Mario Diaz-Balart

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment with the United Nation's rejection of Taiwan's membership bid. More than 14 times, the U.N. has denied Taiwan's application. It is unclear to me why this sovereign state, with a democratically elected government, should be refused entry into the international institution of the United Nations. I have heard the argument that granting Taiwan U.N. membership would upset the status quo Taiwan has with China. But, Madam Speaker, such arguments are weak. I suspect the real reason for the denial of Taiwan's recognition in the U.N. is the U.N.'s fear of upsetting the status quo the U.N. has with China's communist regime. It is outrageous to deny Taiwan's 23 million citizens representation in what should be a fair international organization. I am dismayed by the U.N.'s decision Madam Speaker, but frankly, I am not surprised by it. It is obvious to me that the problem does not lie with Taiwan; rather, it lies with an incompetent, corrupt, and dictator-appeasing U.N.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the work and accomplishments of a visionary leader in the television industry and the impact he has made upon the South Florida community. With four decades of experience as a journalist, Don Browne is currently the president of the Telemundo Network. He oversees all functions of the Telemundo television network and its 16 owned and operated stations and played a key part in acquiring and integrating Telemundo into the NBC global family. In a very short time, Mr. Browne led Telemundo from zero original programming to more than 1,000 hours of original prime-time productions a year produced out of Telemundo Studios' production center based in South Florida. During Mr. Browne's tenure, the network has become the world's second largest producer of Spanish-language content, due in part to several initiatives he set forth. Mr. Browne oversaw the launch of the successful Yahoo!Telemundo partnership and the inauguration of the network's state of the art headquarters and news bureau in Mexico City, as well as the successful relaunch of mun2, a Latino channel for youth. Thanks to Mr. Browne's commitment to original programming, Telemundo has carved a unique competitive position in the market, syndicating its programming properties to over 60 countries in more than 20 different languages and distributing its content in a variety of emerging digital media platforms. After working for CBS for more than a decade, Mr. Browne joined the NBC team, where he earned a national reputation for being particularly active in the recruitment and career development of women and minorities. For example, Mr. Browne is the visionary behind the creation and expansion of the bi-coastal ``Taller Telemundo,'' an innovative educational program designed to discover, recruit and train the next generation of ``telenovela'' writers and actors. He is also co-founder and board member of the ``Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program'' for at-risk high school girls. He was a charter member of the NBC News Taskforce on Women and Minorities and currently serves as a member of NBC's Taskforce on Diversity. Numerous awards and accolades have been given to him in recognition of his dedication to community service. The prestigious Ida B. Wells Award was bestowed on Mr. Browne in 2004 for his commitment to promote diversity in the work place. In 2006, he was the recipient of the Governor of Florida's Points of Light Award for exemplary service to his community. I am privileged to have a friend in Don Browne and grateful for his service to our community. It is an honor to celebrate Mr. Browne's 40 years in broadcasting. His foresight and innovation have left an indelible mark on South Florida.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for enacting the free trade agreements with our allies, democracies in Latin America like Colombia, Peru and Panama. I am disappointed, frankly, that the Democratic leadership has broken the agreement they made with the administration in May to bring these vital trade agreements to the floor. We have not seen them yet. Enactment of these important agreements will strengthen the economies of our democratic allies in the region, as well as our own. I am a strong supporter of free trade with these free nations, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to enact free trade agreements this year and to hold the Democratic leadership's feet to the fire to make sure that they do not break their agreement that they entered into in May.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I'm a little confused by this debate. I'm not the most sophisticated person in the world, but if you have an increase, and then you decide to reduce the size of that increase, it's still an increase. You know, when you cut down to the chase, look, I think this is the question. Yes ask the American people, is the Federal Government so efficient, so perfect that it cannot absorb a slight reduction in the size of the increase, because it's so efficient that every single penny is used perfectly, and, therefore, a reduction in the size of an increase, oh, is devastating because we have such a perfect Federal Government that we can't even reduce the size of the increase? Now, again, I'm not real sophisticated, but back home, if you get an increase, or you say I want a 10 percent increase, and if you have a real job, a normal job like most Americans, and they go to their bosses and say, hey, I would like a 5 percent increase in my pay, and the boss says, I can't give you a 5 percent, I'm going to give you a 4\1/2\ percent, is that a cut in salary, or is that an increase in salary, but half a percent less than what you asked for? And again, if we thought that the Federal Government was so good, so efficient and so perfect that it can't absorb that, then don't support this amendment. But if you think that the Federal Government may be just a little bit imperfect, they might waste just a tiny bit of money, but maybe there's just a little bit of money that we could use elsewhere, then I would suggest, I'm not going to get into the rhetoric on the math, but again, if you think that the Federal Government could maybe absorb a little bit less of an increase, then this is a very modest decrease of the size of the increase. I thank the chairman.