Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an outstanding group from my congressional district, south Florida, the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program: its founder, Jennifer Valoppi; its sponsor, NBC Channel 6; and, of course, their board of directors, Don Browne, Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, Donna Feldman, Judge Judy Kreeger, Marita Srebnick, and Sherry Williams, for their steadfast commitment to the women of our south Florida community. Women of Tomorrow is a mentor and scholarship program designed to guide, to inspire, and to help at-risk young women achieve their true potential through education, job training, resume-building, and skill development. We as a society have a profound obligation to enrich the lives of all of our citizens, and Women of Tomorrow fulfills that obligation by encouraging young women to achieve their dreams and embrace their true dignity. I am proud of all of those who are associated with Women of Tomorrow for their continuing efforts to improving the lives of south Florida's youth.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take my special order at this time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and many fond memories that I stand here today to honor the life and invaluable legacy of Dr. Rafael Diaz-Balart. As a prominent attorney and elected official in his native land of Cuba, Rafael quickly rose to the position of majority leader in the Cuban Republic's House of Representatives before Fidel Castro illegally seized power in the 1959 Communist revolution. As majority leader, Rafael warned his legislative colleagues of Castro's desire of absolute power, a desire that would be achieved by any means necessary. In a prophetic speech, Rafael said in the legislature of Castro's thugs, ``They do not want peace. They do not want a national solution. They do not want democracy or elections or fraternity. Fidel Castro and his group seek only one thing, power, and total power at that. And they want to achieve that power through violence, so that their total power will enable them to destroy every vestige of the constitution and law in Cuba, to institute the most cruel, most barbaric tyranny, a tyranny that would teach the people the true meaning of tyranny.'' How sadly correct Rafael Diaz-Balart was so many years ago. Vigilantly opposed to the Communist tyranny and oppression that had taken hold of his country, Dr. Diaz-Balart and his family fled the island. Shortly after leaving Cuba, he founded the White Rose Party, an organization dedicated to fighting against Castro's dictatorial regime and restoring democracy and liberty in Cuba. In addition, his testimony to the United States Senate in 1960 alerted the Nation to the dangers of Castro's government. In his testimony, Rafael provided evidence of Castro's oppression and his abuse of the political dissidents as well as the global threat of communism. He, like my father Enrique Ros and so many others who fled Cuba due to Castro's dictatorial regime in these four decades, dreamed of a free Cuba, a country where human rights would once again be respected, where political prisoners would be freed, where a democratic multiparty political system would flourish and a free market economy would thrive, thus allowing the Cuban people and their foreign economic partners to own their own businesses and to prosper. A passionate and dedicated leader, Rafael was a relentless defender of human rights. He along with so many other human rights activists brought Cuba's ongoing human rights violations to the attention of the United States Government, to the attention of the American people and, indeed, to the international community. In addition, Rafael demonstrated his ability to fight not only for the Cuban and the Cuban- American community but for all oppressed people throughout the world. His determination and his resoluteness have guided me in my own career as a public servant from my beginnings in the Florida State legislature to my current position in the United States Congress. I was inspired by his endless commitment to the Cuban people and to all individuals living under dictatorial rule. His sons Rafael, Jose, Lincoln and Mario continue this legacy of promoting peace, liberty and the rule of law, a legacy that began with Rafael Diaz-Balart, Sr., the namesake of Florida International University's college of law. Perhaps Rafael's strongest political legacy is the one that he has passed on to his children and to his grandchildren, especially his sons Jose and Rafael and our esteemed colleagues serving with us in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressmen Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart. I am privileged to have known and to have worked closely with Rafael and the Diaz-Balart family throughout my professional career as a legislator. Together with them, I will continue to promote a free and democratic Cuba and democracy throughout the world. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Dr. Rafael Diaz-Balart, who was a wonderful friend, a loving husband, a dedicated father and one of the most outstanding members of our Florida community. My thoughts and my prayers go out to his family during this difficult time. He will be sorely missed by all.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of Illinois (Mr. Kirk), who is also a Rotarian.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks, and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration, H. Res. 142.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 142) supporting the goals and ideals of a ``Rotary International Day'' and celebrating and honoring Rotary International on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 193, and I commend the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) for writing this important measure and bringing it to the floor. I would like to also thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the ranking member of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), as well as the House leadership, for helping us bring this resolution to the floor in such an expeditious manner. Mr. Speaker, even the most violent and repressive dictatorships cannot extinguish freedom when it lives in people's hearts, and Cuba is no exception. The dictator Fidel Castro has always used fear to keep himself and his cronies in power. Two years ago, the tyrant again attempted to silence the cries for liberty and democracy that emanate from every corner of the Cuban gulag. He arrested over 75 dissidents and sentenced them to prison terms each up to 25 years. What were their crimes? Simply daring to exercise their fundamental freedoms, for daring to be free men and women. These 75 are just some of the most recent ones. There are many more Cuban prisoners of conscience who languish in squalid jail cells. However, Mr. Speaker, all of Cuba is an island prison; and today we rise to commend and support the activities of Cuba's peaceful internal opposition. On May 20, Cuba's democratic opposition will convene in an Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba. This historic meeting will discuss ways to bring democracy and liberty to the nation of Cuba, which has suffered under a brutal dictatorship for more than four decades. May 20, 2005, will also mark the 103rd anniversary of the Cuban Republic, of Cuba's birth as a free nation. Yet the Cuban opposition is determined to correct this injustice and reclaim their rights as free people in a free, democratic, and sovereign nation. The May 20th Assembly to Promote Civil Society in Cuba is an important step toward the fulfillment of this goal. Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Felix Bonne Carcasses, and Rene Gomez Manzano and many others are the organizers of this landmark meeting. Despite the risks and the constant threats that the dictator holds over their heads, they are living examples to their countrymen of courage and determination, of how to follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul, II, and be not afraid. Just recently, a group of young Cubans held an essay contest focusing on a democratic transition in Cuba. One of the finalists, Edgar Lopez Moreno, struck a chord that doubtless resonates with the vast majority of his countrymen. He wrote: ``After 46 years of political ostracism and imposition by the Communist Party and its maximum leader, today the process of transition to democracy on the island is closer than ever.'' The winds of freedom are behind the Cuban opposition. The just nature of their cause has given them wings. Soon democracy will take flight in Cuba. Soon the Cuban people will free themselves from the grip of this dictator, but they need our help. They need our support, and it begins here and now. I urge my colleagues to stand with these brave Cubans by joining me in voting for the resolution of the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart) today. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we welcome this week the President of Georgia and the architect of the Rose Revolution in that country, it is critically important that the United States Congress continue to focus on the need to bring about freedom and democracy as antidote to terrorism, to oppression, and instability. Nowhere is this policy more pertinent than in Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan today is a vivid example of the need to continue and indeed strengthen this policy in the region. Months of civilian protests and flawed parliamentary elections culminated in the invalidation of those election results by that country's supreme court, the resignation of the entire cabinet, and an end to the 15-year reign of its strongman. This is a clear sign that the winds of democratic change cannot be stopped. The Kyrgyz people certainly took note of the elections in nearby Afghanistan, of Georgia's Rose Revolution and Ukraine's Orange Revolution in November of last year; courageous individuals such as Mr. Edil Baisalov of the president's Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society, Kyrgyzstan, who are struggling to exert their rights as citizens and human beings. He will be testifying before the Committee on International Relations tomorrow on how the U.S. can help support those who, like him, toil for freedom around the world. I assure you that what we do in this body resonates throughout that region. Mr. Baisalov has referred to the positive impact of a resolution that I introduced on the status of human rights in central Asia, and that it has energized the opposition and the prodemocracy, the dissident movement in his country. The U.S., along with the European Union, was quick to denounce Kyrgyzstan's recent parliamentary election as seriously flawed. It was precisely this Western rejection of sham elections in Georgia and Ukraine that helped tip the balance there. Thus, as the Central Asian states enter into a challenging phase of political transition, the United States must continue to maintain the pressure for democratic change in Central Asia. The challenges are immense. Opposition parties in Central Asia are either fictitious organizations that exist only on paper or, as in Kazakhstan, opposition groups in name only, as in Uzbekistan, where all five opposition parties support supposedly the president. Turkmenistan's president has gone as far as to dispense with the pretense of democratic rule and brazenly declared himself president for life, a move that demonstrates his confidence that his dictatorship will go unchallenged by the world. This situation has not gone unchallenged by the United States. In July of 2004, after careful review of the state of political reform in Uzbekistan, the Department of State decided that the leader is not fulfilling the terms of the 2002 Strategic Partnership Framework agreement, which mandated substantial and continuing progress on democracy movements and decided to deny certification to Uzbekistan. In Uzbekistan, religion becomes criminal in that country as soon as it strays out of the official State-controlled Islam. The Uzbek government is behaving much as it did with its Soviet predecessors. Following massive arrests in Uzbekistan of followers of the two leading militant groups, adherents of the movements have gone underground. Yet their numbers are swelling in the region, particularly among young unemployed folks who are distributing the information put forth by the militants, and they try to manipulate the religion for terrorist political gain, and they are doing so because they need the money. Thus, the dependence of many governments throughout Central Asia on tyrannical rule does not only fail to adequately address the problem of Islamic extremism, but it serves to fuel the terrorism that stems from it. We, and other open societies, must, therefore, condition our assistance to Central Asian states not only on their cooperation on the terrorism front, but also on their taking concrete steps in Central Asia toward the establishment of the rule of law, the support for the growth of civil society and support for building democratic institutions. With the role of the United States in Central Asia, the region faces the best possible scenario to solve their problems jointly. We are uniquely placed to press for regional cooperation and to monitor the commitment of regional states to real improvement of social, economic and political conditions. That is why we have exerted congressional oversight through hearings and briefings, to make sure that everyone understands the current state of human rights in Central Asia because only by helping to create an environment where freedom and prosperity can flourish will we achieve long-term success in the war against terror and oppression.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to take my Special Order at this time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that our colleagues have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the subject of Kathryn Lehman's departure and tenure in the House.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we have heard from our House Republican leadership team, this week the House will lose one of its most faithful servants to the private sector, when my good friend Kathryn Lehman leaves her post as chief of staff of the House Republican Conference after more than 15 years of service here in the House on Capitol Hill. After graduating from Catholic University with a law degree, Kathryn came to the Hill in 1989 to serve then-ranking member, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), as his only staffer on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights. After the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) became the subcommittee's ranking member, Kathryn continued her work and learned much from his example in leadership. When the Republicans took over control of the House in 1994, Kathryn became the subcommittee's chief counsel and helped usher in some of the most important reforms of the first 100 days of our Congress. In 1997, Karen began working for Speaker Gingrich, playing an important part in many of the most memorable events in Congress's history. She also advised Speaker Gingrich on oversight issues involving the committees on Judiciary, Education and the Workforce, House Administration, and Government Reform. In 1998, she took the helm as policy director for then-majority whip, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). There, she made her mark on some of the most impressive legislative accomplishments of the Congress. Kathryn's talents then took her to the Speaker's office, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert). Obviously, she had a hard time keeping a job at any one time, but she oversaw his coalitions and outreach efforts. In 2002, Kathryn became chief of staff for the House Republican Conference under the leadership of my great friend, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce). There she effectively crafted our message and led us to new levels of accomplishment and unity. Kathryn now leaves the House for Holland & Knight where she will continue to be what she has always been, a bold woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. At Holland & Knight, she will follow in the tradition of her and another great mind, the late Congresswoman Tillie Fowler, my friend from Florida. And Kathryn's long and impressive career is an example of what we can all achieve if we stick to our principles and never quit until the fight is over. Kathryn has learned much during her tenure, but she has taught others much more. It is not surprising that Kathryn has so many friends. Through her sheer force of character and great personality, Kathryn has forged friendships with Republican and Democrat Members and staff alike. The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) for example, the dean of the House, is one such friend; and I know that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) shares in my best wishes for Kathryn's future successes. Kathryn deserves the thanks of so many Members on an individual level, but also deserves the thanks of the House of Representatives as a body. Few have done more to protect its integrity and its efficacy, as Kathryn Lehman; and I know that she will be missed. She is more than just a staffer, she is more than just the Chair of so many important positions, she is more specially important, my friend, mi amiga, and always will be.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the late Reverend Angel Villaronga. A selfless leader in our South Florida community, Reverend Villaronga touched the lives of innumerable people through his service to the St. Robert Bellarmine, Centro Hispano Catolico and Movimiento Familiar Cristiano. Host of a daily radio program called Conflictos Humanos, Reverend Villaronga was one of the first religious leaders in the South Florida community to broadcast religious programming. Those who were fortunate enough to know him will always remember his dedication to his work and passion for others. Reverend Villaronga was a true and sincere symbol of generosity and compassion. I am certain that in his passing, he has left a legacy that will not be forgotten. I urge my colleagues to join me as we remember and honor a man whose faith undoubtedly strengthened and empowered all who crossed his path. May the memories of Reverend Villaronga serve to benefit others as his benevolence clearly did throughout his 80 years of life.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my wonderful friend, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) for yielding me this time and for managing the bill and allowing us to focus once again on the bill and the rule. I want to thank the distinguished, the very distinguished gentleman who is the chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who has been a champion of this bill, and it was in his subcommittee where it was first heard. I am so proud to stand here in favor of House Resolution 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. This bill will incorporate all of the provisions previously contained in the previous legislation that we had filed, the Child Custody Protection Act, making it a Federal offense to transport a minor across State lines to circumvent that State's abortion parental notification laws. In addition, this year's bill will require that in a State without a parental notification requirement, abortion providers are required to notify a parent. It will protect minors from exploitation from the abortion industry, it will promote strong family ties, and it will help foster respect for State laws. Similar but not identical legislation has had the support of the overwhelming majority of the Members of Congress who have voted in favor of it, not only in 1998 and in 1999, but also in 2002. I am extremely hopeful that this commonsense pro-family legislation will pass both the House, the Senate, and will be signed into law by our President. As the mother of two teenage daughters, I believe this bill would protect my girls, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of the rule and support this commonsense legislation on a concept that is supported by the majority of Americans. I believe that it is a bill that pro-choice advocates can support.