Political Quotes

“I rise, along with 21 of my colleagues, to submit a resolution commending the country and the people of Colombia on continuing the tradition of democracy, with a plurality freely and fairly voting for President-elect Alvaro Uribe Velez and Vice President-elect Francisco Santos Calderon on May 26, 2002. In Colombia, the evil hand of terror and suffering and fear and death has been an everyday reality for too long. In 2000, over 44 percent of the worldwide incidents of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and United States interests were in the country of Colombia. These attacks pose a threat to Colombia, the stability of Latin America, the security of the Western Hemisphere, and the direct and indirect security of many United States citizens, businesses, and interests. Yet, despite the constant threat and reality of violence in Colombia, the citizens and government of Colombia carried out democratic elections, deemed by international standards to be free, fair and the express will of the Colombian people. As Latin America's oldest democracy, the legacy of leaders elected by the people continues. We desire to work closely with both President-elect Uribe and Vice President-elect Santos to reach our common goals of continued democracy, stability, peace, and the elimination of drugs, terrorism and corruption from our countries and our hemisphere. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution and the great democracy of Colombia.”