H5500 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 15, 1998

the Senator from Oregon (Mr. SMITH); principle, as well as a source of inspira- During the 1950s and 1960s, hundreds the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. tion to other countries around the of thousands of my countrymen were DASCHLE); and world. But the term ‘‘Land of Free- being thrown in concentration camps the Senator from Delaware (Mr. dom’’ stands also for a virtual commu- and jails, tortured and killed only be- BIDEN). nity of like-minded and like-hearted cause they refused to yield their free- b 1000 people all over the world who believe in dom. Farmers were jailed because they the defense of liberty, of human rights, would not allow their land to be con- The Assistant to the Sergeant at and of human dignity. People of all fiscated. Priests were tortured when Arms announced the Acting Dean of races and backgrounds and religions they refused to forsake their beliefs. the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency are welcomed to join. Intellectuals were sent to camps be- Dunstan Weston Kamara, Ambassador Regardless of where they live on the cause they chose to defend freedom and of Zambia. globe, people who believe in freedom The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic democracy. are citizens of the virtual Land of Free- In all the eastern and Central Euro- Corps entered the Hall of the House of dom. Since the fall of Communism, its pean countries, the armed resistance Representatives and took the seat re- numbers have grown steadily and en- against communism lasted longest in served for him. . Romania’s freedom fighters The Assistant to the Sergeant at thusiastically. Since 1989, 23 million were thousands of anti-Communist Arms announced the Cabinet of the are among the proudest guerilla fighters who operated in the President of the . members. The members of the Cabinet of the Your Founding Fathers have written: Carpathian mountains, including one President of the United States entered When a long train of abuses and usur- in my childhood village. The last mem- the Hall of the House of Representa- pation evinces a design to reduce peo- bers were not subdued until 1961. The tives and took the seats reserved for ple under absolute despotism, it is terrible dramas of those death-sunken them in front of the Speaker’s rostrum. their right, it is their duty to throw off times, of suffering and humiliation, At 10 o’clock and 5 minutes, a.m., the such government, and to provide new were, and perhaps still are, sealed off in Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms an- guards for their future security. This is silence and oblivion. Romanians paid a nounced His Excellency H.E. Emil what the Romania people have done. terrible price for their fierce refusal to Constantinescu, President of Romania. My country threw off the yoke of surrender their freedom. Romania was His Excellency H.E. Emil Communism in 1989, and in 1996, it subjected to the harshest totalitarian Constantinescu, President of Romania, achieved its first fully democratic dictatorship in the region: The regime escorted by the committee of Senators transfer of power. As President of a of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. and Representatives, entered the Hall fully democratic Romania, I bring you And yet, in 1989, Romanians sum- of the House of Representatives, and the greetings and the hopes of my fel- moned the courage to rise up against stood at the Clerk’s desk. low citizens. It is their desire to live in that dictatorship: Hundreds of thou- (Applause, the Members rising.) the Land of Freedom alongside you and sands of people took to the streets, de- The SPEAKER. Members of Con- all other people who value freedom, fying Ceausescu’s tanks and troops. gress, it is my great privilege and I human rights and human dignity. This Bare-chested young people chanted: deem it a high honor and personal desire has brought me to America and ‘‘We shall die, but we shall be free’’. pleasure to present to you His Excel- to this historic Chamber today. Over 12,000 of them paid dearly with lency Emil Constantinescu, President In the new global order, this Land of their lives, and thousands more were of Romania. Freedom spans the globe from West to injured during the anti-Communist (Applause, the Members rising.) East and from North to South. revolution in Romania, the only coun- try in central and Eastern Europe to f b 1015 have paid in blood the price of its free- ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY It is an expansive land of constantly dom. Please allow me here, in this tem- H.E. EMIL CONSTANTINESCU, changing landscape and with ever- ple of democracy and of freedom, to PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA changing contours. Its elusive borders pay homage to all the Romanians, President CONSTANTINESCU. Mr. are defined by each and every