Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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 measure.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, when Elie Wiesel passed away this past July, the world lost one of its greatest champions of human rights and a tireless and powerful force against tyranny, hate, and intolerance. This resolution honors Elie Wiesel's life, work, and legacy; extends our deepest sympathies to his family; and reaffirms his efforts to learn from the lessons of the past in order to prevent another Holocaust. I want to thank my good friend, my colleague, Steve Israel, as well as Patrick Meehan and my Florida colleague, Ted Deutch, for their leadership in bringing this resolution forward, as well as Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership in shepherding it through the Foreign Affairs Committee and now here to the House floor. I was proud to work with Elie Wiesel on a number of issues over the years, including raising awareness about the Holocaust and the rise of anti-Semitism, as well as other human rights issues, and I was honored to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama alongside Mr. Wiesel in the year 2007. Elie Wiesel had himself been awarded the Gold Medal in 1984, as well as the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nobel Peace Prize, and many other awards and honorary degrees. A survivor of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, Elie Wiesel helped reveal the ugly truth about the atrocities that took place at Nazi concentration camps, detailing his experiences in one of his best-read books, entitled, ``Night.'' In that book, Elie Wiesel explained why he dedicated his life to Holocaust awareness, saying that to forget ``would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.'' Mr. Wiesel warned about what happens when the world is silent in the face of evil, saying that ``we must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.'' Elie Wiesel was never afraid to interfere, raising his voice when others were silent in order to remind us, again and again, that human suffering, wherever and whenever it occurs, cannot and must not be ignored. Whether it was genocide in Sudan, the plight of Tibetans suffering under the Communist regime in Beijing, or warning against the mullahs in Iran who continue to say that Israel should be wiped off the face of the Earth, Elie Wiesel was always there to speak out against tyranny. He was committed to ensuring that the oppressed and the suffering knew that they are not alone, that those without freedom, that those without human rights are not being ignored and are not forgotten by the outside world. Elie Wiesel's legacy will endure as a reminder that people must never be ignored, that we must learn from the past, and that we must never be silent. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as we have heard from every eloquent speaker before us, Elie Wiesel represented the best of humanity. He was someone who refused to allow human suffering to continue without protest, no matter the race, the religion, or the political views of the suffering. There you would always find Elie Wiesel's voice. He said: ``There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.'' Elie Wiesel dedicated his life to ensuring that we learn the lessons of the past, that we remember atrocities like the Holocaust, and that we refuse to allow indifference to condemn the oppressed to a life without the world's assistance or solidarity. As we move to pass this resolution here today, Mr. Speaker, we reaffirm our commitment to Elie Wiesel's legacy to combating hate, to fighting against intolerance in all of its forms, and ensuring that we will never forget the consequences of indifference. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this important resolution, but I also urge my colleagues to take a moment to reflect upon Elie Wiesel's lifelong message and his mission. It is fitting that the House is acting today on this resolution honoring the life of this great man, Elie Wiesel, but later today will also be considering a resolution recognizing the plight of Holocaust survivors. The United States has a responsibility and, indeed, a moral obligation to fulfill this legacy. For too long we have allowed human rights to merely be an afterthought rather than a driving force in our foreign policy. We can do better, and we must do better. Let's do so with Elie Wiesel in mind. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include the following remarks from Elie Wiesel: I remember: On April 18th, 1944 on a house to house operation destined to rob all Jewish families of their fortunes, a policeman and an elegantly dressed Hungarian lieutenant entered our home in Sighet and asked for all our valuables: he confiscated: 431 Pengos, our entire cash, 1 camera, my fountain pen, 1 pair of seemingly gold earrings, 1 golden ring, 1 silver ring, 3 ancient silver coins, 1 military gas mask, 1 sewing machine and 3 batteries for flashlights. They dutifully signed a document, which I have in my possession, and left for my grandmother Nissel's home, two houses away. She was a war widow. Her husband, my grandfather whose name Eliezer I try to wear with pride, fell in battle as a medic. In mourning, a profoundly pious woman, she wore black clothes, rarely spoke and read Psalms uninterruptedly. A similar official document listed HER valuables . . . One Pengo, two coins, three smaller coins. And two pieces of 21-cm tall solid brass candlesticks. That's all she possessed. Bureaucracy was supreme and eternal even then: whether official murder or robbery, not fearing embarrassment or retribution, everything had to be recorded. Why the Hungarian and German armies needed was her pitiful life's savings and her Shabbat candlesticks to win their war is beyond me. At times I am overcome with anger thinking of the red coat my little 8-year old sister Tsipuka had received for our last holiday: she wore it in Birkenau walking, walking hand in hand with my mother and grandmother towards . . . A daughter of an SS must have received it as a birthday present. Just measure the added ugliness of their hideous crimes: they stole not only the wealth of wealthy but also the poverty of the poor. The first transport left our ghetto one month later. Only later did I realize that what we so poorly call the Holocaust deals not only with political dictatorship, racist ideology and military conquest; but also with . . . financial gain. State-organized robbery, or just money. Yes, The Final solution was ALSO meant to remove from Jewish hands all their buildings, belongings, acquisitions, possessions, valuable objects and properties . . . Industries, art work, bank accounts . . . And simple everyday objects . . . Remember: before being shot by Einsatzkommandos, or before pushed into the gas-chambers, victims were made to undress . . . Six millions