[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 91 (Thursday, June 23, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H4471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SYRIAN VIOLENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Walberg) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, while our President telegraphs to our 
enemies a timeline for ending the war that they are certainly willing 
to continue to commit to, while military efforts continue in Libya with 
uncertain, undisclosed, and unsuccessful outcomes led by our 
administration under NATO command, greater atrocities perpetrated 
against freedom seekers in Syria go unaddressed, unannounced, 
unconsidered by our President. Why? What's the reason? What's the time 
limit? It is known that Syria has been a continuing threat to freedom 
and a strong supporter and sustainer of unrest and terrorism in the 
Middle East and around the world. They're a strong ally of Iran and a 
constant threat to our friend Israel.
  As freedom-seeking citizens of Syria join, Mr. Speaker, many others 
in the Middle East in calling for political reforms, respect for human 
rights, and regime change, the government of Syria and President Bashar 
Al-Assad is violently and sadistically suppressing the Syrian people, 
his own people. Tanks, snipers, goon squads, violent attacks on women 
and children, starvation and dehydration, inhuman imprisonment, 
torture, and worse has been the norm for the Syrian people for too 
long--without a strong and principled response from our President and 
our Nation. Why? We're not calling for a war. We're not calling for 
troops on the ground. We're not calling for anything right now except 
to take a stand against this atrocity.
  Other nations have stood and voiced their concerns that President 
Assad has violated its international obligations, including the 
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United 
Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or 
Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Isn't it time for our President and 
this administration to stand and speak as the world leader and call on 
President Assad to step down and for the Syrian Government to end its 
cruel crimes against humanity?
  I am firmly convinced that the rest of the peace-loving world will 
respond to our leadership. They are looking for it. They expect it. 
They are asking for it, and the Syrian people will be encouraged and 
defended. And liberty's cause will be promoted in this earthquake zone 
called the Middle East.
  It's time to speak up. May God grant our President and this 
administration and our government the courage to do so. Because it is 
for humanity and people like ourselves that we speak.

                          ____________________