[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H6539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      U.S. MUST USE INFLUENCE IN A POSITIVE WAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, the United States must begin to use its 
influence in a positive way in the Middle East to help secure Israel by 
first bringing all parties together in the region, without 
preconditions, for peace talks. The U.S. made a mistake by standing 
aside during the 34-day war. We now must help to create the 
circumstances which stabilize the Government of Lebanon by assisting 
with the recovery and by helping with the restoration of housing, 
businesses and infrastructure.
  Secondly, the situation in Gaza is desperate. Unemployment is 
approaching 50 percent. The government workforce, 40 percent of all 
workers have been paid only about a dime on a dollar due in wages since 
the beginning of the year. Childhood malnutrition cannot even be 
resolved by the massive U.N. aid now, which characterizes 70 percent of 
the population as refugees.
  With no jobs, little or no electricity, limited access to water, 
conditions are dire. The U.S. cannot stand by and permit this 
humanitarian disaster to continue. We must do everything we can to help 
Israel secure itself.
  We also have to remember that we must use our influence to bring 
about peace by recognizing the conditions which exist.

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