Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. Mr. Chairman, I say to my colleagues, listen up. Federalizing juvenile justice without federalizing with funds the resources necessary to hire additional judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and for the very first time Federal juvenile counselors, this is absolutely ridiculous. It has no impact study with it. They cannot do this and do it safely.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the ranking member, for yielding me this time. I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, for bringing this matter forward in an expeditious matter. Like the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), I would like to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) that were just made. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for H. Res. 62, which expresses concern over the escalating violence and the gross violations of human rights in Sierra Leone. On May 27, 1997, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, the military junta, overthrew the democratically elected government of Sierra Leone led by President Ahmed Kabbah, suspended the Constitution, banned political activities, and invited the rebel fighters of the Revolutionary United Front to join the junta. The resolution, as offered, calls for immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for human rights by all combatants in Sierra Leone. It encourages parties to engage in dialogue without preconditions; abhors human rights violations by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and Revolutionary United Front against innocent civilians, including children; encourages the United States to provide increased and appropriate logistical political support for ECOMOG and other participating countries; and calls upon all combatants to commit a cease-fire. It also commends Reverend Jesse Jackson for his extraordinary diplomacy in this area. Mr. Speaker, as legislators committed to promoting democracy the world over, we have followed with great interest the efforts undertaken by many countries in Africa seeking to promote democracy. Thus, it has been my belief that the United States has a responsibility to help countries in Africa succeed in their efforts toward stabilization, both for humanitarian reasons and because it is in the interest of democracy. We must do all within our power to assist in stabilizing the situation in Sierra Leone. I urge our colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for H. Res. 62, which expresses concern over the escalating violence, and the gross violations of human rights in Sierra Leone. Mr. Speaker, on May 27, 1997, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) military junta, overthrew the democratically elected government of Sierra Leone led by President Ahmed Kabbah, suspended the constitution, banned political activities, and invited the rebel fighters of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) to join the junta. This resolution calls for immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for human rights by all combatants in Sierra Leone. It encourages parties to engage in dialogue without preconditions; abhors human rights violations by Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and Revolutionary United Front against innocent civilians, including children; encourages the U.S. to provide increased and appropriate logistical, political support for ECOMOG and other participating countries and calls upon all combatants to commit to a cease fire. Mr. Speaker, as legislators committed to promoting democracy the world over, we have followed with great interest the efforts undertaken by many countries in Africa seeking to promote democracy. Thus, it has long been my belief that the United States has a responsibility to help countries in Africa succeed in their efforts towards stabilization, both for humanitarian reasons and because it is in democracies' best interest. We must do all within our power to stabilize the situation in Sierra Leone. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. If there were a national security issue that needs addressing any more important, I cannot quite understand how it could be here on the floor. This is a readiness issue and it should allow, as does Cox-Dicks, for robust, versatile and capable handling of our current demand as well as our future demand. The fact of the matter is what my colleague from Florida is proposing will add a second crew to cut the 48-hour turnaround time in half and it will result in nine additional launches in the United States that may otherwise be launched overseas. Do we want them to launch from over yonder or do we want them to launch from here?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) the ranking member for yielding this time to me. I would like to respond to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) very briefly regarding the question he raised about how we are providing for a stable Europe by the actions that have been undertaken. Last week I traveled with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) to the Oxford Forum in Belfast, Ireland. While there our interlocutors were parliamentary officials from Germany and from England. We left there and went to London and met with Robin Cook. All along the way, including with the Prime Minister of Ireland, all we heard was praise for the overall aspect of this particular operation and how it has unified the alliance in the new paradigm. I think we really need to examine it from that point of view. But I do rise in opposition to the amendment from my friend from Indiana. It is unfathomable to me that as a peace agreement has just been signed and we are about to achieve our goals for ending the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo that some Members of this great institution are attempting to prevent the United States from participating in an international security force. Quite frankly I am not only shocked, I am outraged at the lengths to which critics of our Commander in Chief will go to embarrass him. Rather than at this time celebrate a triumph and applaud our military for having achieved a successful operation, we are about the business of continuing to try to hamper the efforts that are put forward for peace. First these persons tried to prevent the Commander in Chief from stopping genocide in Europe. Now they are trying to stop him from securing peace. This simply cannot happen. I urge the body to please oppose the Souder amendment.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to remove my name as cosponsor of the following bills: H.R. 850 and H.R. 1732.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. My colleague is not on the floor at this time, the maker of the motion, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Coburn), but I was rising to appeal to him to allow at least some of us who have some expertise in this area to speak to him, as I would if he were discussing medical issues. I really do believe that he knows a lot more about that than I do. Now he has dipped over into the legal arena, and I think I know a little bit more about that than he does. With that in mind, I would offer to him that the status quo would create backlogs, and the creating of backlogs is what this particular 12 percent is intended to try to get rid of. When backlogs occur in any structural system, and it does not matter whether or not it is employment discrimination or if it is in the criminal arena or if it is in the civil arena, it impacts the whole process. It is not just one thing that is impacted, it is not just this particular office of departmental administration, it is all of what they do in trying to clear up the number of cases that they have. Over the years, there have been a number of legitimate complaints that have been brought and those people have to sit and wait. Let me see if I can get my colleague to understand the analogy. In South Florida, at one time we had to try nothing but drug cases. By trying drug cases, we forced civil litigants to have to seek redress elsewhere, and people who needed remedies in the Federal court system were unable to get them because we were busying ourselves with one side of the system, which was mandated that we do. We need to be very, very careful in expecting in every instance that people can do more with less. What they are asking for is 17 staff years, $1.6 million, and 11 staff dollars for 931 in the Office of Outreach which, incidentally, also deals with the National Commission on Small Farms, yet another area totally unrelated to anything having to do with civil rights per se, but an initiative that is important so that small farmers have a chance to survive in this system. I do not know what it will take in order for us to understand this particular dynamic, but I will take it up with the maker of the motion so as he understands that it is not just going to, if his motion were to pass, impact this one arena, it would impact the whole. And in this particular instance they have not been able to do the job efficiently and effectively with what they have, and there is no need to expect if they leave them in the status quo that they are going to be able to do more.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Cleveland, Ohio (Mr. Kucinich). (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), a member of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin). (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes).

