Albio Sires

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney).

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brendan F. Boyle).

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Once again, I thank Mr. Suozzi and Mr. King for introducing this good, bipartisan measure. The United Kingdom and European Union must safeguard Ireland's continued peace, safety, and prosperity as they work to secure a Brexit deal. We must ensure Ireland continues toward a bright, strong future, never returning to the violence and the division of The Troubles. The Good Friday Agreement must be protected. Mr. Speaker, I urge all the Members to support this important resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 178) to condemn gross human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, and calling for an end to arbitrary detention, torture, and harassment of these communities inside and outside China, as amended.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. 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 S. 178.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker of the House.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Let me first thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for their work on this legislation. I also want to acknowledge the work of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, led by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern). His expertise, and that of his staff, has made a significant contribution to the development of this legislation. This bill addresses one of the most egregious violations of human rights in the world today. More than 1 million Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities have been detained by the Chinese Government and sent to camps in Xinjiang, where they face torture, sexual abuse, brainwashing, and other abuses in an attempt to erase their culture and their religion. The Chinese Government is engaging in these atrocities under the guise of antiterrorism efforts, and the victims have been denied any due process. The severity of this disgrace was recently confirmed by a trove of leaked confidential Chinese documents that detail just how sinister these policies are. Meeting with members of the Uighur American community is a sobering experience. They have stories about family members in China who can no longer be reached, friends who have gone missing, report after report of violence, abuse, and mistreatment. The intention of the top Chinese Communist Party leadership through this campaign is clear: In the short-term, turn Xinjiang into a prison for ethnic and religious minorities, and, in the longer term, force these minorities to assimilate completely, erasing the evidence of their unique culture, history, and religion. The Chinese Government has a long record of oppressing Tibetan Christians, the Falun Gong, and other ethnic religious minorities. But what makes these efforts different is the use of technology to erase the Uighur people and their way of life. In some cases, these technologies can be traced back to American companies and research institutions. Unfortunately, we have yet to see an adequate response from the Trump administration. While the administration's decision to announce its visa restrictions and add abuse-enabling Chinese tech firms to the Entity List were good steps, they do not go far enough. There needs to be real consequences for those who have designed and built these internment camps. With the bill we are considering today, the House of Representatives is making clear that there needs to be more serious repercussions. Specifically, this bill calls on the Secretary of State to designate those responsible for these abuses with Global Magnitsky sanctions, including the freezing of their assets. It would also require the American firms to do due diligence on where and how their technology is being used so that they do not unwittingly become part of the Chinese Government's campaign to violate the human rights of their own citizens. This legislation is a necessary response to one of the most pressing human rights concerns in the world today. I am glad the House is considering it, and I encourage all Members to vote for its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, December 3, 2019. Hon. Eliot L. Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in S. 178, the ``Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2019'' that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to forgo action on S. 178, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi).

