[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1900-H1901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DEMOCRACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, it has been 2 years since the United

[[Page H1901]]

States troops entered Iraq, and it has become clear that the democratic 
elections that have been provided to the people of Iraq through this 
campaign have begun to spread throughout the region.
  In Beirut on Monday, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese protesters 
gathered in Martyr Square, which some are now calling Freedom Square, 
to demonstrate for the removal of Syrian troops to withdraw from 
Lebanon. They chanted, ``Sovereignty, Freedom, and Independence.''
  When their prime minister was assassinated 4 weeks ago and replaced 
with a pro-Syrian prime minister, the Lebanese people took to the 
streets and called for freedom. Their protests sparked the resignation 
of the pro-Syrian prime minister.
  Because of U.S. efforts in the Middle East, freedom is no longer 
something inconceivable to the people of this region. Instead, they 
have witnessed the spread of freedom to their neighbors and have been 
empowered by it.
  We must continue to support policies which promote freedom in the 
Middle East.

                          ____________________