Tom Lantos: “The end of the Second World War found Europe at a hinge of history. And had it not been for the Marshall plan and…”

“The end of the Second World War found Europe at a hinge of history. And had it not been for the Marshall plan and related events, the whole history of mankind during the last half century and beyond could have turned out in a totally different and in a totally ugly fashion. The Soviet empire was ready to expand its control and influence beyond Eastern and Central Europe to Western Europe, and it was the incredible vision and courage and determination of U.S. bipartisan foreign policy leadership that stood in the way. It began with President Truman's enunciation of the Truman Doctrine, which provided economic and military assistance to Greece and Turkey at a most critical moment, followed by, 50 years ago this summer, the historic remarks of Secretary of State Marshall calling for the nations of Europe to come together, rebuild their devastated economies, and forge the framework for political democracy. I was a young student in Budapest at that time, Mr. Speaker, and it was my privilege on Radio Budapest to call on the Government of Hungary to join the Marshall plan because the Marshall plan was open to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. But of course, the Soviet Union vetoed any such attempt.”