Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I have met many strong and courageous women in my lifetime, both here and abroad. But I rise today to recognize Mariamu Stanford, a young woman from Tanzania, who epitomizes the essence of bravery. I rise to shine a light on the untold horrors she and others with albinism faced, and continue to face, in East Africa. I rise to highlight an ongoing, but little known, crime against humanity in East Africa, particularly in rural Tanzania, where human beings with albinism are butchered and their body parts sold for profit. These horrific acts are perpetuated by witch doctors who believe the body parts of people with albinism have magical powers, and can be mixed in potions to bring the buyer good luck. Rural villages strong incentive to harvest the limbs of their neighbors with albinism, because a single limb can sell for as much as $2,000, a king's ransom in rural Tanzania. Mariamu, who has albinism, is one of the few survivors of these horrific attacks. Her story is one of fear, horror, and unbelievable courage. She told me her story, through an interpreter, when we met recently. One night in October of 2008, when she was asleep with her toddler son, a group of machete-wielding young men from her village broke into her home and attacked her. They cut off both of her arms while she struggled, screamed, and shielded her young son from the blows. It was six long hours after the attack before she, 5 months pregnant, was able to receive medical treatment.…”