Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from California, for yielding me this time, and I want to thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), and the minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), for introducing this resolution. I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to support it. This bipartisan resolution shows the United States Congress is united in our support for our democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel. The United States must not only continue to support Israel because of our shared common values, but because we know the terrible repercussions of terrorist attacks on our own population. The decision taken by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on unilateral disengagement was necessary for the security of Israel and her people. This bold initiative has received international support and needs the support of all governments to ensure it can be implemented to remove the fear of terrorist strikes within Israel. This unilateral step has to be taken because the Palestinian Authority is currently not a viable partner in peace. For too long, the Palestinian Authority has allowed terrorists to operate in the territory under their control and done little, if anything, to stop them from attacking civilians in Israel. In fact, in my opinion, they have been complicit in those attacks. The terrorism against Israel and her people continues without a sign of it stopping. Over the past few weeks, I have seen countless reports of the Israeli Defense Force preventing terrorist plots to kill innocent Israeli civilians. While I applaud the strength of the Israeli Defense Force, the people of Israel cannot and should not have to live like that. The United States must take a firm stance and continue its support of Israel without wavering when faced with criticism from the Arab world. If the peace process is to continue to move forward, the United States must increase its engagement and stick with a consistent message as we continue positive support for a lasting and peaceful solution in the Middle East. Once again, I want to thank the sponsor of this legislation and for bringing it forward today.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman. I would, though, draw the attention to the amendment itself, which does not take into account the fact that many people who are immigrants in this country come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and races, and this bill does not take that into account. The amendment would take away any State and local government's ability to decide which policies allow them to best serve and protect our communities. Yet, that is precisely what all of us desperately need them to do. State and local police officers are often our first responders in times of terrorist attacks. Their jobs are already incredibly difficult and incredibly critical. To threaten them with reduced resources is not only offensive to the work that they do, it is also dangerous to the communities that they strive to protect. I find it interesting that the Republican Party is always out there praising America's police department, especially New York City's Police Department after 9/11. But in a Dear Colleague that was sent around, an example of New York City was used as a place that would lose police funding if this amendment passed. Yes, it is actually advocating slashing Federal dollars for New York City Police Department. This amendment is not only wrong-headed, I just think it is wrong. First the Republicans try to slam a bill down our throats to make doctors INS agents, now they are doing it with our local police forces. This amendment is a direct slap at the New York City Police Department, and I believe it is demonstrated in this Dear Colleague. I urge everyone to not only vote against this Draconian amendment that will leave our cities even more vulnerable to al Qaeda and other terrorists, but to actively speak out against this amendment in their constituencies. I am also told that the GOP is reaching out to Latinos and other groups for political benefits. I say to those Latino communities to examine that the Republicans say one thing, but their mean-spirited legislation speaks louder than any of their words.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment being offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo). These amendments, in my opinion, are not only mean-spirited, but I believe they are also dangerous to America's national security. These amendments, all of them, force State and local police officers into positions of Federal immigration agents. If they do not assume this responsibility, America's cities and towns will lose their anti-terror Federal dollars. This is an amendment, in my opinion, that would make Osama bin Laden proud. It weakens our national security, further burdens our overworked police departments * * *

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal- Allard) for offering this amendment. The amendment prevents the Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services from outsourcing work to contractors. The work performed by immigration information officers and their colleagues is not only a critical responsibility; it is a critical governmental responsibility. Our Nation depends on CIS to review immigration applications in a timely and judicious manner. Our Nation depends on CIS to discern questionable applications and possible threats to our public safety. Our Nation depends on CIS to protect our immigration process and to be accountable. In fact, the General Accounting Office has argued that INS does not currently have the infrastructure to contract its work out and still be able to ensure success. INS has such a tremendous backlog that full entitlements through citizenship are being denied to hundreds of thousands of people in this country today because of that backlog. Let us give the INS the resources they need to accomplish their tasks, as opposed to outsourcing their jobs. This work is too important to our government, to the people of our Nation. It is too important to all of us to not be done well and not to be done properly. Clearly, such a governmental responsibility must remain with the government. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I am talking about people who may be Irish. I am not talking about people of any race.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my words, and I would state for the Record it was never my intention to impugn the sponsor of this amendment in any way, shape, or form.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 268, I was physically present here in the Chamber. I voted for the bill before and the bill after, but was not recorded on that particular vote. Had I been recorded on that particular vote, after putting my card into the machine and taking it out and pressing the button, it would have been an ``aye'' vote for 268. Stated against:

