Tom Lantos

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to my dear friend and our distinguished colleague from Rhode Island, Congressman James Langevin.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield half of my time to our Republican colleagues if they need it.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to my good friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to my good friend and distinguished colleague from Tennessee, Mr. Steve Cohen.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time remains.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, we are happy to yield back our time, and we are standing united across the political spectrum in our remembrance and in our determination; remembrance of the heroes and the victims, and determination that we shall defend this Nation against all enemies.

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

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, one of the fundamental principles on which this Nation was founded is freedom of religion and respect for the religious beliefs of others. Religious tolerance and the freedom of religion for individuals to believe what they choose is one of the underlying concepts essential to our democratic system of government. Madam Speaker, it is in that spirit that I want to pay tribute to Master Wan Ko Yee, who has been recognized by world-renowned Buddhist masters as Dorje Chang Buddha III, the true incarnation of the primordial Buddha of the Buddhist faith in accordance with the rules of recognizing the incarnation in Buddhism. Master Yee was born in Sichuan, China, and like many individuals over the last four centuries, has come to this land where there is greater opportunity and freedom to teach and practice his religion. As Master Yee said, ``The American people are kind and noble. People can freely believe in religion in the United States, a country that is spiritually wealthy, powerful, and blessed.'' I am pleased that he has found a new home in my own home state of California, where many Americans of diverse backgrounds have embraced principles of Buddhism, which include showing compassion toward others, benefiting others, being selfless, and striving for enlightenment and liberation. Master Yee, who is recognized as His Holiness Wan Ko Yeshe Norbu, the Buddha Vajradhara Great Dharma King by the leaders of different sects of Buddhism in the world, has established a temple in San Francisco. Other similar places of worship for the benefit of believers have been established in other cities in California, New York, Washington, DC and abroad. Master Yee not only is a widely recognized and admired Buddhist thinker and teacher, Madam Speaker, but he also is an artist whose work has been widely acknowledged and exhibited. His work includes a number of very different styles and media, including traditional Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, abstract painting, and a new style of art that is called Yun sculpture in which Master Yee has created beautiful colors and shapes. In recognition of his artistic work, he has been named a ``Fellow'' by the Royal Academy of Art in the United Kingdom. His works of art have been displayed in a number of exhibits, including two recently here in Washington, DC at the Organization of American States and in the Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building, which was sponsored by our friend and colleague, David Dreier of California. An exhibit of his Yun sculpture in San Francisco last year was widely attended, and his work has been exhibited in a number of other locations. Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Master Wan Ko Yee, Dorje Chang Buddha III, a Buddhist leader of particular renown who has chosen to make his home here in the United States, and who is an outstanding artist, scholar, and religious thinker.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time allotted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Mr. LANTOS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me first commend Speaker Pelosi for orchestrating an incredibly complex set of provisions across the full spectrum of issues and committees. It was a masterful achievement, and we are all in her debt. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I might consume. Mr. Chairman, climate change presents a challenge to all of humanity. The bill before us today includes several groundbreaking international provisions to ensure America's role as the world's leader in the fight to save the planet, not as a reluctant and grudging participant. Passing our bill will mark a historic turning point in this country's engagement with the international community on global warming. No longer will we debate and delay endlessly dealing with this crisis. No longer will we send low-level bureaucrats to crucial international climate change meetings with express marching orders to muzzle the science and to obstruct action. I am very pleased that my friend from New Jersey, Congressman Chris Smith, joined me as the chief Republican cosponsor of the international provisions included in this bill. Our legislation passed the Foreign Affairs Committee overwhelmingly on a bipartisan basis, and I encourage all of our Members to vote for this historic legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield to my friend from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for a unanimous consent request. (Mrs. MALONEY of New York asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, just to summarize briefly some of the comments made by my good friend from Florida, climate diplomacy has been sidelined under this administration to such an extent that expertise and diplomatic stability in climate negotiations is now almost absent in the Department of State. It is long, long overdue that we reinvigorate the capability of the Department of State on the issue of global climate change and our legislation does that. We are also creating a foundation not as a bureaucracy but as an institution to act as a clearinghouse of ideas and the matchmaker amongst foreign public and private actors working on global clean energy technologies. Probably no single item has contributed as much to the decline of the United States' prestige internationally than our cavalier attitude towards global climate change. With a new administration coming in less than 1\1/2\ years, we preparing the ground that our global partners will again respect us and look to us for international leadership on this all-important issue. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, today I wish to pay tribute to Joy Rosenheim Simonson who passed away just a few weeks ago. Joy was a leading advocate for women's rights at a time when that was a steep uphill battle. Joy rose to prominence in 1982, shortly after Ronald Reagan became President of the United States. At the first meeting of the National Advisory Council on Women's Educational Programs, of which Joy was the chairwoman, the Council replaced her with the notorious anti-woman's rights advocate Phyllis Schlafly, who quickly proposed abolishing the council. The firing of Joy led to an uproar among women's rights groups around the country, and several Members of Congress, including our distinguished colleague from Massachusetts, my good friend Congressman Barney Frank, denounced her removal. Barney went further than simply denouncing the outrage. He immediately hired her as a staff member of the Subcommittee on Employment which he then chaired. It was a brilliant decision. A few years later, Madam Speaker, I succeeded Congressman Frank as chair of the Subcommittee on Employment and Housing of the Committee on Government Operations. One of the wisest decisions I made was to keep Joy as a member of my staff. Joy was with me for the six years I served as Chair of that subcommittee. She was a loyal, devoted and energetic staff member. We met many times a week to plan subcommittee investigations and hearings. She sat right behind me in our frequent hearings. Joy had a wonderful sense of issues that needed to be dealt with, and she had excellent ideas of how to take the next steps in promoting women's rights. We had outstanding hearings that resulted in tough reports adopted by the Committee dealing with women executives (the glass ceiling), discrimination against women owning automobile dealerships, problems women face finding daycare, discrimination against women who breastfeed their infants, and many, many others. When Joy retired from working for the Congress, she was the oldest staff member of the House of Representatives. Madam Speaker, Joy Simonson dedicated her life to public service. Her decade of service on the staff of the Employment and Housing Subcommittee was only a small part of her very distinguished career of public service. She led several organizations devoted to women's issues and helped break down barriers for women. Born in New York City, Mrs. Simonson moved to Washington after graduating from Bryn Mawr College to serve on the War Manpower Commission in the early 1940's. Later, in 1945 she worked for the UN Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in Egypt and Yugoslavia, and then worked at Army headquarters in Frankfurt Germany. It was during this period overseas that she met and married her husband Richard Simonson. In 1948, they moved back to Washington, DC. Joy and Richard are the parents of a son and a daughter. Joy Simonson was the first woman to head the District of Columbia's Alcohol Beverage Control Board, serving from 1964 until 1972. During this time she also founded the National Association of Commissions for women, and served as its president for three terms. She also notably fought for Title IX, protested the exclusion of women from the Augusta National Golf Club, and in 1967 organized the D.C. Commission for Women. In 1992 Mrs. Simonson was elected to the D.C. Women's Hall of Fame for her untiring work on behalf of women. She was also later recognized by the National Center for Women, who gave her the prestigious Formothers Award. Madam Speaker, Joy was here on Capitol Hill several months ago--after the election which finally gave us the first woman as Speaker of the House of Representatives. She was delighted and pleased beyond measure at seeing a woman preside over this body, where she devoted over a decade of remarkable service during her remarkable life. I invite my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Joy Rosenheim Simonson.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, today I join my friend Kevin Brady of Texas in introducing the Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Education Act of 2007. This legislation will expand research and training efforts for treatment and an eventual cure for pulmonary hypertension, while establishing a nationwide clinical research network. Pulmonary hypertension, more commonly referred to as PH, is a silent killer that increases the blood pressure in the lungs to dangerous levels. As the walls of the arteries that take blood from the right to the left side of the heart thicken and constrict, the heart must pump harder and harder, ultimately failing over time. Over the past 5 years the number of patients of this deadly disorder has increased from 3,000 in 2001 to as many as 30,000 diagnoses in 2006. Among them is my 22-year-old granddaughter, Charity, who was diagnosed with PH in 2004. In following her treatment, I know all too well the need for increased education of medical professionals. With the growing number of patients, new and more effective treatments are becoming available for PH sufferers, but effective management of this condition remains complicated. It requires the close supervision of a highly-trained medical professional, and someone who is dedicated to remaining on the cutting-edge of treating this disease. I believe our bill would give the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute the tools they need to improve collaboration among the top PH research centers and to reduce the incidents of misdiagnosis. I am hopeful that this legislation would create avenues for disseminating new and life-saving knowledge among experts. Madam Speaker, the causes of pulmonary hypertension are still not fully understood. And it pains me to no end to note that there is no known cure. We can not waste anymore time. We must act swiftly to save 30,000 vibrant lives, including that of my own beautiful granddaughter, from this slow and steady killer. I hope my colleagues will join me and Mr. Brady in putting the full force of Congress behind this important research.