Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the distinguished Chair how many speakers she has remaining.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we reserve.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I reserve my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I thank my friend, the distinguished chairwoman, Ms. Slaughter, for the time. I wish her the best today, and all those who participate in this debate. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, no worker should ever be subjected to discrimination because of gender or any other reason. Anyone who commits such discrimination must be stopped and punished for reprehensible behavior. Discrimination has no place in the workplace. For that reason, Congress has passed two major laws that prohibit an employer from paying an employee a different wages or otherwise discriminating in any term or condition of employment on the basis of gender. These prohibitions against discrimination are provided in both title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Pay Act of 1963. The underlying legislation, H.R. 1338, seeks to further prevent gender discrimination in the workplace. The legislation has raised some concerns on how it seeks to achieve the goal. For example, in a letter from the Secretary of Labor, Ms. Chao, to Chairman Miller, the Secretary expressed concerns that the legislation would allow for unlimited compensatory and punitive damages, and she also expressed opposition to changes in the establishment requirement. Under current law, employees whose pay is being compared, must work in the same establishment. In the underlying legislation, that would change to mean workplaces in the same county, and it also allows that change to be defined even more broadly. But, without doubt, Mr. Speaker, this legislation deals with a very important subject. Mr. Speaker, later this week, the House of Representatives is scheduled to take a 5-week recess so Members can return to their districts but, unfortunately, without having considered comprehensive energy legislation. A few days ago, I held a town hall meeting with constituents. One of them asked very clearly and emphatically that we stay in session until we consider comprehensive energy legislation that would reduce the price of gasoline and reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources. That was no isolated statement. Each and every time I speak to my constituents these days, I hear their frustrations and concerns with one specific issue, one specific problem facing the Nation, the unacceptably high price of gasoline. I understand my constituents' frustration with the majority's unwillingness to act. They are upset and they want us to take action. I agree with my constituents that we should not leave until we have provided them, the Nation, comprehensive energy legislation. I explained in that meeting that the minority each and every week has attempted and continues to attempt to bring a number of energy proposals before the House of Representatives for debate. However, the majority consistently blocks all attempts at a comprehensive energy debate. The majority's constant attempts to block energy debates was even mentioned in a publication that covers Capitol Hill, The Hill. That newspaper, in an article a few days ago, stated, ``Democrats have consistently put energy bills on the suspension calendar to block Republicans from offering any alternatives at all. They have also shut down the appropriations process for the year to avoid possibly losing votes on energy bills.'' That sort of obstruction is unacceptable, especially when the American people are calling for Congress to act. The majority's obstruction, Mr. Speaker, is not limited to energy legislation. It extends to virtually every bill, including the underlying legislation. Yesterday, the majority on the Rules Committee passed a restrictive rule that blocked an open and fair debate. A total of 15 amendments were submitted to the Rules Committee, four majority amendments and 11 minority amendments. Continuing its obstruction of an open debate, the majority on the Rules Committee made every majority amendment in order, while allowing only two minority amendments. The majority got 100 percent of their amendments made in order, while the minority got 18 percent of their amendments made in order. This isn't the first time that has happened. Just last week, the majority on the Rules Committee did the same thing with regard to a bill, allowing every majority amendment while blocking an overwhelming number of minority amendments. So what happened to the majority's promise of an open and fair debate? I think it was well described by a recent article in another publication that covers Capitol Hill, called Politico, in an article on the Speaker. It read, ``After promising fairness and open debate, she has resorted to hard-nosed parliamentary devices that effectively bar any chance for Republicans to offer policy alternatives.'' I think it's unnecessary and unfair, Mr. Speaker. I think it's unfortunate and sad. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. It's obvious, Mr. Speaker, that this legislation appropriately enjoys extraordinary bipartisan support, and really, I'm pleased to see an example of Congress working together across the aisle for the good of the Nation, in this instance, all of those who seek a higher education, which is such an important part of the American Dream. The dream of being able to acquire a higher education and to see one's children and one's grandchildren do so, to advance that dream as this legislation does is something that's admirable; and I wish to commend all who have worked to make this legislation possible. Mr. Speaker, we will not fail to utilize every opportunity on this House floor, before leaving for a 5-week break to be with our constituents, to provide our constituents, before we leave a debate on this floor on the issue that I certainly am being contacted most about by my constituents, and I know that many of our colleagues