Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, President Obama's trip to Cuba is ill- conceived and premature. A fun trip, the President labeled it. The visit comes on the heels of declarations by the Communist Party that it will ``not give up a single inch in the defense of revolutionary and anti-imperialist ideals.'' Harrumph. This translates to over 2,555 arbitrary detentions of peaceful protesters between January and February of 2016 alone and over 8,000 arrests just last year. The President's meeting with civil society is such a low benchmark, the official Cuban newspaper, Granma, stated that Obama's visit destroys the myth that Cuba violates human rights. The leader of the free world has chosen a legacy-shopping photo op enjoying a baseball game with a murderer and a thug. In these critical moments for democracy on the island, we must support peaceful demonstrations like the one scheduled in south Florida at 11 a.m. on Sunday in front of the Bay of Pigs monument on 8th Street. (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows:) It will be led by Assembly of the Cuban Resistance from Exile, Forum for Democracy and Freedom in Cuba, and Organization for Foundation for the Judicial Rescue. It will be led by La Asamblea de la Resistencia Cubana desde el exilio, el Foro por los Derechos y Libertades desde Cuba, y la organizacion Fundacion Rescate Juridico. The exile community in Miami, who has welcomed many of Castro's former political prisoners, is painfully aware of the trampling of human rights still going on today. This is not a fun trip for peaceful dissidents.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the ongoing negotiations in Havana between the Government of Colombia and the terrorist group known as the FARC. This draft agreement contains alarming provisions that could empower the ringleaders of the world's largest cocaine cartel and undermine America's security interests in the region. It would also make American taxpayers foot the bill, through their tax dollars, in support of this bad agreement that effectively whitewashes human rights abuses while the administration of President Obama seeks more than $70 million to help implement this proposal. This agreement diminishes the FARC's responsibility for its role in drug trafficking as well as the thousands of murders and kidnappings and other innumerable crimes that the FARC has perpetrated against the Colombian people by allowing the soldiers and the leaders of the FARC to avoid any jail time for all of those crimes. To make matters worse, this agreement creates an equivalency between the FARC and innocent civilians, categorizing both as actors in the conflict, when it has been civilians who have been the victims of the FARC's narcoterror and the FARC's brutality. As if that were not awful enough, Mr. Speaker, to equate innocent victims with the FARC in the courts of law, the draft agreement goes even further by allowing those very same violent drug dealers and insurgent leaders to not only stand for election to public office, but also to use the proceeds of the drug trade, the kidnappings, and all of the other illicit sources to fund their campaigns. This is incredible. But the flaws in this deal don't end there, Mr. Speaker. This agreement will prevent the United States from extraditing any FARC members who have been accused of crimes against American citizens. This is especially troubling when we consider that many of the FARC members may receive immunity. It would not surprise me if the Obama administration uses this deal as an excuse to drop the FARC from our list that designates the FARC as a foreign terrorist organization. The Obama administration has never met a bad deal that it did not want to say yes to, especially if the deal empowers tyrants or acquiesces to terrorist demands. This puts our credibility and our national security at risk. But what is really driving these requests is the Obama administration's continued quest to appease the Castro regime. This is the same Castro regime whose weapons systems from China to Cuba was intercepted by the Colombian Government just last March and which were suspected of being intended for the FARC. While negotiations were taking place, they were doing this illicit arms shipment. Incredible. It is the same Castro regime that, for decades, has supported the FARC and trained many of its leaders in the terror camps. Mr. Speaker, Cuba has no interest in a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Colombia. The Castro regime is only interested in leveraging a strengthened and legitimized FARC as a dominant player in Colombia. The proposed deal as well as those requests by Colombia of the U.S. Government are not only dangerous to our Colombian partners, but they are also dangerous to our national security and our interests in the region. I urge my fellow Members of Congress to speak out against this terrorist group, the FARC, as well as to block any attempts by our administration to go soft in these negotiations because this weak position could threaten our safety and block American citizens from receiving their rightful justice. I urge my colleagues to block attempts by the Obama administration to use U.S. taxpayer dollars for this agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC. A reinforced FARC with established political legitimacy sets a dangerous precedent for other organizations with similar dangerous aspirations and anti-American objectives in the region. Let's not force our constituents to pay for this flawed and dangerous deal with terrorist groups.