Nita Lowey

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I wish to speak on the point of order. Madam Speaker, I wish to speak on the point of order because, frankly, it is beyond belief to me that this committee could appropriate less to major cities like New York and Washington than they received last year. Given the current threats that are still out there loud and clear, we should not be cutting back on these important critical homeland security dollars.

Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, because this ruling defies the imagination of anybody living here in the United States of America, because of this ruling and the decision of this committee to cut back on homeland security funds and refuse to adjust them according to risk-threat vulnerability, I appeal the ruling of the Chair.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. I rise in strong support of this amendment which would provide much- needed funding for interoperability. Amazingly, we have made so little progress in solving the communications problems that plagued first responders on September 11 and in every other emergency in the last 15 years. SAFECOM, which has been tasked as the lead Federal agency for first responder communication issues, has only five employees and less than 1/100th of 1 percent of the Department of Homeland Security budget. Due to its lack of resources, SAFECOM is just not meeting its objective. It has not adopted a single equipment standard. There is no long-term strategy to solve the interoperability problem. We are not prepared to effectively respond to any emergency unless our first responders on the ground are able to communicate with one another. I ask my colleagues to let us move this amendment, let us support this amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment and strongly urge its adoption. Our contributions to the arts and humanities are the standard by which our history as a society will be measured. A strong public commitment to the arts and humanities, along with a dedication to freedom, is the hallmark of great civilizations. History has shown that religious and political freedoms go hand in hand with greater artistic and literary activity, and that the societies that flourish and have a lasting influence on humanity are those that encourage free expression in all of its forms. This is a lesson that resonates with people of every age, background, and belief, and one that we can guarantee our children learn. By sharing ideas and images from a diverse range of hack grounds and through many different media, the arts and humanities help to create a more informed citizenry. We are better prepared to meet the responsibilities of democracy; to ask ourselves the hard questions; to demand of our leaders the full answers; and to judge fairly the actual and potential endeavors of our country. Our support for the arts and humanities also has a profound impact on our economy. In my Congressional District, there are close to 2,000 arts-related businesses, providing more than 9,000 jobs. This creates a substantial economic impact. Nationally, the arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity, sustaining over 4 million jobs. Even more significant is the return on the investment for the American taxpayer. While the Federal Government spends just over $250 million on the NEA and NEH annually, it collects over $10 billion in tax revenue related to the arts industry. Federal funding for the NEA and NEH is crucial to the arts community, helping leverage more state, local, and private funds. Clearly, the numbers show that investment in the arts is important not only to our national identity, but also to our national economy. Mr. Chairman, we must act decisively to commit ourselves to our national heritage and culture, by voting to increase funding for the NEA and NEH. I urge my colleagues to support creativity and reflection, to support our economy, and to support the continued growth and expression of democracy in its fullest form.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman and the distinguished chairwoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which would rename the U.S. Post Office in Tuckahoe, New York, after Ronald Bucca. I want to thank Mr. Davis and the other members of the Government Reform Committee for their support of this bill. Born on May 6, 1954, Ronald Bucca spent his life in public service, defending our Nation overseas and protecting our communities here at home. Over the course of his long and distinguished career as a member of the Fire Department of New York, Ron Bucca served with Engine 95, Ladder 2, Rescue 1, the Fire Department of New York Terrorist Task Force and as a fire marshal. During his time with Rescue 1, Ron was severely injured when he fell five stories while attempting to rescue a fellow firefighter. When he triumphantly returned to work, he earned the nickname the ``Flying Fireman.'' During the 9/11 attacks, Ron Bucca was one of only two firefighters to reach the fire floor of the South Tower. Along with Chief Palmer, Ron was stretching a hose line into the 78th floor lobby when the tower fell. Ronald Bucca was the first New York City fire marshal to be killed in the line of duty. In addition to his brave and dedicated career protecting the people of New York, Ronald Bucca also performed heroically as a member of the Armed Forces. During Ron's military career, he spent time with the 11th Special Forces group and the Defense Intelligence Agency, serving as a Special Forces first sergeant, a member of the 101st Airborne Division, and a Special Forces group defense intelligence analyst. For his brave service to our Nation, the military has also honored Ronald Bucca. When the 