[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[§23. Ceremonies for Visiting Dignitaries]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 291-310]
CHAPTER 36
Ceremonies and Awards
Sec. 23. Ceremonies for Visiting Dignitaries
The House and Senate often adopt unanimous-consent requests to
recess to meet with the other legislative body in joint meetings in the
Hall of the House in order to hear addresses from visiting foreign
dignitaries.(1)
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1. A joint meeting is distinguishable from a joint session, which is a
more formal occasion that is arranged by the adoption of a
concurrent resolution. Typically, joint sessions are held to
receive Presidential messages and to count the electoral votes
for the President and Vice President. For a discussion of joint
sessions to receive Presidential messages, such as the
President's annual state of the Union address, see Ch. 35,
infra.
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As part of the preparation for a joint meeting, the Chair announces
the customary policy on floor privileges for joint meetings. In recent
years the Chair has also announced that the practice of reserving seats
by placard for joint meetings would not be allowed and that Members
could reserve seats only by their physical presence following a
security sweep of the Chamber.(2)
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2. Parliamentarian's Note: The ``no placard'' announcement became
standard for joint sessions as of Sept. 19, 2001 (see 147 Cong.
Rec. 17226, 107th Cong. 1st Sess.), and was first extended to a
joint meeting during the address by the Honorable John Howard,
Prime Minister of Australia, on June 12, 2002. See 148 Cong.
Rec. 10133-36, 107th Cong. 2d Sess.
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When the joint meeting commences, the Speaker and the Vice
President traditionally announce the appointment of the Members of the
House and Senate who will serve as the escort committee that ushers the
foreign dignitary down the center aisle to the rostrum.(3)
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3. For a variation on this practice, see 149 Cong. Rec. 18595-98,
108th Cong. 1st Sess., July 17, 2003, for the joint meeting for
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. In that instance, members
of the House and Senate escort committees assembled in the
Office of the Speaker to meet with the Prime Minister, instead
of first assembling in the Chamber. This change was prompted by
the Prime Minister's tight schedule and his meeting with Senate
leadership prior to the joint meeting. Therefore, when the
Speaker and the Vice President announced the members of the
escort committee, their language reflected they had appointed
the committee, which had convened in the Office of the Speaker.
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[[Page 292]]
The Sergeant at Arms then traditionally announces the Acting Dean
of the Diplomatic Corps, who travels down the center aisle to take his
or her seat.(4) Members of the President's Cabinet and any
attending Justices of the United States Supreme Court may also be
announced.
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4. Parliamentarian's Note: It was the practice for numerous attending
Ambassadors, Ministers and Charges d'Affaires of foreign
governments to be announced and to travel down the center aisle
to be seated, but this process was quite time consuming. See,
e.g., 140 Cong. Rec. 17891-95, 103d Cong. 2d Sess., July 26,
1994 (joint meeting to receive his Excellency Yitzhak Rabin,
Prime Minister of Israel, and his Majesty King Hussein I of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan). Beginning with the joint meeting
to receive President Jacques Chirac of France that took place
on Feb. 1, 1996, only the Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
(the foreign diplomat with the longest record of continuous
service in the United States) was announced and seated; this
has become the practice henceforth. See 142 Cong. Rec. 2202-
205, 104th Cong. 2d Sess.
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The visiting foreign dignitary may speak from notes or with the
assistance of a teleprompter, and may speak in English or in a foreign
language with the assistance of electronic and written translation. In
several instances, simultaneous translation has been provided with the
assistance of hand-held translation devices that were provided by the
foreign government.(5)
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5. See 142 Cong. Rec. 2202-205, 104th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 1, 1996
(joint meeting to receive President Jacques Chirac of France)
and 143 Cong. Rec. 2759-62, 105th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 27,
1997 (joint meeting to receive his Excellency Eduardo Frei,
President of the Republic of Chile).
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Congress has also held Rotunda ceremonies for foreign
leaders,(7) religious leaders,(8) and human
rights leaders.(9)
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7. See Sec. 23.7, infra.
8. See Sec. Sec. 23.8, 23.9, infra.
9. See Sec. 23.10, infra. -------------------
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Joint Meetings for Visiting Dignitaries
Sec. 23.1 The House by unanimous consent authorizes the Speaker to
declare a recess on a specified day for the purpose of receiving a
foreign dignitary in joint meeting.
The proceedings of July 20, 2006,(1) illustrate the
procedure
[[Page 293]]
for authorizing the Speaker to declare a recess for the purpose of
receiving a foreign dignitary in a joint meeting:
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1. 152 Cong. Rec. 15222, 109th Cong. 2d Sess.
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AUTHORIZING THE SPEAKER TO DECLARE A RECESS ON WEDNESDAY, JULY
26, 2006, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING IN JOINT MEETING HIS
EXCELLENCY NOURI AL-MALIKI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF
IRAQ
Mr. [John A.] BOEHNER [of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that it may in order at any time on Wednesday, July 26,
2006, for the Speaker to declare a recess, subject to the call of
the Chair, for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting His
Excellency Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. TERRY).(2) Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
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2. Lee Terry (NE).
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There was no objection.(3)
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3. See Sec. 23.2, infra, for proceedings.
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Sec. 23.2 The two Houses met in joint meeting to receive His Excellency
Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq. These
proceedings illustrate the general ceremonial procedure for
conducting such a joint meeting.
