[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 URGING THE PRESIDENT TO APPOINT A PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SUDAN

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                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2006

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3127, 
the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, H. Res. 723, which calls on 
President Bush to take immediate steps to help improve the security 
situation in Darfur, and H. Res. 992, which urges the President to 
appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan. I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of all three bills.
  Congress must act now to address what I believe to be the most 
disastrous humanitarian situation on the planet. We must make it an 
immediate priority--not just a legislative priority but a priority of 
conscience--to protect the lives of the men, women, and children who 
are suffering every day in Darfur, and in refugee camps just over the 
Sudanese border in Chad.
  The situation in Darfur has become exceedingly dire. In direct 
violation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and numerous UN Security 
Council resolutions, the Sudanese government has begun to deploy some 
26,000 troops to the Darfur region. This has coincided with a sharp 
increase in attacks on civilians and humanitarian aid workers, renewed 
aerial bombardment, and the all but complete deterioration of the 
fragile DPA. The Congress must use every tool at our disposal to end 
the horror that continues in Darfur.
  The American people want us to act. From coast to coast, we have seen 
massive demonstrations on behalf of peace in Darfur. American Jewish 
groups, faith groups of all denominations, the Save Darfur Coalition 
and others are far beyond this Congress in their awareness and 
attention to this critical situation. We must honor their hard work by 
passing H.R. 3127, H. Res. 723, and H. Res. 992 today.
  I was one of several members of Congress who worked to have the 
situation in Darfur officially classified a ``genocide'' by the United 
States Congress. I visited Darfur and I have seen the situation with my 
own eyes. I carry my experience in Darfur with me every day.
  The people of Darfur have suffered for far too long. After each 
genocide of the last century, Rwanda being the most recent, we vowed 
``never again.'' Yet, we have become witness to another genocide. The 
time to act is now.
  I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 3127, H. Res. 723, 
and H. Res. 992.

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