Shelley Berkley

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Lantos amendment; and I thank him, thank him for bringing this forward. Per capita income in Egypt hovers around $1,000 a year. Illiteracy, 30 percent, over 50 percent for women. With this kind of poverty, why are we continuing to fund the military complex instead of providing economic aid to the Egyptian people? There is no need for military assistance to protect Egypt's borders. They have no enemies in the region. But let us please examine their record. When I hear my colleagues talk about their aid in our war against terrorism, who are we kidding? They have contributed no combat forces in Afghanistan. They have contributed no help to the United States in Iraq. They have done nothing to stop the virulent anti-Semitism and anti-United States rhetoric that is rampant in their media, and they do not need $1.3 billion in order to support Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza. The Egyptians claim they are supporting Israel's efforts in the Gaza, but how are they doing that? They have done nothing to stem the flow of arms and terrorists. They have done nothing to close the tunnels. They have done nothing to help train a single Palestinian in their security forces. Their economy is in shambles. It is time that we do something for the Egyptian people.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution and wish to thank Chairman Hyde and Ranking Member Lantos for their extraordinary leadership on this issue. I would also like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for his efforts and a special thank you to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) for his work and his dedication to protecting Israel. On Friday, July 9, the International Court of Justice handed down an advisory opinion condemning Israel's security fence and declaring its construction illegal. This biased decision is the latest in a long line of blatantly anti-Israel actions by the international community. This nonbinding advisory opinion should be recognized for what it is, a thinly veiled effort to hijack a respected international body solely for the narrow purpose of condemning the State of Israel for its efforts to protect its innocent citizens from suicide bombers. The issue before us goes far beyond continued Palestinian terrorism. The issue is the use of the ICJ to condemn Israel for acting in its own defense. The issue is the court being asked to adjudicate a case that should never have been before the court in the first place. The International Court of Justice was not the proper forum for discussing Israel's response to continued Palestinian terror. The United States joined 25 other nations, Australia, Belgium, Cameroon, Canada, the Czech Republic, Micronesia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Marshall Islands and others in submitting objections against the court hearing this case. Twenty-five nations in all. When the United Nations General Assembly asked the court to address only one aspect of an ongoing conflict, it deliberately made Israel and its security fence, rather than continuing Palestinian terrorism, the issue. Congress must speak on this issue, and we need to speak clearly. We must condemn the politicizing of international organizations and oppose the hijacking of multilateral entities for political purposes. We must ensure that international entities like the ICJ can continue to advance peace and security and work to resolve conflicts. Under article 51 of the U.N. charter, all nations possess an inherent right to self-defense. However, the ICJ rejected the argument that Israel's security fence falls within this right to self-defense. In the last 3\1/2\ years, nearly 1,000 Israelis have been killed by suicide bombers coming from Palestinian territories. Since 1993, over 50 United States citizens have been killed and 80 more have been wounded by these same murderers. I wear on my arm a band commemorating one of the United States citizens that was killed by a Palestinian terrorist bomber. Children have been targeted on their way to school. Families have been destroyed as mothers have been killed riding buses. Israel has been living under a state of siege, with its reserve military forces activated and checkpoints set up. Yet the court claims that Israel's right to self- defense does not apply. Does not apply? What better case could there be for the right of self-defense? The implications of this interpretation are staggering. By ruling that article 51 of the charter has no relevance outside of armed attack by one state against another, U.S. sanctions against the Taliban or al Qaeda could no longer be justified as self- defense. Using the court's logic, Spain would not be able to defend itself against another tragic train bombing. Using the court's logic, our Marines are forbidden under international law from defending themselves against warlords and terrorists. Using this court's logic, the United States cannot respond to the tragic bombing of the USS Cole. What kind of logic is this? Are nations no longer permitted to fight terrorism and protect their own citizens? It is incomprehensible to me why Israel continues to be singled out. Saudi Arabia has built a nearly 75 kilometer barrier on their border with Yemen to halt the smuggling of weapons into the kingdom. India is completing a 460-mile electrified barrier in the contested Kashmir area to halt infiltrations by terrorists. And Turkey built a barrier in an area that Syria claims as its own. Why have these security fences not been brought to the International Court of Justice? Why has the United Nations been silent on these issues? Is Israel's right to self-defense less valid than that of the Saudis, the Indians, the Turks? I think not. And are Israeli lives less valuable than Saudi lives, Indian lives, Turkish lives, American lives? I think not. The solution to resolving this conflict lies in Gaza and Ramallah, not in Manhattan or The Hague. The path to a lasting peace lies in fulfilling the terms of the road map, which begins with a rejection of terrorism and incitement, a dismantling of the terrorist infrastructure, and real reform by the Palestinian authority.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, last year the Bush administration forced through a sham prescription drug bill that does absolutely nothing to lower drug costs, prohibits the government from negotiating with drug companies and blocks the reimportation of drugs from other countries. Under this bill, 20,000 seniors in Nevada will actually pay more for their prescription drugs than they need. A recent study reported that the prices of the top 30 brand-name drugs used by seniors rose by four times the rate of inflation in 2003. For years, seniors throughout the United States have been struggling with the dramatically increasing costs of their medications, while seniors in Canada can purchase the exact same drugs for 40 percent less. Seniors need help now, and we need new leaders in the White House who will fight for all Americans' interests. Protect our seniors and not the drug companies.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the economic engine of this country. My home State of Nevada is considered one of the most business-friendly States in the Nation. In fact, Nevada has the fastest growing number of women-owned small businesses in the country. The Bush administration talks about the importance of our small businesses, yet the President's budget eliminated funding for the SBA's 7(a) loan program. Our entrepreneurs depend on these loans as the only source of affordable, long-term financing for their small businesses. Yesterday, the House voted to restore the funding for this program. That sent a clear message to this administration that we will not tolerate this attempt to jeopardize the strength of the small business community. Yesterday's vote was a vote for small businesses in Nevada and throughout the United States that depend on the SBA's 7(a) loan program to live their dream of owning a business, expanding their existing business, and hiring new workers. It is time for new leadership in the White House. We need a President that not only talks about the importance of our small businesses, but follows up those words with action to fight for our small business community.