John Shimkus

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I start a period of time in which we're going to take opportunity to talk about SCHIP. I strike the last word to speak about the expansion legislation that was pulled from the Energy and Commerce Committee. Reportedly, it will be on the floor later this week, and I would like to highlight the damage it will do, if enacted. Specifically, I'd like to take this opportunity to speak about the very popular Medicare Advantage program. In Illinois, there are 1,715,548 Medicare beneficiaries. Of these, 145,600, or 8 percent, have selected to receive their health care coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there are over 6,000 Medicare beneficiaries in my district that are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage program. One of the most troubling things I have heard about the Democrats' bill is actually from Peter Orzag, who is the Director of the Congressional Budget Office. The Director said that under the Democrats' bill, Medicare Advantage enrollment would fall by approximately 8.2 million currently to 5.5 million in 2012, a reduction of 33 percent from current enrollment levels. Medicare beneficiaries are among this Nation's most vulnerable citizens, and access to comprehensive high-quality affordable health care is imperative to their well-being. As we well know, the population of the United States over age 65 is growing rapidly. The average Medicare beneficiary is likely to have two or more chronic illnesses. Medicare beneficiaries should have choices for their health care coverage similar to those available to individuals under age 65. We should allow them to choose plans that best meet their unique health care needs and to help them coordinate their care, manage their illnesses, and reduce their out-of-pocket costs. On average, beneficiaries that choose a Medicare Advantage plan in Illinois are receiving over $60 in extra value each month from their plans. This extra value comes in the form of savings on cost sharing and out-of-pocket protections and on lower part D premiums, or additional benefits like coverage for vision and hearing. Beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage plans report better access to care, more usual sources of care, and more likelihood of seeking care when needed than beneficiaries in traditional fee-for-service operations. CMS has recently reported that beneficiaries in fee-for-service with no additional sources of coverage have more difficulty getting care and are less likely to have usual source of care than Medicare Advantage enrollees. All Medicare beneficiaries have access to a Medicare Advantage plan that does not require cost sharing for screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. Recently, CMS has reported that Medicare Advantage enrollees are more likely to receive preventative services, such as immunizations, mammography, and screenings for colorectal and prostate cancers. Critics have implied that the Medicare Advantage program is contributing to the solvency problems facing the Medicare trust fund. However, these critics fail to recognize the extra value that Medicare Advantage plans provide that address the real drivers in increasing program costs. Medicare Advantage plans help control the volume and intensity of services used by beneficiaries in Medicare part A and part D by coordinating care, improving health outcomes, and monitoring enrollee usage. Medicare Advantage generates savings in the part D program by helping to drive down the average premium paid by the government and beneficiaries, and by reducing Federal expenditures for beneficiaries eligible for low-income subsidies. Critics have further distorted the facts by offering information that claims to suggest a ``fairness gap'' between Medicare Advantage payments and the other providers. In fact, Medicare Advantage payment rates increase in direct proportion to the Federal Government's estimates of increases in per capita costs in the fee-for-service program. Some critics suggest that legislators must choose between providing comprehensive health coverage options to Illinois seniors through the Medicare Advantage program or providing coverage to Illinois uninsured children through SCHIP. Both programs play a crucial role in serving vulnerable populations. We should focus on devoting adequate resources to both SCHIP and Medicare Advantage, while working to maintain and strengthen all components of our Nation's health care safety net. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Gingrey

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Foster Township in Madison County, IL, upon her sesquicentennial. Foster Township includes all of town 6 range 9 west. A celebration will be held in Fosterburg, IL, on August 18 and 19, 2007 to celebrate this special occasion. Though impossible to know for certain who the first settlers of the township were, legend is that Granny McAfee and her family settled in section 28 in 1816. On October 11, 1820 the first known land purchases were recorded and the land was purchased directly from the United States Government by five individuals. Early settlers included the Beemans, Decks, Edwards, Reynolds, Waggoners, Hamiltons, Gallops, Kyles, Rhodes, Fosters, Woods, Shorts, Doolings, Sherfys, Dillons, Crowders, Eatons, Bevills, Wilsons, Chandlers, Jinkinsons, Browns, Thompsons, Warners, Lobbings, and Titchenals. As the township was located along the road between Alton and Springfield, it often served as a stage relay station for travelers. President Abraham Lincoln was one such traveler who visited Foster Township staying at both the Clayton House and the Foster Inn. I am pleased to congratulate the citizens of Foster Township on this special occasion. I thank them for their contributions to this great nation. May God bless Foster Township!

