[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 109 (Tuesday, August 9, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         MORE ON THE CRIME BILL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
February 11, 1994, and June 10, 1994, the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. 
Eddie Bernice Johnson] is recognized during morning business for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise on 
behalf of the crime bill. It is clear to me that probably not a single 
person is pleased with every element of the crime bill. I am probably 
just as displeased as many others.
  We do extend the death penalty, and we do not have the racial justice 
provision in the bill. But, Mr. Speaker, we do have prevention. The 
majority of the people in this country want to see criminals off the 
street. They want to see crime stopped. I want the same thing.
  I would like to see more fairness in the criminal justice system. But 
I do not believe that we are going to get it stated in this bill. I 
believe it is a challenge to continue to work, but I do believe that 
when we approach crime, we have three things to do: We have to prevent; 
we have to do something with the persons who break the law; and we have 
to rehabilitate.

                              {time}  1120

  This bill does all three things. That is the reason why I am going to 
support this bill. I am supporting this bill because I am not here 
representing my emotions. I am here representing almost 600,000 people 
in District 30, Texas.
  They want to see a crime bill passed. For that reason, I am going to 
support the crime bill. I am going to vote for the rule and I am going 
to vote for the bill, not because I think it is perfect, not because it 
has directed any court to be any more fair, but when we look at Federal 
versus State, many of the problems of unfairness come more with State 
law than with Federal law.
  It is a challenge to keep working, Mr. Speaker, but it is not time at 
this point to stop. We must respond to the people, and we must pass 
this bill.
  Another area that requires a great deal of attention, Mr. Speaker, 
for my entire career in politics, which spans over 20 years, I have 
stood up and I have spoken out for human rights. I continue to do that, 
but I do believe at this time it is appropriate for the country of 
China to separate that issue and trade. In many instances, it has not 
been separated.
  All the circumstances have been different. Many will talk about South 
Africa. South Africa stood and cried out to the world, with 75 to 90 
percent of the people crying out to the world to stop trade. The entire 
would responded. No one in China is crying out, saying ``Stop trade.''
  One of the ways to make human rights better in China is to be sure 
that people have a way to make a living, to become independent, and to 
get in a position to have more ownership.
  Mr. Speaker, I believe that the President is right. I believe that we 
can put provisions, negotiate them, look at the past cultures, and 
decide that yes, we will not compromise human rights, but we must look 
at trade. Human rights must continue to be a vital consideration as 
America forms its policy toward China, as well as the policy toward 
other areas in the world. We must be consistent.
  However, Mr. Speaker, the United States must pursue policies which 
are specific to each of the issues which affect our relationship to 
China, in order to achieve positive results. When a president of a 
country looks you straight in the eye and says ``How can you judge me? 
What are you doing,'' how do we answer?
  The continuation of China's most-favored-nation status is a necessary 
part of America's policy toward China. We must recognize that China 
will not be bullied, and an open and constructive approach is required 
to cultivate the relationship and advance American interests.
  Whether those interests lie in trade or human rights, we must look at 
those separate issues in every part of the world, as well as our own 
country.

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