[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT VISITS THE MIDDLE EAST--CRITICAL MISSION 
                           FOR REGIONAL PEACE

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, our Secretary of State, 
Madeleine Albright began her first visit to the Middle East since she 
assumed the position of Secretary of State earlier this year. The 
timing of her visit is particularly critical. In just the past 6 weeks, 
we have seen two terrorist bombing attacks in the streets and the 
market of Jerusalem. In these dastardly attacks, scores of people were 
killed and hundreds more were injured. These terrorist assaults are 
nothing more than an effort to destroy the peace process.
  I commend Secretary Albright for her determination and willingness to 
undertake the extremely precarious peace mission. She is going to that 
difficult region of the world with no pre-arranged outcome. There is 
always considerable risk in undertaking diplomatic efforts in this 
area. She is brave and courageous to make this trip under these 
difficult conditions.
  Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I introduced a resolution which notes the 
significance of Secretary Albright's mission and expresses the support 
of the Congress for her efforts to bring peace to that region. I urge 
my colleagues to join me in approving this statement of encouragement 
and support for our Secretary of State at this critical time.
  I ask that the full text of my resolution--House Concurrent 
Resolution 149--be placed in the Record.

                            H. Con. Res. 149

       Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the visit of 
     Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the Middle East.
       Whereas Madeleine Albright is currently making her first 
     official visit to the Middle East since her appointment as 
     Secretary of State, and
       Whereas the Middle East peace process is in danger of total 
     collapse,
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring) that the Congress
     fully supports the efforts of Secretary of State Madeleine 
     Albright to bring a just, comprehensive, and permanent peace 
     to the Middle East, and expresses its full confidence in her 
     demonstrated ability and motivation to achieve that end.

     

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