Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, immoral. Immoral is the only word I can find to describe the Republican budget that is being forced down our throats this evening. As we go to war, this Republican package includes exactly zero dollars towards the war effort. This budget includes exactly zero dollars to bolster our troops in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. And for our veterans, this Republican budget cuts funding for veterans disability pensions and veterans health care. The Disabled American Veterans asked the question: Has Congress no shame? Unfortunately, as long as Republicans control this institution and force these types of budgets onto the American people, the answer is no, this Republican Congress has no shame. Mr. Chairman, that is why I believe this budget is immoral, and that is the only word I can find to describe it. Tax cuts for the rich, cuts to veterans' pensions and health care and nothing for our troops. I say vote down this immoral Republican budget.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, of the over 200,000 men and women who are in and around Iraq this evening, I want to just touch on one person who was highlighted today in the New York Times, Captain Cynthia Brito from Woodside, Queens, my hometown. She is the daughter of Ecuadoran immigrants Angel Brito, a limousine driver, and his wife Ines, a jewelry worker. Captain Brito is a graduate from Fordham University in the Bronx, and she is serving as a dentist in the Army in the 561st Medical Company of V Corps. Captain Brito represents the best of the men and women who are fighting on our behalf on the front lines. She is the daughter of immigrants, a female officer in a male-dominated Army, and a dentist with medical training. We know that she will be on the front line. So much this evening has been said about the war, and I do not think enough has been said about our young men and women troops fighting over there. These mostly young men and women like Captain Brito are the ones truly making the sacrifice for our country. Men, women, white, African American, Latino, Asian, Christian, Jews and Muslims, they are all the faces of this country. Our prayers go out to each and every one of them this evening and to all their families, especially to Cynthia Brito, who makes all of us proud.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. I can give my colleagues one reason to support this legislation--fairness. This bill will restore fairness to our Nation's bankruptcy laws for those Americans who work hard and pay their bills on time. A few days ago, representatives from a number of credit unions came to my office, including Rob Nemeroff of the Melrose Credit Union in Woodside, Queens in my Congressional District. He detailed about how the hard working, middle class people of his credit union--and of my District--continually have to pick up the tab for those who file bankruptcy--whether legitimately, as many do, or irresponsibly, as far too many do. This bill will provide them some fairness--something that my constituents do not often get from this Congress. This legislation provides fairness to the victims of criminal corporate executives by mandating that these corporate pirates can no longer shield their multi-million dollar homes from defrauded investors seeking to reclaim some of their lost assets. And this bill provides fairness for women and children in their ability to collect child support and alimony obligations. And for those who do file for bankruptcy, this bill includes numerous new protections for them and their families. This bill permits filers to keep their homes and provide health insurance for themselves and their families before taking their assets into account for repayment plans. This bill states that low income debtors will be exempt from many of the provisions of this bill if their median family income is below the average for their state. This legislation represents a fair, common sense approach towards tackling the important yet complicated issues surrounding the issue of bankruptcy in a way that will benefit those working Americans who pay their bills while providing for those who cannot.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express outrage at the assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. This assassination represents a hideous and appalling crime that was intended to block reform and democratization endeavors. The United States has strongly endorsed Djindjic's reform-minded approach, his advocacy of democratic values and his struggle to propel Serbia into modern Europe and the Western world of democratic nations. As a student in Belgrade he was jailed after joining a non-communist student organization protesting against Marshal Tito's communist rule. In the late 1990s, Djindjic emerged as the leading figure in the opposition movement against Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. Congress had a vital interest in ending Milosevic's dictatorship in Serbia, and Djindjic was instrumental in helping engineer the demise of this evil ruler. Djindjic played a crucial role in the arrest of Milosevic, and he later courageously sent the dictator to the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague. When Milosevic was handed over to the tribunal in 2001, the Prime Minister pushed aside the objections of other senior Serbian politicians, and he was