Sam Farr

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Baldacci).

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the passing of Lieutenant General James E. Moore on January 30, 1999. General Moore served bravely in battle, and served the community equally well in overseeing the closure of Fort Ord Army base. General Moore was born into the military, at Fort Thomas Kentucky on June 28, 1931. He grew up both in the United States, much of those years near Salinas California, and in China. After graduation from West Point, he earned his master's degree in education from Columbia University. He also graduated from the Air Command and Staff College and the Army War College. He commanded a combat battalion in the 25th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. His leadership skills were recognized when, in 1985, General Moore was assigned the command of the combined field army in Korea, the largest field army in the free world. His honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badages, Legion of Merit with an Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Senior Parachutist's Badge and Ranger tab. General Moore was a man of modesty and compassion, putting the troops ahead of himself, even letting the soldiers eat first when he joined them in the mess hall. He has been described by colleagues as a gifted, natural leader. When General Moore retired in 1989, he and Joan, his wife, returned to the Fort Ord area. Within a few months, the Army announced base closure plans, with Fort Ord one of the first designated for conversion. Then-Congressman Leon Panetta, aware of General Moore's accomplishments and his willingness to be of service to the community, urged him to establish a task force that would undertake the monumental job of coordinating federal, state and county agencies with the 12 cities in the area and with the military. There were no precedents for the undertaking. Working on a volunteer basis, General Moore spent over two years overseeing comprehensive studies, discussions and negotiations, finally producing a 600-page document that has become the blueprint for military conversion and reuse planning. Although he continued to participate peripherally in the continuing reuse planning, General Moore again went into retirement, looking forward to reading, traveling, photography and his hobby of building model sailing ships. The appreciative community honored his contributions with a dinner at the Monterey Conference center. Lieutenant General James E. Moore is survived by his loving wife, Joan; his three daughters, Elizabeth, Susan and Mary; and his four sons, James Moore IV, Robert, Michael, and Matthew; a step-mother Annie; and his sister Patricia, and eleven grandchildren. He was a born leader, a mentor, a man who generously gave and received great respect. he undertook the most challenging tasks with a positive attitude, so it is no wonder that his achievements were many. Everyone who had the privilege to know him, and to work alongside him, was influenced by his greatness. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a woman who with boundless energy and enthusiasm researched and authored an award-winning book and became the world's foremost authority on the renowned architect Julia Morgan. Sarah Holmes Boutelle passed away in Santa Cruz last May at the age of 90. Born on January 29, 1909 in South Dakota, Sarah was a history teacher and school administrator when she came to Santa Cruz county in 1972 and visited Hearst Castle with her son, Christopher. Upon learning that Julia Morgan was the architect who built San Simeon, Mrs. Boutelle's interest, as a teacher, in female role models led her to seek more information about the renowned architect. Sarah's research on Julia Morgan cumulated in a book that won a California Book Award and Mrs. Boutelle's naming as an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. Throughout the remainder of her life, Sarah continued to travel extensively, investigating new Julia Morgan material and lecturing. Sarah Holmes Boutelle was truly a remarkable woman who will be fondly remembered for her energy and enthusiasm as well as her extraordinary effort and contribution to the appreciation of architecture. She will be missed by the many people she touched both personally and through her writing and lectures during her lifetime.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved and fondly remembered man. Bill Medeiros, a native of San Benito County, was a longtime rancher and cattleman who embraced the rural lifestyle of the county and helped to shape its image during his life- long residence. Mr. Medeiros passed away in August at the age of 76. Bill Medeiros was noted for his active interest in the history and traditions of our community. Born and raised in the rural community of San Benito County, he served as the director of the San Benito Saddle Horse Show for 46 years, always embracing and upholding the county's historical traditions. His devotion to maintaining the rural roots of the county was a life-long pursuit of Bill's that was only interrupted by his service in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II as a pilot in the 389th Bomber Group. After his heroic tour of duty, including many hazardous missions over Europe, Bill Medeiros returned to his cherished county and his rural lifestyle as a cattleman and rancher. Bill was a member of the San Benito County Cattleman's Association for which he was also elected president. In the San Benito County, an original cowboy and local hero is lost. My thoughts remain with his family.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a beloved local entrepreneur. Candy Coonerty, co-owner of Bookshop Santa Cruz, died this last July of a stroke at the age of 49. Candy was more than just a local businesswoman; she provided the community with an eclectic and unique selection of books as well as an environment where local community members could meet and interact. Bookshop Santa Cruz serves as a hub and mainstay of the historic downtown. Candy was also actively involved in the community serving on the board of directors of Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Library and advisory council of the Santa Cruz Hillel Foundation. Candy Coonerty will be sorely missed and remembered for her presence in the Santa Cruz community as a local hostess and her compassion for literature. My thoughts are with her family.