Sam Brownback: “I take this opportunity to introduce to the Senate and to the United States the formation of the Religious Prisoners…”

“I take this opportunity to introduce to the Senate and to the United States the formation of the Religious Prisoners Congressional Task Force, which will advocate for religious prisoners suffering persecution from foreign governments. This bicameral, bipartisan task force was founded by Representative Joe Pitts, from Pennsylvania, who has been the leading force on this, and myself. We are also joined by Senator Joe Lieberman, from Connecticut, and Representative Tony Hall, from Ohio, on this joint task force. I would also note at the very outset that many Members are active in this work and have been for a number of years, such Members as Frank Wolf, from Virginia, who for years has advocated for those who have no voice, who are prisoners of conscience in dirty cells and jails around the world; people like Senator Lugar in this body, who has done so quietly and effectively with many leaders of Government as have other leaders as well. And there are many ongoing efforts along with this task force we are announcing here today. As leaders in a nation which ardently values religious freedom-- indeed, our Nation was founded upon the principle of religious freedom--we take this opportunity to intervene at the highest levels for those whose greatest crime is to express a belief in the divine, in God. It is my personal conviction that what one does with one's own soul is the most fundamental of human rights.”