[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 82 (Wednesday, June 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H3113-H3121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING TALIBAN REGIME OF AFGHANISTAN REQUIRING HINDUS TO WEAR
SYMBOLS IDENTIFYING THEM AS HINDU
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of
Tuesday, June 12, 2001, I call up the concurrent resolution (H. Con.
Res. 145) condemning the recent order by the Taliban regime of
Afghanistan to require Hindus in Afghanistan to wear symbols
identifying them as Hindu, and ask for its immediate consideration in
the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of House Concurrent Resolution 145 is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 145
Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
guarantee the freedom of religion;
Whereas on May 22, 2001, the Taliban regime of Afghanistan
directed Hindus and other non-Muslims to wear a yellow
identity symbol and for Hindu women to fully cover themselves
in a veil;
Whereas this proposal is reminiscent of the yellow Star of
David that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany and Nazi-
occupied areas;
Whereas Department of State spokesperson Richard Boucher
condemned the Taliban action, stating that ``forcing social
groups to wear distinctive clothing or identifying marks
stigmatizes and isolates those groups and can never, never be
justified'';
Whereas the Taliban regime recently offended the world by
ordering the destruction of all pre-Islamic statues in
Afghanistan, among them a pair of 1,600-year-old, 100-foot-
tall statues of Buddha that were carved out of a
mountainside;
Whereas the reprehensible policies of the Taliban are
exacerbating the suffering of the people of Afghanistan who
are already besieged by a devastating drought and the
continued fighting in the region; and
Whereas the American people feel a great deal of sympathy
for the people of Afghanistan and continue to provide
humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the
Afghan people: Now, therefore, be it
[[Page H3114]]
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) strongly condemns the Taliban's use of Nazi tactics to
force Hindus in Afghanistan to wear symbols identifying them
as Hindu;
(2) joins with people of all faiths around the world in
standing against the religious persecution by the Taliban
regime;
(3) demands the Taliban regime immediately revoke its order
stigmatizing Hindus and other non-Muslims in Afghanistan and
conform its laws to all basic international civil and human
rights standards; and
(4) calls on the Government of Pakistan to use its
influence with the Taliban regime to demand that the Taliban
revoke the reprehensible policy of forcing Afghan Hindus and
other non-Muslims to wear a yellow identity symbol.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shaw). Pursuant to the order of the
House of Tuesday, June 12, 2001, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each will
control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H. Con.
Res. 145, introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel). First,
I would like to say that I appreciate the support of the chairman of
our Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Hyde), and the ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos), and the House leadership for making timely
consideration of this resolution possible.
It was considered and ordered reported to the House by the full
Committee on International Relations earlier this month.
This resolution we are considering condemns a recent order by the
Taliban regime of Afghanistan to require Hindus in Afghanistan to wear
symbols identifying them as Hindus, yellow symbols similar to the one I
have on my lapel at this time.
Many of us are appalled and deeply concerned by this order. Our
Nation and the rest of the world need to register the strongest
possible condemnation of this outrageous regulation. As our resolution
points out, the world has not been witness to anything like this since
the Nazis required the Jews to wear a yellow Star of David.
The Taliban's repression of women and its intolerance of other
minorities goes hand in hand with other reprehensible behavior. It is
not surprising, therefore, that the Taliban provides Osama bin Laden,
the terrorist kingpin, a safe haven, allowing him to reside in
Afghanistan as its special guest. Bin Laden is responsible for much of
the terrorist-related murder and mayhem that has shattered peace
throughout the subcontinent. It is his thugs that killed our State
Department employees and hundreds of other innocent people.
The Taliban and bin Laden appear to be made for one another.
Moreover, the Taliban's involvement in taxing, stocking and the
trafficking in opium make it responsible for much of the global misery
related to drug addiction.
Finally, it is an open secret that Pakistan in many ways supports the
Taliban. It is appropriate, therefore, that this resolution calls upon
Pakistan to use its influence to demand that the Taliban revoke its
edict that identifies Hindus and other non-Muslims.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I fully support H. Con. Res. 145 and I ask
our colleagues to join us in support.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 145, which was
introduced by my friend and colleague from New York (Mr. Engel). This
resolution condemns the Taliban regime of Afghanistan for their
offensive and inhumane policies towards Hindus and other non-Muslims in
Afghanistan, and it demands that the Taliban regime immediately revoke
its edict issued on May 23 requiring Afghan Hindus to wear yellow
identification badges and for Hindu women to cover themselves in a
yellow veil.
This latest despicable action of this despicable regime is only the
most recent of a long list of horrific human rights and religious
freedom abuses committed by the Taliban against their own people. They
have shut down schools, restricted education and have systematically
discriminated against all women in Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, the Taliban sparked international
outrage by destroying the ancient Buddhist statues of Bamian. It is no
accident that the international terrorist kingpin Osama bin Laden has
found welcome haven in the land of the Taliban.
If these barbaric actions were not enough, the Taliban has now
decided to emulate the most heinous and reviled regime of the 20th
century, Hitler's Germany, by forcing Hindus and other non-Muslims to
wear yellow identity badges.
The edict issued by the Taliban, Mr. Speaker, is reprehensible, and
it clearly echoes Nazi German policies stigmatizing Jews and others. We
cannot allow the Taliban to systematically oppress Afghan Hindus in
such an eerily similar manner.
Afghanistan, Mr. Speaker, sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
For centuries, it has been one of the marketplaces of the world where
traders of all countries and races and religions came together. This
rich history and tradition of tolerance is being dismantled by this
dark and brutal regime. The Taliban's actions, Mr. Speaker, are beyond
comprehension. At a time when millions of Afghan people are on the edge
of starvation and thousands of Afghan children are dying every day of
malnutrition, the Taliban are intent on driving away any international
support through their offensive and inhumane policies.
Just last week, the Taliban expanded their restrictions on foreign
aid workers, further limiting their movement and freedom and making it
nearly impossible for its humanitarian workers to continue their
efforts to bring relief to the people of Afghanistan. One must wonder
if the Taliban are trying to commit genocide against their own people.
We cannot stand idly by and watch while the Taliban continued their
rein of darkness and despair. We cannot countenance their deliberate
attempt to undo centuries of civilization. We must find a way to stop
this insane regime.
If there is one country left on Earth, Mr. Speaker, that seems to
have any influence with the Taliban, it is the country of Pakistan. The
government of Pakistan has been all too reluctant to use its influence
with the Taliban and we are calling on the government of Pakistan to
stand with the international community and call a halt to the
reprehensible policies of the Taliban regime.
I want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for
introducing this resolution, and I urge all my colleagues to support
it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen).
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Gilman) for yielding the time.
Mr. Speaker, as an original cosponsor of this resolution and as chair
of the Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, I
urge strong support for H. Con. Res. 145, and I want my colleagues to
vote in favor of its passage.
{time} 1515
This resolution was prompted by the Taliban's decree of May 22,
forcing Hindus to wear identity labels such as this one on their
clothing to brand and degrade this religious group even further.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this reprehensible policy is but a
microcosm of the terrible actions taken by the Taliban against all
minorities in Afghanistan. As the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the
Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination has stated,
Afghanistan epitomizes the religious extremism, and it underscores that
``the Taliban uses religion as a political tool in the interests of
power and has taken an entire society hostage.''
In January of this year, for example, the Taliban issued a decree to
apply capital punishment to Afghans who converted from Islam to either
Judaism or Christianity. Just a few months ago, in the aftermath of the
Taliban's destruction of sacred statues, Amnesty
[[Page H3115]]
International reported that the Taliban massacred hundreds of civilians
with impunity. On May 14 of this year, it was revealed that the Taliban
has an ethnic cleansing manual to eliminate entirely the presence of
religious minority groups in areas which are not yet under Taliban
control.
Women have also felt the brunt of the Taliban's intolerance and
extremism. According to Afghan women interviewed by a non-governmental
organization in France, ``women live like animals.'' Women are excluded
from treatment by male doctors, who are the only ones allowed to
practice medicine. Even when exceptions are made, because the woman is
accompanied by her husband, doctors are still prohibited from actually
touching the women, and this obviously limits the possibility of any
meaningful medical treatment.
The Taliban's policy of treating women as subhuman is also reflected
in decrees mandating that women must be accompanied by a male relative
when leaving their homes and that they must be covered in the Taliban-
approved dressing shown here. It says in Taliban-held areas of
Afghanistan, women can rarely work outside the home, girls can attend
only same-sex schools, and women can be beaten for not wearing this
veil. It says, get up, stand up. Refusal to adhere to these rules will
result in beatings.
The Taliban's intolerance and extremism has even spilled over to
international humanitarian workers. Just a few weeks ago, the Taliban
arrested U.N. aid workers in Afghanistan. Militants who fight for the
Taliban and are loyal to terrorist Osama bin Laden have threatened to
kidnap and even kill international aid humanitarian workers.
Mr. Speaker, if we do not render our unequivocal support for House
Concurrent Resolution 145, we will be sending a message to the Taliban
that it can continue to escalate the persecution and the repression
that they are undergoing with impunity.
I ask Members to think of the Afghan women, such as this one pictured
here, and vote with your conscience today. I ask you to think of the
Hindus who are being required to wear yellow identification labels,
such as this one. I ask Members to think about the plight of all
minorities in Afghanistan and vote yes on this powerful resolution.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 5\1/2\ minutes to
the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), the author of
this resolution.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lantos), for yielding me time. I want to thank the
gentleman, and the gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Hyde), and the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) as well, for working with me so
quickly for bringing this resolution to the floor.
As was mentioned by my colleagues, I too am wearing a yellow ribbon.
In fact, I have many yellow ribbons here, and I would like every Member
of Congress to wear a yellow ribbon for today, since this resolution is
on the floor today. I think if we all wore the yellow ribbons, it would
be a very powerful symbolism of the fact that we stand with the
oppressed people of Afghanistan, with the Hindus of Afghanistan, just
the way during the terrible Nazi era, when the Jews were told that they
had to wear the yellow star to identify them, to single them out from
everyone else, all the Danes wore yellow stars of David and said that
we are all Jews. I believe here in Congress, all of us should wear
these yellow ribbons, and today we all should be Hindus and stand in
solidarity with those oppressed people.
Mr. Speaker, just over 2 weeks ago, I heard the disturbing news that
Afghanistan's Islamic Taliban regime had issued an edict requiring
Afghan Hindus to wear yellow identification badges and Hindu women to
fully cover themselves in a veil and for Hindu families to have
curtains that are yellow or some such identification, clearly showing
that they are different from everyone else.
This is absolutely an outrage. My colleagues have mentioned all the
outrages of this Taliban regime, from Osama bin Laden getting cover
there and planning his terrorist attacks all over the world from the
safe confines of Afghanistan, being protected, by the Taliban's
destruction of the Buddhist statutes that were thousands of years old,
to making it impossible for aid workers to help the starving people of
Afghanistan. Indeed our country, the United States, is the leading
country in terms of providing humanitarian aid for those starving
people.
So what we are attempting to do here today is saying that the United
States can make a difference. We can make a difference in providing
humanitarian aid, so that the people of Afghanistan are not suffering
because of their regime. And they are suffering, but we can make the
suffering a little bit better. Also what happens in this Congress is
listened to around the world. I think it is so important for us to take
a moral stand.
