Peter Deutsch

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Florida Marlins for having won the 1997 World Series Championship. Created by Wayne Huizenga, administered by Don Smiley, built by Dave Dombrowski, and managed by Jim Leyland, this young team achieved the top honor, to which 28 teams aspire, in just 5 years. By reaching the World Series in record time, the Florida Marlins is the youngest franchise ever to win the World Series and has thus assured itself a place in history. Before this reason, the Florida Marlins had never been in the play- offs. Throughout the 1997 division series, however, they never trailed in games won. They initiated their quest by overpowering the San Francisco Giants and then went on to win the National League Championship Series by upsetting the Atlanta Braves. Then, in a dramatic, extra-inning, seventh game, they defeated the Cleveland Indians to become the 1997 World Series champions. Within 5 years, the Florida Marlins attained a monumental goal that has historically taken championship teams decades to accomplish. The 25 players who achieved this feat are: Kurt Abbott, Moises Alou, Antonio Alfonseca, Alex Arias, Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, John Cangelosi, Jeff Conine, Dennis Cook, Craig Counsell, Darren Daulton, Jim Eisenreich, Alex Fernandez, Cliff Floyd, Felix Heredia, Livan Hernandez, Charles Johnson, Al Leiter, and Greg Zaun. The Marlins' victory was a victory for all Floridians. In a community as diverse as ours, people from different backgrounds have united in their admiration and pride for our baseball team. I applaud the athletic prowess of these men and commend the dedicated efforts of their coaches and manager. I know that the Florida Marlins will continue to give Floridians as a spirit of unity and strength in years to come and look forward to another championship season in 1998.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from the Chamber for rollcall vote No. 514. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Col. Terry L. Rice, upon his departure from his post as Commander and District Engineer of the Jacksonville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Among his many duties in the region, Colonel Rice is best remembered for his commitment to the Florida Everglades and the partnerships he developed toward restoration of this priceless national treasure. Throughout his command at the Jacksonville District, Colonel Rice committed the corps to a balanced approach toward environmental management. He has incorporated creative planning, engineering, construction, and management of projects that encompass the third largest civil works district in the Nation. Historically, the Jacksonville District is known as an innovative global leader in environmental restoration. Colonel Rice has built on this legacy by giving the Army Corps of Engineers a new look in south Florida through his commitment to the people of Florida and his vision for ecosystem restoration. For those of us in south Florida and all who value the Florida Everglades, I wish Colonel Rice great success in his future endeavors.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably absent from the Chamber on rollcall votes Nos. 484 through 489. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote 484, ``aye'' on rollcall vote 485, ``aye'' on rollcall vote 486, ``no'' on rollcall vote 487, ``aye'' on rollcall vote 488, and ``no'' on rollcall vote 489.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the late Broward County sheriff, Ron Cochran. Sheriff Cochran was known throughout the community as a man who truly loved being a police officer. He was elected sheriff of Broward County in 1992 and pledged to change the direction of the police department from its traditional model of law enforcement to a humanistic approach. Successfully, although not without opposition, the Broward Sheriff's Office, and the residents of Broward County, embraced Sheriff Cochran and his innovative ways to execute strict law enforcement initiatives. Ron Cochran joined the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in 1958 as a patrol officer and gradually worked his way up to chief of police serving in this capacity from 1982 to 1987. From 1989 to 1992, he served the Broward School Board as the chief of the special investigative unit. He left that position in 1992 to run for sheriff of Broward County. Throughout his 40-year career as a law enforcement officer, Ron Cochran was known as a hardheaded officer and a warmhearted gentleman. He was devoted to strict enforcement of the law and to a keen understanding of the community he was driven to protect. While serving as the chief of police for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, he designed a community policing strategy that worked to protect the community and also prevent crimes. His principal law enforcement achievement as Sheriff was the expansion of the community policing philosophy. He believed in a grassroots approach and strongly encouraged police officers to get to know the very people they had a duty to protect. Because of his initiatives, the crime rate dropped in Broward County and Sheriff Cochran was praised for his tenacity. Among his many accomplishments as sheriff, Ron Cochran emphasized rehabilitative programs such as the multimillion dollar southwest Broward County boot camp for juvenile offenders and intensive counseling for drug and alcohol abusers. His belief in people and their ability to change was evident in the programs he initiated in the community and throughout the Broward County Sheriff's Office. The people of Broward County will sorely miss Ron Cochran. Throughout his life those who knew him regarded him as a driven leader, a competent law enforcement officer, a humanitarian, a friend, a son, a father, and a husband. Now, he is remembered as a hero to the residents of south Florida.