Speech by Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-North Carolina), March 8, 2000

Speech by Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-North Carolina), March 8, 2000
URGING PASSAGE OF AID PACKAGE TO COLOMBIA (House of Representatives - March 08, 2000)

[Page: H704]
(Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. BALLENGER. Madam Speaker, in a few weeks, the House will consider a supplemental appropriations bill that includes a much-needed comprehensive aid package to Colombia. The purpose of this package is to help that nation fight its war against the narcoterrorists that threaten its very survival.

We must help the Colombians fight the drug lords because in the process it will help us take Colombian drugs off our own streets. Right now, 80 percent of the cocaine and 75 percent of the heroin which enters this country this day comes from Colombia.

While I believe that we must do our part to reduce the demand here, helping the Colombians fight the narcoterrorists where they live will slow the flow of drugs which are poisoning our own communities. Choosing not to help, as we did last fall, will only embolden the drug lords, who, in the absence of a comprehensive aid package, could more openly and freely continue peddling death to the American children.

Madam Speaker, I urge the immediate passage of the aid package to Colombia.

[Page: H705]
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