[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 3]
[House]
[Pages 3877-3882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR UNTIMELY DEATH 
                OF MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT BORIS TRAJKOVSKI

  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 540) expressing the condolences and deepest 
sympathies of the House of Representatives for the untimely death of 
Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H. Res. 540

       Whereas on February 26, 2004, President Boris Trajkovski of 
     the Republic of Macedonia was tragically killed in a plane 
     crash in Bosnia-Herzegovina while he was on his way to an 
     international investment conference;
       Whereas Mr. Trajkovski served Macedonia as Deputy Minister 
     of Foreign Affairs from December 21, 1998 until he was 
     inaugurated as President on December 15, 1999;
       Whereas Mr. Trajkovski stood up for what he believed was 
     right and moral, even when he faced opposition within 
     Macedonia;
       Whereas under Mr. Trajkovski's leadership, Macedonia was 
     one of the first countries to publicly support Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom and to commit troops to the effort;
       Whereas during Macedonia's armed ethnic clashes Mr. 
     Trajkovski demonstrated his willingness to work with all of 
     Macedonia's ethnic groups, which helped to prevent a civil 
     war;
       Whereas Mr. Trajkovski was a strong believer in free 
     markets and worked tirelessly to bring development and 
     investment to Macedonia;
       Whereas under President Trajkovski's leadership, Macedonia 
     negotiated an agreement with the United States under Article 
     98 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, 
     signed the agreement on June 30, 2003, and ratified the 
     agreement on October 16, 2003, thereby helping to ensure 
     United States citizens will not be subject to politically 
     motivated prosecutions;
       Whereas Mr. Trajkovski worked to foster peace for the 
     entire Balkan region and to integrate Macedonia into the 
     international community; and
       Whereas the death of Mr. Trajkovski is a tragedy for the 
     people of Macedonia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of the 
     Republic of Macedonia, the family of President Boris 
     Trajkovski, and the families of the other crash victims;
       (2) expresses its desire for a smooth and orderly 
     transition of power; and
       (3) expresses the solidarity of the people of the United 
     States with the people of Macedonia and the Macedonian 
     Government during this tragedy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H. Res. 540, the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Nebraska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, this Member rises in support of H. Res. 540, as 
amended, expressing the condolences and deepest sympathy of the U.S. 
House of Representatives upon the death of Macedonian President Boris 
Trajkovski. This resolution was introduced by the distinguished 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).
  On February 26, 2004, President Boris Trajkovski of the former 
Yugoslav republic of Macedonia was tragically killed in a plane crash 
over Bosnia-Herzegovina, while traveling to Moscow to attend a regional 
economic conference. He and eight other individuals on the aircraft 
died in this tragic accident. This Member understands the official 
State funeral was held Friday of last week in Skopje.
  President Trajkovski is one of the most important reasons why 
Macedonia is making the progress it has made in recent years. President 
Trajkovski was an important leader and voice of reason in resolving the 
ethnic conflict that was threatening his country 3 years ago and in 
implementing the Ohrid peace agreement of August 2001. His leadership 
and moderation between opposing sides have been absolutely essential in 
creating the conditions for the progress that his government and his 
country have made since then.
  He worked tirelessly to ensure that democratic values and 
institutions would prevail in his country and to bring his country 
closer towards full integration in the Euro-Atlantic institutions. In 
May of last year, his country joined Croatia and Albania in signing the 
Adriatic Charter, an agreement to commit to reforms and cooperation in 
order to prepare these countries for accession into NATO. His country 
has been a strong supporter of the international war against terrorism 
and has contributed forces to operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq. 
Tragically, his country was scheduled to formally submit its 
application to become a candidate for membership in the European Union 
last week on February 26, tragic only because that was the very day of 
the tragic accident.

[[Page 3878]]