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, last year India held the world's largest democratic elections. This election, called epic by the New York Times and extraordinary by the Washington Times, resulted in a peaceful change in government with nearly 300 million people going to the polls. The government in the state of Punjab, a region the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton] claims is government repression of a Sikh minority, a Sikh-dominated government, replaced the ruling party in open, democratic elections. Voter turnout was actually over 67 percent. Several Members of Congress were invited to observe these elections. Like all developing countries, India has experienced human rights problems. However, as the world's largest democracy, it is taking steps to remedy them. India's free press, independent judiciary and vigorous NGO's have been recognized as models for other developing countries. Last year more than 200 security force personnel were punished for their involvement in human rights violations. The most recent United States human rights report praised the commission's independence and noted that India has made substantial progress in the area of human rights. The Assistant Secretary of State for Asia, Robin Raphel, said in congressional testimony that India's national human rights commission has real teeth to expose the violations of human rights. Independent national efforts to monitor the situation in Punjab, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, continue. The International Committee of the Red Cross went into Kashmir last year and several Members of the United States Congress have been to Punjab and Kashmir during the past 2 years. Representatives of the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and CNN that have frequently visited Jammu and Kashmir have had unrestricted access to any part of the country. International press reports underscore that India's security forces labor under constant pressure of international terrorism. Just recently 33 innocent people were killed and 67 injured in a terrorist bomb blast which occurred on a train in Punjab. India recently abolished the Terrorist and Disruptive Prevention Act which was the subject of objections by several human rights groups. I think the point of these facts to underscore is that when we try to hold India to the same standards that we can hold ourselves, there are not many countries in the world and particularly not many developing countries that can meet that standard. But in the framework that they are working under, I think all of us would agree that there has been a clear effort upon their government to affect the human rights abuses and have made strides and a great deal of progress in those areas. To cut aid at this point in time in this manner would be sending the exact wrong message to the Indian Government and the Indian people. I urge defeat of the Burton amendment.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Horace O'Bryant Middle School's Concert Choir and Serenaders which was commended as the best overall choir among all middle and high school choirs in the Nation. The group from Horace O'Bryant recently won the top award in the finals at the All American Music Festival in Orlando, FL. About 60 middle schoolers comprise the choir and about half of them also participate in the Serenaders, a dancing jazz show choir. Much of their repertoire consists of popular melodies from movies and television shows. I am proud to see that music is still so great a part of our children's lives. The Key West Citizen said it well when it declared that ``We can share this triumph with the kids and their teachers because we know that their music lights the way to a harmonious future for all of us.'' Mr. Speaker, I applaud these students of their diligence and commitment to music and for their excellent representation of Florida in this prestigious national competition. Also to be commended are the team's choral director, parents, and school principal, who gave their time and support.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I have been a longtime supporter of a balanced budget and I voted in support of the balanced budget agreement, but I cannot vote for H.R. 2015 because it veers too far from the agreement and includes some major policy changes that I cannot support. One of the most important goals behind this legislation is to ensure the long-term solvency of the Medicare Program by containing the growth of program costs. One of the most successful ways we can do this, and have been doing this, is through managed care. However, Medicare managed care providers have been unfairly and dangerously targeted in this bill. The reality is that seniors join HMO's and are happy with their HMO's because these health plans provide seniors with extra benefits--like coverage of prescription drugs--that they would otherwise have to purchase Medigap supplemental insurance to cover. By radically reducing Medicare managed care payment rates, this bill will force Medicare HMO's to cut back services and limit the options available to seniors who might consider enrolling in HMO's. This is a horrible strategy for modernizing the Medicare Program. This bill also cuts payment rates for critical services like home oxygen and assisted living devices, but it is these very home services that help seniors to stay out of hospitals and nursing homes. This is clearly inconsistent with a budget that seeks to control health care costs in the long run. This bill also adds $2 billion in Medicare costs by adding medical savings accounts to the program. I supported the demonstration project for MSA's in the private market, but I do not think it is right for the Medicare Program. Instead of simply paying for the services that beneficiaries actually use, Medicare MSA's will pay healthy seniors when they do not use services. CBO has estimated that this will increase Medicare costs by $2 billion over 5 years. Why are we adding unnecessary costs like this when we are making such significant cuts to the program and increasing costs to beneficiaries? This bill also makes the mistake of repealing quality assurances like the Boren amendment that have been put in place to protect seniors from the nursing home horrors that we saw before the Boren amendment was in place. It is just not necessary to lessen the quality of these programs to be cost-effective. And then there's medical malpractice