Ed Royce: “As a co-sponsor I rise in strong support. Throughout Africa we are seeing natural resources being misused and fueling…”

“As a co-sponsor I rise in strong support. Throughout Africa we are seeing natural resources being misused and fueling conflict; and this is the case with diamonds in Sierra Leone, timber in Liberia, cobalt in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In many places on the continents, natural resources are bringing nothing but misery to the African people. We listened to the testimony of little children missing their arms and in some cases without legs, testifying about their ordeal, representing over 5,000 children in Freetown alone, the victims of the Revolutionary United Front, the victims of men like Foday Sanko and Charles Taylor, both enriched by blood diamonds. This legislation promises to help to ensure that diamonds do not fuel conflict. It is an important step. The international community needs to recognize its responsibility to not be party to the misuse of diamonds and other natural resources. I would like to commend the Members who have worked hard on this legislation and especially to commend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Hall) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton), because they have worked tirelessly in trying to bring the issue of conflict diamonds before this body.”