FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement Honoring the Life of Marla Ruzicka

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi honored the life of Marla Ruzicka, who was tragically killed on Saturday while she was in Iraq helping the civilian victims of the war.  Pelosi submitted the following statement into the Congressional Record today:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Marla Ruzicka, who was tragically killed on Saturday in Iraq at the age of 28.  Marla’s courageous work on behalf of civilian victims of war demonstrated the compassion of the American people and extended a hand in friendship to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.  Marla gave so much of herself in her short life; it grieves us to think how much more she had to give. She devoted her life to making the lives lost count.  Marla’s death is a loss to the world.

“Ms. Ruzicka was born in Lakeport, Calif. and came to San Francisco at the age of 17 to start her career at Global Exchange.  During her time with Global Exchange, she worked with African AIDS victims, Palestinian refugees, and Nicaraguan campesinos.  When her work took her to Afghanistan during the war to remove the Taliban, she came face to face with the human costs of the conflict and dedicated the remainder of her life to aiding the civilian victims of war.

“Two years ago, Ms. Ruzicka founded the Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict.  With little staff and scarce funding, she successfully lobbied Congress for $2.5 million to help Afghan war victims.  The fund has since grown to $7.5 million, and she has secured $10 million for Iraqi victims.

“Ms. Ruzicka worked not just in Washington, but on the literal frontlines of the conflicts.  In Iraq, she was the leader of more than 150 volunteers who went door-to-door to compile a list of civilian casualties to determine the civilian cost of the war.  She was a fierce advocate for the victims’ families, serving as the point of contact between affected Iraqi civilians and the U.S.-led forces.  Ms. Ruzicka helped direct aid where it was most needed, and she helped many Iraqi families begin to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives.

“On April 16, Ms. Ruzicka was on her way to visit another Iraqi family devastated by the conflict when a suicide bomber attacked a nearby U.S. convoy.  She died in the blast.

“Mr. Speaker, Marla Ruzicka reminded us of the immense scale of human suffering that war brings.  She gave her time, her energy, and ultimately her life to help ease the suffering of its victims.  She is an inspiration to people around the world. 

“I hope that it is a comfort to her parents, Clifford and Nancy, her brothers and sisters, and all her family and friends, that so many people share their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi