H2356 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 22, 2004 our foreign policy of interventionism, Continuing to deny that the setbacks fragile than it was back then. These practiced by both major parties for against us are related to our overall facts will dictate our inability to con- over 100 years, to being seriously foreign policy of foreign meddling tinue this policy both internationally flawed and the most important reason throughout many years and many ad- and domestically. 9/11 occurred. Instead, the claims will ministrations makes a victory over our It is true, an unshakable resolve to stand that the motivation behind 9/11 enemies nearly impossible. Not under- stay the course in Iraq or any other hot was our freedoms, prosperity and our standing the true nature and motiva- spot can be pursued for many years; way of life. If this error persists, all the tion of those who have and will commit but when a country is adding to its fu- tinkering and money to improve the deadly attacks against us prevents a ture indebtedness by over $700 billion intelligence gathering will bear little sensible policy from being pursued. per year, it can only be done with great economic sacrifice to all our citizens. fruit. b 1845 Over the years the entire psychology Huge deficits financed by borrowing of national defense has been com- Guerrilla warriors who are willing to and Federal Reserve monetization are pletely twisted. Very little attention risk and sacrifice their all as part of a an unsustainable policy and always has been directed towards protecting war that they see as defensive are a far lead to higher price inflation, higher our national borders and providing cry philosophically from a band of interest rates, a continued erosion of homeland security. renegades who, out of unprovoked hate, the dollar’s value, and a faltering econ- Our attention all too often was and seek to destroy us and kill themselves omy. Economic law dictates that the still is directed outward toward distant in the process. How we fight back de- standard of living then must go down lands. Now a significant number of our pends on understanding these dif- for all Americans, except for the privi- troops are engaged in Afghanistan and ferences. leged few who have an inside track on Iraq. We have kept troops in Korea for Of course, changing our foreign pol- government largess if this policy of over 50 years, and thousands of troops icy to one of no preemptive war, no na- profligate spending continues. remain in Europe and in over 130 other tion-building, no entangling alliances, Unfortunately, the American people, countries. This twisted philosophy of no interference in the internal affairs especially the younger generation, will ignoring our national borders while of other nations, and trade and friend- have to decide whether to languish pursuing an empire created a situation ship with all those who seek it, is no with the current policy or reject the where Seoul, Korea, was better pro- easy task. The real obstacle, though, is notion that perpetual warfare and con- tected than Washington, D.C., on 9/11. to understand the motives behind our tinued growth in entitlements should These priorities must change, but I am current foreign policy of perpetual be pursued indefinitely. I am sure the certain the 9/11 Commission will not meddling in the affairs of others for commission will not deal with the flaw address this issue. This misdirected more than 100 years. Understanding in the foreign policy endorsed by both policy has prompted the current pro- why both political parties agree on the parties for these many, many years. tracted war in Iraq, which has gone on principles of continuous foreign inter- I hope the commission tells us, now for 13 years with no end in sight. vention is crucial. Those reasons are though, why members of the bin Laden The al Qaeda attacks should not be multiple and varied. family were permitted immediately used to justify more intervention. In- They range from the persistent Wil- after 9/11 to leave the United States stead they should be seen as a guerilla sonian idealism of making the world without interrogation when no other attacks against us for what the Arabs safe for democracy to the belief that commercial or private flights were al- and the Muslim world see as our inva- we must protect our oil. Also contrib- lowed. That event should have been sion and interference in their home- uting to this bipartisan foreign policy thoroughly studied and explained to land. This cycle of escalation is rapidly view is the notion that promoting the American people. We actually had spreading the confrontation worldwide world government is worthwhile. This a lot more reason to invade Saudi Ara- between the Christian West and the involves support for the United Na- bia than we did Iraq in connection with Muslim East. With each escalation the tions, NATO, control of the world’s re- 9/11; but that country, obviously no world becomes more dangerous. It is sources through the IMF, the World friend of democracy, remains an un- especially made worse when we retali- Bank, the WTO, NAFTA, FTAA and the challenged ally of the United States ate against Muslims and Arabs who Law of the Sea Treaty, all of which with few questions asked. had nothing to do with 9/11, as we have gained the support of those sympa- I am afraid the commission will an- in Iraq, further confirming the sus- thetic to the poor and socialism, while swer only a few questions while raising picions of the Muslim masses that our too often the benefits accrue to the many new ones. Overall, though, the goals are more about oil and occupa- well-connected international corpora- commission has been beneficial and tion than they are about punishing tions and bankers sympathetic to eco- provides some reassurance to those those responsible for 9/11. nomic fascism. who believe we operate in a much too Those who claim that Iraq is another Sadly, in the process, the people are closed-off society. Fortunately, any ad- Vietnam are wrong. They cannot be forgotten, especially those who pay the ministration under the current system the same. There are too many dif- taxes; those who lives are lost and sac- still must respond to reasonable inquir- ferences in time, place and cir- rificed in no-win, undeclared wars; and ies. cumstance. But that does not mean the the unemployed and the poor who lose f Iraqi conflict cannot last longer, out as the economic consequences of fi- spread throughout the region and pos- nancing our foreign entanglements HAITI sibly throughout the world, making it evolve. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. potentially much worse than what we Regardless of one’s enthusiasm or BURNS). Under the Speaker’s an- suffered in Vietnam. lack thereof for the war and the gen- nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the In the first 6 years we were in Viet- eral policy of maintaining American gentleman from Florida (Mr. MEEK) is nam, we lost less than 500 troops. Over troops in more than 130 countries, one recognized for 60 minutes. 700 of our troops have been killed in cold fact must be soon recognized by Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Iraq in just over a year. Our neglect at all of us here in the Congress. The once again, it is a great honor to ad- pursuing the al Qaeda and bin Laden in American people cannot afford it; and dress the House of Representatives and Pakistan and Afghanistan and divert- when the market finally recognizes the the American people on a recent armed ing resources to Iraq have seriously overcommitment we have made, the re- services trip that I took to Haiti and compromised our ability to maintain a sults will not be pleasing to anyone. also talk about Haiti and the U.S. rela- favorable world opinion of support and A guns-and-butter policy was flawed tions as we move forth from this point cooperation in this effort. Instead, we in the 1960s and gave us interest rates on. have chaos in Iraq while the Islamists of 21 percent in the 1970s with high in- Many Americans understand the are being financed by a booming drug flation rates. The current guns-and- changes that Haiti has gone through business from U.S-occupied Afghani- butter policy is even more massive, and and the Haitian people, but tonight I stan. our economic infrastructure is more wanted to share a few things because

VerDate mar 24 2004 03:49 Apr 23, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AP7.155 H22PT1 April 22, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2357 many times we hear on the news and here that has also been very helpful to is humanitarian aid that actually read in the newspaper about what is the United States in making sure that comes in from that particular area. going on in Port-au-Prince, Haiti; what we fight the war against drugs and also They have the World Food Programme happened today in Port-au-Prince, illegal immigration. that is there in that area that is pro- Haiti; what happened as it relates to I think it is very important for us to viding meals every day. The population government, a lack of a parliament and understand, 600 miles away, Cuba is ac- there is approximately 100,000 Haitians. the legislature in Haiti; an interim tually 90 miles away, and we have I met with representatives from the government in Haiti; what is hap- many Haitians that are looking for Catholic Relief Services and also the pening as relates to AIDS and HIV in safe harbor in the United States due to archdiocese of Cap Haitian and from Haiti; also, as it pertains to hunger in political persecution. I just want to the World Food Programme. I also met Haiti and transportation. I think it is talk for a moment, since we know ex- with local school educators, which it so very, very important, since Haiti actly where Haiti is now and we know was a very good meeting that we had, had so much to do and does have so exactly where it sits as it relates to also a representative from a local or- much to do with our very own inde- our own homeland security and where phanage. pendence. it sits as it relates to our responsibility Haiti took part in helping us fight for of being able to assist Haiti as much as b 1900 our own independence. ‘‘Us’’ is the possible with the United Nations, I United States of America. There are want to just share a few things with We met there at the airport, and I many Haitian Americans that are play- my colleagues. must say that when we met there, it ing vital roles not only in our govern- Last Tuesday, I took the opportunity was more like an airport hangar. And ment but also in our democracy here in to travel to Haiti along with Senator in that region of Haiti, it is still a very the United States, and I must say that BILL NELSON of Florida and also Gen- dangerous region. Rebel forces still this is a very pivotal time for Haiti. So eral Hill of SouthCom, who I think the control half of Haiti. Now, I am not I would ask the American people and commander of Southern Command is saying that rebel forces are violent or Members of the Congress to just take a doing an outstanding job. He has a not violent, but what I am saying is moment and pay attention to some of number of Marines that are there as a that danger is still present there in Cap the things that I would like to share part of the international force to bring Haitien and throughout certain parts with my colleagues this evening to about peace in Haiti, and they are of Haiti. Even though we have French talk about this country, and I am doing the best job that they can do troops in the area, there is still a level going to have a map put up here beside under the circumstances. There are of danger that is there. me talking about why it is important also French troops that are there in We met with the school representa- that the United States of America the north. tives that were there, the principal of a plays a very strong role in not the re- General Hill and I, we flew to north- primary elementary school and also a building of Haiti but the building of ern Haiti. We actually flew to three principal of a number of the high Haiti, a country that is comprised of cities in northern Haiti, and these cit- schools that we would call our ninth people that work every day, a country ies are small cities but large as it re- grade through twelfth grade experi- that wants to continue to move forth lates to the population in Haiti. ence. They both said that they have as a democracy, and I am going to ad- The first place we traveled to was the issues of power. This is a major, dress that. I am going to continue to Fort Liberte, which is a city of over major issue in this country, and Haiti address the issue of democracy because 5,000 people. French troops are up here has to have some level of commerce, democracy is very, very important. securing this area of Haiti. It is close some level of economic development to As my colleagues know, many thou- to the Dominican border, and there