[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 3]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                             ELIAN GONZALEZ

  Mr. MACK. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill granting 
Elian Gonzalez American citizenship.
  What it means is that the most important decision in this young boy's 
life will not be made by a political bureaucracy--but by a family 
court.
  Mr. President, neither the President of the United States, his 
Attorney General, nor the dictator ruling Cuba is qualified to decide 
the fate of this little boy. The United States is a country of laws, 
and we zealously believe in the rule of law. Elian deserves access to 
the legal protections of our family courts. These courts are in the 
business of considering family cases day after day. And they would 
consider ``what is in the boy's best interest.'' Today, the only 
concern of the INS is ``who speaks for the boy,'' not about his future.
  The primary purpose of this legislation is to ensure Elian has access 
to America's family courts: a court that will consider the choice that 
his mother made when she gave her life for freedom.
  Mr. President, we will continue this debate sometime later in the 
week and make no mistake, I believe that Elian should remain here in 
the United States where he can live in freedom. But it is not my 
purpose to make that decision; that is the function of a family court.
  This bill is intended to allow a family court to settle this dispute 
based upon the best interests of Elian Gonzalez.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who seeks time? The minority leader.

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