Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Thank you. Let me commend the Congressional Black Caucus and its chairperson, leader this evening, Barbara Lee from California, for the outstanding job that she is doing as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. As the caucus moves forward, being the conscience of the Congress, let me also commend Representative Fudge, who is from the great State of Ohio, who continues to lead the Special Orders on our evenings, and of course our Caribbean queen, Delegate Donna Christian- Christensen, who, as you know, is our representative from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Not only is she an expert on the Caribbean but, as we all know, she is an internist, a physician and has been very, very helpful as we move forward in very difficult health care reform. Her input is invaluable. I also want to commend her for the recent involvement in a documentary about the relationship between St. Croix and Puerto Rico that went through the history of the sugarcane industry back at the turn of the century in the late 1800s, early 1900s and the number of Puerto Ricans who came to St. Croix to work there. This was shown last weekend, will be shown in New York, and has received many praises for the interesting history that it brings about. Let me just say that it's a pleasure to be here--as chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health but also as Chair of the Caribbean Caucus, the bipartisan caucus that we have here--to kind of expand our relationship with the Caribbean. This Caribbean American Heritage Month is well deserved. It's recognizing the diversity and success of people from the Caribbean. You've heard other speakers talk about the many people from the Caribbean who have been so outstanding. The achievements and impacts made from Caribbean people have continually made a positive contribution to the well-being of American society. We could go back to our beginning with Alexander Hamilton, who came from St. Kitts, our first Secretary of the Treasury. Secretary Colin Powell is from the Caribbean as well as Cicely Tyson, W.E.B. DuBois, James Weldon Johnson, Malcolm X, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, and, in my own district, two people that I might talk about here, Antoinette K. Ellis-Williams and Dr. Claire Nelson. Dr. Claire Nelson, the founder and president of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, is known for her leadership in making Caribbean Americans heard. I am proud to say I work with her on a regular basis, as many of us do; and we admire her and the great work that she does. We just had the opportunity to be with her last week, and we are extremely pleased at the outstanding work that the institute is doing. The second person that I mentioned, Dr. Antoinette K. Ellis-Williams, a leader in my congressional district, currently serves as president for the Essex Valley Health Care and serves on the board of East Orange General Hospital. She is a proactive member of the Caribbean Medical Mission, a nonprofit organization of doctors, nurses, health care workers, engineers and other professionals who give back to the community through their services. She is a founder and director of the Statewide Female Leadership Development Institute and Research Center at the New Jersey City Institute. The Caribbean community's presence also plays a wide role in our elections, especially in my district, where the greater settlement of many people from the Caribbean in East Orange, Irvington and Newark make their voices heard. In past elections we have seen many people from the Caribbean community educate fellow Caribbean Americans about the U.S. political process and encourage their participation in the democratic process. In recognizing June as Caribbean month, in my work with the caucus, this Congress has continually focused on enhancing relationships between the United States and the Caribbean states by reviewing proposals and pending legislation that have a direct impact on the Caribbean. I believe that by facilitating an ongoing dialogue, we can continue to recognize the Caribbean as America's third border for trade, for political stability, for the fight against drug trafficking and for economic development. We need to remember that the Caribbean is not just a place for vacationing, but it's a place in need of economic development. With the current open trade regime, the challenge for the Caribbean is to quickly develop high productivity sectors that could drive the region's development. We know that the same problems that have stricken us in the U.S. have stricken the Caribbean. HIV and AIDS has become a problem, but we're very pleased that the PEPFAR program now has been expanded to 14 Caribbean countries. In 2005 an estimated 300,000 adults and children in the Caribbean were reported living with HIV, making it the leading cause of death among adults aged 15 to 44. We know that in Haiti, life expectancy has also been impacted tremendously by HIV and AIDS. However, like I said, we have a tremendous relationship with our friends in the Caribbean. There are several problems that we need to help them with. Deportation. As you know, in 1996 the U.S. law changed that anyone convicted of an offense had to face deportation from the United States; and as a result, many of these small nation countries have had to absorb persons who may have come to the United States as infants but have engaged in crime and now are sent back 20, 30, 40 years later as hardened criminals; and many of the countries in the Caribbean are having a difficult time dealing with these deportees. Another problem that we see is with the drug trafficking in Mexico. We're finding that they are pushing drug trafficking into the Caribbean, and we need to assist the Caribbean in fighting this and give them assistance with law enforcement, training and