[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1664]]
                    GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN TO APOLOGIZE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2007

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of the 
underlying bill, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 121. This 
resolution calls on the Government of Japan to finally acknowledge, 
apologize, and accept historical responsibility for the coercion of 
over 200,000 young girls and women into sexual slavery during World War 
II and the colonial occupation of Asia in the 1930s and '40s.
  Known to the world as ``Comfort Women,'' these women suffered 
unimaginable dehumanization. These women deserve a justice that is long 
overdue. While the facts of these crimes are incontrovertible, Japan 
has not officially accepted responsibility for these atrocities. The 
Japanese government needs to recognize these injustices so that wounds 
of these women can begin to heal.
  With less than 300 ``comfort women'' alive today, we can no longer 
turn a blind eye to these women's stories and sacrifices. It is our 
moral obligation to urge Japan to restore the dignity that was stolen 
from so many women over 50 years ago.
  I commend Representative Honda for his deep commitment to this issue 
and for championing the meaningful underlying legislation. The history 
of the comfort women is the history of the world, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

                          ____________________