[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 97 (Wednesday, July 14, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H5763-H5765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF PORTUGAL AND THE PORTUGUESE PEOPLE IN THE 
                       EFFORT TO COMBAT TERRORISM

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 688) commending the Government of Portugal 
and the Portuguese people for their long-standing friendship, stalwart 
leadership, and unwavering support of the United States in the effort 
to combat international terrorism, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 688

       Whereas the United States and Portugal have a long history 
     of consistent friendship and support;
       Whereas the Government of Portugal and the Portuguese 
     people have shown tremendous support for the United States in 
     this time of armed conflict;
       Whereas Portugal has been a devout, resolute, and steadfast 
     ally of the United States;
       Whereas the support of the Government of Portugal and the 
     Portuguese people is of paramount importance to the United 
     States;
       Whereas the Government of Portugal and the Portuguese 
     people have committed a full array of their country's 
     resources to fight the terrorist threat all over the world;
       Whereas at the request of the United States and within the 
     framework of United Nations Security Council resolutions, 
     Portugal has sent brave soldiers, medical teams, police, 
     flight crews, and other military personnel to Iraq and has 
     continued to authorize the use of Lajes Air Base, in Azores, 
     Portugal, for strategic staging in the War on Terrorism, 
     including the current engagement in Iraq; and
       Whereas the democratic principles and ideals that Portugal 
     and the United States share have formed the basis of an 
     enduring friendship which has stood the test of time: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) is grateful for the support of the people and 
     Government of Portugal;
       (2) commends the Government of Portugal and the Portuguese 
     people for their steadfast friendship, resolute leadership, 
     and unwavering support;
       (3) commends the bravery and courage of all members of the 
     Portuguese armed forces who have participated in the effort 
     to bring an end to international terrorism; and
       (4) expects the unique friendship between the United States 
     and Portugal to continue.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) 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 to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  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.

[[Page H5764]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 688. This 
resolution was introduced by the distinguished gentleman from 
California (Mr. Nunes). House Resolution 688 commends the government of 
Portugal and the Portuguese people for their long-standing friendship 
with the United States and their unwavering support in the effort to 
combat international terrorism. Portugal has been a resolute and 
steadfast ally of the United States for many years.
  As an important friend and ally, Portugal has recently exercised 
leadership within Europe in confronting terrorism and the threats of a 
post-September 11 world. Portugal has sent soldiers, medical teams, 
police and other personnel to Iraq and has continued to authorize the 
use of Lajes Air Base in the Azores for strategic staging and other 
requirements in the global war on terrorism.
  Indeed, the government of Portugal and the Portuguese people have 
committed a significant array of their country's resources to fight the 
terrorist threat all over the world.

