Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McNulty), who has worked tirelessly in this effort and others for peace throughout the world.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume merely to commend the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Armey), and the chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), as well as the ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), for their cooperative effort in expediting this resolution in the hope that it will be on the floor for Members to act on tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), a person who has spent years working for Middle East peace and for peace in this country as well. She is a mentor of mine and one who has no peer on this subject, a person with whom I have had the pleasure of being in Israel with on three different occasions.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this resolution calls for the United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 to be implemented, and it is being done or has been done by Israel in that it has now withdrawn its forces from all Lebanese territory. Bridges of peace are buttressed by planks of good faith. Israel has acted in good faith by their actions, and they are right in this resolution by my colleagues and those of us that are cosponsors and are commended. The time is now for all the parties to reenter the peace process. Central to this resolution are two things that I would like to point to. One, it appeals to the government of Lebanon to grant clemency and assure the safety and rehabilitation into Lebanese society of all members of the South Lebanon Army and their families. I wish that they would undertake that portion of the resolution. In addition, it calls upon the international community to ensure that southern Lebanon does not once again become a staging ground for attacks against Israel and to cooperate in bringing about the reconstruction and reintegration of southern Lebanon. Syria has a role to play in that, the United Nations has a role to play in that, and Hezbollah law has a critical role to play in ensuring that that takes place. I would like to commend Mr. Barak and his colleagues for their foresightedness with reference to this matter and urge all parties to reenter the negotiations so that there can be peace and stability in the Middle East. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to my distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Wexler) whose district abuts mine.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 6 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stabenow), a tireless worker, a person that has worked actively for peace in the Middle East.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would simply like simply to thank the majority staff of the Committee on International Relations for their handling of this matter, and, of course, the minority staff, with specific reference to Sean Carroll and Kathleen Moazed, and my legislative director, Fred Turner, and all of us that are associated with this matter.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) and note that she, too, has been tireless in her efforts and is a cosponsor of the measure before us today. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) to speak to the issue because we have a considerable amount of time, but more importantly because the gentleman has been tireless in his efforts to bring this matter to fruition.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged and honored to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson), who has been a tireless worker in this effort to bring this matter to fruition. (Mr. LAMPSON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution. Many of us have read press accounts of children stolen from their American mothers or fathers and whisked away to a foreign country by the noncustodial parent. The heartbreak of the left-behind parent is too often compounded by the realization that the country to which the abducting parent has fled is actually helping that parent to hide the children. This assistance to the abductors by countries like Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Mexico is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. In at least 30 cases in Germany, for example, German judges have flouted the basic tenets of the Hague Convention and have allowed the fleeing parent to continue to hide the children from their American parents and even to deny them the most minimal contact with their children. Germany is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Resolutions like the one we have before us, and I compliment the chairman of the committee for expediting this matter and the fine work done by my colleagues, particularly the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Lampson). Resolutions like the one we have before us today are one way that Congress can send a message to these countries, most of which are friends and allies of the United States, that we will not be silent in the face of these tragedies. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, these cases are tragedies, tragedies of broken families, traumatized children, bereft mothers and fathers who are left behind with precious little hope of ever seeing their children again. These cases are, sadly, not rare. Every year it is estimated that at least 1,000 boys and girls are taken from their American parents. There are as many as 10,000 cases of children wrongfully retained by their noncustodial parents currently on file. The Hague Convention clearly states that custody disputes should be decided in the country in which the child habitually resides, but time and again foreign courts have intervened and decided custody cases, even though the children in question are American-born and have spent their lives up to the point of their abduction in America. In the case of Joseph Cooke, whose story was so movingly described recently in the Washington Post, German courts even gave the German foster parents of his children greater rights than they accorded Mr. Cooke himself, the children's father. Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us urges our friends, neighbors, and allies to live up to their commitments in signing the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction. It asks countries to enact effective implementing legislation; to educate their judicial and law enforcement authorities; to return abducted and wrongfully-retained children to their place of habitual residence without reaching the merits of any underlying custody dispute; and to ensure parental access rights by removing obstacles to the exercise of such rights; and to further educate its central authority and local law enforcement authorities on the Hague Convention, the severity of the problem of international child abduction and the need for immediate action, when a parent of an abducted child seeks their assistance. This is the very least we can do to address the heartbreak of thousands of American left-behind parents, and I strongly urge its adoption. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to a phenomenal teacher, Mr. Joseph Balchunas, recently named Florida's Teacher of the Year. A teacher who realizes the sky is the limit, who understands that knowledge is power, and who enriches the lives of those around him distinguishes Mr. Balchunas. Mr. B, as his friends and family call him, insist that his students raise their ideals, broaden their horizons, but most importantly learn to demand more of themselves. His students regularly test above average standards, a testimony to his tireless efforts and commitment to education. This is the first time in twelve years that a teacher from Broward County has been honored with this achievement. Joseph Balchunas inspires his students to dream, and not to let anyone get in the way of those dreams. In his five years as a teacher, Mr. B has proven that teaching is not only a job, but a personal commitment, and expects his students to make the same commitment to their future. He is loved by many, but most fortunate are those who have the pleasure of being one of his students. His devotion encourages his students to imagine and create. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute Joseph Balchunas for being named Florida's Teacher of the Year. He is truly a great educator, one that all of us should be proud to commend.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, the telecommunications issue is a serious one. Obviously, we need to look seriously at the implications of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence's approach for the State Department. I want to thank the distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss), for his willingness to work with the Committee on International Relations on this matter. I look forward to the two committees working out a resolution on this matter on a bipartisan basis. Since I am the only Member on both committees, I hope to be in the mix. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I was unavoidably detained at the White House and I missed rollcall votes numbered 202, 203 and 204. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on rollcall vote number 202, I would have voted yes on rollcall vote number 203, and I would have voted no on rollcall vote number 204. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Cox

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Taylor amendment and against the Buyer amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Mother's Day, today I celebrate the enormous contributions of mothers all over the country. I want to pay a special tribute to those mothers who have lost their children in the prime of their lives, much too early. One such mother is Ruth Tinsman, who has served as my Congressional Aide for seven years. Ruth served my two predecessors in Congress as well, and did so with the highest level of commitment and honor. Her commitment as a mother, however, has been her truest and most noble calling, as she will remind those who admire her long and devoted public service. Mr. Speaker, Ruth Tinsman lost her son Robert Tinsman in Miami, Florida last week, his candle burned out all too soon, as the poet E.E. Cummings once said. ``Bobby,'' as he was known to his friends and family, was a veteran of the Vietnam War, an American hero to those of us who recognize the value of his tremendous sacrifices, and whose service will never be forgotten. Bobby will be remembered fondly by all who knew him, but most lovingly by his mother, whose life has always revolved around her children and grandchildren. My heart is saddened because her heart is heavy, but my sorrow is tempered by the wonderful memories that this devoted mother will always cherish. As a Member of Congress, I am honored to take this opportunity to praise the remarkable women who each day in their own way work to build a society where all of us can be free. Ruth Tinsman is such a woman, such a mother. As I salute all the mothers in this country, it is my special honor to salute her this Mother's Day.