are as well: the unacceptable price of gasoline, the energy crisis facing American families, American workers, American businesses. Part of the reason that we are seeing this situation and that we are seeking a debate to alleviate this crisis is that gas prices have continued to rise, one important reason being because more and more so we are dependent on foreign oil, while we avoid developing domestic energy sources. And so we think that we need to comprehensively debate this issue to alleviate the crisis. The crisis is affecting all American families and affecting countless millions of businesses. One important source of domestic energy is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. However, efforts to develop just a tiny portion of ANWR have been fought and blocked to the detriment of America's energy independence, even though the people of that great State overwhelmingly are in favor of searching for energy there. With the price of gasoline at $4 a gallon, we should be looking to do all we can to lower that price, and that includes domestic exploration when the people of a State wish to permit it. I think it demonstrates arrogance on our part to say we know better than the people of a State and their Representatives. In the case of Alaska, all of their Representatives in Congress are clamoring for what the overwhelming majority of the people of that great State are also clamoring for: the ability to search for additional sources of energy within their borders. Today I will be asking each of our colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question to this rule. If the previous question is defeated, I will amend the rule to make it in order for the House to consider an amendment that would have the effect of lowering the price of gasoline and diesel by increasing the domestic supply of oil by permitting the extraction of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as the people of the great State of Alaska wish to do so and their Senators and Representatives wish to do so, in representation of the overwhelming majority of the people of that great State. I remind the Members that defeating the previous question will not stop debate on the important underlying legislation. It enjoys bipartisan support. We wish, in addition to bringing forward an important piece of legislation like we are today, to offer the American people a debate on the issue that is on the minds of the overwhelming majority of American people, certainly of my constituents, the simply unacceptable price of gasoline. We have to do everything we can to deal with the issue. And I think it's unfortunate, Mr. Speaker, that we're not and that we're not being allowed to. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Again, by voting no on the previous question, Members can take a stand, can show that they want to do everything possible on this issue. Once again, I reiterate that this will not preclude taking action on the important piece of education legislation that we possibly, even unanimously, in this House, certainly in consensus fashion, support. I ask for a ``no'' vote on the previous question. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we continue to reserve.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am submitting the following information for publication in the Congressional Record regarding earmarks I received as part of H.R. 6599, the Fiscal Year 2009 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. Requesting Member: Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21). Bill Number: H.R. 6599, Report 110-775. Account: Military Construction, Army. Legal Name of Requesting Entity: United States Southern Command. Address of Requesting Entity: 3511 NW 91st Ave., Miami, FL 33172- 1217. Description of Request: I received an earmark of $81,600,000 for the second increment of funding for the construction of a new headquarters for the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in Doral, FL. The funding will continue the work of the first installment in which SOUTHCOM received $100,000,000 in the FY08 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill. The authorization for this funding was included in the H.R. 5658, the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, which passed the House of Representatives May 22, 2008. The total cost of the headquarters construction is estimated to be $237,000,000. Through the Department of Defense, this project has been undergone an open bid process and the planning, engineering and design phase is well underway. The funds would be used by the Department of Defense to build the new SOUTHCOM headquarters adjacent to the current SOUTHCOM facility in Doral, FL. The land for this facility is under long-term lease from the State of Florida.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. By voting ``no'' on the previous question, Members can take a stand against the high fuel prices and our reliance on foreign energy sources. I ask for a ``no'' vote on the previous question. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I am the last speaker.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, again I thank my good friend, Mr. Hastings, for having yielded me the time and all of those who have participated in this important debate with regard to the critically important legislation that is being brought to the floor today. Madam Speaker, as Americans throughout the country are taking their summer family vacations, they're continually shocked by the record prices of gasoline. Part of the reason that we're seeing increases continuously in the price of gasoline is because we have become more and more dependent on oil, on foreign oil, while we avoid developing domestic energy sources. One important source of domestic energy is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. However, efforts to develop just a tiny portion of that section of ANWR have been fought and blocked to the detriment of America's energy independence, even though the people of Alaska are overwhelmingly in