[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H4577-H4585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3156) to present a congressional gold medal to Nelson 
Rolihlahla Mandela.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3156

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Nelson Mandela has dedicated his entire life to the 
     abolition of apartheid and the creation of a true democracy 
     in the Republic of South Africa and has sacrificed his own 
     personal freedom for the good of everyone.
       (2) For nearly 30 years as a political prisoner, Nelson 
     Mandela never compromised his political principles, was a 
     source of strength and education for other political 
     prisoners, and refused offers of freedom in exchange for a 
     renunciation of his personal and political beliefs.
       (3) After his release from prison, Nelson Mandela continued 
     to pursue his goal of a free South Africa, and was elected 
     and subsequently inaugurated as State President of the 
     Republic of South Africa on May 10, 1994, at the age of 75 
     years.
       (4) Nelson Mandela's dedication to freedom did not cease 
     once the apartheid laws were

[[Page H4578]]

     lifted, as he then focused his efforts toward reconciliation 
     by creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired 
     by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
       (5) Nelson Mandela is the recipient of many awards and 
     accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize (which he accepted 
     with then-State President F.W. de Klerk in 1993), and more 
     than 50 honorary degrees from universities around the world.
       (6) Millions of individuals of all races and backgrounds in 
     the United States and around the world followed Nelson 
     Mandela's example and fought for the abolition of apartheid 
     in the Republic of South Africa and in this regard the 
     Congress recognizes Amy Elizabeth Biehl, an American student 
     who lost her life in the struggle to free South Africa from 
     racial oppression, and the spirit of forgiveness and 
     reconciliation displayed by her parents, Peter and Linda 
     Biehl.
       (7) Nelson Mandela is a prime example of how to work to 
     heal the wounds of racism.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized 
     to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of 
     appropriate design to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in 
     recognition of his life-long dedication to the abolition of 
     apartheid and the promotion of reconciliation among the 
     people of the Republic of South Africa.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the 
     presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
     emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
     Secretary.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the 
     Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the 
     gold medal struck under section 2 at a price sufficient to 
     cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, 
     dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       The medals struck under this Act are national medals for 
     purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 5. FUNDING AND PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authorization.--There is hereby authorized to be 
     charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund 
     an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the 
     medals authorized by this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in 
     the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I rise in support of H.R. 3156, the bill 
to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson Mandela, a man who is the 
linchpin of stability and democracy in Africa. I use the term advisedly 
because a linchpin is inserted at the end of a shaft to keep the wheel 
from coming off. It is an apt metaphor for the role of Mr. Mandela and 
South Africa at this point in the history of that troubled continent. 
Subsequent speakers will detail this Nobel Laureate's manifold 
accomplishments and the international recognition he has received since 
his release from nearly 30 years' imprisonment on Robben Island.
  H.R. 3156 complies with Committee on Banking and Financial Services' 
rules regarding the authorization of gold medals. Although a committee 
markup was not held, 293 Members are cosponsors. There is no known 
opposition from Members of Congress or the United States Mint.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is the product of the hard work of my 
esteemed colleague, the gentleman from New York (Amo Houghton).
  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Houghton) and ask unanimous consent that he may be permitted 
to yield blocks of time to others who may wish to speak to this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and thank the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for yielding me this 
time.
  I would like to talk about this bill, H.R. 3156. I think it is a very 
important bill because it attacks an important issue in our society and 
one of the most exemplary men who lives today.
  This is a bipartisan bill. Beside me is the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Gilman) of the Committee on International Relations. He and the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Lee Hamilton), who is the minority member 
of that committee, have been endorsing it; the gentleman from Georgia 
(Mr. Newt Gingrich), the Speaker; the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Gephardt); the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Maxine Waters); the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Steve Chabot); the gentleman from South 
Carolina (Mr. Mark Sanford); the gentleman from New York (Mr. Charlie 
Rangel); the gentleman from California (Mr. Tom Campbell); the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Don Payne); the gentleman from Nebraska 
(Mr. Doug Bereuter); the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Alcee Hastings); 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. John Lewis), importantly the gentleman 
from Georgia (Mr. Lewis); the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Jim 
McDermott); the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Bob Menendez); and Mr. 
Ron Dellums, among others. And I think, as the gentleman from Delaware 
(Mr. Castle) said, there are almost 300 people that have signed on to 
this.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is really very, very special. It was 
awarded first to George Washington in 1776, and then to a variety of 
other people, Jonas Salk, Robert Frost, Walt Disney, Mary Lasker, Frank 
Sinatra, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, and Colin Powell. Nelson Mandela 
is really an appropriate addition to this esteemed list.
  The simple yet important bill we propose here today recognizes Mr. 
Mandela because of several features: one, his ending of racism in that 
important country of South Africa, in Africa; promoting democracy and 
also encouraging this extraordinary concept of truth and 
reconciliation.
  Also, I would like to mention, Mr. Speaker, that Peter and Linda 
Biehl of La Quinta, California, are also recognized by the bill. Some 
of you may remember, this is an extraordinary family, whose daughter 
Amy was killed in one of the districts in South Africa trying to help 
and encourage in the teaching of young black children.

                              {time}  1415

  There is no recrimination, there is no nastiness, there is no 
retribution there. They actually testified in front of Bishop Tutu's 
Truth and Reconciliation Committee and really represent everything that 
I am sure Mr. Mandela would have liked to have seen if he had been 
there by an example of his life.
  The timing of this bill is pretty important. Today is called Youth 
Day. And Youth Day really represents an extraordinary day in 1976 when 
there was the student riots in Soweto and the ensuing deaths of many 
people.
  Also, it just so happens, 2 days from now, on the 18th of June, will 
be Mr. Mandela's 80th birthday.
  Now, let me also give credit to people who stood beside us as we were 
proposing this legislation. And sometimes we do not hear about them. 
There is the Fulbright Association, the Young Women's Christian 
Association, the Results Group, the Catholic Relief Services, the 
American Committee on Africa, the Education on Africa, African-American 
Institute, and Senator Al D'Amato.
  Let me try to encapsulate briefly what this medal means to me 
personally. First of all, it means great courage. Here is a man at the 
peak of his life representing everything that was good in South Africa, 
who was thrown into jail and stayed there almost unknown for 27 years. 
He came out of jail and, without any sense of violence or 
recrimination, started the process of healing the country, which 
ultimately ended up in his election as president.
  I can remember myself personally going into Soweto in 1985 at 
Christmas time, and it was one of the most terrifying experiences. I 
had been in World War II, but this was pretty terrifying. Some of these 
southern Rhodesians that had come down as police, the apartheid police, 
ransacking their car, practically stripping them bare to see if they 
concealed any weapons. This was the type of country that he came back 
to try to reconcile.
  He also has been associated with another hero, a great hero, which is 
Bishop Desmond Tutu, who has been in charge of the Truth and 
Reconciliation Committee.
  Another thing that I think of with Mr. Mandela is here is a man who 
is really putting this nation back on track. As President Clinton has 
said

