Ron Klein

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this resolution congratulates Chinese democracy activist Liu Xiaobo on being awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize and calls for his immediate release from imprisonment by the Chinese Government. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for sponsoring this resolution and bringing it forward to discuss with many of us, as well as the other six Members of Congress who originally nominated Mr. Liu for the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Liu was a leader during the 1989 pro-democracy Tiananmen Square protests and one of the drafters last year of Charter 08, a document signed by more than 300 Chinese intellectuals and rights advocates that called for political reform and improvement in China's human rights policies. As a result of his activism, the Chinese Government charged Mr. Liu with the phony offense of ``inciting subversion of state power.'' He was convicted on Christmas day of last year and subsequently sentenced to 11 years in prison, a sentence that has been widely regarded as unusually harsh. This past October, Mr. Liu became the first Chinese citizen residing in China to win the Nobel Peace Prize and one of three laureates to have received it while in prison. The Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Mr. Liu ``for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.'' Mr. Liu's wife visited him in prison shortly after he learned of winning the prize, and during their visit Mr. Liu reportedly was moved to tears and said that the prize was ``for the lost souls of June 4.'' Mr. Liu remains locked away in a Chinese cell and thus is not able to receive the prize in person. The Chinese Government has also placed his wife under house arrest and is preventing her and Mr. Liu's other family, friends and supporters from leaving China to attend the awards ceremony in Norway. The Chinese Government has denounced the prize as a ``political tool'' of the West, blocking all media reporting of the news in China and trying to bully foreign governments from sending representatives to the awards ceremony later this week. China's boorish and arrogant behavior over Mr. Liu's award won't produce the global respect and clout that Chinese authorities so desperately crave, and its tactics only underscore China's failure to uphold the very principles to which Mr. Liu has dedicated his life and work and for which he is being recognized by the Nobel committee. Today, the United States House of Representatives stands in solidarity with Mr. Liu and all those who have risked their lives to promote democratic reform in China. We call on China to immediately release Mr. Liu from prison and to cease its harassment and detention of Mr. Liu's wife and supporters. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1717) congratulating imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, as amended.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, again I thank the gentleman who brought this forward to us, Mr. Manzullo as well, and Mr. Smith. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1402) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the National Council for International Visitors, and expressing support for designation of February 16, 2011, as ``Citizen Diplomacy Day,'' as amended.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank all of my colleagues here in the House and especially my constituents back home in south Florida. The opportunity to serve in this body has been the privilege and honor of a lifetime. I truly have been honored and feel honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of fighting for families, businesses, seniors, and veterans in our community every single day. And fight we did. When I came in 4 years ago, we were challenged with a war; we were challenged with a lot of other things. And as those years have passed, there have been new challenges, economy and others. Together we fought to take on skyrocketing homeowners' insurance costs in Florida and other places. We wrote a commonsense solution that makes insurance look and work like it was supposed to. It wasn't easy, but we brought together every single member of Florida's delegation, Republican and Democrat alike, as well as allies from around the country and passed the Homeowners' Defense Act in a very bipartisan way. I am very proud of that. We also fought to deliver on a campaign promise in my first race to close the Medicare part D doughnut hole, something that is so significant to so many seniors in my community. Our seniors should never have to make the choice between food and medicine. And because we shall and will bring down the cost of prescription drugs, many in our community will no longer have to. We stood up for our Nation's veterans, something that is a prized responsibility that every American shares in, because I believe it is our responsibility to fight for those who have fought for us. We passed the biggest increase in VA history to make sure that our servicemembers have access to everything that they need. And we turned local ideas from our Palm Beach and Broward County veterans advisory boards into the law of the land. But we didn't stop there. We took on energy and the recognition that there is a national security threat of an energy policy that continues to support Middle East rogue countries, in particular Iran. I helped work with others in writing and passing the toughest sanctions in history, because we cannot allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon, not on our watch and certainly not on our dime. We tackled health care and equal pay for women. We expended Pell Grants so that every child and every student has a right to go to college and help create a workforce that will compete worldwide. We passed an innovative and forward-looking energy plan to end our dependence on foreign oil. But most of all, many of us worked together to do what is best for our community. Some might disagree with any one policy; but I think at the end, each of us in this Chamber knows that we have a responsibility to our country, we believe in our country, and we try to do the right things. Madam Speaker, my colleagues and south Floridians who are watching today, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me this privilege. Choosing