[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 192 (Thursday, December 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E3036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RESPONDING TO THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA'S APOLOGY FOR THE 
MISTREATMENT OF CHILD MIGRANTS AND CHILDREN IN INSTITUTIONAL CARE UNDER 
                           STATE SUPERVISION

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
apology offered by the Government of Australia for the mistreatment of 
child migrants and children in institutional care under state 
supervision.
  In an effort to populate its empire, the British Government assisted 
private organizations with settling people in many of its overseas 
dominions. Between 1922 and 1967 over 7,000 children were sent to 
Australia and placed in the care of residential institutions. Many of 
these children were separated from their families and never told the 
truth about their loved ones. They became part of the half a million 
Australian children who were placed in institutional or foster care 
during this period who would later be called the ``Forgotten 
Australians''. As wards of the state, the Forgotten Australians 
suffered from appalling physical, emotional and sexual abuse. They were 
subjected to harsh, often brutal discipline and labor programs, and 
referred to by number instead of by name.
  For years, their story has been lost--unheard and unacknowledged by 
the wider community. The aftermath of this government-condoned 
suffering left deep emotional and psychological scars on countless 
individuals and their families, and many resorted to crime, drug and 
alcohol abuse and suicide.
  On November 16, 2009, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized 
to the Forgotten Australians on behalf of the Australian government and 
the Parliament of Australia and took an important step in national 
healing. This apology was accompanied by a commitment to properly 
record and share the experiences of the Forgotten Australians with 
future generations and support victims as they attempt to discover 
their familial backgrounds and reunite with loved ones.
  This statement came nearly 2 years after another historic apology 
that Prime Minister Rudd gave on behalf of the Australian Government to 
the Indigenous people of Australia and the Stolen Generation. The 
willingness of the Australian government to address past wrongs and 
present inequalities shows its dedication to national healing, growth 
and reconciliation.
  Madam Speaker, I commend the Australian Government for acknowledging 
its past transgressions and for its commitment to the sacred duty of 
protecting its children, families and communities in the years to come.

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