[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 7838-7839] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]BURMESE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY ACT ______ HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY of new york in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 11, 2010 Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I am proud to join with so many of my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan extension of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act. It is abundantly clear that we need tougher and a more robust application of sanctions on Burma, and we need to start soon because the Burmese regime continues to commit crimes against humanity and war crimes against its people. Many of us in this Congress, as well as credible human rights organizations, have been saying this for years, but now even the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma has said that it is highly likely the regime has committed crimes. This is a regime that has destroyed or forced the abandonment of 3,500 villages, raped countless ethnic minority women and recruited thousands of child soldiers. There is no shortage of evidence of these crimes--which continue to this day. It is my hope the Administration will support the United Nations' findings, both by acknowledging the Burmese regime is committing crimes against humanity and by seeking a strong international investigation. I am also concerned that the Burmese military regime has completely rejected true cooperation with the legitimate leaders of Burma--Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy. The regime recently released a new constitution and electoral law [[Page 7839]] that makes it impossible for Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi to run for office. The Burmese regime's ``laws'' makes a mockery of constitutionalism, and for that reason Aung San Suu Kyi's political party is simply not able to register to participate in the election. We must stand with Aung San Suu Kyi and the legitimate leaders of Burma and show our support through concrete actions--by implementing tougher sanctions and action on crimes against humanity--moves that have real teeth. When I led the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, which was signed into law in 2008, I believed the Administration should use the measure to implement tough sanctions--now is the time for that implementation to begin. Lastly, I would like to convey a message to Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma: the people and Congress of the United States stand with you. We will not waver in our support for your struggle. Aung San Suu Kyi has appealed to the world to support the fight for human rights and democracy, stating ``Please, use your liberty to promote ours.'' It is time for us to re-double our efforts for a better, more democratic Burma, and I urge my colleagues to join me in the expeditious passage of this legislation.