Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this critical legislation. The Part D prescription drug plan has caused mass confusion and, unfortunately, provided more in profits to drug companies than savings to seniors. Private corporations, large pharmacy chains, and individual states all use their bargaining power to secure lower drug prices for the patients they represent. It simply makes no sense that the Department of Health and Human Services is prohibited from negotiating on behalf of millions more seniors. In fact, a recent study by Families USA found that Medicare beneficiaries pay an average of 58 percent more for the same prescription drugs sold to patients who receive their drugs from the Veterans Department, which can negotiate cheaper prices. Using the bargaining power of 42 million Medicare enrollees to secure the best drug prices for our seniors could save billions, according to some estimates. These savings could then be used to begin to close the infamous ``doughnut hole'' or gaps in coverage that millions of seniors experienced last year and are expected to experience again in 2007. Allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices won't solve all of the problems associated with the drug benefit but it will set us on the right course toward providing our seniors with the comprehensive, affordable drug coverage they deserve. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important bill.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this inflammatory and misleading piece of legislation. The bill before us requires that women seeking abortions be given a brochure written by Congress regarding the capability of a developing fetus to feel pain. It requires physicians to provide this script to their patients even if the doctor does not believe it to be accurate or in the patient's best interest. The text of this brochure was not written by or in consultation with the nation's leading physicians. In fact, the sponsor's attempt to impose his values on every woman seeking an abortion in this country is opposed by many physician organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Public Health Association, and the National Association of Nurse Practitioners. This bill is one last attempt in this Congress to use the emotional, complicated subject of abortion as a cloak for what the sponsors of this bill consistently do: manipulate medical practice and scientific research to conform to their own beliefs and moral agenda. And when science doesn't support their rhetoric, instead of opening their minds and acting from a place of compassion, they attack physicians who disagree with them, demonize women and families who make the decision about abortion, and deny evidence-based medicine. It is just this kind of extreme interference in Americans' lives and their medical care that voters around the nation rejected--decisively-- on Election Day. Americans look to us to examine issues thoroughly and with great care, befitting the high honor it is to serve in this body. Passing this bill won't do a single thing to advance the cause we should all share: to create a country, a society and a culture where every pregnancy is intended and every child is wanted, prepared for and cherished. Congress has no right to legislate how doctors care for their patients, to substitute ideology for scientific evidence, or to penalize physicians for legal and responsible patient care. I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and this approach to an issue that's difficult for many of us. There is another way and, I would suggest, a better way to help the families of this country have healthy pregnancies and strong families.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of my constituent and good friend Maureen Keating Tsuchiya of Chappaqua, NY, an extraordinary community activist and advocate for the disabled. Maureen was born in Atkinson, Nebraska, the second of eight children of John and Dolores Keating. As a toddler, she survived a severe strain of polio. Her lifelong disability, which worsened over time, was a focus of her advocacy efforts on behalf of persons with physical challenges. With each cause she championed, she used an unstoppable blend of passion, energy, dignity, perseverance, forcefulness, honesty and wit to accomplish her goals. While in college in Minnesota, Maureen started a campaign to get the city of Minneapolis to lengthen the time of the green traffic lights so that she and other persons with disabilities could cross the streets safely. Later, she worked tirelessly for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and attended the signing ceremony at the White House. After living in New York City and Tokyo, Maureen, her husband Takashi, and their daughter Hannah moved to Chappaqua in 1997. She quickly became involved in civic and political organizations, often accompanied by her young daughter to whom she was totally devoted. Maureen Keating Tsuchiya worked with Westchester Disabled on the Move on a voting rights lawsuit by testing polling places for their accessibility. She also spearheaded an effort to increase access to the Chappaqua train station. Maureen Keating Tsuchiya, although taken from us and her valiant causes prematurely, leaves a rich legacy of principled activism and involvement for all of us to emulate. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in offering condolences to her husband, her daughter, and her entire family.