Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be in the company of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) in cosponsoring this resolution. I rise in support of its passage and ask my colleagues to vote in its favor as well. Mr. Speaker, one of the essential lessons of the Holocaust is that words lead to murder, that the teaching of contempt and acceptance of bigotry and anti-Semitism can lead to genocide. Today, over 50 years after the horrors of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism has again become a disease spreading throughout the world. In recent years I have witnessed its resurgence, particularly through my work relating to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and legislative efforts concerning religious freedom in Europe. At the commission, resolution after resolution, statement after statement are filled with the rhetoric of hatred, using the international fora to further promote and generate support for an anti- Semitic agenda, an agenda which condemns a freedom-loving people and a democratic nation, while many times legitimizing those regimes that torture, oppress, and subjugate their own people. As the previous chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and as the current chair of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia, and as cochair along with my colleague and friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) of the Congressional Task Force on Anti- Semitism, I have pressed European officials to take concrete steps to monitor, investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law crimes that are borne out of hatred for the Jewish people. In January of this year, for example, Jewish leaders in France came to me with concern and anxiety about the increasing example of vandalism and personal attacks against rabbis in that country. I immediately called on the French foreign ministry officials and French parliamentarians to address this grave matter. The situation in France, however, is only a microcosm of a growing problem that is sweeping throughout many OSCE states. While I will not delve into details because my colleagues, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), have already done so, I will simply note, as has been said, we must learn the lessons and the mistakes of the past, or we are condemned to repeat them. This is why it is imperative that we take immediate action to prevent further escalation of anti-Semitism and related violence, to help ensure that the evil of the Holocaust will never again be allowed to exist. As Eli Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace laureate has said, ``A destruction, an annihilation that only man can provoke, only man can prevent.'' We can help prevent a repetition of history, and we can begin here today by voting in favor of this resolution. Let us adopt House Concurrent Resolution 49 and convey the commitment of the U.S. House of Representatives to work with our allies to confront and combat anti-Semitism and eradicate it from its roots.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield half of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and that he may control that time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 294) condemning the terrorism inflicted on Israel since the Aqaba Summit and expressing solidarity with the Israeli people in their fight against terrorism.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the chairman of the House Policy Conference.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R. 548, the Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2003. This bill aims to ensure the well-being of our veterans, an issue of crucial importance to me. Many veterans in my congressional district expressed to me their concerns regarding the treatment of elderly military survivors. Several veterans wrote letters to me stating their worry that ``unlike other federal survivor programs, the military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity is reduced at age 62 from 55 percent to as little as 35 percent of SBP-covered retired pay.'' Many older retirees and survivors were not informed of the age-62 reduction when they signed up for SBP in the 1970s, and are shocked to learn their survivor's annuity will be far less than expected. The government provides federal civilian survivors a substantially higher share of retired pay for life, with no benefit reduction at any age. For some, the sharp annuity drop at age 62 offsets the amount of the survivor's Social Security benefit attributable to the member's uniformed service. For those who have become retirement eligible since 1985, it is a reduction from 55 percent to 35 percent of SBP-covered retirement pay. In order to respond to these valid concerns, I strongly support H.R. 548. This bill increases the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for surviving spouses age 62 and older, and provides for a one- year open season under that plan. The bill seeks to balance equity and cost considerations by phasing out the age-62 benefit reduction over five years. The Military Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2003 is an important piece of legislation that addresses the needs of our Nation's veterans and their families. This bill will certainly improve the lives of our country's veterans by giving them the benefits that they deserve.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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 on H.R. 2030.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of the consideration of H.R. 2030, a bill introduced by the distinguished gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), that designates the postal facility in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building. Mr. Speaker, Congresswoman Patsy Mink was a devoted public servant and a friend to all who served here in the House. She was a passionate representative for her Hawaiian constituents for 26 years, despite having to make the 10-hour flight home almost every weekend. For that alone, she deserves commendation. Congresswoman Mink was a particular advocate of health, education, and civil rights issues during her tenure in the House; but her career was perhaps best known for her tireless work for gender equality. Congresswoman Mink authored the Women's Education Equity Act, and she was a coauthor of the original title IX legislation. She was an esteemed member of the Committee on Government Reform, the committee that just last month passed by voice vote this bill that honors her. I am pleased that this bill has now come up for consideration by the whole House. Congresswoman Patsy Mink sadly passed away last September 28 during her 13th congressional term. Patsy Mink won her first election to the House in 1964 and only two current Members of this body were first elected earlier. A long congressional career never took the spring out of her exuberant step or the warmth from her caring heart; and even after her passing, her remarkable service in this House for the people of Hawaii and this entire Nation will certainly never be forgotten. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 2030 that honors the life and career of Congresswoman Patsy Mink. I congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Hawaii, for introducing this meaningful and important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, again I want to thank the gentleman from Hawaii for introducing this important legislation. We all worked with Congresswoman Patsy Mink and respected her. She will always be in our prayers, and her family as well. I urge all Members to support the adoption of this important resolution.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers at this moment. Therefore, I will reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would be glad to yield 10 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2030) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 120 Baldwin Avenue in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, as the ``Patsy Takemoto Mink Post Office Building''.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 925) to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1859 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, as the ``Cesar Chavez Post Office''.