individ- known or unknown, who have suffered Speaker, Honorable Senators and Rep- ual who is willing to defend liberty, and died for liberty, and, indeed, to all resentatives, Ladies and Gentlemen: property, and respect the rule of law. people who fight in its cause, anywhere Thank you for your warm welcome. But in such an ever-changing land- in the world. It is a rare honor to be able to ad- scape, people need anchors to keep I am here today as the representative dress those who make the laws of the steady and stable in a sea of change. As of a free, Democratic and proud Roma- United States, the laws of the country the messenger of the Romanian people, nia. I am here to tell you that you may of freedom, and who stand as guardians I am here to tell you that my country always count on us to be vigilant of fundamental human rights in the can and wants to be exactly that, an guardians of the Democratic values we United States and all over the world. anchor of stability in the sometimes share with you, the values we have Throughout its history, your country storm-ridden sea of southeastern Eu- fought so hard to regain. has been a beacon of hope for the op- rope. But for that anchor to keep But it is not enough to have freedom. pressed and the needy, a source of in- steady, we need the acknowledgment Freedom must be maintained and de- spiration for the creative, the coura- and support of the United States of fended on a constant basis. I feel the geous and the achieving. It has always America. best way to meet this challenge is by been, and may it ever remain, the land We, the people of Romania, think we working together in cooperative part- of the free and the home of the brave. have earned it. Even as Romania was nerships with other nations. For I Romania and the United States have dragged into World War II by the Nazi think that all of those who believe in a strong and growing relationship. We regime, 6,000 Romanian citizens joined freedom ought to have the means to de- are linked to the United States by countless to fend their beliefs, together. Romania technology, know-how and capital. We serve proudly in the United States was the first country to join the United are joined by hundreds of thousands of Army, seeing action in the Pacific and States in its Partnership For Peace, Romania’s sons and daughters, people North Africa. Some of these veterans and my fellow citizens have now in- who came to this country over the are here today. On behalf of the Roma- vested their hopes in one day joining years and whose descendants now live nian people, I salute you. In defiance of an expanded NATO. in every corner of your magnificent the country’s unfortunate war alliance, Some of you have strongly supported land. But ever more importantly, Ro- more than 1,400 American pilots and the enlargement of NATO to include manians have always sent to America soldiers were sheltered by the Roma- Romania. For that we are grateful. their most cherished treasure: Their nian people, people who refused to see Others have a less positive view, espe- hopes for freedom. the Americans as enemies, and who in- cially of a so-called ‘‘second wave’’ of We call America the Land of Free- sisted on seeing them as defenders of expansion. I respect your right to dif- dom because this has been its guiding freedom. fer. But as the first Central European July 15, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5501 head of state to address you since the birth to NATO itself. Your country un- Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, congressional debate over NATO expan- dertook, with great wisdom and vision, and Bulgaria and Turkey, and soon sion, I want to say how deeply I admire the responsibility of world balance and with Greece and Bulgaria, and the role of the world peace. We urge you to do so and Austria, as well as the excellent re- in making this historic decision. The again. Romania does not seek to add to lations with all the Balkan countries, expansion of NATO is a visionary un- this historic burden, but to share it, the Baltic States, and, naturally, Rus- dertaking, a milestone in the history of modestly, yet reliably, as a trusted sia, are tokens of our contribution to Europe and the world. ally and friend. In order to build a fully the regional security architecture, in a I hope you see it in the same way. As prosperous, Democratic and stable Eu- zone still marked by simmering con- a geologist, I have learned that, while rope, one that stretches from the At- flicts. painfully climbing a mountain peak, lantic to the Urals and beyond, the Third, Romania is a key to stability without being able to see it from afar, United States needs to anchor its poli- in the region because it is at the cross- you might fail to grasp its greatness. cies to countries on Europe’s south- roads of the two largest Euro-Asian As a president, I have noticed that eastern flank that share its Demo- trade routes