[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2267) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 1998, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Bartlett 
Amendment.
  This extreme amendment blocks the U.S. from taking even the first 
step toward fulfilling its debt to the U.N.
  Mr. Bartlett cloaks his amendment in the rhetoric of reform. He 
claims that his amendment will somehow take us down the path to reform.
  But let's be very clear, Mr. Chairman. This amendment is NOT about 
U.N. reform. This amendment is simply about blocking the U.S. from 
fulfilling its obligations to the U.N.
  I don't think there is anyone in this House who is not supportive of 
further U.N. reform. That is why we worked to elect a new Secretary 
General. That is why the Administration and the Congress have come up 
with a reform and arrears plan that is currently being negotiated by a 
conference committee. And that is why we will continue to advocate far-
reaching reforms throughout the U.N. system.
  But this amendment approaches the issue in an irresponsible, 
haphazard manner. In fact, the amendment would upend the ongoing 
negotiations between the Administration, Congressional leaders, and the 
U.N., setting back our efforts to implement reform in the U.N.
  Mr. Chairman, the U.S. has a tremendous amount of influence within 
the U.N., but that level of influence is in danger of decreasing.
  Our outstanding debt to the U.N. is draining our power in the 
organization and has created a climate of resistance to U.S. proposals.
  The U.N. has historically served U.S. interests, but our debt is 
making it hard for the organization to carry out the very activities 
that serve these interests.
  For all of these reasons, the U.S. must fulfill its financial 
obligation to the U.N. But that will not happen if the Bartlett 
Amendment passes.
  In the interest of reforming the United Nations, I urge my colleagues 
to vote ``no'' on the Bartlett Amendment.

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