June 30, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5277 into China, we have a tremendous op- North Korea, of Burma, of Vietnam, of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. portunity to reach a young generation Cambodia, and Laos, and against re- WATSON) that the House suspend the of people who are in desperate need of gime-sponsored attempts to restrict rules and pass the bill, S. 3104. another side of the story. And those re- the information they receive. The question was taken; and (two- porters are providing it with RFA. Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, thirds being in the affirmative) the Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I I rise in strong support of S. 3140, a bill to rules were suspended and the bill was yield myself such time as I may con- permanently authorize Radio Free Asia, and passed. sume. for other purposes. I thank my colleague Sen- A motion to reconsider was laid on I thank my good friend from Cali- ator LUGAR for introducing this important bill the table. fornia (Mr. ROYCE), the author of the that reasserts our commitment to a free press f House companion of this bill, for his and freedom of speech in Asia and throughout EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR PEO- leadership on this issue. the world. PLE OF , Today I rise in strong support of the Freedom of the press is one of our most AND AFTER Senate bill, S. 3104, a bipartisan bill cherished values and enshrined in our first that deserves our prompt approval. I amendment. ‘‘Congress shall make no law re- want to thank the gentleman from specting an establishment of religion, or pro- Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to California, who has been working on hibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging suspend the rules and agree to the reso- this issue for a number of years. And as the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the lution (H. Res. 1462) expressing support we know, Mr. Speaker, an unfettered right of the people peaceably to assemble, for the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and independent press is so vital to the and to petition the Government for a redress and El Salvador as they persevere maintenance of liberty that its protec- of grievances.’’ I believe it is one of the most through the aftermath of Tropical tion was enshrined in the First Amend- valuable and fundamental rights written in the Storm Agatha which swept across Cen- ment of our Constitution. Constitution, as it grants us as people the abil- tral America causing deadly and Tyranny cannot abide dissent. And ity to speak truth to tyranny. In the United mudslides, as amended. the repressive regimes know that they States we often take this freedom for granted, The Clerk read the title of the resolu- cannot afford to allow the unregulated but in many countries throughout the world it tion. dissemination of information and does not exist at all, or exists only on paper The text of the resolution is as fol- ideas. People accustomed to thinking and not in practice. lows: freely and speaking freely cannot be Thus the has long sought to H. RES. 1462 deterred from also living freely. These expand this freedom throughout the world, Whereas, on May 29, 2010, Guatemala, Hon- are the realities that drive our Na- promoting free speech and freedom of infor- duras, and El Salvador experienced dev- tion’s longstanding commitment to mation in places where governments have astating floods and mudslides brought on by Tropical Storm Agatha; surrogate broadcasting, providing to strangled their people’s ability to speak their minds. Most notably during the Cold War, Whereas Tropical Storm Agatha has left oppressed societies the kind of news 174 dead and 62,827 families were directly af- and information that local journalists Radio Free Europe was one of the many tools the United States used to try and reach out to fected in Guatemala; would supply if they were allowed to Whereas Tropical Storm Agatha has left operate freely. those behind the Iron Curtain, who were de- 22dead and 7,998 in shelters in Honduras; We can all recall the important role prived of information and whose right to speak Whereas Tropical Storm Agatha has left 11 that Radio Free Europe played in help- their minds freely was severely curtailed. dead and 12,000 in shelters in El Salvador; ing us to end the Cold War. For the Radio Free Asia, RFA, attempts to do the Whereas over 2,000 Guatemalans were dis- past 14 years, its younger sibling, same for the people of Asia whose freedom of placed with little forewarning following the eruption of the volcano; Radio Free Asia, has provided critical speech and press, particularly in China and North Korea, has been stifled by increasingly Whereas the combination of Tropical broadcasting in a neighborhood that Storm Agatha and the eruption of the contains some of the world’s most anti- restrictive government policies. The consistent and continued attempts on Pacaya volcano have devastated Guate- democratic regimes: North Korea, mala’s landscape leaving behind behalf of these governments to block and jam Burma, China, Vietnam, and Laos. It and mudslides across the country; RFA’s broadcasts are a testament to their also broadcasts in important minority Whereas, due to recent droughts, erratic value and effectiveness. Like a cool breeze languages such as Uyghur, Cantonese, rainfall, high food prices, and a sharp drop in drafting through a hot, stifled room, RFA is a Wu, and dialects of Tibet. remittances, Guatemala has suffered severe breath of fresh air to those who are deprived food insecurity that will increase in the Among all of the freedom broad- of information and afraid to speak freely. Cre- wake of Tropical Storm Agatha; casting services of the United States, atively using shortwave broadcasts and the Whereas Guatemalan officials are esti- RFA, Radio Free Asia, is the only one Internet, RFA has been able to circumvent mating that damages will surpass whose authorizing legislation con- many of the restrictive tactics of oppressive $475,000,000; tained a sunset date, which Congress Whereas the