14368 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS July 13, 2000 in aiding Sengbe Pieh and the Mendians in TRIBUTE TO THE 11TH GREAT DO- ures, the highest casualty rate of the United what became a two-year legal and political MINICAN PARADE AND CAR- Nations mission, demonstrated that Turkey’s battle for their freedom. Pastor Simeon NIVAL OF THE BRONX reputation was well deserved. Jocelyn, Lewis Tappan, and the congregations The Turkish brigade’s courage and contribu- of the United Church on the Green and HON. JOSE´ E. SERRANO tions were repeatedly highlighted in the press at the time. For example, the battle of Kunuri Dixwell United Church of Christ established OF NEW YORK was detailed in a TIME magazine article which the Amistad Committee whose mission was to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provide for the Mendians’ basic needs. They stated ‘‘The courageous battles of the Turkish gathered food and clothing, and arranged for Wednesday, July 12, 2000 Brigade have created a favorable effect on the students from the Yale Divinity School to Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, once again it whole United Nations Forces.’’ Their courage teach the Mendians English so that they were is an honor for me to recognize the Great Do- was also referenced on Capitol Hill, with able to communicate their story to their de- minican Parade and Festival of the Bronx on former Representative Claude Pepper opining fenders. Roger Sherman Baldwin, a New its eleventh year of celebrating Dominican cul- that, ‘‘There is no one left who does not know Haven attorney who later enlisted the aid of ture in my South Bronx Congressional District. that the Turks, our valuable allies, are hard former President John Quincy Adams, volun- This year’s festivities will take place on July warriors and that they have accomplished very teered to defend the captives. Today, a statue 16, 2000. great at the front.’’ of Sengbe Pieh stands proudly near the site Under its Founder and President, Felipe Having become a member of NATO in where he and the other Mendians of the Febles, the parade has grown in size and 1952, Turkey also demonstrated its indis- Amistad were first imprisoned. New Haven is splendor. It now brings together an increasing putable role in European security. Among all proud of the role it played in this crucial mo- number of participants from all five New York NATO allies, Turkey defended the longest bor- ment in the ongoing struggle for human rights City boroughs and beyond. der with the former Soviet Union, and carried and racial harmony. We are honored to have On Sunday July 16, thousands of members a heavy responsibility in helping to contain, the Amistad with us today. and friends of the Dominican community will and ultimately defeat communism. After the end of the Cold War, Turkey There are so many wonderful people that march from Mt. Eden and 172nd Street to seized the opportunity to help shape the have committed themselves to this project— East 161st Street and the Grand Concourse in peace in the region. One of the first countries their hard work and dedication to this cause honor of Juan Pablo Duarte, the father of the to recognize the independence of new emerg- has made this day possible. My sincere independence of the Dominican Republic. ing democracies, Turkey actively sought to as- thanks and appreciation to former Connecticut As one who has participated in the parade sist with their efforts to integrate into the inter- Governor Lowell Weicker, responsible for se- in the past, I can attest that the excitement it national community. Turkey provided them curing the initial state funding and support for generates brings the entire City together. It is with direct assistance in credit and goods, mili- the project; Al Marder and the Amistad Com- a celebration and an affirmation of life. It feels tary cooperation agreements to assist in build- mittee, which recreated the original committee wonderful to enable so many people to have ing their national defense structure, scholar- that first came to the defense of the Amistad this experience—one that will change the lives ships for students to study in Turkish univer- slaves; the Connecticut African American His- of many of them. It is an honor for me to join sities, offering an alternate route for transpor- torical Society, whose work with the Amistad once again the hundreds of joyful people who tation and communication facilities, and legal Committee and Governor Weicker established will march from Mt. Eden and 172nd Street to East 161st Street, and to savor the variety of technical assistance and know how. Amistad America; Amistad America, a non- Turkey remains at the center of our energy profit educational corporation that worked with their celebrations. There’s no better way to see our Bronx community. security policy to develop the ‘‘east-west’’ ac- Mystic Seaport to build the replica and will cess for the transport of both oil and natural continue to operate the ship; and the students The event will feature a wide variety of en- tertainment for all age groups. This year’s fes- gas from the Caspian region. This strategy and faculty of the Sound School in New would further shore up the economies of the Haven, who crafted a lifeboat, named Margru tival includes the performance of Merengue and Salsa bands, crafts exhibitions, and food countries involved, and encourage the devel- after one of the four children aboard Amistad, opment of democracy in the region. that will now be carried on the Amistad rep- typical of the Dominican Republic. In addition to the parade, President Febles At the time of the Korean War, most stra- lica. The participation and diligent efforts of all tegic thinkers would probably have envisioned these groups and talented individuals have and many organizers have provided the com- munity with nearly two weeks of activities to Turkey as playing an important role in the fu- produced a tremendous contribution to the his- ture of European security, but the scope and tory of Connecticut and the United States. commemorate the contributions of the Domini- can community, its culture and history. breadth of the relationship which developed As we reflect on the 161 years of history Mr. Speaker, it is with enthusiasm that I ask has most likely surpassed even the greatest that has passed since the original Amistad my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to expectations. Our relationship with Turkey has landed on our shores, it is important to remind this wonderful celebration of Dominican cul- developed into a strategic one which we ourselves that this continues to be an unfin- ture, which has brought much pride to the should continue to develop and nurture. ished journey. In the United States, we tore Bronx community. f our nation apart in violence before we put an end to the institution that brought Sengbe Pieh f AIMEE’S LAW to these shores. In Sierra Leone, it would be REPUBLIC OF TURKEY’S CON- SPEECH OF more than a century after their native sons TRIBUTION TO THE KOREAN and daughters left their shores before they WAR HON. JERRY WELLER would be able to claim the right to truly govern OF ILLINOIS themselves. Today, we watch as the United HON. PETER T. KING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Nations and Sierra Leone’s African neighbors OF NEW YORK Tuesday, July 11, 2000 help in its struggle for peace. If the history of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the United States and Sierra Leone have support of H.R. 894, the No Second Chances Wednesday, July 12, 2000 taught us anything, it is that our journey to- for Murderers, Rapists, or Child Molesters Act wards peace, justice, and freedom has not yet Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- (Aimee’s Law). ended. ognize not only the importance of our strategic Each year more than 14,000 murders, Whether at sea or in port, the Amistad will relationship with the Republic of Turkey but rapes, and sexual assaults are committed by carry this message to all who will hear it. A re- their historic contribution in the Korean War. previously convicted murderers and sex of- minder of an extraordinary moment in our his- Almost 50 years ago, in October of 1950, the fenders. While the United States has been tory, I applaud the inspired dedication that the Turkish brigade consisting of 4,500 army moving towards lengthy mandatory sentences New Haven community has shown for this troops arrived in Korea. By the time Turkey for a number of crimes, sentences for murder, project. It is with great pleasure that I stand had completed its commitment, 29,882 were child molestation and rape often fall short. and add my voice to all of those who have rotated through the brigade, 717 were killed in Aimee’s Law would add accountability to the gathered today to welcome the Amistad home. action, and 2246 were wounded. These fig- existing formula for distributing federal crime

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