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I would like to commend the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for his critical leadership on this bill, as well as the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for his help throughout this process. As a mother of two teenage daughters, I, like so many Americans, believe that we as parents have a right to know what is going on in our daughters' lives, especially with regard to a potentially life- threatening medical procedure. And my bill, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, CIANA, will incorporate all of the provisions previously contained in the Child Custody Protection Act making it a Federal offense to transport a minor across State lines in order to circumvent that State's abortion parental notification laws. In addition, the bill will require in a State without a parent notification requirement, abortion providers are required to notify a parent. It will protect minors from exploitation from the abortion industry. It will promote strong family ties, and it will help foster respect for State laws. This legislation will put an end to the abortion clinics and family planning organizations that exploit young, vulnerable girls by luring them to recklessly disobey State laws. This legislation has had the support of the overwhelming majority of Members who have voted in favor of a similar, but not identical, bill in not only 1998 and in 1999 but also in 2002. Today, CIANA has 129 cosponsors. The people have spoken in the past, and so have their representatives. I am extremely hopeful that this Congress will pass this common-place and commonsense legislation. I hope it will pass the House and the Senate, and the President has said he will sign the bill into law. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation and reject weakening amendments that seek to put loopholes in this bill.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, we are currently engaged in a detailed and comprehensive review of the United Nations, the system it has, with the goal of providing reforms that are going to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency in all U.N. operations. A critical component of this effort must include measures to ensure that Israel is afforded equal treatment and representation while addressing the anti- Israeli and anti-Semitic component that is pervasive in many U.N. bodies and its affiliated agencies. The 1975 United Nations resolution equating Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, to racism stands out as an example of this bias and outright bigotry. While this was the most notorious illustration of its anti-Jewish sentiment at the U.N. there are many, many others. During the 1991 session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, for example, the Syrian representative to the U.N. repeated the Damascus blood libel that Jews killed Christian children to use their blood to make Matzoth. In 1997, the Palestinian representative charged that the Israeli Government had injected 300 Palestinian children with the HIV virus. The goals of the 2001 U.N. World Conference Against Racism were undermined by hateful anti-Jewish rhetoric and anti-Israeli political agendas, prompting both Israel and the United States to withdraw their delegations from the conference. In the United Nations General Assembly, we must look no further than the over 20 resolutions introduced by the Palestinian delegation each and every year against Israel, challenging Israel's policies and her very right to exist. During the 59th session of the U.N. General Assembly for 2004, close to 30 percent of all resolutions considered by this body were measures condemning Israel in some fashion. At the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, there is an entire agenda item, item 8, that is dedicated to attacking and criticizing Israel. Countries that are gross human rights violators, such as Libya, Indonesia, and Egypt, have introduced resolutions under this category that criticize Israel for alleged human rights abuses in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. An additional resolution was introduced at this year's Human Rights Commission regarding what was termed as the Palestinian right of self- determination for the Palestinians, as well as another one on Israel and Lebanon. Yet there was not a single measure on the Syrian regime's gross violations of the rights of the Syrian and the Lebanese people or on the deplorable acts committed by the Iranian regime against its people. Israel is a democracy and yet its sovereignty and its right to defend itself are frequently called into question in the United Nations system. The ruling last summer by the International Court of Justice on Israel's security fence is a case in point. Not only was Israel's inherent right to self-defense branded illegitimate by the United Nations, but terrorists and suicide bombers remain uncensored. In addition, the failure of the U.N. system in fulfilling its mandate is illustrated by the limitations placed on Israel's membership. Israel is denied the ability to serve or run for leadership positions in multiple U.N. bodies and its affiliated agencies. While Israel was accepted as a temporary member of the Western European and Others Group, it is not allowed to present candidacies for open seats in any U.N. body and is not able to compete for major U.N. bodies. Israel is excluded from consultations at the U.N. offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Rome and Vienna. By contrast, there is a separate ``U.N. Division For Palestinian Rights,'' a ``Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, a U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative to the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority,'' and ``NGO Network on the Question of Palestine.'' There is also an entire agency, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, specifically designated for Palestinian refugees at a cost of over $400 million in the year 2004, yet all other refugees and internally displaced persons throughout the world are covered by the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner For Refugees. Mr. Speaker, I include the remainder of my statement for the Record, and close by saying any effort at reforming the United Nations must include an end to the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment that has infected the U.N. organization for far too long. I held a hearing last week to evaluate United Nations programs related to the Middle East, with special emphasis on the anti-Israel discrimination and anti-Semitic attacks. It became abundantly clear that any U.N. reform efforts must address this imbalance and bias in favor of rogue states and individual groups. In turn, the discrimination against Israel in the United Nations must be brought to an immediate end. I have undertaken various initiatives to correct this injustice and ensure full membership and participation for Israel in all U.N. forums. Most recently, I introduced H. Res. 54: calling on the United Nations to hold countries accountable for anti-Semitic statements and anti- Israeli incitement and calling for U.N. entities, such as UNESCO, to develop and implement Holocaust education programs throughout the world as part of an effort to combat such religious intolerance and anti- Israeli bias. I ask my colleagues to render their support to these efforts and to co-sponsor this resolution. The goals enshrined in the U.N. Charter--the promotion of international peace and security, and the respect for fundamental human rights--have never been more significant for the Jewish people and the State of Israel, which was founded on the ashes of the Holocaust.