reform. Under this legislation, medical malpractice liability--in State and Federal courts--would limit noneconomic damages to $250,000. That means that retirees, homemakers, and the disabled who would not be able to demonstrate future economic loss would be capped at $250,000 in noneconomic damages no matter how grievous the injury is that they have suffered. Something as important as medical malpractice reform should not be tucked into this bill without complete hearings that would permit the public to express their views on medical malpractice reform. I am very hopeful that these and other serious problems with this bill can be remedied in conference. I certainly support many of the provisions in this bill that I think will improve the Medicare Program, like the inclusion of preventive services such as mammography screening and colorectal cancer screening, and the expansion of beneficiary choice by adding options like provider sponsored networks to the program. But I cannot support the bill as it now stands when many of these provisions will actually hurt the very seniors these programs were designed to protect.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, there is a fundamental choice that we are making today. That is a choice of engagement versus nonengagement with China. It is unfortunate that most-favored-nation status is called most-favored-nation status. It would much more appropriately be called trading status. Among the countries today in the world that have most- favored-nation status with the United States of America are Syria, Iran, and Iraq. It is a choice that we are making to isolate ourselves. Into the next century there is no question that China will be, and is today, but will only continue in its status as a world power. And in that economy we will have a choice in terms of whether we want to be part of that growth and part of that synergy of the world economy or not. I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution in terms of the opportunity to continue just the normal trading status, not really a most favored status at all.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidably detained today during rollcall vote Nos. 220, 223, and 224. Had I been present I would have voted ``nay'' on each of these votes. (By unanimous consent, Mr. Hunter was allowed to speak out of order.) Legislative Program

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the team from the Plantation Key School from the Florida Keys which was recently awarded a top prize in the worldwide Odssey of the Mind competition held at the University of Maryland. In March the team won first place in Florida's statewide Odyssey of the Mind competition, thus qualifying them to represent Florida in the 18th annual world finals competition in early June. At the worldwide level, the team competed against 5,000 students representing 740 schools from across the United States and throughout the world. More than one million students participate each year in localized competitions before the winners are selected to compete in the international finals. The Plantation School group surpassed 54 U.S. and international teams in their division to receive the top award for exceptional creativity in team problem solving. Only 7 of the 740 participating teams were given this award. Team members received individual gold medals at an awards ceremony attended by more than 20,000 spectators. In addition, team members' names will appear on a trophy on permanent display in the Explorer's Hall at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, DC. The Gold Medalist student team members are Tehani Pestalozzi, Sarah Otto-Fitzdam, Jamie Shiereck, Kerry Clark, Leah Ekblom, Grant Turner, and Michael Ratliff. Mr. Speaker, I applaud these students for months of diligent work and for their excellent representation of Florida in this unique international competition. Also to be commended is the team's longtime teacher and coordinator, Harriet Robbins, along with the team's coaches, parents, and school principal, Sandi Bisceglia, who gave their time and support.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained today during rollcall vote No. 204 on H.R. 1057, and during rollcall vote No. 205 on H.R. 1058. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on both votes.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I think for most of us in the Congress and most Americans, if we have heard about the statements of the Justice Minister of the Palestinian Authority or, for that matter, if we have heard or read the statements of Yasser Arafat himself on this issue, it is almost impossible for us to believe that they have actually said what they have said. The statements, which, in fact, have led to deeds as well, are so far from any concept that we as a society and we as a world society hold as values that we want to live by, it is just absolutely almost literally unbelievable. There are particular parts of the statements, and the activities, I think are particularly offensive. It truly is a pleasure this afternoon to join the Speaker in his comments toward this point as well. Because the statements have not just been to prohibit commerce, but the statements absolutely, specifically have been directed against Jews. It is a scary thing, it is a scary thing in 1997 that someone who is a leader by definition on the world stage, a leader by definition in the Middle East, Yasser Arafat, at the present time specifically says that if someone sells property to a Jew that the death penalty is an appropriate punishment, without mincing words, without hiding it; saying the same in English and Arabic in terms of his statements: that if someone sells property to a Jew, the appropriate penalty is death. It is hard in some ways to conceive how the Israelis can stay in the peace process and negotiate with someone who has that frame of reference, who speaks that way, and, in fact, on many occasions has acted that way as well. There is no alternative to a peace process, but I think that my colleagues and the American people unfortunately need to understand some of the challenges that the Israelis are literally living and occasionally dying with in terms of their partners in peace. It is also, again, not just the statements but what appears, unfortunately, to be consistent evidence of state apparatus being used to kill people for that action up to the point that has been mentioned, but just absolutely incredulous that it occurred, and irrefutably this occurred; that members of the Palestinian police force actually entered Israel, kidnapped someone who was a land trader, and but for really luck and circumstance, were prevented from leaving Israel and the kidnapping was foiled by Israeli security forces, and using state apparatus to carry through this incredulous threat and action. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. I think it is a clear statement that we are making that as partners in a peace process, and the Palestinian Authority is the United States's partner in the peace process, this is not just a peace process involving the Israelis and the Palestinians, the United States of America, this Congress, the American people are part of that process as well. We are a part of it in many ways. We are a part of it directly in terms of our aid, and we are part of it in terms of our support at every level. It is a well known fact that both Oslo I and Oslo II were signed in the city of Washington. But I think what is clear and what we are saying is that there is a limit to our partnership. It is absolutely clear that the responsibility of Yasser Arafat is not to call for the death of Jews or the death of Arabs that sell property to Jews, but his responsibility is clearly to condemn that activity, to do everything within his power to prevent it from happening. That is the partner who will bring peace and that is the partner who we, the United States, need as our partner in this process if we are to achieve peace in that part of the world. He must do it. If he does not, I believe very clearly that this Congress will take appropriate action as well.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. The Skaggs amendment is clearly the wrong message at the wrong time. We are seeing specific things almost on a weekly basis occurring in Cuba which show the problems that the Castro regime is having. Internal leadership in terms of fighting the regime, demonstrations where people are literally putting their lives at risk on a weekly basis at the present time. To stop what we are doing now, to make a U-turn, to make a 90-degree turn in terms of the policies at the present time just does not make any sense at all. Let me focus in also on several specifics. One is the issue of the UHF ability which has not yet been tested. It is an ability in terms of having more people access to the station than exist today, but the message regardless is, I am sure that any of my colleagues who are supporting this amendment as they have spoken so eloquently already are not supportive of the Castro regime, are not supportive of his goals, are not supportive of his actions, but at the same time there is no question that changing the existence of both Radio and TV Marti would, in fact, support him in those goals. And I think the lesson of American foreign policy over this century has been not that we have looked at policies because they are easy, but because they are hard. It will not be easy, it has not been easy to change the Castro dictatorship, but I think that the specific things that we can see on the ground are proving that the dictatorship's days are numbered, and I think this Congress in its greatest hours will be able to say that we were part of that in terms of the pressure that we have done through a variety of actions, including existence of Television Marti.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Key Largo Elementary and Middle School for being selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a 1996-97 Blue Ribbon School Award winner. The Key Largo School was given this prestigious award because of its excellence in preparing our young people for the challenges of the next century. Through the school's strong leadership, ingenuity in teaching, and commitment to the community, the Key Largo School is a model for all elementary and middle schools throughout the State and the Nation. Located in the Upper Florida Keys, 105 miles from district services in the Lower Keys, the Key Largo School has used their geographical challenges as a way to enhance educational opportunities for the students as well as the community. For more than 20 years, the school has successfully practiced school based management which has encouraged risk taking, accountability, and the management of the entire school budget at the school level. Today, the school educates 1,293 students from 3 years old to 15 years old providing them with an educational environment that is conducive for productive learning. Among their scholastic accomplishments, this past year Key Largo School scored above average on the Stanford Achievement Test in Reading and Math, scored an average of 3.9 on the Florida Writes Exam with 96 percent of the eighth grade students scoring three or above, and, since 1972, has received consecutive accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, the school has written and received many large and small grants including a Customer Focused School Grant, Retrofit Grant, Home School Connection Grant, and Learn and Serve Grant. The grants have helped to make the school a model technology school for the district and the State; initiate the research, development and implementation of a block scheduling program; develop a theme based alternative education program for at risk students from grade 4 through 8; and service more than 300 exceptional students ranging with disabilities from pre-school handicapped to severely emotionally disturbed to gifted. The support of the community, business partners, teachers, and parents has been instrumental to the successful learning behaviors of the students at Key Largo Elementary and Middle School. I commend Key Largo Elementary and Middle School on receiving the distinguished 1996-97 Blue Ribbon School Award. I know that the students and faculty will continue to exceed beyond their scholastic abilities and continue to be a model for schools throughout the country.