SPEAKERS CONTENTS INSERTS
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2006
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION AND REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND HUNGARY; CONDEMNING THE MURDER OF AMERICAN JOURNALIST PAUL KLEBNIKOV IN MOSCOW AND OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION; AND RECOMMENDING THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA INTO NATO
MARKUP
BEFORE THE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON EUROPE AND
EMERGING THREATS
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
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H. Res. 479, H. Res. 499 and H. Res. 529
NOVEMBER 16, 2005
Serial No. 109–97
Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman
JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey,
Vice Chairman
DAN BURTON, Indiana
ELTON GALLEGLY, California
ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
DANA ROHRABACHER, California
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California
PETER T. KING, New York
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado
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RON PAUL, Texas
DARRELL ISSA, California
JEFF FLAKE, Arizona
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
MARK GREEN, Wisconsin
JERRY WELLER, Illinois
MIKE PENCE, Indiana
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida
JOE WILSON, South Carolina
JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas
J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina
CONNIE MACK, Florida
JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska
MICHAEL McCAUL, Texas
TED POE, Texas
TOM LANTOS, California
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York
ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American Samoa
DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
SHERROD BROWN, Ohio
BRAD SHERMAN, California
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ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York
BARBARA LEE, California
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
DIANE E. WATSON, California
ADAM SMITH, Washington
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota
BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky
DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California
THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel
ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director
Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats
ELTON GALLEGLY, California, Chairman
JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia
PETER T. KING, New York, Vice Chairman
THADDEUS G. McCOTTER, Michigan
DARRELL ISSA, California
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TED POE, Texas
J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina
ROBERT WEXLER, Florida
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York
SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California
BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky
RICHARD MEREU, Subcommittee Staff Director
JONATHAN KATZ, Democratic Professional Staff Member
PATRICK PRISCO, Professional Staff Member
BEVERLY HALLOCK, Staff Associate
C O N T E N T S
MARKUP OF
H. Res. 479, Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary
Amendment to H. Res. 479 offered by the Honorable Elton Gallegly, a Representative in Congress from the State of California, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats
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H. Res. 499, Condemning the murder of American journalist Paul Klebnikov on July 9, 2004, in Moscow and the murders of other members of the media in the Russian Federation
H. Res. 529, Recommending the integration of the Republic of Croatia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Amendment to H. Res. 499 offered by the Honorable Robert Wexler, a Representative in Congress from the State of Florida
RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION AND REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND HUNGARY; CONDEMNING THE MURDER OF AMERICAN JOURNALIST PAUL KLEBNIKOV IN MOSCOW AND OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION; AND RECOMMENDING THE INTEGRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA INTO NATO
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2005
House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats,
Committee on International Relations,
Washington, DC.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:45 a.m. in room 2200, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Elton Gallegly (Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding.
Mr. GALLEGLY. Pursuant to notice, I call up resolution H. Res. 479 for purposes of markup and move its recommendation to the Full Committee. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point.
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[H. Res. 479 follows:]
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Mr. GALLEGLY. Today, the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats is marking up three resolutions, all of which we expect to be considered later today by the Full Committee.
The first item on the agenda is House Resolution 479, a resolution introduced by Congressman Lantos, the Ranking Member of the Committee, which recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution, which began on October 23, 1956. It is estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 Hungarian freedom fighters and 700 Soviet troops were killed during the uprising and tens of thousands more were injured. The resolution also reaffirms the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary.
I am a co-sponsor and supporter of H. Res. 479. In the interest of time, I will dispense with a longer statement. Let me just say that the bravery and sacrifice of the Hungarian people was an important event in the weakening and eventual downfall of the Soviet Union. I think it is more than appropriate that the House recognizes this important historical event.
I urge passage of H. Res. 479, and now recognize my good friend and Ranking Member, Rob Wexler, for the purposes of an opening statement.
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Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just would simply wish to associate myself with your words. I, too, am a co-sponsor and strong supporter of the resolution and I concur with you entirely.
Mr. GALLEGLY. This is just overwhelming. What can I tell you? Thank you, Rob.
I have an amendment at the desk which, without objection, will be considered as read.
I am offering this amendment at the request of Congressman Lantos. It simply corrects an error in the legislation by changing the date of May 1, 2005, to May 1, 2004, when it refers to the date of Hungary's entry into the European Union.
[The amendment referred to follows:]
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Mr. GALLEGLY. The question now occurs on the amendment. All in favor say aye, all opposed, nay.
The ayes have it.
The amendment is agreed to. Do we have any other amendments?
