Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutch).

Mr. ENGEL. I yield the gentleman 1 minute.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill, H.R. 6649, as amended, and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the transfer of decommissioned frigates to four foreign countries. The governments of Turkey, Mexico, and Thailand would each receive by grant two Perry class frigates. That means for free. Taiwan would be authorized to purchase four of the same class of frigates, which they clearly need to protect their territorial waters. I object to this bill primarily because of Turkey. While I recognize that Turkey is an important NATO ally, I regret that I have to oppose this bill in light of Turkey's problematic behavior and disturbing rhetoric regarding Israel and Cyprus over the past year and a half. For example, in May, with no apparent justification, Turkey sent combat aircraft to intercept an Israeli aircraft that was flying near Cyprus. This could have turned into a significant confrontation between a U.S. NATO ally and the United States' closest ally in the Middle East. Fortunately, it did not. In September 2011, Turkey announced that it would send warships to escort aid convoys to Gaza. It has not followed through with this threat, but nor has it rescinded it. Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Davutoglu have been famously competing to see who can issue the most vile denunciations of Israel, as we saw, once again, during the recent Gaza crisis. Indeed, their allegations of ``ethnic cleansing'' and ``crimes against humanity,'' quotes from them, topped even the claims of Hamas for stridency and falsehood. Of course, the prime minister called Israel a ``terrorist state.'' Is that the kind of rhetoric we should expect from a NATO ally? Some people say this should continue because, after all, Turkey is an ally and we need to help them. Well, I look at it the other way. They're a NATO ally, so they have responsibility. And the way they're acting has been anything but responsible. This is not an inconsequential or trivial matter. As many public opinion surveys show, and as is widely acknowledged, Turkey wields enormous influence among Middle Easterners, with the sway to exacerbate or tamp down tensions as it sees fit. For too long, it has been exacerbating these tensions, particularly since the new government--well, it's not new anymore--a government for several years with an Islamist bent has been in. Moreover, Turkey's longstanding recognition of Hamas has done nothing to moderate that group. It has merely lent legitimacy to a terrorist group and undermined the standing of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. Indeed, in the aftermath of the Gaza hostilities, Turkey's extreme rhetoric and one-sided approach to Israel's conflict with Hamas disqualified it from playing the useful mediating role which should be its natural vocation. Turkey's unnecessarily harsh anti-Israel rhetoric over the last several years actually did cost the Turks the support of Congress to authorize the transfer of two decommissioned U.S. frigates in the last Congress. It should have that result again in this Congress, and it should be denied. But Turkey's poisonous rhetoric and menacing behavior towards Israel is not the only reason to oppose this ship transfer, and perhaps not even the most potentially explosive. To cite the other important reason: Turkey has repeatedly threatened Cyprus and its energy explorations. One year ago, Turkey used its naval forces--and, by the way, the very naval forces this bill would enhance--in an effort to harass and intimidate Cyprus and workers employed by the Houston-based Noble Energy company as they sought to explore for offshore natural gas in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. Prime Minister Erdogan also threatened that Turkey would use force to stop these explorations. Probably because of U.S. opposition, it has not done so, but, again, Turkey has never rescinded the threat. Almost exactly 1 year ago, Turkey conducted a dangerous live-fire naval exercise in the vicinity of both the Cypriot and Israeli offshore natural gas explorations, which Cyprus and Israel are doing jointly. The Turkish attitude is epitomized by Turkey's Minister for European Union Affairs, Egemen Bagis, who addressed the issue of Cypriot natural gas exploration last year. This was his warning, and I quote: This is what we have a navy for. We have trained our marines for this. We have equipped the navy for this. All options are on the table. Anything can be done. And I want to remind my colleagues that Turkey has continued to occupy the northern part of Cyprus since the 1970s. It's just unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, I realize that Turkey is an important member of NATO. It accepted radar emplacements for NATO's missile defense initiative, and it is an important element of the solution to several regional problems--notably, Syria--but it has become a major problem for U.S. interests in terms of its relations with Israel and the inflammatory and distinctly unhelpful role it has assumed in the Palestinian issue, as well as its threats against Cyprus. In the last several years, the once warm relationship between Israel and Turkey has unfortunately frozen over. We would truly like to see a thaw in that relationship, just as we would like to see Turkey respect the sovereign right of every country in the region, like Cyprus, to utilize their natural resources. Until then, I believe we should hold off on sending powerful warships to Turkey and encourage the government in Ankara to take a less belligerent approach to their neighbors. Early in the next Congress, I would look forward to working with my colleagues on a new ship transfer bill that excludes Turkey, if we can defeat this bill, or appropriately conditions our ship transfer so that the government in Ankara gets the right message. So I urge my colleagues to reject this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have left?

