Albio Sires

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the cruel and indefensible termination of the DACA program. Since its launch in 2012, DACA has helped hundreds of thousands of young people come out of the shadows without the fear of being separated from their loved ones and sent away from the only country they call home. Many of these children came as infants, growing up in the same playgrounds, schools, and neighborhoods as our own kids. The President's decision targets millions of young people who contribute to our society, economy, and national identity every day. In New Jersey alone, there are over 22,000 DACA recipients who pay $66 million in State and local taxes every year. The emotional and economic impact of their deportation will be devastating, and New Jersey could lose $1.58 billion annually in GDP. America was built on the hard work of immigrants and our diversity is part of the foundation of our Nation. It is long past due for Congress to step up and protect the millions of families that will be torn apart because of this inhumane decision. We must protect DACA and pass legislation to fix our broken immigration system.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, our country is reeling from a natural disaster that has left dozens dead, caused billions of dollars in damage, and forced thousands out of their homes. Hurricane Harvey has wrought a level of devastation and suffering that is nearly unparalleled in our country. It is now our duty as America's representatives to live up to our role and help our neighbors when they are in need. This body cannot afford to delay providing disaster assistance in the wake of this storm, as Congress did when my own state was recovering from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Month after month, funding was withheld from our cities by political quarrels that came at New Jersey's expense. For five months, our communities were forced to wait for the federal assistance they needed to rebuild critical infrastructure. Cleaning up the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey is a task that is beyond any single state's resources and I will not stand by quietly if Congress fails to provide swift relief for Harvey's victims. I hope that this body has learned from its mistakes, will stand together, set aside its differences, and immediately provide the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey with the necessary assistance to recover and rebuild.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Florida. I want to commend her for her passion and her commitment to helping the people of Venezuela. I thank her for making me part of this Special Order. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. With every week that passes, we see the situation in Venezuela becoming more critical. A country with the world's largest known oil reserves is spiraling into a collapsed state where people are struggling just to survive. Journalists and citizens risk their lives every day to report what is happening inside Caracas and around the country. We see that tensions are growing, and government security forces shoot first and don't even bother to ask questions later. Maduro continues to keep political prisoners like Leopoldo Lopez under lock and key to send a strong message to those trying to question his actions. Just yesterday, we saw reports that government buildings in western Venezuela are being set ablaze. Make no mistake: It is the failed Chavismo policies and the authoritarian actions of Nicolas Maduro that have brought all of this pain and suffering upon the Venezuelan people. Press reports show that of 800,000 businesses that opened during the Chavez regime, nearly 600,000 have shut down. Both the Obama and Trump administrations have sanctioned senior officials in the Venezuelan Government for their associations with narcotrafficking, money laundering, and other illicit activities. Just today, Reuters released an exclusive report that the Venezuelan Government is in possession of 5,000 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles that are typically used to shoot down low-flying planes and helicopters. Last week, Spanish authorities interdicted a shipment of 6 tons of cocaine from Venezuela en route to their shores. With the recent sanctions of Vice President Tareck El Aissami, under the Kingpin Act, it has become clear that Venezuela's Government is acting as a narco-state and facilitating the shipment of narcotics throughout the region. These sanctions are not against the Venezuelan people but are carefully crafted and targeted towards the individuals who are committed to destroying the lives of millions of innocent civilians in exchange for money and power. Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned members of Venezuela's Supreme Court for their rulings that stripped power away from the National Assembly, further consolidating Maduro's authoritarian regime. Maduro and his cronies continue to get rich as they traffic money and drugs while doing nothing to help the millions of suffering people in Venezuela. They continue to loot the country as reports regarding the worsening situation continue to make front-page news throughout the region. Maduro's tactics are making it impossible to survive. Multiple news reports confirm a growing health crisis as people lack access to basic medicines, and infant mortality rates and preventable diseases such as diptheria, malaria, and the Zika virus are all on the rise. In addition, nearly every day we hear of young children whose lives are cut short, whether it is from a bullet from Maduro's thugs or the lack of access to food, water, and basic services. That is why I am grateful for the efforts of my colleagues here tonight who have supported several initiatives in Congress that work to hold these thugs accountable. My colleagues and I have held hearings, sent letters, and met with our allies in the region to work together to try to bring sound relief to the Venezuelan people. Meanwhile, instead of focusing on the economy, Maduro is staging mock military exercises and stoking fears by spreading propaganda of U.S.