Political Quotes

Tom Lantos: Mr. Speaker, I cannot forget the event in the Kigali Airport when I traveled with President Clinton to Rwanda and he…

On the recordJuly 21, 2004
Mr. Speaker, I cannot forget the event in the Kigali Airport when I traveled with President Clinton to Rwanda and he spoke to Rwandans and apologized for our failure to act. There was a woman sitting there who had lost all of her family in front of her eyes. There was a priest there who had his arm cut off. There were people sitting there that the President acknowledged as people that the United States did not act to save. We have that same opportunity. We have it. It is in our hands. We have the capacity, and we must exercise our solemn duty to humanity for justice for everyone. No one on this floor, no one in this building should ever want to sit in a meeting like that again and say, we are really sorry; we knew it was going on, but we did not do anything. We must act.
Said by
Tom Lantos

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the need for action in response to humanitarian crises.

Share

More from Tom Lantos

Jul 10, 2007

I fully support H.R. 556, the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007. Greater oversight is needed regarding foreign investment in the United States, and I want to commend Chairman Frank and Mrs. Maloney for the work they have…

govinfo.gov
Sep 11, 2007

Prime Minister Maliki and the Iraqi politicians need to know that the free ride is over.

transcripts.cnn.com
Sep 19, 2006

I am pleased to yield to my good friend and distinguished colleague from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) as much time as he might consume.

govinfo.gov
Mar 9, 2007

I rise in support of H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, I would like to thank my distinguished colleague, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, James Oberstar, and my friend from Michigan, Bart…

govinfo.gov