Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, parents should not be robbed of the inherent right to counsel our children at their time of need. Yet, strangers are now allowed to transport our underage daughters in order to obtain abortions in States without parental notification laws. This outrage, which is actually encouraged by heartless abortion clinics that place ads highlighting their State's lack of consent laws, must be stopped. My legislation, H.R. 3682, the Child Custody Protection Act, will ensure that parental rights are respected. It would make it a Federal misdemeanor for a nonparent to transport a minor girl across State lines to avoid that State's abortion parental notification laws. Innocent minor girls and parents must be protected from strangers who decide to make possible life-threatening decisions for them. This legislation has already been approved by the full House Judiciary Committee and it will soon be brought to this floor for a vote. Madam Speaker, encourage my colleagues to support the protection of parental rights by voting for this important legislation.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the House will soon have the opportunity to vote on legislation that will help secure the rights of parents to counsel our children during a situation of great confusion that could lead to grave consequences, that of obtaining an abortion. Almost half the States in the American union have passed laws that require the consent or notification of one or both parents before a minor girl can obtain an abortion. These laws are designed to assure that a mother, father or legal guardian can provide counsel and comfort to an innocent and naive young girl before making a decision that brings with it mental and physical ramifications. Unfortunately, unscrupulous abortionists, while practicing in a State without parental notification laws, loudly advertise in another State which does have consent laws, that their abortion mill lacks such notification requirements. Minor girls are then taken by a stranger, oftentimes, to obtain this dangerous procedure. This, Mr. Speaker, is an outrage that must be stopped, and can be stopped, if Congress adopts the legislation that I have introduced along with the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Myrick), who joins me here tonight, H.R. 3682, the Child Custody Protection Act. This bill would make it a Federal misdemeanor for an adult to knowingly transport a minor across State lines in order to evade a State's parental notification or consent laws on abortion. This legislation already has 135 cosponsors, and this number is rising, because it is a common sense idea, protecting parental rights from being stripped away by a complete stranger. Many of our Nation's schools, for example, prohibit giving an aspirin to children without parental notification. Yet we have a situation where a complete stranger can take a young girl away from her parents to obtain an abortion and suffer no consequences, despite this young lady having been subjected to a life-threatening procedure. President Clinton this week said parents should know when their children are being encouraged to smoke by tobacco companies. Well, this same principle, the parents right to know, should apply also to a young girl obtaining an abortion. In July, just in a few weeks, we will have the opportunity here in the full House of Representatives to secure the parents right to know, to know when our daughters are being taken advantage of by a stranger without our consent and without our notification. H.R. 3682 is that opportunity, Mr. Speaker, and I hope that all of our colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, will join in protecting parental rights from being stripped away by a stranger. We urge our colleagues to support H.R. 3682, the Child Custody Protection Act.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, can my colleagues picture Joyce Farley's shock when she discovered that her 13 year-old daughter had an abortion after being transported by a stranger across State lines without Miss Farley's knowledge? The truth is simple and tragic. Crystal was date raped and impregnated. The man's mother arranged for Crystal's abortion, transported her to New York in order to circumvent Pennsylvania's parental consent laws, paid for the abortion and then casually dropped her off 30 miles from home so that this minor girl could fend for herself. Crystal had to undergo a second abortion because the first one was botched, and she faced a prospect of serious psychological and physical and post-abortion complications. This scenario could be a real life experience for any parent in America. There is legislation to keep this from being repeated, however. H.R. 3682 is not about outlawing abortion. It is about the right of every parent, including Joyce Farley, to counsel, comfort and help their child. It protects the most vulnerable, inherent and sacred right that exists, that between a parent and a child.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today the Committee on the Judiciary will vote on a bill that is of great importance to the protection of my rights, my colleagues' rights and the rights of every American parent. The Child Custody Protection Act will protect the most sacred bond that exists, that between every parent and their children. As Members of Congress we have shown great determination in our pursuit of prosecuting and punishing sexual predators who prey on our children. We must also act to stop those who decide to play parent to our children. Mr. Speaker, these strangers smuggle children across State lines in order to circumvent a State's parental law on abortions. Let us safeguard our parental rights by passing H.R. 3682 so that the laws of every State regarding abortion for minor girls are respected. This bill makes it a Federal crime for a nonparent to transport a minor girl across State lines to evade her home State's parent involvement law and obtain an abortion. It does not establish a nationwide parental notification retirement, but it does respect parental rights. Mr. Speaker, no stranger should break the sacred bond between a parent and her child.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. The gift of sight, Mr. Speaker, is one of our most precious. For those of us who are fortunate to have healthy eyesight, we often fail to recognize that there are those who suffer from debilitating diseases that impair their vision and that oftentimes may lead to complete blindness. Retinal degenerative diseases are a group of diseases that affect the eye's innermost layer. They are inherited, the hereditary pattern varying from family to family. The most common forms of the diseases are macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness among seniors, retinitis pigmentosa, and Usher's syndrome. Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disease that is usually diagnosed at childhood and is characterized by an increasing loss of peripheral vision. Usher's syndrome is also inherited and is accompanied by varying degrees of deafness and the development of retinitis pigmentosa. Macular degeneration is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and is characterized by a loss of central vision. These diseases can be detected in routine eye exams; however, they are fairly difficult to diagnose in their early stages. Retinal degenerative diseases cause a loss of vision due to loss of light- sensing photoreceptor cells in the retina. They are responsible for the loss of sight of over 6 million Americans across our country. These diseases unfortunately have no treatment and no cure. Last Wednesday, along with the Foundation Fighting Blindness and a very special family from my congressional district, the Lidsky family, we held a congressional briefing on retinal degenerative diseases. Three of the four Lidsky children, and they are the children of Carlos and Betty Lidsky, have been affected by retinal degenerative diseases. One of these wonderful children, Isaac, spoke at this briefing and detailed to us how he has been affected by this disease. Isaac, who aspires to be an attorney just like his father one day soon, has big dreams. One of them is to find a cure for this disease that is responsible for slowly taking away his eyesight. Isaac and his sisters, Doria and Ilana, who also have this challenge, reminded us that this disease has overwhelming effects on the lives of those who are afflicted. He also reminded us about the bravery and the perseverance of the human spirit. He is not letting this disease conquer his dreams nor his hopes of someday very soon finding a cure. My colleagues and I also had the opportunity to meet Patrick Leahy, a young 25-year-old Maryland native who works in the office of Senator Fred Thompson. Patrick is afflicted with Leibers, one of the forms of retinitis pigmentosa. Regardless of the debilitating effects of these groups of diseases that Patrick and Isaac are afflicted with, they are both successful young men who make us proud of their accomplishments and of their unwavering optimism. I would like to thank Isaac, Doria, Ilana, Patrick and all Americans who are dealing every day with these diseases. We want to offer them additional hope for a future in which we can soon eradicate retinal degenerative diseases. Research scientists at the Foundation Fighting Blindness are making significant and exciting advances in the fight against retinal degenerative diseases. The most solid advances have been in the discovery of several new genes whose mutations cause retinal degenerations. These discoveries are critical, because they allow us to come closer to understanding the causes of these diseases and how one day doctors will be able to repair these genetic mutations. There have been significant discoveries in the areas of molecular engineering and gene therapy. There have been significant advances made in the lab with vectors which are modified viruses that transport normal replacement genes into cells to help them function. This past year, there was significant improvement in the new generation of vectors which have the potential of being safer and more effective. In the area of retinal transplantations, animals tested in labs with pigment cell transplantation proved that such procedures can effectively delay the degenerative process. These tests must now be taken to the clinical trial level where we can find out their effectiveness on humans. This is why it is very critical to promote educational research. Our prayers are with the Lidsky family and with all of those who are similarly affected.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding this time to me. I urge my colleagues to support the Sherman-Fox amendment. This amendment will ensure that a hotline is established so that our children are protected from the evil and ill-intentioned hands of sexual predators. California has taken this progressive step, and its attorney general reports that thanks to this hotline, which has received a great percentage of hits and calls in which the sexual molesters identified positively. There have been almost 500 hits thus far. Even though California State law requires a sexual predator to register upon moving in the State, there are not, as in the reality, many States' enforcement provisions that will guarantee that he registers before he is to strike again. This hotline, as proposed by the Sherman-Fox amendment would grant access to registration records in other States so that children are protected from those sexual molesters who have failed to register. It is clear, Mr. Chairman, from the success in California that this hotline will aid in protecting our children from sexual predators and their horrible acts, and I implore my colleagues to support the Sherman-Fox amendment so that America's children will be safe.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Manolo del Canal, an entertainment promoter in my Congressional district, has had many successes in his field. Mr. del Canal has had experience as a new director for the radio show ``Cuba al Dia'' which aired on WFAB in Miami. He was also a pioneer in establishing the idea of listeners calling directly to the shows they were hearing with their comments, otherwise known as radio call-in shows. He was one of the first to use this idea in his show called ``Opinion Publica''. Another facet of Mr. del Canal's talents was his experience as a journalist, for he managed and operated a local newspaper called La Prensa. Mr. del Canal is currently in the business of promoting Latin American singers and actors. His goal is to make these Hispanic talents a household name in our great country. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Manolo del Canal works hard on his craft every day.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today the House will likely vote on legislation which was passed overwhelmingly by the Senate to restore food stamps to thousands of disabled and elderly U.S. legal residents, as well as families with children, and they have entered this country legally, they pay their taxes and they abide by the law. Since Congress unfairly ended food stamp benefits to U.S. legal residents, more than 900,000 taxpayers have lost their access to food stamps. Sixty-five percent of those affected are families with children. In my home State of Florida nearly 10 percent of the recipients lost eligibility, and most were families with kids. The funds for food stamps in this bill will only be directed to legal U.S. residents who were here before the benefits were terminated. It is fitting that this great Nation, which gave these permanent residents a new opportunity, will now lend them a helping hand in their times of need after years of contributing to our country. I urge my colleagues to restore the benefits of food stamps to U.S. legal residents.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I pay a respectful tribute and congratulate a man I am proud to call my former college professor, Dr. Edward Reichbach, on his well earned retirement. Dr. Reichbach was a member of the founding faculty at my alma mater, Florida International University. He will retire this June after forty- four years of being an educator. Throughout his career he prepared both elementary grade students and trained college students to become teachers, guiding them toward graduate degrees. Concentrating in the field of Social Studies, Dr. Reichbach taught mostly minority students to become elementary school teachers in south Florida. As a college professor, he urged his students to make teaching Social Studies fun and enjoyable by emphasizing why historical events occurred and what effect they had on the people, particularly children, of the time. Dr. Reichbach's classes at Florida International University soon became a favorite as he was able to capture the attention and adoration of his students through his wit and innovating teaching techniques. During his tenure, Dr. Reichbach conducted workshops throughout the country and participated in travels to India, China and Africa to speak on Social Studies topics. During his travels, he was fortunate to meet with important leaders, such as Indira Ghandi, with whom he discussed the problems confronting the Indian education system. This month, Dr. Reichbach and his wife Judith will be traveling in a motor home to revisit the historical and geographical sites, in both the U.S. and Canada, that he lectured on for forty-four years. In honor of Dr. Edward Reichbach's vast accomplishments and outstanding achievements, I ask my Congressional colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating him on his well-deserved retirement.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, last week marked the first anniversary of the election of Mohammad Khatami as president of Iran so this marks a fitting time to assess the realities versus the rhetoric of Khatami's regime. Congressmen Gary Ackerman, Bob Menendez, Edolphus Towns, and James Traficant and I co-sponsored a briefing here in the House of Representatives on U.S. policy options and prospects for change in Iran. We presented the following on Iran policy: Nothing has changed under the administration of Khatami, and in many respects the evidence indicates that Tehran's outlaw behavior has worsened. Factional infighting and domestic unrest are aggravating the instability of the ruling regime, raising new prospects for its replacement by a democratic government. Our policy should focus on how to contain the threat from Iran, and on support for democratic alternatives within that country. I urge my colleagues and the Administration to continue tough U.S. policies such as the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act as well as efforts to mobilize the international community towards a united-multi-lateral campaign to bring freedom and democracy to the people of Iran.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an outstanding group of girls from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy who won second place at this year's national We the People competition. These dedicated, remarkable girls spent countless of hours studying diligently to win the local and state tournament. Proudly representing the state of Florida this year in our national competition, these devoted 17 girls made evident their pride in our county's heritage and demonstrated their vast knowledge of U.S. history and of current events. Great statesman Edward Everett mentioned that ``Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.'' Mr. Speaker, education is indeed, a safeguard of liberty. Through education we are made free. These 17 girls have embodied the definition of liberty as they have edified on what our wondrous democratic nation has to offer. These students have learned to cherish the rights found in our constitution-- the rights our founding fathers died for and for this I commend them today. For winning second place this year, for the long nights and weekends spent in intense study and for the honor which they so greatly deserve, I ask my Congressional colleagues to join me today in congratulating the teacher Rosalee Heffernan and these high caliber students: Nina Bassil, Claudia Capriles, Alejandra Chamorro, Ana Del Cerro, Claudia Ferrer, Jennifer Garcia, Mariah Gidel, Miriann Guazzini, Annie Heffernan, Lauren Knickerbocker, Genevieve Koch, Monica Leal, Sabrina Munnings, Maria Ortega, Kristina Perez, Talia Romero, and Melissa Zurini.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I urge my colleagues to not ignore the importance of restoring food stamps to U.S. legal residents. Many in our Republican leadership will work to restore these benefits. I know that their commitment is true, it is valid, and this will work out, and I thank them for this. But, right now, it is important to stress to our side how vital this issue is. These are U.S. permanent residents who came to this country legally. They are law-abiding, taxpaying residents of the United States who have sacrificed their health and their lives in order to promote our ideals of democracy and liberty, the ideals of this great Nation, and who aspire to dream and live the American dream. It is ironic that when the tax man comes, there is no distinction made between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. resident. Both are obligated to pay their taxes. It is ironic that when Uncle Sam calls for military troops to go to war, no distinction is made between a U.S. citizen and a U.S. legal resident. Both must report to Selective Service. The Senate has wisely voted to restore food stamps to legal U.S. permanent residents who are elderly, who are disabled. Let us help those 250,000 legal residents. And what of those families who have young children and need to put food on the table? I know that my colleague the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) has helped in the Committee on Rules to try to right this wrong. I ask my colleagues, who is going to give 75-year-old legal residents, many of whom live in our districts, a job so that they can sustain themselves? They are willing to work, but their age and their health prevents them from doing so. There is a lot that we could do, Mr. Speaker. This is a generous country. We have helped those in need. We must ensure that our own, our legal residents, U.S. permanent residents who came to this great Nation in search of the American dream, are not deserted by the Congress. The Senate has already sent a loud message on this issue. We should give assistance to those legal residents who have paid their dues. They are needy. They need our food stamps. It is unfair to deny this aid to them.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am holding in my hand a copy of the Loral Corporation's 2-page statement in response to allegations that Loral gave sensitive information to Communist China. This statement is stunning in its claim of innocence. While the statement may be factually accurate, what is stunning and misleading is what is left out, what Loral does not say, and most of all the questions which remain unanswered. I urge every Member of this body, Democrats and Republicans alike, to read this statement by Loral and ask themselves if they are satisfied with its replies. Ask themselves the following questions: Is Loral arguing that its review of the China rocket failures did not help the Communist Chinese government perfect its Long March missile? Does Loral explain why it released its report to the Chinese before seeking approval from the State Department? Does Loral fail to mention that high-technology transfers were under criminal investigation at the Justice Department for previous technology transfers to Communist China at the time of President Clinton's February 19, 1998, waiver? Loral must come forward and provide more answers than these.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, although we live in the world's greatest democracy, we also live in a society that, unfortunately, in the name of women's rights permits parents to be stripped of our inherent and sacred right, our right to parent. H.R. 3682, The Child Custody Protection Act, will protect every parent's right to be a parent. It will prevent every parent from being stripped, deprived, and divested of our profound right to protect our young daughters from abortions and life-altering and life-threatening procedure. Pro-abortion groups wrongfully claim a right to procure secret abortions for minors. But it is not up to a stranger to determine whether our daughters should have an abortion. The Congress and the American people will take a strong stand against the twisted notion that the Constitution somehow confers upon strangers a right to parent our children. Together with Senator Spencer Abraham, our bill will be heard in committees next week and we hope that we can get even more cosponsors for our pro-family protection bill.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart), my colleague from Miami, for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, along with the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall), I also rise in strong support of H.R. 2431, the Freedom From Religious Persecution Act of 1998. I especially commend my colleagues, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), chairman of the Committee on International Relations for their leadership and for their dedication in bringing forward such a critical piece of legislation. Jose Marti, the man who liberated my homeland of Cuba from tyranny, said, ``To witness a crime in silence is to be an accomplice of that crime.'' Today, my colleagues and I are making a statement to the world that the United States will not stand by silently. We will bear witness to the thousands of our fellow human beings who are tortured and, indeed, even murdered for exercising their fundamental right to religious freedom. Today, we will give a voice to those whose cries for freedom and justice have been equaled by violent and repressive regimes that seek to destroy that which is so precious to us as children of God. This bill will help ensure that practicing one's faith will not become a death sentence, as it has been, unfortunately, for so many men, women and children throughout the world. When we speak of religious persecution, we need to fully recognize that in many countries this does not mean simple harassment, but it refers to unthinkable, monstrous acts, ranging from imprisonment, forced slavery, torture, starvation and murder. These acts, endorsed, and in many cases imposed, by extremist, repressive regimes, have gone unpunished for too long. As we reflect on this issue today, we ask that you think of people like the 18 year old girl from Laos who was arrested by government forces and is currently sitting in a squalid prison cell. And what is her crime? Teaching Bible classes to neighborhood children. Or think about the student from Tibet who did nothing but record traditional music from Tibet, and, for this offense, he was sentenced to 18 years. I ask you to picture the father who was shot in the streets of Iran because he was not in the mosque at prayer time. There are many prisoners in my native homeland of Cuba who are in jail because they dared to hold religious meetings at their homes, and there are evangelical Christians and Jehovahs' Witnesses routinely harassed in Cuba. These are just a few examples of the grim destiny that so many of our global brothers and sisters face at the hands of those who hold no respect for religious beliefs and no respect for human life. Religious persecution following the Cold War has not diminished. Sadly, it has only persisted, and has now reached new heights. H.R. 2431 will provide a permanent mechanism for the United States to investigate religious persecution and ensure that these cases receive high priority at the State Department. By creating an Office of Religious Persecution Monitoring within the State Department, we will help to develop a mechanism that will help to strengthen and improve our methods of addressing religious freedom and persecution throughout the world. If and when a country is identified in engaging in widespread and ongoing acts of persecution, the United States would terminate non-humanitarian U.S. foreign aid and require U.S. opposition to loans to such regimes from taxpayer supported international agencies. It bans the export of torture and other crime control related supplies to offending countries, and it bans visas to known persecutors. This bill furthers U.S. interests by ensuring that U.S. funds do not go to pariah states which engage in practices that run contrary to our values and our beliefs and which violate basic human dignity. Through this bill, we will finally shine light into the eyes of those who seek to oppress and destroy lives, and we will hold them responsible for their cruel acts. Pope John Paul II has said, Religious persecution is an intolerable and unjustifiable violation of the most fundamental human freedom, that of practicing one's faith openly, which for human beings is their reason for living. Let us not stand idly by while thousands continue to suffer. Let us make these rogue regimes accountable for their crimes against humanity. Let us render strong support for H.R. 2431. I once again congratulate the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) for his tenacity, dedication, and never-wavering focus on the issue of religious persecution worldwide. I regret the bill has been changed as it has moved through the committee process, but it definitely is still a powerful weapon to foster international religious freedom. We are truly blessed in this house to have a man of vision like the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) guiding our efforts. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart) for yielding me this time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the requisite number of words. Unfortunately for many who suffer from a learning disability, there exists no cure. These serious impediments are a lifelong disorder for many and 15 percent of our population must learn to live with this disability. It is time that all of us as responsible Members of Congress address those 15 percent whose future in education depends on our actions here. The amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) and the gentlewoman from Kentucky (Mrs. Northup) does just that. It will authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to institutions of higher education which competitively demonstrate methods, techniques and new approaches in educating students with learning disabilities. Mr. Chairman, passing this amendment will be the first step in ensuring equal opportunities in post-secondary education for individuals with learning disabilities. Serious disorders such as dyslexia and attention hyperactivity disorder are currently affecting 2.6 million children who are diagnosed as learning disabled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in elementary and secondary education. Congress has already found that ``2 percent of all undergraduate students nationwide report having a learning disability.'' In fact, we have already recognized that different teaching strategies are needed to enable those students to develop their talents and performance up to their capabilities. Let us help those students by passing the Meek-Northup amendment. Mr. Chairman, I also thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Chairman Goodling), who has been very supportive and very cooperative on this serious issue.