[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H1192-H1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING DEMOCRACY IN BOTSWANA
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 373) commending democracy in Botswana.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 373
Whereas Sir Ketumile Masire has been involved in politics
in his country since he co-founded the Bechuanaland
Democratic Party (later the Botswana Democratic Party) with
Seretse Khama in 1962;
Whereas Sir Ketumile Masire was elected to Botswana's first
Parliament in 1965, later became Vice President under
President Seretse Khama, and succeeded President Khama as
President upon his death in 1980;
Whereas under President Masire's administration Botswana
has maintained a successful multiparty constitutional
democracy with regular free and fair elections;
Whereas President Masire plans to retire from the
presidency on March 31, 1998;
Whereas the Government of Botswana has worked
constructively with the Organization of African Unity, the
Southern African Development Community, and other
organizations to promote democracy in Africa;
Whereas Botswana is a long standing friend of the United
States and was selected as the site of a major Voice of
America radio relay station because of its stability; and
Whereas President Clinton plans to enhance United States
relations with Botswana through an upcoming official visit to
Botswana: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commends the people of Botswana for their commitment to
democracy;
(2) commends Sir Ketumile Masire for his long and
distinguished service to his country and the cause of
democracy in Africa;
(3) calls on President Masire's successor to pursue the
course set by President Masire by maintaining a democratic
Botswana;
(4) calls on the Government of Botswana to continue playing
a positive role in African and world affairs; and
(5) encourages the Government of Botswana to continue
promoting peace, democracy, respect for human rights, and
economic reform in Africa.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).
(Mr. ROYCE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
General Leave
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H. Res. 373.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the government of
Botswana and the people of Botswana for their long-standing commitment
to democracy. Since he took office in 1980, President Ketumile Masire
has presided over a government that has honored the democratic process.
His government has been a model of democratically-rooted stability and
development for Africa, and it has been a model for the world.
Botswana also is a long-standing friend of the United States and has
played a constructive diplomatic role in Africa and in the world. Yet
Botswana is a bit of a forgotten African country. This bill brings
attention to Botswana by commending its people for their democratic
commitment.
After nearly 18 years in office, President Masire is stepping down
within days of our action here today. The resolution commends him for
his service to his country. All too often, we criticize African leaders
for the things they do wrong, but we seldom take the opportunity to
commend them for a job well done. This resolution offers us the chance
to send such a positive message.
Botswana has been at the vanguard of African democratic and economic
reform. This southern African nation has been a model for its neighbors
and in several forums has worked diligently to promote peace and
cooperation. At this time of renaissance for Africa, it is altogether
appropriate for us to acknowledge the positive role Botswana has made
in Africa and on the world stage.
The bill has bipartisan support, as demonstrated by its unanimous
approval by the Committee on International Relations last week.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of the resolution.
Botswana is a success story. It is one of Africa's oldest continuous
democracies. It has been active in promoting regional integration in
southern Africa. Its military has a very professional reputation; and
Botswana has been active in social programs, including conservation
efforts.
Congress is going on record today in recognition of that success and
commending President Masire for his leadership on the eve of his
retirement. I hope this resolution will encourage Botswana to continue
its democratic tradition and to continue its constructive foreign
policies.
I would like to urge my colleagues to join the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and me in recognizing Botswana's success by
voting yes on this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on
International Relations.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Royce), the distinguished chairman of our Subcommittee on Africa, and
the cosponsors of this resolution, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Menendez), the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Africa, and the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Payne). This resolution passed our committee by a voice vote March 12.
Botswana is highly deserving of the praise contained in this
resolution. Its great progress on democracy and free-market economics
since independence is a model for other nations in the region and
elsewhere. I am pleased that President Clinton is going to be visiting
Botswana later this month during his historic trip to Africa.
Botswana's neighborhood is southern Africa, which today is an island
of stability on the troubled continent of Africa. Peace has taken hold
in Mozambique, apartheid has been vanquished in South Africa, and the
senseless killing in Angola appears to be over.
Even when this region was not so stable and when Botswana was
surrounded by wars and oppressive regimes, Botswana managed to embrace
the best of Western values and to provide its people with an
increasingly higher standard of living. This is no small accomplishment
in that part of the world.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this worthy resolution.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), a member of the Committee on International
Relations.
[[Page H1193]]
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I do want to thank my colleague, the
chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, for yielding me the time. I
want to commend him and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez)
and all the cosponsors of this resolution.
As the gentleman from California mentioned a few minutes ago,
sometimes it appears we only bring resolutions which criticize other
countries. Here is an example of a country which has moved in a very
exemplary fashion in so many areas.
Since its independence in September of 1996, Botswana has been a
successful multiparty democracy. It has consistently scored high in
human rights reports by the State Department. It has been a long-
standing ally of the United States, and it has consistently supported
U.S. positions in international fora. Through increased adherence to
free-market principles, Botswana has experienced remarkable economic
growth, it has made U.S. economic assistance unnecessary, and it has
done it in a part of a continent where that is not always the case.
We often encourage African countries to spend money on social
concerns such as education and health, and the President Masire
government has done exactly that. Unlike so many other leaders in many
countries and certainly in Africa, the President is stepping down
voluntarily. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party offered him the
chance to be exempt from new term limits on the presidency, but he
refused. I think he is setting an outstanding example for the future in
this multiparty democracy.
It is entirely appropriate that we do commend Botswana for the very
impressive progress they have made. I commend my colleague for bringing
this to the attention of the House.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, President Clinton is scheduled to visit
Botswana later this month. I am scheduled to accompany him on that
trip. We have spoken with the administration about this resolution, and
they strongly support this measure as a positive sign to our friends in
Botswana.
It would be my honor to present this resolution to President Masire
on behalf of this House. I urge my colleagues to make this possible by
approving this resolution today.
Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this Botswana
resolution. President Clinton will be traveling to Botswana in March.
He chose Botswana not only for the country's strong democratic values
but the increase in economic growth. The economy is market oriented,
with strong encouragement for private enterprise. The diamond revenues
and solid economic and fiscal policies has resulted in improved growth.
Per capita gross domestic product was approximately $2800 last year,
and it is increasing at a robust annual rate of approximately 7
percent. I understand that elections should take place soon and the
Botswana Democratic Party leader, Mr. Masire, will be handing over the
reins to his Vice President. Many years ago in Africa when a President
took over, he was President for life. We have seen that in Malawi where
life President Banda just recently after 30 years handed it over. This
is a step really in the right direction.
Let me say that I had the opportunity to participate in a forum to
voice my concerns to the NSC and State Department before the President
embarks upon his journey to Africa. One thing that came out of the
dialogue is that women are a dominant and important part of the economy
throughout Africa. Ghanian women account for almost 90 percent of the
market economy. I know the government of Botswana is working to make
improvements in this area. Two years ago I applauded the government for
taking the initiative to formulate a long-term plan of action to
implement the National Policy on Women specifically working on property
rights.
In conclusion, let me say that we should congratulate countries like
Botswana and that they are eager to be in the first round of the Growth
and Opportunity Act. As a matter of fact, for the last 4 or 5 years,
Botswana has had a surplus of over a billion dollars each year which
has been put aside into the coffers of that country. I would once again
like to congratulate that outstanding country and look forward to
visiting there with the President in the coming week.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time. I rise in strong support of the resolution. I want to commend the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the distinguished chairman of
the Subcommittee on Africa, for offering this thoughtful and timely
resolution. As a member of the subcommittee, I have had the pleasure of
working closely with the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce). I think
I speak for all the Members when I say we appreciate his able
leadership. I also want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman), the chairman of the committee; the gentleman from New Jersey
(Mr. Menendez), the ranking member of the subcommittee; and the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) for their work on this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, Botswana is one of the great success stories of sub-
Saharan Africa. As the President prepares to embark on his historic
trip to that part of the world, it is fitting that we send along a
message of commendation and encouragement to the government and the
people of Botswana. Under the leadership of President Masire, Botswana
has maintained a successful, multiparty constitutional democracy with
free and fair elections. This resolution commends Mr. Masire on the
occasion of his retirement and calls upon his political successors to
continue promoting peace, democracy, respect for human rights and
economic reform in Africa.
Mr. Speaker, this is a well-crafted resolution that deserves the
support of every Member of this body. I want to again commend the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) and the other Members that I
referred to. I also want to commend the President on making this trip
to Africa. I urge support for the resolution.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 373.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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