- led invasion. The truth about Maduro is clear, and the international community is starting to unify against him. The OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro has wisely called for Venezuela's suspension from the OAS unless it frees its political prisoners, accepts humanitarian aid, and holds elections without delay. I believe we need to work together with our allies around the world and continue to insist Maduro abide by international norms and give the Venezuelan people the freedom they deserve. I thank my dear friend from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and the other Members here tonight for their relentless commitment to these important issues.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this moment to thank my colleague and my chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee for always being present on all the important issues, human rights issues in the Western Hemisphere. And of course, I want to thank my colleague from Florida, Ileana Ros- Lehtinen, for her passion and determination to bring democracy to Venezuela. Before I recognize my good friend from Florida, Mario Diaz-Balart, I would just like to say that Venezuela basically has taken a page out of the Castro brothers. This is how the process in Cuba started. Fifty- five years later, there is nothing but oppression, no freedom of expression, no election, and, quite frankly, there are approximately about 30,000 Cubans in Venezuela running the security apparatus. But I want the Venezuelan people to know that we are fighting along with them, that we are talking to all the Presidents, all the leaders in the Western Hemisphere, to put pressure on Venezuela to develop the democracy and stop the abuse of human rights in Venezuela. At this time, I yield to my good friend from Florida (Mr. Diaz- Balart), who is also a fighter for human rights and who has been always in the forefront of human rights in the Western Hemisphere.

Mr. SIRES. Thank you, Congressman. Thank you for all your passion and all your effort on behalf of those people who need it the most, the people in Venezuela. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to end by saying, you know, I remember years ago when Spain went through 39 years of dictatorships in the Franco era. And one of the things that happened that was able to develop democracy in Spain was the fact that all the European countries got together and helped and assisted in developing a democracy in Spain. I think the same thing needs to happen in this region. The countries of our Venezuela have to demand that Venezuela release its political prisoners, that it has free elections, and stop the human rights abuses. After all, it is in their best interest that a stable Venezuela is good for a stable region. Mr. Speaker, I thank very much my colleague, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, always for her passion on this issue. She is the little giant of human rights in this Congress. I thank her and my colleague, Mario Diaz- Balart.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, I am very concerned about these cuts. This undermines our leadership around the world and makes Americans less safe. When you consider that foreign aid is only 1 percent of our entire budget and helps keep Americans safe, it is an investment in our security. Fully funding our State Department and ensuring our diplomats have the resources they need prevents conflicts, diffuses crises, and works to keep American soldiers out of harm's way. U.S. foreign aid helps protect some of the world's poorest people from disease, starvation, and death. President Trump's own Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis, said: ``If you don't fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition. . . .'' I signed onto a letter led by Ranking Member Engel, along with my Democratic colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urging the Speaker to oppose these draconian cuts. We are already hearing from our allies all over the Western Hemisphere how dangerous these cuts could be to the stability of the region. Countries like Colombia fought a 52-year-long war with the FARC guerrillas, and now, when they need us the most to implement the peace deal, the Trump administration has signaled it is ready to abandon one of our strongest partners in the world. The President claims to care about protecting our sovereign border, but this budget says otherwise. Both Republican and Democrat administrations have pushed for a strong security, economic, and trade relationship with Mexico. Pushing our neighbors away could cost billions of dollars to our U.S. businesses. Instead of working with our partners in the Western Hemisphere, President Trump is preventing us from maintaining a robust relationship with our neighbors to pay for this unrealistic and ineffective wall. In Central America, we risk seeing a repeat of the 2014 crisis when nearly 70,000 children made the dangerous journeys from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador after being threatened with violence, assault, and forced gang recruitment. Our engagement in Central America is helping to bring calm to the region, and abandoning our friends in their time of need puts America at risk. Retreating from the world will allow other countries like China and Russia to take our place as a global leader. Instead of building a wall, the President should continue working with our neighbors to enhance cooperation instead of alienating friends who have stood by us for decades.