H7242 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 6, 2000 For nearly 5 years, I have been ask- overturned, but they worry that polit- of compassion and for her health, I hope Lori ing my colleagues to join me in pro- ical pressures will ensure that she will will soon be allowed to come home. testing her conviction. I have cir- receive a long sentence in a civilian Sincerely, culated three letters to the President trial. CAROLYN B. MALONEY, Member of Congress. over the years, and each letter has In Peru, it is a crime to express sym- f been signed by more and more Mem- pathy for the MRTA, the crime is apo- bers of Congress in support of Lori. In logia. In the United States, it would be MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS RE- August, 221 Members of Congress, in a protected as free speech. There it can GARDING COLOMBIA IS IN THE bipartisan way, signed a letter calling carry a long prison sentence. BEST INTEREST OF AMERICA for Lori’s release. I hope that Peru can be persuaded to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a I will be circulating a new letter ask- act with mercy. There is nothing to be previous order of the House, the gen- ing for mercy for Lori, asking for Peru gained by keeping Lori in prison any tleman from Texas (Mr. PAUL) is recog- to act with compassion and send Lori longer. Peru has already admitted that nized for 5 minutes. home on humanitarian grounds. Lori was not the terrorist leader she Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, those of us Since her conviction, Lori’s health was originally convicted of being. who warned of the shortcomings of ex- has deteriorated. She was originally panding our military presence in Co- I wrote to President Fujimori yester- sent to Yanomayo Prison, located high lombia were ignored when funds were day to let him know how pleased I am in the Andes, over 12,000 feet above sea appropriated for this purpose earlier that Lori will have a civilian trial. level. The altitude destroyed her this year. We argued at that time that President Fujimori has taken a brave health. People like Lori who have not clearly no national security interests step that has subjected him to enor- grown up in the Andes cannot accli- were involved; that the Civil War was mous criticism at home. I am pleased mate to the high altitude of more than 30 years old, complex with that he recognized that the evidence Yanomayo. three factions fighting, and no assur- showed that Lori did not belong in I visited with Lori in October of 1997. ance as to who the good guys were; Peru’s military courts. When I saw her, her fingers were swol- that the drug war was a subterfuge, len and she had circulatory problems Now it is time for Peru to take the only an excuse, not a reason, to need- as a result of the high altitude. Very next step and release Lori. Lori will lessly expand our involvement in Co- little natural light comes into the pris- not be getting off lightly if she is re- lombia; and that special interests were on, and prisoners are allowed only 1 leased now. She has spent nearly 5 really driving our policy: Colombia Oil hour a day to exercise outside. As a re- years in prison in conditions that have Reserves owned by American interests, sult, Lori’s eye sight was failing. seriously undermined her health. I American weapons manufacturers, and Yanomayo was not heated, and the hope that whatever the outcome of her American corporations anxious to temperature rarely rises above 40 de- trial, Lori’s ordeal will soon be over. build infrastructure in Colombia. grees. The cold gave Lori perpetual lar- For humanitarian reasons, for the sake Already our foolish expanded pres- yngitis. of compassion, and for her health, I sure in Colombia has had a perverse ef- Eventually, the Peruvian officials re- hope Lori will be allowed to come fect. The stated purpose of promoting sponded to pleas to move Lori. But in home. peace and stability has been under- some ways, she faced an even harder Mr. Speaker, I include my letter to mined. Violence has worsened as fac- challenge to her health. The new prison President Fujimori for the RECORD as tions are now fighting more fiercely was more than 5,000 feet above sea follows: than ever before for territory as they level, better than the former prison, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, anticipate the full force of U.S. weap- but still hard for a New Yorker. The al- Washington, DC, September 5, 2000. ons arriving. titude, while less dangerous to her President ALBERTO FUJIMORI, The already weak peace process has health, continued to affect her cir- Palacio de Gobierno, Plaza de Armass S/N, Lima been essentially abandoned. Hatred to- culatory system. 1 Peru. ward Americans by many Colombians The toughest part was that she was DEAR PRESIDENT FUJIMORI: I am pleased to has grown. The Presidents of 12 South forced to spend months completely learn that Lori Berenson’s conviction has American countries rejected outright alone. For more than 100 days, Lori was been overturned by Peru’s military tribunal. the American-backed military oper- kept in solitary confinement. The iso- As you know from our conversation when we ation amendment aimed at the revolu- met in April 1998, Lori Berenson is a con- lation had an extremely negative effect tionary groups in Colombia. on her psychological well-being. stituent of mine and I am deeply concerned about her. I appreciated your willingness and This foolhardy effort to settle the Co- Despite the difficult circumstances, that of members of your government to dis- lombian civil war has clearly turned Lori has always been quiet, polite, and cuss her case with me during those visits. out to be a diplomatic failure. The best well behaved, a