[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 74 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H3740-H3741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE OF GUYANA

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 792) recognizing the 40th 
anniversary of the independence of Guyana and extending best wishes to 
Guyana for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 792

       Whereas Guyana gained independence from the United Kingdom 
     on May 26, 1966;
       Whereas since Guyana became an independent country, the 
     interests of Guyana and the United States have been closely 
     aligned;
       Whereas Guyana is a supporter and ally of the United States 
     in the Global War on Terror, and joins the United States in 
     promoting political and economic freedoms, combating poverty, 
     crime, disease, and drugs, and promoting security, stability, 
     and prosperity;
       Whereas the bonds of association and friendship between the 
     peoples of the two countries have been strengthened by the 
     large number of Guyanese who have migrated to the United 
     States, where they make significant contributions to both the 
     United States and Guyana; and
       Whereas Guyana is an integral member of the Caribbean 
     region and a constructive partner of the United States in 
     fulfilling the agenda of the Western Hemisphere: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes the 
     40th anniversary of the independence of Guyana and extends 
     best wishes to Guyana for peace and further progress, 
     development, and prosperity.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 792. The resolution, offered by 
my good friend from New York, Mr. Meeks, congratulates the Co-operative 
Republic of Guyana for reaching its 40th anniversary as an independent 
nation.
  H. Res. 792 is a timely and appropriate measure to let our friends in 
Guyana know that we support them as they pursue a strong and 
sustainable democracy. The resolution recognizes the 40th anniversary 
of Guyana's independence and extends best wishes to that nation for 
peace and further progress, development, and prosperity.
  Guyana has been a real friend, Madam Speaker, to the U.S. and an ally 
in the fight against terror. The friendship between our two nations has 
been strengthened by large numbers of folks who have migrated to the 
United States. Here the Guyanese diaspora makes significant 
contributions to both the U.S. and Guyana. Guyana Americans are law-
abiding people who contribute to American society as good citizens 
while respecting the values of our society.
  Guyana joins the United States in promoting political and economic 
freedoms; combating poverty, crime, disease, and drugs; and promoting 
security, regional stability, and prosperity.
  The government of Guyana is, as we speak, placing emphasis on every 
sector of society to ensure improved efficiency, competitiveness, and 
sustainable development. These policies will therefore focus on 
strategies for development which expand and promote employment 
opportunities, increase foreign exchange earnings and private 
investment into the nation.
  Guyana is an integral member of the Caribbean region and constructive 
partner of the United States in fulfilling the agenda of the Western 
Hemisphere, that is, promoting peace, security, democracy, and 
development throughout the hemisphere.
  I urge all of our Members to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and 
yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, let me first thank the sponsor of the this resolution, 
my good friend and colleague on the International Relations Committee, 
Congressman Meeks. He is a strong advocate, both for the Caribbean 
Basin and for people of African ancestry. I commend his dedication to 
these matters.
  Madam Speaker, the short but significant history of Guyana 
illustrates the benefits that accrue to a nation that respects human 
rights and the rule of law, rejects the empty promises of Marxism-
Leninism, and works closely with other democratic nations.
  For the first 25 years after independence, successive Guyanese 
governments attempted to institute a socialist economy and closely 
coordinated their foreign policies with the so-called Non-Aligned 
Movement. The political rights of average Guyanese were systematically 
denied.
  And the jungles of Guyana served as the home of the infamous 
Jonestown cult that took the life of our colleague, Congressman Leo 
Ryan, my friend and distinguished predecessor.
  Spurred by frustration with increasing political repression and poor 
economic performance, hundreds of thousands of Guyanese sought freedom 
by immigrating to our shores and to Canada. In the last decade, Guyana 
has begun to turn itself around. The country has held several free and 
fair elections, it has generally respected human rights, and it has 
adopted market-friendly economic policies.
  Guyana is becoming one of our trusted allies and is cooperating with 
us against narcotics trafficking and in the global war on terror.
  Madam Speaker, as a result of Guyana's reorientation toward the 
principles that we hold dear, Guyana was one of only nine threshold 
countries under the Millennium Challenge Account when the first 
Millennium Challenge Account beneficiaries were chosen in 2004.
  The designation as a threshold country recognizes Guyana's commitment 
to promoting democratic freedoms, investing in its people, providing 
economic opportunities for its citizenry.

[[Page H3741]]

  In January 2003, Guyana was one of only two countries in our 
hemisphere to be included in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS 
Relief.
  Inclusion in this program indicates that a country faces grave 
challenges from HIV/AIDS, a distinction that Guyana no doubt would have 
preferred to have been spared, but selection for funds under this 
program also reflects a meaningful improvement in the relationship 
between Guyana and the United States and our shared commitment to 
fighting HIV/AIDS.
  Madam Speaker, Guyana has come a long way in the last 40 years. On 
the foundation of this remarkable growth, we and our Guyanese neighbors 
will have even greater opportunities in the next four decades to 
strengthen the diplomatic, economic, and social ties that unite us. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 792.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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