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor four of my distinguished colleagues and to pay tribute to their dedicated work on behalf of the people of New York. I have been honored throughout my time in Congress to call Sherwood Boehlert, Major Owens, John Sweeney and Sue Kelly my colleagues and my friends, and their hard work and passion will be sorely missed by our great institution. Sherry Boehlert has been fighting for the people of the Mohawk Valley and Central New York since 1964, first as chief of staff to Congressman Alexander Pirnie and his successor Donald Mitchell and, for the last 24 years, as the representative of the 24th Congressional District of New York. Sherry has been a staunch advocate for environmental and science priorities including the space program, protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and research into global warming and cyberterror issues, and he has fought on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to secure New York's fair share of Federal funds. Sherry Boehlert epitomizes what a Member of Congress should strive to be--an independent, bipartisan consensus builder with loyalty not to outside interest groups or to party leadership, but to the constituents who sent him to Congress for over two decades. New York and the U.S. Congress have benefited for nearly as long from the service of Major Owens. Since succeeding the late Shirley Chisholm in 1982, Major Owens has successfully fought in Congress for increased educational opportunities, a higher minimum wage, equal opportunity for those with disabilities, and aid for historical black colleges. Major's voice will be missed, but his New York colleagues will remember him as we carry forward these important initiatives. It has also been my privilege to work with John Sweeney since his election to the House in 1998. As my colleague on the Appropriations Committee, as my co-chair of the Hudson River Caucus and as a leading voice for a risk-based approach to distribute Homeland Security funds, John Sweeney has proven himself not only dedicated to the people of his district, but to all the citizens of New York. We will miss Mr. Sweeney's lively spirit and the passion and expertise he displayed throughout his tenure. The New York delegation also wishes our colleague Sue Kelly well as she leaves the U.S. Congress. Through her roles on the Small Business and Financial Services Committees, Sue Kelly has successfully pushed to increase small business access to capital. As the chair of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee, she has paid careful attention to the efforts of law enforcement to crack down on terrorist financing and money laundering. Sue and I have stood united on many issues affecting our region, including Hudson River preservation activities and the proposed shift in services away from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Montrose Campus of the VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System which serves veterans in both of our districts. Mr. Speaker, while Sherry, Major, John and Sue may not know yet what the future holds for them, there are two things I know for sure--the people of New York will miss them, and the House of Representatives is better for their service. I wish them all success and happiness in the days and years to come and am thankful for the opportunity to work with them and call them my friends.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. B.J. Mistry on her installment as President of the Ninth District Dental Association. Founded in 1909 and with a membership of close to 1600 dentists, the Ninth District Dental Association is dedicated to advancing the dental profession and promoting public service. I have no doubt that under the leadership and guidance of B.J. Mistry the organization will continue to grow and expand the positive role it plays in our communities. A graduate of the Government Dental College in Ahmedabad, India, as well as the College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Dr. Mistry has played an active role in promoting dentistry and proper dental health throughout her career. She has served as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is a longtime member of the American Dental Association and previously served 5 years on the Board of Governors for the Ninth District Dental Association. Her installment as the 98th President of the Ninth District Dental Association also marks a historic occasion as she becomes the first woman and first immigrant to lead the organization. I am honored to work closely with Dr. B.J. Mistry to better our community, and I urge my colleagues to join me today in recognizing her accomplishments.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report. It includes several provisions that I authored in the Homeland Security and Appropriations Committees, including much-needed provisions to help first responders communicate. More than two years ago, I proposed legislation to require the Department of Homeland Security to create a national interoperability strategy. It is time that we give our first responders the tools they need to adequately communicate with one another without having to use many of the same tactics as Paul Revere. This strategy is long overdue. Ten years ago, the Public Safety Wireless Advisory Committee recommended that ``unless immediate measures are taken to promote interoperability, public safety agencies will not be able to adequately discharge their obligation to protect life and property in a safe, efficient, and cost effective manner.'' Because of inadequate radios, 343 firefighters died while heroically rescuing thousands of workers at the World Trade Center on September 11th. Last year, communications failures exacerbated the poor response to Hurricane Katrina. Amazingly, the Department has no real plan to solve the communications crisis and has not made the issue