Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of our committee, again, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), and the ranking member, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for bringing this important resolution to the floor in such a speedy manner. I want to thank my dear friend, my legislative brother, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Sires), for bringing forward House Resolution 536, which is a resolution to support freedom of the press in Latin America and the Caribbean and condemning violations of press freedoms and violence against journalists, bloggers, and individuals who are exercising their right to freedom of speech. I am honored to be the Republican lead on Mr. Sires' resolution. Basic freedoms are being threatened all over Latin America, Mr. Speaker, by rogue regimes that seek to quash dissenters in any way that they can. Earlier this year we held a subcommittee hearing, as the chairman pointed out, on this very subject of the threat to press freedom. Carlos Ponce of Freedom House stated that, when it comes to press freedom, only three countries in Latin America were rated free by this organization. Can you imagine that, Mr. Speaker? Out of all of the countries in Latin America, only three could be labeled as free when it comes to freedom of the press.…”