Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2005
TORTURE VICTIMS RELIEF REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 17, 2005)
SPEECH OF
HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY
OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2005
* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2017). The Torture Victims Relief Act (TVRA) has provided critical support to thousands of survivors of torture since it was first authorized in 1999. The sad fact is that torture is still used by governments around the world and the need for the bill is as pronounced as ever. With revelations of the U.S.'s own use of torture making waves around the world, we can ill afford to take a step back in the field of torture treatment.
* The United States must renew its commitment against the use of torture. And it must support efforts to ease the pain and suffering of those living in parts of the world where there are no other resources--not to mention political motivation--to help survivors of torture.
* Currently, 27 programs in 17 states including Illinois receive assistance for torture treatment in the U.S. Treatment provided by these programs enables survivors of torture to recover their lives and become productive members of their communities. Many of these centers, including the center in Illinois, also train mainstream professionals. This increases the ability of health care providers, attorneys, leaders of faith, and others, to provide for the special needs of torture victims and contribute to the. prevention of torture.
* The TVRA is at work in my district, supporting the work of the Marjorie Kovler Center of Heartland Alliance. The Center provides medical, mental health and social services to more than 300 torture survivors every year. While these services are provided for people across the state and into Indiana and Wisconsin, the Center receives more referrals from my Congressional district than any other. These individuals make their way to our community at great personal cost. They come seeking safety, only to be confronted with the difficulties of adjusting to life in the United States. They each carry a heavy burden from the trauma they have suffered, and many would not become the productive members of the community that they want to be if it not for the services supported by the TVRA.
* In addition to the people in my district that the Center serves, I am proud to say that dozens of my constituents volunteer and work at the Marjorie Kovler Center. I have had the opportunity to meet many of them at events in the district over the past several years and am aware of their skill and commitment. The fact is that volunteer and in-kind donations worth more than $400,000 annually leverage funds from the TVRA spent in my district. This amounts to a one-to-one match of Federal funds provided by my community.
* For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support the Torture Victim Relief Reauthorization Act, and I urge my colleagues to support funding for torture treatment centers.
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