  Historically, President Trajkovski will be most known for saving his 
country from civil war. This resolution recognizes that fact and his 
leadership and his importance to his country. This resolution is an 
affirmation that the U.S. House of Representatives supports the reforms 
that President Trajkovski implemented and the progress that all 
Macedonians have made. May the government of Macedonia and the people 
of Macedonia continue to follow his example and continue along his path 
of reform, progress, peace and democracy.
  This Member would like to express his deepest sympathies and 
condolences to his family, to his country and to all the Macedonian 
people and urge his colleagues in this House to support passage of the 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in sad and strong support of this resolution. I want to 
associate myself with the remarks of my good friend from Nebraska, and 
I want to join him and all other Members in offering our deepest 
condolences on the tragic death of President Boris Trajkovski, to the 
people of Macedonia and to his family. President Trajkovski is survived 
by his wife and two children, and I want to extend our expressions of 
sympathy to his entire family and to all the citizens of Macedonia.
  The Balkans have seen more than their share of turbulence in the past 
couple of decades. Macedonia alone has attained independence, wrestled 
with economic challenges, overcame ethnic tensions between Macedonian 
Slavs and the Albanian minority. Outside of Macedonia, there are still 
people in the Balkans who strive to return to their homes to attain 
international recognition and to secure their statehood. Our 
involvement in the region must continue to be vigorous and effective.
  The leadership of President Trajkovski stands out in the Balkan 
context. He was a voice for moderation and reason who united his 
country and led it on the path of integration with the European Union 
and membership in NATO. I was privileged to meet him a little while 
ago, with our distinguished chairman, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Hyde) to discuss his vision for Macedonia and for the region, and both 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and I were deeply impressed by 
his passionate commitment to his people and to building a democratic 
society.
  Just on the day of this tragic event, a Macedonian delegation was due 
to present a Macedonian-EU partnership application to the government of 
Ireland which currently holds the presidency of the European Union. I 
was pleased to learn that, although the visit of the Macedonian 
delegation was cut short by the tragic events, the government of 
Macedonia followed through and did submit its application to the 
European Union.

                              {time}  1830

  Last year, Madam Speaker, Macedonia signed the U.S. Adriatic Charter, 
affirming its commitment to the values and principles of NATO and to 
joining the alliance at the earliest possible time. Macedonia has been 
a true friend of the United States. It stands with us in the war on 
terrorism and has provided troops both in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  So today, Madam Speaker, as we honor the memory of President 
Trajkovski and mourn his tragic death, we reaffirm the close friendship 
and partnership we have with Macedonia and we express our desire that 
this relationship grow stronger under the new leadership that the 
Macedonian people will soon choose. I am confident that Macedonia will 
stay firmly on the path to democracy and integration with the Euro-
Atlantic community, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Res. 
540.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as 
he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder), the sponsor 
of the resolution.
  Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Europe, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter); the 
chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Hyde); and the ranking member, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), for moving this piece of legislation.
  Just a few moments ago, we discussed a resolution in support of 
Republic Day in India, the world's largest democracy, and a country 
with a rich, long tradition and of great importance to the United 
States. This resolution addresses a relatively new and small democracy, 
the Republic of Macedonia, but also of importance to the United States.
  Our friend, the Republic of Macedonia, has just lost its leader. Two 
weeks ago, the man many believed would lead Macedonia was tragically 
killed in a plane crash. Now, the future of Macedonia is uncertain. The 
next president of Macedonia may or may not stay on the course charted 
by Mr. Trajkovski. The next president of Macedonia may or may not work 
to bring all Macedonians together. The next president may or may not 
have the esteem Mr. Trajkovski commanded. I certainly hope the next 
president of Macedonia is able to do all of these things.
  As is typical in many new democracies behind the old Iron Curtain, 
President Trajkovski did not have a long record of public service. In 
1997, Mr. Trajkovski became Chief of Office in a local government 
administration. In 1988, he was appointed to the post of Deputy 
Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1999, he was inaugurated president of 
the Republic of Macedonia. What Mr. Trajkovski's public service lacked 
in longevity, however, it more than made up for in terms of quality and 
the impact that his policies and principles will have far into 
Macedonia's future.
  During Macedonia's ethnic troubles, he realized that peace was better 
than war. He reached out to the Albanians and Macedonians alike. As a 
Methodist minister in an Orthodox Christian country, establishing 
trust, even among his own people, was no small feat. Yet Mr. Trajkovski 
brokered a peaceful solution that avoided the further balkanization of 
the region. It is a little sea of hope in the midst of much conflict.
  In looking forward to the future of his country, President Trajkovski 
realized that economic development was the key to the success of 
Macedonia. He encouraged investment, free markets, and great 
international participation. Indeed, he died on his way to an 
international investors conference. President Trajkovski's contribution 
to his country's stability and prosperity will not soon be forgotten.
  Macedonia worked with the United States in the conflict in Serbia, 
letting us base multiple operations there, including camps for those 
who had fled Kosovo, with no small risk to the stability in their 
country. They are a great friend of the United States, as we have 
heard, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  It was my privilege to meet President Trajkovski a number of times, 
and he was a dynamic man. But while he was a great leader as president, 
he was much more. He was also a good man and a Godly man. He lived his 
faith, and it undoubtedly influenced every single decision he made in 
his life and in his leadership. As a devoted family man with a wife and 
two children, he worked hard to make sure his children had a better 
future. I have gotten word that the government of Macedonia is working 
to support the Trajkovski family's future needs. Given the contribution 
Mr. Trajkovski made to his country, I am glad his family is not 
forgotten.
  In 1996, Mr. Trajkovski visited the United States in order to study 
the democratic political process. Judging from his presidency, I would 
say he learned a great deal. During his time in the United States, he 
visited my district. The several thousand strong Macedonian community 
of northeast Indiana maintains close ties with friends and relatives of 
Macedonia. They are very informed about the political and economic 
situation there. With the death of Mr. Trajkovski, I am