model prisoner. I am The tribunal’s decision is a tremendous evidence of a seriously flawed policy is hopeful that Peru will take these cir- step forward for human rights in Peru. I ap- the departure of capital. Watching cumstances into account and act with plaud the members of the tribunal for look- money flows gives us a market assess- mercy and compassion. ing at new evidence in this case and con- ment of policy; and by all indication, I returned to Peru in April of 1998 cluding that the new evidence did not sup- our policy spells trouble. and, together with the gentleman from port the original verdict. There is evidence of a recent large- New York (Mr. GILMAN), met with In October 1997, I visited Lori in prison and scale exodus of wealthy Colombians to President Fujimori. He was very open I found her spirits to be good despite her de- Miami. Tens of thousands of Colom- during our meeting and agreed to take teriorating health. Like many people who bians are leaving for the U.S., Canada, are unaccustomed to high altitudes, Lori another look at Lori’s case if new evi- Costa Rica, Spain, Australia. These are dence was presented. Apparently, Peru could not acclimate to living at Yanomayo prison. The high altitude played havoc with the middle-class and upper-class citi- has uncovered new evidence, and Lori her health. When I saw her, her fingers were zens, taking their money with them. is getting a new trial in a civilian swollen, her eyesight was failing, and she Our enhanced presence in Colombia has court. was having circulatory problems and per- accelerated this exodus. Since Lori was arrested, her parents, petual laryngitis. After she was moved to a Our policy, unless quickly and thor- Mark and Rhoda Berenson, have prison at a lower altitude, she spent more oughly reversed, will surely force an worked every day tirelessly for her re- than 100 days in solitary confinement. De- escalation of the civil war and a dan- lease. They know Lori as a young spite the severe privation, she has always gerous increase in our involvement idealist who traveled to Peru as a jour- been quiet, polite and well-behaved—a model prisoner. with both dollars and troops. All this nalist. University professors who live will further heighten the need for drug in my district, the Berensons have I am grateful that she will have a civilian trial. However, after nearly five years in sales to finance all factions of the civil given up their careers to devote them- prison, Lori has already undergone severe war. So much for stopping the drug selves to trying to free their daughter punishment and I hope, whatever the out- war. and bring her home. They welcome the come of her trial, her ordeal will soon be Our policy is doomed to fail. There is news that Lori’s conviction has been over. For humanitarian reasons, for the sake no national security interest involved;

VerDate 11-MAY-2000 03:55 Sep 07, 2000 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K06SE7.080 pfrm02 PsN: H06PT1 September 6, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7243 therefore, no goals can be set and no We now see that Hispanic Heritage REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- victory achievable. A foreign policy of Month is not just about celebration, VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF non-intervention designed only to pro- but it is about uniting our community H.R. 4115, UNITED STATES HOLO- tect our sovereignty with an eagerness to better educate our children and to CAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM to trade with all nations willing to be educate ourselves about what it means Mr. REYNOLDS, from the Com- friends is the traditional American for- to be a Hispanic. It means being proud mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- eign policy and would give us the guar- of who we are. It does not matter if we leged report (Rept. No. 106–822) on the anteed hope of peace, the greatest hope are Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, resolution (H. Res. 570) providing for of peace and prosperity. Spanish, or Central American. This is a consideration of the bill (H.R. 4115) to Let us think seriously about our for- time we all continue to celebrate our authorize appropriations for the United eign policy, and hopefully someday we cultures as a whole. States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will pursue a policy in the best interest And what a culture we have. The and for other purposes, which was re- of America by minding our own busi- number of Hispanic-owned businesses ness. ferred to the House Calendar and or- in the United States increased by 76 dered to be printed. f percent between 1986 and 1992 and con- f HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH tinues to grow daily. Across America The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a we find more and more Hispanic busi- TRIBUTE TO FIREFIGHTERS previous order of the House, the gen- nesses growing and more and more His- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. tleman from California (Mr. BACA) is panic business owners, business owners TANCREDO). Under a previous order of recognized for 5 minutes. like Richard Romero out of my district the House, the gentleman from Idaho Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise who owned quite a few car dealerships, (Mr. SIMPSON) is recognized for 5 min- to bring about the awareness of His- who just recently passed away. utes. panic Heritage Month, which begins We have more representatives in gov- Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise September 15 and continues through ernment now than we have ever had in today to thank the men and women October 5. the history of this country and of