to obtain affordable health insurance for their employees. The Chicago Tribune called it ``the best piece'' of the Patient Protection Act because it provides the best patient protection of all--insurance. Congress also enacted the Savings Are Vital to Everyone's Retirement (SAVER) Act, legislation Harris introduced to educate Americans about the importance of retirement savings. It created a successful National Summit on Retirement Savings held in June. I could go on and on about Harris' legislative accomplishments, but I would like to close by reading from an opinion editorial written by a congressional page I sponsored this summer, George Palaidis. He wrote: ``People don't run for Congress just for the paycheck. Members run because they want to do something to help our country. Not too many people in this Nation are willing to sacrifice a sometimes higher- paying job and the normal routine of life for something they believe in.'' Mr. Speaker, Congressman Harris Fawell exemplifies this ideal. He has served his constituents, his state, and his country with honor, integrity, and an abiding commitment to do what is best for this Nation. I am proud to call him a colleague, and more important, a friend.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, I introduced legislation to revise and extend a number of important women's health research and prevention programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). My bill is a companion measure to S. 1722, the ``Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998.'' S. 1722 was introduced in March by Senator Bill Frist and enjoys strong bipartisan support, including members of the Senate Leadership. Both the NIH and the CDC play critical roles in efforts to improve women's health through research, screening, prevention, treatment, education and data collection. My bill reauthorizes programs at the NIH for vital research into the causes, prevention and treatment of some of the major diseases affecting women--including osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancer--and for research into the aging processes of women. In addition, the bill authorizes a new research program at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to target heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women. This program will advance research into cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in women. In the past, the medical community has focused on men in research, treatment and counseling for heart disease and stroke. Clearly, the need exists to study these diseases in women to prevent and treat them. My bill also reauthorizes several major programs at the CDC for prevention and education activities on women's health issues. These include the National Center for Health Statistics, the National Program of Cancer Registries, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and the Centers for Research and Demonstration of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. As Chairman of the Health and Environment Subcommittee of the House Commerce Committee, I believe Congress must play an active role in promoting women's health research and prevention efforts. My bill reauthorizes a number of these critical women's health programs, and I urge all Members to join me in supporting passage of this important legislation. Summary of the Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998 Introduced by the Hon. Michael Bilirakis Purpose: To amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend certain programs with respect to women's health research and prevention activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Title I: Provisions Relating to Women's Health Research at the NIH. Section 101. Research Program and Authorization of National Education Program Regarding Drug DES. Amends PHS Act Sec. 403A to extend the research program on DES (diethylstilbestrol), a drug widely prescribed to American women from 1938 to 1971 which has been shown to be harmful to pregnant women and their children. Adds to the PHS Act a new Sec. 1710 to establish a national program through the Public Health Service agencies for education of health professionals and the public with respect to DES. Section 102. Research on Osteoporosis, Paget's Disease and Related Bone Disorders. Amends PHS Act Sec. 409A(d) to extend the research program on osteoporosis, Paget's disease and related bone disorders at the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute of Dental Research and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Section 103. Research on Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Ovarian and Related Cancer. Amends PHS Act Sec. 417B(b) to extend the research programs for basic and clinical research and education efforts with respect to cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian and related cancer. Section 104. Research on Heart Attack, Stroke, and other Cardiovascular Diseases in Women. Adds to the PHS Act a new Sec. 424A to expand, intensify, and coordinate research and related activities with respect to heart attack, stroke, and other cardiosvascular diseases in women at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This new authorization is included to support research into cardiovascular disease, which has been shown to be the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Section 105. Aging Processes Regarding Women. Amends PHS Act Sec. 445H to extend the research programs at the National Institute on Aging into the aging processes of women, which give particular emphasis to the effects of menopause and the diagnosis, disorders, and complications related to aging and loss of ovarian hormones in women. Section 106. Office of Research on Women's Health. Amends PHS Act Sec. 486(d) to allow the Director of NIH to make appointments to