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as the first Hispanic woman elected to serve in Congress and as the 2016 Republican co-chair of Running Start, I am proud to recognize the great work that Running Start does to empower young women to become engaged in elective office. Since its inception almost 10 years ago, Running Start has trained over 10,000 young ladies, many of whom are currently assisting in our congressional offices throughout the Star Fellowship program. I have seen firsthand the level of commitment and professionalism that these young women possess. My office was introduced to Whitney Holliday, our first Start fellow, in 2009. Since then we have hosted a number of remarkable young women, including Lucinda Borque, Alexandra Curtis, Sarah Fink, and Shannon Carney. One of my staffers, Taylor Johnson, is also a proud alumna of this wonderful Running Start program. They have all proven to be resilient young women with the skills necessary to thrive and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to congratulate Congressmen Sam Johnson and John Lewis for being named the first two recipients of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Congressional Patriot Award. This prestigious award was established to biennially honor two Members of Congress who have placed the interests and the goals of nation above all other concerns. As a former U.S. Air Force pilot, Sam Johnson truly understands what it means to serve one's country. He flew combat missions in both the Korean and the Vietnam wars, and he spent nearly 7 years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi after he was shot down over Vietnam. I commend Sam Johnson for his tireless work to support America's men and women in uniform as well as for his efforts on behalf of all veterans. Mr. Speaker, I also have much praise for another wonderful colleague, John Lewis. John's record of fighting for civil rights and civil liberties dates back to the 1960s, when he was named chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and served as the youngest keynote speaker alongside Dr. Martin Luther King at the March on Washington in 1963. Congressmen Sam Johnson and John Lewis have both lived lives of distinction, and I expect that tomorrow night's inaugural ceremony at the Library of Congress will be a great testament to their life of service.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, February 27, marked the first anniversary of the assassination of Russian pro- democracy and opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was tragically gunned down in Moscow. Killed just days before he was due to publish evidence of Russian military involvement in Ukraine, Boris led the effort in exposing the regime's corruption at every turn as he fought for a more open and democratic Russia. Mr. Speaker, this poster was actually used in Russia by Boris' supporters protesting in the aftermath of his murder. I had the honor of working with Boris for many years, and he would want us to do our part to hold Putin accountable. But we cannot forget the questionable circumstances surrounding his murder. I call on the administration to sanction any Russian official involved in Boris' murder, and I urge that their names be added now to the Magnitsky list of human rights violators. Let's honor Boris in this way.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention of this body the current negotiations taking place in Cuba between the Colombian Government and the FARC, which is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. That deal is dangerous for Colombia and for our U.S. national security. Let me explain. As a friend of the Colombian people, I have been a proponent of widening and strengthening our bilateral ties with Colombia by supporting the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. This agreement has helped many companies in my congressional district of south Florida strengthen their trade capabilities with Colombia. I have also supported Plan Colombia, a collaborative effort alongside the Colombian Armed Forces and security forces aimed at improving the security environment. Plan Colombia enjoys wide bipartisan support, resulting in a significant reduction in the cultivation of coca in years past, record dismantling of labs, and drastically reducing kidnappings, which are an important source of revenue for the FARC. Despite great advances in the conflict during the Uribe administration prior to President Santos, I have expressed serious misgivings about the negotiation initiated by the Colombian Government with the murderous Castro regime as a supposedly impartial mediator. Mr. Speaker, the Castro brothers run an impressive communist state, with complete disregard for human rights, due process, and a notorious history of supporting nefarious actors throughout the region. Using Cuba as a mediator in the negotiation is misguided, at best. It is widely known that the