[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16749]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       COLOMBIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

 Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to join people in 
New Jersey and throughout the nation in recognizing Colombia's 190 
years of independence from Spain. On July 20, 1810, the citizens of 
Bogota created the first representative council to challenge Spanish 
authority. Total independence was proclaimed in 1813, and in 1819 the 
Republic of Greater Colombia was formed. In 1822, the United States 
became one of the first countries to recognize the new republic and to 
establish a resident diplomatic mission.
  In addition to recognizing the day of Colombia's independence, this 
is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the 
growing population of Colombian-Americans in New Jersey and throughout 
the United States. Almost 100,000 Colombian-Americans reside in 
Northern New Jersey alone. The Colombian-American culture is vibrant 
and rich and it is important to acknowledge the impact it is having on 
our communities.
  While Colombia boasts one of the oldest democracies in South America, 
that democracy faces many serious challenges today. Celebrating this 
day of independence reminds us that Colombia has a long journey ahead 
as it works to overcome the problems of drug trafficking and rebel 
violence that continue to plague its society. The United States 
Congress is committed to helping in that struggle in any way we can.
  I commend the great accomplishments and contributions of the 
Colombian-American community and as we join Colombian-Americans in 
celebrating their nation's independence we also look to establishing 
peace and justice in their homeland.

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