Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), my friend and colleague and a valued member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Colleagues, in closing, we all know too well that Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror and that its most destructive terrorist tool is Hezbollah. This group's nefarious activities are not limited to terrorism. They range from drug trafficking to other forms of illicit activity. Hezbollah has transformed into one of the world's most sophisticated and complex and dangerous terror organizations. H.R. 2297 is the adequate response to meet this challenge. On the terror financing front, this bill would move the ball forward by sanctioning foreign banks for knowingly doing business with Hezbollah. The bill would also expose Hezbollah's television apparatus, as I mentioned before, Al-Manar, which is used for logistical, propaganda, and fundraising purposes. Again, I want to commend Chairman Royce and commend all the other people who worked so hard making this a reality. This will be signed into law. This will go to the President's desk. I think we can all be proud, once again, of the bipartisan way in which the Foreign Affairs Committee works. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott), who serves on the Financial Services Committee, who was a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, who has served as vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. Congressman Scott is also a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He does such a fine job, and I want everyone to know he grew up in my district.

Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act. The House first passed this bipartisan legislation on May 14 by a vote of 423-0. That is as bipartisan as you can get. On November 17, the Senate sent the bill back to us with a number of very modest changes. By passing it again today, we send it to the President's desk. I want to commend my friend, Chairman Royce, for being the driving force behind this very, very important bill. When Chairman Royce introduced the bill, I was glad to join as an original cosponsor. I also want to acknowledge Representatives Deutch, Meadows, and Meng for their had work on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, over a decade ago, I authored the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act, which is now law. My partner, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, and I pushed very hard for many years to get this bill finally passed by both Houses and signed into law by the President. This measure aimed to end Syrian support for terrorism, including support to groups such as Hezbollah. Since then, Hezbollah has found new ways to siphon resources and expand its reach, all the while working toward the same goal: to undermine Lebanese political independence and support Iran's dangerous agenda throughout the region. It is a bit ironic that the group that really controls Lebanon today is not really the Lebanese Government, but it is Hezbollah, which really has the same type of duplication, but they are stronger militarily than the Lebanese Government. That is a shame for Lebanon. It really is. We know the aggregation that Hezbollah has had with Lebanon's wars against Israel and being Iran's proxy in Syria and doing all kinds of things that are detrimental to the world. Our laws to crack down on this group of Hezbollah need to keep pace. Again, their goal is to undermine Lebanese political independence and support Iran's dangerous goals. We need to be one step ahead of them. Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Let's not forget that. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its Quds Force spread instability throughout the region, Iran's most destructive terrorist tool has been Hezbollah. Among other things, this heinous group was behind the bombings of the U.S. Embassy and marine barracks in Lebanon and the Israel embassy and Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hezbollah's nefarious activities are not limited to terrorism. The group has put down roots in drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime. Hezbollah has become a sophisticated and complex terrorist organization, and we need a response adequate to meet this challenge. This legislation will move the ball forward by sanctioning foreign banks for knowingly doing business with Hezbollah. We need to send a clear message to companies getting tangled up with this terrorist group. That message is: Walk away or face the consequences of the United States of America. The bill would also shine a bright light on Al-Manar, Hezbollah's television station, itself a specially designated terrorist group. Chairman Royce and I, working together through the years, especially listen to what is being broadcast. During the cold war, when we had Radio Free America and television broadcasts, we felt that the message that the United States was getting to these countries was very important. And we believed--both of us-- that it did, in fact, play a major role in the collapse of the Soviet Union because they were fed the truth by us. We are strong supporters of continuing that kind of thing. Hezbollah uses Al-Manar for logistical propaganda and fundraising purposes. It defies reason that this station is still carried by the satellite providers all over the world. Can you imagine that? Let me say that again. This legislation shines a bright light on Al- Manar, which is Hezbollah's television station--itself, a specially designated terrorist group--and Hezbollah uses this station for logistical propaganda and fundraising purposes. It is outrageous that this station is still carried by satellite providers all over the world. We need to expose this puppet organization for what it is. Our government needs new powers provided in this legislation, and I am pleased that the House and Senate worked together to get the bill across the finish line. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation; and I, again, thank Chairman Royce for pushing this, for being the driving force of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), the author of this resolution, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, a good friend, and a great member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me say that today we are talking about a particular challenge facing the Western Hemisphere. But let me say that we have seen a great deal in the last few weeks that we should be optimistic about. As I mentioned before, for example, voters in Venezuela recently went to the ballot box to demand change. They did so in Argentina as well. So we see once again that, despite all of the challenges in the hemisphere, electoral democracy remains vibrant, but we have to keep working to keep it vibrant. But, of course, elections alone are not enough. We need to work in partnership with our friends in the Americas to ensure that every country has a robust democracy that includes a free and independent press. Most importantly, countries must guarantee the safety of journalists, especially as they courageously report in dangerous places. I, again, thank Mr. Sires and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen for introducing this important resolution. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 536. I want to congratulate my friend from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), who is the driving force behind this resolution, and my friend from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), who has cosponsored this resolution. The two of them have really worked very, very hard through the years to raise this issue, and it is good that we are taking up this measure now. Here in the United States we know that a free and open press is the cornerstone of a strong democracy. We count on the press to hold leaders accountable and shine a light on the challenges facing our country. The work of a free press goes hand in hand with the representative government we practice in this Chamber. As government officials, we have tremendous respect for our friends in the so-called fourth estate. So it is especially troubling when we see governments right here in our hemisphere try to silence this critical institution. On May 1, World Press Freedom Day, President Obama said ``in too many places around the world, a free press is under attack by governments that want to avoid the truth or mistrust the ability of citizens to make their own decisions.'' Unfortunately, that threat to press freedom is particularly acute right here in our own hemisphere. That is why I am so glad, as I mentioned before, that my friends, Mr. Sires, ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, the subcommittee's former chair, introduced this measure condemning violations of press freedom and violence against journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr. Sires and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen are leaders on the Western Hemisphere in our Congress and are never shy to speak up when individuals' rights are in danger. I used to be the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; so, I have seen this problem firsthand. Here in the Americas, leaders often speak out when electoral democracy is at risk. That is great. But, unfortunately, those leaders fall silent when it comes to the more subtle challenges to democracy, particularly violations of press freedom. We saw it earlier this year when the Ecuadorian Government threatened to close down a press freedom monitoring organization known as Fundamedios. Chairman Royce and I joined many in the international community in condemning this effort. Fortunately, President Correa relented in the face of international condemnation. Still, attacks on press freedom in Ecuador are a daily problem, creating a hostile environment for journalists trying to do their jobs. A 2013 communications law put in place fines and sanctions for the press. So it is no surprise that Freedom House rated Ecuador's press as not free this year. The list goes on and on. In Venezuela, journalists have been targeted by politically motivated lawsuits. That is why it is such a miracle, what we saw this past week or so with the Venezuelan elections. Despite the harassment, despite the lack of press freedom, despite going after people who would raise the truth, the Venezuelan people weren't fooled and voted overwhelmingly against the current oppressive regime. That is good. It is good to see. But we need to make sure that free press really exists not only in places like Venezuela, but in Cuba, where the government has rounded up and detained independent journalists just for reporting the reality on the ground. Just for reporting the truth in Cuba, you get rounded up and detained. In Mexico, drug trafficking organizations have brutally murdered many of those who report on their violent activities. Just last week, the editor of a Mexican newspaper called El Manana explained to The Washington Post that submitting to drug traffickers' demands is the only way to stay alive. He said: ``You do it or you die, and nobody wants to die. Self-censorship--that's our shield.'' And in Colombia and Honduras, journalism remains a dangerous profession. This resolution underscores these abuses and the scourge of violence against journalists. It reaffirms the important role a free press plays in open societies, and it urges these governments in the region to do much more to provide protection to those journalists under threat. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. I again compliment Mr. Sires and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, every day ISIS is working to bring new fighters into its ranks, recruiting candidates from South Asia, from France, the U.K., and right here in the United States. ISIS is able to cast such a wide net because they are taking full advantage of social media. We need to take this tool out of their hands, even as we press forward with our partners to fight ISIS on the battlefield. This legislation will enable us to work more closely with social media companies and put together a strategy to meet this challenge. Again, I want to commend my friend, Judge Poe. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I would say to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), you are right: ``That is just the way it is.'' I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this measure that would push back against the use of social media by terrorist groups. Let me start by thanking Congressman Poe of Texas for introducing this legislation. I am very glad to be an original cosponsor. I want to thank Congressman Sherman for his hard work, and I want to thank, of course, our chairman, Chairman Royce. This is a real bipartisan, important, strong measure. I think we need to be using every tool at our disposal to meet the challenge posed by ISIS and other terrorist groups, and this bill will help us to meet them on the virtual battlefield, which is where they have been having such great success--on social media. Anyone who has looked at the situation over the past months or years knows that the one major difference is social media. Social media, of course, riles up jihadists and also enables them to surreptitiously communicate in terms of plotting terrorist attacks. We have to be one step ahead of them, and we cannot let them be one step ahead of us. That is why legislation like this is so important. I cannot think of a conflict in the past in which our enemies have been able to broadcast such horrific depictions of destruction and bloodshed, like we are seeing from ISIS. We all know the images of Mohammed Emwazi, who was known as Jihadi John, as he brutally murdered innocent people. Those videos spread across the Internet with staggering speed, showing everyone in the world the threat that ISIS posed and the tactics ISIS fighters were willing to use. Fortunately, the administration's efforts succeeded in taking him out, but we know there are far too many who are waiting to take his place. ISIS isn't just using social media to foment fear and panic. ISIS and other groups have taken full advantage of Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms to spread their violent ideology, to recruit new fighters, and to radicalize members of vulnerable and marginalized populations. For example, as more and more information comes out about the San Bernardino shooters, it is becoming clear that Tashfeen Malik used Facebook to convey her commitment to violent extremism to overseas contacts. We need to find a way to deal with this challenge on social media without violating free expression or privacy concerns. It is going to require creative thinking, but I am confident that we can do it. We have to do it. We don't have a choice but to do it. We have already taken some steps. I worked with Chairman Royce and with Representatives Poe of Texas and Sherman to push Twitter to make it easier for users to report recruitment efforts. This is a small step to help with one of the tools that ISIS is using, but they are constantly evolving, and we need to keep looking for ways to push back. That is where this legislation comes in. This bill would require the administration to devise a strategy to combat terrorists' use of social media and to foster greater collaboration between government and private sector companies to help identify and stop terrorist activities online. Again, we need to look for every advantage possible in taking the fight to ISIS. This bill would help us push back on one of the ways ISIS has achieved such a global reach. Again, I commend Mr. Poe of Texas for his tireless efforts in bringing in legislation to the floor. I commend the chairman as well and Mr. Sherman. I support this measure, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), a valued member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In closing, let me, again, thank Chairman Royce for bringing this bill forward and thank Representatives Poe and Connolly for their hard work. Our foreign assistance helps improve the lives of countless people around the world, and it helps advance American interests and American values. Foreign assistance deserves the continued support of Congress. At the same time, we need to know that our foreign assistance dollars are being put to the best use possible, that we are getting the biggest bang for our buck. The American people expect no less when it comes to their tax dollars, and they are right. So let's stand up for foreign assistance and for transparency and accountability by passing this bill. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I congratulate Judge Poe and Mr. Connolly. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thought we were debating Mr. Poe's and Mr. Connolly's bill. I didn't realize that climate change was on the agenda. Let me say that today, Secretary Kerry met with a bunch of businesspeople and led a meeting, and they talked about climate change because climate change is real. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and an author of this legislation.

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this measure. First of all, I want to thank Congressman Poe and Congressman Connolly for all their hard work on this bill. Enhancing transparency and accountability in our foreign assistance spending is something with which we can all agree. And it is important that we get our foreign assistance right. Our foreign aid represents just a tiny sliver of the Federal Government's annual budget--less than 1 percent. But if it is put to the right use, it is an investment that pays huge dividends. Why is that? Because when we support the construction of a water treatment facility in an overcrowded city or train teachers in a rural village, we are doing more than just directly helping those affected. We are helping to bring stability and prosperity to entire communities and populations. And when we have stronger partners around the world, it helps enhance our own security and advance our own interests. So, as I like to say, foreign assistance is the right thing to do for those who are in desperate need, and it is also the smart thing to do in terms of American foreign policy and national security. But it is important that we are spending our limited foreign assistance dollars efficiently and effectively. The Obama administration is taking important steps to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of our foreign assistance programs. When she was Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was at the forefront of those efforts. This legislation, the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, would build on the great progress already made by the administration. It would write into law many of the steps they have already taken, making these efforts permanent for future administrations. This will help ensure that our investments are as effective as possible by requiring measurable goals and plans for monitoring and evaluation. Madam Speaker, this important legislating will help