[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO THE EAST AFRICAN NATION OF ERITREA

                                 ______


                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 1996

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, recently, the East African nation of 
Eritrea celebrated the third anniversary of its independence. This is 
truly an occasion to rejoice for developing nations all over the world.
  After winning a 30-year war for independence in 1991, the Eritrean 
people set out to build their new nation with the same resolve, 
determination, and self-reliance they used to achieve military victory. 
Today, Eritrea is stable, secure, and putting down strong roots for a 
future of democracy and prosperity. The Eritrean people and their 
leaders are hard at work building their infrastructure, reconstructing 
their cities, creating an investment-friendly economy, and revitalizing 
the agricultural sector in order to achieve self-sufficiency in food 
production.
  The results so far are mind-boggling. Asmara has become one of the 
most beautiful cities in the world. The Asmara to Massawa railroad is 
being painstakingly rebuilt. And modern innovations in medicine and 
agriculture are improving the standard of living by leaps and bounds. 
Through it all, the Eritreans are exhibiting a marvelous spiritedness 
and dedication that is an inspiration to all of us.
  The media is starting to notice: National Geographic, the New York 
Times, my hometown newspaper, the Miami Herald, and CBS News, among 
others have all had major stories featuring Eritrea recently.
  I also want to alert my colleagues that between June 24 through June 
29, in the Cannon rotunda, there will be an exhibit of Eritrean art 
reflecting their people's struggle and triumph.
  Once again, I salute Ambassador Amdemicael Khasai, President Isaias 
Afwerki, and the valiant people of Eritrea.

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