prepared to confront the harsh criticism by Serbian nationalists. The prosecutors at the United Nations tribunal regarded him as their best hope to deliver fugitive Serbian war criminals indicted by the court. At the time of his tragic death, Djindjic had been preparing to arrest Milorad Lukovic and his associates, some of whom are suspected of committing war crimes and belonging to an underworld group accused of dozens of murders and kidnappings. By promoting economic and democratic reforms, Djindjic was further instrumental in realizing the U.S. goal of bringing and maintaining stability on the Balkans. Djindjic saw the need for reform and taught his people to understand the demands and rewards of integrating Serbia into the world of peaceloving democracies. He urged the Serbian people to confront and work up its own past in order to manage the difficult task of democracy building. Djindjic understood the challenge to tackle these difficulties instead of denying them even if they are unpleasant. His death represents a major setback to the fight for democratic stability in this important transitional phase. I express my condolence to the people of Serbia and to Serbian- Americans on the sad and tragic death of Zoran Djindjic, whose courageous endeavors to bring democracy to Serbia must not be forgotten.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment about the failure of the latest Cyprus peace talks. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan carefully worked out an acceptable peace plan which represented a compromise approach. The UN peace plan to reunite Cyprus as a single bicommunal federation enjoyed strong support by the United States, the EU, and the wider international community. This plan would have satisfied the interests of both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. I thus applaud Cypriot President Tapas Papadopolous who accepted the UN proposal and was prepared to submit the plan to a separate referendum on March 30. Moreover, immediately after the failure of the negotiations, Papadopolous announced that the Greek Cypriot side will continue its efforts for reaching a solution to the Cypriot issue within the UN framework. Likewise, I must express my disappointment to the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash who was unwilling to settle for a compromise and rejected the plan. I join the international outcry at the Turkish side's obstructive attitude and urge Denktash to reconsider his approach. Indeed, the Turkish intransigence hurts first and foremost Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots themselves. The failure of the unification endeavors complicates Ankara's own efforts to join the European Union as the European Commission warned Turkey on March, 11. The Greek Cypriot part of the island is going to join the EU in May 2004 with or without the Turkish Cypriots. Yet without a deal on the Cyprus issue, Turkey will find itself in a position of not recognizing a member of the European Union. Public demonstrations by the Turkish-Cypriot opposition in favor of the proposal further express clearly who will be the major victims of the failed talks: the Turkish Cypriots who will be excluded from the benefits of EU membership that the Greek Cypriot side will enjoy. I conclude in expressing my desire that the United States must remain involved in seeking a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus issue. The Bush administration must therefore put more pressure not only on the Turkish Cypriot leader but also on Turkey to cooperate constructively within the UN framework to realize a negotiated settlement on Cyprus.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, a lot of people on the other side have one crucial fact wrong--capping medical malpractice awards does not mean insurance rates will fall. I have charts here that compare the average insurance premium for states with damage caps versus the average insurance premium for states with no caps. For OB/GYN doctors, supposedly a group especially hard hit by medical malpractice awards--we find that OB/GYNs in states without caps on damages pay $44,485 in insurance. OB/GYNs in states with caps on damages pay $43,010--a ``whopping'' 3.4 percent difference. For general surgery doctors, they pay $26,144 in premiums if they are in a state with no caps on damages. They pay $602 more--not less--if their state caps malpractice awards. Look, if we want to decrease medical malpractice insurance costs for doctors, then let's talk about that. Let's talk about investigating insurance company pricing practices. Or, if we want to cap something, then let's cap the actual problem, insurance rates. But to put the blame for rising insurance costs on victims--that's not only cruel, it's completely false.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, people on the other side are trying to pass off caps on medical malpractice awards as good for patients and doctors. In reality, it is only good for insurance companies. The truth is, capping medical malpractice awards does not mean insurance rates will fall. Compare average insurance premiums for States with damage caps versus premiums for States with no gaps. For OB/GYN doctors, especially those hard hit by medical malpractice awards, we find that OB/GYNs in States without caps pay only 3.4 percent more than their counterparts in States with award caps. General surgery doctors actually pay $602 more, not less, in States that have caps in medical malpractice awards. Governor Jeb Bush's own CFO was quoted 2 weeks ago saying that medical malpractice insurance is rising in Florida because insurance companies are trying to make up losses in a soft economy. Capping medical malpractice awards will not cause insurance rates to go down. Capping medical malpractice awards is simply a handout to the insurance industry at the expense of innocent patients and victims.