Mike Quigley

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, scientists at the Climate Research Unit in eastern England have received more attention than their subject of study, global warming. Climategate, as it was dubbed, has been the focus of rampant speculation. As some accuse these scientists of manipulating figures to conclude that global warming was man-made, we forget that polar ice caps are melting, and that we're hitting threshold points that cannot be reversed. We're forgetting that over 200 peer-reviewed, scientific studies have determined that global warming is real; and that man significantly contributes to global warming; and that zero peer- reviewed scientific studies have determined that global warming is not real; and that man does not contribute to that. Today, over 1,700 scientists from the UK announced their belief that global warming is real and that man contributes to this. Congress must send climate legislation to the President for approval. And the United States must agree to a final and meaningful treaty this week in Copenhagen that binds countries to commit to reduce emissions.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, Louis Brandeis said sunlight is the best disinfectant. So with ethics once more in the headlines, I think it's worth asking how far we've come in bringing light to the people's House. This is not a partisan issue. Corruption votes both ways. It is, rather, an issue of trust. These teams, more than ever, demand effective government, yet it is very hard to govern effectively without the public's trust. We need to complete the active ethics investigations currently being considered in this House, and we need to eliminate the conditions which contributed to these violations in the first place. I've introduced two measures to eliminate pay-to-play activities at both the State and Federal level. H.R. 614 would prohibit earmarks to for-profit entities, and H.R. 3427 would eliminate Federal provisions which prevent States like Illinois from cleaning up their act on pay- to-play corruption. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting both of these measures.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate VITAL BRIDGES on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. VITAL BRIDGES, originally known as Open Hand Chicago, is a not-for-profit community organization providing food and social services to low-income people with HIV and AIDS in Chicago and Cook County. On Christmas Eve 1988, a small group of concerned volunteers came together to deliver hot meals to AIDS patients who were too sick or too poor to prepare their own food. From this initial act of charity, Open Hand Chicago was born in January 1989. For the last two decades and without interruption, Open Hand and its successor VITAL BRIDGES has provided food and social services to men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. Today, VITAL BRIDGES provides its services through five grocery centers located on the north, south and west sides of Chicago and in Oak Park and Elk Grove Village in suburban Cook County. Nearly 2,000 people receive services every month. In addition to food services, VITAL BRIDGES provides nutrition counseling, housing assistance, case management and educational and vocational services. On October 29, 2009, VITAL BRIDGES reached a milestone: it provided its 10 millionth meal. Without VITAL BRIDGES, thousands of people in Chicago and Cook County would go without the healthy, balanced meals and the social services that are needed when a person is struggling to live with HIV and AIDS, especially in these economically difficult times. So, Madam Speaker, I wish to thank Executive Director Debbie Hinde, the staff, board of directors and especially the many dedicated volunteers for 20 years of creating vital bridges of help and hope for thousands of people in our community.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Molalla River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. I came to Congress, like many others, to continue work on conservation efforts with similar-minded legislators from across the country. But today, we have heard concerns that increased regulation would negatively affect industry and private landowners. This is simply not true. On November 5, 2009, the Congressional Budget Office reported, ``The affected segments, which total about 21 miles, are already protected for wilderness values, and the proposed designation would not significantly affect the way they are administered.'' We protect these beautiful, powerful, and spiritual landmarks for our children so they may know the great lands of our lifetime. Indeed, our legacy is what we leave behind for our children's children. If we dare disrupt these natural treasures, we will forget why we have protected them in the first place. I want to thank the sponsor for his efforts to move this legislation forward.