[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCTION OF H.R.__, THE LIBERTY LIST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, in presenting the 2003 State Department 
Human Rights Report Secretary of State Colin Powell declared, ``We join 
in solidarity with courageous men and women all over the world who 
strive to advance human rights and democratic values within their own 
countries and throughout the international community.'' Today, I 
introduce the Liberty List Act that will highlight those courageous men 
and women and reinforce the special significance of freedom, democracy, 
and human rights in American foreign policy.
  The Liberty List will be an independent annual report issued by the 
State Department to highlight the work of individuals and 
organizations, including the media, who promote the development of 
liberty, democracy, and respect for human rights. In addition to 
honoring these individuals and organizations for their important 
contributions to their societies, the Liberty List will draw attention 
to the conditions against which the honorees struggle and will offer 
some protection for honorees by identifying them to the international 
community. A few individuals and groups, such as Aung San Suu Kyi and 
her National League for Democracy NLD, are known around the world for 
their struggle. Yet, for every individual who is known to the 
international community, there are many other heroes who deserve 
recognition and support as they risk their own lives for the 
improvement of others'.
  The Liberty List is fundamentally different from the existing State 
Department Report on International Religious Freedom and the annual 
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Current reports focus on the 
human rights records of national governments; they deal with the 
imposition of state power. The Liberty List, in contrast, will 
spotlight individuals and organizations who are working against that 
power to build freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights.
  Leaders in the struggle for freedom and democracy around the world 
deserve recognition for the sacrifices and their struggles. It is 
through the work individuals, who struggle at the local and national 
levels to improve the lives of their families, friends, and neighbors, 
that democracy, freedom, and human rights will prevail. The Liberty 
List Act will establish a means by which the United States can honor 
these men and women as they strive to make the world a better, safer 
place.
  I urge my colleagues to join me as cosponsors of this legislation.

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