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RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN EUROPE

(VE) DAY AND LIBERATION OF WESTERN BOHEMIA; RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY DURING WORLD

WAR II; SUPPORTING THE ORGANIZERS AND PARTICIPANTS

OF THE MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY TO PROMOTE THE

CIVIL SOCIETY IN CUBA; CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT

OF NIGERIA TO TRANSFER CHARLES TAYLOR TO THE SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE; AND OBSERVING THE 30TH

ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

TO THE COMMUNIST FORCES OF NORTH VIETNAM

MARKUP

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED NINTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

ON

H. Res. 195, H. Res. 233, H. Res. 193,

H. Con. Res. 127 and H. Res. 228

APRIL 27, 2005

Serial No. 109–18

Printed for the use of the Committee on International Relations

Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.house.gov/international

( —relations 

(II)

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 

HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois, Chairman 

JAMES A. LEACH, Iowa 

CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey, 

Vice Chairman 

DAN BURTON, Indiana 

ELTON GALLEGLY, California 

ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida 

DANA ROHRABACHER, California 

EDWARD R. ROYCE, California 

PETER T. KING, New York 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio 

THOMAS G. TANCREDO, Colorado 

RON PAUL, Texas 

DARRELL ISSA, California 

JEFF FLAKE, Arizona 

JO ANN DAVIS, Virginia 

MARK GREEN, Wisconsin 

JERRY WELLER, Illinois 

MIKE PENCE, Indiana 

THADDEUS G. MCCOTTER, Michigan 

KATHERINE HARRIS, Florida 

JOE WILSON, South Carolina 

JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas 

J. GRESHAM BARRETT, South Carolina 

CONNIE MACK, Florida 

JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska 

MICHAEL MCCAUL, Texas 

TED POE, Texas 

TOM LANTOS, California 

HOWARD L. BERMAN, California 

GARY L. ACKERMAN, New York 

ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA, American 

Samoa 

DONALD M. PAYNE, New Jersey 

ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey 

SHERROD BROWN, Ohio 

BRAD SHERMAN, California 

ROBERT WEXLER, Florida 

ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York 

WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT, Massachusetts 

GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York 

BARBARA LEE, California 

JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York 

EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon 

SHELLEY BERKLEY, Nevada 

GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California 

ADAM B. SCHIFF, California 

DIANE E. WATSON, California 

ADAM SMITH, Washington 

BETTY MCCOLLUM, Minnesota 

BEN CHANDLER, Kentucky 

DENNIS A. CARDOZA, California 

THOMAS E. MOONEY, SR., Staff Director/General Counsel 

ROBERT R. KING, Democratic Staff Director 

DANIEL FREEMAN, Counsel/Parliamentarian 

JEAN CARROLL, Full Committee Hearing Coordinator 

(III)

C O N T E N T S 

Page

MARKUP OF 

H. Res. 195, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) 

Day and the Liberation of Western Bohemia .................................................... 2

Amendment to H. Res. 195 offered by the Honorable Elton Gallegly, a 

Representative in Congress from the State of California ............................. 5

H. Res. 233, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) 

Day during World War II .................................................................................... 6

Amendment to H. Res. 233 offered by the Honorable Elton Gallegly ............. 9

H. Res. 193, Expressing support to the organizers and participants of the 

historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba 

on May 20, 2005, in Havana ............................................................................... 10

H. Con. Res. 127, Calling on the Government of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria to transfer Charles Ghankay Taylor, former President of the Republic of Liberia, to the Special Court for Sierra Leone to be tried for 

war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law ................................................................................. 14

H. Res. 228, Observing the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Republic 

of Vietnam to the Communist forces of North Vietnam ................................... 18

Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H. Res. 228 offered by the 

Honorable Henry J. Hyde, a Representative in Congress from the State 

of Illinois, and Chairman, Committee on International Relations ............... 22

Committee Resolution 109–1, Honoring Carl Raether ......................................... 25

(1)

RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN EUROPE (VE) DAY AND LIBERATION OF WESTERN BOHEMIA; 

RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY DURING WORLD WAR II; SUPPORTING THE ORGANIZERS AND 

PARTICIPANTS OF THE MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY TO 

PROMOTE THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN CUBA; CALLING ON THE 

GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA TO TRANSFER CHARLES TAYLOR TO THE SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE; AND 

OBSERVING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF 

THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM TO THE COMMUNIST FORCES 

OF NORTH VIETNAM 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2005

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 11:24 a.m. in room 

2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Henry J. Hyde (Chairman of the Committee) presiding. 

