U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

68–484 CC WASHINGTON : 2000

H. RES. 544, CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE

OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES ON THEIR

DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

JULY 25, 2000

Serial No. 106–175

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

(

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international—relations

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COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York, Chairman

WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois

DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey

DAN BURTON, Indiana

ELTON GALLEGLY, California

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida

CASS BALLENGER, North Carolina

DANA ROHRABACHER, California

DONALD A. MANZULLO, Illinois

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California

PETER T. KING, New York

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio

MARSHALL ‘‘MARK’’ SANFORD, South

Carolina

MATT SALMON, Arizona

AMO HOUGHTON, New York

TOM CAMPBELL, California

JOHN M. MCHUGH, New York

KEVIN BRADY, Texas

RICHARD BURR, North Carolina

PAUL E. GILLMOR, Ohio

GEORGE RADANOVICH, California

JOHN COOKSEY, Louisiana

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado

SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut

TOM LANTOS, California

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American

Samoa

MATTHEW G. MARTINEZ, California

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio

CYNTHIA A. MCKINNEY, Georgia

ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida

PAT DANNER, Missouri

EARL F. HILLIARD, Alabama

BRAD SHERMAN, California

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida

STEVEN R. ROTHMAN, New Jersey

JIM DAVIS, Florida

EARL POMEROY, North Dakota

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York

BARBARA LEE, California

JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York

JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, Pennsylvania

RICHARD J. GARON, Chief of Staff

KATHLEEN BERTELSEN MOAZED, Democratic Chief of Staff

CALEB MCCARRY, Professional Staff Member

MARILYN C. OWEN, Staff Associate

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C O N T E N T S

Page

Markup of H. Res. 544, congratulating the people of the United Mexican

States on the success of their democratic elections on July 2, 2000 ................ 1

APPENDIX

Text of H. Res. 544 .................................................................................................. 6

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H. RES. 544, CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE

OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES ON THE

SUCCESS OF THEIR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2000

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS,

Washington, DC.

The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., in room

2172 of the Rayburn Building, Hon. Doug Bereuter, presiding.

Mr. BEREUTER. Before we begin our hearing this morning we will

take up one item of legislative business.

We meet it open session, pursuant to notice, to mark up one resolution related to the recent Mexican elections.

The Chair lays the resolution before the Committee. The clerk

will report the time of the resolution.

Ms. BLOOMER. H. Res. 544, a Resolution congratulating the people of the United Mexican States on the success of their democratic

elections held on July 2, 2000.

Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the preamble and operative

language of the resolution will be read in that order, for amendment. The clerk will read.

Ms. BLOOMER. Whereas the United States and Mexico——

[The resolution appears in the appendix.]

Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the resolution is considered as

having been read, its open to amendment at any point.

I recognize the gentleman from California, Mr. Gallegly, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, to introduce

the resolution.

Mr. Gallegly.

Mr. GALLEGLY. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for calling this markup, H. Res. 544,

which I, and many of our colleagues introduced, to recognize the

success of Mexico’s recent national elections.

As the Members of this Committee know, just a few weeks ago

Mexico held a general election, which in addition to being hailed

as perhaps the most dramatic and historic election in Mexico’s

modern history, had been deemed by domestic and international

electoral monitors as the freest, fairest, and most transparent election in Mexican history. For that fact alone, the Mexican people

should be very proud.

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The election of Vicente Fox of the PAN party as the new President also marks the first transition of power in 71 years of oneparty rule in Mexico’s highest office.

In recognition of these accomplishments, this resolution congratulates the Mexican people, government and political parties for

their diligent work in bringing about major electoral reforms which

led to the success of the July 2 election. Members of Mexican civil

society persistently and peacefully pressed for electoral reform by

effectively engaging in public discourse to raise public awareness.

The government of Mexico, under the leadership of President

Zedillo, instituted several reforms in the areas of electoral oversight and campaign finance, effectively opening the door for a truly

competitive multiparty election. The political parties of Mexico

used these openings to vigorously participate in the electoral process, which resulted in broader representation and elevated the level

of Mexico’s democratic institutions.

