Jim McGovern

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions). All time yielded during consideration of the rule is for debate only. General Leave

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, before I use my time, I would like to insert in the Record a statement by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; a statement by Stop Handgun Violence; a letter signed by a number of religious organizations opposed to the Childers amendment; and a letter from D.C. Vote, which includes the D.C. Republican Committee, which opposes the Childers amendment. Childers Amendment Would Repeal D.C. Gun Laws, Endanger Public Safety and Threaten Homeland Security The House may soon consider legislation concerning D.C. gun laws. We support H.R. 6842, the bipartisan Norton/Issa bill to require that D.C. conform its laws to the Supreme Court ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller. The D.C. Council is already in the process of amending its gun laws in response to Heller, and this bill requires D.C. to act within 180 days. A dangerous NRA-backed amendment, proposed by Rep. Childers, would repeal D.C. gun laws and go far beyond authorizing gun possession for self-defense in the home. The amendment is based on H.R. 6691, a reckless bill so broad it even would have allowed the carrying of assault rifles on D.C. streets. After the NRA repeatedly claimed that nothing in H.R. 6691 ``would allow people to carry loaded firearms outside of their home,'' it apparently agreed to undo dangerous provisions that did in fact allow the carrying of assault rifles in public. Yet the rest of the Childers amendment remains almost identical to H.R. 6691--it still undermines gun laws and endangers homeland security. After repeatedly misleading Congress about the scope of H.R. 6691, the NRA has no credibility on this issue. Last week, the NRA's chief lobbyist, Chris Cox, was quoted repeatedly stating that the bill would not allow the open carrying of assault weapons, and ridiculing those who claimed otherwise. The NRA has now implicitly conceded that its repeated prior statements were false, as the revisions are aimed at a problem that the NRA claimed did not exist. Either the NRA was intentionally misleading Congress and the public about the bill, or it did not understand what its top legislative priority would do. It is hard to know which is worse. The NRA-backed Childers amendment still creates serious threats to public safety and homeland security by allowing dangerous persons to stockpile semiautomatic assault weapons with high capacity ammunition magazines in D.C., undermining federal laws to curtail gun trafficking, and prohibiting D.C. from passing laws that could ``discourage'' gun possession or use, even basic safe storage requirements or age limits for the possession of assault rifles. We oppose the dangerous Childers amendment to H.R. 6842.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 1434 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Ross). (Mr. ROSS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. I didn't accuse the Republicans of forcing. I said ``those on the other side of this debate.''

Mr. McGOVERN. I yield the gentlewoman another 2 minutes.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner). (Mr. TANNER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, 40 years ago today a tradition began at the American University in Washington, DC. That tradition, which I am proud to say I was and continue to be a part of, began when Theodore Sorensen became the first speaker at the Kennedy Political Union at American University. I rise today to honor and recognize this institution for both its excellence and longevity. The Kennedy Political Union was founded to take advantage of American University's Washington, DC location. Since its inception the Kennedy Political Union has been student-run, student-funded, and non-partisan in its commitment to connecting American University students with the most compelling speakers on a wide variety of issues. Past speakers at the Kennedy Political Union have included Former Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell, among hundreds of others who have come to share their views and experiences with thousands of American University students. As Director for the 1980-81 Kennedy Political Union Lecture Series, I hosted Israeli politician and diplomat Abba Eban; former Attorney General Ramsey Clark; Alger Hiss; U.S. Senators Howard Baker, Strom Thurmond and George McGovern, and others. The experience was a formative one for me, and I to this day have maintained my ties with the Kennedy Political Union and my alma mater. With today, September 16, 2008 marking the 40th Anniversary of the Kennedy Political Union, I want to congratulate each of the Directors who have promoted the organization's commitment to the expansion of political awareness and engagement. I want to thank the speakers who have made the organization what it is today, many of whom are former or current members of this body. And lastly I want to wish the Kennedy Political Union continued success now and in the future.