Political Quotes

“I rise to address a great human tragedy silently unfolding in North Korea and the urgent need for the United States to respond. The North is experiencing a severe famine and has asked the world for help. Pyongyang has gratefully acknowledged our past assistance. It is in our interest to respond generously to their plight. According to experts from the World Food Program [WFP] who recently returned from extensive travels in North Korea, tens of thousands of people are on the brink of starvation. Hundreds of thousands more are suffering from severe malnutrition, the result of several years of scarcity. The public food distribution system on which 78 percent of the North's population depends has effectively ceased to function in most parts of the country. In those few rural areas where the public distribution system still is operating, rations have fallen to below 100 grams per day, the equivalent of a small handful or rice or corn for each person. The evidence of famine is pervasive and undeniable. Children are among the hardest hit, their hair tinged red from malnutrition, their growth stunted, their eyes sunken and listless.”