Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to reserve my time. And as a matter of courtesy to my good friend from Washington and to you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to indicate that I will be replaced in managing the time, although not required under the rules, by my distinguished colleague from New York, Michael Arcuri. I reserve my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished chairperson of the Intelligence Committee, Silvestre Reyes.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the matter under consideration.

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 746 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I thank my friend from New York for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 624, a resolution that I introduced with my good friend and fellow cochair of the Democratic Israel Working Group, Representative Gene Green. I first want to thank my very good friend and cosponsor of this resolution, who yielded time to me Representative Ackerman, for his steadfastness not only on these issues, but of issues of critical import for foreign affairs of these United States. I would also like to thank the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, my good friend, Representative Tom Lantos, and the ranking member of the committee and my colleague from Florida, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, for helping move this important bipartisan bill forward, and my longstanding good friend today who spoke favorably today of this measure. I thank Representative Wilson for his comments on this legislation and others, as well. On June 19, 2007, for the first time ever in history a representative of the State of Israel was chosen to chair a United Nations committee. This resolution serves to properly mark this unique triumph for the State of Israel in our history books. The man chosen for this distinctive appointment at the United Nations is Mr. Ron Adam, the former director of the Israeli Foreign Ministry's U.N. Political Affairs Department. The committee he was chosen to chair is the Committee on Program and Coordination. This 33-U.N. member body provides an important role to the functioning of the United Nations, approving the work plan for all United Nations agencies and bodies. Madam Speaker, since it first joined the United Nations in 1949, the democratic State of Israel has been considered a second-class nation at the United Nations, unfairly subjected to unjustified repeated one- sided attacks from other nations. To this day, Israel is still denied full representation within the United Nations and its constituent agencies and bodies. Meanwhile, other rogue and repressive regimes, in violation of United Nations human rights principles, are afforded full rights and privileges. The United Nations should not and cannot continue to be a vehicle for unilateral attacks against Israel. Such dealings truly undermine the United Nations' credibility, integrity and effectiveness. Shamefully, anti-Semitic rhetoric and sentiment within the United Nations remains pervasive. Such statements are of grave concern to the United States and responsible nations. I want to commend both past and present United Nations leaders for publicly recognizing and speaking out against the existence of blatant biases and injustices within the United Nations walls. Despite the targeted discrimination and unwarranted hate it faces within this international forum, Israel has consistently played an active role within the United Nations. Israel already sits on several significant committees in the United Nations, and representatives from Israel have served as deputy chairs in the United Nations numerous times. I am hopeful that Mr. Adam's appointment to chair the CPC will help normalize Israel's bilateral and multilateral relations. I am also hopeful, as has been expressed by Representative Ackerman and Representative Wilson, that Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon of the United Nations will work to end the unfair vilification of Israel at the United Nations and to use his good offices to support Israel's bid to join the Asian regional grouping. Finally, I am hopeful that Israel will be granted membership on the Security Council for 2019 and gain full participation rights in the United Nations. I am but one member of this institution. I know I speak for Gene, who probably is en route here, who has some other feelings by virtue of our cosponsorship of this matter. I urge this administration, as Gene Green and I have and others, to do everything it can to see Israel's ascension in the United Nations. Israel's new appointment is the beginning of a new dawn for the nation's status within the United Nations. I congratulate the government and people of the State of Israel for this great accomplishment, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important bipartisan legislation.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, I would like to draw the attention of my colleagues to two events last week that, taken together, illustrate the damaging effect that this administration's policies have had on America's credibility as a global leader on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. First of all, on Friday, the 56 OSCE participating States concluded their annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, Poland. This meeting is Europe's largest regional human rights forum where governments and nongovernmental organizations gather to take stock of how countries are implementing the commitments they have undertaken in the Helsinki process relating to human rights and democracy. As such, this meeting provides an important opportunity for the United States to raise and express concern about serious instances of noncompliance and negative trends in the expansive OSCE region stretching from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Separately, on Thursday of last week--just as the Warsaw meeting was drawing to a close--the New York Times ran an article revealing the existence of two classified legal memos authorizing the use of interrogation techniques that, to many reasonable minds, rise to the level of torture, or at least cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment--both categories of treatment prohibited under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, to which the United States is a party. These memos have already been dubbed by some as ``torture memo 2.0'' and ``torture memo 3.0,'' and were reportedly authored by Steven G. Bradbury, who has headed the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel since 2005. Madam Speaker, 3 years ago the world was shocked--and the United States was shamed--by pictures showing detainees standing on boxes with hoods over their heads and