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I couldn't agree more. Already we are starting to see the influence of China in most of the countries in South America. You know, I had a conversation with one of the presidents of the colleges in Colombia on one of my trips. He was telling me how the influence of China in Colombia is so strong. He was telling me that the second most studied language in Colombia today is Mandarin. When you think of that, that is a frightening thought. You talk about the influence in Nicaragua of the Chinese. They even think of building a canal, which many people think will never happen. But to have China so close to our borders is not good for America. To push away our neighbors is not good for America. We must work with our neighbors. People don't realize the amount of economic activity between the United States and the rest of Central America and Mexico. I read something very funny the other day. Well, it is not funny, but it is really sad. They were discussing this wall that the President proposes. Some people say: Where are we going to put it? In the middle of the river? Or are we going to put it on the American side and give the river to Mexico? Or are we going to go invade Mexico and put the wall on the Mexican side and keep the river to ourselves? So I thought that was telling of the difficulty.

Mr. SIRES. If I might, I couldn't agree with the gentleman more. Just to bring it even closer to home, we recently met with the attorneys general from the Northern Triangle. These attorneys general have been fighting corruption, have been fighting the cartel. We have assisted them with a small amount of money. These people put their lives every day in peril fighting the cartel, fighting this corruption. In our conversation, they said to me: We need America's support to continue our work. If we stop now, all that we have accomplished until now is going to go for naught. When you are talking about a small amount of money, the strong impact that it has on countries that, for decades, have experienced a great deal of corruption, and we finally have people that have stepped forward and want to fight this corruption and put their lives in peril every single day, I think we should support those people. Cutting and running away from these people can only hurt us. This is just one small example of the impact that this 30 percent cut would have on this region.

Mr. SIRES. Well, before we finish, I just want to compliment Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel on the recent resolution that we worked on together in encouraging Argentina to continue on the path under new President Macri. Former President de Kirchner decided that she was going to be an isolationist. Argentina is too big. It is a country that could be a player in assisting us in any crisis that we have in South America. So this resolution did not cost any money, but it shows our friendship, it shows our support, and it shows that they are moving in the right direction. So my compliments to the gentleman, my compliments to the people that signed this resolution.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. I would like to start by thanking Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and their staffs for working with me to bring H. Res. 54 to the floor. I would like to thank my friend from South Carolina, Chairman Jeff Duncan, who is in charge of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and led a delegation to Argentina last March to help restart relations with the Macri administration. H. Res. 54 reaffirms the strong U.S. partnership with Argentina and acknowledges their President Mauricio Macri for his efforts to make the necessary changes and bring Argentina back into the international community. President Macri worked hard to stimulate growth and bring Argentina back as a powerful player in the region after years of isolationist views from the Kirchners. I was pleased to visit Argentina last year and see, firsthand, the changes the new government was making, and it was refreshing to see the progress already being made. Most importantly, we received assurances from the Macri administration that they will restart the investigation into the horrific 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires, which left 85 dead and hundreds more injured, and the untimely and suspicious death of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was found dead on the eve of delivering his explosive report which outlined the connections between the bombing, Iran, and former Argentina President Cristina Kirchner's efforts to cover up these links. Unfortunately, the victims of these attacks and their families still lack answers to what really occurred, and the troubling reports of Iran's role in the bombing deserves thorough investigation that finally brings the perpetrators to justice. Argentina is a great partner and a friend, and I believe we must continue to support our friends and continue to grow this critical relationship. Once again, I thank my colleagues for their support of this resolution and urge Members of the House to support H. Res. 54 to further strengthen the great ties our country has with Argentina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman).