[[Page H4579]]

many times, freedom means nothing unless you can do something with it. 
He said this when he was over in South Africa in the presence of Nelson 
Mandela about a month ago.
  He is really trying to knit together the economy so that the people 
who have been waiting for generations to be able to have meaningful 
jobs can get those jobs. It is not easy. We are trying to help. But he 
represents sort of an economic hope of job security, which nobody 
heretofore has represented.
  Another reason is that this is pretty important for the continent of 
Africa. As my colleagues know, we cannot pick up the paper, whether it 
is the story of Nigeria or the Sudan or anything, without realizing the 
terrorism and horrifying examples that are taking place over there. 
Here is a man defying all the elements of dictatorship, striding ahead, 
representing the best that country has to offer.
  Mr. Speaker, I really think that from my own standpoint, and I really 
sort of echo the feelings of my friends I hope, the world needs heroes 
and here is the genuine hero. I was reading something by the historian 
Daniel Boorstin the other day and it said,

       We are overwhelmed by the instant moment. We have lost our 
     sense of history. We have lost interest in the real examples 
     which alone can help us share standards for the humanity of 
     the future. Everything that we do in America is based on the 
     lives of people, some of whom we do not know, have never met, 
     and never will. When we try to find out how those people have 
     lived, we are really trying to find out how we ourselves live 
     and what we are all about.

  This is what Mr. Mandela is. Mr. Speaker, I am in awe of this man. 
Obviously, that is clear from what I said. There is no more fitting use 
of this great award than to give it to one of the world's great 
leaders. I thank my colleagues very much for letting me express myself 
here.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Gilman), 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 me the 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in strong support of H.R. 
3156, a bill to present a Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson Mandela.
  I want to thank my colleague and good friend the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Houghton), a member of our Committee on International 
Relations, for introducing this bill and working so diligently to bring 
the measure to the floor at this time.
  Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela is an international treasure. As the 
president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela is the embodiment of national 
reconciliation. His vision, his humility, and magnanimity have enabled 
South Africa to overcome the most bitter of social divisions.
  Nelson Mandela was oppressed by apartheid for decades. He was jailed 
for more than a quarter of a century as a political prisoner. In his 
autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela says,

       It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger 
     for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the 
     freedom of all people, white and black. I knew as well as I 
     knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as 
     surely as the oppressed. A man who takes away another man's 
     freedom is a prisoner of hatred, he is locked behind the bars 
     of prejudice and narrow-mindedness. I am not truly free if I 
     am taking away someone else's freedom, just as surely as I am 
     not free when my freedom is taken away from me. The oppressed 
     and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.

  Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela's words transcend South Africa and the 
fight against apartheid. They apply in Kosovo, to Bosnia, to Cambodia, 
to Afghanistan, to Rwanda, to Ireland, and any other place that is torn 
by ethnic, racial, or religious strife.
  Nelson Mandela's words of national reconciliation are a strong echo 
of those said by President Abraham Lincoln in his first inaugural 
address in 1861. Lincoln spoke directly to those who would secede from 
the Union,

       We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. 
     Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds 
     of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from 
     every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and 
     hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the 
     chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will 
     be, by the better angels of our nature.

  Mr. Speaker, the better angels of our nature are personified in 
Nelson Mandela. It is entirely appropriate that we honor him with the 
Congressional Gold Medal. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support 
this measure that has been offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Houghton).
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that we are here on the floor today 
considering legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson 
Mandela. It is a distinct honor to rise in support of this bill as the 
ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Domestic and Independent 
National Monetary Policy of the House Committee on Banking and 
Financial Services.
  I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) 
for introducing this bill and his tireless work and commitment to see 
it become law.
  Mr. Speaker, I take personal pride as a member of the Congress of the 
United States of America today and the work that I have been involved 
in for so many years because of Nelson Mandela and all of those brave 
men and women in South Africa who decided they would put their lives on 
the line to dismantle the unconscionable racist apartheid by the South 
African regime at that time.
  I can recall getting interested in this issue. I was asked to serve 
on the Board of Trans-Africa here in Washington D.C., headed by Randall 
Robinson. I was then a member of the California State Assembly. And 
because of my involvement on that board, I carried the divestment 
legislation for the State of California, divesting all of our pension 
funds from businesses that were doing business in South Africa.
  Well, that work carried me all over the United States of America and, 
of course, to South Africa at the appropriate time. We had the 
opportunity to work with Members of Congress. We had the opportunity to 
travel all over the country to universities and colleges organizing 
students. We had the opportunity to offer our legislation as a model to 
other legislators who wanted to carry divestment legislation. We were 
carrying divestment legislation at the state level. We had brave 
members of Congress; i.e., Ron Dellums, and others who were carrying 
the sanctions legislation here in Congress.
  We worked. We organized. We worked with Walter Sisulus. We worked 
with Mbeke. We worked with members of the ANC. We embraced the ANC when 
it was unpopular to do so because of the policy that they had embraced 
and the approach that they were taking to get rid of apartheid. It was 
some of the most important work that I have done in my entire career.
  My divestment legislation was signed into law, and I think I am 
prouder of that legislation than any other legislation that I have 
carried either there or here in the Congress of the United States.
  I traveled to South Africa when we first lifted the ban, when they 
first lifted the ban on the ANC and met with leaders from around the 
world as we talked about the work of the ANC. And of course, I traveled 
to South Africa on any number of cases, up to the point of time when 
Nelson Mandela was inaugurated to become the president of South Africa.
  The work that Nelson Mandela did, the time that he served in prison, 
the years that he spent in isolation on Robben Island was really the 
most motivational experience any human being could have. To see him 
dedicated to the proposition that they would be free no matter how 
powerful, no matter how overwhelming that regime was, was a lesson to 
all of us who were involved on a day-to-day basis in the civil rights 
movement, involved on a day-to-day basis trying to get justice right 
here in our own country. We cried with those who were involved in that 
struggle.
  When Nelson Mandela walked out of that prison, we stayed up all night 
and we danced the tutu. When he came to the United States following his 
release, I had the opportunity to produce him at the arena in Los 
Angeles, where we had 90,000 people who came and enjoyed his speech and 
a lot of cultural activity.
  Again, I stand here today so pleased and proud to join with all of 
the Members who are principal coauthors and

[[Page H4580]]

who are just supportive of the idea that he deserves this recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I will close my comments simply by saying, we could not 
do a better thing here in this Congress than give recognition to this 
gentleman who showed us all what it means to be a human being that is 
committed to justice and equality for all.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3156, legislation 
providing for the awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to South 
African President Nelson Mandela.
  I want to first take a moment to express my appreciation to my friend 
and distinguished colleague from New York (Mr. Houghton). I am pleased 
to join him as an original cosponsor. I thank him for working so hard 
to gather 291 cosponsors to this bill, and that is no small task.