800th Military Police Brigade took command of British Enemy Holding Area Freddy in Southern Iraq, it was promptly renamed Camp Bucca. For Ronald Bucca the military and the fire department honors were just the tip of the iceberg. He was also a licensed practical nurse, held an associate degree in OSHA and fire science from John Jay College, and had a bachelor of science degree in public safety from Mercy College. For over 20 years Ron and his wife, Eve, made Tuckahoe, New York, their home. Ron was actively involved in his children's education and encouraged their involvement in the Boy Scouts and various other activities. I believe Ronald Bucca's life can most appropriately be described by those who knew him best, his children. They spoke of him this way: ``He was a fireman, a soldier, a nurse, a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, and an adventurer. But most of all, he was one of our best friends and an incredible dad.'' Mr. Speaker, Ronald Bucca was a hero in every sense of the word, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring him by passing this legislation.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. Passage of this bill, which is long overdue, will help fulfill the U.S.'s role in ending the genocide in Sudan. More than a year and a half ago, Congress voted unanimously to condemn the genocide in Darfur. Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell declared the atrocities in Darfur to be genocide, a statement that was hailed as significant and meaningful coming from the highest echelons of the U.S. government. Despite these clear pronouncements, however, more people die every day and the slow genocide in Darfur persists unabated. It is beyond imagination that the collective might and concerted will of the nations of the world cannot find a way to end this daily toll of human misery. I hope and pray that Sudan will allow the proposed UN peacekeeping mission to move forward so that we can end this devastation. While we wait, however, we must find ways to make the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) stronger, and to bolster these efforts with a NATO support. We must also send the message to those who perpetrate genocide that there will be consequences. The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act would impose harsh sanctions against those who are complicit in or responsible for acts of genocide, freezing their assets and restricting their ability to travel, and would block the Government of Sudan's access to the oil revenues used to fund the ongoing genocide. The bill also properly recognizes that ending the genocide in Darfur is not a challenge to be solved by the United States alone. It provides clear support for efforts to establish a U.N. peacekeeping presence in Darfur and other multilateral initiatives to pressure the Sudanese government to end the genocide. My colleagues, ``Never Again'' is a phrase we have all heard before. We have all said it before. It is one of the most powerful expressions of the natural human inclination to stop suffering, to end the death and destruction that stems from senseless hatred and indifference to human life. Never Again will we let 6,000,000 Jews perish under the noses of the civilized world. Never Again will we let Rwandans be rounded up and indiscriminately killed because of their tribal affiliation. Never Again will we allow ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. The problem with the phrase ``Never Again,'' however, is that it is usually uttered after the violence is over, as a rallying cry against history repeating itself. We have seen, time and time again, that history does repeat itself, and it is simply not enough to say that we will prevent it next time. We must end the genocide in Darfur now. The Darfur genocide is not a Sudanese problem or an African problem. It is a human tragedy, and it is ours to solve. If we are serious about ``Never Again,'' let passage of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act today be just one step along this long and arduous road.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution to honor Wellington Timothy Mara. Mr. Mara, a longtime constituent of mine from Westchester County, was a pioneer in the sports world who has left an indelible mark on the National Football League. Having been closely associated with the New York Giants since its inception in 1925 and having assumed partial ownership of the team at the age of 14, Wellington Mara played a critical role in helping the Giants become one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL. Under his leadership, the Giants achieved greatness--26 postseason appearances, 18 divisional championships, and six league championships, including two Super Bowl victories. In his almost 80 years associated with the Giants, Wellington Mara attended almost every Giants practice and home game until falling ill last spring. In fact, the only extended time he ever spent away from the team was in brave service to his country. While serving in the Navy during World War II, Wellington Mara proudly achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander while serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. It was Wellington Mara's vision and leadership in the 1960's that may provide the most lasting impact on the NFL. His willingness to share television revenue from the largest television market with smaller market teams enabled a balanced economic playing field which continues in the NFL today. In addition to his leadership in the NFL, Wellington Mara was a generous, caring man whose compassion can be summed up in one phrase: once a Giant, always a Giant. He was well known for providing medical care for current and