5342 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE April 3, 2001 Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- ated with attempts to organize a peaceful op- ment by the gentleman from California er, I yield back the balance of my time. position, to expose corruption, to preserve (Mr. LANTOS) updating the resolution The SPEAKER pro tempore. The their ethnic minority identity, or to use the to reflect the fact that the Bush ad- question is on the motion offered by Internet for the free exchange of ideas, and ministration has introduced a resolu- have sentenced many citizens so detained to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. harsh prison terms; tion at the Human Rights Commission ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend Whereas Chinese authorities continue to in Geneva concerning the deplorable the rules and agree to the resolution, exert control over religious and cultural in- human rights condition in the People’s House Resolution 91. stitutions in Tibet, abusing human rights Republic of China. The title will be The question was taken. through instances of torture, arbitrary ar- amended to reflect the modifications The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the rest, and detention of Tibetans without pub- made by the manager’s amendment. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of lic trial for peacefully expressing their polit- This resolution is a statement of fact those present have voted in the affirm- ical or religious views; outlining that China is an authori- Whereas bilateral human rights dialogues ative. between several nations and the People’s Re- tarian state which continues to sys- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. public of China have yet to produce substan- tematically violate the human rights Speaker, on that I demand the yeas tial adherence to international norms; and of everyone, and the civil and political and nays. Whereas the People’s Republic of China has liberties of all of its citizens. State se- The yeas and nays were ordered. signed the International Covenant on Civil curity personnel are responsible for nu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and Political Rights, but has yet to take the merous abuses, such as political and ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the steps necessary to make the treaty legally other extrajudicial killings, lengthy in- binding: Now, therefore, be it communicado detentions, and the use Chair’s prior announcement, further Resolved, That the House of Representa- proceedings on this motion will be tives— of torture. postponed. (1) strongly supports the decision of the National, racial, and ethnic minori- ties remain subject to intense persecu- f United States Government to offer and so- licit cosponsorship for a resolution at the tion and discrimination. The authori- URGING INTRODUCTION OF U.N. 57th Session of the United Nations Human ties frequently launch campaigns to RESOLUTION CALLING UPON THE Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, crack down on opposition and pro-de- PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA calling upon the Government of the People’s mocracy groups. Freedom of move- TO END ITS HUMAN RIGHTS VIO- Republic of China to end its human rights ment, speech, assembly, and associa- abuses in China and Tibet, in compliance LATIONS IN CHINA AND TIBET with its international obligations; and tion are severely restricted. The con- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- (2) urges the United States Government to trols on religious worship have intensi- er, I move to suspend the rules and take the lead in organizing multilateral sup- fied, with harassment of church leaders agree to the resolution (H. Res. 56) urg- port to obtain passage by the Commission of and other faithful, including fines, de- ing the appropriate representative of such resolution. tentions, physical abuse, and torture. the United States to the United Na- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Many houses of worship have been de- tions Commission on Human Rights to ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from stroyed. introduce at the annual meeting of the Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) and the Trafficking in persons, mainly Commission a resolution calling upon gentleman from California (Mr. LAN- women and children, for forced pros- the People’s Republic of China to end TOS) each will control 20 minutes. titution or illegal forced labor con- its human rights violations in China The Chair recognizes the gentle- tinues, placing this segment of the pop- and Tibet, and for other purposes, as woman from Florida (Ms. ROS- ulation in constant risk of slavery. amended. LEHTINEN). Recently, we have seen how their bla- The Clerk read as follows: GENERAL LEAVE tant disregard for the universal rights and liberties of human beings extends H. RES. 56 Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- er, I ask unanimous consent that all to foreign visitors, as reflected by the Whereas the annual meeting of the United detention of academics by the Chinese Nations Commission on Human Rights in Ge- Members may have 5 legislative days neva, Switzerland, provides a forum for dis- within which to revise and extend their regime. Dr. Xu Zerong, a Ph.D. from cussing human rights and expressing inter- remarks and include extraneous mate- Oxford University, was detained last national support for improved human rights rial on the resolution now under con- fall; and to date the Chinese authori- performance; sideration. ties have not offered any explanation Whereas, according to the Department of The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there for his continued detention. His family State and international human rights orga- objection to the request of the gentle- still does not know where he is being nizations, the Government of the People’s held. Republic of China continues to commit wide- woman from Florida? There was no objection. Professor Li Shaomin, a U.S. citizen spread and well-documented human rights who teaches business at the City Uni- abuses in China and Tibet; Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- Whereas the People’s Republic of China has er, I yield myself such time as I may versity of Hong Kong, was arrested on yet to demonstrate its willingness to abide consume. February 25. The Chinese have yet to by internationally accepted norms of free- Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of present any information regarding dom of belief, expression, and association by House Resolution 56, I rise in support charges against him. repealing or amending laws and decrees that of the manager’s amendment and urge There is the case of Dr. Gao Zhan, a restrict those freedoms; my colleagues to vote in favor of this research scholar based at American Whereas the Government of the People’s University, detained last month by Republic of China continues to ban and crim- important resolution, which urges the passage of a U.S.