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.
“NEEDED: GOOD HELICOPTERS, NOT ACADEMIC DEBATE IN COLOMBIA” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1351 on July 20, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NEEDED: GOOD HELICOPTERS, NOT ACADEMIC DEBATE IN COLOMBIA; EIGHT ANTI-
DRUG POLICE DIE IN HUEY CRASH
______
HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
of new york
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 20, 1998
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, this week in northern Colombia, eight Colombian National Police (CNP) officers from the eilte DANTI anti-drug unit died following a crash of one of the U.S.-provided, Vietnam-era Huey helicopters. These anti-drug police officers died flying a worn out 35-year-plus chopper after a take down operation against a rightwing paramilitary cocaine lab in the Uraba region, near the border with Panama.
Congress has argued that these good police officers fighting our fight against drugs before they reach our streets and kill our kids, deserve the best helicopter equipment we can provide. The House International Relations Committee has long argued for better and crash-
survivable helicopters. Regrettably the State Department has resisted these efforts.
This aged helicopter fleet puts at risk the few good men and women of DANTI (only 3,000). CNP leader General Serrano doesn't have an unlimited number of good police officers. He no longer will have the courageous and dedicated service of Major Vodmar Galeano, the Chief of Operations for DANTI, and Captain Martin Sierra, Chief Helicopter Instructor Pilot, among the others killed in the most recent crash.
Their loss diminishes our national interests, as well as that of Colombia, where these illicit drugs finance all sides in a raging narco-based war, threatening South America's oldest democracy.
____________________
