Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1368 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to lay the motion to reconsider on the table.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one achievement of my former intern, Anu Ambikaipalan who participated in the Australian Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program, UCWIP. After an experience in Washington, she returned to Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia where she will soon graduate and pursue a career in law at a prestigious local firm. Ms. Ambikaipalan was recently distinguished as a leader in her academic pursuits and was asked to deliver a keynote speech at a breakfast reception honoring ``Women in the Law.'' I commend to your attention the insightful text of her speech to reiterate the importance of providing professional development opportunities for youth on Capitol Hill and how these experiences can translate into successful contributions to communities, even on the other side of the world. As Members of Congress, we must continue to support initiatives like the UCWIP which not only improve the lives of our constituents, but engage the global community. The text of her speech follows: Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. It's great to see so many people here today, and especially university students. Being able to sleep in till 12 noon is one of the prized possessions of a university student, so I'm glad you could all make it. It is indeed a privilege to be able to speak in front of so many accomplished women and men in the law here. I'd like to thank the Victorian Council of Law Students' Society and the convener of today's breakfast, Katie Elder, for asking me to speak to you this morning on my experience as an Intern in Congress in Washington, D.C., through the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program or the UCWIP. In the summer of 2007, I along with 11 other Australian university students, were fortunate enough to receive the opportunity to work as Interns in the U.S. Congress. As exciting as this was, I was brought back to reality when the response given by my friends to my impending internship was--`So, is it like the West Wing?' or `An Intern? . . . Like Monica Lewinsky?' The UCWIP is a program run by Mr. Eric Federing, who directs and manages the program pro bono. It is now in its tenth year and includes 8 participating Australian universities from around Australia with approximately 60 applicants a year. Applicants are required to choose from 13 Congressional offices which participated in the program. My first preference was an African American Congressman, Mr. Alcee Hastings, who represented the 23rd district of Florida. I chose Congressman Hastings because of his strong stance on racial equality and social justice. Having been in Congress for almost 18 years, the Congressman is an important member of the Democrat party's leadership and often champions the rights of minority groups. When I arrived in Washington, D.C., in January 2007, I had no idea that the next two months would be a life changing experience. I remember walking through the hallowed halls of Congress on the first day, nervous but also in complete and utter wonderment. As the weeks went on, I tried not to become too complacent as to where I was. Every morning I would take the long route to my office so I could see the Capitol Building and remind myself that I was working at the centre of global politics. When we arrived on Capitol Hill, the U.S. was witnessing monumental changes, with the Democrats regaining the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The highlight for me personally, was when my Congressman gave me his only ticket to the historical swearing in of the first female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. The biggest talking point in Congress with the change in power was the Iraq War and the troop surge. We were fortunate enough to see both Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright give testimonies before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in relation to the troop surge. As my Congressman sits on the Intelligence Committee, I was lucky enough to attend one of the very rare open Intelligence Committee hearings with Hon. John Negroponte, Director of National Intelligence and General Michael Hayden, Director of the CIA as witnesses. However, the UCWIP was not all about work and serious political issues. The program is established to allow participants to gain a well-rounded appreciation of American culture and history. We were given a guided tour of the battlefields of Gettysburg, visited Philadelphia and met extraordinary individuals such as Mr. Joe Ichiuji, a Japanese-American who fought for the U.S. army in World War II, while his family were detained in concentration camps in America because of their Japanese descent. We also attended major social events such as the inaugural ball for the new mayor of Washington, D.C., Adrian Fenty and the annual Roe v. Wade dinner run by the National Abortion Rights Action League, Pro-Choice America. The most significant part of my internship was the opportunity to develop legislation to combat gang violence which the Congressman could introduce into this Congress. This issue came to the forefront after the rapid increase in deaths resulting from gang violence in the Congressman's district. By the 5th January 2007, 8 people had been killed from gang violence. That was more than one person a day. One of those killed was a 2 year old boy who was left in the car as his parents fled from a drive-by shooting. Since I had very little knowledge of gang violence, I decided to put my years of researching for law assignments into good use. I jumped onto Google. As I scrawled through pages of information, I realized that I had just opened Pandora's Box. Gang violence in America is one of the deadliest and most dangerous activities on the streets, and its scourge has permeated into mainstream American culture through music, movies and television. Through my research, I discovered that the two problem areas were: (1) trying to deter youths from entering gangs and (2) the high rate of re-offending by youths once they were released from juvenile detention. Looking through the limited legislation that had already been put through Congress, it was evident a fresh new approach was required. Clearly, the problem will never be solved by middle-aged, college educated, men and women from privileged backgrounds sitting on Capitol Hill, who are so far dissociated from the unemployed, impoverished and generally black young men who roam the streets, searching for drugs and money in order to survive. A connection has to be established between those making the law and the young people on American streets who live day by day in fear of their lives and in the shadows of gang violence. So, it was a stroke of luck when a group called `Exhoodus' was holding a briefing on the Hill encouraging Congress to take action combating gang violence. The