Ron Klein

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Chair. Today, July 30, 2009, I was unavoidably detained on rollcall No. 663. Had I voted, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 663. Part B Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Flake

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, yesterday this House passed legislation that will restore fiscal discipline by requiring the United States Government to only spend what it can truly afford. The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act will roll back deficits and require all new legislation which reduces revenues or expands spending to be paid for. This is a critical piece of common sense. At long last, Congress will be required to follow the policies that families in my district in south Florida stick by every day: only spend a dollar if you can save a dollar somewhere else. It is clear that pay-as-you-go requirements work. The last time they were in place in Congress in the 1990s we saw budget surpluses. After they lapsed in 2002, the lack of fiscal discipline allowed deficits to balloon. Fiscal responsibility is one of my personal core values. It is what my wife and I teach our children and should guide every decision we make in government. This bill marks a turning point in the fiscal health of our Nation. It won't happen overnight, but starting today we will begin to cut our deficit and return to surpluses.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 654) honoring the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation, and for other purposes.

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 yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 654, which honors the Organization For Security and Cooperation in Europe for its cooperation with Mediterranean partners. I wish to thank my good friend from Florida (Mr. Hastings) for introducing this resolution. I would also like to commend him for his excellent leadership for many years in the Helsinki Commission, both as past President of the Parliamentary Assembly, and as the current Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs. The important relationship between the OSCE and its Mediterranean Partners dates back to the founding of the organization in 1975. The Helsinki Final Act rightly recognized the connection between European and Mediterranean security, as well as the deeply rooted geographical, historical, cultural, economic and political ties between the states in this region. In particular, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia have been active partners in this OSCE partnership. Since the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was established in 1990, it has called for enhanced collaboration between Members of Parliament from the participating states of the OSCE and Mediterranean legislators in order to promote regional stability and economic cooperation. The House of Representatives is pleased to welcome the representatives of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation to Washington, D.C. later this week for a seminar on further strengthening ties between OSCE and this region. In addition to the European Union's Euro-Mediterranean partnership and NATO's Mediterranean dialogue, this OSCE initiative provides another valuable forum in which Israel and its Arab neighbors can discuss issues of common regional concern, both formally and informally. It also gives these Mediterranean and Middle Eastern states an opportunity to learn firsthand about neighboring Europe's ongoing security needs and to benefit, through example, from Europe's hard-won success in establishing viable security structures, looking to the day when a peaceful Middle East will perhaps want to establish its own OSCE-like security architecture. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the OSCE for its efforts to engage more closely with the Mediterranean region and to encourage the Partners for Cooperation to further their efforts to enhance trade, security and economic development. I strongly support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the sponsor of the bill, the gentleman and my good friend from Florida (Mr. Hastings).

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 538) supporting Olympic Day on June 23, 2009, and encouraging the International Olympic Committee to select Chicago, Illinois, as the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as amended.

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 rise in strong support of this legislation and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the gentlelady from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) for introducing this resolution supporting Olympic Day and encouraging the International Olympic Committee to select Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. H. Res. 538 provides an opportunity for the House to celebrate the Olympic ideal of peace through sport and to recognize Olympic Day, the founding anniversary of the modern Olympic games. For over a century, the modern Olympic games have brought together athletes from all around the world and in the process has helped forge countless relationships found by friendship, solidarity and fair play. Olympic Day promotes the Olympic ideal by encouraging the teaching of Olympic history, health, arts, culture to students across the country. It also encourages a new generation of American athletes to take part in Olympic and Paralympic sports. As we support the ideals of Olympic Day, it is only fitting that we also urge the International Olympic Committee to support the City of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. Last year, the IOC named Chicago one of the finalist cities to host the games, and the winning city will be selected this October. Hosting the 2016 games would bring significant benefits to Chicago, one of our Nation's truly world-class cities, and would provide an excellent opportunity for American athletes to compete in the summer Olympic and Paralympic games in front of a home crowd for the first time since 1996. I congratulate the gentlelady from Illinois for her tireless efforts, along with the other members of the delegation, to promote their city's bid to host the 2016 summer games and to urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), one of the sponsors of the bill and a great fan of Chicago and who is ready to go.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson). (Mr. JACKSON of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time as well.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 285) congratulating the people of the Republic of Lithuania on the 1000th anniversary of Lithuania and celebrating the rich history of Lithuania.