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a woman who tirelessly worked to advocate for the rights of special education students and disabled individuals. Ms. Linda Bourgaize passed away on June 15, 1999 in Santa Cruz. Linda began her career after graduating from San Jose State University as a school psychologist after which she was selected to be the Special Education Local Plan Area Administrator for Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Ms. Bourgaize devoted herself to ensuring students in these communities had equal access to the best possible special education services. Linda went beyond the scope of her profession with her compassion. Throughout her career she also helped to write numerous legislative proposals to meet the needs and improve the lives of people suffering from disabilities and lobbied for these rights at both state and federal levels. Ms. Linda Bourgaize will always be fondly remembered and sorely missed for her ardent and passionate contributions to our community and to the Nation in her advocacy for the rights of special education students and disabled individuals. My thoughts remain with her family.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, the independence vote in East Timor was encouraging to supporters of democracy. With more than 90 percent of the population turning out for the vote, it is a level of participation that Americans should aspire to emulate. Having taken advantage of the opportunity for democracy, the East Timorese have voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia. However, the outbreak in violence following the vote is tragic. Unfortunately, pro- Indonesia militia have chosen to ignore the will of the majority and attack anyone believed to support independence. The need for action has never been more evident than in past weeks as East Timorese, international observers, journalists, and U.N. workers have been harassed and killed by paramilitaries opposed to independence. The Indonesian government must stop the militia rampages, gain control over those factions of the military supporting the militia, and establish order and peace in East Timor. It is their duty to the East Timorese, to whom the Indonesian government made a commitment, to provide a safe and democratic vote. And now, following the vote, it is their duty to provide for the safety of everyone in East Timor, especially those who voted their conscience. Mr. Speaker, the American people want peace in East Timor and they understand the importance of an immediate end to the violence. American citizens have been involved in East Timor as human rights observers and U.N. election workers for some time now. One of my constituents, Pamela Sexton, is in East Timor now and I had the privilege to meet with her a few months ago to discuss her work and the up-coming vote. Her dedication was inspiring--if only the Indonesian government would show such desire for peace and democracy. I encourage my colleagues to contact the President and impress upon him the desire of the American people to see peace restored in East Timor. It is extremely important that we continue to put pressure on the Indonesians to establish peace.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, this bill is a travesty. The funding to provide services for our Veterans and to assist with housing for low-income families is wholely inadequate. At this time, I wish to address another area where this bill is unacceptable, the lack of funding for the Corporation for National Service (CNS) and its newest program, AmeriCorps. All funding for the CNS was eliminated in Committee to shift money to other appropriations bills and to support a tax bill the American people know is a scam. The CNS administers an impressive list of programs that provide assistance to people throughout the nation. From elementary school kids and seniors who are paired together through the Foster Grandparents program, to college and high school students involved in Learn and Serve America gaining college credit and benefiting from dedicated tutors, America is better off for the work Americans are doing through CNS programs. AmeriCorps members are providing an invaluable service to communities around the country. In my district AmeriCorps members have worked with the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers and Sisters, and the Food Bank of Monterey. Currently they are serving at the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and the Foundation of California State University, Monterey Bay. In Santa Cruz, 24 men and women served as AmeriCorps members with the Homeless Garden Project. Not only did participants gain agricultural skills and farming experience, they worked with six Santa Cruz school gardens and mentored at-risk youth through involvement in garden activities. AmeriCorps volunteers have been integral to the recovery from the many natural disasters faced by Americans in the past few years. AmeriCorps participants spend countless hours assisting FEMA and the American Red Cross with disaster relief. Participants have helped emergency efforts such as the Northwest Flood in January of 1997, California Floods of 1998, Southern California Fires of 1996, and the list goes on. AmeriCorps has been responsible for the sheltering of families, working at mobile food units, watching for floods, conducting traffic, and numerous other vitally important task for victims of natural disasters. As expressed at the President's Summit on America's Future in Philadelphia, we need to encourage all Americans to volunteer. Each AmeriCorps member leverages approximately twelve to fourteen new volunteers. When you have a program where Americans are volunteering to assist others in need, it would be fostered and encouraged. AmeriCorps members are making a difference in our communities and their presence will be sorely missed if this funding is cut. I encourage my colleagues to oppose this bill and insist on restoring funding for AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National Service.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, let me just point out that this is really an equity issue. It is all based on the fact that we would not even have a law if it was not for that these other countries want to fish for tuna and have to use an international law which we have led with so that they can sell their tuna in this country. That is where the market is. The American consumers are making all of this happen. We are just asking that these countries bear their fair share. It is big business. It is a lot of money. And they certainly can afford it.

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this amendment. Frankly, this is the situation: in 1997, we passed a law saying that the ability for these countries to fish in the area which is called the eastern Tropical Pacific for tuna and in order for them to market that tuna in the United States as dolphin-free tuna or dolphin-safe tuna that they would all have to participate in the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. Unfortunately, they are not carrying their fair share. So what happens is the United States, they are using our market. That is the only reason this is all here, they are all shipping their tuna into the United States. What we are saying is that they ought to be paying their fair share. Countries like Costa Rica catch about 70 percent of it, and they pay nothing. Venezuela catches about 16 percent or uses 16 percent of the market. They pay nothing. Ecuador fishes about 26 percent of the fish. They pay nothing. So what this amendment does is say that the United States should not have to pay more than its fair share. But even at that, the bottom line is that we would be paying 50 percent of the commission's cost. So I mean, this is a no-brainer that the United States has got to stop carrying the heavy burden. The advantage for all these fisheries is that they can come and sell their product in the United States to American consumers, and we ought to require them to pay their fair share of the commission expenses. Mr. Chairman, I insert the following: Groups Supporting the George Miller of California Amendment: The Humane Society of the United States. Animal Welfare Institute. Defenders of Wildlife. Friends of Animals. Public Citizen. Whale Rescue Team. Greenpeace Foundation. Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Mr. FARR of California. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. FARR of California. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, first of all I want to state that the statement made by the author of this amendment is just not based on fact. There is no problem with the World Heritage Convention. It is essentially an international agreement where the host country, in this case the United States, has to say that we will participate and we will protect those lands before we even bring them to you to be on the list. I rise as cochair of the Congressional Tourism Caucus. We have places like Yellowstone, places that are already protected under the National Park System. We have to do that as a country. The World Heritage Commission cannot do it. They have no authority over how to regulate land. That is uniquely an American and State and local government process. But if you are very proud of a piece of land that you protected, as we have been in California in protecting a lot of parks and have nominated our State parks, and even some county water districts have nominated their lands to be part, they want this designation, because it is a prestigious designation. It is like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. It is essentially saying that this area is recognized as a special spot on the Earth for wildlife preservation and for the program to manage the land well. This is all done by the host country, not by any international organization. It is a convention where all with like kinds of land can come together and say if you do these things in your host country, then you can be on this list. So the gentleman who has offered this amendment, in saying that this has ability to affect private lands, is totally wrong, unless that landowner, as we have in Big Sur, California, had nominated their private lands to be protected. Then it can be protected, if it meets the criteria. But to come along unilaterally and designate it is totally false. I ask for a rejection of this amendment in strong terms.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise with concern over this amendment. The amendment expresses a sense of Congress. Colombia is in a very grave situation right now. Its 40-year-old government guerrilla struggle and the latter day antidrug struggle is critical. The Colombian flower growers have been one of its most successful enterprises in Latin America, but not without help from our country. Our country allowed Colombian flowers into this country duty free. There is a downside to the Colombian success, the injury done to U.S. flower growers. We might note that since 1992, 50 percent of the U.S. carnation producers have left the business, 39 percent of the mini- carnation producers have left the business, 54 percent of the U.S. chrysanthemum producers have left the business, and 41 percent of the rose growers have left the business. U.S. flower growers do not get acknowledged by U.S. Congress. Nor do they get any Federal help. Well, I am here to congratulate those businesses in Colombia that are doing well. I think that the flower growers are a good enterprise for Colombia. Let us not forget or let us not do this praise without remembering that there is a downside, because all of those Colombian flowers get into the United States free of duty.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise today as a former local elected official in support of this amendment. I hope at this moment that every mayor and every council person in the United States is watching what is happening on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, because they are seeing a debate about the future of America, of where the attitude is in Congress of how we are going to control Federal funds. The only Federal funds that we can specifically control are those Federal funds that go to support the city of the District of Columbia, a city that has an elected mayor and an elected city council; a city that, like every other city in the United States, sits down in open, public discussion and debates how they can be a better city. If Members are watching the actions on the floor today, they will see that even though they have gone through that process at the local level, the heavy-handed Congress here on the floor of the House of Representatives