Political Quotes

“Mr. President, 16 years ago the United Nations General Assembly designated April 4 as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. Today, I am introducing a Senate resolution recognizing that designation and reaffirming United States leadership in eliminating landmines and unexploded ordnance. As we read the reports of withdrawing Russian troops leaving landmines to terrorize, maim, and kill Ukrainian civilians, we are reminded of the necessity to redouble our efforts to ban these insidious weapons once and for all. The mines in Ukraine will remain a deadly hazard there long after the fighting ends, whenever that time comes. Landmines and other unexploded ordnance cause death and terrible injuries to people in dozens of countries, mostly places where the ability to provide lifesaving medical care and long-term rehabilitation and vocational support is lacking or far from adequate. The United States continues to provide the largest share of demining assistance, and we spend many millions of dollars annually helping the survivors. That is something we can be proud of. But in some countries, like Laos, the millions of cluster munitions that failed to detonate on contact were manufactured in the United States and dropped by American aircraft. Fifty years later they continue to destroy innocent lives.…”