Brad Sherman

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, there is no greater problem in this world than our dependence on petroleum. There is no greater problem for our Nation. There is no greater problem for our economy than the fact that we have to import so much oil, sending billions of dollars every year to other countries, thereby impacting our balance of payments. There is no greater problem for families than paying for gasoline and paying to cool or heat their homes. There is no greater problem for the environment than the pollution caused when we burn petroleum, and there is no greater problem for the environment than global warming and the production of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. There is no greater problem for our national security than our reliance on foreign petroleum, first, the physical security of that petroleum and, second, the fact that the rest of the world, if not the United States, finds it necessary in order to acquire petroleum to give money to such countries as Iran and others who use that money for nefarious purposes. Therefore, there is nothing that we can do that is more important than weaning the United States and the world off its dependence of petroleum. And the first step is research, and an important part of that research is cooperative research with other countries similarly dedicated to finding alternative energy. There is perhaps no better partner than Israel. For the prime minister of Israel just a couple months ago, as the gentleman from Arizona pointed out, stood in this hall and said, ``Both Israel and the United States share a desire for energy security and prevention of global warming. Therefore, through the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act, in collaboration with our U.S. counterparts, Israel will increase its efforts to find advanced scientific and technological solutions designed to develop new energy sources and encourage conservation.'' As the prime minister pointed out, Israel and the United States have a strong mutual interest in advanced alternative energy research. Both countries are on the cutting edge of this scientific research. With modest investment, we can help stimulate joint efforts between American and Israeli private sector institutions and academic institutions to work toward the development of technology that reduces the world's dependence on petroleum. In the 108th Congress, I introduced a very similar bill to the one that is before us today. It has been a pleasure to work with the gentleman from Arizona in introducing this bill last year, an improved version of the bill, and to work with so many, including the gentleman from New York, to see that that bill would reach this floor. H.R. 2730 would allow the Department of Energy to invest up to $20 million annually to provide joint ventures between the U.S. and Israeli business and academic researchers both for alternative energy sources and for energy conservation. The Federal Government could recoup some or all of the monies so appropriated since, as the gentleman from Arizona pointed out, under each grant is an obligation for the grantee to pay the money back if the investment is successful and revenues are obtained. Now, this legislation builds on existing cooperative efforts, including the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation and the United States-Israel Binational Research and Development Foundation. These two entities have already made scientific breakthroughs in a variety of fields, including the life sciences, medicine, bioengineering, agriculture, and communications. Now it is time to redouble these efforts and to focus on energy. As the gentleman from New York pointed out, we have already had cooperative efforts with Israel on energy and he had added language in a bill passed last year to redouble those efforts. It is now time to pass the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation Act so that we would have a vehicle to move forward and work with Israel to use its cutting-edge scientific knowledge, and ours, to wean the world one step at a time off the need for consumption of petroleum.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, for 10 years I have come to this floor to explain Israel's peril and justify its action. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Hezbollah and Hamas for doing a far better job than I ever could, for they have announced that their policy is the destruction of Israel, the ethnic cleansing of the Middle East of all Jews. Ultimately it is a pogrom of genocide. And they are now using the very territory from which Israel has withdrawn to kill as many Israeli civilians as possible. If their efforts have not yet risen to the level of genocide, it is only because their rockets often fail to hit their targets. And let's not mince words, their targets are always Israeli civilians. Israel withdrew from Gaza; kidnappers and missiles come from Gaza into Israel. Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon, and now kidnappers and missiles come into Israel from southern Lebanon, not just recently, but continuously over the last 6 years. Five kidnapping raids, thousands of missiles, 6 years of attacks. If anyone is going to say that Israel's reaction is disproportionate, let them say that Israel is doing too little. Let me speak to those who may be skeptical of this resolution. We all want peace, and peace can only come if Israel withdraws from certain territories. Yet the Israelis must know that when they vacate a territory, that territory will not be used as a rocket-launching pad against Israel, and that if it ever is, that Israel will have the full support of the United States and of this Congress. We cannot have peace, we cannot have any Israeli territorial concessions unless we show Israel that we will support them when they have made those concessions. There are those who urge a cease-fire. I hope we get there soon. But this all started with rockets and kidnapping, and it would be a phony cease-fire unless the soldiers are returned, and unless Hezbollah is disarmed as required by U.N. Resolution 1559. There are those who talk of prisoner exchanges, but we should not tell Israel to exchange the guilty for the innocent, nor should we tell them to release those who would resume their terror. We in Congress should call every major ambassador from Europe and demand that Europe list Hezbollah as a terrorist entity and stop Europeans from sending money to Hezbollah. And, finally, we all need to call the World Bank and say that it is time for the World Bank to stop making loans and giving aid to Iran, which, after all, is the source of the money and the missiles that Hezbollah is using. It is time for the World Bank to stop its loans to Iran, and to not disburse funds that have already been approved until that government changes its policy.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor H. Res. 900, offered by Ranking Member Barney Frank, which provides that the House of Representatives supports efforts to track terrorist financing and their financial supporters by tracking terrorist money flows and by uncovering terrorist networks, both here and abroad, in accordance with existing applicable law. The Frank resolution also expresses concerns that unauthorized disclosure of classified information may have made efforts to locate terrorists and terrorist networks and to disrupt their plans more difficult. It does not include controversial whereas clauses or findings that cannot be verified. The Rules Committee should have allowed this resolution to come before the House for a vote. I am unable to sponsor H. Res. 895, which Financial Services Committee Chairman Michael G. Oxley introduced yesterday afternoon, because his resolution contains a number of statements that simply cannot be factually confirmed at this time. There has been no fact finding, no oversight, no hearings whatsoever by any Committee of the House to even try to establish whether or not the partisan findings contained in H. Res. 895 are accurate. The only way that these issues can be developed properly is through hearings, classified hearings where required, before the committees of jurisdiction, the House Financial Services Committee and/or the House Intelligence Committee. Matters that are highly classified can be dealt with by the Intelligence Committee.