SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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29–884PDF
2006
VARIOUS BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ON
H.R. 611, H.R. 1476, H.R. 1996, H.R. 5805,
H. Res. 415, H. Res. 622, H. Res. 723,
H. Res. 759, H. Res. 940, H. Res. 942,
H. Res. 965, H. Res. 976, H. Res. 992,
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H. Con. Res. 317, H. Con. Res. 415,
S. 2125, S. 3836, H.R. 6060 and H. Res. 985
SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
Serial No. 109–217
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey,
Vice Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
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STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
RON PAUL, Texas
DARRELL ISSA, California
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
MARK GREEN, Wisconsin
JERRY WELLER, Illinois
MIKE PENCE, Indiana
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida
JOE WILSON, South Carolina
JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas
J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina
CONNIE MACK, Florida
JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska
MICHAEL McCAUL, Texas
TED POE, Texas
TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
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BRAD SHERMAN, California
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
DIANE E. WATSON, California
ADAM SMITH, Washington
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota
BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky
DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California
RUSS CARNAHAN, Missouri
THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel
ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director
DANIEL FREEMAN, Counsel/Parliamentarian
JEAN CARROLL, Full Committee Hearing Coordinator
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C O N T E N T S
MARKUP OF
H.R. 611, To authorize the establishment of a program to provide economic and infrastructure reconstruction assistance to the Republic of Haiti, and for other purposes
Amendment to H.R. 611 offered by the Honorable Tom Lantos, a Representative in Congress from the State of California
H.R. 1476, To amend the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Act of 1990 to authorize additional appropriations for the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund, and for other purposes
Amendment to H.R. 1476 offered by the Honorable Henry J. Hyde, a Representative in Congress from the State of Illinois, and Chairman, Committee on International Relations
H.R. 1996, To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for debt relief to developing countries that take action to protect critical coral reef habitats
H.R. 5805, To promote nuclear nonproliferation in North Korea
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 5805 offered by the Honorable Edward R. Royce, a Representative in Congress from the State of California
H. Res. 415, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam needs to do more to resolve claims for confiscated real and personal property, and for other purposes
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Amendment to H. Res. 415
H. Res. 622, To recognize and honor the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of democratic ideals and their important contribution to the outcome of World War II
Amendment to H. Res. 622 offered by the Honorable Henry J. Hyde
H. Res. 723, Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H. Res. 723 offered by the Honorable Tom Lantos
H. Res. 759, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Government of Japan should formally acknowledge and accept responsibility for its sexual enslavement of young women, known to the world as ''comfort women'', during its colonial occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II, and for other purposes
Amendment to H. Res. 759
H. Res. 940, Recognizing the 185th anniversary of the independence of Peru on July 28, 2006
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H. Res. 940 offered by the Honorable Joseph Crowley, a Representative in Congress from the State of New York
H. Res. 942, Recognizing the centennial anniversary on August 5, 2006, of the Iranian constitution of 1906
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H. Res. 965, Commending the people of Montenegro on the conduct of the referendum on independence, welcoming United States recognition of the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Montenegro, and welcoming Montenegrin membership in the United Nations and other international organizations
H. Res. 976, Condemning human rights abuses by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and expressing solidarity with the Iranian people
H. Res. 992, Urging the President to appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan
Amendment to H. Res. 992 offered by the Honorable Henry J. Hyde
H. Con. Res. 317, Requesting the President to issue a proclamation annually calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing, and for other purposes
H. Con. Res. 415, Condemning the repression of the Iranian Baha'i community and calling for the emancipation of Iranian Baha'is
S. 2125, To promote relief, security, and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to S. 2125 offered by the Honorable Tom Lantos
S. 3836, To reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
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H.R. 6060, To authorize certain activities by the Department of State, and for other purposes
H. Res. 985, Directing the Secretary of State to provide to the House of Representatives certain documents in the possession of the Secretary of State relating to the report submitted to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives on July 28, 2006, pursuant to the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act
APPENDIX
The Honorable Sherrod Brown, a Representative in Congress from the State of Ohio: Prepared statement
The Honorable Joseph Crowley, a Representative in Congress from the State of New York
VARIOUS BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
House of Representatives,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
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The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11:45 a.m. in room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Henry J. Hyde (Chairman of the Committee) presiding.