Now, what the Taliban are doing is just an outrage that cannot be
ignored. The Taliban's edict accompanies the 1999 law forbidding non-
Muslims from living in the same houses as Muslims, from criticizing
Muslims, and from building places of worship. This resolution calls
upon, demands, that the Taliban regime immediately revokes its order
stigmatizing Hindus in Afghanistan and to conform its laws to all basic
international civil and human rights standards, and, of course,
condemns the recent order by the Taliban regime to require Hindus to
wear these different identification symbols.
Now, combined, these edicts have the effect of stigmatizing,
separating, and disadvantaging the Hindus because of their religious
beliefs. It should be pointed out that when the Nazi edicts in Europe
came against the Jews, initially it was just small edicts, and there
were people that said, well, this is only a very minor thing, and it
will pass.
I think we have learned from history that if we ignore these so-
called minor things, they turn into catastrophes; and we do not want to
ignore this because this is not minor, and it will get worse if the
world just turns its back.
Now, to add insult to injury, according to the Taliban regime this
action was taken, they say, to protect Hindus from the religious
police, who often arrest Hindus for not following Muslim law or who
beat Hindus for not conforming to Muslim law. This, of course, adds
insult to injury, to claim they are putting in this oppressive law in
order to protect the Hindu citizens. Obviously this is a bunch of
nonsense.
This type of religious discrimination has no place in the world
today. Forcing Hindus to wear distinctive clothing does nothing to
protect Hindus from the religious police; rather it makes them more
vulnerable to police and mob violence.
So, again, we cannot allow the Taliban to systematically oppress
Afghan Hindus in such an eerily similar manner to the way the Nazis
oppressed Jews, homosexuals, Romas, and others.
This is not the first time the Taliban has singled out Afghan Hindus.
Prior to 1992, Afghanistan had a population of over 50,000 Hindus. Most
fled due to anti-Hindu violence. There are now only 500 Hindus,
approximately, left in Afghanistan, subject to the Taliban's edict.
The international community, including our friends and allies around
the world have joined us in condemning the Taliban's edict; and
Pakistan, one of only three countries recognizing the Taliban as a
legitimate government, said that they deplore these discriminatory
practices. That is why this resolution calls upon Pakistan to try to
use its influence with Afghanistan.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand with my colleagues in solidarity
with the Afghan Hindus; and again I would urge all of my colleagues to
support this resolution, to come over, and we will give them ribbons so
everyone can wear ribbons. Again, I thank the gentleman from California
(Mr. Lantos), who has been so gracious.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 7 minutes to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), a member of the Committee
on International Relations.
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
legislation. I would like to thank personally my colleague, the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for the leadership that he has
demonstrated, even though he does have a beard now, like I used to
have. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) and I have worked on many
causes together, and I would like to just begin my remarks today by
reminding people that the gentleman
[[Page H3116]]
from New York (Mr. Engel) was a hero of the Muslim people in the
Balkans who were finding themselves under torturous attack, and
sometimes being murdered in great numbers, especially the people in
Kosovo and other places in the Balkans. So today it is very fitting
that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) stands up and points out
where another group of people are committing repression.
This time this is a Muslim group; but in the past, when Muslims have
been attacked and their rights have been destroyed, he has been the
first one to stand up and speak up for their rights. So this is not a
religious determination. What we have today is a determination of
principle, that we in this body stand together for human rights and are
against the type of fanaticism that is demonstrated by the Taliban
regime.
The same, of course, is true with the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos). We have worked on many human rights issues. The gentleman from
New York (Mr. Gilman) and I have, of course, worked on the China policy
as well; and the gentleman is one of the most renowned and most
respected leaders on human rights in this body. As chairman of the
Committee on International Relations, he made his mark.
But today this resolution condemns the Taliban regime, not just for
what it is doing against Hindus, which is today what we were using as
our hook to draw attention, and I will be wearing one of those yellow
badges, but this is symbolic of the repression that the Taliban and the
fanaticism that the Taliban have brought to Afghanistan.
As someone who spent considerable time in Afghanistan, I would say
that I am probably the only Member of this body who actually at one
point fought alongside with Afghans against the Russian troops during
their long war against Russian occupation, and I found the Afghans not
to be fanatics.
The Afghans were very devout in their religion, but they were not the
fanatics that the Taliban portray today. In fact, I would like to let
my colleagues know that, by and large, the Taliban were not and are not
the Mujahadeen, which is a mistake that many people make.
Most of the Taliban leadership, as well as most of the Taliban, sat
out the war against Russia in Pakistan. The Taliban means students, and
they were in what supposedly were schools, although many of them were
illiterate, being financed by the Saudis and the Pakistanis. That is
where they were during the war, while many of the people who opposed
them today were out fighting the Russians.
Many of the people who I was with are now being repressed by Afghans
who were not out there fighting the Russians, who now call themselves
the Taliban, as if they have some corner on the understanding of God.
What the Taliban are doing is using Islam as a weapon for their own
power.
We have seen this in other faiths as well. We have seen the fanatics
and the charlatans use their religion, whether they are Christians or
Muslims or whoever, in order to gain their own power.
{time} 1530
Well, that is what has happened in Afghanistan. It is getting worse
and worse, because the Taliban, ever since they have been in power,
have allied themselves with the worst elements in the world, people who
the Aghan people would have nothing to do with if they had some choice
in their government.
Of course, as we know, 60 percent of the world's heroin has been
growing in Afghanistan all of these years that the Taliban have been in
power. The Taliban now tell us this year they are no longer growing any
poppies, and the heroin production is down in their country. Of course,
how convenient. At a time when they have a massive drought that has
been going on in Afghanistan that has killed all of the crops, now they
voluntarily are not growing any more poppies. How convenient. We will
wait and see what happens when the water comes back whether or not they
enforce this supposed edict.