electrical wires attached to their fingers. But perhaps even more shocking and more shameful was the surfacing of the so-called ``torture memo,'' adopted by the Department of Justice in 2002 and leaked to the public in 2004. The very existence of such a memo was rightly and widely understood to mean that abuses did not just occur by rogue elements or as an aberration, but stemmed from a government policy to effectively authorize the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The 2002 memo was so scandalous that shortly after it was leaked, it was disavowed by the Department of Justice itself. For many people, the existence of ``torture memo 2.0'' and ``torture memo 3.0'' will not come as a surprise but rather as a confirmation of what they suspected to be the case. Certainly, when one looks at the statements issued by the President when he signed into law the 2005 Detainee Treatment Act and the 2006 Military Commissions Act, there was every indication that he considered himself in no way bound by those laws as passed by Congress. There are, of course, enormous implications for the United States when the President considers himself beyond the reach of the Congress and outside the scope of the Constitution. The President's policies on torture have seriously undercut American credibility on the very issues this administration purports to hold dear--human rights and democracy promotion. Can you imagine being at a meeting--like the one that has just concluded in Warsaw--where the United States is supposed to express its concern about a whole range of human rights issues, including the issue of protecting human rights while combating terrorism, when this latest revelation about this administration's torture policies hits the front pages? Regrettably, American credibility as an advocate for human rights and democracy has continued in free fall in the face of this latest revelation and attendant implausible denials. Beyond the victims of abuse themselves, U.S. interests are being seriously undermined, including the campaign to win hearts and minds around the globe. Not surprisingly, the administration's dissembling denials cannot repair the damage that has been done. It will take considerable time to restore the good name of our country--time, and concrete action by this body. In such circumstances, actions speak louder than words, and two steps must be taken to help restore America's tarnished reputation, help clear out the thicket of legal cases created by the President's disastrous policies, and position the United States to build more effective alliances in our counterterrorism operations. First, I urge my colleagues to restore habeas corpus--and the sooner, the better. The Military Commissions Act of 2006 was a travesty of justice, but perhaps no part of that legislation departed so sharply from our legal heritage as the decision to deny individuals the most basic right recognized since the Magna Carta: the right to challenge their detention. If we are to convince the world that we do not routinely torture terrorism suspects, providing these detainees one of the most basic legal safeguards is a good place to start. Second, we must close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay--a measure I called for at a hearing on Guantanamo I chaired in June. To this end, the United States should release or transfer detainees elsewhere and, for those whom we believe we must hold and try, detainees should be transferred to the United States. Terror suspects can be tried by our Federal courts; they might be tried by military commissions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; I'd even consider the establishment of special domestic terror courts, as in Spain. But it is time for the President to listen to his own senior officials, including Secretaries Gates and Rice, and close the GTMO camp. Madam Speaker, while these two steps are not the only ones necessary to fully restore America's credibility and respect for the values we proclaim abroad, they would represent an important start. It is time for this great country to resume its rightful leadership role on human rights, democracy and rule of law, but first, it will need to lead by example.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to H.R. 2895. I commend Chairman Frank and Subcommittee Chairwoman Waters and the full committee for their work on this legislation, and particularly the work of Ranking Members Bachus and Biggert as well as those that I have complimented. The purpose of my amendment is to include flood and disaster specific insurance counseling in the home ownership counseling criteria for beneficiaries of the trust fund. I know that we're all concerned about the current instability in the housing market, and increasing foreclosure rates around this country, and especially in places like where I live. One of every 50 households in my congressional district have filed for foreclosure already this year. All of us know that that's unacceptable. Mr. Chairman, the unfortunate truth is that many of these foreclosures have come from a lack of financial literacy and limited understanding of all the costs associated with owning a home. In many regions of our Nation more prone to disasters, appropriate insurance is one of many added costs of homeownership that can push people to the edge. And when you are on the edge, staying in your home or returning to your home after a disaster rests on having the right insurance. I don't even need to point out to the Members the tragedies of withheld insurance from many of the victims in Hurricane Katrina. Knowledge of the specifics and nuances in disaster and flood insurance policies will encourage further financial empowerment and homeownership stability among our Nation's most vulnerable populations. I urge Members to support the amendment. Mr. Chairman, my amendment reflects homeownership counseling criteria which I initially included in the Workforce Housing Act of 2006, a bill which I introduced last year. While my legislation from the 109th Congress focused on developing mortgage down-payment accounts and other development incentives, local and state housing trust funds have also been very effective in providing access to affordable housing. I applaud the approach of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007, which will take these local successes even further. Once again, I commend my friends Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Waters for shepherding this legislation to the floor and considering my contribution to their fine work. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and reserve the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to rise today in support of H.R. 2185, a resolution that I introduced with my good friend Congressman Mark Kirk and the bipartisan support of 30 other cosponsors. I would like to first extend my appreciation for the hard work and efforts made by all parties who worked to craft this important bipartisan piece of legislation. Congressman Kirk and I worked closely with the Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Office of Management and Budget, and Departments of State and Treasury on this bill. I thank each of these bodies for their input, cooperation and support. This innovative program allows eligible developing countries to utilize all funds spent on tropical forest preservation toward foreign debt payments to the United States. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2185 builds on the already successful and sound economic and conservation law, the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, TFCA, of 1998. For 7 years, the program created by that act has simultaneously accomplished two key goals: providing relief for the burden of debt on developing countries and promoting increased international tropical forest conservation. The program's achievements speak for themselves. Since its inception, 12 ``debt-for nature swaps'' have been signed in developing countries in Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, generating $135 million in debt relief for these countries and conserving some 50 million acres of tropical forests. Our legislation reauthorizes and expands this program. By reauthorizing the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, the House is continuing to strengthen the indigenous economies and civil society of developing countries while protecting both the world's forests and endangered marine habitats. Additionally, by continuing to protect our rainforests we are protecting future medicinal storehouses. The medicinal value of these rainforests cannot be underestimated. Today some 120 prescription drugs sold worldwide today are derived directly from rainforest plants. By conserving our rainforests, we are providing possible cures for life- threatening diseases. By expanding this legislation, we are improving on an already responsible, sensible and successful initiative to conserve more ecosystems and relieve more countries' debt. One of the most significant expansions we made to the Tropical Forest Conservation Act in this bill extends the program to apply to all forests, coral reefs and associated coastal marine ecosystems. Including coral reefs and related marine areas under the scope of TFCA will encourage the conservation of these endangered marine environments. Coral reef ecosystems throughout the world face numerous threats and even possible extinction. Threats to coral reef, in turn, threaten the species and livelihoods that depend on them. Coral reef offers protections from storms, wave damage, and erosion and also provides various economic opportunities from fishing to ecotourism. By providing incentives for developing nations to conserve their coral resources, we are in effect protecting coastal landscape's and maintaining coastal quality of water of some of the most important coral reef ecosystems in the world. Another important alteration we made to the legislation expands the programs eligibility to additional countries. Current law forbids governments of beneficiary countries to be grant recipients unless there are ``exceptional circumstances.'' However, for many countries their governments are the sole managers of their ecosystems, thereby preventing them from receiving the funds. By increasing the Treasury Department's authority to provide funds to governments of beneficiary countries, our legislation extends the programs' eligibility to even more developing countries. A final significant change we made to the program authorizes additional funding for audits and evaluation and allows these funds to be used for monitoring and administration. Increasing the funding amount allows the Treasury Department to better monitor all deals and improve oversight over the entire program. Top notch strategies and technologies needed to conserve and protect our international ecosystems can be found right here in the United States. In my State of Florida, several institutions have long been at the forefront of efforts to preserve these marine habitats. The Florida Aquarium, a non-profit education and research institution in Tampa, has developed cutting edge technologies and protocols for coral conservation including how to safely introduce cultural coral into wild reefs. Until the museum pioneered this technology, there was no viable solution to ``quickly'' rebuild destroyed and dying reefs. Developing countries participating in our debt relief initiative could greatly benefit from the museum's technology and expertise, and I strongly encourage these countries to seek out the museum as a resource in their efforts to rehabilitate coral. The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, located outside of my district in Fort Pierce, does equally outstanding work to investigate the causes of and prevent coral reef degradation and deforestation. Dr. Brian Lapointe of the Center for Coastal Research at Harbor Branch has spent the majority of his career studying threats to the marine ecosystems in island nations such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique and St. Lucia. He has successfully assisted these countries by helping them understand the effects of human impact on coral reef. Dr. Lapointe and others at Harbor Branch Oceanographic have tirelessly worked to educate communities on rehabilitation strategies and future conservation techniques. People like Brian Lapointe and institutions like Harbor Branch Oceanographic can help countries that get assistance through the Tropical Forest Conservation Act program to restore and protect valuable and irreplaceable coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. This bill is a win-win-win situation. With the passage of this bill, Congress can further alleviate debt in developing countries, provide long-term sustainable financing for environmental conservation and protection for important world ecosystems, and advance medicinal research and increase United States assistance to developing countries and further our credibility overseas. Reauthorizing the Tropical Forest Conservation Act provides numerous benefits to developing nations, to the United States, and to our planet. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, as chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, I have followed closely the difficulties faced by journalists throughout the nations of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Many of these dedicated men and women risk financial ruin, physical intimidation and even death at the hands of those who fear honesty and truth in print or in the electronic media. In this connection, I would call the attention of my distinguished colleagues to a tragic anniversary: Sunday, October 7th, 2007, marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was shot and killed by an unknown assailant or assailants at the entrance to her apartment building in Moscow. Ms. Politkovskaya was a brave and prolific journalist whose name has become synonymous with journalistic courage under fire. Her vivid, on- the-spot reporting brought to the world's attention the bloody war in Russia's breakaway region of Chechnya and the suffering of its victims, both Chechen and Russian. In her book ``The Dirty War,'' a compilation of articles she had written previously on the conflict, she demonstrated a unique gift for telling the stories of people caught in the crossfire between the Russian military forces, brutal Chechen paramilitaries operating on Moscow's behalf, the indigenous Chechen resistance, and Islamic extremists who rushed in from all over the world to exploit the conflict. One reviewer wrote that ``her writing focuses on the ethics of everyday life and individual misery in the midst of Chechnya's catastrophe. It is Chechen civilians and Russian conscript soldiers who are the centers of concern here. Politkovskaya's most withering scorn is reserved for the political and military classes that initiated this war, together with its profiteers, opportunists, and contract soldiers straight from Russia's prisons.'' For her hard-hitting and courageous reporting Ms. Politkovskaya earned numerous journalism awards, including the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's annual Prize for Journalism and Democracy in 2003. In 2004, she shared the Olof Palme Prize for human rights work with fellow Russian human rights activists Ludmila Alexeyeva and Sergei Kovalev. On the day Anna Politkovskaya was killed, she was due to file a story on the looted reconstruction money intended for Chechnya, and use of torture and kidnapping by pro-Moscow Chechen paramilitaries. Clearly, her reporting had made a lot of enemies and threatened a lot of comfortable positions. Anna Politkovskaya was an American citizen, born during the Cold War in New York City, where she was exposed to democracy, a free press, and a world of ideas denied to most Soviet citizens. Graduating in 1980 from Moscow State University, she worked for the Soviet newspaper Izvestiya during the halcyon days of perestroika. In 1999, she joined the staff of Novaya Gazeta, one of the few national Russian newspapers at that time that took a critical line toward the Russian government. Her dedication to exposing the tragic events in Chechnya resulted in around 50 trips to that cauldron of conflict. In 2004, she made an attempt to travel to Beslan during the murderous school siege, in that village but fell ill with food poisoning on the way, an event which some took as a deliberate poison attempt by her enemies to kill her. She was very aware that her actions angered many in the governments of both Chechnya and Russia, but never let threats to her life dissuade her from her passion. She was once quoted as saying, ``journalists have a duty to report on the subject that matters, just as singers have to sing and doctors have to heal.'' Despite her critical attitude toward her country's political leadership, Anna Politkovskaya possessed a deep warmth and love for its people. She cared for Russia, and wanted nothing else for the country and its people than to see it become a true democracy free from corruption and fear. Her death, said former Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev, ``. . . is a savage crime against a professional and serious journalist and a courageous woman. It is a blow to the entire democratic, independent press. It is a grave crime against the country, against all of us.'' Madam Speaker, the Russian government has announced the arrest of several persons implicated in Anna Politkovskaya's murder, and the actual shooter has reportedly been determined. However, the investigation itself appears to have raised more questions than answers, which is, unfortunately, a characteristic of many high-profile investigations in Russia nowadays. Let us hope that the investigation will be brought to a successful conclusion, and that Anna Politikovskaya's killers, who or wherever they are, will be brought to justice.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, as Chairman of the Helsinki Commission I rise to introduce a resolution congratulating the Ukrainian people for the holding of free, fair and transparent parliamentary elections on September 30, 2007. These elections were held in a peaceful manner consistent with Ukraine's democratic values, and in keeping with that nation's commitments as a participating State of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. While there were some shortcomings, these elections stand in contrast to the vast majority of elections that have taken place in the countries of the former Soviet Union over the course of the last 15 years. Tone Tingsgaard, the Special Coordinator of the short-term election observers for the International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) and Vice President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, stated that these elections were conducted ``in a positive and professional manner.'' The OSCE-led IEOM's preliminary statement concluded that the elections confirmed an open and competitive environment for the conduct of the election process and that freedom of assembly and expression were respected. IEOM observers assessed the voting process as good or very good in 98 percent of the nearly 3,000 polling stations visited, notwithstanding some shortcomings, notably with respect to the quality of voter lists, and the vote count was assessed as good or very good in 94 percent of the IEOM reports. These pre-term elections did not come about easily, coming on the heels of a political crisis that engulfed Ukraine's president, prime minister, and parliament for several months earlier this year. These political disputes were rooted in weak constitutional delineations of the powers of the president and prime minister. After weeks of tense standoff, however, agreement was reached on May 27 stipulating new parliamentary elections for September 30. Now that the elections have concluded, it is my hope that Ukraine's political leaders will form a government reflecting the will of the Ukrainian people as expressed by the results of the elections; a government that advances political stability and democratic development. It is my hope, too, that the new parliament and government will focus on the constitutional framework, especially the question of separation of powers, in order to avoid the political uncertainty that we witnessed