Bob Menendez

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Chairman, during rollcall vote No. 34 on H.R. 2854 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes.''

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I come to the floor tonight to condemn a brutal, cold-blooded, premeditated murder of U.S. citizens by the Castro regime this past weekend. I would like to go through the facts, Mr. Speaker, of what happened. Brothers to the Rescue is a Miami-based humanitarian organization engaged in search and rescue missions over the Florida Straits. It was on just such a mission this past weekend. The members of Brothers to the Rescue were flying unarmed, civilian, defenseless planes in a mission that is identical to hundreds of missions that they have flown since 1991. They posed no threat whatsoever to the Cuban Government, the Cuban military, or the Cuban people. And the Cuban dictatorship knows this. They know what they have done. They know of lives they have saved. They have saved nearly 6,000 lives, Mr. Speaker. I know what their mission has always been, because approximately 1 year ago I flew with Brothers to the Rescue. I was in a plane like those that were gunned down, brutally, by the Castro regime. On that flight, what we did is transverse the Florida Straits in international air space in search of people whose only crime was to flee a totalitarian regime, fleeing from repression and seeking freedom. And in that process, that day that we were flying over the Florida Straits and in international airspace, we in fact found 12 individuals who were on a small island who had been there for several days who had no food and no water. And it is because of that mission, Mr. Speaker, that they in fact were saved. We threw water to them. We threw food to them. We telegraphed their location to the Coast Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard ended up rescuing them. That is only one of the many, many flights that Brothers to the Rescue has had in saving thousands of lives. When the Cuban Government makes statements to the contrary about what Brothers to the Rescue is all about, there is no basis in fact. Brothers to the Rescue's aircraft on this past Saturday notified Cuban air traffic controllers as to their flight plans, which would take them along the 24th parallel, close to the Cuban airspace but still in international airspace, and under international law. That law provides a nation with a 12-mile limit on airspace as extended from the coastline of the nation. Now, the response of the Castro regime, which was ordered at the highest levels of the regime by Castro himself, because it is impossible, if you understand the command structure of the regime in Cuba, you understand that such an order to gun down civilian, innocent individuals would never be done but at the highest levels in their chain of command. And we know that partially to be true, Mr. Speaker, because just recently, recently some retired United States generals, retired Gen. Eugene Carroll, who was in Cuba a few weeks ago, was asked what the United States reaction to such an act would be. Now, why would you ask that question if you were not preparing for that possibility? It is now interesting to note that yesterday the Cuban Government openly bragged about a pilot who they sent to infiltrate Brothers to the Rescue and returned to Cuba the day before the incident. It is now apparent that that individual, Juan Pablo Roque, transmitted information to the Castro regime about the Brothers to the Rescue's flight plans for Saturday, and so we have here the facts developing of why I say that this act was premeditated murder and it is in fact an act of state terrorism. You have an infiltrator pilot who tells the regime, Brothers to the Rescue are flying, they are flying one of their search-and-rescue missions, they will be in international airspace but near Cuban airspace, and therefore sets them up as clay pigeons. And you have a situation in which Castro's regime itself was thinking about the possibility of shooting down innocent civilians, asking a former retired general who was in Cuba about the United States reaction to such an event. Hence, the premeditation. Even if these civilian aircraft were not in international airspace, which they were, our own Government tells us that they were, under every sense of international law, which was recognized by the European Union in their condemnation of the Castro regime, where they say that they strongly condemn the shooting down of two civilian aircraft on Saturday by the Cuban Air Force and where they go on to say irrespective of the circumstances of the incident, there can be no excuse for not respecting international law and human rights norms, under any sense of international law, it would not be appropriate to gun down civilians who were simply flying search-and-rescue missions. The response of Castro's regime to these flights was to scramble two fighter jets from a Havana airfield. At approximately 3:24 p.m., on Saturday, the pilot of one of the Cuban MIG's received permission, asked for permission specifically, and proceeded to shoot down the first Brothers to the Rescue airplane, and then 7 minutes later the pilot of the Cuban fighter jet received permission and proceeded to shoot down the second Brothers to the Rescue airplane. Now, this is a barbaric act. It is an act of state terrorism sponsored by, in fact, a government, a regime, I cannot find myself to call it a government because it rules by brute force; this is the barbaric act that we face. And who died here Mr. Speaker? People who died here were U.S. citizens. Two of them were born in the United States. One of them is a former Vietman veteran. I do not know why the press continues to refer to them as exiles. I do not understand what that categorization is supposed to be. I am not quite sure that there are different standards of American citizenship. But certainly, certainly when someone is born in this country, when someone serves this country, is there any higher standard of being an American citizen? Yet for Armando Alejandro, Jr. and Pablo Morales and Carlos Costa and Mario de la Pena, who left Miami's Opa-Locka Airport on Saturday, the 24th, on a routine humanitarian mission to search for rafters in the straits of Florida, and for their families, whom we grieve with today, I wonder when they are questioning about when they hear constantly the references simply to exiles and they are forgotten as U.S. citizens. One of them, in fact, was a former constituent of mine, Mario de la Pena, who was born in Weehawken, NJ. He was raised in West New York, NJ, both communities that I am privileged to represent in the U.S. Congress. He volunteered his time and services to serve his community, to rescue lives, and on Saturday he became a martyr in the eyes of the Cuban people and also in the eyes of Americans of Cuban descent as well as the others. But they were U.S. citizens flying in a defenseless posture, a civilian plane in a humanitarian mission. Now, what has been our response? Our response certainly, we commend the President for having us lead a condemnation resolution in the United Nations, for taking some actions in the context of stopping charter flights to Cuba, of going ahead and insuring that Radio Marti, which is the only way that the Cuban people have information that can be presented to them from outside because Cuba is a closed society; only with the government's, the regime's own press, only told what they, the government, the regime, wants to tell them; Radio Marti does give information to the people of Cuba, and now it will increase its ability to penetrate. And the President also said that he wants to move along in Helms- Burton, but while we respect those actions, it is simply not enough. It is simply not enough. If we are to send a strong message that in fact we will not tolerate our citizens being gunned down in international airspace, then we need to do more. Our response simply is not enough, and I expect the President to make other responses in the days ahead, and I believe that among the responses the President should take is the expulsion of the Cuban diplomatic mission from the interest section here in Washington; I believe that there should be a suspension or a reduction of money transfers from the United States to Cuba; I think there should be a serious curtailment of certain travel to Cuba and the licenses that the office of foreign nationals controls provide for certain types of travel; there should be a cessation of all migration talks with Cuba; the expansion of access to Television Marti should also be part of our information services beyond Radio Marti, and we have the technology to do so. We should use it. We should be pursuing the possibility of economic sanctions at the United Nations, and we understand that the international community is not always there with us. But clearly now in the United Nations, if, in fact, you have a country that cannot observe the rule of international law, it should not receive moneys from an organization which promotes the rule of international law. The United Nations should move immediately to freeze any moneys going to Cuba because they have shown themselves incapable of living under international law. We should be the leaders in that movement. We should be talking to our European allies, who have condemned this atrocity, but now must go a step further. You cannot on one hand condemn the brutal murder of four innocent Americans and then give the Castro regime a prize by giving them an economic package. And there have been discussions going on between the EU and Cuba in terms of an economic package, and the message that I believe our allies who say that they wish to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba must be that if you cannot live under international standards, if you cannot respect the universal declaration of human rights for which you are a signatory, then we cannot give you assistance. The only way in which you can get assistance is if you enter the family of civilized nations who obey international law. And lastly, I hope the President is ready and prepared to respond to Castro if he once again uses the people of Cuba as he has in the past, as human bullets, in large refugee waves to the United States, this time having suffered this twice, this time and the people of Cuba having suffered this, this time the President should proactively and, hopefully, in a preemptive fashion say very clearly that if the Castro regime seeks to use Cubans as human bullets, that it is the United States' intention to quarantine the waters around Cuba so that the people who are used as human pawns and sent onto the high seas in which thousands have died can be rescued but also brought back to Cuba, and that during this period of quarantine any other vessels that may seek to enter the quarantine area would, in fact, not be permitted to pass, and, hopefully, by making this preemptive statement, we will send a strong message that we have to be ready to follow up so that in fact we do not go through another Mariel, we do not go through another 1994 incident as we have had. Tomorrow, the House and the Senate go into a conference committee on the Helms-Burton legislation on the Libertad legislation. I would hope, and I expect, that the administration will work with the Congress in supporting a bill that sends a clear message to the world and to the regime that, in fact, unless you follow the road to democracy which has swept this continent in every country except for Cuba, and unless you move to respect the human rights of your own people as you have signed on to not by our standards but as you have signed on to by the universal declaration of human rights of the United Nations, then we will move to create democracy in Cuba by standing up for United States interests. What are those interests that we purport in this legislation? Simply to give American citizens and American companies whose properties were illegally confiscated in Cuba the right of a cause of action in the civil courts of the United States, so they can pursue those companies who would traffic in the illegally confiscated properties that are rightfully American properties, and, in doing so, not only stand up for American businesses and stand up for American citizens, but, at the same time, deny Castro the profits from the illegally seized properties. It is right for the United States to protect its citizens and to protect its companies from the illegal confiscation of its properties being used by others who have business contacts here in the United States, who profit here in the United States, and who would in fact profit from illegally confiscated properties. It is also important as we prepare in the Helms-Burton legislation to prepare for a post-Castro Cuba, to be ready for a traditional government pledged to democracy, to be ready for a democratic government, and telling those governments and the people of Cuba now, sending them a beacon of light that we in fact are in solidarity with those who seek democracy in Cuba, that we want to work with you, that we are not in fact your enemies, that in fact we want to help bring democracy and respect for human rights to the 10 million people who live on the island. We do that in the Libertad legislation, in the Helms-Burton bill, through title II, which I have written and authored, by preparing a transitional plan and ultimately a democratically elected plan for a post-Castro Cuba. We also provide other provisions of the Helms-Burton law that send a very strong and unequivocal statement that in fact we are serious about protecting U.S. interests, we are serious about democracy, we are serious about promoting human rights. To accept a weak version, a stripped-out version of Helms-Burton, especially after a week of repression in Cuba, which I would like to speak about shortly, of unprecedented repression in Cuba, after the senseless slaughter of American citizens, in fact to accept anything less than that is to send a wrong message about what the United States reaction will be to defend its interests, to promote its interests, and to defend its citizens. Let me talk about the wave of repression that precipitated the event that we are talking about today, that came before that event, and that in fact finds us equally appalled. Many of our allies, and some Members of Congress, say ``Well, we want to see peaceful democratic change come to Cuba.'' I agree with them. None of us want to see change come to Cuba by violence. But we have also said time and time again that the only person who can make change in Cuba be violent is Castro himself. He has the Army, he has the security forces, he has the weapons, and he has shown us his willingness to use it, against his own people, as he did nearly 2 years ago this July when he took a tugboat of over 70 people, who were simply fleeing from his regime, seeking liberty, followed them with Cuban destroyers, and rammed the boat after having fired water cannons at innocent women and children. And, after ramming that boat and having it broken into half and it started to sink with the 70 people who were on board, using the naval vessels that he had in creating a whirlpool effect so that they would be sucked down and drowned, and in fact 40 persons died. Twenty children died, 20 adults died. So he has shown us his repressive nature. You can come here to the United States, you can wear a nice Armani suit, you can sip Chablis with Madame Mitterrand, who heads a human rights group in France. You can court American businesses and tell them how, oh, you are losing a great opportunity to make money. You can toy with the American press. But that does not make you a civilized member of society. Actions speak much louder than words. We saw it when he killed those 40 men, women and children. We saw it this past week with Concilio Cubano. For many of our allies who say we want peaceful change, which we agree with, we say where are you, raising your voices on behalf of a group within Cuba who has advocated peaceful but democratic change? A 120 member organization, an umbrella group, all forming different parts of Cuban society, independent journalists, independent economists, human rights activists, dissidents, who have joined together, and all they asked for was to simply have one of the basic fundamental rights we enjoy in this country and which people enjoy throughout the world, which is the right of assemblage. All they wanted to do was to meet in Havana, in their country, and talk about how they could move their country peacefully to democratic change and with a respect for human rights. What was the response of the regime? It was brutal. Now over 100 people have been arrested. An incredible amount of the Concilio's national leadership has been arrested. One of them, whom I spoke to by phone in Cuba who was advising me of the arrests that had been going on and the harassment by state security forces, who, after I spoke to him, got arrested, his phone was obviously tapped, and after his arrest he has quickly been sentenced to a year and a half in jail. For what crime? For what crime? Simply because he sought to peacefully meet in his own country and try to create democratic change. So for those of our allies and for those Members of the House who constantly talk about let us have peaceful democratic change, where are you? Where are you in raising your voices? For the whole week that the international press carried the arrests, I did not hear the voices of those Members of the House who traveled to Cuba. We have Members of the House who travel to Cuba. They go and they visit Castro, and he gives them a cigar and they talk, and when it is all over, when they leave, people get arrested. Where are those voices? Where are the voices of the international community, our allies in this hemisphere and beyond, who say in fact that they want to see groups like Concilio Cubano move for democratic change. Well, where are their voices? Why are they not seeking greater sanctions? What is truly their position on human rights? So we need to be responding as a leader in the world, and certainly in our own hemisphere, and certainly in this House, which is a beacon of hope and of democracy throughout the world. We need to be responding forcefully. Concilio Cubano, which is just an organization that seeks peaceful democratic change, needs to be recognized, and it needs to be in fact supported by the international community. We may not agree with everything that they say, but that is part of a democracy. If there had been no Sakharov, if there had been so Lech Walesa in what is now in Poland with Solidarity, if we did not have Vaclav Havel in what is now the Czech Republic, would we have seen the movements to Democrats and a respect for human rights in those countries? No. Now, we supported and gave hope and gave assistance and tried to work with the international community in Solidarity in Poland. We worked with Vaclav Havel. We raised our voice on behalf of Sakharov. We need to hear the same voices now. We need to hear them for the dissidents in Cuba. Mr. Speaker, I have a list, and hopefully by making this list public, we in fact create the circumstances under which there is some sense of international protection for these individuals. I would like to at this point include the list of all of the leadership of Concilio Cubano into the Record. 1-Acosta Moya, Agustin Jesus: Comision Humanitaria de Ayuda a Prisioneros Politicos, 2-Aldana Ruiz, Miguel Angel: Liga Civica Martiana, 3-Alfaro Garcia, Reinaldo: Asociacion de Lucha Frente a la Injusticia Nacional, 4-Alfonso Aguiar, Jorge H.: Comite de Ayuda Humanitaria a Presos Politicos de Santiago de Cuba, 5-Almira Ramfrez, Irene: Movimiento Agenda Nacionalista, 6-Alvarez, Pedro Pablo: Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores Cubanos, 7-Arcos Bergnes, Gustavo: Comite Cubano Pro Derechos Humanos, 8-Ayala Corzo, Joge Adrian: Partido Renovacion Democratica, 9-Azoy, Tony: Movimiento Pacifista por la Liberacion, 10-Bacallao Perez, Jorge: Instituto de la Opinion Publica, 11-Bonne Carcases, Feliz A.: Corriente Civica Cubana, 12-Brito Hernandez, Pedro: Alianza Liberal Democratica Cubana. 13-Cabrera La Rosa, Alfonso: Asociacion Martiana Libertad, Igualdad y Fraternidad, 14-Campaneria Pena, Francis: Coordinadora Camagueyana, 15-Carcases Battle, Deysi: Foro Feminista, 16-Carrillo Fernandez, Ibrahim: Union de Sindicatos de Trabajadores Cubanos, 17-Cosano Alen, Reinaldo E.: Coalicion Democratica Cubana, 18-Costa Valdes, Secundino: Movimiento Opositor Pacifico Panchito Gomez Toro, 19-Collazo Valdes, Odilia: Partido Pro Derechos Humanos de Cuba, 20-Cruz Gonzalez, Ricardo: Partido Cubano Pro Derechos Humanos, Forida, 21-Chan Aguile, Cancio: Movimiento Nacionalista Democratico Maximo Gomez, 22-Chente Herrera, Jose Angel: Frente pro Derechos Humanos Miximo Gomez, 23-Escobedo Yaser, Maria A.: Frente Democratico Oriental, 24-Fabio Hurtado, Rogelio: Movimiento Armonia, 25-Fernandez, Juan Rafael: Movimiento Democratico Cientifico. 26-Fieitas Posada, Felix: Associacion Pro Democracla Constitucional, 27-Fornaris Ramos, Jose Antonio: Frente de Unidad Nacional, 28-Garcia Gonzalez, Dianelis: Asociacion de Trabajadores Independientes de La Solud, 29-Garcia Reyes, Jose: Movimiento Ignacio Agramonte, Camaguey, 30-Garcia Quesada, Orfilio: Asociacion Cubana de Ingenieros, 31-Gomez Manzano, Rene: Corriente Agramontista, 32-Gonzalez Noy, Gladys: Asociacion Pro Arte Libre y Concertacion Democratica Cubana, 33-Gonzalez Valdes, Lazaro: Partido Pro Derechos Humanos Independiente, 34-Gutierrez Perez, Nancy: Movimiento Pacifista por la Democracla, 35-Hecheverria Alarcon, Pedro: Frente Democratico Calixto Garcia, 36-Hechevarria, A. Yonasky: Movimiento Democratico Jose Marti, 37-Hernandez Blanco, Amador: Comision de Derechos Humanos Jose Marit. 38-Hernandez-Morales, Roberto: Atencion a Presos Politicos, 39-Herrera Castillo, Isidro: Movimiento Maceista por la Dignidad, 40-Hidalgo Hernandez, Belkis R.: El Derecho Cubano, 41-Ibar Alonso, Ernesto: Asociacion de Jovenes Democratas, 42-Jalil Jabib Jabib: Movimiento de Derechos Humanos de Carmaguey, 43-Jimenez Rodrguez, Aida Rosa: Asociacion Civica Democratica, 44-Ledesma Cordero, Celso: Organizacion Opositora 20 de Mayo, 45-Linares Blanco, Gladys: Frente Femenino Humanitario, 46Linares Garcia, Librado: Movimiento Reflexion, 47Lopez Diaz, Juan Jose: Corriente Liberal Cubana, 48-Lorens Nodal, Luis Felipe: Organizacion Juvenil Martiana, 49-Lorenzo Pimienta, Jorge Omar: Consejo Nacional de Derechos Civiles, 50-Lugo Gutierrez, Osmel: Partido Democratico 30 de Noviembre Frank Pais, 51-Maceda Gutierrez, Hector Fernando: Movimiento Liberal Democratico. 52-Marante Pozo, Jesus Ramon: Consejo Medico Cubano Independiente, 53-Martinez Guillen, Juan: Confederacion de Trabajadores Democraticos de Cuba, 54-Molina Morejon Hilda: Colegio Medico Independiente, 55-Monzon Oviedo, Juan Francisco: Partido Democrata Martiano, 56-Morejon Almagro, Leonel: Movimiento Ecologista y Pacifista Naturpaz, 57- Morejon Brito, Orlando: Movimeiento Pacifista 5 de Agosto, 58-Morel Castillo, Raul: Frente Sindicalista Oriental Independiente, 59-Ortiz Gonzaez, Clara: Comite Martiano Por los Derechos del Hombre, 60-Paez Nunez, Lorenzo: Centro No Gubernamental Jose de la Luz y Caballero Para los Derechos Humanos y la Cultura de Paz, 61-Palacio Ruiz, Hector: Partido Solidaridad Democratica, 62-Palenque Loveiro, Miguel A.: Movimiento Pacifista Solidaridad y Paz, 63-Palma Rosell, Ramon: Movimiento Patra, Independencia y Libertad. 64-Paradas Antunez, Mercedes: Alianza Democratica Popular (ADEPO), 65-Paya Sardin Osvaldo: Movimiento Cristiano Liberacion, 66-Perera Gonzalez, Felix: Movimiento Amor Cristiano, 67-Perera Martinez, Alberto: Comite Paz, Progreso y Livertad, 68-Perez Pineda, Orlando: Fundacion Civica Cubana, 69-Perez Rodriguez, Evaristo: Union Patriotica Cristiana Independiente, 70-Perez-Fuente, Merida: Frente Civico de Mujeres Martianas, Villaclara, 71-Pimentel, Raul: Grupo Ecologico Alerta Verde, 72-Pino Sotolongo, Isabel del: Association Humanitaria Seguidores de Cristo Rey, 73-Pozo Marrero, Omar del: Union Civica Nacional (por estar en prison firma Perez Castillo, Esteban), 74-Prades, Carlos, Union Nacional Cubana, 75- Ramirez Munoz, Reiler, Union de Ex Presos Politicos Ignacio Agramonte, 76-Ramos Guerra, Jose Antonio: Sociedad Ecologista Cuba Verde. 77-Ramon Dominguez, Ernesto Pablo: Union Democratica Martiana, 78-Restano Diaz, Yndamiro: Buro de Prensa Independiente de Cuba, 79-Rios, Carlos M.: Sociedad Politica de La Habana, 80-Rivero Milian, Reinaldo: Comite Julio Sanguily Frente Unido Democratico Camaguey-Ciego de Avila, 81-Rivero, Raul: Agencia de Prensa Cuba Press, 82-Roca Antunez, Vladimiro: Corriente Socialista Democratica, 83- Rodriguez Chaple, Eugenio: Bloque Democratico Jose Marti, 84- Rodriguez Gonzalez, Jorge L.: Movimiento Democracia y Paz, Oriente, 85-Rodriguez Lovaina, Nestor: Movimiento Cubano de Jovenes por la Democracia, 86-Rosario Rosabal, Nicolas M.: Centro de Derechos Humanos de Santiago de Cuba, 87-Roque, Marta Beatriz: Instituto Cubano de Economistas Independientes, 88-Ruis Labrit, Vicky: Comite Cubano de Opositores Pacificos Independientes. 89-Salazar Aguero, Ismael: Asociacion de Trabajadores Por Cuenta Propia, 90-Sanchez Santacruz, Elizardo: Comision Cubana de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliacion Nacional, 91- Sanchez Salazar, Aurelio: Partido Social Cristiano, Camaguey, 92-Sanchez Valiente, Miguel Eumelio: Movimiento Libertad y Democracia (por estar en prision firma Lopez Rodriguez, Lazaro), 93-Santana Rodriguez, Felix: Grupo No. 5 Camaguey, 94-Socorro Salgado, Roberto: Movimiento Vicente Garcia, Las Tunas, 95-Soto Caballero, Marcelino: Union de Ex Presos Politicos, Camaguey, 96-Troncoso Aguiar, Javier: Union Sidical Cabaileros del Trabajo, 97-Valdes Fundora, Juan Antonio: Proyecto Cristiano por los Derechos Humanos y Sindicales, Santa Clara, 98-Valdes Rosado, Maria: Partido Democrata Cristiano, 99-Valdes Santana, Aida: Oficina de Informacion de Derechos Humanos, 100-Valido Gutierrez, Manuel E.: Grupo Independiente Minas, Sierra de Cubitas. Mr. Speaker, to America's corporate community, it is time for them to understand that your approaches to Castro are undermining dissidency movements within Cuba. It is undermining people who risk their lives to promote human rights. It is undermining people who want to see democracy flourish in Cuba. There are no greater economic opportunities in a country except a country that is democratic, one that respects the rule of law, one in which you can get your contracts enforced, one in which you will not worry about your properties being confiscated when it is no longer in the interests of the dictatorship, when you have produced enough money for him to stay afloat, when you have provided the resources and the wherewithal to be able for him to have his stranglehold on the people. So to the American corporate community, do you want to do business with someone who in fact has the type of blood on his hands that Fidel Castro has? Is there no conscience? Is the bottom line the ultimate factor in your decisionmaking? Cubans on the island cannot even be paid directly by a foreign company. These hotels that are opened up by foreign companies in other parts of the world, who open them up in Cuba, they cannot pay their workers. They pay the regime. The regime takes most of the money and gives the worker a subsistence wage. So what do we have? We have slave labor. What guarantees? Castro has said time and time again in many interviews that these economic reforms, which we have created, by the way, the limited economic reforms that exist in Cuba today, the acceptance of the American dollar, for which it was illegal to own until a few years ago, and the reducing of the third largest Army in all the Western Hemisphere, which when I mentioned this on the House floor many times there is a snicker. No, they are not going to come and invade the United States. That is not my point. But does a small island like the people of Cuba who live on, 10 or 11 million people, why do they need the third largest army in all of the Western Hemisphere per capita? Why does not the regime reduce the size of that army and put more food on the plates of Cuban families who go hungry? Why spend all of that money on security forces, on a repressive army? Well, in fact, I just gave you two examples why, because Castro does not understand how to deal with pacifism. He does not understand how to deal with people who by peaceful means seek to either leave his regime or to promote democracy within the country. Because what did he do to Concilio Cubano? He went ahead and arrested many of its national leadership. Over 100 people are now in jail. He has others under house arrest. Women were strip-searched so they would be intimidated in participating with the organization. Some of its members are in hiding, seeking assistance from countries that have embassies there. They are looking for a place to go to. And yet we find doors that are closed and unwilling to accept them as a legitimate political refugee. What did we see in the tugboat incident? Using that very armed forces to kill his own people, men, women, and children, and using his armed forces which he has gone way too far to shoot down U.S. citizens. Yet that army, as large as it is, has been reduced also because of the necessity that we have created against the regime. The acceptance of the dollar is because we have created that necessity. The international investment today that exists in Cuba is because we have created that necessity and that necessity has been the agent of change within Cuba. Now, when the international community says that they want to promote democracy and human rights in Cuba, fine, let us see you do it. Why are you not giving refuge to those people who are peaceful dissidents and human rights activists? Why aren't you raising your voices? Isn't the bottom line the ultimate question for you, as well? So to our international community and to our corporate community, there must be some sense of conscience in which one does not want to support a dictator who ruthlessly uses his armed forces against innocent civilians, and I would hope that the business community doesn't want to be supporting someone who has in cold blood premeditatedly had American citizens on his command killed. I would like to meet the CEO's of those companies that in fact believe that it makes sense to invest in Cuba, in this regime, in this island in which there is no freedom but among the worst tryanny that the world has known. I would like to meet those CEO's. I hope that they will call me, and I want them to justify for me how you make such an investment in Cuba at a time such as this, and I would like them to be with me when they explain that to the families of the four United States citizens who died because of their willingness to go ahead and seek to rescue other people fleeing from the regime. I would like to hear you tell them, because I would really like to hear your explanation. It is in the United States' interests, forgetting about the people of Cuba for the moment, it is in the United States interest to pass a strong Helms-Burton bill, not only on the questions of democracy and human rights that we have spoken about. It is in our national interest because Castro seeks to finish building in Cuba a Chernobyl-type nuclear power plant 90 miles from our very shores, a nuclear power plant that in fact, through a GAO report, states has serious risk to it because of its design and construction with defective wells. A report that goes and tells us that an accident at that plant which could be very likely if it were to be finished would create a situation in which radioactive material would fly as far north as the Nation's Capital and as far west as Texas. Do we really need a regime to have a nuclear power plant, a Chernobyl-type nuclear power plant, 90 miles from the United States? I think not. Not when we have seen the ruthlessness of this regime. It is in our national interest to stand up for U.S. citizens and companies when their properties are illegally confiscated. It is in our national interest to have democracy come to the people of Cuba so that we do not face within the context of the Caribbean and Latin America a source of instability. It is in our national interest because in fact the resources that are spent. Let us look at the resources that are spent within Cuba. The fact of the matter is that many of our companies seeking to circumvent our embargo spend an enormous amount of money in Cuba. They do it through attempts through third-party agreements. They are willing to, in essence, violate the laws of the United States, and it will be interesting some hearings that we are going to have about that how that goes about. But it is in our interest to have a country that observes the rule of law for which there can be legitimate investment, mutually beneficial, for which we do not have to worry about a regime that will confiscate that property. For which we do not have to worry about a regime that if it was economically viable, which it is not right now, but which seeks to be economically viable by the assistance, both of private sectors and the international community, would again create the unrest that they created in the Caribbean and in Latin America at the height of their assistance from the Soviet Union. And yes, the cold war is over, but no one has told Fidel Castro that. He still wants to hang on at any cost. So the fact of the