shirts, undershirts, suits, scarfs, pairs of shoes, coats, belts, hats . . . countless watches, pens, rings, knives, glasses, children's toys, walking sticks . . . Take any object and multiplied it by six million . . . All were appropriated by the Third Reich. It was all usefully calculated, almost scientifically thought through, programmed, industrialized . . . Jews were made to be deprived of their identity, and also of their reality . . . In their nakedness, with names and title and relations worthless, deprived of their self esteem of being the sum total of their lives both comprised all that had accumulated in knowledge and in visible categories . . . When the war ended, what was the first response to its unspeakable tragedy? For us individual Jews, the obsession was not vengeance but the need to find lost family members. Collectively, in all DP camps, a powerful movement was created to help build a Jewish State in Palestine. In occupied Germany itself, the response moved to the judiciary. The Nuremberg Trials, the SS trials, the Doctors trials. Wiedergutmachung, restitution, compensation: were not on the agenda. The immensity of the suffering and the accompanying melancholy defied any expression in material terms. In liberated countries, in Eastern Europe, surviving Jews who were lucky to return to their homes and/or stores were shamelessly and brutally thrown out by their new occupants. Some were killed in instantaneous pogroms. Who had the strength to turn their attention to restitution? Then came the Goldmann-Adenauer agreement on Wiedergutmachung. The first Israelo-German conference took place early 1953 in Vassenaar, Holland. Israeli officials and wealthy Jews from America and England allegedly spoke on behalf of survivors, none of whom was present. I covered the proceedings for Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth. I disliked what I witnessed. I worried it might lead to precarious reconciliation. It did. The icy mood of the first meetings quickly developed in friendly conversations at the bar. Then also, deep down, I opposed the very idea of `Shilumim'. I felt that money and memory are irreconcilable. The Holocaust has ontological implications; in its shadow monetary matters seem quasi frivolous. In the name of Israel's national interest, David Ben Gurion's attitude was, on the other hand, quoting the prophet's accusation of David, `Haratzachta vegam yarashta': should the killer be his victim's heir? Logic was on his side, emotion was on mine. In the beginning we spoke about millions, at the end the number reached billions. International accords with governments, insurance companies, private and official institutions in Germany, Switzerland and various countries. In Israel, local industry benefitted from the endeavor. As did needy individual survivors elsewhere too, including Europe and America. Throughout those years, chroniclers, memorialists, psychologists, educators and historians discovered the Holocaust as their new field of enquiry. Some felt inadequate and even unworthy to loon into mystics would call forbidden ground, Having written enough pages on the subject, I confess that am not satisfied with my own words. The reason: there are no words. We forever remain on the threshold of language itself. We know what happened and how it happened; but not WHY it happened. First, because it could have been prevented. Second, the why is a metaphysical question. It has no answer. As for the topic before us this morning. I am aware of the debate that was going on within various Jewish groups on the use to be made of the monies requested and received: who should get how much: institutions or persons? The immediate answer is: both. However, it is with pained sincerity that I must declare my conviction that living survivors of poor health or financial means, deserve first priority. They suffered enough. And enough people benefitted FROM their suffering. Why not do everything possible and draw from all available funds to help them live their last years with a sense of security, in dignity and serenity. All other parties can and must wait. Do not tell me that it ought to be the natural task of local Jewish communities; let's not discharge our responsibilities by placing them on their shoulders. WE have the funds. Let's use them for those survivors in our midst who are on the threshold of despair. Whenever we deal with this Tragedy, we better recall the saying of a great Hasidic Master: You wish to find the spark, look for it in the ashes. (Prague restitution: unedited draft) Elie Wiesel.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I come to Congress this week with expectations that perhaps this is the week when, as elected officials, we will do the right thing for south Florida families and Americans across our Nation. Perhaps this is the week in which the Senate will finally pass the long-awaited Zika funding bill and then for the House to act, finally. South Floridians are correctly pushing Congress to leave politics aside and to do our job to protect the public. We are already way late in doing so, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to Governor Scott's meeting with our south Florida congressional delegation later this week, because the facts and figures related to how big a problem Zika is appear not to have been accurately reflected in the summaries provided by the Florida Department of Health, according to a report in the Miami Herald. Detailed, timely, and accurate information are needed to protect our communities from this epidemic. Mr. Speaker, let's pass the Federal funding needed to fight Zika and ensure that State agencies are providing thorough and accurate reporting of local Zika infections.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, our wonderful chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, for the time, and I thank the ranking member as well. What a joy it has been to work with my Florida colleague, Ted Deutch, on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, we have before us a concurrent resolution introduced by our wonderful Florida Senator, Bill Nelson. This measure follows a similar bipartisan resolution that my south Florida friend, Ted Deutch, and I introduced earlier this year, which this body passed unanimously in June. The vote was 363-0. I want to thank Senator Nelson as well as Senator Collins for taking the lead on this initiative in the Senate and for the Senate taking action, passing this important resolution, and bringing it back to us. I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their support on this measure and helping it get to the floor today. This bipartisan resolution, Mr. Speaker, is simple, but it is so important. It calls on Germany to honor its moral and historical obligations to all Holocaust survivors and to provide for their unmet needs immediately and comprehensively. That is something that is going to happen thanks to all of the good men