[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATO ENLARGEMENT FACILITATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               SPEECH OF

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 1996

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, today we have another opportunity to promote 
peace and security in the world. The NATO Enlargement Facilitation Act 
will prepare for the eventually inclusion of Poland, Hungary, and the 
Czech Republic into NATO. As an original cosponsor of the bill, I want 
to express my strong support for this measure.
  The nations of East Central Europe, particularly Poland, have 
suffered tremendously throughout history. Indeed, they have paid a high 
price for their unfortunate geographic location. Caught between 
aggressive neighbors, the sovereignty of these nations has continuously 
been threatened.
  Presently, NATO is in a unique position to help these emerging 
nations. NATO membership can provide the stability that this region 
needs as it strives toward democratic institutions and market 
economies. There is every reason to believe that the presence of NATO 
will lead to the same political and economic successes that Western 
Europe has enjoyed in the post-war era.
  I am convinced that active engagement with Poland, Hungary, and the 
Czech Republic is necessary in the tumultuous years following the cold 
war. Western institutions such as NATO are crucial to fostering a close 
relationship with these developing democracies and bringing East 
Central Europe into the community of prosperous, peaceful nations.

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