Chris Smith

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 794) recognizing the 17th anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I urge support of the resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I believe that every one of us remembers the events that occurred in Tiananmen Square on June 3 and June 4, 1989. We may be hazy on the dates, but the images are as fresh today as they were then. We all remember the Chinese version of the Statue of Liberty being erected by thousands of peaceful, well-behaved demonstrators, mostly students. We remember peaceful protests in Beijing and throughout China calling for the establishment of a dialogue with the government and party leaders on democratic reforms, including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and respect for workers' rights and the elimination of corruption by government officials. All over the Communist world, from Berlin to Beijing, there was a tremendous outpouring of hope that year, hope that freedom and democracy would soon triumph. Exhausted, obsolete, and morally bankrupt Communist regimes were turning on the people in the last desperate effort to retain their control and the enormous privileges such control gave them and to the party elites. Later that year, the Berlin Wall, symbol of the physical, mental, and moral prisons that held over a billion people in chains, fell. We all remember the incredible joy felt throughout the world when this happened. Also burned for all time in our memory is the image of the lone protestor on Tiananmen Square who held up the tanks sent to crush the demonstrators. Yet we also remember that the police grabbed that heroic figure and swept him away, like so many others, to an unknown fate. Those tanks, under orders of the Communist government of China, then crushed under their treads the movement for democracy in China. The Communist government killed, tortured and imprisoned thousands for daring to question its illegal monopoly on power. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, are still imprisoned and persecuted for exercising the rights guaranteed to them by their Constitution and the rules of all civilized societies. While millions in Europe now enjoy freedom, that right is still denied to Chinese people. Right after Tiananmen Square, Mr. Speaker, Frank Wolf and I went to Beijing and visited Beijing Prison No. 1, a prison where some 40 Tiananmen Square prisoners were being held. They were like modern-day Nazi concentration camps, and these victims with their heads shaved were asking peacefully that the government allow some basic liberties that we all take for granted in the U.S. and in many other nations of the world. They were hunted down, tortured and jailed. China declared war not only on the protestors but on history itself. The Communist government undertakes active measures to deny its citizens the truth even today about what happened in Tiananmen Square. In December of 1996, Mr. Speaker, here in Washington at the invitation of President Bill Clinton, General Chi Haotian, the defense minister of the People's Republic of China, the general who was the operational commander of the soldiers who slaughtered pro-democracy demonstrators in and around Tiananmen Square in June 1989, said, ``Not a single person lost his life in Tiananmen Square.'' According to General Chi, the Chinese Army did nothing more violent than the ``pushing of people.'' To counter that big lie, I quickly put together and chaired a hearing of eyewitnesses to Tiananmen who definitively refuted General Chi's brazen lies, but then again, what did he care? General Chi got the red carpet treatment at the Clinton White House and full military honors. I believe he should have been charged with crimes against humanity. Most Chinese today, Mr. Speaker, unfortunately have no accurate knowledge of what happened in Tiananmen Square. China blocks even today uncensored Internet sites and Web logs and places misleading information on Internet sites available in China, often with the collusion and cooperation of U.S. Internet companies such as Yahoo and Google. As part and parcel of its Tiananmen Square cover-up, the Communist government sentenced journalist Shi Tao to 10 years in prison, using information provided by Yahoo, for using his Yahoo e-mail account to send foreigners a copy of a Chinese Government memo warning of possible trouble during the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. We all know that torture does not stop with those who demand political freedoms. It is appropriate on this occasion to remember and seek freedom for all prisoners of conscience, all believers, democrats, and human rights activists who will one day triumph in China, but who now suffer grievously. There is ongoing aggressive repression of those who want to practice their faith as they see fit. Matter of fact, it has gotten worse in the last few years. Falun Gong practitioners, for example, are routinely rounded up and beaten and abused, and hundreds have been tortured to death while held in captivity. Catholics loyal to the Pope and members of the Protestant house church movements are harassed, tortured and imprisoned. The Communist government of China subjects Buddhist Tibetans and Muslim Uighurs to cultural and physical genocide. China also makes brothers and sisters illegal. China's coercive one- child-per-couple policy not only subjects millions of women to forced abortions and sterilizations; it has encouraged a massive increase in sex-selective abortions and female infanticide. The result is up to 100 million missing girls or women and one of the worst human trafficking problems now in the world. Matter of fact, it has been said by one China demographer that by the year 2020 as many as 40 million men will be looking for wives in China and will not be able to find them as a direct result of the one-child-per-couple policy. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Mao Hengfeng, a long-time activist to end this evil policy, was rearrested just a few days ago as part of a new crackdown on pro-democracy protests related to the Tiananmen Square anniversary. The Chinese Communists know, even if many Westerners still do not understand it, that democracy and the right to life are intrinsically connected. I held a hearing a year and a half ago on Mrs. Mao, and I continue to admire her incredible courage. Today, I pray for her and her family and will work again for her early release. Two other prisoners, Madam Speaker, especially Dr. Yang Jianli and Dr. Wang Bingzhang, deserve special recognition as well today. They are both American permanent residents. Their families are U.S. citizens, and they have for many years peacefully worked for freedom and democracy in the People's Republic of China. In a country with thousands of prisoners, their cases are particularly egregious examples of China's human rights violations. This bill calls for their immediate release, as well as the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience. Madam Speaker, we cannot forget these people. Had the hopes of the Tiananmen Square been realized, we would not need to pass such a resolution as we do today. The more than 25 hearings that I have held on this subject would not have been needed and many resolutions, including two more that will follow this one to make a record three resolutions on China's egregious human rights abuse being considered on the House floor today. Alas, all of this is necessary until China agrees to observe the fundamental human rights that belong to all people and are recognized as such under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. We must not collaborate with the Chinese Communists to erase history. We must honor the memory of those who protested and did so so valiantly. This amendment in the nature of a substitute that we offer today has been updated to more tightly focus on the denial of fundamental human rights in China symbolized by the Tiananmen Square massacre. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance our time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution now under consideration.