Castro brothers have been great supporters of the terrorist group FARC, have allowed the FARC to use Cuba as a safe haven, and have even trained some FARC terrorists in guerilla warfare tactics. Yet, despite knowing that the Castro regime has internationally voiced strong support for the FARC, even lending materiel and monetary aid to the rebels, we expect the Castros now to be acting as impartial mediators? Absolutely not, Mr. Speaker. With the Colombian Government negotiating with the FARC and with Cuba as a mediator that is supposedly impartial, the pending agreement includes no jail time for any of the FARC criminals. These criminals have kidnapped and tortured scores of Colombian citizens and have even held American citizens hostage. No jail time. According to the agreement, if the FARC members admit to their crimes, they would be put in what is the equivalent of house arrest from 2 to 8 years--8 years is the maximum--and they would not serve any jail time and they will not be extradited to the United States to face any charges they have pending here. You heard that right, Mr. Speaker. This agreement could include a request to drop any arrest warrant and drop any extradition process from the United States that we have filed to prosecute members of the FARC. This is completely unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. I am also concerned about provisions in the agreement that would allow members of the FARC to run for political office, as they would likely use the massive funds that they have from their illegal narcotics trade to finance their campaigns and further undermine what the Colombian people are trying to achieve by having a safe, secure Colombia again. Evidence has shown that, since the negotiations began with the FARC in Havana, coca cultivation numbers in Colombia have increased. From 2014 and 2015, we have seen an increase of drugs flowing from Colombia. Who do we think is responsible for that? The FARC. Who is making more money from narcotrafficking? The FARC. What I find most disturbing, Mr. Speaker, was the call by the Colombian Government to remove the FARC, an organization with American blood on its hands, from the U.S. State Department's Foreign Terrorist Organizations List. Lastly, there are several unanswered questions about the implementation of this misguided deal. How will the FARC disarm? How will they surrender their weapons? What role will the United Nations play as it oversees the implementation of the process? Will the Obama administration continue its pattern of granting concessions and end up releasing FARC leader Simon Trinidad, who is serving time in our prison? Mr. Speaker, the United States must reexamine this agreement and urge the Colombian Government to address some of these grave concerns. We have a responsibility to our taxpayers to be good stewards of their funds as well as a moral imperative to support and seek justice for the victims of the FARC, not their perpetrators.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this weekend I had the pleasure of being at Temple Menorah in Miami Beach at the Hadassah Inter-American Chapter Gala in honor of an old and close friend, Isaac Olemberg. Isaac is a pillar of the Jewish and south Florida communities and has greatly enriched our area as well as helped to strengthen the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel. But I know that the work that Isaac was most proud of was working side by side with his wife, Nieves. Sadly, she passed away in 2014, but Sunday's luncheon was an opportunity to honor her memory as well. Together with Isaac, Nieves helped found the Hadassah Inter-American Chapter in Miami. This couple truly embodied grace, kindness, and humility. Nieves is missed, but her memory and legacy are carried on by Isaac; their children, Roberto, Lilly, Hannah, and Lisette; and their many grandchildren. I am proud and humbled to call the Olembergs my friends.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 148) calling on the Government of Iran to fulfill their promises of assistance in this case of Robert Levinson, the longest held United States civilian in our Nation's history, as amended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this resolution.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership in bringing attention to Bob Levinson's plight and for guiding this resolution through our Foreign Affairs Committee and onto the House floor today. Two weeks ago, we passed this resolution out of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, which I chair alongside Ranking Member Ted Deutch, my friend from Florida. We were joined by Bob's wife, Christine, and their son Dan, as well as by Bob's sister-in-law, Suzi. It was truly heart wrenching, Mr. Speaker, to see Christine, Dan, and Suzi again and to see how much they miss Bob and how much they worry about his well-being and his fate. All they want is Bob's safe and immediate return. Unfortunately, the Iranian regime's continued failure to honor its commitments and promises to assist in Bob's case and to help bring him home have left them without a father, without a husband, and without a friend for nearly 3,300 days. In fact, next week will mark the ninth anniversary of Bob's disappearance from Kish