Alcee Hastings

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a resolution expressing the sense of Congress regarding Black-Jewish relations and the June 10, 2009 shooting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Special Police Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, an African American, was shot dead by a white supremacist while defending an institution devoted to Jewish history and to the eradication of all forms of hatred and violence. Madam Speaker, last week's tragic act of violence reminds us yet again that black Americans and Jewish Americans share a great deal in common. Our two communities have a long history of fighting injustice and hate, whether in the form of racism, anti-Semitism, xenophobia, or any other form of senseless hatred. We have so often stood together, united in our desire to create a world free from the kind of violence that plagued this nation last week. When Jewish Americans helped found the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1909 and the Urban League in 1910, they did so out of a conviction that by mitigating the evils of racial intolerance all people would benefit from an America free of discrimination and committed to equal justice and equal opportunity for all. Indeed, W.E.B. Dubois told the Jewish Daily Forward in 1928 that ``the Negro race looks to Jews for sympathy and understanding,'' referencing the sense amongst both communities that in their respective histories they had endured similar challenges. A few decades later African Americans would denounce the Nazis' racial policies and fight against Hitler, while those of African descent were marginalized in Germany and, in a little-known twist of history, many African Americans found themselves prisoners in concentration camps. Jewish Americans have always been deeply grateful to the members of the Armed Forces who liberated the concentration camps, including African American soldiers who took part not only in freeing the camps but seeing to the health and well being of Jewish refugees afterward. Here in the United States, during the 1950s and 1960s, black Americans and Jewish Americans often stood side by side in the fight for civil rights and equal justice. Sometimes they even died for their efforts, as was the case with the infamous 1964 murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner in Mississippi. Over 50% of civil rights attorneys in the South during those years were Jewish, and the two communities and their various advocacy organizations were often united against the inflamed hatreds and acts of violence of that era. Madam Speaker, last week's shooting exemplified the extent to which our two communities can be united on issues that profoundly and tragically affect us both. There is no doubt that the act of violence at the Holocaust Museum was directed against the very notions of equality, acceptance, and mutual respect that our communities constantly strive for. We both share a common historical narrative around discrimination, persecution, injustice, and hatred. But a significant part of that narrative also includes our efforts to overcome those hardships and together rise above the petty hatreds and tragic acts of violence that plague our communities. I hope that last week's shooting at the Holocaust Museum will not be dismissed as the random ravings of a crazed lunatic. But let us also not forget that there have been many more acts of violence here in this country since last week, and it is incumbent upon both of our communities--indeed, our entire society--to boldly confront not only the white supremacists but also the gang violence, and not only the anti-Jewish screeds but also the horrific racial diatribes littering the social conscience. We must not only improve security at the Holocaust Museum and other Jewish institutions but also put more police on the streets in our urban neighborhoods; not only redouble our efforts on education, training, and outreach but also take concrete measures to expand opportunities like college, jobs, and health care to all Americans. Let us once again have African Americans and Jewish Americans stand together for justice and equality. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, on June 9, 2009, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children celebrated its 25th anniversary. I stand here today to express my gratitude to an organization that continues to help so many children all across this nation. In 1984, President Ronald Regan established the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Twenty-five years later, the center has a missing child recovery rate of 97 percent. Within my own district, the organization established The Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, having collected fingerprint data from over 50,000 children, providing help to victim parents, and creating victim prevention programs for south Florida--all steps towards making Florida and American families safer. A price cannot be placed upon the safety of our children and it is essential that, as lawmakers, we continue to support those organizations who strive to great lengths to protect America's youth. As a Member of Congress, it is imperative that we do everything in our power to ensure the safety and protection of our children. Madam Speaker, as national security threats continue to grow, threatening our freedom and livelihoods, we must recognize the domestic problems which threaten our society and always be vigilant of those who wish to cause harm to others. I applaud the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children whose efforts over the past twenty-five years have undoubtedly been at the forefront of keeping our children safer from abduction and sexual exploitation.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Klein), my colleague and fellow Floridian.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 522 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on House Resolution 522.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. H. Res. 522 provides for consideration of H.R. 1886, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009, and H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011. Both bills are debatable for 1 hour each, equally divided and controlled by the Chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The rule on H.R. 1886 self-executes as a manager's amendment to resolve jurisdictional concerns in the bill and legislation providing for Afghanistan-Pakistan security and prosperity enhancement. It also makes in order an amendment in the nature of a substitute authored by Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen, which is debatable for 30 minutes. The rule for H.R. 2410 makes in order 27 amendments listed in the Rules Committee report. Each amendment is debatable for 10 minutes, except the manager's amendment, which is debatable for 20 minutes. The rule includes a motion to recommit with or without instructions. Mr. Speaker, the United States is faced with many challenges on the world stage. It is critical that Congress put forth the necessary funding to help