[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 10812-10813]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FOR ITS RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THE 
                          GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res 408) commending the 
Government of Canada for its renewed commitment to the Global War on 
Terror, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 408

       Whereas twenty-four Canadian citizens were killed as a 
     result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the 
     United States;
       Whereas the people of Gander, Newfoundland, provided food, 
     clothing, and shelter to thousands of stranded passengers and 
     temporary aircraft parking to thirty-nine planes diverted 
     from United States airspace as a result of the September 11, 
     2001, terrorist attacks on the United States;
       Whereas the Government of Canada, as led by former Prime 
     Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and continued 
     by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has provided humanitarian, 
     diplomatic, and security personnel on the invitation of the 
     Government of Afghanistan since 2001;
       Whereas Canada has pledged $650,000,000 in development aid 
     to Afghanistan;
       Whereas Afghanistan is Canada's largest recipient of 
     bilateral development aid;
       Whereas Canada has stationed approximately 2,300 defense 
     personnel who comprise Task Force Afghanistan, in order to 
     improve security in southern Afghanistan, particularly in the 
     province of Kandahar;
       Whereas Canada has over 70 diplomatic officers worldwide 
     who are dedicated to growing democracy and equality in 
     Afghanistan;
       Whereas at least seventeen Canadians have given the 
     ultimate sacrifice in the Global War on Terror;
       Whereas Canada's commitment to the Government of 
     Afghanistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hamid 
     Karzai, was due to expire in February 2007;
       Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Canadian Government led by 
     Prime Minister Stephen Harper requested that the Canadian 
     House of Commons extend Canada's commitment in the Global War 
     on Terror;
       Whereas on May 17, 2006, the Canadian Parliament voted to 
     extend peace and security operations in Afghanistan until 
     2009, to increase its development assistance by $310 million, 
     and to build a permanent and secure embassy in Afghanistan to 
     replace its current facility; and
       Whereas this was the latest sign of the renewed commitment 
     of numerous United States allies in the Global War on Terror: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) commends the Government of Canada for its renewed and 
     long-term commitment to the Global War on Terror;
       (2) commends the leadership of former Canadian Prime 
     Ministers Jean Jacques Chretien and Paul Martin and current 
     Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their steadfast commitment 
     to democracy, human rights, and freedom throughout the world;
       (3) commends the Government of Canada for working to secure 
     a democratic and equal Afghanistan;
       (4) commends the Government of Canada's commitment to 
     reducing poverty, aiding the counternarcotics efforts through 
     counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns, and 
     ensuring a peaceful and terror-free Afghanistan;
       (5) commends the Government of Canada for its three-pronged 
     commitment to Afghanistan: diplomacy, development, and 
     defense; and
       (6) expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the United 
     States for Canada's enduring friendship and leadership in the 
     Global War on Terror in Afghanistan.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution properly recognizes the government of 
Canada for its commitment to the global war on terror.
  As you know, Madam Speaker, we have forged strong relations with our 
neighbor to the north, and we are united by common ideals and shared 
interests. Relations between the U.S. and Canada are strong, and our 
cooperation in the global war on terrorism is productive and robust.
  The arrest of 17 alleged homegrown Islamic jihadists in Canada last 
week was a vivid reminder that we are in this war together. Canadian 
prosecutors claim the men plotted to storm the Canadian Parliament 
building in Ottawa, take hostages, and behead Prime Minister Stephen 
Harper if the Canadian Government refused to withdraw its 2,300 troops 
now stationed in Afghanistan. The group also considered bombing a 
nuclear power plant, the Toronto Stock Exchange, and other targets in 
Toronto or Ottawa. I praise Canadian law enforcement and their security 
forces for their excellent work in closing down that terror cell.
  Last month, Madam Speaker, the Canadian Parliament voted to extend 
Canada's peace and security mission in Afghanistan for another 2 years, 
until 2009. Canada is a steadfast partner in the global war on terror. 
Canada has roughly 2,300 defense personnel in Afghanistan and is 
leading the efforts against a resurgent Taliban and al Qaeda force in 
southern Afghanistan and is working to combat narcotics trafficking 
there.
  Canada has also pledged $650 million in developmental aid to 
Afghanistan; and Afghanistan, as it turns out, is Canada's largest 
recipient of bilateral development aid.
  Madam Speaker, it is worth remembering that 24 Canadian citizens were 
killed as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the 
United States. Seventeen Canadian military personnel have been killed 
in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Last month Canadian Captain Nichola 
Goddard was killed in the line of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This 
is the ultimate sacrifice, and we certainly mourn her loss and the 
sacrifices made by her fellow soldiers.
  We appreciate in America the role Canada plays in hemispheric and 
global peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, in 
Haiti, in Darfur, and in other conflict areas.
  Madam Speaker, President Bush met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper 
of Canada and President Vicente Fox of Mexico 2 months ago to move 
ahead with new initiatives to promote competitiveness and security. The 
Security and Prosperity Partnership, or SPP, for North America is a 
bold set of activities to strengthen our borders, promote free and 
secure commerce and air transportation, and to harmonize the regulatory 
process.

