[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 22282-22285]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    COMMENDING DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER 
                    RECEIVING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 211) commending Daw 
Aung San Suu Kyi on the 10th anniversary of her receiving the Nobel 
Peace Prize and expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to 
the Government of Burma, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 211

       Whereas since 1962, the people of Burma have lived under a 
     repressive military regime;
       Whereas in 1988, the people of Burma rose up in massive 
     prodemocracy demonstrations;
       Whereas in response to this call for change, the Burmese 
     military brutally suppressed these demonstrations;
       Whereas opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was placed 
     under house arrest after these demonstrations;
       Whereas in the 1990 Burmese elections, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
     led the National League for Democracy and affiliated parties 
     to a landslide victory, winning 80 percent of the 
     parliamentary seats;
       Whereas the ruling military regime rejected this election 
     and proceeded to arrest hundreds of members of the National 
     League for Democracy;
       Whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom of speech was 
     restricted by the military regime;
       Whereas in recognition of her efforts to bring democracy to 
     Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 
     on October 14, 1991;
       Whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remained under unlawful house 
     arrest until 1995;
       Whereas even after her release, the Burmese military 
     regime, known as the State Peace and Development Council 
     (SPDC), has continued to ignore the basic human rights of 
     48,000,000 Burmese citizens and has brutally suppressed any 
     opposition to its authority;
       Whereas according to the State Department, the SPDC has 
     made no significant progress toward stopping the practice of 
     human trafficking, whereby thousands of people have been sent 
     to Thailand for the purpose of factory and household work and 
     for sexual exploitation;
       Whereas the SPDC has forced civilians to work in 
     industrial, military, and infrastructure construction 
     operations throughout

[[Page 22283]]

     Burma, and on a large-scale basis has targeted ethnic and 
     religious minorities for this work;
       Whereas a Department of Labor report in 2000 described the 
     human rights abuses of forced laborers, including beating, 
     torture, starvation, and summary executions;
       Whereas the worldwide scourge of heroin and 
     methamphetamines is significantly aggravated by large-scale 
     cultivation and production of these drugs in Burma;
       Whereas the Drug Enforcement Agency has reported that Burma 
     is the world's second largest producer of opium and opiate-
     based drugs;
       Whereas officials in Thailand have estimated that as many 
     as 800 million tablets of methamphetamine will be smuggled 
     into their country this year, contributing to the growing 
     methamphetamine problem in Thailand;
       Whereas there are as many as a million internally displaced 
     persons in Burma;
       Whereas the SPDC has severely restricted Daw Aung San Suu 
     Kyi's political activities;
       Whereas in September 2000, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was placed 
     under house arrest when she attempted to visit a National 
     League for Democracy party office on the outskirts of 
     Rangoon, and again when she attempted to travel by train to 
     Mandalay;
       Whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has recently begun talks with 
     the SPDC which are welcomed by the international community, 
     although the slow pace of the talks reflects on the SPDC's 
     sincerity to move toward national reconciliation;
       Whereas the SPDC has recently allowed the National League 
     for Democracy to open some political offices, and has 
     released some political prisoners, although over 1,800 such 
     prisoners are believed to remain imprisoned;
       Whereas with the exception of these positive developments 
     the SPDC has made little progress in improving human rights 
     conditions and restoring democracy to the country;
       Whereas the SPDC has continued to restrict the political 
     power of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for 
     Democracy;
       Whereas Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's struggle to assert the 
     rights of her people has spread beyond politics and into 
     popular culture, as evidenced by others championing her 
     cause, most notably the rock group U2 in their song ``Walk 
     On'', which is banned in Burma; and
       Whereas, in the face of oppression, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 
     has remained an outspoken champion of democracy and freedom: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That--
       (1) the Congress commends and congratulates Daw Aung San 
     Suu Kyi on the 10th anniversary of her receiving the Nobel 
     Peace Prize, and recognizes her remarkable contributions and 
     tireless work toward bringing peace and democracy to Burma;
       (2) it is the sense of the Congress that the President and 
