[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 172 (Tuesday, January 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                2013 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 1, 2013

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the provisions of the 
2013 National Defense Authorization Act that ban the overseas transport 
of a minor for the purposes of female genital mutilation, or FGM.
  This language mirrors the bipartisan Girls Protection Act, 
legislation I authored and introduced in the 111th and 112th 
Congresses.
  FGM is an issue that isn't always easy to talk about, and one that 
has gone on for far too long. According to the World Health 
Organization, up to 2 million girls--or 6,000 per day--are threatened 
with FGM each year. Here in the United States, studies indicate that 
all too many girls are under similar threat. The United Nations says 
that FGM is an ``irreparable, irreversible abuse'' inflicted on women 
and girls.
  I couldn't agree more. So, when some New Yorkers approached me three 
years ago and told me that girls from my own city were being 
transported overseas where they were forced to undergo FGM, I knew we 
needed to take action. Since FGM is illegal in the United States, it 
should be illegal to transport a minor overseas for the same purpose.
  This provision addresses the issue by putting law enforcement on the 
side of girls. If signed into law, it will never again be acceptable, 
or legal, to transport a minor from the United States to another 
country for the purposes of FGM. It will also be illegal to conspire to 
transport a minor abroad for the purposes of FGM. In fact, if this bill 
is signed into law, those actions will be a crime. The intent of this 
legislation is clear--if you plan or participate in the transportation 
of a minor abroad for so that the minor can undergo FGM, you will have 
committed a criminal act.
  The days of impunity for FGM are now over. Girls who may feel under 
threat, and families and communities who seek to protect girls from 
being transported overseas for FGM, will be able to turn to law 
enforcement for help.
  Clearly, there is much more that must be done to address FGM. We need 
to fund culturally-appropriate outreach and education efforts. We need 
to work with counselors, teachers and medical providers to ensure they 
know to help prevent FGM. We need to do everything we can to empower 
girls. And, efforts should be carried out in consultation with 
communities where FGM may be prevalent, many of whom have already 
stepped forward to renounce the practice of FGM. I believe that 
ultimately these types of efforts are equally as important as 
instituting a ban on FGM, and we must work to make them a reality here 
in the United States.

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