seemed to john lewis capture it with the detail and passion that few others were able to summon up. . to enter the documents into the record. mr. smith: madam speaker, i have no further speakers on this side and i yield back the balance of my time. mr. conyers: likewise i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1010. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion is reconsidered and laid on the table.

the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> thank you, madam speaker, i move to intend the rules and agree to the resolution honoring the lives of the seven americans killed and those wounded in the attack on forward operating base

chatman in khost, eaving, on december 30, 2009. the chair: the -- the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: house resolution 1009. honoring the seven americans killed on khost, afghanistan, for their service to the united states and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from texas, mr. reyes, and the gentleman from texas, mr. thornberry, each will control 20 minutes. and the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this resolution. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. reyes: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas. mr. reyes: on december 30, while many of us were watching football, traveling back from holiday visits with our families or preparing to usher in the new year with loved ones, seven

members of the central intelligence agency family had their lives cut short in an attack on forward operating base chapman in khost, afghanistan. this was the deadliest day for the c.i.a. since the bombing of the beirut embassy in 1983. the news of this challengic -- tragic loss was of particular personal sadness for me as i had the priven to meet the khost team when i last visited afghanistan. i can attest that these men and women were among the finest america has to offer. they did not shy from the dangers that they knew existed and they believed in the mission that they were asked to perform. they worked tirelessly in an environment that is always dangerous. i'm proud of the work that they did and the work that their colleagues continue to do today to keep our country safe. the officers who died in khost were true professionals.

they were savvy officers who relied on years of experience to make judgments and to calculate risk. these men and women were deployed to an any of great danger and hardship and they did so knowing that the worst could happen. but they did it anyway because we as a nation are relying on them and colleagues like them to make the united states safe from the threat of terrorism. i realize that many people have a distorted vision of what it means to be part of a c.i.a. family. movies and books have made the life of a c.i.a. officer seem exciting. it wasn't until i joined the intelligence committee that i fully understood the unique sacrifices that the men and women of the c.i.a. and their families are willing to make in service to our nation. in addition to the inherent danger of the job, there are long separations from family and

loved ones often without explanation and on very short notice. birthdays and holidays are spent in the foreign corners of the world. to those who are wounded in the attack, let me just 'my -- add my personal thanks to your service and wish you a full and speedy recovery. to the families of those who lost their lives on december 30, you have our deepest appreciation and gratitude in this time of grief, please know that you are in our prayers and that this tragic loss will not ever be forgotten. it is my hope that you can find solace in the selfless quiet devotion that these brave men and women gave for the safety and protection of our great nation. they made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all of us. and all americans owe them and you a great debt for their commitment and dedication to the job that often very rarely receives any kind of public recognition.

with that, madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. thornberry: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. madam speaker, i appreciate the chairman introducing this resolution and in bringing it to the floor. it has been co-sponsored by all republicans and democrat members on the intelligence committee and i think it is an appropriate way to honor the sacrifice of those who were killed or wounded in this tragic accident. madam speaker, those in the intelligence community work, serve our nation, indeed, in dangerous places and in dangerous circumstances. i'll never forget an incident shortly after i first joined the intelligence committee in this house, i had been on a trip to iraq where i had gotten to see firsthand more of what our intelligence community members as well as our members of the

military do in that conflict and on my way back home to texas i was on a commercial flight where there was a soldier who was on leave going back home. when the plane landed, all of the passengers stayed seated, let the soldier get off first, applauded him, there were some tears around the plane, all of which was very, very appropriate. but in the back of my mind i was also thinking about those people who serve our nation who do not wear a uniform, whose brave acts will never be known and will never get the kind of public recognition that our military sometimes gets. it is in fact tragic that it is only in death that these individuals are honored in this more public way, but they

clearly do a job that is essential to our country's security and especially to the fight against terrorists to prevent further terrorist acts here. i think it's also important, madam speaker, to point out that these individuals gave their lives doing exactly the kind of intelligence gathering that is absolutely essential to stopping terrorists. they were trying to gather human intelligence and information from human sources and to gather that kind of information you often have to deal with some rather unsavory-type characters in dangerous places. but the fact of the matter is that we will not be successful in stopping terrorists unless we gather that sort of information. and so these americans who were willing to put themselves into dangerous places, dangerous circumstances, were gathering

exactly the sort of information we have to have to secure our country. there's been a lot of talk since the fort hood shooting and the attempt at bombing an airline in detroit about connecting the dots. well the truth of the matter is, the more information we can gather closer to the front lines, closer to the center of where terrorists operate, the easier it is to connect those dots and that -- gathering that information out on the front lines at the tip of the sword as it's sometimes said, that's exactly what these officers were doing and so i think it's important for us all to resolve to support them in that effort, certainly to try to find ways to encourage and support their efforts, not to appoint special prosecutors to go after people who are getting that kind of information, but to support their efforts. the other point i would like to

make is, i think in this situation there is an extra burden placed on families. because these officers were undercover, there's a lot of media interest and so forth. the families cannot go through that kind of traditional kind of grieving process like other families can. as the chairman mentioned, i hope they know that they are certainly in our prayers even as we honor their loved ones who served our nation. with that i'd reserve the balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. i now recognize the chair of the select intelligence oversight panel and a member of our intelligence committee, the gentleman from new jersey, mr. holt, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new jersey is recognized. mr. holt: madam speaker, i thank the chairman for bringing this resolution forward and i rise in support of the resolution and to offer my condolences to the families, friends and colleagues

of the seven service officers who were killed by a suicide bomber in khost, afghanistan, a couple of weeks ago. and to offer support and appreciation and best wishes for those recovering from their injuries. as chair of the select intelligence oversight panel and a member of the permanent select committee on intelligence i'm well aware, as we all are here, of the risk to service employees. a risk they face on a daily basis. these seven employees gave their lives in the line of duty. and our thoughts and prayers remain with their loved ones. may they find comfort in part in the knowledge of the high service these people have given to their country. let me also take a moment to express my wishes for a full and speedy recovery to those who were wounded in the bombing and my appreciation to all

americans, civilian and military, who are serving our nation in afghanistan. we look forward to the day when their presence in afghanistan will no longer be needed and that they'll return home safely to their families. i thank chairman reyes for offering this resolution and i urge my colleagues to support it. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from texas. mr. thornberry: madam speaker, i would yield for as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from florida, a member of the intelligence committee, and the ranking member of the terrorism subcommittee on the armed services committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized. >> i thank the gentleman for yielding. and as we members come to the floor from time to time to pass resolutions, to talk about resolutions, supporting athletic events or special occasion, it is always difficult for us to

come to the floor to talk about people who have given their lives in the defense of this country. who have been injured in the duty that they are performing for this nation. being in a forward operating base for someone within the intelligence community or the c.i.a. is about as far outside the wire as you can get. and some of the most austere conditions, men and women are asked to ascertain intelligence so that we here in the united states of america can remain safe and secure in our homes and our business places. seven individuals gave that ultimate sacrifice.

it is altogether fitting that this house would pause to give honor to those seven individuals and their families and to the individuals who have been injured and as my colleagues have already said, i wish them a speedy recovery. but also to say thank you. thank you to the men and women of the services who are willing to do what they do 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. we in this house, we americans owe them a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay. and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. it's now my honor to recognize the former ranking member of the intelligence committee and certainly someone that knows and understands the sacrifices that our men and women in the c.i.a. make every day, we're

fortunate to have her as speaker of the house, i recognize her for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. the speaker: i thank the gentleman for yielding and thank him for giving us the privilege to come to the floor to honor the lives, the leadership, the sacrifice of the seven c.i.a. officers killed. and those who were wounded in afghanistan on december 30, 2009. for those of us that have worked closely with members of the intelligence community, visited them in their stations around the world as some undercover, some not, we know the sacrifice that they make. like so many dedicated men and women in the intelligence community, these officers worked far from home, close to the enemy and on the front lines of the fight for freedom and security around the world. they are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, friends and loved ones.

they never ask for recognition or credit, for medals or awards. they simply sought to fulfill their duty, to protect our nation, to secure the blessings of a brighter future for our people, to bear any burden, as president kennedy said, in the name of our safety, our shared values and our common ideals. one of the -- go back a number of years before terrorism became such an important part of our intelligence gathering, go back a couple of decades, forced protection was one of the primary responsibilities of the intelligence community, to protect our forces when they were send into harm's way or in anticipation of that, the intelligence community was the advanced team on that and the ongoing force protector. and so as we honor on every occasion, and we will later today, our men and women in iraq and afghanistan, we know that there are people taking

risks to protect them as we talk about honoring them. and these are the members of the intelligence community in their various manifestation. there were stories -- the stories of these intelligence officers, there's stories of sacrifice, tales of bravery in the face of danger and the valor in the face of great peril. in carrying out the mission, they gave home to families, children and complete strangers . we're the land of the free and home of the brave because of them. in performing acts of extraordinary courage, they advance the cause of peace and answering the call of service. they became heroes. these officers knew we live in a time of peril at home and around the world. in the shootings at fort hood remind us that intelligence

remain the first line of defense against terrorism and all threats to global security and feas. we must continue to support -- peace. we must continue to support those in the field, the men and women who taking inspiration from their fallen colleagues keep pursuing their mission on every front. in words of this resolution, the entire nation owes an enormous debt of gratitude to these proud americans, their families and their loved ones for the quiet, dedicated and vital services offered to the united states. may their proud and selfless acts be a source of strength and inspiration to all americans. may those so painfully touched by this event find comfort in knowing the thoughts and prayers of our entire nation are with them at this very sad and difficult time. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from texas is

recognized. >> i yield for as much time as he may consume, the gentleman from new york, a member of the intelligence committee and a ranking member of the homeland security committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. king: i rise in strong support of this resolution. as the gentleman from texas indicated earlier, it's unfortunate that it's only in times like this that many of the american people realize just what an outstanding service is performed by the men and women of the central intelligence agency day in and day out, year in and year out. they perform missions and they put themselves at risk in ways that many of us cannot even imagine. i've only been a member of the intelligence committee for less than a year, but during that time i had opportunities to visit with members of the c.i.a., seeing the burdens they bear, seeing the risks that they endure. and it should be reminded to all of us that not only do we

honor these seven men and women who were murdered in the line of duty, not only do we offer our condolences to the family members of those who were killed and not only do we pray for those who are recovering from their wounds, bewe should also take an extra moment to express our solidarity to those that are in the field today, those who are doing as we're standing here on the house floor today speaking, as we go back to our apartments tonight, as we go back to our districts in the next several days, there are those who will not be with their families, not living in the comfort that we take for granted in this nation. and it also should be reminded to us that we should not be find ourselves to be monday morning quarterbacks, second guessing, they make life and death decisions and looking back we say they should have done this or that. the reality is they are the people on the front lines. they are the people, as congressman miller said, be on

the front lines. they are as remote as you can be in many instances. and also have to take extraordinary risks as they did in this situation. because if we are going to win in the war against terrorism we have to obtain the intelligence, we have to get the information that is so vital for heading off attacks. and we can't do it just by intercepts, we can't do it in always a neat and easy way. it has to be done by people putting themselves on the line, meeting those that are double agents or triple agents. let's just again express our heartfelt admiration, our sympathy, our sense of condolence for all these people who again died so tragically, these brave men and women, but also keep in mind that there are many, many more brave men and women out in the field today doing this compact same type of work and sh -- this exact same type of work and they deserve our support. we need to acknowledge them 365

days a year for the work that they're doing. i'm proud to support the resolution. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. it's now my honor to recognize my colleague on the intelligence committee, mr. schiff from california, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california is recognized. mr. schiff: madam speaker, i join my colleague, the distinguished chairman of the intelligence committee, in honoring the seven american intelligence professionals who lost their lives at forward operating base chapman on december 30, and the six others who were wounded in the attack. the american public will never know the names of some of the dead and wounded much these patriots served quietly, often undercover, and when they are lost, their families and colleagues must mourn them in private. it is a blessing, i think, of service on the intelligence committee that we get a chance to visit intelligence officials here at home and around the world. we have the chance to get to

know them, to see the courage that they exhibit. more than that, we have a chance to thank them. but we also have a chance to see the strain it puts on their lives and on the lives of their families, the sacrifice that is not rewarded with the kind of public attention and public thanks that their colleagues in uniform often receive. but we are here today to express our profound gratitude for their service and to share in the grief that is suffered and have been visited upon their families. in the coming months, seven stars will be etched into the c.i.a.'s memorial wall, joining 90 other employees who died in service to the united states. even today, 35 of the 90 stars honor the sacrifice of officers whose identities still remain classified. i hope that all of our colleagues will join us in expressing our deepest condolences to the families of those who were lost and friends

and to pay homage to those patriots whose service and sacrifice has made each one of us more secure. i yield the floor and thank, again, the chairman for his sponsorship of this resolution. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. thornberry: madam speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves his time. the gentleman from texas, mr. reyes. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. i now recognize the former ranking member on the intelligence committee and the current chair of the homeland security subcommittee on intelligence, a lady that i had the primpling of traveling with around the -- privilege of traveling with around the world to visit our men and women in the intelligence community, ms. harman, for three minutes, from california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. ms. harman: i thank chairman reyes for yielding to me and for the nice things that he says, not only about me, but truly about the men and women who serve our intelligence community around the world. and i thank him for authoring

this resolution. madam speaker, every single time i enter c.i.a. headquarters in langley, virginia, the first thing i do is to look at the wall of stars displayed in the lobby. each star, as we just heard, signifying a loss somewhere in the world of an agency employee. some of those stars have no names attached underscoring the sensitivity and singular importance the missions undertaken by c.i.a. women and men. on my most recent visit to langley in late december, i asked my host if any new stars had been added to the wall. yes, he said, simply. sadly, the next time i or anyone else enters c.i.a. headquarters, seven more stars will be on that wall. stars honoring patriots i probably met on one of my many trips that i made as ranking member of the intelligence committee and more recently as chair of the homeland security subcommittee on intelligence.

