[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14959-14963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE THAT WORLD CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM PRESENTS 
          UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS GLOBAL DISCRIMINATION

  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 212) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that the World Conference against Racism, Racial 
Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance presents a unique 
opportunity to address global discrimination, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 212

       Whereas since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of 
     Human Rights in 1948, the international community has taken 
     significant steps to eradicate racism, xenophobia, sexism, 
     religious intolerance, slavery, and other forms of 
     discrimination;
       Whereas national and international measures to combat 
     discrimination and promote equality, justice, and dignity for 
     all individuals have proven inadequate;
       Whereas the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, 
     Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance 
     (``WCAR''), to be held in Durban, South Africa, from August 
     31 through September 7, 2001, aims to create a new world 
     vision for the fight against racism and other forms of 
     intolerance in the twenty-first century, urge participants to 
     adopt anti-discrimination policies and practices, and 
     establish a mechanism for monitoring future progress toward a 
     discrimination-free world;
       Whereas the causes and manifestations of contemporary 
     racism, xenophobia, sexism, religious intolerance, slavery, 
     and other forms of discrimination are many and increasingly 
     complex and subtle;
       Whereas all states and societies that have sponsored, 
     encouraged, or tolerated slavery, including states involved 
     in the transatlantic slave trade, the Indian Ocean slave 
     trade, or the trans-Saharan slave trade, benefited 
     economically while inflicting extreme pain, suffering, and 
     humiliation on millions of African people;
       Whereas victims of racism, xenophobia, sexism, religious 
     intolerance, slavery, and other forms of discrimination have 
     suffered and continue to suffer from the deprivation of their 
     fundamental rights and opportunities;
       Whereas to varying degrees, states, societies, and 
     individuals have adopted the notion that racial, cultural, 
     religious, and social diversity can enrich a country and its 
     citizens;
       Whereas participants of the WCAR currently plan to discuss 
     remedies, redress, and other mechanisms to provide recourse 
     at national, regional, and international levels for victims 
     of racism, xenophobia, sexism, religious intolerance, 
     slavery, and other forms of discrimination;
       Whereas the achievement of full and effective equality 
     between peoples requires that states, civic groups, and 
     individuals cooperate to address the real difficulties in 
     attaining societies free of discrimination;
       Whereas some preparatory materials for the WCAR take 
     positions on current political crises which, if adopted in 
     the final WCAR Declaration and Program of Action, could 
     exacerbate existing tensions;
       Whereas the attempt by some to use the WCAR as a platform 
     to resuscitate the divisive and discredited notion equating 
     Zionism with racism, a notion that was overwhelmingly 
     rejected when United Nations Resolution 3379 (1975) was 
     rescinded in 1991, would undermine the goals and objectives 
     of the conference; and
       Whereas the United States encourages respect for an 
     individual's human rights and fundamental freedoms without 
     distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, 
     religion, political or other opinion, national or social 
     origin, property, birth, or other status: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) encourages all participants in the United Nations World 
     Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, 
     and Related Intolerance (``WCAR'') to seize this singular 
     opportunity to tackle the scourges of racism, xenophobia, 
     sexism, religious intolerance, slavery, and other forms of 
     discrimination which have divided people and wreaked 
     immeasurable suffering on the disempowered;
       (2) recognizes that since racism, racial discrimination, 
     xenophobia, and related intolerance exist to some extent in 
     every region and country around the world, efforts to address 
     these prejudices should occur within a global framework and 
     without reference to specific regions, countries, or present-
     day conflicts;
       (3) exhorts the participants to utilize the WCAR to 
     mitigate, rather than aggravate, racial, ethnic, and regional 
     tensions;
       (4) urges the WCAR to focus on concrete steps that may be 
     taken to address gross human rights violations that were 
     motivated by racially and ethnically based animus and on 
     devising strategies to help eradicate such intolerance; and
       (5) commends the efforts of the Government of the Republic 
     of South Africa in hosting the WCAR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I claim the time in opposition to this 
resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) opposed to the resolution?
  Mr. LANTOS. I am in favor of the resolution, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. McKinney) 
will control 20 minutes in opposition to the resolution.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Ballenger).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  The forthcoming World Conference Against Racism ought to represent an 
opportunity for the people and the governments of the world to look for 
ways to address the ongoing harm caused by continuing racism, racial 
discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, as the formal 
title of the conference refers to them.
  Both in our own Nation and around the world, clashes between 
communities, whether at their origins, based on ethnic, tribal, clan, 
racial, national, religious or caste differences have a tremendously 
debilitating effect on our lives. This is almost self-evident. Yet it 
is worthwhile to provide, through the United Nations, the opportunity 
for representatives of governments and civil society to sit down and 
exchange experiences in dealing with ongoing racism and related forms 
of intolerance, and other vestiges. In addition, we can and should take 
the opportunity to frame a declaration and a plan of action on the 
topic of the conference that expresses the sentiments of the world's 
governments.
  The current administration, along with the Members who are 
cosponsoring this resolution, hope that a conference will be a 
positive, forward-looking one. The gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lantos) has framed a sensitive, appropriate resolution that expresses 
our hopes with regard to this conference.
  But he and I, and our administration, do not share certain concerns 
as we approach the conference. The opportunity of a world conference on 
anything always seems to present an irresistible opportunity to some in 
the international community to hijack the conference and move it into 
areas far from its real purposes, and so we have in the draft 
declaration language, which can

