[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12760]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 WELCOMING THE BURMESE STATE COUNSELLOR

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I have the distinct honor of 
welcoming my dear friend, Burmese State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu 
Kyi, as she visits the Capitol.
  Daw Suu is an incredible woman with an incredible life story. She has 
endured much since prodemocracy protests first swept her country many 
years ago. What followed was a story made for Hollywood. In fact, it is 
a story that Hollywood has made. The story of Aung San Suu Kyi--of the 
longtime political prisoner who had become the voice of her people, 
then de facto leader of her country--is about more than ``The Lady'' 
herself; it is about the journey of a country and a people.
  I first learned of that journey decades ago as I read of Daw Suu's 
heroic support for democratic reform, peaceful reconciliation, and 
human rights in her country. It may not have been the most popular 
political call back then, but it was important. I decided then to make 
this cause my own whenever possible. Over the years, that has meant 
sponsoring needed sanctions on the previous Burmese regime, it has 
meant promoting political and constitutional reforms and meeting with 
Burmese leaders, and it has meant keeping in close contact with Daw 
Suu. Whatever the task, it has been an honor to do my own small part to 
advocate for change in Burma and support my friend.
  It has been truly remarkable to see the changes that have taken hold 
in Burma in recent years--changes that once seemed literally 
unattainable. Last year the world looked on as Daw Suu led her National 
League for Democracy to victory in Burma's general election. For those 
keeping score, this was actually the second time she had done this, 
but, unlike the election in 1990, these results were actually accepted 
by the regime. It was a moment many of us had eagerly awaited for 
decades, and in many ways it reaffirmed the purpose behind Daw Suu's 
life's work, her great sacrifice, and her indestructible resolve. It 
was also a reminder of the many challenges that still face the Burmese 
people, such as addressing much needed constitutional reform and the 
military's disproportionate power in Parliament, ending decades-long 
conflicts and promoting peaceful reconciliation among ethnic groups, 
and encouraging economic development.
  As Daw Suu knows best of all, Burma is still a country with many 
challenges to hurdle as it strives to achieve a more representational 
government. The Burmese people are not alone. They, and she, have many 
friends here in Washington as they work toward reform and 
reconciliation.
  It has been 4 years since Daw Suu last visited us. It was a privilege 
then to help bestow her with the Congressional Gold Medal she had 
earned many years before. It is a privilege to welcome her back now in 
this new capacity. I look forward to meeting with her later today and 
again wishing her all the best and reaffirming my own commitment to 
support her and her country on their path ahead.

                          ____________________