September 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6083 

Hezbollah, a State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization. 

According to the Congressional Research Center, Hezbollah, along with 

Iran, has been linked to two bombings 

against Jewish targets in Argentina— 

the 1972 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 30 

people and the 1994 bombing of the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association in 

Buenos Aires that killed 85 people. 

While increasing tensions between 

the United States, Israel, and Iran, we 

cannot simply afford to ignore the 

threats that are looming in South 

America. The Countering Iran in the 

Western Hemisphere Act of 2012 will 

ensure that threat assessments are 

conducted, that a cooperative strategy 

is put in place between the United 

States and her allies in the region, and 

our borders with Canada and Mexico 

are more secure. These efforts will 

allow our country to better protect our 

citizens and our interests both on our 

own soil and abroad. 

As we have seen, the threat is real 

and American lives are at stake. We 

cannot afford to ignore the potential 

threats to our national security that 

may stem from this area of the world. 

Mr. ENGEL. At this time, I yield 1 

minute to the gentleman from Ohio 

(Mr. KUCINICH). 

Mr. KUCINICH. I condemn all the violence that has been talked about here, 

and I also had the opportunity years 

ago to visit the synagogue in Buenos 

Aires that was the subject of that attack, and I paid my respects. 

I want to say that as I’ve heard this 

debate, there are two things that occur 

to me: number one, Congress has a 

right to ask for reports. It’s our constitutional obligation to find out what 

the administration is doing. I support 

Congress’ right to get information. But 

at the same time, when the debate 

takes us in a direction to where suddenly we’re at odds with Latin America, it is an argument for Congress to 

take a strong stand for diplomacy. I 

hope that as we get these reports, that 

we’re going to underscore the importance of diplomacy not only with respect to Latin America, but also with 

respect to Iran. The American people 

do not want another war, and we need 

diplomacy to take us in a direction 

that makes war not likely. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, at 

this time we have no further requests 

for time, and I yield back the balance 

of my time. 

Mr. ENGEL. I also yield back the balance of my time. 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise to offer my strong support to H.R. 3783, 

Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere 

Act, which provides for a comprehensive strategy to counter Iran’s growing presence and 

hostile activity in the Western Hemisphere. I 

would also like to thank the gentleman from 

South Carolina, Mr. JEFF DUNCAN, for introducing this legislation highlighting the very real 

threat of Iran at America’s front door. 

If we have learned anything from the complete lack of progress in negotiations to keep 

Iran from making a nuclear weapon, it is that 

Iran is persistent in hostile action and insistent 

on establishing itself as a counterweight to 

U.S. power and ideals. 

Iran has engaged the U.S. through its Iran 

Revolutionary Guard Corp (IGRC) in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of American men and 

service women. Iran is buttressing the morally 

bankrupt Assad regime in Syria as Syria massacres its own people. And Iran is attacking 

our friends and allies through its proxies, like 

Hezbollah, which boasts and arsenal of 60 to 

70,000 rockets, many of which were supplied 

by Iran and are aimed at Israeli neighborhoods. 

Iran has earned its title as a state sponsor 

of terrorism. No target is off limits, and simply 

being of Jewish descent is apparently provocation enough. In 1994, Iran orchestrated one 

of the worst terrorist attacks in the Western 

Hemisphere against the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, murdering 85 

people and injuring 300 more. The peace of 

200,000 Jewish individuals, many of whom 

fled to Argentina during WWII, was shattered 

by this barbarous attack. 

Media reports over the last few years have 

shown an alarming trend of increased Iranian 

IGRC Qods force presence and activity in 

Latin America. Iran’s President Ahmadinejad, 

famous for his repeated denials of the Holocaust and dedication to wiping Israel off the 

map, has made visits to Latin America to cultivate alliances with Chavez, Ortega, Morales, 

Castro, and Correa. 

These leaders have stated their commitment 

to Iran’s nuclear activities and their faith that 

‘‘Iran can give a crushing response to the 

threats and sanctions imposed by the West 

and imperialism.’’ There is no question that 

Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are helping Iran evade the sanctions 

intended to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear sponsor of state terrorism. The question 

is, what are we doing about it? 

If Iran succeeds in creating a nuclear weapon, it is all too conceivable that these allies of 

Iran in the Western Hemisphere would be willing to provide a local launch pad, as Cuba did 

during the Cold War for Russian missiles 

aimed at the U.S. 

Mr. Speaker, these threats are all too real 

and all too proximate. With H.R. 3783, the Administration will be required to create a coordinated, inter-agency plan to ensure that the 

United States is working effectively to counter 

Iran’s hostile aspirations in the Western Hemisphere. I urge my colleagues to support this 

important and timely legislation. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 

ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend 

the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3783, as 

amended 

The question was taken; and (twothirds being in the affirmative) the 

rules were suspended and the bill, as 

amended, was passed. 

The title was amended so as to read: 

‘‘A bill to provide for a comprehensive 

strategy to counter Iran’s growing hostile presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere, and for other purposes.’’. 

A motion to reconsider was laid on 

the table. 

b 1510 

EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE TOWARD ESTABLISHMENT OF A 

DEMOCRATIC AND PROSPEROUS 

REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 

move to suspend the rules and agree to 

the resolution (H. Res. 526) expressing 

the sense of the House of Representatives with respect toward the establishment of a democratic and prosperous 

Republic of Georgia and the establishment of a peaceful and just resolution 

to the conflict with Georgia’s internationally recognized borders, as 

amended. 

The Clerk read the title of the resolution. 

The text of the resolution is as follows: 

H. RES. 526 

Whereas a democratic and stable Republic 

of Georgia is in the political, security, and 

economic interests of the United States; 

Whereas the security of the Black Sea and 

South Caucasus region is important for 

Euro-Atlantic security, transportation, and 

energy diversification to and from Central 

Asia; 

Whereas Georgia has been a reliable partner and ally in enhancing global peace and 

stability with its significant contribution to 

operations in Iraq and Afghanistan; 

Whereas the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, signed in January 2009, outlines the importance of the bilateral relationship as well as the intent of 

both countries to expand democracy and economic programs, enhance defense and security cooperation, further trade and energy 

cooperation, and build people-to-people cultural exchanges; 

Whereas in October 2010, at the meeting of 

the United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic Partnership, Secretary of State Hillary 

Rodham Clinton stated, ‘‘the United States 

will not waver in its support for Georgia’s 

sovereignty and territorial integrity’’; 

Whereas successive United States Administrations have supported Georgia’s aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); 

Whereas it was declared by the Heads of 

State and Government participating in the 

2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest, and reaffirmed in 2009 at the Summit in Strasbourg 

and Kehl and in 2010 at the Summit in Lisbon, that Georgia is a NATO aspirant country, and will become a member of NATO; 

Whereas the North Atlantic Council Foreign Ministers, meeting on December 7, 2011, 

applauded the significant operational support provided to NATO by aspirant partners 

Georgia, the former Yugoslav Republic of 

Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia and 

Herzegovina; 

Whereas the August 2008, military conflict 

between Russia and Georgia resulted in civilian and military causalities, the violation of 

Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and increased the number of internally 

displaced persons there; 

Whereas large numbers of the Georgian 

population remain forcefully displaced from 

the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of 

Georgia as a result of the August 2008 military conflict as well as the earlier conflicts 

in the 1990s; 

Whereas since 1993, the territorial integrity of Georgia has been reaffirmed by the 

international community in 36 United Nations Security Council resolutions; 

Whereas the August 12, 2008, ceasefire 

agreement negotiated by the European 


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H6084 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 19, 2012 

Union Presidency and agreed to by the Presidents of Georgia and the Russian Federation, 

provides that all Russian troops shall be 

withdrawn to pre-conflict positions; 

Whereas the Russian Federation opposed 

consensus on the extension of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 

(OSCE) Mission to Georgia, vetoed the extension of the United Nations Observer Mission 

in Georgia (UNOMIG) and blocked the work 

of the European Union Monitoring Mission 

(EUMM) in the occupied Georgian regions of 

Abkhazia and South Ossetia; 

Whereas the United States supports Georgia’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within the internationally 

recognized borders of Georgia; 

Whereas Secretary of State Hillary 

Rodham Clinton stated in Tbilisi on July 5, 

2010, that, ‘‘We continue to call for Russia to 

abide by the August 2008 ceasefire commitment. . .including ending the occupation and 

withdrawing Russian troops from South 

Ossetia and Abkhazia to their pre-conflict 

positions’’; 

