Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution expressing our deepest gratitude to Cyprus and Turkey. We are all following the news from the Middle East with concern and regret. The Lebanese South--for many years a region of civil war, of mortal fear and hopelessness--is burning again. Parts of Israel are suffering under permanent rocket fire. The military actions are causing humanitarian difficulties, as well. Thousands of Americans and Europeans are suffering in the region. When Hezbollah started their offensive against Israel, there were at least 25,000 American citizens in Lebanon. The current situation painfully reminds me of Lebanon in the year 1983, when 241 Americans were killed in a suicide bombing. It also brings to mind the evacuation of American citizens from Iran in 1979 and from Vietnam in 1975. However, we must remain optimistic. There is some light in the darkness, something not to overlook in these sorrowful days: Even at a time when the United States is not the most beloved country in the world, we can feel that we are not alone. We are not alone in our efforts to save the lives of our citizens. True friendship is shown in difficult times, and I am glad it does. I hope we are all aware that the United States could never manage the evacuation of 25,000 citizens without reliable partners in the region. Bearing this in mind, I feel deeply grateful not only toward two governments but also towards two people: The governments and people of the Republics of Cyprus and Turkey. Cyprus opened her doors to Americans evacuating Lebanon. On July 15th, a short-time after the Israeli reaction started, the Cypriot government declared its readiness to assist efforts for the evacuation of U.S. citizens and other nationals fleeing Lebanon. The government set up a committee to organize the reception of thousands of evacuees--between 5,000 and 10,000 were expected just in the first week of the evacuation. Keeping in mind that the Republic of Cyprus does not have more than 750,000 inhabitants, this is an enormous task. Thousands of American citizens have already been evacuated to Cyprus. Many of them breathed a big sigh of relief! We received reports about the extraordinary hospitality offered to our evacuees. The Cypriot people obviously know about the needs of people suffering under war and terror due to their own painful history of war and separation. Besides Cyprus, our Turkish friends also offered their support. For the purpose of the evacuation of American citizens they provided their Mediterranean seaport Mersin. From there our evacuees can easily be transported to the U.S. military base of Incirlik. The Turkish offer is also an expression of our deep and strong alliance. Today, we should express our hope that the excellent cooperation of the last several weeks will be continued. It is also time to recognize the responsible roles the Turkish and the Cypriot governments are playing in their efforts to stabilize the Middle East, and encourage them to proceed. Let us keep in mind: Real friendship is proven in times of crisis, and we can be appreciative that it does. Let us support this process sending a message of gratitude to our friends in Cyprus and Turkey! Thank you Cyprus, thank you Turkey!

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Louisiana. I appreciate it very much. I just rise to thank Major Owens for his steadfastness, not only in this particular area but in the area of education generally. The time is coming when Major will not shepherd any longer any of these measures, but certainly all of us are grateful to him. Also, I am grateful to my classmate and colleague for bringing this legislation to the floor. Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, I can join the list. I heard Danny Davis, my good friend from Illinois, speak of his experiences. In 1953, I left Sanford, Florida, on a train for Nashville to attend Fisk University, one of the Historically Black Colleges that has been recognized. I left there and came here to Howard University and left there and went to Florida A&M University, where I achieved my JD degree. Ms. Brown, my colleague and classmate, spoke momentarily about Florida's schools. I have taught at Florida Memorial, been a Board of Trustee member at Bethune, and I am a graduate of Florida A&M University. If it were not for those Historically Black Colleges, I would not be here. That may be something that a lot of people wish didn't happen, but it happened, and I am proud of it, and I thank my colleagues.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, without further closing, in light of the fact that I have already, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am going to yield myself such time as I may consume; and I am going to take just a small amount of time hoping that colleagues who have demonstrated an interest would have time to get to the floor. Mr. Speaker, one of the things that has not been mentioned by anyone that I believe that this legislation will assist in is providing safe reactors. I had the misfortune and at the same time distinguished privilege to serve as the lead election monitor of the elections in Belarus, and while there I had an opportunity to see the horrible effects of a nuclear disaster. Some folks who remember Chernobyl think of it as Ukrainian and Russian in terms of the damage that was done, but the downwind aspects of that disaster fell on Belarusians, and it was devastating, and the effects of that are still showing. We have had, with the exception of the Three Mile Island incident in Pennsylvania, extremely safe nuclear reactors in the United States, and our technology, indeed, some of technology in the world, may very