S6182 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— SENATE May 4, 1995 

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 12—HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES 

OF BURMESE WOMEN AND GIRLS 

Mrs. MURRAY submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 

was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations: 

S. CON. RES. 12 

Whereas credible reports indicate that 

thousands of Burmese women and girls are 

being trafficked into Thailand with false 

promises of good paying jobs in restaurants 

or factories, and then forced to work in 

brothels under slavery-like conditions that 

include sexual and physical violence, debt 

bondage, exposure to HIV, passport deprivation, and illegal confinement; 

Whereas credible reports also indicate that 

members of the Thai police force are often 

actively involved in, and profit from, the 

trafficking of Burmese women and girls for 

the purposes of forced prostitution; 

Whereas the United States Government 

conducts training programs for the Thai police and United States arms and equipment 

are sold to the Thai police; 

Whereas the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination 

Against Women requires all States Parties 

‘‘to take all appropriate measures, including 

legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in 

women and exploitation of prostitution of 

women’’; 

Whereas Article 1 of the 1956 Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of 

Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions 

and Practices Similar to Slavery calls for 

the complete abolition or abandonment of 

debt bondage; 

Whereas forced labor, defined under the 

1930 Forced Labor Convention as ‘‘all work 

or service which is exacted from any person 

under the menace of any penalty and for 

which the said person has not offered himself 

voluntarily,’’ is internationally prohibited; 

Whereas the 1949 Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others finds 

the traffic in persons for the purposes of 

prostitution ‘‘incompatible with the dignity 

and worth of the human person,’’ and calls 

on States Parties to punish any person who 

procures for the purposes of prostitution, 

keeps, manages or knowingly finances a 

brothel, or rents premises for the prostitution of others; 

Whereas Assistant Secretary of State for 

Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs 

John Shattuck has testified that the United 

States ‘‘urgently needs to encourage countries in which trafficking of women and children goes on with impunity to enact new 

laws, and to enforce existing laws. A particular target of this stepped-up law enforcement should be government officials who 

participate in or condone trafficking, as well 

as brothel owners and traffickers’’; and 

Whereas Secretary of State Warren Christopher stated before the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights that 

‘‘(g)uaranteeing human rights is a moral imperative with respect to both women and 

men’’: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense 

of the Congress that—

(1) trafficking in persons violates the fundamental principle of human dignity, and 

forced prostitution involving physical coercion or debt bondage constitutes a form of 

forced labor and a slavery-like practice; 

(2) the United States State Department 

should continue to press the Thai Government to strictly enforce all laws that can 

lead to the prosecution of those involved in 

trafficking and forced prostitution, including procurers, traffickers, pimps, brothel 

owners, and members of the Thai police who 

may be complicit; 

(3) the State Department should ensure 

that Thai police participants in the United 

States Government-sponsored police training programs are systematically vetted to 

exclude those who are implicated in trafficking and forced prostitution; 

(4) the executive branch should take steps 

to assure that weapons and equipment provided or sold to the Thai police do not become available to members of those forces 

who might be involved in trafficking, forced 

prostitution, or abuse of women and girls 

who are apprehended; 

(5) the State Department should urge the 

Thai Government to protect the rights and 

safety of Burmese women and girls in Thailand who are freed from brothels or who are 

arrested as illegal immigrants because their 

status as trafficking victims is unclear; 

(6) the United States Agency for International Development should target a portion of its assistance to Thailand for AIDS 

prevention and control to the foreign population in Thailand, particularly Burmese 

women and girls in the Thai sex industry; 

and 

(7) the State Department should report to 

Congress, within 6 months of the date of this 

resolution, on actions that it has taken to 

advocate that the Thai Government implement the above steps. 

∑ Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, today 

I submit a resolution expressing the 

sense of Congress concerning the trafficking of Burmese women and girls 

into Thailand for the purpose of forced 

prostitution. This is identical to a resolution submitted in the House by Congresswoman LOUISE SLAUGHTER. 

I have long supported steps to help 

improve the gross human rights violations inflicted on women around the 

world. I am outraged at reports from 

Human Rights Watch and others citing 

the egregious abuse of Burmese women 

and girls who are lured into Thailand 

with false promises to work at good 

paying jobs, and then confined in illegal brothels. These women and girls 

live in brutal conditions, often forced 

to work 18 hours a day with several different clients. They are subjected to 

physical and sexual abuse that makes 

escape practically impossible. In addition, there is virtually no health care 

or birth control available, and the HIV 

virus is rampant among these women 

and girls. 