Coast Guard assistance. But we are very proud of many of the Haitians, as I mentioned. Track and field is something that they have excelled in. I recall when I was running back in the early fifties, George Rhoden was a quarter miler who won the gold medal in the Helsinki Olympics. George Rhoden and many other Jamaicans came up and went to Morgan State University. At the Penn Relays, these Jamaicans in the late forties and early fifties started to get recognition. And we know that in the Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt, at 20, 21 years old, won the 100 meters and the 200 meters. He was one of the youngest persons to ever win those events, and the first person since Mr. Lewis from New Jersey to win both sprints in the Olympics. We have had many outstanding people that started politics in New York, Hulan Jack, way back, a fellow from St. Lucia. He was born in 1905, moved up to New York, a high school dropout, went to work for a company, and worked his way up from a janitor to become a vice president of the firm. He became active in politics, and he became a New York City Democratic political leader, loyal to the Tammany Hall operation, which was run then by a fellow named Carmine De Sapio. But in 1940 Hulan Jack won seven straight elections to the New York State Assembly, representing his Harlem district. And in 1953, Hulan Jack was elected to borough president of Manhattan, becoming the first African American to hold the post. Elected more than a decade before the rise of big city black mayors in the sixties, Hulan Jack was the highest ranking African American municipal officer in the Nation. With an annual salary at that time of $25,000, he was the highest paid black office holder in the country. He served as Manhattan Borough president for several terms; and because of his emerging strength, the powers that be interrupted his career, and he left office. But Hulan Jack showed that politics was something that many of our Caribbean folks brought to the leadership of politics in our country. I'll just finally end with a person that we all admired so much and has been mentioned earlier, Mr. Michael Manley, son of Norman Manley who served as the Prime Minister from '59 to '62. Michael Manley came in and became a three-term Prime Minister from '72 to '80 and '89 to '92, and he stepped down because of bad health. But just look at what Michael Manley did in Jamaica: Minimum wage for all workers; free education at secondary and university level, to the extent that space was available; instituted a literacy campaign; subdivision of what he called idle land to poor blacks, a formation of agrarian cooperatives where they worked together; price control on numerous staples to benefit the poor; reduction of the voting age to 18, thus increasing the black vote that then was able to continue to move forward. Listen to this--institutionalizing paid maternity leave and free milk to mothers. This was way back then in Jamaica where, as you know, we are still fighting to get family leave instituted in some of our States in the United States of America 30 years later. A person like Mr. Michael Manley did such an outstanding job. So we're just pleased to celebrate this heritage month. Once again, I certainly commend the gentlelady from the U.S. Virgin Islands for her leadership. I know that we will have a wonderful month as we celebrate the great attributes that people from the Caribbean have made not only to the United States, and Europe but of course the Caribbean.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, the time has come to take decisive action on health care reform. We simply cannot afford to wait any longer. American families and small businesses have seen the cost of health care coverage steadily rise to the point where many can no longer afford to pay their premiums. We know that our system is broken when we have 46 million Americans, many of them in my home State of New Jersey, who are only one illness or one accident away from being wiped out financially. As President Obama and the majority in Congress work to take our Nation in a new direction, we are firmly committed to making improvements in our health care system in a way which will reduce costs, preserve a patient's choice of doctors and plans, and ensure quality, affordable health care for all. It is important that we promote wellness by investing in prevention and educating about healthy life choices. Health care reform is an issue that we can resolve if we work together in good faith for a solution. Just saying ``no,'' as some in Congress have chosen to do, will only worsen the problem.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition and rise in strong opposition to the Royce amendment.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, the Royce amendment to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, H.R. 2410, which would designate Eritrea as a state sponsor of terrorism and call on the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions against Eritrea, I strongly oppose. While I certainly respect my esteemed colleague from California, Ed Royce, who served as an excellent chairman on the Subcommittee on Africa for several years, and we worked closely together on many issues, and I have a great deal of respect for him, I must oppose this amendment. This amendment could undermine critical engagements currently going on between the U.S. and Eritrea. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' The Royce amendment expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should designate Eritrea a state sponsor of terrorism and that the U.N. Security Council should impose sanctions against Eritrea. I urge you to vote against this amendment for the following reasons: First, some of the assertions made in the amendment are factually wrong and dated. Second, the geopolitical dynamics and interstate rivalries in the Horn of Africa cannot be addressed properly without concerted diplomatic engagement. Declaring Eritrea a state sponsor of terrorism and imposing international sanctions would do nothing to further our diplomatic aims and would impose further hardship on the people who are struggling to survive on a daily basis. Thirdly, while Mr. Royce's amendment lays out a long list of reasons why he feels Eritrea should be placed on a state sponsor of terrorism list, the proposed amendment does not recognize the diplomatic efforts currently underway by the State Department to address the complex issues surrounding the Horn of Africa. Just last month, Eritrea President Isaias Akwerki sent a letter to President Obama expressing the desire to engage on these issues and is sending a high-level delegation to Washington. Additionally, a senior State Department official is expected to visit Asmara in a few weeks. Moreover, the Somali Government has said they want to engage with Asmara. Lastly, putting Eritrea on a sanctions list would have limited effect on our effort to try to stabilize the region and build alliances with governments in a wider battle against extremism. We should urge the administration to take careful note of the issues raised by Representative Royce, and I have written a letter to the President to that effect. The administration is engaging Asmara. We must allow these diplomatic discussions to continue. In my last trip to Asmara 1 year ago, I met with the President and did indicate changes that would have to be made. The current President of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, was in Asmara and went back, and now is trying to lead a government which is fighting against al Shabaab and al Qaeda. And so at this time, I think that this amendment would disrupt sensitive diplomatic issues that are going on. I urge my colleagues to vote against the Royce amendment. Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to acknowledge the St. John's Baptist Church of Scotch Plains, New Jersey on the celebration of its centennial anniversary. Established in 1909, St. John's has continuously served the needs of its congregation and the community. Throughout the illustrious history of St. John's Baptist Church, effective leadership has been at the core of all the accomplishments the church has had. Beginning with Pastor Parson and continuing with Pastors Gatewell, Hamlett, Sweeney, Glover and the current pastor, Rev. Dr. Kelmo Curtis Porter, Jr. St. John's has made many physical enhancements over the years. In addition to its leadership, the success of all of St. John's initiatives can be attributed to the faith, hope, commitment and prayers of the loving membership that fill the pews of this landmark facility. In fact, many of St. John's congregants have been members of the church all of their lives and some are second or third generation members. Clearly, this degree of devotion is representative of the marvelous ministries taking place within the church. A Gala being held on May 17, 2009 at Pines Manor in Edison, New Jersey in honor of this important milestone will feature a variety of distinguished supporters, ministers and friends. The theme of the centennial, ``100 Years Working for the Lord'' celebrates the story of a church deeply rooted in faith and Christian values. Those values include integrity, caring and preaching the word of God. St. John's is blessed to have a membership that is proud of its roots, passionate about its present and hopeful for its future. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that St. John's Baptist Church and the surrounding community have every right to be pleased with the lasting contributions the church has made to the residents of Scotch Plains. I am pleased to congratulate St. John's on its first 100 years.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to commend Congregation B'nai Israel in Millburn, New Jersey on its groundbreaking ceremony on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Congregation B'nai Israel, under the leadership of Rabbi Steven Bayar decided to commit to an over six million dollar renovation project in spite of the tenuous economy and worrisome financial markets. Congregation B'nai Israel is blessed to have financial commitments of $5.2 million from its members for this important project. The most significant part of the renovation will be a new, two story building for B'nai Israel's nursery and religious school. Fortunately, the decision to go ahead with the renovation will guarantee jobs for local construction crews and a revenue stream for suppliers of building materials. It is a pleasure for me to celebrate with the members of Congregation B'nai Israel, Rabbi Bayar, Mayor Sandra Haimoff and others as they take this leap of faith in moving forward with the project. This initiative will serve as a model to other entities that may be contemplating similar projects but have been reluctant to proceed in today's challenging economic times. It is this kind of dedication and steadfastness that will help propel our Nation forward and bring us back to a sense of prosperity and hopefulness. Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Congregation B'nai Israel has made the right decision in continuing with its renovation project and demonstrating its faith to the community it serves. I am pleased to recognize Congregation B'nai Israel and proud to have it in my Congressional District.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the gentlelady from Ohio, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, for anchoring this evening's Special Order on health care. I want to say that her continued diligence in bringing issues that confront our Nation, in general, but African Americans, in particular, week after week has been a great addition to our Congressional Black Caucus, and let me commend you again for your diligence.

