Congressional Record, Volume 150 Issue 97 (Wednesday, July 14, 2004)

[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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