[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8334-8341]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING THE REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON, SR., ON SECURING THE RELEASE 
       OF U.S. SERVICEMEN FROM CAPTIVITY IN BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 156) commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., 
on securing the release of Specialist Stephen Gonzalez of Huntsville 
Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and 
Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from 
captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 156

       Whereas, on March 31, 1999, Specialist Steven Gonzales, 
     Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher 
     Stone were captured while patrolling the Kumanovo area;
       Whereas the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., on April 29, 
     1999, led a delegation of religious and civic leaders from 
     the United States in a faith-based effort to secure the 
     release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew 
     Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone;
       Whereas against great odds and in the face of grave 
     personal risks, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. and his 
     party successfully secured the release of Specialist Steven 
     Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant 
     Christopher Stone;
       Whereas the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is recognized 
     around the world as a humanitarian, an advocate for civil and 
     human rights, and an ambassador of freedom; and
       Whereas, as a highly respected world leader, the Reverend 
     Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. has acted many times as an 
     international diplomat in sensitive situations and in October 
     1997, he was appointed by President Clinton and Secretary of 
     State Albright as Special Envoy of the President and 
     Secretary of State for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. for 
     securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff 
     Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone 
     from captivity in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and
       (2) joins with the people of the United States in 
     celebrating the return to freedom of Specialist Steven 
     Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant 
     Christopher Stone.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).


                             GENERAL LEAVE

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution introduced by 
the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) which accords proper credit to 
the recent efforts of Reverend Jesse Jackson and his accompanying 
delegation of clergymen in successfully securing the

[[Page 8335]]

release of our three POWs held in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

                              {time}  1900

  The Reverend Jackson has a distinguished record of utilizing his 
considerable powers of persuasion in the service of humanitarian 
objectives. When American citizens and others find themselves held in 
captivity in a hostile country as a result of circumstances beyond 
their control, Reverend Jackson has proven on several occasions against 
the odds that he can secure their release.
  Our Nation should be grateful to the good Reverend for his special 
skills in that regard. We are also grateful that our three young 
service people who were unjustly held by the government of the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia have finally been returned to their families, to 
their friends and fellow countrymen. We salute their dedicated service 
to our Nation.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues in the House to support H. Res. 156 
commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson and his fellow clergymen for 
acquiring release of Specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew 
Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 156 offered 
by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek). Mr. Speaker, House 
Resolution 156 provides for a special commendation and tribute to 
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., for his services and leadership, whereby 
he led a special delegation of religious leaders and even one of our 
fellow Members, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich) to travel 
to Belgrade, Yugoslavia to meet with President Slobodan Milosevic with 
the hope of trying to break the stalemate and crisis in Kosovo through 
a negotiated peace settlement or agreement, and with the hope that the 
three men, soldiers who had been held captive, could also be released 
from prison.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my commendation also to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the House 
Committee on International Relations, for his endorsement and support 
of this resolution; also, the ranking Democrat of the Committee on 
International Relations, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. 
Gejdenson), both gentlemen, for supporting and endorsing this 
resolution.
  Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, Reverend Jackson has done it again. 
Following an intensive 3-hour-long meeting with President Milosevic 
with a good amount of praying and heart-to-heart discussions, President 
Milosevic decided to release our three soldiers. Mr. Speaker, I am 
certain that our Nation, the families and friends of our three 
soldiers, we all owe a debt of gratitude and appreciation for Reverend 
Jackson's commitment and devotion to the cause of peace. And, more 
especially, his ability to properly negotiate and persuade parties with 
varying views to come to the table and seek solutions to the problems 
certainly is most commendable.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Jackson deserves our gratitude for his 
successful efforts to secure the release of our soldiers, Steve 
Gonzales, Andrew Ramirez and Christopher Stone. I might add, Mr. 
Speaker, those soldiers showed tremendous courage and loyalty to our 
Nation.
  I need not remind my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, that the crisis in 
Kosovo is far from over. The debate in this Chamber last week, I 
submit, Mr. Speaker, is indicative of the seriousness of the issues and 
with so very many varying opinions and claims of facts of the truth and 
the crisis in the Balkans, definitely in my humble opinion, Mr. 
Speaker, has proven one basic fact: Our leaders and the American people 
simply do not know enough about the history and legacy of the Balkans. 
Almost like a repeat of a ritual that America went through when we were 
confronted with a crisis in Vietnam.
  Mr. Speaker, we do not need and we do not want another Vietnam in the 
Balkans. We must remember that President Milosevic is continuing to 
wage a brutal campaign against the Kosovar Albanians. Thousands of 
Kosovar Albanian refugees continue to stream into the neighboring 
countries. Many of these refugees have terrible tales to tell of rape, 
of beatings, of atrocities and murder at the hands of Serbian forces. 
The NATO campaign is designed to deny Milosevic the ability to wage his 
brutal repression against the Kosovar Albanians.
  Mr. Speaker, we must remain steadfast in our resolve to see our 
mission through. Again, I want to commend the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman) for his support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 156 offered 
by the gentlelady from Florida, Mrs. Meek.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 156 provides for a special commendation 
and tribute to the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., for his services and 
leadership--whereby he led a special delegation of religious leaders 
and one of our fellow Members, the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. 
Blagojevich, to travel to Belgrade, Yugoslavia--to meet with President 
Slobodan Milosevic--with the hope of trying to break the stalemate in 
the current crisis in Kosovo through a negotiated peace settlement or 
agreement, and with the hope also that the three American soldiers who 
have been held captive could also be released from prison.
  Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, Reverend Jackson has done it again. 
Following an intense three-hour long meeting with President Milosevic, 
with a good amount of praying and heart-to-heart discussion, President 
Milosevic decided to release our three soldiers.
  Mr. Speaker, I am quite certain that our nation, the families and 
friends of our three soldiers, we all owe a debt of gratitude and 
appreciation for Reverend Jackson's commitment to peace, but more 
especially his ability to properly negotiate and persuade parties with 
varying views to come to the table and seek solutions to the problems, 
is most commendable.
  Mr. Speaker, Reverend Jackson deserves our gratitude for his 
successful efforts to secure the release of our soldiers, Steve 
Gonzales, Andrew Ramirez, and Christopher Stone. I might add, Mr. 
Speaker, these soldiers showed tremendous courage and loyalty to our 
nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I need not remind my colleagues that the crisis in 
Kosovo is far from over. The debates in this Chamber last week--I 
submit, Mr. Speaker--is indicative of the seriousness of the issues and 
with so many varying opinions and claims of ``facts,'' or ``the 
truth''--the crisis in the Balkans definitely has proven one basic 
fact: our leaders and the American people simply do not know enough 
about the history and legacy of the Balkans; almost like a repeat of 
the ritual that America went through when we were confronted with the 
crisis in Vietnam.
  Mr. Speaker, we don't need and we don't want another Vietnam in the 
Balkans.