and women here. For Ted, for Senator Nelson, and for me, this issue hits very close to home, Mr. Speaker. As Members of Congress from the State of Florida, we represent thousands of Holocaust survivors. Some 15,000 are estimated to be living in south Florida alone. But it hits even closer to home today. Why? Because, when I spoke on this floor in June in support of the version that Mr. Deutch and I introduced in the House, I mentioned several of the Holocaust survivors whom Ted and I have been honored to call our dear friends. Among them was a remarkable and incomparable gentleman named Jack Rubin. Sadly, Jack passed away July 11, at the age of 88. Jack and his two sisters survived the unimaginable, Mr. Speaker--the atrocities of humanity's darkest period. Jack managed to survive the nightmares of Auschwitz and three other death camps, four in total, until he was, as he testified in Congress in 2008, ``liberated on May 1, 1945, from hell, by the U.S. Army.'' Once Jack came to the United States, he served in the U.S. Army. That is how much he loved his new country. For all that Jack had witnessed, for all that Jack had lived through, somehow he drew strength from his trials and tribulations and became a leading force in the fight for justice and dignity for all Holocaust survivors. And on this issue that we have before us today, Mr. Speaker, Jack was an unwavering voice and a force for justice. He led the call for Germany to honor its commitments to provide for all of the survivors' medical, mental, and home care needs. Thankfully, Jack lived to see the House pass our resolution. He even lived to see the Claims Conference in Germany announce an alleged major expansion in home care for Holocaust survivors. But, Mr. Speaker, I think that if Jack were here today, he would say: But we must do more. You see, as part of the heralded announcement by the Claims Conference in Germany, Germany was supposed to lift the home care caps for all concentration camp and ghetto survivors. Yet, the sad truth is, Mr. Speaker, according to the reports that we have seen, this claim is just not true, and many survivors are still subjected to arbitrary caps on home care hours, some even having their weekly hours reduced. What has happened? To make matters worse, the Claims Conference in Germany's recent negotiations did not even address the horrendous shortfalls in funding for emergency services such as medicine, medical care, dental care, hearing aids, and other vital services for survivors. This omission is inexcusable, Mr. Speaker. It will cause further needless suffering and deaths among survivors in need of help. Germany has an obligation to do better than that, and I am optimistic that it will. We have an obligation to Holocaust survivors to do better to ensure that they live out their days in the dignity and comfort that they deserve. What does this mean, Mr. Speaker? It means full funding for all health and welfare needs for all survivors. That is why this resolution before us today is so timely and so important. My friend, Jack Rubin--and I know that he was Mr. Deutch's friend as well--dedicated his life to justice for all Holocaust survivors. It is up to us to keep fighting for all the Jack Rubins of the world to continue Jack's legacy until justice is finally won. I will keep fighting for Jack's legacy and for all survivors. I urge my colleagues to do the right thing and to support this resolution. We must urge our German friends to do more, to do the right thing for all Holocaust survivors. Passing this resolution will send a strong message that we believe the job is not yet done and that more must be done. Those of us--like Mr. Deutch, like Mr. Royce, and like Mr. Engel--who have been in the forefront--Senators Nelson and Collins--of the fight for Holocaust survivors' rights, needs, and interests are grateful for the unanimous support of our colleagues in the House and in the Senate for these resolutions. Mr. Speaker, it has been over 70 years since humanity's darkest period, yet many survivors today still face lingering injustices of the Holocaust. We have had opportunities to address these injustices and, indeed, we have had an obligation to address them and to try to fix the wrongs of the past. Germany has acknowledged its responsibility and its obligations to Holocaust survivors. Congress has acknowledged that we have a moral obligation to survivors--many of whom are American citizens, many of whom are our constituents, and many of whom live today at or below the poverty line. We must acknowledge that too many Holocaust survivors are forced, even today, over 70 years later, to continue to suffer the injustices of the past and the indifference of the present. But for the survivors who remain and for all whom we have lost, we must--and we are here today--take a stand. We hope Chancellor Merkel of Germany and the German Government will hear our pleas for action and take them to heart so that the remaining survivors may live out their lives in the comfort and the dignity that they deserve. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would say that if we are going to stand for justice for all survivors, then we must also acknowledge the other still unresolved injustices being inflicted on Holocaust survivors in our time--specifically, the act of being denied their day in court. It is simply unconscionable that insurance companies such as Allianz and Generali have managed to dishonor tens of thousands of insurance policies they sold to Jews in Europe before the Holocaust, and continue to deny Holocaust survivors and their families these paid-for obligations. To this day, they refuse to acknowledge this. The obligations of the insurers are moral and financial. I believe it is imperative that this Congress rectify the unfortunate reality that makes Holocaust survivors second-class citizens by denying them access to U.S. courts to attempt to reclaim these family legacies. It is quite simply a right they have been denied far too long. We cannot bring them back, we cannot correct the problems that happened in the past, but we can correct them now, Mr. Speaker. We can correct them for the heirs who deserve justice. It is within our power to do so. Mr. Speaker, I applaud my colleagues in Congress for supporting this resolution. I thank them for lending their voices to the cause of justice for all Holocaust survivors. This is just one step--it is an important step--in the long road to justice. I implore my friends and colleagues to continue to do more in support for all Holocaust survivors. I thank my good friend, the chairman of our committee, for this time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the Jewish Community Services of South Florida, an organization that is committed in lending a hand to those members of our society who need it the most. Through its many programs, such as mental health counseling, homelessness prevention, and assistance to those with developmental disabilities, JCS is dedicated to bringing aid and smiles and providing the necessary care for those in need. Since its founding in 1920, this organization has not strayed from its clear goals to improve the quality of life for families in our south Florida community. The Jewish Community Services of South Florida will be delivering its 10,000th Rosh Hashanah holiday basket to homebound seniors, many living at or below the poverty level. Mr. Speaker, I am truly honored to recognize this organization's mission, and to JCS I say mazel tov on a job well done.