Pete King

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1751, a resolution expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2nd, 2010. This was the worst fire in Israel's history-42 people were killed, more than 17,000 have been displaced and over 4 million trees have been destroyed. As we mourn this tragic loss of life, I would like to extend my condolences to the families affected by these fires. The United States has provided Israel with technical assistance, including 110 metric tons of fire suppressant, 3,800 gallons of fire retardant concentrate and other supplies. An additional 23 nationals provided or offered assistance to Israel as well. It is important to commend the United States and these other nations for providing timely aid to Israel when it was most necessary. We are grateful that global coordination and rapid response resulted in the speedy extermination of the fire. I would like to once again applaud the response of the United States and others as well as reaffirm the United States' support for the people and State of Israel. I urge adoption of the resolution.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, at the outset, let me express my profound respect for Chairperson Lofgren, Ranking Member Bonner, my friends Mr. Hastings and Mr. McCaul, and all the members of the Ethics Committee for their dedicated efforts in this very, very painful matter. Having said that, I will vote against this censure resolution because I do not believe the findings warrant the severe penalty of censure. I reached this conclusion after reading and studying hundreds of pages of committee documents, including the subcommittee findings, the minority views of Congressman Scott, the report of the full committee, and myriad exhibits and correspondence. Mr. Speaker, censure is an extremely severe penalty. In the more than 200-year history of this body, only 22 Members have been subjected to censure. None in more than a quarter century. If expulsion is the equivalent of the death penalty, then censure is life imprisonment. Mr. Speaker, I have found no cases where charges similar to or analogous to those against Congressman Rangel resulted in censure. Thus far, this penalty has been reserved for such violations as supporting armed insurrection against the United States and sexual abuse of minors. In Congressman Rangel's case, as Mr. Scott pointed out, the committee chief council said he found no evidence of corruption, and the committee report itself said there was no ``direct personal gain'' to Congressman Rangel. Mr. Speaker, my religious faith is based on Scripture and tradition. My training as a lawyer has taught me to respect precedent. Why, today, are we being asked to reverse more than 200 years of tradition and precedent? There is no doubt that Congressman Rangel has violated rules of this House, but these violations are malum prohibitum, not malum in se. There is no evidence or finding of criminal intent, no mens rea. As Congressman Scott pointed out, it was public record that Charlie Rangel was living in a rent-stabilized apartment. That was hidden from nobody. It was public record that his campaign headquarters was in a rent- stabilized building. It was hidden from nobody. It was also public record that Charlie Rangel had a home in the Dominican Republic. It was public record that Charlie Rangel was trying to obtain funding for a public university in his district. Nothing was hidden. So where is the criminal intent? That is why I strongly believe the appropriate penalty is a reprimand. Why are we departing so significantly from tradition and precedent in the case of Charlie Rangel? Certainly it can't be because of who he is or what he has achieved in his life--a kid from the inner city who emerged from very troubled surroundings to be a combat soldier and an authentic war hero who left his blood in Korea, who worked his way through law school, who became a distinguished prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office, who was elected to the New York State Legislature and to the United States Congress, where he has served with distinction 40 years. Now, lest my Republican friends get nervous, let me make it clear; while Charlie Rangel is a friend and colleague, we disagree on virtually every issue. I can't begin to tell you how many times Charlie and I have gone at it and debated over the years on local news shows back in New York--maybe not as bad as my debates with Anthony Weiner, but they were very significant debates. During that entire time, I have never heard anyone question Charlie Rangel's integrity nor have I ever seen Charlie Rangel treat anyone with disrespect--which is very unusual for somebody in his high position, as many of us know--whether it be flight attendants, cab drivers, staff members, or the guy on the street corner on 125th Street. My colleagues, I know we can get caught up in the zeitgeist of media attacks and political storms, but I am imploring you today to pause for a moment and step back, to reflect upon not just the lifetime of Charlie Rangel, but more importantly the 220-year history of tradition and precedent of this body. Let us apply the same standard of justice to Charlie Rangel that has been applied to everyone else and which all of us would want applied to ourselves. Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge a vote against censure.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I want to join with my colleagues in expressing condolences on the death of Steve Solarz, who served with distinction in the New York State Legislature and for many years here in Congress, earning a bipartisan reputation for his expertise in foreign affairs. In an age of partisanship, I will bring out that, in a bipartisan nature, he worked very closely with President Bush 41 in cosponsoring the resolution for Operation Desert Storm, and he was also a principal adviser to President Bill Clinton in his campaign for President in 1992. He transcended party politics. He was a true foreign policy expert, and all of New York mourns his passing.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from New York, the Honorable Tom Reed, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I can't imagine an any more delicate moment to be sworn into Congress than when 434 Members are looking to leave, but if anyone is prepared for it, it is Tom Reed. Tom Reed is well prepared to be in the House of Representatives. He was raised with 11 other children. He knows what turbulence is all about, and he is extremely, extremely well qualified. He is a former practicing attorney, a businessman, a mayor, and an absolutely dedicated man in his community. He is a good friend of all of ours and of Amo Houghton's. He is here today with his wife, Jean, and with his children, Will and Autumn--beautiful children, a beautiful family. Without any further adieu, I am really proud and privileged to present to you the newest Congressman from the State of New York, Mayor Tom Reed.