October 24, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9543 October 3, Don Olson died in St. Paul, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a this when you hear this Chinese Presi- MN. I am honored that I was able to previous order of the House, the gentle- dent coming to the country. have met him during his 74 years of woman from Washington [Mrs. LINDA No. 4, remember also when you hear life, the time God gave him to be on SMITH] is recognized for 5 minutes. him speaking that the Chinese govern- this Earth, and I am blessed to have [Mrs. LINDA SMITH addressed the ment runs a gruesome trade in human called him my friend. House. Her remarks will appear here- organs, taking organs from executed After graduating from his rural Wis- after in the Extensions of Remarks.] prisoners and selling them to foreign consin high school in 1941, Don an- f buyers for tens of thousands of dollars. swered his country’s call to duty and They shoot people, they take their The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a served in the 70th Army Air Force blood sample, they take their tissue previous order of the House, the gen- Technical Training Detachment during sample and they sell their organs for tleman from Kansas [Mr. TIAHRT] is World War II. He graduated from the $35,000. So when you hear him go to recognized for 5 minutes. Army Air Forces Navigation School in Harvard and speak out, know that his San Marcos, TX in 1945. After the war, [Mr. TIAHRT addressed the House. government is selling kidneys of pris- Don came back to Minnesota and grad- His remarks will appear hereafter in oners for $35,000. uated cum laude from St. Olaf College the Extensions of Remarks.] Remember also, No. 5, that China’s in Northfield, MN, which is also in my f one-child policy results in forced abor- district; he earned a master’s degree CHINA tions and sterilization of women, where from the University of Minnesota in they track them down in the villages 1949; and later a law degree from the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a and force them to get abortions. St. Paul College of Law. previous order of the House, the gen- No. 6, when you hear President Clin- OLF] is Earlier this week I was telling my tleman from Virginia [Mr. W ton speak about our relationship with recognized for 5 minutes. staff about Don Olson and I said, he this man and with the Chinese govern- Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, the Presi- probably has forgotten more about gov- ment, remember that China has more dent of China will be visiting here be- ernment and the way it is supposed to gulags today than they had in the So- ginning this Sunday. I know that we work than most of us will ever know. viet Union when Solzhenitsyn wrote will treat him in a very courteous man- That was not an exaggeration. After the book ‘‘Gulag Archipelago.’’ There ner but I want the American people to working in the Minnesota State legis- are more gulag slave camps in China know every time they hear President lature, Don came out here to Washing- today than there were in the Soviet Clinton talk about the President of ton and served in the office of Senator Union under the worst times. China and every time they hear the Ed Thye, worked as congressional liai- Also know, No. 7, that China sells President of China speak, they should son for the Small Business Administra- arms and dangerous technology to bel- remember the following things: tion, and later he was the administra- ligerent countries which could one day No. 1, China persecutes people be- tive assistant in the office of Min- endanger men and women in the mili- cause of their religious beliefs. Catho- nesota Congressman Ancher Nelson, tary. Some days on this floor it is al- lic bishops are in jail, Catholic priests where he served for 14 years. most reminiscent of 1937, 1938, and 1939, are in jail, hundreds of them, and on In 1974, Don returned to the Midwest where Winston Churchill warned of the October 8, Chinese authorities arrested when he was hired by a little family danger of Nazi Germany and some of again and again Bishop Su who has clinic in my district, run by the Mayo the things that were sold in Nazi Ger- been one of the most prominent bish- brothers, to be their governmental af- many were used against Americans. I ops who is now back in jail. Protestant fairs specialist. He was the first person fear for it and every Member of this pastors are in jail and hundreds of that Mayo Clinic ever hired to do this body ought to get the intelligence them have been arrested. important job, and his work was noth- briefing by the CIA, the NSA, and the No. 2, China denies its citizens basic ing short of outstanding in his 14 years DIA to find out what weapons they are human rights and