March 27, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S1813 music is spreading further across the firm foundation of friendship through their angle now, so I suppose people are going to country each day, their roots remain teenage years, which continues to benefit be surprised. Some people want every record grounded in eastern Kentucky. them to this day. ‘‘When you know someone to sound the same, but once your fans think I ask that my Senate colleagues join as long as we have, you know each other’s they know you, you are done. You won’t dynamics,’’ says Jamerson. ‘‘He is like a grow as musicians if they think they have me in recognizing the success of Sundy brother to me. It’s gratifying to do this you figured out.’’ Best and wishing them well with the whole music thing alongside someone you ‘‘We definitely have a vision of where we recent release of their new album, have known for so long.’’ want to be,’’ says Bentley, who with Bring Up the Sun. After high school, the pair’s goal to play Jamerson played more than 190 dates out on Kentucky Monthly recently pub- sports often competed with the draw they the road in 2013. ‘‘I would never have ex- lished an article chronicling the rise of shared to ultimately pursue a music career. pected to be where we are today just one Sundy Best. I ask unanimous consent ‘‘Music was the one passion that I always year ago. I think 2014 is going to be another that the full article be printed in the had, but looking back, I am glad my parents growth year for us. A lot of people still don’t talked me into getting a college degree,’’ know who we are, so we want to definitely RECORD. says Jamerson, who was on the Pikeville continue to play new markets. We are ex- There being no objection, the article College football team. ‘‘The people I met and cited to see what happens with this new was ordered to be printed in the the experiences I had in college made me the record and then determine what happens RECORD as follows: person I am now. That’s where songs come next.’’ [From Kentucky Monthly, Feb. 25, 2014] from. You need perspective and life lessons No matter where their musical journey as a writer.’’ might still yet lead them, one thing is for THE BEST MEN WIN The end of college (Bentley attended and sure: These two will continue to give credit (By Tricia Despres) played basketball for Centre) brought the be- where credit is due. When kids grow up with something to ginning of the duo’s quick, yet organic, as- ‘‘You hear people all the time talking prove, they can become stubborn and a bit cent to musical success. After their joint about how they are Texas proud or Georgia hardheaded. But when those kids grow up to move to Lexington and a brief stint working proud or even Tennessee proud,’’ says Bent- be adults who want to make a living as musi- at the local cable company, the two began ley. ‘‘When you are from eastern Kentucky, cians . . . well, they just might become su- performing at patio parties, restaurants and you are automatically proud. You can be perstars. clubs, often playing four-hour sets each anywhere in the world, and if you meet So goes the story of Sundy Best. night. A regular gig at Lexington’s Redmon’s someone from eastern Kentucky, you are im- Blending an eclectic mix of acoustic guitar helped the two establish a growing fan base mediately friends. Plus, they are the craziest with the beat of the cajo´ n drum and the com- eager to find out more about the band. fans ever. We love Nashville and all, but we pelling vocals of Nick Jamerson and Kris ‘‘Thank goodness for social media,’’ says would just rather stay right here in Ken- Bentley, Sundy Best looks as if they are Bentley, who cut his musical teeth trying to tucky. The people here have been the biggest about to embark on a career many others are emulate the songs of artists such as Bob driving factor in our career, and we can often left to dream about. Just last year, the Seger and Tom Petty. ‘‘Good ol’ Facebook never be too thankful.’’ Kentucky-based duo released a deluxe was the only way to connect to our fans and ‘‘Before I moved to Lexington, my whole version of their album Door Without a tell them where we were going to be every life had been spent living in eastern Ken- Screen and watched as it landed in the Top night. We would always have 20 or 30 people tucky. I had never had a chance to miss liv- 10 on iTunes. The video for their single from eastern Kentucky who knew us from ing in the country. And as we have begun ‘‘Home (I Wanna Go)’’ reached the top of when we played sports drive up on a touring more, I now know it was something CMT Pure’s fan-voted poll for multiple weeknight to see us perform. Seeing that I myself took for granted,’’ says Jamerson. weeks. A brand-new album in 2014 is sure to kind of support when we were just out there ‘‘We love Kentucky and will always want to help the duo prove to the rest of the world playing cover songs was a huge boost to our carry that flag . . . but we can’t wait to that, sometimes, the underdogs win. confidence.’’ spread the word to everyone else, too.’’ ‘‘Growing up, I always seemed to have a Then, Sundy Best recorded the song that f chip on my shoulder,’’ says Jamerson. ‘‘As a would change their career: ‘‘Home (I Wanna kid who loved playing sports, I was smaller Go).’’ ‘‘That song took off right around the SYRIAN WAR CRIME TRIBUNAL than anyone else, so I always had something same time when the winter had set in and Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, Sen- to prove in everything that I did. It was the the patio gigs had shut down,’’ recalls Bent- attitude I would ultimately have with every- ley. ‘‘Once people heard that song, the whole ators RUBIO, MURPHY, KAINE, and I re- thing in my life. I was just always super thing just grew. People knew we were serious cently introduced in the Senate a con- competitive.’’ about doing music.’’ current resolution on the need for the It was an attitude Jamerson seemed to in- In 2012, the duo recorded some of their investigation and prosecution of war herit from his close-knit family. ‘‘Three of songs that they self-produced with friend and crimes, crimes against humanity, and my grandparents had a college degree, filmmaker Coleman Saunders, and independ- genocide committed by any groups in- which, coming from a small mining town in ently released Door Without a Screen. volved in civil war in Syria. Congress- Kentucky, was not at all common,’’ he re- Last year, they were asked to play the calls. ‘‘I mean, my grandmother could build jewel of all venues: the Grand Ole Opry. ‘‘As man CHRIS SMITH has introduced the anything. Being around those kinds of people a musician and performer, I don’t think I House version of this concurrent reso- all my life and seeing how driven and suc- will ever be the same,’’ says Jamerson. ‘‘I lution. It calls for President Obama to cessful they were . . . it definitely made an cried when I found out we were playing have our Ambassador to the U.N. use impression on me.’’ there. It was like being at church and feeling the influence and vote of the United As a 5-foot-10 kid basketball player from something on your heart and you don’t know States to promote the establishment of Prestonsburg, Bentley also was up against what it is. We had been touring all year, so a Syrian war crimes tribunal. The need his share of obstacles, none of which he sharing it with our families was an unbeliev- is stark. Quite simply, the terrible hadn’t learned to conquer during his child- able feeling. I mean, what else could top hood years growing up within the sacred that? I was watching Netflix the other night crimes being committed in the civil walls of the church, hence the name Sundy and they were doing a two-day concert spe- war in Syria call out for justice. As Best. ‘‘I would play drums every Sunday cial on Neil Young and were showing this such, the U.N. should establish a tri- with my dad and brother,’’ recalls Bentley, concert he did at the Ryman Auditorium, bunal similar to the ones created in re- describing himself as a good kid who ‘‘put and I mean, he was walking through the sponse to the charges of war crimes, Mom through the wringer . . . church really same doors we did when we were playing crimes against humanity, and genocide was the only outlet to get out there and do there for the Grand Ole Opry. Every time we in the former Yugoslavia, Sierra music, especially in eastern Kentucky.’’ get the chance to play there, it ends up being Leone, and Rwanda. Besides sports and a childhood spent with- quite the spiritual experience.’’ in the church, the two also shared a musical The year 2014 brings Sundy Best fans the As the Syrian conflict entered its foundation formed within their homes, often much-anticipated new album Bring Up the fourth year this month, the horrific vi- spending countless hours listening to a di- Sun, a collection of songs that just might olence there continues unabated. The verse mix of rock, pop, and bluegrass. ‘‘Ev- take their longtime fans a bit by surprise. losses from the conflict are staggering. eryone would get together at my grand- ‘‘Our first album was quite Kentucky-cen- According to some estimates the death parents’ house and play the old bluegrass tric,’’ says Jamerson, who spends any spare toll has reached more than 146,000. standards,’’ recalls Jamerson. ‘‘The doctor time he has at home in Lexington with his There are an estimated 6.5 million in- two dogs and cat. ‘‘The music just feels good up the road would come over and play the ternally displaced persons in Syria and fiddle, Grandpa played the banjo, Grandma in our bones. It’s a really broad album, played guitar, and my great-aunt played the which everyone we work with has a hard millions of Syrian refugees have fled mandolin.’’ time explaining. But everyone will find their country. First meeting in elementary school, something different in it. It’s good music, Last week I had the privilege of Jamerson and Bentley would go on to form a but it’s coming from a bit of a different meeting with a number of dedicated

