[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE DARFUR PEACE AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, this week the House will vote on the Darfur 
Peace and Accountability Act, legislation that could play a major role 
in ending the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
  For the past 2 years, the international community has remained 
paralyzed as Sudan's state-sponsored brutality has claimed the lives of 
an estimated 400,000 Darfurians, and as millions more Darfurians have 
been forced from their homes. Those who are displaced struggle to feed 
their families; an estimated 3.5 million are starving. And as the 
displaced women of Darfur go about their daily lives, they live in fear 
of rape, beating, or murder at the hands of Janjaweed militias.
  Despite worldwide efforts to provide financial and humanitarian 
support, the lack of cooperation from the Sudanese Government has 
rendered the African Union powerless to stop the violence and hunger. 
With each day that passes, the Sudanese Government continues to commit 
atrocities against their own people with impunity.
  Though the situation in Darfur is dire, it is not too late to save 
hundreds of thousands of lives. This week, Congress can take a major 
step in ending the slaughter and brutality in Darfur by passing the 
Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. This legislation would authorize 
the administration to revitalize the African Union peacekeeping effort 
by giving them the tools they need to put a stop to the chaos and 
violence in the region. The legislation would also take a critical step 
by authorizing the administration to impose political and economic 
consequences on the Government of Sudan for the crimes they are 
committing against the people of Darfur. For too long we have sat and 
watched as innocent men, women, and children have been killed, and 
forced from their homes. We cannot sit idly by any longer, we must act.
  In calling attention to the crisis in Darfur, and through their 
support of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, the Jewish 
community continues to lead the way in defending victims of the worst 
forms of social and political injustice around the world. As a 
cosponsor of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, I will proudly 
stand with the Jewish community when I vote for this important 
legislation.
  The Jewish community's leadership on this issue has brought it 
national and international attention. And as we approach the Jewish 
holiday of Pesach--Passover--and the celebration of the Jewish Exodus 
from Egypt and redemption from slavery, the Jewish community should be 
proud that it has given a voice to an afflicted group of men and women 
in a far away place at a time when few others have taken notice.

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