[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING HON. WARREN CHRISTOPHER FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 1997

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of 
Senate Concurrent Resolution 4, which recognizes the exemplary service 
of the Honorable Warren Christopher as Secretary of State.
  When Warren Christopher was selected by President Clinton to serve 
this Nation as its Secretary of State the President could not have had 
any knowledge of how difficult a job it would be.
  The war in the former Yugoslavia was at its height and peace seemed 
to be an illusive goal that only a few committed individuals believed 
was truly possible. Secretary Christopher was one of those committed 
individuals, and because of his personal resolve for peace--the Dayton 
accord resulted in the people of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia living 
through the last year without war.
  The quiet dignity that exudes the persona of Warren Christopher is 
one that we can all admire. He has been a skilled negotiator when 
representing the interest of the United States, both here and abroad. 
He has been tireless in his pursuit of positions that promote peace and 
better understanding among our allies and advisories.
  When Secretary Christopher said, ``The end of the cold war has given 
us an unprecedented opportunity to shape a more secure world of open 
societies and open markets,'' he worked to reap those benefits for our 
Nation.
  While Secretary Christopher was managing diplomatic relations with 
the world's great powers and international institutions he was also 
creating jobs here in the United States by opening markets abroad.
  More than 200 trade agreements over the last 3 years have helped our 
exports grow by 34 percent since 1993 and created 16 million new jobs. 
Through Secretary Christopher's efforts in promotion of the North 
American Free-Trade Agreement, concluding the Uruguay round, and 
forging the Miami summit commitment to achieve free and open trade in 
our hemisphere by 2005--and the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation 
commitment to do the same in the Asia-Pacific by 2020--the United 
States is positioned to become even more dynamic in the global economy 
in the 21st century.
  He worked tirelessly to provide the peace and security that the 
American people require by promoting constructive relations with other 
nations and international institutions.
  From the issue of championing NATO's Partnership for Peace, the 
United States-European Union new transatlantic agenda, and other post-
cold-war initiatives have improved European stability and strengthened 
United States-European economic ties and security cooperation.
  With Japan, under Secretary Christopher's leadership, we have signed 
a security declaration and reached 21 market-opening agreements. Now 
United States exports to Japan are rising five times as fast as 
imports.
  Warren Christopher has played a critical role in creating 
constructive relations with Russia during the transition period of 
their nuclear weapons arsenal, and the strengthening of vital elements 
of democratic reforms.
  Warren Christopher has served his Nation well as its 63d Secretary of 
State, and is very deserving of this accolade in the form of a House 
concurrent resolution.

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