[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF GUYANA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 27, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 40th 
anniversary of the independence of the nation of Guyana from Great 
Britain and to enter a tribute to the relationship between Guyana and 
the United States into the Congressional Record.
  On May 26, 1966 the people of Guyana rejoiced in their newfound 
freedom status and embarked on their journey of establishing 
independent statehood. Guyana officially became a republic on February 
23, 1970. The transition to independence was not an easy one but the 
people of Guyana persevered and sustained as their nation evolved into 
a country of peace and prosperity.
  The Caribbean is a diverse region that includes some of the 
hemisphere's richest and poorest nations. Among the 16 independent 
nations of the Caribbean, Guyana sits poised on the north central coast 
of South America. United States interest in Guyana and other Caribbean 
nations include economic, political and security concerns. Guyana has 
long been recognized as a vital partner to the U.S. on security, trade, 
health, the environment, education, and regional democracy.
  Mr. Speaker: In the spirit of friendship and cooperation I 
congratulate Guyana on the occasion of their 40th anniversary of 
independence and I enter into the Congressional Record a statement 
submitted by the Ambassador of Guyana, the Honorable Bayney Karran.

                              The Tribute

       As a former British colony Guyana shares a similar 
     historical, linguistic, religious and socio-political 
     heritage with the United States. Moreover, as a member state 
     of the Organization of American States (OAS), Guyana is a 
     solid partner and ally of the United States at the 
     hemispheric and the wider international levels in 
     advancing mutual interests and addressing common 
     challenges. In remarking upon the status of the bilateral 
     relationship in 2003, President George W. Bush stated, 
     ``The United States and Guyana enjoy a strong and 
     productive partnership. . . . (The interests of the 
     Guyanese people) and those of the United States are 
     closely aligned. . . . Working together to further our 
     shared goals, we will build ever stronger bonds between 
     our two countries''.
       Those bonds were evident when Guyana, aided by the combined 
     efforts of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy 
     Carter to bring about free and fair elections, emerged from 
     the clutches of authoritarianism and returned to the fold of 
     democratic nations in 1992. Guyana has always collaborated 
     unstintingly with the United States to combat the scourges 
     which pose challenges to democracy, development, human 
     rights, peace and security.
       The following are some useful indicators of Guyana's level 
     of friendship and cooperation with the United States:
       The Fight Against Drugs: Guyana recently extended an 
     invitation to the DEA to open an office in Guyana after the 
     DEA was made to depart neighboring Venezuela. The United 
     States has responded positively to the invitation. Guyana has 
     also concluded a Shiprider Agreement with the United States.
       Free Trade: Guyana and the United States were in mutual 
     agreement at the Fourth Summit of the Americas that the Free 
     Trade Area of the Americas should proceed to be implemented.
       Good Governance and Governability: Guyana's classification 
     as a Threshold Country by the Millennium Challenge 
     Corporation underlines its determination to improve its 
     performance in ruling justly, investing in people and 
     encouraging economic freedom.
       Terrorism: Guyana suffered proportionately the heaviest 
     losses in human casualties of any country including the 
     United States from the 9/11 airplane attacks. Of a population 
     of 750,000, 25 Guyanese nationals perished at the World Trade 
     Center and one at the Pentagon.
       HIV/AIDS: Guyana is a beneficiary country under the PEPFAR 
     (President's Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief) Program.
       Trafficking in Persons: The 2005 TIP Report which elevated 
     Guyana from a Tier 3 to a Tier 2 country referred to 
     appreciable progress by Guyana in complying with standards 
     for the elimination of trafficking in persons.
       International Criminal Court: Guyana has signed an Article 
     98 agreement with the Unites States.
       Inter-American Agenda: As a member of the Inter-American 
     System, Guyana shares policies and programs with the United 
     States and other states in the hemisphere as set out, for 
     example, in the OAS Charter, the Inter-American Democratic 
     Charter, the Declaration on Hemispheric Security and other 
     Conventions of the Inter-American System.
       Above all, however, lasting bonds of friendship and 
     cooperation between Guyana and the United States have been 
     nurtured and strengthened by our respective people. The 
     United States is home to a large Guyanese Diaspora which 
     makes significant contributions to both Guyanese and American 
     societies.
                                                    Bayney Karran,
     Ambassador of Guyana.

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