E 774 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 4, 1995

causing reproductive failure, birth defects, DIDATES.—Within 18 months after the enact- Proudly surrender lunch developmental impairment, hormonal dis- ment of this section, the Administrator shall Kids of America ruption, behavioral disorders, immune sup- complete a report to Congress on nonpoint Nutrition’s not for you pression, and cancer at low doses, and mix- sources and industrial discharges of Sacrifice for the rich few tures of these substances may cause these ef- organochlorine compounds and their byprod- When tummies hurt fects at even lower doses; ucts and metabolites into water. The report Go to bed (3) regulatory approaches that permit even shall include a listing of all types or cat- Be a soldier limited production and discharge of toxic egories of nonpoint sources and industrial And play dead substances that persist and/or bioaccumulate organochlorine discharges into water and The F22 then result in the accumulation of these sub- their byproducts and metabolites. The report Might rescue you stances in the environment and food chain shall also include a listing of the annual The Sea Wolf sub over time and subsequent damage to the quantities of each organochlorine compound Might bring hot grub health of humans and other species; discharged into water nationally and by per- (4) the most favored method of preventing mitted facility, together with a list of each Now hear this the continued contamination of the environ- permitted facility’s location and quantities There is a fiscal crunch ment from persistent or bioaccumulative of combined organochlorine compound dis- This nation needs your lunch toxic substances is to phaseout their produc- charges into water. The report shall contain Pledge allegiance to the flag tion and/or use over time and replace these recommendations for achieving a zero dis- Mobilize your own brown bag substances or the processes that produce charge policy for important categories of The enemy deficit them, or both, with safer alternatives; organochlorine pollution sources. In order to Must be defeated (5) among the persistent and/or develop such recommendations, the Adminis- Nutrition suicide squads bioaccumulative toxic substances of greatest trator shall convene an advisory panel. The Are desperately needed concern are organochlorines discharged in advisory panel shall conduct public hearings Kids of America the production of pulp and paper as a result and solicit public and expert comment. The There is a fiscal crunch of the use of chlorine or any other panel shall consist of 15 members, including This great nation chlorinated oxidizing agents in the pulp and at least 1 independent expert in each of the Now needs your lunch. paper manufacturing process; fields of public health, occupational health, (6) the Great Lakes Water Quality Agree- technology change, toxics use reduction, and f ment between the United States and Canada ecology, 2 affected citizens, and technical concludes that ‘‘the discharge of toxic sub- and policy experts from industry, labor, pub- TESTIMONY OF LIU XINHU stances in toxic amounts be prohibited and lic interest groups, and State environmental the discharge of any or all persistent toxic agencies. HON. FRANK R. WOLF substances be virtually eliminated’’; and ‘‘(d) DEFINITION.—For the purposes of this OF VIRGINIA (7) in the Sixth Biennial Report on Great section, the term ‘zero discharge’ means ab- Lakes Water Quality, the International solutely no output or release, including IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Joint Commission on Great Lakes Water nonpoint source output or release, into Tuesday, April 4, 1995 Quality concluded that ‘‘the concepts of vir- water. The term ‘zero discharge’ does not tual elimination and zero discharge are con- mean a less than detectable output or re- Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I sub- sistent and a clear statement or direction to lease.’’. mitted for the RECORD the testimony of three take to achieve the Agreement’s purpose. f survivors of the Chinese laogai. The witnesses The overall strategy or aim regarding per- testified before the International Relations sistent toxic substances is virtual elimi- DON’T SWINDLE THE CHILDREN’S Subcommittee on International Operations and nation, and the tactic or method to be used LUNCHES AWAY to achieve the aim is through zero input or Human Rights on April 3. discharge of those substances created as a re- The stories are powerful accounts of brave sult of human activity. HON. MAJOR R. OWENS Chinese men and women who have suffered (b) ZERO DISCHARGE OF ORGANOCHLORINE OF NEW YORK tremendously because of their religion or polit- COMPOUNDS, BYPRODUCTS, OR METABOLITES.— IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ical views. Today, I am submitting the testi- Title III of the Federal Water Pollution Con- mony of two more survivorsÐMr. Liu Xinhu, Tuesday, April 4, 1995 trol Act is amended by redesignating section who was imprisoned at the age of 13 because 519 as section 520 and by inserting the follow- Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, the final word his father was a so-called counter- ing after section 518: has not yet been said about the Republican ‘‘SEC. 519. DISCHARGE OF ORGANOCHLORINE revoluntionary and Palden Gyatso, a Tibetan COMPOUNDS, BYPRODUCTS, OR swindle of the children who receive free monk who spent 33 years in the laogai. I hope METABOLITES. lunches in the schools across our Nation. But my colleagues and the American people will ‘‘(a) ZERO DISCHARGE.—(1) Effective 5 years the final, most authoritative figures have been be enlighted and moved by these stories. after the enactment of this section, each established by the Congressional Budget Of- Many people like Mr. Xinhu and Palden pulp and paper manufacturing facility shall fice. The very conservative but thorough CBO Gyatso are still suffering in China today. We achieve zero discharge into water of has estimated that the Republicans will cap- must not forget them. organochlorine compounds, byproducts, or ture slightly more than $2 billion from their metabolites formulated as a result of the use TESTIMONY OF LIU XINHU, LAOGAI SURVIVOR of chlorine or any other chlorinated oxidiz- block-granted School Lunch Program. This will My name is Liu Xinhu. ing agent in the pulp and paper manufactur- be $2 billion more to go into the tax cut for the Because my father was an official in the ing process. rich. This is a scenario filled with horror. It former government, the Communist Party, ‘‘(2) Effective 5 years after enactment of conjures up the image of the poster where on the pretext that he would disrupt labor this section, all existing and new permits Uncle Sam is pointing his finger and saying to discipline, arrested and sent him to a ‘‘reedu- under this Act for paper and pulp mills potential military recruits: ``I need you!'' While cation through labor’’ (laojiao) prison camp which use chlorine or any other chlorinated the Republicans advocate a $50 billion in- in 1958. He was sent to the Baimaoling Farm oxidizing agent shall require compliance crease in the defense budget and turn their to serve his sentence. In 1973, having lost all with the zero discharge requirement set hope and deeply impoverished in the hell of forth in paragraph (1). backs on welfare for corporations and rich the hard labor farm, he committed suicide. ‘‘(b) SAFE ALTERNATIVES ASSISTANCE.— farmers, they are saying to the children of I was born in 1945. When I was 13 years old Within one year after the enactment of this America: ``This nation needs your lunch.'' in 1958, because I was the eldest son in the section, the Administrator shall evaluate al- THE NATION NEEDS YOUR LUNCH family of a counter-revolutionary, the Com- ternatives to the use of organochlorines in Kids of America munist government found an excuse which the manufacturing of pulp and paper, and There is a fiscal crunch had absolutely no legal precedent, and sent shall publish a report on the transfer of tech- This great nation me to live at the same Laogai prison farm as nology in the pulp and paper industry from Now needs your lunch my father. In 1964, when I had just turned organochlorine to chlorine-free technology eighteen years old, the Communist govern- To set as a model for pollution prevention. Within ment sentenced me to two years reeducation The budget right 18 months after the enactment of this sec- through labor because of what they called Go hungry tion, the Agency shall begin providing tech- ‘‘counter-revolutionary activities’’. After For one night nical information and support to assist per- being released from the laojiao sentence at mit applicants in the use of alternatives to Don’t eat the farm in 1966, I was ordered to continue organochlorine compounds in the production What we could save forced labor at the farm as a ‘‘forced-job- of pulp and paper. Be brave placement’’ (jiuye) worker. I was once again ‘‘(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS ON Patriots stand out labeled a ‘‘counter-revolutionary element’’ ORGANOCHLORINE ZERO DISCHARGE CAN- Above the bunch in 1974 because of my ‘‘political attitudes’’, April 4, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 775 and the controls over me at the Laogai pris- were also fettered with iron manacles while not yet experienced this.’’ The name of this on farm were further strengthened. I was de- self-tightening handcuffs and thumb-cuffs prison guard is Sonam Tsering; he was still tained straight through until my release in were used to tie our hands and thumbs. The on duty when I escaped from Tibet. Such is 1983. During the twenty-five years I spent in sharp edges on those handcuffs often resulted the conduct of the police, who we are also the Laogai, I suffered innumerable beatings in prisoners hands getting cut completely told are humanitarians. and torments; I clearly remember one occa- off. I still have many scars on my wrists as Mr. Chairman, I was transferred from sion when I was unable to fulfill my produc- a result of these sharp instruments. Outidu Prison to the nearby Drapchi Prison, tion quota because I was very sick, the pub- In 1962, I managed to escape from Panam known as the ‘‘Tibet Autuonmous Region’’ lic security police stripped me of my clothes, District Prison with six other political pris- Number One Prison on October 13, 1990. Im- tied me to a tree trunk, and allowed the oners. But we got caught just when we mediately upon my arrival, the chief admin- mosquitoes and insects to bite me for more reached Tonsher township to worship near istrator of the prison’s Fifth Unit, a man than two hours. the Indo-Tibetan border, and my prison term named Paljor, asked me, ‘‘I see you have The Baimaoling Farm is internally known was increased to 15 years as result. The im- been imprisoned three times. What brought as the Shanghai Number Two Laogai General position of the additional eight year prison you here this time?’’ I replied, ‘‘I was ar- Brigade. It is located in the southeast area of term was preceded by indiscriminate beat- rested because I had put up posters saying Anhui Province. Its scale is enormous and it ings, then the use of iron shackles on both Tibet is an independent country, separated holds, on average, 50,000 Laogai prisoners, my hands and feet, night and day for six from China.’’ He replied, ‘‘I will give you Ti- laojiao prisoners, and jiuye personnel. It pro- months. The leg shackles were not removed betan independence.’’ He then proceeded to duces tea, rice, valves, and toys, as well as for more than two years, during which I was give me a number of vicious kicks and inter- other goods. My father and I were detained taught how to, then forced to, weave carpets. mittently jabbed the electric cattle-prod on in different sections of the farm, and we were Mr. Chairman, I completed my Laogai various parts of my body. Finally, after not permitted to see each other. The public term in 1975 but was not allowed to return about half an hour, he rammed the cattle- security police only told me in 1973 that he home. Rather, I was sent to the Nyethang prod into my mouth and pushed it in with had died, and I had to go and claim the Laogai camp, located some 15 miles west of great force. I passed out. When I regained corpse. Once at the crematorium, I saw his Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Prison life re- consciousness, I found myself in a pool of old and pale body. I was given those clothes. sumed, though with a slightly relaxed at- blood and excrement and in extreme pain. No I cried bitterly. I felt that my father was mosphere. In 1979, I took advantage of this to more brave than I was because he dared to sneak out of the Laogai camp in the middle medical treatment was given. I lost most of determine his own end to this difficult life of the night to go to Lhasa, where I put up my teeth. and gain his freedom. a number of posters calling for Tibetan inde- In April 1991, Ambassador James Lilley, I now live in the United States and have a pendence. I was finally caught, and on Au- then Ambassador to China, came to visit the family and children of my own. I deeply hope gust 26, 1983, I was rearrested and sent to the Drapchi Prison. I, along with some of my fel- that my children and all other children, as Old Sangyip Prison in northeastern Lhasa. low prisoners, presented him with a petition well as all future generations, do not have In April 1984, I was sentenced to a nine detailing the torture and suffering at the ever to suffer through these kinds of tortures year prison term during a one hour trial prison. But it was snatched away from his and difficulties. Thank you all very much for where I was denied legal representation or hand and given over to the head of prison ad- your concerns about the Chinese citizens opportunity to defend myself. I was taken to ministration. After the ambassador left, two who continue to suffer in the Laogai to this the Outidu Prison Fourth Unit, which is political prisoners, Lobsang Tenzin and very day. today a part of the Sangyip Prison Adminis- Tenpa Wangdak, were detained in solitary tration in the remote northeast valley of confinement while being interrogated. To- TESTIMONY OF PALDEN GYATSO, LAOGAI Lhasa, in April of 1985. In that Laogai, we gether with three other prisoners, they were SURVIVOR had to do all sorts of filthy work, including later transferred to the Powo Tramo Laogai Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the handling of human excrement used to Camp in southeastern Tibet. That day, the I have spent 33 years of my 64-year-old life grow vegetables. Sometimes we were forced Army was called in and all of us political in