are be able to help itself. And I think for sands of miles away from the United a number of poor individuals there that very little investment from the United States of America we are working hard are mainly fishermen and peasants. We Nations and from the United States of to create and to also maintain democ- walked through the streets of this city, America we can achieve that. racies throughout the world; but I will dirt roads, and spoke to everyday Hai- So we had the opportunity to meet tell my colleagues, as it relates to tians; and I was stopped by a father for about an hour and 15 minutes while Haiti being in our own hemisphere, that had two daughters that were General Hill moved on, meeting with being the poorest country in our hemi- dressed the same. They had matching the French troops, making sure our co- sphere, in the Caribbean, the very same umbrellas, in the heat of the day. This alition is strong there in order to pro- Caribbean, I myself being from Miami, is Haitian time, maybe around 10:30, vide the right atmosphere for another cruise ship capital of the world, many eleven o’clock. It was lunchtime. He larger United Nations force to take Americans and people throughout the was walking his daughters home, and I over. world cruise the Caribbean for celebra- asked him how is life, through an in- I also spoke with one of the rep- tion, relaxation and sun; but Haiti that terpreter, and he said, well, it is quite resentatives from the archdiocese of sits in the middle of our Caribbean, difficult because we have not had the Catholic Church, and Catholic Re- northern Caribbean, is a country that power in our city since December of lief Services, and he spoke to me in is in desperate need of assistance. last year. Creole, and through an interpreter he With the United States being the Being from Miami and understanding said, Congressman, that is fine. It is largest, most vibrant free society on hurricanes and disasters and power fine that you are here. We are glad that the face of the Earth, the richest coun- being knocked out, it is very difficult you are here. But we have had other try on the face of the Earth, we are to survive. It is very difficult to be able visitors from the United States of doing, in my opinion, more to Haiti to maintain some level of normalcy America, though this was the first than for Haiti; and that is the reason without having power and utilities; and time he said he had personally met why we have to go through a paradigm that is so very, very important. It is an with a Member of Congress. But people shift. area that we have to make sure that come and people go, and Haitians are First of all, I just would like to point we get more humanitarian assistance used to hearing, using his words, oh, out here, Haiti is actually only 600 in the area of food, also in the area of this is wonderful; and, yes, we will take miles away from the United States; clean drinking water; and definitely our notes, and we appreciated the and as we start talking about Haiti, we electricity should be provided up in meeting, and we will be back. And he have to look at the Bahamas. That is this area. said many people board planes and up here. That is our friend and ally We then moved from Fort Liberte boats, and they leave, and they never that has been really working with the that we see here over to Cap Haitian, see them ever again. United States as it relates to making which is also a border area. It is not a But this issue of hunger, the issue of sure that we not only stop the flow of border area, but they have a port that the lack of having the opportunity to illegal narcotics but also the flow of il- is there, a deep water port that could build jobs, the issue of children needing legal immigrants to the United States be open for commerce, but right now to be educated are very important. of America. We have Jamaica down the main business that they have now This is a very fertile area for economic

VerDate mar 24 2004 03:49 Apr 23, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AP7.157 H22PT1 H2358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 22, 2004 development. We can put local peas- not allow me to stay overnight in But there is only one road down into ants to work. And I am going to come Haiti. So imagine some who may feel the southern claw, my colleagues, and back to that a little later on. any credible claim of fear or persecu- that road is not a secured road. The We moved from Cap Haitien by heli- tion, imagine what they may feel with- CMOC that is located there, which is copter, a very mountainous area along out security, without having armored operated by Southern Command, pro- this area between Cap Haitien and the vehicles to ride around the streets of vides the very gateway or security for city of Gonaives. Gonaives is an inter- Port-au-Prince in. humanitarian efforts to make it to the esting city because this is where the So we flew back to Miami Wednes- southern claw and some parts of north- rebellion started, right here in day, stayed there, Thursday returned ern Haiti. The U.S. has security re- Gonaives, which many of the rebels are back to Haiti and spent that day, all sponsibility for Port-au-Prince only at still there in that city. It is a very dan- day, in Port-au-Prince, and met with this particular time. There are plans to gerous place. the USAID mission that is there, Di- move into the southern claw to be able The security responsibility of rector David Adams, who I believe is to provide the kind of humanitarian as- Gonaives is in the hands of the French doing an outstanding job. And I want sistance and health assistance that is troops that are there, and I commend to say not only to his staff but to the needed there. those men and women that are there administrators here with USAID, you CMOC is an acronym which stands serving on behalf of the United Na- could not have a better, more com- for the Civil Military Operations Cen- tions’ international presence. I met mitted staff in Haiti than what you ter. This center was once located in with representatives of the CARE orga- have under the leadership of Director 1994 when the Army was there, the 82nd nization, which is one of the three to Adams. He is emotionally attached to Airborne. CMOCs are set up in many four providers that provide food the work. But they need more re- areas in Iraq, which has the largest through USAID, and he shared with me sources to be able to do the things they CMOC. The CMOC in Haiti is a very