[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF TERENCE FREITAS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory 
of Terence Freitas. Terence was kidnapped in Colombia on February 25th, 
and slain while working on behalf of the rights of indigenous people. 
As a humanitarian and environmentalist, he leaves behind a legacy of 
activism and passion that inspires us all.
  Terence graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 
1997 with a dual degree in biology and environmental studies. He was a 
conservation biologist and policy analyst, with extensive field 
experience in temperate and tropical rainforests. While at the 
University of California at Santa Cruz, Terence was an active member of 
the community. He was involved in numerous campus activities and helped 
to redesign the Crown College core course. Crown College is naming its 
college service award after him. In addition, an endowment has been 
established in his name to support the research of environmental 
studies at UCSC.
  Terence also worked as an environmental consultant, researching 
American Indian Law and U.S. environmental policy. He was a long-time 
advocate for indigenous people and worked with Native American tribes 
while he was a student. His passions for working with marginalized 
cultures lead him in 1997, to the U'wa people in Colombia where he and 
two companions were on a mission to preserve the culture of the U'wa 
Indians.
  The U'wa Tribe is fighting a battle to defend their rights and 
traditional territory. Ever dedicated to the fight for indigenous 
rights, Terence willingly put aside concern for his own safety and went 
to an area with one of the highest rates of documented human rights 
abuses, where violence, kidnappings and executions are part of everyday 
life. No one outside Colombia did more for the U'wa people than did 
Terence.
  Terence helped to establish the U'wa Defense Working Group and lived 
life passionately. His fight will be continued by fellow activists, and 
Terence will be missed by all of those whose lives he touched. The loss 
of his young, vibrant life, is a tragedy for the whole world. The 
global humanitarian effort has suffered greatly with the passing of 
Terence Freitas.

                          ____________________