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. In conclusion, let me say that the U.S.-Argentina relationship is critical, and I stand in strong support of H. Res. 54. Argentina's new President, Mauricio Macri, has done a tremendous job reforming their outdated and isolationist economic policies. Most importantly, the Macri administration has renewed its efforts to find the long sought after justice for the bombing of the AMIA Jewish Cultural Center, whose perpetrators are still evading justice. His efforts have improved the lives of countless Argentines, and I look forward to working with his government to continue building on the progress we have already made. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution and thank them all for their support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the grave consequences that undetected obstructive sleep apnea has on safety in the railroad industry. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the obstruction of the airway during sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can cause unintended sleep episodes that may result in attention deficits and in a loss of situational awareness. It is a serious safety concern in railroading and has been a factor in numerous crashes: The September New Jersey Transit crash in Hoboken, New Jersey, was operated by an engineer with undiagnosed sleep apnea; In April 2011, a BNSF coal train collided with a standing train in Iowa that resulted in the deaths of two crew members. Medical records showed that both crew members had multiple risk factors for sleep apnea; In December 2013, a Metro-North Railroad passenger train derailed, killing four passengers and injuring 60. The engineer feel asleep due to undiagnosed sleep apnea. I am pleased that the Federal Railroad Administration finally released a safety advisory that calls for railroads to screen train operators for sleep apnea, and I hope it is instituted quickly.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Union City Public Schools for their outstanding achievements. Having come to the United States from Cuba as a child, I experienced the challenges of assimilating into a new community firsthand. As the representative of one of our Nation's most diverse districts, many of my constituents experience these challenges every day. Giving immigrants the tools they need to succeed is not only beneficial to our country, it is sound policy. According to The Wall Street Journal, Union City Public Schools ``have become a model for ushering low-income English-language learners into the mainstream.'' With a student body that is 95 percent Hispanic, one of the keys to Union City Public Schools' success is their English as a second language program and their early childhood programming. The programming has become a model for educators in the U.S. and as far away as Europe. Graduation rates have also increased by nearly 10 percent, in just 2 years, in the district. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a school district that has made tremendous strides in easing the transition of immigrant youth into our society and become the foundation of success for thousands of children and young adults.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of this measure. I want to start by thanking Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their work on global health and their efforts to bring this bill to the floor. I would also like to thank the many Members who have cosponsored this bill, especially Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, who has gracefully acted as the Republican lead. Additionally, I would like to thank the staffers who worked diligently to bring H.R. 2241 to the floor for a vote. Infectious diseases and other health conditions still claim the lives of nearly 9 million people each year. Emerging health threats, such as drug resistance, pose a serious threat to human health across the globe. New vaccines, drugs, tests, and other health tools are desperately needed. Progress cannot be made without a sustained investment in research and development. U.S. investments in global health research are central components of U.S. foreign policy to increase national security, strengthen U.S. relations around the world, and reduce infectious diseases. The U.S. has a legacy of leadership in global health research through agencies like USAID. That is why I was proud to introduce H.R. 2241, the Global Health Innovation Act. This will provide the oversight needed to gain a clearer picture of USAID's global health research and development. Over the years, research and development projects have greatly expanded at the USAID, searching for advancements toward an HIV- and AIDS-free generation and preventable maternal and childhood deaths, and preventable infectious diseases. This legislation is an effort to keep up with the scope of USAID's expanded efforts and ensure their research and development activities reflect their goals and priorities. This report asks them to provide clarity on their goals and metrics to better understand their work. H.R. 2241 directs the USAID administrator to report annually to Congress on the development and use of global health innovations in USAID programs, projects, and activities. The report must also include how the Agency measures progress, investments, and developments toward their health-related goals. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 2241 to allow Congress to exercise its oversight powers and ensure USAID's research and development efforts reflect their priorities. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel once again. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2241. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairman Royce, Ranking Member Engel, and all the staff for their support in promoting democratic values around the world and in their efforts to bring this resolution to the floor. I also want to thank my good friend Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for serving as the Republican lead on this legislation. I also want to recognize the leadership of my colleague, Chairman Jeff Duncan, on this issue. Freedom of expression is the key to a thriving democracy. It is the number one tool to hold people and governments accountable for their actions. In recent years, many organizations dedicated to freedom of speech and advancing civil societies have been trying to bring attention to the deterioration of press freedom in parts of the Western Hemisphere, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean. Cuba has consistently been characterized as having one of the most repressive media environments in the world, with the Castro brothers controlling all aspects of the print and electronic media. Venezuela and Ecuador have harassed and fined the media, shut down press operations, and even physically attacked journalists who were trying to expose the state-sponsored crackdown against peaceful political dissenters. In other countries, such as Mexico and Honduras, an increase in drug- related violence and worsening security situations have created a culture of impunity, allowing violence against journalists and the press to go unpunished. As a child in Cuba, I witnessed the deterioration of democracy as the Castro regime took over the island and systematically destroyed all aspects of freedom of speech and expression. There is a strong connection between the country's democratic values and the freedom afforded to their press. Working to preserve freedom of speech and pushing back against those who seek to quiet dissenters should be a top priority when engaging our neighbors in the region. That is why I introduced H. Res. 536, a resolution condemning violations of press freedom, violence against journalists, bloggers, and individuals exercising their right to freedom of speech. This resolution condemns these violations and urges countries in the region to implement the recommendation of member states made by the Organization of American States, Office of Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression. This resolution also urges our administration to assist the media in closed societies to promote a free press. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 536 to help foster better protections for the press around our hemisphere.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the Stevens Institute of Technology's remarkable achievement in winning the Department of Energy's prestigious Solar Decathlon. The competition challenges collegiate teams to spend almost two years building and designing energy-efficient houses that run on solar power. This year, the Stevens Institute of Technology team defeated more than a dozen other teams with their design the SURE HOUSE. Thirty students from multiple disciplines competed against teams from five different countries over the course of ten days in ten separate competitions to judge the houses' performance, livability, and affordability. This year the teams also had to prove that their house could power a hybrid, non-electric vehicle. The SURE HOUSE is a solar powered home that is also able to withstand Hurricane-force winds and flooding. Inspired by the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy it is meant to act as a new housing prototype for shore communities. The SURE HOUSE was ranked highest in several categories and uses almost 90 percent less energy than conventional homes. It can also provide emergency power to surrounding neighborhoods after a storm. The building will be taken back to New Jersey to act as an emergency management and coastal resiliency center along the Jersey shore. I am confident that Stevens Institute of Technology's outstanding performance will change the future of home building, particularly in vulnerable shore communities, and I congratulate their team on this impressive achievement.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to discuss the importance of America's working families. October is National Work and Family month and an opportune time to discuss how Congress can better serve our working families. In almost three out of five married families with children, both parents work. Supporting initiatives like raising the minimum wage, ensuring equal pay for women, and allowing workers access to affordable childcare is vital to ensuring the success of our working families. Raising the minimum wage is a critical step in closing the opportunity gap and building an economy that works for everyone. By raising the minimum wage, we can restore fairness for working men and women across the country. No hard working American should be forced to raise their family in poverty, but unfortunately the current minimum wage allows for just that. An increase in the minimum wage is not only the moral thing to do, but it would also provide a much-needed boost to our economy. Equal pay issues affect all workers in this country trying to provide for their families. Women make up 47% of the workforce and bring home 44% of the family income, yet they earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. As women continue to make up a larger segment of our Nation's workforce, it is imperative that we