[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11250-H11254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REMOVAL OF RUSSIAN TROOPS FROM KALININGRAD
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 51) expressing the sense of the
Congress relating to the removal of Russian troops from Kaliningrad, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 51
Whereas from 1945 to the early 1990's Kaliningrad was a
Russian military outpost consisting of as many as 200,000
Russian military personnel concentrated in an area of 15,000
square kilometers and Kaliningrad has suffered substantial
environmental damage as a result of this military presence;
Whereas since this time the number of Russian military
personnel in Kaliningrad has declined significantly, although
the number of such personnel in the region is still
substantial;
Whereas polls conducted by the Kaliningrad Sociological
Center have shown that over 60 percent of the Kaliningrad
public favors development of Kaliningrad as an economic
bridge between Europe and Russia;
Whereas establishment of Kaliningrad as a free economic
zone by the Russian Government in 1994 represents a positive
step toward Kaliningrad's integration into the Baltic and
European economies and toward giving Kaliningrad an
opportunity to flourish economically and to contribute
substantially to the well-being of the Baltic region; and
Whereas Russian economic analysts at the Russian Foreign
Policy Foundation have noted that militarization of
Kaliningrad ``corresponded neither to the needs of the
population of the region itself, nor to the necessities of
its economic development'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have the right to self-
determination which extends to the conduct of their foreign
policy regarding membership in the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization;
(2) development of the Kaliningrad region as a free trade
zone will help ensure the freedom and future prosperity and
stability of the Baltic region; and
(3) continued military reductions in and environmental
restoration of the Kaliningrad region will greatly facilitate
economic development and prosperity in Kaliningrad.
{time} 1245
The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. Ewing). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] and the gentleman from American
Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega] each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York, [Mr. Gilman].
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.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 51 focuses on a
situation that has received very little attention in our foreign policy
considerations with regard to Europe--and specifically with regard to
the Baltic region of that continent.
This resolution, as introduced by Congressman Cox of California--and
as amended by the House International Relations Committee, expresses
certain concerns regarding that portion of the Baltic region now known
as Kaliningrad, which has been a part of the Russian Federation since
the end of World War II.
Specifically, the resolution notes the need for Russia to continue to
reduce its military presence in Kaliningrad, encourages the
environmental restoration of that enclave, and also encourages its
economic integration into the larger Baltic region.
Unlike the original text, the amended version of this resolution does
not raise questions concerning Russia's sovereignty over Kaliningrad.
Frankly, it is probably best that we leave unopened the Pandora's Box
that involves possible border changes and challenges to sovereignty in
post-cold-war Eastern Europe.
Still, although this resolution does not now challenge the
sovereignty of the Russian Federation with regard to Kaliningrad, we
should take a moment to at this point to note Russia's challenges to
the sovereignty of the Baltic states--including:
Its threats of retaliation against those states as they seek
membership in NATO;
Russian military transit to and from Kaliningrad through the
sovereign territory of Lithuania; and
Questions related to the Russian border with Estonia.
With regard to that last issue, Russia's de facto demarcation of the
border with Estonia has left Estonia with little choice but to
relinquish 5 percent of the territory it held prior to the 1940 Soviet
occupation.
All Estonia asks in return is that Russia recognize the validity of
the 1920 Treaty of Tartu, under which the U.S.S.R. recognized Estonia's
sovereignty.
Russia, however, continues to refuse to recognize that Treaty.
Mr. Speaker, as I have stated, this resolution, as amended, does not
challenge the current status of Kaliningrad.
Let me take this opportunity, however, to say that what is good for
the goose is good for the gander.
If Russia expects its sovereignty to be respected in regions like
[[Page H11251]]
Kaliningrad, it must respect the sovereignty of its neighbors,
including the Baltic States.
I hope that the President will make that clear to the Russian
Government, and make it clear also--as this resolution does--that the
decision by the Baltic states to apply for membership in NATO is their
decision to make.
It should not be subject to continuing threats of military
retaliation originating in Russia proper or from the Kaliningrad
region.
Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Congressman Cox, for working
diligently on this resolution and on issues of security and stability
in the Baltic region in general.
I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this resolution, along with more
than 50 other Members of Congress, and I hope that all of my colleagues
will join in supporting this measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution,
as amended by the Committee on International Relations. I want to
commend the gentleman from New York, the chairman of the Committee on
International Relations, and the gentleman from California [Mr. Cox]
for their hard work in working the provisions of this resolution.
I appreciate the gentleman from California's willingness to work with
the administration and with the minority to craft a resolution that
deserves strong bipartisan support. I believe this resolution is
constructive. It spells out a future for Kaliningrad that can
contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Baltic region. In
case some of our colleagues do not know where Kaliningrad is located,
Mr. Speaker, it is between Poland and Lithuania.
Mr. Speaker, I urge colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth].
Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that I have very much enjoyed
serving under the gentleman's chairmanship. I served in my 18 years in
Congress under many chairmen, but I must say that he is the most fair,
the most open-minded and also the most internationally focused. It is
one of the reasons the last resolution we had before us on Kaliningrad.
There are not many chairmen, in my opinion, that would have taken this
up because there is not much of a constituency. But it is a big problem
and he addressed it. I think it exemplifies the type of leadership that
we have had under his chairmanship, and I think I just want to say it
has been most gratifying to serve under the gentleman.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his kind remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from California [Mr. Cox], who is a major sponsor of this measure.
Mr. COX of California. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to congratulate the
chairman not only for reporting this vitally important legislation but
also for what he has done throughout the last 2 years of this
remarkably productive Congress. He has been a beacon of wisdom,
judgment, and expertise on the subject of foreign affairs. I wanted to
thank him personally for the leadership that he has provided to the
United States during this period.
The bill before us, House Concurrent Resolution 51, will promote two
very good ideas in the relationship between Russia and Western Europe
and, frankly, the United States and the rest of the world.
The first is that it will demilitarize a region that is not even
contiguous to Russia but in which Russia maintains more than twice as
many troops as does the United States and all of Europe. That is
Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad, as has been discussed here amply, is nudged
between, nestled between Lithuania, Poland, Belarus. It is not
reachable from Russia without crossing the air space or the territory
of some other country.
Necessarily without the permission of Lithuania, particularly when
Russia used to be the Soviet Union, the troop crossings took place
massively, disruptively in ways that caused a great deal of friction.
It is important for Baltic peace, stability, and security that
Kaliningrad be demilitarized. It is also important for the relationship
of Russia, Europe, and the United States because this is a potential
hot spot. This is where NATO and Russia might unfortunately
accidentally meet in the future. It ought not to happen.
This is a flash point of conflict that we can see in advance, that we
ought to deal with it just now. Russia did not create this problem.
Russia is now a nation friendly to the United States. Russia inherited
this problem, and as a sign of good faith Russia ought to neutralize
this situation as quickly as possible.
The second good idea embedded in this resolution is that the area of
Kaliningrad will be made a free trade zone, making this area centrally
located at the intersection of the Baltics, of Western and Eastern
Europe and Russia, making this area economically vital, a bridge from
Russia to Europe and from Europe into Russia. In 1995, Boris Yelstin
signed a decree creating a 10-year free ecomonic zone in Kaliningrad.
Customs duty exemptions are maintained in this area as a result. There
is a 5-year cap on tax rates at 16 percent. This compares favorably
even to Hong Kong, where the rate is 17 percent.
Before Kaliningrad can become another economic Hong Kong, the region
has to undergo a massive environmental cleanup. As a result of the
Soviet military occupation and presence in this area for so long a
period of time, Kaliningrad became the major polluter of the Baltic
Sea. This, too, must be attended to. Kaliningrad must be cleaned up.
The key elements of the resolution before us are the following: First,
the need for Kaliningrad's demilitarization; second, the need for
environmental cleanup; third, the development of Kaliningrad as a
commercial bridge between Europe and Asia; and, finally, Lithuania,
Latvia, and Estonia's right autonomously, independently, without
coercion to join whatever military alliance they wish. It happens that
that is NATO. They have the right to request NATO membership.
This resolution is strongly supported by a number of groups who have
communicated with us in the Congress, not the least of whom are
committees representing all the Baltic nations. I personally have met
with the presidents of each of the Baltic countries in recent weeks to
discuss this. I know that if Russia takes these forward-looking steps,
it will very much improve the prospects for even better relations
between the United States and Russia.
For that reason, I have written this resolution, introduced it, moved
it through the committee, and am happy to have it here before us on the
floor today. By sending this message, not just to Russia but to the
people of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, all of Europe,
Congress will help reduce the possibility of military conflict between
Russia and NATO, between Russia and its neighbors and bolster the
progress of freedom in the Baltics and in Russia.
I urge an aye vote in favor of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I include the following for the Record:
Joint Baltic American
National Committee, Inc.,
Rockville, MD, September 13, 1996.
