Dennis Kucinich

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chair, I yield myself 1 minute. The administration's use of signature strikes raises the risk to innocent civilians or individuals who have had no relationship to attacks on the United States. We know that the U.S. has made mistakes in who has been at the receiving end of its drone-strike program, and this was when we knew the identity of the person being targeted. A recent report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates that at least 2,292 people have been killed by U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan since 2004. The bureau estimates that, of that number, over 350 are civilians. A July 2009 Brookings Institution report stated 10 civilians die for every one suspected militant from U.S. drone strikes. Yet another study by the New America Foundation concluded that out of the 114 drone attacks in Pakistan, at least 32 percent of those killed by the strikes were civilians. Again, that was before we allowed drone strikes based only on signature behaviors. We cannot deny that our drone strikes have resulted in the death of innocent people. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. I yield 2 minutes to the cosponsor of the amendment, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Mr. Conyers of Michigan.

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH. Parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. KUCINICH. As a matter of procedure, who has the right to close, the sponsor of an amendment or the opponent of an amendment?

Mr. KUCINICH. I thank the Chair. I am prepared to close. How much time do I have remaining, please?

Mr. KUCINICH. In the absence of transparency and accountability for the drones program abroad, overreach is unchecked. The administration refuses to release the legal justification for permitting so-called ``signature drone strikes.'' The administration refuses to disclose whether and how there's any follow-up with the families of innocent civilians who died from a drone strike. The administration refuses to disclose whether civilian casualties are collected, tracked, and analyzed. Our amendment, the Conyers-Kucinich amendment, recognizes that innocent civilians should not be collateral damage. It recognizes that sending an unmanned plane to drop bombs without knowing the identity of a target does not reflect American values. It recognizes that drones bombing people of unknown identity will generate powerful and enduring anti-American sentiment that prolongs and expands wars. It recognizes that Congress did not give the President an unlimited and unchecked power to expand our wars abroad, especially when it does not even bother to give Congress the legal justification to do so. It became clear that the authorization for the use of military force is being interpreted, given carte blanche to circumvent Congress, and we ought to put an end to it right now. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. This bill also authorizes a total of $642 billion for defense programs, including $88.5 billion to continue the Afghanistan war, on top of the more than $1.3 trillion we've spent thus far. It contains dangerous language that would pave the path for a war with Iran. H.R. 4310 says the U.S. should take all necessary measures, including military action, to prevent Iran from having nuclear technology--this, despite the fact that Secretary of Defense Panetta and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have spoken out against a strike in Iran. What's Congress spoiling for another war for? Now, we've spent trillions of dollars for war to wage violence thousands of miles away, and we've become anesthetized to the violence of war against millions of innocent women, children, and men abroad. It's no wonder that we're grappling with how best to deal with domestic violence.

Mr. KUCINICH. Imagine if we took a fraction of the trillions of dollars we've spent for war and used it to deal directly with the root causes of domestic violence--spousal abuse, child abuse, violence in the schools, gang violence, gun violence, racial violence, violence against immigrants, violence against gays. If we did that and looked at the root causes, we wouldn't even be arguing about spending money for war. We need to look at the issue of violence in America and do it in a consistent, comprehensive way.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I thank the gentleman. Yesterday, we debated H. Res. 568, which draws a red line for military action at Iran's achieving a nuclear weapons ``capability,'' a nebulous and undefined term that could include a civilian nuclear program. As a result, the language in that bill makes a negotiated solution impossible. Now, this bill, H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act, in section 1221 makes military action against Iran a U.S. policy. Right in the bill, it talks about deployments and military action. To create a plan, under article B of section 1222, it says that the Secretary of Defense shall prepare a plan for the Fifth Fleet to conduct military deployments. In section A of article II, it says that there should be prepositioning, sufficient supplies of aircraft, munitions--bombs, fuel, and other materials--for both air- and sea-based missions against Iran. So that sets the stage for war. Then section B calls for an execution of the war, bolstering United States' capabilities to launch a sustained sea and air campaign against a range of Iranian nuclear and military targets. They're not threatening us. We're threatening them with this. Then we call for a showdown in the Strait of Hormuz in section C. Now look. We've been through this before. I led this Congress in October of 2002 to challenge the Bush administration's march towards war against Iraq, and it proved that it was wrong to do that. There were no weapons of mass destruction. This is Iraq all over again, and we should at least have a separate debate on whether or not we should be recommending an attack on Iran without including it in this bill.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. I thank my friend from California, but, unfortunately, I must disagree with him. This resolution contains broad and dangerous language that would undermine any diplomatic solution regarding Iran's nuclear program. Without explicit language stating there is no authorization for military action, this could be interpreted as a blank check for war. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, stated: This resolution reads like the same piece of music that got us into the Iraq war. Did not Congress learn anything from being hustled into a war based on misrepresentations? At a time when the U.S. is engaging in its first successful direct talks with Iran in years, it is more critical than ever for Congress to support these negotiations. Even if language were added to H. Res. 568 to make it absolutely clear that this bill does not constitute an authorization for war and that only Congress can make such an authorization, it still puts Members of Congress on record as opposing a diplomatic solution, paving the way toward war with Iran. In the past, Congress has rejected its power to declare war, and now we want to tell the President that he can't declare diplomacy. Congress must reject resolutions that could lead the U.S. into yet another disastrous and costly war and tie the President's hands as he endeavors for a peaceful solution. Have we not lost enough of our brave men and women to causes that are not in the interests of the U.S.? H. Res. 568 lowers the bar for war by changing longstanding U.S. policy that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons by, instead, drawing the red line for military action at Iran's achieving a nuclear-weapons capability. The term ``capability'' is undefined in the underlying resolution, and it could be applied to any country with a civilian nuclear program, including Japan and Brazil. This resolution, therefore, sets a precedent which could cause us to stumble from one war into another. And, what, we haven't had enough wars? Not all enrichment is devoted to building bombs. This resolution marks a significant shift in U.S. policy that could threaten critical upcoming negotiations with Iran on May 23. It is likely that a negotiated deal to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran would provide for Iranian enrichment for peaceful purposes, under the framework of the nonproliferation nuclear weapons treaty, with strict safeguards and inspections. I want to point out, in conclusion, that Yuval Diskin, the former Shin Bet chief, has stated that attacking Iran will encourage them to develop a bomb. Meir Dagan, the former Mossad chief, echoed his sentiment by saying: Attacking Iran is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. It will be followed by a war with Iran. It's the kind of thing where we know how it starts but not know how it will end. I think our diplomacy is having an effect, said General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, it's called a reconciliation act, but how do we reconcile more money for bombs while cutting money for bread? How do we reconcile our Nation helping oil companies, arms merchants, and war profiteers while cutting assistance to low- and moderate-income families? My colleagues are worried about abuse of food stamps. I wish they would have additional concern and sympathy for the abuse of the middle class, for 10 million Americans out of work, for millions losing their homes, their retirement security. Let's look to where the real fraud is in our government--in wars based on lies, over trillions of dollars, billions of U.S. money lost or stolen in Afghanistan. Just in the last week, $80 million for a consulate that they are not even going to use, they are going to close. And we blame poor people using food stamps? The real deficit we're dealing with here is a moral deficit, and it's time that we face the truth.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Larry Baldwin as he is celebrated for his dedicated work on behalf of the environment. In 2001, Larry graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in GeoEnvironmental Studies. While earning his degree, Larry worked as an intern with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation where he was also an active volunteer for more than a decade. He began working for the Neuse River Foundation (NRF) in North Carolina in October, 2002 as the Lower Neuse RIVERKEEPER'. During his nine years with NRF, Larry worked to engage countless volunteers and raise educational awareness on the importance of a healthy Neuse River. He was instrumental in establishing the Neuse RIVERKEEPER' RiverKids program and mobilizing RiverWatch and Muddy Water Watch volunteers to help monitor the Neuse River and its tributaries. Today, Larry serves as the North Carolina Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) Coordinator for Waterkeeper Alliance. He is focused on training and educating Riverkeepers worldwide on CAFO pollution. Additionally, his expertise has given Larry the opportunity to educate not only the public, but the government on environmental issues. Just last month, Larry was in Washington, D.C. educating Congress on the public health and environmental hazards created by factory farm facilities. He is also active with numerous environmental groups including the Waterkeeper Alliance, America Rivers, River Network, North Carolina Conservation Network and the Eastern Carolina Coastal Caucus. He is a member of the Craven County Water Use Reduction Committee, Emergency Planning Committee and the Crystal Coast Disaster Coalition. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring Mr. Larry Baldwin, an outspoken advocate for environmental protection.