Lincoln Diaz-Balart

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the rule provides 1 hour of general debate evenly divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. The rule also provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that we bring this legislation to the floor under an open rule. Historically, appropriations legislation has come to the House governed by an open rule, and we continue to do so, in order to allow each Member of this House the opportunity to submit amendments for consideration as long as they comply with the rules of the House. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us today appropriates over $21 billion, an increase of $600 million over last year, for operations across the globe. The bill is fiscally sound while at the same time compassionate and globally responsive to needs of those plagued by disease, famine, and disaster. H.R. 5522, the legislation that we bring to the floor today, bolsters the President's Millennium Challenge Corporation to $2 billion, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars more than in fiscal year 2006. This expansion of assistance is meant to encourage transparency in government and to fight corruption in some of the world's poorest nations. The Millennium Challenge, which President Bush called a new compact for global development, provides assistance through a competitive selection process to developing nations that are pursuing political and economic reforms in three areas: Ruling justly, investing in people, and fostering economic freedom. Contributions from the Millennium Challenge Corporation are linked to greater responsibility from developing nations. The new responsibilities these developing nations accept and exchange for funds ensue that the monies we provide do not go to waste and will have the greatest possible impact on those who need help the most. Three years ago in his State of the Union address, President Bush announced for President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the largest international health initiative in history initiated by a single government to address one disease. This bill demonstrates Congress's continued support of the fight against HIV/AIDS as it includes over $3.4 billion to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS. It is an increase of over $750 million. I congratulate the committee on the sizeable increase for this program. It demonstrates our resolve, our determination to help all those across the globe who fight this disease. In other foreign assistance, H.R. 5522 funds the Andean Counter Drug Initiative at the President's request $721 million. Economic growth in the area since the start of Plan Colombia is proof that the assistance we have provided Colombia has made a difference in that country. President Uribe has made great strides to combat narco-terrorism in Colombia. Under his leadership, Colombia is now neutralizing guerilla forces and prosecuting those who are implicated in serious crimes. However, we must not take progress in the Andean region for granted. If the United States turns its back on the region, a scenario could ensue that would require greater U.S. investment at a time when we have significant responsibilities worldwide. The underlying legislation, Mr. Speaker, also provides about $2.5 billion for military and economic assistance to Israel. We must and we will continue to ensure that our friends and allies remain secure. A strong Israel is necessary to the United States national interests and to stability in the Middle East. We are committed to doing everything we can so that Israel is safe and secure within her border, especially as the terrorist group now in the government in the Palestinian Authority and also the Iranian dictatorship continue to threaten to wipe Israel off the face of the map, something that will not happen and we would never permit. The particular concern to my district is funding for the Republic of Haiti. That country has undergone a tumultuous few years of political instability as well as being hit by a natural disaster. The bill fully funds the President's request of $164 million in funding for Haiti. Over the last two decades, an estimated 2 million people in Sudan have died due to war-related causes and famine, and millions have been displaced from their homes. This bill fully funds the President's request of $450 million, with $137 million devoted to Darfur. Assistance is conditional; it will only be given to the coalition government if that assistance is in direct support of the comprehensive peace agreement or the Darfur peace agreement. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5522 was introduced and worked on in a very detailed and serious way by Chairman Kolbe and reported out of the Appropriations Committee on May 26 by a voice vote. It is a good piece of legislation, important to our continued commitment to the security and safety of all citizens and residents of the United States, and we bring it forth under an open and fair rule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Lewis and Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey for their leadership on this important issue. I would like to point out that this is Chairman Kolbe's final appropriations bill as chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. It has been truly a pleasure to work with Chairman Kolbe on the Foreign Operations appropriations bill and on many other important legislative projects throughout his distinguished career in this House. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I also take this opportunity, I think it is very appropriate and just to do so as we discuss legislation that furthers the U.S. national interests in our foreign policy, to commend our forces in Iraq who have managed that great victory of the elimination of the leader of the al Qaeda terrorist network there, who had caused so much pain and suffering, not only to our forces, but to the people of Iraq. The action of the American Armed Forces is to be commended, as well as admired, and freedom-loving people throughout the world, I know, are joining us today in congratulating the U.S. Armed Forces for the great success in the elimination of the terrorist head in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Kolbe), the prime author of the legislation that we are bringing forth today.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we have fashioned a very fair rule, very fair. Mr. Markey's amendment, he has worked long and hard on it, was in order on net neutrality, a very important issue. We look forward to considering it. My distinguished friend, the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, his problem was that amendment was not germane. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns). (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bass), the author of this important legislation.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 842 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate, equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule also provides one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, over the last several years, we have seen gasoline prices increase steadily in the United States. The rising cost of gasoline can be attributed to several factors, including increased demand in the United States and in other countries such as China and elsewhere, decreases in oil production in politically unstable countries, including Venezuela and Nigeria, and a lack of refinery capacity in the United States. In the last 24 years, our refinery capacity has dropped from 18.62 million barrels a day to less than 17 million barrels a day. This at the same time that our gross domestic product has increased in current dollars from 3.1 trillion to 12.4 trillion. Because of the sustained growth of our economy and the fact that we have not built a new refinery in almost 30 years, we are now forced to import over 4 million barrels a day in refined products, and that is when our refineries are running at full capacity. Any changes in our refinery capacity can cause supply constraints and price spikes, especially in the gulf coast, where we have approximately half of our refinery capacity. And that is exactly what happened when the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the gulf coast, causing gasoline prices to rise almost 50 cent a gallon. 2 months after the storms hit we still had lost almost about 18 percent of our refining capacity, leading to sharp price increases. In order to prevent the steep increases in gasoline prices that we saw after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and to try to moderate the continuing price increase, we must make certain that we build new refineries to meet our current demand and to prevent a loss of capacity due to another hurricane, or a terrorist attack for that matter. Without an increase in our refinery capacity, we will be at the mercy of countries such as Venezuela for the importation of refined oil products. Now, these countries are not reliable sources of refined products due to their politically unstable and/or unfriendly governments. One of the biggest challenges to the building of new refineries was pointed out by Daniel Yergin of the Cambridge Energy Research Associates during a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Yergin stated that, and I quote, ``the building of new refineries has been hampered by costs, citing and permitting.'' Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5254 would help alleviate some of the problems associated with the building of new refineries. The legislation directs the President to appoint a Federal coordinator to manage the multi- agency refinery permitting process. Working with the governor of any State where a refinery is proposed, the coordinator will begin by identifying and then convening all relevant agencies to coordinate the schedules for action so that no process called for in statute or regulation is short-changed, and public input opportunities are preserved, but also to allow the project to proceed as fast as otherwise possible. The goal of this legislation is to eliminate needless delay from agencies that are either dragging their feet or simply acting in sequence when parallel action would be more efficient. Bringing new refineries online will ease our reliance on foreign sources of refined products and will also allow us to have enough refinery capacity to meet the needs of our growing economy while providing a back up if any of our refineries are shut down for an extended period of time. Mr. Speaker, the House has already taken steps to help lower the cost of gasoline. Last month we passed legislation to combat price gouging as well as legislation to open up ANWR to environmentally friendly energy development. However, more must be done. The underlying legislation is just another step in our continued efforts to provide relief from the high cost of gasoline. H.R. 5254 was introduced by Representative Bass. A majority of the House has already voted in favor of this legislation. However, the bill did not pass because it was brought up under suspension of the rules and it did not obtain a two-thirds majority. Now we have another chance to pass this bill which is important to our energy needs and our growing economy. I would like to thank Chairman Barton and Representative Bass for their leadership on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation. And at this time, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall).