                              {time}  1430

  I want to commend both the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) and 
Bob Van Wicklin of his staff for their extraordinary efforts in this 
matter. Nelson Mandela has earned this honor. He clearly deserves it. 
He has spent his entire life engaging in a struggle for freedom, 
battling those forces who would deny democracy to millions of South 
Africans and standing firm against forces who would continue 
indefinitely institutional racism.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we bestow this honor on President 
Mandela as he spends his final year in public service, the culmination 
of a lifetime of work on behalf of his countrymen. I am pleased to 
support this legislation, and I hope that we pass it overwhelmingly.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).
  (Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my ranking member and 
distinguished chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to add my support and congratulations for this 
Congress being keen enough to honor one of the finest gentlemen in our 
world today, Mr. Nelson Mandela, with a Congressional Gold Medal. As 
has been said already, he served over 30 years in one of the most 
horrible prisons in the world. He saw many of his fellow men and 
freedom fighters assassinated and die during that time. Nelson Mandela 
is certainly a role model for all of us to follow. Freedom, dignity and 
strength for all of us. I, too, worked on the sanctions bill in 
Michigan as we served in the Michigan legislature and am happy that the 
sanctions movement in this country made it possible not only for 
President Mandela to be free but to give all who suffer inhumanity a 
reason to live.
  Mr. Speaker, let us pass with pride and dignity the Congressional 
Gold Medal for President Nelson Mandela.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reverence, honor, and true respect not 
only for this legislation, but for the ideals and goals of President 
Nelson Mandela. A Congressional Gold Medal is woefully inadequate for 
the faith in God, the dedication to freedom, and the willingness to 
work with his former oppressors for the good of the world that is 
manifest in the person of President Mandela. Every person who has ever 
dedicated her or his life to human rights needs to look no further than 
to President Mandela as a penultimate example of service to humankind.
  As we move toward a new millennium, it is stunning to remember that 
President Mandela spent most of the last 50 years in prison at Robben 
Island, underground evading the South African police, or was fighting 
the various injustice and oppression that was apartheid. Before 
President Mandela was sentenced to life in prison at Robben Island, his 
statement from the dock in the Rivonia Trial ends with these words:

       I have fought against white domination, and I have fought 
     against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a 
     democratic and free society in which all persons live 
     together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an 
     ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs 
     be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

  For 27 years, President Mandela was at Robben Island Prison, a 
maximum security prison on a small island off the coast near Cape Town, 
South Africa; at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town and in December 1988 he 
was moved to the Victor Verster Prison near Paarl from where he was 
eventually released. President Mandela repeatedly and flatly rejected 
various offers made by his jailers for release upon his acceptance of 
second-class citizenship for him and his people. As President Mandela 
often said, ``prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Only free men can 
negotiate.'' His refusal to negotiate on anything less than an equal 
basis forged the fight for President Mandela, his wife Winnie, and his 
people in Africa and throughout the world.
  Freedom rung on February 11, 1990 when President Mandela was released 
from active captivity. Mind you, I said ``active captivity,'' as the 
spirit of President Mandela was never held captive. In 1991, at the 
first national conference of the African National Conference (ANC) held 
inside South Africa after being banned for decades, Nelson Mandela was 
elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, 
Oliver Tambo, became National Chairperson of the ANC. This day was 
fought for through the numerous protests and dedication of many 
organizations and individuals, specifically my colleagues of the 
Congressional Black Caucus, who continually and tirelessly put pressure 
upon Congress to adopt legislation that would ban trade and commerce 
with the then-oppressive government of South Africa.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that ``the true measure of a 
man is not where he stands during times of comfort and convenience, but 
where he stands during time of crisis and controversy.'' By Dr. King's 
words, President Mandela has set a standard that all Members of 
Congress should at least strive to attain. President Mandela, despite 
being chased like an animal in the streets of South Africa, beaten like 
a dead horse during inhuman and inhumane captivity over a quarter of a 
century, and being considered a banned person in the spoken and written 
word, never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and 
understanding. Despite terrible provocation, he has never answered 
racism with racism or hate with hate. His life continues to be an 
inspiration, in South Africa and throughout the world, to all who are 
oppressed and deprived, to all who are opposed to oppression and 
deprivation.
  In a life that is the veritable symbol of the triumph of the human 
Nelson Mandela accepted the 1993 Nobel Peace Price on behalf of all 
South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to 
the land of all of our mothers and fathers. It is my hope that when we 
award this Congressional Gold medal, we remember why we were elected to 
Congress in the first place: to concern ourselves not with the next 
election, but for making our country and our world better for the next 
generation. President Mandela demands nothing less from all of us--
Democrat or Republican, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, black or white. 
President Mandela has taught us the lesson of principles. It is time 
for Congress to collectively follow our teacher's courageous and superb 
guidance.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Mrs. Morella).
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of 
H.R. 3156, to present a Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson Mandela. I 
want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) who has worked 
so hard on this for introducing the measure which I have cosponsored. I 
also want to thank his staff person, Bob Van Wicklin, for the work he 
has done on it, too. It does not happen without good staff. I also want 
to take note of the strong bipartisan support for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela is a true hero, a role model for people 
all over the world who struggle for human rights, to the millions who 
still lack basic freedoms, and to many of us in this body. There is 
indeed something about this man. He exudes an aura of dignity, self-
confidence, commitment, determination, of conviction of his views.
  Nelson Mandela spent his adult life fighting for the freedom of his 
people, never wavering in his belief in the inherent dignity of all 
persons, regardless of color or creed. This is a lesson which he taught 
to colleagues in the African National Congress, to fellow political 
prisoners, and now to all South Africans. He never compromised his 
beliefs or his principles, no matter what reward was offered in return.
  I can remember being involved with the Aspin Institute on a 
congressional project on South Africa which was during apartheid and 
then post-apartheid.

