Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a wonderful organization in my home State and district in Florida, the Miami Medical Team Foundation, M.M.T.F. The M.M.T.F. is celebrating their 25th year as a local organization with worldwide significance and deserves more than a moment of recognition for their service. The Miami Medical Team Foundation is a group of wonderful people that have formed a nonprofit, humanitarian, self-supported organization whose goals are the improvement of the sanitary and medical conditions in Third World countries. The M.M.T.F. is composed at its core by medical doctors of all specialties, but as well, nurses, physical therapists, medical technicians, and Pharmacists. Founded in the early 1980s when refugees began piling in the borders between Nicaragua and Honduras, the group has since been involved in many different scenarios of tragedy in five continents of our planet, providing assistance to a total of 19 countries and makes available medical and surgical teams and the shipping of donated medicine and medical equipment. Members of the M.M.T.F. have always covered the costs of each and every humanitarian operation they embark on. With the strong leadership of their president, Dr. Manuel A. Alzugaray, they have seen their efforts put to amazing use. Manuel is a dedicated individual with a professionalism that can not be easily matched. I know that it will he with his guidance that the M.M.T.F. will continue to play a vital role in making sure the world's most disadvantaged populations receive the timely care that they so desperately deserve. Again, I praise the Miami Medical Team Foundation for all their successful initiatives across the globe and moreover, I commend them for their willingness to operate as a financially independent organization that could not exist without its members' dedication to the noble principles that they hold so dear. For all that the Miami Medical Team Foundation has done in support of their global humanitarian mission, and will certainly continue to do, I thank them so very much.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, extending the existing Andean Trade Preference Act for Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador through 2008 is a necessary measure, but one that only goes halfway. It cannot substitute for passage of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which is of central importance in defending critical U.S. strategic interests in the region. Colombia has been an indispensable ally in the fight to keep drugs off American streets, and it has successfully battled armies of narcoterrorists even as it has consolidated its democracy. It is a steadfast partner in an increasingly unstable region where enemies of the United States and strategic competitors are making rapid advances. But the strongest argument for the Colombian Free Trade Agreement is that although it would benefit Colombia enormously, it would benefit the United States even more. Those opposed to the Colombia FTA do not understand that the existing trade preferences give Colombian businesses easy access to U.S. markets but do nothing about giving U.S. businesses greater access to Colombia's markets. Madam Speaker, only the free trade agreement can do that. Let us pass it soon.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am proud to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) to share her thoughts about our beloved friend, Tom Lantos.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, we will continue to reserve for two more speakers, and then we'll recognize Mr. Shays.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. Hunter, a member of the California delegation who worked so closely with Chairman Lantos on a range of issues.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), a member of our Foreign Affairs Committee, and someone who worked so closely with Chairman Lantos on human rights issues worldwide.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As we gather in this hallowed place to honor the life and work of our beloved colleague, Tom Lantos, our sorrow at news of his death is tempered by our admiration for his extraordinary contributions to our great country. An unfailingly gracious and courageous man, Tom was recognized by colleagues as a leader who left an enviable legacy of service to our country. We were fortunate indeed to have known him. Annette and the entire Lantos family have our heartfelt condolences. Tom and Annette's heroic journey to America through extraordinary adversity is well known to us all and is the topic perhaps for a future biographer who can adequately capture the tenor of life under the oppressive yolk of fascism during those terrible times more than half a century ago. Tom's unsurpassed work as a champion of human rights and for human dignity cannot be separated from his fiery trials through which he passed as a young man. His life bears witness to the endurance of the human spirit. As a colleague, Tom enjoyed the respect of his peers across the political spectrum, because all of us admired him as an ardent American patriot. During our many meetings together, when we met with foreign leaders here and abroad, his love of country was always evident. He understood an old truth that all of us would do well to relearn: united we stand, and divided we fall. To be sure, Tom could be a vehement critic of an administration policy during House debate. But he would not hesitate to remind a visiting group of European parliamentarians to temper their criticism of U.S. policy or risk being labeled as hypocrites for their feeble resistance to genocide at Auschwitz or at modern-day death camps in Sudan. His defense of the national security policies would surprise and perhaps rankle some, but not those of us who knew Tom as an unbeatable foe of Communist tyranny. All of us here tonight have so many stories to share about Tom, about his life with Annette, and his vital work; and we will surely honor him in the months ahead in other appropriate ways. It is fitting, though, that we honor the life of this great patriot, for it was his work and his life that enriched us. So tonight, rather than merely mourn his passing, let us thank God that Tom lived among us and left such a strong legacy for us to follow. I often said to Tom before our committee hearings that it was a great testament to a wonderful Nation that two naturalized citizens, witnesses to the evils of communism and oppression, would serve as chairman and ranking member of the committee charged with developing and overseeing our foreign policy efforts. And I cannot fully explain to Tom and his family my deep gratitude to Tom for his service and for his dedication. And, Annette, our prayers are with you and your family. And how odd to say, as Mr. Hoyer pointed out, how odd to say ``Annette'' without saying ``Tom and Annette,'' for they were a unit. Thank you, Tom. Godspeed, my friend. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, this side has no further requests for time, and I would like to offer our remaining time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Shays from Connecticut, a former member of our Peace Corps, who served, along with his wife, a good team, just like Tom and Annette, and who shared Tom's faith in the human spirit, and a fighter for human rights as well.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a wonderful organization in my State of Florida, the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB). FAASB has an honorable mission to serve as a united voice and be the organizational support empowering private agencies serving Floridians with blindness and visual impairment to provide state of the art professional vision rehabilitation services which enhance the quality of individual and community life. I would like to praise FAASB for its successful initiative to create the first-ever state license plate benefiting the blind. Additionally, I must commend them for creating a vision caucus in the Florida State Legislature, similar to the Congressional Vision Caucus, which I cochair. This State Vision Caucus will educate members of the State Legislature so they comprehend the scope of eye problems in our country and will ensure adequate resources are directed towards the research, prevention and treatment of eye disease. FAASB has also created an annual Florida Vision Summit, where they look to create a statewide vision strategy to raise awareness about the increasing number of Americans with vision loss and provide better understanding of the importance of necessary steps to preserve and protect eyesight. Once again, I would like to thank FAASB for their continued commitment to prevention, better eye care, and services to those who already live with low vision and blindness. I congratulate them on their achievement and service to the community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, the critical national security challenges the U.S. faces throughout the Western Hemisphere demand our support of strong allies, like Colombia, in the region. The historic ties between the U.S. and Colombia have only deepened in recent years as our cooperative efforts to surmount security, economic and social concerns have intensified. With this in mind, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Captain Hernando Wills on the occasion of his promotion to Rear Admiral of the Colombian National Navy. The following excerpts from Colombian Ambassador Carolina Barco's remarks highlight the significance that Rear Admiral Wills' promotion holds for the U.S.-Colombia relationship. The relations between the United States and Colombia are not only their oldest in this continent, they also reflect a great understanding between our nations. Our relations encompass important historical events, such as the deployment in 1951 of the frigate Almirante Padilla and the Batallon Colombia to fight for democracy in Korea alongside U.S. Forces. Colombia was the only Latin American country to deploy troops in that multinational force, which cost the lives of 146 countrymen, with 69 missing and 448 wounded in combat. The participation of our soldiers in the peace keeping forces at the Suez Canal in 1956, the deployment of the Batallon Colombia since 1982 with the peace forces in the Sinai Peninsula, and innumerable episodes, give faith to the integration of our peoples under the flags of democracy and respect for human dignity. I want to highlight this year as particularly fruitful for the joint work of the Navies of Colombia and the United States: their participation in important exercises such as UNITAS and PANAMAX, the first focused on standardizing procedures among the navies of the hemisphere and to maintain a level of training that will permit a joint defense of this continent, and the second with the purpose of organizing a defense of the Panama Canal. Because of the nature of our peoples, military action goes beyond defense, successfully engaging in humanitarian endeavors, such as the deployment of the U.S. Navy's hospital ship Comfort to the Colombian coast providing medical attention to thousands of beneficiaries, and the joint participation of Colombia in the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South in Key West, and the engagement of Colombian river operations' experts training U.S. Navy personnel for their future responsibilities in Afghanistan. For all the aforementioned, the decision of the Colombian Government to promote Captain Hernando Wills to the rank of Rear Admiral is not an isolated event: it compliments the experiences of an inured sailor with the doctrine of National Defense University to defeat narco-terrorism, strengthen democracy, and return to Colombians the possibilities of development in peace, under the mandate of profound respect for human dignity clearly stated in the National Constitution.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this resolution condemns the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to assist the people of Pakistan in combating terrorist activity and promoting a free and democratic Pakistan. I would like to commend the author Mr. Ackerman and the distinguished chairman of our committee Mr. Lantos for their leadership in introducing this timely resolution. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of the United States and the Congress, this resolution expresses our sympathy for the people of Pakistan on the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto last December 27. It should be noted that, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, both the President and Secretary of State Rice immediately extended condolences to the Bhutto family and the family of others who were killed and wounded on that horrible day. And, as so many observers have noted, Ms. Bhutto's death is a great loss to Pakistan. As Secretary Rice stated, she was a woman of great courage with an impressive commitment to democracy and to the future of Pakistan itself. Madam Speaker, as President Bush has emphasized, the perpetrators of this terrible crime must be brought to justice. In this regard, the Congress joins with the administration in welcoming the government of Pakistan's decision to accept British assistance to the investigation into Ms. Bhutto's death. We all hope that their actions to ensure a credible and transparent investigation of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Bhutto's death will help to restore calm, contribute to the conditions needed for a free and fair election to take place, and bring the perpetrators of her death to justice. The assassination of the former Prime Minister and the apparent attempt to destabilize Pakistan remind us again how consequential this relationship is to American national interests and our own homeland security. It is vital that we continue to seek to forge an enduring relationship and partnership with a democratic, stable, and prosperous Pakistan that remains a strong partner in the campaign against Islamic militants and which maintains responsible control over its nuclear weapons technology. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) be permitted to manage the remainder of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. With that, I urge support for the resolution and reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Bachus and Mr. Frank for their leadership on this critical issue. And I am proud to rise in strong support of the bill before us, Senate bill 2271, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act. The timing of this bill is critical, Mr. Speaker, because as we speak, the United Nations is engaged in yet another effort to convince the regime in Khartoum to stop its foot-dragging and finally facilitate the deployment of a robust United Nations-African Union hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur. It has been 4 months since this force was approved by the United Nations Security Council, 4 months. And according to the timeline set by Security Council Resolution 1769, the hybrid mission is expected to take over full operational control from the overextended and underresourced African Union peacekeeping mission at the end of this month. But here we are more than halfway through this month, and the chances of this happening appear bleaker than ever. True to form, Khartoum has reneged on its promises and effectively blocked international efforts to get a credible peacekeeping mission deployed to Darfur. First, they rejected the deployment of non-African forces into Darfur. Then they failed to provide land for bases. Then they imposed onerous restrictions on air travel for the mission. And, finally, they resorted to impounding critical U.N. communications equipment and insisted that they have the right to jam the peacekeeping mission's communications for what they called ``security purposes.'' Never before have I seen a country being given ostensibly a veto over the selection of peacekeeping troops to be deployed pursuant to a binding chapter 7 resolution. Never before have I encountered a regime with the audacity to suggest that it has the right to jam U.N. communications so that it can continue conducting attacks in violation of a cease-fire agreement against the very people the peacekeeping mission has been sent to protect. This is completely unacceptable. In response to the Khartoum regime's continued games, the United States representative to the U.N. has once again referenced the need for the imposition of broader Security Council sanctions against Sudan. This is a welcome development, and I urge all members of the Security Council, including China, to follow suit and to finally impose crippling sanctions against the murderous regime in Khartoum. But given the inability of the U.N. to take effective action against Khartoum, I am not holding my breath. Instead, let's encourage our colleagues today to join us in an effort to inflict real financial pain upon the genocidal regime by supporting the bill before us, Senate bill 2271, the Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act. It allows State and local governments to divest from companies whose business dealings directly benefit Khartoum while providing safe harbor for fund managers who choose to divest. I thank Mr. Bachus and Mr. Frank again for their leadership on this issue, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important bill before us. General Leave