Whereas the White House released a Fact 

Sheet on July 24, 2010, calling for ‘‘Russia to 

end its occupation of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. . .’’ 

and for ‘‘a return of international observers 

to the two occupied regions of Georgia’’; 

Whereas Vice President Joseph Biden stated in Tbilisi in July 2009 that the United 

States ‘‘will not recognize Abkhazia and 

South Ossetia as independent states’’; 

Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded 

in its 2011 World Report that ‘‘Russia continued to exercise effective control over South 

Ossetia and Abkhazia, preventing international observers’ access and vetoing international missions working there’’; 

Whereas Human Rights Watch concluded 

in its 2011 World Report that ‘‘Russia continued to occupy Georgia’s breakaway regions 

of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and strengthened its military presence in the region by 

establishing a military base and placing an 

advanced surface-to-air missile system in 

Abkhazia’’; 

Whereas the Senate of the 112th United 

States Congress adopted a resolution in July 

2011 affirming the United States’ support for 

the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the country of Georgia 

and calling upon Russia to remove its occupying forces from Abkhazia and South 

Ossetia; 

Whereas the United States Helsinki Commission called Russia to cease its continuing, illegal occupation of the South 

Ossetia and Abkhazia regions of Georgia and 

allow those who fled their homes during the 

2008 war to go back without preconditions; 

Whereas the Russian Federation therefore 

remains in violation of August 12, 2008, 

ceasefire agreement; 

Whereas at the April 15, 2011, meeting in 

Berlin, Germany, between the Georgia foreign minister and foreign ministers of NATO, 

Secretary of State Clinton stated, ‘‘U.S. support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial 

integrity remains steadfast . . . . We share 

Georgian concerns regarding recent Russian 

activities that can negatively affect regional 

stability.’’; 

Whereas on November 23, 2010, Georgian 

President Mikheil Saakashvili committed 

before the European Parliament that ‘‘Georgia will never use force to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty’’; 

Whereas the Government of Georgia, beginning with the Rose Revolution of 2003, has 

taken significant steps toward promoting 

democratic and economic reforms; 

Whereas in October 2012, Georgia will hold 

its seventh parliamentary elections since the 

country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and prospective presidential elections in 2013 to which the Government of Georgia has invited international 

election observers; 

Whereas Georgia has initiated positive developments and commitments in the areas of 

constitutional reforms, strengthening the 

role of Parliament, and utilizing international election organizations and transparency; 

Whereas the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR 

long-term Election Observation Mission determined that Georgia’s May 2010 municipal 

elections ‘‘were marked by clear improvements and efforts by the authorities to address problems occurring during the process. 

It is now time to fix the remaining shortcomings and take effective steps to prevent 

electoral malpractices before the next elections at the national level.’’; and 

Whereas recognizing that members of 

NATO share a common adherence to democratic norms, Georgia can best prepare itself 

for membership by progressing on its democratic reform agenda and ensuring that upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections are free, fair, and competitive: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports strengthened United States engagements with the Republic of Georgia 

aimed at helping Georgia enhance its security and to restore its territorial integrity 

through exclusively peaceful means; 

(2) supports the implementation of the 

United States-Georgia Charter on Strategic 

Partnership, with a mutual desire to 

strengthen the bilateral relationship across 

political, economic, trade, energy, cultural, 

scientific, people-to-people, defense, and security fields; 

(3) supports Georgia’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership aspirations and to advance further implementation 

of decisions taken by the allies at the NATO 

Summits in Bucharest, Strasbourg and Kehl, 

and Lisbon with regard to Georgia’s NATO 

membership; 

(4) affirms that it is the policy of the 

United States to support the sovereignty, 

independence, and territorial integrity of 

Georgia and the inviolability of its borders, 

and to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia 

as regions of Georgia illegally occupied by 

the Russian Federation and calls on the Russian Federation to fulfill all terms and conditions of the August 12, 2008, ceasefire 

agreement, to end the occupation of the 

Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South 

Ossetia, and to withdraw completely its 

troops from the internationally recognized 

border of Georgia; 

(5) calls upon the Russian Federation, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Tuvalu, and Nauru to reverse the recognition of the occupied Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia 

as independent and respect the independence, 

sovereignty, and territorial integrity of 

Georgia within its internationally recognized borders; 

