[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 28551-28555]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT AND HELP 
  END THE WORSENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AND GENOCIDE IN DARFUR, SUDAN

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 573) recognizing and commending the efforts of the 
United States public and advocacy groups to raise awareness about and 
help end the worsening humanitarian crisis and genocide in Darfur, 
Sudan, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 573

       Whereas the violence conducted by the Armed Forces of 
     Sudan, government-backed Janjaweed militia, and various rebel 
     factions in Darfur, Sudan, has left nearly 2,500,000 people 
     displaced from their homes and up to 400,000 civilians dead;
       Whereas despite the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement 
     on May 5, 2006, violence, death, and destruction in Darfur 
     continue unabated, threatening the lives of thousands of 
     civilians, humanitarian aid workers, United Nations 
     officials, and African Union international peacekeepers;
       Whereas on July 22, 2004, Congress declared the atrocities 
     unfolding in Darfur as genocide, and on September 9, 2004, 
     then-Secretary of State Colin Powell, in testimony before the 
     Senate Foreign Relations Committee, declared that ``genocide 
     has been committed in Darfur'', and that, ``the [G]overnment 
     of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility'';
       Whereas on April 18, 2007, President George W. Bush 
     declared at the United States Holocaust Museum, where the 
     Committee on Conscience has spent considerable efforts 
     advocating to end the genocide in Darfur, that the United 
     States has a moral obligation to help end the genocide in 
     Darfur;
       Whereas hundreds of United States faith-based, human 
     rights, humanitarian and youth-led advocacy organizations 
     have established Darfur-related campaigns since the United 
     States declaration of genocide in 2004;
       Whereas hundreds of State and local communities, schools, 
     universities, and individual citizens have mobilized and 
     organized fundraisers, campaigns, and initiatives to help end 
     the genocide in Darfur;
       Whereas over 600 chapters of anti-genocide high school, 
     college and university student organizations have been 
     established since 2004 to help end the genocide in Darfur;
       Whereas 57 United States colleges and universities, 20 
     States, ten United States cities, and eight international and 
     faith-based organizations have adopted divestment policies 
     from Sudan thus far;
       Whereas on April 30, 2006, thousands of people gathered at 
     the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to urge the United 
     States and the international community to help end the 
     genocide in Darfur;
       Whereas similar public advocacy efforts in the United 
     States to end mass human rights violations, racial 
     discrimination, and violence in Africa have not been seen 
     since the South African anti-apartheid movement;
       Whereas these aforementioned efforts have embraced the 
     slogans ``Never Again'' and ``Not On Our Watch'', reminiscent 
     of the failure of the international community to stop the 
     Holocaust and the genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda; and
       Whereas the United States has led the international 
     community's condemnation of the atrocities and violence in 
     Darfur: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes and commends the efforts of the United 
     States public and advocacy groups to raise awareness about 
     and help end the worsening humanitarian crisis and genocide 
     in Darfur, Sudan;
       (2) supports the efforts of the various local schools, 
     communities, and faith-based, human rights, humanitarian, and 
     youth-led advocacy organizations that have dedicated their 
     time and energy to help end the genocide in Darfur and to 
     promote peace, defend human rights, and improve the lives of 
     those affected in Sudan and Chad; and
       (3) urges the United States to work with its partners in 
     the international community to support a negotiated 
     settlement to the conflict in Darfur, while implementing a 
     more robust set of multilateral measures against those 
     individuals who act as obstructionists to peace in Darfur, 
     including by launching attacks against civilians, 
     humanitarian operations, or peacekeeping forces, or by 
     blocking the deployment of a credible African Union-United 
     Nations hybrid peacekeeping force.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TANNER. I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran)

[[Page 28552]]

