[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1027-E1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE BURTON AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3540

                                 ______


                         HON. MICHAEL F. DOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 1996

  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, last night here on the House floor we 
witnessed an extraordinary

[[Page E1028]]

sight. The pending business was the amendment of the gentleman from 
Indiana [Mr. Burton], which would have singled out India for special 
criticism.
  What was extraordinary was that there was literally a line of 
Members--on both sides of the aisle--waiting to speak against the 
amendment. Not only was the overwhelming majority opposed to the Burton 
amendment, but the depth of their feeling was so strong that they felt 
the need to speak out publicly.
  I was one of those who came to the floor last night expecting to 
speak. However, in the interests of maintaining the schedule, I 
deferred until now.
  Let's look at what is happening in India. We recently had free and 
fair elections, which has led to the peaceful transfer of power. We 
have seen steady progress by India in improving its human rights 
record. We have seen steady progress in the opening up of Indian 
markets to American products. Now that there is a new government in 
India, we should ask ourselves what sort of message should we send to 
them about recent events there.
  How did the Burton amendment propose to respond to this progress? By 
singling out aid to India for special treatment and doing so in a way 
that would reverse the trend that has got us to where we are today. 
This is a nation with a population of over a billion people--a nation 
forced to deal with a multitude of ethnic groups and miles of disputed 
borders. Despite all these hurdles, India has maintained its democratic 
tradition, and has continued the difficult challenge of implementing 
broad economic reforms.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House has acted so decisively in 
expressing support for the continued evolution of Indian society.

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