[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6925]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CELEBRATING A LANDMARK ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR BULGARIA

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last week the European 
Parliament made a historic decision for approval of Bulgaria to join 
the European Union in 2007.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus, I am please to 
congratulate Ambassador Elena Poptodorova, who represents Sofia in 
Washington so professionally.
  Since the negotiations began in 2000, Bulgarians have proven they are 
eager to serve as active members of the European Union. They quickly 
took the right reforms to earn an important role in the international 
community. By sending over 400 troops to Iraq to rebuild the country 
and providing troops in Afghanistan that I have visited at Bagram, 
Bulgaria is also helping to win the war on terrorism.
  In addition to NATO membership, Bulgaria's membership in the European 
Union will prove to be a landmark event in the country's history. I 
know Bulgaria will continue the Bulgaria miracle of economic success 
and military security.
  In conclusion, God bless our troops and we will never forget 
September 11.

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