well provide for even safer reactors. Thus, bringing India under the aegis of the IAEA can only assist in providing safe reactors. Additionally, as we well know, Indian scientists are extremely resourceful. The residual from nuclear technology has produced the waste that the world needs to determine how best to handle. I believe, without knowing, nor do I think this legislation standing alone will cause that to occur, but I believe that Indian scientists, working with others throughout the world, may very well assist in developing the technology that will handle the nuclear waste that is such a tremendous problem, not only for this country, but indeed the world. So there are other benefits that may be derived from this legislation, in addition to civilian pursuits that will help to reduce the carbon footprint. Mr. Speaker, I did take enough time to let one of my colleagues arrive, and that said, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my classmate and good friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield to my good friend from New Jersey, the distinguished gentleman, Mr. Pallone, 1 minute.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2\1/ 2\ minutes to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) and former mayor of Cleveland.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to my good friend and colleague on the Rules Committee, the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my friend from Utah (Mr. Bishop) for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act. As our colleague, Chairman Hyde, said yesterday in the House Rules Committee, this is the single most important piece of legislation that has come through the International Relations Committee this year. We must do everything in our power to pass it today. India, the world's largest democracy, and the United States, the world's oldest democracy, must come together and strengthen their friendship. After centuries of an unsteady relationship, there has been dramatic improvement starting with the Clinton administration and continuing today. This bill tells India that we believe in them, and that we want to support them just like they have consistently supported us. The civilian nuclear initiative will deepen the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The initiative reflects U.S. trust in India as a global tactical partner, and indicates our admiration for India's democratic traditions, her commitment to tolerance and her commitment to freedom. I, as well as many of our colleagues, have had the great pleasure of traveling to the country of India on several different occasions. Any person who goes to India recognizes the crucial necessity of clean energy. This legislation will provide productions of clean energy, and can potentially reduce further pollution on the environment through decreasing the dependency on fossil fuels. Civil nuclear cooperation is vital to the development of a clean and safe environment for our Indian friends. As our distinguished colleague, the ranking member of International Relations, Tom Lantos, said in the Rules Committee yesterday, India is a nuclear nonproliferator. India has pledged to identify and separate her civil and military nuclear facilities and programs and place the civil portions under IAEA safeguards. I would urge my colleagues who have some hesitancy about this legislation to pay particular attention to that particular part of the legislation. This bill will bring India closer to the international nonproliferation mainstream. India has ensured that 65 percent of her current and planned power reactors will come under IAEA safeguards. This, in the legislation, would rise to as high as 90 percent in future years as India constructs new reactors. Without this initiative, 81 percent of India's current power reactors and all future power programs would remain unclear. Energy power and clean air are necessities for the Republic of India, especially because the excessive harm of global warming that is affecting India and indeed the world every day. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels, otherwise known as the carbon footprint, is constantly upsetting this region. Their need for alternative sources of energy is staggering, and we must pass this legislation to make a change in this region possible. India, America's strongest ally in the Southeast Asia region, is on the verge of an energy crisis. India is the sixth largest energy consumer in the world. But in order to maintain their strong economic growth, India's energy consumption will need to increase substantially. The facts are astounding, and civilian nuclear cooperation is the only way India's energy can remain secure. On a note of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Sonal Patel, a young woman who is interning in my office this summer. She worked hard on this issue, and she and other young Indian nationals who are interning here on the Hill this summer worked very actively, along with my friends, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Pallone and others, to bring to the floor the legislation dealing with the condemnation of the horrible bombing incidents that took place in India. This is a year where many of our interns are demonstrating staff-like work, and certainly, she qualifies in that category. The facts are astounding, and civilian nuclear cooperation is the only way India's energy can remain secure. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the rule and the underlying bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 921, condemning the provocations by terrorist organizations on Israel's northern and southern borders. The actions of the terrorist organizations, Hezbollah, in Lebanon, and Hamas, in Gaza, against Israel are unconscionable. Instead of working towards peace, these terrorist organizations have chosen to perpetuate the violence. Unprovoked attacks on Israel's borders, murdering Israeli soldiers, taking Israeli hostages and showering rockets targeting and killing Israeli civilians are not furthering any legitimate goal. I am pleased to see that many of the world's leaders have publicly recognized that the crisis in the Middle East was deliberately incited by terrorist organizations. I applaud the leaders of the world's top industrial nations' collaborative statement on July 16 condemning the terrorists: ``These extremist elements and those that support them cannot be allowed to plunge the Middle East into chaos and provoke a wider conflict. The extremists must immediately halt their attacks.'' I also congratulate the Arab nations, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan for their willingness to openly criticize Hezbollah's attacks on Israel's northern border. I am in full support of their efforts to speak out against Hezbollah's recent assaults against Israel. Israel's actions over the past week must be viewed in a broader context. It should be recognized that in response to Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Southern Lebanon in 2000 and from Gaza in 2005, as well as its committed plan to pull out completely from the West Bank, Israel has met only violence. Since 2000, Hezbollah has fired hundreds of rockets at civilian areas and kidnapped and murdered Israeli soldiers. Since September 2005, terrorist groups in Gaza have launched over 1,000 rocket attacks at Israeli cities. Previously, Israel exhibited restraint and refused to respond to these aggressions with any significant counterattack. Now, in light of the current unprovoked kidnappings by Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel is warranted to act appropriately to free the captured soldiers and to defend her citizens. Now is the time for the Lebanese Government to abide by the U.N.'s rules. In refusing to disarm Hezbollah as required by U.N. Resolution 1559, the Lebanese Government is choosing to openly ignore the decree of the international community. Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora should accept responsibility and take immediate action against the terrorist group which Lebanon harbors. I support the resolutions that call on the United Nations to help the Prime Minister and his government to achieve these goals. Now is also the time for the Hamas government to accept accountability for the actions of its terrorist organization. As the elected government of the Palestinian people, they have a duty to tell the terrorists to release the soldier they captured, halt the relentless rocket fire aimed at Israeli civilians and end their encouragement of terrorist acts against Israel. But neither the Palestinian nor the Lebanese Government are wholly responsible for these recent provocations against Israel. There is a much greater strategic dimension to the Hamas-Hezbollah offensive. The terrorist organizations, Hezbollah and Hamas, are unquestionably sponsored and guided by the Iranian and Syrian Governments. Iranian and Syrian support of these attacks will not be rewarded. The current bloodshed of innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians will not strengthen their governments' positions. As sponsors of terror they will be condemned and held accountable for their actions. Israel must have the right to defend her civilians from ongoing missile attacks, whether they arise from Lebanon or the Gaza Strip. Like the United States and other sovereign nations, Israel is justified in reestablishing its deterrent posture.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. My amendment provides that immediately after the House adopts this rule it will bring H.R. 2429, the Miller-Owens minimum wage bill, to the House floor for an up-or-down vote. This bill will gradually increase the minimum wage from the current level of $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour after about 2 years. A footnote right there; I am so proud of my State. By petition, the State of Florida passed a minimum wage with an acceleration clause pegged to the cost of living. Hurrah for Florida. The bill is identical to language that was included in the Labor-HHS appropriations bill that was blocked by the majority leadership last month. It is also identical to the language that we on the Democratic side have tried to bring to this floor in recent weeks. Madam Speaker, every day that we fail to bring legislation to the floor to increase the minimum wage is another day we turn our backs on America's low-income and middle-class families who desperately need our help. These workers, as many have said, struggle every day to make ends meet. Many minimum-wage earners work two and three jobs just to get by, and it is unconscionable that we have waited this long to offer even a little relief to those in this Nation who need it most. There is a statistic that was quoted very recently, but no offense to rich people, but America's corporate executives collectively, when paired down in the first 4 hours of any given year that they worked, they earn in 4 hours more money than a minimum-wage earner makes all year long. It has been nearly a decade since this House voted to increase the minimum wage. The minimum wage, as I said earlier, is now at its lowest level in 50 years. A full-time minimum-wage earner makes just $10,700 a year, an amount that is $5,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. I am going to cut it off right here, Madam Speaker, and go back to my