[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING CHERIF BASSIOUNI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. EMANUEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long and 
distinguished career of Cherif Bassiouni. Professor Bassiouni is 
retiring from his position as President of the International Human 
Rights Law Institute and Distinguished Research Professor of Law at 
DePaul University after 43 years of dedicated service.
  Throughout his legendary career, Professor Bassiouni has been a 
champion of the poor and voiceless worldwide. His creation of the 
International Human Rights Law Institute at DePaul University is just 
one of his many lasting contributions to human rights and international 
law.
  For 30 years, Professor Bassiouni has been an important leader within 
the United Nations, holding such positions as Chairman of the Security 
Council's Commission to Investigate War Crimes in the Former Yugoslavia 
and the Independent Expert on Human Rights in Afghanistan for the High 
Commissioner for Human Rights.
  Often considered the father of the International Criminal Court, 
Professor Bassiouni was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee during 
the 1998 United Nations Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of 
an International Criminal Court. As a testament to his lifelong 
dedication to international criminal justice, he was nominated for a 
Noble Peace Prize in 1999.
  For his global efforts, Professor Bassiouni has received medals from 
his native Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States. He has 
also received numerous academic and civic awards, including the Special 
Award of the Council of Europe; the Defender of Democracy Award, 
Parliamentarians for Global Action; and the Adlai Stevenson Award of 
the United Nations Association.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Cherif Bassiouni on his long and 
noteworthy career, and thank him for his contributions to the 
international community and to the people of Chicago. DePaul University 
is certainly going to miss him, and I wish him the best of luck in all 
his future endeavors.

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