Unfortunately, when we are talking about American relations with
Afghanistan, what we have found over the last 8 years with the last
administration, every time we had a chance to overthrow the Taliban,
and I was involved with several organizations whose efforts were in
that direction, the last administration, the Clinton administration,
rode to the rescue at the last minute every time. That is unfortunate.
During the last 8 years while we gave refugee relief supplies to
Afghanistan, those supplies, our foreign aid, the foreign aid we have
been giving to Afghanistan and those poor suffering people of
Afghanistan, they needed some help; but yet, the last administration
saw to it that those supplies were only distributed in Taliban-
controlled areas.
I can tell the Members that I fought tooth and nail, I went time and
time again to the State Department, to try to see that those supplies
were distributed in non-Taliban areas. But instead, the Clinton
administration insisted that those supplies go to Taliban-controlled
areas.
Why is that? I believe, and I have said this before, the last
administration and unfortunately the United States, thus, had a covert
policy of supporting the Taliban for a while, perhaps as part of some
situation with Pakistan and the Saudis. I do not know.
But I would hope that the United States policy has changed, and that
indeed our goal be the elimination of the Taliban regime and support
for those Afghanis who are struggling for their country and struggling
to have a moderate and a decent government.
The Taliban had, by the way, rejected all elections as being
inconsistent with Aghan tradition. There are a group of people today
fighting against the Taliban whose goal and idea is to have an
Afghanistan directed by the democratic process.
Commander Massoud and many others who fought against the Russians,
Abdul Haq and his family who are fighting there, fought against the
Russians, Pashtum as well as minority members, were fighting against
the Taliban.
Our goal should be to be on the side of those people who want to
replace that regime and to help those people. If we send supplies to
Afghanistan, they should go to the people in need, whether they are
with Taliban or not.
There is a group called the Knightsbridge organization headed by Ed
Artis and Dr. James Law that have $2 million worth of humanitarian
supplies ready to go now to the people of Afghanistan, but they do not
have the money for the transport, and they have not been given help
because it might go to some non-Taliban areas.
So I would hope that we do what is right in this country, that we
condemn this repression as exemplified by repression against the
Hindus, but we put ourselves on the line against the Taliban and their
fanaticism and support for terrorism and drug dealing.
It is time the people of Afghanistan deserve a break after these last
20 years of struggling.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 4 minutes to the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), an indefatigable fighter across
the globe.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos), a strong voice for freedom and human rights, and my colleague,
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), who, as the previous speaker,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Rohrabacher), pointed out, has been
such a strong, strong courageous voice for human rights wherever they
are undermined in the world.
Mr. Speaker, this week our Nation closed a chapter on the deadliest
act of terrorism ever perpetrated on American soil. We were reminded
again of the dangers of fanaticism, its assault on civil society, its
attack on our values, its rejection of the rule of law. We were
confronted again by the evil that works within the zealot's heart,
where basic human decency is drowned in a sea of arrogance, ideology,
and hatred.
As we attempt to heal the wounds caused by this madman at home, let
us recognize that as the leader for democracy, freedom, and human
rights throughout the world, we must fight fanaticism, bigotry, and
hatred wherever it rears its head. That is why I urge my colleagues to
support this critically important resolution introduced by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).
Today the people of Afghanistan toil under the boot of the brutal
Taliban regime, whose crimes, as have been catalogued earlier in this
debate, are
[[Page H3117]]
legion. Since ceasing power in 1996, the Taliban has systematically
denied Afghani women and girls their basic human rights. They are
prohibited from attending school. They are prohibited from working
outside the home. With few exceptions, they are prohibited from
appearing in public with nonrelative males.
The Taliban's chokehold on the Afghani people has only tightened
recently. It destroyed two ancient statues of Buddha, in spite of all
the world's protests. It shut down a hospital opened by an Italian
charity. It prohibited Afghani women from working with the
international relief agencies, even as an estimated 4 million people
are at risk of starvation this year in Afghanistan.
In an order reminiscent of Nazi Germany, the Taliban rulers decreed
in May that all non-Muslims would have to wear an identifying label on
their clothing to distinguish themselves.
Earlier in this debate, the experience of the Danes and the Jews was
referenced. My father was born in Copenhagen. King Christian, when the
edict came down from the Nazis, said ``I will wear the Jewish star,''
and all Danes wore the Jewish star to indicate their solidarity with
their Danish brethren, not distinguished by other forms of
discrimination.
Mr. Speaker, through this resolution today we join the world
community in condemning the Taliban regime for their flagrant human
rights violations. As the leading voice for freedom and human rights
throughout the world, it is our responsibility, it is our duty, it is
our opportunity and our cause. We must state unequivocally the savaging
of human rights by misanthropic fanaticism has no place in a civilized
world, and it must not stand.
This resolution, Mr. Speaker, is an important statement, and we must
join with others to confront this evil perpetrated by the Taliban.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul), a member of our Committee on
International Relations.
(Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. It gives
us an opportunity to at least condemn the Taliban in forcing the
wearing of these symbols.
Sometimes I think, though, that this type of legislation is more
feel-good legislation, makes us feel better, but does not do a whole
lot to solve our problems. I think it would be more important to take
this opportunity to think about our policy of foreign interventionism.
We have been involved in Afghanistan now for more than two decades,
and have spent over $1 billion. Last year we spent $114 million in
humanitarian aid. This year it is already $124 million.
It is said that it is not sent to the Taliban, but the gentleman from
California (Mr. Rohrabacher), who is a bit of an expert on Afghanistan,
just revealed to us earlier that indeed some of this money and some of
this aid was designated to go to the Taliban-controlled areas.
I think more important is that regardless of the intention of where
we send the aid, the aid is beneficial to the government in charge. The
Taliban is in charge. They can get control of aid, of food and other
commodities, and use it as weapons, and they do.