                       Days of Joy, Pain and Hope

              (Los Angeles Times Editorials.--May 3, 1999)

       Finally, in a period of missteps and accidental NATO 
     attacks in Yugoslavia and confusion on Capitol Hill over 
     whether the House supports or opposes the air war, there is 
     good news: the release Sunday of the three American prisoners 
     of war. The sight of the smiling faces of Army Staff Sgt. 
     Andrew Ramirez, 24, of East Los Angeles, Spc. Steven 
     Gonzales, 21 of Huntsville, Texas, and Staff Sgt. Christopher 
     J. Stone, 25, of Smith's Creek, Mich, provided a temporary 
     respite from the hard decisions that lie ahead and that, we 
     hope, will set the stage for further diplomatic progress.
       Full credit in securing the release of the three soldiers 
     should go unbegrudgingly to the Rev. Jesse Jackson and a 
     private delegation of religious leaders, including Los 
     Angeles' Rabbi Steven Bennett Jacobs and Dr. Nazir Uddin 
     Khaja of the American Muslim Council.
       The religious leaders had been publicly urged not to go to 
     Belgrade by the Clinton administration and had been warned 
     that the mission was dangerous and ill-timed. No one can know 
     the cynical reasoning that might well have motivated 
     President Slobodan Milosevic to release the soldiers. But the 
     point is that Jackson delivered, winning the release of the 
     prisoners without apparent conditions.
       For the families of the soldiers, seized on the Macedonian 
     border March 31, the nightmare is over. Relatives of Ramirez, 
     Gonzales and Stone are on their way to Germany to be reunited 
     with their sons, husbands and brothers.
       For the Kosovars, however, the future does not look so 
     bright. ``This gesture on his [Milosevic's] part cannot 
     overcome the stench of evil and death on the killing fields 
     of Kosovo,'' Defense Secretary William S.

[[Page 8336]]

     Cohen said Sunday. The White House already has rebuffed 
     Jackson's call for direct talks between Clinton and 
     Milosevic, and we agree that such a meeting is at best 
     premature. The air bombing campaign in Yugoslavia is a NATO 
     operation. Beyond that, Milosevic first would have to lay the 
     groundwork necessary for success. In short, that means the 
     end of Milosevic's pogrom in Kosovo, the safe return of the 
     refugees and some form of autonomy for the Kosovars that is 
     diplomatically secured.
       Today we celebrate the release of U.S. soldiers from 
     captivity. The diplomatic avenues toward peace appear to be 
     opening up, through the increased interest of the Russians 
     and others. Americans must not forget, however, that 
     diplomacy was tried and failed for many months in the absence 
     of a military campaign. In the presence of a military 
     campaign, the diplomatic approach might finally have been 
     given the incentive it needed.
                                  ____


               [From the Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1999]