the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health. Title II: Provisions Relatings to Women's Health at the CDC. Section 201. National Center for Health Statistics. Amends PHS Act Sec. 306(n) to extend the authority for statistical and epidemiological activities conducted by the NCHS, the federal government's principal health statistical agency. NCHS maintains more than a dozen data systems, including vital statistics data acquired from states, data derived from personal interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests, review of records of health care providers, and other survey methods. Data produced by these systems identify and address a broad spectrum of health concerns from birth to death, including overall health status, lifestyle, exposure to unhealthful influences, the onset and diagnosis of illness and disability, and the use of health care and rehabilitation services. Grant for Special Populations. The legislation extends the program for grants and studies on the health of ethnic and racial populations and on improving methods for developing statistics on ethnic and racial groups. The data collection supported by the NCHS is often the only national data available on the health status of U.S. women and their use of the health care system. Section 202. National Program of Cancer Registries. Amends PHS Act Sec. 399L to extend the National Cancer Registries Program. The NPCR provides for the development of a comprehensive national cancer database for analysis of the cancer burden in the United States on a state, regional and national population basis. CDC provides funds to States and territories to enhance existing cancer registries; to implement registries in additional states; to develop model legislation and regulations for States to enhance viability of registry operations; to set standards for completeness, timeliness, and quality; and to provide training. This program generates reliable cancer surveillance data needed to monitor trends; guide cancer control programs; assist in allocations of health resources; advance population-based epidemiologic and health services research; and serve as the foundation of a national comprehensive cancer control strategy. CDC provides support to 42 states and the District of Columbia. Section 203. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Amends PHS Act Sec. 1510(a) to extend the program, which provides for regular screening for breast and cervical cancers to underserved women, prompt follow-up if necessary, and assurances that the tests are performed in accordance with current quality recommendations. Amends PHS Act Sec. 1501(a)(2) to include support services such as case management under the purposes of the program. Amends PHS Act Sec. 1501(b) to authorize states to contract with for-profit entities to provide all types of services and to clarify that states may give priority to applications of equivalent quality submitted by nonprofit private entities. CDC supports activities at the state and national level in the areas of screening referral and follow-up services, quality assurance, public and provider education, surveillance, collaboration and partnership development. Section 204. Centers for Research and Demonstration of Health Promotions and Disease Prevention (Prevention Centers). Amends PHS Act Sec. 1706(e) to extend authorization for grants to academic health institutions to establish centers for research and demonstration of health promotion and disease prevention. CDC funds 14 academic centers across the country. Areas of special emphasis include quality of life for special populations and curbing premature morbidity and mortality that lead to excessive health care costs. The NIH Women's Health Initiative and CDC Prevention Research Centers in Maryland, North Carolina, and Alabama are working together to develop strategies for prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, hundreds of thousands of Americans will participate in The March--a rally to raise public awareness in support of the fight to end cancer. A high-profile gathering led by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Vice President Al Gore, and others will be held on the National Mall, and similar events are planned in communities around the country. This week is also ``Prostate Cancer Awareness Week,'' and October is ``National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.'' Cancer causes one of every four deaths in the United States. Tragically, about 1.2 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 1998, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC estimates that half a million people will lose their lives to cancer this year--more than 1,500 people a day. Despite these sobering statistics, however, there is reason for renewed hope in the ``War on Cancer.'' A recent report by CDC, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute showed cancer incidence and death rates for all cancers combined actually declined between 1990 and 1995--reversing an almost 20-year trend of increasing cancer cases and deaths in the United States. The report recognized, however, that ``the declines in cancer incidence and deaths have not been seen for all Americans and that our collective efforts must be directed at reaching populations with a disproportionate cancer burden.'' While we seek to give hope to cancer patients and their loved ones, we must not let optimism breed complacency. Instead, events like The March should heighten our determination to win the war. As Chairman of the Health and Environment Subcommittee, I believe the federal government can and should do more to support ongoing research efforts. Specifically, I support an increased financial commitment to biomedical research, which is necessary to find a cure for cancer. To that end, I have endorsed