Hon. Benjamin Gilman,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Gilman: The Joint Baltic American
National Committee, Inc. (JBANC) appreciates your efforts to
facilitate NATO expansion and hopes for your support for
Congressman Christopher Cox's Concurrent Resolution no. 51,
regarding Kaliningrad.
JBANC is concerned about the security and territorial
integrity of the Baltic countries. We support the Baltic
states membership in NATO. The demilitarization of Russian
forces, environmental restoration, and development of a free
trade zone in the Kaliningrad region will help create
stability in the entire Baltic area.
Baltic regional security is in the U.S. national interest.
A recent study by the Commission on America's National
Interests places the Baltic states in the ``extremely
important interest'' category. It states that a U.S. policy
priority is to prevent Russia from reabsorbing the Baltic
states.
Your efforts to help restore security in the Baltic region
will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Vello Ederma,
Chairman.
____
[[Page H11252]]
Central and East
European Coalition,
Washington, DC, August 29, 1996.
COALITION STATEMENT ON BALTIC SECURITY
The Central and East European Coalition expresses deep
concern for the security of the Baltic states of Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania in the face of constant vocal threats
from Russia. These threats run from demands to draw them into
the Russian sphere of influence and prevent them from being
considered for NATO membership, to outright absorption into
the Russian state.
The Central and East European Coalition is an umbrella
organization of 18 national ethnic groups, representing some
22 million Americans with roots in Central and Eastern
Europe.
The aggressive Russian rhetoric has originated from
President Yeltsin, the Foreign and Defense Ministers and many
other officials, diplomats and the military. In some cases,
threats have included renewed military occupation.
Government-funded think-tanks have drafted new doctrines that
have suggested absorption of the three independent states
into a new Russian-controlled entity. In confidential
correspondence, President Yeltsin has attempted to influence
President Clinton to keep the Balts out of NATO.
The Coalition opposes Russian intimidation against any of
its neighbors. The Baltics, as other independent states of
Central and Eastern Europe, are and must remain sovereign
states. Their territorial integrity must be preserved. Their
independence and development of democratic institutions and
free markets are in the national interest of the United
States. The Commission on America's National Interests, a
joint enterprise consisting of RAND, Harvard and the Nixon
Center, recently concluded that it is in ``extremely
important'' U.S. national interest to prevent Russia from
reintegrating Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by force.
The Coalition urges the Administration and the Congress,
along with the Presidential candidates, immediately to issue
specific public declarations in support of the security of
the Baltic States and their right to sovereignty, the
inviolability of their territory, and their right to seek
NATO membership. Russia must be warned that continued
intimidation and threats against the Baltics will be met with
appropriate measures.
____
Lithuanian American Community, Inc., Board of Directors,
Executive Committee,
Los Angeles, CA, September 11, 1996.
Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman,
Chairperson, Committee on International Relations, House of
Representatives.
Dear Congressperson Gilman: It is my understanding that in
the near future, the Committee on International Relations
might consider the revised version of House concurrent
Resolution 51, introduced by Congressmen Christopher Cox and
William O. Lipinski calling for the demilitarization of the
Kaliningrad region on the shores of the Baltic sea.
This is an issue of monumental importance to the Baltic
American community in the United States as well as the people
of the Baltic countries. The Kaliningrad/Konigsberg enclave
is the site of a massive concentration of Russian military
forces, equipment and weapons right in the heart of the
Baltic region. As such it is a serious military threat to the
sovereignty of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and a
destabilizing factor in Central and Eastern Europe.
Specifically, HCR 51 calls for the demilitarization of
Kaliningrad and calls upon Russia to respect Baltic interests
in joining NATO.
I respectfully ask your support for the resolution when it
is considered by the Committee on International Relations.
Thank you for your help.
Respectfully,
Anthony Polikaitis,
Secretary.
____
September 11, 1996.
Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman,
Chairman, Committee on International Relations, House of
Representatives.
I understand that the Committee on International Relations
may soon consider the revised version of House Concurrent
Resolution 51, requesting demilitarization of the Kaliningrad
region and respecting Baltic interests in joining NATO.
This is a critical issue to the safety of the Baltic
region, as well as a major concern to the Baltic American
Community. The large concentration of Russian military forces
and weapons in the heart of Northern Europe poses a serious
military threat. It is also a good reason for the Baltic
countries to become part of NATO.
