[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE KANSAS-PARAGUAY PARTNERSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 21, 2004

  Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, August 1, 2004 a devastating fire 
engulfed the Ycua Bolanos supermarket in Asuncion, Paraguay, resulting 
in 399 deaths and many more injuries. In light of the long-standing 
relationship between the State of Kansas and Paraguay, on behalf of the 
citizens of Kansas' Third Congressional District, and on behalf of all 
Kansans, I wish to express our deep condolences to the citizens of 
Paraguay after this time of national tragedy.
  The Kansas Paraguay Partnership was started 36 years ago as part of 
the international Partners of the Americas, headquartered in 
Washington, D.C., in which states in the United States are paired with 
countries or regions in Latin America and the Caribbean. The cross 
cultural pairing between Paraguay and Kansas is one of 60 partnerships 
throughout the Americas whose linkages provide assistance when help is 
needed.
  The relief effort in the aftermath of the fire was directed and 
carried out by volunteers from Partners of the Americas' Paraguayan 
chapter with assistance from its counterpart chapter here in Kansas. 
All firemen in Paraguay are volunteers and depend to a great extent on 
donated equipment. Efforts are currently underway in both Paraguay and 
Kansas to replace the fire equipment which was lost in fighting the 
fire.
  Partners of the Americas is today one of the largest private sector 
networks of volunteers in the Western Hemisphere. It mobilizes citizens 
to serve as a grassroots, people-to-people catalyst for change. 
Volunteer initiatives have resulted in a rich array of programs, such 
as the Kansas-Paraguay efforts to strengthen citizen participation and 
improve farming operations, as well as increasing understanding through 
cultural and educational exchanges. This unique, twofold approach has 
turned thousands of ideas into creative action across borders.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that all members of this House join with me in 
sharing our support with the people of Paraguay during this difficult 
time.

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