[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    GOLD MEDAL FOR AUNG SAN SUU KYI

  Mr. McCONNEL. Madam President, I am proud once again to join my 
friend and colleague, Senator Feinstein, on a matter involving the 
promotion of freedom and reconciliation in Burma. Today, we join 
together in support of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Burma's 
Aung San Suu Kyi.
  When first established in 1776, the Congressional Gold Medal was 
given to military leaders for their achievements in battle. Since that 
time, it has become America's highest civilian honor, having been 
bestowed upon great friends of freedom such as Winston Churchill, 
Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Granting Suu Kyi the Gold 
Medal would continue that same tradition of honoring heroism in the 
defense of liberty.
  For more than 20 years, Aung San Suu Kyi's support for justice and 
democracy has placed her at odds with the tyranny and oppression of the 
Burmese junta. She and her supporters have combated the brutality of 
the junta with peaceful protest and resistance. She has chosen dignity 
as her weapon, and she has found allies in democracy-loving people 
around the world to aid her in her struggle.
  Even as I speak, Suu Kyi's nonviolent fight for democracy continues. 
Just last week, the Burmese junta announced that it would hold a 
general election in 2010. However, under the regime's sham plan for 
democracy, it would not even permit the country's foremost democracy 
activist, Suu Kyi, to hold public office.
  The military junta is fooling no one with its false promises of 
reform, least of all, Suu Kyi and her allies. After all, she remains 
under house arrest, as she has for 12 of the last 18 years. That said, 
as the regime continues to suppress the voices of freedom and peace, it 
can be sure that there will be those of us who will stand with Suu Kyi 
and the people of Burma as they continue their struggle for democracy 
and justice.
  By awarding Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal, we are letting the 
Burmese military junta and the world know that the people of America 
will continue to speak out in favor of meaningful reform in her 
country.
  It is particularly fitting that today, February 13 is the birthday of 
Suu Kyi's father. Aung San helped lead the struggle for Burmese 
independence after World War II, but was assassinated just before its 
achievement. What could be a more fitting way to honor the memory of a 
man who fought for freedom than by rewarding his noble daughter for 
continuing his legacy? In so doing, we reward them both with the 
promise that the United States will remain committed to the same cause, 
that of a peaceful and free Burma.

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