Henry Hyde

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to say we are very pleased with this amendment. We are happy to accept it. It adds to the bill, and so I will not repeat what the other people have already said in outlining its terms. But it is a good amendment, and we hope everyone accepts it.

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Weldon) who, as an original cosponsor of this legislation, has made an invaluable contribution.

Mr. HYDE. The gentleman is correct. Nothing this in this legislation should suggest that it is United States' policy that abortion is a proper and appropriate method for prevention of or treatment of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the learned gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green).

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of our time to the distinguished gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Harris). (Ms. HARRIS asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to associate myself with the remarks of the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). This is an excellent amendment, and I urge all our colleagues to support it.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Needless to say, I am very moved by the generosity of my friend from California. Mr. Chairman, I have just a couple of simple thoughts in closing on the Pitts amendment. First of all, please note what the amendment actually does. It simply says 33 percent of the funds to be expended for prevention under this total program shall go to support abstinence. That is all it says. It does not downgrade or denigrate condoms or family fidelity, marital fidelity. It simply says as we move forward in this war, do not forget abstinence, which is the one sure preventative for AIDS. One need not be a microbiologist to know that if abstinence were practiced, you would have far less of a serious problem. So, this amendment does not distort the balance of ABC. This amendment reinforces the balance by saying abstinence, family fidelity and condoms, but to not forget abstinence. That is all it says. I hope those of you who are convinced with me that this is a bill that has to pass, that this is a statement that has to be made, will understand that this amendment does not distort the spirit nor the principle nor the thrust of our bill in chief. It actually reinforces the balance. I hope Members will support this so we can pass this bill this afternoon and say we did a great day's work. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. We are very pleased to accept this amendment which adds to the quality of bill. I thank the gentlewoman and we are pleased to accept it.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention today the exemplary work and most commendable public service of a fine and most outstanding music teacher, Mr. Fred Lewis. After 45 years as director of the Fenton High School Band located in Bensenville, Illinois, Mr. Fred Lewis is retiring in June of 2003. During his tenure, he has instructed over 2000 band members and conducted hundreds of community concerts. Since 1955 the band has toured every two years throughout the United States and Europe gaining national and international recognition. Mr. Lewis' final concert will be held on May 10, 2003. At that time, a scholarship fund will be established in Mr. Lewis' name at Fenton High School. Each year the Fred Lewis Scholarship Fund Committee will provide a cash award to a graduating senior band member to be used for continuing music education. Also, the Fenton Auditorium will be renamed Lewis/Huffman Auditorium. I hope my colleagues will join me in honoring and offering congratulations to this outstanding teacher of 45 years for his selfless dedication to his students and to Fenton High School.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, between March 11, 2003 and March 31, 2003, I was intermittently absent for several rollcall votes having undergone corrective back surgery. Had I been present, I would have voted: Rollcall Vote No., Description, Vote 50, Observer status for Taiwan--``yea.'' 51, 60th Anniversary--Rescue of Bulgarian Jews--``yea.'' 52, Armey Room--``yea.'' 53, Approving the Journal--``yea.'' 54, Bicentennial Admission of Ohio into the Union--``yea.'' 55, Need for improved fire safety in nonresidential buildings--``yea.'' 56, Hospital Mortgage Insurance Act of 2003--``yea.'' 57, Automatic Defibrillation in Adam's Memory Act--``yea.'' 58, Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health Act--``yea.'' 59, Organ Donation Improvement Act--``yea.'' 60, Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act--``yea.'' 61, On Ordering the Previous Question (H.R. 5)--``yea.'' 62, On Agreeing to the Resolution on H.R. 5--(Rule)--``yea.'' 63, On motion to Recommit--``no.'' 64, On Passage of H.R. 5 (HEALTH Act)--``yea.'' 65, Condemning the punishment of execution by stoning--``yea.'' 66, Nicaragua Property Dispute Settlement Act--``yea.'' 67, Addressing human rights abuses in North Korea--``yea.'' 68, Mortgage Servicing Clarification Act--``yea.'' 69, Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California--``yea.'' 70, Rathdrum Prairie/Spokane Valley Aquifer--``yea.'' 71, Sherman Amendment to H.R. 975--``no.'' 72, Nadler Amendment to H.R. 975--``no.'' 73, Motion to Recommit H.R. 975--``no.'' 74, On Passage of H.R. 975, the Bankruptcy Act--``yea.'' 75, Approving the Journal--``yea.'' 76, Armed Forces Tax Fairness Act--``yea.'' 77, Ruling in Newdow v. United States Congress--``yea.'' 78, Hill Amendment to H. Con. Res. 95--``no.'' 79, Toomey Amendment to H. Con. Res. 95--``no.'' 80, Cummings Amendment to H. Con. Res. 95--``no.'' 81, Spratt Amendment to H. Con. Res. 95--``No.'' 84, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area--``yea.'' 85, Upper Mississippi River Basin--``yea.'' 86, On ordering previous question (H.R. 1104)--``yea.'' 87, Feeney Amendment--``yea.'' 88, Smith Amendment--``yea.'' 89, On passage of HR 1104--Child Abduction Prevention Act--``yea.'' 90, Recognizing need for fasting and prayer--``yea.'' 91, U.S. Armed Forces as POWs in Iraq--``yea.'' 92, Injuries resulting from smallpox vaccine--``yea.'' 93, Honoring Fayettville, NC for the Festival of Flight--``yea.'' 94, Amend the Small Business Act--``yea.''

