Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, in scenes worse than a horror movie, Americans witnessed hijacked planes slam into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and fall to the ground in Pittsburgh. In the blink of an eye, thousands of lives were snatched and Americans lost our sense of safety. For millions who watched the carnage, the harrowing images will be imprinted forever in our memory. But for the children who lost a parent in this catastrophic act of terror, their lives will never be the same again. Today, I am proud to join my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), in introducing H. Con. Res. 228. This resolution calls for immediate benefits for children who lost one or both parents or guardians in the multiple tragedies. H. Con. Res. 228 will ensure that services for these children will include, but not be limited to, foster care, medical assistance, and psychological services which they so desperately need. All the money and the services in the world could never replace the loss of their loved ones. But although money cannot heal their scars, with the passage of this resolution, we can begin to bandage their deep wound. I hope our colleagues sign on to H. Con. Res. 228.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today we approved an emergency appropriations and will soon consider a bill regarding the use of force to respond to the deplorable terrorist acts committed against the people of our Nation, and against the principles that our country represents: freedom, liberty, democracy and respect for the law. As our government works to develop a comprehensive and decisive response to this challenge, I am reminded of the Reagan doctrine of peace through strength and the principles of deterrence. It took one kind of military force to deter an attack when the United States possessed overwhelmingly and unparalleled military power. However, it takes another kind, now that our enemy is cowardly and elusive, refusing to show its face, hiding in the shadows of the misery and terror it has created. This is a different world. Our defenses must be based on recognition and awareness of the methods, weapons, tactics and behavior of this new enemy. Our security depends on being prepared to meet these new threats head-on, threats that have turned the Continental United States into a new theater of conflict. As former President Ronald Reagan once said, ``We have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on Earth. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us, we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.''

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for working through the night to bring this bill to the floor to us so quickly. Mr. Speaker, Lady Liberty's torch has been called ``the lamp beside the golden door.'' Despite Tuesday's terrorist attacks, the glistening hope of that torch is still ours, as Lady Liberty stands, almost defiant, in New York's harbor, sending a clear message to our enemies that this Nation will not crumble, will not hide; that every promise, every opportunity, every right this Republic and Lady Liberty stands for is still ours. As former President Ronald Reagan once said, ``Lady Liberty's heart is full; her torch is still golden, her future bright. She has arms big enough to comfort and strong enough to support, for the strength in her arms is the strength of her people. She will carry on unafraid, unashamed, and unsurpassed. In this springtime of hope, some lights seem eternal; America's is.'' This Congress must help to ensure that the torch continues to shine brightly by taking any action deemed necessary to protect America's people, to preserve the promise of this great Nation, and to demonstrate our full support for the victims and their families so that they can try to reclaim and rebuild their lives. They are America's newest heroes, and we must demonstrate as a Nation and as a people that we understand their great sacrifice. They paid the ultimate price, and we are indebted to them. We will always remember. We will always be proud. We must be prepared, so that we must always be free.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I join the countless others in this Chamber, in this great Nation, and throughout the world in expressing condolences to the families of the victims of yesterday's deplorable attack. Our thoughts and our prayers are with them. Mr. Speaker, I also feel a sense of pride for the strength of character and humanity shown by the American people, strength which is shining as a beacon of light, guiding us through this time of darkness and sorrow. The response of our President, the U.S. Government, and our American society is a testament to this Republic and to our free and democratic system of government. It demonstrates that democracy will always triumph over terrorism. Through the ash-filled sky of New York City, Lady Liberty's torch pierces through as a reminder of American resolve. I express my full support to the President, his national security team, our military, our intelligence officials as they develop a swift, precise and unequivocal response to the perpetrators of these heinous acts, as well as against those who made it possible by providing them with safe haven, training areas and funding. We will prevail. God bless the United States of America.