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my constituent Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs for his invaluable service to the residents of the San Fernando Valley and to people throughout the world. For the past 36 years, Rabbi Jacobs has provided an unwavering commitment to civil rights and religious pluralism. This year, Rabbi Jacobs will be retiring from his position as Senior Rabbi of Temple Kol Tikvah in Woodland Hills, California. He leaves behind a legacy that exemplifies tikkun olam, the repair and healing of the world. For many years, Rabbi Jacobs has worked to promote social justice and inter-faith and interracial relations. In 1999, he accompanied Reverend Jesse Jackson on an interfaith delegation to Yugoslavia. That delegation sought the release of captured American soldiers. When asked whether it was difficult to balance his spiritual beliefs with his personal feelings and political opinions, the Rabbi commented: ``It is in our life as religious leaders to hold hands, even with people who are our enemies.'' Rabbi Jacobs demonstrates the powerful impact that people of faith can have on our society through an unrelenting commitment to the protection of religious and civil rights for all people. He was honored in 2001 with the Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award, presented for his efforts to promote and preserve religious liberty. Rabbi Jacobs has served as an influential member of the Progressive Jewish Alliance, the Southern California Board of Rabbis, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the UNICEF National Board, and the Muslim American Homeland Security Congress of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. He chaired the Governor of California's Task Force on Refugees and was a delegate to the United Nations' Conference on Refugees. As part of his exemplary international work, Rabbi Jacobs participated in an interfaith delegation to El Salvador. He also served on a mission to Prague, Czech Republic, working in conjunction with the North American Board of Rabbis to improve Jewish-Catholic relations. Rabbi Jacobs continues to fight racism against Muslims and to foster improved Muslim-Jewish relations in Los Angeles. In 2004, he collaborated with the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Anti- Defamation League to condemn terrorism. His efforts to denounce hate speech have allied him with the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and many other similar organizations. I am pleased that he will continue his work through his most recent endeavor, the Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs Progressive Faith Foundation, whose vision is to promote the values of interfaith acceptance in the public and private sectors. The Rabbi has also fought for wage reform to help ensure a living wage for all workers. He has also worked to mobilize the traditional coalition of African Americans and Jews to ensure fair and honest elections. It is my honor to congratulate Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs for his noble career as Kol Tikvah's senior rabbi. His work has strengthened communities of faith, increased positive social action, and added to international understanding and cooperation. He has touched and improved the lives of people of all faiths not just in the San Fernando Valley but throughout the world.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, by this point just about every point has been made. But believe it or not, I would like to make a point that has not yet been stated on this floor. I think we all realize that the development of Iraq, its ability to provide water and electricity to its people, will influence the level of casualties that we suffer, may even influence the result of success or failure of this mission. But what is not stated is how the debts of Saddam Hussein now crushing the existing regime in Baghdad are playing a role in preventing that development, a role in killing our soldiers. Now, most oil rich countries borrow for development. They do not rely chiefly upon aid. Why can't Iraq with enormous oil wealth borrow? The answer is the huge debts incurred during the years of Saddam Hussein. In fact, on this floor many of us thought that half of that $19 billion of aid we gave in 2003 should be a loan, and we were told no, Iraq can't borrow, they have too many debts already. Now, the well-known debts to Europe and Russia have been 80 percent forgiven. The secret debts, the ones that are never talked about, are the enormous debts claimed by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Gulf States detailed on this chart, totaling over $64 billion. Now, much of the European money that was lent to Iraq was used for roads and oil wells, things of continuing value to the Iraqi people. But what did Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lend Saddam money for? To finance his war of aggression and death against Iran. So why does the State Department not have the courage to stand by the new Iraqi government in its declaration that these debts are odious, null and void, and need to be wiped off the balance sheet? The question before us is whether the blood of Americans will be shed in order to pay the debts Saddam Hussein incurred.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lawrence E. Horner for his civic and philanthropic service to the residents of the Conejo and San Fernando Valleys. Seventy-six years young, Larry is a proud veteran, an accomplished businessman, and dedicated public servant. Larry has served as my senior district advisor since November 1997, and will be retiring at the end of this month. He has been an invaluable asset to me and to my constituents. His knowledge of issues ranging from economic development to military and veterans affairs has been crucial to helping me better serve my constituents. I will miss his depth of experience, leadership, and personal charm. Larry's extensive knowledge of the Conejo Valley has been an invaluable asset. I consulted extensively with Larry when working to protect and expand the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area. His advice and experience were critical to my successful efforts to defend this irreplaceable natural resource. Mr. Speaker, Larry received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Science from Indiana University. His studies were interrupted while he served in the United States Army during the Korean War. In 1954, Larry was discharged from the Army and met and married Betty Thurman. Happily married for more than 50 years, they have raised three children and contributed countless hours volunteering in their community. In 1960, Larry and Betty moved to Southern California where he worked in the aerospace and defense industry for Lockheed, Litton, and finally as a Vice-President of Northrop in Newbury Park. In 1973, Larry began his career in politics by winning a seat on the Thousand Oaks City Council. He served on the Council for more than 16 years. During that period, his fellow Council Members asked him to serve as Mayor for an unprecedented five terms. While serving as Mayor and Council member, Larry helped solidify a sound economic base for the city. He also established senior citizen facilities, teen programs, increased the city's supply of affordable housing and helped lower the crime rate. All of his efforts resulted in an improved quality of life for Conejo Valley residents. Mr. Speaker, all of us in this House are dependent on the dedication and hard work of our staffs. When I was elected to represent the 24th Congressional District in 1996, I knew I would need an outstanding and popular leader in the Conejo Valley to head my Thousand Oaks office. Larry accepted the challenge and was instrumental in ensuring that my constituents received the quality services they needed and deserved. Larry's hard work and dedicated service in that office and, following redistricting and the 2002 elections, as a member of my Sherman Oaks office staff, have been exemplary. Larry's accomplishments in business, politics, government, and community service are an impressive legacy. I will miss his service, but I look forward to his continuing friendship.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I joined yesterday with the distinguished Ranking Member of the Intelligence Committee, Congresswoman Jane Harman, in voting against H.R. 5020, the Intelligence Authorization bill, to protest the Bush Administration's insistence on wiretapping Americans without adhering to the requirements of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and other statutory provisions on wiretapping.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is fitting as we have concluded March Madness, the NCAA Championship playoff for men's basketball, that we reflect upon the great success of a man I think is the greatest coach of all time in any sport. That is the Wizard of Westwood, Coach John Wooden, a man who meant so much to basketball players, fans, to sport in general, to our society, and especially to us in his home area, the San Fernando Valley. I attended UCLA and graduated in 1975. I was there for 3 years. And in just my 3 years, I saw in the 1972-1973 season a 30-0 record, National Championship, and Coach John Wooden named Coach of the Year. Then in my next year at UCLA, Coach John Wooden achieved a record of 26-4, reached the semi-finals in the national tournament, and coached the great Bill Walton in his final season. And then finally, not in Bill Walton's final season, but in Coach John Wooden's final season at UCLA, 1974-1975, a record of 28-3, and a National Championship. What a way to end a coaching career; a coaching career that included ten National Championships. Now, as the gentleman pointed out, Coach John Wooden was hospitalized just a few days ago. He watched the UCLA team come in second in the nation from his hospital bed. But I am pleased to report that he is to be discharged from the hospital today and has been given a basically clean bill of health. I hope very much that he is watching us either as he is about to leave the hospital or as he has just returned home to his home in Encino. Coach John Wooden was the first individual inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, and in fact, only three individuals to date have been so inducted. He is now 95 years old, has been a resident of my district for the 10 years that I have served with Congress, and for far longer than that. He was born in 1910. He went on to Purdue University, where in 1932, he was National Player of the Year and led his team, the Boilermakers, to the National Championship. In the 1940s, he came to us at UCLA, having first served his country as lieutenant in World War II. There at UCLA, he led us to 10 National Championships, including 7 in a row. Under his tutelage, UCLA had 7 perfect 30-0 seasons and won 19 conference championships. His teams once won 88 games in a row, the longest streak in basketball history and I believe the longest streak in any major sport. He also won a record 38 consecutive NCAA tournament games. Wooden was the NCAA Basketball Coach of the Year six times. He was named Man of the Year By Sporting News in 1970, and by Sports Illustrated in 1973. When he reached retirement at UCLA in 1975, his total record was 620 wins versus 147 losses. But his leadership was not just on the court. He inspired so many by his testament to leadership, to success, to dedication, and to sportsmanship. He wrote several books, including Wooden On Leadership, also including My Personal Best: Life Lessons From An All-American Journey, and even a children's book, Inches and Miles: the Journey to Success. He was famous for his Pyramid of Success which inspired so many in their adult lives to focus on team spirit, competitiveness, and teamwork. In conclusion, I cannot think of a better way to honor Coach John Wooden in the San Fernando Valley than naming a Federal building in Reseda, the Reseda Post Office, after Coach John Wooden. Reseda is the community located immediately adjacent to Coach John Wooden's home community of Encino. Just a few years ago, we named the Encino Post Office after another basketball luminary, Chick Hearn, the most famous basketball broadcaster of all time. And so now we will have two post offices located just a few miles apart honoring the two greatest basketball names in the history of the San Fernando Valley. Coach John Wooden's daughter, Nancy, lives in Reseda with her husband, as does his grandson-in-law Paul, who was recently honored at a celebration that I was able to attend--the Walk of Hearts, where we honor in Canoga Park the great teachers of the San Fernando Valley. Of course, just a few years earlier, the first teacher so honored was Coach John Wooden himself. Coach John Wooden means so much to our area, so much to sports fans around the country and around the world. I thank the gentleman for yielding me time and I think we should move forward with this bill.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments of Patrick Cashdan, a young resident of the San Fernando Valley that recently became the high school winner of the 2006 USA Today National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest. The Sixteenth Annual National Sportsmanship Day was held across the United States and in over 100 countries around the world on Tuesday, March 7, 2006, by the Institute for International Sports. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about issues related to sportsmanship and ethics in athletics and daily life. The essay competition is in its twelfth year and receives thousands of essays from elementary, middle, high school, and college students on the topic of ethics and sportsmanship in sports. Patrick is the 2006 winner in the high school category for his essay on the need to resurrect sportsmanship. My. Speaker, Patrick is a junior at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in West Hills, California. He is a varsity wrestler and lacrosse player, and understands the importance of sportsmanship and the difficulties encountered by young athletes who must face peer pressure to excel and win. While most children, of course, want to impress their friends and parents with their athletic abilities, Patrick understands that winning at all cost is not what is important. He believes and competes with the knowledge that one can play their very best while also being committed to being a good sport. Patrick has the strong support of his father, Daniel, and mother, Allisyn, who raised him to play fair--to understand that it is most important to do your best and enjoy yourself. Patrick also has two younger brothers, Christopher and Daniel, and has shared with them the value of good sportsmanship. Patrick plans to attend college next year and is interested in United States history. He plans to continue playing sports and hopes to spread the value of sportsmanship to his fellow teammates. My. Speaker, I pay tribute today to Patrick Cashdan as the high school winner of the 2006 USA Today National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest, and as an inspiration to all sports fans. I ask that his essay on sportsmanship be included in the Record. High school winner: Patrick Cashdan, age 17, junior at Chaminade College Preparatory High School, West Hills, Calif. Sportsmanship is dead. However, it has died many times in history. For instance, it was buried the moment a Major League Baseball player purposely spiked the other team while stealing a base. In all sports both sides have to shake each other's hand and wish each other good luck, but how sincere are they? True sportsmen show grace and poise throughout their lives as athletes and role models, regardless of the game's outcome. There are many contributors to the death of sportsmanship, including the media, the over inflation of sports stars' egos, and most surprisingly, parents. Unlike the Medieval Ages where opposing soldiers would greet each other on the battlefield and ``embrace them with a soldier's arm'' (Henry IV, Shakespeare), today's competitors only care about personal gain and fame. The modern media tries to find out everything about celebrities, including professional athletes, and when an athlete is caught doing something wrong, the attention makes him or her even more famous. This portrayal, even though it's bad, is addictive to a celebrity and only inflates an athlete's ego. Such attention causes professional athletes to act childishly. Athletes consistently show vulgar and immature displays of unsportsmanlike activity. Fights with fans, alleged illegal drug use, and extra-marital affairs should not be the factors that define a great sportsman. Such athletes care only about money and fame rather than the love of the game. Their examples thus get passed on to the children of today showing that it is ok to act in an unsportsmanlike manner. Perhaps the final nail in the casket for the death of sportsmanship starts when we are children. A parent is the first coach of life and young athletes get over-influenced by them. As a varsity wrestler, baseball and lacrosse player, I see first-hand how a parent causes unsportsmanlike conduct. The young athletes would do anything in their power to impress their parents or ``make them proud'' even if it means cheating or hurting themselves or their opponent. Recently, at a wrestling tournament during the match, a parent was yelling to his son to ``club'', or illegally hit, his opponent's head. So, the son did what his father told him to do. Believe it or not, he won! He was cited for unsportsmanlike behavior and advanced. His father was very proud. As a witness, it was very upsetting to see such unsportsmanlike conduct being taught by a parent, and ultimately being rewarded. It is unfortunate that there is not much sportsmanship seen anymore today. How did the idea of winning or losing gracefully leave our society? We need to resurrect it by taking out the media. This would make most of our role models act more maturely and less egotistically, and would make parents stop putting too much pressure on their kids to win at all costs. Sportsmanship needs to be brought back into our lives for all of humanity's sake.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Alan and Romi Skobin for their civic and philanthropic service to Los Angeles and the city of San Fernando and, particularly, their good work for the residents of my district in the San Fernando Valley. On March 26, 2006, Alan and Romi Skobin are being honored by the executives of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging for their outstanding involvement with the organization. Their care for the elderly residents of the home demonstrates to all of us the importance of taking care of our parents and grandparents--this country's most important national treasures. Mr. Speaker, Alan and Romi have a record of community and civic service that spans more than 30 years. Alan, a graduate of California State University, Northridge, has been a longstanding business leader in the San Fernando Valley. Currently he serves as vice president and general counsel of Galpin Motors, Inc. and is a member of the executive committee and board of directors. He has also served as a commissioner with the Los Angeles Police Department since 2003. In this capacity, he has focused on the Community Based Policing program along with many other issues. His work for the city and the Los Angeles Police Department truly affects each Angelino personally. Alan is a founding director and executive committee member of the Sheriffs Youth Foundation of Los Angeles County, which funds education and intervention programs for at-risk youth. Alan, a two-time cancer and brain tumor survivor, is also involved with Padres Contra El Cancer, a nonprofit organization that improves the quality of life for children with cancer. Romi Skobin truly exemplifies the American dream. Her inspirational story began when she came to the United States as a refugee from Cuba in 1969. Romi also received her education locally, at Los Angeles Valley College, and began her career in public service when she joined the San Fernando Police Department in 1974. She currently serves as the records/system administrator, the highest ranking civilian position in the SFPD, and is the city of San Fernando's most senior employee. Romi has also played an important role in Alan's success by raising their two successful children, Jeff and Jennifer, thereby allowing Alan to attend law school and participate in numerous civic activities. Mr. Speaker, Alan and Romi Skobin are integral parts of the San Fernando Valley community and I wish to congratulate them wholeheartedly on being honored by the executives of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, during his 40-year career as an attorney in California, Edward L. Masry fought courageously not only for his clients but also for all people of the United States. As a strong advocate for the environment and open space, Mr. Masry worked to preserve our community's most precious resources. His contributions to the Conejo Valley, the State of California, and the country will never be forgotten. Sadly, Mr. Masry died on December 6, 2005. Today, I am pleased to pay tribute to him. Mr. Masry moved to southern California in 1940. He graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1950 and then attended Valley Junior College. He never received a bachelor's degree, opting instead to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1952, during the Korean conflict. After serving our country, he was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal and was soon accepted at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate in 1960. Soon after graduation Mr. Masry began his law career, and in 1975 moved his law offices to the San Fernando Valley. He gained expertise and a national reputation in numerous areas of the law, including criminal defense, business litigation, entertainment, the first amendment, and toxic torts. His success as a litigator earned him numerous awards, including the esteemed Justice Armand Arabian Law & Media Award in 2000 and the Academy of Justice Award from the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice in 2001. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Masry became best known for his work on cases involving toxic environmental contamination. In the early 1990's, his firm, renamed Masry & Vititoe in 1982, argued for the people of Hinkley, California in the landmark case of Anderson v. Pacific Gas & Electric. Mr. Masry won what was at the time the biggest settlement for a civil class action lawsuit. This case was made into a movie, Erin Brockovich, which extolled the success of Mr. Masry as a lawyer and a leader who fought for the rights of the people in California. Ed Masry was a friend and ally of mine and other local environmental advocates. His involvement with local environmental organizations was instrumental in protecting the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area, as well as other parks and open spaces in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. I was proud to present him with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in honor of his receiving the Environmental Hero Award from the Environmental Defense Center in 2002. He continued his outstanding work for environmental justice by serving as the CEO and President of Save the World Air, Inc., a company dedicated to improving air quality. In addition, Ed Masry served two terms as city councilman and mayor of Thousand Oaks. During his tenure he fought to implement his slow- growth platform to protect open space in the Conejo Valley. Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to Ed Masry's spirit, perseverance and chutzpah. He fought valiantly and successfully for the residents of the Conejo Valley. His legacy will continue to have a profound effect on his Valley, his State and his Nation.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I voted present on H. Res. 612. I vote present when a resolution appears well-meaning but its language is flawed. H. Res. 612 is referred to as the ``Iraq Victory Resolution.'' The term victory means many things to different people. This resolution does not define ``victory'' and is therefore unacceptably vague. The resolution concludes that the House has ``unshakable confidence'' that the United States will ``achieve victory.'' Some would define victory as attaining all of the results promised by the administration at the time U.S. forces invaded. I am not absolutely certain that we will achieve all of the results promised by the administration in the winter of 2002-2003. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in congratulating the Iraqi people for electing a new parliament that will govern Iraq for the next 4 years, and for doing so in the face of great danger. I especially commend our troops for their heroism in Iraq and for their tremendous sacrifice for their service to our country. Mr. Speaker, we had the opportunity to send a strong bipartisan message to the people of Iraq and to our troops. I am afraid that this resolution falls short.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself and my California colleague Howard ``Buck'' McKeon to honor a talented individual, Dorena Knepper, on the occasion of her retirement as director of Government Affairs at California State University, Northridge. Due in no small part to Dorena's hard work, guidance and support, CSUN has become one of the largest and most prominent universities in the California State University system. Just last year we congratulated Dorena upon the celebration of her 40 years of public service at CSUN. During her impressive tenure, Dorena has made an exceptional contribution both to the university and to the greater community. Working with her on Federal appropriations and other legislative issues, I have been impressed by her dedication and efficacy. Few individuals are as deserving of recognition. Dorena's 40 years of service speak volumes about her personal investment in, and dedication to, the CSUN community. Dorena began her relationship with the university as a student at what was then San Fernando Valley State College. Dorena has been employed at CSUN since 1964. Beginning in 1972, she held a variety of positions in the Office of the President, including 16 years as executive assistant for former President James Cleary. Her career in governmental relations began in 1982 when she dealt primarily with community inquiries. Today, as director of Governmental Affairs, Dorena oversees the seamless operation of CSUN's local, State, and Federal Government relations. Dorena is equally comfortable whether working with national leaders, students, staff, or community members. She is a leader on campus, serving on and chairing diverse faculty, administrative, staff and student committees. She also deals effectively with the concerns of the local community. This dexterity was evidenced by her work during the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. The Earthquake hit the University hard, causing extensive damage throughout the campus. Dorena coordinated visits from local and national leaders to help them survey the damage and plan the recovery. She arranged a campus visit by President Clinton on the first anniversary of the earthquake. That presidential visit brought national attention to the importance of CSUN as a vital center of higher education in the Los Angeles area and helped promote the recovery. Active in numerous business groups, including three chambers of commerce and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, she also is a legislative advocate for two nonprofit charitable associations. Mr. Speaker, please join Mr. McKeon and me in honoring Dorena Knepper, a remarkable woman who has dedicated her life and career to CSUN, its students and to promoting higher education and civic service in the San Fernando Valley. We all wish her a fulfilling retirement.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the International Child Abuse Network. This wonderful organization works worldwide to break the cycle of violence that leads abused children to grow up to become abusers. The International Child Abuse Network, also known as Yes ICAN, is a leading global provider of information and resources to deal with child abuse. Yes ICAN believes that child abuse would cease to exist if everyone had the capability to receive accurate, up-to-date information about abuse. Yes ICAN provides assistance and support to survivors who are too afraid or wounded to utilize traditional community resources. Through online forums, victims can heal together in a confidential, mutually supportive atmosphere. In an effort to bring more awareness to the effects of child abuse on societies around the world, every November 19th Yes ICAN recognizes the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. This year's event featured a showcase of art and poetry submissions from schoolchildren. Participants and their teachers were honored during a reception at the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center in my district in California. The International Child Abuse Network is making positive strides in the fight against child abuse. Their work to create a better future for all children is to be commended. I am proud to congratulate the International Child Abuse Network and thank them for their valuable contributions.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I will be brief, because all that I can say has been said and will be said more eloquently by others on this floor. I wanted to be here for this sad and happy occasion as we celebrate the life and mourn the death of a great American and a great Los Angelino. Ed Roybal was a pioneer. He started the community service organization and formed a partnership of Mexican Americans, the Jewish community, the Asian community and then was the first in the century, in over a century, member of the Los Angeles City Council, then the first Hispanic in over a century to represent our State here in the House of Representatives, where he served for three decades fighting for the rights of minorities, the elderly, and the physically challenged. He was a founding member, as has been said before, and the first chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and was a pioneer in fighting for funding for HIV and AIDS. Edward Roybal leaves a legacy, not just all the awards named after him, not just the program at Cal State Los Angeles that he helped found, not just all of the legislation that he influenced in this House. He leaves a legacy of his children and grandchildren, and our own Lucille Roybal-Allard, I know you far better than I know your brother and sister; but if you are any indication, he left quite a legacy. He was an inspiration to your family and an inspiration to all of us.