[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 149 (Wednesday, October 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2059]]
RECOGNIZING THAT VIOLENCE POSES AN INCREASINGLY SERIOUS THREAT TO PEACE 
                    AND STABILITY IN CENTRAL AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2007

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res 564, 
and would like to take this opportunity to commend the countries in 
Central America that have pooled their time and expertise to discuss 
common goals through the Central American Integration System (SICA)--
which is an inter-governmental organization comprised of Belize, Costa 
Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama (with the 
Dominican Republic as an Associate Member).
  I would also like to commend the United States government for its 
effort in addressing the issues of gangs, drug trafficking and arms 
trafficking through the Dialogue on Democratic Security that was held 
with the Central American Integration System countries in Guatemala 
City this past July.
  Violence in Central America is a grave threat to the entire region. 
Recent numbers from the Andes and parts of Central America show that 
the murder rate is above forty per 100,000 people, and does not appear 
to be on the decline. The increasing prevalence of violence in this 
region raises serious concerns with high levels of insecurity and weak 
state capacity to deal with criminal activity. The transport of drugs 
and widespread gang activity create additional problems that must be 
tackled sooner rather than later.
  It is this reason why I support H. Res 564, commending action taken 
to Combat Criminal Gangs from Central America and Mexico and 
encouraging regular meetings in which countries can build on existing 
cooperation toward this end.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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