[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 33 (Friday, February 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E173-E174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 23RD WINTER MEETING OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 23, 2024

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 23rd 
Winter Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) which begins this week in 
Vienna, Austria.
  The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is 
the largest regional security organization in the world and possesses 
the vital goal of promoting stability, peace, human rights, and 
democracy across North America and Eurasia. The OSCE traces its roots 
back to the 1970s and has since grown to include 57 member countries 
across three continents, many of which are former Soviet states looking 
to continue their transition into robust, healthy democracies.
  The flagship political institution of this organization is the OSCE 
PA, which gathers as many as 323 legislators from across the OSCE 
region several times a year to discuss the most pressing issues facing 
the transatlantic community. Amidst global upheavals, the OSCE PA gives 
member states a place to use debate and dialogue to express the 
interests of the people, identify conflicts and commonalities, and 
pursue common-sense approaches to achieve global goals.
  For the past four years, I have served as Chair of the OSCE PA's 
General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, known as the First 
Committee. This committee is focused on addressing critical security 
challenges across the OSCE region. The work of the OSCE PA as a whole 
and the work of this committee [in particular] have never been more 
imperative than they are today. In the wake of renewed great power 
conflict and rising international tensions--trends made most apparent 
in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine--the United States and all 
freedom-loving countries must recommit to our shared democratic values 
and continue to push back against Putin and all those who seek to 
trample freedom around the world.
  While I regret that I cannot be in Vienna for this year's Winter 
Meeting, I know the OSCE PA will continue its great work in my absence. 
I thank all in the Assembly, especially my friends President Pia Kauma, 
Secretary General Roberto Montella, and First Committee Rapporteur 
Laurynas Kasciunas, for all they do to keep this institution vibrant 
and strong. I look forward to joining my OSCE PA colleagues in 
Bucharest, Romania this summer for the Annual Session of the OSCE PA.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in recognizing the OSCE, its 
Parliamentary Assembly, and its many participating states and 
parliamentarians, and to thank them for all they do to help foster 
peace and stability around the globe.

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