-sponsored resolution Chinese authorities. inalize groups it labels as cults or heretical Just today, Human Rights Watch’s organizations; at the U.N. Commission on Human Whereas the Government of the People’s Rights which calls upon the Chinese Academic Freedom Committee sent the Republic of China has repressed unregistered Government to end its human rights letter to the Chinese leader to protest religious congregations and spiritual move- violations in China and Tibet. these detentions, and calling on the ments, including Falun Gong, and persists in During committee consideration, the Chinese leadership to follow inter- persecuting persons on the basis of unau- chairman requested unanimous consent nationally recognized standards of due thorized religious activities using such process to protect the lives and the measures as harassment, prolonged deten- that the Chair be authorized to seek consideration of House Resolution 56 rights of these scholars. tion, physical abuse, incarceration, and clo- Further, there is the grim situation sure or destruction of places of worship; on the House suspension calendar. that the U.S. is facing of protecting Whereas authorities in the People’s Repub- b 1530 lic of China have continued their efforts to and securing the safe return of 25 extinguish expressions of protest or criti- No objection was heard. The man- Americans being held hostage by the cism, have detained scores of citizens associ- ager’s amendment includes an amend- PRC. This picture paints a profound

VerDate Aug 04 2004 11:09 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H03AP1.000 H03AP1 April 3, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 5343 and widespread violation of inter- The resolution before the House abouts are unknown. Her husband was nationally recognized human rights today indicates strong support for the blindfolded and driven 2 hours to an norms. decision of our administration to offer unknown location, and their 5-year-old The People’s Republic of China must a resolution at the Human Rights Com- son was taken to a government facil- be held accountable for its action. Con- mission in Geneva calling on the Chi- ity, even though his grandparents live stant pressure from the U.S. and the nese government to end its human in the city, where they happened to be. international community is vital if any rights abuses, both in China and in One of my grandchildren is 5 years improvements are to take place in Tibet. old. I can imagine the fear and the hor- China. The resolutions before us are an In the past, Congress has passed simi- ror and the pain and the nightmare a 5- important part of that strategy. lar resolutions, but unfortunately, the year-old must go through as out of the I am proud that the Bush administra- Chinese government usually prevails in blue his mother and father are ar- tion has rejected the view that Beijing Geneva on a so-called no-action mo- rested, taken to separate government is our strategic partner and considers tion. Under this devious parliamentary police cars, and taken away. This little passage of the China human rights res- tactic, the Chinese government suc- boy for 26 days, 26 consecutive days, olution one of its top priorities in Ge- cessfully prevents even the consider- did not see his mother, his father, or neva. ation of our resolution. his grandparents. As the U.S. delegation works to en- The Chinese prevail in this vote not This degree of insensitivity to funda- sure debate on human rights conditions because the international community mental human rights of a little 5-year- in China and to secure the votes for a recognizes its performance in the old child is an index of the degree to resolution calling on China to end its human rights field, but because the which the Chinese government respects terrible human rights practices, let us Chinese government systematically human rights today. show them our full support by voting threatens commercial contracts with I strongly urge my colleagues to sup- in favor of the manager’s amendment the developed world and threatens to port this resolution. There is nothing I to House Resolution 56. deny foreign aid to poor nations. would like to see more than good rela- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- I am under no illusion, Madam tions with China. I have the highest re- ance of my time. Speaker, that it will be anything but gard for the Chinese people. They rep- Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I an uphill battle to prevail in Geneva resent one of the great civilizations on yield myself such time as I may con- this year and to win passage of the the face of this planet. They have all sume. China human rights resolution. the opportunity of building an ad- I commend the President and the Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- vanced, civilized society, but they Secretary of State, Colin Powell, for port of this resolution. It was with sin- must not do it by trampling on the moving forward with this effort. I will cere sadness that I introduced this res- human rights of their citizens, or on do whatever I can to urge other govern- olution a month ago, and that I now the fundamental human rights of a lit- ments to support our effort. ask my colleagues to strongly support In all candor, let me state, Madam tle 5-year-old American citizen who this resolution. Speaker, that I am particularly dis- was deprived for 26 days from contact When I introduced this resolution, appointed in the countries of the Euro- with his family. Madam Speaker, 24 American airmen pean Union as they continue to shirk Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues were not held captive on a Chinese is- their responsibilities