imprisons people for there until he retired in 1988. selling. speaking out in support of freedom. It was during his years at Mayo that No. 8, China continues to violate a Wei Jingsheng, one of China’s most im- I met Don Olson. It was about 1976. He range of bilateral and international portant prisoners, languishes in not was always a man of impeccable hon- proliferation and missile technology well conditions in jail serving a 15-year esty and a record of personal integrity treaties. sentence. He was detained in 1994 after that no one would ever question. He No. 9, China’s State-owned companies meeting with Assistant Secretary for was also the kind of person that you sold AK–47’s to street gangs in Califor- Democracy and Human Rights John could confide in. You could tell Don nia that could be used against Amer- Shattuck. So when you hear the Presi- Olson your deepest fears and know that ican citizens. So when you see the Chi- dent of China speak, remember Wei and they would go no further than his ears. nese President standing next to Presi- also Wang Dan, who has also been im- Robert Frost once wrote, ‘‘Govern- dent Clinton, remember that a com- prisoned for his activities in ment is a thing made of men and it dies pany connected with his government Tiananmen Square. as the men who made it die.’’ With was selling assault weapons to street No. 3, when you hear the Chinese these words in mind, I cannot think of gangs in California that could be used President speak at Independence Hall, a better place for me to remember Don to kill American people. which will be a disgrace for Independ- Olson than from the floor of this House No. 10, the Chinese trade surplus with ence Hall to have the Chinese Presi- of Representatives. the United States approached $40 bil- dent go there where Thomas Jefferson I know that Don’s daughters Tina lion last year and is getting bigger gave the words ‘‘We hold these truths and Lori as well as his son Wayne and every month. In August the United to be self-evident,’’ but when you hear his loving wife of 38 years, Terri, are States trade deficit with China jumped him there remember that China is bru- watching this afternoon. I want you all 10.6 percent, the highest of any coun- tally repressing the people of Tibet, de- to know that my thoughts and prayers try, driving American men and women stroying their culture, destroying their continue to be with you. This is a great out of their jobs. religion, destroying 4,000 to 5,000 mon- Mr. Speaker, China’s President will loss for the family, it is a great loss for asteries and in Tibet the one growth visit Washington, Williamsburg, and me, and it is a great loss for America. industry is the growth of prisons where Philadelphia, which will be a disgrace f Buddhist priests and Buddhist nuns are when he visits Independence Hall and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a being put in jail. We had testimony of other sites in the United States. Every previous order of the House, the gen- a 28-year-old Tibetan Buddhist nun time he speaks, the world should re- tleman from West Virginia [Mr. WISE] who told the House Committee on member the men and women who are is recognized for 5 minutes. International Relations how her Chi- languishing in Chinese prisons under [Mr. WISE addressed the House. His nese jailers tortured her with an elec- his control and do not buy into his remarks will appear hereafter in the tric cattle prod, putting it on all parts message. I ask him to change his pol- Extensions of Remarks.] of her body. You have got to remember icy. H9544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 24, 1997 Mr. Speaker, I include for the ties had ordered the monks of all of Lhasa’s told to stand with our hands against the wall RECORD the testimony of Tsultrim monasteries to attend, as they had invited as six policemen took each one in turn, held Dolma before the House Committee on journalists from many different countries to us down and beat us with electric prods and International Relations hearing on re- film the ceremony as an example of religious a small, broken chair and kicked us. freedom in Tibet. The monks of Sera, Gyaltsen Lochoe was kicked in the face. I ligious persecution on September 10, Drepung, Ganden and Nechung decided to was kicked in the chest so hard that I could 1997. boycott the ceremony, but were forced to at- hardly breathe. We were told to raise our The material referred to is as follows: tend at gun point. Under guard, the monks hands in the air, but it was not possible to TESTIMONY OF TSULTRIM DOLMA—HOUSE COM- made the traditional cicumambulation stay in that position and we kept falling MITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS— around the Jokhang, Lhasa’s central cathe- down. As soon as I fell, someone would come HEARING ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, SEP- dral. and force me up. We were constantly ques- TEMBER 10, 1997 After completing the ceremony, those tioned regarding who else was involved in ar- monks joined together in calling out loudly My name is Tsultrim Dolma. I am 28 years ranging the demonstration. to Tibetan officials working for the Chinese old. I am one of the one thousand Tibetan All during the interrogation, we were not government who were watching the cere- refugees who came to the United States allowed to fasten our belts and so our robes mony from a stage next to the Jokhang. through the Tibetan Resettlement Program, kept slipping off. We would constantly try to They demanded the release of the highly re- authorized by the United States Congress in lift them up and adjust them. I tried to vered incarnate lama, Yulo Dawa Tsering, 1991. think of what I could possibly say to answer who had been arrested some months before I never imagined that I would someday tes- the questions. ‘‘How did you choose that and of whom nothing had been heard. One of tify before you esteemed gentlemen and day? Who was behind you?’’ I could only see the official’s bodyguards then fired at the gentleladies. Now that I am here, I feel it is feet. Many different pairs of feet approach- demonstrators, killing one Tibetan. A riot both a privilege and responsibility to tell ing us through the day. We were repeatedly ensued and the army proceeded to fire into you about my experiences—among the thou- kicked and beaten. ‘‘The Americans are help- the crowd. Soldiers chased a large number of sands of Tibetans who flee into exile, very ing you! Where are they now? They will monks into the Jokhang and clubbed 30 of few have their stories heard. never help you! Because you have opposed them to death. I am not an educated person. I don’t know communism, you are going to die!’’ Eighteen lay Tibetans were also killed in After some hours had passed, a large dog about politics. But I do know what it is to the cathedral. Twelve other monks were with pointed ears and black and white spots live under Chinese rule. And I know, al- shot. Two monks were strangled to death, was brought in, led on a heavy chain. The po- though I was born after the Chinese came and an additional eight lay Tibetans were lice tried to force us to run, but we simply into Tibet, that Tibet is different than killed outside the cathedral. The news of the did not have the strength. The dog looked at China. deaths spread throughout the city. us with interest, but did not approach. I have asked my friend Dorje Dolma to After we saw the terror and turmoil in the Finally, as sunset approached, we were read the rest of my testimony because my streets, some nuns from my Ani Gompa and handcuffed and taken into a building and English is not very good. I decided to demonstrate in order to support made to walk through the hallway two by I was born in Pelbar Dzong, Tibet, near our heroic brothers and sisters in Lhasa, par- two. Here and there were small groups of Chamdo which prior to the Chinese invasion ticularly the monks who had been arrested Chinese soldiers on both sides of the cor- in 1949 was the easternmost administrative and are in prison and whose cases even now ridor. As we passed, we were punched and center of the Dalai Lama’s government. For have not been settled. On April 16, about six kicked, slapped and pulled hard by the ears. as long as I can remember, I yearned to be- weeks after the massacre during Monlam, My cell, measuring five feet by five feet, was come a nun. It was difficult for me to pursue four of us demonstrated for their release and empty except for a slop basin and small my studies because the nunnery near my vil- the release of women with children. We felt bucket. That night, I quickly passed out on lage had been completely destroyed during the Chinese were trying to destroy all the the cold cement floor. the Cultural Revolution. patriotic Tibetans in prison by maltreating The following morning, I was taken to a I took my nun’s vow at age 17 and, soon them. The Chinese government has pub- room where three police were seated behind after, left my home with a small group of vil- licized that there is freedom of religion in a table. On its surface was an assortment of lagers to make the customary pilgrimage to Tibet, but in fact, the genuine pursuit of our rifles, electric prods and iron rods. I was told Lhasa, the capital and spiritual center of religion is a forbidden freedom. So many dif- ‘‘Look down!’’ Throughout my detention, I Tibet, and a month’s journey from my home. ficult restrictions are placed on those enter- was never allowed to look straight at their Once there I was able to join the Chupsang ing monastic life, and spies are planted ev- faces. While answering I had to look to the nunnery on the outskirts of the city. erywhere. side or face down. In Lhasa it was unavoidable to feel the My sister nuns and I were joined by two One of them asked me ‘‘Why did you dem- tension due to the large differences between nuns from Gari Gompa and we were all six onstrate? Why are you asking yourself for the Tibetans and Chinese living there, and arrested in the Barkhor while shouting out torture and beatings?’’ My knees began to within a year, on October 1, 1987, China’s Na- demands. As we stood on the holy walk of shake. I told them: ‘‘Many monks, nuns and tional Day, I experienced at first hand the the Barkhor, we were approached by eight lay people have been arrested, but we know consequences of that tension. Chinese soldiers who spread out and grabbed Tibet belongs to the Tibetans. You say there On that day, monks from Sera and us. Two soldiers took me roughly by the is freedom of religion, but there is no genu- Nechung Monasteries peacefully dem- arms, twisting my hands behind by back. ine freedom!’’ My answer angered them and onstrated for the release of their imprisoned Two of the nuns, Tenzin Wangmo and the three got up from behind the table, pick- brothers. Hundreds of Tibetans gathered Gyaltsen Loche, were put in a Chinese police ing up various implements. One picked up an around in support. Public Security Bureau jeep and driven away. The rest of us were electric rod and hit me with it. I fell down. Police moved through the crowd videotaping thrown into a truck and taken to the main They shouted at me to stand, but I demonstrators. Then, unexpectedly, opened section of Gutsa prison, about three miles couldn’t and so one pulled up my robe and fire on the crowd. The Tibetans responded by east of Lhasa. the other man inserted the instrument into throwing stones at the cameras, but a num- When we arrived, we were separated and my vagina. The shock and the pain were hor- ber of monks were arrested and dragged to taken into various rooms. I was pushed into rible. He repeated this action several times the Police station. a room where one male and one female guard and also struck other parts of my body. I joined a large group that converged on were waiting. They removed the belt which Later the others made me stand and hit me the station. We heard gun shots from the held my nuns robe and it fell down as they with sticks and kicked me. Several times I rooftop and tried to get inside, but the police searched my pockets. While I was searched, fell to the floor. They would then force the fired down into the crowd. Many Tibetans the guards slapped me hard repeatedly and prod inside of me and pull me up to repeat were killed and many other badly injured. yanked roughly on my nose and ears. the beatings. Outraged at the massacre, some Tibetans set After the search, I was led outside to an- For some reason I began to think of a pre- fire to the building. I watched as Venerable other building where two different male and cious herb that grows in Tibet called Yartsa Jampa Tenzin, the caretaker of the Jokhang female guards waited to begin the interroga- Gunbu. Tibetans believe it is a cross between Temple, led a charge into the building to try tion. ‘‘What did you say in the Barkhor? Why the kingdoms of plants and animals because to free the monks. When he emerged about did you say it?’’ The cell contained a variety during the summer it gives the appearance of ten minutes later, his arms were badly of torture implements: lok-gyug, electric being a worm. This medicine herb is quite burned and had long pieces of skin peeling cattle prods, and metal rods. I was kicked rare. In my region, the Chinese force a off. Two young novice monks came out with and fiercely beaten as I was interrogated monthly quota on each monk and nun which him and were also badly burned. Soon after- until mid-day, and then pulled to my feet consists of thousands and thousands of such wards, Jampa Tenzin was arrested and de- and taken to the prison courtyard where I plants. I shouted out: ‘‘Before 1959, it was tained at Sangyip Prison where he is known saw the three other nuns from Chupsang. considered a sin for monks to pick the Yartsa to have undergone severe ill-treatment. We were made to stand in four directions. Gunbu! It was a sin, and you have forced The Great Monlam Prayer Festival which I was near the door so that every Chinese them to do it!’’ occurred the following spring was the next soldier who passed by would kick me in pass- I remained in detention for more than four occasion for major protest. Chinese authori- ing. Our hands were uncuffed and we were months. For the first month, I was beaten October 24, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H9545 every morning during the interrogations. ing there as well, but I thought ‘‘if only I bles, what we buy in these grocery For the first several days, different levels of could reach him, if I could only once see his stores, what we prepare in our kitch- authorities came to my cell. At first I was face. . . .’’ ens, what we eat in our restaurants can afraid but as time went by and I thought Another nun and I heard of some Tibetans about the monks, and other men and women nomads who were taking medicines to the re- in fact, is in fact safe and reliable and who were imprisoned, many of whom had mote areas and traveling to Mount Kailash will not in any way cause health prob- families to worry about, I began to realize I in a truck. From there we joined a group of lems for our people. had nothing to lose. My parents could lead 15 Tibetans to travel to the Nepalese border. Unfortunately, in the last couple of their lives by themselves. In December 1990, I reached northern India. I was continuously terrified of possible sex- When I first met His Holiness, I could not years, some things have begun to hap- ual molestation. But as the days went by, stop crying. He asked, ‘‘Where do you want pen that make some of us not so much that did not occur. Sitting in my cell, I to go? Do you want to go to school?’’ He pat- take our food safety for granted. This would remind myself that I was there be- ted my face gently. I could not say anything. past Sunday, Parade Magazine ran a cause I had spoken on behalf of the people of I could only cry as I felt the reality of his cover story called ‘‘How To Prevent Tibet and I felt proud that I had accom- presence. It was not a dream. In Tibet so Food Poisoning.’’ It cites everything many long to see him. At the same time, I plished a goal and was able to say what I from contaminated strawberries that thought was right. felt an overwhelming sadness. Because I was In Gutsa prison in the summer of 1988, raped, I felt I could no longer be a nun. I had were grown in Mexico, processed in San there were all together about 32 nuns and lay been spoiled. The trunk of our religious vows Diego, sold to schoolchildren and women. All the women were kept in the ward is to have a pure life. When that was de- served to schoolchildren in Michigan, for political prisoners. During that time, one stroyed, I felt guilty to be in a nunnery with many of whom contracted hepatitis A. of the nuns, Sonam Chodon, was sexually other nuns who were really very pure. If I A handful of these children actually molested. stayed in the nunnery, it would be as if a got very, very, very sick; a couple of Fifteen days after my release from prison drop of blood had been introduced into the on August 4, 1988, a Tibetan approached me ocean of milk. them almost died. It talks about rasp- and asked if my sister nuns and I would like I have been asked by esteemed persons berries grown in Guatemala that were to talk to a British journalist who was se- such as yourselves what makes Tibetan contaminated. It talks about how in cretly making a documentary in Tibet. We nuns, many very young, so brave in their this era of free trade, in this era of all felt to appear in the interview without support of the Tibetan cause. I say that it is more and more food sold from one hiding our faces was the best way to make a from seeing the suffering of our people. What country, into another country into the contribution. The ultimate truth would soon I did was just a small thing. As a nun, I sac- be known so there was no need to hide. We rificed my family and the worldly life, so for United States that we simply are not had truth as our defense. a real practitioner it doesn’t matter if you preparing well enough at the border. After our release from prison, we were for- die for the cause of truth. His Holiness the We are not doing the right kind of in- mally expelled from Chupsang by the Chi- Dalai Lama teaches us to be patient, toler- spections. One reporter called all these nese authorities and sent back to our vil- ant and compassionate. Tibetans believe in foods coming into the country pass- lages. We were not allowed to wear nuns the law of Karma, cause and effect. In order ports for pathogens. robes and were forbidden to take part in reli- to do something to try to stop the cycle of gious activities. We were not allowed to talk bad effect, we try to raise our voices on be- freely with other villagers. I was forced to half of the just cause of Tibet. b 1430 attend nightly reeducation meetings during f As more and more food products which the topic of conversation often came The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a around to me as ‘‘a member of the small come in, inspections at the border gen- previous order of the House, the gen- splittist Dalai clique which is trying to sepa- erally are not very good, and Ameri- tleman from California [Mr. RIGGS] is rate the motherland.’’ I was so depressed and cans are more at risk and take less for recognized for 5 minutes. confused. I never told my parents what had granted than ever before, at least any happened in prison. When word came of the [Mr. RIGGS addressed the House. His British documentary in which I took part, time in this century, concerning the remarks will appear hereafter in the products we buy in grocery stores. everyone began to discuss it. Most Tibetans Extensions of Remarks.] thought I was quite brave, but some collabo- f About a month ago, at my own ex- rators insulted me. It soon seemed as if ar- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a pense, I went to the Mexican border, rest was imminent. I began to fear for my went to Laredo, TX, and went to parent’s safety and so decided to flee to the previous order of the House, the gen- only place I could think of—Lhasa—to ap- tleman from New Jersey [Mr. PAPPAS] McAllen, TX, went into Reynosa, Mex- peal again to Chupsang nunnery for re-ad- is recognized for 5 minutes. ico, and looked across the border from mission. [Mr. PAPPAS addressed the House. Laredo into Nuevo Laredo. I saw the After arriving in Lhasa, I set out for the inspections at the border, I saw the hour’s walk to Chupsang. I found a Chinese His remarks will appear hereafter in the Extensions of Remarks.] number of trucks coming into the police office had been set up at the nunnery. United States from Mexico, I saw the I was told to register at the office and, while f number of cars, the hundreds and hun- there, was told re-admission was not pos- MAKING OUR FOOD SAFER sible. I realized that the police officer there dreds and hundreds of cars coming would arrest me if I stayed. Greatly discour- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a streaming across the border, basically aged, I set out to make my way back to previous order of the House, the gen- 24 hours a day. And it is clear that Lhasa. tleman from Ohio [Mr. BROWN] is rec- when the North American Free-Trade Just below the nunnery there is a Chinese ognized for 5 minutes. Agreement was passed by this Congress police compound the Tibetans call Sera Shol Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, in 1993, that the President, the admin- Gyakhang. As I passed, I saw three Chinese about 90 years ago in the early 1900’s, soldiers on bicycles. They followed me a istration, the leadership in this Con- short distance before I was stopped. One of Upton Sinclair wrote a book called gress, simply have not prepared at the them took off his coat and shirt and then ‘‘The Jungle.’’ This book was about the border for the huge amounts of mate- tied the shirt around by face, and shoved the American meat processing industry. It rials coming into the country. sleeves in my mouth to stop me from crying was about worker conditions in Chi- and yelling. I was raped by the three on the cago in the meatpacking industry. There are too many drugs coming outer boundary of the compound. After doing Equally importantly, it was about food across the border undetected, there are that bad thing to me, they just ran away. quality and what Americans were eat- too many trucks crossing the border I remained in Lhasa for two months under that are not safe, and probably, most the care of local Tibetans. As expected, the ing and what went into the food that Americans ate. Over these 90 years importantly, there is too much food release of the documentary caused an uproar coming across the border that is con- with the Chinese authorities. My sister nuns since the publication of that book, tried to disguise themselves and wore their Americans have come to take for taminated. hair a little longer. I had lost all hope of con- granted the quality of their food, that There are pesticides that are illegal tinuing to live in Tibet under so many ob- fruits and vegetables were not con- in the United States that are legal in structions and restrictions and the ever taminated, that food products, meat some countries in Latin America. present possibility of rearrest. Even if I products, fish and dairy products were There are contaminants in the way could stay, the Chinese would forbid me to study and I feared them in many other bad inspected. We can go into grocery that food is grown, contaminated by ways. I began to think of His Holiness the stores through the first 80, 85, 90 years urine and feces and other kinds of Dalai Lama in India. At that time, I didn’t of this century understanding, taking human contaminants and other con- know there were so many other Tibetans liv- for granted that what we put on our ta- taminants and wastes that end up on