[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 69 (Friday, May 9, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE DEATHS OF GUILLERMO GAVIRIA CORREA AND GILBERTO ECHEVERRI MEJIA

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 9, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness to express my 
grief for the deaths of Guillermo Gaviria Correa and Gilberto Echeverri 
Mejia. For their deaths, and the loss of eight other hostages that died 
with them, I wish to give my sincerest condolences to their families, 
to the people of Antioquia whom they served, and to the whole of 
Colombia.
  Dr. Gaviria Correa, the governor of the Department of Antioquia, and 
his Peace Commissioner, Gilberto Echeverri Mejia, were killed by the 
guerilla group known as the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia 
(FARC) on May 5, 2003. They had been held captive by the FARC since 
April 21, 2003, the day their group was kidnapped while marching for 
peace to the town of Caicedo.
  Guillermo Gaviria was a leader in the non-violent movement in 
Colombia. At a time when Colombia is being ripped apart by violence, 
when many Colombians are motivated by rough justice and revenge, he 
proposed a different approach--non-violence. Inspired by basic 
Christian teachings, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., Guillermo 
Gaviria set out to change the way Colombians address the problems that 
face them.
  He did not just seek to change the nature of the debate, he put his 
ideas into action. As governor of Antioquia he established the ``Peace 
Congruent Plan'', a plan which would: Face the causes of the armed 
conflict and the social violence through solutions reached among 
representatives from different communities ideologies and beliefs, and 
build social culture and a government based on participation.
  Shortly after becoming governor, Guillermo Gaviria initiated a series 
of popular marches and demonstrations against the war. Each carried a 
motto, such as ``Break the silence, the mothers, wives and daughters of 
the kidnapped are doing it''. He organized ``solidarity caravans'' and 
peace demonstrations in every corner of the Department.
  He challenged the FARC to stop attacking civilians. He challenged the 
paramilitaries to stop looting. He challenged both to leave civilians 
out of the conflict--``we won't be part of the war, but part of the 
peace.'' At every point, he remained faithful to his non-violent and 
religious creed: ``Let us hate the sin but not the sinner''. Governor 
Gaviria was a light to his people.
  It is a tragedy for all of us that this light was extinguished. He 
was a unique figure in Colombia, a figure of hope, a figure of a 
brighter future. Colombia desperately needs people with great vision 
and great courage. Guillermo Gaviria was one of these people. How many 
more like him are there? How many have been killed in the incessant 
violence that plagues this beautiful country?
  It pains me in particular to see the passing of Guillermo Gaviria and 
Gilberto Echeverri, two great hopes of the Colombian people. Antioquia 
is my second home. I lived and worked there as a Peace Corps Volunteer. 
The course my life has taken is closely tied to my time in and around 
the barrios of Medellin. I saw first-hand the extent of the challenges 
that the people of Medellin have to face. I also saw how industrious 
and dedicated they are. Guillermo Gaviria was a tribute to this 
``paisa'' spirit. Antioquia has lost a dear native son.
  In the wake of this tragedy, all Colombians must dedicate themselves 
to honoring the memory and vision of Guillermo Gaviria and Gilberto 
Echeverri. President Uribe, himself a ``paisa'' and former governor of 
Antioquia, can take the lead by continuing support for Governor 
Gavina's vision of a non-violent Colombia.
  I look forward to working with the President in promoting this 
vision, one that Colombians, after so many years of violence, 
desperately deserve. Promoting and advancing non-violence is the best 
way to honor the memory of Governor Gaviria, and the best way to bring 
peace to a terribly troubled nation.

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