[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 172 (Thursday, November 19, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS ON THE GLOBAL SYMPOSIUM OF PEACEFUL 
                                NATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2009

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations and the countries awarded for 
being the most peaceful in the world.
  Let me begin by congratulating those Nations that were selected to 
participate in the Symposium--Australia, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Costa 
Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Japan, Malawi, New Zealand, Norway, 
Oman, Qatar, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Uruguay, and Vietnam.
  Earlier this year, I led a congressional delegation to India to 
commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and 
Mrs. Coretta Scott King's visit to follow in the footsteps of Gandhi. 
Soon afterwards, my good friend Mrs. Harriet Fulbright, widow of the 
late, great Senator J. William Fulbright, and her staff introduced me 
to the Global Peace Index and the Symposium.
  Mahatma Gandhi once said,''Peace will not come out of a clash of arms 
but out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in the face of 
odds.'' As Mrs. Fulbright explained the symposium and the GPI, I was 
impressed by the methodology of the research, the focus on peace, and 
the true commitment to improving the global community.
  Every year Vision of Humanity researchers develop the Global Peace 
Index, GPI, based on a variety of economic and analytical factors. The 
results are based on a variety of economic and social indicators that 
rank over 140 countries on their peacefulness and evaluate the economic 
benefit of peace. The Global Symposium of Peaceful Nations then brings 
together representatives from the two most peaceful countries in each 
of the nine global regions on the GPI.
  While here, the delegates engage in comprehensive dialogue about how 
to build and maintain peace. The countries that participate in the 
forum have unique histories, perspectives, and domestic and regional 
realities, but they must be commended in their significant progress in 
combating domestic poverty and making strides towards creating more 
peaceful communities. Together, we have a collective responsibility to 
combat poverty and violence and promote peace, diplomacy, and 
stability.
  I hope that all my colleagues will find time to review the report and 
the Symposium summary. Again, let me commend the Global Symposium for 
this international forum highlighting the strategies and benefits of 
global peace.

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