A Welcome From Crowley

Clicking yesterday evening on the White House Web site for a photograph of President Bush signing the proclamation issuing a Congressional Gold Medal to the advocate of freedom in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, we noticed wedged there over the president's right shoulder, between Senators McConnell and Feinstein and next to the First Lady, was a Democratic congressman from Queens, Joseph Crowley, whose district includes, among many immigrant groups, some voters of Burmese background.

Mr. Crowley is perhaps best known for having his congressional seat delivered to him nearly gift-wrapped by the Queens party boss, Thomas Manton. But sure enough, sometimes a congressman will rise to the occasion. The cyclone that has ravaged Rangoon is a time to contemplate not only the destruction caused by nature in Burma but also that caused by its human leadership, a military junta. The opposition to that tyranny is led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent more than 12 of the past 17 years under house arrest.

Mr. Crowley was the sponsor of the bill in Congress to award her the Gold Medal. The legislation passed the House 400 to zero, a reminder that even in these days of bitter partisanship, there are some matters on which there is a national consensus. When Burma wins its freedom, we look forward to joining millions of New Yorkers in welcoming the leader of its democracy movement to New York City, where she will be able to personally thank the politician who pressed her cause in Congress.