William Helms: “at the outset, let me read the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution which is or should be familiar to all of us.…”

“at the outset, let me read the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution which is or should be familiar to all of us. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. This amendment stipulates that the U.S. Senate will not consent to the ratification of any treaty providing for U.S. participation in an international criminal court unless American citizens are guaranteed that nothing in the terms establishing such an international criminal court or in its operation shall infringe upon or diminish the rights of American citizens under the first amendment of the Constitution as interpreted by the United States. As the distinguished occupant of the chair knows, the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution refers to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. What do these matters have to do with international criminal courts? A lot, Mr. President; a lot.”