[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E957]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       UPHOLDING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT THROUGH SANCTIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 19, 2022

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
H.R. 8453, the Upholding the Dayton Peace Accords through Sanctions 
Act. I want to begin by thanking the Chair of the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, Gregory Meeks, and my colleagues, Representatives Wagner and 
Wilde, for their leadership on this issue and for bringing this bill to 
the floor.
  Twenty-seven years ago, thanks to the leadership of President Bill 
Clinton, the Dayton Accords were signed, officially marking the end of 
the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, however, we still have 
domestic and foreign actors threatening to undermine the accords' 
legitimacy. I am concerned that any challenge to the agreements laid 
out in the accords poses a severe risk to the relative stability of the 
Western Balkans. For the region's sake, we cannot afford to let these 
bad actors go unpunished.
  That's why I believe that the House of Representatives--and our 
government as a whole--must continue to support the European 
integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a necessary step and one 
that I hope will eventually lead to them joining the European Union and 
NATO.
  As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
I have seen the incredible progress that this young country has made 
over the past quarter century. Yes, the situation is far from perfect; 
corruption issues linger, and young, educated people continue to leave 
in search of a better life. But, Mr. Speaker, progress is often slow 
and incremental. With our enduring support, I am optimistic for their 
future.
  Fortunately, H.R. 8453 provides for that support--and more. The bill 
recognizes it as the policy of the United States to support a unified, 
sovereign, and multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also strengthens 
the sanction tools available to Administrations to ensure lasting peace 
and security in the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and hope for a 
swift passage in the Senate.

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