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional organization based in San Bruno, California. The Ebusua Club is a truly unique and outstanding group, made up of 18 Ghanaian-American families. Together, they work to improve lives in the Republic of Ghana, which was once their home, while building community in the San Francisco Bay Area where they have put down roots. Ebusua's annual events and charitable activities set a singular example for the people of both countries. By sponsoring projects that range from micro-enterprise in Ghana to soccer teams in the Bay Area, Ebusua has created a truly global community of compassion and generosity. Among many other important projects, the members of the Ebusua Club have dedicated themselves to anti-malaria initiatives aimed at eradicating a disease that tragically kills 3,000 children each day, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the availability of prevention and treatment options. Additionally, the club annually participates in the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's Race for Research to honor a member lost to this terrible disease, Chaka Impraim. To honor his memory, the Ebusua team runs every year under the name ``Chaka's Champions.'' And the members of this group truly are champions, Madam Speaker, as they have also worked with Rotary International to train about 100 Ghanaian farmers in agriculture, food preservation and nutrition; organized materials, equipment and medical assistance to rehabilitate street children; dispensed polio vaccines to over two million infants and children; supported literacy programs by providing much-needed books for rural schools; and developed a low cost solar oven industry to efficiently replace chopped firewood. This month, the Ebusua Club will hold a very special event--the Jubilee Ball, which not only marks the 10th anniversary of this successful organization, but also the 50th anniversary of the independence of Ghana, the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule. This event promises to be a celebration of family, community and culture, and to live up to the primary purpose of the Ebusua Club--promoting Ghanaian culture and fostering an appreciation of how small contributions can make a tremendous impact on the well-being of others. In keeping with the group's charitable character, proceeds from the Jubilee Ball will be donated to help fight malaria in Ghana. The name ``Ebusua'' itself is informative of the spirit of this marvelous organization. Among the Akan people of Ghana, the extended family, or ``Ebusua,'' is the foundation of society. The members of this San Bruno group constitute a social network, collectively responsible for the material and spiritual welfare, physical protection, and the social security of each other. They exemplify the old adage that ``it takes a village,'' and the village this group has created is nothing short of extraordinary. It is my pleasure to recognize their accomplishments, and wish them all the best as they prepare for their 2007 Jubilee Ball.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, earlier this year in Jerusalem in the Israeli Knesset, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was honored at one of the most moving and significant ceremonies that I have witnessed as a Member of the United States Congress. The distinguished Speaker of the House, our colleague Nancy Pelosi of California, and the congressional delegation with her as well as other Members of Congress were guests at a state dinner held in the Chagall State Hall of the Knesset in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. I was honored to join five of our colleagues in the bipartisan delegation that accompanied our Speaker on this very special occasion. The hall, as you know, Madam Speaker, is dominated by the magnificent tapestry designed by Jewish artist Marc Chagall. It is hard not to be touched emotionally to see in Chagall's tapestry the symbols of Jewish identity and Israeli statehood--Moses holding the tablets of the Ten Commandments, David wearing his crown and dancing as he plays the harp, the seven-branched candelabrum which was the symbol of the Temple of Solomon and today is the symbol of the modern State of Israel. On this very special occasion Speaker Pelosi was welcomed to Israel by the Speaker of the Knesset Dalia Itzik, who at the time was also the Acting President of Israel. Following her warm and friendly welcoming remarks, Speaker Pelosi gave a moving statement on the strong and enduring ties that have linked the United States of America and the State of Israel since the day Israel was founded in 1948. Madam Speaker, I ask that the welcoming address of Speaker Itzik and the outstanding address in response of Speaker Pelosi be placed in the Record, and I strongly urge my colleagues in the Congress to give these statements the thoughtful attention they deserve as important documents on the warm friendship between our two nations. Address of Speaker of Knesset and Acting President of Israel Dalia Itzik Madam Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, Ms. Nancy Pelosi; Members of the Delegation from the House of Representatives, Welcome to our House. Madam Speaker, More than two hundred years have passed, and the impossible has now become possible. The United States House of Representatives elected a woman Speaker. It is true that there have been precedents in American democracy where women have held very high positions, but this is the first time that the House of Representatives has elected a woman to serve as Speaker. And it was you who achieved this high honor. (It took you over 230 years; it took us 58 years.) Ms. Pelosi and members of the distinguished