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of our distinguished colleagues that have spoken on this rule today. It brings to the floor an important piece of legislation, a bill that this House considered and voted with the solid majority under suspension of the rules just some weeks ago, but it did not obtain the two-thirds vote necessary to pass under suspension of the rules. That is why we have brought it forth again under the regular order with a rule. It will help. It will contribute to helping our country with the energy crisis that we face, when we recognize the fact that the economy has grown, as it has so tremendously in the last 30 years and yet not one single refinery has been constructed. Evidently, there is a problem. This seeks to do something about it. So that is why we are bringing again this legislation for consideration of the House under this rule. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, in order to consider that legislation, we have brought this rule forward, and I would ask all of my colleagues to support it as well as the underlying legislation.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Jim Padilla on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Padilla dedicated 40 years of his life to the progress of Ford Motor Company and prepared it for the challenges of the 21st century. I wholeheartedly commend Mr. Padilla for his hard work and dedication to such a deeply cherished American legacy as Ford Motor Company. Mr. Padilla first joined the Ford family as a quality control engineer. Through years of hard work that spanned three continents, Mr. Padilla consistently proved himself a capable leader. Over those 40 years his steady climb through the company rungs ultimately led him to the top as president and chief executive officer. Mr. Padilla's career is worthy of yet another distinction: He became Ford Motor Company's first Hispanic president and CEO. By taking the helm of one of America's top 10 corporations, Mr. Padilla shattered stereotypes and showed that all Americans have the potential of realizing tremendous success. It is fitting that Ford's Hispanic Network Group has created a scholarship program in his name, the ``Padilla Scholars,'' to benefit deserving college-bound students. Mr. Padilla has proven that in our country, a person who works hard and accepts no limits can reach any goal. His life is an inspiration to young Hispanics and all young Americans as they commence the steady climb toward their dreams. I know that Ford Motor Company will deeply miss Mr. Padilla's leadership. I also know that his numerous contributions over the last four decades have helped to transform that company into the modem powerhouse that it is today. Mr. Padilla has earned himself a permanent place in the rich history and great American heritage that Ford Motor Company represents. Like the company he so effectively led, Mr. Padilla is a true American success story.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the loss of an exceptional member of my community, the beloved Fausto Miranda. On Tuesday, May 9th, Mr. Miranda, the renowned Cuban sports reporter, passed away at the age of 91. He was born on July 4, 1914 in the Cuban eastern city of Puerto Padre. He was forced to work odd jobs to survive. He worked as a street salesman, notary clerk, prison guard, band manager, janitor and a variety of other jobs. It was Mr. Miranda's resilience that enabled him to overcome the many obstacles he faced throughout this life. After arriving in Havana in 1933, he began his life long contribution to journalism. Mr. Miranda worked with several Cuban newspapers: Informacion, EI Crisol, Alerta and Diario de la Marina and he was a fixture on the radio. Soon after the arrival of the communist dictatorship, Mr. Miranda sought political asylum in New York. For fifteen years, he worked as a doorman. However, Mr. Miranda did not abandon his commitment to journalism. He simultaneously started working for the well known newspaper La Prensa. In 1975, Mr. Miranda moved to Miami. A year later, he reached a high point in his career by founding the sports pages of EI Nuevo Herald. Subsequently, he managed the sports department of the Miami Herald/EI Nuevo Herald for close to twenty years. After his retirement in 1995, Mr. Miranda was known for his famous column ``You are old, truly old, if.'' In his last year, although he was very weak due to multiple respiratory and cardiac complications, the legendary writer submitted his weekly column every Monday. The Monday before he passed away was no exception. His passion and dedication for journalism, sports and Cuba, were unwavering even throughout his deteriorating health. Mr. Miranda's life is the personification of the American Dream and a testament to the love Cubans share for Cuba. Mr. Miranda's dedication and ability allowed him to leave his mark on two countries. He witnessed Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. He captured the athletic eloquence of Mohammed Ali in his prose. An entire community opened their newspapers to read his account of the sporting events of the day. And later we relied on his column to recall the glory of the Cuban Republic. He became an integral part of the Cuban and the larger South Florida community. Miami-Dade County celebrated his 50th anniversary in journalism by declaring a ``Fausto Miranda Day,'' on December 12, 1992. Mr. Miranda's remarkable life and columns will inspire generations to come. I will forever remember the great Fausto Miranda!

