[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H7404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PRESIDENT PERVEZ MUSHARRAF OF PAKISTAN TO VISIT CONGRESS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the co-chair of the 
Congressional Pakistan Caucus, I would like to invite all Members of 
Congress tonight to meet with President Pervez Musharraf. I, along with 
my co-chair, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton), will be hosting 
President Musharraf at a dinner reception at 6:30 tonight at the 
Committee on International Relations hearing room in the Rayburn 
building where President Musharraf will officially inaugurate the 
United States Congressional Pakistan Caucus.
  The Congressional Pakistan Caucus was created in an effort to foster 
mutual respect and cooperation between the United States and Pakistan. 
We are also looking forward to improving and further developing long-
term political and security relations between the United States and 
Pakistan and also within the South Asia region.
  It is because of Pakistan's promise for the future that I encourage 
all Members to join the Pakistan caucus. President Musharraf has been 
one of America's staunchest allies in the war on terror. His leadership 
has led to the capture of nearly 500 terrorist suspects who have been 
handed over to the United States.
  President Musharraf has coined the term ``enlightened moderation'' to 
describe his reforms in Pakistan, including his efforts to advance the 
educational system so that every boy and girl in Pakistan can receive a 
proper education that does not teach hatred of the West.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join us because we want 
peace. Let us have peace by exchange, involvement and, of course, 
interaction.
  As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus I would like to 
invite all Members of Congress tonight to meet with President Pervez 
Musharraf. I along with my esteemed Co-Chair Congressman Dan Burton 
will be hosting President Musharraf at a dinner reception at 6:30 
tonight at the International Relations Committee Hearing Room at room 
2172 of Rayburn, in which President Musharraf will officially 
inaugurate the Pakistan Caucus.
  The Congressional Pakistan Caucus was created in an effort to foster 
mutual respect and cooperation between the United States and the nation 
of Pakistan. The Caucus is also focused towards improving and further 
developing long-term political and security relations between the 
United States and Pakistan and also within the South Asia region. It is 
because of Pakistan's promise for the future that I encourage all 
Members to join the Pakistan Caucus.
  As you know, President Musharraf has been one of America's staunchest 
allies in the War on Terror. His leadership has led to the capture of 
nearly 500 terrorist suspects, who have been handed over to the United 
States. As well, he has coined the term ``enlightened moderation'' to 
describe his reforms in Pakistan including his efforts to advance the 
educational system so that every boy and girl in Pakistan can receive a 
proper education that does not teach hatred of the West. He has also 
made great strides towards making peace with India by engaging in a 
dialogue that has produced a number of positive developments. His 
leadership is helping to move Pakistan towards being the moderate 
Islamic nation it was intended to be at its creation.
  Again, I encourage all Members to come tonight at 6:30 to meet with 
President Musharraf at the House International Relations Committee. His 
visit to Washington promises to be historic in nature and is not to be 
missed.

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