Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, so soon after commemorating Memorial Day and honoring our Nation's veterans, we all can be pleased by the level of bipartisan support provided in this legislation for essential veterans programs. We all know that they deserve the very best support our Nation has to offer, and I am pleased to note that Democrats and Republicans came together to craft legislation that provides the necessary resources for veterans and their families. As I pointed out, I wish that the language relating to project labor agreements was not in this bill. I believe that President Obama's executive order gives, rightly, Federal officials flexibility in determining the most cost-efficient method of completing large-scale construction projects. The executive order simply provides options, and the language in the bill by the majority closes those options off. This is going to be, in my view, inefficient and costly and shouldn't be included in the underlying legislation. So, too, must this Congress deal reasonably with the issues that I spoke of regarding Guantanamo Bay. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the United States upholds the rule of law, remains true to the great foundational ideals of our democracy, and has flexibility in its counterterrorism policies to ensure an effective national security strategy. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the rule. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was in room 2103 of the Rayburn Building, and the electronic buzzer did not go off. I missed the vote on the Democratic motion to recommit on H.R. 1216. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.'' And on final passage of H.R. 1216, had I been present, I would have voted ``no.''

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor Rachel Wheeler of Lighthouse Point, Florida. At 11 years of age, Rachel has succeeded in raising over $170,000 to build houses in Haiti. She first learned of the nation's extreme poverty 2 years ago after attending a presentation by Food for the Poor President and CEO Robin Mahfood. Rachel took immediate action and set a goal to build 13 homes, each costing $2,600. Her campaign included chamber meeting announcements, television news appearances, a webpage, and advocacy throughout her school and neighborhood. Her zeal and devotion were met with widespread support, and she soon expanded her goal to a 25-residence village that includes larger homes. Now, Rachel would like to expand her project to include a school. Though Rachel first launched her efforts prior to the earthquake that devastated the nation's capital, Port au Prince, those efforts are now even more invaluable in the tragedy's wake. Having spent much of my career fighting for the people of Haiti, I am both honored and humbled by Rachel's work. She has been able to garner coast-to-coast support and was named one of the country's top 10 youth volunteers in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards competition. We here in Washington can certainly learn from her tenacious spirit, prodigious initiative, and momentous impact. If Rachel can do it, why can't we? Mr. Speaker, I am most impressed that despite the fact that this remarkable young lady has accomplished more in her 11 years than many do in their lifetimes, she readily acknowledges that her efforts have only just begun. Rachel's vision and success are a shining example not only to her peers, but to anyone who has ever questioned how much of a difference one individual can truly make. As I rise to honor her passion and dedication today, I look forward to the great things she will undoubtedly accomplish in the future.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jazz Ensemble of Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for their continued achievements and excellence. Dillard High School was founded in the early twentieth century with funds from noted philanthropist James Hardy Dillard. The music program at Dillard High School gained fame when the legendary Julian ``Cannonball'' Adderley served as an instructor of applied music in the 1940's. Dillard High School serves as a Performing Arts and Technology magnet school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with its main areas of focus being dance, voice, orchestra, and band. There are no limits to the creative spirit at Dillard High School and there are no limits to the success that their students achieve. Earlier this month, the Dillard High School Jazz Ensemble took home first prize honors at the ``Essentially Ellington'' Jazz Band Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City. More impressive than their performance is the resolve that the students showed in fundraising for their trips. Many students used their own money to pay for their trips as private donations are scarce. In addition to this most recent achievement, the Jazz Ensemble took first prize at the ``Swing Central'' Jazz competition in Savannah, Georgia in both 2011 and 2010 and in 2010 they took second place at the ``Essentially Ellington'' Jazz Band Competition before winning the prestigious competition this year. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that these young musicians represent my district. It is a true privilege to recognize the Dillard High School Jazz Ensemble and their many accomplishments, both on and off the stage.