Donna Christensen

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Lee amendment which would give the U.N. inspections process and multilateral diplomacy time and opportunity to work.

Ms. CHRISTENSEN

Ms. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Lee amendment. I am particularly supportive of this amendment because it would place the emphasis where it ought to be--which is in multinational diplomacy and within the context of a strong commitment to the U.N. inspection process--in this important campaign to disarm Iraq and protect our allies national security. Questions have been raised about our ability to do unfettered and complete inspections, and whether or not we were able to find anything that Sadaam Hussein did not want us to find the first time around. Mr. Speaker, I would say, that if we have not learned from past experience with Iraq, and if we do not have the technology to search out, find and destroy biological or chemical weapons, or weapons of mass destruction, then we are also not prepared to go to war with Iraq. Many of us have spoken over the past week about the dangerous precedent that would be set by the United States employing a unilateral first strike against Iraq. The other grave concern of many which was supported by the recently released CIA report, is that whatever weapons Sadaam had would be deployed in desperate retaliation bringing unimaginable death and destruction to us and our allies. Mr. Speaker and colleagues. We must not set such a dangerous precedent, or commit our young men and women to an unjustified conflict. We must use our resources to strengthen our economy, and to invest in the needs of people here at home, and devote more effort to creating the kind of society that will increase U.S. moral authority and the respect of our world. And we must not weaken our democracy by ceding our authority to the executive branch. Vote against H.J. Res. 114, and vote aye on the Lee amendment.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I must preface my remarks by reminding my colleagues that as the representative of the people of the Virgin Islands, who serve in some of the highest per capita numbers in our Armed Forces, I do not get to directly influence this decision because I am not allowed to cast a vote on the resolution we are debating today. Nevertheless, I rise because it is important that I speak on behalf of my constituents on this critical issue which affects them, as it does all Americans, despite the fact that neither do we vote for our Commander-in-Chief. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor today with a heavy heart, preferring that I could do so having sufficient information to justify the President's request so that I could support it. Instead, I must come to express my opposition to H.J. Res. 114 which would, in effect, preauthorize the use of unlimited military force against Iraq and invest this awesome authority in one person, the President of the United States. As many of my colleagues before me have stated, the decision that is ours by the authority bestowed upon us as Members of Congress by the writers of the Constitution, the Founders of this great country, to send our brave young men and women to war is the most solemn and serious choice we are ever called on to make. I hold to the principle that war should be a last resort. This resolution makes it the first resort. The President is asking for authority to wage a preemptive strike. I have attended many briefings, and, to date, nothing has been forthcoming to justify such an action at this time. The case has yet to be made that Iraq poses an imminent threat to our safety and national security. In adopting H.J. Res. 114 without amendment, we would be setting a dangerous precedent, embarking upon a course which could allow nations to determine, without international support, who among their neighbors pose a threat to their national security and, upon that assertion, wage a first strike offensive attack, plunging the world once again into the dangerous era of unilateral preemptive use of force by nations. We should not be charting such a course. While most Americans share the President's view, as do I, that Saddam Hussein is a dangerous man and the world would be better off without his brand of tyranny, we are gravely concerned about the repercussions of such a war if we have to fight it alone. The American people are concerned that, absent the endorsement of the U.N. Security Council, a unilateral first strike by us would lead to more terror at home and a wider war in the Middle East. So, Mr. Speaker, taking heed of the reluctance and the concerns of my constituents and the American public at large, I also join with those who hold that we must exhaust all diplomatic efforts and fully utilize all options available to us through the United Nations first as proposed in the Lee amendment. Mr. Speaker, the Spratt-Moran amendment, which I also support, which closely mirrors the statement of principles adopted by the Congressional Black Caucus, authorizes the President to use military force pursuant to a new U.N. Security Council resolution that mandates the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. The Spratt-Moran amendment would also provide that if the Security Council does not adopt such a resolution, the President should seek authorization from Congress to use military force. This threat of force included in the Spratt-Moran amendment clearly gives the Secretary of State and the administration the clout they need and they seek to pressure Iraq into full compliance. Mr. Speaker, I remember one of our colleagues lamenting the possibility immediately after September 11 that the Constitution would be the first casualty of the war on terrorism. It has unfortunately been