that, once again, energy, power, being need to do to develop jobs in Haiti, and small operation, and it brings together able to keep the lights on in Haiti, in I will address that in a few seconds. nongovernmental organizations where I think it is important for us to re- Gonaives, why power is so important; they work hand in hand with USAID. because, guess what, it generates clean member that we have a lot of people Once again, the staff that is down drinking water. doing great things in Haiti, but more there at that CMOC, which is mainly They have four pumps in that city. needs to be done. We met with non- run by a gentleman that is a reservist, Three of them work, but one of them governmental organizations from Hai- a colonel, is doing an outstanding job needs repairs. These are very small ti’s southern claw. there. I met with Major Ray, who gave Now, let me just point out the south- things. These are issues that usually a us an overview of the activities of the ern claw of Haiti. This looks pretty city government or a county govern- CMOC there, and my hat is off to those much like a lobster claw or a crab ment may have an issue, and they ap- individuals, those patriots that are try- claw, but this is the southern claw. propriate a very small number of dol- ing to provide just common things for This is Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the cap- lars towards repairing that, and the ital, where the Presidential palace is the Haitian people and the plans they problem is solved. But fuel and petro- located. You hear a lot about events have there of being able to try to assist leum is an issue in Haiti right now be- taking place here. Port-au-Prince, Haitians restore some level of health cause of the lack of power. In Haiti Haiti, is the most populated city in care in Port-au-Prince, and also mak- they have to use gas generators, which Haiti, and it is its nation’s capital. ing sure that nongovernmental organi- is very expensive, so this means some There is the southern claw, along this zations have a way to be able to carry days the pumps work, and other days area here, south of Port-au-Prince. food and the necessary cooking oil, they do not work. This southern claw is not secured things of that nature, to the southern They also provide meals for 60,000 yet. This southern claw is still con- claw of Haiti. I commend them. people in this city of 200,000 people, trolled by rebel forces. This southern The United Nations Development which he said they can do a lot more. claw is where many Haitians are hun- Program office tells me that the resi- It is 70 miles northwest of Port-au- gry. This southern claw is where there dents there are really looking forward, Prince, Haiti. Now, one would say, why is no power at all to be able to stimu- and they are continuing to engage the would you have to travel by helicopter? late any level of sensible adult edu- citizens of Haiti as it pertains to learn- Well, Haiti is a very mountainous area, cation, any level of humanitarian as- ing more about how the United Nations and the roads in Haiti, if Americans sistance. Everything is run by gener- can play a role in humanitarian and have experienced a dirt road experi- ator in the southern claw. economic development there. I would ence, magnify that by 10 times. The We have to remember that because I use the philosophy of not giving fish, best built road in Haiti was built by am going to talk a little about migra- but teaching how to fish. But I must the United States Army Corps of Engi- tion and the reason why Haitians leave say to the American people and to neers in 1994. So it is very, very dif- Haiti. And I think it is important that Members of Congress, the Haitian peo- ficult to travel from Port-au-Prince to we remember and we set the stage for ple are very creative people, so we do Gonaives. the environment that they have to live not necessarily need to teach them how We returned back on that Tuesday, in and the environment that we allow to fish, we just have to provide the back to Port-au-Prince, and flew back them to live in, because they are the very essentials for them to go ahead to Miami, Florida. Senator NELSON poorest country in our hemisphere. We and move forward with their entrepre- flew back to South America on another seem to have more interest in areas neurial spirit to provide jobs in Haiti. mission. The reason why we could not thousands and thousands of miles I want to share with my colleagues a stay overnight in Haiti, my colleagues, away, while we have this democracy, as few more facts about Haiti, and then I was due to the fact that they still have shaky as it may be, with hungry, starv- must talk about immigration, because a departure order in Haiti. It is that ing people, and very little assistance that is the main thrust of the interest dangerous. It is so dangerous that even from the U.S. or from the U.N. of our country. It seems to be the main myself, a Member of Congress, not only This is an area that can be very vi- thrust of the administration, any ad- had U.S. Marine security but State De- brant and prosperous, much more pros- ministration, because of illegal immi- partment security on top of that and perous than what it is right now. Pros- gration and those individuals who take Haitian national police security. perity is only in pride in Haiti. There to the sea, and who our Coast Guard Imagine. I can walk down the streets are very few numbers of individuals rescue many times. of the United States of America, even that have wealth in Haiti. The average I showed this map that had Florida here in Washington, D.C., without se- per capita income of the everyday Hai- in it. It is 600 miles to Florida from curity. I might be a little security-con- tian is a little bit over $400. That is a Haiti, and 90 miles from Cuba. When I scious, but without physical security, year; $400 in U.S. money is the per cap- was flying over in either a plane or hel- and without M–5 semiautomatic ma- ita income for the average Haitian. icopter, 20 feet out of shore, and many chine guns, but I cannot stay overnight And we will talk about that a little of the Members of Congress who are in Haiti. The State Department will later. sports enthusiasts or are into water