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I am honored to rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 40, permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. Remembrance of victims of the Holocaust is an indispensable and enduring task. We all must honor and identify with the victims. I therefore strongly support the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony remembering the victims of the Holocaust. 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 rise today to talk about a very large and important group of my constituents that the Republican TANF bill is completely ignoring. This Republican bill is completely ignoring legal immigrants. This bill denies even its smallest safety net for families who are diligently making their way through the legal immigration process towards becoming full citizens of our country. This bill is ignoring people across the U.S. who pay taxes, who support their communities and, according to Alan Greenspan yesterday, are a positive factor for U.S. economic growth. This bill is hurting children and families, especially in States with large immigrant populations like mine in New York. New York State, under a Republican governor, understands the necessary reality of providing some benefits to legal immigrants. Moreover, immigrants, on average, contribute more in tax dollars than they get back through government services and benefits, and the bulk of the dollars immigrants contribute in taxes go to the Federal Government. Yet, when immigrants fall on temporary hard times, the Federal Government chooses to ignore them, and this Republican bill today ignores them as well. If we are a nation of immigrants, then this Republican bill is not only irresponsible, it is also a slap in the face to our Nation's heritage. This Republican bill is not about finding a solution to poverty; it is about exacerbating the class warfare in this country, it is about dividing and conquering, and unfortunately they are conquering and winning.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my great sadness at the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, its astronauts, and the symbol of global harmony that the Columbia and America's globalized space program represents. On February 1, 2003, the people of the United States, India, the State of Israel and, in fact, all of the people of our world community lost seven heroic patriots. A patriot is defined as a person who loves, supports and defends his or her country. And these 7 were patriots, but in a different sense; they were global patriots. Space is, as the old adage goes, the last great frontier. It is a place claimed by no one and everyone. It is a place where people are not labeled by their race, gender or ethnic origin. Rather, it is a place where all are one--simply human beings working together to advance science, peace and unity of mankind. Their seven global patriots were representing their own country patriotically while also representing the love, support and defense of all of the people and nations of our world. Space is where two former adversaries, the United States and Russia, now work together to build an international space station to advance our shared goals of peace and understanding; where astronauts from all of over the world, of all languages, cultures, and backgrounds, travel to for the purpose of working, sharing, learning and teaching themselves, each other and all of us back on the planet Earth. They are the global patriots who are dedicated to each other and everyone, flying under their respective national flags yet united by the cloth of freedom and peace. That is why the loss of the Columbia is a loss not only to those who lost a relative, a friend, or a national, but also to everyone. While our space program must be put on hiatus temporarily so that NASA can work with all relevant parties to solve the problems that created this sad situation, we cannot--and should not--stop this exploration of our world and of our better selves. We must as a nation and as a global community continue the path laid down by people like Commander Rick D. Husband, Pilot William C. McCool, Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson, Mission Specialists David M. Brown, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and Payload Specialist Colonel Ilan Ramon. Of the seven, I had the honor of meeting Colonel Ilan Ramon and I can tell you many will miss him. Mr. Ramon was a decorated war veteran of the Israeli military, a top student and scientist and, having the opportunity to meet him, blessed with a warm personality. This is a great loss for Israel and the greater global community. This is a particular hit to the school children of the high school in Iryat Motzkin in northern Israel. Almost four years ago, this school selected about 35 of its students to compete in a NASA program to send high school experiments into space. The