Senate Approves Resolution Congratulating the People of Mexico for their July 2 Election
June 14, 2000

Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate late last night approved a resolution, sponsored by Senators Jesse Helms (R-NC) and Joseph Biden (D-DE) and cosponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), congratulating the people of Mexico for their long, courageous, and fruitful struggle for representative democracy and the rule of law. The following is Senator Feinstein’s statement on the resolution:

“The United States and Mexico have a close and important relationship. We share a 2,000 mile long border and more than $174 billion in trade. And millions of Americans, including many in California, have Mexican ancestry and long and cherished cultural ties.

I believe that the people of Mexico are to be congratulated for the way in which the July 2 elections were conducted, and for their commitment to democracy and to the rule of law.

I would also like to extend my congratulations to Mr. Vicente Fox Quesada, the candidate of the National Action Party and the president-elect of Mexico on his successful campaign. It is my hope that under his leadership the United States and Mexico will be able to work closely together on a range of political, economic, health, and environmental issues. I am especially hopeful that he and his government will show the willingness to seek to intensify cooperation between our governments in combating illegal narcotics.

I also believe that Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon is to be commended. He has shown a true commitment to a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

Again, the people of Mexico deserve our congratulations for the July 2nd elections, and our support as they move forward into a new era in Mexico's political history.