H5214 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 27, 2005 those present have voted in the affirm- (1) welcomes the opportunity for the Re- only towards completion of its transi- ative. public of to demonstrate its willing- tion to democracy, but in preparing for Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. ness and preparedness to take the next steps integration into European and Euro- Speaker, on that I demand the yeas in European and Euro-Atlantic integration Atlantic institutions. by holding parliamentary elections on July and nays. 3, 2005, that meet the Organization for Secu- There is good reason to remain con- The yeas and nays were ordered. rity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) cerned, however, that the elections will The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- standards for free and fair elections as de- fall short of international standards. ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the fined in the 1990 Copenhagen Document; The good things that have been adopt- Chair’s prior announcement, further (2) firmly believes that the citizens of Al- ed, such as the Code of Conduct adopt- proceedings on this motion will be bania, like all people, should be able to ed by key political parties, may not be postponed. choose their own representatives in par- carried out. The OSCE’s election ob- liament and government in free and fair server mission has reported receiving f elections, and to hold these representatives accountable through elections at reasonable an increased number of allegations of URGING ALBANIA TO ENSURE legal misuse of state resources and per- ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON intervals; (3) supports commitments by Albanian po- sonnel for campaign purposes. If found JULY 3, 2005, ARE IN ACCORD- litical parties to adhere to a basic code of to be true, those engaged in this activ- ANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL conduct for campaigning and urges such par- ity would be responsible for what STANDARDS FOR FREE AND ties and all election officials in Albania to would be regarded as a tremendous set- FAIR ELECTIONS adhere to laws relating to the elections, and back for the country. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. to conduct their activities in an impartial Hopefully, by passing this resolution, and transparent manner, by allowing inter- we can encourage Albanian authorities Speaker, I move to suspend the rules national and domestic observers to have un- and agree to the concurrent resolution obstructed access to all aspects of the elec- to respect the rule of law, to abide by (H. Con. Res. 155) urging the Govern- tion process, including public campaign their Code of Conduct, and respect the ment of the Republic of Albania to en- events, candidates, news media, voting, and results of the upcoming election. When sure that the parliamentary elections post-election tabulation of results and proc- my colleague, the gentleman from New to be held on July 3, 2005, are con- essing of election challenges and complaints; York (Mr. ENGEL), and I first intro- ducted in accordance with inter- (4) supports assistance by the United duced this resolution, it was with the national standards for free and fair States to help the people of Albania estab- expectation the U.S. Congress could lish a fully free and open democratic system, constructively make a difference by elections. a prosperous free market economy, and its The Clerk read as follows: rightful place in European and Euro-Atlantic calling on the authorities, political H. CON. RES. 155 institutions, including the North Atlantic parties, and others to do the right Whereas the United States maintains Treaty Organization (NATO); and thing so that the real winners in the strong and friendly relations with the Re- (5) encourages the President to commu- elections will be the people of Albania public of Albania and appreciates the ongo- nicate to the Government of Albania, to all who make the effort to vote. ing support of the people of Albania; political parties and candidates, and to the Finally, I am hopeful these elections Whereas the has people of Albania the high importance at- will meet international standards, be- called for elections to Albania’s parliament, tached by the Government of the United cause that is one of the first steps Al- known as the People’s Assembly, to be held States to this parliamentary election as a central factor in determining the future re- bania will need to take on the path to on July 3, 2005; full Euro-Atlantic integration. Whereas Albania is one of 55 participating lationship between the United States and Al- States in the Organization for Security and bania. The new Albanian government will Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), all of which The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- also need to tackle problems relating have adopted the 1990 Copenhagen Document ant to the rule, the gentleman from to official corruption and organized containing specific commitments relating to New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) and the gen- crime. Fortunately, beyond a good the conduct of