Eliot Engel

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not in opposition to this legislation, but simply to talk for a moment about the problems of the FAA. Early last year, we were informed by the FAA of their plan to implement a redesign of the airspace in the northeast, which would negatively affect Rockland County, which I represent. I wanted to know more about the redesign, so I investigated the maps and other materials on their website, and my staff did the necessary research. After looking at the information, I could not determine how many more planes would be flying over my District if the FAA changed the airspace to their preferred alternative. The maps were extremely vague, with no landmarks or cities identified. Only through persistent inquiries to the FAA, most of which yielded little new information, did I finally learn that their plan would send up to 400 additional flights every day over Rockland County, at altitudes as low as 5,000 feet. This translates to one flight every 2 to 3 minutes over a previously quiet suburban area. Although I strongly disagreed with their decision to send hundreds of new planes over Rockland every day, the plan itself wasn't the FAA's only problem. The bigger issue was how they tried to implement this plan without telling the very people who would be most affected by the redesign. Although a number of town hall meetings were held in the region, the FAA avoided going to Rockland County. Only through my efforts did I finally get the FAA to hold a town hall meeting in Rockland County, where 1,200 attended and spoke in universal opposition to this plan. Before this meeting the FAA arrogantly decided not to consider Rockland County's views. The FAA maintained it was too late to take their voices into consideration. Of course, it would be too late if they stubbornly kept their mindset of ignoring the views of Rocklanders before the close of the official comment period. At least the FAA did eventually meet my demands and come to Rockland to listen to my affected constituents. Unfortunately, the FAA didn't learn from the universal opposition to their failed plan, as they continue to pursue the flawed redesign plan. Throughout the whole process, the FAA has made it difficult, if not impossible, to get accurate information on the effects of the airspace redesign. For example, over a year after it was announced to us, we still don't know how loud it will be when 400 planes fly overhead every day. We don't know how much additional pollution this will cause. We don't know how it will affect the disproportionate rate of childhood asthma in my District. This level of secrecy is simply unacceptable. Everyone in this room knows that we must do something to prevent this summer from turning into the disaster of delays we experienced last summer. However, it seems to me the solution is not to implement a flawed airspace redesign proposal that will relieve little, if any, congestion. The FAA estimates that this will possibly save a couple of minutes per flight. However, they can't say this for sure. Last year, at Members supported the call for the GAO to study the effectiveness of this redesign. And despite the fact that the GAO is currently studying whether this will actually have any benefit on congestion, the FAA is rushing full speed ahead to implement their plan before the study is completed. Over time we have witnessed a number of different strategies to reduce regional delays without adversely affecting thousands of people. Reinstituting flight caps at Newark, La Guardia, and JFK can help to reduce delays. Opening up military airspace, as the President did over the holidays, is another way to help. Expediting the implementation of the NextGen air traffic control system will offer positive benefits as well. I ask all of my colleagues to put yourselves in the position of the 300,000 people who live in Rockland County, as well as the countless others the FAA failed to properly consult in the drafting of this flawed proposal. Think about trying to read a book in your quiet living room, and then imagine someone turns on the vacuum cleaner every two minutes for the entire day. My constituents chose to live in Rockland County because they wanted to get away from the noise of the city. They didn't choose to buy a house next to an airport. They live 30, 40, even 50 miles from the nearest major airport, and they have had little say in this redesign plan. I ask you to take this lesson into account: Today's airspace redesign harms people and their quality of life in my District. Tomorrow, another redesign effort can have the same negative impact on your constituents. If this plan goes forward, I fear for the quiet neighborhoods across the county.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support for H.R. 6331, the ``Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.'' As a senior member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I have worked hard throughout my career in Congress to pass commonsense healthcare measures. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on the underlying legislation. H.R. 6331 prevents the pending 10 percent payment reduction for physicians in Medicare, enhances Medicare preventive and mental health benefits, and improves and extends programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Our physicians are the backbone of our communities and we must guarantee that they are fairly compensated for the good work they do. By eliminating the physician payment reduction and through the other measures included in H.R. 6331, we can ensure our patients' continued access to quality care. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply trouble by some of the rhetoric on the other side of the aisle. It is absolutely disgraceful that the Republican leadership has been urging a ``no'' vote in part because we are strengthening the Medicare program in this bill. There have been comments from the Republican side opposing the expansion of the Medicare Savings Program, MSP, in this bill--a program specifically designed to provide a extra assistance to low-income seniors who desperately need it. Republicans also oppose he expansion of Medicare's coverage of preventive services in this bill. We all know that improving access to quality health care, such as by providing preventive services will save millions of Medicare dollars down the line. It is backwards thinking to simply wait till seniors' healthcare erodes beyond repair before we take action. Democrats will stand by our Medicare beneficiaries and doctors and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6331 today. Republicans should do the same. Anything different is simply unconscionable.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6028. And I would like to commend Chairman Berman for his leadership on this important legislation that authorizes full funding for the Merida Initiative. In my subcommittee, as Chair, we held three hearings on the Merida Initiative, so we've covered it really quite extensively. And I'm more convinced than ever that this is such an important bill and such an important proposal. Recent events in Mexico make the Merida Initiative more crucial than ever. Just last month, the chief of the Mexican federal police was brutally murdered at his home. Shortly thereafter, the deputy police chief of Ciudad Juarez, a city smack on the border with the United States, was shot dead. The narcoviolence in Mexico is not only undermining the safety and security of our friends to the south, but it is fueling the drug trade and violence here in the United States. As Western Hemisphere Subcommittee chairman, I worked with Chairman Berman in developing this legislation and was pleased to contribute two key parts. First, the Central American piece of this legislation authorizes a much greater amount of assistance for the subregion than the Bush administration proposed. The initial $50 million for Central America was really a drop in the bucket when you look at the whole thing and the needs that are necessary, especially considering that 90 percent of the cocaine shipped from the Andes to the U.S. flows right through Central America. H.R. 6028 sets aside at least $15 million per year for youth gang prevention programs. That was something that I care very much about as well. With approximately 70,000 gang members in Central America, and the transnational connections linking gang members there to the United States, this is a vast improvement over the administration's proposal. I hope we have learned by now that failing to adequately invest in prevention programs will only hurt us in the future. I was also pleased to work with the chairman on a provision in H.R. 6028 which establishes a Merida coordinator at the State Department. My staff and I have too often been frustrated by the inability to obtain information on Merida activities or to figure out who was responsible for what, and what would fall under Merida. The Merida coordinator will keep track of all U.S. government assistance, which fulfills the goals of the Merida Initiative. Madam Speaker, the Merida Initiative is moving on two legislative tracks; this authorization bill, and the supplemental appropriations bill. I understand that the Mexican Government has expressed concerns with certain language in the Senate supplemental proposal. It is my hope that the final product will include important human rights provisions while respecting Mexican sovereignty and the spirit of partnership in which the Merida Initiative was designed. Our relationship with our neighbors to the south is very important, and we need to work with them in a collaborative way and in a partnership. Mr. Chairman, I thank you again for your leadership on this important legislation and your commitment to the governments and people of Central America and Mexico. I urge my colleagues to support this crucial legislation. And I want to again say that it's important not only to have funds in there and language in there for Mexico, but for Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic as well. It's also important that we look at the whole situation of guns. Guns that are manufactured in the United States are smuggled over the border, and 90 percent of the guns that are collected come from the United States. And they fuel narcotrafficking, they fuel violence, they fuel the drug trade, and we need to do something about that. So I am pleased that my provision, the Southwest Border Violence Reduction Act, was incorporated into this language to look at this problem, to deal with this problem, and understanding that what we do in the United States goes hand in hand with what happens south of our border as well. So again, Mr. Chairman, I thank you. I thank the ranking member, with whom I've collaborated on so many things through the years.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, Anne LoMedico has reached the ranks of the growing number of centenarians in the United States. As she reaches 100 years, on July 26, 2008, she can look back with pride. Anne has lived through the most prolific era in world history. Anne was born in our very own Bronx, New York. She is a mother of two, grandmother of 7, great-grandmother of 16, and great-great grandmother of 9. She is a hard worker who isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. From the age of 18 to 67 Anne worked at a bookbinder company. She entered the field as a machine operator and in no time worked her way to a supervisory position. Anne was never one to sit and wait for things to happen. She took initiative and in by doing so, as a union delegate she was once honored with a gold pin from the Bookbinder Union. Anne is a very active member of her Senior Club at the Nyack Senior Center; she raised the most money out of anyone in the 2007 Walkathon fundraiser. She can also be accredited for helping women in her community who have recently been widowed, get out of the house and into the center of life. Anne attributes her long life to her strong faith in God, the fact that she believes in eating right, exercising, and not smoking. Before she started driving, Anne would walk from the West Side of Manhattan to the East Side twice a day to go to work. She has watched her children grown and has seen the world change. We thank God for allowing Ms. LoMedico to remain with us and share her years of experience with us all. I offer her my sincere wishes for the happiest of birthdays and congratulate her for a long and successful life.