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1830, which seeks to renew the Andean Trade Preferences for 8 months. This legislation is vital to expanding trade between the United States and Latin American countries. We must break down trade barriers with our allies in Latin America. Trade has strengthened the economies of our strongest allies in the region, including Colombia and Peru, and is vital to democracy. Andean countries rely on trade with the United States to bolster their economies and produce jobs; Andean Trade Preferences have provided over 1.5 million jobs in the region. I ask my colleagues to support our allies in Latin America by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 1830.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to thank the Chairman, Ranking Member, and staff of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee for their continued support of the Florida Everglades in the FY08 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. This legislation includes funding for implementation of the Modified Waters Deliveries Project. This project is critical to Everglades Restoration, and will ensure natural water flows continue through Everglades National Park. The Florida Everglades is a unique and precious ecosystem that must be preserved for future generations. Everglades Restoration is a long- term investment that will ensure the Everglades is restored and protected. I am pleased that the Chairman included $72 million for Everglades Restoration, which is so critical to ensuring continuation of this vital project. The Interior share of funding combined with the appropriations made to the Army Corps of Engineers in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill will help to ensure restoration moves forward. This funding is a step in the right direction, showing the continued support of the Committee for Restoration. As the FY08 Appropriations cycle moves forward, I will work to ensure that Everglades Restoration remains a top priority. I thank my colleagues from Florida for their continued support of the Florida Everglades and Restoration funding. Additionally, I would like to thank the President for his steadfast support as well as the Governor of Florida. Floridians understand the great benefit the Everglades provide not just to our ecological diversity, but also to our economy, which is so dependent upon tourism and ecotourism. On behalf of the residents of Southern Florida I am so proud to represent, I thank the Chairman, Ranking Member, and their hardworking staff for their support of this funding.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I greatly appreciate and respect, frankly, the passion and the consistent passion of the sponsor of this amendment. He's been very consistent and passionate to try to make sure that the United States is as independent from foreign sources of energy as possible. However, I think we can do that without this amendment because there are many areas that are available for oil and gas exploration without this amendment. And this amendment overturns a longstanding bipartisan moratorium on new natural gas drilling in areas, in certain areas that are too close to sensitive coastlines. Congress addressed this issue, as the gentleman from Florida had said a little while ago, Mr. Young, year after year, and last year we had a huge battle and, I think, a compromise, which none of us thought was great, but it was a compromise, which I think kind of hopefully settled this issue at least for a while in that compromise. This amendment would, unfortunately, allow for natural gas drilling way too close to our precious coastlines. It can potentially damage sensitive habitats. Just the byproducts of drilling itself can be potentially damaging, and it can be very damaging to the ecosystem and particularly, for example, to the economy of the State of Florida. Mr. Chairman, tourism alone accounts for $57 billion to the economy of the State of Florida. Imagine what an impact if we were to do something that jeopardizes that vital industry for Florida, but also for the national economy. And, again, there are many other areas that are available for oil and gas drilling without this amendment. So I would respectfully, and understanding the passion and where it comes, and obviously I understand that he's trying to do what he believes is right for the country, but I think we can do it in a way that also balances the coastlines' sensitivity to the environment that this will be close to. I think the bipartisan arrangement compromise that we did last year does that and therefore, very respectfully I would ask for a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, at a time when the Cuban terrorist dictator and dictatorship is ailing, this bill guts the funding for the brave and heroic pro-democracy movement in Cuba. Now, what has that money been used for in the last 10 years? This is in the report: medicine, food and clothing for the families of political prisoners; more than 23,000 shortwave radios; hundreds of thousands of newsletters and other informational material, including books; journalism courses to more than 200 independent Cuban journalists who published almost 25,000 reports and publications from within the enslaved island. I hold in my hand a letter from a diverse group of brave opposition leaders in Cuba making it clear that this assistance is vital and desperately needed in the effort for a free and democratic Cuba. I read the GAO report, both the classified and unclassified parts of it, and it does state that this assistance does reach the pro-democracy movement in Cuba. And it is important to note that all of the recommendations, every single one in that report, have been implemented, unlike what you have heard today. This is not the time to abandon those brave men and women, their families, the political prisoners, the opposition leaders, the independent journalists, labor leaders who are heroically and at a great personal risk working for a democratic transition in Cuba. This amendment, which is fully offset and CBO has scored as revenue neutral, will rectify the unconscionable betrayal and abandonment of the brave and heroic dissidents, the opposition leaders who are working under the toughest of conditions for a free and democratic Cuba. I urge the adoption of this amendment.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey).

