Andrea Joy Campbell: “this morning the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which I serve, held an important hearing on the topic of NATO…”

“this morning the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which I serve, held an important hearing on the topic of NATO expansion. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Secretary of Defense William Cohen testified at this hearing. I feel that it is fitting at this time to keep in mind one of our recently retired colleagues who has played such a pivotal role in advancing the cause of NATO expansion. I am referring to my good friend from Colorado, Senator Hank Brown. Few people have played a more crucial or steadfast role for the cause of NATO expansion than Senator Brown. He started his efforts after Stalin's notorious Iron Curtain crumbled and never let up. His devotion and successes in advancing NATO expansion has made Hank Brown a warmly regarded household name throughout Central Europe, including the three countries that have been invited to join NATO in this first round of expansion, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In fact, in the fall of 1996, the people of Poland showed their highest regards for Senator Brown by awarding him Honorary Polish citizenship in the name of the historic capital of Poland, Krakow. This is one of Poland's most prestigious honors. To this day, only two other Americans have received this honor, President Ronald Reagan and President George Bush.”