[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 19599-19600]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 185TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF PERU

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 940) recognizing the 185th anniversary of the 
independence of Peru on July 28, 2006, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 940

       Whereas Peru gained independence from Spain on July 28, 
     1821, when the Republic of Peru was established as a 
     sovereign and independent country;
       Whereas the people of Peru have established, after a series 
     of military and authoritarian regimes, a unique, pluralistic 
     democracy which includes the freedoms cherished

[[Page 19600]]

     by the people of the United States, including freedom of 
     speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom 
     of the press, and government by the consent of the governed;
       Whereas Peru regularly holds free and fair elections and 
     promotes free exchange of ideas;
       Whereas the interests of Peru and the United States are 
     closely aligned;
       Whereas the people of the United States share affinity with 
     the people of Peru and view Peru as a strong ally;
       Whereas the United States has joined Peru to promote 
     political and economic freedoms, combat poverty, crime, 
     disease, and drugs, and promote security, stability, and 
     prosperity within Peru;
       Whereas the bonds of association and friendship between the 
     peoples of the two countries have been strengthened by the 
     large number of Peruvians who have migrated to the United 
     states where they make significant contributions to both the 
     United States and Peru;
       Whereas Peru is an integral member of the Latin American 
     region and has been a constructive partner of the United 
     States in fulfilling the agenda of the Western Hemisphere; 
     and
       Whereas the Peruvians and Peruvian-Americans residing in 
     the United States have enriched and added to the United 
     States way of life in the social, economic, and political 
     arenas, and Peru's rich identity and heritage have become an 
     integral part of the cultural tapestry of the United States: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 185th anniversary of the independence of 
     Peru;
       (2) extends warm congratulations and best wishes to Peru 
     for peace and further progress, development, and prosperity; 
     and
       (3) extends best wishes to Peruvians and Peruvian-Americans 
     residing in the United States as they celebrate the 185th 
     anniversary of Peru's independence.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, today, I am here to recognize the government and the 
people of Peru as we extend our warmest congratulations to them as they 
celebrate their 185th year as an independent nation.
  Since independence, the people of Peru have faced many problems, 
including economic despair, an authoritarian regime, and a violent 
insurgency. During the 1980s, notorious terrorist groups such as 
Shining Path and MRTA destabilized Peru and the entire region and 
spread fear among the people.
  Financed in part by elicit narcotics, these terrorist groups reduced 
Peru to the position of the world's second largest producer of cocoa, 
dimming Peru's prosperous future. However, despite years of political 
turmoil and violent internal conflict and through the perseverance of 
its people, Peru was able to escape the stranglehold on its democracy 
and has recently blossomed into a vibrant free state. This is evidenced 
by the success of the recent elections in 2001 and 2006 and a growing 
economy.
  Today, Peru shares our Nation's most treasured ideals and standards, 
a success story that demonstrates the power of a democracy. Peru has 
played a key role as a force for stabilization and peace throughout the 
Western Hemisphere, as well as the rest of the world.
  Along with providing over 200 troops to the United Nations mission in 
Haiti, Peru has been a staunch supporter in the global war on terror 
and the fight against drug trafficking and production.
  Today, farmers from Peru are beginning to cast off the specter of a 
narco-economy by cooperation with the United States on alternative 
development crops, such as Peruvian oranges and bananas.
  Peru has proven to be an invaluable ally and a role model for freedom 
in South America as well as the rest of the world. The United States 
stands with them on the continued progress and development of both 
democracy and as a nation.
  With my best wishes to the people of Peru and most sincere 
congratulations on the 185th anniversary of their nation's 
independence, I fully support H. Res. 940. I urge all colleagues to 
join me in recognizing the shining model of democracy, a dedicated ally 
on the global war on terror, and one of the United States closest 
friends.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2030

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  I would first like to commend the efforts of my good friend and our 
esteemed colleague from New York (Mr. Crowley) for offering this timely 
measure. His work on Latin American issues in the International 
Relations Committee is greatly appreciated.
  Madam Speaker, Peru has a long history as the center of cultural, 
political and economic life in the Andes. Before the country declared 
its independence from Spain in 1821, Peru served for centuries as the 
principal location of Spanish colonial power and wealth.
  Peru's pre-colonial heritage is equally grand. The Incas built their 
impressive empire from Cuzco, their capital city. This empire stretched 
from what would become Ecuador's northern border to central Chile.
  After its independence from Spain, Peru oscillated between 
authoritarian and democratic forms of government. Finally, in 2001, 
Alejandro Toledo was sworn in as President of Peru and consolidated the 
country's return to democracy.
  The Peruvian economy grew on average by 5 percent a year since then, 
one of the most robust rates in all of Latin America, and foreign 
exchange reserves reached a record $14 billion by the end of last year.
  The Toledo government is respectful of human and political rights. 
Nevertheless, grinding poverty still hamstrings over half of Peruvians, 
and the societal divide between indigenous people and those of European 
and mixed descent has widened.
  Peru's new President, Alan Garcia, has promised to address these 
inequities and social cleavages. He has also embarked on a 
rapprochement with Chile as part of a larger effort to solidify 
cooperation between the like-minded nations of South America which are 
friendly to the United States.
  Madam Speaker, I am confident that, by the time of Peru's 
bicentennial celebration, we and our Peruvian neighbors will enjoy one 
of the strongest alliances in this hemisphere, an alliance which will 
continue to build upon the policies of Peru's democratically elected 
government and the contributions of the vibrant Peruvian American 
community in our own country.
  I strongly support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to 
do so.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and we yield back 
the balance of our time.
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, I ask for adoption of the resolution. 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 Texas (Mr. Poe) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 940, 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.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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