E. Shaw

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this particular provision. As House Members know, moneys received that are paid during combat is not subject to taxation. That means then it is not used in the calculation of the earned income tax credit. Clearly our soldiers, our men and women in the combat zone, deserve that particular treatment so they can claim the earned income tax credit. This simply allows it and it extends that provision for an additional year. This is another provision we should look at and see when we should look at a permanent fix, that the earned income tax credit would certainly apply to combat pay. The question has been as to whether or not this should have been in reconciliation. Well, it is an outlay; and, therefore, it would be prohibited as far as the reconciliation bill. The so-called Byrd rule when this bill gets over into the Senate, would knock it out of reconciliation, so this is the proper way to bring it to the floor. I urge all Members to support the bill, as I am sure they will.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, Florida did not receive the devastation that the gulf coast did with Katrina. Katrina's track came across Florida, got into the gulf, and actually affected my district on its way through Florida, but in a very slight manner. When it got into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, it grew into a category 5 storm and just wreaked devastation on the New Orleans/southern Mississippi area. I support this bill and all it does. But then this was followed by two other storms, Rita and Wilma. Wilma, of course, came across Florida, and in Broward County delivered the most powerful winds that we have seen in over 40 years. And Palm Beach County, as well as Dade County. And coming across the State the way it did from the gulf to the Atlantic made it most unusual as far as the power that it gained, or retained, coming across the Florida Everglades. We have been damaged in Florida as well. But of course our devastation and our problems are overshadowed by the tragedy of Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi. This bill is a reasonable bill. It sets forth incentives and some relief in the Tax Code because of the devastation delivered by these three storms. I urge the Members to support this bill and expedite its passage as quickly as possible.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 583, I call up the bill (H.R. 4340) to implement the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hensarling).

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today the House considers the United States-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. I am pleased my friend and ranking member of the Trade Subcommittee (Mr. Cardin), as well as Mr. Rangel, has joined me in supporting this agreement. It is tremendously important that our trade agenda remain on track and that we seek bipartisan support in accomplishing this goal. The administration has publicly stated its commitment to the Middle East free trade area by the year 2013. This agreement takes a key step in moving towards this goal. Political and economic progress continue to take shape in the Middle East. And by approving this agreement, the United States shows its support for our ally, Bahrain, and for the ideal of promoting open markets with leading reforms. The Office of the United States Trade Representative has negotiated an agreement that, in my view, will serve as a model for the region. Upon implementation, all bilateral trade and consumer and industrial products will become duty free. All agricultural products are covered by the agreement. It will allow for immediate duty-free access for United States agricultural exports in 98 percent of the agricultural categories with a few remaining categories phased out over the next 10 years In addition, the commitments to this agreement relating to services are the strongest in any United States free trade agreement to date. Finally, I want to recognize the actions taken by Bahrain to eliminate all aspects of the Arab League boycott of the State of Israel. Bahrain took the commendable step of writing to Ambassador Portman to reiterate its commitment on this issue. Bahrain has ended the secondary and tertiary aspects of the boycott, dismantled all aspects of the primary boycott, and is fully committed to complying with World Trade Organization requirements. In addition to these actions by Bahrain, I am also pleased with the commitment that the U.S. Trade Representative made to me during the committee's consideration of this agreement to report annually on the status of the Arab League boycott and efforts to dismantle it in Bahrain and all other countries where it has been applied. Mr. Speaker, I submit for printing in the Record a letter from Bahrain's finance minister to Ambassador Portman relating to this issue. Kingdom of Bahrain, Ministry of Finance, Minister's Office, September 5, 2005. Hon. Robert Portman, U.S. Trade Representative, Washington, DC. Dear Ambassador Portman: Please accept my congratulations on your recent appointment to serve as the U.S. Trade Representatives. I look forward to meeting with you soon to discuss our mutual interest in strengthening trade relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States. It has come to my attention that questions have arisen regarding any secondary and tertiary boycotts related to Israel. Following a decision of the Arab League in 1963 and prior to Bahrain's independence, the Bahrain government issued Law No. 5 of 1963 (Finance) which established the Boycott of Israel Office. In 1994, the Kingdom of Bahrain eliminated all aspects of secondary and tertiary boycotts which extended to businesses which had relations with Israeli companies and businesses. Attached please find a copy of the memorandum recently sent to all Bahrain Ministries reminding them that the secondary and tertiary boycotts are null and void. In the hope of advancing peace and regional cooperation, the Kingdom of Bahrain recognizes the need to dismantle the primary Boycott of Israel and is beginning efforts to achieve that goal. As founding members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Kingdom of Bahrain is fully committed to complying with WTO requirements. Bahrain has no restrictions whatsoever on American companies trading with Bahrain or doing business in Bahrain, regardless of its ownership or relations with Israeli companies. Finally, it is Bahrain's sincerest hope that our Free Trade Agreement with the United States will enhance efforts to achieve a real and lasting peace in the Middle East. Yours sincerely, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, the United States needs allies in the Middle East. Bahrain has stepped up to the plate in so many ways. Let me state them. As the home of our United States Navy's 5th Fleet, as a key ally in the war on terror, and by promoting an open and transparent market that will benefit our overall bilateral relationship. Open and free trade with Bahrain will prove beneficial, both in the short run, and especially over time. We will witness a Nation leading a region of the world towards openness with the United States and doing it through trade. Through these ties, I firmly believe that this agreement will advance the development of Democratic principles throughout that region. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Ways and Means colleagues for moving this agreement to the floor for today's consideration. I especially want to recognize the efforts of the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) for their commitment to seeing a United States-Bahrain free trade agreement come to fruition. As co-chairs of the U.S.-Bahrain Congressional Caucus, they educated and provided key information to Members and staff in anticipation of this floor vote. I want to thank them publicly for their efforts. Mr. Speaker, the agreement before us today is right for America for economic and strategic reasons. We must ensure that we support our allies in the Middle East. By opening markets, we empower people to reap the benefits of economic freedom. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California (Mr. Stark) mentioned that we were trying to reward our friends in some way. And we hear from the gentleman who just left the well about CAFTA and going back and rehashing CAFTA, talking about votes in the middle of the night. I would like to pose this question: What is wrong with trying to reward our friends? That is who we want to promote business with is our friends. There is nothing in the world wrong with that and we should do that. I would also like to point out when he was talking about votes in the middle of the night, it is now 3:40 Eastern Standard Time, the sun is shining brightly, and it is a beautiful day. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Asia.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In quick response to the gentleman from Vermont, our economy is growing jobs at the rate of about 200,000 a month. Productivity is higher than it has ever been. Our economy is the fastest growing economy at 4.3 percent per year. The economy is strong in the United States. Unemployment figures are down below 5 percent. It is lower than it was in any of the previous decades. Our economy is strong and it is growing, and it is growing because of the type of legislation that we are passing. We cannot be protectionists and retain the strong economy that we have in a world that is going free trade. You may not like free trade, but the world is going free trade. And if we are going to compete in the global economy, we need to move towards free trade, and we need to be careful in negotiating these agreements one after the other. Mr. Speaker, I now happily yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the chairman of the Rules Committee. (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to associate myself with the remarks of the gentleman from Maryland. I think he spoke quite eloquently about the importance of this agreement to the region. When the history of the Middle East is written, I think the historians will view this trade bill as an important stepping stone towards the development and imposition of democracies and stability in that part of the world, which is very much in our best interest. Bahrain has been a great ally through many, many years of troubling times, and times when it was not necessarily easy to be friends with the United States if you are in the Middle East and if you are an Arab country. But they have stood with us. Our Naval base there is quite important. I think it is important that we try to do everything we can to do business with our friends. They have proven to be a great friend of the United States. We have visited with the ambassador from Bahrain who is a delightful man who is a great salesman for his country. I believe that this is a significant vote. This is not just a flea on an elephant, as Mr. Stark stated. This is an important ally in which we are going to have a free trade agreement. I would urge all Members to vote yes on this most important issue, because I think a message must be sent out loud and strong that we are supporting free trade when we have a good agreement drawn. This has been drawn and approved in a bipartisan way. This is good for the United States. It is not only good for Bahrain, but it is good for the United States. I would also like to thank Mr. Cardin, Mr. Rangel and other Members from the other side of the aisle, as well as Mr. Ryan and Chairman Thomas, and all of those who have worked hard to bring this along, and of course staff on both sides of the aisle. Congress cannot operate without staff, and I would like to thank them for what they have done in putting this agreement together. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mrs. Mary Dexter Scanlon on the occasion of her 100th birthday. On November 21, 2005, she is celebrating this milestone in this life with over 50 relatives and friends of the family who will come across the country to her home in Boca Raton, Florida. Mary Louise Dexter, daughter of Ralph and Carrie Dexter of English and Swedish descent, grew up in Galva, Illinois. She assisted her father in bringing the first telephone service to their small rural town. She continued to educate herself and left home to go to New York City to attend Columbia University and later went on to become a teacher. In her lifetime, Mary has been part of much of this Nation's history, living through the Industrial Revolution, the Roaring Twenties, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, and her brother was born on the Fourth of July. Mary is the proud mother of six sons, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mary's spirit is high, and her will to live every moment in life is great as she makes new friends each and every day. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of three generations, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in wishing Mary Dexter Scanlon a very happy 100th birthday.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time. Anyone watching this debate tonight must be very, very confused. Are we talking about cuts? What are we talking about? Are we talking about taxes? Taxes are not a part of this bill. Are we talking about cuts? Let me tell you what is happening under just the Ways and Means portion of this bill. The programs affected in this legislation within my committee's jurisdiction grow. Let me repeat that. Federal spending for the open- ended entitlement programs that are affected in any way by changes in this legislation will grow. These programs include cash welfare, yes, child care, child support enforcement, also foster care and disability benefits. This year, the Federal Government will spend about $68 billion on this set of programs. That is almost $650 in spending per household in America, and that is before we start counting any spending on health care, retirement, defense, education and other programs; and guess what, spending on these programs, they will grow under this legislation. Five years from now, we will spend $74 billion on them or $6 billion more than today; but because the spending 5 years from now will not be a projected $76 billion, or about $8 billion more than today, compared with a $6 billion increase provided in this bill, we are supposedly engaging in draconian cuts. Mr. Speaker, figures do not lie, and neither should we.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 230) expressing the sense of the Congress that the Russian Federation must protect intellectual property rights.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I rise in strong support for H. Con. Res. 230. I commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for sponsoring this resolution and focusing congressional attention on this issue. Russia's copyright piracy problem ranks with China as the two most serious in the world, and it appears to be getting worse. Russia has become one of the world's largest producers and distributors of illegal compact discs and DVDs. Russia has the capacity to produce more than 20 million compact discs a month, providing ample supply of pirated material for export all over the world. Not only is the Russian Government failing to crack down on piracy, but officials even admit that several illegal plants are on Russian Government-owned classified sites where regular law enforcement is prohibited from visiting. Intellectual property rights protection is critical to the United States economic competitiveness. According to the United States trade representative, Russia's failure to enforce IPR has ``caused substantial losses for the United States copyright, trademark, and patent industries in the last year,'' estimated by the U.S. copyright industry to amount to $1.7 billion in losses in 2004 alone. Russia must understand that failure to adequately protect and enforce intellectual property rights will have political and economic ramifications. Specifically, Russia risks losing its eligibility to participate in the Generalized System of Preferences program, under which the United States provides unilateral duty-free treatment to imports from developing countries to encourage economic growth. In addition, it must ensure that intellectual property is securely protected in law and in practice as part of its effort to accede to the World Trade Organization. I urge Russia to take immediate and effective steps to properly inspect all optical media production facilities and to shut down illegal plants and Internet sites, strengthen border enforcement, combat piracy and counterfeiting, and address deficiencies in its IPR laws. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H. Con. Res. 230 to tell Russia that it must be a responsible and dependable player in the international marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), the author of this resolution.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte), the chairman of the Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment Ms. Watson and Mr. Issa for bringing this most important resolution to the floor in a very fine, but too often rare, bipartisan effort. I urge all Members to vote for it. In the last 25 years, our relationship with Russia has warmed up considerably and we are enjoying good relations with the Russian Federation. However, to extend this into full trade, we need to be able to respect each other's intellectual property rights. Therefore, I ask for a ``yes'' vote on this resolution, and I hope the Russian Federation is listening to the United States Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of the resolution under consideration.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda Triangle Flight 19 is one of the great mysteries of south Florida. There are those that will stand and look out to sea and say there is something strange out there, because it was on December 5, 1945, when 27 families experienced excruciating losses of their loved ones and this Nation lost 27 of its bravest and most dedicated Americans. While the events that tragic day may go unexplained, and they are still unexplained to this date, the memory of those men will not go unrecognized. I am proud to sponsor H. Res. 500, which recognizes the 60th anniversary of the disappearance of the five naval Avenger torpedo bombers of Flight 19 and the naval Mariner rescue aircraft sent to search for Flight 19. These 27 men have the thanks of a grateful Nation. At this time I would like to pause for a moment and read the names of the men who disappeared with Flight 19 and the naval Mariner rescue crew: Flight 19 crew headed by Charles Taylor, Forrest J. Gerber, Edward Joseph Powers, Walter Reed, George Francis Devlin, Herman Thelander, Burt Baluk, Robert Peter Gruebel, Robert Gallivan, Howell Thompson, George Paonessa, William Lightfoot, George Stivers, Joseph Bossi. This is the Mariner crew: Walter Jeffrey, Harrie Cone, Charles Arcenaux, Roger Allen, Lloyd Eliason, Alfred Zywicki, James Osterheld, John Menendez, Philip Neeman, James Jordan, Robert Cameron, Wiley Cargill, Donald Peterson. Their memories are lodged in the hearts of their loved ones who might survive them today. I too would join with the ranking member on this particular bill to say that I do hope this mystery will finally be solved, because in south Florida this is still one of the great mysteries, what went on on December 5, 1945, and the Bermuda Triangle that caused so many to perish and so many aircraft. Mr. Speaker, may God bless the families of these American heroes.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend and a fixture within the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. On Friday, October 21, 2005, after twenty years at the helm, Mike Arts retires as President of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his tenure, Mike's leadership cut a path of economic growth and prosperity transforming his home community, Boca Raton. In 1985, Mike took the reigns of the Chamber and faced an daunting task. The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce was dealing with the loss of 10,000 IBM jobs, an inactive membership and a fledgling downtown development plan. Today, thanks to Mike's leadership, the Chamber enjoys a membership of 1,800 members, the largest business organization in Palm Beach and Broward counties. The success of the Boca Raton Chamber has been at the center of making the City of Boca Raton, the envy of municipalities throughout Florida. Mike's involvement reaches far beyond Boca Raton. Mike has served as President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Executives and as a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce. Mike has also supported a regional business approach that has led South Florida to become a national and international leader in transportation and international trade. As a result of this progressive vision, Mike has been called one of Palm Beach County's ``movers and shakers.'' I have had the privilege of representing the residents of Boca Raton and Palm Beach County since 1992. As a Member of Congress representing a new area, it was an easy transition the day I first met Mike. Mike took precious time introducing me around the Boca Raton business community. The many relationships and support I have today is a direct result of Mike's support. Every two years constituents of Florida's 22nd Congressional District travel to Washington and participate in my District Fly-In. The Fly-In provides my constituents with a firsthand look at the inner workings of the Congress and our federal government. I appreciate Mike's longstanding support of these events during the planning and implementation process. His assistance has made these Fly-In events a tremendous success. Although Mike will step aside from leading the Boca Raton Chamber, we know his activities and commitment to Boca Raton and the South Florida business community remain a top priority. I Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to call Mike Arts my friend. I wish Mike and his lovely wife, Catherine, much happiness and good health as they complete this chapter in their partnership and look for new challenges and opportunities in the future. I thank my colleagues for allowing me to bring to the attention of the House the outstanding service of Mike Arts.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize St. Ann Catholic School on the occasion of its 80th Anniversary. Located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, Florida, St. Ann is the oldest continually active Roman Catholic Church and school in South Florida. Built in 1925, St. Ann is an integral part of a historic campus with four buildings. In 2004, the City of West Palm Beach designated the campus buildings as local historic district. St. Ann has been nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Under the leadership of Principal Karen DeMar and Father Seamus Murtagh, St. Ann School provides a wonderful education choice for parents in Palm Beach County. The philosophical basis for the curriculum is the belief that each child is unique and free to develop spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially to the full extent of his or her potential. St. Ann Catholic School has a diverse population of approximately 300 students, pre-K through eighth grade. Many parents selected the school not only for its curriculum but to be close to their children while they work in the governmental and professional offices in the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the families, friends, faculty and staff as they celebrate the 80th Anniversary of St. Ann Catholic School.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. I rise today to recognize and honor the dedication and ambition of three recent graduates of Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kyle Mahowald, Andrew Malcolm, and Caitlin McAuliffe have each been recognized as National Presidential Scholars. The Presidential Scholars program was introduced by Executive Order in 1964 as a means of applauding the efforts of the Nation's top high school graduates. This year, only 141 winners were chosen from a candidate pool of over 2,700. With three, Pine Crest has the most honorees of any school in the Nation. I am confident that this achievement foreshadows what their bright futures may hold. The efforts of these students extend far beyond the classroom. Kyle, Andrew, and Caitlin have reached out to their fellow peers, taking leadership roles in various student organizations and serving as mentors for younger students. Additionally, they have reached out to their communities, giving countless hours from their busy schedules to raise money for various worthy causes. Kyle Mahowald even became the youngest person to compose the Sunday crossword puzzle for the New York Times. The educators and parents of Pine Crest School play a critical role in the success of all of their students. I commend Raymond Sessman, Anthony Jaswinski, and Gordon Ivanoski for their dedication and guidance to these three students. Only with the support of truly caring teachers can future generations of American students hope to reach their dreams. On behalf of Florida's 22nd District, I wish to recognize Kyle Mahowald, Andrew Malcolm, and Caitlin McAuliffe for their admirable efforts and wish them the best of luck in their studies at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, respectively. Their accomplishments are a shining example to all of South Florida's students and students across the Nation.

Mr. SHAW

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the outstanding dedication to community service displayed by ten high school students who were recently awarded the Presidential Freedom Scholarship. This year's recipients are Maruan Almada of Fort Lauderdale, Jenna Ali of Deerfield Beach, Charity Lamerson of Boynton Beach, Monique Shepherd and Edwin Morales of Boca Raton, Shaina McGehe of West Palm Beach, Aaron Grossman of Royal Palm Beach, Jarrod Matthei of Pompano Beach, Joshua Miller of Parkland, and Stacey Blase of Palm Beach Gardens. These ten fine young individuals have taken a leadership role in local community service projects and devoted significant time and energy to improving our district. They have each contributed more than 100 hours of service in the last 12 months alone. Mr. Speaker, today we recognize these ten Freedom Scholarship recipients for their tireless efforts and leadership in working to improve the lives of others in our community. I wish these fine young men and women the best of luck in their future endeavors, with full confidence that their dedication to service will continue to both improve lives and inspire others.