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky) for yielding me this time. While we do not agree on the issue that I will be speaking on, he is a very good friend and a very good Member of Congress, and I appreciate his courtesy today. I would like to begin by thanking the Committee on Rules for not allowing language that would have allowed budget gimmicks to pay for the Yucca Mountain Project. I strongly oppose funding for the proposed Yucca Mountain Waste Repository. There is no single greater threat to the health and safety of Southern Nevada residents than the Bush administration's plan to dump high-level nuclear waste in the Silver State. The Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, not a friend of the State of Nevada, has said that there is no question that canisters stored in Yucca Mountain will corrode, allowing deadly nuclear waste to escape and contaminate water supplies. Listen to the language of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. They said the canisters will leak and deposit thousands of tons of radioactivity into the groundwater at Yucca Mountain. Decades of scientific study have failed to answer even the most fundamental questions about Yucca Mountain's ability to withstand earthquakes, volcanic activity, and now perhaps more immediate coordinated terrorist assault. No plans have been put in place to address the risks that will be created by thousands of shipments of nuclear waste, traveling past schools, hospitals, churches, and through communities across 43 States in this country, across hundreds, literally hundreds, of congressional districts, to be buried in a hole in the Nevada desert. One terrorist strike or accident involving a load of high-level nuclear waste could seriously injure or kill those living nearby and cause millions of dollars of environmental damage. Who will pay for this damage? Who will pay for the loss of property? Who will pay for the environmental damage? Who will pay to clean up the spill? Who will pay for the loss of life? Fire and police departments are unequipped and untrained to deal with the hazards presented by nuclear waste, and no study has been completed to date on the vulnerability of shipments to a 9-11 terrorist-type attack. I would also remind my colleagues that despite the administration's approval of Yucca Mountain, a license to construct the repository has yet to be issued, and with close to 200 scientific and technical questions left unanswered, the project is in real danger of collapsing as a result of a long list of problems that have been identified and remain uncorrected. And if the Members want to have a chilling conversation, I invite them to speak to the representatives of the GAO, who did an exhaustive 10-month study and determined that there are over 200 remaining scientific and technical problems to work out before this project can be approved. The State of Nevada has filed numerous lawsuits that are now pending in federal court which raise serious questions about the legality of DOE's design for the repository. It is sloppy science. The State of Nevada would also like to recover the oversight funding stripped from the State of Nevada. So we do not even have the money to protect our own people. Rather than waste one more cent on this dangerous and ill-conceived project, it is time that we put the health and safety of all Americans above the profits of the nuclear industry. Transporting nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain will require decades of shipments that will leave our communities vulnerable to accident and will provide inviting targets for would-be terrorists. It is beyond comprehension that the Members of this body would accept this. I urge Members on both sides of the aisle to reconsider their position and vote against this ridiculous, expensive, dangerous project.

Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Chairman, I rise in strong support of Eshoo amendment given the fact that Enron has stolen more than $1 billion from Nevada's ratepayers by ruthlessly gouging our consumers and our utilities nearly went bankrupt, and that is why the Eshoo amendment is so important. The Western United States has suffered an artificial energy crisis created by Enron to rake in enormous profits. The company executives deliberately and maliciously manipulated the energy market. Enron stole more than $1 billion from Nevada's ratepayers by ruthlessly gouging consumers. This is just the tip of the iceberg. It is likely that Enron made more than $10 billion in profits by breaking the law. Not only did Enron's actions cost Nevada's families more than $1 billion, our utilities nearly went bankrupt. We cannot allow this rampant corporate misconduct to continue. After years of asking for answers, people in my state are still waiting for this administration to take measures to correct this wrongdoing and hold Enron accountable. I urge you to support the Eshoo amendment and ensure that the Enrons of the world cannot collect another fraudulent dime from Nevadans.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to this most fiscally irresponsible Republican budget enforcement bill. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are right on one thing, this Congress does need to control the outrageous budget deficit that is fast approaching $500 billion. However, if we want to make serious progress in reducing this deficit, PAYGO rules must be applied to spending and tax cuts. Exempting tax cuts from these budget enforcement rules makes no fiscal sense. Additionally, it threatens to increase the deficit and the burden on our children and our grandchildren; the one that they will have to bear is unfathomable if we do not act responsibly today. The original PAYGO rules passed by Congress and signed by the first President Bush were essential to restoring this country's fiscal health the last time we faced record deficits. Those rules worked because they applied it to both sides of the equation, spending and tax cuts. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are serious about fiscal responsibility, they would be offering a PAYGO proposal that applies it to entitlement program spending as well as tax cuts. Failing to apply PAYGO rules to tax cuts is little more than a smoke screen that seeks to hide the major contributing factor of this Nation's growing deficit. As this country faces record deficits in increased spending on homeland security and the war in Iraq, now is the time for fiscal discipline. When I was a freshman, the thing I was most proud of, the issues I was most proud of serving were that we had a good surplus, we had low unemployment, and we had a good budget. This is a shame to all of us that are here. We ought to act responsibly on a bipartisan basis and come up with a decent budget proposal that not only affects spending but tax cuts as well.