[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING VENEZUELAN INDEPENDENCE DAY ON JULY 5, 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 30, 2010

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Madam Speaker, on July 5th, just 
one day after we celebrate our country's birth, Venezuela will 
celebrate its independence from Spain.
  The Venezuelan people know and love freedom, but that land of heroes 
has been hijacked by a crazy, corrupt dictator, Hugo Chavez.
  His government has limited freedom of the press by forcing 
independent TV stations and newspapers to shut down, has silenced its 
critics by jailing opposition party members and even members of the 
judiciary, and continues to put millions of dollars in the hands of 
terrorists and narco-traffickers around the world. Chavez has also 
deepened ties with Iran, through training exercises with Iran's Islamic 
Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force.
  Chavez is leading his nation down the road to tyranny and that, 
Madame Speaker, is unacceptable. Venezuela is the land of Simon 
Bolivar, home to his decedents, freedom-loving people who value 
liberty, justice and the rule of law.
  As Chavez furthers his corrupt and anti-democratic activities in our 
hemisphere, the United States must stand firm on the side of freedom 
and support our democratic allies in the region and all the people who 
value democratic principles, both inside and outside of Venezuela.
  I want to thank and commend all Venezuelans living in exile in the 
United States for their dedication and commitment to preserving their 
culture and ensuring that freedom, democracy and justice once again 
ring true in Venezuela.
  South Florida is home to the largest Venezuelan and Venezuelan 
American community in the United States. They have embraced the values 
and ideals that we as Americans hold true. They make valuable 
contributions to our Nation, serve in our military, and take an active 
part in the democratic process.
  At the same time, they hold tight to their traditions, culture and 
language, work tirelessly to support and promote democracy in Venezuela 
and hope to one day soon be a part of a democratic Venezuela.
  On their day of Independence, I urge the United States to stand in 
solidarity with the Venezuelan people in their struggle to preserve 
freedom and restore democracy.