[[Page 14960]]

only be understood as intended to minimize the Holocaust and to 
indicate that the only State worthy of condemnation by name in the 
world is Israel. We also have efforts to bring in issues such as 
compensation for actions of the distant past, such as the transatlantic 
slave trade.
  Mr. Speaker, today in Geneva, a Preparatory Conference is underway to 
see if some of these issues can be worked out. If they are not worked 
out, the administration will use the only leverage it really has, which 
is to absent itself, at least at the high level, from the conference. 
That is altogether proper as far as I am concerned.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution makes no threats. It merely sets out our 
position, and it does so in admirable terms, and it should be supported 
by my colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The Lantos resolution attempts to place tape on the mouth of the 
United States and the world community to say what the U.S. and the rest 
of the world can or cannot say in South Africa. By comparison, the 
chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus introduced a resolution 
that puts no words in the mouth of the Bush administration, but merely 
suggests that the U.S. participate in the World Conference Against 
Racism by sending Colin Powell as head of the U.S. delegation, and that 
the United States should support financially the conference.
  With respect to what the U.S. can and cannot and should and should 
not say, the Johnson resolution urges the Bush administration to adopt 
policy positions at the WCAR that seek to advance an understanding of 
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. 
Amnesty International just wrote a letter to President Bush urging the 
same position.
  On July 25, Amnesty International USA urged the Bush administration 
to increase its commitment to the conference by appointing a delegation 
led by Secretary of State Colin Powell and assuming a leadership role 
in the preconference preparation. In a letter sent to President Bush, 
AIUSA, Amnesty International USA, called on the administration to 
resolve controversies that have marred preparations for the WCAR. 
Amnesty International USA urged President Bush not to allow current 
controversies over draft language to serve as a pretext for 
nonparticipation. We believe that such problems can be best addressed 
by a senior delegation representing the U.S. at the conference and not 
through a boycott.
  The letter goes on to state, the Bush administration must participate 
in efforts to eradicate racism at home and abroad and must seize the 
opportunity to move beyond the empty rhetoric on race of previous 
administrations by vigorously joining the debate at the World 
Conference Against Racism.
  Additionally, Human Rights Watch just issued a report saying that the 
U.S. should participate. Human Rights Watch said national and 
international panels should be created with maximum transparency and 
public participation to identify and acknowledge past abuses and to 
guide action to counter their present-day effect. Groups that suffer 
today should be compensated by governments responsible for these 
practices, said Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. 
Those most seriously victimized today by past wrongs should be the 
first priority for compensation to end their victimization.
  Human Rights Watch proposed the establishment of national panels. The 
panels should serve as truth commissions aiming to reveal the extent to 
which a government's past racist practices contribute to contemporary 
deprivation domestically and abroad, Roth said. They should educate the 
public, acknowledge responsibility and propose methods of redress and 
making amends.
  Kofi Annan and President Bush are at the National Urban League today, 
but the National Urban League supports our position that the U.S. 
should agree to go and support no matter what is on the agenda. The 
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights wrote a letter to Bush along the 
exact same lines as the Johnson resolution; that is that the U.S. 
should go to the conference; that the U.S. should financially support 
the conference; and that U.S. participation will help to bring 
significant issues into sharper focus at home and abroad.
  Importantly, the Leadership Conference letter to President Bush 
states, the United States should not limit its participation in this 
important global event, even when faced with issues that our government 
feels threatened fundamental American values. Rather, the U.S. should 
actively engage difficult topics and work to change those that belie 
core U.S. principles. If the U.S. does not participate in the World 
Conference Against Racism, what will that prove? Do we not lose by 
telling our friends and others what they can say and what they cannot 
say; do we not lose friends and prestige by doing that? I do not 
believe that the Bush administration has to be told what to say and 
what not to say. I do believe that with the moral force of our position 
and the strength of our argument, we should be able to prevail without 
the appearance of issuing threats or intimidation.
  Thirty percent of the American population consists of people of 
color. We have a stake in this conference. I believe the majority of 
Americans who are not of color would like to see the United States lead 
in this issue to get rid of the problems of race and intolerance at 
home and to help the rest of the world deal with the problem of racism 
and intolerance abroad.
  The United States should participate in the WCAR, the House should 
encourage that participation, and the Johnson resolution should have 
been on the House floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, as the founding Democratic chairman of the 
Congressional Human Rights Caucus, I rise in strong support of the 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the scourge of racism remains one of the most tragic 
aspects of international life today. Slavery, xenophobia, sexism, 
religious intolerance, hate crimes, racial profiling, we must renew our 
commitment and redouble our efforts to combat each of these 
manifestations of racism plaguing our globe today.