loss in the agriculture sector governments, often relying on the ingenuity has repeatedly extended. It is high could be close to $18,500,000 in Honduras; and intelligence of local listeners themselves Whereas 380 schools have been affected in time to remove that sunset and make to spread the word. Radio Free Asia’s authorization perma- El Salvador; But RFA needs more time and more re- Whereas critical infrastructure relating to nent. sources to do its job right. It is of paramount water and sanitation has been destroyed; Sadly, the need for Radio Free Asia importance that Radio Free Asia continue its Whereas the United States has provided re- is not going to end any time soon, Mr. broadcasts in the future, until its implementa- lief for the victims of Tropical Storm Agatha Speaker. Making the authorization tion is made obsolete by its own success in by deploying United States Southern Com- permanent, therefore, is an important promoting freedom of information in the coun- mand support helicopters and frigates for as- signal of the United States’ commit- tries it currently serves. According to Freedom sistance with the transport of food, water, ment, putting those regimes who try so and emergency supplies; House, freedom of the press is in decline al- Whereas countries and organizations extremely hard to block the Radio Free most everywhere in the world, making Radio Asia broadcasts on notice that they around the world have contributed millions Free Asia’s services that much more vital in of dollars in medicines and aid, and humani- cannot wait out our resolve to support reaffirming this Congress’ concern for the free- tarian aid agencies in the United States and freedom of the press in Asia. dom of people around the globe. I am glad around the world are mobilizing to provide In addition, permanent authority that the Congress has decided to continue the much needed assistance to the relief and re- makes operational sense, as the recur- important work of the RFA and to promote covery efforts; and ring sunset has complicated Radio Free freedom to our oppressed brethren in Asia. Whereas Guatemala, Honduras, and El Sal- Asia’s ability to hire long-term staff, Ms.ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I vador have begun the process of recovering to negotiate cost-effective leases and have no further requests for time, and from these natural disasters: Now, therefore, be it capital agreements. For these reasons, I yield back the balance of my time Resolved, That the House of Representa- Mr. Speaker, this measure before us de- Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield tives— serves our unanimous support. back the balance of my time. (1) mourns the loss of life and expresses Let us stand today with the long-suf- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The solidarity with all people affected by Trop- fering people of China, of Tibet, of question is on the motion offered by ical Storm Agatha;

VerDate Mar 15 2010 04:54 Jul 01, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K30JN7.133 H30JNPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with HOUSE H5278 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 30, 2010 (2) commends the brave efforts of the peo- lizing to provide much-needed assist- created an unfortunate sandwich effect ple of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador ance to the relief and the recovery ef- in . But only through a as they recover from Tropical Storm Agatha; forts. united hemispheric-wide approach that (3) recognizes the assistance of the inter- The resolution before us recognizes is based on a shared commitment to de- national community during the recovery ef- the assistance efforts already under fort in providing relief to the people of Gua- mocracy, to security, to prosperity, temala, Honduras, and El Salvador; and way and urges the Secretary of State will we achieve success against the (4) urges the Secretary of State, in coordi- in coordination with the administrator narcotraffickers and organized crime. nation with the Administrator of the United of the United States Agency for Inter- States Agency for International Develop- national Development, or USAID, to Again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ment (USAID), to continue to develop a stra- continue to develop a strategic plan extend my heartfelt condolences to the tegic plan to promote food security and re- with the goal of mitigating the effects families and friends of those who suf- covery efforts with the goal of mitigating of the recent natural disasters that fered as a result of Tropical Storm Ag- the current and future effects of the recent have devastated these three countries. atha. As the brave people of Guate- natural disasters that have devastated Gua- Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador mala, Honduras, and El Salvador con- temala, Honduras, and El Salvador. face a major challenge as they recover tinue to recover from this tragic dis- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. and rebuild. They deserve our contin- aster, please know that we have you in MAFFEI). Pursuant to the rule, the gen- ued support. our hearts and in our prayers. tlewoman from California (Ms. WAT- For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, SON) and the gentlewoman from Flor- urge my colleagues to support this im- ida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) each will con- I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1462, sup- portant resolution. port for the people of Guatemala, Honduras trol 20 minutes. I reserve the balance of my time. The Chair recognizes the gentle- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I and El Salvador as they persevere through the woman from California. yield myself such time as I may con- aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha which f sume. swept across Central America causing deadly b 2040 I rise today as a proud cosponsor of floods and mudslides. I would like to thank Mr. GENERAL LEAVE House Resolution 1462, which expresses MACK for introducing this resolution underlining our heartfelt support for