[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUPPORTING LEGISLATION TO END THE GENOCIDE IN DARFUR

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                               speech of

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2006

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my strong support for 
the three bills under consideration this week relating to the crisis in 
Darfur, Sudan. These bills, H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and 
Accountability Act of 2006 conference report, H. Res. 723, which calls 
on the President to take immediate steps to improve the security 
situation in Darfur, and H. Res. 992, which urges the President to 
appoint a Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan, all take concrete steps 
towards ending the genocide in Darfur.
  The situation in Darfur, Sudan is increasingly concerning. Nearly 
three million Sudanese citizens will require emergency assistance in 
the next year. Sudanese government forces support Janjaweed Arab 
militias that commit crimes against humanity, including genocide. More 
than one million people were driven from their homes since February 
2003, while over 150,000 people took refuge in neighboring Chad. The 
hundreds of thousands of displaced people who remain in the Darfur 
region are confined to government controlled camps. Using Sudanese 
government resources, the Janjaweed militias rape, attack and prey upon 
these helpless victims.
  We must hold the Sudanese government accountable. I commend 
Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL) for introducing the Darfur Peace and 
Accountability Act of 2005. I am a cosponsor of this important bill 
that intensifies sanctions on the Government of Sudan, particularly 
targeting those responsible for genocide, war crimes, or crimes against 
humanity.
  The United States should do more to end the brutal killing and ethnic 
cleansing of civilians. We must bring war criminals to justice. I was 
glad to see H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act 
conference report pass the House of Representatives yesterday by voice 
vote. I urge President Bush to sign this important bill which takes 
significant measures to bring a lasting peace to this war-stricken 
region.
  I am also a firm supporter and cosponsor of House Resolution 992, 
which urges President Bush to appoint a Special Envoy for Sudan. I 
joined Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA) in sending a letter to the 
President requesting he appoint a Special Envoy earlier this summer. I 
was pleased to hear President Bush declare in his speech to the United 
Nations General Assembly that he is appointing former USAID 
Administrator Andrew Natsios to be the new Presidential Special Envoy 
for Sudan. Earlier in my career I worked closely with Mr. Natsios to 
tackle one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 1990's. Natsios 
coordinated food aid during the North Korea famine which saved tens of 
thousands of lives. Mr. Natsios is an experienced diplomat, and I am 
confident in his ability to coordinate American policy in the region to 
resolve this conflict.
  Despite the sincere efforts of our government, which has led the 
international community in providing nearly $440 million in emergency 
supplemental aid this year, millions of victims continue to live in 
camps under horrible conditions. Murderous militias continue to 
slaughter innocent civilians. We have a duty to bring an end to this 
humanitarian crisis. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
these bills that demonstrate America's leadership in defense of those 
who need our help the most.

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