Chinese prisons and Laogai camps in to do the personnel work of the prison prisoners were beaten with rifle butts or Tibet. During those years I yearned for a mo- guards. But the guards routinely expresses stabbed with bayonets. The sticks and elec- ment such as this one. I express my whole- dissatisfaction with our work and often beat tric prods used to beat us were almost all hearted thanks to you, Mr. Chairman, and to us afterwards. We were also often subjected broken from the verocity of the beatings. all the members of this Committee for giving to other abuses by drunken prison guards. Ngawang Kunga, a political prisoner, was me this great opportunity to appear before Other forms of ill-treatment at the Laogai beaten until he lost consciousness with an you today. I feel that it is an honor, but also were rampant. For example, in November iron chain used to tie a prisoner’s legs. my responsibility, to inform the United 1987, a prison official poked me with an elec- Ngawang Phuljung lost consciousness after States Congress about the mistreatment I tric cattle-prod and poured boiling water he was beaten with a rifle butt to his temple. and other Tibetans have suffered in the over me just because he said he did not like Phurbu Tsering was stabbed with a bayonet, Laogai at the hands of the Chinese govern- my attitude. No medical treatment was causing a deep vertical cut in the back of his ment. given after that. head which bled tremendously. The list of My name is Palden Gyatso. I became a Throughout my 15 year imprisonment that those beaten is too long to enumerate. The monk when I was ten years old. At 28 years started in 1959 and the nine year confine- latter two are still in the same prison today. of age in 1959, at the climax of the Chinese ment in the Laogai thereafter, I was never I would humbly request, Mr. Chairman, military invasion of Tibet, I was arrested allowed any visits or meetings with my rel- that in the future visits to the prisons by US and accused of being a ‘‘reactionary ele- atives and family members. officials, that there be substantial follow-up ment’’ and sentenced to a seven-year prison In November 1987, five prisoners from to ensure that these sorts of atrocities are term to be served at the Panam District Guojo District in eastern Tibet, imprisoned not committed against political prisoners Prison in southern Tibet. This prison was at Gutsa Prison in Lhasa, were sentenced who are simply trying to provide informa- previously a monestary named Norbu and two of them put to death. On the day of tion about the true situation and conditions Khyungtse. In the prison, I was made to do the announcement of the sentences, all of of prisons in Tibet. hard labor, ordinarily for nine hours a day, the prisoners of Gutsa Prison (near Sangyip) I have recounted only a few instances of and some times even more. We prisoners were ordered to attend. The two prisoners the inhumane atrocities committed against were yoked to plows like animals to till pris- who were sentenced to death were told by Tibetan prisoners in the Laogai. Tibetans on lands. When we got exhausted and became the Chinese police that since the were to be still continue to be subjected to untold ter- too weak to pull the plow, we were kicked executed in two days, they should sing loud- rors day and night, and I appeal to your con- and whipped from behind. Since we were ly and dance in front of the crowd of other science to seek their freedom. Many in- never given enough to eat, we were forced to prisoners. They were forced to comply with stances of brutal ill-treatment of prisoners steal food meant for the pigs in the Chinese this order with their iron leg and hand in Drapchi Prison in Tibet have come to pig sties. We were also driven to chewing and shackles on. Many prisoners cried spontane- light recently. In June 1993, for example, eating things like used leather items, bones ously and even the Tibetan officials looked fourteen nuns were found to have clandes- of different kinds of dead animals, mice, saddened by the spectacle. I was told this tinely composed and recorded a freedom worms, and all kinds of green grasses. story by a number of nuns and others who song, resulting in a brutal beating. A 20- The treatment of political prisoners at the were in that prison at that time. Such a year-old nun named Phuntsok Yangkyi died. Laogai in Tibet involves different types of sorry state of affairs clearly shows that The other thirteen suffered varying degrees cruel acts. In winter, we were suspended in there really are no rights at all for prisoners of permanent physical impairments, with the air and then cold water was thrown on in Tibet. one 18-year-old nun named Ngawang Sangdol us; during hot summer days, cold water was In another incident around that time, po- having both hands deformed. replaced by building a fire beneath the sus- lice guards at Gutsa Prison repeatedly raped Despite