 Jackson Trip Is Latest in Series of Successful, Risky One-Man Missions

       Washington.--The White House asked him not to go and said 
     it couldn't guarantee his safety in a city under attack by 
     NATO bombing.
       But the diplomatic coup by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, winning 
     the release of three U.S. soldiers held captive in Belgrade, 
     highlights the kind of risky, personal diplomacy that 
     sometimes works where White House action cannot.
       Jackson, who has acted as Clinton's special envoy in the 
     past, went to Yugoslavia as a private citizen to negotiate 
     with Slobodan Milosevic. It's a role he's played before in 
     Syria, Cuba and Iraq dating to the mid-1980s.
       The administration had ruled out official negotiations for 
     the soldier's release since their capture near the 
     Yugoslavia-Macedonia border on March 31, and vowed to press 
     forward with the air war aimed at stopping hostilities in 
     Kosovo.
       While the White House has cautiously welcomed Jackson's 
     success, the administration may still worry his mission may 
     further Milosevic's efforts to soften his image, said Barnett 
     Rubin, the director of the Center for Preventive Action at 
     the Council on Foreign Relations.
       ``The danger is that a free-lancer like that, unauthorized, 
     dilutes your message,'' Rubin said. ``They portray Milosevic 
     as a war criminal, but this could show him he has 
     alternatives.''
       Rep. Floyd Spence (R-S.C.), chairman of the House Armed 
     Service committee, said the Jackson maneuver gave a 
     ``diplomatic victory'' because ``the world is going to look 
     upon him in a different way, to some extent, by releasing the 
     prisoners this way.''
       Spence said on CNN's ``Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields'' that 
     a temporary bombing halt ``would be appropriate.'' He added 
     that ``I don't think we should be there in the first place,'' 
     noting that he was among the 213 House members voting last 
     week against a resolution backing the bombing. Jackson has a 
     history of private intervention in international crises.
       He went to Syria in 1984 to arrange the release of a Navy 
     pilot whose bomber was shot down by Syrian antiaircraft guns 
     in Lebanon. Several months later, he worked out arrangements 
     with Cuba for the release of 48 American and Cuban political 
     prisoners. And he played a similar role helping foreign women 
     and children in Iraq in 1990.
       Sometimes this type of citizen diplomacy works, and 
     sometimes it doesn't.
       Former President Carter helped diffuse a crisis over North 
     Korean efforts to develop nuclear weapons in 1994 by 
     personally intervening with that country's late leader, Kim 
     Il-Sung. When Carter said he want to go, Clinton reportedly 
     told him to go ahead, as long as Carter understood he was 
     acting as a private citizen and not an official emissary.
       But a similar Carter visit with Bosnian Serb leader Radovan 
     Karadzic in 1995 failed to produce a lasting cease-fire, and 
     Carter was later criticized for meeting with an indicted war 
     criminal.
       Clinton has often favored using high-profile, one-man 
     diplomatic missions to resolve international crises, counting 
     on the reputation and clout of his messenger.
       He employed Bill Richardson--a congressman from New Mexico 
     and later U.S. ambassador to the United Nations--as a 
     diplomatic firefighter, trying to extinguish problems in 
     Iraq, central Africa and North Korea.
       He asked a former rival, Republican Bob Dole, to travel to 
     Kosovo to convince the Kosovar Albanians to sign a settlement 
     Molosevic eventually rejected.
       And he teamed Carter with former Sen. Sam Nunn and retired 
     Gen. Colin Powell in 1994 to persuade Haiti's military rulers 
     to back down and allow a peaceful U.S.-led military 
     intervention that restored ousted President Jean-Bertrand 
     Aristide.
       One of Clinton's most frequent emissaries is Richard 
     Holbrooke, the former State Department official, ambassador, 
     and architect of the 1995 Dayton accord that ended the war in 
     Bosnia. Holbrooke, now the nominee to succeed Richardson as 
     ambassador to the United Nations, negotiated with Milosevic 
     seeking a peaceful solution to Kosovo right up until the NATO 
     bombing began.
       But Rubin said Jackson's mission differs greatly from that 
     of official envoys.
       ``Holbrooke was representing the United States and NATO, 
     saying, `If you don't agree, we're going to bomb you.' That's 
     the same message whether you're alone in the room or if 
     you're with 10 other people,'' Rubin said.

  Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to yield 5 minutes to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek), chief sponsor of this resolution
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), my colleague, for giving me this 
opportunity to express my feelings about the Reverend Jesse Louis 
Jackson.
  When the history of the world is written, Mr. Speaker, the name of 
Jesse Louis Jackson will head the name of those who loved peace. I am 
pleased that the House is today considering a resolution introduced 
yesterday commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., for his 
extraordinary efforts in securing the release of our three brave 
American soldiers from captivity in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. 
Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson gives us something for all of us to be 
proud of: leadership, bravery, courage.
  I particularly want to thank Speaker Hastert; the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) our minority leader; the gentleman from New 
York (Chairman Gilman); the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) 
ranking Member; and the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) of the Committee on International Relations, who worked 
together in a bipartisan effort to bring this resolution to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, as we all know, last Thursday Reverend Jackson led a 
delegation of religious and civic leaders from the United States, 
including our colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich), 
to Yugoslavia in a faith-based effort to secure the release of 
Specialist Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Stone. 
Against great odds and in the face of grave personal risk, Reverend 
Jackson and his party entered the war zone and on Saturday May 1, 
Reverend Jackson, with the help of God, secured the release of these 
brave American soldiers.
  Mr. Speaker, I and millions of Americans and others around the world, 
we watched with pride, we watched with joy and amazement as Reverend 
Jackson and his delegation emerged with our three brave soldiers. It 
was at that point that I decided to introduce this resolution.
  On this floor today we celebrate Reverend Jackson's achievement and 
our soldiers' return to freedom. We want the world to know, Mr. 
Speaker, that we are extremely proud of the Reverend Jesse Louis 
Jackson.
  This is not the first time that Reverend Jackson has successfully 
secured the release of prisoners in other countries. In 1984 he secured 
the release of United States Navy Flyer, Lieutenant Robert O. Goodman, 
Jr., from Syria. Again in June of 1984 he secured the release of 22 
Americans and 26 Cubans from Cuba; and in 1990 he secured the release 
of 700 women and children who were being detained in Iraq.
  Jesse Louis Jackson is certainly a man of peace. Mr. Speaker, he is 
recognized around the world as a humanitarian, an advocate for civil 
and human rights, and an ambassador of freedom. Time and again he has 
been willing and able to enter into difficult situations and to go into 
harm's way that very few of us would go into. His diplomacy has been 
effective when conventional diplomacy has not been effective. He has 
achieved success due to his determination and the strength of his 
beliefs.
  Reverend Jackson is a soldier for peace and freedom with deep roots 
in the nonviolence movement. For over a generation he has acted in the 
highest tradition of Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
  Reverend Jackson has proven time and time again that he will go 
anywhere and to any lengths to help those in need, especially those who 
are unable to help themselves. It is a great honor and privilege to 
know him and to have him as a friend, and to know that this House does 
itself proud by honoring someone who has done so much to help so many.

