[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 108 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING ELECTIONS IN MEXICO

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 250) expressing the sense of 
the Congress in support of efforts by the Government of Mexico, and the 
major political parties and concerned members of civic society in 
Mexico, to reform Mexico's political and electoral processes and ensure 
free and fair elections, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 250

       Whereas the United States and Mexico share a common border;
       Whereas the people of the United States and the people of 
     Mexico have extensive cultural and historical ties that bind 
     together families and communities across national boundaries;
       Whereas a close relationship between the United States and 
     Mexico, based on mutual respect and understanding, is 
     important to the people of both nations;
       Whereas the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is 
     designed to increase trade, promote expanded economic 
     activity, and enhance cooperation on issues of mutual 
     interest among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, entered 
     into force on January 1, 1994;
       Whereas the implementation of the North American Free Trade 
     Agreement presents new opportunities for an even closer 
     relationship among the United States, Canada, and Mexico;
       Whereas this relationship will be furthered by free and 
     fair elections in Mexico on August 21, 1994;
       Whereas Mexican leaders from across the political spectrum 
     and representatives of civic society recognized the need for 
     political and electoral reform and have taken steps to 
     achieve these goals;
       Whereas recent reforms being implemented in Mexico seek to 
     overcome previous assertions of electoral irregularities 
     which have been highlighted by civil demonstrations and 
     political unrest;
       Whereas in January 1994, Mexico's major political parties 
     joined together in an agreement, known as the Agreement for 
     Peace, Democracy, and Justice, designed to reform Mexico's 
     electoral system and to establish procedures for free and 
     fair elections;
       Whereas the Federal Electoral Institute has invited 
     representatives of the United Nations to provide technical 
     assistance and financing to domestic Mexican election 
     observers who request this support to help foster their 
     independence, nonpartisanship, and objectivity; and
       Whereas the spirit of the North American Free Trade 
     Agreement facilitates cooperation in achieving high standards 
     of democracy: Now, therefore be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) expresses its support for efforts undertaken by the 
     Government of Mexico, the major political parties, and civic 
     groups to reform Mexico's political and electoral processes 
     and for their ongoing efforts to ensure free and fair 
     elections;
       (2) welcomes steps taken in recent months by the Mexican 
     Government and the nation's political parties to increase the 
     impartiality of the Federal electoral authorities, review the 
     accuracy of the voter registry list, ensure fair media 
     access, and reform campaign finance practices, in accordance 
     with the commitments enumerated in the January 1994 Agreement 
     for Peace, Democracy, and Justice, and encourages continued 
     progress on electoral reform;
       (3) applauds the invitation extended by the Government of 
     Mexico, with the concurrence of the major political parties 
     and concerned members of civic society, to representatives of 
     the United Nations to provide technical assistance and 
     financing to domestic Mexican election observers, and 
     encourages representatives of the United Nations to work 
     closely and directly with Mexican observers during the 
     electoral process;
       (4) takes note of the efforts of the Mexican domestic 
     observer groups to encourage citizen participation throughout 
     the electoral process and to contribute to the success of 
     this process by serving as monitors during the August 21, 
     1994, presidential and congressional elections;
       (5) welcomes the opportunity made available by the Mexican 
     Congress for international visitors to be present during and 
     to witness such elections; and
       (6) expresses the hope that the efforts of the Government 
     of Mexico, the major political parties, and concerned members 
     of civic society to reform the electoral process will be 
     successful, and lead to elections that are accepted by all 
     parties as fair and valid.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Torricelli] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Torricelli].
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. TORRICELLI asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I would first like to congratulate the 
distinguished majority whip, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Bonior], 
for offering this resolution, and for all of his work through the years 
in working for human rights around the globe, and in this case, in 
particular, for the people of Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to congratulate and thank the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Smith] for his cooperation, without 
which bringing this resolution to the floor would not have been 
possible; and, Mr. Speaker, indeed, each and every member of the 
subcommittee and the full Committee on Foreign Affairs who, on 
unanimous basis, bring this resolution before the House on this day.
  Mr. Speaker, only a year ago the eyes of the world were on Mexico as 
the United States, Canada, and Mexico embraced a NAFTA treaty. The 
judgment was that Mexico would enter into the world economy and would 
raise its economic standards to compete and be part of the rising 
standards of the international community.
  Mr. Speaker, in only 2 weeks Mexico will reach another point of 
judgment in its history. In every respect, the August 21 elections will 
have all the importance politically and for social and political 
justice in Mexico that the NAFTA judgment held for its economic future.