                              {time}  2100

  The support of the government of Portugal and the Portuguese people 
is of paramount importance to the United States, and we would like to 
recognize that tonight.
  Portugal and the people of Portugal deserve to be commended, and I 
commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes) for his efforts in 
bringing this resolution to the House floor tonight. I urge the 
adoption of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 688. Mr. Speaker, this 
important resolution commends the government of Portugal and the people 
of Portugal for the long-time friendship and support in the war on 
international terrorism.
  I would like to thank my California colleagues, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Nunes), the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), and 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) for introducing this 
important initiative.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States and Portugal have shared a long 
history of friendship and mutual support. I owe a special personal debt 
of gratitude to Portugal because of my wife, Annette. Portuguese 
consuls in several European capitals during the second World War 
extended protections to Jews, including in my own native city of 
Budapest, Hungary. Portuguese Consul General Branquinho together with 
the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg were responsible for saving the 
life of my wife, Annette, during that period.
  Portugal admitted thousands of Jewish refugees during 1940 and 1941 
and allowed rescue organization to operate in Lisbon. One of the heroes 
of the Holocaust was the Portuguese Consul General in Bordeaux, France, 
Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who issued as many as 10,000 Portuguese 
transit visas to refugees stranded in France in order that they might 
cross the Spanish frontier. In spite of the fact that he did not have 
his country's support for that action at that time, he courageously did 
the right thing and made a difference in saving the lives of so many 
potential Holocaust victims.
  I am particularly grateful to the current government of Portugal for 
their steadfast support of the United States in our fight against 
terrorism. Portugal has not only committed military personnel to fight 
against terrorism but also medical teams, police and others to assist 
in this effort.
  Portugal, our NATO ally, has authorized our forces to use their air 
base in the Azores for strategic staging, which is particularly 
critical in the War on Terrorism.
  Portugal is truly a friend who has stepped up to the plate to help 
the United States and the rest of the civilized community of nations 
many times and in many ways. We are grateful to have such a strong and 
steadfast ally, and we have every expectation and desire that the 
friendship between Portugal and the United States will continue to grow 
and to flourish for many years to come. I strongly support passage of 
this legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes).
  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 688, 
which I drafted myself along with my good friends and colleagues, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Cardoza).
  The purpose of this House resolution is to thank the Portuguese 
people for their steadfast support in the War on Terrorism. This is 
particularly important to me because, being an American of Portuguese 
decent, I am proud to see our two countries stand shoulder to shoulder 
in the fight for freedom and democracy. Portugal was there to support 
the United States from the first hour of terrorism and continues to 
stand with us in our effort to bring peace and democracy to Iraq.
  Thanks to their courageous and valiant leadership, Portugal has 
continued to help our coalition forces not only in the Middle East but 
in Africa and Southeast Asia. From working with our intelligence 
agencies and also to allowing us to use the important Lajes Air Force 
base in the Azores, Portugal has never wavered when asked to support 
military missions abroad. In this day and age, the need for such a 
steadfast partner is key to our Nation's, and the entire free world's, 
fight against global terrorism.
  I would also like to thank the Committee on International Relations, 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lantos), and others for taking an interest in this important piece 
of legislation.
  I think it is also appropriate at this time to thank and congratulate 
now the former Prime Minister Barroso, who has been a steadfast ally of 
the United States, for his new appointment as head of the EU.
  So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I thank the committee members again for 
their help on this.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 688; 
and I want to just commend my colleague, the distinguished gentleman 
from California (Mr. Nunes), for his offering up this amendment.
  As chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa of the Committee on 
International Relations, I can attest to the importance of Portugal 
engagement not only in Africa on the War on Terror but also, as a 
member of the Committee on International Relations, we have seen their 
engagement in Europe and in Southeast Asia. They have been at the 
vanguard of confronting terrorism and confronting the threats that we 
in the entire world community have faced post-September 11. They have 
continued to allow the United States access and use of the Lajes Air 
Base, and we are deeply appreciative of that but also certainly very 
appreciative of the friendship that Portugal has shown the United 
States.
  We want to commend the people of Portugal and, at the same time, we 
also want to recognize in this resolution the many contributions made 
to our Nation by the Portuguese-American population here in the United 
States.
  As we focus on Iraq, we again also appreciate the Portuguese forces 
that serve there, the military forces, the medical personnel, the 
police that have been such an asset to us.
  So, with that said, in conclusion, I would like to again thank the 
government of Portugal and the Portuguese people for their friendship, 
their support as an ally and also for their leadership in Europe and 
worldwide. I urge the adoption of this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, during the 60th 
anniversary of the U.S. Air Base in the Azores, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Nunes) led the Congressional delegation to that event. 
He did a masterful job.
  At that time, the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) was also 
involved in that delegation; and I was

[[Page H5765]]

privileged to join these two gentlemen in that trip. I was able to see 
firsthand the incredible cooperation that exists between the United 
States and Portugal. Also, the respect, the friendship, the close ties 
that the people of Portugal have with us here in the United States.
  I am incredibly grateful and all of us have to be incredibly grateful 
for the way that Portugal has been such a steadfast ally of the United 
States throughout many, many years. But particularly now in these very 
difficult times in this war against international terrorism, they have 
been strong allies. They have been courageous allies.
  I am extremely grateful to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) and also in particular to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Nunes), the gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza), and the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Pombo) for this opportunity to thank the people of 
Portugal for their leadership, for their courage, for their friendship 
in these very difficult times.
  When we need them the most, the people of Portugal said, we are here. 
We cannot forget. I want to thank these wonderful Members of Congress 
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for giving us the 
opportunity to also say ``thank you.''
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Franks of Arizona). 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, H. Res. 
688, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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