our who have been selflessly fighting fires Today, according to the U.S. Census people. Each year, from now until the throughout the western United States Bureau, more than 29 million people of year 2050, the Hispanic population is this summer. Unfortunately, I have the the United States are of Hispanic ori- projected to add more to people in the distinction of representing the district gin. This is about 10 percent of the United States than any other race or that has, what I am told, the largest country. Close to half of those reside in ethnic group, and we are soon to be- fire and the most acres burned in the California. More than 600,000 reside in come the largest minority in the coun- United States. The Clear Creek fire my district of San Bernardino County. try. But even with the success, we still alone covers an area of over 200,000 Why, just the other day, the Los An- have problems. We lack full health care acres, outside of Salmon, Idaho, an geles Times was discussing the fact benefits for all people. There are still area one-third the size of the State of that, in California, Hispanics are no problems with immigrant laws that Rhode Island. It is but one of many longer the minority. That is why this were written in haste and do not pro- that have been burning throughout coming month is a time for all Latinos tect the people they were originally Idaho and the western United States. to be able to recognize the great ac- written for. High school dropout rates I was fortunate that I was able to complishments by the people here in and teen pregnancy numbers are too spend 2 days on the fire lines and in the the States as well as around the world. high. We must address these issues if camps with the men and women who We recognize the great achievements we plan to build a better culture and a have been heroically fighting these of people like Cesar Chavez who led the better country for all people of Amer- catastrophic fire. I saw firefighters on fight for the protection of farm work- ica. the line in the smoke and ash. I met ers’ health and health rights; Bishop with support crews in the camps who Barnes, who represents San Bernardino And speaking of education, we have cook, provide firefighting supplies and Riverside Catholic Diocese; Miguel de to address the issues of bilingual edu- equipment, make maps all night long Cervantes Saavedra, who wrote about cation and the digital divide. And that in preparation for morning briefings, the great Don Quixote; and people like does not just apply to Spanish chil- and the men who run the showers so Andres Segovia, Tito Peuntes, and dren, it applies to all children. We have that the firefighters can have a basic Julio Iglesias, who were and still are to begin by providing our youth with semblance of normalcy, a hot shower some of the best Spanish musicians in the tools necessary to succeed. We can after 16 hours on the fire line. That is the world. begin to provide these tools right here what it comes down to for front-line The teachings and contributions of in Congress. firefighters, food, a hot shower, and, if Hispanics like these, and learning By understanding each other’s cul- they are lucky, a little sleep. about the cultures from which they ture we can understand what is needed Many of the firefighters and support come, are how we are able to continue for everyone and we learn to respect personnel are wives and husbands who our tradition through our youth. one another. And respect is what we all In many of our classrooms around have left their families in other areas ask for. That is why it is so important of the country for weeks at a time. I the country, teachers will hold activi- for this Congress to recognize this ties and discussions that will focus on met one woman from Missouri who month and to take time to learn about worked at a Forest Service district of- what our ancestors have accomplished. a great culture with a great future, That is why they will learn the great fice there. She was running the com- that is each other’s culture and the missary. It is the people on the front accomplishment of the Spanish explor- Hispanic culture this month. ers as well as those who first settled in lines and behind the scenes working to- States like California and Texas. Before I go on, I also want to recog- gether that help to contain these wild nize September 16, Mexico Independ- fires, with some help from Mother Na- b 1915 ence Day. I want to recognize the hard- ture. Without their dedication, perse- This is why cities like Los Angeles, ship that the people have had to face in verance, and individual sacrifices, San Bernardino, San Antonio, amongst order to achieve their independence. many more lives, structures, and wild- many other cities, have Hispanic Like this country, they too believe in life habitat would have been lost. Their names. Such teachings and discussions the freedom of choice and independence commitment and dedication is unsur- will not only educate our children, but from tyrannical government. Only passed, and they are the best in the also provide them with the proper role through a better understanding can we world. models needed to succeed. It also lets achieve our goals, a united country Spending a couple of days in the fire them know that they too can accom- working for the betterment of our- camps and on the lines, I picked up a plish higher dreams; Hispanics in posi- selves, and not only where we come few things from the people who are at tions, in leadership positions through- from but where we are going. Together, the ground level. One is obvious, and out the United States. united, our country will be a lot better. we have been discussing it for years.

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