[[Page 10813]]

  Canada is taking actions on flashpoints around the world. After 
Hamas' election victory and refusal to repudiate violence, Canada was 
the first nation in the world to cut off contacts and suspend 
assistance to the Palestinian Authority, while preserving humanitarian 
support for the Palestinian people. Canada listed in like manner the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or the LTTE, as a terrorist group 
under their criminal code, impeding terrorist financing of the LTTE and 
other forms of support.
  Prime Minister Harper intervened personally with Afghan President 
Karzai to insist that the religious and civil rights of a Christian 
convert, Abdul Rahman, be fully protected and to convey Canada's 
concern that his treatment not undermine Afghanistan's international 
rehabilitation. At the U.N., Canada is, and hopefully will always be, a 
steadfast supporter for Israel.
  In sum, though we may not always be in lock-step in our policies and 
our approach, Canada remains a steadfast ally on the war on terrorism 
and a promoter of democracy and freedom throughout the world.
  I urge support for the concurrent resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution.
  Since the Taliban's ouster in Afghanistan, great strides have been 
made on the path towards democracy in that country. A freely elected 
president and parliament, a nascent professional national army, and the 
beginnings of economic development were all accomplished through nearly 
5 years of development assistance and military commitments by our 
country and the international community.
  But the future of a stable, peaceful, and democratic Afghanistan is 
still gravely threatened. A resurgent Taliban with increasing terrorist 
attacks, the slow pace of reconstruction, and the scourge of opium 
poppies are reversing the tide of success. We may be nearing the point 
where we can lose Afghanistan again.
  It is in times like these when we learn who our true friends are in 
our global war against the enemies of democracy and freedom. During 
these critical moments, we come to appreciate more fully those 
countries that are willing to place their soldiers in harm's way in the 
international fight against terrorism, extremism, and tyranny.
  In the case of the international efforts in Afghanistan, Canada is 
one such country. Our neighbor Canada has 2,200 troops serving in 
Afghanistan. Canada has also assumed responsibility for the Provincial 
Reconstruction Team in Kandahar, which was originally established by 
our own military.
  In Kandahar, Canadian men and women are at the forefront of the 
coalition effort to combat the resurgent Taliban and other terrorist 
forces in the lawless southern portion of the country. Since 2002, the 
Canadian people have lost 16 soldiers and one diplomat in this 
struggle. Last month on the same day that the Canadian Parliament voted 
to extend its mission in Afghanistan, Canada suffered its first-ever 
female combat death. We honor the ultimate sacrifice that Captain 
Nichola Goddard made in service to her country and salute the brave 
efforts of all the men and women in uniform, Canadian and American, who 
fight shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all NATO members to follow Canada's example and 
commit troops to even the most violent areas of Afghanistan.
  I strongly support our resolution and ask all of my colleagues to do 
so as well.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests 
for time, but I do want to thank Chairman Burton for sponsoring this 
very important resolution. We often forget just how important our 
friend is to the north. Canada is a reliable ally, a good friend in 
thick and thin; so, again, I want to thank Chairman Burton for 
sponsoring this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 408, 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 question will 
be postponed.

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