[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H2601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING THE REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON, SR., ON SECURING THE RELEASE 
       OF U.S. SERVICEMEN FROM CAPTIVITY IN BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 156) commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., 
on securing the release of Specialist Stephen Gonzalez of Huntsville 
Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and 
Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from 
captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 156

       Whereas, on March 31, 1999, Specialist Steven Gonzales, 
     Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher 
     Stone were captured while patrolling the Kumanovo area;
       Whereas the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., on April 29, 
     1999, led a delegation of religious and civic leaders from 
     the United States in a faith-based effort to secure the 
     release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew 
     Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone;
       Whereas against great odds and in the face of grave 
     personal risks, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and his 
     party successfully secured the release of Specialist Steven 
     Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant 
     Christopher Stone;
       Whereas the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is recognized 
     around the world as a humanitarian, an advocate for civil and 
     human rights, and an ambassador of freedom; and
       Whereas, as a highly respected world leader, the Reverend 
     Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. has acted many times as an 
     international diplomat in sensitive situations and in October 
     1997, he was appointed by President Clinton and Secretary of 
     State Albright as Special Envoy of the President and 
     Secretary of State for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. for 
     securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff 
     Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone 
     from captivity in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and
       (2) joins with the people of the United States in 
     celebrating the return to freedom of Specialist Steven 
     Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant 
     Christopher Stone.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).

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