[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2342]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            PEACE IN KOSOVO

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, in the State of the Union, the President 
focused on the need to not only beat the terrorists on their own soil, 
but to take the offensive in bringing the hope of political freedom and 
peaceful change to hopeless lands.
  I recently had the honor of meeting with our soldiers who are serving 
in Kosovo and are doing just that. I was glad to be able to thank them 
for their service and to hear their concerns.
  American troops have been keeping the peace in Kosovo, along with our 
NATO allies, since 1999. We have about 1,700 troops participating in 
peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, and we must let them know that their 
service is not forgotten. Their presence brings stability to a troubled 
region and supports the development of a functioning legal system, the 
respect for property rights, and the growth of a robust economy.
  These pillars will form the foundation of a free and democratic 
Kosovo, ensuring that our soldiers and their sacrifices will not be in 
vain.

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