Political Quotes

“I yield myself such time as I may consume. I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Chairman Bachus for their cooperation in allowing this bill to proceed so swiftly to the floor. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 515, the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011. I would like to thank my distinguished colleague and friend, Mr. Smith, for introducing this timely and important measure. Belarus has been correctly deemed the last dictatorship of Europe. Under the iron hand of Lukashenko, the Belarusian people have endured the systemic denial and violation of their basic freedoms and human rights. The authorities in Belarus have severely restricted free speech and independent media. Prodemocracy political activists are subject to beatings and imprisonment. The regime's heavy-handed tactics were fully utilized in last December's fraudulent election for president. According to our own Department of State's Human Rights Report: ``Authorities denied citizens the right to change their government, manipulating the December 19 presidential election to ensure that the president would not be seriously challenged. ``Security forces beat detainees and protesters, used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrators, and reportedly used torture during investigations.…”