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I just want to urge the adoption of this good legislation. I thank Mr. Wu for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 2272, the 21st Century Competitiveness Act. As my dear friend and colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu) just stated, this legislation pretty much packages five bills that have already passed the House with, frankly, an overwhelming majority of the votes. In order to force a conference with the other body, we're now again trying to put these together. As was stated here just a few weeks ago by Ranking Member Hall and, frankly, right now by my dear friend Mr. Wu, H.R. 362 and H.R. 363 include many of the provisions from last year's competitiveness legislation, as well as additional recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences Rising Above the Gathering Storm report, again as Mr. Wu just mentioned. This report and the President's American Competitiveness Initiative, known as ACI, have emphasized the importance of strengthening science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the United States to ensure that the Nation's workforce can compete globally in high- tech, high-value industries. It's imperative, Mr. Speaker, that we do all we can to stay ahead of the curve and ensure that the next generation of high-tech industries and products are developed here in the United States, as Mr. Wu just said. These provisions are steps in the right direction. Also, as part of the ACI, President Bush targeted investment in physical science research to be doubled over the next 10 years at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Office of Science at the Department of Energy. I want to thank Mr. Ehlers and Mr. Gingrey for their extensive input in developing these bills and my Democratic colleagues for incorporating our priorities into this bipartisan legislation. I would be remiss, Mr. Speaker, if I didn't especially thank the staff. As you know, Mr. Speaker, they do an incredible amount of work. They do so usually behind the scenes, don't get a lot of the credit. There's a couple here that have done an incredible job. Margaret Caravelli is here to my left and Leslee Gilbert, who is also here, have done an incredible job, and we never thank them enough. So, therefore, I want to do that today here on the floor. I'm glad that H.R. 2272 includes Mrs. Biggert's High Performance Computing Act. This part of the bill will improve our investment in high-performance computing research. H.R. 2272 authorizes an investment in our future, an investment for continued technological advancement, and an investment to keep the United States as the leader, frankly, in the global marketplace. I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 2272. I thank all those who have worked on it. It's always a privilege to work with my dear friend, Mr. Wu. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I yield back the remaining part of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), who I served with in the State legislature.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Louisiana for his help. Before I discuss this important issue, I want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall and their great staffs for allowing this important resolution that has been brought here before you to move forward so quickly. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 402, supporting the goals and ideals of National Hurricane Preparedness Week as established by the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Preparedness Week began yesterday, May 20, and lasts through May 26 of this year. Next Friday, June 1, marks the beginning of the hurricane season, unfortunately, in the Atlantic and central Pacific Oceans. Hurricane season lasts 6 months, until November 30, and those are 6 months that those of us in Florida pay close attention to. The goal of Hurricane Preparedness Week is to inform the public about hurricane hazards and to provide knowledge that can be used to take action. We have to be ready. This information can be used to save lives and to protect your home and your property. History has taught us that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common among all major hurricane disasters, but by knowing your vulnerability and what actions you as an individual and family can take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. One of the biggest lessons learned from the recent wave of hurricanes is that residents should have enough supplies to survive for at least 3 days after the landfall of a hurricane. Oftentimes government and law enforcement personnel are engaged in restoring safety and calming the situation and trying to reach people after a landfall of a hurricane. Ideally residents should have enough food, water and supplies to at least last them 3 days until the authorities can actually get there and lend a hand. Millions of Americans face great risks from tropical storms and hurricanes. More than 50 percent of Americans live along the coast, and millions of tourists visit the oceans and the coasts each year. The statistics associated with hurricanes are frankly staggering. An average of 11 tropical storms develop each year over the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Six of those storms will probably become hurricanes. The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the busiest on record, including 28 named storms, 15 hurricanes in which 7 were a Category 3 or higher. As a Coastal State, Floridians are keenly aware of Mother Nature's wrath and fury, especially when it comes to hurricanes. In just 2 short years, eight hurricanes have made landfall in Florida from 2004-2005. They were Charlie, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Dennis, Katrina, Wilma and Rita. We have heard and read and had to deal with the consequences of those storms. As we have learned in the past few years, hurricanes pose serious threats to our country. Unfortunately, massive storms can result in casualties, deaths, and millions of dollars in economic damage and destruction. During hurricanes, homes, businesses and other buildings can be damaged by heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge. Homes