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the lifelong service and dedication of the Servant of God, Patriarch Josyf Slipyj to the Ukrainian Church and community. He died on September 7, 1984, and on November 22nd, 2009, a monument will be raised in his memory at the Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Parish. Josyf Slipyj was born on February 17, 1892 in the village of Zazdrist, Ternopil region, Ukraine, into the Kobernytskyj-Slipyj and Anastasia Dychkovska families. He completed grammar school in his village and secondary school in Ternopil. He studied theology in Lviv, and completed his philosophical and theological studies in Innsbruck, Austria. He was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Andrej Sheptytsky on September 30, 1917. He returned to Innsbruck to continue his post-graduate studies, attaining a doctorate in sacred theology. From there he traveled to Rome where he was bestowed with the title Magister Agregatus. He began lecturing in 1922 on dogmatic theology at Lviv Theological Seminary. Toward the end of 1925 he was appointed rector of this institution, and in 1929 he was appointed rector of the newly created Theological Academy. In 1939 metropolitan Andrej consecrated him bishop with the right of succession. On November 1, 1944, he became head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. On April 11, 1945 he was arrested by the Bolsheviks and given an eight year sentence of hard labor in Siberia. After this ended and without any cause, he was imprisoned a second time for an unspecified term. In 1957 he was given a third term--seven years of hard labor. Due to the efforts of Pope John XXIII and U.S. President John F. Kennedy he was freed in 1963 to take part in the sessions of the Second Vatican Council. Sts. Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Chicago, Illinois was founded in 1968 by Patriarch Josyf Slipyj. Among the reasons for establishing this distinct parish was the desire to preserve and more intensely nurture the traditions of the Ukrainian Church. The elements contributing to the Ukrainian Church's distinctiveness within the Universal Catholic Church are the Julian Calendar, a traditional liturgy, as well as a unique spiritual heritage. Members of the parish are proud of the fact that Patriarch Josyf Slipyj was involved in all significant events of the parish's development. Besides establishing the parish, Patriarch Josyf blessed the cornerstone of the church and subsequently, in 1973, blessed the church itself. The reason for the parishioners' pride had to do with the Patriarch's position in the Catholic Church as a Confessor for the Faith. Taking the lead from his predecessor Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky (+1944), as well as the decisions of the Second Vatican Council, Josyf Slipyj worked to restore self-government to the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the form of a Patriarchate. In 1965, he was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. He died on September 7, 1984. In 1992 his remains were brought to Lviv, where they, in the presence of more than one million faithful, were re-interred in the crypt of St. George's Cathedral. Patriarch Josyf Slipyj has been proclaimed a Servant of God and the Ukrainian faithful pray for his beatification. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the great sacrifices and contributions Patriarch Josyf Slipyj made in his lifetime. His monument will stand as a reminder to all of his great achievements to future generations.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, today the International Atomic Energy Agency released disturbing new information about Iran. The U.N. watchdog said Iran could be constructing several more covert nuclear installations. The report also said that Iran lied about the facility we do know about, saying construction began in 2007 when satellite photos prove it was started in 2002. Most disturbing of all, the report indicates that Tehran has now produced 1\3/4\ tons of low-enriched uranium. That is enough for two bombs if enriched further. Four weeks ago, Iran was offered a deal to ship its uranium overseas for processing, but instead of accepting, it gave us more delays. Today's report makes it clear that we can't afford to offer any more deals or accept any more delays. This House took full action when it passed the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act and must now pass the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act. The time for action is now.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Korean American Community Services and its 32nd Annual Health Fair. The Korean American Community Services has partnered with many health organizations over the past 32 years in holding its Annual Health Fair. Through the fair, the Korean American Community Services reaffirms its strong commitment to individual and family health and has become a celebration of the collective well-being of the community. The Korean American Community Services organizes and coordinates Federal, State and community-based health services. These services aim to ensure that immigrant families who are often uninsured are able to gain access to necessary health services. In order to do this the Korean American Community Service offers referral services, case management, interpretation, outreach and public benefit workshops. Annually, more than 8,000 people benefit from these services as they continue to promote and protect health in the community. It is my honor to recognize the Korean American Community Services and its 32nd Annual Health Fair. The Annual Health Fair is significant as it continues to recognize and uphold the importance of health in the community. I thank the Korean American Community Services for its Annual Health Fair and its continued dedication to strengthening the community.