Joe Crowley

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, October 24, I was not present in Washington and, therefore, unable to vote on that day. My wife Kasey and I became the proud parents of a baby girl, 7 pound, 2 ounce, 21- inch baby girl. This is our second child. Had I been here, I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted no on rollcall vote 541, yes on rollcall vote 542, and yes on rollcall vote 543. Also, Mr. Speaker, if I may, on Thursday, October 26 of this year, yesterday, I again was not able to be in Washington and, therefore, unable to vote because I was picking up my wife Kasey and our newborn baby and taking them both back home from the hospital. Had I been present, I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted no on rollcall vote 553, yes on rollcall vote 554, no on rollcall vote 555, no on rollcall vote 556, no on rollcall vote 557, no on rollcall vote 558, no on rollcall vote 559, no on rollcall vote 560, yes on rollcall vote 561, and no on rollcall vote 562.

Mr. CROWLEY. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. CROWLEY. Kenzie, yes.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise opposed to the Commerce- Justice-State conference report. I am opposed to this conference report because it fails to include the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act, also known as LIFA. I am greatly disappointed that the Republican leadership has failed to support Latino issues as they once claimed they would. In 1996, the immigration reform law unfairly separated families and created additional obstacles for hardworking immigrants whose dream was to become productive American citizens. These provisions imposed under the Republican leadership of this House, forced many immigrants into a state of limbo. Prospective immigrants already in the United States, in the process of obtaining their green cards were and still are forced to leave the country and separate from their families, many for as long as ten years before being allowed to return to the United States. These individuals have been wrongly denied the legal status they rightfully deserved since the 1980's. The goal of immigration law in this country should be to keep families together and allow productive citizens who work hard and play by the rules to keep their current jobs, keep living in their current neighborhoods and keep paying their paying their taxes by allowing them as opportunity to become United States citizens. The lives of real people are at stake. Throughout this election cycle, the Republican Party has made claims that they are obviously not truly committed to. The Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act is an important piece of legislation because it effects the lives of our neighbors, our friends, and in essence the people that help this great nation function each day. Today, I join over 150 of my colleagues in opposition of the exclusion of the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act and who are also committed to supporting the President's proposed veto of the C-J-S conference report. We can no longer continue to ignore these unjust and biased immigration laws.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the fiscal year 2001 Foreign Operations appropriations bill. I sincerely thank the gentleman from Alabama (Chairman Callahan) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), ranking member, for their tireless efforts on behalf of this bill. From the explosion of violence in the Middle East to the historic democratic transition in Yugoslavia, the funding included in this package will have a tremendous impact throughout our world. The scope of this bill is not limited to bilateral aid and debt relief. It takes into account important health issues as well. It gives me great pleasure to vote for a Foreign Operations bill that does not contain the global gag rule. The $425 million for international family planning will allow agencies around the world to do their job, to protect the lives of women and children. I want to thank the President for his dedication to eliminating this harmful provision in this Foreign Operations bill. This bill provides $435 million in debt relief to regional banks in Africa and Latin America. I would like to mention two projects of particular importance to me, and the strengthening of the peace process in Northern Ireland. I would be remiss if I did not thank the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey) in seeing that this money is provided in this bill. The bill provides for $25 million for the International Fund for Ireland and $250,000 for Project Children. Both projects promote tolerance, understanding and cooperation in the north of Ireland. The International Fund for Ireland is a wonderful program which bridges sectarian and political divides by bringing people in both the North and the Republic of Ireland together to build stronger communities. With contributions from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, IFI has established the objectives of promoting economic and social advancement, and encourages contact, dialogue, and reconciliation between Unionists and Nationalists throughout Ireland. Project Children was created in 1995 to bring outstanding students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to the United States for the summer. This provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain valuable work experience at the highest levels in the U.S. political system, and offers a new perspective on the politics and culture of Northern Ireland, Ireland and the United States. Most importantly, this program allows the future leaders of Ireland to work in an environment of mutual respect, to demonstrate the progress that can be made by implementing a strategy, of tolerance and cooperation. Tolerance and Cooperation. These are two things that seem to be quite elusive these days. The latest eruption of violence in the Middle East has been cause for concern by many nations around the world. The United States has been a firm and active supporter of the Middle East peace process for many years. We have sought to negotiate a peace that would be acceptable to all parties involved. Unfortunately, negotiating a lasting peace is impossible when all parties are not acting in good faith. Mr. Arafat has chosen the path of violence over the path of peace. The United States cannot condone such a decision. The provisions and funding included in this bill appropriately reflect the position of the United States on this matter. I encourage Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible. Nothing is gained