Mr. ENGEL. I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 134, as amended; and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, before I get into the substance of the bill, I just want to say a couple of things as we're ending the 112th Congress. In the 113th Congress, I'm about to take over as ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The man I'm replacing, who spoke before me, the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman), I just want him to know, which he already does, but I want to say it for the record how much we're going to miss him and what a role model he really is for all of us on the committee, first as chair and then as ranking member. There isn't a person on either side of the aisle who doesn't respect him. There isn't a person who doesn't understand how important he's been to the Congress the many years he has served in Congress, and particularly on the Foreign Affairs Committee. His shoes are going to be very hard to fill. I'm going to try the best I can, but I want him to know, which he already does, but I want to say it for the record that I'm going to miss him. I'm going to miss him as a friend, and I'm going to miss him as a colleague; and I think the Congress as a whole will miss him because he's one of the best, and I wish him only the very, very best as he moves on to a future endeavor. Let me also say the gentlewoman from Florida, the current chair of the committee and former ranking member of the committee, she knows the affection I have for her both personally as a friend but also as a colleague, as chair of the committee for the past 2 years and as ranking member for the previous 4. She and I have worked together not only in these past 6 years but for all of the years we've been in Congress, and I think we've been in Congress for almost the exact same time. It's been a pleasure and an honor to work with her, and I continue to look forward to collaborating with her on all these issues of importance to us--we agree on many, many, many things--in the 113th Congress. Madam Chair, I just want to tell you how much we appreciate you on both sides of the aisle. So let me talk about the bill. I think it's important. I agree with everything the chairwoman said. While the international community is rightfully concerned about Iran's ties to international terrorism and its nuclear weapons program, we cannot forget those who struggle for religious freedom and democracy in Iran. The Baha'i community has long been the target of religious persecution by the Iranian regime. Much of its informal leadership has been arrested, and many members of the community executed. The Baha'i are not permitted to practice their religion and culture. Their marriages are not recognized. Their dead cannot be buried according to Baha'i law, and their cemeteries are desecrated. In addition, the Baha'i are denied government jobs and business licenses. They are not permitted to enroll in public universities, and Baha'i schoolchildren are frequently harassed by classmates, teachers, and administrators. No human being deserves this type of treatment at the hands of their government. The social teachings of the Baha'i faith, such as the equality of women and men and the principle of each individual's responsibility to navigate the truth, are impossible for the theocratic leaders of Iran to comprehend. But these are universal values--human values--and they must be protected. Mr. Speaker, the United States and the international community must not ignore the systematic and violent attacks against the Iranian Baha'i community, and Tehran must be held accountable. By passing this resolution, we shine a light on the persecution of the Baha'i and hopefully move us one step closer to the day that true freedom reaches Iran. I encourage all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 134, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. I have no further speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, December 28, 2012 will mark 60 years of marriage for Lorraine (Lipsky) and Elliott Palais. They met at New York University Heights in 1950 and lived in the Bronx after their wedding. Elliott served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. Lorraine was able to accompany him at his assignments, including Salzburg, Austria, and Fort Monmouth, N.J. where she worked in the Adjutant General's Office. They moved to Yonkers in November 1961. The Palais' are very involved in civic; educational, religious, professional, political, veterans and community activities. Both served as President of Lincoln Park Taxpayers Association where they are now Regents, and as Chairman of the Yonkers Branch of the American Red Cross. Lorraine is President of the Yonkers Police Second Precinct Community Council, serves as Treasurer of an Oil Cooperative and is on the Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board. Elliott is an administrator at Fordham University where he directs the Title VI Programs. He is a former Yonkers City Councilmember and is a member of three veterans Posts (two of which he served as Commander) and Secretary of the Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans Organizations. Both were awarded the Americanism Award by the Central Committee of Veterans Organizations. They are both members of the Kiwanis Club of East Yonkers. Elliott is an Honorary Kentucky Colonel for his service as a consultant to Western Kentucky University. They have four children, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. They attribute their marriage longevity to love, patience, understanding, caring and adversity in sickness and in health. I am proud to be able to congratulate them for all of their good works for their community and their neighbors. And, like all who believe in love, I especially want to congratulate them on the 60th anniversary of their marriage. They are a shining example to all of us.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me, and I thank him for doing this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, I have been to Newtown, Connecticut, since I have cousins who live there. It's less than an hour's drive from my congressional district. Today, we mourn all the people who lost their lives in Newtown on Friday, including 20 elementary school children and six educators. Over the past few years, we've seen innocent lives tragically lost to gun violence in a supermarket parking lot in Arizona, a shopping mall in Oregon, a movie theater in Colorado, an Army base in Texas, a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, a college campus in Virginia, and now an elementary school in Connecticut. The proliferation of combat-style weapons has spawned these tragedies, and it is long past time that we control them. The Second Amendment guarantees a right to bear arms, but it does not guarantee an absolute right to military-style, high-caliber, semi- automatic, bulletproof-vest-piercing combat assault rifles with high- capacity magazines to anybody who wants them. It just does not. And we must not let interest groups persuade us otherwise. We need sensible restrictions. We need sensible gun control legislation. We need them here, and we need them now. Our children are counting on us, and we really need to not let them down.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Today is November 28, 2012, and it is exactly 100 years to the day of Albanian independence--when the people of Albania threw off the shackles of the Ottoman Empire. Now let's look at Albania today-- it's a thriving democracy and it's a member of NATO. Let's look at the fact that during the fifties and the sixties--for 50 years-- and extending into the seventies, Albania was the worst, brutal Communist dictatorship on the face of the Earth. They broke with the Soviet Union because it wasn't doctrinaire enough, and they broke with China because China wasn't doctrinaire enough. As to the lies they told the Albanian people all these years about Americans, do you know what? The Albanian people never bought it. It has been my experience as the founder and the chair of the Albanian Issues Caucus here in Congress for 24 years that Albanians are the best friends Americans have anywhere in the world. They love Americans. I am so happy that, today, they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Albania is a member of NATO, and Kosova is a free and independent nation that we hope one day will be a member of NATO and the European Union for both Albania and Kosova. Albanians around the world, be they in the Balkans, in Serbia, in Macedonia or Montenegro, are all sharing in this wonderful day. As to the great Albanian American community that we have in the United States, particularly in New York, I am just so proud to work with them. So let's hold up a glass and celebrate this wonderful 100th anniversary, and let's use the Albanian phrase, ``Gezuar''--``Cheers.''