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. Jack Darin, Director of the Illinois Sierra Club and a powerful advocate for the environment, both in Illinois and across the nation. Mr. Darin has admirably served the Illinois Sierra Club for 20 years and throughout his tenure he has worked selflessly to promote causes including safeguarding our community's health, protecting the great outdoors, and finding viable energy solutions for the 21st century. Madam Speaker, I recognize Jack today not only because he is a personal friend of mine, but because he is an example for all that one person can have a substantial impact on the future on the environment. Jack has successfully advocated for nutrient standards in sewage treatment plants, encouraged Illinois to adopt the toughest mercury limits for coal-burning power plants and led the fight for Illinois to possess robust anti-degradation rules for streams and rivers. His efforts have resulted in greater protection for Americans against health hazards and expanded access to the most basic human needs: clean water and clean air. Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to protect and promote our great outdoors. Jack Darin has taken this mission to heart and is a true champion of conservation. Under his leadership, the Sierra Club prevented the destruction of thousands of acres of the Lake Calumet wetlands and in the process preserved the natural habitat of hundreds of plants and animals. The Illinois Sierra Club has also helped restore another natural treasure for the people of Illinois, the Midewin Tall Grass Prairie. Midewin is a unique resource because it both protects wildlife and provides opportunities for education and recreation, such as twenty-two miles of public trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Despite these successes, Mr. Darin continues to find creative solutions to Illinois's complex environmental issues. Mr. Darin helped establish the Renewable Energy Portfolio for Illinois requiring 25% of state power to come from renewable sources by 2025. As a result, Illinois legislators are an example for the nation because all electricity for the Springfield Capitol Complex is now derived solely from wind power. Jack work has also extended well beyond Illinois as he serves as a consultant on environmental issues for the President Obama's campaign in 2008. Madam Speaker, the work of Mr. Darin, the Illinois Sierra Club and like minded individuals have placed environmental issues at the crux of our nation's political debate. Their work helps our society expand and grow in a responsible fashion and improve our quality of life. Thank you, Mr. Darin, for your 20 years of service to the Sierra Club, to Illinois and to your country.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Brenda D. Williams for her many years of service and dedication to the U.S. Postal Service. On October 31, 2009, after 36 years, Brenda retired from her position as Customer Relations/Congressional Liaison for the Chicago District. Ms. Williams began her career working in the old Chicago Main Post Office Building as a Tour 1 Scheme Qualified/Distribution Clerk. Her hard work and dedication earned her a position in the Regional Office and secretary to the Manager. After five short years, Ms. Williams was transferred to the Computer Forwarding Site to help train all new clerks. Due to her experience and knowledge of the postal system, Brenda soon became a valuable asset to all CFS Managers. Her institutional knowledge helped ease the transitions of six managers, ensuring that operations never missed a beat. In 1995, Brenda moved to the Consumer Affairs Department, where she stayed until 2001, when she was transferred to the Congressional Office. Brenda always went above and beyond to provide assistance to those who were unable to access alternate means of assistance, both in the public sector and as a congressional liaison. She calmly dealt with many difficult circumstances. Ms. Williams has helped the Postal System in other ways, as well. She has served on numerous committees, including: Multicultural Day, Federal Employee of the Year, Postmaster Installations, Stamp Unveilings, Congressional Briefings, Santa Letters and Employee Recognition Day. In all areas, Brenda's expertise proved invaluable. Madam Speaker, I join with all of my colleagues in congratulating Brenda D. Williams on her retirement and wish her continued happiness in the future.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, the health care bill we are considering today makes a strong statement that everyone in this country deserves access to health care. For over 8 months, this body has strived to overcome the health care inequalities in our country, but this amendment disrupts that sense of equality. This amendment says that only women who can afford insurance deserve access to reproductive health care. This amendment says that women who need a little help paying for health care have to surrender their right to privacy. This amendment will serve only to hurt low-income women, and it will restrict their ability to access reproductive health care even with their own money. It is wrong and we should oppose it.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 867, which opposes the enforcement and further consideration of the Goldstone Report. I have been to Gaza. I have seen the desolation and poverty in which the people of Gaza survive. I have also been to Israel. I have seen Sderot, which is where civilians have been hammered relentlessly by rockets from Gaza. I have seen the fortified recreation center there, complete with bomb shelters--the only place children feel safe to play. This decades-old battle is complex, and it deserves to be examined, but what we cannot do is turn the victims into the perpetrators. We cannot forget history. For 8 years, Hamas has continuously fired thousands of rockets at innocent Israeli civilians. Israel finally struck back, defending itself against an opportunistic enemy. I am grateful to Chairman Berman for his leadership on this issue. Note: Self-defense is not a crime against humanity, and we must not let a deeply flawed report destroy progress made in the peace process.