The point that I would like to make is after these many, many
millions of dollars and over $1 billion have been spent, we have come
to this. They are in worse shape than ever. Yes, we can condemn what
they are doing, but we should question whether or not our policy in
Afghanistan has really served us well, or served the people well. It
may well be that when we send aid, that it literally helps the Taliban,
because they do not have to then buy food. They can take their money
and use it to enforce these rules and to be a more authoritarian
society, to buy weapons.
We do know that when we sent weapons in the eighties, those weapons
actually ended up in the hands of the violent Taliban, and they are
still in their hands to some degree. Yes, our policy is well-intended.
We would like to do good and save all the suffering that is happening
in this country. But quite frankly, it has not worked very well.
We should question this. I believe we should assume some
responsibility in the sense that our aid does not always do what it was
supposed to do and actually ends up helping the very people that we
detest. I think that is exactly what has happened here. It has been
specifically pointed out that some of this aid has gone into the area
where the Taliban has been helped and strengthened.
All I am suggesting is, why not question this a little bit? Why
should we go on decade after decade after decade expanding aid and
getting these kinds of results that we all detest?
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me just respond to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Paul). While I am pleased he is supporting the resolution, he needs to
gain some historical perspective. It was billions and billions of
dollars of Marshall aid which resulted in the rebuilding of Western
Europe and in creating our allies in NATO, and providing us with a
prosperous Europe as our single most important trading partner.
So this melancholy call for isolationism is not supported by the
historic evidence. The historic evidence shows clearly that in
Republican and Democratic administrations, overwhelmingly United States
participation in Europe and elsewhere contributed in a major way toward
building democratic and prosperous societies.
I was present at the end of the Second World War, as my friend knows,
when Europe was in ruins, and it was the farsightedness of a group of
Republican and Democratic leaders in this country, from Harry Truman to
Senator Vandenberg, who created a framework which allowed the countries
of Europe to rebuild themselves to become our powerful NATO allies, our
democratic friends, and our most significant trading partners.
There is no evidence for the statement that the previous
administration directed aid to go to the Taliban. This is an
unsubstantiated statement. What we voted for and what I think we will
vote again is to provide humanitarian assistance to the destitute
people of Afghanistan. It is most unfortunate that the bulk of
Afghanistan today is in the hands of this despicable regime.
But I think it is important to realize and to be true to historic
facts that the bulk of our economic aid since the end of the Second
World War has succeeded in creating prosperous and democratic societies
ranging from Taiwan to Denmark. These were destroyed societies, poor
societies, destitute societies, and American aid was critical in
building them up as democratic and prosperous allies.
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. LANTOS. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. PAUL. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, we do not have time to get into the Marshall Plan, but
there is a pretty strong case to indicate that the major part of the
rebuilding of Europe came from private capital and not specifically
from the immigration plan.
But the point that I would like to answer to is the term
``isolationism.'' I am not a protectionist. I am not an isolationist. I
am for openness, travel, trade. I vote consistently that way, so the
term ``isolationist'' does not apply to the policies that I am talking
about, because I am probably for more openness in trade and travel than
most anybody in this body.
{time} 1545
So the term is not isolationism.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Crowley), a distinguished member of the Committee on
International Relations, my friend.
(Mr. CROWLEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) for yielding me the time.
Firstly, let me thank the gentleman from the Bronx, New York (Mr.
Engel), my friend and colleague, for authoring this resolution.
Let me thank the leadership and the Committee on International
Relations and the leadership of the House for bringing this timely
resolution to the floor so quickly.
Mr. Speaker, I believe we must speak out quickly when tyranny raises
its
[[Page H3118]]
ugly head; and, once again, it has raised in Afghanistan. To require
any minority to wear any symbol harkens back to another age of the
subjection of religious minorities, the coddling of terrorism, the
destruction of world treasures.
We simply cannot let this go on without stating our opposition to
that. It is shear, shear fascism. This fanaticism though has the
potential to spread, unfortunately.
Having talked to some friends in the Bangladeshi community, their
concerns that this could possibly spread to other moderate Muslim
countries in the region is also a concern of mine.
This is a very, very difficult part of the world to begin with and to
have this taking place there now is only going to exacerbate that.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this
resolution to the floor, and I will also wear this ribbon in
remembrance of the Hindus of the Afghanistan.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Crowley) for his strong support for this and other issues of human
rights. We have worked together on many issues in Ireland, Bangladesh,
and elsewhere; and we thank him for his poignant remarks today.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs.
Morella).
Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res.
145 to condemn the treatment of Hindus in Afghanistan by the Taliban
Government, and I wear my yellow badge.
It is a government that continues to commit blatant violations of
human rights. I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel)
for introducing this important resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be one of the many original cosponsors.
Since taking power over 90 percent of Afghanistan in the fall of 1996,
the Taliban regime has restricted the freedoms of women by limiting
their social participation, their work, and education. Not only do
Hindu women have to wear the badge, they wear a veil. They are required
to.
State Department and international human rights groups report that
violence against women continues to be one of the regime's largest
human rights violations. The Taliban regime has established a Ministry
for the Promotion of Virtue and the Suppression of Vice to monitor how
its moral laws are followed and to punish those who do not comply.
Individuals in violation have found their homes burned, livestock
killed, irrigation systems destroyed. Over the past 2 years, more than
a dozen politically active citizens have been arrested and killed by
the Taliban regime.
Since its implementation, the protection and freedoms of women have
been stripped, making women the property of their husbands, their
fathers, or the state.
Reports site acts of violence that include rape, kidnapping, and
forced marriages that were in many cases perpetrated by the Taliban.
Most recently, the Taliban leaders have imposed laws mandating the
public identification of all Muslims and that is this required yellow
identification symbol. It echoes the feelings associated with the
yellow star of David that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany.
As we take a firm stand against human rights violations, we encourage
other nations to recognize the Taliban leadership continues to violate
United Nations Security Council resolutions and international standards
as identified by Amnesty International.