Last, this resolution congratulates President-elect Vicente Fox on

his victory and reaffirms our indispensable and sustained relationship with Mexico.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 544, which

signifies not only our recognition of their successful elections but

also our continued commitment to a more fruitful relationship with

our important neighbor to the South.

Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity, and I yield back

the balance of my time.

Mr. BEREUTER. I thank you very much, Mr. Gallegly.

The Chair now recognizes distinguished Ranking Minority Member, the gentleman from Connecticut, Mr. Gejdenson, for such comments as he might have.

Mr. GEJDENSON. Thank you Mr. Bereuter. I join my colleagues.

This historic change in Mexico, obviously the result of international

pressure through the years, to have a real open democracy in Mexico, and the courage and persistence of independent groups, as well

as the Mexican people, need to be commended here; but I think all

of us have to focus very strongly on the rest of our hemisphere.

In Venezuela, Peru, and Haiti democracy is under siege. In Venezuela we have seen the country with maybe the most consistent

democratic institutions having a very difficult time today. Democratic institutions are being restricted, in a process that may actually decrease democratic involvement in that country.

In Peru, the President’s desire to remain in power, has basically

taken away that country’s process, and in many cases avoided their

own laws on how the democratic process was supposed to work

there, and has clearly taken away the trust of many voters.

In Haiti the ruling party is so interested in solidifying its political power that it’s willing to forego international assistance.

So, as we commend Mexico, and recognize the strides that have

been made there, in the democratic process, we need to be concerned in three other countries in Latin American, where we see

democracy losing ground.

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Gejdenson.

The Chair recognizes himself.

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I want to commend, first of all, the distinguished Chairman from

California, the Subcommittee Chairman for introducing this resolution.

On July 2, 2000, the Mexican people, indeed, seem to have made

a clear break with the past. Mexico has secured additional credibility for its democratic institutions and the people there look for

a hopeful future.

This is an extraordinary, peaceful transformation.

President-elect Fox is rising, it would appear, to the tremendous

task that awaits him with grace and seriousness.

President Zedillo also deserves credit for his statesmanship in

what happened before the election. We wish Mexico well in the

transition period that will lead that country’s first transfer of Presidential power from the PRI to an opposition party.

Our nation has a historic opportunity that we must seize to establish a new positive and cooperative relationship with our neighbor to the South, Mexico.

I urge unanimous support for the resolution.

Are there other Members that wish to be heard on the resolution?

Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Chairman?

Mr. BEREUTER. The gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr.

Delahunt is recognized.

Mr. DELAHUNT. Just briefly, I want to echo the sentiments that

have been expressed by various Members, and congratulate the

people of Mexico in this particular recent election. It is certainly a

landmark, and a watershed, I believe, not just for Mexico but

serves as a standard to be emulated by the rest of Central and

Latin America.

I would just note that I heard my friend, and my Ranking Member, Mr. Gejdenson, refer to Haiti, and Peru, and Venezuela. I

think it should be noted, however, that in Venezuela there are elections this coming weekend, and all reports are that they will be

free, fair, and conducted appropriately.

And, in fact, I think we should note that in Venezuela there have

been, in the course of the past year, a series of elections, all of

which have been free, not flawed, and fair, and we should welcome

that.

I know many are concerned about the rhetoric of the campaign,

but I think it’s important to note that come September and October

in this country I expect the rhetoric to rachet up somewhat. It will

probably be equal to what we have heard in the Venezuelan elections.

So, I just would make that statement, and yield back.

Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you very much, Mr. Delahunt. Are there

further Members seeking recognition?

If not, then, without objection, the Chair will be requested to

seek consideration of the pending matter on the suspension calendar.

Is there objection?

Hearing none, it is so ordered, without objection.

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The Chair is directed to make motions under rule 22 with respect

to a conference on this measure, or a Senate counterpart. Further

proceedings on this matter are postponed.

We will now recess for just a minute, until the panel for the

hearing arrives at the table.

[Whereupon, at 10:15 a.m., the markup was adjourned.]

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A P P E N D I X

JULY 25, 2000

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