Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate a remarkable young man and true champion in my congressional district, Ian Amber. Ian is a straight A honor student at Palmetto Senior High School where he excels in various academic organizations. But unlike most teenagers, Ian had to overcome a great obstacle not normally faced by students. At age 10, Ian was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent 3 years of intense chemotherapy treatment. Through perseverance, he beat cancer; and today, Ian spends his time helping children with life-threatening diseases. He formed Kids That Care Pediatric and Cancer Fund, the only kid-run organization affiliated with a major hospital in South Florida, an organization in which he raises funds for sick children. He also created Trading Places, a sensitive-training program for oncology nurses. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to help me in recognizing Ian's selfless achievements, and in commending him for being a shining example to us all. He represents Miami Palmetto well. He represents all of us well.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, baseball continues to be Americans' favorite pastime. Young boys who favor this sport dream of playing for their college teams. This dream came true for Ramiro Mendez, warmly known as Toti to his teammates, his family and friends. He was number 23 for Florida International University's baseball team until the day he succumbed to a rare heart disease. Little is known about this heart problem, which is oftentimes not found until it is too late. Toti's family is working to pass legislation in Florida that would make heart tests mandatory for student physical exams. In an effort to keep his memory alive, Toti's family and friends have established the 23 Fund for tuition assistance for other student athletes at Florida International University. On October 19, FIU and the AXA Foundation will raise scholarship funds to memorialize Toti and the hundreds of other athletes who have been affected by this heart ailment. Toti will continue to live in the spirit of his family, his teammates and all of us who were privileged to know him.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, autism strikes one out of every 500 children. In Florida, 50 percent of all children and adults afflicted with autism reside within my congressional district. I have become very familiar with this disorder because my close friend, Patience Flick, has two children, Bonnie and Willis, with autism. On November 4, we will be participating in Walk FAR, Friends and Relatives, sponsored by the National Alliance for Autism Research. This first walk of its kind is being organized by the cochairs, Michelle Cruz and Marie Eileen Whitehurst, two south Florida mothers whose children have autism. South Florida will come together that Saturday to raise research funds for the National Alliance for Autism Research, which in only 4 years has committed $3 million for 50 specific projects and fellowships around the world to combat this devastating disorder. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Michelle and Marie Eileen, as well as Karen London, founder of the National Alliance for Autism Research, Dr. Michael Alessandri, director of the University of Miami Center for Autism and Related Disorders, and the hundreds of south Florida families who will join forces to begin the eradication of autism.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commend Dr. Carlotta Morales, the Principal of Saint Agatha Catholic School in my hometown of Miami. Through her hard work and dedication, Dr. Morales has upgraded her school's facilities, advanced the education of her students, and improved the relationship between students, faculty and parents. Dr. Morales has shown us what can be achieved with a positive attitude and a firm belief in self-reliance. For her wonderful leadership in both her school and our community, Dr. Morales has been honored by both the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Department of Education by being named one of this year's national distinguished principals. Through her work, Dr. Morales demonstrates that our children are our Nation's most important assets, and her fine work on behalf of South Florida's youngsters is a shining example to be followed by educators everywhere. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Dr. Carlotta Morales as she continues her wonderful work at Saint Agatha Catholic school in Miami.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 485, 486, I was unavoidably detained. If present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall Nos. 485, 486.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, when we think of a day in the life of a child, we may immediately think of toys, playgrounds, and laughter. Rarely, if ever, do chemotherapy, hospitalization, and blood transfusions come to mind. Yet, the harsh reality is that they will become just a routine part of the day for the well over 12,000 children who will become victims of cancer this year. Cancer is the number one killer of children, and its incidence has been rising every year for the past 20 years. Alexander Zimmerman, the 4-year-old son of my district director, is currently fighting a rare form of a brain tumor. And we cannot forget Caroline, the daughter of our colleague the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce), who recently passed away from her battle with neuroblastoma. Pediatric oncology remains underrecognized and underserved, which is why Congress should fund what could be the largest children's oncology facility in the Nation, the University of Miami's Batchelor Children's Center. We believe that if Congress does its part, things like playgrounds, toys, and laughter will once again become the daily routine. We should also fund graduate medical education for pediatric hospitals, such as Miami Children's Hospital, which trains our Nation's leading pediatric oncologists. This September, as we commemorate Childhood Cancer Month, I urge my colleagues to fund efforts toward pediatric cancer research because every child's life is precious.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, a Cuban dissident who, after more than 6 months of imprisonment in Castro's jail, clings to life in the hope that his situation will help galvanize the global community in support of Cuba's political prisoner and dissident movement. Dr. Biscet, an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, has suffered 46 days of torture for refusing to succumb to his oppressors. He has been denied medical attention and has even been denied a Bible and religious visits. The doctor interpreted his duty under the Hippocratic Oath as an obligation to defend the lives of the Cuban people. Dr. Biscet could not ignore the cries of anguish of all who have died at the hands of the Castro regime. His commitment is clearly stated in a letter that he gave to his wife during their last visit: ``The evil one, Castro, must acknowledge in me an eternal rival who will not lower his sword of justice, even if confronted by misery, pain, and death simultaneously.'' The U.S. and the Congress have always stood for freedom and for the defense of the oppressed the world over. I ask my colleagues to join me in calling for Dr. Biscet's immediate release so that he can continue his mission to try to free the Cuban people.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Isaac, Daria, and Ilana Lidsky, young constituents from my congressional district, are three of the approximately 6 million people who have retinal degenerative diseases. Along with their parents, Betti and Carlos, the Lidsky family works tirelessly to raise research funds for eye degenerative diseases. This Saturday, the Lidskys will hold their annual dinner which has helped make possible unprecedented medical advances. In a groundbreaking study, supported by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, scientists amazingly restored vision in a mouse using oral doses of a chemical compound derived from vitamin A. This miracle offers evidence that researchers will soon be able to develop similar cures for patients with retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and other retinal degenerative diseases which may lead to blindness. Now more than ever, in an effort to make these treatments available, we need to support funding for the National Eye Institute so that our Nation's researchers will have the resources needed to make sight- debilitating diseases extinct. Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, CBS's ``60 Minutes'' will highlight the Lidskys' uplifting story, and I urge my colleagues to tune in and learn what each of us can do in order to help realize a cure soon.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I note the passing of Reverend Monsignor Gerard T. La Cerra, one of South Florida's most beloved and distinguished residents. With selfless devotion and love, Monsignor La Cerra served the Archdiocese of Miami not only as its Chancellor from 1978 to 1993, but also as a source of strength and inspiration to all who knew him. Although we will all remember his important position in the Church for he was designated as Prelate with Honor with the title of Reverend Monsignor by His Holiness Pope John Paul II and was appointed Founding Supervising Principal of the new Catholic High School in South Dade, Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High, we will remember most his extraordinary acts of kindness to the people of South Florida. We were fortunate to have Monsignor La Cerra and the love and kindness that he expressed to our community and our church will forever be remembered and cherished. My office and the rest of the South Florida Congressional delegation had the opportunity to get to know Monsignor La Cerra more closely and to restitute some of the work he did for his parish by organizing an effort to increase public awareness on the need for organ transplant and donations. He underwent a successful heart transplant surgery and was able to continue his work in the Archdiocese of Miami. I ask my Congressional colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this devoted spiritual leader and to express our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, may they find peace and comfort in the knowledge that he made significant differences in the many lives he touched. He will forever be remembered.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the members of St. Thomas Episcopal Parish on their 50 years in the South Florida community. St. Thomas Episcopal Parish will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, October 1st, with commemorative worship service and festivities. I commend Rev. Roger M. Tobin for his selfless work and service to parishioners. He and the members of the parish should be proud to know that they have long served their community with selfless devotion and will continue to do so for the next 50 years. It is an honor for me to represent St. Thomas Episcopal Parish in the United States Congress. The parish and the members stand as an example of unity and strength in our community and I am proud to offer my felicitations today. I also want to recognize the parish's 50th Anniversary Committee for their hard work and dedication to making the 50th anniversary celebration a success. These special individuals include: Committee Chair, Virginia Wheeler; and Committee members Virginia Elias, Blossom Hibbe, Jim Karousatos, Bob McCammon, Betty Melfa, Pam Normandia, Sam Normandia, Holly Ostlund, Polly Patterson, Diana Propeck, Mary Lou Shad, Roxanne Singler, Frank Stuart, Susie Westbrook; and Honorary member, the Rt. Rev. Calvin O. Schofield, Jr. I ask my congressional colleagues to join me in congratulating St. Thomas Episcopal Parish on its golden anniversary and in wishing the parishioners much continued success and longevity.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, I was unavoidably detained. If present, I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall Nos. 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding me this time. In our Nation a convicted murderer loses the right to vote, along with all basic civil rights. In 38 States, a convicted murderer may lose even the most fundamental right, the right to live. But what if within the confines of our judicial and penal system a convicted murderer would have the right to kill again. What if, as a result of this legal right, a completely innocent human being to whom no trespass could be attributed was brutally killed. These hypothetical examples could be realized because for the 38 States which impose the death penalty, there is no current law which prohibits the execution of a pregnant woman who carries an innocent, unborn child. Madam Speaker, last week I introduced the Innocent Child Protection Act, H.R. 4888, which would make it illegal for any authority, military or civil, in any State to carry out a death sentence on a woman who carries a child in utero. No unborn child can possibly be guilty of committing a crime, therefore, no unborn child should be punished by death. H.R. 4888 will protect unborn children by preventing innocent human life from being sentenced to death. Even in a maximum security facility, women do become pregnant. Otherwise, some in Congress would not have tried to require the Federal Bureau of Prisons to fund abortions. As of January 1991, 51 women were on State death row and 82 percent of them were of childbearing age, age 45 or younger. But how many lives must pay for the crime committed by one of these women? Today I ask my colleagues, regardless of whether they are pro- life or pro-choice, to vote to pass H.R. 4888. An innocent unborn child should not have to forfeit his opportunity for a life for a crime that his mother has committed. And as the gentleman from Arkansas has also pointed out, Alan Frank Guttmacher, commonly known as the ``father of Planned Parenthood,'' stated in his book, Into This Universe, the Story of Human Birth, he makes the case for a child to be born, and not aborted, by a prisoner. Madam Speaker, if even the father of Planned Parenthood is against a prisoner having an abortion, who can be against legislation to protect innocent life from death? H.R. 4888 does not make a statement on the appropriateness of capital punishment as a means to castigate persons convicted of premeditated murder or other serious crimes. H.R. 4888 does not impose on a woman's right to choose, for it does not prohibit them from having an abortion. This bill merely asks one simple question: Should the government execute an unborn child who has committed no crime? Madam Speaker, the only answer to this question is no. Therefore, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4888.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, what my bill simply says is that although there are provisions applying on the Federal death penalty, this would make it applicable at the State level. Madam Speaker, 38 States do have the death penalty. So this would apply to those States that do.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, as the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson) had pointed out in his introductory statements, which I then blotted out of mine because we did not want to be redundant, he had pointed out case after case where it was based on a treaty and then it does give the congressional authority to act in this way. Madam Speaker, if I could ask the gentleman from Arkansas to reread, to recite those particular cases having to do with the treaty. If the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) would yield to the gentleman from Arkansas, he would be glad to cite those again.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act and rise to speak in support of it. Terrorism, defined as the systematic use of terror and violence as a means of coercion and intimidation, has become a global problem. It knows no boundaries--geographical or political. It does not discriminate among its victims. The damage it inflicts upon society extends far beyond the immediate physical destruction of each attack. The emotional and psychological scars are far greater. The question is not only how many lives have been lost in each terrorist attack, but how many futures were lost in their aftermath. In the last 15 years, the United States has experienced in vivid terms the effects of terrorism, as our citizens have been targeted over and over again--in Beirut, over Lockerbie, in Saudi Arabia, in Israel, over international waters, in New York, and in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, where Americans who devoted their lives to building better relations between the U.S. and other nations, died in a campaign of hatred against this country. There is no justification for terrorism, and the United States must be committed to finding those who prey on innocent victims and put an end to their reign of terror. The Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act is critical to achieving this goal. This bill allows the victims--our constituents--to seek justice for the crimes committed against them and their families by making their attackers--the terrorists--pay for their crimes. The bill before us allows for the execution of judgements and recovery of punitive damages from pariah states such as Iran which sponsor terrorist groups that kill and maim hundreds of Americans, Israelis, and other innocent human beings each year. It would punish the Castro regime for shooting down two U.S. registered civilian planes over international waters, killing Carlos Costa and Mario de la Pena (two U.S.-born citizens in the prime of their youth); Armando Alejandre (a decorated Vietnam veteran); and Pablo Morales (a U.S. resident who, years before, had escaped Castro's island prison in search of freedom in the U.S.) Some would argue that terrorism is not about money. Certainly it is about life and the right to live free of fear. But, while terrorism requires a multifaceted approach, one of the key elements to curtailing the proliferation of terrorism and limiting its capabilities, is by cutting off the flow and access to financial resources. By upholding and enforcing the right of American victims of terrorism to sue foreign states, in court, for damages, this bill would have a chilling effect on terrorist activities and would help deter future aggression against American citizens. In the last few months, there have been numerous attempts to trade with terrorist states, which would afford them increased financial resources and would enable them to, not only continue their reign of terror over their own people, but to expand their campaign of violence against our allies, our neighbors, and our own U.S. citizens. These states have even been down-graded to ``states of concern''-- despite the overwhelming evidence of their support for terrorist attacks against Americans. In spite of this, I hope my colleagues will listen to their conscience. I ask my colleagues to pause for a moment. They will hear the cries of anguish and despair of little Alisa Flatow from New Jersey, who was killed in a Palestine Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in April 1995. I ask my colleagues to understand the frustration of Alisa's parents; of the relatives of Carlos, Armando, Mario, and Pablo; of the families of the servicemen who died during the attack on the Kovar Towers; of all the victims' families. Let us demonstrate our resolve to the sanctity of human life and principles of justice; our commitment to fundamental legal standards; and our dedication to the welfare of the American people. Support the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, every year, thousands of people leave the port of Miami, located in my congressional district, on cruise ships that take them to