Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2005

FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005 -- (House of Representatives - July 15, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 715 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 4818.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. WICKER. Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. KOLBE for those words. I want to begin by agreeing with the gentlewoman from Michigan who just spoke about the bipartisan nature of this subcommittee and the product that we have come up with. Sometimes we are accused of partisan bickering on the House floor, and from time to time it is necessary to air our differences and raise our voices to bring attention to those differences in philosophy. But I just wish that the American people had an opportunity to watch my distinguished chairman and my distinguished ranking member, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), and the way they work together on this very important aspect of our national security program. I want to commend them both and the full committee for the bipartisan nature of the bill.

A couple of things that I would mention about it. This bill addresses the AIDS pandemic by providing a total of $2.2 billion in global assistance to combat HIV/AIDS, as well as other very serious diseases. I think President Bush deserves to be commended for his world leadership in fighting HIV and AIDS.

Mr. Chairman, in the year 2000, Mr. Bush ran as a compassionate conservative, and some people smiled about that and doubted that. I think President Bush has shown his leadership and strength in the things that he has done with regard to Afghanistan and Iraq. But when it comes to HIV and AIDS, President George W. Bush has shown the world the level of his compassion in bringing people from the conservative side of the spectrum to support his worldwide effort to combat HIV and AIDS. This is the highest level of AIDS funding in the history of our Republic, and so I want to commend the subcommittee, but also the President of the United States for his compassionate leadership in this matter.

The bill provides an increase in foreign assistance for Israel. As we move toward a peaceful resolution to the Middle East issue, it is important for us in America to remember that Israel is our steadfast friend and ally, that they are one of the few democracies in the region, and that they are surrounded by sworn enemies. So as we try to bring the Palestinians in and we try to make everyone a little more friendly in that area, we do not need to forget the fact that Israel is our faithful ally.

The chairman mentioned that he and I have traveled together, and sometimes we do not like to talk about travel when we go back to our constituents. But I have had an opportunity as vice chairman of this committee to visit in Asia and Iraq and in Afghanistan, and, with the ranking member, in some of the poorest areas of Africa; and it is heartening, Mr. Chairman, to see the level of involvement of so many Americans. Certainly we are proud of our troops. It just takes your breath away to see the young men and women of America who volunteer to support our country in uniform. But also, when you go to Africa and you see the Peace Corps volunteers, highly educated graduates of universities who are willing to serve for very, very little pay; when you see the personnel of the USAID agency and realize the fact that they are willing to go in harm's way, though not in a military capacity, but to risk their lives in very, very hostile environments to advance the cause of the United States, and also to do some good in an altruistic way, it is absolutely astonishing. It renews my faith in the American people and in our spirit of volunteerism.

This is a balanced bill. I commend both the ranking member and the subcommittee chairman.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York, and I also thank the ranking member on this committee, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), and I also want to congratulate the chairman of this subcommittee as well.
I rise today to speak about the Dominican Republic as well. I have some deep concerns regarding the lack of emphasis to provide sufficient funding to allow for people there to gather their lives again. We lost 414 people there, 274 missing, 1,600 families displaced, 3,000 homes destroyed.

We need infrastructure funding. We need homes. We need to bring some social awareness and hopefully infrastructure dollars there to put back the lives of the people that live in the Dominican Republic. Many of their family members live in the States. They do send remittances, not nearly enough as what I think should be required or given and would ask that in your discussions that we can include them further in detail.

Mr. WICKER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 15 seconds to respond to the previous speakers on behalf of the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman KOLBE). Between now and conference the gentleman from Arizona (Chairman KOLBE) will work with USAID to determine the needs of the government of the Dominican Republic with regard to this issue and to ensure the U.S. is being as responsive as possible.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), a valuable member of our subcommittee.