[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE ONGOING IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF THE U.S. HELSINKI COMMISSION IN 
                      THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 2021

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to discuss the work of the 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the 
Helsinki Commission and its continued importance in addressing 
challenges in our country and abroad. For over four decades, the 
Helsinki Commission has championed human rights, democracy, and 
comprehensive security across the 57 North American, European, and 
Central Asian countries that make up the region of the Organization for 
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). As Chair of the Helsinki 
Commission during the 116th Congress, I worked with my House and Senate 
colleagues to continue the Commission's longstanding efforts to monitor 
participating States compliance with the Helsinki Accords.
  The importance of election observation in our country and abroad, 
restorative justice, the safety of journalists, and the global impact 
of George Floyd's tragic death on racial justice efforts were just some 
of the issues the Commission addressed last Congress, in addition to 
our continued focus on Russia, Ukraine, the Balkans and continued 
democratic development in the region.
  As we continue our work of the 117th Congress, I invite you to review 
the report: ``Retrospective On The 116th Congress'' at https://
www.csce.gov/international-impact/retrospective-116th-congress and 
http://www.csce.gov/sites/helsinkicommission.house.gov/files/
116th%20Congress%20Report%20Final. pdf.
  This report summarizes the Commission's activities, as well as 
recommendations critical for the continued promotion of democracy and 
U.S. national security.
  Madam Speaker, I look forward to continuing this critically important 
work during the 117th Congress.

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