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 on H.R. 925.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. Again, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), my good friend, for introducing this measure, and I urge all Members to support the adoption of this resolution.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 925, introduced by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Gutierrez), redesignates this postal facility in Chicago, Illinois, as the Cesar Chavez Post Office Building. This legislation deals with an American civil rights advocate. Cesar Chavez grew up as a migrant agrarian worker after being born in Arizona in 1927. As a young adult he became involved in the Community Service Organization and ultimately rose to the position of general director in 1958. Four years later, Cesar Chavez left the CSO to join with some of his fellow wine grape pickers and form the National Farm Workers Association. This organization was active in acquiring service contracts from major growers in California. His ambition led him to merge the National Farm Workers Association with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee of the giant labor umbrella organization, the AFL-CIO. The upshot group became called the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee. In 1972, Cesar Chavez's organization became a member union of the AFL-CIO and he was named president. In this role, Cesar Chavez's influence only expanded, and he coordinated activities on agricultural issues. Cesar Chavez will be remembered for his stands in support of workers, in support of their wages and their rights, and the difference he has made in the lives of all current and future workers. His advocacy has led to countless agreements between business and labor on a variety of important issues. So my colleague from Illinois wants to name this post office for labor leader Cesar Chavez, and, therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support passage of H.R. 925. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I wish to recognize the extraordinary achievements of a newspaper that will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its founding on July 4th, the day this Nation celebrates its independence. Diario Las Americas is a nationally and internationally distributed newspaper that has always served its community, its Nation and the principles of freedom and democracy that we all embrace. Dr. Horacio Aguirre, its founder and director, was born in New Orleans of Nicaraguan parents. He commenced his career in journalism early in life after having graduated from the University of Panama with a degree in Law and Political Sciences. Since 1984, he has presided over the International Affairs Committee of the Inter-American Press Association, Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa, SIP, an organization that groups some 1,300 newspapers from this hemisphere. He is also a member of the World Association of Newspapers, WAN, whose headquarters is in Paris, and of the World Press Freedom Committee, of Washington, DC. Dr. Aguirre has received, among many distinctions and honors, the Gran Cruz del Merito Civil de Espana, bestowed in 1991 by His Majesty, King Juan Carlos I; the Orden de Caballero de San Gregorio bestowed by the Vatican in 1984; the Presidential Award of the Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa, SIP en 1999; and degrees honoris causa from Barry University, Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University. As the 50th anniversary of its founding approaches, I wish to acknowledge Diario Las Americas, Dr. Horacio Aguirre, his family and collaborators in their abiding stand in defense of moral and democratic values.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today I stand in recognition of the wonderful contributions of a friend of the South Florida community, Mr. Antonio Argiz. Tony bravely journeyed to the United States from Cuba, without his parents, at the age of 8, thanks to Operation Peter Pan. Determined to live the American dream, Tony attended Florida International University, where he earned his accounting degree. Recognized as an expert in forensic accounting, he was the first Cuban American appointed by the Governor to chair Florida's board of accountancy. Tony's passion for business is matched by his dedication to our community in South Florida. Tony serves as the cochair of the United Way of Miami-Dade and has served on the statewide Florida Constitutional Revision Commission. Tony is a loving husband and the father of three who continues to put passion in his every endeavor. He is a true inspiration and an exemplary Floridian. Gracias por todo mi amigo. Thank you, Tony.