[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           GENOCIDE IN SUDAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise once again to condemn the genocide 
that is taking place in Darfur, Sudan and to voice my support for the 
individuals and organizations throughout the United States who work 
tirelessly to stop this crime against humanity. I would like to 
recognize the ``Teens Against Genocide'' organization--also known as 
``TAG,'' in particular, for its efforts in Los Angeles, California.
  Among many other events, TAG has joined with religious, advocacy, and 
charity groups in the area to organize ``Camp Darfur.'' Camp Darfur is 
an ``interactive awareness and education event that [brings] attention 
to the ongoing genocide in Darfur and [gives] individuals the 
opportunity to discover their own power to make a difference.''
  On April 7, 2006, Camp Darfur first opened in Lennox, California, on 
the sports field of Lennox Middle School adjacent to LAX. In addition, 
TAG organized a rally and brought Camp Darfur to Westwood, California 
last Sunday, April 23, 2006. Through candlelight vigils, interactive 
presentations, video, photography, speeches from experts, legislators, 
and educators, simulated refugee camp exercises, the groups joining TAG 
are expanding the awareness of the atrocities taking place in Sudan to 
bring about peace. It is even more significant that teens are 
undertaking such mature efforts of advocacy for issues in which they 
truly believe.
  I applaud these young adults and organizations and would like to let 
the American people know that Camp Darfur will be brought from Los 
Angeles to Washington, DC in the near future. We must offer our 
continued support for these efforts and others in order to bring about 
action. In fact, this coming Sunday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m. in front of 
the Capitol, the ``Save Darfur Coalition'' will hold the ``Rally to 
Stop Genocide.'' The murder, rape, and torture that have occurred--and 
still occur--in Sudan must stop.
  In July of 2004, the House of Representatives and the Senate declared 
that the atrocities occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan constituted 
genocide. On September 9, 2004, Secretary of State Colin Powell 
declared that ``genocide has been committed in Darfur, and that the 
government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility.'' It is 
estimated that 200,000 people were killed by government forces and 
militias from 2003 through 2004, and an additional 200,000 people died 
as a result of the deliberate destruction of their homes and 
livelihoods.
  Nevertheless, almost two years later, these atrocities continue 
unabated. The government of Sudan continues to carry out air strikes 
against civilians in Darfur, and the Janjaweed militias, with the 
support of the government, continue to terrorize the people of Darfur.
  Earlier this year, I traveled to Sudan as part of a bipartisan 
congressional delegation led by my good friend from California, 
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. We visited the camps. As far as the eyes 
could see, there were crowds of displaced people who had been driven 
from their homes, living literally on the ground with little tarps just 
covering them. It is unconscionable that this should continue.
  Our delegation also met with Sudanese Vice President Taha. He was 
unapologetic, he was arrogant, and he was uncompromising on their 
position in Darfur. Sudanese government officials don't like the use of 
the word ``genocide,'' but Vice President Taha admitted that they had 
funded the Janjaweed in order to retaliate against the rebels of the 
south who were resisting the Sudanese government.
  There can be no doubt that what is taking place in Darfur is 
genocide, and the government of Sudan is responsible. There are two 
million displaced people in camps in Darfur and another 200,000 in 
camps in neighboring Chad. Each month, it is estimated that another 
6,000 people die.
  On April 5, 2006, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3127, the 
Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. This bill imposes sanctions on the 
government of Sudan and blocks the assets and restricts travel for 
individuals who are responsible for acts of genocide, war crimes or 
crimes against humanity in Darfur. I urged my colleagues to support 
this bill, which passed the House by an overwhelming vote of 416 to 3. 
This legislation was long overdue.
  The world stood by and watched the genocide that occurred in Rwanda. 
The world has noted over and over again the atrocities of the 
Holocaust. Yet we cannot seem to get the international community to 
move fast enough to stop the genocide that is taking place in Darfur.
  The world cannot continue to turn a blind eye to genocide when it is 
staring us in the face. We must put an end to these atrocities, or 
millions more will die.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to encourage and support the work 
done by advocacy groups such as Teens Against Genocide and to continue 
legislative action to stop these crimes against humanity.

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