original remarks. We have not done anything about genocide in Darfur; the Middle East is in flames. California is suffering forest fires. We have left the Hurricane Katrina victims by the wayside with more hurricanes looming to come during this hurricane season. The deficit is at an all-time high and accelerating. The national debt is crippling this Nation. And the middle class, we didn't fully fund education to the extent that we left no children behind. We are not putting sufficient police on the streets in order to be able to protect our Nation. Our homeland is vulnerable in more ways than one, including the containers that go on our aircraft and those that are not inspected in our ports. I could go on and on, including the potential for $4-a- gallon gas prices. And what we are going to do? We are going to strip the courts. We ought to strip some of these people that are in the business of stripping the courts.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Before yielding to the distinguished minority leader whom I believe will cause in November the priorities of this House to change substantially, and to protect not only minimum wage earners, but the middle class of this country better than we have, I would like to come to today's discussion. I find it difficult to believe that God would want us to strip the courts of their powers to interpret the laws of this land, albeit with the divergent opinions. I shudder that my colleagues do not understand the dynamics of the Federal judiciary. But let me do something, perhaps not dramatic, perhaps a little melodramatic. Under Madam Speaker are the words ``In God we trust.'' I have been in this body 14 years, and I have had the distinct privilege, as have many other Members of the House of Representatives, of opening these proceedings with other speakers in the chair, at least five times, from my memory. Every time that I participated in the opening proceedings, we said the Pledge of Allegiance, and we used the term ``God.'' I don't have as many of these as I want, and minimum wage workers don't have this many, and the middle class is suffering immensely in this country. But on our money is ``In God we trust.'' Please understand this. Only once has a court ruled that you cannot say the Pledge of Allegiance in this country, and that law was stricken down. I ask you, please, to listen to the Chief Justice when he says that court-stripping would be bad policy. You may have the right intention, but you are doing it in the wrong way. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished minority leader, Ms. Pelosi.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is hard to correct my friend from Missouri. I said to him last night, earlier yesterday, as it were, in the Rules Committee that he is an engineer and I am a lawyer of 44 years standing, twice a judge as it were, and I understand a little bit about how the Federal judiciary works. I said to him that I do not come into his engineering association to tell them how to construct bridges and tunnels, and not that there is any premium on lawyers or judges having clarity, but he muddies the water on this subject. I would urge him to understand that it was under President Eisenhower that the words ``under God'' were put in the Pledge of Allegiance. Somehow or another, during World War I and World War II, without the words ``under God,'' we managed to win those wars. Somehow or another we were not a godless society any more than we are not today. Please understand that the pendulum swings in the Federal judiciary, and there may be a day when things that you envision are important for the Court to undertake constitutionally will allow for some more liberal Congresspersons to come along than you and strip the courts of those powers. We have a beautiful system of checks and balances in this country. Madam Speaker, I would urge that we do not impinge upon that territory. I urge all Members to vote ``no'' on the previous question so I can amend the rule and provide this House with yet another chance to vote on legislation to increase the Federal minimum wage. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of the amendment and extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Before the gentleman from Georgia goes forward, may I say that we have but one more speaker, and then I will be prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, how much time remains on both sides?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank Dr. Gingrey for the time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I listened to Dr. Gingrey, and I have the misfortune of reading the paper every now and again. Dr. Gingrey, you are quoted as saying yesterday in the discussion with reference to banning gay marriage, the quote says, ``This is probably the best message we can give to the Middle East in regards to the trouble we are having over there right now.'' I say to you, sir, that I find that very confusing in the sense that I don't understand how, with all of the things going on in this country and around the world, that gay marriage, yesterday, was the most important thing that we could contribute to the horror of what is going on in the Middle East. But I don't intend to use much of my time this morning, frankly. I really am embarrassed for the House of Representatives today. Why? Let's be clear about what the priorities are for the majority and what they are for the rest of the world. Today, the Federal minimum wage purchases less than it has at any point in the last 50 years. Let me repeat: The Federal minimum wage purchases less than it has at any point in the last 50 years. It hasn't been raised in 9 years, and today the House is