Steve Kagen: “What kind of nation would we be if we wouldn't stand up to speak out in favor of liberty everywhere in the world? It was…”

“What kind of nation would we be if we wouldn't stand up to speak out in favor of liberty everywhere in the world? It was on January 6, 1941, right here in this chamber that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt enunciated and outlined for us the four essential human freedoms, freedoms that this Nation fought several world wars for and won. Freedom of speech everywhere in the world, freedom from fear, freedom from want, and freedom to worship God everywhere in the world. The people of Tibet tonight must hear that we, the people of these United States, are on their side. And we encourage the current leadership of China to support these four essential human freedoms everywhere in the world. Madam Speaker, very shortly, there will be some Olympic games held in China, Olympic games and Olympic spirit, based upon fair competition, fair and open competition on a level playing field. Isn't it time, we might also ask, that China begins to compete with us on a fair and level playing field, and in particular with regard to Paper Valley in which I live in Wisconsin, isn't it time that they stopped dumping illegal paper into our domestic marketplaces? Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution because we must support these four essential human freedoms everywhere in the world.”