[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 24293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                PEOPLE OF SUDAN DESERVE TO LIVE IN PEACE

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, as conflict rages in the Middle East and the 
world's attention is drawn to the crisis, it is vital that we do not 
forget other peoples around the world who suffer extreme violence.
  One Sudanese man recently said, ``We feel in Sudan that the world 
condemns us to die. Why? Our situation the world sees for 18 years, but 
no one seems to see help. We need mercy.''
  A number of Members of Congress have stood on the House floor to 
describe the horrors occurring in Sudan. Yet, for some reason, this 
administration believes that the issue of Sudan ``is not marketable to 
the American people.''
  Why in the world are we ignoring the plight of millions of Muslims, 
Christians, and those of tribal religions whose homes, places of 
worship, and schools are being bombed? What kind of civilized 
government bombs a clearly marked hospital or church?
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Sudan deserve to live in peace. Our 
administration must ensure that food aid is not used as a weapon by the 
Khartoum government against the people of the South and we must support 
the IGAD peace process.

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