VerDate mar 24 2004 03:49 Apr 23, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AP7.159 H22PT1 April 22, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2359 sports or fishing can understand what I to ask for international assistance to when you do not have individuals that mean when I say the deep blue water, get their energy facilities up to date. are provided jobs, then you will have a it was deep blue water. That means This can be done for $1.8 million. very small population of individuals that once you fall in it, you cannot When we look at the size of Port-au- that are gangs that will take control touch the bottom. We have lost thou- Prince, and for Members who are engi- and will arm themselves and will end sands, not hundreds but thousands, of neers, you know for $1.8 million that is up giving the government the problems Haitians trying to escape political per- a very small price tag to repair the that they have now. secution in Haiti. power resources in Port-Au-Prince I said I was going to go back to the I commend the Coast Guard for the alone. Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is not just Coast Guard, and I think it is impor- work that they have tried to do to pre- the capital city; it is the heartbeat of tant. I do not want Members to feel vent the loss of life, but they also have the economy of Haiti. It is also the that the Coast Guard is doing some- a job to do, and they have been ordered area we have to secure. thing wrong; they are doing everything to do it and they are doing it. I will There is a city called Cite Soleil, right in my opinion. They are doing also talk about that. which is more like what one would call what they are told. Being a member of First, however, I want to share a lit- squatters. They are tin roofs. In the the Committee on the Armed Services, tle about the U.S. involvement. The country and heartland of America, you the Coast Guard carries out their or- reason why I am here today is to make may have a barn with a tin roof. That ders. They report to the committee I sure that we have a paradigm shift in makes the four walls and the top of the serve on as it relates to the Select our policy as relates to Haiti. The U.S. houses in Cite Soleil. Some of the most Committee on Homeland Security; but involvement goes back to 1915 and 1934, violent gangs are in the Cite Soleil. It as it relates to U.S. policy towards Hai- when we occupied Haiti. The U.S. is important that we understand that tians that are interdicted at sea, it is helped set up the Haitian Coast Guard. we have to provide power or have to not just, it is not fair and it is a viola- We built the embassy there during that make sure they have power in this city tion of international law, period. No period. We built the ambassador’s resi- because usually when the violence qualms about it. dence during that period, and Ambas- starts, it starts in Port-au-Prince, Let me just share something with sador Foley, James Foley, I believe, is Haiti. That is why we hear so much Members. This is not even what has trying to do the best that he can do about Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We should happened over the last few years. The under the circumstances. be hearing about the hard-working peo- Coast Guard in January of 2004 inter- ple in Haiti, but we will not hear that cepted and repatriated 113 Haitians. In b 1915 unless we target to restore and repair February of 2004, they intercepted 1,076 He is going to need the help of this power there. Haitians, but only 11 out of 1,076 Hai- Congress to be able to carry out the ef- There are U.S. corporations in Port- tians actually were found to have a fort in Haiti. au-Prince in the industrial part, which credible claim of fear of persecution. In 1994, the U.N. multinational force, the HERO bill here in this Congress, Eleven out of 1,076. That means 1,065 led by the United States of America, represented by Members in this body went back to Haiti, and they were re- military intervention eventually and the other body, to provide not only patriated in Port-au-Prince. A lot of worked towards the return of President trade opportunities with Haiti, but to them were leaving because of political Aristide. We were there for a very also generate jobs within Haiti. One of persecution. They were paraded right short time. I must say a lot was done the main cities that would benefit from through Port-au-Prince. Many of them during that period, but not one U.S. that would be Port-au-Prince, Haiti. left from the northern and southern soldier lost his or her life during that I think what is also very, very impor- claw of Haiti, trying to escape political period because, contrary to what one tant for us to discuss here is the issue persecution; and they were repatriated. may hear on television or read in the of immigration. This is the very center We do not know if those individuals paper, the Haitian people are very I believe of the reason why we have to made it home or did not. It is a viola- peaceful. There are a few that create do the right thing now. There are a tion of international law for us to do thuggery in Haiti and give Haiti a number of issues that are going on here that. black eye that it does not deserve. on this island. We also have the drug Now, I said that to say this, what is On February 23 of this year, the U.S. trade, not Haitians growing poppy important for us to do here in this Con- sent U.S. Marines to secure U.S. facili- plants. Haitians are not growing mari- gress, the most important thing that ties, which was a fast response team. In juana plants or any other thing that we can do is to make sure that we ap- March 2004, as a part of a U.N.-backed may create some sort of illegal sub- propriate the necessary dollars, just force, the United States, Canadians, stance or illegal drug, but because of like we appropriate throughout the French and Chileans restored and the lack of an economy in Haiti, drug world. We have Members saying we maintained order of Haiti. My hat is off lords have found not safe haven, but an have our own issues and we have the to those individuals who served. We opportunity to thrive as a point where deficit and other things. Let me say I had a Marine injured in an ambush. they can take their drugs to move to am overly concerned as relates to the Marines returned fire, and three or four the next area. deficit. I do not take pride as it relates individuals have been killed that have I want to bring my other chart back to being in the 108th Congress, and his- tried to attack our men and women in up because I think it is important that tory will say I was in Congress when we uniform. we understand what we are dealing had the highest deficit in the history of