Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. On Saturday, February 7, The Washington Post reported that a Turkish Islamic-oriented human rights group, the Association of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed Peoples, known as Mazlum-Der, initiated a probe to investigate if war crimes and genocide were committed by Israel during the recent Gaza conflict. I was startled to read that Mazlum-Der plans to investigate 19 Israelis, including Prime Minister Olmert, President Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, for orchestrating genocide. For a Nation that for 94 years has practiced widespread genocide denial of the killing of 1.5 million Armenians, hypocrisy runs deep today in Ankara. Last week, I expressed my concerns regarding Turkey's recent rash of anti-Semitism, but this probe is going too far. Israel did not commit genocide, but this has not stopped Ankara's chief prosecutor from launching this war crimes probe. The probe out of Turkey will investigate Israel's actions in the Gaza conflict to see if they amount to ``genocide, torture and crimes against humanity.'' If the prosecutor finds evidence against the Israeli leaders, under Turkish law, they can be detained if they enter Turkey. The absurdity of this probe and of the fact that Turkey is issuing that it must be exposed. Israel did not commit genocide. Israel was not attempting to eliminate the Palestinian people. Israel was protecting itself from the hundreds of bombs Hamas has been shooting into its cities. Mazlum-Der has no ground to stand on, and Turkey has no ground to stand on. Neither this NGO nor the Turkish Government has ever attempted to discuss the truth of the Armenian genocide, nor has Turkey or Mazlum-Der taken action against the present genocide that continues to rage in Darfur. While Israelis are defending themselves against constant attacks from Hamas, Mazlum-Der insists this is genocide. How can this organization accuse Israel of committing genocide when it has yet to categorize the thousands of killings in Darfur as genocide? The Turkish people need to step back and question their skewed understanding of genocide. Look in the mirror. Look at your own history. Come to terms with the fact that 1.5 million Armenians died and that, when contemporary genocides, like Darfur, take place, they should be denounced. Instead of denouncing it, Turkey's relationship with Sudan is strong. Last year, Turkish President Abdullah Gul warmly welcomed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to Ankara. Yet al-Bashir continues to preside over a genocidal regime responsible for the deaths of 300,000 Sudanese people in the Darfur region of the country. Today, 2.7 million Darfuris have lost their homes since the conflict and now live in internally displaced persons' camps. While all of this happens, President Gul of Turkey has said that the situation in Darfur adds up to a ``humanitarian tragedy'' caused by economic difficulties. Now, this watering down of state-sponsored government killing is an affront to the thousands who have perished in Darfur. Yet a Turkish organization is investigating genocide in Israel? What hypocrisy. President Gul greeted the Sudanese leader with a military guard of honor only bestowed on Turkey's closest allies. While the international community fiercely works to contain al-Bashir's government, Turkey embraces it. Both governments have a long history of genocide denial. Mr. Speaker, the Republic of Turkey has had 94 years to recognize the Armenian genocide perpetrated on their soil in 1915. Like the Sudanese Government, the Turkish Government's state-sponsored ethnic cleansing of the Armenians in the early 20th century left 1.5 million Armenians tortured, murdered and displaced. Yet, to this day, the Republic of Turkey continues to deny the slaughter of the Armenians--instead, launching an absurd investigation into Israel. If Turkey and its NGOs want to take a stand against genocide, they should not be pointing at Israel, nor should Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan be threatening Israel with comments like these: ``Allah will sooner or later punish those who transgress the rights of innocents.'' Well, if Turkey wants to move closer to the West, it should practice some self-reflection on its own history regarding the Armenian genocide and help to end the genocide in Darfur.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am embarrassed, frankly, from the comments I hear from the other side of the aisle about mouse traps, Frisbees, golf carts. The economy is in terrible shape, it is getting worse every day, and we are trying to address it in a bold way. That is what is necessary here, not talking about these trivial things that the other side is bringing up. At a time when States are facing fiscal problems and more people are in need of health care services, we provide in this bill critical financial assistance so that States can maintain their Medicaid programs, health care. It would provide access to health coverage for those who recently lost their jobs by making COBRA coverage more affordable. And, finally, the package would modernize our Nation's health care system by investing nearly $20 billion in health information technology. These are the important things that we face right now. People are losing their health care. We are addressing this. We are giving money back to the States. We are helping people with their health care so that they can stay insured. Mr. Speaker, I appeal to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, now is the time for bold action. This package is a good package. Vote ``yes.''