elections; tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) election process, we must see the devel- Whereas these commitments, which en- each will control 20 minutes. opment of civil society in Albania, courage transparency, balance, and impar- The Chair recognizes the gentleman with the youth groups and others tiality in an election process, have become pressing elected officials to address the the standard by which observers determine from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH). whether elections have been conducted free- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. every day problems that plague the ly and fairly; Speaker, I yield myself such time as I lives of Albanian citizens. Whereas, though improvements over time may consume. I hope my colleagues will support have been noted, the five multiparty par- Mr. Speaker, 14 years ago, Albania this resolution. liamentary elections held in Albania be- was just emerging from decades of bru- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of tween 1991 and 2001, as well as elections for tal isolation from Europe when they my time. local offices held between and after those held their first genuinely contested Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield years, fell short of the standards in the Co- elections in 1991. Not surprisingly, they myself such time as I may consume, penhagen Document to varying degrees, ac- fell short of the standards for free and and I rise in strong support of the reso- cording to OSCE and other observers; lution. Whereas with OSCE and other inter- fair elections as defined by the Organi- national assistance, the Government of Alba- zation for Security and Cooperation in Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my nia has improved the country’s electoral and Europe, or OSCE, as did subsequent good friend and colleague, the gen- legal framework and enhanced the capacity elections for parliament and local gov- tleman from New Jersey, (Mr. SMITH), to conduct free and fair elections; ernment. The United States and other and our colleague on the Committee on Whereas subsequent to the calling of elec- friends of Albania, however, remained International Relations, the gentleman tions, Albania’s political parties have ac- engaged with the Albanian people from New York (Mr. ENGEL), for intro- cepted a code of conduct regarding their throughout their turbulent transition. ducing this excellent resolution urging campaign activities, undertaking to act in Today, Albania is at the point where free and fair . I am accordance with the law, to refrain from in- the country can actually hold free and citing violence or hatred in the election pleased to be a cosponsor of the resolu- campaign, and to be transparent in dis- fair elections, something the citizens tion. closing campaign funding; and of that country deeply deserve. Par- Mr. Speaker, it was 15 years ago this Whereas meeting the standards in the Co- liamentary elections have been sched- month that I had the privilege of being penhagen Document for free and fair elec- uled, as Members of this House know, the first American Government official tions is absolutely essential to Albania’s de- for July 3, and the campaign period is to set foot in Albania after a 44-year sired integration into European and Euro- well underway. Staff in the U.S. Hel- hiatus. At that time, Albania was tak- Atlantic institutions, including full member- sinki Commission, which I co-chair, ing its first halting steps to end a half ship in the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza- will be serving on the international ob- tion (NATO), as well as to Albania’s progress a century of Communist dictatorship in addressing official corruption and combat- servation mission. Albania has come and self-imposed international isola- ting organized crime: Now, therefore, be it far in reforming its election process tion. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the and through these elections has the op- Wherever I traveled throughout the Senate concurring), That Congress— portunity to jump a major hurdle not country, from formal meetings with

VerDate Aug 04 2004 04:24 Jun 28, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27JN7.056 H27PT1 June 27, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5215 top government officials to casual I thank the gentleman from Cali- dedicated to safe, free, and open democracy chats with students at the University fornia (Mr. LANTOS) for this partner- in Albania and the region. It will let the people of Tirana, crowds of gath- ship resolution, as well as the gen- of Albania know that we are at their side as ered, looking on curiously and appre- tleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) they strive for a more free and open society. hensively, but hopefully. They were and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. As the nation of Albania approaches its July anxious to join the world community, WOLF), and others. We had 27 cospon- 3rd parliamentary elections we must stand but they were fearful of the con- sors of this resolution. steadfast in our support of free, fair, and trans- sequences of transforming the political Last July in the Commission on Se- parent