Date: 2014-03-25
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. this morning I want to take a few moments to share thoughts with my colleagues on a number of items that I believe we should be focused on. Before I do that. I want to join my friends and colleagues from the great State of Washington to express my concern and my sympathy for the people of Darrington and Oso on Highway 530 that have experienced this terrible devastation of a mudslide. To the families of those who lost their loved ones. we mourn and pray for you. and to those who are still missing. we thank the first responders and pray for their accuracy in discerning and finding those that are alive. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee. and as we have a hearing this morning on emergency preparedness. I am asking that all of the resources that the delegation from Washington request. and. as well. the Governor of that State. that all of us will embrace them. stand as Americans. unite behind them and provide the resources as we do for our fellow brothers and sisters in this country because it is the American way that we never leave a lonely person along the highway of despair. We always provide for them. And I want those people in Darrington and the city of Oso to know that we will not leave you along the highway of despair. I want to now challenge this Congress. the other body. as they proceed to move on what actions should be taken in Ukraine. We know that Americans are warweary. but if we have principles of democracy. if we believe there is an international world order. we cannot sit idly by and not act. So I am grateful that the President has strongly denounced Russias actions and has begun to move on strong sanctions. I would argue that there should be more. We should ensure that the new Ukrainian Government that wants to cling to aspects of democracy and wants to associate with a democratic Europe. that they be allowed to strengthen themselves. We cannot have a timidness on behalf of Europe. so busy worrying about their pocketbook that they will stamp on their principles. Some European countries are now wavering about sanctions. I would suggest to them that they are dangerously providing an opportunity for Russia to continue its aggressive and illegal acts. You must have principles. You must provide the strength to sanction. One can travel through the years of history in the 20th century and be reminded of those who get one step of aggression and watch as they march across Europe. I am very glad that there will be no meeting of G8 in Sochi. and I would ask that we continue to isolate Russia. Russia violates the human rights of its own people. It does not even recognize the LGBT community. and they are persecuted. What more do we have to hear from Russia and its head of government to not know that they must suffer the consequences of their acts. I stand with the people of Ukraine because I believe in democracy. I believe in peace and human dignity. and I believe America has those values that we can ensure through the world family that Russia understands that they are not part of the world order of democracy and the freedom of people. I might also add. Mr. Speaker. as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee. all of us have watched. some with intenseness the Malaysian aircraft. With great disappointment and sadness. we are told. without all of the facts. not knowing what the recent announcements have been. that this aircraft. this airliner may be lost. But it opens our eyes to the crisis of airline security and technology. I call upon the aviation industry to stop hiding behind costs and how much it costs and start ensuring that our pilots and our customers. our flying public are safe. Why do we have the capacity to dismantle the transponders? Why wasnt the emergency call already in place that automatically signals when an aircraft goes off its designated destination as relates to its flight pattern? Why does it have to be done manually? The mysterious turn. Homeland Security will be having a hearing on the false passport. Finally. Mr. Speaker. it is overdue for us to pass comprehensive immigration reform. and I will continue that discussion.