gravely wounded, but the mortal blow would come should we forfeit our constitutional authority to declare war and grant unlimited authority to the President at any time, and under whatever circumstances he sees fit, to take this country into war and too many of our young people to an untimely death. To relinquish such an important constitutional authority sets another dangerous precedent that could endanger other provisions of the body of laws that has guided this Nation so well for over 226 years. Finally, this yet-to-be-justified war would not only commit thousands of lives but would also commit resources that this country needs to improve and save the lives of people right here at home. This proposed war, which again we have not been convinced we need to undertake now, will undermine the war against terrorism, our homeland security and further threaten the very fabric of our society. Mr. Speaker, let us not take action that would undermine the constitutional authority of the Congress. Vote no on H.J. Res. 114 and support both the Lee and Spratt-Moran amendment.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5385, the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act and urge my colleagues to support its adoption. H.R. 5385 includes two bills I introduced earlier this year, H.R. 3395 and H.R. 4179, to bolster the economy of my district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, especially the island of St. Croix. Mr. Speaker, I introduced H.R. 3395 to fix an anomaly in existing law which permits duty rebates on products imported into the United States and then shipped to foreign countries, but which does not allow for such drawback for products imported into the United States and then shipped to our insular areas. This form of ``Catch-22'' exists because under the current legal interpretation, U.S. insular areas are outside the Customs territory of the United States, but at the same time are not deemed to be foreign countries. This means that companies that want to import goods to the United States for subsequent distribution in the Virgin Islands for example, are unable to receive a rebate of the duty paid, even though the goods ultimately are not sold within the United States customs territory. This actually hurts employment in the United States and has a negative impact on the ability of merchandise to move in and out of our insular areas. My second bill. H.R. 4179, make a series of technical and/or non- controversial adjustments to the Production Incentive Certificate (``PIC'') program for watch and jewelry produced in the U.S. insular areas. In the near term, this legislation improves the operation of the PIC program for both watch and jewelry manufactures in the U.S. Virgin Islands--producers that provide a critical source of employment for the Territory. Over the longer term, this legislation would protect the PIC program and related duty incentives from the effects of any future reduction or elimination of watch tariffs. Mr. Speaker, even though a company recently announced the closure of its facility on St. Croix and consolidate their operations in Switzerland where they are headquartered, the watch industry remains the largest light manufacturing industry in the U.S. Virgin Islands and remains one of the most important direct and indirect sources of private sector employment in the Territory. The insular watch production industry is also highly import-sensitive and faces continued threats from multinational watch producers, who have continued to move their watch production to lower wage countries. The various technical adjustments set forth in this legislation would enhance the ability of insular watch and jewelry producers to utilize the PIC program while, at the same time, retaining overall PIC program unit and dollar value limits. Additionally, the legislation would establish a standby mechanism to mitigate the impact of any possible future reduction or elimination of watch duties on a worldwide basis through trade negotiations and congressional action. This mechanism-- which has broad support among the insular and domestic watch manufacturing and distribution sectors--would ensure that any future reduction in watch duties does not disturb the relative value of current duty incentives and PIC program benefits for the insular watch industry. Importantly, this standby mechanism would have no effect on current watch duties or PIC program limits. In conclusion, I want to thank my cosponsors of H.R. 5179, the gentlelady from Connecticut, Representative Nancy Johnson and the gentleman from New York, Representative Mike McNulty for their strong support. I also want to express my gratitude to the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Bill Thomas and the Ranking Democrat Charles Rangel for their decision to include both of my bills in the Miscellaneous Trade bill today.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, in a recent column, Washington Post columnist EJ Dionne opened with a statement: ``Perhaps the White House and Congress might just take a little time away from war planning to consider what the economic downturn has been doing to poor Americans, especially the working poor.'' Mr. Speaker, we are talking about the leaders of this country and this body who have the votes and, therefore, the responsibility. Certainly they must know that in the last year alone the number of uninsured increased more than 1.4 million; that poverty rates are up for the first time in 8 years; that 1.8 million jobs have been lost; and that thousands of people in this country have seen their retirement savings disappear. In the health care arena, the impact is hard now and likely to be devastating as time goes by. Already 41 States are cutting Medicaid programs this year. That