Tom Cole

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, this resolution encourages France, Germany, Russia and other countries to forgive the debt owed to them by Saddam Hussein's regime; to make generous pledges for Iraq's reconstruction at the forthcoming Madrid donor conference; to work with the Paris Club on debt forgiveness issues for Iraq; to acknowledge the role that Iraq's current debt has in hindering reconstruction efforts; and to educate their populace about the importance of debt forgiveness in Iraq's reconstruction. France, Germany, Russia and other countries have all been vocal about opening up Iraq's reconstruction contracts. If they wish to participate in this process, they should have the generosity and decency to contribute positively to the reconstruction effort by forgiving the debts. Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable for nations to expect the Iraqi people to repay the debts contracted by the terrorist and despotic regime of Saddam Hussein, particularly when those people were in part the victims of that regime and had no say in the loans in question. H. Res. 198 will assist the public debate in these issues going into the Madrid conference of donors and will put this House on record for supporting debt forgiveness on this significant issue. Mr. Speaker, America's given its most sacred resource, the lives and blood of its soldiers, as well as billions of dollars, in order to rid Iraq of Saddam Hussein and begin the difficult task of reconstruction. It is only right that other nations should forgive their debt and begin to participate in the process. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 198. This is a resolution which I introduced several months go to address the inadequacies of France's, Germany's, and Russia's efforts in participating in the reconstruction effort. In doing so, I believe it best to highlight the outstanding debt owed to them by Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, the time has come for the consideration of its resolution. In the past year, the United States has committed its most precious commodity, the lives of our men and women, for the liberation of an oppressed people. It is not an action which we took lightly as a Congress, and one which we took after much consideration. Now we must win the peace, and in doing so, call upon the very nations who have indicated they would like to see the successful reconstruction of Iraq to forgive its debt. The odious debt which the regime of Saddam Hussein contracted with numerous countries is not one which would be foisted upon the innocent people of Iraq. Now is the time for debt forgiveness and now is the time for the community of nations to come together and assist in solving this problem. In particular, France, Germany, and Russia must bear special responsibility for this because they represent the countries most vocal in supporting the illegitimate regime of Saddam Hussein. The Speaker, the past policies of these countries were particularly helpful to Saddam Hussein's regime when United Nations Resolutions prohibited such relationships. They have requested that they be allowed to assist in reconstruction, and this is a first step. Furthermore, because of their particular role over the last decade, it would be particularly helpful if they were to pledge greater amounts of money to aid in Iraq's reconstruction at the upcoming Madrid Donors' Conference. Thus, we have amended this legislation to reflect that fact. Mr. Speaker, we are about to enter into a great debate over the substance of a Supplemental that will directly aid Iraq in its reconstruction. While there are a variety of opinions on the Supplemental, there is little doubt that America will keep her word to the Iraqi people and directly aid her in reconsideration. There is absolutely no question that we will not hold the innocent people of Iraq responsible for the actions of Saddam Hussein. Vote ``yes'' on House Resolution 198.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1828, the Syrian Accountability Act. It is time for Syria, quite frankly, to make a choice. In Lebanon its troops have been there far too long. The sponsorship of terrorist activity against the State of Israel is no longer, and never was, acceptable. Finally, the porous borders between Iraq and Syria which terrorists move across is a constant threat to American troops. As our President has said, There is no middle ground in the war on terrorism. It is simply not acceptable to cooperate in some areas as Syria occasionally has, and yet to cooperate with terrorists on the other hand as it constantly has done. I am extraordinarily proud of the United States Congress for making this strong statement in a bipartisan fashion, and I hope the message will be understood and acted upon in Damascus.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3108, the Pension Funding Equity Act. This bipartisan, shorted-term fix is important so we can develop a long-term solution to the challenges faced by both employers and employees who participate in defined pension plans. This interim solution is necessitated by an unusual combination of events: Record-low interest rates, although they are beginning to tick up; a stock market decline, although, frankly, that has now reversed itself and become a stock market rally; growth in the number of retirees; and discontinuation of the 30-year Treasury benchmark that previously provided the means used for determining funding liability. Unless we make this temporary adjustment in H.R. 3108, employers will face demands on their capital that will lessen their ability to create jobs and invest in our future. Workers will have less certainty in terms of their own pensions, and that, in turn, may well affect consumer spending and affect this economic recovery. H.R. 3108 provides the time necessary for the recovery generated by the Bush tax cuts, which is clearly underway, the continued generation of new jobs, and new increases in stock market values, which over time will ease some of the pension challenges that we face, and, frankly, ultimately provide a better environment in which to find a long-term bipartisan solution to this problem. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3108. It is simply the right thing to do.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on October 10, 2003, one of our largest trading partners, the Republic of China on Taiwan, will be celebrating the 92nd anniversary of its National Day. I wish to join my colleagues in the United States Congress in sending best wishes to the twenty-two million residents of this lovely island. I also commend President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu as they continue to lead Taiwan to greater economic prosperity at home and greater participation in international activities abroad. Just like our 4th of July, October 10 marks the beginning of a fantastic story of economic, social and political success that has culminated in Taiwan becoming a vibrant democracy in the Pacific Region. These are exciting times in the history of relations between the United States and Taiwan. Mr. Speaker, on this 92nd 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 and grow in the years to come.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague yielding to me. I rise in very strong support of the supplemental appropriation that the President has requested. In doing so, I do not take the position, and I am sure my colleagues do not, that this supplemental appropriation will be free of scrutiny. We will look it over; and, frankly, we will check it out, and I have no doubt in the legislative process we will improve it greatly. But I think as to the big question, the President has it right, and I think he has it right for three reasons. First, as has been alluded to several times by a number of speakers tonight, our own history gives us the lessons that we should be drawing in this particular case. In the First World War, we won the war, we participated with our allies, but we did not do anything to rebuild a shattered Europe afterwards. Less than a generation later, young Americans were dying again in the same fields, in the same countries, for the same cause. In the Second World War, we took a different approach and it was extraordinarily successful. We not only won the war, we won the peace, we secured Europe; and, in doing so, we set up a powerful example in Europe that saved that continent from the awful tyranny of Communism. There is even a more recent example and, frankly, a less happy one that I think as Americans we ought to reflect upon. We were engaged indirectly and, to some extent, directly in the struggle in Afghanistan to push out the old Soviet Union, and we were successful in that. We walked away from the problem. And in walking away, we left a country that was destroyed, that was devastated, that was divided; and in less than a generation, frankly, in a matter of a few years, terrorists set in, took over and planned and launched a deadly attack on the United States that we have lived with the consequences of. We should learn from our own history. The second reason I support this supplemental is, quite frankly, the situation in Iraq. There is no question Iraq is a potentially rich country, but it is not rich today. The oil revenues, the revenues that the people of Iraq generate from their hard labor and work need to be reinvested in Iraq and will be reinvested in Iraq. The reality is there is simply not enough wealth to be created to get the job done and to get the job done in a timely, expeditious way, a way that is good for Iraq and, frankly, in a time frame that makes it possible for our own people to leave as quickly as possible, which is what we want and what they want. Finally, and most powerfully, I think I favor this resolution simply because I support our American troops that are on the ground there. We have asked a generation of young Americans to perform a dangerous and difficult task. I serve on the Committee on Armed Services, Mr. Speaker; and every single military person that has come to visit with us has told us this is an important part of winning the war, securing the peace, and that these dollars, particularly spent on civilian projects and rebuilding and reconstruction in Iraq, enhance the security of American forces that are deployed. I want American troops to be looked upon as what they are: liberators and benefactors. I do not want them to be regarded as conquerors, occupiers, and exploiters; and I think the latter will be the case. So, Mr. Speaker, I think this is a historic opportunity. All of us have a responsibility, I think, to do what previous generations of Americans have done: rise up, meet this challenge. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank the gentleman for his leadership. He has not only spoken eloquently tonight, but I too heard the gentleman repeatedly in groups, caucuses, and organizations; and the gentleman is doing a fantastic job.