May 14, 1999 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 9765 HONORING KVEC RADIO and openly-contested free and fair elections tions. Importantly, is seeking normal that will establish the right to self-determina- trade and diplomatic relations with the United HON. LOIS CAPPS tion in Laos. States and the global community. But, the pol- Despite frequent statements about its com- OF CALIFORNIA icy and conduct of the Laotian government in mitment to the enforcement of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES regards to human rights must be transparent standards in the country, the Laotian govern- prior to putting in place such political and eco- Thursday, May 13, 1999 ment’s actual practices deviate from such im- nomic policy. We owe the people of Laos the Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to portant principles. The Government may have moral obligation to remain diligent to their extend my congratulations to everyone at San learned to ‘‘talk the talk’’ and make paper human rights circumstance and plight. Luis Obispo radio station KVEC, which re- promises, but they must be held accountable f cently marked its 62nd year on the air. KVEC to ‘‘walk the walk.’’ On a daily basis, the gov- is a locally-owned and operated station fea- ernment violates the civil and political rights of HONORING AND RECOGNIZING turing local news and talk show hosts who Laotian citizens by denying them the basic SLAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFI- provide a forum of lively discussion of local freedoms of speech, assembly, and associa- CERS issues as well as interesting and useful infor- tion. According to the State Department Coun- SPEECH OF mation on a wide range of topics. As such, try Reports on Human Rights Practices for KVEC provides an invaluable service to its lis- 1998, the Laotian government has only slowly HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN teners from throughout San Luis Obispo eased restrictions on basic freedoms and con- OF NEW YORK County. tinues to significantly restrict the freedoms of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES speech, assembly and religion. As a frequent guest on the Dave Congalton Tuesday, May 11, 1999 Show, I have enjoyed the opportunity to hear Moreover, reports that from KVEC’s listeners on a wide array of serious problems persist in the human rights Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to issues. I know that for many of the station’s record of the Government of Laos. Such re- take this opportunity to recognize Police Me- regular listeners, on-air hosts like Dave ports include the continued detention of polit- morial Week. It is a time when the citizens of Congalton and Bill Benica are considered al- ical prisoners and the treatment of such pris- the United States join the families, friends and most members of the family. I appreciate the oners in a manner that is degrading, abusive colleagues of our Nation’s slain peace officers, entire KVEC family for their community spirit and inhumane. In February of this year, one to honor and remember the sacrifices they and the important job they have done so well political prisoner, Thongsouk Saysanghi, died have made. for more than six decades. I extend to them in a remote prison camp in Laos. In addition, On September 24, 1789, Congress created my sincerest congratulations and gratitude. an unknown number of other political pris- the first federal law enforcement officer, the f oners still remain inside of Laotian prisons. United States Marshal. Five years later, on Amnesty International has made repeated ap- January 11th, 1794, U.S. Marshal Robert RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY peals to the Lao authorities to improve the Forsyth became the first officer, in a long list AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN LAOS conditions of the detentions of the prisoners. of men and women who have given their lives Such appeals have been ignored, resulting in to protect and serve the communities of their HON. BRUCE F. VENTO this tragic death. That Thongsouk died and the beloved Nation. Since then, over 14,000 offi- OF MINNESOTA unknown number of other prisoners still re- cers have died in the line of duty, including IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES main to be left in such critical conditions in the over 1,000 from the State of New York. The face of these many expressions of concern city of New York has lost more officers than Thursday, May 13, 1999 highlights not only the Lao Government’s com- any other department in the Nation, with more Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud plete lack of care of its political prisoners, but than 500 deaths. These heroes must never be to introduce legislation that calls for democ- its contempt for the opinion of the international forgotten, and their sacrifice must serve as a racy, free elections and basic human rights in community. reminder that the price of a safer America, an the ’s Democratic Republic. This Specifically, my resolution calls upon the La- America based on law and order, is being paid important resolution reaffirms and promotes otian government to respect international for by the blood and lives of our police offi- our commitment to free and fair elections and norms of human rights and democratic free- cers. basic human rights standards for the Lao peo- doms as embodied in its constitution and inter- Although our Nation’s crime rate is at its ple, especially the Lao-Hmong. While United national agreements; issue a public statement lowest level in years, on average, one law en- States forces have departed Southeast Asia, specifically reaffirming its commitment to pro- forcement office is killed somewhere in Amer- the plight of the Lao-Hmong inside of Laos tecting religious freedom and other basic ica nearly every other day. Over the past ten must not be forgotten. human rights, fully institute a process of de- years, America has lost one police officer The continuous allegations of persecution mocracy, human rights openly and free and every 54 hours; over 1,500 men and women. and abuse of the Lao people, especially the fair elections in Laos, and specifically ensures Already in 1999, forty officers have given their Lao-Hmong, must not be overlooked. The that the National Assembly elections, currently lives in the line of duty, a poignant reminder United States must investigate these allega- scheduled for 2002, are openly contested; and that crime reduction comes at a stiff price. tions promptly. Lao-Hmong families are re- allow access for international human rights Police Memorial Week is a time to remind ported to be threatened daily under the Com- monitors, including the International Com- us that when a police officer is killed, it is not munist regime in Laos. We must focus public mittee of the Red Cross and Amnesty Inter- a city that loses an officer, it is an entire na- attention to address such allegations in at- national inside of Lao prisons and all regions tion. We must believe that the senseless mur- tempt to finally bring a halt to this persecution. of the country to investigate allegations of ders and crimes against our Nation’s bravest I would like to remind my Colleagues that human rights abuse, especially those against men and women will one day stop; until then the service and contributions of the Lao- the Lao-Hmong, when requested. we will do everything we can in order to re- Hmong patriots had a major impact on achiev- The United States must continue to ask the member and honor all of the law enforcement ing today’s global order and the positive tough questions and not accept a blissful lack officers who have ever given their lives. changes of the past decades. Extreme sac- of knowledge as satisfactory. My resolution I would like to take this opportunity to recite rifices were made by the Lao-Hmong in the builds upon similar Senate action last Con- the names of those fallen heroes from New jungles and in the highlands, whether in uni- gress and amendments, which I have au- York, who, in the name of duty, gave their form or in the common clothing of the laborer. thored, that have been added to the State De- lives over the past two years: Chief Constable Thousands of U.S. soldier’s lives were spared partment Authorization in previous House ac- Norman E. Carr Jr., Officer Robert McLellan, because of the Lao-Hmong patriots’ support tion, but have not been enacted into law due Officer Sean Carrington, Officer Gerard Carter, and help as they fought along side the United to other matters. Much more needs to be done Officer Anthony Mosomillo, and Officer Mat- States forces in the War. For their ef- in regards to this matter. U.S. policy and law thew Dziergowski. I would also like us to re- forts, the Lao-Hmong deserve our thanks, our must be changed if we expect results. Con- member an officer from my congressional dis- shelter and certainly fundamental human gress must ensure that the Lao Government is trict Vincent Guidice of Stony Point, NY., who rights, freedoms, responsibility of democracy held accountable for their actions and inac- died in the line of duty on May 22nd, 1996. To

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