on those trips i always meet with our intelligence officers to hear firsthand about their work and to thank them for their service and sacrifice. when a suicide bomber took those seven lives in forward operating base chapman, americans got a rare glimpse of the dangerous reality that our intelligence community faces on a daily basis. there is no question, madam speaker, that there work has staved and will continue to -- saved and will continue to save american lives. so on behalf of a grateful nation, our profound gratitude goes to the families of harold brown, elizabeth hanson, dane, scott and jeremy wise and to those of two others whose names are not disclosed. we also salute those who were wounded in the attack and their families. madam speaker, accurate, actionable and timely intelligence is america's first line of defense, the so-called stip of the speer. these intelligence

professionals died in the effort to penetrate the top leadership of al qaeda. i believe that the best way to honor them is by supporting their colleges who continue to put their -- supporting their colleges. let us do so this afternoon. by supporting this bipartisan resolution. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas, mr. thornberry, is recognized. mr. thornberry: thank you, madam speaker. just to emphasize the point made earlier by the gentleman from new york, mr. king, as we come today to honor those who sacrificed their lives and their families for their sacrifice, as we come today to honor and express our appreciation for those who were wouned and wish them a -- wounded and wish them a speedy recovery, it's also important that we reaffirm our support to those who are all over the world also in dangerous places,

in dangerous circumstances, carrying out the nation's business in the intelligence community. and i think we are uniquely situated in congress, not only to oversee their activities but to support and encourage the work that they do that can never be shared with the outside world. so i think it's appropriate to have this resolution, but i think it's also important that all members of this body need to reaffirm our support to them in this way. with that i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. i now would like to recognize the gentlelady from ohio, ms. sutton, for three minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from ohio is recognized. ms. sutton: i thank you, mr. chairman, for the time and for your leadership. madam speaker, today i rise in support of h.res. 1009. today we are honoring the seven

members of our intelligence community who were tragically killed on december 30 and their colleagues who were injured by a suicide bomber at our c.i.a. base in khost, afghanistan. in honoring these brave men and women, we also seek to express our deep support and appreciation to all the civil servants who dedicate their lives to protecting our nation. we mourn the loss of all of these seven brave heroes and as the congresswoman from the 13th district of ohio, i'd like to take a moment to reflect on the loss of scott roberson, an ohio native who is among those killed in this tragic attack. scott dedicated his life to serving and protecting. he spent many years as a police officer before serving with u.n. security forces in kosovo. he also served several tours in iraq as a security officer before his assignment in support

of u.s. efforts in afghanistan. members of scott's family reside in my district. when i had the deep honor of attending his mehmet ali talat service some days ago, as i -- his memorial service some days ago, i listened to his family and friends speak of his character and his unwavering commitment. by all accounts scott was an exceptional person who along with his selfless colleagues sacrificed beyond measure to protect us. he left behind a loving wife expecting their first child, a child who will know her father through our hero's family and friends and through this resolution passed in honor of the service and sacrifice that he and his colleagues have given on our behalf and on behalf of our great nation. for those families who cannot publicly mourn their loss, please know that our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are

with you. and to all of the families, know that the sacrifice of your parent, your child, your sibling or spouse does not go unrecognized and will not be forgotten. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas, mr. thornberry, is recognized. mr. thornberry: madam speaker, i continue to reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas is recognized. mr. reyes: thank you, madam speaker. i now would like to recognize a valued member of the intelligence committee and the chairman of the strategic forces subcommittee of the armed services committee, the gentleman from rhode island, mr. lang van, for two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from -- is recognized. mr. langevin: i'd like to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. langevin: i thank the gentleman for yielding. madam speaker, i rise today to recognize the bravery and sacrifice of the seven c.i.a. officers and contracters who gave their lives in the line of

duty during the december 30 bombing of a c.i.a. base in khost, afghanistan. my thoughts and prayers are with them and with their families. i also want to recognize those americans who were injured in the blast and offer my best wishes for a full and quick recovery. madam speaker, as we've all learned by now, a suicide bomber who was believed to possess valuable information critical to counterterrorism operations entered u.s. forward operating base in khost, where he activated explosives that took the lives of seven americans, including one of our nation's top counterterrorism experts, as well as a jordanian tension officer. six -- intelligence officer. six other americans standing nearby were injured in the explosion. the men and women of our intelligence community do a critically important work behind a veil of secrecy, yet as this tragic incident reminds us, they're still exposed to the dangers that come with the difficult and often thankless

job of protecting our nation. unlike our soldiers in uniform, these public servants must keep their many victories secret while their sometimes failures make headlines. my thoughts and prayers again are with the families of these brave men and women. they and all the other patriots who serve so honorably in our intelligence community have my unending gratitude and my unwavering support. and i, i know, along with all of my colleagues, will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that they have the tools and the ro -- and the resources and the encouragement that they need to continue to keep america safe. may god bless those who lost their lives and those who are injured and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas, mr. thornberry, is recognized. mr. thornberry: madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from texas, mr. reyes, is recognized. mr. reyes: i don't have any more requests for time. have you yielded back?

ly close, madam speaker -- i will close, madam speaker. madam speaker, i'd like to thank all of my colleagues for their great words of condolences and sympathy in honor of those that were killed in khost. again, personally, i extend my condolences to the families and friends who are forever impacted by this tragic loss and to those that are recovering today from injuries they received in this attack, i wish you a fill and -- full and fast recovery. we as members of congress recognize that we have a tremendous responsibility to provide our men and women in the intelligence community all the tools that they need to carry out their mission. we're forever grateful and we're blessed to have these men and women serving, protecting our great nation. with that i yield back the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1009. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the resolution is agreed to and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. >> madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentlewoman from new york rise? >> madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 2611 as amended.

the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 226, h.r. 2611, a bill to amend the homeland security act of 2002 to authorize the securing the cities initiative of the department of homeland security and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from new york, ms. clarke, and the gentleman from new york, mr. king, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i rise in support of h.r. 2611 and yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. clarke: madam speaker, h.r. 2611, a bill authorizing the

securing of the cities initiative, was introduced by representative peter king, the ranking member of the house committee on homeland security on may 21, 2009. and marked up and ordered reported by the committee on november 11, 2009. the securing the cities initiative is a unionified effort among federal, state -- unified effort among federal, state and local law enforcement in new york, new jersey and connecticut to defend against the threat of a radiological or nuclear device. d.h.s., the new york police department, the port authority of new york and new jersey, and officials from three states and 91 locates are involved in this partnership -- locatalities are involved in this partnership. this is to provide a layered defense against the smuggling of a nuclear weapon. the more law enforcement

officials who have the ability to detect and are on the lookout for nuclear and radiological material in and around new york city, the better chance that law enforcement has to prevent a successful nuclear attack. the s.e.c. has procured thousands of basic hand-held radiation detectors which have been distributed to police officers throughout the region. advanced vehicles, including trucks and boats, with radiation detectors capable of distinguishing different radio active materials are also in use in manhattan and the surrounding area. more than 1,400 local officers have received training in radiation detection operations under this. s.e.c. funding is given to the new york police department which acts as the grant distributor for the fund. states and local entities around new york city are eligible to receive this funding.

participants in this conduct periodic aerial screening in addition to the check points that nypd sets up twice a day on manhattan roadways as the defensive and training deterrence measure. today f.t.c. is limited to jurisdictions in and around new york city. an amendment authoreded by mr. green of texas and included in the legislation before us today will broaden the scope of the program to include at least two additional urban area security initiative cities in the program. the bill authorizes appropriations of $40 million per city for the first year with smaller sums available for sustainment in the following years. the s.c.c. is a great example of a successful federal, state and local partnership. we are in the early stages and much work remains to be done.

that said, the positive initial results justify the continuation and gradual expansion of the program directed in this. during the second session of the 110th congress, the house passed a measure similar to the one before us today. i urge my colleagues to again support this important homeland security legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from new york. mr. king: thank you, madam speaker. and at the outset let me thank chairman thompson of the homeland security committee and my good friend from new york, congresswoman clarke, for her strong efforts which on this legislation, which is truly bipartisan, and by the addition of two additional cities, makes it truly a national program in scope. madam speaker, we look at london, we look at madrid, it becomes clear that a very likely

means of attack by terrorists in the united states would be from suburban areas into urban areas. and certainly in new york, which is the number one terrorist target in the world, enormous steps have been made to protect us against that type of attack, specifically a dirty bomb attack coming from outside the city through the highways, the parkways, the tunnels, the bridges, actually into manhattan itself, which has been already, as we know, devastatingly on september 11, also in 1993, been attacked by islamic terrorists, but also a number of other plots against new york city have been reported. so new york city is definitely the target, the main target in the country. there are a number of other cities as well. that's why i believe the program which has been implemented in new york can be a model for other cities throughout the country. now i was very concerned last year when the administration decided to zero out all money for this funding in its budget. this was, i believe, a serious mistake.

fortunately congress, by appropriating $40 million in this house and then finally $20 million when it came back from the conference committee, did continue to fund this program. because we need these radiological detectors on the highways, the toll plazas, the bridges, the tunnels. and i've had the privilege of attending a number of these drills and training sessions when they are conducted and as representative clarke said, we're not just talking about new york city, we're talking about a large number of police departments and first responders, fire departments, e.m.s. services, from not just new york city but from rhode island, from connecticut, from new jersey, we're talking about state police, we're talking about federal support as well. and to see them all working together, to work in a cohesive way, to stop what would be the absolutely devastating impact of a dirty bomb attack, the human toll that would take, the devastating economic impact it would have, the fact that it would make parts of the city

unlivable for extended periods of time, the fact that it would cut off transportation into new york city, all of these are reasons why we have to go ahead and condition with this -- continue with this, secure the city's program. it's no guarantee but it's another layer of defense that we need to protect ourselves against a terrorist attack. and as we know, the terrorists are constantly adapting, we have to try to stay one step ahead of them, we have to always be our guard. the old axe yom that we have to be lucky all the time, they only have to be lucky once. we have to rely on luck, we have to have preparation, we have to have layered defense. that's why i'm so proud to support this legislation which will almost in effect set in stone the secure the cities program and will expand it beyond new york city because while again congresswoman clarke and feel that those of us in the new york area are the main targets, the fact is that human life is human life and american life is american life and whether it's new york city or any other city in this country,

any major urban area, i believe this program is adaptble and compatible to those areas. so, again, i thank congresswoman clarke for her effort, i thank the bipartisan support that we have for this legislation and i certainly strongly urge its adoption and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i have no more speakers. if the gentleman from new york has no more speakers, then i'm prepared after the gentleman closes. mr. king: i have no further speakers. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. clarke: madam speaker, as you have heard, the measure under consideration is important homeland security legislation that has previously received and again deserves the support of the members of the house of representatives.