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, there can be no greater cause in the United States of America today than the promotion of unity among the races. Recognition of unity in diversity is the foundation for true and lasting peace in our great country. Race unity is the most challenging issue facing our Nation. Only by achieving it can we aspire to exert moral leadership for peace among Nations. June 8, 1977 marks the 38th annual observance of Race Unity Day, inaugurated by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. The purpose of Race Unity Day is to focus our attention on the oneness of humankind and to celebrate our unity amidst our diversity. With its diverse ethnic and racial make up, the State of Florida is an excellent location for a state-wide celebration of this day. The Honorable Lawton Chiles, Governor of the State of Florida, has proclaimed Sunday, June 8, 1977 as Race Unity Day in Florida. Many county commissioners and mayors are signing similar proclamations across the Sunshine State. We commend the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States for inaugurating Race Unity Day 38 years ago. We also commend Baha'i communities, throughout Florida and other groups like NAACP in Key West, and Multi-Ethnic Advisory Board of Broward County for initiating and cosponsoring State-wide celebrations of Race Unity Day. The text of the Proclamation of the Honorable Governor: Whereas, the United States was founded and peopled by individuals of many different ethnic and racial origins; and Whereas, our nation's Declaration of Independence articulates the credo upon which our nation was built, that all men and women are created equal; and Whereas, we live in a world that makes universal peace our first priority if civilization is to survive and advance; and Whereas, the United States of America has sought to serve as an example to other nations of the world; and Whereas, the state of Florida has a population which represents highly diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds; and Whereas, a free people must remain vigilant and mindful of the goals of achieving peace and unity among all peoples; and Whereas, every individual is like a flower in the garden of humanity: Now, therefore, I, Lawton Chiles, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the state of Florida, do hereby proclaim June 8, 1997, as Race Unity Day in Florida with the fervent hope that Americans everywhere will take this time to accept and wholeheartedly celebrate unity in diversity.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bicentennial celebration of Maison Louis Latour of Beaune, France. Since the winery was first established back in 1797, seven generations of Louis Latours have succeeded to the head of the family business. Over these 200 years, the Latour family has become known throughout the wine industry as a prominent leader in the trade. Through the ingenuity and leadership of the Latour family, Maison Louis Latour has achieved remarkable success throughout the world and in particular in the United States. Since the beginning of the 17th century, the Latour ancestry has been grower, cooper and wine merchant in Aloxe-Corton, the famed vineyard region in the heart of the burgundy countryside. In the mid-18th century, Louis Latour built up the family business and established himself in Beaune as a ``negociant en vins fins,'' shipper of fine wines. Within a few years, he owned 15 hectares of the best vineyards in Aloxe-Corton. Today, the Latour estate consists of 125 acres--a collection of vineyards stretching from the appellations of Chabertin and Romanee Saint-Vivant in the Cote de Nuits to Chevalier-Montrachet in the Cote de Beaune. The family continues to run the company and remains true to the local, loyal, and constant traditions of burgundy. Having been represented in the United States since before the turn of the century, Maison Latour, in 1985, established an American subsidiary, Louis Latour USA Inc. This company has helped generate jobs not only at the subsidiary, but also for professionals working with Louis Latour across the United States in the distribution and marketing of their fine wines. In addition to the celebration of their bicentennial, I commend Louis Latour on their recent admittance into the exclusive Henokiens Club, a renowned international club of family run businesses. Louis Latour met the criteria that allows them to be members of this club, namely, a company that is in sound financial health, a company that has been in business for at least 200 years, and, a company that continues to be run by members of the original family. I congratulate Louis Latour on being one of the oldest names and most prestigious in burgundy. The completion of 200 years of history without an unbroken line from father to son is something exceptional. I wish you the best on this remarkable occasion and know that you will continue to make the wine industry proud for generations to come.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, we are here because of GATT and we need to acknowledge that. We are really here because of GATT telling the United States and telling this Congress and telling the American people that we have to follow a certain procedure in terms of dolphin safety. I want to talk a little bit very quickly about specifics. This bill, if it passes, will allow a procedure in terms of catching tuna which uses dolphins, literally uses dolphins by helicopter sighting, and wraps around the necks of the dolphins, which openly is incredibly disturbing. The way the bill sets up the procedure to allow that fishing method to exist, with observers on tuna boats, is that if they do not kill a dolphin, then it can be labeled safe. And then the next catch, if they kill a dolphin, the next catch is not safe. If we know the specifics of this legislation, it defies logic. It defies logic to think that it will work. It just cannot work. It is a bad deal for the American people, it is a bad deal for GATT, it is a bad deal for the dolphins. We can negotiate a better deal, and I urge its defeat.