Chairman HYDE. The business meeting of the Committee will 

come to order. We have a series of noncontroversial bills on the 

agenda, and it is the intention of the Chair to consider these measures en bloc and, by unanimous consent, authorize the Chair to 

seek consideration of the bills under suspension of the rules. All 

Members are given leave to insert remarks on the measures into 

the record, should they choose to do so. 

Without objection, the Chairman is authorized to seek consideration of the following measures under suspension of the rules, and 

the amendments which the Members have before them will be 

deemed adopted: H. Res. 195, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of 

Victory in Europe (VE) Day and the Liberation of Western Bohemia; H. Res. 233, Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in 

Europe (V–E) Day during World War II; H. Res. 193, Expressing 

support to the organizers and participants of the historic meeting 

of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba on May 20, 

2005, in Havana; H. Con. Res. 127, Calling on the Government of 

the Federal Republic of Nigeria to transfer Charles Ghankay Taylor, former President of the Republic of Liberia, to the Special 

Court for Sierra Leone to be tried for war crimes, crimes against 

humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law; and H. Res. 228, Observing the 30th anniversary of the 

fall of the Republic of Vietnam to the Communist forces of North 

Vietnam. 

[The bills and amendments referred to follow:]

2

1

IV

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 195

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and the

Liberation of Western Bohemia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 6, 2005

Mr. KINGSTON (for himself, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr.

TERRY, Ms. WATSON, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mrs. MCCARTHY, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. PRICE of North Carolina, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. SHAW, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr.

KENNEDY of Minnesota, Mr. OTTER, Ms. HARRIS, and Mr. BROWN of

South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to

the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE)

Day and the Liberation of Western Bohemia.

Whereas the final major offensive in the European theater of

operations during World War II, known as the Liberation

of Western Bohemia, was fought from April 25, 1945, to

May 8, 1945, with Victory in Europe (VE) Day declared

on May 8, 1945;

Whereas the Liberation of Western Bohemia was the closing

offensive of World War II, which decisively contributed to

the ultimate capitulation of the German Third Reich;


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•HRES 195 IH

Whereas on May 4, 1945, General George S. Patton gave the

order for the American Third Army, consisting of 18 divisions and 500,000 men, to resume the Allied offensive

into Western Bohemia;

Whereas on May 5, 1945, the Third Army liberated the city

of Plzen (Pilsen), the western-most city in then-Czechoslovakia;

Whereas on May 6, 1945, as Americans entered Pilsen, flowers were strewn along the paths and into the vehicles of

the troops, while young girls and old men and women ran

to kiss the soldiers;

Whereas during the communist era, Czechs celebrated their

liberation from Nazi Germany on May 9 of each year in

commemoration of the Soviet liberation of Prague; however, after the 1989 ‘‘Velvet Revolution’’, the date of

commemoration was moved to May 8 of each year;

Whereas thousands of American veterans of the Liberation of

Western Bohemia have traveled to Pilsen in the years

since the liberation to honor their fallen comrades;

Whereas the people of the Czech Republic, symbolizing their

friendship and gratitude toward the American soldiers

who fought to secure their freedom, have graciously

hosted countless veterans groups over the years;

Whereas between April 25 and May 9, 2005, some 50 communities across the western part of the Czech Republic

will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of their liberation

by United States, Czech, and Belgian soldiers under the

command of General Patton;

Whereas the citizens of Pilsen will dedicate a statue of General Patton which will be unveiled on the town square on

the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen, comVerDate Mar 21 2002 10:06 Jun 01, 2005 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\FULL\042705M\20916.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL

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•HRES 195 IH

memorating the Liberation of Western Bohemia by

United States Armed Forces during World War II; and

Whereas the friendship between the United States and the

Czech Republic is strong today in part because of the

Liberation of Western Bohemia: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the Lib3 eration of Western Bohemia in the European theater

4 of operations during World War II which culminated

5 in an Allied victory that assured the defeat of Nazi

6 Germany and ended the War in Europe two weeks

7 later;

8 (2) honors those individuals who gave their lives

9 during the Liberation of Western Bohemia;

10 (3) encourages the President to issue a procla11 mation calling upon the people of the United States

12 to honor the veterans of the Liberation of Western

13 Bohemia with appropriate programs, ceremonies,

14 and activities;

15 (4) reaffirms the bonds of friendship between

16 the United States and the brave citizens of the

17 Czech Republic; and

18 (5) seeks to continue building a great future be19 tween our countries.

Æ


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1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT TO H. RES. 195

OFFERED BY MR. GALLEGLY OF CALIFORNIA

Amend the title so as to read ‘‘Resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Western

Bohemia by United States Armed Forces during World

War II and the continued friendship between the people

of the United States and the Czech Republic.’’.


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20916b.eps
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2

H.L.C.

Whereas V-E Day was a day for which millions had worked

and fought and prayed and died during that terrible war;

Whereas this day marked the end of six years of misery, suffering, courage, and endurance across the world;

Whereas the United States Armed Forces fought with their

Allies to free occupied nations and their victory in Europe represented the triumph of good over unspeakable

evil, and the promise of a peaceful future for a Europe

ravaged by the bloodiest war in its history;

Whereas V-E Day marked the culmination of the efforts of

many different nations in the Allied forces who were

united by the common quest for peace and justice and

who fought valiantly to liberate occupied countries and to

prevent Hitler’s onslaught;

Whereas the more than 400,000,000 members of the United

States Armed Forces deployed in Europe, the largest

United States military force ever committed to any theater of operation, were joined by millions of members of

the armed forces of other Allied nations, and together

provided the essential strength and made innumerable

sacrifices to end the war in Europe;

Whereas almost 200,000 members of the United States

Armed Forces gave their lives in battle and hundreds of

thousands were wounded in the European theater during

World War II;

Whereas European countries have erected many monuments

and plaques commemorating their liberation by the

United States and its Allies during World War II;

Whereas the 60th anniversary of V-E Day in 2005 will be

marked by many commemorative events by citizens of the

United States and many other nations; and


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3

H.L.C.

Whereas the courage and sacrifice of the members of the

United States Armed Forces and of many other nations

who served with distinction to save the world from tyranny and aggression should always be remembered: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog2 nizes the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II

3 in Europe, joins with a grateful Nation in expressing re4 spect and appreciation to the men and women who served

5 in the European theater during World War II, and re6 members and pays tribute to those Americans who made

7 the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life for their country.


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1

IV

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 193

Expressing support to the organizers and participants of the historic meeting

of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba on May 20,

2005, in Havana.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 6, 2005

Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida (for himself, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. ROSLEHTINEN, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. SMITH of New

Jersey, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. WILSON

of South Carolina, Ms. HARRIS, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. MACK, Mr. MURPHY,

Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky, Mrs. DRAKE, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. BAKER, Mr.

FOLEY, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. WELLER, Mr. BARRETT of

South Carolina, Mr. MCHENRY, Mr. PEARCE, Mr. FLAKE, Mr. CANNON,

Mr. SOUDER, Mr. MCCOTTER, Ms. NORTON, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ,

Mr. PALLONE, Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota, and Mr. WELDON of Florida) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing support to the organizers and participants of

the historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the

Civil Society in Cuba on May 20, 2005, in Havana.

Whereas Fidel Castro’s terrorist regime has continued to repress all attempts by the Cuban people to bring democratic change to Cuba and denies universally recognized

liberties, including freedom of speech, association, movement, and the press;


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•HRES 193 IH

Whereas thousands of political prisoners are currently imprisoned by Fidel Castro’s totalitarian regime;

Whereas in March 2003 Fidel Castro carried out a massive,

island wide crackdown on members of Cuba’s pro-democracy movement, under which pro-democracy activists were

arrested, subjected to ‘‘summary trials’’, and sentenced

to up to 28 years in prison for their pro-democracy activities;

Whereas the Department of State’s 2004 Country Reports on

Human Rights Practices, in referring to Castro’s Cuba,

states: ‘‘Members of the security forces and prison officials continued to beat and abuse detainees and prisoners, including human rights activists. . . . Prison conditions remained harsh and life threatening, and the Government restricted medical care to some prisoners as a

method of control. Prisoners died in jail due to lack of

medical care.’’;

Whereas on May 20, 1902, the Republic of Cuba obtained its

independence;

Whereas in the spirit of Jose Marti, many of the future leaders of a free Cuba have called for a meeting of the Assembly of the Civil Society in Cuba, an organization that

consists of over 360 opposition and civil society organizations in Cuba;