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, Barbara Korner throughout her life, interwoven with the strands of wife, mother, and teacher are patterns that appear and reappear: Her devotion and love for the Sinai Free Synagogue makes Kehillah Kedosha (sacred congregation) a way of life in all that she does. She reaches out to all, teaching the youngest, Beresheet Bunch, to welcoming the eldest at services; to honoring the most revered as chair of the Congregant of the Year dinner dance. She initiates new relationships and strengthens existing ones in the Women's Spirituality Circle, as well as giving herself to fundraising projects such as Honey for Rosh Hashanah. Whether serving food during a concert, shopping for bagels for an adult education brunch, or selecting beautiful Judaica for the shop, she brings friendship and caring to the synagogue community. She has a long history of volunteerism at Sinai Free Synagogue, and the Free Synagogue before that. She has been honored with the Congregant of the Year Award, having served as Religious School Board co-chair, Hospitality Chair for the successful congregational dinners, and co-chair to the Jewish Festival. She was born in New York City to Ruth and Murray Zucker, and graduated from Hunter College. She taught at P.S. 100 for her entire career and met her husband Ira there. They married in 1970 and have three children, Matthew, Shelbey and Ari, and three grandchildren Daniel, Maia and Gabriel. Barbara Korner is a vital part of the leadership at the synagogue and the community at large, with her enthusiasm, her artistic flair, and her strong sense of tikkun olam in everything she does. She has made Sinai Free Synagogue into a community, and helped to strengthen the Jewish community in Mt. Vernon.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 which includes the renaming of the Ellis Island Library on the third floor of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum as the ``Bob Hope Memorial Library.'' Bob Hope is an American institution and was one of our greatest entertainers. Most Americans remember Bob Hope for his work in the entertainment business as well as for his USO shows for American soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen fighting overseas. What few know is that Bob Hope was an immigrant from England. Like many of the other 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, Bob Hope and his family arrived in America in 1908 with little but the American dream. Bob Hope described himself upon arrival as ``a 4-year-old boy in knickers who had no idea of the opportunities that lay ahead.'' Bob Hope held a special place in his heart for Ellis Island and, in 1990, when the Ellis Island Restoration Commission suggested naming the third floor of the museum in his honor, he stated that it would be ``one of the single most important highpoints in his career.'' The library will be a daily reminder to Ellis Island's visitors of the great contributions of one of our Nation's most renowned immigrants and of the opportunities of the American dream. While Bob Hope did not live to see this project completed after more than 15 years, we honor his memory by passing this legislation today. It is my hope that the National Park Service and the Ellis Island Restoration Commission will work together to make the Ellis Island Museum, including the Bob Hope Memorial Library, a place to remember the 16 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island and an interactive destination to honor the memories of and learn more about some of America's most famous immigrants, such as Bob Hope.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a member of the Health Subcommittee, I thank my friend, the distinguished chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, for allowing me time under his leadership. I am a proud cosponsor of this bill. I am pleased to see it moving forward after more than a decade of advocacy. While researchers' ability to identify genetic markers for diseases has given hope and promise to millions of people regarding how to make more informed choices about their personal behavior, the promise of this breakthrough is hindered, as many of my colleagues have said, by well-founded fears of how information may be abused in the employment and insurance industries. While many states, including my own home State of New York, have laws which prohibit discrimination in health insurance, and by employers based on genetic testing and information, it is clear that the laws are not fully comprehensive and that Federal action is necessary, certainly to make it more uniform across all 50 States. Fear should not be a deterrent to knowledge. Disregarding available tests for fear of discrimination prevents citizens from making smarter, personalized choices about their own well-being. We know too much to subscribe to one-size-fits-all medicine. And once again, it should be our physicians, not our insurance companies, who influence our health care decisions. This is a wonderful bill, very much overdue for enactment, years and years and years in the process. It's supported by hundreds of patient advocate groups, and will make a true impact on the health care of our Nation. I urge all my colleagues to support the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of H. Con. Res. 322 and to offer my warmest congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel. On May 14, 1948, the people of Israel proclaimed the establishment of the sovereign and independent State of Israel. Since this proud and historic day, Israel has proven itself to be a vibrant democracy and a true friend of freedom. Throughout, the United States and Israel have had a special friendship; an unbreakable bond between nations whose relationship is much deeper than mere allies of convenience. During its six decades of existence, the Israeli people have faced the most grave threats from hostile neighbors and have bravely defended themselves against repeated terrorist and military attacks. Yet, despite the years of war, terrorism, and diplomatic and economic isolation by enemies far and near, the Israeli people have never turned away from their vibrant, pluralistic democracy that guarantees freedom of speech, association and religion. Indeed, the modern State of Israel has built a new and dynamic democratic society and created a thriving economic, political, cultural and intellectual life. It is a nation of immigrants, as is the United States, which has benefited from the diversity of its population. Throughout my career in Congress, I have consistently made a strong and close relationship between the United States and Israel among my highest priorities. As the only true democracy in the Middle East and our closest ally in the region, I firmly believe that we must support Israel as it faces the many serious threats to its very existence. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel when it is under attack and support its right of self-defense even when the rest of the world turns away. As we approach the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding, I am reminded not only of the close strategic ties between our countries, but of how much our two nations have in common. Through Democratic and Republican Administrations, alike, the bonds between us have only grown stronger. As Israel enters its seventh decade, let us resolve ourselves to make security and prosperity of the State of Israel a key priority here in the House of Representatives while we continue to promote a warm and unshakable friendship between the U.S. and Israel. Once again, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 322 and offer my warmest congratulations to the Israeli people on the 60th anniversary of their independence.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, I rise to condemn the fact that former President Jimmy Carter on Friday is going to Damascus to meet with the senior Hamas leader. This is really a disgrace, and, frankly, I think that Jimmy Carter embarrasses himself by doing so. Hamas is a terrorist organization. It is designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the European Union. Hamas has been responsible for the murders of 26 Americans, and I would like to read the names and I would like to submit into the Record this list of the 26 Americans that have been murdered by Hamas: Yitzhak Weinstock of California, Nachshon Wachsman of New York, Sara Duker of New Jersey, Matthew Eisenfeld of Connecticut, Ira Weinstein of New York, David Boim of New York, Yael Botwin of California, Leah Stern of New Jersey, Malka Roth of New York, Judith Greenbaum of New Jersey, Marla Bennett of California, Benjamin Blutstein of Pennsylvania, Dina Carter of North Carolina, Janice Ruth Coulter of Massachusetts, David Gritz of Massachusetts, Rabbi Eli Horowitz of Illinois, Dina Horowitz of Florida, Alan Beer of Ohio, Tzvi Goldstein of New York, Goldie Taubenfeld of New York, Shmuel Taubenfeld of New York, Tehilla Nathanson of New York, Yitzhak Reinitz of New York, Mordechai Reinitz of New York, David Applebaum of Ohio, and Nava Applebaum of Ohio. Twenty-six American citizens killed by Hamas, and yet Jimmy Carter would shake the hand of the leading Hamas terrorist with blood on his hands. Shame on Jimmy Carter. Today Jimmy Carter was in the West Bank and met with another Hamas leader and laid a wreath at the grave of Yasser Arafat. Isn't that really something? Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist, does not renounce violence and terrorism, and refuses to abide by all previous agreements signed by previous Palestinian Governments. And yet Jimmy Carter would shake the hands of murderers and terrorists with blood dripping from their hands. It's no wonder that the Daily Star in Lebanon has an article today saying ``Jimmy Carter, a Fool on a Fool's Errand.'' It's surely disgraceful. This is a new low. Jimmy Carter wrote a book, ``Palestine: Peace not Apartheid,'' and fabricated portions in that book. I spoke with the former leader of the Carter Center, who said he was with Jimmy Carter on a number of these meetings and the accounts that Jimmy Carter wrote in his book were absolutely incorrect and falsified because he was in the meetings with Jimmy Carter and took notes. So I just want to say that I think all freedom-loving people ought to condemn any kind of meetings with terrorists. To meet with terrorists only encourages them to do more terrorism so that they can be players. It's truly a sad day when a former President of the United States will shake hands and greet the leading terrorist, the leader of the leading terrorist organization, Hamas, a man who was responsible for the deaths of 26 Americans, countless more, with blood dripping from his hands. It is truly a shame. I believe that we should all condemn it.

Mr. ENGEL. I thank my friend from Florida, and I want to return the compliment. It has been a pleasure working with him in doing everything we can to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, two democracies with shared values and shared beliefs, and it's been a pleasure working with my friend from Florida.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in saluting Israel on its 60th anniversary. And I want to also salute the strong bond and ties between the United States and the State of Israel. We have shared values, we have shared concerns, and we have had a wonderful, close ally-to-ally relationship for the past 60 years, and we want it to continue for another 60 and way beyond. I think it's important, at this time, to reflect the fact that Israel was created in the ashes of the Holocaust, and that the United States and Israel, sharing in common bonds, there is also a moral imperative for us to continue to stand by that beleaguered State. I think it's also important to say that we must not put pressure on Israel to make unilateral concessions in her quest for peace. It takes two to tango, and we need to have both sides make concessions and work together. Let's remember that Israel left Gaza. Israel left Southern Lebanon. She was willing to do land for peace, but, instead, got land for war. So we have to be very careful and not put pressure on Israel. Celebrate her 60th anniversary. And long may the close relations between our two countries continue.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. And the explosion of drug-resistant TB in sub-Saharan Africa threatens to halt and roll back our progress in combating both diseases. The legislation supports key TB-HIV activities, such as providing AIDS patients with TB screening and treatment, and providing TB patients with proper counseling, testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS. Finally, the legislation authorizes assistance for the development of new vaccines for TB. The current TB vaccine is more than 85 years old and is unreliable against pulmonary TB, which accounts for most of the worldwide disease burden. New TB vaccines have the potential to save millions of lives and would lead to substantial cost savings. Studies modelling the 10-year economic benefits of a vaccine that is 75 percent effective have estimated worldwide savings in medical costs of $25 billion or more. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill. This is a very, very important bill.

Mr. ENGEL. May I ask for an additional minute?

Mr. ENGEL. I thank our distinguished chairman for yielding to me. Madam Chairman, I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 5501, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, named after our dearly departed two great House Foreign Affairs Committee chairmen that I had the pleasure of serving under, Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde. The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to pose a major threat to the health of the global community, from the most severely affected regions of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, as the chairman mentioned, I'm the chairman of the Subcommittee of the Western Hemisphere, to the emerging epidemics of eastern Europe, central Asia, south and southeast Asia, and Latin America. I also want to take this time to pay tribute to our colleague who is in the Chamber, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who has worked so hard in combating global AIDS, probably harder than anyone else in the Congress. I'm delighted that she's here, and her hard work has not gone unnoticed. While most widely recognized for reviewing our commitment to global AIDS relief, H.R. 5501 reauthorizes provisions on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, all deadly diseases of poverty. The Lantos-Hyde Act is a decisive step forward for global health, particularly for our efforts to control tuberculosis. I want to take a moment to specifically address the tuberculosis provisions included, as the chairman mentioned, as my bill H.R. 1567, the Stop TB Now Act which passed the floor earlier this year, was largely incorporated into this bill, and I'm delighted about that. The World Health Organization reports that 1.5 million people died of tuberculosis in 2006, with another 200,000 dying from HIV-associated tuberculosis. The multi-drug resistant and extensively drug resistant TB, known as MDR and XDR, poses a grave risk to global health. A contagious airborne disease, TB knows no barriers or borders and can only be successfully controlled in the United States by controlling it overseas. This Lantos-Hyde Act declares TB control a major objective of U.S. foreign assistance programs. In support of WHO targets, the bill prioritizes halving TB deaths and disease, cutting them in half, and achieving a 70 percent detection rate and an 85 percent cure rate by 2015. The Lantos-Hyde Act prioritizes the Stop TB Partnership's strategy, which includes expansion of the successful treatment regimen for standard TB, treatment for individuals infected with both TB and HIV, treatment for individuals with drug-resistant TB, and enabling research and development of new tools. Recognizing the deadly synergy between TB, an opportunistic infection, and HIV, the Lantos-Hyde Act authorizes assistance to strengthen the coordination of HIV/AIDS and TB programs. TB is the leading killer of people with HIV/AIDS.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, for the past 8 years children in Babies and Children's Hospital of Columbia Presbyterian, Bronx Lebanon, Jacobi Medical Center, North Central Bronx Hospital, Lincoln Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center, St. Barnabas Hospital, and Our Lady of Mercy Hospital have had their holidays brightened with gifts from the Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale Toys Campaign. Heartfelt gestures such as these have raised some from the despair of illness in a hospital during the holiday season to bring them hope and laughter. Toys are also given to children of more than 180 families living in homeless shelters in the Bronx. This mitzvah, this kindness for those who are in need at that most special time of the year for joy and happiness, has earned the Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale Toys Campaign the Community Organizational Award from the Riverdale Jewish Community Council.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, Maxine Halpern has involved herself deeply in Jewish affairs internationally, nationally, and locally. She is a born and bred Bronxite who graduated from City University of New York. Maxine is the daughter of two World War II veterans, the U.S. Army and the Royal Air Force. Traveling to England to visit family began at an early age and touring foreign lands became a lifelong interest, having traveled to over 40 countries on 5 continents as well as throughout much of the United States. She is a supporter of over 50 philanthropies both secular and religious. Maxine has been awarded the Nahum Goldman Leadership Award, and is a member of the Simon Wiesenthal Center's international Leadership Council, among other equally prestigious organizations. She is also active in local Jewish communal life as a member of the board of trustees, as vice president, and as president of the Riverdale Temple. She was appointed founding president of the Congregation Shaarei Shalom. For all of her outstanding contributions to community life, the Riverdale Jewish Community Council presents her with the Michael Schreck Community Builder Award.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, the contribution of law enforcement to the community goes well beyond arrests and convictions, and if you are lucky, on occasion you come across someone with that extra sense of commitment to the motto ``protect and serve''. Detective Luis Rodriguez, a 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, is the Community Affairs Officer for the 50th Precinct, the liaison to schools, civic groups, tenant associations and houses of worship and Detective Rodriguez is one such officer who is always ready to go above and beyond and to offer a helping hand those in need. Detective Rodriguez defines his job in terms of what he can do for the community by bringing human warmth to people who are facing stressful situations. Whenever anything occurs in the community whether a serious issue or a simple question, everyone knows that they can call Luis. We don't even need to use a title or last name, he is known simply as Luis. We know that we can count on him for guidance or to be there when needed. He has had many awards for his work and credits his parents for raising him with a lot of trust. He is passing on this trust to two of his favorite people in the world, his children, Caitlin and Steven. For his good work with the community, the Riverdale Jewish Community Council is awarding him the Martin Rollins Interfaith Brotherhood Award. I understand that Detective Rodriguez is retiring this summer and I want him to know that the community will miss him and that he can always count on us for a helping hand if ever he needs one.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, James Lapin, an active member of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, is truly a giving person. Mr. Lapin really understands the importance of doing and not just talking about giving. This is something he demonstrated by donating a kidney to a woman through a match made by the Halachic Organ Donor Society. At the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale he is a frequent participant in many of the Bayrit's programs and has been instrumental in continuing Abraham and Sarah's Tent, the innovative program at HIR that provides free Shabbat dinner every Friday. He also shows his concern for our youth by being a big brother in the Big Sibling program of the Jewish Youth Encounter Program. James and his wife Ann are parents of Gavriella and Sarit and have lived in Riverdale since their marriage in 2001. He is a graduate of the BA/MBA program of the University of Judaism and now works for Columbia University. For his true selflessness and good works, he is presented with the Andrew Zucker Community Service Award.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, Dr. Judah Schorr is not only a distinguished anesthesiologist whose personal charm and sense of humor has helped many of his patients through difficult times but he is also someone who truly knows how important it is to give of yourself. Dr. Schorr took an extra step to help a patient recently when he donated his bone marrow through the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation. Dr. Schorr is also a philanthropist who gives generously to society as a whole financially as well as to individuals through himself. He is also involved in many other worthy causes. He and his wife Gail Levey are parents of Nathaniel and Ethan. For his contributions to his community and society as a whole he is presented with the Andrew Zucker Community Service Award.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 951. I am the lead Democrat on the resolution, and I am proud to be the lead Democrat, and I am glad it is a bipartisan resolution. This resolution condemns the Palestinian rocket attacks on civilians in the south of Israel and supports Israel's right to self-defense. I ask my colleagues: When are these horrendous, unprovoked attacks going to stop? Last week a student at Sapir College in Sderot was killed, and one other person wounded by shrapnel after a Kassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip by Palestinians hit the western Negev campus. The rocket that struck the college's parking lot was one of a barrage of six fired 1 week ago, two of which landed in Sderot. I've been in Sderot. It is a good town. There are good people there, and they live in fear. According to the Jerusalem Post, a total of 22 Kassam rockets were launched in the south of Israel on that day from the Gaza Strip. In fact, Mr. Speaker, more than 4,000 rockets and mortars have been fired at Israel from Gaza since Israel withdrew in 2005. And my colleagues have mentioned that Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. People say there should be land for peace in the settlement. Well, Israel gave up land, didn't get peace. It's not land for peace, it's land for war, and it's got to stop. Today, longer range Palestinian rockets are hitting larger Israeli cities, representing a serious escalation in Hamas' terror war against Israel. The Hamas rockets simply continue the pattern of indiscriminate attacks on innocent men, women and children, which has been the strategy of the Palestinian terror groups for decades. They represent a blatant violation of human rights and international law by intentionally targeting civilian populations and using human shields to hide the rockets. I am further concerned by the source of these weapons of terror. Published reports indicate that Iran and Syria have provided material support and training to those carrying out the rocket attacks. I was pleased to be the author of the Syria Accountable Act, and we must make sure that Syria is held accountable, and Iran as well. The world stood with the U.S. after the terrorist attacks of September 11, and we must strongly support our friend and ally, Israel, at this time. The people of Israel must know that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they seek to defend themselves against the terror. It is important to point out that Israel's military response has been carefully calibrated to halt the rocket fire, surgically eliminate the terrorists firing the rockets, and ensure the safety of Israeli citizens, while at the same time making every effort to limit Palestinian civilian casualties. In this, the Israelis have my full support. Finally, Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 951 takes a firm stand against the Palestinian rocket attacks and condemns Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations carrying out the terrorism. It holds Syria and Iran responsible for their roles enabling the terrorist organizations and offers America's strong support to our ally, Israel, as it responds in self-defense. Mr. Speaker, rocket attacks against Israel must end. We must support this resolution.