Political Quotes

“His amendment increases funding for international peacekeeping efforts by $60 million. Another amendment that has been filed authorizes the Department of Defense to assist NATO in peacekeeping efforts in Darfur. The third sets aside funds for a special envoy to be named to play the role that former Senator John Danforth of Missouri played so effectively. Let me say parenthetically, he is a great man. I am honored to call him a friend. He accepted this assignment when he could have returned to the peace and solitude of his retired life in St. Louis, but leaving the United Nations he went on to Darfur. That speaks volumes about this man's commitment to the suffering of the world that he did it. Now we have an amendment before the Senate asking that another envoy be sent by the United States, a person of the caliber of John Danforth, who can do his best to try to bring some peace to that region. The situation in Darfur represents a massive humanitarian catastrophe, one that is ongoing, one that is happening on our watch. As we stand to make these speeches in the comfort and security of the Senate, people are literally dying, being raped, and starving to death in Darfur. Over the past 3 months alone, resurging violence in Darfur has forced 200,000 people from their homes. One-third of them are cut off from any humanitarian aid. In addition, Human Rights Watch has reported the Sudanese Government launched a new offensive in southern Darfur last week.…”