Pelosi Remarks To Members of Russian Duma Today

Statement

Pelosi Remarks To Members of Russian Duma Today

Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered opening remarks at the Foreign Affairs Committee meeting this morning with members of the Russian Duma. Below are her remarks:

"As Speaker of the House, let me welcome Chairman Konstantin Kosachev and members of the Russian Duma's Committee on Foreign Affairs to the United States Capitol. It is an honor to join you today.

"I know that this inter-parliamentary exchange will be beneficial to both of our great nations, particularly because Chairman Tom Lantos is helping coordinate this ongoing dialogue. Chairman Lantos is a world-recognized expert on human rights, and a fierce advocate for politically imprisoned people everywhere. For these reasons, he is an influential voice in the House. Thank you, Chairman Lantos.

"I also want to thank the Committee's Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for partnering with Chairman Lantos in this effort.

"We have joined together today because we understand that cooperation and consultation are essential in a world that grows more and more interconnected and interdependent everyday. Just as information travels around the globe faster than ever before, crises that were once seen as regional can now spill into wider conflicts. And challenges that were once managed locally or within national borders now require international attention and action.

"You can see this in a wide range of issues, some of which you will be addressing today.

"In matters of economics and trade, the prosperity of the American and Russian peoples rests on our ability to develop trade and monetary policies that foster innovation and creativity while protecting the rights and privacy of workers.

"On the issues of war and humanitarian aid, the safety of our people and the stability of troubled regions rest on our ability to work cooperatively to resolve old conflicts, prevent new ones, and bring peace and hope to people who live in oppression or under the threat of violence.

"Whether it's stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction, which is our first responsibility and the biggest threat to the security of the world, or reversing global warming, stopping the spread of disease internationally, or the alleviation of poverty - all of those issues are better served by better cooperation and better communication between Russia and the United States.

"That's why I'm so pleased to see my colleague Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, a prominent figure in our country and a promoter of peace, and Congressman John Tanner of Tennessee, who is the chair of our North Atlantic Assemblies delegation - he just returned from important meetings in that regard and he understands how important United States' international role is. I'm so pleased that these two leaders are with us today as well.

"It is with great pride in my own Congress, great expectations in what can be achieved by two great leaders that I see here, your Chairman, Mr. Kosachev, and our Chairman, Mr. Lantos, and both our delegations. It is with that hope that I wish you much success in your visit. I know that some time soon there will be a corresponding visit to the Duma in Russia. I hope maybe to be part of that as well.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman."

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