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of designating a National Firefighters Memorial Day. The dedicated men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty will never be forgotten and I express my deepest gratitude for the brave work they did protecting their communities. Firefighters are the ones running into a burning building when everyone else is running out. The sacrifices they and their families make on a daily basis are as incredible as they are honorable. These men and women embody the spirit, commitment and sacrifice that define America. The images of firefighters on September 11, 2001 left an indelible mark on all Americans. We saw firefighters entering flaming buildings, putting others' lives ahead of their own, and standing tall when they were needed most. Their courage continues to both haunt and inspire us. But we must remember that everyday firefighters across the country are still performing heroic acts and saving lives. Since 2006, 313 firefighters have died on the job. And every year, another 40,000 are injured. Firefighters are constantly called on to put themselves in harm's way and those that are no longer with us deserve to be recognized and celebrated. I want to thank Representative Poe for bringing House Resolution 729 to the Floor and urge the rest of my colleagues to join me in designating a National Firefighters Memorial Day to commemorate the lives of our fallen firefighters.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the World War II veterans from my district who are traveling to Washington, DC with Honor Flight Chicago, a program whose goal is to provide as many World War II veterans as possible the opportunity to see the World War II Memorial here in Washington, DC, a memorial that was built to honor their courage and service. The American veteran is one of our greatest treasures. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsman traveling here today answered our nation's call to service during one of its greatest times of need. From the European Campaign to the Pacific Asian Theatre to the African Theater, these brave Americans risked life and limb, gave service and sacrificed much, all while embodying what it is to be a hero. We owe them more gratitude than can ever be expressed. I welcome these brave veterans to Washington and to their memorial. I am proud to submit the names of these men for all to see, hear, and recognize, and I call on my colleagues to rise and join me in expressing thanks. Dominick ``Duke'' Adducci, John J. Aldworth, Alvin Henry Arbeiter, Richard Batzkall, Raymond Bernard Beckman, Ralph Borgatell, William A. Boss, Halfdan Bruness, Albert Bruno, James M. Bulsback, John M. Collier, George W. Cvek, Frank ``Fritz'' DeLuca, Peter Ference, Nathan Firestone, Robert Foley, James C. Forster, Ernest ``Ernie'' Halverson, Harvey H. Hammerlund, Emmitt D. Hays, Richard A. Heffernan, Margaret J. Heinkel, Harold E. Heinkel, LeRoy ``Lee'' Herrick, Robert F. Holbach, George ``Hoppy'' Hopkins, Jr., David L. Jack, Jerome ``Jerry'' Jeslis, Rex L. Jones, William C. Jones, Robert C. Judd, Enoch Kanaya, George ``Fred'' Kays, Robert Knudsen, William B. Koerber, Phillip LaMantia, James L. Lausa, Wilbur Lewis, Pasqual ``Pat'' Lorenzo, Edward Malatesta, Gerald ``Jerry'' Mares, John E. McCambridge, Donnan A. McKie, Norbert M. Melsek, Anthony ``Tony'' Nauer, Kenneth G. Pearson, Melvin S. Peich, Antonio R. Petrella, Adam Petroline, Richard A. Pfundstein, Budd E. Revesz, William V. Ried, Anthony Rizzo, Harry Ross, Andrew ``Bud'' Ryder, Victor Schaedel, Norbert M. Schmuttenmaer, Walter E. Silge, Joseph B. Smart, Victor Sneller, Harvey ``Harv'' Sorensen, Harold Stanton, Allen ``Lefty'' Stauffer, Joseph Frank Stedronsky, Aloysius V. Sulka, Eugene E. Sullivan, Frank S. Summer, Roger D. Thorngren, George S. Trunek, Earl Uberfall, Truex ``Bill'' Upchurch, Gene Urban, Tony Vallos, Michael J. Vivona, Edward J. Walz, Edwin E. Wenta, Merle L. Younce, Chester Zdunek, Seymour Zimmerman, Stanley M. Zmuda, Joseph F. Zver.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and now, more than ever, it is time to draw attention to household violence that results in more than 2 million injuries and 1,200 deaths among women each year. Estimates of assaults on women by partners range from approximately 2 million to 4 million annually. Sadly, we have no real idea of how many incidents of violence actually occur each year because so many go unreported. Those unreported incidents are the reason Domestic Violence Awareness Month is so vital. Only when we are no longer afraid to speak out about domestic violence will we empower those who currently suffer in silence. In my State of Illinois alone, there were 114,921 reported cases of domestic violence in 2006. It is for those thousands of women and the countless others who suffer silently that I speak today. It is for those women that I encourage my colleagues to pass House Resolution 817, which supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today because a water crisis threatens to destabilize Iraq and the entire Middle East. Iraqi