Manzullo Praises Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for Courage in Fighting Oppression in Burma
Washington,
Sep 19 -
Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today joined former First Lady Laura Bush, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and top Congressional leaders in presenting Nobel Peace Prize winner and Burmese human rights champion Daw Aung San Suu Kyi with the Congressional Gold Medal.
During his speech at the ceremony, Manzullo acknowledged the sacrifice Daw Suu Kyi endured as a political prisoner under house arrest for 15 years by Burma’s ruling military junta. She was released in November 2010 after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to fight injustice and oppression in Burma since the early 1980s. Manzullo, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia & the Pacific, and Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY) co-authored legislation signed into law in 2008 to grant Daw Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal.
“There are no awards that can replace the time lost or erase the pain endured. We must follow the example set by Daw Suu Kyi and continue to fight against oppression wherever it rears its ugly head,” Manzullo said. “We gather today to praise not only her accomplishments, but to bring light to the anguish and suffering of all those around the world who continue to endure oppression. We must never forget that the geopolitical decisions made here in Washington have a real and lasting impact on individuals around the world.”
The ceremony, which was held in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, also featured speeches from former Bush, Clinton, House Speaker John Boehner, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senators John McCain and Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Crowley, and Mrs. Suu Kyi. Click here to view Manzullo’s speech.