in closing, i'd encourage my colleagues to vote aye on passage of the bill. madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass h.r. 2611 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from new york rise? ms. clarke: madam speaker, i move that the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 730. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: h.r. 730, an act to strengthen efforts in the department of homeland security, to develop nuclear forensics capabilities of the source of nuclear material and

for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from new york, ms. clarke, and the gentleman from new york, mr. king, will each control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from new york. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on the bill under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. the gentlewoman from new york. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i rise in support of concurring in the senate amendment to h.r. 730, and i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york. ms. clarke: h.r. 730, the nuclear forensics and attribution act was first introduced in the 110th congress by the gentleman from california, mr. schiff, to strengthen our nation's ability to prepare for and respond to a

conventional nuclear or dirty bomb threat. that measure, h.r. 2631, was marked up and adopted unanimously by the subcommittee on emerging threat, cybersecurity and science and technology. it was unanimously approved by the full committee on homeland security on may 20 of 2008, and the house of representatives on july of 2008. so the bill was taken and passed by the senate in late, december, 2009. this congress we started early and brought the measure directly to the floor where it passed march 24 of 2009. now, the senate has acted and it's time to pass this bill into law. i would like to congratulate congressman schiff and my

colleague from the committee for recognizing the need to move quickly. we know that our enemies, both terrorists and rogue nations are interested and developing in using nuclear or radiological weapons. in the case of an attempted or, heaven forbid, a successful nuclear or radiological attack, rapid atory bution is critical. -- atrish ution is critical. -- attribution is critical. we need to have the information needed to respond. the deterrent effect of a robust nuclear forensics capability should not be underestimated. certainly, if terrorists know that if we have a nuclear forensics capability that can pinpoint their role in creating a bomb, they are bound to have second thoughts. unfortunately today, the u.s. must rely on forensic expertise and technology developed during

the cold war to address both nuclear weapons and energing -- in the emerging threat of radiological dirty bomb. the nuclear weapons work force is aging, just as its mission has shifted from traditional deterrence policy to the more complicated challenge of containing the terrorist threat. our nation's capabilities in the scientific fields of radiochemistry and geochemistry must be fostered to meet this new threat. that is the purpose of this bill. h.r. 730 expresses the sense of congress that the president should pursue international agreements and develop protocols to share sensitive information needed to identify the source of a nuclear detonation. i'm heartened that the obama administration has indicated its willingness to engage in and re-energize such

activities. it also tags the secretary of homeland security the mission for developing the methods to attribute nuclear and radiological material, both within the department's nuclear detection office, dndo, and in partnership with other federal agencies. the legislation emphasizes that the development of a robust nuclear forensic capability depends cheefl on an expertly trained work -- chiefly on an expertly trained work force in this area and the support for education programs relative to nuclear forensics. h.r. 730 also authorizes the national technology nuclear forensics center, ntfc, to enhance planning of federal nuclear forensics activities. it requires the secretary to report annually to the congress on the federal government's efforts to enhance its nuclear forensics capabilities, including the status of work force development programs, and

it authorizes $30 million per year for the next three fiscal years for this effort. h.r. 730 continues the homeland security committee's practice of authorizing programs and offices with n -- within ndhs that are valuable to make sure that the work continues and progress can be achieved in the years to come. i urge my colleagues to support this bill and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. king: thank you, madam speaker. madam speaker, again, let me thank congresswoman clarke for her leadership on this. i want to thank ranking member dan lungren for his work. and let me especially thank mr. schiff for his efforts on this and so many other efforts on behalf of our national security. i have the privilege of serving with mr. schiff in the intelligence committee. i have firsthand knowledge of the dedication he brings to issues such as this.

i say, madam speaker, i rise in strong support of h.r. 730. and let me just say that in many ways this is the other side of the same coin. we just adopted 2611 which is to prevent nuclear attacks against our cities. h.r. 730 will enable us to detect where those nuclear devices came from. it's absolutely essential that we deal with the process in determining the source of confiscated nuclear material. this is a grave, grave threat to our homeland and must be addressed immediately and robustly. we must have a rigorous attribution program to find the cullprits of this crime. -- culprits of this crime. the bill coming back from the senate does not offer the appropriation of $30 million. i believe that's important. it's essential that we have it. again this is a major step forward. i am pleased to support the legs even though i wish -- the legislation even though i wish

the $30 million was included in it. this targets an ongoing threat in a unique way. it will reinvigorate the pipeline to guarantee the nation of the resource of technical efforts in this vital field and strengthen the attribution capabilities. it's the homeland security working with mr. schiff of the intelligence committee. it's important we pass this and send a strong signal how we do believe in defenses, how we need to stay ahead of the terrorists' threat and do all we can to protect the american people in a way that transcends republican or democratic lines, liberal or conservative lines. it's an issue that should galvanize all americans. i support h.r. 730, and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i yield five minutes to mr. schiff of california, the author of this bill.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from california. mr. schiff: thank you, madam speaker. and i want to at the outset thank and congratulate the homeland security committee and chairman thompson. the committee has taken important steps forward towards preventing nuclear terrorism, persevering with this legislation, and i appreciate all the hard work that the chairman and staff have put into it. i also want to thank other members who have contributed greatly to the effort, the ranking member, peter king, mr. king, once again, i thank you for your leadership in this area. the former chairman of the emerging threat subcommittee and early supporter, jim langevin. the current chairwoman of that subcommittee, yvette clarke, as well as the ranking member of the subcommittee, dan lungren. this will help us fight one of the most important national security threats that we face, that of nuclear proliferation. countries around the world now have access to technology that was once the realm of the few.

and dangerous nuclear materials are unfortunately sprinkled around the world. this is not a new problem. a list of nuclear world has been intercepted in transit out of the former soviet union many times since the end of the cold war. and the material we catch is surely only a small fraction of the total amount trafficked. last year graham allison wrote in "newsweek," quote, the only thing that can keep nuclear bombs out of the hands of terrorists is a brand new science of nuclear forensics. he continued, the key to a new deterrent is coming up with a new way of tracing the material backward from an explosion in new york city to the reactor and the fissile material and even to the minds that originated it. the nuclear forensics and attribution is aimed at the decisionmakers in north korea, pakistan. as well as the smugglers and corrupt officials around the world who could steal it.

if their material is later intercepted, the united states will find out and hold them responsible. this bill expands our ability to determine the source of nuclear material by authorizing the national technical nuclear forensics center in the department of homeland security. this center will coordinate the various agencies and ensure an efficient combined response when nuclear material is intercepted or used, god forbid, in a weapon. it will also advance the forensics of nuclear science bringing new chemists and physicists by funding new research to identify new materials. it also takes an important step toward building the new forensic database we will need to effectively track new material. the bill asks the president to share forensic data on their nuclear materials, both civilian and military. this effort is vital.

and the national technical forensics center must play a key role in ensuring that the data we obtain is the data we need for quick attribution and response. nuclear terrorism is an indistinct threat of devastating consequence and therefore difficult to guard against. but as communications and transportation revolutions brings us ever closer to our allies, they bring our enemies close as well. i believe this bill will help make sure that our ability to prevent a nuclear terror attack keeps up with our enemy's ability to attempt to one. again, i want to thank the chairman and ranking member for their leadership and urge all members to support the bill. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized. mr. king: madam speaker, i have no further speakers on this side. i'd just like to close by stating that all of us realize that a terrorist attack is a nightmare scenario. the fact that we came so close to the loss of life on

christmas day he are minded us -- reminded us dramatically of the dangerous world in which we lived. just think of the ultimate nightmare scenario and that would be a nuclear terrorist attack. that's why everything must be done to stop those attacks and also add the deterrent, as congressman schiff said, a deterrent retaliation against any country, any individual, any organization which was any way involved in providing weaponry to be used against the united states. so with that i strongly urge adoption of this legislation, and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from new york is recognized. ms. clarke: madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. clarke: madam speaker, in closing, i would encourage my colleagues to vote aye on the pending question. doing so will allow this important homeland security

legislation to be sent to the president's desk for his signature without delay. madam speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the question is will the house suspend the rules and concur in the senate amendment to h.r. 730. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the senate -- ms. clarke: madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. for what reason does the gentlewoman from new york rise? ms. clarke: madam speaker, on that i request the yeas and nays. the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays have been requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. .

pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 proceedings will resume on questions previously postponed. votes will be taken in the following order. ordering the previous question on h.r. 1017 by the yeas and nays. adoption of h.r. 1017, if

ordered. the motion to suspend the rules on h.r. 3726, by the yeas and nays. motion to suspend the rules on h.r. 3538 by the yeas and nays. the first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote. remaining electronic votes will be conducted as five-minute votes. the unfinished business is the vote on ordering the previous question on house resolution 1017 on which the yeas and nays have been ordered. the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house calendar number 149, house resolution 1017, resolution providing for consideration of the bill h.r. 3254, to approve the taos pueblo indian water right settlement agreement and for other purposes. for consideration of the bill h.r. 3342, to authorize the secretary of the interior acting through the commissioner of reclamation to develop water infrastructure in the rio grande basin and to improve the

settlement of the water rights claims of the pueblos of nambe, pojoaque, san ildefonso and tesuque and consideration of the bill h.r. 1065 to resolve water rights claims of the white mountain apache tribe in the state of arizona, and for other purposes. the speaker pro tempore: the question is on ordering the previous question. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a 15-minute vote. :v:v:vv

the speaker pro tempore: on this vote the yeas are 239 and the nays are 175. the previous question is ordered. the question is on the adoption of the resolution. all those in favor say aye. all those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the resolution is adopted. without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

the unfinished business is the vote on the motion of the gentlewoman from guam, ms. bordallo, to suspend the rules and pass h.r. 3726 as amended, on which the yeas and nays are ordered. the clerk will report the title of the bill. the clerk: union calendar number 230, h.r. 3726, a bill to establish the castle nugent national historic site at st. croix, united states virgin islands, and for other purposes . the speaker pro tempore: the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill as amended. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a five-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

2/3 not being in the affirmative

not suspended and the bill is not passed. not suspended and the bill is

for what purpose does the gentleman from tennessee rise? >> i ask unanimous consent to withdraw my name as a sponsor for house resolution 4191. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, the chair will postpone further proceedings today on motions to suspend the rules on which a recorded vote or the yeas and nays are ordered or on which the vote incurs objection under clause 6 of rule 20. recorded votes on postponed questions will be taken tomorrow. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california rise? ms. lee: madam speaker, i rise to move to suspend the rules and agree to house res. 1021. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of

the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1021, resolution expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of january 12, 2010. the speaker pro tempore: the house will be in order. the house will be in order. pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. lee, and the gentlewoman from florida, ms. ros-lehtinen, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman from california. ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. lee: thank you. madam speaker, i rise in strong support of this bipartisan

resolution and yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. lee: madam speaker, i rise today in strong support of this resolution which expresses our deep condolences and solidarity with the people of haiti and all of those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been affected by the -- will the house will be in order? thank you, madam speaker. i rise today once again to express our deep condolences and solidarity with the people of haiti and all of those who have lost loved ones or have otherwise been affected by the tragic earthquake of january 12, 2010. let me first thank our speaker, chairman berman, chairman payne, our ranking member ros-lehtinen for helping to bring this resolution to the floor today. also, i want to express my deep

gratitude to our staff for working on this to make sure that the resolution came forward today. i would also like to recognize my colleagues in the congressional black caucus. the c.b.c. has a long history of working with the haitian people and the haitian american community and the haitian government. and many of us have traveled to that country many, many times. during the current crisis, the c.b.c. has and will continue to work closely with the obama administration and outside organizations to provide whatever assistance is needed for ongoing relief and recovery efforts. and i'm very proud of the fact that each and every member of the congressional black caucus and signed on as original co-sponsors of this resolution. more than a week has passed since the 7.0 earthquake. again many aftershocks. just today another 6.1 aftershock which has devastated the country of haiti. we've all seen the horrific

images and our hearts are heavy for the haitian people and all those affected by this tragedy. an estimated three million people have been directly affected by this catastrophe, leaving over one million homeless and many at risk of long-term displacement and vulnerability. an estimated 200,000 people, 200,000 people may have been killed as a result of this disaster. the massive number of casualties as well as the extensive infrastructure damage including to roads, ports, hospitals, residential dwellings, marks this earthquake as the worst natural disaster it to strike haiti in over two centuries. currently our government is engaged in one of the largest humanitarian relief efforts. the speaker pro tempore: the house is not in order. mr. lee: thank you, madam

speaker -- ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. as i was saying, we are engaged in one of the largest humanitarian relief efforts in our history. you said has provided $100 million -- usaid has provide $100 million to haiti and more is on the way. i have to commend the men and women of the government of haiti, of our own government, of our armed services, the united nations, the international community, our n.g.o.'s, our neighbors in the caribbean and latin america and throughout the world in their immediate response to assist those affected by this calamity. we continue to work around the clock to provide as much food, water and emergency health care as possible under these unimaginable circumstances. so it's important that these emergency supplies be expedited and not caught up in bureaucratic hurdles. the same goes for many relief and rescue organizations trying to evacuate survivors for emergency care. the red tape must be cut to save as many lives as possible. let me applaud the haitian

american community for providing relief to family and friends and the entire country. and also i have to praise the efforts of the american people at large who have once again, once again demonstrated their compassion by providing aid to people they have never met, never met, but who are suffering nonetheless just miles off of our shore. this resolution summarizes the unfortunate facts that have occurred in haiti but also in addition to supporting the efforts of the haitian people and being in solidarity with the haitian government and the haitian people at this point, during this rescue and recovery phase, this resolution also recognizes in a bipartisan way support for the recovery and long-term reconstruction of haiti and also recognizes that the recovery and long-term needs of haiti will require a sustained commitment, mind you, a sustained commitment by the united states and the

international community based on a comprehensive strategy, based on what the haitian people and the government of haiti have deemed necessary and requiring for their full recovery and reconstruction. i want to now reserve the balance of my time and yield to the gentlelady -- excuse me, on the minority side. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman reserves the balance of her time. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida rise? mr. ross: ross madam speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you, madam speaker. i rise today proudly of the lee lead republican sponsor of house resolution 1021, pressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake on january 12, 2010. last week haiti was hit by the largest earthquake to strike that nation in over two

centuries. today haiti was affected by a 6.1 magnitude quake or aftershock. when the original quake hit last week, it was a day like any other, with elections on the horizon, a sense of stability slowly starting to be felt on the island. some believe that things were finally starting to look up for haiti. and then without a warning tens of thousands were suddenly victims. millions were left homeless or hungry or both. buildings collapsed, countless disappeared, and the world was left asking, how and why? the tremendous loss caused by this tragedy will stay with us long after the roads have been cleared and the physical wounds have healed. my most sincere prayers and

