[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. The Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization 
Act of 2003, H.R. 1813, would authorize appropriations for domestic and 
foreign torture victims treatment centers and for the United Nations 
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
  In many places around the world, the survivors of torture have to 
grapple with the lingering effects of their torture alone. In the 
United States, we have 20 torture treatment centers that provide 
treatment and care for torture survivors. These centers help the 
survivors to overcome debilitating psychological and physical problems 
such as post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, limbs 
rendered useless, chronic pain, and excessive guilt. Moreover, torture 
assaults the victim's core values as a human being, including his 
humanity and his sense of trust in himself and in the world around him. 
The treatment centers also assist the victim in restoring these values 
and in getting on with his life.
  Although funding has been increasing, it still remains insufficient 
to meet the treatment needs of torture survivors. The Torture Victims 
Relief Reauthorization Act of 2003 would help address these funding 
issues by authorizing the appropriation of $37 million for the 
treatment and care of torture survivors both in the United States and 
overseas. This would include $20 million to fund United States 
treatment centers, $11 million to fund treatment centers overseas, and 
$6 million to fund the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of 
Torture.
  With the additional funding, it is estimated that the American 
centers would have the capacity and ability to serve an additional 
2,800 torture survivors per year.
  The overseas funding would serve dual purposes. In addition to 
providing resources needed for treatment, it also would provide 
resources that the centers need to combat torture in their respective 
countries, some of which continue to have serious problems with 
torture.
  I urge you to vote for H.R. 1813, the Torture Victims Relief 
Reauthorization Act of 2003.

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