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:03 Mar 28, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G27MR6.009 S27MRPT1 rfrederick on DSK6VPTVN1PROD with SENATE S1814 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 27, 2014 Chicago-area members of the Syrian- In 2011, I was joined by Senators tion stand and must enforce the Secu- American Medical Society who re- BOXER, CARDIN, and MENENDEZ on a let- rity Council resolution. cently returned from a medical mission ter to then-U.N. Ambassador Susan Ultimately, as President Obama has to treat Syrian patients in the north of Rice urging that Assad be referred by stated, this conflict needs to be re- Lebanon. They shared heartbreaking the Security Council to the Inter- solved politically. Last year, I did sup- stories of the Syrian refugees they met national Criminal Court. Now, 21⁄2 port the limited use of military force and treated and appealed for continued years later, with so many further when Assad broke a long-established international help for these millions of atrocities in Syria, the need for hold- global taboo against the use of chem- innocent victims. As a hearing I ing those accountable for war crimes is ical weapons but also agree that a po- chaired in January on Syrian refugees as strong as ever. We, and other con- litical solution must ultimately be illustrated, this humanitarian catas- cerned countries, have an interest in pursued in Syria. But for a long-term trophe has created grave challenges for seeing justice served. Those who com- and stable political solution to the war neighboring countries that are hosting mit war crimes and crimes against hu- there must also be justice for those the vast majority of the refugees. Addi- manity must be put on notice that the who have suffered so much, and a Syr- tionally, the fighting in Syria is in- international community will strive to ian war crimes tribunal would play a flaming sectarian violence in neighbors hold them accountable for their unlaw- vital role in such a process. such as Iraq and Lebanon. ful acts. f A staggering 9.3 million Syrians in- Unfortunately, establishing a Syrian side the country are estimated to be in war crimes tribunal may face opposi- EXECUTIVE CALENDAR OBJECTION need of assistance due to the conflict, tion from other members of the U.N. Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I in- and even more barbaric, starvation is Security Council, most notably Russia. tend to object to any unanimous con- being used as a weapon of war, with an Particularly given the widespread con- sent request at the present time relat- estimated 220,000 people trapped in be- demnation of Russia illegally violating ing to the nomination of Carolyn sieged areas in Syria. The Assad re- the territorial integrity of another Hessler Radelet to be the Director of gime and, to a far lesser extent, some state, it seems that Russian President the Peace Corps. opposition groups have blocked human- Putin does not care about the laws or I will object because I am inquiring itarian assistance in a deliberate effort views of the international community. into the circumstances related to the to increase pressure on besieged civil- The hypocrisy of Putin stating that refusal of the Peace Corps to grant the ians. If the use of chemical weapons by other countries should not intervene in Peace Corps inspector general full and the Assad regime wasn’t horrific Syria where there is an undisputed hu- timely access to records to which the enough, it has also utilized so-called manitarian catastrophe, while he ille- inspector general is entitled under the barrel bombs, mixes of explosives and gally annexes the territory of another Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Pro- shrapnel stuffed into barrels, that heli- state, in part on false humanitarian tection Act of 2011 and the Inspector copter gunships drop in civilian areas ground, is staggering. General Act of 1978. controlled by the opposition such as Nevertheless, if Putin wants to block At a hearing before the House Com- Aleppo. establishing a Syrian war crimes tri- The Syrian conflict has