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Egberto Angel Escobedo Morales, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Escobedo Morales is a member of the National Council for Democratic Transition. He has dedicated his life to opposing the tyrant who enslaves the people of Cuba. He was arrested in 1995 and in sham ``trial'' was sentenced to 20 years in the totalitarian gulag. According the U.S. Department of State, in July 2000, Mr. Escobedo Morales was tried again for ``obstruction of police'' and ``disrespect of government officials.'' He has been incarcerated for over 10 years in the most inhuman conditions imaginable. Despite incessant repression, harassment, and abuse, Mr. Escobedo Morales remains committed to the conviction that democracy and individual liberty are the birthright of the Cuban people. In February 2006, Mr. Escobedo Morales, along with four other political prisoners, courageously signed a letter containing the truth about Cuba under Castro. The letter was printed on Cubanet, ``Cuba has become an island prison. All Cubans in the street just have conditional freedom and those of us in prison are in solitary confinement cells.'' The solitary confinement cells that Mr. Escobedo Morales mentions in his letter are described in the U.S. Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices--2005 as, ``Prison conditions which continued to be harsh and life threatening. Prisoners sometimes were held in ``punishment cells,'' which usually were located in the basement of a prison, with continuous semi-dark conditions, no available water, and only a hole for a toilet.'' Mr. Escobedo Morales is representative of the fighting spirit of the Cuban people: of their rejection of the brutality, discrimination, depravity, and oppression of the totalitarian tyranny. Thousands languish in the gulag because, like Mr. Escobedo Morales, they refuse to accept the tyrannical dictatorship in Cuba today. Mr. Escobedo Morales is also representative of the best of the Cuban people, of the dignity of the Cuban people. Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that, in the 21st century, brave men and women are chained to filth because of their belief in democracy, freedom, and the sanctity of human rights for every person. My Colleagues, we must never forget those who are locked in gulags because of their desire for freedom. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Egberto Angel Escobedo Morales and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Rolando Jimenez Posada, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Jimenez Posada is a lawyer and Director of the Democratic Human Rights Center. As a pro-democracy activist, Mr. Jimenez Posada has committed himself to portraying the true horrors of life under the tyrant in Cuba. Because of his vigorous opposition activities, the regime fired him from his job. According to Amnesty International, Mr. Jimenez Posada has been detained and threatened numerous times over the past years. On December 10, 2001, while taking part in a peaceful celebration to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he and several others were beaten and pushed into police vehicles and then dumped in remote areas. Amnesty International reports that in July 2002, Mr. Jimenez Posada was threatened at his home after handing out copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Later, Castro's thugs told him that he would be imprisoned if he continued carrying out public activities in support of political prisoners. Despite the horrific harassment and constant threats, Mr. Jimenez Posada never wavered in his convictions. He was arrested and thrown in the gulag on April 25, 2003. According to Amnesty International, he is still awaiting ``formal charges'' and a ``trial.'' Let me be clear, Mr. Jimenez Posada has been locked in sub-human conditions for over three years without ``charges'' and without even a farce of a ``trial.'' Simply because Mr. Jimenez Posada does not subscribe to the lies and propaganda demanded by the communist dictatorship, he is locked in a miserable dungeon. Mr. Jimenez Posada is one of the many heroes of the peaceful Cuban democratic movement who are locked in the dungeons of the dictatorship for their beliefs. They are symbols of freedom and democracy who will always be remembered with respect and admiration when freedom reigns again in Cuba. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jimenez Posada is languishing in the repulsive squalor of the tyranny's gulag because he believes in truth and freedom. It is detestable that at the dawn of the 21st century, and a mere 90 miles from our shore, honorable men and women are imprisoned in repugnant gulags for believing that all men have an inherent right to live in freedom. My colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Rolando Jimenez Posada and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Emilio Leyva Perez, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Leyva Perez is a pro-democracy activist, President of the opposition group Hard Front Line and a delegate of the pro-freedom coalition Assembly to Promote Civil Society. Because of Mr. Leyva Perez's steadfast conviction in human liberty and his constant work to bring freedom to an island enslaved by the nightmare that is the Castro regime, he has been a constant target of the dictatorship. Amnesty International classified him as a prisoner of conscience after he was arrested by the terrorist regime on February 22, 2002. He was locked in the totalitarian gulag for over 2 years, without ever being convicted of a supposed ``crime.'' The U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices--2005, describes the deplorable conditions in the totalitarian gulag, ``Prison conditions continued to be harsh and life threatening. Conditions in detention facilities also were harsh. Prison authorities frequently beat, neglected, isolated, and denied medical treatment to detainees and prisoners, particularly those convicted of political crimes or those who persisted in expressing their views . . . Prisoners sometimes