[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 49 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LET US MEASURE UP JUST AT LEAST THIS ONE TIME TO THE GREATNESS OF THE 
                          PEOPLE WE REPRESENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POMEROY. Madam Speaker, today in Kosovo, a baby will die. Three 
weeks ago, this same little one was healthy and happy. She will not, 
however, be strong enough to cope with the cold, the hunger, the 
exposure and the inevitable disease, and today she will die in the arms 
of a desperate mother who is powerless to keep her daughter safe and 
well.
  Madam Speaker, today in Kosovo, a young woman will be raped. Three 
weeks ago she was thinking of her studies and her friends, reveling in 
the beauty and innocence of one who has only celebrated her 16th 
birthday.
  Madam Speaker, today in Kosovo, a loving husband, an adoring father, 
an affectionate son and a beloved brother will be shot to death as he 
stands unarmed and unable to comprehend why he is about to die.
  Three weeks ago he provided for his family, puttered about his house, 
attended to those he loved and participated in his community. He lived 
the life and held the dreams of ordinary folks the world over.
  These unspeakable tragedies, Madam Speaker, will repeat themselves 
hundreds, thousands or very possibly tens of thousands of times as the 
ethnic cleansing of Kosovo continues to unfold.
  As we wrestle with the complexities of the United States's response 
to this horror, I hope this great House, the people's house, will rise 
above the partisanship that has all too often characterized debate in 
this Chamber. For the sake of those whose lives have been abruptly 
ended, for the sake of those whose families have been destroyed, for 
the sake of those who have endured life-scarring assaults, let us 
measure up just at least this one time to the greatness of the people 
we represent.

                              {time}  2015

  Let us, Madam Speaker, deliberate with wisdom and seriousness of 
purpose the grave question of how our country should respond to the 
horrific situation in Kosovo.

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