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, a community is an aggregate of it residents, but its quality of life is determined by the dedication of those who devote themselves to the welfare of their community. Winifred Ann Waters, known to all of us as Winnie, is a born and bred Bronx girl who has devoted herself to her community and the people in it. She was born to Peter and Elizabeth McGee and grew up on Cypress Avenue and 138th Street. Her father died when she was a youthful teenager and she grew up helping her mother care for her siblings, Jimmy, Louis, and Veronica. Winne was 16 when she first met Jimmy Waters, who was to become her husband. They have now been happily married for 40-plus years, and have 4 children, Jimmy, Vincent, Peter and Mary, who gave them 6 grandchildren with a seventh on the way. After working for several years in the private sector Winnie left to have her first child. In 1985 she began working at Community Board 12 as a community associate with one of her responsibilities taking the complaints of unhappy citizens. Taking lemons and making lemonade, she established many lasting and close relationships over the years. She is one of a rare breed who works unselfishly without need for credit or praise. In time she started to adopt the community as a second family and devoting herself to making the community a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Now, no matter where Winnie walks in the Community Board 12 neighborhood, she is recognized by all. She will be greatly missed in her retirement but her goal of making the community a family environment is one that we will continue to follow from her fine example. I sincerely thank her for all that she has done for the people of her community. She is an inspiration to all.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise because I listened intently to the remarks just made by my friend from Texas, and I want to say that as someone who has supported the independence of Kosova for the past 20 years, I couldn't disagree more. I am proud of the United States for supporting and encouraging the independence of Kosova. I am proud of the Bush administration for doing the right thing in Kosova. I am proud of the United States standing on the side of freedom and self-determination and independence, and I am proud that the United States understands that the people of Kosova are entitled to the same kinds of freedoms that we had for ourselves in our own revolution more than 200 years ago. No, I don't think that every independence or separatist movement in the world is entitled to declare independence, but I think that we need to look at everything in terms of its context. The former Yugoslavia broke up. There were several components of the former Yugoslavia. We now have several independent countries of Macedonia and Croatia and Slovenia and many others, Montenegro, and Kosova, also, as part of the former Yugoslavia is entitled to that same kind of independence and self-determination. We remember where the former leader of Serbia, Slobodan Milosevic, had set out to ethnically cleanse his country of Albanians, to commit genocide against the Albanians in Kosova to drive them out, to indeed burn practically every Albanian home in Kosova when they were driven out. It was only because of the courage at that time of President Clinton and the United States where we helped and bombed and prevented genocide that that was prevented. So I think the situation in the former Yugoslavia, in Kosova, is unique. I think that Serbia relinquished any kind of claim to Kosova by the way their former leader Milosevic persecuted and committed genocide against the Albanian population. Self-determination for the people of Kosova is the right thing to do. The United States and the European Union have stood strong in supporting Kosova independence. Kosova, indeed, will be a strong ally of the West, of the United States, of the European Union. The people of Kosova love the United States. They trust us. They care about us. They know we are there for them. I want to tell you, as someone who has been so involved with this issue for the past 20 years, there are no better friends that we have across the world, the United States has, than the people of Kosova. So I am very, very proud that that is a new nation. I am very proud that the United States has recognized them. I, indeed, would urge all freedom-loving countries of the world to recognize the people of Kosova. We in this wonderful democracy are so blessed and so fortunate to live in the United States, and we have principles for which we stand, and those are the same principles that the people of Kosova are standing for and looking at us to follow exactly what we have done in terms of democracy. I hope to go to Kosova in the very, very near future to celebrate with the people there. I want to say one other thing. Kosova will be a multiethnic state, and that means that minority rights have to be protected in Kosova. There are some who are concerned about Serbian Orthodox churches and that minority rights, including Serbs, need to be protected. I agree. Those churches need to be protected. Minority rights need to be protected. I am confident that the leaders of Kosova will protect those churches, will protect those rights, will protect the rights of all Kosovars, whether they be Albanian, Serb or others, and the people understand that. I know the people of Kosova, and I know they understand that. I just want to very, very strongly state that I am proud to be a friend of the people of Kosova. This Congress has been a friend of the people of Kosova. Our government has been a friend of the people of Kosova, and I think we as Americans can hold our heads up high and say that the ideals for which our revolution was fought more than 200 years ago are the same ideals of the revolution for the new independence and new nation of Kosova.