a priority. This bill will require it to complete a baseline study to assess current capabilities; create a resource plan; expedite voluntary consensus standards; set goals and time frames; identify obstacles; coordinate planning with other federal as well as state, local, and private sector partners; design backup systems in the event that primary systems fail; and verify manufacturers' claims that equipment meets certain standards. Unfortunately, the conference report does not include my dedicated communications grant program. While it is imperative that we have a workable strategy, it can only be executed when local public safety agencies have funding to plan, design, implement, and maintain interoperable networks. In addition, the bill cuts funding for the major first responder grant programs, further delaying the progress that state and local governments should be making to increase communications capabilities. Although the conference report is not perfect, I am pleased that conferees took the first step in adopting my interoperability strategy.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act. Like many of my colleagues in the New York delegation, I strongly support the Ryan White CARE Act and have supported its reauthorization in the past. These programs provide lifesaving medical care, drug treatment, and support services to over 535,000 low-income people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the nation. Westchester County, in my congressional district has the highest number of persons living with HIV or AIDS of any New York State county outside of New York City. The services provided under the Ryan White CARE Act literally mean the difference between life and death for my constituents living with this devastating disease. Unfortunately, the bill before us today will jeopardize these services for my constituents and countless other Americans in states that are at the epicenter of this crisis. Under this bill, New York State stands to lose more than $78 million over four years. Despite what some say, the AIDS epidemic has not shifted--it has expanded. It simply makes no sense to pit regions of the country against each other by providing vitally needed services to one region at the expense of another. My colleagues, rushing a bill through the House that will negatively impact the lives of so many individuals living with HIV and AIDS makes no sense. I am a cosponsor of legislation, H.R. 6191, that would temporarily reauthorize the program for one year to allow Congress to continue to negotiate a compromise that would not unfairly result in drastically reduced funds for any state. I urge the House leadership to immediately consider H.R. 6191 and urge my colleagues to vote against the bill before us.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 478 to highlight the goals of the seventh annual Lights on Afterschool! celebration. This event organized by the Afterschool Alliance is the only national celebration of after-school programs and the important role they play in the lives of children, families and communities. On October 12, more than 1 million Americans, representing thousands of after-school initiatives across the country, including more than 100 programs in my home State of New York, are expected to open their doors to parents, neighbors, business leaders and elected officials to showcase their accomplishments. In my own district, events will take place in Tarrytown, White Plains, and Yonkers, and more programs are registering each day. While there is growing enthusiasm for this year's Lights On celebration, we need more than just one day a year to highlight the importance of after-school programs. That is why I joined with Representatives Ros-Lehtinen and Kildee to form the bipartisan Congressional Afterschool Caucus last year. Our mission is simple: to build support for these programs within Congress and to translate that support into sufficient funding to meet the growing demand for after- school initiatives. For years, we have known that what our kids do after school can have as great an impact as what they do in school. In 1996, from my seat on the Appropriations Committee, I helped create the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the first-ever Federal after-school initiative. Since then, I have watched it grow from a million dollar demonstration project to a billion dollar permanent program today, because there is astonishing demand and tremendous unmet need for it. According to a study conducted by the Afterschool Alliance, 40 percent of middle school children, the age when kids are most vulnerable to engaging in dangerous activities, are unsupervised for a good portion of the day. Parents are crying out for safe, structured environments where their kids can learn and play, make friends and develop new interests. Yet Congress is not doing what it should to ensure that our kids are safe and engaged while their parents are at work. The Congressional Afterschool Caucus and the Lights On celebration will focus on changing that. We will share the lessens we have learned to make sure after-school does not become an afterthought in our Federal education priorities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, to join the Caucus, to fight tooth and nail for every dollar available so that kids and their parents have access to these desperately needed programs. I thank you, I thank my colleague from New York.