[[Page 3879]]

sure they are very concerned what the future holds for the homeland.
  In recent days, many people have remembered Boris Trajkovski. One 
remembrance in particular stands out. In a moving article I am 
submitting for the Record, Jason Miko, an American living in Macedonia, 
recalls not only President Trajkovski, a powerful leader, but also 
Boris Trajkovski, a simple man of the people. I would like to read one 
paragraph in closing.
  He writes: ``Since thoughts are even now turning to the next 
president, it is vital to remember the legacy that Boris leaves. More 
than almost any other figure in the Balkans in modern history, he did 
the most to bring people together. He was respected by all ethnic 
groups and had a vision for this country which was 20 years ahead. He 
often talked about rights, together with individual responsibility, the 
importance of a civil society together with the need for social 
communication. But his most important message was one of 
reconciliation, love, and forgiveness.''
  Madam Speaker, I submit for the Record the complete article from 
which I just read:

               [From the Macedonian Vreme, Mar. 2, 2004]

                            My Friend Boris

                            (By Jason Miko)

       My friend Boris Trajkovski passed away last week. I rarely 
     called him ``Boris.'' I usually called him ``Mr. President.'' 
     Sometimes, when we prayed, I referred to him as ``my brother, 
     Boris.'' He wasn't hung up on titles and ceremony and frankly 
     didn't care what people called him though I know he was a 
     little bit hurt when some people in Macedonia referred to him 
     as ``citizen Trajkovski'' during his first year in office. I 
     think they probably regret that now. They should.
       I first met Boris Trajkovski in early 1997. I had moved to 
     Macedonia in the summer of 1996 and got to know him through 
     an American friend of mine who had introduced me to a 
     Macedonian friend of his who knew Boris very well. I honestly 
     cannot remember the very first time we met, but I will never 
     forget the last.
       He wasn't my president, but over the past seven years, I 
     came to know Boris as a very dear friend. And while I had the 
     high honor and privilege of seeing him go from international 
     secretary in his party to deputy foreign minister to 
     president, the friendship never changed. We shared a 
     friendship that transcended disagreements, difficult periods, 
     and misunderstandings. Boris was always there for me and he 
     told me about two weeks ago how he loved me. And I know his 
     love was not limited to his family or friends. He loved his 
     fellow citizens and his country as much as his family and 
     friends. He was a big man with a big heart.
       When September 11th occurred, his was the third call I 
     received. The first was from a friend telling me of the 
     disaster and the second was from my parents in Arizona. 
     Another time I remember when he asked me to give strong 
     consideration to hiring a friend of his (long before he was 
     president), in my organization. I didn't hire his friend, but 
     that didn't change our friendship.
       It is ironic in a way. Since the tragedy last week, 
     Macedonians of all political stripes and colors, all ethnic 
     groups, all social classes and all religious groupings have 
     been in a funk, a state of shock, at the loss. Boris is much 
     more popular now in death, than he ever was in life. The 
     international community, too, is still reeling from the loss, 
     now coming to the full realization of what a treasure we all 
     had and took for granted. That seems to be the way life works 
     though.
       We've heard many people over the past week talk about Boris 
     and say he was their friend. I believe most of them are 
     sincere though I also know that there is, even now, some 
     political posturing going on. I know that Boris held no 
     grudges against anyone and even though he could get angry at 
     people for what they said and did to him, he didn't remain 
     angry for very long. He was that sort of a man--forgiving, 
     understanding and loving. It's a shame we are only now 
     realizing that.
       Boris was a rare individual. He stood for what he believed 
     in and he fought for the values he held dear. He was real, 
     not phony like some politicians can be. In fact, in many 
     ways, he wasn't even a politician. I clearly remember, in the 
     summer of 1999, as the Kosovo crisis was ending and thoughts 
     were turning to the presidential elections of the fall, the 
     enthusiasm that people had for him as a candidate. And 
     truthfully, he hadn't even thought of running for president 
     himself until ordinary Macedonians started encouraging him to 
     run. Coming from humble roots in rural Macedonia, he was 
     truly a man of the people and for the people.
       Over the past four plus years of his mandate, Boris was 
     able to mingle with the highest and mightiest on this earth 
