[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          FREEDOM IN MACEDONIA

  (Mrs. MILLER of Michigan asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, as a member of the House 
Democracy Assistance Commission, I was honored this past week to host a 
delegation of Parliamentarians from the Republic of Macedonia, in my 
home State of Michigan.
  The Macedonia delegation was immersed in many factors important to 
the development of a democratic society. They visited our State 
capitol, as well as visiting one of our major daily newspapers, 
understanding that a free press is critical to a thriving democracy.
  They met with State elections officials to talk about how to run free 
and fair elections, a fundamental caveat of a thriving democracy. They 
visited the University of Michigan's famed Center for Russian and 
Eastern European Studies. They visited our courts to get a better 
understanding of our system of justice, and we enjoyed each other's 
fellowship at a banquet held in their honor at our local Macedonian 
cultural center.
  This week we welcome them to Washington, DC. The Republic of 
Macedonia is a great emerging democracy, and its leaders are committed 
to the cause of freedom and liberty for every individual.
  Da zivee slobodna, Makedonia.
  Long live freedom and democracy in Macedonia.

                          ____________________