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Pastor Judith Hanlon of the Hadwen Park Church, a United Church of Christ Open and Affirming parish, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. She will be formally ordained on Sunday, September 14, 2008. Pastor Judith Hanlon has distinguished herself as a passionate champion for equal rights by fighting for social justice in the Worcester community and abroad. Raised in Indiana along with six siblings, she was greatly influenced by her upbringing in the Pentecostal church in which her father was a minister. She has two daughters and raised them as a single mother, a noteworthy inspiration to her parishioners. Her deep faith is complemented by her amazing talent and love of music. For 25 years, Pastor Hanlon directed and accompanied singing groups at the Salem Covenant Church in Worcester, Massachusetts. Playing the piano at age 5 and writing music by the age of 9, her musical talent helps to promote her faith and desire for justice. She has produced two CDs of social justice Christian music. After retiring at the age of 45 from her marketing representative career at Verizon--formerly ATT, Pastor Hanlon then pursued her second calling as a pastor. Serving as the pastor of the Hadwen Park Church since 2000, she quickly and easily gained the love of her community by welcoming all persons with her witty and devoted personality, her positive attitude, and celebratory style. Pastor Judy is courageous in her work for social justice, articulate, inspiring, and often very funny with her messages of love, faith, and overcoming challenges to find the positive side of life. And she is respectful of all people--even in times of disagreement. She is extremely well known for her commitment to and celebration of diversity. Gracelift is her signature e-mail name; it appropriately depicts Pastor Judy and her work. Under her leadership, Hadwen Park Church proudly moved to become an Open and Affirming parish to show and tell the world that ``all are welcome'' at HPC--people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, ages, family make up and physical mobility challenges. She led the way to cast--wide open--the welcoming doors. As a result, the church membership has more than doubled, to the point where the former little white church at the corner of Knox and Clover Streets in Worcester could not accommodate the growing stream of Sunday attendees or committee meetings and events. As such she inspired and believed that the mighty little congregation could achieve a million-dollar capital campaign and expansion project. She was right; the project was successfully completed within a short, and miraculous, 2-year time frame. With the ongoing work of the church, it looks like another expansion is needed for meeting rooms and child care needs, the growing food pantry and more. Staying current with outreach and news, through technology, is important to Pastor Judy; a Web site was created at her suggestion and ``A Place of Grace'' e-mails are disseminated to hundreds of parishioners and colleagues weekly to promote the important work of the church. Further, the church family has been active in the fight against HIV/ AIDS; provided assistance to Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims through the Hope Shall Bloom Project; organized and inspired youth to do service work in South America and in their community; doubled its food pantry to be able to serve the hungry; and provided assistance to countless people in need from the congregation and in the Greater Worcester area. Pastor Hanlon has also been a tireless advocate for the rights of the GLBT community in her parish, the community and the State. Pastor Judy has been a leader in the effort to promote equal marriage and helped spearhead the ``Equal Marriage: The Freedom to Marry Coalition in Massachusetts'' initiative. Recently, several immigrants, fleeing from abuse in their country of Jamaica because of their sexual orientation, turned to a safe and welcoming haven with Pastor Judy and Hadwen Park church. As a result, she now helps to lead local efforts to promote human rights for GLBT people in Jamaica. For her work on these issues she was awarded the Safe Homes ``People of Courage Award'' in 2006. Madam Speaker, I commend this amazing, grace-filled, and inspiring leader of faith for her dedication to making the Worcester area and our world a better place, and I ask all my colleagues to join me in offering her congratulations on her ordination.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, on May 25, my friend, Father Paul Tipton, passed away. He was an incredible man with an irreverent sense of humor who accomplished great things. I first met Father Tipton in 1989. He was the President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and I was a staffer for Congressman Joe Moakley (D-MA). On November 16th of that year, six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were murdered by members of the U.S.-backed Salvadoran Armed Forces. A cover-up ensued and there was a strong sense that the truth would never be known. Father Tipton organized the Jesuit community in the United States-- including all the Jesuit college and university Presidents--to put pressure on the U.S. and Salvadoran governments and demand truth and justice in this tragic case. He worked closely with Congressman Moakley, who headed a special task force that was established to investigate these crimes. His no-nonsense style and his tough talk earned him the nickname ``Father John Wayne.'' He wouldn't give up--and ultimately he helped find the truth. Father Tipton dedicated his life to helping people and making the world a better place. In addition to his work in El Salvador, he was a champion for education and making sure that everyone who wanted an education could afford to get one. He was a great man and a great friend. I