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Sheldon Ohren of Monsey in my district who was elected National Commander of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. at its 117th Annual National Convention this August. He has served as Commander of the Department of New York and is a life member of PFC Fred Hecht Post 425 in Rockland County. Mr. Ohren served in the Air Force from April 1952 through January 1956. As an Airman First Class, he was assigned to the 6910th Security Group Headquarters in Landsberg am Lech, Germany, where he served as a cryptographic communications specialist. After leaving the service, he enrolled at New York University and graduated with a Degree in Industrial and Labor Relations. Afterwards he finished his accounting credits at the City College of New York and in 1965 joined the Internal Revenue Service. Before retiring in 2000 as an Appeals Team Chief, he earned a Master of Science Degree from Pace University and taught at Long Island University. Mr. Ohren was elected Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, and ultimately Commander of the JWV Department of New York in 2008. He has worked as a member of the National Executive Committee, the National Court, the Convention Committee, as well as a Special Assistant to the President of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the West Point Liaison Committee and attends Oneg Shabbats sponsored by JWV at the Academy, and presents Kiddush Cups and Shabbat Candlesticks to the Jewish graduates. In addition, he represents JWV at local Naturalization ceremonies and presents a copy of the Bill of Rights to the new citizens. Mr. Ohren is a regular visitor at the VA Hospital in Montrose, NY, and has served as a Docent at the Camp Shanks Museum, the Port of Embarkation during World War II. In addition to JWV, he has been President and Treasurer of his B'nai B'rith Lodge for 10 years and has been a member of Congregation Shaarey Israel for the past 19 years. He is also a Charter Member of the United States Holocaust Museum and a member of the Holocaust Museum and Study Center in Spring Valley, NY. He is a Brooklyn native and he and his wife Judy, a Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Post 425, have three children and five grandchildren. I congratulate Sheldon Ohren on his election as National Commander and most especially for all of the good work he has done for his community, for our country's veterans, and for the members of our Armed Services.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on October 10th, Taiwan will celebrate its' 101st anniversary. This celebration, often referred to as Double 10 Day, is significant for, amidst all the challenges to its continued existence, Taiwan has become one of the world's most advanced and vibrant democracies, and a close ally of the United States. This progress, coupled with its economic success, has made Taiwan, under the leadership of President Ma-Ying-jeou, a prime example of how the spirit, ingenuity, and diligence of a people can surmount almost any difficulty. Taiwan's high standard of living and its promise of freedom make Taiwan a natural friend and partner of the United States. Mr. Speaker, additionally, I would like to recognize the service of Jason Yuan, Taiwan's chief diplomat in the U.S. He was recently recalled to Taipei to head up their National Security Council; a promotion in recognition of his outstanding work in building relationships with and understanding the American people. Because our future is so mutually tied, I applaud the Republic of China for its selection of Jason who I am confident will advance the ties between Taiwan and the U.S. Again, on this October 10th, I would like to join with Taiwanese Americans and the people of Taiwan in commemoration of Taiwan's 101st anniversary and express my hope that the warm ties between our two countries will continue to flourish.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I have no further speakers. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of this resolution honoring Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods, four patriotic Americans who lost their lives in a cowardly and despicable attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya. On a daily basis, the men and women of the State Department assume great risks in dangerous locations all over the world. They conduct diplomacy, promote democracy, build civil society, educate, mediate, negotiate, and defend U.S. interests worldwide. They are the face of America abroad; and our country is safer, freer, and more prosperous because of what they do. Ambassador Stevens was one of our best and brightest--and most courageous. He had served in Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia; but Libya became the centerpiece and defining mission of his career. He was on the ground in Benghazi leading U.S. diplomatic efforts from the earliest days of the revolution. He worked tirelessly on behalf of U.S.-Libyan relations and the well-being of U.S. citizens living in Libya. I am particularly angry that this sickening attack occurred in a country that the U.S., with Chris Stevens in the lead, did so much to liberate. Ambassador Stevens will be missed for his knowledge of the Middle East, his exemplary commitment to service, his warming and welcoming personality, and his basic human decency. Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information officer, was a father and 10-year veteran of the U.S. State Department. Prior to arriving in Benghazi, he served in Brussels, Baghdad, Victoria, Montreal, and The Hague. Glen Doherty was a former Navy SEAL from Boston. He was killed while serving on the Ambassador's security detail and helping to evacuate the wounded. Tyrone Woods spent two decades as a SEAL, was a father of three, and had worked protecting diplomats in dangerous posts for the past 2 years. Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all the dedicated public servants whose lives were lost. Libya owes the American people a full investigation of this incident, in complete cooperation with U.S. authorities. The killers must be found and brought to justice. I stand by ready to assist in any way I can. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me say in conclusion I am glad that we have cooperation, as we generally do, in the Foreign Affairs Committee for working together on these issues. But I just want to say that I wish we had more cooperation in working together on some of the other issues of the day. We are leaving town in 2 days without enacting into law middle class tax cuts, the farm bill, the Violence Against Women Act, a responsible deficit reduction. Those are the priorities that are urgent, and we should be working on them right now in a bipartisan way--the way we are working on these issues. The American people cannot afford a Congress that refuses to act on issues critical to middle class families, small businesses, farmers, and women. So I just want to urge the Republican leadership to let us stay in town and complete work and work together for the betterment of the American people, the way we are doing with these three resolutions. With that, 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. 526, and I would like to thank the sponsors of this legislation, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and my colleague from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Schwartz, also from Pennsylvania, for their leadership on this issue. This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives with respect to the establishment of the democratic and prosperous Republic of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, which includes Abkhazia and South Ossetia as regions of Georgia. It is time for Russia to remove its occupying forces from Abkhazia and South Ossetia and comply fully with the August 12, 2008, cease-fire agreement. It is also time for the Russian Federation, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Tuvalu, and Nauru to revoke their recognition of the Georgian regions as independent states and respect Georgia's sovereignty. The territorial integrity of Georgia has been reaffirmed by the international community multiple times in United Nations Security Council resolutions. I commend Georgia for its commitment to a peaceful reunification of its territories and its engagement in constructive confidence-building measures towards the occupied territories aimed at reconnecting the divided communities. Georgia has had success in laying the foundation for a liberal, democratic state, and I urge the Government of Georgia to consolidate its impressive accomplishments since the 2003 Rose Revolution. The reforms needed to strengthen Georgia's nascent democracy are well- known: an independent judiciary, respect for human rights and the rule of law, a vibrant civil society, independent media, accountable and transparent policymaking, and a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. These reforms will be the strongest guarantor of Georgia's independence and prosperity. Ahead of us, the October 1 parliamentary elections can serve as yet another important benchmark of the deepening democratic process in Georgia. These will be followed by presidential elections. A step backwards would not only be a blow to the development of Georgia's democracy but, ultimately, to its independence. There have been some disturbing reports concerning efforts to prevent some political leaders from running in the parliamentary election and attempts to intimidate local opposition, including denying them access to media. These issues must be addressed in order to ensure that Georgia has truly free and fair elections. With this resolution today, we affirm that the United States remains committed to the sanctity of Georgia's sovereignty and independence and to the inviolability of its federation and its internationally recognized borders. We also remind Georgia of the opportunity it has next month to solidify Georgia's democracy by ensuring free and fair elections. Let me say, on a personal note, that I am very proud of the relationship between the United States and Georgia, and I would look forward to a day when Georgia is a member of the European Union and also a member of NATO. I think that the West must not overlook its commitments in Georgia simply because we may wish to have better relations with Russia. We can never cast aside democratic principles because they happen to be inconvenient at the time. We should stand with the nation of Georgia and let the world know, including Russia, that we stand by their democracy and will not allow any slipping backwards and will not allow Russian hegemony in the area. We stand by a free and independent Georgia, so I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I also yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 4 minutes to my friend and colleague from the great State of New York, who is the lead Democratic sponsor of this bill, Mr. Higgins.