favor of searching for energy in ANWR, both of their Senators and their Representative, in representation of really a societal consensus in that State. With the price of gasoline at $4 a gallon, we should be looking to do all we can to lower the price of gasoline. And that includes domestic exploration when the people of a State wish to search for it. Today I will be asking each of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question to the rule. If the previous question is defeated, I will amend the rule to make it in order for the House to consider an amendment that would have the effect of lowering the national average price per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel by increasing the domestic supply of oil by permitting the extraction of oil in that section of Alaska, in the Arctic National Refuge, as the people of that State, their Senators and their Representative, wish to do. I remind Members that defeating the previous question will not stop debate on this important underlying legislation. It simply would allow debate on an amendment to permit the Congress to consider another very important issue. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Weller).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank my good friend and fellow co-chairman of the Florida congressional delegation, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), for the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. During his 2003 State of the Union speech, President Bush outlined a bold new plan to confront and combat the scourge of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Congress followed through and passed the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, commonly known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), authorizing $15 billion in assistance to combat these diseases for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. That was the largest commitment ever by any Nation for an international health initiative. Since its enactment in 2003, the programs created by this landmark legislation have made admirable progress in combating these horrible diseases. So far more than 1.4 million people have received life-preserving antiretroviral treatment, over 2.7 million HIV/AIDS-affected orphans have received care, and many millions more have received instruction on how to protect themselves from infection. Tens of millions of people have received malaria and tuberculosis prevention or treatment services. Even though this program has achieved remarkable successes, there is more that we can do. Tuberculosis still kills an estimated 2 million people each year and is the leading cause of death for people with AIDS; 1 million people die from malaria each year; and AIDS is the world's fourth leading cause of death. The devastating consequences of these diseases are plaguing sub- Saharan Africa. Over 22 million people are living with HIV, and approximately 1.7 million additional sub-Saharan Africans were infected with HIV last year. That represents about 68 percent of the world's HIV positive population and 90 percent of all HIV-infected children. Just last year the horrible AIDS epidemic claimed the lives of an estimated 1.6 million people in that region. More than 11 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. Many families are losing their income earners. Health services are overburdened. Life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa is now 47 years. Economic activity and social progress has been impeded. We must do all we can to prevent those tragedies. The underlying legislation, justly and appropriately named the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, will augment our commitment to fight those horrible diseases with an increase of approximately $35 billion in funding over the next 5 years. This landmark legislation will help prevent 12 million new HIV infections and treat at least 3 million people living with HIV/AIDS. It will also provide supporting care for 12 million people infected with HIV/AIDS, including 5 million orphans and children. Some of my constituents, Madam Speaker, are from Haiti and have families and friends in their land of origin. I often hear about the disastrous effects that HIV/AIDS is having on that noble country. As of 2007, Haiti had an HIV rate of almost 4 percent, and according to the World Bank, continued increases in HIV prevalence in the Caribbean will negatively affect economic growth. Fortunately, since Congress first passed PEPFAR, we have invested over $300 million to help Haiti combat the AIDS pandemic by building on existing clinic- and community-based health resources; expanding a network of satellite connections to the Centers of Excellence to permit instant review of difficult cases; training staff members of health care facilities that provide prenatal, gynecological, and maternity care and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission; and enhancing the lab network for clinical sites to support the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and other associated infections. I am pleased that the legislation will also now cover several other countries that previously were not part of PEPFAR. I believe that when we look upon our work in this Congress, Madam Speaker, many years from now, I can think of nothing that we or anyone else will be able to point to that is of more importance than this admirable effort by the great and generous American people. This extraordinary effort proposed by President Bush here in the U.S. House of Representatives during his state of the Union address of 2003, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. I would like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for their bipartisan work on this important issue. I also wish to thank them for naming this landmark program for two ultimately respected colleagues of ours who have recently left us, Henry Hyde and Tom Lantos. This is truly a fitting tribute for two remarkable human beings in public service. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of our colleagues and denounce the unjustified arrest of Leonardo Miguel Bruzon Avila, a prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Bruzon's commitment to liberty and freedom of expression has characterized the life of that Cuban patriot. On February 23, 2002, he was arrested by the regime's thugs in order to prevent him from participating in demonstrations commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Cuban dictatorship's Air Force's shoot down, on February 24th 1996, of two Brothers to the Rescue airplanes, when four unarmed civilians were murdered. Mr. Bruzon, acting as president of the ``Movimiento Pro Derechos Humanos 24 de Febrero'' (the 24 of February Human Rights Movement), sought to commemorate and denounce the murder on that infamous day in 1996 of three American citizens and a US resident. After being arrested in 2002, Mr. Bruzon spent the following two years in the tyranny's gulags without ever having had even a farcical trial or formal ``charges'' filed against him. During his imprisonment, Mr. Bruzon participated in several hunger strikes protesting his continued brutal and unjustified detention without trial. As reported by Amnesty International, his continued hunger strikes led to poor health and serious medical complications. Despite his poor health, the totalitarian regime denied him medical attention. In 2003 Bruzon was offered release from the gulag on the condition that he make statements beneficial to the regime in the controlled Cuban ``media''. Mr. Bruzon valiantly refused to do so, and he remained imprisoned until June, 2004. In April of 2008, regime thugs again arrested Mr. Bruzon for hosting a prayer group where worshippers proclaimed support for freedom for Cuban political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. A day later, Mr. Bruzon Avila was released, after being subjected to repeated brutal interrogations. On July 3, 2008, Mr. Bruzon was one of thirty-six pro-democracy activists arrested by Cuban regime thugs in order to prevent them from participating in activities commemorating the Independence of the United States of America. According to various reports, Mr. Bruzon remains detained. The Cuban regime has embarked upon a ``new tactic'' of intimidation of the internal opposition. Pro-democracy activists are routinely picked up, psychologically and often even physically tortured, and then placed back in the streets. Madam Speaker, the arrest and torture of Mr. Bruzon Avila is yet another example of the gangster-like nature of the Cubans dictatorship; a regime of gangsters, by gangsters and for gangsters, directed by a gangster-in-chief. My colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Leonardo Miguel Bruzon Avila and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I thank again my friend Mr. Arcuri for the time and all who have participated in this debate on this rule that brings forth to the floor important legislation with regard to the infrastructure in our Nation. Transportation is an integral part of our economy, and the underlying legislation will help fund some of our critical infrastructure needs by providing $1 billion to repair bridges in the national highway system. Now, while providing critical funding to repair bridges is an important priority for our transportation system, we must not ignore the overarching problem facing the American transportation system, which is gasoline at over $4 a gallon. For weeks we in the minority have pushed efforts to debate energy legislation, but the majority consistently blocks our efforts to address one of the most important issues facing the United States today. It's time for the House to debate ideas for lowering prices at the pump and addressing the skyrocketing cost of gasoline. So today I urge my colleagues to vote with me to defeat the previous question so the House can finally consider real solutions to rising energy costs. If the previous question is defeated, I will move to amend the rule to allow for consideration of H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act. This legislation provides a comprehensive approach that will increase the supply of American-made energy, improve conservation and efficiency, and promote renewable and alternative energy technologies. Now specifically with regard to the Outer Continental Shelf, this legislation provides Florida with 50 miles of permanent protection from energy exploration and allows the State the option for an additional 50 miles of protection. Many of us in the Florida delegation came together 2 years ago to support this compromise, to support this legislation. I think we've been proven right. I think we've been proven right, Mr. Speaker. This is a critical issue that needs to be debated by this Congress. It's unfortunate that the other side of the aisle refuses to permit even a debate on critical issues such as this even after gasoline has reached $4 a gallon. It's most unfortunate, Mr. Speaker. I ask unanimous consent, Mr. Speaker, to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous materials immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by voting ``no'' on this previous question, Members can take a stand against these high fuel prices and we can finally begin a comprehensive energy debate. I encourage a ``no'' vote on the previous question. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri) for the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. On August 1, 2007, the deteriorating condition of some of America's bridges and infrastructure became tragically apparent when the I-35W Mississippi River bridge in Minnesota failed and plunged into the riverbank below. We must always honor the victims that were lost in that tragic accident. We must do all in our power to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring again, and that is why I am pleased we are considering the underlying legislation, the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act of 2008. The legislation authorizes $1 billion for fiscal year 2009 for the Department of Transportation to identify, inspect, repair, and if necessary, replace structurally deficient or obsolete bridges in the national highway system. This legislation is quite important considering that the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that one out of every eight bridges in the Nation is structurally deficient. However, I have some concerns with the way the legislation distributes funding. The legislation distributes funding to States based on the number of deficient bridges in each State. In other words, the more deficient bridges a State has, the more money a State gets. Unfortunately, this approach penalizes States that place a high priority on maintaining their infrastructure, and rewards States that have let their infrastructure fall into disrepair with additional Federal funding. For example, the State of Florida has a ``maintenance first'' policy for infrastructure at the State level. Florida's first priority is keeping their existing infrastructure in a state of good repair. As a result, the percentage of Florida's bridges that are rated as deficient is one of the lowest in the Nation. But rather than be rewarded for its responsible funding decisions, Florida is penalized because most of the funding that is distributed through this formula will go to States that have not properly maintained their bridges and therefore have a very high percentage of deficient bridges. I would also like to bring the Long Key Bridge in South Florida to the attention of Chairman Oberstar. The bridge spans between Long Key and Conch Key in the Florida Keys. It was one of the first segmental bridges built back in 1981, and allows the entire population of the lower keys to evacuate to the mainland before a hurricane. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, who is with us this afternoon, is concerned about this issue and continuously brings it to the attention of all of our colleagues. The structure was originally built using a V-pier concept creating a control point between the segment and the pier cap. Due to the weakness of the design, the Florida Department of Transportation is attempting to seek funding to replace the V-pier design to a more conventional configuration that would provide stronger structural integrity. This improvement would cost approximately $60 million and would maintain the existing piers in the top segments which are in good condition. Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Transportation currently lacks the funding for this important project, and the necessary improvements have been postponed until 2012. In this regard I am pleased that the House will have an opportunity to vote for the Representative Mario Diaz-Balart amendment. That commonsense amendment would add emergency evacuation routes, such as Long Key Bridge, to the risk-based priority criteria in the legislation. Even though I'm pleased that that amendment was made in order, I once again note that this rule continues the unfortunate policy of the majority's unfairly restricting debate. A total of 21 amendments were submitted to the Rules Committee, six majority amendments, 14 minority amendments, and one bipartisan amendment. The majority made every majority amendment in order, while only allowing four minority amendments. In other words, the majority got 100 percent of their amendments made in order, while the minority got 28 percent of their amendments in order. That's unnecessary and unfair, Mr. Speaker. This bill would have much more bipartisan support if the Rules Committee had not blocked an important amendment from Ranking Member Mica. His amendment would have allowed a State to transfer funding out of the highway bridge program only if the State met two strict criteria. I understand that Chairman Oberstar is concerned that some States have acted responsibly in maintaining their bridges and that he seeks to make sure that they change their behavior. But others, such as Florida, have done a good job of repairing and maintaining their bridges. Unfortunately, since the Mica amendment was not allowed, responsible States will, in effect, be punished and their hands tied when they attempt to address their unique needs. I think it's a missed opportunity, and I hope that since the House will not be able to consider the Mica amendment that as the legislation continues through the legislative process, these concerns of responsible States will be considered. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recall the brutal invasion of Cyprus that occurred thirty-four years ago on July 20, 1974. The people of Cyprus continue to suffer the consequences of that contemptible invasion. Even now, Turkish troops continue to illegally occupy Cyprus. The island remains torn by a militarized fence that slices a 113-mile line across the island. I encourage both sides to fully comply with the guiding principles of the July 8, 2006 agreement. This agreement seeks to establish working groups that can operate together to reunify Cyprus into one bizonal, bicommunal federation. The July 8 agreement is an important achievement which gives us great cause to remain optimistic that a resolution is possible. While we can mark the significance of the July 8 agreement, we cannot celebrate until the goal of a unified Cyprus is fully and finally realized. We cannot celebrate until the anniversary of the July 20 invasion is no longer a source of pain for Cypriots, and barbed wire fence no longer splits Cyprus into two disparate sections. The United States, the European Union, and the United Nations have all expressed their support for a solution that will reunify Cyprus. With the steadfast determination of the international community and the people of Cyprus, we will persist until the goal of a free, undivided Cyprus is realized at last. Madam Speaker, I remain hopeful that Cyprus will once again be free and undivided. After thirty-four years of division, illegal occupation and oppression, the long-suffering Cypriot people deserve to live in freedom and unity today.