[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 102 (Friday, June 22, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1393-E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2764) making 
     appropriations for the Department of State, foreign 
     operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2008, and for other purposes:

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the amendment 
to close down the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security 
Cooperation. It is time to stop and examine our history so that we can 
avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Our relations with our 
neighbors in Latin America are at their lowest ebb ever. The people of 
Latin America think the U.S. is more concerned with achieving goals 
through military means no matter the consequences. They think the U.S. 
is not concerned with human and democratic rights in Latin America. We 
need to start winning over the citizens of our planet and show them our 
desire to bring human rights to everyone.
  The time has come for our country to cease our support of this 
Institution, to put down the swords, and instead show our neighbors in 
Latin America that our actions adhere to our preaching. U.S. assistance 
has been increasingly weighted towards harsh and ineffective counter-
narcotics and military aid.
  After so many decades of human rights abuses and threats to 
democracy, why is the U.S. Government still giving so privileged a 
position to Latin American militaries, such that it maintains a special 
school in the United States just for them? Our neighbors need 
assistance for clean water, vaccinations for children, micro-credit, 
technical assistance for small farmers and small business, shelter for

[[Page E1394]]

refugees and generous disaster relief builds good will with our 
neighbors.
  If we end this Institute once and for all, we will show that the 
priorities of the United States are with democratic and civil 
institutions. A more cooperative, less unilateral foreign policy that 
clearly demonstrates respect for international human rights standards 
would help the United States regain influence around the world.
  It is time to sow the seeds of peace; we must stop sowing the seeds 
of war. As a great Nation and blessed people, we must heed the words of 
the spiritual--``I am going to lay my burden down, down by the 
riverside. I ain't gonna study war no more.'' We do not need this 
school. My colleagues, I urge you to vote in favor of this amendment.

                          ____________________