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce a bill which authorizes the use of a vessel to transport the naval harbor tug USS Hoga to Port Everglades, Florida, for use as a memorial to veterans and provide vocational seamanship training. This bill will carry out the longstanding intent of Congress in preserving and protecting historic landmarks and national monuments. The USS Hoga is recognized by the United States Park Service as a national monument, and appears in the national register of historic places. Unfortunately, the USS Hoga is no longer seaworthy, and cannot safely be towed on the open sea. If towed through the water, it may fall apart, and we stand to lose this national monument forever. Thus, I encourage you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues here in Congress, to support this initiative that will allow a means to transport the USS Hoga on a transporter vessel, enabling the ship to arrive undamaged to the state of Florida. Veterans have long been the thread holding together our nation, defining American independence, and ensuring American freedom. Despite the high concentration of World War II veterans in Florida, with the majority of them calling South Florida home, the state of Florida is the only coastal state without a commemorative World War II warship. This legislation will assist the USS Hoga Association in transporting the USS Hoga to its final resting place at the New River in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Speaker, in the next two decades, the last of the World War II veterans will have passed on. As an immobile World War II veteran, the USS Hoga will be a place for future generations to pay homage to those who fought bravely under the United States flag. The USS Hoga is indeed a national treasure, and will serve many additional uses in the state of Florida. Currently, boatyards are underemployed, and fewer Americans consider a calling to defend our great country. In addition to being a memorial, the USS Hoga will be used to train students in seamanship duties and promote national defense by preparing young Americans for service in the United States Navy. Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say that I take a great deal of pride in the fact that South Florida boasts one of the nations highest percentage of World War II veterans. I would also like to commend the USS Hoga Association for the tremendous work and effort it has contributed to attain this goal. As we approach the 60 year mark commemorating the beginning of World War II, I ask that we fulfill a small request made by Florida veterans to aid them in transporting a tribute to those citizens who fought for our country. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I have heard, as have all of us this evening, of vital concerns about our Nation's disasters or impending disasters. We have heard about farmers and fishermen and natural disasters. As we are speaking, in Ft. Worth, Texas, yet another disaster has occurred. I rise not to offer anything other than what I hope is some measure of creativity that does not seem to come about in this glacial body. Is there anything wrong with us having a 14th committee that would consist of the respective chairs of the committees of jurisdiction of this Congress and perhaps two or more members appointed by the Speaker and the minority leader that handle nothing more than disasters so that we can move in better fashion than we do? It seems that we wait for people who are flooded out and people who are blown away, and we are here going back and forth and back and forth all the time without having a committee that can do this. I just invite my colleagues to consider something different so that we can expedite the process. Disasters are going to continue to occur.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of Florida's true heroes and pioneers, Arthur ``Pappy'' Kennedy. Pappy Kennedy passed away today after devoting a life time of service to the Florida political, civic, cultural and educational community. His honors are numerous, and his heroism unparalleled. As the first African American to be elected to the Orlando City Commission since Reconstruction, Pappy served with distinction and was re-elected by the largest percentage between contestants in the City's 101-year history up to that time. This was no great surprise to those who knew Pappy, who knew that his very existence depended upon his service to others. Nor was his service limited to the constituents who elected him. Having raised himself from poverty in rural Florida, Pappy was determined to improve the lot of others less fortunate than himself. And he did all this with the quietest dignity, at a time when dignity came at a premium for black men. He suffered through segregation and discrimination, and managed to out maneuver both. His personal sacrifices in the face of such trying times are untold and countless. His professional accomplishments were numerous. His pioneering days began when he became one of the first African American men to work at the Orange Court Hotel in downtown Orlando, rising from one position to another in an effort to pay his way through college, which he did. Pappy's college training in Psychology paid off, for everyone who knew him in his later years could extoll his wonderful counseling abilities. He was never too busy to listen to the slightest concern that one of his constituents or neighbors or friends might bring to him. And no problem was too great for Pappy to tackle. One such instance involved the time he began organizing the former Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce. His pioneering spirit and persevering manner deflected the