Glenn English: “I will enter quotations from Chinese human rights' activists at the appropriate place in the Congressional Record who…”

“I will enter quotations from Chinese human rights' activists at the appropriate place in the Congressional Record who all agree that the best way to open minds is through open markets. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues and I in Congress remain deeply concerned about human rights' violations in China, but one of the best ways to instill American ideals of individual freedom and liberty is through opening China's borders to American goods and services. That is what this agreement does, and that is why I support this agreement. China's old hard-line regime would like nothing more than for these American values and ideas to be denied access to their country. China's membership in the WTO will force China to play by the rules, protecting human rights. May I suggest that engaging China is the best possible way that Americans can influence Chinese behavior, enhance human rights, strengthen labor standards, and improve the environment. And as we can see, a number of human rights' activists in China agree that opening the markets would open the door for improving human rights. Mr. Speaker, China's involvement in the international trading community has already improved human rights. We know that the most repressive periods of China's history occurred at times of international isolation. Exposure to the outside world has increased openness, social mobility, and personal liberties for the Chinese people. I think people need to recognize that engagement does not mean endorsement.”