former players and their families, including finding doctors and covering their medical expenses. Additionally he often kept advisors and scouts on payroll long after their service to the team ended, simply as a means of showing appreciation for their service. Simply put, Wellington Mara was football in America. A member of the NFL's founding generation, Mara served on the NFL's Executive Committee, Hall of Fame Committee, and Competition Committee and was elected to the Hall of Fame himself in 1997. Mr. Speaker, I wish to offer my condolences to the entire Mara family, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman's amendment, and I understand and I am pleased that the chairman is going to accept it, because ICAP is one of the few overwhelming success stories with respect to Iraq reconstruction. Since 2003, ICAP has worked with communities in all of Iraq's 18 governorates to empower ordinary Iraqis to determine, implement and monitor reconstruction and development in their communities. We all talk about how Iraqis need to run their own country, choose their own government, fight their own battles, make their own priorities. ICAP is aimed at accomplishing just this goal. Its implementing partners have trained more than 620 Iraqi staff members. In turn, they have trained over 17,000 community action group members. And ICAP partners do not contract with multi-national corporations to get their work done. Only Iraqi contractors carry out ICAP projects. So, as we move forward, ICAP can be an excellent complement to the new provincial reconstruction teams being established throughout Iraq. The gentleman's amendment would ensure that ICAP does not run out of funding this summer, as it certainly will if no further resources are provided. So it would be a shame to end this program prematurely. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, the victory of Rene Preval in the first round of elections in Haiti does open a window of opportunity to rescue this country from its failed state status. Now is the time for the United States to tangibly demonstrate that it stands with the Haitian people in their quest for democracy and stability. Mr. Chairman, I was disappointed that the administration's supplemental request did not contain funding for Haiti, because I do think we have limited time to make a difference by providing assistance to ensure that the second round of elections, which are just weeks away, are free, fair and transparent. This money will help fund quick impact programs to promote reconciliation and stabilization and to expand our participation in the U.N. civilian police training and vetting program. I appreciate the comments of my chairman and his willingness to make sure that we have adequate funding for Haiti, but I think this amendment does send an important signal to the Haitian people that the U.S. is committed to help them as they pull their country out of chaos. The United States must show that we care about more than elections, that we care about what comes afterwards as well. So I am very pleased that the chairman addressed this issue. I am pleased that Mr. Engel is withdrawing the amendment, and I look forward to working with the chairman and working with Mr. Engel to ensure that we are supportive and that Haiti gets the money that it deserves to try to get it on the right track and move that country ahead. It is an embarrassment to the region, it is an embarrassment to the world, that Haiti has not been able to get this support it needs. So, working together, I am hopeful that we can take positive action to get Haiti on the right track.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. With great respect for my colleague, I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment though I think he raises a valid concern. I just returned from Colombia, and I think there is a real need to boost the Colombian government's interdiction efforts. I think, in fact, I think that greater focus on interdiction may well be more effective than our current emphasis on eradication. However, I think the responsibility for funding this program lies first and foremost with the Colombian government. The President of Colombia was in Washington just a few weeks ago and met with Chairman Kolbe and me. He did not indicate to us any pressing need for this assistance. In fact, I believe the State Department is seeking to reprogram funds away from Colombian aviation programs and the Colombian national police to finance the demobilization programs. That said, I do agree that the gentleman raises an important point. I think it is time that we look at a different mix for funding for Colombia, one that boosts spending on alternate development and interdiction programs and reduces funding for eradication programs which I think are ineffective at best. However, I think this amendment is better considered in the context of FY 2007 appropriations process where a more comprehensive discussion of the Colombia program can take place, and I think that is what is really needed here. There is no emergency requirement for the funding. It does not belong in the supplemental. Therefore, I do urge my colleagues to vote against this amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, more than a year and a half ago, the House and Senate voted unanimously to condemn the genocide in Darfur, and yet every day more people die, and the slow genocide persists unabated. It is beyond imagination that the collective might and concerted will of the nations of the world cannot find a way to end this daily toll of human misery. Mr. Chairman, I hope and pray that Sudan will allow the U.N. peacekeeping mission to move forward so we can end this devastation. While we wait, however, we