Human Rights Commission

Floor Speech

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Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Speaker Boehner for
appointing me to serve as the Republican cochair of the Tom Lantos
Human Rights Commission. It is a great honor to serve as a voice
defending the rights of people worldwide to live free of repression and
violence.

I have served as a member of the Commission since its establishment
following the passing of our dear colleague Congressman Lantos. A
Holocaust survivor, he understood what it was like to live under the
thumb of a brutal and oppressive regime.

While we vowed ``never again,'' today, hundreds of millions of people
worldwide live under governments that restrict the rights of free
speech and religious expression--regimes that persecute minorities,
women, and children.

We are blessed to live in a country where individual rights are
protected and cherished. Despite our differences, Democrats and
Republicans work hand in hand to protect these rights at home and
expand them worldwide.

I am particularly honored to share the leadership of the Commission
with Congressman McGovern. We have worked together to promote human
rights for many years now, and I think there is much we can accomplish
together.

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