to promote inter- to support this resolution, and I re- land, contrary to all provisions of nationally recognized human rights. serve the balance of my time. international law, and it is a sheer co- The European Union ministers have al- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- incidence that we are considering this ready announced that they will not co- er, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to resolution at the very time when the sponsor the American resolution. the gentleman from New York (Mr. attention of the United States and, in- Ultimately, some of them will vote GILMAN), the chairman emeritus of our deed, much of the world is directed at with us, but it is a shame that the Eu- committee. Beijing to see how they will function in ropeans continue to bury their heads in Mr. GILMAN. Madam Speaker, I this self-induced and self-created crisis. the sand, desperately hoping that trade thank the gentlewoman for yielding When I introduced my resolution a with China will magically bring about time to me. month ago, as all Americans, I also was the creation of a Chinese civil society Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise hoping optimistically that the Chinese based on internationally recognized in strong support of this resolution, government would take at least a few human rights. House Resolution 56, a resolution urg- minimal steps to improve the abomi- I would like to take just one specific ing our Nation’s representative to the nable human rights record of the Peo- example of the intensity and flavor of U.N. Commission on Human Rights to ple’s Republic of China. Unfortunately, human rights violations in China. Re- move ahead with this resolution at the the State Department’s Human Rights cently, Madam Speaker, as we know, annual meeting of the Commission in Report indicates that the human rights the Chinese government imprisoned an Geneva, a resolution calling upon the situation in China this past year has American University researcher, Gao People’s Republic of China to end its become worse. Zhan, and her family on the phony human rights violations in China and As the report demonstrates, the gov- charge of espionage. Now, Gao Zhan is in Tibet. ernment of China continues to use tor- an academic who has conducted re- I commend our ranking minority ture, forced confessions, arbitrary ar- search related to the status of women. member, the gentleman from Cali- rest and detention, and the general de- She and her husband are permanent fornia (Mr. LANTOS), for crafting this nial of due process. The government of residents of the United States, and resolution. I thank our chairwoman, China restricts freedom of speech. It their son, Andrew, 5 years old, is an the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. restricts the freedom of the press. It American citizen. ROS-LEHTINEN), for swiftly bringing it denies freedom of religion, including Gao and her family had gone to to the floor at this time. the most brutal crackdown on the China to visit her family. They were Recently, Madam Speaker, our State Falun Gong spiritual movement, Ti- standing in line at the Beijing airport Department announced it is going to betan Buddhists, Muslims, and, of preparing to get on the plane to come introduce such a resolution. On Feb- course, Christians. back to their home in the United ruary 26, the same day its Human The Chinese government continues to States. Out of nowhere, Chinese offi- Rights Report was released, the State subject vast numbers of political pris- cials emerged and pulled all three fam- Department spokesman, Phillip oners to forced labor, and it prevents ily members out of line and hustled Reeker, said the U.S. decision to go the formation of independent trade them into separate cars. forward with the resolution is based unions or independent nongovern- Gao was put in prison, we do not upon the fact that the Chinese govern- mental organizations. know where. As of today, her where- ment’s abysmal human rights record

VerDate Aug 04 2004 11:09 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H03AP1.000 H03AP1 5344 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE April 3, 2001 has continued to deteriorate over the I visited Nepal and talked with refu- from delegates who might think that past year. gees from Chinese rule there. I have we are ducking the issue or having sec- We commend the administration for many of them living in my own city. ond thoughts that perhaps we are not this decision. Regrettably, Beijing has And I do not come frivolously to this as serious as we have said we are. Of managed year after year to muzzle the floor to discuss this issue, but I do be- course nothing could be further from Human Rights Commission by passing lieve that we could easily postpone it the truth. We are indeed very, very se- a no-action motion on similar resolu- until we have resolved whatever is hap- rious. tions. Accordingly, there is usually no pening on Hainan. Time is not on our side. There is only debate on the resolution, and as a re- I think we have American diplomats a few weeks left for deliberations by sult, it almost never comes up for a even at this moment negotiating for the U.N. Commission on human rights. vote before the Commission. the release of the crew of the EP–3 and Madam Speaker, I have been there. I Unless the international community, trying to get negotiations started for lobbied delegations on behalf of human our Nation included, finally manages the freedom of those servicemen; and rights in the past. We need to send this to take a strong stand against Beijing’s either we believe this resolution means message right now that we are very se- abuses of human rights, then its lead- something and therefore will have an rious about human rights in China. No ers will only become more emboldened impact, and I think most of us who if, ands or buts, about it! to take further repressive action have traveled abroad have seen the im- Madam Speaker, just let me say that against Christians, against Buddhists, pact of resolutions on the floor of the the new tension created by the holding Muslims, and other religious groups House in the newspapers and on tele- of 24 American servicemen by the Peo- within that Nation. vision of other countries, or you do not ple’s Republic of China—a crisis situa- Past failure to condemn China has believe this resolution