earlier this year. Ukraine also needs to further undertake the hard work of strengthening the rule of law, including an independent judiciary, and fighting corruption. Madam Speaker, the conduct of these elections is a testament to the Ukrainian people's determined path towards the consolidation of democracy as Ukraine advances its integration with the Euro-Atlantic community. As such, Ukraine serves as a model for the post-Soviet countries, all too many of which have unfortunately retreated to heavy- handed authoritarianism. This House can pride itself on having been a staunch supporter of freedom, human rights and democracy in Ukraine for many years--even before the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991. As this resolution underscores, it is important to continue our efforts to the further development of a democratic system in Ukraine based on the rule of law, a free market economy, and consolidation of Ukraine's security and sovereignty. I urge my colleagues to support this timely resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of a resolution to recognize the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida as the official national museum of Navy SEALs and their predecessors. As an original cosponsor of this legislation, I would like to express my appreciation for the efforts of my good friend from Florida, Congressman Tim Mahoney, for introducing this important legislation and the House Leadership for bringing it before the House floor for a vote. The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Piece, located adjacent to the District I represent, is in close proximity to the birthplace of the World War II underwater demolition teams or the ``Navy Frogman.'' These ``Navy Frogmen'' have since evolved into the U.S. Navy SEALs, one of the most elite and distinguished fighting forces in the entire world. This museum is currently the only one of its kind in the world that honors and preserves the Navy SEALs legacy. The museum's mission is essential, and through its daily work to educate the public, continues to recognize the contributions of the brave men and women serving our Nation. The Navy SEALs are an elite fighting team that have operated in almost every environment known to man--from humid jungles to space stations orbiting the Earth. We owe it to these brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day for the United States' democracy our sincerest gratitude and respect. We owe it to them to memorialize their contributions and their legacy on a national scale. Since 1985, the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum has been at the forefront of educating our Nation on the historical importance of these special forces. The museum currently contains thousands of artifacts, declassified documents, weapons, and photographs that are a true testament to the courageous exploits of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors. This legislation before us today would make the museum the Official National Museum for Navy SEALs in the United States. I urge a swift passage of this significant legislation to properly recognize and memorialize the heroic acts of past and present United States Navy SEALs.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to honor the 50th anniversary of Ms. Althea Gibson becoming the first African American to win the U.S. Championship and Wimbledon. Her accomplishments signified a change in our Nation's climate in which racial discrimination was challenged on the tennis court and in the Supreme Court. The 50th anniversary of Althea Gibson's victory at the U.S. Championship and Wimbledon is worthy of congressional recognition, and I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating an extraordinary woman, and an extraordinary chapter in U.S. history. The eldest daughter of sharecroppers who moved from South Carolina to Harlem during the Depression, Althea Gibson was born on August 25, 1927 in Silver, South Carolina. She had one primary desire: to be somebody. Thirty years later, Queen Elizabeth II presented her with the Championship trophy at Wimbledon, and Vice President Richard Nixon presented Althea Gibson with the United States Championship trophy at Forest Hills. By the end of her career, she won nearly 100 awards for tennis, and defeated men and women on nearly every continent in a sport that was historically restricted from people of her race and class. Althea Gibson was accurate when she declared that she had come ``a long way from being forced to sit in the colored section of the bus.'' In an era of gender and racial discrimination, this African American woman was an international celebrity and a symbol of excellence and determination in the early years of the Civil Rights Movement. Madam Speaker, Althea Gibson defied prejudiced conceptions of female and African American athletes from the time she played racket ball in the streets of Harlem until the time she competed in the world's most prestigious competitions. Her undeniable talent not only moved people across lines of race and class to support Gibson in her relentless desire to succeed, but also moved people to change the rules that maintained systems of inequality. In 1949, she attended my alma mater, Florida A&M University, on a full athletic scholarship due to the guidance and support of a New York doctor and his wife. Gibson received what the vast majority of African American women could not: an education. As white and black high profile athletes endorsed Gibson, people began to question if integration was an inevitable occurrence that would benefit tennis as it had benefited basketball, football, baseball. On August 28, 1950, the face and rules of tennis changed, and Althea Gibson became the first African American to compete at the National Open. Madam Speaker, Althea Gibson's great triumphs did not come without great peril and adversity. Although she was hailed as the Queen of Tennis, racial prejudice excluded her from lodging in the hotels that surrounded the arenas where she competed and defended her crown. Refusing to let prejudice, poverty, or consistent threats against her life compromise her drive to succeed, Gibson fought prejudice when she won on tennis courts that were previously segregated. An actress, musician, teacher and athlete, Althea Gibson was the quintessential Renaissance woman who refused to compromise her dignity and the dignity of her people on or off the court. Althea Gibson continued to be a woman of firsts in the years that followed her tennis career. During the same year as the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Althea Gibson became the first African American member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. In 1971 Althea Gibson was the first African American to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame--the