Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize February as American Heart Month. According to the American Heart Association, one out of every four deaths in our great country is cardiac-related, and you may be surprised to hear that heart disease claims more female victims than any other disease. But the real tragedy, Madam Speaker, is that so many of these deaths are preventable. America's amazing medical researchers, doctors, and nurses have been doing their part to stop heart disease and save lives. It is time for the rest of us to step up and do our part. Remember that even small improvements in diet and exercise can have big impacts on your heart health and overall well-being. So as you think of your Valentine later this month, don't forget to love your heart, too.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I along with Representative Deutch rise today in honor of Johnny Fishman on the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah. We know that Johnny has been eagerly looking forward to this moment, and we are honored to share this special day with his friends and family. As a seventh grader at Pine Crest School, Johnny excels in math and science. He is known among his peers and teachers for his outstanding character, friendliness, and care for others. In addition to his academic pursuits, Johnny is driven by his passion for football. Johnny has played for three years with the MAR-JCC Mo Steel Flag Football Team, and last year he participated in the national championships. Johnny's love of sports and compassion for others led him to organize a sports equipment drive for his Mitzvah project. Johnny and his friend, Jake Moss, collected new and gently- used sports gear for donation to a local children's charity, thereby expanding opportunities for less fortunate children. We join together in wishing ``Mazel Tov'' to Johnny. We also wish him every success in his promising future as he continues his personal and academic pursuits. It is with great pleasure that we honor him on his special day.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again ask the Federal Trade Commission to uphold its responsibility to protect consumers from the harmful effects of deceptive imagery in advertisements. Along with my colleagues, Lois Capps and Ted Deutch, I am proud to introduce the Truth in Advertising Act of 2016 to direct the FTC to more fully study deceptive ads. Research shows that a photo-shopped body and facial image can have a negative impact on mental health, potentially leading to the onset of depression, anxiety, and other behavioral disorders. In particular, deceptive imagery may be contributing to the explosion of eating disorders in our country, with 30 million Americans now suffering and nearly two dozen deaths occurring each day from eating disorders. It is time we all worked together to stop these deceptive advertising practices and end their heavy cost on families and taxpayers.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we get further away from December 17, 2014, the date that President Obama announced his change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, it has become apparent that there could be no abusive or provocative act committed by the tyrannical Castro regime that the Obama administration is not willing to overlook or willing to excuse. Even after the Cuban regime was caught red-handed shipping surface- to-air missiles, two MiG aircraft, and tons of Cuban-made weapons and munitions to North Korea in violation of several U.N. Security Council resolutions, it could not stop President Obama's desire to placate the Castros. This and the most recent revelation that the United States Government found out in June of 2014 that Cuba managed to come into possession of a U.S. Hellfire missile and continues, to this day, to turn over that sensitive military technology are not isolated events. Both incidents underscore exactly how egregiously the administration has erred and the extraordinary lengths to which the President will go in order to hide these transgressions from Congress and from the American people. You see, Mr. Speaker, after the President made his December 17, 2014, announcement, it has been revealed that not only did the administration keep Congress uninformed of the negotiations, but the negotiations had been taking place for over a year and a half. If we follow the timeline, that means that these secret negotiations were taking place after the administration was already made aware that the Castros were in possession of a U.S. Hellfire missile and after Havana sent the illicit shipment of arms to Pyongyang. Even after the administration offered concession after concession to the Castros--the loosening of restrictions on travel, the opening of Embassies--the list goes on and on--the President refused to make the returning of sensitive missile technology a precondition to the negotiations or to the implementation of this misguided policy. Let's stop and think about this for a second, Mr. Speaker. The President has given the Castro regime almost everything it could have asked for. What did we ask for in return? Did we demand free and fair elections? Of course not. Did we demand the end of the persecution of dissidents and the release of political prisoners? You have got to be kidding. Of course not. Did we demand the regime stop the long list of human rights abuses? No. In fact, just this past Sunday, over 200 people were arrested in Cuba because they were calling for religious tolerance. But