known for thousands of many a time debates and arguments cratic ideas and its commitment to the years: the East-West one, known as the prevent us from spotting, in a storm of region’s stability. ‘‘the Silk Road,’’ running from China events, the ones which will defy eter- Romania is such a country. I would to Spain, and the North-South one, nity. As an ordinary person who thinks even go so far as to say that Romania ‘‘the Amber Road,’’ from Scandinavia about his fate, as well as the fate of his is a key to stability in the southern to the Mediterranean Sea. These roads people and the Eastern European peo- part of Europe. It is a bold statement, will find a new meaning in the global ples, I have understood the tremendous I know, but one that is supported by world of the third millennium. It is force of an idea at work. three important factors. particularly the ‘‘Silk Road’’ project, For more than 1,000 years, the bor- First, Romania is the second largest which will tie Japan and China to Cen- ders of Europe have been drawn or country in the region and centrally lo- tral Asia and Caucasian countries, changed by war, dictate or external cated in a place of strategic impor- Southeastern and Central Europe to pressure. Since the Second World War, tance to the security of the entire area. Western Europe, from the Pacific to NATO has succeeded in maintaining We are truly a crossroads for many di- the Atlantic, that will most likely peace in, and for, Western Europe, and verse cultures and civilizations, west- evolve into the biggest challenge of the fostering well-being and progress in the ern secular, Southern Catholic, East- early third millennium. Last week, I nations that share its mission. At the ern Orthodox and Muslim. Many ob- met with the presidents of Azerbaijan same time, in Europe’s Communist servers have said conflicts seem almost and Georgia to discuss the role our east, old conflicts laid frozen while new inevitable, given Romania’s ethnic countries can play in securing the cen- ones kept emerging. When the Berlin patchwork and complex border situa- tral tier of this vast trading route. Wall collapsed at last, the peoples of tion. United States participation in this the east won their freedom, but not the Still, we have managed to avoid con- great effort is crucial. Not only does ability to put it to use together. flict, both within and along our bor- the United States lend tremendous In this new and traumatic historical ders, and to successfully find political credibility to such an undertaking, but adventure, transition from totalitarian solutions to all potentially divisive it also helps ensure that future trade regimes to democracy and from cen- ethnic and external issues. Today, for will be conducted in a stable region se- trally planned economies to a market example, the Hungarian ethnic minor- cured by open and cooperative Demo- economy, the idea of joining NATO did ity is part of the governing majority. cratic structures. Ethnic conflict arises not merely grow out of a need to be a The sensitive issues of the relations because of a major deficit of democ- part of a defensive military alliance. with the Republic of Moldova and the racy, invariably triggered in our part As a vector of a set of fundamental val- Ukraine have been resolved without of the world by the representatives of ues of modern civilization, it has be- tension. Religious minorities are devel- the old Communist structures, unwill- come the supreme expression capable oping an increasing dialogue with the ing or unable to fit in the new context of harnessing the major goal of human Orthodox majority. Romania’s social and to give up former privileges. In- solidarity. Issues that had seemed im- peace is proof that when a democracy deed, national-communism is not a res- possible to solve, both within and be- is firmly rooted, its institutions can idue but the ultimate expression of tween the various Eastern European weather the storms of social reform. communism itself, with all its stock of countries, can now find a solution hatred, grafted on the demons of chau- b 1030 through joint Democratic exercise that vinistic nationalism. One of the admi- has replaced the harsh logic of con- So the strength of our internal de- rable gestures of American democracy frontation by dialogue and coopera- mocracy is the first reason we are so lies in its assuming, alongside Europe, tion. important to regional stability. moral responsibility for the Holocaust. Let us imagine for just one moment Second, we have strong diplomatic Meditating upon this example helps us the European stage after the fall of and political ties with all countries in understand that we all have the impre- communism, had NATO gotten frozen the area. For example, through good- scriptible duty to be alert to any chau- in its original project, leaving the east will and constant effort on the part of vinistic, anti-Semitic and aggressive of Europe