matter is that what we have is proven facts. Setting up U.S. citizens, having somebody infiltrate them, giving him the word, here is there flight plan, having already sensed, well, what is going to be the U.S. reaction? Ultimately, what will they do? Well, maybe a little condemnation. Maybe they will stop a little money, but that is about it. But what message does he send? He sends a message I can take United States citizens and kill them in cold blood, and at the same time he sends a message to the people inside Cuba, if this is what I can do with the United States citizens, imagine what I can do to you, so you better stay in line. What is our response? Steps in the right direction, but it is clearly not sufficient. What is the international community's response? A little condemnation, but we will continue to deal with Castro. We will continue to give him money. We will continue to give him aid. We will continue to do business with him. What is the message? It is the wrong message. It says you do not have to observe international law. You do not have to live by the rule of law. You do not have to live under the process of a democracy. And you can get away with it. And you can get away with it. There will be a little screaming and yelling, but when it is all over, at the end, it will return to business as usual. Now, we can change this course of events. We can say it is important to promote democracy and human rights. It is important to live by the rule of law. It is important because countries that are democracies are less likely to commit acts against other democracies. It is in our national interest, and we can sent those messages by passing a strong Helms-Burton bill. We can do that as we go to conference tomorrow. We can be leaders and we were leaders once before in this regard. The international community said, oh, we do not like the Torricelli bill, the Cuban Democracy Act. Well, in the end, this Congress acted with leadership. Congressman Torricelli promoted that bill as its sponsor. It was signed by President Bush with then-candidate Clinton then strongly supporting it. And we have the basis of our present-day policy toward Cuba. And the international community also said they did not like that. But that did not stop us. It did not deter us. And the agent of change in which much of the international communities today benefiting from is because of our very leadership, is because we have been promoting an economic embargo that in fact creates necessity for the regime and, therefore, creates the pressure for them to change and therefore permits international investment and the acceptance of the American dollar, and the reducing of an army that the Cuban people do not need, nor do we in the hemisphere need in terms of the size and potency of that army. So we have shown through our leadership, despite what some others have said, that in fact we can be a beacon of light throughout the hemisphere and the world, that we can promote democracy, that we can promote human rights. And yes, sometimes we will take criticism, but that doesn't mean that we should be deterred. Tomorrow, as the House goes into conference, we have that opportunity again. And I would hope that the President, based upon his comments, will in fact join the bipartisan efforts, both in the House and in the Senate, to send a strong message to the Castro regime, to send the message in fact that we will not tolerate the brutal gunning down of American citizens. That we will stand up for U.S. interests. That we will help the Cuban people realize their dream of democracy and of respect for human rights. And that yes, that is one of the pillars of our foreign diplomacy. And when we do that, then as a nation we lead, not only within the hemisphere, but in the world. I know that right now the eyes of the world are upon us in how we react in this case. I certainly hope that my colleagues who have in the past said that they are for promoting democratic change within Cuba speak up and raise their voices on behalf of the peaceful dissidents within Cuba who have been arrested, lost their liberties. I hope that they will raise their voices against the barbaric acts taken by the Castro regime. And I hope that they will understand that the only way to send a strong message to this dictatorship, which has shown itself by every possible standard to be a brutal regime, that the only message to send now is by having a strong bipartisan vote on the upcoming Helms-Burton conference on the legislation that will be presented to us and then a signature by the President of the United States, the greatest country in the world, who would ultimately say to the people of Cuba, we are in solidarity with you. We want to promote democracy, but we are unwilling to deal with a regime that brutalizes its people, that has no respect for international law. We say to that regime, it is time, your time is over. Get out of the way and let the people of Cuba realize their democracy. Let Cuba come into the family of nations that has promoted democracy. Let this hemisphere be the first hemisphere in the history of mankind to in fact have every nation be a democracy. And, last, we send to the world community a message that we will not tolerate the safety of our citizens, the lives of our citizens being expendable by any dictator anywhere in the world.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the Representative of the second largest concentration of Americans, Americans of Cuban descent in the Nation, to condemn a brutal and cold-blooded, premeditated killing of American citizens, two of them born in the United States, one of them a Vietnam veteran. I am tired of hearing the word ``exile.'' They are U.S. citizens. Our response to the killing of American citizens in international airspace has not been sufficient. I am amazed at Members of this House who come here and in essence by their comments brush aside those facts. And they turn against our own government and look to our government as the alleged cause of the death of American lives. There is only one person who has caused the death of these four U.S. citizens, and that is the Castro dictatorship and Fidel Castro himself. No one who studies Cuba will dispute that only such an order could be given at the highest levels of that dictatorship because of the international consequences that would flow from it. This is a brutal regime. It is a brutal regime. Castro can come to New York and he can wear an Armani suit. And he can sip Chablis with Madame Mitterrand, but that does not make him a respectable citizen of the international community. His actions would but his actions belie the appearance he tries to give when he comes to visit this country. This ruthless murder came at the end of a week of unprecedented repression in Cuba. I hear many of my colleagues who disagree with our policy say we want to see peaceful democratic change come to Cuba. So do we. There is a group within Cuba struggling to create peaceful democratic change. Their name is Concilio Cubano, Cuban Council. It is a group of 120 different organizations who simply in the past week wanted to meet, committed to peaceful democratic change within the island, who wanted to meet and have the right to recognize under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the right that we as Americans enjoy every day to assemble and to have a redress of grievances. What was the Castro regime's actions? It was to create mass arrests. Over 50 of their national leadership were placed in jail. Dozens of others were placed under house arrest. Women were strip-searched so they would not participate with the organization. One of their leaders who I spoke to on the phone directly from the United States to Cuba, after I spoke with him, that evening he was arrested. He has been sentenced to a year and a half in jail. For what? For speaking out. Nothing less than speaking out, nothing more than that. Mr. Speaker, I flew with Brothers to the Rescue over a year ago. I was on one of those planes. Their mission has been a search and rescue mission of human lives. They have saved thousands of lives in the Florida Strait. On the day that I flew with them, we saved a dozen people who were on a tiny island who had been there for several days. No one knew that they were there. We threw food and water to them and then radioed their location to the U.S. Coast Guard who subsequently rescued them. Is there any more prolife efforts that one could have than those of Brothers to the Rescue? Mr. Speaker, the downing of unarmed defenseless civilian pilots calls for a strong response. The President has taken some actions. He has had our ambassador move in the United States, suspending all charter flights, agreeing to move on the Helms-Burton legislation, increasing Radio Marti's penetration into Cuba. But that is not enough. I expect the President to announce other measures in the days ahead. Among those measures I would like to see, Mr. Speaker, is to begin to limit all licenses for visits to Cuba, revoking the visas of the Cuban interest section here in Washington and making sure that we have a further economic embargo on the island against the regime, which is the only thing that they have understood to create change within Cuba.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Michele Russo, an outstanding individual who has distinguished herself by her selfless dedication to the residents of Hoboken. Ms. Russo will be honored today at the Ninth Annual Lincoln Day Dinner sponsored by Senator Bernard F. Kenny and the Lincoln Day Dinner Committee. The commemoration celebrates the generous contributions made by Ms. Russo to her hometown of Hoboken. Lincoln's birthday is an appropriate day to celebrate Ms. Russo's achievements because of her talent in unifying people. As an active member of the Anthony Russo Civic Organization, Ms. Russo's coordination of community programs has earned much respect. In one program, local senior citizens have been fortunate recipients of flowers on major holidays. For the past 2 years, FAITH Service, an AIDS resource center, has greatly benefited from an event co-chaired by Ms. Russo. Family plays a major role for our esteemed honoree. A lifelong resident of Hoboken, Ms. Russo is the former Michele DeStefano, daughter of Mary and Pasquale DeStefano. When it came time to think about marriage, Michele married Anthony Russo who was subsequently elected mayor of Hoboken. This joyful union produced three sons to carry on the family tradition of community involvement: Nicky, Michael, and Anthony. Ms. Russo has a strong interest in building a bright and positive future for the youth of Hoboken. She was instrumental in securing funding to erect the Florence Reilly Casazza concession stand at Hoboken High School's JFK Stadium. Ms. Russo is an active committee member of Boy Scout Troop 20 at St. Ann's Church in Hoboken. It is an honor to have such an outstanding and considerate woman residing in my district. Michele Russo exemplifies community service at its best. I am certain my colleagues will join me in recognition of this superb community leader.