Mr. DEUTSCH. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I am really talking about the practical level. And hopefully my colleague and I, both of us are well- intentioned with our desires. But I think on a practical level the Mexicans, and that is what we are really talking about, the Mexican fishermen who want to enter the United States market, which they have not been able to do because of the marketing aspect of dolphin safe tuna, this really changed it.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the contributions of Marjory Stoneman Douglas--an American hero who turned 107 years old yesterday. Mrs. Douglas is one of the mightiest protagonists of the Florida Everglades who led the first efforts to raise public awareness of Florida's River of Grass. In 1947, Mrs. Douglas wrote her landmark book on Florida's largest wetlands ecosystem ``The Everglades: River of Grass.'' This pioneering work was the first to highlight the plight of the everglades and ultimately served to awaken public interest in restoring its health. Still going strong in her 107th year, Mrs. Douglas has dedicated her life to the defense of the Everglades through her extraordinary personal effort and by inspiring countless others to take action. Recognizing these accomplishments, President Clinton awarded her the Medal of Freedom in 1994, the Nation's highest civilian award. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced legislation which honors Mrs. Douglas' legacy by creating the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness in Everglades National Park. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness will serve as a permanent and natural monument to the American hero who helped save North America's greatest wetland ecosystem. This year, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the park and the first publishing of ``The Everglades: River of Grass,'' I believe it is fitting that we permanently honor Mrs. Douglas' legacy through this legislation.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize William Katzberg for being honored by the Middle East Network on the occasion of his 1,000th weekly, consecutive column for the Jewish Journal. For the past 20 years, William Katzberg has provided his readers fair and objective literary works on issues relating to Israel and the Jewish community. His journalistic contribution stems from his dedication to straightforward journalism and enduring love for the State of Israel. In 1987, the Middle East Network in south Florida, formerly known as the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, was concerned about erroneous news reports the American public was receiving regarding the Arab Infatada. The media reporting from the Middle East had fabricated the news in an attempt to capture America's interest in the battle transpiring in the Middle East. The media's deception was widely considered as a war of information--a war as devastating as the war being fought between Israel and the Arabs because it was turning world opinion against Israel. The Middle East Network held an organizational meeting to put an end to the fictitious news reports and generate fair and impartial reporting regarding Israel. William Katzberg was an invited guest because of his journalistic integrity and support of Israel. He immediately recognized the grave impact of the deceptive reports and called on the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale to help promote accuracy in Middle East reporting. Over the years, William Katzberg has written a great deal about Israel and the Jewish community. His column appears in the Jewish Journal, and, on occasion, in the Miami Herald and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. He has become quite popular among residents in south Florida as a media journalist, a speaker, and a leader. In addition to his column, William Katzberg has helped organize mass meetings for the Middle East Network, has acted as a meeting moderator, and has produced a series of documentary films on Israel including: ``Israel Under Siege,'' ``the Hope, the Struggle, and the Miracle,'' ``From Ellis Island to Jerusalem,'' and ``Israel, Between Terror and Peace.'' These films have been shown to synagogues, churches, and colleges and universities in south Florida to help increase awareness of Israel and her people. William Katzberg remains actively involved in the Jewish community in south Florida. He is a member of the board of directors and on the executive advisory community of the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Through his involvement at the federation, he has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the United Jewish Appeal. He also participates in leading group trips to Israel for the Jewish Federation of Greater Fort Lauderdale and for the Temple Beth Torah, where he is also a member of the board of directors. His activity in both Jewish affairs and journalism has earned him a seat on the Jewish Telegraph Agency Board of Directors as well. I wish William Katzberg the best on receiving this prestigious honor from the Middle East Network. I know he will continue to be an effective voice and journalist for the Jewish community in south Florida and in Israel.