As we recognize and respect the sovereignty of independent nations,
we cannot remain silent when women and children are brutally murdered
for not following the moral stands of a barbaric regime. We have acted
to economically and politically isolate Afghanistan in efforts to
eliminate human rights violations, but the world must also follow suit.
Earlier this year, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and I
introduced H.R. 1152, the Human Rights Information Act, in an effort to
expose human rights abusers outside the United States. As a world
leader, the United States must condemn religious persecution and
gender-based discrimination. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con.
Res. 145. I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde). I
want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos). I want to
thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) for floor managing the
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde)
and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for bringing this issue
to the floor and indeed the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) for
introducing this very important issue.
Let us all support H. Con. Res. 145.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from
Maryland (Mrs. Morella) for her strong supportive remarks and for
always being there on human rights situations.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. McDermott), my friend and colleague.
(Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the cochair of the India Caucus
to support this initiative. Today we all wear the yellow in emulation
of the Danish king who said we are all Danes. There are not Jews and
Catholics and Protestants, we are all Danes. But what this means is not
that we are Hindus, but that we are all human beings.
When we fail to keep that clearly in mind, when we mix religion and
government and get it all mixed up, we wind up with some very terrible
situations. We cannot just look out at the Taliban. We have to look at
ourselves, because Martin Niemoller, who was a Lutheran minister who
died in the camps in the 1940s said, When they came for the Communist,
I was not a Communist, so I did not stand up. When they came for the
homosexuals, I was not a homosexual, so I did not stand up.
When they came for the socialists, I was not a socialist, so I did
not stand up. When they came for the trade unionists and the Catholics,
I did not stand up and when they came for the Jews, I did not stand up.
Then they came for me, and there was no one to stand up.
What this is about is all of us standing up for the right of people
to have their own religion and to live in peace in a country where they
can raise their children as they want to and not force anybody to do
anything.
We must look at that separation of church and state in our own
country. We will consider out here soon the issue of faith-based
initiatives and what that does to the separation of church and state.
All we have to do is look at Afghanistan to see what happens when we
meld the two together. That is a frightening possibility, and it starts
one at a time. As it did in Germany. They did not go out and get the
Jews first and grab them all. They started with a lot of other people
that they did not like, and that is why this is so important that
everyone wear this, not just today, but in their mind every day.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Pelosi), my neighbor, friend and colleague, an
indefatigable fighter for human rights.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) for yielding the time to me, and I want to commend him and the
majority side of the Committee on International Relations for bringing
this important piece of legislation to the floor.
This committee has challenged the conscience of this Congress and of
our country on many occasions. Today I am sorry I missed the debate on
Sudan but will be submitting a statement on the record for that.
But I also want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel)
for his leadership in introducing this resolution. I am proud to be an
original sponsor of it.
In his dear colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) calls
what is happening in Afghanistan a horror, a horror. That is a perfect
word for it.
The Taliban in their activities that I will talk about a bit and that
our Members have addressed over and over again today, their activities
there have placed them outside the circle of civilized human behavior.
[[Page H3119]]
It is very important that people in the rest of the world speak out;
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) gives us that opportunity here
today. I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel).
We have written, under the leadership of the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), to the President of the United States
because we were concerned about this yellow badge that the Hindus were
obliged to wear in Afghanistan. We are appreciating his considering our
request that our Nation lead in its opposition to this dangerous,
dangerous plan.
Mr. Speaker, much has been stated on the floor of this House about
our commitment to religion and the free expression of religion, and
that is why it is so important that we all join the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Engel) and the committee and join with people of all faiths
around the world in standing against the religious persecution by the
Taliban regime.
The gentleman's resolution strongly condemns the Taliban's use of
Nazi tactics to force Hindus in Afghanistan to wear symbols identifying
them as Hindus. These are strong words. But these are terrible actions,
and this is how we can meet this challenge.
So I am pleased to be, as I said, an original cosponsor. I commend
the maker of the motion, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel). I
once again applaud the Committee on International Relations for
challenging the conscience of this Congress. Hopefully our whole
country will rise to that challenge.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have the opportunity to have
the last comments.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus). The gentleman from New York
(Mr. Gilman) has the right to close.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I again want to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel) for bringing this important resolution to our attention. I trust
that we will have a unanimous consent vote which would reflect the
views not only of the Congress but of the American people that we do
not stand for religious discrimination or persecution in any form. I
urge all of my colleagues to support the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Taliban regime is a threat to the stability not only
of the Asian regime but the entire world. Our Nation needs to join with
other nations that are seeking to reinstate that regime.
The former king of Afghanistan has suggested that all of the parties
come together in Afghanistan for a grand assembly known as a Loya
Jirga. This could be an appropriate way to bring peace to that Nation.
Another method could be to work with the Northern Alliance that has
been opposing the Taliban. No matter what route our Nation takes, we
must help to restore stability through the formation of a
representative form of government in Afghanistan.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with our colleagues on this
issue, and I urge my colleagues to approve H. Con. Res. 145.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this legislation, I rise
today to talk about an issue that concerns me greatly--the recent
actions of the Taliban regime.
I visited Afghanistan nearly 25 years ago. I was impressed by the
resilient independence of its people. I deeply lament the destruction
of art and the censorship of literature.
The giant statues of Bamiyan, which I had the privilege of seeing and
admiring long ago, have been demolished.
All of this is very lamentable, but the recent violations of human
rights and religious freedom must be condemned as crimes of a higher
order.
Last month, the Taliban Islamic militia imposed a rigid new social
code requiring Hindus in Afghanistan to wear a distinctive yellow piece
of cloth identifying them as Hindus. The similarities between this
recent action and those of pre-war Nazi regimes are disturbing.
Even more disturbing are the other similarities between pre-war Nazi
Germany and the Taliban militia.
