Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and my fellow Members of Congress--Mario Diaz-Balart and Ted Deutch--and I held a great press conference with Dan Beard, the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, on how to make our offices more energy efficient. Representing such natural wonders like the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, I am extremely sensitive to the impact of our daily routine on the environment. I am a supporter of the green proposals, such as increasing the fuel efficiency of our cars and promoting the use of clean alternative energy. However, as we all know, green living begins at home and in the workplace. Whether it's by turning off the lights when exiting a room, carpooling to the office, or recycling on a regular basis, we can all work to improve our environments. The buildings of the Capitol complex, including my congressional office, are now utilizing the latest in energy- and water-saving technologies. For example, the simple action of installing energy-saving lighting throughout the U.S. House of Representatives has saved U.S. taxpayers more than $175,000 annually. House offices have also increased their participation in the recycling of paper and of other raw materials. Last year, the House of Representatives recycled more than 1,800 tons of paper, 46 tons of bottles and cans, and 1 ton of leather. In the days ahead, my district office in Miami will be implementing additional electricity- and resource-saving measures. At a time when our Nation is struggling with high unemployment and with an unsustainable deficit, we should be doing all that we can to eliminate government inefficiencies, waste, fraud, and abuse. This week, in celebration of Earth Day, south Florida families can attend Miami's Goin' Green Celebration to learn more about how you can protect our environment, how you can support green technologies, and how you can save money on your energy and water bills. I encourage south Floridians to attend this important event, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday from 10 to 6 p.m. in Miami's Bayfront Park. Individuals and families attending this event can participate in seminars on energy-efficient home improvements, on how to save on your water bills, and on several other informative exhibitions. In particular, I encourage you to register for many of the eco-friendly services provided by Miami-Dade County, such as recycling pickups and the Adopt-a-Tree program. By implementing individual changes, we can all make positive differences on our environment. I will continue to work in Congress to support policies that encourage families and businesses to be more energy efficient and less reliant on expensive foreign fuel. At the same time, I will continue to be a staunch advocate for green initiatives that will not put a financial burden on working families and small businesses. Once again, I urge all of my south Florida constituents to attend Miami's Goin' Green Celebration this Saturday in Bayfront Park, which is in my congressional district, to learn more about living more environmentally friendly lives. We all have roles to play as we endeavor to preserve south Florida's natural beauty and to improve our communities' environments for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, recently, a greatly respected Cuban- American presidential appointee, community leader, and beloved husband and father, passed away. Jose Manuel Casanova, a true inspiration to all Americans, dedicated his life's work to serving our Nation. A presidential appointee of Ronald Reagan, he served as the Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. Through the Inter- American Development Bank Jose helped contribute to economic development in Latin America, promoting free market policies. During his tenure at the Inter-American Development Bank, Jose was appointed by Secretary of the Treasury James A. Baker III to serve as U.S. Executive Director for the Inter-American Investment Corporation. There he worked to develop private enterprises in Latin America, providing expertise he gained through years of experience in banking and commerce. Born in Cuba in 1930, Jose fled his homeland due to the despotic regime of Fidel Castro. Jose devoted his energies and talents to providing a better life for his family and contributing to his adopted country that had given his family refuge from tyranny. Jose also dedicated his time to fundraising for important causes, including the United Way, the Cuban Refugee Fund, and Club de las Americas. Although he was proud of his public and civic service, what meant the most to Jose was his dearly loved family. Jose is survived by his wife of 50 years Alicia, seven children, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his sister. He was a dedicated husband and father and a wonderful role-model for his family. Jose's father was a great source of inspiration for him as he also worked in public service. Those who knew Jose know that we mourn the passing of a committed leader, loyal friend, and a true pioneer for the Cuban-American community. Jose's story is a uniquely American story.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, we should not be doubling down on a failed Middle East policy by pressuring Israel to make further concessions, including on Jerusalem, Israel's undivided capital. Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel recently wrote: ``Jerusalem is above politics. It belongs to the Jewish people, and it is much more than a city. It is what binds one Jew to another in a way that remains hard to explain. Today, for the first time in history, Jews, Christians and Muslims all may freely worship at their shrines. And, contrary to certain media reports, Jews, Christians and Muslims are allowed to build their homes anywhere in the city. The anguish over Jerusalem is not about real estate but about memory.'' What is the solution, Mr. Speaker? Well, certainly not more pressure on our friend and our trusted ally Israel, while not holding others accountable for their actions.