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I proudly recognize Zoe Fromer, Kirill Safin, and Izaal Lakhia of Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Florida as Hastings' Star Students. When state budget cuts to education forced their school to cut back on arts programs, these young people took the task of saving these programs into their own hands. They formed Initiative Renaissance, an aptly named organization that raises funds to restore classes such as drama, musical engineering and chorus. The organization's $100,000 fundraising goal would help improve arts facilities and expand the school's band and visual arts programs. Their mission has garnered national recognition and Initiative Renaissance was accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Project with a chance to win a $50,000 grant. Zoe, Kirill, and Izaal's passion for attaining a well-rounded education demonstrates the folly of cutting funding to arts and education. All students deserve a public education that fully prepares them to compete in the 21st century. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that these young people chose to fight to save their school's arts programs and applaud their dedication and perseverance to this project, which has undoubtedly been beneficial to the entire community.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the courageous work of Air Force Staff Sergeant Deante Brooks in defending the Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Sergeant Brooks deployed to Afghanistan in 2010 as part of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. On May 19, 2010, Sergeant Brooks was performing a security sweep of the airfield's perimeter with a Security Forces teammate, along with their Marine comrades when they came under attack. Sergeant Brooks heard a scream, and realized his wingman had been injured by a grenade. He raced back to the base with the injured wingman, providing medical assistance along the way. After Sergeant Brooks placed the injured soldier in the care of emergency medical personnel, he returned to the fight and provided reinforcements that helped to secure the area. I recently met Sergeant Brooks, and we talked about his heroic work in defending the airfield's perimeter. I was deeply honored to meet such a brave and admirable individual. I cannot imagine what our country would be like without individuals like Sergeant Brooks--he and his fellow soldiers deserve the praise of all Americans for their dedication and service in protecting our nation. Mr. Speaker, the American people are forever indebted to the men and women in uniform for their courage, honor, dedication and hard work in serving our country. Staff Sergeant Deante Brooks exemplifies this spirit and is a true American hero.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield 2 minutes to my good friend, a member of the Judiciary Committee, the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would in some respects reiterate much of what our colleagues have said with regard to Osama bin Laden. For 10 years, he held the title of scourge of the Earth. And I believe all of us are pleased that to the degree that he contributed to injustice, justice, as it pertains to him, has finally been served. It is my hope that the families of the terrible events that transpired on 9/11 and the USS Cole and the families of the East African embassy bombings can find just a little more solace and just a little more closure as a result of his demise at the hands of extraordinary work on behalf of a substantial number of courageous Americans. As a Nation, I would ask that we be extremely mindful that al Qaeda has not been removed, nor has the sentiment of this very dangerous societal element, nor are they the only organized structure of radical extremists that would attack our Nation. We must remain ever vigilant. There was a bit of irony on May 1, 2011, that should not be lost on any of us. One of the events that transpired on that same day was that the late John Paul II, the Pope, was beatified and moved closer to sainthood. On May 1 that occurred. He spent his life blazing a path of enlightenment, peace, love, and uplifting humanity. The second event that occurred on that day was the demise of bin Laden, who spent his life lighting a path of murder, deceit, and the destruction of humanity. While one found, and is finding, sainthood, the other found Satan. It is a good thing that he is no longer a plague on the Earth, and the hope for humankind is that Pope John Paul II would be our exemplar of goodness. Given the immense security challenges facing our Nation, Congress should pass this legislation so that we may continue to fulfill our commitment to the safety and well-being of the American people. The men and women of the intelligence community may operate in the background, but they are at the forefront of our national defense and deserve every resource necessary to do their jobs. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the rule because, in spite of Mr. Reed, my colleague on the Rules Committee, and the distinguished chairman, my good friend, touting the fact that we do have a number of amendments and the time, this is not an open rule; and I would have them to know that if it were an open rule, then all Members would be able to offer an amendment to the bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I thank my friend from Texas for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 754, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for U.S. intelligence and intelligence-related activities within the jurisdiction of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, including the National Intelligence Program and the Military Intelligence Program, as well as for the Intelligence Community Management Account and for the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. We are considering this legislation at an auspicious time. The death of Osama bin Laden