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about India and to respond to recent remarks made on this Floor by Congressman Towns concerning the situation in Kashmir. First, I would like to praise India, a vast country of over 1,000,000,000 people, for its recent successful exercise in democracy. The elections in India that concluded last month yet again demonstrated the strength and endurance of that country's democratic system and culture. India has been for 57 years the world's largest democracy, with a multiparty system in which all political views are freely expressed and respected. India's example of free and fair democratic elections, and respect for the rule of law, is truly an inspiration and model for the region and the world. India and the United States share a special relationship as the world's two largest democracies. Our countries are natural allies, and we share the fundamental goal of building a peaceful and democratic world free from the scourge of terrorism. I am confident this relationship will continue to grow stronger because of the shared interests between our countries. Next, I would like to respond briefly to remarks made recently by Congressman Towns about Kashmir. I believe his remarks demand a response given his inaccurate and misleading portrayal of the situation. In his recent remarks, the Congressman referred to a ``successful'' hearing held recently on Kashmir by the Subcommittee on Wellness and Human Rights of the Committee on Government Reform. On the contrary, that hearing included the testimony of a number of witnesses whose views on Kashmir were so lopsided that I, along with a handful of other Members not serving on the Subcommittee, felt it imperative to be present and lend some balance to the proceedings. It is unfortunate that this hearing was used as a vehicle for propaganda--one witness even described the hearing as an exercise in India-bashing. It is especially disappointing because it compromises and undermines efforts by India and Pakistan to resolve bilaterally all issues between them. I would like to add here that eligible citizens of India, including in Jammu & Kashmir, freely exercised their right to vote in India's recent elections. Despite terrorist attacks that resulted in the killings of and injuries to government ministers, candidates as well as voters, the people of Jammu & Kashmir came out and voted, much as they did in late 2002 while electing representatives to their own State Assembly. This is much more than can be said of some other countries, where the military continues to dominate the political process. The situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is primarily one of cross-border terrorism, sponsored from across the Line of Control and the International Border in the state by Pakistan. Starting in the early 1980s in the state of Punjab and then since 1988 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has consistently sought to use terrorism as an instrument of state policy in its dealings with India. The involvement of the Pakistani state in recruiting, training, indoctrinating, financing, arming and infiltrating terrorists into Indian territory is a matter of international and public record. In addition to this, the active Pakistani military, political and diplomatic support to the criminal Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which provided refuge to Osama bin Laden, is also well known. Despite this record, the Government of India has sought reconciliation and repeatedly extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan. The previous Government in India had initiated this process and the new Government that has just taken office has reiterated its desire to build upon it. Indeed, the new Foreign Minister of India has just announced the rescheduled dates for talks on bilateral issues with Pakistan. These include talks on June 19 and 20 on Confidence Building Measures and on June 27 and 28 between the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries. India's approach is one of friendship and cooperation. The Government of Pakistan should respect the seriousness with which India is committed to engaging in this bilateral dialogue and play its part by living up to the commitments it has made to India and the international community, including the United States, most notably to create an atmosphere free from the menace of terrorism and violence in which the dialogue can be advanced. India is the world's largest democracy and has stuck to its tenets for over half a century. It has institutions and processes in place that afford strong constitutional protections for freedom of speech, expression, religion and assembly. There is no doubt that there have been instances of human rights violations, especially in areas affected by terrorist activity. Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir and some Indian states in the North-East of the country are primarily involved in combating the depredations of terrorists, who have been recorded as having been involved in grave violations of human rights. Wherever there have been allegations of violations by security forces, they have, on all occasions, been thoroughly investigated and, wherever deemed necessary, have resulted in the severest punishments possible. India has a free press and other media, an independent judiciary and vigilant non-governmental organizations, which are watchful of administrative and legislative actions and exercise the required oversight. In addition, it has a statutory National Human Rights Commission, which has proved vigilant at calling attention to the need to redress grievances, wherever they might occur, including where security forces are involved. I would like to make one final point. Congressman Towns' remarks appear to be based on material supplied by an organization calling itself the ``Council of Khalistan''. This organization supports a separatist agenda for the Indian state of Punjab. This organization has no standing in India, not even in Punjab. Even overseas, it is considered a fringe organization and its calls for secession for the Sikhs of India finds no resonance. The recent elections have demonstrated, more than anything else, that minorities in India have faith in the country's pluralistic, democratic system. Indeed, this organization has a questionable reputation on the Hill as well. In early 2002, a representative of this organization misled staffers in some offices to obtain signatures on a letter to the President.