[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING ALEXANDRIA CITY'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE, 
                              YOM HASHOAH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Alexandria City's 
25th anniversary of Days of Remembrance, Yom HaShoah, for the victims 
of the Holocaust. We are reminded by the words of Elie Wiesel, that 
``for the dead and the living, we must bear witness.'' Bearing witness 
means standing by the victims of the monstrous event that was the 
Holocaust, and doing everything possible to ensure it doesn't happen 
again.
  There is a moral imperative for those of us who, but for the luck of 
birth, benefit from peace and prosperity. Thus we also have the 
responsibility to speak out for those who face the atrocities of 
starvation and oppression. In honoring the victims, and by lifting up 
the survivors, we bear witness to all victims of genocidal aggression 
and violence by states or transnational agents of terror.
  Unfortunately, genocide has not been eradicated. In the Sudan, the 
crisis continues. Sudan President Omar al-Bashir is currently blocking 
humanitarian and food aid to the South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei 
regions along the border of South Sudan. Military action in the region 
has prevented the Sudanese people from growing and planting food, 
threatening starvation.
  The Government of Sudan's serious human rights violations have 
continued across different parts of the country over the last decade. 
It is a tragedy, and an atrocity, and we must stand together to stop 
what is occurring.
  ``Never again'' is a declaration of personal commitment. We can do 
nothing, and nothing will change. Likewise, we can stand up, to fight 
back--to make things better. On this, the 25th Anniversary of 
Alexandria's Days of Remembrance, let us rededicate our resolve to 
ending this modern day genocide, as one of the best ways to honor those 
who perished decades ago from the inhumanity of their fellow man.

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