miss him. Madam Speaker, I would like to ask unanimous consent to insert Father Tipton's obituary, which appeared in the Washington Post on Sunday, June 1, 2008, into the Record. [From the Washington Post, June 1, 2008] Paul Tipton; Exposed Jesuit Deaths in El Salvador (By Patricia Sullivan) Paul Smallwood Tipton, 69, who, while president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities helped expose the assassination of six Catholic priests, their their housekeeper and her daughter by the Salvadoran army, died of cancer May 25 at Georgetown University Hospital. He lived in the District and Lusby. Rev. Tipton had just started at the association when he received a call telling him that the sole witness to the Nov. 16, 1989, murders of six Jesuits and two women at Central American University in San Salvador was detained and interrogated by Salvadoran officials, the U.S. State Department and the FBI. He flew from Washington to Miami and took custody of Luisa Cerna, the housekeeper and her husband. He became active in the case, writing letters that accused the U.S. ambassador of attempting to discredit her. ``The reason we Jesuits in the United States are very angry is that the mistreatment of the Cernas effectively has neutralized the only witness who has come forward, and it means probably no other witness will come forward,'' he told the New York Times at the time. ``This particular institution is a voice for peace and justice, and pursuing the people who pulled the triggers is a very personal matter for us.'' Rev. Tipton later made several trips to El Salvador with U.S. Rep. Joe Moakley, the Massachusetts Democrat who led the congressional task force investigating the killings. The revelations led to a cut in U.S. foreign aid to the Salvadoran government, resolution of the country's civil war and election of a new government. Rev. Tipton was born in Birmingham Ala., and began studying to be a Jesuit priest in 1958. He attended the University of Virginia and graduated from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. He taught at an El Paso high school, while attending graduate school at the University of Texas at El Paso. In 1968, he joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Richard C. White (D-Tex.) and did further graduate work in theological studies at Woodstock College in Maryland, Union Theological Seminary in New York and Catholic University. He was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1971 in New Orleans. The following year, he was named the president of Spring Hill College, where he worked for 17 years. While there, he and a crew of students raced a 40 foot sloop, ``Holy Smoke,'' in a 180-mile overnight trip in the Gulf of Mexico in 1983. Halfway through the race, an intense storm with near- hurricane strength winds generated 20-foot waves. Rev. Tipton and his crew headed home but almost a third of the 29 boats had major problems. The Coast Guard responded to three Mayday calls and one sailor drowned. Rev. Tipton, who was chairman of the offshore committee of the Gulf Yachting Association, which had sponsored the race, found two of the missing crews the next day on a barrier island according to a contemporaneous article in the New York Times. He worked at the association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Washington from 1989 until 1996, overseeing the legislative activities of the 28 Jesuit postsecondary schools in the United States. When Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School caught fire July 8, 1993, Rev. Tipton helped lead nuns out of their monastery into the courtyard, then joined other priests in rescuing priceless vestments, chalices, and paintings. With a friend, Davis Feickert, he removed a massive 1821 painting of Jesus, Mary and Martha in prayer, donated to the Sisters of Visitation by Charles X of France. By 1996, when he became president of Jacksonville University in Florida, Rev. Tipton had left the Jesuits and become a diocesan priest. He returned to Washington in 2000, working as a counselor to the secretary of labor. In 2001, he started the Provident Consulting Group to provide services to nonprofit and faith-based organizations a group he ran until his death. In 2003, he became president of St. Mary's Ryken High School, a Catholic college preparatory school in Leonardtown, where for the next two years he developed a long-range financial plan, recrafted the misson statement and increased annual giving by 100 percent. He was a member of numerous education and civic boards. He had no immediate family survivors.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Indiana, who represents the home base of the USS LST Memorial Ship, the LST-325, for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, I could not be more proud to see this resolution come before the House today for consideration. The Navy and Coast Guard sailors and seamen who served on these LSTs are true American heroes. They fought for this country in some of the most decisive battles in our history, from the 1940s to the early 1990s, and they deserve to be recognized. I am glad that the United States Congress will be going on record in commending these veterans for their service, and it's especially nice that this resolution comes up today before the LST veterans have their national convention in Washington, D.C. at the end of August. I want to express special appreciation to Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton and to Ranking Member Duncan Hunter for