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 3783, the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act of 2012. I would like to thank the sponsor of this legislation, Mr. Duncan, and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for their leadership on this issue. This bill makes available $1 million of Andean counternarcotics funding for the State Department to generate an assessment of the challenge posed to our country by Iran's presence and hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere, as well as a strategy to address whatever threats we may face from the Iranian regime. Tehran's pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability, its continued support for international terrorism, and its abuse of basic human rights require the United States to maintain extreme vigilance in monitoring and countering its threats around the world. Though our goal has not yet been realized, thanks to the leadership of Congress and the Obama administration, more pressure has been placed on the Iranian regime than ever before. While Iran's behavior poses a clear and obvious danger to its own people, its neighbors, and to our ally Israel, its presence closer to our shores also deserves watchful attention. The Foreign Affairs Committee has heard significant testimony on this issue from both the administration and private sources. In my capacity of first as chairman and now as ranking member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee on the Foreign Affairs Committee, I think there is ample evidence that Iran is up to no good in the Western Hemisphere. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has openly and defiantly signaled to the U.S. in his six trips to our hemisphere that he is trolling for friends. Although it seems what Iran actually places on the table of the countries he visits is a stack of unmet promises, it is important that the U.S. Government remain vigilant and dig much deeper into the nature and effectiveness of these Iranian regime actions. None of this occurs in a vacuum. Iran was complicit in the horrific bombings of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires and of the AMIA Jewish Community Center, also in Buenos Aires, which I have visited on numerous occasions. This happened in the first half of the 1990s, so it can easily be said that the first terrorist attacks on Latin American soil happened with Iran in control. We also have evidence of Iran's increasing willingness to conduct an attack on U.S. soil, such as the discovery this year of a twisted Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador here in Washington. We must be alert to any Iranian attempts to circumvent sanctions and stand against efforts to curry favor with our neighbors to loosen those sanctions. We should continue to monitor intelligence links and watch the Iranian diplomatic corps, given its historical involvement in nefarious acts. We should keep a close eye on financial transactions; the chaotic nexus of drug money and terrorism in this region, in particular, deserves serious notice. Finally, it is important to express that my support for this legislation is not in any way an indication that the Obama administration has not taken this issue seriously. The President has himself stated that his administration will continue to monitor Iran's activities in the Western Hemisphere closely, and I have personally engaged enough administration officials to be persuaded that they understand the gravity of the situation and are giving it the attention it deserves. Still, we must be particularly vigilant toward the relationship between Iran and Venezuela, given the opacity of the ties between the regimes governing each country and the anti-American bombast of their leaders. However, there are some positive notes in our region. I would like to extend my appreciation to Brazil, the largest democracy in the hemisphere outside of the United States, which, under President Rousseff, has significantly cooled its relationship with Iran and has cast important votes in the U.N. Human Rights Council critical of the Iranian regime. Today's polarization and bluster in Washington on so many issues can have the effect of making it difficult to separate fact from fiction. We cannot let that happen here. The stakes are too high. So, with this legislation, we provide both a strong signal to the administration to continue to monitor this situation closely as well as the resources to look across U.S. agency efforts and enforcement capabilities to make sure they are in lockstep. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL. At this time, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich).

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, America was settled by people with a strong belief in God. To this day that conviction has carried through with churches in all neighborhoods of our country forming a bond that holds them and us together. Here in the Bronx we have one such church, the Emmanuel Baptist Church, under the inspired pastoring of the Rev. Dr. Myrtle Owens Smith who is celebrating her tenth anniversary as Pastor of the church. She is the first female black pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church and in her decade of service to her flock she has honored the past by renovating the church to keep its historical heritage and while enhancing the future by planning the installation of solar panels. Rev. Dr. Smith is a community oriented minister who regularly attends Community Board meetings, donated a new kitchen for the church, maintains excellent relationships with local elected officials, accommodates community mission outreach programs such as Soup and Sock Ministry and provides food and clothing and HIV testing. She also encourages a thriving Youth Ministry and, on a broader front, was the first female pastor asked by the Foreign Mission Board to accompany them to Ghana. This is the tip of the iceberg regarding Rev. Dr. Myrtle Owens Smith and her spiritual and corporal contributions to her community. I join with her congregants in congratulating her on ten wonderful and fruitful years and with them wish her many more years pastoring her flock.