[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MERIDA INITIATIVE TO COMBAT ILLICIT NARCOTICS AND REDUCE ORGANIZED 
                    CRIME AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Workforce Protections 
Subcommittee, I join U.S. and international labor organizations in 
their strong concern about this bill.
  As introduced, the bill goes a long way to improve upon the 
President's request. The human rights protections have been 
strengthened, but must be further improved.
  We must ensure that before any agreement is authorized and funded, 
the most basic human and labor rights have been guaranteed.
  I have strong concerns about abuses committed by Mexican and some of 
the Central American law enforcement agencies.
  Labor activists and community leaders have been harassed, arrested, 
and physically assaulted. Many live in fear for themselves and for 
their families.
  I am concerned that these same law enforcement officials will be 
receiving military-style training, transportation, and weapons. Do we 
want to be putting military helicopters and weaponry in their hands?
  We must proceed with extreme caution on this proposal. I will have to 
oppose the legislation in its current form. I hope that we will be able 
to address the concerns of human and labor rights leaders here at home 
and in the Merida nations when the bill is in conference with the 
Senate version.

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