This is an unacceptable way to treat an opposition leader.

The Nazarbayev regime has employed authoritarian methods to threaten and silence the witnesses who will testify today.

A fundamental component of U.S. policy in Kazakhstan is promotion of democracy and human rights.

The Congressional Human Rights Caucus is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Kazakhstan and has called this briefing today to take a closer look at recent developments.

Kazakhstan is a former Soviet Republic that held great promise early in this decade for moving toward democracy and a free market economy. But there has been a steady and alarming deterioration in recent years.

No democracy, especially the United States government and this Congress, should tolerate such conduct.

It came as a pleasant surprise.

I would like to take this time to commemorate the historic Hazel Dell farm.

His grandson died battling the Germans in World War II, and his grandson died in Vietnam.

Last year, the 1866 Fulkerson Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic places and a brief dedication was held during which the new National Register plaque was unveiled.

I am very pleased to see our community coming together to remember our veterans and take pride in our local heritage.

The owners of the farm say it was a natural place for the celebration because the original owner of the farm, Col. William Fulkerson, fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War.

Notwithstanding all of his professional accomplishments, Judge was most known for his involvement in public activity and his willingness to reach out and help others.

Judge was much too young to die, and yet he did probably because like many other men and especially African American men, did not adequately look after his health.

Judge was tough, tenacious and a skilled labor negotiator who could stand like a rock and not be moved.

He lived among and worked with people in low-income communities which at one time was characterized by the Chicago Tribune as home for the permanent underclass.

He would not be moved, he would not be compromised and he shall not be forgotten.

Judge had a strong work ethic and worked two and sometimes three jobs for practically all of his adult life.