the sweltering heat and the fetid pended prisoner. Other forms of ill-treat- nun political prisoners then sexually vio- atmosphere, prisoners are required to remain ment in this position included being lashed lated them with electric cattle-prods. Before in the greenhouses all day, year round, to with a leather belt and being beaten with an thrusting the cattle-prod into the sexual grow vegetables and sell them in the market electric cattle-prod or an iron bar. Our feet organ of one, the assailant said, ‘‘You have in Lhasa. While not being paid for their E 776 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 4, 1995 work, the prisoners who fail to fulfill their winners in the National Teen Business Plan but to support the Government. Republicans quotas are punished and liable to have their Competition. know this and are working to relieve American prison terms extended. The health of many This competition, sponsored by the Income families of this tax burden. prisoners has been effected by continual ex- posure to the greenhouse atmosphere, ren- of Her Own organization, encourages teen- It cost middle-income families more than dering them barely conscious of the sur- agers to create their own businesses and de- $5,000 per year to rear a child. The American roundings. velop their economic skills. Kami and Kristina family deserves a $500-per child tax credit. On August 25, 1992, I finished my prison produced an extremely ingenious idea which Our bill allows families with annual incomes of term and was finally released from prison. incorporated their vision, creativity, and com- up to $200,000 to receive a full tax credit of Thirteen days later I escaped from Tibet. Be- passion. Their plan is to start a company $500 per child. For incomes exceeding fore escaping, I made arrangements to ac- called World Cheerleading Dancers. This busi- $200,000, the tax credit is proportionally re- quire some of the instruments of torture in ness will stage two competitions each year for duced to zero so that families making order to show them to the outside world. I have brought a few of them here to show to young girls who want to develop dance and $250,000 or more receive no credit. As a re- you. One is the type of electric cattle-prod cheerleading moves into a choreographic rou- sult, over 29 million families and 51 million that was rammed into my mouth and also tine. This competition will provide young children will benefit. Nearly 70 percent of the sexual organs of nun political prisoners. women with the opportunity to simultaneously those families benefiting have incomes of less This is the type of thumb-cuff that is used to develop self-confidence and performance than $75,000. tie the detaineees diagonally across their skills. Mr. Speaker, the most important thing we backs by the thumbs. This is one of the spe- In addition to becoming entrepreneurs, Kami can do for the American family is to get Gov- cial type of knives used by the Chinese police and Kristina also plan to make a positive con- ernment off of their back. The Republican to stab prisoners. These are just some of the torture instruments used in the Laogai of tribution to the community with their enter- child tax credit provision gives American fami- Tibet. prise. Five percent of the profits made by this lies more of what they earn. Our bill increases Mr. Chairman, the Tibetan people have venture will be donated to the Impossible the resources available for parent to meet been suffering under the repressive Chinese Dream Foundation, which makes dreams their child-rearing cost, not Government costs. rule since 1949. Thousands and thousands of come true for ailing and handicapped children. f innocent Tibetans have lost their lives and Besides being seasoned performers and the six million that remain are struggling to budding entrepreneurs, Kami and Kristina are INTRODUCTION OF THE AMERICAN keep the Tibetan culture alive under very also successful students at Coventry Middle HOMEMAKERS/CAREGIVERS AND difficult conditions. MIDDLE-CLASS FLEXIBLE SAV- As the power dynamics in Beijing shift School. Kristina is an accomplished student over the next several months, there will be a athlete in softball and volleyball, and Kami has INGS ACT OF 1995 tremendous opportunity for the inter- received national recognition for an outstand- national community to foster a more demo- ing 500-word poem on the Holocaust. HON. BERNARD SANDERS cratic society in China. I appeal to you and These two young women are among our to the United States government to remain Nation's most promising leaders. Their exam- OF VERMONT vigilant in your effort to hold China ac- ple is a source of pride for all Rhode Island- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES countable for its actions against the Tibetan ers. I am truly inspired by individuals like Kami Tuesday, April 4, 1995 people. and Kristina, who pursue the American tradi- Just