Secondly, as it relates to power in with here. the country, the history of the Repub- Port-au-Prince alone, the capital city, We have Haiti here and within 600 lic. But at the same time we are giving the largest city, the Marines and miles to Miami, Florida. It is maybe international assistance to other coun- SouthCom, and once again I cannot say even a shorter distance to Key West tries, in the billions and in the mil- enough about them and what they are and what we call here the Gold Coast. lions. Haiti is slated to receive in the trying to do there, did an assessment of As we see the Bahama islands, and millions, a very small number as it re- the needs of electricity in Haiti be- there are over 700 Bahama islands, we lates to the big numbers that many of cause it means so much. It goes to- have Cuba here. Drug dealers try to the other countries are receiving. wards the security of Haiti. Just imag- find some way to work in Haiti due to There will be an appropriations ine if you did not have lights in your the lack of an economy. If we want to amendment to ask for $50 million for neighborhood, what kind of safety, head off what we are dealing with in Haiti. The President has asked for $20 what kind of level of safety would you Colombia and some other parts of the million, and some of that is in in-kind have in your neighborhood, let alone a southern hemisphere, we should do the contributions, not necessarily hard dol- sense of community or a community right thing as it relates to the econ- lars. It is important for the U.S. to be that would like to thrive. This was omy. able to appropriate more than what the done by SouthCom, this report here But also what comes along with President has asked for for Haiti for that was given to the Prime Minister, drugs is, what, violence. What happens two reasons. One, we cannot carry out saying his number one goal should be especially when you do not have police, acts of repatriating over 1,076 Haitians

VerDate mar 24 2004 03:49 Apr 23, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AP7.161 H22PT1 H2360 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 22, 2004 and say there is no real reason, you are that was one of the first countries to Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speak- leaving for other reasons. The 11 that get its own independence, Haitians. I er, I thank the gentleman from Florida had credible claims of fear, they are share with the Prime Minister, who is (Mr. MEEK) for his leadership and for not in the United States; they are in a Haitian who was living in Boca his courageous battle to make sure Guantanamo Bay along with the ter- Raton, Florida, in my State, that his that the people of Haiti are not forgot- rorists from the Middle East, the role in this government in this time in ten, and that is really what this is all enemy combatants that are jailed and this place will speak for the next 200 about, and that is why the leadership are an issue before the Supreme Court years. By the agreement of the Prime of the gentleman from Florida’s focus right now. Minister’s being in the office that he is has been not on the politics, not on So if we do not want Haitians coming in, he can no longer run for office in what is in the best interest of this one over to the United States of America, Haiti. He cannot run for office in Haiti. or that one. His focus has been on what if we do not want Haitians risking He cannot move on to the next govern- can we do for those people, those aver- their lives, and we no longer want to ment that hopefully will be elected. He age everyday citizens that live in Haiti see on the nightly news 300 Haitians cannot take part in that. So he has an who have dreams and aspirations just falling in the middle of the Gulf opportunity to be an honest broker. like we do, who all they want is for Stream, and one may see with the Gulf The people around him in the ministry their children to be able to have a bet- Stream right off the coast of Florida have an opportunity to be honest bro- ter life, to be able to get an education, where they will go on and on and we kers of making sure that Haitians get to be able to go to work to provide a will never find these individuals, if we a fair opportunity to have power, to be living so that they can have a family do not want that to happen, we should able to stimulate an economy in Haiti, themselves and live a life that is a life have more thrust to make sure we do and to be able to work with the inter- that is free of violence and that is free right in Haiti. I want to say it is very, national community to provide the of the deprivation of food and human very important that we do this. kind of assistance that the Haitian rights violations. And that is what this Mr. Speaker, I will be leaving, along people deserve. is really all about. It is about people. with a bipartisan delegation, at 7:20 Mr. Speaker, if anyone has traveled And I am going to travel with the a.m. from Andrews Air Force Base to to Haiti, and I will tell the Members gentleman because he is going, and I fly to Haiti and meet with Haitian gov- right now, it cannot help but pull on know there is a bipartisan CODEL that ernment officials, those who we may their heart to see people living under will be leaving for Haiti tomorrow call stewards of democracy at this those circumstances and those condi- morning, and I have decided to change time. But it is a very, very important tions to do the things that they do day my schedule based upon his courageous message that we are sending to the in and day out, to lay flat down and at- trip that he has already taken, that he Haitian Government, and that is they tend house that is clean, which may be already visited, and he has gone out to have to rule with a level hand. the ground but it is swept, living under not just the big cities. He has gone out To the ministers, the Prime Minister, those conditions of not being able to to the side roads. He has gone out to I have not met with the President, have the clean water that they need, the rural areas. He has gone out to maybe we will do that tomorrow, but it having electricity, but every day they where the people are. is important if they are going to set And I want to just get a chance to out warrants for members of the try to send their children to school. Ninety-five percent of the schools in get a feel of that so that we can make Lavalas Party and for the Aristide gov- sure when we come back here that we ernment, the interior minister