Island, Iranian territory. I can't even begin to imagine what the family has had to endure for these past 9 years-- all of the birthdays, all of the holidays, all of the anniversaries, all of the momentous family occasions that never really felt whole because Bob was unable to share them with his family. No family should ever have to go through that ordeal, and the U.S. and the Iranian Governments can and should do more to ensure Bob's immediate return. That is why this resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, is so important, not just for Bob and the Levinson family, but for all American citizens who may, one day, be in a similar situation. Our constituents and the American people need to know that their Representatives and their government will make the safety and security of U.S. citizens a top priority. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who is the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank my good friend, Mr. Deutch, for his eloquent proposals time and time again in our committee, on the House floor, and in every public gathering on behalf of Bob Levinson's family. I am sure that the Levinson family feels a great sense of relief that they have such a tireless advocate by their side. I hope that the administration continues to press the Iranian regime to do more to assist with the Bob Levinson case, and it needs to continue to raise the issue with the Iranian regime at the highest level and at every opportunity. As Mr. Deutch pointed out, the community in south Florida will be rallying in support of Bob and his family this coming Saturday, March 5. It will be held at the Center for the Arts in Coral Springs at 2 in the afternoon. What a powerful message it would send to the family were the House to adopt this resolution without dissent. It will also send a strong message to the Iranian regime that we will not relent until Bob is home with his family and Iran has honored its commitments and its promises. I commend, again, my good friend and south Florida colleague, Ted Deutch, for authoring this resolution, and I am honored to be his Republican lead. I have worked alongside Mr. Deutch for so many years in support of Bob and his family. Bob, a south Florida resident, as you heard, is a constituent of Mr. Deutch's district. As I said, the Levinson family is so fortunate to have such a wonderful Representative, because Ted has shown unwavering commitment to the family, for Bob in his fight to be reunited with his loving family. I can only say that we all support Ted in his mission. We support the Levinson family. We will continue to work with Mr. Deutch in this effort. I urge my colleagues to strongly support this measure, support Bob and the Levinson family in this one more anniversary of being in captivity who knows where. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge our south Florida community to attend the Live Like Bella Superhero 5K Run/Walk this Saturday, March 5, at 8 a.m. at Zoo Miami, as you can see here. Bella Rodriguez-Torres was the oldest daughter of Shannah and Raymond, the founders of the Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation. Bella was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer when she was only 4 years old. Doctors and medical experts only gave her a few months to live, but Bella miraculously lived and courageously fought cancer six times until her death in 2013. During that time, Bella never feared. Instead, Bella encouraged everyone around her to enjoy life and appreciate each moment. By creating this wonderful organization, Bella's parents and all of their supporters fight pediatric cancer while offering much-needed support for families. I encourage everyone in our community to attend this organization's run on Saturday and help end the number one disease killer of children today. Let's all support the Live Like Bella Foundation.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 20th anniversary of one of South Florida's grooviest communities, my hometown of the village of Pinecrest. Since its incorporation in 1996, the village of Pinecrest has been known as a family-friendly community with many parks and recreational areas and neighborhood activities that are open to all South Floridians. The village is committed to sustainable stewardship and environmental sensitivity, keeping it one of the most beautiful places in which to live and work. In celebration of its founding, the residents, schools, public officials, and businesses will join together on Saturday, March 12, for a parade starting at Palmetto Elementary School and ending with a community picnic at Evelyn Greer Park. I encourage my Congressional colleagues to join me in congratulating the village of Pinecrest and to join our community in celebration of this magnificent milestone. I am honored to represent the families in the village, and Dexter and I have been proud to call this wonderful community our home for almost 30 years.