our North American Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask the support of the United States to the neighbors in their time of desperate need. unanimous consent that all Members people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El may have 5 legislative days to revise Salvador in the aftermath of Tropical Mr. Speaker, the countries of Central Amer- and extend their remarks and include Storm Agatha. ica have suffered devastating damage and Having already declared a state of extraneous material on the resolution loss of life at the hands of Mother Nature. emergency following a volcano erup- under consideration. Tropical Storm Agatha has left over 200 dead The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there tion just 50 miles from and over 95,000 in shelters, most of them in objection to the request of the gentle- days earlier, Guatemala was hit by Guatemala. The powerful storm has inflicted woman from California? Tropical Storm Agatha on May 29, 2010. over $475,000,000 in damages throughout the Floods and mudslides devastated parts There was no objection. region, destroying critical water and sanitation of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Sal- Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in infrastructure. Combined with recent droughts, vador as a result of the storm. Hun- strong support of this resolution and high food prices and a dramatic drop in remit- dreds of lives were lost, hundreds of yield myself such time as I may con- tances from the United States, Guatemala in sume. thousands of survivors left in shelters. On May 29, 2010, Guatemala, Hon- Immediately following this disaster, particular has suffered severe food insecurity duras and El Salvador experienced dev- as we always do, the United States, as that will likely increase due to the effects of astating floods and mudslides caused a government and as a people, was the storm. by Tropical Storm Agatha. Agatha has standing by to lend a helping hand. The I join my fellow members in expressing our left 174 dead and directly affected more United States Southern Command, most heartfelt condolences for the loss of life than 62,000 families in Guatemala, SOUTHCOM, located in my home dis- and suffering the Guatemalan, Honduran and killed 22 and forced nearly 8,000 into trict in Miami, Florida, deployed four Salvadoran people have endured in the wake shelters in Honduras, and left 11 dead helicopters from Soto Cano Air Base in of the storm. We mourn for those who are no and 12,000 in shelters in El Salvador. Honduras to conduct aerial assess- longer with us, and extend our deepest sym- And to make matters worse, over 2,000 ments and transport emergency relief pathies to those they have left behind, in Guatemalans were displaced with little supplies to areas impacted by the dis- many cases without food or shelter. It is a forewarning following the eruption of aster. tragedy for anyone to lose their home, their fa- the Pacaya volcano on May 27, 2010. The ability of SOUTHCOM to utilize ther, their mother, their children, their friends. The combination of the tropical resources from the Soto Cano Air Base We will do everything we can to help them re- demonstrates the important role that storm and the volcano has devastated cover from this disaster. Guatemala’s landscape leaving behind Honduras plays in enabling the United sinkholes and mudslides across the States to provide support for security But we also commend the people of these country. In addition, due to recent and disaster purposes. SOUTHCOM also ravaged countries for their bravery, and for droughts, erratic rainfalls and high sent personnel from Miami to join a standing tall in the face of adversity. In spite food prices, a sharp drop in remit- humanitarian assessment team on the of the frustration and sadness that come in the tances, Guatemala now faces severe ground in Guatemala. And I was proud aftermath of a disaster, they are fighting hard food insecurity, and this is expected to to see Royal Caribbean Cruises, also of to recover. They could certainly use our help. increase in the wake of Tropical Storm Miami, work with the Pan American The international community and the United Agatha. Development Foundation to help trans- States have already responded. Countries, Guatemalan officials are estimating port food to the tens of thousands of NGOs and humanitarian aid agencies from that damages will surpass $475 million. survivors in the days following the around the world have generously contributed In Honduras, the loss in the agriculture storm. millions of dollars in medicine and aid, and sector could be close to $18.5 million. In The growing security challenges fac- mobilizing to transport and deliver support and all three countries, critical infrastruc- ing Guatemala, Honduras, and El Sal- supplies. The United States continue to assert vador as a result of narcotraffickers ture relating to water and sanitation and strengthen our commitment to participate and vicious gangs have only been com- has been destroyed. in the global outpouring of support to our dev- The United States has provided relief plicated by this recent natural dis- astated neighbors to the south. for the victims of Tropical Storm Ag- aster. It will be critical for the United atha by deploying United States States to work with responsible demo- After all, we are no strangers to the effects Southern Command support heli- cratic nations in the region to ensure of natural disasters, and many of our cities copters and frigates to assist with the that this does not become a window of have suffered through more than their fair transport of food, water, and emer- opportunity for criminals. share. As a Representative of the good people gency supplies. Humanitarian aid agen- The success we have seen in Colom- of Houston, Texas, many of the Atlantic hurri- cies in the United States and countries bia and the ongoing efforts being taken canes and tropical storms that wreak havoc and NGOs around the world are mobi- in against the drug cartels have every summer hit very close to home. From

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