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Henry Sanchez on the occasion of his 50th year of Government service. A special ceremony will be held in his honor on Friday, February 16, at the Harbor View Community Club, Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, NJ. In February 1944, Mr. Sanchez began his career in the Navy as a signalman. For his part in the WWII effort, he served on a ship transporting American troops to France during the Normandy Invasion. Mr. Sanchez was discharged from the Navy in April 1948. Two years later, be began to work at the Brooklyn Army Base in New York. Mr. Sanchez transferred to the Bayonne Naval Supply Depot in March 1950. For over 45 years, Mr. Sanchez worked in Bayonne as a firefighter and a supervisory transportation assistant at the Seavan Container Control Division, Military Ocean Terminal. In 1980, Mr. Sanchez moved to the U.S. Air Force's Water Port Logistics Office where he held the position of deputy commander GS-12. Several years later he was promoted to GS-13 as the deputy director, Personal Property Directorate, Military Traffic Management Command, Eastern Area. Mr. Sanchez, an outstanding leader on the job, has also dedicated much of his time to the Bayonne community. He is a board member of the United Way of Hudson County, vice president of the American Legion's Mackenzie Post 165, and a trustee for the Bayonne Veterans Relief Fund. For his outstanding work and leadership in logistical support of the European, African, Mediterranean and Arctic regions, Mr. Sanchez was awarded the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. He has devoted himself to serving his country with honor and dignity. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this wonderful individual. I am proud to have such a remarkable man working in my district.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute and bid a fond farewell to Ambassador Siddhartha Shankar Ray, India's envoy to Washington since 1992. I am certain he will be successful in achieving his goals when he returns to India. During his service, relations between the United States and India have grown to new heights. In his position, he has stressed the importance of ties to India. High level visits by U.S. officials have increased significantly since Ambassador Ray came to Washington. Since Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao instituted his historic economic reform program for India in 1991, United States investment in India has grown at a substantial rate. In Washington, Ambassador Ray has been able to express India's concerns in an articulate manner. He has publicized the huge market potential that India possesses for business investments and consumer goods. Also, he has worked to improve the strategic relationship between the United States and India in South Asia. Since 1957, Ambassador Ray has served the citizens of the world's largest democracy. He has been a member of the West Bengal Assembly, a member of the Lower House of the Indian Parliament, Governor of Punjab, Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Minister of Education, Social Welfare and Culture for India. The appointment of such an experienced and respected public servant demonstrates the level of importance that the Government of India places on its relations with the United States. Both Ambassador Ray and his wife, Mrs. Maya Ray, have played an important role in building United States-India relations during the post cold war era. When he returns to India, I am confident that Ambassador Ray will continue to be a strong advocate of cordial and fruitful United States-India relations. I ask that my colleagues join me in paying tribute to Ambassador Ray for his service, and I wish him and his wife best wishes for the future.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria Christina Rosa, who is retiring as the president of the Puerto Rican Society of Elizabeth. An event will be held in her honor on Saturday in Union, NJ. Ms. Rosa came to the United States from her native hometown of Tao Alto, Puerto Rico, in 1956. As a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Ms. Rosa attended Edison State College and worked at John E. Runnell's Hospital in Union as a patient services coordinator for 20 years. In 1979, she began working with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and for 16 years she has devoted herself to helping individuals fight for their civil rights. Despite her very busy work load, Ms. Rosa is very active within the community. She has dedicated her time and efforts to improving our educational system by serving as a member or delegate in numerous city and statewide committees related to education. She served as secretary for the Advisory Committee for Bilingual Education in Elizabeth and until recently was one of the members of the Elizabeth Educational Foundation. As president, for the past 6 years, of the Puerto Rican Society of Elizabeth, Inc., Ms. Rosa has been able to raise funds for educational scholarships. The various ethnic, historical, and cultural celebrations hosted by the Puerto Rican Society of Elizabeth have given the community an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Rico. She has also volunteered her time for a variety of social and community organizations such as the Puerto Rican State Wide Parade of New Jersey, the Puerto Rican Association of Professional Women, the Puerto Rican Congress of New Jersey, and the Elizabeth Borinquen Lions Club. Her service and outstanding dedication to her work and to the citizenry have merited her appointments as commissioner of the Elizabeth Welfare Board, commissioner of the Union County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, and commissioner of New Jersey State Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Commission. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Maria Christina Rosa, an outstanding community leader and role model. I wish her the best of luck on her retirement, may she always maintain that spirit of generosity and love that she has given to the public.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Indian-American community and the people of India, celebrating the 46th anniversary of India's Republic Day. Throughout the United States, members of the Indian-American community will hold festivities to mark this occasion. On January 26, 1950, the Indian Constitution became law and the day was named Republic Day. This document symbolizes the principles of democracy and secularism, which India cherishes. Its author, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was influenced greatly by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Since India became a republic, it has continued to hold free and fair elections, to support a multiparty political system and to transfer power peacefully. The relationship between the United States and India is still unfolding. The United States and India share many similarities. Both of our countries are former British colonies. English is a vital language of communication throughout India. Democracy continues to thrive in both places. The Indian judiciary system is based on English common law. In addition, India is proceeding with its economic reforms to develop a vibrant market economy. India still faces the challenges of achieving economic development while ensuring harmony between its many ethnic, religious, and linguistic communities. In spite of these obstacles, India has strengthened its democratic institutions by harnessing the potential of its multireligious, multiethnic and multilinguistic citizenry. Bilateral trade between the United States and India is flourishing. The activities of American companies have made the United States India's leading trade partner. Recently, a consortium of American companies, led by the Enron Corp., successfully renegotiated a deal to complete a $2.5 billion power plant in the state of Maharashtra. United States companies are positioned to fill India's appetite for services and products. India is committed to maintaining its democracy and economic reform program. The Indian-American community, with over 1 million people, has taken a particular interest in promoting United States-India relations. Please join me today in honoring the world's most populous democracy, India, on the 46th anniversary of its Republic Day.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to pay tribute to an extraordinary individual, Hon. James Zangari, minority leader pro tem of the New Jersey State Assembly. A man, who for 20 years, has served the public with dedication and conscience. A gala tribute will be held in his honor on Friday, January 26, 1996 in Old Bridge, NJ. Assemblyman Zangari's illustrious career in politics began almost 20 years ago. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Assemblyman Zangari was elected as an Essex County freeholder in 1978. Shortly thereafter, he was elected assemblyman of the 28th legislative district. Since his election to the General Assembly, Assemblyman Zangari has authored more than 100 pieces of legislation. Assemblyman Zangari's legislative initiatives address many issues of great concern to the residents of New Jersey, including crime prevention, drug abuse, education, unemployment, senior citizens, and environmental consumer protection. Through his experiences as an Essex County freeholder and executive director of Irvington's property maintenance department, Assemblyman Zangari has been able to bring expertise to his Assembly leadership position. Assemblyman Zangari is a man who takes great pride in representing the area where he grew up and truly cares about his constituents. For eight terms in the General Assembly, Assemblyman Zangari has fought hard for the issues that are important to him and his community. While in the Assembly, Assemblyman Zangari served as a member of the Revenue, Finance and Appropriations Committee, the Subcommittee on Taxation, and the Labor and Transportation Committee, as well as many others. He was elected majority whip for the 1986-87 term and served as assistant minority leader in the 1988-89 term. A man of extraordinary talents and a fighting spirit, James Zangari has been honored by various organizations. His many civic awards include distinctions from the New Jersey Education Association, the Essex County Education Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, Irvington, P.A.L.--Man of the Year, and Essex County PBA--Legislator of the Year. I take great pleasure and honor in paying tribute to James Zangari. He is a man that has fought hard for issues of concern to all the citizens of New Jersey. Please join me in honoring a remarkable individual.