elections. As a participating member of and economic system that they knew, curity Cooperation in Europe, we held the Organization for Security and Cooperation despite its profound failings. a hearing in Albania. We heard from a in Europe and a signatory of the 1990 Copen- number of important and prominent b 1630 hagen Document containing specific commit- witness, including representatives of ments relating to the conduct of elections, Al- Since 1990, Albania has worked with MJAFT! which is the youth organiza- bania must maintain its commitment to these the United States and has participated tion that is doing some important pio- democratic ideals. Indeed, the Copenhagen in NATO’s Partnership for Peace pro- neering and important work in Albania Document, which encourages transparency, gram. The Albanian Government has today. I want to thank them for their balance, and impartiality in the election proc- made it clear that it is very anxious to work as well. ess, is so sound that it has become the stand- join NATO and to strengthen its rela- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong ard by which elections are judged. tions with our Nation. Albania has in- support of H. Con. Res. 155, urging Albania to Although Albanian democracy has strength- dicated its desire to become a full hold its July 3 parliamentary elections in ac- ened over the past several years, it has none- member of the European Union with all cordance with international standards. I would theless failed to live up to the standards of the of the economic and political obliga- also like to thank the lead sponsor, CHRIS Copenhagen Document. Over the past 10 tions that that implies. SMITH, for his work on this legislation. These years, Albanian elections have not been as Albania’s road to democracy and full elections are not only important as Albania free, fair, and open as the Albanian people de- international participation has not works to develop its democratic system, but serve. As nations around Europe and the been easy. The country’s parliamen- they will set the tone for the Balkan nation in world have made considerable strides towards tary and local elections during the the months and years ahead. democracy, meeting the standards in the Co- 1990s were marred by electoral irreg- The United States and Albania have strong penhagen Document for free and fair elections ularities and fraud. This hampered its ties that go well beyond government relations. is absolutely essential to Albania’s desired in- desire for closer links with the Euro- For that reason, we believe it is very important tegration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, includ- Atlantic community. to support the people of Albania and their right ing membership in the North Atlantic Treaty The Albanian election now scheduled to choose their elected representatives freely Organization, NATO. Additionally, transparent for July 3 provides a new opportunity and fairly. democratic elections will inexorably lead to a for the people of Albania to dem- In the 15 years since Albania’s brutal com- more free and open society and government onstrate their readiness for closer ties munist dictatorship came to an end, the coun- able to combat Albania’s problems with orga- with the United States and the demo- try has struggled in its transition. While some nized crime. cratic nations of Europe. elections have been problematic, there have The Republic of Albania must demonstrate I have been encouraged by the com- been improvements over time, and now the its willingness and preparedness to take the mitment of Albania’s leaders, Prime country has a real chance to achieve the next steps towards strong and stable democ- Minister Fatos Nano of the Socialist same international election standards that the racy. This can only be achieved when the Party, and former President Sali United States, Canada and all of Europe people of Albania choose their own represent- Berisha of the Democratic Party, to adopted in 1990. Between now and election atives in parliament in free and fair elections. see that this election will meet inter- day, the real issue is whether the authorities, The Albanian government, political parties, national standards for free, fair, open, political parties and other stakeholders have and politicians must conduct this election in and democratic elections. the will to abide by the laws, regulations and adherence to the laws that regulate all free The July 3 election is one of the most a code of conduct. The active U.S. congres- and fair elections; transparency, free press, important in Albania since the end of sional interest expressed in this resolution can and unfettered access to electoral procedures the Communist era. The United States encourage all involved to do the right thing. by international and domestic observers. and the international community will A good election process will have enormous I commend all the Albanian political parties be watching this election very care- benefits for Albania. Domestically, it will en- for their commitment to adhere to campaign fully to determine whether Albania able the next government to take stronger and election laws. If Albania is to become an truly meets international standards. measures to address the official corruption active member of both the European and For Albania to make the progress that and combat the organized crime which to- Euro-Atlantic community it must conduct elec- it seeks in becoming a full member of gether thwart stronger economic recovery. tions that meet international standards. Failure the Euro-Atlantic community within Internationally, it will enable Albania to take to meet these requirements could have disas- NATO and the European Union, these the next steps to joining NATO and the Euro- trous effects. Europe and the United States elections must be free and fair beyond pean Union. Supporting Albanian elections must play an active role in helping Albania a doubt. today will only strengthen our relations in the move towards stable, transparent, and free Our resolution expresses the support future. democracy. This legislation will take a great of the Congress and the American peo- I will be in Albania for the July 3rd elections step towards that goal. ple for open and democratic elections and will lead a National Albanian American Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. in Albania. It also urges our President Council delegation which will monitor that the Speaker, I yield back the balance of to express to the people and the polit- polling and counting will be done in accord- my time. ical leadership of Albania the great im- ance with international standards. This resolu- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. portance our Nation attaches to the tion will help make the case for a good elec- ISSA). The question is on the motion of- July 3 elections. It is certainly accu- tion. fered by the gentleman from New Jer- rate to say that the way the upcoming As the lead Democratic sponsor of this res- sey (Mr. SMITH) that the House suspend Albanian elections are conducted will olution, I urge my colleagues to support H. the rules and agree to the concurrent be a central factor in determining the Con. Res. 155. resolution, H. Con. Res. 155. future relationship between the United Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, The question was taken. States and Albania. I rise today in strong support of this resolution The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- urging the Government of the Republic of Al- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of leagues to support this resolution. bania to ensure that the parliamentary elec- those present have voted in the affirm- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance tions to be held on July 3, 2005, are con- ative. of my time. ducted in accordance with international stand- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. ards for free and fair elections. This is an im- Speaker, on that I demand the yeas Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to portant piece of legislation that will notify the and nays. conclude. people of Albania that the United States is The yeas and nays were ordered.

VerDate Aug 04 2004 04:24 Jun 28, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K27JN7.059 H27PT1 H5216 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 27, 2005 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- appropriate format. Members are also Mr. PETRI, Wisconsin, Chairman, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the advised to check with the Office of the Mr. BOOZMAN, Arkansas, Vice Chair- Chair’s prior announcement, further Parliamentarian to be certain their man. proceedings on this motion will be amendments comply with the rules of f postponed. the House. f f ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE GENERAL LEAVE REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. H.R. 3057, FOREIGN OPERATIONS, ant to clause 8 of rule XX, proceedings Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that EXPORT FINANCING, AND RE- will resume on motions to suspend the all Members may have 5 legislative LATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIA- rules previously postponed. days within which to revise and extend TIONS ACT, 2006 Votes will be taken in the following their remarks and include extraneous order: Mrs. CAPITO, from the Committee material on H. Con. Res. 155. H. Res. 199, by the yeas and nays; on Rules, submitted a privileged report The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there H. Con. Res. 155, by the yeas and (Rept. No. 109–155) on the resolution (H. objection to the request of the gen- nays. Res. 341) providing for consideration of tleman from New Jersey? Proceedings on H.R. 458 will resume the bill (H.R. 3057) making appropria- There was no objection. on a later day. f tions for foreign operations, export fi- nancing, and related programs for the f RECESS fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE and for other purposes, which was re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- HOUSE REGARDING THE MAS- ferred to the House Calendar and or- ant to clause 12(a) of rule I, the Chair SACRE AT SREBENICA IN JULY dered to be printed. declares the House in recess until ap- 1995 proximately 6:30 p.m. today. f The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Accordingly (at 4 o’clock and 35 min- PERSONAL EXPLANATION utes p.m.), the House stood in recess pending business is the question of sus- until approximately 6:30 p.m. Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, due to pending the rules and agreeing to the my attendance at a meeting with resolution, H. Res. 199, as amended. f BRAC Commissioner Chairman An- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- b 1833 thony Principi at the 130th Airlift tion. AFTER RECESS Wing of the West Virginia Air National The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Guard in my district, I missed roll call question is on the motion offered by The recess having expired, the House votes 308 through 321 on June 24. the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. was called to order by the Speaker pro Had I been present, I would have SMITH) that the House suspend the tempore (Mr. LAHOOD) at 6 o’clock and voted as follows: rules and agree to the resolution, H. 33 minutes p.m. Rollcall 308, no; rollcall 309, yes; roll- Res. 199, as amended, on which the yeas f call 310, no; rollcall 311, yes; rollcall and nays are ordered. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE COM- 312, yes; rollcall 313, no; rollcall 314, no; The vote was taken by electronic de- MITTEE ON RULES REGARDING rollcall 315, yes; rollcall 316, yes; roll- vice, and there were—yeas 370, nays 1, AMENDMENTS TO H.R. 2864, call 317, no; rollcall 318, no; rollcall 319, not voting 62, as follows: WATER RESOURCES DEVELOP- no; rollcall 320, no; rollcall 321, yes. [Roll No. 322] MENT ACT OF 2005 f YEAS—370 Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, the Com- REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- Ackerman Brown-Waite, Deal (GA) VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF Aderholt Ginny DeFazio mittee on Rules has announced that it Akin Burgess DeGette may meet this week to grant a rule H.R. 3058, TRANSPORTATION, Alexander Butterfield Delahunt which could limit the amendment proc- TREASURY, HOUSING AND Allen Buyer DeLauro URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JU- Andrews Calvert DeLay ess for floor consideration of H.R. 2864, Camp Dent DICIARY, THE DISTRICT OF CO- Baca the Water Resources Development Act Bachus Cannon Dicks of 2005. The Committee on Transpor- LUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT Baird Cantor Dingell tation and Infrastructure ordered the AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS Baker Capito Doggett ACT, 2006 Baldwin Capps Doolittle bill reported on June 22, 2005 and filed Barrett (SC) Capuano Doyle its report with the House on June 24, Mrs. CAPITO, from the Committee Barrow Cardoza Drake 2005. Bartlett (MD) Carnahan Dreier on Rules, submitted a privileged report Carter Duncan Any Member wishing to offer an (Rept. No. 109–156) on the resolution (H. Barton (TX) Bass Case Edwards Castle Ehlers amendment should submit 55 copies of Res. 342) providing for consideration of Bean Chabot Emanuel the amendment and one copy of a brief the bill (H.R. 3058) making appropria- Beauprez Chandler Emerson Becerra explanation of the amendment to the tions for the Departments of Transpor- Chocola Engel Berkley Committee on Rules in Room H–312 of tation, Treasury, and Housing and Clay English (PA) Berman Cleaver Eshoo the Capitol by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Urban Development, the Judiciary, Berry June 29, 2005. Members should draft Clyburn Evans District of Columbia, and independent Biggert Coble Everett their amendments to the text of the agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep- Bilirakis Cole (OK) Farr bill as reported by the Committee on tember 30, 2006, and for other purposes, Bishop (GA) Conaway Feeney Bishop (UT) Transportation and Infrastructure. which was referred to the House Cal- Conyers Ferguson Blackburn Cooper Fitzpatrick (PA) Members are reminded that earlier in endar and ordered to be printed. Blumenauer Costa Flake the year the Committee on Transpor- f Blunt Costello Foley tation and Infrastructure set forth a Boehner Cox Forbes specific process regarding the submis- APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO Bonilla Cramer Fortenberry BRITISH-AMERICAN INTER- Bonner Crenshaw Foxx sion of projects for inclusion in the Bono Crowley Frank (MA) Water Resources Development Act. The PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Boozman Cubin Franks (AZ) Rules Committee does not intend to ac- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Boren Cuellar Frelinghuysen Boswell Cummings Gallegly cord priority to amendments that have ant to 22 U.S.C. 276l, and the order of Boucher Cunningham Garrett (NJ) not gone through the aforementioned the House of January 4, 2005, the Chair Boustany Davis (AL) Gerlach process. announces the Speaker’s appointment Boyd Davis (CA) Gibbons Members should use the Office of of the following Members of the House Bradley (NH) Davis (IL) Gilchrest Brady (TX) Davis (KY) Gillmor Legislative Counsel to ensure that to the British-American Inter- Brown (OH) Davis (TN) Gingrey their amendments are drafted in the parliamentary Group: Brown (SC) Davis, Jo Ann Gohmert

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