On July 26, 2006,(1) the following occurred:
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1. 152 Cong. Rec. 15996-99, 109th Cong. 2d Sess.
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ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) The Chair desires to
make an announcement.
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2. Tom Price (GA).
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After consultation among the Speaker and the majority and
minority leaders, the Chair announces that during the joint meeting
to hear an address by His Excellency Nouri Al-Maliki, only the
doors immediately opposite the Speaker and those on his right and
left will be open.
No one will be allowed on the floor of the House who does not
have the privilege of the floor of the House.
Due to the large attendance that is anticipated, the Chair
feels the rule regarding the privilege of the floor must be
strictly adhered to.
Children of Members will not be permitted on the floor, and the
cooperation of all Members is requested.
The practice of reserving seats prior to the joint meeting by
placard will not be allowed. Members may reserve their seats by
physical presence only following the security sweep of the
Chamber. -------------------
RECESS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of
Thursday, July 20, 2006, the House stands in recess subject to the
call of the Chair.
Accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 6 minutes a.m.), the House stood
in recess subject to the call of the Chair.
[[Page 294]]
{time} 1051
JOINT MEETING OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY HIS
EXCELLENCY NOURI AL-MALIKI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF
IRAQ
The Speaker of the House presided.
The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms, Mr. Bill Sims, announced
the Vice President and Members of the U.S. Senate who entered the
Hall of the House of Representatives, the Vice President taking the
chair at the right of the Speaker, and the Members of the Senate
the seats reserved for them.
The SPEAKER.(3) The Chair appoints as members of the
committee on the part of the House to escort His Excellency Nouri
Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, into the
Chamber:
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3. J. Dennis Hastert (IL).
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The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt). . . .
The gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).(4)
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4. The full escort committee included the following members: Roy Blunt
(MO) (Majority Whip), Deborah Pryce (OH) (Republican Conference
Chair), Duncan Hunter (CA) (Chair of the Committee on Armed
Services), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL) (Committee on International
Relations), Peter Hoekstra (MI) (Chair of the Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence), Nancy Pelosi (CA) (Minority
Leader), Steny H. Hoyer (MD) (Minority Whip), James E. Clyburn
(SC) (Chairman of the Democratic Caucus), John B. Larson, (CT)
(Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair) and Tom Lantos (CA) (Ranking
Member of the Committee on International Relations).
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The VICE PRESIDENT.(5) The President of the Senate,
at the direction of that body, appoints the following Senators as
members of the committee on the part of the Senate to escort His
Excellency Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq,
into the House Chamber:
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5. Richard B. Cheney (WY).
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The Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Frist).
The Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).
The Senator from Alaska (Mr. Stevens).
The Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Santorum).
The Senator from Texas (Mrs. Hutchison).
The Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kyl).
The Senator from North Carolina (Mrs. Dole).
The Senator from Montana (Mr. Burns).
The Senator from Nevada (Mr. Reid).
The Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin).
The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms announced the Acting Dean
of the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Jesse Bibiano Marehalau,
Ambassador of Micronesia.
The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps entered the Hall of the
House of Representatives and took the seat reserved for him.
The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms announced the Cabinet of
the President of the United States.
[[Page 295]]
The Members of the Cabinet of the President of the United
States entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took
the seats reserved for them in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
At 11 o'clock and 6 minutes a.m., the Assistant to the Sergeant
at Arms announced His Excellency Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of
the Republic of Iraq.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, escorted by the
committee of Senators and Representatives, entered the Hall of the
House of Representatives and stood at the Clerk's desk.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
The SPEAKER. Members of the Congress, it is my great privilege
and I deem it a high honor and a personal pleasure to present to
you His Excellency Nouri Al-Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic
of Iraq.
[Applause, the Members
rising.] -------------------
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY NOURI AL-MALIKI, PRIME MINISTER OF
THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ
Prime Minister AL-MALIKI. In the Name of God, the Most
Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Your Excellency the Speaker of the House, Mr. Vice President,
honorable ladies and gentlemen, Members of Congress, it is with
great pleasure that I am able to take this opportunity to be the
first democratically and constitutionally elected Prime Minister of
Iraq to address you, the elected representatives of the American
people, and I thank you for affording me this unique chance to
speak at this respected assembly. . . .
Thank you very much.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
At 11 o'clock and 36 minutes a.m., His Excellency Nouri Al-
Maliki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, accompanied by the
committee of escort, retired from the Hall of the House of
Representatives.
The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms escorted the invited
guests from the Chamber in the following order:
The Members of the President's Cabinet;
The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic
Corps. -------------------
JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED
The SPEAKER. The purpose of the joint meeting having been
completed, the Chair declares the joint meeting of the two Houses
now dissolved.
Accordingly, at 11 o'clock and 40 minutes a.m., the joint
meeting of the two Houses was dissolved.
The Members of the Senate retired to their
Chamber. -------------------
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER
The SPEAKER. The House will continue in recess until 12:15
p.m. -------------------
{time} 1215
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Culberson) at 12 o'clock and 15 minutes
p.m.
[[Page 296]]
-------------------PRINTING OF
PROCEEDINGS HAD DURING RECESS
Mr. [Ted] POE [of Texas]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that the proceedings had during the recess be printed in the
Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(6) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from Texas?
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6. John Abney Culberson (TX).
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There was no objection.
Sec. 23.3 Instance in which a Speaker pro tempore presided over a joint
meeting.