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am greatly humbled to follow such internationally recognized human rights leaders as the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), my good friend, and my equally wonderful friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith). I am honored to be in their presence. And we stand here today, Mr. Speaker, 2 years after a cruel, despotic, and vicious act by one of the most cowardly and evil men in the world, Fidel Castro, the unlawful arrest of over 70 peaceful dissidents on the island of Cuba. The arrest of these innocent men and women are promulgated by a culture of fear, Mr. Speaker, one that has banned libraries, one that has banned books, one that maintains a system of remote and unmonitored gulags for prisoners of conscience, one that forbids independent labor unions, one that causes the systematic mistreatment of religious believers, one that mandates the summary execution of independent journalists and conscientious objectors. This important resolution before us demands that the Cuban regime release all political prisoners, legalize all political parties, labor unions and the press, and hold free elections. In other words, to be afforded their basic freedoms. Further, it calls for the European Union, as well as other countries and international organizations, to pressure the Cuban regime to improve its deplorable human rights record. As we convene in this great Hall of democracy, many in Cuba continue to be dragged down stairs, strapped to chairs and beaten for wanting one thing and one thing only, freedom, and with that, the freedom to express their thoughts and their ability to exercise their basic universally held human rights. In passing this legislation, Mr. Speaker, we are once again in the Congress reaffirming our commitment to the brave people of the island of Cuba, especially those 75 men and women who were cruelly arrested for advocating peacefully in favor of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights. I commend my good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), as well as the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), for this bill, and wholeheartedly support this legislation. And I ask my colleagues to vote in favor of it today.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the employees and management of ASTAR Air Cargo, which is headquartered in my congressional district in Miami. In April, the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command presented awards to 102 ASTAR Air Cargo employees who operated missions for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The all-American ASTAR team was put together by John Dasburg, the Chairman, CEO, and President who is a Vietnam veteran. ASTAR is dedicated to providing superior service, and the U.S. military has chosen to recognize that publicly. U.S. Air Force Major General Mark Volcheff, Director of Operations of the Air Mobility Command, presented the awards to the ASTAR employees. These awards highlight the dedication of ASTAR employees who are devoted to serving our country in a time of war. Eight loadmasters and three pilots will receive the Aerial Achievement Medals for meritorious achievement during cargo flight missions. These individuals--Harrow Clyde, Thomas Coleman, Anthony Estrella, Steven Garrett, Frank Haidet, Frank Richmond, Philippe Verbrugghen, John Winters, Captain Stan Kahan, First Officer James Huddleston, and Second Officer Bernard Richardson-- are being honored for flying at least seven missions during the conflicts. In addition to those medals, the Air Force will present 91 Certificates of Appreciation to ASTAR operations and maintenance employees who performed critical functions in support of those missions. The Air Mobility Command provides strategic airlift and aerial refueling for all of America's armed forces. The individuals honored displayed commendable efforts in the missions. Without their dedication, such missions would not be possible. ASTAR flies Department of Defense missions and charters for the Air Mobility Command. The awards presented demonstrate that, in addition to ASTAR's regularly scheduled and special air charter services, ASTAR is committed to supporting U.S. Armed Forces missions and troops in harm's way. ASTAR is also a participant in the United States Civil Reserve Air Fleet program supporting our national defense.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend and recognize the work of the health professionals who practice in medical laboratories. In Florida, we will be commemorating the ``Medical Laboratory Week'' from April 25 to April 29 of 2005. These professionals include laboratory technicians, medical technologists, cytotechnologists, histotechnologists, pathologists, and phlebotomists. They are well educated and highly trained professionals who are an integral part of our healthcare system and vital for the provision of medical testing. These professionals serve our communities with great dedication and perform an invaluable work that is essential for the diagnosis of medical conditions and monitoring of treatment. Their work is a great contribution to our society and serves to improve the quality of care that our patients receive and deserve. Please join me in recognizing the professionals who work in laboratory medicine, who have an honorable profession and help to provide exceptional patient care in Florida and in our Nation.