[[Page 8337]]

  Mr. Speaker, the Bible said: ``Blessed are the peacemakers.'' The 
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., is indeed blessed. God has given him great 
gifts and he has used them fully to help his fellow men and women. He 
deserves our thanks and our praise. We are so proud.
  Mr. Speaker, we all serve with his son, the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.), and I know that he is even more proud of 
his father than we are. I am very proud to offer this resolution 
honoring this great American, an outstanding leader, and I urge all of 
my colleagues to give it their enthusiastic support.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes and 40 seconds to 
the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson), my friend and 
colleague.
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking the 
distinguished gentleman from New York (Chairman Gilman) and the 
gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) for this opportunity, 
and I certainly want to begin by commending and thanking the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) for sponsoring today's resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I am overwhelmed that the gentlewoman would be so kind 
as to think of Reverend Jackson and all of the members of this 
delegation who sought to bring about an opportunity for peace in this 
crisis. I am only troubled in that the present signals that we are 
getting are not ones that indicate that we are going to take advantage 
of the opportunity that Reverend Jackson has created.
  I could talk about Reverend Jackson, my father, for hours. Maybe for 
a lifetime. But I want to take the few minutes that I have, that has 
been given me, just to mention the names of those ministers who 
participated in this event.
  The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the 
Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. The Reverend Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, general 
secretary, National Council of Churches. Mr. Nazir U. Khaja, medical 
doctor, chairman of the board of the American Muslim Council, head of 
the Islamic Information Service.
  Father Leonid Kishkovsky, Orthodox Church of America. The Reverend 
James Meeks, Salem Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois. The Reverend 
Father Irinej Dobrijevic, Serbian Orthodox priest, International 
Orthodox Christian Charities. Landrum Bolling, Senior Advisor, Conflict 
Management Group, Director-at-Large, Mercy Corps International.
  John Wyma, chief of staff to Congressman Rod Blagojevich. Father 
Raymond G. Helmick from Boston College in Boston, Massachusetts. Amy 
Toensing, photographer. Walter Rogers from CNN. Yuri Tadesse, the 
director of International Affairs at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
  David Steele, Center for Strategic and International Studies of 
Washington, D.C. James George Couchell, His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of 
Xanthos, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His Grace Right 
Reverend Bishop Mitrophan, Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Eastern America. 
Bishop Marshall ``Jack'' Meadors of the United Methodist Church.
  Rabbi Steven Bennett Jacobs, Temple KOL Tikva from Los Angeles, 
California. Mr. Zoran S. Hodjera, president of the Saint Luke Serbian 
Orthodox Church in Washington, D.C. Our colleague, Congressman Rod 
Blagojevich from the Fifth Congressional District in Illinois. Obrad 
Kesic, Director of Governmental Affairs, IGN Pharmaceuticals. Reverend 
Roy Thomas Lloyd, Broadcast News Director of the National Council of 
Churches.
  Jonathan Alpert from HBO. Susan Sachs from the New York Times. Bryan 
Puchaty, CNN. Marie Nelson, the director for Africa Policy, Rainbow/
PUSH Coalition.
  Mr. Speaker, this interfaith delegation made it possible to bring our 
prisoners of war home.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Jackson) for listing all the clergymen. I had not seen 
that list published any place and it was certainly a wonderful 
delegation. And I commend him for giving them the proper attributes for 
their work.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. 
Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the Committee on International 
Relations, for his generosity and for his constant advocacy for peace. 
And I thank the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), the 
ranking member, for his leadership. I also thank the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Mrs. Meek) for bringing this to a point when we could 
acknowledge a great man of peace.
  Mr. Speaker, ringing throughout the halls of many places over the 
weekend, and particularly in our houses of worship, were the words, 
``glory, glory, hallelujah,'' for it was that which caused the efforts 
of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson to be put at the pinnacle of our 
eyesight in terms of what he accomplished. We had always known him as a 
man of peace who was courageous, but as he brought forth the three 
young men and presented them to us this past Sunday there was a ringing 
of celebration, one long overdue.
  I rise to support this resolution and support Reverend Jesse L. 
Jackson, Sr., and as noted by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Jackson), all of the others, part of the delegation, the religious and 
civic leaders, including our colleague from Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich).
  It is important to acknowledge the fact that there can be peace.

                              {time}  1915

  I am grateful that specialist Steven Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew 
Ramirez, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, who were captured on 
patrol along the border of Kosovo and Macedonia, are now free. I am 
delighted that Reverend Jackson, in prayer and with courage, left the 
shores of this land and went forth to deliver them.
  As I traveled in Albania and Macedonia this weekend, it was clear 
that all eyes were on Reverend Jackson and his delegation. First, we 
were offering up prayers, Mr. Speaker; and then, of course, we were 
hoping for the very best.
  We know that President Milosevic has brutally murdered many of the 
ethnic Albanians. We know that women and children have been displaced, 
along with their husbands and men. We know that the men have been 
murdered and taken off to war. We know the refugee camps are in 
terrible condition in terms of the living conditions, and we know we 
must prevail to stop ethnic cleansing. But Reverend Jackson rose above 
those issues to proceed to declare peace and to receive these 
individuals back.
  Mr. Speaker, I would simply take my hat off, if I had one, to salute 
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., for being a courageous man of peace.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record Reverend Jackson's entire resume 
and bio.

Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, 
                      Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Inc.

       The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, President and founder of 
     the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, is one of America's foremost 
     political figures. Over the past thirty years he has played a 
     pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, 
     peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social 
     justice.
       Reverend Jackson has been called the ``conscience of the 
     nation'' and ``the great unifier,'' challenging America to 
     establish just and humane priorities. He is known for 
     bringing people together in common ground across lines of 
     race, class, gender, and belief.
       Born on October 8, 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, 
     Jesse Jackson attended the University of Illinois on a 
     football scholarship and later transferred to North Carolina 
     A&T State University. He attended Chicago Theological 
     Seminary until he joined the Civil Rights Movement full time 
     in 1965.
       Reverend Jackson began his activism as a student leader in 
     the sit-in movement and continued as a young organizer for 
     the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as an assistant 
     to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He went onto direct Operation 
     Breadbasket and subsequently founded People United to Save 
     Humanity (PUSH) in Chicago in 1971.

