[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO BERMUDA FOR 
      ACCEPTING FOUR DETAINEES RELEASED FROM GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a 
resolution expressing appreciation to the nation of Bermuda for 
accepting four detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. These four men--
Chinese Uighurs--had been cleared by the federal government for release 
but were unable to be sent to their home country of China, for fear for 
their safety and in compliance with international human rights law.
  The United States has been working with other countries to effect a 
safe and efficient process for resettling detainees cleared of 
wrongdoing and scheduled for release. This is a complicated and 
difficult process but has resulted in approximately 15 resettled 
detainees since President Obama took office. Four of those went to 
Bermuda. Dozens more have been cleared for release but have not yet 
been transferred to a third-party nation.
  In a May 2009, visit to the White House, Premier Ewart Brown of 
Bermuda generously offered to assist the United States in relocating 
released detainees from the detention facility at Guantanamo. One month 
later the four Uighurs were transported to Bermuda, where they 
currently receive government assistance to integrate into the 
surrounding community, including work at a local golf course.
  Madam Speaker, I appreciate Bermuda--our friend and ally--assisting 
us in the effort to resolve the complex problem of resettling detainees 
cleared for release. The fact of the matter is that the Bush 
administration's reckless approach to establishing an extrajudicial 
system at Guantanamo has left us grappling with how to humanely and 
effectively resettle detainees who pose no threat to our national 
security. To that end we owe the people of Bermuda sincere thanks for 
taking on the responsibility of ensuring the rights and well-being of 
these four released detainees, who have been cleared of any wrongdoing. 
Bermuda and the United States have set a positive example for the safe, 
efficient, and humane process of releasing former detainees.

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