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SUBCOMMITTEE ON WESTERN HEMISPHERE, PEACE CORPS, AND NARCOTICS AFFAIRS |
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When I was elected to the Senate and was considering which Committees I wanted to serve on, the Foreign Relations Committee was an obvious choice for me. I believe that foreign policy matters to Minnesota. Minnesotans have a passion for human rights and a tradition in support of trade.
I believe that many of our best international opportunities lie in the Western Hemisphere. The vast majority of our neighbors share the same values we hold dear – democracy, economic freedom, and human rights. As we look to the future, the Western Hemisphere will only become more essential to our global objectives.
As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, I have a responsibility to exercise oversight of U.S. policy toward Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada. It is a job I take very seriously.
There is no denying that U.S. relations with Latin America are not as close as they could be. Despite efforts on all sides, distrust and misperceptions remain. I believe we have an opportunity to restore goodwill between the U.S. and our neighbors, based on cooperation and shared values. As someone who is both a pragmatist and an optimist, I believe I bring to this Subcommittee the proper perspective to seek out areas of cooperation on which to build ever-stronger ties within the hemisphere.
Clearly it is in the U.S. interest that the other countries in our neighborhood are stable, prosperous, and democratic. It is therefore my intention as Subcommittee Chairman to do all I can to work with our neighbors to the south to encourage growth, political reform, and human rights. The benefits are for all Americans – North, Central, and South Americans alike.
Democracy
Latin America has made great strides toward democracy and free markets – progress unimaginable just a few decades ago. But at the same time, this progress is fragile and needs our support. Endemic poverty and political failures have left many disillusioned. The answer to Latin America’s problems is not a return to authoritarian leaders, however. A better course begins with more accountable and transparent governments and better respect for the rule of law.
Fighting terrorism, drugs
For instance, the nation of Colombia is in the midst of its own battle against terrorism, waging war against guerrillas who profit from illegal drug trafficking. The U.S. has a strong interest in working with our allies in Colombia to defeat these narco-terrorists. Importantly, those efforts will also help to keep drugs off the streets in communities throughout Minnesota. I support U.S. policy toward Colombia, but it is not a blank check. I intend to continue exercising careful Congressional oversight that takes a look at results, human rights, and shared responsibilities.
Trade
Trade is another major opportunity. I believe the U.S. and the rest of the Western Hemisphere can benefit by bringing our economies closer together, finding ways to work cooperatively rather than competitively, so that we are all stronger in the global marketplace. Through fair and open trade, all can prosper.
Immigration
I also believe the time has come for immigration reform. So much of our country has been built by those who journeyed to our shores – Europeans, Asians, Latin Americans and others. Ours is a nation of immigrants, but it is also a nation of laws. Immigration reform today must deal in a realistic way with the thousands of undocumented workers who are already inside our borders, in a way that does not unfairly disadvantage American workers or legal immigrants. At the same time, we must do more to enforce existing immigration laws and to monitor our borders. While the precise formula for immigration reform is difficult to identify, it is clear that the current system is in desperate need of repair.
Peace Corps
This Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the Peace Corps. In a world where America is so misunderstood, and where the consequences of the negative impression of Americans can be so great, we need more than ever to show the world America’s heart. That is what the Peace Corps represents. The Peace Corps is a relatively inexpensive way to draw on America’s spirit of volunteerism and make a difference in people’s lives thousands of miles away.
President Bush announced a goal of doubling the number of Peace Corps volunteers over five years. I applaud this effort. It is my objective to help the Peace Corps become not only bigger, but also better and safer.
I believe the Peace Corps must take steps to diversify its volunteers. We need to bring into the Corps more older volunteers, and more minorities. Only then can the Peace Corps can truly represent the face of America’s melting pot.
I believe the Peace Corps must have the resources it needs to ensure volunteer safety. The wellbeing of the volunteer must remain the top priority of the Corps. With the right dedication of manpower and technology, we can and must do more to protect Peace Corps volunteers.
As a former mayor, results are very important to me. I have challenged the Peace Corps to come up with ways to measure their impact, and to be more accountable.
The Peace Corps is part of Minnesota’s heritage – some 5000 Minnesotans have served as volunteers. And while the Peace Corps has been rightly associated with John F. Kennedy, it was Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey who proposed the idea in the 1950s.
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