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to speak out against the continued pattern of anti-Semitism and racism by the Saudi royal family. Last month, Crown Prince Abdullah was quoted as telling Saudi television that ``Zionists'' were behind the May 1 attack on contractors at the Saudi oil facility in Yanbu. The Crown Prince was also quoted in a story appearing in a Saudi newspaper as saying, ``Our country is targeted; you know who is behind all of this. It is Zionism.'' Enough is enough. This is not the first time I have come to the floor to protest hatred emanating from the kingdom. It is the first time that I have come to the floor to protest the scapegoating of Israel and the Jewish people when, in fact, it was Saudi radicals who perpetrated these attacks. And it is not the first time that I have spoken of the danger of fueling the fires of religious extremism and hatred. The irony is that it is the Saudis who have exported their homegrown terrorists throughout the world and have financed these murders for over 20 years. Only now when their own terrorists have turned back against the Saudi Royal Family are they remotely concerned with anything about terrorism. Continually spreading and advancing of hateful and anti-Semitic rhetoric only provides ammunition who those who would support and condemn terrorism. Enough is enough. The Saudis have to stop.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), ranking member of the Committee on International Relations; the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros- Lehtinen); the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer); and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay) for their leadership on this very important and urgent issue. I rise today in strong support of this resolution, in support of America's closest ally in the Middle East, and I rise with the hope that a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be achieved. No country in the world is more familiar with what Americans experienced on September 11 than Israel. Since Yasser Arafat turned his back on peace with Israel and fled Camp David to oversee the latest wave of violence, there have been over 130 suicide bombings responsible for the death of over 500 Israelis. Thousands more have been injured, and little progress has been made in forging a lasting peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis. This resolution sends a strong, bipartisan message of support for strengthening the security and well-being of Israel. The peace process is dead because the Palestinian Authority continues to refuse to fulfill its most basic obligations under the roadmap. It refuses to stop the terrorist attacks against Israel, dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, and begin a process of political reform. It is time for the Palestinian leadership to express their desire for a Palestinian state living side by side peacefully with Israel rather than a Palestinian state in place of Israel. Israel has the right to secure and defensible borders that reflect the demographic realities. The time is long past for the Palestinian people to reject terrorism and violence. America will never condone terrorist acts. America will never support those that perpetrate them, and America will stand side by side with Israel in its struggle against terrorism. This resolution, once again, sends a clear message to the supporters of terrorism and the enemies of Israel. America will always side with democratic and peace-loving people. America should and does stand side by side with the people of the State of Israel. I urge my colleagues to vote for this resolution.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, on the 4th of July, families in Las Vegas will celebrate the anniversary of our Nation's independence with great fanfare, including parades, watching the fire works, singing our National Anthem, honoring our veterans. Also on this day, I will join in the local effort to provide meals to the homeless veterans in my community. Sadly, the Bush administration and many in Congress have fallen short on the promises made to our veterans. President Bush shortchanged our veterans when he proposed to increase the prescription drug copay and create a $250 user fee for veterans who use the VA. Republicans shortchanged our veterans when they underfunded important veterans programs and underfunded veterans health care by $1 billion. We must not only remember and thank our veterans on holidays like Independence Day; we must send a message to them every day that we as Americans are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice by meeting our promises, the promises made to our veterans to provide health care and other important benefits.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, this week the House has voted on energy bills that do absolutely nothing to help Nevada families with the cost of power or skyrocketing gas prices. These bills only help this administration's special interest friends. The Republican energy bill is riddled with billions of dollars of taxpayer giveaways to nuclear, oil, and gas industries. I am appalled that we would spend one more cent on nuclear energy when there is no way to safely store radioactive waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This administration continues to dump money into the Yucca Mountain project despite the fact that it is unsafe and a ridiculous proposal. I am outraged that not one of these bills puts an end to fraud and abuse perpetrated by companies like Enron. Enron's deliberate and malicious manipulation of the market stole over $1 billion from Nevadans and other Western ratepayers. I am disgusted that we are doing nothing to reduce gas prices at a time when oil companies are reaping record profits. The FTC must investigate this industry and its practices. Now is the time to create an energy plan that weans this country from its reliance on foreign oil and to harness renewable energy sources.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to strongly support the DeFazio amendment to eliminate the 45,000-person cap on the number of TSA screeners. When Congress created the Transportation Security Administration and tasked them with protecting our aviation, rail and transit systems, it was expected that Congress would provide the agency with the necessary resources. However, Congress has not done its job. Last year, a cap of 45,000 was placed on the number of Federal screeners at our Nation's airports. This number is not only an arbitrary figure; it does not give our airports enough personnel necessary to screen passengers. We have an obligation to enable the TSA to hire the number of people needed to ensure the security of the flying public in the safest and most efficient way. Now, I cannot speak for the airport in Clinton, New York; but I can speak for the airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Officials at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas have struggled to manage the long lines as a result of inadequate personnel. In January, departing passengers stood in line for up to 4 hours after attending one of our largest conventions. This is absolutely unacceptable for a community that depends on its airport to deliver tens of millions of annual visitors. Not only does this cause passenger frustration; it poses additional security risks. Thousands of people jammed into a small area could create yet another potential terrorist target. In our attempts to secure one aspect of our aviation system, we should not expose another flank to potential attack. TSA has worked with the Nevada delegation to temporarily reduce wait times by giving the Federal security director more flexibility and personnel. But McCarran screeners are working over 50 hours a week to meet the demand. We cannot expect them to continue to work these hours. At some point, they are either going to quit their jobs or their efficiency and effectiveness will be compromised, which in turn will impact on passenger safety. We must find a long-term solution. McCarran International Airport is the life blood of the Las Vegas Valley. Last year, nearly 36 million people came to Las Vegas; 46 percent of them arrived by air. Passenger traffic at McCarran has grown 15 percent just this year alone, and this growth is expected to continue. New airlines have added service and established airlines continue to expand their existing networks to include more flights to southern Nevada. Officials at McCarran and local FSD have worked tirelessly to improving the screening process for passengers. This summer, seven new checkpoints will be opened by next fall and an inline baggage screening system will be operational. We have at McCarran the latest technology, but it is time for Congress to do our part. Instead of mandating a cap on a screener workforce, let us give the TSA the resources it needs to secure our skies. Give the TSA the ability to hire the screeners it needs to achieve its mission, keeping the flying public safe. This is about more than aviation security. This is about national security. We cannot cut corners or attempt to play politics with something as important as the lives of our pilots, our crew members, our passengers, and America's airport personnel.