only African American woman of the 200 athletes who have received this honor in its 52 year history. Twenty years later, Althea Gibson became the first woman to receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award in 1991, the highest honor awarded by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for ``symbolizing the best qualities of competitive excellence and good sportsmanship, and for her significant contribution to expanding opportunities for women and minorities through sports.'' Madam Speaker, 4 years after her death, and 50 years after her win at the U.S. Championship and Wimbledon, Althea Gibson continues to be a universal example of strength and excellence. The Althea Gibson Foundation was established to support underprivileged youth in their drive to succeed in golf, tennis, and the classroom, and to ensure that Althea Gibson's legacy of excellence, tenacity, and dedication lives on. Her life affirms what many of us already know: Great athletes have the ability to unify and inspire beyond the realm of sports. Althea Gibson famously said ``In the field of sports you are more or less accepted for what you do rather than what you are.'' In a world plagued by poverty, segregation and racial prejudice, Althea Gibson saw sports as the epitome of what our country should be--a true meritocracy. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this resolution to preserve the memory of Althea Gibson and other athletes who were pioneers in their time and inspirations for future generations.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a vital piece of legislation to raise awareness of the impending humanitarian crisis and security breakdown as a result of the mass influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries, and the growing internally displaced population in Iraq. Our legislation addresses this issue by increasing directed accountable assistance to these populations and their host countries, increasing border security, facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk and broadening domestic relocation assistance. Madam Speaker, whether you agree or disagree with U.S. policy in Iraq, one thing is crystal clear, we have a humanitarian crisis manifesting in the region that cannot be ignored. Let's examine the facts. Iraqis are now the third-largest displaced population in the world and the fastest-growing refugee population globally. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, estimates that there are some 2.2 million Iraqis displaced internally and at least another 2 million Iraqis have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Many of these Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons lack adequate food, shelter and other basic services. Further, the massive flow of refugees into neighboring countries is straining the social, economic, and security fabric of the host nations and threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East region. My own efforts to address this looming calamity began in August when I wrote to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice highlighting the need for the United States to address this devastating situation with strong financial support, either through bilateral assistance or funding for international organizations that are working directly with the refugee and internally displaced populations. In response to my letter, on September 7, 2007, I, along with Helsinki Commission Cochairman Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Helsinki Commissioner Congressman Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA), received a briefing by Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, PRM, Ellen Sauerbrey, who had recently returned from the region. It was clear from our discussion that while the United States has been working to address this grave situation, not nearly enough is being done. The United States has a moral obligation to make a serious commitment to help Iraqi refugees and internally displaced populations while meeting our commitment to resettle Iraqi refugees referred by the UNHCR. It is precisely for these reasons that I decided to take swift action and address this worsening crisis with comprehensive legislation. Among the legislation's highlights are an authorization of $700 million for each fiscal year beginning in 2008 through 2010 for the relief of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons, an increase of direct accountable bilateral assistance and/or funding for international aid organizations and nongovernmental organizations working in the host countries and an authorization of $500 million to increase border security in Jordan. Additionally, this legislation facilitates the resettlement of Iraqis employed by our government, American companies, and nongovernmental organizations into the United States, broadens domestic relocation assistance to include housing credits, cultural counseling, meetings with social workers, advice on how to work with the schools and employment systems, and requires the Department of State to create a program in the U.S. for English as a second language, vocational, computer training, employment services and some counseling for all Iraqi nationals immigrating to the United States under a Special Immigrant Visa. Finally this legislation urges increased cooperation between the United States Government and the international community to address this crisis. In passing this legislation, Congress can reaffirm its commitment to Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons. Our attention to this crisis could not be more important at this time for the sake of the new Iraq and Middle East regional stability. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and ask for its expeditious consideration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with Representative Jones and my other colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, in calling for a comprehensive revaluation of our strategies in Iraq. I consider the situation in Iraq to be one of Congress' highest priorities and there is an urgent need to establish a comprehensive and realistic exit strategy. We need to offer hope to the families anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones and the men and women who risk their lives everyday. Next month will be the 40th anniversary of one of the largest protests against the Vietnam War. Over a hundred thousand people marched on Washington that day, and it worries me that the current Administration seems to have learned little from history. A similar discontent can be seen on the streets of America today, as more and more polls demonstrate dwindling public support for this war. I have always maintained the stance that an adequate case for war