[[Page H4581]]

Therefore, meeting with Nelson Mandela, and before that, actually 
meeting in a place where we had members of the Conservative Party, 
members of the National Party, members of the ANC who met with us 
individually with guards. They could not come into the same room 
together. Now look at what has happened. Nelson Mandela was released, 
Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the President of South Africa, and 
apartheid is no more. What a great man.
  As President, Nelson Mandela has continued to lead his people in the 
struggle for human rights and a democratic society. Importantly, he has 
also recognized the importance of societal reconciliation as a 
necessary component of this struggle. He is still a leader for millions 
of Americans and others who admire his leadership and his devotion to 
equal rights, and I am pleased that this Congress will recognize his 
work by presenting him with a Congressional Gold Medal.
  I urge support for H.R. 3156.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
California for yielding me this time and I want to thank the gentleman 
from New York. The two of us had an opportunity to be in South Africa 
last year.
  I will say to my colleagues that this could not be a more deserving 
honor than to honor President Nelson Mandela. As one of his daughters 
said often that she grew up without a father who then returned and 
became the father of a nation, I would simply say for all of us in 
America, we recognized that this fatherhood was sacrificing and tender 
and caring and strong. That is why Nelson Mandela can stand on the 
African continent and be respected by all of the nations and all of the 
people.
  It gives me great delight that we would come to this body and honor 
him. I am so very proud to be from a city like Houston and a State like 
Texas who knew immediately through the leadership of our respective 
black caucuses that we would divest our investments from South Africa. 
I salute the late Congressman Mickey Leland and the former council 
member Ernest McGowan who paid tribute by making sure that Texas stood 
strong. This is a great honor. He is a great friend. I thank the 
gentleman from New York for his leadership. Together we will recognize 
one of the greatest persons in the history of the world, President 
Nelson Mandela.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Furse).
  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Houghton) for yielding me this time and also for putting this 
wonderful effort together. Once in a while leadership just jumps up and 
this is the time, and we thank the gentleman so much for doing this.
  Mr. Speaker, I was a South African, and I can speak from experience 
how total was apartheid, how brutal was the regime. I was privileged 
while in South Africa to participate in the struggle against apartheid 
and then later in my life as an American citizen to work with 
individuals and organizations to assure that the boycott against the 
apartheid regime continued. Throughout my life, Nelson Mandela has been 
a beacon, a beacon for peace, for justice, for reconciliation. Like 
Gandhi, like Martin Luther King, Jr., he rose from personal pain to 
become a hope for all of us. But Members do not really need to hear my 
words, because President Mandela himself describes himself and his 
humility, the humility of this man who spent 27 years in jail, 27 years 
for the crime of believing in democracy. How does he describe himself?
  He says, ``I was simply the sum of all those African patriots who had 
gone before me. That long and noble line ended and now began again with 
me. I was pained that I was not able to thank them and that they were 
not able to see what their sacrifices had wrought.''
  He said, ``The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound 
in my country and my people. But it had another unintended effect, and 
that was that it produced the Oliver Tambos, the Walter Sisulus, the 
Chief Luthulis, the Yusuf Dadoos, the Bram Fischers, the Robert 
Sobukwes, men of such extraordinary courage, wisdom, and generosity 
that their like may never be known again.''
  He said, ``Perhaps it requires such depth of oppression to create 
such heights of character. My country is rich in the minerals and gems 
that lie beneath its soil, but I have always known that its greatest 
wealth is its people, finer and truer than the purest diamonds. It is 
from those comrades in the struggle that I learned the meaning of 
courage.''
  He said, ``I never lost hope that this great transformation would 
occur. I always knew that deep down in every human heart there is mercy 
and generosity. No one is born hating another person because of the 
color of their skin. No one is born hating another person because of 
their background or their religion. People must learn to hate. And if 
they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more 
naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Even in the grimmest 
times in prison, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the 
guards, perhaps just for a second, but it would reassure me. Man's 
goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.''
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to join with my colleagues in supporting 
the award of the Congressional Gold Medal to President Nelson Mandela 
of South Africa.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Rodriguez).
  (Mr. RODRIGUEZ asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. RODRIGUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join this bipartisan group 
of my colleagues to recognize Nelson Mandela and to award him the 
Congressional Gold Medal as President of the Republic of South Africa.
  As this is President Mandela's last year as President, I am 
encouraged that we will move as quickly as possible so that he will be 
able to receive this as President of South Africa.
  Nelson Mandela sacrificed the prime years of his life, risking 
everything in the struggle against apartheid. He loves his country, he 
loves his fellow man, always striving to serve his people. His story is 
an inspiration to all of us. He loved everyone, regardless of color, 
class or creed.
  I have been especially moved by the profound patience and mercy 
exhibited by President Mandela. When he came to power, he did not 
express feelings of anger or revenge. Rather, President Mandela 
convened a panel to address the brutality that was existing, the 
murders and apartheid as it existed.
  We also take this moment to honor the work and sacrifice of American 
student Amy Biehl. I ask Members to join me in this effort.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega).
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I too am honored to speak on H.R. 3156 
which authorizes the presentation a Congressional Gold Medal to the 
President of South Africa, President Nelson Mandela.
  Mr. Speaker, I recall once watching the movie Dances With Wolves, and 
Kevin Costner was this young army lieutenant who learned to live with 
the Sioux Nation. In this one particular scene the Indian medicine man 
was walking along the river when this Indian chief turned to Mr. 
Costner and said that his whole life's ambition was to become a true 
human being.
  To my colleagues and friends, Nelson Mandela truly fits the 
description of this Indian chief's life ambition. He was a true human 
being. After being tortured and imprisoned for some 30 years, this man 
holds no sense of bitterness or malice against his enemies. Here is a 
man, Mr. Speaker, and he truly deserves this award.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
South Carolina (Mr. Sanford).
  Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time and I thank him for bringing this measure to the House floor.
  Mr. Speaker, if we stop and think about it, our Founding Fathers 
built

[[Page H4582]]

our country on a simple concept called freedom. Freedom is the 
ingredient that they willed for every human soul. Freedom is not 
something that Nelson Mandela saw for almost 30 years of his life, yet 
after getting out of jail, rather than constructing a life built around 
bitterness or built around revenge, he constructed a life built around 
freedom, around the simple idea of one man, one vote, around the idea 
of democracy. For that he deserves both our praise and this 
Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton).

                              {time}  1445

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Waters) for her leadership, and I thank the leaders of this 
bipartisan effort to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson 
Mandela, the President of South Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, among the leaders in the world today there is no one 
more deserving of our recognition and acknowledgment for this award 
than Nelson Mandela. The Congressional Gold Medal is an appropriate way 
to express our sense of honor, our sense of respect for the man who 
through his pain, his commitment and sacrifice brought pride and 
democracy to millions of South Africans and also was a symbol of what 
it meant to be free throughout the world. He became the symbol which 
ultimately led to the dismantling of apartheid in that country.
  Mr. Speaker, apartheid means apart-ness. Those who supported and 
stood for the apartheid regime in South Africa would have maintained a 
system which constitutionally mandated that black South Africa live 
separately, differently, unlike others and apart from white South 
Africans. Nelson Mandela refused to accept that condition. He gave more 
than a quarter of a century of his life in opposition to this 
condition. I am delighted to join my friends in this award.


