David Rivera

Mr. Speaker, as we close on the 112th Congress, I wish to express my gratitude to the residents of Florida's 25th Congressional District for having given me the honor and the privilege to serve them as their elected Representative in the United States Congress.

When my constituents first elected me to come to Congress, they did so with what I thought was a very clear mandate as to what the focus of the 112th Congress should be, and that is to restore fiscal responsibility to the Federal Government and begin moving our economy forward to create jobs. Here in the U.S. House of Representatives, I believe we have strived to meet the challenges that out-of-control spending have created in the form of yearly deficits and long-term debt accumulation. The 112th Congress' passage of the free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama and South Korea demonstrates what type of pro- economic growth and job-creation policies can be achieved when we place the Nation's long-term economic interests before parochial or short- term considerations.

Unfortunately, too often in the 112th Congress, our efforts here in the U.S. House of Representatives to restore fiscal responsibility to the Federal Government have not been met with the same sense of urgency by our governing partners in the United States Senate or the White House. Last evening's vote regarding a so-called fiscal cliff is yet another example of Washington's willingness to forego making difficult, long-term decisions regarding spending in deference to short-term fixes that do not solve our looming debt crisis. That same debt crisis, that is the real fiscal cliff that our Nation faces; because whether we realize it or not, the more our Nation climbs this mountain of debt--a mountain we ourselves are creating--the higher the cliffs will be.

I urge future Congresses to meet this challenge, take up the challenge in restoring fiscal responsibility with a renewed sense of vigor and urgency.

I also want to encourage my colleagues in the 113th Congress to apply that same sense of urgency to another

issue of great national importance: immigration reform. I clearly recognize what a contentious issue this is, pitting two fundamental American values--rule of law and compassion--against each other, but I would suggest that making this effort is crucial to America's future.

We need a sustained commitment to afford opportunity for all Americans, at least for young people, young people who, through no fault of their own, are now in limbo due to their undocumented status; young people who have been educated in our school systems; young people who are willing to achieve further academic excellence, who are willing to serve in our military and risk their lives. Can we not at least say that, if somebody is willing to die for America, the least we can do is give them a chance at life in America? I hope in the 113th Congress the answer to that question will be ``yes.''

So, Mr. Speaker, I end my remarks where I began, expressing my deep sense of gratitude for the honor and privilege granted me to serve in the 112th Congress. I have been blessed with a superb staff of dedicated professionals: my previous chief of staff, Steve Vermillion, may he rest in peace; my current Chief of Staff, Javi Correoso; and my entire D.C. office staff. My district director, Alina Garcia, and my entire district office staff have all served this Congress, the people of Florida's 25th Congressional District, and our Nation with honor and distinction. My friends, supporters, and constituents have blessed me with their confidence.

And finally, my gratitude to my family, and particularly my mom, Daisy, who is a saint, whom I love dearly, and who has sacrificed everything so that I have the opportunity to serve and achieve the American Dream. Only in America can a child of a political refugee, a kid born on the wrong side of the tracks, grow up and be elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives. America is indeed the greatest country mankind has ever known.

May God bless you, Speaker, and my colleagues. May God bless the United States House of Representatives. May God bless the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, like so many others, I ran for Congress because I believe in the greatness of the American people, the nobility of our national ideals, and the eminence of our principles and rights that have made America that shining city upon a hill.

But there are still many peoples who yearn for freedom and basic human liberties. The Sahrawi people of Western Sahara have been trapped in dreadful and oppressive conditions for over thirty years with the support and enabling of a compromised and corrupt Algerian government and its puppet regime, the Polisario Front.

The Polisario instituted mass kidnappings of Sahrawis from their homes into the Tindouf region in Western Algeria. The majority of these refugees have remained warehoused and imprisoned in Tindouf's sprawling camps for 35 years.

The Polisario partners and collaborates with the likes of Cuba, whose military distributes food in the camps on a quid pro quo basis and ``educates'' children who have been reportedly stolen from their parents, and Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb.

