[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H1295-H1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 VICE PRESIDENT GORE TOASTS THE TYRANTS

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, the character of the Clinton administration 
was on display for the entire world to see when Vice President Gore 
recently clinked champagne glasses with Li Peng, the mastermind of the 
Tiananmen Square massacre. Fortunately, the tough and thoughtful 
comments made by the Speaker of this House served as a welcome 
contrast.
  The Vice President cited that relationship between two great nations 
and civilizations in his tribute to the Communist dictatorship in 
Beijing. Well, he was half right. The United States of America is 
indeed a great Nation, but then our Government does not imprison 
priests and monks and other religious people. Our Government does not 
force women to have abortions against their will or sanction torture or 
throw in jail those who express opinions that do not reflect the 
official government line.
  Mr. Speaker, the Vice President's remarks sent the wrong message to 
China, but as the Cincinnati Post editorialized last week, it was 
refreshing

[[Page H1296]]

to see the Speaker actually say face to face to the Chinese what is 
frequently discussed in the United States: Human rights do matter, and 
the truth needs to be told.

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