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Peter J. Purdy, President of the U.S. Committee for the U.N. Population Fund, who will be retiring at the end of this summer after a thirty-year career dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in the developing world. Peter began his remarkable career as Country Director in India for the Thomas A. Dooley Foundation and later as Country Representative in Indonesia for Church World Service. These early experiences in India and Indonesia were to set the stage for a lifelong commitment to helping the world's poorest women have access to quality reproductive and maternal health care services. For the next twenty-seven years, Peter traveled throughout the developing world as the Director of the Margaret Sanger Center, the international-arm of the Planned Parenthood Federation of New York City. Peter worked closely with both Government and NonGovernmental Organizations to improve the quality and availability of reproductive health care for women in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Since 1999, Peter has directed his considerable talents to building support with American citizens for the work of the United Nations Population Fund. It is through this context, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Peter as both a friend as well as an expert guide to some of the poorest and most forgotten places in the world. In Malawi, Peter introduced me to a traditional birth attendant who regularly delivered babies in a humble mud hut without any modern medical assistance. When asked what the U.S. Government could provide her, she said simply ``clean razor blades and kerosene to provide light for night deliveries.'' My meeting her was a singularly memorable experience but for Peter she was but one of the many women he has met and helped along the way of his career devoted to saving women's lives. Peter was a joy to travel with, and his insight and dedication added greatly to my experience in Africa. Peter has told me that he plans to devote his retirement to spending time with his wonderful wife, Susan, and playing jazz piano. Knowing Peter, however, I am confident that he will continue to advocate and educate all that he meets on improving the lives of women and their families around the world. Thank you, Peter, for your lifelong dedication to making the world a better place by enabling women to live healthy lives and to have healthy babies. Millions of people around the world have been touched by your work over the last thirty years. Best wishes in your retirement.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, ten years ago, the United States joined with 178 other nations in endorsing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action. The ICPD Program of Action sets a series of quantitative social and health targets central to achieving development efforts and women's rights. Included under these broad goals are universal access to reproductive health care; education for all and closing the gender gap in education; eradication of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS; and bringing women into mainstream development. Many nations are implementing or attempting to implement the Program of Action. Success has not been easy or uniform, particularly in the world's least developed nations. A key concern is that expenditures for implementing family planning and reproductive health programs have fallen well short of the $6 billion pledged by industrialized nations. Last month, policymakers, opinion leaders, and practitioners from around the world gathered in Washington, DC, as part of the ``Global Population Forum,'' hosted by Population Institute and Population 2005, to discuss the successes and obstacles to the implementation of the Program of Action. Out of these meetings, the Conference developed and adopted a statement, called the ``Washington Declaration.'' This document reaffirms the importance of the ICPD Program of Action and challenges developing and developed nations alike to strive to meet the financial goals set out 10 years ago. I ask unanimous consent that the Washington Declaration be printed in the Record. Declaration The Forum: Reaffirms the principles, objectives and actions in the Program of Action (POA) of the International Conference on Population and Development as well as the Key Actions for Further Implementation of the Program adopted in 1999. Recognizes that while much progress has been achieved in many countries in implementing the recommendations of the POA, progress has not been uniform and much needs to be done, particularly in the world's least developed countries. Reiterates that achieving the ICPD goals is essential for the attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Stresses that a number of priority issues, programmatic constraints and emerging concerns in the areas of reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, migration, ageing, closing the resource gap, and strengthening partnerships need to be addressed urgently in the future, in particular, the following: Population and Development Population growth continues to be high in many developing and especially least developed countries; in combination with poverty and trends in urbanization, it is placing enormous stress on fresh water resources, threatening the sustainability of agriculture and worsening the quality of air through emission of green-house gases. As a matter of priority, concerned countries should further strengthen their population, gender, education, particularly for girls, reproductive health and sustainable development programs. Reproductive Health Despite praiseworthy efforts to achieve interim ICPD goals, the Forum 2004 cautions that significant gaps remain, notably in the provision of services supporting adolescent reproductive health, prevention and treatment services related to HIV/AIDS, combating the growing scourge of trafficking in women and children and gender-based violence, and addressing the increase in abortion rates, where contraception is unavailable or unaffordable. When the POA was formulated in 1994, family planning represented an important component of many national population programs. Given the current large unmet needs for contraception of women, men and adolescents, as well as the limited availability of contraceptive commodities and supplies in many countries, family planning programs require continued attention. Programs are urgently required to meet the growing needs of