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the men and women of our Armed Forces for the courage and the dedication that they have so bravely displayed while liberating and securing Iraq from tyranny and terrorism. Through their hard work and dedication, these Marines, sailors, airmen, and soldiers have succeeded in defeating terrorism and giving birth to a new democracy in the Middle East, one that will serve as a model for the entire region. Every day, U.S. forces transfer more security responsibilities to Iraqis, giving them the tools that they need to secure their nation. Today, there are more than 150,000 Iraqi security forces who have been trained and equipped by the United States and our coalition forces. Iraqis now patrol Baghdad's hotspots, parts of Mosul, Fallujah, and Saddam's hometown of Tikrit. Every week, between 1,500 and 3,000 new Iraqi security forces enter active duty, joining the U.S. and coalition forces in our joint battle against terrorism. By liberating Iraq, our fighting men and women showed the world that terrorism and tyranny would no longer be tolerated. After 9/11, President Bush decided to take the fight to the terrorists; and, once again, our Armed Forces answered the call to service. Ever since, U.S. and coalition forces have spectacularly defeated Saddam's tyrannical regime and transformed Iraq for the better. Those who were once oppressed now rule Iraq, holding the highest offices of a democracy. Having accomplished the great task of liberating the Iraqi people from the scourge of terrorism, our forces have remained in Iraq to assist in rebuilding the country. Our men and women in the military have built schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqi citizens. They have restored electricity and water to the Iraqis who have suffered from three wars in one generation. Roads and bridges are being repaired to increase commerce. Our soldiers have been able to accomplish this and so much more, even though murdering terrorist gangs try at every turn to thwart their progress. The valor and the courage of our Armed Forces in the face of this enemy have been critical to the reconstruction of Iraq. This was exemplified by the recent visit of our Deputy Secretary of State to the once-terrorist stronghold of Fallujah. I am proud that my stepson, Aviator First Lieutenant Douglas Lehtinen, is preparing to deploy to Iraq. He will join the thousands of U.S. soldiers who are bravely fighting to guarantee that future generations of Iraqis will not have to suffer under tyranny. Some of these soldiers, such as my husband, retired First Lieutenant Dexter Lehtinen, as a platoon leader in Vietnam, have paid dearly for the freedom that so many of us take for granted. My husband, Dexter, was wounded by a grenade that almost took his life. Instead, today he carries the scars of battle to remind us that while freedom may not be free, it is always worth fighting for. I am proud that my stepson, Dougie, chose to volunteer and to protect the country that we all love so much from those who desire to destroy it. To all the brave men and women who have, do, and will continue to serve our Armed Forces, thank you on behalf of a grateful Nation.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the accomplishments that we have been able to achieve in Afghanistan, thanks to the dedicated and courageous service of our men and women in uniform. These Marines, sailors, airmen, and soldiers exemplify the best of what our country has to offer. By risking, and sometimes giving, their lives, they have allowed the 30 million people of Afghanistan to live in peace and prosperity, free from the fear and tyranny of the Taliban. By liberating Afghanistan, our fighting men and women also ensured that al Qaeda would no longer be allowed to operate with impunity in what was then a failed state. In a brilliantly waged campaign, our Special Forces brought the fight to our enemies. By utilizing local resistance forces and at times even charging into battle on horseback, they liberated this beautiful country from a menacing dictatorship. What the Afghans, with the help of the U.S. and our Coalition forces, were subsequently able to achieve is nothing less than a miracle. On October 9, 2004, barely less than 2 years since the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan held the first democratic elections in its history, overwhelmingly electing Hamid Karzai as its President. Afghanistan is now scheduled to hold another election on September 18 to select its first parliament. These two elections, coming less than a year apart, are even more impressive given that this country has been at war for the better part of the last 30 years. First, fighting a Soviet invasion, and later, a civil war between the different mujahideen. I could not find better words than those of a reporter of the Associated Press to describe the presidential election in Afghanistan when he wrote: ``After a generation of conflict, Afghans are slowly emerging from darkness. In the afterglow of last fall's presidential election, there is hope in Kabul.'' In this country of 30 million people, more than 10 million registered to vote, 41 percent of them women, these elections were monitored by more than 5,400 independent observers from groups such as the EU, the OSCE, the U.S., and the U.N., giving further validity to these historic elections. The hard work of our men and women in uniform does not stop there. They have worked closely with our allies to train a national Afghan army so that their people and their hard-fought democracy can be protected. Almost 19,000 soldiers now serve in the Afghan national army with another 3,400 being trained by our troops. These soldiers are being deployed to all corners of the country. The United States has also trained more than 25,000 police officers, and other countries have assisted as well. Germany, for example, has trained nearly 6,000 border and national police. Our U.S. Armed Forces have also trained 120 judges, lawyers, and court personnel. Ensuring the rule of law that it would be protected in this nation that has known only war and tyranny is miraculous. The U.S. military has also helped to rehabilitate more than 7,500 canals, underground irrigation tunnels, reservoirs, and dams to increase agricultural output in this arid country. These policies have resulted in an 82 percent increase in wheat production. Our U.S. military forces were also able to assist in the demining and paving of the very important Kabul-Kandahar highway, ahead of schedule, as well as rehabilitating 74 bridges and tunnels. These accomplishments have led to a 30 percent growth in the Afghan economy from 2002 to 2003 and an estimated 16 percent growth from 2003 to 2004. These policies have led to 2.4 million refugees returning to Afghanistan from neighboring countries after many years of being displaced by war. Another 600,000 internally displaced individuals have also been able to return home. Mr. Speaker, I could stand before this body for hours to speak about our success in Afghanistan and the positive difference that our U.S. military troops have made in this country. I understand their sacrifices and those of their families. My own husband, retired Lieutenant Dexter Lehtinen, was a platoon leader in Vietnam until a grenade almost took his life. The scars on his face are constant reminders of the price so many Americans have paid for our freedom and the price that so many more continue to pay. As my stepson, Aviator First Lieutenant Douglas Lehtinen, prepares to deploy Iraq, I cannot help but think about the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. While nothing can replace those who were lost and although the scars will never disappear, those acts of bravery have not been in vain. May God bless our men and women in uniform and may God bless America.