[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 125 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1813]]

 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OVER THE DEATH OF INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS IN 
                                 BOSNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN EDWARD PORTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 1997

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep sadness over 
the loss of 12 aid workers in Bosnia--including 5 American citizens who 
were working to rebuild civil society in that troubled country--in a 
helicopter crash earlier this week.
  These individuals represent the best of America, and they have 
sacrificed their lives in an effort to bring our ideals to a country 
which has been torn apart by hatred and intolerance. All of these 
individuals, and the others who have lost their lives trying to bring 
lasting peace to Bosnia and other countries, are heroes and we should 
mourn their deaths as we would mourn the loss of our men and women in 
uniform. Every day in the world's trouble spots, there are countless 
people from many nations who dedicate their lives to improving the 
future for others. They make tremendous sacrifices, often leaving their 
families and homes behind to work in a hostile, dangerous environment 
to help strangers who do not always fully appreciate the benefit they 
are receiving.
  Gerd Wagner, one of the most respected and accomplished diplomats in 
Bosnia, was among those who perished in this tragic accident. Mr. 
Wagner had been playing a key role in bringing together Muslims and 
Croats in central Bosnia. In addition, several members of a team that 
was working to rebuild Bosnia's civil police force died in the crash. 
This project is one of the most important elements of securing peace in 
Bosnia. My wife, Kathryn, knew some of these individuals personally, 
and had a chance to see what they were accomplishing during a visit to 
Bosnia last month. We have been deeply affected by this tragedy, and it 
has served to remind us both--as it should all Members of this House--
that our foreign assistance program is not just an abstraction. It is 
real people doing important work, often without recognition or thanks.
  I know that it is too late to thank those who died in the helicopter 
crash on Wednesday, but I do want to take this opportunity to commend 
all of those caring and committed people who put their lives on the 
line every day to secure peace and democracy in places like Bosnia. 
Your work is a living memorial to those 12 people who died on a 
mountain in central Bosnia. May your work continue to serve their 
memory well.

                          ____________________