[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14098]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  MEASURE READ THE FIRST TIME--S. 1215

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I understand that S. 1215 is at the 
desk, and I ask for its first reading.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by the title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1215) to sanction the ruling of the Burmese 
     military junta, to strengthen Burma's democratic forces and 
     support and recognize the National League of Democracy as the 
     legitimate representative of the Burmese people, and for 
     other purposes.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I now ask for its second reading and 
object to further proceedings on the matter.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, let me just say that I have been 
working to get the so-called ``Burma bill'' cleared. I am still 
optimistic that may happen and plan to ask unanimous consent in the 
morning that we go to that bill.
  For the information of our colleagues, if they have had a chance to 
see the front page of the Washington Post this morning, the problems in 
Burma should be at the top of the Nation's international agenda. Aung 
San Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, was attacked 9 days 
ago. We hope and believe that she is alive. But she has been injured, 
according to all reports.
  It is time for the United States to take a leadership position, and 
it is time for the Senate to pass this bill, which I will ask consent 
to bring up and pass tomorrow. I might say that it is cosponsored by 
both the Democratic and Republican leaders and by both the chairman and 
ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. It remains my hope 
that we will be able to get that cleared and vote on it tomorrow.

                          ____________________