thoughts go to all who have been impacted by this horrible catastrophe. the desslation left in its wake is beyond words. and yet there's one thing that has been made clear, the people of haiti are not alone in this trouble -- struggle. since news of the earthquake reached our shores, the american people have opened their hearts and their wallets to help earthquake-ravaged haiti. both through the many donations of money, food and water, volunteer work and through the u.s. agencies providing disaster relief assistance. our nation has been working around the clock to provide immediate help to all who have been affected by this horrific tragedy. u.s. coast guard aircraft began arriving almost immediately to transport injured personnel and

conduct aerial assessment of the situation on the ground. coast guard cutters with medical and other humanitarian supplies arrived soon after. followed by our usaid disaster assistance response team, multiple u.s. urban search and rescue teams, including two from my area of miami-dade county, the 82nd airborne division and marine contingency, emergency medical teams and food assistance and, of course, the remarkable contributions made by private u.s. citizens and corporations totaling over $40 million as of last week and still growing. in addition we have seen an outpouring of support from countries and people around the world. among many steps taken by countries around the world, israel sent a 220-person medical

delegation and set up a much-needed field hospital. the european union has reportedly pledged 200 million euros to help rebuild haiti, over and above emergency aid that is already being sent by them. the british government will triple its aid to haiti to $10 million. israel quickly set up a full service field hospital, as i mentioned before, but let me tell you, madam speaker, what it was equipped with. operating rooms and intensive care ward, a maternity ward, a pediatrics ward, incubator unit, a pharmacy, x-ray equipment, 10 tons of medical equipment, 90 beds, 66 intensive care beds, two delivery beds, approximately 250 personnel including 40 doctors and specialists, 20

nurses and several paramedics. the search and rescue teams of the israeli defense forces were also quickly deployed to haiti and include about 30 operators and dozens of operations personnel comprising logistics, information technology, communications and even k-9 units. more i.d.f. delegations are scheduled to depart to haiti this very week. as a result this resolution importantly calls for certain accountability measures to be put into place in order to ensure that the support is delivered in a way that is immediate, that is targeted, that is coordinated and that is transparent. now more than ever it is critical that our assistance go where it is supposed to go, when it was supposed to get there and how it is supposed to get there.

we have a responsibility to the people we represent and to the people we wish to help to ensure that the aid reaches its intended recipients and is used for its intended purposes. this is particularly important moving forward. again, i extend my most heartfelt condolences to all of those who are impacted by these series of earthquakes and i reiterate the pride i feel as i look at how the american people, our constituents, have responded to the cries of anguish and the cries for help of the haitian people. madam speaker, with that i'd like to reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from florida reserves the balance of her time. the chair recognizes the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. before i recognize the next speaker i recognize my friend from virginia for a unanimous consent request. >> i thank my colleague from california. madam speaker, i ask unanimous consent to enter into the record

a statement expressing my condolences on the situation in haiti and praising the search and rescue team that is in haiti 80-strong plus and having saved a number of lives already. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. >> i thank the chair. ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to now recognize the chair of the foreign affairs subcommittee on africa and global affairs, also chair of the congressional black caucus' international affairs task force, from new jersey a real leader who has worked on haiti all of his life, congressman donald payne. mr. payne: thank you very much and let me thank the chairperson of the congressional black caucus for the outstanding job that she has done in this whole effort, chairman berman and ranking member ros-lehtinen, and all of those who have come to show their support and what they've been doing up until now, what we spend to do in the future. madam speaker, i rise to extend my deepest condolences to the people of haiti, haitian

americans and all of those who have been affected by the earthquake that hit port-au-prince on tuesday, january, 12, and i -- january 12, and i yield myself two minutes to express these facts, words certainly cannot describe the pain and psychological trauma of the tragedy and its cause nor is there any way that we can just envision the tragic loss of life from this devastating 7.0 richter scale earthquake. the other thing about the earthquake is that it was only six miles below the surface which many earthquakes go as far as 100 miles, 150 miles down. so the trauma of this earthquake was just totally devastating. actually we have had several aftershocks, a 5.9 and a 5.5 and actually to date we had another

one today of 6.1 on the richter scale. so this is far from over. it has been estimated that over three million people have been directly affected by the disaster and nearly 1/3 of the country's population is at risk for long-term displacement and vulnerability, not to forget the unknown numbers of individuals who remain trapped in collapsed buildings. i want to thank the rescue teams, the nongovernmental organizations and other emergency responders who are working around the clock to locate and extract survivors. i want to commend the efforts of the humanitarian response that is currently under way, particularly the efforts of all persons and relief -- in relief organizations. donors so far have contributed over $220 million to this effort. and by simply texting on phones, $22 million have been raised at

$5 and $10 a clip. this is really showing the great heart of the american people. even today the dominican republic just announced $2.5 million that they are donating and as you know that's a country that struggles themselves financially. the disaster was a tremendous setback. again, haiti was starting it to move into a new beginning and we now will see many of the problems of high food prices and food shortages that have been caused by this natural disaster. we certainly need to really remain very committed to this community at this very difficult time. haiti has a longstanding history with the united states. we heard today talk about haiti and its relationship to the united states. it fought in the independence of our country, it was responsible

for napoleon to sell the louisiana territory to the united states because they were cash poor after the war that they lost. the whole question of louis and clark was able to move forward. we're intertwined with haiti. we have a great deal of connection with haiti. once again i would like to certainly praise the chairperson of the c.b.c. and let me correct the democratic republic of congo was the country that had recently made the contribution. even more spectacular because of the tremendous problems that we have seen there. we wish the president, who is doing everything he can, and the haiti government, we will work with partners -- as partners with them. this is just the beginning. we're going to stay involved with them until we see a completion of what they need.

with that, madam chair, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady reserves. the gentlelady from florida. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you, madam speaker. i'm so pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from georgia, mr. kingston, an esteemed member of the appropriations committee. actually, as much time as he may consume. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. kingston: i thank the gentlewoman and wanted to rise in support of this resolution but also wanted to -- i also wanted to commend those who are involved in the rescue effort and the international communities, the governments and the nongovernmental organizations as well as the private rescue teams who have been on the ground. i also want to give high marks to those people who have already been down in haiti. one of them was pastor freddy hebron from savannah, georgia, whose church has an ongoing missionary there. and the pastor was actually unaccount ready for for about

38 hours -- unaccounted for for about 38 hours. he's ok. he's still down there although communication with him is a little bit spotty. we also had another group, pastor bowman with the island church of christ who is down there led by doctor john r -- dr. john roa. located outside port-au-prince when the earthquake hit. and yet from their area they started immediately dispensing medicine to the victims of the earthquake, eventually ran out of medicine, and then were stuck in an area isolated from the american embassy about 25 miles. they were able to get led out of there on saturday at somewhat great danger and peril to them because at that point the street situation was beginning to deteriorate with

gangs and mobs that were out there. a lot of chaos. richard towns, who's a former marine, was able to get inside the embassy once they got near it. and after a number of other obstacles, this group was able to return home to savannah, georgia, on saturday with lots of prayer. now, however, sadly we still have two constituents from my area of georgia who are unaccounted for. one is courtney hayes, a college student with lindh university. she is a native of douglas, georgia. another is a businessman named david apperson who is from adel, georgia. both of them were staying in the hotel montana. and hotel montana has suffered many losses. the rescue crew has brought out eight people from hotel montana, but there are others who are believed to be still trapped inside there. in a conference call with the families yesterday, we were told that the search and rescue

teams and some are private, some are international and some of are american. one of them is from florida. one's from fairfax county, and one's from los angeles. they are doing everything they can with scope cameras and listening devices and dogs and so forth to try and find whatever cavities remain in this rubble and focus on those areas where somebody could be trapped and surviving. the cavity question is actually more important right now than food or water. and so they're focusing on that, but a major concern of the families is what happens when the government of haiti, which is what we were told yesterday, the government of haiti decides there's no point in further looking in for survivors at the hotel montana? what we're concerned about as americans that we should make that decision, not the haitian

government. and i have written a letter today to the president along with congressman rooney and congressman micah who also have constituents in there -- congressman micah who also have constituents in -- congressman mica who also have constituents in there. they need to do everything they can for the haitians and the international citizens but also we can do everything we can for americans down there that are unaccounted for. i would ask that for my colleagues that hotel montana, we know had some american citizens trapped in there. we do not know their condition. i hope that other members of congress will join me in calling for that search to continue. i also would call on the administration to do that and commend the good work that they are doing all around and realize the challenge ahead of them. but my concern right now is hotel montana. and i would ask for your prayers for courtney hayes, a college student, and david

apperson, who is a businessman from georgia who are both down there and both unaccounted for. with that i commend you and support this resolution and yield back the balance of my time. thank you. ms. ros-lehtinen: we reserve the balance of our time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: thank you. i'd like to yield to our majority leader, representative hoyer, from the great state of maryland. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. hoyer: i thank the gentlelady for yielding and congratulate her for her leadership, of the congressional black caucus, and her service on the appropriations committee and for the focus that she brings to making sure that we do not forget those who are less fortunate than we. we all join together in expressing our sorrow over last week's earthquake which shattered the lives of so many of the people of haiti. and as has been mentioned, of others who were visiting haiti. i do so fully knowing that no

words we say here can rebuild a collapsed home or heal the wounds of the living or bury the dead. in times like these we say words fail. they fail to capture the true scope of devastation and suffering and they fail to effect any change for the better. nevertheless, it's still important to express the responsibility we feel to the three million haitians killed, injured or displaced by this disaster. the same responsibility we hope that others would feel toward us in a time of needs. that is why america is joining with the international community, n.g.o.'s and the united nations to provide disaster relief and aid in rebuilding. that is why president obama has pledged $100 million in disaster aid and why american personnel are on the scenes saving lives and aiding in the recovery.

the "los angeles daily news" reported this week on the california firefighters whose back breaking work gives us all something of which to be proud. i quote from that article. "they were bone weary from digging through the rubble for five hours sunday. losing faith fast. when the cheering began it was like a shot of adrenaline. u.s.a., u.s.a. the large haitian crowd standing in the street yelled as los angeles county fire captain bill moynihan and his search dog rescue team finally freed a young woman trapped under her collapsed hotel for five days. bill said it brought his -- brought him to tears, said the executive director of the search dog foundation." we know there are stories of grief and loss to go alongside such stories of hope. we know that haiti's crisis goes far deeper than the earthquake, but we also know

that when our words fail in the face of a tragedy of this scope, it is our responsibility and our honor and our moral duty to act. i urge the house to pass this resolution. i urge the obama administration to give its urgent attention to coordinating and overseeing america's part in the relief effort. and then, when some degree of civility and stability has returned to that country, let us not forget that the road ahead will be long and difficult, but it is a necessary one if the haitian people are to return to a life which will give them the kinds of opportunities and stability that we wish for ourselves. and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentlelady from florida. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you,

madam speaker. i'd like to yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you. madam speaker, i'd like to thank and applaud the american people for the generosity and the compassion that they have shown in the wake of this horrific tragedy. according to our state department, the american red cross effort has received over two million contributors and raised over $23 million so far. in addition, we continue to see admirable contributions from many american corporations and businesses. my own district of miami, florida, has sent two urban search and rescue teams to haiti and has pledged $60,000 to relief efforts. the port of miami, miami international airport are waiving certain fees for relief-related efforts. also, several other assets from

south florida are being utilized including u.s. southern command, which is serving as the operations center for the u.s. response in haiti. coast guard key west and coast guard miami beach. also, homestead reserve base, departure for the c-130's that's carrying relief, supplies and personnel to haiti is playing an important role in this relief effort. and just today, the u.s. -- the u.s. n.s. comfort received its first haitian patients, a 6-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man. they were flown via helicopter to the hospital ship. this is a nearly 900-foot floating hospital. the comfort is reported to be carrying about 550 medical staff and about 60 civilian

mariners. so the american people have opened up their hearts and their wallets to help earthquake-ravaged haiti. as a people and as a nation, the united states will continue to move hand in hand with the people of haiti to swiftly respond to and recover from this tragedy. madam speaker, i continue to reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from florida reserves the balance of her time. the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: thank you. i'd like to recognize our great speaker from the state of california, speaker nancy pelosi, for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized. the speaker: thank you very much, madam speaker. i thank the gentlewoman, congresswoman lee, for her leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor, as chair of the congressional black caucus and as a leader on this issue as well. to congresswoman ros-lehtinen,

ranking member on the foreign relations committee, once again, thank you for your leadership. donald payne, our leader -- where -- donald payne, my goodness, what a conscience he is and has been on this subject for a long time and really for eradication of poverty -- alleviation of poverty, eradication of disease throughout the world. madam speaker, obviously the thoughts and prayers of this entire congress are with the people of haiti who are suffering from a devastating earthquake that hit their country on march -- on january 12. members of congress are committed to helping the haitian people recover from this tragedy and to rebuild their homes, communities and lives in the days, weeks and years to come. again, i thank congresswoman lee, congresswoman ros-lehtinen and congressman payne for their leadership today and throughout

the years in support of the people of haiti. it is a source of pride when president obama spoke about the subject he said to the haitian people, you will not be forsaken, you not be forgotten. a beautiful sentiment that reflects the values of our country, the concern of the president personally that he had for the people of haiti. the leadership he provided as commander in chief to deploy the forces necessary to help bring order there. and as president of the united states to speak to heads of states from other countries to coordinate the effort of relief for haiti. we're still learning the staggering extent of the devastation. the government of haiti estimates the death toll is close to 200,000.

