[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 57 (Thursday, April 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E574-E575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA TO END ITS CRACKDOWN IN TIBET

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                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my support of H. 
Res. 1077, Calling on the Government of the People's Republic of China 
to end its crackdown in Tibet and enter into a substantive dialogue 
with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to find a negotiated solution that 
respects the distinctive language, culture, religious identity, and 
fundamental freedoms of all Tibetans, and for other purposes.
  It is important to encourage and support a dialogue between the 
Government of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama in 
order to improve the current and future situation of Tibet. For almost 
six decades the people of Tibet have been repressed by the Government 
of China by their policies, laws, and

[[Page E575]]

regulations, which have reduced the Tibetans' economic opportunity and 
have eliminated their cultural identity.
  On March 10, 2008, Tibetan Buddhist monks staged peaceful 
demonstrations in recognition of the 49th anniversary of Chinese rule 
over Tibet and the forced exile of the Dalai Lama. In reaction to the 
protests, the Government of China used excessive force that resulted in 
the death of hundreds and detention of thousands of Tibetans.
  It is time for the Chinese Government to talk with the Dalai Lama to 
reconcile their differences so that the Tibetans will no longer resent 
the Chinese and they can live peacefully together.

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