Mr. PAYNE. I want to also recognize our distinguished Chair of the CBC Health Brain Trust, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, for her leadership in health care debates and for introducing legislation which you will hear about tonight which will address the root causes of our Nation's health disparities and the crisis that we find ourselves in. You've heard from other Members, Congressman Scott, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and you will hear from others tonight, because health care is one of the most important issues that confronts our Nation in general, as I mentioned before, but in particular, communities of minorities, whether they be black, Hispanic, Native American, foreign born. Mr. Speaker, I join and I am pleased to join the other Members tonight to talk about the costs, health care access, the lack of it, the need for quality care, and the eradication of health disparities which are so important to us. Our Nation's health care costs are increasing rapidly. In 2007, the United States spent $2.2 trillion on health care. We also spent twice as much on health care than any other developed countries. In 2006, the U.S. spent $6,714 per capita on health care, more than double that for any country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, with an average of $2,915, and these are developed nations in the world. Our health care quality system compares poorly to other developed nations. For example, the U.S. ranks 22nd out of 30 OECD countries on life expectancy. We have the third highest infant mortality rate in OECD countries, with 6.9 deaths per 1,000. Only Mexico and Turkey have worse infant mortality rates. As alarming as that is, though, if we take out the infant mortality rate for African Americans, it's astounding. If you take the city of Minneapolis, 9.2 per 1,000; Seattle, 10.3; Los Angeles, 10.1; Phoenix, 12.9--that's per 1,000 live births in the African American community-- Detroit, 17.3 deaths, when 6.9 deaths are in OECD countries. My own city, 15.5. It's an abomination. It's wrong. It should not be in a Nation, a developed Nation of this--13.6 in Philadelphia; and the Nation's capital, 14.4; Charlotte, 14.1; Orlando, 13.8; New Orleans, 13.2; Miami, 11.8, when it's 6.9 in OECD countries. And so we really have to talk strongly about health care reform, and we have to go into the disparity of health care in our communities. The costs of health care are straining American families' pocketbooks. Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. More than 80 percent of the 47 million Americans in this country are uninsured, and these are many working families. Mr. Speaker, there is strong support for comprehensive health care reform. In fact, a solid majority of the public, 59 percent, believes health care reform is more important than ever. Sixty-seven percent of all Americans favor a public health insurance option similar to Medicare to compete with the private health insurance plans, and I am a strong supporter of that public health insurance option. Mr. Speaker, I believe that our Nation's health is its most precious asset; however, health disparities plague this country and lead to deteriorating conditions for millions of Americans. Because of deficiencies in health insurance and health care access, minorities suffer at greater rates and greater levels of severity from health- related issues than their like counterparts. Education and awareness alone cannot combat these issues. While vigilance and groundbreaking health research have reduced the incidence of death and illness among white Americans, health statistics on minorities remain staggering. Even though deaths caused by breast cancer have decreased among white women, African American women continue to have higher rates of mortality from breast and cervical cancer. While the national HIV and AIDS mortality rate lessens, this disease remains a leading cause of death among African American men. In 2002, more than 2.5 times more African American newborns died than white newborns at that time. Research shows that quality health care could eliminate some of these health-related issues and reduce the onset of others. Unfortunately, especially during the current state of the economy, health insurance and quality health care continues to be widely unavailable. I represent one of the most expensive States for health care. In New Jersey, health care and health insurance remain out of reach for many low-income citizens--a large percentage of them living in my congressional district. Many of my constituents are aware of habits and actions that lead to health complications. Despite awareness efforts, non-Hispanic black males and females continue to have the highest prevalence of hypertension. Diabetes disproportionately affects the ethnic and racial minorities. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for African Americans. Its prevalence is double that of the broader community. Access to health care and the lack of health insurance prevents even some of the most knowledgeable from avoiding illness. In conclusion, on May 9, Congresswoman Christensen and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation cosponsored a Health and Wellness Expo in my district. It began on Friday evening. We were fortunate enough to have Congressman Albio Sires and Congressman Ed Towns join Congresswoman Christensen in my district. That was on May 8th. The next afternoon, the next day, Congresswoman Clarke came to the district to the Health and Wellness Expo. We served over 400 people, with an overwhelmingly positive response to screenings and workshops, where people were told on the spot that they should immediately see a physician. I know that we saved the lives of many people because we had screenings of blood pressure and a bone marrow drive and bone density and cholesterol and depression. We had a screening for diabetes and glucose. We had a glaucoma screening. HIV/ AIDS screening was held, kidney disease, oral and dental, and on and on. I, again, would like to thank Donna Christensen, our Congresswoman who heads our Health Brain Trust, for her being there. This is the third time she's been to my district. We have a serious problem in my district, but I will continue to work to bring those statistics down. They should not be the way they are. So, Mr. Speaker, our society's institutions, from government to business to not-for-profits, must provide opportunities to bring affordable and quality health care to all Americans. More importantly, I believe that our society's leaders and major institutions must create incentives and lower barriers so that individuals and families can take steps to achieve healthier lifestyles. Finally, in order to reduce the cost of health care, there must be an increased focus on spending for prevention. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop policies that will improve the delivery of our health system in the most effective and efficient way that we can. With that, thank you once again, Congresswoman Fudge, and thank you, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, for the outstanding work that you are both doing. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 111) recognizing the 61st anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, as amended.