rebuild our diplomatic capabilities abroad and mitigate the damage that was done under the previous administration's leadership. H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011, is the first foreign relations-related authorization bill to reflect essential democratic priorities since 1993. As such, it provides a new direction forward and vital resources to boost our diplomatic capacity, improve our relations around the world, protect our national security, and make use of America's smart power, rather than rely on the military only solutions of past Congresses and the previous administration. H.R. 2410 and H.R. 1866, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2009, together, set forth a progressive foreign affairs agenda that emphasizes diplomatic, economic and social efforts at change, not just the use of military force. For years the Department of State has been denied critical resources to fulfill its core diplomatic missions in furthering our global interests and protecting our national security. In neglecting diplomacy, we have missed opportunities to prevent and mitigate conflicts around the world. Our diplomatic activities are woefully underfunded, undermanned, and underutilized. We must rebuild our diplomatic capacity to meet the needs of our increasingly complex global relations. Diplomatic, economic and social assistance is a much wiser and less expensive investment than war. Rather than relying on either hard power or soft power, we must, instead, emphasize smart power. Promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and the development of civil society is a matter of leadership requiring us to think beyond unilateral military solutions and to, instead, embrace a much more comprehensive approach to our relations with the international community. This rule enables us to consider legislation to do just that. The first legislation on this rule, the Foreign Relations Act, advances crucial and laudable programs. The Department of State is authorized to hire more than 1,500 Foreign Service officers, ensuring that our overseas posts will be staffed with eager and knowledgeable workers committed to promoting American culture, values, and policies. Critical multilateral assistance is authorized to fund our obligations to international organizations, including the United Nations and global peacekeeping operations. This effort demonstrates the United States' commitment to working with our friends and allies as a true partner in peace and cooperation. I'm particularly pleased with the increased funding authorization for the Peace Corps, enabling a dramatic expansion in the number of volunteers and countries served. Peace Corps volunteers exemplify our national commitment to improving the world, devoting their lives to helping the world's poorest people build communities and lift themselves out of poverty. As one of our Nation's most treasured and effective international programs, we must ensure that it attracts top quality volunteers and can reach into the farthest corners of the world. Improvements in refugee and migration assistance are a critical part of this legislation. The United States has a long history of commitment to humanitarian issues, and this bill authorizes the funds necessary to improve resources and programs to effectively help families reunite and resettle. I fully support section 235, relating to Iraqi refugees, whom the United States has a special obligation to help. There are more than 4.7 million Iraqis currently displaced within their own country and in neighboring states. Sadly, however, this situation has not improved much. And yet the principal reason, I believe, that this crisis has not received the attention that it should is because Iraqis are not living in refugee camps. Instead, they are a mobile population scattered throughout the region. This fact alone has made this humanitarian crisis virtually invisible to the international community. However, for those Iraqis who remain stranded, jobless, and deprived of essential services, with conditions worsening by the day, this deepening crisis only threatens to further destabilize the entire region. Section 235 of this legislation is an important step towards fulfilling our obligation to assist the Iraqi people recover from years of war and conflict. If a picture is really worth 1,000 words, then all one must do is look into the face of the Iraqi refugee, as I have, who has had a family member murdered, kidnapped or tortured, and their own life threatened, to know that the United States must respond. I'm, therefore, grateful that my language, introduced in legislation, was included in this bill. Mr. Speaker, this rule also includes H.R. 1886, the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enforcement Act. This legislation takes our Pakistan policy in a new direction, affirming the United States' commitment to a sustained partnership with Pakistan. Since 2001, the United States has provided over $12 billion to Pakistan, without specific goals or objectives. Frankly, the situation has only gotten worse since that time. By providing over $6 billion in 4 years in democratic, economic and social development assistance, this bill demonstrates our determination to help Pakistan build a stable, democratic and prosperous future. This funding will provide critical resources for Pakistan to address the fundamental needs of its citizens. Through the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capabilities Fund, the United States is also committed to helping Pakistan combat terrorism and the Taliban insurgency. At the same time, mindful of the past history of neglecting oversight, this legislation provides a range of transparency, evaluation, and accountability standards to ensure that our money and efforts are being applied effectively and efficiently. Mr. Speaker, as I am concerned about the situation of Iraqi refugees, I am also concerned about the situation of Pakistan's refugees. According to news reports, more than 3 million people in Pakistan's northwest region have been uprooted due to ongoing fighting. Like the Iraqi refugee crisis, the Pakistan refugee problem, if not handled properly, could become a ticking timebomb with ramifications far beyond what we can conceive today. It is imperative that the mistakes of the previous administration with regard to Iraq are not made again. I am pleased that the United States has recently committed $200 million on top of a previous commitment of $110 million, but we must not think that this is the end of our responsibility. The United States must seize this opportunity and implement a comprehensive plan to address this growing humanitarian crisis. Mr. Speaker, this is a good rule that paves the way to considering essential legislation to put our foreign policy on the right path towards improving our relations around the world. I urge adoption of the rule and passage of the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased at this time to yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from California, my good friend, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Berman.

