[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S8159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PRESENTATION OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO NELSON ROLIHLAHLA MANDELA

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 3156, which was received 
from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:
  A bill (H.R. 3156) to present a Congressional Gold Medal to Nelson 
Rolihlahla Mandela.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, today I rise to encourage Senate passage 
of H.R. 3156, a bill to authorize the President to present Nelson 
Mandela with the Congressional gold medal. President Mandela is a 
courageous world leader who has championed rights for freedom and 
equality for decades.
  Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa in 1918, the son of a Tembu 
tribal chief. His tribal name, Rolihlahla, means, ``one who brings 
trouble upon himself.'' The name seems to have led the young Mandela 
into a life of challenge, from the time he chose to enroll in college 
in pursuit of a law degree over his right to become tribal chiefdom, to 
his more than 25 years spent incarcerated as a political prisoner in 
his native South Africa. Nelson Mandela continually led the cause for 
liberation of his people.
  Mr. President, who could forget the image as multitudes of South 
Africans stood in long lines on April 27, 1994 to cast their first vote 
in the country's first-ever democratic elections. In his inaugural 
address, President Mandala presented himself as the right man to lead 
all people of South Africa into a time of healing for peace, justice, 
and democracy. His blueprint for South Africa is one for all citizens 
of that country regardless of race, religious affiliation or gender, 
working together to build a nation of prosperity.
  Nelson Mandela is known throughout the world for his long struggle in 
the fight against apartheid and has received a number of prestigious 
humanitarian awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. It is 
only fitting that this country recognize Nelson Mandela's life of 
dedication and sacrifice and his victory over racial inequality not 
only for South Africa, but for all peoples everywhere.
  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
considered read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be 
placed at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 3156) was passed.

                          ____________________