Chris Smith: “This legislation provides $31 million over 2 years to help heal and to mitigate at least some of the agony and some of…”

“This legislation provides $31 million over 2 years to help heal and to mitigate at least some of the agony and some of the suffering that is truly unfathomable, for those who have endured grotesque torture around the world. We have heard testimony time and time again that torture persists in many, many despotic countries. We have also heard from those who have suffered and their advocates on what steps the United States and other free countries ought to take to try to lessen some of that suffering. Those who suffer cruelty at the hands of these governments usually bear the scars, physically, emotionally, and psychologically, for the rest of their lives. For most, if not all, the ordeal of torture does not end when they are released from a gulag, a laogai or a prison camp. These victims, Mr. Speaker--and there are millions of them around the world and an estimated 400,000 survivors of torture living in the United States--need our help.”