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Occupational Therapy month, I would like to recognize Occupational Therapists nationwide for the wonderful work they do on a daily basis to help Americans regain their full physical capabilities. I would like to recognize Continued Care Corporation of Miami which will soon be celebrating the opening of its Rehabilitation Division and will become part of this wonderful network of occupational therapy providers. It is important to realize the contributions that Occupational Therapists make in our daily lives as well as the positive impact they have on the health care community. In addition to contributing to a significant decrease in a patient's hospital length of stay, they also reduce the amount of care and services patients require after discharge. For the patient, the benefits of therapy translate into the prevention of further complications or disabilities and the ability to resume their normal lives. The commitment of our nation's Occupational Therapists to providing an opportunity for those with physical ailments and disabilities to participate to their fullest abilities should be recognized and recommended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Xavier Cortada for his newly unveiled exhibition entitled, ``Cubaba''. Having exhibited on four different continents, this month marks the inception of Xavier's first solo show in his hometown of Miami, Florida. Growing up Cuban-American in Miami was the foundation that inspired Xavier to paint the enlightening cultural celebration that is Cubaba. With combined elements of Hispanic culture and of Anglo-American college life, Xavier gave life to the feelings of ``identity and belonging, about then and now, about being Cuban, being American, being both and being neither.'' The renegotiation of identity that mirrors members of the Cuban generation who find themselves ``on the hyphen''. The Miami-based artist is also an attorney and a community leader who is able to express his concerns for social and political issues while exploring topics such as community development, racism, violence, poverty, political freedom, AIDS, and Cuba. Prestigious accomplishments achieved by Xavier include having been commissioned to create public art for organizations such as Nike, HBO, MADD and Indiana's Governor's office. He has been commissioned to create community murals by museums such as the Lowe Art Museum, the Wolfsonian and the Miami Youth Museum. In Cubaba, this talented painter and social voice has reaffirmed the existence of biculturalism through his celebration of oil colors on canvas and expression of Cuban nostalgia and American reality.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, next week, the Mount Sinai Medical Center, one of the leading medical centers in the United States, must wave good bye to Fred Hirt, its CEO and the individual responsible for many of the Center's most notable achievements. With much appreciation and admiration, the residents of the 18th Congressional district wish Fred much success as he progresses into the next phase of his professional life. As CEO of Mount Sinai Medical Center, South Florida's only private, not-for-profit independent teaching hospital, Fred, who has been twice named ``Best Hospital Administrator'' by Medical Business, has achieved many notable accomplishments of great benefit to South Florida. The many achievements during his tenure include the construction of a state-of-the-art Comprehensive Cancer Center, the development of one of Dade County's most active cardiac programs, the establishment of the Wien Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders, and the acquisition of the St. Francis-Barry Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Moreover, he has also supervised the contribution of an estimated $10 million each year for the care of South Florida's indigent population. A specific example of Fred's vision has been his ability, over a decade ago, to identify those forces that would be of great value to today's health care industry: outpatient satellite facilities. For over a decade, Mount Sinai, with Fred at the helm, set up its first outpatient satellite facility and has gone on to develop seven more of these centers throughout South Florida. Fred has also taken his duties beyond Mount Sinai and has dedicated his leadership and vision to over 50 local and national organizations. His participation in many state and federal legislative issues has been critical to the passage of significant legislation. We thank Fred for his endless dedication to Miami's health care industry and for making Mount Sinai Medical Center, a national, not- for-profit, independent teaching hospital a force to be reckoned with nationally. His efforts will leave a mark on South Florida for many years to come and although he will be greatly missed, we wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors, where he will assuredly excel.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today it is a honor to recognize Mr. Elio Roca, a musical artist and actor well known to Hispanic audiences. The Cuban patriot Jose Marti once said: ``Men of action, above all, those whose actions are guided by love, live forever. Other famous men, those of much talk and few deeds, soon evaporate. Action is the dignity of greatness.'' Those words describe Elio Roca. Mr. Roca has sung to sold out concerts in his native Argentina and has realized dozens of appearances on stages in Latin America and the United States. His performances at Madison Square Garden and the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles won critical acclaim. Mr. Roca is also known as one of the brightest actors in Latin America. It must also be noted that this Argentinean native has been a supporter of human rights and a crusader against the Castro tyranny. He has written and dedicated a song entitled ``To My Cuba I Shall Return'' for all those Cubans who live in exile. Mr. Roca has been invited to tour the oppressed Cuban nation time and time again, and his answer has always been the same simple yet powerful response of a man of action, ``never, never while Fidel is there.'' Mr. Speaker, Elio Roca is a talented artist, a proud Argentinean, a friend of the Cuban people and above all, to quote a Cuban patriot ``a man of action.''

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, a portion of the infrastructure of Fidel Castro in the United States is here in Washington today to promote the lives and propaganda of the regime. They will speak of a political embargo on the sending of food and medicine from the U.S. to Cuba while never mentioning an unkind word about the regime. But, once again, Mr. Speaker, let us set the facts straight. There is no embargo on food and medicine going to Cuba. The United States is, in fact, the largest humanitarian aid donor to Cuba, sending more aid to the island than all of the other nations in the world combined. If there are no medicines in Cuba, why do foreign tourists with hard currency receive top-quality health care on the island? If there is a shortage of food in Cuba, why do luxury hotels pamper tourists with world-class meals? If there are no medicines in Cuba, why has Castro exported $300 million in medicines over the past 2 years? Do not believe the propaganda. The only embargo that has to be lifted is the embargo on freedom, human rights, and democracy that the Cuban dictator has imposed on the people of Cuba.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, next Tuesday Capitol Hill will be visited by various organizations that support the repressive regime's agenda which promotes the myth that there is an embargo on food and medicine to Cuba. Mr. Speaker, nothing can be further from the truth. The United States is in fact the leading humanitarian aid donor country to Cuba, more than all of the nations of the world combined. The United States has sent more than $227 million in humanitarian donations to the people of Cuba. The shortages of medicine and food in Cuba is caused by the misguided failed Marxist policy of the dictatorship and not what people incorrectly perceive as U.S. policy and U.S. laws. The regime redirects these supplies to tourist-only hospitals and hotels. U.S. policy, in fact, which a majority of the American people support according to a new survey released just yesterday by the American Enterprise Institute, is not at fault for Cuba's ills. The facts are clear. The embargo that must be lifted is the embargo on freedom and human rights and democracy which Castro imposes on his people.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of women who have served as a wonderful example to the nation of true commitment and service to their community. ``In the Company of Women'' was begun in 1989 when a need was identified to recognize outstanding local women for their service to the South Florida community. This year, 13 women leaders will be recognized for their contributions to the Miami-Dade County community at the 10th annual ``In the Company of Women'' celebration. The honorees will be Marleine Bastien, Laura Bethel, Mona Bethel Jackson, Kathy Gomez, Daniella Levine Cava, Diana Montes de Oca Lopez, Mary Lynch, Maria Marquez, Robin Riether-Garagalli and Meredith Pleasant Sparks. The women honored as pioneers are Sheba Major Martin, Ruth Wolkowsky Greenfield, and Mary Stanley-Low Machado. The Cuban patriot Jose Marti once said: ``Action is the dignity of greatness.'' These women have personified the true meaning of community action in giving of themselves and utilizing their God-given talents to help others. The women honored at this month's ceremony, which culminates Women's History month, have been key players in advancing the quality of life in South Florida. They have managed to balance family and career while caring for those in our community who are in most need.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), the very fair chairman of the Committee on Rules, for coming forth with a rule that all of us can adopt; and I would like to especially thank the Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), who held a very long series of hearings on this bill where everyone had the opportunity to present amendments and discuss the controversial issues in this bill. Mr. Speaker, there are some very good areas that we can all agree on, I think, in this conference report. I would like to especially thank our colleagues in the Committee on International Relations for allowing me to present and to have them approve, without problems, some amendments that I have dealing with the Castro dictatorship. There are two provisions that I think are very important in establishing a firm position of U.S. policy toward that dictatorship. The first one stresses the concern of the United States Congress about Fidel Castro's completion of the very dangerous nuclear power plant in Juragua near Cienfuegos, Cuba. Also, another amendment asked the Clinton administration to give us information about individuals and companies that are not complying with Helms-Burton, and this title IV gives us the opportunity to further protect U.S. property rights because these are people who are exploiting the Cuban worker and using illegally confiscated U.S. property that used to belong to U.S. citizens. We want to make sure that folks have the opportunity to take their cases to court, and that the U.S. Government will bar entry to anyone who is not complying with our laws. So I would like to thank the chairs of both committees, the Committee on Rules and the Committee on International Relations, for their very fair process; and I urge my colleagues to adopt both the rule and the conference report.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Record to reflect that I would have voted ``no'' on H.R. 3246, but the gavel was pounded before I registered my vote. I tried to get the Chair's attention, but I was not able to do so.