Tom Lantos: “I am here today as a cosponsor of the International Disability and Victims Land Mine Act of 2001. Land mine victims can…”

“I am here today as a cosponsor of the International Disability and Victims Land Mine Act of 2001. Land mine victims can no longer wait for assistance to regain their lives. Every year, thousands of people are killed or maimed as a result of land mine explosions. Those who survive these disastrous experiences will forever suffer devastating injuries: a farmer who was plowing his field loses his legs and will no longer be able to provide food for his community; a mother who has lost her arms will no longer be able to carry water to her children and her family, and the carefree days of playing with friends are stolen from the child who is a victim of a land mine explosion. People in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Thailand, Angola, and numerous other countries throughout the world have had their lives destroyed as a result of land mines.”