ensure that pay disparity is related to job-performance instead of gender. Stronger protections and enforcement will lead to a more successful female workforce that is not bogged down by discrimination. Ensuring access to childcare and early education for working families is important to their success. The lack of good, affordable preschool and childcare options have huge impacts on working families, with a significant disadvantage to low-income families. Childcare and early education options allow for parents to continue working and provide children with a strong foundation. Yet, many low-income working families are not able to afford childcare and have difficulties receiving assistance, even though they may be eligible. Providing greater access to childcare and preschool is a crucial step towards ensuring job retention among parents while offering a foundation for children. Employing policies that ensure that all working families are afforded a fair chance to succeed should be something that Congress strives to achieve. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address these issues.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the upcoming Friends of India 2015 Mission. The Friends of India Mission focuses on fostering women's business exchanges, economic empowerment, and gender parity while promoting meaningful, long-term dialogue among business and professional women in both India and the United States. For a decade, these missions have spurred the sharing of knowledge, ideas, and best practices and continue to lay the foundation for women's economic and political empowerment initiatives in both societies. Mr. Speaker, this year's delegation is quite unique. Twenty-two women, representing nine business sectors are committing themselves to expanding initiatives that promote gender impact investing, economic exchanges, and empowerment opportunities; all while spurring trade between India and the United States. Since 2005, Daryl Rand, the Friends of India Mission Chair, has been leading these missions, providing unique opportunities for women to expand their professional relationships and represent American businesses abroad. To date, approximately 90 women have traveled as part of this group of Friends of India. I am proud that businesswomen from New Jersey's 8th District continue to lead important missions from the United States to India. I am confident that this year's mission will continue to promote strong business and personal relationships between influential women in the Garden State and our friends in Mumbai.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise, along with the other co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus--Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, Representative Gerald E. Connolly, and Representative Gregg Harper--to commemorate the upcoming 104th National Day of the Republic of China (ROC) on October 10th. Marking this special occasion underscores the critical importance of the United States and Taiwan relationship throughout history. The pillars of United States cross-Strait policy are the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act and the 1982 Six Assurances. The United States supports peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the democratic institutions of Taiwan. Any future evolution in cross-Strait relations can only be achieved through the non-use of force and by respecting the will of the people of Taiwan. Further, we hope to continue to work with our colleagues in Congress on providing Taiwan access to meaningful participation in international organizations, such as in the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Mr. Speaker, as we observe the ROC's 104th National Day, we should use this occasion to rededicate ourselves to the tenets of our longstanding and close partnership with Taiwan. The commitment of the United States to provide Taiwan with a sufficient defensive capability under the Taiwan Relations Act is critical to both peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability. It also serves U.S. national interests as we continue to re-balance attention and resources to the Asia- Pacific. Our commercial relationship with Taiwan, our tenth largest trading partner, will also be well-served by a framework of peace and stability in the region. Mr. Speaker, the people of Taiwan are noble, peaceful, and hard- working. We invite our colleagues in the House of Representatives to learn more about our friendship with Taiwan and join the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, the largest nation-based caucus in the House of Representatives. Again, we are honored to rise today to celebrate the 104th birthday to our great friend, Taiwan.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate the tragic events that took place on September 11th, 2001, we pause to remember all those that innocently lost their lives on that day. We also come together to remember two other tragic events that devastated the Polish-American community. I stand with the Polish people today at the Katyn 1940 Monument as they commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Katyn Forest Massacre, and the 5th anniversary of the tragic airplane crash that killed 96 people, including the Polish President and other top Polish officials. The Monument, located in Jersey City, is a symbol of the important history of the Polish- American community in New Jersey and the sacrifices of their ancestors. The Katyn Forest Massacre occurred during World War II in April and May of 1940 while Poland was fighting a war on two fronts. The Soviet secret police brutally killed over 20,000 Poles whose bodies were later recovered in a mass grave at Katyn. Tragically, five years ago as a delegation of Polish officials were traveling to Katyn to commemorate the massacre, their plane unexpectedly crashed in western Russia, killing all aboard. The Polish people throughout the course of history have been unwavering in their resilience and patriotism in the face of adversity. Their courage is admirable and inspiring, and on this day we stand in solidarity as they commemorate these occasions of great loss.