[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1499]]
           TRIBUTE TO CARLOS ALBERTO WAHNON DE CARVALHO VEIGA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 1998

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to an 
outstanding leader and Head of State, Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho 
Veiga, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Republic 
of Cape Verde. This provocative and exciting leader has--with grace and 
integrity--steered his country through its transition from a one-party 
to a multi-party system. He is visiting the United States this week and 
is being honored by the California Legislature for his distinguished 
service to Cape Verdeans.
  The accomplishments of Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho Veiga are 
due in no small part to his willingness to accept change and meet the 
challenges before him. His unwavering commitment to civil rights, civil 
liberties and freedom is testimony to his humanity and basic goodness. 
Veiga exemplifies the selflessness, patience and empathy characteristic 
of the best leaders of the world.
  Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho Veiga's career spans a period of 
immense change for the Republic of Cape Verde. He earned his law degree 
at the ``Universidade Classica de Lisboa'' in 1971. From 1972 until 
1974 he worked in Angola as the Registrar in the City of Bie. He then 
returned to Cape Verde in 1975 as the Public Prosecutor in Praia and 
was the Director General of Internal Administration until 1978. In 
1980, Mr. Veiga was appointed Attorney General. In 1982, as a result of 
his opposition to state policies, he left government for private 
practice and was elected president of the Cape Verdean Bar Association. 
Veiga's vision for Cape Verde's democratic development at a time of 
political instability and upheaval became evident in 1985 when he 
joined Parliament and soon after set in motion vigorous efforts to 
democratize the Government and set the foundation for the creation of 
the Movement for Democracy (MPD), the present ruling party.
  His positions in defense of democratic reforms are well known and 
respected by the majority of Capeverdeans. During his second term in 
the Parliament he became President of the MPD and soon led his party to 
a strong victory over the ruling party in the National Assembly. In 
1991, he was elected Prime Minister. Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho 
Veiga represents the ``spirit'' of the Capeverdean people both on the 
ten island archipelago and across the world.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting Prime Minister 
Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho Veiga, whose dedication to the causes 
in which he deeply believes is an inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________