CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E1221 HON. JOSÉE. SERRANO HON. PETER T. KING HON. JERRY WELLER
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July 13, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E1221 gathered food and clothing, and arranged for minican Parade and Festival of the Bronx on warriors and that they have accomplished very students from the Yale Divinity School to its eleventh year of celebrating Dominican cul- great at the front.'' teach the Mendians English so that they were ture in my South Bronx Congressional District. Having become a member of NATO in able to communicate their story to their de- This year's festivities will take place on July 1952, Turkey also demonstrated its indis- fenders. Roger Sherman Baldwin, a New 16, 2000. putable role in European security. Among all Haven attorney who later enlisted the aid of Under its Founder and President, Felipe NATO allies, Turkey defended the longest bor- former President John Quincy Adams, volun- Febles, the parade has grown in size and der with the former Soviet Union, and carried teered to defend the captives. Today, a statue splendor. It now brings together an increasing a heavy responsibility in helping to contain, of Sengbe Pieh stands proudly near the site number of participants from all five New York and ultimately defeat communism. where he and the other Mendians of the City boroughs and beyond. After the end of the Cold War, Turkey Amistad were first imprisoned. New Haven is On Sunday July 16, thousands of members seized the opportunity to help shape the proud of the role it played in this crucial mo- and friends of the Dominican community will peace in the region. One of the first countries ment in the ongoing struggle for human rights march from Mt. Eden and 172nd Street to to recognize the independence of new emerg- and racial harmony. We are honored to have East 161st Street and the Grand Concourse in ing democracies, Turkey actively sought to as- the Amistad with us today. honor of Juan Pablo Duarte, the father of the sist with their efforts to integrate into the inter- There are so many wonderful people that independence of the Dominican Republic. national community. Turkey provided them have committed themselves to this projectÐ As one who has participated in the parade with direct assistance in credit and goods, mili- their hard work and dedication to this cause in the past, I can attest that the excitement it tary cooperation agreements to assist in build- has made this day possible. My sincere generates brings the entire City together. It is ing their national defense structure, scholar- thanks and appreciation to former Connecticut a celebration and an affirmation of life. It feels ships for students to study in Turkish univer- Governor Lowell Weicker, responsible for se- wonderful to enable so many people to have sities, offering an alternate route for transpor- curing the initial state funding and support for this experienceÐone that will change the lives tation and communication facilities, and legal the project; Al Marder and the Amistad Com- of many of them. It is an honor for me to join technical assistance and know how. mittee, which recreated the original committee once again the hundreds of joyful people who Turkey remains at the center of our energy that first came to the defense of the Amistad will march from Mt. Eden and 172nd Street to security policy to develop the ``east-west'' ac- slaves; the Connecticut African American His- East 161st Street, and to savor the variety of cess for the transport of both oil and natural torical Society, whose work with the Amistad their celebrations. There's no better way to gas from the Caspian region. This strategy Committee and Governor Weicker established see our Bronx community. would further shore up the economies of the Amistad America; Amistad America, a non- The event will feature a wide variety of en- countries involved, and encourage the devel- profit educational corporation that worked with tertainment for all age groups. This year's fes- opment of democracy in the region. Mystic Seaport to build the replica and will tival includes the performance of Merengue At the time of the Korean War, most stra- continue to operate the ship; and the students and Salsa bands, crafts exhibitions, and food tegic thinkers would probably have envisioned and faculty of the Sound School in New typical of the Dominican Republic. Turkey as playing an important role in the fu- Haven, who crafted a lifeboat, named Margru In addition to the parade, President Febles ture of European security, but the scope and after one of the four children aboard Amistad, and many organizers have provided the com- breadth of the relationship which developed that will now be carried on the Amistad rep- munity with nearly two weeks of activities to has most likely surpassed even the greatest lica. The participation and diligent efforts of all commemorate the contributions of the Domini- expectations. Our relationship with Turkey has these groups and talented individuals have can community, its culture and history. developed into a strategic one which we produced a tremendous contribution to the his- Mr. Speaker, it is with enthusiasm that I ask should continue to develop and nurture. tory of Connecticut and the United States. my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to f As we reflect on the 161 years of history this wonderful celebration of Dominican cul- that has passed since the original Amistad ture, which has brought much pride to the AIMEE'S LAW landed on our shores, it is important to remind Bronx community. ourselves that this continues to be an unfin- SPEECH OF f ished journey. In the United States, we tore HON. JERRY WELLER our nation apart in violence before we put an REPUBLIC OF TURKEY'S CON- OF ILLINOIS end to the institution that brought Sengbe Pieh TRIBUTION TO THE KOREAN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES to these shores. In Sierra Leone, it would be WAR more than a century after their native sons Tuesday, July 11, 2000 and daughters left their shores before they HON. PETER T. KING Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in would be able to claim the right to truly govern OF NEW YORK support of H.R. 894, the No Second Chances themselves. Today, we watch as the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for Murderers, Rapists, or Child Molesters Act Nations and Sierra Leone's African neighbors (Aimee's Law). help in its struggle for peace. If the history of Wednesday, July 12, 2000 Each year more than 14,000 murders, the United States and Sierra Leone have Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to rec- rapes, and sexual assaults are committed by taught us anything, it is that our journey to- ognize not only the importance of our strategic previously convicted murderers and sex of- wards peace, justice, and freedom has not yet relationship with the Republic of Turkey but fenders. While the United States has been ended. their historic contribution in the Korean War. moving towards lengthy mandatory sentences Whether at sea or in port, the Amistad will Almost 50 years ago, in October of 1950, the for a number of crimes, sentences for murder, carry this message to all who will hear it. A re- Turkish brigade consisting of 4,500 army child molestation and rape often fall short. minder of an extraordinary moment in our his- troops arrived in Korea. By the time Turkey Aimee's Law would add accountability to the tory, I applaud the inspired dedication that the had completed its commitment, 29,882 were existing formula for distributing federal crime New Haven community has shown for this rotated through the brigade, 717 were killed in funds to states that convict a murderer, rapist, project. It is with great pleasure that I stand action, and 2246 were wounded. These fig- or child molester, if that criminal had pre- and add my voice to all of those who have ures, the highest casualty rate of the United viously been convicted of the same crime in a gathered today to welcome the Amistad home. Nations mission, demonstrated that Turkey's different state. The cost of prosecuting and in- f reputation was well deserved. carcerating the criminal would be deducted TRIBUTE TO THE 11TH GREAT DO- The Turkish brigade's courage and contribu- from the federal crime funds intended to go to MINICAN PARADE AND CAR- tions were repeatedly highlighted in the press the state where a criminal previously com- NIVAL OF THE BRONX at the time. For example, the battle of Kunuri mitted one of these horrible crimes, and in- Â was detailed in a TIME magazine article which stead be sent to the state that is forced to HON. JOSE E. SERRANO stated ``The courageous battles of the Turkish prosecute the same criminal, for the same Brigade have created a favorable effect on the crime, against another innocent victim. OF NEW YORK whole United Nations Forces.'' Their courage Tragedies like this are happening all across IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was also referenced on Capitol Hill, with America, including in my home state. This Wednesday, July 12, 2000 former Representative Claude Pepper opining type of tragedy struck close to home when a Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, once again it that, ``There is no one left who does not know child in my District was molested and mur- is an honor for me to recognize the Great Do- that the Turks, our valuable allies, are hard dered by a repeat offender. Every day that we VerDate 11<MAY>2000 03:30 Jul 14, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A12JY8.017 pfrm04 PsN: E13PT1 E1222 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks July 13, 2000 wait to pass this bill we put another innocent Soviet (parliament) of the Ukrainian S.S.R.