[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 126 (Thursday, July 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      DYNAMIC ARGENTINA AND CHILE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 25, 2019

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, this past weekend of the 
50th anniversary of the U.S. Landing on the Moon, I was grateful to 
join with Chairman Albio Sires of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of 
the Western Hemisphere to participate in a bipartisan delegation to 
Argentina and Chile. Additional members were Ted Deutch, Tom Graves, 
Ted Yoho, and Norma Torres.
  The initial purpose of the CODEL was to attend the Remembrance 
Ceremony commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the terrorist bombing of 
the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community 
Center. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo provided a heartfelt tribute for 
the 85 victims viciously murdered by cowardly perpetrators traced to 
the terrorists of Hezbollah financed by the Iranian regime. AMIA 
President Ariel Eichbaum welcomed diplomats from across South America.
  We also visited the memorial park at the site of the Israeli Embassy 
which was bombed in 1992 murdering 29 victims who were largely 
Argentinian citizens who were tragically simply walking in the 
neighborhood.
  Due to the respect of Chairman Sires, the delegation was welcomed to 
the office of President Mauricio Macri. It was impressive to meet with 
such a public servant who so clearly loves and appreciates the people 
he serves of Argentina.
  U.S. Ambassador Eduard Prado and his wife Maria hosted our visit to 
the historic Ambassador's residence where we met the courageous 
Ambassador from Venezuela Elisa Trotta Gamus. Ambassador Gamus has been 
appointed by the legitimate government of Venezuela led by Interim-
President Juan Guaido opposed to the dictatorship of the disgraced 
Nicolas Madura who has plundered the formerly wealthy nation of 
Venezuela stealing from its impoverished citizens.
  In Santiago, Chile, a very professional country team briefing was 
provided at the Embassy confirming Chile as a very dynamic democracy 
with extraordinary economic success as a model of free market benefits 
of reducing poverty. The professionalism of the military of Chile was 
presented as they are partnered with the Texas National Guard. Charge 
d'Affaires Baxter Hunt has an enthusiastic staff.
  The U.S. Chile lnterparliamentary Friendship Group of the Chamber of 
Deputies led by Chamber President Ivan Flores Garcia hosted a meeting 
with Chilean parliamentarians of different parties who all were clear 
in their appreciation and respect for America.
  U.S. educated, Fulbright Scholar, President Sebastian Pinera welcomed 
the delegation to the Presidential Palace. More traveled than the 
delegation, he has visited all 50 U.S. states. In his current term and 
his prior service as President, it is clear his free market success has 
built a modern, vibrant partner of the United States inspiring 
democracy in all of South America.
  The talented citizens of Argentina and Chile can be proud of their 
achievements with Argentina having a land mass equal to the U.S., east 
of Mississippi River and narrow Chile at 8,000 miles--three time the 
length of California.

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