for his efforts in this regard and to say a few words, so I will yield 
myself such time as I may consume before I recognize the gentleman from 
Virginia.
  The genocide in Darfur has taken a horrific toll on that region. Well 
over 60 percent of the villages have been destroyed, 2 million people 
displaced, 400,000 killed, and 200,000 driven into refugee camps in 
neighboring Chad.
  Thanks to the work of tens of thousands of Americans, the genocide 
has not been ignored. All over the country, local communities have been 
organizing and mobilizing with regard to this issue.
  In response to the call for divestment from Sudan, 20 States have 
adopted divestment from Sudan policies and another 20 have it under 
consideration; 58 universities and colleges have adopted policies to 
divest pension funds from Sudan and another 47 are pursuing similar 
policies.
  In addition, 10 cities, eight international and religious 
organizations and eight countries have either adopted policies or are 
in the process of so doing, while seven major international 
corporations have ceased doing business with the government in Sudan.
  While this Congress, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and 
President Bush have described atrocities in Sudan as genocide and hold 
the Sudan overwhelmingly responsible, the international community has 
yet to come together to put an end to the genocide.
  I want to commend the American people for not giving up on this 
issue. The U.N. is deploying peacekeepers. Foreign and civil society 
groups are also involved.
  Muslim pop stars from around the world recently came together at a 
charity concert for Darfur. The head of the sponsoring organization, 
Islamic Relief, said, ``British Muslims must unite and raise their 
voices over the issue of Darfur.''
  We cannot allow our voices to remain silent. Therefore, I urge all of 
our citizens and activist organizations to continue speaking out on 
Darfur and to continue pressure for economic sanctions and real 
civilian protections.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 573, which 
commends the efforts of the American people and advocacy groups to 
confront genocide in Darfur, Sudan. As the resolution notes, there has 
been no other grassroots advocacy effort in the United States aimed at 
addressing mass atrocities and human rights abuses in Africa that has 
been conducted with as much vigor since the anti-apartheid movement of 
the 1980s and 1990s.
  Mass demonstrations and protest marches have been organized. Days of 
prayer have been observed by churches, synagogues and mosques across 
the country. Countless fund-raisers for humanitarian relief have been 
conducted.
  In my own district, school children as young as the first grade 
joined in an effort to collect hundreds of toys for the children of 
Darfur, which I had the opportunity to deliver while I visited that 
war-torn region. I am extremely proud of the contributions that these 
children made and all the people in my community, for it helped bring 
some joy to the youngest victims of a modern-day genocide.
  Advocacy efforts on the Hill have also been extremely effective. 
Congressional offices have been inundated by phone calls, letters and 
visits by individuals committed to making a difference. It is due in no 
small part to the efforts of these groups that this body has considered 
10 separate bills and resolutions which seek to address conditions in 
Darfur this year, including three that will be considered today alone.
  I commend the efforts of those who have dedicated so much of their 
time and energy to raising awareness about the carnage that continues 
to unfold in Darfur, and I urge my colleagues to support this important 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. I thank my friend and colleague from Tennessee 
(Mr. Tanner).
  Mr. Speaker, the intent of this resolution is to recognize the 
outstanding work of the school, community and faith-based advocacy 
groups who, through their moral commitment and tireless efforts and 
countless hours of volunteer service, have helped bring needed 
attention to the genocide occurring in Darfur. Their efforts reflect 
the true spirit of Americans and bring hope to those who are facing 
historic atrocities halfway around the world.
  I want to particularly commend the students who are fueling this 
nationwide movement, urging action to stop genocide by educating their 
peers and holding us, their elected officials, accountable.

                              {time}  1500

  And hold us accountable they have. I recently met with students from 
an organization whose primary goal is to form a nationwide anti-
genocide coalition. This organization has more than 700 chapters, 
provides students with creative and effective organizing materials and 
policy and advocacy training. Recently, in my home State of Virginia, 
several outstanding students from the New School of Virginia held a 3-
day conference where they educated fellow students about the genocide 
in Darfur.
  I was so moved by their sincere and energetic commitment to ending 
that genocide, I invited the students to Congress, where they were led 
by Semhar Araia and Lia Parada of my staff. These high school students 
briefed Members of Congress on their efforts to put pressure on the 
Government of Sudan to stop the genocide. Having given their peers 
numerous briefings on the situation in Darfur, these students took it 
upon themselves to ask poignant, pressing questions of our colleagues. 
Their message was clear: help us save Darfur.
  Having learned that villages have been razed, women systematically 
raped and branded, men murdered, and food and water supplies destroyed, 
they are determined to make a difference, and to continue speaking up 
until their government does the right thing.
  Now, we hear slogans from our President like, ``not on our watch,'' 
and we believe that he is sincere when he says that. But our society 
continues to be witness to a crisis as devastating as Rwanda. Our youth 
can't understand why it continues today, after years of knowing what 
has been going on, tens of thousands have died, hundreds of thousands 
are displaced and living in refugee camps. More than 2 million people 
have been driven from their homes.
  And over the last few years, we've seen major changes in U.S. foreign 
policy with respect to the ongoing crisis in Darfur, but a far more 
aggressive response is still needed.
  On July 22 of 2004, Congress declared that the atrocities unfolding 
in Darfur constituted genocide. On September 9 of that year, former 
Secretary of State Colin Powell stated that ``genocide has been 
committed in Darfur and that the Government of Sudan and the janjaweed 
bear responsibility.''
  On April 18 of this year, President George Bush asserted that the 
United States has a moral obligation to help end the genocide in 
Darfur. But it still goes on.
  Had it not been for the grass-roots effort to pressure the 
administration and other national governments on this humanitarian 
crisis, I doubt we would see the United Nations African Union 
peacekeepers in Darfur.
  But we have got to do so much more. The mission is not complete. Just 
last month, on September 29, an estimated 1,000 members of a heavily 
armed Darfur rebel group overran a base in Haskanita, which is occupied 
by the African Union Mission. This ambush resulted in intense fighting 
that killed 10 peacekeepers and wounded many others; 50 soldiers are 
still missing. According to U.N. estimates, in the aftermath of the 
brutal attack, 15,000 civilians had to flee the area to neighboring 
towns or the wilderness.
  The effort and resources put into resolving this conflict pale 
compared to