were held in ``punishment cells,'' which usually were located in the basement of a prison, with continuous semi-dark conditions, no available water, and only a hole for a toilet.'' Despite over 2 years in this hellish gulag, Mr. Leyva Perez never wavered in his commitment to freedom for all Cubans. As part of the tyrant's heinous July 2005 crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy opponents, on July 13, 2005, Mr. Leyva Perez and other opposition activists were detained whilst commemorating the ``13 de Marzo'' tugboat sinking of 1994, when the dictatorship murdered dozens of unarmed men, women and children. Once again, the tyranny has locked Mr. Leyva Perez in the totalitarian gulag awaiting ``trial.'' Mr. Leyva Perez is one of the many heroes of the peaceful Cuban democratic movement who are locked in the dungeons of the dictatorship for their beliefs. They are symbols of freedom and democracy who will always be remembered when freedom reigns again in Cuba. His bravery and courage in defiance of tyranny serve as a tragic reminder that the totalitarian gulags are full of men and women of all backgrounds and ages who represent the best of the Cuban nation. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Leyva Perez is suffering in a grotesque gulag because he believes in freedom, democracy and human rights. My colleagues, it is categorically unacceptable that peaceful pro- democracy activists are languishing in the depraved prisons of tyrants.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues about Alfredo Manuel Pulido Lopex, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Dr. Pulido Lopez is a dentist, an independent journalist and a member of the Christian Liberation Movement. He believes in writing and speaking the truth about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. As a dentist, trained in protecting and nurturing human life, he could not tolerate the tyrant's incessant abuse of Cuban people. He understood the human condition and he knew that freedom is infinitely superior to the ills of tyranny and repression. On March 18, 2003, as part of the dictator's condemnable crackdown on peaceful prodemocracy activists, Dr. Pulido Lopez was arrested because of his belief in liberty over repression. In a sham trial, he was sentenced to 14 years in the inhuman, totalitarian gulag. On April 18, 2006, Dr. Pulido Lopez's wife Rebeca Rodriguez Sauto visited him and found that his health has significantly worsened. According to the report that she filed with Cubanet, Dr. Pulido Lopez is dangerously malnourished, deeply depressed and distraught. She reports that he is afflicted with chronic bronchitis and dark bruises of an unknown origin have appeared on his skin. Despite his seriously declining health, Dr. Pulido Lopez stated in the Cubanet report that he has no real reason to ask for a medical parole since he is an innocent man to begin with and what the dictatorship's officials really have to give him is freedom. He continued telling his wife, ``I am more firm in my convictions every day. I am not going to renounce them. They know that my health is affected. They can do what they want.'' Dr. Pulido Lopez's commitment to freedom, in the face of declining health in the grotesque gulag, is a brilliant example of the heroism of the Cuban people. It is a crime against humanity that Castro's totalitarian gulags are full of men and women, like Dr. Pulido Lopez, who represent the best of the Cuban nation. Mr. Speaker, we must speak out and act against this abominable disregard for human rights, human dignity, and human freedom just 90 miles from our shore. My colleagues, before it is too late, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Alfredo Manuel Pulido Lopez and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Charter Schools across the country and in the 21st District of Florida for their continuing work to educate our country's youth. Charter schools are a great asset for our children and for our public school system. By providing flexible programs, community outreach, and specialized training, charter schools serve the ever changing needs of our students. The City of Pembroke Pines Florida Charter School, located within the 21st District of Florida, stands as an exemplary model of excellence among all charter schools. Under Governor Jeb Bush's A-plus plan, the Pembroke Pines charter elementary and middle schools have all earned an ``A'' for the past two years for exceptional student achievement. The Pembroke Pines Charter School standardized test scores are outstanding. By all measures, this charter school has exceeded its goals and reached beyond expectations. The City of Pembroke Pines Florida Charter School is exceptional for another reason: its specialized training for autistic students. At Pembroke Pines, autistic students receive training tailored to their unique and individual needs. Not only do these students receive the personal attention that they need, they also are assimilated into the general school population. This innovative program brilliantly serves both needs of our autistic students by expanding their academic ability while fostering good social skills among the general student body. I wholeheartedly commend our charter schools for their hard work and devotion to our children. With creative solutions and selfless dedication, these schools provide an invaluable service to the next generation of Americans. On the occasion of National Charter Schools week, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest support for this resolution. Most of all, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the teachers, administrators, and students of our Nation's charter schools.