[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately yesterday, July 
11, 2005, I was delayed in the Cincinnati Airport due to a mechanical 
failure of my plane, a parts swap, and a new plane having to be brought 
in for my flight from Cincinnati to Washington. There were no other 
flight options for me to arrive in Washington before the votes occurred 
on H. Con. Res. 168 (Rollcall No. 363) and H. Res. 333 (Rollcall No. 
364). Had I been here to cast my votes, I would have voted ``aye'' on 
both H. Con. Res. 168 and H. Res. 333 and wish the Record to reflect as 
such.
  As a member of the Human Rights Caucus and a stern believer that 
every human being has certain irrevocable rights, I stand in strong 
favor of both of these pieces of legislation. We cannot and should not 
stand by as gross human rights violations such as the kidnappings in 
Korea and the genocide in Darfur continue. I applaud my colleagues, 
Representative Henry Hyde and Representative Donald Payne, for 
introducing these bills and bringing them to the floor for our 
consideration.
  Almost 3 years ago North Korean leader Kim Jong-l admitted that North 
Korea had ordered abductions of Japanese citizens and promised that it 
would never do so again. However, evidence has surfaced that the North 
Korean government has continued to order the abductions of numerous 
foreign citizens and has placed these captives, along with prisoners of 
war, in forced labor camps. To stand by and do nothing in response to 
these gross violations of human rights is unthinkable and this bill 
clearly states to Kim Jong-l and the North Korean government that the 
United States will not let this continue.
  I am also pleased that we were able to debate H. Res. 333. I have 
been a huge supporter of our past funding for aid to Darfur and our 
condemnation of the genocide occurring there and can think of no better 
way to compliment these actions than by praying for and reflecting on 
this horrible situation. The better we personally understand this 
situation, the better we as a Congress will be able to respond to and 
prevent situations such as these from occurring in the future. As a man 
of faith, I will stand with my family, my colleagues, and fellow 
citizens and pray for the people of Darfur and reflect on the ongoing 
atrocities that they face on a daily basis.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you again for allowing me to express my support 
for these two bills as I was unfortunately delayed on my way to 
Washington.

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