Supporting Colombia's Military Forces

SUPPORTING COLOMBIA'S MILITARY FORCES -- (House of Representatives - July 10, 2008)

(Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, last week three Americans, along with a dozen Colombian hostages held by FARC terrorists, were rescued by an elite team of Colombian soldiers. Included in the hostages was Ingrid Betancourt, a former candidate for president of Colombia; and three U.S. contractors, Keith Stansel, Marc Gonsalves, and Thomas Howes.

President Alvaro Uribe, Ambassador Carolina Barco, and the Colombia military are to be commended for this extraordinary and well-planned rescue.

I am grateful for the incredible effort the Colombian government has made to strike back at the FARC terrorist rebels and to bring greater stability and security to their country.

I have visited Colombia, two of my sons were exchange students in Cali, and I know firsthand the hard work necessary to curb the drug trade, terrorist activity, and build Colombia's economy. America has been working to build a stronger strategic partnership with the people of Colombia for economic prosperity, led by U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield.

In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th.

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