is adopting amendments which are mean, which take away the city's ability to provide safety measures for their inhabitants with needle exchanges, to take away adoptions, to take away legal medical marijuana, even though the States that many Members represent have already passed such measures at the State level and local level. They are taking away the ability of a city to file a lawsuit. These are amendments that are not American amendments, these are amendments that are trying to be heavyhanded. They are not about giving local control, which everybody up here talks about, to get the Federal Government off peoples' backs, allow cities to be what they can be. These amendments ought to be defeated. This amendment ought to be adopted because it deletes one of those mean provisions. I ask my colleagues to vote against all of the amendments except for those of the gentlewoman by the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) who was elected by the citizens of Washington, D.C. to be here on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise with reluctance to speak, not so much against the intent of my good friend Mr. Brown's amendment, but to make sure my colleagues know that this offset is from another worthy program. The $10 million that Mr. Brown would designate for tuberculosis activities comes at the expense of a highly successful democracy building program. The Center for Civil-Military Relations, located in my district, assists new democracies strengthen civilian control of their military forces. Let me reiterate that this program, with a proven track record of successful democracy building, helps emerging democracies learn from U.S. civilian and military teachers, why civilian leadership of their militaries will further their democratic objectives. The courses the Center for Civil-Military Relations teaches are congressionally mandated: Democratic Civilian Control of Military Forces; Human Rights; and Defense Resources Management. The investment is modest--only slightly more than $1 million a year. And the impact is far-reaching--18 seminars a year, with approximately 50 students in each week-long seminar, teaching democratic principles to an average of 1,000 students a year. Some of the successful examples of programs the Center taught in Fiscal Year 1999 include: South Africa--the military leaders of South Africa asked the Center for assistance in integrating their DOD, not along racial lines, but along civil-military lines. Russia--the Center assisted the Russians in developing an All- Volunteer Force concept. Guatemala--after 3 programs involving Center staff, Guatemala has developed Master's-level university courses on democratic civilian control and civil-military relations. Argentina--this country requested the Center to conduct a seminar on democratic civilian control of military intelligence. This year the Center will continue the dialogue by presenting a seminar on relations between the military and the legislature. The Center, both formally and informally, has facilitated the entry of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary into NATO and continues to facilitate the ``intellectual interoperability'' of other NATO aspirants. The vote before us is about tough choices. The account designated in Mr. Brown's amendment has already received an increase in this year's budget. I am asking my colleagues to make a tough choice--preserve one of the most cost-effective foreign assistance programs in the federal budget.

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I just want to raise concern about the amendment. The amendment directs all the money to the Colombian police. The delegation that was here last week did not ask for money for the national police. It was for the armed services, for the armed forces. As my colleague knows, it is a very delicate situation in Colombia. I think it would be ill-spent money to direct all of this earmarking and for specifics just for one entity in Colombia. I support the concerns of the chairman and recommendations, and I oppose the amendment the way it is drafted.

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I ask my colleagues to join together to ensure that this year's graduating class at the School of Americas is the School's last. Ever. After years of debate, it is time that we finally end the terrible legacy of the School of the Americas. In an era in which we are striving to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights in Latin America, as well as throughout the globe, we cannot possibly justify or tolerate a school whose students major in ``Methods of Torture'' or ``Murder 101.'' The School of the Americas has trained tens of thousands of military personnel from Latin America in combat and military strategy, only to send its graduates back to their home countries to commit horrible atrocities against innocent people. Some of the School's most infamous alumni include Latin American dictators such as Manual Noriega of Panama, Augusto Pinochet of Chile, and Hugo Banzeer of Bolivia. School of the Americas graduates are responsible for the murder of six Jesuit priests in El Salvador in 1989 and the murder of university students in Peru in 1992. Tyrants that we teach our youths to condemn are actually trained on American soil by American personnel. It is our responsibility to halt this hypocrisy. Military education doesn't have to be this way. Military schools have used exchange programs to allow officers around the world the opportunity to learn about U.S. military doctrine as well as the democratic process. The fact is, the Cold War is over and democracy is spreading throughout Latin America. The School of Americas serves no further purpose. The evidence is clear, Mr. Chairman. The School of the Americas is an example of military education gone wrong. How long must be deaths of innocent people, including American citizens, continue because of our support for the School of the Americas? The School must be closed for good. I urge my colleagues to cut funding to the School of the Americans and support the Moakley amendment.

