Chris Smith: “Mr. Speaker, just over 10 years ago, in the spring of 1990, the people of Burma courageously embraced democracy. In the…”

“Mr. Speaker, just over 10 years ago, in the spring of 1990, the people of Burma courageously embraced democracy. In the face of intimidation by the Burmese military, they turned out in record numbers to participate in freedom and fair elections. In those elections, the National League for Democracy, led so aptly by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, won more than 60 percent of the popular vote; and as my friend, the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), reminded us 80 percent, 80 percent of the seats in parliament went to the National League for Democracy. The Burmese military responded by rejecting the election results, imprisoning hundreds of NLD Members, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and severely curtailing the civil liberties of the Burmese people. Since that time, the ruling military thugs, who currently call themselves the State Peace and Development Council, have inflicted massive human rights violations and economic privations on the people in Burma.”