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep regret and sorrow that I announce to the House the passing of a good friend and former staff member, Stephen Peter Lynch. Steve was a native of New Bedford, Massachusetts, the whaling and textile capital of the world. He was a Vietnam War Era Veteran and was recommended for the Seventh Army Commendation Medal. After his honorable discharge in 1970, he attended Saint Louis University in pursuit of a post-graduate degree in Political Science. He was a seasoned Capitol Hill staffer for almost thirty years and was an active member in the Irish community, along with many other civic efforts. Steve's work on Capitol Hill began in the fall of 1973, where he served as a research assistant to the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Criminal Justice. There, his research on the Federal Rules of Evidence and the development of Special Prosecutor legislation were to hold the key to his work on Capitol Hill for the remainder of his professional career. In addition to his research duties, he also assisted in the investigations of the firing of Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, the pardon of President Richard M. Nixon, and the subsequent attempt to reopen the pardon investigation. This work also included being a special assistant to the Subcommittee Chairman on the impeachment investigation of Richard Nixon and serving as a Committee representative to the staff and security force of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller during his Vice Presidential confirmation hearings. His other service on Capitol Hill included: Staff Director on the Regulatory Agencies and Export Opportunities Subcommittees of the House Committee on Small Business (1975-1983); Minority Professional Staff Member on the Subcommittee on Export Opportunities and Special Small Business Problems, House Committee on Small Business (1984-1991); House Committee on Small Business, Minority Staff Director (1991-1993); and House Committee on Small Business, Majority Director of Special Projects (1994-1996). In 1998, after a short retirement, Steve returned to Capitol Hill to serve on the House Judiciary Committee's staff on the Impeachment investigation of President Clinton, where he conducted research analysis and acted as the archivist for the Committee until 2001. His consummate knowledge of the history of the Nixon investigation made him invaluable to the committee. As an active member of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee of Washington, D.C. since 1983, Steve was instrumental in getting many prominent individuals to serve as parade Grand Marshal, including House Speaker Thomas ``Tip'' O'Neill (1986), the First Lady of the American Theater, Helen Hays (1987), and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Carmencita Hederman (1988). As Chairman of the Parade Committee (2000-2002), Steve expanded the parade's visibility nationally. He began by having a web site created, reorganizing and expanding the Committee, and establishing the office of Chairman Emeritus in tribute to past parole chairmen and naming Cecilia Farley as the first Emeritus. Steve's participation in the Irish-American community went beyond his parade activities. He was a founding member of the American Foundation for Irish Heritage with the late John O'Beirne. Since 1990, Steve served as Secretary on the Board of Directors. The American Foundation for Irish Heritage was instrumental in getting Congressional legislation passed to designate March as ``Irish-American Heritage Month'' by Presidential Proclamation. In addition to pursuing his Irish roots, Steve also shared his love for people and history by volunteering with other organizations. He served as co-chairman of the Friends of the Negro League Baseball Players Association, as well as historian for the Capitol Hill Philatelic Society. Steve passed away on March 9, 2003, at his home in Takoma Park, Maryland. He is survived by his sister, Diana L. Coyne; his niece, Elizabeth Coyne; his nephew, Michael Coyne; brother-in-law, Jay Coyne, and half-brother, Frank Lynch. All of us who knew Steve enjoyed his warm and caring spirit. We will miss him. I conclude with the old Irish Blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, And the rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Godspeed, old friend.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, on February 27, 2003, 1 was unavoidably absent for several rollcall votes, due to influenza and a physician's advice to rest. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall votes 37 (Greenwood Substitute Amendment) and 38 (Motion to Recommit) and ``yea'' on rollcall vote 39 (Final Passage of H.R. 534--Human Cloning Prohibition Act).