can be flooded. Tornadoes can be spun off, and power can be wiped out for days or weeks and sometimes longer. Experts at NOAA's National Hurricane Center in the National Weather Service agree that it is critical to do a few things: Number one, to determine if you live in a hurricane-prone area. Much of Florida is. Also, know your home's vulnerabilities to storm surge, flooding, wind, and develop a written family disaster plan based on this knowledge. Once you determine your vulnerability to a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center recommends that people in hurricane-prone areas, such as Florida, assemble a disaster supply kit before the hurricane season begins. Be ready now; don't wait until the storm is on its way. That includes things like a first aid kit with essential medications, and nonperishable food items such as canned goods; at least 3 gallons of water per person per day for at least 3 to 7 days, and that is crucial. You might be able to survive without a lot of things, but you cannot survive without clean water. They recommend battery-powered radios and flashlights and extra batteries; and special items, including formula for infants, and medications for elderly or disabled family members. As we have learned in south Florida, the forecasters, the meteorologists and hurricane specialists at the National Hurricane Center are often the best source of the most valuable information on hurricane preparedness. They spend countless hours providing valuable information and warnings to individuals located in the potential path of a hurricane, and millions of Americans have come to rely on their steady advice and counsel. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Americans living in hurricane-prone areas to use Hurricane Preparedness Week as an opportunity to learn more about the approaching hurricane season and to be prepared before a hurricane threatens our land. We must all learn from our experiences and be prepared. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, to borrow an old cliche, the more things change, the more they remain the same. The speaker who spoke a little while ago from the Democrats said that the Democrats in just 6 months have achieved what the Republicans did not do in 6 years. That's true. In 6 months they've achieved increasing the taxes on the American people, the second largest tax increase in the history of this country. Again, $217 billion in additional taxes. Mr. Speaker, that's going to hit everybody, middle income families, low income earners, families with children, small businesses. Every American who pays Federal taxes is going to get a huge tax increase. Mr. Speaker, the American people do not deserve a $217 billion tax increase to fund more bureaucracy and more bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. If you think that there are not enough bureaucracy, enough bureaucrats in D.C., vote for this budget. If you think the American people deserve a tax cut, reject this high spending, highly irresponsible tax raising budget.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I listened to the terms of the gentleman from New Jersey speaking about not leaping first. It's kind of a very aesthetic way to say to it. No, what he's taking about is leaping on the American taxpayer. That's what the Democratic budget does. It does leap on the American taxpayer because it does increase $392 billion on the American taxpayer. This budget does. And all Americans are going to be paying for this. Middle-income families, low-income earners, families with children, and small businesses. And we have heard again that they don't want to raise taxes in this budget. But if that's true, Mr. Speaker, then let's instruct the conferees to extend these popular tax provisions, these tax relief provisions. Unfortunately, at the committee markup, Mr. Speaker, the Republicans offered several amendments to do just that, aimed at helping the hardworking American taxpayers. Not one single Democrat voted in favor of these commonsense tax cut provisions. And what were they, Mr. Speaker? Because they always like to say, oh, it's tax cuts for the rich. No. Let's talk about what they are, what they voted against in committee, without one dissenting vote. They voted against extending the $1,000 per child tax credit. Not only the wealthy have kids in this country, Mr. Speaker. They voted against extending the marriage penalty tax relief. Not only the wealthy get married, at least not in the State of Florida that I represent. They voted against elimination of the death tax. That's right. They want dead people to pay more taxes. And they voted against extending the State and local tax deduction. How does this affect regular middle-class Americans? Mr. Speaker, a middle-income family of four earning $60,000 will look at over a 60 percent tax increase by the year 2011. One hundred and fifteen million taxpayers will see their taxes increase an average of $1,700 by 2011. In Florida that I am privileged to represent, over 6.7 million taxpayers will see their taxes increase increased by over $3,000.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, this budget does include $392 million in increased taxes. Unfortunately, this Democrat tax increase plan affects all Americans. Those increases would hit middle income families, low-income earners families with small children, business, just to name a few. Now, we have heard here tonight from our friends on the other side of the aisle that they don't want to raise taxes in this budget and that this budget doesn't raise taxes. Mr. Chairman, there is a problem, that the votes here in this body are recorded, they are actually recorded, just last week, not last year, not last century, just last week. I know memory sometimes fails, but last week, when we marked up this budget, the Republicans offered several amendments making sure that the taxes did not go up. Not a single Democrat in that committee voted for those amendments. So here they come, on this floor tonight, and say that they do not raise taxes, but last week they voted against an amendment extending the $1,000 per child tax credit. They say, tonight, on this floor, that this budget does not