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to also rise in support of this resolution. I had the honor and distinction of being able to travel to Nicaragua as an observer for the elections, and it was an experience that will have an impact on me for the rest of my life, to see the level of commitment, in terms of democratic process, in a country which was just described as a poor country in economics but not in spirit or in hope. In our country, our turnout for elections is arguably only about 30 percent, if we include unregistered voters. Nicaragua's turnout in the election was anywhere between 85 and 90 percent of eligible voters--85 to 90 percent. And in part of the country people literally had to walk a day to vote. Over 50 percent of the country really does not have electricity, does not have a road system, by any comparison to anything in the United States, where people literally had to walk a day to vote, a day in one direction or several, 8, 10, 12, 14 hours in one direction, 14 hours in another direction. And they did it. As has been described, Mr. Speaker, we are living in really a golden age of democracy in the Western Hemisphere, an age that seemed unprecedented or impossible a decade or two ago. Nicaragua is a shining example of that success. And the involvement of the Nicaraguan-American community throughout America, but particularly in south Florida, as part of that process, I think, has been very positive. Again, I think this Congress is looking forward to working hand-in- hand with the new administration in Nicaragua towards a redevelopment of the country, to strengthen it and to assure that its economic and democratic systems will continue for all times.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, a Taiwanese-American constituent gave me a book entitled ``Formosa Betrayed'' written in 1965 by American diplomat George Kerr. The book describes a painful episode in Taiwan's history, which is today known as the 2-28 Massacre. Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the massacre. After Japan had lost World War II, Taiwan was put under temporary administrative control of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Kuomintang. At the time, the Kuomintang was still fighting its civil war with Mao Tse- tung's Communists on mainland China. The Nationalists under Governor Chen Yi treated Taiwan as a conquered territory. Initial euphoria about the arrival of the nationalist troops in Taiwan soon changed to conflict when the new authorities turned out to be repressive and corrupt. That anger resulted in the 2-28 Massacre which claimed the lives of an estimated 18,000-28,000 Taiwanese in 1947. The event represents the beginning of 40 years of Martial Law on the island during which Chiang's mainlanders ruled the island with an iron fist. Mr. Speaker, the date February 28 is etched in the hearts and minds of the Taiwanese people. Beginning this year, Taiwan dedicates February 28 as a national holiday. On the 50th anniversary of the 2-28 Massacre, we recognize the sacrifice of the Taiwanese people and their struggle for self- determination and reaffirm our commitment to a free and democratic Taiwan and to the strong relationship between our two countries.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the death of four Cuban- Americans whose civilian aircraft were shot down by the fighter planes of the brutal Castro regime. For those who doubted the cruel means the Cuban dictator is willing to employ to protect his stranglehold on the island nation, this act was a shocking example. On this first anniversary of their death, it is important to remember those who have given their lives to fight against Fidel Castro and to realize that this fight is still far from over. Of all of the lessons arising from this tragedy, perhaps the most telling is the need for America to maintain its resolve, to lead by example and to show that these patriots did not die in vain. Most of the Members in this Chamber were here last year when we voted on the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act, sponsored by Senator Jesse Helms and Representative Dan Burton. The passage of Helms-Burton was a bold step toward tougher sanctions on Cuba and signified an American commitment to add teeth to our policy toward Castro. Helms-Burton was not meant to punish the Cuban people, but rather to focus our efforts on Castro himself and to highlight the hypocrisy of those who choose to do business with the oppressive dictator. Mr. Speaker, I find it unfortunate that it took a tragedy in the Florida Straits to energize Congress and the administration to act on tougher sanctions. I am hopeful, however, that the passing of these four brave individuals will help usher in a new era of change for Cuba and that we will forever remember the risks some are willing take for the promise of freedom.