[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H2453]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATIONS TO ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this week Silvio 
Berlusconi has been reelected as Prime Minister of Italy. His coalition 
won a strong majority in the Italian Parliament.
  Prime Minister-elect Berlusconi, the conservative leader of the Forza 
Italia political party and the new People of Freedom party, had been a 
strong ally of the United States in his previous tenure as Prime 
Minister. No doubt his reelection will mean a strengthening of our 
partnership with the people of Italy who have so positively influenced 
American culture.
  Berlusconi's election follows a growing line of European leaders, 
including Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Nicolas 
Sarkozy of France, who have run on a platform of greater support for a 
strong alliance with America. Additional presidents promoting improved 
friendship with America have recently been elected in Indonesia, 
Serbia, Liberia, Peru, Korea and Russia.
  America has earned admiration of most nations in the world, as 
identified yesterday by Pope Benedict XVI at the White House as he 
indicated America is the beacon of liberty and freedom.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget 
September the 11th.

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