[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE ANDREI SAKHAROV MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot of 
discouraging news from Russia of late. We are told that the Russian 
economy is at a dead end, the currency is collapsing, political reform 
is stalled, and the military is deteriorating to a dangerous point. 
Moreover, it appears that a good deal of the money that the U.S. 
Government has extended to Russia through grants or loans has been--at 
best--ineffective.
  Nevertheless, I would like to point out one small project where I 
believe U.S. contributions have been wisely used and appreciated in 
Russia. I am referring to the Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center 
in Moscow, named in memory of the distinguished human rights activist 
of the Soviet era. The museum was established through the efforts of 
the late Dr. Sakharov's wife and fellow human rights activist, Dr. 
Elena Bonner, along with many other friends of freedom. The museum 
director is Yuri Samodurov.
  The U.S. Government, through the Agency for International 
Development, has been providing financial assistance to this worthwhile 
project. Naturally, the museum management has been seeking domestic 
funding and would like to be self-sufficient in the future.
  When I visited the museum in January of this year, Mr. Chairman, I 
was very impressed by the layout and the thoughtfulness of the 
exhibits. There are permanent sections dedicated to the Bolshevik 
Revolution, political prisoners, and ``perestroika,'' as well as 
temporary exhibits devoted to human rights issues currently facing 
Russia. The library contains a wide collection of human rights 
publications, dissident literature, and of course, the works of Dr. 
Sakharov himself. The museum has also become a major venue for 
important conferences on human rights and the humanitarian dimension.
  This is one area where I believe our foreign assistance has played, 
and I trust will continue to play, an important role in assisting our 
friends in Russia to promote and further the cause of rule of law and 
civil society.

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