Reportedly, these abuses take place 

with the knowledge of the Thai Government and the likely involvement of 

the Thai police. I am deeply concerned 

by reports that these officials not only 

fail to protect these women and girls, 

but actually provide support to the 

brothels and brothel owners. 

Mr. President, this resolution seeks 

to call attention to these abuses. In addition to stating that sex trafficking is 

a violation of the fundamental principle of human dignity, it encourages 

the State Department to press the Thai 

Government to enforce the laws that 

can lead to the prosecution of these 

traffickers. It also encourages the Thai 

Government to ensure the rights and 

safety of Burmese women and girls in 

Thailand. In addition, any weapons and 

equipment sold to the Thai police by 

the United States should be kept out of 

the hands of those individuals who may 

be involved in trafficking these women 

and girls. And, finally, the United 

States Agency for International Development should target a portion of its 

assistance to Thailand for AIDS prevention and control. 

We in Congress must act now to help 

stop these brutal practices. The savage 

treatment of Burmese women and girls 

in Thailand, and the abuses they are 

subjected to, must cease. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and 

help send a message that the trafficking and forced prostitution of 

women and girls around the world is 

simply unacceptable.

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∑ 

AMENDMENTS SUBMITTED 

THE COMMONSENSE LEGAL 

STANDARDS REFORM ACT OF 

1995 COMMONSENSE PRODUCT LIABILITY REFORM ACT OF 1995 

ROCKEFELLER AMENDMENT NO. 

686 

(Ordered to lie on the table.) 

Mr. ROCKEFELLER submitted an 

amendment intended to be proposed by 

him to amendment No. 645 proposed by 

him to amendment No. 596 proposed by 

Mr. GORTON to the bill (H.R. 956) to establish legal standards and procedures 

for product litigation, and for other 

purposes; as follows: 

Strike all after ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and insert the following: ‘‘section 197(b)(1), the 

amount of punitive damages that may be 

awarded to a claimant in a product liability 

action that is subject to this title shall be 

the greater of—

‘‘(1) the amount determined under section 

107(b)(1); or 

‘‘(2) $250,000.’’. 

ROCKEFELLER AMENDMENT NO. 

687 

(Ordered to lie on the table.) 

Mr. ROCKEFELLER submitted an 

amendment intended to be proposed by 

him to amendment No. 646 proposed by 

him to amendment No. 596 proposed by 

Mr. GORTON to the bill H.R. 956, supra; 

as follows: 

Strike all after ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and insert the following: ‘‘section 107(b), the 

amount of punitive damages that may be 

awarded to a claimant in a product liability 

action that is subject to this title shall not 

exceed $500,000.’’. 

ROCKEFELLER AMENDMENT NO. 

688 

(Ordered to lie on the table.) 

Mr. ROCKEFELLER submitted an 

amendment intended to be proposed by 

him to amendment No. 647 proposed by 

him to amendment No. 596 proposed by 

Mr. GORTON to the bill H.R. 956, supra; 

as follows: 

Strike all after ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and insert the following: ‘‘section 107(b)(1), the 

amount of punitive damages that may be 

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May 4, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— SENATE S6183 

awarded to a claimant in a product liability 

action that is subject to this title shall not 

exceed 3 times the sum of the amounts described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such 

section.’’. 

BYRD AMENDMENT NO. 689 

(Ordered to lie on the table.) 

Mr. BYRD submitted an amendment 

intended to be proposed by him to 

amendment No. 596 proposed by Mr. 

GORTON to the bill H.R. 956, supra, as 

follows: 

At the appropriate place, insert 

Since, the United States and Japan have a 

long and important relationship which 

serves as an anchor of peace and stability in 

the Pacific region; 

Since, the overall balance in the U.S.- 

Japan relationship has been eroded as a result of persistent and large trade deficits 

which are the result of practices and regulations which have substantially blocked legitimate access of American products to the 

Japanese market; 

Since, the current account trade deficit 

with Japan in 1994 reached an historic high 

level of $66 billion, of which $37 billion, or 56 

percent, is attributed to imbalances in the 

automobile sector, and of which $12.8 billion 

is attributable to auto parts flows; 

Since, in July, 1993, the Administration 

reached a broad accord with the Government 

of Japan, called the ‘‘United States-Japan 

Framework for a New Economic Partnership’’, which established automotive trade 

regulations as one of 5 priority areas for negotiations, to seek market-opening arrangements based on objective criteria and which 

would result in objective progress; 