     and with the most humble. And while he was comfortable in 
     both situations--with kings and queens, presidents and prime 
     ministers on the one hand--he enjoyed himself most with 
     villagers and working men and women of his native Macedonia. 
     How many other elected officials do you know who have gone 
     into villages throughout this country speaking with the 
     common man and woman listening to their hopes, fears and 
     dreams? I hope that you, as Macedonian citizens, will demand 
     that of your next president. It is the legacy that Boris 
     would want.
       And since thoughts are even now turning to the next 
     President, it is vital to remember the legacy that Boris 
     leaves. More than almost any other figure in the Balkans in 
     modern history, he did the most to bring people together. He 
     was respected by all ethnic groups and had a vision for this 
     country which was 20 years ahead. He often talked about 
     rights, together with individual responsibility, the 
     importance of a civil society together with the need for 
     social communication. But is most important message was one 
     of reconciliation, love and forgiveness.
       These values he held came from his deep faith and 
     convictions. And while he was indeed a Methodist, it is not 
     important to focus on his chosen religious denomination, but 
     on the tenants of that faith. His deep love for the Son of 
     God--Jesus Christ--and his recognition that man is sinful and 
     needs salvation--prompted him to talk about and live a life 
     of love for all mankind. I remember him--on many occasions--
     talking about how he was willing to ``sacrifice myself'' for 
     Macedonia. And ultimately, Boris did pay the ultimate price 
     for his fellow man and his country--he gave us his life. He 
     gave Macedonia his life that Macedonia might come together 
     and yet live again.
       I hope that by giving up his life for his fellow man that 
     something good will come of this. Something good must come of 
     this. It can start here in Macedonia but it can spread 
     throughout the Balkans and the world. And it is this: a life 
     lived for his fellow man, and a deep love for his family, his 
     country and for God. The international community, in the 
     meantime, can help continue Boris' legacy by finally 
     recognizing the name--the Republic of Macedonia. Boris would 
     want this.
       I was with Boris last Wednesday, until about 5:30 p.m., 
     about 14 hours before he left us for a better place. We were 
     discussing the future, his plans, upcoming trips and the 
     like. How short life is and how foolish the plans of man 
     indeed! In a blinding instant it all changed, for Macedonia, 
     for the Balkans, for the world, forever. It changed for his 
     family, his friends, his fellow countrymen and for the 
     international community. For people such as myself, and my 
     friend Boris, however, we have a hope of things yet to come. 
     Our faith tells us that one day we will be reunited together 
     along with many others. In the meantime, what life we have 
     left here on earth should be dedicated to spreading his 
     legacy, a legacy of love, forgiveness, reconciliation and 
     friendship. That is what my friend Boris would want.

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), a distinguished member of the 
Committee on International Relations who has a long-standing special 
interest in this region.
  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
yielding me this time, and I rise in strong support of H. Res. 540.
  Madam Speaker, being a Member of Congress, we are privileged to meet 
many international leaders. Particularly serving on the Committee on 
International Relations, it is our honor to meet visiting dignitaries, 
and we often go to different countries to meet with them as well. Last 
week, I had the distinct honor, on Friday, of attending President Boris 
Trajkovski's funeral in Skopje, Macedonia, as part of the official 
American delegation, along with my colleague and good friend, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), and also Secretary Principi, who is 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I know the three of us felt that it 
was an honor to represent the United States of America at this funeral.
  I knew Boris Trajkovski, having met with him on many occasions. It is 
a tragedy, as my colleagues have pointed out, that a man so young, only 
47, with tremendous promise, a very good leader for his country, 
forward looking, a strong ally of the United States, would be cut down 
in such a tragic manner.
  It is not easy to be a leader in the Balkans. The Balkans has been a 
very, very volatile area. It takes people with courage to be able to 
look ahead and to be able to do what is right. Boris Trajkovski was 
such a person.
  I remember a meeting with him in 1999 in Skopje, Macedonia, where he 
was running for election as president and was courting the votes of the 
Albanian community in Macedonia. The Albanian community is a very 
important