leaders warn that disaster areas suffering from the water crisis, like Basra, provide a breeding ground for insurgents. Refugees fleeing the water crisis have deserted their homes and constitute the biggest movement of Iraqi refugees since the Iran war of the 1980s. The Iraqi military has had to intervene, and it's only a matter of time before the water crisis becomes a security crisis that imperils regional peace. Just how serious is this water crisis? The Euphrates River, which once supported empires in the cradle of civilization, is now barely fit for human use. In some areas it's ``A slick black ooze, fit only for scores of bathing water buffalo.'' In other areas, salinity levels have risen so high that towns have been evacuated, their citizens unable to drink the fetid water. In Basra, for example, low water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates have brought salt water rushing in the from the Persian Gulf. Rising salinity levels threaten the viability of local agriculture so much that Amer Suleiman, Basra's agriculture director, will soon declare Basra a ``disaster area'' and warns that ``if things continue to deteriorate there is no hope for Basra to recover.'' What can be done about Iraq's water crisis? What can be done to replenish the Tigris and Euphrates? The first solution is to reform Iraq's careless water management system. Nibras al Mamouri, a professor of water resources at Baghdad's College of Agriculture, says ``poor irrigation techniques and a lack of incentives to stop wasting so much water'' are partly to blame for the current shortage. The second solution, an international solution, reminds us that a water crisis in Iraq has consequences for the entire Middle East. The Iraqi government, rightly or wrongly, has blamed the water crisis on its neighbors, principally Turkey and Syria but also Iran. To resolve the water crisis, Iraq must negotiate a more equitable water sharing agreement-- (1) With Turkey, which controls the headwaters of both rivers-- (2) With Syria, through which the rivers pass-- (3) And with Iran, which controls two other rivers--the Karun and the Karkheh--that feed into the Faw Peninsula and Basra. Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, responding to the water crisis, met earlier this month in Ankara to discuss a solution. But little has been achieved so far--neither Turkey nor Syria has been particularly sympathetic to Iraq, especially since each faces its own water shortage. The difficulty of reaching an agreement underscores the unique diplomatic challenge posed by water politics. River water cannot belong to only one country because it flows between many countries. This is complicated by the fact that water flows in only one direction, and that upstream countries affect water levels downstream, but not vice versa. Turkey, for example, which controls the headwaters of both the Tigris and the Euphrates, can control water flows to downstream countries, such as Syria and Iraq. Syria and Iraq begin any water negotiation with Turkey at an a priori disadvantage. But without greater Turkish cooperation, water shortages could spell disaster for Syrian and Iraqi agriculture, and spillover effects could destabilize the region. The planned Ilisu dam, to be built on the Turkish part of the Tigris, is especially controversial in Iraq, which has already accused Turkey of choking the Euphrates with hydroelectric dams. Some Iraqi leaders even suggest that water is being used as a weapon against Iraq and threaten war. Tayseer al Mashadani, an Iraqi member of parliament, warns that ``Iraq's water crisis . . . could lead us into war with one of our neighbors. The new war on Iraq is a war of water.'' But, before we accept the inevitability of war, we should reflect on words from the late Senator Simon: ``Water,'' he said ``can be a catalyst for war and can also create peace between nations.'' In the Middle East we have an extraordinary opportunity to make cooperative water sharing serve the cause of peace. Our voice carries a lot of weight in the region, and we should use that weight to support a water sharing agreement between Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria. The consequences of failure are too great.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of October as National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. During the month of October, the Spina Bifida Association seeks to bring awareness to the nation's most common permanently disabling birth defect--affecting 3,000 pregnancies every year. New data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that there are 154,000 Americans with Spina Bifida, double what was previously thought. Increasing awareness of Spina Bifida will also focus attention on the need to expand and intensify evidence-based research to improve the quality of life of those living with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a disease that occurs within the first month of pregnancy and leaves a permanent opening in the spinal column, which subsequently impacts nearly every organ system. People with this birth defect face many complications--including physical, developmental, educational and vocational challenges, to name just a few. All women of childbearing age are at risk for having a Spina Bifida affected pregnancy. Too many Americans suffer needlessly from this birth defect when many cases are preventable. An estimated 70 percent of neural tube defects, including Spina Bifida, are preventable through consumption of folic