                              {time}  1430

  Racism is at the root of countless international conflicts and it is 
a formidable barrier to international cooperation. It remains a 
stubborn and shameful stain on humanity.
  The U.N. Conference on Racism is the first time that the world will 
have come together to confront this scourge in a serious and systematic 
way. Among other critical issues the conference will confront the 
plight of millions of African people who have suffered from extreme 
pain, hardship and humiliation from the slave trade and its lingering 
effects.
  The conference intends to explore this issue in a comprehensive way 
discussing not only the transatlantic slave trade but also the Arab 
slave trade across the Indian Ocean and the Sahara Desert.
  It is imperative, Mr. Speaker, that the United States assume a 
leadership role in combatting racism worldwide. Our national experience 
with slavery and our commitment to civil rights compels us to take a 
lead in the broader worldwide struggle to eradicate racism. Our 
resolution makes clearly that the goals and objectives of this 
important conference deserve the strong support of the United States. 
If the conference adheres to its original purposes, U.S. participation 
clearly will contribute to its success.
  Tragically, Mr. Speaker, some are standing in the way of a genuine 
dialogue on these painful issues by seeking to hijack the U.N. 
Conference on Racism into a racist attack against specific states. A 
draft resolution sponsored by a number of Arab states tends to equate 
Zionism with racism and thereby singles out Israel for attack.

[[Page 14961]]

  Our resolution denounces this attempt to single out an individual 
state and to undermine the conference by using it as a platform for a 
hate-filled political agenda.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of our resolution and 
getting the U.N. Conference on Racism back on track. The work of 
combatting racial discrimination and reducing racial tensions worldwide 
is far too important to be sidetracked by disruptive and hateful 
political interests. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 212.
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Waxman).
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 212.
  The upcoming U.N. World Conference Against Racism is an important 
opportunity to condemn discrimination in all forms and dispel the 
hatred and misunderstanding that promotes it.
  By holding it in Durban, South Africa, it is supposed to be a 
celebration of the world's triumph over apartheid, and a call to action 
against the ongoing injustice of slavery, genocide, religious 
oppression, gender discrimination, and other forms of intolerance that 
continue to plague our world.
  That is why I am deeply concerned that Arab countries have tried to 
overshadow these objectives by hijacking the conference to bash Israel. 
Language inserted in the draft declarations revives hateful anti-Jewish 
lies that Zionism is racism and that Israel practices ethnic cleansing 
and apartheid.
  This targeted attack on Israel is another blatant attempt by the 
enemies of peace to undermine the peace process and make political 
dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians impossible. If it succeeds 
in poisoning the U.N. conference declarations, it will inevitably 
become a new platform for Palestinian incitement against Israel and 
fuel the cycle of terrorist attacks and violence.
  This resolution underscores U.S. support for the underlying goals and 
objectives of the U.N. World Conference. I am hopeful, therefore, that 
the Bush administration will be successful in the final preconference 
meeting in Geneva this week in bringing the conference agenda back on 
track. Otherwise its domination by extremist anti-Israeli bias will be 
harmful to Israel, its allies, and the purpose of the U.N. Conference 
itself, and will earn the condemnation of those who believe in an end 
to racism and bigotry.
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Israel).
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, in November of 1975, Israel's Ambassador to the United 
Nations stepped up to the General Assembly as they debated the 
ludicrous proposition that Zionism is racism and held that resolution 
aloft and said that that proposition was worth no more than the piece 
of paper it was written on and tore that paper apart and left the well 
of the General Assembly. He was right then and those of us today who 
combat the notion that Zionism is racism are right as well.
  It is ludicrous, it defies imagination to suggest that Zionism and 
racism are the same thing. I would suggest to friends of the United 
Nations as I am a friend of the United Nations that continuing to test 
that proposition, that revisiting that issue 25 years later is 
wrongheaded. It defies common sense and it strains the patience of 
people like me and Members of Congress like me who believe in the value 
of the United Nations.
  This is a bad idea. It is a senseless resolution. It is going back in 
time and it is not worthy of the United Nations or U.S. support in the 
United Nations.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, next month's U.N. World Conference 
against Racism in Durban, South Africa is an extremely important 
conference which offers the world community an unprecedented 
opportunity to address racism and global discrimination. For this 
dialogue to be constructive, it must take place in an atmosphere of 
tolerance and mutual respect. Thus, it is essential to ensure that the 
Conference does not degenerate into a sideshow of hateful and extreme 
views that revives such lies as the shameful assertion that Zionism is 
racism.
  The Conference attendees must not be diverted from the essential task 
of confronting racism through a Draft Declaration for the Conference 
that revives the despicable falsehood that Zionism is a ``movement 
which is based on racial superiority.'' Nor can the United States sit 