moving this bill forward in order to honor these veterans and their service. Madam Speaker, this resolution would not have happened without a number of veterans who have remained active in preserving the heritage of the LSTs. Peter Leasca from Worcester, Massachusetts deserves a lot of the credit. He has really educated me and a lot of my colleagues about what these ships meant to the Navy, what they meant to the Allies in World War II and what they meant and still mean to the people who served on them. I also want to express my gratitude to Mike and Linda Gunjak, at the United States LST Association, and to Captain Bob Jornlin, at the USS LST Memorial Ship, for all of their help, support and guidance on this resolution. A few years ago, in working with Congressman Ralph Hall, I was able to get language in a defense authorization bill that allowed the Government of Greece to transfer ownership of the USS LST-325 to the USS LST Memorial Ship, Inc., the nonprofit organization set up by LST veterans to bring the LST-325 home and to turn it into an operational memorial and living museum. LST veterans went to Greece; they refurbished by the sweat of their own brow the LST-325, and sailed her home. Now it's here in the United States so that all Americans can learn about the essential role the LSTs played in our history and about the service and sacrifices made by their crews. World War II naval historian Samuel Eliot Morison described the LST as the ``most useful all-around craft invented by the Navy,'' but a lot of people don't fully appreciate just how important the LSTs were to achieving victory in World War II, not only during the D-day invasion but also throughout the Pacific theater, including the liberation of the Philippines and the capture of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They were reliable and flexible just like their crews, and the image of men and of equipment off-loading on the beaches of Normandy is burned into the imagination of the American people and of all World War II-era veterans. After World War II, the LSTs were put to great use in the Korean War, in the Vietnam War and in other military conflicts, but they were also used to deliver humanitarian assistance, which helped to literally save the lives of thousands of people and win a lot of hearts and minds around the world for the United States. Beginning in World War II, when the LSTs evacuated over 41,000 wounded men back across the English Channel from Normandy, to Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh, the LSTs have also been a symbol of hope to those in grave need or peril. On Easter Sunday morning in 1945, Peter Leasca was aboard LST-824, carrying men and armored vehicles onto the heavily defended beaches of Okinawa, just 340 miles from the Japanese mainland. He was a 20-year- old naval medical corpsman. He witnessed the fierce fighting from the Japanese holding the island. He saw a kamikaze pilot slam his plane into the battleship USS New Mexico, killing 30 sailors and setting the ship ablaze. Now at the age of 83, this very special World War II veteran and his fellow LST veterans across the country are being recognized by a grateful Congress for their service and for the essential role the LSTs played so long ago. I thank them for their service. I thank them for their sacrifice. I thank them for keeping this history alive. May God bless them all. I would again like to thank my colleague from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth) for his generosity in yielding me this time, for his leadership in this Congress and for his friendship. [From the MetroWest Daily News, July 28, 2008] Navy Veterans Tribute Bill Lands in Congress (By Chris Bergeron) On Easter Sunday morning, 1945, Peter Leasca rode aboard a Landing Ship, Tank or LST carrying men and armored vehicles onto the heavily defended beaches of Okinawa just 340 miles from the Japanese mainland. Throughout that day, the then-20-year-old naval medical corpsman witnessed ``fierce fighting'' from Japanese defenders and a Kamikaze slamming into the battleship USS New Mexico, killing 30 sailors and setting it ablaze. Four-and-a-half months later, Japan surrendered and a year after that Leasca returned home, attended college, married and raised four children while working as a stockbroker. If all goes as planned, the 83-year-old veteran from Worcester and his shrinking ``Band of Brothers'' who served on amphibious vessels will be thanked by the U.S. government for their service during World War II. Recognition has been a long time coming. Local World War II veterans, like Howard Rouse and Rosario George Puliafico, who served aboard LSTs or similar craft, are grateful for the belated recognition but hope the honors extend to those in all branches who lost their lives defending their country. ``LSTs and ships like them were the keys to victory. But a lot of guys lost their lives,'' said Rouse, a Framingham resident who retired after 40 years in broadcasting. ``I think what they did shortened the war. I think they should be recognized.'' With an estimated 1,025 World War II veterans dying every day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Leasca is getting closer to winning his last battle to earn recognition for the men who served aboard amphibious landing craft. ``Guys like us are a vanishing group,'' said Leasca. ``We're in our twilight years.'' On the floor of the U.S. Congress, Rep. James McGovern will call for a vote Wednesday, July 30 on a resolution he authored