[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           RECOGNITION OF THE 11TH ANNUAL JAMES JOYCE RAMBLE

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 1994

  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 11th annual 
James Joyce Ramble. This road race is one of the truly extraordinary 
community events in my district and is unlike any other running event 
in the country.
  The Ramble takes place on the historic streets of Dedham, MA and is 
named for the great Irish author James Joyce. Each segment of the 
course is named after a Joyce literary work and actors perform staged 
readings throughout the race. This along with traditional folk music, 
bagpipes, and Irish stepdancing, combine to create the unique and 
festive environment that is enjoyed by runners and spectators alike.
  At the heart of this event is charity. The race has donated well over 
$20,000 to the Dana-Faber Institute for Cancer Research. I am confident 
that with strong public support and the assistance of the many fine 
sponsors it will continue being an important contributor.
  Beyond this fine charity work, the Ramble serves another equally 
important purpose. Each year the Ramble actively supports and petitions 
on behalf of an amnesty international writer and prisoner of 
conscience. This effort has raised public consciousness over the plight 
of a number of authors, most notably Vaclav Havel.
  This year the race is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi, a leader in 
Burma's democracy movement who has been held without charge or trial 
since 1989. Aung San Suu Kyi is the General Secretary for the National 
League of Democracy and her only alleged crime is the organization of 
peaceful protests. In her own words her protests are, ``no more violent 
than is necessary to bank the keys of a typewriter.'' To date, she 
remains imprisoned with no contact with the outside world and there is 
no indication that she will ever be released.
  I join the James Joyce Ramble and Amnesty International in urging the 
immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi on humanitarian grounds. We can 
not ignore this case. There is no justification for the indefinite 
imprisonment of a peaceful activist, without a charge and without a 
trial.
  I would also take this opportunity to salute the Ramble 
collaborative, race founder Martin Hanley, the local Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans, and 
the countless others who help organize the James Joyce Ramble and make 
it a success year after year. The spirit of charity and humanity that 
this event embodies cannot be overlooked.

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