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my sincere condolences to former first lady Nancy Reagan and the entire Reagan family. And I join our Nation in expressing profound sorrow at the loss of our 40th President. Ronald Reagan had a special place in the hearts of Nevadans. Long before he came to the White House, Ronald Reagan in a another life headlined on the Las Vegas Strip as an entertainer in the early 1950s. Later as Governor of California, he worked with his counterpart from Nevada, former U.S. Senator and Governor Paul Laxalt, to address environmental threats to Lake Tahoe. While in the White House, Ronald Reagan would often turn to his old friend from Nevada, Senator Laxalt, who was one of his closest advisers during his time in our Nation's Capital. Ronald Reagan served our Nation with honor and distinction. He will long be remembered for his warm wit, his quiet strength, and ability to inspire through his words and his deeds. His actions as President reshaped the course of the 20th century, and his unbridled optimism helped restore America's faith in itself. Today we also remember Ronald Reagan for his leadership and for his unwavering vision that Americans remain for all a land of hope, promise, and opportunity.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, May is Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Month. Osteoporosis and low bone density affects over 44 million Americans over the age of 50, many of whom were unaware of their risk for osteoporosis and were not able to take steps to prevent it. While both men and women are at-risk of developing osteoporosis, women comprise 80 percent of those who develop the disease. Even though the risk of a hip fracture for a woman is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, most adult women are unaware of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Like many Americans, I had no idea I was at risk for developing osteoporosis. I believed I simply had bad posture and was reluctant to be screened for osteoporosis. Yet, as I was running for Congress in 1998, I was diagnosed with this disease. Fortunately, within 10 months of treatment I was able to stop my bone density loss and my bones actually began to strengthen again. Because of my personal experience with osteoporosis, I am committed to ensuring Americans are aware of the importance of strong bones, so they can reduce their chances of developing the disease. I commend the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) for their efforts to educate the public during the month of May. This month, the NOF has reached out to healthcare providers and consumers with the message, ``Osteoporosis. Chances are . . . it could be you.'' Throughout the year, the NOF is dedicated to promoting lifelong bone health in order to reduce the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoporosis related fractures and they continue to work to find a cure for the disease through research, education, and advocacy. For all those who have this disease and those who may in the future, I will continue to work with and support NOF's efforts to raise awareness of the risk factors and ways to prevent osteoporosis.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, when Congress passed the Medicare prescription drug bill, seniors expected real prescription drug coverage. Instead, seniors are receiving a sham discount card that guarantees no savings and will not lower drug costs. Many seniors already use a drug discount card available at their pharmacies which provides savings up to 25 percent. Seniors are able to use as many cards as they need. The Medicare discount card will limit the options available to our seniors. Seniors will be allowed only one card, and drug prices can vary week to week. In fact, drug companies are already starting to increase drug prices so they will not lose any money. Democrats are committed to not only fighting for a prescription drug benefit for our seniors but for lower drug prices and giving seniors real choices. The administration's drug benefit will mask inflated prices and give huge subsidies to drug companies. I am disappointed, as a matter of fact I am heartsick, that many seniors who desperately need our help will not save one dime on their medication bills under this administration's program.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for the motion to instruct offered by the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore). It is our duty as lawmakers and the voices of our constituents to demand a budget resolution that is fiscally responsible and meets the needs of our country. This motion a very simple motion would require that any increase in spending and tax cuts must be subjected to a pay- as-you-go rule. As this country faces record deficits, increased spending on homeland security and the war in Iraq, now is the time for fiscal discipline. The Federal budget deficit is fast approaching $500 billion and will only continue to grow. Unless we act now, our children and our grandchildren will be paying for our fiscal irresponsibility. Remember 1990 when America also struggled with record deficits. Congress faced the same choice that we do today. Ignore the realities of fiscal irresponsibility or confront it head on and resolve the problem. In 1990, the Democratic-controlled Congress made the responsible choice. It included PAYGO legislation as a part of 1990 budget agreement. PAYGO was extended in 1993 and 1997 and was essential in restoring this country's economic health. The sky-high deficits of the late 1980s and early 1990s turned into substantial budget surpluses by the late 1990s. When this administration took office, there was nearly a $400 billion surplus and a projected surplus of several trillion dollars. Despite this success, the administration's irresponsible choice to allow the PAYGO rules to expire in 2002 has contributed to the record deficit we face today. The time to act is now, before our Nation slides further and further into debt. We must include PAYGO rules that apply to both spending and tax cuts in this year's budget resolution. If I could add something personal. My husband is not only a Republican, he is a Heritage Foundation Republican, a fiscal conservative in our personal life; and he believes that this is outrageous. He is astounded that the Republican-controlled Congress is behaving in this irresponsible fiscal manner. He will not have it and neither will I.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 195.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am here on the floor to talk about an extraordinary event that took place in our Nation's Capital today and what it signifies to me. I attended the Holocaust Memorial and Remembrance Program that took place in the dome of the United States Capitol. I was struck by two different feelings as I sat there and I listened to one extraordinary remembrance and speech after another. The first was, of course, that feeling that always startles me; that man's inhumanity to man knows no bounds, and that a mere 60 years ago 6 million Jews were exterminated throughout the world. Their only transgression was the fact that they were Jewish. I was also struck by the incredible fact that 60 years after this most heinous episode in our civilized world's history, that there we were, generation after generation after generation of survivors, those that survived, their children, their grandchildren, and their great- grandchildren, all gathered under the dome of the United States Capitol, the very seat of power, the most important and strongest Nation in the world. And here we have a seat at the table where we are welcomed, where we are valued as citizens, and where we have an opportunity to participate in our government as we have never been able to participate before. Here we gather not only to remember those that lost their lives in the Holocaust, but to ensure that something that happened 60 years ago could never ever happen again. I am second-generation American. My grandparents walked across Europe to come to this country. My mother's side of the family comes from Salonika, Greece. Prior to World War II, prior to the Nazis, there were 80,000 Jews in Salonika. By the time the Nazis finished, there were merely 1,000 left. I am not presumptuous enough to think I would have been among the 1,000 selected to live. On my father's side, the Russia-Poland side, there were no towns, no Jews. Hundreds and hundreds of years of a rich culture and civilization obliterated, exterminated in the course of the Second World War. When my grandparents came to this country, they could not speak the language, they had no money, they had no skills, but they had a dream, and that dream was that their children and their children's children would lead a better life here in the United States than they had where they came from. My grandparents, who could not speak English, have a granddaughter who serves in the United States House of Representatives. It does not get better than that. Last year, I had an opportunity to go back to Greece, back to Salonika to meet with the 1,000 Jews that survived and their children and grandchildren. I was there to help rededicate the Holocaust memorial, and I remember standing there in a beautiful plaza with Greek Orthodox and Jewish Greeks knowing that if my grandparents had not gotten out when they did, that memorial would have been to them, and I would not exist. So for those who organized this extraordinary day of remembrance, to all those that spoke, to everybody that participated, and to all our fellow countrymen, let me give you a hearty and heartfelt thank you for giving me the opportunity I have to live in this incredible country, but also tasking me with a responsibility that future generations of our world citizens will never, never have to go through what this world went through 60 years ago.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt) for allowing me to speak on this very critical issue. As he well knows, I voted for the first Bush tax cut, and I voted to eliminate estate taxes and to eliminate the marriage penalty tax, so I am hardly opposed to cutting taxes. But I do rise tonight to voice my strong objections to the Republican budget, which threatens increased deficits and neglects many of our Nation's top priorities in favor of continued and irresponsible tax cuts. The President and the Republican leaders of the House talk about their commitment to reducing the deficit and the tax burdens on families, protecting the security of our Nation, guarding the Social Security Trust Fund and improving the health care and education systems in this country. However, when it comes to funding these important initiatives, their words are simply not supported by their deeds. The 2005 Republican budget proposal is reckless, in my opinion, fiscally irresponsible, and filled with misguided budget priorities. Let me give some examples. The Republican budget drastically cuts nearly all domestic programs after 2005, an interesting date since the election is 2004, including cuts to critical education and training programs, health care and environmental programs, and veterans' medical programs. Additionally, we are a country at war, yet in his budget the President provides no funding for the war in Iraq. This simply defies logic. This Nation has gone from a projected $5.6 trillion surplus in 2001 to a projected $2.9 trillion deficit in 2011, as the gentleman so eloquently stated in his opening remarks. This year's deficit is fast approaching $500 billion and will only continue to grow under the GOP budget. Ultimately it is our American families that are going to pay now and will continue to pay for this administration's fiscal irresponsibility. American baby boomers and retirees will suffer greatly under this Republican budget. The Republican proposal spends the entire $1 trillion Social Security surplus from 2005 to 2009 by creating additional and unwise tax cuts. The total cost of the Republicans' latest tax cut is more than enough to make up for the Social Security and Medicare solvency for the next 75 years. Foolish spending threatens the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of retirees in my home State of Nevada and millions of retirees across America, not to mention the financial security of future generations. But as my colleague from South Carolina knows, perhaps the most egregious cut of all are the cuts in funds to our veterans' programs. As thousands of brave men and women are fighting for this country in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and elsewhere abroad, it is outrageous that the Republican budget calls for cuts in funding for veterans' programs. Mr. Speaker, the House Republican budget provides $1.3 billion less than what the Committee on Veterans' Affairs on which I serve has determined is needed just to maintain vital health care programs for our veterans. All of these cuts are certain to result in decreased spending on long-term care programs, which veterans in Las Vegas and throughout the country depend on. Many aging veterans in Las Vegas require more care than their families can provide. Our veterans must know that they can count on our VA to supply the care they have earned through their military service. Those on the front line who are sacrificing their personal safety should not have to worry that the VA budget cuts will deny them the quality health care they need and deserve. We must send them a message that we are indebted to their sacrifices and that we remain committed to our promises to increase funding levels to meet their needs in Las Vegas and throughout the Nation. We have all heard Republicans talk about their commitment to education. Yet their budget provides $8.8 billion less than what is authorized for education programs in the Leave No Child Behind Act. This lack of funding will mean cuts in such vital initiatives like drop-out prevention programs and after-school programs. These programs are especially important to my district and the community of Las Vegas that I represent because we have one of the highest dropout rates in the Nation. Republicans also shortchange higher education in their budget. The Republicans propose to freeze the Pell grant award level for the third year in a row, making the dream of higher education unattainable for thousands of lower- and middle-income students. These are the very people that I represent. They are first generation college goers who want to go to Nevada colleges and universities, and they cannot afford it without Pell