[[Page 28553]]

what the President has requested for Iraq. Clearly, there's so much 
more that we as a Nation could be doing to end this crisis. The 
humanitarian situation is not improving. African Union peacekeeping 
forces are limited to only 7,000 troops. As evidenced by the attack on 
Haskanita, it is unlikely that their efforts alone will ensure any real 
meaningful progress. We've got to keep pressuring the Sudanese 
Government and build support for a larger peacekeeping force. More 
Americans need to speak out day in, day out, like these students are. 
We cannot continue to allow the raping, the massacreing, the 
displacement of people to continue. These students are asking us to 
hear them, to act, and to bring to bear the strength of the nations of 
the world to address this conflict.
  That's why I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this resolution 
that recognizes those who have selflessly devoted themselves to raising 
awareness of the crisis in Darfur.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield as much time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern).
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman for yielding 
me the time and for his leadership on so many issues advocating human 
rights, but especially the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
  I also want to thank Congressman Jim Moran for introducing this 
resolution that recognizes and commends the outstanding work carried 
out by dozens of national organizations and literally thousands of 
local groups across the country to educate Americans and motivate them 
to take action on ending the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
  Mr. Speaker, on April 28, 2006, my House colleagues, Representatives 
Moran of Virginia, Tom Lantos, John Olver and Sheila Jackson-Lee, 
joined me for a protest in front of the Sudanese embassy here in 
Washington as part of a larger effort organized by religious, student, 
and human rights groups to focus the country's attention on the 
genocide in Darfur. All of us were arrested and many of us joined 
thousands of our fellow citizens 2 days later for the national rally on 
the Mall to stop the genocide in Darfur.
  I brought my two children, Patrick and Molly, to that rally so that 
they could listen to the speeches, see the great diversity of people 
united in effort, and meet so many of the young people and students who 
have been engaged in the cause of ending genocide.
  I happen to be especially blessed, Mr. Speaker, in having 13 colleges 
and universities in the Third Congressional District of Massachusetts, 
an engaged religious community of many faiths and school districts that 
believe in debating the serious issues of the day inside the 
classrooms. I had been hearing and learning about the humanitarian 
crisis in Darfur for months from elementary school, middle school, high 
school and college students, from religious leaders and community 
groups, from the Armenian American community in Worcester, and from 
local human rights and refugee advocates.
  When I stood with my colleague in front of the Sudanese embassy, I 
was there not just to protest the genocide, but to honor the broad 
coalition of voices that works every day, that works day after day, 
week after week and year after year to end the violence, the terror, 
the humanitarian crisis, the genocide in Darfur. Among these are the 
Save Darfur Coalition, STAND, ENOUGH, and the Genocide Intervention 
Network.
  Since the national rally on the Mall a little over a year and a half 
ago, these groups have continued to raise the awareness of the American 
people. Over the April recess, I had the privilege of traveling to 
eastern Chad to meet some of the 300,000 refugees from Darfur living in 
camps along the Chad-Sudan border. I spent several days with 
representatives from UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Food Program, Oxfam, 
ICRC, Catholic Relief Services, Doctors Without Borders and so many 
others whose lives and work are completely focused on responding to the 
humanitarian crisis. I cannot possibly express in words the respect and 
admiration I have for them and all the other NGOs working inside Darfur 
and in Chad and the Central African Republic with the nearly 3 million 
people displaced from their homes by the violence in Darfur.
  Mr. Speaker, today we are considering three bills on Darfur: this 
one, that recognizes and commends the work of advocacy groups and other 
NGOs who raise awareness and are working to help end the genocide in 
Darfur; another resolution introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro 
about the need to protect the women and girls of Darfur from acts of 
rape and sexual violence that have become commonplace in this conflict; 
and, a third, condemning in the strongest terms the attacks on 
September 29 on the African Union peacekeepers.
  Mr. Speaker, the genocide goes on. The humanitarian crisis persists. 
This morning's Washington Post speaks to the fact that the United 
States and the international community speak with passion, but 
accomplish little in ending the violence in Darfur. This week another 
peace conference on Darfur is under way in Libya, except all the 
parties to the conflict are not present. We must do more, Mr. Speaker, 
or we will be here 1 year from now, once again bemoaning the killing, 
the violence, and the terror. The time for action is now.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I am now pleased to yield as much time as 
she might consume to the gentlelady from the District of Columbia (Ms. 
Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I 
appreciate the work of Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Moran, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, those 
who have brought forward a number of resolutions on Darfur. And there's 
a reason, I think, we're seeing a confluence of new concern.
  This is not the kind of resolution one comes to the floor and says 
I'm proud to be a cosponsor. It is more in the nature, Mr. Speaker, of 
an emergency resolution designed to make sure we don't go to sleep on 
Darfur while the genocide continues.
  There are so many things that the world community has done, that the 
President has done, that NGOs have done; and, yet, here we are with the 
genocide in place in Darfur. The message is, we haven't done enough, 
therefore.
  I am among those who have been arrested in front of the embassy. 
Well, the whole point there was to call attention to Darfur, and that 
was at least more than a year ago, not to mention all that has happened 
all around the world.
  I want to call special attention to the most defenseless victims of 
the genocide, and those are women who are the victims of rape as 
individuals, and mass sexual violence of various kinds. The mores of 
this society may mean that the women in society were more accustomed to 
being protected by the men. If those were the mores, that, of course, 
protection is long gone because of the genocide against the men.
  So what we have often is a society of women and children defenseless 
against what appears to be interminable genocide. Just 2 months ago, 
there was yet another report of mass rapings, dozens of women. It seems 
to be a modus operandi. When the attacks are made, single out the women 
after the attacks for rape. The large attacks on the camp bespeak 
continuing genocide.
  What is perhaps most pitiful is that the women continue to do what 
women in developing societies have always done, to be the wood 
gatherers of the society, to go out and gather the wood that is 
necessary to do the cooking and, indeed, to live. There are fire wood 
patrols that must go with these women, and still the rape continues. 
The lack of resources for these patrols, the lack of communication and 
organization for these patrols means that emergency conditions for 
women and children continue.
  The hybrid force for Darfur is not even scheduled to be on the ground 
until next year. The shame of it all, that the mass rape is often 
committed by members of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the militias, and 
that we've been able to do nothing about it, means that we have an 
obligation to raise our voices about mass rape and abuse of women that 
is now well documented.