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last week I attended the Organization for Security and Cooperation meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, and there, to a person, including the Russians, we prepared the position of the organization for security and cooperation in Europe, outlining the exact same requirements as set forth by the NATO alliance. This bill, if it were to pass, sends an overwhelmingly negative message to our troops and to our allies. Regardless of how one feels about the need for the Congressional role in authorizing ground forces, this bill represents precisely the wrong way to seek such a role. By denying funding for the full range of actions we may need to take against Slobodan Milosevic, we are tying one hand behind the backs of our military. This bill would prohibit funding for ground elements unless Congress specifically authorizes a deployment. ``Ground elements'' is a pretty broad term. What happens if the President has to act quickly but the Congress is out of session? The legislation would require him to delay until he had specific Congressional authorization. That delay could cost lives. I do not think that it is responsible for us to go forward in this manner.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I spoke to my dear colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Campbell) regarding the need for clarity with reference to the War Powers Act. On that I agree with him thoroughly, and I indicated to him at that time that I would be prepared to stand with him, and I am sure others will, once this matter is litigated. I think the timing is poor, and I agree and associate myself with the remarks of the previous speaker with reference to the preserving of the process. That said, the question is, why would we act unilaterally in declaring war with Yugoslavia? Presently, we are not at war with Yugoslavia; we are engaged in an international mission to bring about peace in Yugoslavia. A unilateral declaration of war would signal that the United States was intensifying the war, while others were fighting for more limited objectives. OSCE and NATO this past week confirmed as our partners the objectives that we have set forth. Why, then, would we destroy our credibility with NATO and destroy NATO's credibility? I suggest that we defeat this declaration.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on Rules is planning to meet the week of May 2 to grant a rule which may limit the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 833, the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1999. Earlier today the Committee on the Judiciary ordered H.R. 833 reported and is expected to file its committee report tomorrow, Thursday, April 29. Any Member wishing to offer an amendment should submit 55 copies and a brief explanation of the amendment to the Committee on Rules in room H-312 of the Capitol by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 3. Amendments should be drafted to the amendment in the nature of a substitute ordered reported by the Committee on the Judiciary. Copies of this amendment may be obtained from the Committee on the Judiciary. It is also expected to be posted on the committee's web site. Members should also use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are properly drafted, and should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the House rules.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I want us to debate in this House the nuances of this campaign in a very serious manner. I also want to be able to say, in response to the question that is put often by the mothers and fathers of American forces, that we in Congress gave our best and most deliberative consideration. The proposed rule has removed the right of all Members to introduce resolutions pursuant to the war powers resolution and thus gain expedited procedures to ensure a floor vote on such an authorization. Without resort to the war powers expedited procedures denied for the remainder of the 106th Congress by this rule, the decision on whether to move forward with an authorization vote will lay entirely and solely with the Republican leadership. That is unwarranted and unfair. This rule and the underlying bill send an overwhelmingly negative message to our troops and to our allies. I think we deserve better.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, perhaps my colleague for whom I have the greatest esteem I can answer most immediately, we do not have a NATO treaty with Rwanda. We do not have a NATO treaty with Eritrea and with Ethiopia. I stand to support our military this evening. I stand to support them not only this evening but in their being ready in the future. For those of us that have stood here and asked for deployment, we have a responsibility to put our money where our mouth is. All of us pray for the safe return of our troops. These brave Americans are keeping our commitment to our allies in NATO. They are discharging a great humanitarian purpose. A week ago, I saw a report on television where a 12-year-old boy had the responsibility of taking care of six of his siblings because his mother and father had been slaughtered. Our troops tonight are standing with those children to give them a chance for freedom. The commander in chief of this country is standing with those children this evening and our 18 allies in NATO are standing with them, too. Support our troops.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Congressional Record the following statement which was delivered to the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom when they honored Ms. Susan Glaser of West Palm Beach, Florida. House of Representatives, Washington, DC, March 18, 1999. Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, West Palm Beach, Florida It is my great pleasure to join with you in honoring Susan Glaser. During the time Susan was employed in my office, she worked tirelessly on behalf of people in need of Social Security benefits, Medicare and federal housing assistance. She was particularly effective at helping first generation Americans adjust to the complexities of life in this country. Widely known as a concerned, compassionate person, Susan always presented a positive image for me when representing me at public events. I congratulate WILPF for giving Susan the recognition she deserves. She has spent a lifetime fighting for all the things we truly care about. She has always been an effective organizer, drawing the attention of her fellow citizens to the need for refugee aid and food and shelter for the homeless. Susan has also been noted for her history on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement and for speaking out against the injustices perpetrated on the peoples of Central America. I am glad to add my voice to the many others who are singing Susan's praises today. She is a wonderful person who truly deserves the many accolades she receives. Congratulations, Susan! I am very, very proud of you! In Peace, Alcee L. Hastings, Member of Congress.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and tribute to the life and the enormous contributions of Judge C. Clyde Atkins, who passed away on the morning of March 11th. As a United States District Court Judge, Judge Atkins was not only a colleague, a dear friend, but also a mentor. Judge Atkins truly saw the humanity in everyone. He championed the rights of the homeless, Cuban exiles, and Haitian refugees in his landmark decisions, such as the establishment of ``safe zones'' for the homeless to be free of police harassment in Miami. His rulings to prevent the repatriation of Haitian and Cuban refugees from the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are legendary precedents. His efforts to improve our humanity gave encouragement and inspiration to an entire community. It is not enough to say that he will be missed. It is not even enough to say that his efforts will never be forgotten. I believe that the legacy of the Honorable Judge C. Clyde Atkins will forever live in the lives of all those whom he has inspired. I, for one, am a better American for knowing him.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I am just curious if my distinguished colleague has any concern for our credibility in the NATO alliance and whether or not our decision here would impact that alliance.

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 42, legislation to authorize U.S. involvement in peacekeeping actions in Kosovo. This debate is about how we see our role in the world. Do we want to be involved? Do we want to be an active part of the NATO alliance? Do we want to export our values of democracy? Do we want to be in a position to influence world events? Because, if we do, we have to be active even when the direct benefit to the United States is difficult to discern and most certainly when we can discern that genocide may occur. A secure and stable Europe is of great concern to the United States. We have fought two major wars of this century, both on the continent of Europe and both because Europe was completely destabilized by tyrannical despots and weak economies. If we weaken the contact group alliance that has worked on this matter, as well as NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, efforts on the ground, by defeating this resolution, it will surely stoke the fires of instability in Europe. If our allies cannot count on us, they will surely stop looking to us for leadership and our influence will wane. I talked to a colleague of mine in the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe, who is the Chair of the first committee on which I served. His name is Bruce George and he is a member of the British Parliament and is their defense expert. He said if we fail today to support this resolution, it will be short of catastrophic. Yesterday Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick said that if we do not support this resolution, we will regret it. I suggest to this body that we cannot stand idly by and watch children maimed, autonomy destroyed and a people who are seeking no more than freedom, an opportunity to gain the same. Support this resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I thank my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from California, a member of the committee, for yielding to me. Mr. Chairman, I cannot quarrel with the basic premise. The gentleman answered the question I was going to put to him with reference to genocide. He and I were in the hearing yesterday when Senator Dole talked about the personal experience where Albanian homes were destroyed, and Serbian homes were standing. His comment was, ``It does not take me to be a rocket scientist to recognize what is going on.'' The gentleman from California and I have a disagreement as to genocide. Would the gentleman agree that, if genocide is in fact occurring, or at some other time the international community does deign that genocide is occurring, that it would be appropriate for us to respond in that instance?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield to the gentleman from Missouri.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, let me tell my colleagues why we should be there. Our credibility in the NATO alliance is at stake. The fact that two Presidents have put forward our position very plainly, and the work of the contact group, this did not come about in a vacuum. Russia even agrees with the contact group that this peace agreement should be given a chance to go forward, the work of the Organization of Security and Cooperation that has 2,000 people on the ground now and an extraction force. Finally and most importantly, we must make clear to the world that we will oppose genocide any time, anywhere. Last night on ABC News, seven little boys stood without their mother and father in Kosovo who had done nothing but go somewhere to look for food. I stand here to say that I am committed with those seven children in the hopes that somewhere along the way we can provide what is necessary for peace and stability through our efforts in the NATO alliance to ensure that they grow up and, yes, become just as free as all of us in this great country.