CONTENTS H.CON.RES. 295, RELATING TO CONTINUING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND POLITICAL OPPRESSION IN THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM 25 YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF SOUTH VIETNAM TO COMMUNIST FORCES Wednesday, April 12, 2000 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C. The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 3:45 p.m., in room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Doug Bereuter (Chairman of the Subcommittee) presiding. Mr. BEREUTER. The Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific will come to order for markup of H. Con. Res. 295, concerning human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 25 years after the fall of South Vietnam to Communist Forces, which the Clerk will read. [H. Ćon. Res. 295 appears in the appendix.] CLERK. H. Con. Res. 295, relating to continuing human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 25 years after the fall of South Vietnam to Communist forces. Whereas 25 years after Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, further reading of the resolution will be dispensed with, put in the record in full, and open for amendments at any point. The resolution was introduced on March 20th by the gentleman from California, Mr. Rohrabacher, to express concerns about the continuing human rights violations and political oppression in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I am fully in support of the resolution, as it will be amended shortly by the gentleman, and I would ask unanimous consent that my full statement be made a part of the record. The gentleman from California, Mr. Lantos, has expressed his willingness for us to proceed with the markup at this point, so I now turn to the sponsor of the resolution, the distinguished gentleman from California, a Senior Member of the Committee, Mr. Rohrabacher. Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. This resolution acknowledges the 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, and salutes the Vietnamese-American community that has developed since the end of the war throughout the United States and draws attention to their progress, but also contrasts that with the continuing human rights abuses and problems that continue in Vietnam, while acknowledging the service of our countrymen in that effort 25 years ago, and the sacrifice made of some 58,000 Americans as well as 300,000 wounded Americans, in addition to the 270,000 South Vietnamese military personnel who gave their lives in that battle as well. So, I would submit my statement for the record and ask for this body to pass this on to the House Floor. Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the gentleman's statement and the Chairman's statement will be made a part of the record. Seeing no other Members for discussion, the resolution is open for amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Rohrabacher. Mr. ROHRABACHER. I have an amendment as a substitute. Mr. BEREUTER. The Clerk will read the amendment. [The amendment of Mr. Rohrabacher appears in the appendix.] CLERK. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H. Con. Res. 295, offered by Mr. Rohrabacher. Amend the preamble to read Mr. BEREUTER. Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read, put in the record, and the gentleman is recognized to explain this amendment, which addresses a number of minor concerns that the Administration and various Members have raised, and I thank the gentleman for his cooperation and I recognize him. Mr. ROHRABACHER. The purpose of the amendment is to perfect the amendment and as other Members have brought their concerns forward and they have been very justified, we have made them part of the bill. Mr. BEREUTER. Thank you, Mr. Rohrabacher. Seeing no members for discussion, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor will say “aye”. [Ayes.) The amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. Are there further amendments? [No response.) If no amendments, then the question occurs on agreeing to the resolution, as amended. As many as are in favor will say "aye". [Ayes.] The ayes have it, and the resolution is agreed to. Without objection, the staff is authorized to make technical, grammatical, and conforming changes to the text just agreed to, and I will recommend that the resolution be marked up by the Full Committee tomorrow and, if possible, handled on the suspension calendar. I thank the gentleman for his initiative, and we look forward to working together on other resolutions. If there is no further business before the Subcommittee, we are adjourned. Whereupon, at 3:50 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.) |