(6) supports the Government of Georgia’s 

commitment to a policy of peaceful, constructive engagement and confidence building measures towards the occupied territories and encourages it to continue to uphold economic and human rights, ensure 

freedom of movement, facilitate people-topeople contacts, and to preserve cultural 

heritage, language, and ethnic identity 

aimed at reconciling divided communities of 

the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South 

Ossetia; 

(7) urges the Government of Russia and the 

authorities in control in the regions to allow 

for the full and dignified, secure, and voluntary return of internally displaced persons 

and international missions access to the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; 

(8) recognizes progress on government 

transparency and economic reforms and encourages Georgia to continue strengthening 

its democracy by implementing reforms that 

expand media transparency and freedoms, increase government transparency, accountability, and responsiveness, promote political competition and democratic electoral 

processes, strengthen the rule of law and judicial independence, and further implement 

judicial reforms; and 

(9) affirms that a peaceful resolution to the 

conflict is a key priority for the United 

States in the Caucasus region, and that lasting regional stability can only be achieved 

through peaceful means and long-term diplomatic and political dialogue between all parties. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 

Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) and the 

gentleman from New York (Mr. ENGEL) 

each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 

ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 

insert extraneous material into the 

RECORD on this measure. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Florida? 

There was no objection. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself 

such time as I may consume. 

In the last decade, the Republic of 

Georgia has worked hard to implement 

a series of political, economic, and social reform aimed at establishing a 

democratic and prosperous society. 

These changes have often been difficult 

and even controversial, but the Georgian Government and its people must 

be commended for continuing to move 

forward. However, there is still much 

to be done. 

Soon, in the next few months, there 

will be parliamentary and presidential 

elections. Much is riding on these elections being perceived to be free and fair 

and conducted in full compliance with 

international democratic standards. 

The U.S. strongly supports Georgia’s 

membership in NATO, and the alliance 

has repeatedly stated that the Republic 

of Georgia will one day be welcomed as 

a full member. 

Free and fair elections, Mr. Speaker, 

are fundamental to further progress toward Georgia’s joining NATO. Nevertheless, Georgia is already contributing greatly to the alliance, particularly to the NATO mission in Afghanistan, where it is the second largest 

non-NATO contributor. 

Georgia’s deployed forces in Afghanistan number over 800 troops, and these 

do not have restrictions on their engagement in combat, which is not the 

case with so many other allies. Georgia 

has done this even as its own security 

situation remains precarious, given the 

ongoing presence by Russian troops in 

several regions in Georgia. 

Until Russia fulfills the conditions in 

its 2008 cease-fire agreement, the instability and conflict it has deliberately 


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September 19, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6085 

created will, unfortunately, continue. 

Russia’s aggression against Georgia 

poses a threat to the security of the entire region. This resolution, therefore, 

sends a strong message that Russian 

actions and continued military presence in these areas are unacceptable 

and must end immediately. 

I therefore urge my colleagues to join 

me in support of this important resolution. 

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the 

balance of my time. 

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 

I rise in strong support of H. Res. 526, 

and I would like to thank the sponsors 

of this legislation, the gentleman from 

Pennsylvania (Mr. SHUSTER) and my 

colleague from the Foreign Affairs 

Committee, Ms. SCHWARTZ, also from 

Pennsylvania, for their leadership on 

this issue. 

This resolution expresses the sense of 

the House of Representatives with respect to the establishment of the democratic and prosperous Republic of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, which includes Abkhazia 

and South Ossetia as regions of Georgia. It is time for Russia to remove its 

occupying forces from Abkhazia and 

South Ossetia and comply fully with 

the August 12, 2008, cease-fire agreement. It is also time for the Russian 

Federation, Venezuela, Nicaragua, 

Tuvalu, and Nauru to revoke their recognition of the Georgian regions as 

independent states and respect Georgia’s sovereignty. The territorial integrity of Georgia has been reaffirmed by 

the international community multiple 

times in United Nations Security 

Council resolutions. 

I commend Georgia for its commitment to a peaceful reunification of its 

territories and its engagement in constructive confidence-building measures 

towards the occupied territories aimed 

at reconnecting the divided communities. 

Georgia has had success in laying the 

foundation for a liberal, democratic 

state, and I urge the Government of 

Georgia to consolidate its impressive 

accomplishments since the 2003 Rose 

Revolution. The reforms needed to 

strengthen Georgia’s nascent democracy are well-known: an independent 

judiciary, respect for human rights and 

the rule of law, a vibrant civil society, 

independent media, accountable and 

transparent policymaking, and a balance of power between the executive 

and legislative branches. These reforms 

will be the strongest guarantor of 

Georgia’s independence and prosperity. 

Ahead of us, the October 1 parliamentary elections can serve as yet another 

important benchmark of the deepening 

democratic process in Georgia. These 

will be followed by presidential elections. A step backwards would not only 

be a blow to the development of Georgia’s democracy but, ultimately, to its 

independence. 

There have been some disturbing reports concerning efforts to prevent 

some political leaders from running in 

the parliamentary election and attempts to intimidate local opposition, 

including denying them access to 

media. These issues must be addressed 

in order to ensure that Georgia has 

truly free and fair elections. 

With this resolution today, we affirm 

that the United States remains committed to the sanctity of Georgia’s sovereignty and independence and to the 

inviolability of its federation and its 

internationally recognized borders. We 

also remind Georgia of the opportunity 

it has next month to solidify Georgia’s 

democracy by ensuring free and fair 

elections. 

Let me say, on a personal note, that 

I am very proud of the relationship between the United States and Georgia, 

and I would look forward to a day when 

Georgia is a member of the European 

Union and also a member of NATO. I 

think that the West must not overlook 

its commitments in Georgia simply because we may wish to have better relations with Russia. 

We can never cast aside democratic 

principles because they happen to be 

inconvenient at the time. We should 

stand with the nation of Georgia and 

let the world know, including Russia, 

that we stand by their democracy and 

will not allow any slipping backwards 

and will not allow Russian hegemony 

in the area. 

We stand by a free and independent 

Georgia, so I urge my colleagues to 

support this resolution. 

I reserve the balance of my time. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I 

yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 

Pennsylvania (Mr. SHUSTER), who is 

the chairman of the Transportation 

and Infrastructure Subcommittee on 

Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, a member of the Armed Services Committee, and, more importantly, the author of the measure before us. 

Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today in strong support of House Resolution 526, which expresses the sense of 

the House of Representatives toward 

the establishment of a democratic and 

prosperous Republic of Georgia and the 

establishment of a peaceful and just 

resolution to the conflict with Georgia’s internationally recognized borders. I also want to stand with the 

ranking member for his support of 

Georgia. We need to stand by a democratic Georgia, a great ally of ours. 

As the cochair of the Congressional 

Georgia Caucus, I was proud to sponsor 

this resolution along with my cochair 

and fellow Pennsylvanian, Congresswoman ALLYSON SCHWARTZ. 

Our strategic partnership with Georgia is based on shared values and common interests. A democratic and stable 

Republic of Georgia is in the political 

security and economic interests of the 

United States. 

Georgian troops have played an important role in a variety of challenging 

missions across the globe, including 

Kosovo, Iraq, and today in Afghanistan. In fact, they just brought home 

900 Georgian troops and are going to 

re-up with 1700 troops. 

While that doesn’t seem like a lot, 

1,700, when we have over 80,000, but 

when you look at a small country like 

Georgia with 5 million people, sending 

1,700 troops is the equivalent of the 

United States of America sending over 

100,000 troops. They have proven to be a 

reliable ally. 

The level of their professionalism, as 

well as their sacrifices in the mission 

in which they have been involved so 

far, clearly demonstrates that Georgia 

has much to bring to the table as a future member of NATO and as a reliable 

ally. 

Internally, Georgia has worked to develop its democratic and market-based 

economic institutions for over a decade. 

The August 2008 war with Russia 

nearly halted the economic development, depleted public resources, drove 

up unemployment, and left a severe humanitarian crisis in its wake. A peaceful resolution to the conflict is a key 

priority for the United States in the 

Caucasus region, which is home to another one of our strong allies, Azerbaijan. Lasting regional stability can 

only be achieved through peaceful 

means and long-term diplomatic and 

political dialogue between all the parties. 

b 1520 

It is also timely that we consider this 

resolution today, as Georgia is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on 

October 1. Georgia has put a robust 

system in place to support a free and 

fair electoral process. These elections 

will be an important test to Georgia’s 

democracy and represent a chance for 

all Georgians to show the world how 

far they have come in this last decade. 