raise taxes, but voted against an amendment last week on this budget that would have extended the marriage penalty tax relief. They say tonight on this floor that they do not want to raise taxes and this budget does not raise taxes, but just a few days ago, they voted against extending the elimination of death tax and even voted against extending the State and local tax deduction. That is on the record. You see, you can say a lot of things, but votes are recorded. Ladies and gentlemen, don't take my word for it, don't take theirs. Go on the Internet. Look at the votes. They voted to extend, they voted against those amendments which would have kept the taxes low. What does that mean for every American family? For example, a middle income family of four earning $60,000 will see an increase of 61 percent to their tax bill in 2011. But wait, there is a lot more. But wait, like the TV commercial says, but, wait, there is more, 150 million taxpayers would see their taxes increase, on average, of $1,795 by 2011. In the State of Florida alone, there are over 7.6 million taxpayers. I hate to break the news, there aren't 7.6 million rich people in Florida. Over 7.6 million taxpayers in my home State of Florida will see their taxes increase by an average of $3,036. Mr. Chairman, this is the largest tax increase in the history of this country.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007, I was unavoidably detained and thus I missed rollcall vote No. 110. Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on H.R. 556, the National Security Foreign Investment Reform and Strengthened Transparency Act.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my name be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 866.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, whether you are for or against the war in Iraq, whether you think the administration has done a good job or not, none of that, Madam Speaker, is the subject of this resolution. The issue that we are here debating now is whether or not we support the reinforcements that the Commander in Chief has sent to Iraq. At the request of the commanders on the field, the Commander in Chief made the decision to send the requested reinforcements to Iraq. Many of them are already there, Madam Speaker. Those fine men and women have already been sent to Iraq. The tragic effect of this resolution is to sabotage the morale of our troops and to broadcast to our enemies that Congress does not support our soldiers' mission. Our Nation's troops are the bravest and most dedicated men and women on this Earth. They are risking their lives every single day to preserve our freedom and to ensure the safety of all Americans. They are not letting us down. We cannot let them down. Again, Madam Speaker, the issue here is not whether you support or you oppose the war. It is whether you support our troops. Every American, Madam Speaker, every American should agree that it is in our Nation's best interest to ensure that Iraq does not fall into the hands of terrorist groups or of a terrorist state like Iran. The consequences of that happening, the consequences of that happening, would be catastrophic for the region, for our allies in the area such as Israel, Afghanistan, Jordan, Egypt, and others, and for the United States of America. We cannot pretend, we cannot pretend, that this ill- timed resolution expresses anything other than a rejection of our troops' mission. Our troops deserve much better than this. What our troops deserve, Madam Speaker, is our unwavering support. I refuse to let them down, and that is why I will be voting against this resolution.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

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

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

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Keller. I want to thank all of those colleagues who have spoken here today. On behalf of my brother, Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who is actually now in a committee and cannot be here, I want to particularly thank Congressman Kendrick Meek for this profound and deep honor. Congressman Meek, I have to tell you, there are not a lot of secrets in this process, but somehow you kept this a secret, and I am not quite sure how you were able to do this, because both my brother and I didn't know about this until very, very recently. That is something that is frankly unusual, for anything to be kept a secret in this process. I particularly want to thank the sponsor of this resolution for, again, this honor to our grandfather and our family, our entire family, that this House is giving all of us today. But when I think of families who have public service in their background, our dear friend Congressman Kendrick Meek comes from a family of deep service to our country. As I said recently in a public meeting in Miami, the matriarch of the Florida congressional delegation and particularly the South Florida Members congressional delegation is Congresswoman Carrie Meek, who was not only a fine Member of this institution and also was a member of the Florida legislature for many years, but she is an icon in the history of our Nation. She is one of those who has broken through, her entire life, that glass ceiling, not once, not twice, but many, many times. Then, of course, her son, Kendrick, who is a tough fighter for issues that he believes in and for the people he represents and who I am honored to call a dear friend of mine. So I am deeply honored, Congressman. I am deeply honored for all of this. On behalf of the Diaz-Balart family, I just want to thank you for this deep honor, this deep privilege. It is a day that we will not soon forget. Again, just thank you all very much.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. We do a lot of important work in Congress, and we pass a lot of good resolutions for good people, but rarely can you actually say that here is a person who has saved thousands upon thousands upon thousands of lives in his work. He is truly a fine, wonderful public servant, and it is wonderful to be able to have the opportunity to now support and vote on this fine resolution. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).