[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 192 (Tuesday, December 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2288-E2289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 1995

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, November 29, 1995, I was 
unavoidably absent from the House on official travel and missed four 
recorded votes. Had I been here, I would have voted ``No'' on rollcall 
No. 833, the motion to table the measure House Resolution 288; ``yes'' 
on rollcall No. 832, the vote on final passage of H.R. 1788, to 
authorize appropriations for AMTRAK; ``yes'' on rollcall No. 831, the 
Nadler amendment to H.R. 1788; and ``yes'' on rollcall No. 830, the 
Collins Illinois amendment to H.R. 1788.

[[Page E 2289]]


                         ROMANIAN NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______


                        HON. BARBARA B. KENNELLY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 1995

  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Romania's 
national day. On December 1, the people of Romania celebrated the 77th 
anniversary of the creation of the modern Romanian state. The Romanian 
nation, of course, is much older, and is one of the culturally richest 
societies in Europe.
  The modern Romanian state arose after World War I and the demise of 
Austro-Hungarian empire. For most of the ensuing 70 years, Romania's 
people lived through one difficulty after another, culminating in the 
long oppressive rule of the communist dictator Nicolai Ceaucescu.
  Just as modern Romania was created after the fall of an empire, so 
too has Romania been renewed by the fall of an empire. The demise of 
communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union was welcomed by the 
Romanian people, who staged a revolution in 1989 that overthrew 
Ceaucescu and launched the rebirth of their nation. The new Romania has 
experienced the initial excitement of freedom tempered by the daunting 
realities of rebuilding its economy, solidifying democracy and catching 
up with the rest of Europe.
  Mr. Speaker, I visited Romania earlier this year and have seen the 
hard work and commitment of its people. Romania is making steady 
progress on all fronts. The economy has been invigorated by the 
expanding role of the private sector and is growing at a healthy pace; 
Romania's multi-party parliament debates legislation openly and the 
free press has grown. Romania has expressed a strong desire to join 
NATO, affirming its desire to become a permanent member of the western 
camp of democracies. Next year, Romania like the United States, will 
hold an election for president. This election must and will be 
democratic, hotly contested and widely covered by the media.
  Romania still has a long way to go. There is much to be done but the 
direction is clear. After 77 years of hardship, things are finally 
beginning to look up for the Romanian people. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating he people of Romania on their national day 
anniversary and expressing our support for Romania's continued 
progress.

                          ____________________