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

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I thank my good friend and colleague from Pennsylvania, as Mr. Lantos said, for authoring this very important resolution, but also for his very eloquent statement moments ago regarding the historical context of this resolution and the ongoing issue of religious persecution in China, meaning the lack of freedom there. I appreciate his focus on the Uniform Declaration of Human Rights which so clearly establishes the right of conscience and the right of all persons to practice their faith as they see fit. As he so aptly pointed out, the Chinese have freely acceded to the Uniform Declaration, and to so many other human rights accords that have been promulgated by the U.N. Sometimes for international consumption and for PR purposes, and regrettably they do not live up to either the letter or the spirit of these agreements to which they have given their solemn word. Madam Speaker, this resolution which condemns the People's Republic of China for its continued interference into the international efforts of the Catholic Church and its persecution of Catholics loyal to the Vatican is certainly a very timely resolution. The state-controlled Catholic Church in China, which does not represent the majority of Chinese Catholics, continues to ignore the Vatican's wishes by consecrating new bishops without the consent of the Pope. In April and May of this year, the Chinese Government-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association of China conducted two unauthorized ordinations of priests to the office of bishop, and the unauthorized installation of another bishop, despite requests from the Vatican to delay these actions. According to the Vatican, bishops and priests in China are subject to strong pressures and threats to take part in ordinations which have not been approved of by the Pope and are contrary to their faith. While I am saddened by these reports, I am not surprised. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom reports that the China Government continues to systematically violate the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief and the testimonies of so many persecuted individuals. For example, Bishop Su of Baoding Province, is a gentle and kind man who I met in the 1990s. I point out to my colleagues that soon after our visit, he was rearrested on false charges, released and rearrested again. He spent 30 years of his life, this brave Catholic bishop, for loving God. Even today, we do not know about his whereabouts, although there have been sightings from time to time. As my colleague pointed out, in defiance of the U.N. article 18 of the Uniform Declaration of Human Rights, the PRC continues to restrict religious activities to those not associated with the five officially sanctioned religious organizations. Men and women that attempt to practice their faith outside of these five approved religions, such as the more than 10 million Roman Catholics, face harassment, imprisonment, torture and death. We have no wish to sanction the worshipers in the Catholic Patriotic Association in China; rather, we wish to offer our support to the Catholic population of China that is persecuted by its government for their faith. We condemn the Chinese Government's persecution of the Catholics and its refusal to permit a Vatican-sponsored Catholic church to operate legally in China. This is a great resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 804) condemning the unauthorized, inappropriate, and coerced ordination of Catholic bishops by the People's Republic of China, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the chief sponsor of this resolution, Mr. English of Pennsylvania.

