[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H3585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE AMERICAN PUBLIC OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSED TO MFN

  (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage all Members of this 
body to read the poll in today's Wall Street Journal.
  By an overwhelming margin, 67 percent of Americans polled by NBC News 
and the Wall Street Journal said that the United States should demand 
improvements in China's human rights if China wants to continue its 
current trading status of MFN; 67 percent.
  Among men, the percentage who favor human rights improvement before 
MFN was renewed was 63 percent. Among women, the percentage was a 
staggering 70 percent. And I say regarding my side, we are concerned 
about the gender gap. If we want to see a gender gap, 70 percent of the 
American women favor linking trade and MFN.
  No matter whether we break it down according to party affiliation, 
income, or age, the results are still the same: 60 to 70 percent favor 
demanding improvements in China's human rights record before renewing 
MFN. Republicans polled, 61 percent; Democrats, 73 percent. Of those 
earning $50,000 or more, 63 percent favor human rights; 76 percent of 
those earning less than $20,000 favored human rights improvements.
  The American people want the Congress to send a message about human 
rights. They want to send a message about the Catholic priests, the 
Protestant pastors, the Buddhist monks, and the Muslims being 
persecuted. I urge this Congress to send a message to the Chinese 
people. Vote to deny MFN.

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