prey to violence and chaos. both countries, Romania has reached deviation. Because aggressive hatred is What would there have been left of an historic agreement with Hungary to like plague; it may recur anytime. It is Eastern Europe, save for ruins, and bring long-sought reconciliation be- in Romania’s interest to contribute to how long would it have lasted before tween our two nations. The strength of Southeastern Europe’s becoming a re- Western Europe and then maybe the this grassroots reconciliation has been gion where different modern, open soci- United States itself had lapsed into the successfully tested many times this eties coexist peacefully, a region where grip of antagonisms? past year. Recently, both our Hungar- democracy, tolerance, freedom and Now that freedom has come to the ian minority and all Romanians were human rights are at home. I believe people of Eastern Europe, we aspire to able to freely and peaceably commemo- this to be in America’s interest as well. take the next step and join a commu- rate the historic events of the 1848 I would like to relate to you what nity of nations bound together by free- democratic revolutions, when our two Romanian opinion polls have repeat- dom, human dignity and prosperity. We countries unfortunately fought against edly shown for the last several years, welcome the chance to share our part one another. We have concluded a namely, that the Romanian people con- of the burden of securing a peaceful fu- sound treaty with the Ukraine, which sider the United States to be our most ture for all of Europe. But to do that, provides for the mutual protection of reliable partner. There is, between our we need your help. our ethnic minorities and starts many people, an underlying closeness of our In many ways this moment is as cru- common projects. souls. One sign of this, I believe, was cial to the future of Europe as were the Romania’s three-party agreements the outpouring of enthusiasm that wel- years after World War II that first gave with Poland and the Ukraine, the comed President Clinton to Bucharest H5502 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 15, 1998 last summer. Another more fundamen- means ‘‘little tree.’’ Once on American of tropical forests through debt reduction tal sign is the ongoing effort to build soil, he volunteered for Lincoln’s Army with developing countries with tropical for- the closest possible strategic partner- and fought in some of the key battles ests. ship between our country and the of the Civil War, including Vicksburg The message also announced that the United States. and Atlanta. Our ‘‘little tree’’ went on Senate agrees to the amendment of the Romania is fully committed to form- to become a general in your Army and House to the bill (S. 2282) ‘‘An act to ing and nurturing this special partner- later an American diplomat, serving in amend the Arms Export Control Act, ship. Democracy can only flourish in , where he helped negotiate the and for other purposes.’’ Romania and we can only become a American purchase of Alaska. In 1944, f more positive influence in the region if long after his death, the Romanian our role as a stabilizing force is ac- community in the United States do- ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER knowledged and supported by the nated money to build a battleship, PRO TEMPORE United States and its allies. Romania named for Romanian-American Gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The is living proof that Eastern and South- eral George Pomutz. The ship named Chair will entertain 15 1-minute eastern Europe are not doomed to a life for the ‘‘little tree’’ served in peace and speeches on each side. of conflict. But we all have the duty to war, always a symbol of strength and f be on guard against hatred in any vigilance. Over the decades, Pomutz’ form. story attests to the common roots THE BEANIE BABY CAPERGATE Over the past year, Romania has shared by our two people, the closeness (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given proved that the occasional political of their souls, their love of freedom and permission to address the House for 1 storm matters less than having a sound their willingness to fight in its defense. minute and to revise and extend his re- political foundation that allows us to God bless America. God bless Roma- marks.) weather those storms. We have also nia. God bless the land of freedom. Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, as we all learned that despite our profound and f know, the President and his entourage unflinching commitment to privatiza- just recently returned from a 9-day, tion and economic reform, it will be JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED taxpayer-paid, $50 million trip to more difficult to rebuild the Romanian The SPEAKER. The purpose of the China. It appears that America’s economy than we or our friends ex- joint meeting having been completed, tough-talking trade representative, pected. We understand the need to bal- the Chair declares the joint meeting of Charlene Barshefsky, has shunned and ance our eagerness for speedy reform the two Houses now dissolved. even ignored American trade law. My with the need to maintain social stabil- Accordingly (at 10 o’clock and 46 word, Mr. Speaker, we now have the ity. We have been able to do this so far. minutes a.m.) the joint meeting of the Barshefsky Beanie Baby Capergate. Again, this is a tribute to our demo- two Houses was dissolved. Apparently, the President’s trade cratic institutions and the commit- The Members of the Senate retired to rep, who is supposed to know, who is ment of our people to those institu- their Chamber. supposed to understand, who is sup- tions. The next step is to speed up pri- f posed to follow trade laws, was caught vatization while maintaining our social red-handed in China’s unregulated equilibrium. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER back-alley Beanie-Baby black market. All of these efforts, building the soci- The SPEAKER. The House will con- ety, consolidating democratic institu- Barshefsky illegally acquired a boat- tinue in recess until 11:15 a.m. load of Beanie Babies while in Beijing tions, reforming the economy, our con- f tribution to the security of Eastern and tried to bring them back to the Europe would be more difficult without b 1117 United States. ‘‘Whoa, not so fast,’’ said the U.S. your assistance. But I can assure you AFTER RECESS they are well worth your efforts, as Customs, since it is illegal to purchase they do so much to advance peace and The recess having expired, the House these toys in China. stability in such a vital part of the was called to order by the Speaker pro Well, what is next? I hope the Clinton world. tempore (Mr. EWING) at 11 o’clock and Administration does not think that As a representative of the American 17 minutes p.m. this is an even trade for the top-secret people, I want to thank you on behalf f missile technology they just gave of my country for the friendship and them. With a $50 billion U.S. trade defi- PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS HAD cit, maybe the Chinese were secretly help the United States has shown us. DURING RECESS The land of freedom, the land I spoke paying off the Clinton Administration about a few minutes ago, is a unique Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask with Barshefsky Beanie Babies. place. It belongs to those who are will- unanimous consent that the proceed- I yield back to the American people ing to sacrifice for its attainment and ings had during the recess be printed in any legal Beanie Babies not hiding in its defense. It is a land your Founding the RECORD. the White House. Fathers conceived and the one envi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there f sioned by our own patriotic thinkers objection to the request of the gen- and fighters. It is the land of your tleman from Nevada? PATIENT’S BILL OF RIGHTS brave military men and women, as it is There was no objection. (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked the land of Romania’s soldiers who vol- f and was given permission to address unteered to go to Albania, Angola, the MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE the House for 1 minute and to revise Persian Gulf and Bosnia, in any coun- and extend her remarks.) try where peace is under attack. It is A message from the Senate by Mr. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. our challenge together, as allies and Lundregan, one of its clerks, an- Speaker, you ask the question, what do partners, to build the bridges to the nounced that the Senate had passed the American people want? Well, they next millennium from the Danube to without amendment a bill of the House want a real Patient’s Bill of Rights, the Potomac, from the Black Sea to of the following title: not the whiplash health care bill that the Pacific Ocean and beyond, wher- H.R. 3156. An act to present a congressional Speaker GINGRICH and the Republicans ever people believe in and fight for gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. want us to buy in. Whiplash? It comes freedom. The message also announced that the real sharp, and when you get through, I would like to close with a true Senate had passed with an amendment it hurts badly. story. One hundred and fifty years ago, in which the concurrence of the House Our Patient’s Bill of Rights guaran- a young Romanian who had fought for is requested, a bill of the House of the tees a patient’s right to see a specialist freedom in the 1848 revolution emi- following title: when they need to. It emphasizes the grated to America. His name was H.R. 2870. An act to amend the Foreign As- patient’s and the doctor’s rights and George Pomutz, which in Romanian sistance Act of 1961 to facilitate protection relationships. It guarantees that our