students gathered after classes for extra work in astrophysics, as they tried to dream up an experiment worthy of a trip into space. In the end, they wanted to know how crystals would grow if they were freed of gravity. The experiment was envisioned as pure science and they were so proud to have one of their own citizens representing them in this mission of global patriotism. Unfortunately, like too much else of late in their corner of the world, the mission did not end in glory but sadness. Additionally, while I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Kalpana Chawla, I do know of her great accomplishments. She was only the second Indian-born astronaut and the first woman from India to travel into space, with this tragic Columbia mission serving as her second space flight. She is a great inspiration to India, representing the technological advances and know how that this country has contributed to all of us. She also served as a patriot to the people of her native India, to her adopted homeland of America and to all people, especially women, as a sign that there are no boundaries to dreams. Additionally, our Nation lost 5 other heroes--patriots who loved their country and loved their world. People like Rick Husband, William C. McCool, Michael Anderson, David Brown and Laurel Blair Salton Clark. These seven are our modern day global pioneers, trekking a new world where war and poverty and the divisions of people will hopefully not be known. Space represents a clean new start and a massive but exciting challenge for the people of our global community. The world mourns them. But the global exploration of our universe and our selves will continue, so that one day, so many more of us will have the opportunity to tell our children and grandchildren that our often tortured Earth looks much better, much more peaceful and much more as one, from afar; and that we can use this physical vision of unity to promote the greater inner vision of global unity of mankind. In fact, it was Colonel Ramon, himself, who summed up best the hopes of space and of global patriotism will benefit all when he stated that as the son of a Holocaust survivor, he carries on the suffering of the Holocaust generation yet serves as proof that despite all the horror the Jewish people went through, our world is moving forward. Mankind must continue to move forward, and if we embody the spirit and dedication of these 7 global patriots and heroes, we will go forward to the benefit of everyone in space and on Earth. I thank the Speaker for allowing me to address the House today to express my condolences to all of us.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey) for offering this recommit motion and implore my colleagues all to support it. Members of the New York State delegation, both Republican and Democratic, met with retired Marine Corps General and now director of antiterrorism for the New York City Police Department Frank LiButti this morning to discuss New York City's homeland security needs. Our needs are real, they are deep, and they are not being reflected in this budget. The President has talked a good game of protecting our first responders, but then why did he veto the medical monitoring funding of $90 million added on a bipartisan basis by the New York delegation in the summer supplemental? Mr. Bush said it was not an emergency. Many of my friends are firefighters. Many of those friends are conservative Republicans. They know and the entire New York City Fire Department know the people who first rushed into the World Trade Center, the people who lost over 300 of their brothers and sisters that day know that this is an emergency. Why does not our President and why does not President Bush recognize the emergency to protect my city and all of our major metropolitan areas from terrorism? Do we rationally think that if we go to war with Iraq that al Qaeda and other terrorist groups will not strike again? The question is not if, but when. The sound bites from the White House are great, and the President, he will talk tough tonight, and the Republican leadership here will say that they are working on it, but the time for back- slapping is over. It is now time to deliver for New York City. We have missed Osama bin Laden. We have ignored our firefighters at Ground Zero. Let us not ignore them anymore. Let us recommit and pass the Obey supplemental bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of extending the Federal unemployment benefits. Everyone has heard about the impact of the current recession on all of our constituents. The country, and especially my City of New York, continues to suffer from recession in part due to the terrorist attacks of 9-11 on our fair city, but in greater part, I believe, due to the economic policies of this White House, highlighted by the President's so-called economic stimulus plan. The effects of this Bush recession have been devastating for far too many once-hard-working men and women, effects such as an economy that has shed 69,000 jobs a month and 2,000 jobs a day. New York State alone has lost over 502,000 jobs and workers. New York City has lost 281,000 jobs. New Yorkers want to work and provide for their families with good-paying jobs, but until America adopts responsible economic policies, these jobs will not be forthcoming. For an economy to lose 69,000 jobs a month and 2,000 jobs a day since Mr. Bush has become President, the only answer is a jobs package and not a gift to the wealthy. This economy needs a shot in the arm and not a kick in the pants, which the Bush White House has given to the American people.