Ron Klein

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 67) celebrating 130 years of United States-Romanian diplomatic relations, congratulating the Romanian people on their achievements as a great nation, and reaffirming the deep bonds of trust and values between the United States and Romania, a trusted and most valued ally, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Financial Services be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 4036) to clarify the National Credit Union Administration authority to make stabilization fund expenditures without borrowing from the Treasury, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, again, I think that when we think back to Eastern Europe from decades ago, the type of place it was under Soviet dominance and occupation, it is a different place today. Those of us who have a chance as Americans to travel to these three countries have seen tremendous change. We know that the fight that they have, and the respect they have for the United States is strong because we held and stood with them during the time of the Soviet occupation. We appreciate their belief in freedom and democracy. We share that with them. One little side note: When I was in Lithuania, a number of us were interested in encouraging Lithuania to continue to move forward quickly with Holocaust restitution, which has been languishing for quite some time, and we encourage them to move quickly before many of these survivors perish by natural causes. But we are here today to celebrate. This is a very big milestone. And of course we ask Members of this body to support this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution that congratulates Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of their declarations on the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Representative Shimkus, the gentleman from Illinois, and a good friend of the Baltic people, for introducing this measure today. In June 1940, Soviet troops occupied the Baltic states under the auspices of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and then forcibly incorporated them into the Soviet Union. The following year, Nazi Germany invaded the Baltic states and illegally incorporated them into the Third Reich. The Soviet Union re-occupied the Baltic states in 1945 until they regained their independence in 1991. During this period of foreign domination, thousands of Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians were subject to brutal repression, exiled, imprisoned and even executed. The United States never recognized the incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union. I had a chance a few years ago to visit the states with a number of other Members, and we heard directly from the people, the government leaders about their level of appreciation to the United States for taking that position that they were never recognized as Baltic states under the Soviet Union. This policy gave rise to the principle of legal continuity, which held that they remained de jure independent during the period of illegal occupation. Furthermore, the people of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania never relinquished their hope for freedom and democracy. In August of 1989, the world watched as an estimated 2 million Balts--over one-quarter of the total population--formed a 370-mile human chain that spanned the three capitals in a peaceful act of solidarity and defiance of Soviet rule. Just over 6 months later, in March of 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare independence. Estonia and Latvia followed suit within weeks. All three regained their full independence in late August 1991, which was recognized by the Soviet Union on September 6. In the intervening 20 years, these states have made remarkable progress in reforming their political and economic systems. They have joined the family of European democracies, become members of NATO and the European Union. Indeed, all three Baltic states are valued participants in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and have worked to build stability and prosperity throughout eastern Europe. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution that celebrates an important anniversary of our Baltic allies. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the close relations that our nations have continued to enjoy. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. 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. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 267) congratulating the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of their full independence, as amended.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. As my colleagues are aware, last week the State of Israel faced the worst natural disaster in its history. A forest fire ravaged the Carmel Forest, killing over 40 people, displacing over 17,000 Israelis, and burning 4 million trees. People from all over the world have planted trees in forests throughout Israel to make it greener and make the desert bloom. This is a tragedy, because of the loss of these forests, that really is something that has to be recognized. But, more importantly, this is a moment that we, as Americans, want to send a message of condolence to the Israeli people for the loss of life, loss of property, and to make an important statement of support and solidarity with our ally and friend, the State of Israel. Thankfully, over the last day or so, the fire has now been successfully contained, and hopefully it will soon be fully extinguished. With the help of the international community, Israel will now be able to rebuild, and that's why it's important that at this moment in time we recognize the importance of this international effort from countries around the world who offered or provided assistance to fight the fire. Those countries include Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Norway, the Netherlands, the Palestinian Authority, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. We're also proud of our State and local governments in the United States who selflessly mobilized to send firefighting supplies and firefighting experts to Israel. I would like to especially acknowledge the round-the-clock efforts by USAID, Department of Defense, National Security Council, U.S. Fire Services Professionals, as well as our embassy personnel in Tel Aviv, who were in constant contact with their Israeli counterparts offering assistance and support at every juncture. We must note that time and again Israel sends its supplies and its experts to disasters around the world. It was one of the first countries that provided support to the people of Haiti after the earthquake. And certainly we know in the aftermath of floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and other natural and manmade disasters, Israel offers its expertise. Now Israel knows that it can rely on others as well. Restoration will be a long-term effort after this fire and will require cooperation on many fronts. I would like to commend the important efforts of the Jewish National Fund which is taking a leading role in the replanting effort as it has operated for decades. I would like to thank my partner in this bipartisan legislation, Congressman Peter King, the chairman of the Fire Services Caucus, and many others who have cosponsored this piece of legislation. And I would also like to thank Chairman Berman and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for quickly bringing this resolution to the floor. Our expeditious consideration allows us to send a message to the people of Israel: we stand with you in your time of need. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. 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. I thank the gentleman for his support of this resolution. I think we all understand when it comes to disasters, that we're all in this together--whether it's people of the State of Israel, people in the United States and other countries around the world. And I think certainly after watching Israel over the years come to the aid of other countries in their time of need, it's obviously important on a humanitarian level, logistical level, and a respect level that we can all help the State of Israel in its time of need as well as in this time of this natural disaster. I ask the Members of the House to support this resolution.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1751) mourning the loss of life and expressing condolences to the families affected by the tragic forest fire in Israel that began on December 2, 2010.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I would like to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for his very eloquent presentation, and all the speakers today, including the Speaker of the House. This is a statement of the American people, a statement of all of us from whatever background we come, about the importance of human rights and the recognition that all of us fight for human rights, no matter what the situation, politically or otherwise.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) to close.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and thank the Speaker of the House for her leadership in the fight for human rights throughout the world, and I yield 1 minute to the Speaker of the House.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, as we've been discussing, this is a travesty of great magnitude. The Chinese Government has shown over and over again its lack of respect and dignity for human life. And, certainly, for someone who has such great respect in the academic community and worldwide as a leader in the views of nonviolence to be locked up and put away when the rest of the world recognizes the importance of his respect and his leadership in this important endeavor is obviously more than disgusting. But we have an opportunity, obviously, today to create a resolution and speak on behalf of the United States and our people about what we believe are human rights and the respect that should be given someone who has been given the Nobel Peace Prize. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia, the author of the resolution, Mr. Moran.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. For 50 years, the National Council for International Visitors has operated on the conviction that every day American citizens can be some of our country's greatest diplomats. Through its facilitation of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program and other exchange programs, the NCIV has been an essential part of American diplomacy. In order to welcome international visitors across the country, the NCIV requires the energy and commitment of more than 80,000 volunteers every year. These volunteers create and implement professional and cultural programs for the visitors, and they also open their homes. Over 190,000 foreign leaders, including 286 current and former heads of state, have come to the United States through the International Visitor Leadership Program and have benefited from this hospitality. The experiences they have had and relationships they have built in the United States have left a lasting impression of the values and strength of the American people. In an increasingly interconnected world, technology can unite us, but face-to-face interaction can bond us. Our citizen diplomats help to dispel myths about the United States and can convey potent messages of American goodwill. They also help to increase understanding within the United States about the world. The service that our citizen diplomats have provided for over half a century has been invaluable to our country, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, which designates February 16, 2011, as ``Citizen Diplomacy Day.'' Of course, I would like to thank the author of the resolution, Congressman Moran. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I certainly would like to acknowledge the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his cosponsorship of the bill as well. I am looking forward to Mr. Smith, Mr. McGovern, and me all planning for next year's marathon and getting ready for the big race. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the author of the bill, the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).

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, H. Res. 1704 honors the anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, a watershed event in the protection of the then-fledgling form of government we continue to practice to this day and we know as democracy. As the story goes, a messenger ran 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the Greek victory over the Persians, a feat commemorated today by millions of athletes around the world through the running of marathons. In this anniversary year, the town of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, the sister city to Marathon, Greece, created ``Marathon 2010'' to encourage a global celebration of the victory at Marathon and to connect marathoners throughout the world in the shared experience of running. The commemorative Flame of Marathon was brought from Marathon to Hopkinton nearly 2 years ago as a symbol of the twin cities common heritage as caretakers of the sport of the marathon. As part of the celebration of the 2500th anniversary, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., celebrated the military roots of long distance running by receiving the flame in October. We commend the hundreds of thousands of marathon runners throughout the world who exemplify the words of the philosopher Confucius, a contemporary of the battle who said: ``I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.'' We join together with marathoners around the world in celebrating the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern) for introducing 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 in which 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. 1704) honoring the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, as amended.

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.