[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E560]]
  EXPRESSING SUPPORT OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR MEMBERS OF U.S. 
ARMED FORCES ENGAGED IN MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF 
                               YUGOSLAVIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 1999

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 
130, a resolution expressing the support of the House of 
Representatives for our American troops engaged in military operations 
against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
  Last year, I traveled to the Balkans as a representative of the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. There, I was able 
to see firsthand the violence and destruction caused by a deep-seated 
hatred between ethnic groups, and more specifically, by the policies of 
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and his oppressive regime.
  For the past 2 years, the world has watched as the ethnic Albanian 
people in Kosovo have been subjected to numerous killings, rapes, 
torture, and other forms of violence and human suffering. I strongly 
believe that something must be done to bring about a permanent end to 
the egregious human rights violations that are occurring against these 
people.
  I support the President's decision to allow our troops to participate 
in NATO air strikes against Serbian forces within Yugoslavia. I am 
closely monitoring this situation and offer my hopes and prayers for 
all of our young men and women who are bravely serving their nation in 
the name of peace.

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