Charles Rangel: “by now we are all aware of the ongoing crisis in Darfur, Sudan. The United Nations and U.S. officials have both asserted…”

“by now we are all aware of the ongoing crisis in Darfur, Sudan. The United Nations and U.S. officials have both asserted that the situation there is currently the worst humanitarian and human rights crisis in the world. To date, 1.4 million people have been internally displaced, 200,000 have been forced into exile, and an estimated 70,000 civilians have been killed. Some figures put the number of lives lost at nearly 300,000. In light of this incomprehensible tragedy, I am extremely pleased to support the passage of the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004, S. 2781. The bill represents a non-partisan effort to provide adequate humanitarian and peacekeeping assistance to the Darfur region, as well as, hold accountable the perpetrators of the atrocities. The bill seeks to appropriate $200 million for Darfur humanitarian relief, as well as assistance to the African Union's peacekeeping efforts in the region. through the application of economic sanctions, the bill will also seek to take punitive action against the Government of Sudan if it continues its brutal transgressions against the Darfurian people. In addition, the bill will appropriate $100 million in FY 05, 06, and 07 for reconstruction efforts in Southern Sudan. The passage of S. 2781 will send a clear message that the people of Darfur are not alone in their struggle, and that the acts being perpetrated by the Sudanese government will not be tolerated.”