and the disarray in the al Qaeda network comes as a result of years of painstaking effort by the hardworking men and women of the intelligence community, the military, President Bush, and President Obama's gutsy, courageous, and correct call on May 1 of this year. They succeeded admirably in carrying out a difficult and dangerous mission. This legislation codifies many of the lessons learned in recent years that led to Osama bin Laden's demise. It is important that we continue to provide the necessary resources to sustain the momentum the United States and its allies enjoy in the effort to protect our Nation and its citizens. As the former vice chair of the House Intelligence Committee, I personally know that the intelligence community is the first line of defense against those wishing to do us harm here at home and across the globe. Where terrorists or other elements, as we speak, are plotting attacks, planning operations, or are actively engaged in harming our citizens, the men and women of the intelligence community are devoted to acting on the information they gather to thwart those efforts. We owe them a debt of gratitude and our sincere thanks. These courageous men and women often work quietly, unnoticed, and too often, unrecognized, but nevertheless, they are critical to ensuring the security of our Nation. I have had the honor and privilege of meeting many of our intelligence professionals during my oversight travel as a member of the Intelligence Committee. I cannot overstate how much I appreciate, and am humbled by, their service. Over the past 10 years, our country has continued to make daily progress against threats, thanks to the service of those dedicated professionals. We must keep in mind, though, that in spite of our best effort, we still face many real threats, and we still have much work to do to get it right. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 754 provides detailed guidance and authorizes appropriations for the many agencies of the intelligence community, while also improving accountability and transparency. It is essential that we streamline and coordinate oversight for counterintelligence. H.R. 754 amends the Counterintelligence Enhancement Act of 2002 to require the national counterintelligence strategy to be aligned with the policies and strategy of the Director of National Intelligence. It is often reported that our government agencies come under cyberattack all day, every day, 365 days a year. International criminals, malicious individuals, and even other Nations are actively engaged in a constant effort to break into our cyber networks to obtain information, or to wreak havoc on the systems that govern our Nation's infrastructure, financial, military, diplomatic, and social networks. We must, of all things, be mindful of our responsibilities in that area. It can have a devastating impact if not properly attended. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we must consider diversity to be a mission imperative. I have stated time and again that the intelligence community is not diverse enough to successfully meet its requirements and achieve success on its missions. On February 26, 2010, the House of Representatives passed my amendment to H.R. 2701, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which required the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, in coordination with the heads of the elements of the intelligence community, to submit to Congress a report on the plans of each element of the community to increase diversity. The report is expected to be finalized in October of this year. Simply put, we need people who blend in, who speak the language, and understand the cultures in the countries that we are targeting. It is time for the intelligence community to get serious about improving diversity for the sake of our national security. If the intelligence community is to succeed in its global mission, it must have a global face. I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield 3 minutes to my good friend, the ranking member of the Committee on Intelligence, the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I would just urge my colleague not to use a broad reference with reference to the Democratic Party. Everybody in the Democratic Party does not agree that we should leave Afghanistan until the administration and the military and the intelligence community have completed their work.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, I rise to offer an amendment as the designee of the maker of the amendment at the desk.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, this amendment, the scrivener of same, is Jared Polis, our colleague from Colorado. I can't resist, however, departing from the preparation that he has undergone to suggest that if my other friend from Colorado's logic is followed, then I gather that the circuit courts of the United States, all 13 of them, must be the courts of last resort. And if you followed your logic to its conclusion, I guess we would eliminate the United States Supreme Court because, of course, those nine people wouldn't know anything about what the circuits had done, wherever they came from. Madam Chair, when reading this bill, and particularly the section on judicial review, the phrase ``rush to judgment'' came to mind to Mr. Polis, because that's exactly what this bill directs our courts to do. Instead of hearing and deciding a case based on the case's merits, this bill tells the courts that speed, not justice, should be their top priority. Madam Chair, the integrity of any law enforcement is only as good as the court's ability to review and enforce it. We all learned in civics