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 rise to support H. Res. 285, which recognizes the 1,000-year anniversary of Lithuania, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. I wish to thank my good friend from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) for introducing this resolution. It allows the House to add its voice to the Senate's in congratulating the Lithuanian people on this momentous occasion. In the year 1009, the name Lithuania first appeared in European records when it was mentioned in a German manuscript. The gentleman from Illinois would note that a number of us, Democrats and Republicans, were in Lithuania earlier this year and had the opportunity to meet with the government and talk about the history. It was a great opportunity. Since that time, the country has had a long and distinguished history. The state of Lithuania was established by Duke Mindaugas in 1236; yet his official coronation as King was on July 6, 1253, a date that is still celebrated as a national holiday in Lithuania. By the end of the 14th century, Lithuania had become the largest country in Europe. On February 16, 1918, Lithuania was established as a sovereign and democratic state. In June 1940, Lithuania, along with its Baltic neighbors, was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union. On March 11, 1990, Lithuania became the first Soviet Republic to declare its independence. Lithuania has since become an active member of the national community, helping to strengthen Euro-Atlantic relations through its participation in NATO and the European Union. Lithuania has helped secure peace and stability through its many contributions to international and civilian military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans. Lithuania has also been a strong ally of the United States, as our countries marked 85 years of continuous diplomatic relations in 2007. The subject of Lithuanian-American relations came up during our recent participation in the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue. Members of Congress felt it was important to urge Lithuania to enact property restitution laws in order to bring some sense of justice and closure to the families of victims of the Holocaust, and I look forward to working with our colleagues in Lithuania to resolve this issue. This will surely continue to strengthen our relationship. While we Americans celebrate our national independence on July 4th, the people of Lithuania commemorated their day of statehood on July 6. It is therefore appropriate, during this festive month, that the House passes a resolution to congratulate Lithuania on its 1,000th anniversary and reaffirm the close ties between our peoples and countries. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. If there are no other speakers, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1511) to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations to provide assistance for domestic and foreign programs and centers for the treatment of victims of torture, and for other purposes.

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 bill under consideration.

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation and yield myself as much time as I may consume. I'd like to thank the distinguished ranking Member of the Africa and Global Health Subcommittee, my friend Chris Smith, for his longstanding leadership in the fight against torture; and I am proud to stand with him unequivocally in this crucial human rights fight. I would also like to thank the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Chairman Waxman from California, and the distinguished ranking Member on the committee, Mr. Barton from Texas, for their excellent collaboration in bringing this important piece of legislation expeditiously to the House floor. Mr. Speaker, the underlying legislation which we are reauthorizing today, the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998, is the practical expression of our deeply held values. Americans abhor and condemn the use of torture wherever it may occur, including at the hands of our own citizens. This bill demonstrates the commitment of the United States to stand squarely with the victims of this barbaric and illegal practice, not only fighting against the use of torture but also providing hope and relief to those who survive it, wherever and whoever they may be. Mr. Speaker, according to Amnesty International, over 117 countries around the world still engage in torture. Amidst allegations of our own government's possible involvement in torture, President Obama and the American people have reaffirmed our policy that the United States will not torture. An estimated 500,000 foreign torture survivors reside in the United States and over 100 million may exist worldwide. The personal ramifications of torture are beyond the realm of our comprehension. Torture leaves no victim unscarred. It shapes the remainder of lives. While physical wounds may ultimately heal, torture survivors need ongoing psychosocial services and therapy to cope with the post-traumatic stress that afflicts them daily. Recovering from torture is a long-term process. It can take years before torture survivors can once again feel emotionally comfortable in society. More than 200 treatment programs operate internationally to provide crucial medical, psychological and social services to torture survivors. The legislation before us supports international programs through grants which are administered by the United States Agency For International Development, USAID, through its Victims of Torture Fund, otherwise known as VTF. H.R. 1511 authorizes $12 million for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011 for this important purpose. In the United States, the Center For Victims of Torture in Minnesota was the first multidiscipline treatment center of its kind in the United States and the third torture victims treatment program in the world. Currently there are 25 programs for the treatment of survivors of torture operating in the United States, most of them financially assisted through the Office of Refugee Resettlement of the Department of Health and Human Services. H.R. 1511 makes a critical investment in this crucial work. In addition, this legislation authorizes critical funds for the United States' contribution to the multilateral U.N. Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. Through the United Nations' mechanism, the UNVF supports torture treatment centers all over the world, including within the United States. Mr. Speaker, the funds authorized in the legislation before the House are urgently needed. I strongly support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same. Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC, June 19, 2009. Hon. Howard L. Berman, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Berman: I am writing to confirm our understanding regarding the ``Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2009,'' H.R. 1511. The Committee on Energy and Commerce has jurisdictional interest in provisions of the bill relating to torture victim relief In light of the interest in moving this bill forward promptly, I do not intend to exercise the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce on H.R. 1511. I do this, however, only with the understanding that forgoing further consideration of H.R. 1511 at this time will not be construed as prejudicing this Committee's jurisdictional interests and prerogatives on the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. In addition, we reserve the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this legislation. I would appreciate your including this letter in the Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the House floor. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter. Sincerely, Henry A. Waxman.

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

Mr. KLEIN of Florida

Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 519) expressing appreciation to the people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States and congratulating Canada as it celebrates ``Canada Day''.

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.