From what we have seen, the government of Afghanistan is waging a war
on its certain members of its populace--particularly women and
religious minorities. Before the Taliban took power in 1996, the women
of Afghanistan had relative freedom: they could work, even as
professionals, dress generally as they wanted, and drive and appear in
public alone. Under the Taliban, women have lost not only these
``privileges'' but also all their rights as persons.
Now, the women of Afghanistan must ensure that not even an inch of
their flesh shows; they must screen the windows of their homes so they
cannot be seen, or see.
Women can no longer work and are forbidden to go out in public
without a male relative. Even in their own homes, they are not allowed
to be heard; they must wear silent shoes and obey and serve silently.
The slightest violation of the Taliban law is punishable by beating
and stoning, often to death.
And now the Taliban regime has the turned its hatred toward religious
minorities. Recently, the world watched in horror as the Taliban
militia destroyed ancient Buddhist statues, simply because they were of
another religion.
And now, we are witnessing the Taliban's policy to mark its religious
minorities. I fear what this action will lead to.
We already know what it can lead to.
Calling the Taliban's actions a ``human rights violation'' is a gross
understatement.
We must--the world must--condemn it.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution which not only
condemns the Taliban's use of Nazi tactics, but it also demands that
the Taliban regime immediately revoke its order stigmatizing Hindus and
other non-Muslims in Afghanistan and conform its laws to all basic
international civil and human rights standards.
We must not be silent on these atrocities.
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent
Resolution 145. Recently, the Taliban in Afghanistan has issued a
decree that all non-Muslims should wear a yellow identity symbol in
addition to the requirement that women must fully cover themselves in a
veil. This decree, although affecting all in Afghanistan, is directly
targeted toward a minority Hindu population. It is unthinkable that we,
here in America, would remain silent while religious persecution is
actively promoted. Furthermore, this sort of action by the regime is
reminiscent of previous leaders and governments that also set out a
path of differentiation between people. In many of these cases,
including the Nazis coercing Jews into wearing a yellow Star of David,
a small action such as this, was only the precursor for larger, more
violent forms of discrimination.
In addition, the Taliban has ordered the destruction of all pre-
Islamic statues in Afghanistan, including a pair of 1600-year-old, 100-
foot statues of Buddha that were carved out of a mountainside.
I find no other choice but to rise up with my colleagues to condemn
these actions and to condemn the Taliban. I join with all people from
around the world, people of all faiths and nationalities, to denounce
this latest action of religious discrimination by the Taliban in
Afghanistan.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support
for H. Con. Res. 145. I commend my colleague Mr. Engel, for introducing
this important piece of legislation that condemns the Taliban for
requiring Hindus and non-Muslims in Afghanistan to wear identifying
symbols.
The Taliban regime's policies are inhuman, and clearly resonate Nazi
tactics used to stigmatize Jews during the Holocaust. The Taliban
policies are reprehensible, and not only should this Congress and the
international community condemn the Taliban for their action against
Hindus, I also call upon Pakistan to take a stand and use its influence
with the Taliban to end these reprehensible policies.
The Taliban's record on human rights and support for terrorism have
been documented in several reports, including the U.S. State
Department's Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000 Report. The findings in
these reports on the Taliban exemplify a clear pattern of basic human
and civil rights to the Afghan people, especially women, minorities and
children. The statistics of violence against women and girls is simply
overwhelming.
Not only is the Taliban's record on human rights atrocious, the State
Department's Patterns of Global Terrorism reports that ``The Taliban
continued to provide a safehaven for international terrorists,
particularly Osama bin Laden and his network, in the portions of
Afghanistan it controlled.'' Not only does the Taliban house Osama bin
Laden, the Taliban allows Afghanistan to be used for a base of
operation for worldwide terrorist activities and training.
The people of Afghanistan are being held hostage in their own country
under the terrorist regime of the Taliban. Their recent policy of
requiring Hindus to wear identification badges, mandating Hindu women
to fully
[[Page H3120]]
cover themselves in veil, demanding Hindu homes to be identified, and
prohibiting Muslims and Hindus to live together all further exacerbate
the current situation and indicate that the Taliban is trying to
implement a genocide against their own people.
I urge Pakistan to step up to the plate and use its influence to
allow Afghan Hindus to continue to live their lives and practice their
religious beliefs and I urge all of my colleagues to support this
important resolution.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in
support of House Concurrent Resolution 145, which condemns the
Afghanistan Government for requiring non-Muslims to wear identifying
symbols and other acts of human rights violations.
A recent order by the Taliban regime of Afghanistan to require Hindus
and other non-Muslims in Afghanistan to wear symbols identifying them
as non-Muslim is very disturbing.
It is inconceivable that after the experience of World War II, when
Jewish members of European countries were forced to wear the Star of
David as a means of identifying their religious beliefs that we should
see this type of action again on the part of any government.
Women, minorities, and children suffer disproportionately. The U.S.
State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices found that
violence against women and girls in Afghanistan occurs frequently,
including beatings, rapes, forced marriages, disappearances,
kidnappings, and killings.
Amnesty International's Report 2001, covering events from January-
December 2000 and issued May 30, 2001, states in its findings on
Afghanistan that:
Human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention and
torture, continued to be reported in the context of the
ongoing conflict between warring factions. The Taliban
continued to impose harsh restrictions on personal conduct
and behavior as a means of enforcing their particular
interpretation of Islamic law. Fighting in the northern
provinces intensified during the second half of the year as
the Taleban and anti-Taleban forces fought for control of
territory. Forced displacement of the civilian population was
used by the Taleban to gain control of territory in areas
north of Kabul, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
The Taliban has repeatedly interfered with United Nations relief
programs and workers, preventing the provision of much-needed food and
emergency relief services to the people of Afghanistan.
