CONGRATULATING GOVERNOR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN OF HONG KONG.

SEC. 1232. CONGRATULATING GOVERNOR CHRISTOPHER PATTEN OF HONG KONG. (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) His Excellency Christopher F. Patten, the former Governor of Hong Kong, was the twenty-eighth and last British Governor of the dependent territory of Hong Kong before that territory reverted back to the People’s Republic of China on July 1, 1997. (2) Christopher Patten was a superb administrator and an inspiration to the people whom he governed. (3) During Christopher Patten’s five years as Governor of Hong Kong, the economy flourished under his stewardship, growing by more than 30 percent in real terms. (4) Christopher Patten presided over a capable and honest civil service. (5) During the tenure of Christopher Patten as Governor of Hong Kong, common crime declined and the political climate was positive and stable. (6) The legacy of Christopher Patten to Hong Kong is the expansion of democracy in Hong Kong’s legislative council and a tireless devotion to the rights, freedoms, and welfare of the people of Hong Kong. (7) Christopher Patten fulfilled the commitment of the British Government to “put in place a solidly based democratic administration” in Hong Kong before July 1, 1997. (b) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of the Congress that Christopher F. Patten, the last British Governor of the dependent territory of Hong Kong— (1) served his country with great honor and distinction in that capacity; and (2) deserves special thanks and recognition from the United States for his tireless efforts to develop and nurture democracy in Hong Kong.