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend, Mr. Sessions, for the time. I rise today in strong support of the rule and the underlying legislation. Chairman Peter King has worked in an extraordinary fashion to create a piece of legislation with the help of his ranking member, Mr. Thompson, and the entire committee, that is worthy of our support. They are the first ones to admit it is not perfect, but it certainly moves us forward in an important way toward further port security. For example, in the community that I am honored to represent, Mr. Speaker, the Port of Miami, that port alone, of course, is one of the largest in the country and in the world, and its annual operating security costs have increased from $4 million in 2001 to $16 million in the last year. This legislation, for example, authorizes $400 million annually to be awarded to high-risk ports, such as the Port of Miami, in grants. It will be used precisely for purchasing and upgrading security equipment and enhancing terrorism preparedness. There are amendments. We made 10 Democrat amendments in order and five Republican amendments in order. It is a fair rule. It is a fair rule that we bring forth today. For example, the Bass amendment would allow State and local agencies to apply for reimbursement for operational expenses and overhead costs, such as, for example, waterborne patrols. Those are functions that used to be carried out and paid for by the Coast Guard. Now the ports have to pay for them. So it is taken care of by that amendment. So it is a fair rule, bringing forth a very important piece of legislation, making in order twice as many Democrat amendments as Republican amendments. Nevertheless, it is still a good rule. I support the rule. I strongly support the underlying legislation and would ask all of our colleagues to support both the rule and the underlying legislation.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for the time and for his hard work in bringing forth this piece of legislation today. The Speaker of the House announced last January that this difficult subject, difficult but important, and it is difficult, Mr. Speaker, because any time that you deal with institutional reform, you deal with reform of the practices of Congress, obviously there is much tension and controversy and difficulty. And we are seeing it in the debate today, and we are going to continue to see it in the debate today. So it is not an easy task. But the Speaker in January announced that he was going to deal, and we were going to, pursuant to his instruction and his leadership, deal with this issue of further creating transparency in this process and in this House, this respectable, this House that needs to be respected because it merits it. And yet, obviously, it can be improved. And Chairman Dreier, pursuant to the instruction of the Speaker, has done tremendous work in listening time and again to the concerns of Members on both sides of the aisle and formulating this piece of legislation that is before us today that seeks to be before us based on this rule with which we bring it to the floor today. So I urge all colleagues, first, to realize that their vote on the rule is going to be a vote on whether they are serious about considering lobbying reform. This is the vote on the record of whether or not one is serious about considering, about dealing with the issue of lobbying reform, and we will have an opportunity to go on the record. We can always talk about how we would prefer to do other things. But perfection is sometimes, Mr. Speaker, the enemy of progress. This is the real thing, the real vote. If you are for lobbying reform, you will vote for the rule. If you are not, even if you have all sorts of excuses, then you vote ``no.'' I am confident that the majority of this body will vote for this rule so we can further consider and further improve this important piece of legislation that we bring to the floor today.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last December I had the honor to lead a Congressional delegation to Ukraine. The focus of the visit was to identify humanitarian initiatives that the Cuban- American community, that I am honored to represent, could undertake to help the ``Orange Revolution'' as it moved forward to address the most pressing needs of the Ukrainian people. In the fall of 2005, Undersecretary of State Paula Dobbriansky was kind enough to arrange a meeting with the First Lady of Ukraine, Katerina Yushchenko. During that meeting the First Lady made clear that one of President Viktor Yushchenko's priorities is to improve the healthcare system in Ukraine, and that she had established a foundation, known as Ukraine 3000, for the purpose of aiding hospitals in Ukraine by securing much needed medical equipment and medicines. The delegation I led to Kiev in early December included Dr. Stephen Lipshultz, professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Dianne M. Kube, Chief Administrative Officer of the Community Oncology Alliance, Sylvia Iriondo, a respected Cuban-American leader and President of Mothers and Women Against Repression, and Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky, President and Chairman of the Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund and Nadia Matkiwsky, a member of the Board of Directors. These two Ukrainian-Americans have spent the last 13 years tirelessly dedicated to helping the people of Ukraine. As a result of our visits to various pediatric hospitals in Kiev and meetings with Ukrainian government officials, including President Viktor Yushchenko, and also Mrs. Yushchenko, we identified three initiatives that would be the focus of our work during the course of 2006, the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Tragedy. First, establishing a physician exchange program with the University of Miami's School of Medicine so that physicians in Ukraine could come to the United States to meet with their counterparts and establish links of communication on the latest medical techniques, procedures and medicines. This past January the first step was taken toward creating this exchange program; six of Ukraine's leading pediatric physicians attend a national pediatric conference in Miami hosted by the University of Miami's School of Medicine. Second, helping the Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund, a highly respected humanitarian organization led by Dr. Zenon Matkiwsky and Nadia Matkiwsky, to secure medical equipment and