[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H858-H860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRESS MUST HELP THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN SUDAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak on the issue of Sudan. But, 
before I do, I want to just pay tribute to the gentleman from Colorado 
(Mr. Tancredo) for taking his time and getting involved in a very 
important issue with regard to slavery in Sudan.
  I also want to congratulate the students at Highline Community School 
in Aurora, Colorado. They have done an amazing thing with regard to 
getting people who were in slavery in southern Sudan free.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been in Sudan on three different occasions. The 
world does not know it, but these students in Colorado know it. There 
is slavery going on in Sudan, and these students are making a 
tremendous effort. Because of them, 1,000 slaves have been released, 
and I just want to take out this special order in tribute to them.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past several months, the students of Barbara 
Vogel's fourth grade class have been raising money to help free slave 
children as part of the public awareness

[[Page H859]]

campaign called S.T.O.P., Slavery That Oppresses People. These young 
people, modern-day abolitionists, are an inspiration to many. If my 
colleagues saw the CBS Dan Rather show, one of the youngsters I believe 
called himself a modern-day abolitionist. If only the Congress could 
follow their lead or if the administration could follow their lead.
  Almost 2 million people have died, 2 million have died in Sudan in 
the past 15 years. More have died in Sudan than have died in Somalia, 
in Kosovo, in Rwanda and in Bosnia combined. The most recent statistics 
available put the number dead at 1.8 million, but that does not cover 
the 200,000 who have died from the famines this past summer.
  Mr. Speaker, millions of people are starving in southern Sudan, kept 
alive only by the brave efforts of international humanitarian 
organizations like World Vision, Save the Children, Catholic Relief, 
UNICEF, and others. Millions are being displaced. An entire generation 
has been lost, and another generation is ready to be lost.

                              {time}  1530

  The word ``genocide'' is now used with regard to what is taking place 
in Sudan. In the Numba Mountains, the Christians and Muslims are being 
persecuted. The Sudanese government are persecuting these people 
because of their faith. The government planes use high-altitude 
bombings to demolish civilian targets like hospitals and terrorize the 
population.
  We know that women and children from Southern Sudan are being sold 
into slavery; and today, March 2, 1999, Sudanese women and children are 
being bought and sold as we sit and stand here today. They are 
kidnapped by slave raiders who sweep into the destabilized regions 
following the government attacks. They capture the women and children 
and then they take them off for slavery.
  I want to commend my colleagues' attention to this excellent booklet 
which hopefully will be sent to every Congressional office from the 
U.S. Committee For Refugees. Tomorrow they will announce a nationwide 
public awareness campaign about Sudan. I urge the Members of this body 
to get a copy of this booklet.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) for his coming here quickly, getting started on 
a very powerful, very important issue. This may be the major human 
rights issue of the world. Two million people have died. Also, the 
students of Highline School are trying to help to save one life at a 
time by raising money to free women and children from the trading 
block.
  Last week, Mr. Speaker, I received letters from the youngsters which 
I would like to put in the Congressional Record.
  Nicole Limino said to me, ``Dear Congressman Wolf, it makes me feel 
so sad that people just like me are being treated like animals. This 
needs to be stopped. Someone needs to take a stand. Please help 
eradicate slavery by writing the government and telling them something 
needs to be done.''
  Doni Tarplus said, ``Will you please help us abolish slavery? The 
President isn't helping even when he promised to make the world a 
better place.''
  A boy who identified himself as Melvin said, ``I'm Melvin. I'm 
demanding you ask people if they want to help. The United Nations isn't 
doing anything about slavery in Sudan. I was broken-hearted when I 
found that 409 people were found and brought from slavery.''
  David Walker said, ``You are a congressman so you can help. Millions 
of lives are in danger and you can get the government to help. Slavery 
is going on and we need to stop it.''
  Then there are many other letters which I would like to put in the 
Congressional Record.
  In closing, slavery is a problem. Starvation is a problem. The United 
States can do more to help. We can appoint a special envoy. He can go 
back and tell the students from Highline Community School that the 
Clinton administration has a special envoy. They appointed an envoy, 
Senator Mitchell, who deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for bringing people 
together in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Southern Ireland.
  Let us appoint a Sam Nunn, a Senator Nunn to be the special envoy to 
bring peace in this region and stop the slavery, stop the suffering, 
stop the agony and the pain.
  The students from the area of the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Tancredo), from Highline Community School, are, frankly, I hate to say 
this, they are doing more than the Congress is doing, both parties, 
Republican and Democratic Party, they are doing more than both parties. 
Lastly, they are doing much more, much more than the Clinton 
administration is doing.
  I just hope that their effort as a witness by what they are doing 
will sensitize this administration whereby President Clinton, within 
the next week or so, will appoint a special envoy who will go to Sudan 
and go back and forth and mediate between the warring parties whereby 
these people will know that they can have a future for their children 
and grandchildren, and slavery will stop, and people will not be 
persecuted because they happen to accept Christ and they happen to be 
Christians, because of their faith.
  Mr. Speaker, the letters that I referred to are as follows:

                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 22, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: I know you are also a freedom 
     fighter and this is one reason we need you! We need your 
     strong caring voice to help us end slavery in Sudan. Please 
     hear the cry for freedom that these beautiful, young, 
     Americans put to their government! The media is giving a lot 
     of attention to these young voices can you help us too?
           In Freedom,
     Barb Vogel.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: At the beginning of the year I 
     found out that slavery was still going on. I also found out 
     that the class before us had started a campaign called 
     S.T.O.P., S.T.O.P. stands for Slavery That Oppresses People. 
     It makes me feel terrible that people just like me are being 
     treated like animals. This needs to be stopped. Someone needs 
     to take a stand. Please help us eradicate slavery by writing 
     the government and telling them something needs to be done. 
     If you have any questions please call us at (303) 364-7657 or 
     look for information at www.anti-slavery.org.
 Help Them,
     Nicole Cimino.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: Slavery should not be going 
     on: It should be eradicated. A few weeks ago on February 
     fourth, 409 people were put into slavery. That makes me 
     really mad! I am Doni Tarplus in Barbs fourth grade class. I 
     am an abolitonist, an abolitionist is a person who wants to 
     free slaves.
       Will you please help us abolish slavery? The president 
     isn't helping when he promised to make the world a better 
     place. For more information please call us at, (303) 364-7657 
     or try our website at www.anti-slavery.org.
 Thanks,
     Doni Tarplus.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: I'm Melvin and I'm demanding 
     you ask people if they want to help or you help because the 
     United Nations aren't doing anything about slavery in Sudan! 
     Barb's old class made S.T.O.P. but we're continuing this 
     campaign.
       S.T.O.P. stands for Slavery That Oppresses People. I was 
     broken-hearted when I found out that 409 people were found 
     and brought into slavery. If you want to do a donation, you 
     can contact Christian Solidarity International, American 
     anti-slavery group, or visit us on the web at WWW.anti-
     slavery.org.
           Sincerely,
     Melvin.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: You are a congressman so you 
     can help. Millions of lives are in danger and you can get the 
     government to help. Slavery is going on and we need to stop 
     it that is why we started a campaign called S.T.O.P. It 
     stands for Slavery That Oppresses People. We started this 
     campaign because the government won't take a stand. Please 
     help us eradicate slavery.
           Sincerely,
                                                     David Walker.

       P.S. On February 4, 1999 John Eibner gave the south of 
     Sudan an urgent appeal about the north attacking them but 
     they didn't listen so now 409 women and children are in 
     slavery.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: Hi! My name is Alex Persinger and I 
     feel like a dead hog, because on February 4, 1999, on that 
     day 409 people were inslaved! Please give the government 
     awareness about slavery. People like us work all day because 
     of lazy people.
       Please remember the urgent appeal by John Eibner. I love to 
     help but I can only tell so many! People like you can make a 
     difference.
           Love,
                                                   Alex Persinger.

[[Page H860]]

