Donald M. Payne: “I would like to say a word or two about the Democracy Assistance Act. Let me commend the chairman and the ranking member…”

“I would like to say a word or two about the Democracy Assistance Act. Let me commend the chairman and the ranking member for bringing this very important legislation up for reenactment. I had the opportunity to travel with the Democracy Assistance Commission, and was very impressed with the work that they were doing. I traveled to Lebanon with them, and I think we were the last group there before the war broke out. And we saw glimmers of hope with the parliament at that time. And so there was great interest in moving democracy forward. Our leaders at that time, Chairman Dreier and Cochairman Price did an outstanding job meeting with all party leaders. We then had the opportunity to visit South Africa and Liberia. In all of the countries we attended there was a tremendous amount of interest in our leadership of the Congress being there. I understand that there are possibilities for Haiti and perhaps Colombia and other countries throughout the world to be assisted by this very important commission. And so I would just like to add my voice to the importance of the Congress, the parliament, legislator-to-legislator, in attempting to bring democracy throughout the world.”