June 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5671 rules and agree to the resolution, H. Afghanistan, as signs of their commitment reforms and to undertake steps to en- Res. 177, as amended. to promote international freedom and secu- hance border security so they can con- The question was taken. rity: Now, therefore, be it tribute to regional stability. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Mr. Speaker, this Member urges the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Senate concurring), That Congress— opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of (1) strongly supports the United States- House to agree to this concurrent reso- those present have voted in the affirm- Adriatic Charter and commends Albania, lution. ative. Croatia, and Macedonia for their continued Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I efforts to become full-fledged members of the my time. demand the yeas and nays. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield The yeas and nays were ordered. and the European Union; myself such time as I may consume. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- (2) urges NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support and Macedonia to join NATO as soon as each of this resolution. First, I want to com- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the of these countries respectively demonstrates Chair’s prior announcement, further mend the gentleman from Nebraska the ability to assume the responsibilities of (Mr. BEREUTER) and the gentleman proceedings on this motion will be NATO membership through the Membership from New York (Mr. ENGEL) and the postponed. Action Plan; gentleman from Florida (Mr. WEXLER) f (3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join for their leadership on this important COMMENDING THE SIGNING OF the European Union at the earliest oppor- resolution, and the gentleman from Il- THE UNITED STATES-ADRIATIC tunity; linois (Mr. HYDE), our chairman, for CHARTER (4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and moving it forward so expeditiously. Macedonia are making important strides to Our resolution celebrates cooperation Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speak- bring their economic, military, and political and forward-thinking among the na- er, I move to suspend the rules and institutions into conformance with the tions of the Balkans, a region that just agree to the concurrent resolution (H. standards of NATO and other Euro-Atlantic a few years ago was engulfed in ethnic Con. Res. 209) commending the signing institutions; and violence and strife. Our Nation, Mr. (5) commends Secretary of State Powell of the United States-Adriatic Charter, Speaker, has an enduring interest in a charter of partnership among the for his personal support of the Adriatic Char- ter. the independence, territorial integrity, United States, Albania, Croatia, and and security of Albania, Croatia, and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Macedonia, as amended. Macedonia and supports their full inte- ant to the rule, the gentleman from The Clerk read as follows: gration in the community of demo- Wisconsin (Mr. GREEN) and the gen- H. CON. RES. 209 cratic Euro-Atlantic states. The Adri- tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) atic Charter affirms the commitment Whereas the United States has an enduring each will control 20 minutes. interest in the independence, territorial in- of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to The Chair recognizes the gentleman tegrity, and security of Albania, Croatia, and the values and principles of NATO and from Wisconsin (Mr. GREEN). The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to their joining the Atlantic Alliance GENERAL LEAVE and supports their full integration in the at the earliest practical time. community of democratic Euro-Atlantic Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speak- Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia states; er, I ask unanimous consent that all Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have taken positive steps to advance Members may have 5 legislative days their integration into Europe and have have taken clear and positive steps to ad- within which to revise and extend their vance their integration into Europe by es- already contributed to European secu- tablishing close cooperative relations among remarks and to include extraneous ma- rity and to the peace and security of themselves and with their neighbors, as well terial on the concurrent resolution southeast Europe through the resolu- as their promotion of regional cooperation; under consideration. tion of severe conflicts in the region. Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Mr. Speaker, I commend all of my have already contributed to European secu- objection to the request of the gen- colleagues who have worked on this rity and to the peace and security of south- tleman from Wisconsin? concurrent resolution. I urge every east Europe through the resolution of con- There was no objection. Member of this House to support its flicts in the region and their regional co- Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speak- operation in the Southeast Europe Defense passage. er, I yield myself such time as I may Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Ministerial; consume. Whereas on May 2, 2003, the United States- of my time. Adriatic Charter was signed in Tirana, Alba- Mr. Speaker, the concurrent resolu- Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speak- nia, by Secretary of State Colin Powell, Al- tion before us expresses the support of er, I yield such time as he may con- banian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta, Croatian the Congress for the Adriatic Charter, sume to the gentleman from Nebraska Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and Mac- as it was reported favorably by the (Mr. BEREUTER), the chairman of the edonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva; Committee on International Relations Europe Subcommittee. Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the on June 12. (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was commitment of Albania, Croatia, and Mac- The charter was signed on May 2 in given permission to revise and extend edonia to the values and principles of the the Albanian capital of Tirana by Sec- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) his remarks.) and to joining the Alliance at the earliest retary of State Powell and the foreign Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I possible time; ministers of Albania, Croatia, and the thank the gentleman from Wisconsin Whereas Secretary of State Powell stated former Yugoslav Republic of Mac- (Mr. GREEN) for handling this concur- that the Adriatic Charter ‘‘reaffirms our edonia, the three remaining NATO-as- rent resolution and for the support of partners’ dedication to work individually, pirant nations. the gentleman from California (Mr. with each other, and with their neighbors to The Adriatic Charter pledges the LANTOS), as well, on this very impor- build a region of strong democracies powered United States to support efforts by Al- tant resolution. by free market economies . . . [i]t under- bania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join I want to begin by of course express- scores the importance we place on their Euro-Atlantic institutions like NATO eventual full integration into NATO and ing my strong support for the resolu- other European institutions . . . [a]nd most and the European Union. In this agree- tion and thanking the distinguished importantly, the Charter promises to ment, the three aspirant nations com- gentleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL), strengthen the ties that bind the peoples of mit themselves to accelerate their one of our colleagues on the Com- the region to the United States, to one an- democratic reforms, protect human mittee on International Relations, for other, and to a common future within the rights, implement market-oriented authoring the legislation and for work- Euro-Atlantic family’’; and economic policies, and enhance their ing with the staff of the subcommittee Whereas 75 Albanian special forces troops mutual cooperation. Under the Adri- and the full committee. He has long were sent to Iraq as part of the coalition atic Charter, the United States and forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29 been a champion of Albania in the Macedonian special forces troops were sent these three countries pledge to consult House, and I am pleased to be a cospon- to Iraq as part of the postwar stabilization whenever the security of one of them is sor of this resolution. force, and Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia threatened. For their part, the aspirant As mentioned by the gentleman from all contributed to the stabilization forces in countries promise to continue defense Wisconsin (Mr. GREEN), this is a pledge

VerDate Jan 31 2003 02:56 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.014 H23PT1 H5672 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 23, 2003 also on the part of Albania, Croatia, Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support letters from John Kraljic, President of the Na- and Macedonia through what they did of H. Con. Res. 209, which commends the tional Federation of Croatian Americans, His in Tirana for full continued support for signing of the U.S. Adriatic Charter. As the au- Excellency Nikola Dimitrov, Ambassador of the moving towards NATO membership. thor of H. Con. Res. 209, I am honored that former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Under the Adriatic Charter, the the House is now considering this important Martin Vulaj, Executive Director of the National United States and these three coun- resolution. Albanian American Council. tries pledge to consult whenever the se- On May 2, 2003, the U.S. Adriatic Charter EMBASSY OF THE curity of one of them is threatened. was signed in Tirana, Albania by Secretary of AMBASSADOR REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, For their part, the aspirant countries State Colin Powell and the Foreign Ministers Washington, DC, June 12, 2003. promise to continue defense reforms of Albania, Croatia, and the Former Yugoslav Hon. Representative ELIOT E. ENGEL, and to undertake steps to enhance bor- Republic of Macedonia. As Secretary Colin House of Representatives, Washington, DC. der security so that they can con- Powell noted when he signed the document, it DEAR MR. ENGEL: Allow me to express my tribute to regional stability. sincere gratitude for your initiative in is remarkable that the agreement was signed adopting the resolution H. Con. Res. 209 by Some of the language in the Adriatic in Albania, a country once known only for its Charter might look familiar. Indeed, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the isolation and distance from Western principles. House of the Representatives regarding the this document was based on the suc- Today, Tirana is a capital filled with energy as signing of the United States-Adriatic Char- cessful Baltic Charter, which was it continues its opening to Europe. Macedonia ter, charter of partnership