Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of our committee, Mr. Royce from California, and the ranking member, Mr. Engel from New York, once again for their leadership. They are the dynamic duo of the Foreign Affairs Committee on this issue. This is a very important day, in terms of sanctioning evildoers in the world. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor the bill promoted by Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel, H.R. 3329, the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act. This is yet another strong, bipartisan bill that they have authored and brought to the floor, aimed at holding Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, accountable for their illicit activity. I was pleased that my amendment to this bill was included to ensure that we identify those Hezbollah parliamentarians and cabinet officials who are subject to the sanctions in this bill and the underlying bill that it amends. This is important, Mr. Speaker, because Hezbollah members have prominent positions in Lebanon's Government, and we want to ensure that they cannot use government funds to divert to Hezbollah's terror activity, and, if they do, those institutions that help facilitate such activity are held to account. I was also pleased to see other provisions approved that would allow us to identify and track individuals and entities that are being used by Iran to supply Hezbollah with arms or support for its missile production facilities in Syria. We know that Iran uses commercial civilian aircraft to fly weapons, arms, and fighters to Syria in support of Hezbollah. We cannot allow Iran to use these civilian aircraft for such activity. This is the first step toward making sure that, once these aircraft are identified, responsible nations will think twice about allowing these Iranian planes to land in their countries. This bill also addresses Iran's and Hezbollah's ability to finance their illicit activities, which is so important, Mr. Speaker. We must go after those individuals and those institutions that provide financial safe havens to these terror groups, and we have got to disrupt their financial networks. That is why this bill is so important, and I urge my colleagues to support Chairman Royce's and Ranking Member Engel's measure before us today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, we have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. For 30 years, Hezbollah has remained Iran's proxy and Iran remains Hezbollah's primary source of financial support--a cozy relationship. In April 2015, its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, boasted that, even under sanctions, Iran still funds Hezbollah's terror. He anticipated that ``a rich and powerful Iran, which will be open to the world'' will be able to do even more. The Iran nuclear agreement has made it possible for Iran to provide Hezbollah with a windfall. But Tehran is not Hezbollah's only source of income. Since its inception, Hezbollah has developed a broad criminal network involved in a range of illicit activities, from drug trafficking to cigarette smuggling, to money laundering to counterfeiting. These global terrorists double as global criminals. This is why we must employ a combination of law enforcement, financial, criminal, civil, and regulatory tools to deter, disrupt, and publicly illuminate the global illicit Hezbollah network. I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for closely collaborating and developing this critical legislation, as well as Senator Rubio and Senator Shaheen in the Senate that have taken the lead on this effort in the Senate. I look forward to continuing to work with them to get this critical legislation signed into law. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend from Florida, Ranking Member Deutch, for authoring this resolution and bringing it to the floor today. Hezbollah has a single leadership, fungible finances, and a single hostile mission. All branches and operations serve its terrorist activities, and it is a deadly mistake to attempt to distinguish among its arms. I again want to thank Mr. Deutch, Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel for their work on this important resolution, which calls for our European allies to designate all branches of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. This is a critical step that our partners across the Atlantic must take to protect our citizens and allies from a highly organized, capable, and increasingly battle-trained terror group that operates networks in countries around the world. We must work together to deprive this organization of its support. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution. I thank the gentleman from Florida for his authorship. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), the chairman of the House Committee on Small Business and a senior member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 359) urging the European Union to designate Hizballah in its entirety as a terrorist organization and increase pressure on it and its members, as amended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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, I thank the Speaker and Chairman Royce, as well as Congressman Engel, the ranking member, for their help in bringing this important resolution to the floor. I also want to say how proud our committee is of the great work of Ranking Member Ted Deutch of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, and our Florida colleague, Gus Bilirakis, who are the authors of H. Res. 359, urging the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization. I thank Mr. Deutch for his leadership on this. This notion, Mr. Speaker, that there can be separate wings of a terrorist organization is as absurd as the notion that Iran can be a responsible member of the international community. There is no distinction between Hezbollah members. Anyone who pledges allegiance to this terror group must be labeled accordingly. One needn't look further than Hezbollah's activities in Syria or its terror attacks against Israel or even the statements coming out of Iran, its patron, and Hezbollah itself to know that if you are Hezbollah, you support terror activities. Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism, and Hezbollah is its proxy. There is simply no justification at all for our European friends to try to differentiate between a military wing and a political wing of a terrorist organization. They may justify it by saying it will upset the delicate balance in Lebanon and they worry about the fallout, but the sad reality is that it comes down to money. They will not take any action against Iran, as we have seen since the JCPOA, because members of the EU have signed lucrative business deals with Iran, and they don't want to damage their economic opportunities. It is as simple as that, because even our Gulf allies have labeled Hezbollah, in its entirety, as a terrorist organization. The European Union needs to wake up, and we must urge it and its member states to designate the whole of Hezbollah as the terrorists that they are, and it must realize that doing so would be in their best interest and in the best interest of Israel, a nation that shares their values and their ideals, unlike Iran, a regime that benefits by the lack of a full designation of Hezbollah. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, so I will wait for Mr. Deutch to close on his time. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to shed light on domestic violence during this month of October, I would like to highlight a bill, H.R. 909, the Pet and Women Safety Act. This necessary bipartisan legislation introduced by my friend Representative Katherine Clark and I will establish a Federal grant program to provide a safe haven for the companion animals of domestic violence victims. Studies show that almost half of domestic violence survivors do not leave their abusive relationships out of fear of what would happen to their beloved pets. When less than 5 percent of domestic violence shelters are able to house pets, it is no wonder why so many victims choose to stay in these relationships for as long as they do. Our bill empowers these victims and gives them the necessary resources to help them step out of the shadow of fear and uncertainty. Mr. Speaker, the Pet and Women Safety Act now enjoys the bipartisan support of 237 of our colleagues. I encourage every Member of Congress to add their name to this legislation, and I ask our leadership to bring H.R. 909 for a vote.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight the 2017 Miami Walk to End Alzheimer's that will take place at Museum Park in downtown Miami on Saturday, November 4. Alzheimer's is a devastating disease that impacts over 54,000 seniors in my county of Miami Dade and more than 500,000 individuals across the Sunshine State. It is not just the patients who suffer. Family members and caregivers also bear the brunt of this tragic and emotionally draining disease. I know this personally, having lost my mother due to complications from Alzheimer's 6 years ago. The Miami Walk to End Alzheimer's plays an essential role in helping advance Alzheimer's care and research in our community and across our Nation. This wonderful event is also important to patients, families, and caregivers as a reminder that they have the full support of our community as they battle this terrible disease. I encourage everyone in our south Florida community to come out on November 4 and support and raise awareness for Alzheimer's.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, it is with great pleasure that I send warm greetings to the Baha'i community of South Florida and beyond. Baha'is have thrived in the United States for over 120 years, making the world a better place by being good citizens, serving their communities, and working with those around them to promote the common good. With over five million followers around the world, the Baha'i Faith continues to promote Baha'u'llah's message of justice, unity, and peace, as it calls for equality, education, interfaith harmony, and international cooperation, and an end to racial prejudice. Despite the Baha'i message of peace, Baha'is in Iran continue to endure severe persecution because of their faith. In the last two Congresses, I have been honored to introduce a resolution which condemns ``the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights.'' Last year the House unanimously passed this resolution, sending a strong message that Iran must be held accountable for its actions, and we continue to garner strong bipartisan support for a similar measure, H. Res. 274, this year. As we celebrate the bicentenary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, let us remember his words: ``so powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.'' In our quest for justice and peace, we must all work together to combat religious persecution whenever and wherever it is found My best wishes to the entire Baha'i community on this very special occasion.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with my deepest sympathy that I rise today to recognize the tragic loss of Sergeant La David Terrence Johnson, one of four brave U.S. Special Forces soldiers--and you see them here listed--killed during an ambush in Niger on October 4 as a result of enemy fire. Sergeant Johnson was a proud south Floridian, a decorated soldier, having been awarded several honors, and well-loved throughout our community. Sergeant Johnson was a loving husband to his wife, Myeshia, and a devoted father to their wonderful children, Ah'Leeysa Jones and La David Johnson, Jr. He leaves behind a baby girl due in January. Sergeant Johnson will always be remembered as a loyal family man, a dedicated soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I offer my deepest sympathy to Sergeant Johnson's mourning family, friends, and loved ones. Godspeed to Sergeant La David Terrence Johnson.