[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CALLING ON THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GENOCIDE IN 
                                 DARFUR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 7, which calls on the League of Arab States to acknowledge the 
genocide in Darfur and step up its effort to stop the genocide. I would 
like to thank my friend and colleague, Rep. Barbara Lee, for bringing 
this important resolution to the House floor.
  Since 2003, more than 400,000 people have been killed in Darfur and 
an estimated 2.5 million have been displaced. More than 3 million other 
Darfurians depend today on international aid for their survival. The 
United Nations has identified the situation in Darfur as the worst 
current humanitarian and human rights crisis in the world. The United 
States has officially labeled it genocide.
  As we learned last week on Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 
international community must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of 
innocents. When we say we must ``never forget,'' we must demonstrate 
that we mean it. H. Con. Res. 7, which has 115 co-sponsors on both 
sides of the aisle, is an important step in this cause.
  This important legislation calls on the League of Arab States to 
support and accept United Nations peacekeepers as the best option to 
enforce a cease-fire, protect civilians, and ensure access for 
humanitarian aid workers; and to work with the international community 
to bring about a lasting peace in Darfur.
  I hope that the Arab League will play a constructive role in ensuring 
humanitarian assistance in Darfur, insisting that the Bashir government 
accept more peacekeeping troops, and make a stronger effort to engage 
Sudan's neighbors in the peace process--which is what this Resolution 
is designed to do. Finally, the Arab League must work with the United 
States and the United Nations to work with the Sudanese government to 
help forge a comprehensive plan for stability and reconstruction across 
the whole of the country.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 7 and I hope all of my 
colleagues will lend it their support.

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