among the United signed in 1998 between Estonia, Latvia, and Croatia have seen similar changes. States, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia. and Lithuania. Five years ago few ob- As NATO has expanded through other Let me assure you one more time that servers would have been so bold as to countries of Europe, several former Yugoslav Macedonia, along with Albania and Croatia predict that those three countries oc- nations in South Central Europe were ex- is strongly committed to the values and cupied for 50 years by the Soviet Union principles of the NATO and is willing to join- cluded. They just were not ready for member- ing the Alliance at the earliest possible and then Russia-to-be would be poised ship. Today, three of those nations, Albania, to join NATO and the EU next year. time. Croatia, and Macedonia are now moving to My country already contributes to Euro- The Baltic Charter signifies an Amer- make the needed changes and reforms so pean security and to the peace and security ican commitment to help those three that they can join the North Atlantic structures. of southeast Europe through peaceful resolu- countries in their successful efforts to The U.S. Adriatic Charter embodies a com- tion of the conflicts and regional coopera- join NATO and the EU. Today, the mitment by Alabania, Croatia, and Macedonia tion. Adriatic Charter holds the potential to the values and principles of NATO and a Macedonia strongly supports the endeavors for helping Albania, Croatia, and Mac- declaration of their intent to join NATO as of the Government of the United States to edonia to achieve the same goals. bring security, stability and democracy in soon as they meet Alliance standards. I Iraq and Afghanistan. My Government has b 1430 strongly support their efforts to advance to- sent troops to Iraq as part of the coalition This Member, of course, recognizes ward NATO membership and having Secretary forces to contribute the success of the oper- and commends the efforts of Secretary Powell sign the Charter puts the United States ation Iraqi Freedom, and to Afghanistan. of State Powell and those of our dip- firmly in support of their efforts to join NATO Dear Mr. Engel, I look forward for future lomats working the European and Eur- when they are ready. opportunity to exchange our views, and thank you again for your support to my asian Bureau of the State Department By passing this resolution today, Congress will add its voice, by ‘‘urg[ing] NATO to invite country. for their initiative in crafting the Adri- Sincerely, atic Charter. Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join NATO Nikola Dimitrov. As NATO prepares to admit seven as soon as these countries demonstrate the new countries next year, it is impor- ability to assume the responsibilities of NATO NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CROATIAN tant that these three remaining can- membership.’’ AMERICANS CULTURAL FOUNDA- didate countries are not forgotten. H. Con. Res. 209 also welcomes and sup- TION, NATO’s door remains open to all who ports the aspirations of Albania, Croatia, and Washington, DC, June 19, 2003. are willing and able to assume the re- Macedonia to join the European Union at the Hon. ELIOT ENGEL, sponsibilities of membership, and it is earliest opportunity and recognizes that the Rayburn House Office Building, House of Rep- resentatives, Washington, DC. important that the Congress assert three countries are making important strides to bring their economic, military, and political in- DEAR CONGRESSMAN ENGEL: Thank you for that it is the achievements of Albania, the introduction of H. Con. Res. 209 and your Croatia, and Macedonia that will deter- stitutions into conformance with the standards important service in the U.S. Congress on mine when their aspirations for acces- of NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institutions. the Europe Subcommittee of the House sion will be realized. Each of them are Finally, our resolution also commends Sec- International Relations Committee. working through membership action retary Powell for his strong personal support The National Federation of Croatian plans to meet NATO’s standards, and of the resolution, as demonstrated by his trav- Americans (NFCA) understands that your each will be judged on their own ac- el to the region to sign the document. Concurrent Resolution commending the complishments. Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of H. Con. signing of the United States-Adriatic Char- Mr. Speaker, already, these three na- Res. 209, I think this is an appropriate forum ter—a charter of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and Mac- tions have acted like allies. All three to publicly thank Albania, for sending 75 com- edonia—has been voted out of the Full Com- countries have sent troops to the Inter- mandos to Iraq to fight along side our troops. mittee and awaits House Floor action. national Security Assistance Force in It is my hope that Albania, one of only three Please be aware that the NFCA fully sup- Afghanistan. In addition, Albania sent European countries to send ground troops to ports the passage of this Resolution by both 75 special operations troops to take fight in the war, would be high on Defense De- the House of Representatives and the Senate. part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and partment’s list when it considers the realign- NFCA has long supported the Republic of Macedonia this month has sent 29 spe- ment of and new bases for American forces Croatia’s request for membership in the cial forces troops to Iraq to take part around the world. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). in the stabilization operations there. Finally, I would like to thank the chairman of We believe it is a natural and important ex- tension of Croatia’s integration into impor- We appreciate their contributions and the Europe Subcommittee, Mr. BEREUTER, and tant western security and related alliances look forward to the day when they are his staff for their cooperation and support as since the Republic’s reestablishment as a ready to take on the full responsibil- we drafted this resolution, H. Con. Res. 209. viable nation-state over ten years ago. Cro- ities of NATO membership. I would also like to thank the ranking member atia is the most stable and economically de- Mr. Speaker, the Adriatic Charter is of the subcommittee, Mr. WEXLER, for his sup- veloped country in southeastern Europe. Its also one more step towards President port. democratic structure has been strongly es- Bush’s goal of a Europe whole and free Again, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 209 tablished as evidenced by three national from the Baltic to the Black Sea. This and urge my colleagues to support its pas- elections since 1990. Croatia has a wide range Member commends and congratulates of political parties and a critical and inde- sage. pendent press. Economically Croatia’s Gross the people of Albania, Croatia, and Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to in- Domestic Product is greater than that of Macedonia for their initiative and clude in the portion of the CONGRESSIONAL most of its neighbors, some of whom have al- progress, and this Member urges the RECORD containing the debate on H. Con. ready joined NATO. Furthermore, since the House to pass this resolution. Res. 209, regarding the U.S. Adriatic Charter, time Croatia claimed its independence in the

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:32 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.033 H23PT1 June 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5673 early 1990s, it has adopted American and and I yield back the balance of my reported that certain parts of our Na- NATO military techniques. Croatia cur- time. tion, particularly the western and rently participates as full partner in the U.S. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Great Plains States, were experiencing and NATO war on international terrorism. The NFCA is a Washington, DC-based na- ADERHOLT). The question is on the mo- ‘‘one of the worst droughts in 108 tional umbrella organization that represents tion offered by the gentleman from years.’’ Other parts of the country, like over 20 Croatian American groups and 130,000 Wisconsin (Mr. GREEN) that the House the Northeast, are currently enduring members. We have promoted the early ad- suspend the rules and agree to the con- seemingly unending days of rainy mittance of Croatia into NATO and, indeed, current resolution, H. Con. Res. 209, as weather. believe that Croatia should be invited to join amended. NATO as soon as it meets the criteria for The question was taken. While bad weather may be merely an membership. Our organization believes the The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the inconvenience for some of us, uncon- passage of this Concurrent Resolution by the trollable weather conditions represent U.S. House of Representatives will further opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of underline the need to bring Croatia into those present have voted in the affirm- just one of the many difficult chal- NATO at the earliest opportunity. The NFCA ative. lenges that confront family farmers. fully supports the passage of H. Con. Res. 209. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I Like many small businesses, family Thank you once again for your leadership demand the yeas and nays. farmers must also endure and react to on this important Resolution. The yeas and nays were ordered. rising energy costs, volatile market- Sincerely, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- place conditions, and increasing com- JOHN KRALJIC, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the President. petition from larger businesses. Unfor- Chair’s prior announcement, further tunately, these economic forces can NATIONAL ALBANIAN proceedings on this motion will be negatively affect the financial stability AMERICAN COUNCIL, postponed. of the family farmer. Washington, DC, June 23, 2003. f In response to the particularized Hon. ELIOT ENGEL, FAMILY FARMER BANKRUPTCY needs of family farmers in financial Co-Chairman of the Albanian Issues Caucus, RELIEF ACT OF 2003 Rayburn House Office Building, House of distress, chapter 12 of the Bankruptcy Representatives, Washington, DC. Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speak- Code was enacted in 1986 as a part of DEAR CONGRESSMAN ENGEL: The National er, I move to suspend the rules and the Bankruptcy Judges, United States Albanian American Council wishes to ex- pass the bill (H.R. 2465) to extend for Trustees, and Family Farmer Bank- press its grateful thanks to you for your ini- six months the period for which chap- tiative in introducing H. Con. Res. 209, which ruptcy Act. Although originally en- passed by the House International Relations ter 12 of title 11 of the United States acted on a temporary basis to address Committee regarding the signing of the Code is reenacted. the farming crisis of the 1980s, chapter United States—Adriatic Charter, a charter of The Clerk read as follows: 12 has been extended on nine occasions partnership among the United States, Alba- H.R. 2465 in recognition of the vital relief it of- nia, Croatia, and Macedonia. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- We believe that this is an important step fers to family farmers in financial dis- resentatives of the United States of America in tress. Unless further extended, chapter in paving the way for Albania, Croatia, and Congress assembled, Macedonia to become members of NATO in 12 will sunset at the end of this month. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. the future. It also reaffirms their determina- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Family It is crucial that this specialized tion to work individually and with each Farmer Bankruptcy Relief Act of 2003’’. other to build a region of strong democracies form of bankruptcy relief for family powered by a free market economy. SEC. 2. SIX-MONTH EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR farmers not be allowed to sunset for We wish to thank you Congressman Engel WHICH CHAPTER 12 OF TITLE 11, two fundamental reasons. First, family for your outstanding work and your commit- UNITED STATES CODE, IS REEN- ACTED. farmers, absent chapter 12, would be ment to the development and democratiza- (a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 149 of title I of forced to file for bankruptcy relief tion of the Balkans. The National Albania division C of Public Law 105–277 (11 U.S.C. American Council wishes to recognize your under the Bankruptcy Code’s other al- 1201 note) is amended— outstanding contributions and your leader- ternatives, none of which work as well (1) by striking ‘‘July 1, 2003’’ each place it ship in the Albania Issues Caucus on behalf for them as does chapter 12. of the Albania American Community. appears and inserting ‘‘January 1, 2004’’; and (2) in subsection (a)— Chapter VII of the Bankruptcy Code, Sincerely, (A) by striking ‘‘December 31, 2002’’ and in- for instance, would require a farmer to MARTIN VULAJ, serting ‘‘June 30, 2003’’; and Executive Director. liquidate; that is, sell the family farm Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise (B) by striking ‘‘January 1, 2003’’ and in- to pay the claims of the farmer’s credi- serting ‘‘July 1, 2003’’. tors. Many farmers would be precluded today in support of H. Con. Res. 209. I am (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments proud to support a resolution which com- made by subsection (a) take effect on July 1, from choosing bankruptcy relief under mends the signing of the United States-Adri- 2003. chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code be- atic Charter and urges NATO to invite Croatia The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- cause of its restrictive eligibility to become a member. ant to the rule, the gentleman from standards. Furthermore, Chapter XI, I have long supported the Republic of Cro- Wisconsin (Mr. SENSENBRENNER) and the Bankruptcy Code’s business reorga- atia’s request for membership in the NATO, the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. nization alternative, is not farmer- and I believe it is a natural and important ex- BALDWIN) each will control 20 minutes. friendly in various respects, as it often tension of Croatia’s integration into important The Chair recognizes the gentleman entails an expensive and time-con- western security and related alliances since from Wisconsin (Mr. SENSENBRENNER). suming process that does not readily the Republic’s reestablishment as a viable na- GENERAL LEAVE accommodate the special needs of tion-state over 10 years ago. farmers. Croatia is one of the most stable and eco- Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speak- nomically developed countries in the south- er, I ask unanimous consent that all Second, recent statistics dem- eastern Europe. Its democratic structure has Members may have 5 legislative days onstrate that there is not only a con- been strongly established as evidence by within which to revise and extend their tinuing need for chapter 12, but that three national elections since 1990. remarks and include extraneous mate- this need is apparently increasing. Ac- Croatia has a wide range of political parties rial on H.R. 2465. cording to the Administrative Office of and a critical and independent press. Eco- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the United States Courts, chapter 12 nomically, Croatia’s Gross Domestic Product objection to the request of the gen- bankruptcy filings jumped by more is greater than that of most of its neighbors, tleman from Wisconsin? than 62 percent over the past year. I in- some of whom have already joined NATO. There was no objection. troduced H.R. 2465 to extend chapter 12 Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speak- In addition, Croatia currently participates as for an additional 6 months through De- er, I yield myself such time as I may a full partner in the United States and NATO cember 31, 2003, and thereby maintain war on international terrorism. Finally, I believe consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. the status quo while the Congress com- the passage of this concurrent resolution will pletes its consideration of comprehen- further underline the need to bring Croatia into 2465, the Family Farmers Bankruptcy sive bankruptcy reform. NATO at the earliest opportunity. Relief Act of 2003. Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speak- Earlier this year, the National Oce- As my colleagues may recall, last er, I have no further requests for time, anic and Atmospheric Administration March the House overwhelmingly

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:32 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A23JN7.012 H23PT1