[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H1881-H1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING EL SALVADOR ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF FREE AND
DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 110) congratulating the Government and the
people of the Republic of El Salvador on successfully completing free
and democratic elections on March 7, 1999.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 110
Whereas on March 7, 1999, the Republic of El Salvador
successfully completed its second democratic multiparty
elections for President and Vice President since the signing
of the 1992 peace accords;
Whereas these elections were deemed by international and
domestic observers to be free and fair and a legitimate
nonviolent expression of the will of the people of the
Republic of El Salvador;
Whereas the United States has consistently supported the
efforts of the people of El Salvador to consolidate their
democracy and to implement the provisions of the 1992 peace
accords;
Whereas these elections demonstrate the strength and
diversity of El Salvador's democratic expression and promote
confidence that all political parties can work cooperatively
at every level of government; and
Whereas these open, fair, and democratic elections of the
new President and Vice President should be broadly commended:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the House--
(1) congratulates the Government and the people of the
Republic of El Salvador for the successful completion of
democratic multiparty elections held on March 7, 1999, for
President and Vice President;
(2) congratulates President-elect Francisco Guillermo
Flores Perez and Vice President-elect Carlos Quintanilla
Schmidt on their recent victory and their continued strong
commitment to democracy, national reconciliation, and
reconstruction;
(3) congratulates El Salvadoran President Armando Calderon
Sol for his personal commitment to democracy, which has
helped in the building of national unity in the Republic of
El Salvador;
(4) commends all Salvadoran citizens and political parties
for their efforts to work together to take risks for
democracy and to willfully pursue national reconciliation in
order to cement a lasting peace and to strengthen democratic
traditions in El Salvador;
(5) supports Salvadoran attempts to continue their
cooperation in order to ensure democracy, national
reconciliation, and economic prosperity; and
(6) reaffirms that the United States is unequivocally
committed to encouraging democracy and peaceful development
throughout Central America.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Lee) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
General Leave
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on H. Res. 110.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Florida?
There was no objection.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
{time} 1130
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to read the statement of
the chairman of the Committee on International Relations regarding this
bill.
``The chairman of our Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly), introduced this resolution
congratulating the Salvadoran people on their most recent free
elections. I am pleased to see such a positive, bipartisan expression
of support for El Salvador. On March 23, the Senate agreed to a similar
measure, Senate Resolution 73, which enjoyed strong bipartisan support.
``It is fitting that we should congratulate the president-elect of
this country, Guillermo Flores, and vice president-elect Carlos
Quintanilla on their electoral victory. The Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front and its candidates, who secured 29 percent of the
vote, were also present. The transformation of the FMLN into a
political party competing for power in open democratic elections is one
of El Salvador's key achievements.
``It is equally fitting, Mr. Speaker, that we should recognize
outgoing President Armando Calderon Sol. President Calderon Sol's quiet
leadership has continued El Salvador's successful implementation of the
1992
[[Page H1882]]
peace agreement. Faced with the trials of Hurricane Mitch and an
economic downturn, he has ably led El Salvador in binding the wounds of
more than a decade of civil conflict. Moreover, President Calderon Sol
will certainly be remembered for his achievements in privatizing state-
owned enterprises, including the historic privatization of El
Salvador's pension system.
``I urge my colleagues,'' the gentleman from New York says, ``to
unanimously support H. Res. 110.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 110 which
congratulates the government and the people of El Salvador on the
successful completion of its second free and democratic election since
the signing of the 1992 peace accords. I strongly commend the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Ackerman), the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Menendez) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Gallegly) for bringing
it forward.
It is appropriate to call attention to the democratic process in El
Salvador. Just a decade ago, the situation in El Salvador and all
throughout Central America was much different than what we see today.
Groups on all sides have dropped arms, formed political parties and
given the people a fair and just voice. We are right to pause today and
commend El Salvador for the stunning transition in the past decade and
their successful completion of transparent free and fair elections in
which everyone can participate.