Since, a healthy American automobile industry is of central importance to the American economy, and to the capability of the 

United States to fulfill its commitments to 

remain as an engaged, deployed, Pacific 

power; 

Since, after 18 months of negotiations with 

the Japanese, beginning in September 1993, 

the U.S. Trade Representative concluded 

that no progress had been achieved, leaving 

the auto parts market in Japan ‘‘virtually 

closed’’; 

Since, in October, 1994, the United States 

initiated an investigation under Section 301 

of the Trade Act of 1974 into the Japanese 

auto parts market, which could result in the 

imposition of trade sanctions on a variety of 

Japanese imports into the United States unless measurable progress is made in penetrating the Japanese auto parts market; 

Since, negotiations are continuing between 

the United States and Japan to achieve lasting market-opening arrangements into the 

Japanese automobile and parts sector; 

Now, therefore, be it 

Declared, That it is the Sense of the Senate 

that—

(1) the Senate supports the efforts of the 

President to continue to strongly press the 

Government of Japan, through bilateral negotiations under the agreed ‘‘Framework for 

a New Economic Partnership,’’ for sharp reductions in the trade imbalances in automotive sales and parts through the elimination of unfair and restrictive Japanese 

market-closing practices and regulations; 

and 

(2) If such results-oriented negotiations are 

not concluded satisfactorily, appropriate and 

reasonable measures, up to and including 

trade sanctions, should be imposed in accordance with Section 301 of the Trade Act of 

1974; and 

(3) The Senate is prepared to fully support 

any such measures that might be taken 

against Japanese products, including appropriate legislation. 

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NOTICES OF HEARINGS 

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING

Mr. COHEN. Mr. President, I wish to 

announce that the Special Committee 

on Aging will hold a hearing on Thursday, May 11, 1995, at 9:30 a.m., in room 

562 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The subject of the hearing is longterm care financing. 

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NOTICES OF HEARING CHANGE 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL

RESOURCES

Mr. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I 

would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public 

that the nomination of Charles William Burton to be a member of the 

Board of Directors of the U.S. Enrichment Corporation will not be considered on Wednesday, May 10, 1995, as 

previously announced. 

For further information, please call 

Camille Heninger at (202) 224

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–5070. 

AUTHORITY FOR COMMITTEES TO 

MEET 

COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Committee on Armed Services be authorized to meet on Thursday, May 4, 1995, 

at 2 p.m. in closed/open session to receive testimony on the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization’s fiscal year 

1996 budget request and the future 

years defense program; and on the future of the ABM Treaty. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Finance 

Committee be permitted to meet 

Thursday, May 4, 1995, at 9:30 a.m. in 

room SD–215, to conduct a hearing on 

the Vaccines for Children Program. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Committee on Foreign Relations be authorized to meet during the session of the 

Senate on Thursday, May 4, 1995, at 10 

a.m. to hear testimony on China: Illegal Trade in Human Body Parts. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be authorized 

to meet during the session of the Senate on Thursday, May 4, 1995, at 2 p.m. 

to hold a hearing on judicial nominees. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Committee on Labor and Human Resources 

be authorized to meet for a hearing on 

primary Health Care Programs, during 

the session of the Senate on Thursday, 

May 4, 1995, at 9 a.m. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations 

of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, be authorized to meet during the 

session of the Senate on Thursday, 

May 4, 1995 to hold hearings on the 

Navy T–AO–187 Kaiser class oiler contract. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOUSING OPPORTUNITY AND

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Housing Opportunity 

and Community Development of the 

Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

Urban Affairs be authorized to meet 

during the session of the Senate on 

Thursday, May 4, 1995, to conduct a 

hearing on Federal Housing Administration Reform. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND

SPACE

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, 

and Space of the Senate Committee on 

Commerce, Science, and Technology be 

authorized to meet on May 4, 1995, on 

High Performance Computing and 

Communications and the World Wide 

Web at 10 a.m. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SUPERFUND, WASTE

CONTROL, AND RISK ASSESSMENT

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President I ask 

unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Control, and Risk Assessment be granted 

permission to conduct an oversight 

hearing Thursday, May 4, at 9 a.m., regarding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 

Liability Act. 

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRORISM, TECHNOLOGY, 

AND GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, 

and Government Information of the 

Committee on the Judiciary, be authorized to hold a hearing during the 

session of the Senate on Thursday, 

May 4, 1995, to consider ‘‘Counter-Terrorism Legislation.’’

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without 

objection, it is so ordered. 

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