Chairman HYDE. The business meeting of the Committee will come to order.
We have a large number of noncontroversial bills on the agenda which are candidates for consideration under suspension of the rules. It is the intention of the Chair to consider these en bloc and by unanimous consent authorize the Chair to seek consideration of the bills under suspension of the rules.
All Members are given leave to insert remarks on the measures into the record, should they choose to do so.
There are measures on the agenda upon which the Committee wishes to file reports and those will be called up en bloc and motions made to report those by unanimous consent. Before we do that, the Chair has been asked to recognize two Members for a short statement and the Chair recognizes the gentleman from California, Mr. Berman.
Mr. BERMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
My statement pertains to H. Res. 985, a resolution of inquiry which I introduced with Mr. Delahunt, which directs the Secretary of State to provide information to Congress regarding the recent release of a semi-annual report required by the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act; just a short background and if a reporting quorum comes in while I am telling you that background, I will make it even shorter.
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On July 20th, Chairman Rohrabacher held a hearing on his Subcommittee on U.S. nonproliferation goals and strategies. Acting Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation Frank Record—a number of us know him, a former staff member of this Committee—testified that he did not recall if the overdue report under the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act would include information about any Indian entities.
When the report was submitted to the Committee only a week later, complete with information about two Indian arms proliferating to Iran and just 2 days after the vote on the India nuclear deal, it seemed hard for me to believe that Mr. Record did not know anything about this and that the timing was purely coincidental.
On July 28th, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Delahunt, and I sent a letter to Secretary Rice expressing concern about this testimony and requesting a detailed briefing on why this report was not shared with Members prior to the vote.
On September 7th, only after my staff told State that I was considering a resolution of inquiry, we received a written letter in response to our July 28th letter, but the response was totally inadequate. State showed no interest in accommodating our reasonable bipartisan request for a briefing, so our only recourse was to introduce this resolution of inquiry.
It was not until this morning that I received a call from Under Secretary Nick Burns, who provided his perspective on why the report was submitted late. Even if the report had come to Congress before the vote on the India nuclear bill, I would not have changed my vote in favor of that legislation, but the information about the Indian entities was very relevant to the debate, particularly the motion to recommit, which would have conditioned civilian nuclear cooperation on India's support for United States efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
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At the end of the day, this really is not about the specifics of the India legislation, it is about a much larger issue: The right of this Committee and the Congress as a whole to receive all relevant information when considering an extremely important piece of legislation with serious implications for U.S. foreign policy and national security.
I yield back, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for recognizing me.
Chairman HYDE. I thank the gentleman.
The Chair recognizes the gentlelady from California, Ms. Lee.
Ms. LEE. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me thank you and our Ranking Member for convening this very important markup and also for listing several bills today which I would like to talk about very briefly. First, H.R. 611, the Haiti Economic Infrastructure Reconstruction Act. This is a bill we have worked on in a bipartisan fashion, quite frankly, for several years.
The Haiti Economic and Reconstruction Act is an important bill that will bring not only hope to Haiti but present long overdue humanitarian assistance and hands-on expertise through a professional exchange program. The program will establish a professional exchange program similar to the Peace Corps for health, judiciary and infrastructure professionals to travel to Haiti and work under the guise of USAID, in partnership with civil society and Haitian Government ministries.
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Mr. Chairman and Members, of course we know that today in Haiti less than 45 percent of Haitians have access to safe water and access to sanitation. Seventy-six percent of Haiti's children under the age of 5 are underweight or suffer from stunted growth and 63 percent of Haitians are undernourished. Eighty percent of the population lives in abject poverty and the unemployment rate is estimated to be nearly 90 percent. Ninety percent of all HIV/AIDS cases in the Caribbean are in Haiti.
As we combat global HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child mortality and many other life-threatening diseases, we must address the long-term effect of dilapidated physical and health infrastructure and abject poverty throughout the world, including Haiti. This bill partners with Haitians and Americans together to execute an environmentally sound approach to rebuilding Haiti. Its major provisions are aimed at developing the judicial system and basic sanitation, water, and other health infrastructures in Haiti.
This bill also would bring United States professionals, preferably Haitian-Americans, down to Haiti in order to train and educate Haitians on how to run a free and fair judiciary, how to rebuild, pave and maintain roads to provide access to rural and urban areas to health clinics.
It is my hope that the transfer of knowledge from U.S. professionals in these fields will in fact ensure long-term development and guarantee the success of the program similar to the success of the Global Fund and other international initiatives. By widening the knowledge base of nongovernmental organizations and professionals in Haiti, the United States will take advantage of unique opportunities and obligations toward Haiti's future.
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This bill has bipartisan support. It has been a bipartisan effort. It has been endorsed by the Congressional Black Caucus Haiti task force and I would like to thank Congressman Foley and his staffer Bradley Shriber; Congressman Hyde, Mr. Chairman, and your staffer Ted Brennan; and Congressman Lantos and your staffer Paul Oostburg; also, of course, Aisha House of my staff for their oftentimes very intense, yet very effective, negotiations on this bill.
I urge my colleagues to vote for this legislation today. Also, the resolution with regard to designating a special envoy for the Darfur region of Sudan, that is H. Res. 992, and then a final one by Congressman Pitts which would allow for the United Nations and NATO to work together as they try to achieve some peace in this region which is quickly becoming even a greater disaster.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman HYDE. Without objection, the Chairman is authorized to seek consideration of the following bills under suspension of the rules and the amendments to those measures which the Members have before them shall deemed adopted: H.R. 611, Haiti Economic and Infrastructure Reconstruction Act, as amended; H.R. 1476, Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship Program Trust Fund Enhancement Act of 2005, as amended; H.R. 1996, Coral Reef and Coastal Marine Conservation Act of 2005; H.R. 5805, North Korea Nonproliferation Act of 2006, as amended; H. Res. 415, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam needs to do more to resolve claims for confiscated real and personal property, as amended; H. Res. 622, to recognize and honor the Filipino World War II veterans, as amended; H. Res. 723, Calling on the President to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, as amended; H. Res. 759, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the government of Japan should formally acknowledge and accept responsibility for its sexual enslavement of young women, as amended; H. Res. 940, Recognizing the 185th anniversary of the independence of Peru, as amended; H. Res. 942, Recognizing the centennial anniversary of the Iranian constitution of 1906; H. Res. 965, Commending the people of Montenegro on the conduct of the referendum on independence; H. Res. 976, Condemning human rights abuses by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; H. Res. 992, Urging the President to appoint a presidential special envoy for Sudan, as amended; H. Con. Res. 317, Requesting the President to issue a proclamation annually calling upon the people of the United States to observe Global Family Day; H. Con. Res. 415, Condemning the repression of the Iranian Baha'i community and calling office review the emancipation of Iranian Baha'is; S. 2125, Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Recovery, Security and Democracy Promotion Act of 2006, as amended; and S. 3836, United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy Reauthorization Act of 2006.
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It is so ordered.
Without objection, the following measures will be reported to the House: H.R. 6060, State authorities reported favorably; H. Res. 985, Directing the Secretary of State to provide certain documents to the House, reported without recommendations.
So ordered.
[The information referred to follows:]
[Note: Image(s) not available in this format. See PDF version of this file.]
Chairman HYDE. I am pleased to see some of the Filipino war veterans are with us today and we greet them.
[Applause.]
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman?
Chairman HYDE. Yes, Mr. Lantos?
Mr. LANTOS. I would like all Members and members of the audience just to stay for 1 minute.
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Although we are planning appropriate on-the-Floor tributes to our distinguished Chairman, in view of the fact that this may be our last markup, I would like to express on behalf of all Members of this Committee, Republicans and Democrats, our deepest appreciation for the privilege of having served with one of the rare statesmen of our age who has brought judgment, wisdom, experience, fairness and extraordinary commitment to the national welfare to this body.
I would like everyone to join me in thanking our Chairman.
[Applause.]
