Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to yield the remaining time to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger), a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an amazing organization headquartered in my south Florida district, Alfalit International. Alfalit is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides education for the world's poorest people. Alfalit offers many programs--basic education, preschool, nutrition, microcredit, and community development--but its core mission is to eliminate the human suffering caused by illiteracy. Alfalit is active in 24 countries, in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and in Portugal. As you would see from these posters here, Mr. Speaker, these are the volunteers and the many participants in Alfalit literacy programs throughout the world. Since its founding in 1961, 7 million individuals have had their lives transformed by Alfalit because it also provides comprehensive health programs that focus on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera prevention. This year marks its 50th year of service to the world's most vulnerable population, 50 years of empowering individuals through literacy. It is an impressive achievement, and yet Alfalit knows that there is still much more to be done. Worldwide, 774 million adults lack the ability to read and write. Think of that staggering number--774 million adults. That is one in five adults throughout the world who are illiterate, with two-thirds of them being women. In addition, 75 million children have never had the opportunity to go to school, and many attend infrequently or they decide to drop out. As a former Florida certified teacher, I know the importance of a quality education. It is one of the best ways to ensure that a child will have a stable and productive future. Literacy helps bring communities together, and it helps prevent violence and poverty. Last year, Alfalit had over 120,000 students enrolled in its programs, students like the ones that we see here in these posters. Alfalit is always striving to reach more people, and that is why it has started an adult and youth education program in Liberia. They have opened facilities in 10 of Liberia's 15 counties, quite an impressive achievement. Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has become involved with Alfalit's program. Program participants in Liberia say that Alfalit has taken them from darkness to light. They say that before, they could not read a simple street sign or know what a danger sign meant. But now they truly see everything. The Women in Peace Building of Liberia have been active participants in the program that Alfalit offers them. It is a group of Christian women activists that formed during the Liberian civil war. They come together to pray and discuss issues of concern for their fellow Liberians. Alfalit has provided them with the know-how and with the confidence to continue their work. After 50 years of service and dedication, Alfalit has built a legacy that is truly impressive. Mr. Speaker, I commend Alfalit for all that it has done to fight illiteracy and ignorance throughout our world. Let's hear it for Alfalit and 50 years more of service.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may be in order at any time on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize our men and women in uniform and join our community in celebrating National Military Appreciation Month. The month of May encompasses a number of celebratory days linked to our Armed Forces, their families, and our Nation's proud history. From Military Spouse Appreciation Day to Victory in Europe Day, and from Loyalty Day to Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, the month of May is a time for our Nation to come together and give praise to our most heroic citizens. Our Nation traditionally recognizes our troops' sacrifice in a somber manner on Memorial Day, but National Military Appreciation Month allows us to not only appreciate those who have given their lives for our freedom, but also to celebrate the resolve of our Nation through its most difficult times. I welcome our Nation to join in recognizing the contribution of our servicemen and -women, past and present, for all that they have done to preserve our freedom and our way of life.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1016) to measure the progress of relief, recovery, reconstruction, and development efforts in Haiti following the earthquake of January 12, 2010, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1016, a bill introduced by my friend Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California which requires a report to Congress regarding the status of post-earthquake humanitarian reconstruction and development efforts in Haiti. This bill supplements my efforts under the Haiti Act, which I introduced last Congress, to exercise greater oversight over the disbursement of U.S. assistance to Haiti to ensure that it is meeting the intended recipients and purposes, that it is advancing U.S. priorities, that it is promoting Haiti's recovery, and that it is not being derailed by waste, duplication or corruption. This past January, Mr. Speaker, I traveled to Haiti with Secretary Clinton's Chief of Staff and point person on Haiti to observe some of the tremendous work the United States is doing and to learn about U.S. plans for the future as well. Much progress has been seen in Haiti over the past 16 months. More than 2 million cubic meters of rubble have been cleared, there is now a better medical system and increased access to more clean water than before the earthquake, and the interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission has approved 86 reconstruction projects, accounting for about one-third of the total pledges made by international donors last year. However, Mr. Speaker, with each stated achievement, we are reminded of how much further Haiti has to go. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians are reportedly still without safe and secure sustainable shelter. A recent U.N. report found that peacekeepers in Haiti may have contributed to the environmental contamination which could have led to the cholera outbreak, crime is reportedly on the upswing, rising food and gasoline prices will make day-to-day survival even more difficult for many of the people of Haiti, and Haiti is still dealing with lingering questions regarding the recently announced parliamentary election results. In order for progress in Haiti to continue, it is important that allegations of election corruption are resolved quickly, that the concerns of the Haitian people are put to rest, and that the duly- elected parliamentarians are seated as soon as possible. This weekend, President-elect Martelly is scheduled to be inaugurated; and as the new government takes office, it has its work cut out for it. The new leadership must make a commitment to root out corruption at all levels in order to build trust within Haiti and with all of Haiti's partners. The President-elect's recent statements regarding his intent to pursue allegations of electoral fraud in the parliamentary election results are a step in the right direction. The government must also make certain that the Haitian people are fully consulted on the direction in which their country is heading and that they will have opportunities to create a better future for themselves and their families. Civil society and local governments must increasingly become a partner at the table of Haiti's future. With the security situation reportedly deteriorating, it will be important for Haiti's new leaders to commit to the necessary resources to support the expansion of the Haitian National Police as well as implement updates to the criminal code and other reforms to strengthen its judicial system. I understand the United States intends to work with the new Haitian government to help Haiti become a more business- friendly environment. As a proud representative of Florida's 18th Congressional District, I can tell you firsthand the interest of U.S. businesses, organizations, and private citizens, including the Haitian diaspora, to participate in the recovery and the development efforts in Haiti--and that only continues to grow stronger. More importantly, it is imperative that the United States take every appropriate measure to ensure that our funding and our efforts in Haiti and around the world are not squandered. This includes accountability for U.N. contractors who owe a duty of care for the civilians whom they are there to protect. The report called for in this bill, H.R. 1016, will provide Members of Congress and the public an opportunity to see what is working and, yes, to see what is not working. I would also note that the funding that will be needed to develop this report is directed to be pulled from already appropriated funding. Further, CBO found that the cost of this report in this bill is so minimal that it did not meet the threshold of an estimate. I would like to thank Ranking Member Berman and his staff for working with us on this measure. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in support of our oversight efforts, and I'm so pleased to join Congresswoman Wilson's efforts in making sure that we can provide our great partner, Haiti, with the resources it needs to build itself up. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1016, as amended.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I also have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs operation. On April 17, 1961, the anticommunist patriots of Brigade 2506 were determined to help their homeland and their loved ones who were living under a repressive regime. Even though the operation was not successful, the dedication and the commitment that these brave individuals illustrated during the conflict was exceptional. During the operation, one hero was asked if he wished to be evacuated, and he said, ``I will never leave this country.'' These individuals showed a strong sense of heroism as they were up against the repressive regime's armed forces. President Ronald Reagan was a longstanding supporter of individuals taking action to free themselves from oppressive socialist and communist regimes. When referring to the Bay of Pigs, President Reagan stated, ``By supporting courageous freedom fighters around the world, we're shining a light on the path out from communism.'' These heroes reached the beaches of Playa Giron to fight against communism in Cuba that was being supported by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The evil empire made a strong push into Cuba that became a national security threat to the United States. A strong Soviet Union presence in Cuba led to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The intrusion cemented the dangers of the Soviet Union having very close ties to the Cuban regime. Democracy and liberty of the people in the Western Hemisphere were in severe jeopardy as the communist forces were looking to expand their control. But the will of freedom-loving people who seek a better future will not be deterred by the evils and the power of communism. The protection of human rights and freedom of expression are fundamental necessities under a free society. As the spread of communism crumbled during the Cold War, democracies throughout the Western Hemisphere flourished in open societies. However, the United States must remain vigilant that history does not repeat itself. At this moment, Russia is currently infiltrating the Western Hemisphere by joining forces with antidemocratic tyrants such as Chavez, Ortega, and Morales. Recently, reports have indicated that Russia has sold $15 billion worth of weapons and military equipment to Chavez. In addition, senior Russian military officials have mentioned the possibility of establishing refueling bases for Russian bombers in Cuba. Russian activities in the Western Hemisphere raise serious concerns as they are arming rogue regimes that are counter to the interests and the security of our beloved Nation. The veterans of the Bay of Pigs symbolized this struggle between communism and freedom. The brave Brigade 2506 patriots decided to risk their very lives in order to liberate an oppressed society. These men fought courageously on that historic day. They came from many backgrounds, but all of them cared about freedom and liberty for the people of Cuba. Even though the Bay of Pigs operation was not successful, their call to serve rose again to protect our Nation from enemies abroad. Many of these veterans continued to serve the United States by joining our Armed Forces and fighting with honor during the Vietnam War. I would like to acknowledge all individuals who consistently are working toward fulfilling the dreams of a free Cuba, which is the dream of the veterans of Brigade 2506 who aspired and fought for a free and democratic Cuba. I would also like to recognize the veterans of the Bay of Pigs who are with us today in the gallery. Gentlemen, thank you very much for your sacrifice and your commitment for a free Cuba and a strong United States.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a disorder that impairs an individual's social interactions and communication skills with others. Sadly, autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in our Nation. It is estimated that a child is diagnosed with autism every 15 minutes. While some autistic children will grow up to function in society, others will need some level of professional care for life. Groups such as the Autism Society of Miami-Dade, in my congressional district, are committed to providing support and opportunities to enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum, as well as their families and caregivers. I urge all Americans to become involved in supporting families with children and adults with autism.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary young man from my congressional district, Mr. Joshua Williams, on the fifth anniversary of his outstanding organization called Joshua's Heart Foundation. At the age of 5, while watching ``Feed the Children'' one evening, a question arose in Joshua's head: What else can I do to help? In the weeks following, Joshua would create the basis to what has now become a great charity in our community. Today, Joshua's Heart Foundation has grown from feeding a handful of families to over 1,000 throughout south Florida in just a few years. Later this month, Madam Speaker, on April 30, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Palm Island Park in Miami Beach, in my congressional district, Joshua's Heart Foundation will be holding a celebration of its 5-year anniversary, and, yes, they will be feeding the hungry. I encourage all in south Florida to join Joshua at this amazing event and again congratulate him on his many years of service to our community, even at such a young age.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation to Mark Gage of our Foreign Affairs Committee staff for his guidance, his insight, and his counsel throughout the years. After a distinguished career in the House, which started with Congressman Solomon's office in 1981 as an intern and 5 years as a political appointee at the Department of State, Mark has decided to retire from government service. Our committee will be losing an immense talent and a dedicated public servant, someone driven by an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for our Nation and by the Members that he has served throughout the last three decades. Mark's expertise and sharp wit will be sorely missed. I wish Mark a wonderful retirement with his lovely wife, Linda, and their three terrific dogs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize the success of a local group of ninth grade students from my congressional district in south Florida, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. Guided by their teacher, Susan Fleming, these four young ladies-- Gabriela Ballesteros, Christina Gutierrez, Lauren Lopez, and Diana Lopez--have been selected as regional winning finalist in the Toshiba/ National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision competition. This group of intelligent young ladies envisioned an innovative proposal for medical technology, a surgical procedure that would treat patients whose vocal cords have been paralyzed, allowing them to speak again. Their groundbreaking idea was selected from over 4,000 entries and over 13,000 students. Innovative students like these four impressive girls will help lead our Nation into the future, and I wish them much success in the upcoming national judging phase.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a constituent of my south Florida community, Gus Machado of Gus Machado Ford, for receiving the Ford Motor Company's President's Award. The President's Award is a prestigious honor and is awarded to less than 10 percent of all dealers nationwide. It recognizes Gus Machado Ford for exceeding customer expectations in every department. Customer satisfaction is more important than ever during these tough economic times. Its loyal and supportive customer base has allowed Machado Ford to prosper where others have seen their markets shrink. Certainly, in the past year and a half, we have sadly witnessed many dealers close up shop, and it has been a very difficult period for car dealers nationwide; but Gus has not only survived but has flourished. I applaud Gus Machado Ford for making the interests of customers its number one priority. To further recognize his contribution to our south Florida neighborhoods, two outstanding individuals, Remedios and Fausto Diaz- Oliver, will acknowledge the significant aid that Gus has provided to others with a community event this Sunday. Gus may be best known for his outstanding company, but his hand in helping those less fortunate in our south Florida area is admirable. In 1985, Gus organized the first golf shootout at the Doral Golf Resort. With all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society, the charity event was so successful that his shootout has become an annual event. Along with his golf event, Gus is also founder of two additional charity events. He is the founder of the first PGA Tour Senior Golf Classic in Miami at Key Biscayne, which donates to the American Cancer Society and to the United Way. He is also the founder of the Gus Machado Classic Charity Golf Tournament, which has raised over half a million dollars for cancer research. In 2008, to better serve the community through his charitable contributions, he created the Gus Machado Family Foundation. Every year, the foundation celebrates the Gus Machado Community and Back to School Fair on the grounds of his car dealership. The event provides hundreds of children with backpacks full of school supplies. Along with the generous donations of school materials that the foundation supplies to our children, it also offers immunizations and ID cards for kids in conjunction with different State and local government agencies during the back-to-school community fair. As a contributor to over 30 charitable organizations, few in our community have impacted south Florida as much as Gus has. Again, congratulations to Gus Machado for his recent commendation and for his leadership to our community. Retirement of Ervin Higgs

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ervin Higgs on his well-deserved retirement after 46 years of public service in the Florida Keys. Ervin's long and distinguished career was marked by a solid 35 years as property appraiser of Monroe County, otherwise known as the Keys. In his service to the Keys, Ervin has borne witness to the unique and profound changes that have taken place in our Keys community. His commitment to excellence has truly allowed him to shape the lives of countless Conchs. It is sad to see such a fine and dedicated public servant retiring, but those who follow in his footsteps will truly have much to establish. There are few greater rewards than the satisfaction of serving one's community, and I thank Ervin so very much for having embraced this most noble of endeavors with such high principles. Congratulations to Ervin on his retirement, and I wish him all the best on this new chapter of his life.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the sacrifices of Officer Roger Castillo and Officer Amanda Haworth of the Miami-Dade Police Department, who lost their lives in the line of duty. My prayers and our community's gratitude go to the families and loved ones of these two brave Americans. I submit this poem in remembrance of Officers Castillo and Haworth, penned by Albert Caswell of the Capitol Guide Service. Blue Angels Blue.. .. Blue Angels. . . . Blue Angels, in flight. . . . New Angels, up in Heaven. . ., have arrived on this very night. . . . All there, for us in the darkest days of night! Who for all of us, so wore that badge of honor. . . . oh so very bright! Blue Angels, on earth. . . . and now up in Heaven all in flight! As all of those wrongs they did so right! Who to all of our lives, so brought their light! Living day to day, night to night! Right on that edge of death, as did they. . . . as they did so fight! All out there on that thin blue line, but at the very height! At the very height of courage and faith, To Serve and Protect! As their most heroic Shield of Blue, for our lives did so bless! All, with families. . . living so very close! Quiet heroes, who knew. . . . that each moment upon this earth... But together, was but a gift. . . . but which meant the very most! As why they so cherished life, as they would toast! As why with tear in eye, we stand here on this very night! As we look back on them now, we must now so boast! Such a gallant, woman and man! Who for all of us, against the face of evil they so stood. . . . would so stand! And away from danger they never ran, turning evil into good. . . . time and time again! Moments, are all we have. . . here upon this earth! Do we make a difference, all in our life's worth? What have we left behind, when we are gone? What will live on, as ever live so on? Who have we shielded, who have we saved? All in our most brief lives as so portrayed! And tonight as you lay your head down to sleep. . . . Across Miami, but comes a gentle rain to so keep. . . . Are but our Lord's tears up in Heaven, coming from his heart now so very deep! As it's for your selfless sacrifice Amanda and Roger, and your families he now so weeps! And to those five sons, whose pain now so lies so very deep. . . . They are with you, as you awake and as you sleep! Watching over you and us to keep! And remember, that it was your happiness that they would seek. . . . So bless them, and bless their memory. . . . by living a great life to be! And they will live on in your hearts, for all the world to see! Until, that fine day up in Heaven. . . these Blue Angels and you, will all so meet! Blue. . . . Blue Angels, watch over me!

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this resolution, as it would undermine the efforts of our military and our international partners in Afghanistan and would gravely harm our Nation's security. Insanity has been described as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Three thousand people died on September 11 because we walked away once from Afghanistan, thinking that it didn't matter who controlled that country. We were wrong then. Let us not make the same mistake twice. Completing our mission in Afghanistan is essential to keeping our homeland safe. As Under Secretary of Defense Michele Flournoy stated in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week, ``The threat to our national security and the security of our friends and allies that emanates from the borderland of Afghanistan and Pakistan is not hypothetical. There is simply no other place in the world that contains such a concentration of al Qaeda senior leaders and operational commanders. To allow these hostile organizations to flourish in this region is to put the security of the United States and our friends and allies at grave risk.'' To quit the area before we have routed out the terrorists would not only hand al Qaeda a propaganda victory of immeasurable value, it would cede them a sanctuary from which they could mount fresh strikes at the west with virtual immunity. To withdraw from Afghanistan at this point, before we finish the job, is to pave the way for the next 9/11. Therefore, the question that we must consider is, Can we afford to abandon our mission in Afghanistan? General David Petraeus, commander, International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan, stated, ``I can understand the frustration. We have been at this for 10 years. We have spent an enormous amount of money. We have sustained very tough losses and difficult, life-changing wounds. But I think it is important to remember why we are there.'' This is about our vital national security interests, Mr. Speaker. It is about doing what is necessary to ensure that al Qaeda and other extremists cannot reestablish safe havens such as the ones they had in Afghanistan when the 9/11 attacks were planned against our Nation and our people. The enemy, indeed, is on the run. It is demoralized and divided. Let us not give up now. Let us not betray the sacrifices of our men and women serving in harm's way, and they ask for nothing in return, except our full support. Dedicated servants such as my stepson Douglas and daughter-in- law Lindsay, who served in Iraq--and Lindsay also served in Afghanistan. Dedicated servants such as Matt Zweig and Greg McCarthy of our Foreign Affairs Committee majority staff, who just returned from serving a year in Kandahar and Kabul. And we thank them for their service. Let us follow the lead of our wounded warriors who, after long and arduous recoveries, volunteer to return to the battlefield to finish their mission. I urge our colleagues to oppose this dangerous resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 28.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Thornberry), the chairman of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Griffin), the vice chair of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, and an Iraq war veteran who continues to serve as a major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), a member of the Armed Services, Intelligence, Agriculture, and Ethics Committees.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gibson), a member of the Armed Services Committee and a decorated combat veteran who ended his 24-year military career as a colonel in the United States Army.