On Apr. 6, 2005,(1) during a joint meeting to receive
His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, the President of Ukraine, Majority
Leader Tom DeLay, of Texas, was appointed as Speaker pro tempore to
preside over the joint meeting.
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1. 151 Cong. Rec. 5711-14, 109th Cong. 1st Sess.
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JOINT MEETING OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY HIS
EXCELLENCY VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE
The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. DeLay) presided.
The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms, Bill Sims, announced the
Vice President and Members of the U.S. Senate who entered the Hall
of the House of Representatives, the Vice President taking the
chair at the right of the Speaker pro tempore, and the Members of
the Senate the seats reserved for them.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair appoints as members of the
committee on the part of the House to escort His Excellency Viktor
Yushchenko into the Chamber:
The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt); . . .
The President of Ukraine, escorted by the committee of Senators
and Representatives, entered the Hall of the House of
Representatives and stood at the Clerk's desk.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members of the Congress, it is my
great privilege and I deem it a high honor and a personal pleasure
to present to you His Excellency Viktor Yushchenko, President of
Ukraine.
[Applause, the Members
rising.] -------------------
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY VIKTOR YUSHCHENKO, PRESIDENT OF
UKRAINE
(The following address was delivered in Ukrainian, with a
simultaneous translation in English.) . .
. -------------------
JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The purpose of the joint meeting
having been completed, the Chair declares the joint meeting of the
two Houses now dissolved.
Accordingly, at 11 o'clock and 44 minutes a.m., the joint
meeting of the two Houses was dissolved.
The Members of the Senate retired to their Chamber.
Sec. 23.4 Proceedings had during a recess of the House for a
[[Page 297]]
joint meeting to receive his Excellency Yitzhak Rabin, Prime
Minister of Israel, and his Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan.
On July 26, 1994,(1) the following proceedings occurred
at the first joint meeting with two invitees:
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1. 140 Cong. Rec. 17891-93, 103d Cong. 2d Sess.
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The proceedings were as follows:
RECESS
The SPEAKER.(2) Pursuant to the order of the House
on Friday, July 22, 1994, the House will stand in recess subject to
the call of the Chair.
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2. Thomas S. Foley (WA).
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Accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 4 minutes a.m.), the House stood
in recess subject to the call of the
Chair. -------------------
JOINT MEETING OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO HEAR ADDRESSES BY HIS
MAJESTY KING HUSSEIN I OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN AND
HIS EXCELLENCY YITZHAK RABIN, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL
The SPEAKER of the House presided.
The Doorkeeper, Hon. James P. Molloy, announced the Vice
President and Members of the U.S. Senate who entered the Hall of
the House of Representatives, the Vice President taking the chair
at the right of the Speaker, and the Members of the Senate the
seats reserved for them.
The SPEAKER. The Chair appoints as members of the House to
escort His Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan and His Excellency Yitshak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel,
into the Chamber: the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Gephardt; the
gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Bonior; the gentleman from Maryland,
Mr. Hoyer; the gentleman from California, Mr. Fazio; the gentleman
from Indiana, Mr. Hamilton; the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Yates;
the gentleman from West Virginia, Mr. Rahall; the gentleman from
Illinois, Mr. Michel; the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Gingrich; the
gentleman from Texas, Mr. Armey; the gentleman from Illinois, Mr.
Hyde; the gentleman from New York, Mr. Gilman; the gentlewoman from
Maine, Ms. Snowe; and the gentleman from New York, Mr. Levy.
The VICE PRESIDENT.(3) The President of the Senate
as the direction of that body appoints the following Senators as
members of the committee on the part of the Senate to escort His
Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and His
Excellency Yitshak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, into the
Chamber: the Senator from Maine, Mr. Mithcell; the Senator from
Kentucky, Mr. Ford; the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Pell; the
Senator from Hawaii, Mr. Inouye; the Senator from Georgia, Mr.
Nunn; the Senator from Vermont, Mr. Leahy; the Senator from New
York, Mr. Moynihan; the Senator from New
[[Page 298]]
Jersey, Mr. Lautenberg; the Senator from Wisconsin, Mr. Kohl; the
Senator from California, Mrs. Feinstein; the Senator from Kansas,
Mr. Dole; the Senator from Wyoming, Mr. Simpson; the Senator from
Mississippi, Mr. Cochran; the Senator from Mississippi, Mr. Lott;
the Senator from Oklahoma, Mr. Nickles; the Senator from South
Carolina, Mr. Thurmond; the Senator from Oregon, Mr. Hatfield; the
Senator from Indiana, Mr. Lugar; the Senator from Kentucky, Mr.
McConnell; the Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Specter.
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3. Albert A. Gore (TN).
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The Doorkeeper announced the Ambassadors, Ministers and Charges
d'Affaires of foreign governments.
The ambassadors, ministers, and charges d'affaires of foreign
governments entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and
took the seats reserved for them.
The Doorkeeper announced the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court
entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took the seat
reserved for her in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
The Doorkeeper announced the Cabinet of the President of the
United States.
The members of the Cabinet of the President of the United
States entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took
the seats reserved for them in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
At 11 o'clock and 8 minutes a.m. the Doorkeeper announced his
Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and his
Excellency Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel.
His Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
and His Excellency Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel,
escorted by the committee of Senators and Representatives, entered
the Hall of the House of Representatives, and stood at the Clerk's
desk.