medicines for the 20th Anniversary Airlift that the U.S. State Department is coordinating. Children of Chernobyl have an impressive reputation in working to obtain medical equipment and medicines for the neediest hospitals in Ukraine. And another initiative identified by the group, is to bring children from Ukraine who are ill to vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The first Ukrainian child, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Sylvia Iriondo, already spent five days visiting the ``Magic Kingdom''. I commend the Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund for their dedication over the years on behalf of the people of Ukraine, especially Dr. and Mrs. Matkiwsky who are the heart and soul of the organization. I am also truly optimistic regarding the relationship that has been forged between physicians at the University of Miami's School of Medicine and physicians from Ukraine, and I commend Dr. Stephen Lipshultz for spearheading this worthy endeavor. I also thank Dianne Kube for her sound guidance and the countless hours she has dedicated to work on these initiatives, and Sylvia Iriondo for her generosity and constant leadership. Mr. Speaker, as we pass this resolution commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Chernobyl tragedy, I am honored to say that the community I represent is committed to doing all it can to help the noble people of Ukraine as they move forward on their new democratic course.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues about Oscar Mario Gonzalez, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez is an independent journalist and pro-democracy activist in totalitarian Cuba. His peaceful, pro-democracy activities and truthful articles have helped the world to learn the facts about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. Unfortunately, the dictatorship forcefully represses those who bravely support freedom and rise in resistance to the despotic regime. According to Reporters Without Borders, on March 24, 2005, Mr. Gonzalez was summoned and questioned by regime agents, who threatened that he would not be able to see his family again if he continued practicing as an independent journalist. Despite these gangster tactics and heinous threats, Mr. Gonzalez continued to demand basic human rights for the people of Cuba. As part of the tyrant's heinous July 2005 crackdown on peaceful pro- democracy opponents, on July 22, Mr. Gonzalez was arrested as he tried to participate in a peaceful demonstration outside the French Embassy in Havana, demanding the release of political prisoners in Cuba. As part of this vicious crackdown, over 30 brave opponents were arrested at home, on their way to the demonstration or on the sidelines of the gathering. According to CubaNet, Mr. Gonzalez has been charged with violating Law 88. This is the same brutal, sham law that the tyrannical regime used to wrongly convict many of the pro-democracy activists arrested in March 2003. According to Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Gonzalez is still awaiting trial for supposed ``crimes.'' On April 26, 2006, The Miami Herald published the following moving letter from Mr. Gonzalez to his daughter: In all the years that I have been by your side, you have never known me to pose a threat to anyone or anything, yet today I am writing to you from prison. Neither one of us, in writing to each other for so many years, ever imagined we be doing it from a prison cell. Such is life around these parts! Anything and everything can happen in this green island that so few really know about, weaving instead fantasies fed by the Cuban government's propaganda. The reasons for my imprisonment would be incomprehensible to anyone living in the society you live in, but they are totally understandable to a Cuban. I had the temerity to criticize and question the government of my country and to denounce its totalitarian character before the world. I did it in the only way I know, peacefully, with words. For that, the Cuban government classifies us as criminals and calls us mercenaries and agents of U.S. imperialism. I swear to you that I have never had so much as a private conversation with any official of the United States or of any other country, for that matter. Also, the only monies I have been paid from the only press agency for which I have ever worked, Cubanet, scarcely cover my few material needs. The real reason for my confinement is to have denounced my country's government to a Cuban press agency in Miami, since the news media inside Cuba are closed to those, who like myself, exhibit independent criteria. Cuban media are only open to sycophants and apologists for the regime. My conscience impels me to expose the abuses to which Cubans have been subject for more than 47 years now. I never thought my modest contribution to the future of Cuba would go very far. I'm a simple citizen who tried to make public the brutal nature of the Cuban government, thinking that would be my small contribution to the future of Cuba. How was I to know my humble purpose would land me in prison at age 62 and in poor health? My love for my country, for liberty and democracy, are the real causes for my imprisonment. If some day you hear me say something that contradicts what I have said so far here, know that it is not your father speaking. It would be another man, reduced, drugged or in the throes of fear, and obligated to say whatever they wanted him to say under pressure of threats and blackmail. I hope some day we can see each other again in our country, with liberty to walk down the street holding hands and looking to the future, without fear or hate. Teach my grandson, next to the love of God and neighbor, the devotion to human rights and liberty so that he will never put up with injustice and abuses. May God bless you, and may He allow me to kiss you soon. Mr. Gonzalez is a brilliant example of the heroism of the Cuban people. His letter exemplifies the Cuban desire to live in liberty, free of the tyrannical repression imposed on them by the murderous despot. Read the strength