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise for the third time this week since the House reconvened to demand Federal funding to stop the Zika epidemic that is impacting families throughout our Nation, but especially in my area of south Florida. Reports have suggested that even those individuals charged with protecting our communities--in this case, a police officer from Miami Beach--are not safe from Zika as they do their jobs to patrol our neighborhoods. Local businesses in the Miami neighborhoods most impacted by Zika are suffering, including those at the lovely Wynwood Yard, a very popular outdoor food and culture scene, where small businesses are suffering from reduced foot traffic. Many public outdoor areas are being closed to visitors, including the beautiful Miami Beach Botanical Garden after extensive testing found Zika-infected mosquitos on the ground. The Zika virus is costing residents their peace of mind and access to their public spaces and outdoor recreational activities. Mr. Speaker, we need more Federal funding now to confront this threat. When will Congress act? Every day that we delay is a threat to our families in south Florida.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak out against the paralysis in Congress over funding Zika virus eradication efforts. I have been warning my colleagues in Congress for months that the Zika virus would severely impact our Nation, and especially south Florida, the gateway to the Americas. And while Washington has slumbered through the late summer, it has been a busy August in south Florida dealing with the fallout. It is because of Federal inaction that now Miami-Dade County will be spending $10 million of our own budget to cover for some of the expenses in the fight against Zika. Back in February, I cosponsored four bills to help start comprehensive preparations for the virus' arrival, including opening up funding sources for mosquito control, freeing the administration to reprogram unspent Ebola funds for fighting Zika, and incentivizing pharmaceutical companies to begin developing treatments and vaccines for Zika. In March, I requested that $177 million be made available specifically for aid to local mosquito control programs, extra funding for the CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, and new dollars for innovative mosquito control tool development. In April, I voted in favor of using the FDA's Priority Review Voucher Program to incentivize Zika virus treatment development. In May, I voted to give State and local authorities a temporary waiver providing more flexibility in using EPA-approved insecticides for mosquito control. I also voted against an inadequate $600 million Zika supplemental funding bill, joining 183 other Members, because public health experts contended that it would not be enough to deal with the expected impact of Zika in the U.S. In June, I voted in favor of a $1.1 billion Zika funding bill that passed the House but did not pass the Senate. Yesterday, the Senate again stopped any debate on Zika funding. In response to a meager grant sum delivered to the State of Florida after the discovery of mosquito transmission in Wynwood, a section in the city of Miami, in early August, I led the entire Florida congressional delegation in a letter urging the CDC to deliver more funds to Florida, where they were most needed. As a result of that letter and other efforts, the Obama administration announced that it would indeed reprogram another $81 million for anti-Zika efforts. But now, the CDC Director has stated that the CDC has no more funds available to use for Zika interdiction and eradication. We need a comprehensive response, Mr. Speaker, that limits the spread of this virus as quickly as possible. This is long overdue. I was ready to go back into an emergency session weeks and weeks ago to pass a comprehensive package, but despite my pleas, this House did not reconvene. Now the House is back in session, but to this point, no votes on a Zika funding bill are scheduled. How much longer do south Floridians need to wait for the government to commit more resources to fighting Zika? My constituents are tired and fed up with excuses and buck-passing. I am sick of Congress' partisan fighting and political grandstanding. I stand united with the hardworking residents and families of south Florida, and I will continue working on their behalf to demand that this Congress do its job and protect the American people. Let's pass the President's request for $1.1 billion to fight Zika and develop a vaccine--a clean bill, with no policy riders--and pass it before this virus spreads even wider throughout our great Nation. Here we have a picture of an area of the district that is impacted already. We have other areas that are impacted. We have other areas in Florida. We have other areas throughout the United States. Let's stop Zika. We can do it. Let's pass the funding bill.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and shed light on the types of cancer that afflict approximately 16,000 children every year, I would like to recognize the work of the Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation. Inspired by Bella Rodriguez-Torres--this sweet young girl--a young girl who courageously fought cancer six times before her death in 2013, this foundation supports the fight against pediatric cancer, while offering much-needed support for families. This wonderful organization, based in my home area of Miami, Florida, was established by Bella's parents, Shannah and Raymond Rodriguez. I encourage our south Florida community to lend their support to these children and families who are battling cancer by attending Bella's Ball. This lively event, Mr. Speaker, will take place Saturday, September 10, at the JW Marriott Marquis. Together, we can raise awareness in our community and finally end the number one disease killer of children today: pediatric cancer.