public service isn't always easy. There are bad headlines and tough attacks and long weeks away from your family, and our families truly make the greatest sacrifice. But it is worth every one of those sacrifices for the opportunity to make our country better for our children and our grandchildren than it was for us. This is the American Dream, and that is what I fought for and many of us fight for every single day at home at here and in town here. When I first came to this historic U.S. Capitol building, a very wise colleague said to me--and it stuck with me to this very moment--look up at the Capitol dome at nighttime. Look at it when we are working late. You see the light at the top and a beautiful dome. And I look up and I see that every time I am here in the evening, and I see that magnificent dome against the dark sky. And I think about the great figures that have passed through in time here. Most names we will never know, but every one of them was truly just passing through, whether here for 2 years, or 10 years or 20 years. Every one had the same goal to make this country a little better place. My colleague said to me, if you look up at that dome at one point and you aren't inspired, then it's time to go home. Well, certainly I have been inspired every day I have been here and continue to be inspired, and he was right. The opportunity to serve our community in these hallowed Halls does inspire me, and I hope it continues to inspire every single other person and the next generation of leaders who come into this Chamber. So I want to thank all of you. Thank you for allowing us to be here. Thank you for the privilege of serving, and I look forward to being part of our community and continue to work on behalf of it.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the lady. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Con. Res. 323, a resolution that calls attention to the thousands of Holocaust survivors who are living below the poverty line. We know in Florida we have a tremendous number of people that have come from that background. They deserve to live their lives in dignity. Holocaust survivors have endured torturous and unimaginable nightmares. All the more so they should be assured a life of comfort and security. It is truly tragic that Holocaust survivors are five times more likely to live below the poverty line than other older Americans. We are coming together as Members today to send a clear message that we must all help lift Holocaust survivors out of poverty. This is a community obligation because we are human, and we must not allow suffering like this to reach those who have already suffered so much. I would like to thank my friend, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chief sponsor of this legislation. South Florida is truly lucky to have you. I would also like to commend the many good organizations in Florida and around the country that provide stellar social services to Holocaust survivors. They understand the unique needs of the survivor population and the urgent imperative to solve this crisis. I call on my colleagues to swiftly pass this important resolution so that we may tell Holocaust survivors, you are not alone.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the ``Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act.'' I am a proud cosponsor of the House version because it will finally tear down an unnecessary barrier to clinical trials for people with life-threatening rare diseases like cystic fibrosis. Under current law, patients with rare diseases face an unconscionable choice. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits, then you could potentially lose these benefits if you participate in a clinical trial. That's because many clinical trials offer compensation in accordance to ethical guidelines in exchange for your participation. This compensation can put you over the income requirements for the SSI program. So in effect, the choice becomes this: take a chance on a cure for tomorrow, or risk losing the critical support you depend on today. That's no choice that anyone should ever have to make. The ``Improving Access to Clinical Trials Act'' removes this barrier by exempting the income from a clinical trial from the SSI threshold, thus freeing people to participate if they so choose. It's a common- sense fix that is long overdue and will help groundbreaking research into the cures of tomorrow for rare diseases. I am also proud to support this legislation because one of my personal missions is to support research to fmd a cure for cystic fibrosis. Long before I ever came to Congress, my wife, Dori, and I supported the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because of our close connection to people with this rare disease. Andrea Levy, from my hometown of Boca Raton, is one such person. At the age of six, Andrea was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. She has fought this disease with courage, and volunteers her time as an advocate for others that face similar health challenges. After graduating from the University of Florida with honors, she earned a masters' degree and is now working full-time as a counselor at a local school so she can continue to help others and give back to our community. Yet every day, she has to set aside hours for treatment and therapy to fight her disease. Andrea and the many others like her with CF should be able to live the American Dream without the burdens of a genetic disease. Yet this quirk in SSI law prevents more clinical trials from going forward because of a lack of people who will sign up. It's for Andrea and all the people with rare diseases that I have pushed not only for greater access to clinical trials, but for greater investments in biomedical research. I am a longtime supporter of both the National Institutes of Health and private sector organizations such as The Scripps Research Institute and the Max Plank Institute. Finding cures to diseases that afflict so many must remain a fundamental goal of both the public and private sector. On this point, I will not waver. Let me close by saying that the passage of this important legislation is a shining example of how this body should work. We have strong bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. My good friend from Florida, Mr. Stearns, has been a champion for cystic fibrosis and this legislation on the Republican side. I am proud to stand with him today and encourage our colleagues to support this important legislation and for President Obama to sign it into law.