[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7804-7805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 1462, THE INTERNATIONAL DISABILITIES AND VICTIMS 
           OF WARFARE AND CIVIL STRIFE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing H.R. 1462, the 
International Disabilities and Victims of Warfare and Civil Strife 
Assistance Act of 2003. Mr. Speaker, as we speak thousands of young men 
and women in our Armed Forces are beginning the long process of 
transforming Iraq and the entire Middle East by risking their lives in 
the desert plains before Baghdad. These brave members of our Armed 
Forces are facing many threats--threats from Iraqi's Fedayeen, who 
violate international humanitarian law by pretending to surrender and 
then attacking our troops, from weapons of mass destruction and from 
landmines. Mr. Speaker, I understand that already many of our 
casualties are related to these devices or have injuries similar to 
those inflicted by these weapons.

  The bill I am introducing today is intended to help those who face 
identical injuries. The suffering of individuals with disabilities and 
the innocent victims of landmines, civil strife and warfare--men, women 
and children who often lead shattered lives--transcends any politics. 
An often-difficult life in the developing world is instantly made 
nearly impossible, for example, as a landmine indiscriminately 
transforms a productive member of a village, an irreplaceable provider 
for a family, a child hoping for a better life, a young woman looking 
forward to marriage and children, into a crippled, demoralized person 
who is often shunned as a liability by his or her society. Persons with 
disabilities--either from birth, accidents, civil strife or other 
means--are marginalized, often without any hope of leading useful and 
productive lives.

  The United States provides some assistance for rehabilitation and 
societal reintegration of individuals suffering from disabilities and 
landmine victims, but so much more needs to be done; currently, only 
about 10 percent of U.S. assistance to address the landmine problem 
actually helps survivors.

  The International Disabilities and Victims of Warfare and Civil 
Strife Assistance Act of 2003 grants the President new statutory 
authority to conduct international disability and landmine victim 
programs, primarily through private organizations; authorizes and 
coordinates related activities of appropriate U.S. agencies; and 
authorizes increased funding levels for such programs. Let me make one 
additional point, Mr. Speaker, this bill is not about questions 
regarding the ban on landmines. It is simply a humanitarian measure 
designed to help the innocent men, women and children who face 
disabilities throughout their lives.

  I want to thank my cosponsor and cochairman of the Congressional 
Human Rights Caucus, my good friend from Virginia, Frank

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Wolf for making this bipartisan legislation, as well as the Senate 
cosponsors, Senator Sam Brownback and Senator Hillary Clinton, who have 
been leaders in this area.
  I urge swift consideration and enactment of this legislation.