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 39th day since local transmission of the Zika virus via mosquitoes was confirmed in my area of south Florida on July 29, 39 days since it was obvious that much more needed to be done to confront the threat that Zika posed to U.S. citizens here at home. And yet here we are with 56 locally acquired cases of Zika in Miami-Dade County, 7 of them having been confirmed just today--today, Mr. Speaker. There are 2,686 travel-related cases across the continental U.S. Federal funding is needed now to help those born with congenital Zika infections, such as Micaela Mendoza. Every day since her birth in July, Micaela and her parents have waited to learn more about the extent of her complications from Zika because so little is still to be known about the virus. Mr. Speaker, how many more days will south Florida families have to wait for a comprehensive response package from the Federal Government? We have waited too long. Send in the cavalry.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, every month should be Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, and I rise today to share my efforts to help Alzheimer's patients and their families. Having lost my mother due to complications from Alzheimer's, I am all too familiar with how it impacts the patient and their loved ones. I continue to push for more NIH research funding because it represents our best chance to save lives and restore hope to millions of families. I am a cosponsor of Congressman Eliot Engel's Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, a bill to make sure that Alzheimer's patients receive the care and the compassion they deserve and they need. I am also a cosponsor of Congressman Chris Smith's HOPE for Alzheimer's Act, to help families and caregivers plan for the costs and complications of Alzheimer's. I urge all of my colleagues and the public to join together with the Alzheimer's Association in supporting these efforts to fight this tragic disease. Supporting People With Developmental Disorders Through Nature Links

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight the efforts that the one nonprofit organization that is based in my south Florida district is making on behalf of young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nature Links for Lifelong Learning is forming a valuable national model of education and inclusion for south Florida. For far too long, many young adults with an autism spectrum disorder, Asperger's, or Down syndrome have been forgotten as they were released into the world following their time in the public school system, but Nature Links has exceptional skills-based educational training which works to identify the character of each individual's unique identity and takes the time to tap into each student's potential to develop civically engaged, job- ready, and fully functioning adults. I congratulate Nature Links on its contributions to our south Florida community, and I urge everyone to learn more by visiting their Web site at www.naturelinks.net. Celebrating Vizcaya's 100th Anniversary

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the completion of the main house at Vizcaya on the shores of Biscayne Bay in my fabulous south Florida congressional district. Since 1916, Vizcaya has served as a south Florida landmark and a symbol of Old World elegance and cultural influence. Unfortunately, James Deering, the former vice president of International Harvester and the visionary founder of Vizcaya, died in 1925 before his plans for the estate were completed in full. Now, as part of the Miami-Dade County Parks system, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens preserves some of south Florida's early history among significant collections of orchid specimens and European artwork. With plans to continue historic preservation and the creation of an attractive new open space for public enjoyment to be known as Vizcaya Village, the future beyond 100 is indeed very bright for Vizcaya. Exciting Research at the University of Miami

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the outstanding contributions that the University of Miami researchers are making to America's health care. In becoming one of the leading research universities in the country over the last decade, the University of Miami has developed a pool of world-class talent and advanced infrastructure that is helping lead the science and tech boom that is shaping south Florida's future for the better. Among the exciting research breakthroughs taking place in Coral Gables is the work of the Lampidis lab at the Miller School of Medicine. This is where Dr. Lampidis and his associates have found that, when given in combination with a common cholesterol medication, nontoxic 2-DG therapy effectively kills tumors without the use of harsh, conventional chemotherapy drugs. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Dr. Lampidis and everyone at the University of Miami for their efforts to improve our community, our Nation, and the world.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I come to the floor this morning to commemorate the life of a dear friend, Jack Rubin, who passed away last night at his home in south Florida. Jack was a Holocaust survivor, the only member of his family to survive. He was liberated from Auschwitz in May of 1945, came to America, and served in our United States Army. Over the course of his life, Jack dedicated his time to raising awareness about the horrors of the Holocaust and fighting for the needs of survivors. Jack was a regular on Capitol Hill, meeting with Members of Congress and testifying before Congress four times in 2007, 2008, and twice in 2014. On September 18, 2014, Jack testified before a subcommittee hearing, which I chaired, about the struggles of recovering assets for Holocaust survivors, and the struggle continues. At this important hearing, Jack laid out all of the difficulties, all of the challenges that Holocaust survivors are facing in America today, the continued struggle to find the justice that has evaded most of them for over 70 years, and the poverty, the lack of medical care, dental care, mental health care for many survivors. That is why my colleague, Ted Deutch, and I authored a resolution, which already passed the House, urging the German Government to fully fulfill its moral responsibility to Holocaust survivors and urgently provide the financial resources necessary to ensure that survivors live in dignity and comfort in their remaining years. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this measure immediately because this is about survivors getting all of their needs addressed and getting them addressed immediately. I offer my sincere condolences to Jack Rubin's widow, Shirley, and their three children--Michael, David, and Lynn--and many grandchildren. In the 2014 hearing, Mr. Speaker, Jack stated: We are losing more and more survivors every day, and the ones remaining need our help now. We will never forget you, Jack Rubin. We must honor Jack's legacy, Mr. Speaker, by continuing to pursue justice for all Holocaust survivors. Anniversaries of the Iran Deal and the AMIA Attack