[[Page 3880]]

and large ethnic minority community in Macedonia. And President 
Trajkovski was looking for the votes and said that he is a Methodist 
minister; and as a Protestant minister in an Orthodox Christian 
country, he was a religious minority in his own country. So he said 
that he would be sensitive to other religious minorities and ethnic 
minorities in Macedonia. And, indeed, he was.
  Madam Speaker, part of the resolution says: ``Whereas during 
Macedonia's armed ethnic clashes, Mr. Trajkovski demonstrated his 
willingness to work with all of Macedonia's ethnic groups, which helped 
to prevent a civil war.'' And even though that was unpopular among some 
of his own people, he knew it was the right thing to do. He knew that 
the Albanian ethnic minority was entitled to rights as first-class 
citizens of Macedonia. And I can tell you, as chairman of the Albanian 
Issues Caucus here in Washington, I witnessed firsthand the workings of 
President Trajkovski bringing people together and standing out and 
speaking out in favor of such an agreement, which worked.
  Tensions in Macedonia are at an all-time low, largely because of the 
work of Boris Trajkovski. Our ambassador, the U.S. ambassador to 
Macedonia, Ambassador Butler, who does such a wonderful job, told me 
last week that he met with President Trajkovski regularly. In fact, 
they prayed together and they often discussed all kinds of issues.
  President Trajkovski was unabashedly pro-American. As our colleagues 
have said, they joined with us in fighting terrorism and joined with us 
in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Adriatic Charter, Croatia, Macedonia, and 
Albania, we promoted that in this Congress. My resolution passed both 
the Senate and the House commending these countries for signing the 
Adriatic Charter. President Trajkovski was an important part of making 
that happen.
  Yes, he alienated a number of people because he wanted to move 
forward. Even in his own party there were some times he wondered if he 
could win reelection because he was so bold in taking these enlightened 
positions. But, ultimately, I believe that had he lived and stood for 
reelection, he almost certainly would have been reelected, because 
people understood that here was a man of vision and a man of greatness 
and someone who was good for the Macedonian nation.
  So I just want to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to 
President Boris Trajkovski. I met with his wife before the funeral, saw 
his children; and at the cemetery, I must say it was very, very moving 
to have thousands of foreign dignitaries there, each representing a 
different country. I had not seen anything so moving since the funeral 
of Yitzhak Rabin in Israel several years ago.
  Boris Trajkovski was a man who will be missed; and it is very, very 
important that all people of good will follow in his footsteps and make 
sure that Macedonia continues to have a thriving democracy and 
continues to work closely with the United States of America. I strongly 
support this resolution and urge our colleagues to all vote in the 
affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished 
ranking member for yielding me this time.
  In my community, I always discuss with my constituents the value of 
internationalism, recognizing the world family; and so I want to 
applaud the sponsors of this legislation because, again, it says to the 
world that America cares. I believe that this very sad occasion, the 
loss of life and the untimely death of President Trajkovski, should be 
noted on the floor of this House.
  I had the privilege some years ago, during the Bosnian war, to be in 
that area and to understand the closeness yet the distance and the 
importance of someone who could be in fact a uniter, and that he was. 
To recognize the wrongness of ethnic cleansing and ethnic divisiveness 
was his trait. As I understand it, even as he traveled to his untimely 
death, he was engaged in efforts of internationalism and peacemaking.
  So I rise today to express my condolences and as well my deepest 
sympathies to the people of Macedonia, and of course to the region, and 
to thank the Committee on International Relations for always drawing to 
our attention that we are much stronger when we extend the hand of 
friendship and we accept each other's pain as well as each other's joy. 
My deepest sympathy also to those who mourn his death here in the 
United States and certainly in Macedonia and around the world.
  I conclude by saying that in addition to those from that region, I 
have a great deal of collaboration with those who call and respect 
India as their place of birth. So I also want to be able to acknowledge 
the resolution dealing with the commendation and the celebration of the 
Republic Day of India, and again to thank Indian Americans for their 
efforts toward peace and reconciliation. Not only do we speak these 
words, but I hope that we will act upon the international spirit and 
making sure that all of our friends know that we continue to stand 
united for world peace, world dignity, and the humanity of all.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution. The issues 
of India and Indian-Americans are becoming increasingly prominent here 
in Washington. The role of India, as a large and vibrant democracy in a 
strategically important part of the world, is quickly coming into 
focus--as a partner in trade, and as an ally in fighting international 
terrorism. Indian Americans have contributed immensely to the American 
culture and to our economy. It is no wonder that in only ten years, the 
Congressional Indian Caucus has already amassed over 160 Members.
  But India is a huge and complex nation, well-known as the world's 
largest Democracy. Of course, as strong as our relationship is with 
this large partner, there are also differences--on trade issues, 
outsourcing, environmental, and labor issues. We need to work on those 
differences and come to fair resolutions. It is the true bond of 
friendship between our two nations, so obvious in our cultural 
exchanges, that makes me confident that we will resolve the differences 
between us and build on our common values.
  It is a true testament to the power of democracy and the spirit of 
the Indian people, that only 54 years after it adopted its 
Constitution, that India is such a powerful and respected player on the 
world stage.
  After my two trips to India, and my years of friendship and 
partnership with the outstanding members of the Indian community in 
Houston, I know that I have still only scratched the surface of the 
deep culture and history that Indians have to offer the world. I am 
glad that the U.S.-Indian relationship is continuing to flourish.
  I commend the co-chairs of the Indian Caucus, Representatives Wilson 
and Crowley, for taking the time to put forth this symbolic resolution.
  I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.

