Richard K. Armey: “in 3\1/2\ weeks, we will take what will be, I believe, the most important vote in this Congress, the vote to extend…”

“in 3\1/2\ weeks, we will take what will be, I believe, the most important vote in this Congress, the vote to extend permanent normal trade relations to China. Mr. Speaker, this vote is important. It is not only important to our own domestic industries, our driving high-tech industry or to America's workers in other industry or to America's farmers, but it is very, very important, perhaps even more important, to the sense of freedom and dignity to the Chinese people. Mr. Speaker, this vote is not about allowing Chinese product access to American markets, it is about allowing American product access to Chinese markets. It is about having the Chinese Government accept the discipline of conforming to a worldwide trade regime of rules and proper conduct and behavior. That can be infectious, Mr. Speaker. If they can accept those disciplines with respect to commerce, they are most likely going to accept them with respect to other aspects of their life. It is about allowing the Chinese people, the normal every day working Chinese man or woman, the opportunity to enjoy the information, the freedom, the cultural experience, the sharing of America's freedom and, by doing so, getting a case to freedom in their own life. History has proven, Mr. Speaker, that once people acquire the experience of freedom through commerce, they then require freedom in a greater share of their life.…”