going to spend its time protecting something that all of us say every morning in the House of Representatives, the Pledge of Allegiance. In the last year, 23 percent of all Americans say they or someone in their family have had to stop medical treatment because of the cost, and today the House will spend its time attempting to turn the independent judiciary into an echo chamber of the right wing of this particular majority. If today is anything like the typical day of the past 3 years, three American soldiers will die in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Taliban will get a little stronger in Afghanistan and the civil war will continue to be enhanced in Iraq. And the American people will watch their Congress do nothing, but listen to a bunch of demagogues who claim a crisis in the United States courts. The Middle East is literally going up in flames, as is California, and Katrina's problems haven't been solved, and Congress' response is to criticize Federal judges. Today in America, 110 people will be treated in an emergency room for their wounds from a handgun and there is an epidemic of violence with reference to handguns, particularly by our youth in this country. 1,500 people will die of cancer today in America, and 1,900 people will die of heart disease. And the United States House of Representatives will speechify about patriotism. Let me tell you something, Madam Speaker: Patriots try to solve real problems and not seek out remedies to perceived problems. Yesterday in this country we had people die of hunger and malnutrition. In some parts of this country, the infant mortality rate rivals that of sub- Saharan Africa. We have a public education system that ranks below that of almost any other Western nation. We have a looming Social Security crisis, and health care costs are spiraling out of control. And what do we do? Speechify about patriotism. These are some of the problems, just some of the problems, confronting the American people today. And what is the majority's response to this? Today we will make sure that the Pledge of Allegiance is safe from so-called activist judges. I could go on and on, but I have already taken more time than this deserves. Court-stripping bills such as this are, according to the Chief Justice of the United States of America, John Roberts, and let me quote the Chief Justice of America, they are bad policy. I hope the American people are paying attention to their priorities, the priorities of the Republican majority. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield 6 minutes to my good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, a young man whose sensitivities have shown through on this subject of countless others who are less fortunate, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume before yielding to the distinguished minority whip from Maryland, my very good friend, a Member of this body who works tirelessly, tirelessly to alleviate the squeeze on America's middle class. Madam Speaker, I would like to respond to my friend from Georgia who was responding to my friend from Wisconsin Mr. Obey when he says cheese and crackers go together. And the context, as I understand it, was that you did not vote for the pay raise. The question is, do you favor and can you push for the minimum wage? Cheese and crackers may very well go together, but they need to be washed down with milk or Coca-Cola. And the fact of the matter is people living on the minimum wage cannot buy cheese, crackers, Coca- Cola or milk, and so somewhere along the line that needs to be understood Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my good friend.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I look forward to the day that somebody offers a bill to eliminate the Court. I mean, you talk about Jefferson and Madison. I don't know how many of you have read the Federalist Papers and clearly understand the dynamics of establishing the Federal judiciary and the importance of the separation of powers. That is what they went to war about or with King George, it was to make sure that we had a separation of powers. I travel in countries all over this world where the leaders of the country dictate to the courts, if they have any. I don't want to see America in that position, and I believe my good friend from California feels likewise. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) to respond.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown), who is also my classmate and one of the three African Americans that was elected as a result of the Voting Rights Act, the first in 129 years in our State of Florida.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to my colleague on the Rules Committee, the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), my friend.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2\3/ 4\ minutes to the distinguished minority whip from Maryland, my good friend, Steny Hoyer.