  Mr. Speaker, the preparations for those elections have, indeed, been 
impressive. Extensive registrations have been conducted. Lists have 
been prepared with the best technology available to ensure the fairness 
of the process. Voter identification cards have been issued. In every 
technological sense possible, these promise to be free and fair 
elections.
  Yet, Mr. Speaker, to be fair, there is the unmistakable shadow of 
Mexico's political history that looms just on the horizon: 65 years of 
political domination by a single political party; election results that 
have ensured 68 to 98 percent and better of the vote for a single 
party; elections that have been blatantly manipulated, at best, or 
fraudulently stolen by dominant political forces; a public which has 
become skeptical of the truthfulness of election results and their own 
rights within that process; gubernatorial elections, indeed, only a 
year ago which needed to be canceled and reversed because of widespread 
public skepticism.
  Therefore, despite the promise of honest elections, Mr. Speaker, and 
extraordinary preparations for better elections, the public remains 
dubious about what they are about to engage in. Indeed, there are 
current reasons, why they continue to question the electoral process: 
wide-scale use of Government resources for the dominant political party 
and unequal access to electronic media to try to manipulate public 
sentiments.
  Against this backdrop, of course, there is the tragic Colosio 
assassination of only months ago, and the unmistakable concern because 
of the uprising in Chiapas by a rebel group which has taken to violence 
because of its belief that peaceful change was not possible.
  Mr. Speaker, Robert Kennedy said, at another time of uprising in 
Latin America and upheaval in our own Nation, that ``Those who make 
peaceful evolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable.'' 
There is no better example of this tragic potential of a violent future 
for Mexico than these elections which are now before us.
  Mr. Speaker, we join in the hope that Mexico's elections are honest, 
the promise of her constitution and her previous revolution is kept, 
that faith is kept with the poor and the struggling people of Mexico, 
who want as good and great a political future for their country as 
NAFTA and the economic reforms of the Salinas administration hold for 
her economic future.
  Mexico deserves not only a prosperous economic future, Mr. Speaker. 
She deserves a political future that gives power based on the consent 
of the governed.
  Mr. Speaker, Americans would always have an interest in Mexico's 
political future because of our common history, the things that bind us 
in culture, the presence of so many Mexican-Americans in our country, 
but NAFTA gives us another reason. This Government of the United States 
has encouraged Americans to invest in Mexico, and promised Americans 
that there will be a better economic future because of a common 
economic future with Mexico.
  Indeed, Mr. Speaker, that is what NAFTA was all about, but we all 
recognize that there is just so far economic reforms can go, just so 
much we can promise our own people for investing in Mexico if violent 
revolution continues, if there is not a confidence in Mexican society 
about the elections that are being held.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, this resolution is offered, with the hope 
that a stable democracy can be achieved, and that the promise of these 
elections, that so many have labored so much to produce, can be kept.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)

                              {time}  1420

  Mr. Speaker, I believe House Concurrent Resolution 250 advances our 
relations with Mexico in that it conveys our keen and conscientious 
interest in and support for democratic reforms under way in that 
country.
  Since 1990, a semiautonomous body, staffed by nonpartisan workers, 
has been responsible for Mexico's Federal elections. An electoral 
tribunal was established to address any irregularities. The Senate was 
expanded, and the law ensures minority representation in both the upper 
and lower Chamber of the Congress.
  Photo id's have been distributed to eligible voters. Voter lists have 
been updated and corrected. Campaign finance reforms--including 
spending limits--have been adopted.
  On election day, hundreds of thousands of political party 
representatives will monitor the balloting and counting. Hundreds of 
international visitors--including a 60-member U.S. delegation under the 
auspices of the International Republican and Democratic Institutes--
will also be on hand.
  Mr. Speaker, this planning has laid the groundwork for free and fair 
elections, but the hardest part is ahead. We hope that the spirit of 
honest reform will prevail on election day, that the process will be 
transparent, and that the peoples' choice will be respected. Above all, 
we urge all parties to commit themselves to a peaceful transition.
  Mr. Speaker, I will include for the Record a summary of cooperation 
between United States and Mexican companies to help produce and 
distribute 45 million photo identification cards for voters in the far-
reaches of that country. This project illustrates the complex 
preparation for the upcoming elections.
  Mr. Speaker, the summary of cooperation follows:

                    Polaroid ID Systems Case History


The Mexican voter ID Program--The registered voters of an entire nation 
                    photographed for the first time

       Location: Republic of Mexico.