of this letter, Mr. Gonzalez knows the violence, abuse, and repression that will be used to try to break him. Yet he stands strong in the strength of his conviction: ``My conscience impels me to expose the abuses to which Cubans have been subject for more than 47 years now.'' Mr. Gonzalez is an apostle of freedom for Cuba. Despite incessant repression, harassment, incarceration and abuse, he remains committed to the conviction that freedom of the press and individual liberty are the inalienable right of the Cuban people. It is a crime against humanity that Castro's totalitarian gulags are full of men and women, like Mr. Gonzalez, who represent the best of the Cuban nation. Mr. Speaker, let me be very clear, Mr. Gonzalez is languishing in the grotesque squalor of the gulag because he desires freedom for all Cubans. My Colleagues, read his letter often. We must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Oscar Mario Gonzalez and every political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Roberto de Jesus Guerra Perez, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mr. Guerra Perez is an independent journalist and a chronicler of truth amid the lies and deceit of Castor's villainous regime. He writes about the reality of the reprehensible repression inflicted on the Cuban people by the dictatorship. Because of his belief in truth in print, truth for the people of Cuba, and truth to enable the world to better comprehend the daily horrors of totalitarian Cuba, Mr. Guerra Perez was a target of the tyrannical regime. Make no mistake, brave men and women who seek truth and freedom are the enemies of Castro's totalitarian dictatorship. According to Reporters Without Borders, Mr. Guerra Perez was arrested for ``disturbing the peace'' on July 13, 2005, while staging a fast along with a dozen other opposition activists to protest against the incessant harassment of independent journalists. Over eight and half months later, he is still locked in the totalitarian gulag and still waiting for a trial. Castro's ruthless machinery of repression does not stop after sentencing innocent Cubans to the totalitarian gulag. In the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices--2005, it is reported: Prison conditions continued to be harsh and life threatening. Conditions in detention facilities also were harsh. Prison authorities frequently beat, neglected, isolated, and denied medical treatment to detainees and prisoners, particularly those convicted of political crimes or those who persisted in expressing their views . . . Prisoners sometimes were held in ``punishment cells,'' which usually were located in the basement of a prison, with continuous semi-dark conditions, no available water, and only a hole for a toilet. To protest these grotesque abuses, Mr. Guerra Perez has conducted four hunger strikes to call international attention to the inhuman treatment in the gulag. In a cry of solidarity for Mr. Guerra Perez, Reporters Without Borders said, ``We are all the more concerned about this hunger strike as he had only called off the preceding one a few days before and he was still very weak. There are no serious grounds for holding him as all he did was describe what life is really like for Cubans. We demand his immediate release.'' Mr. Speaker, it is intolerable for Mr. Guerra Perez to languish in a gulag where he is abused and tortured. It is morally abhorrent that, in the 21st Century, brave men and women like Mr. Guerra Perez are still locked in repugnant gulags for reporting the truth. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Roberto de Jesus Guerra Perez and every prisoner of conscience languishing in the totalitarian gulags of the nightmare called the Castro regime.

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about Lamasiel Gutierrez Romero, a political prisoner in totalitarian Cuba. Mrs. Gutierrez Romero is an independent journalist working so that the world can understand the grotesque reality of Castro's hideous oppression. Using the limited tools of independent journalism in a totalitarian state, Mrs. Gutierrez Romero courageously wrote about the bleak, broken society that is the result of the tyrannical policies of the totalitarian dictatorship. Because of Mrs. Gutierrez Romero's unrelenting commitment to illuminating the nightmare that is the Castro regime, she has been constantly harassed by the dictator's thugs. According to Reporters Without Borders, Mrs. Gutierrez Romero was sentenced to seven months of house arrest for her journalistic activities. Despite this order, Mrs. Gutierrez Romero continued her independent journalism. Unwilling to be muzzled by the totalitarian regime, she bravely defied their orders and continued to disseminate the truth about Cuba. Because of her unrelenting courage in the face of horrific oppression, on October 24, 2005, she was thrown in totalitarian gulag. It is unconscionable that brave men and women can be locked up in the inhuman quarters of Castro's gulag for their belief in truth, liberty, and democracy. Despite incessant repression, harassment, incarceration and abuse, she does not waiver in her commitment to report the truth and the facts. Mrs. Gutierrez Romero is one of the many heroes of the peaceful Cuban democratic opposition who are locked in the dungeons of the dictatorship for their beliefs. They are symbols of freedom and democracy who will always be remembered when freedom reigns again in Cuba. Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable that journalists such as Mrs. Gutierrez Romero are locked in dungeons for writing and publishing the facts about the nightmare that is the Castro regime. At the dawn of the 21st Century, it must no longer be acceptable for anyone in the world, anywhere in the world, to be locked in a gulag for writing the truth. It is repulsive to the ideal of freedom that independent journalists are locked in totalitarian gulags 90 miles from our shore. My Colleagues, we must demand the immediate and unconditional release of Lamasiel Gutierrez Romero and every prisoner of conscience in totalitarian Cuba.