Whereas on May 20, 2005, the Assembly to Promote the

Civil Society in Cuba seeks to convene an historic meeting in Havana on the 103rd anniversary of Cuban Independence;

Whereas the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba

will focus on bringing democracy and liberty to the

enslaved island of Cuba;


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3

•HRES 193 IH

Whereas the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba

is led by three courageous pro-democracy opponents of

the Castro regime—Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello, Felix

Bonne Carcasses, and Rene Gomez Manzano;

Whereas organizers and participants are convening a meeting

of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba at

great risk to themselves and their families; and

Whereas President George W. Bush stated in his second inaugural address on January 20, 2005: ‘‘All who live in

tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States

will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with

you. Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or

exile can know: America sees you for who you are—the

future leaders of your free country.’’: Now, therefore, be

it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) extends its support and solidarity to the or3 ganizers and participants of the historic meeting of

4 the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba

5 on May 20, 2005, in Havana;

6 (2) urges the international community to sup7 port the Assembly’s mission to bring democracy to

8 Cuba;

9 (3) urges the Administration and international

10 community to actively oppose any attempts by the

11 Castro regime to repress or punish the organizers

12 and participants of the Assembly; and


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•HRES 193 IH

1 (4) shares the pro-democracy ideals of the As2 sembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba and be3 lieves that this Assembly and others will hasten the

4 day of freedom and democracy for the people of

5 Cuba.

Æ


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1

IV

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 127

Calling on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to transfer

Charles Ghankay Taylor, former President of the Republic of Liberia,

to the Special Court for Sierra Leone to be tried for war crimes, crimes

against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 12, 2005

Mr. ROYCE (for himself, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. WOLF, Mrs. KELLY, and Mr. SNYDER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Calling on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to transfer Charles Ghankay Taylor, former President

of the Republic of Liberia, to the Special Court for

Sierra Leone to be tried for war crimes, crimes against

humanity, and other serious violations of international

humanitarian law.

Whereas on January 16, 2002, as requested by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1315 (2000), an agreement was signed by the Government of the Republic of

Sierra Leone and the United Nations to establish the

Special Court for Sierra Leone;


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•HCON 127 IH

Whereas the Special Court for Sierra Leone was given the

power to prosecute persons who have committed and

‘‘bear the greatest responsibility’’ for war crimes, crimes

against humanity, other serious violations of international

humanitarian law, and certain crimes under Sierra

Leonean law committed within the territory of Sierra

Leone during that country’s brutal civil war during the

period after November 30, 1996;

Whereas on June 4, 2003, the Special Court for Sierra Leone

unsealed an indictment issued on March 3, 2003, against

Charles Ghankay Taylor, former President of the Republic of Liberia, charging him with seventeen counts of war

crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of

international humanitarian law relating to his role in directly supporting and materially, logistically, and politically abetting the rebel Revolutionary United Front

(RUF) and its actions, including its notorious, widespread, and systematic attacks upon the civilian population of Sierra Leone;

Whereas the indictment of Charles Taylor includes charges of

terrorizing civilians and subjecting civilians to collective

punishment, mass murder, sexual slavery and rape, abduction and hostage taking, severe mutilation, including

the cutting off of limbs and other physical violence and

inhumane acts, enslavement, forced labor, forced military

conscription, including forced conscription of children,

theft, arson, looting, and pillage, and widespread attacks

upon the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone

(UNAMSIL) and humanitarian workers by the Revolutionary United Front combatants;

Whereas the Revolutionary United Front was notorious for

brutally murdering and torturing civilians, including the


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3

•HCON 127 IH

amputation of limbs with machetes, and by carving

‘‘RUF’’ onto the bodies of thousands of victims, including

women and children;

Whereas the Revolutionary United Front made widespread

use of abducted children as laborers and soldiers and

forced many of the abducted children to perform severe

human rights abuses, constituting a serious crime under

the jurisdiction of the Special Court for Sierra Leone;

Whereas on August 11, 2003, Charles Taylor departed Liberia for Calabar, Nigeria, where he was granted asylum

and, according to press reports, agreed to end his involvement in Liberian politics;

Whereas in September 2003 the Government of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria warned Taylor that it would ‘‘not tolerate any breach of this condition and others which forbid him from engaging in active communications with

anyone engaged in political, illegal or governmental activities in Liberia’’;

