Janice Schakowsky: “in February I had an opportunity to go to Colombia along with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), and we…”

“in February I had an opportunity to go to Colombia along with the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), and we met with all 12 mayors from Putumayo; and they had one message, please stop the fumigation. The next day we went along with Ambassador Anne Patterson to Putumayo, and we met with impoverished farmers whose legal crops had been destroyed by U.S. fumigation planes. We heard from Colombians whose children suffered from severe rashes after being sprayed. Mr. Chairman, after the birth of my granddaughter yesterday, I am particularly sensitive to the picture of the baby shown by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers), and the problems caused to children. I saw some of those children. It was reported to us that local drinking water sources were contaminated from fumigation, as were fish farms. This testimony was news to Ambassador Patterson, who agreed that more research on the human health effects of the fumigation is needed. So many of those suffering under our policy are the poor, working families not involved in the coca trade.”