[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 25, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H2614-H2615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            THE AMERICAN WAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. 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.

                              {time}  1015

  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 war-weary, 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 Russia's 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

[[Page H2615]]

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 wasn't 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.

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