[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E77]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A RESOLUTION TO CONDEMN THE CURRENT POLITICAL UNREST AND POLITICAL 
   LEADERSHIP IN VENEZUELA AND CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO HOLD NEW 
   NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VENEZUELAN CONSTITUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2003

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a 
resolution condemning the current political unrest in Venezuela. I wish 
to express my strong concern about the direction of the government and 
its alienation of a large part of the citizenry.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to call also for new national elections in that 
country. Venezuela is an important member of the community of nations 
in this hemisphere. Venezuela is the world's fifth largest commercial 
supplier of oil and the only Latin American member of the OPEC. 
Venezuela is the fourth largest supplier of oil to the United States.
  The continued strike by workers in the petroleum industry in 
Venezuela has contributed to the rise in the price of crude oil on the 
world market, thereby affecting a major source of energy for the United 
States.
  If the current political unrest and economic instability in Venezuela 
is not corrected, it could have further negative impact on the price of 
oil on the world markets.
  This country, and indeed this region, which seemed to hold so much 
promise as a nation on the cusp of a new era, and was at long last 
emerging from a long dark period as a ``military controlled ghetto,'' 
seems to be slipping once again into an era of ``strong man'' rule, and 
a state that embraces socialist dogma.
  America must be more than an island of hope and beacon of opportunity 
in a region where there is low expectations, and so much unfulfilled 
potential. We must continue to show leadership in the region.
  The Administration must follow through with vigorous support of the 
Summit of the Americas agenda and get on about the business of 
assisting all the countries in the region to develop their economies 
and strengthen their political institutions.
  The House of Representatives must support our neighbors in this 
hemisphere and support them in the continuing struggle to become full 
democracies with strong economies.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and call on the 
leadership to act swiftly in bringing this to the floor for 
consideration.

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