delegation, in less than 24 hours, tomorrow evening, the Jewish People will be enveloped in the sanctity of the Passover Festival. Millions of Jews--in Washington and in Jerusalem, in Tashkent and in Buenos Aires, in Sydney and in Budapest--will sit down together at their family Seder table. The Passover Festival is for us Jews our first and most ancient festival in our history, we have been remembering and celebrating this festival for some three thousand two hundred years. It was then that we became a nation. We went out from slavery to freedom. This was a formative event in our lives. Another name for the Festival of Passover is the Festival of Freedom. Freedom and liberty form the chain that links us, the invisible chain that crosses continents and oceans from Jerusalem to Washington and back. Madam Speaker, after two hundred and thirty years of independence, liberty is for you a dream that has already been realized. For us, after thousands of years, the dream is still being realized. We are an ancient People, whose roots are in the Bible and whose values are those of the Biblical prophets, while you are, so to speak, a relatively young nation and country. But we share the dream of liberty that ties us together with bonds of love. We Israelis love the United States of America, not only because of your economic, military and political support and help. We love you because of that shared dream of liberty and the desire for peace. The Bible tells us ``Seek peace and pursue it'' (Psalms 34, 15), and you are our loyal partners in that unceasing search that has not yet ended. Madam Speaker, the Members of the Knesset have just begun their Spring Recess. Nevertheless, many of them are here with us. Because of the Recess, we shall not be able to present to you, during your current visit, a day of normal parliamentary routine. The Knesset is the location where decisions concerning the nation are taken. The Knesset reflects the unique nature of Israeli society in all its diversity. This is a society where Jews, Arabs, Druze and Circassians, veteran Israelis and new immigrants all live together. There are serious disputes between us. There are disputes, and--although it may be difficult to believe--also points of agreement! And all this happens with complete freedom of expression for all. The one thing that unites all the members of this multi-party and divided House is the hope for peace. In the State of Israel lives a nation that yearns for peace, wants peace and is ready to pay a heavy price for peace. At the same time, we remain aware of every danger. Israel does not have the luxury of allowing itself weakness, even for one moment. Madam Speaker, you have come to a tiny country. We have only seven million citizens. A tiny country that has not known a single day of quiet since its establishment. A tiny country that appreciates, perhaps more than any other country in the world, the efforts of your country to put an end to terrorism. You have come to a country that observes with both pain and great hope, the efforts of the great United States of America to eradicate the terrorist bases in Iraq, in Afghanistan and in other places. We, who wake up each morning fearing for our children, we know how difficult it is for you in this just war, and from here, from Jerusalem, we send you our heartfelt blessing for your success and for the success of the free world. When I met you in Washington a month ago, I invited you to come to visit Israel, and I am glad that you accepted my invitation. During that visit I invited Karnit Goldwasser to join me at our meeting. I saw how moved you were listening to Karnit. I saw how moved you were by the story of our kidnapped soldiers, Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev, and Ehud Goldwasser. I am proud to be the daughter of a nation whose ethical code sanctifies the principle that every soldier is everyone's soldier. Every missing soldier is greatly missed by us all and every prisoner of war is a prisoner who it is our duty to bring back home. The commitment of the Bush administration to the Peace Process in our region is very important and precious for us. As also is the President's deep friendship for Israel. The intensive activity by the Secretary of State, in the spirit of President Bush's policy, is most important, and is part of an ongoing effort by generations of American Administrations. This is an opportunity to say a big thank you, through you, to Israel's friends in Congress, and to express our appreciation to you and to them for all their many efforts on behalf of Israel and on behalf of regional stability. We are pleased to discover anew each time, that the support for Israel rises above any inter-party dispute in the United States. Madam Speaker, distinguished Representatives, during your visit here in Israel you will have the opportunity to see personally the exceptional achievements of Israel during its fifty-eight years. Despite no less than ten wars, between which we experienced many horrifying acts of terrorism, we have set up a model country, with a flourishing modem economy, with ground-breaking research centers, dynamic culture and advanced education, welfare and health systems. Madam Speaker, You bring here to our region a refreshing breeze of hope. Your upcoming visit to Damascus arouses, naturally, a political debate in your country and of course here too. I believe in your worthy intentions. Perhaps this step-- that may at this stage seem unpopular--that you intend to take when you leave here, will make it clear to the Syrian people and to the Syrian leadership, that they must abandon the axis of evil, that they must stop supporting terrorism and giving shelter to the terrorist's command posts, that they must make a real strategic choice that will bring hope to the citizens of Syria and to the citizens of the whole region. Israel seeks peace; anyone who speaks of peace and displays an honest intention to seek peace will find an ear in Israel. Sitting with us here this evening is Mrs. Nadia Cohen, whose husband, Eli Cohen, was executed by hanging in Damascus 42 years ago (in 