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise with reluctance to speak, not so much against the intent of my good friend Mr. Brown's amendment, but to make sure my colleagues know that this offset is from another worthy program. The $5 million that Mr. Brown would designate for tuberculosis activities comes at the expense of a highly successful democracy building program, the International Military Education Training program. I am familiar with this program through the Center for Civil- Military Relations, located in my district, that helps new democracies strengthen civilian control of their military forces. This program, with a proven record of successful democracy building, helps emerging democracies learn from U.S. civilian and military teachers why civilian leadership of their militaries will further their democratic objectives. The courses the Center for Civil-Military Relations teaches are congressionally mandated: Democratic Civilian Control of Military Forces; Human Rights; and Defense Resources Management. The investment is modest--only slightly more than $1 million a year. The impact is far-reaching--18 seminars a year, with approximately 50 students in each week-long seminar, teaching democratic principles to an average of 1,000 students a year--students who are leaders in their country, both military and civilian. Some of the successful examples of programs the Center taught in Fiscal Year 1999 include: South Africa--the military leaders of South Africa asked the Center for assistance in integrating their Department of Defense, not along racial lines, but along civil-military lines. Russia--the Center assisted the Russians in developing an All- Volunteer Force concept. Guatemala--after 3 programs involving Center staff, Guatemala has developed Master's-level university courses on democratic civilian control and civil-military relations. Argentina--this country requested the Center to conduct a seminar on democratic civilian control of military intelligence. This year the Center will continue the dialogue by presenting a seminar on relations between the military and the legislature. The Center, both formally and informally, has facilitated the entry of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary into NATO and continues to facilitate the ``intellectual interoperability'' of other NATO aspirants. The vote before us is about tough choices. The account designated in Mr. Brown's amendment has already received an increase in this year's budget. I am asking my colleagues to make a tough choice--preserve one of the most cost-effective foreign assistance programs in the federal budget. Oppose the Brown amendment.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. I rise in a moment of passion, passion for the greatest aid that this country gives countries in need all over the world, and that is the passion I have for the United States Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteers serve at the invitation of host countries. Guess what? Countries want more Peace Corps. About 6,000 volunteers are currently serving in about 80 countries. Last year, in this country, 150,000 U.S. citizens inquired about whether they could serve in the United States Peace Corps. For my friends on the other side of the aisle who are supply siders, this is very simple. The demand is there and the supply is there. What stands between that demand and that supply is the budget of the United States Congress and how much we will appropriate to the Peace Corps. Guess what? What we have appropriated is not enough. I thank the chairman of the subcommittee. The gentleman from Alabama is a good listener. He is producing a good bill, it is a work in progress, and we are going to make it better. He has done a better job than our colleagues in the other house. I just got out of a cab in D.C. I came from a Peace Corps good-bye to the director, Mark Gearan. The cab driver said, ``I'm in the United States because I had two teachers in Ethiopia, Peace Corps volunteers. The gift I'm going to give back is my son who is an American citizen who is going to serve in the Peace Corps.'' On behalf of returning Peace Corps volunteers who are now Members of Congress, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri), the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Walsh) and myself, we ask that you try to add more, at least what the Peace Corps asked for and what they need.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise to congratulate my colleagues, Chairman Istook and Ranking Member Moran, on a fine bill that they have put together. Though I disagree with certain portions of it--specifically those prohibiting the use of local funds for abortion and the local domestic partner law--I believe the bill is generally even handed. There is one issue I wish to raise, however, that is not addressed in this bill and has never, to my knowledge been raised before: pit bulls. the recent death of a veteran firefighter on the DC fire squad because of a pit bull attack during a fire run is only the latest of tragedies associated with vicious pit bull attacks. I am an animal lover and for the most part will give animals the benefit of the doubt for their right to share this planet with us. I abhor animal cruelty and am grateful for the support I received from this House in passing a partial ban on steel-jaw leghold just traps two weeks ago. But this city has a problem with maintaining proper control over pit bulls and Firefighter Robinson was only the most recent addition to a sad list of statistics. According to Mary Healy, Executive Director of the Washington Humane Society, over \1/3\ of all the animals that come into their animal shelters every year is a pit bull. Just think of it: of all the breeds of all the dogs out there, one breed overwhelmingly dominates like no other. These dogs are turned in or found or captured because they are not suitable as pets. It is the nature of this beast to be other-animal aggressive which leads to unprovoked attacks on other dogs and by proximity, on people. As such they pose a public health and safety threat and for this reason