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, last month the unemployment rate increased from 7.2 percent to 7.6 percent. If these increases continue, we will hit double digits this summer and would reach our highest unemployment number since the Great Depression. But this unemployment number does not tell the complete story. Last month alone, 731,000 people simply gave up looking for work out of frustration with the lack of employment prospects, and today 13.9 percent of Americans, or more than 21 million of our neighbors, have either given up looking for a job or are working in a job that is no longer full time. These workers are underemployed. These numbers are a stark reminder of how important it is for us to get these people back to work, and that is why we need to pass the economic recovery package today without delay. Madam Speaker, we have an opportunity to create or save 3.5 million jobs. Let's do the right thing and get these people back to work.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, for many years, Turkey and Israel have shared a strong relationship diplomatically, militarily, and culturally. This affiliation has been showcased as an example that a secular, western leaning Muslim country can be an ally to Israel. While many in the West have placed Turkey on a do-no wrong pedestal despite years of discriminating against the country's ethnic Christians, this past January revealed growing anti-Semitism in Turkey from top officials to protesters in the streets. Israel's Gaza offensive was launched in response to the hundreds of rockets that the terrorist organization Hamas fired at Israel's cities over the past year. Instead of defending Israel's actions of self defense, Turkey chose not to stand by their ally. What came next was a wave of anti-Semitism that swept across Turkey. Propaganda posters were plastered and graffiti sprayed on Istanbul's walls calling for death to Israel. Even Jewish owned shops in Turkey have been targeted. These actions against the Jewish people cannot be minimized, and the West cannot stand for it. On January 4th, thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul's streets chanting, ``Death to Israel, we are all Palestinians.'' One day later, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in regards to Israel's actions in Gaza, ``Allah will sooner or later punish those who transgress the rights of innocents.'' The events that transpired during last week's Davos World Economic Forum further distanced Turkey from Israel. While Israeli President Shimon Peres spoke frankly about his nation's ``aim for peace, not war,'' Prime Minister Erdogan refuted President Peres' comments and chided the audience for applauding his remarks. After being cut short by the moderator, the Prime Minister walked off the stage. As protesters hurl eggs outside the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Prime Minister Erdogan is on record questioning if it is appropriate for Israel to have a U.N. seat. Erdogan has also steered his diplomatic team to meet with Iran, Syria, and Sudan to discuss ending the conflict in Gaza, while Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia were gathering in Kuwait. Instead of discussing the issue with other moderate Muslim nations, Turkish leaders chose to meet with hardliner Iran and the Genocide wielding Sudanese government. I am deeply concerned by this shift away from the West and the out right anti-Semitism that is rippling through Turkey's streets. For a nation that prides itself on its friendship with the Jews, these actions are a step backwards and have the potential to harm ties between the two nations, and harm Turkey's relationship with the West. All of these moves from Ankara may just be pandering to the nationalistic, anti-Israel, anti-minority voters of Turkey, but regardless of Prime Minister Erdogan intentions, the results are dangerous and engender hate. What's more is that they move Turkey away from it's secular, moderate stance as a bridge between the West and other Muslim nations. For years I have asked that Turkey end its constant discrimination against Christian minorities, specifically Armenians and Greeks. Now with anti-Semitism spreading through the country, I call on Turkey's leadership to take concrete steps towards ending this destructive intolerance against minorities. Only these efforts will help to reestablish normal ties with Israel.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. I thank the gentleman from California. Madam Speaker, on this historic day I'm reminded of a quote from the Pulitzer Prize winning American author, Pearl Buck, who said, ``If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.'' Well, this is a day worthy of celebration. It comes nearly 2 years after Deamonte Driver, a young boy from suburban Maryland, lost his life because his family lost its health insurance. And this simply should not happen in America. And if Congress does not act today, I can't help but think of the millions of other children whose lives will be put at risk simply because they do not have access to health coverage. There can be no greater cause or worthier goal than protecting the wellbeing of our Nation's children. I emphasize this point now because in a recession parents are forced to make tough financial decisions: do they keep their families' health insurance, or do they put food on the table at night? And today we have an extraordinary opportunity to ensure that these children don't fall through the cracks. This is a very good bill. With its passage, 11 million children will have access to the health care coverage they need to lead healthy and strong lives. And these children are our Nation's future. Let's support them today by voting ``yes.''