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the passing of a good friend, Bill Lehman, retired Member of Congress and a faithful servant of the Great State of Florida. In 1972, Bill ran for Congress and got the overwhelming majority of the vote and kept getting reelected easily until his retirement. As chairman of the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Bill Lehman was a relentless advocate for the needs of the citizens of Miami-Dade County. Bill was an avid supporter of human rights also, demonstrating his ability to not only fight for the constituents in his district, but also for people throughout the world. He served his country as a Congressman, school board chairman, and was a beloved teacher, husband, father, and grandfather. During my first term in Congress in 1989, I saw firsthand the tremendous love that Bill had for his constituents and the admiration that the people of south Florida had for him. Mr. Speaker, I join the people of Miami-Dade, the State of Florida, and our country in honoring the exemplary life of a great statesman, Congressman Bill Lehman. May he rest in peace.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, in most schools an underage child is prohibited from attending a school field trip without first obtaining parental authorization, yet nothing forbids this child from being taken across State lines in disregard of State laws for the purpose of undergoing a life-altering procedure, an abortion. Please note these documents from a local school district in which it is required to have extensive information and parental authorization for a simple field trip or for a release for disbursement of medication, a total of eight pages for a field trip or for giving an aspirin, even brought from the child's home. But for an abortion, nothing is required. My legislation, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, CIANA, would make it a Federal offense to transport an underage child across State lines in circumvention of State and local parental notification laws for the purpose of having an abortion. It will also require that, in a State without a parental notification requirement, abortion providers be required to notify a parent. Today, CIANA will be marked up by the House Committee on the Judiciary. I hope we can pass the bill in the House quickly to protect our underage girls.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, in a country that espouses the importance of protecting the inherent rights of every person, abortion denies the rights of our most innocent and vulnerable members, our children. As legislators, we have the great responsibility to strive to uphold the truths upon which our great country was founded, especially that every individual is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Abortion is not a sign that women are ``free to choose.'' It is a sign that women have been abandoned. They have not had the support and care that they so desperately need. Rather, abortion is the only option offered. Abortion is one of the greatest scourges of our time. It is a sign that we have not met the needs of women. Women deserve better than abortion. It is a crime against humanity which not only takes the innocent life of a child but also profoundly alters the life of the mother. Women possess dignity and intrinsic beauty, and abortion tears them apart at the very core of their being. I am proud to have had the opportunity to join with such dynamic pro- life women as Patricia Heaton, the costar of the TV show Everybody Loves Raymond. She is an outspoken advocate for women and for the protection of the rights of the unborn. This past week, I met with Patricia while she was in Washington meeting with Members of Congress and staff members discussing the crucial need that we have as a society to strive to address the real challenges facing pregnant women and promoting women-centered solutions to significantly reduce abortion and protect women's health. I am pleased to be associated with organizations that work to increase public awareness of the devastation that abortion brings to women, men and their families. These organizations ensure that the emotional and physical pain of abortion will no longer be shrouded in secrecy and silence but rather exposed and healed. This past year, the pro-life movement has enjoyed many major victories in Congress. We have seen the passage of legislation protecting the sanctity of life and addressing the critical needs of women. The Partial Birth Abortion Ban was signed into law by President Bush. The Unborn Victims of Violence Act also passed the House. I have worked together with my colleagues here in Congress and with President Bush to defend the intrinsic rights of all citizens, especially the most defenseless. I am pleased to note that today the House Committee on the Judiciary held a markup of my bill, H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, CIANA. It was referred favorably as amended out of committee by a 20 to 13 margin and should be brought to the floor for a vote soon. This critical legislation makes it a Federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a State line with the intent that she obtain an abortion in circumvention of a State's parental consent or parental notification law. CIANA also requires that a parent or, if necessary, a legal guardian be notified pursuant to a default Federal parental notification rule when a minor crosses State lines to obtain an abortion, unless one of several carefully drawn exceptions is met. A minor who is forbidden to drink alcohol, to stay past a certain hour or to get her ears pierced without parental consent is certainly not prepared to make a life-altering, hazardous and potentially fatal decision such as obtaining an abortion without the consultation or the consent of at least one parent. My legislation will close a loophole that allows adults not only to help minors break State laws by obtaining an abortion without parental consent but is also, unfortunately, contributing to ending the life of an innocent child. We will close that loophole. I am hopeful that in this 109th session of Congress we will be successful in securing the rights of parents once and for all, and I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill. We have a great responsibility as a Nation to maintain a true reverence for vulnerable human life and to continue to build a culture of life. I will continue to work to ensure that the precious gift of life and the dignity of womanhood are promoted and protected at every level.