[[Page 28554]]

  Finally, Mr. Speaker, bear in mind, these are women with no recourse 
except our raising our own voices. No recourse whatsoever. And consider 
that after the rape of such women, which is often shameful enough even 
in a society like ours so the women don't even want to come forward and 
speak about it, these women often are seen as women who've had sexual 
intercourse outside of marriage and are open to the crime of Xena or 
such an offense which would be 100 lashes in addition to the 
humiliation they have already suffered.
  The ultimate victims, of course, are the children who result from 
pregnancy of these women, the janjaweed child, this often is called, 
and there that child sits outside of the society, outside of what is 
normally done as a matter of course for children.
  I hope this resolution begins to put Darfur, its genocide and 
especially its treatment of women and children, on the front burner 
once again.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, today, the House is considering-three 
critically important resolutions related to the world's worst ongoing 
humanitarian disaster--the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.
  The first is H. Res. 573, which recognizes and commends the efforts 
of U.S. advocacy groups to raise awareness about and help end the 
worsening crisis in Darfur. These groups remind us daily, through their 
media campaigns and grassroots efforts, that the international 
community has a responsibility to unite and stop crimes against 
humanity--and that we must learn from past failures to do so--in 
Rwanda, Bosnia, and elsewhere.
  The second is H. Res. 740, which condemns the brutal attack on 
African Union peacekeepers that occurred in Haskanita, Darfur, 1 month 
ago today. This violent act, carried out by rebels, took the lives of 
10 peacekeepers--7 Nigerians and 3 other soldiers from Mali, Senegal, 
and Botswana. It reminds us that there are many guilty parties in the 
violence in Darfur, and that we must reinforce our support for the 
courageous African Union soldiers--who indeed fight not for their own 
countries, but for humanity.
  Finally, the House will vote today on H. Res. 726, a resolution 
calling on the President and the international community to take 
immediate steps to respond to and prevent acts of rape and sexual 
violence against the most innocent of Darfur's victims--young girls and 
women. I was asked to cosponsor this important resolution by my friend 
and colleague Brad Miller, who traveled with me to Darfur in April. 
There we saw things we will never forget--children orphaned by genocide 
and women who had experienced unspeakable personal traumas. We learned 
that the heartbreaking reality of life in Darfur today means women risk 
being raped when doing things as simple as collecting firewood. This 
resolution addresses this horrific reality by authorizing grants to 
help the women and girls of Darfur and calling for prosecution of those 
who have carried out such hideously inhumane acts.
  I am proud that the U.S. House of Representatives is putting itself 
on record with these resolutions--as an institution that will not stand 
idly by while the world's worst humanitarian disaster continues to 
unfold. While these resolutions are not a panacea to the heart-rending 
conflict in Darfur, we know from experience that continual pressure on 
those who take part in such violent, inhumane actions brings us closer 
to a solution.
  That solution must be multi-faceted. It includes not only full and 
speedy implementation of the United Nations/African Union hybrid 
peacekeeping force, but also international support for a single, 
unified peacemaking process. I am extremely disappointed to learn that 
multiple rebel leaders have chosen violence over peace and declined to 
participate in the current talks in Libya, but I am hopeful that the 
representatives that are there--including the representatives of the 
Government of Sudan--will make progress toward a ceasefire and a viable 
political solution for this ravaged land. Finally, and equally 
important, a solution in Darfur must include a sustained and secure 
role for the courageous humanitarian workers, who risk their lives 
daily because they are so committed to alleviating the suffering of 
their fellow human beings.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support these 
three resolutions.
  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about a human tragedy that 
affects the lives of millions of innocent individuals. The barbarism in 
the Darfur region of Sudan continues despite international calls for a 
cessation of violence. Lives continue to be lost and hope for peace 
remains distant.
  On July 4 of 2004, the 109th Congress declared that genocide was 
occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. Over 3 years later, the 