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry), a hardworking and esteemed member of our Foreign Affairs Committee.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor, I rise in favor of the bill before us, H.R. 3887, the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. This was introduced by the chairman of our committee, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lantos; and it remains one of the premier issues facing us today, Mr. Speaker. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It is a major source of revenue for international criminal syndicates, and it is a grave abuse against human dignity. Hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked across international borders every year. It is estimated that 80 percent of those are women, and half are children. Millions more are trafficked into sexual servitude and forced labor within their own countries. In Iran, children are trafficked into sexual slavery and forced into involuntary servitude as beggars and day laborers. In Syria, women trafficked from South and Southeast Asia are forced to work as domestic servants, and women from Eastern Europe and Iraq are forced into prostitution. In China, up to 90 percent of North Korean refugee women fall prey to traffickers who sell them into sexual slavery. In our own hemisphere, Mr. Speaker, Cuba has been shamefully promoted as a destination for sex tourism that exploits large numbers of Cuban children. The dehumanization and the brutality suffered by trafficking victims are nearly incomprehensible. I am proud that the Congress has helped turn this former non-issue into a priority for our United States Government and an issue, indeed, of international concern. The enactment of the original Trafficking Victims Protection Act 7 years ago was a watershed event. I want to commend the author of that act and the gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Chris Smith, whose leadership on these issues has been central to the progress that we have made so far. While there have been some signs of improvement, such as a larger number of countries that have enacted anti-trafficking legislation, other problems remain widespread. The number of countries, for example, listed in tier three, that is the most problematic category in the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons Report, has actually increased from 12 countries to 16 since last year. Some of the governments with the worst records, such as Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Venezuela, continue to resist making even basic efforts to protect vulnerable children and women. A number of problem countries like Russia and China sit on the tier two ``Watch List'' year after year after year without further consequences, even though that category was originally created as a warning that countries are about to slip into the tier three category. The bill before us today, Mr. Speaker, will not only reauthorize key aspects of prior trafficking legislation but it will also enhance our international anti-trafficking efforts, our domestic law enforcement and victim assistance activities, and efforts to fight the use of child soldiers worldwide. It will improve our Nation's victim-centered approach to fight human trafficking by strengthening each of the so- called ``Three P's,'' prevention, protection, prosecution. I want to commend the author of this bill again, Mr. Speaker, Chairman Lantos, and my fellow cosponsors for the perseverance and the compromise that they have invested in ensuring that this bill receive wide bipartisan support throughout consideration by the three committees of jurisdiction: Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce. The revised text before us today also has been endorsed by an impressively broad array of organizations and experts from across the political spectrum. The William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2007 is a vital weapon in our fight against the heartbreaking scourge of human trafficking, and it deserves our full support. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren), an esteemed member of the Judiciary Committee.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the author of the original Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) control the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Drake).

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, this year, members of the conservation community, Keys residents, and nature enthusiasts celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Key Deer Refuge. This federally protected area is home to the imperiled tropical hardwood hammock and 22 endangered and threatened species of plants and animals, five of which are found nowhere else on the planet. As the Member of Congress representing all four of the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges, I am well aware of the vital role these refuges play in preserving our natural habitats, promoting scientific research and technology, and educating our communities as to the importance of conserving endangered and threatened fish, wildlife and plants. Of the endangered and threatened species in the area, the Key Deer have tremendously benefited from the creation of the Refuge. Thanks largely to the incredible efforts of local leaders, volunteers, and the dedicated Refuge staff--especially Jack Watson and Anne Morkill--the Key Deer population has been rescued from almost certain extinction. While much has been accomplished in the last 50 years, a great task still lies ahead. The call to protect our natural habitats should be a responsibility shared by all members of our community. The Refuge's new administration building a structure rebuilt following the devastating storms of 2005--will play an important role in further educating the public as to the importance of this area to our Keys ecosystem but our global ecology, as well. I look forward to working with you all to accomplish yet another successful 50 years of wildlife conservation on the National Key Deer Refuge. By working together, we can ensure that our Refuge remains a staple of Keys conservation efforts and an area for future generations to explore and enjoy.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank the gentleman from California for the time. I am extremely pleased, Mr. Speaker, that we are considering the Peru Free Trade Agreement tonight. The decision to move forward with legislation that expands our commercial relations with Peru signals the importance that this agreement holds for U.S. economic and security interests in the Andean region and, in fact, in Latin America as a whole. The benefits to both of our countries are significant. By removing barriers on our exports to Peru, this agreement will add $2.1 billion per year to our U.S. economy. The positive impact will be felt across the country. With almost one-fifth of the total bilateral merchandise trade between the U.S. and Peru moving through my home State of Florida, I know firsthand the importance of this agreement for our home State economies and our constituents. Within the first year of the agreement's implementation, Florida's total economic output is estimated to rise by $143 million and total earnings for Florida's workers are estimated to be $35 million higher than in the absence of this free trade agreement. The benefits that Peru currently enjoys under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act only stand to multiply under passage of this FTA. By enhancing these opportunities for economic growth via the free trade agreement, the U.S. is strengthening legal economies that provide viable alternatives to illicit drug production. More than mere trade deals, these agreements are a major factor in defining the future of U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere and our commitment to a strong, stable, democratic neighbor. Therefore, although we are focused tonight, Mr. Speaker, on the agreement with Peru, we cannot lose sight of its importance within the broader regional context of the pending agreements with Colombia and Panama. For example, recent studies show that if the Colombian Free Trade Agreement is not approved and those with Peru and Panama are, Colombia's GDP will be hurt by over 2 percent. Reinforcing Colombia's economy is a prerequisite to its ability to continue to fight the drug lords and the FARC terrorists. President Uribe of Colombia has committed himself and his country to the principles of a secure, more democratic society amidst a growing tide of authoritarian regimes in the region. And there will be a significant cost to the American economy from the failure to approve the Colombian Free Trade Agreement. Over 600,000 jobs in the United States are estimated to depend on exports to Colombia, jobs that will be put at risk if that trade agreement is not approved. Each of the trade agreements is an important element in our twin goals of ensuring our continued economic growth and reinforcing our allies in the region. I strongly support passage of this bipartisan agreement, and I urge my colleagues to do as well.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 747, which recognizes the significance of the festival of Diwali. I want to extend my appreciation to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson) for his leadership on this issue and so many issues that are affecting U.S. relations with India and Indian Americans. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues know because of our previous speaker, Diwali is a major, multi-cultural festival celebrated in India and everywhere around the world. Although often referred to as a Hindu festival, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists also observe it. Known as the Festival of Lights, it symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. Diwali is celebrated for 5 consecutive days in October or November, and it is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals in India. This celebration presents all of us with the opportunity to reflect on the many ways in which people, history and traditions of India, and elsewhere in South Asia, have contributed to the rich cultural mosaic that is the United States of America. It also reminds us again that America's extraordinary diversity is one of our Nation's most enduring strengths. I was proud to sponsor a similar resolution in the 109th Congress, House Resolution 584, which also recognizes the significance of this important festival of Diwali. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend Ms. DeLauro for introducing this resolution.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of the resolution by my good friend, Ms. DeLauro, H. Resolution 726, which calls on the international community to take immediate steps to respond to and to halt acts of rape and sexual violence, all of which are occurring in Darfur, eastern Chad, and the Central African Republic. I would like to thank the chairman of our committee, Mr. Lantos; and, of course, the lead sponsor, my friend Ms. DeLauro for their flexibility in accommodating concerns raised prior to the introduction and then during the committee consideration with regard to nonessential health issues and the International Criminal Court. With those issues addressed in the amendment before us, we now have a strong resolution that effectively focuses much-needed attention on the horrific reality that has befallen women and young girls in Darfur without contradicting our U.S. policy. Since the beginning of this conflict, Mr. Speaker, Sudanese Armed Forces, janjaweed militias, and other rebel factions have used rape as a weapon of war. Despite the conclusions of the Darfur Peace Agreement and the deployment of peacekeepers, these attacks have continued unabated. The pattern of rape and sexual violence is widespread and systematic, and it seems that no one is spared. Elderly women, pregnant mothers, even girls as young as 10 years of age have fallen victim to the rapist thugs who attack with immunity. This is a horrific practice that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I fully support efforts to provide essential health and psychosocial services to these women and girls as well as efforts to hold those responsible for such attacks accountable for their actions. I strongly support this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.