Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Dr. Paul for yielding me that time, and I yield 12\3/4\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), our distinguished majority whip.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am proud to yield 2 minutes to my colleague the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), who is a staunch supporter of Israel and who has been there many times.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight in strong support of the resolution before us, introduced by our distinguished majority leader and two foreign policy giants, our International Relations chairman, Henry Hyde and our ranking member, Tom Lantos. We wish that circumstances were different in the Middle East, and we regret the loss of innocent human life. However, silence on our part in the face of these outrageous attacks against Israel would only serve to embolden these Islamic terrorists and their neighbors. Our stance, therefore, must be clear, Mr. Speaker; we condemned these armed attacks against Israel. We fully support Israel's right to take appropriate action to defend itself in the face of these existential threats, and we must hold not just Hamas and Hezbollah but also Iran and Syria accountable. Mr. Speaker, the current conflict in the Middle East is not simply the result of these most recent developments. Rather, it results from the efforts of the chain of interrelated extremist entities and their state sponsors who threaten not just Israel but our own security interests as well. It stems from a deep-seated desire to destroy the State of Israel, or, as the Iranian leader has said, to wipe Israel off the map. It stems from Iran's desire to export its revolution and to exert regional domination. It is based on a world view that led to the taking of American hostages in 1979, who were held for 444 days, and that hatred against the U.S. as not gone unabated. The events of the recent weeks find their roots in an alliance between Iran and Syria and their terrorist proxies, which, throughout the years, have caused the deaths and injuries of countless Israelis and Americans alike. Current developments are also linked to the failure of the United Nations to ensure full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 requiring Hezbollah to dismantle and disarm. Over the past year, Israel has shown tremendous restraint in the face of continued assault from Islamic extremists. Despite Israel's withdrawal from Gaza last year, terror attacks targeting innocent Israeli civilians continued and, in fact, have increased. In the last year extremists in Gaza have launched over 1,000 rockets at Israelis. Weapons, money and manpower were smuggled to Gaza through tunnels, enabling continued terrorism and transforming the areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority into havens for international terror groups like al Qaeda. Hamas and other jihadist groups use such underground tunnels to sneak into Israel, to kill two soldiers and kidnap Corporal Shalit in order to exchange him for imprisoned, condemned, Palestinian terrorists. The situation intensified on July 12 when members of Hezbollah, without a hint of provocation, went into Israel and killed three Israeli soldiers and took two others hostages. Again, this was not an isolated incident by Hezbollah. In the past year these extremists launched at least four attacks into Israel. One of these took place on November 2005 when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel while a large number of its jihadists infiltrated and attacked an Israeli village. The enemy should not and must not be underestimated. Iran and Syria and other terrorist enablers are engaged in a never-ending struggle to improve their relative power position. They have declared war on freedom and democracy, and will use any means available to them to achieve their ends. They not only present a threat to Israel and to the U.S., but also to moderate reforming Arab governments in the region. In turn, we must resolve, as this resolution clearly states, to work with Israel and other U.S. allies to fight these extremists worldwide. As Robert Satloff of the Washington Institute for Near East Policies recently said, defeat for Israel is a defeat for U.S. interests. It will inspire radicals of every stripe. It will release Iran and Syria to spread more mayhem inside Iraq, and make more likely our own eventual confrontation with this emboldened alliance of extremists. By contrast, Satloff adds, victory in the form of Hezbollah disarmament, the expulsion of Iran's military presence from Lebanon, the eviction of Meshal and friends from Damascus, and the demise of the Hamas government in Gaza is, by the same token, also a victory for the U.S. and for Western interests. Mr. Speaker, this says it all. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I also ask unanimous consent that the time for debate on this measure be extended for 40 minutes, to be equally divided between the proponent and opponent.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, further, I yield 10 minutes of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations, and ask unanimous consent that he be permitted to control that time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley) for a unanimous consent request. (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, at this time I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the chief deputy whip.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Hayworth). (Mr. HAYWORTH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 905, congratulating Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of the closure of the world's second largest nuclear test site, and for its efforts on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Kazakhstan was once home to the second largest nuclear test site in the world. From the years of 1945 to 1991, over 450 tests were carried out at that site. After becoming independent from the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan was left with more than 1,000 nuclear warheads and with 40 heavy bombers armed with 370 nuclear warheads and comprising the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal. Immediately after achieving its independence, Kazakhstan successfully closed and secured its enormous nuclear test site. Kazakhstan accepted support from the U.S. Department of Energy and readily complied with the nuclear threat initiative, blending down over 6,000 pounds of weapons grade highly enriched uranium. Given the threats that we are facing from rogue states such as Iran, which has blatantly violated its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and which refuses to immediately stop its nuclear-related and weapons- related activities, we welcome the opportunity to stand here today commemorating Kazakhstan's landmark decision. In addition to inheriting a massive nuclear arsenal from the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan was also left with the world's largest anthrax production and weaponizing facility. Through cooperation with the United States Cooperative Threat Reduction program, CTR, Kazakhstan was able to successfully dismantle the military-related buildings and equipment related to such anthrax programs. I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution and, in so doing, join us in commending the people and the government of Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of the closure of the world's second largest nuclear test site and for greatly advancing global nonproliferation efforts by dismantling its nuclear and biological weapons and facilities. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 905) congratulating Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of the closure of the world's second largest nuclear test site in the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan and for its efforts on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 5 minutes of our time to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 860, a bill to provide for the conveyance of the reversionary interest of the United States in certain lands to the Clint Independent School District of El Paso County, Texas. In 1940, the Clint District School received 20 acres of land that the United States Government had obtained by treaty with Mexico. The Department of State retained reversionary interests in the parcel. Because of legislation passed in 1957, Clint was able to trade the land for another piece of land in which the U.S. Government also had a reversionary interest. The Clint School District still owns that piece of land. During the 105th Congress, Congressman Reyes introduced legislation, a similar bill to the one before us, which would have provided for the conveyance of the reversionary interest of the United States in this land to the Clint Independent School District. This legislation became public law number 105-169 on April 24, 1998, but a drafting error led to the misidentification of the land in question and thus rendered this public law obsolete. This bill before us, Mr. Speaker, H.R. 860, corrects that error. Mr. Speaker, because the land in question still lies outside of Clint's boundaries, regulations prevent the school district from developing it. H.R. 860 will allow Clint to sell its land in order to buy property within its district boundaries that can be used for public educational purposes. This legislation has been approved by the State Department and approved by the House International Relations Committee and I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 860) to provide for the conveyance of the reversionary interest of the United States in certain lands to the Clint Independent School District, El Paso County, Texas.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 435) congratulating Israel's Magen David Adom Society for achieving full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and for other purposes, 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 include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 435, congratulating Israel's Magen David Adom Society for achieving full membership in the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement. On June 22, the Society was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and admitted as a full member into the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Society's attaining full membership in the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement is a significant achievement, as it marks an end to Israel's almost 60-year-old isolation from the international human rights assistance community. Since 1949, the Society has been refused admission into the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement simply due to the fact that they used the Red Shield of David as its symbol. For years, the Society has worked closely with the International Red Cross bringing emergency relief to victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods around the globe. It has brought its medical services and cutting-edge technology to provide assistance to disasters, such as Katrina in the U.S. Gulf Coast, tsunami relief in southeast Asia, and the flooding in Romania. This resolution commends the Magen David Adom Society for its distinguished record of humanitarian service and congratulates this organization for achieving full membership in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The resolution before us thanks the President and the Secretary of State for their tireless efforts toward this goal, and for submitting to the Senate the third additional protocol for the Geneva Convention. The resolution also expresses appreciation to the American Red Cross for its insistence that the goals of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement could not be credibly accomplished if Magen David Adom was excluded. Lastly, this measure thanks the Government of Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross for paving the way for Israel's full inclusion into the international humanitarian assistance community. I would like to extend my personal congratulations to the Magen David Adom for the remarkable job that it has done for years in saving the lives around the globe and for this landmark achievement. I want to give a personal congratulations to my ranking member on the Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee, Mr. Ackerman, who is the author and the chief sponsor of this resolution. This is a subject with which he has been intimately involved in a number of years, and it is thanks in large part to his participation in this effort that we have finally brought this organization on board. Congratulations. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am proud to yield back the balance of my time. It has been a pleasure working with my good friend, Mr. Ackerman.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne) who is going to close our debate, the cochair of the Iraqi Women's Caucus here in the House.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today to request my colleagues' support for H. Res. 908, a resolution congratulating Italy on winning the 2006 Federation Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, World Cup. On July 9, 2006 the Italian team, known affectionately in Italy as Azzurri, or ``The Blue,'' secured its place as one of the most successful teams in World Cup history, having reached the finals six times and having just won its championship. Under the leadership of Coach Marcello Lippi and Captain Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian team went undefeated in World Cup play. I must point out in a bit of national pride that the only team Italy was unable to defeat was our very own United States National Team, with whom Italy tied 1-1. The Italian championship at the FIFA World Cup highlights the vibrant culture and the heritage of Italy, the same vibrant culture and heritage brought to America by millions of Italian immigrants that has enriched and continues to enrich our great Nation through countless contributions to every aspect of our society. This is a proud heritage that is shared by millions of Italian Americans, and a pride which extends to the Italian National World Cup team. Countless Americans throughout the United States rejoiced at Italy's success, and it is with a hearty ``bene fatto'' that I extend congratulations to Italy and to the Italian International Soccer team on winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup. I urge my colleagues to do likewise by agreeing to this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.