The Government of Morocco has advanced an Autonomy Plan that does address these issues and provides a clear, simple, transparent and democratic solution to the long drawn out Sahara crisis. This is where America's support should lie.

Mr. Speaker, the United States can and must continue to advance fundamental human rights, freedom and democracy as we, in this chamber, continue to work together for peace, justice, and human dignity in the Western Sahara.

The Moroccan Initiative in the Western Sahara

The Moroccan initiative comes in response to repeated

requests of the United Nations Security Council and several

of its key members, including the United States, that Morocco

propose a solution to this longstanding problem that could

facilitate the opening of negotiations for a ``just, durable

and peaceful'' political solution.

After nearly a decade of trying to bring the Polisario and

Morocco to agreement to conduct a referendum to determine the

territories future, Kofi Annan, then Secretary

General, and James Baker, then Personal Envoy for the Western

Sahara, reported to the Security Council that it was not

possible to achieve agreement between the Polisario and

Morocco on the central issue of who should be permitted to

vote in a referendum. Consequently, Annan and Baker

recommended that the Security Council encourage Morocco and

the Polisario to enter into direct negotiations to find a

compromise political solution. The Security Council accepted

the assessment of Annan and Baker that a referendum would not

be possible, and began a process carried through several

years of UNSC resolutions calling for direct negotiations.

James Baker proposed two such compromise political

solutions based on the underlying assumption that the

proposals would allow Morocco to remain sovereign in the

Western Sahara, but that the territory would benefit from a

substantial autonomy that would allow it to become self-

governing. Morocco accepted the first Baker proposal as the

basis for direct negotiations, but the Polisario refused. The

Polisario accepted the second Baker proposal, but Morocco

refused since it did not allow for direct negotiations

between the parties on the terms of the arrangement. The

Moroccan proposal is the first and only proposal to come from

one of the Parties to the conflict in response to the

Security Council encouragements. In various forms, the

Polisario has continued to insist that the referendum be

held, and threatens a renewal of hostilities and the eviction

of the United Nations peacekeeping force from the territory

under its control, despite the fact that the Security Council

repeatedly has made clear that this solution is no longer

viable.

Summary of the Moroccan Initiative:

The initiative is the product of a year long internal and

foreign Moroccan consultation process. All sectors of the

Sahrawi population were included in the consultations and the

views of foreign governments and expert international

authorities were sought before the plan was finalized for

presentation to the United Nations.

The plan itself represents an outline for a political

solution that traces what Morocco considers to be the broad

scope of an autonomy arrangement for the Western Sahara. It

does not go into extensive detail on its various aspects on

the assumption that such specific arrangements should be the

result of direct negotiations rather than the imposition of

only one of the parties to the dispute.

The plan provides for a local elected legislature that

would subsequently elect an executive authority. It also

would establish a separate judiciary for the autonomous

region with competence to render justice on matters specific

to the autonomous status of the region. The legislature would

elect a chief executive.

The formula proposed by Morocco would ensure majority

representation in the legislature for Sahrawi inhabitants of

the autonomous region, while also ensuring credible

legislative representation for non-Sahrawis who have been

long-time residents in the territory. Residents of the

autonomous region would also continue to elect

representatives to the national legislature.

The government of the autonomous region would have

exclusive authorities on some issues, shared authority with

the central government of Morocco on others and consultative

rights on authorities that remain reserved to the central

government and that effect the region.

The autonomous government would control local

administration, local police, education, cultural

development, economic development, regional planning,

tourism, investment, trade, public works and transportation,

housing, health, sports and social welfare. It would have

taxing authorities to support these functions and would

continue to receive funding from the central budget as well.

It would be able to establish foreign regional trade

relations offices and would have consultative rights on other

sovereign foreign agreements affecting the region.