[[Page 8338]]

     PUSH's goals were economic empowerment and expanding 
     educational and employment opportunities for the 
     disadvantaged and communities of color. In 1984, Reverend 
     Jackson founded the National Rainbow Coalition, a national 
     social justice organization devoted to political empowerment, 
     education and changing public policy. In September 1996, the 
     Rainbow Coalition and Operation PUSH merged into the Rainbow/
     PUSH Coalition to continue both philosophies and maximize its 
     resources.
       Long before national health care, a war on drugs, dialogue 
     with the Soviet Union and negotiations with the Middle East 
     were popular positions, Reverend Jackson advocated them. By 
     virtue of Reverend Jackson's advocacy, South African 
     apartheid and the fight for democracy in Haiti came to the 
     forefront of the national conscience.
       Reverend Jackson's two presidential campaigns broke new 
     ground in U.S. politics. His 1984 campaign won 3.5 million 
     votes, registered over one million new voters, and helped the 
     Democratic Party regain control of the Senate in 1986. His 
     1988 candidacy won seven million votes and registered two 
     million new voters and helped to sweep hundreds of elected 
     officials into office. Additionally, this civil rights leader 
     won a historic victory, coming in first or second in 46 out 
     of 54 contests. His clear progressive agenda and his ability 
     to build an unprecedented coalition inspired millions to join 
     the political process.
       As a highly respected world leader, Reverend Jackson has 
     acted many times as an international diplomat in sensitive 
     situations. In 1984, for example, Reverend Jackson secured 
     the release of captured Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman from 
     Syria, as well as the release of 48 Cuban and Cuban-American 
     prisoners in 1984. He was the first American to bring 
     hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq in 1990.
       In 1990, in an impressive victory, Reverend Jackson was 
     elected to the post of U.S. Senator from Washington, D.C., a 
     position also known as ``Statehood Senator.'' The office was 
     created to advocate for statehood for the District of 
     Columbia, which has a population higher than five states yet 
     has no voting representation in Congress.
       A hallmark of Reverend Jackson's work has been his 
     commitment to youth. He has visited thousands of high 
     schools, colleges, universities, and correctional facilities 
     encouraging excellence, inspiring hope and challenging young 
     people to award themselves with academic excellence and to 
     stay drug-free. He has also been a major force in the 
     American labor movement--working with unions to organize 
     workers and mediate labor disputes. It is noted, Reverend 
     Jackson has probably walked more picket lines and spoken at 
     more labor rallies than any other national leader.
       A renowned orator, Reverend Jackson has received numerous 
     honors for his work in human and civil rights and for 
     nonviolent social change. In 1991, the U.S. Post Office put 
     his likeness on a pictorial postal cancellation, only the 
     second living person to receive such an honor. He has been on 
     the Gallup List of Ten Most Respected Americans for the past 
     ten years. He has also received the prestigious NAACP 
     Spingarn Award, in addition to honors from hundreds of 
     grassroots and community organizations from coast to coast. 
     Reverend Jackson has been awarded more than 40 honorary 
     doctorate degrees, and frequently lectures at Howard, Yale, 
     Princeton, Morehouse, Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and 
     Hampton Universities, among others.
       Since 1992, Reverend Jackson has hosted ``Both Sides With 
     Jesse Jackson'' on Cable News Network. He is the author of 
     two books: Keep Hope Alive (South End Press, 1989) and 
     Straight From the Heart (Fortress Press, 1987). In 1996, 
     Reverend Jackson co-authored the book Legal Lynching: Racism, 
     Injustice, and the Death Penalty (Marlowe & Company) with his 
     son, U.S. Representative Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
       In October 1997, Reverend Jackson was appointed by 
     President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine 
     Albright as ``Special Envoy of the President and Secretary of 
     State for the Promotion of Democracy in Africa.'' In his 
     official position as Special Envoy, Reverend Jackson traveled 
     to Kenya and Zambia in November 1997. Reverend Jackson met 
     with His Excellency Daniel T. Arap Moi of Kenya and President 
     Frederick J.T. Chiluba of Zambia during his trip.
       Reverend Jackson married college sweetheart Jacqueline 
     Lavinia Brown in 1963. They have five children: Santita 
     Jackson, Cong. Jesse Louis Jackson, Jr., Jonathan Jackson, 
     Yusef DuBois Jackson, Esq., and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson, 
     Jr. The Jacksons reside in Chicago.

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I join with my colleagues in 
support of H. Res. 156, a resolution to honor not only the work of the 
Honorable Reverend Jesse Jackson but also the work of the entire 
delegation who traveled with him against insurmountable odds and came 
back victorious.
  Especially would I like to single out the work of our colleague, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rod Blagojevich), and the Reverend James 
Meeks, whom I happen to know and have a tremendous amount of respect 
for.
  I think, once again, Reverend Jackson has demonstrated his 
astuteness, his ability, his agility. Some of us thought maybe Reverend 
Jackson was getting a little bit older, and somebody else said, no, 
Jesse is not getting older, he is just getting better. And so he has 
gotten better, he is better, and we commend and congratulate him once 
again on a tremendous piece of humanitarian work for all of the world 
to see.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Napolitano).
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of 
the fence for bringing this today to this floor.
  I especially want to thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Florida 
(Mrs. Carrie Meek), for authoring House Resolution 156, which commends 
the Reverend Jesse Jackson for his wonderful and great work in securing 
the release of our brave servicemen, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, 
Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone, and Specialist Steven Gonzales.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution and honored to have 
the opportunity to address the Nation about it today.
  Reverend Jesse Jackson has once again proven himself a man of great 
ability, of great compassion and of great faith. His mission to 
Yugoslavia brought relief and joy to the families of these three 
servicemen and to all Americans who prayed for their freedom.
  Our Nation owes Jesse Jackson a great debt of gratitude. His skillful 
diplomacy in this case, as well as his other successful missions to 
free hostages and prisoners throughout the years, serves to remind us 
of Reverend Jackson's steadfast dedication to peace and freedom.
  With regard to Staff Sergeant Steven Ramirez, I am especially 
thankful to Reverend Jackson for his courageous mission and am proud to 
join the Nation in honoring this exemplary American today.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 
from Ohio (Mrs. Jones).
  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 156, to 
commend, thank and congratulate the Reverend Jesse Jackson and his 
delegation and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rod Blagojevich) for 
securing the release of the three American soldiers.
  There has been great discussion criticizing independent diplomatic 
efforts as dangerous, out of line and inappropriate. I stand to commend 
the efforts of this faith-based delegation made up of more than 20 
religious leaders as the right move at the right time and in the best 
interests of the soldiers and this Nation.
  I am the mother of a 16-year-old man-child named Mervyn Jones, the 
love of my life. I place myself in the shoes of the mothers of these 
three American soldiers, experiencing the anxiety, loneliness, regret, 
love, longing and desperation of not being able to remove my son from 
the arms of Milosevic. Thanks to the efforts of Reverend Jackson and 
his delegation, I stand in the shoes of these same mothers exuberant, 
relieved, happy, proud, grateful and blessed that God allowed the 
Reverend Jackson to speak for me and my son.
  In the midst of apprehension, discouragement, criticism and mistrust, 
this faith-based delegation had the courage and most of all the faith, 
hope and belief that they could accomplish that which others had been 
unable to accomplish--the release of three young American soldiers.
  There comes a time when all criticism should cease and all voices 
should now be heard in unison, thanking these great Americans for their 
efforts, thanking these great Americans for their belief, thanking them 
for their audacity to believe that they could, thanking them for their 
service.
  Reverend Jackson, Representative Blagojevich and other members of the 
delegation, I join with the United States Congress and the American 
people to laud, commend, congratulate and praise your good work.