when life is lost. Clearly, this bill covers a wide spectrum of issues that are crucial to U.S. interests throughout the world. With that in mind, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for House Concurrent Resolution 426. I commend the distinguished Chairman of the International Relations committee, Mr. Gilman, along with 152 cosponsors, for bringing this important and timely resolution to the floor. I watched the events unfold during the past several weeks with extreme concern. I watched as Chairman Arafat remained silent while Palestinians and Israelis alike, were being killed in Ramallah and Nablus. It was not simply the silence that was so troubling. Mr. Arafat took active steps to fuel the fire by meeting with representatives of Hamas and Hizbollah. These groups have made it their mission to undermine the peace process and destroy the state of Israel. Dealing with such groups calls into question the goals of Chairman Arafat. I was encouraged by the Palestinian and Israeli commitment to meet at Sharm-El-Sheikh to work out the terms of a cease fire agreement. Unfortunately, Chairman Arafat, once again, failed to fulfill his obligations to the peace process. The agreement called for an immediate and public denunciation of the violence. The statement made by Mr. Arafat to the Palestinian public to that effect was ambiguous and unenthusiastic. It fell far short of what was agreed to in Egypt. As a result, the violence has persisted and has cast serious doubt over achieving peace in the region. In addition the United Nations General Assembly recently passed a one-sided resolution condemning the use of force by the Israeli security forces. At this crucial time, it is essential that the State of Israel knows that we will stand alongside her in her quest for peace. To that end, I am a proud co- sponsor of this resolution. House Concurrent Resolution 426 expresses Congressional solidarity with the state and people of Israel. In addition, it condemns the Palestinian leadership not only for inciting further violence, but for failing to take the necessary steps to prevent it. Mr. Arafat, the United States, Israel and the Palestinian people have all recognized you as the leader of the Palestinian Authority. It is time for you to step up and lead. Tell your people, there will be no intifada, only salaam. If you cannot wholeheartedly support the peace process, the United States can no longer support you. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this process. Let there be no ambiguity as to position the United States will take in this process.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to join my colleagues in support of H.R. 4386, The Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act. I am pleased that the Republican leadership has withdrawn the Coburn Amendment, which will allow this bill to pass the house today. This year, more than 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer. These women are our mothers, our grandmothers, our sisters, our colleagues and our friends. In 1990, Congress took the first step toward the fight against breast and cervical cancer by passing the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act. This law authorized a breast and cervical cancer-screening program for low income, uninsured or underinsured women through the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Since its inception, the program has screened more than 500,000 women. Unfortunately, that is not enough. This program fails to provide any federal resources to pay for treatment once women are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. H.R. 4386, The Breast and Cervical Treatment Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation which would provide Medicaid assistance to treat low-income, uninsured or underinsured women diagnosed breast or cervical cancer. Under this bill, the low income, uninsured or underinsured women diagnosed under the CDC Program will now receive the necessary treatment they need and deserve. In the last decade we have made great strides in fighting against breast and cervical cancers. I am pleased to support this bill because the passage of this legislation today will give many women who were once hopeless a fighting chance to survive this terrible disease.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, when we passed my amendment here in the House, I have to tell my colleagues it has nothing to do in any way, shape, or form with the language that is before the House today. When my amendment passed this House over the Agriculture appropriations bill, millions of dollars were spent in advertisements against that measure to see that it would not pass in the Senate. I have not seen one advertisement in opposition to the Republican language here before us today, not one piece of advertisement for the pharmaceutical industry. Does that not say it all? We try to work in a bipartisan fashion, but, unfortunately, the Republican leadership here killed that because it was too tough. Our compromise was too tough on the drug companies. The GOP has offered their own plan and it is filled with loopholes. The plan is ineffective. It bans reimportation from a number of countries. It does not require drug companies to provide importers their FDA-approved labeling standards. It sunsets reimportation in 5 years. Who wants to invest in that type of a process? The GOP has opposed drug coverage under Medicare. They have opposed price fairness legislation. And now they oppose real language that will reduce the cost of prescription drugs between 30 and 50 percent without costing the taxpayers one single cent. The facts are that seniors in my congressional district pay twice as much for their prescription drugs as their counterparts in Canada and Mexico. And under the language before us under this rule, they will continue to do so even when this legislation is passed. Just like their prescription drug bill, this legislation, this language is a scam.