a proposal to double federal funding for the National Institutes for Health over the next five years. I have also authored legislation to provide additional funding for NIH research efforts. The bill, H.R. 3563, the Biomedical Research Assistance Voluntary Option (BRAVO) Act, would allow taxpayers to designate a portion of their federal income tax refund to support biomedical research through the National Institutes of Health. Last year, Congress approved $40 million in funding for prostate cancer research within the Department of Defense. I was pleased to support this measure when it was considered by the House of Representatives. I also supported a recent effort to increase funding by joining Representatives Sherrod Brown, Bill Goodling and a bipartisan coalition of my colleagues in requesting $60 million for this important program in the Fiscal Year 1999 appropriations measure. In March, my Subcommittee held a hearing on the process for setting research priorities at the National Institutes of Health. Following the hearing, I wrote to NIH Director Harold Varmus to urge increased attention to prostate cancer and breast cancer research. In July, my Subcommittee held a hearing to shed light on the many recent developments in cancer-related research. This forum provided an opportunity to gain knowledge from the experiences of a distinguished group of cancer researchers, all of whom are recognized as leading experts in their field of practice. Earlier this month, I was proud to secure approval by the House of Representatives of H.R. 4382, legislation to reauthorize the Mammography Quality Standards Act. This important law was enacted in 1992 to improve the quality of breast cancer screening exams by establishing national standards for mammography facilities. Without question, it has been an overwhelming success. Screening mammography is currently the most effective technique for early detection of breast cancer. This procedure can identify small tumors and breast abnormalities up to two years before they can be detected by touch. More than 90 percent of these early stage cancers can be cured, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The use of screening mammography provides a ray of hope in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer through accurate and reliable mammograms can spare women from undergoing radical surgery--and often save their lives. Enactment of H.R. 4382 will help reduce the threat of breast cancer by providing women the tools they need to detect this terrible disease in its early stages. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend all of the volunteers who have worked as tireless advocates of cancer research. Events like The March remind us all of the terrible toll cancer extracts each year in our nation. For the hundreds of thousands of patients, families, caregivers and friends whose lives have been touched by cancer, we should renew and strengthen our commitment to ending this terrible disease.

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 and include extraneous material on this legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), who has already been recognized as being one of the real motivators behind this legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, without question the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 has been an overwhelming success. In May my Subcommittee on Health and Environment heard extensive testimony regarding the Act from program experts and patient groups. Officials from the General Accounting Office reported that the Act has increased mammography facilities' adherence to acceptable quality assurance standards, thus improving mammography services. Before it took effect, 11 percent of facilities tested were unable to pass image quality tests, and now the nationwide figure is 2 percent. Screening mammography is currently the most effective technique for early detection of breast cancer. This procedure can identify small tumors and breast abnormalities up to two years before they can be detected by touch. More than 90 percent of these early stage cancers can be cured, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Today, the House is considering legislation to reauthorize this most important act. Last November, the Senate passed its own reauthorization bill by unanimous consent, without discussion or amendment. During the course of my subcommittee's hearing in May, however, we learned that some important issues were not addressed in the Senate bill. The measure before us, the Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act of 1998, includes language approved by the full Committee on Commerce to address these concerns. H.R. 4382 differs in two major respects from the Senate-passed bill. First, it provides for direct patient notification of all mammography examinations, in language that is easy for patients to understand. Second, it permits the Food and Drug Administration to conduct a demonstration project to address the feasibility of inspecting high quality mammography facilities at less than annual intervals. The need, Mr. Speaker, for this legislation is clear. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Tragically, experts predict that during this decade alone, as many as 1.8 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 500,000 will die from it. There is a ray of hope, however, in the use of mammography for early detection of breast cancer. The probability of survival and the avoidance of mastectomy increases significantly when the disease is discovered in its early stages. Today, the House, Mr. Speaker, can continue to ensure safe and accurate mammography services for women by approving this important bipartisan legislation. I join the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Bliley) full committee chairman, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) ranking member, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) ranking member of the subcommittee in urging Members' support for passage of the Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4382) to amend the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend the program for mammography quality standards, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I too do not have any further requests for time. At this point I yield myself such time as I may consume to again express what can be accomplished when people are willing to sit down around a table and give and take, if you will, and to work together. I want to add to the gentleman's previous comments regarding gratitudes to the chairman of the full committee and the ranking member of the full committee, as well as the members of the staff, and the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson) and the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette), who was really quite a significant player in the workup of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman, and he has annually been a part of this special order. I might add, I do not think it is the same trip the gentleman referred to, but we were together in Cyprus once a few years ago.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. And following up what the gentleman said, and I plan to talk about this later, but a big thing is being made these days by the Turks, and I might add by our government here, regarding the ordering of S-300 missiles, defensive missiles. I emphasize defensive missiles by Cyprus, and the fact is this is going to destabilize things and what not. Now here is a country which is really completely defenseless, as we have already indicated. They have no army to speak of. It is all a national guard, and they want to do what Turkey has been doing for years. They have certainly a defense system set up, and how, again with the use of American dollars and American arms in Turkey. So Cyprus wants to order some defensive missiles, and of course that is being resented as a destabilizing force against peace. And so this is really what the real world is like regarding Cyprus, and it is just amazing to me that the United States Government, which is the only entity that can really do something about this, is not showing a stronger hand.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Yes, a national guard.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and the demands that we have spoken about made by Mr. Danktesh, the Turkish leader in the occupied portion of the island, are clearly unacceptable to Congress and to the administration and to the international community and to President Clerides and his government of Cyprus, as well it should be. I was pleased that U.S. presidential envoy and newly nominated U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Richard Holbrooke, flatly rejected the demands and signaled that neither were acceptable. So why is it then, we have to ask ourselves, the division of Cyprus in America's best interest? It is fundamentally important to have international stability in the increasingly global economy. That is why. A divided Cyprus continues to cause tension between two of our NATO allies, Greece and Turkey. The two countries have come perilously close to war several times since that 1974 invasion. The Aegean Sea is home to the world's busiest shipping lanes. Cyprus is in a key strategic position relative to the Mediterranean region and the Suez Canal which is instrumental in supplying oil and other materials vital to the stability of the entire region. Any conflict between Greece and Turkey could disrupt trade in the region and have extremely serious consequences for many nations including the United States. If the situation in Cyprus continues to deteriorate, there could be serious repercussions among other NATO members. These nations could be forced to choose between two allies, Greece or Turkey. A divided Cyprus also weakens American security interests in the region and serves as a source of instability in an important part of the world. The recent dispute over Cyprus' plan to purchase, and we have just talked about, but I will repeat it, to purchase defensive antiaircraft missiles from Russia to protect itself illustrates why we must unify Cyprus. President Clerides intends to purchase a defensive system to protect Cyprus, as we have already said, from Turkish aggression. Turkey falsely claims that the missiles represent a threat to its security, and they are defensive missiles, and has made it clear that it will use force to block the scheduled deployment in November. A Turkish Cypriot newspaper reported that Mr. Danktesh stated that, and I quote him, our position today stands at a point that you will get a response whatever you do, whatever you do you will get a response, end quotes. The United States should not lend credence to Turkey's unjustified claim that Cyprus' attempt to defend itself is a provocative action which threatens Turkey. This diverts attention from the real cause of instability in the region, and that is the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus. The administration, as the gentleman from New Jersey just said, must act expeditiously to persuade Turkey to enter serious negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem. It should also send a clear and unmistakable message that the United States will respond swiftly and appropriately to threats of violence against Cyprus. President Clerides has already delayed the deployment once and he has offered to cancel deployment. Now this again is an indication of the fact that he really wants peace here. He has offered to cancel deployment if serious and constructive reconciliation talks with the Turkish Cypriots resume. And yet the Turkish side remains intransigent in its refusal to renew negotiations and continues to threaten Cyprus with military action. All of the administration has pledged that finding a Cyprus solution is one of its top priorities. Turkish demands have become so completely inflexible and unacceptable that we are no closer, I am afraid, to a Cyprus solution today than we were two decades ago, and, Mr. Speaker, I would yield to Mr. Payne for the time being as a member of this special order.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the gentleman so very much. This past July 20, the very date of the invasion 24 years ago, Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz visited the illegally occupied area of Northern Cyprus and declared Turkey's support for Mr. Denktash and his illegal occupation force. He said Turkey intends to stop the missile deployment. The Republic of Cyprus, as we already said, has every right under international law to defend itself from outside aggression. However, Mr. Denktash and opponents of a unified Cyprus have used the issue to divert attention from the illegal occupation and thwart progress towards a Cyprus solution, and, darn it, it is working. It is working. Mr. Speaker, the Republic of Cyprus needs American support and active leadership by our government, as we have said so many times already tonight, to unify itself and stabilize the region. One of the most effective ways to achieve this goal is for the United States to support Cyprus membership in the European Community. This membership would promote stability by permanently linking Cyprus to Europe, both economically and strategically, and, as I have said previously and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) has stated, this would greatly benefit both Greek and Turkish populations on the island. The European parliament indicated its desire for peace on the island. Cyprus has earned its place in the European Union, and now the international community must take steps to move the peace process forward. Unfortunately, Turkey has threatened to annex the occupied area of Cyprus if it joins the European Union. It has threatened to annex the occupied area of Cyprus if it joins the European Union. Mr. Denktash has gone as far as saying, ``There will be war if Cyprus joins the European Union.'' ``There will be war,'' he says. In fact, Turkey already signed a number of agreements with the illegal Turkish regime that lay the groundwork for the eventual annexation of the occupied area. The United States must prevent such belligerent rhetoric and oppose any attempt by Turkey to annex the illegally occupied area in Cyprus. Cyprus is ready to become an important trading partner with the United States. The Greek-Cypriot community is a democratic society known for its open and efficient economic system. Despite the violent blow dealt by the invasion, the Cypriot economy has strongly rebounded to become one of the strongest economist in the region. In the past, our Nation has pledged its support to developing free- market democracies. The United States should consider offering trade incentives to Cyprus to allow the manufacturing sector to increase, the labor market to improve and the infrastructure to modernize. Congress must pledge its support to building a strong trade relationship between the United States and Cyprus. The continued growth of their economy will provide for a more stable country, which is a key in the peace process. The island has seen a tremendous amount of growth through the years, mainly from tourism. However, the heart of Cyprus's potential growth has yet to be tapped, and those of us who have been there, I know, believe in that. The case for American support of a unified and economically sound Cyprus is undeniable. That is why I was extremely dismayed that President Clinton called Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis this past June to ask Greece to lift its reservations to Turkey's membership in the European Union. Greece should not have to change its policies on Turkey simply because Turkey refuses to participate in meaningful discussions on improving relations with Greece and demilitarizing Cyprus. I fully support the Prime Minister's position that it is Turkey, and not Greece, that must change. I might add that there are other countries that have played a part in Turkey's refused admission in the European Union. The very reason that opposition exists to Turkish membership in the EU is its atrocious record of human rights violations, its longstanding disputes with Greece, and its illegal occupation of Cyprus. It is not in the interest of U.S. foreign policy to reward Turkey, which I think is what we have been doing, for its hostile and inflexible stance towards Greece and Cyprus. It only serves to encourage Turkey to continue its opposition to progress in the region. A newspaper in my Congressional district, the St. Petersburg Times, recently published an article entitled ``Why U.S. pushes Turkey into Europe's unwilling arms.'' The story noted that ``Turkey isn't yet close, either politically or economically, to qualifying for EU membership.'' In fact, Turkey's position on Cyprus is one of the major obstacles preventing it from membership in the EU. The European Community has made it clear that membership is contingent upon the resolution of the Cyprus problem. I am also very concerned about the possibility that Turkey may have violated, and we haven't talked enough about this, I think, about the possibility that Turkey may have violated the Arms Control Export Act by transferring American weapons to Northern Cyprus without the approval of the United States Government. In June, members of the Hellenic Caucus, which I cofounded with the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney), met