[Applause, the Members arising.]
The SPEAKER. Members of the Congress, it is my great privilege,
and I deem it a high honor and a personal pleasure, to present to
you His Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
and His Excellency Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel.
[Applause, the Members arising.]
The SPEAKER. His Excellency, Hussein I.(4)
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4. Parliamentarian's Note: As a Head of State, King Hussein spoke
first. -------------------
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ADDRESS BY HIS MAJESTY KING HUSSEIN I OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM
OF JORDAN BEFORE THE JOINT MEETING OF THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS
KING HUSSEIN I. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, honored guests,
Members of Congress, ladies and gentleman, it is an honor for me to
stand before you, the Representatives of the Great American Nation,
on this historic occasion . . .
To all of you, and to the American people, I offer my thanks
for your kindness, hospitality, and for all your support.
[[Page 299]]
May God bless you all. . . .
(Applause, the Members rising.)
The SPEAKER. His Excellency Yitzhak
Rabin. -------------------
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY YITZHAK RABIN, PRIME MINISTER OF
ISRAEL
PRIME MINISTER RABIN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished
Members of Congress, His Majesty, the King of Jordan, I start with
the Jewish word ``Shalom.'' . . .
God, bless the peace.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
At 12 noon his Majesty King Hussein I of the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan and His Excellency Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of
Israel, retired from the Hall of the House of Representatives.
The Doorkeeper escorted the invited guests from the Chamber in
the following order:
The members of the President's Cabinet.
The Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United
States.
The Ambassadors, Ministers and Charges d'Affaires of foreign
governments. -------------------
JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED
The SPEAKER. The purpose of this joint meeting having been
completed, the Chair declares the joint meeting of the two Houses
dissolved, and the House will meet in session at about 1:30 p.m.
Accordingly, at 12 o'clock and 9 minutes p.m., the joint
meeting of the two Houses was dissolved.
The Members of the Senate retired to their
Chamber. -------------------
{time} 1330
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Montgomery) at 1:30
p.m. -------------------
PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS HAD DURING THE RECESS
Mr. [James A.] TRAFICANT [Jr., of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be
printed in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(4) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from Ohio?
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4. G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery (MS).
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There was no objection.
Joint Meetings With Non-Head of State Foreign Leaders
Sec. 23.5 Proceedings held during recess to receive the Deputy
President of the African National Congress.
On June 26, 1990,(1) the Honorable Nelson Mandela,
Deputy President of the African National
[[Page 300]]
Congress, addressed a joint meeting:
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1. 136 Cong. Rec. 15632-35, 101st Cong. 2d Sess.
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RECESS
The SPEAKER.(2) Pursuant to the order of the House
of Thursday, June 14, 1990, the House will stand in recess subject
to the call of the Chair.
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2. Thomas S. Foley (WA). -------------------
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JOINT MEETING OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY
NELSON MANDELA, DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL
CONGRESS
The SPEAKER of the House presiding.
The Doorkeeper, the Honorable James T. Molly, announced the
President pro tempore(3) and Members of the U.S. Senate,
who entered the Hall of the House of Representatives, the President
pro tempore taking the Chair at the left of the Speaker, and
Members of the Senate the seats reserved for them.
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3. Parliamentarian's Note: The Vice President, in attendance as the
President of the Senate, sits to the Speaker's right. A
President pro tempore of the Senate attending in place of the
Vice President sits to the Speaker's left.
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The SPEAKER. The Chair appoints as members of the committee on
the part of the House to escort Mr. Nelson Mandela, deputy
president of the African National Congress, into the Chamber:
The gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Gephardt; . . .
The gentlewoman from Hawaii, Mrs. Saiki.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The President of the Senate pro
tempore, at the direction of that body, appoints the following
Senators as a committee on the part of the Senate to escort Mr.
Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the African National Congress,
into the House Chamber:
The Senator from Maine, Mr. Mitchell; . . .
The Senator from Kansas, Mrs. Kassebaum.
The Doorkeeper announced the ambassadors, ministers, and
charges d'affaires of foreign governments entered the Hall of the
House of Representatives and took the seats reserved for them.
The Doorkeeper announced the Cabinet of the President of the
United States.
The members of the Cabinet of the President of the United
States entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took
the seats reserved for them in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
At 11 o'clock and 9 minutes a.m., the Doorkeeper announced Mr.
Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the African National Congress.
Mr. Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the African National
Congress, escorted by the committee of Senators and
Representatives, entered the Hall of the House of Representatives,
and stood at the Clerk's desk.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
The SPEAKER. Members of the Congress, it is my great privilege,
and I deem it a high honor and personal pleasure to present to you,
Mr. Nelson Mandela, deputy president of the African National
Congress.
[[Page 301]]
[Applause, the Members
rising.] -------------------
ADDRESS BY NELSON MANDELA, DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE AFRICAN
NATIONAL CONGRESS
Mr. MANDELA. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, esteemed Members of
the U.S. Congress; your excellencies, ambassadors and members of
the Diplomatic Corps; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
It is a fact of the human condition that each shall, like a
meteor, a mere brief passing moment in time and space, flit across
the human stage and pass out of existence. Even the golden lads and
lasses, as much as the chimney sweepers, come, and tomorrow are no
more. After them all, they leave the people, enduring, multiplying,
permanent, except to the extent that the same humanity might abuse
its own genius to immolate life itself. . . .
Thank you.