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and accomplishments of our recently-passed colleague Thomas Manton. Tom Manton's life epitomized the American dream. Born to Irish immigrants in 1932, he worked to put himself through college and law school and eventually rose to become one of the most influential politicians in New York City. After attending Catholic school in Queens and Brooklyn, Tom enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving from 1951 to 1953. He went on to graduate from St. Johns University in 1958 and earned his law degree there in 1962. In addition to his service defending our country in the armed forces, Tom put his life on the line protecting the citizens of New York in the police force from 1955 to 1960. After serving on the New York City Council from 1970 to 1984, Tom was elected to Congress. He served proudly and responsibly for seven terms in the House of Representatives, during which he also became Chair of the Queens Democratic Party. In his work with the Queens Democrats, he brought those of all different racial and ethnic backgrounds into the political fold. Although he followed the tradition of Irish Catholic influence in New York City politics, he recruited candidates of all ethnic backgrounds to truly represent the diversity that exists throughout Queens on all levels of government. It is a testament to the respect Tom Manton earned and to the counsel he provided that during the 1992 Presidential campaign, then Governor Bill Clinton visited the Queens Democratic Party Headquarters in Forest Hills to speak with Tom. Additionally, Tom advised Mayor Michael Bloomberg during his initial city-wide campaign in 2001. On a personal note, I will miss the plain-spoken style of Tom Manton. When I first came to Congress in 1989, Tom provided me with a bevy of candid advice. During our time in Congress together, I considered him a close advisor, was honored to call him my colleague, and more importantly, always valued our friendship. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying respect to the family of Thomas Manton and offering condolences to all those who have benefited from his service to our country.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. I thank the gentleman, and I thank Ranking Member Thompson and Ranking Member Pascrell. It is a pleasure for us to be here. And thank you, Chairman Reichert, for bringing this bill to the floor. We have been talking about this issue for a very long time, and I rise in strong support of the legislation. I strongly support the emergency communications provisions, particularly the interoperability strategy I first proposed more than 2 years ago. It is really unfortunate that we waited 6 years into the 21st century to adopt the 21st Century Emergency Communications Act. Communications failures, as has been referenced by my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, plagued the response in Oklahoma City in 1995, Columbine in 1999, New York in 2001, and in the gulf region following Hurricane Katrina. In all of these cases, first responders had to use many of the same communications as Paul Revere. The lack of interoperability was deadly on September 11. Of the 58 firefighters who escaped the north tower of the World Trade Center and gave oral histories to the Fire Department of New York, only three heard radio warnings that the north tower was in danger of collapse. Three. So as these brave firefighters were running up, the majority of people were coming down. And many of the 343 firefighters who died that day would have likely been saved had they carried effective, interoperable radios. The interoperability strategy in this bill is desperately needed, as is an adequate number of employees at DHS to solve this crisis and to validate manufacturers' claims that equipment meets widely accepted standards. So I am pleased, and I thank the chairman and the ranking members for bringing this bill to the floor. However, the bill has one critical flaw. Despite the testimony of the Director of the Office of Interoperability and Compatibility, Dr. David Boyd, that it will cost over $100 billion to overhaul communication systems across the country, the bill does not provide any funding for State and local governments to plan, to implement, or to maintain communication networks. However, while this bill is not perfect, the bill is a vast improvement over the lack of current policy. Right now, as we know, the Office of Interoperability and Compatibility has only five employees and a budget of less than one-half of 1 percent of the total DHS budget. We cannot wait for the next disaster before we take action, and I urge your support.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, at issue here is the fundamental value of saving lives, a value that we all share regardless of race, culture or religion. Embryonic stem cells have the potential not just to treat some of the most devastating diseases and conditions, but to actually cure them. The President's veto of this lifesaving legislation is a slap in the face of the millions of Americans suffering from diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or debilitating physical injuries, who found new hope for treatment and cures with the passage of H.R. 810. This hope will remain only if researchers have access to the science that holds the most potential and are free to explore, with appropriate ethical guidelines, medical advances never before imagined possible. The 67 percent of the American public that supports embryonic stem cell research understands this. Why doesn't the President? There is no question that scientific advancement often comes with moral dilemmas. That is why we have examined and debated difficult ethical and social questions before passing this legislation. Like many of you, I believe that strong guidelines must be in place with vigorous oversight from the NIH and Congress before allowing federally-funded