SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS; Congressional Record Vol. 161, No. 170

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SYRIAN REFUGEE CRISIS

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from

Florida (Mr. Curbelo) for 5 minutes.

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, last week's gruesome terrorist

attacks in Paris were a disturbing reminder that the war on terror is

ongoing and that radical Islamic extremism represents a clear and

present danger to all freedom-loving civilized people.

The time from September 11, 2001, up until today has been difficult

for our Nation. We have seen our young men and women engaged in endless

wars. We have lost thousands of American lives and spent a significant

portion of our national treasure fighting in the Middle East. Costly

mistakes were made in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. We are

understandably a war-weary people.

However, last Friday we were reminded that the consequences of

inaction or of weak actions are far greater than any risks associated

with making a serious and unwavering commitment to confronting and

defeating radical terrorists.

ISIS is not a problem to be managed or contained. This ambitious

terrorist organization is a dangerous enemy of the United States and

our allies that must be eradicated. If we refuse to fight ISIS on their

home turf, we will have to fight them in the streets of Paris and maybe

in our own communities.

Just as the previous administration recognized that its Iraq strategy

was failing and needed a jolt, it is now time for President Obama and

his national security team to show that they are serious about

destroying this dangerous threat to the stability of the world and to

our own very lives.

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Mr. Speaker, I have cosponsored a resolution authorizing the use of

military force introduced by the gentleman from Illinois, my friend

Adam Kinzinger. It would guarantee the President and our military every

tool necessary to defeat ISIS. This resolution deserves a vote so that

we can fight to win a war that we cannot afford to lose.

Cuban Crisis

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, since the announcement of the

President's engagement policy with the Cuban dictatorship in December

of last year, we have witnessed a 78 percent spike in the number of

Cubans arriving into our country. An untold number have been lost to

the sea.

But they aren't only coming by sea. Thousands of Cubans are illegally

entering Central American nations, making the long trek north through

Mexico and entering via our southern border. Too many are at the mercy

of reprehensible human trafficking rings.

Costa Rican authorities report that the number of Cubans entering

their country illegally has grown from 5,400 last year to 12,166 so far

this year. This problem has become so severe that the Costa Rican

Government had to temporarily close its borders this past weekend.

These trends show no signs of letting up, and I am concerned about

another migrant crisis overwhelming our Nation, particularly south

Florida. This is a matter of our national security and requires the

President's immediate attention.

Cubans on the island seem to be reacting to the administration's new

policy with desperation and fear, risking their lives and their safety

to escape the prison that is Castro's Cuba.

White House Accreditation Alternative

Mr. CURBELO of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the

administration's proposal to provide an alternative to accreditation

for providers who develop partnerships with accredited institutions.

The introduction of a regulator to judge programs like computer coding

boot camps can help challenge traditional accreditors to put more focus

on the success of students after graduation.

This could be the groundwork for a true alternative to accreditation

that would not replace the traditional system. Rather, it would enhance

and allow other successful models to access funding resources to

replicate and extend their reach.

Accreditors maintain an important role within higher education;

however, alternative models can help deal with segments that

traditional accreditors may not be able to address effectively. As a

large number of students enroll in noninstitutional programs, we should

encourage the growth of successful models that are providing students

with a path to successful and rewarding careers.

Emphasizing outputs is an important step forward in helping the

system of higher education in the United States evolve. As we continue

our work toward reauthorizing the Higher Education Act here in the

House, I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to ensure

that we are helping prepare students for success.

In education, one size does not fit all. This step by the

administration is one in the right direction.

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