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

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 608 condemning the escalating levels of religious persecution in the People's Republic of China, and I thank my colleague from Michigan, Mr. McCotter, for authoring this important legislation. I am very proud, along with many of my colleagues, to be a cosponsor of the resolution. Despite China's repression of religion as arguably among the most despotic in the world, despite China's entrance in the world economy, its government refuses to grant its citizens universally recognized rights to freedom of religion and thought. The People's Republic of China permits religious practice only for government-sanctioned organizations and registered locations of worship. Those who practice other faiths as their consciences demand risk disappearing into one of hundreds of Laogai, the forced education through labor system established by Mao Tse-tung decades ago. Not only is religious persecution of numerous groups and movements ongoing, but it is actually worsening. In February, the BBC reported that China had warned Hong Kong's newly appointed cardinal, Joseph Zen, a well-known critic of China's suppression of religious freedoms, to remain quiet on political issues. I have personally known some of the remarkable people that the Chinese Government targets for persecution. In the early 1990s, and I mentioned this earlier when we considered Mr. English's resolution, I met with Bishop Su of Baoding Province, a man who celebrated mass for our small delegation. I was amazed by his lack of animosity, by his lack of anything that even comes close to hate. He actually loved those who persecuted him and said he spent a considerable amount of time praying for his persecutors. He has now spent some 30 years of his life in prison and has suffered time and time again the ravages of torture by his persecutors. What kind of barbaric regime hurts a man like this? Last summer, our Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations heard compelling testimony from Mr. Chen Yonglin, formerly a diplomat for the Chinese Government who said, ``According to my knowledge, the persecution of the Falun Gong by the Chinese Government is a systematic campaign.'' To my horror, we have heard reports of the Chinese government targeting the Falun Gong for organ harvesting. According to the State Department's 2005 International Religious Freedom Report, the China Government's respect for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience remains poor, especially for many unregistered religious groups and spiritual movements. Members of unregistered groups, including Protestants and Catholics, are subject to restrictions including intimidation, harassment, detention, arrest, and add to that torture. Those who perhaps read the scathing report that was written by the rapporteur for the United Nations on torture that was released last December cannot help but be repelled by the ongoing systematic use of torture against those who are trying to promote either worker's rights, basic fundamental human rights, but especially those who espouse religious freedom and religious liberty. Given all of these disturbing facts, Madam Speaker, Mr. McCotter's resolution condemning the government of China's systematic persecution of religious freedom is both appropriate and timely. Let me also say, Madam Speaker, and I do hope the press takes some notice, today we are considering an unprecedented three resolutions on China. Each and every one of these is bipartisan. Mr. Lantos, as Mr. Wolf said a moment ago, has been a great champion of human rights all over the world, including in China, has joined with Henry Hyde, the chairman of the committee, and myself, along with Mr. Wolf and Mr. English. This is bipartisan. We talk a lot about bipartisanship or lack of it in recent weeks and months in this Chamber, but when it comes to human rights, especially as it relates to China, we are together. Now that we know what the problem is, we need to speak more about solutions. Hopefully as we move forward in this congressional session, we will talk more about what we need to be doing to try to get this government to roll back its repression. President Hu's visit was an opportunity. I would respectfully submit that it was a missed opportunity to raise these issues in a powerful way. He went back home to China thinking he had won over the American people. He has not. His record is deplorable, especially as it relates to religious persecution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 608) condemning the escalating levels of religious persecution in the People's Republic of China, as amended.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished chairman of the appropriations subcommittee for the State Department, Frank Wolf of Virginia.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Wolf for his very powerful statement, as well as Mr. Lantos, on this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, but I do want to thank Chairman Burton for sponsoring this very important resolution. We often forget just how important our friend is to the north. Canada is a reliable ally, a good friend in thick and thin; so, again, I want to thank Chairman Burton for sponsoring this resolution. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 792. The resolution, offered by my good friend from New York, Mr. Meeks, congratulates the Co-operative Republic of Guyana for reaching its 40th anniversary as an independent nation. H. Res. 792 is a timely and appropriate measure to let our friends in Guyana know that we support them as they pursue a strong and sustainable democracy. The resolution recognizes the 40th anniversary of Guyana's independence and extends best wishes to that nation for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity. Guyana has been a real friend, Madam Speaker, to the U.S. and an ally in the fight against terror. The friendship between our two nations has been strengthened by large numbers of folks who have migrated to the United States. Here the Guyanese diaspora makes significant contributions to both the U.S. and Guyana. Guyana Americans are law- abiding people who contribute to American society as good citizens while respecting the values of our society. Guyana joins the United States in promoting political and economic freedoms; combating poverty, crime, disease, and drugs; and promoting security, regional stability, and prosperity. The government of Guyana is, as we speak, placing emphasis on every sector of society to ensure improved efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainable development. These policies will therefore focus on strategies for development which expand and promote employment opportunities, increase foreign exchange earnings and private investment into the nation. Guyana is an integral member of the Caribbean region and constructive partner of the United States in fulfilling the agenda of the Western Hemisphere, that is, promoting peace, security, democracy, and development throughout the hemisphere. I urge all of our Members to support this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

