International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 Amendment

Floor Speech

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Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the fundamental freedom to practice the religion of one's choosing is a fundamental right and an essential element of democratic governance. Religious organizations of all kinds view their cemeteries, Mr. Speaker, as hallowed ground, deserving of respect and protection. Freedom of religion includes the right to gather at these sacred sites and to pay our respects to the beloved faithful who have gone before us.

Yet, in many places around the world, the desecration of religious cemeteries is an ongoing problem: sometimes through vandalism by intolerant groups; sometimes by construction or demolition without proper consultation of religious authorities. For example, Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, more than 50 graves were vandalized in a Jewish cemetery in northeast Hungary--their headstones toppled and smashed.

I was proud to be an original cosponsor of a similar effort by former Congressman Robert Turner last Congress, and I want to commend the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Meng) for her leadership in introducing H.R. 4028 this year. The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which this bill modifies, guides U.S. policy in promoting freedom of religion around the world.

Among other aspects, that law requires the State Department to report annually on violations of religious freedom abroad. By adding ``desecration of cemeteries'' to the examples of religious freedom violations listed in that act, H.R. 4028 says loudly and clearly that Congress and the American people stand in staunch opposition to the deliberate desecration of religious burial grounds.

In this way, the bill provides extra incentives for foreign governments to respect the rights of religious organizations regarding cemetery preservation.

In addition to Ms. Meng, I also want to recognize the important contributions of the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) during the Foreign Affairs Committee markup of this bill. Their bipartisan efforts have led to the good bill before us today, which deserves our unanimous support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to, again, thank Ms. Meng for her wonderful leadership role in this and many other pieces of legislation going through our Foreign Affairs Committee and commend Mr. Collins, as well, for this blow against hatred and intolerance and in favor of religious free exercise around the world. I strongly support the bill by Ms. Meng, H.R. 4028.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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