with input from naval veterans to honor all who served aboard amphibious landing craft in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm through 2002. McGovern predicts the bill, House Resolution 1316, will pass and be sent to the Senate and the President for confirmation. McGovern said veterans, like Leasca, Rouse and Puliafico, ``who served on these LSTs are true American heroes.'' ``They fought for this country in some of the most decisive battles in our history. And they deserve to be recognized,'' he said. McGovern added the vote was scheduled for this month so it would precede the LST veterans' annual convention in Washington, D.C., in August. He credited Leasca for ``really educating me'' and congressional colleagues about the contributions and sacrifices made by those who served aboard amphibious vehicles. U.S. Rep. William Delahunt is also one of the resolution's sponsors. Decades after the war's end, Leasca fought a successful rearguard action to honor his martial colleagues and return to the U.S. the 64-year-old LST-325 from Greece, where it served the Greek navy for 20 years. For years he's been one of the most active members and former president of the Amphibious Veterans of Massachusetts. Leasca said the 328-foot-long LSTs lacked modern amenities but inspired loyalty from the crews of about 120 men who served aboard them. Waxing nostalgically, he recalled living on his LST as it wove the arduous voyage through the Panama Canal, into submarine-infested waters and on to Hawaii. ``We went up and down, rocked left and right. Sometimes it got pretty rough,'' Leasca remembered. ``It was a long voyage like an ocean cruiser. I saw porpoises and sights I'd never seen before.'' He pointed out the World War II naval historian Samuel Eliot Morrison described LSTs as ``the most useful all-around craft invented by the Navy.'' As time passes and veterans of amphibious craft fade away, Leasca ``wants to do everything I can for the ungainly ships and the men who sailed them into combat. ``I want to do something for all the vets of America,'' he said. ``And I want to give recognition to a glamorous ship. Too often, historians don't mention the LSTs. So we've got to toot our own horn to get recognition.'' For more information about the Amphibious Veterans of Massachusetts, visit www.amphibvetsofma.org. To read the text of House Resolution 1316 and to check on its status, go to the Library Congress Web site, http:// thomas.loc.gov, and type in H. Res. 1316 in the search engine.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Irene Norman Nelson on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Irene Nelson is one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. She has been a longtime and treasured friend to my family and me. She is a woman of impeccable class, grace and integrity. She has a love and appreciation of life that is inspiring. And she has a wonderful sense of humor. I cherish my memories of being with Irene at family events, vacations and trips to the theater. I enjoy our conversations. I admire her commitment to the arts and all things beautiful. Madam Speaker, as a U.S. Congressman, I am privileged to meet many fascinating and incredible people. Irene, without a doubt, is at the top of that list. I ask that my colleagues join me in wishing Irene Nelson a happy and healthy birthday.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. I thank the gentleman for yielding. With respect to the gentlemen from Texas and New Mexico, they don't know what they are talking about. I mean, this is ridiculous. We are talking about a bridge in Fall River, Massachusetts. This is a bridge that is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is not owned by the Federal Government; it is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city of Fall River and the people of that community have decided that they want to preserve this bridge. Why, one of the reasons why is for an evacuation route. And another reason why is they want to turn it into a biking path and a walking path to help revitalize the waterfront in Fall River and Somerset. The community is almost unanimous in their support for this effort. There is no controversy in Fall River. There is no controversy in Massachusetts about this. And as far as the debate about LNG, this is the least of the problems for a potential LNG facility in the middle of Fall River. The Coast Guard has said it is an unacceptable risk. The U.S. Navy has said it is a mistake. The Secretary of Commerce has said it is a bad idea. This has nothing to do with LNG. This has everything to do with whether or not we are going to allow some people on that side of the aisle to attack the hardworking families of Fall River who last week they verbally assaulted because they said they were not entitled to any kind of environmental benefit. This week they want to take away a bridge that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts owns that the people of Fall River want to protect. Massachusetts, by the way, in terms of LNG, is doing more than almost every other State in this country. We have two up and running and another being licensed. So this has nothing to do with energy. This has nothing to do with LNG. This has everything to do with whether or not the people of Fall River, the hardworking people of Fall River, deserve to determine what to do with a little measly bridge that they want to preserve to help revitalize their waterfront. So enough of this nonsense; vote down this motion.