     Secretary of State should continue to encourage the 
     Government of Burma to restore basic human rights to the 
     Burmese people, to eliminate the practice of human 
     trafficking, to address the manufacture of heroin and 
     methamphetamines, to continue the process of releasing 
     political prisoners, to recognize the results of the 1990 
     democratic elections, and to allow Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and 
     the National League for Democracy to enjoy unfettered freedom 
     of speech and freedom of movement; and
       (3) it is the sense of the Congress that Daw Aung San Suu 
     Kyi should be invited to address a joint meeting of the 
     Congress at such time and under such circumstances as will, 
     in the judgment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, advance rather than 
     endanger her continued ability to work within Burma for the 
     rights of the Burmese people.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the concurrent 
resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I urge a unanimous vote in favor of this important resolution which 
makes clear that continued strong support of Congress for freedom and 
democracy in Burma and for the struggle of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu 
Kyi and the National League of Democracy to assert the fundamental 
rights of the Burmese people.
  I want to thank and congratulate the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
King) and the 35 bipartisan cosponsors of this timely and important 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, the manager's amendment, which is included in the text, 
now makes technical and drafting changes and has been agreed to by the 
chairman and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) on the 
Democratic side of the aisle.
  Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago this month, the Nobel Committee recognized 
what the whole world knew, that the only way to restore peace and 
prosperity to the once-proud nation of Burma was to restore legitimacy. 
Burma is different from most other countries in which power is wielded 
by a totalitarian dictatorship, in that we do not have to theorize what 
would they do if they had the opportunity. The people had the 
opportunity, and they chose to govern themselves.
  Eleven years ago, the military dictatorship did allow an election, 
which they figured they would be able to win by fraud and by dividing 
and conquering the different ethnic groups that comprise the nation of 
Burma; but to their shock, dismay and surprise, the reformers won with 
an overwhelming support from all ethnic groups in all parts of the 
country. So the dictatorship simply canceled the results of the 
election.
  Nevertheless, it laid to rest any doubt about the desire of the 
Burmese people, the earnest desire for freedom and democracy and about 
the fundamental illegitimacy of the military junta that has continued 
to govern Burma.
  This resolution commends and rightfully commends Aung San Suu Kyi on 
the 10th anniversary of her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. She is a 
great leader. That anniversary occurred on October 14 of this year. The 
resolution also describes the suppression of freedom and democracy by 
the Burmese military junta and the continuing struggle of Aung San Suu 
Kyi and the National League for Democracy to assert the rights, 
legitimate rights, of the Burmese people.
  It declares the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Government should 
continue to encourage the government of Burma to restore basic human 
rights to the Burmese people; to eliminate the practice of human 
trafficking; to address the manufacture of heroin; and to continue the 
process of releasing political prisoners; to recognize the result of 
the 1990 elections; and to allow Aung San Suu Kyi and the National 
League for Democracy to enjoy unfettered freedom of speech and freedom 
of movement.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, this resolution declares a sense of Congress 
that Aung San Suu Kyi should be invited to address a joint meeting of 
the Congress. It is my hope that this meeting will occur when Aung San 
Suu Kyi has taken her rightful place as the leader of a free and 
democratic Burma.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume, 
and I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 211.
  First, I would like to commend my friend and colleague, the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. King), for introducing this important legislation 
and my good friend the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), who has 
not only been a champion of human rights in Burma but across the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, when visitors arrive in my office, they are greeted by a 
picture of one of the world's most inspirational figures, Nobel 
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi's picture is a daily reminder to all 
who come to my office of her ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy 
in Burma.
  As we all know, Aung San Suu Kyi led the National League for 
Democracy to a landslide victory in the 1990s election in Burma. 
Instead of accepting results of this election, Burma's brutal 
totalitarian regime rejected the results of the election, placed Aung 
San Suu Kyi under house arrest and arrested hundreds of members of her 
political movement.
  Mr. Speaker, it would have been very easy and convenient for Aung San 
Suu Kyi to leave Burma and live her life in