has al- Haiti are privatized. USAID is building schools. We commend them for that. can implement a kind of program and a ready been jailed of the Aristide gov- kind of attention on Haiti that does ernment, if you are going to do that, I But the missions and things of that na- ture are providing an opportunity for not last just for 6 months, just for 1 have no qualms about you carrying out year or 2 years, but something where it the rule of law. But if you are putting them to educate themselves. But I can is sustained, 10, 15, 20 years, to estab- out warrants there, you have to put say, Mr. Speaker, that it is so very im- lish a true and strong democratic insti- out warrants for the arrest of individ- portant. tution, not for the United States of uals who are in the rebel forces and So if we are concerned about Hai- America, quite frankly, not for Canada, other parties that we know and they tians coming to the United States ille- not for France, not for anybody else, are known criminals and are carrying gally trying to escape political perse- but for the people of Haiti, that little out daily acts of thuggery throughout cution because of thuggery in their country that is connected to the island Haiti. local town or city, then we should have There are some Members in this body an effort here in Haiti to make sure of Hispaniola. We need to make sure that will cut off dollars, assistance dol- that we provide the best environment that we do something for those people, lars, if the Haitian Government does possible for this country. and I just appreciate the gentleman’s not stand for equality in making sure We are providing food, yes. We are leadership on that. that we have security for all Haitians. providing medicine, yes. Are we help- Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I The backdrop of American people is ing Haiti as it relates to HIV and just want to say to the gentleman from making sure that we set forth an envi- AIDS? Of course we are. But those are New York (Mr. MEEKS) quickly that I ronment for elections. Right now in issues of providing fish, not providing appreciate his speaking out not only Haiti they do not have this democracy the resources so that they can go and here on the floor of this great House of that we celebrate here this evening, fish for themselves. Representatives but also speaking out this Congress that allows representa- There are some countries that we in the halls of Congress. As the gen- tives from different parts of Haiti to have been in in Europe since World War tleman knows, we partner in a bipar- come to the capital to represent their II, Mr. Speaker. It is important that we tisan effort to try to do what is best for constituents. do it right this time so that we do not Haiti. Regardless of the politics, re- have to deploy U.S. troops, so that we gardless of who is in control, we are b 1930 do not have to call in Reservists to go supporters; and I know that he joins They no longer have a parliament. because our military is stretched too me in that, of democracy. And the only They no longer have an elected presi- thin, so that we do not have to have way we are going to get to truly elect dent. They no longer are able to have emergency orders through the Security a democracy is making sure that we mayors in their cities. Many of the cit- Council at the UN. It is very impor- bring the level of safety, number one, ies are mayorless, without leadership; tant. up in Haiti; number two, set the real and so it is important that we set the The gentleman from New York (Mr. stage for elections, which the United security stage, that we help Haiti set MEEKS), no relation to me, also rep- Nations is going to play a role in it. the policy stage of making sure that resents a large concentration. I have And I am glad that he points out the we are able to have those elections so the highest concentration of Haitians fact that we are not trying to impose they can move forth. in my district, Haitian Americans. He anything on the Haitian people. We So on this 200th bicentennial of Hai- has the second largest in New York. want to make sure that we are there to ti’s history and future, this country I yield to the gentleman. be the bridge for the Haitian people to

VerDate mar 24 2004 03:49 Apr 23, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K22AP7.163 H22PT1 April 22, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2361 move forth and elect its government. Does the gentleman from New York out with how I got to this point, and I And the interim government that is in wish to share with us anything else want to conclude with why we ought to there that, I must add, cannot continue this evening? Because I am going to eliminate the entire Internal Revenue on past the 2005 elections, that is in the close because I know we have an early Service code and why we ought to agreement, that they have the nec- morning and we have other Members eliminate the Internal Revenue Service essary tools to be able to provide some who have to address the House. entirely and why we ought to give peo- of the things that I talked about here Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speak- ple back their freedom and why we tonight. But it is good to have not only er, I will close with this: I will follow should cease taxing our productivity a partner like the gentleman from New his leadership. He has been a great and remove the first lien that exists on York but someone who is willing to leader, and I think that the people of everyone’s wages in this country and look at the big picture on behalf of the Miami, but more importantly, the peo- replace it with an opportunity to de- Haitian people. That is just the bottom ple of Haiti, are well served by his lead- cide when they pay their taxes when line. ership. I think he is doing this not in a they go and purchase. Mr. MEEKS of New York. That is it, political way, but in a bipartisan man- So for me it works in this way: in Mr. Speaker. I think if we do not cre- ner; and I look forward to being with 1975 I started up a business. I went out ate the kind of democratic institutions him in the morning. and bought a bulldozer and began doing and help them go along, and not just Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I custom work on farms, building ter- America, I think that he said it abso- cannot tell the gentleman how much I races and dams and waterways. And as lutely right. Not just us, but with the appreciate his saying that. I hope my