Gregory Meeks

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 5 minutes to my dear friend and colleague and the author of this critically important bill, the Honorable Congressman Ed Towns, who has been a leader during his tenure in Congress on providing access to affordable housing.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) who is a member of this committee and the chairwoman of the Small Business Committee.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from the great State of New York who is also the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions, the Honorable Carolyn Maloney.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, I am now happy to yield 3 minutes to a new Member of the Congress who says that she is in her sophomore year in her freshman term, the Honorable Yvette Clarke.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Thank you, Mr. Whip, and I thank you also for bringing this recognition to Sylvia; because as a former Harlemite, I can recall going to Sylvia's. It was a place that brought families together. I can recall my parents bringing me to Sylvia's to have a family dinner or having breakfast in the morning. And it united people and it made us proud because it did say just what the chairman said, talking about African Americans owning their own business and feeding the masses as she did. And it was affordable. So it was a family place. And, for me, I can remember those breakfasts. Those grits and salmon cakes were just delicious and fantastic. As I am here now standing and looking, and we are talking about trade all over the world. You talk about reducing the trade deficit for the United States? Sylvia is helping to reduce the trade deficit as she now cans her food and sends it all across the world so they all can enjoy the delicious food. Thank you for honoring Sylvia Woods today because she is truly a shero, one that I can recall as a young child looking up to and saying that one day that we could be prosperous like her. Thank you for never forgetting her roots and where we come from, Mr. Whip.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank my good friend and colleague from California, Representative Loretta Sanchez, for introducing this timely resolution. Mr. Speaker, there is literally no one who has done more to expand world audiences for opera than the late Luciano Pavarotti. He achieved this with a combination of inimitable talent, determination, and an untiring and affable manner. Just as important, he parlayed this fame into an international presence, which he used to push for a host of important causes. This resolution honors his life, his talent, his commitment to those causes. Like many an Italian boy, Pavarotti dreamed of becoming a soccer star and was better at it than most of his later fans would ever know. But his father, himself an amateur singer, and his recording of the great Italian tenors soon put young Luciano on a path which would catapult him to fame. From his operatic debut in 1961 to his U.S. debut a few years later opposite Joan Sutherland in Lucia di Lammermoor, Pavarotti soon became known for the sheer beauty of his voice. But the world was wowed in 1972 when Pavarotti struck nine unwavering high C's at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, earning him a title the ``King of High C's.'' Roughly 20 years later, he recorded the biggest selling classical music album of all time, when he teamed up with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras as the Three Tenors. It must have caused the man who once dreamed of soccer stardom great joy to have debuted this project for the 1990 Soccer World Cup in Italy. He shared the stage with rock stars, including U2's lead singer, Bono, Eric Clapton, and even pop stars like Celine Dion and the Spice Girls. Pavarotti also won humanitarian awards during the Bosnia war, as well worked alongside Diana, Princess of Wales, to raise money to ban land mines, was named a U.N. Messenger of Peace in 1998, and received the Nansen Medal from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in 2001. He never tired of bringing his voice to rally around causes that make us all proud. When he died this year, his wife, sister, four daughters, nephews, and close relatives and friends were all at his side. Mr. Speaker, Luciano Pavarotti was a man blessed with an unusual talent, a talent he used to promote not only opera, but a myriad of other causes that helped men and women all throughout the world. This resolution seeks to cast a small light on a soaring life, and I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez).

