On September 13, the House International Relations Committee approved nineteen measures en bloc, by voice vote, including a bill to promote security and relief efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), S. 2125 would establish as a U.S. policy objective ending the high rates of sexual abuse and violence perpetrated against women and children in the DRC. The Senate approved the bill on June 29 (seeThe Source, 6/30/06).
Legislation establishing two new aid programs for Haiti also was approved. Sponsored by Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), H.R. 611 would create an economic and infrastructure reconstruction program, as well as a health care assistance program for the prevention of infectious diseases. Under the bill, skilled professionals, preferably Haitian-Americans, would be funded to work in these programs. Noting the high percentages of undernourished children and HIV/AIDS infections in the population, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) applauded the partnership of Americans and Haitians working together to improve the conditions of people living in abject poverty there. An amendment by Rep. Lantos (D-CA) that would establish a scholarship program for Haitian students was approved as well.
Several resolutions were approved, including a resolution condemning the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed militias for acts of genocide against civilians. H. Res. 723, sponsored by Rep. Lantos, cites UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s statement that thousands of Darfur residents still are being murdered, raped, and driven from their homes. The resolution urges the president to take immediate action to improve the security situation, with special attention to civilian protection.
Also approved were H. Res. 759, sponsored by Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL), which calls on Japan to formally acknowledge its role in enslaving young women for the purpose of sexual servitude during the Japanese occupation of Asia and the Pacific in the 1930s and World War II; and H. Con. Res. 317, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), requesting the president to issue an annual proclamation for the observance of “Global Family Day, One Day of Peace and Sharing.”