forum was hosted by Bill Cosby with a panel made up of ex-gang members who had all spent time in jail for murder and drug related crimes. The group traveled around America to speak to youths and deter them from entering gangs. They informed us that gangs were now recruiting from primary school, with gang members being as young as 8 years old. Inspired by the work of this group, I figured that the only way to find out what to put in the legislation was to ask those directly affected by the issue. As such, we organized to visit the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home to have a tour of the facilities and speak to some of the children incarcerated there. It was the most significant part of my internship and one of the most confronting experiences of my life. Some of these kids were 10 or 11 and had already spent 2 or 3 years in detention. As we spent time with these kids, I realized that they were just normal kids who had made one mistake. Most of these children came from broken homes, with violent, alcoholic fathers or mothers prostituting themselves to support their drug addiction. Being in a gang not only provided them with a family unit, but also provided them with money to support their families. They too had dreams of becoming a chef, journalist or an NBA basketballer, but were victims of the streets and of a society that couldn't provide the security and safety that they felt came from being in a gang. When we told these kids that we wanted them to help us create this piece of legislation to combat gang violence, their reaction was something I can still picture today. They were bursting with ideas on how to improve their local communities and get gangs off their streets and kids back into school. As we continued to work on the legislation, I was given the opportunity to travel to Florida to visit the Congressman's district and finally experience some resemblance of a summer. I visited both of the Congressman's district offices--in Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. His staff took me around the streets of Ft. Lauderdale and I couldn't believe my eyes. I was driving through the ghetto. There was rubbish littering the streets, police officers outside houses questioning people and young men dealing drugs openly on street corners. Actually seeing the district and understanding where the Congressman came from made me fully appreciate his fight against racial discrimination and injustice. His policies began to make more sense and I gained a lot more motivation for my gang violence work. After discussing the issue of gang violence with local officials and police, it became evident, and quite frustrating, that nobody wanted to take responsibility for fixing the problem. It was only when we visited a community university that we discovered a possible idea for legislation that would assist with gang violence. We organized for community colleges to work with local prisons to create reintroduction programs for those who had spent time in juvenile detention. Our purpose was to deter them from falling back into gang activity. The legislation, entitled `Path to Success' promotes initiatives to provide at-risk youths with counseling and academic and vocational training. Ultimately, this program is based on a principle that is a central tenet of law all over the world reintegrating offenders as a means of rehabilitation. Last week to my delight, I received an email from the Congressman's office. It was to inform me that the Bill had passed through Congress and the Senate. The ``Path to Success'' program was finally becoming law in the United States. My experience in Congress has made me realize that we should never feel too small or powerless to make a difference. Upon reflection, after working with people like Congressman Hastings and Eric Federing, if we all took the most valuable commodity we have--our time, and use that for the benefit of others, in a personal way, imagine what a difference we could make. Although, throughout the internship, I was acting as an Ambassador for my university and Australia, at times we felt like we were acting as ambassadors for those kids who were stuck on the streets of America. Helping the Congressman to produce this piece of legislation was one of the most rewarding and proudest moments of my life. Being a final year law student from Deakin University, I was given the chance to make a small, yet tangible contribution in the most powerful Government in the world. Through this, I discovered that the opportunity to make a difference is out there for each and every one of us. As the playwright, George Bernard Shaw once wrote, `Dream things that never were and say, why not?'

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, it is my sad duty to note the death last week of former Polish Foreign Minister and OSCE Chair-in Office Bronislaw Geremek, who was killed in a car crash in Poland. I am honored to pay tribute to a Polish patriot who had an impact far beyond the borders of his native country. Born in 1932 to a Jewish family in Warsaw, Bronislaw Geremek was fated to confront the two great evils of the twentieth century: Nazism and communism. Having survived the first as a child, he later played an instrumental role in defeating the second. Mr. Geremek trained as an historian a serious scholar specializing in the history of medieval France. Indeed, as many obituaries have observed, he was the very image of the professional academic, complete with pipe and tweeds. But it was in politics and political life that he truly made his mark and where he has left his legacy. Bronislaw Geremek was a great Polish patriot who knew that his country deserved better than the communist oppression of the post-war period. He protested the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia; he stayed in Poland when anti-Semitic purges drove thousands of other Jews away; and most of all, he helped build necessary bridges between workers and intellectuals. That bond, between these two segments of Polish society, enabled Solidarity to become the mass movement it was. His imprisonment after the imposition of Martial Law on December 13, 1981, did not deter him from his struggle to build a truly free and democratic Poland. In 1989, he was a member of the historic ``Round Table'' that negotiated the peaceful transition of power. In fact, a delegation from the Helsinki Commission, that included my good friend, and now-House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, was in Poland in August 1989, and watched from the gallery of the Polish parliament when Tadeusz Mazowiecki was elected the first non-communist Prime Minister in more than four decades. Bronislaw Geremek played a singular role in bringing that democratic transition to Poland and the democratic transition in Poland helped bring democracy to all of Eastern Europe. Bronislaw Geremek subsequently served his country in many ways: as a member of Parliament, not only as a Foreign Minister but the Foreign Minister who signed the