Peter Deutsch

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Iran- Libya Oil Sanctions Act. This bill is important to the United States because it seeks to limit Iran's and Libya's ability to destabilize the Middle East. These sanctions will limit both countries' ability to export terrorism and upset the peace process in the Middle East. I am a strong advocate of this bill because it will hit these parish nations where it hurts--oil production. By limiting foreign investment into the petroleum sector, this legislation will prevent both nations from funding the expansionist military policies. It will make it more difficult for Iran to purchase additional diesel submarines whose sole purpose is to close off oil exports from the gulf. It will hinder Libyan efforts to increase their stockpile of chemical weapons. And most importantly it will constrict Iran's ability to obtain a nuclear weapon. This bill sends a clear message to both Iran and Libya that America will not sit idly and watch them build up their military capabilities for the sole purpose of regional intimidation. I urge my colleagues to support final passage of this bill.

Mr. DEUTSCH

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

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I take second to no one in this Chamber in my concern for human rights and the feeling that many of the abuses in China are as abysmal, as threatening to the human condition as events happening anywhere in the world at any time. I also will take second to no one in my concern about what the Chinese are doing to the island of Taiwan in terms of their missile launches over the straits of China prior to the election, a clear violation of international law. I was supportive, along with most Members of this body, in terms of trying to prevent that activity. Even with those statements, we as this Congress have a choice of how to try to change those policies. It really is a choice of one or two things. We have a choice of engagement, of normal trading relations. As has been pointed out on this floor, trading relations, that we trade with rogue nations, nations whose human rights conditions are on par with China, whether it is Syria or Burma or Indonesia. We can find abuses in many locations around the world that we, in fact, grant what is inappropriately described as most-favored-nation status. We have that choice before us today, whether we want to engage China or whether we want to isolate China. Unfortunately, I think history tells us that by isolation the results of the change in human rights and other things will not occur. I urge the defeat of the resolution.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Stephen P. Clark, a man who dedicated his life to serving the public for more than four decades. He served as mayor of the city of Miami from 1967 to 1970 and again from 1993 to 1996. In between he served as mayor of metropolitan Dade County. In 1970, he resigned as mayor of Miami to win the office of mayor of Dade County. With the exception of 2 years, he held that post until 1993. Once in office he helped transform Dade County from a sleepy tourist oriented county into the growing metropolis it is today. Under his guidance Dade County has become an initial center for banking, business, and the arts in the United States. As mayor of Dade County, Mr. Clark spurred county improvement projects such as a modern transit system, a cultural center, and a main library. He was instrumental in establishing community wide, public- private efforts, to create jobs and economic assistance. He initiated the Housing Finance Authority, which provides low-cost mortgages for new homeowners. Furthermore, he constantly worked to improve living conditions, create job-training programs for the youth, and facilitate effective community relations amongst Miami's depressed areas. In 1993, 23 years after resigning from office, Stephen Clark was again elected to serve Miami as their mayor. He initiated measures to save the city millions of dollars while improving and expanding public services such as the fire and police. He worked to improve communication and enhance ties with the community. Under his direction, the city joined forces with Fannie Mae to create an affordable housing plan which provides nearly 70,000 Miami-Dade families with housing opportunities. In 1994, he hosted the Pan American Summit of Hemispheric Presidents, which was attended by 34 heads of state from democratic countries of the Western Hemisphere. In a time when cities across this Nation have seen shrinking budgets while ever increasing challenges mounted, Stephen Clark was there for metropolitan Dade County. In meeting those challenges head on and conquering them, he touched and improved the lives of millions of Florida residents. Mr. Speaker, Stephen Clark is an example for us all as to what an elected official should strive to become. I thank and praise him for his lifetime of service and dedication.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I would like to underscore the comments of my colleagues who join with me in supporting the Florida delegation's Everglades amendment to H.R. 3662--the fiscal year 1997 Interior appropriations bill. Congress has long recognized that Everglades restoration is a basic quality of life issue. The State of Florida has taken the lead on this by funding the lion's share of restoration. It is crucial that Congress recognize the Federal commitment by funding authorized land acquisition priorities in this Interior bill. Although the committee report claims to make the Everglades a top national priority, this promise can only be fulfilled by fully funding the land priorities in this bill. This Congress is deeply interested in the link between the economy and the environment. There is no better example than in south Florida where our multibillion dollar economy depends solely on reversing the environmental mistakes of the past. I appreciate Chairman Regula's willingness to work with us on this issue. I led the delegation in organizing our unified position, and I know the chairman is aware that a majority of us are on record supporting our efforts today. I look forward to resolving this issue to everyone's satisfaction, and I thank the chairman.