[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1865]
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. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2006

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3127, the 
Sudan Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006, which passed 
Congress on September 25, and H. Res. 992, which calls for the 
appointment of a presidential special envoy for Sudan and passed the 
House on September 26. H.R. 3127 addresses the ongoing violence and 
humanitarian disaster in the Darfur region by directing the president 
to impose sanctions on the Government of Sudan as well as freeze the 
assets of anyone responsible for acts of genocide, war crimes, or 
crimes against humanity in Sudan.
  H.R. 3127 also supports the United Nations and NATO to send a 
civilian protection force to assist the African Union Mission in Sudan. 
This is especially important since the Sudanese Government is currently 
refusing to allow U.N. troops into Sudan, which threatens a recent 
peace agreement and could lead to further violence. I am disappointed, 
however, that an earlier provision in H.R. 3127 that would have allowed 
States to make a decision to divest from Sudan was not included in the 
final version.
  This conflict has resonated with people all over the world who want 
this travesty to end. It is a shame that we have not learned from our 
mistakes in the past regarding genocide, but it is not too late to 
change the situation in Sudan. We must not stand by as the situation 
deteriorates in Darfur. It is our duty to end this human suffering, and 
I will continue to work to stop this conflict and promote peace in 
Sudan.

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