                         Parliamentary Inquiry

  Ms. WATERS. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ewing). The gentlewoman will state her 
inquiry.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire as to the number of 
minutes left, and also I would like to inquire as to whether or not 
Members who have wanted to be here and had signed up, who probably are 
in travel, if they will have an opportunity to enter their statements 
into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would assume that all Members will 
be given the usual opportunity to insert their statements in the 
Record, and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) has 10 minutes 
remaining, and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton) has 1 minute 
remaining.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, recently, when the President traveled to Africa, of 
course one of the most important stops on that trip was South Africa, 
where we had an opportunity not only to see and talk with Nelson 
Mandela, but of course young Thabo Mbeki and others who were involved 
in the anti-apartheid movement. One of the most interesting things 
about the conversation and the proceedings involving the President of 
the United States and Nelson Mandela was Nelson Mandela's ability to 
talk straight talk to the President. There was discussion about the 
Africa trade bill, and Nelson Mandela was able to raise the kinds of 
questions that many leaders would not have been able to raise. Easily, 
and I think as we watched him in the way that he did that, we all 
concluded that Nelson Mandela had earned the right to ask anybody any 
questions he would like to ask them, to reserve the right to disagree 
and to reserve the right to give advice and to talk in ways that very 
few people get to do on the international stage.
  And of course we all recognize that he earned this right because he 
put his life on the line, the 27 years that he had served much of that 
time in isolation, the fact that he had contracted tuberculosis while 
he was in prison, the fact that he sacrificed his family literally for 
the movement, the fact that he gave his life at a very early age when 
he first helped to organize the youth movement of the ANC, the fact 
that he was in the leadership of the protests that were called that are 
now identified as the famous Sharpville riots where so many lives were 
lost; all of this on the world stage where people began to rally all 
over the world and where they developed friends from all over the world 
who contributed money, who contributed time, who engaged their 
government all because of the leadership of one man who exercised more 
power from imprisonment than most of us exercise with all of the 
freedoms that we have.
  I stand here today, and it just so happens that I brought with me a 
replica of the ballot that was used when Nelson Mandela was elected 
President of South Africa. Not only is it a beautiful ballot, but it is 
an instructive ballot. It is a ballot that was designed to make sure 
that the average person could understand who they were voting for, what 
parties they were voting for and the face of the persons they were 
voting for. Here it is, and I keep this as one of my most prized 
mementos to remind me not only of the struggle of Nelson Mandela and 
the ANC and Walter Sisulu and Mr. Mbeki and all of the brave warriors 
that have been involved in the liberation of South Africa, but also to 
remind me of my own responsibility not only to be the best person that 
I can possibly be, but to challenge myself on a daily basis about my 
responsibility to freedom and justice.
  To be on the cutting edge of this kind of work is not easy, and 
certainly we do not gain a lot of friends, but in the final analysis we 
stand here today with special recognition for Nelson Mandela even 
though many in our own country were opposed to what he was doing who 
said that we were going to bring down Wall Street with divestment and 
sanctions, who said that we were not mindful of the fiduciary 
responsibility of those who had great portfolios that we were asking to 
divest from businesses that were doing business in South Africa.
  We are honored to be able to honor him today, and we are honored to 
have lived in a time where we witnessed the fall of a mighty powerful 
regime that was dedicated to the proposition that it was going to 
suppress and that it was going to deny and it was going to marginalize 
and not allow human beings to realize their full potential. This 
brilliant leader, this President of South Africa, stepped forward from 
imprisonment not bitter. He stepped forward with an approach that said 
when we rule it will be a nonracist, a nonsexist government that 
recognizes every human being, that everybody is important to this 
government and to this Nation.
  If there was one thing that I could end up concluding about Nelson 
Mandela, it is if there is anybody that ever walked on God's Earth who 
could be considered a saint, it is Nelson Mandela. This man is still 
smiling. This man is still understanding that it is important to 
respect every human being on Earth. Everything that he has sacrificed, 
everything that he has given up, all of his trials and his tribulations 
are not for naught. He anointed through his work many people who never 
thought they would be inspired and motivated to be about the business 
of freedom. I am very pleased that I stand here today with Democrats 
and Republicans alike bestowing this honor on a man that a few years 
ago no one would have believed would have ever become President of 
South Africa. I am very pleased that there are those who say today, if 
only I had known, I wish I could have done more, I wish I could have 
understood better. I am very pleased to stand here today understanding 
that those who worked hard in the vineyard, those who had to educate, 
those who had to organize can say today my work was not in vain and how 
proud I am to have been a part of one of the most important movements 
in the history of this world.
  As we watch the reconciliation hearings that are going on, we are 
learning an awful lot. We are learning that people on both sides made 
mistakes and that they are coming forward in this healing process to 
talk about those mistakes. I shuddered as I listened to some of the 
testimony. I shuddered as I listened to some of the plots and some of 
the recognition and some of the admissions, people who killed, people 
who experimented with all kind of

[[Page H4583]]