Now, this is not to say that all of the problems that led to the
violence of the 1980s are resolved. There is still much need for
improvement in El Salvador. Turnout was much lower at this election
than in the last several in the country, less than 50 percent, because
people had a difficult time getting to the polls or actually voting
once they arrived at the polls due to disorganization. Many low-income
and poor Salvadorans are also questioning whether democracy works for
them because inequality and poverty still dominate. It is the role,
then, of President-Elect Flores to lead the way in generating more
opportunity for Salvadorans so that the benefits of democracy and the
motivation to go to the polls is felt by all citizens. We, the United
States, need to maintain our commitment to the people of El Salvador.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley).
(Mr. MOAKLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the people of
El Salvador on their recent election. Since the signing of the peace
accords ended their brutal civil war in 1992, Salvadorans have made
great strides toward true democracy, reaching lasting peace, and
creating a better life for all Salvadorans.
I am very glad to stand here today and talk about elections and
democracy in El Salvador--instead of civil war and death squads. When I
first visited El Salvador in the 1980s, political parties only knew how
to resolve their problems through war.
Now, instead of firing bullets at one another, political parties
argue their differences in the National Assembly, build coalitions with
one another, and work together in their common interests.
This election is yet another tremendous accomplishment. I would like
to congratulate new President Francisco Flores on his election victory,
and congratulate the Salvadoran people for holding a free and fair
election. Each election, since the signing of their Peace Accords, has
been more open and free--and the recent Presidential election continued
in that pattern.
Of course I don't want to paint too rosy a picture here. Many serious
problems in El Salvador continue to exist. Crime is at record levels,
the tremendous poverty that existed before the war remains alarmingly
high, and the judicial system continues to stumble.
Even as we talk about a successful election in El Salvador today, a
great deal can be accomplished in that area as well. Better
organization, a method of precinct voting, and the establishment of a
new election registry are necessary election reforms that must be
accomplished.
I challenge the Salvadoran people and their government to work hard
to achieve these reforms, erase the poverty and inequality that exists,
and continue to work together for the better of the country.
And I believe we should be there to help. I know President Flores has
many difficult challenges ahead, and I look forward to working with him
to do what I can to help Salvadorans continue to move forward. With
that in mind, I also challenge this country--the United States--to
temember our role in El Salvador.
As we congratulate Salvadorans on yet another step toward democracy,
I believe it is also time we acknowledge some of our errors in the
past, and make a stronger commitment to assisting all Salvadoran people
in their effort to reach those democratic goals.
Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Western Hemisphere
Subcommittee, I rise in support of H. Res. 110, a bill which
congratulates El Salvador on its recent Presidential elections.
On Sunday, March 7, the people of El Salvador went to the voting
polls to choose a new President and Vice-President. This election
marked the second successful Presidential election and third general
election since the signing of the 1992 Peace Accords which ended 12
years of brutal civil war in that small country.
H. Res. 110, introduced by myself and several members of the
Subcommittee, congratulates the government and the people of El
Salvador for completing this successful multiparty election which was
deemed to be free and fair by an international observer group which
included a member of my Subcommittee staff.
This election, in which every registered political party received
votes, represented a clear expression of the will of the people of El
Salvador; reaffirmed the success of the Peace Accords; and demonstrated
the strength and diversity of the democratic process in El Salvador.
Since 1994, current President Armando Calderon Sol has worked
tirelessly to ensure that the peace accords have been properly
implemented and that El Salvador progressed both politically and
economically out of the post-war era.
For that effort, and for the continued cooperation of the opposition
FMLN leadership, El Salvador should be commended.
Now, President-elect Francisco Flores will lead a new government into
the new century and I am confident he will continue the progress made
thus far in national reconciliation and reconstruction.