was never made and that military intervention should only have been used if all other routes failed. From the beginning, I offered an alternative resolution to war. Although we can never know what the outcome of alternatives may have been, we have the chance now to change strategy and make decisive steps to developing a lasting solution. Mr. Speaker, an increase in troop numbers is not the answer. This war, commenced in haste and founded on deception, will never provide the solutions Iraq needs to establish a strong and lasting democracy. We can't secure victory through a war of attrition, and neither can we protect our sons and daughters who stand in harm's way in a war that was never necessary. It is true that we cannot abandon the Iraqi people. But more productive ways to help them can be found. In the current international climate, we cannot engage in meaningful dialogue on the Iraqi situation while the occupation continues. I believe we must allow the U.N. to play a greater role in the reconstruction of Iraq, advancing human rights and justice within the framework of international law. In my work in this great body, I consistently seek to protect the United States and its people above all else. However, currently there is no absolute proof of an imminent threat. In fact our vulnerability to international terrorism only rises every day our troops stay in Iraq. Mr. Speaker, I am dedicated to providing funding to protect our troops, but I refuse to support the failed foreign policies of the Bush administration, nor any legislation that will lead to more unnecessary deaths. The greatest thing we can do for our brave men and women in the Armed Forces is to take them out of harm's way by developing a clear, decisive exit strategy.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I assure the Chair that I shall not use all 5 minutes, but I do wish to take cognizance of the fact that Ms. Waters is not here today. I am handling this amendment as her designee. She is in Jena, Louisiana today along with thousands of others who are mindful of continuing injustices in this country. They are demonstrating to highlight those injustices. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is a simple clarification of the language in section 807. This section requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to review FAA proposals to consolidate FAA facilities and services and make recommendations to Congress. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. This amendment is a simple clarification of the language in Section 807. This section requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish a working group to review FAA proposals to consolidate FAA facilities and services and make recommendations to Congress. This working group will include individuals who represent FAA employees, air carriers, general aviation, and the airport community. The FAA may not realign or consolidate FAA facilities and services until Congress has had an opportunity to consider the working group's recommendations as well as public comments. The purpose of this section is to ensure that FAA consolidation cannot take place without the input of affected stakeholders, the public and Members of Congress. Mr. Chairman, the gentlewoman from California, Representative Waters has concerns about the FAA's consolidation of FAA regional offices. The FAA has nine regional offices serving airports in all 50 States. One of these offices, the Western-Pacific Regional Office, is located in Hawthorne, California, in Maxine Waters' congressional district. My home State of Florida is served by the Southern Regional Office, which is located in Georgia. Last year, the FAA consolidated administrative and technical support services in the regional offices. The previous year, the FAA consolidated financial accounting services in these offices. The FAA did not seek or accept input from Congress, regional office employees, or the affected communities prior to consolidating these services. It has come to our attention that the FAA is currently considering plans to consolidate the engineering services in the regional offices. However, no public comment has been requested by the FAA, despite the fact that engineering services are critical for the safe operation of air traffic control towers. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would clarify that Section 807 applies not only to the consolidation of FAA field offices and air traffic control facilities, but also to the consolidation of FAA regional offices and the services they perform. This amendment would ensure that proposals to consolidate the FAA's regional offices will be subject to the same open and transparent process as proposals to consolidate other FAA offices and facilities. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to yield back, and I do yield back.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my good friend Congressman Kendrick Meek to introduce legislation to honor the achievements of Captain Antonio Barrington Irving, the youngest pilot and first person of African descent to fly solo around the world. The historic achievements of this dedicated young man are worthy of the utmost respect and recognition by this great Congress. I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating his achievement and encouraging youth to pursue careers in aviation. Barrington Irving was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1983 and soon after moved to Miami, FL. When Irving was 15 years old, he met Captain Gary Robinson, a Jamaican airline pilot who invited Irving to tour a Boeing 777. After this inspirational experience, Captain Robinson became a lifelong mentor, inspiring Irving to fly one day himself. Enduring the challenges of growing up in inner-city Miami, Irving never let his dreams of becoming a pilot be stifled. Irving worked miscellaneous jobs to save for lessons and diligently practiced on a home computer flight simulator. Irving also volunteered quite frequently in his community and eventually earned a joint Air Force/ Florida Memorial University Flight Awareness Scholarship to study aviation and take professional flying lessons. Madam Speaker, Irving took tremendous steps to pursue his dreams in aviation while still a student at Florida Memorial University. In 2003, he contacted companies, including the aircraft manufacturer Columbia, which agreed to provide him with a plane to fly around the world if he could secure donations and components. Over several years, Irving visited aviation trade shows throughout the country and secured more than $300,000 in cash and donated components for a Columbia 400, one of the world's fastest single-engine piston airplanes. On March 23, 2007, Irving embarked from Miami, FL, on a 24,600-mile flight around the