[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6468-H6469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONDEMNING EVO MORALES' DEPLORABLE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, following the Castro playbook, Evo 
Morales has taken systematic steps to curtail the basic rights of the 
people of Bolivia and solidify his legacy to maintain his evil grip on 
power.
  Evo Morales has ruled Bolivia for over 12 years and expects to do so 
indefinitely. Two years ago, he imposed a constitutional referendum to 
eliminate presidential term limits so that he could run for yet another 
term, his fourth term, in 2019.
  After a resounding ``no'' vote from the people of Bolivia, this thug 
turned to the courts, which he totally controls, to stomp on the will 
of the people. The courts sided with him--what a surprise--and went as 
far as declaring that Morales' indefinite reelection is a human right. 
What an insult that is to the Bolivian people and to all of us who 
cherish true democratic ideals.
  Just like Castro, Evo Morales also continues to clamp down on the 
opposition, sending his national police to deploy repressive tactics 
and silence dissent brutally. Just last month, his henchmen killed a 
young student from the Public University in the city of El Alto, where 
students peacefully protested, calling for additional resources for 
their university.
  The latest State Department human rights report states that Morales' 
power over the judicial system, the denial of a fair and timely public 
trial, and prosecutions of political opponents are at the top of his 
human rights abuses, his greatest hits.
  It is no wonder that over 1,200 Bolivian political exiles are now 
living in Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Spain, and here in our wonderful 
country, including my lovely south Florida community.
  Mr. Speaker, Evo Morales' anti-imperialist rhetoric, expelling all of 
our agencies--DEA, USAID, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia--and his 
coziness with rogue regimes are just further proof of the threat his 
regime poses for the stability and security of our allies in our 
hemisphere and beyond.
  Using Bolivia's status as a nonpermanent member of the United Nations 
Security Council, Morales has sided with Syria and its abysmal human 
rights record; undermined our ally, the democratic Jewish State of 
Israel; and consistently attacked the United States and our efforts to 
uphold and promote the values of freedom and democracy in the region 
and around the world.
  Simply put, Morales is no friend of democratic values, and just like 
the dictatorships in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, his regime has 
solidified control at the expense of the people and our own national 
security interests.
  The Bolivian people need our help, Mr. Speaker, and we must start 
paying attention to what is happening right here in our own hemisphere.


                  Honoring the Life of Robert Traurig

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear of the passing 
of Robert Traurig, a revered leader who helped build south Florida and 
someone who Dexter and I proudly called a dear friend. Bob passed away 
recently, but he left an incredible legacy of legal brilliance and 
leadership in our community.
  Founder of Greenberg Traurig in 1967, which is now one of the world's 
top and largest law firms, Bob was an expert zoning lawyer who helped 
develop Miami-Dade County into the metropolitan area that it is today.

[[Page H6469]]

  Bob was influential in expanding Brickell Avenue and Coconut Grove, 
areas which I proudly represent and are central residential communities 
that also attract thousands of visitors every year. He also led efforts 
for the development of the Florida Grand Opera and Performing Arts 
Center Foundation, among many other enterprises.
  Bob constantly fought for the best interests of his clients and our 
communities, and the mark he left on south Florida is evidence of his 
remarkable passion. Bob Traurig's work to develop Miami-Dade County, in 
addition to his charitable and philanthropic spirit, will become the 
lasting legacy of this dedicated leader.
  Farewell, my friend.

                          ____________________