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. We are currently in the midst of the Jewish High Holidays, a holy time when we reflect on the past year and welcome a new one. To everyone who celebrated Rosh Hashanah last week, I wish you and your family a healthy and happy 5771. During the Rosh Hashanah service at my synagogue, I was honored to offer the Jewish prayer for the United States. This prayer hopes for the day when ``Peace and security, happiness and prosperity, justice and freedom may forever abide in our midst.'' And I can think of no more laudable and important goal than to work towards that day with all of our heart and energy. As we pray for and work towards peace and security for the United States, we also extend those prayers to the State of Israel. The threats against the Jewish homeland are real, and we cannot allow them to go unchecked. The American people stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel, and the alliance and friendship between our two Nations remains unbreakable. I hope that all who celebrate these meaningful High Holidays have the opportunity to do so amongst loved ones. Reflection with our friends and family is the hallmark of this time of year. From my family to yours, warmest wishes during this special season.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, we rise today to honor the life and memory of an extraordinary member of our South Florida community. Ceil Steinberg passed away this week at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of service and strength. Throughout Ceil's remarkable life, she maintained a steadfast commitment to serving our Nation's veterans. She served as President of the Ladies National Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans, and continued to be active in our local veterans community into her 80s. Ceil's two wonderful daughters, Circuit Court Judge Debra Nelson and her sister Anita Kahn, who has taught in South Florida public schools for over 30 years, blessed their mom with 4 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren, who Ceil adored. When we think of public service, we think of Ceil, and her determination to give back, especially to those who have served our Nation in uniform. We want to express our deep personal condolences to all of Ceil's family, and her beloved partner Bill Kling, who is also a fixture in our local veterans' community. We will miss seeing Ceil, but the light of her legacy will continue to burn brightly well into the future.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strongest possible support for Social Security--an essential lifeline that some 130,000 seniors in my congressional district depend on every day. Social Security is an earned benefit that American workers have paid into over a lifetime of their careers. That is why it is outrageous, at least from my perspective, to hear some of my colleagues propose to cut Social Security as a mechanism to reduce the national deficit or to pay for the war in Afghanistan. This is irresponsible, shortsighted, and overwhelmingly reckless; and I personally won't stand for it. Social Security is one of the only Federal programs that has a dedicated source of revenue, what we pay into that has paid for itself in full for over 75 years now without contributing to the national deficit. In south Florida and around the country, seniors rely on Social Security as a stable, guaranteed source of income in their retirement years, particularly in these tough economic times. I adamantly oppose and will work to defeat any attempts to weaken America's retirement security and pay down national debt unrelated to the Social Security program--all on the backs of our Nation's seniors.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Randa Flinn, a teacher at Northeast High School in Oakland Park, Florida. Mrs. Flinn was selected as one of only 10 Society for Science & the Public fellows in the entire country. She earned this honor for her hard work inspiring excellence in scientific thinking and research among her students. The SSP fellowship includes an award of $8,500 for Mrs. Flinn to use directly in her classroom and full support to attend a Fellows Institute here in Washington, where I will have the personal pleasure of thanking her for her contributions to our schools and our community. My mother was a public school teacher, and I personally know how hard they work to help our children learn and grow. And that's why Mrs. Flinn and her actions in shaping our future leaders and scientists of our country and her efforts are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you to Randa Flinn and to all the teachers in south Florida.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor all American veterans and especially those who served in the Korean War. Although it's too often mischaracterized as ``the forgotten war,'' we will never forget the sacrifice of the 294,000 Floridians who put on the uniform and served our country in that conflict. This year we are marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean War which provides us another opportunity to say ``thank you'' to those who fought for the freedoms that we all enjoy. Once again, our community in south Florida has come together to honor the veterans of the Korean War, and we are dedicating a new memorial in Palm Beach County to make sure these servicemembers and the war they fought are never forgotten. I would personally like to thank Joe Green, the president of our local chapter of the Korean War veterans, for his tireless dedication. Without his hard work, this memorial would not have become a reality; and we owe him a great deal of gratitude. I personally wake up every day committed to serving those who served our country. Standing with our local veterans is a top priority, and today I am honored to ask the House to remember those who served in the Korean War on the occasion of its 60th anniversary.