[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H924-H925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DECERTIFICATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Hinojosa] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my feelings about 
certification of Mexico. I feel very strongly about this issue because 
I despise what drugs are doing to this Nation. It is a scourge that is 
ravishing our most precious resource: our youth.
  Unfortunately, we know this all too well in the area of the Nation 
that I represent, south Texas. Daily in our papers and on the news, we 
see the devastation that is occurring with the impact that drugs are 
having on our children and our communities. It is a problem that I am 
committed to addressing, and one that is a priority of mine.
  I know, however, that this is not a problem that I alone can solve. 
If we are to win the war, it will take a united effort. By that I mean 
efforts must be made on every level: local, State, and Federal. Just as 
important are the efforts we must make in our own homes. Only by 
joining together in combating this epidemic will we ever be able to 
declare victory.
  That is why the issue of certification is so important to me. We are 
all aware that the drug problem is not unique nor internal to our 
Nation. It is an international crisis. As it affects us, so does it 
affect our neighbor to the north and our neighbor to the south. So when 
I say we must work together, I mean all of us, because we share 
borders. By doing so, and only by doing so, can we begin to turn the 
tide.
  On March 1 the President certified Mexico, and since then we have 
heard from many who feel this was not a wise decision, that they are 
not making enough of an effort in this battle. I, however, feel that to 
take any action other than certification would be counterproductive, 
injurious, and unfair. I say this because I think it is we, in the long 
run as a nation, who ultimately will lose.
  First, let us look at the facts. Last year Mexico seized 30 percent 
more marijuana than in 1995, 78 percent more heroin than in 1995, 7 
percent more cocaine than in that same year, and arrested 14 percent 
more drug traffickers than this in 1995. Those are substantial numbers, 
showing the improvement that has been made. They are impressive 
numbers. What these figures tell me is that Mexico is making the 
effort, that Mexico is cooperating. Why then do we want to send back a 
message that says, nice try, but you failed?
  In addition, Mexico has greatly improved its record on extraditions. 
During 1996 Mexico extradited a record number of individuals. Two of 
these

[[Page H925]]

were Mexican nationals wanted in the United States for drug-related 
crimes.
  Additionally, Mexico expelled drug kingpin Juan Garcia Abrego. These 
facts speak for themselves, showing that diligent efforts are being 
made by the Government of Mexico.
  In my hand I have a letter from the Ambassador of Mexico responding 
to the charges that have been leveled against our neighbor to the 
south.
  I would like to quote the following:

       Mexico is aware that much more needs to be done by us and 
     other countries in the fight against drugs. This is a 
     permanent fight, not just an annual exercise. While there 
     have been failures and setbacks, they are mostly due to the 
     magnitude of the problem and the power of the enemy, not to a 
     lack of political will by our country.
       The reason why we fight against drugs is not to get a grade 
     or a certification from anyone. We fight against drugs 
     because we want to preserve our institutions, because we want 
     to protect our youth, and because we are convinced that we 
     need international cooperation to effectively deal with this 
     gigantic problem.

  Decertification will also result in severe economic, social, and 
cultural ramifications along our Nation's border. When bad things 
happen to Mexico, bad things happen to us in south Texas. When Mexico 
goes into a recession, my counties go into a recession. When illegal 
immigration increases due to crises in Mexico, then it increases in my 
11 counties.

                              {time}  1715

  When the peso drops, retail and real estate sales drop. When friendly 
relations with Mexico are strained, the people of my district also 
suffer. To turn our backs on our neighbor is to jeopardize the progress 
they have made. We need to recognize their commitment and the work they 
have done to date.
  Again, let me reiterate, on March 1, the President certified Mexico. 
Then we have heard from many who feel this was not a wise decision.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that I appreciate the opportunity to 
have been able to have given my first 5 minutes.

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