Mr. McGOVERN. I object.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. I want to thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding me the time. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this rule and in support of the underlying bill. Madam Speaker, the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act is one of the most important foreign policy and global health bills this Congress will pass. We have literally gone from 5 years ago from standing helplessly by and watching people die of HIV/AIDS to watching people live and take up productive lives in their communities. The impact is far-reaching, and it wasn't a miracle. It is the result of presidential leadership and broad bipartisan support, and the bill that we take up later today, the Senate amendment to H.R. 5501, continues and strengthens this legacy. And it merits the support of every single Member of this House. Madam Speaker, on April 2, when the House first debated H.R. 5501, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Berman, Africa and Global Health Subcommittee Chairman Payne, Congresswoman Emerson, and I entered into a bipartisan colloquy on the importance of food and nutrition for successful HIV/AIDS programs. The colloquy also emphasized how funding for such initiatives needs to be provided for PEPFAR programs but without taking money away from other global food aid and nutrition programs and priorities. It is my understanding that later today when the House takes up the Senate amendment to H.R. 5501, Chairman Berman will enter into the Record a Statement of Legislative Intent reiterating the conclusions of that April colloquy. I want to thank Chairman Berman for his important Statement of Legislative Intent. I also want to express my appreciation for his leadership and his commitment to food and nutrition as important health initiatives and for his determination to safeguard the scarce resources already dedicated to carrying out other U.S. global food aid and nutrition programs. Again, Madam Speaker, I urge that every single Member support the rule and especially the underlying bill. Colloquy: Food Security and Nutrition in H.R. 5501--PEPFAR Reauthorization--April 2, 2008 Berman: I yield three minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr. McGovern, for purposes of a colloquy. McGovern: I thank the Chairman and for time for the gentlelady from Missouri and I to enter into a colloquy with the Chairman on the importance of integrating food and nutrition programs with the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS affected individuals, families, and communities. McGovern: As the Chairman is aware, last year I traveled to Africa and had the opportunity to see first-hand many of our programs related to food security. In Ethiopia and Kenya, I visited HIV/AIDS programs to look at how food and nutrition were included. At that time, I heard from local communities, NGO partners, and our embassy staff how restrictive guidance for global HIV/AIDS assistance often hindered their ability to design and carry out effective food and nutrition programs targeted at HIV/AIDS affected individuals, families, and communities. The lack of resources available for food and nutrition programs within global HIV/AIDS assistance and from other sources also posed a significant barrier. I very much appreciate and support the work of the Committee in ensuring H.R. 5501 addresses these concerns throughout the bill, and especially in the section entitled ``Food Security and Nutrition Support.'' The bill recognizes that strengthening the linkages and enhancing coordination among HIV/AIDS programs and other vital development programs, like food and nutrition programs, will significantly increase our effectiveness in the fight against HIV/AIDS while we advance other essential U.S. development priorities. I remain concerned, however, that the bill is less clear on where or how such funding will be provided for these purposes. It is not clear on how much funding will come from the Global HIV/ AIDS program, versus other sources of funding. I am concerned that without adequate resources through the global HIV/AIDS program or necessary increases for current food and nutrition services through programs like Food for Peace, USAID will be faced with the possibility of having to divert funding from programs that address long-term chronic hunger and food insecurity to meet the enhanced mandates of H.R. 5501. I know the Chairman will agree that we want to avoid the scenario of robbing Peter to pay Paul, so that we do not end up short-changing other communities suffering from hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. I yield to the gentlelady from Missouri in this regard. Emerson: Mr. Chairman, I am also concerned that the situation will become even worse because the cost of food, commodities, and transportation is skyrocketing. Just last month, on February 12th, USAID's Office of Food for Peace announced that the cost of wheat and other food the United States donates to poor countries jumped 41% in the first half of Fiscal Year 2008. According to USAID, this means $120 million in food assistance will not be available for people who are malnourished or food insecure. I would ask the Chairman to work on strengthening the language in the bill as it moves through the legislative process and into conference negotiations to clarify how the necessary level of funding for food security and nutrition will be provided, especially in light of rising food and transportation costs, so that funds will not be diverted from U.S. programs addressing chronic hunger and emergency operations. I would yield back to the gentleman from Massachusetts. McGovern: I yield back to the Chairman to express his views. Berman: I yield one minute to the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Payne to express his views on this matter. Payne: Mr. Chairman, as you know, the provision on food and nutrition security in the bill currently under consideration is drawn directly from a bill that I introduced in December, H.R. 4914, the Global HIV/AIDS Food Security, and Nutrition Support Act of 2007. I introduced the bill after chairing