The central government would retain exclusive jurisdiction

over the normal elements of sovereign authority: national

defense, currency, postal, and foreign affairs and religion,

over which the Monarchy has a special status in Morocco.

The chief executive of the autonomous region would be

elected by the legislature, but would be invested by and

serve in the name of the Monarchy.

The initiative also envisages transitional bodies to guide

the central government and the autonomous authority through

the initial stages of implementation of the plan.

All individual rights guaranteed under the Moroccan

Constitution would continue to apply to all residents of the

autonomous region.

Moroccan Initiative for Negotiating an Autonomy Statute for the Sahara

Region

I. Morocco's commitment to a final political solution

1. Since 2004, the Security Council has been regularly

calling upon ``the parties and States of the region to

continue to cooperate fully with the United Nations to end

the current impasse and to achieve progress towards a

political solution.''

2. Responding to this call by the international community,

the Kingdom of Morocco set a positive, constructive and

dynamic process in motion, and pledged to submit an autonomy

proposal for the Sahara, within the framework of the

Kingdom's sovereignty and national unity.

3. This initiative is part of the endeavors made to build a

modern, democratic society, based on the rule of law,

collective and individual freedoms, and economic and social

development As such, it brings hope for a better future for

the region's populations, puts an end to separation and

exile, and promotes reconciliation.

4. Through this initiative, the Kingdom of Morocco

guarantees to all Sahrawis, inside as well as outside the

territory, that they will hold a privileged position and play

a leading role in the bodies and institutions of the region,

without discrimination or exclusion.

5. Thus, the Sahara populations will themselves run their

affairs democratically, through legislative, executive and

judicial bodies enjoying exclusive powers. They will have the

financial resources needed for the region's development in

all fields, and will take an active part in the nation's

economic, social and cultural life.

6. The State will keep its powers in the royal domains,

especially with respect to defense, external relations and

the constitutional and religious prerogatives of His Majesty

the King.

7. The Moroccan initiative, which is made in an open

spirit, aims to set the stage for dialogue and a negotiation

process that would lead to a mutually acceptable political

solution.

8. As the outcome of negotiations, the autonomy statute

shall be submitted to the populations concerned for a

referendum, in keeping with the principle of self-

determination and with the provisions of the UN Charter.

9. To this end, Morocco calls on the other parties to avail

the opportunity to write a new chapter in the region's

history. Morocco is ready to take part in serious,

constructive negotiations in the spirit of this initiative,

and to contribute to promoting a climate of trust.

10. To achieve this objective, the Kingdom of Morocco

remains willing to cooperate fully with the UN Secretary-

General and his Personal Envoy.

II. Basic elements of the Moroccan proposal

11. The Moroccan autonomy project draws inspiration from

the relevant proposals of the United Nations Organization,

and from the constitutional provisions in force in countries

that are geographically and culturally close to Morocco. It

is based on internationally recognized norms and standards.

A. PowersoftheSaharaautonomousRegion

12. In keeping with democratic principles and procedures,

and acting through legislative, executive and judicial

bodies, the populations of the Sahara autonomous Region shall

exercise powers, within the Region's territorial boundaries,

mainly over the following:

Region's local administration, local police force and

jurisdictions;

In the economic sector: economic development, regional

planning, promotion of investment, trade, industry, tourism

and agriculture;

Region's budget and taxation;

Infrastructure: water, hydraulic facilities, electricity,

public works and transportation;

In the social sector: housing, education, health,

employment, sports, social welfare and social security;

Cultural affairs, including promotion of the Saharan

Hassani cultural heritage;

Environment.

13. The Sahara autonomous Region will have the financial

resources required for its development in all areas.

Resources will come, in particular, from:

Taxes, duties and regional levies enacted by the Region's

competent authorities;

Proceeds from the development of natural resources

allocated to the Region;

The share of proceeds collected by the State from the

development of natural resources located in the Region;

The necessary funds allocated in keeping with the principle

of national solidarity;

Proceeds from the Region's assets.