must find ways to make the African Union mission more effective. I would note to my colleagues that the problem in Sudan has not generally been a lack of resources. With bipartisan support, often under Democratic initiative, the Congress has provided over $1.3 billion in assistance for Darfur and southern Sudan. This assistance has been and continues to be needed, and we are committed to providing it. The primary problem, in my opinion, has been a lack of political will from the government of Sudan, from the international community and, to some extent, from the United States. Until we address these issues of political will, I am afraid we will be forced to rely on solutions that treat the symptoms without curing the disease. I support this amendment because it seeks to make a bad situation better. I thank the gentleman for offering it. I also want to acknowledge the leadership of members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, specifically Representatives Jackson and Kilpatrick of Michigan and especially Chairman Kolbe, who have worked diligently to bring attention and focus to the situation in Darfur. For those reasons, I will support the amendment.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill, and I am pleased to have worked with Chairman Kolbe to develop the foreign assistance portion of this measure. The bill cuts the amount requested for international assistance by about $140 million from the administration's request, and rescinds an additional $17 million in previously appropriated funds that are no longer needed. However, I do have concerns about what we have included and what we have not included. I am particularly concerned about the lack of funding in this bill for Afghanistan. During the chairman's recent visit to Afghanistan, the ambassador and USAID staff outlined a need for $600 million in FY 2006 supplemental funding to help address the power and infrastructure needs in Afghanistan. Our ambassador, the Afghan government, and provincial leaders all agreed that progress on reconstruction and development was critical to help consolidate the rule of law, curtail the influence of the Taliban and al Qaeda operatives and combat opium poppy cultivation. Yet, the President's request does not contain the $600 million that Ambassador Neumann requested. It does not even contain the $407 million that Secretary Rice requested in her submission to OMB. The President requested just $62 million for assistance to Afghanistan in the supplemental, one-tenth of what is needed. The committee further cut this amount providing only $8 million for Afghanistan. Now, I do understand that Chairman Kolbe and Chairman Lewis are frustrated with the lack of response from the State Department on the counternarcotics program in Afghanistan, and I share that frustration. However, in this instance, I fear that we are cutting off our nose to spite the State Department's face. I do not think this is a responsible strategy. And before this bill is enacted, I hope we can find the means to restore or even increase the administration's request for Afghanistan. While I applaud the funding in this bill for Sudan and other humanitarian needs in Africa, I was disappointed that the administration did not seek robust funding for the fledgling democracy in Liberia and the critical transition in Haiti. I am pleased that the committee accepted an amendment by Representative Jackson to add $50 million in assistance to Liberia. It is important that the United States send a strong message of support to Liberia, particularly as we prepare to receive President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman to be elected head of state in Africa. This money will provide critical short-term support to meet refugee and humanitarian needs, as well as to help stabilize Liberia in the initial months of her administration. First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary Rice pledged that the U.S. would stand by Liberia during this period of transition, and I think our bill with the addition of $50 million in economic support funds does just that. Finally, let me speak to the bulk of funding in the foreign operations bill which is for Iraq. I am not convinced that providing more money for Iraq will cure the problems for that country. But I will support the additional funding because I think we owe our men and women in uniform in Iraq every tool to achieve success. I am dismayed that the committee defeated on a party-line vote, however, my amendment to ensure proper oversight of these additional resources. My amendment would have simply placed the additional funds in the foreign operations title of the bill under the oversight of the Special Inspector General for Iraq, as is the case for prior funds appropriated for assistance to Iraq. By voting against this commonsense amendment, the Republicans in our committee sent the message to American taxpayers that while Congress expects them to bear the burden of reconstructing Iraq, the Republicans in Congress are not interested in ensuring that the money is accounted for and effectively spent. I hope the issue is corrected when the bill is taken up by the Senate. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides sorely needed funds for our troops and their families who deserve the very best of equipment, research and development and support services. We should have passed this bill weeks, even months ago. The administration's puzzling reluctance to accept a ban on torture, along with the majority's decision to use defense spending as a shield for passing controversial legislation, delayed passage of this important measure. So here we are tonight, poised to push through a measure that would open up the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling, a measure so contentious and wrongheaded they had to hide it behind our courageous troops to get it done. Here we are passing an across the board cut on all discretionary spending programs. We are wielding the axe indiscriminately and unmercifully, hurting low income children in need of reading and math help, seniors who need help paying record heating bills this winter, local law enforcement officers who need equipment and training and our Nation's own FBI counterterrorism efforts. Here we are passing a landmark package to ready our Nation for a potential outbreak of avian flu. But we shortchange the President's request, ignore key priorities like State and local preparedness, leaving our hometowns woefully unprepared to contend with such a disaster. We ignore the fact that the best responses is prevention, dedicating only meager funds to international efforts to detect and fight avian influenza. Furthermore, we fail to provide one cent to entice farmers in affected countries who are on the front lines of detection to report incidents of avian flu to the proper health authorities. The flu package included in this bill is riddled with gaps which may undermine all our efforts, and the overly broad liability provisions and inadequate compensation programs are simply unacceptable, dangerous, wrong. Here we are ignoring the blatant need in one of the most wretched corners of the earth, Darfur, Sudan. While the administration and the Republican majority each try to earn their fiscal responsibility stripes by withholding needed funding from the African Union peacekeeping mission, the genocide continues. $50 million, miniscule percentage of the total included in the bill, could save innocent lives in Sudan. Tonight's shenanigans have demonstrated that this administration and this majority will ram through whatever legislation they want if given the opportunity. They are simply not committed to do what we can to bring peace and stability to Darfur. We should all be ashamed that this bill is silent on this matter of life and death. Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve more from Congress than 11th hour gamesmanship and stealth legislating. This dishonest process and incomplete product should disgust us and our constituents. We can do better.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed that the conference report, among other things, today does not include an amendment that I offered with Mr. Sweeney to alter the first responder funding formula in the original PATRIOT Act. This provision would have allocated precious Homeland Security resources on the basis of risk. Under the original PATRIOT Act, zero percent of formula grants are distributed on the basis of risk. Under the House proposal, at least 84 percent and up to 100 percent of funding would be risk-based, ensuring that we spend our resources to address the greatest threats our Nation faces. This long overdue change has been approved by the House on three separate occasions, including in a stand-alone bill that passed by a vote of 409 to 10 in May. While the Senate has rejected this commonsense reform, the administration supports it, as does the 9/11 Commission. In a recent report, the Commission gave the government an F for failing to allocate funding where it is needed but stipulated that we can earn an A if the House provisions in the PATRIOT Act reauthorization bill are accepted. As Commission Chairman Kean stated last week, ``It is time for senators to exercise leadership and do the right thing for our Nation's security by passing the risk-based funding reform in the PATRIOT Act.'' The Senate failed to exercise leadership. We have therefore missed a golden opportunity to improve our Nation's security. We cannot back down from this fight, and we must demand that the Senate accept our proposal in any future Homeland Security legislation. I hope my colleagues will join me.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, today's debate should be about one thing, whether or not we believe that this administration and this President are pursuing sound and competent policy in Iraq. Instead, the Republican leadership has orchestrated a pathetic, partisan political ploy in an effort to distract the American people from this administration's failure in Iraq. The Republican leadership is making a mockery of Jack Murtha's able and selfless service to his country in a blatant abuse of power. This leadership has rushed a resolution to the floor that bears no resemblance to Jack Murtha's considered position on Iraq. The war is a matter of life and death for our servicemen and for the people of Iraq, and this Republican leadership has instead decided to make it a political power play. This is a disgusting offense to Jack Murtha, to every one of our veterans, and, most importantly, to all of our brave men and women serving today.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution, which is nothing more than an effort to politicize one of the most serious policy issues facing the United States today. It is nothing more than an effort to disguise--in a cloak of partisan rhetoric--the fact that our Iraq policy is failing. The facts are clear: Even as our brave men and women in uniform have done their best, the Administration has failed at every turn to execute the war in Iraq competently. The President rushed to war based on false and faulty intelligence against the protests of the vast majority of our allies. Warnings from U.S. commanders about troop levels and equipment went unheeded, haphazard decisions were made at the earliest stages which seriously damaged our efforts to restore peace and security in Iraq. Our troops have become targets of an ever-strengthening insurgency. This Administration's horrendous judgment has put us in an untenable situation--damaging our ability to deal with other emerging threats around the world and threatening the stability of the Middle East. The solution to Iraq's problems will be political in nature, not military. The various factions in Iraq need to come together to decide what shape the future of their country will take and to execute that decision. Every diplomatic avenue must be pursued to engage the international community in bringing stability and security to Iraq and reconstructing critical infrastructure. We must assure the Iraqi people that we do not intend to stay in Iraq indefinitely, and that we will redeploy troops in a way that assures their safety and on a schedule pegged to successes in security force training and other criteria. Iraqi security forces must take control of their own country as soon as they are able. This redeployment must be carried out in a way that does not leave Iraq as a playground for Iran, Syria, and al-Qaeda. It must be carried out at the earliest possible time we are reasonably assured that the conditions exist to ensure redeployment will leave U.S. interests in the Middle East and around the world more, rather than less, secure. Mr. Speaker, hasty decision-making is what got us into this mess in the first place. The war in Iraq, and the men and women in uniform who are fighting the war, deserve more than ad hoc, 11th-hour debates over political power plays. I urge my colleagues to oppose the resolution.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I reluctantly rise in opposition to the fiscal year 2006 Labor-HHS Conference Report. However, I wanted to express my sincere appreciation to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Obey), and their staffs for their hard work on this legislation. The bill should address many of our most important priorities, from education funding, worker training, to biomedical research and public health activities. Unfortunately, it falls short. For the first time in 10 years, the bill actually cuts funding for the Department of Education. The bill provides the smallest increase for the National Institutes of Health in 36 years. Despite the fact that college costs have increased by 34 percent since 2001, the bill freezes the maximum Pell grant for the fourth year in a row. At a time when States are being asked to bear an increasingly larger burden for preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, this bill cuts funds for State and local health departments by $127 million. And the bill includes a rescission of $125 million from New York State Worker's Compensation Programs intended for sick and injured workers from September 11. The President made a $20 billion commitment to the people of New York following September 11. The rescission breaks that promise. While these and other programs are on the chopping block today, the bill provides a $10 million increase for abstinence-until-marriage programs, despite mounting evidence of the scientific and medical inaccuracy of their curricula and ineffective results. Mr. Speaker, I also want to express my continued concerned with the Weldon refusal clause included in this bill. For over 30 years, there have been Federal laws that allow doctors, nurses, and hospitals to refuse to provide abortion services because of their religious beliefs. However, this provision extends that protection to HMOs, insurance companies, and makes no exception for medical emergencies. States that attempt to protect access to health services can be denied all of their Federal health, education, and labor funding. My colleagues, we had an alternative to this misguided and dangerous language. The Senate bill contained a provision that would protect doctors' consciences while ensuring that women still have access to the services and referrals they need. Unfortunately, the House majority rejected the Senate's reasonable compromise in favor of maintaining a policy designed to limit women's access to reproductive health services. Mr. Speaker, it is because of these flaws that I simply cannot support this final conference report.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Witten, this year's recipient of Columbia University's Alexander Hamilton Medal. This honor is considered the highest tribute an individual in the Columbia College community may receive from the alumni association. Richard is a proud alumnus, established businessman, published author, generous philanthropist and distinguished member of the Columbia University administration. Richard currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Columbia University Board of Trustees; chairs the Trustees' Committee on Alumni Relations and Development; and is a member of the board of the Columbia University Investment Management Company. Additionally, Richard is the former chair of the Columbia College Board of Visitors. Professionally, Richard has achieved significant success. Currently he is the senior managing director of the investment firm The Orienta Group. Prior to its formation, Richard began a long and successful career with Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1981 and proudly served as a partner and managing director from 1990 to 2002. During his tenure with Goldman Sachs, Richard led numerous committees including the Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Division Sales Force for the Americas and the Investment Grade Debt Business Unit. Beyond his professional and alumni activities, Richard is also an author. His first novel, Divided Loyalties, was published in 2005 and is based on the World War II experiences of his father-in-law. His second novel, Filmore East, is due in 2006 and follows the turbulent events of 1968-1971 through a college student's eyes. Richard also makes contributions of his time, energy, and money to better our community. He has provided significant funds to renovate Hamilton Hall at Columbia, is a member of the board of directors at the National Museum of American Jewish History, and is a director emeritus of the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation. Richard is a dedicated husband to his wife Lisa and a devoted father to his children Anne and Alexander. I am proud to call him both my constituent and my friend. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Richard Witten as he receives the Alexander Hamilton Medal.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Gedale Horowitz on 50 years working with Salomon Brothers, Salomon Smith Barney and Citigroup. A graduate of Columbia College and Columbia Law School, Gedale Horowitz has had a distinguished career dating back to November 1955 when he first joined Salomon Brothers. His career with Salomon Brothers took off in 1967 when he became a General Partner. From there, Gedale would go on to serve on the Executive Committee of Salomon Brothers and on the board of Salomon Inc. from its inception in 1981 until its sale to Traveler's Corp. in 1997. Gedale's brilliant mind has been recognized throughout the business world. He is a founder of the Public Securities Association, now known as the Bond Market Association. He is also a former member of the U.S. Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee of the Bond Market Association, serving as its Chairman from 1986 to 1987. Additionally, Gedale was appointed as an original member of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, serving as its Chairman in 1977. Beyond his professional work, Gedale has been a trusted and valued member of our community. He has served as a Trustee of Barnard College for over 29 years; he is a Trustee, Chairman Emeritus and member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health Care System; a member of the Board of Visitors of Columbia Law School; and the past-President of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Inc. Gedale and his loving wife Barbara have been married for 47 years. They are the proud parents of two children and two grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Gedale Horowitz for his years of service and for his dedication to helping his community.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge Sondra Miller on her retirement from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. A graduate of Wellesley College and Harvard Law School, Sondra Miller has had a distinguished career as an Associate Justice since her appointment to the court by Governor Cuomo in 1990. She also made notable contributions in her service as a Family Court Judge in Westchester County. Judge Miller is an active member of the legal community. She currently serves as Commissioner of the Governor's Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children, a member of the New York State Bar Association Special Committee on Justice and the Community, a founding member of Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA), and a Member of the Board of Visitors at Pace University School of Law. Over the course of her legal career, Judge Miller has been respected as a scholarly and incisive jurist, receiving numerous awards for her work. Among the honors she has received are the Westchester Women of the Year Award, the New York State Bar Association's Ruth H. Schapiro Award, the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York's Founders Award, and the Pace School of Law Leadership Award. In 2005 the Westchester Women's Bar Association Foundation established the ``Justice Sondra M. Miller Scholarship,'' which will be awarded annually. Sondra's work in our community is far-reaching. She is a respected and valued member of the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, Hadassah, the Harvard Club, and the Westchester Jewish Center. Sondra and her husband Stanley Gelfman live in Westchester County. She is a devoted mother to Sabrina and David Miller, Miriam and Gary Reback, Seth and Amanda Miller, Wendy and Andrew Tatarsky, Sarri and Rick Harner, and a loving grandmother to her 13 grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Judge Sondra Miller and in thanking her for a career of dedicated service to the citizens of New York.

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fattah), the newest member of our subcommittee.

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mrs. LOWEY

Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and in support of the conference report, the Foreign Operations and Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2006. At this time, I want to commend the chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee for the very fair and bipartisan manner in which he has brought this bill forward. I will save my comments on the substance of the conference report for the general debate. However, I do want to make clear that we had a tough job taking this bill through conference. The very low initial allocation in the House was compounded by a low conference allocation that cut the President's request by $2 billion. I would have preferred to increase funding levels for many of the important programs contained in this bill, including refugee assistance. However, I do think this conference report represents a fair, bipartisan, bicameral compromise. The chairman conducted this process in an inclusive manner, and I do commend him for it. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and to support the conference report on H.R. 3057.