                              {time}  1845

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Macedonia is a deeply divided country ethnically, and President 
Trajkovski was a powerful force in bringing peace and reconciliation to 
the Slav and Albanian communities. We shall remember him as a man of 
peace. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in voting for this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues for their appropriate 
words and sentiments. I urge unanimous support for the resolution.
  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 540, 
expressing the condolences and deepest sympathies of the House of 
Representatives for the untimely death of Macedonian President Boris 
Trajkovski and to pay honor to his life.
  I was honored to be a part of the United States delegation to 
President Trajkovski's funeral led by Veterans Affairs Secretary 
Anthony Principi. The delegation also included Congressman Eliot Engel, 
Barry Jackson from the White House and President Trajkovski's good 
friend, Kent Patton.

[[Page 3881]]

  President Trajkovski was a great friend of the United States and will 
be dearly missed. He was a man of great faith and led his country with 
dignity and respect. He united the citizens of Macedonia and will 
remembered by all.
  Below are statements read at his funeral by H.E. Mr. Branko 
Crvenkovski, president of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, 
and Mr. Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission. Their words 
illustrate the great impact that Boris Trajkovski had on so many of the 
lives he touched.

                 Address by H.E. Mr. Branko Crvenkovski

       Dear President, today, Republic of Macedonia is on its 
     feet, united and unified in its pain, dignified in its 
     sorrow, joined in paying the respect.
       We are offering our last farewell to you, our President. 
     Our loss is immense; the tragedy, which has befallen us, is 
     immense.
       Only 10 days ago, full of life, full of enthusiasm and 
     deeply convinced of the European future of Macedonia, you 
     sent me to Ireland.
       Fate has decided that I bid you farewell today to the 
     unforgettable part of the history of our nation and state.
       In the last four years, circumstances and the curse of our 
     profession called politics, bestowed us moments when we were 
     both friends and opponents, moments when we cooperated, 
     moments when we criticized each other.
       However, I will never doubt the fact that in all key 
     moments whilst making the most difficult decisions for the 
     future of our state, we were always together, we were on the 
     same side, understanding each other even better than with our 
     fellow party members.
       You often sailed against the wind, misunderstood, blamed, 
     without sufficient support.
       You were the most deserving for the fact that we avoided a 
     disaster in 2001.
       It is tragic for us that your death united us more than 
     your commitments as President.
       It is tragic for us and a satisfaction for you that today 
     we are aware that you were more respected worldwide than in 
     your own country.
       Today, we know that you looked further, thought deeper and 
     believed more.
       Our pain is immense; the pain of your family is 
     immeasurable.
       Somebody said: ``Shared joy, is greater joy. Shared pain is 
     lesser pain.'' Today, all of us, entire Macedonia and all our 
     friends worldwide share the pain and sorrow of your Vilma, 
     Sara and Stefan.
       Your children had a father. From now on, fatherly care 
     becomes the responsibility of all of us.
       Standing your ground, you withstood all criticism. You were 
     blamed that you were a traitor, while you made the most 
     patriotic step. You were blamed of cowardice, but you were 
     the most courageous one. You, more than anybody else, stopped 
     the war and returned the peace to us.
       In times of insanity you gave us reason. You fought hatred 
     with your words of love, forgiveness, mutual understanding. 
     And you accomplished all of this in your recognizable style: 
     sincerely, simply, from the bottom of the heart, excluding 
     any calculations.
       Once you told me: ``In 10 years everybody will recognize 
     that I was right''.
       Boris, it was not necessary to wait 10 years. Already today 
     the entire Macedonia pays its tribute and recognition.
       Distinguished President, having learned of the tragic 
     event, many asked themselves what would befall Macedonia 
     after your death. Such people neither know Macedonia, nor 
     knew you.
       Your greatness did not lie in leading your people in a 
     direction different from what they considered their options.
       Your greatness is embodied in you being a man of the people 
     and for the people.
       Macedonia knows its way. Macedonia knows where its future 
     lies.
       Dear President, I am honored for having known you and for 
     having the opportunity to work with you.
       There are great people next to whom all others feel small. 
     There are greater people next to whom all others feel great, 
     as well.
       You, Boris were the latter kind of man.
       Rest in peace, great man.
                                  ____