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize the vital work of an important south Florida organization called ``Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe.'' Since the year 2005, ``Our Kids'' has worked to ensure that at-risk, abused, abandoned and neglected children are afforded the opportunity to grow up in safe, permanent families. As a grandmother and a former educator, I recognize the great opportunity that ``Our Kids'' has to fully support at-risk children. Under the leadership of CEO Frances Allegra and Board Chairman Carlos de la Cruz, Jr., ``Our Kids'' has risen to the challenge and given direction to our local child protection system. Since 2005, ``Our Kids'' has created over 1,600 families through child-focused, family- centered adoptions. It has created an environment of seamless, cohesive, and comprehensive service that has led to a 15 percent increase in children who are adopted within 24 months of entering foster care. That means that today there are 36 percent fewer children in foster care in Miami and in the Florida Keys. This is a remarkable achievement in such a short time frame, and I applaud the progress. There are too many children left to grow up without a strong family support system upon which they can rely. And sadly, it is more often than not those children who are most in need who are left to fend for themselves. Children who have experienced abuse and neglect are exceptionally vulnerable. The safety and the development of our children must be our highest priority. We must ensure that all children have the chance, through guidance and support, to confidently build their lives, their families, their relationships. By matching kids to permanent, loving homes, or with caring foster parents, ``Our Kids'' is working to accomplish this worthy goal. ``Our Kids'' makes our community stronger and more supportive each and every day. The men and women of ``Our Kids'' are selfless in their efforts to improve the lives of all of our children in South Florida. Every child ought to have a loving home, and it is our responsibility as a community and a Nation, to guarantee that no child is left alone. On behalf of parents everywhere, Mr. Speaker, I again thank ``Our Kids of Miami-Dade and Monroe'' and look forward to all of their future accomplishments on behalf of all of our children.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am saddened by the need for this resolution. The death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and 94 other Polish officials and citizens in the plane crash in Russia on April 10 was sudden, unexpected, and truly a tragedy for the nation of Poland. We have all seen the outpouring of grief and tributes since then by the citizens of Poland in support and in honor of their late President and all who died with him. There is little that we can here do today to add to the honors bestowed upon the departed by their very own countrymen, but we can, however, offer our condolences to the strong and proud nation of Poland, which has been and remains a friend and an ally of the United States. Despite the loss of their President, we can be certain that the Polish people will continue on the road toward democracy, prosperity, and security, the road that they have traveled since they broke free of the grip of Communist authoritarian rule in 1989. How proud we were, when they regained their freedom, that America has stood by the people of Poland during those times when they suffered under a Communist dictatorship and domination by the former Soviet regime in Moscow. Similarly, the people of Poland now offer their solidarity with those who seek freedom in my native homeland of Cuba. Having suffered in the not-too-distant past under the crushing yoke of the Soviet regime, many in Poland sadly know all too well the struggles that the people of Cuba face each and every day under the stranglehold of the Cuban dictatorship. Poland's support for human rights and democracy in Cuba illustrates it has not forgotten its past suffering nor the strength that it received from the solidarity of others. And how proud we are today that Poland has become an important member of both the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union and that it has become a strong voice for those countries in Eastern Europe that are working to ensure that they never again fall victim to the domination by a more powerful neighboring state. President Kaczynski was, in fact, an important leader in an effort to ensure that the hard-won liberty and democracy today enjoyed by Poland and other nations of Eastern Europe is not bartered away. He recognized the temptations faced by other European states which eagerly expand their commercial and military exports to Russia while increasing their reliance on energy supplies from Russia. He would not succumb to those Russian manipulations and coercions. The late Polish President was a voice that may have been unwelcome among some in the councils in Brussels, but it was a voice that was heeded. Moreover, Madam Speaker, under his leadership, Poland continued as a strong friend and a staunch ally of the United States, supporting military operations against extremists in Iraq and in Afghanistan, supporting America's efforts to create long-range missile defenses for both Europe and the United States, participating as a full partner in NATO, and supporting the expansion of democracy everywhere. There are those in Europe who, while enjoying the security commitment provided by the United States through NATO, nevertheless feel free to criticize America's initiatives to fight extremism and address threats around the world. President Kaczynski was not one of those voices. In fact, during his trip to the United States 3 years ago, he made a special trip to visit the Reagan Library as a sign of his country's appreciation for our former President's leadership in the efforts to free his country from Communist domination. President Kaczynski valued this support and offered Poland's support in return. Madam Speaker, we express our condolences to the people of Poland on the loss of their President, his wife, and so many of the leading officials and countrymen. At this time, and in the future, America will forever remain a friend of Poland. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to our esteemed colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), a wonderful member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I know that Mr. Delahunt has about 10 speakers, so I'm going to continue to reserve for a while.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that for the remainder of our time Judge Poe be allowed to manage our time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Miami Children's Museum as it celebrates its 25th anniversary as an invaluable educational and cultural center in my district in South Florida. I would like to recognize the museum's stellar leadership team, including its chairman, Jeff Berkowitz, and its executive director, Deborah Spiegelman. Since 1983, the Miami Children's Museum has fostered an environment for active learning and creative play for children of all ages. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Jeff and Deborah, as well as the dedication of the museum's staff and volunteers, the facility is now one of the 10 largest children's museums in the United States. The museum is also a leader in cutting-edge children's programming on topics such as environmental conservation, green technologies, and financial literacy. As a grandmother, I know firsthand how important the Miami Children's Museum is for parents and educators seeking a safe and fun learning environment for their children. I wish much success to the Miami Children's Museum as it works toward the next 25 years of service to our South Florida community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to acknowledge the contributions of a humanitarian and philanthropist from my area of South Florida, Mr. Jay Kislak. A Florida resident for over half a century, Jay is known to be one of the State's leading citizens, with an outstanding record of charitable projects and personal achievements. Jay's involvement in our community has included leadership roles in organizations like the Florida Council of 100, the Florida Historical Society, the Historical Association of Southern Florida, Mortgage Bankers Association of America, the University of Miami, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Miami Dade's Arts in Public Places Trust, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the American Red Cross, among so many others. Jay's participation in our community is only matched by his involvement in the preservation of Florida's dynamic history. Over the years, and together with his wife Jean, Jay has collected countless rare books, maps, and art that capture the history and the culture of Florida, focusing especially on the early years of European exploration. Jay's collection is certainly one of the most comprehensive in the Nation. In 2004, Jay made an extraordinary gift to our country. He donated more than 3,000 of these rare books, manuscripts, and other objects to our Library of Congress. Known as ``Exploring the Early Americas'', this collection is now on display in the library's historic Thomas Jefferson building right across the street from us. This gift is one of the most significant gifts ever received by the Library of Congress. To give a sense of the extent of this collection, let me just name a few of the major pieces: A vast collection of Mayan cultural and religious works and carvings. The first printed nautical map of the entire world, the Carta Marina from the year 1516. A 1524 map on which Florida is first named. Original documents signed by the famed explorers Cortes, Pizarro, and Las Casas. From 1598, the first atlas to include Florida. The journal of Cabeza de Vaca in which he narrates his wanderings across Florida and the Southeast after his shipwreck off the coast of the present-day St. Petersburg. Also, the 1589 hand-colored engraving by Baptista Boazio of St. Augustine, Florida, the earliest engraving of any locality in the U.S. Also, one of George Washington's personal journals from his time spent at Mount Vernon. And letters from John Quincy Adams and James Monroe pertaining to the purchase of Florida and to the foreign policy of the United States. Mr. Speaker, these are just some of the major items that are in Jay's impressive collection. In support of this collection, the library now hosts an ongoing lecture series, program of exhibitions, research, and public education programs named after Jay Kislak. And this week the Jay Kislak Foundation held one of its annual lectures right here in Washington at the Library. The event included historian Jonathan Spence, one of the foremost experts on modern China and the Sterling Professor of History, Emeritus, at Yale University. Jay's philanthropy continues to astound in its breadth and its scope. Through Jay's substantial contribution, countless generations will be able to view a window into our past as Americans and as Floridians. Jay, thank you for all that you have done and will continue to do on behalf of our Nation and our home community. Thanks from a grateful Nation.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am delighted to wish a happy birthday to my good friend and Key West community leader Tom Oosterhoudt. This Thursday night, the 15th, Tom will be surrounded by many community activists from the Keys to celebrate. Tom will be turning 60. He has done so much to improve the Keys way of life. He is always a positive and an energetic person. He is a wonderful part of Keys life. He is the editor and publisher of Conch Color, a magazine for the Florida Keys. Tom covers a multitude of events going on every day in the Keys, like the annual Ernest Hemingway look-alike contest, the Harry Truman Symposium at the Little White House. Tom, thanks for covering all the many positive folks who work every day to improve the daily woes that Keys residents face: the housing shortage, the high cost of living, the unemployment problem, downstairs enclosures, high insurance rates. But with your help, with working together with leaders like Tom, we can work to improve paradise every day. Tom, I hope you have a great celebration. I wish that I could be with your many friends and family members. You are an outstanding part of what makes the Florida Keys such an incredible place. Congratulations.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, this morning, my good friend and Florida colleague Congressman Ron Klein and I held a press conference at the Little Havana Activity and Nutrition Center where we unveiled our bipartisan anti-Medicare fraud bill. Medicare fraud is a problem that hurts our most vulnerable citizens. Our South Florida community knows firsthand the hardship that it creates. In 2008, approximately $703 million in false Medicare claims originated from South Florida. Last year, that figure rose to $952 million from South Florida. Our community needs to say in no uncertain terms that fraud and abuse in Medicare will not be tolerated and that our seniors will not be preyed upon by opportunistic vandals. That is why Congressman Ron Klein and I filed the Medicare Fraud Enforcement and Prevention Act. This legislation will help curb the fraud in the Medicare system. It will not only toughen the penalties on those individuals who engage in fraud but it will also help implement new screening procedures and biometric checks for all Medicare claims and services. Medicare fraud is not isolated to cases that involve rogue individuals. Unfortunately, the reality is that more and more Medicare fraud is being perpetrated by groups that are organized and are sophisticated in their technique. This bipartisan bill will help catch up existing rules and regulations with the reality of today's threats. Fraud and abuse costs the Medicare system billions of dollars each year. It costs the system, in fact, $60 billion every year. It harms the health care industry as a whole, and it undermines the market for legitimate health care products. It hurts legitimate suppliers who cannot compete with illegitimate suppliers who pad their income by billing for services that they never rendered. Fraud undermines public confidence in health care providers. The Klein-Ros-Lehtinen bill will create a strong deterrent for would- be criminals by doubling the fines and jail time for those convicted of scamming the Medicare system. It creates a new offense for illegally distributing a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary ID and establishes a penalty of 3 years in prison and a fine equivalent to the dollar amount stolen from Medicare. The Klein-Ros-Lehtinen bill doubles the criminal penalty for making false statements and for violating the anti-kickback statute from 5 to 10 years in prison and from $25,000 to a $50,000 fine. The Klein-Ros-Lehtinen bill will also create a pilot program that will implement biometric technology to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries are physically present to receive those services. This bill mandates strict background checks for Medicare suppliers that would be carried out before they start cashing those taxpayer checks. Since its inception in the year 2007, Miami-Dade County's interagency Medicare Strike Force has helped stem the tide of Medicare fraud in our South Florida community. It has gotten more than $220 million in court- ordered restitution to Medicare from defendants in 87 separate cases. The task force has saved Medicare approximately $1.75 billion in phony claim submissions. But, Madam Speaker, lamentably there is so much more that needs to be done. The bill that Ron Klein and I have filed today will help give law enforcement the tools necessary to make even more arrests and to crack down on fraud in a more efficient and effective manner. It will direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide real-time access to data regarding fraud that will then be given to local law enforcement officials. The Klein-Ros-Lehtinen bill also directs the GAO, the Government Accountability Office, to follow up with Medicare contractors and report back to us in Congress with recommendations to make this system work even better for seniors all across the country.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize an outstanding individual from my South Florida community, Alejandro Aguirre. Alejandro is the editor of Diario Las Americas, South Florida's first Spanish language daily newspaper. Diario Las Americas was founded on July 4, 1953 by Alejandro's father, Dr. Horacio Aguirre. Diario helps inform scores of my constituents on current events and matters that impact our local, State and Federal Governments. Alejandro's dedication and professionalism are evidenced by the quality of each publication of Diario. Since 2009, Alejandro has also been president of the Inter-American Press Association. This organization champions freedom of the press and freedom of expression throughout the Western Hemisphere. The IAPA has spoken out and shined the light of truth on the dark corners of repression throughout our hemisphere. The group has spoken out against the imprisonment of independent journalists in Cuba. The members have also spoken out against the growing decay of freedom in Venezuela. I want to thank Alejandro for his courage, for his service, and, most of all, for his friendship. The Aguirre family is a shining example for us all.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I rise in opposition to this flawed health care bill. Everyone deserves health care treatment. Everyone deserves access to health care insurance. Everyone deserves both at an affordable cost. However, this health care bill is not the answer. It is the wrong approach--one which ignores the concerns and needs of the American people, while increasing the financial burden through excessive taxes, especially on small businesses. It places control in the hands of government bureaucrats rather than letting Americans decide for themselves what is best for their families. We need to promote common-sense solutions that make health care easily accessible and affordable to all Americans--solutions like preventing denial of coverage due to a pre-existing condition or ensuring that your coverage stays with you even when you change jobs. We should eliminate health care insurance discrimination based on age or gender and encourage real competition in the health care insurance market. We must enact reforms to prevent frivolous lawsuits so that doctors will not be forced to order unnecessary and expensive tests and procedures. This will help eliminate costly waste and inefficiency in the system. These changes, along with effective prevention, wellness, and disease management programs, will help reduce the cost of health care. This Senate bill makes little sense for seniors. It is a fiscal time bomb for future generations, and I do not want to leave this legacy of debt to my granddaughter. The majority was aware of the cost and impact of this bill. They should have worked in an open, bipartisan fashion. Instead, we are left with a bill killing tax increases in the middle of a terrible economic recession. This is a bill with billions of dollars in tax increases. There is a tax on anyone who does not purchase bureaucrat-approved health insurance. There is a tax on businesses that cannot afford to provide their workers with health coverage and another tax for hiring low-wage workers. In South Florida, the construction industry has a 27 percent industry unemployment rate yet this bill taxes those workers especially hard. The Congressional Budget Office has stated that all of these taxes will be passed on to Americans in higher costs and rising insurance premiums. This bill makes no effort to control the skyrocketing costs of health care. I am disappointed that we have missed an opportunity to tackle a huge problem in South Florida and in the Nation: eliminating Medicare fraud. It tries to fool the consumer by finding creative ways to hide health care costs in new taxes, mandates, and cuts. The bill also contains over $523 billion in Medicare cuts, including over $202 billion from Medicare Advantage plans that serve tens of thousands of my constituents directly. Medicare helps so many seniors in our community--seniors like my mother, who is 83 and suffers from Alzheimer's--live longer and healthier lives. When I see this bill taking benefits away from seniors like her, I worry tremendously. This bill also includes cuts of millions of dollars to elderly home care; millions of dollars cut for Alzheimer's programs; and millions of dollars cut to the food-for-seniors program. The only way to coerce passage of this bill was through special deals for special interests. The Majority has weighed the bill down with political handouts such as millions of dollars in Medicaid funding to Louisiana, known as the ``Louisiana Purchase.'' Americans are rightfully weary of the Majority playing political games with important policy initiatives. I know that the high cost of health care is an important issue facing our nation and I am committed to making high quality, equitable and accessible health care affordable to all Americans. This bill is not the right answer to the serious issues facing our Nation and our families.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, yesterday, March 15, was Florida's Day of Action to raise awareness about the sham elections in Sudan which are scheduled for next month. When the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in the year 2005, the dream of a united Sudan, where everyone--regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion--lived in freedom, it seemed possible. Elections were intended to usher that change. Unfortunately, the Sudanese Government has since proven that it will do anything to remain in power--including slaughtering civilians and stealing elections. Southern parties have committed abuses, but it is Sudan's tyrant--an indicted war criminal--who remains the greatest obstacle to peace. The time for wishful thinking is over. These elections are a sham, hijacked to legitimize the rule of a reprehensible, murderous regime. Responsible nations must work to ensure Sudan's butcher answers for his crimes before this process moves forward. So congratulations to the many Floridians who spearheaded the Day of Action yesterday. And speaking of Floridians, our State is hurting. Our economy is in serious trouble. Floridians ask what is the best way to put Floridians back to work without increasing our mounting national debt. The latest national unemployment record shows that we're still facing an almost 10-percent unemployment statistic. And totally unacceptable is Florida's numbers. Florida's number, 11.8 percent unemployment rate in my home State of Florida. How can we fix this problem? Part of it deals with what U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, said, and it was an important and very timely message. He said, Trade supports millions of U.S. jobs and expanding trade must be part of the U.S. economy. Congress needs to support long- delayed trade pacts with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, which will greatly expand access to oversea markets for Florida businesses. While these agreements are stalling here in Washington, our competitors are cutting their own deals to open more markets for their exporters. The European Union, for example, has concluded an agreement with South Korea--similar to the one that has been languishing here in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of people are employed in the trade industry. In my home State of Florida, we exported more than $47 billion in goods last year. South Florida is the gateway to Latin America, and it's a huge hub for trade with Colombia, which has already produced thousands of jobs in key industries, such as the flower-importing industry. Trade is a crucial part of our economic recovery and an ideal opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to work together on an important issue. It's so important to my home State of Florida, which brings me to another national issue that is crucial to my State of Florida, and that is a complete and accurate census count. We must mobilize everyone to participate in the 2010 census and help increase funding for education, health care, transportation, and other key programs while ensuring that our area will get the programs it deserves. Having represented a diverse area such as South Florida here in Congress, I know that we need to reach out to residents of low-income and minority neighborhoods, which are especially at risk of being undercounted in the 2010 census. Along with many other metropolitan areas, Miami-Dade County will have a bilingual, English and Spanish, census form, as well as a special census outreach effort to the Colombian, to the Haitian, to the Cuban communities, among many different ethnic groups in our community and in our Nation. Accurate data reflecting changes in our diverse and ever-changing communities will decide how over $400 billion per year is spent in Federal grants and how it's allocated for programs like new hospitals and schools. So your assistance, South Florida, with a complete census count will help ensure that essential social service programs like job training, after-school programs, school lunch programs, senior citizen centers, they will receive the funding they deserve. So please help us kick off our efforts to get the most complete census count in history. Floridians, get on board. And I am so proud of the many Floridians who do amazing things every day. In my congressional district of South Florida, Madam Speaker, extraordinary groups such as Teens Against Domestic Abuse, otherwise known as T-A-D-A--TADA--are working to raise awareness about domestic abuse. And TADA is a local student activist group run by a caring and passionate young woman, Emily Martinez-Lanza. So I thank the exemplary work of Floridians. From the Call of Action on Sudan, to the economy, to the census, to combating domestic abuse, Floridians are hard at work.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, for more than 1 year, Congress and the administration have failed to make health care reform a reality. The 2,700-page bill, which can only pass through convoluted, inside- the-Beltway shenanigans, has over $500 billion in tax increases, not to mention the $500 billion in Medicare cuts that come with that increase, which jeopardizes million of seniors' existing health care coverage. And this bill includes millions of dollars in cuts to home health care for the elderly, millions of dollars in cuts for Alzheimer's programs, millions of dollars in cuts for food for seniors programs. This bill makes no sense for America's families, no sense for America's seniors, and it is a fiscal time bomb for future generations. I do not want to leave a legacy of debt to my granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth. In Congress' scramble to get any kind of bill passed, regardless of its cost or impact, they have taken the wrong approach. We can do better.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of House Resolution 311, introduced by my good friend from California, Ambassador Watson. For the past 129 years, the American Red Cross has been providing material and emotional support to victims of disasters and to our military families. Many of us know the story of the founding of the national organization by Clara Barton in the aftermath of her service during the Civil War. But, my colleagues may be less familiar with the fact that 93 years ago this week, Miami philanthropist Harriet Parsons James convened a group of local residents to begin the southeastern Florida chapter of the American Red Cross. A month later, Mrs. Florence Spottswood of Key West gathered a group of local leaders in the Keys to start what soon became the Key West chapter of the American Red Cross. Madam Speaker, the Spottswood family name is still associated with philanthropy and altruistic good works in the Florida Keys. After several years of humanitarian service, those organizations merged in May of 1987, and today the South Florida Region American Red Cross continues to be an indispensable neighbor to the people of my congressional district. In the past year, it has responded to 556 local emergencies, delivered nearly 1,000 emergency messages to and from military families, and trained more than 19,000 people in lifesaving skills in our community. Whether it is in response to hurricanes, in response to house fires, the volunteers and supporters of the South Florida Region continue to provide critical aid, for which we are deeply grateful. Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, the American Red Cross in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties assisted more than 13,000 U.S. citizens who were flown to south Florida by the U.S. Government. They served nearly 10,000 meals. They provided mental health support to nearly 2,000 people. Nationwide, the American Red Cross has raised over $350 million for earthquake relief and development efforts. It has already used more than $100 million to provide food, water, relief supplies, shelter, and health services to the people of Haiti. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting the ideals of Red Cross Month. Whether it is providing disaster relief, safe blood, or communications between our military members and their families, the American Red Cross is one of the most enduring and successful examples of the volunteer spirit at the heart of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, if I could inform Ambassador Watson that I have some more remarks to make, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I want to take a moment to highlight an unfortunate absurdity that we are confronted with today, Mr. Speaker. I'm proud to support the resolution before us, but all of us recognize that dedicated people of the American Red Cross will continue to do their good work regardless of whether they are congratulated by this body. Yet the Democratic leadership has taken care to ensure that this symbolic resolution will receive a vote today--something that they may deny to the trillion- dollar Senate health care bill. To recap, we're able to debate and vote on this nonbinding resolution. That is well and good. Yet we are denied the chance to vote on this huge, expensive Senate health care bill. The procedure being discussed in the press attempts to get around the basic requirements of the Constitution--that both Houses of Congress must pass the same bill text before it is presented to the President and signed into law. As the director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School, former Federal Circuit Court Judge Michael McConnell wrote in yesterday's Wall Street Journal: ``Under Article I, section 7, passage of one bill cannot be deemed to be enactment of another.'' I'm sorry if the Democratic leadership feels that the burdens of representative government outlined by our Constitution are too great a burden for their agenda to bear. But that momentous bill deserves at least as much consideration as we are giving to the wide range of nonbinding resolutions that we are considering this week.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. It is a delight to work with my wonderful colleague from California, Ambassador Watson. We greatly regret that she will be retiring from the halls of Congress, but we look forward to working with her in another capacity. I am proud to rise, Mr. Speaker, as the author of this resolution, which addresses one of the most flagrant examples of systematic persecution against a particular group currently taking place. The Chinese Communist regime's obsessive and relentless hunting down of Falun Gong practitioners, which is a spiritual discipline based on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, says a great deal about the insecurity and the paranoia of the current rulers in Beijing. While this resolution gives a detailed accounting from authoritative international sources of the last 11 years of Beijing's bloody crackdown on Falun Gong, there are two particular areas, Mr. Speaker, which I would like to address in greater detail. First is the issue of the penetration of agents of an alien Communist regime right here inside the United States to wage a campaign of repression against U.S. citizens. And, second, is the issue of coercive organ transplants involving a ``bloody harvest'' from Falun Gong practitioners inside China. How could one believe that diplomats of a foreign regime would collude with secret agents and thugs to suppress the constitutional right of our fellow citizens right here in America? Well, Mr. Speaker, clear evidence indicates that that is exactly what is happening with Chinese agents persecuting American Falun Gong practitioners in our own country. Just ask Bill Fang, who was assaulted on the streets of Chicago back in 2001, as he was peacefully demonstrating in front of the Chinese consulate. That assault led to a criminal conviction in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Or, just ask Judy Chen, the proud mother of two United States Marines then serving in Iraq, who was manhandled in May of 2008 by thugs with reported Chinese regime ties while she was handing out Falun Gong literature in front of a public library in Flushing, New York. It is high time for our State Department to get tough and to let the Chinese regime know that any of its staff members who engage in activities in the U.S. incompatible with their diplomatic status, including encouraging such illegal acts, are persona non grata in the United States. On the issue of organ transplants, Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that this resolution cites the recommendation of the U.N. Committee on Torture, calling for an independent investigation ``into the claims that some Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to torture and used for organ transplants.'' I would like to further point out that expert testimony given before a subcommittee on the Foreign Affairs Committee appears to corroborate the charges of coercive organ transplants in China. A hearing was held before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on September 29, 2006, entitled ``Falun Gong: Organ Harvesting and China's Ongoing War on Human Rights.'' Committee witness Kirk Allison, Ph.D. of the University of Minnesota testified: ``In my meeting with practitioners in June 2006, evidence included transcripts of queries to identified hospitals and physicians on organ availability. Falun Gong sources were characterized as being of high quality and often available in as short a time as a week, and in some cases with a guarantee of a backup organ should the first fail.'' The systematic killing of Falun Gong practitioners for their organs is almost too ghoulish to imagine. It seems incomprehensible that in the 21st century such barbaric acts could occur, a cruelty comparable to imperial Romans throwing Christian martyrs to be eaten by lions. The stark reality which this resolution addresses gives new meaning to the phrase ``butchers of Beijing.'' The Beijing regime of today engages in the barbaric repression of some of its own people simply because they seek to practice a peaceful spiritual discipline. Several hundred have reportedly died, and hundreds of thousands remain in detention in reeducation through labor camps. How can anyone seriously call these the actions of a responsible stakeholder? I strongly and enthusiastically urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of House Resolution 1128 and join my colleagues in congratulating Team USA and Vancouver, Canada, for an outstanding 2010 Winter Olympics. Though this year's events were initially marked by tragedy, there were also many historic achievements. This year, the United States won the overall medal count for the first time since 1932. In fact, it was the highest medal total by any one nation in the history of the Winter Olympics. I would like to applaud and congratulate our Olympians for this amazing accomplishment. The determination, the sacrifice, the commitment required of the athletes, their coaches and their families to qualify for the Olympics, let alone medal in the Olympics, is tremendous. I would like to especially recognize Jennifer Rodriguez, a four-time participant of the Winter Olympic Games and a proud native of my home district of Miami, Florida. Considered to be one of the best long distance skaters in the United States, Jen also carries the unique distinction of being the first Cuban American to win an Olympic medal after taking the bronze in the 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters in 2002. Again, I would like to congratulate all of the Olympians who competed in the 2010 Winter Games and thank our friends in Canada for hosting us. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I'd like to take a moment to highlight the fact that shortly before our friends in Canada were kind enough to host the Olympics in Vancouver, my home district of Miami, Florida, was hosting Canadian Premier Danny Williams as he underwent cardiac surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, located in my congressional district of Miami Beach. Responding to criticisms of his decision to receive medical treatment in the U.S., Premier Williams said, and I quote, ``This was my heart, my choice, and my health. I did not sign away my right to get the best possible health care for myself when I entered politics.'' And that is exactly, Mr. Speaker, what the Republican response to health care reform is all about, making the necessary changes to strengthen our health care system so that the American people may receive the best possible health care in the world. By instituting commonsense, responsible solutions, we can lower health care cost. We can expand access to quality care without a government takeover of our Nation's health care system. Instead, the majority leadership is hoping to force a health care system on the American people. This would kill jobs, will raise taxes. It will cut Medicare for our Nation's seniors. We have seen time and time again what happens when health care is not patient-centered. Why would we wish that on the American people? Especially when the American people have made it abundantly clear that this is not what they want. It is time that cool heads prevail so that responsible decisions can be made. We must listen to the American people and not force this health care bill through. I have no further requests for time, Mr. Speaker, so I thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Phillis Oeters, chair of the 2009-2010 Orange Bowl Committee. Phillis has offered outstanding public service to Miami-Dade for the past 25 years. She has served on numerous community boards and has been active in several community arts organizations. She has also been recognized for her altruistic works many times, receiving awards and honors from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, and United Way of Miami-Dade. Phillis' strong professional background and her commitment to serving others made her the ideal candidate to chair the prestigious Orange Bowl Committee. She became the second woman in 100 years to chair a college bowl game. Phillis, on behalf of all of south Florida and the United States Congress, congratulations on this achievement. Thank you for what you have done to make our community a much better place. Thank you, Phillis.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud original cosponsor of H. Res. 1115. As my colleagues have explained, this resolution recognizes the life and public service of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena. On February 7, 1985, Special Agent Camarena was on his way to meet his wife for lunch when he was kidnapped outside the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico by five armed men. Almost a month later, his body was discovered on a ranch nearly 50 miles away, brutally murdered by the same kind of violent drug traffickers he had dedicated his life to fighting. This month marks 25 years since that fateful day. As an 11-year veteran of the DEA, Special Agent Camarena received two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Achievement Award and, posthumously, the Administrator's Award of Honor, the highest award granted by DEA. Prior to joining the DEA, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a fireman, a police investigator, and a narcotics investigator. Special Agent Camarena was deeply committed to public service throughout his life. In honor of his memory, each October, thousands of schools, communities, and state and local drug abuse prevention organizations celebrate Red Ribbon Week. Further, the anniversary of Special Agent Camarena's death reminds us of the importance of continuing the close cooperation between the United States and Mexico in fighting the narcotraffickers. The Merida Initiative, a partnership between the Government of Mexico and the United States, has been successful in presenting new opportunities for expert collaboration on these fronts. Through operations such as Operation Firewall and Operation Panama Express, the DEA and Mexican law enforcement authorities are dismantling drug cartels and seizing tons of illegal drugs destined for America's streets. I am sure that Special Agent Camarena would have been pleased to see how far we have come. Again, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this important measure in honor of Special Agent Enrique ``Kiki'' Camarena and his dedication to public service. My most sincere thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Geneva, his sons Enrique, Daniel, and Erik, and his entire family. I thank Congressman Hunter for introducing this important measure.