considerable reluctance on the part of some local business owners. I will never forget his many inspirational, and sage, messages to me over the years, especially as I aspired to political office. Though not a professional educator, Pappy's passion clearly lay in helping to enhance opportunities for minority schools and the students they served, and his efforts as President of the Jones High School PTA and the Orange County PTA Council left an indelible mark upon the City of Orlando. A spirited entrepreneur, Pappy was elected to the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors and was a Trust Officer of the Washington Shores Federal Savings and Loan Association, a black-owned and operated local financial institution. Pappy Kennedy was first and foremost a family man, devoted to his late wife Marian, and his two children Arthur Jr. and Shirley. Like so many other politicians, I was blessed to know Pappy: as a counselor in politics, as a guide in life, and as a friend in all that mattered. He will be missed by scores of Floridians, but his legacy of service and sacrifice will endure in the extraordinary opportunities that resulted from all that he gave and all that he was. In Florida, we are proud of Pappy Kennedy and better off because of him.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of this fundamentally fair and morally principled budget.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me this time. I wanted to take a moment today to express my displeasure with the fact that the Committee on Rules refused to waive points of order against all Democratic amendments to this bill, including mine. Had we been able to consider my amendment, we would be discussing the merits of temporarily suspending a 24.4 percent gasoline Federal tax on diesel fuel. I drafted this repeal in the diesel tax first as a freestanding bill and then as an amendment to this bill because I was hopeful that this body would be inclined to consider the role of the Federal Government in protecting American consumers from a small and manipulative price- gouging cartel, many Members of which are U.S. allies and recipients of our foreign aid largesse. While I am disappointed that we will not consider my amendment today, I do encourage the Clinton administration to aggressively push the OPEC members to increase production, and at the same time I urge my colleagues that we reexamine our national energy strategy so that we will not find ourselves hostage to foreign producers ever again. It is disingenuous for someone to come here and argue that nothing is being done at this point.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding American, Mr. Dale Morris. Mr. Morris has devoted his career to helping individuals in public service. As the Manager of Special Services and Government Affairs for American Airlines, Mr. Morris is responsible for handling elected officials and other government VIPs, including diplomats and Members of Congress, as they make their way throughout the world. As a registered lobbyist, he also is responsible for advocating on behalf of American Airlines' varied interests with respect to the myriad regulations that challenge airlines and help keep American citizens safe. Mr. Morris is departing the Washington area for Dallas, Texas, where he will serve as Company Spokesperson at American Airlines' Corporate Communications office. He will be missed by those of us who have counted on his commitment to top notch customer service, and especially for his ability to find simple solutions to complicated challenges. Mr. Morris's promotion is a phenomenal reflection of his own achievements as well as American Airlines' commitment to equal opportunity. As an African American, Mr. Morris has overcome tremendous obstacles throughout his career. He began in the industry eighteen years ago as a passenger sales representative for United Airlines. His professional honors and accomplishments are numerous, and include being awarded the NATO commendation medal from Field Marshall Sir Richard Vincent, GBE, KCB, DSO and Chairman of the Military Committee; organizing the ``Ax the Fuel Tax'' airline rally in Washington, D.C.; assisting with Wright Amendment legislation; serving as an ``On Air'' spokesperson for American Airlines during the pilots' proposed strike; and personally interacting with Senator John McCain on the ``Passenger Bill of Rights.'' Regarding Dale Morris' professional triumphs, it might be said that they are merely genetic. His father, William Morris, was awarded the Bronze Star for operations during the Invasion of Normandy during World War II with the all Black 6th Calvary Infantry unit. His great uncle Leroy Calhoun also served with the Black Stevedores/Pioneer Infantry unit in France during World War II, and another uncle played baseball for the all Black Fresno Giants of the Negro Leagues. As the proud father of Dale, Jr., Keith Ernest, and Erin Mitchell, and the reverent husband of Janet Leigh Riley Morris, Dale has managed to soar professionally while keeping his primary focus on his family, which in his view, is the only reason worth living. He has given his family a great deal of which to be proud. As his friend, and the beneficiary of his sincere devotion to professional integrity, I am equally proud. It is on behalf of the countless other Members of Congress who have appreciated his fine service, that I congratulate Dale on his remarkable promotion, and on this, the 29th day of February, 2000, not only his last day in the Washington office of American Airlines but his birthday, I wish him every personal and professional success.