a few weeks ago, I testified before the Mr. SANDERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased United Nations High Commission on Human tion of creativeness and ingenuity in business to be an original cosponsor of the American Rights, where a resolution condemning Chi- while having a positive impact on the commu- Homemakers/Caregivers and Middle-Class na’s human rights violations against both nity. Flexible Savings Act of 1995. This bill is being Tibetan and Chinese people was narrowly de- Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me introduced by my colleague, MAURICE feated. This was a very important effort, and in saluting these two outstanding young I humbly urge your government to return to HINCHEY, on behalf of the Progressive Caucus women as they begin to plan to hold their first as part of our 11-point alternative to the Re- Geneva next year with a renewed effort con- competition later this summer, and wish them cerning human rights in Tibet and China. I publican Contract With America. continued success. sincerely believe that unless there is strong My constituents have impressed upon me international condemnation of the Chinese f the growing financial plight of many middle- government’s treatment of the Tibetan peo- TAX RELIEF FOR THE AMERICAN and low-income working Americans. They are ple, they will continue to commit such hor- working harder and longer and finding it more rors as described earlier against innocent po- FAMILY litical prisoners who insist on the fundamen- difficult all of the time to make financial ends tal rights of freedom of speech, association, HON. RON PACKARD meet, let alone put any money into savings. and religion, as well as the recognized right OF CALIFORNIA This legislation will make it easier for middle- of self-determination. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and low-income Americans who earn up to I am exceedingly grateful to you Mr. $75,000 to save more, while giving those Chairman, and to all members of this Com- Tuesday, April 4, 1995 Americans who are in an unforeseen financial mittee, as well as all others for listening to Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, as we con- pinch greater penalty-free access to their Indi- this short description of my life in the sider tax cuts this week the difference be- vidual Retirement Account [IRA] funds. Laogai in Tibet. I am only one of the few lucky ones who survived and managed to es- tween the Democrat and Republican philoso- This Progressive Caucus bill will help cape to the outside world. Many of my phies underlying becomes crystal clear. middle- and low-income taxpayers in four fun- friends and other political prisoners died in Democrats believe that taxpayers exist to damental ways. the prisons and Laogai in Tibet. With them serve Government. They really think that Gov- First, it will substantially increase the level of also went the story of their untold ernment confers upon its citizens the privilege contributions that they can deposit in an IRA. sufferings. of earning and keeping money. Republicans Since IRA's were first made possible in 1981, I thank you Mr. Chairman. Tashi deleg! work under a completely different mindset. the contribution levels governing how much f TaxpayersÐalso known as citizensÐcome can be contributed annually and who can de- first, not the Government. Republicans believe duct their contributions, in sum or in part, have TRIBUTE TO KAMI GRUDZIEN AND that individuals know best how to spend the eroded due to inflation. KRISTINA CANNON money they earnÐat least better than some Our bill increases contribution levels to bureaucrat sitting in a Washington office. make up for inflation since 1981. It also in- HON. JACK REED That is why we are proposing to let Amer- dexes contribution levels yearly to keep pace OF RHODE ISLAND ican families keep more of the money they with inflation. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES earn. The American family represents the Second, our bill authorizes higher IRA con- backbone of our society. Our current tax sys- tribution levels for nonworking spouses in Tuesday, April 4, 1995 tem penalizes families with children. It does households with one or more children under Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great not properly reflect the cost of rearing a child the age of 6. That contribution level will also pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to two today. The average family spends more on be indexed to keep pace with inflation. young women who are extraordinarily ambi- taxes than it spends on food, clothing, and This provision could be called the IRA tious and creative. Kami Grudzien and Kristina shelter combined. Many families now need a homemaker provision. Arguably, those Ameri- Cannon, of Coventry, RI, are two of the seven second earner not to support the household, cans who most need to save for retirement