The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONDURAS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H11485-H11486 on Oct. 20, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONDURAS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to once again express my strong support for the elections scheduled to take place in Honduras on November 29. Though much of the recent news coming out of Honduras has been focused on the current round of talks between the representatives of Manuel Zelaya and the current Honduran Government, one thing has remained constant through it all: The Honduran elections that are scheduled to take place on November 29.
The most recent talks began with both sides agreeing that the elections should proceed ahead as planned. Predictably, however, now that Zelaya is realizing that he won't be able to jump back into his throne of power as easily as he expected, he and his supporters have started to call for boycotts and nonrecognition of the elections. Not surprisingly, Zelaya's ALBA fan club, headed by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, got together this weekend in Bolivia. The ALBA league of oppressors and dictators-in-waiting issued a statement stating that neither the Honduran electoral process nor its outcomes should be recognized by the international community unless Zelaya has been restored to power.
The United States must have no part in these efforts. They are undermining and delegitimizing the Honduran election. We have got to make sure that we recognize the validity of this process, and we should say to the world that we must recognize the free will of the Honduran people to express their desires in the ballot box.
The United States cannot play wingman to tyrants who dismiss fundamental civil liberties and forsake constitutional commitment. We should be proud of our democratic standards and not fear standing alone, if necessary, against those who work against the freedom agenda.
Despite tremendous world pressure and punishment, the people of Honduras have remained true to their democracy and their constitution. And the November 29 elections are just one more testament to their unwavering commitment.
Tomorrow I will be hosting a Members briefing, open to all Members, Republicans and Democrats, with the members of the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal. This will afford an opportunity for Members from both sides of the aisle to discuss the measures being undertaken in Honduras to ensure that the November elections proceed as scheduled. I invite all of my colleagues again to please join us for this important discussion. Although we may have differing views regarding the approach that the United States has taken to the situation in Honduras, I'm hopeful that free, fair, clean and transparent elections is the way that we can all unite.
{time} 1945
This is a concept that all Americans should agree. U.S. policy has historically recognized and even encouraged the implementation of elections as a necessary step to moving forward from an untenable political situation. Just this past August, as a matter of fact, Secretary of State Clinton visited Angola, where she emphasized repeatedly the importance of holding timely, free, and fair presidential elections in Angola.
Each year, the United States spends millions and millions of our tax dollars to support elections through our democratic form of government and to make sure that we promote governance programs around the world. So why, then, does the U.S. commitment to and support of elections fade away when it comes to Honduras? It should not. It must not.
A stable, secure, democratic Honduras is what is in the best interest of the United States. This election that will take place on November 29 offers us the perfect opportunity for this to happen--free, fair, democratic elections. I urge the State Department to encourage international observers to participate in these upcoming elections, and I encourage my fellow colleagues to go to Honduras for themselves. Go now and go for the elections. See for yourselves what we are dealing with and the impact that the U.S. policy is having on a democratic ally, a friend of the United States.
Again, I welcome all of my colleagues to join me tomorrow for a briefing with members of the Honduran Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Let democracy take root once again in Honduras.
____________________