       Number of photo cards issued: 45,000,000.
       Number of photo receipts issued: 45,000,000.
       Introduction: From August 1991 to December 1994, in 
     conjunction with Mexico's Federal Electoral Institute (IFE), 
     Polaroid designed and implemented the largest voter 
     identification program ever attempted. Prior to the 1994 
     national elections, using Polaroid's high-security integrated 
     system, the IFE captured photographs and demographic data for 
     every Mexican voter for the first time in history. The 
     program continues as a means of registering and identifying 
     citizens who change status or who reach voting age each year.
       Background: Mexico is the seventh largest country in the 
     world, roughly two-thirds the size of Western Europe, with a 
     population of more than 90,000,000. The nation is a democracy 
     comprising 31 states and a Federal District. In 1990, IFE 
     awarded Polaroid a contract to jointly design and implement 
     this program.
       Program design: The contract allowed eight months for 
     completion of the first 40,000,000 cards. To meet this goal, 
     the combined IFE and Polaroid design team efficiently 
     engineered a solution that involved the following components:
       Production facilities: Polaroid established a printing 
     facility in Mexico City capable of producing .5 million 
     records per day. Simultaneously, Polaroid engineered card 
     production facilities, first in the United States and later 
     in Mexico, to produce up to .5 million cards per day. Within 
     six months, Polaroid had transferred all card production to 
     its Queretaro, Mexico, manufacturing facility.
       In addition, the customized security film needed for this 
     program was produced at Polaroid's Queretaro facility.
       Image capture and issuance: For each of the 6,900 issuing 
     stations, Polaroid designed a high security issuance process 
     including: An instant camera, customized to endure both high 
     volumes and extreme climates and topographical conditions; a 
     virtually impenetrable security cabinet that provided secure 
     overnight storage of the camera, cards, receipts, film, and 
     other materials; customized modular flow processes.
       Cooperation with the IFE: Success of the program demanded 
     continued communication and cooperation between the highest 
     levels of Polaroid and the IFE. Cooperative efforts included:
       Personnel: Polaroid and IFE profiled and trained 26,000 
     government operators at 6,900 card issuing locations.
       Nationwide public awareness: The phrase ``Come and have 
     your photo taken!'' appeared on billboards, trees, public 
     walls, and along major highways throughout the country. The 
     promotion of the photo voter card--along with the Mexican 
     Voter ID Program and other Polaroid identification elements 
     acquired for the card--generated a positive aura around the 
     Voter Identification Program. This campaign led to excellent 
     participation of registered voters and achievement of the 
     national goal ahead of schedule.
       Security Issues: Card security: The IFE Voter 
     Identification Card includes the following security features: 
     Color portrait; thumb print; visible hologram bridging the 
     photo and data portions of the card; invisible UV coating; 
     bar code; a unique optical character recognition (OCR) serial 
     number of each recipient.
       In addition to these criteria, IFE required customized film 
     with built-in security features. Polaroid designed the film 
     to specification, and serialized each film pack to meet high-
     security logistic requirements.
       Production security: At the data center in Mexico City, a 
     specially designed computerized control system assured that 
     data for each citizen properly matched the voting district 
     and other voter data. Storage facilities throughout Mexico 
     City remained unidentified to prevent document theft. 
     Facility team leaders established systems for high-volume 
     inventory and materials management, production, process 
     engineering, and process control. Security measures include 
     scrap control for all waste produced and ``Zero Gap'' 
     issuance to prevent missing or duplicate cards.

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], the distinguished chairman 
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution and I want to express my 
appreciation to the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Torricelli], the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs, for his 
leadership, energy, and dedication in bringing this resolution forward. 
He indeed deserves the credit for the fact that this resolution is on 
the floor today.
  I want to also commend the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Bonior], the 
distinguished majority whip, for his support of this resolution and his 
contributions to it.
  House Concurrent Resolution 250, as amended, clearly states the 
support of the U.S. Congress for democracy in Mexico and for the 
efforts of the Mexican Government, political parties, and people to 
enhance and strengthen their democratic process.
  Mexico is a very important friend and a neighbor of the United 
States. We have extensive ties that bind our two nations and a 
relationship based on respect and understanding. The unprecedented 
partnership of NAFTA is one important symbol of this deepening 
relationship. It is in this spirit of friendship and deepening ties 
that this resolution welcomes important reforms that Mexico is 
undertaking in its democratic institutions.
