Crowley Statement on Passage of Burma Sanctions Bill 7/23/2008 Contact: (202) 225-3965 Foreign Affairs press release Crowley-authored resolution affirms House commitment to strong sanctions against military junta *** Click here to view Congressman Crowley’s floor speech in support of the Burma sanctions bill *** (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-Queens,Bronx) released the following prepared remarks regarding H.J. Res. 93, a measure renewing for one year the import restrictions contained in the Burmese and Democracy Act of 2003, which was passed unanimously today by the U.S. House of Representatives: “Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the renewal of sanctions on the Burmese junta. “I am proud to follow in the footsteps of the previous author of the import restrictions, the late Tom Lantos. “Like Chairman Lantos, I believe that the United States has a moral obligation to stand up for those citizens of the world who cannot stand up for themselves. “For many years now, the Burmese military junta has committed endless atrocities toward rival factions and ethnic groups inside their borders. “Over one million of the Burmese people have been forced to relocate from their homes. More than 2,700 villages have been razed while junta leaders deny much needed humanitarian aid to reach the refugees. Millions have been subjugated into forced labor -- what the International Labor Organization calls a "modern form of slavery". “The junta is one of the few remaining repressive regimes still in power in the 21st century. “President Bush and the First Lady continue to bring attention to the people of Burma’s struggle for freedom and democracy and I commend them both for their work. “But we need to pressure our allies, specifically the European Union (EU) and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), to do more to clamp down on the junta finances and international travel. “If we ignore this terrible situation it will only continue to worsen. “The time to act against these Burmese atrocities is upon us. Times such as now are when a strong voice is needed to push the world in the right direction. As a collective group we can come together to save lives and to save a culture from being swallowed by inhumanity.” # # #   Washington 2404 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202)225-3965 Queens 74-09 37th Ave Suite 306-B Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (718)779-1400 Co-op City 177 Dreiser Loop Bronx, NY 10475 (718)320-2314 Bronx 2800 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY 10465 (718)931-1400