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

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 338) expressing the sense of Congress regarding the activities of Islamist terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, let me just say, I appreciate the gentlewoman's willingness to withdraw this amendment. I, like many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, have worked for years going back to the creation of the International Fund for Ireland in the 1980s on providing funding and direction for the IFI. I have visited its projects and witnessed the cross community cooperation. As a direct result of the IFI and U.S. support for the fund, we have seen tremendous job creation. I would agree, in the Republic of Ireland there has been a significant growth, economic recovery, particularly in the Dublin area, not necessarily in western Ireland, but certainly in the Dublin area. But in Northern Ireland, in Belfast, and in the counties in the north, there remains serious problems, problems that fuel social unrest. One of the things that I find so encouraging is that, we have worked well with the leaders of the IFI. They are on a glide path to ending foreign support for this program. But they are doing so in a way that encourages police corporation and sustains good programs. They did it frankly directly at our request. The remaining problem is that the Catholics and the Protestants still haven't collaborated enough where prejudices have broken down. There are 5,700 projects that have been funded under the IFI, and I am glad the gentlewoman is withdrawing her amendment.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I rise to speak on behalf of the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and I am pleased that the gentlelady from Florida has withdrawn the amendment to eliminate it's funding. The International Fund for Ireland is widely recognized for creating comprehensive programs that have helped promote peace and reconciliation in the north of Ireland and the border counties in the Republic of Ireland. Twenty years ago the U.S. Congress, with overwhelming bi-partisan support, passed the Anglo-Irish Support Act of 1986. This landmark legislation created the means for the U.S. to contribute to the IFI--a Fund established by the Irish and British governments to promote economic development and peace in Northern Ireland. The Fund receives support from the United States, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. it's been a most effective way for the international community to help end the terrible war raging in Northern Ireland. Four U.S. Presidents and 10 Congresses have endorsed the efforts of the IFI. At the joint hearing I held this March--the eleventh I have convened on the peace process in Northern Ireland--U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland Ambassador Mitchell Reiss strongly praised the outstanding work being done by the IFI, and urged continued support for it. Since the inception of the IFI, the United States has contributed nearly $460 million and the results have been remarkable. As of 2004, the IFI has created nearly 38,000 direct jobs, and 18,000 indirect ones. In the 1990s Northern Ireland's GDP increased 53 percent, employment increased 17 percent and unemployment fell by 40 percent. Eighty percent of these investments have been in disadvantaged areas. The IFI has contributed to over 5,700 projects in Northern Ireland and the bordering counties of the Republic of Ireland and has provided 17,000 young people from cross-community areas with jobs. This is a tangible success in our struggle to end the conditions of despair and hopelessness which are the breeding grounds for terrorism. Earlier in this Congress, and also in the 108th Congress, the House passed my legislation (H.R. 2601 and H.R. 1208 respectively) reauthorizing the program at more than $20 million and urging the Fund to shift its focus from primarily economic programs to those that have a greater emphasis on peace and reconciliation. I am pleased to say, the Fund has responded. This year they released a Strategic Framework of Action 2006-2010 which strongly emphasizes cross community and reconciliation programs. The strategic plan also puts in place an exit strategy in which the Fund will wind down its reliance on international support. With this strategic plan in place, we cannot falter on our commitment. We are near to lasting peace in Ireland, but this is no time to falter in our efforts or rest on our laurels. Much remains to be done as Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahem has said, ``The next five years will be vital to ensure a lasting legacy for the Fund and for 25 years of international engagement with the peace process. . . . Once again the United States has demonstrated the importance of its relationship with Ireland and of our efforts to bring the peace process to a conclusion.'' Among the most important work it is doing now, in response to urgent requests from this Congress, are programs that enhance relations between the police and the communities they serve and promote human rights training for police. Without our continued funding, it will be near impossible for the IFI to do this vital work for lasting peace and finish the work it has begun. As IFI Chairman Rooney has stated, ``(The Appropriation Committee's) recommendation is a real vote of confidence in the young people and communities which benefit from the programs of the IFI. These programs address the root causes of conflict in our society: economic and social disadvantage, sectarianism and marginalisation. With a contribution of this level (i.e., $10.8 million) we can continue to target the areas of greatest need and ensure the goals we set ourselves. . . . The goodwill and support of the American people will be critical to our efforts. I would like to thank the many friends of Ireland in Congress for their continued generosity.'' Now is not the time for the United States to pull the plug on our support for this successful peace and reconciliation program; such a move would have a dramatic impact on programs that emphasize reconciliation among school children and young adults. The IFI has developed its own exist strategy enabling a thoughtful transition to self-reliant cross-community and social advancement. It is a good strategy and one that deserves our support until the end.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, will the gentlewoman from Florida yield?