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Marvin Scott and his fifty years of excellence in broadcast journalism. Marvin began his foray into journalism as a 14-year-old in the Bronx, chasing celebrities and fire trucks and selling his pictures to local newspapers. Today, he is a seven time Emmy award winner in the category of outstanding journalistic achievement. He has covered 16 presidential nominating conventions, 8 mayoral elections, and 8 gubernatorial elections. Among those he has interviewed include former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and George Bush Sr., as well as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Israeli President Shimon Peres, Henry Kissinger, Rev. Billy Graham, Astronaut Gordon Cooper, Larry King, Sophia Loren, Tony Bennett, Charlton Heston, and Jerry Lewis. Among his assignments, Marvin was in Wiesbaden, Germany after hostages were released from a hijacked TWA jet, and covered the McDonald's massacre in San Ysidro, California in which a gunman killed 21 people. Over his remarkable half a century of dedication to journalism, Marvin has not simply covered history, but has been a part of the important stories and events of our time. He was the first American reporter since the demise of the Soviet Union to go to sea aboard a Russian warship. His investigation into cheating on New York citywide tests led to legislation making it a crime. According to Marvin, the most difficult story that he has had to cover was the terrorist attacks of September 11th. In his own words: ``I wasn't reporting something that was happening in some far-off place, but it was here and I was a part of the story, feeling the same anger and pain as our viewers.'' On the anniversary of 9/11 he gained an exclusive by flying over Ground Zero in the back seat of an F-15. I want to thank Marvin Scott for not only being a truly outstanding broadcast reporter and newsman, but for being a great storyteller and true personification of New York. Most importantly, I am proud to call Marvin and his wife Lorri my friends.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, this weekend I had the privilege of joining in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Massapequa Fire Department. Founded on September 25, 1910, the Massapequa Fire Department has a long history of dedicated volunteerism and service to the Long Island community including Massapequa, Massapequa Park, and East Massapequa. The Massapequa Fire Department provides around-the-clock fire protection and emergency medical services to approximately 19,000 homes located within its district, responding to an average of 2,400 alarms annually. As Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am proud to support our nation's firefighters in Congress. These brave men and women risk their lives day after day to protect our communities and save the lives of others. Through Federal programs such as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program, we can do our part in ensuring that these heroes get the equipment, vehicles, training, staffing and other resources they need. I hope that this milestone in the Massapequa Fire Department's history reminds us of not only the traditional role that firefighters have always played in protecting our communities, but also how their role has changed since September 11, 2001, because now they are also faced with an increasingly complex and dangerous job of preparing for and responding to acts of terrorism. We must do all that we can to support them in their mission. I want to thank Massapequa Fire Chief Peter Anglim for his leadership and service, and all of the firefighters, both active and retired, who have proudly served the Massapequa community. Congratulations on 100 years of dedicated service.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 758, the Pediatric Research Consortia Establishment Act. This legislation is an important step towards understanding and eradicating diseases in children. The consortia will lead to new insights to the major disorders that affect children and will empower researchers to discover innovative strategies for diagnosis and treatment. Pediatric research and care is currently underfunded despite the fact that children comprise 20 percent of our nation's population. Enrolling and evaluating a sufficiently large group of children is the most effective way of understanding these disorders and to monitor how they manifest in adults. By having Pediatric research institutions collaborate and share information in a methodical way, we can speed up breakthroughs and treatments to fight diseases that affect children. This investment in research is an important step in speeding up the development of therapies to combat devastating diseases in children. I am proud to support this legislation.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank my friend from Florida for yielding. Let me at the outset thank the leadership in both parties for allowing this bill to come to the House floor. Whatever differences we have, I am sure today they will be resolved in a way that is fitting the Congress of the United States. This is a real issue. Those of us who live in New York--and, as my friend Congressman Engel said, this is not a New York issue per se because it affects 431 districts across the country, but those of us who live in New York, we see the reality of this every day when we see our neighbors, we see our constituents who are so severely afflicted by their work at Ground Zero. Many of these illnesses did not occur until several years later. But of the glass that is in their lungs, the toxins that are in their blood, all of that is now coming forward, and you see people in the prime of life, 40, 50 years old, people who would run marathons, people who were in the peak of shape, dying slowly in front of us. So this is a real issue. I understand the points the gentleman made as far as procedure, as far as funding. Quite frankly, I would agree with him on that. But when we look at the overall bill, when we look at the good that would come from this, we really shouldn't allow the firefighters, the police officers, the construction workers, the EMS workers to have to wait longer to get the treatment and the care that they deserve while we try to resolve our internal differences. We cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. And this is a good bill. On balance it is a very good bill, but for those who are suffering, it is absolutely essential that this bill pass. So, I want to again thank the Democratic leadership and the Republican leadership. It is being brought up today. Again, we can have differences about how it is being brought up, or when it should have been brought up, or how it should have been paid for, but the bottom line is we are talking about life and death. We are talking about the life and death of men and women who put their lives on the line without asking any questions at all. They just went to Ground Zero, and they worked from September 11 for the next 6, 7, 8 months, day in and day out, and they put their lives at risk. And many of them, because of that, are now suffering the horrible, unspeakable consequences of the illnesses they incurred from that day. With that, I just ask for the passage of the underlying bill.