[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 19, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WOMEN SPEAK FOR PEACE RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2001

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the September 11th 
attack on the people and institutions of America has eliminated any 
illusion that we are safe from the violence and discord which seem to 
plague the rest of the world.
  Currently, the United Nations has peace keeping missions in every 
corner of the world including the Golan Heights; Lebanon; Iraq/Kuwait; 
Angola; the Western Sahara; Kosovo; Cyprus; Georgia; Tajikistan; Sierra 
Leone; East Timor; Congo and Ethiopia/Eritrea and has established war 
crimes tribunals in Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Our unfortunate global 
picture of war, ethnic conflict, civil war and terrorism serves as a 
strong indication of the need to establish and maintain a dialogue 
leading to a blueprint to establish lasting peace in war-torn and 
strife ridden areas of the world. Several studies have shown that while 
women are not usually combatants in these hostilities, women and 
children tend to disproportionately form the ranks of the displaced and 
victimized.
  Today, I will introduce a resolution encouraging worldwide efforts 
seeking the greater involvement of women to challenge the belief that 
violence is an acceptable tool in resolving conflicts. While every 
member of a community should take affirmative steps to ameliorate 
violence, the role of women in these efforts are often undervalued. My 
resolution will encourage women of every race, class and economic 
circumstance to work together to form coalitions and strengthen 
communities to work toward international peace-building efforts and 
will encourage governmental leaders to seek the participation of women 
at all levels of peacebuilding and peace-keeping efforts.
  My resolution encourages the use of the week following Mother's Day 
to hold forums, conferences, and other activities dedicated to 
examining the need for peace and the role of women in establishing and 
maintaining peace-building efforts. I am asking each Member of this 
House to join me in my efforts to raise the volume of women's voices 
and encourage non-violent solutions to domestic, national and 
international disputes, by co-sponsoring this legislation.

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