the Humane Society supports full ban on pit bulls. Originally I had considered offering an amendment to this bill specifically calling on the DC Council to do something about this problem. I will refrain from doing so only because I have learned that the DC Council is moving in the right direction on this issue due to the leadership of Councilmember Carol Schwartz. Ms. Schwartz in March introduced strong legislation that would put sensible restrictions on pit bull ownership in the District. I applaud her vision and dedication to solving this troublesome aspect of life in DC. I understand from Councilmember Schwartz that she has been guaranteed a hearing in October by Sandy Allen, Councilmember from War 8 and Chairperson of the Council Committee on Human Services. I fully hope to see the Council enact Ms. Schwartz's legislation on an emergency basis and work toward a more permanent solution--maybe even an out-and-out ban like that enacted in Prince Georges County, Maryland--within the next several months. We can't wait for the next headline to tell us of the next tragedy of a person hurt or maimed or even killed by these vicious dogs. Firefighter Robinson gave his life; Councilmember Schwartz has the answer. Congress should honor the memory of fireman Robinson by during the Council to pass Ms. Schwartz's bill . . . and if the Council won't act then I will see that Congress does.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, Colombia, South America is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. Its location on both the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans where the snow capped mountains can be seen from tropical beaches is the second most biologically diverse country on the planet. The people of Colombia created and maintain what is now the oldest democracy in Latin America. As one of the original Peace Corps countries, Colombia was a leader in the Alliance for Progress during the 1960's. Drug demand in North America created a market for illegal cultivation in a country once rich in agricultural diversity. Now, whole regions are dependent on illegal crops. Drug profits corrupted the Colombian economy and led many farmers to stop growing sustenance crops in favor of marijuana, coca, and poppies. The war against drugs, combined with regional violence, has led Colombia to near collapse. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced and tens of thousands have died in the civil war that is tearing the country apart. With the election of President Andres Pastrana, Colombians were given new hope that the killings and kidnapings would finally come to an end. The willingness of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to negotiate with the Pastrana Administration was a much needed leap toward peace. I was extremely pleased that long sought negotiations between the Colombian government and the FARC were set to begin this week. Unfortunately, those talks have been postponed. This, however, does not diminish the importance of Mr. Gejdenson's amendment to support the peace process in Colombia. In fact, it is all the more important to support peace now when it is in jeopardy of falling apart. I feel that, as their neighbors, we have a responsibility to foster an environment in which that peace can blossom. This will affect the daily lives of Colombians, the stability of the region and the ability to combat drug traffickers. Having lived in Colombia during my service in the Peace Corps, I have a special affinity for the Colombian people. I know they want peace. I know they are willing to work for it. I know they will be successful given time and support. And I want to do everything possible to help them through this long process. This amendment is one step in that process. I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment, and send a strong message to the Colombian people that we stand behind them and encourage them to continue to work toward peace.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Chairman, if we are serious about reducing the number of abortions and improving the health and welfare of women and children around the world, then the U.S. must continue to contribute to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA works in more than 150 countries in the poorest regions of the world providing family planning services, maternal and child heath care, and the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Cutting off the U.S. contribution to UNFPA only penalizes the more than 870,000 women who depend on this program for quality, safe, preventive and voluntary family planning services. Instead of preventing abortions, the loss of $25 million in funds will actually cause 500,000 additional unplanned pregnancies, more than 200,000 abortions, 1,200 more maternal deaths, and 22,500 infant deaths. When women are unable to control the number and timing of births, they may have no choice but to seek an unsafe and illegal abortion. Each year, 75,000 women in developing countries die from such abortions, many of which are self-induced. By denying women birth control information, we only create more abortions and more unwanted babies. Contrary to popular myth, UNFPA does not support or promote abortion as a method of family planning. It does not support or promote China's population. In fact, the UNFPA program in China explicitly prohibits coercive practices and forced abortions. What UNFPA does do is support the right of women and families everywhere to make free and responsible decisions about the number and spacing of their children. It does assist women and men to deliver healthy babies in safe and sterile conditions and to protect and promote their health. This debate is not about China. This debate is about empowering people across the globe so that they can plan both their families and their lives instead of forcing them to accept illness and poverty as a way of life. If we are to be a compassionate nation, then the U.S. must work to improve the lives and health of women all over the world and contribute to UNFPA.

Mr. FARR of California

Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lewis).