[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. COLEMAN (for himself and Mr. Dayton):
  S. 365. A bill to amend the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to 
authorize appropriations to provide assistance for domestic and foreign 
centers and programs for the treatment of victims of torture, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, torture is a fundamental violation of 
human rights. It is an act that aims not only to destroy the body but 
to destroy a person's spirit, leaving a psychologically crippled victim 
as a warning to others in their community.
  Approximately 500,000 survivors of torture have found refuge in the 
United States, with many more around the world. The survivors of this 
terrible experience require treatment to recover from the effects of 
torture and to rebuild their shattered lives.
  Fortunately, we have the ability to provide such treatment. There are 
30 torture treatment centers in the United States located in 16 states, 
all helping former victims to recover from the trauma they experienced. 
We in Minnesota are tremendously proud of the work of Minnesota's 
Center for Victims of Torture, a world leader in administering this 
kind of treatment.
  The Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act will authorize $92 
million in funding for both domestic and foreign treatment centers for 
victims of torture. $50 million of the funding goes directly to 
domestic programs. The remaining funds assist foreign treatment centers 
through the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.N. 
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
  This reauthorization comes at a critical time. With the liberation of 
the people of Iraq and Afghanistan and other events around the world, 
even more survivors of torture around the world are seeking treatment. 
I look forward to the prompt consideration of this legislation and urge 
my colleagues to support this and other effort to assist victims of 
torture.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 365

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Torture Victims Relief 
     Reauthorization Act of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DOMESTIC 
                   TREATMENT CENTERS FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE.

       Section 5(b)(1) of the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 
     (22 U.S.C. 2152 note) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and 2005'' and inserting ``, 2005, 2006, 
     and 2007'';
       (2) by striking ``2004 and'' and inserting ``2004,''; and
       (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, 
     $25,000,000 for the fiscal year 2006, and $25,000,000 for the 
     fiscal year 2007.''.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FOREIGN TREATMENT 
                   CENTERS FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE.

       Section 4(b)(1) of the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 
     (22 U.S.C. 2152 note) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and 2005'' and inserting ``, 2005, 2006, 
     and 2007'';
       (2) by striking ``2004 and'' and inserting ``2004,''; and
       (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, 
     $12,000,000 for the fiscal year 2006, and $13,000,000 for the 
     fiscal year 2007.''.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES 
                   CONTRIBUTION TO THE UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTARY 
                   FUND FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE.

       Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal 
     years 2006 and 2007 pursuant to chapter 3 of part I of the 
     Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2221 et seq.), 
     there are authorized to be appropriated to the President for 
     a voluntary contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund 
     for Victims of Torture $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2006 and 
     $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
                                 ______