embryonic stem cell research. H.R. 810 would strengthen the standards guiding embryonic stem cell research and would ensure that embryos originally created for the purpose of in vitro fertilization could be made available for research only with the consent of the donor. So today I ask my colleagues to be as determined to find a cure as science allows us to be. We are closer than ever to remarkable discoveries and on the brink of providing hope to millions of individuals who otherwise have none. Congress must not allow the President to once again put ideology before science. I urge my colleagues to vote to override of the President's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Sharon Daly and to congratulate her on being named a Human Needs Hero by the Coalition on Human Needs. Sharon Daly has had a long, distinguished career serving the most vulnerable people in our society with a level of compassion and commitment that is unrivaled. After hearing from numerous women escaping family violence that ineligibility for food stamps was a major hardship, Sharon played a vital role in convincing Congress that change was necessary, In 1980, federal law was changed so that women residing in battered women's shelters and families with high child care expenses could receive food stamps. In addition, Sharon fought to secure benefits for people with disabilities and mental illness and played a critical role in garnering momentum for enactment of the Family and Medical Leave Act as well as an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and family preservation/ child welfare services. In her almost 30 years of work in Washington, DC, Sharon has worked at the Children's Foundation, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Children's Defense Fund, and Catholic Charities USA. Additionally, she provided expert leadership on the Board of the Coalition on Human Needs, including serving as Chairwoman from 1994 to 2000. Her career has been marked by remarkable dedication to providing help to those in need. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize my good friend Sharon Daly for an unparalleled career fighting for those who may be unable to fight for themselves, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring her tremendous accomplishments.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. I thank the outstanding chairman for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. It is a powerful statement in support of Israel and the Israeli people during this difficult time. Let us be clear about what is happening in the Middle East. Israel has been dragged into battle on two fronts to defend itself against terrorists who target Israeli civilians and seek the destruction of the Jewish State. The current hostilities were initiated, in both cases, by incursions of terrorists across recognized borders and the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers. As we know all too well, these battles are merely the latest chapter in a war that has been waged against Israel since its establishment in 1948. I join all those who yearn for peace in praying for an end to the hostilities. I also recognize that the fighting can only be stopped by the terrorists who initiated it. I believe the U.N. should play a role in ending this conflict, but the deployment of another force with the same, weak mandate as UNIFIL will not get the job done. The U.N. and the international community need to unite to demand an end to this reign of terror and full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559. The Lebanese government must establish sovereignty over its own territory instead of allowing Hezbollah and Iranian Guards to operate freely. And we must keep the focus on Iran and Syria--the root causes of this conflict. The last several weeks have demonstrated beyond all doubt why Israel must maintain its qualitative military edge in the region. Any action taken by the international community must respect Israel's right to protect its own citizens and must be aimed at disarming Hezbollah and Hamas and terminating their ability to attack Israel. Israel seeks peace and has taken risks to achieve it time and time again. Sadly, its sacrifices have been met only with escalated threats and violence. Israel withdrew from Lebanon in May 2000 in compliance with U.N. resolutions. In return, it has been continuously threatened by Hezbollah terrorists on its northern border, allowed free reign by a reckless Lebanese government with Syria and Iran calling the shots in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. In return, it is faced with a Hamas-Ied Palestinian Authority that supports attacks against civilians and competes with exiled Hamas members over who can be more extreme. This latest violence confirms that Iran currently poses the single greatest threat to regional stability. It has the motivation and resources to stage a methodical campaign of terror and violence throughout the Middle East, concentrating on fomenting sectarian violence in Iraq and supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria continues to shelter Hamas leaders and is widely acknowledged to be complicit in the kidnapping of Corporal Shalit. Both countries are transit points and suppliers of weapons to terrorists. The current hostilities are mere symptoms of the disease Iran and Syria have brought on the region. And our policies and those of the international community must respond accordingly. We have potent tools to deal with Iran and Syria that we have ignored. The Iran Freedom Support Act passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly but has been held up by the Senate leadership and the Administration. The Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act became law in 2003, but the Administration has largely ignored the instruments it provides to pressure Syria. Sending Secretary Rice to the region may indicate our concern, but developing a strategy to join with like-minded nations to force Iran and Syria to abandon their campaigns of terror should be our ultimate goal. Until we have such a strategy in place, a high-level visit will accomplish nothing. I join my colleagues in Congress in standing in solidarity with Israel during this difficult time. The American people understand what it feels like to be targeted on our own soil. As children in Haifa, Safed, and Nahariya remain trapped in bomb shelters, we reaffirm our support for Israel's effort to defend itself against terrorists stationed on its borders. I urge support for this resolution.