foreign lands. Yet these tourists never consider what they would do if they found themselves in an emergency situation abroad. What was supposed to be a peaceful vacation cruise to Mexico for a couple in my congressional district, turned out to be a nightmare that continues to haunt Michael and Lorraine Andrews today. Fifteen minutes before their ship departed from one of the ports, Michael and Lorraine's car went off the road and into a ravine, causing a tragic accident that would change their lives forever. With no passport, no money and no real means of identification, Lorraine Andrews had a difficult time in obtaining medical assistance for her husband who had lost sensation below his neck. It took approximately an hour and a half before an air ambulance arrived and even then, American dollars had to be exchanged for medical attention. Today, Michael is an incomplete quadriplegic and he and his wife are working to make a difference so that others do not experience similar difficulties. H. Con. Res. 232, expressing the sense of Congress concerning the safety and well being of United States citizens injured while traveling in Mexico, is a step in the right direction to secure safety for our citizens and raise awareness on ways in which they can better protect themselves. The safety of our citizens must come first and our President must immediately begin negotiations with the Government of Mexico to establish a humanitarian exemption to Mexican bond requirements. No American's life should be endangered due to the existence of a Mexican law requiring an exhaustive investigation of an accident before emergency medical help in the United States is found. No American should be denied the right to emergency medical assistance because a release bond must be paid up front. Humanitarian considerations should be allowed to override any regulatory, so that emergencies like that of Michael and Lorraine Andrews will be prevented in the future. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 232, and I ask my colleagues to vote for its passage.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), the majority whip.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. This amendment ensures U.S. Government financing to the Castro regime. Our U.S. taxpayers would be subsidizing a dictatorship. Our country was founded on the principles of freedom, of democracy, of human rights. As the leader of the international community, this amendment means that our principles are being sacrificed. It means that we are no longer upholding, defending and, indeed, demonstrating the moral guidelines which have directed U.S. policy of helping oppressed people. This amendment would provide funds to a regime which violates human rights, which denies its citizens the right to participate in their religious beliefs. It tortures men and women for thinking differently and for voicing their dissenting opinions despite the threat to their personal safety. The safeguards that this amendment seeks to remove are in place so that the Castro regime does not take U.S. food and medicine and then sells it to a third country so that it can further increase its war chest, a war chest which it uses to torture, to harass, to intimidate and to oppress the Cuban people. This amendment would allow the unbridled, unrestricted trade with a brutal dictatorship using U.S. taxpayer funds, and it would only prolong the suffering of the Cuban people. This amendment would send a message that this pariah state is now being forgiven for their practices, despite the cost in human life and the dignity of each individual who suffers under the dictatorship. This amendment sends the signal that the United States will no longer serve as a moral compass for emerging democracies to emulate; that the United States' sense of right and wrong is succumbing to commercial interests. The safeguards in place through the licensing process at the Department of Commerce and the Department of Treasury ensure that the food and medicine donated to the Cuban people actually reach the men, the women, and the children that they are intended for. These safeguards ensure that they will not be diverted by the Castro regime for the use of its officials and for foreigners. This amendment seeks to remove those safeguards and has U.S. taxpayer money going to the Castro regime.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Yes I do, Mr. Chairman.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Deutsch).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would remind our colleague that contracts were destroyed by Fidel Castro. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the Committee on International Relations. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I would remind my colleague that once upon a time he was always advocating on behalf of a free Cuba. It is a shame that now he is on the other side. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez), the esteemed minority whip. (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks to provide funds to the oppressive Castro regime without current U.S. policy requirements and those requirements deal with human rights, civil liberties, and political freedoms. Do the supporters of this amendment believe that it is a bad thing to require democracy and liberty for the Cuban people first and require that U.S. policy not prolong their suffering? By propping up the regime that oppresses them, by providing hard currency to the Castro regime, this amendment postpones the inevitable. And that is what we want for Cuba is we want democracy and we want liberty. But this amendment condones the murder of these children and all of the other victims killed by Fidel Castro. In this instance, Fidel Castro's coast guard rammed their small tugboats and turned their power hoses on these children, drowning them in their cries of anguish. Six years later, the regime refuses to turn over their bodies to the relatives. This amendment would allow the Cuban dictatorship to purchase even more weapons such as those shown in this poster for Castro's brand of calisthenics for children when they lift rifles above their heads. This amendment would propagate the system of apartheid, which is established by the regime denying access to food, medicine, and hotels to the Cuban people in favor of the tourists. This amendment would allow Castro officials to keep political prisoners and human rights dissidents, such as Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, in isolation in a squalid jail cell denied of food and medical attention, denied even the Bible. That is what the Rangel amendment will do.