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bill Meldrum, 53, captain of the trawler Lydia J, who tragically passed away on the morning of January 27 in a deck accident. Captain Meldrum, the secretary of the Board of Directors of the Point Pleasant Fisherman's Dock Cooperative, had been a fisherman in New Jersey for over 30 years--20 years out of the Belford Seafood Co-Op in my district, and 10 years out of Point Pleasant. He is described by the Fisherman's Dock Cooperative as ``having a heart of gold'' and ``one of their best.'' Captain Meldrum is survived by his wife, Isabel, whom he wed in August of 2008. Captain Meldrum purchased the Lydia J in 1989 with his friend Gary Traczyk. Already an experienced seaman, the purchase of the Lydia J allowed Captain Meldrum to continue sweeping the New Jersey coast for summer flounder, scallops, black flounder, whiting, and squid. The Lydia J was his pride and joy, and Captain Meldrum was known to stand tall and proud whenever he approached the 65 foot dragger. Recreational and commercial fishing is not only essential to the economy of New Jersey's sixth district, but is a way of life for many of its residents. A fisherman through and through, Captain Meldrum exemplified the blue-collar strength of New Jersey's coastal community. Not only was he able to live his dream and fish for a living, he was constantly giving back to his community. Captain Meldrum donated toys to children every Christmas and always took special care of his fellow fishermen. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in remembering the late Captain Meldrum. Everyday fishermen risk their lives on the open water to put food on our tables, and on Tuesday morning they lost one of their best in Bill Meldrum.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Scott).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 2 minutes. Last year, 2.6 million jobs were lost, and on Monday alone four American companies announced that they were laying off 37,000 employees. When workers lose their jobs, many also lose their health insurance. And for those lucky enough to keep their coverage, many end up delaying medical care because they choose to use their limited resources on groceries and other basic necessities. These families need help, and they will get it from this economic recovery package. This bill makes important improvements to COBRA coverage so it is more affordable for workers who have been laid off. In addition, for those workers who have lost their job but are not eligible for COBRA coverage, the bill creates a new temporary Medicaid option that will be paid for entirely by the Federal Government. Combined, these provisions will help provide health coverage to over 8 million Americans over the next year. In addition, this bill will provide States with urgent fiscal relief. Right now, almost every State is experiencing a budget crisis. Governors are struggling to find ways to close these budget gaps, and many governors are starting to look at scaling back on their Medicaid programs, just as more and more people are in need of Medicaid services. This bill provides critical financial assistance so States are not forced to scale back their Medicaid programs and can continue to serve those in need. We also make a significant investment in our economic future by investing $20 billion to help doctors and hospitals acquire and use health information technology. For years we have all been talking about the need to modernize our health care system, and this bill finally provides the means to do so. Not only does this legislation invest in our economy today, but it also makes our health care system safer and more efficient for years to come. The recovery package answers the pleas from economists who said that we must act quickly and boldly, and it certainly deserves bipartisan support. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee). (Mr. INSLEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts, the chairman of the Environment and Energy Subcommittee, Mr. Markey.

Mr. PALLONE. I would yield that remaining time to Mr. Obey.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Hrant Dink, a beloved journalist, activist, and a man of conscience. Two years ago, on January 19, 2007, Mr. Dink was assassinated in front of his office building in Istanbul. As a Turkish Armenian, he worked tirelessly to unite the Armenians and the Turks. Serving as the editor-in-chief of Agos, Turkey's only bilingual Armenian and Turkish newspaper, Hrant Dink was a leader. When it came to the Armenian Genocide, he rejected the Turkish government's subversion of history. Instead of accepting state denial of the Armenian Genocide, he advocated for truth and battled Turkey's strangling grip on freedom of speech. For these convictions, Hrant Dink was tried for insulting Turkishness under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. For these convictions, Hrant Dink was brutally assassinated. Two years later, Turkey's citizens who speak honestly about the Armenian Genocide still face potential prosecution and imprisonment for publically denigrating the Turkish Nation or Turkish Republic. This ultra-nationalism hijacks history at the expense of freedom of speech, stifling discussions by the Turkish people. Two years later, the investigation into Hrant Dink's murder is in disarray, corruption in the judicial and police system runs deep, and Turkey's moral authority is weakened. The many involved in Hrant Dink's killing, from members of the gendarmerie to extremist nationalists, have been charged or imprisoned for their actions, but it has become apparent that Istanbul and Trabzon's security departments had information that Hrant Dink would be killed, but failed in their duty to protect him. Turkey should act swiftly to bring justice to the memory of Hrant Dink. This hate and denial produces an environment of fear. This environment produces extreme nationalist organizations that manipulate young men to kill in the name of the Turkish Republic. The law enforcement community was tainted by officers who portrayed Hrant Dink's assassin as a proud Turkish citizen, placing a Turkish flag in his hand and flashing photographs to celebrate a murder. Now, more than ever, Turkey must shun this behavior and embrace the lessons that Hrant Dink taught--the need for reconciliation between the different realities in Turkey. There are those on the extreme fringe who stone Armenian Churches and in the midst of soccer matches chant in jubilation the name of Hrant Dink's killer. These individuals may be extreme, but the Turkish government