has any impact tion that all of us want to see resolved undoubtedly led to the severe crack- at all, and I think we must consider immediately—only underscores anew down against Christian house churches, very carefully what the impact of this how the policies of the Beijing dicta- against Buddhists in Tibet, Muslims in kind of a resolution is when we are torship are harsh and unreasonable and east Turkistan, and millions of Chinese going to be back here in a couple of how those policies have continued to Falun Gong followers. weeks and we could deal with it. worsen and to deteriorate with each Madam Speaker, I understand the and every passing year. b 1545 conference is on now, but I really think Sadly, universally recognized norms Madam Speaker, I am particularly that we have to think long and hard and international laws have no mean- concerned that Beijing has continued about timing. The timing was not one ingful application to the dictatorship. to stonewall any possible meeting with we made, and I am not blaming any- The dictatorship in Beijing mocks the His Holiness, the Dalai Lama; and un- body here for choosing to put it up rule of law. less they reach out and grasp the olive today. I would be supporting it whole- Madam Speaker, any honest assess- branch that His Holiness offers, the re- heartedly if I did not know what had ment of China’s record on human gional instability will continue to grow gone on this weekend. rights makes it abundantly clear that worse. I think for that reason we ought to the leaders who rule China with an iron Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to consider seriously whether or not we fist have no respect whatsoever for want to go forward with this. fully support this resolution, and I human life, especially the lives of their Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- thank the gentlewoman from Florida own citizens, especially the lives of er, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) for yielding the women and children. from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH), the vice time to me. Madam Speaker, forced abortion is chairman of our Committee on Inter- Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I an unspeakable cruelty to women and national Relations. yield 3 minutes to the distinguished Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam babies, and was properly construed to gentleman from Washington (Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman be a crime against humanity at the MCDERMOTT), my good friend. from Florida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN), my Nuremberg War Crimes tribunals when Mr. MCDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, I good friend, for yielding the time to the Nazis were held to account. Today, have great respect for my colleagues me. the crime of forced abortion in China is here on the floor who have put this res- Madam Speaker, I want to congratu- pervasive, it is systematic, and it is olution forward. However, I seriously late the gentleman from California common place. question the decision to bring this bill (Mr. LANTOS) on his sponsorship of this Forced abortion in China is state- to the House for debate today. very important resolution. sponsored violence against women and I know the decision was made last I am very proud to be one of the co- children. As I think many Members week. It was made before the events of sponsors, and I want to thank the gen- know, as a means of enforcing what the weekend have occurred, and it tlewoman from Florida (Ms. ROS- they call their one-child-per-couple seems to me that in choosing to bring LEHTINEN) the distinguished and effec- policy, first announced back in 1979, such a resolution to the floor at a time tive chair of the International Oper- the Chinese Government routinely co- when the Chinese Government is hold- ations and Human Rights Committee erces mothers in China, to have abor- ing 24 American servicemen in Hainan for her work and the gentleman from tions often late in pregnancy or to un- incommunicado even after repeated re- Illinois (Mr. HYDE) the Chairman of the dergo forced sterilization or mandatory quests by our embassy to visit with Full Committee for moving this legis- birth control. them is an unnecessary step for us to lation to the floor. Over the past decade, Madam Speak- be taking. I would just say to the previous er, I have led three human rights trips Madam Speaker, I called the White speaker, the gentleman from Wash- to China. I have met with Li Peng. The House today and asked them what posi- ington (Mr. MCDERMOTT), that this res- gentleman from Virginia (Mr. WOLF) tion they had on this resolution; they olution simply tells the truth, and it and I raised human rights issues; face do not have one. I do not know what seems to me that truth-telling should to face he just dismissed it out of hand that says about the 24 people from the always be in season; but there is also as if it was all exaggerated and fab- State of Washington who are being the timeliness issue. The U.N. Human ricated. There was no engagement— held in Hainan Island. Rights Commission is currently meet- constructive or otherwise. It is not that I am unsympathetic ing in Geneva, and Members should be I have chaired over 18 hearings and with this bill. I have traveled to aware that decisions are being made by markups on legislation pertaining to Dharmasala. I talked to the Dalai various delegations and by various dip- Chinese human rights abuses; and in Lama in his own place. I have discussed lomats right now. the 1980s and the 1990s, I and many oth- with him at length the Tibetan prob- A postponement of this resolution ers in this Chamber have repeatedly lems. could mean the loss of a vote or two spoken out against forced abortion and

