[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 199 (Thursday, December 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 1995

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, by Presidential proclamation, December 10-16 
has been designated Human Rights Week. As Americans prepare to 
celebrate the holidays and the coming new year, I hope that each of us 
will reflect upon the blessings we reap because of the deep commitment 
to human rights that America stands for. Indeed the world looks to us 
as a beacon or hope because of our tradition of respect for and 
continual effort to bring to life the freedoms enshrined in our 
Constitution.
  Those who have suffered from a denial of the basic human rights and 
fundamental freedoms, that we, in this country, often take for granted, 
known how important the achievement of human rights really is. In 
countries such as North Korea, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Burma, and Bosnia, 
people struggle to win the liberty that we have enjoyed for over 200 
years.
  In the United States, respect for international human rights has long 
been supported on a bipartisan basis. We have enjoyed many successes in 
advancing human rights, evidenced by the collapse of communism in 
Europe, the defeat of Communist subversion in Central America, and in 
the defeat of aggression in the Persian Gulf. We understand the role 
that human rights can play in advancing democracy and economic 
development with free markets. For instance, in the collapse of 
communism in the Soviet Union and its satellites, human rights was a 
key aspect of the difference between the quality of life in Western and 
Communist societies, and therefore became decisive as the people of the 
Communist bloc rose against their governments.
  The importance of restoring human rights has been recognized in the 
Dayton peace agreement for Bosnia. We hope and pray that as our troops 
are deployed, the Bosnian people will seize the opportunity for justice 
and reconciliation, so that all the people of Bosnia can rejoin the 
community of nations as a free people. In Rwanda, success in restoring 
an acceptable standard of human rights will determine whether Rwandan 
refugees can return home in peace and safety, and rebuild shattered 
lives.
  Maintaining international standards for human rights, promoting these 
standards, and encouraging their adoption where necessary remain a key 
aspiration of our Nation's policy. Let us resolve to continue our 
efforts to ensure for all the enjoyment of human rights.

                          ____________________