fosters their existence through laws like Article 301. But there also exists the people in Turkey who see past government intimidation and chant ``We are all Armenian, we are all Hrants,'' as they gather in thousands upon thousands to celebrate his life. On the wake of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on Genocide, thousands of Turkish intellectuals signed on to a letter apologizing to the Armenian people for the genocide. This promising show of empathy amongst the Turkish people is welcome. The apology states, ``My conscience does not accept the insensitivity showed to and the denial of the Great Catastrophe that the Ottoman Armenians were subjected to in 1915. I reject this injustice and for my share, I empathize with the feelings and pain of my Armenian brothers and sisters. I apologize to them.'' Unfortunately, the Turkish state remains set on its same path to impede reconciliation. A probe launched by a Turkish state prosecutor will investigate the apology campaign to decide if it violated Article 301. As the judicial system continues to assault freedom of speech, elected officials also hamper progress. Recently, Parliamentarian Canan Aritman employed racism against Armenians. Angered by President Abdullah Gul's response to the campaign, she suggested that ``Abdullah Gul should be the president of the whole Turkish nation, not of his ethnic origin.'' She then encouraged fellow parliamentarians to ``investigate the ethnic origin of the president's mother.'' On behalf of Hrant Dink's memory, I call on Turkey to come to terms with its own history and shed the shackles of suppression. In honor of Hrant Dink these actions would be an apt call to conscience.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Eshoo).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I would yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter).

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, it wasn't enough that President Bush vetoed two children's health bills that would have made great advances in children's health. Now my Republican colleagues are trying to undermine the coverage gains that would be made in this bill. This proposal being put forward by my Republican colleagues isn't a way to put poor kids first. It's a way to stop States from moving forward to help additional uninsured children. The CHIP bill already puts poor kids first by targeting enrollment bonuses only to the poorest kids, those in Medicaid. Eight in ten newly insured children under CHIP have incomes below current eligibility levels. The Republican proposal is simply a way to stop States from moving forward. Unfortunately, the reality of today is that these moderate income families who would be excluded under this motion are struggling to make ends meet, too. Health costs have been rising much faster than income over the past decade. A family at 300 percent of poverty, for example, earning $52,800 a year--these so-called rich folks, according to Republicans--now spend an average of 19 percent of their income on premiums for employer-sponsored coverage if they even have access to it. Ten years ago, that same family was only spending 11 percent of income on premiums for their employer plan. The CHIP bill moves us forward. It's the largest investment in children's health since the original CHIP law was passed in '97. And this Congress will do more for children, and it's an excellent step forward. Now I want to mention that research shows that no means tested program reaches 90 percent of the individuals or families eligible for it. Moreover, there is not reliable State-by-State data to even measure participation rates accurately among the States. While the Bush administration initially attempted to establish measures like Mr. Deal is talking about, leading independent academic and research institutions discredited the Bush administration's target rate, such as CBO and the Urban Institute, and the Bush administration has moved away from its initial administrative directive of enforcing such limits on States the way this motion would do. So again, the point is we need to move forward. This is simply a rouse essentially to gut the bill for those moderate-income families that would benefit for it. I would urge my colleagues to oppose this motion to recommit. Let's move the bill as originally proposed. It will do great things for America's children. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) for the purpose of a unanimous consent request. (Mrs. MALONEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that every Member have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the legislation now before us.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 52, I call up the bill (H.R. 2) to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Madam Speaker, we have been working to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program for the past 2 years. In the last Congress, we passed legislation that enjoyed bipartisan support in both the House and Senate as well as the support of the American people. Unfortunately, it did not enjoy the support of the President, who vetoed our bill not once, but twice, and went on to proclaim that uninsured children can simply go to the emergency room to have their medical needs met. But this is a new day in Washington. Soon we will have a new President who has committed himself to reforming our Nation's health care system so every American can access affordable and quality health care. The bill we are considering today makes a down payment on that promise by putting the health and well-being of our children first. Madam Speaker, this bill will make critical improvements to CHIP. There will be more resources for States to enroll eligible children. There will be better benefits. As a result, there will be 11 million children who will have access to the quality health coverage they need and deserve.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself another 15 seconds. After 2 years of trying to get this bill enacted, we are now nearing the finish line and with not a moment to spare. As the Nation moves deeper into a recession and unemployment rates continue to rise, millions of Americans are joining the ranks of the uninsured, many of whom are children. We can't delay. We must enact this legislation now. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee (Mr. Waxman). (Mr. WAXMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan, the chairman emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee (Mr. Dingell). (Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)