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time and for inviting me to address the Garrett amendment, which comes up next, and to urge that we oppose that amendment. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for including in the bill when it left our committee language proposed by the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. Miller) and myself to raise the conforming loan limit in certain areas. The reason we have these GSEs is to help middle-class families achieve the dream of homeownership. Since the beginning, we recognized that a middle-class family cannot find a home in Alaska and Hawaii at the same amounts with the same level of mortgage as in the other 48 States. So we have always had a higher limit for those States. We now must recognize that in Los Angeles, New York, and certain other areas, housing prices are every bit as high as in some parts of Alaska and Hawaii. And that is why the bill that we need to defend from the Garrett amendment provides for a conforming loan limit, that is either as high as it is in Alaska and Hawaii or such lower amount as equals the average home price in that area. We have middle-class families in my district, a police officer married to a teacher, trying to get a home. Do not deprive them of the benefits of these GSEs on the theory that they are wealthy. They are not.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Committee on International Relations, and a member of the Committee on Science, and as a member of the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, and, in fact, the ranking member of International Terrorism and Nonproliferation Subcommittee, I am well aware of the conflict of two goals of the Federal Government. One of those is to meet our obligations to the international space station. The other is to use every device possible to try to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to try to prevent Russia from assisting in that process. For me, these goals are not of equal weight. The supreme goal and objective and obligation of the Federal Government is to protect our people. Iranian nuclear weapons could be smuggled into our cities, and I would say that we should adopt no legislation and leave on the books current law that puts one objective, and that is limiting Iranian nuclear weapons, as the sole objective that is embodied in our statutes. But, in fact, some balance is going to be struck, and it is not going to be the overwhelming balance that I would strike, a balance in favor of doing everything possible to limit Iranian nuclear weapons development and giving far less weight to meeting our international space station obligations. I want to take this opportunity to commend the ranking member and the chairman of the Committee on International Relations and of the Committee on Science and the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher) for doing a very good job of trying to narrowly tailor this legislation, to try to balance those two goals in not the way I would, but in a way that I have to concede is reasonable. And for that reason I will not ask for a recorded vote on this bill. I recognize that if this bill does not pass in this form, it is as likely to get worse as it is to get better because, in fact, my colleagues have labored very effectively and have taken some input from me to create a bill which is tailored to the twin objectives. Now, I would hope the day would come when the President of the United States could certify to this Nation that Russia is doing everything possible to help us prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and in any case was not helping Iran to develop those terrible weapons. But until that day comes, present law says that we cannot contract with agencies of the Russian Government space program no matter what for various space-related activities. As I understand this bill in its final revised form, and I see most of the principal authors of the amendment to it here on the floor, and I know the rest will correct the record tomorrow if I misstate anything, but I would yield to anyone here to correct me if I am wrong, the bill in its present form creates a very limited exception to present law. It allows NASA to contract with Russian Government space agencies only when those agencies are the only available seller of goods and services necessary to meet our obligations to the international space station. There are two important aspects of that understanding. One is the language that I said, the only available seller of essential goods and services. That is to say this bill does not authorize us to turn a blind eye to Russian space agency cooperation with the nuclear plans of Tehran just because the Russian space agency is the cheapest or the most convenient or a few days faster. It allows us to ignore those important Iran nonproliferation goals only when it is absolutely necessary and only when necessary to meet our own obligations to the space station, not obligations of other countries. To reiterate, not only is this bill limited to situations where it is necessary, not merely convenient, for us to contract with the Russian space agency, but it is also a requirement that we are meeting our obligations to the international space station, not a circumstance when we are paying the Russians to meet their own obligations or the obligations of some other country. So I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. And to put it in context, I think this bill does a good job of striking what is the best balance we are likely to see in this legislative process between our goals.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Simon Wiesenthal refused to forget the horror he endured and witnessed in five Nazi death camps during the Holocaust. He would not let the world forget what the Jewish people and so many others suffered at the hands of Hitler's Third Reich. He dedicated his life to bringing Nazis to justice, educating the world about the Holocaust, and fighting to help ensure that the intolerance that brought it about would not be repeated. The spirit Wiesenthal brought to these lifelong pursuits will not end with his death. Along with millions of other Jews, Wiesenthal was imprisoned by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Unwilling to accept this fate, Wiesenthal daringly escaped in 1943, only to be recaptured in 1944. Wiesenthal was sent back to a concentration camp, and as the German Eastern front collapsed Wiesenthal was marched with other prisoners across Europe. The trek left him near death when finally liberated by the advancing American army. The moment his health returned, Wiesenthal sprang into action. He began to build a legal case against the Nazis, first for the American military's war crimes trials and then through an independent effort based in Vienna. Wiesenthal relentlessly searched for Adolf Eichmann, the infamous Nazi who headed Hitler's Gestapo, and other Nazis who had evaded trial by the allies. Wiesenthal's work led to the capture of Eichmann and other infamous Nazis years after the world had given up on bringing them to justice. Although the Holocaust was fading into the world's memory, Wiesenthal continued to fight its battles every day with his time, determination, and spirit. In Los Angeles, Simon Wiesenthal's memory lives on at the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The international organization works to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and to fight anti-Semitism and intolerance. I had the honor of working with the Wiesenthal Center earlier this year in asking the British Government to keep a known terrorist supporter, Yussuf Al-Qaradawi, out of Great Britain. Al-Qaradawi has given religious justification and encouragement for terrorist attacks against Americans and Israelis. These efforts against intolerant religious extremism in the 21st century are a clear extension of Wiesenthal's lifelong mission. Simon Wiesenthal's spirit, unbridled in life, will carry on in his memory through the Wiesenthal Center, its work, and the efforts of so many others fighting intolerance and preserving the memory of the Holocaust.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to join my Armenian American constituents of California's 27th Congressional District in welcoming His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia to the State of California. His Holiness Aram I was elected Catholicos on June 28, 1995. Four years earlier, His Holiness had been selected to serve as the Moderator for the World Council of Churches (WCC). This prominent ecumenical organization is composed of more than 340 churches from around the world and represents over 400 million Christians. His Holiness is the first Orthodox Christian and the youngest person to be elevated to the post of Moderator of the WCC. Aram I was ordained a priest in 1968 and obtained the title of Vartabed (Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. In 1979 he was elected Primate of the Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon. The next year he received his Episcopal ordination. His tenure as Primate of the Armenian community in Lebanon coincided with the Lebanese Civil War. During this time and after, His Holiness reorganized parishes and schools, restructured and reactivated church-related institutions, and renewed community leadership. As a strong supporter of inter-religious relations, dialogue and cooperation, Aram I has played a significant part in promoting common values, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among religions. He has worked tirelessly as Primate to foster tolerance and build mutual confidence between Christian and Muslim communities. His Holiness is also active as a scholar and has written several books in which he frequently admonishes the vital importance of dialogue and collaboration among the living faiths of the world. We can expect a message of peace and unity when His Holiness addresses the Los Angeles World Affairs Council on October 14th, 2005. His Holiness will also present the main address at a symposium to be held at the University of Southern California that will focus on how Christians respond to violence. I am honored that the Catholicos will be visiting the 27th District on October 7th to preside over church services to be held at Holy Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church in Encino, California. Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the His Holiness Aram I, a man who has been a strong voice for mutual understanding among religions, cultures and civilizations; a true spiritual leader committed to peace, justice, and human rights.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join with my colleagues in expressing my sincere condolences to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. My heart goes out to those who are suffering, especially those who are still seeking information on the fate of missing loved ones. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina will continue to be felt for years to come. Therefore, I support this all important supplemental appropriation bill to ensure our Nation can and will provide the necessary relief services to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of this horrible tragedy, as in past tragedies, we have seen the true generosity and compassion of the American people. I continue to be amazed at the outpouring of support from people all over the country working together to offer assistance to those in need. Hundreds of fire fighters and search and rescue crews from my home state of California have gone to New Orleans and the Gulf coast devastated by the hurricane. I am proud to say that this includes the 70 strong Los Angeles urban rescue team from Fire Station No. 88 in Sherman Oaks in my Congressional District. In both my District and Washington, DC offices, I have received hundreds of calls from my constituents calling to express their concern for those in need and seeking to identify ways to provide them with assistance. For many of my constituents, this tragedy brought back their memories of surviving natural disasters, like the 6.8 earthquake that struck Northridge at 4:30 am on January 17, 1994. Like Katrina, this earthquake caused monumental damage to communities, including road structures, and was one of the costliest natural disasters in our nation's history. Following the earthquake, the Northridge community experienced similar outpouring of support from Americans. However, we also experienced a much greater and more effective response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the response of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA began 15 minutes after the earthquake. This is particularly significant because unlike Katrina, the Northridge earthquake was not predicted to occur in 2004. In addition, the FEMA Headquarters Emergency Support team was activated 90 minutes after the earthquake. FEMA coordinated the response of the 27 Federal agencies involved in the Northridge earthquake allowing for services to be provided quickly. An Earthquake Service Center with representatives from all disaster agencies was opened almost immediately. FEMA also expedited the loan process for victims and disseminated important information to Los Angeles County residents. In short, we saw results. Victims received relief in a timely manner. We saw an efficient Federal agency carrying out its mission. Reason would dictate that 11 years after this disaster, our response to natural disasters would be even more rapid and effective, and not slower and inefficient. Sadly, this has not been the case. Almost exactly four years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, our Nation continues to struggle with properly aiding its citizens when disaster strikes. And, unfortunately, we have seen firsthand the results of this struggle. We have all seen the images on television and heard the grim reports. People who have already lost their homes, who were separated from their families did not have access to basic necessities--food, water, and medical supplies. Many of these families, who needed their government the most, were forced to live in despicable, unhealthy and dangerous conditions. Women have been raped, babies have had to go without diapers, and people were forced to live in filth surrounded by human waste and corpses. This is absolutely unacceptable, and I join with my colleagues in demanding a complete explanation of and accountability for what went wrong. We must also ensure that this ineffectual initial response never happens again. Congress has a vital role in overseeing agencies and providing adequate funding. We need to reinstitute disaster mitigation programs like ``Project Impact'' that were in place during the Northridge earthquake. In addition to providing assistance after a disaster we need to take steps to prevent disasters. This includes responding to the funding requests of the Army Corps of Engineers and local communities who have predicted disasters, like the one we are now experiencing. In our capacity as legislators, we must ensure that FEMA has the leadership, tools and resources to effectively respond to a crisis without being burdened by untold levels of bureaucracy and lack of a clear mission. This is an agency that needs to be directed by an experienced professional. What we have seen is just the opposite. I therefore call for the resignation of FEMA director Michael Brown. I am encouraged that former FEMA director James Lee Witt is providing his knowledge and experience to the state of Louisiana and it is my sincere hope that Mr. Witt will be reappointed to his position as Chief of FEMA and restore that agency to the strength it had during the Northridge earthquake. But, that is not enough. We must also help individuals facing financial vulnerabilities from natural disasters as well as foster an environment that allows the private sector to properly aid those in need. To that end, I have worked with my colleague from Florida, Ms. Brown-Waite, on legislation that would require the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure there was sufficient insurance capacity available for private homeowners to cover catastrophic natural disasters. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Homeowners' Insurance Availability Act of 2005 (H.R. 846). In 2002, along with several of my colleagues, I asked GAO to study efforts to securitize natural catastrophe and terrorism risk. We received that report in April 2003, but have not held hearings in the Financial Services Committee on the issue since then. I am hopeful that we can enact this needed insurance legislation so that Americans living in areas subject to cyclonic, seismic, volcanic and other catastrophic activity can rest assured that the industry insuring them against losses will be there when they need it the most. This is just one suggestion for ways that we can move forward to protect our citizens and our financial industry. Once again, I thank my fellow citizens who have shown such wonderful compassion for those affected by Katrina. I look forward to working with my colleagues toward the goal of implementing a fully functional and effective government response that aids people in need and provides them with the tools to help get them back on their feet as quickly as possible. The American people deserve no less.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Young and Ranking Member Oberstar for their leadership in bringing SAFETEA-LU to the floor. It is an important bill that will help ease congestion throughout the country. In particular, I applaud their efforts regarding hybrid vehicles in High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Allowing hybrids in HOV lanes will increase demand for the vehicles, improve air quality, and over time reduce our reliance on foreign oil sources. Section 166 of SAFETEA-LU allows vehicles meeting certain fuel efficiency and emissions standards to use HOV lanes. The bill, specifically section 166(b)(5)(B)(i), is written to allow states to establish a program that addresses the selection of vehicles under the HOV provision. As long as states meet the minimum standards set out in the bill, they can adjust which vehicles will be authorized to use HOV lanes. This intentional flexibility will allow California to implement a state law letting hybrid vehicles that get more than 45 miles per gallon in highway driving and meet California emission standards to ride in HOV lanes. The bill also allows states to choose which HOV lanes will be eligible for use by these vehicles. I call on California to study the issue carefully, so that only HOV lanes that can handle the increase in traffic be eligible for hybrid vehicles. Again, I thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, as we approach July 4, 2005, the 229th celebration of America's independence, I rise to commemorate and commend the Valley Cultural Center. The Center is celebrating 30 successful years of promoting arts awareness across the San Fernando Valley of California. By fostering creativity and culture, the Valley Cultural Center has inspired the type of artistic individuality and cultural understanding that has contributed to the excellence, camaraderie, and ingenuity of our Nation. Since its was established in 1975, the Valley Cultural Center has stood at the forefront of arts and culture in the San Fernando Valley, assisting the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks in bringing arts awareness to the community. The Center reaches out and engages the community through its awards and programs, including its annual Concerts in the Park, and performances at the Madrid Theater. The Valley Cultural Center's awards and programs encompass the unique cultural and artistic dynamics of the San Fernando Valley. It inspires our youth to pursue a future of arts appreciation and cultural awareness by granting annually $10,000 awards in performing and visual arts scholarships to outstanding students. The Valley Cultural Center also organizes arts, entertainment, and culinary celebrations throughout the year, including the Golden Horn Awards, and the Food, Wine and Micro-brew Festival. Featuring rock, classical jazz, R&B, Latino pop, country, cowboy, Dixieland, and folk music, The Valley Cultural Center's Concerts in the Park series has established a tradition of family entertainment and a sense of community and culture for over 140,000 residents and visitors each summer. Free to the public, the Concerts in the Park are a central gathering point for residents to experience and share the diverse culture of the San Fernando Valley. The Valley Cultural Center's annual July 4th Extravaganza is one of the best attended events in the Valley. It includes big-bands such as Don Sweeney and the SRO Band. Each year I take pleasure in joining thousands of Valley residents in the festivities that feature music, food, and fireworks as we celebrate America's independence. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the Valley to honor our Nation and to celebrate with our families and friends. Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Valley Cultural Center in the San Fernando Valley. The Center's contributions have been invaluable in bringing enjoyment, cultural understanding, and individualism to our community. I commend its leadership and service to the San Fernando Valley.

Mr. SHERMAN

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman from South Carolina has an excellent amendment that is already encompassed in the Lantos substitute. The vote of the day will be on the Lantos substitute amendment. That will determine what policy this House establishes. Let me first address those who are supporters of the U.N., or only mildly skeptical, and urge them to vote for the Lantos substitute because it undoubtedly ameliorates the underlying legislation. That amendment makes this legislation less draconian and less harsh. If and when the Lantos amendment is passed and becomes part of the legislation, then Members can decide on final passage, whether to vote for an ameliorated bill. But please do not give up the opportunity to ameliorate this bill simply because you do not feel that the amelioration is fully sufficient. Now, let me address those who are quite skeptical of the United Nations, who want to get tough in demanding reform. The question is what strategy do we use. Do we use the straitjacket strategy where we do not trust the administration, we think they are insufficiently dedicated to the cause of U.N. reform, and so we impose upon them a straitjacket, a formula that says even if 38 out of 39 reforms are adopted, if one of those 14 that is special is not adopted, 38 out of 39 is not enough? We force our negotiators to walk into the room wearing a straitjacket. Or do we adopt the Lantos approach where we empower the administration, state our goals, provide the power to withhold a substantial part of our dues, and let them begin to negotiate? That question depends on whether Members think the Bush administration is tough enough, are they sufficiently dedicated to U.N. reform. What has this administration done to show where it stands on being tough on U.N. reform? The answer is two words: John Bolton. Whoever represents us at the U.N. will be representing a President and carrying out the policies of a President who, when asked who in the world could best represent us, selected John Bolton. It will either be John Bolton or someone selected by a man who wanted John Bolton.