Political Quotes

“I am pleased and honored to offer an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for assistance to Ukraine. Ukraine's achievement this year in the areas of ethnic stability, human rights and constitutional reform are significant, and fully justify the substantial earmark of aid being proposed. My proposal will not change the total amount of the appropriation, but it will provide assurance that appropriated funds will be used in the interest of both the United States and Ukraine. I believe that the best forms of foreign aid are those which strengthen the recipient from within and lead toward self sufficiency and, ultimately, independence from any assistance from the United States or other foreign sources. In this spirit, I propose this earmark in the amount of $25 million for the purpose of helping to create a complete, modern system of commercial law in Ukraine, including not only substantive laws which are compatible with international standards but also training and equipping of an independent judiciary and legal profession, which as we know are the cornerstones of law-based economy. Such a fundamental transformation--from a totalitarian command economy to a self-sustaining free market--cannot be achieved without substantial technical assistance.”