[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 121 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H7322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H7322]]
RECOGNIZING THE 185TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF PERU
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 940) recognizing the 185th anniversary of the
independence of Peru on July 28, 2006, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 940
Whereas Peru gained independence from Spain on July 28,
1821, when the Republic of Peru was established as a
sovereign and independent country;
Whereas the people of Peru have established, after a series
of military and authoritarian regimes, a unique, pluralistic
democracy which includes the freedoms cherished by the people
of the United States, including freedom of speech, freedom of
religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, and
government by the consent of the governed;
Whereas Peru regularly holds free and fair elections and
promotes free exchange of ideas;
Whereas the interests of Peru and the United States are
closely aligned;
Whereas the people of the United States share affinity with
the people of Peru and view Peru as a strong ally;
Whereas the United States has joined Peru to promote
political and economic freedoms, combat poverty, crime,
disease, and drugs, and promote security, stability, and
prosperity within Peru;
Whereas the bonds of association and friendship between the
peoples of the two countries have been strengthened by the
large number of Peruvians who have migrated to the United
states where they make significant contributions to both the
United States and Peru;
Whereas Peru is an integral member of the Latin American
region and has been a constructive partner of the United
States in fulfilling the agenda of the Western Hemisphere;
and
Whereas the Peruvians and Peruvian-Americans residing in
the United States have enriched and added to the United
States way of life in the social, economic, and political
arenas, and Peru's rich identity and heritage have become an
integral part of the cultural tapestry of the United States:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the 185th anniversary of the independence of
Peru;
(2) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to Peru
for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity;
and
(3) extends best wishes to Peruvians and Peruvian-Americans
residing in the United States as they celebrate the 185th
anniversary of Peru's independence.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Poe) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. POE. 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 Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, today, I am here to recognize the government and the
people of Peru as we extend our warmest congratulations to them as they
celebrate their 185th year as an independent nation.
Since independence, the people of Peru have faced many problems,
including economic despair, an authoritarian regime, and a violent
insurgency. During the 1980s, notorious terrorist groups such as
Shining Path and MRTA destabilized Peru and the entire region and
spread fear among the people.
Financed in part by elicit narcotics, these terrorist groups reduced
Peru to the position of the world's second largest producer of cocoa,
dimming Peru's prosperous future. However, despite years of political
turmoil and violent internal conflict and through the perseverance of
its people, Peru was able to escape the stranglehold on its democracy
and has recently blossomed into a vibrant free state. This is evidenced
by the success of the recent elections in 2001 and 2006 and a growing
economy.
Today, Peru shares our Nation's most treasured ideals and standards,
a success story that demonstrates the power of a democracy. Peru has
played a key role as a force for stabilization and peace throughout the
Western Hemisphere, as well as the rest of the world.
Along with providing over 200 troops to the United Nations mission in
Haiti, Peru has been a staunch supporter in the global war on terror
and the fight against drug trafficking and production.
Today, farmers from Peru are beginning to cast off the specter of a
narco-economy by cooperation with the United States on alternative
development crops, such as Peruvian oranges and bananas.
Peru has proven to be an invaluable ally and a role model for freedom
in South America as well as the rest of the world. The United States
stands with them on the continued progress and development of both
democracy and as a nation.
With my best wishes to the people of Peru and most sincere
congratulations on the 185th anniversary of their nation's
independence, I fully support H. Res. 940. I urge all colleagues to
join me in recognizing the shining model of democracy, a dedicated ally
on the global war on terror, and one of the United States closest
friends.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 2030
Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
I would first like to commend the efforts of my good friend and our
esteemed colleague from New York (Mr. Crowley) for offering this timely
measure. His work on Latin American issues in the International
Relations Committee is greatly appreciated.
Madam Speaker, Peru has a long history as the center of cultural,
political and economic life in the Andes. Before the country declared
its independence from Spain in 1821, Peru served for centuries as the
principal location of Spanish colonial power and wealth.
Peru's pre-colonial heritage is equally grand. The Incas built their
impressive empire from Cuzco, their capital city. This empire stretched
from what would become Ecuador's northern border to central Chile.
After its independence from Spain, Peru oscillated between
authoritarian and democratic forms of government. Finally, in 2001,
Alejandro Toledo was sworn in as President of Peru and consolidated the
country's return to democracy.
The Peruvian economy grew on average by 5 percent a year since then,
one of the most robust rates in all of Latin America, and foreign
exchange reserves reached a record $14 billion by the end of last year.
The Toledo government is respectful of human and political rights.
Nevertheless, grinding poverty still hamstrings over half of Peruvians,
and the societal divide between indigenous people and those of European
and mixed descent has widened.
Peru's new President, Alan Garcia, has promised to address these
inequities and social cleavages. He has also embarked on a
rapprochement with Chile as part of a larger effort to solidify
cooperation between the like-minded nations of South America which are
friendly to the United States.
Madam Speaker, I am confident that, by the time of Peru's
bicentennial celebration, we and our Peruvian neighbors will enjoy one
of the strongest alliances in this hemisphere, an alliance which will
continue to build upon the policies of Peru's democratically elected
government and the contributions of the vibrant Peruvian American
community in our own country.
I strongly support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to
do so.
Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and we yield back
the balance of our time.
Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I ask for adoption of the resolution. I have
no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 940, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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