[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 101 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1272]]
RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN 
                                 RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
332, which commemorates the 60th anniversary of the signing of the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  On December 10, 1948, only three years after the end of the 
intolerance, oppression, death and destruction of World War II, the 
United Nations General Assembly created the first universal statement 
on the basic principles of inalienable human rights. The Declaration, 
with its core values of non-discrimination, equality, fairness and 
freedom, was to reaffirm faith in the dignity and worth of the human 
person and save succeeding generations from the devastation of war.
  Sixty years later, this document has become a standard to measure how 
nations govern. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has led to 
progress in banning torture and rape as weapons of war and protecting 
Children from economic and sexual exploitation. The Declaration has 
served as a means of achieving self-determination for millions under 
colonial rule and has moved nations to guarantee legal justice and 
racial and gender equality for all their people.
  While the last sixty years have brought many advances in human 
rights, there is still work to be done. Article 25 of the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights asserts that `motherhood and childhood are 
entitled to special care and assistance'. Such a right cannot be 
realized, however, when more than half a million women continue to die 
every year in childbirth having been unable to receive health care. Nor 
has it been guaranteed when over 28,000 children under the age of five 
die per day from easily preventable and treatable causes.
  The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to ensure the 
human rights of all but, in particular, those with relatively little 
power in society. While ensuring the rights and prosperity of all 
peoples and all nations was once an aspiration of the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights, it is now a necessary reality. As the 
world becomes increasingly interdependent and is confronted with the 
new global challenges of pandemic disease, terrorism, and hunger, 
injustice anywhere endangers peace, prosperity and security everywhere. 
If we wish to combat these challenges, the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights must be the foundation of our cooperation in this new 
century.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to renew their commitment to 
ensuring human rights for all people, everywhere and join me in 
supporting this Resolution.

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