[[Page 8339]]


  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman and the 
ranking member for having this, and I want to thank the leadership of 
the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) for offering this resolution.
  I rise in support of H.R. 156, a resolution to commend Reverend Jesse 
Jackson, Sr., for securing the release from captivity of three United 
States soldiers: Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas; Staff 
Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles; and Staff Sergeant Christopher 
Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan.
  For 5 weeks these soldiers reportedly were held isolated from each 
other and their units and held captive in a hostile land. Members of 
their families, people in their home communities and concerned citizens 
around the world prayed for their safe return. We were disappointed by 
the unsuccessful diplomatic efforts to secure their release.
  In answer to the call of conscience, who will go to seek the release 
of these young men, Reverend Jesse Jackson boldly and courageously 
answered, I will. Despite the risk of failure, despite the risk of 
danger to his personal security, despite the risk of criticism from 
those who would say he had no business whatsoever, Reverend Jesse 
Jackson and his faith-based mission answered the call.
  And, indeed, we want to commend our colleague, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich), to go to this foreign country and to urge 
the country of that Nation to let our soldiers go home.
  He succeeded and we are glad. Perhaps this humanitarian gesture by 
the Yugoslavian President, to set free our soldiers, will be followed 
by more substantial concessions on his part to hasten an end to the 
destruction of that region and the suffering he has caused in so many 
lives there. However, today, we should take time, on behalf of a nation 
that is grateful and very relieved by the safe return of our soldiers, 
to say thank you to Rev. Jesse Jackson for answering the call of 
conscience and for a job well done.
  Rev. Jesse Jackson, by his bold actions, displayed the wisdom 
implicit in the old maxim that we should live, learn, love and leave a 
legacy. By his actions, Rev. Jackson displayed courage to go into a 
dangerous situation to accomplish his mission, to seek the release of 
our soldiers. He did it and we say thank you.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much more time do I have 
on this side?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). The gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) has 4\3/4\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Waters).
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time; and though 1 minute is not enough, I will try.
  I simply want to, first, thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Gilman), the chairman, and our ranking member, as well as the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Carrie Meek) for stopping and focusing 
us and getting us together to give our thanks to Reverend Jesse 
Jackson.
  Reverend Jesse Jackson is truly a remarkable man. He is a man who 
truly believes in the power of prayer and the ability to argue the 
moral and humane position, no matter how difficult it looks, no matter 
how difficult it seems.
  He was criticized. They said, do not go, Jesse; do not mess up our 
diplomatic relations, even though we had none. But Jesse went in spite 
of that, with a faith-based coalition and our own Congressman, to say 
to Mr. Milosevic, let them go.
  And despite the fact that we all believe that Mr. Milosevic is 
without a moral center, that this is a man who has been involved in 
ethnic cleansing, that this is a man who had lost his moral compass a 
long time ago, Jesse convinced him.
  He did not stop on the first try. They told him it was not on the 
agenda. Jesse Jackson went to bed; and he said, it is on my agenda. And 
he got up the next morning, and he continued with the mission, and he 
made it happen.
  We are pleased. The mothers of these young men are pleased. We are so 
glad we have a Jesse Jackson. The world should thank Jesse Jackson.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Rush).
  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank the sponsor of this 
outstanding resolution, H.R. 156. I also want to thank the chairman of 
the subcommittee and also the ranking member of the subcommittee for 
this occasion.
  Today, I would like to commend Reverend Jesse Jackson and the entire 
Jackson peace delegation, which included the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Rod Blagojevich) and the Reverend James Meeks, both who reside in 
the City of Chicago, for their heroic efforts in bringing our soldiers 
back home.
  It took people of monumental strength and enormous moral courage to 
accomplish such a noble feat. I know that all of America, including the 
parents of our soldiers, thanked God when on Sunday it was announced 
that our soldiers were released.
  One word about Reverend Jackson. Reverend Jackson is, indeed, a 
remarkable man, a man of enormous courage and enormous talent and 
abilities. Reverend Jackson's moral plea to Milosevic for the release 
of our soldiers was not an easy task. However, once again, Reverend 
Jackson has demonstrated to us the power of diplomatic negotiations.
  Reverend Jackson certainly deserves every word, every symbol, every 
indication that we have giving him thanks.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Hilliard).
  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Reverend Jesse Jackson. For 
many years, the Reverend Jesse Jackson has served the cause of peace 
and human dignity. Once again, Reverend Jackson has traveled to the 
battlefields of a world at war to return captive servicemen. Once 
again, he has brought a message of peace and human unity to a situation 
many thought was beyond hope. Once again, Reverend Jackson has put his 
faith to the test, opened his heart in love and brought hope to the 
hopeless. Once again, Reverend Jackson has made himself an example of a 
committed American and an international peacekeeper.
  Leading a delegation of Christian, Muslims and Jewish 
representatives, Reverend Jackson made a way where there seemed to be 
none. It is my hope that we may use the relationships which he has 
developed to find a way to end this war but, more importantly, that we 
find a way to end the oppression which caused it. It must always be our 
goal to establish a peace not based on oppression and to rebuild an arc 
of the covenant between all people. Reverend Jackson has done his part. 
Let us now do ours.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Reverend Jackson for his efforts.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 
from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our ranking member and 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and my very dear friend, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Carrie Meek), for bringing this 
resolution forward.
  People can say what they want about this country. This is the 
greatest country in the world. Men like Reverend Jesse Jackson, as well 
as my colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rod Blagojevich), who 
have the courage to risk their lives, and the other delegation, and to 
go on foreign soil to free three heroes are to be commended.
  I want to add my voice to all those who have spoken before me in 
thanking Reverend Jackson and our colleague and their delegation. This 
world will be a better place. We hope we can end this war and bring 
peace to our Nation.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Blagojevich), the gentleman who accompanied Reverend 
Jackson and made it possible for Reverend Jackson to visit in 
Yugoslavia.
  Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time.
  Sergeant Ramirez and Sergeant Stone and Specialist Gonzales are soon

