[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H5511-H5513]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING EL SALVADOR ON SUCCESSFUL ELECTIONS

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 88) congratulating the Government 
and the people of the Republic of El Salvador on successfully 
completing free

[[Page H5512]]

and democratic elections on March 16, 1997.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 88

       Whereas on March 16, 1997, the Republic of El Salvador 
     successfully completed democratic, multiparty elections for 
     84 national legislative assembly seats and 262 mayoral and 
     municipal council posts;
       Whereas the elections were deemed by international and 
     domestic observers to be free and fair and a legitimate non-
     violent expression of the will of the people of the Republic 
     of El Salvador;
       Whereas the United States has consistently supported the 
     efforts of the people of El Salvador to consolidate their 
     democracy and to implement the provisions of the 1992 peace 
     accords;
       Whereas these elections demonstrate the strength and 
     diversity of El Salvador's democratic expression and promotes 
     confidence that all political parties can work cooperatively 
     in the new assembly and at the municipal level; and
       Whereas these open, fair, and democratic elections of the 
     new assembly and at the municipal level should be broadly 
     commended: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates the Government and the people of the 
     Republic of El Salvador for the successful completion of 
     democratic, multiparty elections held on March 16, 1997, for 
     84 national legislative assembly seats and 262 mayoral and 
     municipal council posts;
       (2) congratulates El Salvadoran President Armando Calderon 
     Sol for his personal commitment to democracy, which has 
     helped in the building of national unity in the Republic of 
     El Salvador;
       (3) commends all Salvadorans for their efforts to work 
     together to take risks for democracy and to willfully pursue 
     national reconciliation in order to cement a lasting peace 
     and democratic traditions in El Salvador;
       (4) supports Salvadoran attempts to continue their 
     cooperation in order to ensure democracy, national 
     reconciliation, and economic prosperity; and
       (5) reaffirms that the United States is unequivocally 
     committed to encouraging democracy and peaceful development 
     throughout Central America.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Gilman] and the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Luther] 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, I would like to commend the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Ballenger] for this bipartisan resolution 
commending the people of El Salvador. The gentleman from North Carolina 
[Mr. Ballenger] is a senior member of our Committee on International 
Relations and we consider him our leading expert on events in Central 
America. His long-term commitment to that important region gives him 
unique insight that is a valuable resource to our committee's work.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 88 congratulates the people 
and the Government of El Salvador for taking yet another step on the 
path to democracy. As a result of the peaceful and fair elections of 
March 1997, a broader cross section of Salvadoran society has a voice 
in local government and the national assembly. Because of the March 
1997 elections, people who may have felt shut out of the democratic 
process now have a stake in making democratic government work for them. 
That is the essence of democracy, which the American people have 
supported for decades in El Salvador.
  Some observers may be disappointed that participation in these 
elections was down sharply from the 1994 elections, around 37 percent, 
down from 54 percent 3 years ago. We hope that the more vigorous policy 
debates taking place today in the more pluralistic national assembly 
will restore the interest of more Salvadorans in the democratic 
process.
  I would like to especially commend all of the political leaders 
across the political spectrum who took part in these elections and who 
have respected the results. We also congratulate President Armando 
Calderon and all of the officials of his government who conducted these 
transparent and honest elections.
  Mr. Speaker, our Government has supported the cause of representative 
democracy for several decades in El Salvador. I am pleased to stand 
with my colleagues today to applaud the people of that great country 
for showing the world that democracy does work. Once again, I thank the 
gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Ballenger] for bringing this 
bipartisan resolution before us. I urge my colleagues to support House 
Concurrent Resolution 88.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in support of the concurrent resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I first want to commend the gentleman from North 
Carolina [Mr. Ballenger] for introducing this resolution and also the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], chairman of the committee, for 
pursuing this resolution.
  As all of us know, Central America has come a long way in the last 
several years. Until recently, the region was beset by civil wars and 
insurgencies. The peace accords were signed just 5 years ago in El 
Salvador after a very bloody civil war. Today we are commending that 
country for an election wherein the opposition party, the FMLN, freely 
and fairly won the second most powerful position in the country, the 
mayorship of San Salvador.
  All sides in El Salvador can now see that change occurs most 
effectively through the ballot box. That is a clear triumph for 
democracy, and it is also a remarkable transformation for El Salvador. 
I am pleased that the U.S. Congress through this resolution is now 
congratulating the Salvadoran people for making such a transformation.
  Yet Central America has a long way to go. The region still struggles 
with devastating poverty, corruption, common crime, and weak 
educational institutions. I think, therefore, it is highly appropriate 
for the United States through this resolution to also pledge our 
continued commitment to help El Salvador overcome those challenges. I 
therefore urge adoption of the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from 
Massachusetts [Mr. Moakley] who, as we all know, has a long-standing 
and very distinguished history of involvement on this and other Central 
America issues.
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for 
his kind words.
  Mr. Speaker, today I am very proud to rise in support of this 
resolution to recognize El Salvador for its fair and free elections. 
The people and the leaders of that nation have made a commitment toward 
peace and justice that just a few years ago seemed impossible. On 
behalf of the people in this country who feel a great affinity for El 
Salvador, I rise to thank and also to congratulate them.
  As many Members know, I have been in El Salvador many times. 
Unfortunately, it was not always under the best set of circumstances. 
The gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. McGovern] and I went down to try 
to solve the murders of the six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and 
her daughter. During those times we met Salvadorans from all walks of 
life. We met the military leaders, guerrillas, and the everyday working 
people. I have looked into the scared and often sad faces of the 
Salvadoran people during their brutal civil war. But I have also seen 
them since. I have been to El Salvador during peacetime and seen their 
fear replaced by hope.
  Over the last few years, I have developed a great fondness and a 
great respect for the Salvadoran people, and their most recent 
democratic election is cause for great celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, the results of the March 16 elections literally changed 
the face of the government in El Salvador. In this very historic 
election, the Salvadoran people went out and voted without fear of 
persecution. That may not sound like much here but, believe me, in El 
Salvador, that is a big, big change.
  After the Salvadorans voted, their votes were collected and 
calculated without widespread claims of fraud, and the once-feared 
military did not play any role in the elections. In fact, the military 
is now doing its job of protecting the people, and that, Mr. Speaker, 
is great cause for hope.
  The results of these elections have created the pluralism in El 
Salvador that we have never seen before. Several opposition parties now 
control many of