  On January 27, a broad spectrum of Mexico's political parties, 
including opposition parties, signed an historic agreement to 
strengthen democracy and effect significant electoral reforms. We 
applaud these efforts and trust that these accords will be fully and 
fairly implemented.
  This resolution does not seek to impose a judgment on Mexico or the 
Mexican people. Rather, the resolution demonstrates support for shared 
values which transcend national boundaries.
  House Concurrent Resolution 250, as amended, looks forward to a 
productive relationship with the new Mexican Congress and the new 
Mexican President.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Smith], the distinguished ranking member of the 
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the 
gentleman from New York, for yielding me the time. First let me commend 
my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Torricelli], for crafting a very thoughtful resolution that I think 
expresses and embodies our hopes as well as our concerns about the 
upcoming election in Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, when Mexicans go to the polls in what is expected to be 
record numbers on August 21, the electoral process will reflect a 
confluence of political will, presidential vision for reform, 
compromise by the major political parties, and insistence on integrity 
in the electoral process by Mexican voters. Significantly more than 90 
percent of the eligible population is included in the new electoral 
registry, and an estimated 22 to 27 million voters are expected to go 
to the polls on the 21st of this month. Mr. Speaker, all signs indicate 
that this election will likely result in the largest voter turnout in 
Mexican history.
  Mr. Speaker, the reform and modernization of Mexico's political 
process is of particular importance to the United States because of our 
geographic proximity, our strong ethnic and cultural ties, our economic 
bonds, and a common aspiration for democracy.
  I believe House Concurrent Resolution 250, as amended, reflects our 
respect for the breadth of electoral reforms already undertaken by the 
Salinas government, and our expectations of an honest, fair, and 
transparent process. House Concurrent Resolution 250 recognizes the 
significant reforms which have been made, such as broadening the 
impartiality of the Federal Electoral Institute's General Council, 
screening for accuracy in the voter registry list, protecting the right 
of fair media access, and reforming the criminal code to add teeth to 
anticorruption initiatives. President Salinas should be applauded for 
the commitment he has made during his term to these historic changes 
which promise to change the face of the electoral process in Mexico.
  Mr. Speaker, the Mexicans have faced many challenges throughout this 
electoral reform era and campaign season, not the least of which is the 
trauma caused by the assassination on March 23 of Presidential 
candidate Luis Donaldo Colosio. Undeterred, however, in pushing reform, 
the Mexican election will be marked by a plethora of firsts: The 
universal use of transparent ballot boxes; the most accurate and 
meticulously prepared registry list; the most candidates who are 
seeking the Presidency; the largest number of election officials; 
television debate among the Presidential candidates; and extensive 
press coverage of the elections. Mr. Speaker, the Mexican electorate 
has understandably raised its expectations of a transparent and fair 
electoral process with transparency at all levels, and they must 
determine whether or not the outcome reflects the voters' will.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 12, the presidential candidates from eight of 
the nine political parties signed a historic Agreement for Civility, 
Harmony, and Justice. Only the Democratic Revolutionary Party decided 
it would not sign this accord. The agreement recognizes that 
``democracy is a system that guarantees our unity as a nation, without 
undermining regional diversities or the ethnic, religious, political, 
and cultural pluralities that identify and enrich us.'' The political 
parties committed themselves to proceed with strict adherence to the 
law; to ensure greater access, opening, objectivity, and impartiality 
from the media coverage of the election; and to encourage open and 
pressure-free participation by the electorate. The document recognizes 
that ``it is not through violence that democratic progress will be 
accomplished: the establishment of democracy can only nuture itself 
through the improvement of institutions in the republic and as a result 
of broad participation by society.''
  The election is likely to be one of the--if not the most--important 
in Mexican history as our neighbors south of the border elect a new 
President; 500 members of the Chamber of Deputies; 96 Senate seats; as 
well as political leaders in 6 States and the Federal district of 
Mexico City. Because of the sweeping electoral reforms pushed by 
President Salinas, the United Nations is now on the ground, providing 
training and technical assistance for domestic election observers. 
Additionally, international visitors have been invited, and adjustments 
have been adopted in recent months to accommodate the concerns of the 
various political parties.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe the resolution introduced by my friend, Bob 
Torricelli, reflects both our hopes and concerns about the upcoming 
national elections in Mexico. As ranking member of the Western 
Hemisphere Subcommittee, I rise in support of the resolution, as 
reported by the Foreign Affairs Committee, and urge my colleagues to 
join us in this show of support and encouragement to the Mexicans and 
their Government.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly concur with one of the 
conclusions of the July 12 agreement, that ``reaffirmation to the state 
of law and peace [does] not end with the 21 August election process. . 