poisons, people who were describing how anthrax was experimented with. 
I shudder to think about the lives that were lost.
  To tell my colleagues the truth, even though I was working in this 
movement and spent 7 years in the California State legislature on the 
legislation before it was passed, I never really thought I would see 
the day when South Africa would become a democracy, where South Africa 
would truly emerge with Nelson Mandela as President. I really did 
believe that blood would flow in the streets before that would have 
happened. How lucky we are to have our faith and our hope not only 
restored in all human beings, but to be instilled with the kind of 
pride that one can only gain from having experienced this movement, 
from having experienced these kind of human beings.
  We think, some of us think, we have had it tough, some of us who 
think about what has happened here in America, and some of us who look 
at what happened just recently in Jasper, Texas, and we talk about how 
bad it has been and how bad it may be. But I want to tell my colleagues 
the warriors who helped to move South Africa all have stripes on their 
backs, the Sisulus and the Mbekis spent all 25 and 30 years in prison 
and came out and did this work, and while I am disgusted with just what 
happened to Mr. Byrd, Jr., in Jasper, Texas, and while I am disgusted 
with the copycat actions that have taken place since that time, and 
while I know the history of my foreparents here in America, and I 
understand what slavery is all about, and I understand what racism is 
all about, and I understand what discrimination is all about, as bad as 
it was, it does not measure up to what was going on in South Africa and 
the number of lives that have been lost.
  And so I take this time on the floor of Congress today not only to 
gloat and to enjoy and to commend and to brag a little bit, but to 
simply say I guess I am proud to be an American today, and I hope that 
all of the Members of Congress will somehow be stronger and better 
because we move today to join hands across the aisle to recognize a man 
that perhaps could not have been recognized a few years back. I hope 
that we are resolved in our work to be just a little bit better and to 
confront any thoughts of racism and discrimination that we may harbor. 
I hope that we will not sit in a back room or we will not be involved 
in any shape, form or fashion in supporting racism ever again in our 
lives.
  It is never too late to change.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
  (Mr. LEACH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3156, a bill 
to present a congressional gold medal to one of the towering figures of 
the 20th century, Nelson Mandela.
  President Mandela is one of the most remarkable individuals of our 
time. His extraordinary personal devotion and sacrifice on behalf of 
multi-racial democracy in South Africa is an inspiration not only to 
the people of South Africa, but the United States and the world. 
President Mandela is a powerful symbol of courage, determination, hope, 
and perhaps above all, the uplifting power and majesty of mankind's 
enduring search for right in a world too often overwhelmed by wrongs.
  As many Members recall, the struggle for a free South Africa 
presented a troubling philosophical dilemma for two conservative 
administrations in Washington. While the first Republican presidency 
chose to risk war rather than compromise principles to end extremist 
apartheid--slavery--the last two Republican administrations preferred 
to work with rather than against the former white-led government in 
Pretoria in an effort to help abolish apartheid in as civil and 
bloodless a way as possible. Fortunately, Washington found in F.W. de 
Klerk an establishment leader with the courage to change and in Nelson 
Mandela a uniquely martyred aspirant. Together in competitive 
combination they produced a unusually civilized political phenomenon--
evolutionary revolution.
  While economic sanctions seldom work, it was my view and that of our 
former colleague Ron Dellums and others that the U.S. had no ethical or 
political alternative except to embrace sanctions. Ending apartheid in 
this century was as great a moral imperative as ending slavery was in 
the last. Nonetheless, too often we forget the distinction between 
governments and their people, and too often sanctions aimed at 
punishing governments punish people.
  One of the important models of U.S. policy is thus to understand why 
sanctions were not only appropriate but proved workable in South 
Africa. The key, it seems to me, is that they were overwhelmingly 
supported by the majority of the South African populace and their 
leaders such as Nelson Mandela.
  Nelson Mandela led a revolution from prison, and, to the astonishment 
of the world, succeeded without irreparable violence.
  For a victim of racism to champion multiculturalism rather than 
reverse racism reflects a largeness of spirit that merits the 
appreciation not only of his country but the community of nations, most 
particularly this one. I therefore urge support for this very symbolic 
legislation.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues very much for this debate. 
Mr. Speaker, this has been a wonderful debate, a wonderful expression 
of sentiments, feelings about people in this country. As I listened to 
it, Mr. Mandela is not only bringing South Africans together but I have 
a feeling he is bringing all of us together.
  One other point: I am told that all great ideas ultimately degenerate 
into work. There was a great deal of enthusiasm, but also there was a 
great deal of work involved, and I want to thank Robert Van Wicklin for 
all he has done.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for all Members to 
have five legislative days to be able to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 3156.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge support for the 
passage of H.R. 3156, a bill which would authorize the President to 
present, on behalf of Congress, a Congressional gold medal to President 
Nelson Mandela of South Africa in recognition of his lifetime 
dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of freedom 
and justice for all the people of his nation. I can think of no person 
who deserves such an honor more than Nelson Mandela.
  In the face of great adversity and suffering extreme personal 
hardship and sacrifice, President Mandela led the struggle to bring an 
end to the insidious policy of apartheid and to establish in its place 
a flourishing multi-racial, multi-ethnic democracy in South Africa. His 
steadfast dedication to these goals continues to galvanize and serve as 
an inspiration to those around the world who are struggling for 
freedom, justice, and democracy today.
  Moreover, President Mandela's commitment to the people of South 
Africa did not end with the lifting of apartheid. Since assuming the 
presidency in 1994, he has strived to further the process of healing 
and reconciliation of all of South Africa's people. Bearing no malice 
for the injustice and mistreatment he suffered under apartheid, he has 
sought to bring South Africans of all races and cultures together in a 
spirit of peace, humility, and reconciliation. The strength of South 
Africa's emerging pluralism today is a testament to President Mandela's 
integrity, courage and leadership. His vision serves as a model across 
the world.
  It is for this reason that I am a proud original co-sponsor of this 
measure. It is more an honor than a privilege to urge the bestowal upon 
Nelson Mandela of one of our nation's highest honors. I hope all 
Members will join me in recognizing Nelson Mandela by supporting this 
measure before us today.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Nelson Mandela 
Congressional Gold Medal Award sponsored by my colleague, Amo 
Houghton--the gentleman from New York. I know of no person that 
deserves to receive this award than President Nelson Mandela.
  I have had the opportunity of meeting with President Mandela on 
several occasions. The most moving experience, no matter how many times 
I go there, is visiting the notorious Robben Island where Mandela spent 
27 of his years in solitary confinement in the maximum security prison. 
He had to pick rocks with a small hammer every single day. It takes a 
very strong man to endure this type of treatment and come out of prison 
and forgive, become the President and lead his country out of apartheid 
era to one of rebirth.
  And I will be visiting South Africa next month to discuss with him a 
telecommunications project and satellite systems to go to townships in 
rural area facilitated by the Discovery Channel. I can truly say that 
he is thoughtful, yet punctual and disciplined man. The years in jail 
reinforced habits that were already entrenched. With a standard working

[[Page H4584]]