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly support the Iran sanctions conference report, including robust sanctions on refined petroleum in Iran. I am proud that the final bill includes my amendment requiring companies that are applying for contracts with the United States Government to affirmatively certify that they do not conduct business with Iran. This legislation gives companies a simple choice: Do business with the United States or do business with Iran. We cannot allow Iran to continue its pursuit of nuclear weapons--not on our watch and certainly not on our dime. As a conferee, I am proud that the final bill also takes into account any developments that have arisen in recent months. Iran is attempting to circumvent global sanctions, and this bill seeks to cut off their strategies, such as Iranian investments with companies like BP and joint ventures outside of Iran. I would also like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros- Lehtinen for their leadership. I urge my colleagues to support the conference agreement.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Marna Davidson, a great educator and leader in our community. Marna has worked in the south Florida office of the United Federation of Teachers for many years and has helped to run an extraordinary program for retired teachers in our community. After a total career of 45 years, Marna has decided to retire this year, and I would personally like to thank her for her service and wish her a wonderful retirement. People like Marna are what make south Florida the best place to live in the country. Her lifelong dedication to teachers and her tireless dedication and commitment have had a real and lasting impact in our community. Of her decision to retire this year, Marna said she wants to ``leave while I'm still in love.'' That sentiment truly captures Marna's spirit. And while the Boca Raton-based UFT office will surely be sad to see her go, we all respect her wise decision and wish her the very best in the next phase of her life. Thank you, Marna.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 1359 and mark the 4-year anniversary of the capture of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. On June 25, 2006, Shalit was taken in a cross-border raid, remains held in Gaza, and for the past 4 years, he has been denied virtually all contact with the outside world. When he was kidnapped, he was only 19 years old, the age of an average American college student. But instead of being able to serve his country and continue with his bright future, he has been held a prisoner for 4 years. The plight of this soldier must not be forgotten. I want to honor the sacrifice of this young man and his family who wait every day for news of their son's circumstances. I have met the Shalit family and I have seen the pain in their eyes and the pleading in their voices. The Shalit family has also met with many communities across the United States, urging people to remember their son and speak out on his behalf. Today, I join the communities in Palm Beach and Broward County in sending a message to Gilad Shalit's captors: Let Gilad Shalit go. As Israel faces dangerous threats from throughout the region and still makes unprecedented sacrifices for peace, America stands with Israel in its hope for the release of Gilad Shalit. American families and Israeli families are united in the hope that the Shalit family should suffer no longer.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the gentleman from Colorado. All of us share a common goal: We are committed to an economic recovery. We also agree that small business lending is critical to achieving that recovery. Small businesses in my district in south Florida and around the country are struggling to get access to credit so they can grow their businesses and create jobs. Even though bank regulators at the top are telling banks to lend, I have heard over and over again directly from dozens of businesses in my community and the banks locally that examiners on the ground are giving the exact opposite message. It is essential that we do everything we can to increase small business lending. This amendment provides incentives for small business and real estate lending, exactly what south Florida and other communities need to continue on the road to recovery. The amendment provides a solution to a critical problem, and I am proud to have worked with community banks, our Realtors and real estate community on this issue. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to continue my regular real-time updates to my south Florida constituents on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I believe it's my responsibility to keep the families, homeowners, and businesses along the 75 miles of my coastline in my district fully informed so they can be prepared for all possibilities. First things first. Obviously, the spill itself has to be capped. I certainly call on BP to deploy every possible resource, every expert, every technology, every available opportunity to plug this hole. This is not about a question of whether the Federal Government is going to step in and come on with some magic silver bullet. This is an all- hands-on-deck approach. Everyone should be involved. And it will require scientists and geologists and people from other oil companies from around the world to help figure this thing out. The permits should have probably never been issued in the first place without having the necessary cleanup plans in place, but it is here and it is now and we need to get it done. I had the opportunity a week or so ago to join some NOAA researchers, those are oceanographic experts, on a 9-hour mission in a P-3 plane over the gulf to really understand what was going on, what the currents were doing. Obviously, from the southeast Florida side, we're concerned about the current which may bring it through the Florida Straits and up through the Gulf Stream. We saw through the research that was done. There is this possibility of course, and the sooner we can cap the oil, the better. We all know that if this oil does come to the east side of Florida, as it has to the panhandle, it will impact Florida homeowners and businesses--not to mention the environment--for generations to come. We need to do it now, and we need to take whatever action is necessary to finish that job. The other thing I would like to say to my constituents--and obviously this is a national issue--but no one should have to suffer because of BP's recklessness, and taxpayers cannot and