a hearing in the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health to determine whether the Global HIV/AIDS program was adequately addressing the nutritional needs of its beneficiaries. The hearing corroborated what I have heard in the field during numerous visits to Africa over the past five years: PEPFAR is falling short in this critical area. I share the concerns of the gentleman from Massachusetts and the gentle lady from Missouri about the increasing cost of food aid. Just last week the World Food Program had to issue an appeal for an additional $500 million to offset the increased cost of food and fuel. Without the extra funds, 73 million people who rely on WFP for their daily sustenance may have their rations cut. This is a truly alarming situation, and it is not my intent for the provisions in this bill to exacerbate it. The language under consideration very clearly states that these activities are to be funded from amounts authorized under section 401 of the bill. I used this language deliberately, as I strongly believe that the food assistance and nutritional support we are providing under the Global HIV/AIDS program must be on top of the food aid we are already providing. Payne: I thank the Chairman and yield back to him. Berman: I yield myself one minute. I thank my colleagues for raising these important concerns. H.R. 5501 provides clear and specific instructions to the USAID Administrator and the Global AIDS Coordinator to address the food and nutrition needs of individuals with HIV/AIDS and other affected individuals, including orphans and vulnerable children; and to fully integrate food and nutrition support in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs carried out under this Act. I would like to emphasize that the Committee and I, personally, share our colleagues' concerns about the negative effect rising costs are having on our long-term and emergency food aid programs. This is a matter that has our most serious attention because it affects a wide array of our food aid and development programs, including the effectiveness and success of our Global HIV/AIDS programs. I want to reassure my colleagues that I will be working over the coming weeks to strengthen and clarify in the bill that food security and nutrition programs, especially those referred to as wraparound services, are not to be funded with monies diverted from other standing commitments to address food insecurity elsewhere in the world or in these countries. I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Massachusetts. McGovern: I thank the Chairman for that assurance. I know many Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, stand ready to support him in these efforts. I yield back.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember those Cypriots who lost their lives defending the Republic of Cyprus during the 1974 military coup against the democratically elected government of Archbishop Makarios, who was then President of Cyprus. This military coup paved the way for the Turkish invasion of Cyprus five days later that resulted in the occupation of 37 percent of the Republic's territory. Nearly 200,000 Greek Cypriots were expelled from their homes and an estimated 5,000 were killed. More than 1,400 Greek Cypriots, including four Americans of Cypriot descent, remain missing since the Turkish invasion, their fate still unaccounted for. The repercussions of this terrible day are still in play today, affecting the lives of every Cypriot, European policy, and the actions of the United Nations and international community. The so-called ``Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus'' is recognized as legitimate by no nation other than Turkey. With more than 40,000 Turkish troops illegally stationed on the island, it is one of the most militarized areas in the world. However, on this day when we pause to remember this violent act against the people of Cyprus, we also have hope that a genuine and long-lasting peace may be restored and families reunited. In 2004, Cyprus' accession to the European Union triggered a process of economic and social integration between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Since the partial lifting of restrictions along the cease-fire line by the Turkish forces in April 2003, there have been over 13 million incident-free crossings by Greek and Turkish Cypriots. More than 60,000 Turkish Cypriots have received Cypriot passports or other official documents, allowing Turkish Cypriots to travel, work or reside in any European Union country. More importantly, however, is the commitment of the Cyprus government to achieving a solution to healing the division of Cyprus. Such a solution should be based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federal State of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded, in line with relevant United Nations resolutions. Since his election in February 2008, the current president of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias, has followed through on his promise to make the solution of the Cyprus problem his top priority. The day of his election, he extended his hand in friendship to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Talat, calling for face- to-face meetings. As a result, President Christofias and Mr. Talat will meet for the fourth time on July 25th. Over the past six months, working groups and technical committees have been preparing the ground for direct fully-fledged negotiations, with the aim of reaching a settlement of the Cyprus problem. On July 13th, in Paris, United Nations Secretary General Bank Ki Moon assured President Christofias of the U.N.'s continuing interest to achieve a Cyprus settlement through negotiations by Cypriots for Cypriots. These are all promising measures, Madam Speaker. So I can only hope that before next year's anniversary, the world will finally see a negotiated resolution that heals the wounds of the 1974 invasion, reunites the Cypriot people once more, and provides a genuine and lasting peace to Cyprus.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. I'm the last speaker, and I'm waiting with great anticipation for your close.

