[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATIONS TO NICARAGUA

  (Mr. GOSS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, today the House considers legislation to 
applaud our neighbors in Nicaragua. Seven years ago, as an elections 
observer, I was sent there to see the Nicaraguan people draw the 
physical fight for freedom to a close successfully. That day they used 
the ballot box to officially cast off the Marxist government of Daniel 
Ortega, which once inexplicably found so many friends in Washington.
  In 1990, instead of the chaos and violence of the Ortega regime, the 
Nicaraguans demanded peace, prosperity, justice and democracy. That 
historic year, the Chamorro government took the reins in difficult 
times, dealing admirably with the fallout of 5 years of Sandinista 
misrule.
  With difficult issues like confiscated properties lingering, last 
month's peaceful transition to the Alemen administration is a 
significant achievement and a testament to the commitment and 
advancement of democracy in that country. It is only proper that today 
Congress pause for a minute to congratulate the Nicaraguans, to 
encourage them and to reiterate our support for democracy in that 
country.

                          ____________________