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Protect Democracy in Burma Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: March 18, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

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Ms. TENNEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their leadership.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1112 and H. Res. 134. Both of these bills support democracy and stand with the people of Burma, also known as Myanmar.

New York's 22nd District is home to more than 4,000 Burmese refugees and new Burmese-American citizens. They have been coming to our region for over 20 years. They are demanding action and a return to civilian rule in Burma. I stand with them and all of my colleagues in condemning the atrocious human rights abuses that are taking place at the hands of the military coup last month.

I am honored to be an original cosponsor on both of these bills on Burma as a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, where they received strong bipartisan support. Though these bills will not solve the problem in Burma, this will provide continued pressure on the military and a strong unified international condemnation will add to that. However, these bills are a very important step in the right direction.

The Burmese refugees and American citizens I represent in New York's 22nd District remain resolute in support of their friends and families who are suffering through this tragic process. In Utica, for example, they continue to advocate peacefully and protest in solidarity with those in their home country, displaying signs that read: ``Save Democracy, Save Burma.''

The passion and courage of the Burmese people both in my district and in Burma is inspiring. I am honored to provide a voice for them in this august body.

Madam Speaker, I urge all to remain committed to the Burmese people's quest for democracy and to oppose the assault on their free and fair government.

Again, I thank Chairman Meeks, Ranking Member McCaul, and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly) for being so strong on this initiative. It is critically important to the Burmese refugees in my community.

To the citizens: We stand with you.

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