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Jesus Erazo, a young man whose dedication to his family and friends will be remembered forever. Tomorrow, the Spanish speaking program of Kean College will honor Jesus with a musical presentation at the school's Little Theater in Union, NJ. Tomorrow evening's commemoration will celebrate the contributions made by Jesus to his family, friends, and community. The focus of much of Jesus' young life was his family. Born in Cali, Colombia, Jesus was on a journey home when his excursion was abruptly ended by the crash of American Airlines Flight 965 in December 1995. While in the United States, part of his earnings were sent to his family to help ``alleviate their financial needs.'' Education also played a major role in the life of Jesus. As a resident of Elizabeth, Jesus received training in the graphic arts from learning institutions in Union County, NJ. In 1992, he graduated from the commercial art program of the Union County Vocational & Technical Schools. Building on this success, Jesus entered Kean College of New Jersey from which he was to graduate in May. While at Kean College, Jesus became a valued member of the collegiate community for his superior academic performance as well as for his unconditional support of friends and fellow students. Among the recognitions received by Jesus were being named to the dean's list for four semesters and an outstanding academic performance award from the Association of Latin American Students. In 1995, Jesus was inducted into Lambda Alpha Sigma Honor Society. Another theme that resonated throughout Jesus' life was community involvement. His altruistic spirit manifested itself in his work with the Spanish speaking and English as a second language programs of Kean College. Jesus contributed designs for the program covers of these two highly regarded programs. Jesus provided joyful accompaniment to the lives of his friends and fellow community members. He will be remembered with tremendous love and respect by each person whose life he touch. It is an honor to applaud the legacy of a gifted individual like Jesus Erazo. Jesus provided great joy to his friends and colleagues throughout his short life. I am certain my colleagues will rise with me and pay tribute to the memory of this magnificent young man.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I was listening to this debate on the floor, and I decided to come down. I wanted to tell some of my radical friends, since I always hear them called liberal friends, it is time to stop using our Federal employees, who are our fellow citizens, American citizens, as hostages. I feel like we are in the Iran hostage situation again. It is time to stop using Americans who depend upon those Federal employees as hostages, and it is time to stop asking them to be the ultimate sacrifice in this process. The fact of the matter is you want to impose your will, your extreme agenda as the law of the land, and that is not the American way. It is about negotiation, it is about compromise. It is not about blackmail and threat, and that is what is at stake here. We are discussing about deeply rooted principles. I know you have yours, and we have ours. But it is time to stop using Federal employees and the American citizens who depend upon their services as hostages, and it is time to take the gun away from the President, which is what you are doing, at his head; it is time to return to some sanity in this House and in this country.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor El Mundo Hispanoamericano, celebrating 5 years of distinguished and reliable reporting and community service. El Mundo was founded in 1990 with a commitment to report on all aspects of the Hispanic community throughout New Jersey. El Mundo Hispanoamericano commemorated its anniversary on Wednesday, December 20, 1995. For 5 years, El Mundo has been providing the Hispanic community with vital information about the world around them and their native lands. El Mundo prides itself as an advocate for the Hispanic community, defending issues and interests that are of importance to the people. They have covered the good news and the bad news. When municipal or State services were not up to par, they wrote about it. When government and individuals did something positive for the community, they wrote about it too. They have served as an integral link between the Government and the community. Even though, the founders, Ney Bravo and his family, are Ecuadoran, El Mundo reports on all of Latin America. The newspaper covers issues of concern to all immigrants from the Caribbean, Central, and South America. It does so with sensitivity and care. Ethnic newspapers like El Mundo provide a vital source of information to the Hispanic community about their native lands. Such newspapers help a community establish themselves in this great Nation. It is an honor to recognize El Mundo, a newspaper that provides accurate news coverage to the people I represent. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring El Mundo for its faithful service to the Hispanic community.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, we all know that the Republicans said things would change when they took over the Congress, but nobody thought they'd be changing some of our favorite Christmas carols. Have you heard the new version of this old favorite carol about the latest Government shutdown? The weather on the Hill is frightful, and the budget cutting so spiteful. But the Republican Scrooges, pose, let it close, let it close, let it close. It's time for Republicans to understand that there are some things better left untouched, and that includes keeping government open so that veterans and seniors can get their claims processed, taxpayers don't lose out on the valuable services they pay for, and visitors to the Nation's capital from throughout the world don't find themselves shut out. And finally, Federal workers don't find themselves with the Gingrich that stole Christmas. We can balance the budget--but it must be balanced not only by the numbers--but in its affect on seniors, children, families & working Americans.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the design of the Puerto Rican flag, a symbol which represents the enormous contribution the citizens of the island have made to our Nation. The flag's anniversary will be honored by the Centennial Anniversary Committee of the Puerto Rican Flag at City Hall Park In Perth Amboy on December 17, 1995. The flag was completed in New York City at Chimney Corner Hall in Manhattan on December 22, 1895. The flag of Puerto Rico has a rich history. Dr. Julio J. Henna led a group of 59 Puerto Ricans who organized the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party. As part of their activities, a flag was created to rally support for independence from Spain. The Puerto Rican flag was designed by inverting the colors of the single starred flag of its neighbor in the Caribbean, Cuba. The first known incarnation of the symbol was made by Manuela ``Mima'' Besosa, the Puerto Rican Betsy Ross. The motion to adopt the flag was approved unanimously by the Puerto Rican revolutionaries. For 100 years, the Puerto Rican flag has symbolized a proud people. It has served as a symbol of Puerto Rico's cultural tradition and heritage. Puerto Ricans are proud of their many contributions to the United States and they are proud of the unique identity their flag represents. Puerto Rico has been referred to as the ``Shining Star of the Caribbean.'' Her citizens residing in Perth Amboy are shining stars in their community. It is an honor to recognize the banner of a group of constituents I am proud to represent. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the 100th anniversary of the creation of Puerto Rican flag.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Hoboken's favorite native son, Francis Albert Sinatra, who will celebrate his 80th birthday on December 12, 1995. No voice in America today brings with it more sweet memories. No speech could possibly do justice to the ``Chairman of the Board.'' Sinatra has redefined American popular music with such classics as ``Strangers in the Night,'' ``Summer Wind,'' ``The Lady Is a Tramp,'' ``Witchcraft,'' ``Young at Heart,'' ``My Way'' and countless others. Every generation of Americans from the late 1930's onward has been wowed by his magnetic voice and unique ability to tell a story through his music. In addition, to a spectacular singing career, Sinatra has distinguished himself on the big screen, with starring roles in ``The Manchurian Candidate,'' ``From Here To Eternity'' and ``Pal Joey.'' His performance in ``From Here to Eternity'' earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1953. Prior to that, Sinatra earned a special Oscar for ``The House I Live In,'' a sensitive documentary that made an eloquent plea for an end to all prejudice. His accomplishments in the field of entertainment are legendary, but of equal importance, although less well known, are his charitable and philanthropic work. He has performed benefit concerts for among others, the Red Cross, the Palm Springs' Desert Hospital, the New York Police Athletic League, Cabrini Medical Center, the World Mercy Fund, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Frank Sinatra is a cultural icon, but even more than that he is a hero to millions of Americans of all races and nationalities, most particularly, of course, to Italian-Americans. Please join me in honoring a true American legend, who will always be an honorary citizen of Hoboken and the 13th Congressional District, on his 80th birthday.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lambda Theta Phi, service social fraternity emphasizing Latin unity and the celebration of Latin culture. It will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at a dinner on December 2. In 1975 at Kean College of New Jersey, 10 students founded the first and only nationally recognized Latino Greek letter fraternity, Lambda Theta Phi. Gus Garcia, a founding member, served as the fraternity's first president. As the first national Latin fraternity, it was created in the image of great Latin thinkers, such as Jose Marti, Simon Bolivar, and El Cid. In addition to active chapters in New Jersey, Pennsylvania Connecticut, and Florida, the fraternity has chapters at Saint Peter's College and Stevens Institute of Technology in my district. The fraternity's goals are to promote scholarship, Latin unity, respect for all cultures and brotherhood. Although the fraternity is only 20 years old, it represents 500 years of culture. I am privileged to be an honorary member of the fraternity. Although the fraternity was created at a time when there was disunity among the Latin community, the concept of celebrating Latin culture became a unifying factor for members who had diverse interests. The fraternity believes ``En La Union Esta La Fuerza'' (In Unity There is Strength). Membership is open to all college males who wish to work together to reach the organization's goals. The diverse membership has a social conscience and a commitment to the community. By working in neighborhoods, the fraternity hopes not only to provide service, but also to enhance the image of Latin culture and provide positive role models for the Latin community. Brothers have gone on to become accountants, attorneys, engineers, entrepreneurs, politicians, recording artists, scientists and leaders in various areas. A few of the fraternity's activities include voter registration programs, citizenship drives, disaster relief, anti-drug rallies, and Hispanic college days, which introduce thousands of high school students to college. Please join me today in honoring Lambda Theta Phi fraternity on its 20th anniversary as it continues to provide service to the community and guarantees the strongest in brotherhood while upholding the best in Latin culture.