[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 120 (Tuesday, August 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STATEMENT REGARDING THE ONGOING VIOLENCE IN SYRIA

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                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 2011

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep concern 
regarding the loss of life in Syria. In Hama, the site of massive anti-
regime protests, dozens of innocent citizens chanting for freedom and 
democracy have been ruthlessly murdered by Syrian security forces under 
orders from the Syrian regime led by President Bashar Assad.
  This heartless attack came on the eve before the Islamic Holy Month 
of Ramadan, which only makes this assault on the Syrian people all the 
more despicable. Assad has yet again failed to understand that the 
Syrian people are no longer afraid. Violence will only further convince 
the Syrian people that Assad is no longer their legitimate president.
  Assad has ruled with an iron fist for too long. During this uprising, 
Assad has made fake reforms designed to give the world a false 
impression that he is a reformer. Reports of inhumane torture of 
innocent men, women, and children clearly show that the last thing he 
is interested in is reform. The Syrian people have spoken: they want 
the Assad regime to fall. I therefore reiterate my call for Assad to 
step down, before any more innocents are murdered.

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