idly by and passively accept language that minimizes the historical 
significance of the Holocaust and the evil of anti-Semitism, or which 
in any way questions the legitimacy of our long-time ally, the State of 
Israel.
  I completely reject the false choice between abandoning the United 
States' participation in this Conference and supporting the State of 
Israel. There is no inconsistency in attending this Conference and 
rejecting anti-Zionist, anti-Israel or anti-Semitic rhetoric. The 
United States can and must do both.
  As Mr. Lantos so cogently observed, racism is at the root of 
countless international conflicts, and is a formidable barrier to 
international cooperation. It remains a stubborn and shameful stain on 
humanity, one that I believe that the United States must address 
whenever it has an opportunity.
  Thus, notwithstanding my concerns about certain aspects of the Draft 
Declaration for the Conference, I believe that the United States must 
attend the World Conference against Racism with a high level 
delegation, hopefully one led by our Secretary of State Colin Powell.
  I understand and recognize the concerns have been raised about 
various aspects of the Conference's proposed agenda, but I fervently 
believe that the way to deal with these controversial issues is for the 
United States to participate fully in all aspects of developing the 
Conference's agenda and in all aspects of the Conference. Thus, I 
support H. Res. 212, the Ballenger-Lantos Resolution. I also urge the 
leadership to bring Representative McKinney's Resolution, H. Res. 211, 
to the floor. Passing H. Res. 211 will clearly put the House on record 
as supporting full U.S. participation in the World Conference against 
Racism without any precondition.
  This participation should extend to all subjects that may be covered 
at the Conference, including such discussion as may take place 
concerning the subject of slavery and reparations, an issue in which 
Mr. Conyers and I and many other Members of the Congress and the 
American public are intensely interested.
  I know that strong differences of opinion exist on the subject of 
reparations and I would hope and expect that this subject will be only 
one of a great many that may be considered at the Conference. But 
however much (or little) attention reparations may receive, surely, the 
mere consideration of this issue is not a reason for anyone to suggest 
that the United States not participate in the Conference.
  There's a simple solution to these issues. The United States should 
participate fully in the Conference and take whatever steps our 
Delegation deems necessary to reject and disassociate the United states 
from any ``Zionism as Racism' language or any other anti-Israel 
language at the Conference.
  Mr. Speaker, we know who our friends and our enemies are. Our friend 
is Israel and all others in the Middle East who seek a just and lasting 
peace. Our enemy is racism. We need not, and must not, sacrifice one to 
pursue the other. They are entirely compatible.
  In my view, we accomplish nothing if we simply duck the issues to be 
addressed at the Conference by not attending or by sending a low-level 
delegation that lacks the authority to speak forcefully for the United 
States on issues of such critical importance. The subject of racism is 
simply too important not to be addressed in a meaningful way.
  Mr. Speaker, when racism is the subject, the United States must never 
be a ``no-show,'' no matter what the provocation. The United States 
should make the most of this historic occasion to deal with racism in a 
systematic way through full U.S. participation in the World Conference. 
I urge all my Colleagues to support H. Res. 212 and yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the resolution 
offered by my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lantos).
  Mr. Speaker, the forthcoming World Conference Against Racism ought to 
be a moment to look forward to ways to deal with ``racism, racial 
discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance,'' as the formal 
title of the conference refers to them.
  It is clear that the issue of racism needs to be dealt with. We need 
to allow our governments and NGOs an opportunity to share thoughts and 
come up with an appropriate plan of action.
  The problem is that people who really do not care whether or not the 
conference is successful are trying to hijack it.