never mind that. Let's look at the cool, classic Chevys that are all through the streets of Havana. That is what we are supposed to be talking about. The President didn't even demand that the Communist regime, with known and close military ties to Russia, China, and North Korea, turn over to the U.S. the Hellfire missile it had been in possession of since June of 2014. I don't need to remind my colleagues of how incredibly dangerous it is for the Castros to be in possession of this sensitive military technology or how incredibly damaging it could be to our own national security interests when, not if, the regime turns that technology over to one of our adversaries. Last year both the Russian Minister of Defense and China's top military official visited Havana to discuss ways to strengthen their military cooperation efforts with Cuba, and a senior Castro regime official traveled to North Korea for military talks. Mr. Speaker, not only has the President's Cuban policy been a disaster for the people of Cuba, it has been a disaster for our own safety and security. There should be--there must be--a full and thorough investigation into this Hellfire missile incident. If this administration won't do what is necessary to hold the Cuban regime accountable, then we in Congress must use every available tool in order to do so. We cannot allow the administration's endless train of concessions to the tyrannical Cuban regime to continue while it turns its back on those who are suffering under the regime's oppression. This is not what America stands for, and we should not allow President Obama's misguided foreign policy objectives to ever change that.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud and pleased to be here speaking on behalf of this bill, H.R. 757, the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act. I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for introducing this important bill which, once again, is presented in their usual bipartisan manner. While initial reports, Mr. Speaker, cast doubt on North Korea's claims that it carried out a hydrogen bomb test, any enhancement of the regime's nuclear capability should be--must be--a cause for concern. Both U.S. and South Korean intelligence assessments indicate that North Korea already possesses the capability to install a nuclear warhead on a missile that can reach United States territory or that of our allies. Despite some doubt about that capability's effectiveness, it is just a matter of time before North Korea finishes developing this dangerous technology that it is seeking or, worse, shares this technology with Iran, as these two rogue regimes are bosom buddies and have long been known to collaborate on their ballistic missile programs. What is clear is that our current policy toward North Korea is not working. Administrations from both parties, Mr. Speaker, have made mistakes with North Korea over the years. They have failed to respond to North Korea's violation of its nuclear deal and have failed to hold the regime accountable for its illicit activity. Administration after administration have removed North Korea off the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and continue to keep the regime off that list despite mounting evidence that would support its inclusion back on the terrorism list. Various administrations have utterly failed to enforce the North Korea sanctions that we already have on the books. The Obama administration's so-called strategic patience policy with North Korea has proven to be a disaster, and it is time that we fully and vigorously enforce the existing sanctions and expand upon those to implement new sanctions on Pyongyang until its nuclear program is dismantled. By some estimates, North Korea might already have 10 to 15 nuclear weapons, and Kim Jong-un has shown that he will stop at nothing to get the weapons and the technology that he desires. This bill would help ensure that our sanctions on North Korea are finally being enforced the way they always should have been, but we can't forget that North Korea cannot make progress on its nuclear program alone. North Korea has a long history of collaborating with other rogue regimes, and we must ensure that we are enforcing sanctions on all of its collaborators. Any government entity or individual that has sold or transferred weapons or technology to North Korea in violation of U.S. law or U.N. Security Council resolution should also be targeted for sanctions. Mr. Speaker, I will end with this note: North Korea has been writing the playbook for rogue regimes to follow, and unless this administration gets serious about confronting Pyongyang's aggressions, I worry that it will continue to allow Iran to take advantage of us, that we won't enforce sanctions on Tehran, just like we are not enforcing them on North Korea.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. In a few years' time, we will be back here debating what to do after another nuclear device test by North Korea, by Iran, or by other rogue actors. North Korea poses an imminent threat now to our security as well as that of our allies. We cannot afford to ignore it nor look the other way. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this important bill and urge its passage. I thank the chairman and the ranking member for this bill.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, last week we were made aware of an extremely serious security breach that resulted in the Castro regime taking possession of a U.S. Hellfire missile. It is reprehensible to think that while the Obama administration conducted secret negotiations with a communist regime that had under its control sensitive U.S. military hardware, the White House negotiators chose to do nothing about it. The State Department has known about Castro having Hellfire missiles since June of 2004. Apparently, what is the rush? Cuba continuously engages in military cooperation with our foes and could easily share the missile or its technology with the Russians, Chinese, or North Koreans to be used against our own national security. An exhaustive investigation must be held by Congress. I urge the administration to hold accountable those responsible for diverting the Hellfire missile to Cuba, and to hold accountable the criminal communist regime that still refuses to return this sensitive technology to us and continues to undermine our interests.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I am so pleased, so honored, so humbled to be part of your Special Order. In the short time that you have been in Congress, you have been a real leader on so many important issues, and I think none as important as the one that you are spearheading today. I rise today to support you in your mission to give due recognition to the Women Airforce Service Pilots, otherwise known as WASPs, not the other WASPs that you know about. These are the real ladies that got the job done. They are a remarkable group of women who served our country proudly during World War II. As you heard from the other speakers, our country turned to female pilots to deliver planes to our military air bases overseas, tow targets for live antiaircraft artillery practice, and simulate strafing missions. They became the first women in U.S. history to fly for our proud military. Out of more than 25,000 women who applied for the program, only 1,704 were accepted in noncombat roles. These courageous American women logged in more than 60 million miles between 1942 and 1944, but it wasn't until 1977 that Congress passed legislation that gave these patriotic women their much-deserved veteran recognition. In 2002, Arlington National Cemetery decided to allow WASPs, among others listed as Active Duty designees, to receive benefits consistent with the status that they had so rightfully earned. However, the Department of the Army recently rescinded this decision and made these brave women aviators of World War II ineligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. As the author of the legislation--and the gentlewoman and I have talked about this repeatedly--awarding WASPs the Congressional Gold Medal in the year of 2009, I am honored to stand with my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Martha McSally, a true patriot in her own right, to ensure that the WASPs have the right to have these services alongside the rest of our war heroes. These patriotic women selflessly helped defend our country. They deserve full military honor. I am humbled and proud to represent south Florida, and I would like to inform the gentlewoman that this has been home to some of these remarkable heroine women. I am going to mention some of their names: Frances Rohrer Sargent, Helen Wyatt Snapp, Ruth Schafer Fleisher, Shirley Kruse, and Bee Haydu. Some are with us, and some are no longer with us. Some are not in great shape because they served in World War II. It is happening throughout our Nation where we see our finest passing away. In this time of great challenges to women, those women that you have there before us, they pushed beyond the boundaries. They brought new opportunities for women to come. My daughter-in-law, Lindsay, she flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan for the Marines, but she would not have been able to do so without the women who came before her. Just as you are a pioneer--to the gentlewoman I say thank you for your patriotic duty--but you stand also on their shoulders. These pioneers fought for the values of freedom and democracy. It is our duty to ensure that they are not denied the recognition for their service. We shouldn't be begging for this. With the valiant efforts of these American heroines, the United States and our allies were able to successfully defeat the Axis Powers during World War II. I thank you, Congresswoman McSally, for introducing this important legislation that would make the Women Airforce Service Pilots eligible, once again, for the services in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. I agree with you that we don't need the legislation; that tonight, the Secretary of the Army could do the right thing, as he had done before, sign the order making this happen. We will continue the battle in their names. Thank you so much to the gentlewoman. Thank you for spearheading this effort. Thank you for taking this on. You are a valuable member of this institution. Thank you for the time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, since the nuclear deal was adopted, Iran has blatantly violated U.N. Security Council resolutions on its ballistic missile program; yet once again the administration backtracked and announced a delay in applying U.S. sanctions, no doubt out of fear that the Iranians would back out of the nuclear deal. If the administration is unwilling to enforce existing law, then it is up to Congress to hold Iran accountable. We need a senior adviser for sanctions policy in our House leadership office to help strengthen congressional oversight and coordination between the committees and ensure greater enforcement of our sanctions. This adviser would not supplant the roles of the relevant committees, but will coordinate with the committees to ensure maximum oversight and efficacy of our efforts in Congress to hold Iran accountable. I urge my colleagues to support the creation of a slot for a House coordinator on Iranian sanctions.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I honor and congratulate Peggy Sampson, a long-time member of our congressional community, who retired after more than 37 years of outstanding public service. Throughout her exemplary service, Peggy demonstrated strong commitment and dedication to the House of Representatives and to our great country. Peggy arrived on Capitol Hill in 1978 as part of our proud U.S. Capitol Police. After 8 years, she was appointed as the Republican Page Supervisor. Since 2011, Peggy has been helping Members and staff as the House Floor Operations Clerk. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deep gratitude to Peggy on her many positive contributions to the institution we are so humbled to serve. Peggy, I wish you all the best in your much-deserved retirement, and I look forward to your continued friendship. Godspeed, my friend.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, this morning I toured an exhibit at Florida International University's Jewish Museum of Florida, located in Miami Beach, which details the discovery and recovery of artifacts depicting Jewish life in Iraq over the centuries. I was privileged to be joined by members of the Iraqi Jewish community, including Hillel Shohet and his brother, Maurice Shohet, who played key roles in ensuring that these artifacts remain with the Jewish community. I was also proud to lead the effort here in Congress to keep the artifacts in the U.S. I led that effort along with my colleague, the gentleman from New York, Steve Israel, and other congressional colleagues. These treasures, Mr. Speaker, were confiscated from the Jewish community by Saddam Hussein's intelligence service and were discarded until they were discovered in a flooded basement by our American servicemembers in the year 2003. They were then brought back to our National Archives where they were painstakingly recovered and preserved. Mr. Speaker, this exhibit is an important piece of the Jewish community's collective memory and must continue to be preserved and shared for generations to come.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Major Adrian Foster of the United States Army for his extraordinary dedication to duty and service to our Nation. Major Foster will soon transition from his current assignment as an Army Congressional Liaison in the House of Representatives to the 759th Military Police Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado. Adrian enlisted in the United States Army in 1997 and received his commission through Arizona State University ROTC in 2003. Throughout his Army career, Adrian has served in numerous tactical, leadership, and staff assignments as a Military Police Officer. Adrian served as a Platoon Leader in the 978th Military Police Company, commanded both the 16th and 72nd Military Police Detachments, and served as the Provost Marshal Operations Officer at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was responsible for daily law enforcement, military working dog operations, inter-agency collaboration and installation security. Adrian's other previous assignments include Battalion Police Transition Team Chief, Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, and Battalion Operations Officer. In support of contingency operations, Adrian has deployed twice to Iraq for a cumulative total of 24 months. In 2012, Adrian was selected for the highly competitive Army Congressional Fellowship Program. As part of this program, Adrian was first assigned as an Army Congressional Fellow in the office of former Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Chairman Mike Rogers (R-MI). As if that task wasn't daunting enough, Adrian also earned a Masters in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University that year. Adrian was then assigned to serve in the House Army Congressional Liaison office for the remainder of his Fellowship Program. Army Congressional Liaison Officers provide Members and staff insight and understanding of Army policies, actions, operations, and requirements. Their first-hand knowledge of military needs, culture, and tradition is a tremendous benefit to Congressional offices. His service in the House of Representatives has proven invaluable to both the Department of Defense and Congress. Adrian utilized this experience and knowledge to assist Members, staff, and notably, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa--which I currently chair--where I had the privilege and honor to interact with him on numerous occasions. During Major Foster's distinguished service to this Nation, he has earned awards and decorations including: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. In addition to his civilian education, Adrian is a graduate of the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, and the Command and General Staff College. Mr. Speaker, it has been a pleasure to work closely with Major Foster over the last few years of his decorated career. He is truly a testament to the seven core values of the Army: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. On behalf of a grateful Nation, it is my honor to recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of Major Adrian Foster, his wife Tamara, and their daughters, Brenna Simone and Sienna Marie. I wish them the very best as they continue to dedicate their lives in the service of our Nation as they move on to the next chapter of their lives together. We will miss them.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, for quite some time there has been an effort at the U.N. to delegitimize the Jewish State of Israel and to try to whitewash the Jewish people's historical and biblical connection to Israel. Denying the historical connection of the people to Jerusalem is false, and amazing archaeological discoveries are frequently made that prove the roots of the Jewish people are in Israel. Earlier this month a Hebrew University archaeological team unearthed an unprecedented impression of a royal seal of King Hezekiah from the First Temple period. This marks the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever been discovered, and it proves that not only is Israel the religious center for Jews, but it is their ancestral and historic homeland. I want to thank the Ir David Foundation's Director of International Affairs, Ze'ev Orenstein, for sharing this and many other amazing discoveries with me. I look forward to visiting the city of David in the near future to see firsthand the rich history of the Jewish people.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about fairness and liberty, two deeply held values that define us as Americans. I am proud that our great Nation is moving toward a more inclusive society. In a historic ruling this past summer, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that our Constitution guarantees marriage equality. That ruling is a reflection of human rights. It is also an economic and compassionate issue which, as Republicans, we should embrace. Not sacrificing our values is what the GOP stands for, limited government that respects individual liberty. But even with marriage equality, everyday LGBT Americans still lack basic legal protections. All Americans deserve equal protection and equal rights under the law. As a founding member of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, I will continue to work to ensure that the principles of respect, fairness, and justice are enjoyed by all, no matter their sexual orientation or their gender identity.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, as we remain correctly focused on the ISIS threat, less attention is being paid to Boko Haram. Over the past few years, Boko Haram has evolved from a regional to a global threat. Boko Haram is one of the world's deadliest terror groups, and it has pledged allegiance to ISIS. It has also been almost 2 years since Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls. I want to thank my south Florida colleague, Frederica Wilson, for her leadership in reminding all of us about this tragic terrorist attack. We must bring back our girls. We are right to be concerned by the threat that ISIS poses to our national security and to the world; but we cannot ignore the threat posed by Boko Haram. Mr. Speaker, ISIS, Boko Haram, and so many other radical Islamic groups are being given the time and space to operate; so we must redouble our efforts to defeat these Islamic extremist groups.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member, who lead this committee in such an able, expert manner and in a bipartisan way. I thank especially the author of this important resolution, one of our subcommittee chairmen, Ted Poe. I rise in strong support of Judge Poe's bill, the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act. I urge all of my colleagues to support this important measure. Extremist groups like ISIS are well-known for their extensive use of social media, spreading their hateful ideology, inciting violence, and attempting to recruit susceptible individuals to their hateful and twisted cause. When we hear reports and statistics that we have heard today--like ISIS having over 40,000 Twitter accounts or that there are an estimated 200,000 pro-ISIS social media posts per day--clearly, more needs to be done. These jihadists have become more and more tech savvy and are more adept at manipulating the tools of social media. Yet we in the United States lack any comprehensive strategy to counter their perverted ideology via social media. As Judge Poe has very ably argued, the administration could be stopping pro-extremists' social media in much the same way that we now stop online child pornography. ISIS and other foreign terrorist organizations do not have free speech rights under American law. Now, we were all shocked, as you heard today, that our very own Department of Homeland Security maintained a policy that prevented the screening of visa applicants' social media accounts because we worried about bad public relations; we worried about intrusions into their privacy, even though social media posts, by their very definition, are exactly that, reaching out to the public through social manners, meaning through public ways. Every pro-ISIS post or any post by any other foreign terrorist organization that uses Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter, every one that we are able to take down before action is being taken is one less chance for these extremists to recruit and spread their vicious propaganda, and the administration needs to start getting serious about stopping it. This bill will require the administration to provide Congress--and, therefore, the American public--with a strategy to fight Islamic