In Recognition of the Work of Human Rights Advocate John P. Salzberg, PH.D.

IN RECOGNITION OF THE WORK OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE JOHN P. SALZBERG, PH.D. -- HON. BETTY McCOLLUM (Extensions of Remarks - February 28, 2006)
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Salzberg, Ph.D., as he retires from his lifelong work of promoting human rights around the world.

* Thousands of torture survivors and human rights advocates around the world are forever indebted to the tireless work of Mr. Salzberg throughout his 30-year career in the field of human rights. John Salzberg completed his doctoral dissertation in human rights in 1973 from New York University. Following his education, John spent several years working for former Congressman Don Fraser, D-MN, as staff on the House Subcommittee on International Organizations. In this capacity, John Salzberg aided in the groundbreaking work on human rights undertaken by Congressman Fraser, which led to the creation of a Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in the State Department in 1976. John traveled with Congressman Fraser on what was the first official human rights investigation mission to South Korea and Indonesia in the late 1970s. In addition, while working for Congressman Fraser, John assisted in the drafting of the legislation which mandated the annual human rights report now issued by the State Department each year.

* After working for Congressman Fraser, John went on to work at that same Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs for 4 years, to ensure it fulfilled the mission intended by Congressman Fraser's legislation.

* Most recently, John used his knowledge of the legislative and policy process, and his dedication to justice and equality, as an advocate for the Center for Victims of Torture. John began working for the Center for Victims of Torture in 1992, first as a volunteer and then as its representative on Capitol Hill. As an advocate for victims of torture, John was a major force behind the drafting, promotion and eventual passage of the Torture Victims Relief Act

in 1998, and its reauthorization in 2005. This legislation provides needed resources to centers and organizations around the world that work to assist victims of torture in their rehabilitation and in rebuilding their lives.

* John is a soft-spoken, humble, and extremely effective man dedicated to seeing an end to human rights abuses in the world. In his retirement, the human rights community is losing a true champion. Thank you, John Salzberg, for your 30 years of service on behalf of the millions of victims of cruel and inhumane human rights abuses around the world.

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