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 847, and at the outset, let me commend my colleagues, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler, for the truly outstanding job they've done for all these years and for their directness and for their candor and for always being there when the tough decisions had to be made. Let me also thank former Congressman Vito Fossella for the work that he did for a number of years when he was here in the Congress on this bill as well. Let me commend the leadership in both parties. I commend the Democratic leadership for bringing this back up for a majority vote. I commend them for it. I know it's been tough. Some tough decisions had to be made, and they've made them. I thank them for that. I also thank the leadership for the Republican Party for working with a number of us to make sure that it would be a fair and open vote and debate here today. So I thank them for that. Let me also say that all of us know this has been a long and tortuous route to get this bill to the House floor today. During that time, there's been frustration, tempers have flared, but also, probably most importantly, people have died, and that's what we have to keep in mind. This is a real human issue. We have people sitting here in the gallery today. Many of them have breathing problems. Many of them have pulverized glass in their lungs. Many have poisonous toxins in their bloodstream. So this is real. This is a real human issue. And I share some of the concerns that Republicans have regarding, for instance, the funding stream, how this is going to be paid for. But the fact is, this is a good bill. We cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. It's more important to me, I believe, that we take care of those who are truly in need and we look at the bill in full perspective and in full view and keep that in mind. Keep in mind the victims, the men and women who went to Ground Zero on September 11 and stayed there for the days, weeks, and months afterward, and they were on that pile, and they're now suffering the most horrible diseases, diseases and illnesses which we see in our districts when we meet these people. We see them in the stores. We see them at ball games. We see them in church. So this, again, is for real. So let's, today, try to have the debate as we are, I think, in a very civil way. Let's realize there are honest differences of opinions on both sides, but the reality is, the people in galleries, those who couldn't make it to the gallery today, they don't have the luxury of waiting another 1 year or 2 years or 3 years or 4 years. I know that people on the Republican side have spoken about various programs that are available. The fact is this is such a unique type of disaster. The illnesses that have come from Ground Zero are very unique to Ground Zero, unfortunately. These are 9/11-type illnesses--the rarest types of cancer, the rarest types of blood disorders. It's essential we have a permanent registry so we will know exactly how these illnesses be treated, so that those in the other 430 districts around the country who could be suffering, for instance, from a cough, which a doctor may think is an innocent cough, will not realize it is a 9/11 cough; those who have symptoms which may otherwise be undetected, they will not realize how significant they are and how they could be directly related to 9/11. And also, as far as whether or not this is an entitlement, or whatever term we want to use, the fact is, when it came to nuclear workers, Federal nuclear workers, we set up the exact same type of program. Call it entitlement, if you will. That program was set up to take care and compensate those who suffered serious illnesses resulting from their work in nuclear plants on nuclear projects. As far as the issue of the Victims Compensation Fund and all those who were compensated, the fact is the people we are talking about today, the victims we are talking about today, were people who didn't realize their illness until after the deadline had expired, people who are today just finding out about their illness. It's latent. It's in their bloodstreams. It's in their lungs. And back in 2003 when this program closed, virtually no one knew the extent of the illnesses and diseases that would stem from September 11. The fact is they are there and they are getting worse and worse, and, as you know, Congressman Weiner just walked in, and he and I always haven't had the highest things to say about each other on the House floor. We're standing here together on this bill today. As he pointed out in the Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, the one thing we can be certain of is that the number of those who are entitled to take part in this program, that number is going to diminish. It is going to diminish because they're dying one by one. So let's keep that in mind. Again, it goes to the heart of what we should be as a Congress, what we should be as Republicans and Democrats, what we should be as Americans. And those of us, we all stood together on September 11, and 9 years have gone by. And to many people it's something that happened a long time ago, but for those who are suffering today, it's something they live with every moment. So, with that, I urge everyone to make this as much of a bipartisan vote as possible. Send a message to the country, send a message to the world, and send a message to the victims that they are not forgotten. And not only that, we're not giving them any charity. We're not giving them anything. We're just rewarding them what they're entitled to receive for them putting their lives on the line for us. With that, I urge adoption of H.R. 847. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, this weekend I had the privilege of joining in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Massapequa Fire Department. Founded on September 25, 1910, the Massapequa Fire Department has a long history of dedicated volunteerism and service to the Long Island community including Massapequa, Massapequa Park, and East Massapequa. The Massapequa Fire Department provides around-the-clock fire protection and emergency medical services to approximately 19,000 homes located within its district, responding to an average of 2,400 alarms annually. As Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am proud to support our nation's firefighters in Congress. These brave men and women risk their lives day after day to protect our communities and save the lives of others. Through Federal programs such as the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program, we can do our part in ensuring that these heroes get the equipment, vehicles, training, staffing and other resources they need. I hope that this milestone in the Massapequa Fire Department's history reminds us of not only the traditional role that firefighters have always played in protecting our communities, but also how their role has changed since September 11, 2001, because now they are also faced with an increasingly complex and dangerous job of preparing for and responding to acts of terrorism. We must do all that we can to support them in their mission. I want to thank Massapequa Fire Chief Peter Anglim for his leadership and service, and all of the firefighters, both active and retired, who have proudly served the Massapequa community. Congratulations on 100 years of dedicated service.