[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 71 (Thursday, May 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E797]]
INTRODUCTION OF THE U.S. RECOMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN AND CIVIL 
                           RIGHTS RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2008

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
attached resolution that calls for the United States to ratify and 
implement certain fundamental international conventions.
  Today, May 1st is the 201st anniversary of the abolition of the 
transatlantic slave trade. On this day, we must rededicate ourselves to 
the human and civil rights movement to provide freedom and equality to 
all people.
  This resolution is very simple; it is very clear; it is very basic. 
Our country was founded on the principles of civil and human rights. 
Many, many people--men, women, and even children--have sacrificed their 
lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. Countless others work tirelessly 
to protect these rights. On this historic day, it is important to 
reiterate our commitment to combat slavery, torture, racism, 
discrimination, and xenophobia in all forms.
  It takes more than words; this effort needs action. Sixty years ago, 
the United Nations used our Bill of Rights as a reference in drafting 
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of 
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, led the United States delegation 
and the United Nations (U.N.) in helping to draft the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights.
  Since that time, we've seen so many changes--a global movement 
towards civil and human rights. In our own country, people have 
sacrificed everything for key civil rights legislation like the passage 
of the Voting Rights Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Americans with 
Disabilities Act.
  But Madam Speaker, somehow along the way, we've pulled away from a 
global movement that requires constant work, constant attention, and 
constant action. The U.S. must catch up with so many of our global 
partners.
  How can we combat genocide in Darfur, if we ourselves have not 
ratified the U.N. Conventions that address the rights of women, 
children, and forced disappearance? How can we ask for our global 
trading partners to respect international labor standards, when we 
ourselves have not ratified ILO standards on the right to organize and 
bargain collectively, or forced child labor, or age discrimination? It 
is important to not only speak as global leader, but act as a global 
leader on key human and civil rights issues.
  On this little piece of real estate that we call Earth, we all have 
our duty to make this world a little cleaner, a little better, and a 
little safer. This resolution, Madam Speaker, is about common sense, 
and I hope all of my colleagues will join me as cosponsors.

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