[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO ROOTS OF PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Pelosi, Ms. Tausher, Ms. Woolsey 
and myself honor Roots of Peace, a humanitarian organization dedicated 
to fostering prosperity in the spirit that turns swords into 
plowshares.
  Since its founding in 1997 by Ms. Heidi Kuhn, Roots of Peace has 
worked towards the global eradication of landmines, sowing seeds of 
goodwill by transforming "mines into vines." In communities throughout 
the world, Roots of Peace restores hope and prosperity by replacing 
toxic minefields that maim and kill with blossoming vineyards and 
fields of grain.
  Understanding that landmines impact not only individual victims and 
their families, but hold entire communities hostage emotionally, 
environmentally, and economically, Roots of Peace implements 
comprehensive and lasting solutions. The organization has waged its 
campaign against landmines on four fronts: awareness, removal, 
treatment, and restoration.
  Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 people each year, 10,000 
of them children. Lurking patiently beneath the earth's surface, mines 
can wait almost indefinitely for their victims. Today, an estimated 70 
million mines in over 70 nations are waiting for a mere eight pounds of 
pressure to detonate. These indiscriminate weapons of terror neither 
know nor care if that pressure is applied by the boot of a marching 
soldier or the bare foot of a playing child.
  The successful removal of these gruesomely destructive weapons is 
both dangerous and costly. In contrast to the three dollars required to 
manufacture and plant a landmine, its removal can cost up to 1,000 
dollars. Since its inception, Roots of Peace has worked tirelessly 
garnering the resources necessary to rid vast expanses of land of the 
mines that keep them lying fallow and transform them into thriving 
farmland.
  This summer alone, Roots of Peace is planting rice in Cambodia, 
orchards in Croatia, and grapes in Afghanistan. Also, in a particularly 
poignant expression of hope for a lasting peace, Roots of Peace will be 
planting wheat in Iraq, bringing the dream of neighbors in this war-
torn country breaking bread together closer to fruition.
  We ask all of our colleagues to join us in commending Roots of Peace 
for their outstanding work which saves lives and restores livelihoods 
in communities around the world.

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