E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 114 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 161 WASHINGTON, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 No. 140 House of Representatives The House met at noon and was Government and people were doing in Additionally, I also heard how long- called to order by the Speaker pro tem- response to the problems that confront term drought is exacerbating hunger, pore (Mr. DENHAM). their country and how the United malnutrition, and the loss of liveli- f States might help. We met with fami- hoods in rural central Honduras and ig- lies, young people, and community niting a new wave of migration. DESIGNATION OF SPEAKER PRO leaders in several marginal and violent Second, I heard from returned mi- TEMPORE communities, including those who ben- grants and the families of migrants, in- The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- efit from programs at Casa Alianza. cluding those whose loved ones have fore the House the following commu- The delegation also visited an inno- disappeared and never been heard from nication from the Speaker: vative USAID-sponsored violence pre- again. Migrants face abuse as they WASHINGTON, DC, vention program. It not only offers pro- travel. They are extorted by authori- September 28, 2015. grams for young people in a poor and ties in Mexico and sometimes Guate- I hereby appoint the Honorable JEFF dangerous neighborhood, but brings to- mala and robbed or kidnapped and held DENHAM to act as Speaker pro tempore on gether community leaders and local in- for ransom by criminal groups. Young this day. stitutions to tackle local problems. By women run the risk of being trafficked JOHN A. BOEHNER, strengthening local leaders and groups and forced into prostitution. Speaker of the House of Representatives. and working with trained and vetted We heard from returned migrants, es- f local police, crime levels have dropped pecially those who had been stopped in MORNING-HOUR DEBATE and new opportunities for youth have Mexico, about the return journey and been created. These are hopeful results the lack of services at the El Corinto The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- for a community that 1 year ago was border crossing. We met migrants who ant to the order of the House of Janu- under siege by violent criminal actors. had fled gang violence only to be forced ary 6, 2015, the Chair will now recog- We also met with many NGOs, to return to the same dangers. nize Members from lists submitted by human rights defenders, and inter- I was moved by many of these sto- the majority and minority leaders for national organizations to understand ries. Migrants, even those traveling morning-hour debate. the intertwined problems of human without legal documents, have basic The Chair will alternate recognition rights, Democratic governance, and rights, and we should be working with between the parties, with each party corruption. We had substantial con- the Governments of Mexico and Hon- limited to 1 hour and each Member versations with Honduran President duras to ensure that they get decent other than the majority and minority Juan Orlando Hernandez and met with treatment, access to needed services, leaders and the minority whip limited our Ambassador, James Nealon, and and the protection they deserve. to 5 minutes, but in no event shall de- his team, and I am grateful for how Third, human rights abuses continue bate continue beyond 1:50 p.m. generous they were with their time. to be a serious problem in Honduras. f I would like to share with my col- Longtime human rights defenders, leagues a few thoughts and conclusions journalists, and gay, lesbian, and HONDURAS MUST PROTECT from this trip. transgender activists described ongoing HUMAN RIGHTS, VULNERABLE First, I have no doubt that violence threats, attacks, and even assassina- COMMUNITIES or lack of opportunity are driving fam- tions, and the response by the police The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ilies and young people to flee Hon- and the attorney general has not im- Chair recognizes the gentleman from duras. I saw the marginal communities proved. In fact, a U.S.-supported spe- Massachusetts (Mr. MCGOVERN) for 5 and heard the stories from families cial investigative unit that was sup- minutes. about the problems young people face. posed to focus on attacks on the LGBT Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, last The best thing we can do is support ef- community, journalists, and others has week I joined a fact-finding delegation forts that break the cycle of violence investigated even fewer cases this year to Honduras led by WOLA, the Wash- and help build opportunities for youth than last. ington Office on Latin America. We in Honduras and elsewhere in Central I am troubled by the government’s looked at the problem of violence and America. At Casa Alianza and the focus on special military police units, the lack of opportunity in order to un- USAID project, we saw the kind of pro- whose human rights record isn’t good. I derstand why families and young peo- grams that actually make a difference. support the U.S. decision not to pro- ple continue to flee the country. We That is where we should be directing vide aid to the military police. Instead, wanted to learn what the Honduran our assistance. the Honduran Government needs to b This symbol represents the time of day during the House proceedings, e.g., b 1407 is 2:07 p.m. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. H6263 . VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:11 Sep 29, 2015 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A28SE7.000 H28SEPT1 SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H6264 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 28, 2015 clean up and strengthen civilian police As I have witnessed firsthand, the dress the House for 1 minute and to re- and the Attorney General’s Office. Center is focused on producing results. vise and extend his remarks.) My trip to Honduras was both chal- This will be crucial as we continue to Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. lenging and inspiring. I saw troubling move forward with the rebalance and Speaker, this week the House Armed problems of poverty and violence, begin to tackle some of the most press- Services Committee, led by Chairman heard painful stories about migrant ing security-related issues. MAC THORNBERRY, marks Cyber Week, abuses and disappearances, and saw Once again, I want to extend my con- a week that highlights the importance major problems in the area of human gratulations on 20 years of service and of cyber to our families and to our rights and the protection of human my warmest thanks—mahalo—for the military. This week of hearings, with rights defenders and activists. tremendous work being done there. witnesses from private corporations But I also saw hope. I met with f and the Department of Defense, is a fit- young people who dream of bright fu- RECESS ting start as we also recognize Cyber tures for themselves in Honduras, with Security Awareness Month during Oc- student and youth leaders who are The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tober. campaigning selflessly and coura- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair Recent cyber attacks, like the dev- geously to build mechanisms to tackle declares the House in recess until 2 astating attack on the Office of Per- corruption, and with LGBT activists, p.m. today. sonnel Management, have made it Accordingly (at 12 o’clock and 8 min- human rights defenders, and journal- clear that cyber is the new domain of utes p.m.), the House stood in recess. ists who are standing up to threats. I attacks on American families. Per- saw community-led projects to combat f sonal data, such as Social Security violence and poverty that are making a b 1400 numbers, financial information, and se- curity clearance documents, were sto- real difference. AFTER RECESS Mr. Speaker, last week our Nation len, putting the personal and financial was graced by the presence of Pope The recess having expired, the House security of our citizens at risk. The at- Francis. I was deeply moved by his call was called to order by the Speaker pro tack underscores the increased reports for us to welcome the stranger, to help tempore (Mr. HARRIS) at 2 p.m. of cyber attacks against our military the most vulnerable among us, and to f Web sites, government data, and busi- work together for the common good. I PRAYER nesses. believe each of those calls to action As chairman of the Subcommittee on The Chaplain, the Reverend Patrick apply to the case of Honduras, both in Emerging Threats and Capabilities, J. Conroy, offered the following prayer: how we respond to Hondurans fleeing Dear Lord, we give You thanks for with dedicated staff members like Pete to the United States to find safe haven giving us another day. Villano, Kevin Gates, and Nevada and a new life and how we help We come to You as a Nation in the Schadler, I look forward to Cyber Hondurans respond to their own prob- midst of significant imminent transi- Week’s focus to protect American fam- lems inside their country. tion, even as important disagreements ilies. I look forward, Mr. Speaker, to work- on policy promise vigorous debate in In conclusion, God bless our troops, ing with my colleagues to help the the days and weeks to come. As people and may the President by his actions Honduran people deal successfully with look for causes and solutions, the never forget September the 11th in the these challenges.