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this Thursday marks the 1-year anniversary since the administration and the rest of the P5+1 nations signed the weak and dangerous Iran nuclear deal. One year later, and Iran continues its push for ballistic missiles, and we are seeing reports from Germany's intelligence services that Iran's proliferation activities have not stopped, that the regime has increased its efforts to advance its chemical and biological warfare capabilities as well as its nuclear weapons program. This week, the House will bring to the floor various bills that would amplify sanctions against Iran. We must ensure that Iran is held accountable for its terror activities and that individuals engaged in such activities are brought to justice. Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the attack against the Argentinian Jewish Community Center called AMIA in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Iran and its proxy Hezbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, were behind this heinous and cowardly attack which killed over 80 people and injured hundreds more. Unfortunately, thanks to this weak nuclear deal, some of Iran's most notorious criminals will see sanctions against them lifted, including several individuals responsible for the AMIA bombings. One, General Vahidi, for example. He is a former Quds commander, a former Iranian defense minister, and he has been wanted by INTERPOL since 2007 for his direct role in the AMIA attack. Guess what? His name was one of the ones included in this Iran deal for sanctions to be lifted. Is that justice, Mr. Speaker? Last year, the special prosecutor on the AMIA and my dear friend, Alberto Nisman, was killed in his home in Buenos Aires. I urge the Argentine authorities to do everything in their power to continue to properly and thoroughly investigate his death so that those responsible can be brought to justice. The AMIA attack serves as just one reminder of the many threats from Iran and its nefarious proxies that endanger our national security, the Middle East, and our ally, the Democratic Jewish State of Israel. As we mark the 1-year anniversary of this horrible nuclear deal and commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the AMIA attack, we must redouble our efforts and commitments to hold Iran and all of its cohorts fully accountable.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate a dear friend and a patriot, Mitch Herrick, who will be retiring after 30 years of invaluable service to our great country, first as a U.S. marine, and then as an air traffic controller. I have known Mitch for almost a decade, when he began working at the Miami air traffic control tower at Miami International Airport, located in my congressional district. During his time there, Mitch has also represented the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, or NATCA, as its local facility vice president and also as its local facility legislative representative. Representing NATCA on Capitol Hill and in my south Florida district has been a labor of love for Mitch, almost as much as he loves his dogs and his old Mitsubishi Galant. In 2013, NATCA was proud to present its highest legislative affairs honor, the Trish Gilbert Legislative Activism Award, to Mitch. I thank Mitch for his exceptional service and his commitment to public safety. I wish Mitch and his wife of over 20 years, Michelle, all the best on this well-deserved retirement.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, my constituents and I are blessed to live, to work, and to play in the paradise that is south Florida. And those of us who have fallen in love with south Florida all want our kids and our grandkids to enjoy the same positive experiences that define our unique community. That sense of wanting to be able to pass down that south Florida lifestyle to future generations is really what has motivated me to action on the threat my community faces from a changing ocean. Sea level rise has been occurring steadily along southeast Florida for the last hundred years, and we should be concerned about increasing coastal flooding and saltwater intrusion into our drinking water sources. Meanwhile, new research at the University of Miami suggests that ocean acidification is not only slowing the growth of corals off our coast, but is actually causing the underlying reef structure to begin to dissolve. To counter the threats from changing ocean conditions, we must develop strategies to protect people's livelihoods and the coastal waters upon which south Florida's local economy depends. One such strategy that could pay huge dividends is the restoration of the coral reefs off south Florida. This is actually, Mr. Speaker, the third-largest barrier reef in the entire world. Our reefs have been declining for 40 years, and recent coral disease outbreaks and bleaching events have proved to be devastating. To save south Florida's reefs, I am introducing the Conserving Our Reefs and Livelihoods Act, or the CORAL Act. The CORAL Act would widen the scope of reef restoration and conservation research to include the impact of ocean acidification, warming seas, and invasive species on coral reefs. It would allow for the release of emergency response funds to study coral disease and bleaching events as they happen, instead of as a postmortem. It would expand the focus of the law from simply focused on conservation, to gearing Federal agencies and their partners to play active roles in restoration and recovery. And it would promote innovative work toward understanding the genetic diversity of corals, so that researchers can captive-breed native corals that are specially adapted to current and future ocean conditions for use in restoration projects. The environmental and economic benefits of coral reefs are strongly intertwined, and the CORAL Act would give everyone a place at the table to help develop consensus-based and scientifically rigorous conservation and restoration efforts--efforts that produce real results for Floridians. Restored reefs will increase economic activity through better fishing, diving, recreation, and tourism; and healthy coral growth will allow reefs to keep pace with rising seas to limit the potentially devastating impacts of storm surge on our coasts in the future. Mr. Speaker, having fled the oppressive Castro regime in Cuba with my parents decades ago, I know that south Florida is special because it serves as a place of hope for so many. We cannot allow changing ocean conditions to rob us of our livelihoods, of our lifestyle, of our identity as an optimistic community. My CORAL Act is only a start for south Florida, but it will help in understanding the impacts of ocean acidification, warming seas, coral disease, and invasive species on our reefs so that we can develop effective solutions, so that we can salvage our reefs, and so south Florida will continue to thrive as part of an ever-changing landscape and as an enduring source of hope and inspiration to people from around the world.