                     A Tribute to Boris Trajkovski

                           (By Romano Prodi)

       When I learned the news of the tragic crash that cut short 
     Boris Trajkovski's life, an image flashed to my mind--the 
     memory of our meeting in Thessaloniki at the European Council 
     in June last year.
       It was an important day for the Balkans. It was an 
     important day for Europe. It was the day we decided together 
     that the European Union's enlargement would not be complete 
     until all the countries of this region were full members of 
     the Union. It was the day we set a joint agenda together to 
     achieve that objective.
       When we met, we embraced and rejoiced at the fact we were 
     seated at the same table. It was a foretaste of what the full 
     European family would look like.
       I remember thanking Boris for all the enthusiasm and 
     commitment he had shown in bringing the whole region--not 
     just his own country--along the road to European integration. 
     His reply was a smile and an even warmer embrace.
       That is the image of Boris Trajkovski that will always stay 
     with me. His passion, his commitment, his love for Europe and 
     for his region. Europe was the guiding star on Boris's 
     journey. The values of tolerance and respect on which our 
     Union is founded were an inspiration to him in the very 
     difficult times this country and all its people have seen.
       Pulling together, not apart. Being open, not closed. 
     Including, not excluding. Like our Europe, a Union of 
     minorities, united by the ideals of cooperation and peace.
       Those were my thoughts on my recent visit to Skopje, as 
     together we crossed the old bridge over the Vardar--that 
     symbol of union so full of meaning for this city's--and this 
     country's--past and present. This country, this region, all 
     Europe has lost an enlightened, far-sighted leader, a 
     statesman who saw beyond the narrow horizon of everyday 
     politics, a man who put the individual at the center.
       As we pay tribute to the memory of Boris Trajkovski today, 
     we all share the pain and grief felt by his beloved wife 
     Vilma, his children Stefan and Sara, his family and friends, 
     and all his fellow Macedonians.
       But as we morn his loss--and it is a great loss--we must 
     not lose sight of the deeper meaning of his work, the work he 
     sacrificed his life to accomplish.
       Honoring Boris Trajkovski's memory means taking up the 
     challenge--meeting the objectives he believed in and 
     completing the work he started.
       Honoring Boris's memory today means thinking of the future 
     of the people of Macedonia--these people he cherished so 
     dearly, who were his foremost concern, with whom he felt 
     utterly at one.
       For the country's leaders, it means continuing--resolutely, 
     united in purpose--along the path of European integration. 
     Aware that this is an irreversible process, a process that 
     has the whole country behind it. With all its ethnic and 
     political components fully supporting the choices, 
     shouldering the responsibilities and protecting the rights of 
     each.
       For the international community, it means continued backing 
     for the efforts this country has already made. We must 
     support Macedonia's bold reform program to become a full 
     member of the European Union.
       So we look forward to receiving your application to join 
     the Union. And if that application were dedicated to anyone, 
     it would be to Boris Trajkovski.
       We believe in this country, we believe in its will and 
     determination to become a full member of the European 
     institutions. And we are certain it will succeed.
       This will demand patience and, above all, perseverance. And 
     it can only be achieved if it is truly desired, as Boris 
     Trajkovski desired it so passionately.
       Today we morn Boris Trajkovski, but we have faith in this 
     country's political future. Any other attitude would fall 
     short of the ideals Boris fought for all his life.
       His tragic death is a loss to us all. But his memory gives 
     us heart to work even harder, to keep alive his political 
     heritage and the principles that guided him, and to meet the 
     objectives he set himself.
       February 26 will be remembered as a sad day, but also as a 
     day to commemorate Boris Trajkovski's commitment and 
     enthusiasm. So his dream of Macedonia as a full member of a 
     prosperous and peaceful Europe comes true.