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Berman.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 2 minutes.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, how much time do both of us have?

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I would inquire of my friend if he has any additional speakers.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Then I would reserve at this time and would allow that you go forward.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke), my good friend.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I'm prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this is a good rule that paves the way to improving our relations around the world. As I listened to the ranking member, my good friend on the Rules Committee, I thought that he was going to support the rule because he's so impressed with the work that was put forward in this bill that covers developing democracies, which he has been such a tremendous champion of over a period of time.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I'll yield for 5 seconds.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Reclaiming my time, clearly it covers what you like, and I'm delighted. After years of neglect, now is the time to inject the critical resources that will enable the Department of State and other foreign policy agencies to carry out their important work of rebuilding lasting partnerships with our friends and allies. The underlying bills include important provisions to fulfill our obligations to the United Nations, to peace-keeping efforts, to humanitarian aid and refugee assistance, and to building effective counterterrorism and arms control policy, and yes, to do everything in our power to avoid unwanted pregnancies in the first place. These bills are a great leap forward. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and the rule.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I'm prepared to yield back the balance of my time, and I do so.

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

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a resolution to encourage full United States participation in the Shanghai 2010 Expo. The upcoming 2010 Shanghai Expo--the World's Fair-- includes more than 170 countries, tens of millions of visitors, and thousands of displays of new and emerging technologies and products to spur economic growth and trade. But the United States is in danger of being a no-show. While we have made verbal commitments to participate, the necessary diplomatic and fundraising efforts have lagged, throwing into doubt an important opportunity to demonstrate our global leadership, improve relations with China, and convey to millions of visitors our country's many technological and cultural achievements. Madam Speaker, the World's Fair is a lasting and venerable international institution dating back to the mid-19th century. It is older than the modern-day Olympics, and remains behind only the Olympics and the World Cup in global economic and cultural impact. The United States has a long history of involvement in the World's Fair, hosting over 20 fairs. Few people realize that these fairs, in addition to showcasing important American technological and cultural achievements, have also left behind lasting reminders of their importance, such as the Seattle Space Needle, the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, and the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Unfortunately, in the last decade the United States has declined to participate in many World's Fairs and other international expositions, depriving the international community of experiencing unique features of American economic and cultural life. Madam Speaker, the upcoming Shanghai Expo presents a unique and important opportunity for the United States to apply our ``soft power'' in relations with the international community, especially China. The Chinese government has generously allocated over 60,000 square feet for the American pavilion to anchor one side of the central promenade, sharing that honor only with China. This prominence will afford 170 other nations and millions of citizens the occasion to appreciate the United States' technological innovations, cultural traditions, our participation in peaceful and beneficial global events, and our national respect for other nations and cultures. As a global leader, the United States has a responsibility to fully participate in this international affair. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.