[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               APPRECIATING AMERICAN ALLY CZECH REPUBLIC

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2023

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker as the incoming chairman of 
the Helsinki Commission Organization of Security and Cooperation in 
Europe, I was grateful for the delegation led by out-going Chairman 
Steve Cohen  as a bi-partisan delegation to Prague, Czech Republic.
  Welcomed by U.S. Embassy Senior Officer Grant Morrow the delegation 
met Prime Minister Peter Fiala learning the Czech Republic was among 
the first to send defensive weapons to Ukraine to stop war criminal 
Putin. While meeting with Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky there was 
gratitude for the Czech Republic being a determined friend of Taiwan 
enduring opposition from the Chinese Communist Party.
  America is represented by dynamic Ambassador Bijan Sabet and his wife 
Lauren. His unique Iranian-Korean heritage is a tribute to success in 
America. A visit to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was inspiring to 
meet journalists bringing truth to people oppressed in Europe and Asia, 
which had been so successful for Cold War victory liberating dozens of 
countries from communism.
  The progress of the Czech Republic was underscored by Delegation 
Member Lloyd Doggett who toured Communist Czechoslovakia in 1986. He 
explained Prague then was drab, sad, and depressing in contrast to now 
a vibrant, capitalist modern capital. It is amazing that the Czech 
Republic and Slovakia are examples of post-communist opportunity for 
all families to achieve to the highest of their abilities.
  The Czech Republic is a valued American ally as democracies with Rule 
of Law confront authoritarians with Rule of Gun.

                          ____________________