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friend for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. Now, we know the Natural Resources Committee is a rowdy one to manage, with lots of difficult decisions and inflamed passions. But I thank Chairman Bishop and the great subcommittee chairmen and all of the members for doing a great job in ensuring that the American people are the ultimate beneficiaries of our amazing public lands and waters. This title XIV language that would be stripped out of the underlying bill by this amendment was taken from my bill, the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act, which has 36 bipartisan cosponsors, including nearly two-thirds of the Florida delegation. Floridians understand the importance of balancing environmental, recreational, and economic considerations along our coast because our State is the fishing capital of the world. With that balance in mind, we worked to carefully develop and tailor this language so that it would only apply to a very small area of near- shore waters with deep importance to fishermen. My colleague and this amendment's sponsor himself said in the committee markup that the National Park Service and the National Marine Sanctuaries cover a negligible percentage of waters within traditional State jurisdiction. He is right that we are talking about a relatively small area, but these waters have outsized importance to the folks living in nearby communities. In my district, the National Park Service is attempting to close over 30 percent of Biscayne National Park's reefs to fishing in perpetuity as part of its new general management plan and in opposition to the scientific and management expertise of the FWC, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. FWC has worked for over a decade to develop mutually agreeable and scientifically supported fishing restrictions that stop short of a full closure in these waters, but the National Park Service has completely disregarded the State's authority to manage its own fishing resources in Biscayne National Park. Rather than work with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, what did the National Park Service do? It decided to abdicate its responsibility to the American public to try to balance environmental, recreational, and economic considerations. Instead, the National Park Service kowtowed to the whims of a single special interest group that bankrolled tens of thousands of form letters from across the country to hijack the public comment section in favor of closing fishing access to State waters upon which local fishermen depend. That is not the proper use of the public comment process. It is not in the best interests of south Floridians. It is not in the best interests of the American people. It is not reflective of how we should manage public waters. Let me be clear. The title XIV language in this bill is narrowly targeted. It is simply to keep States involved in the management of their own waters. It does not apply in any way to Federal waters. This language is not anti-environment. It does not roll back any existing environmental protections nor fishing regulations currently enshrined in law. Without keeping this language in the bill, Mr. Chairman, the example that the National Park Service is setting in Biscayne National Park will create a terrible precedent for other State and territorial waters in similar circumstances. Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge all of our colleagues to oppose this harmful amendment.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the legacy of a dear friend and long-time public servant, Steve Vermillion, who passed away in 2012 from acute myeloid leukemia. Steve began his career here in the House in 1986, working for colleagues like Jim Sensenbrenner and Lincoln Diaz-Balart. He was a strong defender of democracy and human rights, especially when it came to U.S. policy toward Cuba, and he helped cofound the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute. Team Vermillion, led by his son Joe, has committed to raising funds to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through February 27. Team Vermillion's efforts are a fitting tribute to a good man who sought to help lift others throughout his life. Steve, you are greatly missed, but you will never be forgotten.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as the author of legislation that awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots, better known as the WASP, I rise in strong support of this bill, H.R. 4336, the Women Airforce Service Pilots Arlington Inurnment Restoration Act, presented by the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. McSally), my great friend and colleague. This legislation seeks to restore eligibility to these brave women pioneers for burial at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. The WASP were the first women in U.S. history to fly our military aircraft. During World War II, a time of great global conflict, these courageous women volunteered to fly noncombat missions so that every available male pilot could be deployed in combat. The WASP served our Nation without hesitation and with no expectation of recognition or praise. More than 25,000 women applied for the program, but only 1,074 selected women earned their wings. Between the years 1942 and 1944, the WASP logged more than 60 million miles. With the exception of direct combat missions, the WASP flew the same aircraft as male pilots. Although they took the military oath, the WASP were not recognized