On the recordSeptember 7, 2016
I thank Chairman Royce so much for his indulgence in terms of time. I had the pleasure of going to Georgia over the recess with Congressman Duncan, and we had an incredible experience in that we saw firsthand the very thing that you are talking about with regard to the Russian occupation of nearly 20 percent of the landmass of Georgia. It is having a real-world impact in terms of a threat to that part of the region, a threat in terms of investment, and a threat in terms of further economic development to that country. What has been, I think, impressive are the market reforms that have taken place there, the way that the economy has burgeoned as a consequence of those market reforms, but, again, the way in which the Russian threat threatens all of that in terms of the growing democratic movement, the growing economy, and the change in people's lives. So I just want to praise the gentleman from California and thank him for bringing this resolution to the floor because I think it does make a difference in terms of a signal to that part of the world wherein people that we met with and saw firsthand are seeing the consequence of the Russian occupation.
