[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 90 (Thursday, June 30, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1415-E1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3057) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2006, and for other purposes:

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, this bill is far from perfect, 
but I think it deserves to be passed.
  The bill provides important resources to help our allies in the 
struggle against international terrorism and against the narcotics 
trade. For example, it includes economic assistance for Afghanistan at 
the requested level of $430 million, $205 million above last year's 
level, but includes a new provision that withholds $225 million of the 
total until the Secretary of State certifies that the national and 
local governments in Afghanistan are fully cooperating with the U.S.-
funded narcotics eradication and interdiction efforts. The bill also 
includes $220 million for military assistance for Pakistan to support 
their efforts in hunting terrorists along the Afghan border, as well as 
$347 million--$111 million above last year--for International Narcotics 
Control.
  Some of the other high-priority items in the bill include much-needed 
assistance to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria--$131 million 
more than the President's request and $502 million more than in fiscal 
year 2005.
  The Peace Corps is funded at $325 million, $8 million above fiscal 
2005, and the bill includes provisions to provide for a greater role in 
oversight of U.S. taxpayer contributions to international 
organizations.
  Of course, the bill is far from perfect, and I do not agree with all 
its priorities. I voted for a number of amendments that would have 
improved it and regret that not all of them were adopted.
  I also voted against some amendments, including two that dealt with 
the sensitive subject of extradition from other countries of people 
accused of crimes in the United States.
  One of those amendments, by my Colorado colleague, Representative 
Beauprez, calls for cutting off any assistance to a country that 
refuses to comply with a request to extradite a person charged with 
killing a police officer in the United States.
  Killing a policeman is a very serious matter, and I am a cosponsor of 
a bill (H.R. 2363) to authorize much more severe penalties for such 
fugitive killers of a peace officer--including any Federal, State, or 
local police officer.
  However, I voted against the Beauprez amendment after receiving a 
communication from the District Attorney in Denver. He is currently 
working to complete the extradition from Mexico of a fugitive wanted in 
connection with the murder of a Denver police officer and has indicated 
that Congressional threats to reduce assistance as a way to bring 
pressure on the Mexican authorities run the risk of being 
counterproductive. I am not opposed to using leverage, including our 
foreign assistance programs, to insist that other countries extradite

[[Page E1416]]

wanted fugitives, but the District Attorney's comments persuaded me 
that adoption of the amendment at this time could make it harder for 
the District Attorney's efforts with Mexico to succeed.
  On balance, while the bill is not all that I would wish in all 
respects, I think it deserves approval and I will vote for it.

                          ____________________