(Applause, the Members rising.)
At 11 o'clock and 48 minutes a.m., Mr. Nelson Mandela, deputy
president of the African National Congress, accompanied by the
committee of escort, retired from the Hall of the House of
Representatives.
The Doorkeeper escorted the invited guests from the Chamber in
the following order:
The members of the President's Cabinet.
The ambassadors, ministers and charges d'affaires of foreign
governments. -------------------
JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED
The SPEAKER. The Chair declares the joint meeting of the two
Houses dissolved.
Accordingly, at 11 o'clock and 59 minutes a.m., the joint
meeting of the two Houses was dissolved. The Members of the Senate
retired to their
Chamber. -------------------
announcement by the speaker
The SPEAKER. The House will continue in recess until 12:45
p.m. -------------------
{time} 1250
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore [Mr. Durbin] at 12 o'clock and 50 minutes
p.m. -------------------
PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS HAD DURING RECESS
Mr. [Joseph E.] BRENNAN [of Maine]. Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be
printed in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(4) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from Maine?
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4. Richard J. Durbin (IL).
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There was no objection.
Sec. 23.6 Proceedings had during recess of the House for a joint
meeting to receive the Honorable Lech Walesa.(1)
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1. Parliamentarian's Note: As the Chairman of the Polish trade union
Solidarnosc, Mr. Walesa joined an exclusive group of persons
who, being neither head of state nor head of government,
nevertheless addressed a joint meeting.
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[[Page 302]]
On Nov. 15, 1989,(2) the Honorable Lech Walesa addressed
a joint meeting. The following proceedings occurred:
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2. 135 Cong. Rec. 28968-72, 103d Cong. 2d Sess.
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RECESS
The SPEAKER.(3) Pursuant to the order of the House
of Thursday, November 9, 1989, the House will stand in recess
subject to the call of the Chair.
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3. Thomas S. Foley (WA).
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Accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 5 minutes a.m.), the House stood
in recess subject to the call of the
Chair. -------------------
JOINT MEETING OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY THE
HONORABLE LECH WALESA, CHAIRMAN, SOLIDARNOSC
The Speaker of the House presided.
The Doorkeeper, the Honorable James T. Molloy, announced the
Vice President and Members of the U.S. Senate, who entered the Hall
of the House of Representatives, the Vice President taking the
chair at the right of the Speaker, and Members of the Senate the
seats reserved for them.
The SPEAKER. The Chair appoints as members of the committee on
the part of the House to escort the honorable Lech Walesa,
Chairman, Solidarnosc, into the Chamber:
The gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Gephardt]; . . .
The VICE PRESIDENT.(4) The President of the Senate,
at the direction of that body, appoints the following Senators as
members of the committee on the part of the Senate to join a like
committee on the part of the House to escort the Honorable Lech
Walesa into the House Chamber: . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. J. Danforth Quayle (IN).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Doorkeeper announced the ambassadors, ministers, and
charges d'affaires of foreign governments entered the Hall of the
House of Representatives and took the seats reserved for them.
The Doorkeeper announced the Cabinet of the President of the
United States.
The members of the Cabinet of the President of the United
States entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took
the seats reserved for them in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
At 11 o'clock and 5 minutes a.m., the Doorkeeper announced the
Honorable Lech Walesa, Chairman, Solidarnosc.
The Honorable Lech Walesa, Chairman, Solidarnosc, escorted by
the committee of Senators and Representatives, entered the Hall of
the House of Representatives, and stood at the Clerk's desk.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
The SPEAKER. Members of the Congress, it is my great privilege,
and I deem it a high honor and personal pleasure to present to you
the Honorable Lech Walesa, Chairman, Solidarnosc.
[Applause, the Members rising.]
[[Page 303]]
-------------------ADDRESS BY THE
HONORABLE LECH WALESA, CHAIRMAN, SOLIDARNOSC
(The following is an English translation of the address
delivered in Polish by Chairman Lech Walesa before the joint
meeting, through an interpreter.)
Mr. WALESA. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the Cabinet,
distinguished Members of the House and Senate, ladies and
gentlemen[.] . . .
I stand before you as the third foreign non-head-of-state
invited to address the joint Houses of Congress of the United
States. The Congress, which for many people in the world, oppressed
and stripped of their rights, is a beacon of freedom and a bulwark
of human rights. And here I stand before you, to speak to America
in the name of my nation. To speak to citizens of the country and
the continent whose threshold is guarded by the famous Statue of
Liberty. It is for me an honor so great, a moment so solemn, that I
can find nothing to compare it with. . . .
[Applause, the Members rising.]
At 12 o'clock and 10 minutes, p.m., the Honorable Lech Walesa,
Chairman, Solidarnosc, accompanied by the committee of escort,
retired from the Hall of the House of Representatives.
The Doorkeeper escorted the invited guests from the Chamber in
the following order:
The Members of the President's Cabinet.
The Ambassadors, Ministers, and charges d'affaires of foreign
governments. -------------------
JOINT MEETING DISSOLVED
The SPEAKER. The Chair declares the joint meeting of the two
Houses dissolved.
Accordingly, at 12 o'clock and 10 minutes p.m., the joint
meeting of the two Houses was dissolved.