I did that work, all I really wanted to help of the United Nations, with them mother was watching, who is a past do was simply run my business, provide involved, so that we can create a cli- Member of this body. Hopefully, she a service and collect a fee for that and mate of security. Because only if they will see how important and how my pay my bills and raise my family. That have security can they have elections, colleagues think of me. I thank the was the American dream. Maybe I was and then only with elections can they gentleman from coming down. simplistic in my aspirations, and have a true democratic government. I just want to say this very quickly maybe I should have realized how com- And I do not like to get into these com- in closing, Mr. Speaker, that it is very plicated it could get. But as the years parisons to Haiti and Iraq and things of important we do what is right on be- went by, I began to realize that I did that nature. We know that there are half of this Nation. It is very impor- not get to spend every waking moment, substantial differences. But one thing tant, if we are going to have a policy I did not get to spend every sunshine that is clear is there is a question as to and interdict Haitians at sea and we day out there doing something produc- what people of Iraq want and wanted. want to save lives so that the Coast tive, working and moving earth and There is no question as to what the Guard will not have to pick bodies out preserving soil and water quality. In- people want. Yes, they want us and floating face down around the waters of stead, there was a day I finally had to they want the United Nations there to Haiti and between the United States of pull in and park a machine on a sunny help them. They are begging for us to America that we provide the kind of day and go in and start filling out more do this. So this is not something that atmosphere for economic development, is imposed, and they are just saying, if Federal forms. and I would also say to the Members On that first day that that happened you give us the window of opportunity that it is vitally important that we to create a secure environment, we that I could not any longer have en- continue to pay very close attention in know what we want to do and we just ergy to meet the Federal regulations at a bipartisan way and do what is right need that kind of help, not just for a night or on rainy days or on weekends day or for a week, as I said, but where on behalf of this nation that helped us or on Sundays, that was the first day I it is a continuous help, and just help us fight for our independence. lost real productivity in our small lit- get on par with the Dominican Repub- f tle business. lic, for example. Forget being another TAXES AND THE IRS b 1945 United States. Well, it was also about the time that Help us so that when it is time to ne- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. I was audited for the first time by the gotiate trade agreements when we are BURNS). Under the Speaker’s an- Internal Revenue Service, and I doing the FTAA that we as a country nounced policy of January 7, 2003, the can take advantage of it and we can gentleman from Iowa (Mr. KING) is rec- thought I had that behind me. A couple create the jobs. As the gentleman ap- ognized for 60 minutes. of years later, along came another propriately said, we can fish on our Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I ap- audit. The second audit was for the own. preciate the opportunity to address the year 1979, and I remember that clearly. So we are moving now. We have got body and an opportunity to address the The IRS did let me know that they the FTAA coming. We have got some American people. This period of time wanted to do an audit on a certain other pieces dealing with the Caribbean that we have here this evening is a way date, and I accommodated them in Basin Initiative. We have got various to get a message out that sometimes every way possible. other trade agreements. And if we do does not get out. I also appreciate the But we did not have copy machines not help now, these people could be left remarks by the gentleman from Flor- in those days, and I did not have staff out. But if we help now, they can be in- ida with regard to Haiti and promotion in those days that could pull these cluded in. And guess what? It will be of freedom not just in this hemisphere records out of my files. I had done the short-term pain for us for long-term but around the world. I think it is records myself, I had built the book- gain for everybody because then they something we all agree with. keeping system that I had, and it was will not be dependent upon us. Our I would like to start out tonight by accurate, and it was precise, and it was troops will not be necessary there. talking about an issue that is fun- thorough, and I had excellent records, They then will become a prosperous damentally important to the United and I could document where every sin- neighbor, and we do not have to worry States of America from an economic gle penny went without hesitation. about people coming over in a boat try- standpoint, something that I think af- What I did not have was a copy ma- ing to get to our Nation, trying to flee fects us not just fiscally but socially chine where I could have copied a lot of an island that should be one of the and how we develop ourselves as a Na- records, handed them to the IRS and most beautiful islands in all of the Car- tion, and I think it is an issue that will said, I will come back and see you to- ibbean. That is what this is all about. establish our American and national night when the sun goes down, and we Mr. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, destiny for a long time to come. will see if you need any more informa- they have some of the best beaches in We sit today with a lot of years of ex- tion for your audit tomorrow. the world, and the cruise ships used to perience with an Internal Revenue So I made a decision that I would not go there all the time. Now there is a Service that is too big, it is too intru- allow them to rummage around in my little small part of Haiti on the north- sive, it injects itself into our private files, pull records out. They did not ern tip that is gated, secured, and they lives, and it slows down our business know my filing system. I could not be go there. and our commerce. So I want to start assured that they could put them back

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