[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION

  (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Egyptian people 
on their revolution 1 year ago today. Of course that revolution is 
still a work in progress, but it reminded us of what people can 
accomplish through nonviolence and perseverance. It inspired my 
constituents and people around the world.
  Egyptians disproved the myth that people in the region do not want 
democracy. Protesters in the streets were not asking for another 
dictator. The nonviolent protest was a stunning rejection of violence 
and extremism as exhibited by al Qaeda. They also were not blaming 
others for their problems. Their demands focused primarily on internal 
issues like the economy, corruption, and police brutality.
  The United States must engage the new Egyptian Government. We can't 
advance our interests and values if we don't. If the new Parliament 
doesn't deliver, the Egyptian people will throw them out just like our 
people will throw us out. That's democracy. As they build theirs, we 
should remember that we're still perfecting our own.

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