Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The Berlin Wall has fallen, Germany will be reunited, the Communist regimes in East Germany and across East Europe are falling. For decades during the Cold War, to hear those words spoken was the greatest hope and the most powerful dream of millions of people living behind the Iron Curtain. Today, that hope and that dream are indeed a reality, but we ought to recall why they were so powerful for so many people in those days. Perhaps some of us have not given thought for some time to the powerful images from the night of November 9, 1989, when thousands of people in East Berlin pushed past overwhelmed border guards at the Berlin Wall and began tearing down the concrete and barbed wire barrier. Their expression of joy as they embraced friends, family, and even strangers on the other side of that wall indeed moved us all who witnessed it. Why were those people so desperate for freedom on that night almost 20 years ago? Well, the oppressive totalitarian aspect of Communist East Germany had been clearly articulated by the long-time leader of that regime, Walter Ulbricht, in his favorite saying, ``It has to look democratic but we must have everything under our control.'' So while claiming to be democratic, the Communists had, in 1961, begun to literally wall in their own citizens. That regime began constructing the Berlin Wall in the dead of night on August 12, 1961. Behind the new prison wall in Berlin and across all of East Germany, the regime's secret police worked to infiltrate every institution and everyone's personal lives, creating an atmosphere of mistrust, oppression, and insecurity among the people in East Germany. Under that totalitarian rule, there were at least 15 different separate definitions of who was an enemy of the state. Many living in East Berlin and East Germany were so desperate to escape to freedom that they risked their lives in those attempts. Over the years, a total of 238 people were killed while trying to escape to the West, 120 were injured, and approximately 100,000 were arrested and sent to prison for their attempts. However, on November 9, 1989, just as the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961 marked the beginning of the Communist consolidation of power, so did the destruction of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 mark the beginning of the collapse of the East German Communist regime and ultimately the collapse of the Soviet Union itself. With this resolution, we commemorate November 9, 1989, as the day when freedom so clearly broke free of oppression. We honor the brave men and women who lost their lives in the pursuit of liberty. I urge my colleagues to support passage of this important resolution. I commend my colleague, my friend from Texas, for its introduction. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), the author of this measure.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 550, recognizing the Day of the African Child, which is observed each year on June 16. Since 1991, June 16 has served as the day to draw attention to the ongoing threats to child survival in Africa and to highlight the need to reduce newborn and child deaths in Africa. According to UNICEF, 11 million children die each year. In sub-Saharan Africa, which is the most heavily impacted region in terms of child mortality, 1.2 million babies will die in the first month of their life each year. An estimated 1 out of every 6 African children will never reach their fifth birthday. Of the top 10 countries in the world with the highest rates of mortality for children under 5, nine are in Africa. Unfortunately, that figure does not significantly improve as you look further afield. Of the top 50 countries with the highest rates of child mortality, 41 are in Africa, but perhaps even more devastating than these figures is the fact that many of these deaths are preventable. According to UNICEF, 70 percent of all child deaths are attributable to six causes, including diarrhea, malaria, neonatal infection, preterm delivery, and lack of oxygen at birth. More than half of these could be avoided through low-tech, evidence- based, cost-effective interventions, such as vaccines, antibiotics, nutritional supplements, bed nets treated by insecticide, and improved family care practices. Again, with strong political will, targeted investments in health systems and with concerted action to confront the underlying causes of these high rates of child mortality, many of these deaths can be averted. As the resolution indicates, Madam Speaker, United States international child survival and maternal health programs have helped save millions of lives in Africa and beyond over the past three decades. Since 1986, the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, has provided over $7 billion in assistance. With other international and private-sector partners, the U.S. has succeeded in reducing child deaths by 50 percent since 1990 from diseases related to diarrhea. The U.S. has provided over 100 million immunizations to children each year, and the U.S. has reduced malnutrition by 25 percent among children under the age of 5, but much more needs to be done. For this reason, I support H. Res. 550. I reserve the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers, so I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am proud to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support of H.R. 1665, the Coast Guard Acquisition Reform Act. I have the unique pleasure of representing over 265 miles of pristine Florida coastline, and I will never forget that it is the Coast Guard that keeps these waters safe. Two of the largest Coast Guard Sectors in the United States, Sector Miami and Sector Key West are located in my Congressional district. This act will direct the Coast Guard in their Acquisition efforts and make for more of full and open competition contracts. Overall, this act will be of benefit to the Coast Guard; however, being from a District heavily involved with the Coast Guard, I know that sections of the bill could use clarification and adjustment. Firstly, in Section 210, the Coast Guard is required to report to the appropriate congressional committees about any cost overruns. However, the reporting requirement is set a uniquely low threshold, a mere 10 percent. It would be more appropriate to set this reporting requirement in line with other Department of Defense programs, ranging from 15 percent to 25 percent. Also, in Section 302a, the act states that an individual may not be assigned as the acquisition program manager for a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition unless the individual holds a Level III acquisition certification as a program manager. In the interest of training Level III program manager's for Level 1 projects, this act should leave the Coast Guards current practice in place. This would allow program managers to gain the experience they need before being assigned to the most important of acquisition projects. In Sec 301d, the act states that within 45 days after any design or other dispute regarding a Level 1 or Level 2 acquisition, the Coast Guard would be required to provide Congress a detailed description of the dispute and the rationale underlying any decision made by the Chief Acquisition Officer. In the interest of keeping burdensome reporting requirements to a minimum, the act should have added the word ``significant'' for any design dispute. The Coast Guard will make many fact-based and timely decisions on projects that may be internally disputed. Congress needs to be involved in significant problems that could affect results. Still, I urge all Members to recognize the crucial need to protect our nation by strengthening the United States' oldest continuous seagoing service, the United States Coast Guard. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this act.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 535. This resolution commends the Congress of leaders of World and Traditional Religions and expresses support for freedom of religion as a fundamental human right and a source of stability for all countries. I support this resolution and the broader cause of promoting freedom of religion. However, I have some concerns about this measure. Kazakhstan initiated the effort to establish the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religious and its capital served as the location for the past three gatherings. However, our U.S. Department of State's report on international religious freedom, as well as a number of human rights NGOs, underscore that Kazakhstan has considerable problems with its treatment of some of its religious minority groups. Some of the reported instances of religious intolerance in Kazakhstan include police officials disrupting religious meetings in private homes, confiscation of religious literature, fines, detentions, harassment and deportation of unregistered missionaries. It has also been reported that the government-controlled media in Kazakhstan has increased its negative coverage of what they consider nontraditional religions such as Evangelical Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hare Krishnas and Scientologists, depicting those groups as dangerous sects. Although we should support the efforts of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, we must be careful not to inadvertently provide political legitimacy to the government of Kazakhstan in its treatment of some of its religious minorities. Furthermore, Kazakhstan will assume the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2010, and it is important that those responsible nations hold it accountable to the commitments that it has made to implement democratic reforms and to protect human rights. Again, I would like to express my support for this resolution, although with some reservation, and I ask my colleagues to do the same. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, we all agree that real health care reform is a necessity; but in the haste to get this done, the wrong approach to achieve this worthy goal would be to increase taxes, especially on our small businesses. These vital small business owners are already straining not to cut jobs and wages. Most small business owners want to offer health insurance to their employees, but they simply cannot because the already-inflicted costs just continue to increase. What we need is true health care reform that brings down the cost of care in our country. We find creative ways to hide the actual costs of taxes and mandates. That makes no sense for Americans, no sense for our small businesses, and certainly no sense for our future generations who will be saddled with a lot of debt.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary work of Hope for Vision, a wonderful organization in my congressional district, as well as their two newest goodwill ambassadors, Alex and Stacy Campos. Both Hope for Vision, as well as the Campos family, serve our community with tremendous distinction. As a member of the Congressional Vision Caucus, I am proud to work towards elevating awareness and finding solutions to the problems that surround vision loss and vision impairment. In this pursuit, there is no better partner than that of Hope for Vision. Started in 2005, it amazes me every day just how much Hope for Vision has accomplished. In just 4 short but very successful years, Hope for Vision has been able to raise millions of dollars for the development of treatments and cures for blinding diseases. Finding a cure for degenerative blindness and other retinal diseases holds untold promises for new treatments and all types of visual disorders and beyond, which is so important to reduce the massive cost that our Nation suffers due to vision loss. Vision loss and impairment not only have an extraordinary financial cost, but it also carries a deep personal cost as well. When individuals suffer the inability to see clearly, they must depend on others for help. Simple tasks like locating keys or avoiding obstacles in a walkway become virtually impossible without assistance. Literally left in the dark, a person's blindness becomes an entire family's responsibility. This is compounded by the fact that the health care costs related to vision alone are more than $67 billion annually, and this number will only increase as the population continues to grow and age. Hope for Vision understands these issues, and they know that the biggest challenge is ensuring that this crucial work is fully funded. By far, the most impressive aspect of Hope for Vision is the fact that over 95 percent of the money raised is given directly to research at top academic institutions. And when it comes to the administration of success for Hope for Vision, few know better than that of Alex and Stacy Campos. These two champions of vision care have served selflessly for the benefit of our South Florida community. As well, they have truly afforded many in need the blessings of renewed sight. As goodwill ambassador, Mr. Campos sits on the board of directors for Hope for Vision and utilizes his skills gained from the financial industry to make Hope for Vision as successful as it is today. Together with his wife, Stacy, and her continued participation in many charitable foundations, the work of the Campos family has provided Hope for Vision with the means it needs to grow and succeed even more. Without a doubt, Mr. and Mrs. Campos satisfy the roles of goodwill ambassadors. Their relentless commitment to service and their passion to help families help themselves is truly worthy of distinction. It is because of their commitment to Hope for Vision and their fight against vision loss that countless families today enjoy the freedom of sight. Alex and Stacy Campos have been a great resource for all at Hope for Vision, and our entire community has benefited from their partnership. Hope for Vision will be sure to maintain itself among the elite organizations working to fight against blindness and retina degenerative diseases through the actions of dedicated individuals like Alex and Stacy. I again congratulate, Madam Speaker, Hope for Vision for the great work that this young organization has already done, and I look forward to hearing many good things in the years to come from Hope for Vision and all of the brave individuals involved in this fight for maintaining vision awareness for all of our community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the people of Honduras. I rise in support of Honduran democratic institutions and legal authorities who refuse to be coerced into ignoring their Constitution and the rule of law and who refuse to have their future as a democratic nation and a democratic society hijacked. For months prior to June 28, Manuel Zelaya had engaged in a systematic campaign to subvert the Honduran Constitution in order to strengthen and extend his own rule. Last November he tried to postpone the primaries for the upcoming presidential elections. This January he tried to stuff the Honduran Supreme Court with his personal buddies. Then this March Zelaya issued an executive decree, calling for a referendum that would ultimately allow for the extension of his presidential rule, all in direct contravention of the Constitution. The Honduran Supreme Court, the administrative courts, the attorney general, the commissioner for human rights, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, and the Honduran National Congress all declared this referendum to be illegal; but that did not stop him. In fact, following the decision of the Organization of American States to open its doors to the Castro regime, Zelaya probably felt empowered, if not destined, to follow the tyrannical ways of the Castro brothers. Zelaya continued to demonstrate a blatant disregard for the legislative and judicial branches of the Honduran Government and the sanctity of the Honduran Constitution. Consequently, he was charged with treason, abuse of authority and usurping of power. On June 26, the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice issued a warrant for Zelaya's arrest. While Zelaya's removal from office was in accordance with the Honduran Constitution and the rule of law, U.S. officials were among the first to rush to judgment and condemn Zelaya's removal. Joining arms with the likes of Hugo Chavez, Daniel Ortega, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations, the U.S. continues to lead the calls for Manuel Zelaya's return to power and, reportedly, for his immunity from prosecution for the political crimes with which he is charged. The U.S. has suspended more than $20 million in assistance to Honduras. U.S. leaders have now chosen to punish those who are working to preserve the idea of checks and balances in Honduras. They are revoking the visas of all current government officials, even members of the judicial branch. In fact, the vice president of the supreme court has already had his visa taken away. Sadly, the same officials who continue to call for direct engagement with the Iranian regime, irrespective of that regime's violence, torture and other actions against its own people, the same U.S. officials who recently reaffirmed Iran's so-called nuclear rights are the same ones who are now seeking to intimidate and strong-arm Hondurans into submission and very strongly into difficult humanitarian straits in the coming months. In fact, as the U.S. increases the pressure on Honduras, the U.S. is making unilateral concessions to the regime in Syria and just eased sanctions on Damascus. This just days after the State Department submitted to Congress a report stating that Syria continues to pursue advanced missiles, and chemical, biological and nuclear weapons capabilities and continues to sponsor violent Islamic extremist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. We are at a critical juncture in our foreign policy. In the Western Hemisphere, the situation in Honduras has become the linchpin for the thwarting of ALBA leaders' anti-America and anti-freedom agenda. Yet, the approach adopted by the U.S. is one where enemies of freedom are emboldened and strengthened while democratic institutions and allies are undermined and weakened. Let us hope for our Nation's security interests that the U.S. will see the danger in this approach and change course before it is too late. Let us hope that the U.S. leadership will heed the words of Ronald Reagan from March, 1978 when Reagan said, ``Our fundamental aim in foreign policy must be to ensure our own survival and to protect those who also share our values. Under no circumstance should we have any illusions about the intentions of those who are enemies of freedom.'' Mr. Speaker, let us send a clear signal to the enemies of freedom that we will not hedge, we will not waver, that we stand with the people of Honduras and the democratic institutions as they work to preserve their democracy against enemies foreign and domestic.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), with whom I had the honor of traveling to Sudan in the year 2007.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield now 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, on July 22, 2004, the United States Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives united to unanimously declare that the atrocities unfolding in the Darfur region of Sudan constitute genocide. Never before had the Congress made such a declaration while the atrocities were occurring. But confronted with irrefutable evidence of a systemic campaign of ethnic cleansing directed by the Sudanese regime and their proxy forces against the African tribes of Darfur, we were compelled to act. The scene in Darfur was all too familiar. There was the manipulation of ethnic and tribal tensions, the arming of proxy forces, aerial bombardment of civilians, razing of villages, forced displacement, mass murder, abduction, looting, torture, and rape. These were the tactics Khartoum used during its bloody war in southern Sudan, which lasted over 20 years and left over 2 million people dead and another 4 million displaced. These were the tactics the Sudanese regime used to stay in power. Recalling the horrors of the gas chambers of the Holocaust, the killing fields of Cambodia, the mass graves of Srebrenica, and the bloodied streets of Rwanda, we sought to put real meaning behind the words ``never again.'' On September 9, 2004, then Secretary of State Colin Powell concurred with the Congress, asserting ``genocide has been committed in Darfur'' and that ``the government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility.'' Unfortunately, others did not share our sense of urgency. Five long years have since passed, and while the situation on the ground in Darfur has changed since the year 2004, the crisis continues. The House of Representatives has passed no fewer than 34 bills and resolutions relating to Sudan since 2004, including the Comprehensive Peace for Sudan Act of 2004, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006, and the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2008. The United States has led efforts at the United Nations to get fully equipped, credible peacekeeping forces deployed both to Darfur and to southern Sudan. We remain the largest international donor and have contributed more than $3 billion for humanitarian programs in Sudan and Eastern Chad since fiscal year 2004, in addition to more than $2 billion in peacekeeping assistance since fiscal year 2008. We have sanctioned and threatened the Sudanese regime. We have helped secure peace, albeit a tenuous peace, in southern Sudan. When I visited the camps for displaced persons in Darfur and met with leaders in southern Sudan in 2007, I promised that I would remain an advocate for peace in Sudan, and while we have pressing concerns both here at home and beyond, I have sought to keep my word. For this reason I stand today to ask my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 159. This timely resolution solemnly recognizes the fifth anniversary of the declaration by the United States Congress of genocide in Darfur, Sudan, while expressing regret that this determination has yet to yield effective action on the part of the United Nations and other nations which maintain significant influence in Sudan, including China and certain members of the Arab League. It urges the administration to work with other responsible nations to ensure an end to the conflict in Darfur and full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan. It urges member states of the United Nations to provide sufficient resources to support the deployment of a fully capacitated African Union/United Nations mission in Darfur, including by supplying required tactical and utility helicopters and other mission enablers. Finally, Madam Speaker, it urges the parties to the conflict in Darfur to stop their attacks upon civilians and humanitarian and peacekeeping operations and to fully commit to finding a political solution without further delay. With national elections due this year and violence on the rise, the stakes could not be higher. The time for action is now. I urge my colleagues to support this important and timely measure. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, thirty-five years ago, Turkey launched a massive and illegal military invasion of its sovereign neighbor, Cyprus. On July 20, 1974, the Turkish government sent troops to Cyprus, allegedly in response to an effort to unify Cyprus with Greece, citing its interpretation of its rights as a ``guarantor'' nation to cloak its military invasion under the guise of ``restoring the constitutional order'' of Cyprus. As a result of this invasion, over five thousand Greek Cypriots were killed, over sixteen hundred Greek Cypriots were reported missing, and two hundred thousand Greek Cypriots were forcibly displaced from their homes. Today, Cyprus remains a divided nation, and over forty-three thousand Turkish troops still illegally occupy almost half of the island. Since the 1974 invasion, the international community has repeatedly condemned the Turkish invasion, and has called for the reunification of Cyprus and the final withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island. In fact, more than seventy-five resolutions have been adopted by the United Nations (UN) Security Council and more than thirteen by the UN General Assembly, calling for the return of Greek Cypriot refugees to their homes and properties. Turkey has not heeded these calls. To the contrary, over one hundred and sixty thousand settlers from Turkey now occupy the homes or property of Greek Cypriots evicted from northern Cyprus. These illegal settlers today outnumber the native Turkish Cypriots by almost two to one. These thirty-five years of occupation in northern Cyprus have also led to the tragic devastation of hundreds of religious and cultural sites. On July 21, 2009, the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, issued a report entitled, ``Destruction of Cultural Property in the Northern Part of Cyprus and Violations of International Law,'' stating that icons, manuscripts, frescoes and mosaics have been looted from Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Maronite and Jewish religious sites in northern Cyprus. The Helsinki Commission Report stated that, in the occupied north, over five hundred Orthodox churches or chapels have been pillaged, demolished or vandalized. Additionally, seventy-seven churches have been turned into mosques, twenty-eight churches are being used by the Turkish military as hospitals or camps, and thirteen churches have been turned into barns. The historic St. Anastasia monastery is now a hotel with a swimming pool and casino; and the Byzantine-era monastery of Antiphonetes has had its icons and murals removed and sold to art dealers. The Helsinki Commission reported that, in contrast to those Turkish actions, the Republic of Cyprus has spent about $600,000 since 2000 to renovate seventeen historic mosques in the southern portion of Cyprus. I am cautiously encouraged by the efforts of President of Cyprus Dimitris Christofias and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community in the north, Mr. Mehmet Talat in their reunification negotiations now being held under the auspices of the United Nations. They have now held more than thirty-five rounds of direct talks since negotiations began on September 3, 2008, and they continue to meet on a regular basis. It is clear that the reunification of Cyprus should be based on a bi- communal, bi-zonal federal state with a single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship. Ultimately, any final solution to the division of Cyprus must be developed by the Cypriot people themselves. However, the Turkish government has yet to give the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community the necessary freedom to negotiate a solution, has not agreed to withdraw its troops, and has not publically announced its support for the reunification efforts. To the contrary, on July 20, 2009, the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek announced that Turkey will never abandon its rights as a ``guarantor'' power on Cyprus, even if a peace deal is signed between Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders later this year. This is precisely the false premise with which Turkey justified its military invasion in 1974, and the echoes of this false justification will reverberate in the hearts of the people of Cyprus, who continue to live with the brutal consequences of the 1974 incarnation of this argument. The international community rejected this argument thirty- five years ago, and it must today condemn such statements as counterproductive to the reunification process. It is time that we commemorate the last anniversary of the presence of Turkish troops on Cyprus. It is time the leaders of the Cypriot communities have full freedom to negotiate the reunification of their country, without pressure and imposed conditions from other nations. It is time for there to be a new generation of Cypriots born into a unified homeland.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, where are the jobs? I rise today to discuss the rising unemployment in my congressional district of south Florida. Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data indicating that unemployment in Miami-Dade County was at nearly 11 percent. This represents a notable increase from 9.9 unemployment just last month. Mr. Speaker, south Floridians are hurting. In Miami, workers in the food service and hotel industries have had their hours cut in half because of a reduction in tourism. These workers are working two, three jobs in order to pay the bills. In the Florida Keys, recreational fishermen are docking their boats permanently as the industry grapples with one of its slowest seasons in history. There is serious trouble in paradise as hardworking small businesses and middle-class families remain uncertain about their economic future. That is why it's imperative that this Congress gets serious about providing real solutions for our constituents. They cannot afford to wait because they are looking for jobs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to announce that today the Department of Commerce awarded a $15 million grant to my alma mater, the University of Miami, for the construction of a new marine science research facility as the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The Rosenstiel School will construct an integrated seawater laboratory building that will also house a state-of-the-art marine life science center. The lab will be the only facility in the world with a wind-wave storm surge simulator capable of generating hurricane-force winds in a three-dimensional test environment. Building on past initiatives to protect coral reefs and Florida's unique habitat, the University of Miami will conduct research to understand how structures withstand natural disasters, how environmental challenges threaten human health, and how dynamic action can enhance resiliency and protect lives. All of us will be safer due to the advances it will yield in technological innovation, environmental protection and public safety. Madam Speaker, again, it's a $15 million grant from the Department of Commerce to my alma mater, the University of Miami, for a new Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas for yielding me the time. I congratulate our Florida colleague, Congressman Ron Klein, for the foresight of proposing this legislation, and I hope that our colleagues will join us in adopting this. I rise today in support of Mr. Klein's bill, H.R. 1933, A Child is Missing Alert and Recovery Center Act. God forbid that parents would be forced to suffer the horror of their child going missing or even worse, hear the news that their child has been abducted. As parents, that possibility is a fear that we have known since our children are born. And certainly we must do everything in our power to avoid tragedy. When it does strike, we must be organized, we must be coordinated, and we must be ready to respond. This bill does precisely that. Grants distributed to Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies through this act will aid in the recovery of so many children who are reported missing each and every year. Let us make sure that every parent is secure in the knowledge that local and national law enforcement agencies are prepared to coordinate an effective response to any missing child. As a brand new grandmother--just 4 days ago, our first grandchild, Morgan Elizabeth Lehtinen was born, I know that this is a problem and a shock to every parent and every new grandparent, the possibilities of the dangers out in the world. But when we pass this bill, we will know that our law enforcement agencies are ready to coordinate with other State and local and Federal agencies to make sure that we have a rapid response and one that is coordinated. So I thank my good friend from Florida, Ron Klein, for its introduction. I thank the gentleman from Texas for the time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. The Women's Fund of Miami-Dade County is a catalyst for social change and economic justice, assisting women to reach their full potential. Together with the Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy at Florida International University, the Women's Fund published a report entitled: Portrait of Women's Economic Security in Greater Miami, which reflects the dire economic situation facing women. More than half of working women do not earn adequate income to cover their most basic necessities. Eighty-six percent of single mothers do not have enough income to be self-sufficient. Nearly 20 percent of women who work are underemployed. And only one-fourth of women have a retirement or pension plan. The numbers in these categories are even lower than the national average but reflect the problem of women across the country. Here in Congress I work to empower women to be self-sufficient and support policies that enhance women's economic security, including legislation to provide paid parental leave to Federal employees. I will continue to work for south Florida women by promoting initiatives that protect the rights of women across the Nation.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the students from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy on their honorable mention in the 2009 ``We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution'' program held in Washington, DC. I would like to give a special mention to the students who participated in the competition: Michelle Azzi, Daniela Chediak, Kina de Cordoba, Brianna Donnet, Tiffany Fan, Bertila Fernandez Gabrielle Fernandez, Miranda Garcia, Victoria Garcia, Maria Gonzalez, Rebecca Hubert, Kristina Jacomino, Julia Longoria, Isabelle Martinez, Victoria Moreno, Katerina Ona, Elizabeth Rasco, Natalie San Juan, and Kelly Scott. I would also like to congratulate their teacher Rosie Heffernan for her tireless efforts on behalf of the students. Her students' success is a testament to her selfless dedication. I pray for the utmost success on all of the future endeavors of these excellent young women and expect to hear more great accomplishments from every one of them.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for his time. Mr. Speaker, as he explained, our motion to recommit would reduce the United States' contribution to the Organization of American States by $15 million and instead direct that funding to NED, the National Endowment for Democracy, for democracy promotion programs. Recent events call into question the commitment of the OAS to its historic values of democracy and human rights. The OAS on Cuba? In spite of hundreds of political prisoners languishing in jail, having committed no crime but speaking on behalf of freedom; in spite of there being no elections; in spite of there being only one political party allowed to operate in Cuba, the Communist Party; in spite of no labor unions allowed to operate; no human rights respected, what did the OAS do? It passed a resolution lifting the 1962 suspension of Cuba from the OAS. Regarding the events in Honduras, the OAS ignored President Zelaya's ongoing constitutional violations and remained silent when the Honduran Supreme Court acted, when the Attorney General decided, when the Human Rights Ombudsman decided, when the National Congress voted, all declaring his referendum illegal. The United States is footing 60 percent of the entire budget bill for the OAS while that organization pursues an agenda of appeasement toward repressive governments in the hemisphere. The hard-earned dollars of your constituents go to fund this sham. There are clearly much better uses of U.S. taxpayer funds in order to advance an agenda of freedom and democracy. The National Endowment for Democracy has a long record of fighting for fundamental freedoms, for democracies around the world. The $15 million will be better spent by NED to support dissidents and those struggling to advance freedom in the countries of the Americas. A few examples of the OAS actions, I wish I had more time, but in February, following the attack of a prominent synagogue in Venezuela which highlighted the growing anti-Semitic campaign facilitated and tolerated by the Chavez regime, the then U.S. Ambassador to the OAS called for a condemnation. What did the OAS do? Nada. They did nothing. And the Secretary General expressed confidence in the system of Chavez and their investigation of the incident. What about Nicaragua? In November of 2008, during their municipal elections, the OAS again did nada, nothing about reports that thousands of Sandinista supporters wielding homemade rocket launchers continued to arrive in Managua from all over the country gathering outside the Supreme Electoral Council's building to demand a final verdict on the elections. The OAS also did nada, nothing about the destruction of three opposition radio stations in the city of Leon during these municipal elections. U.S. taxpayer funds are better spent supporting the work of the bipartisan National Endowment for Democracy that helps strengthen democratic institutions around the world. Let's help NED do something. Let's stop the OAS from doing nada.