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act, but I do so with mixed emotions. This legislation contains a number of very important programs that deserve the full support of this Chamber. I am pleased that this package contains a new--and long overdue-- entitlement of lifetime health care coverage to our nation's military retirees. For decades our recruits to the Armed Forces have been promised this benefit, only to have our Federal Government not live up to its promise. The brave men and women who have dedicated their lives to the defense of our nation, who represent our first line of defense, who stared communism down and introduced hundreds of millions of people of the world to a concept we often take for granted in the United States-- democracy--deserve this important benefit. It is also my hope that this Congress will now use this new health care entitlement program as a basis to provide a prescription drug program for all Americans. This Congress has continually refused to provide a drug benefit to millions of other Americans who work just as hard as our military personnel. Our retired policemen, laborers, secretaries and seamstresses should also have the guarantee of a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. This Conference Report provides a much needed 3.7% increase in pay to our nation's Armed Services. This increase will help boost the standard of living for our military personnel and their families. Similarly, to address the concerns of the people of Puerto Rico, I am pleased that this legislation encapsulates the basic agreement worked out between the Navy, the People of Puerto Rico and the President. I have worked diligently over the past year to see a fair and just solution to the live fire testing at Vieques in Puerto Rico. President Clinton, Governor Rossello and the U.S. Navy have worked together in good faith to resolve this situation. I am pleased that the Congress is not trying to stop this progress. On the global front, this legislation also lifts any restrictions on the United States when protecting our nation's vital interests internationally and protecting against genocide in places like Kosovo. Our Constitution defines the roles of both the Commander-in-Chief and the Congress with respect to our nation's military involvement. It is not the role of Congress, in an effort to embarrass this President and weaken our nation's resolve in facing down dictators, to try to change this Constitutionally defined role in this legislation. Our military is the strongest and best trained in the world, and this legislation will continue to build on our past successes and ensure even greater successes in the future. But I must also register my strong disillusionment at the actions of the Republican Conferees on this legislation. Although strong, bi-partisan majorities in both the Senate and House acted to attach language to this bill to expand the definition of hate crimes, this Republican Leadership again showed their true colors and stripped it from the bill. This Congress had the opportunity to make it easier for Federal law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute cases of racial and religious violence, and would permit Federal prosecution of violence motivated by prejudice against the victim's sexual orientation, gender, or disability. But again the Republicans ignored the will of Congress and the will of the American people and again kowtowed to the most extreme elements in American politics--people like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. A few weeks ago, 41 Republicans marched to the floor and voted to include Hate Crimes language in this bill. Then they all heralded this vote in press releases to their local media outlets, hailing their celebration of diversity and tolerance. Now comes the true test of tolerance and political moderation. Will these same members again demonstrate their self-touted moderation and stand up to their Republican Leadership and demand a vote on the Hate Crimes bill. We must continue to pressure the Republican Congressional Leadership to understand that bigotry is not acceptable.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, The Republic of China on Taiwan will celebrate its birthday on October 10, 2000. Taiwan has much to celebrate, it is a country lead by a freely elected President, with a open and vibrant press, an astonishingly successful entrepreneurial free market economy and a supportive and caring program of government assistance to counties in need all over the world, from war torn eastern Europe to Africa. In March of this year, Taiwan citizens freely chose Mr. Chen Shui-bian, the candidate representing the Democratic Progressive Party, as their president. Since his inauguration on May 20th, President Chen has shown strong leadership on behalf of the 22 million citizens on Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, on the eighty ninth occasion of the Republic of China's National Day, it is important to remember that Taiwan has a strong relationship with the United States, and we hope this relationship will continue to flourish on the years to come.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio for her kind remarks. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the motion to instruct. This process needs to be an open process. The people of both houses have spoken on a myriad of issues that should not be hidden behind closed doors and vetted out by the leadership alone. Whether it is the issue of Cuba and sanctions or the issue that is very near and dear to my heart and to many Members of this body's heart, the issue of the reimportation of prescription drugs. If you are going to appoint conferees, then let them do the work. Let them meet. Do not pull the ultimate charade by appointing conferees and then go behind closed doors and letting the leadership itself work out or take out, more appropriately, take out issues that they do not want to have in final passage. It was the Crowley amendment that got the ball rolling again and jump-started much of the work that was started by my good colleague and friend from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) and others on the issue of the reimportation of prescription drugs. It is too important and vital an issue to Americans in this country, senior and nonseniors alike, but to most importantly senior citizens, that they have the opportunity to purchase prescription drugs at least at the same rate that their Canadian and Mexican counterparts are purchasing those drugs at. If this is taken out of the agricultural bill, seniors in my district and across this country will not see a reduction in their price of prescription drugs anywhere between 30 and 50 percent. If we do not do this, seniors will continue to struggle. In and of itself reimportation is not enough, but it is the first step. We need to do more. We need to pass a prescription drug measure under the Medicare system. But by passing this provision, we will be going a long way to reducing the overall cost of prescription drugs. Do not hide behind closed doors. Meet in conference. Let the conferees meet. Let all of us vote on this very, very important issue.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Bronx and Westchester Counties, New York (Mr. Engel).

