SYRIAN VIOLENCE; Congressional Record Vol. 157, No. 91

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SYRIAN VIOLENCE

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from

Michigan (Mr. Walberg) for 5 minutes.

Mr. WALBERG. Mr. Speaker, while our President telegraphs to our

enemies a timeline for ending the war that they are certainly willing

to continue to commit to, while military efforts continue in Libya with

uncertain, undisclosed, and unsuccessful outcomes led by our

administration under NATO command, greater atrocities perpetrated

against freedom seekers in Syria go unaddressed, unannounced,

unconsidered by our President. Why? What's the reason? What's the time

limit? It is known that Syria has been a continuing threat to freedom

and a strong supporter and sustainer of unrest and terrorism in the

Middle East and around the world. They're a strong ally of Iran and a

constant threat to our friend Israel.

As freedom-seeking citizens of Syria join, Mr. Speaker, many others

in the Middle East in calling for political reforms, respect for human

rights, and regime change, the government of Syria and President Bashar

Al-Assad is violently and sadistically suppressing the Syrian people,

his own people. Tanks, snipers, goon squads, violent attacks on women

and children, starvation and dehydration, inhuman imprisonment,

torture, and worse has been the norm for the Syrian people for too

long--without a strong and principled response from our President and

our Nation. Why? We're not calling for a war. We're not calling for

troops on the ground. We're not calling for anything right now except

to take a stand against this atrocity.

Other nations have stood and voiced their concerns that President

Assad has violated its international obligations, including the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United

Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or

Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Isn't it time for our President and

this administration to stand and speak as the world leader and call on

President Assad to step down and for the Syrian Government to end its

cruel crimes against humanity?

I am firmly convinced that the rest of the peace-loving world will

respond to our leadership. They are looking for it. They expect it.

They are asking for it, and the Syrian people will be encouraged and

defended. And liberty's cause will be promoted in this earthquake zone

called the Middle East.

It's time to speak up. May God grant our President and this

administration and our government the courage to do so. Because it is

for humanity and people like ourselves that we speak.

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