The Members of the Senate retired to their Chamber.
announcement by the speaker
The SPEAKER. The House will continue in recess until 12:45
p.m. -------------------
{time} 1250
AFTER RECESS
The recess having expired, the House was called to order by the
Speaker pro tempore [Mrs. Schroeder] at 12 o'clock and 50 minutes
p.m. -------------------
PRINTING OF PROCEEDINGS HAD DURING RECESS
Mr. [Joseph E.] BRENNAN [of Maine]. Madame Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the proceedings had during the recess be
printed in the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(5) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from Maine?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Patricia Schroeder (CO).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was no objection.
Rotunda Receptions for Visiting Dignitaries
Sec. 23.7 A reception was held by Congress in the Rotunda on
[[Page 304]]
the occasion of a visit to the United States by the King and Queen
of Great Britain.
On May 24, 1939,(1) the Speaker(2) pursuant
to the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, appointed members
to the joint committee preparing for the welcoming of the King and
Queen of Great Britain to the Capitol:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 84 Cong. Rec. 6106, 76th Cong. 1st Sess.
2. William B. Bankhead (AL).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the provisions of Senate Concurrent
Resolution 17, the Chair appoints as members of the joint committee
to make the necessary arrangements for welcoming Their Majesties
the King and Queen of Great Britain and the members of their party
on the occasion of their visit to the Capitol, Mr. Rayburn, Mr.
Bloom, and Mr. Martin of Massachusetts.
On June 9, 1939,(3) the morning of the reception for the
King and Queen of Great Britain, the House convened at 10:30 a.m.
Following the reading and approval of the Journal, the Clerk read an
announcement on the part of the Chair concerning the reception for the
King and Queen. Speaker Bankhead then offered further informal
suggestions relating to the ceremony, and the House stood in recess to
attend the reception.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. 84 Cong. Rec. 6889, 76th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SPEAKER. The Chair will ask the Clerk to read the following
announcement on the part of the Chair.
The Clerk read as follows:
The Chair desires to announce, at the suggestion and
request of the Joint Committee on Arrangements, that only
Members of the House will be permitted to enter the rotunda.
Under the order adopted by the joint committee, ex-Members
of the House and children will not be permitted in the rotunda.
The Chair further desires to suggest that Members refrain
from smoking and after their presentation to Their Majesties
they take the place provided for them in the rotunda and remain
there until Their Majesties leave.
The SPEAKER. The Chair takes the liberty of suggesting that in
forming the procession to proceed to the rotunda that, as far as it
may be feasible, the older Members of the House -- that is, those
ranking in seniority of service -- form at the head of the line. Of
course, it will be very difficult to carry that out, but the older
Members will recognize their terms of service. There is no
restriction or regulation about that, but that has been suggested
on the part of the Committee on Arrangements.
recess
The SPEAKER. The House will now stand in recess.
Accordingly (at 10 o'clock and 37 minutes a.m.), pursuant to
Senate Concurrent Resolution 17,(4) the House stood in
recess subject to the call of the Chair.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. See 84 Cong. Rec. 6032, 76th Cong. 1st Sess., for proceedings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proceedings of June 9, 1939 in the Senate,(5) the
day of the reception, were recorded as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. 84 Cong. Rec. 6888, 76th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 305]]
congressional welcome to king george vi and queen elizabeth of
great britain
Mr. [Alben W.] BARKLEY [of Kentucky]. Mr. President, the senior
Senator from Nevada [Mr. Pittman], chairman of the Joint Committee
on Arrangements and Reception, has a statement to make.
Mr. [Key] PITTMAN. Mr. President, Their Majesties the King and
Queen of Great Britain will be met at the foot of the central steps
in front of the Capitol at 11 o'clock a. m. by the Joint Committee
on Arrangements and Reception, and will be escorted into the
rotunda, where they will be received by the Vice President of the
United States and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The
Vice President and the Speaker of the House will then escort them
to the positions which they will occupy during the reception. The
Members of the Senate will be presented to Their Majesties by the
chairman of the joint committee.
When the Senate leaves its Chamber, the Members of the Senate
will proceed through the rotunda to a section which is roped off on
the southwest side of the rotunda, the portion nearest to the
House. That is for the reason that the Members of the Senate and
the House will move to the left after they greet Their Majesties.
The Members of the Senate, being first to be presented, will be in
the section nearest to the House, and the House Members will be in
the section nearest to the Senate side of the rotunda. After
Members of the Senate are presented, they will proceed to the north
side of the rotunda; that is, the side nearest the Senate. The
House Members will then proceed to the section the Senate had
originally occupied, and there the Members of the House will stand
until they are presented. . . .
It is planned that the Members of the Senate and of the House
of Representatives shall be in their positions at the time when
Their Majesties are escorted into the rotunda.
After the Vice President and the Speaker have taken their
positions near the door they will receive Their Majesties in the
rotunda. The senior Senator from Idaho [Mr. Borah], being the
senior Member of the Senate, will lead the Senate in the
presentation of the Members to Their Majesties.
At 10 o'clock and 40 minutes a.m., the Committee on
Arrangements and Reception on the part of the Senate, consisting of
Hon. Key Pittman, of Nevada, chairman of the joint committee; Hon.
Alben W. Barkley, of Kentucky; and Hon. Charles L. McNary, of
Oregon, withdrew from the Chamber and proceeded to the steps
leading to the main entrance on the east front of the Capitol,
where they joined the committee on the part of the House of
Representatives, consisting of Hon. Sol Bloom, of New York; Hon.