violence continues. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their 
lives. An estimated 2.2 million people have been forced from their 
homes.
  Today the House will consider three resolutions related to Darfur. It 
is my hope that this body will continue to focus on this humanitarian 
crisis until the genocide comes to an end. H. Res. 573 recognizes and 
commends the efforts of the United States public and advocacy groups to 
raise awareness about and help end the worsening humanitarian crisis 
and genocide in Darfur. The responsibility to help end this 
humanitarian crisis is part of the values that make us American. It is 
in the best spirit of our country, and it is part of the leadership 
that we should bring to the world. We must continue to work together as 
one to bring this conflict to an end.
  The second resolution, H. Res. 756, condemns rape and sexual violence 
against women and girls in Darfur, Sudan, eastern Chad and the Central 
African Republic. The violence and inhuman experiences perpetrated upon 
the people of Darfur and the surrounding region have been particularly 
terrible for women. This resolution urges the President to take an 
active role in providing victims of sexual abuse with medical and legal 
support. It also calls on fellow members of the United Nations to 
sanction the Sudan for any non-compliance to bring known perpetrators 
to justice. We cannot be silent while innocent women and girls suffer 
such cruelty.
  The final resolution, H. Res. 740, condemns the attacks made on 
African Union Peacekeepers in the Darfurian village of Haskanita on 
September 29, 2007. This violent act took the lives of 10 
peacekeepers--7 Nigerians and 3 other soldiers from Mali, Senegal, and 
Botswana. These attacks are unacceptable and detrimental to the peace 
effort but should not deter the conviction of the African Union or the 
international community to bring peace and security to the region.
  The displacement of millions of people as well as the rape and murder 
of hundreds of thousands cannot be tolerated by the United States or 
any country that holds freedom and democracy as sacred values. The 
ongoing events in Darfur constitute the worst ongoing humanitarian 
disaster in the world. We must do everything we can to bring it to an 
end.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, the deplorable situation in Darfur has 
united the world in outrage over the atrocities being committed there. 
Through the efforts of motivated individuals and advocacy groups, the 
situation in Darfur has been brought to the forefront of public 
consciousness.
  These people have worked tirelessly in raising awareness about the 
situation in Darfur and calling for an end to the genocide. Around the 
country, throughout Virginia and across the 6th District of Virginia, I 
have seen first hand the dedication and commitment of these individuals 
in calling on leaders, from around the world, to speak out against the 
horrendous events in Darfur. In fact, it was often their 
humanitarianism and commitment to peace in Darfur that encouraged 
nations to speak out against what was happening in Sudan and take 
action.
  It is no surprise to me that the citizens of the United States have 
taken such an active role in condemning the actions taking place in 
Sudan. After all as a Nation dedicated to freedom and the rights of the 
individual, the United States and its citizens have a responsibility to 
speak out when those rights are violated, whether at home or abroad. 
The work of these groups is a true testament to the values of our 
country.
  The goodwill of these individuals and groups in raising global 
awareness is instrumental in helping to end the genocide in Darfur. I 
am glad that we in Congress have risen today to commend these groups 
and thank them for their service. We thank all the various local 
schools, communities, faith-based, human rights, humanitarian, and 
youth-led advocacy organizations that have dedicated their time and 
energy to help end the genocide in Darfur, to promote peace there, and 
to defend human rights. We must continue to work together and do more 
to bring an end to the genocide in Darfur.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
573, a resolution that recognizes the tremendous efforts put forth by 
public advocacy groups to raise awareness and help end the worsening 
crisis in Darfur.
  My district is home to many of these advocates, who work tirelessly 
to inform their neighbors and bring greater attention to this 
humanitarian emergency. Their work to end the genocide in Darfur is a 
critical part of our combined effort to stop the violence and the 
bloodshed that has claimed entire families.
  In this time of international conflict, it is so important for us to 
educate and inform our