day of at least 12 hours, time management is critical.
  Let me say that I am very disturbed by the recent finding by the 
Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Rensburg, a researcher at the 
Roodeplaat Research Labatories (RRL), which produced chemical and 
biological weapons for the apartheid security forces, said his boss 
Andre Immelman told him of a plan to poison Mandela. The secret 
document contained statements saying and I quote, ``Mandela must be in 
a relatively weak physical condition so that he can not operate as a 
leader for long.'' This lethal poison thallium was to be placed in the 
form of chocolates and other foods. If he had taken this--if he did not 
die--he would have had severe brain damage. I can not imagine any man 
having to endure this horrific treatment.
  President Mandela says his greatest pleasure, in his most private 
moment, is watching the sun set with the music of Handel, Tchaikovsky 
or African chorus playing. Locked up in his cell during daylight hours, 
deprived of music, both these simple pleasures were denied him for 
decades. In a life that symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit over 
man's inhumanity against man, let us make this simple gesture to the 
President of the Nation.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I rise today in support of H.R. 
3156, a bill that would give the President of the Republic of South 
Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Led by Rep. Amo Houghton, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and 
minority leader Dick Gephardt, this bill would bestow the Nation's 
highest civilian honor on a much deserving candidate. It is an honor to 
be among the cosponsors of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, since the first gold medal was given to George 
Washington in 1776 more than one hundred medals have been awarded.
  Most recently we awarded the gold medal to Mother Teresa, The Rev. 
Billy and Ruth Graham and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew. These 
honorable people along with all the recipients of the Congressional 
Gold Medal have been instrumental in the development of the societies 
and communities that span across the seven seas, helping to shape, the 
world as we know it. Nelson Mandela has lived his life within the 
confines of this longstanding tradition that the gold medal represents.
  Mr. Speaker, Nelson Mandela has made it his purpose in life to rid 
his beloved native land of the evil constraints of apartheid while 
empowering his fellow citizens with a democratic society. For three 
decades, Mr. Mandela was imprisoned for his efforts yet he never 
compromised his beliefs or relinquished his commitment to freeing South 
Africa from its racist torment. This was made obviously clear when he 
became the father of the nation that incarcerated him.
  Mr. Speaker, he is a rare human being who emerged from prison to 
become president.
  Mr. Speaker, this will be Nelson Mandela's final year in office. 
Along with my colleagues, I feel that honoring him at this time would 
be most appropriate.
  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
one of the greatest leaders of our era, President Nelson Rolihlaha 
Mandela
  Nelson Mandela's lifelong struggle to abolish apartheid in South 
Africa earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the Presidency of his 
country and worldwide acclaim. Nelson Mandela spent twenty-seven years 
in prison because he believed in the equality of all, sacrificing his 
own personal liberty for his convictions.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to this most 
deserving leader. Following his ascendancy to the Presidency of his 
nation, President Mandela signed into law the South Africa's new 
constitution which includes sweeping human rights and anti-
discrimination guarantees. Nelson Mandela has never wavered in his 
devotion to democracy and equality. Despite terrible provocation, he 
has never responded in kind to the scourge of racism. His life has been 
an inspiration, in South Africa and throughout the world, to all who 
are oppressed and deprived and to all who are opposed to oppression and 
deprivation.
  I hope that we all examine our souls and understand our 
responsibility to make our own nation as tolerant of diversity as Mr. 
Mandela has worked to make South Africa; not just for the sake of our 
own generation, but the generations to come.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues 
in honoring one of the great heroes and leaders of this century, Nelson 
Mandela. President Mandela should be an inspiration to us all--despite 
unbelievable pain, defeat and suffering, he did not become bitter. 
Despite almost 30 years in prison, Nelson Mandela did not give up hope. 
He did not get lost in a sea of despair.
  Instead, he turned his suffering into something meaningful. He 
believed in the power of possibility and of hope. He came out of jail 
willing to work with his jailers, willing to being the healing of his 
country.
  Because of his leadership and his example, the future of South Africa 
holds promise. The country must meet many difficult challenges, but 
they meet them led by a man who has shown tremendous courage and 
compassion.
  Nelson Mandela takes us closer to what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
used to call the Beloved Community, a community based on justice, hope 
and compassion--a community at peace with itself.
  President Mandela, I honor you and I hope that we in this country and 
all over the world can learn from you and your example.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon Members of the House are 
rising to explain to our colleagues and the American public why it is 
fitting for the House of Representatives to award a Congressional Gold 
Medal to the President of South Africa, the Honorable Nelson Mandela. 
At the same time, a delegation of South African government officials is 
at work in our nation's capital. The delegation has just concluded two 
days of meetings in New York and has traveled to Washington, D.C. to 
explore how the South African government can work with their nation's 
financial community to foster community development in their homeland.
  As one would expect, the racial composition of that delegation is 
mixed, drawn from the black and white populations within South Africa. 
It is a delegation of individuals working together for their government 
and the people of their nation. Would this delegation, different in 
race but together in spirit and purpose, be possible today if it were 
not for the life-long efforts of Nelson Mandela? Perhaps, but not 
likely.
  Others more familiar with President Mandela's life journey from a 
prison cell to the Office of the President of South Africa will speak 
eloquently about the man we honor. I rise simply to say I believe it is 
most appropriate to honor a man who is the recipient of the 1993 Noble 
Peace Price and a man who will soon step down as President of South 
Africa when his term expires in April of 1999.
  H.R. 3156 was introduced by Congressman Amo Houghton. It is co-
sponsored by a majority of the House, including Speaker Gingrich and 
Minority Leader Gephardt. The Congressional Gold Medal is our nation's 
highest civilian honor presented to just over 100 individuals in our 
nation's history. Nelson Mandela will join people like Thomas Edison, 
Robert Frost, Winston Churchill and, most recently, Mother Teresa as 
Congressional Gold Medal recipients.
  I extend my gratitude to my colleagues on the Banking Committee, 
notably Chairman Leach and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy Subcommittee, Congressman 
Castle and Congresswoman Waters, respectively, for their efforts in 
bringing this bill to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 3156 and ask you to join with me to congratulate Nelson Mandela 
for his life's work.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3156, and 
I commend our colleague Amo Houghton for his initiative, leadership, 
and hard work in garnering some 290 cosponsors of the bill and in 
bringing it before the House. I am pleased to be an original cosponsor 
of this bill to give the Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson Mandela, 
because he is one of the great leaders of our time.
  Nelson Mandela stands out about all else for his espousal of policies 
of reconciliation and his vision of the future. This is remarkable for 
a man who, for most of his adult life, was a prisoner of apartheid, 
spending 27 years in prison, including 18 on Robben Island.
  In the past four years, Nelson Mandela has striven to bring South 
Africa's races together. While seeking to improve the lives of South 
Africa's disadvantaged, a majority of the population, Nelson Mandela 
continued to address the concerns of all South Africans. By leading a 
government of national unity, Mandela successfully practiced a policy 
of inclusiveness, and reached out to a broad range of South African 
society.
  President Mandela led South Africa through its historic transition, 
culminating in his election as president in 1994. During his 
presidency, the government has focused on improving health care, 
education, and housing for South Africa's disadvantaged population. 
President Mandela's government also implemented market-oriented 
economic policies that have maintained international confidence in 
South Africa's stability.
  In addition, Mr. Mandela, having announced from the beginning that he 
would serve only one term, stepped down last December as head of the 
African National Congress, clearing the way for his successor who will 
be chosen in next year's elections.
  In 1993, Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which 
recognized his efforts and accomplishments in opposing apartheid and in 
diminishing the gap between blacks and whites in South Africa. It is a 
fitting tribute to this great leader that he receive the Congressional 
Gold Medal.