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the right to object.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I thank my good friend for yielding me time and thank him for the job he has done on this very important legislation. Mr. Chairman, this morning I had the privilege of joining First Lady Laura Bush, Ambassador Tobias, Dr. Kent Hill at an event announcing Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Senegal as the newest countries to be added to the President's Malaria Initiative, $1.2 billion over its 5- year program. Mrs. Bush also announced Admiral R. Timothy Ziemer as the new U.S. Malaria Coordinator. I think Members should be aware if they are not already that every 30 seconds an African child dies of malaria moreover about 1.2 million people die each year, mostly in Africa, from this preventable disease. The President's Malaria Initiatives (PMI) goal is to cut malaria deaths by 50 percent in 15 African countries and hopefully to also mitigate morbidity. The plan includes disseminating insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, life-saving drugs called ACTs, and treatment for pregnant women known as intermittent preventive treatment or IPT. The money in this bill will advance this initiative and will now include four new countries. Let me also thank the chairman and the committee for modestly upping the amount of money to try to effectuate cures for those women suffering obstetric fistula. The amount has now risen to $7.5 million. My hope is, and perhaps in conference, we can bump that up even further to $10 million. Two million women suffer from this debilitating condition, the result of which is incontinence. I have visited hospitals in Africa, and seen that for a mere $150 a woman's life can be given back to her through a surgical repair. Obviously, there is also prevention, but there are these 2 million women who have a fistula today, and it seems to me we need to do even more to try to end their misery. Having met with many of these women, to see the smiles on their faces, having gotten their lives back, going back to their villages knowing that they will no longer be ostracized because incontinence obviously is not just a health hazard and leads to sickness, it results in very serious odor as well. Let me remind my colleagues that anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 new cases occur every year, and certainly if we were to increase our effort on obstetrical services, especially midwives in Africa, such an effort would go a long way to preventing this condition when an obstructed delivery or some kind of sexual trauma causes obstetric fistula. I would hope the chairman would try to increase that number even further, and I thank him for what he has done.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Obey-Hyde-Lantos amendment because the lifesaving interventions that would be effectuated by the amendment to enhance by $50 million money for PEPFAR and another $50 million to meet the needs for refugees and IDPs in Darfur are compelling. The money diverted from Egypt, I want to make very clear, will be very well used. I have actually visited camps in Darfur, Mr. Chairman, and they are underfunded. Despite our best efforts and many of the efforts of the international community, people do need more, food, medicines, as well as the shelter and security that ensures that the food and medicines can go to the people. Let me also point out that the PEPFAR program did not receive in this bill the amount of money that the President had asked for. Some of that money was put into the Global Fund. And I think it is unfortunate that PEPFAR, that has worked so well and is still growing in its capabilities as well as its impact, should be funded at least at the level the President has asked for. This gets us closer to that number. I recently visited a number of the programs that are funded by PEPFAR in Uganda and saw firsthand how there is behavioral change that is occurring as part of the abstinence, be faithful approach. But especially for those under the age of 30, there is a profound change. The infection rate is dropping dramatically, and has been for a few years now in places like Uganda. We went out into the bush and into areas where U.S. funded teams are going out two by two to bring the message of health, including testing as well as what needs to be done if one is found to be infected by HIV/ AIDS. We also saw that the PEPFAR monies were being used very efficaciously using faith-based initiatives and others to get the antiretroviral drugs to those infected. But clearly, there is not enough medicine available. Whether it be for young people or people who are older, there is just not enough antiretroviral medicine being funded to reach all of those who could get their lives back if indeed that money was there. So this money, at least $50 million of it, will be put there. Let me also say with regards to Egypt, we all know pursuant to the Camp David agreement, and because of the boycott, the Egyptians did receive significant amounts of money, as they should have, and they do so every year. They continue to do so even if the Obey-Hyde-Lantos language is adopted. But I am very concerned, as someone who spends a great deal of time working on human rights, that there has been a deterioration of human rights in Egypt, Christians and others, the government has not done all it can do to try to mitigate these abuses. Yes, I like Mubarak. We all like him. He is a very affable and a very effective leader in many ways. But it seems to me much more has to be done on a human rights record that the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices this year again has said is poor, as well as the International Religious Freedom Report with regards to Egypt. So for all of these reasons, I strongly urge that we support this amendment. It is a good amendment. And, again, we are still, even if this passes, major providers of U.S. taxpayer funds to Egypt, even if this amendment passes. So I urge support of the amendment.

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield to the gentleman from Arizona.