with the chairman and several members of the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Greek parliament. They suggested that American weapons were being sent to Northern Cyprus. If this is substantiated, and there are some of us who want to find out if it can be substantiated, it would destabilize an already unstable area of the world and would merit a reexamination of our own policies toward Turkey. I would like to close by sharing with my colleagues a portion of an Associated Press wire report about Turkish celebrations on the anniversary of the invasion several weeks ago. ``Thousands of people attended festivities in Turkish controlled Nicosia, holding up pictures of the founder of modern Turkey and waiving the Turkish flag. Parachutists landed to the cheers of the crowd and civilian Turkish planes flew low in salute. Six Turkish warships were docked in Northern Cyprus ports for the week-long celebrations.'' We must ask ourselves, what were they celebrating? They were celebrating an illegal invasion which cost the lives of 5,000 people, including five Americans. They were celebrating 1,614 people who are still missing from the invasion. They were celebrating cultural destruction and violations of basic human rights. And they were celebrating their continued illegal occupation of an island and a people divided. Mr. Speaker, we have a responsibility to use our influence as Americans to reunite Cyprus with its heritage. As Americans, as defenders of democracy, as righteous human beings, we must not and cannot further stand idle while Cyprus remains divided.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I would like to thank all of my colleagues who joined me tonight, it is very, very late, and also thank the staff people who are here so very late as a result of this, to help us focus attention on this grave injustice which must be remedied.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I do not, but it is certainly a number considerably smaller. In fact, I am not sure that they really have an army; they have a national guard.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. You put it so well, and you put it in a way that I think the average American and the average person in the world would understand. As my colleagues know, we talk constantly about negotiations, about the offer made by President Clerides, et cetera, et cetera, and you know when you stop to think about it, we are talking about a free republic that existed for a number of years which was invaded in an illegal invasion. There is no threat from Cyprus to Turkey, to the mainland of Turkey; the Turks just came over and invaded this country, and they took this land wrongfully, and yet we are talking about negotiating to get back what was roughly Cyprus' during those many years by a regime recognized by only one country in the world. Sort of blows your mind that really this is the situation. The Turkish side, led by Mr. Denktash, has dismissed efforts, as the gentleman said, by the United States and the international community to find a fair and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. It is clear that we will not have a solution, as again the gentleman said, we will not have a solution in Cyprus until Turkey itself agrees to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. The Turkish-Cypriot leader recently issued two preconditions for a Cyprus solution. He demanded that his illegal entity in the occupied part of Northern Cyprus be recognized, and he also said that Cyprus must withdraw its application to join the European Union. Well, talk about something you cannot really get over. Who is he to demand that Cyprus withdraw its application, and I might add an application which, when successful, will benefit the Turkish Cypriots as well as the Greek Cypriots. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman. God knows, as the gentleman has already indicated, the Congress, the United States Government as a whole really, has to be more resolute. Otherwise a solution will never be found. As the gentleman has already said, no government on earth recognizes the illegal occupation of northern Cyprus, except Turkey. Turkey has stationed 40,000 troops on Cyprus and has transplanted 80,000 settlers there and it is likely that the Turkish settlers and troops will soon out number the indigenous Turkish population on the island. The Greek Cypriots have repeatedly attempted to find a just and lasting solution to this more than two decades old problem. In December of 1993, Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides submitted a reasonable and innovative proposal to the United Nations calling for the demilitarization of the island. In exchange for the withdrawal of Turkish troops, Cyprus would disband its national guard and transfer its military equipment to the U.N. peacekeeping force there. Cyprus would also fund an enlargement of the U.N. peacekeeping force. The money saved from defense spending would be used for development projects that would benefit both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. Unfortunately, the Turkish side rejected this effort to end the tragic division. We have to ask ourselves who is really seeking a true peaceful solution to the problem of Cyprus? I think it is obvious. In June, President Clerides renewed his call for the demilitarization of the island in a letter to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. He asked the Secretary General to undertake a personal initiative to promote efforts to achieve progress in reducing military tensions. And this must be New Jersey evening because the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews) is here to take part in this special order and I hereby yield to him.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.