[[Page 22284]]

exile. When her husband was extremely ill in Great Britain and the 
Burmese Government refused to allow him to come to Burma to see her one 
more time, she could have left; but she chose to stay.
  Facing enormous restrictions on her personal and political freedom, 
this courageous woman has continued the fight for freedom and democracy 
in Burma during the 10 years since she won the Nobel Peace Prize.
  As Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela found out, 
nonviolent struggle can take decades to succeed; and the struggle can 
be very lonely at times. This is all the more reason for the 
international community and for the United States to continue to stand 
with Aung San Suu Kyi in her struggle for freedom and democracy and all 
the values we share.
  Aung San Suu Kyi recently began a dialogue with the Burmese 
Government, and I certainly hope that it will bear fruit; but we must 
keep the pressure on that dictatorial regime until democracy prevails 
in Burma.
  To that end, I have introduced legislation which prohibits Burmese 
imports into the United States until the President determines that the 
Burmese Government has made progress in reversing its gross violations 
of internationally recognized human rights and worker rights, 
implementing democratic government and cooperating with the United 
States in our counternarcotics efforts. It is my earnest hope that the 
Committee on Ways and Means will expeditiously consider this 
legislation.
  The resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, will keep the pressure 
on the Burmese Government. By continuing to spotlight Aung San Suu 
Kyi's struggle in Burma and calling on our administration to encourage 
Burma to change its repressive and destructive policies, we build a 
stronger international coalition for positive change in Burma.
  Before concluding, I also want to acknowledge our colleague, the 
gentleman from Oregon's (Mr. Blumenauer) helpful comments regarding 
this legislation. The gentleman has suggested that Aung San Suu Kyi 
could be invited to address a joint session of Congress by video 
conference. I think this is a creative idea, and we should give it 
serious thought.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 211.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Chairman Hyde for bringing 
to the floor H. Con. Res. 211, a resolution Commending Daw Aung San Suu 
Kyi on the 10th anniversary of her receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and 
expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the Government of 
Burma. I want to commend the gentleman from New York, Congressman King, 
for drafting this important resolution.
  Daw Suu was under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 after winning a 
democratic election in 1990 and leading her party, the National League 
for Democracy, to a landslide victory, winning 80 percent of the 
parliamentary seats. However, she was rearrested a year ago and has 
once again been under house arrest since then.
  One year ago talks began between her party the National League for 
Democracy and the military government. Since then we have seen the 
release of 2180 political prisoners and the opening of approximately 30 
NLD offices. While we welcome these actions, Amnesty International 
reports that there are close to 1800 political prisoners still being 
held in Burma and at that pace it could be another 10 years before we 
see them all freed. This is not acceptable.
  Human rights abuses continue, narcotics production and trafficking 
continue and the NLD and ethnic supporters of the democracy movement 
are not allowed to freely associate or express their views. Just two 
weeks ago the State Department issued its report on international 
religious freedom once again citeing Burma as a country of concern for 
religious persecution.
  Accordingly Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 211 and urge 
my colleague to support this bill.
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the resolution to honor Ms. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a political activist 
currently under house arrest in Burma. Ms. Suu Kyi has devoted her life 
to furthering the democratic cause in her native land, in opposition to 
the brutal military regime now in power.
  The government in Burma acts with an overt disrespect for the human 
rights of the Burmese people. Human trafficking is a very real problem, 
which the military dictatorship makes no significant effort to curtail. 
And thanks to the government's involvement, the country ranks second 
only to Afghanistan in the production of heroin and methamphetamines. 
All publications, broadcast media, and even artwork are heavily 
censored. Freedoms of expression and assembly are ignored. The United 
Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other groups 
have routinely reported massacres, torture, rape, detention without 
trial, massive forced relocations, and forced labor.
  This is the government that Ms. Suu Kyi has been fighting for the 
past thirteen years. For seven of those years she has been under house 
arrest, subject to a law that permits detention without charge or 
trial. Yet she continues to advocate non-violent means of restoring 
democracy to her country. Because of her efforts she has become an 
international symbol of the fight against oppression and human rights 
abuses.
  In 1991, Ms. Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It is on the 
tenth anniversary of this occasion that we seek to honor her by 
recognizing her achievements and expressing our support of her endeavor 
to free Burma from the repressive and murderous dictatorship under 
which it suffers.
  As many of my constituents already know, I have been following human 
rights abuses in Burma quite closely. On March 13, 2001, Trinity 
College in Hartford, Connecticut, hosted an Inaugural Human Rights 
Program Awards Ceremony which called attention to three teachers being 
held as political prisoners in Burma. This program is believed to be 
the only undergraduate interdisciplinary human rights program in the 
United States, and is under the skillful direction of its Director, 
Maryam Elahi.
  Eight months ago, a number of the members of the Congressional Human 
Rights Caucus joined me in writing to the State Peace and Development 
Council of Burma requesting the immediate release of the three 
educators who were imprisoned after unfair trials. Neither they nor 
their lawyers were permitted to speak in court, in a blatant violation 
of international human rights norms. We have not yet received a 
response to our letter.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to again stand with me in denouncing 
the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Burmese government and in 
commemorating the non-violent and pro-democratic efforts of Ms. Suu Kyi 
by voting for this resolution.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Hyde and the ranking 
member, the gentleman from California, Mr. Lantos, for not only their 
longstanding commitment to democracy in Burma but their assistance in 
moving this resolution to the floor of the House. I also want to thank 
Joseph Rees, Peter Yeo and Jamie McCormick on the International 
Relations Committee for all their hard work and assistance.
  Mr. Speaker, this past October 14th marked the 10th anniversary of 
Aung San Suu Kyi receiving the Nobel Peace Prize yet, today she remains 
under house arrest. Barricades surround her residence, her telephone 
number is cut off and Western journalists face detention if they go 
within 200 yards. Obviously the suppression of democracy continues in 
Burma.
  The ruling military junta continues to abuse human rights and 
authorities continue to assist in the drug trade. Human trafficking and 
the displacement of peoples are persistent and growing problems. 
Burma's democratically elected government is still being denied the 
right to take office.
  Through it all, Aung San Suu Kyi has been a paragon of personal and 
political strength. It is my hope that the U.S. Congress and the 
American people continue to recognize the personal and national 
struggle for freedom in Burma.
  It is imperative that the United States continue to recognize and 
give hope to those who sacrifice so much in the name of freedom and 
democracy.
  Certainly, Aung San Suu Kyi has inspired so many and given so much--
that it would be a travesty for democratic nations to ignore and walk 
away from the oppression and military control that has become her way 
of life.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and continue their 
efforts to maintain pressure on the military junta in Burma.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Whitfield). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from

[[Page 22285]]

New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 211, 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. SMITH of New Jersey. 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 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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