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my outrage over the arsons that have destroyed over 110 churches across the country. These vile and cowardly acts threaten our constitutional right to worship freely and safely. H.R. 3525 is a good first step in preventing these heinous attacks on religious freedom. In my opinion, however, it is just a first step and there is far more this body can and should do. Mr. Speaker, the deliberate burning of churches, synagogues, and mosques constitutes a national emergency, and stopping the fires should be our top priority. Every means available to us should be put to use, including the use of the National Guard. We need to make available increased funding and resources for our law enforcement agencies so that they may be better able to prevent and solve these acts of hatred. It is essential that we create a national clearinghouse to monitor, compile, and scrutinize information relating to these fires. Furthermore greater support and funding for watchdog groups needs to be made available. We need to encourage the establishment of a national dialog on the impact and prevention of these depraved acts. It is only through increased cooperation and strict enforcement will be able to prevent future attacks on our sacred places of worship. I encourage my fellow Members of Congress to stand together with the American people and tell those who are perpetrating these crimes that we will not be victims of their hate and cowardice.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate several of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle speaking in favor of this amendment. I think what is clear is this is a bipartisan amendment. It is not just a Florida amendment. Each of us in Florida can speak to specific acquisitions that need to be taken by this country. We can speak, in fact, in south Florida alone, probably in the billion-dollar range of appropriate lands that should be bought by governmental entities. The State of Florida has taken the lead, local governments have taken the lead, and the Federal Government needs to be a participant in that. The property is only getting more expensive. If there is any lesson about land acquisition by governmental entities, it is do it now. Do not do it tomorrow. Do not do it in 5 years. Do not do it in 10 years. Do it now. Because the reality is the land is only getting more expensive. And not just that they are getting more expensive but there is another reason. Each of us is getting a little bit older, our children are getting older and our grandchildren are getting older. What that means is a little less opportunity for us and our children and our grandchildren to enjoy really the treasures of America. That is really what this debate is about, really giving the treasures of America to our children, our grandchildren and ourselves. As I said, there is a place in every part of America that benefits by this amendment. We have people from New Jersey, people from California, people from literally every State in this country, 435 Members. I hope that when the vote occurs, each of us will remember that and the vote will pass unanimously. I do not expect that to happen but I hope that happens, and I think that is what our constituents expect us to do on final passage of this amendment.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, this is a bill that unfortunately we might look back in 5 to 10 years and say this is one of the most important pieces of legislation that this Congress will pass in this session of Congress. It really is dealing with a threat that is out there, not just to the United States but to the entire world, a threat dealing with issues of Iran's terrorism in terms of their activism, in terms of the islands off Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, including their issues in terms of missiles, in terms of diesel submarines. We have the ability by this legislation to weaken their potential to do that. That is exactly what we are trying to do. It is very narrowly, specifically drawn in terms of attacking them where it could hurt the most in terms of their ability to increase their production of oil and to gain revenues to do that. Iran stands out as really a rogue nation today, committed to force terrorism throughout the entire planet, not just in our hemisphere. I urge support of the amendment.