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of House Resolution 1610 to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and remember the nearly 3,000 innocent victims killed that day in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. As we give thanks for the first responders who heroically rushed to these sites to rescue victims, our Federal government must properly support them. Tragically, many of these first responders--fire fighters, police officers, and other emergency workers--are dying from days and weeks of exposure to Ground Zero toxins and are in desperate need of medical care. I urge all Members to join me in supporting the James Zadroga 9/ 11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847) when it is considered by the House next week. We must also thank the men and women of our armed forces, law enforcement officers, and members of the Intelligence Community who have saved innumerable American lives through their tireless efforts during the past nine years. As we celebrate their efforts, we must remain vigilant. Radical Islamic jihadists, who have pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and other terror networks, continue to target our Nation. Since last year's 9/11 anniversary, terrorists have continued in their quest to attack our homeland and kill more innocent Americans. In the past year alone, we have seen attacks at Fort Hood, in Times Square, and aboard Northwest Flight 253, as well as plots to blow up the New York City subway system and Federal buildings in Dallas, Texas and Springfield, Illinois. As our citizens remain vigilant, our Federal government must remain diligent. Congress and the Obama Administration must work together in a cooperative and constructive manner to ensure that our military, Intelligence Community, and state and local law enforcement have the resources to detect and defeat the terrorists who seek to do us harm. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution, and never to forget the catastrophic events and lives lost on that tragic day in our Nation's history.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today in memory of the upcoming anniversary of 9/11 in New York City, and the lives which were lost in the World Trade Center buildings, and aboard the planes. And in honor of all of those heroes, The fire fighters and police officers and regular citizens who gave That Last Full Measure to help save lives. Our prayers lie with the families and the children of all of those lost loved ones. The world on that day, truly saw the very heart of America, and why we have such a great nation. I ask that this poem penned in honor of them, by Albert Caswell, be placed in the Record. Gotham Glory In . . . In this great city . . . That which so towers . . . High above all of those clouds, throughout all of the hours . . . But, lie such majestic buildings . . . that which so make mere men so cower . . . All in their presence and circumstance, as this Gotham City they do so enhance . . . With but all of their power . . . But, nothing in this Gotham City rises . . . or will ever reach any higher, than what so happened all in these hours . . . Then, all of those Brave Hearts . . . who so on that fateful day of 9/11, would so inspire! All in the midst, of America's darkest of all hours . . . To bring their light! Showing us all, what lies within a soul to take us higher! As why high above all of this, their fine souls do so tower! With all of their faith and love, that which now so showers . . . So showers, this Gotham City forever more . . . all throughout her hours . . . For in life, there can be no greater story . . . Nor no Greater Gift, or so sacrifice . . . so then this their Glory! Then, to give up one's life . . . as was their fine story . . . All at the very height, of what a Hero can be . . . For No Greater Love, burns brighter through eternity! As why the face of God, they would see . . . As on that morning that which hate, evoked . . . As a time, now all so etched all in our hearts and souls that spoke . . . As when, there came such hope . . . As to this our Nation that love conquers all, as their fine hearts so spoke! As a time when, mere men and women acted like Gods . . . So Wrote . . . So Wrote Their Book of Love, as Heaven for them lie close . . . Running up, into The Face of Hell . . . You Go . . . I Go . . . as was but their fine heroes creed, their actions spelled! As all of those fine hearts, so chose to swell . . . Running past death, as upward they climbed towards this fiery hell . . . With tear in eye, as they all knew that this might be their last moments as well! All in their most magnificent quest, but to save lives! As they were all so at their very best! With each new step, closer to Heaven they now so climbed . . . For on that morning, courage came in all shapes and sizes . . . All in what their fine hearts, as so comprised this! Setting them all apart, from all of the rest! Heroes, who our nation would so bless! And too, all of these families now so left . . . So left, without all of their greatest of loves of all, may our Lord now so bless . . . As each one but on their own, inside such sacred Hearts did rest . . . As to our Lord, they all came home . . . But, to where they belonged . . . And, what child may be born? From all of this, their great love so worn . . . Who might Save The World, as born? Mothers, Fathers, Rabbis, Teachers, Priests and Preachers, tell this story! All about, The Greatest Love . . . all about, Their Gotham Glory! And when, There Comes A Gentle Rain . . . Their tears from up in Heaven, shall wash down upon you to ease your pain . . . Until, up in Heaven you shall meet once again . . . And you won't have to cry any more!

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. I thank my from friend from Texas for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise as an original co-sponsor and in support of H.R. 847. I have seen too many police officers, firefighters, and construction workers who responded to 9/11 who have pulverized glass in their lungs and toxins in their bloodstream and are dying one by one. But what we are doing tonight is a cruel hoax and a charade. Everyone knows that this bill will not get the two-thirds majority required on the suspension calendar. Everyone also knows that this bill would pass with a clear majority if the Democrat leadership would allow it to come to the floor under the regular procedures of the House. The reason H.R. 847 is not being brought up under regular order is because the majority party is petrified of having its members face a potential vote on illegal immigration. You can blame it on the Republicans--and I've been strongly critical on the Republican position on this issue--but the reality is you could pass this bill if you wanted to. You are in control. You have the power. You have the responsibility. This bill should be more important than a campaign talking point. You could have passed it at any time during the past 3\1/2\ years, but you want political cover. Thank God for our country that the first responders of 9/11 didn't look for cover before they did what they had to do and lived up to their oath. As Mayor Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City, said just today about the procedure we are following tonight, ``It's an outrage. A majority of people would vote for this bill but they know full well they will not get 66 percent. They know that. So this is a way to avoid having to make a tough decision. Our people who worked down at 9/11, whose health has fallen apart, did what America wanted them to do. This is an American problem and Congress should stand up. And I know it's a tough vote for some people. I don't have a lot of sympathy. They should bring this up and vote up or down on any amendments and vote up or down on the bill. And go on the record. And that incidentally is what the leadership should force.'' That was Mayor Bloomberg this afternoon. They say they want Republican support, yet they never consulted even one Republican before they made the corporate tax increase as the pay- for. They say they want Republican support before they pass this bill, but they never applied that standard when they rammed through the stimulus, health care, cap-and-trade, or financial regulatory reform. No, you only apply it to cops and firefighters and construction workers. What a sad and pathetic double standard. These heroes deserve better than they are receiving here tonight. No matter what happens on this vote, I will continue to do all I can to pass this bill as soon as possible in the future. Let me say, I look forward to continue working with Carolyn Maloney, who has always been honest, open, and direct. Mr. Speaker, this is a sad moment for this body.