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to honor the achievements of Reverend Robert E. Nilon, S.J. of Miami as a dedicated Jesuit for sixty years. He has faithfully served parishioners in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana as a Parish Priest. Father Nilon was ordained to the priesthood to follow in the steps of St. Ignatius of Loyola on June 16, 1954. Reverend Nilon has accepted various Florida assignments. Several locations include GESU Church in Downtown Miami, St. Ann's Church in West Palm Beach, St. Mary's Church in Key West, and is currently serving the Sacred Heart Church in Tampa, Florida as Parish Priest and Hospital Chaplain. The Jesuits are not in pursuit of personal fame when accepting assignments as needed in the home or mission field. However, occasionally there are opportunities to do great things. One of Reverend Nilon's most memorable occasions took place in Rome in 1999 when he celebrated Mass in the company of His Holiness, John Paul II, who was celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Jesuits. His work is an inspiration to others in our community and will set a precedent for societal advancement. As a parish priest and pastor, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to others that proves to be an affirmable resource for the community. Father Nilon will be honored on August 12, 2001 at the GESU Church where a Mass of Thanksgiving will be presided by Archbishop John C. Favalora. We congratulate Father Nilon for his outstanding contribution to our community and wish him all the best in health and continued prosperity.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Vietnam who clamor for democracy and the right to live free of oppression, on behalf of all the faithful and religious leaders who have been imprisoned, tortured and subjected to the most barbaric persecution simply for exercising their universal rights, as a refugee from another Communist regime, and as chairman of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, I rise in strong support of the Viet Nam Human Rights Act. The Vietnamese regime continues to systematically violate the human rights, the civil liberties and the religious freedoms of its people. In March of this year, the Vietnamese authorities prevented the Hoa Hao Buddhist believers from participating in a mass pilgrimage to their sacred ground. Key leaders were arrested or their homes surrounded by police. Devotees were threatened or detained on their way to visit the holy site. Those who were finally able to reach the Hoa Hao village were met by police and security officials. The extent of the human rights violations and religious persecution is so acute that on Tuesday of this week Amnesty International reported that a Buddhist monk killed himself as a form of protest for the heinous practices used by the Vietnamese authorities to usurp the rights of their people to practice their religious beliefs. Just last night, Hong Kong AFP reports that a dozen dissidents were detained in dawn raids by Vietnamese authorities. After several hours of interrogation, they were released with warnings from security police to stop their activities. Vietnam uses a maze of laws, decrees and regulations to prohibit religious worship and to justify the arbitrary arrest, detention, harassment, abuse and censorship of those seeking to exert their religious liberty and their right to free association. Article IV of the Vietnamese constitution, for example, enables the security apparatus to enforce an extralegal administrative decree against any dissidents under the pretext of endangering national security. The regime is among the totalitarian or authoritarian regimes specifically rebuked by the State Department in its annual reports on religious freedoms and human rights practices. Earlier this year, the report issued by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also stated that human rights and religious freedoms are ``severely repressed in Vietnam in a manner common to Communist countries in general: through arbitrarily enforced registration laws, tightly controlled official organizations and strict limitations on religious activities.'' This same commission created by the Congress called on the new administration and on us to factor into the development and implementation of U.S.-Vietnam policy the protection of religious freedom and human rights. It underscored the need for the Congress to pressure the Vietnamese authorities to ``make substantial improvements in the protection of religious freedoms'' and to ``undertake obligations to the United States to make such improvements.'' It further called on the Congress to incorporate Vietnam's progress in the protection and respect of human rights and religious freedoms as part of an annual review of the normal trade relation status for Vietnam. The Viet Nam Human Rights Act is an integral component of such a strategy, using nonhumanitarian assistance, democracy programs and U.S. Government broadcasts to support the Vietnamese people in their struggle to exert their rights as human beings and as citizens. It sends a clear signal to the Vietnamese authorities that the U.S. Congress is keeping a watchful eye. As the wife of a proud Vietnam veteran, I ask my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation, and I congratulate the gentleman from New Jersey (Chairman Smith) for once again being the forceful leader that he is on the issue of international human rights.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to share the unique history of the South Florida military museum and memorial. The town of Surfside, led by Mayor Paul Novack, as well as Chief Petty Officer John Smith and Christine Ruup, rallied together to save the historic Building 25 to its original 1942 condition and establish a museum and veterans' memorial. Building 25 is the last original structure of the former Naval Air Station Richmond, which was a World War II Navy blimp base. During World War II, just off the waters of South Florida, a battle occurred between a U.S. Navy blimp and a Nazi submarine. Isadore Stessel, a Machinists Mate, lost his life in the only blimp- submarine battle in history. Building 25 served as the base headquarters to the Naval Air Station and blimp base, and it has been prominent in the history of our South Florida community. The CIA used this facility as its center for anti-Castro operations during the 1960's and it was home to the Marine Corps Reserve during Operation Desert Storm. Mr. Speaker, let us preserve it.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Nova Southeastern University for striving to make valuable contributions to the communities that it serves. It has made exciting educational partnerships with three south Florida public schools: Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. With the help of influential business and educational leaders, South Florida has strengthened its pledge to community service and renewed its commitment to excellence in education. On September 20 and 21, Nova will build an awareness and support system for local and educational improvement efforts through an ``Educational Express'' Back to School tour. I congratulate the public/private partnerships and the following participating schools in my congressional district: Dr. Michael Krop High School; Coral Way Bilingual Elementary; and Miami Edison Middle School. Because of these partnerships, students in these schools will gain more self-esteem, commit to high academic standards, improve their mastery of reading, writing, math and science, and contribute to their communities. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Nova Southeastern University and all of its partners who are working to prepare our Nation's future leaders.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute the Honorable Donna Shalala who has assumed the reins as the fifth president of the University of Miami. Donna Shalala was U.S. history's longest serving Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During her tenure, Dr. Shalala distinguished herself on a broad range of issues, including taking care of the needs of our elderly and our Nation's children. She led campaigns for child immunization, for biomedical research, and played a key role in reforming our welfare system. In fact, the Washington Post described her as ``one of the most successful government managers of our time.'' Donna brings to UM more than 25 years of experience in education, also, including serving as President of Hunter College. As chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she was the first woman to head a Big 10 university. The University of Miami is already a leader in international and medical education, biomedical research and environmental sciences, but with Donna Shalala at its helm, UM will be certain to reach great new heights. The Florida congressional delegation welcomes Donna Shalala back to Washington, D.C. today and looks forward to helping her achieve her vision for the future of the University of Miami and for our South Florida community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Homer's Illiad reads on the birth of Venus: ``The breath of the west wind bore her Over the sounding sea, Up from the delicate foam, To wave-ringed Cyprus, her isle . . . . [which] Welcomed her joyously.'' This describes how after her birth, Cyprus, a place of tranquility, beauty, and peace--worthy of gods--served as the home of Venus herself. However, if other stories could still be added to the volumes of Greek mythology, we would read of the Trojan invasion and terror seized upon the goddess of love's paradise island. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the persistent efforts of my colleagues Carolyn Maloney and Michael Bilirakis for calling this special order and arduously maintaining the plight of the Greek Cypriots in the minds of their fellow Members of Congress. On July 20, 1974, the island nation of Cyprus fell victim to 35,000 Turkish armed forces who invaded this land and tore it apart along a "Green Line." Remaining one of the most militarized areas of the world, Northern Cyprus has suffered a vast and continued deterioration of human rights protection throughout the last 27 years, despite an international agreement signed in 1975, known as the Vienna III agreement, which was originally drafted in order to guarantee the most basic human rights and freedoms to 20,000 Greek Cypriots and Maronites enclaved in the Karpass Peninsula, which feel under Turkish rule. Today, after systematic intolerable harassment, intimidation, and inhuman treatment, only 400 Greek Cypriots and 160 Maronites remain. From the onset of the invasion in 1974, Turkish leaders initiated a campaign intent on the permanent displacement--or rather extinction--of the Greek Cypriots. Upon Turkey's invasion of Cyprus, 200,000 Greek Cypriots--victims of a policy of ethnic cleansing--were forced from Furthermore, the Turkish led occupation of Northern Cyprus has created a labyrinth from which Greek Cypriots can not escape. The man- made ``green line'' imposed upon this ancient bicommunal culture is the embodiment of heinous practices of human rights violations employed by Turkish forces to divide this community. Freedom of movement and association are nonexistent. A Greek Cypriot press is prohibited. Even Turkish Cypriots are banned from engaging in bicommunal contact at the grassroots level with Greek Cypriots. In addition, is the impunity allotted to Turkish armed forces responsible for the disappearances of 1,463 Greek Cypriots, including four Cypriot-Americans, despite Turkey's obligation under the UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances. The regime in place in Northern Cyprus is guilty of taking an island nation community and turning neighbor against neighbor. Thus, the 27th anniversary of Cyprus' occupation comes at the heels of the European Court of Human Rights decision made on May 10th of this year, finding Turkey guilty of violating 14 articles of the European Convention on Human rights, and of being an illegal and illegitimate occupying force in Cyprus. In December 1999, under the good auspices of the United Nations, proximity talks began, bringing both sides closer to possible negotiations. After 5 rounds of talks, and seemingly successful strides, the Turkish Cypriot leader has STALLED HOPE. His attempt for international recognition, despite the UN Security Council's call for non-recognition of Northern Cyprus in 1983, and demand for the withdrawal of the sovereign Republic of Cyprus' application for EU membership, are both ironic and foolish. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress with a long history of support of due justice and freedom of the enclave in Cyprus, I speak out today to convey to this Congress and the Administration the crucial necessity to maintain pressure on the Turkish government so as to ensure the continuation of the proximity talks, and hopefully soon, negotiations leading to the return, once again of a single sovereign and peaceful Cyprus as Venus knew it to be.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the Lidsky family from my congressional district has inspired me to work toward a cure for eye degenerative diseases. Three out of the four of the Lidsky children-- Ilana, Isaac and Daria--suffer from retinitis pigmentosa, a disease which in time will lead to blindness. The Lidskys fight valiantly each and every day by broadening their network, working closely with scientists and organizing events to help raise research funds. On Sunday, September 9, together with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Lidskys will host the Generations Luncheon and Bazaar. The Foundation Fighting Blindness is rated by the National Health Council as the leading charity for the percentage of program dollars spent on research. At present, 80 million Americans are at risk for developing diseases that can potentially lead to blindness. But fortunately through the efforts of the Foundation and of families like the Lidskys, the pace of research has accelerated. As a result, the once distant goal, a cure for blindness, is now within sight. I ask that my colleagues help me in congratulating the Lidskys and the Foundation for their dedication in fighting eye degenerative diseases.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the Flake amendment because it would prolong the suffering and the oppression of the Cuban people under the totalitarian Castro regime, and I support the Smith amendment, because it would deny the Cuban dictatorship additional funds to host killers of U.S. police officers, cop killers such as Joanne Chesimard, who gunned down, in cold blood, New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, or those who murdered New Mexico State trooper, James Harper. The Flake amendment, however, would help keep those and other fugitives of U.S. justice in the lap of luxury, fugitives wanted for murder, for kidnapping, for armed robbery, among other terrible crimes. The Fraternal Order of Police has said this about attempts such as the Flake amendment: ``The American people and the Fraternal Order of Police do not feel that we must compromise our system of justice and the fabric of our society to foreign dictators like Fidel Castro.'' I oppose the Flake amendment because it would provide that Communist regime with much-needed hard currency to extend its reign of terror. This amendment would help propagate a system of slave labor, where 95 percent of workers' wages are retained by the dictatorship, where the workers have no individual or collective rights as they must remain subservient to the Communist party and the upper cadres of the tyrannical regime. The Flake amendment would help promote a tourist industry built on prostitution, particularly teenaged prostitution, and the exploitation of women. In fact, Cuba's tyrant Fidel Castro has boasted to his national assembly that highly educated jineteras, who are prostitutes, have low rates of AIDS, and, therefore, there is no tourism healthier than Cuba's. This appeared in the July, 2000, edition of the New Republic. I rise in support of the Smith amendment because he does not ignore political prisoners, such as Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, Vladimiro Roca, and Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, who languish in squalid jail cells in isolation, devoid of any light. I ask my colleagues to search their conscience, to listen to the echoes of America's Founding Fathers who understood that when one people suffer, all of humanity suffers.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to the Rangel amendment because Cuba's terrible record of human rights violations was not exported there. The degrading treatment that the Castro regime inflicts on its own citizens is not the end result of the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The embargo is not responsible for the gulags for prisoners of conscience. The embargo does not forbid independent labor unions from existing. The U.S. embargo is not responsible for the systematic persecution and mistreatment of religious organizations, nonviolent opposition movements and human rights dissidents. The U.S. embargo is not what drives a police officer to beat unconscious a political prisoner while she is on a hunger strike. The U.S. embargo does not mandate the summary execution of independent journalists and conscientious objectors. It is the totalitarian regime and its tyrannical leader who are the sole creators of a state that has perpetrated the most deplorable violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms against its own people throughout the last 42 years. How does this Congress tell Vladimiro Roca, who is going on his 1,471st day in prison, the last 1,343 of those days have been spent in solitary confinement, that the very embargo he praised in a pamphlet entitled, The Homeland Belongs to Us All, an action which led to his imprisonment, will be weakened by those who choose to justify the inhumane behavior that Castro renders on his people? They demand the innate human rights that every individual should never be denied. Castro has repeatedly stated that he will not change. He has underscored his position over and over again of socialism or death. The regime continues to exert absolute control over all investments and business endeavors, requiring that all payments be channeled through the dictatorship's agencies. Its disregard for property rights of any kind has resulted in the regime falling into disgrace with even its most loyal trading partners, such as Canadian, Mexican and European investors whose machinery and payments have been stolen by the regime. I urge my colleagues to strongly vote ``no'' on this amendment that goes against our American principles of freedom and human rights.