     
                                  ____
                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: My name is Thomas Turner, an 
     adolescent abolitionist that is trying to eradicate slavery, 
     but that is not the reason I'm writing you. The reason is 
     because a man named John Eibner had urgently appealed the 
     U.N. to take a stand about the slavery issue, but they all 
     probably sat lazier than ever and because of that 409 people 
     are slaved in modern day slavery. We'll get up and take a 
     huge stand right now! You can contact us at www.anti-
     slavery.org or 1-800-884-0719. Make a difference.
           Love,
     Thomas Turner.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: I am an abolitionist in a 
     campaign called S.T.O.P. S.T.O.P. stands for Slavery That 
     Oppresses People. We heard a very disappointing thing about 
     some slaves. John Eibner, a man who works for a humanitarian 
     group called C.S.I sent a urgent appeal to the government 
     about this and that the soldiers were going to raid the 
     villages, but they didn't do anything. On February 4, 1999 
     four hundred nine innocent people were taken into a miserable 
     life being treated like animals. When I found out about this, 
     I was heartbroken to know that so many people could be taken 
     into bondage. The good news is that we freed 850 slaves.
       Join us to eradicate and abolish slavery. Please help us by 
     writing to people that are important. If you have any 
     questions you can reach us at (303) 364-7657.
           Please help us,
     Lindy de Spain.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: I'm Miriam a concerned youngster in 
     the STOP campaign it stands for Slavery That Oppresses 
     People. This is a human rights campaign, we try to end 
     slavery. I thought slavery had been eliminated. We freed 
     slaves last week but Sudan was attacked and four hundred-nine 
     people were put into slavery it was shocking. We need your 
     help and spread the word that slavery exists please helps us! 
     The government has sat idly by, for years and years. John 
     Eibner works for CSI he goes to Sudan and frees slaves. He 
     had sent an urgent appeal that Sudan was being attacked to 
     the United Nations but no response, they ignored this awful 
     issue and they ignored this awful issue too often!
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: Hi! I am Josh Hook, an abolitionist. 
     I have some devastating news to tell you. A few days ago John 
     Eibner went to Sudan and he was told that the north was ready 
     to fight. So John told the U.N. but they ignored him. Then 
     four hundred nine people were put in slavery. Just because 
     the government did not do a single thing!
       We started a campaign called S.T.O.P. S.T.O.P. stands for 
     slavery that oppresses people. Will you use your voice to 
     tell your fellow colleagues or contact C.S.I. or A.A.S.G.
           Love,
     Josh Hook.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                     Aurora CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: Hi! My name is Dong, this is 
     devastating news! On February 4, 1999 four hundred nine 
     people were put in slavery! John Eibner sent a urgent appeal 
     to the United Nations, but they did nothing. Right now I feel 
     distraught. Please help us! Please join our S.T.O.P. campaign 
     and help us free slaves! Women and children just like me are 
     now put in slavery. I demand you to help us! My heart is 
     frowning because this is going on, my heart is crying. I 
     forgot to tell you that the north attacked a village. John 
     Eibner warned them but they did nothing. Also S.T.O.P. stands 
     for Slavery That Oppresses People. Please help us abolish 
     slavery and please bring awareness to the world!
           Sincerely,
     Dong Cha.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: I'm so furious at the 
     government for not listening to us. Last Week 409 people were 
     enslaved because the government did not listen to us. Just 
     like you and me inslaved. Women and children are enslaved. 
     The bad part too is that the government ignored John Eibners 
     warning. He found out that the soldiers were going to raid 
     them. He also sent an urgent appeal to the United Nations.
       P.S. We will eradicate slavery.
           Love,
                                                   Joshua Fleming.
     Highline Community School,
                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: My name is Alphonso Terell 
     McDonald and I am nine years old. I am a young abolitionist 
     and I am writing to you because I want to tell you about what 
     happened just recently, four hundred-nine slaves were 
     captured and were brought back into slavery because the 
     government is sitting idly by instead of taking a stand. We 
     would like to know if you'd contact the United States 
     Government and let them know what is going on. We would be so 
     grateful if you did this because we want people to be aware 
     of this so they can help us.
       The quote that is on the back of our shirts ``The greatest 
     sin of our time is not the few who have destroyed, but the 
     vast majority who have sat idly by.''
           Love,
     Alphonso.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: I want to tell you what just 
     happened, there were 409 nice, beautiful, innocent, people 
     put into to slavery.
       I almost cried; but I realized if I'm a abolitionist, I can 
     put a stop to this slavery issue! This should not be 
     happening to these people! ``These are our people we should 
     stop this slavery!'' You can help us by writing letters to 
     the government and tell them to put a stop like all of the 
     abolitionist like Frederick Douglas, Dr. Martin Luther King, 
     Jr.,
            Love,
     Cynthia Jurango.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: Hi! My name is Heather Pedigo, 
     with a strong urge to fight for freedom of other people! I 
     want to tell you something because of the governments act of 
     turning their back on the issue of slavery, because of that, 
     on February fourth, four hundred and nine people were put 
     into slavery! Just think all of those scared and hurt women 
     and children. We are very ashamed. Please contact us at 
     WWW.Anti-Slavery, or or you can call us at 1-800-804-0719.
           Sincerely,
     Heather Pedigo.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank: Hi, My name is Christina 
     Manalastas. On February 4th, four hundred nine slaves went 
     into slavery. I'm not happy about what is going on all around 
     the world! It is, of course, the moral thing, when seeing a 
     other human being suffer, to look after them. The person 
     Dalai Lama had said that quote. Here is my quote, ``We care 
     about happiness, we care about sadness but we just want to 
     help.''
           Sincerely,
                                             Christina Manalastas.
       P.S. Will you please join us.
                                  ____



                                    Highline Community School,

                                    Aurora, CO, February 17, 1999.
       Dear Congressman Frank Wolf: Hi! From Barb's class. Im a 
     young abolitionist and a fourth grader at Highline. I am in a 
     group that is called S.T.O.P. S.T.O.P is Slavery That 
     Oppresses People. Just last week 409 people went into 
     slavery. The United Nations did not help! I felt so bad! I'm 
     going to eradicate slavery this year! As I was saying on the 
     fourth of February, 1999 John Eibner went to Sudan to warn 
     them about people coming and taking them from their homes. So 
     stand up and do what is right! I will not give up will you? 
     Will you help us stop slavery?
           Love,
     Stacy Caruso.

                          ____________________