[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 84 (Friday, June 21, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE COLOMBIAN RALLY IN SUPPORT OF TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE AND 
                                 STATUS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 21, 2002

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the historic 
sacrifices and the noble struggle for peace that the people of Colombia 
are engaged in today. I rise in strong support of Temporary Protective 
Status (TPS) for the Colombians who reside in the United States and in 
the 13th Congressional District.
  The Colombians who reside here have made, and continue to make, 
enormous sacrifices for the safety and well-being of their families. I 
know this because I know them. We look forward to the day, when their 
beautiful country, our historic friend and neighbor, Colombia, once 
again stands as the proud nation we know it to be--a peaceful nation, a 
nation free of conflict, free of the scourge of narcotics, and free to 
live in peace.
  We admire the great spirit of the Colombian people. They area very 
generous and hospitable people, they are a gifted people with a great 
culture, and they are among the very best friends of the United States 
in this Hemisphere.
  On the occasion of the Colombian rally in support of TPS on June 21, 
2002 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, I want to say to directly to my 
Colombian friends: ``Mis queridos amigos Colombianos: Conocemos bien su 
situacion. La persecucion, la violencia, los secuestros, el 
desplazamiento. Ayer, estuvo su presidente-electo, Alvaro Uribe 
Velezvisitando el Congreso. Juntos con el, apoyamos al TPS para 
Colombia. Que viva Colombia. Que viva los Estados Unidos. Y que viva la 
amistad de nuestros pueblos.''
  The crisis of violence and economic strife in Colombia has caused 
tens of thousands of Colombians to flee their homes and seek out a safe 
haven elsewhere, including in the United States. Most are not so lucky. 
There are more than one million displaced Colombians inside of Colombia 
alone. As long as danger and conflict persists in Colombia, Temporary 
Protective Status would provide Colombians who are here a safe refuge 
in America.
  I want also to congratulate the Colombian people for the free and 
fair election of President-Elect Alvaro Uribe Velez, and Vice 
President-Elect, Francisco Santos Calderon. I, along with all 
Colombians in the United States, expect and hope that President-Elect 
Uribe will request Temporary Protective Status for Colombians in the 
US. I have faith that the situation in Colombia will change for the 
better. In the meantime, let TPS become a reality for Colombians, let 
us extend to Colombians the American hand of friendship and of humanity 
so that they may live without fear for their lives and those of their 
loved ones.
  Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the need for 
TPS for Colombians. Let us grant Temporary Protective Service to those 
in need, and let those fleeing Colombians have refuge in the United 
States.

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