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on International Relations has adopted written rules governing its procedure. Pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2, I am hereby submitting them for publication in the Congressional Record.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, among the many letters I have received on the subject of Iraq, one of the most provocative is the following, signed ``Publius Secundus.'' Dear Congressman Hyde: I am not an international lawyer, but as part of an effort to be helpful, I must note that I have come across disturbing and, I believe, persuasive evidence that D-Day and the subsequent ``liberation'' of France were in direct violation of the solemn obligations undertaken by Great Britain and France under the Covenant of the League of Nations. As Article 11 states: ``Any war, whether immediately affecting any of the Members of the League or not, is hereby declared a matter of concern to the whole League, and the League shall take any action that may be deemed wise and effectual to safeguard the peace of nations.'' Whether one regards this easily avoided conflict as a dispute (1) between one League member, Britain, and another, France (then represented by the government of so-called ``Vichy'' France, which is believed to have never withdrawn from the League), or (2) between one League member and a non- member state (the United States vs. France, Britain vs. Germany), the League Covenant makes clear the course of action to be taken, in letter and certainly in spirit. Under the first scenario, the conflict must be submitted to the League Council under Articles 12-16. The waiting period of at least three months after the award by the arbitrators, sadly, was not honored. As for the second scenario, as addressed in Article 17, 1 do not recall Germany--an ex-member since 1933--being invited to accept the obligations of League membership, and certainly the leading role of the Council was never respected. In fact, I am forced to conclude that the Council was bypassed altogether. Certainly, no vote of the Council authorizing the attack was ever recorded. I believe we can all agree that Chancellor Hitler was a brutal dictator whose replacement should be welcomed by all civilized people, but we must also admit that he was never given an opportunity to disarm. Certainly no League Commission was ever allowed to perform its tasks, as set forth in the Covenant. I need hardly remind anyone that Britain's declaration of war against Germany in 1939--Germany had made no attack upon Britain--violated virtually all of the Articles of the League Covenant. I find all of this very troubling. I believe we have no option but to judge the June 6, 1944 Allied attack--jointly planned and conducted by the U.S. and Britain in a deliberate effort to impose their will by force on other countries without authorization by the League--upon Germany/France as an avoidable or easily postponed act of aggression that demonstrates a complete disregard for international law and the obligations of membership in the League. The international community cannot allow this violation to stand. Sincerely, Publius Secundus. For your convenience, I have attached the relevant sections of the Covenant. (The entire document can be obtained at http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/leagcov.htm). The Covenant of the League of Nations

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 27) condemning the selection of Libya to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and for other purposes.

