On the recordJuly 26, 2001
I served in Vietnam as a young marine. I met many extraordinary, wonderful people in Vietnam. I have visited Vietnam as a Member of Congress. I have had many, many conversations with Pete Peterson, the distinguished ambassador to Vietnam. My conclusion is this: Those Vietnamese, young and old, who are being persecuted religiously, basic human rights violations, torture, et cetera, are painfully, patiently waiting the return of the Americans to once again, but in a much different way, and perhaps much more effective, bring the opportunity for freedom to Vietnam to prevail. Mr. Speaker, communism cannot exist against a tidal wave of hope, knowledge and a clear avenue of opportunity. The Jackson-Vanik waiver offers a portion of that avenue to open up. I urge a ``no'' vote on this opposition to Jackson-Vanik.
Source
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