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, October 7, hundreds of south Florida residents will participate in the third annual Walk for Hope Against Breast Cancer at Aventura Mall. Walk For Hope Against Breast Cancer will help raise funds for lifesaving research at the City of Hope Medical Center and at Beckman Research Institute, a National Cancer Institute Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Despite education on preventative measures and on early detection, the rate of cancer among women has continued to increase at an alarming rate. Current statistics indicate that 2.6 million women have breast cancer. Today, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and this year we will lose more than 40,000 women to this devastating disease. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the event cochairs of the walk, Michael Yavner and Mason Mishcon who, through their efforts, will enable City of Hope Medical Center to continue to provide care, regardless of a patient's ability to pay. Funds from this walk at Aventura Mall will also benefit clinical trials and hereditary and genetic-associated research. I congratulate City of Hope and all involved in Walk for Hope for their dedication to fighting breast cancer.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this amendment. The Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, which I chair, held a hearing a few weeks ago on the China's terrible practice of harvesting organs of executed prisoners. The horrific stories relayed by our witnesses motivated me to file several pieces of legislation cosponsored by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) and which does precisely this. It seeks to ensure the U.S. does not become an accomplice to the promulgation of such a deplorable practice. One of these bills has as one of its provisions the prohibition of visas to be awarded to those who engage in the harvesting, transplantation, and trafficking in harvested organs from executed prisoners. China's Communist regime has a lucrative industry in the field of organ transplantation, which not only yields great financial rewards, but it provides the regime with a very powerful tool to coerce and intimidate the population into submission. It executes more prisoners each year than all of the other countries combined, with experts such as Amnesty International estimating that the numbers could reach 1,000 executions per year in each city. Evidence further indicates that 90 percent of all transplants performed in China use organs taken from executed prisoners. The payment for these organs and transplants are in the tens of thousands, and increasing as the demand continues to grow. Government sanctioning of organ harvesting from prisoners began in 1979, but the evil nature of this practice does not stop there. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment. Congress must not allow this horrific situation to go unchallenged.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Israel has sought a just and lasting peace for its people, who like people all around the world, only want to raise their families and go about their business in peace and harmony. Last year, Israel offered the most comprehensive concessions to bring a permanent peace to the Middle East. Instead of acceptance, the Palestinian answer has been to set off a campaign of terror against Israel. Sixty years ago, European Jews stood alone and the world pledged this would never happen again. I, along with many others, have taken The Jerusalem Pledge being spearheaded by the Simon Wiesenthal Center for a World Conference on Solidarity with Israel. This conference summons Jews and friends from all over the world to Jerusalem to stand together in a show of support. I have already planned a trip to Israel to reaffirm my longstanding support during its time of need. Because terror will not succeed against solidarity.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so very pleased to introduce my congressional constituent, Rabbi Solomon Schiff, of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, who led us in our opening prayer today. I am proud to have a spiritual leader from Miami chosen for this special opportunity, and I thank Rabbi Schiff for sharing his compassionate prayer of hope and peace with our colleagues. Within the south Florida community, Rabbi Schiff is well-known for his many acts of kindness and charity. In addition to his many duties, he finds time to serve as a member of the Governor's Commission on Aging with Dignity, as well as the People United to Lead the Struggle for Equality, an African American clergy group. Rabbi Schiff is currently the executive vice president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami, a position he has held since 1964. He is the longest-serving executive of any board of rabbis. Additionally, he has served as the President of the Florida Chaplains Association and the South Florida Chaplains Association, and was recently elected as President of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains. Rabbi Schiff is married to the former Shirley Miller, and they have three sons, Elliott, Jeffrey and Steven, as well as seven grandchildren. Rabbi Schiff is an exemplary man of faith, and all of us in south Florida share tremendous pride that he is here with us today. Welcome, Solomon Schiff, the rabbi of our community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Underage drinking and all kinds of distracted driving are in our headlines once again with various legal solutions being discussed both here and in our state capitols. One organization know as The Century Council, a national non-for-profit organization, funded by America's leading distillers, has dedicated itself to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking. What remains clear is that education is a vital component of our efforts to thwart impaired driving and underage alcohol consumption. Parents, teachers, caregivers, and the community as a whole must initiate a dialogue with young people--as early as elementary or middle school--so that positive values are formed. Teens will realize the potential consequences that result from reckless alcohol consumption and, should young people chose to drink when they are adults, they will do so responsibly and in moderation. Our former colleague, Susan Molinari, has become Chairman of the Council, working closely with Ralph Blackman, its President and CEO. Robin Carle, former Clerk of the House of Representatives is its Government Affairs Director and Steven Naclerio, an attorney for the Bacardi companies, has worked with the Council since its inception. They all would be happy to have your help and support With education we stand a real chance of diminishing some of the persistent national problems caused by underage drinking.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, these posters portray two beautiful, happy children, Bonnie and Willis Flick. What these pictures do not portray is that Bonnie and Willis cannot effectively communicate with their parents or their playmates because they live with autism. In recent years autism has risen dramatically across our Nation, and although it typically affects 1 in every 500 children, in my hometown of Miami-Dade County, the rate of autism in young children has jumped to about 1 in every 250. On Saturday, November 3, I will participate in Walk Far for NAAR, the National Alliance for Autism Research. This will raise funds for research projects and fellowships to fight this devastating disorder. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the chair of this year's walkathon, Patricia Cambo, and the co-chairs, Rene Vega and Dr. Michael Alessandri, as well as last year's co-chairs, Michelle Cruz and Marie Ilene Whitehurst. Due to the success of Walk Far, the National Alliance for Autism Research more than doubled its level of funding for this year, and we hold promise that a cure for autism is just around the bend for Bonnie and Willis Flick and many other children with autism.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment underscores that freedom, justice, and peace rests on the recognition of the inalienable rights of all members of the human family. It further states that these basic rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person. Thus, when one individual suffers, all of humanity suffers. When one individual is tortured, the scars inflicted by such horrific treatment are not only found in the victim but in the global system, as the use of torture undermines, debilitates, and erodes the very essence of that system. Torture not only terrorizes individuals but entire societies, the impact of which is felt in future generations as well. It is used as a weapon against democracy by eliminating the leadership of the opposition and by frightening the general population into submission. As a Member of Congress who represents men, women, and children who have fled repressive regimes, I have witnessed firsthand the mental and physical damage that torture inflicts on the individual and on society as a whole. I have constituents who are Cuban refugees, for example, who have been subjected to electroshock treatment by Castro's authorities because of their pro-democracy activities. I represent one of the largest Holocaust survivor communities in North America. My district includes victims of right-wing authoritative regimes as well as oppressive leftist totalitarian dictators. I have seen the anguish in their eyes as well as the strength of their spirit, their courage, and their determination. There are more than 500,000 survivors of torture in the United States; and this resolution, Mr. Speaker, seeks to honor them. House Concurrent Resolution 168 uses the occasion of the United Nations Day in Support of Victims of Torture as an opportunity to remember and pay homage to the victims of torture and to underscore the commitment that the United States Congress has outlined in the last few years through passage of the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 and the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 1999. It is a message to the survivors in the U.S., and indeed throughout the world, that the U.S. has not forgotten their suffering nor its obligation as a global leader to help prevent such violations of the inherent dignity of human beings. I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve 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 concurrent resolution under consideration.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 168) expressing the sense of Congress in support of victims of torture.

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

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 reserve the balance of my time.