[[Page 28555]]

neighbors about what we can do to help those in need. I am thankful for 
all of the people in my district who are working toward a peaceful 
resolution in Darfur. Their dedication to this cause is singular in its 
commitment, and I am deeply grateful for their contributions.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 573 and 
to commend grassroots and advocacy groups across the country for their 
powerful voices and invaluable efforts to raise awareness about the 
deepening humanitarian crisis in Darfur. This resolution will honor 
these groups for their hard work and urge the government to use its 
influence to halt the killing of innocent people in Darfur. Local 
communities continue to insist that the international community honor 
its responsibility to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur. We must heed 
their message, because it is one we cannot afford to ignore.
  As a member of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, 
the Congressional, the Human Rights Caucus, and the Congressional Sudan 
Caucus, I share their immediate concern that our country must do 
everything it can to end the genocide in Darfur. More than 2.5 million 
Darfurians have been displaced from their homes and as many as 400,000 
Darfurians have needlessly died over the last four years as a result of 
violence, hunger, and disease.
  The tragic events unfolding in Darfur have been felt intensely by 
local communities across the world. The strongest efforts to end the 
genocide will grow from the concerns of American citizens who can no 
longer sit quietly by while the atrocities in Sudan continue unabated. 
I am proud to represent the people of California's Sixth Congressional 
District, who are among the people most involved in stopping the 
genocide in Darfur since the crisis started.
  Dear Sudan, now an international movement, began in my hometown of 
Petaluma in 2004. Their goal was to raise enough money from citizens of 
Petaluma to feed the refugees from Darfur for one day. Dear Sudan, Love 
Petaluma was so successful that other communities began organizing 
first locally, then spread across the Nation, and recently founded 
chapters in other countries across the world.
  Dear Sudan, Love Marin has hosted educational forums and worked to 
develop a broad coalition of religious and community groups, 
encompassing the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Another group, Marin 
Interfaith, has been instrumental in spreading the message about the 
ongoing genocide to the religious community at large.
  Additionally, students throughout the Sixth District have organized 
under Save Darfur, other national organizations, or on their own to 
help raise awareness for the crisis in Darfur by planning educational 
forums, rallying, and washing cars to raise funds for refugees. Just 
this past weekend, a student group in Santa Rosa held a car wash at a 
local market, and this December, a group of students from Terra Linda 
High School are planning a half-day conference on the genocide.
  Groups like these demonstrate the best elements of our Nation, where 
people can come together to work for change in the world. It is with 
their energy and passion in mind that we must renew our commitment to 
end the genocide in Darfur.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Tanner) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 573, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TANNER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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