extremists' use of social media, as well as require that the administration give us a policy that enhances the collaboration between the Federal Government and social media companies so that we can counter this troubling and dangerous threat. I applaud Judge Poe for introducing this bill. I thank our esteemed chairman and ranking member for bringing it to the floor in such a speedy manner. I offer my full support, and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of our committee, again, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), and the ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for bringing this important resolution to the floor in such a speedy manner. I want to thank my dear friend, my legislative brother, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), for bringing forward House Resolution 536, which is a resolution to support freedom of the press in Latin America and the Caribbean and condemning violations of press freedoms and violence against journalists, bloggers, and individuals who are exercising their right to freedom of speech. I am honored to be the Republican lead on Mr. Sires' resolution. Basic freedoms are being threatened all over Latin America, Mr. Speaker, by rogue regimes that seek to quash dissenters in any way that they can. Earlier this year we held a subcommittee hearing, as the chairman pointed out, on this very subject of the threat to press freedom. Carlos Ponce of Freedom House stated that, when it comes to press freedom, only three countries in Latin America were rated free by this organization. Can you imagine that, Mr. Speaker? Out of all of the countries in Latin America, only three could be labeled as free when it comes to freedom of the press. More and more, we see countries like Venezuela, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Cuba taking steps to muzzle broadcast and print media into submission, leaving journalists and editors no choice but to self- censor their very own content. Venezuela's 2004 Ley de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y Television, or Law of Social Responsibility in Radio and Television, has provided the legal framework to quash and censor the press, and its provisions have been replicated by Ecuador and other countries in the region. Due to the provisions in this law, television stations and newspapers have been bullied by the regime or forced to sell their outlets. In the case of RCTV, broadcasts were suspended by the Venezuelan regime. Owners of Globovision and El Universal, both critical of the regime, were forced to sell their outlets to business interests with close ties to the regime. Ecuador faces equally daunting challenges to press freedoms. A large number of journalists are being sued. Watchdogs such as Fundamedios are being harassed constantly. Newspapers such as El Universo are being fined for running articles that are not in agreement with the regime. In Nicaragua, the Ortega regime has also restricted media outlets by making it difficult for journalists to operate. With the recent promulgation by the Law of Sovereign Security, it has nearly ensured a muzzle on all reporters. Former President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina and her court often demonize journalists and charge popular media outlets, such as El Grupo Clarin or the daily Ultima Hora, with inciting collective violence and terrorizing the population. These are actual charges. Mexico, one of our closest allies in the region, is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. This year alone, six journalists were killed in direct connection to their journalism work. In my native country of Cuba, despite the misguided normalization effort by the Obama administration, the Castro regime continues to hold total control of information. There is no free press in Cuba. Foreign media outlets usually censor their own information because they don't want to be kicked out of the country. Last week, Mr. Speaker, I had the honor of meeting a Cuban artist here in Washington, D.C., known as El Sexto, the sixth one. He was jailed for nearly a year for announcing that he would take part in a performance art that criticized the Communist regime leaders. The mere announcement was enough to be jailed for almost a year. Citizen journalists who defy the Castro brothers on the island are regularly subject to death threats, arbitrary arrests, beatings, and torture by the repression apparatus of the regime. Mr. Speaker, this is a critical time for basic freedoms in our hemisphere. Free and independent media are instruments to fight against the scornful, tyrannical regimes that plague our hemisphere today. We in the United States must remain ever vigilant amongst our friends and foes in this key moment in history for press freedom and freedom of expression in our region. This vote today, Mr. Speaker, overwhelmingly supporting efforts like the one spearheaded by our good friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), is a good place in which to start. I thank the chairman, ranking member, and Mr. Sires for their work on this important topic.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the Obama administration is making a push to get Congress to give the President the authority to waive a legal prohibition on U.S. contributions to UNESCO. If the U.S. waives this prohibition and resumes payments to UNESCO, it will erode our credibility, and it will give the Palestinians and the U.N. the green light to continue the scheme to unilaterally declare a Palestinian state without direct negotiations with the democratic Jewish State of Israel. If you add what our yearly contribution would be plus arrears, the American taxpayers, our constituents, could be on the hook for over half a billion dollars in just a couple of years. Mr. Speaker, we know that our law has worked to prevent the Palestinians from joining other specialized agencies at the U.N., but if Congress relents on this issue, the Palestinians will say: Let's continue to bypass Israel and go to the U.N. for recognition. I will continue to vehemently oppose this waiver, Mr. Speaker, and I ask my colleagues to stand with me.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, Secretary Kerry has been pressuring the Israeli Government to relent in its opposition to U.S. funding for UNESCO. It is a shame Secretary Kerry isn't using the full weight of his office to hold Abu Mazen and the corrupt Palestinian Authority accountable for their incitement to violence and their continued efforts to de-legitimize and isolate the Jewish state at the U.N. while pursuing unilateral state recognition. But, with all due respect to the Israeli Government's newfound position, which undoubtedly was achieved under duress, this is a matter of U.S. law and Congress' clear desire to force fundamental reforms at the broken U.N. system. Our laws are clear. No taxpayer dollars can be used to fund any agency at the U.N. that admits a nonexistent state of Palestine. UNESCO did, so, therefore, no U.S. dollars. I urge Congress not to relent, but to stand with me and defend our jurisdiction and continue to uphold both the letter and the spirit of the law.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness about Holocaust survivors' continued quest for justice, an ever-elusive goal still nearly three-quarters of a century after living through the crimes of modern humanity's darkest period. Though it is said that the moral universe's arc bends toward justice, time is not a luxury we can afford any longer for elderly Holocaust survivors. Of the approximately half a million Holocaust survivors, around half of them live at or near poverty. Can you imagine that? Holocaust survivors should be able to live out the remaining days in comfort and with the knowledge that their long-sought justice has finally been achieved. Recently, Mr. Speaker, an agreement was reached between the Government of France and the United States regarding victims of Holocaust-related deportations during the Nazi era. The French rail company, SNCF, knowingly and willfully transported tens of thousands of Holocaust victims to concentration camps and near certain death during the Second World War. They were paid to do this. For over 70 years, SNCF, the French rail company and the French Government eluded any and all responsibility for these actions. For years, I have been fighting for justice for all victims of the Holocaust. On this issue in particular, I have joined Representative Carolyn B. Maloney of New York as she attempted to shepherd the Holocaust Rail Justice Act through Congress over the past few sessions. I want to thank the gentlewoman from New York for her leadership and her unyielding effort to hold SNCF accountable for its heinous actions. While the agreement reached over SNCF's--remember, that is the French rail company--culpability in the deaths of tens of thousands of Jews is not the optimal solution, it is imperative that we do hold these perpetrators accountable and that we win justice for as many Holocaust survivors and their heirs as possible. However, Mr. Speaker, it is important that Holocaust survivors and their families are made aware of this agreement and the claims process. Many do not know of this. For more information, questions, and to file a claim, the State Department has set up a Web site at www.state.gov/ deportationclaims.com. I know that is very difficult. Or you can call 202-776-8385, or send an email to deportationclaims@state.gov. That is a lot to take in. Or contact your congressional Representative, and we can help. Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to spread the word to make sure that every Holocaust survivor eligible gets an opportunity to file a claim. I want to thank the continued efforts and the support of the many Holocaust survivors that I am blessed to have in my congressional district who have been at the forefront in the fight for justice for survivors and their heirs. My good friends, David Mermelstein, David Schaecter, Joe Sachs, Alex Gross, Herbie Karliner, Jack Rubin, and so many others--they have seen the unforgettable, and they have lived through the unthinkable. Yet, they continue steadfast in the fight for justice against those who have committed the unforgivable and the unthinkable. I, also, want to thank the others who have pursued justice for these individuals at every turn, like my good friend and long-time constituent, Sam Dubbin. Sam has been instrumental in highlighting fraud at the Claims Conference, that we know now, very clearly, occurred over decades and deprived Holocaust survivors of at least tens of millions of dollars, and the real numbers are likely even higher. Next year, Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce my bill, once again, to allow survivors to have their day in court. That is all the bill does, to have their day in court, because we now know that the Claims Conference process has failed so many of the Holocaust survivors. Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. We owe survivors and their heirs every opportunity to achieve justice. I urge my colleagues to continue this fight on behalf of the remaining Holocaust survivors and their heirs to get the word out to their constituents and their local community leaders. If you know someone who may be eligible to receive compensation under this incredibly horrific act done by the French rail company to transport victims to certain death, please direct them to the State Department Web site. The deadline is May 31 next year. Let's get the word out as soon and as far as possible.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of a patriot and dear friend, Mary Caldwell Plumer, known as Mere. Mere accomplished so much throughout her long and rewarding life and did it with a constant smile and positive outlook. We treasured the moments we had with Mere because we knew we could not have her forever. As per her wish, I will not stand by her grave and cry but adhere to the standards she established and always maintained of loving life and each other. Her friends, family, and loved ones admired her, and we were blessed to have known her. Mr. Speaker, Mere is now reunited with her husband of 45 years, Dick, and two of her children, Penny and Christopher. Though Heaven has gained her, we have not lost her; and we will never lose her, for she is rooted in our hearts and in our memories now and forever. Mere is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patience and Charles Flick; her son, Richard; and her three loving grandchildren, Penny, Bonnie, and Willis Flick. May God bless and keep Mary Caldwell Plumer in His bosom.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Armando Ferrer, retiring from his post as President of the Medical Campus of Miami Dade College, a state-of-the-art complex in the heart of Miami's health district. Dr. Ferrer has worked at Miami Dade College for over 30 years, including as Dean of both the North and Kendall Campuses. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Miami Dade College, my alma mater, ranks first in the Nation in awarding health profession and nursing degrees, and Dr. Ferrer's tenure as President of the Medical Campus is a key feature of that success. I thank Armando for his many years of dedicated teaching and professional development efforts in service to the students of Miami Dade College. It is through these students that he leaves a positive and lasting legacy throughout our community. Congratulations, and Godspeed, Armando Ferrer.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of Venezuela on their democratic victory this weekend. Voters at the polls sent a clear message to the corrupt Maduro regime: We reject your policies and support a return to true democracy, as well as an end to an economic system that has bankrupted an otherwise wealthy nation. Despite lopsided electoral conditions, state-imposed censorship, and intimidation tactics, the democratic opposition overcame many obstacles to gain control of the National Assembly. But there is still much work that remains to be done. All political prisoners must be freed, including pro-democracy leader Leopoldo Lopez. There are still a few contestant seats without a winner announced that are very important to the final outcome of the election. I urge a speedy and transparent declaration of the winners and a full adjudication process for any disputed contests that can occur in certain races. Congratulations to the people of Venezuela for a great victory.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give recognition to Best Buddies International, an organization that assists individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities to become thriving members of our society. Founded in 1989, Best Buddies International has positively improved the lives of nearly 900,000 individuals. I am particularly proud of the success of this organization in my home State of Florida, where there are programs like Best Buddies Colleges in which schools like my alma mater of Florida International University and the University of Miami participate. This program nurtures one-to-one friendships between college students and adults with IDD so that they can be involved in campus life beyond the classroom. Through this and other worthwhile programs, participants create a bond that can truly last a lifetime while becoming inspirational leaders and living a more independent life. I would like to extend my best wishes to Best Buddies International as it continues on this noble endeavor and encourages all to get involved and support people with special needs and their families.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Jose A. Vicente, who is retiring from his post as president of Wolfson Campus of Miami Dade College, where each year 27,000 students receive a high- quality education in the heart of downtown Miami. Dr. Vicente's retirement marks the end of an amazing 42-year career at my alma mater, Miami Dade College. Dr. Vicente's commitment to education is evident not only from his varied teaching and administrative roles at Miami Dade College, but also through his active involvement as a board member in national education groups, including the American Association of Community Colleges and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, known as HACU. Congratulations to Dr. Jose Vicente on his well-deserved retirement. I thank him for his wonderful legacy of enhanced educational opportunities that will continue to benefit our South Florida community for years to come. Godspeed, Jose.