U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today led the U.S. House of Representatives in commemorating the signing of the Helsinki Final Act. Smith led floor debate that resulted in House passage of S.J. Res. 19, calling on President Bush to issue a proclamation in recognition of the 30^th Anniversary of the signing.

    “It is not often that Congress has the opportunity to recognize an event that so conspicuously marked a complete turning point in human affairs,” said Smith, who serves as Co-Chair of the Helsinki Commission. “Thirty years ago, Europe and North America joined together in agreement that global peace and security would only be possible as governments began to respect the fundamental human rights of their citizens. When the Helsinki Final Act was signed in 1975, this basic truth was recognized, laying down a marker that changed the face of the world forever.”

    On August 1, 1975, the United States joined over thirty nations - including the Soviet Union – in signing the Helsinki Final Act. Under the terms of the agreement, participating States recognized each other’s sovereignty, committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and strengthened cooperation in the areas of security and economic relations. Critically under the terms of the agreement, the participating States committed to respecting certain basic human rights.

    “Once the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact satellites committed to respecting basic human rights, their days were numbered,” noted Smith. “This was another major step that set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the crumbling of the Berlin Wall.”

    There are currently 55 participating States in the Helsinki Process that was created by the Helsinki Final Act. These States participate in the Helsinki Process under the auspices of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which now includes all former Warsaw Pact members and the states of the former Soviet Union. 

    “Men like Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa took the ideals embodied in the Helsinki Final Act and made them part of the cultures in their own countries. Heroes were inspired by what was done at Helsinki, and the result today is a broadening freedom throughout central Europe,” said Smith.