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 708) honoring the life and accomplishments of Luciano Pavarotti and recognizing the significant and positive impact of his astounding musical talent, his achievement in raising the profile of opera with audiences around the world, and his commitment to charitable causes.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record an exchange of letters between Chairman Rangel and Chairman Lantos on H.R. 3890. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC, December 10, 2007. Hon. Tom Lantos, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing regarding H.R. 3890, the Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2007, which was reported by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on October 31, 2007. As you know, the Committee on Ways & Means has jurisdiction over import matters, such as the import ban and restrictions on imports imposed by the Block Burmese JADE Act of 2007. Accordingly, certain provisions of H.R. 3890 fall under the Committee's jurisdiction. There have been some productive conversations between the staffs of our committees, during which we have proposed some changes to H.R. 3890 that I believe help clarify the intent and scope of the measure. My understanding is that there is an agreement with regard to these changes. The following provisions of H.R. 3890 were among those changed, added, or removed because they fell within the Committee's jurisdiction: Section 3(a) (``Annual Renewal of Resolutions No Longer Required''): This subsection was removed; Section 3(b) (Import Restrictions on Gemstones): This subsection was removed and a new Section 3A (``Prohibition on Importation of Certain Jadeite and Rubies and Articles of Jewelry Containing Jadeite or Rubies'') was added; New Section 3A(a) (``Definitions'') contains definitions for the terms ``Appropriate Congressional Committees,'' ``Burmese Covered Article,'' ``Non-Burmese Covered Article,'' ``Jadeite; Rubies; Articles of Jewelry Containing Jadeite or Rubies,'' and ``United States''; New Section 3A(b) (``Prohibitions on Importation of Burmese Covered Articles''): Provides that the President shall prohibit the importation into the United States of any Burmese covered article and use provided regulatory authority as necessary; and the President shall take actions to seek a draft waiver decision by the Council on Trade in Goods of the World Trade Organization and adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution; New Section 3A(c) (``Requirements for Importation of Non- Burmese Covered Articles''): Provides that the President, beginning 60 days after the date of enactment, shall require certain actions by the exporting country, exporter and importer as a condition of importing non-Burmese covered articles into the United States to ensure that the imported articles do not contain Burmese jadeite or rubies; New Section 3A(d) (``Inapplicability''): Exempts certain imports from the requirements of the Act; New Section 3A(e) (``Enforcement''): Provides that Burmese covered articles and non-Burmese covered articles imported into the United States in violation of the Act are subject to all applicable laws of the United States; New Section 3A(f) (``Sense of Congress''): Provides that the President should take the necessary steps to negotiate an international agreement similar to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for conflict diamonds; and New Section 7 (``Waiver of Competitive Need Limitation Under Generalized System of Preferences For Certain Articles of India and Thailand''): Provides for the reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences (duty-free treatment) for specified Thai and Indian jewelry. To expedite this legislation for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action on this bill and will not oppose its consideration on the suspension calendar. This is done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this, or similar legislation, in the future. I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming our understanding with respect to H.R. 3890, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the record. Sincerely, Charles B. Rangel, Chairman. House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC, December 10, 2007. Hon. Charles B. Rangel, Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 3890, the Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2007. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation and the mutually agreed upon text that is being presented to the House, including the amendments to H.R. 3890 reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as described in your letter. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. I agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not in any way prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation in the future. I will ensure that our exchange of letters be included in the Congressional Record. Cordially, Tom Lantos, Chairman.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, just a few short months ago, Burma's Saffron Revolution unfolded before the eyes of the world. Buddhist monks draped in crimson robes peacefully marching through the streets of Rangoon. Tens of thousands of Burmese citizens joining the monks, echoing their calls for change. A chorus of world voices asking the Burma's ruling junta to respond peacefully and responsibly to cries for freedom and democracy. The reaction of the ruling regime to these peaceful demonstrations was equally as unforgettable. Unarmed monks shot in the streets, in full view of the international community. Thousands of peaceful monks hauled off to detention centers to be tortured. Political dissidents tossed in jail, facing years behind bars simply for criticizing the government. In recent days, loudspeakers across the country warn: ``We have video. We will find you,'' all in an Orwellian effort to intimidate Burma's people and deter them from their aspirations for democracy and a better life. This crackdown on nonviolent protesters and Buddhist monks by Burma's military thugs sets a new low of brutality even for this regime of military dictators. These brutal actions demonstrate the moral bankruptcy of the regime. Unfortunately, the regime is not economically bankrupt. It continues to take Burma's vast resources as its own while the vast majority of Burma's people suffer in dire poverty. The legislation before the House today hits the regime where it hurts, in the wallet. By blocking the import of Burmese gems into the United States and expanding financial sanctions, the legislation will take hundreds of millions out of the pockets of the regime each year. This legislation is supported by United States industry. The 11,000- store Jewelers of America supports a ban of Burmese gem imports to the United States. Major retailers like Tiffany's and Bulgari have also voluntarily implemented such a ban. The bill before the House also cuts off tax deductions for Chevron's major gas investment in Burma. By closing this loophole, we can dramatically increase pressure on other civilized nations to similarly demand that their firms divest themselves of Burma holdings. This bipartisan bill strengthens our goal of a coordinated, multilateral approach to sanctions against Burma. The European Union recently announced a similar ban on the import of Burmese gems, as have the Canadians. I hope our legislation will push other countries to reexamine their financial dealings with the regime and the investment their oil companies make in Burma. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to offer this legislation to strengthen the sanctions imposed by the 2003 Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. In doing so, I am again joined by the ranking Republican member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Mr. Peter King of the Homeland Security Committee, both of whom have been strong voices for freedom in Burma. Let me also express my appreciation to the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Mr. Rangel, and the chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Mr. Levin, as well as their Republican counterparts, Mr. McCrery and Mr. Herger, for their enormous help in moving this bill forward. Finally, I would like to highlight the indispensable leadership of Speaker Nancy Pelosi on this legislation. Since the first shots were fired in Rangoon, the Speaker has firmly indicated the intention of House Democrats to significantly tighten sanctions on the ruling Burmese regime. And today, we fulfill that promise. Mr. Speaker, Burmese freedom fighter and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi memorably asked the world community, ``Use your liberty to promote ours.'' So today, we use our liberty in the United States Congress to dramatically increase the economic pressure on the Burmese regime to move towards freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. We use our liberty to stop the flow of blood red rubies from Burma into American jewelry stores. The Burmese regime might have washed the blood from the streets of Rangoon, but they have not erased the images of peaceful protesters being shot down from our minds. Today, we act, and we act decisively. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me first thank our colleague from Iowa, Steve King, for introducing this important and timely resolution. Mr. Speaker, along with people of other faiths, our Christian friends and neighbors around the world mark this time of year as a special festive season. As Kwanzaa approaches and Hanukkah draws to a close, it is notably the Christmas season. We are in the midst of Advent, and this discussion today is bracketed by two holidays observed by many Catholics who make up the majority of Christiandom: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are approximately 2 billion Christians, making Christianity the largest religion of the world and the faith of about one-third of the global population. On December 25, Christians will celebrate Jesus the Christ, whom they have embraced as their savior. For believers, this holiday is a recognition of God's redemption, mercy, and grace. For Christians and non-Christians alike, Christmas is also a time to serve others. The celebration of Christmas requires devotion to faith, community, and family, truly universal values we all can share. It is both fitting and important for the United States House of Representatives to mark this event. This legislation expresses the deep respect we feel for Christians in the United States and throughout the world. The House must reject bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide. We must affirm the values of religious freedom in this country and abroad. I strongly support this legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, this just shows how great our Nation is as we celebrate holidays, as we indicated Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, we look at other religions, Islam and Ramadan. It shows the diversity and it shows the tolerance that we have for all. And as we enter this great holiday season, this is the example I think that we show around the world, that we celebrate each other's religion in great joy here, recognizing with respect whom they worship. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 847) recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS of New York

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me first thank my good friend and colleague, Mr. Rothman from New Jersey, for introducing this timely resolution. More than 2 years ago, Hurricane Katrina struck our gulf coast with a fury rarely seen. Katrina caused severe loss of life and property to the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and our Nation continues to deal with the enormous human and financial consequences of this devastating storm. Unfortunately, halfway across the world, our friends in Bangladesh are undergoing their own nightmare scenario in the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr. Cyclone Sidr struck on November 15, with 155-mile-an-hour winds and 15-foot tidal waves. The destruction that this cyclone left in its wake is the worst Bangladesh has seen in 16 years, and that is not a trivial statement, considering that Bangladesh is a nation that suffered through horrific droughts, floods and other natural disasters on almost an annual basis. The numbers from Cyclone Sidr are astounding: 3,300 dead, over 800 missing, and 1.5 million houses damaged or destroyed. All told, at least 8.7 million people have been affected, and the economic and social impacts will undoubtedly loom large for years to come. Just as the world offered their help to us during Hurricane Katrina, Bangladesh needs immediate support from the international community. In that regard, I am proud of the way that the United States Government has responded to this disaster. The U.S. Agency for International Development has already dispatched millions in emergency assistance, and our United States Navy is busy airlifting necessary food and supplies to those that have been affected. This resolution supports our efforts and reaffirms our commitment to our friends in Bangladesh. I strongly support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 842) expressing sympathy to and pledging the support of the House of Representatives and the people of the United States for the victims of Cyclone Sidr in southern Bangladesh, as amended.

Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.