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the upcoming 50th Anniversary of Telemundo 47. Telemundo 47 began operation on July 30, 1965 as a television station to serve Spanish-language viewers in the New York Tri-State area. Since then, it has been the main source of information and entertainment for the Spanish-speaking community across the Tri-State area, including New Jersey. Telemundo 47 has evolved with its audience over the past 50 years, and recently experienced a boost in its local news operations. Today, the station broadcasts more than 20 hours of local news and programming each week and provides viewers with local newscasts seven days a week. To support this boost in demand, Telemundo 47 has hired additional journalists and launched a new weekday newscast aired at 5:30 p.m. A particular program worth noting is Telemundo Responde, a new consumer investigative unit that is charged with fighting for and helping consumers who have been wronged. The unit has already recovered more than $1.4 million for consumers, successfully combining informative broadcasting with consumer protection. For the past 50 years, Telemundo 47 has done an outstanding job of broadcasting both entertaining and informative programs to many viewers in my district. I am confident that Telemundo 47's success will continue for decades to come, and I congratulate them on this important milestone.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the christening and launch of the USS Gabrielle Giffords, the Navy's 10th littoral combat ship. My former colleague in the House of Representatives, Gabrielle Giffords, could teach us all a thing or two about honor, courage, and commitment. On January 8, Navy spouse and former Representative Giffords was shot in Tucson, Arizona, while meeting with many of her constituents and has since made an incredible recovery. She still works tirelessly to serve the people of Arizona, as well as citizens all across the country. I am pleased that the U.S. Navy christened the USS Gabrielle Giffords last week in a ceremony led by Dr. Jill Biden, the sponsor of the ship. Dr. Biden aptly noted that former Representative Giffords represents the same qualities that the Navy embodies, and I could not agree more. As this vessel travels the world, I hope it will inspire patriotism and resiliency. I am proud that the Navy has chosen to honor former Representative Giffords in this prestigious manner, and I am encouraged by the work she is doing as an advocate for safe and responsible gun ownership in order to prevent needless gun violence.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act. This is good, bipartisan legislation that will strengthen our nation's passenger rail system and create American jobs. My district in New Jersey sits along the Northeast Corridor, the busiest corridor in the Nation. In 2014, the Northeast Corridor saw a ridership of 11.6 million; its highest ridership year on record. As ridership continues to grow, the necessity to invest in rail infrastructure becomes more vital. I am pleased that this bill will provide 1.9 billion dollars for capital improvements along the Northeast Corridor. This money will assist states with the opportunity to grow their passenger rail services, which in turn will help provide more affordable transportation options. I am a strong supporter of the Buy America provisions that will ensure that American rail is built with American iron and steel. In addition to providing the capital and resources needed to bring the American rail system into the 21st Century, this legislation will help meet the growing demand for more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly means of transportation. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. SIRES

Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Jersey City, New Jersey, on its diversity and economic growth. In the shadows of the Statue of Liberty, Jersey City is the second largest city in New Jersey and was recently named the country's most diverse city. Jersey City's history as a city of immigrants has contributed to its current economic boom. In the late 19th and early 20th century, an influx of immigrants from Europe flocked to Jersey City to achieve the American Dream. Increasingly, immigrants have now been arriving from South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East seeking the same American Dream and finding it in Jersey City. Immigrants to the city have long contributed to the economy by opening small businesses and joining the job market. Just in the past year, Jersey City has seen an upgrade in its credit rating, a continued decline in unemployment, and an ever-increasing skyline. As further proof of Jersey City's diversity, over half of the residents speak a language other than English at home, and the city council is comprised with a wide array of individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. Jersey City is a true American melting pot, and I applaud Mayor Steve Fulop and the residents of Jersey City on its continued progress.