Speech by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), June 6, 2002

Speech by Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), June 6, 2002

Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I will speak for a couple minutes.

I say to Senator Graham, I rise to congratulate him, and not only for the amendment. And whatever happens to it tonight, its destiny is already determined. We have already waited too long. It is time that some of us, especially those of us who come from States that are not too far from the other hemisphere, where mostly Hispanic Americans live and work--to have that hemisphere as if it were not really our friend and we should not be concerned about it is truly one of the giant mistakes we make. And every year that passes we say something about doing better.

But I believe the situations are going to get even worse, and sooner or later--let's hope sooner--the United States will do something while we are still acceptable down there and while we can still be of some significant positive impact.

I say to Senator McCain, I heard his remarks. And I have heard them before. I think it is time, with real vigor and enthusiasm, with resources and leadership, we consider this hemisphere to be a big part of America's foreign involvement. Why so far away when we have problems in abundance so close? Why neighbors thousands of miles away and no acts of friendliness to those who are really our neighbors?

As of June 19, 2002, this document was also available online at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/R?r107:FLD001:S55163