Our community asks that you support HCR 51 when it enters
your committee. We appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Uldis K. Sipols,
Chairman, Latvian Association of Detroit.
____
American Latvian Association
in the United States, Inc.,
Rockville, MD, September 9, 1996.
Hon. Christopher Cox,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Cox: The American Latvian Association,
which unites more than 160 Latvian American groups located
throughout the United States, wholeheartedly supports HCR 51,
expressing the sense of Congress concerning demilitarization,
environmental improvement and economic development in the
Kaliningrad region. We thank you for your leadership on this
legislation, which affirms U.S. interest in the achievement
of stable, secure and environmentally safe conditions for the
furthering of democratic and market reforms in Central and
Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries.
As the process of political, security and economic
transformation continues in the lands formerly controlled by
the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, concern continues to
grow about the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation.
An exclave of the Russian Federation separated from Russia's
mainland by Lithuania and Poland, the Kaliningrad region,
economically disadvantaged and environmentally degraded by
its former Soviet administrators, continues today to be a
major outpost for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
Russia has taken steps to reverse the region's economic
plight, by establishing Kaliningrad as a Free Economic Zone.
However, Kaliningrad and its military garrison continue to be
used by Russia as a means to intimidate the country's closest
western neighbors, including Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and
Poland. Russian military forces in the region have been used
repeatedly as an argument against the expansion of the NATO
alliance to include countries that have made clear their
freely stated desire to join the group--specifically the
formerly Soviet occupied, now sovereign countries of Latvia,
Estonia and Lithuania.
In a Europe recovering from a half-century of superpower
confrontation, Kaliningrad is notable for its lack of
participation in the political, economic and security
transformation now underway. This legislation, which offers
sensible suggestions to achieve stability, security and
environmental safety in Kaliningrad, serves as a reasonable
expression of the will of Congress concerning this pivotal
region of Europe. This is why the American Latvian
Association supports HCR 5 1, and thanks you, Rep. Cox, for
your sponsorship of this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Janis Kukainis,
President.
____
Lithuanian-American
Community, Inc.
Arlington VA, September 12, 1996.
Hon. Christopher Cox,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Congressman Cox: As a steadfast and long time
supporter of Lithuania's independence, we greatly value your
efforts to enhance Lithuania's security and peace in the
Baltic region by focusing U.S. government attention on the
continuing problem of Russian military forces in the Baltic
seacoast region now known as Kaliningrad.
We all know the history of the region; i.e., that the
former Soviet government parlayed its role as temporary
administrator of the area after World War II into a huge
military base at the heart of Europe. The current Russian
government maintains it as the most forward projection of
Russian military power in Europe. As you know, the forces
that Russia maintains in the Kaliningrad area do not fall
under CFE Treaty limits. And Russian officers stationed in
the region have been linked to illegal weapons shipments and
smuggling of illicit drugs.
It is quite clear from the negotiations which have
proceeded between yourself and the Clinton Administration,
that the Clinton Administration intends to continue to turn a
blind eye to the threats posed by the continuing Russian
military presence in Kaliningrad.
We support your efforts without reservation and urge you
and your colleagues in the House and Senate to stand firm in
requiring the Clinton Administration to begin, what will be a
long process of, strengthening the security of the emerging
democracies of Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and the
rest of central Europe.
We believe that the fundamental question which the United
States Congress should address is the question of security
for the states bordering the Russian exclave in the
Kaliningrad territory. We have suggested language which
appears the State Department has rejected. But we submit it
to the Congress, hoping that it or something similar in
nature will find its way into the final version of the Cox
resolution.
Resolved: That it is the sense of the Congress that the
United States in pursuing enhanced security for the countries
of Eastern Europe, should take all possible steps to ensure
that the Russian Federation's efforts to maintain relations
with the territory now known as Kaliningrad, not undermine
the security and sovereignty of any neighboring country.
The current inattention to the threats emanating from the
Russian military forces based in the Kaliningrad territory
will only fester weakening the surrounding states and
undermining the peace in Europe. Since the Administration
lacks the political will to focus on this problem before it
becomes a crisis, it is right that the United States Congress
should remind the Administration of its responsibility to
help secure the peace and security of the emerging
democracies of Eastern Europe.
Sincerely,
Regina Narusis, J.D.,
President, Lithuanian-American
Community, Inc.
[[Page H11253]]
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
This may be the last item that I will be managing during the 104th
Congress. I wanted to take just a moment to note that there were a
number of significant legislative achievements of the Committee on
International Relations during this Congress and to say a few words of
gratitude to those who have assisted our committee in its work.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognize the members of our
committee who will not be returning next year. We will have other
opportunities to discuss their careers at length. I would like to
mention special affection for the gentleman from Wisconsin, Toby Roth,
for the gentlewoman from Kansas, Jan Meyers, for the gentleman from
Kansas, Sam Brownback, the gentleman from New Jersey, Bob Torricelli,
and the gentleman from Florida, Harry Johnston. Serving together on our
committee is a very special experience, and I have valued our
relationship with each of these Members.
I would also like to specifically thank the gentleman from Indiana
[Mr. Hamilton], the ranking minority member of the committee. He and I
have faced each other many times during the past 2 years, sometimes on
the same side of the question, sometimes on opposite sides. I very much
appreciate his many courtesies and the courtesies he has extended
through his staff.
I have been privileged during the Congress to have been able to have
the assistance of the gentleman from Nebraska, Doug Bereuter, who
served as the vice chairman of our committee and also as subcommittee
chairman. I extend my thanks to him and to Toby Roth, the gentleman
from New Jersey, Chris Smith, the gentleman from Indiana, Dan Burton,
and the gentlewoman from Florida, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who served as
our subcommittee chairs and to their respective subcommittee ranking
members.
Our committee has had more full committee chairmen than any other
committee as part of our membership. The gentleman from Pennsylvania,
Bill Goodling, the gentleman from Iowa, Jim Leach, the gentleman from
Illinois, Henry Hyde, and Jan Meyers are full committee chairs and
have made time to participate in our committee's work. To them and to
all the members of our committee on both sides of the aisle, I extend
my personal thanks.
Mr. Speaker, many people who usually go unnamed and unnoticed by the
American people are indispensable to the work of the House and the
House committees. They have been especially helpful to me as I
fulfilled my responsibilities as chairman of our committee during this
session of the Congress. These people, the floor staffs, leadership
staffs, Cloakroom staffs, and pages, as well as the Parliamentarians,
reporters, clerks, and doormen, all deserve our thanks.
Also, we have received invaluable help from the Office of Legislative
Counsel, Congressional Research Service, and finally our own committee
staff provides highly professional assistance to the Members.
Under leave to revise and extend, I will be a little more detailed in
our thanks, but I want to let all of them know that their assistance is
truly heartfelt and thanks go to all of them.
Mr. Speaker, this may be the last item I will manage during the 104th
Congress and I wanted to take just a moment to note that there were a
number of significant legislative achievements of the Committee on
International Relations during this Congress and to say a few words of
gratitude to those who have assisted our committee in its work.
First of all, there was H.R. 7, our portion of the Contract With
America, which had important provisions related to U.N. peacekeeping
and command-and-control issues, as well as NATO enlargement.
Then, in H.R. 1561, the American Overseas Interest Act, we
reauthorized and reinvented the American foreign policy establishment
and extended--at lower levels--our foreign assistance programs. This
bill was, unfortunately, subject to a long filibuster in the Senate and
was ultimately vetoed even when it was reduced considerably in its
reach.
We passed legislation providing for a move of the American Embassy in
Israel to Israel's capital, Jerusalem. The President did not see fit to
sign that bill, but did allow it to become law.
We passed legislation, that was signed into law, aimed at preventing
foreigners from taking over the confiscated assets of American citizens
in Cuba, under the LIBERTAD Act, also known as the Helms-Burton Act.
We passed legislation, also signed into law, aimed at cutting off
investments in the Iranian energy sector, so as to deprive that regime
of the funds needed to carry out terror operations and to develop
weapons of mass destruction.
We passed legislation concerning important security assistance
provisions, the first such authorization bill in 11 years. We also
passed micro-enterprise and Africa development fund bills.
We also passed legislation aimed at facilitating the entry of
emerging democracies into NATO, and we passed legislation extending and
reforming the Export Administration Act.
These are just a few of our achievements of our committee. Many
others took the form of oversight.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognize the members of our
committee who will not be returning next year. We will have other
opportunities to discuss their career at length, but I would like to
mention special affection for Toby Roth, Jan Meyers, Sam Brownback, Bob
Torricelli, and Harry Johnston. Serving together on our committee is a
very special experience, and I have valued our relationships with each
of these Members.
I would like to specially thank the gentleman from Indian [Mr.
