Speech by Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-California), March 29, 2000

Speech by Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-California), March 29, 2000
Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Chairman, I very much appreciate my chairman and colleague, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young), yielding me this time.

Indeed, I want to say to my colleagues in the House, but especially to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad), I could not believe more strongly in his expression of concern about the problems that relate to the demand side. Indeed, earlier today we had an extensive discussion regarding that as we went forward with the Pelosi amendment.

There is no doubt that America is concerned about impacting the demand for drugs in cities all over America. Indeed, we have made significant commitments over time during this Congress and the past Congress. Clearly, not nearly enough money, but this proposition today is in response to the administration's recommendation that we step forward in a relationship with our neighboring country, Colombia, a country that is attempting to raise between $7 and $8 billion themselves in order to fight the war on drugs at home.

Colombia is the source of something like 90 percent of cocaine that is imported into America. There is little doubt, unless we deal directly with that source, that we will never affect that piece of drug availability in the United States. So the proposition before us today is to essentially express support for the President, who is joining us in this effort, the effort to stop the flow of cocaine to our country.

Clearly, propositions that would expand the opportunities to impact demand should and do deserve our support. I expect in the months and years ahead that I will join my colleagues in that effort, as I ask all of my colleagues to vote against this amendment and to support the bill in its final passage.

As of March 30, 2000, this document was also available online at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r106:H29MR0-173: