[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2012

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank Nina Shea, Dr. Don Argue, Dr. 
Richard Land, Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou and Felice Gaer for their 
service on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 
(USCIRF). These commissioners have made significant contributions to 
USCIRF's work on behalf of the cherished right of freedom of religion 
or belief, including its deeper integration into U.S. foreign policy 
and national security. Since its inception, the commission has served 
as a voice for the voiceless, championing the plight of those whose 
most basic rights are threatened.
  I would especially like to recognize the tireless efforts of Nina 
Shea, who has served on the commission since its creation. As a 
stalwart advocate, prolific writer and subject matter expert, Nina has 
played an invaluable role on the commission and her leadership will be 
sorely missed. She was at the forefront of much of the commission's 
work on Sudan and she took a prominent role in shining a bright light 
on extremist Wahhabi ideology coming out of Saudi Arabia. Early on, 
Nina recognized the precarious plight of religious minorities, notably 
Christians in the Middle East, and sought to develop policy 
recommendations that would ensure their continued existence and 
flourishing in the lands they have inhabited for centuries.
  As director of the Center for Religious Freedom and a senior fellow 
at the Hudson Institute, Nina will undoubtedly continue fighting the 
good fight on behalf of persecuted people worldwide.

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