14. The State shall keep exclusive jurisdiction over the

following in particular:

The attributes of sovereignty, especially the flag, the

national anthem and the currency;

The attributes stemming from the constitutional and

religious prerogatives of the King, as Commander of the

Faithful and Guarantor of freedom of worship and of

individual and collective freedoms;

National security, external defense and defense of

territorial integrity;

External relations;

The Kingdom's juridical order.

III. Approval and implementation procedure for the autonomy statute

27. The Region's autonomy statute shall be the subject of

negotiations and shall be submitted to the populations

concerned in a free referendum. This referendum will

constitute a free exercise, by these populations, of their

right to self-determination, as per the provisions of

international legality, the Charter of the United Nations and

the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security

Council.

28. To this end, the parties pledge to work jointly and in

good faith to foster this political solution and secure its

approval by the Sahara populations.

29. Moreover, the Moroccan Constitution shall be amended

and the autonomy Statute incorporated into it, in order to

guarantee

its sustainability and reflect its special place in the

country's national juridical architecture.

30. The Kingdom of Morocco shall take all the necessary

steps to ensure full integration, into the nation's fabric,

of persons to be repatriated. This will be done in a manner

which preserves their dignity and guarantees their security

and the protection of their property.

31. To this end, the Kingdom of Morocco shall, in

particular, declare a blanket amnesty, precluding any legal

proceedings, arrest, detention, imprisonment or intimidation

of any kind, based on facts covered by this amnesty.

32. Once the parties have agreed on the proposed autonomy,

a Transitional Council composed of their representatives

shall assist with repatriation, disarmament, demobilization

and reintegration of armed elements who are outside the

territory, as well as with any other action aimed at securing

the approval and implementation of the present Statute,

including elections.

33. Just like the international community, the Kingdom of

Morocco firmly believes today that the solution to the Sahara

dispute can only come from negotiations. Accordingly, the

proposal it is submitting to the United Nations constitutes a

real opportunity for initiating negotiations with a view to

reaching a final solution to this dispute, in keeping with

international legality, and on the basis of arrangements

which are consistent with the goals and principles enshrined

in the United Nations Charter.

34. In this respect, Morocco pledges to negotiate in good

faith and in a constructive, open spirit to reach a final,

mutually acceptable political solution to the dispute

plaguing the region. To this end, the Kingdom of Morocco is

prepared to make a positive contribution to creating an

environment of trust which would contribute to the successful

outcome of this initiative.

35. The Kingdom of Morocco hopes the other parties will

appreciate the significance and scope of this proposal,

realize its merit, and make a positive and constructive

contribution to it. The Kingdom of Morocco is of the view

that the momentum created by this initiative offers a

historic chance to resolve this issue once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, like all of us in Congress, I believe in the greatness of the American people and the preeminence of our principles and rights that have made America a beacon of hope and freedom, but there are still many around the world who yearn for basic human liberties.

The Sahrawi people of Western Sahara have been trapped in oppressive conditions for over 30 years, with the support of the corrupt Algerian Government and its puppet regime, the Polisario Front.

The Polisario Front has instituted mass kidnappings of Sahrawis from their homes into the Tindouf region in western Algeria. The majority of these refugees have remained warehoused and imprisoned in Tindouf's sprawling camps for 35 years.

The Polisario collaborates with the likes of Cuba, whose military rations food in the camps in exchange for loyalty to the regime and indoctrinates children who have been stolen from their parents, all while partnering with al Qaeda and the Maghreb.

The Government of Morocco has advanced an autonomy plan, which I will submit at a later time, that addresses these issues with a clear and democratic solution to the long, drawn-out Sahara crisis. This is where America's support should lie.

Mr. Speaker, the United States can and must continue to advance fundamental human rights, freedom, and democracy as we, in this Chamber, continue to work together for peace, justice, and human dignity in the Western Sahara.