[[Page 8340]]

to be home with their families due to the hard work and effort of 
Reverend Jesse Jackson. He worked very hard. He was constant in his 
pursuit of negotiations to achieve this mission. There were peaks, and 
there were valleys. I know, because I was there with him.

                              {time}  1930

  Reverend Jackson did it in Iraq and Kuwait. He did it before in Cuba 
with hostages. He did it before and was successful in Syria with Robert 
Goodman. And he did it again in Yugoslavia. Reverend Jesse Jackson is 
four for four, and Jesse Jackson is the man.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). The gentleman from American 
Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega) has 1 minute remaining.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 35 seconds to the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Ford).
  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me the 
time.
  I just want to the add my voice of congratulations to Jesse Jackson, 
who in many ways is like a father figure to me. I have known the family 
for so long. I am not surprised what Jesse Jackson was able to 
accomplish. And I say to my dear friend who came with me in the same 
class in 1996, that great Congressman from Chicago, he was one heck of 
a wing man and the Reverend could not have done it without him.
  Congratulations, Reverend Jackson. And to the Ramirez, Stone and 
Gonzales families, I thank them for producing three great men like they 
have.
  God bless America.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) has 25 seconds remaining.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 additional minute to 
the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the 
time.
  I certainly want to commend and thank my colleagues for the 
statements that have been presented to pay this very special tribute 
and this resolution to Reverend Jesse Jackson for the performance and 
for the contributions that he has made, especially in bringing home 
these three soldiers who had been imprisoned for the past 31 days.
  In saying that, I certainly thank my good friend the gentlewoman from 
Florida for her sponsorship of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of the time to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Brown).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from American Samoa has 1 
minute remaining. That 1 minute is yielded to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Brown).
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 156.
  I want to thank the Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson for the wonderful 
job he has done getting the three American prisoners released. Our 
Nation and the families of the three soldiers who were held for a month 
are very grateful to Reverend Jackson's work.
  Reverend Jackson has only recently been named as a diplomat, but he 
has been doing this work for a very long time. I am very hopeful that 
Reverend Jackson's success will encourage the two sides to find a 
peaceful end to the crisis.
  On that note, I want to say that I joined several of my colleagues 
this weekend in Vienna, where we had meetings with the Russian 
Parliament. We tried to set a framework for peace negotiations between 
the two sides, and I am very pleased with our results. We cannot 
underestimate the power of negotiators like the Reverend Jackson, and I 
am very encouraged that his efforts, along with the discussions with 
the Russian officials, will lay the groundwork for peace and end this 
conflict.
  God bless America. And, of course, we all love the Reverend Jesse 
Lewis Jackson.
  I would like to congratulate the Reverend Jesse Jackson in his 
successful efforts in bringing home the three United States servicemen, 
Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Stone, Staff Sergeant Andrew A. Ramirez 
and Specialist Steven M. Gonzales, who were abducted in Macedonia near 
the Yugoslav border where they were on patrol while participating in a 
NATO force that was to move into Kosovo as peacekeepers in case of a 
settlement. Mr. Jackson's trip to Yugoslavia as a negotiator on behalf 
of the soldiers was indeed courageous, and his diplomatic talents are 
more than commendable.
  Indeed, in obtaining the release of the captured soldiers, Reverend 
Jesse Jackson succeeded where no one else could through his 
immeasurable perseverance, faith, and persistent negotiating with the 
Serb leader. It is interesting to note that this was not the Reverend's 
first success as an international mediator. In 1984, he won the freedom 
from Syria of a U.S. Navy flyer, Lt. Robert O. Goodman, Jr., who had 
been shot down in a raid on antiaircraft positions in Lebanon. I also 
recall that in June of that same year he persuaded Fidel Castro to 
release 22 Americans and 26 Cubans from Cuban prisons. Additionally, 
Jesse Jackson has participated in numerous domestic ``missions,'' and 
has mediated in several disputes on behalf of African Americans, labor 
and the poor. One example of his efforts was his success in prodding 
the aircraft maker Boeing into a $15 million settlement of two class 
action lawsuits that accused the firm of discriminating against its 
African American workers. I wholeheartedly admire the Reverend for his 
tactics in dispute resolution, for his siding with the underdogs, the 
poor, minorities, and the oppressed.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of the time.
  Again, I want to commend the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek) for 
bringing this resolution to the floor. I want to thank our senior 
member of our committee, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. 
Faleomavaega) for his participation, and thank all of those who 
participated in this tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, and to his 
fellow clergymen who participated with him in this admirable 
undertaking in releasing our prisoners.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, the Rev. Jesse Jackson is 
truly one of America's unsung heroes, and today I stand before you to 
sing his praises.
  For many years, conservatives have held Jesse Jackson up as the 
poster child for liberal causes.
  They have chastised him and demonized him.
  They have cursed him and mocked him.
  And at the same time they wear their version of Christian values on 
their lapels, they look down on everyone that does not conform to their 
narrowly interpreted set of rules.
  However, if ever there was a person who exemplified the morals and 
the values espoused by Christ, that person is the Rev. Jesse Jackson. 
In the Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, our Savior, Jesus Christ tells us 
which values will be looked upon favorably in the kingdom of Heaven. 
Some of the ones he mentions who will be blessed are:
  ``The poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.''
  The Rev. Jackson has dedicated his life to representing the most 
marginalized, disenfranchised members of American society.
  ``Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be 
filled.''
  The Rev. Jackson has made filing the souls of Americans as important 
as filing the bellies of the hungry.
  ``The merciful, for they will be shown mercy.''
  The Rev. Jackson has stepped into the chasm of propaganda and 
demonization to meet with the leaders of our nation's ``enemies'' and 
bring America's sons and daughters back from captivity in foreign 
countries.
  ``The pure in heart, for they will see God.''
  The Rev. Jackson's approach to solving problems clearly illustrates 
the innocence and humility of his altruistic intentions, his love of 
all people, and his dedication to making the world a better place for 
everyone.
  ``The peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.''
  The Rev. Jackson has been a strong, outspoken advocate of diplomacy 
and nonviolent conflict resolution.
  ``Those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for their is the 
kingdom of heaven.''
  The Rev. Jackson has stood on the front lines of our nation's 
struggle to recognize the civil rights of all its citizens.
  Rev. Jackson, we appreciate you and the work you are doing to walk 
the path. We commend you for your tireless efforts to bring home 
American soldiers who have become prisoners of war. However, your 
selflessness does not stop there. On a number of occasions, your 
intervention has freed citizens

