[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 45 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 45

To honor 1996 Nobel Peace Prize recipients Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes 
 Belo and Jose Ramos-Horta, and to express support for the process of 
            building a just and lasting peace in East Timor.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 10, 1997

 Mr. Hall of Ohio (for himself, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, 
  Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, Mrs. Morella, 
    Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Lantos, and Mr. Porter) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
To honor 1996 Nobel Peace Prize recipients Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes 
 Belo and Jose Ramos-Horta, and to express support for the process of 
            building a just and lasting peace in East Timor.

Whereas the Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1996 
        to Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo and Jose Ramos-Horta for their 
        tireless efforts to find a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in 
        East Timor;
Whereas Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 and has since systematically 
        oppressed the people of East Timor;
Whereas since 1975 one-third of the population of East Timor is estimated to 
        have perished of starvation, war, and terror;
Whereas Indonesia's invasion was condemned by the United Nations, as was its 
        subsequent occupation of East Timor;
Whereas on November 12, 1991, Indonesian troops opened fire on thousands of 
        peaceful mourners and demonstrators at the Santa Cruz cemetery in Dili, 
        the capital of East Timor, killing hundreds and wounding hundreds;
Whereas Bishop Belo has been the preemminent representative of the people of 
        East Timor, and has at great risk to his own life fought for the human 
        and civil rights of the people of East Timor, while also being a 
        steadfast advocate for nonviolence and dialogue between the people of 
        East Timor and the Indonesian authorities;
Whereas Ramos-Horta has since 1975 been the leading international spokesman for 
        the people of East Timor, and has made valuable contributions to their 
        cause through his efforts to create a peace plan for the region; and
Whereas both men are an inspiration not only for those who desire peace in East 
        Timor, but for those the world over who seek peacefully to resolve 
        longstanding, bloody conflicts: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes, admires, and honors Carlos Felipe Ximenes 
        Belo and Jose Ramos-Horta for their sustained and self-
        sacrificing contributions on behalf of their oppressed people;
            (2) expresses its support for the continued efforts of 
        Bishop Belo, Ramos-Horta, and the people of East Timor; and
            (3) affirms its support for a diplomatic solution to the 
        conflict in East Timor based on the people's right to self-
        determination.
                                 <all>