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support, for H.R. 3039, legislation introduced today by my colleagues and myself to expand opportunities in our great nation's higher education system. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill and helping to increase access to postsecondary education. For nearly four decades, the Higher Education Act has provided opportunities to students throughout the nation as they worked toward a postsecondary education. Now, in the technologically-driven economy of the 21st century, a college education is more important than ever. That's why the bill I am offering is so important; it will help remove barriers and ensure students have the opportunities they need to meet their educational goals. The cost of college in America has risen rapidly over the past few decades, and this has made achieving the dream of a college education a difficult proposition for many students. However, though college costs are a significant impediment for many aspiring college students, they are but one of many unnecessary barriers to a college education in America. Expanding opportunities for students by removing these barriers will help increase access to college. By encouraging innovative solutions such as distance learning and the use of advanced technology in the classroom, schools can provide non- traditional college students with a better chance to succeed. I also believe addressing the needs of America's minority serving institutions must be a priority, because these valuable institutions play an essential role in providing opportunities for many students. There are several areas of particular importance in this legislation. Each of these provisions serves to break down barriers, remove obstacles, increase flexibility, and ultimately expand opportunities within higher education. This legislation allows for fair and equitable treatment of all institutions, removing the arbitrary rules imposed on some and not others and providing all institutions the ability to compete for federal grants and better serve their students. An additional unnecessary barrier in current law that is restricting opportunities for students and flexibility for schools is the so-called 50 percent rule. This rule arbitrarily restricts the number of courses that can be offered and the number of students that can be enrolled in courses offered via telecommunications. While this outdated rule was implemented to provide safeguards, times have changed and technology makes online education an important tool in achieving success for many non-traditional students. This bill takes the important step of repealing the 50 percent rule, while maintaining stringent requirements for quality to ensure the integrity of distance education programs is monitored and maintained. The Expanding Opportunities in Higher Education Act also seeks to strengthen programs such as TRIO and GEAR UP which provide critical student support services. By providing these programs with the flexibility they need to meet the unique needs of the student populations they serve, programs such as these will expand opportunities and allow students to thrive. Though the legislation I am offering includes many more important reforms, there is one more area of particular importance that I would like to address. Minority Serving Institutions offer tremendous educational opportunity, and I'm pleased that the Expanding Opportunities in Higher Education Act would make important reforms to allow these institutions the freedom they need to help their students succeed in higher education. Like all institutions, Minority Serving Institutions must advance their technological capabilities with the changing times and advancement in technology. This bill would allow Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities among others to use a portion of their funds to expand Internet capabilities and other distance learning capabilities, encouraging the use of advanced technology and expanding opportunities. The Expanding Opportunities in Higher Education Act builds upon the significant reforms for Minority Serving Institutions made in the Ready to Teach Act earlier this year. That legislation created a program to establish Centers of Excellence at high quality Minority Serving Institutions to strengthen and improve teacher training, expand recruitment of minorities in the teaching profession, and provide scholarships to help future teachers pay the cost of completing a teacher training program. Taken together, these and the many reforms in the bill will help to renew higher education and expand opportunities, helping millions of students and the institutions which serve them. I'm pleased to speak in strong support of this legislation, and encourage my colleagues to join me.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on June 10, 2003 for rollcall votes 252 and 253, I was unavoidably detained. If I had been present, on rollcall vote No. 252, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 253, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on May 9, 2003 for rollcall vote Nos. 177 through 182, I was in Oklahoma due to the devastating tornado that struck my District. If I had been present, on rollcall vote No. 177, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 178, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 179, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 180, I would have voted ``yea.'' On rollcall vote No. 181, I would have voted ``no.'' And on rollcall vote No. 182, I would have voted ``yea.''