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a constituent and local South Florida artist, Xavier Cortada, and congratulate him on his inaugural art exhibit titled ``Florida Is'' at the Hibiscus Gallery at Pinecrest Gardens. Throughout the years, Xavier's passion has been to generate awareness for our environment and global climate change through his art work. His work is included at my alma mater, Florida International University, where he serves as Artist-in-Residence. His current exhibit ``Florida Is'' truly allows viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of Florida's natural beauty. His exhibition will be available until November 15th at Pinecrest Gardens where visitors will have the opportunity to connect with his incredible art while walking around the garden. Mr. Speaker, I would once again like to congratulate Xavier Cortada and invite my fellow colleagues to celebrate our nation's artists and their endeavor to change the world through the power of art.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage my colleagues to support the Care Corps Demonstration Act. By the year 2030, there will be more than 72 million older Americans. As they age, many of these seniors will require long-term support and services, placing a significant burden on our elder care system that is already struggling to provide and finance services to our seniors. The Care Corps Demonstration Act, which my colleague Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and I have introduced, will address this growing need by placing Care Corps volunteers in communities where they will provide essential services to seniors that will allow these older Americans to remain independent. In turn, these wonderful volunteers will receive assistance in paying down their educational expenses. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, this program will help us train a new generation of healthcare providers to meet our Nation's demand for senior care services b giving our students essential, real-world experience in the field. Mr. Speaker, this bill will create stronger communities across our Nation by bringing generations of Americans together. I encourage my colleagues to support our bill, the Care Corps Demonstration Act, of this session. The bill number, Mr. Speaker, is H.R. 3493. So please contact my congressional office or the office of Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham to cosponsor H.R. 3493.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask for my colleagues' support for the Senior Citizen Protection Act, which I introduced along with my friend, Congressman Brad Schneider. Seniors are valued members of our society, and we must do everything we can to ensure that they can live with dignity and without fear of being abused by those entrusted to care for them. This bipartisan bill seeks to achieve that goal by creating a national registry for those convicted of elder abuse that will be accessible to senior care providers and families before they make a decision on whom they hire as a caregiver for their loved ones. This national database will bring together local and State registries in order to prevent abusers from continuing to inflict suffering on senior citizens by simply relocating from one community to another. I urge my colleagues to join Mr. Schneider and me in support of this measure that will help ensure that our parents, grandparents, and loved ones are looked after by professional caregivers who will give them the treatment and respect they deserve. Caring for Seniors During Natural Disasters

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Protecting Seniors During Disasters Act, which I introduced with my colleague, Congresswoman Lois Frankel of Florida. The horrific deaths of 14 seniors in a Florida nursing home facility in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma made it abundantly clear that more must be done to protect seniors during and after natural disasters. In times of emergency, many senior citizens find themselves disconnected from caregivers and without the treatments and resources that they so desperately need. Our bill seeks to reconnect seniors by requiring that Federal agencies assess how their emergency response efforts impact the elderly. It also calls for the implementation of standards to better protect and care for senior citizens and nursing home residents across our Nation during and after emergency situations. This is a commonsense, bipartisan legislative initiative that aims to save the lives of many senior citizens and helps ensure that the tragedy that took place in south Florida will not happen again. I urge my colleagues to join us in support of this lifesaving measure. Building a National Museum of the American Latino

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the many contributions of our vibrant community throughout our country, I would like to bring attention to a bill that I have sponsored that would permanently showcase the history and stories of American Latinos. H.R. 2911, the National Museum of the American Latino Act, will establish a world-class educational institution on The National Mall for the millions of visitors who come to our Nation's capital every year eager to learn about American history. Latinos have served our great country in every war dating back to before the Revolutionary War and continue to proudly serve in our military. They are small-business owners, job creators, TV stars, athletes, and public servants. An initiative over 20 years in the making, this museum would be a visual representation of the difficulties that Latinos have overcome leaving their home countries, whether to flee an oppressive communist regime in my native homeland of Cuba, or Venezuela, or for the opportunity to partake in the American Dream, as well as the story of Hispanics who have made the U.S. their home for many generations. As the first Hispanic woman elected to the U.S. Congress, I am proud to invite my colleagues to join me in this endeavor and cosponsor H.R. 2911, the National Museum of the American Latino Act.