We wish him well.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the people of El Salvador have made great
strides over the past seven years. This election serves to validate a
key element of that progress and reaffirms their strong commitment to
the democratic process.
I urge passage of this bill.
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House
Resolution 110, a resolution congratulating the Government and the
people of the Republic of El Salvador on successfully completing free
and democratic elections. On March 7, 1999, El Salvador held free and
fair elections for president and vice-president. I would like to take
this time to personally congratulate President-elect Francisco
Guillermo Flores Perez and Vice President-elect Carlos Quintilla
Schmidt on their recent victory and their continued commitment to
democracy. This election was yet another milestone in the normalization
of the democratic process in El Salvador, and I wish to commend this
nation for its efforts.
El Salvador has come a long way since the 1980's, when the nation was
in the midst of a terrible civil war. Many of you will recall that the
war cost the lives of tens of thousands of Salvadorans and left the
country in shambles. Now, the Salvadorans have replaced bullets with
ballots. It was the strong leadership and guidance, coupled with
courage, demonstrated by former President Alfredo Cristiani that
rescued the country and paved the way for El Salvador's future. His
successor, President Armando Calderon Sol, elected in a free and fair
contest, held the same commitment to democracy and kept this nation
moving forward. The stark contrast between war-torn El Salvador and the
El Salvador of today is a tribute to its people and its leaders.
In a time where peace and unity are not always the goal of the
majority, I believe Americans must continue to show support for our
Salvadoran neighbors and their continued progress through this long and
fragile process of democratization. I hope you will join me in
congratulating El Salvador on this latest and most remarkable
accomplishment.
Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, as one of the original six
cosponsors, I come to the floor in strong support of House Resolution
110. I wish to congratulate the Salvadoran people and President-elect
Francisco Guillermo Florez Perez and Vice President-elect Carlos
Quintanilla Schmidt on the free and fair conduct of the Presidential
elections of March 7, 1999.
Since the signing of the 1992 peace accords, the Republic of El
Salvador has conducted two democratic elections for President
[[Page H1883]]
and Vice President. The peaceful and orderly manner in which these
elections have been carried out, with the participation of ten parties
representing the entire political spectrum, is proof of El Salvador's
commitment to democracy, national reconciliation and reconstruction.
Specifically, it demonstrates their ability to implement the provisions
of the 1992 peace accords.
The United States must continue to support the efforts of the people
of El Salvador to ensure political stability and the strengthening of
the democratic process.
This progress however is being threatened in the wake of Hurricane
Mitch. It is paramount that the United States take the lead in helping
the region recover from the devastation of the hurricane. If it does
not, we risk the unraveling of a fragile democracy and a return to the
political instability that the region experienced for decades and
threatened our national interests.
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
resolution congratulating the people and government of El Salvador on
the free and democratic elections held last month.
The people of El Salvador know that the transition to democracy is
rarely easy. However, in only a few short years, El Salvador has made
great progress. Both international and domestic observers agree that
the recent multiparty Presidential and Vice Presidential elections were
free and fair.
These elections showed the strength and diversity of El Salvador's
new democracy. They showed that political parties can engage in the
type of substantive, peaceful debate that would have been unheard of
only a few years ago.
But the demands of democracy do not stop with free elections. El
Salvador has shown a commitment to democratic ideals by embracing a
free press, freedom of religion, and freedom of association. Because
there is no government in the world today that couldn't benefit from
improvement, I encourage the people and government of El Salvador to
seize upon their recent success and work toward improving their new
democracy and the rule of law.
Mr. Speaker, dozens of nations are at a crossroads today. Because
democracies are not always neat and tidy, many will be tempted to take
the easy path. But the easy path leads toward authoritarianism and
inevitably to exploitation. The path toward democracy is sometimes
difficult and it is often unsightly. But El Salvador's success stands
out as an example of what can be accomplished by choosing the path
toward democracy.
Today we congratulate those who have made democracy possible in El
Salvador.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution
110.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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