[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    INTRODUCTION OF H. CON. RES. 423

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I am proud to introduce this important 
resolution calling for a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis 
in Darfur, Sudan, and condemning the ongoing assaults and obstruction 
by the Khartoum regime. I am joined in this effort by my distinguished 
colleagues Mr. Jackson of Illinois and Mr. Wolf of Virginia.
  The tragedy of Darfur seems to know no end. After years of violence 
and death, the genocide in Darfur continues this month with renewed 
fighting between the Khartoum regime and rebel forces. Once again, 
entire villages have been decimated, civilians have been slaughtered 
and thousands have been left homeless.
  We cannot turn away from the violence before us. We must continue to 
raise the issues of Darfur that confront our Nation and the 
international community. While the violence is perpetrated by those who 
carry the guns and drop the bombs, we have a responsibility as well.
  I am proud of the young people in my own district who have worked to 
raise awareness of the crisis in Darfur. Zack Harris, now a sophomore 
at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, learned about the 
conflict in Darfur 2 years ago and became determined to help. As the 
eighth grade student president at Central School in Glencoe, he 
organized ``Dance for Darfur,'' a fundraiser for the Luol Deng 
Foundation. Named after the Chicago Bulls player from Sudan, the 
foundation works with the World Food Program in Darfur to assist with 
food distribution. The ``Dance for Darfur'' was the first charity dance 
ever held at the school, and helped raise awareness at the school and 
in the community. In total, Zack raised more than $5,000.
  In March of this year, I organized a Model Congress with high school 
students from all across the 10th District. They held hearings and 
markups on the Darfur Peace and Security Act to bring an end to the 
genocide. Together, they amended and passed this comprehensive bill to 
provide humanitarian aid and adopt strict sanctions, along with other 
measures, to stop the violence in the region.
  Other organizations such as the Chicago Coalition to Save Darfur, the 
Illinois Holocaust Museum, Congregation Beth Or in Deerfield, IL, and 
Chicago Tikkun are all working to bring awareness to the crisis.
  Like these students and activists, Congress and the administration 
must remain committed to ending the tragedy that is unfolding before 
our eyes. We must build upon the basic achievements that we have won to 
ensure the full deployment of the UNAMID mission, full access to 
humanitarian aid, full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace 
Agreement, and full accountability of the Khartoum government for all 
its actions.
  The U.S. must collaborate with the international community condemn 
the actions of the Khartoum regime, which have demonstrated the worst 
that humanity has to offer, and implement a comprehensive strategy to 
address the crisis in Darfur.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to 
bring attention to the plight of the Darfurians and work to find a 
lasting comprehensive strategy to address this crisis.

                          ____________________