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to be in Washington from July 12 through July 15 and missed rollcall votes 434 through 466 due to illness.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 415, the Fallen Heroes Flag Act. I introduced this legislation to honor the brave rescue workers and law enforcement agents who lost their lives protecting their fellow Americans. While we cannot make up for the loss of these heroes, my bill will allow members of Congress to extend a gesture of sympathy and gratitude to the immediate family. The Fallen Heroes Flag Act allows members of Congress to honor any deceased fire fighter, law enforcement officer, emergency technician, or other rescue worker who died in the line of duty by providing to the family, at their request, a flag flown over the United States Capitol. The flag will be accompanied by a certificate expressing a message of sympathy, that is signed by the Speaker of the House and the Representative providing the flag. Our rescue workers and law enforcement agents commit selfless acts every day for our safety. It is truly a tragedy when one of their lives is lost while acting to save another's. They should be honored for their heroism and my legislation provides that opportunity. I am pleased that the Fallen Heroes Flag Act has been brought to the House floor. I fully support this bill and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4842, the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act, which will authorize needed funds for important activities and programs within the Department of Homeland Security to help make our country more secure. This bill is the product of extensive bipartisan work dating back to last summer, which includes input from numerous stakeholder meetings, the Department of Homeland Security, and the House Committee on Science and Technology. I want to recognize the work of Chairwoman Clarke--the author of the bill--and Ranking Member Lungren, whose Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology marked up this bill on March 16 and reported the bill favorably by voice vote. The Full Committee then considered this bill and reported it unanimously by a vote of 26-0 on April 15, 2010. We appreciate the Majority working with us in a bipartisan way, and including a number of provisions of importance to Republican Members. These provisions include the establishment of research initiatives to bolster border and maritime security, development of tools to enhance resilience to terrorist attacks and other incidents, especially in rural communities, research and testing of technologies to help secure the border and ensure the safety of our underground mass transit systems, and an assessment of how useful rapid screening tools for influenza and other biological threats would be at our border ports of entry. I also want to highlight a very important provision in this bill that is critical both to the security of New York City and surrounding areas as well as to our Nation as a whole, which is the authorization and expansion of the Securing the Cities program. Securing the Cities is a vital homeland security program to help prevent terrorist attacks in major cities using nuclear or radiological weapons, like a dirty bomb. The program has enabled the establishment of a networked ring of radiological detectors on highways, toll plazas, bridges, tunnels, and waterways leading into and out of New York City, which as we have seen, is the top terror target for al-Qaeda and affiliated terrorist organizations. Securing the Cities is both a regional capability and a national asset. The program provides the operational capability to interdict a radiological or nuclear weapon in one city so that it cannot be delivered to and detonated in another. Recent attacks on New York City came from other regions: Najibullah Zazi traveled from Denver to New York City in a plot to possibly bomb the subway system and Faisal Shahzad traveled from Connecticut to New York and attempted to detonate a car bomb in Times Square. The detonation of a nuclear or dirty bomb in the New York tri-state area, or in any major metropolitan area, would inflict serious damages to our country's economy, much like the 9/11 attacks did. Securing the Cities is a successful program that can and should be replicated in other areas around the country. That is why language in this bill would expand the program to at least two additional high-risk cities where these capabilities are most needed, leveraging what we have already learned about building defenses against nuclear and radiological weapons in New York to erect similar security perimeters in and around other cities. Securing the Cities is an excellent example of the type of coordination between Federal, State, and local partners that Congress has demanded and the Department has worked to facilitate. We absolutely must enhance our nuclear detection architecture in a world where the threat of nuclear terrorism is on the rise. The House has voted in favor of the Securing the Cities program on four separate occasions. These include last year, when the full House supported similar language when it passed H.R. 2611 under Suspension of the Rules by voice vote on January 20, 2010. The House again voiced strong bipartisan support when it adopted an amendment Representative Clarke and I offered in June 2009 to H.R. 2892, the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to restore funding for this vital program. House passage of this bill will reaffirm the continuing bipartisan support for this program in the House and send a strong signal to the United States Senate to pass legislation to authorize Securing the Cities prior to adjournment of the 111th Congress. I want to remind our colleagues that the threat of nuclear or radiological terrorism is real. The WMD Commission warned in 2008 that an attack using a weapon of mass destruction was likely to happen somewhere in the world by 2013. Commissioners Graham and Talent repeated this warning before the Committee on Homeland Security on April 21 of this year. The President's National Security Strategy that was released earlier this year concluded that ``the American People face no greater or more urgent danger than a terrorist attack with a nuclear weapon.'' The potential of nuclear or radiological terrorism is a nightmare scenario that we must guard against with every available capability and resource. Authorizing and expanding Securing the Cities will help better protect our country from such danger. Let me close by saying while I am pleased we are considering this bill today, I believe the House should be considering a comprehensive authorization bill for the Department. The House has not done so since 2007, with one of the reasons being too many committees and subcommittees have jurisdiction over homeland security issues. The 9/11 Commission recommended in 2004 that ``Congress should create a single, principal point of oversight and review for homeland security.'' The current jurisdictional web of congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security results in conflicting guidance to the Department and is a serious drain on its time and resources. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the 9/11 Commission--Governor Kean and Congressman Hamilton--have testified this jurisdictional maze is unworkable and could make our country less safe. I hope that we can streamline congressional jurisdiction moving forward so that Congress can enact a comprehensive authorization bill for the Department, which has not happened since its creation in 2003. The failure to do so jeopardizes our ability to ensure that our nation's homeland security policies are as robust as they need to be to meet the evolving nature of terrorist threats. I again want to thank Chairman Thompson, Congresswoman Clarke, and my friend from California, Mr. Lungren, for crafting a very good bill that will help improve our homeland security capabilities. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 4842.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.J. Res. 83, a resolution approving the renewal of import restrictions contained in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act (P.L. 108-61). I am proud to have once again introduced this legislation this year with the gentleman from New York, Mr. Crowley. In 2003 Congress passed the Burmese Freedom & Democracy Act, legislation that I co-authored with my friend, the late Tom Lantos. President Bush signed this bill into law and we have reauthorized these import restrictions every year since. The legislation bans imports from Burma and the issuance of visas to those officials affiliated with the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the military junta that rules Burma and brutally represses its people. This law also bans U.S. financial transactions that involve individuals or entities connected with the SPDC. These sanctions are critically important to keeping the pressure on the Burmese junta. The government continues to have one of the worst human rights record in the world and routinely violates the rights of Burmese citizens, including the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, as well as slave and child labor. The Burmese regime has destroyed more than 3,500 ethnic villages, displaced approximately 2,000,000 Burmese people, more than 500,000 of which are internally displaced, and arrested approximately 2,100 individuals for expressing critical opinions of the government. And it continues to detain Aung San Suu Kyi, the head of the National League for Democracy and the democratically elected leader of Burma. We must continue to stand with the Burmese people and expose the despicable and reprehensible actions of the SPDC. Sanctions are critical to putting pressure on the junta. In 2008, Congress passed and President Bush signed into law Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act (P.L. 110-286) which bans the importation of Burmese gems into the United States and freezes the assets of Burmese political and military leaders. But we still need others to follow ours and the EU's lead. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must impose multilateral sanctions against Burma's military regime including a complete arms embargo. Finally, it is my hope that the Obama Administration promptly implements all the provisions of the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, appoints a Special Coordinator for Burma, and supports the establishment of UNSC Commission of Inquiry on Burma. I urge adoption of the resolution.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1320, a resolution which commends the vigilance of the many individuals, first responders, law enforcement, and homeland security personnel for helping prevent what could have been a very deadly terrorist attack in Times Square last weekend and bring into custody the person who has admitted responsibility for this failed attack. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this resolution. When Faisal Shahzad drove his bomb-laden SUV into Times Square on the evening of Saturday, May 1, 2010, New York City and all America were once again reminded of the thin line between security and tragedy. This attack was just the most recent of 11 attempts since September 11, 2001, to visit terror on New York City. I cannot say enough about the efforts of the New York Police Department, its local partners, and the Federal agencies, particularly the FBI, that have worked to prevent these incidents and keep the City safe. The resolution highlights how two vigilant citizens, Mr. Lance Orton and Mr. Duane Jackson, saw something and said something to an alert NYPD officer, Wayne Rhatigan, who secured the scene and the safety of those who were at what has been called the ``Crossroads of the World.'' We are also indebted to the New York Police Department and its Bomb Squad, the Fire Department of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other homeland security and law enforcement personnel for helping to foil this attack and capture the guilty terrorist. Unfortunately, even after these 11 wake-up calls, not everyone recognizes that New York City is the nation's top terror target and that we must do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of New Yorkers and those visiting this great City. New York simply cannot be expected to prevent terrorist attacks alone. Protecting New York City is not a local issue. It is a national issue; a national security issue. What if the bomb that Faisal Shahzad parked in Times Square had detonated, and included radiological or nuclear material? How many lives would have been lost? How long would it have taken for New York's economy--and the nation's economy--to recover? One of the best ways to stop that nightmare scenario would be to properly fund the Securing the Cities Program, which is the only Federal program of its kind to establish a ring of radiological detectors on bridges, tunnels, and mobile platforms in the region to prevent a radiological or nuclear attack. Unfortunately, the Administration has eliminated funding for this key program, even though in January 2010 the House of Representatives passed my legislation to authorize and fund the program. New York City Mayor Bloomberg testified in the Senate this morning and stated: ``Since 1990, there have been more than 20 terrorist plots--or actual attacks--against our City. That's why it's so critical for Congress to fully fund homeland security programs like the Securing the Cities--and to take other steps that will help us fight terrorists and make it harder for them to attack us.'' NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly stated on Sunday that the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative has yet to be extended to Midtown Manhattan because of the lack of Federal funding. With just $50 million, this ``Ring of Steel'' would give the NYPD a force multiplier throughout Midtown and allow it to expand its reach across the entire city. The Administration has also proposed eliminating the Coast Guard's Maritime Safety and Security Team in New York City, weakening the City's defenses against a waterborne attack. The Administration has also proposed cutting funding for New York City-area mass transit and port security. The stark reality is that New York City is the number one target for terrorists. New Yorkers live under constant threat of attack. But the Federal government can minimize those threats by properly funding counterterrorism initiatives based on risk and fund programs in the places they are most needed, like New York City. Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to support this resolution to show our gratitude to the brave and selfless efforts of the first responders and everyone involved who helped turn into a triumph what could have been a tragedy.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, it is my sad duty to inform the Congress that former Congressman Angelo Roncallo of New York passed away this week. Angelo Roncallo was a predecessor of mine in the Third Congressional District. He served from 1973 to 1975. He was Nassau County Comptroller from 1967 to 1972 and a member of the Oyster Bay Town Board from 1965 to 1967. Madam Speaker, Angelo Roncallo was an outstanding New Yorker. Angelo Roncallo went through some very difficult times. He was a victim of a terrible miscarriage of justice, having been indicted and then acquitted--the jury was out for only a matter of minutes, but by then his political career as a Congressman was ruined. However, he made a strong comeback, being elected a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, where he served for many years with great distinction. Angelo Roncallo was very active in the Italian-American community, very active in the neighborhoods in the communities, and certainly is a legend in New York State politics and government. Angelo Roncallo, again, was a true friend, a mentor of mine, a person for whom I have the greatest regard and affection. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Wladyslaw Stasiak on the recent plane crash that took his life as well as the lives of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and so many leading political, military and financial officials. This horrible tragedy will be felt for years to come by so many, and my thoughts and prayers are with Poland on this day. Wladyslaw Stasiak was a senior aide and chief of staff to President Kaczynski and a friend of the United States. He worked closely with both of our governments on the deployment of U.S. Patriot missile batteries in Poland to defend against a missile attack. Before becoming chief of staff, he held various senior political positions inside the Polish Government including Chief of the National Security Bureau, Minister of Interior, and Deputy Mayor of Warsaw. Once again, let me express my condolences to Mr. Stasiak's family on their recent loss.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, no one is more dedicated to maintaining the strength of the American-Israeli relationship than former New York City Mayor Ed Koch. Mayor Koch is a true American patriot who knows that Israel is an indispensable partner in the war against Islamic terrorism. Israel, of course, shares America's belief in freedom and democracy. Like many of us, Mayor Koch is concerned that President Obama's policies have ``damaged the relationship between the U.S. and Israel . . . to one in which there is an absence of trust on both sides.'' Mayor Koch has written a very thoughtful article in which he describes his opposition to the Obama policies--policies which have caused the Mayor to ``weep''. I commend this article to my colleagues. A Dangerous Silence I weep as I witness outrageous verbal attacks on Israel. What makes these verbal assaults and distortions all the more painful is that they are being orchestrated by President Obama. For me, the situation today recalls what occurred in 70 AD when the Roman emperor Vespasian launched a military campaign against the Jewish nation and its ancient capital of Jerusalem. Ultimately, Masada, a rock plateau in the Judean desert became the last refuge of the Jewish people against the Roman onslaught. I have been to Jerusalem and Masada. From the top of Masada, you can still see the remains of the Roman fortifications and garrisons, and the stones and earth of the Roman siege ramp that was used to reach Masada. The Jews of Masada committed suicide rather than let themselves be taken captive by the Romans. In Rome itself, I have seen the Arch of Titus with the sculpture showing enslaved Jews and the treasures of the Jewish Temple of Solomon with the Menorah, the symbol of the Jewish state, being carted away as booty during the sacking of Jerusalem. Oh, you may say, that is a farfetched analogy. Please hear me out. The most recent sacking of the old city of Jerusalem--its Jewish quarter--took place under the Jordanians in 1948 in the first war between the Jews and the Arabs, with at least five Muslim states--Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq-- seeking to destroy the Jewish state. At that time, Jordan conquered East Jerusalem and the West Bank and expelled every Jew living in the Jewish quarter of the old city, destroying every building, including the synagogues in the old quarter and expelling from every part of Judea and Samaria every Jew living there so that for the first time in thousands of years, the old walled city of Jerusalem and the adjacent West Bank were ``Judenrein''--a term used by the Nazis to indicate the forced removal or murder of all Jews. Jews had lived for centuries in Hebron, the city where Abraham, the first Jew, pitched his tent and where he now lies buried, it is believed, in a tomb with his wife, Sarah, as well as other ancient Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs. I have visited that tomb and at the time asked an Israeli soldier guarding it--so that it was open to all pilgrims, Christians, Muslims and Jews--``where is the seventh step leading to the tomb of Abraham and Sarah,'' which was the furthest entry for Jews when the Muslims were the authority controlling the holy place? He replied, ``When we retook and reunited the whole city of Jerusalem and conquered the West Bank in 1967, we removed the steps, so now everyone can enter,'' whereas when Muslims were in charge of the tomb, no Jew could enter it. And I did. I am not a religious person. I am comfortable in a synagogue, but generally attend only twice a year, on the high holidays. When I entered the tomb of Abraham and Sarah, as I recall, I felt connected with my past and the traditions of my people. One is a Jew first by birth and then by religion. Those who leave their religion, remain Jews forever by virtue of their birth. If they don't think so, let them ask their neighbors, who will remind them. I recall the words of the columnist Robert Novak, who was for most of his life hostile to the Jewish state of Israel in an interview with a reporter stating that while he had converted to Catholicism, he was still a cultural Jew. I remain with pride a Jew both by religion and culture. My support for the Jewish state has been long and steadfast. Never have I thought that I would leave the U.S. to go and live in Israel. My loyalty and love is first to the U.S. which has given me, the son of Polish Jewish immigrants, so much. But, I have also long been cognizant of the fact that every night when I went to sleep in peace and safety, there were Jewish communities around the world in danger. And there was one country, Israel, that would give them sanctuary and would send its soldiers to fight for them and deliver them from evil, as Israel did