[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]




  RECOGNIZING THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE INTERNATIONAL 
                     RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Res. 423 which properly recognizes the 5th anniversary of the 
signing of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The 
International Religious Freedom Act is an essential demonstration of 
our commitment to observing religious freedom for all human beings 
throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker this Nation was built by those who escaped persecution in 
their own homelands. Today we continue to see people throughout the 
world who still can not freely practice their faith. The International 
Religious Freedom Act created the Office of International Religious 
Freedom in the Department of State and the United States Commission on 
International Religious Freedom. This has resulted in a greater 
awareness of religious persecution both in the United States and 
abroad. It is vital in order to protect the principles of freedom that 
this nation was founded on, that we protect the ability of each person 
in the United States to freely observe their religious practices. This 
also means that we as a Nation must push other countries throughout the 
world to meet this same ideal standard on religious freedom.
  Mr. Speaker it is truly tragic that so many people throughout the 
world have been murdered, raped, tortured, and brutalized simply 
because of the faith they belong to. This type of religious hatred must 
be countered strongly by this body. We can not insist on having full 
religious freedom for our own citizens and then turn a blind eye to the 
plight of oppressed people throughout the world. The International 
Religious Freedom Act was a step in the positive direction of 
eliminating this global scourge. Religious freedom is a fundamental 
human right as affirmed by numerous international declarations and 
covenants, as well as by the United Nations General Assembly. I stand 
proud of this body's work to pass the International Religious Freedom 
Act five years ago and I remain hopeful that we will continue with 
further efforts to fight religious intolerance.

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