Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

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 would like to yield such time as he may consume to our Speaker, Speaker Hastert, the gentleman from Illinois.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, with this week being Olympic Week in America in our Nation's elementary schools, there is no better time for us to extend our congratulations to the City of Chicago for being selected to represent the United States in the competition to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. Chicago is a world-class city, known for its culture, history, people and love of sports, and pizza, and the Bears and the Bulls. In addition, it boasts renowned architecture and a significant transportation infrastructure and numerous venue options for major events such as the Olympic games. This is the first step in the international process whereby the final selection for the site of the games will be made in October 2009. Chicago's likely rivals in the 2016 competitions include Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Tokyo, Madrid and Prague. Other than Miami, of course, I can think of no better city to represent the United States of America in its bid for the Olympics games than Chicago. With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, thank you for bringing up this important resolution to this floor today. And I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 272, which recognizes the historical significance of the abolition of transatlantic slave trade. It respects the memory of those who perished as a result of slavery. It supports preservation of related historical documents, and it urges greater education about this sad period in history for both current and future generations. While addressing the Community of Democracies' opening plenary in Chile on April 29, 2005, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated: ``We at the Community of Democracies must use the power of our shared ideals to accelerate democracy's movement to ever more places around the globe. We must usher in an era of democracy that thinks of tyranny as we thought of slavery today: a moral abomination that could not withstand the natural desire of every human being for a life of liberty and of dignity.'' While Secretary Rice's remarks were specifically on the promotion of democracy around the world, she reminded us of a very unsettling fact. Even 200 years after the abolition of the slave trade in the United Kingdom and nearly 145 years after the Emancipation Proclamation in our United States, slavery still exists in the modern world. It exists through tyranny. It exists through oppression. It exists where human rights and freedom are systematically repressed. Secretary Rice's statement serves as a call to action for those of us who would seek to break the shackles of tyranny and promote human dignity around the world. I appreciate the bipartisan fashion by which we have sought to heed the Secretary's call and to recognize the significance of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, as evidenced by our consideration today of both this resolution by the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Lee) and House Resolution 158, offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Pitts). Collectively, these resolutions remind us of the courage and the fortitude of those who came before us to fight the scourge of slavery, while helping us come to terms with our own shameful past. I believe that there would be no better way to respect the memory of those forced to suffer under the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade, or to honor those who dedicated themselves to its abolition, than to stand together today in a bipartisan fashion and publicly recommit ourselves to the eradication of slavery and the promotion of human rights around the world. Madam Speaker, I again thank you for bringing this important resolution to the floor. Madam Speaker, because I know that the gentleman from New Jersey and the gentlewoman from California have many speakers on their side, except for the 2 minutes that I would like to yield to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) to comment on this important resolution, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), and I ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for the time. At this difficult moment and in previous difficult moments in our Nation's history, there have always been those ready to declare that all was lost. Now we hear the voices of those proclaiming that the war against Islamic extremists in Iraq is lost. They say they support the troops, but the soldier cannot be separated from his mission. When I consider the Parsons brothers from my congressional district, I know that our country has immense resources of courage and determination on which to draw. Huber Parsons was with the 101st Airborne for two long deployments in Iraq, and is currently on his third in Iraq with the Army Stryker Brigade. His twin, Bill, has served two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq. Their little brother, Charlie Parsons, is on his first deployment to Iraq. All three are serving in Baghdad right now, all three proud graduates of West Point. Given the sacrifices and bravery of the Parsons brothers and all of the men and women serving our Nation in Iraq, we must not put them at risk by mandating artificial deadlines for withdrawal and surrender. The consequences for our troops is a personal one for me. My stepson Doug and my daughter-in-law Lindsay both served in Iraq as marine fighter pilots, and Lindsay is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Last time I spoke on the floor, I said Lindsay was about to be deployed. Well, she is there now, we are proud of her service. We are proud of all of the men and women serving our Nation wearing our Nation's uniform. Imposing an artificial, arbitrary deadline for withdrawal of our forces before Iraq is stable and secure will give the insurgents and the Islamic terrorists a road map, a how-to guide on how to defeat the U.S., our Iraqi partners and other coalition forces in Iraq. Let's help the Parsons brothers. Let's help all of our troops. Vote against the rule and against the conference report.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I thank the gentleman from California for the time. Mr. Speaker, whether or not some choose to acknowledge it, we are at war with militant Islamists who seek our destruction. Yet some on the other side of the aisle today announced that the war is lost in Iraq. This comment shows little understanding of the ability and the determination of our men and women in the Armed Forces. Naysayers and those who doubt our Nation's ability to prevail over evil have existed throughout the centuries, and it appears that there are those who doubt the ability of this century's greatest generation to defeat these Islamist militant extremists operating in Iraq. Our mission is just. The soldier cannot be separated from his mission. All I have to do is look to the inspiration of the Parsons brothers from my congressional district, who are serving in Iraq. They know that we must and indeed we can succeed. Huber Parsons was with the 101st Airborne for two long Iraq deployments. He is currently on his third deployment with the Army Stryker Brigade. His twin brother, Bill, has served two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq. And their little brother, Charlie, is on his first deployment in Iraq. All three brothers are deployed in Iraq right now. I ask for the Parsons brothers and for all of our brave men and women serving our Nation in Iraq that we not put them at increased risk with these arbitrary, artificial deadlines. My stepson, Douglas, and my daughter-in-law, Lindsay, both served in Iraq as Marine fighter pilots, and tomorrow Lindsay will be deploying to Afghanistan to continue her military service. Arbitrary deadlines and the consequences of retreating and failure are personal issues for me. Establishing arbitrary deadlines for withdrawal of our forces before Iraq is stable and secure gives the insurgents, as well as the Islamic extremist terrorists, a roadmap, a how-to guide, on how to defeat the United States, our Iraqi partners and other coalition forces in Iraq. Our troops understand this. Our enemies understand this. Our allies understand it; we must as well. We met with Egyptian leader Mubarak just 2 weeks ago in a bipartisan congressional delegation, and this is what he told us: ``Withdrawing from Iraq without creating stability will mean that the U.S. will suffer and all of us in the region will suffer. I know how these terrorists think,'' Mubarak said to us, ``and they will come after you and then come after us.'' He continued by saying, ``The way to control Iran is for the U.S. to succeed in stabilizing Iraq. Withdrawal of your forces in Iraq without making Iraq stable will strengthen Iran and will cause you harm and will cause all of us harm.'' Mr. Speaker, we either stand now against the Islamic militant jihadists operating in Iraq or have these militants continue to threaten our men and women fighting the forces that seek our destruction. We cannot leave our troops serving in Iraq or anywhere else vulnerable to the whims of armchair generals in Congress. Support our troops. Reject this motion.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the former Chair of the Africa Subcommittee, now the ranking member, Mr. Smith of New Jersey.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am very pleased to be an original cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 100, authored by the esteemed Chair of our Foreign Affairs Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). And this resolution, Madam Speaker, condemns the Government of Zimbabwe for its latest assault against political freedom and human rights in that country. Once hailed by some as a liberator, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe has been exposed as a tyrant and a thug. Under his authoritarian rule, Zimbabwe boasts the highest rate of inflation in the world, currently standing at an estimated 3,000 percent. Formal sector unemployment stands at 80 percent. Literacy rates are declining, and life expectancy has plummeted to 38 years. Thirty-eight years is the life expectancy in that country. Large scale commercial farming has been effectively destroyed by a disastrous land reform program which ultimately displaced poor black farmers in favor of political cronies, and acute food shortages which have since left Zimbabweans dependent on international food aid. The very same party that emerged from a hard-fought struggle for majority rule, shouting slogans of equality and justice, has now taken to arresting, to beating and to intimidating anyone who dares to challenge its policies. It is clear that, absent meaningful corrective measures, Mugabe's legacy will be defined by his responsibility for the ruinous policies and draconian laws that have brought untold suffering to his people and the near collapse of Zimbabwe as a nation. Rather than address the underlying inequities that have driven Zimbabwe to economic and political ruin, Mugabe prefers to engage in soapbox demagoguery and espouse conspiracy theories of Western imperialism. He interferes with the work of nongovernmental organizations that are attempting to aid Zimbabweans in need. He harasses, he threatens foreign diplomats, and he even revokes the visas of congressional staffers from our Foreign Affairs Committee attempting to travel to the region to get a clear understanding of what is happening in Zimbabwe. Mugabe thumbs his nose at Western nations that condemn his assault on basic human rights, particularly those who appear committed to helping Zimbabwe realize its potential through true democratic reform. Zimbabwe's neighbors and the African Union should take proactive measures to help resolve this crisis, including by pressing the Mugabe regime to immediately halt its brutal crackdown, to release political prisoners, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition and with civil society. The President of Zambia already has stepped up to the plate in this regard, and South Africa would be well advised to follow suit. I thank the gentleman from California again, our chairman of our Foreign Affairs Committee, for introducing this very important and timely resolution. And I urge the full support of our House. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 196, which expresses the support of this House for the goals and ideals associated with World Water Day. The lack of access to safe drinking water and the lack of adequate sanitation systems continue to be major problems for poor people around the world despite our strong efforts over many decades to help address those challenges. The lack of clean water and sanitation systems in many parts of the world lead to the spread of disease and to the deaths that might otherwise have been avoided and undermines the efforts we take to assist poor people around the world as they seek a better life. Madam Speaker, I just got back last week from a heart-wrenching trip to Darfur, and we saw firsthand how important a resource water is to so many people. We saw, by visiting the clinics, how many people are afflicted with the diseases that are borne because of the water that is not pure, that is not sanitized and that is, in fact, full of bacteria. I understand how important it is to support the goals and ideals of this resolution before us commemorating World Water Day. In addition to sanitation and access to clean water, the conservation of water resources is, itself, an increasing challenge around the world. Conservation of drinking water will, in fact, remain even a greater challenge in the near future as mankind's population continues to expand and the demand for fresh, clean water increases. In calling for the appropriate Departments and agencies of the United States Government to increase our efforts to support access to clean water, availability of sanitation systems and conservation of water, this resolution properly cites the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005 enacted in the last Congress, which called for a greater focus on the objectives that are associated with World Water Day. This resolution rightfully seeks to highlight this global problem encouraging all of us to observe World Water Day every year on March 22. I support the intent of this resolution and its adoption by this House. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I am now pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), who is the former chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment, and representing a district that surrounds Knoxville and includes Knoxville, who passed a resolution supporting the ideals of the issue before us.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, as always, it is a delight and a joy to work with our chairman, Tom Lantos of California. And I join him as an original co- sponsor of The American Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007. The American Red Cross, as Mr. Lantos has pointed out, is an institution with a unique status. It has been assigned the responsibility by Congress of fulfilling the obligations of the United States under the Geneva Convention for carrying out peacetime and disaster relief functions. This obligation has not been a small undertaking. The Red Cross has been helping victims of war and natural disasters since its founding in 1881. As a Member of Congress from Florida's 18th District, I am well aware of the great job, the amazing efforts of Red Cross as an organization made up of volunteers, and in the way that they have responded to numerous hurricanes in my State and tropical storms. And so on behalf of the residents of my district and my State, thank you to the Red Cross and its many volunteers. And it is precisely because of this, Madam Speaker, I applaud the Red Cross for the hard work that it has done to review its internal governance structures and proposed changes to its charter that will make it an even stronger organization so they can help more people that will reform the organization and take it into its next century of service. I am pleased that the Red Cross was willing to accept additional significant proposed changes that will provide even more accountability and transparency in the manner in which it will report its findings regarding audits and investigations to the general public. In the future, Madam Speaker, anyone will be able to log on to the Red Cross Web site and view the results of its finding for audits and investigations that are conducted by the ombudsman's office. This act alone will provide even further assurances necessary for the American public to feel confident that the Red Cross handles donations with the utmost care. I urge my colleagues to unanimously support H.R. 1681. And I thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, today we rise to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the founding of an organization truly worthy of the praise of this body and of our Nation. The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, AHEPA, was founded to embrace ideals which are prized by the United States and Greece both individually and jointly. The Greek American community seeks to embody the principles of AHEPA's mission, most notably: freedom from bigotry and discrimination, philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence through community service. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that the Greek-American community is represented by an organization of the caliber and effectiveness of AHEPA. AHEPA has done much over the years to strengthen and support our Nation domestically and to further our interests internationally--from providing dignified affordable senior housing at home, to encouraging a more stable Eastern Mediterranean and a stronger EU. I encourage my colleagues to join me in strong support of this resolution commemorating the 85th anniversary of the founding of AHEPA and recognizing the significant contributions of Greek-Americans to the United States.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize someone who has contributed significantly to the growth of Miami for more than 30 years. Tibor Hollo is a wonderful man whose impact on South Florida can be seen from its skyline. Over the years, Florida East Coast Realty, which Mr. Hollo founded in 1952, has become an integral part of South Florida's development. Today's skyline surrounding Brickell Avenue and Miami's financial district can be attributed to Mr. Hollo's vision. In 1972, he constructed Brickell Avenue's first high-rise building, which today is surrounded by countless others. In the years since, downtown Miami has changed drastically, many of its improvements a result of Mr. Hollo's entrepreneurship. It came as no surprise when Mr. Hollo received the Miami Visionary Award; he took chances, seized opportunity, and was rewarded for his determination. Today, Mr. Hollo continues to be involved with many projects in South Florida. His company, Florida East Coast Realty, is celebrating its 55th Anniversary and continues to play a major role in South Florida's real estate market. Included among many noteworthy projects over the years has been the construction of two United States Treasury buildings and a United States Justice building. It was fitting that he constructed the first high-rise apartment building of this millennium, opening the Bay Parc Plaza in January of 2000. Miami is a city that will continue to grow and inspire us. I am grateful and proud of Mr. Hollo's accomplishments over the years. He has left a legacy others have pursued and will continue to follow for years to come. Miami's high-rise architecture is truly unique and sets it apart from so many other large metropolitan cities across this country. Once again, as a fellow South Floridian, I would like to recognize Mr. Hollo for his outstanding achievements.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a wonderful volunteer organization in my congressional district, Community Smiles/Dade County Dental Research Clinic. Community Smiles was established by a group of dedicated dentists in 1946 as the Dade County Dental Research Clinic. Their guiding principles are: to provide quality dental care, provide professional improvements and post-graduate education of dentists, and provide training to dental assistants for certification. Community Smiles is a non-profit, community center that treats indigent populations in need of care. This clinic is celebrating 60 years of committed volunteer service to Miami-Dade County, during which thousands of patients have been treated pro bono. A remarkable record! The service this prestigious organization provides is invaluable to our community. In 2006, more than 2,400 disadvantaged patients received services from 138 dentists, including major reconstructive treatment. As they begin this new year, they are ready and prepared to continue to provide an increasing number of patients with the best healthcare service possible. I would like especially to recognize the current president, Dr. Robert Perdomo, III, for his leadership and dedication, and the immediate past two Presidents, Dr. Armando Paz & Dr. Shari Witkoff. Their unwavering pursuit of excellence has been an inspiration to the entire organization. It is their passion, talent, and service to the community of South Florida that makes our lives richer and Florida stronger. Once again, I would like to thank Community Smiles/Dade County Dental Research Clinic for their continued commitment to the promotion of dental care. I congratulate Community Smiles on its achievement and service to the community.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Southeast Region of the Boys Town Jerusalem for their initiative to honor Alex Halberstein. I am very pleased that on March 28, 2007 we will express our respect and appreciation for the one of the most outstanding members of the Greater Miami Jewish community. More than 32 years ago, Alex Halberstein immigrated to the United States. He started working for the Pan Amco Finance Cooperation that is involved in transactions on behalf of Florida/Latin American importers and exporters. Following, he became the head of the International Division and Executive Vice President of Capital Bank. Alex is currently an International Bank Consultant. Throughout his career, Alex has always been active in community service. Alex gives much of his time and energy to enrich the lives of the members of our community. He serves as a member on the boards of the Jewish Community Services, Florida Friends of Hebrew University; Hillel Council and the greater Miami Jewish Federation. He also serves as a member of the National Executive Board and the Miami Dade County Executive board of AIPAC. In addition, Alex is the chairman of the Florida Congressional Committee, co-chair of the North Dade Campaign, chairman of the Latin America Migration Campaign and vice president of the international division of the Israel and Overseas, and Allocation Committee past treasurer and secretary. In addition to his tremendous service to our community, Alex also demonstrates a passionate commitment to make the lives of economically disadvantaged Israelis better and their futures brighter. By embracing the mission of the Boys Town Jerusalem Foundation, he enables many young Israelis to become leaders in the fields of technology, commerce, education, the military and public service. As Americans and citizens of humanity, we owe a debt of gratitude for his invaluable contributions to build a better future for our Nation and our world. Alex is leading an example for others in our community. He is a successful banker and a truly remarkable community leader. But above all else, Alex Halberstein is a wonderful human being. Without reservation, I support the Southeast Region of the Boys Town Jerusalem in recognizing the great honor being bestowed upon Alex Halberstein and wish him continued happiness in the future.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, the House is poised to vote on legislation that, if passed, will cripple our foreign policy for many years to come and place our troops and all American citizens in great danger. It is a bill that seeks to abandon the Iraqi people, that seeks to abandon our closest friends and allies in the Middle East, leaving them to fend for themselves against radical Islamic militant jihadists. It is a bill that provides a roadmap for the insurgents, giving them a detailed account of the benchmarks they need to focus on in order to ensure an American withdrawal from Iraq. Regardless of victory or failure, this bill demands withdrawal from Iraq. It demonstrates very little confidence in the ability of our troops to get the job done in Iraq and defeat the terrorists there. My stepson Doug and my daughter-in-law Lindsey have served proudly as marine fighter pilots in Iraq, and Lindsey will soon head back to another tour of duty in Iraq. They do not believe that you can separate the soldier from the mission. They do not believe that we have an option to simply walk away. Doug and Lindsey and many others like them do not want Congress to add to the burdens and the dangers that they face by legislating restrictions, deadlines and arbitrary instructions that only benefit the enemy. The obvious danger of this legislation has been demonstrated by the desperate measures that the majority has resorted to in order to overcome fierce resistance in their own caucus. An emergency war funding measure should not be used to pay for programs that benefit narrow, favored constituencies. I doubt that this ambition by the majority to micromanage the war will be their last attempt. Are they envisioning assuming command and control of the positioning and movement of our troops; of setting daily targets for air strikes; of determining our negotiation strategy with allies and opponents? Perhaps a war room should be set up outside this Chamber so that they can make it easier to offer instructions on the battlefield.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for recognizing the great work that both Chairman Lantos as well as Congressman Gillmor of Ohio have done in paying attention to this issue of NATO. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased to support this very timely legislation. This measure is a further step in helping to ensure that NATO, its member states and those aspiring to join this alliance are united in pursuit of European democracy and security. Since its formation in 1949, NATO's mission has been to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilization of its members by promoting stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area. The measure before us serves to express America's continued support for these important goals. The NATO Freedom Consolidation Act should help to nurture all those European states that may eventually join that alliance and give it a sense of common strategic peacekeeping goals, by encouraging them to prepare, assume and maintain the responsibilities of membership. Specifically, the legislation calls for the timely admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia, and Ukraine to NATO and authorizes security assistance for these countries in fiscal year 2008. The standards for joining NATO should not be lowered in any way and each country should be evaluated individually on the merits. Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have been making progress on reforms through their participation in the NATO Membership Action Plan since 2002. Georgia and Ukraine have not yet been granted a Membership Action Plan, but these two nations are making strides in order to qualify for MAP. The NATO Freedom Consolidation Act will provide important incentives and assistance to the countries to continue the implementation of democratic, defense and economic reforms. In these times, Madam Speaker, when we have important missions to accomplish overseas, I encourage my colleagues to vote in support of this measure. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Gillmor, who just returned from a NATO conference overseas.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Payne for his words. I am also pleased to support House Resolution 98, highlighting the life and achievements of the late John Garang and reaffirming the commitment of the House to a just and lasting peace in Sudan. While much attention is currently focused on the crisis in Darfur and that region of western Sudan, it is critical that we do not allow ourselves to become complacent in the south. After all, it was in the south that over 20 years of war between the government in Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Army left over 2 million people dead and 4 million others displaced. It was in the south that the government of Sudan honed its craft in genocide, manipulating ethnic tensions, arming proxy militias, conducting aerial bombardments of civilians and engaging in forced displacement, mass murder, looting, torture and rape. It was also in the south that a generation of boys was lost, having been forcibly conscripted to serve as child soldiers for the Armed Forces of Sudan, associated militias and the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Any analyst will tell you that war is a terrible business, and the war in Southern Sudan was no exception. There were no saints. That said, it is clear that without the leadership of Dr. Garang, it is likely that the oppressors would have succeeded and that the opportunity for peace presented by the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan in 2005 would have been lost. Dr. Garang envisioned a united democratic Sudan, a country in which all citizens enjoyed the freedom to live, to worship and to prosper without the fear of discrimination or persecution. If realized, this dream would proffer untold benefits, not only for the people of the south, but also for those fighting inequality in eastern Sudan and Darfur. He fought fiercely toward this end and succeeded in overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges so that the south could negotiate with one voice. After years of negotiations and countless failed attempts, it appeared that Dr. Garang's efforts would finally pay off in January of 2005 as the historic peace agreement which would end Africa's longest running civil war was signed in Nairobi, Kenya. His tragic death on July 30, 2005 proved to be the first major test of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan. Unfortunately, it would not be the last. It is critical that the United States Government not lose sight of the challenges that remain in implementation. Too many innocents have died. It is time for all Sudanese to pursue the path toward peace and it is incumbent upon us to help them on their way. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I thank Ambassador Watson for her eloquent statements and as well as for her leadership in our Foreign Affairs Committee. Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of H. Res. 149, supporting the goals of International Women's Day. International Women's Day has developed into a day of recognition and celebration of the contributions and social advancement of women. I want to thank the author of this resolution, Representative Schakowsky of Illinois, for accepting the suggested changes that we had to her base text prior to the introduction and committee consideration. These very modest clarifications emphasize that we are seeking to promote for women and girls the full and equal enjoyment of those fundamental human rights and civil liberties that are the birthright of all people, regardless of gender, race or creed, not some separate of gender-based claims or a problematic agenda related to abortion. We must all advance the cause of human dignity by ending violence against women and girls, by protecting their fundamental freedoms and civil liberties, and promoting their genuine welfare through robust educational and economic opportunities. To the extent that International Women's Day serves those purposes, it deserves our recognition. I ask my colleagues to render their full support to this important measure Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

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

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time. Thank you, Ambassador Watson, and thank you to the gentlewoman from Illinois for introducing this bill.