Jim Sensenbrenner: “I rise in support of H.R. 6338, the Geneva Distinctive Emblems Protection Act of 2006. This legislation will assist in…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 6338, the Geneva Distinctive Emblems Protection Act of 2006. This legislation will assist in the implementation of important humanitarian programs. The Geneva Convention has long provided for the use of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems by governments and national societies to implement medical and humanitarian programs. In December of 2005, the Geneva Convention, through the Third Additional Protocol, adopted a third distinctive emblem, the Red Crystal, to join the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems. The adoption of the Red Crystal emblem cleared the path, with the acceptance of Israel's version of the Red Cross, into the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement after being excluded for more than 30 years. The approval of the Red Crystal emblem provides the American Red Cross, United States military personnel and humanitarian organizations and workers with another option in the circumstances where the Red Cross or the Red Crescent may not be perceived as a neutral emblem.”