[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE DEATH OF PANAMANIAN STATESMAN GABRIEL LEWIS GALINDO

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention to 
the recent death of Garbriel Lewis Galindo, a noted statesman from 
Panama and friend of the United States of America.
  Gabriel Lewis is perhaps best known for his efforts to conclude the 
Panama Canal Treaty. As Panama's envoy to the United States on this 
issue he worked closely with the Carter administration to this end. In 
the process he gained the respect of many people in our Government.
  Mr. Lewis continually sought to restore democratic principles to 
Panama and used the Panamanian-United States negotiations regarding the 
canal to press Panama's dictator, Omar Torrijos, to move in a more 
democratic direction. Mr. Lewis' hard work was rewarded as Omar 
Torrijos eventually granted more freedom to the media and political 
parties in Panama.
  When Gen. Manuel Noriega rose to power in Panama 2 years after the 
death of Omar Torrijos, he undertook measures to reverse those 
democratic gains which had been achieved. Gabriel Lewis became an 
outspoken opponent of Manuel Noriega, a strategy which eventually 
forced him to leave Panama after he unsuccessfully sought Noriega's 
removal from power.
  Gabriel Lewis was both pragmatic and visionary. He understood the 
need for a close and productive relationship between the United States 
and Panama based on respect, dignity, and shared ideals of democracy. 
Mr. Lewis fought to make this happen. He will be missed.

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