DarfurMay 08 2008

The current facts:

The UN World Food Program is cutting back on food supplies to Darfur because of lack of funds and relentless attacks on their convoys.

The Sudanese government bombed a Darfuri school this week, killing at least 13 people, including seven children.

The UN approved peace keeping troops 10 months ago, but less than 1/3 have reached Darfur.

After 5 years of conflict, approximately 200,000 people have been killed, and nearly 2.5 million displaced.

On June 1, the U.S. will assume the presidency of the U.N. Security Council. As president, the U.S. will have the opportunity to set the agenda for the Security Council and continue to lead the way to protect the people of Darfur.

It just flat out makes my stomach hurt when I think of the people of Darfur. I cannot imagine waking up in the middle of the night because soldiers are attacking my home and setting it on fire. They shoot my Dad and take my mom captive, and I run as fast as I can…. to nowhere. That is what has happened and continues to happen in Darfur.

The art of the children speaks volumes. And if it does not make you cry…

As President Bush said recently, “The vulnerable people of Darfur deserve more than sympathy. They deserve the active protection that UN peacekeepers can provide.” And I think they deserve our prayers and our support to the fullest extent possible.

There is currently an emergency supplemental bill before Congress. It would provide critical financial assistance to the Darfuri people this year. I support the bill, and I have made my views known to my representatives in government.