[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PREVENTING CHILD MARRIAGE IN DISPLACED POPULATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 10, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
2140, the ``Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2019.''
  H.R. 2140 calls for an adoption by the United Nations of a definition 
of ``child marriage'' and develop a comprehensive strategy through the 
United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to address 
child marriage in refugee settlements administered by the United 
Nations.
  Child marriage occurs when a formal marriage or informal union takes 
place in which at least one person is younger than age 18.
  Illegal child marriage arises when a formal marriage or informal 
union involving at least one person younger than age 18 that is illegal 
under the laws of the country in which the child marriage occurs.
  It is critical that we better understand the presence of child 
marriages within refugee settlements in order to assess how they 
intersect with the rates of violence against girls including young 
children and infants.
  This bill calls upon the United Nations to adopt a comprehensive 
strategy including:
  Collecting and reporting data related to the number of known or 
suspected child marriages taking place inside each such settlement;
  Protocols for United Nations personnel regarding prevention and 
monitoring of child marriages inside each such settlement;
  A description of programs administered at such settlements that 
provide--
  (A) physical, mental, and emotional rehabilitation and support to 
children who have extricated themselves from child marriage; and
  (B) alternatives to child marriage, such as education initiatives; 
and
  Protocols regarding how United Nations personnel should--
  (A) report adults participating in illegal child marriages in each 
such settlement;
  (B) monitor the prosecution of such adults by the authorities of the 
country in which the 2 settlement at issue is located.
  When enacted, H.R. 2140 will develop a framework in gaining data on 
child marriages globally as well as create effective strategies to 
combat them in refugee settlements.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 
2140 to confront child marriages which pose a strong threat to young 
children especially girls living within these settlements.

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