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 8 minutes, and I thank my friend from Florida for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, before going into the substance of what we are doing today, I would like to make note that a few weeks ago in the Rules Committee when we were originally contemplating this bill, I offered an amendment to the rule that would have extended general debate to 4 hours, ensuring that all Members, Republican and Democrat, were afforded the opportunity to have their voices heard on the House's actions today. My amendment, however, was defeated along a straight party line, and I did not offer it again yesterday. However, the majority provided 2 hours of general debate in the last rule on their other circumstances, and they also provided 2 hours of general debate on their politically driven flag-burning amendment. If the flag is the symbol of democracy, then the Voting Rights Act is the very foundation on which that flag flies. It is both troubling and telling that the majority is unwilling to extend today's debate beyond 90 minutes. Mr. Speaker, as debate on this historic bill commences, I am reminded of President Kennedy's words delivered to Congress in 1962 with the first draft of what would later become both the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts. President Kennedy wrote, and I quote, ``In this year of the emancipation centennial, justice requires us to ensure the blessing of liberty for all Americans and their posterity, not merely for reasons of economic efficiency, world diplomacy and domestic tranquility, but above all, because it is right.'' For African Americans, there exists a no more seminal piece of law, other than the Civil Rights Act, than the Voting Rights Act. Today, more than 40 years after its initial passage, Congress is again faced with an historic decision to reauthorize this mandate. Americans have come together over the years to denounce systematic segregation and racism. Indeed, we have come a long way. But we cannot become complacent and take for granted the liberties and rights which this law provides and affords. Today's discussion cannot only be about preserving the right to vote for those of us who already enjoy it. It has to be about ensuring that Americans from all walks of life and countries of origin are provided with these very same rights. There are some in this body who may argue or imply that the Voting Rights Act is no longer needed. They may call for an end to the act's preclearance and bilingual ballot requirements. Others may go so far as to suggest that English proficiency be a precondition to voting. For them, this is not a debate about fairness. It is about ideology. With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, ideology has no place in today's debate. The Voting Rights Act was enacted to break down the walls built by Jim Crow, not build them back up. There is no difference between a poll tax, a literacy test or an English proficiency requirement as a precondition to voting. All are draconian and targeted efforts to block a specific group of people from voting and, I might add, people who are registered voters and citizens of the United States. Each attempt by a Republican Member to precondition minimum language requirements with the right to vote, in my judgment, breathes new life into a form of Jim Crow. Each attempt by a Republican Member to dilute the influence of minority voters mocks longstanding legislative and judicial precedent and mandates. When this happens, we are reminded why this law still today is so critically needed. We will hopefully extend the Voting Rights Act by 25 years today. We should extend it beyond 100 years because some of the problems will probably continue to exist that long. The harsh reality remains that the suppression and disenfranchisement of minority voters is still tolerated today. We saw it in Florida in 2000. We saw it in Ohio in 2004, and we will probably see it again in 2006 in November and in 2008 in some other State where people require a victory regardless of the means to their end. We should fear those who dismiss concerns, deny such problems exist, and claim ignorance and naivete as reasons for the years of neglect. These are the answers given by those who have sat idly by throughout history when the rights and privileges of the weak and poor have been trampled on by the powerful. These were the very answers given by those who opposed the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts more than 40 years ago. We will hear from their 21st century ideological soulmates later today when we debate mean-spirited and morally dubious amendments. I stand before you as a victim of decades of injustice rooted in racial segregation. Through these eyes, I bore witness to the absolute tyranny of those who stop at nothing to stop blacks from achieving statutory equality and the right to vote. Through these eyes, I have also seen hate and racism give way to tolerance and fairness. When history judges our actions today, it will question whether or not we met the expectations levied by those who have come before us. Did we break down barriers or did we build up walls? Did we start a chapter in American history aimed at addressing the challenging of multiculturalism, prejudicial discrimination, and blatant xenophobia, or permit the continued manifestation of these sad realities in our country? For years, Mr. Speaker, many of us have fought tirelessly to honor the memories of civil rights advocates who came before us. It is their shoulders on which I stand and my colleagues stand today, the shoulders of Fannie Lou Hamer and Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King and Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass and Nat Turner and so many courageous others, white and black. It is their successes which we seek to emulate; their words through which we attempt to tie the past with the present and inspire for the future. Colleagues, do not use today as an opportunity to congratulate ourselves. Today is not a day of jubilation. New faces have been added to the struggle, and that struggle continues. Any attack on their right to vote is an attack on ours. I urge my colleagues to support the underlying legislation and reject any attempt to amend it. We should do this not for the partisan benefit, but because, as John Kennedy said, ``It is right.'' Voting rights is right. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.