all of us to better understand how our foreign assistance programs help promote stability, prosperity, and democracy around the world, and how these investments advance our own security interests. I am for accountability, so I strongly support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, organizations that celebrate and promote the arts are an invaluable part of any great community. For 50 years, ArtsWestchester has connected the entire Westchester community with the arts through incredible exhibitions, programming, events, and initiatives for people of all ages. Their value to our local communities and neighborhoods cannot be understated. Founded in 1965, ArtsWestchester in the largest private, not-for- profit arts council in New York State, and a recognized leader among arts councils nationwide. The ArtsWestchester mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support to the local arts scene, while ensuring the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts in Westchester. Every year, ArtsWestchester distributes over $1 million in grants to artists and arts organizations, and markets the arts for over 150 cultural organizations and 1,000 artists on their website, as well as in their monthly publication, ArtsNews. ArtsWestchester also owns and operates the Arts Exchange, a historic landmark building on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, which serves as a haven for local artists to create, perform, rehearse, and showcase their work. The building is constantly humming with activity; and epitomizes exactly what ArtsWestchester is all about. In addition to the cultural impact, Arts Westchester has also had a profound economic impact on the area. In 2010 alone, the arts in Westchester accounted for over $156.44 million in economic activity, due in no small part to the work of ArtsWestchester. The combination of economic growth and cultural artistry is a powerful one, and its positive affect on the entire region has been felt as a result. On November 20, 2015 ArtsWestchester is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Gala. I want to congratulate the entire organization on the occasion, and thank them for all of their great contributions to Westchester.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Eric Pollard, a true public servant whose leadership, loyalty, and dedication to his work has left an indelible mark on the Yonkers Public School System. Teachers, administrators coworkers and parents all have wonderful things to say about Eric and the job he has done as Head Custodian of the School 16 Annex, located at 759 North Broadway in Yonkers. His reputation precedes him, due to his work ethic and dedication to the school. Principal Cynthia Eisner has lauded Eric, saying, ``he makes sure that everything is not only in working order, but it is in tip top shape.'' In addition to his custodial duties, Eric helps with arrivals and dismissals, serving as a de facto traffic officer, clearing the bus lanes of cars to ensure a smooth dismissal every day. The school's Assistant Principal, JoAnn DiMaria, has also praised Eric for his ``leadership, loyalty, and dedication of the highest caliber in association with his responsibilities as Head Custodian. He supports and collaborates with custodial staff in the Main Building while consistently maintaining an immaculate environment where our children can learn.'' A Yonkers resident himself, Eric resides with his wife, Lisa, and daughters Kamesha and Aaliyah in the district. He is one of six children born to Mildred and Claude Lee Sr. and has been a resident of Yonkers since 1967. He attended PS 8, graduated from Roosevelt High School, and has been employed by the Board of Education as a custodian since 1992. Eric is Yonkers through and through, and he epitomizes the hard work and dedication the community is known for. On November 17th Eric is being honored with the 2015 Civil Service Employee of the Year Award, hosted by the Exchange Club of Yonkers and the Yonkers Public School system. It is my pleasure to congratulate Eric on this wonderful honor, and thank him for his years of service to the community.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and a true community leader, Pelham Town Supervisor Peter DiPaola, who has served his community in elected office with distinction for close to 25 years. A resident of Pelham Manor since 1952, Peter has always had a love affair with Pelham Manor and its residents. He attended Siwanoy Elementary School while his future wife attended Prospect Hill, beginning a family legacy in the Pelham Elementary School system that has lasted three generations. In 1991, Peter began his life of public service as a member of the Pelham Manor Planning Board, and never looked back. To call Peter's career in elected office diverse or extensive would be an understatement. He served as Pelham Manor Trustee, with oversight for administration, planning, and finance; Fire Commissioner; Police Commissioner; Commissioner of Public Works; was elected Mayor of the Village of Pelham Manor in 2001; Town Councilman in 2004; and finally Pelham Town Supervisor in 2012, the role in which he currently still serves. As Town Supervisor, Peter has worked diligently to maintain the beauty and charm that has defined Pelham for decades. In spite of state mandated tax caps, he has overseen a redesign and improvement of the Town Court, a renovation of Gazebo Park, an expansion of the offerings by the Pelham Recreation Department, as well as an improvement of town services and programs, all while staying under the 2 percent tax cap. He has also worked hard to obtain vital funding through local, state, and federal grants, some of which my office has helped procure, for initiatives ranging from Superstorm Sandy repairs to improvements to Trotta Park. Peter's ability to deliver the services Pelham's residents have come to expect from their local government, while exhibiting strict fiscal responsibility, has been masterful, and as Pelham's Congressman I have always counted myself fortunate to have such a wonderful partner in government. Peter and I may not come from the same side of the aisle, but we have always had a great relationship, built on a foundation of mutual respect, while working together in the spirit of bipartisanship. As the American Legion Pelham Post 50 honors Peter at their annual Veterans Week Dinner Dance, I want to take a moment to honor him as well, and thank his wife, children, and grandchildren for sharing him with the entire community. There is no more fitting honoree than Peter, and he is most deserving of this recognition.