acid prior to pregnancy. National Spina Bifida Awareness Month plays a critical role in conveying this prevention message to the public. As a 2005 study uncovered, the current system of care for people with Spina Bifida does not fully meet current or anticipated needs, and physicians have little evidence-based research on which to build appropriate treatments. A greater commitment to prevention and improving quality of life for those affected by Spina Bifida is absolutely necessary. Drs. Cheng and Yerkes, who are pediatric urologists at Children's Memorial Hospital in the 5th Congressional District of Illinois, and are on the Professional Advisory Council of the Spina Bifida Association, visited my Washington office on October 20, 2009 to discuss the challenges facing children with Spina Bifida. I thank Drs. Cheng and Yerkes and the Spina Bifida Association for all of their efforts and leadership over the years. I stand ready to work with my constituents and the Spina Bifida Association to help elevate awareness of this condition and its prevention. I urge my colleagues to learn more about Spina Bifida, to meet with affected constituents, and to support the Spina Bifida Association in its important endeavors.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, as we begin to consider substantial comprehensive immigration proposals, I strongly urge my colleagues to remember what it means to achieve comprehensive reform. We cannot forget a very important immigrant group in this country, binational GLBT couples. If we are to consider here on this floor a proposal deemed ``comprehensive,'' we must truly mean everyone. We must mean it when we say that you can be an American no matter the color of your skin, your religion, or who you love. Congressman Honda has been courageous enough to tackle the issue of amending the Nation's immigration laws to allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their same-sex partners for family-based immigration through the United American Families Act. In this debate, we have talked about keeping families together, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the children who have been taken from a family because they have two moms or two dads and one doesn't live in this country. We talk about doing what is right, what is fair, and what is just, but we neglect to imagine the pain and suffering these families are going through because we as a government think it's our right to tell the people who they can love.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Northwestern University Wildcats women's lacrosse team as the 2009 NCAA champion. This season marks the team's fifth straight national championship win and solidifies Northwestern University as a national leader both in academic and athletic excellence. The Northwestern University women's lacrosse team is looked upon as a role model by young athletes in the Chicagoland area, maintaining the highest standard of excellence both in the classroom and on the field. Most noted, is senior Hannah Nielson. Hannah has been honored as the nation's top lacrosse player with the Tewaaraton Trophy due to her exemplary performance as the Wildcat's all-time leader in points and by helping to lead her team to 23-0 victory in 2009. Furthermore, I would like to extend my congratulations to the 10 Wildcat seniors Hilary Bowen, Mary Kate Casey, Laura Clemente, Casey Donohoe, Meredith Franks, Caitlin Jackson, Ali Jacobs, Morgan Lathrop, Hannah Nielson and Meghan Plunkett who have finished their amazing collegiate careers with an 85-3 record including four American Lacrosse Conference titles and four NCAA national titles.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sandor Kirsche. Mr. Kirsche was born in Czechoslovakia in 1926 and arrived in Chicago after surviving Nazi persecution in concentration camps at both Auschwitz and Bundenwald. Sandor overcame his personal struggles, including the deaths of his brother and father, and dedicated his life to making the lives of Jewish Americans easier. To that end, he opened the first full-service kosher supermarket in the Chicago area and gave back to the community with a life's worth of charity and philanthropy. In 1971, Sandor opened a kosher butcher shop, which initially lost money. But through his hard work, long hours, and perseverance, he expanded the store to include kosher fish and packaged goods. The existence of a kosher supermarket was invaluable to the Jewish community, who now had a place where people could purchase kosher goods. Today, the store is known as Hungarian Kosher Foods and is still family owned. Anyone who met Sandor knew he was much more than a businessman, and understandably, everybody knew him. At his stores, he never just sold meats and canned goods. He was always ready with a smile and a story, and a piece of candy for his younger patrons. He kept up on issues in the community, history, politics, and spoke seven different languages. He fought tirelessly to bring his sisters to the United States, and after twenty years of never giving up, he was successful in bringing them here from Soviet Russia in 1972. I am honored to recognize and remember Sandor Kirsche today. He exemplified family and community values even after overcoming great hardship. His uniquely American story is an example to not only the Chicago and Jewish communities, but to everyone who has ever faced long odds.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim Synagogue in Chicago. On October 25, 2009, the congregation will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special dinner and ceremony. I commend the entire congregation for its dedicated service to the Hollywood Park neighborhood and the surrounding communities. I would also like to recognize the contributions of Beth Sholom's spiritual leader, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik. Rabbi Soloveichik is one of the most respected rabbis in the country and has been instrumental in the growth of Beth Sholom. The Beth Sholom synagogue is a wonderful example of an active faith community whose members work to better themselves and those around them. The Orthodox Jewish faith is rich with tradition and an important part of both our diversity in Chicago and across the country. The congregation of Beth Sholom continues to enrich that tradition and pass it along to future generations. The 50th anniversary celebration also honors an outstanding member of the congregation who passed away two years ago. Sandor Kirsche, a Holocaust survivor, opened Hungarian Kosher Foods, the first full- service kosher supermarket in the Chicago area, and was a member of Beth Sholom until his death. His service to the congregation and all of Chicago is greatly appreciated. Although he is missed, he will always be remembered. I am honored to recognize Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim and Rabbi Soloveichik, and I am proud to have such active, thoughtful, and faithful men and women in my district.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 175 and I thank the gentleman from Illinois, Representative Mark Kirk, for bringing this to the floor. This legislation makes it clear that the Congress of the United States of America will continue to stand strong against the religious persecution by the Government of Iran of the Baha'i community. The ruthless persecution of those of the Baha'i faith by the Iranian Ministry of Information in Shiraz has lead to jailing of Iranian citizens targeted solely on the basis of their religion. This persecution includes the jailing of Ms. Raha Sabet, 33; Mr. Sasan Taqva, 32; and Ms. Haleh Roohi, 29; who are currently serving four-year prison terms for educating underprivileged children. In accordance with prior Congressional action, the Department of State has since released a statement urging the Iranian Regime to release these victims along with others imprisoned on the basis of religious discrimination. The combined effort of the United States Congress and the Department of State is only furthered by today's legislation. Today we reach out to the international community to immediately condemn Iran's continued violation of human rights and to demand the immediate release of prisoners held solely on account of their religion. I strongly believe that the United States and the world should stand together against this continued and blatant violation of the International Covenant on Human Rights.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, in the past weeks and months, Chicago has made national news, unfortunately not just because of the Olympic decision. It is because school-age children have been attacked and killed by other school-age children. The last thing our city needs is more guns on our streets and more children fearing for their safety. Recently, the United States Supreme Court agreed to review McDonald v. City of Chicago, a case that challenges whether Chicago's local handgun ban is legal. In a time of national concern over senseless and deadly attacks, it is a concern. Since 1983, it has been illegal to purchase or own a handgun within Chicago city limits. Over the course of that 26 years, Chicago has seen the number of registered handguns drop. Guns have become scarcer, saving lives and creating safer neighborhoods in the process. As we work to make our cities and communities safer, there are many additional things we could and should fight for. I stand ready to work with the administration to reinstate the assault weapons ban and ready to work with this body to close the gun show loophole. But in the absence of Federal action, it is critical that we preserve the rights of the people to protect their children and their families at the local level.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Iran Sanction Act. On September 25, we learned that Iran has been operating a secret uranium-enrichment plant in the city of Qom, capable of producing enriched uranium for bombs. The work at Qom has gone on for years in secret and despite five UN Security Council resolutions calling for Iran to cease all work on uranium. The Iranians continue to claim that their nuclear intentions are peaceful, but the recently discovered plant's ``size and configuration'' are ``inconsistent'' with peaceful purposes. If we had any doubt that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons, the discovery at Qom dashed that doubt. Now the U.S. must do its part to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The first step toward crippling Iran's progress toward a nuclear weapon is to impose the sanctions proposed in the bill before us today. The Iran Sanctions Act calls on state and local governments to cease investing public funds in companies that support Iran's oil and gas sector. A nuclear armed Iran is a threat to the entire region, particularly our friends in Israel, and could incite nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and around the world. We must do everything in our power to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of the Iranians, and those efforts start today with this bill and these sanctions.