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

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in firm support of H.R. 5272, the Peace Through Negotiations Act of 2000. The unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestinian Authority would negate years of progress made by Israel with Palestinians toward a peaceful resolution to their conflict. This bill clearly illustrates that the United States discourages such an action, and would strongly condemn the Palestinians should they choose to circumvent the peace process to which they had been a faithful party. I commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) for his hard work in crafting this legislation. I would also like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), chairman of the Committee on International Relations for recognizing the importance of a timely consideration of this bill. I have been a close observer of this peace process since its inception. I have witnessed the success, and I have witnessed the setbacks. I regret having to address the issue of restricting aid to the Palestinians when we are so close to reaching an understanding between the two parties. In my view, the Palestinians have a choice, stay the course towards peace and reap the benefits of establishing a nation conceived out of cooperation and negotiation or bypass the process, declare an independent state, and risk becoming a pariah in the international arena. As a supporter of the peace process, I am greatly concerned that Palestinian Authority Leader Yasser Arafat will carry through with his threat to create a Palestinian state with or without an agreement. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, I shudder to think of the repercussions resulting from taking such drastic action. Mr. Arafat, do not let the dream that you have worked your entire life for crumble in order to quell domestic political concerns. I urge you to choose the path to which you have been committed for nearly a decade, the path of peace. The people of Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza have suffered through enough violence, torment, and death during the years of struggle for the creation of a Palestinian state. Let us work together to ensure that history does not repeat itself. The purpose of this bill clearly states that if the Palestinian Authority unilaterally declares a Palestinian state, the United States' provision of resources to the Palestinian Authority would cease immediately. Furthermore, the bill would prohibit the expenditure of any funds for the United States to formally recognize a unilaterally declared independent Palestinian state. As long as Mr. Barak and Mr. Arafat are willing to sit down together and encourage a constructive dialogue to resolve the issues that divide their people, the United States will do its part to support them in that endeavor. Though I hope the terms of this bill will never be realized, I believe it is a strong commentary on how this country, the U.S., feels about the prospects of peace. To that end, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 5272. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Queens, Bronx and Westchester Counties, New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) who is a co-author of this legislation before us today.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my friend, the gentlewoman from New York City (Mrs. Maloney). (Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from the Bronx, New York (Mr. Engel), a stalwart leader in protecting the rights of all of the people of Ireland, particularly from the North of Ireland.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remaining 2\1/2\ minutes. Mr. Speaker, the devolution of power from Westminster to Belfast and its related components have been difficult endeavors for all parties involved. The terms of the negotiations demand sacrifices by loyalists and nationalists alike in order to achieve a successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It troubles me to report that the sacrifices necessary for a viable solution in Northern Ireland have not been made to the fullest. A key factor in achieving a lasting peace in Northern Ireland will be a police force that has the respect and trust of the entire population. The importance of police reforms in Northern Ireland cannot be overstated. It is essential for the local police force to garner the trust of the people it serves. The average citizen, regardless of race, religion or nationality, should be able to call on the police and have them come to carry out their functions, not serve as an occupying army. Mr. Speaker, people can talk until they are blue in the face about how to accomplish true police reform. Unfortunately, dialogue has its limitations. True reform requires action. It has been suggested that the only way we can accurately measure police reform in Northern Ireland will be the day when young nationalists walk into a police station in Belfast, submit an application and subsequently display conduct that is honorable, ethical and enthusiastic for the people of Northern Ireland without fear of favor. In the British parliament, the Northern Ireland Police Bill has been introduced as the vehicle for implementing the Patten Commission. However, there is a significant disparity between the bill and the recommendations proposed by Mr. Patten in his report. Mr. Speaker, failure to bridge this gap could put the peace process in extreme peril. Just yesterday, Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble met Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton to warn him that the Good Friday Agreement could collapse if the British Government did not make concessions to his party with regard to reform of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. There has been an effort on the part of the British agreement to dilute the recommendations of the Patten Commission. I view this report as the minimum that must be done to promote equity and equality in policing in Northern Ireland. I am concerned by the government's recent approach of the cherry-picking parts of the Patten Commission as if it were an a-la-carte menu. Mr. Speaker, I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Patten, so I know the countless hours he has put into a proposal that should be the blueprint for a new force. This process was fair and open to all sides. To make changes at this point to a plan that was so carefully crafted will not serve anyone well. This report and this commission would not have been needed if there was not an injustice to correct. Mr. Speaker, I urge the British Government to follow the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement and uphold their commitment. I want to thank my colleagues here this evening, especially the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), for offering this measure; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman); the gentleman from New York (Mr. King); the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith); and all the other colleagues. I want to thank this administration who deserves a great deal of the credit for bringing this process forward, particularly Mr. Mitchell. I hope we can bring the Mitchell amendment, or measure, before us calling upon the Noble committee to give him the Noble Peace Prize. I do not think anyone deserves it more than he does at this point in time. Mr. Speaker, a vote in favor of this resolution will send a message to our friends across the Atlantic that the United States supports its efforts and encourages the adherence of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement without exception; and, therefore, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 547.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his comments. I recognize the gentleman's work on human rights throughout the world. Not just in Northern Ireland, but throughout the world. But especially in Northern Ireland. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. McCarthy).