devastated mittee on Oversight and Government bunal, let us have Russia go on the even the most innocent members of Reform convened on January 15, 2014, Syrian society. I was deeply moved by record to say why it opposes justice for Peace Corps inspector general Kathy the plight of the children when last those who have suffered so much in Buller detailed difficulties she has en- year I visited Kilis, a Syrian refugee Syria. Let them explain how Russia, countered in accessing records which camp in Turkey. Yet sadly their plight having suffered its own horrific siege of she deemed were directly relevant to continues. In January the U.N. issued a Leningrad during which 800,000 peo- her review of Peace Corps’ handling of report which estimated that more than ple—one-third of the city’s popu- reports from its volunteers who claim 10,000 children have been killed. lation—died of starvation during the that they have been sexually assaulted. UNICEF said in March that the real almost 900-day siege by the Nazis, con- According to Inspector General number is likely to be even higher. The tinues to support the same brutal star- Buller’s testimony, records were with- January U.N. report stated that chil- vation techniques of its client autocrat held based on reasoning that directly dren in Syria experienced suffering in Syria, Bashar al-Assad. With these contravenes the Kate Puzey Act and which was ‘‘unspeakable.’’ Some of the types of brazen actions and statements, the Inspector General Act. reports of terrible abuses include sex- Putin will never earn the global re- In addition, Inspector General Buller ual violence against children held in spect and credibility he so desperately testified that even when limited access Syrian Government detention as well demands by invading neighboring coun- to records was later granted, most of as minors being used in combat and as tries, while at the same time con- the relevant information was withheld human shields. In addition, UNICEF re- tinuing to support and arm butchers under an overbroad interpretation of leased a report in March that esti- such as Assad. what constitutes ‘‘personally identi- mated there are up to 1 million chil- In February the U.N. Security Coun- fying information’’ under 22 U.S.C. dren who live under siege and in hard- cil passed a resolution, which Russia fi- § 2507a(f)(1)–(2). Inspector General to-reach areas that UNICEF and its hu- nally supported, demanding greater hu- Buller did clarify that, following objec- manitarian partners cannot access on a manitarian access as well as calling on tions from Congress, Peace Corps nar- regular basis. all parties to immediately cease at- rowed its interpretation of ‘‘personally As my colleague Senator MCCAIN tacks against civilians and lift the identifying information’’ which al- mentioned in his remarks in February siege of populated areas. Yet 1 month lowed her to access slightly more infor- on the Senate floor, respected former after the Security Council ordered all mation relating to the subject sexual war crimes prosecutors issued a report parties in Syria to allow aid workers assaults but not everything to which in January based on evidence they ob- into besieged areas and stop indis- the inspector general is entitled. tained regarding torture and murder by criminate attacks on civilians, a soon- In order to exercise the oversight the Syrian regime. The report stated to-be-released U.N. report says that the function envisioned by the Kate Puzey that the evidence—largely provided by Syrian Government has essentially ig- Act and the Inspector General Act, it is a Syrian defector and which includes nored the Security Council. Food sup- critical for the Peace Corps inspector 55,000 photographic images of approxi- plies have been held up at government general to have full and timely access mately 11,000 detained persons who had checkpoints, medical supplies removed to all Peace Corps records which she been tortured and killed by the Syrian from aid convoys, visas stalled for U.N. deems relevant to her review. regime—was credible. Additionally, officials, and key supply routes cyni- The Peace Corps apparently withheld these war crimes prosecutors noted cally kept closed. And Assad’s forces records from the inspector general dur- that such evidence could support find- persist in using brutal barrel bombs, ing the nominee’s tenure as the Acting ings of war crimes as well as crimes causing horrific indiscriminate killing Director, and I would like the oppor- against humanity against the Assad re- of innocent civilians. The international tunity to understand the cir- gime. community should not let this obstruc- cumstances more fully.

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