[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1306-E1307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HENRY J. HYDE UNITED NATIONS REFORM ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2745) to 
     reform the United Nations, and for other purposes:

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2745, 
which focuses on reform at the United Nations. I do so not because I am 
against the mission of the U.N. To the contrary, I support the U.N.'s 
role in facilitating diplomacy, mediating disputes, keeping the peace 
and feeding the hungry. Moreover, I continue to advocate for a much 
larger role for

[[Page E1307]]

the U.N. in Iraq as a means of bringing U.S. troops home.
  However, I believe that on the heels of the Oil for Food scandal, we 
must send a strong signal that reform at the U.N. must proceed. I am 
voting yes today because the current structure and operations of the 
U.N. must be reviewed, as just about every speaker on the floor today 
has acknowledged. Even the U.N. leadership itself has acknowledged the 
need for reform and, to its credit, has put forward a number of useful 
proposals for consideration.
  Like many bills we consider in the House, I do not like every aspect 
of this legislation. I am particularly concerned for how it would 
affect peacekeeping activities. But this legislation importantly calls 
for a more focused and accountable U.N. budget, one that reflects what 
should be the true priorities of the organization. I am hopeful that 
the prospect of this bill will force the U.N. to implement the kinds of 
changes we all agree are necessary to make the body more effective and 
efficient.
   Mr. Chairman, voting yes today sends a strong signal that we are 
serious about ensuring a strong United Nations for the future. I urge 
my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 2745.

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