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my support for House Resolution 547. I regret that such a resolution is necessary. However, the British Government's failure to fully implement the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten Commission report is an issue of great concern among many Members of this body and must be addressed. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) for moving this measure along in an expeditious manner, and I want to thank my colleague and friend and cochair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs here in the House as well, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal), for introducing this measure. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal).

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the reauthorization of H.R. 1248, the Violence Against Women Act. I am pleased to see that the Republican leadership has finally brought this piece of bipartisan legislation to the floor. Today, the U.S. Department of Justice estimates that between 1 and 4 million women are the victims of domestic and sexual violence in this country each year. Domestic violence is the number one health risk for women between the ages of 15 and 44 and currently, women are disproportionately the victims of violence in the United States. Since the authorization of this bill in 1994, violence against women has declined significantly. But this is not enough. The Department of Justice still estimates that a woman is beaten every 12 seconds in this country. As long as statistics such as these exist, Congress should take all necessary measures to help ensure the safety and well being of women in this country. I am pleased to support the reauthorization of this legislation. Over the next five years, it will reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in order to maintain and expand the domestic violence hotlines, battered women's shelter programs and rape prevention programs. In addition, VAWA will expand the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women, provide assistance to a greater number of victims and support effective partnerships between law enforcement officials, victims' advocates and communities. I am also pleased to announce that my home state of New York will receive $92,661,673 as a result of this reauthorization to help aid the victims of domestic and sexual violence. I believe that now is time for this body to move to help protect the women of this country. We cannot continue to turn a deaf ear to the problem of domestic violence anymore.

Mr. CROWLEY

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe we have any additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cardin).

Mr. CROWLEY

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