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Fanni Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization. Our democracy depends on protecting the right of every American citizen to vote, which must never be compromised. The Voting Rights Act is the most effective civil rights law ever enacted. It was put into place in direct response to significant and pervasive discrimination taking place across the country, including the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, threats, and violence. By outlawing the barriers that prevented minorities from voting, the VRA put teeth in the 15th amendment's guarantee that no citizen can be denied the right to vote on the basis of race. This legislation has been renewed four times by bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate and signed into law by both Republican and Democratic Presidents. In the 41 years since its initial passage, the VRA has enfranchised millions of racial, ethnic and language minority citizens by eliminating discriminatory practices and removing other barriers to their political participation. The VRA has empowered minority voters and has helped to desegregate legislative bodies at all levels of government. Efforts to remove many of the key provisions of the original legislation are extremely unfortunate. States with histories of discrimination should not be allowed to repeat past injustices. Amendments to weaken the act undermine the heroic efforts of countless Americans who fought for decades for the right to vote. We must stand together to defeat any measure that would weaken the provisions of the VRA. It is imperative that we adopt the bipartisan bill without amendments that violate the spirit of the original VRA to once again ensure the right of all Americans to vote.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for his remarks. I rise today to express my continuing frustration with the Department of Homeland Security and its inability or unwillingness to focus our limited resources of time, money, and attention on the real risks that we face as a Nation. Yesterday, the bombing of railways in India reminded us not only that terrorists remain committed to senseless and horrific violence, but that they remain attracted to certain types of targets. Mr. Speaker, in 2001, terrorists attacked New York and Washington. Two years ago, terrorists attacked commuter trains in Madrid. Last year, terrorists attacked subways in the heart of London. Two days ago, rail systems in Mumbai were bombed. There have also been rail and transit attacks in Japan, South Africa, and Israel, and so far unsuccessful plans for attacks on New York's transportation system. On the streets of Iraq, insurgents are perfecting the use of IEDs against our troops. When those terrorists look to transfer their skills to the United States, where will they look to use them? The pattern is clear, the message is deafening: High density, high profile targets are the most attractive targets for terrorists, and rail and transit systems remain dangerously vulnerable. Like many of the Members of this House, I was pleased when Secretary Chertoff took office and stressed in his first public speech that DHS must base its actions on threat, vulnerability, and consequence. Unfortunately, action has not measured up to that rhetoric. Last month, the Department cut by 40 percent for New York and Washington, D.C., cut funding by 40 percent, two cities that have been attacked and the two cities that remain the most likely targets for future attacks. We are all looking for the best way to spend the limited money that has thus far been allocated to homeland security. The Department perfected the art of allocating funds the wrong way. In addition to ignoring the plain facts about risk and vulnerability, DHS has sat on the sidelines in developing standards for safety and security. This void is being met in some areas such as New York where the Metropolitan Transit Agency has added 200 officers and 25 K-9 bomb detection units since September 11. New York City has 1,000 counterterrorism officers. The city and the MTA are working to develop and install state-of-the-art air monitoring devices in the transit system. We knew that communications interoperability presented a problem for first responders in Oklahoma City. Those problems turned deadly on September 11. Nearly 5 years after September 11, first responders are still waiting for the administration to issue an actual interoperability plan. This abdication of responsibility has forced many cities and States to dig their own deficits deeper to put national security measures in place. That is not a plan, it is not a strategy, it is a failure of leadership that we are seeing again and again. Mr. Speaker, our homeland security efforts are a race against the clock. We have received several wakeup calls. We don't need another study or another office or another Under Secretary; we need action. And next week I hope the House Committee on Homeland Security markup of the Department of Homeland Security authorization bill will provide us a real opportunity to strengthen our homeland security and spur DHS to act more quickly to protect the American people.