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Mr. ISSA. I call for the question on the resolution.
Mr. GALLEGLY. The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution, H. Res. 479, favorably, as amended.
All those in favor signify by saying aye, all opposed, no.
The motion is approved and the resolution is reported favorably.
We have two more.
Pursuant to notice, I call up H. Res. 499 for the purposes of markup and move its recommendation to the Full Committee. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any time.
The second item on the agenda today is the consideration of House Resolution 499, a resolution condemning the murder of an American journalist, Paul Klebnikov, on July 9, 2004, in Moscow and the murder of other members of the media in the Russian Federation. House resolution 499 was introduced by Congressman McCotter. I commend Mr. McCotter for his work on this legislation and strongly support its passage.
On July 9, 2004, Paul Klebnikov, the Editor-in-Chief of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, was shot 10 times outside his office building in Moscow. As part of his work, Mr. Klebnikov had developed into one of the foremost experts in the intersection between organized crime, politics, law enforcement and big business in Russia. Unfortunately, the murder of Paul Klebnikov is not an isolated attack on members of the press. In the past 6 years alone, 12 journalists have been murdered in the Russian Federation.
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House Resolution 499 condemns the brutal crime and urges the Russian Government to protect members of the press working and living in Russia. I urge the passage of this resolution and at this time yield to my friend, Rob Wexler, for an opening statement.
[H. Res. 499 follows:]
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Mr. WEXLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I concur again with your comments and am pleased to move the bill.
Mr. GALLEGLY. Are there any amendments?
Hearing none, then the question occurs on the motion to report the resolution, H. Res. 499, favorably. All those in favor say aye, opposed, no. The motion is approved and the resolution is reported favorably, and without objection, the title is amended.
Pursuant to notice, I call up resolution H. Res. 529 for purposes of markup and move its recommendation to the Full Committee. Without objection, the resolution will be considered as read and open for amendment at any point.
[H. Res. 529 follows:]
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Mr. GALLEGLY. The final piece of legislation on the agenda today is the consideration of House Resolution 529, a resolution I introduced that supports the integration of Croatia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Since achieving their independence in 1992, the people of Croatia have built a democratic society based on the rule of law, respect for human rights and a free market economy. In addition, they have sent troops to Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led security force in support of the war on terrorism and have provided strong support to United States nonproliferation efforts.
House Resolution 529 commends Croatia's significant progress in strengthening its democratic institutions, its support for the global war on terrorism and its ability to make significant contributions to NATO. The resolution also calls on Croatia to continue its full cooperation in locating and transferring any Croatian war criminals to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Finally, the resolution states that once it meets NATO guidelines and criteria for membership, Croatia should be invited to join NATO.
I urge the passage of H. Res. 529. I yield to the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Wexler.
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Chairman, I simply want to reiterate your words. This is your bill. It is an important statement of congressional support for Croatia's membership in NATO. It is very timely and I concur entirely with the Chairman.
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I have an amendment, Mr. Chairman, when you are ready, on behalf of Mr. Lantos.
Mr. GALLEGLY. I would think the time is right.
[The amendment referred to follows:]
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Mr. GALLEGLY. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for the purposes of offering the amendment.
Mr. WEXLER. The amendment is on behalf of Mr. Lantos. As I understand it, it requests that the matter described in paragraph 3 be inserted in page 4, line 13.
Mr. GALLEGLY. I would concur with the gentleman and support this amendment offered by Mr. Wexler. I believe that the language clarifies the full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, it is a precondition of Croatia entering NATO. I thank you for offering the amendment.
Is there further discussion?
Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Chairman, with your permission, may I be listed as a co-sponsor of this bill?
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Mr. GALLEGLY. Without objection.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Chairman, could I also be listed?
Mr. GALLEGLY. Without objection. The question occurs on the amendment. All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The amendment is agreed to.
The question occurs on the motion to report the resolution, H. Res. 529, favorably, as amended.
All those in favor say aye, opposed, no.
The motion is approved and the resolution is reported favorably.
Without objection, the resolution will be reported favorably to the Full Committee in the form of a single amendment in the nature of a substitute incorporating the amendments adopted here today. Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendments.
With that, I thank all of you.
Do you have a comment, Mr. McCotter?
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Mr. MCCOTTER. Mr. Chairman, I want to, number one, thank you and your staff for your help with my resolution. I would have been here sooner, but our congressional delegation is meeting with our governor as I speak, and I will be returning there. I meant no disrespect to you.
Mr. GALLEGLY. I thank you for your resolution and participation, it was such a good one and it moved right through quickly. With that, the Subcommittee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 9:59 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]