October 9, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 22933 the Constitution, for if the American and Mr. Ahmad Zia Shah Massoud, the renowned commander of Constitution should fall, there will be Massoud. Mr. Massoud is the brother of the , an organization that in- anarchy throughout the world.’’ the late Ahmed Shah Massoud, the re- cludes members of the Tajik ethnic group and Mr. Speaker, the commitment to nowned commander of the Northern Al- other communities. Both of the nominees are true justice in the heart of this Con- liance, an organization that includes individuals of high standing and integrity, and gress and in the heart of the one who members of the Tajik ethnic group and are committed to the process of reform and occupies the Oval Office are now the other communities. Both of the nomi- the disarmament of private militias. only two remaining barriers which pre- nees are individuals of high standing I commend President Karzai’s brave stand vent judicial oligarchy and the subse- and integrity and are committed to the against the warlords, and his committed lead- quent fall of the American Constitu- process of reform and the disarmament ership in liberating from private tion. of private militias. militias and the rule of the gun. These war- May those of us in this Congress find Afghanistan will not survive as long lords and militias threaten to destabilize con- the courage to assume our constitu- as the private militia run rampant stitutional governance, impede economic de- tional power to prevent the judicial de- without control, threatening and ter- velopment, and facilitate narco-trafficking. struction of the United States Con- rorizing those farmers and others who Their disarmament must continue to be a stitution. are seeking peace, economic pros- major priority of the new Afghan Administra- And, Mr. Speaker, may God give the perity, education and democracy. tion. people of this Nation the insight and I commend President Karzai’s brave President Karzai and the people of Afghani- soundness of mind to maintain the stand against the warlords and his stan have come a long way since the fall of presidency of the United States in the committed leadership in liberating Af- the . They deserve praise and contin- hands of George W. Bush, who will pro- ghanistan from private militias and ued support from the United States and NATO tect America and the world from such the rule of the gun. These warlords and to ensure that there is adequate security for an irrelevant revocable tragedy. God militia threaten to destabilize con- the upcoming elections to be free, fair, and bless America. stitutional governance, impede eco- broadly inclusive. I hope with this election there will be in- f nomic development, and facilitate creased human rights for the people of Af- ORDER OF BUSINESS narcotrafficking. Their disarmament must continue to be a major priority of ghanistan and the women will be furthered Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. the new Afghan administration. empowered, as well, the education for all chil- Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to Mr. Speaker, we have a challenge and dren will continue. Good luck in the journey toward full democ- take my Special Order at this time. a job to do as well. We must provide racy. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the funding, but also the resources, the objection to the request of the gentle- compromise, the collaborative peace- f woman from Texas? keeping troops. We must be able to REMEMBERING THOSE DEFENDING There was no objection. work together. AMERICA’S FREEDOM f President Karzai and the people of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under ELECTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN Afghanistan have come a long way the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- since the fall of the Taliban. They de- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a uary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Ari- serve praise and continued support previous order of the House, the gentle- zona (Mr. HAYWORTH) is recognized for from the United States and NATO. woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) 60 minutes as the designee of the ma- Let us hopefully find an opportunity is recognized for 5 minutes. jority leader. Mr. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. for collaborative work for peace in Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, as we Speaker, I join with the gentleman Iraq. But we should never forget Af- prepare to head back to our respective ghanistan and the brave soldiers who from Ohio (Mr. NEY), my co-chair, to districts and likewise as we prepare to solute the people of Afghanistan for have stood on behalf of the United engage in the exercise that typifies this historic time in their Nation’s des- States and many coalition fighters to this constitutional Republic, where our tiny. ensure democracy in Afghanistan; government operates only through the never forget the people and their chal- consent of the governed, I believe it in- b 1515 lenge, their journey, their fight as well. cumbent upon Members of this House I am the cochair with the gentleman I hope with this election there will be and, indeed, Mr. Speaker every citizen from Ohio (Mr. NEY) of the U.S.-Afghan increased human rights for the people of these United States, to pause and re- Caucus. Again I would like to con- of Afghanistan and the women will be member, and, yes, in this case to hear gratulate the government and the peo- further empowered as well. I hope that from one of those young Americans de- ple of Afghanistan, who are in the the march toward education for all fending our freedom in Iraq. midst of a historical turning point. children will continue. Good luck to Recently on the pages of the Arizona Leading up to the elections going on Afghanistan and its people in the jour- Republic there appeared a letter from today, there has been great progress ney toward full democracy. Captain Scott Moore. Captain Moore, made in the registration process. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the U.S.-Afghan with the United States Army, lives in Of an estimated 10 million eligible Caucus, I would like to congratulate the gov- Sholo, Arizona. His civilian job is that voters, over 9 million voters, over 40 ernment and the people of Afghanistan are in of a high school history teacher in percent of whom are women, have reg- the midst of a historical turning point. Leading White River on one of our tribal res- istered for the country’s first presi- up to the elections this Saturday, October 9th, ervations in rural Arizona. How appro- dential election. Saturday, today, this there has been great progress made in the priate it is that Captain Moore, process is ongoing. I applaud the high registration process. Of an estimated 10 mil- through his letter, teaches all of us percentage of registered voters and the lion eligible voters, over 9 million voters—more about the nature of the men and diversity of the 24 candidates for presi- than 40 percent of whom are women—have women serving this country and re- dency. It shows that democracy is in registered for the country’s first Presidential minds us of the special gift it is to be fact working, and these candidates election. I applaud the high percentage of reg- an American. symbolize for the Afghan people the istered voters and the diversity of the 24 can- This letter was written February 1. It pluralism and open electoral process. didates for the Presidency, symbolizing the was composed in a military plane head- I hope the warlords understand that commitment of the Afghan people to pluralism ed for Kuwait. Captain Moore writes: it is through the ballot box and not the and an open electoral process. ‘‘If you were with me, you could tell bullet process that we will find democ- I am pleased with President ’s this plane I am on is heading to a com- racy and peace in Afghanistan. choice for his two running mates, Mr. Karim bat zone. All the passengers are dressed I am pleased with President Karzai’s Khalili and Mr. . Mr. in desert camouflage uniforms and car- choice for his two running mates, Mr. Massoud is the brother of the late Ahmed rying weapons. I have an M–16 and a 9

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