will not be stuck with footing even a dime of the bill for this debacle. BP has to be fully responsible for the full cost of plugging the leak, cleaning up the spill, and making every person, every business who is harmed whole again. I appreciate the fact that today there was discussion about $20 billion being put in escrow that can be drawn down for businesses and local groups that have to clean up this mess to pay for it, but this may play out for a generation. Let me repeat myself: BP is responsible for the full cost down to the last dime. In Florida, we have always been concerned about offshore drilling because we have a multibillion-dollar tourism industry that depends on our pristine waters, beautiful beaches, and coral reefs. Right now, every restaurant owner in places like Deerfield Beach, which is part of my district, every hotel worker in West Palm Beach, every entrepreneur with a small souvenir shop or a fishing charter is concerned and they're holding their breath as to whether this water spill will affect them, affect their businesses, their jobs, and their livelihood. I have seen the fear on their faces, and meeting with them has only strengthened my resolve to make sure we do not leave our children with this terrible fate. We cannot let another generation pass without making a serious move to not only clean up this mess, but to make sure that we have a plan in place for other types of energy. The issue with deepwater drilling is not just a question of--of course we need more energy and we need more oil, but to do it in places where there is no plan in place to clean it up for BP or anyone else is unacceptable. So I think this is also an opportunity to not only clean this up and deal with this issue, but also to recognize this is a moment in time that should be our put-a-man-on-the-Moon moment, or the Manhattan Project, where every American says, you know something? Yes, we're going to have oil and, yes, there are others--there is a lot of natural gas and a lot of opportunities out there, but why not more solar? I live in a State, we call it the Sunshine State. Why aren't we building the jobs and having the types of technology which we're not only creating for Florida, but for the United States and the rest of the world? Whether it's hydrogen or nuclear or any other possibilities, there are lots of opportunities, and we should use this moment as a time to also recognize we shouldn't be dependent on fossil fuels. So as we look at this historic disaster, we should also look at this as an opportunity for the future. And I believe that now is the time to not only bring the best and the brightest to clean up this mess. It is also an opportunity to bring our best and brightest minds together to end our dependence on foreign oil over the next 10 years and become a world leader in the kind of clean, affordable alternative energy that will create good jobs right here in the United States.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today is a very important day for seniors in south Florida. Today, more than 3 weeks ahead of schedule, checks to help cover the costs of prescription medication will be mailed to seniors who have fallen into the dreaded Medicare part D doughnut hole. I have talked to many seniors in West Palm Beach and other parts of my district who had to make the wrenching choice between food and medicine. This should not happen in the America that I know, and that's why I personally have fought so hard to make sure that health care reform included reducing the cost of medicine for our seniors. Starting today, payments of $250 will be mailed to every senior who falls in the doughnut hole to help cover their costs. This is an important step, but it's just the beginning, because starting next year, seniors will see a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and we will begin to close the doughnut hole for good. Fighting for our seniors in south Florida is one of my top priorities, and today's checks will make a real difference for seniors who have worked hard and paid into the system. I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen and protect Medicare.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, on Thursday, May 27, I was unavoidably detained. Had I voted, I would have voted ``yes'' on rollcall No. 312.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the gentleman from Missouri for his great leadership on defense issues. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the en bloc amendment number 9, which includes my amendment to H.R. 5136, the Defense Authorization Act. As Congress continues to consider robust Iran sanctions, we must work every day to ensure that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon in the meantime. Therefore, I've offered an amendment to require Department of Defense contractors to certify that they do not conduct business in Iran. For months, I and others have been urging the State Department to enforce existing law on Iran sanctions, to investigate and punish those companies who are breaking the law by investing in Iran's energy sector or facilitating a weapons program. While the State Department is making progress in these investigations, these investments continue. According to the Congressional Research Service, several companies have violated the Iran Sanctions Act over the last number of years. And according to The New York Times, over $107 billion in government contracts have gone to companies that are doing business in Iran. That is why we cannot wait for companies to be designated as violators of the Iran Sanctions Act. Taxpayer money is being spent now on goods and services to companies that are thwarting the law. Companies must be able to self-certify that they are not conducting illegal business in Iran or not do business with the United States government. All companies with U.S. operations, especially those who receive taxpayer funds intended for our national defense, should not be undermining U.S. foreign policy and our troops or our national security. The certification requirement reflects the choice that each of these companies must make: either do business with the United States Government or do business with Iran. Iran must not get a nuclear weapon, not on our watch, and certainly not on our dime. I would like to thank Chairman Skelton and Ranking Member McKeon for their leadership in beginning the fight to prevent U.S. defense contractors from contributing to Iran's dangerous nuclear program. I urge support of the amendment.