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to honor my constituent, Jesus A. Permuy, for a lifetime of service to our south Florida community and to the cause of liberty in my native homeland of Cuba. Like my family and me and so many others in my congressional district, Jesus was forced to flee Castro's brutal tyranny. Jesus embraced his new life here in the United States and became involved in numerous civic and community affairs while working to restore freedom and democracy in Cuba. In 1976, Jesus secured accreditation for the Christian Democratic Movement of Cuba to speak before the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva. For decades, Mr. Permuy has been involved in a number of human rights advocacy organizations denouncing the systemic repression brought upon the Cuban people by the evil Castro regime. Jesus founded the Center for Human Rights in Miami. He is a dedicated husband, a proud father of 8 children, and a grandfather of 11 grandchildren. Jesus is a shining example to us all. Thank you, Jesus A. Permuy, for your service to our community and to my native Cuba.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind on its new Lighthouse Learning Center and Pre- K program. The Miami Lighthouse has served south Florida since 1931, offering life-changing programs and resources for those who have visual impairments. President Virginia Jacko and her staff are making history once again with the Lighthouse Learning Center. The Miami Lighthouse is partnering with Miami-Dade County Public Schools to provide a comprehensive learning program for pre-K students using an evidence-based curriculum to support and empower visually impaired students to achieve their potential. Children in this program will receive the training they need to perform at the same level as their sighted peers by the time they enroll in school. Mr. Speaker, it fills me with great pride to recognize Virginia Jacko and the entire staff at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind for their tireless work in launching this wonderful learning center in the heart of Little Havana, located in my congressional district.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce; Ranking Member Engel; and, in this case, especially Congressman Albio Sires, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, for once again helping to bring another important bipartisan Foreign Affairs measure to the House floor. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of the Protecting Girls' Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act. My good friend, Steve Chabot, has been a real leader in Congress when it comes to ensuring that girls around the world have the opportunity to achieve a better future for themselves through access to education. Mr. Speaker, I am a former Florida certified teacher. I understand the value of education. Mr. Sires from New Jersey is also a former teacher. We heard from Mr. Chabot, who is also a former teacher. We understand how important education is to future success. Right now, sadly, Mr. Speaker, there are 65 million displaced people around the world, and about half of that population is under 18. This bill before us prioritizes State and USAID efforts to support access to primary and secondary education for displaced children, with a specificity to helping displaced girls. Unfortunately, sometimes young girls fall victim to exploitation, to trafficking, or they get married off, sold off, without having the opportunity to determine their own future; something that we might take for granted in this glorious country. That is why Mr. Chabot's bill is so important. We need to reach out to those young girls. We need to have them have access to primary and secondary education so that they can increase their own chances for a prosperous future, Mr. Speaker. Access to education, I know, empowers young people, and it will especially empower young girls. It will offer them a chance at socioeconomic opportunities that heretofore have been closed to them. It offers them stability. It offers them empowerment. Mr. Speaker, we have got to pass Mr. Chabot's bill. We have got to do more to ensure that displaced people, especially young girls, have access to education. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure. I urge our partners in responsible nations around the world to join us in prioritizing our efforts toward access to education for all. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Royce and Mr. Engel, and I especially thank my good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Sires).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill, H.R. 1918, the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act, also known as the NICA Act, and I want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for working with my office to bring this important measure to the floor today. I also want to thank my legislative ``brother,'' ``mi hermano,'' the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), who is the Democratic lead on this legislation, because his leadership on all things related to human rights is admirable, and his steadfast support for the people of Nicaragua has been unwavering. I also want to thank the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Duncan. He has been helping us in leading the effort and bringing attention to the human rights abuses that are sadly occurring in Nicaragua. This legislation before us, Mr. Speaker, is straightforward, and it is simple. There have been a lot of exaggerations about what this bill does and what this bill doesn't do. Our bill is aimed at leveraging America's influence and conditioning our vote at any of the international financial institutions for Nicaragua until the leadership in that country takes significant steps to restore democratic order. I think that we would all agree, as Members of the United States Congress, that to have democracies in our region is beneficial; and to have strong governance and strong rule of law and a strong independent judiciary, these are all values that we share and that the people throughout the hemisphere would like to have that in their countries as well. So let's go over, just briefly, what are some of the conditions in this bill. And please, as I go through them, ask yourself: Is that a damaging condition, or is that something that would help the people? Not whether it helps the ruling class, the rich guys, the fat-cat bankers, not whether it helps the regime or the government in