[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 168 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 168

   Expressing the sense of Congress in support of victims of torture.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 20, 2001

Ms. Ros-Lehtnen (for herself, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Rohrabacher, 
 Mr. Lantos, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Berman, Mr. Chabot, Mr. Engel, Mr. Leach, 
 Ms. McKinney, Mr. Burton of Indiana, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. 
 Crowley, and Ms. Lee) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of Congress in support of victims of torture.

Whereas the people of the United States abhor the use of torture by any 
        government or person;
Whereas the existence of torture creates a climate of fear and international 
        insecurity that affects all people;
Whereas torture results in mental and physical damage to an individual that 
        destroys the individual's personality and terrorizes society and the 
        effects of torture can last a lifetime for the individual and can also 
        affect future generations;
Whereas repressive governments often use torture as a weapon against democracy 
        by eliminating the leadership of their opposition and frightening the 
        general public;
Whereas more than 500,000 survivors of torture live in the United States;
Whereas torture has devastating effects on the victim which often require 
        extensive medical and psychological treatment;
Whereas both the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-320) and the 
        Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-87) 
        authorize funding for rehabilitation services for victims of torture so 
        that these individuals may become productive and contributing members of 
        their communities;
Whereas the United States played a leading role in the adoption of the Universal 
        Declaration of Human Rights and has ratified the United Nations 
        Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Inhuman and Degrading 
        Treatment or Punishment; and
Whereas June 26th of each year is the United Nations International Day in 
        Support of Victims of Torture: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That, on the occasion of the United Nations International Day in 
Support of Victims of Torture, Congress pays tribute to all victims of 
torture in the United States and around the world who are struggling to 
overcome the physical scars and psychological effects of torture.
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