grants. Families in Las Vegas and across the country will receive little assistance in obtaining health care coverage under this budget. The Republican plan forces severe cuts in the Medicaid program, shifting most of the cost of Medicaid onto the States, many of which are already, like the State of Nevada, facing their own fiscal crises. In Nevada, this shift would result in children, the disabled, and families being cut out of the Medicare rolls, as well as reduce benefits and increase cost-sharing for those who need the assistance the most. The Republican budget also cuts training for nurses. Without adequate training for nurses, Nevada, which has the lowest ratio of nurses to the population, will be unable to hire the trained nurses needed to provide quality care. But despite all of our needs, despite the cuts in education and veterans benefits and health care, all of the issues that make quality of life in this Nation, and certainly in my communities, important, the President has called for a nearly $900 million increase in funding for the Yucca Mountain project, which will result in 77,000 tons of toxic nuclear waste being dumped in Nevada less than 90 miles from Las Vegas. The President's call for this additional funding flies in the face of his repeated promises to protect the security of the United States here at home in the wake of September 11. Under the Yucca Mountain project, thousands of shipments of nuclear waste would cross this Nation on their way to Nevada. One terrorist attack on a shipment could unleash high-level nuclear waste, the most deadly substance known to man, potentially threatening lives and causing billions of dollars in environmental damage. The Republican budget is a blueprint for disaster. While the President and the Republican majority talk a good game, our veterans and our students and teachers and police officers and fire fighters, our nurses and our seniors will all suffer as a result of the misplaced priorities inherent in this 2005 Republican budget. When I came to Congress, I came to represent the people of southern Nevada. If we do not speak up and if the rest of Congress does not join you in this clarion call to take another look at this budget and do what is right by our American citizens, who will speak out for them? I want to thank the gentleman from South Carolina for sharing with the American public exactly what is going on in this Chamber and hopefully changing minds so we can get some fiscal responsibility and do what is right for the people we represent.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Chairman, before I begin my remarks, I would like to also add my voice to thanks for the gentleman from Alaska (Chairman Young) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), ranking member. Sometimes I think they represent my community as well as I do, and I appreciate the help; also the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) for their leadership in getting this bill to the floor today. This bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that we will vote on in this Congress. While the amount is significantly less than what I would like and what I believe the country needs, I rise in strong support. This bill will alleviate congestion, address air quality needs, and improve the quality of life in all of our communities. My district, the Las Vegas Valley, is the fastest growing community in the country, and we are struggling with the needs for new roads and highways and more transit options. Without this investment in our transportation programs, Las Vegas will be unable to complete the projects needed to keep traffic moving and to keep our commuters safe. Sitting in traffic takes precious time from families spending time together, and it forces businesses to pass along higher costs for goods and services, and it adds to air pollution problems as drivers sit stuck in traffic wasting gas and money. Without this bill we will also increase the risk to drivers as too many cars crowd our roads causing accidents to rise. Increased funding for pedestrian overpasses, new traffic safety devices, and information systems to alert drivers to dangers ahead are all investments in saving lives. And finally, Mr. Chairman, this is a jobs bill. In the past 3 years we have seen the highest job loss in this Nation since the Depression. Today we have a chance to do something about it. For every billion dollars invested in highway and transit programs, we stand to create 47,000 jobs, real good-paying jobs. This is 12,500 jobs in my home State of Nevada. I cannot emphasize the importance of this particular highway bill. I urge all of my colleagues to join me, join with the people of the State of Nevada, and let us vote for this legislation with great enthusiasm.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 183d anniversary of Greek Independence Day. Nearly two centuries ago, a small band of dedicated patriots rose up to end four centuries of oppression and foreign domination of their homeland. The great Greek thinker Herodotus once wrote ``Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks.'' Today, Greeks worldwide join in celebration of this great deed and honor the bravery and self-sacrifice of this small band of heroes. Twenty-five hundred years ago, the birth of democracy in Greece ushered in one of the golden ages of world history. The ancient Athenians created a civilization unparalleled in its original thinking and in its contributions to Western thought. They created a culture which not only valued human life and dignity, but saw the dawn of a new era in political and social thought and artistic and scientific innovation. Thomas Jefferson called ancient Greece ``the light which led ourselves out of Gothic darkness.'' In fact, our founding fathers drew heavily on the political experience and thinking of the ancient Greeks. Many of these great philosophers are honored in the House chamber, their faces adorning the walls above the visitors gallery. If ancient Greece's greatest accomplishment is the establishment of democratic government, then its greatest legacy is the enshrining of these principles in American law and the founding of our Constitution. Barely a generation after our own struggle for independence, Greek patriots turned to the American Revolution for inspiration in their struggle for liberty. They saw in the success of our Republic the hope for their own future. Many Americans fought alongside the Greeks, and this Congress sent supplies to aid the patriots in their quest for freedom. My grandmother comes from the Greek town of Soliniki. Although her family was forced to flee, they maintained their Greek roots. I was raised in a household that celebrated both our Judaism and our Hellenic background. Last year, I was fortunate enough to return to my family's ancestral home and bring back a small jar of soil. It brightened my mother's final days to finally see and touch the soil of her ancestors. Last year, when I visited Greece, I was impressed by the graciousness and hospitality of the Greek people, which made me even more proud of my Greek ancestry. America has cultural roots in the classical history of Greece, and I believe our shared heritage can draw us closer together on bridging the boundaries between East and West.