There are more than 25 million internally displaced persons within
Afghanistan, and more than 2 million refugees who have left the
country.
The Taliban's Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, headed by Mullah
Mohammad Omar, is recognized as a government by only three countries,
including Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Of the
three, Pakistan's relations with the Taliban are the most extensive,
including military and economic assistance. The anti-Taliban alliance's
Islamic State of Afghanistan, headed by Burhanuddin Rabbani, is
recognized as a government by other governments and the United Nations.
According to the State Department's report Patterns of Global Terrorism
2000, issued in April 2001, ``The Government of Pakistan increased its
support to the Taliban.''
According to the State Department's Patterns of Global Terrorism:
The Taliban continued to provide safehaven for
international terrorists, particularly Usama Bin Ladin and
his network, in the portions of Afghanistan it controlled.
On May 29, 2001, a jury in Federal District Court in Manhattan
convicted four bin Laden followers on all 302 counts they faced in
connection with the August 7, 1998, bombings at the U.S. Embassies in
Nairobi, Kenya, and in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which killed 224
people, including 12 Americans, and wounded thousands.
The State Department's Patterns of Global Terrorism 2000 report
states:
Islamic extremists from around the world including North
America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Central, South,
and Southeast Asia continued to use Afghanistan as a training
ground and base of operations for their worldwide terrorist
activities in 2000. The Taliban, which controlled most Afghan
territory, permitted the operation of training and
indoctrination facilities for non-Afghans and provided
logistics support to members of various terrorist
organizations and mujahidin, including those waging jihads
(holy wars) in Central Asia, Chechnya, and Kashmir.
On October 15, 1999, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted
resolution 1267, in which it demanded that the Taliban in Afghanistan
turn over Osama bin Laden, in order that he might be brought to
justice, and required the Taliban to cease the provision of sanctuary
and training for international terrorists and their organizations. The
Taliban took no steps to comply with the Security Council's demands.
The willful act of segregating groups in any society based on their
innate human differences is wrong, it was wrong in the southern United
States before the civil rights movement forced a change in our Nation's
policy regarding African-American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian
members of our society. It was wrong for South Africa to impose
apartheid on the majority African and Indian population, and it is
wrong for Afghanistan. The 56th session of the United Nation's
Commission on Human Rights reported that a constitutional vacuum exists
in Afghanistan. The Taliban government acknowledges the need for a
constitution that would encompass an inclusive process, which would
enable all segments of the Afghan population to participate in working
out an acceptable constitutional framework and procedures for its
acceptance and approval by the Afghan people.
There continues to be a denial to women of access to education,
health and employment. The rights of women have been curtailed by
limitation on their freedom of movement of women, with little access to
employment or education. I have also heard about refugees stories
concerning refugees and reports that chronicle the abduction of women,
rape, infliction of the punishment of stoning, lashing, and other forms
of inhuman punishment.
I would strongly encourage the Taliban government to rethink this
decision along with their treatment of women in light of the strong
negative connotations that are implied by their action. I do not reject
the right of the Afghanistan people to self-determination, but I do
reject any attempt to abuse women or to ostracize members of their
diverse society.
The road that they are traveling on has been traveled on before with
dire consequences for those who attempted to enforce laws and policies
based on prejudice or fear. The intent of the government may not be to
take action against these religious groups, but the end result could
indeed lead to untold violence against others because they worship God
in their own way.
America was willing to aid the Afghan people in their struggle for
freedom from the former Soviet Union. Our Nation's support came from
our shared interest in stopping the violence that was being committed
against their people because of their deep faith in God expressed in
their commitment to Islam.
I would ask that the Taliban not forget their history with those who
were intolerant of them, and remember that a nation like the United
States gains it strength from the diversity of the people who call her
home.
I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to the order of the House of Tuesday, June 12, 2001, the
previous question is ordered.
The question is on the concurrent resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Recorded Vote
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 420,
noes 0, not voting 12, as follows:
[Roll No. 161]
AYES--420
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Andrews
Armey
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Baldacci
Baldwin
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Barrett
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Becerra
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blagojevich
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonior
Bono
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Bryant
Burton
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Carson (IN)
Carson (OK)
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Coble
Collins
Combest
Condit
Conyers
Cooksey
Costello
Cox
Coyne
Cramer
Crane
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cubin
Culberson
Cummings
Cunningham
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Dooley
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Ehrlich
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Etheridge
Evans
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Filner
Flake
Fletcher
Foley
Frank
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Ganske
Gekas
Gephardt
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Goss
[[Page H3121]]
Graham
Granger
Graves
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Grucci
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall (OH)
Hall (TX)
Hansen
Harman
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Herger
Hilleary
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley
Horn
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hunter
Hutchinson
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kerns
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind (WI)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kleczka
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Largent
Larsen (WA)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lucas (KY)
Lucas (OK)
Luther
Maloney (CT)
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Markey
Mascara
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKeon
McKinney
McNulty
Meehan
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mink
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Morella
Murtha
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Ortiz
Osborne
Ose
Otter
Owens
Oxley
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Paul
Payne
Pelosi
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Phelps
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Reyes
Reynolds
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Roemer
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ros-Lehtinen
Ross
Rothman
Roukema
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Rush
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Sanchez
Sanders
Sandlin
Sawyer
Saxton
Scarborough
Schaffer
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrock
Scott
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shows
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Solis
Souder
Spence
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stenholm
Strickland
Stump
Stupak
Sununu
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Toomey
Towns
Traficant
Turner
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Velazquez
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watkins (OK)
Watson (CA)
Watt (NC)
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
NOT VOTING--12
Allen
Burr
Ferguson
Ford
Fossella
Hill
Hoekstra
Hostettler
Johnson, E. B.
Larson (CT)
Lowey
Meek (FL)
{time} 1622
So the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________