as military personnel for their time in service. Their patriotic contributions went unrecognized for many decades. It wasn't until 1977 that Congress granted them veteran status; and then in 2002, the Arlington National Cemetery decided to allow the WASP, among others listed as Active Duty designees, to receive benefits consistent with the status that they had so rightfully earned. Unfortunately, last year, the Department of the Army rescinded this decision and ruled that the WASP were ineligible for burial at that site, citing a lack of space. This is simply unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. These women deserve to be treated honorably, and our military branch should allocate the necessary space to accommodate these courageous women who sacrificed so much for our country. We cannot just consider these women to be ineligible. These honorable women answered the call to serve during World War II. They did not turn their backs on the American people nor on their fellow servicemen. Their rights at Arlington National must be restored. We have to do this for the present and future generations to come. Today, women in our military fly every type of aircraft, from the F- 15 to the space shuttle, and I know this because my daughter-in-law, Lindsay Nelson Lehtinen, has flown combat missions both in Iraq and Afghanistan for the Marines. This opportunity was afforded to Lindsay thanks to the service of the Women Airforce Service Pilots. They were the trailblazers. They set the stage for women in the military. I have been fortunate enough to personally meet some of these heroic women. As pictured in this poster, I presented south Florida WASP Ruth Shafer Fleisher and Frances Sargent with copies of the bill that I introduced and passed in Congress with the help of Susan Davis, and which was signed by the President, that honored the invaluable contributions of these heroic female pilots. We had this celebration at the Wings Over Miami Air Museum, which has served as the foundation for our community to learn more about veterans and aviators, including our proud WASP. Throughout my years in Congress, I have also had the pleasure of meeting other south Florida WASP, including Shirley Kruse, pictured here, Bee Haydu, and Helen Wyatt Snapp. Although Frances and Helen are no longer with us, they still live in our hearts and in our minds, and they are embedded in the rich history of our great Nation. Mr. Speaker, we need to do what is right for our valiant, patriotic women and their wonderful families. The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs will bring up Congresswoman McSally's bill tomorrow, Thursday, during a markup. I encourage all of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support and pass this important and necessary bill so that we can continue to honor these women pioneers. These women must receive the recognition that they are due. We must give them back the right that they earned, to be buried at Arlington. Thank you very much to these brave patriots.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to support the Guardian Hands Foundation in its 3rd Annual Walk Against Rare Diseases, taking place this Sunday, February 28th, in Hialeah Gardens. In the United States, a disease is considered rare if it impacts less than 200,000 people, but there are over 7,000 recognized rare diseases. So, when taken as a whole, nearly 1 in 10 Americans are living with a rare disease. Nearly 50 percent of those, Mr. Speaker, are children with rare diseases. How tragic. The Guardian Hands Foundation continues to raise awareness about the unique experiences of South Floridians impacted by rare diseases, and it serves as an important voice of hope and inspiration for families across our area. So please come and enjoy some wonderful exercise this weekend. Join our community at the 3rd Annual Walk Against Rare Diseases.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th anniversary of the United Service Organizations, known to all of us as the USO. For 75 years, the USO has supported and strengthened the life of our servicemembers and their families at home and throughout the more than 160 countries in the world. I am deeply grateful for those who serve our Nation, as I have had loved ones proudly wearing our Nation's uniform, and still do. USO goes above and beyond to adapt its programs to our servicemembers' needs. They boost morale by helping them connect with their families and their home while overseas, as well as assisting with the transition back to civilian life and providing support and care for the wounded and for the families of the fallen. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to pay tribute to the outstanding commitment of the USO and their excellent work over the last 75 years.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank Mr. Chabot for his leadership on this issue. It is funny that the gentleman should call me Dr. Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, because I do have my doctorate from the University of Miami. One of the rivalries that I enjoyed with Mike Oxley is that he would wear this obnoxious Miami shirt whenever we were at the Congressional Baseball Team practice. I said: That is the fake Miami. I would wear my University of Miami T-shirt and he would remind me all the time that Miami University was the first. I am so pleased and so honored to be part of this Special Order that has been organized by my dear friend, Mr. Chabot of Ohio--he really is; we have such similar backgrounds--in remembrance of a colleague and a dear friend, the late Congressman Mike Oxley. I am not from Ohio. As you heard, I am from Florida. Mike and I served together here in the people's House for over 15 years. When I got here in 1989, Mike had already been serving for a few years, and I looked upon him with great respect. He was a man who was driven by his commitment to his constituents. I was always very impressed with that. He served his great State of Ohio and our Nation with great dedication, integrity, and efficiency. These were qualities that were seen in his work throughout his years of service in the United States Congress. As chair, as we heard, of the Financial Services Committee, Mike was known to reach across the aisle. You have heard speaker after speaker talk about how bipartisan he was in ensuring that every American could prosper. He worked on bills ranging from the interest of the financial sector to the improvement of commerce to the enhancement of emergency management always with the consumer--always with the American people in mind. It was during his tenure that we were able to pass bills like the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act that allows consumers access to free credit reports, which reduces identity theft. Mike Oxley was a born leader, a natural leader. He was coauthor of a bill that sought to fight corporate fraud. We thank him for that. He was guided by the principle of economic prosperity and what made America great. His legislative record and legacy speak for themselves. He was a kind man. He was good to all of the Members. That is why so many of us are here saying good things about him. He deserves that and more. He was enthusiastic about public service. He had a work ethic that is sorely missed in the people's House. I had a special relationship with Mike because, as I pointed out, he was a player and then manager of the Congressional Baseball Game, which I foolishly joined many years back when I was younger and thinner and fitter. Encouraged by Mike, I actually became the first woman to get on base in this traditional game. Mike made sure that this charity--it really is a charity game--was able to generate thousands of dollars for various charities around this great town. Though Mike is no longer with us, we should not be mourning the loss of a life, but celebrating an extraordinary life lived. May Mike's memory live forever in our hearts and in our minds. Mr. Chabot is doing the same thing that Mike Oxley would do by leading this great tribute to a Member of Congress. I thank Mr. Chabot for his leadership. And I thank Mike. I know that you are enjoying a good, cold beer and a great baseball game in heaven.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important efforts made by the Kurds and the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said last December: ``The Kurdish Peshmerga have been exactly what we have been looking for in this whole fight in Iraq and Syria, namely a capable and motivated force that we can enable.'' As you know, Mr. Speaker, we need to do more to combat ISIS on the ground and also to help our allies who are willing to join us in this effort. ISIS is a brutal evil, and it is one of the greatest threats to both our national security and to the security of our allies in the region. We continue to read reports of ISIS raping women, beheading captives, and brutally torturing their prisoners; and ISIS' alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds in Iraq and Syria reaffirms the danger posed by this terrorist group. During the conflict against ISIS, the Kurds tell me that at least 1,600 Peshmerga forces have died and thousands more have been wounded, and we see some of these pictures here on this graphic. We are thankful to all of the members of the Peshmerga who are fighting to eradicate the evil of ISIS, including several all-women units who are proud to fight for their people's freedom. These are the hardships that they all endure. Unfortunately, the Peshmerga still don't have the proper weapons, the proper equipment--most of which is over 30 years old--and they are still running low on ammunition. In fact, the Peshmerga are using captured ISIS tanks to roll through minefields, while ISIS is using American equipment that they have picked up after overturning Mosul. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the legislation introduced by the chairman and ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which would authorize the direct provision of weapons to the Peshmerga, a bill which our committee passed unanimously in December. The Peshmerga have already proven to be one of the most capable forces on the battlefield, and making sure that they are strong, making sure that they are well-equipped is crucial to defeating the ISIS threat that confronts us all. The Peshmerga are continuing to fight despite not being paid for months, with uncertain logistical backup, and with inadequate weapons and equipment--three strikes against them. The Peshmerga need our help, and we must get them what they need in order to have them continue to be successful. The Peshmerga provides safe havens for Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, and people of any religious minority who have been oppressed. According to the Kurds, about 300,000 Syrian refugees and 1.5 million internally displaced persons are in the Kurdistan region, where there is a growing humanitarian crisis. I will turn to the other poster that I have, Mr. Speaker, their fighting forces. The burden of war and the responsibility of caring for 1.8 million additional people have pushed the Kurdistan region's economy to the brink of collapse. My friend, Igor Pasternak, recently briefed me on his visit to the Black Tiger Peshmerga base south of Mosul on the ISIS front line, and he introduced me to the Kurdistan Regional Government's representative to the U.S., Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman. Ms. Rahman's parents were sentenced to death by Saddam Hussein because they refused to bow down to his tyranny, and instead they fought for Kurdish liberation and for human rights. Her parents lived to see Saddam's downfall, and her father continued his leadership role in the Kurdish region's struggle before being tragically assassinated by Islamic extremists in 2004. In the Iraq city of Erbil, Sami Abdul Rahman Park honors Ms. Rahman's father and, more importantly, recognizes the immense oppression suffered by the Kurdish people. I am pleased that KRG Representative Rahman is in the gallery today. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to announce that I will soon be introducing a resolution to honor the brave men and women of the Peshmerga and their families who are fighting bravely against the brutal evil of ISIS and to stand with the Kurdish people as they continue to endure great hardships during this war. God bless each and every one of them.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Children's Bereavement Center, an organization located in my congressional district that has been providing support and lifting spirits for so many south Florida families after facing a tragic loss. Founded in 1999, the Children's Bereavement Center offers free peer support groups and serves as an outstanding resource for children, parents, and caregivers, providing them with the aid they so desperately need while experiencing the hardship of losing a loved one, a tragedy that some families may one day experience. When dealing with loss, it is often the grieving children who are affected the most. This wonderful organization has made it its mission to assist students at Miami-Dade County public schools, having helped over 1,300 children just this past year alone. I am so thankful for the noble endeavor that the Children's Bereavement Center has undertaken so that adults and children can find a way to find peace and move forward with their lives.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 907) to improve defense cooperation between the United States and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with the Senate amendment thereto, and concur in the Senate amendment.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge south Floridians to join me at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge on Saturday, February 20. The Dolphins Cancer Challenge raises money for the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to help ``tackle cancer''--to the tune of $11.5 million since its inception in 2010. This event was inspired by Jim ``Mad Dog'' Mandich, whom we see pictured here, whom we tragically lost to cancer nearly 5 years ago. A champion both on and off the field, the ``Mad Dog'' was a key contributor for the still-perfect and still-peerless, undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. But Jim was perhaps best known and loved for his broadcasting work, where he cheered our own Dolphins with his patented ``Alright Miami.'' So please ride, run, or walk with me at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge to help support Sylvester's innovative cancer care.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the honor of meeting Simha and Leah Goldin. They are the parents of Israeli Defense Force Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, and they have started the campaign Bring Hadar Home. Hours after the declaration of the international brokered cease-fire to the 2014 Gaza conflict, Hamas terrorists murdered Lieutenant Goldin and dragged his body deep into one of the underground tunnels in Gaza. A year and a half after this brave and patriotic young man's murder, the family still languishes in limbo, unable to give Hadar a proper burial because Hamas is holding his body hostage. This was a cease-fire entered into by Israel at the urging of Secretary Kerry and the U.N., and they should bear some responsibility for securing Hadar's return home to Israel. We have noticed how little Hamas regards human life by its indiscriminate rocket attacks against innocent Israeli citizens and by holding Palestinian citizens as human shields. We must demand Hadar's return home and support the Goldin family in its efforts to give Hadar a proper burial and put an end to this nightmare.