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, H.R. 4133, the United States-Israeli Security Cooperation Act expresses the sense of Congress that the U.S. take actions to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge with advanced missile defense systems and ``specialized munitions'' to protect Israel in a time of significant change in the region, as well as to respond to the threat posed by Iran. I strongly support Israel's security and believe that the United States has an important role to play in ensuring regional peace. I am concerned that the language in this bill could pave the path for war with Iran. At a time when the United States and Iran are making significant progress in their first direct negotiations in years, legislation that draws the line at a nuclear capable Iran undermines the talks. Indeed, as Trita Parsi, a leading expert on Iran points out, it is likely that a negotiated deal with Iran under the framework of the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty will allow for enrichment for peaceful purposes on Iranian soil under strict inspections. Preventing a disastrous war and a nuclear-weapons free Iran will require that the United States and the international community fully support such negotiations. Many experts agree that a preemptive military strike on Iran would only delay their nuclear program. Top U.S. military officials such as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta have plainly stated that Iran has not acquired a nuclear weapon. Even former Israeli intelligence officials, including the former heads of the Shin Bet and the Mossad, have joined the chorus of top U.S. military brass in opposing a preemptive military strike against Iran. Sustained, diplomatic engagement with Iran is the only way to achieve transparency and a nuclear-weapons free Iran. Any Congressional effort to limit or undermine the President's authority to pursue diplomacy with Iran and to encourage the use of military force against Iran must be opposed.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Olga 'Betty' Dougherty, a dedicated civic activist in Lakewood, Ohio, and a volunteer to the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates in Northeast Ohio. Born on October 8th, 1917, in Ashtabula, Ohio, Olga Tratnik, was known as Betty. In her early 20s, Betty worked as a housekeeper before landing a job at General Electric until she retired. Betty was a passionate volunteer, working with many different organizations to improve the world around her. She was with the St. Clair Superior Coalition for 20 years. She was a longtime member of the Lakewood Democratic Club. Following her retirement, in the early 1990s, Betty became more politically involved and began volunteering for Democratic Cleveland City Council candidates in her ward. She eventually worked her way into larger races and was an avid volunteer for Ohio State Representative Mike Foley, Ohio State Senator Michael Skindell and myself. In 1997, during my first term in Congress, Norfolk Southern announced its plan to triple the number of freight trains along the track through Lakewood as part of its acquisition of Conrail. Betty was then living in the Westerly apartments near my Lakewood District Office. She was active in opposing the merger because of the effect the increased freight levels would have on the safety of the people of Lakewood and surrounding communities. Betty and several other seniors who lived in the Westerly began a daily count of the number of trains, contradicting NS's contention that there were only 13 trains a day as there was in 1995. Known as the ``Senior Monitors,'' Betty and her colleagues reported their train counts at every meeting of the people organized to oppose to the merger. Often the Senior Monitors' numbers were much higher than Norfolk Southern's, in the 20 24 range. The Senior Monitors' data was significant in helping me and the local communities negotiate the historic cap on the number of trains at the 1995 level, rather than a higher number based on 1997 numbers. Thanks to Betty's help and so many others working with her to protect safety in Lakewood, that cap of 14 trains per day on the Nickel Plate Line through Lakewood, Rocky River and Bay Village, is in effect today. Betty was also a world traveler and joined travel groups where she would be paired up with another single lady on adventures all over the world. Throughout her travels she collected hundreds of recipes and enjoyed hosting her friends and neighbors for dinner parties. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the great life and achievements of Betty Dougherty.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Mobile Turkish Coffee House, currently touring the East Coast to promote friendship between Turkish and American people. Led by Gizem Salcigil White, this all-volunteer, non-profit project has decorated a food truck with images of Turkey and is travelling to Washington D.C.; Baltimore, Maryland; New York City; New Haven, Connecticut; and Boston, Massachusetts to share free Turkish coffee with Americans in order to facilitate ``coffee conversations'' between Turkish and American people. The United States of America and the Republic of Turkey have close diplomatic ties and they cooperate on many issues. The Mobile Turkish Coffee House project is promoting awareness of this friendship through fun cultural events. In addition to sharing free coffee, the Mobile Turkish Coffee House is hosting educational events throughout the East Coast. The events feature expert lectures and free tastings followed by short role-plays that reflect Turkish traditions and values. Turkish coffee is world-renowned. This unique coffee was recently submitted to UNESCO's World Heritage list by the Republic of Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a cultural inheritance that should be protected. The Ottoman Empire brought coffee to Europe, from which it made its way to the United States. Both Americans and Turkish people enjoy coffee; through this project both peoples can learn more about our shared history. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Gizem Salcigil White and all the volunteers who have made The Mobile Turkish Coffee House a reality. As they spread their message of good will, we recognize their spirit of friendship and commend them for their efforts to promote peace and international camaraderie.