VerDate Aug 04 2004 11:09 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H03AP1.000 H03AP1 April 3, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 5345 forced sterilization in China as well as common criminal, they beat you black Madam Speaker, I yield such time as other egregious abuses. and blue, sometimes to death. That is she may consume to the gentlewoman To my shock and to my dismay, the reality of what is going on in the from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE), one of many family planning organizations People’s Republic of China. the strongest champions of human like Planned Parenthood have decided Let me just finally say something rights in this body. to either look the other way, as mil- about truth-telling. Some years back, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam lions of Chinese women are cruelly President Clinton invited Chu Haotien Speaker, I thank the gentleman from forced to undergo abortion, or in the to the United States—the Butcher of California (Mr. LANTOS) for his case of the U.N. Population Fund to ag- Beijing, the man who literally ordered unending commitment and as well to gressively defend it, to whitewash the crackdown on the students at the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. these abuses as ‘‘nonexistent’’ or as the Tiananmen Square, and said, go and ROS-LEHTINEN) and the other speakers ‘‘exception’’, rather than the rule. bayonet and kill and maim and hunt that have spoken here. Madam Speaker, at one of my hear- down those individuals. This is a time, Madam Speaker, that ings we heard from a woman by the After he was invited here, he was at one might pause and offer to tread name of Mrs. Gao. Mrs. Gao ran one of the U.S. War College and gave a speech lightly. We do know that there are the family planning programs in Fu- and made the outrageous claim—a big American citizens, military personnel, kien Province. She made the point that lie—that no one died at Tiananmen our men and women, who have offered during the course of the decade that Square. themselves for our freedom now held she ran the program, they literally My staff and I quickly put together a incognito, without opportunity to would take women and put them or hearing and invited eyewitnesses to speak in China. I respect that and their relatives behind bars until they that massacre; and we invited Chu would want to be cautious in saying to acceded to the so-called ‘‘voluntary’’ Haotien to come and testify, or anyone this body that we are respectful of the abortion. else from the Chinese Government, in- negotiations, and we want our loved She finally summed up her testimony cluding Ambassador Li. We had an ones, our Americans, the Americans by saying, by day, I was a monster; by empty chair because nobody showed that are held illegally and against all night, a wife and mother. up. international agreements, back imme- It seems to me, Madam Speaker, that We heard from an editor from the diately. the Chinese Population Control Pro- People’s Daily in China, who accu- At the same time, I thank the gen- gram is a ‘‘monster’’—a monstrous rately reported on the killing—and tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) abuse of women; and the indifference of paid a big price—and we heard from a for recognizing that as we speak, the both the East and the West makes us, Time Magazine correspondent and a U.N. conference is being held, and we however unwittingly, complicit in host of others, others who gave witness would be shamed if our voices were si- these crimes. to the big lie uttered by General Chu. lent. Madam Speaker, just let me say that I see I’m out of time—I have so much I come wearing a particularly dif- I encourage Members to read the coun- more to say. Suffice to say, this resolu- ficult hat, because I was convinced try reports on human rights practices, tion puts us on record in favor of the about 6 months ago to vote for the all 59 pages dedicated to what is going oppressed, and the persecuted, and en- PNTR. I spoke with President Carter on in the People’s Republic of China. courages the Bush administration to who spoke about the energy and de- That report is very accurate; and it continue its work on behalf of human mocracy that was occurring in the vil- makes the point in the declarative sen- rights. lages. I was excited about that. tence near the beginning and I quote, Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I I spoke with many others who felt The government’s poor human rights yield myself such time as I may con- that if you opened the doors of dia- record worsened, and it continued to commit sume. logue and communication that we numerous serious abuses. The government Madam Speaker, I want to thank all would bring to China the sense of the intensified crackdowns on religion and in of my colleagues on the other side for Tibet, intensified its harsh treatment of po- world ownership or membership, if you litical dissent and suppressed any person or their eloquent and strong support. will, owning into the world’s desire for group perceived to be a threat to the govern- I would like to comment briefly on opportunities for all of the world’s peo- ment. the observation of the gentleman from ple. The State Department report goes on Washington (Mr. MCDERMOTT) about Madam Speaker, I was very troubled to say that by the end of the year 2000, timing. I have the highest regard for by the debate in PNTR, because the and I quote, my colleague from Washington, and his human rights issues were of great con- Thousands of unregistered religious insti- statement was a carefully thought cern. At that time the Falun Gong at- tutions have either been closed or destroyed, through and serious one. tacks were continuing. Suicides in the and hundreds of Falun Gong leaders have Upon reflection, it seems to me that squares were going on. People were mu- been imprisoned, thousands have been sent it would be unconscionable for this tilating themselves or burning them- to the lao gai, or mental institutions. body not to deal with the issue of selves out of protest. The report notes, and I think Mem- human rights violations in China as bers need to take note of this, that the U.N. Commission is dealing with b 1600 more than 100 Falun Gong practi- the question of whether or not to sup- But yet there was this discussion tioners were tortured to death in Chi- port this resolution. that religion was rising in enthusiasm nese prisons. Death by torture is often It will be interesting to see whether and that we should give China the op- a long, exceedingly painful ordeal. It the Chinese Government will add to portunity. does not happen overnight. After daily the human rights violations of its own I am somewhat saddened that we now beatings and deprivations of food and people, human rights violations of 26 speak in the month of April 2001 and sleep, finally the victum succumbs to American servicemen. I hope and pray that we can list a litany of infractions