power, whether it helps the people of those countries. So let me go through the list, Mr. Speaker. This bill has as conditions: To promote democracy. Promoting democracy, promoting an independent judicial system. Those are wonderful values. Promoting an independent electoral council, so that the ruling party doesn't steal elections; Strengthen the rule of law so that you don't have corrupt judges deciding in favor of the rich guys and against the poor of the country; Fighting corruption, including investigating and prosecuting government officials who are credibly alleged to be corrupt, who go against the people of Nicaragua and further enrich those who wish to do damage to the country. What else does the bill do? Well, one of the conditions is that it protects the right of political opposition parties. Don't we want that, political opposition parties; journalists who are trying to get the truth to the Nicaraguan people just as they do here to the American people; trade unionists; human rights defenders and other civil rights advocates to operate without interference. Isn't that what we want for all countries to have? These conditions, Mr. Speaker, they are not unheard of; in fact, they are similar to what this country has already passed, what this Congress has already passed for the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, of Guatemala, and of El Salvador. And now we want to do that for Nicaragua, so it is intended to help the people of Nicaragua. This bill has safeguards in place to ensure that humanitarian assistance continues to be provided to address basic human needs. Humanitarian assistance will continue. Some of those basic needs that we talked about, such as free and fair elections, they are not being met today due to the failed leadership in Nicaragua. And who does that help? Well, it helps the leaders, and it hurts the people when you don't have free and fair elections. We want to help the people of Nicaragua. Now, reports have surfaced that the Nicaraguan electoral council is giving away identity cards, so that minors, underage individuals can be allowed to vote. Nicaraguans who are not on the electoral rolls are also being allowed to vote. What does that mean, Mr. Speaker? It means that there will be no way to determine if the individual voted more than once, and that is exactly how the status quo wants it; the fat-cats, they like it so that they can stay there and they can manipulate the results of the elections. We are also seeing civil society leaders publicly expressing their concern regarding the deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua. As a result of speaking out against the government, they have been targeted for persecution. You speak out against the government, you are going to have some false charges thrown at you. And what about the indigenous communities? They have also expressed their concern regarding land grabs by the government. Violence is breaking out as the Nicaraguan military is being dispatched to squash the peaceful protests by these indigenous communities. So let us not forget, Mr. Speaker, just what kind of leadership structure we are dealing with in Nicaragua. The Russians have set up operations in Managua, they are proud of it, they put it in the front pages, and that poses a threat to U.S. national security interests.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Nicaragua continues to offer its unconditional support to Nicolas Maduro and his dictatorial regime in Venezuela. And according to congressional testimony, Venezuela's entity, PDVSA, has also used its subsidiary in Nicaragua, which is called Albanisa--and I will give the exact letters of those names--to launder money. So, Mr. Speaker, if Venezuela's Maduro is using Nicaragua in order to evade U.S. sanctions, we need to take a closer look at these ties. We need to hold people accountable because all of that hurts the people of Venezuela and the people of Nicaragua. It helps the government, but it doesn't help the people. That is what this bill does. We want to hold the Nicaraguan Government accountable, just like we have done in other countries, as I said, in Central America. This is not something new, out of whole cloth, that we have invented. It has worked, and it has truly helped the people. Now, earlier this year, Mr. Sires and I, we traveled to Honduras, we traveled to Guatemala, and we saw firsthand how conditioning our support for these countries works and has been extremely effective. Has it hurt those countries? It has not. It has worked. It has strengthened their democracy. It has strengthened the rule of law, the independent judiciary. So placing conditions incentivizes countries to do the right thing, and it makes institutional reforms, as needed, to improve the livelihood of their citizens. So I know that the Nicaraguan Government does not like this bill, but I tell you, Mr. Speaker, the people of Nicaragua would like to know that the United States Congress stands with them as they call for reforms that promote democracy, that strengthen the rule of law, that fight corruption, and that protect the rights of all political opposition parties, and that is exactly what this bill does.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cancer Link, an amazing volunteer organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer and assisting those in south Florida whose lives have been impacted by this disease. Cancer Link was founded in 1987 by a small group of 10 Miami women who wanted to spread awareness about breast cancer after suffering the devastating loss of a friend. In the years since, this wonderful organization has grown into an impactful volunteer group that has supported essential breast cancer research at the Sylvester Cancer Center in Miami, Florida. The volunteers at Cancer Link have also helped provide essential community healthcare programs that ensure that healthcare for breast cancer treatment is accessible to every woman in our community. Congratulations again to all who have been a part of Cancer Link throughout the years, and thank you for 30 years of service to our community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.