Hamilton] the ranking minority member of our committee. He and I have
faced each other many times during the past 2 years, sometimes on the
same side of the question and sometimes on opposite sides. I very much
appreciate his many courtesies and the courtesies he has extended
through his staff.
I have been privileged during this Congress to have been able to have
the assistance of Representative Doug Bereuter who served as vice
chairman of our committee and also as subcommittee chairman. I extend
my thanks to him and to Toby Roth, Chris Smith, Dan Burton, and Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, who have served as subcommittee chairmen, and to the
respective subcommittee ranking members.
Our committee has had more full committee chairmen than any other
committee. Bill Goodling, Jim Leach, Henry Hyde, and Jan Meyers, all
full committee chairs, have made time to participate in our Committee's
work.
To them, and to all of the members of our committee on both sides of
the aisle, I extend my thanks.
Mr. Speaker, many people who usually go unnamed and unnoticed to the
American public are indispensable in the work of the House. They have
been especially helpful to me as I fulfilled my responsibilities as
chairman of our committee.
I also wish to express my appreciation for the Speaker's floor
staff--Len Swinehart and his colleagues, and the Speaker's Assistant
for National Security matters, Gardner Peckham, who have been most
helpful during this Congress.
Also, the majority leader's staff--David Hobbs, Peter Davidson, Brian
Gunderson, Siobhan McGill, and their colleagues.
Also, the majority whip's staff--Scott Hatch and his colleagues,
especially Scott Palmer and Monica Vegas Kladakis.
And the other members of the majority floor staff--Jay Pierson and
Ron Lasch.
Also, the cloakroom managers and staff--Tim Harroun, Jim Oliver,
Joelle Hall, and their colleagues; and the pages, who are under the
supervision of Peggy Sampson.
We have had good cooperation from the minority counterparts of these
individuals, as well.
I also wish to thank the House Parliamentarian, Charles Johnson, as
well as his colleagues, John Sullivan, Tom Duncan, Moftiah McCartin,
and Tom Wickham, who have worked extensively with our committee.
In addition, I'd like to recognize the reading clerks and other
clerks and assistants who stand and sit near the presiding officer to
aid him, as well as the skilled official reporters and transcribers who
record our proceedings.
I also thank the other floor staff and doormen and Capitol Police who
provide for our security or summon us to see our constituents.
I might also add that, off this floor, we have had wonderful
assistance from the Office of Legislative Counsel, especially Ms.
Yvonne Haywood, Mr. Mark Synnes, and Ms. Sandra Strokoff. We also had
excellent help from the Congressional Research Service, especially the
Foreign Affairs and Defense Division, the Economics Division, and the
American Law Division.
And, finally, our own committee staff, headed by Dr. Richard Garon,
and our committee's minority staff, headed by Dr. Mike Van Dusen.
I thank them all for the innumerable contributions to the work of our
committee in this challenging and fruitful Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
[[Page H11254]]
The senior Democrat on this side of the aisle to the Committee on
International Relations deeply regrets not being here because of a
conflict of schedule. I am certain that the sentiments expressed
earlier by the gentleman from New York is very much in order to the
fact that this has been a very productive year for the Committee on
International Relations.
I will say to the gentleman from New York that we have had our
differences in principle, but it has never been on differences in
personalities. I appreciate the leadership and certainly the fairness
that he has given in this stewardship as chairman of this committee. I
want the gentleman to know that.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to express the gratitude and appreciation of
the Nation also to the two gentlemen from this side of the aisle on the
committee, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Torricelli], also the
gentleman from Florida [Mr. Johnston], who will also not be here next
year due to retirement and other choices that they have made in their
political careers. I certainly would like to commend them for their
services that they have rendered as members, outstanding members of
this committee.
I also want to recognize with appreciation the gentleman from
Wisconsin whom I have had the privilege of working with closely on
matters of international trade and some of the foreign policies that we
have dealt with on this committee and certainly would like to wish him
well because of his retirement. I want to express that on behalf of the
members of this side of the committee.
{time} 1300
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from California, given his profound
statement and understanding of the seriousness of the problem here in
the Baltic States, I think the provisions of this resolution are well
in order, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time,
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I want to thank the delegate from American Samoa, Mr. Faleomavaega,
for his kind remarks and for his willingness to take an active role
continually throughout the consideration of the measures before our
Committee on International Relations. We thank him for his involvement.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House
Concurrent Resolution 51, 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.
The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read:
``Concurrent resolution expressing the sense of the Congress concerning
economic development, environmental improvement, and stability in the
Baltic region.''
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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