[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 48 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        THE VOTE IN SOUTH AFRICA

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 1994

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today marks a new dawn for 
the people of South Africa and the world. After many, many years of an 
oppressive political system in which South Africa's black majority were 
denied any voice in national affairs, an entire country marched to the 
ballot box in hopes of creating a free and democratic society. 
Beginning April 26, masses of people converged on more than 9,000 
polling stations eager to shed the yoke of disenfranchisement; the 
elderly and disabled arrived hours before the stations were scheduled 
to open, and one woman--too feeble to walk--even came in a wheel-
barrow. This historic all-race election ends decades of state-sponsored 
racial oppression, and we can all hope that it puts the final nail in 
the coffin of apartheid.
  The world rejoices in this remarkable achievement, and I am 
especially proud that the district I represent has played an important 
role in the electoral process. More than 200 South Africans traveled to 
the State Fairgounds in Raleigh, NC, to cast their vote along with 
their compatriots across the Atlantic. Raleigh was 1 of 17 American 
cities designated as polling sites for South Africans living in the 
United States. I congratulate Judith Hargrove, who was contracted by 
the South Africa Consulate to coordinate the effort, on a job well 
done.
  One cannot pause in recognition of this historic moment, however, 
without recognizing the courage and sacrifices of the many individuals 
and groups who have labored for South Africa's liberation. This 
election culminates years of massive civil disobedience, international 
protests, and 3 years of negotiations. The forces that stood in 
opposition to the apartheid regime persevered in the face of seemingly 
unsurmountable obstacles. These obstacles--including recent bombings 
intended to intimidate voters--could have derailed the electoral 
process. To the contrary, these acts have only strengthened the South 
African people's resolve to create and nurture a free and politically 
tolerant home for themselves and their children. The message is clear; 
these attempts to frustrate the will of the people are futile. In the 
words of Nelson Mandela, ``the forces are far more powerful.''
  Let me remind this body and the international community, however, 
that elections alone will not deliver stability and prosperity for 
South Africa. Apartheid is dead, but we are only beginning to address 
the great challenges that establishing a government of national unity 
will no doubt present. South Africa is still a fractured society, with 
unemployment and illiteracy higher than 50 percent among blacks. South 
Africans and the international community must not flag in our 
commitment to making this democratic experiment work.
  Again, I commend the people of South Africa on their tremendous 
accomplishment, including those who cast this historic vote in Raleigh. 
This is indeed a day to celebrate.

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