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the gentlelady, and I thank the gentlelady for bringing this forward as an important part of our American fabric, as she talked about Jewish American Heritage Month as just one of many that make up the fabric of the United States, the people of the United States; the fact in many ways we are an immigrant population, but we are very diverse, both in religion, background, ethnicity, and it is a way of celebration that we are celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month, and we will have the opportunity to do that tomorrow and for weeks to come. Being from Cleveland originally, Cleveland, Ohio, I grew up in a family that had roots. My family came to the United States in the twenties from Europe, from a persecuted background in countries where they weren't welcome as Jews. Of course, we know the history of what happened during the Holocaust. But they came to the United States and did what most immigrant families did: They congregated among themselves initially, went to small towns, figured it was important to get an education, started little businesses and things like that. My dad had a variety store, which is, for those of you who remember what that is, sort of like a Woolworth's, but a small, independent store started by my grandfather during the Great Depression, and then it was a family business all the way through. My dad taught me all about what it was to be part of that American fabric. Being Jewish was unique where I came from, but not totally unique. There was a Jewish community in Cleveland. I eventually, with my wife, moved to Florida. Obviously, in Florida there was a larger Jewish community where I moved to. But it was only one generation before that that in that same community where I grew up, there were restrictions on where people could live. There were restrictions in deeds where you could purchase a home or a condominium, and they didn't allow various minorities, not just Jews, but African Americans and various others, to go into those communities and buy properties. It was only one generation before I moved there. So it is really sort of in our own lifetime that all these things have changed. Of course, we know as Americans there is still more work to be done with various forms of discrimination. But I do want to mention a couple of names and sort of have some fun tonight. First of all, the first Jewish Member of Congress was from Florida. In 1841, David Levy Yulee became the first Jew to serve in Congress. It was obviously even before the Civil War. He eventually went on to serve in the United States Senate. Then it was a long, long time after that before another Jewish resident from the State of Florida came back to represent the community in Congress. But I am going to mention a few entertainment people, because I think those are some of the fun people. Many of you remember Sandy Koufax. Now, this is not entertainment, this is sports, but one of the great, truly great pitchers of all time, Los Angeles Dodgers. I think many of you remember him. He refused to pitch on Yom Kippur, which is the most significant holiday of the year for the Jewish community. It was the World Series. He made a conscious choice and sort of sent reverberations throughout the sports community. How could he make this decision? But he became a folk hero for many people to say he stood up for himself. He stood up for his religion, he stood up for his family, and although he wasn't a religious man, he did something that was quite unique at that time. Steven Spielberg. How many of you know Steven Spielberg and the touch he has had on all of our lives, with the movies and so many important cultural things that he has been a contributor to? He obviously for many reasons, not only as a great film director and producer, he has also taken it upon himself to set up the Shoa Foundation and has funded it with others as a way of taking the written testimony of people who survived the Holocaust, to preserve it forever. That, to me, is a great contribution. Groucho Marx, we all know Groucho Marx. I won't do the imitation because I see my colleague from Denver, from Colorado, over there is going to make fun of me if I do that. But Groucho Marx is truly one of the greats. And, of course, it was all the Marx brothers. They just left such a mark in that time. They came from that background of that early vaudeville era and sort of expressed that great sense of humor. So there are so many, and I know my colleagues are going to mention one after the other here. But I am just happy to be here tonight to celebrate this important milestone, to celebrate it every year as part of this community, to talk about it, to learn about it, and to get our community to talk about it and teach others as well. I thank the gentlelady for bringing us all together tonight.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this morning, the front page of our local newspapers in south Florida had some good news. Home sales are finally looking up. Our real estate market is crucial to our local economy, and this is an important sign of progress. South Florida is one of the best places to live and work and raise a family, and I am glad people are getting back into the market. Many folks took advantage of the first-time home buyer tax credit, and others are moving because their families are growing or they are ready to downsize. I am constantly working side by side with our local homebuilders and realtors, great members of our community, like Nancy Hogan, Adam Saunders, who is executive director of the Fort Lauderdale realtors, and Deidre Newton from Palm Beach County. Putting their ideas into action is one of the best ways to turn the corner in our local real estate market. And it is more than just buying a new house. Families with a new home need new furniture, flowers for their garden, and maybe a plumber or a painter or electrician to come by. These are all services and products that come from our local businesses and make a huge impact on our economy. So while there is more work to be done, and we know that, I was glad to read some good economic news in this morning's newspaper.