[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

  Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of Senate 
Joint Resolution 168, designating ``Vietnam Human Rights Day,'' and 
that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration; that the 
joint resolution be deemed read three times, passed, and the motion to 
reconsider laid upon the table; that the preamble be agreed to; and 
that any statements relating thereto appear in the Record at the 
appropriate place.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  So the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 168) was deemed read the third 
time and passed.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The joint resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 168

       Whereas May 11, 1994, is the fourth anniversary of the 
     issuance of the Manifesto of the Non-Violent Movement for 
     Human Rights in Vietnam;
       Whereas the Manifesto, which calls upon Hanoi to respect 
     basic human rights, accept a multiparty system, and restore 
     the right of the Vietnamese people to choose their own form 
     of government through free and fair elections, reflects the 
     will and aspirations of the people of Vietnam;
       Whereas the author of the Manifesto, Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, 
     and thousands of innocent Vietnamese, including religious 
     leaders, are imprisoned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
     because of their nonviolent struggle for freedom and human 
     rights;
       Whereas the leaders of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
     are seeking to expand diplomatic and trade relations with the 
     rest of the world;
       Whereas the United States, as the leader of the free world, 
     has a special responsibility to safeguard freedom and promote 
     the protection of human rights throughout the world; and
       Whereas the Congress urges Hanoi to release immediately and 
     unconditionally all political prisoners, including Dr. Nguyen 
     Dan Que, with full restoration of their civil and human 
     rights; guarantee equal protection under the law to all 
     Vietnamese, regardless of religious belief, political 
     philosophy, or previous associations; restore all basic human 
     rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, movement, and 
     association; abolish the single party system and permit the 
     functioning of all political organizations without 
     intimidation or harassment and announce a framework and 
     timetable for free and fair election under the sponsorship of 
     the United Nations that will allow the Vietnamese people to 
     choose their own form of government: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That May 11, 
     1994, is designated as ``Vietnam Human Rights Day'' in 
     support of efforts by the Non-Violent Movement for Human 
     Rights in Vietnam to achieve freedom and human right for the 
     people of Vietnam, and the President is authorized and 
     requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of 
     the United States to commemorate such day with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

                          ____________________