treaty bringing Poland into NATO, and then as a member of the European Union Parliament. As chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I would especially like to note the important role Bronislaw Geremek played when, as Foreign Minister, he served as chair-in-office of the OSCE in 1998. Few people understood as well the historical role of the Helsinki Accords and he brought to that mission an unmatched moral leadership. Perhaps most of all, however, Bronislaw Geremek personified the best of Eastern Europe's intelligentsia intellectually curious and accomplished, outraged by injustice and impelled to resist it despite the risks, and possessed of a wry sense of humor that endeared him to his colleagues. Bronislaw Geremek's time on this earth was not merely full, but profoundly consequential. The world is a better place for his having lived. We, in the postcommunist-era, are all the beneficiaries of his passion, labor and achievements. Madam Speaker, may Bronislaw Geremek rest in peace, honored by his countrymen and women, remembered fondly and missed by those fortunate enough to have been his friends, and invoked as a role model wherever brains and courage are sorely needed to face down tyranny.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a concurrent resolution calling on Congress to support the goal of increased and sustainable homeownership in the United States. It is absolutely vital that Congress recommit itself to the importance of homeownership programs, fair lending laws, and fair housing laws in achieving the goal of homeownership. My legislation has been updated from its previous introduction as H. Con. Res. 107 of the 109th Congress to reflect the current status of the housing market and the enduring need to improve access to homeownership. Once again, this resolution would put Congress on record recognizing fair lending and housing laws enacted to prevent and combat discriminatory practices which undermine homeownership efforts for all Americans. Today, the current foreclosure crisis is a major stumbling block on the road to homeownership. Many are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve the American Dream of homeownership, which was beyond reach even before the emergence of our current crisis. When it comes to the health and vitality of America's communities, affordable housing is key. Congress has a responsibility to foster and promote an active, growing, and fair housing market in light of the significant stress this market experienced in 2007 and 2008. Most Americans' primary investment is in their home, and homeownership is the most common way for families to build and pass on wealth from one generation to another. This resolution recognizes how important the establishment of homeownership programs and fair lending and housing laws have been to equalizing access to homeownership for all Americans. In particular, eliminating the disparities in homeownership rates between white families and minority families continues to be a goal of critical importance. In 2008, the homeownership rate for white Americans was 72 percent, but the rate was only 47.2 percent for African Americans and 49.7 percent for Hispanic Americans. With almost 4,000,000 fair housing violations occurring annually, we must continue to support efforts aimed at ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to own a home. This resolution also recognizes the detriment of predatory lending practices, which principally occur in the subprime market, and their contribution to the housing market's worst slump in 16 years. As many as 2 million Americans will see their mortgage rates increase in the next 2 years. We must address the plight of borrowers victimized by predatory lenders and high priced mortgage alternatives by advocating consumer protections against abusive practices. Madam Speaker, I first introduced this legislation with a number of my colleagues in 2005 and eventually garnered the support of 31 cosponsors. To once again express the commitment of Congress to promoting homeownership, I have made a few key updates to this legislation. They reflect the current status of the housing market marred by the residual impacts of predatory lending practices, primarily in the sub-prime loan market. This legislation has also been updated to recognize specific initiatives to stem the rise of foreclosures. Madam Speaker, I thank my friends who have joined me today to introduce this legislation, as well as the National Fair Housing Alliance, Fair Housing Center of the Greater Palm Beaches, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, all of which have endorsed the resolution. I encourage my colleagues to support this necessary legislation and look forward to its expedient passage.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 60th anniversary of the integration of the United States Armed Forces. On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981 which stated that the Armed Services must extend equal opportunity to everyone who served in the military. Although the true fulfillment of this vision finally occurred 15 years after President Truman signed this Executive Order, July 26, 1948 remains a defining moment in our Nation's history because the leader of the Free World made it known that a united Nation needed a united military. This extraordinary document was signed shortly after World War II when American troops and their allies restored hope, justice, and life to millions of people who were suffering under horrific dictatorship and terror. In the deadliest and most wide spread war in human history, the world had seen the valor, fortitude, and humility of the American military. Upon returning home, however, more than 400,000 African American World War II veterans were faced with the bitter reminder that they did not receive equal rights in the military in which they served and in the country that they loved. Mr. Speaker, from the Revolutionary War to the present wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, blacks and other people of color have fought and died. In the years prior to desegregation, many black soldiers fought with the hope that if they demonstrated their bravery and dedication in battle, they could obtain the respect and opportunity in the military and civilian sector. Unfortunately, formal and informal practices of segregation and discrimination in the military and in our country prevented this hope from becoming and reality. In the years leading to an unprecedented time of prosperity, growth, and development in the United States, President Truman dared to sign a document that would position our military and country in a new direction. At last, America would have laws that would ensure that people would have the right to serve their country and be treated equally regardless of their race, color, religion, or national origin. Sixty years after Executive Order 9981 was signed and 45 years after the proclamations in this document were implemented, the U.S. military now includes the full spectrum of our great country. More than 1.4 million men and women make up America's active and reserve forces. They can serve with the knowledge that there are laws to ensure that they receive the same rights and liberties that they fought to secure for others. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the initial call to integrate our nation's Armed Forces, we must remember to continue the legacy of eliminating discrimination and bigotry from the institutions that represent our country and make it great. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution and demonstrate our continued commitment to laws that promote liberty, equality and justice in every sector of our society.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1343 provides for consideration of H.R. 5959, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, under a structured rule. The rule provides 1 hour of debate controlled by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and makes in order seven amendments. Three amendments are to be offered by my colleagues in the minority, including one by the Republican whip and one by the ranking Republican of the Intelligence Committee. Three are to be offered by Democrats, and the last one by two bipartisan sponsors. This is a fair rule, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, today, more than ever, strengthening our intelligence apparatus and giving it the flexibility it needs to meet continuing threats should be one of this body's highest priorities. The resurgence of al Qaeda and increasing global threats underscore the importance of the authorization bill before us today. The Intelligence Authorization Act authorizes funding for 16 United States intelligence agencies and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government for fiscal year 2009. Due to the classified nature of this bill, I wish to point out that Members can view the classified portions of the bill by making an appointment with the Intelligence Committee in H-405 of the Capitol. Despite the House's best efforts, for the past 3 years an intelligence authorization bill has not become law. Therefore, I am very pleased today with this well-balanced, bipartisan bill. I am hopeful that this great work will continue, concluding with the President's signature of the underlying legislation into law. This year's intelligence authorization bill adds crucial funding to enhance human intelligence collection, as well as for other enduring and emerging global security challenges we face in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The bill also provides funding to address the impact of climate change on our national and energy security. Mr. Speaker, in recent years, we have seen the devastating costs that flawed intelligence and a misinformed Congress can have on national security. This bill enhances accountability and transparency through long overdue oversight and monitoring. The underlying bill increases reporting requirements to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on the nuclear capabilities of North Korea, Iran, and Syria. The bill also amends the National Security Act to require the executive branch to provide Congress with the necessary information about our intelligence operations to ensure proper oversight. As someone who sat through countless hours of Intelligence Committee hearings and briefings, I have been appalled by the unwillingness and outright stonewalling of the Bush administration when Members have asked even the most basic of questions about our intelligence community policies and practices. Additionally, the underlying legislation helps restore our Nation's global credibility by ensuring that we meet our international obligations. The reporting requirements on compliance with the Detainee Treatment Act and the Military Commissions Act regarding detentions and interrogations bring credibility and security to our Nation for future generations. The bill also furthers our commitment to improving the intelligence community's security and clearance process. It increases pay for intelligence officers--and I would underscore much-needed increases-- and enhances oversight and accountability through the creation of an intelligence community Inspector General. Moreover, the underlying legislation includes a provision that would require reporting on plans to enhance diversity within the intelligence community, and a lot of effort has gone into this particular measure, beginning with our former colleague, Louis Stokes, and our departed colleague, Julian Dixon, and the work of my colleague, Sanford Bishop, and myself, as well as the Chair and countless members of the committee in trying to ensure that we have appropriate diversity in the intelligence community. The diversity of our Nation should be directly reflected in our intelligence community's workforce. We cannot, and will not, appropriately meet our security challenges without ensuring this. I appreciate and support these efforts, as the issue, as I expressed, was one of my top concerns when I served on the Intelligence Committee. Finally, I would like to thank Chairman Reyes for including in his amendment a provision written by my colleague on the Rules Committee, Representative Peter Welch, that addresses the employment needs of resettled Iraqi and Afghani interpreters. Our government has a moral responsibility to provide proper resources for these allies who risked their lives to assist our efforts to fight global terrorist threats. This measure will help fill gaps in our intelligence-gathering activities and is a start toward fulfilling our obligations to our Iraqi and Afghani allies. Mr. Speaker, the threats posed to our Nation are only intensifying. To keep pace, America's intelligence community requires the most robust and modern tools to identify and disrupt such attacks. This Intelligence Authorization Act does just that. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to my good friend, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to my good friend from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) with whom I serve on the Rules Committee.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1343 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe and Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly, I rise today in strong support of The Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Persons Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act of 2008 (H.R. 6496), a bill which I reintroduced yesterday with a group of 11 bipartisan original cosponsors. The bill I am introducing today addresses the impending humanitarian crisis and potential security break-down as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq. The bill increases accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, as well as seeking to facilitate the resettlement of Iraqis at risk. The plight of Iraqi refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) is worsening by the day. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of families who fled for their safety, are now unable to work and have subsequently depleted their savings in order to survive. Madam Speaker, I would like to announce the support that I have received for this very important legislation from prominent non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and religious groups. To date, the following organizations have endorsed this legislation: The Campaign for Innocent Victims of Conflict (CIVIC), Church World Service, Congregation of Divine Providence of San Antonio, Education for Peace in Iraq (EPIC), International Rescue Committee, the Leadership Conference on Women Religious, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Mercy Center, Mercy Corps, NETWORK, Open Society Policy Center, Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement, the Presbyterian Church (USA), Refugees International, Sisters of Charity of New York, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Sisters of St. Joseph NW PA, and Save the Children. I thank all of these organizations who have endorsed my legislation and who every single day work tirelessly to make this world a better place. Without their commitment to helping the people devastated by this crisis, the situation in the region would be even worse. Finally, I would like to thank Congressman Dingell for his continued leadership in the House of Representatives on this issue and for his help in drafting this legislation as well as the other original co- sponsors supporting this bill. As I have said on many occasions, this must not be a partisan issue, but rather Congress and the Administration have an obligation to work together before the Iraqi refugee crisis further destabilizes the region. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation, which will provide much needed relief for Iraqi refugees and IDPs. I urge the leadership of the House to support this bill and bring it to the floor for its expeditious consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I thank my distinguished friend from Massachusetts, who came here to discuss what I thought I came here to vote on, and that is the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2008. Lest we lose sight of the importance of flood insurance, coming from an area where that is a continuing critical problem and knowing that those in the Midwest and certain portions of the South are presently suffering in that regard, it is regrettable that we are not focusing on the importance of that particular legislation. Now, let me also add my voice to the voices of my colleagues on the other side who continue to say that they want to do something about the continuing increase in the price of gasoline. I recently was before an editorial board, the Sun Sentinel Newspaper, in my hometown, and I was asked the question: What are you all in Congress going to do about gas prices? A footnote right here. I would that my colleagues would stop the folly of using the words of an aide in a congressional office as the strategy of the Democratic Party. What I said to my newspaper was we were going to use an awful lot of hyperbole between now--we, meaning the Congress; we, meaning the U.S. House and Senate; we, meaning Democrats and Republicans; we, meaning liberals and conservatives. What we were going to do between now and the election, I said to them, was talk a lot about things that are likely to take place in the future but that cost an immense amount of money in order to accomplish. And I said to them, let me give you the hyperbole. We are going to use the language geothermal. We are going to say biomass. You are going to hear alternative energy, solar or wind. You are going to hear all of those things, and many of those things are certainly going to be a part of our energy production at some point in the future. I also rather suspect that what is going to happen is those companies that supply energy today are more likely than not to be involved in that research and production of the alternative energy sources. But to say that the Democrats have done nothing, and I am now here 15 years and I have seen 12 years of the Republicans' attempts to do something about energy which amounted obviously to nothing. So the Democrats are in charge 1\1/2\ years, and we are told with a White House that is more than involved in the energy issues of this Nation and this world, and with a Senate that won't move a single solitary thing that is productive coming from the House of Representatives; we still have managed to enact into law the Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act. We enacted into law the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, and I won't go into all of the details. There is more coming, reducing transit fares, cracking down on price gouging, use or lose it, which my colleagues on the other side of the aisle seem to have forgotten that we just voted on before we left here, and that we are likely, just so I give them a heads-up, give you another chance not to go with use it or lose it, which compels the oil industry to start drilling or lose permits on 68 million acres of undeveloped Federal oil reserves which they are currently warehousing, keeping domestic supply lower and prices higher. We need to further close the Enron loophole which was also a part of that legislation. We have also passed the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act. We passed the Gas Price Relief For Consumers Act. We passed the Energy Gouging Prevention Act. So I continue with what I said to my newspaper, we were going to say switch grass. We were going to say algae. We were going to say use cane as Brazil does. We were going to say all of those things, and then when we finish, we are not going to do one single solitary thing that is going to cause Jane Lunchbucket, when she goes to the gas pump next Thursday, to witness a reduction in her gas prices. We have tried as best we can to deal with speculators that we know have driven up some of these prices. We are doing everything that we can to try to ensure that the 200,000 acres of oil shale that are already under the control of six companies are utilized. We allow that people need to understand that if we drill off the coast of Florida, and let it be clearly understood by everybody in this House of Representatives that I will be the last man standing saying that you will not drill off the shore of Florida beyond the limits of the law that all of us agreed to until such time you change that law. Florida's beaches are pristine. Florida's tourism depends upon them, and I am astounded that my California colleagues would come here and say that they want that kind of drilling. We own that opportunity. Sixty-eight million acres are already leased; as well as 23 million acres in the Arctic. What in the world are you talking about? Why are the oil companies not doing that drilling at this point? And you come down here with some simplistic solution saying that some child in an office back there said drive small cars and wait for the wind. We aren't going to wait for the wind. T. Boone Pickens is not waiting for the wind. He has been an oil man all of his life, and he has decided that among the things that he is going to do is get involved in wind research. I go to Denmark frequently in an organization that I work with. Denmark is supplying more than 30 percent of their energy with wind. And most of the windmills that you see come from that Denmark area. Assuredly at some point wind is going to be a major source, as is geothermal, as is gasification. All of us know the buzz words, but let's stop kidding Americans. The solutions are costly, and the energy companies are the ones that are more likely to do this rather than us sitting around here with some mumbo-jumbo and a bunch of people running down here so that they can have a bumper sticker. Everybody goes home, everybody buys gas, everybody knows it is high, and none of us in this place are going to do one doggone thing between now and the time that we leave here that is going to cause it to come down that much that it will be dramatic. I have one more proposal: A tax credit for Jane Lunchbucket and Joe Lunchbucket. Give them a tax credit. When I was a child, we had oil coupons because oil was cheap, not cheap, but at the same time was not plentiful. So during the Second World War, we did what was necessary, and I would ask all of my colleagues in this body, just ask yourself the question: What would Roosevelt do? I think what he would do is say that we have a national crisis and that we owe it to ourselves to focus on what it will take, worldwide, in this global economy that we live in and in our Nation to undertake to do what is necessary for the American public. I thank my colleague for yielding me this time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation which will continue my efforts of previous Congresses to work toward better representation for our constituents. My legislation will form a commission to examine how we, the people, may be best served by our representational democracy. This commission would analyze the current size of the membership of the House of Representatives and examine alternatives to the current method of electing Representatives. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Committee on Rules Legislative and Budget Subcommittee, I find it absolutely necessary to continually update our mechanisms for representation and governance to best serve those constituents who have trusted us with representing them. The legislation I offer today will counter the unfortunate truth that, ironically, our land of the free is one of the most under- representative democracies in the world. When considering elected federal representation per capita, many other countries throughout the world have parliaments which can more closely serve their constituents. Smaller ratios of elected officials to constituents allow for better engagement to more effectively address the needs of their districts. As a country that holds itself up as the standard bearer for the democratic process, we must be critical of our own standards to guarantee that we continue to give all citizens an equal and meaningful voice in our government. We have encountered an electoral crisis in recent years with low voter turnout and diminishing faith in the effectiveness of our electoral process. However, the energy of this current election cycle has exponentially increased voter registration. We owe it to our constituents to ensure that this increase in civic engagement is met with the most effective mechanism of representation possible. The Commission proposed in the legislation I introduce today will meet that need by determining the best way to ensure maximum participation in this great democracy by every American citizen. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and look forward to its expedient passage.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true friend and leader who is widely respected, and much loved by the citizens of Pompano Beach, Florida, The Honorable E. Pat Larkins. Pat was born in Pompano Beach in 1942. He graduated Blanche Ely High School in 1960 and enrolled in Tennessee State University. In 1962, he was hired as housing director for the local community action agency, and in 1969, he was one of only two Florida recipients of a Ford Foundation fellowship to attend the National Housing Institute in Washington, DC. Pat was subsequently certified by HUD as a housing development specialist, and in 1970, he went to work for the Foundation for Co-Op Housing in Chicago, Illinois. In 1972, he returned to Florida and created the Broward County Minority Builders Coalition, Inc. where he still serves as C.E.O. He is also currently president and partner of Malar Construction, State licensed general contractors. In addition to these accomplishments, Pat has also had a long career in the public sector and has, helped to change the face of local politics. He was the first chairperson of the City of Pompano Beach Community Development Committee. In 1982, he was the second African- American elected to the Pompano Beach City Commission. He was just the eighth African-American local elected official in Broward County and served 19 consecutive years as city commissioner. In that time, he served a record seven terms as mayor and three terms as vice-mayor, positions to which he was elected by his fellow Commissioners. He also served an unprecedented 14 consecutive years on the Broward County Planning Council and was the first African-American chair of that body. After an unsuccessful run for Broward County Commission in 2001, Pat Larkins was reelected to the Pompano Beach City Commission in 2003 where he presently serves as vice-mayor. Pat is sometimes referred to as the dean of Broward black elected officials because of his remarkable leadership and role as one of the founders of that group. He is also recognized throughout the State as a leader and spokesperson for minority involvement in government and business. During his time as mayor of Pompano Beach, the city hired the first black fire chief and first black city clerk in Broward County. Pat initiated the city ordinance to promote minority small business concerns, and along with two others, helped to create the first minority business enterprise program for Broward County government. In addition to his many professional achievements, Pat Larkins has also taken an active role in countless public service, social, and religious organizations. He is a life member of the NAACP, serves on the Broward County Boys and Girls Club corporate board, the Juvenile Justice Intensive Halfway House, and the Florida black caucus local elected officials, and is a longtime member of Hopewell Baptist Church. He is a founding member of the Urban League board, as well as a leader in the Superintendents' Commission on Public Education, National Black Mayors' Conference, and U.S. Conference of Mayors. Madam Speaker, Pat Larkins has had an indelible impact on the well- being of his community, as he has worked tirelessly to ensure that every individual has access to safe and adequate housing. Under his leadership, Pompano Beach recently demolished a 140-home development that had been rundown and falling apart and relocated the owners to a modern development of affordable homes on an even swap arrangement at a considerable cost savings to the city. Over the past 5 years, he has led his city in providing financial and other assistance that has resulted in the erection of more than 800 affordable multifamily units. Pat has often said that he wants to be remembered not for his personal longevity, but most of all for helping to improve the lives of others. In this, he has certainly succeeded. Few people I have known have accomplished so much for the good of their fellow citizens and their community. I am fortunate to call him my friend.