Sam Rayburn, of Texas; and Hon. Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of
Massachusetts, and received Their Majesties, who were escorted into
the rotunda in the following order:
On the left of the King, Senator Pittman;
On the right of the King, the Queen;
On the right of the Queen, Representative Bloom.
Immediately following Their Majesties were Senators Barkley and
McNary and Representatives Rayburn and Martin.
[[Page 306]]
The Right Honorable William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister
of Canada, Minister in Attendance, was next in line, followed by
the British Ambassador, Sir Ronald Lindsay, and Lady Lindsay, and
Their Majesties' entourage.
In the rotunda the reception lines for the Senate and House of
Representatives, respectively, were as follows:
senate reception line
Senator Pittman.
The King.
The Queen.
The Vice President.
Senator Barkley.
Senator McNary.
Col. Edwin A. Halsey, Secretary of the Senate.
Representative Bloom.
The Right Honorable William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister
of Canada, Minister in Attendance.
Sir Ronald Lindsay.
Lady Lindsay.
Representative Rayburn.
Col. Chesley W. Jurney, Sergeant at Arms of the Senate.
Col. Kenneth Romney, Sergeant at Arms of the House of
Representatives.
Mr. George T. Summerlin.
Lady Nunburnholme.
Col. Piers W. Legh.
Mr. Alan Lascelles.
House Reception Line
Representative Bloom.
The King.
The Queen.
The Speaker.
Representative Rayburn.
Representative Martin.
Mr. Lewis Deschler.
Senator Pittman.
The Right Honorable William Lyon Mackenzie King, Prime Minister
of Canada, Minister in Attendance.
Sir Ronald Lindsay.
Lady Lindsay.
Senator Barkley.
Senator McNary.
Col. Chesley W. Jurney.
Col. Kenneth Romney.
Mr. George T. Summerlin.
Lady Nunburnholme.
Mr. Mallet.
Mrs. Mallet.
Col. Piers W. Legh.
Mr. Alan Lascelles.
The VICE PRESIDENT(6) (at 10 o'clock and 45 minutes
a. m.) Under the terms of the order entered yesterday the Senate
stands adjourned until Monday, June 12, 1939, at 12 o'clock
meridian.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. John N. Garner (TX).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thereupon the Members of the Senate, preceded by the Vice
President, the Secretary, and the Chaplain proceeded to the rotunda
of the Capitol, where, in accordance with the terms of the
concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 17), in conjunction with the
Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives, they welcomed
Their Majesties the King and Queen of Great Britain.
On June 13, 1939,(7) the House agreed to a Senate
concurrent resolution authorizing expenses from the contingent funds of
the two Houses to pay for the reception in
[[Page 307]]
the rotunda of the Capitol. Mr. Lindsay C. Warren, of North Carolina,
was recognized to ask unanimous consent for the immediate consideration
of the resolution:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. 84 Cong. Rec. 7151, 7152, 76th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
expenses incident to reception of king and queen of great
britain
Mr. WARREN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the
immediate consideration of Senate Concurrent Resolution 20.
The Clerk read as follows:
Senate Concurrent Resolution 20
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the expenses incurred by the joint committee
appointed pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, Seventy-
sixth Congress, to arrange for the reception of Their Majesties
the King and Queen of Great Britain in the rotunda of the
Capitol of June 9, 1939, shall be paid one-half from the
contingent fund of the Senate and one-half from the contingent
fund of the House of Representatives upon vouchers approved by
the chairman of the joint committee.
The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from North Carolina?
There was no objection.
The Senate concurrent resolution was agreed to.
Rotunda Receptions for Religious Leaders
Sec. 23.8 The House agreed to suspend the rules and adopt a concurrent
resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Rotunda to receive
His All Holiness Bartholomew, the 270th Ecumenical Patriarch of
Constantinople.
On Sept. 16, 1997,(1) the following proceedings
occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 143 Cong. Rec. 18936-38, 18958, 18959, 105th Cong. 1st Sess.
See also 136 Cong. Rec. 15751, 101st Cong. 2d Sess., June
27, 1990 (H. Con. Res. 344, authorizing the use of the Capitol
Rotunda in ceremonies to greet His All Holiness Patriarch
Dimitrios).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
TO RECEIVE HIS ALL HOLINESS PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW
Mr. [Robert W.] NEY [of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 134)
authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol to allow Members
of Congress to greet and receive His All Holiness Patriarch
Bartholomew, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 134
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to
be used on October 21, 1997, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for
a ceremony to allow Members of Congress to greet and receive
His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, the 270th Ecumenical
Patriarch of Constantinople. Physical preparations for the
conduct of the ceremony shall be carried out in accordance with
such conditions as may be prescribed by the Architect of the
Capitol.
[[Page 308]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Ney] and the gentlewoman from Michigan
[Ms. Kilpatrick] each will control 20 minutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Ray LaHood (IL).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Ney].
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
This resolution provides for the use of the rotunda on October
21, 1997, for a ceremony to allow Members of Congress to greet and
receive His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, the 270th
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
At the request of the resolution's sponsor, the gentleman from
Florida [Mr. Bilirakis], the resolution has been amended to change
the time of the ceremony from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. . . .
Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Ney] that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House
Concurrent Resolution 134, as amended.
The question was taken. . . .
recorded vote
Mr. NEY. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
A recorded vote was ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. This will be a 5-minute vote.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were -- ayes
421, noes 0, not voting 12[.] . . .