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, among its many favorite sons, Key West regards Joe Allen with special affection. Not only has he been an outstanding public servant, he is also the unofficial historian of a city which takes its historical heritage very seriously. This year there is a special facet of Joe's life, to which I would like to bring your attention. It is a romance which began 50 years ago. While serving a brief tour of duty in his home waters helping to track down enemy submarines, which imperiled our ships off the Florida Keys, Joe met Marjorie Holladay of Columbia, KY. At the time, Ms. Holladay had been affiliated with the women of the U.S. Naval Reserve--WAVES. Now after 50 years of happily married life, Joe and Marjorie will celebrate their anniversary on June 21 at the old Civil War fort on Monroe Court Beach, now known as the ``Joe Allen Garden Center.'' Forty of those fifty years have been entwined with a long list of civic and political accomplishments. In addition to serving in the State legislature for 10 years before retiring in 1986, he served 8 years as a Monroe County commissioner and 20 years as tax assessor. While serving as bicentennial chairman in 1976, he was named 1 of 51 State patriots for outstanding service in the field of historic preservation, particularly the restoration of two pre-Civil War forts, East and West Martello Towers and the designation of the lighthouse in Monroe County as a historic landmark. He is also credited with preserving the national guard armory. In addition to their heavy involvement in community affairs, Joe and Marjorie Allen are the proud parents of four sons, Joseph B. III, Dr. William N., John H., and Henry B. I hope you will join me in wishing them a joyous 50th and many more to come.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, the agreement that is really before us, the OECD agreement, is an agreement which I think all of us would argue, at least the concept of the agreement, will greatly benefit the United States of America. It would end the subsidies that other countries have been doing for years, the dumping that other countries have done for years to adversely affect the American shipbuilding industry. All we need to do is look at the facts on the ground in this country today, or the facts in the shipyards. Those facts are that the United States right now does not sell very many ships in terms of the world market, an infinitesimal percentage of those ships in the world market, because of the type of system that exists today and that this agreement is trying to end. Now in front of us, the Bateman amendment says, well, this agreement is going to adversely affect the defense of the United States of America, our national security. That is why we need the Batement amendment. I would reiterate what actually has been pointed out by the chairman of the subcommittee previously, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Crane], that the Defense Department, the Joint Chiefs, have obviously gone through this agreement, have sent correspondence to the chairman of the committee the gentleman from South Carolina, [Mr. Spence] specifically, categorically stating that there would be no adverse effect. There is a specific national defense exemption that exists in the agreement. Mr. Chairman, I think it is really unfortunate to raise this issue, really almost as a scare tactic, versus what the facts are as based through the Joint Chiefs. The other issue that I would raise is, it has been brought out, the whole issue that this is a jobs loss issue for the United States of America. Let us look at the facts. The facts are we are not producing a heck of a lot of jobs in terms of commercial production and, in fact, the commercial production that would exist, the potential for us to compete in that market is far greater than really any potential loss that exists.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I missed two rollcall votes earlier today because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 227 and ``yes'' on rollcall vote No. 228.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, June 6, I was unavoidably absent for rollcall vote No. 222, the vote on H.R. 3364. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to my colleagues, Rabbi Edward Davis, who will be giving today's opening prayer. Rabbi Davis leads the Young Israel Congregation of Hollywood, FL. Yet, Rabbi Davis is far more than just the spiritual leader of his south Florida congregation. After serving as Young Israel's rabbi for over 15 years, he has emerged as a well-respected leader throughout the community. He is a man that people can turn to in their time of need and someone people seek out to share in their joyous occasions. Moreover, he has become a dear friend whose ability to enrich people's religious experience is a treasure and a gift. Rabbi Edward Davis is married to Meira Davis and is the father of nine children. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Rabbi Davis on all that he has accomplished and I ask my colleagues to join me in welcoming Rabbi Davis to the floor.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment to protect the lives and property of millions of Americans. High quality weather service should be a basic guarantee. Unfortunately, this guarantee is in jeopardy today as we consider a bill that would let bureaucrats close weather stations without regard for degradation of service. Mr. Chairman, the certification requirement prevented the closure of the critical weather station in Key West. As the National Weather Service considered closing the facility last year, they were required to evaluate how they could serve the 80,000 residents and visitors of the Keys who live on 43 islands across a 120-mile stretch. The people of the Keys were grateful that the National Weather Service had to consider their unique situation. Without the certification requirement, the National Weather Service would have made a grave mistake. Mr. Chairman, I thought we resolved this issue last year when we debated the exact same issue. Unfortunately, we did not. Congress should not cut corners when it comes to basic public safety, and I thank the Chairman for accepting this amendment.

