On the recordApril 25, 2017
I thank the gentlewoman for yielding to me. I want to recognize the bipartisan support for this resolution. It heartens me. I know of the great work of the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass) for quite some time, as well as others on the other side of the aisle, on this issue. She, along with the Sudan Caucus, the Africa Subcommittee, and the CBC Africa Task Force have been working every day in a very tenacious way to draw attention to this issue and demand a strong international response. {time} 1800 Mr. Speaker, there is no doubt that this is a crisis. I agree with my colleague and friend from New Jersey (Mr. Smith): it is a manmade crisis. The United Nations is reporting that the current situation in a number of countries in Africa and the Middle East constitutes the most serious humanitarian crisis since its founding over 70 years ago. In South Sudan alone, 100,000 people are in a state of famine as we speak, and up to 5 million more are in serious danger of being in famine. These are men, women, and children who are in danger of not having enough food and water. The simple fact is, without international aid and assistance, people will die--many people will die. But it doesn't have to be this way.…