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a leader in the Yonkers community, Angelo R. Martinelli, who for 20 years has led the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce as Chairman with great distinction and integrity. Originally born in the Bronx in 1927, Angelo grew up in Mount Vernon, attending A.B. Davis High School. Following his graduating in 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served until 1946 as a Sergeant. After leaving the Army, Angelo returned home to work in his family's business, The Yonkers Daily Times, while swiftly moving to buy the Gazette Press in 1948. This shift, as well as meeting the love of his life, Carol Madatto, led to the purchase of their first home in Yonkers in 1960, where Angelo still currently lives. In 1974, Angelo ran and was elected Mayor of the City of Yonkers, serving from 1974-1979 and again from 1982-1987. He has earned a reputation as an effective and forceful advocate of municipal government interests, like seniors, anti-crime programs, and the reactivation of the Yonkers Police Athletic League. In 1983, with the closing of the PAL seeming imminent, Mayor Martinelli helped form a new Board of Directors, and today the PAL is a vibrant organization, with Angelo continuing to serve as its President since 1991. Angelo was the owner and Chairman of the Board of Gazette Press, Inc., and is currently Chairman of the Board for Today Media, Inc. From 1990 until May, 2012 he served as a director of Hudson Valley Bank. In January 1984, Mercy College conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. In January 1995 he became Chairman of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, a position he still holds. In August 2015, HBO aired the miniseries, ``Show Me a Hero,'' with Angelo, who was delighted to be portrayed by actor Jim Belushi. But Angelo's passion was always his family. He and Carol, to whom he was married to and loved for 65 years, have six sons, Michael, Paul, Robert, Richard, Thomas and Ralph, and five daughters-in-law, 12 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Angelo is an active parishioner of St. Eugene's Church, Yonkers. This year, the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce is honoring Angelo at the 122nd Annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner, commemorating his 20 years of service as Chairman of the Board. I want to thank him for his incredible leadership and for helping to make Yonkers the great city it is today.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), a very well-respected member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure. First of all, I would like to associate myself with the remarks of Chairman Royce. I think that all of us share the horror of what happened in Paris just a few short days ago. Like so many around the world, we are heartbroken. We are outraged. We are stunned. The perpetrators of these brutal and brazen attacks in Paris are our enemies, just as they are the enemies of France. We must remain vigilant in the face of this challenge. Terrorists, Mr. Speaker, want to make their enemies live their lives in fear and retreat from the freedom which underpins our society. But I think the fanatics responsible for this attack underestimate the French people. Across the centuries, Paris and France have seen far worse: a bloody revolution, the darkest days of two World Wars, a Nazi occupation that marched columns of German troops beneath the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs-Elysees. And all the while, the Republic emerged even stronger and more committed to the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity--values that we share and that bind the U.S. and France together. The people of France will endure and the City of Light will shine even brighter. Last week's attacks were an atrocity, but they won't break the spirit of the French people. And as France grieves and moves forward, the United States will be standing shoulder to shoulder alongside our oldest ally in friendship and solidarity. But, let's be clear: friendship and solidarity aren't all that is needed in the wake of these attacks. What is needed is clarity, resolve, and action. Clearly, ISIS is an enemy that must be defeated. So we need to ramp up our information sharing and intelligence efforts with our allies and partners to figure out how ISIS orchestrated this plot and to prevent future attacks. We need to keep pushing for a resolution to Syria's civil war, which has created the conditions for ISIS to flourish. We need to increase our support for those on the ground in Syria and Iraq that are already fighting ISIS so that they can keep building on their recent successes. We need to stem the flow of foreign fighters traveling to the Middle East to join the ranks of ISIS and figure out how to counter the radicalization of vulnerable populations. And we need bring to justice those responsible for the Paris attacks to send a clear, strong message that murder and terrorism will never go unanswered. These terrorists, they are not religious people. They are fascists. They think they can use terror to further their political ends. They won't succeed. This resolution conveys our deepest condolences to the French people. Just as importantly, it shows that the United States stands ready to assist France in its time of need and to respond to the growing threat of ISIS. I urge all my colleagues to support this measure. Long live France. Long live liberty. Vive la France. Vive la liberte. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, let me just say in closing we have heard impassioned speeches from all our colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and this is certainly something with which we agree, certainly something that Congress needs to send a very, very strong message, that terrorism will never triumph, that we have the resolve here in America to join with our friends around the world to stop the scourge of terrorism, and that we stand with the people of France in these very, very troubling times. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.