death as a result of those beatings and that they will not, but it would be sin- or violations, more so for people who abuse. gularly unacceptable to be intimidated are incarcerated, it is their life, that Madam Speaker, the United Nations by the current situation on that island. we see ongoing in China. has documented and numerous human The Chinese are illegally holding 26 During the debate, it was said that rights groups like Human Rights American servicemen. This is a fact. It China does not move as fast as the Watch and Amnesty and, of course, our is also a fact that millions of Chinese world does; that we do not understand own Country Reports on Human Rights are deprived day in and day out of their its culture; that we have to understand Practices that torture is endemic in fundamental human rights, and this what its place is in the world. And, China. If you are arrested as a political body will have to speak out on that frankly, some of that was appealing or prisoner, a religious dissenter or even a subject. attractive. Yet we find ourselves today

VerDate Aug 04 2004 11:09 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H03AP1.000 H03AP1 5346 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE April 3, 2001 longing for China to have made the say China has yet to demonstrate its willing- abortion on its women once they have commitment that we wished it had ness to abide by internationally accepted met Orwellian quotas of birth control. made and had turned the corner on norms of freedom of belief, expression, and The least that we can do in this Con- some of the acceptance of the various association by repealing or amending laws gress today to be true to the values, be- religious groups and as well the right that restrict those freedoms. Finally, China liefs, and aspirations that gave birth to to be free. continues to ban and criminalize groups that it these United States of America is to As the gentleman from California labels as cults or heretical organizations, such support this resolution. (Mr. LANTOS) knows, because I spoke to as Falon Gong. Practitioners of Falon Gong Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I do him earlier today, I am so struck by are persecuted for no reason other than being not believe we have any additional the words of Gao Zhan’s husband, the well organized as a religious group in China. speakers, but I reserve the balance of professor who is now held in China, This resolution expresses the sense of the my time. along with many other academicians. House that at the upcoming annual session of Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- It is well known that she has gone to the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Gene- er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman China on many occasions visiting her va, the United States should solicit cosponsor- from Illinois (Mr. KIRK), a longtime family. It is well known that her law- ship for a resolution calling upon the Chinese staffer of the Committee on Inter- yer says she is not a spy. Her husband government to end its human rights abuse in national Relations and now a Member just received his citizenship. She was Cuba and Tibet, in compliance with its inter- of our institution. separated from her husband some 26 or national organization; and that the U.S. gov- Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I thank so days. She is being held. ernment should take the lead in organizing the gentlewoman for yielding me this How can any one of us not be fright- multilateral support to obtain passage by the time. ened and appalled and outraged about commission of such a resolution. Madam Speaker, China is a powerful the family separation, even while they This measure states that Chinese authori- nation, but not yet a great nation. were in China, to the extent that the 5- ties have committed to suppress protest criti- Powerful nations muster armies and year-old boy was separated from his fa- cism. The Chinese leadership is plainly un- command territory, but great nations ther and his mother, and still today re- comfortable with organized dissent. Further- lead mankind and advance human val- mains without a mother. This seems to more, H. Res. 56 states that Chinese citizens ues. China stands on the brink of being be an incident that was not provoked, have been detained for peaceful opposition, either powerful or great, and the that China did not have to engage in. attempting to expose corruption, trying to pre- events of the recent days disappoint us The family was on their way out of the serve ethnic minorities and using the Internet. all and keep China from her own poten- country; not in the country, trying to H. Res. 56 makes clear that China con- tial. get in. tinues—with impunity—to exert control over With regard to the Hainan incident, I What merciful reason, what reason religious and cultural institutions in Tibet, speak as a Naval Reserve officer and can they give to explain the stopping of abusing human rights through instances of tor- call on China to return our servicemen this family at that time? What reason ture, arbitrary arrests and detentions of Tibet- and women. Our aircraft was in inter- can they give for not stopping them ans, without public trials, for peacefully ex- national waters, unarmed and a danger and questioning them and releasing pressing their political or religious views; that to no one. China is a party to the Inci- them? Absolutely none. bilateral talks with several nations and China dents-at-Sea Treaty, an agreement she So I rise to support this resolution have yet to produce substantial adherence to signed but does not appear to abide by. because I hope as the proceedings are international norms; and that China has signed China must return our servicemen and going on, there will be a vote that ex- the International Covenant on Civil and Polit- women and the aircraft and end this in- presses the United States’ outrage of ical Rights but has yet to take the steps nec- cident now. China’s behavior. essary to make the treaty legally binding. A nation like China is measured by Madam Speaker, we will offer a bill Despite the recent crackdown against reli- how its treats people of different lan- tomorrow to give Gao the citizenship gious and cultural institutions in China, some guages and religions. China’s record on that she deserves, because we believe