Congressional Record—House H12713
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November 5, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H12713 this House, their staff and all of our True reconciliation includes the man at the University of Kansas in fellow citizens take time in the upcom- speedy release of political prisoners 1973. I was approached by some people ing weeks to not only reflect on the and granting members of opposition who asked me if I knew what was in great truth found in the Bible, but also parties the right to participate in a the Bible. I said I knew what it was all to count our blessings and to give democratic society. Peace in that part about. But then I had to admit I had thanks. of the word will have to involve a final never read it for myself. The only hon- On a personal note, I am quite sure demarcation and implementation of est thing I could do at that point was that my third grade teacher, Mrs. the border between Eritrea and Ethi- to read the Bible for myself. McClain, prayed for my salvation when opia. When I read the Gospel of John, I I was young. I believe my seventh In the spirit of new beginnings, it is ended up discovering a personal rela- grade reading teacher, Mrs. Cantrell, my hope that the Ethiopian Govern- tionship with Jesus Christ who became prayed for me, as did my high school ment and members of the political op- my Lord and Savior. In that gospel He band teacher, Mr. Jim Henry. They position take every necessary step to- says: I am the way, the truth and the joined a long list of relatives, my sis- ward true reconciliation. It is my hope life. No one comes to the Father but ter, Annette; my brother, Joe; my that Eritrea and Ethiopia will come to through Me. great, great grandfather, John Henry a peaceful and fair resolution and fi- Mr. Speaker, I don’t know where in Fortson, pastor of the Fishing Creek nally be able to work together to en- their spiritual journey people may be Baptist Church in Washington, Geor- courage stability in the region. who are listening tonight, but I do gia, for over 40 years. He prayed for the Members of the Congressional Ethio- know this: It is better to read the Bible salvation of his children and grand- pian American Caucus are eager to use for oneself and not just to take some- children to seven generations. the millennium as an opportunity to one else’s word for what is in it. For I reconfirm tonight that their pray- bring national attention to Ethiopia, me, it made all of the difference in the ers were fruitful. Jesus is my friend the original homes of hundred of thou- world. and I am a student of his word, the sands of Ethiopian Americans. Ethi- f opia is a symbol of freedom. It is a Bible. I understand His work on the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a country with rich history and culture. cross as the sole means of my salvation previous order of the House, the gen- because the Bible has taught me so. Ethiopians made important contribu- tleman from Oregon (Mr. DEFAZIO) is tions for the freedom of many African Yes, Jesus loves me, this I know, for recognized for 5 minutes. the Bible tell me so. May all those who countries and fought courageously to (Mr. DEFAZIO addressed the House. defend its own. prayed for me so diligently reflect in His remarks will appear hereafter in This resolution pays tribute to the Thanksgiving this year that God has the Extensions of Remarks.) heard their prayers for me, and I will many sacrifices made by Ethiopians thank the God of the Bible for their over the centuries. In the wake of a tu- f prayers which resulted in my salvation multuous period in Ethiopian history, ‘‘NO’’ ON PERU according to the plan that He set out it was important for me to do more to in the Bible. increase visibility around this country The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a that has meant so much to an impor- previous order of the House, the gentle- f tant, but largely overlooked, minority woman from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR) is rec- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a constituency. ognized for 5 minutes. previous order of the House, the gentle- We want to do more to show our ap- Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, this week woman from the District of Columbia preciation to the Ethiopian American the new Congress, the Democratic Con- (Ms. NORTON) is recognized for 5 min- community for all that they continue gress, will consider its first bilateral utes. to contribute to our society and, more trade agreement during this session: (Ms. NORTON addressed the House. importantly, to support their efforts to the Bush-negotiated free trade agree- Her remarks will appear hereafter in bring national attention to the issues ment with Peru. This week, this Demo- the Extensions of Remarks.) that matter to them. cratic Congress has an opportunity, an f Ethiopian Americans make up the opportunity to prove that we are dif- second largest African immigrant com- ferent from previous Congresses. We CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE have an opportunity to demonstrate we OF ETHIOPIA munity in the United States, with U.S.-Ethiopian relations initiated in have heard from America’s voters who The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a 1903. Recognizing Ethiopia’s role in the are fed up with job losses, trade defi- previous order of the House, the gen- formation of a Pan-African movement cits, and race-to-the-bottom wages for tleman from California (Mr. HONDA) is and defeating colonial rule are key our middle class. recognized for 5 minutes. points in the resolution, and a signifi- The American people expect us to re- Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise cant aspect of Ethiopian identity. flect their concerns. Yet this bill is today in recognition of the passage of The resolution also recognizes the ef- merely another godchild of NAFTA. H. Res. 550, congratulating the people forts of all those who organized the What is the public telling us? In a of Ethiopia on the second millennium millennium celebrations. The African March 2007 poll by the Wall Street of Ethiopia. I introduced this resolu- Union has already declared the Ethi- Journal/NBC before the recent scandals tion, along with my colleague and fel- opia Millennium as the African Millen- involving tainted food and toy imports, low member of the Congressional Ethi- nium and acknowledges the critical 54 percent of Democratic voters said opian American Caucus, Congressman role Ethiopia plays in keeping peace on free trade agreements have hurt the DONALD PAYNE. the continent. I thank my colleagues United States compared with 21 per- Ethiopia’s calendar is based on the for passing H. Res. 550, and I look for- cent who said they have helped. Orthodox Tewahedo calendar which is ward to the Senate vote. Then the Wall Street Journal in an derived from the Julian calendar. The October 4 front-page article stated that f West follows the Gregorian calendar. by a poll they had done, by a nearly 2 On September 11 of this year, Ethio- NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK to 1 margin, Republican voters believe pians around the world celebrated a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, new millennium according to their offi- previous order of the House, the gen- a shift in opinion that mirrors Demo- cial calendar. tleman from Colorado (Mr. LAMBORN) is cratic views and suggests trade deals H. Res. 550 demonstrates congres- recognized for 5 minutes. could face high hurdles under a new sional support for the Ethiopian Amer- Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank President. ican community, and I plan to use the both of my colleagues for organizing And then a Democratic pollster found attention surrounding the millennium this time tonight in recognition of Na- that 67 percent, two-thirds, of Ameri- to highlight priority issues, including tional Bible Week. cans believe unfair trade agreements political reconciliation and peace in My own experience with the Bible are making it harder for Americans to the Horn of Africa. began when I was an 18-year-old fresh- keep good jobs. Thus, defeating the VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:58 Nov 06, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00257 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K05NO7.092 H05NOPT1 bajohnson on PROD1PC69 with HOUSE.