[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 78 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

 Mr. SIMON. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the Day 
of the African Child. Since 1991, this day has been celebrated around 
the world as the day to focus on Africa's future--its children. This 
day was first inaugurated in memory of South African school children 
who were massacred on June 16, 1976. Elementary and high school age 
children rose up against the system of apartheid education. It was out 
of the strength and energy of South Africa's children that the modern 
day anti-apartheid movement originated. The courage of the children of 
South Africa so galvanized the international community that the power 
corridors of the world were forced into action. American commercial 
firms poured out of South Africa, and American benevolence rushed in to 
fill the void. We shouldn't forget that it was South Africa's children 
who kept those banned personalities of Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko 
alive in the hearts and minds of us all. Many of those children 
sacrificed their life to keep this faith alive.
  Today, it is South Africa's children who are working in partnership 
with President Mandela to lead South Africa into a glorious future. 
Many have suggested that South Africa will never be stable. However, it 
is the youth of South Africa who are returning to their homeland. They 
have made the transformation from liberation movement to arbiters of 
South Africa's political and financial future. There is no better 
indicator of South Africa's great future than the return to its shores 
of those young people who have much to lose by taking the chance of 
returning home. But none the less, they have so much to contribute to 
the success of not only South Africa's future, but that of the region 
as well.
  Mr. President, I would like to draw your attention to Angola's 
children. I recently returned from Angola with Senators Harry Reid and 
Russell Feingold. During our visit, we toured the largest hospital in 
Angola--Jocina Machel. Up to 15 children die each day in this hospital. 
At the time of our visit, 6 had already died. Mr. President, as a 
father and grandfather, it was difficult to look into the eyes of some 
of those children that I knew would die sometime that same day.
  On this Day of the African Child, I would like to ask that each of us 
do what we can to assist Africa's children. Most of her children are 
not in the dire straits that the media purports. For instance, over 50 
percent of African girls are enrolled in primary schools, and in many 
urban areas, more than 80 percent of Africa's children have safe 
drinking water. I hate to sound like those commercials on TV that ask 
us to donate 50 cents per day to save a child's life. I say that 
because as Members of Congress, we can do more than sending just 50 
cents a day. We are presently reforming the way in which we provide 
foreign assistance. I will be seeking to add additional language to the 
bill to require AID and other agencies to work harder to alleviate 
poverty. This will be my contribution not only to Africa's children, 
but to all the world's children.
  Mr. President, today I urge all my colleagues to go beyond committing 
themselves to a single contribution to a organization to help just one 
child. Let's make a long-term commitment to acting in partnerships that 
would guarantee the survival of Africa's children.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, late last week, the Senate passed an 
amendment dealing with the subject of religious harassment. I joined my 
colleague from Colorado, Senator Brown, in offering that amendment.
  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] has proposed 
guidelines to provide employers with guidance in the elimination of 
workplace harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, national 
origin, age, and disability. These are worthy goals--the elimination of 
all forms of harassment in the workplace is something I strongly 
support.
  Unfortunately, when it comes to the matter of religious harassment, 
the EEOC guidelines could create serious problems for employers and 
threaten to stifle our freedom of speech and freedom of religion. They 
are vague. They are too broad. They show a lack of common sense. And, 
frankly, they make me question whether some of the folks at the EEOC 
are in touch with the reality of life in the American workplace.
  Expressions of religious belief by an individual in the workplace, 
for instance, could be considered religious harassment by another based 
solely on the fact that the statement showed aversion to the faith, the 
religion, or the beliefs of another person or that person's relative, 
friend, or associate.
  I shudder to think of the mischief this could cause. I shudder to 
think of the frivolous lawsuits this could spawn. And I shudder to 
think of the tensions this is likely to create for both employers and 
employees. Delta Airlines, for example, has already issued a directive 
to its employees asking them to refrain from any display or discussion 
of their religious beliefs.
  In essence, the EEOC could effectively designate every American 
workplace a ``Religion-Free Zone.'' Let me provide a few examples of 
the types of activities that could be grounds for a lawsuit under the 
EEOC guidelines: wearing a cross around the neck; displaying a picture 
of Christ on an office desk or wall; having a Bible on your desk; or 
praying while at work.
  The EEOC needs to be sent back to the drawing board. Their proposed 
regulations are too broad, too ambiguous, and they threaten two 
cherished values: freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I am, 
therefore, pleased that the Senate passed this worthy amendment.

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