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I come down to offer this amendment with respect to myself and my colleague, Anna Eshoo. She is tied up in an Intel briefing, or she would be down in support of this amendment. We both cochair the E9-1-1 Caucus in which, in 2004, we passed on this floor an authorization of $1.2 billion over 5 years to help our first line responders roll out ENHANCE 9/11 in a 50 percent grant program with our public safety officials. Under Republican control over the past 2 years, and now under a Democrat-controlled appropriation budget, we have yet to see our first dollar from the appropriation process committed to ENHANCE 9/11. So the basic premise of this amendment is just to get started. There is $1.2 billion authorized. This is the third year with no dollars appropriated. We are asking for a shifting of funds of $5 million to make this happen. Again, this amendment is supported by the National Emergency Numbering Association, which is commonly referred to as NENA; and APCO, which is the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials. We all know the stories about people who expect that when they dial 9/11 on a cellular phone that not only will someone answer that, but people will know where they are. I represent rural southern Illinois, parts of 30 counties. It is one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi. You can go off in some area and folks may not find you until it is too late. So the whole emphasis behind ENHANCE 9/11 is to use technology, work with the land line companies, work with the cell companies, work with the public service answering points of PSAPs, or we call them the E9-1- 1 call centers, and in so doing, make sure that we move our country forward to be able to identify folks when they call 9/11 on their cellular phone. Again, I would venture to guess that almost everyone voted for ENHANCE 9/11, cellular identification authorization amount $1.2 billion over 5 years. So it is time, my colleagues. Congresswoman Eshoo and I just want us to start. I think the public service, the first line responders and the public safety communities really want us to at least show some good- faith effort by finally releasing some dollars. That is the intent of this amendment. I see there is some activity on the other side. I was hoping that the chairman would pay attention, because I am going to call, obviously, for the voice vote, but because of the way that it is worded, I will not call for a recorded vote, but I would like for him to be receptive to moving this provision, especially when it is brought in a bipartisan manner with a major member of the Commerce Subcommittee and the Telecommunications Subcommittee. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor my alma mater Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, where I graduated with my MBA in 1997, on winning its first national NCAA Division II softball championship. The fifth ranked Cougars (49-8) closed out the season with a 16-game winning streak. The 3-hour and 15 minute game was the longest in Division II championship history. Ashley Price hit an RBI single in the 12th inning to give SlUE a 3-2 championship victory over defending national champion Lock Haven at Firestone Stadium in Akron, OH. The national championship is the 17th in the school's history and first in softball. Members of the team include Ashley Price, Chaleen Rumpf, Carly Wildenradt, Emily Lenart, Courtney Mall, Lindsey Laas, Haylee Eubanks, Abbie Bates, Katy Biggs, Nicole Beecher, Lauren Zembruski, Sabra McCune, Amanda Puce, Jodie Ohlau, Kaeleigh Rousey, Libby Lenart, Mallory Ruggles and Kaitlin Colosimo. The Head Coach is Sandy Montgomery; Valerie McCoy is the Assistant Coach, and the Student Assistant is Shannon Evans. I am very pleased to congratulate the softball team of Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville on their national championship and wish them the best of luck for next season.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Dr. Wilson West. Dr. West is a native of Belleville, IL, and was a well-known doctor and professor. Dr. West was born near Centralia on September 13, 1913 and graduated from Salem High School. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In 1937 he graduated from St. Louis University Medical School. Dr. West was a member of the St. Clair County Medical Society and served as its president in 1971. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Union Bank of St. Clair County for 25 years. Dr. West was an active member and leader in the Republican Party and was viewed by many as the foremost authority on the Republican Party in southwestern Illinois. He served as chairman of the St. Clair County Republican Century Club for more than 25 years, elected as a delegate at seven Republican National Conventions, and was an Elector in the Electoral College for three presidential elections. He was very active in local, State, and national politics and hosted prominent politicians at St. Clair County events. He was proud to have attended the inaugurations of many presidents and governors and was a frequent guest at the Governor's Mansion and the White House. Dr. West wrote for medical research journals and was a professor at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, and Barnes Hospital. Dr. West is the namesake and past recipient of the St. Clair County Medical Society's Wilson H. West Award for service in the health care profession. He was honored as an ``outstanding alumnus'' by the St. Louis University School of Medicine. In 1966, he received the Everett Dirksen Award and subsequently established a Nursing Scholarship with the same organization. In 2002, Dr. West was awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Commission. He was awarded lifetime membership on the Republican National Committee, the honorary organizations, Republican Speaker's Circle, and the Presidents Club. Dr. West leaves a legacy to his patients of 60 years of service with dedicated professionalism and compassionate care. He touched many lives with his understanding, care, and concern. He provided outstanding treatment and service to three generations of southwestern Illinoisans. My thoughts and prayers will be with the family and friends of Dr. Wilson West.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. I thank the chairman. He's been very gracious in walking us through this process.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. I ask Chairman Visclosky to enter into a colloquy with myself and Congressman Costello. As Chairman Visclosky is aware, our home State of Illinois has two sites currently being reviewed by the Department of Energy and the FutureGen Alliance as potential locations for the final selection of the FutureGen project. FutureGen is President Bush's initiative to design, build and operate the first near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant. It is recognized worldwide as one of the most significant projects in the world to address climate change concerns. We appreciate Chairman Visclosky's support of the FutureGen project by fully funding it in this year's Energy and Water appropriations bill. However, Congressman Costello and I have two points of clarification with the report language as currently written, and we appreciate your willingness to address these two points. I yield to my colleague and friend, Congressman Costello.

Mr. SHIMKUS. I yield to the gentleman from Indiana.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend. We look forward to working with Chairman Visclosky as the appropriations process moves forward to ensure we continue to use coal, which provides half of our Nation's electricity, in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Army Specialist Jeremy Costello. Spc. Costello was a motor transport operator who was recently killed by an improvised explosive device while fighting for freedom in Iraq. Costello was a 22 year-old from Carlinville, Illinois who was assigned to 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Bliss, TX. Costello is survived by his 4-year old daughter of Alton. I am proud of the service this young man gave to our country and the service his fellow troops perform everyday. Not enough can be said about Spc. Costello. Some of his awards and decorations speak to what a great soldier and man he was; the Combat Action Badge and Driver and Mechanic Badge. It is troops like Costello that are risking their lives day in and day out to ensure our freedom here at home and to others throughout the rest of the world. My best wishes go out to his family and all the troops fighting to ensure freedom and democracy. May God bless him and may God continue to bless America.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lantos and Ranking Member Ros-Lehtinen for your time and the speedy movement of this resolution, and it's timely with the President's trip to Europe. A few things of note. I continue to follow, as the chairman knows, the occurrences in the former captive nations, the European Union countries, and mostly the Baltic countries, and it seems like we can never get to forgiveness. It seems like countries always go back to another point in time to address their grievances. I've been on the floor numerous times to talk about Molotov- Ribbentrop, and we've debated that and we've voted on that resolution. We forget about Roosevelt's land lease deal that was very helpful to the Soviet Union at that time, and as the chairman's correct, we also forget about the sacrifices made by the Soviet Union in winning World War II, especially on the Eastern front. So his concerns are well-founded and very much appreciated by this Member. There was great hope after the fall of the Wall, as I served on the German border during the Cold War era, that this would bring a new time for Europe, a time of prosperity and peace, the rule of law, democratic institutions. And that's why we continue to be frustrated by the current involvement, because when there is peace and stability and the rule of law, the people prosper, people on both sides of the boundary lines. In this case the Estonians and across the border, the Russians, they would both benefit from peaceful relations and coexistence. But we just can't get there yet, and so that's why I'm very appreciative of bringing this resolution because the decision by the Estonian government to move the memorial, as the chairman said, probably not proper in his estimation, I know that it can be said that it was done with dignity, with consultation and moved to a place in a military cemetery and given all the respects offered. But having said that, what a free and independent country, a decision it can make, doesn't justify the result. Again, that's why going back to the comments of, can't we just forgive and can't we just move forward, the great nations do not have to bully small neighbors. Great nations can stand side by side with their smaller allies and their neighbors to help them develop and grow. And what we see from the Russian Federation is just the opposite. We see them continually harass and bully their neighbors. Their neighbors have made choices that we expect free and democratic countries to be able to make, and just because the Russian Federation are unhappy with that it does not give them the right to bypass the rule of international law. So this issue, as has been discussed earlier, the result of the movement of the statue led to riots within Estonia by ethnic Russians and also problems in the capital of Moscow, and as Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said, any impartial observer would say that there was a move by the government to specifically not stop them, and there is great evidence that they helped encourage this ability to be thugs and bullies to ambassadors and government representatives of free and democratic countries. That's why I'm very thankful that the committee seemed right to bring this resolution speedily to the floor. As cochair of the House Baltic Caucus, I've been heavily involved for 10 years with NATO expansion, the EU expansion and the energy disputes. Estonia is one of our closest allies and friends in Europe. They have been an integral part in our war on terror in having troops in Afghanistan. That is why House Resolution 397 is so important. The U.S. House of Representatives must stand with our Estonian friends and refuse to let them be bullied by the Russian government. The intimidation that President Putin is using against our allies in Eastern Europe is simply unacceptable. Again, I'd like to thank the chairman for bringing this to the floor.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ash Grove Christian Church in rural Windsor, IL, on the 175th anniversary of its founding. The church will be celebrating this historic occasion with a special service and program on June 3, 2007. Ash Grove Christian church was founded in June of 1832 with John Storm Sr. as pastor. The church started with only 18 members. Ash Grove Christian Church is the oldest Christian Church in Shelby County and one of the oldest Christian churches in the entire State of Illinois. Today, the congregation of Ash Grove Christian Church still holds traditional Sunday morning worship services with Jim Dona as pastor. I am pleased to congratulate Ash Grove Christian Church on this blessed occasion. My prayers will be with the congregation as they celebrate this anniversary. May God continue to bless Ash Grove Christian Church.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I would like to welcome Good Shepard Lutheran School and all the visitors that we have in our Nation's Capital today. This constitutional Republic works. The Founding Fathers, which I believe established this through divine providence, established a government based upon compromise, also a government that is concerned about the different branches of government and the checks and balance systems which then were enacted to defend against usurpation by either and each branch. I just come here today because many times we forget about the great institution in which we serve, about the blessings of freedom and liberties, and that God truly has blessed this Nation and will continue to do so.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 250th anniversary of one of the most important historic sites in Southern Illinois. It was in 1757, during the French and Indian War, that French pioneers exploring the lower Ohio and Mississippi River valleys built Fort l' Ascension on a strategic bluff over the Ohio, near the present- day community of Metropolis, Illinois. Two years later, the site was renamed Fort Massiac. After the Revolutionary War, President George Washington ordered the site rebuilt, and in 1794 the fort was reconstructed as Fort Massac. The fort is the namesake for Massac County and for Fort Massac State Park, which has served generations of Illinoisans with the opportunity to see history with their own eyes; to gain a greater understanding of how our region and our nation were built; and to see the difficulties that our pioneers encountered as they settled the area we now call home. This gift is due in large part to the hard work of Friends of the Fort, and the staff of Fort Massac State Park who have preserved this treasure for us. In 1908, Fort Massac became Illinois' first state park. Each October, Fort Massac is the site of the Fort Massac Encampment, a re-creation of life in Southern Illinois during the late 1700s which draws nearly 80,000 visitors. Several weekends during the year are dedicated to living history, giving visitors the unique opportunity to see life as it was two hundred years ago. I want to thank Sue Barfield, President of Friends of the Fort, and Terry Johnson, site superintendent of Fort Massac State Park, as well as all the local residents and historians who have put so much dedication into preserving Fort Massac for future generations to enjoy.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, imagine my beloved St. Louis Cardinals were playing the much-despised Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals are up by five, finishing the top of the ninth. Is this a cause for celebration? Is this a cause for victory? No. Unbelievable as it may seem, the Cubbies score five runs in the bottom of the ninth to throw the game into extra innings. There, the score remains until 1 a.m., five innings later. However, at the top of the 15th, the Cardinals fail to field a batter. The entire team has left the stadium. It seems that they are more worried about next day's 1 p.m. game at home than finishing the game at hand. Who wins? We know, it's the team that stays on the field. Arbitrary deadlines and a date certain accept defeat before the conclusion of the contest. It is in our national security interest to continue to take the field and support a moderate Arab state. Leaving prior assures a loss for us and a victory for our opponents, which will lead to another extremist Islamic state.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Kenneth Michael Kays. Mr. Kays, a native of Fairfield, Illinois was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. A monument in his memory is being dedicated on May 5, 2007 in Fairfield, Illinois. Mr. Kays, a Private First Class in the United States Army, was cited for his heroic action in Thua Thien province, Republic of Vietnam, on May 7, 1970. His rank at that time was Private and he was serving as a medical airman with Company D, 1st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division near the Fire Support Base Maureen. When enemy forces assaulted Company D's night defensive position, Private Kays began assisting his fallen and injured comrades. In assisting his fellow soldiers, he became a target and enemy fire and explosive charges severed the lower portion of his left leg. Private Kays applied a tourniquet to his leg and continued to search the perimeter and help his fellow soldiers who were injured. Private Kays did not allow himself to be treated until his fellow soldiers had been treated for their own wounds. He was cited with the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism. My thoughts and prayers will be with the family and friends of Private First Class Kays as the monument is dedicated in his honor. May God bless his memory and may He continue to bless America.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Triad Middle School in St. Jacob, Illinois, upon being selected as one of the Illinois Horizon Schools: Schools to Watch by the Association of Middle-Level School. For recognition in the Horizon Schools program, schools must meet or exceed 37 different criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Triad Middle School had to complete both an application process and host on-site visits. This award speaks to the dedication of the students and teachers at Triad Middle School. As a former teacher, I know how hard each educator works to help the students in their classroom succeed. This is a testament to not only the teachers' work, but also the students desire to learn and succeed. I am pleased to congratulate Triad Middle School on this outstanding accomplishment. I extend my best wishes for continued success to the students and faculty at Triad Middle School.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Oklahoma for bringing forth this motion to recommit. I have been down here a couple of times on other motions to recommit, and they are very similar to what we are addressing now. This is a call to my fossil fuel Democrats, my coal Democrats, to address the need of our energy security issues and help us with this motion to recommit to say that what we need to do is address, in this bill, and prioritize coal-to-liquid research and development. And just as important, the global security needs and the global warming with carbon sequestration. This motion to recommit will help prioritize these educational funds to do that. Likewise, for those who support nuclear power, especially those who feel that there is a concern of high-level nuclear waste, that we learn how to properly reprocess that fuel so we can use that to help our energy independence. I appreciate my colleague from Oklahoma, and I hope I have my friends on the other side support this motion to recommit.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution that would restore the entitlement status to Alton and Granite City for consideration in the community development block grant program. I want to thank my colleague and friend, Congressman Costello, who will be following me, for his leadership on this. This is a snafu that happens in government, and we are glad to come together, united, to attempt to fix this. The bottom line geographical issues are that I am from Collinsville, Illinois, in Madison County. I represent half that county. Granite City and Alton are actually in Madison County. Congressman Costello represents those communities ably and well. So we come together to try to fix this. I want to thank the chairman of the committee, who heard our concerns and moved this expeditiously, along with the ranking member, Mr. Bachus, and my good friend, Judy Biggert, who helped in the process. We look forward to a time when Alton and Granite City can get involved in the process and make applications through the CDBG for the needed infrastructure developments that are available through that Federal program. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, March 25, approximately 7,000 citizens of Belarus gathered together in commemoration of the 89th anniversary of the short-lived Belarusian National Republic, which was formed on March 25, 1918, when Belarusians proclaimed their independence from the Russian empire. Unfortunately, only 10 months later, the Red Army entered Minsk, quashed this democracy and set up the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic. On Sunday, the brave men and women of Belarus gathered together to commemorate their ancestors' drive for democracy and independence almost 90 years ago and express their own desire to live in free and democratic Belarus. This group had planned to assemble in October Square in central Minsk to start their peaceful march towards the National Academy of Sciences. However, participants arrived at this public square to find it blocked by riot police, and trucks and busses were forced to split into several groups. One group decided to march to the Sport Palace and reassemble there. When they got to that destination, they were met by a large number of policemen warning that if they did not leave within the next 5 minutes, special measures would be taken against them. Several minutes later, the first clash between the police and protesters took place, with several people beaten and arrested. Former presidential candidate Aleksander Milinkevich and his wife were among those hit and knocked to the ground. Finally, the group managed to break through and march to the National Academy of Sciences, where they were able to meet up with the rest of the group; and a rally was held. Participants included young people and families with children. They shouted slogans, sang songs and waived red and white Belarusian flags and banners which read ``Freedom to Kozulin and freedom to political prisoners.'' While speaking to the crowd, former presidential candidate Aleksander Milinkevich declared that ``Democratic Belarus will prevail, as truth and God are on its side. Under the weight of its lies, this regime will fall, but we should give it a push with our strength, our loyalty and our love for the homeland. We should do this in a peaceful manner, as Belarusians don't like violence. We are peaceful people and have not shed anyone's blood. It is our blood that has been shed and our people are in prison.'' Yet in spite of the peaceful nature of a crowd and Mr. Milinkevich's public assurances that the pro-democratic forces carried a message of peace, the police continued to try to break up the rally. Police set up loudspeakers which continually interrupted the rally speakers, warning the group that their actions were illegal, that they had not received permission to hold a rally at the National Academy of Sciences, and if they refused to leave, physical force would be used against them. Forty people were arrested on March 25th alone. Many people were also beaten with police batons. Leaders of the pro-democratic forces in Belarus, Anatoly Lebedko, Alexander Milinkevich, Victor Karnyenka and Valentina Polevikova, were among those hit by security forces' batons, with Ms. Polevikova suffering a head injury. What is additionally disconcerting is that 60 additional activists were arrested on March 23rd and 24th in the lead-up to the rally in a shocking incident. Prominent pro-democratic activist and mother of two, Krystsina Shatsikava, was abducted by unknown men and forced into a car at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23rd. She was later brought to a mental hospital in Mogilov, where she said that she had been tied to a bed and given an unknown injection at the hospital. She was finally released today. The young woman was a prominent activist following the fraudulent presidential elections in March, 2006, and had repeatedly declared her intention to participate in the March 25th rally. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I find it appalling that 7,000 peaceful protestors gathered together to commemorate an anniversary of national independence and freedom, only to have their voices crushed once again by the current regime of Aleksander Lukashenko. I denounce the government of Belarus for its actions against these peaceful protestors and demand that they release all the activists who were jailed for their participation during the leading up to the March 25th rally. I also, along with our European colleagues, once again urge the government of Belarus to allow its citizens to exercise their right to assemble peacefully and express their views freely.