[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6777-S6778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CAPE VERDE INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I recognize the 31st anniversary of 
the independence of Cape Verde. On July 5, 1975, this island nation 
gained independence from Portugal and since then has established itself 
as one of the most politically stable and economically viable countries 
in Africa.
  After discovery by Portuguese explorers in 1457 and then again in 
1462, Cape Verde was incorporated into the Portuguese Empire as the 
first European settlement in the tropics. Over the next several hundred 
years, it was a lucrative trading post between Europe, Africa, and the 
Americas.
  A few years after World War II, with a growing nationalist movement, 
Portugal granted Cape Verde overseas province status. Within 5 years a 
group of Cape Verdeans and neighboring Guinea-Bissauans organized a 
coalition for the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. After 
the 1974 Portuguese revolution, the new government signed an 
independence agreement with all of Portugal's overseas provinces, 
including Cape Verde. After six centuries of colonial rule, Cape Verde 
formally gained independence on July 5, 1975.
  Since the beginning of its independence, Cape Verde has strived for a 
democratic government. In 1991, the first multiparty elections in Cape 
Verdean history were held. Today, the Cape Verdean government is 
stable, with four parties sharing seats in the National Assembly. It 
has established market-oriented economic policies that are attracting 
foreign visitors, ensuring Cape Verde a strong service and tourism 
economy.
  Cape Verde has also been an essential part of international security. 
Over the past month, Cape Verde has served as the proving grounds for 
the latest testing of the emerging NATO Response Force, NRF. With over 
7,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen, Exercise Steadfast Jaguar 2006 is 
a major test of the NRF's ability to operate quickly, strategically, 
and at distance. Facing a variety of environmental conditions, the NRF 
is able to execute its largest military maneuvers since its creation 
exercising a wide array of missions. The archipelago's terrain provide 
challenging beaches for amphibious assault, arid flatlands for ground 
warfare, and a mountainous volcano for humanitarian relief after a 
fictitious eruption. These exercises, while still ongoing, can only be 
measured as a success and a true representation of international 
cooperation.
  Today there are close to 350,000 Cape Verdeans living in the United 
States, almost equal to the population of Cape Verde itself. Many of 
these Cape Verdeans make their home in Rhode Island. On behalf of the 
residents of my State, I wish to thank them for their contributions to 
our country.
  Finding its place in the international community, Cape Verde has 
stood up to assist the world's peacekeeping force in their infancy. It 
is fitting we honor Cape Verde's independence along side of our own. 
They understand the importance of a democratic society and 
international responsibility. I send all Cape Verdeans in Rhode Island 
and around the world my best wishes as they celebrate their homeland's 
independence

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