means that people are losing coverage and children are the hardest hit. This is happening at the worst time because with the economic downturn, 2.3 million more Americans were unemployed in August of 2002 compared with July the year before. The saying that when the rest of the world gets a cold, minority communities and our territories get pneumonia is holding true. As of 2001, of the 41 million uninsured, 18 percent were Asian Pacific Islanders; 19 percent African American; and more than a third, 33.8 percent, were Hispanic. Thirty-eight percent of the people in my district were uninsured. The median household income of black families after rising by almost 30 percent between 1993 to 2000 fell from $30,495 in 2000 to $29,470 in 2001. Nearly 23 percent of African Americans lived below the poverty level last year. Our unemployment rate as of August 2002 is 7.5 for African Americans and 6.5 for Hispanics. Economists have long reported that even when there is any recovery and other Americans begin to return to work, we will still have unemployment for at least a year to 18 months after. When the President sent his tax cut to Congress last year, many of us opposed it because we knew what it would mean to funding for the needs of the poor in minority communities as well as the rest of America. After September 11, we were and we remain in full support of efforts to rescue, recover and rebuild, as well as to go after the terrorists; but our fears that the important health, education, and economic issues would be ignored have been realized. Now that we are poised for an attack on Iraq, no matter what Congress says, economic issues are off the radar screen. But minorities, the poor, and even the middle class are suffering. As a matter of fact, the rise in the uninsured was particularly noted in people with moderate and high incomes. Yes, we must strengthen pensions, enforce corporate reform laws, pass a prescription drug benefit, and protect Social Security; but the needs of the poor, minorities and Americans living in the offshore territories demand even more. It is important for all of us who are here tonight to be here with our leader on the budget, the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt). We thank him for his leadership and for bringing us here this evening to talk about these important issues. It is important for us to be here to say to the leadership of this House and to the administration that we are heading towards a domestic disaster. We can no longer afford to ignore the millions of families who are losing income, jobs, health coverage, and retirement pensions; and we must do more to help those who have never had any of these. So we have to get back to our priorities. The leadership needs to forget about expanding tax cuts. They need to join with us on this side of the aisle to pass sound appropriations bills to improve the lives of all Americans.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Abercrombie) for bringing us together. I rise to join our other colleagues to pay tribute to Patsy Mink's outstanding legacy which spanned more than 24 years. Though small in stature, as many of us have made reference to, the death of our dear friend, colleague, and leader on so many important issues has left a very large void in this body. Our hearts and prayers go out to her husband, John; daughter, Wendy; brother; and other family members and the community that she loved and served so well. I consider myself privileged to have had the wonderful opportunity to have worked with her on a number of issues. I have been particularly grateful for her tenacity in our work to eliminate health disparities for women and people of color. Just this past spring, Patsy joined me in a forum on improving health care quality for minority Americans. As ranking member on the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the gentle lady from Hawaii used her position to influence and improve education and work opportunities for all. This summer we were all fortunate to be able to follow her leadership as she worked to craft commonsense welfare reform legislation which would not only prepare those on welfare for work but lift them out of poverty and give them the opportunity to improve their status and the status of their families. She was always sensitive to the unique issues of my district and the other offshore territories. Congresswoman Mink is most remembered for her work on title IX of the education amendments of 1972 to eliminate sex discrimination in all educational institutions receiving Federal funds. Patsy Mink displayed a thirst for justice, a drive to convince others that it is in the best interest of all that women be treated equally, a zeal to ensure that no young girl would ever be told that she could not achieve her goals, and a disdain for any antiquated approaches which would leave women behind. By challenging discrimination both at home and in the Nation at large, she helped this country to better live up to its obligation to improve the health and well-being of all its residents and to close the wide gaps in service and status for women and people of color. Patsy gave herself generously. She was a warrior who never shied from the challenge when the cause was just; and by her life, her service, she has lifted us all. I am, we are all honored by having had the opportunity to know her, to serve with her, and partake of her wisdom, her warmth, and her friendship. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join our other colleagues to pay tribute to Patsy Mink's outstanding legacy which spanned more than 24 years. Through small in stature, the death of our dear friend, colleague and leader on so many important issue, has left a very large void in this Body. Our hearts and prayers go out to her husband, John, daughter Windy, brother, other family members, and the community she loved and served so well. I consider myself privileged to have had the wonderful opportunity to work with her on a number of issues. I have been particularly grateful for her tenacity in our work to eliminate health disparities for women and people of color. Just this past spring, Patsy joined me in a forum on improving health care quality for minority Americans. As ranking member on the education and workforce subcommittee on 21st century competitiveness, the gentle lady from Hawaii used her position to influence and improve education and work opportunities for all. This summer we were all fortunate to be able to follow her leadership as she worked to craft common sense welfare reform legislation which would not only prepare those on welfare for work, but lift them out of poverty and give them the opportunity to improve their status and the status of their families. She was always sensitive to the unique issues of my district and the other offshore territories. Congresswoman Mink is most remembered for her work on the title IX of the education amendments of 1972 to eliminate sex discrimination in all educational institutions receiving Federal funds. Patsy Mink displayed a thirst for justice, a drive to convince others that it is in the best interest of all that women be treated equally, a zeal to ensure that no young girl would ever be told that she could not achieve her goals, and a disdain for antiquated approaches which would leave women behind. By challenging discrimination both at home and in the Nation at large, she helped this country to better live up to its obligation to improve the health and well-being of all of its residents and to close the wide gaps in service and status for women and people of color. It is her legacy that allows the women of Congress to walk these hallowed halls with sure footing. I thank Patsy Mink for her grateful heart, her strong spirit, for breaking down barriers, and for leading the way as the first woman of color in the Congress of the United States. Through her presence and her determination, she set the stage to ensure that all issues--that minority issues and womens' issues are also American issues. To her family, staff and constituents, I express my sincere condolences and that of my constituents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Patsy gave of herself generously. she was a warrior who never shied from a challenge when the cause was just, and by her life, and her service she has lifted us all. I am, we all, are honored by having had the opportunity to know her, serve with her, and partake of her wisdom, her warmth and her friendship.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop) for his work on this bill. We are in support of its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the sponsor of the bill. (Mr. BISHOP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, we fully support H.R. 4830. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spratt), the sponsor of this bill. (Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, we support this resolution.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the correction of the survey errors are long overdue. We support H.R. 4874. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill has been explained, and we support it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, this bill has a very worthy goal, and we have no objection to its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3802 would require the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the costs of environmental reviews conducted pursuant to the Education Land Grant Act. The majority, in the person of the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth), has very clearly and passionately explained the bill. We have no objection, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN

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

Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, while H.R. 4141 has been explained by the majority, the legislation raises a number of concerns. Land exchanges in Las Vegas have been an ongoing problem. In fact, these land exchanges have been such a problem that in 1998 Congress enacted Public Law 105-263 to basically halt land exchanges in this particular area and, instead, direct that public lands be disposed of by auction with the proceeds earmarked to the acquisition of conservation and recreational lands in Nevada. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4141 bypasses that policy and appears to reopen ongoing issues with land exchanges, such as land selection, valuation, and environmental reviews. The lands that are proposed to be exchanged by the bill have been altered several times over the past 2 years. With the high prices being paid for public land sales in Las Vegas, these lands present a significant economic resource. An amendment was adopted by the Committee on Resources that made a number of changes to alleviate the most serious problems with the bill as introduced. I appreciate the efforts of my colleague, the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), to facilitate these improvements to the bill. It is a better bill today than what was attempted to be passed just 2 months ago. While the legislation continues to cut corners and avoid the normal review and appraisal requirements of land exchange, we will not object to its passage today. It is our hope that as H.R. 4141 continues through the legislative process, that further improvements can be made to the bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), and I want to thank her for her leadership and her hard work in making this bill the better bill that it is before us today.