[[Page H5513]]

the municipal governments, including several of the most populous 
municipalities. Opposition party candidates also have made many gains 
in the assembly. Now the challenge is in the hands of the various 
parties to work together, build coalitions, and do what is best for all 
of the people of El Salvador.
  Mr. Speaker, they have their work cut out for them. As the country 
takes on the tremendous challenges of a struggling economy, horrible 
poverty, a frighteningly high crime rate, and the need for widespread 
judicial reform, we have to encourage Salvadoran leaders to continue to 
work together for what is best for all of its citizens. The difference 
is that today there is hope and political room for positive change.

                              {time}  1550

  Mr. Speaker, it was a pleasure getting to know the people of El 
Salvador, and I am very honored to have been given that opportunity, 
and I want to congratulate my friends for their tremendous 
accomplishment. Today's democratic elections means tomorrow's 
prosperity.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina [Mr. Ballenger], the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, in 1962, 35 years ago, my wife and I went 
to El Salvador to help in developing their economy. It was peaceful and 
quiet then, the war had not started, and we have been working ever 
since to continue that growth and the growth in the democracy.
  On June 25, 1997, the Committee on International Relations 
unanimously passed a resolution that I introduced, House Concurrent 
Resolution 88, congratulating the government and the people of the 
Republic of El Salvador on successfully completing free and democratic 
elections for the fourth time. On March 16, 1997, El Salvador held free 
and fair elections for 84 national legislative assembly seats, 262 
mayoral and municipal council posts. This was yet another milestone in 
the normalization of the democratic process in El Salvador, and I wish 
to commend that nation for its efforts.
  El Salvador has come a long way since the 1980's when the nation was 
in the midst of a terrible civil war. Many of my colleagues will recall 
that that war cost the lives of tens of thousands of El Salvadorans and 
left the country in shambles. Now the Salvadorans have replaced bullets 
with ballots. It was a strong leadership and guidance coupled with the 
courage demonstrated by former President Alfredo Cristiani that rescued 
the country and paved the way for El Savador's future. He continued to 
seek peace in spite of the fact that the war continued. His successor, 
the new President Armando Calderon Sol, elected in a free and fair 
contest, had the same commitment to democracy and will strive to keep 
this nation moving forward in the next century. The stark contrast 
between war-torn El Salvador and the El Salvador of today is a tribute 
to its people and its leaders.
  In addition to holding successful elections, we see the Salvadoran 
Government's effort to foster free-market enterprise and privatization 
of certain industries as part of its move toward a free and fair 
society. Most importantly, we continue to witness the successful 
implementation of the 1992 peace accords. I believe the Americans must 
continue to show support for our Salvadoran neighbors through this long 
and fragile process, and I hope my colleagues will join me and 
congratulate El Salvador in this latest and most remarkable 
accomplishment.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Again I want to commend the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. 
Ballenger] for his outstanding leadership on this issue and certainly 
want to thank him on behalf of the minority caucus for his outstanding 
leadership and for his understanding of the speakers here today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentleman from 
New Jersey [Mr. Menendez].
  (Mr. MENENDEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have had the opportunity 
to work with my colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. 
Ballenger], to introduce this resolution. El Salvador means ``the 
Savior'' in Spanish, and I believe that El Salvador represents hope and 
salvation for all of Central America.
  During the civil war in the 1980's, about 75,000 Salvadorans lost 
their lives in this country, a small country of 5 million people, but 
they have managed to find peace, democracy, and a market economy, and 
today El Salvador leads the region economically with an average annual 
growth rate of 6 percent in this decade.
  This resolution is an expression of good will toward the people of El 
Salvador and toward President Armando Calderon del Sol who was just 
recently here, and we have had discussions with him and as he faces the 
challenges that are still present before El Salvador. But we are 
confident that El Salvador, as has been mentioned here, will continue 
to progress, building democratic institutions and improving the lives 
of the Salvadoran people.
  We can do our part by making sure that the seeds of democracy which 
are taking root in El Salvador are fully cemented, and that is why I 
want to hail the Attorney General's decision not to deport, not to 
deport Salvadorans who came to the United States, fleeing from civil 
war, as a result of our foreign policy in part, and now would have made 
a dramatic economic impact on El Salvador if, in fact, they were 
massively deported. These are people who I believe had rights under the 
law which were eviscerated under the Immigration Reform Act of last 
year, and whose rights retroactively should never have been abolished 
in that manner. In essence, by preserving their opportunity to go ahead 
and make their case before the Immigration Court of Appeals, this 
provides an opportunity for El Salvador also to flourish in the 
process.
  So I want to commend all of those and also the Congressional Hispanic 
Caucus who worked very hard on this with the administration. For our 
part we want to make sure that the United States Congress and 
administration provide El Salvador with the necessary resources and the 
type of policy that continues stability and growth, stability which is 
clearly in the national interests of the United States in a region that 
is so close to our borders.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Snowbarger). 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 88.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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