adolescents, including services that attend to their sexual health. Sadly, insufficient attention is being drawn to this important and sensitive issue. Also, adolescents should be directly involved in all decisions regarding their reproductive health and rights. The Forum, moreover, laments the fact that program resource levels have fallen far below those set in 1994. The failure of many donors to fully meet their commitments has impacted negatively on programs in reproductive health in many countries of the world, particularly in the least developed countries and countries with economies in transition. The Forum recommends an approach that would effectively: Involve policymakers in program strategy development and in the creation of programs. Seek to improve access to quality service delivery and care, and work to build infrastructure and capacities at the local level and in outlying rural areas, encouraging the growth of NGOs and other interested partners, and promoting the involvement and support of the private sector and of the media. Mobilize youth to adopt and develop their own agendas, as is increasingly being done in efforts designed to empower women. Shift from excessive concern with data and statistics to human issues having a ``human face.'' Support efforts by education authorities to incorporate sex education materials into ongoing teaching programs, while stressing that materials and approaches be developed and/or adapted by teachers, parents, and, most importantly, by youth. As nations must increasingly resort to solving their population problems themselves, major concerns are those of committing adequate resources, setting priorities, and ensuring proper monitoring and evaluation of programs during their implementation. Close the gaps, where apparent, between policymaking and program practice--for example, availability of services and contraceptives. For donor countries, renew funding commitments consistent with the clearly articulated ICPD needs.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Miller's Motion to Instruct Conferees on Overtime. The Bush Administration recently released their final regulations on overtime pay--regulations that originally called for the elimination of overtime pay for millions of workers including America's police and firefighters. While the final regulations omitted this group at the last possible minute--due to extreme Democratic pressure--let's remember their true intentions, that of eliminating overtime pay to the police and firefighters of America. It is so hypocritical for the Republicans to come up here and pass resolutions celebrating the New York City fire and police departments-- and then cut their pay. No one enters law enforcement or becomes a firefighter for the money--but Republicans had the audacity to suggest that these hard- working men and women are not entitled to overtime that they and their families depend on. While they have had the incredible vision to reconsider their original request, everyone in this chamber knows--and more threatening to the Republicans--every police officer and firefighter in America knows--or will know--that if the Bush Administration and the Congressional Republican majorities are back next year, it is a foregone conclusion that they will revisit these overtime regulations and will succeed in their initial dream of eliminating all overtime for all cops and firefighters in the U.S. The Administration and this Congress have a sad track record of shortchanging police and firefighters, while pretending to stand with them. And now their revised ``compassionate conservative'' overtime regulations eliminate overtime protections for millions of other American workers. I received a letter from a woman in the Bronx who is a dedicated and experienced health care provider. She, like other health care providers that support us in our times of need, is being told by the Republicans that she might not be entitled to overtime. She writes that she is concerned that overtime work without overtime pay will not only hurt workers like her, but will also hurt patients. How can that be construed as being supportive of American workers or as being supportive of America? Sadly, this Administration's record does little to suggest that they understand or care about the needs of American workers. This Administration's record on labor issues is horrific--besides working to destroy the entire concept of overtime pay, they have attacked and tried to eliminate the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage provisions for our road builders and building trades workers. This Administration has started denying COLAs to federal civilian employees--COLAs they are more than happy to reward themselves with. This Administration has opposed legislation to allow workers to create unions so that they get better wages and benefits that benefit themselves and their families. The destruction of 3 million jobs, the serious attempt to eliminate overtime provisions in our country, and working to crack the Davis- Bacon law--this is an Administration that does not care for working people. Support the Miller amendment and let the Republicans know--you are sick and tired of these overpaid, underworked people trying to cut your pay while raising theirs.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3722. Hospitals, doctors, and nurses ought to be free to do the incredibly important jobs we all depend on them to do, that is, to save human life. Sadly, this bill would help prevent that. In turn, this bill will hurt patients. On a recent New Year's Eve in a hospital in my district, an undocumented woman gave birth to a girl. That girl, by birth, is a U.S. citizen but her mother remains not. If this bill had been law, that mother would have likely faced deportation. If that mother were deported, in all likelihood her baby girl, a U.S. citizen, would have gone with her. In essence that baby girl, a U.S. citizen, would have been deported. If this bill had been law when this mother went into labor, there is also a good chance that she would not have sought care at all. I ask you, if a pregnant woman is afraid to seek out care to help herself and her baby who, when born, will become a U.S. citizen, who suffers? If a person with a communicable disease does not seek treatment, who suffers? A communicable disease does not ask whether you are a U.S. citizen or not. If a person with a chronic ailment does not seek treatment until the condition worsens, requiring emergency care and taking up a scarce bed in the ER, who suffers? The reality is that this bill endangers the health of the undocumented, and this bill endangers the health of the documented as well. I would have thought that the sponsor of this bill would have learned from the ill-fated proposition 187 in his home State of California that led to scares and communicable disease outbreaks throughout the entire population, especially school children, because some people were denied care. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for yielding me this time. I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 352. As the cochair of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans and the representative of the second largest concentration of Indian Americans in the United States, I would like to speak in strong support of the gentlewoman from California's resolution recognizing the contributions of people of Indian origin to the United States and the benefits of working together with India. I know firsthand the contributions that Indian Americans are making to the United States because of my close relationship with my constituents and the Indian-American community across the country. One Indian American that many Members may not know is the first and only Indian American ever elected to Congress. His name was Dalip Singh Saund. Congressman Saund first came to the United States to study at the University of California where he received his master's and Ph.D. Even with Congressman Saund's high level of education, he had little job opportunity because of the prejudice that existed against Asians at that time. Despite the prejudice that existed, Congressman Saund went on to become politically active, to give something back to his community and was influential in working with Congress to pass the Luce-Cellar Act which was signed into law by President Truman in 1946. This act gave Asian Indians the right to become naturalized citizens. Congressman Saund was elected to the House of Representatives in 1952, just 6 years after his work to secure citizenship for Indian Americans. He served as a distinguished Congressman from California for three terms before he suffered a stroke during his campaign for a fourth term in the House. This is just one Indian American that has made a major contribution to the United States. I would like to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender- McDonald) for introducing this resolution. I am proud to be supportive of it and an original sponsor of it.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 605 which recognizes the importance of increasing awareness of autism as well as calling for greater investments in Research and Development to combat this disability as well as improving training and support for individuals with autism and their caregivers. I echo the comments of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this important issue--that our government must not only fight autism but also the stigma of autism. As we know, the statistics surrounding autism are staggering. About 5 out of every 10,000 children are diagnosed with autism, with boys suffering at a rate of four times that of girls. More concerning is that the rates of autism are increasing at an alarming rate at between 10-17% annual growth in new cases diagnosed. Autism does not discriminate between races or nationalities and strikes so many, while our knowledge base of this disability is so little. The facts tell one story, but I would also like to focus on the more human side of autism. Recently, a father from my district visited my office to tell the story of his son, Adam, who is autistic. We must combat both the lack of scientific knowledge surrounding autism as well as the public ignorance about this disability. On behalf of the people that live with autism, like Adam, it is my hope that not only will this resolution be enacted, but that the Congress will follow up on it with new funding to learn more about, treat, and eventually combat autism. Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of the State of Israel and the greater Jewish community on the 56th anniversary of their Independence. The creation of the Jewish State in 1948 was met with the immediate support and recognition from the United States, and our country has continued to consider Israel our closest friend and strongest ally. As Israel continues to fight against terrorist groups, it is more important than ever the United States continues to show our solidarity and provide whatever aid and support both economic and moral, to our friend Israel. Israel, as the only truly democratic nation in the Middle East should be lauded for 56 years of democracy. Israel continues to show the world that this small state which has been surrounded by aggressive states for most of its existence is here to stay. I believe the survival of the Jewish state is paramount and the United States must continue to encourage Israel's sustained efforts to defend the freedoms and rights it has secured its citizens. That is why I commend President Bush, for his strong leadership in standing with Prime Minister Sharon in support of Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and in support of limited Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Prime Minister Sharon's bold and courageous position is following in the footsteps of Prime Minister Barak's withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. Unfortunately though, just as in Lebanon, I do not believe Hamas, the Palestinian Authority or other terrorist organizations will show the strong leadership and quest for peace that the Israeli government has shown, by stopping their terrorist attacks against the Jewish state. Since its Independence, Israel has endured the unstable and troubling conditions in the Middle East that have sparked several wars and incited much violence. Yet the Israeli people remain united and strong and continue to stand up for their nation. That is why I stand here today, and re-affirm the right of the Israeli people to always protect themselves and their state from the forces of terrorism, no matter where it may exist. Israel is a modern success story, the only Democracy in the Middle East, the only Middle Eastern country where Arabs have the right to vote for their elected officials and their political leaders. Her detractors, and those who hide their anti-Semitism behind anti-Zionism must not denigrate the success of Israel. I am proud to be one of Israel's strongest friends in Congress and to stand here today and wish Israel a hearty Mazel Tov on 56 years of Independence.