world in an airplane named ``Inspiration.'' He was 23 years of age while still a senior majoring in aerospace at Florida Memorial University at the time. Irving traveled the world as an ambassador of aviation, teaching young people in 27 cities about opportunities in aviation and the importance of academics. He returned from his journey on June 27, 2007, concluding his flight in Miami, FL. Impressively, even before his around the world flight, Irving founded the non-profit organization Experience Aviation, Inc. to address the significant shortage of youth pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. This non-profit has been extremely effective in garnering widespread community support and sponsorship to expose youth and underrepresented groups to opportunities in aviation. Irving continues to be dedicated to his community after his around the world flight and tirelessly works to inspire those around him to reach for their dreams. Madam Speaker, this young man embodies the perseverance and dedication necessary to truly pursue one's dreams. Barrington Irving realized those aspirations and deserves acknowledgement for continuing to inspire so many. I urge my colleagues' support for this resolution as we work to demonstrate what can be achieved if you never let go of your passion and commitment to the community.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize George Burrows, Sr. whose hard work and determination have resulted in the revitalization of the Sistrunk Boulevard corridor in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This once-blighted neighborhood is now the pride of Ft. Lauderdale's African-American community. Born in 1926, George Burrows grew up in the segregated Jim Crow south. He was one of 14 children raised by his Bahamian immigrant parents. After serving in the Marines during World War II, George returned to Ft. Lauderdale. Using the G.I. Bill, he attended Bethune- Cookman College where, after sampling several vocational courses, he decided to study electronics. In 1948, he earned his Associate of Arts degree in electronics, and soon after received his state certification as a licensed master electrician. Madam Speaker, with only electrical wire, government-issued tools, and a used bicycle with front and rear baskets, George Burrows embarked on a career that has spanned more than five decades. He fought bravely against a segregated system that limited his services to Colored Town and went on to great success in the electrical business. The day before his alma mater Dillard High School was to play an important football game, its field still had no lights. George Burrows came to the rescue, installing lights on the field and saving the day. One of his proudest accomplishments is his longtime involvement with the Black Chamber of Commerce, formerly the Negro Chamber of Commerce. George's work with the Chamber led to minority businesses obtaining contracts with the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and Port Everglades. George and his devoted wife of more than 50 years, Agnes, have raised four children, all of whom are graduates of historically black colleges. One admirer of his business, Burrows Electric, recently called him ``number one in the business'' and ``a consummate professional.'' Madam Speaker, even Ft. Lauderdale City Commissioner Carlton Moore, who grew up in the Sistrunk Boulevard district, lauded George Burrows' achievement as a role model in the community. Commissioner Moore has noted that George ``created a business that provided business opportunities to those who were locked out by the system.'' George Burrows' advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to ``get an education.'' With an education, he says, ``one can do anything they want in the field they choose.'' George Burrows is living proof of that. We all owe this great man an enormous debt of gratitude for what he has done to make his neighborhood, his city, and our world a better place. He is truly someone of whom we can all be very proud.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the NULITES of the Urban League of Palm Beach County. NULITES is the National Urban League Incentive To Excel and Succeed. These fine young people focus on academic achievement and are actively involved in improving their communities. The Palm Beach County chapter has been awarded NULITES Chapter of the Year for the third time. Having been chosen from among NULITES chapters across the country, this is a very impressive accomplishment of which we can all be very proud. Fadley Charles, a Florida State University student who is president of the chapter, stressed that, as Chapter of the Year, Palm Beach County NULITES have a ``responsibility to strive for better, respect all others, celebrate achievement, create a better future, care for each other and promote an empowering environment like no other.'' With three individual winners of scholarships in addition to Chapter of the Year honors, obviously, Palm Beach County NULITES are fulfilling their promise. It is my very great pleasure to recognize them today, and I know we will be hearing more good things about them in the future.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1636, the United States-Poland Parliamentary Youth Exchange Program. As Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Helsinki Commission, I can attest to the values of such a cultural exchange. Since the end of the Cold War, the Republic of Poland has steadily grown into a close friend and ally, and, through its active participation in the OSCE, NATO, and the EU, has shown a commitment to many of our democratic values and ideals. By sending high school students to Poland for an entire year, this program will encourage international involvement at a young age and serve to strengthen the relations between our countries. I have seen the growth that such exchange fosters and the diplomacy it promotes during my time as an annual host to Australian interns through the UNI-Capitol Washington Internship Program. Moreover, I currently have an intern in my office from London and previously have hosted young people from Germany, Finland, Denmark, and Estonia, among others. By hosting foreign students in a similar program, the United States and Poland can enhance bilateral relations, improve international commerce, encourage global consciousness, and give our young people a sense of global citizenship. I believe the United States-Poland Youth Exchange Program will provide a unique and important bridge between our countries, especially in the arena of promoting people to people relationships that are just as key if not more so than our military and economic relationships. I urge my colleagues to fund the United States-Poland Youth Exchange Program by supporting H.R. 1636.