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, last week I was blessed to travel with a group of my colleagues to Rome to attend the funeral mass of his Holiness, Pope John Paul II, one of the greatest defenders of human life the world has ever known. Pope John Paul II was a man of profound holiness, profound peace, and profound love. He not only served the Catholic Church as the Vicar of Christ on Earth, but also reached out and touched people of all faiths as he fought valiantly to liberate the oppressed, especially in his native Eastern Europe where he contributed significantly to the fall of communism. Of all of his accomplishments, I am most appreciative of his unwavering commitments to the defense and protection of all human life, especially the most defenseless, the unborn. The Pope came to Miami in September of 1987. I had just given birth to my youngest daughter, Patricia Marie, and so I wanted to be present to hear and see him at Tropical Park, which is located in my old State senate district, but the doctors told me I could not attend. However, as I watched on TV, I remember thinking how fitting it was that I would be holding my newborn baby in my arms while watching the staunchest defender of human life praying and saying mass in my hometown. It was a feeling I have never and I shall never forget. The Holy Father can never imagine how he touched, in a most profound way, all those who heard and saw him wherever he traveled with his goodness and fierce protection for the sanctity of life. In his letter, The Gospel of Life, John Paul II vigorously reaffirmed the value of human life and at the same time presents a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person to respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life. He writes, ``Even in the midst of difficulties and uncertainties, every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize in the natural law the sacred value of human life from its very beginning until its end and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree. ``Upon the recognition of this right,'' he continued, ``every human community and the political community itself are founded.'' And as a wife and as a mother of two teenage daughters, I also seek to defend and protect the sanctity of an innocent human life; and to that end I have introduced the bill, House Resolution 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, CIANA, which currently has 127 cosponsors and which will be marked up in the House Committee on the Judiciary tomorrow. This legislation makes it a Federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a State line with the intent that she obtain an abortion in circumvention of a State's parental consent or parental notification law. CIANA also requires that a parent or, if necessary, a legal guardian be notified pursuant to a default Federal parental notification rule when a minor crosses State lines to obtain an abortion unless one of several carefully drawn exceptions are met. A minor who is forbidden to drink alcohol, to stay out past a certain hour or to get her ears pierced without a parental consent is certainly not prepared to make a life-altering, hazardous and potentially fatal decision such as an abortion without the consultation or consent of at least one parent. My legislation will close a loophole that allows adults not only help minors break States' laws by obtaining an abortion without parental consent but also contributes to ending the life of an innocent child. I am hopeful that in this 109th session of Congress we will be successful in securing the rights of parents. As an ardent advocate for human rights for all, especially those suffering political and religious persecution, I join our Holy Father in his desire to see a world where all may live and work together in a spirit of peace, mutual respect and solidarity and where the sanctity of human life is preserved at each and every level.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the wonderful work of The Foundation Fighting Blindness, The National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America, and I want to commend all patients affected by vision impairment and blindness for their perseverance and courage. I want to express my admiration for Betti and Carlos Lidsky, who are the National Trustees of The Foundation Fighting Blindness, and whose lovely family has been affected by a degenerative eye disease. They are great examples of perseverance and commitment to the cause of fighting blindness and are outstanding national leaders. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Vision Caucus, I join my colleagues in the constant effort to help individuals who suffer from vision loss. My home state of Florida has the highest proportion of senior citizens in the United States, and it ranks fifth regarding the number of people at highest risk of developing blinding eye disease. Vision impairment is a very significant health problem in our nation, despite being a preventable condition in half of the cases. It has been estimated that the cases of vision impairment and blindness can double by the year 2030 if there is no intervention. We, as a society, have a profound responsibility to intervene and to take action in order to enrich the lives of those currently suffering vision impairment and to prevent others from developing visual problems in the future. We must continue to raise public awareness about the dimension of this problem, and to encourage prevention. In addition, we need to improve access to quality vision care, treatment, and rehabilitation services. We need to support continued education, research, and advocacy efforts. We have had tremendous breakthroughs in research leading to improvements in the treatment of certain visual conditions, which improve the quality of life for many visually impaired patients. More research can be done, and we will enjoy more success. The National Eye Institute has been committed to promoting research since its creation in 1968, and we are grateful to its scientists for their achievements in the advancement of research for new treatments and cures. I ask my colleagues to join me in commending those who work tirelessly to fight blindness in America.