Mr. McGOVERN

Mr. McGOVERN. I reserve my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, after that spin, I am going to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McGOVERN. I yield myself the balance of our time, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, let me say that this debate has been somewhat unfortunate because it has been about everything but what the underlying bill is about. As determined by the National Park Service, let me quote again, ``The Taunton River is eligible for wild and scenic designation, based on its free flowing condition and the presence of outstandingly remarkable natural and cultural resource values.'' It is also important to note, Mr. Speaker, that this designation is distinct for different segments along the Taunton. Two segments of the river would be designated scenic, and two as recreational. By any measure, this should be a noncontroversial bill. This should be up under suspension. There should be relatively little debate on this. I mean, this is a no-brainer. But my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have tried to make this about everything other than what this truly is about, whether or not this community of Fall River, and the community of Somerset and other communities along the Taunton River can benefit from this designation; whether or not they deserve to be able to get this legislation passed, and use this legislation to help be a catalyst for economic development. This is a hard working city, Mr. Speaker, good people who have hit some tough economic times and who are desperately trying to rebuild the city by bringing the waterfront back, and this would help. And this is not about whether or not a LNG facility should be there or not. I mean, I personally believe it should not be there. But the State, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is doing its part. I mean, it is not like Massachusetts is saying no to any LNG facility. We have two up and running, and we have permitted another. So we are doing our part. My friend from Washington State comes from a coastal State. There are no LNG facilities there. I implore him, help us out. Do your part. We are doing our part in Massachusetts, so this is not about us saying no to LNG. We favor LNG. We favor responsible siting of LNG and we are doing that. We have more LNG facilities than anybody else here. So we are doing our part. This is not about that. That is just a smoke screen. That is just a way to politicize an issue that shouldn't be politicized. Now, the gentleman's suggestion that we need to start drilling in ANWR. The Republicans argue that opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an imperative for lowering gas prices, although their presidential candidate disagrees with them. ANWR, Mr. Speaker, is a pristine wilderness, one of the most important onshore polar bear denning habitats in the Arctic. But right on the other side of Prudhoe Bay is the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska. This area has been set aside for oil and gas exploration since the 1920s. And according to the U.S. geological survey, it contains more oil than ANWR, over 10 billion barrels of oil total. And it is open for leasing, Mr. Speaker. It is open for leasing. About 3 million acres have already been leased, and about 4 million more will be up for leasing later this year. But there have been only 25 test wells drilled there since the year 2000, and no companies are producing oil from NPRA yet. So why would we need to open ANWR when we have this huge, untapped resource right next to the existing oil infrastructure in Alaska? And when a natural gas pipeline gets built, NPRA will be even more important. It holds over 60 trillion cubic feet of gas, nearly 16 times what ANWR holds. The focus should be on the area that has the most oil and that is open for leasing that isn't a highly sensitive environmental area. Mr. Speaker, we need an energy policy in this country. Unfortunately, from this White House we have gotten zero. Two oil men who are focused on nothing but what the oil companies want, and for too long a Congress that has been complicit in giving the oil companies what they want and not engaged in forward thinking policies to become energy independent. That needs to change. But in the short-term, we also need to do something else because the fact of the matter is that there are citizens in our country right now who are paying record high gas prices, and we have a winter fast approaching where oil is going through the roof. We need relief now as well. And that is why the President should do what the Speaker of the House has urged, and that is to tap in to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve which is now filled at a record high, and put more gas and oil into our market to help stabilize and lower prices to make sure that people in the immediate term can get through these difficult times. And then we need to embrace the energy policy and the energy principles that the Speaker, the Democratic majority has laid out of a way to get to energy independence, a way to drill in a sensible and an environmentally sensible way embracing alternatives, clean renewable sources of energy now and in the future. But what they're proposing is not the way to go. It is a smokescreen. This debate has been politicized unnecessarily. This is all about political points. It is sad that on an issue so noncontroversial that it has come to that, but it has. That's the way they want to play, but it's the wrong way to do things around here. Mr. Speaker, I would urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and a ``yes'' vote on the rule. The material previously referred to by Mr. Hastings of Washington is as follows: Amendment to H. Res. 1339 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Washington At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 4. Immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall, without intervention of any point of order, consider in the House the bill (H.R. 2493) to amend the Clean Air Act to provide for a reduction in the number of boutique fuels, and for other purposes. All points of order against the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and (2) an amendment in the nature of a substitute if offered by Representative Dingell of Michigan or his designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be separately debatable for 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent; and (3) one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I just want to ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record an editorial from the Fall River Herald News in support of this, in support of the underlying legislation.

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining on both sides, please?