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 2845) to extend the termination of sanctions with respect to Venezuela under the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Affairs be discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 806, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the situation in Venezuela is deteriorating very quickly. In Venezuela, the people are running out of medicine, running out of food, experiencing electricity shortages, and the regime cannot even provide basic goods for the people. Time is ticking, Mr. Speaker. It is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when Venezuela implodes due to the destructive policies of Nicolas Maduro. And the United States cannot sit idly by and watch this train wreck occur before our very eyes. Responsible countries in Latin America must also stand up and be a voice for those suffering in Venezuela. Last week, 15 countries from the region signed a joint statement that expressed respect for the Venezuelan Constitution and called on responsible nations to guarantee due process and human rights. This is a good first step, Mr. Speaker, and I applaud those countries, but more needs to be done. Tomorrow, the Organization of American States, the OAS, will have a meeting to discuss this crisis. I know that there are some who are advocating for dialogue, but we have tried dialogue before, and it was unsuccessful as Maduro kept coming up with new delays and obstacles in order to prevent a solution. We cannot allow Maduro to continue the charade of a dialogue as a stalling tactic. A referendum, Mr. Speaker, must occur this year. The people demand it. Because if it doesn't, then next year, Maduro can step aside, hand over power to his Vice President, and the same abusive regime continues while not addressing any of the underlying problems. If a dialogue does occur, all sectors of the Venezuelan opposition must be at the table. That is only fair. But it cannot happen if some of them are in jail, and a precondition to any dialogue must include the release of all political prisoners. The regime could show a good-faith effort by doing this, but instead, it continues to go the other direction. It continues to go backwards, postponing the appeal of a political prisoner, Leopoldo Lopez, indefinitely after it was scheduled to occur just 2 days ago. With its repression, its corruption, and its disastrous economic policies, the Maduro regime is running Venezuela into the ground, and it is no wonder that Venezuelans feel like they are under siege. Riots are occurring on a daily basis, and according to one recent study, 87 percent of Venezuelans say they don't have enough money to buy enough food. This travesty is simply unsustainable, and the regime must be held accountable to the people. Tomorrow at the OAS, I hope to see the hemisphere finally stand up for itself, stop allowing itself to be mollified by the regime's lies and stall tactics, and hold Maduro's feet to the fire. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to get through to the people, and the referendum must be held this year. Let the Venezuelan people have their say and finally put an end to this suffering. In September of last year, Mr. Speaker, I joined 19 of my colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Secretary Kerry and Secretary Lew urging the administration to enforce a bill that I passed with Senator Marco Rubio, the Venezuelan Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act, and to apply sanctions to regime officials in the Venezuelan court system in response to the unjust sentencing of Venezuelan activist Leopoldo Lopez. I asked Obama administration officials: What justification do you have for not carrying out and implementing these sanctions for this miscarriage of justice, and what is the dollar amount of the assets seized of the seven individuals whom you have sanctioned? The State Department has pulled some visas due to human rights violations, but I asked the State Department: Can you tell us how many visas the State Department has pulled, and who are these individuals? Last week, at the OAS meeting in the Dominican Republic, Secretary Kerry stated that Venezuela should follow its own constitution and hold a free, fair, and timely recall referendum. Does he believe or expect that it will happen this year? Lastly, Mr. Speaker, Maduro has stated that he is ready to exchange ambassadors. I think this would be a big mistake because it will look as though we are legitimatizing the illegitimate Maduro regime. I hope that the State Department will not nominate someone this year to be Ambassador of Venezuela, and I hope that we, in the U.S., do more to help the long-suffering people of Venezuela.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the Orthodox Christian Churches, which make up the second largest Christian Church in the world, who will be gathering in a Holy and Great Council June 19-26. This is an extraordinary, historic moment in time for Orthodox Christianity. For nearly 300 million Christians, many of whom live in the United States, this Council is of extraordinary historic significance. The adoption of the Nicene Creed in the year 325, a prayer that is recited in virtually every Christian Church in the world, remains the most well-known result of such a Council. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is convening this Great and Holy Council of Orthodox Churches around the world. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the 269th direct successor of the ``first-called'' Apostle Andrew who established his Holy See in that region. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is a renowned person and is no stranger to America where he has been recognized many times for his noteworthy accomplishments. Many will recall that he brought about the world's first statement by Muslim and Christian leaders denouncing the 9/11 attacks as an ``anti- religious'' act. Among other recognitions of great consequence, the U.S. Congress awarded the Ecumenical Patriarch the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997. We welcome this gathering and congratulate our three million Orthodox Christians in America and the 300 million around the world.