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, last Friday was World Refugee Day, a day to reflect and address the growing problem of refugee populations worldwide. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are more than 11 million refugees living outside their countries. Another 26 million are estimated to be internally displaced due to conflict alone. I urge my colleagues to address this complex and tragic issue. Since the beginning of civilization, populations have fled to escape violence and persecution and have found sanctuary in foreign lands. In 1951, the United Nations Refugee Convention was created in order to address this issue on an international level. The Convention is the key legal document defining who is a refugee, what their rights are, and the legal obligations of states to refugees. Since 1951, the issue of refugees has grown both in size and in complexity. While the Convention was designed to solve the problem of World War II refugees, it has broadly extended its scope as the number and nationality of refugees dramatically grew over time. For the first time in five years, the number of refugees has increased, primarily due to a large population exodus from Iraq into neighboring countries. Other significant population outflows that have contributed to this increase include: The Central African Republic, Chad, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Somalia. As this issue grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to address it. Today, the reasons leading populations to flee are more diverse. While in 1951 the two main causes of departure were poverty and conflict, today the causes have expanded to bad governance, climate change, and competition for scarce resources. As barriers to human mobility have fallen in recent decades, protecting refugees has become even more difficult. These new challenges make it even more crucial to find adequate and efficient ways to address these issues. Moreover, with the increased number of refugees worldwide, many countries have started to reverse their policies on granting asylum and have begun closing their doors to vulnerable populations. As a result, refugees are forced to return to the terrible situations which they were originally trying to escape. I believe that we can alleviate suffering and save lives if the problem is addressed globally, and in cooperation with foreign countries and international organizations, such as the United Nations. The protection of refugees is an international duty. It is the United States' duty to lead these efforts. One of the most pressing examples of a burgeoning crisis is the Iraqi refugee crisis. Today, there are millions of displaced Iraqis both inside and outside of Iraq. Since the beginning of the Iraq war, the United States has only welcomed in 8,000 Iraqi refugees while Sweden alone has taken in 40,000. The United States has a tremendous responsibility to aid these populations. Even more, we have a specific obligation to protect our allies in Iraq who risked their lives to help our government and our Armed Forces. As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I have been deeply concerned and involved in this issue. Most recently, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), my Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI), and I, along with 14 other Members of the House and Senate, sent a letter to President Bush questioning the Administration over delays in processing threatened Iraqis who have worked for the United States government and American organizations in Iraq. In particular, the letter urges President Bush to allow the Department of Defense to airlift Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants for expedited processing to a central processing center outside of Iraq. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me to assist not only Iraqi refugee populations but refugees across the globe. The United States, a beacon of freedom and democracy, has a longstanding tradition of providing aid and protection to refugee populations. I urge my colleagues to devote to this issue of growing refugee populations the attention and resources it needs and deserves.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I am forever amazed, Mr. Speaker, at my colleagues' way of going about trying to assert something into measures that we are dealing with, that, when all is said and done, don't have anything to do with the measure that we're dealing with. I agree with my colleague that we have a serious crisis in this country having to do with energy policy. But I also would urge him to understand that the President's energy policies have failed this country and that when he and his party were in the majority and had an opportunity to do all the things they are talking about, that many of them were not done. The fact is there are 68 million acres offshore and in the United States that are leased by oil companies. They are open to drilling and are actually under lease but are not developed. The fact is that if oil companies tapped the 68 million Federal acres of leased land, it could generate additional oil, six times what ANWR would produce at its peak. The fact is 80 percent of the oil available in the Outer Continental Shelf is in regions that are already open to leasing, but the oil companies haven't decided it's worth their time to drill there. And, when they are saying it's not worth their time, they are saying they don't have the equipment to do it. The fact is that drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge wouldn't yield any oil for a considerable period of time in the future, probably as many as 8 to 10 years, and then would only save the consumer less than 2 cents per gallon in 2025. All of us know all the things to say here. We know to say ``switchgrass'' and ``shale'' and ``geothermal'' and ``solar,'' and we could go on and on and on with the number of potentials for alternative energy. But yesterday, when we tried to do something about price gouging, it was the minority party that defeated the measure, that was on the floor of the House, under suspension. Now, Mr. Speaker, back to