1965). Nadia, and all of Israel, has been asking the Syrian Government for many long years, to allow the removal of Eli Cohen's bones for burial here in Israel. This would be an elementary human gesture. I hope that your visit will enable the President of Syria to finally take the decision that seems so necessary. By this act the Syrian President could indicate to the world and to us that something can nevertheless change. Madam Speaker, and our distinguished guests, the members of your delegation, you have come here to a small country. We number only seven million citizens, but fourteen million arms are stretched wide open to receive you with a blessing of Shalom [peace] and with the traditional greeting of welcome-- ``B'ruchim HaBa'im'' [Blessed be those who arrive]. Please look upon this House, the Knesset, the principal and primary institution of Israeli democracy, as though it were your House too. You are our brothers in the legislature and we see you and your fellow Americans as true friends of Israel. We appreciate your contribution to the strengthening of the security and strength of the State of Israel, and feel gratitude to all the American governments over the years. B'ruchim atem bevo'achem'' [May you be blessed on your arrival]. And to all our other guests, who have come here to the Knesset today, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Passover--Festival of Freedom--in the embrace of your families.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of William Ernest ``Bill'' Walsh. Nicknamed ``The Genius'', Walsh revolutionized professional football and became a legend in the San Francisco Bay Area. Recognized as one of the greatest football coaches of all time, he earned a host of awards throughout his career, culminating in his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After moving to the Bay Area as a teen, Walsh started his coaching career at Washington High School in Fremont. He quickly moved up the ranks, doing stints as an assistant coach at both the University of California at Berkeley and Stanford University before beginning his professional career with the Oakland Raiders in 1966. The next ten years saw him move on to the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers, until 1977 when Walsh returned to the Bay Area, this time as head coach at Stanford. Two years later, Walsh received the appointment that was to place him in the top ranks of American professional football coaches--moving up the Peninsula to become head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Madam Speaker, when Bill Walsh joined the 49ers, their prospects seemed grim. Their record from the previous season was 2-14; a record that was repeated in Walsh's first season. It was only through his calm determination and intelligence for which he became famous that the 49ers returned to greatness. Two years later, in 1981, the 49ers won their first Super Bowl, and ``The Genius'' earned his nickname as an innovative strategist, expert motivator and brilliant coach. His revolutionary tactics were soon known throughout the football world as the ``West Coast Offense.'' Walsh's next seven years with the 49ers saw two more Super Bowl victories, and two legendary Hall of Fame quarterbacks--Joe Montana and Steve Young--who thrived under their brilliant coach's tutelage. Resigning from his position with the 49ers following his Super Bowl win in early 1989, Walsh moved on to become a broadcaster at NBC. Later he assumed various roles with Stanford's football team and the 49ers. Even after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2004, he worked through 2005 as interim athletic director at Stanford. He wrote two bestselling books, was a motivational speaker, and taught classes at Stanford's business school. No matter what he did, Bill Walsh was always known for his exceptional intelligence and professionalism. Madam Speaker, Bill Walsh earned respect where ever he went through his intelligent approach to the game and his demeanor, both on and off the field. I am honored to pay tribute to this great professional football icon and a proud son of the Bay Area. With his passing earlier this week, he leaves behind a lasting legacy of successful proteges and reverent fans. I invite my colleagues today, to join me in honoring the life and the legacy of Bill Walsh--coach, leader, teacher and an outstanding American.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the following letters on the bill H.R. 957 from the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs be included during the debate on H.R. 957. Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC, July 13, 2007. Hon. Tom Lantos, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 957, to amend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 to expand and clarify the entities against which sanctions may be imposed. This bill was introduced on February 8, 2007, and was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition, to this Committee, among others. The bill has been reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. There have been some very productive conversations between the staffs of our committees, during which we have proposed some changes to H.R. 957 that we believe help clarify the intent and scope of the measure. My understanding is that there is an agreement with regard to these changes, and so in order to expedite floor consideration, I agree to forego further consideration by the Committee on Financial Services. I do so with the understanding that this decision will not prejudice this Committee with respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. I request your support for the appointment of conferees from this Committee should this bill be the subject of a House-Senate conference. Please place this letter in the Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the House. I look forward to the bill's consideration and hope that it will command the broadest possible support. Barney Frank, Chairman.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 427) urging the Government of Canada to end the commercial seal hunt.