Mr. BURTON. Mr. Chairman?
Chairman HYDE. Who seeks time?
Mr. BURTON. Mr. Burton of Indiana. I just wanted to make one inquiry. I could not figure out why Mr. Lantos did not mention your good looks as well.
Mr. LANTOS. Pure jealousy.
Chairman HYDE. When I came here 32 years ago, I wanted to change the world. Now, I just want to leave with dignity. [Laughter.]
The Committee stands adjourned, with my thanks.
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[Whereupon, at 12 o'clock p.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Material Submitted for the Hearing Record
PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE SHERROD BROWN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OHIO
Mr. Chairman—
I would like to thank you for advancing legislation on a number of important issues, but in particular, for considering H. Res. 723 and H.Res. 992, both of which address the genocide in Darfur.
Civilians in Sudan are being systematically murdered, raped and brutalized. We have recognized these atrocities as genocide—and yet we have not been able to protect civilians in Darfur.
The United States and the international community must work together to end the genocide.
The African Union peacekeeping forces are scheduled to withdraw at the end of the month. Last week, the UN Security Council approved the deployment of more than 20,000 military and police into the Darfur region. But the Sudanese government opposes international intervention.
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The resolutions that we consider today call for increased world involvement and American leadership to protect innocent lives and end the genocide.
H.Res.723 calls on the world to take immediate steps to help improve the security situation in Darfur, Sudan, with a specific emphasis on civilian protection.
H.Res. 992 calls for the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy to coordinate U.S. policy towards Sudan.
The Special Envoy would facilitate the development of an international peacekeeping mission, deter the escalation of the violence in the region, coordinate reconstruction in marginalized areas, coordinate the return of refugees, work toward achieving a peaceful, stable, democratic Sudan, and coordinate bringing those responsible for the genocide to justice.
The violence and ongoing humanitarian challenges that the people of Darfur face require our commitment.
I strongly support H.Res.723 and H.Res.992.
PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE JOSEPH CROWLEY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW YORK
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H.RES 622—REP. DARREL ISSA RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS
Mr. Chairman I reserve the Right to Object
Mr. Chairman I want to commend my colleague and good friend, Rep. Darrell Issa for this resolution recognizing the important contributions of Filipino's in the efforts of World War II. And I am proud to join him as a co-sponsor.
I know first hand of the tremendous heroism and sacrifice of Filipino's in World War II and I think it is time of this Congress to recognize it
In my own district, I represent an area known in New York City, as Little Manila, between 65th and 71st Streets on Roosevelt Avenue
Filipino's have made a tremendous contribution to the United States not only by fighting alongside US soldiers in the South Pacific Theater, but through their success today in my own local neighborhood and in communities throughout this country.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE TO H. RES. 940
Mr. Speaker this resolution recognizes the Government of Peru on their 185th Anniversary.
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Peru has been a strong partner of the United States and the recent elections in Peru
The election of President Garcia should be applauded by our Congress as a peaceful transition of power and a strong affirmation of the ties between the United States and Peru.
Approximately 300,000 Peruvians live in the United Stats and many of them reside in or visit my Congressional district of Jackson Heights, Queens.
I urge this Committee to pass this resolution recognizing the strong foundation of their homeland, Peru, on its 185 anniversary.
H.RES 976—MCCAUL (TX)–CROWLEY
Mr. Chairman I reserve the right to object
Mr. Chairman, I am proud to join my good friend Michael McCaul as a sponsor of his resolution.
Michael has brought a tremendous amount of talent to this committee and to these issues and I want to recognize him for it.
Mr. Chairman, this resolution condemns the miserable human rights record of the government of Iran.
Not only is Iran a threat to US troops fighting the war on terror in Iraq, to Israel, to Western Europe and of course to the United States.
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The Iranian government is first and foremost a threat to its own people.
We have long documented discrimination against women, minorities, Jews, Christians, and gays in Iran.
Instead of an opening up of Iranian culture, there is a systemic repression of many.
As a member of the United Nations, and a signatory to many international treaties banning discrimination, Iran needs to do better.
This resolution demands that and I urge its passage.