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my outrage with the Istook amendment we will be voting on that will impede with the fundamental right of Americans--particularly nonprofit organizations to advocate with their Government--their Representatives. Let me first make it clear that I find this whole censorship effort reprehensible. But what makes it truly despicable is that it is specifically crafted to deal only with certain kinds of grants from the Government--the kind that go to people they do not like. People who might dare to oppose their extremist agenda. What I mean is this: Mr. Istook's own testimony on behalf of his original amendment cited two Supreme Court decisions in which the court specifically stated that there are two kinds of Federal benefits that put taxpayer dollars in an organization's pocket: Grants, and tax exemptions and deductions. The Supreme Court came right out and said it point blank. Both Mr. Istook's original and more controversial amendment and the one he offers here today allegedly rely on these decisions. But when it came time to put this amendment down on paper, he decided he was only interested in one kind of benefit--the grants-- completely ignoring the court's specific finding that tax-exemptions are a form of subsidy which have much the same effect as a cash grant. What a curious oversight. The court names just two [[Page H 13664]] things--just two--but when Republicans wrote the bill, they managed to forget half of that short list. What is the effect of this oversight? The American Heart Association is restricted. The American Red Cross is restricted. The Girl Scouts are restricted. They are restricted because they get grants. But the Speaker's network of think tanks and pet projects--such as the Progress and Freedom Foundation, Earning by Learning, National Empowerment Television and the like--can take tax-deductible donations and keep their money tax-free. And do they take money? Yes, millions from the Speaker's political supporters. And what do they do with it? They videotape Mr. Gingrich's speeches and sell them. They use the money to produce a weekly television show starring the Speaker. In short, the Speaker uses their activities to promote his political agenda--and it is all done on the taxpayer dollar. All tax-exempt. What did the Supreme Court say about that? Mr. Istook has told us that they said tax-exemptions were the same as cash grants. If so, then why is there no mention of tax-exemptions in this amendment? The Progress and Freedom Foundation gets no grants, so this amendment will not stop them from sending every Member a so-called ``briefing'' on why the telecommunications industry needs reform, and coincidentally that it should be reformed in precisely the way Speaker Gingrich suggests. But the Supreme Court, and more importantly Mr. Istook, said their money is just as much ``welfare for lobbyists'' as a grant is. All of you have received numerous briefings from the National Center for Policy Analysis supporting Medical Savings Accounts, an idea which actually wormed its way into the bill which cut Medicare by $270 billion. Has anyone figured out why? The Republicans said they were impressed by the savings these accounts could achieve. But the CBO says these accounts will actually cost the Government $3.5 billion. Of course, the savings were based on numbers produced by the think tank itself, and were then used to lobby Members. This think tank, by the way, is a tax-exempt organization. Distribution of their briefings was essentially lobbying. That means that the National Center for Policy Analysis lobbied Members with taxpayer dollars. But what does this amendment do about it? Nothing. Why? Does it have anything to do with the fact that the National Center for Policy Analysis is heavily funded by a major backer of the Speaker's Progress and Freedom Foundation, the shadowy GOPAC organization, and others of the Speaker's funds? Consider also that this big-time financial backer is also the CEO of the Golden Rule Insurance Co., the country's biggest marketer of medical savings accounts. In other words, a big financial backer of the Speaker's has used his tax-deductible contributions to fund a tax- exempt lobbying campaign designed to result in legislation that would bring huge profits to his company. Later this week, they will try to rake in still more by including medical savings accounts in the Federal employee health benefits plan. Ironically, the hearing on the subject will be before the Government Reform and Oversight Committee--the very committee which has written and promoted the Istook language. Does this bother anyone? It bothers me, but it apparently does not bother the supporters of the Istook amendment. They do not protest while big money buys out American politics, piece by piece. In fact, they now offer legislation designed to facilitate the process. This Istook amendment is a sham. It deserves defeat. Let us not stop the Association for Retarded Citizens, the YMCA, and other voices of the little guy from advocating with their Government while we let fat cat special interests lobby to maintain huge profits, and then write off the expenses as tax deductions.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Malin Falu, a Hispanic woman who has distinguished herself as a prominent radio personality. Ms. Falu will be honored today in a live broadcast on Radio WADO 1280 AM. Ms. Malin Falu is the creator, producer, and commentator of the Hispanic radio program ``Hablando con Malin,'' Speaking with Malin. This radio program is transmitted throughout the New York and New Jersey area. In her show, Ms. Falu discusses the important issues that affect the Hispanic community. She keeps them informed of events and issues that are notable and allows her listeners to participate and voice their opinions. She has worked hard and strived to be one of the best commentators in Hispanic radio. Ms. Falu received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Puerto Rico. She then went on to receive her masters of arts degree in media from the New School for Social Research. She has also studied theater in London, England. A well-accomplished woman, she now enjoys reaching out to the Hispanic community through the airwaves. For the last 17 years, Ms. Falu's sweet voice has captured the hearts of all her listeners. Her show has been transmitted from all around the world, including Greece, Israel, and many countries in Latin America. With her charisma and dedication, Ms. Falu serves the community by exposing and finding solutions to the problems it faces. She has inspired many to accomplish their goals and dreams. She has advised today's younger generation to enrich and develop their minds. She is a wonderful role model who has served her community with dedication and dignity. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this great woman, Malin Falu.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a distinguished journalist and remarkable man, Jorge Ramos. I would also like to honor Channel 47 for promoting quality programming for the last 30 years. Mr. Ramos and Channel 47 will be honored on a live broadcast on Radio WADO 1280 AM today. Mr. Jorge Ramos was born in San Juan, PR. He graduated from the College of Humanities of the University of Puerto Rico and thus began a long and illustrious career in broadcast journalism. Mr. Jorge Ramos is currently the news anchor with Noticiero 47, a Spanish-language news show serving the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area. He is also the host of ``Enfoque 47'' a community affairs program, which debates issues pertaining to the Hispanic community. As a journalist and senior news anchor, Mr. Ramos has been a part of many important stories about the Hispanic community. This hands on experience has given him important insight into the challenges facing the Hispanic community. He deals with these issues in a sensitive and caring manner and this has won him acclaim in the community. For his hard work and dedication to his Hispanic audience, Mr. Ramos has received numerous awards including being named Best Television News Anchor by the New York City Entertainment Writers Association. His recent production of ``Abriendo Caminos'' was nominated for an Emmy Award for ``Most Outstanding Cultural Programming''. Not only is Mr. Ramos an accomplished journalist, but he is also a dedicated humanitarian. Mr. Ramos has joined several efforts to help disadvantaged and handicapped children and victims of natural disasters across the continental U.S. and Latin America. In February of 1992, he flew to his native Puerto Rico to host the program ``Hermano, Danos la Mano'' [Brother Give Us A hand]. The program was a telethon to help survivors of the devastating floods on the islands. Mr. Ramos is a man who dedicates his time and talents to helping the community. [[Page E 2215]] Channel 47 is celebrating 30 years of quality programming. For more than a quarter of a century, this Hispanic television station has entertained and informed millions of viewers nationwide. Channel 47 is a pioneer in Spanish broadcasting. It has distinguished itself for promoting Hispanic issues and concerns and as a preserver and promoter of the Hispanic culture. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Jorge Ramos, a dedicated man, a kind humanitarian and an excellent broadcast journalist. Also, join me in honoring Channel 47, a television station that has championed Hispanic issues and concerns.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Eleanor Tiefenwerth, a citizen who exhibits never-ending dedication to the community. She will be honored by the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation at their 30th Annual Dinner Dance on November 17, 1995. The Bayonne Economic Foundation is a social service agency in its 30th year. The foundation is dedicated to serving the people of the community through various outreach programs, including Head Start and Meals On Wheels. The foundation's slogan is ``People Helping People''. Mrs. Tiefenwerth exemplifies this motto. Mrs. Tiefenwerth, a native of Bayonne, is a graduate of Jersey City State College. While a volunteer with the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation, Mrs. Tiefenwerth developed the skills which she retains as its executive director. She has been instrumental in increasing the level of services the foundation offers to the community. These innovations include providing crosstown transportation for both senior citizens and the disabled. In addition to her duties with the foundation, Mrs. Tiefenwerth also serves as a commissioner on the Bayonne Housing Authority, a member of the Community Education Advisory Council, and secretary to the Community Action Programs. In 1994, she spent 2 weeks in Russia with groups from People to People International and the Russian Ministry exchanging ideas on social issues affecting the world. Mrs. Tiefenwerth has received numerous awards for her selfless service to the community, including the Jersey Journal Woman of Achievement, the Golden Recognition Award from Hudson County and the Distinguished and Caring Service Award from the Hudson County Director of Human Services. She is a volunteer with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Parent Teacher Associations at the municipal, county, and state levels. I am proud to have such a dedicated woman serving the citizens of my district. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Eleanor Tiefenwerth for her service and dedication to the community.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great man, Stephen R. Gregg, who distinguished himself in combat in World War II and was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor. Today, Mr. Gregg will be honored at a Veterans Day Ceremony to be held at City Hall in Bayonne, NJ. This week's ceremony caps a host of honors bestowed on him as a result of his brave deeds which include the naming of a Hudson County Park in his honor. On October 22, 1995 the Bayonne County Park was renamed the Stephen R. Gregg, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Park at a ceremony in his honor. Mr. Gregg, a native of Bayonne, served in our Armed Forces as a young U.S. Army lieutenant. While engaged in the Italian campaign and on the battlefields of southern France, Mr. Gregg won the Nation's highest military honor. On August 27, 1944, Sergeant Gregg risked his life to save his fellow countrymen. Near Montelinar, France, Sergeant Gregg and his platoon were advancing on the enemy positions when suddenly someone fired upon the leading scout. Sergeant Gregg rushed to the aid of his riflemen who were engaged in fire. The Germans threw hand grenades at close range wounding several soldiers. While dodging hand grenades, Sergeant Gregg with a machine gun as his only shield boldly led a group of medics up a hill to rescue the soldiers that had been wounded. Despite all the crossfire and hand grenades being thrown at him, Sergeant Gregg risked his life to help his fellow countrymen. Sergeant Gregg stood there firing into the enemy positions while the wounded were removed to safety. In January, 1945, Mr. Gregg received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant. Shortly afterwards on March 14, 1945 General Alexander Patch presented Mr. Gregg with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Mr. Gregg is one of the few soldiers to have received this great honor while in the field. Among his military decorations are the Silver Star, Purple Heart with cluster, French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and many other campaign medals. I am certain my colleagues will rise with me and pay tribute to this gallant man. As a dedicated citizen, a courageous soldier, and a true American hero, Mr. Gregg embodies the best of American patriotism. Mr. Gregg is a man who has risked his life and contributed his skills to helping maintain and fight for the freedom that America cherishes so much.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Fire Chief Richard R. Tremitiedi, a Hoboken firefighter for 35 years. A testimonial dinner will be held in his honor today in East Rutherford, NJ. Chief Tremitiedi joined the fire department in 1960. Through the years, he rose through the ranks by attaining the highest score on every promotional test that the took. In March 1990, he became Fire Chief of the city of Hoboken and he has served in that capacity with pride and dedication. Chief Tremitiedi's many achievements include writing the city's smoke detector ordinance as head of the Fire Prevention Bureau during the 1980's. The ordinance required property owners to place fire detectors in common areas as well as in each apartment. This made buildings safer places for everyone. In the 35 years that Chief Tremitiedi served as a firefighter, he has touched the lives of many people. The career of a firefighter is truly a noble one. There are not many people that are courageous enough to enter burning buildings on the verge of collapse to put out fires. However, people like Chief Tremitiedi and other firefighters dedicate their lives to doing just that. Firefighters are genuine heroes who risk their lives to help others. Many people owe their safety and security to Mr. Tremitiedi. He has created a better and safer environment for the residents of Hoboken. In September, 1995, Chief Tremitiedi officially resigned as Fire Chief. He leaves behind a tradition of valor and dedication. He is truly a remarkable man who has served the community with all his heart. He was always available to answer the call of duty. Chief Tremitiedi will continue to serve as a member of the State Fire Master Planning and Research Advisory Council. He also plans to write a book about managing the costs of fire protection. It is an honor to have such a brave and dedicated man serving my district. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring Richard R. Tremitiedi for his service and dedication to the community.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, it goes without saying that America and Israel share much in common. Both countries are built on a fierce commitment to freedom, democracy, and liberty. Both nations are heroic reactions to prejudice and oppression. And both nations know all too well, the price that must be paid for holding true to an ideal. Yet another one of those shared experiences is that we are both relatively new nations. We measure our history as countries in decades rather than millennia. But compared to even the United States, the modern state of Israel is a sapling in the world forest. I touch on this because, as Americans it may be hard for us to imagine Yitzhak Rabin's place in modern Israel's brief history. To give an American a proper perspective, imagine being witness as George Washington was gunned down by a mad Tory. It is, in fact, a fair and historically accurate comparison to mention Rabin and Washington in the same breath. Patriot soldiers who helped forge a nation, then went on to become elected leaders of the very nation they fought for so bravely. Seeing Rabin and Washington as comrades may shed some light on why this tragedy touches Israel and the rest of the world so deeply. Yitzhak Rabin earned our respect with his deeds. We were willing to follow him on the path to peace because we knew that he had marched down the road of conflict. Simply put, we trusted him to win the peace because he had been trusted to win the wars. One of my most meaningful privileges as a Member of Congress is that I was able to work with Prime Minister Rabin. As a member of the International Relations Committee I met with him in Israel an then, back in Washington just a few weeks ago. He was a true leader who inspired cooperation with his honesty, his courage, and his deeds. Prime Minister Rabin was well aware of the risks to Israel and to himself in trying to make peace. But he understood that the risk of not making peace is far greater. Perhaps because he was a soldier, perhaps because he was a patriot, perhaps because he was a father and a grandfather, perhaps because of all of those things, Yitzhak Rabin knew that peace is the most universal of all goals. And as Americans, we were proud to stand with him in the quest for a just, fair, and permanent peace in the Middle East. This tragedy will not make us waver in that noble pursuit. We are committed to his goals. The doubters will quickly come to understand what Rabin knew in his soul--that peace is stronger than any gun. Yitshak Rabin was indeed a 20th century George Washington. And as was said of Washington, it can be said of Rabin: ``First in war. ``First in peace. ``First in the hearts of his countrymen.''

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Mildred Alessi Migliaccio, an Italian-American who has made great contributions to American society through her business and community work in the city of Bayonne. She will be honored by the Sicilian Citizen Club of Bayonne on October 28, 1995, at their 68th annual dinner dance. The Sicilian Citizen Club is a political and social organization for Italian-Americans. Established in 1929, it is the oldest Italian club in the city of Bayonne. Mrs. Migliaccio, a grandmother of three, is an active member of the organization. The leader of the club, Frank Carine, Sr., describes her as ``a warm-hearted woman who is always there for everyone.'' Mrs. Migliaccio, known to family and friends as ``Millie,'' was born in Bayonne to Sicilian immigrants, Nicola and Guiseppina Alessi. Her father, one of the first members of the Sicilian Citizen Club, taught Millie the value of family, the importance of community and pride in her Sicilian heritage at an early age. This year is also the 75th anniversary of the Migliaccio Funeral Home, the business she ran with her husband, William R. Migliaccio. At 82 years of age, Millie is still an active part of the business which is now run by her daughter, Carol McNulty. The Migliaccio family has always been community-minded and has sought to contribute to the vitality of Bayonne and its residents. Millie is a parishioner at the Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in Bayonne and a member of the Saint Anne Society, a women's club connected to the church. Please join me in saluting a lifetime of achievement and a proud Italian-American, Mildred ``Millie'' Alessi Migliaccio.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today before the House of Representatives to pay tribute to Rev. Daniel Correa, Jr., for his dedication, spiritual leadership, and tireless commitment to the communities of North Bergen, Union City, west New York. He will be honored by the Gospel Tabernacle on October 22, 1995, at their annual Clergy Appreciation Day. This day seeks to acknowledge the contributions of American religious leaders in the 1990's. Rev. Correa, born in Mayaquez, PR, moved to the south Bronx in New York when he was 6 months of age. He received his first call to ministry at the age of 10, when he preached his first sermon. In adulthood, he became an associate pastor at the Glad Tidings Assembly of God in the north east Bronx for 7 years. Two years ago, heeding to the call of God, he came to the Gospel Tabernacle in North Bergen where he currently serves as senior Pastor. At the beginning of his ministry, the congregation numbered 40 members. Under his leadership, the congregation has increased to more than 300 members. Pastor Correa, about to receive his Masters in Theology, instituted several programs of great benefit to his congregation and the community. He established a full accredited Christian Training Academy, which provides a free GED program to the community and to members of the church. Through his conviction that ``children are the church of today'', he started one of the most successful Royal Ranger and Missionette programs. Other programs started by Pastor Correa include the AIDS Ministry to Broadway House in Newark and Jersey City Medical Center which gives guidance and counseling to patients and families. Rev. Daniel Correa, Jr. deserves our highest praise for his dedication to his God and his community. I am proud to have him serving the residents of my congressional district and I salute him for his endless giving and years of service.