I urge my colleagues to join me in 

supporting this important resolution 

today to express our support for one of 

our best and most important allies, the 

Republic of Georgia. 

Mr. ENGEL. I yield myself such time 

as I may consume. 

Let me say in conclusion I am glad 

that we have cooperation, as we generally do, in the Foreign Affairs Committee for working together on these 

issues. But I just want to say that I 

wish we had more cooperation in working together on some of the other 

issues of the day. 

We are leaving town in 2 days without enacting into law middle class tax 

cuts, the farm bill, the Violence 

Against Women Act, a responsible deficit reduction. Those are the priorities 

that are urgent, and we should be 

working on them right now in a bipartisan way—the way we are working on 

these issues. The American people cannot afford a Congress that refuses to 

act on issues critical to middle class 

families, small businesses, farmers, and 

women. So I just want to urge the Republican leadership to let us stay in 


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H6086 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 19, 2012 

town and complete work and work together for the betterment of the American people, the way we are doing with 

these three resolutions. 

With that, I yield back the balance of 

my time. 

Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 

the balance of my time. 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. Speaker, I 

am pleased to support H. Res. 526, which 

calls for the establishment of a democratic and 

prosperous Republic of Georgia and a peaceful and just resolution of Georgia’s conflict with 

its breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South 

Ossetia. 

Our country has always backed Georgia’s 

territorial integrity. After Russia’s 2008 invasion of Georgia, Moscow essentially truncated 

Georgia by recognizing the independence of 

Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Tellingly, no 

other OSCE state—not even former Soviet republics economically dependent on Russia— 

has followed Moscow’s example, understanding well the danger of the precedent. 

Secretary Clinton has designated Russia’s policy in Abkhazia and South Ossetia as ‘‘occupation.’’ Indeed, Moscow has pursued the ongoing militarization of these regions, which are 

clearly Georgian territory. 

In a remarkable admission, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on August 8 that Russia had a contingency plan as early as 2006– 

2007 for war with Georgia and that Moscow 

had even trained militiamen in South Ossetia. 

As Georgia’s Foreign Ministry notes, Putin’s 

acknowledgement contradicts ‘‘Russia’s earlier 

assertions that its 2008 military attack was in 

response to a surprise attack from Georgia 

and that its invasion was meant to prevent 

genocide and protect Russian citizens. It also 

underscores the premeditated nature of the invasion and highlights Moscow’s utter disregard 

for international law.’’ 

The United States will continue to back 

Georgia’s territorial integrity. I stand with Georgia’s Government in calling on Russia to remove its occupying forces and pledge not to 

use force against Georgia. I also note with 

concern the troubling military exercises Russia 

has scheduled to coincide with Georgia’s parliamentary elections in October in a blatant attempt at intimidation. 

The upcoming election will be a critical moment in Georgia’s democratic development. I 

hope the OSCE will be able to assess the 

election as free and fair. The United States 

stands ready to help Georgia progress towards democracy, as H. Res. 526 demonstrates. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The 

question is on the motion offered by 

the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 

ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend 

the rules and agree to the resolution, 

H. Res. 526, as amended. 

The question was taken; and (twothirds being in the affirmative) the 

rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to. 

A motion to reconsider was laid on 

the table. 

f 

CONFIRMING FULL OWNERSHIP 

RIGHTS TO ARTIFACTS FROM 

ASTRONAUTS’ SPACE MISSIONS 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I move to 

suspend the rules and pass the bill 

(H.R. 4158) to confirm full ownership 

rights for certain United States astronauts to artifacts from the astronauts’ 

space missions. 

The Clerk read the title of the bill. 

The text of the bill is as follows: 

H.R. 4158 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in 

Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. DEFINITION OF ARTIFACT. 

For purposes of this Act, the term ‘‘artifact’’ means, with respect to an astronaut 

described in section 2(a), any expendable 

item utilized in missions for the Mercury, 

Gemini, or Apollo programs through the 

completion of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project 

not expressly required to be returned to the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the completion of the mission and 

other expendable, disposable, or personal-use 

items utilized by such astronaut during participation in any such program. The term includes personal logs, checklists, flight manuals, prototype and proof test articles used in 

training, and disposable flight hardware 

salvaged from jettisoned lunar modules. The 

term does not include lunar rocks and other 

lunar material. 