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance and recognition of the 37th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. This historical date commemorates the end of the Vietnam War, and represents the beginning of a new life for tens of thousands of Vietnamese people, as they began their hopeful journey to America. On April 30, 1975, the ancient city of Saigon fell to the conquest of communist troops. This action solidified the communist takeover of South Vietnam. Thirty-seven years later, I rise to honor the memory and sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese soldiers, American soldiers and civilians who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of liberty. Despite the violent takeover and the rule of repression that followed, the culture, spirit and hope reflected by the Vietnamese people remained steadfast. After the fall of Saigon, thousands of Vietnamese, determined to rebuild their lives, began a treacherous exodus out of Vietnam. Their daring escape was on foot, through thick jungles and over jagged mountains. They escaped by boat, through snake- infested rivers and across turbulent seas. They became refugees in many nations, including America, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and the hope for freedom in their hearts. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring and remembering the hundreds of thousands of men and women who struggle for peace and freedom, then and now. We also honor agencies and churches such as The Vietnamese Community of Greater Cleveland and St. Helena Catholic Church, which offer havens of support, services and hope to immigrants from all over the world. The Vietnamese culture, through the care and commitment of its people, has flourished in Cleveland and across America, yet remains forever connected to its ancient cultural and historical traditions that spiral back throughout the centuries, connecting the old world to the new, spanning oceans and borders in the ageless quest for peace--from Vietnam to America.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of former state representative, Reverend Michael DeBose. A lifelong resident of Cleveland, Ohio, Rev. DeBose graduated from Urban League Street Academy and Cleveland State University. He also studied at Myers College and the Moody Bible Institute. He began his professional career with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority and City of Cleveland. He eventually went to work for the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineer Department as a building and grounds superintendent and vehicle maintenance supervisor. In 2002, Rev. DeBose began serving as a Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 12th District, representing the areas of Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Cleveland Wards 1 and Ward 2, as well as part of Cleveland Ward 3. He was an avid advocate for raising the minimum wage and promoting cancer screenings. He served as State Representative for four consecutive terms until he reached the term limit at the end of 2010. In addition to his civil service, Rev. DeBose was an active member of the Greater Cleveland community. He was a member of the Cleveland School Board and was essential to the establishment of the Cleveland School of the Arts' parent-teacher association. Rev. DeBose was also an associate pastor at Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and served as chaplain for the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. I offer my condolences to his wife, the former Cheryl Ann Andrews; children, Shalimar Keyhan DeBose, Michael Kareem DeBose II and Krystal Keyhan DeBose; three grandsons; four brothers and four sisters. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in remembering the late Reverend Michael DeBose.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Mrs. Gina Thompson, a supporter and leading voice for environmental, social and political improvement. Gina was born on January 28, 1938 in Los Angeles, California. She was raised by her mother, Greta and stepfather, William Dooling. Gina attended Santa Monica College and soon after married Ed Angell. They had a son, Christopher. Several years later, Gina remarried her husband of 55 years, John Thompson. While the family of three was living in Malibu, Gina was diagnosed with breast cancer. She vowed that if she overcame the disease, she would devote her life to helping others. This is when Gina's career in philanthropy blossomed. Beginning as a volunteer, Gina was ultimately appointed the executive director of the Center for the Healing Arts in Los Angeles. She eventually went on to the same position with The Hermes Project before to Nicasio, California. She continued her work with non-profit organizations as the executive director for the Dharma Foundation. Gina was also extremely involved in politics, and served as a fundraiser and organizer for both my own and President Obama's campaigns. Spirituality was another aspect that was important in Gina's life. She was a fundraiser for Spirit Rock Meditation Center and assisted master Mingtogn Gu in bringing the Wisdom Healing Qigong Center to Petaluma. I offer my condolences to her husband, John Thompson and son, Christopher Angell. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the life of Mrs. Gina Thompson.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Magos Hungarian Folk Band, and welcome them to Cleveland, Ohio, for their performance at St. Emeric's Church Hall on April 29, 2012. The Magos Band's philosophy is to learn and present Hungarian folk music in its archaic form and perform it to the young generation. Their music is classified as Tanchaz, drawing inspiration from the Carpathian basin, including Hungary, Transylvania and parts of Slovakia. The Magos Hungarian Folk Band is comprised of violinists Csaba Soos and Marton Kovacs, David Horvath on bass, Tamas Enyedi on cimbalom, Marton Fekete playing the bracsa, and vocals by Agnes Enyedi. The band gained fame after winning the 2011 Folkbeats Competition in Budapest, Hungary. Their prize was a concert tour of North America. In addition to a concert, the Magos Band will also be hosting a traditional Hungarian dance party after each of their shows. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the Magos Hungarian Folk Band and welcoming them to the City of Cleveland.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Reverend Dan Sewell, who was named the 2012 Fairview Park Citizen of the Year by the Fairview Park Community Council. Rev. Sewell, a lifelong resident of Fairview Park, Ohio was born in 1955. He graduated from Fairview Park High School in 1973 and earned a Master of Theology Degree from Fuller Seminary. He has been married to his wife, Karen, for 37 years and they have four daughters. In 1989, Rev. Sewell became the pastor of the New Hope Church. Under his leadership, the church has become a staple in the community, hosting hunger drives and other various community service opportunities. Rev. Sewell is also the longest-serving member of the Fairview Park Ministerial Association which supports the Fairview Park Hunger Center and National Day of Prayer gatherings. He has also been involved with Fairview Park's annual Summerfest, serving as a bake-off judge, talent judge, and musical performer. Additionally, Rev. Sewell was instrumental in developing Fairview Park's ``Everyone is Our Neighbor'' campaign as a response to crime in the community. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in congratulating Reverend Dan Sewell as he is honored by the Fairview Park Community Council as the 2012 Fairview Park Citizen of the Year.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the City Club of Cleveland. Established in 1912 as a non-partisan forum for debate, the City Club of Cleveland is the country's oldest independent continuous free speech forum. It is often referred to as ``America's Citadel of Free Speech.'' The mission of the City Club of Cleveland is to inform, educate and inspire citizens by presenting significant ideas and providing opportunities for dialogue in a collegial setting. The speaking events held at the City Club of Cleveland can be heard across the nation through the radio, television, podcasts and on YouTube. Throughout the past century, the City Club of Cleveland has hosted some of the country's fiercest debates and inspiring speeches. Perhaps the most well-known speech delivered at the City Club of Cleveland was Senator Robert F. Kennedy's ``Mindless Menace of Violence'' speech delivered on the day following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Other notable speakers include Bill Clinton, Theodore Roosevelt, Geraldine Ferraro, W.E.B. DuBois, Sandra Day O'Connor, Cesar Chavez, Rosa Parks, Henry Kissinger and Ken Burns. The City Club of Cleveland is celebrating its centennial year with several events. On May 18, 2012, Ted Turner will receive the Citadel of Free Speech Award. The City Club of Cleveland is also hosting an Anniversary Essay Contest, Encore Speakers Series and Centennial Gala Celebration this fall. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the City Club of Cleveland.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Poles, Polish- Americans on the occasion of Polish Constitution Day. Polish Constitution Day is a day when people of all cultures join with the people of Poland to celebrate the rich culture, traditions and history of Poland. After almost five centuries of struggle and perseverance, the Governmental Statute of Poland became the first written constitution in Europe on May 3, 1791. The Polish Constitution established the separation of government powers, freedom of religion, and abolished elements of serfdom, all of these are key elements of freedom and democracy. The Polish American Congress strives to make Americans of Polish heritage more successful and involved U.S. citizens by encouraging them to assume the responsibilities of leadership. Since its foundation over sixty years ago, the group has created programs to successfully integrate people of Polish decent in the U.S. and enrich Cleveland's social fabric. These programs include the Displaced Persons Program, which allowed almost 150,000 Polish immigrants to enter the U.S. after World War Two. The group also won American veterans benefits for Polish Veterans of both World War One and World War Two. The Polish American Congress has played a crucial role in the Polish Community, and in its many years of support and service has been an invaluable contribution to the City of Cleveland and this nation. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me today, Polish Constitution Day, in honoring the struggles, courage and triumphs of the people of Poland and honoring all people of Polish descent. Through their successive struggles for freedom, the people of Poland have given the world hope.

Mr. KUCINICH

Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Day 2012 and to celebrate the many cultural and societal contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities throughout Northeast Ohio. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the numerous achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout Northeast Ohio and across the nation. Cultural diversity is a foundation of our community and it has allowed our residents to experience traditions from around the world. The heritage of Asian Americans has been preserved and reflected by each generation. It shows the spirit, hope and courage of all of our ancestors who braved treacherous journeys along the road to freedom and opportunity in America. This year's celebration will take place at Cleveland City Hall Rotunda and feature Mayor Frank Jackson, Ms. Margaret W. Wong, and Mr. Blaine A. Griffin, the Director of Community Relations Board. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in celebrating Asian/ Pacific American Heritage Day and honoring the contributions of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our Greater Cleveland community.