Chris Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Chairman, I thank my good friend for yielding time to me and applaud him for this very, very important piece of legislation, H.R. 3994. The gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) have crafted a very important piece of pro-democracy humanitarian legislation. Were Members here in 1989 when the Soviet Union withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, those who were, will remember that with the Soviet expansionist designs thwarted at the end of the Cold War, most Americans, including Congress, promptly forgot about Afghanistan. Foreign aid levels were slashed, and interest in the region plummeted. For over a decade, Madam Chairman, Afghanistan festered in a mire of factional in-fighting, international neglect, and drug trafficking. Untold thousands were killed and others were crippled by landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from the Soviet occupation. Women were systematically degraded and exploited and reduced to chattel. While Kabul was systematically reduced to rubble, the United States and the rest of the international community essentially stood by on the sidelines. While the West was trying to spend the peace dividend on other priorities, the vacuum of Afghanistan was filled with extremists who thrived on conditions of hopelessness. One of the lessons, and especially post-September 11, that America has learned is that we can no longer afford to sit by and watch as developing nations collapse into chaos and anarchy. This legislation, Madam Chairman, and the money that it will provide, will tangibly assist a suffering people. The Bush administration has it right and is doing a magnificent job in Afghanistan. They will help the people of Afghanistan to realize their hopes, their aspirations, and their dreams. The people of Afghanistan deserve to be one of the nations among the democracies. Now they have the opportunity, this legislation will help to facilitate that.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4592) to name the chapel located in the national cemetery in Los Angeles, California, as the ``Bob Hope Veterans Chapel.''

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman emeritus of the Committee on International Relations. (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. And first I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) for his very eloquent remarks and for his sponsorship of this very important and, I think, very timely recognition of the great work that Bob Hope has done. Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope is famous for entertaining all Americans, but we all know his most significant contribution to the United States has been in improving the morale of members of our armed forces by entertaining our troops overseas, especially during the holidays. Leslie Townes, also known as Bob Hope, was born in Eltham, England on May 29, 1903. In 1907, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1920. During World War II, Bob Hope attempted to enlist in the armed forces, so he could serve his adopted country, but was informed that his greatest service would be as a civilian entertainer for the troops. Whether at war or at peace, from World War II through the Persian Gulf War, Bob Hope committed himself for nearly 60 years to boosting the morale of the U.S. Armed Forces. It began in 1941 when Mr. Hope and a group of performers went to March Field in California to do a radio show for the troops in training there. During World War II, his weekly radio show was broadcast from Armed Forces installations around the United States and at U.S. bases overseas. During this period he developed a rapport that led the United Service Organization, USO, to ask him to lead 45 tours in more than 40 countries to entertain American servicemen and women. His spirit of selflessness was especially notable during his annual Christmas specials which began in 1948 and kept him on the road during this Christian holiday for more than 20 years in a row. He has entertained, as the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox) pointed out, an estimated 10 million American GIs. Mr. Speaker, here is a quote from a lonely sailor in France who had received a letter and some photos from a recent Bob Hope visit during World War II. His words portray the feelings of so many Americans fighting at that time: ``Your programs are the kind that make us think of home but they also make us feel that home is much closer than it really is. It is people like you and Mr. Colona and Miss Langford besides the one we love back home that makes it worth winning this war and believe me we are going to do it. I want to say thanks from the bottom of my heart for all the trouble you have gone through to make this strange sailor have a pleasant time for being so far away from home.'' Mr. Speaker, Bob Hope made over 700 television appearances. As we all know, he is a best-selling author, he starred in 60 motion pictures, and the ``Guinness Book of Records'' cites him as the most honored entertainer in the world. Mr. Hope has received more than 50 honorary doctorates and is the recipient of innumerable awards, including prestigious honors from the major veterans service organizations. His humanitarian work, Mr. Speaker, was recognized, and fittingly, with the Congressional Gold Medal. Public Law 105-67, Mr. Speaker, bestowed on Mr. Hope status as an honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces. As we know, he resides in California with his bride of 68 years, Delores. Mr. Hope, what an appropriate name for all that he has done to boost the morale of American fighting men and women. We say to him, ``Thanks for the memories.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cox), the prime sponsor of this bill.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 405) commemorating the independence of East Timor and expressing the sense of Congress that the President should establish diplomatic relations with East Timor, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 405.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, just let me say at the outset, I want to welcome the Bais Faiga Lakewood school eighth grade students who are here and Mrs. Faigy Uhr, who is the assistant principal, notwithstanding the admonishment from the Speaker, and let them know how welcome they are to be here today. Mr. Speaker, I rise to extend my congratulations in support of the brave and courageous people of East Timor. Yesterday May 20, 2002, was their independence day. East Timor is now officially the first new nation of the third millennium. The people of East Timor have every right, Mr. Speaker, to be proud of their newly won independence, because their road to freedom was long and arduous, full of intense suffering and death. It entailed not only 400 years of colonial rule, but also 24 years of brutal military occupation by Indonesia that included massacres, forced sterilization, and attempts at cultural annihilation. Indonesia's tyrannical rule over East Timor reached its zenith during the 1999 Scorched Earth campaign conducted by the Indonesian-backed militia with ties to the Indonesian military. Women were beaten and raped, families were separated, and nearly three-fourths of the nation's infrastructure was destroyed. According to U.N. estimates, over 500,000 people were displaced. Against tremendous odds, however, the brave people of East Timor persevered and triumphed. Despite terror, beatings and threats from the Indonesian military, the East Timorese people overwhelmingly chose independence in August of 1999. Ninety-eight percent of the eligible population voted, and almost eight out of ten chose independence. Under almost 3 years of U.N. guidance, they continually embraced democracy with very high voter turnouts, electing an assembly in August of 2001 and on April 14, their first President, their heroic independence leader, Xanana Gusmao. Mr. Speaker, when I was chairman of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), and I worked on held hearings on Indonesia and East Timor. I had the privilege of joining Joseph Reese, the general counsel and staff director of the subcommittee, on a visit with Xanana Gusmao in Cipinang prison. I was struck by his sense of poise. He radiated strength and confidence. I was struck by his determination, and his fervent belief that one day East Timor would be an independent, free state where democracy would flourish. I found that even the warden of that prison in Jakarta had an enormous amount of respect and admiration for this man who is now president. Mr. Speaker, I introduced this resolution, H. Con. Res. 405, and I am very proud that the distinguished Democratic leader, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), also a cosponsor, along with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), and the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) and other Members of this body who have joined us in this effort to say, in a bipartisan way, congratulations on a job well done. I especially want to thank Chairman Henry Hyde for both his strong support of this resolution and his indefatigable and tenacious promotion of human rights everywhere. Mr. Speaker, while our resolution commemorates East Timor's independence, it also addresses the serious challenges this new nation faces. It is not going to be easy. These include development of a stable economy, holding accountable those who carried out crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide during Indonesia's reign of terror, and caring for those many victims who still suffer tremendously from the scars of war and poverty. Obviously, the United States has an interest, Mr. Speaker, in ensuring that those who carried out war crimes are brought to justice. Crimes committed against the East Timorese have been well documented by the United Nations and other international organizations, yet most of their perpetrators reside in Indonesia with impunity, while the Indonesian government fails to cooperate with the international justice system. Indonesia refuses, for example, to extradite alleged war criminals, and the jurisdiction of its own ad hoc tribunal is so severely limited that Indonesian human rights advocates seriously doubt whether the most egregious violators of human rights will be brought to justice. H. Con. Res. 405 expresses deep concern over the lack of justice in the region, and calls on the President to use all diplomatic resources necessary to ensure that those responsible for these grave human rights abuses are held accountable. Similarly, given the well-documented linkages between human rights abuse in East Timor and the Indonesian military, our resolution expresses the need for continued restrictions on U.S. military assistance and training for Indonesia's military in the Foreign Operations Appropriation Act for fiscal year 2003. Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian needs of the East Timorese people are as great as anyone in the world. U.S. foreign aid dollars can do much to assist East Timor in developing agricultural programs, building solid education, health care, and judicial systems, aiding refugees, and repairing the country's infrastructure. Our resolution expresses our hope that Congress and the President will adamantly support these endeavors. I would point out that in fiscal year 2001 and fiscal year 2002, Congress approved approximately $25 million in aid to East Timor. The President's request for 2003 is about $19 million, and my hope is that we can work together with the President in making sure that that which is needed, and it will probably be more than that, the $19 million, will be made available. Mr. Speaker, several amendments to the original resolution have been submitted today. These amendments commend the President for immediately establishing diplomatic relations with East Timor and include other technical changes made for the sake of clarity. Finally, Mr. Speaker, let me say that, as Americans, we will forever honor the brave leaders who founded our Nation by fighting valiantly for freedom and democracy, the great ideals we cherish so greatly. They guided a revolution based on these ideals that is continued on through the ages in so many places throughout the world and, in our time, it has been so ably displayed, so nobly, by the East Timorese. The desire to live in freedom cannot be extinguished, and they are again another people who have risen to that challenge to say we will be free. Again, I want to congratulate the people and also especially President Gusmao on their independence, because they have set another example for those who continue to live under dictatorship to follow. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), chairman of the Committee on International Relations, for his leadership in bringing this resolution to the floor today. Without his personal and strong support, there would not be a resolution. But that is only the half of it. I have been in Congress now 22 years, Mr. Speaker, and I have known Chairman Hyde all those years. He is a champion of human rights anywhere and everywhere. Including East Timor. He is also a champion in the cause of promoting the sanctity of life wherever and whenever it is threatened. East Timor, finally, Mr. Speaker, has an extraordinary future. Its leadership has overcome incredible odds, and they possess an indomitable spirit and an enormous amount of courage. Our prayers and hopes are with President Gusmao and Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Belo and so many others who are now on the cutting edge of ensuring that a beleaguered population which has suffered so much finally enjoys the blessings of liberty and freedom. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and ask unanimous consent that he be permitted to control the time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4608) to name the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Wichita, Kansas, as the ``Robert J. Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center,'' as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), the distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Health.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3253, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me conclude and thank the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) for managing the bill on the floor; I thank my good friend and colleague, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Health for his leadership; I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) for his leadership; and I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) who is our ranking member. We have worked hand in glove on these veterans issues. It has been a delight to work with him on this important legislation. I also want to thank our staff. As we all know, Mr. Speaker, without the staff, committees would not function. They are hard working and very, very competent. They are professionals in every sense of that word. I want to thank Pat Ryan, our chief counsel and chief of staff; Kingston Smith; Jeannie McNally, who is our coordinator for legislation--by the way, it is her birthday, and I want to extend her a happy birthday--I also want to thank Summer Larson; John Bradley, who is the staff director for the subcommittee; Kimberly Cowins; Stacy Zelenski; Mike Durishin; Kathleen Grove; Art Wu; Veronica Crowe; Johnathan McKay; Bernadine Dotson; Andy Napoli; and Peter Dickinson; and others, all of whom played a vital role in this legislation. I hope I did not leave anyone out.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 4514, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume just to thank our professional staff again for the hard work that they have done on all of these bills before us. I especially want to call the attention of the House to, and thank, Mrs. Kimberly Cowins, who will be leaving the committee's majority staff at the end of this month for a new opportunity in Southern California. Mrs. Cowins has been the consummate professional as a staff member of our Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. She was instrumental in our work last year that led to passage of the Homeless Assistance and Health Care Benefits Acts, and she has been a major contributor this year to the health legislation that we are considering today. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Cowins devoted 10 years in serving as a medic in the United States Navy, including duty at facilities in Great Lakes, Jacksonville, Corpus Christi, my own facility of Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Orlando Navy hospitals. After leaving active duty, she worked in the health care systems of the VA and in the private sector prior to joining our staff. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Ryder University, which used to be in my district, and a master's in public administration from Texas A&M University. Mrs. Cowins is returning to the Navy in San Diego as the business manager of pediatrics at the Balboa Navy Hospital. Mr. Speaker, Balboa's gain is a significant loss for our committee, because of her intelligence, positive attitude, experience and good humor. We wish Mrs. Cowins and her family every blessing under heaven, and good fortune in her future endeavors. We know with confidence she will achieve the same level of excellence in her work at Balboa Navy Hospital as she did in her congressional service to America's veterans. General Leave

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 314.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman). (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 314, legislation recognizing the members of the AMVETS for their service to the Nation, and supporting the goals of AMVETS National Charter Day. I want to especially recognize and thank the prime sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci), for his fine work on this legislation, and for his very strong support of the many veterans bills that we have moved in this Congress. From its origin in the middle of the World War II, Mr. Speaker, AMVETS has had a long and distinguished history of service to our Nation. They held their first national convention in Chicago in October of 1945; and just 2 years later, on July 23, 1947, President Harry Truman signed the AMVETS charter. Originally organized for World War II veterans, AMVETS had their charter amended in 1966 to include veterans who served honorably during the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War and, again, in 1984 to include those who served honorably during peacetime as well. From its humble origins, AMVETS has grown into a national organization with over 250,000 members, in addition to another 60,000 members of their ladies' auxiliary. As chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I can attest to the important role that AMVETS plays in Washington in advocating stronger Federal policies for supporting veterans, their surviving spouses and dependents as well. Their legislative staff is among the finest, and they have played a key role in many important public policy debates. I know I can count on AMVETS for advice, counsel, and support as we continue developing national policies to benefit our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize and commend their national commander, Joseph Lipowski. He should be proud of the success AMVETS has achieved and continues to achieve, not just in Washington but also in communities across America. In addition to providing benefits and services to their fellow veterans, they also play an important role in the civic life of their communities. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge strong support for passage of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Grucci), the prime sponsor of this resolution.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the ordering of the yeas and nays on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3253, as amended, be vacated to the end that question be put de novo.