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of the Ride for Lorraine, a charity bike ride to benefit the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF) and raise awareness for stem cell research. The Ride for Lorraine, a five-day bike ride beginning in Hartsdale, New York, honors Lorraine Valentini, a former High School English Literature teacher, volunteer firefighter, and U.S. Masters Gold Medal Cyclist. Lorraine's life was tragically altered in May 2005 when the spinal cord injuries she suffered in a bike accident left her paralyzed below the neck. During the five-day trip, Lorraine's family, friends and supporters will stop at the Dana and Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation in New Jersey, the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Maryland, and finally here at the Capitol Building. I encourage all of my colleagues to listen to their message that stem cell research can bring cures and therapies for many devastating and debilitating conditions. These dedicated, passionate participants are working hard to not only raise awareness for stem cell research, but to raise money for Lorraine's daily care and rehabilitation while directing donations to the NTAF to aid other transplant and catastrophic injury patients. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the efforts of teamLorraine.org and wishing the Ride for Lorraine participants luck.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the FY2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill, which provides $2.325 billion for international assistance programs, $162 million above the House-passed level. The bill provides $1.485 billion for Iraq reconstruction and fully funds the administration's request for Afghanistan. I am particularly pleased that the conference report provides $50 million above the President's requests for Sudan, Liberia and Jordan as well as $20 million for Haiti. I am also pleased that we were able to include an additional $25 million for refugee assistance and $25 million in disaster assistance above the request level. In light of the escalating security costs in Iraq and Afghanistan, I regret that we were not able to fully fund the administration's request for operating expenses, but I am pleased that the conference report significantly increases funding above the House-passed level. While the conference report fully funds the President's request for assistance to Afghanistan, $46 million in program funds for that country is not even a drop in the bucket. In light of the increasing violence and fragile political situation in Afghanistan, it is shameful that the administration failed to push for the $600 million that Ambassador Neumann indicated was necessary. I applaud the funding in this bill for Sudan and for other humanitarian needs in Africa. However, I was disappointed that the administration did not seek robust funding for the fledgling democracy in Liberia and the critical transition in Haiti. The funding added by Congress--an additional $50 million for Liberia and $20 million for Haiti--will provide critical short-term support to meet refugee and humanitarian needs as well as help to stabilize these countries during the initial months of their transitions. I regret that our conference allocation only allowed us to maintain half of the $100 million for Jordan that was passed by the Senate. Jordan has been a steadfast and important ally in the war on terror, as was clearly demonstrated by the assistance of Jordanian intelligence in the targeting of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It is a shame that arbitrary limits placed on this supplemental have prevented us from fully funding this priority country. Finally, let me speak to the bulk of the funding in the Foreign Operations section of the bill, which is for activities in Iraq. I support the additional funding because I think we owe our men and women in uniform in Iraq every chance to enhance their safety and return home speedily. To this end, I am glad that the conference report includes at least $50 million for democracy and governance activities and $50 million for the Community Action Program. These programs are having a tremendous impact and are more cost effective than many of the investments we have made thus far. However, I am dismayed that neither the House nor the Senate included placed these additional funds under the oversight mandate of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction. By failing to include this language, the House and Senate majority sent a clear message to American taxpayers that while Congress expects them to bear the burden of reconstructing Iraq, we are not interested in taking every precaution necessary to ensure that their money is accountably and effectively spent. With that, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the conference report.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution. U.S. policy toward Iraq should be focused on bringing home U.S. troops as soon as possible while minimizing chaos in Iraq and maximizing Middle Eastern stability. I believe that 2006 must be a year of significant transition toward full Iraqi sovereignty both politically and militarily and with the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces. Americans deserve a serious discussion in Congress about the future of U.S. involvement in Iraq. Instead, the Republican resolution before Congress today fails to address the road forward. A resolution to achieve a sovereign, free, and united Iraq is not a strategy. This resolution is a partisan attempt to avoid the debate that the American people are demanding. It blurs the line between the War on Terror and the war in Iraq in an effort to legitimize Bush Administration mistakes, and fails to deal with key issues such as the effect of our `stay-the-course-at-any-cost' policy on other threats to our national security and military recruitment and the lack of oversight and accountability over the billions of dollars wasted or stolen in the war and reconstruction effort. I am a strong supporter of our troops, and I have voted consistently to give them the funding and equipment they need to carry out their missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our courageous men and women in uniform have met their challenges with skill, bravery, and selfless dedication. We mourn the loss of the 2,500 who have died in Iraq, and offer our support and prayers to the 8,501 who have been injured so gravely they cannot return to duty. While this resolution expresses our gratitude toward the troops, it fails to acknowledge the missteps, misrepresentations, and misjudgments that have fatally flawed our involvement in Iraq from the very beginning, making the mission of our troops more perilous. The President rushed to war based on false and faulty intelligence against the protests of the majority of our allies. Warnings from U.S. commanders about troop levels and equipment went unheeded, and shortsighted decisions were made which seriously damaged our efforts to establish peace and security in Iraq. The Administration's horrendous miscalculations have damaged our ability to aggressively confront other emerging threats around the world and have endangered the stability of the Middle East. To make matters worse, the Administration has consistently rejected calls for accountability for some of its worst mistakes, including the squandering of billions of dollars in reconstruction funds, torture at Abu Ghraib and the provision of inadequate equipment for our troops. The sham resolution before us today is intended to avoid an honest discussion of these issues. The American people deserve better than today's partisan grandstanding and the contempt of the Republican leadership for their genuine concern about U.S. policy toward Iraq. For this reason, I will oppose the resolution.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the gentlewoman for her commitment for so many years to Haiti, and I certainly share her views and that commitment. I do hope with the leadership of Haiti that the people, the families, especially the children, can have the opportunities that all deserve. I look forward to continuing to work with you, with the chairman, to ensure that the United States is a strong partner, and working together we can reach the goals which you have expressed so eloquently.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strike the last word, and yield to my distinguished member of the subcommittee, Mr. Fattah.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I rise in support of this amendment. I am a cosponsor of a bill sponsored by the gentleman from Massachusetts that would accomplish a similar goal, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss the issue of WHINSEC on the floor today. What we are witnessing with regard to WHINSEC is a classic case of history repeating itself. For years, many Members of Congress and activists, including Maryknoll nuns based in my congressional district, fought to shut down the notorious School of the Americas. The school's very existence was undermining U.S. efforts to promote civilian control of the military and respect for human rights in Latin America. So the army closed the SOA and reopened it a few weeks later with a new name. To quote William Shakespeare, ``A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.'' Indeed, WHINSEC is just another name for the School of the Americas, and neither of them passes the smell test. The same moral issues still plague the institution, and the U.S. military still refuses to take common-sense steps to fix the problem. As my colleague from Massachusetts has pointed out, the vetting process for students at WHINSEC is still broken, resulting in known human rights abusers attending the school. DOD still refuses to monitor the careers of WHINSEC graduates, preferring to be kept in the dark about how U.S. military education is applied in Latin American countries. And past questions about the School of the Americas have still not been answered, giving us no basis on which to build a better, more credible and more effective program at WHINSEC. I understand that the majority of WHINSEC's funding does not come from this bill, but I believe the amendment before us today provides an excellent opportunity to send the message that we still cannot stomach the continued reckless use of our military training dollars. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strike the last word, and I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY. For me, it has been a great privilege to work with Jim Kolbe. And since this is probably the 10th retirement speech that we have given for Jim Kolbe, I just want to add that he is probably a person that all of us would agree has the most integrity, wisdom, and compassion, and for me it is a real, real privilege. But, above all, Jim Kolbe is the most punctual person I know, so I won't give my 10- page speech today. Good luck. Congratulations. We love you. And let us go on.