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. It has been more than 3 years since the Chinese authorities have accelerated and expanded their repressive campaign in Xinjiang. The global response to these abuses, up until now, has been insignificant, partly due to the successful campaign by Beijing to coerce silence from those who speak out. Where there has been talk, there has sadly been little action. Today, we have an opportunity to turn the tide by sending a strong message of support to the Uighur people and accountability for those Chinese officials who have violated their own people's rights and religious freedom for years with impunity. I urge my colleagues to join me today in sending a strong message to both the perpetrators and the victims alike with an overwhelming vote in support for this legislation. Mr. Speaker, before I yield, I would like to point out that there are three Members of the New Jersey delegation here. Two of them are refugees from communism. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the great generosity and service of Frank Guarini, a former Member of this institution. He was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, and has served his State and country through many numerous roles: as a naval officer, a state senator, a representative to the General Assembly of the United Nations, and a Member of this House of Representatives for seven terms. During his years on the House Committee on Ways and Means, Frank Guarini was a committed advocate for education. Since retiring from Congress, he has remained a dedicated champion of education and public service, donating millions of dollars to support local universities and organizations. He has provided funding to establish numerous institutes, including the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership at St. Peter's University, a nonpartisan forum that drives conversation about public policy and New Jersey's key issues. He has donated to the New Jersey City University to support performing arts and scholarships designed for interdisciplinary urban studies, planning, and development. Most recently, Frank Guarini has announced a $10 million gift to St. Peter's University School of Business to expand and update the school's established new initiatives. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Frank Guarini for his generosity, his public service, his longstanding commitment to bolster education, and his support for his hometown of Jersey City. I thank Frank Guarini.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Martin Luther King, Jr. program in Colombia and to recognize the tremendous leadership of my friend and colleague from New York, Congressman Greg Meeks. The Martin Luther King, Jr. program is a modest project funded by the United States Agency for International Development. It provides scholarships to outstanding Afro-Colombian and indigenous students to learn English as a second language and receive leadership training. The program began in 2006 and has supported over 370 students. While leading a bipartisan delegation to Colombia in April, Congressman Meeks and I, along with five of our colleagues, had the opportunity to meet with young people participating in the program and hear firsthand the impacts this program has had on their community. The students told us how their experience with the MLK program went far beyond just learning English. They have developed important leadership skills, which they have used to launch successful community improvement projects and to become role models in their neighborhoods. They told us how the program fosters an environment in which the students learn from one another about how to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I want to recognize my good friend and colleague, Congressman Meeks, who led the effort to establish this program back in 2006. While in Colombia last month, Mr. Meeks spoke passionately to the students about how they are the future of Colombia. Thanks in no small part to Mr. Meeks' efforts, that future now looks very bright. Congressman Meeks' leadership has been essential, not only to the success of this program, but to supporting Colombia's democratic progress over the last two decades and strengthening the U.S.-Colombia partnership. His tireless dedication to the underserved communities has been critical, and I am proud to serve alongside him. While there is still a great deal of work to be done, Congressman Meeks has helped the Colombian Government establish a society based on the rule of law. He has worked to ensure that the voices of Afro-Colombians and other historically marginalized populations are heard. He has helped inspire a new and more diverse generation of leadership. I look forward to seeing the continued impact of this tremendous effort. I am hopeful that these Martin Luther King, Jr., scholars will become leaders not only in their communities but of their country. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Meeks for his hard work, his passion, and his dedication to educating, inspiring, and supporting leaders of tomorrow.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, today I recognize the significant contribution of the Head Start Program in promoting school readiness and overall success for some of the most vulnerable children in our communities. On May 18, 2019, Head Start will celebrates its 54th year of strengthening children and families and this year, the Early Head Start program also celebrates its 25th anniversary. In New Jersey alone, there are currently twenty-six Head Start Programs and twenty- nine Early Head Start Programs, with over 15,000 combined funded slots for these two programs. In addition to providing academic programming, Head Start also provides critical health and nutrition programs, as well as support services that help many families work their way towards economic stability. I am proud to support the important work of Head Start in providing children and families within the 8th District of New Jersey every opportunity to succeed.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, according to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus impacts an estimated 1.5 million Americans and at least five million people globally. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects young women, particularly women of color, and can be characterized in part by swelling, fatigue, hair loss, chronic pain, fever, sores, cognitive impairment, and kidney problems. On World Lupus Day, it is important to renew our commitment to finding a cause and cure for this often-debilitating disease. The United States is home to some of the world's leading medical research institutions, and continued investment in these research efforts is essential to groundbreaking discoveries that will allow individuals suffering from incurable diseases, such as lupus, to live more comfortable, disease-free lives. I am happy to bring a greater awareness to this disease and hope that the international community can work in coordination towards gaining a better understanding of the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for lupus patients around the world.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the essential role the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad plays in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our communities as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of their founding. Started in May 1969, the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad currently has thirty active members and provides free life-saving emergency medical services to Weehawken and the surrounding communities in my district. The Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad is Hudson County's longest serving volunteer EMS organization and has responded to emergencies of community and national attention, including the World Trade Center Attacks, the landing of Flight 1549 on the Hudson River, and Hurricane Sandy. Furthermore, the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad continues to give back to the communities it serves through regular CPR and First Aid training to residents. I am grateful to the men and women of the Weehawken Volunteer First Aid Squad who volunteer their time and skills in dedication to the safety of the 8th District and commend them on this momentous occasion.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2002) to foster security in Taiwan, and for other purposes.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2002, the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2002, the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019. Last month, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, so it is fitting that we are standing here today to bring two important measures to the floor, including this one, to affirm the unwavering, bipartisan congressional support for Taiwan. Taiwan serves as a steadfast and significant partner to the United States, not just in the Indo-Pacific, but also around the world. It makes substantial contributions to the international community by tackling global challenges, from combating terrorism to promoting public health; and it holds close the values we cherish the most, standing as a beacon of democracy in Asia. However, over the years, China has attempted to weaken Taiwan's standing in the world. It has restricted Taiwan's access to international organizations and poached its diplomatic allies, and it has attempted to shape the way the United States conducts its relationship with Taiwan, a dynamic we have, regretfully, allowed. We must not--we cannot--stand for this. We cannot sit idly by and allow one of our most valued democratic partners to be sidelined on the world stage. It is time to revisit the guidelines we use in the conduct of our relationship with Taiwan and ensure that the United States is doing all it can to fulfill our commitments to Taiwan. That is why I am proud to support and cosponsor the Taiwan Assurance Act. This measure asks the State Department to take a closer look at self-imposed guidelines we follow with Taiwan and assess them based on merit, not on what would appease China. As proud co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, I strongly support the passage of H.R. 2002, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I urge my colleagues to support this measure. This is an important bill that demonstrates our historical bipartisan support for Taiwan, and so, as co-chair of the Taiwan Caucus, I strongly promote the immediate passage of H.R. 2002. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 273) reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 273, reaffirming the United States commitment to Taiwan and to the implementation of the Taiwan Relations Act.