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 123, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, this is the first occasion I have had to speak in the well of the House, and I do not expect to ever have an opportunity to speak on a more important issue on a more important occasion. I keep in my office a picture of my uncle who was liberated from an axis prison camp in August 1945 after spending over 3 years in enemy captivity. He is surrounded by another group of brave Americans, and I keep that picture to remind me of the sacrifices people paid so that we have an opportunity to come here and debate and argue and discuss the great issues of the day. I often asked my uncle when I was growing up if he ever thought that he would be left behind or forgotten. He told me never, that he knew no American would ever leave another American in captivity. I knew some day my fellows would come for me. Mr. Speaker, I want to assure those brave men and women in captivity tonight that their country has not forgotten them. We will come for them. We will make sure that they come home safe, sound and free. I also want to join the Members in this House in warning their captors that if they are not treated with respect and with the dignity that they not only deserve but that we extend to our enemies in this particular conflict, there will be a terrific price to pay in terms of being war criminals. Finally, I want to say how proud I am to be in this body at this moment, where we have differences occasionally on policy, even this policy; but we have absolutely no difference when it comes to our regard for the men and women in uniform that serve and protect us, and absolutely no difference in our determination to reach out to them to protect them and to see that they are dealt with fairly when they are in captivity and they come home safely.

Mr. COLE

Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. It is a great pleasure to be with my good friend, the distinguished Member from Florida. I did not come here with prepared remarks and certainly I do not pretend to be able to match the eloquence of my good friend, the gentlewoman from Michigan, or the gentleman from Colorado; but I came because I was compelled, listening to the debate and having watched the debate over many days, to express my solidarity and my sentiments about the great injustice that I feel is being done here. This is the ultimate expression of politics over principle. And what kind of principles are at stake? The principle first of merit. There is no question about Miguel Estrada's merit. He is a jurist of outstanding quality and a lawyer of distinguished accomplishment, someone who Members of both parties have recognized for his individual brilliance. This is a triumph over the principle of diversity. It is a good thing in a diverse country to have a diverse bench, to have people of different backgrounds, with a common faith and belief in this country but representing different cultural and different racial and different ethnic traditions to occupy important positions. It is the triumph of politics over the principle ultimately of fair play, the most fundamental American principle of all, the right to have a vote, the right to be heard, the right for a decision to be made. It is unfortunate. And it is the triumph of politics over the principle of bipartisanship, as my good friend from Florida has pointed out. There are Democrats and Republicans of good will, of differing philosophies, of differing points of view but united in their belief that Miguel Estrada is a person of outstanding integrity, of great ability and as deserving of the position to which the President has nominated him. I reflect back, Mr. Speaker, on what might have happened had similar things occurred when Colin Powell was nominated for his position as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, an action which takes approval, of what might have happened when our distinguished national security adviser was chosen for her respective position. Questions were not raised then about them, what their political philosophy might be, because they were people of outstanding character and outstanding ability. Their appointment to the posts which they both currently hold is an indication of respect on both sides of the aisle for their ability. I think in this case again we are seeing an individual punished not on the basis of merit, not on the basis even of philosophy directly but on the off chance that he might be a conservative. Certainly he is not being punished simply because he is a Hispanic. I would hope not, and I would certainly expect not. I would not attribute that motive to any of those who oppose him. But there is a sort of subtle double standard here in terms of you have to be the right kind of Hispanic. You have to believe in the right set of principles in order to occupy a position of trust and responsibility in the United States. That is simply inappropriate. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I have a Native American heritage. Many of the people in the tribe to which I belong are historically Democrat. But frankly they supported me because they thought I had the ability to represent their views and their point of view. That is in essence what is at stake here, whether or not we will discriminate or stand idly by and watch someone discriminated against simply because they hold a view which a minority of people think might be unpopular but which the majority in this country clearly support. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida again for taking on this fight, for waging it so diligently and for mobilizing so much support on behalf of not just an individual but on behalf of the defense of fundamental American principles.