Save Panama Canal for nation's defense

"Just as the United States should not give away Alaska or Florida or any other state, we should not give away the Panama Canal." Congress is in recess presently, but it is not too late to save our canal. On Nov. 9, Representative Helen Chenoweth-Hage, R-Idaho, introduced House Joint Resolution 77 in the House and was co-sponsored by six representatives promptly. It resolves:

That notice is given to the Government of Panama of the decree of nullity of the 1977 Carter-Torrijos treaties, and further, that the United States recognizes the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 has never been voided and remains legally binding.

It is important to obtain more co-signers. Please write, e-mail, or fax your representatives and senators of our state, since a joint resolution must be passed by both House and Senate. Urge them to contact Rep. Helen Chenoweth-Hage and lend their support by being a co-signer; then their names can be immediately added to the list after the recess. The key point to stress in your communication is that the Carter-Torrijos treaties are invalid.

We must save our canal for our defense and use. It's ours, let's keep it and defend it. Please take action today. Send your letters, etc., to:

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, 324 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510, e-mail: senator_reid@reid.senate.gov; U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan, 269 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20510, (775) 686-5770, Reno, e-mail: senator@bryan.senate.gov; U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, 100 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, Fax: (202) 225-5679, e-mail:gibbons@mail.house.gov. or U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkely, 1505 Longworth Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515, (702) 220-9823, Las Vegas, e-mail: shelly.berkely@mail.house.gov.