200,000 souls. 200,000 people made in the image and likeness of god. 200,000 people whose families is devastated by this loss. just such a staggering snuffing out of life, and more than 1.5 million people homeless. anyone who's ever visited haiti has seen extreme poverty there, the poorest country in this hemisphere. but with the poverty they have economically and the hopes that they have otherwise, anyone who has visited there can testify to the fact that the sparkle in their eyes and their hopes for the future and their love of their children and their love of life is very special. it stands out. i've been to many countries to visit the poor and to see what our efforts nationally are and globally to alleviate poverty

and eradicate disease and in haiti you see a sparkle that's so special and that's why this seems so very, very sad. but we know -- and we know for certain that too many haitians are suffering right now. far too many are injured and hungry, far too many grieve the loss of loved ones and again i'm proud of the swift coordinated response that the president had, he extended temporary protection status, we've been asking for that for a long time, long before president obama was president, for haitians living in the u.s. and it ensures no one will be sent back against their will to the devastation. i talked earlier about the president's leadership in this regard. at this tragic time we can take steps right away to ensure a brighter future for haiti. i do believe as one who comes from earthquake country, i hope it's not just that, but

california where we've experienced earthquakes, that there's a possibility that haiti can leap frog over all the physical devastation there to an economy and a future that is so very bright, that this can create a boom economy for the people there and make a big difference in their lives. this can only happen if we all help. already today the house has passed a bipartisan charitable tax deduction legislation to encourage and vent -- incentivize assistance from the american people to the people of haiti. i hope the senate will soon follow and send this bill to the president's desk. next the international development bank should move forward with full debt cancellation for haiti and international institutions should be removing obstacles to haiti's enormous long-term reconstruction challenges including providing the new

assistance in the form of grants and not loans. third i'll be asking the appropriate committees to work together with the administration and the haitian government to see how congress can support long-term sustainable development plans for haiti. and aren't we fortunate that congresswoman lee serves on one of those appropriation committees and the chairwoman is here, congresswoman lowey, as the subcommittee, that is so important to this? a compassionate and generous response from the united states is essential to stabilizing haiti. while there has been a strong initial response to the crisis, there must be an initiative to provide sustainable assistance that empowers haiti's institutions and the haitian people to mr. a future that is better than the past -- -- people to build a future that is better than the past. our countries share a long and difficult history in some respects, but that binds us together.

wherever haiti immigrants have settled they have thrived and they have contributed to the welfare and the well-being of their new home country, never forgetting their haitian legacy. we know about the artistic genius and entrepreneurial spirit of the haitian people. they will succeed if they're only given the opportunity. today with this resolution we are say -- we are saying to the haitian people in your hour of greatest need, america stands with you. again, i thank congresswoman lee for her leadership on this important issue and congresswoman ros-lehtinen as well. i yield back the balance of my time. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. ms. ros-lehtinen: madam speaker, we continue to reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from florida reserves the balance of her time. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you. i'd like now to yield two minutes to the gentleman from new york, the chair of the foreign affairs subcommittee on western hemisphere, chairman

engel. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. engel: i thank the gentlewoman from california for yielding to me and, madam speaker, as chairman of the western hemisphere subcommittee of the house foreign affairs committee i rise in strong support of h.con.res. 1021 which expresses condolences and solidarity with the people of haiti in the aftermath of the horrific and devastating earthquake of january 12. it's with great sorrow that we come to the floor today to lament the catastrophic blow to haiti from last week's natural disaster. tens if not hundreds of thousands of people have died and hundreds of thousands are homeless in the wake of the earthquake. our hearts go out to the haitian people as they cope with the calamity that has befallen their nation. while we mourn the great loss of life in haiti, we must resolve to stand with the haitian people as they rebuild their lives. due to my long experience with haiti, from hearings in my subcommittee, visiting the country and most importantly my relationship with my haitian american constituents, i have a large haitian american constituency in my district, in spring valley, new york, and i know that haiti will overcome

this tremendous adversity. however, haiti and its people will need u.s. and international help for the foreseeable future. it's reassuring to see that the obama administration is quickly marshaled the resources of the u.s. government in coordination with the international community. i thank president obama and secretary clinton for their tireless efforts. it's also important to recognize the generosity of millions of private american citizens who have responded immediately to this crisis and we must thank the dedicated u.s. military and government personnel and the thousands of n.g.o. volunteers and staff for their truly valiant efforts. we should also remember that the challenges faced by haiti will continue past this immediate period and extend into the long term. the u.s. and the global community will need to offer robust assistance to make sure haiti can rebuild from this shocking disaster. madam speaker, i would also like to praise president obama's decision to grant temporary protective status to haitian nationals living in the u.s.

representative rangel and i led the new york congressional delegation in writing to president obama in support of this t.p.s. designation and on behalf of my constituents and haitian americans around the country, i offer my gratitude to the president. once again we must stand by the people of haiti and i urge my colleagues to do the same in supporting this resolution. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: before recognizing the next speaker, i recognize my friend from illinois for a unanimous consent request. >> i ask unanimous consent to subject a statement for the record -- to submit a statement for the record pledging to stand in solidarity with haiti. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. lee: i'd like to now yield, madam speaker, one minute to the gentlelady from california, a member of the foreign affairs committee, congresswoman watson. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman from california is recognized. for one minute.

ms. watson: madam speaker, i stand proudly with my colleagues in supporting h.con.res. 1021 that extends our heartfelt condolences and support for the people of haiti and those who are there serving the humanitarian relief. this is an opportunity for us in the midst of all this tragedy to address one of the poorest nations in the world and it's located in the western hemisphere. it is time for us not only to meet the emergent needs, but to fulfill our commitment to this country from now and -- now on in perpetuity. i commend the speedy work of the congressional black caucus and all the members of this house and those on the other side of

the aisle for addressing these needs and collaborating with the world to bring the kind of relief that is needed in our neighbor to the south. congratulations. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from florida continues to reserve the balance of her time. ms. ros-lehtinen: yes, ma'am. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from california. ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. now i'd like to yield one minute to the gentlelady from texas, a member of the house foreign as i affairs committee, also chair of the homeland security subcommittee on transportation security and infrastructure, congresswoman jackson lee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from texas is recognized for one minute. jackson scraction jackson i ask to revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. ms. jackson lee: i thank the chairwoman very much and i thank her for her leadership on this issue, joined with the chairman of the full committee and the ranking member of the foreign affairs committee, ms. ros-lehtinen, chairman berman, the congressional black caucus and so many members who have issued their outpouring of support. i thank chairman payne's continued efforts and all the members who have sizable

populations of haitians and the very active haitian american population in houston, texas. we have been working, we have been pouring our our hearts, but we've also rolled up our sleeves and i believe there are several issues as we support this resolution that should be focused on. one, we must have a long-term response, a marshal plan, in essence, to help rebuild haiti. two, we must deal with the immediate crisis in the loss of life, the loss of loved ones, the ability to have health care and yes, protecting our offerings. so my exnt community met on this past saturday with state governments, the city government, mayor parker and her representatives, the fire department, and our national and texas reserve, committing ourselves, resources and assets, to be of assistance. i'm delighted to have been able to send from texas two plane loads of doctors and nurses and medical supplies led by dr. toussaint where this past weekend they were able to do 150

surgeries, 600 visits and moving forward -- the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. do you have 10 seconds? ms. lee: i'll yield the gentlelady 10 seconds. ms. jackson lee: moving forward we will work on relief efforts for the children, providing more medical care and insisting on making sure that we rebuild this great city and this great nation. we can do this, we are standing by their side. we will not leave them alone. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you. i recognize now the gentlelady from new york, the chair of the state and foreign operations subcommittee, congresswoman, chairwoman lowey. the chair: the gentlewoman is recognized for one minute. mrs. lowey: madam speaker, i rise today in strong support of 1021 with appreciation for the leadership involved of barbara lee and donald payne and sincere condolences to the victims of last tuesday's tragic earthquake

and the continuing aftershocks. yet another natural disaster has devastated this country and its people. my deep sympathy and prayers are with the people of haiti and all those who have lost loved ones. as the resolution notes, the u.s. government and the american people stand in solidarity with the haitian people and are committed to helping them in this great time of need. the intense challenges of delivering humanitarian relief are compounded in haiti by weak infrastructure and government institutions that cannot provide the necessary support for relief and i commend the swift response by the obama administration, especially you said, state department, h.h.s., the department of defense, as well as the international community to quickly mobilize humanitarian and disaster relief in a complex humanitarian disaster. i also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of many, many other countries and i want to particularly commend israel for its immediate response with search and rescue teams, fully

equipped hospital and doctors, doctors without borders, thousands of n.g.o.'s and just last week, for five seconds -- ms. lee: i yield the gentlewoman an additional 30 seconds. mrs. lowey: lastly, i want to commend a group started by daniel bouton in my district that has been collecting medical supplies and shipping containers daily with the help of many, many volunteers. this is a job for all of us and i am very, very pleased that there is so many governments and individuals who are working to relieve this terrible, terrible effect of the disaster. thank you. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. now i'd like to -- before actually recognizing the next speaker i recognize my friend from illinois for a unanimous request, congressman danny davis. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. davis: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to revise and

extend my remarks in strong support of h.res. 1021, expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of january 12, 2010. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: thank you. now i'd like to recognize the gentlelady from the virgin islands, congresswoman christensen who is a member of the committee and a member of the congressional black caucus for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from the virgin islands is recognized for one minute. mrs. christensen: thank you, madam speaker. in this time of sadness and fradgedy for the people of haiti and all of us who are their friends, i rise in support of the resolution 1021, expressing our condole essences and solidarity with the people of haiti and their families throughout the area and the people of the u.s. virgin islands join me in these sentiments. on martin luther king day i joined some of our clergy in

leading a prayer vigil for the people of haiti and i'm proud to support that of the funding that has been sent, the haiti community's support and teams of doctorses and nurses from my district began a rotation with medical supplies immediately following the quake. on monday a ship normally stationed at an oil refinery on st. croix was commissioned to port-au-prince with several organizations including rotary and a coup led by haitian american, virgin islander. we thank them and the haitian american organization in st. thompson -- thomas -- in st. thomas who have also sent supplies and provided aid underground, including assembling of creole-speaking interpreters. today with this resolution, we signal the commitment of this congress and the people of the united states to stand with haiti. may i have 15 seconds? ms. lee: i yield. mrs. christensen: but for what will be a long and difficult

recovery. i thank our chairwoman, barbara lee, for introducing the legislation and the congressional black caucus and their leadership in support of haiti both before and since january 12. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from florida is recognized. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to yield five minutes of my time to the gentlelady from california, ms. lee. ms. lee: thank you. i'd like to thank the gentlelady from florida for yielding. also, for your strong support and your assistance with this resolution. thank you. let me now yield to the gentlelady from new york, a member of the committee on small business, also serves as an officer of the whip of the congressional black caucus, hails from the caribbean, a leader on so many issues, congresswoman yvette clarke. the speaker pro tempore: how much time? ms. lee: 1 1/2 minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from new york is recognized for 1 1/2 minutes. ms. clarke: thank you very much, madam speaker. i'd like to thank the chair of the congressional black caucus and member of the foreign

affairs committee, the gentlelady from california, ms. lee, for bringing us together, along with the ranking member for this resolution. madam speaker, i rise today to express my heartfelt condolences and in support of the haitian people, the haitian american community in the united states and the caribbean island nation of haiti. and ask my colleagues to support resolution 1021. as represent tift of the second largest haitian, haitian american population in the united states, this crisis has truly and literally hit home. my office has been inundated and overwhelmed with constituents calling earnestly trying to find their loved ones. many of them are hoping family members are still alive and safe despite the many images of destruction they see in the media. the situation on the ground is unstable. lives still hang in the balance and the speed and coordinated action is needed to maximize the recovery efforts and mitigate the loss of life. with this resolution, we are

sending a unified message to the haitian people that we stand with them as they mourn the loss of their loved ones and repair their nation. this resolution lets the whole world know that haiti is as much a part of us as we are a part of them. over the last week, the american people have been pouring out their hearts to the nation. and i'd like to commend our people, the u.s. military, coast guard, search and rescue teams, humanitarian n.g.o.'s for all of their work. i'd like to recognize the swift response from the obama administration in providing immediate investment and thank them. and i thank you and yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you. now, i'd like to recognize the chair of the financial subcommittee on housing and opportunity, a leader on so many issues who's been involved with haiti since i've known her and that's been since the

