Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004

COMPREHENSIVE PEACE IN SUDAN ACT OF 2004 -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 24, 2004)

Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 2781, the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004.

There can be no mistake that the situation in Darfur constitutes a massive humanitarian disaster. There is indisputable evidence from Members of Congress, international observers and non-governmental organizations that thousands of people have been killed, countless numbers of women and girls have been raped, and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. Lives remain in danger as water and food is scarce and the potential of a cholera outbreak is very real. It is imperative that the United States and the international community become more actively engaged in this issue-we should not allow the human suffering to continue a day longer.

The Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act is a significant measure designed to aid the suffering in Darfur while holding the perpetrators of these atrocities responsible for their actions. The Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act authorizes hundreds of millions of dollars for humanitarian development and refugee assistance. At the same time, this legislation blocks the U.S. assets of complicit senior officials of the Sudanese government and seeks to prevent the travel of Sudanese government officials to the U.S. until demonstrated human rights protections are in place.

The provisions in the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act are necessary steps toward ending the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, but they are far from sufficient. The U.S. and the international community must maintain pressure on the Sudanese government to end the violence immediately and unconditionally.

I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress and the international community to end the genocide in Darfur and bring peace and stability to the Sudanese people.