[[Page H4585]]

  Mr. Speaker, I again commend Mr. Houghton on his work on this 
legislation and I urge the House to pass this resolution.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to ask that the United 
States Congress award its highest distinction to Nelson Mandela, a man 
who fought for freedom for the people of South Africa, and became a 
beacon of hope for people all around the world. When on trial for the 
crime of fighting against apartheid, he said these famous words:

       I have fought against white domination, and I have fought 
     against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a 
     democratic and free society in which all persons live 
     together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an 
     ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, 
     it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

  When, after a quarter century of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela was 
inaugurated President of South Africa in 1994, he did not disappoint 
the millions of people who believed in him. He embarked on the hard 
path of reconciliation and healing, rather than the easy road of 
revenge and divisiveness.
  I and many of my colleagues had the honor of working with President 
Mandela when we voted to impose sanctions on the old South Africa, and 
many of us were able to meet with him again when we traveled to the new 
South Africa with the President. Mr. Speaker, there is no one who 
fought more or gave up more for the ideals of justice and equality 
which Americans hold dear. And therefore, I believe that there is no 
one more worthy of receiving the honor of a Congressional Gold Medal.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3156, 
the bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to President Nelson 
Mandela.
  As one of the most gentle, charismatic, and dynamic leaders in 
history, the life of Nelson Mandela stands as source of strength for 
all who have experienced and oppression, and an inspiration to those ho 
continue the struggle to overcome injustice and discrimination against 
others.
  After suffering conditions that would cause most to lash out in pain 
and anger, this remarkable peaceful man never countered racism with 
hatred. Despite spending nearly three decades of his life imprisoned, 
Nelson Mandela never wavered in his commitment to peace, freedom, and 
social and economic justice not only for the people of South Africa, 
but globally. In this way, he provides for us a profound example of the 
ability of the human spirit to rise up and triumph over evil forces.
  Many in this chamber may be aware of the pivotal role that my 
predecessor, The Honorable Ronald V. Dellums, played in proposing 
sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa, which helped to 
bring its downfall. The sanctions were ultimately instrumental in the 
release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the successful transition of 
the country to a truly non-racial democracy.
  On May 10, 1994, as an international poll observer in South Africa, I 
had the humbling and incredible experience to witness the first free, 
peaceful, democratic elections which chose this extraordinary human 
being as President. There is no more appropriate and fitting leader to 
lead the people of South Africa into their bright and hopeful future. 
In the past four years, under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, South 
Africa has grown substantially stronger and healthier, and stands as a 
world leader in its own right.
  I am proud and pleased to join with my colleagues today in support of 
H.R. 3156. It is fitting at this moment in our history to recognize and 
honor the President of South Africa, His Excellency Nelson Rolihlahla 
Mandela, with the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon Members of the House are 
rising to explain to our colleagues and the American public why it is 
fitting for the House of Representatives to award a Congressional Gold 
Medal to the President of South Africa, the Honorable Nelson Mandela. 
At the same time, a delegation of South African government officials is 
at work in our nation's capital. The delegation has just concluded two 
days of meetings in New York and has traveled to Washington, D.C. to 
explore how the South African government can work with their nation's 
financial community to foster the community development in their 
homeland.
  As one would expect, that racial composition of the delegation is 
mixed, drawn from the black and white populations within South Africa. 
It is a delegation of individuals working together for their government 
and the people of their nation. Would this delegation, different in 
race but together in spirit and purpose, be even possible today if it 
were not for the life long efforts of Nelson Mandela? Perhaps, but not 
likely.
  Others more familiar with President Mandela's life journey from a 
prison cell to the Office of the President of South Africa will speak 
eloquently about the man we honor. I rise simply to say I believe it is 
most appropriate to honor a man who is the recipient of the 1993 Nobel 
Peace Prize and a man who will soon step down as President of South 
Africa when his term expires in April of 1999.
  H.R. 3156 was introduced by Cong. Amo Houghton. It is co-sponsored by 
a majority of the House, including Speaker Gingrich and Minority Leader 
Gephardt. The Congressional Gold Medal is our nation's highest civilian 
honor presented to just over 100 individuals in our nation's history. 
Nelson Mandela will join people like Thomas Edison, Robert Frost, 
Winston Churchill and, most recently, Mother Teresa as Congressional 
Gold Medal recipients.
  May I extend my gratitude to my colleagues on the Banking Committee, 
notable Chairman Leach and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy Subcommittee, Congressman 
Castle and Congresswoman Waters, respectively, for their efforts in 
bringing this bill to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 3156 and ask you to join with me to congratulate Nelson Mandela 
for his life's work.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3156, a bill 
to present a congressional gold medal to one of the towering figures of 
the 20th century, Nelson Mandela.
  President Mandela is one of the most remarkable individuals of our 
time. His extraordinary personal devotion and sacrifice on behalf of 
multi-racial democracy in South Africa is an inspiration not only to 
the people of South Africa, but the United States and the world. 
President Mandela is a powerful symbol of courage, determination, hope, 
and perhaps above all, the uplifting power and majesty of mankind's 
enduring search for right in a world too often overwhelmed by wrongs.
  As many Members recall, the struggle for a free South Africa 
presented a troubling philosophical dilemma for two conservative 
administrations in Washington. While the first Republican presidency 
chose to risk war rather than compromise principles to end extremist 
apartheid--slavery--the last two Republican administrations preferred 
to work with rather than against the former white-led government in 
Pretoria in an effort to help abolish apartheid in as civil and 
bloodless a way as possible. Fortunately, Washington found in F.W. de 
Klerk an establishment leader with the courage to change and in Nelson 
Mandela a uniquely martyred aspirant. Together in competitive 
combination they produced an unusually civilized political phenomenon--
evolutionary revolution.
  While economic sanctions seldom work, it was my view and that of our 
former colleague Ron Dellums and other leaders outside Congress such as 
Randall Robinson that the U.S. had no ethical or political alternative 
except to embrace sanctions. Ending apartheid in this century was as 
great a moral imperative as ending slavery was in the last. 
Nonetheless, too often we forget the distinction between governments 
and their people, and too often sanctions aimed at punishing 
governments punish people. One of the most important models of U.S. 
policy is thus to understand why sanctions were not only appropriate 
but proved workable in South Africa. The key, it seems to me, is that 
they were overwhelmingly supported by the majority of the South African 
populace and their legitimate though unelected leaders such as Nelson 
Mandela.
  Nelson Mandela led a revolution from prison and, to the astonishment 
of the world, succeeded without unleashing either irreparable violence 
or counter-productive retribution.
  For a victim of racism to champion multiculturalism rather than 
reverse racism reflects a largeness of spirit that merits the 
appreciation not only his country but the community of nations, most 
particularly this one. I therefore urge support for this very symbolic 
legislation.
  Mr. HOUGHTON. 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 Delaware (Mr. Castle) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3156.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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