1970's, who has led the charge for debt relief, congresswoman maxine waters. the speaker pro tempore: how much time? ms. lee: two minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california is recognized for two minutes. ms. waters: i'd like to thank the chairwoman of the congressional black caucus and a friend of haiti who has been working on behalf of haiti for many years, barbara lee. i rise to support this resolution which expresses the condolences of the house of representatives with the people of haiti following last week's devastating earthquake. i especially appreciate the fact that this resolution urges multilateral financial institutions to immediately suspend further debt payments from haiti and to develop processes to cancel all of haiti's remaining debt. haiti cannot begin to recover from the earthquake while continuing to make payments on debts owed to multilateral financial institutions, like the i.m.f., the world bank and the intraamerican development bank. even the further earthquake occurred, debt payments were a tremendous burden that

interfered with the ability of haiti's government to meet the needs of its people. haiti worked very hard to qualify for debt relief. in order to qualify, the government of haiti successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy paper under the direction of the i.m.f. and world bank. as a result, multilateral financial institutions provided haiti $1.2 billion in debt relief last june. nevertheless, haiti still owes a total of $664 million in debts to multilateral financial institutions. the i.m.f. offered haiti a new $100 million loan for earthquake recovery efforts. unfortunately, new loans that will add to haiti's debt burden is not what haiti needs at this critical time. i was encouraged to learn that i.m.f. managing director expressed support for canceling all of haiti's debts, including the new loan, and i look forward to working with him to do so. on behalf of the black caucus, i'm introducing legislation to

require the united states secretary of the treasury to use the voice vote and influence of the united states within the multilateral financial institutions to cancel all of haiti's remaining debts and i hope all of my colleagues will support it. canceling haiti's debts will free up the country's meager resources, allowing it to begin leading -- meeting its immediate and long-term needs. i want to thank my friend, barbara lee, for introducing this measure. thank you. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back the balance of her time. the gentlelady from florida is recognized. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to yield two minutes to the gentleman from texas, judge poe, a member of our house foreign affairs committee. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas, mr. poe, is recognized. mr. poe: thank you, madam speaker. i'd like to thank the gentlelady from florida for yielding. when this situation occurred in haiti, when the earthquake came through and devastated the land, the buildings and the lives of the people, there were over 30,000 americans in haiti

at the time. many of these americans were there as volunteers to help the struggling nation. they were from churches, they were young people, civic organizations already there helping this struggling nation. one group, particularly from my hometown of houston, the group of rotarians had just gotten there to work in two places. they were going to work in the hospitals to make the hospitals better and more convenient and more efficient, and they were also there to dig wells, water wells for the haitian people. and all of these people that were there from america, most of them were vols. it's been said -- were volunteers. it's been said that governments kpt replace a volunteer. that's true -- cannot replace a volunteer. and that's true. americans are the most giving people on earth. they were helping haiti, and i suspect americans will go and help haiti again, to volunteer. all of these civic, religious

organizations. and that's a good thing because that's what we do in america. we help other people. we help our own people, and we help foreign nations and their people as well because america, in a time of crisis, responds. i commend the americans that are working, along with the n.g.o.'s and the officials of our government and other governments in this struggling time and help the people of haiti get their lives back together so that they can be once again a productive nation in the community of countries. and i yield back the remainder of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas yields back the balance of his time. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you. madam speaker, how much time do i have remaining? the speaker pro tempore: four minutes. ms. lee: i'd like to yield now one minute to my colleague and friend from california, a member of the committee on appropriations committee 1 1/2 minutes. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from extrais recognized for 1 1/2 minutes. mr. schiff: i join my colleague

from california, ms. lee, in expressing my profound sorrow of the tragedy that has impacted the people of haiti. even now a week after the earthquake that shattered port-au-prince and the surrounding areas, rescuers are pulling people from rubble, including a 15-day-old girl, after seven days without food and water. the mother said she survived by the mercy of god. a 69-year-old was drug singing from the rubble of the roman catholic cathedral in port-au-prince. while a 25-year-old was pulled from ruins of a shopping center. about you despite these miracles, the horrors are growing. more than a million and a half haitians are homeless. major aftershocks, including a 6.1 tremendousor, have kept survivors in a state of near

panic. the extent of the damage and totality of the need overwhelm the massive aid that is racing to get food and water to the nearly three million people. even as reinforcements and additional military and civilian assets scramble to the struckened island, an estimated 20,000 people a day are dying, most from lack of adequate medical care. there is an unfortunate familiarity to the images being broadcast around the world in the aftermath of this tragedy, the pleading eyes. we have seen them before in new orleans after katrina. in southeast asia after the tsunami. in pakistan after the earthquake there. and in the aftermath of other couptless disasters. may have 20 seconds? ms. lee: yes. mr. schiff: but even though the scenes are familiar and unsettling, we must not shrink our aid in our neighbor in the hour of need. i ask for aid and reconstruction personnel. i thank my colleague for her

leadership and in support of the resolution. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlelady from florida is recognized. ms. ros-lehtinen: thank you, madam speaker. we have no further requests for time, and we yield back the balance of our time. i thank my good friend from california, ms. lee, for the bipartisan approach to this terrible, terrible situation. thank you, madam speaker. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from florida yields back the balance of her time. the gentlelady from california. ms. lee: thank you. how much time do i have remaining, madam speaker? the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady from california has 2 1/4 minutes. ms. lee: i'd like to yield now before i close 1 1/2 minutes to my friend from new jersey, chair, again, of the african global health committee, congressman payne. the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from new jersey for 1 1/2 minutes. mr. payne: thank you. once again, i'd like to express our deep appreciation for the outcrying of members of this legislative body on both sides of the aisle. we have heard of the great work

done by many of the countries mentioned. we've heard about the heroism and the heroic efforts of many of the people. we have seen isolated shots of some violence and disorder, but let me say that this is just a very small sliver of what is happening in haiti. most of the people are waiting patiently. most of the people are orderly. it's amazing that the resilience of the haitian people from these overwhelming obstacles that 99% of the people are just trying to make it through. and so we need to engage with the government. we need to assist them as they start to recover politically

and governmentally, in addition to restoring the city, we need to take a look at perhaps a new city outside of port-au-prince, a city built for 50,000 people have two million people. can you imagine that? so this may be a way that we can have a planned approach. we have great colleges that have -- columbia university has the earth institute. we encourage those groups to come in. with that let me commend our medicare person once again. i -- commend our chairperson once again. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentlelady from california is recognized. ms. lee: thank you, madam speaker. let me thank all of the members today for coming down to the floor in support of this resolution. but more importantly in support of the people of haiti. i end by calling on awful my colleagues to join me in -- i end by calling on all of my colleagues to join me in

supporting this resolution, our sustained commitment to the people of haiti in the wake of this ongoing tragedy. as we move forward, let us not waiver in saying to the people of haiti, your resilience, your dignity, your courage, even during your darkest hours continues to inspire us. and during your darkest hours, the united states and the american people will not abandon you as you continue to struggle for a fwriter tomorrow. i urge -- for a brighter tomorrow. i urge my colleagues to support the resolution and i yield the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady yields the balance of her time. the question is will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1021. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended -- ms. lee: madam speaker, on that, may i ask for the yeas and nays? the speaker pro tempore: the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing

until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 and the chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from california rise? ms. lee: i move to suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1013 as ameppeded. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 1013, resolution condemning the violent suppression of legitimate political dissent and gross human rights abuses in the republic of guinea. the speaker pro tempore: pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from california, ms. lee and the gentleman from texas, mr. poe, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentlewoman, ms. lee. ms. lee: i want to yield to congressman fine manage this

bill. thank you. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman from new jersey will control the balance of the time. mr. payne: thank you, madam speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the resolution under consideration. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. payne: madam speaker, i rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself as much time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. mr. payne: i want to begin by thanking the ranking member, ileana ros-lehtinen for introducing this important and timely resolution. in december, 2008, after the death of president conte, a military junta seized power in the west african country of guinea and suspended the national legislation -- legislature and the

constitution. the coup interrupted plans for an upcoming election and threatened the fragile stability of the entire west africa river region where decade-long wars in liberia and see rare leon displaced thousands of families, devastating economies and destroying the capacity of their governments to function. fortunately, the economic community of west african states, the african union, the a.u. and the united nations acted immediately to rebuke the coup, demanded an immediate end to the violence and a restoration of the rule of law. after the horrific killing of 57 peaceful protesters in october of 2009, the u.s. government, along with the african union, imposed travel and financial sanctions against the junta. the swift and concerted action by the entire international

community including the united nations, the european union and individual states clearly caught the attention of the coup leader. -- of the coup leader and his junta. unlike many previous coups, they were allowed to seize control. the guinea coup was isolated by african states. this is a move that the african union has decided that in order to end military coups, that they must treat rogue states with isolation. this past weekend, guinea's junta leaders agreed to relinquish powers and establish an interim government in support -- and support the restoration of the constitution. the military leaders also agreed to appoint as prime minister the opposition leader, jean marie dure and prepare for

new presidential elections in six months. madam speaker, we should commend the people of guinea for standing fast in the face of military violence and demanding a return to the rule of law and congratulate the international community for uniting so quickly in order to restore order in guinea. i urge my colleagues to support the resolution and i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from texas. mr. poe: i yield myself as much time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. poe: i want to thank the ranking member, ms. ros-lehtinen, of florida, for introducing this resolution and i rise in strong support of h.res. 1013, which condemns the violent suppression of legitimate political dissent and gross human rights abuses in the republic of guinea.

analysts have been warning that guinea, an impoverished, yet resource-rich country in west africa, has been teetering on the brink of chaos for years. they were flanked by brutal civil wars in neighboring countries this aggravated existing ethnic tensions and left the entire subregion awash with small arms and mercenaries for hire. demonstrations throughout the years of 2006 and 2007 were brutally put down by military security forces, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured. the ailing long-time president was so corrupt and unpopular that the citizens of guinea reportedly readily embraced the military junta to replace him when he finally died in december of 2008. unfortunately, the junta would not usher in peace. despite positive signals, repeated delays in the timetable for elections evoked

discontinue. then in 2009, tens of thousands of unarmed civilians gathered at the national soccer stadium to protest against the junta. security forces responded by surrounding the stadium, blocking the exits and opened fire with live ammunition on the crowd. in the chaos that ensued, over 150 people were killed, more than 1,000 were injured, at least 60 women were brutally raped, sexually assaulted or killed by security officials in plain sight of commanding officers. prominent opposition leaders were beaten and arrested while demonstrators and opposing party mens were detained without any formal charges. almost immediately, the united states, the european union, the african union, the economic community of west african states imposed targeted sanctions against the junta and called for the return of a civilian government. the junta then reportedly started importing millions of

dollars worth of weapons and recruiting ethnic militias. this prompted analysts to warn that guinea had become a tinderbox that could blow at any time, potentially taking neighboring liberia and sierra leone with it. then on december 3, 2009, junta leader was shot in the head by an aide and flown to morocco, where he remained for nearly six weeks. in his absence, the acting junta leader announced a transition government would be form and the opposition had been invited to select a prime minister but despite a political agreement between the junta and the opposition being signed this past weekend, the situation in guinea remains extremely fradgeig. -- tradge ill. details about the formation of a transition government and the return to civilian rule remain unclear. the mere rumor that the former

junta leader would return prompted the current junta leader to threat ton resign. the problems in guinea continue to threaten our -- threlten the peace in liberia and sierra leone. it also provides a harbor for truck traffickers who exploit west africa's ungoverned areas. ranking member ros-lehtinen has introduced this resolution, that expresses grave concern over the deterioration of security in guinea and calls on china to cancel its $7 billion deal with guinea. it urges member states of the united nations to join the united states, the african union, the economic community of west african states and the european union in imposing sanctions against the ruling

junta in guinea until constitutional order is restored. it supports regional efforts to resolve the conflict. it calls on noves ruling junta to uphold their pledges to organize free and fair and transparent elections to restore civilian rule in guinea. and it expresses solidarity with the people of guinea in this time of extreme uncertainty in their lives. i want to thank the chairman of the house foreign affairs committee, mr. berman, for supporting this measure and enabling it to come to the floor today. i urge all my colleagues to support this noncontroversial and timely resolution. with that, i reserve the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. payne: i reserve the balance my time and --

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from texas. mr. poe: we have no other speakers, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman from new jersey. mr. payne: i have no further requests for time, i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the question is, will the house suspend the rules and agree to house resolution 1013 as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended resolution is agreaed to an without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair lays before the house the following personal requests. the clerk: leave of absence requested for mr. culberson of texas for today and the balance of the week. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the request is granted. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. poe: i ask unanimous consent that today following legislative business and any special orders heretofore entered into, the following members may be permitted to

address this house, revise and extend their remarks and include therein extraneous material. myself, mr. poe, for january 27, mr. jones for january 27, mr. moran for january 27, mr. goodlatte for today, mr. wolf for today, mr. burton for january 26 and 27, mr. thompson for today. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. for what purpose does the gentleman from new jersey rise? mr. payne: mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent that today following legislative business and any special orders heretofore entered into, the following members may be permitted to address the house for five minutes to revise and extend their remarks and include therein extraneous material. ms. brown from florida, five minutes, ms. woolsey of california, five minutes, mr. blumenauer of oregon for five minutes, ms. kaptur of ohio, five minutes, mr. grayson from florida, five minutes, -- five

minutes. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. under the speaker's announced policy of january 6, 2009, and under a previous order of the house the following members are recognized for five minutes each. mr. poe of texas. mr. poe: thank you, mr. speaker. in the deep, dark dungeons of this capitol, the government trolls are writing bills behind closed doors. their aim has always been to take away our liberty one step at a time. it's what bureaucrats do they look for ways to grow and take over more of our lives to justify their existence. so these elite government trolls think they know better how to run our lives than we do and they keep their bills in secret so we, the people, won't know what's in them until it's too late. until the legislation is forced

upon an unwilling, misinformed people. it has been decades since freedom and liberty faced a full frontal assault from a single piece of legislation, a bill so damaging in scope that by its passage american freedom, american health will be sacrificed on the altar of more government control. i'm talking about the universal government takeover of health care. this is the most important piece of legislation in modern history. and we were promised, we were promised that we in this house, we would have transparency, we would see what is taking place. the administration promised us that transparency. in fact, the administration invited interested parties in health care to the white house to discuss health care. of course, for some reason, i wasn't on that invitation list because i'm always willing to discuss my position and the position of the people i represent. we were promised that cameras would film the transparency,

cameras like c-span, cameras that are like here in the house of representatives. down the hallway in the u.s. senate so the american people can see what takes place. i believe in cameras so that the american public can see what happens in our republic. when i was a judge back in texas, i was one of the first judges to allow cameras into the courtroom so the american people could see what took place in a criminal trial. i've offered legislation to have cameras in the united states supreme court in their hearings so the most important, most powerful court in the united states and in the world, the people can see what takes place over there. of course that legislation hasn't gone anywhere. . c-span films what takes place and the american public decides and c-span wants to film what is taking place in this capitol where the trolls are writing

another health care bill. health care is more than just government control but government control of our lives. government raising taxes, more government spending, more borrowing from the chinese and from the japanese. and more oppression. government takeover of health care is unhealthy. and it's not going to make the american health better. it's going to make individual health of the america n people worse. giving government control over health care is not healthy. if we love the competence of fema and efficiency of the post office and compassion of the i.r.s., we are going to love nationalized health care. allowing toll construct these bills in secret is how they will bring about these liberty-killing laws. patrick henry said the liberties of a people never were or ever will be secure when the transactions of their rulers may

be concealed from them. let me repeat that. the liberties of a people never were or ever will be secure when the transactions of their rulers are concealed from them. and that's exactly what's taking place in this third health care bill supposedly being written by members of the senate and members of the house somewhere in this capitol. and when rulers plot against the people in secret, it makes it hard for the people to fight back because they don't know what's going on. but, mr. speaker, the people are fighting back. they are fighting back with ballot and not bullets. that was proven yesterday in massachusetts. the way things are running in washington, d.c. the truth is purposely hidden from the people and the question is why, why can't the people see through c-span what is taking place behind closed doors? because it's giving power to government and not to the people. and that's why we aren't being allowed to see what is taking place. it's about making the phrase we

the people, changing that phrase to we the subjects and that's why we the people aren't allowed to see what is taking place behind these closed doors and in secret. spending, taxing, regulating and borrowing, that's what is taking place and nothing more than they won't tax. freedom is never more than one generation of extinction. it must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same. one day, we'll spend our sunset years telling our children and children's children what it was once like in the united states where people were free. legislation, mr. speaker, especially the most important in recent years, health care should be done openly, openly so we can see what is taking place. i say open up the steel gates. quit hiding the facts from the

citizens. mr. president, open the gates of transparency and openness. and mr. president, tear down these walls of secrecy and that's just the way it is. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. and the chair will remind members not to direct their remarks to the chair. ms. brown from florida. for what purpose does do you rise? ms. kaptur: ask unanimous consent to claim the time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. you are recognized for five minutes. ms. kaptur: the first hearing of the financial crisis inquiry commission was held last week and the four biggest bank chief executive officers were brought in for questioning from goldman sachs, jp morgan chase, bank of

america and morgan stanley. the american people expect these men to be held accountable for what their banks did our country. they came away with no sweat on their brow. the bankers in the photo are lloyd blanch fein from goldman sachs who said he has been doing god's work. he has been showering himself just in 2006 with $157.3 million in compensation. i often ask myself, what do they do with all that money? jamie diamond, next to him, of jm morgan chase officially took home 19.7 million on top of $95.7 million he raked in from 2005 to 2007. that brings him in at $115.4 million.

john jay mack paid himself $78.9 million and brian moynihan pocketted $10 million in 2007 when serving as president of global corporate investment banking at the bank of america. can you imagine what he'll make now? as they took america to the cleaners, the average worker in our country hasn't had a real wage increase in over a decade, much less a real increase in buying power. meanwhile, americans are being made to feel like they can't enter this debate because lots of fog is being generated by fancy terms that these bankers use like basis points or collateralized debt obligation or securityization. and i tell you what americans might not know what those words mean but they can recognize a lineup when they see one.

the average person is coward by the world of finance and turned away in confusion and fear. they can't see a fast forward and they are worried. congress must provide the clarity of that path forward to not only hold these bampingers accountable but to get the administration to act to save people's homes and communities. the administration's current plan to fix the foreclosure crisis has been a dud. it is a dud because it has not addressed the root cause of the collapse. it continues. the wrongdoers, they aren't put at risk at all. but they are putting economic recovery at risk across this nation as more people fall into foreclosure. according to an analysis done by the associated press, almost a year later, only a handful, a fraction of the four million

americans and counting who have been foreclosed have been able to complete treasury application processes to try to rework their mortgage. some might call that approach doomed to fail. with the national unemployment rate over 10%, people aren't getting the economic change they want. the current approach to the economy here in washington is failing millions and millions of our citizens every day. people's financial futures are are youined. they aren't getting hurt but getting rewarded. they aren't going bankrupt. their banks didn't go bankrupt. we bailed them out. i didn't vote for that. it was reported last week that in 2009, a record 2.8 million households were threatened with foreclosure which is up, not down, more than 20% since 2008. the more borrowers who can't be

helped, the more foreclosuresed properties will be on the market. reality check expects a number record of homes to be threatened with foreclosure this year. this is not acceptable in america. the administration's foreclosure prevention plan says it's going to help borrowers in financial trouble by making payments more affordable and steppeding the repayment period. however, out of the millions and millions of people being affected across this country, just 7% of those who have signed up have completed the treasury department's program to try to rework these loans and more than 49,000, 5%, have dropped out of the program entirely, thousands more remain in limbo. but the biggest bank in the program, bank of america, has completed modifications for fewer than 2% of the 200,000 borrowers they claimed to have enrolled. it's big bank buddies are in the

same boat when it comes to modifying our people's mortgages. the people paying for their bills and salaries aren't having their mortgages reworked. in fact, it's clear wall street bankers have no interest in modifying mortgages. they are making millions off of other people's misery and that's just fine with them. this nation needs a national foreclosure prevention program that compels these bankers to act not request their assistance as they conspire to avoid the consequences of their actions, here are two key findings. at least 21 of the 25 top subprime lenders were financed by the same banks that received the bailout money. through direct ownership, credit agreements or huge purchases of loans for securityization. they are tied together. and 21 of the top 25 subprime lenders have closed, stopped lending or been sold.

most were nonbank lenders and they didn't go bankrupt. they are letting the american people get bankrupt. they now have over 40% of the deposits in this country. these four banks plus one more. think about that. what's happening to our

mr. speaker, eight years ago, i introduced a bill to rename the department of navy as the department of navy and marine corps. this bill passed the house for eight years in what's called the armed services bill. it's been supported by the former armed services chairman duncan hunter and is being supported by the current chairman of the armed services committee, ike skeleton.6 c13 committee, ike skelton. for eight years, the senate has said no to the marine corps that you do not deserve this reck nigs. i think this is very sad. this year i'm pleased to say to the house with the help of 362 house members who have joined me in legislation to rename this department to be known as the department of navy and marine corps and with the help of the chairman, ike skelton, we are hoping to send this bill to the senate and let the senate debate

and think about the importance of honoring one fighting team. whenever we have held hearings on the armed services committee, the c.n.o. of the navy, an admiral and the commandant of marine corps are saying we are one fighting team ffment you are one fighting team, why don't you do what the navy football team does and that's to say, you are both recognized. mr. chairman, i want to hold up a jersey from the navy football team that i received and this is the jersey of this year's team and i congratulate the team. they have had an excellent season and won a bowl. on the left sleeve of the jersey is the marine emblem. and on the right sleeve of the jersey is the anchor. they understand at annapolis that they are one fighting team,

in this case, a football team. mr. speaker, a couple of other points i would like to make before closing. there are many medals that are named navy and marine corps such as navy and marine corps medal and achievement medal, navy and marine corps good conduct medal and ex pe dishary medal, recruiting service ribbon. and mr. speaker, 1959, the football field at annapolis went from being known as the navy memorial stadium to the navy and marine corps memorial stadium. on a serious note, why this is so important, not only is it symbolism but i'm showing an actual letter sent to the wife of a marine captain who was killed in iraq and it says and this is a did you apply occasion of the letter, the secretary of the navy, washington d.c., navy

flag extends its condolences to the marine's wife. if this becomes law, mr. speaker, what would this say, the secretary of the navy and marine corps, navy flag, marine flag extends its condolences. it's time the senate follows the house and listen what's right and give them the proper respect and make them part of the family and one fighting team the navy and marine corps. god bless our men and women in uniform, god bless their families and god bless the families who lost loved ones in afghanistan and iraq and may god continue to bless america and i yield back the balance of my time. . the speaker pro tempore: ms. woolsey of california. for what purpose does the gentlewoman from florida rise?

>> i ask unanimous consent to claim the gentlewoman's time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady is recognized for five minutes. ms. brown: i rise today to remember and honor the life of someone dear to me, my congressional office and many people here in the washington, d.c. area and many, many people of the third congressional district of florida my scheduler, office manager, doris mahler who pass aid way from breast cancer -- passed away from breast cancer this morning. when i came to washington and hired my predecessor's secretary, i believed she was overpaid but i quickly realized there was no dollar amount to be placed on her.

she's the foundation of a strong congressional office and dora, with her strong, persistent personality, her strong organizational skills, for 17 years, she's been our face, working with our office and i want to say to her family, her father, who is a police officer here, her mother, her sister, and her loving husband, we love her we can't replace her and we were deep -- we will deeply, deeply miss her. in addition, i want to say that i am here in support of the resolution before the house. i've always said, to whom god has given much, much is expected. my thoughts and prayers go out to the people of haiti and the haitian community here in the united states and around the world. the loss of life and destruction of property in this country is unthinkable and i want to thank the ministers,

the business communities, the organizations that have organized in our community, the third congressional district. we have seven tractor-trailers going to haiti filled with water, baby formula, dry cereal, blankets, tents, and sleeping bags. i want to say that the royal caribbean cruise line is carrying those goods over free of cost. i am very encouraged how the community is coming together to help the people of haiti and i can truly say that if you're interested in being helpful, go on the website and see how you can also participate. in closing, i really do believe to whom god has given much, much is expected. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does the gentleman from virginia -- excuse me, mr. burton of indiana.

for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? >> i ask unanimous consent to claim my five minutes at this time. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. mr. paul: i want to take this opportunity to speak about legislation i have introduced. i believe it will pay an important role in the monetary reform that will be a necessity if we continue to do what we have been doing with our economy and our financial system. we're in the middle of a financial crisis today, some people think we have turned a corner, but quite frankly, i do not believe that has occur. recently, though, we have just had the opening bells of an inquiry into what the cause of the crisis has been. it's the financial crisis inquiry commission and this is a takeoff of the commission that was established in -- in

the 1930's to figure out why the crash occurred then. of course, that commission met, they talked to people, they tried to figure out what was the matter and from my viewpoint, they came down with all the wrong conclusions. they said the federal reserve was involved, that the federal reserve didn't print enough money fast enough they didn't have a big enough bailout package and they needed more regulation. they did all those things under the two administrations, the hoover and roosevelt administration and think prolonged the depression and took a one-year depression/recession and turned it into a 15-year depression. so i believe what we're going through right now is the same old song and dance. we're doing the same thing again. we have this new inquiry and members of the commission are people who didn't see it coming, didn't explain it, and didn't anticipate it and the people who come -- who are coming before the commission, as far as i can see so far, have no anticipation or are

acting surprised that the crisis came, but there was a bubble so i can hardly see any good results coming from this. my position other the many years has been that the federal reserve is a dangerous organization because it creates the bubble, our country would be better off with a strong central bank like the federal reserve. i argue from a moral, economic, and constitutional viewpoint that it has no right to exist and it's very dangerous to us. i am very pleased, though, that one of the pieces of legislation i introduced, h.r. 1207 to honor the federal reserve has met with a -- a large amount of support. we have 316 co-sponsors of that bill and i think that's a major step in the right direction, looking to the federal reserve for the cause of the problem, the easy money system, the easy credit, the fixing of interest rate too low. now the reason of why i'm addressing this is i believe the correction has a long way

to run and that eventually we'll have to have monetary reform. now in spite of my position of being that we don't need the federal reserve, i'm not in favor of closing the federal reserve down in one day or two. but i do believe the monetary system will close down this government and the monetary system and the federal reserve and a lot of other things if we continue on our profligate ways of spending and borrowing and inflating the currency and regulating the curn sy -- currency and this will get much worse until we have a total collapse of the system. my bill what it does is introduces competition. competitions in currencies. the federal reserve system and the dollar standard is run by cartel a monopoly. they don't allow competition because they know they can't compete. just as we have competition in the post office with fedex and u.p.s., i think the federal reserve deserves competition. the public school system has

competition with private schools and has competition with home schooling and there's no reason in the world we can't ep force the constitution, legalize the constitution and say we can have competition in currencies. but there are three major things we must do to do that. the bill does this. we repeal legal tender laws and remove monopoly control of the federal reserve. we legalize private mints so mints can mint coins and they'll be controlled by fraud laws and anti-counterfeit laws. our government commits fraud laws by printing money at will. the other reform that would have to happen for money to circulate and compete against the monopoly control of the federal reserve would be to take taxes off money. the constitution says only gold and silver can be money. only that can be legal tender. you can't tax it and allow it to be competitive system of these three things could occur and if nobody wanted to use it,

they wouldn't have to, everybody could be happy with the federal reserve. but if the conditions get so chaotic and the people are looking for an alternative they can go over and start operating in another currency system of this, to me, could provide a smooth transition, it would not be chaotic, it would be legalized in the constitution, it would be good, sound economics and eventually the most important thing it would do, it would restrain the spending of this congress because as long as off federal reserve over there willing to print up the money, any time we spend more money we don't have and can't borrow, then the federal reserve will accommodate us. therefore i argue the case for competition in currency and strictly limited government. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields his time. for what purpose does the gentleman from kansas rise? >> mr. speaker, i ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. the speaker pro tempore:

without objection. >> thank you, mr. speaker. last month, i wrote speaker pelosi and insisted the stupak-pitts amendment be repemb -- preserved in any final version of health regulation. this would prevent any taxpayer dollars from paying for abortion this question is more crucial after passage of h.r. 3590, the senate health care bill which allows federal funds to subsidize elected abortions. unfortunately, the speaker has yet to respond to my inquiry. so this week, the same week as the annual march for life in washington, the gentleman from oregon, my friend, mr. walden, and i, are again sending a request to the speaker. madam speaker, please respond to our request for information regarding your intentions on the stupak-pitts amendment in health care reform negotiations. we continue to insist you keep the exact language of that amendment which passed this house by a wide bipartisan

margin in the final version of health care legislation. please do not ignore the voice of the american people or their representatives on this very important issue. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields his time. mr. defazio of oregon. mr. blumenauer of oregon. the gentleman from virginia is recognized for five minutes. >> i'd like to begin by offering the congratulations of myself and many others to senator-elect scott brown of massachusetts who had a very exciting victory yesterday and i know that he will be a good

senator for the people of that state, but his victory means so much more to so many more people, not only the people of massachusetts who are very excited today but also people all across the country, because they viewed the election of senator brown as an opportunity to send a message to this government, this congress, and to say to the speaker of the house and the majority leader in the senate and others that we need to take a different approach to health care reform and to the general direction of our federal government with regard to the out of control spending that we are experiencing here in washington . last year's federal debt -- deficit of $1.4 trillion, another $1.2 trillion projected for this year, in fact, for each year, as far as the eye can see, deficits exceeding $600 billion a year, as far as

out as we project them, -- as far out as we project them. at no time, does this congress offer a budget to the american people that would give them hope that we're going to get this problem under control. instead they've offered health care legislation that costs another, oh, some would say $800 billion, but the reality is that over 10 years, the real cost of this legislation is more like $2 trillion plus. when you add in the fact that the taxes begin on this legislation sooner than the benefits begin, and cuts in medicare are unreal at a time when we're going to see a dramatic increase in the number of people in this country eligible for medicare as the baby boomers start retiring this year, 2010, those born after world war ii start retiring this year and the number of people who are on medicare and eligible for medicare is going to skyrocket.

all of this going on, the message to this congress, to the democratic leadership in this congress is, you need to change course, change direction, and make sure that you're reflecting the will of the american people. but instead, instead, the leadership doesn't get that message. even today, as senator-elect brown prepares to come down here to be sworn into the united states senate sometime in the next few days, the white house and democratic congressional leaders have once again retreated behind closed doors to make deals and finalize a single version of their government takeover of health care. that's not what the american people want. and speaker pelosi said today in response to the election results, she said, clearly the election results last night

spell out that we have not been as clear about our deficit reduction measures and that will change. but the american people want to know, what deficit reduction measures is she talking about, when she continues along with the other democratic leaders here in the house and the senate and the white house to plot the expenditure of $2 trillion or more in additional expenditures over the next 10 years for a health care bill that robs medicare recipients that increases taxes and will cost american jobs, that will do a whole host of things to regulate americans' lives and how they will receive their health insurance including minnesotadating that they have to purchase health insurance whether or not they feel they want to and telling them pretty much what that insurance is that they're going to have to purchase because of the fact that this health insurance will be regulated by a federal government health insurance commissioner, one of the more

than 140 new federal government agencies and programs included under consideration in the bill that they are planning to try to move forward. . that is not what the american people are looking for. they want leadership and a bipartisan effort to deal with this challenge of rising costs of health insurance and health care and they want bipartisan, responsible leadership in looking to ways to make health insurance and health care available to more people. but the legislation they are considering doesn't do that. it busts the budget of our country. yesterday's election results in massachusetts calls for a new direction in health care reform in that date. many believe the election of senator scott brown lessens the likely of a passage of the current proposal that has been crafted by the democratic

leadership. if that is the case, democrats and republicans must work together to reduce costs and expand insurance coverage without raising taxes or adding to the national debt, rationing care and putting the government between the patient and their doctor. one such bill to consider is h.r. 3970, medical rights and reform act of which i am a co-sponsor. the medical rights and reform act includes fiscally responsible health care reform like medical liability reform, insurance pooling and letting families and businesses buy insurance across state lines. these are ideas that have strong, bipartisan support, but have been absent from the bicameral health care negotiations. most important, the medical rights and reform act is fiscally responsible. this alternative does not raise taxes, cut medicare or add to the deficit and it lowers health care costs. this congress already gave us a $1.8 trillion debt.

america cannot afford to spend another $1 trillion or $2 trillion as proposed by the majority and our families cannot afford to put life and death decisions in the hands of bureaucrats. mr. speaker, resetting the health care debate and working together in an open and transparent way would help washington regain the public's trust. i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields his time. mr. grayson of florida. for what purpose does do you rise? the gentleman from virginia, for what purpose does do you rise? mr. wolf: address the house for five minutes, revise and extend. the press is reporting that a back room deal has been struck with democratic leadership to create a deficit-cutting commission by executive order. i oppose this effort and so will the american people. and in light of these news,

representative smith remarks ring truer than ever. he offered a series of lessons to be learned from yesterday's special senate election in massachusetts. he said all true reforms starts with the voice of the people. the people will not have a voice in a deficit commission established through executive order. he also said common sense triumphs partisanship, a commission is the height of partisanship. he said voters can exercise real independence. where is the voice of the people and a process that will not go beyond the beltway? mr. smith noted one party control leads to arrogance. we are seeing today an arrogance of power on a party that forecloses a minority from the seat at the table. to be fair, the republicans in the majority were arrogant at times and mr. smith concluded we

should be listening to the people and not defying them. the people of massachusetts spoke yesterday. they proved when people get mad enough, anything is possible even in massachusetts. lawmakers in congress on both sides of the aisle would be wise to hear that message loud and clear, yet the obama administration doesn't seem to be listening. there are a number of serious problems being exposed as details of the administration's executive order commission are revealed. any commission should be awe then tiically bipartisan passed by the congress. reports indicate that instead of putting every spending program and tax policy on the table, discretionary spending would be exempt. how can we have an honest conversation without looking at discretionary funds that account for more than 33% of federal spending in 2009. the $447 billion omnibus appropriation bill that was

considered by congress and signed into law in december correspondent with the budget blueprint that increases nondiscretionary spending by 12%. when all appropriations spending is combined the democratic majority has increased nondiscretionary spending. the american household has not seen their income rise by 85% in recent years. simply put, discretionary spending or the spending set by appropriation levels of congress matter. a deficit commission that is barred at looking 1/3 of the federal budget is a fig leaf. the bipartisan commission process i have talked about for nearly four years has put everything, entitlements, tax policy, discretionary spending everything on the table for discussion for the commission members. moreover, the american people

will be cut out of the process under the president's plan. the plan i have advocated for includes legitimate public engagement, mandated public town hall-style meetings. under president obama's plan, it will be nonexist tant and no input from the taxpayers in our communities. this is not the right way to form public policy. the most glaring slight of hand one that the american people will recognize and refute is that the dem crib leadership intends to bring the commission recommendation up for a vote but only after the mid-term elections and before the new congress begins in 2011. it would be a lame duck vote. lawmakers who are retiring are voting on a set of recommendations with regard to entitlement spending and tax policy but never be held accountable by the american people. is it right for outgoing members of congress to consider proposals that could affect every single american knowing that days and weeks later, they

would no longer answer to the voters of the district they represented. between the democrats and republicans, over 30 members have already announced they are retiring or running for another office and this number will grow. during the lame duck session, some outgoing members may be looking for new jobs, which would be lobbying for special interest groups and other stake holders who have a vested interest in the outcome of the vote. yet the obama administration is setting up a process that would allow these outgoing lawmakers to vote on the commission recommendation to run the risk of blurring the lines between what is best for the american people and best for their future employer. any recommendations put forward should be considered by the newly elected congress or else stand by their vote on the commission's recommendation. this congress has run up the country's credit card to the point of no return and now the administration wants to be able

to tout a bipartisan solution for spending to survive the upcoming election. a commission through executive order is political gameship and blatant effort to find political cover after add vow indicating for the economic stimulus supporting health care reform being negotiated behind closed doors and pushing other issues that are unpopular. the american people understand the depth of our financial problems and recognize spending congress has embarked on and will not be fooled by a fig leaf commission established by executive order. just ask the people in massachusetts. and i thank the speaker very much. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman's time has expired. for what purpose does do you rise? mr. thompson: mr. speaker, request permission to address the house for five minutes and revise and extend. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. the gentleman from pennsylvania has five minutes. mr. thompson: thank you, mr.

speaker. mr. speaker, i rise today in support of march for life, which will take place this friday, january 22. it marks the 37th anniversary of the supreme court decision in roe versus wade. i will march with the knowledge that abortions in this country are declining. 1.21 million a year in 2005, the latest reliable figures show, compared to 1.36 million some 10 years ago. but hundreds of thousands of pilgrims will be here to deliver one message, there is a right to life. it is an integral part of the declaration of independence so painstakingly pened by our founding fathers. bus loads of all stripes will be from my district in pennsylvania and will be leaving home at very early hours that morning and

actually the night before to get here to stand for that cause, to stand for life and they will be joining the gathering of pro -life americans to reach the steps of the supreme court. abortion has been a part of the health care debate and may still keep current bills from passing. no taxpayer should be forced to pay for abortions in this country. that policy has been reafffirmed many times by this congress and should not be changed for the current circumstances. and i ask my colleagues to join in this march on friday and to help sell bait the gift of life. on december 2, 2009, i joined 39 of my house colleagues in sending speaker pelosi a letter regarding a prohibition on the government funding of abortion in the final version of the health care legislation. a significant majority of americans, both those that identify themselves as pro-life and pro-choice are opposed to

the government funding of abortions. the senate-passed health care bill would require federal funds to subsidize elective abortion. this plan differs greatly from the house version that maintains the current policy of preventing the federal funding of abortion and for funding of health care benefit packages that include abortion. mr. speaker, any health care reform proposals that this chamber agrees to must always place a high value while protecting innocent life. these provisions should include the language found within the stupak-pitts amendment which passed this chamber by a wide bipartisan margin of 240-194. mr. speaker, as we take up any health care, let us preserve the founders' dedication to the principle of life. and i yield back the balance of my time.

the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields. for what purpose does the gentleman from california rise? mr. mcclintock: i ask unanimous consent to address the house for five minutes. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. mcclintock: i never thought i would live to see a day that a commentator entrusted by a major broadcast network with the ability to reach millions of listeners would use his influence to incite voter fraud but i'm afraid we passed that unfortunate milestone. on friday, 15, msnbc ed schultz told his syndicated radio audience, i tell you what, if i lived in massachusetts i would try to vote 10 times. i don't know if they would let me. i would cheat to keep these bastards out, i would, end of quote. this could be dismissed as an unfortunate excess brought on by the passion at the moment but except for the fact when given the