[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E845-E846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING AUNG SAN SUU KYI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 2009

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida.  Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Aung San Suu Kyi, prisoner of conscience, peaceful pro-democracy 
activist, and leader of Burma's National League for Democracy.
  In 1989 during a pro-democracy uprising, Aung San Suu Kyi was placed 
under house arrest. Despite the fact that her party won the election of 
1990, the Burmese junta neglected to acknowledge their victory. Aung 
San Suu Kyi has spent 13 of the last 19 years under house arrest and 
the junta continues to extend her sentence on a yearly basis. There 
have been several undertakings to urge her release and just last week, 
the United Nations condemned her detention, calling it a violation of 
Burma's own laws.

[[Page E846]]

  Aside from being the recognized leader of her party and a worldwide 
symbol for peace, freedom and democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi was the 
recipient of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990, given 
by the European Union, and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991.
  As we celebrate Women's History Month, I ask that you to join me in 
calling for the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and honoring 
the courage and conviction with which she lives her life.

                          ____________________