progress has been made through a commit- Tibet is disappointingly clear, and in that the voices of reason are not being ment to normalize relations between our na- human rights in general one of abuse heard in China, and that they continu- tions. But we must be vigilant, nevertheless, in and imprisonment for prisoners of con- ously renounce, reject the hand of speaking out for those who cannot speak. science. Li Shaomin, recognized in friendship, the hand of peace, the hand Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote China as a key leader, was jailed for of understanding that many of us have in favor of the resolution. sending e-news to her husband; Gao tried to give in the United States Con- Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- Zhan was detained February 11, along gress. er, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman with her 5-year-old American son; Xu I applaud the gentleman from Cali- from Florida (Mr. DIAZ-BALART), who Zerong, an academician, was jailed last fornia (Mr. LANTOS) for his leadership will be in Geneva carrying forth the fall and still is held incommunicado; on this legislation, and my prayers go message of the United States for free- and Rabiya Kadir was jailed March 10 out to the men and women that are de- dom for the Chinese people. for giving her husband newspaper arti- tained, both Chinese and American, Mr. DIAZ-BALART. Madam Speaker, cles. and to their families I say that we will I thank the gentlewoman from Florida Children in Tibet today are taught work every day to secure their safe re- (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) for yielding me that religion is backward behavior. turn. this time. Nuns and monks make up 74 percent of Madam Speaker, I rise in very strong sup- With regard to some confusion that China’s political prisoners, and China port of H. Res. 96, Direct U.S. To Condemn may have arisen based on some com- regularly jams Radio Free Asia broad- Chinese Human Rights Violations. This resolu- ments made previously from the other casts designed to keep people informed. tion says that China cannot suppress religious side of the aisle, I wish to say that it is We must speak out. and cultural institutions and expect to pursue the Bush administration, Madam Chun-gua, China, and Mai-gua, the the economic reforms it must pursue for its Speaker, which has demonstrated their United States, can live in peace and be- development and prosperity. As Victor Hugo possession of the dignity as well as the come friends, but this depends on wrote in 1887, ‘‘An invasion of armies can be vision to introduce precisely the reso- China adhering to international agree- resisted; an invasion of ideas cannot be re- lution in Geneva that this resolution ments like the Universal Declaration sisted.’’ before us today is in support of. of Human Rights and the Incidents-at- According to the U.S. State Department and The regime in mainland China is a Sea agreements, both agreements international human rights organizations, the brutal, totalitarian, cowardly, rogue China signed, and shared values. Chinese government continues to commit regime that tortures men and women Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I widespread and well-documented human due to their religious and political be- yield myself such time as I may con- rights abuses in China and Tibet. They also liefs. It is a regime that brutally forces sume.

VerDate Aug 04 2004 11:09 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H03AP1.000 H03AP1 April 3, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—HOUSE 5347 This was an eloquent debate, Madam erase Tibet from history and existence. The Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, on Speaker, and I want to thank all my former religious leader of Tibet, the Dalai that I demand the yeas and nays. colleagues. The American people stand Lama, was forced to leave Tibet, and now The yeas and nays were ordered. united in demanding that our service- lives in exile in India. There are many other Ti- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- men be released unconditionally and betans who chose to follow him and thus, re- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the immediately, and we are calling on main in exile today. Chair’s prior announcement, further China to improve its human rights I am particularly concerned with China’s proceedings on this motion will be record. human rights record with respect to Tibet, postponed. Madam Speaker, I yield back the bal- such as repression of freedom of speech, reli- f ance of my time. gion, and expression. The Chinese govern- SMALL BUSINESS INTEREST Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speak- ment’s policy of suppressing religious, political, CHECKING ACT OF 2001 er, I yield myself such time as I may and cultural freedom in Tibet in highly dis- consume. turbing. Mr. OXLEY. Madam Speaker, I move To close, Madam Speaker, I would I am deeply troubled that monks and nuns to suspend the rules and pass the bill like to remind my colleagues that the make up seventy-four percent of over 250 po- (H.R. 974) to increase the number of State Department has given us vote litical prisoners incarcerated in Tibet. While interaccount transfers which may be counts and cost sheets. They have there has been a slight decline in new deten- made from business accounts at deposi- come up to the Hill to ensure congres- tions since 1997 in Tibet, this may be attrib- tory institutions, to authorize the sional support and help for the Bush uted to the implementation and intensification Board of Governors of the Federal Re- administration’s priorities in Geneva. of the Patriotic Education campaign, which re- serve System to pay interest on re- When we talk to the State Department quires monks, nuns, and lay persons to de- serves, and for other purposes, as officials, they tell us what their direc- nounce the Dalai Lama. However, the number amended. tives have been from the President and of monks and nuns known to have been de- The Clerk read as follows: the White House. We have been meet- tained as a result of opposing the Patriotic H.R. 974 ing with them for the last 3 months, Education campaign is a small fraction of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and they clearly stated that the Sec- those who have been expelled from their mon- resentatives of the United States of America in retary of State and the White House asteries or who have fled from Tibet. Congress assembled, ask for daily briefings on the status of Recently, it has come to my attention that SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. the China resolution in Geneva. Chinese authorities have increased the jam- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Small Busi- Madam Speaker, if Congress does not ming of foreign radio broadcasts in Tibet fol- ness Interest Checking Act of 2001’’. speak today by voting in favor of the SEC. 2. INTEREST-BEARING TRANSACTION AC- lowing the allocation of increased resources COUNTS AUTHORIZED. resolution before us, House Resolution by Beijing in an attempt to prevent ‘‘infiltration’’ (a) REPEAL OF PROHIBITION ON PAYMENT OF 56, the Chinese regime will be able to of the airwaves by ‘‘foreign hostile forces.’’ It INTEREST ON DEMAND DEPOSITS.— prevent any discussion on its human is my understanding that Voice of America, (1) FEDERAL RESERVE ACT.—Section 19(i) of rights record in Geneva. Year after Radio Free Asia and Voice of Tibet, which all the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 371a) is year they intimidate members of the cover both international news and news of the amended to read as follows: Human Rights Commission for a vote activities of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan ‘‘(i) [Repealed]’’. of no action on China, silencing the community in exile, have encountered intensi- (2) HOME OWNERS’ LOAN ACT.—The first sen- dissidents and the opposition further, tence of section 5(b)(1)(B) of the Home Own- fied jamming of their broadcasts into Tibetan ers’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1464(b)(1)(B)) is removing one critical vehicle for the areas over the past four to six months. The amended by striking ‘‘savings association voices of the oppressed to be tortured Chinese authorities have also announced an may not—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(ii) in China, and they must be heard. expansion of state-run Tibetan language permit any’’ and inserting ‘‘savings associa- Again, without U.S. leadership and broadcasting, including the training of more Ti- tion may not permit any’’. the full weight of our U.S. Congress be- betan journalists and new programs in Kham (3) FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE ACT.—Sec- hind this resolution and behind the and Amdo dialects, in order to counter foreign tion 18(g) of the Federal Deposit Insurance democratic forces in China, the PRC radio broadcasters. It is my belief that this in- Act (12 U.S.C. 1828(g)) is amended to read as will once again manipulate the U.N. follows: tensified focus to jam such broadcasts is a re- ‘‘(g) [Repealed]’’. Commission on Human Rights in Gene- sult of the Chinese government’s recent em- (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments va to continue its reign of subjugation phasis on propaganda work in Tibet, an impor- made by subsection (a) shall take effect at and terror over the Chinese people. tant element of Beijing’s campaign to develop the end of the 2-year period beginning on the Let us force the PRC to abide by the the western regions of China. date of the enactment of this Act. covenants and the declarations it has The United States has a moral obligation to SEC. 3. INTEREST-BEARING TRANSACTION AC- signed. We must stand firm in the face pursue strong diplomatic pressures which as- COUNTS AUTHORIZED FOR ALL of Chinese aggression against its own BUSINESSES. sert an end to civil persecutions not only in Section 2 of Public Law 93–100 (12 U.S.C. people, against foreign visitors and Tibet but all countries where individual liberties 1832) is amended— against American citizens. are routinely repressed. I join by colleagues in (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues voicing every American’s opposition to these the following new paragraph: to please vote ‘‘yes’’ on the resolution atrocities and acts of repression. ‘‘(3) EXCEPTION FROM PARAGRAPH (2) LIMITA- before us. I commend Congressman FRANK WOLF from TION.—Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any Madam Speaker, I have no further re- Virginia for his leadership in bringing attention depository institution which is prohibited by quests for time, and I yield back the to the plight of the Tibetan people and Tibetan the applicable law of its chartering State balance of my time. culture, and I urge my colleagues from both from offering demand deposits and either— ‘‘(A) does not engage in any lending activi- Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speak- sides of the aisle to support this important res- ties; or er, I rise today in strong support of House olution. ‘‘(B) is not an affiliate of any company or Resolution 56, urging the appropriate rep- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. companies with assets that, in the aggre- resentative of the United States to the United SHAYS). The question is on the motion gate, represent more than 10 percent of the Nations Commission on Human Rights to in- offered by the gentlewoman from Flor- total assets of the depository institution.’’; troduce at the annual meeting of the Commis- ida (Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) sion a resolution calling upon the People’s Re- suspend the rules and agree to the reso- as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and public of China to end its human rights viola- lution, H. Res. 56, as amended. (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol- The question was taken. lowing: tions in China and Tibet. ‘‘(b) Notwithstanding any other provision Tibet is a country and culture that has gar- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the of law, any depository institution may per- nered international attention in the past sev- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of mit the owner of any deposit or account eral decades. Since 1959, China has imple- those present have voted in the affirm- which is a deposit or account on which inter- mented a relentless policy and program to ative. est or dividends are paid and is not a deposit

VerDate Aug 04 2004 11:09 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 089102 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0688 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\H03AP1.000 H03AP1