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this sham of a continuing resolution. We are back again for a third time because this Congress refuses to do the work it is responsible to do. Tonight it is not only the American taxpayer who is suffering, but specifically it is the thousands of men and women, firefighters, police officers, EMT, volunteers, iron workers, laborers who were the first people to respond to the World Trade Center attack on September 11 of last year. These are the men and women who responded to the attack upon our Nation, who looked for survivors, cleared debris, and began the rebuilding process amidst the most difficult and extreme conditions. The President and this Congress promised $90 million for the health care of the workers at Ground Zero. The thousands of workers who again were the first to respond and rushed down to Ground Zero are only now starting to show the signs of exposure to the most heinous of contaminants. Their afflictions include asthma, sinusitis, chemical bronchitis, and psychological distress. Thirty-five thousand workers were exposed, but only 3,000 have been screened. Fifty percent of those screened have respiratory illness. Fifty percent of those screened need additional psychological assistance. This administration said that $90 million was too much. This was after President Bush was at Ground Zero promising $20 million to New York to rebuild. The most this Congress could do was $12 million for the health of workers. But tonight in this CR they are saying to the firefighters, police officers, those who worked 18 hours a day-plus at Ground Zero in its darkest days, those who sifted through the debris to find their fallen brethren and sisters, their health does not matter. The message is loud and clear in this CR. This Congress promised the workers at Ground Zero $90 million. The word of the Republican congressional leadership to those heroes is worthless. The value of the work done by those workers at Ground Zero is priceless. The behavior of the Republican leadership in this House is simply shameless.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kanjorski).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Harman), the ranking member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Edwards).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell). (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer), a member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. (Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, October 1, 2002, marked the 42nd anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus. The anniversary of Cyprus' independence is a day of mixed emotions. While Cypriots celebrate the lifting of 80 years of British colonial rule, 37 percent of the island's territory remains under occupation. Since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, seizing 37 percent of the island, Turkey has expelled 200,000 Greek Cypriots, moved 80,000 settlers from the Turkish mainland into their homes in an attempt to change the demographics of the area and restricted the rights of the few Greek Cypriots who remained in the north. Turkey's actions have been condemned by the United Nations Security Council and the European Commission of Human Rights as flagrant violations of international law. Delays in negotiating a settlement only prolongs the suffering of the thousands of Cypriots on both sides who have lost their homes and are separated from their communities. The conflict has wasted political, economic, and military resources that could have gone toward economic and commercial development and increased the standard of living of inhabitants of both peoples. Yet despite the division of the territory, the internationally- recognized government in Cyprus has made extraordinary strides toward political and economic development. And while the Turkish Cypriot leadership stalls and avoids serious negotiations, the Government of Cyprus stands to benefit greatly from membership in the European Union. Cyprus is one of only two countries that have applied for European Union membership that met all of the EU's membership criteria--all 80 thousand pages of rules and regulations. Cyprus's admission to the EU would be a boon to the island's economy, and it would add greatly to stability in the region. Neither Turkey nor the Turkish Cypriot leadership should be permitted to derail this process through political or economic blackmail. The European Union has asserted that Cyprus's accession to the EU, expected in 2004, will proceed whether or not a settlement is reached on the island's division. Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash should recognize that Turkish Cypriots would benefit greatly from a combination of national unification and EU accession, which would bring foreign investment, access to markets and jobs throughout Europe, and additional development assistance to northern Cyprus. The unification of Cyprus into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation--as called for by United Nations Security Council resolutions--is the only solution that can guarantee economic development and equal political representation for all inhabitants of the island. The Government of Cyprus has long been a close partner of the United States, and it has proven the strength of these ties by providing its support in our fight against global terrorism. Immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Cyprus was among the first nations to express its solidarity with the United States. Cyprus has granted blanket clearance for U.S. military aircraft to fly over Cyprus and to use its airports, and is sharing intelligence with and providing legal assistance to various U.S. agencies. Cyprus has also introduced tough new criminal laws and regulations to deter and punish terrorists and their supporters, taken measures to freeze the assets of terrorists and increased security measures at seaports and airports and at the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Nicosia. Cyprus has also endorsed and implemented U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001) to freeze the assets of terrorists and their supporters; implemented all other relevant resolutions and decisions of the U.N. Security Council, the EU and other international organizations; and ratified the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism. And most recently, on September 18, the United States and Cyprus signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty that will promote closer coordination between the two countries in the fight against global terrorism, organized crime, drug-trafficking and related violent crimes. As an active member of both the Congressional Hellenic Issues Caucus and the Europe Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee, I have supported a number of legislative initiatives to resolve the Cyprus dispute and promote the accession of the government of Cyprus to the European Union. I joined my congressional colleagues in writing to President Bush to urge that the United States help move the U.N.-led proximity talks toward resolution of the conflict. I strongly support the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, whether or not a solution to the island's division has been reached beforehand. I have cosponsored legislation calling on the U.S. Government to support EU accession, and I have written to President Bush too on this matter as well. I have co-sponsored legislation introduced in the House to end restrictions on the freedoms and human rights of the Greek Cypriot enclaves in northern Cyprus. I personally tried to visit the enclaves during a recent trip to Cyprus so I could see for myself the condition of the Greek Cypriots living there, but I was prevented from doing so by the Turkish Cypriot leadership. I support the Administration's allocation of $15 million each year to promote measures aimed at reunification of the island and designed to reduce tensions and promote peace and cooperation between the two communities in Cyprus. I believe it is critical that the Turkish Cypriot side provide information on the five American citizens of Greek Cypriot descent who have been missing since 1974. As a purely humanitarian matter, the Turkish side must make progress on this issue. As our global village becomes increasingly interdependent, societies around the world are adopting democracy, free trade, and respect for human rights. The Government of Cyprus has embraced these concepts, becoming a responsible actor on the international stage, and its people have benefited greatly from its leadership. I sincerely hope that the Turkish Cypriot leadership decides to make the compromises necessary to end the division of Cyprus so that the entire island can enjoy the fruits of globalization. Until that time comes, I congratulate the people of Cyprus on the 42nd anniversary of their independence.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, the decision to declare war is one of the most important responsibilities our Constitution has charged to us as Members of Congress. As a parent, there is no responsibility that weighs on my mind more heavily than the decision to send our sons and daughters off to war. Yet as a New Yorker, I want to ensure that our country never again faces anything as horrific as the September 11 attack of last year. I have sought out as much information as possible on the threats and risks posed by launching a military confrontation by Iraq, as well as the risks of not acting at all. I have heard intelligence briefings on Saddam Hussein's military capabilities. I have heard administration officials and experts make both sides of the argument in testimony to Congress. I have thought about the thousands of young men and women who may be put in harm's way, and I have thought of their families. During the Vietnam War, my neighborhood of Woodside, Queens, the 11377 ZIP code, lost the highest number of people per capita in our Nation during that conflict. Countless constituents have called me and written to me to express their concerns about the impact that a war against Iraq will have on our Nation, our economy, our communities, and our daily lives. After carefully considering the evidence regarding Saddam's continuing efforts to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, I believe that it is clear that his regime poses a severe threat to the Middle East, our allies in Israel, the United States of America, and to the entire world. Many of my colleagues have called for weapons inspections to be given one last try; but years of U.N. weapons inspections and international monitoring have demonstrated that such efforts cannot work as long as the Iraqi regime remains determined to thwart them. It is also clear that Saddam has no plans to end his support for terrorism. While the administration has not, in my mind, proven that Iraq has provided support to al Qaeda, Saddam has funded Palestinian terrorist attacks against innocent civilian Israelis, paying a sliding scale of benefits to the families of Palestinians who are killed or injured in such attacks. The families of Palestinians who blow themselves up in homicide bombings receive $25,000 in cash; the families of those killed in other attacks against the Israelis receive $10,000. Palestinians seriously injured in attacks on Israelis receive $1,000, and Palestinians slightly injured in such attacks receive $500. Saddam Hussein has volunteered to be the workers' compensation plan for Palestinian terrorists whose homicidal intentions are no different, no different from those of the 19 murderers who flew airplanes filled with innocent people into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people. Only when Iraq ceases to be a threat and takes its place as a responsible member of the international community will our future be secure. Because of Saddam's continued support for terrorism and the serious threat posed by his efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction, I want to express my support for this resolution. It now includes several provisions that I and other Democrats have fought for to focus the authorization more clearly on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. First, I am pleased that the resolution calls on the President to work through the U.N. Security Council to secure Iraq's compliance with existing U.N. resolutions. None of our allies, save Great Britain, have indicated support for military action unless it is authorized by the U.N. Security Council. If we want to bring an end to religious extremism and terrorism in the Middle East, we must work with and not against leaders in the region and in the international community. It is imperative that the United States act in concert with allies and partners, with the authorization of the U.N. Security Council. Second, it is important that the resolution prevents the President from using force against Iraq unless and until he declares that he has exhausted all possible diplomatic efforts and attests that further diplomatic initiatives will have no effect. This means that the use of force will truly be a last resort. Third, the resolution also requires the President to submit to Congress a determination prior to using force that taking military action against Iraq is consistent with actions needed to eliminate international terrorism. This ensures that the war against terrorism, which must remain our top national priority, will not be pushed aside by efforts in Iraq. Finally, the resolution requires the President to report every 60 days on military operations and on the planning for post-conflict activities such as reconstruction and peacekeeping. This provision is critical, as I believe that the administration has yet to develop a strategy for rebuilding Iraq. We will need to lead a reconstruction effort, not just because the Iraqi people need such assistance after decades of living under a despotic regime, but rather because ensuring that Iraq is a democratic, prosperous and stable country furthers all of our national interests. Mr. Speaker, despite my misgivings, and though I wish the administration had decided to wait to pursue this campaign until we and our allies made more substantial inroads in the war against terrorism and groups that support terrorism around the world, I will nonetheless support this resolution. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor to my good friend and colleague, Chairman Ben Gilman. Mr. Gilman has served 30 distinguished years to the people of the 20th Congressional District of New York. I have only had the opportunity to work with Chairman Gilman for four years, but they have been insightful and meaningful ones. Chairman Gilman has always been known for his influential backing of key social reforms. His instrumental role in securing fair human rights practices in the former Soviet Union has been felt and has contributed to the proliferation of American values of democracy and equality worldwide. As Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, Mr. Gilman handled challenging and difficult situations with sensitivity and in a most diplomatic manner. Chairman Gilman has also been an example of what it means to be truly committed to supporting the State of Israel and the Jewish people. His instrumental involvement in peace and reconciliation in Israel as well as in Ireland has secured him a special place in the history of American foreign affairs. Chairman Gilman never hesitated to share with me the outstanding wisdom and knowledge he possesses. His years in the House have been filled with dignity and grace, friendship, loyalty, honesty and integrity. Mr. Gilman's decision to retire from the House will surely deprive us of a strong and effective leader. He will sorely be missed in Congress, by the voters in the 20th district of New York, and by his colleagues and his friends. I wish Chairman Gilman all the best in this new stage of life, and continued health and success for many years to come.