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their leadership, for their support for human rights in China and, indeed, around the globe. I also want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly), for joining me in introducing this bipartisan resolution that has garnered over 180 cosponsors. Many may not know this, Mr. Speaker, but Mr. Connolly has been working on these issues ever since he was a staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I am proud to have introduced H. Res. 343 alongside my friend from Virginia, a resolution that condemns China's ongoing, gruesome practice of harvesting organs from nonconsenting prisoners of conscience and religious and ethnic minorities. Falun Gong practitioners have long faced an intensive persecution by the Chinese Communist Party and, according to Freedom House, in 2015, comprise the largest portion of prisoners of conscience in China. I was extremely disappointed to read that the State Department's latest human rights report for China quoted a Chinese official's unsubstantiated claim that any harvesting of organs from prisoners would now be voluntary. China has been well-known to produce the majority of organs it uses for transplants from executed prisoners, people who are deprived of their freedom, unable to give their voluntary and informed consent to donate their organs. These are the basic preconditions for ethical organ donation, which China rarely, if ever, meets. The regime of the People's Republic of China does not comply with the requirements of the World Health Organization for transparency and traceability in organ procurement pathways, and the number of voluntary organ donations in China continues to be much lower than the reported number of transplants, let alone the number of unreported ones. All of this points to unethical practices at the very least, and something much, much more inhumane and gruesome at the very worst, and leads us to conclude that China's claim to have ceased with illegal harvesting is a dubious one. The Chinese regime's brutal repression and human rights violations are well known, but it is the horrific treatment of the Falun Gong practitioners, Mr. Speaker, that is particularly egregious yet does not receive the attention that it deserves. Followers of the Falun Gong are among China's most vulnerable to state-sanctioned abuse, which leaves them as likely victims to this ghoulish practice; and if the latest reports of China seeking to conduct full-body transplants are true, then it could put these peaceful individuals in even graver danger. Last week, The New York Times reported that Chinese doctors are seeking to conduct full-body transplants. But again, with little transparency and the lack of ethical standards, one has to wonder, Mr. Speaker, how will these doctors, how will these scientists, conduct their research and experiments? They will likely look to their prisons and target prisoners of conscience--and Falun Gong practitioners, specifically. The New York Times reported that China remains an international pariah that has long been dogged by ethical issues, yet its doctors remain undeterred by the horrid practices and plan on moving forward when they are ready. What will this mean for Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience in China, Mr. Speaker? I shudder to think of their fate as a result of these inhumane experiments and macabre practices. But by passing this resolution, sir, we can send a message to the Chinese regime that we condemn this continued practice of persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and its sickening and unethical practice must stop, especially harvesting organs from nonconsenting individuals. We cannot allow these crimes to continue. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, June 2, 2016. Hon. Ed Royce, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Royce: I am writing with respect to H. Res. 343, which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary. As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions in H. Res. 343 that fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, I agree to discharge our committee from further consideration of this resolution so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H. Res. 343 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this resolution or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H. Res. 343 and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration of this resolution. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Chairman Royce and my good friend Mr. Engel for their continued leadership, both of these great leaders, their longstanding engagement to greater engagement with the Caribbean and for introducing this bill that we have before us today, H.R. 4939, the United States- Caribbean Strategic Engagement Act. I am also pleased to be an original cosponsor and the Republican lead of Mr. Engel's legislation. I thank Mr. Engel. It is fitting that we bring this bill to the floor today, Mr. Speaker, during National Caribbean American Heritage Month. As a Member from south Florida, I see firsthand the wonderful contributions that Caribbean Americans have made to our local communities. The Caribbean culture has had a great and lasting impact on our country and has helped bolster our society and has enriched our traditions. But while we celebrate the contributions of the Caribbean American community to our country, we must also dedicate ourselves to doing more to enhance our relations with our neighbors. U.S. foreign policy in recent administrations--be they Republican or Democratic--have not strengthened our partnerships with the Caribbean in the right way. As the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), our chairman, pointed out, our influence and friendship with these nations has waned, allowing the negative influence of the dictatorships in Cuba and Venezuela to take root in the Caribbean. Deepening our strategic relationship with the Caribbean represents an extraordinary opportunity to expand our economic ties, to cooperate on security issues, and to advance our values, our interests at institutions such as the OAS, the Organization of American States, and the U.N., the United Nations. That is why, Mr. Speaker, this bill is so important. It pushes the State Department to prioritize our relations with the Caribbean nations. It requires our State Department to develop a strategy to partner with our friends in the region on all issues, from counternarcotics efforts, to energy security, to everything. There is great potential for energy in the Caribbean, for example, but we must help nations break from their dependency on Venezuelan energy, especially as the Maduro regime is leading that nation to total chaos. We should help our neighbors take advantage of abundant and cheap natural gas and new, advanced, clean wind and solar technologies. In this way, we can help strengthen the economies of the region from the impact of the Venezuelan collapse--because the collapse is coming, Mr. Speaker--and take realistic steps toward reducing carbon emissions. This engagement has the benefit of being positive and sound foreign policy, but it is also great for our domestic policy. This bill will broaden our outreach to the Caribbean diaspora community here in the United States, which has been so instrumental in helping to shape and influence our great American story, and they deserve recognition and greater collaboration. I urge my colleagues to give their strong support for this bill. I thank Ranking Member Engel for his leadership, as well as Chairman Royce, on this important initiative. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.