. . A climate of peace and harmony, as well as adherence to the state 
of law, will contribute to encouraging the economic environment, 
promoting greater investments as well as more employment 
opportunities--[and] a better quality of life, especially for those who 
are less privileged.'' Mr. Speaker, our passage of this resolution 
today is a reflection of our commitment to seek closer ties with our 
neighbor south of the border, and major trading partner, and our hope 
that, indeed, a climate of peace and harmony will be the outcome of 
this electoral process.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, passage of this resolution today will put 
Congress in firm support of the important electoral reforms that have 
taken place in Mexico in recent months.
  With the passage of NAFTA, the United States has a new relationship 
with Mexico. Our economies are now linked as never before. Our futures 
are intertwined. And as such, I believe we have both the opportunity 
and the responsibility to do what we can to encourage and support free 
and fair elections in Mexico on August 21.
  Today, there are many people in Mexico, from across the political 
spectrum, both inside and outside the government, who are working hard 
to make Mexico a more democratic nation.
  And lets be frank. They have their work cut out for them. The people 
of Mexico today are struggling to overcome decades of rigged elections 
and entrenched political corruption.
  It wasn't that long ago--in 1988, during the last presidential 
election--when the computers broke down in the middle of counting the 
votes. When they were restored, the vote had dramatically changed and 
the ruling party candidate was once again declared the winner.
  Also fresh in the minds of many in Mexico are last December's 
elections in the State of Yucatan, where voter turnout rates neared or 
exceeded 100 percent in over 20 precincts. One local official commented 
that Yucatan seemed to have an excess of democracy.
  The case was similar last March in the State of Morelos, where 
widespread voting fraud was witnessed and widely reported.
  On the eve of the August 21 election, Mexico is struggling with a 
rebel uprising in the State of Chiapas. It's still reeling from the 
assassination of Donaldo Colosio, the ruling party's original 
presidential candidate. It's still witnessing massive demonstrations 
throughout the country calling for greater democracy and a more open 
electoral process.
  Perhaps most troubling is the lack of trust the Mexican people 
themselves have in the electoral process. According to recent polling, 
less than 40 percent of the Mexican electorate expects the balloting to 
be clean.
  So, those are some of the hurdles Mexico has to clear. But while 
there are hurdles, there are also great opportunities.
  In the wake of last fall's NAFTA debate, Mexican leaders from across 
the political spectrum have recognized the need for political reform 
and have begun to work together.
  Last January, Mexico's major political parties joined together in an 
historic agreement--known as the Agreement for Peace, Democracy, and 
Justice--to reform the electoral system. Among other things, the 
agreement called for the establishment of an independent election 
monitoring authority, strict campaign spending limits, and equal access 
by all parties to the mass media.
  Since then, the Mexican Congress has met several times to make the 
statutory changes needed to turn that agreement into law. In an 
unprecedented development, in May, Mexico witnessed its first 
nationally televised presidential campaign debate. The debate was seen 
by almost half the population.
  And this spring, for the first time in Mexico's history, the 
Government of Mexico together with the major political parties invited 
the United Nations to provide technical assistance to domestic Mexican 
election observers.
  These are good signs that Mexico is moving in the right direction. I 
believe we should be applauding this progress and encouraging Mexico to 
continue down the road to democratic reform.
  During the 2 weeks remaining until the election, Mexican officials 
can make that happen by proactively ensuring the impartiality of 
electoral authorities at all levels, providing equal television time to 
the two major opposition parties, and by vigorously enforcing electoral 
laws.
  And finally, though it is now too late for the sort of United Nations 
and Organization of American States observer missions that have 
contributed to the credibility of elections elsewhere in our 
hemisphere, the Mexican Government should also relax restrictions on 
foreign observers and allow them direct access to polling places and to 
the vote count.
  That's exactly what this resolution is about today. It offers our 
support to Mexico for the courageous steps they have already taken. And 
it expresses our best hopes that the genuine legal reforms that have 
taken place, and the spirit of cooperation that seems to have taken 
root, will, indeed, result in free and fair elections on August 21.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in sending that message of hope, 
support, and encouragement to the people of Mexico.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Frank of Massachusetts). The question is 
on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Torricelli] 
that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent 
resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 250, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________