at Entebbe in 1976. I weep today because my president, Barack Obama, in a few weeks has changed the relationship between the U.S. and Israel from that of closest of allies to one in which there is an absence of trust on both sides. The contrast between how the president and his administration deals with Israel and how it has decided to deal with the Karzai administration in Afghanistan is striking. The Karzai administration, which operates a corrupt and opium-producing state, refuses to change its corrupt ways-- the president's own brother is believed by many to run the drug traffic taking place in Afghanistan--and shows the utmost contempt for the U.S. is being hailed by the Obama administration as an ally and publicly treated with dignity. Karzai recently even threatened to join the Taliban if we don't stop making demands on him. Nevertheless, Karzai is receiving a gracious thank-you letter from President Obama. The New York Times of April 10th reported, ``. . . that Mr. Obama had sent Mr. Karzai a thank-you note expressing gratitude to the Afghan leader for dinner in Kabul. `It was a respectful letter,' General Jones said.'' On the other hand, our closest ally--the one with the special relationship with the U.S., has been demeaned and slandered, held responsible by the administration for our problems in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. The plan I suspect is to so weaken the resolve of the Jewish state and its leaders that it will be much easier to impose on Israel an American plan to resolve the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, leaving Israel's needs for security and defensible borders in the lurch. I believe President Obama's policy is to create a whole new relationship with the Arab states of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt, and Iraq as a counter to Iran--The Tyrannosaurus Rex of the Muslim world which we are now prepared to see in possession of a nuclear weapon. If throwing Israel under the bus is needed to accomplish this alliance, so be it. I am shocked by the lack of outrage on the part of Israel's most ardent supporters. The members of AIPAC, the chief pro- Israel lobbying organization in Washington, gave Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a standing ovation after she had carried out the instructions of President Obama and, in a 43- minute telephone call, angrily hectored Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Members of Congress in both the House and Senate have made pitifully weak statements against Obama's mistreatment of Israel, if they made any at all. The Democratic members, in particular, are weak. They are simply afraid to criticize President Obama. What bothers me most of all is the shameful silence and lack of action by community leaders--Jew and Christian. Where are they? If this were a civil rights matter, the Jews would be in the mall in Washington protesting with and on behalf of our fellow American citizens. I asked one prominent Jewish leader why no one is preparing a march on Washington similar to the one in 1963 at which I was present and Martin Luther King's memorable speech was given? His reply was ``Fifty people might come.'' Remember the 1930s? Few stood up. They were silent. Remember the most insightful statement of one of our greatest teachers, Rabbi Hillel: ``If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?'' We have indeed stood up for everyone else. When will we stand up for our brothers and sisters living in the Jewish state of Israel? If Obama is seeking to build a siege ramp around Israel, the Jews of modern Israel will not commit suicide. They are willing to negotiate a settlement with the Palestinians, but they will not allow themselves to be bullied into following self-destructive policies. To those who call me an alarmist, I reply that I'll be happy to apologize if I am proven wrong. But those who stand silently by and watch the Obama administration abandon Israel, to whom will they apologize?

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, all the world mourns the horrific plane crash which took the lives of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and so many of Poland's leading political, military, and financial officials. This horrible tragedy will be felt for years to come by so many and my thoughts and prayers are with Poland on this day. I want to particularly acknowledge the tragic loss of Janusz Kochanowski. Dr. Kochanowski was a true scholar, a champion of human rights, and a good friend of the United States who unfortunately was on board that fateful flight. He was a lawyer, a professor, a diplomat, and most recently the Polish Commissioner for Civil Rights Protection (ombudsman). It was in this position that he was an outspoken advocate on behalf of the Polish people including rebuking his own government for its refusal to provide swine flu vaccines to the public amid the global panic. Once again, let me express my condolences to Dr. Kochanowski's wife, Ewa, and his two children, Marta and Mateusz, on this tragic loss.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill.

Mr. KING of New York

Mr. KING of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of our Nation's outstanding service organizations, the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross has been at the forefront of disaster preparedness and response for more than a century. Since its formation in 1881, the foundation has established itself as one of the most effective and recognizable disaster relief organizations in the world. In President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first Presidential Declaration in 1943, he requested that ``people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross'' each March. We have an opportunity this month to continue this tradition, and recognize the essential role the Red Cross plays in our communities. Over 600,000 Red Cross volunteers provide shelter, food, health, and mental health services for more than 70,000 natural and manmade disasters every year. Additionally, the Red Cross provides blood to disaster victims, helps those affected to access other available resources, and assists concerned family members outside the disaster area. Whether it is a hurricane or a single-family home fire, the American Red Cross is there. During the past year, the local Red Cross Chapter helped 500 Nassau County residents who were displaced by floods or fires. The timely response to these small-scale, but devastating disasters is one of the Red Cross' most invaluable humanitarian services. Large-scale disasters also demonstrate the Red Cross' successes. Since the January 12th earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross has provided assistance to more than 1.9 million people in that country, and will continue to aid hundreds more in the months ahead. In addition to the ongoing, large-scale response to Haiti, the Red Cross plans to assist 15,000 families affected by the recent earthquake in Chile with shelter, emergency medical care, and water and sanitation services. The employees of the Red Cross, the tireless and dedicated work of volunteers, and the thousands of citizens who donate to support these relief efforts epitomize the altruism and community spirit of the American people. I join with my colleagues to recognize the Red Cross, and once again thank the organization's staff and volunteers for all of their continued assistance to American communities.