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, partial-birth abortion is a gruesome and inhumane procedure and it is a grave attack against human dignity and justice. This practice must be banned. The bill before us seeks to do just that. Life is a gift, and it must be embraced and respected at all stages. In a country which espouses the importance of protecting the inherent rights of every person, partial-birth abortion denies the rights of our most innocent and vulnerable members, our children. We as legislators must strive to uphold the truths upon which our great Nation was founded, especially that every individual is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Partial-birth abortion is not a sign that women are ``free to choose.'' It is a sign that women have been abandoned, that they have not had the support and care that they so desperately need. There is increasing evidence, Mr. Speaker, that abortion causes extreme emotional and psychological damage. We must strive every day to ensure that each and every person is guaranteed the most basic of human rights, the right to life. Women deserve better than to endure the psychological, the physical and the emotional pain and suffering associated with partial-birth abortion, and children deserve the chance to live. It is time for partial-birth abortion to stop. We must have the courage and the strength to fight against one of the greatest of all human rights violations, partial-birth abortion. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 760, the partial-birth abortion ban. A vote for the ban is a vote for life.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Christopher Columbus High School in my congressional district for winning the Florida State Class 6A Baseball Championship. Columbus enjoyed an 8-2 win, thanks to a seven-run rally in the bottom of the sixth. This marks the first State baseball title for Columbus, that has long had one of the most outstanding baseball programs in Miami-Dade County and, indeed, in our State. Christopher Columbus is a private Roman Catholic college prep school conducted by the Marist Brothers. In addition to its strong athletic program, Columbus has an exceptional academic program, as well. It uses a holistic approach to education where the entire person is encouraged to grow in truth and freedom. Please join me in congratulating Christopher Columbus and its coach, Joe Weber, for their phenomenal win.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay special tribute to two wonderful individuals in my congressional district: Betti and Carlos Lidski, National Trustees of The Foundation Fighting Blindness. The Foundation is working valiantly to find a cure for retinal degenerative diseases. These debilitating diseases currently claim the sight of over six million Americans. Through the tireless efforts of the scientists at the Foundation and through the generosity of individuals like the Lidskis, exciting strides have been made in finding a cure and providing viable treatment options for those who suffer with these illnesses. I thank Betty and Carlos and their entire family for the love, compassion, and unwavering dedication that they demonstrate every day for the visually impaired. They are truly an inspiration, not only to our South Florida community but indeed to our entire Nation. Gracias to Betti and Carlos.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this week, the World Health Organization met in Geneva to discuss its agenda and the tentative observer status of Taiwan into the Organization. This meeting came on the heels of a terrible outbreak now known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The people of Taiwan are courageously and resiliently combating this dreadful epidemic. Although their efforts have not gone unheard in the halls of Congress, as my colleagues and I have fought for H.R. 441 and final passage of S. 243, other nations that do not respect basic human rights have opposed the entry of Taiwan into the WHO. SARS has dreadfully demonstrated to all nations that epidemics do not have borders. Unlike its neighbor to the North, Taiwan is an open and transparent nation that has committed its efforts to truthfully divulging the impact of SARS on its population. The entry of Taiwan as an observer to the WHO will give its people a superior chance in combating this evil malady. Nations that support freedom, a democratic and transparent form of government must support Taiwan's observer status to the World Health Organization. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the people of Taiwan for the profound loss they are experiencing due to the malevolence known as SARS and reiterate my full support for Taiwan's entry as an observer to the WHO.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today we commemorate Israel Independence Day. Since its creation in 1948, the State of Israel has faced seemingly insurmountable challenges to its very survival, with conventional military attacks leading the way to suicide bombers who have murdered scores of innocent Israeli men, women, and children. Through it all, Israel has endured. As the only democracy in the region, it continues to be a beacon of hope and a model for her neighbors. It has been said that the strength of a nation is determined by the caliber of its people. There is perhaps no better example of this truth than the State of Israel and the Israeli people, vivid examples of conviction, courage, and faith; a people who served as an example for us all to emulate, as our own Nation had to come to grips with the horrors of terrorism following the deplorable attacks on our country on September 11. The bond between our nations and our people have never been stronger. The United States could not ask for a better friend and ally in the region. The Israeli people know they will always be able to depend on the U.S. and the American people. I extend my best wishes and congratulations to the people of the State of Israel on their 55th Independence Day.