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong and unwavering support of Israel, this Nation's strongest ally and the only democracy in the Middle East. The first duty of any Nation is to protect its citizens. Israel is in a fight for its very survival. It longs for peace. It has no partner for peace. Out of desperation, Israel has been forced to identify those who are planning and coordinating terrorist attacks against its citizens, against innocent women and children. And because Arafat will not end the terrorism, will not rein in the terrorists, Israel has been forced to act. Over the past three decades, Sheik Yassin has led the terrorist group Hamas as it launched one bloody attack after another. Hundreds of Israelis are dead, over three dozen Americans are dead, and over 2,000 innocent people have sustained wounds that they will never recover from. These facts are not in dispute. It is time for the double standard to end. Israel's action against Yassin is no different from America's hunt to destroy Osama bin Laden. We are halfway around the world searching for the man who masterminded the 9/11 attack on our Nation. The world will rejoice when Osama bin Laden is gone. Israel suffers the same on almost a daily basis. Let us not confuse the perpetrators of terrorism with the victims. Israel's actions are appropriate, justifiable and their duty, safeguarding innocent lives, has been done.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. I would like to thank the gentleman from South Carolina for his leadership in this extraordinary quest to balance the budget and provide the surpluses that this Nation so sorely needs. I would like to thank the gentleman for allowing me to speak tonight on an issue that I care greatly about. I voted for the first Bush tax cuts, and I voted consistently to cut estate taxes and to eliminate the marriage penalty tax, so I do not think anybody could accuse me of being a wild-eyed tax and spend liberal, but I do understand fiscal responsibility and I understand what is important to the people I represent. Our President speaks of his commitment to education and his dedication to our seniors and veterans and his support for improving health care, but when it comes to providing the funding needed to match this rhetoric, I am afraid this President refuses to put his money where his mouth is. In fact, our President cuts nearly all domestic programs after the year 2005. He cuts education and training programs, health care and environmental protection programs, and veterans programs as well, all of which are vitally important to the millions of Americans all across our vast country. One item in this year's budget that escaped without any cuts is the Yucca Mountain project. Despite hundreds of unanswered scientific questions, multiple lawsuits now pending in Federal court and troubling homeland security issues, the President has budgeted nearly $900 million for this white elephant, an increase of more than 50 percent. Since September 11, we are living in a far more dangerous world, yet the administration refuses to acknowledge the very real terrorist threat that will be unleashed if thousands of shipments of nuclear waste are allowed to cross the Nation on their way to the State of Nevada. One terrorist attack on a shipment of high level nuclear waste could unleash the most deadly substance known to man, threatening lives and causing billions of dollars in environmental damage. The funding that is now being wasted on this giant hole in the middle of the Nevada desert should be used in ways that benefit America's families, not in the profits of the nuclear energy industry. Why not pour these hundreds of millions of dollars into providing educational programs for our students, greater access to health care, benefits for our veterans and into efforts to make our Nation energy independent? Or to restore the $850 million in funding for homeland security activities that has been left out of the Republican budget? In times of war, America has made promises to our veterans that we failed to fulfill in times of peace. As our troops fight in Iraq and Afghanistan and in countries across the globe, President Bush is refusing to ensure quality health care and pensions and benefits for our veterans. The Republicans provided $1.3 billion less in funding than recommended by our VA Secretary for Health Care Programs, including cuts to long-term care that will affect over 8,000 former service members. In Las Vegas, aging veterans need more care than their families can possibly provide, and they turn to the VA long-term care facilities to provide the necessary health care services. These brave men and women, who fought for and protected our Nation, must know that they can count on the VA to assist them with the care they have earned through their military service. Our veterans deserve better than having to worry that the budget cuts at the VA will deny them the high-quality health care they were promised when they left military duty. We must send them a message that we are indebted to their sacrifices and that we remain committed to our promises and to increasing these levels of funding to keep pace with the demand in Las Vegas and nationwide. Another area, Madam Speaker, of the budget that is of vital importance to my district is funding for dropout prevention programs. Nevada has one of the highest dropout rates in this Nation. School officials in Nevada are working diligently to develop and implement programs to keep our kids in school, but they lack the funding and the resources at the local level. I do not have to tell the gentleman that students that do not earn a diploma, that do not graduate from high school, will make far less in the workplace than their counterparts, and they are at a high risk of incarceration, far higher than those who do graduate high school. Sadly, the President's budget for fiscal year 2005 completely eliminates all Federal funding for dropout prevention efforts in Nevada and nationwide. Like many other States, Nevada is facing a health care crisis. The exploding growth of Nevada has put a strain on our health care system. Working families in my State are struggling to make ends meet, and many are scared to death of the financial burden they face as a result of having no health insurance should they require medical treatment. The Bush budget does nothing, nothing, to help these families access health care or obtain insurance coverage. Instead, it hands almost $46 million over to the HMOs, cuts training for nurses by 60 percent and slashes Medicaid. Not only does the Bush budget ignore the realities of the uninsured, the President has also proposed shifting the cost of Medicaid onto the States. Most of our States are already facing a fiscal crisis. In the State of Nevada, we raised taxes to an unprecedented level. In Nevada, this shift that the President is suggesting will result in those most in need of assistance, children, the disabled and working families being cut from the rolls or having their benefits slashed unmercifully. The President's budget represents far more than just numbers on a page. It is a commitment to meeting the needs of our Nation, our communities and those that we elected to serve in this United States Congress. The Bush budget fails to meet the needs of our veterans, our students, our teachers and our seniors. Rather than invest in dropout prevention, long-term care for our veterans or protecting the Medicare system, this budget increases funding for Yucca Mountain at the expense of those who will suffer as a result of these misplaced priorities. I would urge all of my colleagues to vote for the Democratic alternative. It makes sense, it is balanced, it is smart and it puts our Nation's citizens at the forefront when it comes to priorities. I thank the gentleman for letting me share the problems that the people in my community are experiencing and that will only be exacerbated by the President's budget.