[[Page 8341]]

being held as human shields by Saddam Hussein and political prisoners 
from Cuban jails. Hold your head up Brother Jackson. You are somebody! 
Keep the faith! When you are feeling a little unappreciated, just 
remember.

       Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and 
     falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 
     Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, 
     for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were 
     before you. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt 
     loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no 
     longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and 
     trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a 
     hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put 
     it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it 
     gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let 
     your light shine before men, that they may see your good 
     deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thought that I should go to Andrews 
Airport Air Force Base yesterday to welcome Jesse Jackson home. 
Reverend Jackson had helped raise the consciousness of the nation to 
freedom concerns in the District of Columbia when he was statehood 
senator and lived here a few years ago. I thought that I should be 
there to greet him for bringing a freedom message to President Slobodan 
Milosevic, who heard Jesse Jackson and freed the three American 
servicemen.
  I listened intently to Rev. Jackson's comments at the airport. He 
detailed how he had managed to free the three soldiers, and it was 
clear that he had done it with great care and skill without undermining 
U.S. foreign policy concerns and military aims. Reverend Jackson 
carried the NATO four conditions and urged them on Milosevic at the 
same time that he urged our country to look for diplomatic openings. 
Through the efforts of the former Russian Prime Minister Viktor 
Chernomyrdin, who coincidently arrived at Andrews shortly after the 
Jackson delegation, these openings are beginning to appear now. Rev. 
Jackson's work has not hurt our goals, and may have helped in ways we 
cannot yet know. What we do know is what Jesse Jackson, through an act 
of will and skill, has produced the three young men before the war's 
end. Jesse Jackson deserves credit not only for what he did but for the 
way he did it. Today's special order is a well deserved tribute.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize my good friend and 
colleague, Reverend Jesse Jackson, for his diplomacy in Yugoslavia and 
his work to bring an end to the crisis in Kosovo. Thanks to the work of 
Reverend Jackson and his delegation, three servicemen who had been held 
in Yugoslavia have been freed and allowed to return home safely. We 
must continue to take every measure possible to ensure the safe and 
expeditious return home of all the men and women of the United States 
Armed Forces who have been dispatched to Yugoslavia.
  In the same spirit, I hope that we can seize upon this moment to 
further these diplomatic efforts to bring about an immediate end to 
Slobodan Milosevic's campaign of terror. At this juncture, I am 
convinced that our best hope for peace and stability in the region is 
the negotiation of an immediate cease fire and the dispatch of an 
international peace keeping force. It is my strong belief that the 
United States and NATO must reach out to the United Nations, Russia, 
China, and others to work together toward a new internationally 
negotiated peace agreement and to secure Serb compliance with any and 
all of its terms.
  As a person who strongly believes in the teachings and work of Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., I profoundly subscribe to the principles of 
nonviolence and implore us to consider the teachings of Dr. King as we 
address the crisis in Kosovo. In speaking about the Vietnam war in his 
speech A Christmas Sermon on Peace found in his last book, The Trumpet 
of Conscience, Dr. King wrote: ``But one day we must come to see that 
peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by 
which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through 
peaceful means. All of this is saying that, in the final analysis, 
means and ends must cohere because the end is pre-existent in the means 
and ultimately destructive means cannot bring about constructive 
ends.''
  Based upon these principles of non-violence, it is with enthusiasm 
and pride that I applaud Reverend Jackson and his delegation for 
opening important, new diplomatic channels. While I have not seen 
Milosevic's letter to President Clinton, I am very hopeful that our 
President will view the letter as a possible opportunity to renew 
dialog to seek a political settlement to this horrific crisis. I pray 
that this will set in motion a process that ends the bloodshed in 
Yugoslavia and leads to sustainable and long-term peace in the Balkans.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 156, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``Resolution commending the 
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release of Specialist 
Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of 
Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths 
Creek, Michigan, from captivity in the Federal Republic of 
Yugoslavia.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________