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join people around the world to remember Yom HaShoah. Remembrance of victims of the Holocaust is an indispensable and enduring task. We all must honor and identify with the victims. The most horrifying extent of anti-Semitism took place during the Nazi and Fascist reign in Europe. Jewish people were beaten, discriminated, and deported to concentration camps where they had to suffer from hard labor and medical experiments or were executed in gas chambers. This most horrible form of anti-Semitism took the lives of more than six million people, and the Jewish fate must never be forgotten. Indeed, we must ensure that the seeds of anti-Semitism are never sown again in Europe or elsewhere in the world. And although we are currently in the sixth decade after the end of the Holocaust, the fight against anti-Semitism is far from over. Quite the contrary, new hatred against Jews can be witnessed in Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Nazi slogans are shouted in the streets of Germany, synagogues are burnt, and Jews are beaten up. This kind of hatred has already brought catastrophe to the Jewish people. Remembrance of the past is therefore essential as it helps focus attention on current and future threats to the Jewish people. Remembrance must, however, go beyond intellectual insight and historical facts and should also include an emotional understanding, as far as this is possible. Only then are people ready to develop an attitude of zero-tolerance against anti-Semitism and discrimination in general.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me state first my admiration for both the chair and the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the work that they have put into creating this bill before us today. I do not pretend to know all the difficulties that they have been through in trying to craft this legislation, not being a member of the committee, but having done a good bit of extensive reading through the papers have come to understand that this has not been an easy process for them. I do extend to them my congratulations on coming this far. Mr. Chairman, I do have an amendment at the desk that I believe will enhance this bill and make it a better bill. So many of us who represent airports know the economic benefits airports bring to our communities, but we also, unfortunately, know the environmental damage that airports can cause the surrounding communities. While everyone thinks it is the airplanes themselves which bring elevated levels of pollution and ill health effects to surrounding communities, studies have shown that the more pressing concern is the emissions of shuttle buses, private cars and taxis, tarmac equipment and other vehicles which elevate local pollution levels, causing complaints and health concerns for many of our constituents. A study in 2002 showed the emission reduction performance of natural gas transit buses versus conventional diesel counterparts, that the natural gas buses had a 53 percent lower oxides of nitrogen, 85 percent lower total particulate matter, and 89 percent lower carbon monoxide emissions. In fact, right here in Washington, D.C., officials developed a plan in 2001 to convert much of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority bus fleet from diesel to clean natural gas. My amendment will create a pilot program that facilitates the use of natural gas buses at our Nation's top 25 busiest airports, New York's three airports, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami and others that handle millions of passengers, employees and visitors a day. My amendment would entail buses not only shuttling passengers connecting to terminals but also buses taking passengers from the airport to the public airport parking lots and employees to and from employee parking lots. This would be done by awarding grants on a competitive basis for the use of natural gas buses at public airports through airport bus replacement and fleet expansion programs. My amendment makes sure that the priority is given to those public airports running the oldest buses. We have to get these old polluting buses out of service and ensure we can start to reduce air pollution. As most of us know, natural gas buses are not something new. This amendment will help clean up the air around America's busiest airports by improving health and quality of life at the same time. Mr. Chairman, my amendment is supported by the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, and I encourage all my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I appreciate the comments of both gentlemen whom I respect very much on those issues. I would say that it is not an attempt on my part to take from Peter to pay Paul or vice versa. I was really trying to find a solution to the problem of congested airports and the pollution that they emit to surrounding communities. And I look forward to working with the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), ranking member, in the future to further address this issue. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, Greek Independence Day is not only an opportunity won by the Greeks after 400 years of oppression, but also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the freedom we are able to exercise today. Americans like the rest of the world's democracies, truly appreciate the Hellenic ideals of liberty, freedom, and democracy. The ancient Greeks fashioned the notion of democracy, and our Founding Fathers drew heavily from their philosophy and political experience in forming our own representative government. The excellence of mankind has often been symbolized by Hellenic ideals. The works of Homer, Plato, and Aristotle, have been studied by countless numbers of students over hundreds of years. The Olympics, a tournament of sports watched and enjoyed by millions, experienced its birth among the ancient Greeks. Seeking to promote friendship and peace among nations the Olympics now boast almost 200 participating countries. This summer, the 2004 Summer Olympics will return to their birthplace and now more than ever, we should be reminded of these values and strive to meet them with other nations of the world. On Greek Independence Day we should also seek to celebrate the living history of Greek heritage. During the occupation by the Ottoman Turks, they risked harsh penalties, some extreme as death, to teach their children the culture, history, and language of their glorious ancestors. These ``Secret Schools'' kept alive the heritage and spirit demonstrated today. It is this dedication to Greek culture and ideals that led them to revolt against the Ottomans in 1821. During the Greek's 8-year revolution for freedom, many Americans fought alongside them in battle. The United States Congress sent funds along with supplies to aid the fight for independence. That friendship is still strong today as Greece and its people join us in combating terrorism that seeks to destroy the ideals of liberty, freedom and democracy which we value.