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, last week, with the passing of Governor Mike O'Callaghan at the age of 74, Nevada lost a giant who helped shape our State's history, Las Vegas lost one of its most compassionate and articulate voices, and I lost a friend and someone who was like a second father to me. When I first met Mike, I was a 19-year-old college student in Las Vegas. At that time, I was student body president of UNLV, and for whatever reason, Mike O'Callaghan saw something in me that I did not even see in myself. He became my mentor and a trusted friend. Of all the giants in the State of Nevada, he was head and shoulders above them all, and I have never known a finer man in my life. Born Donal O'Callaghan on September 10, 1929 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Governor Mike, as he was affectionately known by all that knew him, was a member of the greatest generation. Raised on a farm during the Great Depression, he joined the Marines at 16 and served with the Pacific Fleet as an anti-aircraft gunner from 1946 to 1948. After ending his active duty in 1948, Mike served in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1950. And then he joined the Air Force as an intelligence operator and was assigned to the Aleutian Islands. In 1952, he joined the Army infantry so that he could serve his Nation in Korea. It was during this conflict he earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and a Bronze Star with a V for valor. According to an official Army account from February 1953, and I quote, ``While his company was being subjected to a barrage of heavy artillery from Chinese Communist forces during a night attack, Sergeant O'Callaghan was informed that men on an outguard post had been cut off by this enemy action. Immediately, he voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire, located the men, and brought them, together with a wounded member, safely back to the trenches.'' After taking a direct hit in the leg by a mortar round, Mike made a tourniquet out of telephone wire and continued to direct the firefight for the next 3 hours. As a result of these wounds, his left leg was amputated below the knee. After military service, Mike attended the University of Idaho, and in 1956 he graduated among its top 10 graduates. He then moved to a small community in Nevada by the name of Henderson where he taught high school economics and history and coached boxing. It was as a teacher and a coach that Mike came to know a young man named Harry Reid, who now serves as a distinguished senior Senator from the State of Nevada and that body's assistant minority leader. Mike also served as Las Vegas' chief probation officer and as director of Nevada's Health and Welfare Department. Later that year, he moved to Washington, D.C. to serve as Job Corps Conservation Centers program management director, a position he held until 1966. Despite being labeled the underdog, Mike ran for Governor of Nevada in 1970. His hard work and record of service ultimately propelled him to an unexpected victory. Four years later, he earned the respect and admiration of even those who did not give him a chance the first time and he rode a wave of popularity to the polls and was reelected to a second term. He remains to this day the choice of many Nevadans who, when asked, will say he was our Nation's and our State's greatest Governor. Throughout his 8 years in office, he was a hands-on leader and a relentless champion for those he served. He was known to make surprise visits to prisons, mental hospitals, and other State-run institutions, and could often be seen eating in the cafeteria so he would know firsthand what life was like for those in those facilities. As Governor, he fought for fair housing, civil rights, disadvantaged children, prison reform, and to protect the unique beauty of Lake Tahoe and aid for workers injured on the job. After his career in public service, he went on to become executive editor of the Las Vegas Sun, where he used his column to draw attention to a wide array of causes and concerns that he continued to care about long after leaving office. Mike was a deeply, deeply religious man, who attended church on a daily basis. He was known as much for his works of charity as he was for his political victories. If you were a millionaire or if you were homeless, Mike treated you with the same dignity and respect. He was legendary for his efforts on behalf of those who were down on their luck. He also shared a deep interest in international affairs. He made countless trips to Israel to support the Israeli defense force. He was called upon to visit Central America to promote democracy and worked for fair elections in the nation of Nicaragua. He repeated his role in northern Iraq in 1992, helping observe free elections for the Kurds in that divided nation. While he will be remembered for his lasting contributions as Governor and coach and newspaper executive, his greatest legacy was his family: his wife of nearly 50 years, Carolyn; his five children, Michael, Mary, Teresa, Brian, and Timothy; and his 15 grandchildren. There are literally thousands of Nevadans and people around the world whose lives have been touched by this extraordinary man. He was one of my best friends, one of my closest friends. I will miss him as if he were my father, and I share the loss with his family. While Mike will long be remembered for his lasting contributions as a Governor, teacher, coach and newspaper executive, perhaps his greatest legacy is the O'Callaghan family, which includes Mike's wife of nearly 50 years Carolyn, his five children Michael, Mary, Teresa, Brian and Timothy and his grandchildren. There are literally the thousands of people in Nevada and around the world whose lives were touched in different ways by the efforts of Mike O'Callaghan. As communities across southern Nevada mourned the loss of this great figure last week, endless personal stories about Mike and his many deeds filled memorial services, the airwaves and the pages of the newspaper. So many stories and so many lives, all touched by this humble, hard working, hard-nosed man with a heart of gold. The State of Nevada is a far better place because of Mike O'Callaghan and he will forever be remembered as a man whose life was defined by his service to our Nation, his devotion to his family and friends, his rock solid religious beliefs, his steady leadership as Governor and his love of the underdog. As one newspaper columnist put it, ``Mike O'Callaghan believed heart and soul in the family of man. He has gone away, but we'll hear his voice for a long time to come.'' While another wrote: ``Although the word `hero' is tossed about lightly these days, I can honestly say that Mike O'Callaghan is the only true hero I've ever met, and I count myself fortunate for the honor.'' I also count myself among those lucky enough to have known and loved this great man and to have had the honor to call him my friend. Mike, you will be missed, but you will never be forgotten.

Ms. BERKLEY

Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend a Palestinian terrorist invaded Israel and detonated a suicide bomb on a bus in downtown Jerusalem. Eight innocent civilians lost their lives, and 50 more were wounded in the latest act of senseless violence perpetrated by the Palestinian terrorists against Israel. Since September 2000, there have been over 20,000 terrorist attacks against Israel. Because of the unwillingness of the Palestinian leadership to prevent the violence, Israel has become a nation under siege. In order to protect itself and its innocent citizens, Israel is constructing a security fence. Rather than stopping the violence so that there would be no need for a security fence, the Palestinians have chosen to go to the United Nations and ask the International Court of Justice to intervene. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a resolution today with my colleague the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) asking that this process be stopped and that the Palestinians start negotiating in good faith with the Israelis so that there would be no need for a security fence in that region.