Sam Brownback

If you think you can get it into legislation, I am fine. I just think that is a bridge too far at this point in time.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Voinovich, I appreciate your willingness to hold this hearing.

I rise with several of my colleagues today to bring to the attention of this body a severe situation in the western part of Sudan. The Darfur region is facing an acute humanitarian catastrophe, which has been cited by some individuals as…

I applaud your willingness to address this issue. This is one of those issues that most people just duck away from.

What I want to do is back up and say, Why is this institution even significant to us as a country? Why would a governing body be interested in marriage at all? Isn't this just simply a private matter? What I want to do is go through, on a…

I recognize the significant scientific accomplishments of the Hubble Space Telescope. Space telescopes such as Hubble are an important part of our future space program and the President's vision for revitalized human exploration of space…

I am very disappointed we were not successful on the cloture motion. In relation to the impact on jobs, particularly in rural areas, such as in some of the areas of my State of Kansas, the chairman has done a masterful job of crafting a…

the great story of Kansas can be summed up in the State motto, ``Ad Astra per Aspera,'' to the stars through difficulties. Though only a short phrase comprised of four words, the meaning and passion behind the Kansas State motto are as…

March 10 has been known around the world as ``Tibetan Uprising Day.'' Today, as Tibetans remember those who died resisting Chinese occupation, we too should reflect on the struggles that have faced Tibet since that fateful day 45 years…

It's a glaring hole on the human rights area.

we want to do better on religious freedom, what do you think we should be doing as suggestions

if you're going to continue this relationship and particularly focus on the economic issue, you will find the Congress, if Vietnam doesn't address these issues, you'll find the Congress finding ways to try to impact this on the issues of…

I'm delighted to have you all here today.

This is not a terrorist population that a lot of people are reviewing.

we need to get the systemic changes where they allow people to open up churches

What if the track does not change that they're on? What if they continue to say, well, fine, I hear your suggestions, but no action response, or even you continue to get more and more closings, more and more restrictions?

Why--why is this happening now? Why would they take this step backward at this point in time?

it has to stop or this is going to--this will poison what has been a growing relationship

I just--I am really puzzled as to why now, why the crackdown now over the past couple of years?

Are you seeing any progress or commitments on their parts to truly address the human rights issues?

this will create a major impediment if it's not addressed, and I think it's pretty simple to address.

Our goal is not to impose a designation or sanctions. Our goal is to see greater religious freedom

But they hold the keys in their own hand as to how fast this will move forward.

They're big churches, huh?

Good. Gentlemen, thank you very much. I appreciate you coming up, and I appreciate your work on a vital relationship.