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 27, the concurrent resolution under consideration.

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan measure, condemning the selection of Libya as the Chair of United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Despite the best efforts of the United States and a handful of other countries, Libya was elected to this position on January 20 of this year. For a country whose own human rights record will not stand up to scrutiny, Libya is certainly in no position to stand in judgment of any other country. Virtually every human rights organization has condemned Libya's flagrant disregard for human rights and the rule of law. Unfortunately, some 17 countries abstained in the vote for the Commission's Chair, including all of the members of the European Union, who choose to look the other way and let Libya attain this coveted post. How is it that a country such as Libya will soon be in a position to control the proceedings of the U.N.'s main human rights monitoring body? Historically, the chairmanship of the commission rotates among the major regional groupings in the U.N. system. This year the opportunity to nominate a candidate fell to the Africa group which selected Libya as Africa's candidate. Their selection was primarily in recognition of financial support Libya provided toward the establishing a new Africa union to succeed the ineffective Organization for African Unity. It is also due in part to Libya's backing of the new African Partnership for Development, an initiative led by African states such as South Africa, Nigeria and Senegal, that calls for increased trade benefits and debt relief from the West in exchange for commitments to promote human rights and good governance across the continent. Needless to say, Libya's central role in these initiatives will undermine their credibility. According to Human Rights Watch, ``Over the past 3 decades, Libya's human rights record has been appalling and Libya has been a closed country for United Nations and nongovernmental human rights investigators.'' Freedom House declared that Libya's chairmanship would ``undermine the U.N.'s moral authority and send a strong and clear message to fellow rights violators that they are in the clear.'' We do not have to go any further than the most recent State Department Human Rights Report to learn that Libya's extensive security forces continue to commit numerous serious human rights abuses. Qadhafi uses summary judicial proceedings to suppress domestic opposition, and torture is used as a punishment and during interrogations. With prisoners held incommunicado, many political detainees are held for years without charge. Libya's government restricts freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. Violence against women is a widespread problem, as is the use of forced labor and repression against key tribal groups. In short, Libya's record should disqualify it from membership in the 53-member commission, not to speak of any claim it might have to chair its proceedings. We are well aware that Libya has yet to clear its name in connection with the 1988 terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 270 people. Although one of two former Libyan intelligence agents was convicted in the case 2 years ago and the conviction was upheld on appeal, Qadhafi continues to deny all responsibility for the bombing and has yet to pay compensation to the surviving family members to the victims of that terrorist attack. While temporarily suspended, U.N. sanctions as a result of the Pan Am 103 bombing remain applicable against Libya, whose continuing status as an outlaw nation should bar it from consideration as a candidate for membership in the U.N. Security Council or any other U.N. body. The very credibility of the United Nations has been called into question with this Libyan selection. The United States will obviously have no easy task in reforming the Commission, ensuring that it fulfills the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The place to begin, in my view, is to ensure that the Commission has a membership comprised of countries with strong human rights records. It should, for example, include participants in the community of democracies who have signed the Seoul declaration of November 2002, calling upon democratic nations to work together to uphold the principles of democracy, freedom, good government, and accountability in international organizations. I look forward to consulting with the Secretary of State on our priorities of strategy for the upcoming 59th session of the commission and for its long-term reform and renewal. I would also call upon the President to resist any effort now to lift U.N. sanctions against Libya until that country publicly accepts responsibility for the Pan Am 103 bombing, provides appropriate compensation to the victims, and is otherwise in full compliance with all the requirements of the United Nations sanctions. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this very important resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to say what a pleasure it is to work with the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) on important issues such as these. They are immensely helpful and, as I say, are a real pleasure. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I had the distinct pleasure of participating and helping to select this year's recipients of the annual Charles E. Cobb, Jr. Award for Initiative and Success in Trade Development. The award recognizes both an Ambassador and non-Ambassador who are the most innovative and successful in developing trade and promoting exports for the United States. The recipients of the award each receive a certificate signed by the Secretary of State and $5,000. Along with Alan Larson, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, I would like to bring your attention to the exemplary work of these career Department of State employees: American Diplomats: Business Is Their ``Business'' Shortly after arriving in Cotonou, U.S. Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater, began exploring with the President of Benin ways in which an American company could resolve the challenges faced by a major U.S. telecommunication investment in this small West African country. In Poland, Ambassador Chris Hill used strong personal relationships with senior Polish government decisionmakers, including the Prime Minister, to assist a U.S. company win a multi-million dollar contract to privatize a Polish defense industry. Ian Campbell, an economic officer in Jordan is helping in the formation of a business-government steering committee that will implement the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. And Laura Byergo has turned the American Mongolia Business Group in Ulaan Baatar into an effective vehicle for improving the business climate there and increasing American exports. What these diplomats--and hundreds like them--have in common is their understanding that advancing opportunities overseas for American business is central to maintaining our nation's economic prosperity and national security. Exports accounted for more than one quarter of our economic growth during the past decade; they currently support an estimated 12 million highpaying jobs. American diplomats have made business their ``business.'' Support for U.S. business is now a central feature of the work of our 150-plus posts worldwide. Business executives, who only a decade ago shied away from contacting American missions about their business problems, know that if help is needed--with a contract, a tender, access to local government officials--U.S. diplomatic missions abroad are prepared to assist. Ambassadors today often spend 30 to 60 percent of their time on commercial issues; their doors and those of their staff are open to companies that provide jobs for American workers and they are working hard to assist them in promoting the export of our country's goods and services. To add momentum to this sea-change in the work of American diplomats, Charles Cobb Jr., former Ambassador to Iceland, established an annual award in 1991 to recognize two individuals at posts abroad--an Ambassador and a non- Ambassador--for their success in developing trade and promoting exports. Along with several other government officials and U.S. business executives, we were privileged to participate in reviewing an impressive list of nominees and deciding on the recipients of this year's award. Ambassador Bridgewater in Benin and Ms. Byergo in Mongolia were this year's recipients in recognition of their energy, imagination, initiative and leadership on the business front. Ambassador Bridgewater was cited for championing American investments in Benin and for working tirelessly to promote the benefits of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a U.S. law passed in 2000 that promotes trade and development in sub-Saharan Africa. On that score, she identified sectors of Benin's economy best positioned to benefit from AGOA provisions. With AGOA, we have an opportunity to go beyond traditional development assistance and give all of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, no matter how small or how poor, an opportunity to avail themselves of trade incentives if they pursue economic reform and move toward democracy and good governance. Ms. Byergo improved the business environment for American products in Mongolia by persuading the government of Mongolia to act upon the recommendations for change made by U.S. business executives. Her ``Open Government Initiative'' brought U.S. business and Mongolian govenment officials together to address specific problems such as taxation policy. Others nominated for the award this year were praised for working with business to cut through bureaucratic red tape, improve the regulatory environment, reduce high tariffs, encourage privatization, and combat corruption. These efforts to push the envelope on economic policy often translated into greater transparency and business opportunities. Past winners of the Cobb Award continue to distinguish themselves in government service and with the business community, including Richard Boucher, the Secretary of State's spokesman; Beth Jones, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs; and John Wolf, Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation. The commercial advocacy of American diplomats ensures that what we have won for American business and American workers at the negotiating table--in bilateral and free trade agreements, regional trade compacts and the World Trade Organization--is translated into commercial opportunities and ultimately business contracts. In U.S. missions large and small, wherever American business sees opportunity and needs assistance in winning a fair market share, our diplomats are there to help. Their work is key not just to our own future, but to the welfare of others in the world community as well.

Mr. HYDE

Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on International Relations.