[[Page 14962]]

  They have succeeded in getting language into the draft conclusions 
reviving the old canard that ``Zionism equals racism'' and minimizing 
the Holocaust. Of all the countries on the face of the earth, they have 
named only Israel as a miscreant on the issue of racism.
  Of course, our Administration is working hard against this effort.
  If they do not succeed, I hope that the Administration will consider 
several alternatives. One would be not to go. Another would be to send 
someone of the stature of a Colin Powell to tell the assembled nations 
how we have dealt with our race problem--not perfectly, but with some 
success over the years. And then, he should continue to denounce the 
document for what will be its fatal flaws, and walk out. But there 
should certainly be no ``business as usual''.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an excellent one. I am proud to be 
associated with it. It says just what needs to be said: we want a good 
world conference.
  Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to fully support this resolution.
  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 212 that 
expresses the importance of the Bush Administration sending a high-
level delegation to participate at the United Nations World Conference 
Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related 
Intolerance (WCAR) scheduled August 31 through September 7, 2001.
  The United States of America where I am proud to be a citizen and who 
I proudly fought for in the Korean War, is a major global power that is 
called upon daily by nations around the world for leadership and 
guidance. As a global power, historically we have been outspoken on 
important matters concerning human rights abuses and civil rights 
offenses around the world. Our legacy is freedom for all human beings.
  We as a nation must once again exhibit the strong leadership that is 
our heritage and do the right thing by fully participating in the 
upcoming World Conference Against Racism. It is unconscionable that the 
Administration would even consider not attending such an important 
conference or provide the leadership needed to address this very 
important issue of world racism. Our full attendance is the only way we 
can ensure that the conference fulfills its primary purpose of 
addressing the issue of racism around the world.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, the world conference against racism is 
an important meeting to people of African descent, and indigenous 
people all over the world. It is critical that this country fully 
participate and demonstrate its commitment to ending racism, racial 
intolerance, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance in this country 
and all over the world. A full discussion and a strong resolution 
decrying racism and the support of agreed to means of addressing its 
impact are important to the health of our nation and the well-being of 
the entire global community. Having a substantive declaration decrying 
racism, colonialism, and the forceful subjugation of people will not in 
and of itself make us whole, but it will foster a long overdue healing 
process.
  Mr. Speaker, I want my country to fully participate, to be involved 
in all discussions and work with the other countries of the world to 
develop such a resolution and programs. It neither serves this country 
or the world well for it to be gagged on this important issue.
  While I support this resolution in its supporting the United States 
participation, I feel that the resolution introduced by Congresswoman 
Eddie Bernice Johnson which calls on the highest level of 
participation, for funding, and which urges the adoption and advancing 
of policy positions that indicate clearly that our country understands 
the ling k between racism in its current day forms and is firm in its 
commitment to ending its impact on indigenous communities an 
communities of color all over the world.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 212, expressing the 
Sense of Congress on the UN World Conference Against Racism.
  I want to thank and express my appreciation to my colleague, 
Congressman Lantos, for authorizing this legislation.
  I believe this bill is a step in the right direction. In addition, I 
firmly believe that the United States must not boycott this conference.
  The World Conference Against Racism will provide an important and 
credible platform to discuss slavery, xenophobia, sexism, religious 
intolerance, hate crimes and other forms of racism.
  In addition, it is long past due for the United States to formerly 
acknowledge its role in the institution of Trans-Atlantic Slavery and 
to begin the healing process for more than 30 million African 
Americans--many of whom are descendants of slaves.
  Representatives from the Bush administration have stated that the 
United States will not send an official delegation to the World 
Conference Against Racism in Durban, South African if language 
regarding slavery and reparations, is included in the WCAR agenda.
  However, I strongly believe that the Bush Administration's position 
on excluding the discussion on slavery and reparations is wrong and 
must be reconsidered. The United States' unwillingness to address this 
issue sends the wrong message.
  The United States Government sanctioned slavery in this country for 
hundreds of years, completely devastating the lives of generations and 
generations of Africans in America. It is imperative that this 
government, which played such a massive role in slavery, be at the 
table in discussions about slavery, its lasting impact, and on 
reparations.
  On the International Relations Committee, we regularly question the 
human rights practices in other countries. I believe it is equally 
important that we apply this same scrunity to our own society and 
examine the very visible vestiges of slavery manifested by the current 
racial and economic divides we experience today.
  When we do, we realize that as a country, we have not yet conquered 
the twin problems of racism and economic inequality.
  Ours is a country where people of color are regularly pulled over by 
our police force because they are simply the wrong color, or in the 
wrong neighborhood, or driving the wrong kind of car. It's happened to 
me, it's happened to millions of African Americans and other 
minorities.
  Ours is a country where millions of young men of color are behind 
bars. Our justice system claims to be blind, yet look at the skin color 
of those in prison, of those sitting on death row. Those are black and 
brown faces staring out from behind those bars.
  Ours is a country where the votes of African Americans and other 
minorities are less likely to be counted than those of white Americans.
  Ours is a country where blacks earn less than whites, are less likely 
to own homes than whites, and are still subject to the economic 
marginalization that has marked this nation for centuries.
  Ours is also a nation that is struggling to overcome many of these 
deep-rooted problems. It is time for America to also recognize that 
many of these problems are rooted in slavery.
  We can do more and we must.
  Racism is a fundamental question of human rights.
  Racial prejudice underlies much of the conflict and injustice in the 
modern world. It fuels wars, drives ethnic cleansing, and exacerbates 
economic inequities.
  Racial barriers compound health problems: HIV/AIDS disproportionately 
affects communities of color. This terrible disease is sweeping across 
Africa where millions are dyining. We may not know how to cure AIDS 
yet, but we know how to prevent it and we know how to treat it. We know 
how, but every day six thousand Africans die from AIDS. Six thousand a 
day.
  In the United States the AIDS crisis is having a devastating effect 
in the African American community. Although African Americans make up 
only 12 percent of the population, they make up more than 34 percent of 
reported AIDS cases, and African American children and women comprise 
two-thirds, respectively, of all pediatric and female AIDS cases in the 
United States.
  The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, 
Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance will represent a historic 
opportunity to find real solutions and provide real assistance to the 
victims of racial discrimination.
  We must send a strong message to the Bush Administration that we will 
no longer bury our heads in the sand.
  Minimally, the United States Government should apologize for the 
horrific institution of slavery and explore methods to address the 
current economic, health, and social inequalities experienced in daily 
life by the descendants of slaves: African Americans.
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 212, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the

[[Page 14963]]

Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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