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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1384-E1385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

   IN SUPPORT OF H. RES. 742, CONDEMNING THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION FOR 
                        SELLING WEAPONS TO SYRIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 742, 
a resolution I introduced condemning the Russian government for selling 
weapons to the Assad regime of Syria.
  A bipartisan companion resolution sponsored by Senators Cornyn (R-TX) 
and Durbin (D-IL) has been introduced in the Senate as S. Res. 494. I 
am proud that my colleagues Sheila Jackson Lee, Dave Camp, Sue Myrick, 
Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Betty McCollum have joined me as original co-
sponsors of this important resolution.
  The resolution is endorsed by the American Syrian Coalition, ASC, and 
I ask unanimous consent to include in the record a letter of

[[Page E1385]]

support from ASC Chairman Mahmoud Khattab. I welcome and invite all 
members of the House to co-sponsor this resolution.
  I am proud that I was able to work with Republican colleagues in the 
House and the Senate on a resolution that puts the Congress on record 
in calling upon the government of Russia to immediately end all weapons 
sales to Syria, support international sanctions against the regime of 
Syrian President Assad, and to use its influence to help bring about a 
peaceful transition of leadership within the government of Syria.
  Mr. Speaker, what began as a peaceful stand against tyranny has 
morphed into the bloodiest movement of the Arab Spring. According to 
the International Red Cross, more than 16,000 men, women and children 
have been killed in the conflict, and the violence has increased 
substantially in the past few weeks. An estimated 1 million Syrians 
have also been internally displaced and tens of thousands more have 
fled to neighboring countries.
  The massacres in Houla and Tremseh where dozens if not hundreds of 
civilians were killed are just two of the more shocking examples of the 
terror that has gripped this nation for over a year.
  Battles are currently raging for the country's two largest cities, 
the capital Damascus and the commercial center Aleppo. In Aleppo 
rockets and shells have routinely been landing in residential areas, 
and there have been sightings of fighter planes over the city. The 
international community is holding its breath as the Assad regime gears 
up for what many fear will be a massacre of the city. A rebel victory 
in Aleppo would be a decisive turning point in the war, and this is 
something the Syrian government will prevent from happening at all 
costs.
  President Assad's brutal crackdown in response to these protests has 
been directly fueled by the unrelenting support of the Russian 
Federation. Throughout the mass murders, torture and other atrocities 
perpetrated by the regime, Russia has continued to send weapons, 
knowing they are not being used for self defense purposes.
  Although the vast majority of the world has condemned the actions of 
President Assad and his government, China and Russia have refused to 
support any efforts to end the violence. Russia in particular has been 
Mr. Assad's staunchest defender. The Russian Federation has now vetoed 
three United Nations Security Council Resolutions that would have 
imposed long overdue international sanctions against the Syrian regime.
  I agree with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she stated, and 
I quote: ``History will judge this council; its members must ask 
themselves whether continuing to allow the Assad regime to commit 
unspeakable violence against its own people is the legacy they want to 
leave.''
  These comments were obviously directed towards Russia and China, and 
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Lavrov has simply repeated 
Russia's support for non-intervention, and stated that any solution 
would have to be decided by Syrians themselves, and not a foreign 
power.

  Mr. Lavrov says this as his country continues to send arms to Mr. 
Assad and his army whose firepower is already vastly superior to the 
rebels they are attacking.
  Mr. Speaker, Russia can do what I cannot, and that is to sit idly by 
as thousands of innocent civilians are slaughtered because of their 
desire to live in a free and democratic country.
  Syrian men and women fighting for democratic ideals should not be 
abandoned to face the wrath of a tyrant alone. They should know that 
they have a friend in the American government.
  Today, I ask for my colleagues' support for H. Res. 742. The Russian 
government has enabled the Assad regime to commit murder among other 
mass atrocities, and they need to be held accountable for their 
actions.
  As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security I have seen how 
America is an example of democracy and peace, and I wish to see the 
same outcome for Syria.
  I stand today not only to ask for the support of my colleagues, but 
to show my support and admiration for the rebel fighters and all those 
in Syria who are fighting against oppression and cruelty.

                                                    July 30, 2012.
     Hon. Laura Richardson,
     House of Representatives, Longworth Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Rep. Richardson: On behalf of the American Syrian 
     Coalition (ASC), I would like to thank you for introducing H. 
     Res. 742, a bipartisan resolution condemning the Russian 
     government for continuing to sell offensive weapons to the 
     Assad regime of Syria, which is using them to violently 
     suppress peaceful demonstrations and protests by innocent 
     Syrian citizens.
       Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution in March 2011, 
     more than 21,000 people have been killed, according to the 
     Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and thousands more have 
     been wounded, displaced, detained, and/or tortured. 
     Emboldened by the Russian and Chinese vetoes at the U.N. 
     Security Council, the regime continues its all-out military 
     assault using Russian-supplied helicopter gunships and 
     fighter jets to bomb Syrian civilians simply because they 
     demanded freedom, dignity and democracy. Your stance with the 
     Syrian people is courageous and we wholeheartedly appreciate 
     your efforts to help put an end to the brutal Assad regime.
       Thank you again for supporting the Syrian people and for 
     standing up for those facing injustice at home and abroad.
           Sincerely,

                                          Dr. Mahmoud Khattab,

                                                         Chairman,
     American Syrian Coalition.

                          ____________________
```