So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were
suspended and the concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 23.9 Consideration by unanimous consent of a concurrent resolution
authorizing the use of the Capitol Rotunda for a welcoming ceremony
for the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
On Apr. 11, 1991,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 137 Cong. Rec. 7846, 102d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Charlie] ROSE [of North Carolina, Chairman of the House
Administration]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the
immediate consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res.
115) authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a
ceremony of welcome for the Dalai Lama.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from North Carolina?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Michael R. McNulty (NY).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [William M.] THOMAS of California. Mr. Speaker, reserving
the right to object, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina
[Mr. Rose] for the purpose of having the chairman explain the
resolution.
Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr.
Speaker, I
[[Page 309]]
would be pleased to explain the purpose. Mr. Speaker, this
resolution provides for the use of the rotunda for Members of
Congress to assemble and to greet his holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama
of Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and temporal leader of
the Tibetan people. The People's Republic of China invaded Tibet in
1949, and has brutally occupied Tibet for the past 42 years. The
Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of his fellow Tibetans fled their
homeland after a nationalist uprising was brutally suppressed by
the Chinese Red Army. Since that time, the Dalai Lama has led the
Tibetan nation in a nonviolent struggle against China's brutal
occupation of Tibet. His strict adherence to the Ghandian
principles in his struggle against Chinese oppression and his
personal philosophy of universal responsibility earned him the 1989
Nobel Peace Prize. He will come to Washington next week, and the
U.S. Congress will honor the Dalai Lama by receiving him in the
Capitol Rotunda, and I encourage my colleagues to attend. This
event will take place on Thursday, April 18th between 11 a.m. and
12 noon.
Mr. THOMAS of California. Mr. Speaker, under my reservation of
objection, I yield to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].
Mr. [Benjamin A.] GILMAN [of New York]. Mr. Speaker, I want to
commend the gentleman from North California [Mr. Rose] for making
these arrangements. Many Members had hoped that we could have had
his Holiness address a joint session of Congress, but that was not
possible.
I would hope that all of our colleagues would join in welcoming
his Holiness, who has been not only the spiritual leader of Tibet
but a leader in the world for a peaceful, nonviolent means of
opposing aggression by other nations.
Mr. THOMAS of California. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my
reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. [Thomas] Andrews of Maine). Is
there objection to the request of the gentleman from North
Carolina?
There was no objection.
The clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 115
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol may be used on
April 18, 1991, from 10:30 o'clock ante meridiem until 12:30
o'clock post meridiem, for a ceremony of welcome for the Dalai
Lama. Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried
out in accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the
Capitol may prescribe.
Sec. 2. The transcript of proceedings of the ceremony shall
be printed as a House document, with illustrations and suitable
binding. In addition to the usual number, there shall be
printed, for the use of the Joint Committee on Printing, such
number of copies of the document as does not exceed a cost of
$3,000.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Rotunda Reception for Human Rights Leader
Sec. 23.10 By unanimous consent, the House considered and
[[Page 310]]
agreed to a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the
Capitol Rotunda for a welcoming ceremony for Natan Shcharansky, a
leader in the Soviet Jewish emigration movement.
On May 1, 1986,(1) the House considered by unanimous
consent and adopted House Concurrent Resolution 329, authorizing the
use of the Capitol Rotunda for a welcoming ceremony for Natan (Anatoly)
Shcharansky. The resolution read as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 132 Cong. Rec. 9189, 9190, 99th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. Con. Res. 329
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. FINDINGS
The Congress finds that --
(1) Natan (Anatoly) Shcharansky was a leader in the Soviet
Jewish emigration movement and a founding member of the
Moscow Helsinki monitoring group who was arrested on March
15, 1977, and sentenced to thirteen years imprisonment for
his human rights activities;
(2) Shcharansky's wife, Avital, campaigned tirelessly for
the release of her husband and other Soviet Jewish prisoners,
and those efforts were supported by two successive
administrations, the Congress, and the American people;
(3) on February 11, 1986, those efforts were successful and
Natan (Anatoly) Shcharansky was released from Soviet prison
and allowed to emigrate to Israel;
(4) despite the fact that at least 400,000 other Soviet
Jews seek to emigrate to Israel, the Soviet Government has
severely restricted Jewish emigration in violation of its
international commitments; and
(5) the support of the Congress for the right of Soviet
Jews to emigrate is long established and remains strong.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL WELCOME: USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA
(a) Congressional Welcome. -- The Congress welcomes Natan
(Anatoly) Shcharansky to the United States and to the
Nation's capital.
(b) Use of Capitol Rotunda. -- The rotunda of the Capitol
is authorized to be used on May 13, 1986, for a ceremony of
welcome for Natan (Anatoly) Shcharansky. Physical
preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in
accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the
Capitol may prescribe.
SEC. 3. CALL FOR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO OBTAIN FREEDOM FOR ALL
SOVIET JEWS.
It is the sense of the Congress that the President should
continue to call upon the Soviet Union --
(1) to release immediately all those Soviet Jews who have
been imprisoned for their efforts to emigrate;
(2) to allow those Soviet Jews who wish to emigrate in
order to join their families abroad, or to be repatriated to
their historic homeland of Israel, to do so; and
(3) to permit the exercise of religious and cultural rights
by Soviet Jews.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) The question is on the
concurrent resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery (MS).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.