[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 26 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E322-E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAN RUFF-O'HERNE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 12, 2007

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor an 
extraordinary woman of courage and integrity who is visiting Washington 
this week.
  During World War II, Jan Ruff-O'Herne was a young Dutch national, 
born and raised in what is now Indonesia. She was kidnapped by Japanese 
Imperial forces and forced to serve as what is euphemistically known as 
a ``comfort woman'' in a brothel for the entertainment of Japanese 
soldiers.

[[Page E323]]

  For nearly 50 years, Mrs. Ruff-O'Herne kept her tortures to herself, 
too ashamed to admit her horrid experiences even to the people closest 
to her. In 1992, however, after seeing reports of other comfort women 
who were speaking out about the atrocities they endured, she decided to 
make her memories public.
  Her 1994 autobiography, 50 Years of Silence, which was later adapted 
into a widely-praised and award-winning documentary film, explains in 
excruciating detail her life in the so-called ``comfort station.'' That 
she survived this ordeal speaks volumes about her strength, courage, 
and spiritual convictions.
  In the years since she brought her story to public attention, Jan 
Ruff-O'Herne has been granted honors by Queen Beatrix of the 
Netherlands, Queen Elizabeth, and Pope John Paul II, in recognition of 
her efforts to support the human rights of women around the globe.
  On February 15, the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global 
Environment of the Committee on Foreign Affairs will convene a hearing 
entitled ``Protecting the Human Rights of Comfort Women.'' Jan Ruff-
O'Herne has been invited to share her story with members of the 
subcommittee.
  Thousands of the comfort women of World War II survive today. They 
are seeking a formal apology from the government of Japan, which has 
been unwilling to accept responsibility for violating the human rights 
of these women.
  Madam Speaker, last month I introduced a resolution, H. Res. 121, 
which calls on Japan to formally and unambiguously apologize and 
acknowledge the tragedy that the comfort women endured under its 
Imperial Army during World War II. Not only should Japan's Prime 
Minister issue a public apology, Japan must take responsibility 
unequivocally.
  The Japanese government owes such an apology to brave women like Jan 
Ruff-O'Herne.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in tribute to Jan Ruff-
O'Herne and the hundreds of thousands of comfort women who endured 
unspeakable tortures during World War II and who continue to fight for 
the human rights of all people more than 60 years later.

                          ____________________