[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 96 (Thursday, July 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

 
                   CAPTIVE NATIONS WEEK PROCLAMATION

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 1994

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to commemorate America's 
observance of Captive Nations Week.
  During the past few years, the world has seen unprecedented 
ideological and political changes across the European and Asian 
landscapes. Totalitarian governments and empires have collapsed, 
igniting the sparks of democracy and freedom. However, despite these 
immense strides of political and ideological progress, the world has 
not yet been completely purged of the evils of totalitarian 
dictatorship. As stated in the proclamation below, the people for 14 
nations of the world still remain under the manipulative bureaucracies 
of Communist dictatorships.
  As Americans, who ardently espouse and cherish those exact freedoms 
being withheld from these nation's citizens, it is imperative that we, 
as a nation, continue to strive for their realization of democracy.
  It is in this spirit of patriotism, democracy and responsibility that 
States and cities across America declare the week of July 17-23, 1994 
to be Captive Nations Week and issue the following Captive Nations 
Proclamation:

                   Captive Nations Week Proclamation

       Whereas, the dramatic changes in Central and Eastern 
     Europe, Central Asia, Africa and Central America have fully 
     vindicated the conceptual framework of the Captive Nations 
     Week Resolution, which the United States Congress passed in 
     1959, President Eisenhower signed as Public Law 86-90, and 
     every president since has proclaimed annually; and
       Whereas, the resolution demonstrated the foresight of the 
     Congress and has consistently been, through official and 
     private media, a basic source of inspiration, hope, and 
     confidence to all the captive nations; and
       Whereas, the recent liberation of many captive nations is 
     great cause for jubilation, it is vitally important that 
     numerous other captive nations remain under Communist 
     dictatorship and the residual structure of Soviet Russian 
     imperialism: among others, Cuba, Mainland China, Tibet, 
     Vietnam, Idel-Ural (Tatarstan etc.) the Far Eastern Republic 
     (Siberyaks); and
       Whereas, the freedom-loving peoples of the remaining 
     captive nations (well over 1 billion people) look to the 
     United States as the citadel of human freedom and to its 
     people as leaders in bringing about their freedom and 
     independence from Communist dictatorship and imperial rule; 
     and
       Whereas, in 1993, reaffirming P.L. 86-90, the Congress 
     passed the Friendship Act that authorizes the construction of 
     an international memorial honoring the Victims of Communism 
     in our Nation's capital, which President Clinton signed as 
     P.L. 103-199; and
       Whereas, the Congress by unanimous vote passed P.L. 86-90, 
     establishing the third week in July each year as Captive 
     Nations Week and inviting our people to observe such a week 
     with appropriate prayers, ceremonies and activities, 
     expressing our great sympathy with and support for the just 
     aspirations of the still remaining captive peoples.
       Now, Therefore, I ---------- do hereby proclaim that the 
     week commencing July 17-23, 1994 to be observed as Captive 
     Nations Week in ------ and call upon the citizens of -------- 
     to join with others in observing this week by offering 
     prayers and dedicating their efforts for the peaceful 
     liberation of the remaining captive nations.
       In Witness Whereof, I hereunto set my hand caused the Seal 
     of the ------ to be affixed this ------ day of July ----, 
     1994.
       As of today, July 21, 1994, the following States have 
     issued proclamations: Kansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, 
     Florida, South Carolina, Kentucky, Alaska, New York, 
     Connecticut, Mississippi, Idaho, Louisiana, and 
     Massachusetts.

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