Lucille Roybal-Allard: “as one of the original six cosponsors, I come to the floor in strong support of House Resolution 110. I wish to…”

“as one of the original six cosponsors, I come to the floor in strong support of House Resolution 110. I wish to congratulate the Salvadoran people and President-elect Francisco Guillermo Florez Perez and Vice President-elect Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt on the free and fair conduct of the Presidential elections of March 7, 1999. Since the signing of the 1992 peace accords, the Republic of El Salvador has conducted two democratic elections for President and Vice President. The peaceful and orderly manner in which these elections have been carried out, with the participation of ten parties representing the entire political spectrum, is proof of El Salvador's commitment to democracy, national reconciliation and reconstruction. Specifically, it demonstrates their ability to implement the provisions of the 1992 peace accords. The United States must continue to support the efforts of the people of El Salvador to ensure political stability and the strengthening of the democratic process. This progress however is being threatened in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. It is paramount that the United States take the lead in helping the region recover from the devastation of the hurricane. If it does not, we risk the unraveling of a fragile democracy and a return to the political instability that the region experienced for decades and threatened our national interests.”