Mr. LANTOS. 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. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we are all familiar with National Geographic images of fluffy white baby seals nestled next to their mothers. We stare at them on our TV screens or in our magazines and reflexively remark about how adorable they are. But now imagine, if you can, the brutal death that awaits hundreds of thousands of these baby seals every single year. With stunning barbarism, Canadian hunters swoop in with heavy clubs and stun guns to immobilize these little innocent creatures. They are then skinned alive simply so that their soft white fur can adorn winter coats, coats that could be composed of different materials without torturing animals. These gruesome images are sadly commonplace in the Canadian Northwest. The Canadian Government estimates that over 1 million seals have been killed in the most recent 3-year period. Public outcry over this barbarism led to a ban of all seal products in the United States and in the European Union in 1983. Unfortunately, the public seems to have forgotten that the grisly practices of commercial seal hunters still go on, and international pressure on Canada to end the hunt has abated. My resolution brings the focus of the United States Congress back to this heinous yearly slaughter. It urges the Canadian Government to cease this gruesome practice and bring Canadian policy in line with that of the United States and the European Union. Mr. Speaker, let me note that this annual seal slaughter, enacted for mere vanity and vulgar consumerism, is also having deleterious effects on the ecosystem. Nature's careful balance is being thrown off by the depletion of the seal population. The barbaric seal hunt disturbs the food chain, hurting the fishing industry, which is now suffering in Canada. Ending the commercial seal hunt is not simply a matter of saving beautiful and innocent animals that tug at our hearts. It is a matter of intelligent ecomanagement, prevention of cruelty against animals, and helping our friends to the north restore their otherwise pristine international reputation. Killing baby seals echoes the torture and cruel killing of so many other animals around the world. As cochairman of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, I will continue to bring the world's attention to such practices wherever they exist. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important and humane resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, my good friend Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, for authoring this critical piece of legislation, of which I am proud to be a principal cosponsor. This bill, H.R. 2347 the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007, is a critical element in a network of efforts intended to prevent the realization of a nightmare, a nuclear-armed Iran. Several of us in this body have been working ceaselessly to achieve-- by peaceful means--an end to Iran's quest for nuclear status. We have produced several pieces of legislation to achieve that end. The goal of all of this legislation is to deprive Iran, insofar as possible, of the benefit of its cash-cow, oil sales. And the means of doing this is to deter foreign investment in Iran's energy industry. Mr. Speaker, the primary purpose of this bill, H.R. 2347, is to allow state and local governments to contribute to this effort by divesting their pension plans of any foreign entity that invests in Iran. This legislation does not require them to divest, but it would certainly seem to be a wise course for them to choose, since foreign entities that invest in Iran's energy industry are subject to U.S. sanctions and therefore liable to lose a significant part of whatever their prior value may have been. Iran's bid for nuclear arms is the challenge of our age. Iran already seeks to dominate the Middle East through intimidation, including sponsorship of terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. If it achieves nuclear status, Tehran will greatly enlarge its sway in this volatile region and will likely touch off a regional nuclear arms race as well. Worse, at least one of Iran's leading political figures has intimated that Iran would be willing to use those arms to advance its well-known, reprehensible aims, and there is good reason to believe that other Iranian leaders subscribe to the same view. H.R. 2347 helps to fortify the barrier we are trying to erect to deter all foreign investment in Iran's energy sector and therefore deprive Iran's theocratic regime of the funds it needs to pay for its horrific nuclear goals. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation, and I urge all my colleagues to do likewise.