Whereas the United States, Nigeria, and other concerned nations have contributed extensive political, human, military, financial, and material resources toward the building of peace and stability in Liberia and Sierra Leone;

Whereas the Special Court for Sierra Leone has contributed

to developing the rule of law in Sierra Leone and is deserving of support;

Whereas on March 17, 2005, the United Nations SecretaryGeneral reported to the United Nations Security Council

that Charles Taylor’s ‘‘former military commanders and

business associates, as well as members of his political

party, maintain regular contact with him and are planning to undermine the peace process’’ in Liberia;


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•HCON 127 IH

Whereas David Crane, Chief Prosecutor at the Special Court

for Sierra Leone, stated: ‘‘Unless and until Charles Taylor is brought to justice, there will be no peace. Charles

Taylor is a big cloud hanging over Liberia. He is still ruling the country from his house arrest in Calabar. His

agents remain influential in the country.’’;

Whereas on March 22, 2005, Jacques Klein, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General to

Liberia, stated: ‘‘Charles Taylor is a psychopath and a

killer . . . He’s still very much involved [in and is . . .

] intrusive in Liberian politics.’’; and

Whereas Charles Taylor remains a serious present and continuing threat to Liberian and West African subregional

political stability, security, and peace, and to United

States interests in the region: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress urges the Government of the

3 Federal Republic of Nigeria to expeditiously transfer

4 Charles Ghankay Taylor, former President of the Republic

5 of Liberia, to the jurisdiction of the Special Court for Si6 erra Leone to undergo a fair and open trial for war crimes,

7 crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of

8 international humanitarian law.

Æ


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IV

109TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 228

Observing the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Republic of Vietnam to

the Communist forces of North Vietnam.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 21, 2005

Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia (for himself, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Ms.

LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. BECERRA, Ms. SOLIS, Ms. WATSON, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. WATERS, Ms.

MILLENDER-MCDONALD, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. LINDA T. SA ́NCHEZ of

California, Mr. FILNER, Mr. FARR, Mr. AKIN, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. EDWARDS, Mr. HONDA, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. WOLF, Mr. LINCOLN

DIAZ-BALART of Florida, and Mr. BERMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Observing the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Republic

of Vietnam to the Communist forces of North Vietnam.

Whereas on April 30, 1975, the Republic of Vietnam fell to

the Communist forces of North Vietnam, resulting in a

world refugee crisis of historic proportions, and yielding

approximately 3,000,000 refugees around the world and

at least 500,000 individuals who died at sea;

Whereas since 1975, the 1,500,000 Vietnamese who resettled

in the United States have, through perseverance and

hard work, been able to rebuild their lives and form a vibrant community across the United States which contribVerDate Mar 21 2002 10:06 Jun 01, 2005 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 F:\WORK\FULL\042705M\20916.000 HINTREL1 PsN: SHIRL

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•HRES 228 IH

utes in many significant ways to the richness and diversity of American society;

Whereas since 1975, Vietnamese Americans have worked tirelessly to promote democracy and freedom in Vietnam;

Whereas the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established as

a one-party state ruled and controlled by the Vietnamese

Communist Party;

Whereas the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

continues to violate the liberties and civil rights of its

own citizens through arbitrary arrests, detentions without

trial, and the censorship of peaceful expressions of political and religious beliefs;

Whereas Article 4 of the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam ensures the supremacy of the Vietnamese

Communist Party as the only political party in the country while continuing to enforce an extra-legal administrative decree to detain or place under house arrest any dissidents or civilians for up to 2 years, without trial, under

the pretext of ‘‘endangering national security’’;

Whereas, according to the Department of State and international human rights organizations, the Government of

the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continues to restrict

unregistered religious activities and persecutes citizens on

the basis of their religious and political affiliation

through arbitrary arrests and detention, harassment,

physical abuse, censorship, and the denial of the rights

of free association and religious worship;

Whereas the people of the United States are firmly committed to political, religious, and economic freedom for

the citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the

United States fully expects equal protection under the


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3

•HRES 228 IH

law for all Vietnamese citizens, regardless of religious belief, political philosophy, or socio-political association;

Whereas the United States honors all members of the United

States Armed Forces and members of the South Vietnamese forces who fought in the Vietnam conflict, including those individuals who gave the ultimate sacrifice,

their lives, for the cause of freedom during such conflict;

and

Whereas the interests of the United States with respect to

the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will be best served

when freedom and democracy are fully restored to the Vietnamese people and when basic human rights are respected and enjoyed by all Vietnamese regardless of politics, religion, gender, or ethnic origin: Now, therefore, be

it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) observes the 30th anniversary of the fall of

