[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11862]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF FORMER HONDURAN PRESIDENT 
                   MANUEL ZELAYA'S REMOVAL FROM POWER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CONNIE MACK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 28, 2010

  Mr. MACK. Madam Speaker, one year ago today, on June 28, 2009, the 
Honduran people chose to uphold their Constitution and the rule of law 
by removing former President Manuel Zelaya from power, a close ally of 
Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez who was taking the Honduran people 
down the path of less freedom.
  But even though the Honduran people were following the rule of law, 
the international community punished them for instituting what they 
believed to be a ``military coup.'' Honduras was suspended from the 
Organization of American States, OAS, and had their vital U.S. 
assistance temporarily frozen, causing them to permanently lose part of 
their Millennium Challenge Corporation project.
  Even in the face of adversity (as well as a devastating tropical 
storm and the worst draught in 25 years), Honduras continued its fight 
for democracy and the rule of law. They withdrew from ALBA, an 
organization of leftist states in Latin America; they created a new 
human rights officer to respond to increasing attacks on journalists in 
their country; and their interim president, Roberto Micheletti, oversaw 
a peaceful, free and fair presidential election in November.
  Honduras was able to accomplish great things for its democracy, all 
while dealing with charges and visits from our own government, which 
was focused not on helping our friend and ally, but shaming and 
threatening them into rewriting history.
  A year after standing up to a ruthless leader who attempted to 
dismiss the country's constitution in an effort to maintain power, the 
Honduran people have their sights set on their nation's future.
  President Lobo inherited a country that was in the worst shape it had 
been in over the past 40 years: a dire economic situation, a growing 
number of attacks on journalists, and a sharp increase in drug 
trafficking by illegal gangs. In fact, according to a Reuters report, 
some 1,600 people died in drug violence in Honduras in 2009.
  Unfortunately, as a result of the shortsighted interference by the 
United States, the Lobo Administration has been forced to place its 
first focus on rebuilding its diplomatic relations with the 
international community, rather than tackling the many problems within 
their nation.
  As we continue to work with Honduras to overcome the challenges it 
faces in providing freedom, security and prosperity to the Honduran 
people, I call on the State Department to provide one clear message: 
those who look conformity directly in the face, and choose the fight of 
freedom, are the heroes required to build a free and fair society, and 
will always have a place as a friend and ally of the United States.
  I take this opportunity today, on the one-year anniversary of the 
removal of former President Manuel Zelaya, to encourage the Honduran 
people to continue their fight for freedom, security and prosperity, 
and I pledge my continued support for them in this noble goal.

                          ____________________