[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 46 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E329-E330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF THE SYRIAN WAR

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ADAM KINZINGER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2018

  Mr. KINZINGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 7th anniversary 
of the beginning of the Syrian War.
  Since the conflict began in 2011, over 500,000 Syrians have been 
killed, including 50,000 children by the murderous dictator Bashar al-
Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers. These brutal regimes not 
only target civilians with their artillery strikes, but the Assad 
regime continues to use chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, to 
kill his own citizens with impunity.
  Over the last 7 years, over 30 chemical weapons attacks have taken 
place in Syria. Bashar al Assad has used these chemical weapons in 
clear violation of international law, and against countless resolutions 
by the United Nations Security Council. The world

[[Page E330]]

has seen the heartbreaking images of children gasping for their lives, 
body bags lining the streets, and horrific videos of these chemical 
weapon attacks. We cannot turn a blind eye to the genocide before us.
  The situation in Syria today is devastating with no signs of 
immediate improvement. As I have said before, in order to prevent the 
rise of the next generation of terrorists and killers, we must ensure 
that Bashar al-Assad is removed from power. I believe the United States 
of America was put on this Earth to be an example of self-governance 
and order in a world drowning in strongmen, oppression, and poverty.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for the United States to exert leadership in 
Syria. If we fail to act and if we fail to lead, we are failing 
humanity. Failing to act in Syria is a failure on us all. We must learn 
from history, learn from past mistakes, and take action as a global 
leader for freedom and hope. Stopping Assad's genocide in Syria is part 
of our mission statement, and I will continue to do what I can in 
support of that mission. I urge my colleagues to join me in doing the 
same.

                          ____________________