[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 21804]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORT THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

  Mr. DREIER. Madam Speaker, last week we got the troubling news that 
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was joining Russia and Nicaragua in 
recognizing the Abkhazia and South Ossetia territories of Georgia as 
independent countries. This is very troubling. The international 
community recognizes the territorial integrity of Georgia, and now we 
have to wonder, with Chavez's move, what other countries might join him 
in this effort.
  It is absolutely essential that we stand with our ally, Georgia, in 
doing everything that we can to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, 
and the institutions that exist there.
  Senator Kerry and I have joined in introducing a resolution calling 
for the establishment of a U.S.-Georgia free trade agreement. The 
actions of Chavez make that even more important today than ever. We 
need to do all that we can to help strengthen and bolster our economy 
and their economy as well.
  Let's pass this resolution and ensure that the free people of Georgia 
are able to succeed.

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