[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 148 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2223]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


RECOGNIZING CONTRIBUTORS TO THE PASSAGE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS 
                              FREEDOM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 1998

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, October 10, the House of 
Representatives cleared for the President's signature the International 
Religious Freedom Act, H.R. 2431. The Senate had approved the measure 
by a unanimous vote of 98-0 on Friday, October 9.
  During floor debate on the measure, I thanked a number of people who 
helped bring this legislation to fruition. I today want to pay tribute 
to the work of Michael Horowitz, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute; 
A.M. Rosenthal of the New York Times; and Anne Huiskes, senior 
legislative assistant on my staff.
  First, I want to commend the work of Michael Horowitz. The movement 
against Christian persecution which has sprouted in the American 
Christian community in recent years can be credited, in part, to the 
leadership, vision and voice of Michael Horowitz.
  When he first learned about the injustice taking place against 
Christians around the world he set about trying to foster change. His 
experience as a Washington insider, a former Reagan Administration 
official, and a veteran of the fight against anti-Semitism in the 
Soviet Union provided a unique insight.
  In a 1995 op-ed in the Wall Street Journal titled ``Between Crescent 
and Cross,'' Horowitz asked how America, and the American government, 
could remain silent when ``the evidence of growing and large-scale 
persecution of evangelicals and Christian converts is overwhelming.''
  From there, he helped launch a crusade to raise awareness about anit-
Christian persecution abroad using the campaign against Soviet anti-
Semitism as the model. He joined with many others who were calling for 
change, and what developed was a movement spawning greater awareness 
about persecution against people of all faiths. He has helped turn this 
issue into one of the most under-reported and obscure issues in 
Washington, to one of the most compelling human rights issues of the 
day.
  Because of the work of Michael Horowitz and many others, the United 
States government, for the first time in history, has a comprehensive 
policy to deal with the issue of religious persecution overseas. His 
voice and vision have helped millions of Christians, Muslims, Bahai's, 
Tibetan Buddhists, Jews, Hindus and other people of faith seeking to 
live and worship in peace.
  I also want to applaud the work of A.M. Rosenthal, former editor-in-
chief of the New York Times and one of the most prominent figures in 
20th century American journalism. I have been told that since 1994, 
Rosenthal has dedicated 31 of his weekly columns in the New York Times 
to the issue of religious persecution--asking why more is not being 
done, prodding policymakers to stand up for the persecuted and pricking 
the conscience of all those who read his eloquent words. He talked 
tough and spoke the truth. He did so courageously, and with authority. 
He has truly been the voice for the voiceless around the world.
  Finally, I pay tribute to Anne Huiskes of my staff, who deserves so 
much credit for helping to move this measure forward. Our colleagues 
know that any measure of success we as Members achieve must be shared 
with the staff who support us and our constituents in our work in 
Congress. Anne's work on my staff has focused in the area of human 
rights, and she has poured her heart and soul into this legislation, as 
well as so many other human rights issues, over the years.
  She has pleaded the case for persecuted religious believers around 
the world, bringing people and groups together toward the common goal 
of speaking out for those who have been silenced because of their 
faith. When it seemed the darkest, when it seemed there was only a 
flicker of hope that this legislation would survive, Anne was always 
there--pushing and pulling, cajoling and inspiring, never giving up. 
She truly believed that passage of this legislation would help save 
lives.
  As I said in my statement on October 10, so many people are 
responsible for the passage of this legislation. I thank them all for 
their efforts. They have made a difference for people of faith around 
the world.

                          ____________________