Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, if the gentleman also has no further requests for time.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I have no further requests for time, and I will reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I'm pleased to yield the gentleman such additional time as he may consume.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health of our Foreign Affairs Committee, who knows the personal suffering of 9/11 as he represents family members of the victims and lost over 50 fellow citizens from his congressional district when the World Trade Center towers were hit.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Jordan), a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Barrett), an esteemed member of our Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. It has been 7 years since the unimaginable happened, unimaginable, but nevertheless all too real. It is difficult to believe that the months and the years have passed so quickly for some, so slowly for others. But although the passage of time cannot erase the scars, it often shows mercy by soothing the raw wounds of experience and transforming them into memory. And that is our purpose here today, Madam Speaker, to remember, to remember the victims and to remind ourselves of the hatred that fuels the enemies of freedom and their desire to destroy us, to destroy our homeland, to destroy everything that we represent. Every American and millions around the globe remember that day, remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news and turned on their televisions. They remember the numbing shock and the horror of that day. All wanted to do something to help, and yet there seemed at that time to be so little that could be done to relieve the suffering and the fear. Thank God that there were men and women in a position to help and who did so at great risk and at great cost to themselves. We honor those individuals for their bravery, none of whom sought fame, many of whom lost their lives so that others might live. But while it is appropriate that we remember the events of that day, that we mourn those whom we lost and celebrate the many heroes, our attention should not be fixed entirely on the past for the attack on us was not a single blow but the declaration of a war. We suddenly learned that this war had already been fought against us for many years and in many places, but we had not recognized it for what it was. We had the taking of our embassy and Americans hostages in Iran in 1979, the bombing of our embassy compound and the Marine attacks in Beirut in the early 1980s, the first World Trade Center bombing by Islamic terrorists in 1993, and the attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, the USS Cole, and our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, also in the 1990s. The goal of our self-proclaimed enemies is not to defeat us but to destroy us. For they must destroy us if they are to destroy the civilization we represent which they have defined as their ultimate aim. Their fantasies cannot be made true as long as we exist to stop them. This is a new type of war, Madam Speaker, which presents unfamiliar challenges, and it will test us in ways for which the methods of the past have only a limited use. Securing victory will task our mental and material resources and will require innovative approaches and unconventional solutions. But our courage, our steadfastness, our determination will be as greatly challenged. In the 7 years since we were attacked, we have come to know our enemies, we have come to know their plans and their methods of operation. As we see them more clearly, we are increasingly able to uncover their networks and locate their hiding places. But we should not expect an easy success. Our enemies have many allies and have sunk deep roots that will not easily be torn out. Even as I speak, our warriors are fighting for us and for our country far away from their homes. I am proud that my stepson and my daughter- in-law are two of those warriors who served in Iraq and Lindsey in Afghanistan as well. We pray for the success of all of our personnel in harm's way, knowing that victory will not be achieved in one decisive battle but in many small ones and fought in many ways and in many places around the globe. Let us remember this as we prepare our defenses and make our plans to seek out and destroy those who would destroy us. We must not deceive ourselves with the hope that this threat will just go away, that our enemies will tire of the battle, that they will experience a change of heart, and that they will renounce the evil that they have committed, and instead, we know that they will eagerly plan to do so again. We must remember that we cannot hide, that we must not fall prey to the easy belief that there are easy solutions because, in fact, there are none. But there is no room for despair, Madam Speaker. For more than two centuries, our country has risen to meet the challenges that at the time seemed impossible, when the odds against us seemed to be too great, and the path to victory seemed difficult to see. But we have always prevailed. So on this day of remembrance, Madam Speaker, let us reflect upon all those whom we have lost, on all those who guard us still today, and on the task remaining for all of us, and pledge to do our duty as have all the generations that have preceded us. God bless the United States of America, now and always. With that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia, the ranking member on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Mr. Davis, who lost many friends and constituents at the Pentagon on that fateful day 7 years ago.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Fossella), a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to extend debate time by an additional 20 minutes, equally divided.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen), ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, because over 700 people from New Jersey lost their lives on this day 7 years ago.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), the ranking member of the Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, as well as a member of the Intelligence Subcommittee on the Homeland Security Committee. He also has experienced the dramatic impact of the 9/11 attacks as he lost so many constituents and continues to this day to comfort and assist the over 80 families impacted by that attack.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to a member of the Committee on Homeland Security and the ranking member of its Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection, the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to honor one of south Florida's great citizens, Judy Gilbert-Gould. She has spent most of her life working on behalf of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. She has spent a lifetime of service to the community. For the past 25 years, Judy has been advocating for equality and respect for Jews across the globe. Judy's desire to serve and lifelong commitment to helping those in need was spurred by her father, the late Stanley C. Myers, who founded the Greater Miami Jewish Federation in his backyard in 1939. Before joining the federation full-time, Judy worked as director of Victim- Witness Services at the Florida State attorney's office, community services director for the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency, and as executive director of the American Jewish Congress. Judy's dedication not only led her to help those in her community, but she also became a voice for many around the world. She worked on behalf of Soviet Jews who were trying to escape the horrors of communism by fleeing to Israel. She worked closely with the Florida delegations in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to encourage our Nation's strong partnership with Israel, as well as to denounce the genocide in Sudan and to care for Holocaust survivors. Judy has received awards from the national Council of Jewish Women, the city of Miami Beach, and from Jewish Community Services of South Florida, to name a few. I am proud to be her representative in Congress. Judy serves as an example for countless individuals throughout south Florida. I am sure she will continue on with her mission to empower those most vulnerable among us.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I humbly honor a dear friend and a strong community activist, Martha Flores, who has done so much to improve our South Florida area and who relentlessly promotes the cause of human rights. Miami-Dade County has honored Martha by naming the segment of 8th Street and SW 42 Ave after her. This is a testament to her dedication and service to our community. After leaving her native Cuba to escape Fidel Castro's communist regime, she established deep roots in Miami. She has been the producer and host of a nightly radio program, ``La Noche y Usted (The Night and You), which has earned the greatest audience of all nightly Spanish talk shows in South Florida. In recognition of her indelible impact on the community, Martha Flores was the first woman enshrined in the ``Calle Ocho Walk of Fame.'' Throughout her distinguished career, she has received many accolades, but this has not deterred her from her main objective: to humbly serve her community. One of her first radio shows, ``La Voz de la Mujer (the Voice of a Woman),'' was the first Spanish radio program that raised issues concerning the plight of Cuban exiles. She never forgot her homeland and for nearly 50 years now she has been at the forefront, while working alongside numerous community organizations, of bringing to light the repression of Castro's Cuba. Martha Flores has selflessly given of her time and resources to volunteer for many humanitarian causes including the League Against Cancer and League Against Blindness. In addition, she also helped St. Jude Children's Research Hospital raise much needed funds. She has been instrumental in bringing public attention and awareness to the needs of the elderly and disabled adults through her radio program and volunteerism. She will also be the first ever recipient of the Claude Pepper Memorial Award in the Media category. Martha has also made her radio show available to those who work on behalf of a free and independent Cuba, the sacred land of her birth. She sends a nightly message of hope and solidarity to her multitude of fans, many from the oppressed island nation. Once again, I would like to congratulate Martha Flores for her recent honor as well as for all the service and activism she has undertaken. South Florida is honored to have her and the example she has given all of us.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker the most important argument in favor of the United States-Colombia Free Trade Agreement is that it is manifestly good for the United States and our interests. The most obvious benefit is expanded trade. Opponents claim that the agreement will force the U.S. to remove restrictions on Colombia's exports, resulting in more imports and leading to a loss of jobs and income in the U.S. But these opponents do not understand that, because most of Colombia's exports already enter the U.S. with few or no restrictions, it is Colombia's barriers that will be removed and U.S. exporters that will benefit. And expanded U.S. exports to Colombia translate directly into increased jobs and income here at home. Colombia will certainly benefit, but the U.S. will benefit more. This free trade agreement is about more than economics. It is essential to securing U.S. strategic interests in the Hemisphere. In a region in which anti-American regimes are aggressively targeting U.S. interests, Colombia remains a steadfast ally. That ally is battling an array of internal and external enemies, and the U.S. has an enormous stake in ensuring that Colombia wins that fight. Long under siege from FARC guerrillas who once controlled nearly half the country, Colombia has, in recent months, inflicted major defeats on an armed insurgency that has: sought to overthrow Colombia's democratic government; killed and kidnapped thousands of Colombians, as well as Americans and other foreigners; and provided protection to drug kingpins shipping billions of dollars of cocaine, heroin, and other illegal drugs to the U.S. every year. Colombia looks poised to free itself from these threats and achieve peace and long-term stability. Given the stakes, our friends and enemies in this Hemisphere are watching how we treat this vital ally in the region. The Colombian government has done everything we have asked of it, even renegotiating the already concluded agreement to add new provisions regarding labor and environmental issues. But to no avail. As a result, our friends and enemies are in danger of concluding that the U.S. has turned its back on Colombia and that the assault on U.S. interests and allies is paying off. Over the past decade, the once near-hopeless security situation in Colombia has been transformed, with crucial assistance and unwavering support provided by the United States. But there is much left to be done. Although the insurgency has been severely weakened, there are many thousands of guerrillas still operating. The cultivation and export to the U.S. of illegal drugs continues. And there are large areas of Colombia in which the central government has virtually no presence. U.S. assistance and support for Colombia has been instrumental in its success, and will continue to be so in the future. But that means more than simply security assistance and money. The easiest, most direct, and most effective means we have to bolster Colombia at this critical stage is passage of the free trade agreement. Congress has a golden opportunity to support our embattled ally and further our own interests. If we falter, so may Colombia, and the achievements of a decade will be needlessly squandered. And then some may ask: ``Who lost Colombia?''

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield the gentleman 30 seconds, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on International Organization, Human Rights, and Oversight.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, many of us seek a place in this hallowed institution to serve our country and our constituents, to make a difference, to help change the world for the better. Mr. Speaker, today we are given an opportunity to edge ever closer to the accomplishment of these goals. Today we have an opportunity to positively impact the lives of countless human beings worldwide by recommitting ourselves to fighting and eliminating a great threat to our international security, and that is the global AIDS pandemic. The bill before us reauthorizes the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003. Before this bill was enacted, known as PEPFAR, only 55,000 people living in sub-Saharan Africa were receiving life-saving treatment, but according to the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, through PEPFAR, the United States now has supported treatment for 1.68 million people in Africa and 1.73 million people worldwide. Further, the United States has provided prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services for women enduring nearly 12.7 million pregnancies. We have also prevented an estimated 194,000 infant infections. We have supported care for more than 6.6 million people in need, including more than 2.7 million orphans and vulnerable children. We have supported over 33 million counseling and testing sessions to date for men, women, and children. These successes are truly remarkable and serve as a testament that all can be accomplished when Members from the House and the Senate on both sides of the aisle work together to find solutions to one of the world's most pressing challenges. The 2008 reauthorization seeks to consolidate and advance the successes of the past 5 years by providing the funding and the framework to transform this from an emergency program to a sustainable program. It stands as a noble legacy of the late Henry J. Hyde and Tom Lantos who spearheaded this mission of mercy 5 years ago, and I am proud that the bill bears their names. The stakes for this initiative, Mr. Speaker, are higher than ever. Despite the best efforts of responsible nations to confront the global AIDS pandemic, there are now over 33 million people around the world living with this disease. An estimated 7,000 new infections occur every day. In its wake, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is leaving a trail of poverty, of despondency, of death, which has destabilized societies and undermined the security of entire regions. Our former House colleague and current ambassador to Tanzania, the Honorable Mark Green, wrote to me highlighting the threat that HIV/AIDS poses to the security of our country. And he said, ``In tearing apart the social fabric and leaving a generation of orphans, the scourge of HIV/AIDS could create a long-term breeding ground for radicalism.'' So it is therefore incumbent upon us, Mr. Speaker, to advance this critical program which not only saves lives and exemplifies the generous humanitarian nature of the American people, but it also helps to preserve our national security. It is important to note that even in the most remote areas of Kenya or Haiti, for example, people know about the PEPFAR program. They know from where the test kits, the medicines, and other life-saving support is coming. They recognize the leadership and the resources that the United States has provided in an effort to fight this deadly disease, and they are deeply appreciative. This is not just a health program. This is a public diplomacy program as well, and it has greatly enhanced global understanding of the true nature and the essence of the American people at a critical time in our Nation's history. We have led by example, and our success has been measured in human lives saved. Now, the House has debated and adopted this bill by an overwhelming margin in April of this year. This House text was the product of a bipartisan compromise that preserved the spirit of the 2003 Act while balancing a number of congressional imperatives. Just as in the House, our Senate colleagues sought to produce legislation that would capitalize and expand upon the success of the energy plan while maintaining the bipartisan political consensus that has guided this program from its inception. After 3 months of negotiations, the amendment before us was approved in the Senate by a margin of 80-16, demonstrating the strong bipartisan commitment of the Senate of their own carefully constructed compromise. The Senate amendment contains numerous modifications to the text approved by the House in April. It reduces the authorization of HIV/ AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs from $50 billion to $48 billion. It allows for a gradual increase of resources over time rather than authorizing $10 billion for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013. It requires more than half of all funding appropriated for bilateral HIV/AIDS assistance be expended for treatment and care. It replaces the hard target for treatment with a sliding scale whereby the treatment target will increase over $3 million in direct proportion to increased appropriations. And further, it authorizes the use of compacts as further vehicles for HIV/AIDS assistance in an effort to promote sustainability. Mr. Speaker, the Senate amendment preserves and strengthens other critical provisions that were at the heart of the House compromise overwhelmingly adopted in April. For example, it corrects an unintended omission by including care under the conscience clause which allows faith-based organizations to disassociate themselves from any program or activity to which they have a religious or moral objection. Also, it amends the abstinence and fidelity language contained in section 403 by striking behavior change programs including abstinence and fidelity, and inserting activities promoting abstinence and fidelity. This modification provides clarity to the compromise reached in the House last spring. The Senate amendment also includes two provisions that have raised some concern, including the establishment of a $2 billion emergency plan for Indian safety and health, and the lifting of certain restrictions under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The first provision, the Indian Safety and Health title of the Senate amendment initially raised concerns about mandatory spending and unfunded mandates. However, the Congressional Budget Office has verified that the language in question is an authorization and does not have implications for direct spending. It also bears mentioning that the health programs will be implemented through the Indian Health Service which is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Health and Human Services. With respect to the second item, Mr. Speaker, lifting the ban is largely symbolic because the authority to waive the restriction already exists and is routinely exercised, albeit on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, an alien with HIV would still be inadmissible under current HHS recommendations on communicable diseases of public health significance, and this would continue to be the case until and unless the regulations are changed. The Senate amendment includes offsets for the estimated additional costs involved with the processing of these new visas. Throughout this process, Members on both sides of the aisle have been forced to make difficult choices to arrive at a consensus that carefully balances U.S. priorities and the range of congressional concerns. The challenges have been great and at times have seemed insurmountable. But a failure to act now would imperil our ability to provide life-saving support to millions of people in need around the world and will ultimately undermine what is arguably the most successful United States foreign assistance and public diplomacy program today. We have been given a unique opportunity to help make the world a better place for those who have been victimized by the AIDS pandemic while simultaneously enhancing our own Nation's security. I urge my colleagues to support the Senate amendment to the Tom Lantos and Henry Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 so that this bill can be signed by the President without further delay and we can get to work on saving even more lives. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield myself the balance of my time. I believe that PEPFAR is the most successful example of American foreign assistance since the Marshall Plan. Just as the Marshall Plan protected American lives by helping to stabilize a continent ravaged by war, PEPFAR is protecting American lives today by helping to stabilize a continent ravaged by disease. More than just express American compassion, PEPFAR also protects American security. Let us give our strong support to H.R. 5501. In closing, I would like to thank the following staff members of our Foreign Affairs Committee who have dedicated many long hours to ensuring that this bill is signed into law and we can continue U.S. efforts to save lives. For the majority, Dr. Bob King, Peter Yeo, Dr. Pearl Alice Marsh, David Abramowitz and Kristin Wells. On our side, the Republican side, Joan Condon, Mark Gage, Doug Anderson, Sarah Kiko, Sam Stratman, Sheri Rickert, and our fabulous GOP staff director, Dr. Yleem Poblete. Thank you so much. Mr. Speaker, I hope that our colleagues will see the meritorious nature of this proposal, because the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a significant threat to global health. It's also a leading threat to global stability. We can help fill this void. We can help stabilize the continent. We can help save lives by passing this bill today and sending it to the President's desk. As soon as tomorrow, we can have it on the President's desk and have a bill signed by next week. We are in a position where we can make a difference, because this virus is killing millions of people in the prime of life. These are parents. These are teachers. These are government officials, public health workers and military officers, people who hold the fabric of life together for their community. We have an opportunity to rise to the challenge, pass this bill and save their lives and save a generation of lives around the world. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, the illegal Turkish occupation of the northern region of the sovereign state of Cyprus began 34 years ago, and continues to this day. It must end, and Turkey must remove its forces from Cyprus' territory. Very commendable efforts are underway by the Cypriot government to achieve a reunification of Cyprus. Meetings are being held with the designated representative for the Turkish Cypriot community to discuss ways to create a federal structure that will ensure the rights and freedoms of all the people of Cyprus. But, just as the continued illegal occupation of northern Cyprus has to end, Turkey has to play a constructive role in supporting the talks on reunification. In that regard, it is simply not helpful to have Turkish military displays in northern Cyprus, marking the anniversary of the occupation, as took place this past weekend. It is time for the barricades to come down, for the people who had been forced from their homes decades ago to return, for those who remain missing from the time of the invasion to be accounted for, and for freedom and economic prosperity to be allowed to spread across the beautiful island-country of Cyprus. I note the anniversary of the Turkish military invasion of Cyprus with great disappointment that the Turkish military continues its illegal occupation. But I remain hopeful that the voices that are calling for peace and reunification of Cyprus will be heard and will prevail. Just as the ongoing talks have already led to the reopening of Ledra Street, a key thoroughfare in Nicosia that had been closed for over 40 years, those talks can lead to reunification of all of Cyprus itself, if Turkey takes steps that will support that.