[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        STATEMENT ON THE FREEDOM FROM RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION BILL

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 1998

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I voted against the ``Freedom From 
Religious Persecution Act'' because of conversations I had with 
religious leaders from around the world who convinced me this approach 
would not stop religious persecution, but could actually backfire.
  During a meeting with a variety of Christian religious leaders 
organized by the National Council of Churches, I had the opportunity to 
visit with a number of bishops and ministers from Indonesian, Pakistan, 
the Middle East and the former Soviet Union. They were unanimous in 
their fear that the United States had very little cause to force 
countries to be more tolerant with different religious faiths. They 
were unanimous in their fear that this bill could be perceived 
interference by the United States and could actually make things worse 
for the members of their faith.
  Since I've arrived in Congress I have been working to understand the 
role the United States plays as the remaining superpower, militarily 
and economically, and I would hope morally. I have met with religious 
and business and political leaders both overseas and here in the United 
States including Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner 
from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and known dissidents in 
Thailand. I am convinced we do have a constructive role to play 
regarding religious persecution, but this legislation does not meet 
that goal.

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