Mr. DEUTSCH

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

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Mr. Chairman, unfortunately, Texas is not the only community in the country that has been affected by what really can only be described as the worst possible actions of a human being to another human being. In south Florida, within the last 12 months, a case that unfortunately I stood on this House floor before we knew what happened to a young boy named Jimmy Rice, where I had a picture right here of him when he was still missing, where his body had not yet been found, and the gruesome tale of what happened to him in the last few hours of his life had not yet been heard. But there was an end to the Jimmy Rice story, an end that occurs too often in the United States. Mr. Chairman those victims, and the victims clearly are not just the victim, but the parents, the family, the community, really have a right to protect themselves. I have heard the debate in terms of our involvement in the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and whether or not we should direct them to do certain things. I think this is a case where we need to direct them to do certain things, where we as a society need to make a statement, a very strong statement, in fact the strongest possible statement, that this is behavior outside the bounds, and in fact so far outside the bounds, of human decency, of what we expect as a society, that we are willing to do what we need to do to protect ourselves. That is exactly what the Frost amendment does. What it does is expands the jurisdiction in terns of including a broader Federal jurisdiction of sexual exploitation of children, so in cases where people are coming from out of state to commit such an act it can be brought into the Federal court system. That clearly is a major factor in terms of what would occur, bringing Federal resources. But as importantly, what it does is we are no longer even talking about three strikes and you are out. We are really talking about two strikes and you are out in this amendment. And really it should be, to the extent in this type of case, one strike and you are out, and we need to highlight this type of exploitation. The message can be no clearer, the punishment can be no more severe. We know from our own experience, we know from analytical experience, that as a society we protect ourselves, we send a message, we do punishment. That is what the crimes are about, to make it clear that there is a punishment side, and hopefully not just by this legislation but by other actions that we can take, that there will be no victims of crimes like this in America, that we can all live in America some day where there will not be victims of crimes like this, which I think is a hope in the work that this Congress can do in many areas. It is a much broader question than just the punishment side. But I think we need to be as strong as we possibly can on the punishment side, as we will be today. Mr. Chairman, I compliment the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Frost] and this Congress, whom I assume very shortly will adopt this amendment.

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Chairman, earlier this evening this House adopted an amendment where I mentioned an incident that had occurred in Florida unfortunately within the last 12 months and has occurred in Florida and everywhere unfortunately in this country on many occasions, and that is the exploitation of young children. Specifically I mention the name of Jimmy Rice, who was a young boy who was missing from his home for several weeks and actually several months in south Florida, which really became the focus of our entire community. He was missing and then subsequently found to have been sexually abused and murdered. It is a crime that occurs in America far too often, as I said, and it is a crime where I think as an individual, as a society, as a community, we can think of probably nothing worse that can happen to a young child and to their family. Mr. Chairman, we have had a discussion for several hours now about our role in sentencing and our role as a United States Congress in sentencing and setting up penalties for crimes. There has been a debate that has gone on literally for several hours now. I would say to my colleagues that for anyone who has ever spoken to a parent of a victim in a circumstance like this, at that point they would want to be involved in determining the penalty for perpetrators of crimes like this. We can talk about all the theory we want about judges being impartial and unsensitized, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission being impartial, and policymakers, but the truth is in our political process, the fact that we are elected officials, that we represent constituents, that we have to face real people, real parents, and talk to them and try to explain to them why a victim and why a perpetrator are treated differently, and why perpetrators are not punished to the extent that they can be and should be under the law. This amendment is really an attempt to do exactly that, to say in the case of sexual abuse of a child that we are saying that crime is so heinous, so awful, so indescribable from our perspective as a society, as a collective society that this Congress represents, that we are speaking as Americans, as this collective community of America, and saying to the world, and saying to people as a deterrent and as a punishment, ``If you are someone who is going to commit that kind of crime, the we are going to treat you as harshly as we possibly can.'' This amendment does that, combined with the prior amendment which creates essentially a two strikes and you are out provision. As I mentioned, I would support a one strike and you are out provision in a case like this.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, as we get ready to vote on the Anti- Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, I would like to focus on the fundraising provision of this legislation. Ever since the bombings at the World Trade Center and in Oklahoma City, exhaustive efforts have been made to curtail fundraising activities of terrorist organizations here in the United States. It is completely unacceptable that a terrorist organization like Hamas can establish a fundraising center just down the road from the United States Capitol. The fundraising provision in the anti-terrorism bill serves as a crucial first step at ending extremist fundraising operations here in the United States. It enables the United States Government to designate those organizations, such as Hamas, that serve solely as agents of violence and destruction, and prevents them from raising money here in America. Additionally, it prohibits individuals from providing material resources to designated terrorist organizations. But this is only a first step. During the House debate, I drafted an amendment that would have created an even stronger fundraising provision. It would have closed several of the loopholes that allow nondesignated organizations from serving as fundraising conduits for the benefit of outlawed terrorist groups. It would have broadened the scope of individuals prohibited from assisting these violent and ruthless organizations. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the near future to strengthen the current fundraising provision and pass legislation that would force violent extremists to leave the United States and look elsewhere to find their blood money.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the First Baptist Church in Weston, FL, which will begin a great undertaking next week as they break ground on a new 18,000-foot facility. As south Florida has grown over the past several decades, First Baptist has played an increasingly important role in southwest Broward County. This church home has grown from a small community to what is today a family of over 900 believers. This very special group of people have reached out to the community and have focused their energies on including everyone in Weston. Led by an ever growing ministry, their outreach programs have already been a positive influence in the lives of many. The new facility which they are constructing will offer new space for workship and for education. This facility will also provide a recreational area for this community, as well as, for the church and Weston Christian Academy. Mr. Speaker, in today's world in which so many are building walls, First Baptist Church is breaking them down. Their inclusive mission and programs are to be commended, and I know that if every community in our Nation shared their spirit and their mission, we would not face nearly so many problems today.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, for the past 60 years in Monroe County, one man has been at the forefront of fighting for the needs of the Florida Keys. Ervin Higgs has taken a leading role in finding solutions to our communities' problems. In recognition of all of his civic achievements, I would like to take this time to outline all that he has done for south Florida. The Ervin Higgs story began on April 30, 1936 in Key West, Florida. On that day, Ervin Higgs was born into a family of ``conchs'' who trace their heritage to Spanish Wells in the Bahamas. In an attempt to contribute his energy to the community, Ervin sought out public service as a profession. He was first appointed by Governor Askew in 1976 as the tax assessor for Monroe County, FL and has served in that position ever since. When the local government was mandated to adopt a comprehensive plan in compliance with certain state mandates, Ervin was acutely aware of the higher taxes paid under the school funding formula. Even at the early stages, he foresaw that the funding formula could, and probably in the near future, reach a point where local taxpayers would be required to pay more into the state school fund than would be allowed to be expended by the local school board. In order to ensure that all properties were properly reflected on the tax roll when the country adopted the initial comprehensive plan, he realized that the mapping of the environmental features of properties was inadequate. He hired his own consultant and eventually produced maps that were adopted by the county. Through the years Ervin has been in office, he has defended the equity of the tax roll and even fought in the courts to ensure that everyone paid their fair share. He has cost-effectively modernized the Property Appraiser's Office, passing cost-savings back to the taxpayers. As he grew older, Ervin developed into one of those endangered species that is currently being threatened in south Florida as a result of an attempt of almost every level of government to influence and control the future of the Florida Keys. As a ``conch'', he has always been acutely aware of the need to preserve the existing natural beauty of the Florida Keys while at the same time attempting to keep the local economic base viable. For all of his work, I would like to take this time to honor his achievements.

Mr. DEUTSCH

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, let us talk about facts. Mr. Speaker, let us talk about facts. Mr. Speaker, let us talk about facts. Of the 92 police officers that we have records of who were killed in the line of duty, 33 were killed by weapons that are covered in this bill, 33 of 92. Let me read their names: William Christian, Jr.----

Mr. DEUTSCH. John J. Novabilski, April 26, 1995, John Norcross, April 20, 1995, John McLaughlin, April 20, 1995----

Mr. DEUTSCH. Timothy Howe, April 14, 1995, Daniel Doffyn, March 8, 1995----

Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, there are pictures now, there are 19 specific weapons that are restricted by the existing legislation. What I want people in this Chamber and I want people who are watching on TV to look at, which of these guns are used for hunting, maybe it is the Steyr Aug., which is one of the weapons. You can take a look at it for yourself. Is that a weapon used for hunting? Maybe it is the Fabrique Nationale, which is another one. Maybe that is a weapon used for hunting. Maybe it is the Tec-9 or the AK-47 or the Uzi or the Street Sweeper. You know, sometimes, I mean, look for yourself, America, this is what we are talking about today. This is what we are talking about today. These are not weapons that people use for hunting. In fact, if you use one of these weapons for hunting, you could not eat the animal because the animal would not exist anymore. Who uses these weapons? Drug dealers, terrorists, the scum of our society. That is who my Republican colleagues are protecting today.

Mr. DEUTSCH. Henry J. Daly, Michael J. Miller, Martha Dixon- Martinez----