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. I join my colleagues in supporting H. Res. 
540, which expresses the condolences and deepest sympathies of the 
House of Representatives for the untimely death of Macedonian President 
Boris Trajkovaski.
  As we know, President Trajkovski died in a February 26 plane crash in 
Bosnia-Herzegovina, where he was planning to participate in a 
conference before traveling to Ireland to present his country's formal 
application to join the European Union.
  Boris Trajkovski had been serving as President since 1999. He reached 
across ethnic divides to hold his country together during the ethnic 
turmoil and conflict which erupted in Macedonia in 2001. He also 
represented Macedonia well in working with the international community, 
both on regional issues and on making Macedonia's case for integration 
into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.
  Macedonia is a country of concern to the Helsinki Commission, which I 
chair. As they have had to develop democratic institutions over the 
last 15 years, Macedonia also had to assert independent statehood as 
Yugoslavia disintegrated and deal with the economic disruption caused 
by that disintegration. Macedonia had to bear a refugee burden caused 
by associated conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo, and be a part of the 
enforcement of international sanctions against Milosevic's Servia. 
Macedonia has had to work out differences with neighboring states on 
sensitive, national issues which run deep in Balkan history, at the 
same time to overcome divisions within its own, ethnically diverse 
population. And, like so many of the countries in southeastern Europe,

[[Page 3882]]

Macedonia must contend with organized crime and corruption, including 
trafficking in persons, which threaten its further democratic and 
economic development.
  It is my hope, Madam Speaker, that the same strength and 
determination upon which the people of Macedonia have relied in the 
face of these challenges, will serve them again in the face of this 
latest tragedy. With the passage of this resolution, the United States 
Congress can show its support for Macedonia and its people, not only as 
they mourn the loss of their President, but as they continue on the 
path of peace and prosperity he was leading them at the very moment he 
died.
  In closing, I wish also to express my prayers and personal 
condolences to family and many friends of Boris Trajkovski.
  Madam Speaker, I join my colleague Mr. Souder and others in 
supporting this Resolution and expressing deep sadness over the sudden 
and tragic death of Boris Trajkovski, the President of Macedonia.
  In the 1990s, I served as a Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security 
and Cooperation in Europe, the Helsinki Commission. During that time, 
the Commission, the Congress, the American government and indeed the 
international community viewed the conflicts associated with 
Yugoslavia's demise as a foreign policy priority. In Croatia, Bosnia 
and then Kosovo, thousands upon thousands were killed, raped or 
tortured while millions were displaced in ethnic cleansing campaigns. 
The violence, of course, would reverberate through the region, 
replacing trust and cooperation with fear and hatred in ethnically 
diverse communities.
  Macedonia, as a republic of the former Yugoslavia, was caught in the 
midst of this turmoil, but it held itself together. Even when fighting 
erupted within its own borders, many of that country's leaders worked 
to find solutions to underlying grievances and brought peace back to 
Macedonia. Of course, international involvement was essential, but so 
was the presence of people like Boris Trajkovski, who would reach 
across ethnic lines and work to help all the citizens of Macedonia, not 
just those of their own ethnicity.
  Boris Trajkovski, in my view, understood what it meant to be a head 
of state, to represent the country, all of its people, and all of their 
aspirations. Since 1999, he moved his country forward.
  I hope, Madam Speaker, that the people of Macedonia will find not 
just sorrow in President Trajkovski's death but also the strength to 
make his vision of a democratic, tolerant and prosperous Macedonia a 
reality.
  They can count on support of the United States to that end. As 
Secretary of State Colin Powell said on February 26, the day 
Trajkovski's plane crashed in Bosnia, the Macedonian President ``leaves 
behind a legacy of U.S.-Macedonian friendship that has never been 
closer or stronger.''
  In closing, let me also express my deepest condolences to President 
Trajkovski's wife, Vilma, his children Sara and Stefan, and other 
family members and friends.
  Poverty is a fact of life for as many as 400 million Indians who 
survive on less than $1 a day. Illiteracy rates, while decreasing, are 
still high. And the health, economic and security challenges posed by 
the HIV/AIDS virus may be the most important issue facing India today.
  Madam Speaker, as our delegation conveyed during our recent visit, 
and I was want to convey today, the United States is India's partner as 
she works to address these and other challenges on the way to realizing 
her potential of becoming a true world power.
  I returned home with a renewed commitment to ensure that the United 
States continues to provide economic development assistance for health 
care and food for the needy, improved energy efficiency and 
environmental restoration efforts. And we will of course honor our 
pledge to take the lead in the global effort to combat the scourge of 
HIV/AIDS, through the provision of medicine, volunteers, and much-
needed financial resources.
  Above all, we must foster a deeper appreciation for the shared values 
and beliefs that lie at the heart of our two great democracies, and an 
understanding of the common principles and interests that bind us 
together.
  This Resolution is a celebration of India's Republic Day, but also a 
recognition of our strengthening relationship.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Miller of Michigan). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that 
the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 540, 
as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________