[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S6722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              CHRISTOPHER F. PATTEN, GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise this afternoon to say a thank you on 
behalf of myself and I feel a thank you as well on behalf of my 99 
colleagues to his Excellency, Christopher F. Patten, the outgoing 
Governor of Hong Kong. Governor Patten has the particular distinction 
of being the last of 28 British Governors to preside over Hong Kong 
before this territory reverts back to the People's Republic of China on 
July 1--in just a few days.
  Chris Patten, as those of us in this body have come to know him over 
the years, is a truly remarkable individual. He has been a superb 
administrator and an inspiration to the people who he has sought to 
govern in Hong Kong.
  During his 5 years there, Chris Patten has watched the economy 
flourish under his stewardship. It grew by more than 30 percent in real 
terms over that period--a truly impressive performance. He has presided 
over a capable and honest civil service. Crime has fallen. The 
political situation has been stable and further democratized.
  These are all important achievements, but, in my view, the most 
important legacy of the Patten administration is that it leaves behind 
the seeds of democracy firmly planted in the minds and hearts of the 
people of Hong Kong.
  Thanks to Governor Patten and the people of Hong Kong, they were able 
to experience democracy firsthand by electing members of their local 
legislature, thereby making good on the British commitment to put in 
place a solidly based democratic administration.
  Sadly, Mr. President, the Chinese have already made the decision to 
dismantle the elected legislature and to replace it with an appointed 
council, hand-picked by Beijing. That may work for the moment. In time 
we will know whether the ``provisional legislature'' installed by 
Beijing is only a temporary setback to democracy or the first step down 
a very dark, dark road, indeed. I hope it is not the latter.
  Hopefully, Beijing will come to appreciate that it is virtually 
impossible to totally destroy democratic aspirations. As Governor 
Patten recently so eloquently put it, ``You can dismantle institutions 
but you can't dismantle benchmarks. People now know what a fair 
election is like, and they will surely know what an unfair election is 
like if one takes place.''
  Many political leaders leave office, Mr. President, less than popular 
with those that they have governed, some deservedly so and others 
unfairly so, because they have had to make hard choices that only 
history will record kindly.
  Not in the case of Chris Patten, in my view. Although few have had to 
make tougher decisions than he has, he leaves Hong Kong enormously 
popular, with 79 percent of the people of Hong Kong viewing him as 
having done a very good job, indeed.

  On Monday, June 30, Governor Patten and his wife, Lavender, and his 
daughters, Kate, Laura, and Alice, will depart Hong Kong. I am 
confident that the people of that place will hold Chris Patten in their 
hearts for years and years to come. As one who considers him a personal 
friend, I would like to add my personal congratulations and thanks to 
him for all that he has endeavored to do, and I know that his many, 
many friends here in this body and the other and across this country, 
and particularly in Hong Kong, will not forget the challenges he has 
placed before the Government of the People's Republic of China.
  (The remarks of Mr. Dodd pertaining to the introduction of S. 983 and 
Senate Joint Resolution 34 are located in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I thank the indulgence of my colleagues, 
Senator Byrd of West Virginia, Senator Graham of Florida, and Senator 
Baucus of Montana, for their time here this afternoon. I yield the 
floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair recognizes the distinguished Senator 
from West Virginia.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I note two other Senators on the floor who 
will be seeking recognition. May I ask, does either of them have to 
catch a plane?
  Mr. BAUCUS. Yes.
  Mr. BYRD. How soon?
  Mr. BAUCUS. Tomorrow.
  Mr. BYRD. I have to go somewhere tomorrow, too. I thought if the 
Senator wanted to catch a plane today, I would take my chair again.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Thank you.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may use as 
much time as I may consume. I can assure my colleagues it will not be 
long, but I do not want to be interrupted in the midst of this speech.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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