SEC. 2. FULL OWNERSHIP OF ARTIFACTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—A United States astronaut who participated in any of the Mercury, 

Gemini, or Apollo programs through the 

completion of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, 

who received an artifact during his participation in any such program, shall have full 

ownership of and clear title to such artifact. 

(b) NO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLAIM.—The 

Federal Government shall have no claim or 

right to ownership, control, or use of any artifact in possession of an astronaut as described in subsection (a) or any such artifact 

that was subsequently transferred, sold, or 

assigned to a third party by an astronaut described in subsection (a). 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 

Texas (Mr. HALL) and the gentlewoman 

from Texas (Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON) each will control 20 minutes. 

The Chair recognizes the gentleman 

from Texas. 

GENERAL LEAVE

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 

have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 4158, the bill 

now under consideration. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there 

objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? 

There was no objection. 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 

I want to begin by thanking members 

of the Science, Space, and Technology 

Committee, Republicans and Democrats, for their bipartisan support of 

this legislation. I especially want to 

commend my good friends LAMAR

SMITH and EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON for 

their help and for their early support. 

H.R. 4158 would confirm full ownership rights to our Nation’s first generation of astronauts who flew during the 

Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo era and 

who received or were allowed to retain 

artifacts, mementos, and other personal equipment from their missions. 

H.R. 4158 covers all flights beginning in 

1961 through the Apollo-Soyuz Test 

Project, which flew in July of 1975. 

From the first days of our manned 

spaceflight program through the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, at the conclusion of a mission NASA managers routinely allowed astronauts to keep mementos of their flights. In some instances, astronauts were also given 

certain pieces of expendable equipment. The range of items included 

space suit emblems, expendable space 

suits, checklists, flight manuals, and 

disposable flight hardware salvaged 

from the jettisoned lunar landers. 

A majority of these items have been 

in the personal possession of the astronauts for 40 years or more. Over the 

last decade, NASA has begun to challenge the astronauts’ ownership of 

these mementos. This issue was first 

brought to my attention late last year. 

I was surprised to learn that NASA 

had, on an irregular basis, intervened 

several times to claim ownership. 

Early this year, NASA Administrator 

Bolden met with a small group of astronauts to discuss the agency’s artifacts policy. Following the meeting, 

through NASA’s press office, Administrator Bolden issued a statement saying: 

These are American heroes, fellow astronauts, and personal friends who have acted 

in good faith, and we have committed to 

work together to find the right policy. 

He went on to say: 

I believe there have been fundamental misunderstandings and unclear policies regarding items from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, 

and Skylab programs, and NASA appreciates 

the position of the astronauts, museums, 

learning institutions, and others who have 

these historic artifacts in personal and private collections. 

This bill seeks to eliminate in any 

further ambiguity about Apollo-era artifacts that were received by the astronauts. It simply says that astronauts 

who flew through the end of the Apollo 

program will be granted full right of 

ownership of any artifacts received 

from their missions. If we don’t pass 

this bill, the artifacts and the astronauts face huge financial risks arising 

from donations, gifts, and sales already 

completed. 

These men are heroes. They’re great 

heroes. Sadly, we had to say good-bye 

to one of these heroes just last week. 

They took extraordinary risks to establish American preeminence in space 

and, by doing so, helped our country 

become a world leader. I think it’s a 

miscarriage of justice that today 

NASA should seek return of these very 

same mementos and keepsakes. 

I reserve the balance of my time. 

[From NASA News, Jan. 9, 2012] 

NASA ADMINISTRATOR MEETS WITH APOLLO

ASTRONAUTS; AGENCY WILL WORK COOPERATIVELY TO RESOLVE ARTIFACT OWNERSHIP

ISSUES

(By David Weaver and Bob Jacobs) 

WASHINGTON, DC.—The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Charles 

Bolden regarding the ownership of early 

space exploration mementos and artifacts: 

‘‘Earlier today, I had a good meeting with 

former Apollo astronauts Jim Lovell, Gene 


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