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5264 which extends trade preferences for Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. I want to thank Chairman Levin and Chairman Rangel, the dean of our New York delegation, for their leadership on this issue. This is certainly a bipartisan issue, and it is a very, very important issue. I am the chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. And as chairman of that subcommittee, I believe that the extension of the Andean Trade Preferences is crucial in promoting the development of the economically and politically fragile Andean region while at the same time supporting the United States' geopolitical goals. ATPDEA has been enormously successful, as all my colleagues have stated, having created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Andean region. Every job created in the Andean region, as was mentioned before, is another potential illegal immigrant remaining in their home country. Without the extension of ATPDEA, these jobs, which are in sectors that do not directly compete with U.S. jobs, will be eliminated. I just returned a few short days ago from leading a bipartisan congressional delegation which included Ecuador and Bolivia. In fact, Madam Speaker, at this time I will submit into the Record a letter that the five of us who were on the trip sent around to the rest of our colleagues supporting the extension of the Andean Trade Preferences, signed by myself, Mr. Weller, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Green, and Ms. Foxx. Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, February 25, 2008. Support Extension of the Andean Trade Preferences Dear Colleague: Having just returned from a CODEL to Ecuador and Bolivia, we are writing to urge you to vote for H.R. 5264--which would extend trade preferences for Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia for 10 months--when it is on the House floor on Tuesday. While many of us would prefer a longer term extension of ATPDEA, we believe that a 10 month extension is a good start. We are a bipartisan group of Members who believe that the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) is a win-win for both the citizens of the Andean region and the U.S. private sector. ATPDEA has literally created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Andean region, while at the same time supporting essential U.S. geopolitical goals. We fear that if the Andean trade preference program is eliminated, many of the unemployed would turn to drug cultivation after they lose their jobs. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Tom Shannon has argued that ATPDEA, ``has been an important counterpoint to drug production in the region. It's produced hundreds of thousands of jobs in the region, so in that sense it's been a very, very successful program.'' We firmly agree. We visited with producers of flowers, broccoli, coffee, cacao and other products in Ecuador. Without ATPDEA, workers in these sectors would undoubtedly lose their jobs, leaving them with little option outside of the illegal drug trade or illegal immigration to the United States. In Bolivia--the poorest country in South America--we met with textile workers whose jobs would also be eliminated without an extension of ATPDEA. Many of these workers are indigenous women, who are among the most historically marginalized members of society in Bolivia and throughout the Andean region. Finally, failure to extend ATPDEA would put many U.S. jobs at risk. For example, U.S. yarns, fabrics, fibers and other textile inputs are exported to the Andean region, where they are incorporated into finished garments and exported back into the United States. While we all supported ATPDEA prior to our trip, meeting firsthand with the people in Ecuador and Bolivia who. are directly impacted by ATPDEA renewed our commitment to this crucial trade preference program. Please join us in supporting the citizens of the Andean region by voting for H.R. 5264 when it is on the House floor on Tuesday. Sincerely, Eliot L. Engel, Chairman, Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Maurice Hinchey, Member of Congress. Jerry Weller, Member of Congress. Gene Green, Member of Congress. Virginia Foxx, Member of Congress. We visited on the trip with producers of flowers, broccoli, coffee, cacao and other products. Without the Andean Trade Preferences, workers in these sectors would undoubtedly lose their jobs, leaving them with little option outside of the illegal drug trade or illegal immigration to the United States. In Bolivia, which is the poorest country in South America, my delegation met with textile workers whose jobs would also be eliminated without an extension of ATPDEA. Many of these workers are indigenous women who are among the most historically marginalized members of society in Bolivia and throughout the Andean region. I truly fear that without the extension of ATPDEA, many of the unemployed in the Andean region would turn to drug cultivation after they lose their jobs. The Andean preference program was originally created not only to support economic development in the region but also to divert illegal coca manufacturing towards legitimate industries. Using these trade preferences as a tool in the drug war is no less important today. Indeed it is more important. While I have been a long-time supporter of ATPDEA, meeting firsthand with the people in Ecuador and Bolivia who are directly impacted by these crucial trade preferences renewed my commitment to it. Having visited Colombia twice in the past 4 months, I am also convinced that that country, along with Peru, would have great benefits from this bill. We need to be engaged in the Western Hemisphere. If we don't, we do so at our own peril. And so I urge my colleagues overwhelmingly in a bipartisan fashion to please vote for this bill and send a very strong message to our friends in Latin America that the United States is a good partner and we can be counted on in time of need. It helps them. It helps us. It is a winner for both of us.

Mr. ENGEL

Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I insert in the Congressional Record a statement by former Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Stuart Eizenstat in honor of our late Chairman Tom Lantos. Statement of Stuart Eizenstat