the bill. I support gaming in this country. I support the MGMs and the Harrah'ses of the world and their right to run a casino wherever legally they may be permitted to do so. I support the Seminole Indians and the Miccosukee Tribes in Florida that I am proud to represent. And I support and have supported continuously their right to run a casino. I also support Jai Lai in my community and their right to run a casino. I also support casinos in my community and their right to run a casino, just like I support these two tribes in Michigan as well. I also support competition and economic development and the job creation it can spur. And I take full exception to my colleague from Lansing, who is a dear friend of mine on the other side who spoke earlier. I can attest to job creation in the Seminole and Miccosukee Indian Tribe areas that were told that there would be no jobs created, and literally thousands of people, mostly not Native Americans, are working in those establishments. Finally, I support all of us in this body coming to terms with what happened to Native Americans, Africans, and people of Caribbean descent and others after Columbus discovered America in 1492. I'm always reminded of Flip Wilson's comedy routine that he did that, if Columbus discovered America, then the Native Americans must have been running down the shoreline, saying, ``Discover me.'' So, before Members of this body start talking about Indian tribes unfairly swapping pieces of land, they should remember that the land wasn't ours in the first place. We took it from the tribes and then often relocated them to some far-off, remote, and undesirable place that we could find for them to be placed. Mr. Speaker, this is not an ideal situation for any of us in this body. We all wish that a unanimous agreement would have materialized in Michigan. Yet, despite a land claims compact being reached by the State and the tribes, a Republican and Democratic governor, some just don't want this agreement to go through, and that is their prerogative. Thus, as it has done at least 14 times in the recent past, Congress must do what is right and settle this dispute. When an injustice has been done and there are efforts to perpetuate that injustice, something must be done. Someone must step in and stop it from happening again. I urge my colleagues to do just that and to support the previous question, the rule, and the underlying legislation. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 1298 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 3. Immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall, without intervention of any point of order, consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5656) to repeal a requirement with respect to the procurement and acquisition of alternative fuels. All points of order against the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform; and (2) an amendment in the nature of a substitute if offered by Representative Waxman, which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable for 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent; and (3) one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield my colleague an additional 1 minute.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 4 minutes to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield the gentlelady 1 additional minute.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would urge my friend from Washington--I understand his passion and the need to stay on message about gas prices, but we're here talking about House Resolution 1298, which is the Bay Hills Indian Community, the land settlement matter with the State of Michigan, and a bill that came out of Natural Resources. My friend is insistent that we do something about oil. Well, when the Democrats on yesterday tried to pass price gouging, it was the Republicans that categorically rejected it. It's kind of hard to do something when people won't let you do nothing, particularly in the other body. I am very pleased, Mr. Speaker, to yield 2 minutes to my very good friend from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1298 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1298 provides for consideration of H.R. 2176, a bill which provides for, and approves, the settlement of certain land claims of the Bay Mills Indian Community. In lieu of the substitute reported by the Committee on Natural Resources, the rule makes in order the substitute printed in the Rules Committee report. The Rules substitute consists of the text of H.R. 2176 with that same language and the text of H.R. 4115 as reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. That bill provides for, and approves, the settlement of certain land claims of the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. This is a fair rule, and it gives the proponents and opponents of the two Michigan Indian land claims bills a straight up-or-down vote on the bills. Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation seeks to settle a land claim agreement which was reached in 2002 by the then-Republican Governor of Michigan John Engler and the two tribes. The current Democratic Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, has also approved the deal. Under these bills, both tribes have agreed to relinquish their claims to land in Charlotte Beach, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, in exchange for a parcel of land outside of Port Huron, Michigan. The agreement reached between the tribes and the State allows the tribes to conduct gaming on their new land. If approved by Congress and the President, this agreement secures the private ownership rights of the Charlotte Beach land in question and will help to restore the fair market value of the land. It will also provide the two tribes with an opportunity to help create jobs and economic opportunities in Port Huron while further providing for their membership. The underlying bill conforms with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and the land being given to the two tribes was selected by the State of Michigan as appropriate places for economic development. Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation is nothing new. Under the Constitution, only Congress--not the Department of the Interior or a Federal court--holds the power to settle Indian land title and claims. As such, Congress has taken similar action in at least 14 different instances in recent years when there have been disputed land claim settlements. Not once in those instances did Congress prohibit a tribe from conducting gaming on the tribal lands. We also never forced a tribe to jump through hoops to exercise its right to do what it wishes on its own land. I see no reason why we should start now. Mr. Speaker, I have little doubt that today's debate on this issue will be both spirited and intense. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that the House will do the right thing and pass this rule and the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.