3 the Republic of Vietnam to the Communist forces of

4 North Vietnam;

5 (2) supports all individuals taking part in

6 events in Washington, D.C. and across the United

7 States to observe this tragic event in world history;

8 and

9 (3) urges the people of the United States to

10 share in remembering this tragic event so as to pro11 vide a greater understanding of the role that this

12 event had in depriving the people of Vietnam of their

13 liberty and to provide the necessary leadership so


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4

•HRES 228 IH

1 that one day the Vietnamese people may enjoy free2 dom, democracy, and equality.

Æ


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1

H.L.C.

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

TO H. RES. 228

OFFERED BY MR. HYDE

Strike the preamble and insert the following:

Whereas the Vietnamese who resettled in the United States

after the events of April 1975 have, through perseverance

and hard work, been able to rebuild their lives and form

a vibrant community across the United States, nearly a

million and a half strong, which contributes in many significant ways to the richness and diversity of American

society;

Whereas the large flow of refugees to the United States and

elsewhere was caused by the fall of the Republic of Vietnam to the Communist forces of North Vietnam in April

1975, resulting in a world refugee crisis of historic proportions, the exodus of millions of Vietnamese, and hundreds of thousands of deaths at sea;

Whereas since 1975, Vietnamese Americans have worked tirelessly to promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam;

Whereas the United States honors all members of the United

States Armed Forces and members of the South Vietnamese forces who fought in the Vietnam conflict, including those individuals who gave the ultimate sacrifice,

their lives, for the cause of freedom during such conflict;

and

Whereas the interests of the United States with respect to

the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will be best served

when the Vietnamese people fully enjoy the exercise of


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2

H.L.C.

their basic human rights regardless of politics, religion,

gender, or ethnic origin: Now, therefore, be it

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the

following:

1 That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) honors the significant contributions of Viet3 namese Americans to the richness, diversity, and

4 success of American society;

5 (2) observes the 30th anniversary of the large

6 exodus of refugees from Vietnam when the Republic

7 of Vietnam fell to the Communist forces of North

8 Vietnam;

9 (3) supports all individuals taking part in

10 events in Washington, D.C. and across the United

11 States to commemorate these momentous events in

12 world history;

13 (4) honors the memory of those Vietnamese

14 who lost their lives in that refugee exodus; and

15 (5) urges all citizens of the United States to

16 share in remembering these events and working to17 ward the full realization of freedom, democracy, and

18 equality for all the people of Vietnam.

Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘Resolution honoring

the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to American

society over the past three decades.’’.


20916g.AAC
24

Chairman HYDE. Before the Committee business meeting adjourns, I would like to turn to an important Committee resolution 

which is at the desk. The clerk will read the resolution. 

Ms. RUSH. Committee Resolution 109–1, April 27, 2005, Honoring Carl Raether. Whereas Carl Raether has served the United 

States Department of State for over 32 years, including a long tenure as a member of the senior staff of the Department’s Bureau of 

Legislative Affairs; Whereby Carl Raether has served with dedication and loyalty under seven Presidents and eleven Secretaries of 

State; Whereas Carl Raether has served with distinction for more 

than four years as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs with responsibility for the House of Representatives; 

Whereas Carl Raether has skillfully balanced the needs of the executive and legislative branches and has maintained most cordial 

and helpful relations with Members and staff of this Committee; 

and Whereas Carl Raether is about to retire from Federal service. 

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Committee on International Relations expresses its sincere appreciation to Carl 

Raether for his many years of service to the Federal Government 

and in particular for his outstanding, dedicated efforts to inform 

and counsel the Members and staff of the Committee and to improve the communications between the Committee and the officers 

and employees of the Department of State. 

[The resolution referred to follows:]

25


20916a.eps
26

Chairman HYDE. Mr. Lantos is recognized for such remarks as 

he cares 

Mr. LANTOS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to strongly support the resolution honoring Carl for his extraordinary public service, and I move that we approve all of the resolutions you listed. 

Chairman HYDE. If Carl is in the audience, I would ask him to 

stand and receive the thanks of the Committee. 

[Applause.] 

Chairman HYDE. Without objection, the Committee resolution is 

adopted. 

The Committee business meeting stands adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 11:29 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]

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