Tom Lantos

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I strongly support this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to do so as well. When I first came to the Congress in 1981, the nation of South Africa suffered under the yoke of the brutal apartheid system. Few things in modern history were as palpably evil as apartheid, an appalling system of racial discrimination. Under apartheid policies, 3.5 million African people, let me repeat this, Mr. Speaker, 3.5 million African people were removed forcibly from their land and from their homes between 1960 and 1983. Under one removal program called the Black Spot Removal Policy, 475,000 blacks living on their own farms in rural communities were robbed of their land, forcibly relocated, and reconstituted as a vast cheap labor pool for commercial farms. Mr. Speaker, what a difference 10 years make. Today, South Africa has made a truly historic transition from the hateful and racist apartheid regime to a multiracial and peaceful democracy. In South Africa today, citizens of all races, all cultures, and all religions live and work together in peace. In 1994, thanks to decades of internal resistance and comprehensive sanctions by the responsible segments of the international community, the apartheid regime ended; and it was replaced by a vibrant and peaceful democracy. We in Congress fought for 2 decades to turn our government's policies away from supporting segregation in South Africa towards democracy and freedom. Throughout the 1980s, many Members of this Congress introduced legislation denouncing apartheid and offering sanctuary to both its black victims and to white citizens of conscience who refused to serve in the military and security forces of an apartheid regime. In 1986, Congress passed the apartheid sanctions bill and overrode the administration's veto of that critically important legislation. With this historic congressional override, we put our Nation on the side of freedom and justice for all the people of South Africa. I am proud to have been a cosponsor of that legislation and many other bills that kept Congress focused on the travesty of racial discrimination. Mr. Speaker, with the passage of our resolution, we recognize the difficult path to freedom taken by South Africa's people. Unlike today where terrorists seek to change political regimes and social order with barbaric attacks on civilians, South Africa's liberation movements condemn violence directed at civilians. The African National Congress led by their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Helen Joseph, and others understood that a future of peace could not be built on a foundation of terror, hatred, and fear. Instead, they fought through the pain of apartheid, embraced the ideals and values of democracy, and in the end shook hands with the enemy whose founding ideology defined them as less than human beings. Mr. Speaker, South Africa stands today as a strong democratic ally of the United States and is strategically important to Africa's political and economic future. We must do all we can to solidify further relations between our two nations and to continue our joint quest to bring justice, prosperity, and freedom to all of Africa. On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, my wife, Annette, and I had the privilege of visiting South Africa during the crucial weeks when the apartheid regime collapsed, and it was a joy to meet and work with and see the leaders on both sides who were ready to build a new, peaceful multiracial society. I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. I want to congratulate my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), for his leadership on this matter and our former colleague Ron Dellums, my neighbor in California, for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the leader of this legislation and this whole concept, and my good friend. (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume and I rise in strong support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, half of the world's population still lives on less than $2 a day. What this means is that approximately 3 billion men, women, and children, or a population 10 times the size of ours, awake each morning to little food, dirty water, inadequate shelter, and no health care. Alleviating this crushing poverty around the globe is a moral imperative, but it is also related to our national interests. Persistent poverty has made generations of men, women, and children vulnerable to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. It has also bolstered the appeal of extremist ideologies which preach hate and intolerance. Mr. Speaker, the Millennium Challenge Account has already begun to mitigate the effects of global poverty and to provide poor citizens around the world with the tools for their advancement. But for the MCA to succeed fully and to maintain solid congressional support, the Millennium Challenge Corporation must undertake serious efforts to expand the number of countries that will benefit from the millennium initiative. The lucky 16 countries that are currently eligible to receive MCA assistance represent only about 3 percent of the world's poor. The most effective way to expand the number of poor countries that can receive MCA funds is through a program for threshold countries that just miss clearing the eligibility bar. Unfortunately, the threshold program is only authorized through the current fiscal year. My legislation helps ensure that the millennium initiative continues to be available to as many poor people as possible by reauthorizing the threshold program for as long as the MCA operates. Mr. Speaker, in order for the MCA to achieve its stated goal of reducing poverty, the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation must focus his attention on more than just stimulating economic growth in eligible countries. Our experience in our own country has made it painfully clear that trickle-down economics tends to push the working poor further into misery rather than provide them with better economic opportunities. Effective poverty reduction requires investments in education, health, and other sectors which directly contribute to building the human capacity of these countries. It demands policies that close the gap between the rich and the poor in developing nations by providing equal access to assets such as land, and real poverty reduction requires that special attention be paid to poor farmers and to women who bare a disproportionate burden under poverty. Mr. Speaker, Congress granted the executive branch unprecedented flexibility in how the MCA funds were to be expended, because the executive branch promised us that it would make it easier to achieve the program's objectives. Poverty reduction is one of the primary goals of the MCA. Early signs indicate that the administration may be squandering its opportunity to meet this goal. It may erode bipartisan congressional support for the program. I hope that this is not the case and that Presidential support for my legislation will allay these concerns. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4660. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this legislation. I urge all of my colleagues to do so as well. I would first like to commend my dear friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), for his introduction of the North Korean Human Rights Act; and I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), for his hard work on this bill as well. Mr. Speaker, United States policy towards North Korea has been an important item on the foreign policy agenda for over a decade, stretching through both the Clinton and the Bush administrations. Given the threat to the United States and to our key allies posed by North Korea's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, the focus of our diplomatic resources has correctly been on ending the destabilizing nuclear and missile programs of North Korea. While it is inevitable that security matters will remain at the heart of our dialogue regarding North Korea, I am very much concerned that the United States has paid insufficient attention to the human rights situation in the North and the humanitarian consequences of the horrendous misrule by North Korea's leadership. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before the House is designed to correct this imbalance. The North Korean Human Rights Act will ensure that the United States does not fail to tackle North Korea's appalling human rights record as we attempt to resolve our differences with the North. As we know all too well, the human rights situation in North Korea is one of the world's worst. Over a decade, a vast number of North Korean citizens starved to death because of their government's gross incompetence, while the North Korean leadership dined on sushi flown in fresh from Japan. Hundreds of thousands of citizens languish in brutal North Korean gulags with no hope of release. The political system itself is Stalinist to the core. No elections. No freedom of the press. No freedom of assembly. No words of dissent. No criticism of the government or of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. In short, Mr. Speaker, the North Korean people have no hope of changing their government unless the international community stands up for human rights and democracy in the North and continues to push the North aggressively for change. The misrule in the North has also created a significant refugee situation in Northeastern China. Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans have fled to China in hopes of gaining their freedom. The Chinese Government has refused to treat these North Koreans as refugees, and many have been pushed back over the border to a most uncertain fate. It is critically important that the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees have access to this floating population, and that North Korean refugees be treated appropriately. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us tackles all of these important subjects. It will direct that human rights remain on the negotiating table with the North. It demands better accountability for international food aid to North Korea. It encourages a solution on the North Korean refugee issue in China. And it attempts to increase American broadcasting into North Korea. This bill is exceptionally well researched and well-crafted, and I strongly support its passage. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do so as well. Over the past 2 decades, totalitarian government after totalitarian government has fallen to the forces of democracy in one of the greatest achievements of the modern era. Tin-pot dictators and brutal military thugs have been tossed out of their ruling palaces, replaced by leaders chosen in fair elections, leaders willing to govern in an open and transparent manner. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, some dictatorial regimes continue to cling to power, using brutal force, intimidation, and torture to resist the worldwide trend towards democracy. Without a doubt, Alexander Lukashenko Belarus is a rising star in the world's list of rogue dictators. In 1996, Lukashenko amended the constitution in a flawed referendum and in 2001 extended his term in office through an election that was neither free nor fair. He stole local elections in March and in November of 2003. Mr. Speaker, the list of Lukashenko's violations of internationally recognized human rights does not end with fraudulent elections. Political opponents are intimidated, arrested, or disappear without a trace. Independent media outlets have been closed, and journalists are prevented from writing the truth. Nongovernmental organizations have been closed. United States nongovernmental organizations attempting to promote political party development have been kicked out of Belarus. Trade union leaders have been repressed, and religious freedom has been eroded. In short, Mr. Speaker, the human rights and democracy situation in Belarus is on a steady downwards path. Belarus is now preparing for parliamentary elections in October. Our resolution calls upon the Government of Belarus to ensure that these important elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. The United States and the European Union have been working jointly to encourage the government to conduct these elections in an open manner under the watchful eye of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. I have no confidence, however, that Lukashenko has any intention of listening to the voices of his own citizens or those of the international community who are demanding political change. Yet, the Government of Belarus must understand that we will never forget the cause of human rights and the cause of democracy in Belarus, and that the United States and Belarus will never have fully normal relations until Belarus moves assertively and convincingly towards a democratic form of government. I strongly support passage of this resolution, and I urge all of my colleagues to do so as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. I appreciate the gentleman's accommodation. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 4 minutes to my good friend from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), the author of this important resolution. (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, this is a noble moment for this body, but it is only a first step. There is a built-in mechanism ready to go to save the people of Darfur, and I call on NATO to use its capabilities to deploy the necessary troops to save the people of Darfur. There is no nobler goal for NATO, which was designed to protect human life, to do so now in west Sudan. I want to thank all of my colleagues for their contribution. This is a noble moment for the House of Representatives. I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush). (Mr. RUSH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the remaining time to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished Democratic whip and indefatigable fighter for human rights across the globe.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Olver), our distinguished colleague and my good friend.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my good friend and neighbor, the distinguished gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott). (Mr. McDERMOTT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my good friend, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), our distinguished colleague.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel), a member of the Committee on International Relations.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff). (Mr. SCHIFF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my good friend and distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis). (Mr. DAVIS of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2 minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to my friend, the distinguished gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Jackson). (Mr. JACKSON of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a good friend to Washington and to the U.S., Ambassador C.J. Chen of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative office. While I know many of my colleagues will agree that Ambassador Chen's return to Taiwan is quite a loss to Washington, I know that his legacy here will be the continued positive relations between our two countries. Ambassador Chen holds the unique diplomatic experience of not only having more than 30 years experience in Washington, but also gracefully guiding the relationship of his home country through its most pivotal years with the United States. After U.S.-Taiwan relations were severed in early 1979, a young C.J. Chen was part of the embassy team that worked closely with Congress to establish the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Since its passage, the TRA has been the strong and enduring statutory framework under which the U.S. and Taiwan have quickly expanded and improved cultural, commercial, and diplomatic relations. While the TRA has been the guiding force behind our improved relations, I must say that my friend C.J. Chen has been the human force. His depth of knowledge, incredible insight, and unrivaled experience has earned him the respect needed to carry the U.S.-Taiwan relationship forward. It has been a great honor and pleasure to work with Ambassador Chen on a wide array of important issues--including but certainly not limited to Taiwan's participation in the WHO, security in the Taiwan Strait, and improved human rights conditions. Mr. Speaker, I wish Ambassador C.J. Chen and his wife Yolanda all the best as they return to Taiwan. They leave behind many friends, a great deal of goodwill, and a legacy of service.