Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 479. The 1956 Hungarian uprising against Soviet occupation and domination was the defining event for Hungary in the 20th century. It continues to be a critical element of the Hungarian people's identity and the defining moment in the world's perception of Hungary well into the 21st century.

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution was also a decisive event for the Soviet Union, for the United States, and for the entire world during the Cold War.

Beginning this fall and continuing through November of 2006, the Hungarian people in Hungary and wherever they live around the globe are proudly celebrating the 50th anniversary of their 1956 fight for freedom, democracy, and independence.

Mr. Speaker, the Hungarian struggle for freedom and recognition as an independent nation among the nations of the world has been long and difficult. In 1848, the Hungarian people united in the fight to assert their independence from the Hapsburg Empire, only to have their liberty denied by Russian troops which came to the aid of Austria. Although Hungary was given a measure of autonomy in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, it was not until the end of World War I that it became a fully independent state, though with considerably reduced territory.

After independence, Hungary suffered increasingly authoritarian governments, fell into the Nazi Germany sphere of influence, was eventually occupied by Nazi Germany military forces, and at the end of World War II was occupied by the Soviet Army, when it began nearly a half century of Soviet communist domination.

One of the brightest moments in the Hungarian struggle for freedom and independence came in October 1956 when university students, workers, and Hungarians of all walks of life rallied against the Soviet occupation of their country.

The local allies of the Soviets fought against the popular uprising, but Soviet troops initially withdrew from Budapest. The reform government of Prime Minister Imre Nagy took steps to establish a multiparty democracy, called for the removal of all Soviet troops, announced Hungary's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and requested United Nations aid in establishing Hungarian neutrality.

The Kremlin saw the events in Hungary as a fatal danger to communist dominance of Central Europe and their international status. Soviet troops were ordered into Budapest. Massive aerial and artillery bombardments and 6,000 Soviet tanks were launched against the city. Struggling against overwhelming odds, the Hungarian workers and students continued the fight, but in the end, they were overcome by the crushing Soviet force.

The black and white television and newsreel pictures of the fight for Budapest seen by the American people and the entire world were one of the most powerful and enduring images of the entire Cold War. In many ways, the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 defined the Cold War.

The uprising of the Hungarian people dramatically confirmed the widespread contempt in which the Soviet Union was held even by its supposed allies. The uprising exposed the underlying weakness of the Communist system imposed by the Soviet Union, and it was a spectacular demonstration of the strength of support for democracy and the right of peoples to determine their own national destiny.

The revolution of 1956, Mr. Speaker, remains a defining element of the identity of the Hungarian people. In the late 1980s, as the Soviet noose around Hungary and the other Soviet-dominated countries of Central Europe

began to loosen, the Hungarian people again returned to the events of 1956 to express their love for freedom and their desire for independence.

In 1989, the official rehabilitation and public reburial of Prime Minister Imre Nagy who was tried and executed by the Soviets for his role in 1956 was a key marker of the reassertion of Hungarian independence. At the same time, the rehabilitation of other individuals who played a role in 1956 and the public celebration of the uprising itself were important in affirming Hungarian sovereignty.

One of the most important symbolic Hungarian actions during this time was the government decision to formally designate October 23 the date on which the Hungarian uprising began, as a national holiday of the Republic of Hungary.

It is significant, Mr. Speaker, that one of the key events bringing down the Berlin Wall and bringing an end to the Soviet Union and its dominance of Central Europe was the Hungarian decision in August of 1989 to open the Hungarian border with Austria to East German citizens.

East Germans who could not pass through the Berlin Wall could travel through Hungary and after August 1989 could go to Austria and then to West Germany. More than any other event, this bold Hungarian initiative led to the collapse of the East German communist regime and the opening of the Berlin Wall.

Mr. Speaker, as Hungarians in Hungary and around the world mark the half century since the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, it is so appropriate that we in the United States Congress, on behalf of the American people, join in affirming the significance of that event, and that we express the condolences of the American people to those who lost their lives and their futures in their fight for freedom and liberty.

The changes that have transformed Hungary and its people in the last 15 years, the entry of Hungary into NATO, its accession to the European Union, its embrace of a free, open and democratic society are possible because of what happened a half a century ago.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution which affirms our friendship and cooperation with the Hungarian government and the Hungarian people.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 479) recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this is a resolution introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), the ranking member on the Committee on International Relations, and recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956. It is estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 Hungarian freedom fighters and 700 Soviet troops were killed during the uprising and tens of thousands more were injured. The resolution also reaffirms the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary.

I am a cosponsor and strongly support H. Res. 479. The 1956 uprising by the Hungarian people was one of the most significant challenges to Soviet domination of Central and Eastern Europe during the Cold War. The crackdown by Soviet forces led to more than 200,000 Hungarians fleeing their country as refugees.

The brutality of the Soviet military action weakened both the standing and moral authority of the Soviet Union and Communist Party that were active in Western Europe. The 1956 Hungarian uprising was a pivotal event in the Cold War which eventually led to the downfall of the Soviet Union and the worldwide communist movement.

I urge passage of the resolution and commend Mr. Lantos for bringing attention to this very important and historical event.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to conclude by again commending my good friend from California (Mr. Lantos) for his leadership and his passion on this resolution, and join with him in urging our colleagues to support the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers and would yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in 1990, Congress designated October as National Seafood Month. This month-long celebration highlights the importance of seafood as part of a healthy diet. National Seafood Month also honors and celebrates the many contributions of the seafood and fishing industries and recognizes the multiple ways in which industry professionals serve our Nation's economy and continues to spur economic growth.

The First Congressional District of South Carolina, which I represent, has over 75 percent of the South Carolina coastline. Many of my constituents are hardworking shrimpers and fishermen, and I appreciate all the hard work to supply us with good quality seafood.

As the popularity of seafood continues to grow, National Seafood Month offers a unique way to remind consumers of the way the industry helps meet the needs in providing healthy and delicious seafood products year round. Creating a greater awareness among consumers is essential in the efforts to spread the positive message that seafood is a delicious and nutritious source of protein in the American diet.

I urge all of my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring House Resolution 479 which supports the goals and ideals of National Seafood Month.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 due to official business in my district. Had I been present, the Record would reflect that I would have voted:

H. Res. 438--Urging member states of the United Nations to stop supporting resolutions that unfairly castigate Israel and to promote within the United Nations General Assembly more balanced and constructive approaches to resolving conflict in the Middle East, ``yea.''

H. Res. 535--Honoring the life, legacy, and example of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the tenth anniversary of his death ``yea.''

H. Res. 479 as amended--Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution that began on October 23, 1956 and reaffirming the friendship between the people and governments of the United States and Hungary ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, December 6, 2005, I was unable to cast votes on two measures on the suspension calendar. I ask that my absence be excused, and that the Congressional Record show that had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on H. Res. 535, honoring the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin, and ``yea'' on H. Res. 479, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.