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

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 111, recognizing the 61st anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Since its founding 61 years ago, the modern State of Israel has been a strong ally of the United States, Israel has established itself as a dynamic, pluralistic and democratic nation with a booming economy, a thriving culture and intellectual life. Contemporary Israelis have contributed to world civilizations as scholars, inventors, artists and educators, and Israeli citizens have been awarded the Nobel Prize. Israel is the home to many outstanding scientists, engineers, doctors, musicians and other hardworking people. This is an impressive record for a country of barely 7 million people. Since Israel's founding, the United States has had no greater friend in the Middle East. The close bond is based on shared values, including a commitment to democracy and respect for human rights. The United States and Israel also share a common history as a nation of immigrants, many of whom fled persecution from other parts of the world. The United States and Israel have worked to welcome people in their borders. Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, providing opportunity for Jews from all over the world to reestablish their ancient homeland. Israel remains the home of many religious sites which are sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Israelis continue to serve as a model of democracy and democratic values by holding free and fair elections, promoting free and fair exchange of ideas, having open press, open media and vigorously exercising in its Parliament, the Knesset, a democratic government that is fully representative of all its civilians. As a matter of fact, in the Knesset, just about every small group may be represented, and it is considered to be for Israel, as compared to other nations, the most democratic by the manner in which it is created. I am certainly convinced that America and Israel will remain and retain their very strong and special relationships for years to come. H. Con. Res. 111 reaffirms these bonds of friendship and cooperation and expresses a commitment to strengthen them as we move forward. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution commending the 61 years of Israel's existence as a beacon of democracy and hope in the Middle East. I look forward to future anniversaries and to the day when Israel and her civilians can live in true peace and true security. I strongly support this resolution, and I strongly urge that all my colleagues do the same. For thirty-one years, not one of Israel's Arab neighbors recognized the Jewish State. Finally, in 1979 and 1994, in respectively, visionary Arab leaders Anwar Sadat of Egypt and King Hussein of Jordan embraced the path of co-existence and signed peace treaties with Israel. I am convinced that someday the other Arab states will follow suit. Mr. Speaker, at this time I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 103) supporting the goals and ideals of Malaria Awareness Day, as amended.

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

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, H. Con. Res. 103, supporting the goals and ideals of Malaria Awareness Day. April 25 of each year is recognized internationally as Africa Malaria Day and in the United States as Malaria Awareness Day. I introduced this resolution with my colleague and Congressional Malaria Caucus co-Chair, Congressman John Boozman of Arkansas, a true partner in the fight against malaria and so many other good causes, and I would like to thank him for his partnership and his continued commitment to ending malaria, and to so many other important issues pertaining to Africa. We introduced this resolution to remind the Congress, the country, and the world that malaria is preventable and is treatable. Malaria was eliminated from the United States over 50 years ago, yet more than 40 percent of the world's population is still at risk of contracting this disease. The World Health Organization reports that malaria claims the lives of nearly 1 million people each year, the vast majority of whom are children under the age of 5 in Africa. I ask you to reflect on the statistics: malaria takes the life of a child roughly every 30 seconds. This is simply astounding and unconscionable in 2009. Malaria also causes a great risk to maternal health, causing complications during delivery, anemia, and low birth weight, with estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that malaria infection causes 400,000 cases of severe maternal anemia and from 75,000 to 200,000 infant deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 90 percent of the deaths from malaria occur in Africa. Malaria also perpetuates poverty. The Roll Back Malaria Partnership estimates that malaria costs African countries $12 billion annually in lost economic productivity. The malaria burden also weakens governments' abilities to provide services. The World Health Organization estimates that malaria accounts for 40 percent of health care expenditures in high-burden countries, demonstrating that effective, long-term malaria control is inextricably linked to the strength of the health systems. However, there is good news. Heightened efforts by our own government and by other partner nations have made significant progress in the fight against malaria. The President's Malaria Initiative has purchased almost 13 million artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT), which will protect over 17 million people through spraying campaigns, and has distributed over 6 million insecticide-treated bed nets. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has distributed 7 million bed nets to protect families from malaria and provided 74 million malaria patients with ACTs. As the World Bank's booster program is scheduled to commit more than $500 million in International Development Association funds for malaria, this will help to move forward the control of malaria; approximately $500 million by the International Development Association. Public and private partnerships are developing effective and affordable drugs to treat malaria, with more than 23 types of malaria vaccines in development. Years ago, there were virtually no vaccines in development. And so we have seen that the world has taken a real look at this dread disease and we are moving forward to its elimination. This resolution calls our attention to Malaria Awareness Day which the Congressional Malaria Caucus marked by holding briefings, a roundtable with African health officials, and will conclude with Special Orders this evening. The resolution also reaffirms the goals and commitments to combat malaria outlined in the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 which provided critical funding, $6 billion, to fight malaria and tuberculosis. Let us remain committed to ending malaria for the health and wealth of the entire world. I strongly support this resolution and I urge my colleagues to do likewise. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. At this time I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 230) recognizing the historical significance of the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, as amended.

Mr. PAYNE. 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. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume. Let me begin by thanking our colleague from the great State of California, Joe Baca, for introducing this resolution. H. Res. 230 recognizes the historical struggle for independence and freedom of the Mexican people and requests that the President issue a proclamation recognizing that struggle and the importance of Cinco de Mayo. This is a celebration we should all join in. Cinco de Mayo commemorates May 5, 1862, on which the Battle of Puebla was fought by Mexicans who were struggling for their independence and freedom, along with their comrades and against the French soldiers. This is a celebration of the virtues, courage and patriotism of all Mexicans and a point of pride for Mexican Americans, who have fought for freedom against foreign forces. Cinco de Mayo has become one of Mexico's most famous national holidays. It is a unique reminder that both Mexicans and Mexican Americans, north and south of the United States-Mexico border, observe in honor. Grand celebrations take place in cities and towns all across the United States of America, the biggest being in western and southwestern cities such as Los Angeles. Festivities often include sporting events, parades, mariachi music, Mexican food and dancing. Sometimes the celebration goes on for weeks. In a larger sense, Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder to all Americans that the foundation of our great country was built by people from many nations with diverse cultural backgrounds who were willing to fight and to die for their freedom. Cinco de Mayo can be understood both as a moment to celebrate the significant Mexican roots that have grown in the United States, as well as to symbolize more generally the right of all people to self- determination. It was a valiant struggle. They fought brilliantly. We urge our colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I certainly at this time reserve the balance of my time. MR. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This Tuesday marks Cinco de Mayo, a regional holiday in Mexico that commemorates Mexico's unlikely defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. For generations, however, Cinco de Mayo has also been recognized throughout the United States. The strong ties between our two nations are demonstrated around the country as family and friends join together to celebrate Mexico's culture and experiences. Through efforts like the Merida Initiative and NAFTA, these ties continue to grow--only stronger. Our mutual commitment to democracy and security in the region will prove increasingly important as some in the hemisphere work to advance their illicit agendas. Already, we have seen the transnational impact of the drug cartels and organized crime groups operating in Mexico. Joint efforts by our countries to thwart criminal activities within Mexico have sent these criminals north into the United States and south into Central America. We must continue to work with our democratic partners and allies to present a united front against those who pose a threat to U.S. interests, security, and values. So, as many throughout the United States and Mexico celebrate Cinco de Mayo this week, I hope that they are reminded not only of Mexico's proud past, but also of her ongoing shared commitment to independence, democracy, and security. I thank Congressman Baca for introducing this timely resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAYNE. I yield 5 minutes to the sponsor of the resolution, the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca).

Mr. PAYNE. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute

Mr. PAYNE. I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).

Mr. PAYNE. It is my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Puerto Rico (Mr. Pierluisi).

Mr. PAYNE. At this time I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).