class that one of the strengths of our Nation is its system of checks and balances. Passing legislation that tilts the courts in favor of one side or another is hardly in line with this most fundamental of American values, yet this is what much of what H.R. 1229's judicial review section does. Mr. Polis' amendment that I offer as his designee is a modest amendment that promotes the integrity of that review and the integrity of our Nation's principle of fair and impartial courts. H.R. 1229 as a whole gives an even greater handout to the well-funded legal teams employed by the big oil companies, at the expense of protecting our health, our communities, our environment, and justice in general. The underlying bill in section 204 states: ``The court shall endeavor to hear and determine any covered civil action as expeditiously as possible.'' Exactly who does it help when the courts are directed to make decisions in haste at the expense of research and deliberation? It only helps those who can afford teams of high-priced lawyers and lobbyists who know where and when to push the pressure buttons of influence. My colleague's amendment simply replaces the word ``expeditiously'' with the word ``justly,'' as the courts should be deciding cases based not simply on speed but on the law. Undoubtedly, the judicial review provisions in H.R. 1229 have been included to promote the misleading argument commonly used by the majority party and the big oil companies alike that frivolous lawsuits by local communities and environmentalists strangle the industry and stall domestic drilling. Yet quarter after quarter, oil companies continue to reap record profits and are developing more domestic energy than ever before. Exxon actually is ahead of us. They're in the business of talking about gas while we around here are dilly-dallying about oil. Furthermore, this misleading hard-luck story leaves out a critical fact--that the industry is just as active in using the courts to get its way as any public health or environmental watchdog. But the industry has much more money for such legal actions, already giving it an unfair advantage. In fact, recent lawsuits have been filed against the government by Alaskan oil companies to overturn critical habitat restrictions, by oil companies against the EPA for ethanol standards, and numerous suits against the Department of the Interior by industry over the temporary ban following the BP disaster. Let's remember that the point of judicial review is to ensure that the law is followed and to provide a check and balance when it is not. The underlying bill is, in effect, saying that following the law no longer matters. It doesn't matter if justice is served or if a case is heard properly. It only matters if it appears that way. Madam Chair, the east front of the Supreme Court building contains the following inscription: ``Justice, the guardian of liberty.'' Should any company in our country have the right to pursue profits and the prerogative of our capitalist system? Of course. But even our Founders recognized that this should be done within the confines of the law. Justice, meaning impartial courts and stringent checks and balances, is the guardian of our liberties and freedom as Americans. Instead of promoting a rush to judgment and a blind rubber stamp within the courts, we should, instead, promote integrity and a system of rigorous checks and balances, as these are truly fundamental American values. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, speeding up the permitting process and thereby making it easier to drill off our country's shores in the manner that this bill does will do little to help Americans at the gas pump. According to the Energy Information Administration, even tripling our current offshore drilling capabilities by the year 2030 would lower gasoline prices only 5 cents per gallon more than if we continued at the current levels. At maximum output, the United States holds less than 2 percent of the world's oil reserves, not nearly enough to significantly impact the price per barrel, which is set on a global level primarily by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries that we reference as OPEC. In reality, the United States is already producing more oil per day than it ever has, yet gas prices are still around $4 per gallon. Though production in our country has actually increased every year since 2005, crude oil hit a record $147 per barrel over the same time period, demonstrating that there is little correlation between drilling levels in the United States and the price of oil. More drilling will put our businesses, as well as our environment and health, at an increased risk with little return to the average American. By itself, the United States consumes one quarter of the world's oil. What drives the price of oil more than any other factor is the large scale and high demand for it worldwide. The only way we can reduce gasoline prices is to decrease our country's demand for fossil fuels by increasing our energy efficiency, improving the fuel mileage of our cars, and developing real renewable energy resources. Federal policies should focus on making these changes, not on dangerously restricting Federal oversight of the industry. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Let me respond to my colleagues first by saying that I hope no one in the gulf is sitting out there holding their breath waiting for this named bill here, H.R. 1229, ``Putting the Gulf of Mexico Back to Work.'' Let me talk real here about what is getting ready to happen. The Republicans will pass this particular measure. It will go to that black hole over in the Senate and never become the law of the United States. And the administration has made it very clear that if this measure were to pass, it is not going to in fact be permitted under the aegis of the President's veto, which they cannot overturn. So while people in Mississippi and people in Louisiana are suffering floods right now, compounding all of the circumstances that they have had to put up with with the BP oil spill, here we are dillydallying, making like we are going to do something to create work in the gulf. We are not going to do one single, solitary thing, and if we could do nothing more, we ought to tell the people the truth. If we drilled everywhere you say drill in America, we still would only have 1.97 percent of all of the oil in the world. Canada has more oil than we do, and we get plenty of it from them. Mexico almost has as much as we do. How dare we come here and talk about 2 weeks of oil that ain't going to reduce gas none and suggest to people it's going to put people back to work. Balderdash. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. As a former judge--and as a State and Federal judge--I would urge my colleague from Colorado to understand something. Circuit judges don't of necessity have specific specialty in the area they live. A judge may go on the bench in the Fifth Circuit and have studied patent law all of his life and know nothing about oil.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Lena Horne Recognition Act, a bill to posthumously honor Lena Horne with a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of her many achievements and contributions to American culture and the Civil Rights Movement. A symbol of elegance and grace, the legendary Lena Horne entertained America and broke racial barriers as a singer, dancer, and actress for over 60 years. Ms. Horne passed away a year ago yesterday, in New York City on May 9, 2010 at the age of 92. Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born on June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York. Her path to international stardom would take her from Harlem's famous Cotton Club, where she was hired as a chorus dancer at the age of 16, to Charlie Barnet's jazz band, where she became one of the first African American women to tour with an all-white band, to Hollywood and Broadway. In the 1940s, Ms. Horne was discovered by a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) talent scout and moved to Hollywood to be an actress, becoming the first black artist to sign a long-term contract with a major studio. Despite her extraordinary beauty and talent, however, she was often limited to minor acting roles because of her race. Among many lost opportunities, studio executives cast fellow actress Ava Gardner as Julie in the film adaptation of Show Boat instead of Ms. Horne because they did not want it to star a black actress. However, she dazzled audiences and critics in a number of films, including Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather. The struggle for equal and fair treatment was an inseparable and increasingly political part of Ms. Home's life. During World War II, Ms. Horne toured extensively with the United Service Organizations, USO on the West Coast and in the South in support of the troops. She was out-spoken in her criticism of the way black soldiers were treated, refusing to sing for segregated audiences or to groups in which German prisoners of war were seated in front of African American servicemen. During the period of McCarthyism in the 1950s, Ms. Horne was blacklisted as a communist for seven years because of her civil rights activism and friendship with Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Du Bois. Although she continued to face discrimination, Ms. Horne's career flourished in television and on nightclub stages across the country. It was during this time that she also established herself as a major recording artist. In 1957, she recorded Lena Horne at the Waldorf-Astoria, which reached the Top 10 and became the best-selling album by a female singer in RCA Victor's history. Ms. Horne used her talent and fame to become a powerful voice for civil rights and equality. In 1963, she participated in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, at which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his immortal ``I Have a Dream'' speech. She also performed at rallies throughout the country for the National Council for Negro Women and worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), of which she was the cover girl for their monthly bulletin at the age of 2, in addition to being a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. In 1981, Ms. Horne finally received the big break she had waited for her whole life--a one-woman Broadway show. Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, was the culmination of her triumphs and struggles. It enjoyed a 14-month run before going on tour and earned her a special Tony award for distinguished achievement in theater and two Grammys. Ms. Horne was also the recipient of the Kennedy Center honor for lifetime contribution to the arts in 1984 and in 1989 received a lifetime achievement Grammy Award. She received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame--for her work in both motion pictures and recording--in addition to a footprint on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Mr. Speaker, Lena Horne was an extraordinary woman who refused to give up her dreams and used her beauty, talent, and intelligence to fight racial discrimination. I urge my colleagues to support the Lena Horne Recognition Act to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Lena Horne with a Congressional Gold Medal.