[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      HONORING A DELEGATION FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 1995
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, last week marked the first time a bipartisan 
delegation of legislators from Pakistan headed by the National 
Assembly's Speaker has called on us in Washington.
  It was my privilege to meet with these distinguished officials on 
September 7 and I know that several other colleagues have had the 
opportunity to meet them, as well.
  The delegation included the Speaker of the National Assembly, the 
Honorable Yousuf Raza Gilani, as well as the Honorable Kazi Asad Abid, 
the Honorable Ijaz-Ul-Haq, the Honorable Naveed Qamar, the Honorable 
Junaid Iqbal, and the Honorable Abdul Rauf Khan Lughmani, who are 
members of the National Assembly.
  They have been accompanied by Pakistan's Ambassador to the United 
States, the Honorable Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, and distinguished Pakistani-
Americans Dr. Murtaza Arain and Dr. Ikram Khan.
  Mr. Speaker, our two nations--the United States and Pakistan--share 
several important issues of mutual concern, and it is my hope and 
belief that this visit will help to move us forward.
  Pakistan is a strong ally of ours. When the community of nations has 
called, Pakistan has responded in Somalia, in Bosnia, in Cambodia, in 
the Persian Gulf, and in Afghanistan. That is why building these 
bridges is so important.
  I look forward to working with these distinguished Pakistani 
officials and my colleagues in attempting to achieve more fairness in 
our policy toward Pakistan and addressing the critical issue of 
Kashmir.
  Mr. Speaker, I extend the warmest welcome to our friends from 
Pakistan and hope that this is the first of many more such visits.


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