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand here today representing the citizens of America in honoring India's Republic Day. Fifty-five years ago India reached the goal that every great nation strives to attain which is the formation of a Democratic Republic. We as a Democratic nation must extend our recognition to the fellow nations of the world who represent the ideals of freedom and liberty, the same virtues, which make our country so beautiful and celebrate with them as we are all believers in Democracy. The Indian nation represents one of the emerging nations in our increasingly globalized world. Boasting a GDP, the main indicator of economic success, that is number 4 on the world rankings, shows how impressive their rise has been in such a short period of time in relation to gaining independence from monarchy rule. Their citizens which are part of the social and economic fabric of many of the world's countries including the United States are known for there academic success, business prowess, and social acceptance. Specifically in the United States they are a vibrant community holding the highest per capita income of any other minority community. The Indian American community's love for the US and its people has also been demonstrated in their increasing participation with the political scene. Wanting to get involved so as to be in a position to add a new and fresh perspective should be commended and supported. We must remember that our forefathers once immigrated from foreign lands and it was their work and commitment to a strong country that allowed us to flourish through the years. Today we as Americans will recognize the same efforts being put forth by the Indian American community in their attempts to add to America's prosperity and continual success in the years to come. I commend India for it's 55th Anniversary of its foundation as a republic and point to many future years ahead of successful partnership between India and the United States.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the good work of LaGuardia Community College of Long Island City in Queens, New York. LaGuardia Community College serves one of the most diverse student bodies in the U.S. within one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the U.S. Over the years, men and women from all over the world have called LaGuardia Community College their home. Over the years, LaGuardia Community College has quietly and diligently provided a first-class education for students of all economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. LaGuardia Community College has served my community and the world for decades, and its mission has earned it the title of The World's Community College. However, they recently earned another distinction-- nationally recognized community college. The Community College Survey of Student Engagement studied approximately 300 colleges, looking at 10 different categories. This non-profit found that LaGuardia Community College ranked in the top 3 of 13 large community colleges in North America. This ranking confirms what so many of us have known for so long--that LaGuardia Community College is not only The World's Community College. It is also the world's premier community college. Of course, this distinction would not be possible without the work of countless administrators, professors, students, and friends from around the community. I would particularly like to thank LaGuardia Community College President, Dr. Gail O. Mellow for her vision. It is because of leaders like her that LaGuardia Community College can achieve such an incredible level of success. Our world needs an understanding, dedicated, well-educated populace now more than ever. Our world is dependant on the students that come out of LaGuardia Community College and the good work that they do. For those reasons, we all owe the school our respect and gratitude.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time and commemorate the life of former New Mexico Representative Joe Skeen. Joe lost his battle with Parkinson's disease on Sunday at the age of 76, and I would like to send my deepest condolences to his wife and family. Joe was elected into the halls of Congress in 1980 as a write-in candidate. He served 11 terms which was more than any other New Mexico Member of Congress has ever served. He was chairman of the Interior and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, and accomplished much during his tenure for New Mexico and our great Nation. I had the honor of working with Joe for a long time, and know of his love for the open lands of the western U.S. As a Member of Congress, I honor Joe and mourn his passing, but also celebrate his life and his achievements. Joe will forever be missed in the House of Representatives, in his great State of New Mexico and in this country, which he loved so much.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1813, the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003. Torture is a horrible tool used in more than 150 countries to silence, intimidate and oppress people around the world. Many survivors of torture arrive in the United States every year. This legislation provides vital funding of support for victims of torture. Mr. Speaker, more than 500,000 survivors of torture live in the United States today. A significant number of these survivors live in New York City. These survivors need vital support in terms of rehabilitation, medical care and psychological care. Fleeing from their persecutors, most often leaving their families behind, they arrive with no documentary evidence to prove their persecution. All they have are their scarred bodies and their stories of horror. Once they arrive, the survivors are forced to face a culture and a system different from what they have known. They face numerous challenges in their effort to integrate into our society and become fully participating members. They have difficulty telling their stories to the immigration officers and even to their own attorneys because of the abuse they have endured by those in power in the past and thus are wary of authorities. Among the few they can turn to are the torture treatment programs. These programs, armed with experience and dedication, are instrumental in helping survivors document their stories of torture, providing them with clinical care and psychosocial support, and enabling them to embark on a new life. The life-saving work done by these torture treatment programs should be commended and appreciated by all Americans, for they open their doors, extend their hands, and offer shoulders to the most severely wounded new Americans. It is my pleasure today to commend the indispensable work of the Safe Horizon/Solace Program for Survivors of Torture and Refugee Trauma in my district. Solace is a program of Safe Horizon, which is the nation's leading victim assistance and advocacy organization. Solace is a decentralized, citywide program, with its main offices in Jackson Heights, Queens. Since 1997, Solace has provided an array of services on behalf of torture survivors from over 70 different countries, including intensive case management, clinical, referral for medical and legal, social adjustment counseling, accompaniment, interpretation, information and referral, medical and psychological evaluations, expressive therapies such as visual and dramatic arts, dance, and somatic therapies such as massage, for survivors of torture seeking safe haven in the United States. Furthermore, Solace has pioneered a community development approach that involves creating social healing interventions at the familial and communal levels, particularly important since torture seeks to destroy the fabric of communities, as much as it seeks to destroy individuals. The Safe Horizon/Solace approach is also extremely cost effective, since Solace is the managing partner of the Metro Area Support for Survivors of Torture (MASST) Consortium, which includes Doctors of the World/USA, Refuge, Inc., and the International Institute of New Jersey as partners. This New York City and Northern New Jersey effort is all done on one grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Refugee Resettlement, and is the only such configuration in the United States. This past year, the MASST Consortium has reached thousands of people with a dizzying array of services. The funds provided by the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003 will enable torture treatment programs like Safe Horizon/Solace and its MASST partners to continue to provide the crucial services needed by those who have been subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment in their own countries. Mr. Speaker, we may not have the opportunity to know when we meet the survivors of torture, to listen to first hand and understand their stories, or to appreciate the courage they exhibit in overcoming the consequences of the traumatic events they have experienced. But we do have the opportunity to assist them today. By supporting this important legislation, we can play an important part in providing care for this resilient group of people. We can give them hope for a better future. We will be instrumental in helping them break down the barriers that keep them from fully integrating into our society. I strongly encourage all my colleagues to join me in supporting this important legislation.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the time. Mr. Speaker, let me see if I got this straight. In 1965, with a Democratic President, a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate the Medicare program was founded. Am I to believe today with a Republican President, a Republican House and a Republican Senate that somehow you all are going to save a program you did not support in the first place? We have an expression in New York and all around this country, give me a break. You are not about saving Medicare or Social Security. You are about dismantling it, and in 40 years, when I look at my children and they ask me where were you when they tried to dismantle Medicare, I will look them in the eye and I will be able to tell them that I voted against the dismantling of this great program. I will vote against this, and I will vote against any chance that you may bring up to this floor to dismantle Social Security as well. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Medicare and oppose the incredibly offensive bill before us tonight. Medicare was created nearly 40 years ago to protect the health of seniors. And today, sadly, Members of this Congress are seeking to destroy the very program that has been so helpful to so many. In its place, Republicans claim they are inserting a new, better, and expanded program. But the reality is that this is not a bill about providing drug coverage under Medicare. This is a bill about giving billions of dollars to insurance companies and drug companies. This is a bill about killing the Medicare program that seniors have depended on for generations. Seniors in my district want and deserve prescription drug coverage. This could not be more true, as far too many of them are struggling without it. But I have yet to hear from a senior in my district who is asking for a $17 billion slush fund to be created for private insurance companies. Not one senior has talked to me about making sure that big drug companies are able to protect their massive profits. Not one of them has asked me for a prescription drug benefit where they have to pay $4,000 out of their first $5,000 in prescription drug costs. Not one of them has asked for a bill that would force seniors out of Medicare and push them into HMOs. And yet that is exactly what Republicans are giving them with this bill. This bill seeks to help drug companies and insurance companies at the expense of seniors and American taxpayers of all ages. This bill does essentially nothing to bring down drug prices. It does not appropriately provide for reimportation despite this body overwhelmingly voicing its support of reimportation. Moreover, it expressly prohibits the government from trying to negotiate lower drug prices like other government entities have been able to do with much success. Incredibly, Republicans are electing to protect drug company profits over the cost to our government. I have to wonder whose side the Republicans are really on? Tonight Republicans are asking us to vote for a bill they claim will help seniors with their drug costs. Only the catch is that, in the process, we have to destroy Medicare, give billions to insurance companies and drug companies, and push seniors into HMOs. This bill is a slap in the face of the ideals that Medicare has stood for. This bill is a slap in the face of seniors who have waited far too long for a real prescription drug benefit. But don't take my word for it. Listen to what the lead author, Republican Congressman Bill Thomas of California said about this bill-- a bill he wrote--and I quote him, ``To those who say that the bill would end Medicare as we know it, our Republican answer is: We certainly hope so.'' Protect Medicare--oppose this sham bill.