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Eight years ago, the U.S. entered Afghanistan. Now 8 years later, 791 American deaths and billions of dollars later, we must ask, what have we gained? Has our 8 years in Afghanistan made us safer? And will 8 more years make us safer still? As we speak, the administration is reviewing the best strategy to achieve one primary objective: To protect Americans from another terrorist attack. We agree on the objective. We differ on the strategy. As we move to define our strategy, the question we must continue to ask ourselves is: how do we keep Americans safe from a terrorist attack? Recent events suggest that we need to broaden our focus and think bigger than Afghanistan. After all, we are battling not simply against terrorists in Afghanistan but against terrorism, which we are learning has many fronts, extending from Afghanistan to Pakistan to Somalia, Yemen, Uzbekistan and even our own backyard. Over the past 2 weeks, five men have been arrested for plotting terror attacks in our country. One man lived in New York for more than a decade and was planning to detonate a bomb there on the anniversary of September 11. Thomas Friedman argued in his recent New York Times column that the most active front in this war against terrorism is ``not Afghanistan, but the `virtual Afghanistan,' the loose network of thousands of jihadist Web sites, mosques and prayer groups that recruit, inspire and train young Muslims to kill.'' The young Jordanian who was recently arrested for attempting to blow up a building in Dallas was caught after declaring war on the U.S. on jihadist Web sites. We must broaden our focus. Jihadist networks are also gaining ground in unstable states such as Somalia and Yemen. Recently, a source at a U.S. defense agency stated, We know that south Asia is no longer al Qaeda's primary base. They are looking for a hideout in other parts of the world and continue to expand their organization. We must broaden our focus. Two weeks ago, a major Uzbek terrorist with links to the Taliban and al Qaeda was killed in south Pakistan. The man killed was the leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, a group whose goal was to set up an Islamist state there and ultimately throughout central Asia. We must broaden our focus because the jihad has no borders, and thus our security policy must have no borders. James Traub recently likened jihadism to Communism without Russia, explaining that ``its success or failure is measured in ideological rather than territorial terms.'' That is the threat we face, a threat based not on borders but on beliefs. Which brings us back to our initial question: how can we best keep Americans safe from an ideological and borderless threat? We have sunk billions of dollars into Afghanistan, but at some point we must prioritize our spending. The reality is we have limited resources, measured both in lives and tax dollars, and we must expend those resources carefully and pragmatically. ``The problems of this world are deeper, more involved, and more stubborn than many of us realize,'' said George Keenan, scholar and diplomat, in a 1949 speech to the Academy of Political Science. ``It is imperative,'' he continued ``that we economize with our limited resources and that we apply them where we feel that we will do the most good.'' If pouring a large portion of our precious resources into Afghanistan will keep Americans safe from another terrorist attack, then it is an unquestionable investment we must make. But the reality that we are battling a worldwide network of jihadists might require us to step back and reassess our priorities. If we are ever to achieve our objective of keeping America safe, we must, as Mr. Keenan suggests, apply our limited resources where they will do the most good. Where that exactly is, we have yet to determine. But we must be careful of basing our strategy on borders, when the enemy we are fighting is borderless.

Mr. QUIGLEY

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great American and Polish hero Casimir Pulaski and to echo the sentiments of my colleagues in support of honoring him with posthumous citizenship. Casimir Pulaski fought as a Polish military officer on the side of the American colonists against the British in the American Revolutionary War, writing to General George Washington, ``I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.'' Pulaski first fought in 1777 and continued to demonstrate his courage and bravery in battle until his death in 1779. In the Battle of Brandywine, his courageous charge saved the life of our great forefather George Washington. Additionally, Pulaski is known as the father of the American cavalry. He rose through the ranks to brigadier general, where he used his position to mount assaults, to remove British troops from our lands, and to defend freedom no matter the circumstances or opposition. So great was Pulaski's dedication to the ideals of liberty and freedom that he made the ultimate sacrifice. He was mortally wounded in 1779 during the Battle of Savannah. In recognition of his service to this great country, in 1929 Congress passed a resolution recognizing October 11 as ``Pulaski Day,'' a day Chicago has long celebrated. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, and many more, I encourage my colleagues to grant posthumous citizenship to Casimir Pulaski, a man who understood that freedom and democracy have no boundaries.